It snowed on Valentine's Day. Victoire stared out of the window of the common room and watched as the flakes slowly fell towards the earth. It was an ugly day and she was not looking forward to the trek out to the Herbology greenhouse she had to make in a few minutes.

"Oh, look at how pretty it is!" she heard a girl coo over near the fireplace. For a moment, Victoire assumed she was looking at the snow as she was, but a quick glance in their direction revealed something else entirely. The girl in question was modeling a pretty necklace for the others. She seemed especially proud to be the center of attention at the moment.

Victoire sighed. Valentine's Day was filled with this sort of thing over the course of the entire day. The girls all seemed to morph into laughing hyenas that traveled in packs and were ready to pounce on any poor unsuspecting lad who they may have had valentine wishes to bestow upon. Many of the boys seemed none too excited by the idea, though there were several takers who were into it just as much.

She couldn't deny that she had once been a part of the hyena mentality. Up until two years ago, she would giggle with friends to see if they got any sweet notes, candies, or flowers; what boys gave what presents to whom. She enjoyed it thoroughly back then.

But then two years ago, she and her then boyfriend, Malcolm, had split up just days before Valentine's Day. She had already been miserable over the break up, but to then have to watch all of her friends enjoy the Valentine's Day festivities only made her miserable mood worse. Even after she'd received flowers from several other boys, it hadn't mattered. It all felt so empty.

Even though she wasn't nursing a broken heart this year, she still had a bitter taste in her mouth over the occasion. She just couldn't disassociate it from two years ago and how miserable she had felt. She didn't even think about whether or not she may get something from Stuart since she'd learned not to get her hopes up. The last thing she needed was another let down to make her hate the day more.

"Hey," Whit said as plopped down in the chair across from Victoire after returning from her morning class. "Have you seen the weather outside?"

"Yes." She pointed out the window. "I really wish we could skip Herbology."

Whit nodded, but they both knew that neither of them would actually cut a class. With that, Victoire threw her things back into her bag and grabbed her cloak; both of them then made their way out of the common room.

As they approached the portrait hole, Sarah Kirke came waltzing through with his arms filled with flowers.

"Hi," Sarah said brightly. "Happy Valentine's!"

"You too," Victoire said with a polite smile as she observed the flowers impressively. "Who are these from?"

"Robbie, of course," Sarah said rather obviously, referring to her…? Was he her boyfriend? Last she'd heard, he was still being very loose with his desire to commit.

"How nice," Victoire said, forcing her smile to remain intact. Robbie and Sarah's 'relationship'—if you could call it that—was so all over the place, Victoire didn't know whether to find the gesture expected or surprising. The fact that he'd done something was a step above his usual efforts; as long as Saray seemed happy, she decided to be happy for her.

"They're pretty," Whit said as Sarah maneuvered her way past them and into the common room. She was instantly barraged by a gaggle of girls wanting to know all about the flowers and who they were from. Whit and Victoire exchanged looks.

"Well, good for her," Victoire mumbled before she turned and left through the portrait hole.

"Is the day over yet?" Whit asked.

"Only about thirteen hours to go.".

They had both decided earlier on to pretend that Valentine's Day wasn't really happening since neither of them had any real plans or expectations. Victoire didn't feel like getting her hopes up over what could happen with Stuart, and Whit's reservations with Jack over what had happened in Hogsmeade were the main reasons neither of them had decided to acknowledge the holiday. To them, it was simply another day where everyone else was acting a bit strange

While the entire issue in Hogsmeade between Whit and Jack had been cleared up for the most part, things were still a little awkward. Victoire had come back to tell Whit everything she knew about the strange note and the misunderstanding; at first, Whit had seemed quite relieved. After several minutes though, she started to doubt the story.

"Who wrote the note, then?" she asked.

"We don't know," Victoire said, "but Jack and Louis both swear they read it. They assumed it was from you and that you blew him off."

"Why wouldn't he have asked me?"

"If he thought you blew him off through a note, can you really blame him?"

"I don't know," she mumbled. "I think it's a bit much that he would just assume that I would do that."

"What else was he supposed to think?"

Whit hadn't had an answer to that. She and Jack had talked, but it was almost as if Whit had retreated back into her shell around him. She was meek, quiet, and seemed to almost be struggling to look him in the eye. He, in turn, seemed lost for something to say to her other than that he was sorry; with Whit acting so unresponsive toward him over the last two days, it made things difficult.

Victoire could understand this in part because she knew how hurt Whit had been, but Jack did seem genuinely sorry. She had to give him that. They both claimed things were fine, but it seemed as if things were strained and awkward rather than anything resembling fine.

"It's soooooo cold," Whit said the second she and Victoire emerged outside.

"The greenhouses will be warm," Victoire said as she started to almost run down the path toward Herbology. "Come on! Hurry!"

"I'm not running!" she called after Victoire, who was now several yards ahead and had no desire to wait for her. She just wanted to be inside of the warm and inviting greenhouse.

"Morning, Miss Weasley," Professor Longbottom said as she threw the door open as she approached.

"Morning, Professor," she said, shaking the snow out of her hair. She took off her cloak and made her way over to her work station.

"Morning, Miss Whitters," Longbottom said as Whit entered a few seconds later.

"Morning, sir." She smiled as she went and sat down next to Victoire.

"I have a feeling we're going to a few late comers," Longbottom said as he looked at his watch. "Let's be honest, how many of you wished I canceled class today?"

Every arm in the room shot up. Someone asked, "Can you do that?"

"Why would I want to do that?" he asked. "Tell you what though. Since it's dreadful out and it's Valentine's Day, we won't be working too hard today."

Victoire's face lit up. She smiled at Whit.

"Actually," he said with a small sigh. "The real reason I say that is because the Stebbins Root that I had planned on having you all dissect was left outside last night." He made a face. "It's rock solid."

"Couldn't we just thaw it with a charm, sir?" Gwelia Slints, a Slytherin girl. Several people turned to give her a dirty look.

"Excellent suggestion in theory, Miss Slints," Longbottom said, "but who can tell me what we can't do that?"

A few hands shot up, including Whit's. Longbottom pointed at her and urged her to answer.

"Stebbins Root, when frozen or heated, loses the chemical compounds that make it special," she said. "It basically becomes just a garden variety weed."

"Correct," he said. "So, I'm going to have to find some new samples before we can explore the exciting properties that Stebbins Root contains." He grinned. "Trust me, they are exciting."

He turned at the sound of the door opening and closing as two Hufflepuffs entered. "Sorry, professor," said one. "The weather is—"

"Just come and take your seat, Mr. Bains," Longbottom said. "You too, Miss Piedmont. I was just about to tell you what your assignment for the day is."

Professor Longbottom took out his wand and pointed to a small blackboard in the corner. He flicked his wrist and several words started writing themselves upon it.

"I want you all to write me an essay," he began, causing a small groan to carry over the room that he ignored. "Convincing me why or why not you agree or disagree with the recent decision by the medical community to start eliminating kava plants from many of their healing potions."

He turned around and faced the room. "If you don't know what I'm talking about, there are several copies of the Prophet here, as well as some journals on the subject. If you don't remember what the kava plant does, then I suggest you let me know so I can send you back down to third year." He smiled. "Or just ask your neighbor. Any questions?"

"How long does it have to be?" someone asked.

"Doesn't matter," he said. "Just defend your point. One sentence or twenty pages, whatever it takes."

Marcus Billingsly raised his hand.

"Mr. Billingsly?"

"Can I still buy roses or is it too late?"

Longbottom nodded. "You may still buy roses. After class in the Great Hall, the Herbology club is selling them for two Sickles a piece. As usual, all money goes to help fund St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, particularly the Mental Illness and Rehabilitation ward."

Victoire smiled. Longbottom did this every year—grew roses for the students to purchase and exchange on Valentine's Day. It was a passion project of his; something he was very keen on. Most of the school participated; people carrying around roses had become a sort of status symbol on Valentine's Day. The more popular you were, the more you received.

Victoire had been given her fair share before from friends and admirers alike in years past. There had been a time she would have proudly showed them off to onlookers, probably making some people jealous, but she wasn't that girl anymore. If they weren't from someone she cared about, she didn't particularly care. She wasn't looking for popularity points.

"I saw some younger Slytherin girl carrying around a bouquet that was practically bigger than her," Whit was telling Victoire later that day as they walked to lunch. "It seemed unnecessary."

"Oh, it's necessary," Victoire said. "How else will people know how admired she is?"

Whit laughed as they turned the corner and walked into the Great Hall. Everything was decorated in its usual Valentine's Day pinks, reds, and purples; even the familiar looking cherubs from Madam Puddifoot's were flying around sprinkling confetti around the room. In the corner of the room, roses were displayed by a table that the Herbology club had set up; a handful of members were manning the table. They seemed to be waiting to deal with the less busy lunch crowd, seeing as most everyone took care of their business at breakfast. There were always a few stragglers.

"This always seems excessive," Whit said, gesturing around the room as they continued on to Gryffindor's table.

Victoire shrugged. If she were being honest, she'd always found it rather cute and festive. She liked the colors against the drab stone walls, so she didn't mind. Plus, she'd sort of got used to it over the years, even if others gripped.

"It looks like Valentine's Day was sick all over the room," Victoire heard someone mumble as they passed the Ravenclaw table.

"Oh, you stop it. It's adorable," came another voice.

"There's confetti in my mashed potatoes," said an irritated voice. "I swear, I'm going to hex those little flying shits—"

"Hey Vic!" called Louis, who Victoire saw was stationed at their table with friends. He had a bundle of flowers in front of him and immediately plucked one out for her as she approached. "For my dear sister."

She smiled a little. Louis always got her and Dominique a flower every year, so it wasn't entirely a surprise. It still never stopped her from asking, "You got me a flower?"

"I got loads of people flowers," he said, and she noticed he had a small collection of lipstick marks on his face. "It's what I do." He smiled at Whit and also handed her one. "Happy Valentine's Day."

"Whose lips did that lipstick once belong to?" Victoire asked as she pointed at her brother's face.

"Hard to tell. You wouldn't believe how excited some girls get when you give them a flower."

"Giving up on girls, my arse," Victoire muttered, which only made Louis laugh. "That didn't last long."

She and Whit walked further down the length of the table to grab seats, all the while checking around the rest of the room to see several people running around and handing out flowers to their friends...or more than friends. Colleen was currently by the Slytherin table with Aspeth; both holding four or five roses a piece and laughing loudly with a group of Slytherin boys..

"One flower for me and it's from my brother," Victoire half joked as she sat down. This time last year, she'd had a full bouquet thanks to her ex. The year before, she'd been single and she'd probably had two dozen by the end of the day. Now...she had one. Things had certainly changed since she'd dropped her clique of well-known friends.

She laughed a little before looking over at Whit and adding. "How pathetic."

"This is the first flower I've ever received," Whit said, staring down at it. "And it's from your brother, who was only being nice. I think that's more pathetic."

"Yes, but at least you're not related to the only person who gave you one."

Whit shook her head. "If I'm being honest, I don't even like flowers."

"Who doesn't like flowers?" Victoire asked, finding that hard to believe.

"It's not..." Whit began before she seemed to change her thought midway. "They're pretty and all. I just think they're so impersonal. Girls get so excited that their boyfriends get them flowers for things like this because they think it makes them special, but in reality, all their boyfriends are doing what everyone else is doing. I'd rather someone give me a Stebbins Root."

Victoire pulled a face. "You don't mean that."

"Well, not really," she said, "but you know what I mean." She glanced down at the flower. "At least the money went to a good cause."

"Morally respectable flowers are alright then?" Victoire teased as she picked confetti out of her potatoes.

"Essentially," Whit said, helping herself to confetto potatoes. At the same moment, a girl directly behind her started squealing with delight over something she'd received. It was so loud, it caused Whit to flinch and drop the spoon she'd been serving herself with rather hasilty.

Victoire had started to giggle a bit, though that slowly tapered off once she noticed Stuart hugging Colleen across the room then. He then handed her one of the three flowers he had in his hand, which she took rather happily.

Victoire suddenly felt like her heart fell into the pit of her stomach.

"Professor Longbottom's got to be collecting a fortune," Whit said as she watched everyone in the room. "Hogwarts alone will probably be able to fund the hospital for a month!" She turned towards Victoire, expecting a smile or a laugh, but instead noticed her expression. "What's wrong?"

"Stuart just gave Colleen a flower."

Whit turned and saw that the two were still talking on the other end of the Ravenclaw table. "They are friends," she attempted to suggest, though it sounded hollow. "Your brother just gave me a flower and you know that doesn't mean anything."

That didn't make Victoire feel any better as she watched Colleen smile at him and touch his arm as he turned to walk away. He had to know Colleen fancied him; everyone knew that. He wasn't stupid and she wasn't being subtle in the least. For a split second, Victoire could easily see why Colleen hadn't given up on him. Stuart wasn't giving her any reason to.

Stuart had crossed the room and—as if he knew he was on her mind—approached Victoire and Whit where they sat. He smiled at the pair of them, though focused on Victoire.

"Hey. Happy Valentine's Day."

Victoire forced a small smile.

"I was hoping I would run into you earlier," he said as he reached out and handed her two roses, "But I guess our schedules don't match up much on Mondays."

She stared at him for a moment. She felt conflicted between getting flowers from him—which did give her a bit of a thrill still—but also getting them after what she'd just seen; after Colleen. Who gave another girl flowers across the room and then just walked to someone else and expected things to be cool?

She did finally take the two flowers, still forcing a smile. "Thank you."

He stared at her for a second, perhaps expecting something from her than a lukewarm thank you. A hug or a kiss or...at least a far more enthusiastic reaction than he was getting. He glanced away in awkward fashion before asking, "Are you going to be in the library later?"

She shrugged and inspected her flowers. "I don't know. Perhaps."

"Well, I was planning on going, so if you do go, find me."

He again stood there for a moment, seemingly expecting something that Victoire wasn't giving. She merely continued to force a smile before he finally nodded and mumbled, "Alright. I'll see you later. Happy Valentine's."

"You too," Victoire said, watching him go. She set the roses down on the table.

"Now you're not pathetic anymore," Whit joked.

"I'm not really hungry anymore, either," she muttered. She had never been a jealous person, but she couldn't help but be extremely bothered by the fact that Stuart had given Colleen, of all people, a flower. Of the three flowers he had bought, he had given her one of them. And he'd given her her flower firs t.

"He gave you two," Whit offered in a rather meek fashion, as if she had just read Victoire's mind.

Victoire shot her a look, but said nothing more about it throughout the course of dinner. She poked at her food a few times while waiting for Whit to finish her own, but she just couldn't get the image of Stuart and Colleen out of her head.

Why did she have to fancy a boy with so many complications attached? Why couldn't she just find a boy who liked her and her only? One that didn't have loads of other girls chasing after him? One that didn't seem to be leading on more than one girl. One who didn't play games? Was that too much to ask for?

"Come on," Whit said as she stood and dropped her napkin on the table. "Let's get to class and get through the rest of the day. Tonight we can head over to the library—"

"No," Victoire said matter-of-factly. "Let's study in the common room tonight."

She stared at her. "You don't want to go to the library after Stuart—?"

"Not really," she said as she stood up. "Not tonight. The common room is fine."

Whit looked surprised, but nodded in agreement as they both grabbed their things and left the Great Hall. They were forced to pass several groups of people standing around in the corridors laughing and otherwise enjoying their Valentine's Day and gifts. Victoire felt a little jealous toward all of them. She was genuinely starting to hate this day.

"I'm sure it was just a friendly gesture," Whit said later that evening once the topic came up again after dinner-a very annoying dinner where the rest of the school's mood certainly didn't match Victoire's. "Valentine's Day is stupid and there's no reason to read into all of this for something that was probably insignificant."

"Who even knows anymore?" Victoire said once they reached the common room. She'd gone and immediately thrown herself into a chair by the fire and began to watch the flames. "I'm tired of it all. This is exhausting."

Whit smiled sympathetically as they sat there quietly. She eventually pulled out a book and started to read while Victoire continued to stare into the fire thinking about whether or not it was even worth her time anymore to pursue Stuart. Sure, they had a fun time on their date, but it was almost more work than it was worth. Then there was always the impending threat of Colleen…

"Hi," said a voice that made both her and Whit look up. Standing there was Jack holding some parchment in his hand.

"Hey Jack," Victoire mumbled before turning back to watch the fire. Whit didn't say anything, but over the last two days, she had only been smiling politely at him anyway. It wasn't surprising.

"Um, this is for you," Jack said at the same time someone called his name from across the room. By the time Victoire turned back to see what he had been talking about, he was already walking away; Whit still had her hand raised in the air from where she had taken something from him.

"What is it?" Victoire asked, nodding to the parchment

Whit shrugged and started to unfold it. Victoire watched her as she did and continued watching her as she read it over. Whatever it said, it was enough to cause an ever growing smile to appear on her face.

"What's it say?"

Whit laughed and looked across the room in Jack's direction. He was standing with his back toward them talking to Tommy Hornsby, his Beating partner in Quidditch.

"What's it say?" Victoire asked again before Whit held it out for her to take. She grabbed it and started looking it over. It was a drawing of several—what appeared to be—flowers. There was a random little character flying around on a broom and circling the flowers—which were big enough to be trees in comparison to the characters size—over and over again. Whether the flowers were supposed to be huge, or the character tiny, Victoire couldn't tell. Her eyes drifted to a message underneath the drawing:

Roses are red.

And expensive too

I spent all my money in Hogsmeade this weekend

So, I hope you like what I drew.

Happy Valentine's Day

Victoire laughed as she glanced back at Whit, who was smiling back at her. She noticed that there was some writing on the back and flipped it over to read what it said.

Hey Jane,

First off, THIS note is from me. I swear. Second, I'm really not cheap. I actually did spend all my money in Hogsmeade, so this is my attempt at an alternative to flowers and all that other stuff.

Third, I spent all of Potions doing this. So, if I fail my O.W.L it's your fault. I'll be lucky to pass any of my O.W.L.s at this rate because instead of paying attention in class, I can't stop thinking about you. Stupid, I know, but true. I'm sorry for everything that's happened lately and I'm honestly sorry for what happened on Saturday. I'd take it all back if I could, but since I can't I can only say that I really like you. And I'm hoping you might still feel the same way.

Jack

"This is so sweet," Victoire said, handing it back to her. "I can't believe this is the same kid who used to help my brother tie my trainers together and string them from a tree in our yard."

"This is perfect," Whit murmured as she continued to stare down at it. Victoire glanced back over towards Jack, who was still standing and talking with his back to them. After reading the letter, she sensed he wasn't looking this way on purpose.

"You know," Victoire teased. "If you're not going to have him, I might have to take a crack."

"No, I think I'll have him," Whit said, trying to force the smile off of her face.

"Well, I'm not the one you need to tell that to." She gestured across the room toward him.

Without a second's hesitation, Whit stood and started walking across the room towards him. Victoire turned in her chair and watched expectantly as Whit went and tapped him on the shoulder. As they walked off a few steps together, they began talking in a bashful, but happy manner.

She smiled as she watched them. Whatever was being said, they both seemed adorably happy about it.

"How cute," she mumbled to herself before she turned back around and started back into the fire. As happy as she was for Whit, she couldn't help but wish she could have something just as nice and adorable for herself. Where was her thoughtful gesture from a nice boy who cared enough to take the time out of his day to do something sweet for her? Where was he already?