Valentine's Day at Hogwarts

The Invitations

Sarah wasn't given a very long break. She'd been studying with Rowan for less than half an hour when Wingsworth tapped outside her window. She opened it and he landed gracefully on her bed, holding his leg out so she could untie the pink envelope attached to it.

"Ooh, is it a Valentine card?" asked Rowan, hopping off her bed to get a closer look.

"Another message from Lockhart," said Sarah, tearing the letter open. In a moment, she threw it on the bed in disgust. "I guess with fame comes the right to be a big-headed git."

"What?" Rowan picked up the letter.

Greetings to my Chief Apprentice! I've charged Mr. Lee with the task of collecting the roses, but I worry he lacks the intellectual capabilities. Please go to the greenhouses to assist him. I'd hate for my party to be spoiled because someone couldn't tell the difference between a rose and a venemous tentacular.

--Gilderoy Lockhart

"If he wants to make sure his party's perfect, he should do some of the work himself," said Sarah in a huff. "I'm sick of everyone thinking Barnaby's stupid, just because he trusts everyone and takes everything literally. You've worked with him Rowan, he's quite smart when he believes in himself, but he can't do that because everyone treats him like a troll!"

Rowan was smiling. "It's so sweet of you to defend your man."

Sarah felt her face flush, unsure if it was from anger or embarrassment. "I guess I'll go check on him," she said, stomping toward the door. "Though he's perfectly capable of picking roses himself."

"Don't forget to ask him about Valentine's Day!" Rowan called as she stormed out.

________________________________________________________________________________

Charlie had been sitting in the common room when Sarah walked passed, and he hurried to follow her. He tried not to be noticed as she hurried down the stairs. Luckily, Sarah walked right passed Tonks and Tulip as they were crouched behind a torch, waiting for Filch to fall into their latest trap. Charlie kept well back as Sarah stopped to talk to them, looking annoyed. After she moved on, he followed, giving Tonks a significant look. She grinned, muttered something to Tulip and joined him, leaving Tulip behind, looking dissapointed.

"This better be good," whispered Tonks as they turned a corner. "We were just about to trick Filch into eating a dungbomb disguised as a crumpet."

Sarah didn't stop you?"

"She told us we 'probably shouldn't do that,' but she seemed too preoccupied to properly tell us off." She grinned. "It's great having prefects as friends."

Charlie rolled his eyes. Sarah had led them to the greenhouses. She stepped into greenhouse two. Tonks shoved him into greenhouse three. The windows to both were open. Crouching behind a shelf of potted Mandrakes, they could just maker her out without being seen. She wasn't alone.

"Hi Sarah, I've just been finding flowers for Lockhart's party," said Barnaby.

"I know, he sent me an owl. He thought you might need help."

"Well, I was confused at first about where I would find so many roses, but then I remembered all the ones we conjured during our herbivicus lesson and figured I could just borrow those."

"That's brilliant, Barnaby."

Charlie saw Barnaby's chest puff out the way it always did when someone complimented him for his ideas. Sarah said, "You've got a lot of roses to gather. Would you like some help?"

"Yes, please! Can we pick them fast? I want to ask you something."

Tonks caught Charlie's eyes as the two began gathering flowers. "This is it!" she mouthed excitedly.