The First Step ((Forget-Me-Not))

[Harmony Chan H6]

Harmony set the muggle CD player onto the table carefully, opening it to check that the correct CD was encased within, and proceeded to turn it on. It was inconvenient that there were not electrical plug sockets provided in Hogwarts, but Ariane had figured out a useful spell which enabled the CD player to run, the wand being its source of electricity. Harmony was glad she had some music to dance to, because doing so in silence was somewhat daunting. It often disturbed her concentration – however odd this seemed, Harmony felt it was because she could immerse herself in the flow of the music and not be distracted by background noises. Harmony pressed the Play button, but once the correct music began floating out of the machine, she paused it, and moved to sit down on a chair. Off came her black school shoes, and out of the duffel bag that she had slung around her shoulders came a pair of worn out dancing pumps. Harmony looked at them fondly as she deposited her things beside the table, and proceeded to put them on whilst shrugging off her jacket. She wore a simple t-shirt and flexible skirt, and tied her short hair up. With a determined expression on her face, Harmony pressed the Play button again, selected the correct track, and moved towards the centre of the spacious room.

Thank goodness for the weekend. Harmony’s first few weeks back at Hogwarts for her fourth year had been extremely busy; she had hardly had time to even wallow in any self pity that had washed up from the shores of her summer. Remnants of the year before still stung painfully, but Harmony was being helped through it all by friends and family alike. There were times she felt she couldn’t go on without her mother there... but then she remembered that she had Ari, and Aurora, and others she could count on. Harmony had been forced to grow up quickly with her mother’s absence, and innocence swept aside, she had learnt that she had to celebrate Lorraine’s life rather than miss her, because she would always miss her – Harmony would rather miss her in a good, appreciative light, than have a breakdown because of it. She had had enough of tears, enough of crying and misery. Too many times had Harmony sobbed into her pillow because she felt she couldn’t continue with this gaping hole in her life. But now it was time to move on. And Harmony hoped to do so by practising one of the beauties of life her mother had introduced her to in her childhood, something Lorraine had continued to encourage Harmony to keep up throughout her life. Dance.

Ari’s gift had always lain in art, and Aurora’s in music. Harmony’s passion was dancing; it was the hobby she put before the rest, the one she enjoyed the most and excelled at. It wasn’t something she wished definitely to pursue in her career for the future, but Harmony did wish to integrate it into her life whatever she headed for. It was a form of beauty that Harmony wished to continue in memory of her mother. Harmony took a silent breath as she readied herself, arms and legs in the right position. A thin crease of concentration lined her brow as the music began, drawing Harmony into the world of music, dance, and the day she said goodbye to her mother. She lived like she knew nothing lasts. Didn't care to look like anyone else. And she was beautiful, so beautiful. I still hear her laugh like she's here. Harmony’s arms lifted and fell; legs lithe and strong flexed in the air, toes of shiny shoes brushing across the surface of the floor. Shower it down on all the young, it isn't so wrong to have such fun. Unknowingly, a sorrowful smile lingered on Harmony’s lips as she danced, eyes closed and lost in the tide. How long had it been since she had last danced? It was such a long time ago, before Lorraine’s death. It was true that sometimes there are things you cannot forget, and for Harmony it was the way of dance. Although you became rusty and inflexible over time, your arms and legs still automatically know what they are doing, as though it is second nature. The knowledge is locked away in your mind, waiting to be accessed and utilised.

Forever angel, I hope they love you like we do. Forever angel, I'll be proud to be like you, be like you. “Angel”. That was the name of the song Ariane and Harmony had chosen to play at Lorraine’s funeral, the very one Harmony was dancing to now. Does the sun shine up at you when you are looking down? Do you get along with the others around? It had been a private, quick and small ceremony, the funeral, but nevertheless just as moving and sad. Harmony of course, had cried after the speeches and the goodbyes as Aurora sang the song upon departure, and it had been too painful and difficult to stop. Ari, quite admirably, had sat through the ceremony, and her own speech, dry eyed. It's got to be better than before, you don't need to worry now you're gone. Even Aurora had shed a tear or two as she finished her solo, using only the piano to aid her cover version. Originally, “Angel” was an upbeat song, but Aurora’s version was slower, filled only with the soothing sounds of her clear voice and the tinkling of the piano. Forever angel, I hope they love you like we do. Forever angel, I'll be proud to be like you, be like you. Just like you.

And when I go to sleep at night I'll thank you for each blessed thing surrounding me. For every fall I'll ever break, each moment`s breath I wanna taste. Confidence and conscience, decadent extravagance, never ending providence, for loving when I had the chance. Jump. Leap. Curve. Harmony was so engrossed in the music, in her dance, that she neglected to hear the sound of the door opening, her guard down having always trusted in this room to be generally secluded. Without her knowledge, as her eyes were shut, the door closed again, and she was no longer alone. Harmony calmly twisted her hand outwards, bending her leg and doing the final move, before remaining in that position as the music started to end. She was breathing hard from the physical exertion, but she had a satisfied smile on her face. She was about to unfurl herself from the uncomfortable pose, until loud clapping filled the room along with the ending of Aurora’s cover version of “Angel”. Harmony’s eyes flung open in surprise to see a familiar figure standing beside the CD player, and straightened quickly in surprise, hand over mouth to stop mutterings of nonsense to spill out of her mouth. Wasn’t this boy Rex Carter, the most notorious Gryffindor in her year? Harmony’s eyes were wide as she backed away, speechless, as her cheeks flushed red. What was he doing here?

Forever angel, I hope they love you like we do. Forever angel, I'll be proud to be like you. Forever angel, I'll be proud to be like you.
Forever angel, I'll be proud to be like you...

[rex]

Dark haze swirled around. Suddenly two bright lights pierced through the enveloping blackness. Screeching tires, voices screaming, and a pain took over his entire body. "Raph! Noooo!" Rex woke with a jolt. Another nightmare. He brushed it off like he had so many times before, pushing back what was a painful memory of his brother's death. Scanning the area around him, Rex realised he had fallen asleep with stacks of homework needing done surrounding him. It could wait. Rex never liked doing homework, and so he would usually put it off until the very last moment possible. Procrastination was his method when it came to school. There were much more interesting things that he could do to pass the time. Hogwarts was full of so much that Rex had yet to discover. That was far more important than some silly homework.

Seeing that he was the only one in the Gryffindor fourth year boys' dormitory, Rex decided to get out of the room. It was a nice day outside for it being autumn and all; perfect for Rex to take his broom for a go. But today, he just didn't feel like flying. It was a rare occurrence, but there were just some times that Rex didn't want to fly. He could try to find Billy. They had set a few booby traps, jinxing certain doors of closets to slam shut on unexpected students who might enter, leaving them locked inside with no certain means of escape. So far, they hadn't caught anybody, and Rex was starting to wonder if they had done the spell successfully. Perhaps they should go check them out to see if there were any successful captures. Yawning, Rex figured this was the best idea he had for the moment, and so he set off out of the Gryffindor dormitory in search of Billy.

The halls were unusually empty today. It must have been the nice weather that took everyone outside. He did pass a few groups of students though, making sure to smile handsomely at the girls who would giggle as he passed. Afterward, he would roll his eyes at their silly antics. It was always fun to play along though. Turn after turn, Rex was on his way to the Hufflepuff common room. Usually, he was able to convince one of the girls to go in and fetch Billy for him. It wasn't often though that Rex and Billy were apart. Usually, they were out causing trouble or sitting in class together finding ways to entertain those around them.

As he made a turn, Rex looked around him with a confused stare. He wasn't where he thought he should be. Somewhere along the way, he had made a wrong turn. Hogwarts was notorious for that. He wouldn't have been surprised if the castle had somehow tricked him into going the wrong way. With a shrug, he simply kept going, not really caring where he ended up. Sometimes a bit of a surprise made for a nice change of pace.

Walking through corridor after corridor of the same stone walls lit by burning torches, Rex began to get bored and wondered where he really was. Suddenly, his ears began to sense the soft sound of music from up ahead. Curious, Rex followed the sound before ending in front of a door that seemed to be harbouring the music itself. In a slow movement, Rex carefully cracked the door and entered, the music becoming louder as he stepped inside the room. Silently closing the door behind him, Rex turned to see a girl about his age dancing along; the sound of a soft voice accompanied by a piano resounded around them. He watched in awe as the girl's body moved so gracefully and flexibly. She hadn't noticed his presence, or if she had, she failed to acknowledge it. So, Rex simply watched for the few minutes that the song lasted, until the very end when the girl stopped, holding herself in a final pose.

Rex put both hands together repeatedly, clapping loudly to show his liking to the girl's dance. When he did so, the girl finally noticed his being there and looked toward him with shock. He saw that it was Harmony Chan, the fourth year Huffle that he had seen around before. "Bravo, Bravo," he complimented, still in awe of the girl's dancing. She seemed to be somewhat hesitant, he couldn't help but noticed. "Can you do it again?" he asked quickly. Rex's eyes followed Harmony's and he tried figuring out what she was thinking. He knew that he had a reputation, but surely she couldn't be that afraid of him, he thought. "Come on, it was great," he urged with a kind smile.

[Harmony Chan H6]

Harmony blinked, started when the back of her legs hit the wall, and resorted to staring wildly at Rex in what she felt was a vulnerable, trapped position. Harmony didn’t want to be scared of Rex; she was honestly surprised at being caught so off-guard in a personal moment by someone she had never spoken to. However, Harmony was genuinely wary of Rex, and probably had every right to be. Having started Hogwarts together, Harmony had heard of this infamous Rex Carter only a week or so into her first term. In fact, his name was probably the first of her classmates that she learnt and remembered. Rex had a notorious reputation that extended to even the young, new and naïve elven year old children, as well as the veteran seventh years. Harmony knew well that Rex Carter was a flirtatious, loud and popular person with most people in Hogwarts; she had seen him with other students several times, and had watched once as he flirted shamelessly with a girl from the year below (and Harmony was only in her second year at the time). Rex was a mastermind when it came to women, it seemed, and Harmony had evidence to back that up. She didn’t necessarily hate Rex for it, because Harmony was a very accepting and understanding person. If he was flirtatious, then so be it. However, it was not that trait of Rex’s that happened to frighten Harmony.

Rex also had another notorious characteristic that caused his enemy Slytherins to pick fights with him often; that would almost get him expelled and cause the teachers to be on their last tether. Rex was a troublemaker – but he was more than just a simple troublemaker. There were plenty of annoying troublemakers in Hogwarts. Rex Carter on the other hand was downright violent sometimes, and scaringly so. The things Harmony knew he had been behind, the brawls that rarely, but did, occur in the corridors with Slytherins, were not coincidence. There was something about Rex, Harmony could tell, that was dangerous. Yet it seemed so alluring at the same time, she had thought, though she was certainly frightened of him, being her timid, peaceful self. Even Ari had warned her once that Rex was trouble; being a fellow Gryffindor, she had heard even more things than Harmony had, plus her sister had always been perceptive to what others gossiped about. That was why Harmony kept it in mind to avoid Rex at all costs. She doubted she’d react in the right way to any flirtatious moves Rex attempted, being one to hate attention, and she didn’t want to end up being pulled into a situation that she’d later regret.

Harmony assumed the danger Rex exuded was as attractive as she had guessed secretly. How else would he have so many girls coming back for more so often? He was still that flirtatious and charming boy when he wasn’t doing anything short of illegal. Harmony also speculated that Rex couldn’t be downright evil either; his best friend was Billy Brady, a fellow Hufflepuff in their year whom, although was just as mischievous as Rex (hence why they probably got on so well with each other), Harmony knew he was at heart a kind person. She hadn’t spent too much time with Billy, because he always did act a little weird around her when the chance arose, but Harmony could tell that he was a sweet boy with others’ best interests at heart. Billy wouldn’t choose his best friend so casually; the pair seemed inseparable, it was a friendship akin to Aurora and Ariane, though not tied with blood.

Though another factor for Harmony’s lack of interaction with Rex wasn’t just because she went out of her way to avoid any confrontation. It was also Anastasia Castlerock, Rex’s other good friend that prevented most females from getting near to Rex. It was obvious to the student population that Rex probably liked Anastasia as much as the rest of the girls he flirted with when she wasn’t around, and then discarded them like clothing. Anastasia did seem rather intoxicated by Rex, and some of the pupils felt sorry for her. Rex was probably just stringing her along too; he was somewhat merciless when it came to girls. Harmony knew, anyway, that if a girl became too friendly with Rex Carter, you would get trouble from Miss Castlerock, and she really did not want that. If anything, Anastasia was even more terrifying than Rex. And But Harmony deduced finally that the main reason she had never spoken to Rex even once in the last three years was fate. They just hadn’t had the chance, which she was thankful for. Obviously, fate had different plans. “Um…” Harmony started, stammering and voice nervous. “I’m sorry… I have to, um… go… soon…” Eyes shifted around anxiously. ”Somebody save me.” If it had been anyone else, Harmony would’ve been quite pleased at the compliments.

Would you dance if I asked you to dance?

Harmony visibly jumped when the CD player started to emit music again. The next track, “Hero”, had begun, Aurora’s voice a soft lilt to the piano music. Harmony’s older cousin loved to sing cover versions of her favourite songs, accompanied with just the piano. Would you run and never look back? Harmony looked around frantically for her wand to perhaps stop the machine from her position. Finally, she spied it sitting innocently next to the CD player, and mentally cursed. Would you cry if you saw me crying? Would you save my soul tonight? “Sorry, I…” Trailing away, Harmony scurried over to Rex, albeit shyly, and moved to press the Stop button. However, a hand closed over hers before she could, preventing her from halting the calming music floating out of the player.

Would you tremble if I touched your lips? Would you laugh? Oh please tell me this. Now would you die for the one you love?
Hold me in your arms tonight…

[rex]

Harmony had such a delicate nature, Rex noticed. As she feebly stammered, explaining that she should go, he couldn't help but notice that her hesitant shyness that he found to be rather attractive. He wasn't sure how much of it was her humility and what part of Harmony was actually scared to be there in that moment with him. As the CD player began to play another song, the silence that had momentarily surrounded the two of them was drown out with another blend of soft piano music and a beautiful female voice. It had apparently startled Harmony, as she jumped at the sound. Rex watched as she approached him, and then he saw her reach for the device. Instinctively, Rex reached out to stop her. He held her hand in his own, his eyes tracing their way from her hand, up her arm, and to her face. Rex smiled softly, as the familiar tune floated around the large room.

I can be you hero baby. I can kiss away the pain.

With his hand still holding Harmony's, Rex led her back to the center of the room. They stood still for a second, and then, together, they started to dance. It was slow at first. Rex wasn't sure if Harmony was petrified, or if she might actually be enjoying it. All he knew was that he loved to see her dance. Her graceful movements were so full of emotion that Rex began to get lost in the song himself.

I will stand by you forever. You can take my breath away.

The chorus came to an end, and Rex continued to guide Harmony across the floor. As the song played, it was almost as if they had choreographed their movements. They were flawless and in perfect fluid motion. Rex kept watching Harmony's face, but her concentration was elsewhere, and she lacked making any eye contact with him. The song finally came to a slow and soft end before the two of them were still, ending their dance back in the middle of the floor. Rex finally dropped Harmony's hand from his grip and smiled at her again. "Have you danced since you were a child?" he asked curiously. "You really are quite enchanting when you are dancing. Well, perhaps even when you're not," he added with a grin. "Tell me," he continued, this time a bit more serious, "what are you afraid of?" It was a simple question, really. Harmony's trepidation couldn't be more tangible, and Rex was curious to know if she was indeed afraid of him or simply fearful in general.

[Harmony Chan H6]

Harmony was shaking. Not outwardly, because she had grown out of that since childhood. Since she had gotten away from her father’s merciless beatings, since she had didn’t have to watch Ari taking the punishments for her right in front of her very eyes. Yet, Harmony’s heart still trembled from within, and it ached now as Rex’s skin brushed against hers unhesitantly. Her tendons froze as they automatically went along with Rex’s wishes, because she couldn’t protest again him. Was he like this with all girls? Did he do this to every female? Harmony wondered in the back of her mind as he led her back to the centre of the room silently, the music still surrounding them from every direction. Trapped in Rex’s arms, as well as the flow of the piano and song, Harmony found her feet moving on their own to the music, one small step at a time, as if every second was being prolonged by an upper being. Would you swear that you'll always be mine? Would you lie? Would you run away? Am I in to deep? Have I lost my mind?

What did Rex want with her? I don't care, you're here tonight. Many questions whirled in Harmony’s head, and yet, she couldn’t get them out of her mouth. It was as though she had lost the gift of speech and gained the ability to dance without her mind even working. Harmony was aware of she stopped moving now, if she spoke even a single quite utterance, it would ruin the magic of the moment. The feeling of Rex’s warm arms around her waist, the calm and peace that lingered in Harmony’s heart, the security she felt herself drowning in. I can be your hero, baby. I can kiss away the pain. I will stand by you forever. You can take my breath away. Harmony glanced up at Rex tentatively, her dark eyes meeting his clear ones for the first time. Locked together, Harmony could feel something… something radiating from this boy’s being. A longing… a longing similar to hers. It was like Harmony’s need to be protected and to be loved that shone from Rex’s emotional eyes. She was almost so surprised by the power of the feelings she stopped dancing, but Rex kept her steady as his body also continued moving to the beat. His grip around her tightened by a fraction, and Harmony didn’t struggle. She let him hold her as she tore her gaze away to stare at his shoulder avidly instead, resisting a strong urge to blush. I just want to hold you. Am I in too deep? Have I lost my mind? Well I don't care, you're here tonight.

I can be your hero, baby. I can kiss away the pain. I will stand by you forever. You can take my breath away. Finally, the music was coming to a gentle end as Rex stopped the dancing. Harmony froze as the piano notes faded slowly, forcing her eyes not to stray to Rex’s again. Finally, after what seemed like eternity, Rex dropped Harmony’s hand, and she stepped back automatically, as if stung by the contact. You can take my breath, my breath away. I can be your hero. His words rang clear against silence now, and Harmony nodded reluctantly, not sure of what to say after that awkward moment they had shared. “Um… yes. I have. Thank you.” Harmony’s eyes bore into the floor as Rex spoke; she had anticipated that if they ever did converse, he would the talkative one, directing the conversation. However, Harmony was genuinely surprised at the kindness he was giving her, rather unnatural in comparison to his outer appearance in school. His admiration for her art, and his own fluid movements too had shocked Harmony to say the least. “You’re a very good dancer too.” Harmony offered with a shaky smile. “And I’m sure you didn’t spent ten years perfecting that. It’s a natural gift.”

Harmony’s head snapped upwards at Rex’s probing question, the odd look in his eyes causing all words to flee her mind, and struggled to answer him. “I… I’m not…” She stuttered slowly, before turning on her heel and walking quickly away. Her head hung low as her eyes diverted from Rex’s religiously. “I’m sorry. I have to go.” Harmony’s finger finally shut off the CD playing device, and she grabbed both it and the wand, plus her bag that she slung over her shoulder, and ran to the door hurriedly. She paused for a second as her face turned back a little. “Um… Bye.” And with that, Harmony left, the door clicking shut behind her figure. On the other side, she immediately began to flee to the Common Room still in her dancing shoes, which made prominent clacking noises against the floor. Once finally safe in her dorm, having received many odd glances from others, Harmony collapsed on her bed, still living in the adrenaline rush of the event that had just occurred.

”What was that?”

[rex]

Harmony thanked Rex for his compliment, but she failed to make much eye contact with him. He couldn't get over the fact that she seemed so fearful, yet at the same time there was something intriguing about her. He only wished she would be more open to his presence instead of seeming to cower with every word he spoke. "I'm only decent," he stated quickly, ignoring her statement of his dancing being a natural gift. Rex didn't know how he knew the art of dancing, and perhaps it did come naturally, but he did know that it was nothing compared to what he had seen Harmony do when he first found her alone in that room.

Stuttering again, Harmony seemed like she wanted to talk, but something was preventing her from spilling whatever words were trying to find their way out. Instead, in one fell swoop, she had turned off the CD player and quickly escaped to the door where she stopped only momentarily. "Wait!" Rex tried, but it was too late. Harmony had practically vanished, before he even had a chance to stop her. "Good bye," he muttered into the silence that surrounded him, despite the fact that Harmony hadn't heard him reply.

Left alone in the room, Rex began pondering what had just happened. It was an awkward yet beautiful moment all in one. Having truly caught his eye, Rext wondered why Harmony seemed so full of trepidation. Was he the cause of her apprehensive nature, or was that just something that was natural of her. They had barely shared any words, yet Rex had already seemed to feel a connection to her through the dance.

Shaking himself from his distant daydreaming, Rex took another look around the room, taking in the environment once more before leaving. Out the door he went, deciding he would go look for Billy or Stacey. He had no clue where they might be now, but still he went in search, all the while the experience he had just had with Harmony still dancing in the back of his mind.