This idea stemmed from this game we play at school every year. They're playing the same game so just read and you'll see. I've never written in chapters before so hopefully i can figure out how to add a chapter when i update (which shall be soon i'm hoping).

Disclaimer: if I owned Harry Potter, i wouldn't be writing this. so be glad i don't :p

I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 1: The Rules

Monday mornings were usually dreadful. Students were always too sleepy and dragged their unwilling bodies down to breakfast, and then to their first class, no matter how much they enjoyed the subject. Even Hermione trudged through the corridors those days. But this Monday was different.

As students arrived at breakfast, their half dead faces lit up in curiosity. There were paper hearts, ribbons, and markers set out in baskets scattered along the tables.

"What d'you think those are for?" Ron asked.

"Dunno. But I can't wait to find out. Pink hearts and markers and ribbons, oh joy." Harry replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Oh honestly, Harry, Valentine's Day is in less than a week; did you really think we wouldn't have something festive going on?"

Harry opened his mouth to reply but before he could speak, Dumbledore cut him off. "Good morning students. I trust that you have all found great delight in this morning's breakfast." He paused and a few scattered murmurs could be heard throughout the Great Hall. "Very well. That is quite nice to hear. Now, you may have noticed those paper hearts on the table? Well someone has requested that we play this game that can be referred to as "the heart game" – yes, yes, very original. You see though, it is a Valentine's Day game –" ("I told you!" hissed Hermione.) "The rules are quite simple and are as follows: every girl will select a heart, write her name on it, and tie it around her neck with a ribbon. The girl's purpose is to keep her heart; the boy's purpose is to win the girl's heart by getting her to talk to him. So girls, please write your name on a heart. The game will begin in five minutes. No more, no less."

Hermione was gaping from the hearts to Dumbledore as he finished. Ron waved his hand in front of her face, "Uh, Hermione? You'd better get going. You only have five minutes."

She broke out of her reverie in time to snap at Ron. "Seriously Ronald, it doesn't take five minutes for me to write my name." He pulled away under her stare of annoyance. She just looked away. "Besides, you don't honestly think I'm going to play that game do you? Who would I even talk to? Obviously not you two."

Out of nowhere Ginny was there, "Really, Hermione? You're joking right? You can talk to me. Duh! And I'm making you play, whether you want to or not." She grabbed a heart, tied a ribbon to it and threw it at Hermione. "Name. Now."

"Alright, alright. I'll play. Just chill out." Ginny smiled and walked away, looking quite satisfied. Hermione grabbed a marker, wrote her name on the heart. As she was placing the ribbon over her head she felt a blush creeping onto her cheeks, realizing Ron and Harry were watching her. They were both grinning. "What?" she demanded.

They both exchanged glances of amusement. Harry laughed, "Today's going to be fun; don't you think Ron?" He asked still staring at Hermione.

Ron, who was also still looking at Hermione and grinning the goofiest grin she had ever seen, answered, "Oh yes, Harry, I quite agree with you."

Hermione groaned. "Ugh! You guys are going to be awful today! I swear, neither of you are getting my heart. I don't care how much you annoy me."

Dumbledore's voice once again echoed through the hall, "Alright everyone, the time begins…now!"

Ron looked at Hermione, still grinning, and immediately said in a taunting voice, "Talked to Vicky lately?"

Hermione glared at him, opened her mouth to retort but remembered she couldn't talk to him. Sticking her tongue out at Ron she stormed out of the Great Hall.

"Wait, Hermione! Where are you going?" Harry called after her between laughs. She ignored him completely, leaving Ron and Harry crying out in amusement behind her, clutching their sides.

well...how was it? let me know and review please :)