Disclaimer – All of the characters belong to J.K. Rowling and are a product of her wonderful imagination and creativity. Well except for Jaden – she's a product of my imagination and limited creativity.

This Brilliant Dance

"I can't believe that it's October already!" Jaden said walking down to breakfast with Harry, Hermione and Ron. She had become close friends with them in the month that she'd been at school. It had become apparent to everyone that the trio had now become a quartet. Ron and Harry didn't seem to mind it, but Hermione didn't seem to be adjusting as well as the boys. She wasn't used to competing with another girl for the boy's attention.

"It feels like yesterday that we just stepped off the train," Hermione said pushing open the doors to the Great Hall.

"Well school started up right away. Snape showed no mercy in potions. He gave us an assignment the first day!" Ron said shaking his head at the memory.

"Well Ron it is our seventh year. He wants us to be prepared for our NEWTS," Hermione said.

"I can't believe that you are defending him," Ron said sitting down.

"I know that I haven't been here that long, but he doesn't seem that bad," Jaden said helping herself to some pancakes.

"That's because he likes you. I don't know how you managed it, but you are the only Gryffindor that he actually likes. Now that you are partners with Neville he doesn't pick on him as much." Harry said laughing at his friend's fear of Professor Snape.

"You should be my partner. I'm his new target in that class," Ron said full of disgust.

"Ron you are over exaggerating, but I'll be your partner if you really need or want one." Hermione said biting her bottom lip and looking up at him through her lashes as she asked him. Ginny, who was sitting a couple people down, watched her and just shook her head. She sensed that trouble was coming.

"That's ok 'Mione. I think that I can stick it out. If I need help I'll come to you though," Ron said taking a big bite of toast and smiling at her.

"Ok, just let me know." Hermione said obviously disappointed turning back to her breakfast. The remainder of breakfast was spent in silence. Dumbledore rising to his feet caught everyone's attention however.

"Students may I have your attention please," he said and everyone quieted down. "You have successfully completed your first month of this school year, congratulations." He paused for some applause. "However, that does not mean that you should start to slack in your studies. The following months are very important in your education, especially to all you seventh years. It may seem far off now, but your NEWTS will be here before you know it. Anyhow, with that said, I do believe that a little bit of a celebration is in order. As we all know the end of this month is Hallowe'en and to celebrate I believe that it is only appropriate to have a Hallowe'en Ball. Everyone in fourth year and above is welcome to attend. It will take place on the thirty first of this month. I have discussed it briefly with Mr. Malfoy and Miss. Granger and we feel that it would be fun to have a muggle costume party. So you will have the month to create, or buy since you do have a trip to Hogsmeade coming up, appropriate costumes for the dance. That is all for now. Good day everyone!" Dumbledore said as he sat down and everyone clapped.

"Oh this is wicked!" Ginny said excitedly. "It's been awhile since we've had a dance! I can't wait."

"Me neither!" Hermione said getting up and grabbing her bag. Harry and Ron shot each other nervous glances remembering the last time that they had a dance and how humiliating it was for them. The pair of boys followed Hermione and Jaden out of the Great Hall.

"So Hermione you and Draco are planning the dance?" Jaden asked as they made their way to the Defense against the Dark Arts classroom.

"That we are. It should be really good. I just have to get Dumbledore to agree to let me play Muggle music."

"That might be a challenge," Harry said holding open the classroom door for them.

"It shouldn't be. It's a muggle costume party, it's only fitting that muggle music be played."

"Well it makes sense to me," Jaden said sitting down, just as Professor Lupin walked in. Dumbledore had convinced him to come back the previous year, assuring him and the parents of the students that the students would be perfectly safe. Everyone was glad that he was back, especially Harry, since he was really the only family that he had left. Before Sirius died he had asked Lupin to take care of Harry for him if anything should happen to him.

"Quiet down please," Lupin said as he stood at the front of the class. "I know that you are all excited about the dance, but must I remind you that it is a month away and you are going to have to concentrate on your studies. Unfortunately it is not going to get any easier as you go along. There is a lot of work to be done to prepare you for your NEWTS." The class groaned.

"Way to be a buzz kill," Ron groaned putting his hands over his face.

"I'm sorry to be a "buzz kill" but it's true. Now on that note, please open your text books to page 134. I know that some of you," Lupin said pausing to look at Harry "have had experience in this topic, but it's something that all seventh years must cover. Today we are starting our study of Dementors." Ron and Hermione looked at Harry who was trying to hide his smile. He was quite confident that he would do well in this subject.

"Figures," Ron said with a laugh. "Well I guess I know who I'm going to if I need help in this subject." With that Ron started to copy the notes that Professor Lupin had started to put up on the board.

The day passed quickly with Transfiguration and Dividnation after lunch. Walking through the hallway towards the library Jaden couldn't help but overhear numerous conversations about the Dance. Most of them were from giggly girls who were hoping that their crushes would ask them. Jaden laughed, but sympathized with them. She secretly was hoping that a certain red headed boy would ask her. She also knew that the chances of that happening were slim. She knew that a lot of girls had their eyes on Ron Weasley, so he had his choice of who he would ask and Jaden's guess was that Hermione topped his list.

It was obvious to Jaden that Ron and Hermione shared a special bond, but she couldn't figure out exactly what that bond was. She knew that they were best friends, along with Harry, but for some reason there seemed to be something other than that there. Jaden was certain that Hermione cared for Ron as more than just a friend, but she wasn't so sure that Ron returned her feelings to the same degree. The only thing she knew for sure was the time would tell what exactly was happening, or what had happened, between Ron and Hermione and who Ron would ask to the dance.

Title Song – This Brilliant Dance by Dashboard Confessional