It was Valentine's Day at Hogwarts, and everyone was feeling festive. Red, white, and pink paper hearts floated around the ceiling; streamers, balloons, and tiny lanterns could be found everywhere you looked; even the tableware in the Great Hall were painted in the colors of Love. Even their drinks had been magicked into hues of red and pink in celebration of this holiday.

Hermione had found it charming at first, joining in the festivities and having fun. But now that she had been in the Great Hall for an extended period of time during breakfast, she found the colors sickening, the joy overwhelming and annoying. Being the only one without a boyfriend amongst her group of friends would do that to you.

Soon after the chatter and talking had died down, loud popping could be heard all around the Great Hall. Looking up, everyone saw a vast majority of the balloons overhead had popped, bringing letters and cards floating down below. Everywhere around her, people were shouting and calling out as they all received a card or letter, each with a rose attached.

Hermione sat with her head down, her eyes on her plate rather than looking around at all the happy faces of those who got a Valentine. She knew she wouldn't be receiving one. She had never gotten one in the past, so why would this year be any different? She tried her best to not let the anger and sadness overwhelm her, but she knew she was losing the battle. Hermione's eyes began to water, her throat closing and burning as she attempted to fight back tears.

It wasn't until she had been hit over the head, gently, by one of her classmates that she finally looked up. At that moment she saw a small letter with her name written in very neat, curly writing, a very small rose attached to the side.

Astronomy Tower, 8 pm. That's all the letter had said. Nothing more, not even who had written it had been upon the letter. Hermione was confused. What was this about? She wondered. Is this some kind of joke?

Eight o'clock rolled around before Hermione had realized it. She was in the girls' dormitory of Gryffindor tower when she saw the time. Getting up, she decided to see just what this note was about and who had written it. She sincerely hoped this wouldn't be a joke, that there wouldn't be a group of others waiting at the Tower to mock her for being alone, yet again, on Valentine's Day.

Once at the Astronomy Tower, Hermione waited and waited. Eight pm came and went, as did 8:05 and then 8:10. Finally, at 8:15, Hermione gave up and began to head to the stairs. It was then that she noticed someone had entered the Tower without her knowing. That person had simply been standing there, hidden in the shadows, admiring her from afar.

Without the slightest bit of hesitation, the other person walked forward, grabbed Hermione's head, and embraced her in the best kiss of her life. Fireworks went off, butterflies fluttered in her stomach, the ocean crashed in her ears. Pulling away to catch their breath, the two stood in silence, forehead to forehead, breathing in each other.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Granger." "You too, Malfoy."


Author's note: Even though Valentine's Day is still a few months away, I got the urge to write this little Dramione one-shot while talking with a friend. Hope you guys like it! Reviews are an amazing gift!