Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any other characters. Never have, never will.
A/N: The first task and the story gets better! Oh yeah! Thanks for all the lovely reviews and reviewers!!
Two days went by quicker than Hermione could have planned. It was almost time for her to leave for the Great Hall where she would find Harry and then who knew what would happen next. She had tried to get some answers out of her teachers but they acted as if the festival and the tasks were nothing to worry about and that she would eventually find out soon. Too soon in her opinion, but no matter it was time for her to leave. Hermione had put on her best robes and straightened her hair like she did for the Yule Ball. She didn't want to look too dressed up since it didn't really seem like a formal occasion. Hermione decided to follow Lavender and Parvati who happened to be leaving at the same time she was.
"So Hermione, what do think they're going to make us do," Parvati giggled.
"Hopefully something that's not stupid," said Hermione. She thought that the whole "Valentine" idea seemed pretty corny.
Lavender sighed, "I hope it's romantic."
"It has to be Lav, or else it would be called the Sadie Hopkins festival or something like that," added Parvati.
"You never know, it might just be an event where we eat, talk and play games!" Lavender said impatiently.
"There are going to be tasks Lav, normal festivals don't have tasks!" Parvati started to act a little more annoyed with her friend.
This was something Hermione had never seen the two do before, it actually amused her enough to listen to them argue back and forth for few minutes. It reminded her of the conversations she usually had with Ron.
Before she knew it Hermione was standing outside the Great Hall. She didn't wait for Parvati or Lavender; they seemed to have already stopped fighting and were questioning each other on their eye shadow.
She opened the gigantic doors to see the Great Hall filled with floating hearts and small birds fluttering through the air. She also noticed that Harry was waiting for her near the side of the door.
"Wow Hermione, you look nice!" said Harry.
She was absolutely flattered. "I really didn't do anything special, I see you're all dressed up," Hermione said smiling. She wished she would have put on a little bit of makeup.
"Well are you ready? There are still a few portkeys left."
Hermione noted that Harry was acting really excited about all this Valentine
stuff. Maybe it's all the heart stuff everywhere, it was certainly starting to
make her feel more light hearted. It seemed to have the same effect on some of
the other students as well.
They both approached the portkeys which were lined up waiting for someone to touch them. They both decided on the leaf one, since they really had no desire to touch the old hat or the socks.
"Ready," Harry grinned.
"Ready," confirmed Hermione.
Hermione had one hand in Harry's and the other clasping the leaf. It was the weirdest sensation she had ever felt. She had never used a portkey before and it absolutely made her nauseous. When the joyride was over she landed uncomfortable on her stomach. Harry apparently had more experience and landed on his feet.
"Ugh, where are we," Hermione asked as Harry extended his hand to her.
"I think we're in the greenhouse," said Harry as he lifted Hermione to her feet.
"Finally someone has arrived," Professor Sprout shrieked.
"So I guess we're the first to have arrived," guessed Hermione.
"Yes Ms. Granger, you and Mr. Potter are my guinea pigs. You two will be the first to take a go at my task! You both can also take a seat if you want,"
"Is it going to be hard?" Harry asked as he took a seat on Professor Sprouts giant pink couch.
"It shouldn't be, just a little potion mixing is involved. I've gotten kind of restless so I already added most of the ingredients, I'm going to finish mixing the potion, just don't tell Dumbledore! Only one of you will be required to drink the potion," Professor Sprout added ecstatically.
"Drink what?" Hermione and Harry said in harmony.
"A love potion, well not really a love potion, it's not that powerful. Snape on the other hand has a pretty potent one brewing; anyway this potion only makes you have a tendency to want to love your partner. Since I see you to are already good friends it might not work. This task is mainly designed for such couples that dislike each other, but I'll still let one of you have a try."
Professor Sprout busied herself at her cauldron and returned with one cup of what looked like steaming apple cider.
"It's best to drink it all in a few gulps," advised professor Sprout. "Who wants to go?"
"I will," said Hermione. She wasn't placed in Gryffindor for being soft spoken, though more than half the time she was.
"Alright Ms. Granger, here you go, watch out it's hot. I'm just going to move back a little and make sure it works."
Hermione took the potion in two big gulps. It tasted like melted chocolate with a cherry tart flavor aftertaste. It started taking effect immediately. Her vision blurred for a brief second, and then her sense of balance faltered. She slumped to the floor. She looked at Harry, he still looked the same. Harry started to get up to help her. Hermione grabbed his hand and sat down next to him on the couch. She stared around the room. Everything was the same and she was still Hermione.
"Well?" Professor Sprout looked anxiously at Hermione.
"Well, I don't feel anything. I'm still Hermione." She felt very confused.
Professor Sprout looked perplexed. "I may have not stirred the potion well enough and that may be why the potion has no effect but there is one more possibility," Professor Sprout trailed off.
"What's the other possibility?" asked Harry who looked quiet comfy on the couch.
"I'm sure I must have not stirred it long enough… the other option is that the love potion wasn't strong enough. It might not have been able to override emotions that were already there. That would be the only other reason," finished professor Sprout.
"Oh god," thought Hermione. Hermione could feel the heat flooding into her cheeks. This certainly wasn't going good. She expected Harry to say something but he kept quiet.
"Well, it seems you two have passed since it was more than likely my folly. So here you go!" Professor Sprout handed them a piece a paper with Professor Sprout's sloppy signature on it.
"Take that with you and get it signed by each of the professors that have a task assigned to you. If you get all the signatures you need, then you might be able to win. Oh and good luck. Your portkey is over there." Professor Sprout pointed toward one of her flower pots.
"It's the one with the pink flower. It will take you to your next task!"
Hermione still couldn't think straight. She knew her face was still red. She would just have to get through this. Next time she surely wouldn't be the first to volunteer!
A/N: That's the first task but certainly not the best, that one I'm saving for the next chapter! I hope everyone enjoyed the chptr! I'll be updating more real soon, at least by Friday!
