Red and pink streamers

Red and pink streamers. Smiling cherubic cupids. It all made Hermione sick as she walked out of her last class of the day. Harry and Ron were walking in front of her, looking at her impatiently. The boys kept having to stop and wait for her and they weren't happy about it. She knew she was walking at a sloth's pace, she just didn't care.

Hermione sighed in irritation. "Valentine's Day is such a joke."

"What are you talking about?" Ron asked, but Harry wished he hadn't. Hermione began to rant about all the reasons why she hated the holiday. Then, without warning, she pushed passed the boys. The girl left her two friends to stare at her in shock.

The Gryffindor common room was alive with the hustle and bustle of students being done with their classes and beginning to relax. The Weasley twins were situated in a far corner discussing something in private. They watched as Hermione stormed passed everyone and up the stairs to the girls' dormitory.

Fred faced George. "Is everything ready?"

"It is."

"I guess I'll go find Ginny." stood up to do that and hoped his nervousness would disappear before he had to face her.

George stopped him. "I'll worry about Ginny, you worry about yourself."

"Thanks." Fred walked up to their room. George went in search of their sister.

He found her in the courtyard, talking to some of her friends. He didn't want to get too close. A few of his sister's friends tended to get all giggly and doe-eyed whenever the twins were around. So George attempted to get Ginny's attention from a distance. It took a moment but she finally noticed him.

Ginevra Weasley stared at George distrustfully. She wondered what he wanted. When either of the twins wanted her help or attention it was never for anything good. Caution was necessary at all times, but curiosity got the better of her. Ginny waved goodbye to her friends and walked to her brother.

"What do you want?" She asked with suspicion.

"Fred and I need your help."

At least she knew she was talking to George. It was going to be easier to say no. But Ginny decided to hear him out first. "How?"

George could see it in her eyes. Ginny was going to say no. She never really trusted then since...well, since she became old enough to realize they were pulling a prank on her. However, this was for Fred. This was something that meant a lot to his brother so he had to give it a shot. "We need you to lead Hermione to the fifth floor at seven o'clock tonight."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her brothers had some nerve. "No. I won't help the two of you play any jokes on Hermione."

"You don't understand."

"I understand perfectly well! How can you be so insensitive? Hermione has been so unhappy lately. The last thing she needs is to be picked on!"

"He's trying to make her happy." George tried to explain.

"He? Wait, George, what are you saying?"

George noticed his slip. He couldn't say more. He wasn't even supposed to say that much. "I can't tell you."

Ginny gave him a hard look. "Then I can't help you."

Everything was in place. All the finishing touches were complete. Now all Fred had to do was change into something more presentable. He was at the foot of the moving stairs when his younger sister came skipping up to him, grinning like she was the happiest girl in the world. Fred saw George behind her, looking guilty. "You know."

"I do." Ginny giggled. "Don't worry, Fred. I'll get her there even if I have to take her by force."

"Thanks, Gin."

She gave him a hug. "Good luck."

Hermione sat on her four-poster bed wrapped up in a foul mood. Lavender and Parvati were huddled together across the room excitedly going through the many valentines Lavender had received that day. The gift they were examining at the moment was a sparkling powder that, when opened, set loose floating translucent hearts. Hermione had started to pop each perfectly awful heart as it tried to float throughout the room.

Whirling around in irritation Lavender opened her mouth to say something to her bushy-haired roommate. However, one glare from Hermione made her stay silent. Hermione continued to decimate the romantic shapes.

Hermione paid no mind to the knock on their door. And she didn't notice Ginny Weasley had walked in until the fiery-haired beauty took a seat on the bed and gently removed Hermione's wand from her hand. The older girl looked over at her friend. "What do you want?"

Ginny smiled brightly and grabbed a hold of her hand. "We are going for a walk."

"I'm not going anywhere."

A determined look settled into Ginny's eyes. Hermione shook her head, but Ginny stood her ground. "Please don't make me hex you."

The two girls walked down the corridor in relative silence. Hermione was frowning. She didn't understand what the reason was for their excursion. Didn't Ginny understand that she wanted to be left alone? The last thing she wanted to be doing was gallivanting around the castle dressed in her Sunday best. The pale purple pencil skirt and matching sweater made her feel overdressed for a simple walk through the halls of Hogwarts. Ginny had somehow managed to browbeat her into the outfit. Even her hair had been properly coiffed.

Ginny could feel Hermione's eyes boring into her. "Stop glaring at me."

"No." Hermione replied with force. "Why are we doing this?"

Her friend ignored the question. "Do you like anyone, Hermione?"

The older girl looked at the younger warily. "I'm not quite sure what you mean."

But they were already on the fifth floor. As they moved around a corner Hermione sucked in her breath. Rose petals of the most vibrant reds and the creamiest whites littered the ground. Candles lined the stone walls lending a romantic glow. She gave Ginny a curious glance.

"Somebody likes you." She said in a singsong voice. Ginny nudged her friend down the hallway, and then she was gone.

Hermione continued down the passage and she couldn't help a thought of Fred from crossing her mind. But she didn't dare get her hopes up.

At the end of the corridor was a note with the words "Turn Here" written on it. That was all but Hermione followed the directions. After a few more notes she arrived at what appeared to be her destination.

She inhaled deeply and tried to ignore the nervous bubble in her stomach. Hermione was afraid to go inside. What if it wasn't him? Even if it was, she didn't know what to do.