Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter characters. All I own is the plot.

This is definitely an AU fic, since Dumbledore is alive! Well, it would be during sixth year I suppose, because of the pairings.

January had been over for a week now. Hearts were fluttering. It was almost Valentine's Day, and Professor Dumbledore had something up his sleeve. There wouldn't be a Hogsmeade visit this year, he had something planned that Minerva didn't even know about.

It was breakfast, three days before Valentine's Day. Dumbledore stood up to get the students' attention.

"As you know, Valentine's Day is coming up!" Dumbledore said in his cheery voice. "This year I have something different planned!" A few muted whispers ran through the Great Hall.

"Get on with it!" The Weasley twins yelled, sporting identical grins. Albus smiled while Minerva glowered. She wanted to know what was happening too, but she wouldn't be so cheeky.

"As I was saying, I have something planned. It will be Steal a Heart Day!" The Headmaster's eyes twinkled fiercely. Most of the students looked confused, but some had little smirks on their faces. Those were mostly Muggle-born witches or wizards. Even Minerva McGonnagall looked confused.

"Steal a Heart Day is a Valentine's Day celebration. The females are not allowed to talk to males all day. That includes talking to teachers,"-Hermione gasped-"or your peers. Oh yes. This applies to all staff. Females will wear a pink heart on their shirts. If a female happens to talk to a male, the heart will turn a deep pink- fuschia. If there happens to be more contact, the heart will turn red. If you want your heart to stay pink, there will be no writing notes, or any contact with males. " Dumbledore's smile widened and his eyes glittered like a miniature sun.

"Onto your classes before you are late!" He dismissed the students. The professors were staring openly at him, except for Snape and Trelawney. The latter was playing with her spoon and scanned the room with darting eyes. It was one of the few times that she had come to the Great Hall for a meal.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Dumbledore asked cheerfully. "Time for classes!"

"So Harry, what d'you think about this- thing?" Ron stumbled with his words.

"I dunno." Harry was surprised. He really would like to change a person's heart, but he wasn't sure he had the nerve.

"I think it will be fun," Hermione said brightly. "Maybe it will work on some inter-House relationships!"

"Of course it will. Girls can't talk to anyone, so if a boy tries to tease them or something, they can't respond unless they want to lose. Great game," Ron said acidly. Hermione arched an eyebrow.

"I didn't think you had put that much thought into this Ronald," she said, putting the faintest possible stress on the word "Ronald". The truth was, Hemione hadn't thought about that either. She really was hoping someone would take change her heart, at least to fuschia. Her real heart was already stolen.

The students were all aquiver, for it was Valentine's day at last. McGonagall came to the Gryffindor table and passed out the hearts to the girls. She made one last announcement before the game began.

"I will not tolerate teasing or harassing of any kind, gentlemen, just because the ladies cannot talk to you. If I find out about anything like this, the student will be punished severely." She stared down at them all, even looking toward the Slytherin table. It seemed like she was worried about this too. Minerva McGonagall, actually showing some worry about silly games!

"The game begins… now," Dumbledore's voice rang through the hall and at once the girls stopped talking to boys. Hermione turned her attention to Ginny, Pansy Parkinson cast flirtatious looks at Draco, Lavender and Parvati giggled, and Hannah Abbot and Susan Bones looked very nervous.

"Come on Ginny, we have time to go upstairs before classes start." Hermione pulled Ginny by the arm up to the Commmon Room. Once the brunette and red-head were out of earshot, Ron turned to Harry.

"Harry, I need help." Ron's friend looked a little startled, but said, "What with?" all the same.

"Well, there's this girl I, well you know, and I want to ask her out some way today," Ron stuttered. There was a faint grin sneaking around Harry's mouth, because he had a feeling he knew who Ron was talking about. Harry had had the same idea, so he was sympathetic to Ron and did not press for details.

"Yeah, I know what you mean," Harry admitted.

"So what should I do?" Ron pressed.

"Well, I don't really know," said Harry. Ron moaned. Then his face brightened.

"I have an idea for both of us Harry…"

"Hermione what's wrong?" Ginny asked as they walked up to the girl's dormitories.

"Well-" Hermione started. "Well, aren't you… afraid that something will happen?"

"Not really. But I am hoping," Ginny admitted. "Do you have an idea?"

"No. Just a wish." Ginny knew who Hermione's wish was and vice versa.

"Let's get to classes," Hermione said reluctantly. It was going to be a long, hard day without answering any questions in class. She only wanted to lose to one red headed person.

Hermione caught up with Ron and Harry on the way to their class together.

"Hermione who do you like?" Ron asked suddenly.

Hermione was silent.

"C'mon Hermione!"

Silence.

Harry was openly grinning. Sooner or later, it would come to an end.

"It's Malfoy isn't it?"

No answer. But Hermione did send a glare worthy of Mrs. Weasley Ron's way.

"Right. So it's Zabini."

Another glare.

"Crabbe."

Hermione almost lost her patience there, but managed to keep silent. Her face was contorted with anger.

"Goyle."

She was getting frustrated. Why was Ron being so stupid?

Well, then again, he did have the emotional range of a teaspoon.

Well, there's the first chapter. The next one will probably be McGonagall. There might be a bit of a delay between updates, because I am working on so many stories. I really need to finish one. But I really am going to finish one soon. I think The Riddle Boy will be done very soon. But I am creating a sequel to that.