Author's note: Hey everyone, how are you doing? I am terribly sorry for not posting in (counts on fingers) about three months. After posting chapter 7, my mind just went blank. I had no idea how to go on with the story, but then a few days ago, it came to me. And this is the result. I hope you forgive my tardiness in writing this. Have a nice day.

Note: All non-original characters, locations, and sporting events owned by JK Rowling. The other stuff is mine.

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Chapter 8: Dances and Dunces

Three weeks had passed since the opening of the Quidditch season at Hogwarts School and Jane had seen her second match: Ravenclaw against Hufflepuff. It was a close match with Hufflepuff just winning by a hair. Jane was laying on her bed in her dormitory. She had finally taken up Robert's suggestion and looked up information on Harry Potter. She quietly chewed some gum Raven had gotten her from the last Hogsmeade trip.

"I should save a packet of this Drooble's gum for Michael for Christmas," Jane thought as she tried, but failed again at making a bubble. She turned the page in the book she was reading. It contained many theories on how Harry was able to defeat Voldemort. Jane had a guess many were off the mark. "Maybe I'll just write him and ask myself?" Jane thought, "I'd probably get more truth from there than this book or that other one by that Skeeter woman." Jane casually checked her watch and rubbed her eyes. It was past midnight. While she didn't have classes the next morning as it was Saturday, she could only keep her self awake for her Astronomy classes. So Jane marked the page she was on and closed up the book.

She was excited about tomorrow, for that was when Professor Flitwick would say if there would be a dance on Halloween or just a normal feast. Soon, she dosed off and found herself in the Great Hall. She was wearing a pale blue dress and she slowly approached Scorpius.

"May I have this next dance?" she asked quietly. Scorpius looked down at her and smiled.

"Of course," he replied, "It would be an honor to dance with you." With that, he took Jane's hand and they began to waltz around the room. Jane was having fun as they passed Sam and Lily together, and Fred was with Katherine. Soon all the dancers were gone, save this pair. Jane looked deep into Scorpius' eyes and sighed.

"This is the best day ever," she thought before leaned her head onto Scorpius' chest and relaxed. She was at more peace than ever before. Slowly she looked back at her partner's face, but in place of Scorpius' head was Robert's head. Robert looked at Jane. "Something wrong?" he asked, smiling with a smile Jane had never seen him smile before.

Jane snapped up and awoke from her sleep. "What was that?" she wondered before falling back to sleep. By the next morning, Jane would have forgotten the dream.

"You all right, Jane?" Robert asked Jane as they ate breakfast.

"Yeah, just a rough night sleep," Jane said, "I wish I could remember what the dreams were about." Jane looked around. "So, want to get working on Solon's essay?" she asked Robert after a quick yawn.

"Might as well," Robert said, "Work in the common room then?"

"Fine with me," Jane said, "Too cold outside now." Robert nodded in agreement. The previous night was accompanied by a bitter frost over the grounds. Grey clouds showed on the ceiling as the pair got up and walked back to the common room.

"E Pluribus Unum," Robert said to the wall guarding the common room. It moved aside quickly, and Jane and Robert entered. For a moment, Jane's eyes wandered and they came across the bulletin board in the corner. There was a new notice that wasn't there before. Jane wandered over as Robert went to get his books.

Jane became much more awake upon realizing this was info on what tomorrow night's event was going to be. "'Attention students'," Jane said as she read the paper, "'It has been decided that there will be a dance tomorrow night. However, it is only for students in their third year and above. Only if a second or first year is invited as the date of an older year, may they come. Those not attending will have their dinner in their common room. Have a nice day, Professor Flitwick, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.'" Jane reread the second to last sentence. "That sucks," she concluded.

"What does?" Robert asked, arriving at her side.

"There is a dance, but we can't go unless someone invites us," Jane said, turning around, hiding her displeasure under a smile.

"You're right, it does," Robert said, "Still want to work on this?"

"Yeah," Jane said. The essay work went slow, due mainly to Jane's mind wandering from disappointment. Eventually, they were done and both stretched their arms.

"Well that essay was fun," Robert said.

"Yeah," Jane said, turning to pop her back when she saw Scorpius enter the common room alone. "Be right back," Jane said before getting up and leaving. Robert saw where she was heading and shook his head. Jane walked slowly over to Scorpius. Her heart was racing fast. "Hey Scorpius," Jane said, smiling.

"Oh, hey Jane," Scorpius said, smiling, "Sorry to hear you're not allowed to come to the dance."

"Yeah," Jane agreed, "So, why are you smiling? Got a date for it?" "Please God, say no," Jane thought behind her smile.

"Actually I do," Scorpius said. Janes's eyes opened in momentary shock, and kept her smile fixed on her face.

"Really? Who might that be?" Jane asked kindly.

"A Ravenclaw girl I've liked for a while," Scorpius said, "I just got the courage to ask her."

"That's great," Jane said, her inner mind was wanted for her to run away, but she still stayed next to Scorpius.

"Thanks," Scorpius said, "You know, you inspired me to try."

"Oh, and how could I of done that?" Jane asked, "I'm just a first year."

"You're a muggle-born who fought against a lot of insults prejudices your first weeks here. Because of that I thought, 'Come on, if she can survive here then you can go ask a girl out.' So, thank Jane for your help."

"You are quite welcome," Jane said, still smiling and Scorpius still ignorant of the inner pain Jane was going through, "I hope you have a nice evening." With that Jane walked away, slowly and using a great deal of control over her body. Only Robert saw through this ruse. He gave a heavy sigh and packed up their bags. He intercepted Jane as she was walking to her dormitory.

"Come on, we should finish up Meriwether's essay in the Library," Robert said, before whispering, "Alice and Darcy just went in there. I doubt you want them to see you like this." Jane looked in Robert's eyes, closing hers and with a deep sigh.

"You're right, they won't get done on its own," Jane said, smiling. With that, she turned and walked out of the common room. Robert followed her curtly, but not without looking at Scorpius.

"Cunning dunces, the both of them," Robert thought as he left the common room.

Once they left the common room, Robert took the lead and led Jane to an empty Potions' classroom. Jane sat down on a desk.

"God, I'm such a fool" Jane said, "Doing what I just did."

"Yes, yes you are," Robert replied, looking down.

"You're supposed to console me after what just happened," Jane said.

"Really?" Robert asked, "Well, you did act like a fool for not seeing him never looking at you the way you look at him and he's a fool for not realizing your intentions for that talk. So, I think I'll help by letting you beat up on your self."

"What a true friend," Jane said sarcastically.

"Would you rather I make fun of you about this?" Robert asked.

"No, I'd jinx you if you did," Jane said.

"Then I'm being your friend," Robert said, "So, it looked like you received the let down pretty early on. What happened?"

"Oh, well he does have someone he's taking. She's in Ravenclaw and get this: I helped him work up the courage to ask her out!" Jane exclaimed, laughing a bit, "How pathetic is that?" Robert looked at Jane and shook his head.

"You are far from pathetic," Robert said, "You came into this house and stood on your own. You make try make friends with everyone and that takes courage. That courage can inspire others to do things they wouldn't have done before."

"That sounds more like a Gryffindor than a Slytherin," Jane commented, still depressed.

"Yes, but you are also extremely cunning and can be very ruthless to your enemies," Robert said, "You know the rules and know how to bend them. You also know when to throw them out all together. That type of intelligence is pure Slytherin. And so what if Scorpius doesn't see you in a romantic way? There are other possibilities. I mean, you are just eleven. No need to hurry." Jane looked at Robert and stood up.

"Thanks Robert," Jane said before hugging him, "You are a really good friend." Her head pressed against his chest and he reciprocated the hug. His cheeks slowly reddening. Jane broke off the hug, and looked Robert in the eyes. "One day you'll make a girl really happy with those words of yours, I know it," Jane said, turning to leave, "Let's get library to do some of that essay anyway."

"And in the end, you can be such a dunce," Robert muttered, as he followed in Jane's wake, smiling.

End Note:

So, I hoped you liked this chapter. It was fun writing it as I could easily draw on personal experience for Jane's let down. Once again, have a nice day. My only promise as to when the next chapter will be out is it will happen after the release of Deathly Hallows.