Ballerina Blues ((Rachel))

[Harmony Chan H6]

Harmony sat snugly in her comfortable four-poster bed with a thick book resting on her lap, her head bent over as her eyes pored over the words with an insatiable hunger, her short dark hair drooping down beside her ears to gently tickle her cheeks. Giving a soft but audible sigh, Harmony decided to let her tired eyes take a brief rest, and raised her head to gaze around the empty room. Beds neatly made, trunks tucked away. Just her again. Even Dori had left to explore. Suddenly remembering that she was meant to be keeping an eye on the time, Harmony glanced at her watch on her wrist curiously. However, the moment she read the numbers, she gave a loud gasp of surprise, and with a panicked “Darn, is it already that time?” she bolted out of her bed, throwing the covers aside to jump out and land expertly in her comfortable shoes. However, realising these weren’t the pair she needed, she lunged for her trunk beneath her bed hat she barely needed to open. ”I have five minutes. I hope Rachel won’t think ill of me if I’m late! How did I get so absorbed in that book?!” Grabbing the large heavy chest, Harmony pulled it out with a grunt, and finally managed to get it open. Suddenly realising her wand was lying on her bed, Harmony reached up and grasped it, and summoned what she needed from the trunk. ”I keep forgetting I can do magic.” Harmony smiled at her forgetfulness, and clutched the pair of satin shoes that came zooming out of the pile. Shutting the trunk with a click and using her wand to squeeze it back under the bed, Harmony sat down on the duvet and flung her wand aside as she carefully but quickly tied her ballet shoes on with an eager grin. Ready and done, Harmony ran out her dormitory, grabbing her wand and using it to pick up her ink, quill and parchment, and make them float obediently behind her on her way out.

Harmony had scheduled a meeting with Rachel in the year above earlier, agreeing to get together this Sunday and start on their dual dancing. First off they would begin writing the lyrics for the song they would dance to, seeing as Rachel liked writing so much. After that they’d shove Aurora in to help them with the composition of the actual piece, and then Rachel and her could begin to choreograph the dance itself. Harmony swiftly grabbed her items bobbing along slowly in the air, and began to hum a quiet tune as she skipped playfully but quickly along the Hogwarts corridors, heading towards her destination with a cheerful attitude she had rarely felt recently. Gone already were the contents of the storybook she was so absorbed in less than five minutes ago. Dancing replaced it gladly, along with potential song lyrics. There were so many possibilities her and Rachel could attempt. She was extremely excited that the chance to collaborate with Rachel had arrived, and couldn’t wait to sit down and begin something. Although Harmony knew that they weren’t going to start dancing yet, she wanted to have a little practise anyway, and therefore had slipped on her pink satin shoes. Spontaneously, she did a few steps in the corridors on tiptoe with a large grin. Dropping down afterwards, Harmony glanced down at her feet, and tried to tell them to behave. Goodness, they had been active lately. She could barely stop them from jumping out of the window!

Finally turning the last corner, Harmony caught sight of her destination. The room was to her left, and with a cheerful smile, she pushed her way in, closing the door behind her softly. Glancing around at the wide area which was perfect for two people to dance in (although that wouldn’t be much of a help for they’d be writing), Harmony took in the tall ceiling and the carpeted floor appreciatively, and finally noticed a lone large table in the corner of the almost empty room, a couple of chairs surrounding it neatly. Harmony’s grin grew ever more wider as she caught sight of Rachel’s figure there; she was right on time. The older girl was sitting on one of the chairs, obviously waiting for her companion. However, her head was bent to the table, her dark hair sprawled in her hands as the dim light reflecting from the lit candles bounced her shadow onto the walls. Harmony made her way across to Rachel immediately, chiming out a loud, “Hi Rachel! You’re early! I’m sorry for making you wait. I even brought my shoes though I know that’s not our target for today…” However, upon the Slytherin looking up at her, Harmony trailed off, as she could already see something was wrong, and her joyful spirits sank along with her fading voice. Rachel’s expression screamed misery and guilt, like something was going wrong in her life. As an anxious expression replacing her cheerful one, Harmony stopped short in front of Rachel, looking down at her worriedly, dread filling her, “What’s wrong, Rachel?” she asked softly, dropping her items onto the table carefully.

[jess4ever]

Rachel watched the flickering lights of the candles in disinterest, wondering whether she should just leave. She certainly wasn't in the mood to pretend to be cheerful, but she had promised Harmony. And Harmony was a good friend, Rachel wasn't about to let her down. Although, Harmony should probably get used to me letting her down, she thought, biting her lip sadly, because it's pretty much inevitable with me. Rachel and Richard. The words sounded so good together, yet Rachel couldn't help but feel guilty. She liked Richard so much, and he liked her too, she was sure, but the drama surrounding their relationship was getting too hard to bear.

Already, gossip had turned from Patricia and Richard's break up, to Rachel and Richard's relationship. One female student had even gone as far as walking up to her, poking her forefully in the chest, and telling Rachel to stay away from her boyfriend.
"Why would I steal your boyfriend? I don't even know him, or you," Rachel had replied in confusion, to which the girl had just snarled,
"Well, you seem to have no problem stealing your best friend's."
Rachel had walked away silently.

Now, sitting alone at the desk, she wondered what Harmony would say. She was Patricia's friend, and Richard's too, so she was bound to have an opinion about the whole thing. As if on cue, she heard a familiar voice behind her. Turning around, Rachel tried to smile, but knew immediately Harmony saw right through her.
"I'm fine, Harmony," she said, trying to sound bright.
"Just a bit of a cold. Nothing to worry about." Rachel knew she sounded inane, and shook her head sadly.
"No, I'm not OK. But you've had more than enough of your share of listening to my dramas, so it's alright. Just a bit of the blues," she said, forcing herself to smile. Standing up, Rachel walked over to her friend, and pulled out a notebook.
"I was thinking maybe we could brainstorm first, you know, get some ideas down on paper before actually writing the song. It will just give it a bit of structure. Although, free writing certainly is good in the spontaneous sense, with the song seeming as if it's just flowing along," Rachel said, smiling. For a moment she'd just have to put her personal problems behind her. It might even be good for her to get her creative juices flowing, and put everything in perspective. Worse things had happened to people. In fact, worse things had happened to her. Why was she being so sensitive to it all of a sudden? Rachel shook her head in annoyance and sat down on top of an empty desk.
"What do you want the song to be about?" She asked Harmony, pointing to an empty chair next to her for her friend to sit in if she wanted to.

[Harmony Chan H6]

Harmony frowned with concern as Rachel explained her misery as “a cold”, and even though Harmony was an extremely dense person, she wasn’t completely stupid. She was sensible and knowledgeable enough to notice that Rachel didn’t have any cold symptoms, just extremely tired and worn out eyes which no longer sparkled with life. Her body seemed to sag downwards as if something heavy was weighing on her back. Ignoring the fact that Rachel was obviously lying, Harmony let that rest and didn’t question her for doing so. Perhaps it was something Rachel was going through that she didn’t want to tell her. Harmony didn’t believe in forcing people to confide in her. She just wanted to be there for people when they needed the support. However, she was allowed to make sure her friend was okay, right? “Are you sure, Rachel?” Harmony asked anxiously, taking a seat next to the Slytherin, having already forgotten about her materials. Her attention was focused entirely on Rachel at the moment.

Harmony’s frown grew deeper as Rachel finally admitted that things were not going as swimmingly as they could do, and looked at her friend with genuine concern, “You do know I don’t mind listening to you, right? If you want to talk to me, because there’s no one else to talk to or if you just want to get something off your chest… I’m always here. I’m pretty impartial, because I don’t have many lessons with you, I don’t know most of your friends…” Harmony paused at this, and rushed on hurriedly, “… Nor your family and past. It might be easier to talk to someone who has no idea sometimes… Anyway, I’d be happy to help. I can’t say I give great advice… I can’t even believe you took my advice last time…” Harmony half groaned, half grimaced, but continued nevertheless. “Anyway, that’s what friends are for, right?” She regained herself with a bright smile, and followed Rachel away from the table area, reaching into her pocket to grab her wand to summon her parchment. If Rachel wanted to stand whilst doing this, Harmony was not about to complain.

Nodding along with a concentrating glint in her eyes, Harmony plucked her quill out of the air and dipped it into the floating pot of ink, turning to her piece of parchment which was also drifting aimlessly around. “I think a brainstorm is good…” Harmony listened to Rachel whilst continuously nodding, taking in the older girl’s words intently. She followed her friend back to the seating area, taking the chair Rachel indicated to. Harmony let her materials come to a relieved rest on the table again, placing her wand beside them, and scribbled a star diagram in the centre of her parchment in preparation, “Well, I don’t really mind…” Harmony murmured, referring to Rachel’s question on what the song would be about, placing her hand onto her chin and staring at the ceiling in thought, “There are so many possibilities… Happy-go-feel? Lost love? Romance? Um… sad stuff? Or random lyrics? I don’t mind at all… Why don’t you choose? We could do a song which suits your emotions now, because the inspiration and words come easier that way, I think.”

[jess4ever]

Rachel sighed. Thoughts of everything that had been happening over the last few weeks filled her head, and it seemed no matter how hard she tried to get rid of them, they just kept returning. Fond memories or Richard, Patrica and her just hanging out combined with the image of Richard's face when they caught Patrica with Blake, and it was all she could do to stop herself crying. This was no time to cry; she had to remain strong. It wasn't their fault that Patricia decided to cheat on Richard, yet Rachel felt badly every time she saw her new boyfriend. And it didn't improve matters when Patricia saw Rachel with her new boyfriend. Her face would contort into pain and misery, and Rachel felt physically ill. Now, with Harmony's obvious concern, Rachel just felt worse. She didn't deserve anybody's sympathy, yet she knew she had to stop blaming herself. What happened was unfortunate, but it wasn't the end of the world. Rachel had endured more than a broken friendship; in fact, at one point in her life broken friendships were more exciting than heartbreaking. But she was a different person now, and it surprised her how differently she felt about things. The fact that she cared about Patricia enough that just by being with Richard, the guy she thought the world of, reduced her to tears, was enough to tell Rachel that perhaps that past person she had been was gone. Rachel sighed. Perhaps she had wanted her old self gone completely, but now she wasn't sure. Her old self would've coped with this a lot better.

Breaking out of her reverie, Rachel looked up at Harmony and realised that her friend had been talking. Smiling sadly, she shook her head.
"Sorry I zoned out for a moment. What were you saying?" A line jerked in her memory, and Rachel nodded in sudden remembrance.
"Oh, right. Lyrics. Well, they say misery is the best subject for songs, so maybe we should write about all this...it might help. You probably know what's been going on," she said, groaning. The whole school knew. Rachel was not the school's favourite person right now. If only they knew the real story, she mused, before snapping out of her daydreams again.
"Have you heard much about the situation? You know, about me, and Richard, and Patricia? He really cares about me, Harmony. This isn't a rebound thing...He really does care about me," she said, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Rachel brushed them away in annoyance.
"Ugh. Sorry. I'm turning into an emotional wreck. If I burst into tears, please shoot me," she joked, regaining her composure.
"We should write a heartfelt song," Rachel said firmly after a moment, wrinkling her brow in thought.
"A song about something everyone can relate to. Maybe heartbreak. Ever have your heart broken before?" She asked, before punching herself in the arm.
"Sorry," she said, grinning.

[Harmony Chan H6]

Harmony watched Rachel with genuine concern written all over her face. It seemed the Slytherin third year was stuck in her own deep thoughts again, but Harmony waited patiently for her to resurface back into reality. Finally she did so with a sad smile, which Harmony returned, and Rachel suggested writing a sad song. However, Harmony became rather confused about what the older girl was trying to say about “what’s been going on”. Harmony shook her head slowly, frowning at her friend as she listened with puzzlement. “I’m sorry, Rachel, I don’t really know what you’re talking about.” Suddenly Harmony’s eyes widened at Rachel’s words concerning Richard and Patrica, and almost choked on “rebound”, finally gaining a vague idea of what was going on. “You mean… You’re telling me that… Richard and Patrica are… over?” Harmony swallowed hard, finding the information difficult to digest, staring in shock at a miserable Rachel. This fact was certainly new to her. She never really heard many rumours, as she rarely cared or believed them, “So you and Richard… Well, of course he cares about you!” Harmony suddenly regained her senses and exclaimed loudly, “He cares about you so much…” she quieted down again, realising her intensity, watching Rachel’s reaction with apprehension, “So are you and Patrica…? Did you tell her? Is that why…?” Harmony trailed off nervously as she let Rachel compose herself, remembering the incident where Patrica ended up in the Hospital Wing. “Um… I guess you being with him hasn’t turned out the way you were wanting it to.” She mumbled, having no idea what to say as she watched the Slytherin wiping away unshed tears. Poor Rachel was having a really bad time, she could definitely tell.

“It’s okay if you cry.” Harmony murmured softly as she continued giving Rachel a sad but supportive smile, “We can’t always be strong. Sometimes crying lets everything come out.” She shrugged helplessly, Rachel’s determination not to cry reminding her of Ari. “I’m the exact opposite of you. I’m not strong enough to hold in my tears, I cry all the time… But I think sometimes you just have to cry. Sometimes we have to be human.” Harmony knew that she was not only talking to Rachel, but to Ari and herself. She needed to believe her own words, that she needn’t strive to be as strong as people like Ari and Rachel. Isn’t that just putting on a façade? Harmony had often had private lectures from Aurora and Ari not to fake anything, but to be herself. Watching Rachel now, Harmony knew she was an idiot for feeling weak, but that it would be a long time before she accepted herself, and stopped struggling to change something which needed no amending. This was her. Harmony realised she had to stop aspiring to be stronger, or she’d lose all confidence in herself. Everyone had their personal inner issues, their doubts about themselves. One day they’d get over it. “And I refuse to shoot you.” Harmony sent Rachel a look of horror, followed by a mock glare.

Now nodding along to Rachel’s suggestion of a heartfelt song, Harmony agreed that the genre would be perfect. Her own emotions were in turmoil currently, having crept up on her without noticing, reappearing in the most unsuitable situation. Right now it was Rachel’s feelings that mattered most. However, writing Harmony’s own emotions down in the form of lyrics was a great idea, and would help relieve her mind of its burdens temporarily, especially if she was using it as creative juice. Normally Harmony was very wary about sharing her work with other people, but she felt ready to let Rachel into her world of writing. A little bit at a time. Heck, she’d even shown Richard a song the other day in exchange for his courtesy of letting her read his work. She was closer to Rachel than she was with Richard, and if they were to become writing and dancing buddies, Harmony would have to be frank and honest. Well, more so anyway. She was nice enough to people she knew, but that didn’t necessarily mean she was completely open with them. Perhaps she had erected an inner guard like Ari… Harmony hoped not.

Harmony gave a light chuckle at the heart-breaking topic, and blushed slightly at the question, wondering how Rachel felt asking her this, “It’s okay to ask… It’s not a sensitive thing for me. No, I’ve never had my heart broken before… Not by a boy, anyway.” Harmony giggled a little nervously, love being one of her least ventured in areas of conversation. She didn’t know many people of the opposite sex, had never indulged with ones around her age. However, love as a topic seemed to be cropping up lately… “Maybe by my father…” Harmony mused for a second, before snapping her head up again, slightly worried she’d overstepped the mark. She certainly did not want Rachel latching onto that horrific subject and writing a song out of it. Harmony didn’t think she was ready for anything like that yet. She did not want to explain herself, neither did she feel that close to Rachel. “Maybe when I’m older.” She spoke firmly, trying to throw her father out of her mind. “I was told the other day I have plenty of time, and he sure is right!” Harmony laughed joyously, knowing she was in no rush to fall head of heels for someone. The heartbreak brought by the act of falling in love seemed atrocious. No wonder Ari was so against it, and Aurora always seemed to have one problem or another concerning a certain guy. Even Ari, two years Harmony’s senior, hadn’t fallen in love yet, but that was Ari for you. Harmony wondered if her sister would ever let anyone else into her life. Sending Rachel an apologetic, knowing smile, she grinned wryly, “I don’t have much experience with love, to be honest, as you should know from the last time we chatted.”

((Discontinued thread.))