The next morning Hermione awoke with an uncomfortable feeling in her stomache, at first she considered that it was probably something she had eaten last night, but as the morning rays of sun played across her face, she remembered what today was, and the commitment she had made to herself. Today she would give Harry the Valentines card. If he didn't seem to freaked out by it then good. If he did seem like he was scared, then she could hastily add that it was just as a friend thing.
Whilst it was technically supposed to be a school day, there were no lessons for the fifth years and up. The teachers had long since given up trying to teach on this day, as pieces of paper went flying from one side of the room to the other carrying secret declarations of love which everyone would read before folding it back up and whispering "Pssst, pass it on."
Hermione didn't know what they had planned for the day, she said they, meaning Harry and Ron. Both of them being in a state of bachelorhood would probably wonder round for the day and try and find a partner. Harry needn't look very far though. The weather was promising to be good today, which meant whilst it was still cold outside, with the sun shining it would feel a lot warmer than it was, and they could easily forget that they could see their breath outside.
Seventh year students were allowed to go to Hogsmeade today and even if they weren't, the three of them could sneak in. On quiet a few weekends they snuck into the neighbouring town, where Ron and Harry would buy sweets and gather the latest information from Zonkos and post it back to Fred and George to study and improve upon it. Hermione usually got quills or writing supplies whilst she went, though last time she had managed to excuse her self and pick up the watch she would give to Harry.
Hermione pulled on her best trousers, which consisted of some dark jeans. She had had them for a long while but she never really got a chance to wear them with school uniforms all the time, and it was to hot during the summer. With this she wore a red sleeveless top, with of course a black robe over the top. Hermione being head girl meant she had her own private room, though Ginny was in there often enough you would think she lived there to. It wasn't very large, and it didn't have its own bathroom meaning she either needed to use the one coming of the seventh year girls room, or the prefects bathroom way over the other side of school.
Hermione glanced down at the clock on her bedside table. It was half past seven. Hermione didn't want to be to late, just in case she missed anyone wanting to give her a card, though she didn't want to be to early and end up having to sit there forever whilst everyone but her got cards. Ginny knocked on the door just as Hermione was finishing her hair.
"Beautiful enough for Harry yet?" She asked as Hermione played particular attention to her appearance today.
Firstly, I shall never be beautiful." Hermione said with a smile. "And secondly I don't think Harry is that shallow that a little bit more make up and a change of clothes will make a difference." She said though she wondered just how true it was. Ginny gave a snigger.
"If you think that what clothes you wear wont matter to him then you walk in front of him with lacy underwear and see what he says. I bet he won't ask about homework.
Hermione turned her face away at this venereal comment, mostly to hide the blush as she imagined the scene in her head. Harry would be tied down on satin bed sheets and she would stand over him with a whip. "I hear you like rubber…" Hermione shook her head as she cursed to herself for these thoughts. They scared her sometimes.
"So anyway let's get down to breakfast, I'm sure Adam has a card for you." Hermione said as she changed the subject, put the hairbrush down on the bedside table, and walked out of the room.
Hermione had already taken the watch and put it in the valentine's box so it could be delivered anonymously. Whilst she dared give him the card in person she thought the watch might suggest stronger feelings and make him think she was madly and passionately in love with him, which she was. He was only supposed to think it was a mild interest.
As they reached the great hall they looked round and Hermione's heart skipped a beat. Harry was already at the table with Ron, both of them talking to each other about something or other. There were three cards in front of them and Hermione desperately hoped they were all for Ron. As Ginny and she approached Harry spotted them and gestured to two empty seats opposite. It was still a bit early and only about half the students were there. The remained would probably file in before eight fifteen though, because that was when the cards would be dealt out.
"How are you this morning?" He asked before she managed to sit back down.
"Fine thanks and you? Cards already?" She asked with a pained grin as she sat down.
"Well only two of them are for me." He said as he tried to make it sound like not much. "The other one is for Ron. Mine was from some sixth year girl and Sarah from Ravenclaw… you know the one with the…
"Enormous chest?" Hermione volounteered causing Harry to blush.
"Well I was going to say something else but yeah that's the one." He laughed sheepishly as he ran a hand through his hair, something which charmed the pants of Hermione. She made a mental note, that no matter what happened, that at all costs Sarah from Ravenclaw must be annihilated.
