At the end of January Hermione and Nott were asked to see McGonagall. "After the success of the Yule Ball and the Halloween Party," McGonagall started after greeting the two. "I figured we could have a Valentine's Party."
"What about the people who haven't found their soulmates or their soulmates are not at Hogwarts?" Hermione asked. "Won't they feel left out?"
"They are more than welcome to make dates, and soulmates outside of Hogwarts will be welcome."
"We will get started on the planning immediately." Nott said.
"Very good, I thought, since it is Valentine's Day only the upper class, say fifth years and up, can come. The elves will have stuff in the Common Rooms for the younger students, but I know how teenagers are, eleven and twelve year olds do not need to be worried about dates." McGonagall said.
"Yes Ma'am." Nott said as Hermione replied.
"I completely agree."
"Very good, now you may go." Hermoine and Nott said their goodbyes and walked out of the office.
"Do you think the younger students will complain?" Nott asked as they headed to the Head's Room to start planning the party.
"Oh I'm sure, you remember the Yule Ball in fourth year, I don't know about the Slytherin House but the first years in the Gryffindor House ranted and raved about how it wasn't fair they couldn't go." Hermione responded as they entered the room and sat down.
"Well let's get to planning, with Valentine's only a few weeks away we need to get as much done as possible now." Hermione nodded as she pulled out a piece of paper and they got started.
Over the next few weeks Hermione groaned as underclassmen came up to her and complained about how they could not come to the party. "I'm sorry," Hermione groaned. "But it is McGonagall's wish, not mine. If you want to complain, go complain to her." The students grumbled as they walked away. Malfoy chuckled as he came up to her and gave her a hug. "Rough day?" He asked, kissing her cheek.
"Always," Hermione groaned. "The party is tomorrow, I have no idea what they expect to change now."
"They just do not want to miss out on the fun, how would you have felt if you were told you could not come to a party like this?" Malfoy asked as he sat beside her.
"I wouldn't have minded too much, I would have spent the night reading."
"Well, this year you have a date who has plans for you on that night." Malfoy winked at her.
"Should I be worried?" Hermione asked, rolling her eyes.
"No, I just figured it will probably be our first Valentine in a long line of Valentines. I just want to show you what to expect for the coming years."
"You do realize I will be happy with just relaxing at home right?"
"I figured, but I was always told to make sure my significant other knows how much they are cared for. So the occasional spoiling will happen." Hermione just rolled her eyes. "Come on, let us go take a walk." Hermione sighed as she packed up her bags and followed Malfoy out of the library.
The following morning Hermione sat beside Ginny at the Gryffindor table when the post arrived. She was reading the post, minding her own business when two packages landed in front of her. She raised her eyebrow and looked at Malfoy across the room who was raising his own. "Well that's worrisome." Hermione said, picking up the packages.
"What is?" Ginny asked. "Wow, did Malfoy send you two Valentine gifts?"
"No, we agreed to exchange gifts tonight at the party." Hermione said. "And by the look on his face he doesn't know who sent them." She looked at them, each with a card and read them. The first was from Ron.
'Hermione,
I wanted to send you a gift as a reminder that Malfoy is not the only man for you, regardless of what the potion says. I hope you like it.
Ron.'
Hermione groaned as she opened the first package to reveal a copy of the recently updated Hogwarts: A History. "At least it's something you know you like." Ginny stated, Hermione just rolled her eyes as she opened the next letter.
'Hermione,
I understand that we got off on the wrong foot over the holidays, please accept this gift as an apology. It is a key that I had enchanted to take you instantly into the Malfoy Library without you having to actually enter the Manor.
Narcissa Malfoy.'
Hermione opened the package to reveal a skeleton key. "Interesting." Hermione picked it up and looked at it. "I can go to the Malfoy library any time I want."
"Interesting." Ginny agreed.
"What were the packages?" Malfoy asked as he and Hermione sat in the library.
"One was from Ron, trying to show me that someone besides you likes me. And the other one was from your mother. A key that when used on any door takes me to the Malfoy library."
"Do you want me to test it out just in case?" Malfoy asked.
"If you don't mind. I hardly think your mother will curse me but It would be nice to make sure." Hermione said. Malfoy smiled as he stood up.
"Come on." He took Hermione's hand and led her out of the library. They stopped at an empty classroom. "Key please." Hermione took the skeleton key out of her bag and handed it to Malfoy who entered the key into the door. Instantly the door changed and Malfoy opened it.
"Wow." Hermione said as she looked around after entering the room. She stood in a giant library that seemed to continue for ages. "Welcome to the Malfoy library." Malfoy said, as he closed the door and opened it again revealing a different hallway. "I am going in search of my mother, please stay close so I can find you." Hermione just rolled her eyes as she looked over the books closer to her. A few minutes later Malfoy and Narcissa entered the room to find Hermione sitting at a desk with a book in front of her, a glare on her face. "What's wrong?" Malfoy asked, looking over her shoulder.
"You had books on horcruxes." Hermione said. "Do you have any idea how much easier this would have made things?"
"What do you mean?" Malfoy asked, reading the book over her shoulder.
"These are how Voldemort survived trying to kill Harry when he was a baby. That's what we were doing last year, looking for his Horcruxes so we could kill him. But Dumbledore got rid of all the books mentioning them from the school library. This would have made it so much easier."
"You were not wrong." Narcissa whispered to her son.
"Told you," Malfoy chuckled. "Come on Granger, we have to get ready for the party." Hermione looked at him.
"You can come anytime you want," Narcissa reminded her. "There is even a section of Malfoy family history, and I am getting a curse breaker to come and make sure that there is nothing dangerous for you."
"Get Bill Weasley," Hermione said as she stood up and returned her book. "No offense, but I want someone I trust doing it."
"Of course, you have a great night and Happy Valentine's Day." Narcissa said as Malfoy took out the skeleton key and inserted it into the door.
Hermione stood in front of her mirror as Ginny adjusted the last few strands of Hermione's hair. "Did you really have to straighten it?" Hermione asked, eyeing how long her hair was now that it was straightened.
"Of course, it's not often we have a reason to dress up and I'm sure he has never seen you with straight hair as I have never seen you with straight hair. Here." Ginny handed Hermione a headband and she pushed her hair back and looked at herself. She wore a pink velvet slip dress over a white turtleneck and white tights. "What do you think he got you for Valentines?" Ginny asked.
"I'm not sure, he got me a locket for Christmas." Hermione said, fingering the locket around her neck.
"Have you checked the Malfoy Library yet?"
"Oh yeah, it was amazing. I'm super excited. Come on." Hermione sighed. "We have a party to get to." The two girls left Hermione's dorm.
Hermione greeted Malfoy at the Entrance Hall. "How much would you rather be reading?" Malfoy asked.
"A lot. Oh look, Harry's here." Hermione smiled as she walked up to Harry and hugged him. "How are you?"
"Good, how are you?" Harry asked.
"Good, I got Valentine's gifts from Ron and Narcissa. Did you know anything about Rons?"
"Nope." Harry said as Malfoy approached them. "Malfoy."
"Potter." Malfoy said, wrapping his arm around Hermione's waist. The two men stared at each other.
"Well, let's go to the party," Hermione said. "I have Head Duties to do." Hermione said, leading them into the Great Hall.
Throughout the night Hermione and Malfoy danced a few dances but mostly sat at a table with their friends. Eventually Malfoy and Harry started making small talk and then got into a disagreement about Quidditch. They paused and looked as Hermione started yawning mid conversation with Daphne and Ginny. "Tired?" Malfoy asked, earning a nod in response. "Let's call it a night. Besides, we still need to exchange gifts." Hermione smiled as she followed Malfoy out of the Great Hall. "Here." He said, handing her a bag. Hermione opened it to reveal a stuffed green dragon.
"Aw." Hermione said, handing Malfoy a box.
"What is this?" Malfoy naked as he opened it.
"A gameboy, they are big in the Muggle World, and I charmed it so you could use it here at Hogwarts." Malfoy just raised an eyebrow. "You'll enjoy it." Hermione promised him.
"If you say so." Malfoy said as he kissed her. "Happy Valentine's."
"Happy Valentines." Hermione replied.