Harry paced steadily outside the Gryffindor common room, feeling small drops of sweat stick to his hairline. His hands shook nervously as he wrung them against one another, making small indentations in his palms. I've battled Voldemort 5 times, regrown every bone in my entire arm, and have been knocked off my broomstick in more quidditch games than I can count, Harry thought panicky, I can do this, I know I can do this. He took a deep breath and prepared to announce the password. In a seconds hesitation however, he slumped forward again and resumed his frantic pacing.
"Goodness, boy. Are you ever going to go inside?" The Fat Lady asked irritably. Harry swallowed hard and apologized to the angry portrait.
"It's quite alright," said the Fat Lady, "You might want to get inside soon though. Your curfew is long overdue." Harry nodded numbly and tried not to pull apart the rose resting inside his book bag as he reached in to grab it.
It's petals were a soft and vibrant red, and it's long green stem was enchanted free of thorns. However, these weren't the only qualities of the pretty rose. Harry had also managed to stick a particularly tricky spell on the plant to keep the flower a healthy red to reflect the love the holder felt within their heart.
After delicately touching the flowers leaves for a moment, Harry took another deep breath and gathered as much courage as he could before walking straight up to the Fat Lady's Portrait.
"Finderheart," He announced, and the door swung open to reveal Ginny Weasley leaving the Common Room in a daze. Her unbrushed hair lay sprayed around her shoulders and she stared at Harry in a very Luna Lovegood manner.
"Er, Hi Ginny." Harry said awkwardly. Ginny blinked as her eyes adjusted to the light outside of the common room.
"Hello." Ginny managed to say and looked away, unnecessarily hoisting her bookbag higher onto her shoulder. They paused for a moment, Harry too nervous to speak.
The clunking of footsteps was heard and Dean Thomas suddenly appeared from behind Ginny, giving her an affectionate squeeze on her side. He learned forward and whispered a hasty "Astronomy Tower, 11 o'clock," into her ear before straightening again and walking away from her with a broad grin. He waved a friendly goodbye to Harry from the corner before turning and disappearing. Harry felt a great lead weight drop into his stomach.
Withdrawing the dulling Rose from his pocket Harry presented it to the red haired girl, determined to follow through with his task. "Happy Valentine's Day." Harry said. He felt like slapping himself, but Ginny took the rose with a sad smile.
"Thank you."