Dancing lessons Closed

In an attempt to branch out from her blooming nonexistent social life, Mari signed up for dancing lessons. As was often the case, however, when Mari signed up for something, she regretted it more and more as the day loomed further. If she hadn't already told Mum about it, Mari knew she would skip, but unfortunately, her mum's owl ("Oh Mari! How exciting! I am so proud of you for trying something new!") had arrived the morning of the lessons, and Mari could not even pretend that she had forgotten about it. "If only the owl had arrived tomorrow," Mari muttered as she trotted into the ballroom, "then at least I could have told Mum that her reminder had just been one day too late..."

When she entered the ballroom, however, Mari knew that she was pleased to have been given the opportunity to at least see what the room had looked like. She still didn't want to be at these dancing lessons, but they had given her an excuse to explore a room that she had not seen before. It was quite grand. Lights twinkled above her and golden embellishments glistened in the lights' warmth.

Mari checked her pocketwatch and realized that she was slightly late. Mum hadn't reminded her of the time, so Mari had taken her every effort to ensure that she would miss the awkward small talk that would no doubt ensue if she had arrived on time or even early. As she eyed the dancers, Mari noticed that there seemed to be a varied group in her midst: some wore their school robes, others pursued a more casual look, and still others wore sparkling ball gowns as if they were at an actual event instead of a lesson. Mari looked down at her robes and made an effort to hide in the nonexistent shadows of the bright room. It was fine that she had worn her robes, of course, but the yellow had quite a noticeable stain from her previous meal.

While feet frantically moved and dresses twirled, Mari determined that she should wait until the dancers were completed with their dance. Some of them, she noted, weren't very good; she was certain that she would be in that category. She suppressed a giggle as she watched an older boy step on his partners' feet; the girl looked irate at his misstep. Mari knew that her sister, Lucy, would be similar to this girl if she were to attend a lesson and her partner were to dare to miss a singular step.

Once she grew bored with the growing tension between boy and girl, Mari's eyes scanned the room to find another girl who seemed to be alone as she also watched the dancers. She seemed to be angry about something, though Mari wasn't sure what, given that she didn't appear to be dancing. Maybe she didn't like the music that was playing.

It seemed as this dance would go on for a while, so Mari walked over to the girl and sunk to her level. She smiled genially; as was Mari's custom, she would do anything to find a friend, and this girl seemed like a good target for the task at hand. Mari extended a hand and said, "Hello there! Is this your first lesson as well? My name's Mari."

She motioned to the dancers in the center and added with a chuckle, "Some of them don't seem to be very good...I think I'll be in that group, though. Have you danced before?"

Veronica watched with irritation as she couldn’t pinpoint the particular dance she’s was looking for. What a drag. I can’t seem to find it! Her attention shifted from pair to pair searching for some kind of sign that lead to the three step dance. She’d failed to notice the young girl that was approaching her from the left. “Hello there! Is this your first lesson as well? My name’s Mari.” Roni was at a loss for words, was she that obvious? Honestly all she did was sit down. “Veronica.” Her reply was simple and short. Although Roni was all for making friends, she really wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone.

Roni watched as Mari observed the other dancers, letting out a small chuckle. “Some of them don’t seem to be very good...” Roni rolled her eyes at that comment. Even though she wasn’t that much of a dancer, Veronica could pick out a bad dancer a mile a way. The thought crossed her mind as to what category that the girl before her fit under. “I think I’ll be in that group though.” A soft smirk graced Veronica’s lips as she rested her chin on her laced fingers, her eyes closed, a small hum left her lips.

“Have you danced before?” Although it’s been quite a few years, Veronica had learnt how to dance before her mother became absent in her life. Veronica chuckled dryly.“Something like that.”

The girl looked irritated. Mari had half a mind to walk away before she responded, as this type of emotion was not typically what she looked for in a friend, but before she could do so, the girl responded. With a singular word. Oi. Mari nodded politely in acknowledgement of the girl's name.

Veronica was a redhead with an attitude, it seemed. As angry as her red hair. Mari wondered if she was a snake, as well. It would only make sense, Isa told her that snakes were evil, and while Mari knew she couldn't judge "evilness" off of a singular word, she didn't particularly consider a kind person to roll their eyes and smirk in response to friendly conversing. Alas, it was too late to leave now. Mari was awkward and struggled in social situations, but she struggled just as much leaving social situations, no matter how uncomfortable they made her. As she weighed the pros and cons of leaving, she considered the fact that the girl could possibly jinx her. She seemed irritated enough to let her judgement slip to do so. Honestly, Mari didn't feel like being jinxed right about now, so stay she would.

She wasn't given much to work with, though. Veronica had really only told Mari that she "something like that" experience with dance, which could mean...anything. Maybe she did gymnastics? Maybe she did hurdles? The possibilities were endless. Mari gazed upon the girl, lost as to how to keep the conversation going, as she noted her athletic build. She obviously had some sort of experience with sports, contrasting majorly with Mari's small body. She loved the outdoors, but she was not one for sports, really.

Luckily (was it lucky?) for Mari, though, she could babble in any moment of awkwardness. This trait was probably unlikely for Veronica, but it was too late, anyway: "Well, I'm not really much for sport, but I made the mistake of telling Mum about this ballroom dancing lesson thing, and I guess she decided that the perfect companion to studying was dancing, because apparently at Hogwarts they have a lot of dances. I hear there's one coming up: Blossom Fest or something? I like spring, so I guess I'll go. And maybe this will help; I dunno. Even if there wasn't one I'd still be here, though, cause you know, you can't cross your mum." Mari was always trying to prove to Isa that she was a worthy daughter; she had always had the sense that Isa was disappointed in having such a meek child as her firstborn. But that was far too much information for Veronica, and she did not wish to get on about that.

It seemed that the group was slowing down, so Mari continued, "If you want, I'll be your partner, but you'll have to teach me a bit first. Do you know what kind of dance they're doing? The ones who are doing well, they look quite nice doing it."

Leila had overslept. She had completely forgotten about the dance lessons that she had signed up for. She didn't need them, this she knew, but they would be a way for her to continue dancing and improving away from home. She hurriedly rushed out of her dorm, her hair a tangled mess, like normal. She ran to the ballroom and slinked inside quietly.

She noticed the people already dancing and watched them quietly, by the door. Some were better than others, but none looked as though they had been dancing for a long time like she had. Some of them were quite good, Leila thought, examining them more closely.

She looked around the perimeter of the room and saw two other girls sitting on the side. She sighed in relief. Hopefully they were late too. She made her way over to them, making sure to not draw the attention of the teacher.

One was a red head and she seemed to be paying more attention to the dancers than the girl next to her. She's danced before, Leila thought, noting her posture and the critical way she was watching the dance floor. Leila took a seat next to the other girl.

"Hi, I'm Leila. What're your names?"

Veronica was slightly annoyed to see that Mari hadn't left her be. I just want to be left alone, is that too much to ask for? Although she didn't voice her opinions. Veronica was raised to be polite, and kind to everyone she meets, no matter how annoying, or persistent. "Well, I'm not really much for sport, but I made the mistake of telling Mum about this ballroom dancing lesson thing, and I guess she decided that the perfect companion to studying was dancing, because apparently at Hogwarts they have a lot of dances." Veronica cracked a smile, just a small one. So she has a strong connection with her mom...wish I could be her.

Veronica turned her attention back to studying the many feet of the multitude of students that were successfully or attempting to dance. "I hear there's one coming up: Blossom Fest or something? I like spring, so I guess I'll go. And maybe this will help; I dunno. Even if there wasn't one I'd still be here, though, cause you know, you can't cross your mum." The smile on Veronica's face fell. "I wouldn't know, my mom isn't really ever around. She doesn't really come out of her office back home." She sighed, knowing that that statement was bound to get her more questions from Mari.

Roni finally heard the music coming to an end. She couldn't wait to get up and away from Mari, grabbing a partner, and figure out how in the world to do the Waltz. "If you want, I'll be your partner, but you'll have to teach me a bit first. Do you know what kind of dance they're doing? The ones who are doing well, they look quite nice doing it." Roni shook her head. "Different students, different dances. Almost none are the correct style for this type of music. The instruments are playing a beautiful lyrical piece that would result in a waltz or ballet. But I'd like having you as a partner, although, I'm not the best teacher around." She gave Mari a small smile.

Her vision was drawn to a young blond female who had burst into the room, and instantly hugged the wall in an attempt to hid from the professor in charge of the lessons. Late much? Veronica felt a single drop of sweat drop down the side of her face. No one is ever this late, how could that girl be? It's not that hard to be on time for dance. If you're late you don't dance, that's how it works...at least that's how it worked back home. Not wanting to deal with another person, she wen't back to studying the students that had continued to dance with the next song. "Hi, I'm Leila. What're your names?" Veronica mentally groaned, another person, great. "Veronica." She gave the same response she did to Mari, not wanting her focus to be distracted from finally finding the dance she was looking for.

Her face lit up once she spotted a couple who were doing her desired dance. Jumping up, she had an excited smile on her face. "Finally! Took forever, but I found it." Her smile fell once more when she began to watch that group solely, she was determined to master the pattern, then attempt it and hopefully succeed at it.

"Finally! Took forever, but I found it." The girl, Veronica, jumped to her feet with a wide smile. It was a stark difference to when she had sullenly muttered her name to Leila. Her eyes were glued on the dancers, seemingly watching something in particular. Leila followed her gaze, but didn't see anything special about the couple that she was watching so enthusiastically. They did seem to be dancing something different to the rest of the class - No, it appeared that everyone was dancing something different.

"This class seems awfully disorganized." Leila said, more to herself than to anyone else. The professor hadn't yet noticed that there were three girls sitting on the edge, not joining in.

When she thought that, she immediately rose to her feet. Dancing was why she was here, not socializing. Veronica won't even be drawn into conversation anymore, she's too focused on the couple, Leila thought before pulling off her cloak to reveal a light pink leotard.

She dropped her cloak on the chair that she had just vacated and dropped herself into a split, making sure to stay out of the way. She felt an ache that came with having not done ballet for so long, but continued regardless. She leant forward, putting her elbows down on the ground and leaning her head on her hands. She immediately corrected her form, forcing herself to point her toes.

She quickly worked her way through a few more stretches before pulling on the pointe shoes that she had brought with her. She grabbed the back of a chair and did a Relevé ending en pointe. Once she was sure she had her bearings, she made her way onto the edge of the dance floor and sharply did a double pirouette, landing perfectly.

She couldn't believe how long it had taken her to continue dancing once she was at Hogwarts.

"I wouldn't know, my mom isn't really ever around. She doesn't really come out of her office back home."

Mari frowned. She didn't have the best relationship with Isa, especially since, upon arriving at Hogwarts, Isa realized just how unmotivated Mari was for school work, but at least Isa acknowledged her presence when she was home. Well. Most of the time. A glint of sadness flashed on Mari's face as she remembered how miserable the Winter Holidays had been. It had been as though Mari had not been away at school for months.

While she did wonder what Veronica's mother did, she thought it may be best to go to a less complicated topic: siblings. Mari was deeply close with her siblings and even though they were just as busy as Isa those winter holidays, she had a little more patience for their business, as they had always been close. She inquired, "Do you have any siblings then? Mine are my closest friends; they keep me greatly entertained when I'm at home." Well, except over the holidays...but this summer'll be different, Mari added silently.

She listened carefully as Veronica analyzed the scene that befell them. Different students, different dances...who organized this dance class? Aren't dance classes normally taught one style at a time? She didn't know what else to say, being clueless about dancing, so she merely flashed a shy smile to Veronica's acceptance of being partners.

Thankfully another girl arrived. While she may not have known it, she was saving Mari was a terribly uncomfortable conversation, even if Veronica had accepted Mari's invitation to dance. The conversation seemed to be turning to a less hostile-seeming one, but Mari still appreciated a form of back up. She introduced herself as Leila, and while Mari knew that she did not need to state her full name, she felt it may be more of a talking point than dancing, as she knew nothing about dance. "I'm Joy Marianna Haynes, but I go by Mari," she smiled warmly, extending a hand to the new girl.

She turned back to Veronica as she said she "found it." Found what? Mari hesitated, then asked Veronica quietly, "Um...did you lose something?"

Who knew. Mari sure didn't.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noted Leila doing some fancy dance moves that Mari knew had names but wasn't knowledgeable to know. Mari could have fallen backwards if she wasn't already sitting on the floor; granted, she had done clumsier things before. I thought this was a beginner's class! She shrieked internally. I could kill Mum! I never would have shown up had I know this!

Now incredibly nervous to even try dancing, she reached to tap Veronica and nodded in Leila's direction: "Perhaps you two should be partners instead. Seems that she also knows what she's doing. I'm okay with watching, really!!"

She really wanted nothing to do with dancing now that she realized there were some experts in this crowd and that was quite apparent given the discomfort on her face. Mari wasn't clumsy, per say, but she wasn't graceful, either. When she got too jumpy in her movements, she was much more likely to fall. Staying solidly on the ground while she watched would be a far less embarrassing option, that was for certain. Given Veronica's annoyed temperament, she would surely be wanting to dance with the clearly talented girl, anyway.

Besides, even if she didn't dance, she had shown up. She would not have lied to Mum, and she would not need to elaborate further on the dancing lessons other than her attendance. That would be good enough for Isa, right?

Roni looked up towards Mari with a hurt expression. "I'm hurt. You don't want to be partners with me?" She abruptly stood up and glared lightly towards Mari. "Don't worry, I see how it is. You're not the only one to not want me. I'm used to it by now." She stormed off towards the other end of the ballroom, towards a group of Slytherins that were gathered in a corner.

She was so angry that she hadn't noticed that she was slowly cornered by the group. "Hey, lookie what we've got here." One student spoke, a blond with sapphire eyes. Another smirked, and grabbed ahold of her wrist, a male, a few years older than her. "What do you say to a dance? I could use a partner." Veronica removed her wrist from his grip and glanced back towards Mari. She smirked before turning back to the Slytherin. "Sure, it's not like anyone else wants me as their partner." The Slytherin lead her onto the dance floor and began to lead her through the waltz, the dance in which the teacher had finally begun to teach. To say that Veronica was bored would be an understatement. Her current dance partner had two left feet, and it was beginning to anger Veronica to no end. She was beginning to regret storming away from Mari.

Though she hadn't meant it as an offense, it seemed that Veronica had taken her offering up Leila as a partner as one. She took the glare. There wasn't much to do, as Veronica immediately turned on her heels and walked away. "Welp," Mari murmured, as she watched the scene in front of her. "Guess I need to go back to my first plan of just watching and pretending I participated."

She sat back down. Leila seemed preoccupied, Veronica busy jumping to conclusions about Mari's intentions. Mari toyed with her robes for a bit and twirled her fingers for dramatic effect, trying to make it quite obvious to Veronica that she had put her in this situation of boredom. Mari hadn't meant to make her go away; that was her own choice. Almost on queue, Veronica smirked back at her; as she was not about to shout, Mari breathed a big sigh and focused her attention on someone else.

To be honest, this was quite boring. Mari had the sudden realization that if Isa were at Hogwarts, she and her mother would quite simply not be friends. Isa loved social activities; Mari did not. Isa loved dancing; Mari did not. Isa loved taking risks; Mari did not. Isa had quite a bit more similar demeanor to Lucy, Mari's younger sister. Mari wondered if Lucy would take all of these suggestions of activities from Isa and actually participate, unlike this sad little human in the corner, watching. At least one of the Haynes children could make their mother proud.

She looked up at Veronica dancing the waltz and noted that she seemed to have the same bored expression on her face. A bemused smile fell upon her face as she stared at the girl. She seemed to be a quick thinker; quite the opposite of Mari. Though oftentimes Mari's passive attitude brought her into some trouble, it seemed that this time she had made the right choice. She looked at her pocketwatch again; surely the torture time was bound to be over soon...