A Valentine's Day Tradition
"What does that mean?" Ginny asked as she pointed to her schoolbook that was propped up on her knees as she leaned back against Hermione in the library of Number 12 Grimmauld Place.
"It's the wrist movement for the charm." Hermione said after glancing at the passage. After several more moments of silence, the two heard the doors to the library open and somebody walked in. Neither of them thought anything of it until they heard Remus sigh.
"Glad to escape that diabolical."
"Tell me about it," Sirius moaned as he flopped down onto the couch. "If I wanted to catch up with old school chums I'd hit the pub."
"Where you would get arrested and sent back to Azkaban." Remus said dropping onto the opposite end of the couch. "At least we managed to get the photo album from Albus."
"Gods that was close," Sirius groaned, catching the two girls' attention like nothing else would. "It just had to be a school album."
"Hmm," Remus said as he flipped through the pictures remembering the occasions that were captured. "Hey, here's that picture of Peter getting locked in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom in his towel."
"Really, who took that?" Sirius asked suddenly on his knees next to Remus.
"I think Lily managed that one," Remus chuckled as he pointed to the picture of Peter.
"And that one's from Lily getting in a snit with James and dumped that hair growing potion on him." Sirius laughed, "His hair didn't stop growing for a week."
"Yep, and that one James gave Filtch the chocolates filled with love potion and he followed that woman from the three broomsticks," Remus said snorting as he watched the picture of the school caretaker chasing after the said woman.
"She was hideous, had a beard and everything," Sirius shivered before pointing to the next picture. "That one was the time we snuck into the girls' dorm and painted it Orange for the Quidditch World Cup. You dyed them a spectacular shade of pumpkin."
"Yeah, we also got detention for a month for that stunt," Remus said before pointing to the next picture. "And then there was Valentine's Day."
"Hah, that year was awesome!" Sirius chimed as he laughed at the picture. "I still have that banner upstairs, minus one there on the end. As soon as James saw Lily's name he snatched it and wouldn't give it to me."
"Yeah, I remember," Remus groaned, thinking back. "He was insufferable afterwards."
"I wonder if that tradition still stands." Sirius mused as he looked at the picture of himself surrounded by girls.
"What tradition?" Ginny asked causing the two men to whirl around so fast they lost their seating and toppled to the ground.
"What banner?" Hermione asked from beside her friend as they closed in on the two struck men.
"Nothing you should worry yourselves about," Remus said trying to salvage his dignity as he pulled himself up off the floor with the picture book held behind his back like a child caught getting in the cookie jar.
"Aaah, quite right, nothing to see here," Sirius said causing both girls to creep close to the two men.
"Really, if it's so entertaining, then why not share it?" Hermione asked with an incredulous look.
"Well, if you really want to know, I can show you that picture," Remus said pulling the photo album out from behind his back.
"Oh no, that is not going to happen," Sirius cried as he snatched the album from Remus who snatched it back causing the two to struggle over it.
"Well, that is intriguing," Ginny said as she watched the two fight like two toddlers over a toy. "Shall I?"
"Please do," Hermione said as Ginny motioned towards the two struggling men. Without another word, Ginny stepped forward, pulled the album from the two men's grasp, and tossed it to Hermione.
"NO!" Both men shouted as they whirled towards the two teenage girls.
"So shall we see what is so interesting?" Hermione said with a giggle as she opened the album.
…
"Should we?" Ginny asked as she eyed the moving photograph in front of her.
"We have to get all four houses involved," Hermione pointed out as she motioned to the picture laying on the seat in front of them.
"But how do we do that?" Ginny groaned as she collapsed backwards in her seat.
"Ravenclaw will be in that's not a problem," Luna said with a giggle.
"We need to talk to Susan Bones from Hufflepuff," Hermione said as she calculated her options in her head.
"But how do we get Slytherin involved?" Ginny asked with a huff.
"It has to be a Slytherin boy." Luna said calmly pointing out the only option to pull this off causing the other two occupants of the compartment to fall silent as they thought of all the fifth year Slytherin boys.
"Draco Malfoy," all three girls said unanimously.
"Still doesn't get the Slytherin girls involved," Ginny said, eyeing her partners in crime.
"Leave that to me," Hermione said with a very Slytherin smirk, "I have a plan."
Hermione got her chance to enact her plan later that week in Transfiguration Class. Professor McGonagall was having the students transform owls into a pair of opera glasses. During this lesson, Hermione chose her seat carefully so that she was behind Pansy yet could see her owl to interfere with her transfiguration.
As the class progressed, Pansy began to get agitated and started to look around in frustration as her owl turned into a pair of reading glasses or a feather duster. She knew somebody was interfering with her spell and she wasn't going to let them get away with it. After the fourth attempt at which Draco snorted with amusement, Pansy spotted Hermione watching her and decided, it was all the Muggle-born Gryffindor's fault.
With a feral growl, Pansy turned in her desk and loosed a stinging hex that hit Hermione in the shoulder. At the front of the room, Professor McGonagall shrieked as she stormed towards the Slytherin with a feral snarl. Before she could lecture Pansy though, Hermione let loose her own hex causing the other girl to drop her wand as her fingers began rapidly tapping out a song for a piano on her desk.
"Miss Parkinson! Miss Granger! What are the two of you thinking?" Professor McGonagall snapped as she leveled her famous glare at the two girls.
"I didn't do anything," Hermione said glaring at Pansy as the whole class watched with baited breath.
"Yes you did you stupid hussy," Pansy snarled as she watched Hermione with accusing eyes. "She's been interfering with my transfiguration all class period."
"You can't prove if I did or didn't Parkinson," Hermione hissed, "You're spouting accusations without proof."
"Then why did you hex me back?" Pansy asked with a triumphant sneer as she jerked her head to her still tapping fingers.
"So you couldn't attack me again," Hermione sneered back.
"Enough, both of you will be serving detention with me this evening straight after dinner!" McGonagall barked stopping all further arguments.
Hermione left dinner early after filling in Ginny who would fill in Luna later about the development in the "plan". As she hurried down the hall, she made sure that the photograph was securely tucked away in her robe pocket before entering the Transfiguration Classroom. She only had to wait a minute before Professor McGonagall entered the room with a thunderous expression on her face.
"Professor, Pansy was telling the truth," Hermione blurted before McGonagall could say a word. "I interfered with her assignment so that I could talk to her alone without her usual posy. It's imperative that I talk to her, so please don't send her away before I can, but I don't want her punished for something that I caused."
"Miss Granger, enough," Professor McGonagall said as she sank into her desk chair to observe her student. "As commendable as it is that you informed me of the truth, there is still the matter of the hex that Miss Parkinson cast at you. I will consider what you told me, but I will not let that infraction go without having a stern talking to with her."
"Yes ma'am," Hermione said knowing that it was useless to try to plead her case further. With a weary sigh, Hermione sank into a desk chair and waited for Pansy to show. After several more minutes of terse silence, the Slytherin girl stomped into the room royally miffed.
"Sit Miss Parkinson," Professor McGonagall said as she motioned to the chair across the aisle from Hermione. "I am seriously disappointed in the two of you; I expect your behavior today from first years, not responsible students such as yourselves. As such, you both will lose five points for your serious disregard to class rules. Now I want the two of you to talk about why you each reacted the way you did while I step out for ten minute.
"Your wands ladies," Professor McGonagall said as she stood between the two girls. With bit of grumbling, the two handed over their wands and their professor left the room with parting words: "When I return you had both better be sitting where I left you."
"Parkinson, I'm sorry," Hermione said in a rush stopping whatever nasty retort Pansy had been preparing for her fellow student. "I was intervening with your lesson work and I honestly had no right to do so. I would completely understand if you refuse to hear me out, but I did it so that I would be able to talk to you, alone. I need your help."
"What on earth could a Gryffindor possibly need my help for?" Pansy sneered, but the curiosity was already showing in her eyes as she tried to act indifferently.
"A Hogwarts Valentine tradition," Hermione said with a smirk that would have made Draco Malfoy proud.
"What tradition?" Pansy asked narrowing her eyes as she watched Hermione closely.
"This," Hermione said handing over the photograph she had filched from the photo album. "The other three houses have already agreed and all we need is Slytherin."
"And who exactly would be getting this…honor?" Pansy inquired as she looked up from the photo.
"Draco Malfoy." Hermione said knowing she had the other girls' undivided attention…
Ten minutes later Professor McGonagall walked in expecting to find a war zone, so it was a complete shock when she heard the two girls giggling at the front of the room, their heads close together over a piece of paper. Their laughter was almost unnerving as they plotted away causing McGonagall to wonder what could possibly unite the two rivalling house.
…
"Everybody here?" Padma Patil asked as she looked at the three other faces in their 'undisclosed location' meeting place.
"Yes, do you have everything?" Pansy sneered at the Ravenclaw but it was a cover to hide her excitement.
"Of course," Hermione snapped as she shot a glance at the door that had every ward the four girls knew cast on it.
"Same here," Susan said as she fidgeted with her sleeve hem.
"Did you get the rest of the supplies?" Padma asked looking at Hermione.
"All accounted for," Hermione said pulling the stuff out of her bag.
"You know, if we're going all out like this," Pansy drawled out as she tapped her wand on a piece of rope making it wiggle, "we might as well finish it like you Gryffindorks and throw a party afterwards."
"Now there's an idea," Padma agreed enthusiastically.
"Yeah, but were?" Susan asked as she set about her own work on their 'project'.
"Since it is a Slytherin that gets this honor, why not our common Room," Pansy said arrogantly as if it was the only logical option.
"But we aren't allowed to go into other houses common rooms," Susan said as she worried her bottom lip.
"We are if we're invited," Hermione pointed out looking at Padma, "Parvati invites Padma into the Gryffindor Common Room all the time to study."
"Well that takes care of location, but what about food?" Padma pointed out as she tied a knot in the end of the rope she was holding.
"And decorations?" Susan pointed out excitedly.
"Have the house elves do it," Pansy said dismissively as she focused on her task.
"And how will we get them to do that?" Padma asked the Slytherin girl with a snort.
"I know just the people to talk to," Hermione said with a very Slytherin smirk.
"Are you sure you're not a pureblood in disguise?" Pansy asked looking at the Gryffindor girl.
"Positive, now what should we have served," Hermione snorted as the girls continued to laugh and plot.
…
"Fred, George," Ginny said catching her brothers attention. "Could I talk to you for a minute?"
"You ok?" The twins asked their sister at the same time.
"Yeah," Ginny said looking about uncomfortably. "But could we wait for everybody to clear out?"
"Sure," Fred said with a shrug as the two watched the other members of the DA file out the magical doors.
"So, what's wrong baby sister," George asked once it was only the three with Hermione and Luna left in the large room.
"Well…we need your help." Ginny began wringing her hands together.
"Who's we?" The twins asked eyes narrowing as they glanced at the other two girls in the room.
"Hermione, Luna, and I," Ginny said in a rush as she bounced lightly on the balls of her feet. "We've got this plan you see, and it involves the house elves."
"Ok," George said slowly looking at his twin.
"Fill us in," Fred said crossing his arms as the two boys faced the three girls.
…
Valentine morning came about in much the same way as it did every other day, students dragging themselves out of bed, stumbling down to the Great Hall for breakfast, before scurrying off to classes. However, this particular Valentine's morning found four girls racing off to the owlrey with a large package secured in their hands. Their nerves made it a bit hard for two of the girls to tie the parcel to the owls as the other two girls kept lookout. After a few seconds, the four were racing back to the Great Hall to watch the spectacle they had carefully planned.
Nobody noticed the four as they entered the large Hall and separated to their house tables. Hermione slipped in between Harry and Neville as she forcefully controlled her nerves, her eyes watching the ceiling for any sign of owls. Behind her, at the Hufflepuff table, Susan Bones whispered to Hannah Abbot both waiting with baited breath. At the Ravenclaw table, Padma Patil was talking animatedly with Luna Lovegood as the two covered their nerves with idle chatter about school and homework.
Then finally, the owls arrived, dropping letters to waiting children and staff alike. They delivered valentine cards and sweet wishes, packages from home or special deliveries. As the owls began to thin and finally disappeared altogether, the students started to collect their belongings to head to classes, and then two owls soared into the Great Hall with a large package suspended between the two. They circled the Hall twice before soaring down the length of the Slytherin table and delivered the package to a wide-eyed Draco Malfoy.
"Who's it from?" Blaise Zabini asked trying to catch sight of the tag.
"Must be from mum," Draco said as he read the label. "All it says is that it's for me."
"Well you going to open it," Theo asked as he leaned across the table. "The whole school's watching."
"Might as well," Draco said, ripping into the package with vigor. As soon as his hands pulled at the lid of the box, the whole package exploded upwards in a spectacular display of fireworks and confetti. From inside the box a large banner flew into the air causing the whole hall to gawk in awe.
Above Draco, the words "The Hottest Valentine, Draco Malfoy! Awarded by the Fifth Year Girls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!" floated in crimson ribbons, then slowly from the depths of the box rose a large banner that began to slowly circle Draco's head. It was composed of a single silk rope from which hung twenty-one multi-colored lace and silk panties. Each pair sported a girl's name across the bottoms stating that the award was given unanimously.
An outraged shriek vibrated through the Great Hall as Umbridge stood shaking with rage at the head table. The whole Hall held a collective breath as Albus Dumbledore slowly rose from his seat…with a bright twinkle in his eye and an amused smile playing upon his lips he began to slowly clap. A whoop erupted from the hall as everybody began to cheer and clap the spectacle that continued to circle above Draco's head.
McGonagall sat still as a statue as her mind replayed the events of three weeks ago in her classroom. The laughter of two rival girls as they plotted, something, in detention that had brought all of Hogwarts together for the first time in years. As laughter began to bubble up in her chest, she could only cheer on as she watched the hard work of her students play out before her eyes. Beside her, Severus Snape had a look about his face as if he had just swallowed a lemon peel and all.
"Bring back memories, Severus?" McGonagall asked her dour friend as the two watched a replay of twenty years ago.
"Well at least this time the girls had the decency to pick a Slytherin," Severus said as his dour face turned to one of amusement as he motioned towards the pink toad. "I think she's going to have a heart attack."
"To heart attacks, lacy underwear, and a renewal of a Hogwarts tradition," McGonagall said raising her pumpkin juice in a toast.
"Hear hear," Severus said in return as he too toasted the renewal of a tradition.