𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒 || 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐋𝐄𝐘

T H I R T E E N.

The One Where It's Valentine's Day.

The Hogwarts staff always went all out with decorations for any sort of occasion. During Christmas, the halls were covered in holly and mistletoe. During Halloween, jack'o'laterens hovered in the great hall. Even on St. Patrick's day, decorations were hung up.

So, inevitably, the castle would be decorated for Valentine's Day.

Kayla usually enjoyed Valentine's Day. She loved the cozy and affectionate atmosphere, with the pink and red coloured decorations. She'd usually spend the day with people she loved, and go to bed smiling.

But this year felt different. Kayla didn't want to celebrate this day of love. It felt strange celebrating love when she was single, without a boyfriend, without anyone to love her—romantically.

"There was no way we were letting you stay in your dorm all day," Benjamin stated as he walked towards Hogsmede village with Claire and Kayla. "You will spend your day with your best friends, who will love you more than any boy will."

"He's right," Claire spoke up when Kayla shook her head in amusement. "We love you so much. I could cry with love right now."

Kayla let out a laugh and gave Claire a side hug as they walked. "Thanks guys. I love you both," she grinned. "Did Jade mention why she's not here?"

Claire went quiet at the mention of Jade, since both girls hadn't been getting on very well recently.

"She said she was spending the day with someone," Benjamin shrugged. "She didn't specify who, but hasn't she been get close with Patricia Simpson lately."

Kayla smiled. "That must be it. I'm happy for Jade."

The conversation drifted from Jade quite promptly after that. Kayla, Claire and Benjamin engaged in their usual witty and playful conversations, with the majority of the jokes coming from Benjamin. They decided to go to the Three Broomsticks, hoping to get a table before a flurry of couples got there first.

"It's not too busy," Benjamin commented. "I'll get the drinks. You two go sit."

"I'm fine for a drink," Kayla said. "I'll get sweets in Honeydukes later," she added when Benjamin gave her a look.

Claire and Kayla found a booth at the back of the room, which was unbelievably lucky. They sat down and engaged in a conversation about Professor Snape's love life until Benjamin joined them again.

"Surely he isn't just sitting in his- wait, where do the teachers even sleep?" Claire asked, smiling in thanks as Benjamin sent a tankard of Butterbeer—decorated with little pink marshmallows—in front of her.

Kayla paused, having never even thought about it. "Their offices?"

"Have you ever seen a bed in a professor's office?" Benjamin asked. "Well, maybe McGonagall has a cat bed under her desk-"

"There must be a teacher's wing somewhere in that massive castle," Claire wondered aloud. She let out a little gasp before continuing, "do you think the professors roommate with each other?"

Kayla snorted. "Possibly. I wonder who Snape's roommates with."

"The Defence teachers," Benjamin said. "That's why they always leave after one year."

The three friends burst into laughter at the thought. Although Snape did favourite them, the Slytherins still found him to be a peculiar man with very strange morals. 

Their laughter was interrupted by someone greeting Kayla, who groaned upon realising who it was.

"What do you want Weasley's?" Kayla sighed as Fred and George stood next to their booth.