Disclaimer: Valentine's Days in the HP books are filled with dwarves that make Grumpy look like Happy, bad poetry, twee teashops that scare boys like Harry, and very little actual romance. Hope this chap evokes a bit of canon while giving you the good stuff that's more about hearts than flowers. Hugs and Kisses to you all! xoxoxo Kerichi


Chapter 34- My Funny Valentine

Mild February sunlight streamed through the large windows in the Gryffindor Common Room, illuminating the corner where a group of boys sat around looking glumly at one another. Every once in awhile, one of the teens would half-heartedly suggest a game, to which the others would respond with a shrug of disinterest. The clear, cool day was perfect for flying, but Harry and Ron had no interest in some Quidditch practice on the Sunday morning. Instead, they sat on the sofa staring into the fireplace.

Colin slumped in a chair, too dejected to want to develop his latest batch of film. Those shots of Blaise would just remind him that he could look but not touch. Luna had set him and her roommate Mindy up, and he and the strawberry-blonde had decided to work together to find a way to break up Boot and Zabini. So far, nothing had worked. They needed to have another talk about strategy.

Neville sat on the floor, where he was pretending to study his new Herbology text, but hadn't turned a page in a half-hour. His mind was constantly drifting off, thinking about his girlfriend. Last night in the library, she'd snuck in some baklava, and they'd enjoyed licking the honey off each other's fingers. He looked up when Harry sighed for the tenth time in ten minutes. Ron stood and said belligerently,

"What's bloody wrong with us? You'd think we were going to have our souls sucked out by Dementors! The girls have been working like house elves on this ruddy dance. The least we can do is pretend to like it!"

Harry halted mid-sigh and nodded,

"I know." He made a face, "It's just that even the thought of Valentine's Day makes my stomach hurt. The last one with Cho was such a disaster; I can't help but think this one's doomed, too." His smile waswry, "I'm no good at romance stuff." Privately, he wished that guys didn't have to work so hard to get a girl's attention and affection. Couldn't they just snog and forget the other gobshite?

Colin appeared sympathetic, but was secretly amused. The Famous Harry Potter was lucky in foiling the Dark Lord, but unlucky in love. Since Ronan had walked out of Hogwarts, his hero had been going with Chang. The slim blond didn't think that the relationship was going to work, though. Cho seemed to have a morbid interest in talking about their 'lost loves'. He'd listened, inadvertently, to a conversation between the couple in the library. If he'd heard the Ravenclaw refer to his mate as 'poor Harry' one more time, Colin would've lost it.

Tracing the outlines of the passionata fruit depicted on the page of his text, Neville hoped Bindy would like his Valentine's gift- a basket of it. He'd OWLed his older cousin Basil, his only nice relative, and asked for his help in finding the fruit. Basil had come through, and the pink cello-wrapped basket was sitting on his desk, waiting to be given with his card tomorrow. The round face wasn't moody like the others. He knew he'd have a good time with his girlfriend. He just wondered,

"What kind of music is 'Muggle'? Gryffindor House usually plays rock or The Weird Sisters at parties. Nobody ever dances to it- we chat and play games…or...go off and...uh...talk." The other guys snickered, making the boy blush and continue, "Whatever it is, I hope I can dance to it. Bindy said that Muggle teens don't waltz, foxtrot or stand around swaying and nodding their heads- they line dance or 'free style', whatever that means. Do any of you know?"

Laughing, Creevey educated,

"There's loads of different styles of Muggle music, mate. Everything from slow to fast, rock, country, pop, R&B...you name it, they'll probably have an orb spinning it tomorrow night. I've watched hours of music telly at home. If you need help with dance moves, I can show you one that any bloke can do."

The earnest, boy took him up on the offer. Ron elbowed Harry in the side as they watched the blond show his fellow Gryffindor how to 'rock away'. Colin explained that even white guys who couldn't dance more than a slow-dance shuffle could do the 'lean back, lean back' move while their girlfriend 'got their groove on'. Bright blue eyes changed from mirth to thoughtfulness.

What if Hermione wanted to 'groove'? He didn't want to look like an idiot out on the floor or worse- have her dance with someone else while he watched. Memories of 'Mione dancing with Victor Krum made him scowl. Stepping to the other side of Creevey, the tall red-head began to copy the other boys and found the rocking move easy to do. It could even be varied to make him look more skilled than he really was. Maybe he wasn't a hopeless case like Fred and George always said.

Noticing how easily his best mate was doing the step, Harry reluctantly got in line and learned to feel the beat and 'rock away'. He hoped that the time and effort he was putting into making Cho's Valentine's Day special would pay off. The boy was tired of dreaming about getting close to a girl. He was ready for the real thing. If being romantic would get Cho to take the next step, it would be worth all the aggravation.

He'd asked Luna to go to Hogsmeade with him after 'Ronan' left, but she'd turned him down to go with her boyfriend, Roberts. In the weeks since, the blonde had looked troubled whenever she'd seen him with Chang. She wasn't the only one. Lorelei had passed him and Cho in the corridors several times after she'd returned from 'nursing her father', and each time she'd smiled warmly, but once he'd looked back and caught her gazing after them with a slight frown. The disapproval and doubt from both females made the boy feel even better about letting the pretty Ravenclaw ease his emotional 'pain'. Crossing his arms in satisfaction, Harry laughed when Colin told him that was a brilliant variation on the basic move, and they were all looking good.


Inside the Great Hall, the small group gathered around Professor Lorelei, who was in charge of Dance preparations. They had been practicing the spells needed to transform the dining hall into a ballroom. The only thing the girls couldn't agree on was how to decorate the massive space.

"I think we should have fairies flying around sprinkling fairy dust on everybody."

Luna blinked at the blonde Hufflepuff who'd made the suggestion and said mildly,

"Might be a bit hard to dance if your partner starts floating toward the ceiling..."

The three Slytherin girls snickered at the Ravenclaw's comment. The auburn-headed one smirked,

"Yeah, and think of the view the blokes below would have of your knickers."

Every girl giggled at that. A tall Slytherin with short, brown curls drawled,

"The dress you're going to wear is so short, Fiona, your guy's gonna see your knickers if you bend over."

Flint shot back,

"Look who's calling the cauldron black, Blaise..."

The two Hufflepuff helpers looked uncomfortable at the thought of the Slytherins' short skirts. Their House was more modest. The brunette, Mandy Moore, confided that most of their female Housemates planned on wearing long, flowery dresses. None of the other girls responded with anything other than non-committal nods, but the looks flashed between Ravenclaw, Slytherin, and Gryffindors were full of suppressed amusement and hardly complimentary. Even the professor had to cover a 'cough' suddenly.

Hermione smiled at Ginny and the Patil twins. They'd volunteered to help decorate, and it was turning out to be more fun than she'd ever thought it would be. The Gryffindor Prefect had originally gone along to make sure everything proceeded in an organized fashion, and had expected it to be a chore. Now the girl was glad she wasn't needed to take charge- she rather liked being one of the helpers. Padma and Pavarti's dark eyes flickered toward each other before suggesting,

"Fairy lights would be beautiful."

Everyone agreed, and smiled when Lorelei confessed that she'd already borrowed loads from her party-planning mother. Conjuring a big box of chocolates, the professor passed the confections around to 'inspire' the girls. The ideas of cascading confetti, flying cupids, prancing pixies, singing dwarves, and male strippers were bandied about- and each one...the last, regretfully...rejected. The black-haired Slytherin, Morrigan, proposed that a photographer take pictures of couples like they did at Muggle dances. The notion was eagerly accepted. The woman listening to the girls smiled at MacDuff, then turned to the red-haired Gryffindor and said,

"Great minds think alike. I've already hired your roommate Rosaline to take pictures during the dance, Ms. Weasley. Would you mind asking Ms. Wells to include couple photography? I've seen some of her work, and she's brilliant with a camera."

Ginny gaped, then recovered her composure and nodded. That was...a great idea. Give Ros a way to earn money for her own studio one day. The freckled face broke into a grin.

Frowning at Ginny's happy expression, Hermione inquired,

"Why are you so interested in a dance you aren't even attending? Ron told me this morning that you'd turned down three offers and would rather stay in with a good romance novel than go with someone you didn't like again." When Ginny retorted that she was a girl and her friend's comment rather rude, Hermione glanced over at a pleasantly rounded Ravenclaw girl and said in a small voice, "Sorry, No offense"

Bindy Brocklehurst laughed heartily,

"None taken. I didn't even notice Neville back then. I liked chocolate way more than boys in third year. What was I thinking?"

Giggles erupted. The angelically blonde Ravenclaw, Cindy Cornfoot, raised her hand like she was in class. The rest of the girls giggled harder. The professor asked, "Yes, Cindy?"

Blushing slightly at being the center of attention, the girl gestured to the high ceilings and walls and said with a smile,

"My friends may faint with shock, but I was thinking...wouldn't the Hall look grand decorated in panels of red and white fabric, with red tablecloths and white flowers? I remember how...awful...the Hall looked when Lockhart made everything pink...and most boys are practically allergic to the color...so if we kept things elegant and simple, perhaps..."

"Perhaps the guys will want to dance, instead of wanting to escape the girly nightmare? I second that. Brilliant, Cindy...anyone object? No? Well, then we agree. Red and White it is. Is that alright Professor?"

Lorelei smiled at Mindy MacDougal. The Ravenclaw usually let the reddish tint to her blonde hair affect her dealings with others. She could be Slytherin she was so sarcastic. Today, the girl had made a real effort to hold her tongue and get along. The woman agreed,

"I love it. I've heard horror stories about Madam Puddifoot's Valentine decorations, and must confess I'm relieved that you girls don't want to reproduce what Ms. MacDougal so aptly called a girly nightmare in our Hall. I'll be meeting with the house-elves later, and I'm sure they too will be thrilled with the theme. I was thinking white roses and fairy phlox for the floral arrangements..." trailing off to get the girls' reactions to her suggestion, the teacher's dark eyes twinkled at their eager nods and Ginny and Blaise's sighs. The memory of lying with Severus in a fairy ring with the vanilla scented fairy phlox perfuming the air made her sigh too.

Collecting her wits, Lorelei turned the conversation in a direction she hoped wouldn't be too controversial. "We've accomplished a great deal. Thanks to your unity of purpose and co-operation, we've decided to have dinner before the dance. The first through third years and those choosing not to attend will be thankful not to have to eat a cold sandwich in their common rooms. You girls are so marvelous at transfiguration charms- the House Tables and benches will be turned into smaller, round tables and chairs in a trice. The elves will hang the red and white panels and fairy lights for us. Ms. Wells will set up her photography equipment. After dinner tomorrow, if you'll stay in the Hall, we can transfigure and decorate the tables, and be set for the evening ahead. The only thing we haven't discussed is music."

Immediately, the girls each started trying to talk over one another to convince the professor that their House partiality in musical style should be given preference. Only the Gryffindors looked uncertainly at each other. Lorelei had heard that the bold students liked music in the same style- rock that was enjoyable to listen to, but not exactly the kind that inspired dancing. The thought of the students of that house all nodding their heads or swaying to electric guitar driven music made the woman smile.

She held her hands up to stop the flow of words and announced, "Send your house elf to me with a list of your Housemates' favorite songs. A professional Orpheus will be spinning the orbs at the dance, and we'll make up a play list from your choices...with a few of our own thrown in of course. Again, thank you for all your help and wonderful ideas...I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow evening." The girls hung around for awhile longer, talking, then drifted off to their separate Houses.


Trailing after her friends and roommates, Mindy couldn't shake her strange mood. She and Colin hadn't found a way to break up their least favorite couple. They called Boot/Zabini that because each wanted half the couple to be a couple with them instead. Or they had…she had…the girl didn't know how she felt anymore.

"Pssst...Mindy...over here..."

Glancing toward the statue of Bertha the Behemoth, the Ravenclaw told her friends to go on ahead; she had something to do. Walking around the grinning giantess, she saw Creevey lounging against the broad backside. Coolly staring the deceptively cherubic boy down, she demanded haughtily, "What do you want?"

Colin smiled wickedly, "I want to take pictures of Zabini. But since that's not an option now, I'll take this, instead." He reached out and pulled the girl toward him. She reacted the way she always did- pretend to be reluctant, and then snog his brains out. The first time he'd kissed her after they'd agreed to team up had been in the Shrieking Shack. Lovegood had arranged for the couple she was trying to set up to join her, Roberts, Boot, and Zabini for a picnic there Hogsmeade Weekend in January. He'd planned on trying the 'Truth or Dare' spin the bottle trick, but hadn't counted on 'Loony Luna' daring him to go upstairs and kiss Mindy first. The pair had walked up the steps glaring at each other. She'd sneered, in the first room they came to,

"Brilliant, Creevey...just brilliant. How is kissing going to help us pry those two revolting lovebirds apart?"

He'd noticed how striking her hair looked with pale features and blue-green eyes and smiled, "It won't, but it might come in handy later...when we put our practice to good use."

The girl had murmured, "Brilliant, Creevey..." before attacking him. He'd quite enjoyed it. Since then, they'd been 'practicing' for their future partners several times a week.

Right now, Mindy was attempting to snog Colin's lips off. She'd started practicing on the Gryffindor because the Ravenclaw she'd thought she wanted was too busy running his hands all over his Slytherin girlfriend to notice that she was alive. Back in the Shrieking Shack, when Colin had suggested kissing, the contrast between his angelic good looks and devilish personality had been so perversely attractive, she'd been happy to take him up on the offer. Every time their lips touched, she knew that the little manipulator was trying to kiss her helpless. The girl tried to beat him at his own game. So far, they were equally matched. It was annoying...and exhilarating.

Trying to finger comb her hair back into a semblance of order later, the girl said brusquely, "One thing I've noticed about Boot- he's not a great dancer. If you offer to partner Zabini during a Hufflepuff or Gryffindor song he's too uncomfortable to, I can work on him while you work on her- agreed?"

Colin smiled. Mindy was just as conniving as he was. It was just one of the things he liked about the Ravenclaw. Too bad she was so nuts about Boot. The guy would be whipped after a week of going out with a willful girl like her. Zabini was a lot more devious than her boyfriend, but still naive enough to be played- which he liked even more. Turning toward his House, the slim Machiavelli whistled as he walked.


Valentine's Day started with a bang. Peeves zoomed through the corridors clanging two shields he'd taken from suits of armor. The pesky poltergeist didn't know exactly why he was feeling so out of sorts this day of all days. He just knew that he was. Whenever he was out of sorts, the specter made mischief to feel better. Professors were angrily stomping downstairs in their nightwear. The ghost cackled at the wands being waved in his direction. Cranky at being woken at dawn, were they?

Wicked black eyes sparkled in the zig-zagging spirit's translucent face. He dodged spells and headed for the entry, merrily banging his make-shift cymbals. Once the staff had gathered to shake their fists and try unsuccessfully to contain him with spells, Peeves zipped up to the ceiling and popped the magicked bubble he'd used to hold his Valentine's gift for his friends. Red, white, and pink confetti drifted down upon the teachers' heads. Dumbledore, who had just entered along with Lorelei and Snape, clapped his hands and declared,

"Once again, our spirited friend has gathered us together to show his affection. I wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day."

The professors didn't look pleased with his 'present'- they looked ready to try and hex him again. Especially McGonagall, whose hairnet had snagged quite a few bits of confetti. The ghost thought it an improvement on her usual hairstyle. Very festive, too...although he didn't think she'd appreciate it if he suggested that she leave it in. A melodic laugh directed his attention to the woman looking quite fetching in a bright pink satin robe. She smiled at him and said,

"Peeves...come here...I owe you a song."

Smiling roguishly, the poltergeist drifted down to float near the woman who was looking like herself again. He winked at her, causing Lorelei to giggle, and the man behind her to give him a sour look. What she saw in old lemon head, he'd never know. Winking back at him, his friend sang, My Funny Valentine. The rest of the staff was laughing. Peeves was flattered. He waggled his eyebrows while Lorelei sang about him being her Valentine.

Faint glimmers, undetectable to the human eye, filled the entry by the end of the song. The psychic shimmering was evidence of the many spirits that had drifted in to see what the hubub was about and stayed to listen to the song. Chuffed that of all the ghosts in the castle, the siren liked him the best, Peeves turned pink when the woman 'kissed' his cheek and softly wished him 'Happy Valentine's Day'. He promised to behave, he was so touched. The other apparitions' auras radiated with envy. Peeves zoomed away, manically giggling with mischievous happiness.


During lunch, the dreaded dwarves made an appearance with their singing Valentines. Watching several students cringe upon hearing theirs, Tonks was glad to see that at least Zabini appreciated the one her boyfriend sent, although the girl's enjoyment of it should have been displayed somewhere else...somewhere private, where her...gratitude...wouldn't make jaws drop and professors watching jealous. The metamorphmagus knew that it was irrational to want to be courted like some giddy schoolgirl. She did. It was no use. Tonks couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy every time she saw a boy give a girl flowers, or a card, or even hold her hand walking down the corridors.

Trying to peevishly stab a piece of melon, the spiky red-haired woman with golden eyes accidentally catapulted the fruit up the table, where it landed with a plop by Snape's plate. The bat looked superciliously down at her and raised an eyebrow after disdainfully waving his fingers to make the mess disappear. Ruddy show off...and the giggling siren was getting a kick under the table if she didn't shut it pronto. The Entry doors opened again.

A scowling dwarf marched down the aisle between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff Tables, not stopping until he reached the Staff Table. The little man leapt up in a cat-like motion that startled everyone into leaning away from him. Gruffly, the dwarf holding a bow and arrow like he was just waiting for someone to give him an excuse to use it demanded,

"Which one o' you be Tonks?"

Every one of her colleagues pointed at her. Under his winged cap, the dwarf sneered,

"Ta' Thanks...here be yer bloody Valentine, then, lady." Taking a deep breath, the diminutive man sang in a voice that was ironically sweet, Three Coins in a Fountain, which stated that only a single wish would be granted, and of all the hearts wanting to be a Valentine, choose his.

Reaching into the messenger bag worn across his chest, the singer pulled out a red envelope. He tossed it to the starry eyed woman, narrowly avoiding knocking over her juice. Tonks picked up the card and smiled mistily, thanking the man for his song. Adjusting his cap, the dwarf replied,

"Thank your Valentine for picking Sinatra instead of trying to write his own poem. One year I had to hold down some little punk and sing a stupid verse about pickled toads. Bloody amateurs...!" Hopping down from the table, the dwarf stomped back up the aisle, stopping once to shake his fist at Harry Potter and blow a raspberry before leaving the Hall.

"Oh Tonks, Remus is so romantic!"

Her friend was smiling wistfully. The DA professor was grateful that she didn't have to sneak around with her partner. Of course, she was even more thankful her partner wasn't the Potions Master. Immediately, Tonks felt her eyes water. Oh my gods, the thought of Snape as a partner, I may lose my breakfast here and now...quick...think of Remus...on a bed of roses...oh yeah...that's a Happy Valentine image...

Watching the 'red-head' open her card and beam over the sentiment, and the news that Dumbledore had asked Remus to help chaperone the Valentine's Dance tonight- like the old wizard wasn't the biggest cupid going- Lorelei's lips curved. She was happy for her friend. Tonks would be able to dance with her sweetheart tonight. She avoided looking at Severus for the rest of the meal- she didn't want him to see her wistfulness.

Turning her attention to the student tables, her eyes met Harry's. He smiled at her before turning back to his friends. Unconsciously, she frowned. Something about the boy's friendship with Ms. Chang struck a wrong note. Shaking off her misgivings, and telling herself to be grateful the young man had moved on to a girl his own age, Lorelei asked Tonks what she was going to wear.

"Merlin, I don't know!"

Smiling genuinely, the siren said, "Wear the white dress you wore New Year's Eve." Her mate gave her a doubtful look,

"Isn't that a bit too...sexy?"

Biting her lip to keep from laughing, Lorelei replied, "Of course not. I promise to wear something just as attractive, if it makes you feel better." Grinning at the other woman's negative shaking of her head, she persuaded, "Remus loved that dress...it'll be his Valentine present..." Sensing her friend's resolve weakening, she joked, "It'll be good for the kiddies to see that older doesn't mean frumpier. You wouldn't want the girls to think they're doomed to red tartan after twenty, do you?" The friends both looked down at McGonagall, then met each other's eyes and dissolved into laughter.

"What's so funny, then?"

Lorelei smiled at Hagrid and answered, "Women's fashion." At his blank stare, she asked, "What will you be wearing tonight, Rubeus?" Scratching his bushy beard for a moment, the half-giant stated,

"Me old brown suit, I s'ppose. Bit hairy and scratchy, but I don' rightly 'ave another."

Tucking a spiraled curl behind her ear in a way that showed the woman was about to get down to serious business, the siren shook her head, "Sorry mate, I refuse to dance with a man in a hairy suit. I'll come by your place and transfigure you something after my last class, alright?"

Taken by surprise, Hagrid's voice was louder than the tie he usually wore with the brown crime against fashion.

"You want ter dance with me?"

A swell of laughter rippled across the hall in response to the booming question. Laughing herself, Lorelei nodded, "Yes, Rubeus, I want to dance with you." Bidding her friends farewell, she left the chamber and headed toward the dungeon and her next class.


Making a gruesome face in the bathroom mirror, Cassandra Priam wondered what had happened to her life. One day, she'd had her friends, her unique style, and was content to have the gift of prophecy, even if she was cursed by the gods and no human believed her. The next, a beautiful boy had walked into her life and ruined her peace of mind along with her preference for the color black...first makeup...now...shudder...clothes. Brown eyes closed in misery. When they opened, Cass almost jumped out of her skin. Three witches were crowded around her, holding what looked like instruments of torture. The one with big brown eyes smiled and promised,

"Relax, this won't hurt a bit."

Rubbing her newly pierced earlobes and feeling as though her eyebrows had been plucked hairless, the prophetess thought grimly that her 'sight' had failed to show her the indignities that had been inflicted upon her. Her hair was upswept, with the exception of a lone curl that was left to 'soften' the look. Whatever that meant... The lips pouting in the mirror were painted the same color as the abomination her roommates had the nerve to call a dress. It was strapless. It was short. It was pink. It was...

"It's beautiful...you're beautiful, Cass...I feel like a fairy godmother."

Zabini had delusions of grandeur. The dress was attractive, in a way that she personally had never cared for, but tonight...it was okay. Involuntarily, she smiled, slightly. The girls watching her clapped their hands and jumped up and down in glee over her grudging approval. They had way too much energy...but she'd bet their dates would appreciate it on the dance floor later.

The thought of dancing...with her date made bats- she refused to have anything as insipid as butterflies- swoop in Cassandra's middle. Before she could, in the crude, but apt words of MacDuff 'chicken shit out', the otherworldly Slytherin squared her shoulders and headed for the door. Walking down the Girls' Staircase, she stopped halfway. Leaning against the bottom banister, Kieran looked so tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome that her mind became incapable of coherent thought. Into the haze of fuzzy impressions- Armani suit, smiling eyes, and lips that made hers throb- a vision formed.

She was swimming in the ocean. A seal with beautiful dark eyes swam with her. She held onto his neck while he dove down to show her a world she had never seen. After exploring, she rested on the shore. Kieran leaned over her, shaking his long wet fringe out of his eyes. He smiled, "Aren't you glad you came home with me for Holiday?" She answered by bringing his lips down to hers...

Watching Cassandra's eyes become unfocused, Kieran wondered what the 'sight' was showing her. When the girl came back to herself, met his curious gaze, and blushed to match her dress, he grinned. Holding out a wrist corsage of pink rosebuds and Fairy Phlox, he mentally thanked his sister for informing him of land people's romantic customs. This Valentine thing was quite interesting. The boy had enjoyed watching the various couples exchange gifts or kisses. He had almost kissed three different girls who had been sad to have no Valentine, but the girl before him had intervened each time. She was quite gifted in finding alternate methods of helping young women find happiness.

The selkie found that the longer he stayed as an exchange student, the less he minded Priam's interference. In fact, he was flattered. He knew that she wanted his lips to touch no other mouth but hers. Tonight, he would fulfill the wish that had become his own. Kieran laughed softly upon noticing the girl looking warily at the flowers adorning her wrist. Did she think they might attack her? He complimented in the lyrical tone that made girls, even this stubborn one, sigh,

"You look pretty in pink."

Cassandra's brows drew together,

"Are you joking? No? Oh...thanks...you look hot...I mean alright...too."

Attending Hogwarts had given the teen a working vocabulary of slang, although he said straight-faced,

"If I look hot, it is because the sight of you makes me so."

Cassandra narrowed her eyes in suspicion, then relaxed and gave him such a shy, sweet smile that the boy couldn't wait for a more 'romantic' time and place. He leaned down and kissed her. A chorus of sighs wafted down the staircase. His partner lifted her lips from his after one last kiss and turned to scowl at the trio of witches staring down at them. The girls giggled and waved before rushing back to their room to finish dressing. Shaking her head, his...what was the human term...girlfriend...pulled him by the hand across the chamber. Sneering at the housemates who stared, she muttered,

"There's got to be an unoccupied alcove behind a statue somewhere."


The portrait guarding his lover's private rooms lifted, allowing Remus to duck inside. He raised an appreciative brow at the woman trying to tug her hem down to cover a bit more leg. If she was attempting to look less like a Nymphadora and more like a Tonks, the effort was futile. The DA professor gave up when he gave a wolf whistle. She exclaimed how handsome he was in an evening suit. He clasped her hands in his, standing back to 'admire her beauty'. She blushed. He grinned. She hurled herself into his arms and snogged the breath out of him. Strolling beside him on their way to the Hall, Tonks said quietly,

"The song and the card were beautiful. Thank you."

Gazing warmly at the woman who was his Valentine every day of the year, Remus smiled,

"My pleasure...and speaking of which...where's my Valentine's present you've been hinting at for weeks now?" Noting the red flush that contrasted so nicely with the white beaded dress, the man swallowed hard and choked out, "Are you...wearing it?"

Golden-eyes sparkled in answer. Lupin's mouth dried, trying to imagine... They came to the statue of Inigo the Impetuous. Adopting a stern mien and tone, his changeable love ordered,

"Come out from behind there this instant!"

A couple of red-faced Ravenclaws scurried away. Smiling wickedly, his beloved backed toward the shadowy space behind the statue. A slender finger crooked invitingly,

"Want to take a peek at your 'present'?"

With a predatory grin, Remus nodded and took a step forward.

The former DA professor was still smiling wolfishly as he greeted his former students in the entry of the Great Hall. Couples were having their photographs taken in a corner. He steered his Valentine over to stand in line. The students looked torn between admiration and amusement that professors would want their picture taken just like normal couples.


Cho Chang was one of the teens waiting who admired the older generation's affection- and Professor Tonks' dress. It was gorgeous. The Ravenclaw who knew she was the prettiest girl in her House glanced down at her long, white, Grecian-style gown she'd thought so glamorous- until now- and frowned.

"You look beautiful...I really like your dress."

Meeting Harry Potter's gaze, the dark beauty's lips tilted in self-satisfaction. Her date was so terribly brave, nobly carrying on after that girl had left and broken his heart. She'd tried hard over the last weeks to ease his pain, make the poor boy feel less alone. Tears sparkled on her eyelashes. Some girls couldn't cry beautifully, their lashes clumped together and their eyes and nose reddened. Cho had always been able to keep her amazing good looks while expressing deep sadness.

Even when her darling, lost love Cedric had first been cruelly taken from her, the girl had looked like a goddess whilst grief stricken. Everyone had told her so. She remembered how Harry had tried, in his inadequate, ignorant male way, to make her feel better back then. The Ravenclaw was so glad to be able to repay his bumbling kindness now.

The photographer smirked at them while taking the photographs. Cho thought the other girl jealous. Once she saw the two Goblin Insta-Prints that would be sent to their Houses later tonight, it was obvious why that Wells person had smirked. Harry had looked off during the pictures! Huffily deciding to cut the messy-haired boy out of her picture, the girl allowed her date, who she decided was too gutted to be expected to behave properly, to steer her toward the opening doors to the Great Hall.

Harry smiled down at Cho while she floated in his arms around the floor. They had been dancing on and off for hours. She'd been very impressed with his 'rock away' step. The slow song now playing had drawn most of the couples to the center of the room to dance. She smiled mistily up at him. He looked deeply into her eyes. Midnight black was his favorite color. Harry maneuvered his date towards a dark corner obscured from view by a trio of potted palms. His eyes met Luna's. She swayed to the music with that joker Roberts. He held her eyes while brushing a kiss across the top of Chang's head. Pale pink lips tightened and frowned. He smirked. Lovegood could've been the lucky girl that he was about to snog if she hadn't chosen Wesley for a boyfriend. Smoothly, he danced his partner into the private corner.

"Cho...you've been so sweet and good to me...may I kiss you?"

The girl glanced down at the expensive gold bracelet he'd given her for Valentine's Day and then up into his eyes. Harry could almost see her thinking that she owed him a kiss. She raised her face. He lowered his mouth. When she tried to pull away, he protested, "Lore..."

Soft hands pushed him roughly away. Tears spilled unchecked down her cheeks. Eyelashes sparkling with moisture, Cho cried,

"What? What did you call me? Lora? How dare you!" She stumbled away from him and he followed, catching her arm. She yanked it away and screeched, "I thought you were heartbroken over that Ronan girl, and all this time you...you've been using me...waiting for a chance to kiss me...and then you call me Lora!" Lips trembling, eyes streaming with tragically beautiful tears, Chang declared, "I never want to talk to you again!"

The distraught girl rushed over to a table full of her Housemates, who gathered protectively around her and glared at him. Harry looked around. People were staring. Shite. Ron and Hermione looked especially upset. He shook his head over the uproar his mistake had caused and pushed his way out of the Hall. On the other side of the doors, a girl in a short red dress leaned against the wall. The teen recognized her striking features, black hair and eyes. Morrigan MacDuff- one of Zabini's roommates...she smiled ruefully,

"Not either of our nights, is it?"

He snorted, "Not mine...as everybody in the castle probably heard...why not yours?"

Taking a step toward him, she explained with dark humor,

"I've got…had…a long distance boyfriend who wrote in my Valentine Card that he thinks we should date others while we're apart. To top that off, my date tonight is such a prat I couldn't stand to breathe the same air." Her red lips turned up while she looked him over. She smiled, "I bet Montague would really hate it if word got round that his date copped off with Harry-Bloody-Potter."

He looked her over. She was pretty, had those midnight eyes that were his favorite color- she'd do. His smile mirrored hers. The girl hooked her arm through his. He nodded toward the corridor leading to a school full of places they could snog, "Let's go."


Staring unhappily toward the door Harry had just shoved through, Ron wondered why his mate couldn't sort himself out. Every time he thought his pal had finally got his head on straight, the bloke pulled another crazy stunt. This one would be talked about for the rest of their time at school. Harry Potter had used Cho Chang and called her another girl's name while kissing her. Why couldn't his friend have kept his mouth shut? Why'd he have to go and blab? Gentle fingers stroked his face. Troubled blue eyes looked down to meet concerned amber ones.

"We can't protect Harry from himself all the time, Ron. He has to learn to face the consequences of his actions and make better choices in the future."

Agreeing with a nod, the tall red-head pulled his girl closer, swaying with her to the music. He sniffed and tried to joke, "I like your hair all fluffy soft best, but this way's beautiful too...and whatever you used smells better than that gunk you slopped on for Vicky at the Yule Ball."

Hermione giggled, happy to make her boyfriend smile. She'd been having such an amazing time at the Valentine's Dance until the Harry Episode. Seeing how Blaise hadn't looked Ron's way once after the Great Hall doors opened really lifted the Gryffindor Prefect's spirits. 'Mione didn't know what she'd do if she thought the Slytherin was actually interested in her boyfriend.

Her thoughts jumped from that disturbing contemplation to another. Harry was becoming quite a worrisome boy. He could be the bravest, best friend in the world, but lately he'd been acting immature and selfish. She knew he'd be sorry and promise to do better soon, so she concentrated on the teen who would look so good in the blue jumper she'd presented this morning as a sensible Valentine's gift- and to match his eyes.

Hermione rested her head on her boyfriend's shoulder and smiled. The knowledge that Ronald Weasley thought she was beautiful and desirable was an even better present than the book of arcane spells he'd given her with a posy of tiger lilies- to match her eyes. Remembering her dream of Ron wrapped in a green bow, the usually level headed girl mentally changed the bow to a red ribbon and giggled again.


During the dance, more and more members of the four Houses began to attempt dancing to other styles of music other than their own. Several students even sang their housemates' favorite song accompanied by a karaoke orb. Ostensibly, Lorelei was chaperoning the dance along with Tonks, Remus, Hagrid, McGonagall, Sprout, Hooch, and the Ancient Runes professor whose names started with 'S' like her Valentine's- Stuart Smalley. Professor Smalley was big into personal affirmation. He informed Lorelei while leading her around the floor in a gliding two-step to a Hufflepuff favorite Country song,

"Every morning, I look into the mirror and say, 'I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me'." Looking admiringly at her long, red velvet dress, Stuart beamed, "You look beautiful tonight."

Thaking him politely, she returned the blond man's smile and agreed that the affirmation was working very well- staff and students both liked him. Slightly alarmed by the man's tales of using positive affirmation to help students 'develop their potential', she declined the offer of another dance.

Between boogying with Tonks and Remus to 'Disco Inferno' and other tunes that lifted student eyebrows, she chatted with every colleague except one. McGonagall, in her floor length red-tartan gown, was too giggle-inspiring to attempt more than a weak smile of interaction. Lorelei scanned the room to ensure the kiddies were behaving and to look for Severus. She glimpsed his dark presence across the room- just as Cho Chang rushed out of the nearby corner, dramatically claiming in a voice that would do a harpy proud how Harry had used her...and called her another girl's name. Lora... Her sardonic sweetie would have to show up right at that unfortunate time. He'd lifted a brow in her direction that shouted, "I told you Potter's a little Oedipus", blended back into the shadows and disappeared.

"That's a cool trick...creepy...but very cool."

She smiled crookedly at Tonks, who admired the way her friend had left her hair down except for the part held back to expose her left ear and display a ruby earring. The siren thought about the ruby teardrop that couldn't be seen and experienced again the conflicting emotions she'd felt this morning when Severus had given her the gem as a Valentine's present. She'd made an effort to smile and tease,

"You seem to be fond of having me wear the chain. Trying to make me your little slave girl, are you?"

He'd lifted his admiring gaze from the contrast the belly chain with its new pendant made against her skin to kiss her and admit,

"I enjoy knowing you wear my gift, which no other will see...perhaps in the same way that I enjoy being your lover...even though few are aware of it. That you and I know is enough."

Right then, she'd been more than happy to prove that giving her love and receiving his was enough for her too. Later, seeing all the young couples walk the corridors together, watching Tonks receive her singing Valentine, Lorelei had longed to hold Severus' hand- send him a Valentine. Tonight, she'd danced with friends, and even with Zabini and the Ravenclaws, but not once had she slow-danced with the only man she wanted to be close to. She wondered if McGonagall and Dumbledore had once been like she and Severus were now. It was a depressing thought.

A large hand on her shoulder jarred the siren out of melancholy. Grateful, she gazed up into Hagrid's smiling face and exclaimed, "I have to tell you again how wonderful you look in your black suit, Rubeus. Very distinguished...did you have your picture taken so that you can OWL it to Maxime?"

Large white teeth gleamed against the black beard streaked with a bit of gray. He nodded. Bashfully, the half-giant reminded,

"You told me tha' you wanted a dance, lass...would you be carin' to take a turn wi' me now?"

Remus heard her agreement and promised to back Hagrid and Lorelei up with 'his little chameleon'. The two couples stepped onto the floor as the music changed and students walked off, unsure about the rhythm and wanting to watch the professors. Two more intrepid pairs of sweethearts, students, joined their teachers as the bouncy music started. The siren was amazed at how light Hagrid was on his feet.

Laughing and uncaring whether their audience laughed with or at them, the four sang along with Herman's Hermits. The half-giant was just as deft as the former DA professor at spinning his partner out and back to the song Something tells me I'm into something good.

Hagrid beamed at the riotous applause, and the friends adjourned to a nearby table to chat with the other professors. More students braved the karaoke limelight. Eventually, Lorelei began to notice the crowd thinning. Couples began to sneak out. She wondered if her Valentine was outside blasting apart white rosebushes, looking for young lovers to deduct House Points from. The thought made her smile wistfully- she adored that look of Hades-like wrath. The professional Orpheus spun a new orb, but only music projected. Disappointed groans were heard from several Ravenclaw girls. Making her way over, the professor asked what the problem was. The Orpheus admitted that the karaoke orb of the song had been brought by mistake. She impulsively offered to sing when her eyes met those of a man who lingered in the doorway.


Severus stepped back further into concealing shadows after his eyes met Lorelei's. The Potions Master knew that his lover wasn't entirely satisfied with their clandestine relationship. She'd tried hard to conceal her pensiveness over everyone else's Valentine's Day foolishness. She smiled, but he could see the strained cheerfulness in the outward show of sunny good humor.

The saturnine man had covertly kept an eye on tonight's proceedings, and had witnessed more than Potter's romantic faux pas. He'd seen the boy snogging a Slytherin girl- MacDuff- behind the statue of Gregory the Smarmy shortly afterwards. Snape had decided to ignore the students. It served his interests to have Harry-Bloody-Potter focus his attention away from the woman now smiling at him from across the room and getting ready to sing.

He'd always known she had a beautiful voice, but tonight, the way she swayed and vocalized the lyrics without removing her eyes from his, Severus knew Lorelei was conveying a message for him alone.

The inane Smalley declared beside him,

"I'm going to ask that woman out. I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me."

Ignoring the cretin, Snape watched the siren pour her love into the words expressing her Vision of Love. Standing alone- idiots like Smalley didn't count- Snape saw Dumbledore out of the corner of his eye. The Headmaster looked toward McGonagall- Minerva met Albus' gaze and smiled before turning back to observe the woman who was definitely putting body and soul into the song. Suddenly, a vision of himself and Lorelei, mirroring the other couple years from now made his stomach clench although he remained outwardly impassive. The Potions Master's hands balled into fists. He was tired of giving everything to The Order with only the slim hope that one day he could have a bloody life. Lean, intense features hardened in determination. He didn't want to wait one more day to do what he should've done months ago. Lorelei began the last chorus. Severus took a step forward, out of the shadows and into the light.

"I can't believe a woman like that doesn't have a lover!"

Sparing the moronic Runes Professor a scathing glance, Severus drawled coldly, "She does."

The man's sandy brows lifted,

"Really, who is it?"

"Me"

Snatching a white rose off the closest table, to the shock of the Gryffindor gang who had no doubt strained to hear his every word, the man strode over to the Orpheus, casually issued a command, and heard the music start. He walked toward the siren who was staring at him with wide eyes.

Disregarding the grinning werewolf and gaping metamorphmagus nearby, Severus offered the rose. Lorelei took it, shaking her head slightly while she tried to read his expression- figure out what he was doing. The corners of his mouth curved. He was winging it. Gruffly, he asked, "Would you care to dance?" With a wide, wondering smile, the siren nodded and threw her arms around his neck. Plastering her body to his, she gave the gaping dunderheads something even more interesting than Harry-Bloody-Potter to gossip about.

Sliding his hands around her waist, Snape looked down into the face looking up at him so lovingly. Using his hair to screen his expression, the private man who'd taken their relationship public on a grand scale gave a brief, tender, smile that lingered in his eyes long after it left his lips.

"Happy Valentine's Day"

The couple swayed together, barely moving. Nat King Cole's smooth voice proclaimed that the love they shared wasUnforgettable...


A/N: Happy Valentine's Day! I know this chap will post on the Friday before, but shouldn't we celebrate love every day? lol. Used songs by Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Herman's Hermits, Mariah Carey, and Nat King Cole this chap- can't have Valentine's without love songs- and peppy ones count too! heh. If you want another helping of romance, go read my 'A Tale of Two Matchmakers' fic- you know I went all out for Draco and Ginny, Luna and Wesley, and Blaise and Terry, don't you? Some of you already are- extra hugs and kisses to you sweetie darlings! xoxoxo Kerichi