"Hey Dom, are you going to sit by yourself?" Victorie questioned. I looked up from the window. I somehow found a car filled with chattering first years from my house. They were confused, but didn't argue having a seemingly popular future seventh year sit with them during their train ride home. I shrugged at my sister and continued staring out the window.

"Why don't come sit with me? Louis is with us."

"Is Kaylie and Kent there?"

"Yeah, why does that matter?"

I shrugged again, absentmindedly fiddling with the ends of my strawberry blonde hair. Victorie got the Veela looks; I was just the mutt mix.

"Seriously Dom, is the dramatics totally necessary?"

"Probably not, but it doesn't make me feel less guilty…" I sighed, avoiding Victorie's gaze.

"What the heck are you feeling guilty for?" Victorie scoffed. She paused for a second and cocked her head to the side. I avoided her gaze as a look of recognition glazed her features. "Luke? Dominique! How do you think Kaylie feels?"

"Victorie, no need to get all Mama Unicorn on me! I understand that she most definitely got the short end of the stick here, but what does it say about my judge of character? I hung out with this guy! He was my friend!" I exclaimed. The first years stopped talking and looked hesitantly at us.

"Wow, Dom…wow," Victorie sighed, turning on her heel and walking back down the hall of the train. I gripped my wand in my hand and looked out at the passing landscapes. Sometimes Vic just doesn't get it. I'm not saying that I was worse off than Kaylie…of course I wasn't…she was almost killed. But that doesn't make my feelings completely disregarded. Victorie does that a lot, disregards me as over-dramatic or ridiculous. It kinda hurts.

So sue me for being embarrassed! Luke was one of my first friends at Hogwarts. I knew him for six years. We had a short fling our fourth year. I never saw, never guessed, never picked up on the fact that he was completely off his rocker in a huge way. I just wanted to get away from it all. I wasn't looking forward to spending the summer doing the same thing I've done for every summer since I could remember. Spending some time working with Uncle Charlie and the dragons, working in Uncle George's shop, doing my school work, ect. I'm over it. Completely. Casually I drew my eyes away from the window. The first years were chattering excitedly. They made it through their first year…they were no longer titchy little first years anymore! Fantastic.

My eye caught to a brightly colored pamphlet sticking out of one of the girl's bags. It was unmoving. Clearly Muggle. There were different blocks of colors with pictures of people singing, people in bizarre costumes, painting, sewing. What the heck were they doing?

"Can I see that?" I questioned, pointing to the pamphlet. The first year looked at me wide eyed.

"Yeah! Sure! I'm muggle born, see…and my Mum she runs that place. Thought I could recruit people but nobody seems to be interested, really," she exclaimed, hastily handing it over.

"What is it?"

"A performing arts program for over the summer. There's singers, actors, all sorts of things. I'm not really interested in it but I've always worked there with my Mum. It's gotten quite famous over the years," she explained, transferring so she was sitting next to me. I opened the glossy brochure and flicked my eyes over the words on the pages.

"Is it difficult to get in?"

"I don't know…have you ever done any of those sorts of things?"

"No, not at all," I laughed.

"Well all the information you need to audition is in there. They're in a week or so in London," she explained. I nodded and began to really read the information. You need a monologue and a song. Well…I guess I could figure out a song, but what the heck was a monologue? Oh it explains that. Where the heck am I going to find a muggle play in a week and it's not like I can go up there singing Celestina Warbeck, even if it was permitted in my house. Mum hates her and its very much wizard like. It's not as if I could go singing 'A Cauldron Full of Hot Strong Love' to a bunch of Muggles.

Here I am talking about this like Dad was going to let me go to London and join a muggle camp. It's not the fact that it's muggle necessarily, but that it's in the city and he keeps us on a rather tight leash.

"Where do you find plays?" I questioned suddenly. The girl cocked her head to the side and gave me a strange look.

"Libraries, book stores, things like that. Same with the sheet music. Muggle ones obviously. I can give you the address to a store that most people from the program use," she answered, going over and searching for a scrap of parchment and a quill. I nodded and started to re-read the pamphlet. By the time we pulled into King Cross I think I re-read it at least ten times through. Each time I read it, I became more and more enthralled and connected with the initial idea.

"Bonjour, ma chère, have a good year?" Mum questioned, slipping her arm through mine. Victorie was already attached to Teddy and Louis was chatting with Dad about how dismally they lost their last Quidditch game without Luke, costing us the cup to Gryffindor.

"Well you know…close friend turned out to be insane but I passed my N.E.W.T classes!" I exclaimed sarcastically. Mum gave me a warning look. She hates it when I get overly sarcastic. I sighed.

"Do you want me to lie to you? Tell you it was fantastic? That everything went according to plan, 'cause it kinda didn't, but I did pass my classes."

"Well as long as you passed dear," Dad put in. I gave him a small smile. He gets me a bit more then Mum. Maybe being French makes you highly literal?

"So…I was wondering if I could do something different this summer…"

Mum and Dad both looked at me.

"What kinda of different, Dom? Working with your Aunt Hermione or Uncle Harry at the ministry instead?" Dad questioned.

"No…actually I was thinking of something more Muggleish?"

Louis and Victorie stopped their conversation with Teddy and stared at me.

"What do you mean Muggleish?" Mum questioned tersely.

"Well…there's this program that I found out about," I stated as Dad opened the car door for us. Louis and Teddy slid in first, both giving me looks of confusion. Victorie followed…she passed confusion and hit incredulity. I waited until Mum and Dad were in the front seat before I handed Mum the brochure.

"Performing Arts?"

"What the heck does that mean?" Louis piped up, leaning forward so he was looking at me past Victorie and Teddy. I shot him a dirty look…if he ruins this for me I'm hiding his broomstick.

"It's like singing and stuff," I sighed.

"Since when are you interested in singing and stuff?" Victorie questioned innocently.

"For a while now…" I lied. Mum looked at me with a raised eyebrow as Louis and Victorie snorted with laughter. "Okay, I just thought about it recently. But it looks like fun and I'm sick of working with dumb pranks and coming home with singed hair." Now I was just sounding whiny. "I just want to do something different for once."

"I don't know, dear. Working with Muggles all summer and in the city…" Dad sighed. He was looking at the brochure now, the cars in front of us magically jumping out of our way as his hands left the wheel.

"Dad, I'm not a complete idiot. I'm not going to blow the cover of the whole magical world by spending a summer with them. Plenty of witches and wizards do it."

"It's not that as much as it's being in the city working with people we don't even know. How are you going to get there and back every day," Dad sighed, handing the brochure back to Mum.

"Well…it's like a boarding program for start. But, I would come home during the weekends! I could take the train until I get my apparition license next month," I stated quickly. I saw Dad's jaw lock.

"You're already gone all year," he stated simply.

"It's kinda close to the ministry…Teddy will be near there, Plus Uncle Harry and Aunt Hermione," I tried suddenly. Teddy gave me an alarmed look before composing himself.

"I could keep an eye on her," he put in. I gave him a grateful smile. Minus the fact that he worships the ground that Vic walks on, Teddy is a pretty decent guy.

"Your mother and I will talk about it tonight," Dad stated finally. It was that voice, the one that you wanted to challenge but never did because it brought out the werewolf characteristics. I sighed and settled back in my seat. It was step, but not a very hopeful one.

I paced in front of the closed door to the den. Mum and Dad were finally talking about my plan. I had to wait until after dinner and I was forbidden to try to make my case anymore until they discussed it.

"Why do you want to get away from home so badly?" Louis whispered from the stairs. I looked over my shoulder at him and sighed.

"I'm just sick of the rut I'm in, I guess," I shrugged. He nodded and repeatedly bounced a small ball against the wall, catching it in his palm.

"It's the Luke situation, huh?"

"Partly," I replied.

"Vic came back in quite the tizzy after talking to you. Said you were being selfish," he laughed.

"I suppose she did…" I sighed gustily.

"I don't think you were. Yeah he didn't try to kill you or anything but you have snogged him which has to be disturbing on its own," Louis stated simply.

"You're a git," I stated, wanting to laugh but not wanting to give him that satisfaction. He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Are you honestly calling your ally names?"

"Yes," I remarked sternly before giving him a small smile. He returned it and ruffled his bronze hair with his hand.

"You think they'll let me go?" I questioned hesitantly, settling down on the stair below him.

"It's a tossup, really. Dad hardly let's Victorie do anything and she's of age. Mum's your best bet," Louis shrugged.

"She didn't seem too happy about it," I sighed. Louis bounced the ball against my head. I flipped around and flicked him hard on the ear.

"What was that for?" I snapped. Louis shrugged.

"Luck?"

"Go upstairs," I declared, pointing upwards. He gave me a cocky smile and scampered up the stairs. He may be bigger than me but he knows I could kick his arse if I wanted to. I watched him slip into his room before turning back towards the door.

They were in there for an awful long time. The longer they took the more I wanted this and the more the whole idea appealed to me. I was prepared to throw a tantrum of epic proportions if they weren't going to let me go, age notwithstanding. Not that it was the completely mature choice but I could always play the middle child spiel. I'm so suppressed and ignored. It doesn't always work, and yes it's completely devious and pretty pathetic, but at this point I haven't wanted anything as badly as I do now in a long time.

I sat there contemplating my strategies if I wasn't going to get this one request. People see me as a priss because Victorie is friends with everyone and Louis is…well Louis. He doesn't actually hate anybody that doesn't truly deserve it, so everybody truly likes him. I'm more reserved and frankly I don't make friends easily as it seems I do. I talk to people, yes, but I wouldn't actually consider myself their friend. It's difficult because I tend to be slightly judgmental and it seems that whenever I truly do let my guard down and actually trust someone, something ridiculous happens. Note the many heart breaks and the worst situation so far: the Luke thing. So people automatically label me as a 'priss' or 'stuck up' when actually I'm just kinda shy.

I guess that's why I kinda want this so bad. It's a new opportunity to be a slightly different person. Maybe I can be more open to making friends, without having my super out-going siblings and even family be there to shadow me. In the Muggle world nobody knows the name 'Weasley'. Nobody will be asking about our part in the war, or if I could get an autograph for their parents, or for free Wheeze products. Trust me, I've been asked some pretty strange stuff. It was a chance to escape. To make a new name, try a new thing, without magic to be my crutch. My head shot up when I heard Mum's voice raised and her French accent prominent. She was getting fired up about something…hopefully it was for me and not anything other than my 'cause'. If anyone can get Dad to do something that he doesn't want to do, it's Mum. Slowly I crept up to the door and pressed my ear against the wood. Thank Merlin they didn't put a silencing charm on the door.

"William! You are being pig-headed!"

"Pig-headed? Because I think this is a dangerous idea?"
Dangerous?

"I should let Hermione know what you're saying about Muggles…or your father! Or even Harry! You and I both know this isn't dangerous because of zem. You're arguing a losing argument, dear."
Oh Merlin! Oh Merlin, I think I'm winning.

"She's just so young…to be away from home?"
Young? I'm almost seventeen.

"She is almost of age and she spends a whole of the year away from home."
Yes, yes I do.

"It's just not productive. She won't be learning a useful trade!"
He doesn't know that.

"How do we know it's not useful? Dominique doesn't usually ask for such drastic things. It's not like she's asking to go off and marry a boy!"

No. No I'm not.

I pulled away from the door when I heard that tone of voice. I pretty much have won. I started to do a victory dance of sorts. I was too busy congratulating myself to hear the door open. Dad cleared his throat and I froze.

"Just working off that dinner," I stated, doing a quick jumping jack. Mum rolled his eyes but I saw my dad smirk slightly.

"We have conditions," Dad started. I gave him an innocent look.

"Conditions for what?" I questioned, quelling my smile.

"Cut the act. We know you were listening. Get in here before I change my mind," Dad snorted. Mum gave him a raised eyebrow. She won, but of course he was going to take credit for it. Saves his pride, Mum always says. I hurried into the room and curled myself onto the couch, eyeing them expectantly.

"I want to go with you to the try-out thing…make sure everything is safe and such," Dad started.

"But what about your," I interrupted, motioning towards my face. Dad gave me a look and I mimed locking my lips.

"I'll handle that. I've been in the muggle world before, dear. Anyways, I'm going with you. You are to come home every weekend...without fail, and you have to check in with Teddy or your Aunt or Uncle every evening," he stated.

"Dad I'm not five!" I exclaimed.

"Take it or leave it," he remarked simply. Mum gave me a warm smile and I resisted squealing. I could deal with that. I'll just make Teddy do it…he looks cool enough. But maybe I'll have him change his hair.

"Deal! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I exclaimed, jumping up and throwing my arms around my dad.

"Best decision ever Daddy," I giggled, giving him a huge kiss on the cheek. I copied with my Mum and almost dashed from the room.

"Can I go into Muggle London next week to pick out stuff for my audition?"

"Not alone, get your sister or someone to go with you," Mum remarked. I nodded and dashed upstairs. I barely remembered to knock on the partially opened door before dashing in to the room Victorie and I shared. My own room, but it was a price I would pay to not scar my retinas. I burst into the room then and threw myself on my bed, attempting not to squeal.

"I take it they said yes," Victorie quipped. I nodded and Teddy grinned.

"Congrats. I figured I will be included in some way," he remarked genially.

"I have to check in with you or Uncle Harry or Aunt Hermione every night. Can you save me from adults?"

"Yes, I'll even change my hair back to regular for you. Save you the embarrassment," he laughed. I grinned at him and plucked the brochure from the bedside table. Everything just looked so surreal…happy artsy kids doing artsy things and I was going to be one of them. I frowned at their outfits. My jeans and jumpers were not going to cut it. I grabbed my coin bag and surveyed the money I had in there. I didn't spend much this past year at Hogsmeade so I still had a pretty impressive budget to spend on a new wardrobe and the summer. Thank Merlin Mum and Dad bought my Victory Ball gown this year because that would've destroyed me.

We have plenty of money between Mum and Dad, but with the way Dad was raised…being the oldest out of seven, we were raised to earn our pocket money during the summer and this was going to have to last me I guess, unless I worked during the weekends. I'm usually a simple shopper. I do love fashion, but I don't even hold a candle to Victorie's passion for everything clothes. Looks like I'm going to have to grovel.

"Hey Vic?" I questioned hesitantly. Victorie looked up at me where she was flipping through a healer's handbook and raised her eyebrows.

"I have to go to Muggle London to get things for my audition and I was wondering if you'd help me get some clothes as well? Everyone is just so trendy in this pamphlet."

"Of course! Shall we go tomorrow? You can borrow anything you need too! I was looking at that and they have a very specific look but I don't think you should follow it exactly. Let's put a spin on it, shall we?" Victorie exclaimed, jumping up and going immediately to our closet. Dad had to magically extend it, because between Vic and I there wouldn't be any room. Now it was a walk in with even a special section for shoes and accessories.

Teddy gave me a look with raised eyebrows.

"You completely just unleashed that upon yourself," he laughed, jerking his head at the closet where clothes were flying out at a rapid pace. I rolled my eyes.

"I'm pretty sure it'll be worth it," I whispered as a spare shirt landed on my head. I pulled it off and sighed. Pretty being the key word.

"Alright, I'm just going to slip into this shop here. Meet you at the clothing store?" I questioned, looking at the scrap of parchment then at the small shop.

"Sure! See you soon!" Vic exclaimed, giving me a kiss on the cheek and practically skipping to the little clothing shop a couple doors down. I took a deep breath and reached down to pat my tall leather boot. My wand was secure. Hesitantly I pushed open the door. The bell attached to it gave a cheery little ring, quite the welcoming change to the random rude noises that sounded when you entered Wheeze's. I ran my thumbs nervously under the strap of my bag and hesitantly entered the shop.

It was dark and relatively empty, save for the two guys in the corner with shoulder length hair that were flipping through some vintage records. I began to browse the shop, keeping an eye out for any sign that said 'sheet music'. I gently ran my fingertips along the plastic casings that held something called 'CD's'.

"Can I help you?" A voice spoke out behind me, shattering the relative silence of the shop. I jumped and whirled around, my hand automatically reaching for my pocket where I usually kept my wand until I remembered it was in my boot and I probably wasn't in any sort of trouble. There was a guy surveying me. He was tall and kinda scrawny. Nothing like I'm used to, where all the guys I usually hang out with are Quidditch toned. He had closely cropped hair that was tousled in the front, rather tan skin and green eyes that were almost as bright as Albus'. I opened my mouth to speak but snapped it shut again. He was looking at me like I was an idiot.

"Yeah…I'm looking for some sheet music?"

He nodded at me and walked the direction he came, idly wiping his hands on the seat of his camo printed shorts. I quickly followed, closing the gap between us quickly and accidently trotting on the heel of his trainers. I felt my cheeks heat up red as he shot me a look over his shoulder.

"Sorry," I muttered, wishing I had a time-turner or James' invisibility cloak or something. Anything to get me out of this embarrassment. What was I thinking? I don't know what I'm doing.

"So here is our sheet music. Are you looking for anything in particular?" he questioned, patting a display of folders.

"I have an audition soon…what would be best for that?"

"Well what's your range?"

I looked at him blankly. Range?

"Are you a soprano? Alto?"

He might as well be speaking another language. He sighed and deftly began to flick through the colored folders, pulling a few as he went.

"These three are pretty mid-ranged. Good for beginners. You do know how to read music, don't you?"

"Of course! I just never really classified myself as a particular range," I answered quickly and feeling my cheeks heat up again. He nodded slightly.

"Right…anything else I can get you?"

"Uhm, I need a monologue as well," I remarked. He gave me a quick nod and led me to a room in the back. It held a few bookshelves. He gave me a quick one-over and grabbed a book from a table.

"Book of beginner monologues," he stated, handing it to me.

"How do you know I'm a beginner?"

"Trust me, I can tell," he snorted, turning around and going back into the main room. I stood there, shocked. What I wouldn't give to hex him to next year. When I finally got my wits about me I went back in the main room. The boy was behind the counter, propped on a stool with his shoes stacked on top of the counter-top. He had a guitar in his hands and was softly fiddling with it. I slammed my items on the counter and gave him a dirty look.

"This is all, thanks," I commented simply. He quickly rung them up and gave me the price. I quickly peeled apart the stupid Muggle money and pushed it across the counter as the door chimed again. I looked up. Victorie was coming into the shop, looking around. She noticed me and flounced over.

"Wondered what was taking you so long," she smiled, giving the salesclerk a genial look.

"She didn't quite know what she was doing…had to walk her through it," he stated simply before muttering 'no particular range' and letting out a small laugh while bagging my books. My eyes flashed and I deftly reached for my boot and Victorie gave me a warning look.

"Did you find everything you needed Dom?" Victorie questioned, discreetly swatting my hand.

"Yeah. Thanks a lot for your help. You sure know a lot about this type of stuff. Hope that whole personality thing get's fixed up soon. Never knew you Yanks could be so rude, but we do have ways to help that," I declared brightly, taking the bag from his hand. His jaw dropped briefly before he snapped it shut. Victorie's eyes widened and she started to giggle before slapping a hand over her mouth.

"Yeah, I'm getting a transplant soon. Hope you find your path to stardom," he replied, raising his eyebrows at me before extending his hand. "Cameron."

"Oh bugger off," I snorted, rolling my eyes and stalking from the shop. Victorie emerged a few seconds later, her face completely red from suppressed laughter.

"Oh Dom, I think you scared him!" she exclaimed, lopping her hand through my elbow.

"He deserved it. He was completely rude to me the whole time. Looked at me like I was complete idiot. He was lucky I didn't hex him," I replied as we started down the street. "You didn't apologize for me did you?"

"Of course not…" Victorie sighed.

"Dominique!"

I froze.

"You told him my name?"

"He asked," Vic shrugged, holding me in place as he caught up. I huffed and turned around.

"Can I help you? Did meet your quota of rudeness for the day?" I questioned. He grinned a crooked smile at me and handed me another bag.

"Ouch, that stings. I am sorry for being rude…not having the best day and I've already had about five giggly girls before you coming just to—well never mind. I judged too quickly. Here, to make up for it," he stated, pointing at the bag. "It's a handbook on learning to read notes. On the house. Good luck on your audition." He gave me a final wave and started back to the store. I looked at the bag in my hand, handed Victorie my stuff and stalked after him.

"So now you think you can make up for pre-judging me and being a total arse by giving me a free gift?" I snorted, going up to the counter. He looked up from his guitar surprised.

"Well-I thought I was being nice?"

"No…not really. It's actually kinda insulting," I laughed, placing the bag back on the counter.

"Well, how can I make it up to you?"

"You can't really, but I will buy your little charity gift," I stated simply, throwing down a note on the counter.

"Fine," he remarked, taking the purchase back.

"Fine." I repeated, muttering an insult under my breath. He gave me a confused look and I snapped my mouth shut. Did I honestly just say that out loud? Shit, I've got to get a hold on myself and the threatening to hex people thing.

"Here," he remarked, handing me the bag.

"Thanks," I muttered, examining my fingers.

"You're welcome, Dominique," he laughed. I gave him a small smile and stalked back out of the shop again. When I looked over my shoulder and through the window he was staring after me.

"Why'd you do that?" Victorie questioned hesitantly.

"Principle. He's not making a fool of me," I snorted, stalking into the clothes shop.

"Okay, Dom," Victorie laughed. "I think he did that because he liked you." She plucked a jean jacket with three quarter length sleeves and held it up to my chest. I snorted.

"What a way to show it."

"Dom, he's a boy and American. I heard they're kinda slow about some things," Victorie sighed.

"Whatever, it's not like I'm ever going to see him again. Do you know how to play a CD?" I questioned, deftly changing the subject.

"I think Uncle Harry or Uncle Ron have a player," Victorie smiled, well aware of my tactics.

"Victorie, I don't know the first thing about singing," I stated suddenly. She looked at me briefly before turning back to the rack of dresses.

"I'm sure you'll be fine, doll."

"But he was mentioning all this stuff. Soprano, alto, range. How am I going to even make it in to this program when I don't have any idea what the bloody hell I'm doing?"

"By practicing…stop stressing Dom. I'll help you," Victorie sighed.

"You will?"

Victorie paused while examining a white dress made entirely out of crochet flowers and turned to me.

"Well yeah. This obviously means a lot to you," she shrugged, handing me the dress and moving along. I stared after her. Victorie rarely offers to help me with anything besides shopping. She's usually too busy. It was times like these that I truly appreciated her as my sister. Now that I had a little help, my task seemed just a bit less daunting. Emphasis on 'a bit'. I still felt like I was going to throw up at the prospect of auditioning in a little less than a week.