Ginny Weasley and the Red Shoes

Chapter Ten – Maneuvering

Class is wrapping up for the night. For its duration I’ve been standing at one end of the room, as physically far away from Pansy as I can manage under the circumstances. Experience gained from observing Harry and Ron’s continual run-ins with Draco have taught me that, particularly for a Gryffindor, discretion really is the better part of valor. At this distance I figure I can make it to the end of the session without another run in.

I am so naive.

We’ve finished our cool-downs and are milling about restlessly, waiting for Professor Sinistra to give the word and dismiss us. Instead she calls out to draw our attention forward again.

“Before you leave, I want to congratulate everyone here who tried out for the Revue, regardless of whether you made the cut list or not.”

She pauses to favor us with a warm smile.

“It pleases me to see how seriously so many of you have been treating your extracurricular activities, and in particular this club. I wish every one of you the best – and naturally I expect you all will do yourselves credit in the competition.”

Several of us glow at this unexpected compliment. Though not quite in the league of McGonagall or Snape, Sinistra is not known for her lavish praise. We’re barely allowed a moment to soak in her words, however, before an unexpected voice chimes in.

“Professor Sinistra, may I say something about that?”

Unbelievably, this comment comes from Pansy. I’m surprised she’s even paying attention, as all through class she was whispering intently with her friends. I suspect their topic was me, as several times I caught nasty glances shot my way from across the floor.

“Certainly you may, Miss Parkinson.”

She takes this as an invitation to make her way forward and stand next to Sinistra, who registers mild astonishment at her action. A niggling suspicion enters my mind, and while everyone’s attention is fixed on Pansy, I sneak a glance over at her knot of cronies. Several of them carry plainly smug looks.

A bad feeling washes over me.

Reaching her place at last, Pansy turns to address us with what she clearly believes is a polished, winning air. To me she merely sounds simpering and affected, but then I’m admittedly biased. Still, I’m completely caught off guard by the first words out of her mouth:

“I’m sure everyone here remembers as well as I do Professor Dumbledore’s comments to us at the Leaving Feast last year. By which I mean specifically – (I note Pansy hurriedly raising her voice rather pointedly here) – how that the ultimate goal of the Triwizard Tournament was to further and promote magical understanding among the larger wizarding community. And I needn’t remind you how the Headmaster so memorably exhorted us to, ah, pursue greater cooperation among the Houses. In the spirit of unity, that is. To promote friendship and trust with each other….”

I don’t know which is more absurd: that Pansy actually remembered the gist of Dumbledore’s speech or that she has the gall to quote it back at us. My eyes narrow – just what is she playing at?

“And now, just like last year, the Revue presents us with a similar opportunity to display our various talents and compete for the glory of our respective Houses. A lot of people will be taking part; the competition will be fierce….”

Pansy pauses to draw breath, giving us a moment to absorb her words. Colin glances at me and I shrug back at him. Frankly, I have no more idea than he where she’s heading with this.

“On that note I would also like to point out that this club has a developing reputation to uphold. Even though we put in, as Professor Sinistra has noticed, considerable effort in addition to our regular course load, not everyone in the school seems to think that this is a valid use of students’ extracurricular time. Although it pains me to say it, there are some even in my own house who claim – ”

“I am already well aware of Professor Snape’s opinions on the matter,” Sinistra coolly cuts off Pansy. A few people scowl, but unfortunately it’s out of agreement: it’s no secret that our Potions master has been openly deriding the merits of the Dance Club since the beginning of the year.

“Do you have a point to make, Miss Parkinson?” Sinistra prompts, her voice rather dry. “If so, I suggest you state it so that I may dismiss you all towards more… practical pursuits.”

For the first time since Pansy began talking, I grin. Whatever her plan, she just made a serious miscalculation reminding our professor of that fact. Pansy, however, remains inexplicably unperturbed. In fact, I realize that she seems to have been waiting for this.

“Yes, Professor, I was just about to. As it stands, a great number of individual acts will be participating in the Revue – several of us among them. But instead of having so many competing against each other in the same area, wouldn’t it be better to just have one group of the best performers representing the Dance Club?”

There is a general rumble of surprise among the crowd. Pansy pushes onward before anyone can interject.

“By doing so we are far more likely to finish high in the final standings. Furthermore, the Revue is an ideal place to showcase not only our talent, but also our commitment to promoting interhouse cooperation. It’s an opportunity we really can’t afford to miss. After all…” Pansy pauses to flash a smile that’s just short of a smirk, “as the Headmaster said, ‘we are strong as we are united’ – aren’t we?”

A wall of silence greets her last comment, which I can only attribute to shock as I myself am completely struck dumb. Then a mass of murmuring breaks out and I glance over at Sinistra. To my horror I see from the expression on her face that she is actually taking Pansy seriously. And judging from the conversations around me, Sinistra’s not the only one.

A prickling of anger shoots through me. I finally see what Pansy’s really aiming at. No matter what hollow altruism she spouts, the plain truth is that she is a very good dancer – she’s even had private lessons. It about made me sick when I saw her pirouetting in the corridor before the audition. And she’s not the only one among her group with experience, either. Trust Pansy to think up a way to eliminate most of her competition and look good doing it.

Before I can say anything, however, a third year Hufflepuff speaks up.

“But this isn’t… that is, we’re supposed to be representing our…” She falters, looking perplexed. “I mean, even if we agree to do this, what becomes of the House points?”

Pansy plasters on her most sympathetic expression as she appears to carefully ponder this.

“Well… it’s true that those of us competing want to support our own House, but don’t forget that in this case if we win the points would be shared among the group, so there’s actually a greater chance of many houses benefiting. And there will still be other acts from every House entered in the Revue. Now, it would require a small sacrifice on the part of those of us who belong to the Dance Club – that is, if we’re willing to put aside our own interests and cooperate…”

Her words have a calculated effect, for I notice many in the room shuffling quietly, now appearing to be convinced. Then a sixth year Ravenclaw makes a point.

“Cooperation is well and good, but exactly how are we going to pick who all gets to represent us?” He looks at Pansy pointedly. “I don’t know if I care for just one person having control over that, even if it is her idea to begin with.”

For a brief second Pansy’s eyes flash, but her countenance remains steady as she smoothly continues on.

“Naturally, a simple process of elimination should be good enough to determine who will be included… perhaps by having all interested parties perform a routine in front of the entire class? We can leave it to Professor Sinistra to have the final say – if that’s all right with you, Professor?”

Sinistra nods her assent and the boy falls quiet. His housemates give a mumble of approval, seemingly satisfied that there will be an impartial party in charge of the judging and a fair shot at qualifying. And at that moment I know that Sinistra and the majority of the club are now fully in support of Pansy’s suggestion.

A great sinking feeling like a lead weight fills my stomach. It’s not that I necessarily have a problem with entering the Revue as a group. It’s really not a bad idea; I could readily support it – if it had come out of anyone else’s mouth. But Pansy can dance circles around the rest of us; she will undoubtedly be made the lead. And I…

I just want a chance to shine on my own.

I turn again to observe Pansy and immediately regret it. She is gauging the crowd with an indecent air of satisfaction, knowing that she’s won. Meanwhile, Professor Sinistra clears her throat.

“It is a worthwhile suggestion, Miss Parkinson. I must say I am impressed with your initiative as well. It is certainly something I would like to pursue – that is, if you are all agreed?”

Sinistra looks around the room for consensus. The Hufflepuff girl speaks up again.

“Well, I can’t say that I wasn’t looking forward to entering on my own – but I think it’s a splendid idea. I for one am willing to agree to it.”

Several people nod, among them the Ravenclaw boy. His face has taken on a dark expression.

“Yeah, I’m with you,” he adds heatedly. “And beyond that, I’d really like to prove to everyone that we’re not a bunch of… of… dainty dilettantes!” he finally spits out, fixing on one of Snape’s choice slurs.

A roar of approval greets his words.

“You said it!”

“Hear, hear!”

“It’s so unfair!”

“Then if we’re all of one mind,” breaks in Pansy, eyes glowing exultantly, “let’s vote on it. All in favor –”

“HEY, WAIT A MINUTE!”

This comment bursts out unexpectedly from Colin. The room turns en masse to stare, causing him to hesitate momentarily, but he continues doggedly on:

“I just wanted to point out – er, even should we all decide to go along with this – not that I think that’s a bad idea, mind – but what kind of dance are we going to end up performing? Don’t those of us already entered at least get to decide that?”

He looks around for support, but is met by sea of impassive faces.

“I mean… it’s just that… see, Ginny and I’ve… we’ve already spent a lot of time planning out our number,” he finishes, somewhat lamely.

We have? I think to myself.

“Oh, really?” asks Pansy in a casually disinterested voice. “If it’s so good, why not share it with the rest of us then?”

Colin pauses. Then he shoots me an uncertain glance before facing Pansy resolutely. My heart clenches in ominous foreboding.

“Well, we’re thinking about using a fairy tale as the basis for our act.”

At the blank looks on most people’s faces, Colin clarifies.

“A fairy tale – it’s a kind of Muggle fantasy story.”

Pansy rolls her eyes.

“A Muggle story? How… droll.”

“Many Muggle myths, though fanciful, are based in actual fact, Miss Parkinson, as you should undoubtedly know,” admonishes Sinistra as she gazes thoughtfully at Colin. “And it’s also true that many of them have been interpreted through dance. Out of curiosity, Mr. Creevey, which story are you thinking of using?”

“Um, it’s called The Red Shoes. It’s about a girl who…”

It’s strange. As he stands not three feet away from me summarizing the story for the benefit of the class, I am suddenly overcome by an odd deafness. My mind floats away in a haze as the world dims around me. The room, so cheery and light, feels cavernous and tomb like; the faces of my schoolmates impersonal and statuesque.

It’s so cold in here, I think.

“…and that’s pretty much the gist of it,” finishes Colin, startling me back to myself.

“Urgh! That’s kind of morbid, isn’t it?” exclaims a first year Gryffindor.

“Actually, it sounds rather cool,” a fourth year Slytherin snickers before being elbowed into silence by his friends.

Sinistra, however, is considering us shrewdly.

“Have you planned out the choreography yet?”

“Er, no… I mean, not yet,” Colin reluctantly admits. I flush – Pansy is glittering at me triumphantly from behind our professor’s back.

“I see… but I’m sure you’ll figure that out. In any case, Mr. Creevey and Miss Weasley – provided that you want to participate with the Club, that is – would you consider presenting your act for our final decision? I am especially interested in seeing what you come up with. It’s an intriguing idea.”

Ooo, if looks could kill.