Valentine's Day at Hogwarts

Part 2

"Wotcher, Charlie!" 

Charlie looked up from Professor Kettleburn's notes on his latest essay to see Tonks bouncing towards him, her pink hair flying back in her haste. "Hullo, Tonks," he said cheerily. "What're you up to?"

"I'm here to give you the opportunity to partake in a secret mission," she said as she caught up to him.

He smiled. "Cool. What have we got to do?"

"Find Sarah a Valentine's Day date."

Charlie's smile fell instantly. "Oh no," he groaned.

"Oh yes," said Tonks. "Sarah told me herself she's been stressed lately. She needs a break. What could be a more perfect way to forget all her troubles than a romantic date with her one true love?" Charlie didn't know whether to laugh or groan. Tonks wasn't a very girly girl, but she did have a tendency to be overdramatic and she was a bit of a romantic. "Besides, I've been looking for a way to make it up to her ever since we, you know, kind of ruined her last date."

"I hope by 'we' you mean you," said Charlie. "I wanted nothing to do with it, if you'll remember. And still don't."

"Let's not go placing blame,"said Tonks hurriedly. "The point is, Sarah does a lot for her friends and this is the least we can do in return."

"What, meddle in her private business? Again?" They had stopped short of the door to the Charms classroom. "Well, I've got class. Nice chatting with you." He turned, but Tonks grabbed him by the arm.

"We're not meddling, we're just going to encourage. Lightly. Rowan says someone in our immediate friend group has a crush on Sarah. We're just going to ask them if they want to ask her out. You know how oblivious Sarah is when it comes to that stuff, she'll never realize it on her own. And," she said, unable to restrain a wicked grin. She was playing her strongest card. "If Sarah gets a hot date, she'll probably be in a good mood. And you know what they say, happy chasers are high scoring chasers."

Charlie rolled his eyes. "They do not say that."

"Well they should. You know that if Sarah is happy and less stressed, the better she'll probably play in the big Ravenclaw match coming up."

She had a point. Not much of one, but still. He knew she wouldn't leave him alone until he agreed, and he was about to be late for Charms. "Alright fine, I'll help you." Tonks's grin widened and she dropped his arm.

"But were just suggesting the Valentine's Day date and nothing more," he said. "Not sneaking on the date or creating a date...or anything else."

"Agreed," said Tonks.

"So which of our friends fancies Sarah?" he asked.

"Well, I wasn't sure, but Rowan seemed to know who it was last time it came up so I asked her."

"And?"

"Turns out she had no idea." Charlie clapped his hand to his forehead.

"Tonks..."

"Rowan knew that it was definitely either Talbott or Andre,"she added quickly. "So we just have to ask both of them. Oh, and also Penny, Barnaby, and Merula."

"What?" The bell rang.

"Better hurry, you're late for Charms," she said as she hurried off. "I'll meet you at lunch to go over our plan!"

Charlie stared after her. "Are you planning on joining us, Mr. Weasly?" came a small, rather squeaky voice from the open doorway.

"Yes, sorry Professor Flitwick," he said as he crossed the threshold. Then, under his breath, "I already regret this."