Cheer for me!

"Cheer for me!"

Chapter Five-The Maret Routine

"Oh my God!" Ginny squealed.

Amanda nodded eagerly.

"We've got to come up with a totally different routine...something fresh and original,"

"But what if we used up all our imaginations for a routine?" asked Laura worried.

Amanda snorted.

"I seriously doubt that. There are eight of us. There's bound to be someone to come up with a fresh, new routine,"

We lapsed into silence for a minute.

I had already come up with a routine. So did Amanda. Lisa came up with the moves. That left Ginny, Mary, Emily, Gillian and Laura to come up with something.

"Hey! I've got an idea!" Emily cried suddenly, her eyes shining with excitement.

"What?" we all cried at once.

"How about the Maret Routine?"

Ginny tilted her head to the side.

"Maret routine?"

Emily nodded.

"I read about it in A Magical Cheerleaders Guide to Cheers and Routines. We use more magic than we did in the Cheer Off. But it's a tough routine. I think we can handle it, but I'm not sure. Not many squads attempt to do it,"

"Sounds brilliant! Can you show us the book? Or some of the moves?" asked Ginny.

"Yeah! I like the sound of that!" Amanda said.

Emily beamed.

"Sure! Wait right here," said Emily as she hurried out of the Great Hall and disappeared around the corner.

Ron looked at Gillian.

He cleared his throat.

"Gillian? Can I talk to you?" he asked in a quiet voice. I caught nervousness mixed in with it.

"Sure!" Gillian said, brightly as she turned toward Ron.

He blushed.

"In private,"

"Oh," Gillian said, as she glanced at me.

I shrugged as she and Ron stood up and walked a little bit away from the tables.

Harry and I looked at each other and grinned as we watched them.

Ron looked absolutely nervous and embarrassed.

"He likes her!" Ginny whispered grinning.

"Yeah. I noticed that," said Lisa also grinning.

"It's kinda hard not to," Laura added winking.

Gillian was grinning as she and Ron headed back toward the table.

"So, what was that all about?" asked Amanda grinning knowingly.

"Ron just asked me out," Gillian replied.

"Whoo!"

Laura squealed delightedly.

Ron only blushed more.

"I'm glad," said Amanda cheerfully.

Gillian turned to her sister.

"Thanks. You're the best,"

We all looked at her stunned as we remembered how she felt toward Amanda earlier.

"It's alright, guys. Amanda and I made up and cleared something's up as well. I know it's not 'Manda's fault. She didn't like the way our parents were treating me either. She tried several times to divert their attention. I owe her," said Gillian happily.

We all nodded, relieved that Gillian and Amanda had made up and can now be sisters from now on.

Just then, Emily came back into the Great Hall carrying a book. She eagerly plopped down next to Harry. I was sitting on Harry's left, Emily on his right. Across from us were Ron and Gillian, Laura on Gillian's right, and the rest of the squad were sitting on Laura's right.

"Here it is," she opened the book to the page and laid it flat on the table, turning it diagonally so everyone could see a picture of cheerleaders that were moving.

Everyone watched as two of the cheerleaders using their wands, spun in a circle and caused blue streaks in midair. Then, the entire squad stood in two rows, stretched their right arm out, and with their left arm, stretched it out, then drew it back. They did this in reverse also. They dropped to their knees and shook their shoulders sexily. They all had their wands out again and shouted "Venet!" in sync. Thin jets of red and white zoomed from the ends of their wands forming and angel in midair above their heads. Then, they stood up and half of the squad stood in a line and hoisted the remaining members up onto their shoulders so six girls were standing on top of the other six girls' shoulders. Then, one girl laid back and the girl behind her caught her. The girl behind her laid back and then the girl behind her caught her and so on.

Once that move was over, they crowded around in a circle and tossed three girls up into the air, all the while spinning as they came down.

"That's where the Slytherin squad got that move from," whispered Lisa.

Everyone continued to watch in awe. They all stood in two rows again. They did a dance routine next. They held their arms out at their sides then moved them up and down like they were wings.

A caption formed on the bottom:

"...You showed me faith is not blind. I don't need wings to help me fly. Miracles Happen once and a while when you believe...you showed me dreams come to life...that taking a chance on us is worth the right...all things will come with a little time when you believe."

"Wow! That's great!" breathed Laura.

The squad had their wands again and shouted "Tebenor!" Gold and white stars exploded from the ends of their wands and showered the squad. They finished in flying splits. Six girls landed in a regular split while the other six remained standing behind them.

"That's great!" I breathed.

Emily closed the book.

"Absolutely. The thing is, is anyone of us is off key, it is somewhat dangerous. Not so much with the dance steps, but with the magic spells. I heard a squad attempted to use this routine three years ago. One of the girls shouted the Venet charm late and ended up being severely burned. She had to stay at St. Mungo's for at least 4 weeks before she could return," said Emily seriously. "The song that they were doing this routine to is Myra's Miracles Happen."

"That's a great song. I know it by heart," Gillian said smiling.

"Could you sing a few lines?" Ron asked.

Gillian blushed.

The squad began excitedly coaxing her.

"Okay! Okay!" Gillian laughed.

We all listened intently.

"I can't imagine...living my life without your love

Not ever having you around...we found a way out

Don't have to look back...to realize how far we've come

There are a million reasons I'm looking up

I don't want this to end...nothing...nothing should ever bring you down

No way...what goes around will come around...

"You showed me faith is not blind...I don't need wings to help me fly...Miracles Happen once and a while when you believe. You showed me dreams, come to life, that taking a chance on us is worth the right...all things will come, with a little time when you believe,"

"There is no question...we found the missing pieces our picture is completed...it's falling into place.

This is our moment...you and I are looking up someone is watching over us keeping me close closer to you everyday

Nowhere ...nowhere on earth I'd rather be... no one can take this away from you and me."

She finished the rest of the song. We hadn't realized that the entire Great Hall had gotten totally quiet and was listening. Gillian's voice floated gently and clearly through the Hall. I swear she almost sounded like an angel herself.

Laura, Emily, Lisa, Ron, and Ginny all had glazed looks on their faces and were just staring at her with the look of total and utter contentment. Harry draped his arm across my shoulder and pulled me against him. I laid my head on his shoulder and just listened to Gillian's voice. Amanda was grinning and she ended up joining in with Gillian. The both of them sounded beautiful together.

Once the song was over, the Great Hall erupted into cheers and catcalls. The Slytherins were looking affronted and irritated.

"Look. The Purebloods can sing. They give us a bad name," drawled Draco Malfoy.

Then, to our amusement and surprise, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and the rest of the Gryffindors shouted, "SHUT UP!" to Malfoy.

Malfoy looked abashed.

"Why don't you go put your head in the toilet and flush? You could do with a new hair do!" Gillian called over to him. "And do it right after someone takes a dump!"

That set off the entire Hall. Hysterical peals of laughter echoed through out the Hall from all of the houses except Slytherin.

"Dumpy Malfoy!" someone called from the Hufflepuff table.

That set off more laughter.

"Hey! Malfoy! You said you always wanted to know what a submarine looked like!" shouted a Ravenclaw girl. "It's just not big enough for you to get into to try and destroy us!"

I swear it looked like someone set off a large tank of laughing gas. I've never seen the Hall in this state before. It was totally hysterical. I guess people have had it with Malfoy. I know we have.

Malfoy was steaming and he was bright red.

"Play with your new toilet toy!" Gillian called again.

Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle stood up and left the Hall. The laughter was following them the entire way.

We all giggled uncontrollably.

"What a twit," Amanda said, shaking her head.

"Yeah, but I doubt he'll be bothering us again," I said, grinning.

"You were terrific," said Ron.

"Thanks," said Gillian as she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

Ron turned bright red and sank into his chair. We laughed again.

Just then, Professor Dumbledore stood up at the Head Table.

"I would just like to congratulate Gryffindor for winning the Cheer Off and I have a slight announcement," said Professor Dumbledore as his blue eyes twinkled behind his half moon spectacles.

The Great Hall finally calmed down and was now quiet once again.

"The Gryffindor cheerleading squad will be going to the Regional Preliminaries in London next month,"

Cheers and stomps rang out.

Professor Dumbledore raised his hand to silence the Hall once again.

"Beside this, there will be a dance in honor where they will present a name for their squad. I doubt just Gryffindor Squad, will be noticed. And these young ladies certainly deserve to be noticed, as their talent is excellent and well deserved. Each of them have worked hard and practiced. Just as the Slytherin squad had. We have two very talented squads, but unfortunately, the Gryffindors have expressed a little more enthusiasm and therefore that is the main reason why I have decided to send them to the Preliminaries. The dance will be this Friday,"

We all looked at each other and grinned as we finished eating breakfast. After that, we went to our classes.

Friday came as fast as I could believe. Amanda was going with Neville. Neville was shocked that Amanda had accepted his proposal. I guess he figured why should a pretty girl like Amanda go with him? But Amanda absolutely liked Neville. Ginny was going with Dean and Lisa was going with Seamus. Emily was going with Dave Carter, a Ravenclaw. Laura was going with Nick DiFranco who was a Hufflepuff. He was also a fifth year. Ron and Gillian were going together as Harry and I were. Mary hadn't been feeling well for a few days and stayed in the dorm.

Gillian was dressed in a baby blue dress robe. Her hair was curled and hung around her shoulders, framing her blue eyes. I was dressed in the palest lilac dress robe. Lisa was wearing soft pink; Laura, royal blue; Emily, ivory; Ginny, a deep gold; Amanda was wearing a tan dress robe. They all looked absolutely gorgeous. We all went down to the common room where the boys were waiting. Harry was dressed in a deep green dress robe, which brought out his eyes. It totally complemented him. Ron was wearing a maroon dress robe. The girls all went to their dates. Harry held his arm and I linked arms with him. Gillian and Ron linked arms. We began walking down to the Great Hall.

The Great Hall was decorated with the Gryffindor colors. The house tables were pushed against the wall. Medium sized round tables were in their place. About five people could sit at a table and there were about seventy of them. I had no idea Professor Dumbledore had gotten a magical music group called "The Magic". They apparently were very popular in the wizarding world. We ate dinner, then danced.

Harry had one hand on my hip; the other clutched my hand. I had my left hand on his shoulder. We rotated in the spot. I glanced over at Ron and Gillian. They too were dancing.

I smiled.

"She really likes Ron. I can see Ron really likes her,"

"She's not the only one who found someone," said Harry, nodding toward Amanda and Neville.

Neville looked absolutely thrilled. Amanda leaned close to hear what Neville was saying. Then, she burst out laughing. I grinned.

"I'm glad. Neville deserves it. He's a good person," I said.

"Yeah," said Harry as he and I stared into each other's eyes.

He kissed me. I kissed him back.

He pressed his forehead against mine. We grinned.

Suddenly, there was a ringing in my ear. I couldn't hear the music. Something was forcing me to look toward Gillian. She whispered something to Ron, who nodded, and then proceeded toward the entrance of the Great Hall. I saw Draco sticking his foot out. I let go of Harry and watched intently. There was a suit of armor directly in front of Gillian with a small sword pointing outward. Gillian didn't see Draco's foot. She tripped and went right into it. I screamed.

The music and people's voices came flooding back. I could see the tip of the sword protruding from the back of Gillian's shoulder blade. The music stopped abruptly. I saw Amanda running full speed toward Gillian out of the corner of my eye. I glanced at Harry before taking off myself. We reached Gillian.

"Oh my God," Amanda said, hysterically.

Blood was staining Gillian's robe.

The students had stopped dancing and were watching worriedly.

"Blimey," said Ron, standing beside Harry.

I glanced at Ron. He was pale and looking sick. He suddenly slumped against Harry. Harry had to hold him up. He ended up vomiting on Harry's shoes. In shock, Gillian stepped back off of the tip of the sword. Then, she collapsed to her knees and then fell to her side as she fainted.

I glared at Draco. He looked pale himself. Madam Pomfrey came and took Gillian to the hospital wing.

We were all crowded around Gillian's cot. Madam Pomfrey had mended the wound and assured us that nothing was damaged internally and that she was going to be just fine. Just no cheerleading for six weeks as the magical liquid Madam Pomfrey used took a month to work. Ron was shaky and still pretty pale as we sat around Gillian. Ron was sitting next to me on my right with Harry on my left. Gillian's eyes fluttered open.

"Hey...where am I? What happened?" she asked looking from Ron, to me, to Harry and around at the rest of the squad.

"You tripped and went into one of the suits of armor. The sword went into your shoulder," said Amanda weakly.

She was clinging to Neville for support.

"My shoulder really hurts," Gillian winced in pain.

"Madam Pomfrey said you're gonna be fine. Just no cheerleading for a month," I said.

"No cheerleading? But the Regional Preliminaries!" Gillian cried as she sat up abruptly and then cringed in absolute pain. Tears formed in her eyes. I figured it was from either the pain or the fact that she couldn't cheerlead for a month and that meant missing the Regionals. Or it was probably both.

"Don't worry about it. What's important is that you're alright," said Amanda as she hugged Gillian. Then, Lisa, Laura, Emily and Mary hugged her. They said they'd come by later and left the hospital wing.

"Amanda's right. The main thing is you're okay," said Ron swallowing.

Gillian managed a smile through her tears and she grabbed Ron's face and kissed him. When she released him, he was blushing.

"I'm lucky to have such wonderful friends and a terrific sister,"

I hugged Gillian and then Harry. Amanda and Neville left.

Gillian turned toward me.

"Hermione...how'd I trip?"

I swallowed.

"I saw Draco sticking his foot out,"

"WHAT?" Ron exploded jumping up from his seat.

I nodded.

"Draco stuck his foot out when he saw Gil approaching,"

Ron looked murderous. I've never seen him like this.

"Oh my God," said Harry disbelievingly.

Ron's blue eyes were ablaze with rage.

"That good-for-nothing prat...I swear I'll kill that mother..."

"Ron!" I said, reprovingly as he let out a string of curse words following that last word.

But Ron wasn't listening. He stalked out of the hospital wing.

"Harry. Go and make sure he doesn't do anything rash," I said to Harry.

Harry nodded and took off after him.

Gillian was smiling though.

"Ron's really sweet. I think I'm in love with him,"

I smiled back too.

"Let's just pray that Ron doesn't do anything rash,"

Gillian nodded.