Dumbledore tapped his glass for attention. Silence fell over the hall, everyone eager to hear what he had to say.

"As most of you have probably guessed, the annual Halloween ball is scheduled for next Friday. The day's lessons will be cancelled for preparations."

Whispers swept through the hall, excitement woken in the students.

"Dinner will begin at 7:00. Until then do try and do some homework."

His last comment was lost on the teenagers, minds already filled with ideas and plans.

Ginny turned to Harry, eager to discuss the dance, secretely hoping he would ask her. But he didn't seem to be excited like everyone else. He was wearing a nonchalant expression, his eyes fixed on the same point he had been staring at all night.

Sighing, she entered Hermione and Lavander's conversation about what kind of robes they were going to wear. If she couldn't go with Harry she at least wanted to look impressive for him.

Harry was in his own world, barely listening to the announcement. Balls held little interest for him, and since the Yule Ball in his fourth year he had never needed or wanted a date.

Ginny came to the front of his thoughts, but he quickly pushed back the idea. Not only would she probably say no and Ron would kill him for asking, but also he knew he couldn't be there for her like a proper boyfriend. Until he finally dealt with Voldemort, there would be no possibility of romance for him.

Ignoring the part of him that wanted to be a normal teenager worrying about his love life, he returned to thinking about Voldemort. While the Order knew nothing of his whereabouts or doings, it was obvious something was happening. Deatheater activity was increasing all over England, and rumours of the cult beginning in Europe were circulating, The dark wizard was obviously planning something.

This worried Harry. He knew that the wizarding world was much more prepared than last time, but he didn't know if it would be enough. Voldemort would be stronger than ever, and if Harry had been unable to destroy him so many times, how could he hope to defeat his nemesis this time?

Ron was sitting in dispair in the common room.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.

"I don't have a date," he wailed.

"That's not so bad." Harry responded, trying to comfort him.

"Not so bad? Not so bad!" Ron demanded indigantly. "It's okay for you, you've got half the female population of Hogwarts running after you. But how am I suspossed to get a date?"

"Why don't you ask Hermione? Just as friends?"

"She already has a date"

Harry sighed. "If you're too scared to find a girl and ask her, then there's not much I can do."

"It hopeless!" Ron concluded, returning to his silent depression.

Harry just shook his head and left, more worried about his own problems than the fact Ron didn't have a date yet. There was still a week to go, he knew his friend would find someone.