Chapter 20: A Magical Valentine's Day?
Hermione was rather disappointed with herself. She should have found a way to make sure the hair was really a human's and didn't belong to a cat. It didn't matter the hair was long enough and the same color as Millicent's hair. She should have still known better.
It didn't help matters that Ron and Harry weren't really able to get anything useful out of Draco. Ron mentioned they heard an interesting theory about Elsa's heritage, but Harry always cut off any talk involving both Elsa and Draco together unless it was about Elsa flaying Draco alive or something of the likes. Hermione had her theories about why he was acting that way. She wasn't sure what to make of how she felt about one of them in particular, so she was happy to not have discussions leading to such topics.
The worst part she figured was how she ruined the rest of her holiday break. There was a huge part of her that really wished they just enjoyed Christmas instead of bothering with the stupid potion. She also hated how she so completely changed the way she did. She wouldn't have minded it if she grew a set of cat ears and a tail while still mostly looking the same. Then she would just look like her favorite costume she wore to a school party back during her primary years. It wouldn't really be preferable to not having cat transformations, but she felt it was better than her current predicament.
To make matters even less preferable, when the school year started again, Hermione was still going to be stuck in the Hospital Wing for a good while yet. People thought she was attacked by the Slytherin monster and always tried to sneak a peek at her. She didn't have to worry about their prying eyes too much since Madam Pomfrey kept up the privacy curtains. Things still got to the point Hermione would always sigh and say, "I'm not petrified…" whenever she heard someone enter the hospital wing.
Another thing that worried Hermione a lot was how Elsa would respond when she returned. Hermione knew if she was in Elsa's spot, she would be worried and concerned for her friend, but probably still say something along the lines of "I told you so" multiple times, even if it was unintentional. Hermione wasn't Elsa though. The way her friend acted instead proved both better and a little worse, though only worse because Hermione felt really bad after first meeting Elsa in the new semester.
{-} {-} {-}
"What?!" Elsa asked once Harry and Ron broke the news of what happened to Hermione over the break. "Can we see her?" she asked.
"Well, yeah… A lot of the time she keeps the privacy screen up, but she hasn't as much lately," Ron said.
Elsa nodded in understanding and quickly made her way to the Hospital Wing. "I'm here to see Hermione," she told Madam Pomfrey when the matron asked the reason for her visit. Madam Pomfrey smiled and pointed her in the right direction.
Hermione actually hid under her covers when Elsa made her way over. She really didn't want to be scolded by her best friend. She learned her lesson the hard way. She was still learning it the hard way.
Instead of anything else, Elsa pulled the covers back a little and gave her friend a hug. "I'm glad you weren't really hurt," she said softly to the other girl.
"You aren't mad?" Hermione asked weakly.
"A bit, but I'm much happier you're okay," Elsa replied.
Hermione was really relieved and hugged her friend tightly in return. She started to cry a little in relief. She also felt a little embarrassed at the moment too. Elsa was younger than her, but it was as if the blonde was an older sister hugging her younger sister in relief. "I was worried you'd scold me," she admitted under her breath.
Elsa held their hug. After a moment, Elsa couldn't help but get a little bit of a naughty idea. She broke off the hug and found a way to scratch her friend's cat ears. Hermione gave a cat like smile in response as she leaned into it. Hermione realized what she was doing so she blushed and shook herself free.
Elsa giggled and said, "Sorry. Couldn't help it." Hermione gave a slight pout but didn't say anything else. She was still embarrassed by how good it actually felt. Elsa stopped giggling as she gave a smile and said, "Consider that your punishment from me."
"No scolding?" Hermione asked a little wary.
"No lectures or scolding," Elsa replied. "How was the first part of your Christmas Break?" she asked to make conversation and catch up with her friend. Hermione happily shared the fun parts of Christmas at Hogwarts.
{-} {-} {-}
"I still think it's odd you've asked us to bring notes and such for all of your classes," Ron said with a slight frown as Hermione looked over said notes.
"Except for History and DADA," Hermione corrected. She was getting notes on those classes from Elsa. They were very concise considering the classes. What weren't concise were the copies of notes she got from Elsa for their other classes. Hermione wanted Harry and Ron's notes for cross-referencing with Elsa's and to keep track of how the Gryffindor classes progressed differently.
She also didn't fully trust the notes in some of the classes from Harry and Ron. She completely trusted Neville's notes from Herbology and the notes he took in his Potions' Study sessions with Elsa. Hermione actually thought Elsa seemed to be a better teacher when it came to those study sessions than Professor Snape was, even after seeing Elsa's class notes.
Ron gave a laugh to her earlier comment even if he didn't know the real reason those two classes were exceptions. "Well everyone knows those two classes are pretty much useless anyways," he said as they sat near her.
Harry's eye then caught something gold on the top of the trash bin. He couldn't help but ask, "What's that?" as he pointed to it.
Hermione blushed. "A… get well card," she said.
Ron decided she was acting strange enough in her answer to warrant investigating the so-called get-well card. He used his wand to magic it over to himself quickly with the levitation charm. "Ron!" Hermione said just as he grabbed it to read.
Ron blinked a couple of times and then snickered. "It's from Lockhart…" he said. Harry had to look now as well. Hermione fumed a little but didn't really put up a fight as Harry moved over to get a better look at it.
The two both read the card. The card was very well written, but it was also way too flowery for them. Harry counted Lockhart making at least twelve mentions of himself in it. Impressive considering it was only a small few paragraphs long.
"Now do you see why I threw it away," she groaned when they finished. She wanted them to leave right now. The worst part about the letter was she would have been over the moon to receive it had she still crushed on Professor Lockhart. She wouldn't even be surprised if she slept with it under her pillow or something ridiculous like that.
"I see what you mean," Harry said before he shredded the letter and threw the pieces back into the trash bin where it belonged.
"Thanks," Hermione said. She hadn't bothered to do that herself because she didn't even want to look at it that long once she read it the first time.
"So… Why aren't you taking a break from studying?" Ron asked. He figured changing the subject from the card was a good idea.
"Don't be silly, Ron. If I did that, I would fall behind. The professors aren't about to stop instructing just because I can't make it to class," she said.
"I wish they would," Ron laughed. He then said, "You could take a break from studying while you're in here."
"Then she'd have a mountain to homework and a short amount of time to catch up once she gets out," Elsa said as she made her way over to visit Hermione. "Hello, Hermione. How are you today?" she asked.
"I'll finally be out next week or the week after if things get complicated," Hermione answered with a smile.
"Well then. Let's hope there won't be any complications," Elsa said as she sat on the bed next to Hermione.
"Doesn't saying that mean there will be?" Harry asked in a slight teasing voice thinking back to his discussion with Elsa after the dueling club's first and only meeting.
Elsa grinned as she said, "If I was you, maybe. I don't have your infamous Potter Luck as you call it. So I should be fine."
That got laughs out of Ron and Hermione. Harry chuckled as well. "Don't say I didn't warn you if it happens," he mused as the others shook their heads still laughing.
Elsa then gave a sigh as she looked to the others. "Have any of you heard what Lockhart has planned for Valentine's Day?" she asked.
The other three turned serious and shook their heads. Elsa frowned as she said, "I've heard from my elves here Lockhart was meeting with dwarves and getting measurements for something. Meepy said they would do their best to protect their Ravenclawy Princess from the letter attacking dwarves. I've got a bad feeling about this. I'm half tempted to mysteriously get sick that day and find somewhere to hide."
Ron frowned in thought to that. He didn't fully get how receiving Valentine Cards would be that bad. He wasn't looking forward to that day for different reasons. Then again, maybe it was different for some girls.
Harry seemed indifferent about the day and any plans Professor Dummyhart might have for it. "I doubt it will be a problem for me. After all, everyone thinks I'm this Heir," he said. He didn't really want a lot of cards of anything, but he wouldn't mind maybe one or two. It was still very unlikely he would get any because of what he just said. He also felt a little sad about that revelation.
Elsa gave a sigh. "Did you forget what we just discussed about your luck? Now you'll probably get a lot or at least one really embarrassing one," she said.
Harry still doubted he would get anything. Surely, everyone thinking he was the heir trumped even his brand of luck.
{-} {-} {-}
Valentine's Day did come. And just like Elsa warned it was already looking to be a nightmare. Professor Lockhart didn't even wait until the actual day to get things started. "I thought we could all use a morale booster after all that has happened this year," he said out loud from his spot at the Professors' table the night before. "For that to happen… I've decided to make a bit of fun for one of my personal favorite holidays. And not just because of the lovely letters I get from my wonderful fans. Heh hah!" he gave a wink that didn't receive the reaction he wanted, but he wasn't deterred.
"Anyways! Look forward to tomorrow's surprise! It will be magical! So, write all of the Valentine cards you want. Write the name of who it is for and Hogwarts. Tap them with your wands and the rest will be taken care of," he said with a grin.
Once the next day came, the student body witnessed the true horror that was Professor Lockhart's plan. Breakfast was when the reveal happened. "Now! Just before we all get started for the day. I think it is time to show just what it is I have graciously devised as a way to lift our spirits! I also wanted to thank the forty-five of you who have already sent me cards on this most wonderful day of celebration," he said as several girls in different grades blushed and smiled at him.
"Now then!" Lockhart said as he clapped his hands loud twice. The doors to the Great Hall opened and in walked a group of rather grumpy dwarves wearing terrible cupid costumes. "My wonderful and lovely cupids! Take a bow! And make your first deliveries. They will be busy all day until dinner time," the flamboyant professor said with a sparkling smile.
Elsa frowned as a few immediately made their way over to her. Fortunately, there was a loud pop and some of the letters disappeared. The dwarves looked around at each other in confusion for a moment before the ones who no longer had a letter to deliver shrugged. They picked out new letters and moved towards other students. Elsa sighed and Harry heard her mutter something about her elves seeming to at least screen the Valentines or something. Harry frowned and wondered if maybe he should have sent her one since so many people seemed to do it. He didn't even think about doing something like that, but he wasn't exactly a writer so maybe it was for the best he didn't. He would've probably just embarrassed himself.
The rest of the day was a mess. The dwarves kept barging in on classes and didn't care how much of an interruption they made while doing so. Harry couldn't help but feel a little bummed he wasn't getting a card now that it was the actual day, even if he hadn't expected one. Perhaps he was just getting a little caught up in the atmosphere, as bizarre as it was, and wished he too could join. It seemed almost everyone but him was getting a least one card.
Throughout the day dwarves were making their way towards Elsa in small groups and when this happened there was always a pop, thankfully it got quieter as the day went on, and some of the letters would vanish. Harry thought it kind of funny after some time, even if he felt for Elsa given her annoyance at the situation. Hermione however was frowning deeply whenever it happened.
"What's wrong?" Ron asked her when he happened to notice her frown between classes. He grinned a little as he teased her, "Were you expecting?"
Hermione blushed to that. "Who's to say I haven't gotten letters of my own?" she asked indignantly. Ron raised an eyebrow in question. She ignored it. He was about to ask her a question, but she cut him off with a sigh. "I was frowning at what Elsa is going through," she said.
"I think it's kind of funny," Harry admitted.
Hermione shook her head. "Why do you think only some of them are disappearing and not all of them? Especially if her elves are the ones taking care of them?" she asked.
Harry shrugged along with Ron. "Really…" she muttered under her breath. She looked to them seriously and said, "They're taking away only the ones that are really inappropriate and maybe dangerous."
"Dangerous?!" Harry asked in shock.
"You can well… jinx, curse, enchant or to an extent lace letters in potion," she said.
Harry's eyes widened. "Who would do that?" he asked.
"Some people. Though I suppose most of them are more inappropriate then actually dangerous, but I wouldn't be surprised if some people tried something. Given we didn't have to write our own name on the letters and all," she said.
"Why wouldn't putting your name on one be a rule?" Ron asked. He was looking a little angry now. He remembered what Draco said about Elsa over Christmas. He was thinking it was possible others might be thinking something along the same lines. He didn't appreciate others like Draco getting interested in his friend that way.
"Usually you wouldn't think to need it," she started. "Most people would write their name on a Valentine's card or if not, it would be harmless because the writer was just shy and it would be delivered safely. There's also the possibility the school might protect students from harmful mail on its own. But I don't know if that would work on internal mail like Lockhart setup. We all know how much of an idiot he is. There's no way he would think that deeply about the situation and setup appropriate measures," Hermione said.
"Okay… I don't find it so funny anymore," Harry said with a frown.
They might have continued their conversation but just then an extra gruff looking dwarf started coming his way. Harry looked too Hermione in question. She shrugged. It was clear she really wasn't expecting any cards. Ron wasn't either. The dwarf spoke up in a far too deep voice to be even remotely considered a cupid.
"Oi! You 'Arry Potter?" he asked.
Harry couldn't help but nod in his shock. He hadn't expected anything at all. He was instantly regretting answering the dwarf. "I've got a musical message for you!" he said. Harry gave a nervous laugh and started to move away quickly. "Get back 'ere!" the dwarf shouted as it pushed its way through the crowd.
The situation only got worse as Harry ran. A group of first years were coming down the corridor. Harry tried a little harder to get away. He did not want a bunch of first years hearing whatever was in the message, especially Ginny. She might tell Fred and George and then he'd never hear the end of it. He had no idea what it was, but it had to be excessively embarrassing.
"What's going on here?" Draco asked in his drawling voice after hearing the racket as he rounded a corner with Crabbe and Goyle. Harry knew this would make things even worse.
Before he could continue running for it, Percy of all people cut him off. "What is all this commotion about? What are you two doing?" he asked looking to Draco and Harry in turn. It was usually bad news when these two came across each other and there wasn't a Professor in sight, even more so if Harry was alone.
Harry cursed under his breath. Percy's appearance caused him to pause and that was all it took for the dwarf to tackle him. "Gotcha! Now listen," the dwarf said before clearing his throat and using a small instrument to tune his voice. He then started to sing in a very deep and unflattering voice not at all tuned.
"His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad,
His hair is as dark as a… blackboard.
I wish he was mine, he's really divine,
The hero who conquered the Dark Lord."
Harry was mortified. There was simply no other way to put it. He wished he could melt away right there on the spot. He was pretty sure even hell couldn't be worse than where he was right now after that singing Valentine.
Most of the people around him were laughing at the message. Each of them was happy they weren't receiving something like that. The people who were earlier bummed they didn't get a card, felt relieved they hadn't received one like that at least. It was so bad it was no wonder the sender didn't sign their name on it.
Harry wished he could laugh along with everyone else, but he couldn't. He was wondering if it was possible to overcharge his magic core and vaporize himself. He was glad there wasn't a name with it. He didn't know how he could look the person in the face after all of that. He wasn't glad Malfoy was grinning at him like he knew something no one else did.
Percy was trying his best to disperse the crowd. "Move along now! Get going! There are still classes today. The bell rang five minutes ago," he said. Several students did leave, even if it was with difficulty due to laughing too hard.
Draco smirked as he walked right pass Harry and paused in front of Ginny. His smirk grew so much Harry could swear you could hear it in his voice as he spoke. "I don't think Potter liked your Valentine much. He can't even bare to stand up after that." Just as Draco was about to turn the corner he turned and said, "Who could blame him? Eyes as green as pickled toad!" he sang really quick as Crabbe and Goyle laughed to each other before vanishing around the corner.
Ginny paused dead in her tracks when Draco said that. She seemed to turn paler than she already was. She turned to look at Harry with large eyes. Harry blinked and looked to her in question. She then turned away from him and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. Harry gave a deep sigh and made his way to class. He was really hating this day and his luck.
{-} {-} {-}
Harry felt better when he didn't receive any more letters that day. There was still time, but he doubted anyone else would try after what happened earlier. Rumors started spreading throughout the castle about the singing message he got. He was a little relieved no one else seemed to think it was from Ginny at least. He wasn't even fully sure she was guilty. There were many reasons to get out of there quickly and Malfoy was just one of them.
Most of the rumors were dumb, but one of them was actually kind of cool. The best one said his Valentine was actually a secret message and the reason he was so still after hearing it is because he was already busy making plans for some epic adventure. It seemed less people were concerned about this heir business, since there hadn't been an attack since before Christmas break. They were instead back to their usual rumor milling.
Harry's peace was once more broken when there was a small pop nearby. Harry groaned thinking it was another letter after all. "I bet the dwarves figured out how to teleport so I couldn't run away," he said to himself before turning to see who it was. He was prepared to just get it over with already. There was no way it could be worse than the one earlier.
When he turned around, he was surprised to see a smartly dressed House Elf. The House Elf grinned and he was wearing shades. He also had hair that was bright blue with yellow streaks and styled like a mohawk. Harry had never seen an elf like this. Then again, he had only seen Dobby. He couldn't help but stare at the elf in front of him.
The elf seemed to be drinking in the attention for a moment before he gave a bow and said, "Letter from Mistress Elsa." Harry nodded dumbly even though he wasn't asked to nod or anything. The house elf cleared his throat and brought out a tuning instrument like the dwarf from earlier.
Harry's eyes widened in horror. "No! Not again! Please… Why Elsa? Why?!" he screamed inside his head.
The house elf then gave a friendly laugh as he said, "Here." He handed Harry an envelope shaped like a heart and colored red with a pink and white striped ribbon design in the middle of it.
Harry breathed a sigh of relief as he grabbed it. "Who are you?" Harry couldn't help but ask the elf.
"I is being Xander the Amazing and!" the elf replied before bowing again and popping away.
Harry had to admit the elf's name had impact worthy of his appearance. Harry then opened the letter to read it.
Your eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad!
Harry was half tempted to crumble it up and throw it away right then and there. He kept reading instead. Elsa wrote this letter. He would read it, even if it was that terrible because it was from Elsa.
Sorry couldn't help it… I actually feel a little sorry for whoever did send that. It can be tough to think up words when you're nervous. You're probably wondering why I wrote you a letter today… Well I just did… I wasn't about to trust a Dwarf to deliver it though. Xander was more than eager for the job. I met him over the holiday when I visited one of my family's magic estates.
Those shades of his are interesting. The tribe of elves serving my family are allowed to choose an accessory if they want once they reach a certain level in the tribe's hierarchy. He may not look it, but Xander is a Dependable ranked Elf. That's actually the second rank. Most elves aren't even the first rank so he has proven himself to reach the first rank of Honorable Elf and then again beyond. I know the rank names sound simple, but they chose them not me. I also feel it isn't my place to change their ranking system.
Regardless, I just wanted to send you a letter.
On Valentine's Day.
I thought it would be fun.
I wouldn't compare your eyes to that of a toad though. I kept hearing all about how some girl sent you a Valentine today. Unless of course it really was a coded message from some secret wizarding society that observes all of time and space and you're their special agent in the Hogwarts region.
I wonder if Seamus came up with that one. It sounds like something he would say. I still remember his theory about the Chamber being hidden inside the roof of the Astronomy tower and you had to touch a certain tile to open it.
Well then. Congrats on surviving DummyHart's Valentine's Day Disaster. I know it is wrong, but I am glad there is supposedly a curse on the Defense Against Dark Arts position. That means he won't be around next year, even if I hope he doesn't go and pull a Quirrell on us.
I also figured I would try my hand at poetry. I am not a poet, but I am hoping it will be better than Eyes Like a Toad by Anonymous.
Hair! Dark and Wild
Eyes! Green and Beautiful
Luck! Definitely not Mild
Flight! Amazing and Wonderful
I hope it wasn't too bad. You still owe me at least another broom flight before the year is out. Don't you forget Harry James Potter.
Yours Truly,
Elsa "Ravenclaw Princess" Evergreen
P.S.: Do I get extra points for actually putting my name on it? Unlike that other girl?
Harry gave a light-hearted laugh as he read the letter again. He would be adding it to his collection. It would be a nice letter to have to re-read once the year was out and he was again locked away with the Dursleys. Maybe he would at least get letters from everyone else as well this time without Dobby intercepting them.
The poem was better than the first one, but he wasn't so sure if his eyes were beautiful. Elsa had beautiful blue eyes. Hermione had brown eyes that he could see as beautiful as well. Girls had beautiful eyes. He did not. He was pretty sure beautiful eyes weren't a guy thing. Beautiful anything wasn't a guy thing. Guys were supposed to be dashing and Harry would admit he kind of wished he was at times.
Harry did have to admit he liked her line about his luck. It was pretty much perfect for describing it. She wasn't saying it was good or bad. She was saying it wasn't average.
{-} {-} {-}
Once it was dinner time, everyone was relieved the day was over. There would be no more letters! Even the people receiving them, had to admit the whole dwarf cupids got old quick. People were talking about the day and how much of a disaster it was. However, the discerning eye would notice there was a change with some students. There were a few new couples about shyly attempting to talk to each other. There were some older students planning their 'real' Valentine's Day for after dinner with their boyfriend or girlfriend. Whatever that meant.
Harry was just glad the day was over. He was still holding on to Elsa's letter carefully tucked away inside his robes as he walked the halls. He and Ron left first that night from dinner as far as their group went. Hermione, Elsa and Neville mentioned something about Potions and were going to be studying tonight after dinner together. Harry was half tempted to tag along, but he felt it wouldn't be right to join them so late in the year. He instead planned on asking Elsa about it for next year.
"So… It was a really crazy day? Huh?" Ron asked as the two made their way down a corridor.
"Yeah it was… Hardly any class today really. Too many interruptions. I heard some of the teachers are planning to just reteach today next time they meet with their classes," Harry said.
Ron frowned to that, but he could understand it. He ignored his Percy side that felt relieved, since he was mostly distracted today as well. "A… Apart from that one letter... You know, the one everyone heard about. Did you get any others?" Ron asked attempting to feign indifference though he was actually interested for reasons.
Harry didn't say anything right away. He felt it should have been easy for him to just answer the truth. Instead however, he shook his head and said, "Nope. Just the one… How about yourself?" he asked.
Ron seemed relieved as he shook his head. "Nope. Not a one! I mean I didn't except one anyways. I can't see anyone sending me a letter. The whole thing's kind of dumb really. I guess it's something only couples or people crushing on others do. Not something friends do with each other. If it was… we probably would have both received Valentines from Hermione and Elsa," Ron said. He spoke quickly and seemed to be more cheerful in demeanor as well once Harry answered his question.
Harry didn't get the reason for the change in his friend. He was glad he chose not to tell Ron about the letter from Elsa and just kept that to himself. "Did you see anything really crazy today?" Harry asked.
Ron was in thought for a moment. "I actually did," he said after a moment.
"What?" Harry asked.
"I saw Luna walking… Well since its Luna. It was more like skipping around happily. She had a small train of dwarves following her for a little bit. She led them down a hall and into a classroom. I walked by and they actually handed her a few letters," Ron said.
"Really?" Harry asked.
Ron nodded. "I mean I guess I can see it. She's a bit odd but nice enough. Maybe some could think she was cute even… I don't know. Maybe she was just giving them a nargles inspection the way she is," he said the last part quickly and with a good-natured laugh.
Harry chuckled as well putting this interaction away for later examination possibly. "I can see her doing that. I'd actually like to have one of those inspections just to see what it's like," Harry admitted. It was nice to think about something other than the heir and that horrible musical message.
Ron laughed as well to Harry's idea. The two then heard someone cursing from up ahead of them.
"That's filch…" Harry said lowly. Ron nodded over to a nearby empty classroom and the two stepped inside and left the door cracked open just a hair to overhear what the cantankerous caretaker was on about now.
"That's the last straw! More work than my already full plate can handle! I'll have Dumbledore out them for this! Could cause structural damage I'd say!" he yelled to himself as he ran past their hiding place.
"What's he on about?" Ron asked.
"Let's go see," Harry said as Ron nodded.
"I think it came from Myrtle's Bathroom… You don't suppose she's gotten all upset at us for not visiting since the potion, do you?" Ron asked as they got closer.
"Guess we can ask. I mean I thanked her a couple of times for her help, but I didn't really want to go around visiting her every week or so, you know," Harry said feeling only a slight bit guilty.
They opened the door and heard Myrtle wail out loud. It was just like she was before the potion business. She had kind of mellowed out and was even a bit friendly after a while when it came to the Polyjuice business. "Come to throw something else at me? Not enough I have to forever endure the torment of this accursed holiday! Forever alone Myrtle. She won't mind. She's already dead. Won't it be funny? Throw something at her! Fifty if you get through her nose!" Myrtle said through tears.
"Ummm… Hello?" Harry asked unsure what to do. Judging from Ron's look he wasn't sure either.
"Oh! It's you!" Myrtle said as she suddenly straightened up and sniffed a little longer before looking as if she was wiping away ghost tears. "I didn't expect either of you two to come back," she admitted. It was hard not to notice the eagerness in her voice at their company.
Harry felt full on guilty now and knew what he was about to ask would probably make things worse. "What happened?" he asked as he looked down towards the water flooding the floor.
"Oh… Well… Ummm… Sorry about that… I can't really control it honestly. My tears are more powerful and plentiful than when I was well… you know," she started.
Ron wanted to say alive, but held his tongue. He wasn't some expert on emotions but he knew that would be bad to say.
"Anyways… someone really horrible threw something at me!" she said. Myrtle turned to the window and said, "From out there. It was earlier today. I was already in a bit of a mess considering the day."
"Single's Awareness Day, you mean?" Ron asked half-jokingly. It seemed to work a little. Myrtle gave a bit of a smile, even if it was still sad, as she nodded in answer.
"What did they throw?" Harry asked.
Myrtle hovered something over to him in response. He reached up and grabbed it.
"A diary?" he asked as he looked at the old book curiously.
"Yes. They didn't even bother to write in it. At least then it might be entertaining. And I would know who to haunt for the rest of the week," Myrtle said with a dark smile.
"There's a name on the cover," Ron said as Harry handed it to him for inspection. "T. M. Riddle?" he asked.
"I don't think it is a name. There hasn't been a Riddle here in ages," Myrtle said. She briefly looked a little confused about something. It was as if she was trying to remember something regarding that name, but she couldn't for some reason at the moment.
Ron was in thought before handing it back to Harry. Harry looked it over. It looked old but still well preserved as if new, if that made any sense. Harry was about to ask something else, but Ron nudged him in the side. Harry nodded to him. "Look we probably should get going for tonight, Myrtle. Sorry about the book… And the day," Harry said trying to dismiss himself gracefully.
Myrtle frowned a little at the two.
Ron sighed. "What he means to say is. We have to go before Filch returns and catches us inside a girls' restroom. He'll probably spend the rest of tonight cleaning up," Ron said. He didn't get why Harry didn't just come right out and say it. This was Myrtle. She helped them during the potion business. He was sure she would understand.
"We can try to visit again another time," Harry said. Ron begrudgingly nodded in agreement. He supposed it wouldn't hurt. There were some questions he wanted to actually ask her. One such question being what it was like being a ghost. She wasn't as sensitive about as many things now, at least when it came to them.
"I-I-I would like that. I-I-I understand if you don't," she said before sniffing and leaving the room. It was clear she didn't want to spend the rest of the night in Filch's company.
"You also get the feeling what she said is a trap right?" Ron asked once she was gone and they were on their way.
Harry nodded. "I say we do visit. The last thing I want is her haunting me in revenge for not visiting her again," he said.
Ron nodded and took the diary from Harry again and looked over it some more. "What's up?" Harry asked him.
"This name… I recognize it," Ron said.
"So, we both agree it is a name then?" Harry asked.
"Yeah…" Ron said as he studied it. His eyes then opened in understanding. "I got it! He was from a long time ago. His name is Tom Marvolo Riddle."
"How do you know his name?" Harry asked.
"Well Myrtle said it's been ages since there was a Riddle here. I remember this name from my detention with Filch. This guy's award for special services to the school was the thing I kept polishing over and over again and again. Filch kept saying it was dirty, even when it wasn't. Told me this guy was a fine example of a student. Apparently, he was loved by all of the staff. He was a Prefect. Head Boy. Percy probably has wet dreams about being him or something," Ron said.
"I guess he was smart then. Probably enchanted the diary to hide what it said and that's why it looks blank. We need to find out what it says. It might tell us what happened," Harry said.
"You reckon so?" Ron asked.
"I do," Harry said.
"I don't know about that, but if you can figure it out then so be it," Ron said. Ron gave a chuckle and said, "Personally, I don't want to read a diary by someone Percy would probably think of as an idol. He'd probably have an exhaustive list of how best to suck up to professors or something like that. But whatever you say, Harry. Have fun."
Harry nodded. "I'll look into it, but not right away. I'm kind of tired after all of today," he said as he excused himself to bed.
"Night then," Ron said as he walked over to Seamus and Dean. The two of them were having a discussion about how dumb and annoying Valentine's Day was. Neither of them got a Valentine and they were in agreement it was a dumb day. They were debating just how dumb it was. Ron thought it would be fun and he did agree with them that today was dumb. He assured himself he didn't feel that way just because he didn't get anything.
{-} {-} {-}
Ginny gave a sigh as the day came to an end. She was really shocked to see that it was already Valentine's Day. She only vaguely remembered any of her Christmas. It was really freaking her out. She finally figured the diary had to be doing something to her, even if she wasn't sure what.
She didn't like it. She had no idea what she had been doing this whole time. Her whole first year at Hogwarts felt almost as if it was a fractured dream. Only parts of the year were fully clear to her, there were other parts where she felt as if she was watching her own body doing things while suffering from a severe conjunctivitis curse.
Ginny finally had an odd moment of clarity after some time recently. She figured Tom was waiting to do something and arrogantly thought she wouldn't be able to put up any more of a fight to whatever it was the diary was doing to her. She finally decided to get rid of it. She tried a number of tricks none of which were successful. It wouldn't burn. It couldn't be torn. She even tried blasting it with her wand and still nothing. She finally decided maybe if she just tossed it away in the right spot things would be good.
She had a place in mind. The girls' bathroom on the second floor would work. She could toss it in there and it would eventually be flushed away as Myrtle flooded the bathroom. It was the best idea she could come up with quickly. Ginny could tell she was too weak to resist the power of the diary for too long. She would gather her strength and then make sure it really was gone, if Myrtle didn't do the job for her.
One surprising fact about the youngest Weasley few knew, was that she had a great throwing arm and good accuracy. It was part of the reason she would sneak out to practice flying from time to time on her family's land. She always wanted to be a Chaser in Quidditch. So, it wasn't too hard for her to throw the diary into the girls' bathroom once she figured out the right window from outside. That way no one would know it was her. No one would wonder about what she threw either.
"Good Riddance," Ginny whispered to the diary as she threw it.
As soon as the old book flew into the room and away from her, Ginny felt a huge sense of relief. She felt finally free once again! She felt giddy! Finally, Hogwarts would be how it was supposed to be!
This new sense of freedom was partly why she ended up ruining the otherwise great Valentine's Day. Once it was gone, she felt so happy and relieved. It was as if she was unstoppable. Everything was going her way. She then tried to write a poem to Harry Potter. It turned out horrible. Ginny was very much sure it only turned out that bad because her brain was still scrambled from the whole diary thing. "Why else would I compare his eyes to fresh pickled toads," Ginny assured herself once more with a sigh.
The young girl was immensely relieved it seemed no one other than Draco knew she wrote that horrible poem. Ginny still wasn't sure how it was Draco figured it out in all honestly. It wasn't as if she said her name in the poem. "Maybe he was just picking on me because I'm a Weasley and it ended up being a lucky guess," she wondered.
She really hoped that was the case. Sure, she had a crush on Harry, but what girl in her right mind didn't at least a little bit? With the way the year had been, she knew it wasn't as if she did something that exposed her crush to everyone. She could barely seem anything other than sickly most of the year. There was no way she would go around dreamily talking about Harry with the other girls. That would have been if her first year at Hogwarts was fun and amazing like it should be.
{-} {-} {-}
Sadly, as the days passed, it wasn't long until Ginny realized just how bad her luck seemed to be. She thought she was done with the stupid diary and no one would find it ever again. She thought the horrors, whatever they were, would come to an end. She thought everyone would be safe.
That was before a couple of days after Valentine's Day Harry Potter was seen numerous times staring and trying spells on a very familiar old looking book. Ginny still knew she wasn't strong enough to do anything else about it. She figured she had some time since it seemed Harry couldn't figure out how the get the diary working. "I hope he never does," Ginny thought to herself. That would be for his best and everyone else's as well.
If only her luck would last a little longer, she would figure out how to get rid of it. She already had a plan, but she needed more strength before facing the bloody cursed diary again. That much was clear when she felt the diary's power tug at her every so often when Harry had it in the common room. She hated it. The pull caused her to feel desire for it anew, even after everything it did to her. Ginny was lucky it seemed the diary was no longer interested in her though. She realized if it focused on her she would once more fall under its spell since she was still weakened by whatever it did to her.
She had to trust the new plan. It was a really good one and she wondered why she hadn't thought of it earlier. Her new plan was to sink it to the bottom of the lake. She just needed to look up some things in the library to make sure it stayed down there away from everyone. The giant squid wouldn't really be bothered by it. The Merpeople rumored to live there wouldn't care for such a thing either. The thing's pull wouldn't work on them.
Magic also didn't really work as well underwater. A witch or wizard could still cast spells in the right circumstances, but it would be slow going. The diary used a passive magic mostly. It couldn't really direct its magic at others unless they knew how to get the diary working. Ginny knew the way the diary's power worked. It was something you couldn't do underwater.
She had to trust in her plan and what remained of her luck. The diary's time was limited if she had anything to say about it.