= Wands High =

Chapter 11 - 11 May 1998, Monday

- Ladies and gentlemen – Orianna began before the door had even closed behind them, - I want you to meet my dear long-time quillpal, and since last year, real-life friend Jessie Hamilton, a Beauxbaton student and a rare gem in the all-too-strict academy for gorgeous French youngsters. And before you allow her cute looks to deceive you, let me tell you that first, she can take excellent care of herself and put you in your place with the same cute smile you see at the moment, and second but more important, behind the drums she's a beast.

- Stop it, Firethorne, you're scaring the people – laughed the newcomer. She was a mid-height blue-eyed girl with long blonde hair and the friendliest smile, wearing casual muggle clothing as it was after school hours. – Ri told me that you guys need a drummer ASAP and I'd like to try and see if you'll like what I can offer.

- You're more than welcome to do so, Jessie. I'm Daynen and this is James. What do you usually play?

- If I have to pick favorite genre, it's probably muggle punk rock if the term means anything to you – Daynen nodded; James shook his head. – But I've tried many things and I have a diverse repertoire. I'm ready for a little demonstration if you want to hear me now.

- Absolutely.

- Show these guys how it's done, girl – Orianna laughed and leaned against one of the desks.

Daynen observed as the newcomer took her place behind the drum kit, spun the sticks and looked at him with a question in the eyes.

- Just show us, what you can do, Jessie – he said with a smile.

The girl did a countdown and proceeded to a slow, moderate tempo, then gradually moved to a swing groove. Daynen could see from the get-go that she had a rhythmic, groovy way of playing. She wasn't hitting the drums as hard as Reginald, but her strokes did seem more precise and controlled overall.

- Can you do a shuffle? – he yelled.

- Whaat? Say again!

- A shuffle!

- Sure!

The girl changed it up abruptly, all the while looking at him with those blue eyes.

- She's good, no? – Orianna nudged him.

- I like what I see so far, yes. But how many big bands have a female drummer, I mean...

- I am going to take that guitar and smash it over your head.

- Just saying. She needs to be able to hit the drums, you know... hard.

Orianna rolled her eyes, before eventually waving to Jessie again.

- Babe, just unleash yourself.

- Whaat? – the other girl behind the kit yelled.

- Go crazy! – Orianna yelled again.

- Whaaat?

- MONKEY HANDS! MONKEY HANDS!

The expression on Jessie's face suddenly changed and that up till now friendly demeanor of hers seemed to evaporate as she screamed like a wild barbarian, who is charging into battle, and started hitting the drums so hard and so fast that next to them James visibly jumped up from his seat, as the whole room started to vibrate.

- Okay! Okay! Please stop! – Daynen waved his hands rapidly, as if trying to land a muggle plane from one of those films he had seen.

- Sorry, was it too loud? – Jessie screamed, despite the now total silence, all the while fidgeting with her ears, which had probably gone numb.