Valentine's Day at Hogwarts

Lessons on Love

"Sarah's going to be so excited when she finds out she has so many potential Valentines," Tonks muttered to Charlie as they as they practiced the Herbivicus charm.

Charlie glanced over at Sarah, who was chatting happily to Penny while conjuring small, yellow roses, a symbol of friendship, Sprout had explained.

"I don't know," he said. "Sarah has always cared more about her friends than romance. I'm afraid finding out so many of her friends fancy her will be more than she can handle."

A barrage of pink roses erupted from Tonks wand, a bit too vigorously, and students all around them had  to duck another the table to avoid getting stuck by the thorny flowers.

"Carefully, Miss Tonks," called Professor Sprout. "Love is usually better shared subtly than in over-enthusiastic, bold gestures, you know."

"Sorry, Professor," she said, sweeping up the blossoms. "Anyway, this is Sarah we're talking about. There's nothing she can't handle. Besides, having our friends confess their feelings is good for them. And, I've thought of another thing we can do to help them."

Charlie's wand slipped from his hand as he cast his spell. He caught it from the air with the tip pointing straight at his face, and was almost knocked over when a bouquet of green roses shot out at him.

"No more helping!" he bellowed, his face red.

"What's that, Charlie?" Sarah called from across the table.

"Nothing!" He turned to Tonks and spoke in a furious whisper. "No more helping. I am done. We'll only make things worse."

Tonks, as ever, was unperturbed. "We've got to, we're the ones that started all of this. We've got to see it through. Just here me out."

Charlie ignored her, but continued working on his roses, trying to make the green sharper.

Tonks plowed on. "There's no sense in four or more of our friends getting heartbroken if we can help it. So, it'll be your job to uncover which one Sarah likes, if any, and tell the others she already has a Valentine, and they'll have to try again later." Charlie still refused to speak to her. "It's your job because you obviously have all the same classes as her. Once you find out, report back to me, and I'll help you tell the others."

Charlie sighed, watching Penny tuck a yellow rose behind Sarah's ear. All of these people were his friends, and he didn't want any of them to be hurt on Valentine's Day. Well, he guessed he didn't really care what happened to Merula, but even she deserved a good holiday. Maybe.

He peeked at Tonks. She was giving him a malicious grin that meant she already knew what he was going to say. "Alright, it's not like I have much choice." She beamed at him, then happily returned to conjuring her roses.

Charlie looked at his own pale greenish roses, imagining his face turning the same color. When this was all over he would be the one needing a holiday. He needed to make a petition to start a Dragon Day at Hogwarts.

When the bell rang, Charlie made sure to walk with Sarah to Potions. "That was a great lesson," Rowan was saying. "I may have to take back what I said about Valentine's Day at Hogwarts!"

Behind them, Ben was struggling to keep up while shoving a few spare roses in his bag. "I'm just glad the lesson didn't involve mistletoe. I wouldn't want to be pressured into kissing anyone."

Rowan scoffed. "The teachers aren't going to encourage public displays of affection just because it's Valentine's Day, Ben. Especially not in class." Ben visibly relaxed.

"Who in Herbology class would you all kiss if you had to?" Charlie asked suddenly. It wasn't exactly tactful, but it might help him find out if Sarah liked anyone in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff.