HP-Hogwarts Story So Far

Transcript Seven

Enjoying Themselves (The Parrot Sketch)

 

Everything seemed in control with the Staff all being present and overlooking matters. He felt, for a few hours at least, they might be able to put aside the worry of Morticia's vision and enjoy themselves.

Achel came over while Nimue talked to a couple of the other girls. "She's really something isn't she?" indicating Nimue. "What do you think of the outfit? Nimue said if we end up in the Forbidden Forest tonight we could pass as `natives", he smiled in Nimue's direction. "Funny thing is I don't think she was kidding. Look cousin, if she turns out to be the King of Elfland's daughter in disguise and whisks me off to the Otherworld to meet the folks, please don't send out a search party." He winked broadly and went back to Nimue's side.

Morticia was very glad that Egreen had finally accepted her costume. "After all," she had said, "at least I HAVE a costume, contrary to someone else in this room." To help Egreen, she had agreed to think about his costume, and using bits and pieces of cloth, scissors, needles, pins, thread and a great lot of magic. She'd managed to turn him into Destiny, who in Gaiman's Sandman comics is the brother of Death and who wears long robes and a hood. Attached to his hand with a chain is a huge book. Morticia looked at the book at Egreen's wrist and smiled. She thought this costume was quite fitting!

As she entered the hall with Egreen, Morticia tried not to blush as even more people stared at her daring outfit.

"Do you think that's appropriate, Lagrand?" Snape asked silently as she passed him. "After the incident we had... Death is a bit tasteless, don't you think?"

She chose to ignore her teacher, grasped Egreen's hand and dragged him to a table.

As Snape's remark registered, Egreen had coloured a little under his hood, suddenly aware that his Head of House might have a point. Especially given the overwhelming number of students in the Hall had chosen light-hearted costumes & given his and Morticia's involvement with the events of the weeks previously - Morticia's vision and his own investigations.

It looked as if Morticia wasn't going to acknowledge the remark but then maybe she was not aware of why this particular character had appealed to her so much. She did look great though.

He also wondered if she would expect him to dance in this outfit. The book might prove a problem if so.

As if she'd guessed his thought, Morticia suddenly turned to Egreen. "You know, I don't really feel so happy and colourful as all the others seem to do, that's why I chose Death as my costume," she explains with a smile.

"I don't see what's bad about it! Snape is..." she suppresses a remark in case Snape might hear it.

"Morticia, are you really surprised that Snape would have a comment to make? He looks as sour as vinegar standing there. Bet he's never had a dance with anyone in his life!" said Egreen.

As for your costume, once you explained what you were meant to be I figured out why you had chosen it. I'm glad the others can relax so much though I suspect that they are still very aware of.... you know your vision they just aren't feeling it perhaps as keenly as you or me."

Morticia then realised Egreen's doubtful-hopeful glance at the huge book at his wrist. "Oh, don't worry about that," she grins, "you can take the chain off for dancing."

"Great!" (Egreen not sure whether to be disappointed or pleased - likes Morticia very much and wants to impress her on dance floor - but feeling somewhat lack of confidence.)

Morticia laughs and undoes the chain. She puts the book somewhere safe and drags Egreen onto the dance floor.

Teresa Moon glided into the Entrance Hall. Calm and composed she glanced around the room. She hung on the arm of a tall Hispanic guy nobody knew. And though the two looked complete opposites in colouring and physical appearance they're opposites complemented each other his tallness, her shortness, His black hair, her strawberry blonde, his strong build and her small gracefulness. A sweet and perfect couple. They were dressed as Greek God and Goddess, Ares (god of war) and Aphrodite(goddess of love and beauty). She was featured in a fabric that looked like blue and green waves (tribute to her making) that was tight around her figure but had loose ripples of fabric at the neckline, arms, and skirt. With her hair up in a beautiful curls wrapped together. He in a tight black sleeveless shirt and black also tight pants with red slashed (in other words kind of like tiger stripes, not in a row and not straight, but jagged) across black cape. Both had gold ringlets around their heads.

Teressa quietly pulled her mystery guest over to where the third years seemed to be gathered. When someone finally asked who her date was in a hushed whisper Teressa replied loudly, Ares of coarse, avoiding the obvious real question. Her date hearing her, and getting the jest of what was going on turned to the girl and in and soothing tone that would send shivers up most girls spines said simply, "My names Gerome. It's nice to meet you." Pulling out a chair for Teressa they sat down and joined the chit-chat.

'SQWARK! Woo Hoo! What a Babe! Give me some Suger Baby! SQWARK' shouts Marvo's parrot.

Morticia doesn't try to conceal her giggles. "Nice bird, Marvo!" she grins. "Hey Polly, want a cracker?"

Kat had been chuckling to herself about Marvo's parrot. The amusing thing was that he couldn't shut it up. Kat wondered if Marvo remembered Kat's tantrum with Sarah earlier in the day. But it was still quite amusing watching him get so distraught.

"Would you like me to sort your parrot out for you dear? Or can you manage? I mean, would you like me to have a go. At the worst you could always banish him."

She had also been watching the parrot insult everyone here even though they're costumes were really good. She thought she had just about had enough of it.

Marvo continues to try and shut the Parrot up, casting spells and finally trying to hold it's beak closed.

'What is this Ward?' Asks Snape as he stands behind Marvo

Marvo stops waving his wand and looks up as Snape. 'It's a Parrot Sir'

'SQWARK! It's Snape! What a.. SQWARK! SQWARK! SWAAARRRKKKkkk...'

Snape, without any emotion on his face takes hold of the (obviously not real) Parrot and twists its head pulling it from the body. He hands the head to Marvo

'And now it is an Ex-Parrot' He says and walks off.

Marvo looks at the Head of the Parrot in one hand then to his shoulder as the body slowly falls off.

He turns to Kat 'You know. That was a first! I almost thanked Snape then!'

"Oh hooray!" Peesey shouts (not waiting for Riala's reply) "Well done, Professor Snape!" He says trying not to shout, and also trying not to be a goody-two-shoes at the same time.

"Ahhhh! Nice joke, but much better with just the two of us. I take it you wont be registering a complaint?" Kat smiles warmly at Marvo and takes his hand. "Come on, we're wasting dancing time..." She pulls Marvo towards the dance floor.

Marvo, still looking slightly shock and/or relived by what Snape did to his Parrot is pulled up by Kat, a look of Pure horror coming over his face as they head towards the dance floor

But once they start dancing Kat is surprised to see that Marvo is actually quite a good dancer.

Nimue and Achel's dancing had carried them close to the Third Year tables as the music stopped just in time for them to witness Snape's 'handling' of the parrot situation.

Along with most of the other students in that section of the room they gave their potions teacher a hearty round of applause.

Madison couldn't help grinning. "Hey Marvo! Can I keep the head? I want it as a souvenir...and it'll be great for hacky-sack!"

As Marvo is dragged to the dance floor he smiles to himself. Even if he had made himself the butt of the joke, he was glad to have made people laugh.

Kali turned up, somewhat flustered, and just a little late. He searched about the entrance, where everyone seemed to be gathering, hoping that Winifred had decided to come, and not stand him up. His heart was pounding in his throat, as he looked from one face to another. He couldn't see her, in fact who were all these people? He could hardly recognise any of the girls.

He stood to one side and hoped that Winifred would recognise him, if she was there. If she had decided to stand him up, at least he could try to blend into the wall.

Of course, Kali hadn't had much time (and less money) to sort out a costume, but he had managed to transform one of his work robes into something a bit special. Not that you noticed unless you looked carefully, but when you did, you could see that all the patterns and colours were moving about, making Kali an infinitely variable moving picture show.

Winifred notices Kalidor walk into the great hall. Waving, she says, "Hey, Kalidor! Over here!"

"Wow."

That's all Kalidor can think. Or at least he thought he thought it. He would come to realise that he had actually at least mouthed the word, if indeed he didn't come right out and say it.

Completely lost for words, he rushed over to Winifred.

"Hi..Er..You look...great." He paused.

"Shall we go in? I mean, do you want to dance or something? I've seen lots of the others going in and dancing and stuff, and I presumed you'd want to join in...."

His voice faded away and he blushed. From speechless to babbling in less than five seconds. What an affect this girl could have on him! He tentatively offered his arm to Winifred, and hoped she would take the lead and decide what to do next, as he simply couldn't think straight!

Winifred blushed. She felt extremely nervous and wasn't sure what to do. She glanced into the hall and then back at Kalidor. Feeling a sudden surge of courage, she linked arms with Kali. "Let's head inside and dance then, shall we?"

With Kat and Marvo now on the dance floor Nimue took the opportunity to suggest to Achel that they rest for a few minutes and get some punch. While he and Egreen went off to get the drinks, she chatted to Morticia and some of the other students who were sitting this one out. From the sidelines she thought that Marvo did dance very nicely and that he and Kat looked happy.

Lee had finally arrived. He was dressed as an Arabian, wearing loose fitting white pantaloons that gathered at the ankles, a matching white shirt, and a white cape. On his head he wore the traditional cap that covered the whole top of his head. An opaque white "veil" covered his nose and mouth. There was also a (fake) sword attached at his side.

"So Maddy...how do I look? I was going for that whole 'desert warrior' thing..."

Madison turned around...and luckily, couldn't see Lee's jaw drop. 'THIS was the same girl who got gum stuck in her hair at the playground?' He continued to gawk until Madison's voice shook him from his thoughts.

"...I could never count on you to be on time..." she was saying.

"Hey...cool costume, though. You look great!"

"Thanks. You look...very nice...too," he stammered. Finally, he got his voice back. "So, what's been going on?"

Madison smiled. "I'm waiting to see if Marvo will give me his parrot's head. I thought we could play a little game of hacky-sac..."

Marvo is still dancing with Kat. But he is thinking… 'What is Hacky Sack?'

Madison and Lee had moved over to the table (they weren't too confident about their dancing), and seemed to be having a good time talking and laughing. Madison whispered something to Lee who nodded. "Hey Marvo! Toss me your parrot head!" Madison called a mischievous grin on her face.

Marvo hears Madison calling as he dances with Kat and tosses the Parrot head to her

Madison caught the parrot head, then dropkicked it to Lee, enjoying the absence of squawks and insults. They began to play hacky-sac, using on their feet to do tricks with the parrot head, then kicking it to each other. Some of the other students moved in and watched them, amazed at some of the quicker, more complex tricks. Some of the others moved away, afraid of getting hit. One girl stalked off when the head came a little too close to her face.

"Hey, this is more fun than dancing," Lee said, kicking the head over to Madison.

"Ha! Not that I CAN dance," Madison replied, doing another trick before kicking the head back.

"Hey, anyone else want a crack at this?" Lee asked the on-lookers.

Madison then noticed the people watching them. Startled, she lost her concentration and aim, kicking the head well over Lee...where it hit some poor girl on the back of the head. "Oops! Um...sorry...?"

Obviously the game was causing some commotion and someone (maybe the girl who'd stalked off) alerted some of the older students.

Two 7th Year prefects, one from Ravenclaw the other from Gryffindor House, came over to the Third Years and interrupted the game. The Gryffindor prefect spoke rather coolly to Madison and Lee:

"While it is understandable that 'Americans' have different rules of etiquette, let me remind you that this is a formal Ball not a playing field. If you two want to continue your little 'game', take it outside or I'll assign House detention for the two of you."

This intervention was embarrassing enough but to make it worse, as the prefects moved away, one remarked loudly enough for the Third Years to hear:

"It certainly was a mistake for the Headmaster to have allowed 'children' to attend the Ball."

Achel appears to have started a 'deep' conversation with his cousin speaking low enough to exclude the girls listening in.

Nimue rolls her eyes and turns to Morticia: "You haven't been on the dance floor yet. Is Egreen a little shy? Do you think we should drag them away from each other or shall we find other partners for the next dance?"

Marvo and Kat return to their seats from dancing. Marvo has a beaming smile on his face. He hasn't felt so relaxed in ages. He picks up a glass of Punch and hands one to Kat, Clanking the together.

'To the Present'

Madison and Lee sit down at the table. Grinning, Lee plops the parrot head on the table. "I haven't played that game in years..." Madison grinned, then took a sip from her goblet.

"We've still got it," Lee replied, smiling. "I don't think that girl enjoyed this though..."

"Well, we DID bean her on the nose...and the back of her head," Madison replied. She turned to Marvo and Kat. "So, you guys having fun? I saw you guys dancing out there...you're pretty good. If I wasn't born with two left feet, I'd be out there too." She smiled and took up her goblet again, as Lee rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"She's better than she lets on..."

Seeing that Kat and Marvo have sat down and that he looked quite relaxed, Nimue decided the moment has come for action!

"Excuse me Morticia, I'll be back in a few minutes - some business I need to take care of." Achel is very engrossed in his conversation, so she figures he won't mind.

Nimue gets up and walks over to where Marvo and Kat are sitting. "Hi, Kat... would you mind if I borrow your date for a dance?"

Marvo stops smiling but looks slightly confused. He turns to Kat, hoping some sign of what he should do.

Andy sits down next to Yvette, which happens to be next to where Marvo and Kat are sitting.

"Yvette, don't be discouraged," he said. "Don't let them get to you. You look great! Who cares about what other people think? Especially when they're second years..."

Andy tried to comfort Yvette when Nimue came up to Marvo and asked him to dance. He got really confused. Wasn't Nimue the one who stormed off when him and Kat wanted them to talk? He gave a confused glance and Kat and looked at Marvo.

Madison looked more confused than any of them. 'What is going on here?' She glanced at Kat, Nimue, then at Marvo. Everyone sat there in awkward silence, and Madison kept glancing around, trying to find some clue as to what was happening.

Andy was looking between Nimue, Marvo and Kat; Madison was also looking between them. Looks on both their faces indicated confusion as to what was going on.

Nimue continued to wait for Kat's response, feeling now really embarrassed - trying not to look at Marvo - though she was aware Marvo was also looking at Kat for some sort of guidance as to what to do.

To complicate matters now that Egreen and Morticia had gone on to the dance floor, Achel was now staring at her as well.

 

Part 1 - Entrances

Part 3 - Joss' Return