Auditions
Ted Tonks
Ted had to admit, he hadn't been sure whether the whole thing was really a good idea. But he had gone through with it. And he was incredibly glad he had.
When Ted had gone to Hogwarts High, there had been a Glee Club. For him, it had been his salvation. Ted loved the Glee Club. It was the place where he could be himself. His school mates in the Glee Club were his family. He had met many of his friends and even his girlfriend there.
Now he had the honour of teaching English at Hogwarts High. But ever since he had started his job at the school, it had been his dream to bring the Glee Club back. Sadly, Mrs Bagshot, who had run the Glee Club in his time, had retired. No one had taken over the Glee Club, so it was simply disbanded. But Ted knew that he could bring the Glee Club back to life.
Not everyone was enthusiastic at first. Dolores Umbridge, the maths teacher, had spoken out strongly against the Glee Club. Ms Hooch also had reservations at first, although not as strongly as Ms Umbridge. In the end, however, Ted was able to go ahead with the plan.
Principal McGonagall had finally agreed, for which Ted was incredibly grateful. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the support of his wonderful girlfriend Andromeda. She had motivated him again and again until he finally got the authorisation. And now he would hold the auditions in the auditorium.
Ted had already set himself up, paper and pen to hand and the audition list next to him. Only five people had signed up. But Ted was sure that there would soon be even more people interested. After all, this was the Glee Club.
To be honest, Ted was a little nervous. He was actually going to take over the Glee Club. He felt a smile spread across his face.
A few hours earlier, he had received an enquiry from Pandora Rosier, who had signed up for the auditions. She had asked if she and her friend Regulus Black could audition together. Of course Ted had agreed.
When he had seen that Regulus had signed up, he had smiled. He already knew him slightly, as Regulus was Andormeda's cousin. Ted couln’t wait to get to know him better.
He looked excitedly at his watch. It was almost time.
Shortly afterwards, the five students arrived. Ted spotted Regulus and waved at him. Regulus gave him a curt nod. He sat next to a blonde girl who Ted assumed must be Pandora. A boy with spiky brown hair and a football jacket sat near her. That had to be Barty. A little way away from them, a girl in a cheerleading uniform with black braids sat down.
The last student entered the auditorium and sat further back. She had a blonde wolf-cut and eyeliner. The cheerleader immediately began to glare at her. The blonde girl just smirked back.
Ted decided this would be a good time to start the auditons. He cleared his throat.
‘Hello everyone! I'm very pleased that you've all turned up. You're going to take to the stage one by one and perform a song of your choice. The school band has come here for the occasion and will be accompanying you. Any questions?’
He waited briefly to see if everyone had understood. There were no questions, so he started speaking again.
‘Regulus, Pandora, you may start.’
The two stood up and made their way to the stage. When they were both ready, Pandora gave Regulus a smile, which he returned softly.
When the music started to play, Ted had to grin. He knew the song. Pandora began to sing.
Something has changed within me.
Something is not the same.
Ted already recognised that Pandora had a beautiful voice. Regulus started shortly afterwards.
Too late for second guessing.
Too late to go back to sleep.
Ted smiled gently. Regulus had such a clear voice and yet very powerful. When the chorus began, Ted let himself sink completely into the music.
It's time to try defying gravity.
I think I'll try defying gravity.
Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity.
And you won't bring me down.
The second verse was just as magical as the first. Regulus and Pandora alternated again. Their voices harmonised perfectly and when the second chorus began, Ted knew that the two of them definitely belonged in the Glee Club.
Well if that's love,
it comes at much too high a cost.
I'd sooner buy defying gravity.
Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity.
I think I'll try defying gravity.
And you won't bring me down.
I'd sooner buy defying gravity.
Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity.
I think I'll try defying gravity.
And you won't bring me down.
Bring me down.
When Pandora let out the last notes, Ted couldn't help but stand up. The other students had also stood up and applauded the two of them. Pandora embraced Regulus, who immediately hugged her back. Ted thanked them both before they took their seats again. They had big smiles on their faces. Ted read out the next name.
‘Dorcas Meadowes!’
As the name was read out, the blonde girl whooped behind him, which earned her another glare from the cheerleader, who must be Dorcas. Determined, she made her way to the stage, where she stood ready. When the song started, Ted raised his eyebrows. That was a different style.
This is a man's world.
This is a man's world.
But it wouldn't be nothing.
Nothing without a woman or a girl.
Dorcas's voice suited the song very well. She walked around the stage and made it hers. You just had to listen to her. She had a completely different aura about her than Regulus and Pandora before, yet she seemed to captivate the audience. Ted diligently took notes.
Man made the electric light,
to take us out of the darkness.
Man made the boat for the water,
like Noah made the ark.
The second chorus surprised Ted. Until now, Dorcas had sung very softly, but now she was powerful. She surrendered to the music and felt every word she sang. The rest of her audience seemed just as fascinated and captivated as Ted himself. Even the blonde girl, who must have been Marlene, was listening intently. Dorcas had potential. Ted could work with that.
Man thinks about our little baby girls
and the baby boys.
Man make them happy,
'cause man make them toys.
It was clear she had practiced this song. She performed with a conviction Ted had rarely seen before. The song seemed to be slowly coming to an end. But Dorcas was still fully engaged. Ted knew that she, too, would be accepted into the Glee Club without any problems.
He's lost in the wilderness.
He's lost in the bitterness.
He's lost.
Lost somewhere in the
In loneliness.
Dorcas also received a big round of applause. A light blush appeared on her cheeks as she sat back down. Time for the next student.
"Barty Crouch Jr.!"
Barty walked confidently onto the stage. He glanced briefly at the audience and winked at Regulus, who then shook his head reproachfully. The music began. And Barty sang.
I'm just a bachelor.
I'm looking for a partner.
Someone who knows how to ride,
without even falling off.
It was clear that Barty didn't lack confidence. He stood on stage as if he did it every day. Ted admired that, as he himself had always been very insecure on stage.
If you want it, let's do it.
Riding my pony.
My saddle's waiting.
Come and jump on it.
If you want it, let's do it.
Riding my pony.
My saddle's waiting.
Come and jump on it.
Barty had begun to move in rhythm with the music. Ted didn't know if he was doing it intentionally or not, because Barty's movements seemed to come naturally. Barty danced to the song, which added something special to the whole performance. It seemed as if Barty was meant to be on stage and perform. Ted had no idea there were so many talented students at this school. He was incredibly happy that he could revive the Glee Club.
If you want it, let's do it.
Riding my pony.
My saddle's waiting.
Come and jump on it.
If you want it, let's do it.
Riding my pony.
My saddle's waiting.
Come and jump on it.
Yeah
Once again, the audience erupted in applause as Barty walked back to his seat. He ruffled Regulus's hair as he passed, earning him a glare. Barty just smiled. Now it was time for the final audition. Ted announced the name.
"Marlene McKinnon."
Marlene stood up and walked to the stage. Before the song began, she spoke into the microphone.
"I'd like to dedicate this song to Dorcas Meadowes."
Ted saw Dorcas's eyes widen as Marlene winked at her. The music began to play, and Ted knew they were in for another incredible performance.
If I could give you the world on a silver platter,
would it even matter?
You'd still be mad at me.
Marlene had a powerful voice. This was definitely not her first time on stage.
'Cause in reality
I'm gon' be who I am.
And I don't feel no fault
for all the lies that you told.
Ted was completely blown away, and the other students seemed to feel the same way. Everyone was hanging on Marlene's every word.
Hate on me, hater.
Now or later.
'Cause I'm gonna do me.
You'd be mad baby.
Go 'head and hate on me, hater.
'Cause I'm not afraid of,
what I gotta pay for.
You can hate on me.
Marlene moved on stage as if it were pure instinct. She belonged on a stage, and she knew it. Every now and then, she would look at Dorcas, who still looked slightly shocked, and wink at her. Ted had no idea what was going on between the two girls, but he would probably find out soon enough when they were both in Glee Club. Because Marlene was definitely going to be in Glee Club too. Ted couldn't turn down that much talent and self-confidence.
If I gave you sanity,
for the whole of humanity.
And had all the solutions
for the pain and pollution.
No matter where I live.
Despite the things I give.
You will always be this way.
So go 'head and hate on me, hater.
Marlene put a lot of energy into the song. Ted could tell from her smile that she was enjoying every second of her performance. The rest of the song continued in much the same way. Marlene never lost her energy and hit every note. As the song drew to a close, Ted could hardly wait to start with the Glee Club.
Hate on me, hater.
Now or later.
'Cause I'm gonna do me.
You'd be mad baby.
Go 'head and hate on me, hater.
'Cause I'm not afraid of,
what I gotta pay for.
You can hate on me.
Yeah
Marlene left the stage as the others applauded her and sat back down in her seat.
Shortly after, Ted dismissed all the students and promised to post the list this week. He also informed them that they were welcome to do some more advertising for the Glee Club to recruit even more members.
That evening, Ted told Andy everything as they set the table together. Andy smiled at him.
"I'm very proud of you. I'm sure you'll do a fantastic job leading the Glee Club. I can't wait to see your performances."
Ted couldn't wait either.
The Glee Club had really been a good idea.