Under a Spell... - Book 2

Valentine's Day

I had helped Gilderoy prep everything for Valentine's Day due to me showing him my floating hearts and glitter spell. I couldn't wait for the next day! The valentine cupids or in this case - dwarves dressed with golden wings carrying love heart bows sending love messages to other people. Mail was like usual through the owls. I couldn't wait to see who received what? I took my normal place at the top table wondering if Harry would receive anything. All the students flocked in; none the wiser thinking it was just decorations. After everyone had been seated, Gilderoy sashayed in front of the teacher's table to announce "Happy Valentine's Day" Gilderoy shouted. "And may I thank the forty-six people who have so far sent me cards! Yes, I have taken the liberty of arranging this little surprise for you all - and it doesn't end here!"

Gilderoy clapped his hands and through the Great Hall doors came the dwarves - wearing not only golden wings but carrying harps as well.

"My friendly, card-carrying cupids!" beamed Lockhart. "They will be roving round the school today delivering your Valentines! And the fun doesn't stop here! I'm sure my colleagues will want to enter into the spirit of the occasion! Why not ask Professor Snape to show you how to whip up a love potion! And while you're at it, Professor Flitwick knows more about Entrancing Enchantments than any wizard I've ever met, the sly old dog!" Professor Flitwick buried his face in his hands. Severus was looking as though the first person to ask him for a love potion would be force-fed poison.

The first one that was sent through them was from Albus to Minerva. The dwarves warbled up to Minerva in their get-ups and sang rather badly.

You transform into a cat,
Which makes my hat clap
For you are a friend
And a tremendous help
When I'm ever in doubt
So here's to you
The Catty Cat Cat.

Minerva smiled and nodded at Albus who in turn raised his decorated goblet.

"Severus - lighten up! It's Valentine's Day." I nudged him with my elbow as he sat there, silent and stoned faced. "Why should I? This hall is ludicrous. All these decorations especially the confetti that keeps falling down." He didn't notice my face fall as he continued speaking. I slowly got out of my seat muttered "I'm not hungry" And fled the Hall - utterly humiliated and saddened.

Severus' P.O.V
I blocked out most of Lockhart's babble until I heard my name mentioned "Snape to show you how to whip up a love potion" The first person who would ask me would die - slowly and painfully. I felt Rose knock my side "Severus - lighten up! It's Valentine's Day." Lockhart was doing my head in parading around on the floor to the students. "Why should I? This hall is ludicrous. All the decorations especially the confetti that keeps falling down." I burst out rudely. I didn't notice Rose leaving the Hall until she was near Lockhart and pulled to a stop by him. "And now please put together your hands for my co-designer of all these magnificent decorations; Professor Ocwall." She did a little wave and rushed out of the hall as fast as possible. I was an idiot. Lockhart wouldn't be able to do all this by himself. Rose was a key factor in today.

Rose had managed to avoid me all day which was rather easy as I had stayed in my classroom for lunch.

Rose's P.O.V
I decided to stay in History today as I didn't have any lessons and as Binns was a ghost hopefully he wouldn't let the card-carrying cupids come in regularly. Not one interruption through two lessons. A sigh of relief washed over me.

Severus' P.O.V
When it came to the Second Year Class I was teaching I had them distinguishing all the known ingredients of a babbling beverage potion. I was trying my hardest to think of some way to apologise to Rose. "Dismissed. I want the finished scrolls on my desk next lesson." I waited for them all to leave however Ms. Granger stayed standing before my desk. I ignored her for a few minutes as I wrote a note hoping she would be gone when I looked up again. She was still there. "Yes, Ms. Granger?" I asked, irritated. "Sir it's just Rose looked rather upset and if you're planning to apologise - do it in person. However as it is Valentine's Day, you could always send her something - chocolates or flowers. But anonymously!" She lectured. "Ms. Granger, you need not lecture a teacher, five points from Gryffindor and you must call Rose; Professor Ocwall." Granger smiled and left the classroom. I thought over what she mentioned.

Rose's P.O.V
Fred and George joined me in History as they had just escaped from Argus Filch once again. We all sat at the back, lounging on the seats until three dwarves banged their way through the door.

"Messages for Katie Bell, Cho Chang and Rose Ocwall." Katie and Cho both went to the front of the classroom to get their Valentine presents. I stayed sitting and laughed at some of the lines in their poems as they were read aloud. I was doubled over laughing as was most people in the room. I didn't notice as George signalled to the last dwarf to come over towards us and pointed at me. I straightened up and watched horrified as the dwarf called over.

"Roses are red,
Violets are blue
You're a good friend
Which makes us all love you."

He grumpily stated as he didn't get a fun one to say. He got really close to me and shoved a box of chocolates into my hands. "Do you have a reply?" He wondered. I nodded. I leaned close to his ear. "For Hermione Granger -

You may know me
I do know you
Learning, reading
Gaining knowledge"

I conjured up a box of chocolates that were in my quarters and gave them to the dwarf in front of me. They started to move out of the classroom before an additional dwarf showed up in the doorway. "Rose Ocwall" He gasped. I stuck my hand up into the air hoping to get this over with as soon as possible. He gestured to someone outside before coming up to me. He dropped a card onto my lap. I gingerly picked it up and read:

Love lost and taken away
But celebrated every year
To remember those few
Who will remain in our hearts
Forever

Have a happy Valentine's Day!

I glanced up to look at the dwarf or the invisible dwarf as he was hidden under a dozen of calla lilies and roses each. Twenty four in total. Who knew though? I hastily removed them from the dwarf's person as I teared up at the bouquet. I leaned down towards the dwarf and muttered "There's no way you can tell me, is there?" He shook his head. I slumped back in my seat. "Thought not" I whispered gently.

The others around me had no idea what these types of flowers meant to me. I was in an emotional state...

The rest of the day was a giant blur up until the feast where Severus publicly apologised to me, well as public as he would ever allow it to be. Only about seven people witnessed his apology but for him that was a huge achievement. I knew that Severus would threaten everyone present when he apologised probably with detentions.

After the feast, I still couldn't figure out who had sent me that Valentine's present but I soon settled on the fact it must have been Albus. By the time I was ready to go to sleep, it was only eleven. As I tossed and turned I knew I wouldn't be able to get some sleep yet. I got up, tied up my dressing gown and crept out of my quarters. I wandered around the school avoiding the patrols and headed towards the Great Hall - I looked around wondering where to venture next when the side corridor beckoned to me. I drifted down the end and down a staircase admiring the paintings as I went with my lighted wand doing my best not to disturb anyone from their sleep.