Chapter 19 – Valentine's Day

- 14th of February 2022 -

Narrator's POV:

The Great Hall was full of noise. Noise of people talking. Noise of people eating and clanging the tableware. The entire hall was decorated in pink and red decorations with hearts all over the place. If cupid caught a cold and threw up, then it would be this hall. Yes, it is that much dreaded day…St Valentine's Day. There were couples everywhere; there were literally five different couples all over each other on the way from the common room to the Great Hall. Even the little first year girls are running around with doe eyes at the boys, and the boys are trying to impress the girls. The only upside is that it's Fie's birthday today. She turns 15 and has not lost her following of guys that would do almost anything to date her but she still is interested in Mark. Over the general mummer in the hall, Rose stated, "Have I mentioned how much I hate today?"

"Four times now," Fie said with a thoughtful expression.

"Well the wake-up call this morning hasn't been the best either," Mya added flatly.

"Oh, what happened this morning?" Scorpius asked the intrigue evident in his eyes.

Rose straightened up from slouching to convey the story. "Well, this morning everyone in our dorm room was woken up by the potent smell of roses too, Merlin forbid, to see the dorm room covered in roses and gifts. One for nearly everyone sent by mostly anonymous senders. It annoys me so much. Just because my name is Rose doesn't mean I like red roses. If they cared they would find out what flower I actually like."

She finished her rant and the others nodded in agreement.

"I'm glad that Al is definitely different to them. He actually came up to give me a little letter and ask me out on a date this morning," Mya stated and turned to Al – who had turned a bit red – and smiled.

"Aww cute," Fie cooed at the two.

"So what are you going to do today then?" Rose inquired.

"We're going to go down to Hogsmeade," Al replied with a grin as Mya was leaning on his shoulder beside him.

"I'm going to mill around the greenhouse and see if Professor Longbottom is there I have some questions regarding our assignment," Fie grimaced. Fie really liked Valentine's day, or at least she liked having someone to share it with but this year she'll be by herself so she's a bit disappointed.

"What about you Rose?" Scorpius queried.

"Hmm I'll probably go to the Library to do reading or study or something," Rose replied. "What about you?"

He shrugged. "I'll find something to amuse me."

"Looks like a good day ahead of us all," Al cheerfully said, "and with that, I think we'd better get going Mya."

"Oh right, obviously," Mya giggled. They both stood up and said their goodbyes.

After that, the rest of us dispersed.

- Meanwhile -

Fie sighed while walking through the chilly corridors. Her long hair was getting annoying always blowing across her face so she started to braid it. Fie knew she had to see Professor Longbottom, but She would have rather been doing anything else right now. Especially on her birthday. The sleeves of Fie's woolly jumper pulled down to cover her hands a bit more.

There are couples all over the shot and boys fighting for the girl and girls competing for boys. Sometimes it is madness, but I wouldn't mind madness if I had someone special. Call me a hopeless romantic, I just want someone to show that bubbly affection too, Fie pondered.

Come on Freya, stop thinking about it. You'll just become more depressed. I sighed again.

While she was off in her own little world, someone came around the corner at the same time she did. Then bam, they smacked into each other. The next thing she saw was a pair of bright blue eyes.

"Fie, are you ok? I'm sorry, that was my fault." Locan started to pick up their books.

"No no it was my fault I'm sorry." Fie knelt to help Locan pick up our books.

"No I insist that I wasn't watching where I was going while I was looking for Nargals," Locan rambled flustered and nervously.

Fie chuckled a bit at his fidgeting; it was a bit endearing. "Did you find any Nargals?"

"Well, no," He laughed a bit.

"I see, maybe they're just hiding." She smiled, "So, what were you up to Locan?"

"I was on my way to feed the fire crabs," Locan stated as if it was the most normal thing in the world to do.

"Do you mind if I come too?" Fie asked intrigued.

"S-sure."

"Awesome." She didn't really want to talk about her current grades in Herbology anyway. "So how are you and your family?"

"Well my parents went travelling off again, to see our second cousins in America to see how their bakery business is going," Locan smiled.

"That does sound like Aunt Luna," Fie giggled. She's not her blood-related Aunt but every Christmas she would visit the Weasley's and Fie is always invited. It sounded better than calling her just Luna.

Once they were outside it was still chilly considering it was the tail end of winter. I love the cold. It makes my skin tingle and all the good excuses to drink warm drinks and wear warm clothes, Fie reminisced. They got down to Hagrid's and he gave them the things needed to clean up the fire crab's area and they were on our way again. Fie chuckled to herself and turned to ask Locan a question but found his blue eyes staring at her. He quickly looked away blushing and cleared his voice.

"Sorry, I was just wondering why you're spending your Valentine's Day voluntarily helping me look after the fire crabs."

Fie paused for a second before she replied, "Well it seems like fun, next time come and get me I'll help again." It was also something different for a change on a Valentine's Day instead of being in that atmosphere. "And besides, I may be looking into becoming a Magizoologist."

Anyhow…to cleaning. They got to cleaning.

- Meanwhile -

Al and Mya were walking around Hogsmeade together. They'd already been to Three Broomsticks to warm up with some hot chocolate. Then while they were in a bookshop, Albus Potter decided to try and correctly arrange the books in alphabetical order. Just one of Al's quirks that make him adorable. Mya chuckled to herself which caused Al to look over at her with an expression of curiosity.

"And what is so funny, hey?" Al commented raising his eyebrows.

"Oh, nothing," Giggling Mya turned away from Al trying to hide her giggles. She had never giggled so much.

"Really?" Al questioned with a smirk on his face.

"Yep."

"Well then..." Mya heard Al say right before…he tickled her sides. she let out a loud laugh that drew the attention of everyone in the book shop.

"Sorry, we were just leaving!" Al exclaimed as he nudged her out the door.

"Well done cackles," Al said with a great deal of sarcasm.

"Hey I wasn't the only one Mister Potter," my hair brushed my cheeks as I shook my head. My blonde hair had grown quite a bit as of recent and the multicoloured tips were fading. I suppose I had better trim it soon.

"Fine, maybe I was an accomplice," He countered with a grin as they ambled along the path past the shops and people. There were red and pink hearts everywhere. There were heart shaped chocolates, love potions, enchanted cards and the appropriate decorations.

"Oh, so you're only an accomplice hey?" Mya shook her head.

Al laughed and spun her around to face him. "Yes of course." He leant in and kissed her then and there.

"Oh my god, you can't be serious," said a voice from behind us and we pulled apart. I rolled my eyes.

Tremaine Cloves and her posy had always wanted to be associated with Albus. They're his apparent secret fan club. Mya sighed inwardly. They don't treat him like he has any feelings of his own.

Mya turned to the group of girls. Tremaine was a rather tall girl with styled waist length dark brown hair. "Cloves, lovely day, isn't it?"

"Winters, only for you," Tremaine stated with a huff.

Mya thought, what in blue Merlin is she going on about? "It's warming up actually because it's the tail end of winter."

"Whatever," Tremaine snapped with her arms crossed.

As the group of girls passed the two, Tremaine stopped right beside Mya and whispered, "You're not good enough for him."

"That's none of your business," Mya growled and glared at Tremaine.

Then the group was gone. "What was all that about?" Al asked Mya with a concerned look.

Return to your happy place Jem, Mya took a deep breath, Nope F that. "That bitch is going to pay." Mya was fuming and started to walk in the same direction of Tremaine.

"Wow there Mya, where were you going off to?" Al questioned while bear hugging Mya.

"Al let me go," Mya demanded.

"Come on Mya they're not worth getting a detention over," Al whispered to her to came her down.

Still fuming Mya pouted and replied, "Fine."

As they strolled back Al abruptly pointed off to their right at something. "What's that? Is it a huge Troll?" He proclaimed.

Mya immediately turned to look at where Al had pointed and frantically looked around. That's when Al planted a well-timed kiss on Mya's cheek. This kiss took Mya by surprise and made her for the moment forget her anger at Tremaine.

Al giving the innocent-but-guilty expression commented, "What I swear I saw something."

"Sure," Mya replied with one eyebrow raised.

"Come on, let's go find a place to relax for a bit."

"Yes let's." Mya held Al's hand again and they walked back to the castle.

- Meanwhile -

Rose had the perfect plan to avoid any possible interactions with certain people on Valentine's Day. That plan was to…hide from the world tucked away in the Library. It's a wonder they don't call me the Library hermit, Rose mused. Mahaha no one will see me behind my book fortress! Well done me, Rose had piled up books around her that she planned to read and was quite happy to plot along like so.

"Because that's not inconspicuous," Scorpius whispered sitting next to Rose.

"B-Wha?" Rose blurted out as she hadn't noticed Scorpius until he spoke. "How long have you been there?"

"Just a minute too long to know that you, sometimes, enjoy solitude a little too much," Scorpius quietly chuckled.

"You sneaky git sneaking up on me like that." Rose scowled while she analysed her book that she had open in her hands.

"But you do hide yourself well, it took me a while to find you," Scorpius frankly commented as he examined a book Rose had picked out.

He was looking for me? No don't worry about that now, you're still mad at him, Rose reflected.

When she looked up she spotted a guy looking around the library. No doubt about it. It was the 4th year Hufflepuff that sent her a Valentine's Day gift. Robert Aries - A.K.A one of the people that she was trying to avoid – had spotted Rose and was heading straight in their direction.

Shoot. Friggin' hell. I am invisible. I am invisible. No one can see me. Rose silently prayed as she shrunk into her seat.

Scorpius – in Rose's peripheral – seemed tense with his back straight and arms crossed.

"Rose…" Robert started, however, he abruptly stopped mid-sentence. Rose took an opportune side-glance at Scorpius. He was wearing quite the menacing glare. It was not often that Scorpius wore an evidently spiteful expression. He looks kinda angry, Rose observed.

"Never mind…" Robert left as quick as he had come.

Phew. Rose straightened in her seat and turned to Scorpius. "So, what was that all about?"

Scorpius had gone back to scanning the book by the time Rose had asked the question. "What was what about?" He replied with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Do you two not like each other or something?" Rose inquired snapping her book closed.

Scorpius set the book he was holding down. "It's nothing so you don't have to be concerned with it."

"Ah. Well, excuse me for being concerned." Rose suddenly stood, grabbed a few books and walked off to return them to the bookshelves.

Scorpius watched Rose walk away and was puzzled. He ran his fingers through his hair making it look slightly dishevelled. What did I say? There's no way I could tell her. He thought as he stood and searched for Rose. Again. For the second time today.

Rose was a little confused about why he couldn't tell her if something is wrong. Does he not trust me? Rose's eyes were prickling with the tears not far away. Placing a book back she shook her head. Who cares?! Not me! If he wants to go and get in trouble, then that's none of my concern.

"Rose…" Scorpius spoke in a quiet voice – they were in the Library after all - walking up to her and she looked away, "Are you ok?"

"Oh, so you're pulling that one now hey?" Rose said with a brittle tone in her voice.

"What on earth are you talking about?" Scorpius replied slightly tense from confusion.

"Like you don't know," Rose turned to face Scorpius. Rose gritted her teeth trying to tame the raging whirlwind of emotions that she had. She wanted to cry and scream and break things and cry. "You tell me not to worry and act all distant to only then ask if I'm ok? I'm your friend, of course, I will be concerned about you. Yet you don't seem to trust me enough to tell me if you're ok!"

"Well, excuse me, if for most of my life, I don't open up completely as easily as you," Scorpius declared.

"Who ever said that I open up that easily either," Rose huffed and folded her arms.

"No one, but you can see it every time I try to protect you," Scorpius said hurriedly.

"I don't need protecting! Why would you even want to anyway?" Rose replied.

Scorpius stopped mid-breath and stood completely still. There was a long pause. The tension in the air started to defuse.

"Because…Because you're my friend and I do trust you. That before was just guy business," Scorpius said running his fingers through his hair.

Rose pouted - to hide her actual feelings. Her heart fluttered at Scorpius' response - as she huffed, "Just tell me next time."

She then walked off back to the pile of books that they were at previous. Scorpius quickly followed Rose and sighed, as he did it felt as though he had narrowly prevented a terrible explosion of sorts.

Rose was returning all the books she had taken to build her wall of failed invisibility. Scorpius picked up a few books to help however Rose took the books off him.

"I'm still mad at you," Rose stated and poked out her tongue at Scorpius.

"Real mature," Scorpius replied shaking his head.

"Of course," Rose said with an air of sarcasm.

Once Rose finished returning the books they left the library. While walking back to the Gryffindor common room Rose spotted a guy – who happened to be insistent on becoming her Valentine. Rose shivered. Jack Willern was a nice guy, however definitely not her type. Rose looked frantically around to hide somewhere. She was running out of time as Jack got closer by the second. Scorpius was looking as rose's reaction and had a puzzled expression until he saw who was up ahead.

"Rose why…Rose?" Scorpius began but Rose had already ducked behind Scorpius and was praying for a cloak of invisibility. Why didn't Uncle Harry give me the Invisibility Cloak?

"Can it be?…Is that My darling Rose Weasley?" Jack asked posed resting his chin on his fist with his thumb on his chin and his other arm crossed over his body.

Rose looked to the side to see Jack standing there. Because this is the most casual situation pfft, Rose thought with a mental face-palm. Rose folded her arms and leant against Scorpius – who was standing rather still. "Ohh hi Jack."

"Rose what an act of fate it is that we should meet on this Valentine's Day." Jack stepped a little closer.

"Um I don't particularly believe in fate, and what's so great about today? It's just another day like any other." Rose replied firmly.

"Oh, but it is on this day of love that love can be truly appreciated." Jack reached to grab Rose's hand. Rose tried to step back but there was a statue behind her. She was trapped. In that split-second, Scorpius smacked Jacks hand away from Rose. Scorpius stood in between Rose and Jack. The two guys glared at each other.

"Hey! What was that for Malfoy?" Jack exclaimed his expressing turning sour.

"You were crowding her," Scorpius replied in a low tone matter-of-factly.

"What business of that is yours?" Jack snapped back, "Are you two dating?"

"No, we're not but she is my friend and you made her uncomfortable." Scorpius crossed his arms and glared at Jack.

"She's fine, now step aside," Jack brushed it off lightheartedly.

"No."

To be continued in the next chapter...