4 – Valentine's Day
'Earth to Harry, anyone in there?' Ron said, waving his hand in front of Harry's eyes. Harry snapped out of his trance and looked at Ron.
'What?' Harry said irritably.
'Guess what?! Guess what?!' Ron said excitedly.
'No idea.' Harry sighed. 'But you're going to tell me, aren't you?'
'Yep! Hermione's not in the hospital wing!'
'I know, she's sitting right next to you!' Harry pointed out.
'Oh yeah!' Ron said, sounding amazed as Harry went back into his strange trance.
'Harry, what is up with you?' Hermione asked.
'What?' Harry asked vaguely.
'You've been on another planet all week!' Hermione said.
'No I haven't!' Harry said, coming back down to earth as Professor Lockhart came into the great hall, wearing bright pink robes. Harry was sure he didn't imagine hearing some of the other teachers groaning.
Lockhart reached the teachers table and silenced the hall by creating a very loud bang from the end of his wand.
'Pupils!' Lockhart said happily. 'I hope you're all aware what day it is today.'
'Valentines day!' A few girls called out.
'Correct!' Lockhart said, ignoring the obvious lack of enthusiasm. 'And in celebration, I have organised a Valentines ball for the evening of next Monday. That gives you a week to pluck up the courage to ask someone to come with you!' Lockhart ended, sitting down in between McGonagall and Flitwick, who both looked none too happy with this last announcement.
Ron saw that Hermione was grinning rather stupidly, and sighed. He turned to Harry for a bit of sanity, to see that Harry wasn't looking appalled by the prospect of a Valentines ball at all.
'What are you looking so happy about?' Ron asked Harry.
'Oh, nothing.' Harry said, turning rather red.
'You've got a crush, haven't you!' Ron said, looking even more amazed than when Harry had pointed out the Hermione wasn't in the hospital wing.
'Haven't.' Harry mumbled.
'Oh yes you have!' Hermione joined in.
'Is she in Gryffindor?' Ron teased.
Harry sighed. He would have to play their game, or he would spend the rest of his life being bugged by them. 'Yes she is.' He said.
'Is she in our year?' Hermione asked.
'No.' Harry said.
'Is she younger or older?'
'Younger.'
'Ooh! An ickle firstie!' Ron said, doing an excellent impression of Peeves.
'Hey!' Heidi shouted from down the table, where she had been listening in on their conversation while chatting with all the other Gryffindor first years.
Ron and Hermione's faces both lit up. 'It's her, isn't it?' Ron whispered to Harry, referring to Heidi. Seeing as Harry didn't say anything, but turned very red, Ron guessed that the answer was yes.
'You've got to ask her to the dance.' Ron said.
'She wouldn't interested.' Harry shrugged. 'She only thinks of me as a friend.'
'You never know…' Hermione said. 'It's not as if you're competing for her affections.'
'Yeah, but…' Harry said, trying to get off the subject.
'Go on, I bet she'll go with you if you ask!' Ron said, before turning his attention back to his breakfast.
***
By Wednesday evening, however, the Valentines ball and Heidi had been pushed firmly out of Harry's mind. If you looked at how much homework Harry, Ron and Hermione were getting, you would think their end of year exams were tomorrow. They spent most of their free time in a huddle in the Gryffindor common room or the library, desperately trying to finish History of Magic essays, Potion recipes and Astrology charts in time for their lessons.
The reason for this was revealed in Transfiguration the following morning. Professor McGonagall entered the class and told them, 'Next Friday is the 600th anniversary of Hogwarts. All next week there will be many special events disrupting normal lessons. This is why you have been having a lot of extra homework.'
Everyone in the class started whispering amongst themselves about what the celebrations would include.
'As from Monday, you will be able to view all the Hogwarts year books in the trophy room. I suggest you go and take a look at them.'
***
'Harry, we are not going to talk to you until you ask Heidi to the ball.' Ron said, Hermione nodding in agreement.
'B… b… but she'll say no!'
'You won't know unless you ask.' Hermione reasoned.
'Now… go!' Ron said firmly, shoving Harry in the direction of Heidi, who was chatting with Ginny and a few other Gryffindor first years. Harry cleared his throat nervously.
'Oh, hi Harry!' Heidi said cheerfully.
'Um… can I ask you something Heidi?'
'Sure!'
'Um… in private.' Harry said, looking at the other Gryffindor first years.
'Oh… right.' Heidi said, and followed Harry to an empty corner of the common room.
'Um… Heidi… doyouwannagototheballwithme?' Harry asked very quickly.
'Pardon?'
'Do you want to go to the Valentines Ball with me?'
'Oh…' Heidi said, going slightly red. 'Yeah… all right then!'
Harry was relieved he hadn't made a complete fool of himself. He was about to go back over to Ron and Hermione when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
'Harry?' Heidi asked, and Harry turned back.
'Yeah?'
Heidi didn't say anything, but quickly kissed Harry on the cheek.
***
'Hermione, they're going to be there all week! What's the rush?'
'I want to go and see them!'
'What's so amazing about the Hogwarts year books any way?'
'They must have so much information on the history of Hogwarts!' Hermione answered. Noticing the very unconvinced looks on Harry, Ron and Heidi's faces, she added 'And won't it be a laugh to see what the teachers used to look like?'
All four of them laughed. 'Can you imagine what Snape looked like when he first came here?' Ron asked.
'Or what he was like as a student?' Harry said. They all laughed again.
'All right, let's go and have a look then!' Heidi said, and the four of them left the Gryffindor common room.
***
It was quite quiet in the trophy room. A few of the older students and some teachers were in there, but it was almost deserted. Tables had been placed around the room, and they were all covered with different large books with different years written on the front of each.
Hermione looked as if Christmas had come early. The four spread out, and were soon all happily scanning through the pages, looking at the old staff and student pictures.
They'd been there about fifteen minutes when Ron suddenly said 'OH MY GOD!' very loudly.
'Ssshh!' Hermione hissed, but she, Harry and Heidi came over to see what Ron had found anyway.
'What is it?' Harry asked Ron.
'Read that!' Ron whispered, pointing to a paragraph in the 1991 year book. Harry took the book from Ron and held it so he, Heidi and Hermione could see.
~ This year we welcomed two new professors to Hogwarts – Professor Matthew Teague, who arrived to teach Muggle Studies, and Professor Severus Snape, who came to be the new Potions master. We also welcomed back Professor Minerva McGonagall to her new role as deputy head of the school. She came back after spending most of 1989 suffering and recovering from a particularly severe case of meninflutis… ~
'A very severe case of the flu that muggles are immune to.' Hermione explained.
~ …and after spending 1990 off on maternity leave. Hogwarts here-by congratulates her on the birth of her first child – Heidi. Our congratulations also go out to Professor Severus Snape (our new Potions master), as he is Heidi's father. ~