Cheer for me!

"Cheer for me!"

Chapter three-Cheer Off

"Well well...if it isn't the Gryffindor losers," said Pansy grinning.

"And the Slytherin pansies," Ginny said, coldly.

The two squads just glared at each other for a moment.

"Is there a point to your walking down the hall? Or are you just exercising your ability to frighten off most of the Hogwarts students?" Gillian asked, stiffly.

"'Cause if that's your point, you achieved it pretty well," I said, smiling sarcastically.

"I am sure I speak for most of us when I say...Good God," Emily chimed in.

The Gryffindors sniggered.

Pansy's eyes flashed.

"Oh really? Well, I speak for most of the Slytherins when I say that you are a bunch of Mudbloods,"

"We're mostly mixed blood or pure blood, you half wit," Gillian said, rolling her eyes.

Pansy's eye glittered maliciously.

"Not all of you,"

Immediately, Gillian looked abashed and upset.

"Oh, Hermione...I'm sorry," she said, looking pale.

I shook my head and then glared at Pansy.

"It's alright, Gillian. It's better to be a Mudblood that a self absorbed, cold hearted, and not to mention conceited half-wit of a witch," I said, icily as I folded my arms over my chest. "And I use the term 'witch' loosely. I suggest turning around and walking the other way."

"Is that a threat?" asked Pansy raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe," I said.

"Well...I have an idea to solve this little problem. A Cheer Off,"

"Cheer Off?" Mary asked, tilting her head.

"Yes. Both squads will perform in front of the school. Whichever squad manages to crack Professor Snape will be labeled the best," Pansy said, grinning.

"Exactly what do you mean, 'crack Professor Snape'?" asked Ginny.

"She means that we've got to make him smile," Gillian said.

I smiled sardonically.

"You're on,"

I extended my hand. Pansy shook it. We each did an about-face and headed in different directions.

Once we were back in Gryffindor tower, the squad turned to me.

"Hermione, how are we going to make Snape smile? I betcha he hasn't even smiled at porn or even been to a strip joint," Emily asked.

"Thanks Emily. Now I've got to burn my mind eye out," Gillian moaned.

We laughed.

"Listen. If we can come up with another killer routine, we can beat the Slytherin pansies," I said eagerly.

"Is that their squad name?" asked Laura.

"No. It's just the name I gave 'em. I've got a surefire routine," I said breaking into a huge grin.

"Tell us!" Laura cried.

"You got it...listen closely," I said, lowering my voice.

The squad leaned closer so they could hear better.

"Laura, Mary and Ginny will lye on their backs with their legs parted,"

Gillian gave me a funny look. I snorted and then continued.

"Emily, Lisa and I will cartwheel toward them and then do a back handspring through their legs. Are you with me so far?"

They nodded.

"We all stand in a line and slowly heft our skirts up to get everyone going. Then, Emily, Ginny and I will do a flying split,"

"A flying split?" Ginny asked, tilting her head.

I nodded.

"Watch,"

They gave me some room. I jumped up into the air and shot my legs out. When I came down, I landed into a gentle split.

The girls squealed.

"Brilliant!" Laura cried.

"Then for the hardest part," I said. "We'll do the pyramid, but I've got to do a somersault off of Lisa's and Emily's back, landing in a split,"

The girl's looked awed.

"That's amazing!" Emily squealed.

"I doubt they'll think of something that intricate," I said, satisfactorily.

"Ooh that's a terrific idea!" Laura cried, happily clasping her hands.

"That's not all. We'll be doing this routine to Michelle Branch's You set me free and doing a little cheer,"

"A cheer? How does it go?" Gillian asked.

I thought and came up with a perfect cheer.

"Like this," I said.

"Hey! Hey! Lions roar, Lions soar!

I stomped twice and clapped three times.

"We may cause a riot and we like it!"

I twirled in a circle, then stomped again and clapped.

"Hey! Hey! Lions roar, Lions soar!"

I dipped my hip and slapped my hands on each of my sides on the hip.

"Right into the magic in your heart!"

At that, I took out my wand, held my arms above my head and twirled three times in circle, all the while my wand letting out gentle blue sparks that fell around me and traced a heart as I twirled.

"Oh!" Gillian cried, ecstatically.

"That's great, Hermione! Where'd you come up with that?" cried Emily.

"I made it up," I said, grinning.

"I'd love to see Slytherin's face when we perform it! They're going to be so jealous!" said Laura giggling.

"Can we try it?" asked Emily.

"Sure!" I said.

So once again the girls stood in a line and learned the cheer.

After practice, we headed into our dorms and changed into pajamas. We all climbed into bed.

"This is going to be amazing, Hermione. When is this Cheer Off?" asked Mary.

"I don't know. Unless Pansy or someone tells us, more than likely soon," I replied.

"Oh. Well, good night guys!" Gillian cried.

"Night!"

"Night!"

We all exchanged our good nights and fell asleep.

The next morning, I pulled on my robe and tie and headed down to the Great Hall. The Hall was buzzing with excitement. I sat down at Gryffindor table next to Harry and across from Ron. Gillian was also sitting next to Ron.

"What's all the excitement about?" I asked, leaning forward.

"Supposedly, the Slytherins have a surprise. I think Pansy got Tina Edwards to choreograph their squad," said Gillian in a hushed voice.

She looked pale and worried.

"Tina Edwards? The Tina Edwards?" I asked, incredulously and shocked.

Tina Edwards was one of the most famous cheerleaders. She had even cheered for the Wimbourne Wasps, the International Quidditch team.

"That's her all right," said Gillian as she suddenly broke out into a coy grin. "But I hate to burst Pansy's bubble."

I tilted my head.

"What do you mean?"

"I got Amanda Moss,"

Even Harry and Ron's expression changed. Their jaws dropped.

"Amanda Moss? Wow. She's the best cheerleader! She cheered for Ireland, Britain and the United States! She's won several competitions with her squad!" said Harry in awe.

"She's my older sister," said Gillian, her eyes twinkling. "Recognize the last name?"

"You never told us!" I cried, grinning happily.

Gillian shrugged.

"You never asked,"

"Does the rest of the squad know?" I asked, eagerly.

Gillian shook her head.

"No. I cleared it with Dumbledore. Amanda's going to arrive shortly this morning. She's going to help us with an awesome routine."

"Wow. I can't wait," I said.

Ron was looking at Gillian with the strangest look on his face. It was a cross between awe and admiration but I caught a look of 'liking' mixed with it.

Harry nudged me.

I grinned.

Gillian turned her eyes onto Harry.

"So, Harry. What have you been up to?"

Harry blushed.

"Not much. I still stink at Potions. Snape is still loathing me every minute he can,"

Gillian nodded.

"I can't stand Potions either. Transfiguration is my favorite,"

"Yeah. We like everything except Potions. I think sometimes Snape is constipated," said Ron.

Gillian laughed.

Just then, Professor Dumbledore gestured toward the back of the Hall. Gillian turned her head.

"Amanda's here," she said smiling.

Ron, Harry and I turned our heads.

Professor Dumbledore stood up.

The Hall quieted down immediately.

"We have a special guest. Amanda Moss will be spending a few days here. Please show her the hospitality," said Professor Dumbledore.

The Hall broke out into cheers and claps as Amanda made her way down the aisle between the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor table. She caught Gillian's eye and came over.

Harry and Ron were bug eyed and speechless.

"Hey! How are you sis?" Amanda asked, eagerly as she hugged Gillian before sitting down between Gillian and Ron. Ron was busy goggling at her.

"Good. Thanks for offering to help. We need to beat the Slytherins," said Gillian grinning at Harry and Ron's expressions.

"No problem. Hi. You must be Hermione, Ron and Harry. Gillian talks about you often," said Amanda, extending her hand out. "And I know who Harry is."

She winked at him. Harry blushed again and almost sank into his chair.

I shook it, then Ron, then Harry.

Amanda looked exactly like a twin to Gillian. She had light auburn hair, bright blue eyes and a small amount of freckles. She was dressed in ivory robes and her hair was pulled into a French twist. Two strands had come loose and hung down against her shoulders.

"Well, don't you worry. I've got a good routine that I used in the Dievern Competition in New York a few years ago," said Amanda softly.

"Oh yeah! I've read about that in the muggle newspaper," I said, awed.

Amanda winked.

"You girls will have no trouble with it...trust me,"

"Pansy got Tina Edwards," said Ron.

Amanda snorted.

"Tina? She's like a wash up. Sure she played for the Wimbourne Wasps, but now, no one recognizes her anymore. She's like an old celebrity,"

Ron snorted this time.

"I mean, I know I'm not all that," said Amanda.

"You're great!" said Harry.

Amanda smiled.

"Thanks,"

A few hours later, Tina arrived for the Slytherins. She had dark curly black hair and big almond shaped eyes. She was dressed in a black cheerleading uniform with a white stripe along the hem. The shirt was sleeveless with a large white C in the center. Her hair was fluffed around her shoulders.

Most of the boys goggled at her as she passed. Some were more so staring at Amanda.

"Where's your uniform?" I asked her.

Amanda held up a small duffel like bag.

"I'm going to change. Then, after your classes, we're gonna get to practicing. You two can watch if you like," said Amanda, to Ron and Harry.

They both grinned and nodded.

"I'll show you to the girls dorm," I said, as I got up and led Amanda out of the Great Hall. Pansy was already leading Tina toward the Slytherin girls' dorms.

Pansy smirked at me, but then became wide-eyed when she saw Amanda and Gillian.

"My sister," said Gillian grinning as she passed.

We headed toward the Gryffindor dorms giggling over the look on Pansy's face.

After classes, and after Snape had deducted ten points from Neville for over adding a caterpillar to his Waxenl Potion, which is a potion to cure the nauseous stomach, the squad hurried to the empty classroom and eagerly talked as we waited for Gillian and Amanda to come.

"I heard she did an amazing routine in Ireland!" gushed Lisa.

"Yeah! She won a lot of competitions! Who knew she was Gillian's sister! She is so lucky!" gushed Emily.

Just then, Gillian and Amanda arrived, flanked by Ron and Harry.

Amanda was dressed in a royal blue uniform with a yellow stripe along the hem. The top was short and exposed a bit of her midriff with a yellow stripe along the sleeves and it had an A in yellow on the front. Her hair was pulled into a bun.

Ron and Harry were almost beside themselves. They were like falling over each other to try and out due one another. I narrowed my eyes, bit my bottom lip and crossed my arms over my chest.

"Okay girls. Now, the first thing I'm going to show you is the Gallew Routine," said Amanda eagerly, rubbing her hands together.

The squad eagerly backed away and gave her some room. We watched.

Amanda held her arms out at her sides and spun around in a circle, then dropped to her knees. She kicked out her right foot, then her left. Then, she sank into a split and from the split went into a cartwheel then three handsprings. On the last handspring, she shifted to one hand and did a one-hand-handspring.

The squad cheered loudly and excitedly.

Then, she stood up and held her palms out at her sides, thrusted her hips forward and shuffled her feet.

Then, she stopped and grinned.

The girls all clapped happily and excitedly once again.

"Wow! That is amazing!"

"Where did you come up with that?"

"Do you think we can learn it easily?"

They all began talking at once.

Amanda held up her hands.

"First. Thanks. I made this up last year. Yes I think you can learn it easily. As long as you're willing to work hard,"

The squad nodded happily.

"Alright then, let's start practicing!" said Amanda.

I joined in with the rest of the girls as we carefully followed Amanda's movements.

Ron and Harry were eagerly watching with goofy looks on their faces.

Sure...they're drooling. I'm not going to clean up after their drool. Boys. Ugh. Put a skirt on a hot girl and watch the fur fly as they all try and compete for her attention. I betcha they wouldn't look twice at Professor Snape in a skirt. Oh man...I just made myself sick.

I shivered and concentrated on the routine.

Once it was done, there was a knock on the door and Professor McGonagall poked her head in.

"I've just been informed that the little 'entertainment' show will begin on next Wednesday,"

"Thanks Professor," Ginny called.

Professor McGonagall nodded and closed the door.

"Oh I'm so happy!" said Laura as we finished for the night and headed back to the dorms.

I trailed behind, walking with Harry.

"She's amazing," said Harry breathlessly.

"Yes she is," I muttered.

Harry glanced at me sideways.

"Not as amazing as you. You look great!" said Harry as he wrapped an arm around me and gave me a squeeze.

"Sure," I muttered again as I hurried to catch up with Emily and Ginny.