Title: Don't You Need Me?
Author: piinkiice on ff.net, Harry_Hermione_Forever on PK.org
Rating:PG-13 for later chapters where there will be character death and cutting.
Disclaimer: I don't Harry Potter or any of these characters except the ones you don't
recognize.
Author's notes: I wrote this story in parts...so I have the beginning finished,
but I wrote the middle before I wrote the beginning or the end. So there are still some gaps I need to fill in, and
then beta-ed, so updates will not be consistent. Thanks to my beta EMILY!
Summary: Futurefic. This is the story of Harry and Hermione's daughter, Augusta. She is a ballet
dancer, and Hogwarts is the last place she wants to be. There is no magic in the world of ballet.
Chapter 1
Augusta Potter had inherited her love of reading and her thirst of knowledge from her mother, and her looks (mainly) from her father. What she hadn't inherited from anyone was her gift of dance. When Augusta had first started first grade, all the little girls had joined the local ballet school (Darcey Deene's Delicate Dancers). Of course, Hermione and Harry had permitted Augusta to join as well. After some time, when she was in the third grade, little Gussie's talent began to emerge and the head of the ballet school recommended to Mr. and Mrs. Potter that they enroll Augusta in a more serious school in order to shape her. So the family had moved into a more central location in London. Everyday after school, Augusta went to the Royal Ballet School and had her dance training for three hours a night.
When Augusta read, she could lose herself in the characters and in the story. But when she danced--ah! When she danced! She lost herself in...Herself! She disappeared and she felt as if there was electricity running through her veins. When she danced, she let everything go and got lost in a world of her own.
~*~
Augusta Potter sat on the train of the Hogwarts Express, eyes wide and mouth open. She, like her father, had gleaming emerald eyes. Her hair was stick straight, and was midnight black. To avoid any unruliness she had gotten from both her parents, her hair was kept in two neat plaits that fell down her chest. Augusta had grown up with her parents in a Muggle town but in a wizard household. She knew about magic and often watched with glee as her parents waved their wands around. She knew about Muggle things as well--money, electronics, etc. Unlike most magical children, Augusta went to an ordinary primary school until her Hogwart's acceptance letters arrived.
Her parents had thrown a party to congratulate her and had invited the usual group: Ron, Luna, and their daughter Charlotte, who was just Augusta's age; Molly and Arthur; Ginny and Draco, who were engaged (Once Lucius died, Draco was able to show his true colors openly); and Fred, George, and their wives Angelina and Alicia. They had invited Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Hermione's parents as well, but they had been unable to make it. As it happened, Charlotte had received her letters the day of the party, so it turned into a party for the two girls.
Although Augusta had seen magic things before, it didn't dampen the excitement of the Hogwart's Express. She sat alone in a compartment towards the back of the train, waiting for Charlotte. She and Charlotte had always been best friends. Charlotte didn't know much about Muggles, and was quite curious. The two girls were rather different, but it didn't stop them from being practically like sisters. Even Charlotte's parents were like a second family. She called them Uncle Ron and Aunt Luna, and Charlotte called her parents Uncle Harry and Aunt Hermione. Augusta smiled to herself as she remembered a memory...
"Gussie!" Charlotte burst into Augusta's room. She was sitting on her window sill, reading a book. Charlotte was a very hyper girl who looked nothing like her father. She had white blonde hair and bright blue eyes just like her mother. She was thin, tall, and wiry, and talked a mile a minute. "Gusta! You know what I love about your name?!"
"What's that?"
"You have like a million nicknames! You can be Augusta, August, Gus, Gussie, Gust, Gusta, Gustie....You are so lucky." Charlotte let out a light laugh as Augusta wrinkled her nose. "I hate August. I like Gus, though. And what about you? You can be....Charlie!" Charlotte tilted her head to the side. "But my uncle's name is Charlie!" From then on, Charlotte was known as Charlie and Augusta as Gus (usually...although sometimes people called her other things.)
Unlike Charlotte, Gus was very quiet and kept to herself. She only spoke when it was absolutely necessary and spoke in a soft tone. The girls were each glad the other was going to Hogwart's as neither knew anyone else. The only thing the girls really had in common was that both Augusta and Charlotte were exceptionally beautiful. Quite contrary to Gus's straight, dark hair, Charlie had white blonde ringlets like her mother. Ron and Harry joked that once their daughters went through puberty they'd have to chase the boys away with baseball bats! Of course, Ron didn't know what a baseball bat was, so by the time Harry had tried to explain it, the joke had died.
After about ten minutes, Charlotte finally entered the compartment. "Hey...sorry, Gust. Mum couldn't find her wand..." Both girls shared a nice laugh over this as it was common knowledge that Luna Weasley was constantly forgetting where she set things down. It was a nice sunny afternoon and Augusta thought it rather horrid they had to sit inside in a stuffy train when she could be outside, reading under a nice tree. Charlotte also thought it was terrible, but because she'd rather be outside playing Quidditch. (Which, in fact, her father had taught her to play just this very summer!)
Together, they heaved the heavy window open. On one side of the compartment, Augusta was curled up, legs under her, completely lost in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore. It was on her list, and she figured she better get a head start. On the other side of the compartment, Charlie was sitting, shaking her legs. "I NEED to get out of this train! Do you know how long it's been since my legs moved?! I'm getting antsy!!!"
Augusta looked up and smiled, flashing her perfectly straight teeth before looking back down and reading. "I'm going for a short walk. Wanna come meet the other kids with me?" "No, thanks. I'm reading."
"Aw, come on! Gus, you're always reading! Or dancing! You dance too much."
"I said no, thanks."
"How do you think you are going to make friends, Augusta? They aren't going to come to you! You have to go
to them!"
"I don't need anymore friends...I have you..."
"Not if you don't get your act together I'm not! Friendships take two people and I won't let you put
all the work on me."
And Charlotte left. Augusta hated how Charlie was always trying to get her to do things with her. It wasn't her fault she wasn't a "people person". So she'd rather read or dance than hang out with friends. That wasn't so wrong, was it? Augusta tried to keep reading, but she knew Charlotte was right. She needed to be more outgoing. So she carefully put her book away and straightened her clothing. She re-braided her hair and swept some lip gloss across her lips.
~*~
Augusta made her way down the hallway, peering into each compartment, looking for her friend. Finally, in the compartment directly across from the Prefects', Augusta found Charlie. She was in the center of a group of boys and girls, and they were all laughing at something she had said. Although Augusta truly wanted to join in, to be the center of attention like Charlotte was, deep down she knew she could never be. She just didn't have it in her. When she got back to her compartment, she sat down to read, but realized what she needed wasn't a book.
Opening her trunk, she carefully lifted her pointes out. She caressed the pink satin lovingly before gently slipping them on her feet. She shook out her braids and tied her hair in a knot at the nape of her neck. She took off her robes and put on a pair of dance shorts and a tank top. Gripping the bar that surrounded the window, she pliéd deeply and rose up to pointe. In her head, she thought: Tuck in, lift up....tendu, point, plié...arabesque to pencheé, and plié...demi por de bras to cambré forward. Lift up to cambré back. Coupee to passé, developé side. Turn out. Turn out! In her heart...in her heart, she heard music. She heard the Nutcracker Suite, and then she heard The Firebird. After that, her heart sang to her the music of Giselle's opening variation. Finally, she listened to the Tarantella from Swan Lake. She wasn't sure how long she had been dancing, but when she stopped, she was sweating and she was breathless. Funny how she didn't notice that while she was dancing.
She heard a soft applause behind her and she jumped. She hadn't noticed anyone was watching her. It was a boy, about her age, maybe he was older. He had soft blond hair and clear blue eyes. "Hullo! I'm Nolan. Didn't mean to startle you, there."
"That's alright. I'm Augusta."
"Augusta? That sounds like an American name!" They shared a good laugh and got to talking.
Augusta learned that Nolan was in his third year. He was a Slytherin, but not by default. His parents were both in Slytherin, as were the rest of his family members going back at least twenty generations. Originally, the Sorting Hat had wanted to put him in Hufflepuff, but for fear of the reactions of his family, had begged the Hat to sort him into Slytherin. Because Nolan wasn't as "Slytherin-like" as the rest of his house, he was shunned and had no friends to speak of.
The other Houses ignored and avoided him because he was a Slytherin, and his housemates ignored and avoided him because he wasn't a Slytherin. When Augusta told him that she was a Potter, he didn't seemed surprise. "You look a lot like them. Well, you mostly look like your father."
"That's what people say."
"And what else do they say?"
"I got my thirst of knowledge from my mother, apparently."
"And what about your dancing?"
"My dancing? I don't know. I sort of...came upon it."
"You're lucky. I wish I had somewhere I could go to..."
"Go to? What are you talking about? I was here."
"Here? No, Gus, you weren't. You were somewhere else...Hey, can I ask you something? I don't know if
it's personal or not..."
"Go ahead."
"What do you feel when you dance?"
"What do I feel?" Nolan nodded.
It took a while for Augusta to answer. Cocking her head to the side, she answered slowly, "I don't know, Nolan. But when I dance..." She closed her eyes. "When I dance, I'm free. I lose myself in the music. Sometimes it's the music playing, but it's usually just the music in my heart. But when I dance and I feel the music in my bones..." Augusta took a deep breath in. "It's the only place I ever truly felt at home." She opened her eyes slowly, and she realized her eyes were tearing.
"I guess that's what I feel." Nolan grunted in acknowledgement. "Blimey." Then there was silence. Neither knew what to say to the other; both were plainly aware they had just shared something quite raw and special.
~*~
After a bit, Nolan left, leaving Augusta alone with her book. Some time passed, more chapters read, and Charlie burst in, face flushed with excitement. "Too bad you missed out, Gus. I missed you." Charlotte laughed and Augusta looked up. She knew she could say something on how she really knew she didn't miss her. She was just saying it to say it. But Augusta just wasn't like that.
"Thanks. I'm sure it was brilliant."
"It was brilliant! I met most of our year, you know."
"Oh, that sounds lovely. I hope you gave them my regards."
"Your regards? I did no such thing. If you want friends, you have to find them yourself. I'm not your slave!" Augusta didn't like the way how pompous Charlotte sounded. Although Augusta was not mean and did not pick fights, she was not a pushover either. She wouldn't let Charlie keep talking this way.
"What has gotten into you, Charlie? Do you hear the way you're speaking to me? Your best friend? I will not tolerate being spoken to this way...especially by you." But Charlotte simply tossed her nose up in the air. "You're just jealous of my popularity."
"Charlotte, please get out. Go to your new friends. I don't want to see you right now..." Gus kept a calm, yet even tone. With a hmph! Charlie left.
~*~
Augusta stepped off the train and looked in wonder at the Hogwart's Castle, though it was in the distance. She heard "Firs' Years! Fir's Years over here!" HAGRID! Hagrid had been introduced to Augusta when she was just a baby. He was almost as close to her family as Ron and Luna were.
"Hagrid!" Augusta ran towards the half-giant, arms wide open. He embraced her deeply and she almost cried she was so happy to see him. "'Ello there, Gussie. How're yer parents?"
"They're just brilliant. I'm so glad to see you, Hagrid."
"Me too. Where's Cherlie?"
Augusta turned to look over at her shoulder. Of course, Charlie already had a group following her. Augusta turned back to Hagrid, her eyes filled with unshed tears.
"Ah. I see. Well, she'll come 'round soon 'nough." Augusta nodded though she didn't really think Charlie would.
"C'mon, follow me -- any more firs' years? Min' yer step, now! Firs' years follow me!"
~*~
Once the class got to Hogwart's, Professor McGonagall took over. Although Augusta had known Professor McGonagall the same amount of time she had known Hagrid, she never felt as if she knew her as well and didn't feel as close to her. As McGonagall told them all about each of the houses, Augusta suddenly felt a surge of panic. The Hat wouldn't put her in Slytherin would it?! Surely not...
But what about Charlie? She knew her Charlie had some Slytherin-like qualities. But she was also quite bright. Maybe the Hat would put her in Ravenclaw. Not every insufferable know-it-all snob was put into Slytherin...Augusta suddenly felt rather guilty of thinking that about Charlotte. Even if it was true. But the Hat could also put her in Gryffindor--she was, in fact, a Weasley. Augusta had no doubt in her mind that Charlotte would not be in Hufflepuff. There was no way! She just wasn't...like that.
Augusta was snapped out of her daze as the first years lined up. As they marched down the center of the Great hall, Augusta's knees were trembling. She did not do well with crowds...not well at all.
Finally, the Sorting Hat began its song. As it finished, the Great Hall erupted in applause. And so the sorting began. The Hat sorted alphabetically by first name, so Augusta was third to go. Both girls that went before her ended up in Hufflepuff. "POTTER, AUGUSTA!"
The Great Hall went silent for a bit before it erupted in chatter. "Augusta Potter?!" "The Potter? As in Harry and Hermione Potter?!" "She looks just like them!" "Did she say Potter?"
With a trembling body, Augusta sat down on the three-legged stool.
Ah! A Potter! Gus gulped. Let's see. Hmmm. Difficult! Just as difficult as your father was. Even your mother was difficult...Lily and James were difficult as well. Some of them, you know, are quite simple. Augusta cleared her throat. Oh, yes. We must sort you. Ah...you are quite bright, but you also are kind and gentle. You are modest and shy, as well. But you have the makings of a great hero. It's all here, in your head. Where to put you? "Not Slytherin! Not Slytherin!" Augusta begged mentally. Not Slytherin, eh? Not to worry, I've already decided. Better be--GRYFFINDOR!
The Gryffindor table cheered. Another Potter to add to their list! Augusta looked around the table nervously, but all she found were smiling faces and greetings of "Congradulations!". There was nothing to be scared of...Looking around her, she caught Nolan's eye and he winked. Augusta felt all her fears diminish. Crowds weren't that bad! If Nolan could do it, so could she.
Soon after Gus, it was Charlie's turn to be sorted. It seemed that her Sorting, so far, was the longest. Finally, the Hat made it's decision: Gryffindor.
Charlie bounced off the stool and practically skipped to her spot at the table. She enthusiastically said hello to nearly everyone within earshot without barely a glance towards Gus.
~*~
That night, as Gus lay in bed, she took in her surroundings. In her dormitory was her, Charlotte, Ivy, and Bridget. Unfortunately for her, Ivy and Bridget had succumbed to Charlotte's manipulative ways (already) and had yet to say a word to her. Gus leaned over the side of the bed and got out some parchment and a quill to write a letter to her parents:
Mum and Dad:
I'm in Gryffindor!! Charlie is, too. I've made a friend (oh, don't look so surprised!) His name is Nolan
Thomas and he's a third year Slytherin. But there's something else I wanted to talk to you about. Ever since
the train ride, Charlie has been acting strange. She told me that I wasn't outgoing enough for her...I don't
think she wants to be friends with me anymore. It isn't true that I dance too much, is it? Because that's what
she told me. I miss you guys a lot. I don't think I'm going to have as good a time here at Hogwart's as you
did, but I'll learn loads. I miss dancing, and I miss London. But most of all, I miss you.
Love Augusta x
PS - Tomorrow I have Potions! I cannot wait to see if Professor Snape is as horrid as you say he is!
Ballet Terms:
Tendu: Tendu means "beatings". The leg stretches out, ending in a strongly pointed foot.
Plié: A stretching exercise where the knees bend directly over the toes, outward, to form a diamond shape.
Arabesque: Position where the dancer stands on one leg with the other extended behind.
Pencheé: Means to lean. A tilting of the body to achieve an exteme picture. An example is when the
dancer is in an arabesque at 90 degrees. She then pushes her working leg upward and over, pushing the body down towards
the supporting leg to achieve a much greater angle between legs, often resulting in a 180-degree split.
Por de bras: Means "carriage of the arms". Either: How a dancer uses his arms. OR Specific movements
of the arms, as first port de bras, second port de bras, etc. OR Sometimes used instead of cambré. A grand port de bras
is a circular bend, either toward the barre, then down, then up away from the barre, and then backward and back toward
the barre: or the same thing in the opposite direction.
Cambré: Means to bend. A bend from the waist in any direction, but especially forward or back.
Coupee: Means "on the neck of the foot". A position where the foot is placed on teh calf just above
the ankle. In the Russian school, the foot is actually wrapped around the ankel, with the heel forward and the toes
back. The foot may be places on the front of the calf, the side, or back.
Passé: When one leg is drawn up the side of the supporting leg, knee outward, toe touching the side of the
supporting leg's knee.
Developpé: Means "to unfold". The leg starts in passe. The aim is to continue to lift the working
knee as high as it will go, then stretch or "unfold" the rest of the leg from this position.
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