Chapter Two

One Anxious Gryffindor

Harry sat in his room in the fluffy crimson armchair in front of his fire. His feet were flopped over one of the arms and there was a heavy book sitting on his legs. Today was one day he was happy to have his own room. He would not have to deal with seeing all his former roommates snogging their newest acquisitions of significant others. He fingered the silver prefect badge gleaming on his shoulder. He looked down at the book resting in his lap.

It was the newest edition of Hogwarts: A Revised History. After all the times he'd had to ask Hermione about something about the school, he figured he should at least read the damnable book for himself.

Harry smirked, remembering how hard Hermione had fought to have it edited to include information about the house elves that were in charge of the kitchens. The whole S.P.E.W. thing she'd started in fourth year actually paid off.

The smirk soon darkened to a frown as Harry remembered one of the reasons why the authors of the book agreed to rewrite the book. They were already planning on a revised version that included all Harry's exploits through the castle. Harry's eyes narrowed as they met yet another mention of himself on the page. This was the description of his little trip to the Chamber of Secrets. Why do they have to put shit in here about me? Harry closed the book with a loud thump and set it down on the floor next to him. He grumbled and started staring into the fire.

As he sat there, he thought about all the homework he should be doing. There was the nasty Potions essay Snape gave his class that afternoon, and he still needed to perfect the new charm Flitwick taught them today. But he couldn't concentrate on homework. He still had that valentine from breakfast on his mind.

Who the hell would send me that? Harry sat and pondered the identity of the 'Delectable Mystery' that he was to meet that night. He looked at his watch. Five-forty-five. Just about dinner time. Harry flung his legs off the arm of the chair and stood slowly. He stretched lazily and picked up the book from its resting place on the floor. He slipped it onto his bookshelf between Quidditch through the Ages and the photo album Hagrid gave him in his first year. He sighed, fingering the spine of the album, and then turned to the door.

"Off I go, to the Land of Love-Sick Puppies," grumbled Harry as he walked down the stairs to the common room.

~ " * " ~

One Delectable Mystery sat in his own common room before the fire. He was going over in his mind exactly what he wanted to tell Harry, the young man he'd been in love with for so many years. A smile spread across the mystery boy's lips as a mental picture of Harry swam through his mind. The unidentified letter-writer had decided to pen another letter to Harry that afternoon. He'd made sure his owl would not deliver the message to Harry until dinner.

Our Delectable Mystery man turned as he heard his name called.

"Are you coming to dinner?" asked one of his friends, waiting by the common room's exit.

The anonymous teen stood and stretched. He hid his smile and turned to follow his friends. "Of course I am."

~ " * " ~

Harry sat down with his friends at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. He sighed in exasperation. There were still owls swooping in and out of the Hall, delivering goodies to his love-obsessed schoolmates. More big boxes of chocolates began to appear in front of Harry's place, along with several more pink and red envelopes, undoubtedly filled with more lovey-dovey poetry.

Ron looked away from his girlfriend to take in the scene. He smirked at the grumpy look on his best friend's face. "What's wrong, Harry? Can't handle being a sex god?"

Harry glared at Ron, who was now sniggering. "If you remember, I really can't stand Valentine's Day."

"Of course I remember, Mate." Ron shook his head. "I just can't understand why! All those sweets, Harry! You should be happy!"

Harry shook his head. "It's not like any of them really know me well. They only send me things because either they think I'm hot, which I strongly disagree with, or they think I'm cool because I'm the fucking Boy-Who-Lived." Harry groaned.

Hermione smiled soothingly at Harry. "Didn't anyone send anything that seemed genuine?"

Harry's mind went straight to the rose, and the impending meeting that night. His face softened slightly. Hermione grinned at Harry's silence, knowing that look in his eyes.

"There was something, wasn't there?" she asked, excited.

Harry exhaled slowly. "Yes."

Ron's eyebrows went for cover under the fringe of his bangs. "Really?" He leered at Harry, wiggling his now-visible eyebrows at Harry. "Who was it?"

Harry's lips were trying to tug themselves into a smile. He fought them gallantly. "I don't know. He didn't say."

"He?" asked Hermione. "You mean, you may actually have a nice guy that fancies you? Finally?"

Harry's lips fought harder. He gave in, and a big grin spread across his features. It even reached his eyes, a rare occurance on Valentine's Day, what with his animosity toward all things related to the idiocy of the day. "It's a possibility."

Hermione clapped her hands together in joy. "Finally!" she cried. She and Ron were both grinning at their best friend.

"What did this secret admirer-guy give you?" asked Ron.

Harry shook his head. For some reason, he didn't feel like sharing everything with his friends. Not yet, anyway. "Not telling."

Ron put a frown on his face. "Oh, come on, Harry. I know you want to spill the beans."

Harry sighed. "Well, I'm only going to tell you this. He-" Harry stopped and looked around. He didn't want the whole world to know about the scheduled rendezvous. "He asked to meet me tonight."

Hermione squealed happily. "Oh, that's splendid, Harry!"

Harry smiled again. "Yeah, I suppose it is. But I am a bit nervous."

Hermione patted his hand reassuringly. "Harry, tonight, before you go to meet this guy, I'll help you get ready. How's that?"

Harry nodded. "Alright." He knew he wouldn't get away from Hermione's suggestion. She was very persuasive when she wanted to be.

Hermione grinned at her best friend. "You're going to look great for this guy, trust me."

"I hope so," said Harry. He looked up as an owl set a stark white envelope in front of him. Harry's eyes widened. On the front of the envelope was the same scarlet ink and the same neat scrawl as the note that accompanied the Delectable Mystery's rose. He thanked the owl for the letter and gave it a small scrap of food from his plate.

Ron and Hermione looked at him expectantly. A small smile spread of the ebony-haired boy.

"It's from your secret admirer, isn't it?" asked Hermione gleefully.

"I think so." Harry looked around the room for possible watchful eyes. The only people looking at Harry anxiously were Ron and Hermione. Harry shrugged slightly and turned the envelope over. The unsealed flap was lifted and the letter inside pulled out. Harry unfolded the page and read.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Harry-

I hope I am not being too pushy, but I needed to send another note to you. Why? I have no clue. I just cannot help myself.

I am looking forward to our meeting tonight. I hope you are, too. I am very anxious to tell you exactly how I feel about you. If you could see me while I am writing this, you would see a big, goofy grin. I can't help but grin like this when I think about you.

I cannot stop thinking about you today. Try as I might, my mind keeps venturing back to your smile. If you are still willing to meet me tonight, please smile for me. I'll be waiting for your smile.

Signed,

Your Delectable Mystery

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Harry looked up from the letter and looked around the room for eyes on him. Still nothing. Harry glanced down at the parchment in his fingers again. And when reading the plea for his smile again, his lips complied. A shining smile was now sitting on his lips, and he heard the same whispering voice in his ear.

"Thank you, Harry. Until tonight…"

Harry's smile only got brighter at the sound. He was getting more and more eager to meet this Delectable Mystery. I wonder who this guy is…

Harry knew who he wanted this person to be, but he knew better than to keep his hopes up. It won't be who you want, Harry. Draco Malfoy is straight. Or do you not remember all the girlfriends he always has on his arm. Harry looked over at the Slytherin table to where his longtime crush was seated, surrounded by Slytherin girls.

At the same moment, Malfoy looked up. Their eyes met. There was no emotion in Draco's eyes at first, and then the familiar look of hatred was sent Harry's way. Harry mirrored the expression and turned back to his dinner. He sighed.

Well, at least I have this mystery guy waiting for me. This brought a smile back to Harry's lips. He poked at his food and wondered again about who he would be meeting that night.

~ " * " ~

One Delectable Mystery sat at his place, trying to concentrate on his dinner. All around him, his housemates were grinning and setting up get-togethers for later on that night. Many were getting more love notes and chocolates. He looked at the object of his affections, Harry, and saw him talking animatedly with his friends. I wonder if he's talking about our meeting tonight, thought the young man, forcing back a smile.

Harry's secret admirer watched his owl swoop down upon Harry. He turned down his eyes just in time to escape Harry's searching gaze. He could almost feel Harry's eyes hunting for him.

He looked up again after a minute, and saw Harry's lips twitching as he read through the note. The writer looked away as Harry's eyes started their search again.

Another minute passed and he felt his voice leave him to meet with Harry's ear again. The mystery man saw Harry's face lit up with a blinding grin. A smile spread across his own lips at the sight. Only a few more hours before our meeting, Love. The Delectable Mystery turned back to the conversation around him.

~*~TBC~*~