Valentine's Day at Hogwarts

Part 4

I've never seen you looking so happy after a potions class, Sarah," said Penny as she joined Sarah and her mates at a table in the library. "Are my teachings finally rubbing off on you?" She set her book bag on the floor and Sarah came out of her daze, the smile falling from her face.

"Oh, um yes, my potions grade is good as it's ever been, thanks to you," she flashed a smile at Penny, who beamed at the compliment. "But I was just thinking about something that happened earlier today."

"What was it?"

"Oh, um, Tonks spilled pumpkin juice all over Charlie at lunch. It was pretty funny."

Actually, she'd been thinking about Barnaby finally succeeding at transforming his owl into a pair of opera glasses. He had almost given up in frustration, and Sarah had gotten one of those rare glimpses into his insecurities about being slower than most of his classmates that she hated seeing. She had squeezed his hand, told him not to worry about anything else but his owl, and he promised he'd give it one last try. His brow had been furrowed and his tongue stuck out in concentration, and his owl vanished. The opera glasses were decidedly plain, but he had done it. In his joy and excitement, he had hugged her tightly, lifting her off her feet and spinning her around. Her head felt like she was still spinning.

She wasn't sure why she didn't tell Penny the truth, but she knew that her friends would probably read too much into it and she didn't feel like putting up with their teasing. Sure, she and Barnaby had been on a couple of dates, but it had always been casual, and their relationship always melded back into easy friendship right afterwards. She wasn't sure if Barnaby fancied her in that way, and didn't want to ruin their relationship by asking. She was fine just keeping things the way they were. In any case, being with Barnaby had given her what she needed. She felt much more calm and happy then she had this morning.

"Speaking of Charlie," muttered Bill without looking up from his textbook, "Where is he? He's got O.W.L.s to study for."

"Not sure," said Sarah. "Just wait, though. I'm sure he'll join us anytime now. He's almost as diligent of a studier as you this year, Bill. I sure do miss seeing your eyes."

Bill finally looked up from his book to give her a confused look.

"There they are! Wow, I'd forgotten what color they were," she said.

Bill smiled as he bent his head back down to his book. "You'll be the same way once it's time to study for your N.E.W.T.s."

Sarah gave a shudder. "No, thank you. O.W.L.s are plenty enough for me." She bent her head over her own book, and, for once this week, managed to clear her mind of everything besides her studies.

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Charlie was not in the library because he was out with Tonks looking for Barnaby, and they both agreed that the library was the last place to look. They finally found him in the Care of Magical Creatures Paddock.

As they approached, they saw he was sitting cross-legged on the earthen floor, stroking a furred creature that purred in his lap. He looked up in time to see them coming and flashed one of his big, contagious smiles, like seeing them was the greatest thing that had happened all day.

"Hullo, Tonks! Hullo, Charlie! Want to meet my kneazle?"

They walked close enough to see what looked similar to a large house cat crossed with a lynx curled up in his lap.