Valentine's Day was finally here. It was a beautiful Saturday
morning, and the Great Hall
was filled with the chatter of students and beautiful streamers hung down from the ceiling.
Everyone seemed to be in a happy mood and also eagerly awaiting Dumbledore's
announcement.
Everyone quieted down as Dumbledore stood up, facing the entire school. "As you all
have heard, I have something special planned for this year's Valentine's Day." His eyes sparkled
in delight as he spoke "But first, let's all dig in to a nice Valentine's Day breakfast." Chatter
resumed as food magically appeared on the plates. Ron immediately dug in to his food. Harry
and Hermione stared in disgust as Ron snarfed down 3 stacks of pancakes smothered in syrup, 4
sausages, 5 pieces of toast and 6 heart-shaped cookies.
As breakfast was coming to a close, the food disappeared and the plates were cleaned.
Dumbledore stood up, and silence fell over the Great Hall once again. "Now, I believe I promised
you a Valentine's Day surprise. Well, this year, we, the teachers and I, decided to have a contest
that tests your teamwork and also your ability to learn things on your own. A few days ago, I
believe you received a parchment asking you to answer a few questions. You should've turned
the paper in at one point or another upon entering the Great Hall. If not, please hand it up to me
now. The papers have been put in a special box. In a few moments or so, the names of the
people who are best matched shall appear. When your name is called, please join the staff on the
other side of the room and stand next to your partner. Now, let's begin!" With a wave of his wand,
the four house tables disappeared, leaving a wide open space in the Great Hall.
Everyone held their breath as the first piece of parchment appeared out of the box.
Dumbledore reached for the parchment and read the names.
"Harry Potter and Cho Chang!"
Harry's face turned bright red as he walked over towards the staff table where Cho was
smiling at him.
The procession went on as many names were called.
"Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley!"
Hermione and Ron stood frowning at each other. They had a feeling it was going to be a
long school year seeing as how they were constantly arguing.
"Draco Malfoy and." Draco smirked and everyone was sure that the next name to be
called out was Pansy Parkinson, but they were wrong.
"Ginny Weasley!"
Draco's mouth hung open as did Ginny's, Ron's Hermione's, Harry's, and just about
everyone else's. Everyone started to whisper until Ron burst out, "BLOODY HELL!!!"
"Mr. Weasley, please watch your language." Snapped Professor McGonagall
Draco was just as horrified as Ron.
"But..but..but..I'M the one supposed to be with Draco!" whined Pansy
"I thought you said it was over..?" questioned Blaise with a raised eyebrow. This made
Pansy pout even more.
Everyone looked up at Dumbledore. "Well, your names came out of the box so you're
going to have to go with each other. Now kindly join the rest on the other side so we can
continue."
Draco and Ginny reluctantly walked over to the other side and stood nearly a yard away
from each other.
"Uuggghh.this is terrible" groaned Ginny "first I get possessed by Voldemort and now
I'm stuck with MALFOY?!"
"Hey I'm not very happy about this either Weasel." Snapped Draco
Soon, everyone had crossed over to the other side of the room with their partner. Some
were happy with the person they were partnered with. Others were scowling and frowning in
disgust.
"You all have your partners now," Dumbledore continued, "but there is one little twist to
this." Dumbledore held up some cuffs. "You and your partner will be handcuffed to each other
until you have found the key to unlock yourselves." A low murmur arose between students along
with several raised eyebrows. Ron was even more disgusted than ever. Draco scowled even
more. People lined up with their partners as everyone was handcuffed. When everything was
done, Dumbledore began to talk once again. "Notice there is a number on your handcuffs. That is
the room where you and your partner will stay. Classes will be the same as always. Now please
head up to your room where you will find a new class schedule to match your partners. Your
trunks have already been moved." With another wave, the school was turned into a hotel-like
structure. People turned to go up the stairs to their new room.
"You better watch it, Malfoy," Ron threatened. "You lay one hand on my sister and you're
dead."
"Believe me. I wouldn't want to touch a Weasley," Draco replied coldly.
was filled with the chatter of students and beautiful streamers hung down from the ceiling.
Everyone seemed to be in a happy mood and also eagerly awaiting Dumbledore's
announcement.
Everyone quieted down as Dumbledore stood up, facing the entire school. "As you all
have heard, I have something special planned for this year's Valentine's Day." His eyes sparkled
in delight as he spoke "But first, let's all dig in to a nice Valentine's Day breakfast." Chatter
resumed as food magically appeared on the plates. Ron immediately dug in to his food. Harry
and Hermione stared in disgust as Ron snarfed down 3 stacks of pancakes smothered in syrup, 4
sausages, 5 pieces of toast and 6 heart-shaped cookies.
As breakfast was coming to a close, the food disappeared and the plates were cleaned.
Dumbledore stood up, and silence fell over the Great Hall once again. "Now, I believe I promised
you a Valentine's Day surprise. Well, this year, we, the teachers and I, decided to have a contest
that tests your teamwork and also your ability to learn things on your own. A few days ago, I
believe you received a parchment asking you to answer a few questions. You should've turned
the paper in at one point or another upon entering the Great Hall. If not, please hand it up to me
now. The papers have been put in a special box. In a few moments or so, the names of the
people who are best matched shall appear. When your name is called, please join the staff on the
other side of the room and stand next to your partner. Now, let's begin!" With a wave of his wand,
the four house tables disappeared, leaving a wide open space in the Great Hall.
Everyone held their breath as the first piece of parchment appeared out of the box.
Dumbledore reached for the parchment and read the names.
"Harry Potter and Cho Chang!"
Harry's face turned bright red as he walked over towards the staff table where Cho was
smiling at him.
The procession went on as many names were called.
"Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley!"
Hermione and Ron stood frowning at each other. They had a feeling it was going to be a
long school year seeing as how they were constantly arguing.
"Draco Malfoy and." Draco smirked and everyone was sure that the next name to be
called out was Pansy Parkinson, but they were wrong.
"Ginny Weasley!"
Draco's mouth hung open as did Ginny's, Ron's Hermione's, Harry's, and just about
everyone else's. Everyone started to whisper until Ron burst out, "BLOODY HELL!!!"
"Mr. Weasley, please watch your language." Snapped Professor McGonagall
Draco was just as horrified as Ron.
"But..but..but..I'M the one supposed to be with Draco!" whined Pansy
"I thought you said it was over..?" questioned Blaise with a raised eyebrow. This made
Pansy pout even more.
Everyone looked up at Dumbledore. "Well, your names came out of the box so you're
going to have to go with each other. Now kindly join the rest on the other side so we can
continue."
Draco and Ginny reluctantly walked over to the other side and stood nearly a yard away
from each other.
"Uuggghh.this is terrible" groaned Ginny "first I get possessed by Voldemort and now
I'm stuck with MALFOY?!"
"Hey I'm not very happy about this either Weasel." Snapped Draco
Soon, everyone had crossed over to the other side of the room with their partner. Some
were happy with the person they were partnered with. Others were scowling and frowning in
disgust.
"You all have your partners now," Dumbledore continued, "but there is one little twist to
this." Dumbledore held up some cuffs. "You and your partner will be handcuffed to each other
until you have found the key to unlock yourselves." A low murmur arose between students along
with several raised eyebrows. Ron was even more disgusted than ever. Draco scowled even
more. People lined up with their partners as everyone was handcuffed. When everything was
done, Dumbledore began to talk once again. "Notice there is a number on your handcuffs. That is
the room where you and your partner will stay. Classes will be the same as always. Now please
head up to your room where you will find a new class schedule to match your partners. Your
trunks have already been moved." With another wave, the school was turned into a hotel-like
structure. People turned to go up the stairs to their new room.
"You better watch it, Malfoy," Ron threatened. "You lay one hand on my sister and you're
dead."
"Believe me. I wouldn't want to touch a Weasley," Draco replied coldly.
