Singing. Muggle songs. In front of the class? Katy wasn't a terrible singer, nor was she unfamiliar with performing in front of a crowd. But she also wasn't keen on public embarrassment just for the sake of a grade. Some people (looking at you, Rooney) were keen on this sort of thing.

Some people were not.

Katy slid back in her seat, arms crossed across her chest, as she watched her classmates through slitted eyelids. She didn't even know these songs, and was surprised how into old songs her peers were. What about more contemporary stuff?

Miss Karaoke? Never. Sing was one of the small handful of things Hadley was actually good at. So of course she wasn't going to miss this. The only question was what song did she want to do? Classic rock was always an option. She loved those century old rock songs from the 1970s and 80s...but if she were honest with herself, her voice wasn't exactly the most geared to that genre.

Sadly.

Hads watched her fellow schoolmates head up there, one by one...well, except for Derf and Abey. There was some good song selection going on. Who knew her schoolmates had such good taste in music? Learn something new everyday, don't you?

Still, what should she sing? That was the question. And then, one song came to her. Hads hesitated for a moment. Most probably didn't know it, but that was okay right? Professor Stewart had said any song since 1900 on, right? As soon as the mike was free, Hadley got up and made her way up to the front. She surveyed her classmates, pulse speeding every-so-slightly now, and took a deep breath that wasn't as calming as she hoped. "So...you might not know this one, but I like it. It's called Chicago." She waited for the music to start and the words to appear on the screen, swaying gently to the beat and started to sing.

Melbourne’s eyes lit up when Professor Stewart explained the class project to them…oh merlin this was going to be fun and nerve wracking! Still, she was going to have a lot of fun with this.

Singing.

It was something she had always looooooooved to do.

When she heard Hadley singing she just clapped and cheered! THAT’S MY BESTIE UP THERE was practically all she was thinking as the blonde phenom sang her song. Brilliant. Totall brillz, really, she could have gotten a record deal out of that.

”great job Hadsters,” she called out to the marvelous singer before she stood up for her turn. ”Oh…kaaaay, so the song I’m singing wasn’t really that popular but its beautiful and I love it” she was babbling wasn’t she ”its It’s all Okay by Julia Stone” she spoke and tapped her hand against her leg as the song started the piano trilled and her hand kept time with the drum before she started wispily singing along.

"The Story is different now the records are playing in the living room -- and you may say you're wounded, and i may say I'm hurt" the gryffindor began to sing along her eyes even closing as softly sang along it was as if the original song was playing inside of her head and she wasn't simply watching the lyrics she was feeling the words and the song as she sang along.

So how does this contraption work? Its a bit confusing given there doesnt look to have an instruction manual #RavenclawMoment. Most people seem to be holding back though, which he found kinda disheartening, but oh lookitdat, it took young Kyle to get things started "Whoop go Kyle!" Come on Hogwartians this is the second time this firstie shows y'all up.

And finally more brave souls started to come forward. Another firstie (Sophie), this time to ABBA. He knows this song well-- thanks Dad-- and sang along as she did. Yes big clap for you too young'in.

Derf and Abey took to the mic next. Oh man a duet with this song? Oh boy he's gotta see this. And keep the chuckles down.

Oh hello sit up and pay attention! Dazzling Denaker is taking the mic ladies and gents. He grooved to her song, she did have such a LOVELY voice, she's amazing. Singing along and clapping, she's getting the full on BESTIE support mmhm.

And just when he was about to step forward-- Mel grabbed the mic first. He laughed and stepped back for a moment, dont let nobody take her spotlight "GO MEL!!" he hooted from the crowd.

Maybe he should start picking a song now so he can come after Mel. Scroll scroll scroll... so many GREAT Rock songs, but at the corner of his eye, he caught Katy's look, were the songs too dated? But the really good songs were dated. Thats what made them CLASSICS.

But he finally settled on this little number, not too dated he hoped for those looking for a bit more contemporary tunes. Tenacius took to the mic and waved at the class "Ok you guys, here's something, feel free to sing and dance along, its a pretty cool number... Its called Carolina."


She's got a family in Carolina

(woo, oh yeah)

So far away, but she says I remind her of home

(woo, oh yeah)

Feeling oh so far from home

(woo, oh yeah)

She never saw herself as a West Coaster

(woo, oh yeah)

Moved all the way 'cause her grandma told her:

(woo, oh yeah)

"Townes, better swim before you drown"

(woo, oh yeah)

She's a good girl

(la la la la la la la la la la)

She's such a good girl

(la la la la la la la la la la)

She's a good girl

(la la la la la la la la la la)

She feels so good!

(woo, oh yeah)

He sang the rest of the song, kinda losing himself in the rhythm. Music does that to him, takes him in another zoooone. Were the rest of his classmates enjoying themselves? He hoped so.

Etta sat where she was, not even considering the idea of singing. She was a terrible singer and besides, she didn't need the entire class to know how bad she was. Wouldn't that be rather embarrassing? And what was this activity? The professor should have come up with something else.. something she didn't absolutely be terrible at.

Soon enough, Olivia joined her. "Can we just sit here for the rest of the class?" She asked, noticing that her friend didn't seem too keen with regards to this activity either. Could they just get away with not participating at all? Or would they get in trouble? She eyed the professor when students slowly started to approach the karaoke machine. Here goes.

.... and everyone actually seemed to be having fun. Derf and Abey.. she covered her mouth, not wanting to abruptly start laughing at their performance. Not that they were bad, they were just so cute and seemed to be totally enjoying it. And Ace.. goodness gracious. He seemed to be a total professional. She raised an eyebrow, gently tapping her foot along to whatever he was singing. She wasn't too familiar with the music.

"Uh.. Olivia.. if we have to do this, would you like to sing with me?" Etta asked with a small smile. Because she'd rather do this with someone than sing alone, thank you very much.

They are going to do.. what?

Karaoke?

Well, this should be fun, but why some of the students were not that enthusiast? Please, singing was fun! Ah, maybe they got some kind of stage fright or something. Ava would drag some of her friends to sing together with her. Hmmmm.....

Noticing Noelle was just sitting at the couch with Olivia, the Gryffindor came to them. "Let's sing together, shall we? Come on!" She dragged the Gryffindor prefect to stand up and handed the microphone. The Hufflepuff prefect was already asking Olivia to join her. "I'm thinking to sing uh.... One Way or Another?" She suggested. Or maybe they wanted different song, Ava would not mind.

Olivia nodded in agreement with Noelle. It did seem like no one was eating up. Then Kyle got up and started off the group. She cheered him on. What a cutie! The kid was more brace than she was. More of her peers got p and started singing and then she chuckled when she heard Etta's comment about hiding/staying back here. And then Derf and Avery got up there. It looked kinda fun.... "I'm a fan of that plan. Wheres an invisibility cloak when you need one?" she joked and then heard Ace's voice over the microphone. And then he began singing. Wow. He was a natural.

Her blue eyes widened in pure awe as he sang "Carolina". She knew that song and had the whole album on her laptop. Impressive. She couldn't follow his act for sure.

She watched as Ava came over to grab Noelle to come and sing. Olivia happily remained on the couch and waved her hand. "Have fun!" she giggled. Ah the couch was a great place to sit. She could appreciate everyone's signing. Then Etta suggested that they should go up and sing. Erm... sing? Olivia had terrible stage fright. But everyone else was doing it and if she didn't do it, her housemates would tease her relentlessly.

Alright. She'd take one for the team. "You know what! Let's do this. Singing together will be great." She couldn't think of something more fun than singing with Etta at the moment. Plus she'd feel super comfortable up there with her close friend. Olivia stood up and turned to Etta. "Alright, what should we sing? A musical theatre song or something more classic?" Or Adele? Maybe some angsty Avril Lavigne? Or Taylor Swift? Olivia was a mezzo soprano herself and felt comfortable in that range. It was home and she knew it well.

SPOILER!!: VILLAIN

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

As he listened to Professor Stewart, Derf couldn't help but feel just a tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiny bit dissatisfied with her answer and even ventured a glance towards Jessa who he was SURE was probably internally flailing at the lack of concreteness to the definitions being given. What it SEEMED like to him was really ANYTHING could be considered music as long as it was pleasing to the ears. Someone's ears. Which was really a rather Hufflepuff sort of thing, wasn't it? Music was a VERY Hufflepuff thing. He decided. Yes.

But THEN the Muggle Studies professor went on to answer Emmeline and his brow furrowed and knotted. Crups didn't JUST simply bark. They howled too. And bird vocalizations were for all the same reasons crups did too, you know? Well not ALL the same reasons really since they were all at different levels on the food chain and had different things they needed to adapt to in nature and such, BUT STILL. ALSO ALSO! It was basically a FACT or something that canines definitely had taste in music and some sense of what constitutes good music! ALSO ALSO ALSO! There was the neat fact of whenever they HOWL they are NEVER on the same pitch as anyone else and and and....

....by now he had let go of Emmeline's hand and he was so distracted by his own thoughts about this subjective and exclusive thoughts regarding creature vocalizations and whether or not certain animal cries counted as music and singing and whatever....that he NEARLY missed them needing to move on to the activity.

But you know what he DIDN'T miss? ABEY LOOKING EXCITED! Which was why he quickly sidestepped over to his best mate and nudged him with hiw elbow. "Duet!"

Not up for negotiation. Nope. Not that he thought Abey would protest anyway.

Switching things up and taking Abey's hand, he led them up to the machine and after getting some initial help with the whole set up was handing a mic to Abey and taking one for himself. He...SORT OF knew this song...only no not really at all. Waiting until the initial musical introduction was over he took a DRAMATIC pose standing next to his Gryffindor looking wistfully ahead and sort of upward with his free hand raise to the ceiling.

"We're s-sooooooooooooooooarin', flyyyyyyyyyyyyyying....there's not a s-s-star in heeeeeeeEEEEEEEaven that we can't reeeeeeEEEEEEEach...."

THEY WERE SINGING THEY WERE SINGING THEY WERE ALLOWED TO SING IN CLAAAAAAAAAAASS!

Abey was so hyped for this. SO HYPED. Already he was thinking about all the things he could sing right now and running through the lyrics to see if he could remember them and everything and really he was just BUZZING.

So, when Derf appeared right in front of him with his offer, Abey was intantaneous in his answer. "DUET YES!" Whoops, volume control.

Holding tight to Derf's hand, Abey dashed with him up to the front with him. He was quick to try and identify a song that he could sing OFF BY HEART, because reading the lyrics from that machine would be too difficult and take him too long and he wanted to have FUN. Soon enough, he had a microphone in his hand, and he held it up to his mouth like a seasoned PRO actually. Sort of. Not really.

And then... SHOW TIME.

Derf was starting them off, of course, and then Abey took up the next part, one hand gesturing out to the audience, all of them, and then to DERF.

"If we're trYYYyyyiiiiiiiing... so we're breaking freeeeeeeeee..."

Guh, did anyone else feel like swaying. Abey felt like swaying.

So he swayyyyyed.

Singing. Ugh, Skylar knew it and wished nothing more than for this lesson to be over with. Playing an instrument might have been cooler. Yes, she sang, but it wasn't real singing, with a machine, in front of all her classmates. In front of Brent. Maybe she could lip-sync? This was going to be mortifying and well, there was nothing more than she wanted than to have this mortifying experience with her best friend, which meant ... duet.

"Hattie. You're singing with me." There were no options here. Listening to her peers have their turn, she waited, trying to think of something good for them to sing. "Hmm, what about, For the first time in forever? It's a sister song ..." And they were kind of like sisters. Unless she had a better idea, but disney songs were always a good crowd pleaser.

You know what... Rooney was going to wait this out. He was going to let everyone else take part in the activity and then show them how a real professional performed. Or just give them nightmares because he was going to make them all endure how into things he got and how dedicated he would be. People understood that...right? As he sat back in his chair, contemplating what song he was going to perform for the class. Did he even want to use the backing tracks available? Would there be anything that he wanted to sing? This was going to be a BIG decision. Like..why...how would he choose just ONE?!

He wanted to sing SEVEN.

So he was going to go last. Take the final curtain call and instigate encores. But Roo applauded for his peers taking the stage, hands booming together as he hoped they too would clap for him.

SPOILER!!: The singers! *pretends that they’ve all finished their songs for sanity purposes* CARRY ON THO! *eyes Derf and Abey* xD

Quote:

Originally Posted by DancingQueen

Sophie stared at the floor, her hands trembling violently where they lay clasped in her lap. All around her, she could hear the hushed whispers of the other students. Despite the reassuring words from the kind professor, she could imagine their words as harsh judgement and hurtful criticism. Her breathing quickened and she intently listened to the music to help assuage her terror.

The song ended and another one began. As the first notes sounded, Sophie recognized it. "This is my song!" she shouted, leaping up from her seat. And sure enough, it was her song.

Taking courage from the music, Sophie squared her shoulders and stepped up to the front of the room. Without even needing to read the lyrics that were sliding across the screen, she gasped the microphone and began to sing along. "And when you get the chance, you are the dancing queen, young and sweet, only seventeen!" A big grin split across her face as she finished, "Diggin' the dancing queen!"

When the music stopped, she turned to head back to her seat. A burst of mortification filled her as her eyes flitted across the classroom and she realized what she had just done. "Oh my gosh, did I seriously do that?!" Her face burned bright red and she hurried to the back of the room, feeling like all eyes were on her and on her alone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zellanna

Kyle squirmed in his seat. Should he go up? What was he going to sing? He finally went up and, with the Professor's help, picked out a song that was loaded on the machine. He loved to sing! But could he do it in front of the professor? He didn't know. He had sung in choir at the base before, but this was different.

The music started as Save The Best For Last came up on the screen. For the first verse and chorus, he just listened, frozen in his spot. But as he had listened to the music, it felt like it was flowing through him, and with the second verse he watched the screen and started singing. His immature voice of course did not match the original singer's, but her voice couldn't be heard, and he was able to hit all the correct notes. It was a little strained as he couldn't quite relax at first, but as he sang he started to overcome that little by little, finishing the song with a more relaxed tone. When he was done, he bowed as he was taught to do and smiled brightly, then went to sit on the couch. Whew.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelsheen

So how does this contraption work? Its a bit confusing given there doesnt look to have an instruction manual #RavenclawMoment. Most people seem to be holding back though, which he found kinda disheartening, but oh lookitdat, it took young Kyle to get things started "Whoop go Kyle!" Come on Hogwartians this is the second time this firstie shows y'all up.

And finally more brave souls started to come forward. Another firstie (Sophie), this time to ABBA. He knows this song well-- thanks Dad-- and sang along as she did. Yes big clap for you too young'in.

Derf and Abey took to the mic next. Oh man a duet with this song? Oh boy he's gotta see this. And keep the chuckles down.

Oh hello sit up and pay attention! Dazzling Denaker is taking the mic ladies and gents. He grooved to her song, she did have such a LOVELY voice, she's amazing. Singing along and clapping, she's getting the full on BESTIE support mmhm.

And just when he was about to step forward-- Mel grabbed the mic first. He laughed and stepped back for a moment, dont let nobody take her spotlight "GO MEL!!" he hooted from the crowd.

Maybe he should start picking a song now so he can come after Mel. Scroll scroll scroll... so many GREAT Rock songs, but at the corner of his eye, he caught Katy's look, were the songs too dated? But the really good songs were dated. Thats what made them CLASSICS.

But he finally settled on this little number, not too dated he hoped for those looking for a bit more contemporary tunes. Tenacius took to the mic and waved at the class "Ok you guys, here's something, feel free to sing and dance along, its a pretty cool number... Its called Carolina."


She's got a family in Carolina

(woo, oh yeah)

So far away, but she says I remind her of home

(woo, oh yeah)

Feeling oh so far from home

(woo, oh yeah)

She never saw herself as a West Coaster

(woo, oh yeah)

Moved all the way 'cause her grandma told her:

(woo, oh yeah)

"Townes, better swim before you drown"

(woo, oh yeah)

She's a good girl

(la la la la la la la la la la)

She's such a good girl

(la la la la la la la la la la)

She's a good girl

(la la la la la la la la la la)

She feels so good!

(woo, oh yeah)

He sang the rest of the song, kinda losing himself in the rhythm. Music does that to him, takes him in another zoooone. Were the rest of his classmates enjoying themselves? He hoped so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Optimist.Prime

Melbourne’s eyes lit up when Professor Stewart explained the class project to them…oh merlin this was going to be fun and nerve wracking! Still, she was going to have a lot of fun with this.

Singing.

It was something she had always looooooooved to do.

When she heard Hadley singing she just clapped and cheered! THAT’S MY BESTIE UP THERE was practically all she was thinking as the blonde phenom sang her song. Brilliant. Totall brillz, really, she could have gotten a record deal out of that.

”great job Hadsters,” she called out to the marvelous singer before she stood up for her turn. ”Oh…kaaaay, so the song I’m singing wasn’t really that popular but its beautiful and I love it” she was babbling wasn’t she ”its It’s all Okay by Julia Stone” she spoke and tapped her hand against her leg as the song started the piano trilled and her hand kept time with the drum before she started wispily singing along.

"The Story is different now the records are playing in the living room -- and you may say you're wounded, and i may say I'm hurt" the gryffindor began to sing along her eyes even closing as softly sang along it was as if the original song was playing inside of her head and she wasn't simply watching the lyrics she was feeling the words and the song as she sang along.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callie

Miss Karaoke? Never. Sing was one of the small handful of things Hadley was actually good at. So of course she wasn't going to miss this. The only question was what song did she want to do? Classic rock was always an option. She loved those century old rock songs from the 1970s and 80s...but if she were honest with herself, her voice wasn't exactly the most geared to that genre.

Sadly.

Hads watched her fellow schoolmates head up there, one by one...well, except for Derf and Abey. There was some good song selection going on. Who knew her schoolmates had such good taste in music? Learn something new everyday, don't you?

Still, what should she sing? That was the question. And then, one song came to her. Hads hesitated for a moment. Most probably didn't know it, but that was okay right? Professor Stewart had said any song since 1900 on, right? As soon as the mike was free, Hadley got up and made her way up to the front. She surveyed her classmates, pulse speeding every-so-slightly now, and took a deep breath that wasn't as calming as she hoped. "So...you might not know this one, but I like it. It's called Chicago." She waited for the music to start and the words to appear on the screen, swaying gently to the beat and started to sing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixir

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

As he listened to Professor Stewart, Derf couldn't help but feel just a tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiny bit dissatisfied with her answer and even ventured a glance towards Jessa who he was SURE was probably internally flailing at the lack of concreteness to the definitions being given. What it SEEMED like to him was really ANYTHING could be considered music as long as it was pleasing to the ears. Someone's ears. Which was really a rather Hufflepuff sort of thing, wasn't it? Music was a VERY Hufflepuff thing. He decided. Yes.

But THEN the Muggle Studies professor went on to answer Emmeline and his brow furrowed and knotted. Crups didn't JUST simply bark. They howled too. And bird vocalizations were for all the same reasons crups did too, you know? Well not ALL the same reasons really since they were all at different levels on the food chain and had different things they needed to adapt to in nature and such, BUT STILL. ALSO ALSO! It was basically a FACT or something that canines definitely had taste in music and some sense of what constitutes good music! ALSO ALSO ALSO! There was the neat fact of whenever they HOWL they are NEVER on the same pitch as anyone else and and and....

....by now he had let go of Emmeline's hand and he was so distracted by his own thoughts about this subjective and exclusive thoughts regarding creature vocalizations and whether or not certain animal cries counted as music and singing and whatever....that he NEARLY missed them needing to move on to the activity.

But you know what he DIDN'T miss? ABEY LOOKING EXCITED! Which was why he quickly sidestepped over to his best mate and nudged him with hiw elbow. "Duet!"

Not up for negotiation. Nope. Not that he thought Abey would protest anyway.

Switching things up and taking Abey's hand, he led them up to the machine and after getting some initial help with the whole set up was handing a mic to Abey and taking one for himself. He...SORT OF knew this song...only no not really at all. Waiting until the initial musical introduction was over he took a DRAMATIC pose standing next to his Gryffindor looking wistfully ahead and sort of upward with his free hand raise to the ceiling.

"We're s-sooooooooooooooooarin', flyyyyyyyyyyyyyying....there's not a s-s-star in heeeeeeeEEEEEEEaven that we can't reeeeeeEEEEEEEach...."

THEY WERE SINGING THEY WERE SINGING THEY WERE ALLOWED TO SING IN CLAAAAAAAAAAASS!

Abey was so hyped for this. SO HYPED. Already he was thinking about all the things he could sing right now and running through the lyrics to see if he could remember them and everything and really he was just BUZZING.

So, when Derf appeared right in front of him with his offer, Abey was intantaneous in his answer. "DUET YES!" Whoops, volume control.

Holding tight to Derf's hand, Abey dashed with him up to the front with him. He was quick to try and identify a song that he could sing OFF BY HEART, because reading the lyrics from that machine would be too difficult and take him too long and he wanted to have FUN. Soon enough, he had a microphone in his hand, and he held it up to his mouth like a seasoned PRO actually. Sort of. Not really.

And then... SHOW TIME.

Derf was starting them off, of course, and then Abey took up the next part, one hand gesturing out to the audience, all of them, and then to DERF.

"If we're trYYYyyyiiiiiiiing... so we're breaking freeeeeeeeee..."

Guh, did anyone else feel like swaying. Abey felt like swaying.

So he swayyyyyed.

The first person to take the mic was Kyle. A first year and Kay couldn’t be more proud of him to having the courage. She was also definitely proud of the others too, Sophie in particular. As each of them finished, she applauded from her perch on one of the couches. Yes, she wanted to dance along but she should show some restraint being a professor and all. Dancing and letting go were for when she was with friends.

Still clapping as one of the students finished up, Kay got to her feet. “What a talented bunch! Well done all of you! If you don’t mind, I’d like to give this a go then I’ll let you continue.’’ She already had the song she wanted to sing selected in her head and so she set it up on the machine and screen.

And so began her performance.

“I’ve seen it all a thousand times, falling down I'm still alive, Am I? Am I? So hard to breathe when the water’s high, no need to swim I'll learn to fly, so high, so high. You find the truth in a child’s eyes when the only limit is the sky, living proof I see myself in you.’’

Now for the chorus:

“When walls starts to close in, your heart is frozen over, just show ‘em what you’re made of. When sunlight is fading the world will be waiting for you, just show ‘em what you’re made of.’’

This was an ancient song but one of her favourites the Backstreet Boys. Show 'Em is what the song was called. Sadly, she couldn’t sing a song by her all time favourite band which happened to be The Script because they were Irish.Nevertheless… she finished up:

“Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh. Just show ‘em what you’re made of.’’

She had made it through an entire song! In front of the kiddos too. Hopefully they didn’t think too much on her average singing abilities. Beaming, she handed over the mic to the next student. “We have about thirty minutes left, everyone. So you may carry on. For those of you who haven’t given this a go as yet, I encourage you to. You’re going to forget about your nervousness when you get into your performance. If there is time remaining and anyone wants to have another go, that's fine.’’ Eyes on you eager beavers.

OOC: We have twenty four hours left, guys! And yes, I DO see all of your posts even if they’re not quoted <3

It didn't take too long standing there for her to come to the conclusion that karaoke was better done with a friend. In any case, it beat going up there and singing by yourself. Jessa wasn't sure where the sudden bout of shyness had come from, afterall she'd shared a class with most of these people for going on three years now, but she wasn't trying to analyze it too far because she was more occupied with getting herself a partner. Had to hurry before they were all gone.

Scanning the room, the Ravenclaw caught sight of Katy. Wasn't she going to do this too??

Jessa moved over to where she sat, tugging lightly at her robe sleeve. "Come sing with me, then we won't dislike it as much." She didn't dislike it, she disliked doing it by herself; having to go up there, all eyes on her and her alone.

"I don't know most of these songs but there's the words on the screen so I think we should be fine no matter which one we get."

So. Karaoke. Yes. Let's go.

"I'm fine," Sam replied quietly to her friend as they joined the others assembled in the next room. "Nothing's happened. No need for pyrotechnics." Just some sleep, quite possibly. Her OWL studies and worrying about her brother and reading up about previous tournaments held here in the castle were apparently taking a bit of a toll, that's all.

And there was maybe a little bit of her that wondered why she wasn't worthy of taking part in the tournament herself. Not jealousy, nothing like that. But doubt. A little niggle of doubt.

She returned the wave to Olivia with a friendly smile, before turning to listen to the instructions. A look of pure horror spread across her face. No, no, no. Sam Tyler didn't do singing. Especially not songs she'd never heard of, in front of her classmates. A look of sheer panic crossed over her face, a relatively rare occurrence on the Ravenclaw's features. Whilst not always the most confident, her upbringing had made Sam difficult to spook.

But this? Nope. No way, OWLs this year or not. She gently tugged on the arm linked with Dora's as she took a step backwards. Could she just kinda skulk here at the back until they ran out of time?

Uuuuuugh, the cutest little Jessa was there, tugging on her sleeve and pleading with Katy to sing with her. How did you say no to a face like that? And she'd have to get up next to that cute, big-eyed face... so it was likely no one would look at her anyway.

"Hmph, fine, but I'm picking the song." Something peppy and in a major key. Not a lot of words or long notes. And preferably one that she already knew. "You know this one? Girls Just Wanna Have Fun? We can bounce all over the stage and be just slightly ridiculous." Go broke or go home.

Yaaaaay! Jessa bounced a little on the spot, nodding eagerly to girl's condition. "Sure! I don't mind! Whatever you want." As long as they'd be able to go up together and do this karaoke thing. Look how much fun the pairs were having. There was no way she'd go it alone.

Jessa headed up to the machine, taking one of the mics and looking to the screen once the Professor got the song Katy had asked about onto the screen. Slowly she shook her head. "No...don't think I've heard this one but that's okay! I can bounce all over and be just slightly ridiculously." Especially with company because HOW FUN WOULD THAT BE???

The Ravenclaw extended one of the mics to here, bobbing lightly as the music began to play. Essentially, she would be following Katy's lead because it sounded like she knew the song, and Jessa was quite good at following leads when needed.

SPOILER!!: OUR GRYFFINDOR

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixir

THEY WERE SINGING THEY WERE SINGING THEY WERE ALLOWED TO SING IN CLAAAAAAAAAAASS!

Abey was so hyped for this. SO HYPED. Already he was thinking about all the things he could sing right now and running through the lyrics to see if he could remember them and everything and really he was just BUZZING.

So, when Derf appeared right in front of him with his offer, Abey was intantaneous in his answer. "DUET YES!" Whoops, volume control.

Holding tight to Derf's hand, Abey dashed with him up to the front with him. He was quick to try and identify a song that he could sing OFF BY HEART, because reading the lyrics from that machine would be too difficult and take him too long and he wanted to have FUN. Soon enough, he had a microphone in his hand, and he held it up to his mouth like a seasoned PRO actually. Sort of. Not really.

And then... SHOW TIME.

Derf was starting them off, of course, and then Abey took up the next part, one hand gesturing out to the audience, all of them, and then to DERF.

"If we're trYYYyyyiiiiiiiing... so we're breaking freeeeeeeeee..."

Guh, did anyone else feel like swaying. Abey felt like swaying.

So he swayyyyyed.

Did he feel like swaying? The second year was not entirely sure but since Abey was doing it he went ahead and swayed along with. TOOOOOOTALLY like it was a choreographed dance or something. Only it wasn't. And they were flying by the seat of their trousers. Maybe him more so than Abey since the Gryffindor was the more seasoned singer between the two of them.

One problem with these lyric machines was the colors they used for duets. Yes, there was a little heart mark for the girl and a diamond mark for the bloke when it was their turns to sing individually, but when you were REALLY getting into things it was hard to pay attention to shapes....and the colors sort of just blended together for Derf. Hence him singing along with and over a part that was meant for just Abey.

"You know the world can s-s-seeeeeeeeeeeeeeee us-s...in a way that different than who we aaAAAre...creatiiiiiiiiiing s-spaaaaaaaaaaaaaaace betweEEEEen us-s... 'til we're s-seperate hearts-s....BUT YOUR FAITH IT GIVES-S ME S-STRENGTH...S-S-STRENGTH TO BELIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVE..."

Then again, did it REALLY matter if there was a distinct guy role and girl role while they sang? That didn't seem very like him and Abey, you know? Boxes each other in and limiting each other. So this worked out better anyway.

Getting excited for the SHOUTING part, the Hufflepuff bent at the knees and made a GIANT leap forward to belt out the next few words. All IN key, mind you. Derf surprisingly did know how to carry a tune.

"WE'RE BREAKIN' FREEeeeEEE!"

So Jessa didn't know the song, but she was game to bounce around and have fun. That was literally the only proper way to sing this song. Also a little shouty, which suited Katy at the moment. She had a passably good voice, perhaps more than good coming from a musical family, but she didn't want to do a performance piece. She wasn't Rooney Bronwyn.

"You'll pick up the tune in a second, and then feel free to be as loud as you want." The louder the better. "I come home in the morning light/ My mother says when you gonna live your life right/ Oh mother dear we're not the fortunate ones/ And girls they want to have fun/ Oh girls just want to have fun." She bounced and swished her hips and perhaps had just the slightest bit more fun than she wanted to acknowledge.

Okay, so the basic premise was to be as loud as she wanted. In truth, she'd likely keep her volume to the same level as Katy, so as to not draw extra attention to herself but outside of that she was SO ready.

Wanting to catch the tune for real, Jessa let the Slytherin have the first verse, listening to make sure she wouldn't mess up.

Pretty soon it was the next verse and Jessa was pumped to say the least. While Katy had been singing, the girl had remained relatively stagnant but now that she was ready to jump in, she was moving around a little. It was rocking at first, but then by the time her lips parted, she'd fallen in some sort of sync with Katy's movements.

"The phone rings in the middle of the night
My father yells what you gonna do with your life
Oh daddy dear you know you're still number one,"

Much like Katy suggested, Jessa did bounce around a whole lot, finding it easier to just go with the beat and let it all happen.

"But girls they wanna have fun
Oh girls just want to have."

This was definitely one of Professor Stewart's most splendid ideas, thought Kitty as she watched with amazement as one by her fellow classmates sang. At first she was surprised that Rooney didn't start off, but then she decided he must be waiting for last. She watched in admiration as Haddie sang Chicago, and got misty eyed when Tenacius sang. Professor Stewart sang the Script. She clapped at the end of all of them.

And then it was her turn. Taking a deep breath, she slowly combed her hair bangs down over her forehead and walked up to the microphone. You can rock this, she thought nervously and excitedly as she got closer and closer. "I can sing Last of the American Girls best," she said quietly with a nervous smile to Professor Stewart so that the song could change.

The familiar beats began. Swallwing once, Kitty let loose:



"She puts her makeup on

Like graffiti on the walls of the heartland

She's got her little book of conspiracies right in her hand

She is a paranoid endangered species headed into extinction

She is one of a kind

She's the last of the American Girls!

She wears her overcoat for the coming of the nuclear winter

She is riding her bike like a fugitive of critical mass

She's on a hunger strike for the ones who won't make it for dinner

She makes enough to survive for a holiday of working class

She's a runaway of the establishment incorporated

She won't cooperate

She's the last of the American Girls!

She plays her vinyl records singing songs on the eve of destruction

She's a sucker for all the criminals breaking the laws

She will come in first for the end of western civilization

She's an endless war, she's a hero for the lost cause

Like a hurricane in the heart of the devastation

She's a natural disaster

She's the last of the American Girls!

She puts her makeup on

Like graffiti on the walls of the heartland

She's got her little book of conspiracies right in her hand

She will come in first for the end of western civilization

She's a natural disaster

She's the last of the American Girls!"





She had her eyes closed the entire time she sang, except at the end where she threw her arms up dramatically and shouted, "She's the Last of The American Girls!"

Whew!

What did she want to SING? Etta had absolutely NO idea whatsoever.. in fact, she wasn't sure singing was a good idea at all but it was just going to be this one time, right? They probably won't have do this activity ever again so she didn't really mind. She.. just wanted to get this over with.

Adele.. Adele.. uh.. "Isn't her music rather slow and.. well.. rather emotional? I think we should try something more upbeat and fun. Something that we'd enjoy singing to, you know.. even if our voices are terrible. Do you have any suggestions?" Since Olivia seemed to be more aware of muggle musicians and music, thankfully.

She got up, waiting for Olivia to join her before making her way to the front, stopping somewhere near the karaoke machine. Jessa and Katy seemed to be doing a pretty great job and Etta hoped her singing voice was half that.. good. GULP. Why was singing so nerve-wracking?

Etta made an excellent point. Adele's music was sort of slow and emotional, probably not the best to sing if they weren't confident. Hmm... There was always Katy Perry or Taylor Swift or Disney or Sara Barellies. Ooh. Sarah Barellies sounded like a good idea (even if Olivia hadn't a clue how to spell her name. "Sara Barellies? She's always good and it's easy to make her songs into a duet. There's always Disney too. We could do a duet from Frozen."

"What do you feel comfortable with?" she asked. It was important to make sure that Etta felt comfortable with whatever song they were going to be attempting to sing.

Fine.. okay. Etta nodded when Olivia mentioned this Sara Bareilles person.. she seemed familiar which meant that she'd probably listened to her music before.. at some point. Probably. They could definitely give it a try though, right? How hard could it be? Besides, Olivia was going to be doing the major part of the singing.. surely, she had a better singing voice than she did.

"Sounds good. Any song, specifically?" .. and just then it was their turn. EEEEP. Trying not to appear too nervous, she quickly led them to the machine.. handing Olivia a mike and taking one for herself. GULP. So it starts. .. wait. What were they singing again?

It all happened so quickly and Olivia found herself with a microphone in her hand. Her stomach started doing somersaults and she felt very, very sick. Erm.. Was everyone looking at them? She paused and instead of looking out at the audience, she looked at Etta and smiled. Here goes nothing. Tapping her foot to the music, she brought the microphone close enough to catch her voice. Casual talking. This song was more conversational so she thought it would work better for Etta as her friend seemed very nervous and conversational songs were easier to go for. Not too much belting.

Glancing out to the audience, she took her fear and pushed it away in a single breath and began singing, "Head under water, and they tell me to breathe easy for a while. The breathing gets harder, even I know that." She let go of her grip on her microphone, easing up as she felt the song, putting emphasis on the important words so that she could construct the story. "You made room for me but it's too soon to see. If I'm happy in your hands. I'm unusually hard to hold on to." Olivia quickly stole a glance at Etta. Was her friend doing okay? She hoped so. Then back to the audience, she lifted her volume just higher and smiled softly, and then began acting to the song, really getting into the song. "Blank stares at blank pages. No easy way to say this. You mean well, but you make this hard on me...."

Alright, now they just had to sing together. She looked over to Etta, ready to help cue her friend if she needed it. They could do this! This wasn't so bad. Olivia was just ignoring her shaking knees.

Okay, okay....STEP ASIDE.

Olivia had decided on a song. It was hard for her to choose as there were so many that she wanted to do, but in the end...it was always going to be Taylor Swift. Dated, but many of her songs had been on Liv's personal playlist since the incident; none more important than Clean.

You're still all over me like a wine stained dress I can't wear, anymore.

...No, that wasn't the song she'd be singing today. It was DEFINITELY too personal and there would be tears, as there often were. But...it was another from that same album, 1989. And fitting as she'd been saying for ages she felt completely New Romantics lately. Everything was culminating to that point...

But yes, New Romantics.

Pulling herself up from the couch in a way that would've made Miss Jordan Baker proud, the blonde shook out her limbs and proceeded to the front of the room. The mic awaited her, as the person who'd been singing completed their song. Everyone had been doing a great job, and Liv could respect anyone who had a go at it. Performing in front of intimate audiences was more terrifying then arenas, and worse still, performing in front of your schoolmates. It took a lot of guts to put one's self out there. Especially when it wasn't something you were used to doing. As she and Rooney were. They'd been in the spotlights their entire lives. As an afterthought, she cast a warm look in his direction. Hopefully he'd enjoy the performance, and if not... Well, she'd be sad, but would try to act all cool about it.

Hm, anyway, Olivia worked with Professor Stewart to get the music queued up and waited patiently for the beat to begin. She'd already shrugged out of her school robe for functionality reasons. It was hard to do anything when you were in large, clunky materials. It wasn't the best fabric for putting on a show.... Oh, the music!

Smexy!mysterious!performance pose. Everyone needed a cool starting point. So, clutching the mic in her hand, Liv emulated Taylor. "We're all bored..... We're all so tired of everything. We wait for...trains that just aren't coming... We show off...our different scarlet letters." She paused to take a small breath, having pranced and danced her way through the first couple of lines... "Trust me, mine is better." Accurate lyric. Yes, thank you. Injecting some attitude, the blonde schmoozed her way around the room, not needed to see the lyrics on a screen to know them by heart. Every word. Every melody. "We're so young... but we're on the road to ruin. We play dumb, but we know exactly what we're doing. We cry tears...of mascara in the bathroom. Honey, life is just a classroom..." Oh, buddy. HEAR these lyrics. Hear them, feel them, understand them... CHORUS!

Apparently, Olivia we doing this in bare-feet, and had kicked her shoes off at some point, beginning to bounce through the lyrics. There was a reason this song was one of her favorites. One of her most treasured. Every lyrics applied to her life currently, and it was probably obvious in the way she was performing this song. As if she'd written it. That was the trick, really. When you tried to perform someone else's music, you had to make it your own. Liv hoped she was accomplishing that. Paying special attention to the lyric "Everyday is like a battle....but every night with us is like a dream...", she cut her eyes at Rooney, before re-centering herself to the beat.

"The lights and boys are blinding (at Hogwarts). We hang back, but it's all in good timing. It's poker.. He can't see it in my face...but I'm about to play my ACE!" Amused she grinned at Ace, because hey, hi, hello, but then quickly shifted her gaze back to Roo. Relevance. "We need love... but all we want is danger. We team up, then switch sides like a record changer." Such was the way of teenage life here at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry..."The rumors....are terrible and cruel, but honey most of them are true..." Mm.

Performing her little heart out to another round of the chorus, where she implemented bum wiggles, graceful arm sweeps, and smizing... the Gryffindor finally took a seat and crossed her legs, her posture nothing short of dramatic and staged. Slowing it doooown for the bridge. "Please take...my hand....and please take me dancing....and please leave me stranded..... It's so romantic." At this last word, she fake swooned through the prolonged beat; her hand brushing across her forehead in a very Scarlet O'Hare way.

It lasted only a moment, before she was up, bouncing through the remaining lyrics, hands swaying high in the air...in the attempts to get her peers involved in her fun. She was at home on stage. Always had been, but only recently had it started to scare her. Not during this song, of course. This was a safe space, with her Rooney nearby. But it was all the same.

Finally finished, Olivia bowed low and bent down to collect her shoes and robe before going to crash on the couch again. She'd done her civic duty. Carry on, carry on.

Shay was definitely enjoying her calassmates' performances. They had been very entertaining so far. She knew that her turn was going to have to come sooner or later, so she might as well get it over with. Now Shay was by no means shy, but she was not entirely confident about her singing voice. She could sing ok, but she didn't feel that she had a particularly great voice. Anyway, karaoke was about having fun, not being a great singer. If there was one thing she was good at, it was performing........so she would give the class a show.

When her turn came, Shay went up to the karaoke machine and made her selection. It was an oldie, but goodie........a karaoke anthem. She couldn't resist it. "This one is for the ladies." Turning her back to the crowd, she released her voluminous hair from its ponytail. When the first strains of the music began, she turned dramatically with a big hair flip and began to sing.

"At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinking I could never live without you by my side
But then I spent so many nights thinking how you did me wrong
And I grew strong
And I learned how to get along

And so you're back from outer space
I just walked in to find you here with that sad look upon your face
I should have changed that stupid lock
I should have made you leave your key
If I had known for just one second you'd be back to bother me.

Go on now go, walk out the door
Just turn around now
'Cause you're not welcome anymore
Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with goodbye?
Did you think I'd crumble?
Did you think I'd lay down and die?

Oh no not I!
I will survive
Oh as long as I know how to love , I know I'll stay alive
I've got all my life to live
I've got all my love to give
I'll survive, I will survive
Hey hey"

And with that, Shay was done. She had gotten a little carried away as she'd gotten into the meat of the song, but she was done now. Back to reality and exit stage right.