Neville Longbottom and the Chamber of Secrets

Chapter 14: Valentine's Day

Hermione returned to the Common Room early the next week, and was bombarded by questions. She refused to answer any of them, and quickly got tired of saying, "None of your business."

Lockhart was announcing to all of his classes that he had stopped the monster from attacking, and claimed as proof that there had been no attacks since November. Neville wasn't sure how many believed him, but if the attacks were over it had nothing to do with Lockhart. If anything it was the guard that Dumbledore had patrolling the Second Floor corridor. It wasn't very noticeable, but after what Dumbledore said Neville was looking for something.

There was only one guard at a time, but Neville knew there was at least one man and one woman taking turns. They usually sat in an alcove behind a suit of armor at one end, or else behind a tapestry that concealed some stairs to the First Floor at the other end. Neville had been walking by there a lot to see if Harry, Ron and Hermione were still using Myrtle's bathroom, and he sometimes saw a guard walking along the corridor or just ducking behind the tapestry or armor.

Along with his boasting about the Monster, Lockhart was also announcing what he called a "morale booster". He declared that Saturday and Sunday would both be observed for Valentine's Day, and he could be contacted to have a Valentine delivered to your "special someone".

Neville felt like this was a great opportunity to thank Luna for standing by him through everything, but he didn't want to give her the wrong impression. After Lockhart's class on Wednesday, Neville stayed behind to speak with him. Before he could say anything, Lockhart was already eager to do most of the talking.

"Ah, Neville," he said as though this was expected, "You don't need to apologize for not taking my advice. I'm just sorry that it caused you such poor luck."

"What do you mean, what advice?" Neville had no clue what he was talking about.

"You remember, I warned you about trying to chase after too much fame at such a young age, and –"

"That's not why I stayed after Professor –"

"Well then," Lockhart interrupted with a gleaming smile, "no thanks is necessary for helping with your debacle. It was the least I could do as your mentor."

"What . . . what are you talking about?" Neville almost lost track of what he was doing there.

"You see," Lockhart said with a sweep of his robes, "by stopping the Monster attacks, I have given you a chance to restore your reputation with minimal damage."

"Um . . . I just came to ask about a Valentine for someone."

"Well, of course you did!" Lockhart sauntered back to his desk and retrieved a quill and parchment. "Now then, who is it for, and what would you like to say?"

"It . . . it's for Luna Lovegood, she's a First-year Hufflepuff."

"Splendid girl, very cute" he interjected. "I have seen the two of you together between classes."

"Yeah, we're best friends and –"

"And you would like to be something more!" 

Neville was beginning to think this was a mistake.  "No, not at all. I just want the note to say, 'Thank you for being my friend' and that's all."

"Nonsense, my boy." Lockhart put the quill down and drummed his fingers together as though considering a delicious meal. "A note is far too maudlin for such expressions - you leave it to me. I will make sure it's special, and there will be no extra charge."

"What do you mean by extra charge?" Neville was now positive he had made a mistake. "I just want to send a note . . . nevermind, I . . . I can write her a note myself."