74Hogwarts: The Phantom of the Opera
Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter or Phantom of the Opera and I doubt any of my schemes to acquire the ownership of them will work, so you'll just have to settle with the fact that you can't sue me.
AN: Um, wow, actually I think I covered everything last chapter O.o Yeah… er… on with the story then
Chapter 2: The After-Dinner Meeting
When dinner was over, the younger students were ushered out of the Great Hall along with any of the older students who didn't wish to participate. Surprisingly, the Great Hall was left with not much less than half of what previously occupied it.
Dumbledore cleared his throat as the hall quieted. "It would appear that we have quite the turnout. How many of you would still be here if I removed the incentive of not taking exams, I wonder?"
Protests filled the room, but the Headmaster merely chuckled. "I'm only joking," he said. "First things first. The musical we will be performing shall be The Phantom of the Opera."
The effect of those words on the hall was immediate. The students talked and speculated amongst themselves as Dumbledore tried to restore order to the Great Hall.
"Because," he said loudly, in effort to draw their attention back to him, "we will be doing a musical, we will hold preliminary singing auditions for those who wish to have a singing part onstage. The way this will work is you will go into a room with no one but myself as the judge. I will then pick songs that you know and you will sing them to the best of your ability. Next, I shall write down your scores and you can come back the next day to see if you have progressed to the next level.
"In the next round, I will pair you up with other people that passed and you can sing a duet based on the songs you both know. This helps me see how well you can sing with other people. To do well in this audition you can't overpower the person you're singing with, you can't get confused by their different singing part, and you have to sing at approximately the same tempo. You will be scored on that and it will help determine if you can sing songs that have duets. Whether you pass this round or not, you will come back the next day for the final round to decide which role you get, if you get one at all.
"The following day, you will put on the sorting hat, which will sort you into your roles according to which character it feels you are most suited to play. Factors that contribute to the hat's decision include physical appearance, personality, situations in life, and compatibility with other characters. There is no changing the hat's decision, because it truly knows what's best for you and the success of the play. I will then be given the cast list to put on the bulletin board outside the Great Hall the next day.
"Unfortunately, we cannot have all your lovely faces onstage. We need people to play in the orchestra, as well as people to help make costumes, and do other important backstage things. Whomever has at least three years experience at playing an instrument, and does not greatly wish to try for an acting role, would you please gather in the back right corner of the hall. Professor McGonagall will have you write down your name, house, year, and the instrument you play. None of the arrangements made today will be permanent. For example, if we don't have enough male ballet dancers, we may extract a few from the orchestra if we are able to spare them in our ensemble. Auditions for chair placement will be held in due time. More information on that is to come… when we actually have a date.
"In ballet, dance, and chorus, we will likely start by teaching the very basics, so it is not required to have ay previous experience. However, we are sure you'll find it would be easier to do well if you've had at least some kind of exposure to dance. All we ask is that you're open-minded, hard-working, and… well, flexible," he said with a twinkle in his eye. "If you would like to learn ballet and other forms of dancing, please go to the front left corner of the hall, where Professor Sinistra will be waiting to write down your names." Surprisingly, almost thirty students moved forward.
"The students that wish to sing but not act should consider joining the chorus. Chorus will sing in songs like Masquerade, Prima Donna, Don Juan Triumphant, and others that aren't solos or duets. Some members of the chorus will sing onstage and some will sing offstage. To find out more information, see Professor Vector in the front right corner of the room.
"And now, last but not least, the more complex backstage drama department. It is your job to learn and provide the necessary spells and charms to change lighting, make and move settings, buy or create props, and make costumes. As you can see, there are many different parts to this and it will all be sorted out at the next meeting. For now, just move over to the back left corner and write your names down with Professor Flitwick.
Hermione, Ginny, Neville, Draco, Harry, Ron, and many other students were left standing in the middle of the room. Hermione had decided that she'd try to get an acting role, but she was fine with the Chorus or Orchestra if she didn't make it. Ginny looked at her and the boys reassuringly. 'It would be so fun,' Hermione thought, 'if we all got parts in it! How exciting!'
"I assume that everyone left wants to audition for main roles? Oh yes, and let's not forget that the members of the staff are required to participate, so if you will also go to whichever field you wish to join," Dumbledore announced. "And of course, I will be the director, which is it's own field entirely," he grinned.
Hermione frowned as Professor Snape and Professor McGonagall stayed where they were. 'Surely they aren't thinking of trying out…?' She chuckled to herself, 'But who could imagine Snape singing?'
"Professor Snape, if you would be so kind as to hand those out to the people in the middle," Dumbledore inquired, beaming at Severus's obvious displeasure.
Severus snarled but took the stack of paper, walked to the middle of the room, and thrust a paper into each person's hand.
"As you will see, the paper you are being given describes each of the main characters that you can try out for. Oh yes, be sure to keep one for yourself, Severus," Dumbledore smirked as Severus was about to set the extras down on a table. Severus growled and snatched the one off the top and glared at the parchment as if it had done something highly offensive. Dumbledore's smile only widened.
"For those who are unfamiliar with the Phantom of the Opera, Christine Daae is the lead female role. She is a young chorus girl who is secretly being tutored in opera singing by an unknown figure. Erik, the Phantom, is this man, whom Christine believes to be an Angel of Music. Another main male role is Viscount Raoul de Chagny, Christine's 'childhood sweetheart.' Other roles are Christine's best friend, another ballet dancer, Meg; as well as the Opera House's lead female soprano: the diva, La Carlotta. All of these, and more, are listed in greater detail on that sheet of paper. If there is anybody that did not get one, there will be a stack here so you can grab one after this meeting.
"For those of you that do get an acting role, you will be required to come to all rehearsals. If you are sick or injured, you will not be required to participate that day, but you must be there. We have a lot to do and not very much time to do it. This acting field will have rehearsals every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, after dinner from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm. When we get far enough along, we'll combine rehearsals with other departments. Everybody else will need to see their leaders about what times and places rehearsals will be.
"Which reminds me, I haven't yet told you who your leaders are. Professor Lisa Dowd, if you would please stand up so the students will know you."
A pretty, young witch with short brown hair stood up and waved at the students, who applauded politely.
"She is a temporary teacher here to assist us with drama. She will appoint backstage students to different jobs such as House Manager and Crew, Props Manager and Crew, Stage Manager and Crew, and more. She will also be working with the main actors. You'll be doing activities to help you get better into your characters and play them more believably. She is going to be a big help and I expect you all to treat her with as much respect as you would give your other professors. That goes for all the guest teachers as well.
"Now if I may introduce the guest orchestra director that will be staying. Because the muggle world is so much more advanced in art and music than the wizarding world is, Professor Douglas Armstrong has been teaching band at a muggle high school in the United States. He received a teacher of the year award for the whole state of Virginia and will surely lead our orchestra to tremendous success. Please welcome Professor Armstrong."
The students applauded and the orchestra cheered as a handsome middle-aged man stood up. He had a rather red complexion, and it was hard to tell if he was the type of teacher that was very strict or very fun. But he smiled and nodded in acknowledgement before once again taking his seat.
"Mrs. Audrey Jennings will instuct you on ballet and dance while Mrs. Wendy Wills will teach Chorus. I will mostly be leading the actors, but depending on which role you play, you will have singing, dancing, and acting classes right along with our rehearsals."
"Let me say a few words to wrap up this meeting. This production will definitely require a lot of work. If you think it's too much for you to handle, then please tell either myself or Professor McGonagall, and we'll be happy to take you off our rosters. Afterall, your schoolwork really is your top priority. If you're making bad grades in the class, we can and will give your part to other willing and able students."
Dumbledore's expression softened, "But I really think we can pull together a fantastic performance that will be unforgettable. I've seen Hogwarts do many great things when it unites in one great cause. I know that we can do this. Please keep thinking about what you want to do in this play. Also, do not forget that next Friday after dinner is the first round of auditions. I wish you all a pleasant evening and I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning at breakfast!"
As the hall emptied out, Hermione had only one thing on her mind: 'I've got to get to the library as soon as I can. The more I know about this play, the better prepared I can be.'
Little did she know that a certain Potions Master had the exact same thing in mind…
AN: Phew, Second Chapter is finally out. I'm posting this now, only like 15 minutes after I finished it (:winces:) which means that it hasn't been so thoroughly edited and revised (:grumbles:). Oh well, I'll just have to work on it once it's posted. You know why I'm posting as soon as I can (even though my schedule makes it evilly difficult to work it)? So I can get more reviews and feedback from you guys! C'mon now, don't make all my efforts be in vain! And what about you guys that have my story on favourites or alerts but you don't bother to review? Yes, I know who you are, I check often enough to see (Yeah… speaking of vain.. :coughcough:). But I suppose I'm guilty of that too (:sighs:). Just keep in mind that I LOVE hearing from you guys, okay? And now to answer those wonderful people that DID review (:coughAHEMcough:)
NKB: Hehe, thanks for the offer. I definitely wouldn't mind if you destroyed my brothers… right evil mean buggers…
AIMEE: Buuuuuuut homework is evil!
Rotten Pineapples: Thanks so much for your review. I'm reeeeally trying to make this better than the old story. Bleh, I know this chapter was pretty boring, but it tells you the basics about the stuff and what's going to happen. This was pretty much just a big filler chapter. I probably expanded on it more than I needed to, but my last fanfic just seemed so lame because they all seemed to know what to do without anybody telling them it. So I figured this would make it a bit more realistic. And let's face it, reality's not too interesting u.u Well about the prologue: No, it wasn't in the original fanfic. But I rather like it (:grins:) It rather reminds me of how there's a prologue in the Phantom of the Opera play, and how it starts off in the future and goes back in time I'll probably have a little epilogue thing that's from the future too… If I ever get that far… hehe P.S. Go Snape Loyalists! Haha
Requiem of a Dream: Thank you sooooo much for your sincere apology, but really, it was unnecessary. I mean, sure, at first I was a bit thrown off by the likeness of our stories, but as I read more, I realized they were really quite different. So really, don't feel the need to change anything. I like it. And as we both continue to write our fanfics and get further along, we may see it could end up totally different. But really thank you for apologizing anyway. It means a lot to me that you care so much about our fanfics.
mr snibbles: Hehe, thanks for reviewing. If you like mine, you may want to check out Requiem of a Dream's fanfic, as well as Phantom of Hogwarts on Ashwinder. P.S. I noticed that a few months ago; isn't it awesome? XD