Oh good... so he knew she was terrible? Obviously she was here for lessons, because she needed them. BADLY... But he would be safe, especially with Brookes here, handy that really. She gave the Groundskeeper a smile.

Seren stood, and waited till the students organised themselves into pairs and groups. She could feel the butterflies in her stomach. Eeeep!

But it would be fun, and a good laugh, so it was worth a little humiliation.

Ah well, so she did have some dance experience. Well then things were going to go much more smoothly in that case. "You're from Cali? I am as well, well Los Angeles to be exact. I actually transferred from a school there a couple terms ago." Small world huh, Matt met someone else who was actually not only from the US but also had at least lived in the same state as he was born and raised. He noticed that she had been wearing a dress and considered the idea that he should have been wearing something a little more formal but his Slytherin robes were just fine for now. "Of course, had I known this would have been a waltz.. I would have worn a suit but this is fine the way it is." In his mind, there wasn't a need to change; he would wear a suit another time.

Salander was actually not far from the Gazebo, milling about pretending to be patrolling when in truth he was partly listening to the dance lessons. He wasnt bad on his feet-- he's had his share of practices with Lexi and from way back, his mother led by his father's orchestrating. But that doesnt mean it makes the Head Boy any more comfortable with the whole traditional dances. Truthfully his signature style was an odd combination of the Running Man and the Funky Chicken Dance.

But now there was a lot of movement in the Gazebo and he can plainly hear how some of the girls are in need of a partner. Steeling his nerves he walked into the Gazebo just in time to hear a fellow Slytherin say that she didnt have a partner. "I'll partner with you." he smiled as he held out his hand to shake hers "I'm Salander." just in case she didnt know heh.

It was uncertain to her whether it was Treyen or the situation that was so amusing. But Ellie couldn't stop smiling and found him particularly comical at the moment. "You were twelve. It probably was something much, MUCH simpler."

What he'd said next was purely ironic. She remembered most everything from that day quite well, and Ellie hardly remembered anything. Like she had no idea what she got for Christmas last year. But she shrugged. "It doesn't matter. We were merely two kids in need of a dance partner back then." Which made her wonder the fate for all the little ones finding partners now.

And there was that stupid rule about snogging in class, wasn't there? True, Ellie felt threatened of getting in trouble by neither Stryker, Bentley, Magnus nor that woman she didn't recognize, but still...classroom...Prefect...inappropriate. She went with a simple reply instead. "'M glad you did, too."

She suppressed a giggle as the boy looked around for who had spoken. The guy was really tall so it was no wonder he didn't spot her at frist. "Hullo I'm Harlow," she gave him a curtsy. "Don't be nervous." she told him grabbing his hand so they could dance together. "What's your name?" she asked him.

Still somewhat uncertain, Brooklyn glanced about for a familiar face. Sure, she didn't want to be here, but she had to be and she'd rather dance than visit the owlry so.. maybe this wouldn't be as bad? Or.. maybe it'd be just as terrifying.

So.. now the professor was suggesting.. groups of three? WHAT A GREAT IDEA! Then there'd be less time for Brooke to embarrass herself and step on people's toes! YAAAAY! She liked this professor already.

But now.. she just needed a group or.. lone boy to partner with. Hmmmmmmmmm.

Charner blinked and looked around. Suddenly Bean-Bag-Boy wasn't about anymore and she was left on the cushion all alone. Wide eyes glanced about as she watched each person get paired up. Maybe she could just sit on the sidelines and watch. Take notes. Something. Not that she liked either of those ideas, but the bean bag was comfortable.

Hesitantly, Charner put her hand up. "I...don't have a partner yet, Sir." Gulp.

Isabelle sighed. Pair up with a group of three. She really was in no mood to do that. It just would seem awkward. Looking around she saw the Head Boy walk into the gazebo. Be her partner. Isabelle jumped for joy inside her body. Now she wouldn't have to be a weird threesome. That was unless Salander invited someone to join them. But she wouldn't mind.

Isabelle grasped Salander's hand and shook it. "Thank you," she said with a smile as he introduced himself. "You think I wouldn't know my own house prefect and head boy." Isabelle laughed. "I am Isabelle.

"Of course" the snake grinned, "The more the merrier. I'm Eris by the way" she introduced herself holding out a hand.

As Paulie waited for the groundskeeper to start the lesson, he looked around at the other students. Brookie?! She obviously must have just arrived 'cause she didn't have a partner yet, and that was definitely not going to last long. Stryker went on to say that the pairings could take on another dancer, and Paulie turned to Mackenzi. "Do you think you'd mind if my friend joined us as a group of three..?" He really didn't want to slight Mackenzi at all; Paulie just hoped that she wouldn't mind adding one more.

"Brookie!" He called over, waving his arm so she'd come over to them.

Salander laughed in turn "Well I wasnt sure if you all know me by name... " he kinda forgot to introduce himself at the Slytherin meeting. See they werent the only ones distracted by the awesome food "Pleased to meet you Isabelle" he replied shaking her hand in return. He looked at Mr Stryker, the other Professors and leaned in slightly so only his fellow Slytherin can hear "Uhm... I was only half listening earlier.... but what do you think they want us to do?"

The teen nodded and gulped at the same time. How could he not be nervous? He's never danced before, but Harlow was right, no need to be nervous...right? When she took hold of his hand Kennedy he grinned. It was like a brother-sisterly gesture he's seen in movies. Except they were just classmates.

"Hey Harlow, I'm Kennedy," he said, pushing his glasses back on his nose. "I'm not much of a dancer, by the way," he grimaced. Who knew dancing was going to come in handy at Hogwarts.

Maybelle nodded. "Yeah, I was in L.A. too!" She said. Wow, that was weird, she wondered why they never ran into each other, but then again, L.A. was a big city. There was bound to be more than one wizarding school. "I moved here before my fourth year, so a couple terms as well!" Wow, they really had a lot in common besides her being a Badger and him being a Snake. Maybelle shrugged, "Eh, we can't all wear fancy clothes." She laughed.

Isabelle smiled. "Well I actually pay attention to somethings like where it says who the Head Boy and Girl are," she said with a little smirk. What do they want us to do? Hmm, well Isa wasn't quite sure. "I am assuming we are supposed to be taught how to dance. But if we were told I must have blanked out." Yeah that would probably happen.

Whoa. That was definitely a major coincidence. Meeting someone who had been in Los Angeles the same time as he was. Matt chuckled slightly at that thought since he never thought something like this would have ever happened. "I moved here for my fourth year, my parents and my brother are still back home so I end up going back to there over the summer and the holidays. You ever been to Venice Beach?" He was curious exactly where she had spent her time since he felt the need to know that information for some strange reason. "Exactly. There's nothing wrong with the house robes anyway." At least in his mind, since he figured they were much more formal than the muggle clothing he had worn whenever there wasn't classes.

o_O Practice?

"Um. Professor? I don't have a partner.." This was embarrassing. Oh, no. She was so looking forward to the practical lesson but now..she didn't have anyone to dance with. The girl ran a hand through her hair and sighed.

Nora looked around almost terrified to see as everyone got a partner, either at random, either because they already knew each other. As for herself... nothing. She only stood there at one side, scanning the area for any lonely guy. When she finally gave up doing that, she decided to approach Mr Stryker. Maybe he'll help.

"Sir, I still don't have a partner." Help? Pretty please?

Marilyn was biting her lip, trying to figure out the best way to escape the class. She could just walk out...Inching towards the opening of the Gazebo, someone made their presence known behind her.

The voice was deep, earthy, and rich...

Rafe...

She turned and took in his appearance...He'd magicked his clothing, now wearing a lovely navy-colored suit. Well, he was someone to dance with...It was dangerous, though...

Not really seeing an out, the blonde sighed. Taking the wand from her sleeve, she magicked her own clothes. It wasn't dressy, because she wanted to be comfortable...since the situation would be awkward enough.

"I guess..."

Harlow smiled up at him, "That's a nice name for a boy. Kennedy." she repeated his name. "It's ok I'm not either. I just went to class with my sister." she explained.

She felt his hand relax in her grip. That was a good sign. "You're super tall you know that," she commented as they waited for the lesson to begin.

Twelve. He smirked. How exactly did he manage to ask a girl for a dance at the age of twelve but was completely freaked out when it came to asking a girl out at the age of fifteen? He was sixteen now, so, none of it mattered anymore. It was just...a rather interesting fact.

Maybe Conan will be following that path and won't be asking out ANY girl until he's fifteen, yeah? Doubtfully.

"It seems like forever ago," he finally said, his eyes focusing on her and her alone. Perhaps Chad will have to single him out so he'll pay attention, otherwise there'll be one Prefect that wouldn't begin with the dancing as everyone did.

He smiled, and shook his head, "Not much has changed, then, if we're still in need of a dance partner, right?" a wink went her way. It was rather obvious a LOT had changed between them, but at the moment...they only needed to find someone to dance with...whenever Mr. Stryker instructed.

But since Stryker was far too busy with Bentley, then he wouldn't have noticed the quick kiss on the cheek he gave Ellie, right? It was super, super quick, and he knew he shouldn't have, but it was unavoidable. Magnus wouldn't do anything about it either. Right? Right? Right. Treyen smiled, and pretended to be waiting for instructions.

He was definitly the cheerful type.

"No problem. I'm glad you asked me." Did that sound weird?

Mackenzi glanced around again, and watched as a ton of girls scrambled to find boys that didn't have a partner yet. Boy did she feel super lucky right now. She turned back to Paulie. "Kenzi's fine. And its cool," she said giggling a little. "ballroom dancing isnt my thing either. I apolgoze in advance if I step on your foot and break something."

Pairing time..this wasn't good. Looking around at the boys Nessie stood waiting for a boy or somone to come up to her. This was hopefully not going to be akward she just hoped someone nice would choose her. Starting to get really nervous she began biting her nails. She could see most of the boys looked a little freaked out and if one wouldn't partner up with her soon she'd go up to one of them herself. "Partners anyone?". She called hoping it might help.

She continued biting her nails getting more and more nervous. She didn't really know any guys too well besides for Tyler but he wasn't there. She was a pretty good dancer and she used to do a lot of dancing at home.

And just what did he have to be smirking for? Was he thinking he was pretty suave for a twelve-year-old? Heh. Because Ellie'd agree. From what she could recall.

Mmmm. It did, didn't it? She nodded. "Doesn't it?" That was her first term. FIRST. And now she was old and a FIFTH year. Weird.

Now Ellie smirked. "I disagree..." She took his other hand in hers. "I'm pretty sure you're already taken." He was her first choice as partner. She had dibs.

Oh. Hey. No fair. He could kiss her?

...He could, couldn't he? No one would say anything? Ellie didn't take her eyes off of him to check if a Professor saw or not, though. Nope.

Meh. Waltz history stuff. Blahblahblah. Ellie just wanted to dance. Which was weird, because she was absolutely terrible. It was probably dangerous to dance with her. Treyen Lockhart could probably testify to that, considering she had sent both of them tumbling to the floor.

Ellie snapped back from her dancing memory when she heard Dallin's voice. Partner? Right. Ellie grinned. "Yes!" She told him rather enthusiastically. "Although I must warn you... I'm a terrible dancer. Like, dangerous." So now he couldn't say that he wasn't prepared.

Hugo looked around nervously. No Fee. Hm, she was never present at anything like this. Ugh, bummer. But he needed to dance, he couldn't just sit down. Somewhere there was a nice girl who seemed to be alone. He'd never asked a girl to dance before... Except Fee... And she wasn't here. He awkwardly walked up to her and cleared his throat softly. He was a bit shy when it came to other girls. "Uhm- hi. Would you like to pair up?" he asked the girl. You know, since there was noone else and stuff. Yeah. He wasn't a terrible dancer, Hugo. He'd done little dances before but nothing long and complicated and boring or anything.