Chapter Twenty-Eight
Harry was just finishing his Potions homework when Sirius walked into the Common Room and plopped down beside him.
"Hey, Sirius," said Harry, scratching down the last couple of lines, "what's up?"
Sirius shrugged and put his feet up on the table.
"Not much," he replied, "Remus is dropped the kids off at his parents' for the night, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to ask you if you knew why Ronnie's burning all of her bras."
Harry scratched his head.
"I have no idea," he said.
Sirius nodded complacently and rested his hands behind his head.
"Who understands women anyway," he said.
Harry shrugged.
"There's a reason why I stick with men, Harry," added Sirius wisely, "and it's not just because of that whole mating for life stuff either."
"Quick!" said Draco. "Over there!"
Harry darted forwards.
"Brilliant," he said, sitting down as he did so, "good view from here."
Draco nodded as he took his seat.
"I'm obviously just very …" he began, but trailed off as he watched Seamus.
"What?" said Harry, turning so they were facing the same way. "Whoa…"
Seamus had gone deathly pale. His pupils were so dilated that his eyes seemed entirely black. He appeared to have having difficulty speaking and he was swallowing heavily.
"Poison?" suggested Draco, listening to Seamus' heavy breathing.
"No," said Harry, looking over his boyfriend's shoulder, "Ronnie."
"No … bras …" gasped Seamus.
Ronnie jogged over to greet someone, and Seamus lost his losing battle.
He collapsed to the floor, a thin trail of blood trickling from his nose.
"You ok there, Finnegan?" asked Rachel, leaning over her seat to peer at the Irish boy. "You've got a little something just there …"
With one delicate finger she wiped the blood from his face, and then quickly popped her finger in her mouth.
"Ew," stated Louise, "that came from his nose."
Rachel shrugged.
"Ten second rule," she said.
"That's about food," replied Louise, "and floors."
Rachel simply shrugged again.
"Good evening," cried Dumbledore suddenly, "and welcome to Hogwart's Got Talent!"
The assembled students applauded enthusiastically.
"First up!" continued the Headmaster. "First year Hufflepuff, Aretha Franklin!"
Draco flipped through the programme absentmindedly.
"This chap's alright," he commented, "who is he?"
Harry checked his own programme.
"Wolfgang, from first year Ravenclaw, apparently," he replied.
"What a name," muttered Draco.
"I think I liked those other first years better," said Harry, "you know, the ones with the band?"
Draco nodded.
"They were alright, but they could have worked on their name a bit more."
Harry nodded as Draco continued.
"I mean, The Grate Day just doesn't sound right …"
"That's the end!" called Dumbledore happily. "Now everyone gets to vote! Write the name of who you think should be the winner on the piece of parchment in the back of your programme!"
There was a general flurry as people scrabbled for quills and programmes.
Dumbledore hummed cheerfully as he waited for the results to be submitted.
"Alright!" he announced finally. "The winner for tonight's show of Hogwart's Got Talent is …"
The crowd held its breath. The contestants crossed their fingers.
"The Grate Day! Come on out Billy, Patience and Greg!"
"HUZZAH!" cried the first years.
"You each get 100 points for your respective Houses!"
"HUZZAH!" cried the crowd.
"And," beamed Dumbledore, "you all get stickers!"
And, with a quick flick of his wand, everyone in the room had a shiny new sticker on their robes.
"Great," said Harry, examining his glittery pirate flag.
"Good night!" twinkled the Headmaster, and the students went to bed.
Harry winced and covered his eyes.
"Hey, Ronnie," he said, "why aren't you wearing bras anymore?"
Ronnie tossed her hair defiantly.
"I don't feel the need to be held down by those man-made shackles," she replied.
"Alright," said Harry, "but maybe you should avoid Seamus? Madam Pompfry reckons he's getting really close to permanent brain damage."
Ronnie scoffed.
Seamus walked into the room, and promptly collapsed.
Harry winced again, but Ronnie simple stepped over the fallen Irish boy.
"I'm going to have a shower," she announced, "but I won't be shaving my legs or underarms!"
"We live in Britain," muttered Harry, "it's unlikely anyone is going to be seeing them anyway."
"I feel no need to conform to the Beauty Myth!" cried Ronnie as she exited the room.
Harry massaged his temples slowly. It was going to be another long week.
Harry brushed pink confetti from his bacon and sighed.
"Why the long face?" asked Fred, plopping himself down in the seat next to Harry.
"Ronnie's still at it," muttered Harry, "no other girl does this!"
"Maybe Hermione made her a bit too girlish?" suggested George, sitting down and reaching for the eggs.
"That would explain a lot," sighed Harry, "but it doesn't fix anything."
"Cheer up!" said Fred, slapping Harry on the back. "It's Valentine's Day! A day for love, joy, happiness –"
"- and early nights," added George with a wink.
Harry nodded.
"You're right. I'm going to go find Draco."
"That's the spirit!" said Fred.
"Another happy customer," commented George, as Harry strode purposely towards the Slytherin table.
"We should start charging," said Fred.
Rachel Grey walked into the Great Hall and immediately began gazing dreamily at the only empty chair at the Staff Table.
"It's a bit disturbing when you do that," commented Louise as she waved to the two male redheads at Gryffindor Table.
"He hates Valentine's Day," murmured Rachel happily.
Louise rolled her eyes.
"So do you," she said, "but I bet you got him something anyway."
Rachel nodded as they sat down.
"Venus Flytrap," she said, reaching for the fruit salad.
"You're weird," stated Louise.
Fred and George nodded in agreement.
Rachel just stared at Snape's chair.