Ginny awoke to the sound of her housemates bustling down the stairs for breakfast. She was in no hurry to get up. Without opening her eyes, she groaned and stretched out.
"Valentine's day…" she drawled. It wasn't that she was bitter about the holiday in general; it was just because everyone else in her circle of friends either had plans, or a significant other to make plans with. Dean and Seamus had plans, Neville and Hannah were spending the day together, and Luna was busy in the library researching some new topics that interested her from care of magical creatures' class. Well, thank Merlin she had Hermione. They were in the same boat. She would most likely be spending the day with her and that was okay. They hadn't gotten so close over the past few years.
She had yet to move from her sleeping position when she heard someone enter her empty dorm. Immediately, she shot up.
"Oh, Hermione! I was just thinking about you. Figured you'd gone down to breakfast."
Hermione smiled and sat at the end of Ginny's bed. "Not quite. When I noticed you hadn't gone down yet I thought I would wait for you. You're never late for a meal though. What's the hold up?"
Ginny sighed. "This bloody holiday. It's just made so that if you're single or don't have someone to spend it with you feel like trash."
"Oh, Gin. Come on now. You've never cared before."
"I know…that's why it's so weird. I'm really guessing it's just because it's been so long. Since we've seen them, you know."
Hermione looked down solemnly. "I know, I've been thinking about them all morning. I do wish they were here but don't let it ruin your day, alright?" She smiled. "Now out of bed Miss Weasley I'm starving and I'm sure you are too."
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The girls got down stairs and ate a hearty breakfast. All of their friends had since left for Hogsmeade.
"So, what shall we do today?" Ginny asked.
"Hmm… I don't know. We could go to the library and start studying for exams, but I know you don't want to do that. We could go to the owlery and write some letters. Oh, maybe go see Hagrid. We haven't really had a chance to do that in some time."
"That's a good idea! Let me just run up to the common room and grab my jumper. Meet you at the front doors?" Ginny asked.
"Alright!" Hermione agreed.
Ginny got up to her dorm quickly and grabbed her jumper off the coat hanger. Something caught her eye as she passed her bed. It was an envelope addressed to her. She looked around, a bit confused but she opened it anyway.
Weasley.
Just the girl I've been meaning to contact. Congrats on the quidditch house cup, by the way.
I know you're pretty good at quidditch. But I'm really interested to see how good. I'm curious to know if
You're HollyHead Harpies good. I guess we'll see. Which brings me to the purpose
Of my letter. If you're so confident, meet me tonight for a one on one match at the pitch. Right after dinner.
Tell no one. Not even Hermione.
Ginny was shocked. Who would've written her this letter? Maybe another student? Surely not a housemate because this letter sounded threatening and she'd say she pretty much got along with everyone. And why was she asked not to tell anyone about it? This was beyond suspicious but she was going to follow orders. Ginny wouldn't chance putting anyone in danger.
Down at Hagrid's, Ginny was relatively quiet as she sipped her tea. The only thing on her mind was the letter, but she couldn't make that too obvious. She turned her attention back to the conversation between Hermione and Hagrid.
"So, 'ermione…whater yer plans fer after graduation?"
"Actually, I've been really indecisive…because I love a lot of different things. But I think I've settled on something in the lines of rights and defense for magical creatures. At least to start out with."
"That's great! You did some great work with Beaky's case…I'm sure you'll be a good addition to that line of work."
Hermione smiled. "Thanks Hagrid."
"What abou' you, Ginny?"
Ginny turned her daze quickly back to attention. "Oh…well, I'm obviously really passionate about quidditch. Not just playing either…the sport as a whole. I even got called up to maybe play, but I realize that it's a one in a million shot. So, if I don't make it, I'd still like to work in that area. Maybe a trainer or maybe even a sports reporter somewhere down the line. I'd even settle to work at a quidditch supply shop. I'm not going to give up on my dream yet though." She grinned.
"Well, we have all the confidence in the world in yeh, Ginny. You'll make it happ'n."
"Thanks so much!"
"Okay, um…I hate teh rush you girls off now, but's it be feedin' time for a bunch of creatures...speaking of which, isn't it about lunch time now? You best be off anyway. Thanks for visitin' though! Come any time." Hagrid waved to them as they exited his hut and headed to the castle.
Not a moment after they stepped through the front doors, they spotted Luna who was running towards them.
"Hello girls!" She said with a grin."
"Hi!" They both replied.
I imagine you're about to go to lunch. I was just sent to deliver a message."
"Message?" Ginny questioned.
"Yes," Luna told her. "But it's actually for Hermione directly."
"Me?" Hermione was taken off guard.
"Oh it's nothing serious. See, I've been in the library all morning, and moments ago Madam Pince asked me to deliver a message to you…from her. All she requested was that you meet her in the library a little before dinner. I'm not really sure what she needs…but she said it was of some importance."
Oh. Alright, sure! Let her know I'll be up right before dinner." Hermione smiled.
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As the day passed by, Ginny became more and more nervous about her mysterious rendezvous later that evening. It took all the energy she had not to make Hermione suspicious. But it had gotten a little easier since Hermione also had something to do. She had decided that while Hermione was in the library, she would sneak out to the pitch early and wait until the sun went down.
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A few hours later, Hermione and Ginny were sitting on the couches in their common room, reading and playing chess. None of their friends had returned from Hogsmeade yet, so the afternoon was kind of uneventful.
When the clock read five o'clock, Hermione stood up from her seat.
"Well, I suppose I could head up to the library now. I don't imagine I'll be too long…so I could meet you back here before dinner if you'd like."
Ginny's eyes widened. "Oh, no. Don't worry…um…just head straight to the great hall when you finish…"
"Ginny, is everything alright?" Hermione asked her slowly.
"Yeah…yeah! Of course! You know me…I just get hungry quickly and I'll want to get down there fast. Just get to the library. Don't want to keep her waiting!"
To Hermione's surprise, Ginny practically pushed her out of the portrait hole. She was acting quite strange. Nevertheless, she started towards the library. All of the halls and stairwells were quiet and practically empty. Everyone had either already gone to dinner, or were still out on their Valentine's dates. Finally she got there and walked in.
Immediately, she felt a little strange. There was no one in the library…at all. Not even Madam Pince. The entire room was dimly lit. Hermione took out her wand.
"Lumos…" She whispered. The eeriness of it all was beginning to frighten her a little, but she kept walking further inside.
"Luna?" She called, in slightly more than a whisper. "Madam Pince? Is anyone in here?" Silence.
Finally, in the farthest corner of the library, she saw candlelight. Her breathing started to get a little quicker as she tightened her grip on her wand, ready for anything. One bookcase stood between her and whatever was on the other side. She took and deep breath and counted in her head,
"One…two….three!" She jumped around the bookcase until she was face to face with the other side. She let her guard down, not believing what she saw in front of her. The library tables had been changed into a small table for two, with candles, tablecloth, and two places set for dinner.
Then she felt it, someone staring at her from behind. A single tear escaped down her cheek before she even turned around.
"RON!" She bellowed, running to him, jumping, and wrapping her entire self around him. They hugged more tightly than ever before.
"Hermione…oh I've missed you. Happy Valentines Day!" He kissed her deeply and warmly before putting her down. She wouldn't let go.
"Happy Valentines Day to you too! Oh my god…what are you doing here!? Can't your contract be terminated? What if you get caught!?"
Ron chuckled. "Hermione, relax. We've had it all planned out. Everything will be fine. Besides, we're only here for a bit then we'll head back. I just… I had to see you."
"Wait…we?" Hermione wrinkled her forehead.
Ron smirked. "Ginny's in for a little surprise as well."
"Harry's here too!? How did you all manage this without getting caught? By anyone!"
"We planned detail by detail. We used the floo network to get inside. And we had a little help from some former classmates.
"Luna!" Hermione smiled. "She helped you, didn't she? Madam Pince didn't need me!"
Ron laughed. "Of course she didn't. But, I figured if I had one night with you why not spend it in one of your favorite places."
Hermione grabbed him into a tight hug once again. "This means so much to me."
"It means the world to me too. I've missed you. Now, shall we eat?"
"Of course! It looks lovely."
He helped her to her seat and sat down in his. "But before we do…I brought you something."
"Ron…"
"Well, I had to get you something, didn't I? Now close your eyes and hold out you hands."
Hermione obeyed. She felt something in her hands. When she opened them, she saw a small silver box and smiled.
Ron nodded happily. "Go ahead…open it!"
So she did. She gasped at it's simple, yet elegant beauty. It was a small silver necklace with a glass otter on it.
"My patronus…it's…it's lovely Ron. Really, I love it."
"You do?"
"With all my heart." She smiled at him and then put it on.
"It looks great on you. But there's something else I have to show you as well." With these words, he reached for the buttons on his collared shirt and unbuttoned the top two. Then, he gently reached and pulled something out that was around his neck and held it between his fingers. Hermione gaped with happiness. It was a necklace also.
"That's…that's your patronus."
He grinned. "A Jack Russell, yeah. And if you want them to, the necklaces can also intertwine together."
"You have no idea what you mean to me, Ron."
"Believe me; if it's anything how I feel about you, I have an idea."
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Back in the Great Hall, Ginny's nervousness was at an all-time high. All of her friends had returned and were eating dinner with her…except for Hermione. But she couldn't worry about that now. She had to go. Surprisingly as she got up, no one questioned her.
She made it all the way outside. When she began walking down the path towards the pitch, she drew her wand and held it tight. When she entered the locker room, she retrieved her broom and very, very slowly stepped out on to the field. It was a cool night but it was bearable. Silence surrounded her and no one was in sight. She glanced around a few more times.
"I'm here!" She called loudly. "Where is my challenger!? Show yourself, now!"
Suddenly, someone flew in from behind her at full speed, shooting strait up into the sky, letting red and orange sparks escape from their wand. Ginny was frightened, but mounted her broom regardless (still holding her wand tight).
As she got up to level with her challenger…it was still hard to see.
"What do you want with me! Why did you write that letter!?"
Finally, the mysterious person spoke up. "I had to see you, didn't I? Couldn't spend Valentine's Day at home, say, drinking or something of that nature. After all, you are better than firewhiskey."
Ginny screamed. "Harry!" with all her might, she jumped over on to Harry's broom and kissed him furiously. "Harry! What are you doing here!?"
Harry lowered them so that they were safe on the ground again.
"Ron and I couldn't let you and Hermione have a lonely Valentine's Day! We had to see you." He smiled and kissed her on the forehead. "Don't worry, we've got ourselves covered. But I only have a short time, so let's go."
He took her back on his room and flew them up into the beautiful night sky, his arms wrapped around her tightly. Ginny couldn't have been happier. He came to a slow stop right in view of the moon. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a fresh rose and handed it to her.
"Ginny, words can't describe how much I've missed you. I had to see you tonight."
She turned and nestled her head into his neck. "It's been a struggle, Harry. Even though you're mad for leaving against orders…I'm so glad you did. She hugged him tightly. "So, Ron's here too?"
Harry chuckled. "Sure is. He surprised Hermione in the library."
Ginny laughed. "Of all places, that would be the one! You know, you two have truly outdone yourself."
"You deserve it." He kissed her. "Now, what say we make the best of the couple of hours we have." He pulled a snitch from his pocket and smirked. "I called you here for a challenge, and a challenge you're going to get. Come on Miss professional, how about a game of one on one?"
She smirked at him. "Bring it."
For all four of them, it was one of the best Valentine's Days they had ever had.