My One and Only

Chapter 18 - Year 2

THE MINUTE MAIA STEPPED INTO THE GREAT HALL ON THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY THE 14TH, she faltered. The usually plain walls were covered with large pink flowers that were so bright they made her eyes water. Rather than the normal candles that floated above the four house tables, pink heart-shaped confetti rained down on the students, soiling their breakfast.

Most of the girls, including Hermione, Maia was quick to notice, looked positively giddy, though Maia wasn't sure if that was due to the fact that it was Valentine's Day, or the fact that Lockhart was clad in bright pink robes to match the decorations.

"I knew I should've stayed in bed." Maia groaned, falling onto the bench beside Fred and propping her chin up with her hand. George snickered at her and plucked a few soggy hearts out of his pumpkin juice, before taking a swig.

"Come on, M. Where's your holiday spirit?"

Maia didn't get a chance to answer, as Lockhart had stood and clapped his hands together twice.

"Happy Valentine's Day!" he declared, and Maia shuddered as her skin began to crawl. She had no issues with love, or Valentine's Day, but this was just too much. "I would like to thank the forty-six people who have sent me cards so far! Now, don't worry, my pupils. I have arranged a little surprise for you all, in light of the holiday!" Clapping his hands once more, the doors swung open and a dozen foul faced dwarfs marched in, fake golden wings strung to their backs and tiny harps clutched in their meaty fingers.

"You've got to be kidding me." Maia muttered, her jaw slack in disbelief as the entire hall stared at the dwarves shocked silence.

"My own personal cupids!" Lockhart exclaimed, his pearly white teeth seeming even more irritatingly bright against the pink of his robes. "They will spend the day delivering your valentines to the ones you love!"

Maia was sure if this was one of the cartoons Dudley often watched, Lockhart would have hearts in his eyes instead of pupils. She scoffed under her breath and turned away from him, dropping her head onto the table with a groan.

"Is it too late to go back to bed?"

"I'll ditch if you ditch." Lee Jordan said, and George raised an eyebrow at him.

"And miss all the fun?" George shook his head in mock disappointment as Lee shrugged, and continued. "Come on Lee, I thought you'd be the first in line to send one of those dwarf valentines."

Lee snorted into his goblet. "Who would I send a valentine to?"

Maia felt the smirk forming before her brain registered it, and she waggled her eyebrows. "Alicia is looking rather pretty today, isn't she, Lee?"

Lee's face flamed and he shot Maia a sharp glare, glancing down the table where the Gryffindor Chaser sat, completely oblivious to the conversation she'd just been dragged into.

"Oi." He hissed, his face reddening even further as the twins and Maia began to laugh. "Yell it to the whole school, why don't you?"

"Well I for one, am definitely sending a letter to dear sweet Ronnikins." George flashed a devilish smirk in the direction of his younger brother, who was looking around the room with a sickened expression.

"Never mind, Maia." Lee cackled, eyes twinkling. "I'm not skipping with you anymore."

Maia rolled her eyes and kicked George gently under the table, though she couldn't quite find the words to scold him around her giggles. Fingers brushed the soft skin behind her ear and she jumped, turning to stare wide eyed at Fred. The redhead froze, his hand still in her hair, and flushed.

"You've got a heart." He said sheepishly, pulling a confetti heart from Maia's hair. She was certain her hair could give Lockhart a run for his money as the most spirited one in the room, and she resisted the urge to fan her face.