NOTE: So here's chapter four. I hope you enjoy it.
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Much of the first lessons of the day were spent seeing how much prior knowledge everyone had. Professor Snape made it sound like he was the only one who knew anything worth knowing.
Of course she knew from Percy and Annabeth how bad he was, but nothing they had told her over the past two summers could have prepared her for this kind of arrogance. She knew it all, and more, to be true from the way he carried himself, from the contemptuous way he looked at everyone except the Slytherins, and above all, his voice. Annabeth and Percy hadn't made it clear how his monotone voice still oozed power, made you listen. "There will be no foolish wandwaving, or silly incantations in this class."
Professor Sprout was a kind woman, and she was Head of Hufflepuff House. Three times a week, the first years went to her class, held in the greenhouse, to learn about magical plants and how to care for them.
Valentine's first impression of Professor McGonagall had been spot on: you do not want to get on her bad side. She told them that this was one of the hardest classes at Hogwarts. Anyone who caused trouble would leave and never return. She gazed at them all and said, "You have been warned." At the end of the lesson, she gave them homework. Valentine walked out with Padma Patil and Terry Boot. As they passed Ron Weasley and Harry, they all heard Ron say, "I wish she favored us! We're in her house!" Valentine and her friends walked past them and Padma said, "Bet Flitwick favors us!"
They didn't get to find out until after History of Magic, which was the only class taught by a ghost. Apparently, Professor Binns fell asleep in front of the staff room fire and when he got up to teach the next morning, he left his body behind. Only Valentine and Hermione Granger took notes.
When the first years walked out of their first Charms class that afternoon, Ron strode triumphantly up to Padma, said, "Ha! I knew it!" and walked away. Valentine and friends didn't care that Flitwick didn't favor them. They just wanted to annoy Ron. It didn't work.
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The first few months passed by without incident. Well, unless you count the troll that was let in on Halloween. Looking back, Valentine remembered Malfoy's face and laughed. If it hadn't been so scary, it'd have been funnier; but now, it was close to Winter Break. That was when Lois and Peter were going to take Valentine, Percy and Annabeth to the family reunion in the US. When the Lynns met, they numbered about 75 people total. This year, Valentine's Aunt Chloe and Uncle David were hosting it.
They'd be staying for a few days. As Annabeth and Valentine were packing, they decided to talk about their cousins Angela, Tom, Ben and Chip. Angela and Chip were going to start at Hogwarts next year. Tom and Ben were older, in their final year at Hogwarts, and they were Slytherins.
"I never thought Tom and Ben were all right," Valentine said.
Annabeth sighed. "They've been getting worse for years. I have this memory of when they were nine. I was five years old."
"What happened Annabeth?"
"They were over for a short stay, and they decided to go to the park. I wanted to go with them, but they wouldn't let me, so I decided to follow them." The park was just down the street from their house. "I hid behind a bush so they wouldn't see me. I peeked through the leaves and I saw some things…horrible things." She shuddered, and paused.
"What did you see?" Valentine whispered.
Annabeth swallowed some water and seemed to recover. "The day before, there was a Muggle boy making fun of them. It was one of Harry's cousin's gang. Piers Polkiss, I think." She paused again and drank some more water. "Well, they decided to get revenge. You know, how when you're little, you can't really help it when you do magic."
Valentine nodded. "Yeah. I remember, I could make flowers open and close."
"They were able to control it, somewhat. I don't think he was ever right again." Annabeth shuddered again. "So how was your first term?"
After that, the conversation turned to mindless dribble as Annabeth tried to forget what she had seen that day; but Valentine still saw it, the sadness in her sister's eyes. She couldn't think of anything to say that would comfort Annabeth, so Valentine didn't bring that subject up again.
Pretty soon, they left. When they arrived at Chloe's and David' house, Angela ran out to meet them. She gave each of them a big hug. "Mom and Dad told me to show you guys where you're sleeping!" said Angela, addressing Annabeth, Percy and Valentine. Meanwhile, Chloe and David walked out of the kitchen and into the entryway to talk to Peter and Lois.
"Let's go!" They all ran upstairs with her, while the adults talked.
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Every year, each person over ten years old lit their own menorah for Hannukah. It had become a tradition to do it in the dark. As each candle was lit, the light increased until the room seemed to glow with celestial light, especially on the eighth night. This year, the eighth night of Hannukah fell on December twenty fifth, which was also Valentine's birthday.
After the candle lighting was when the party really started. Most of the family were wizards, but there were some inter-marriages with Muggles, though it was quite rare.
There was a large radio in one corner, drinks and snacks floated around the room on trays, a dance floor in the middle and tables all around. Everyone was having a good time.
Valentine sat with Percy and Annabeth in the corner table. Every year, there was some sort of prank or joke to surprise Valentine on her birthday, involving everyone in the family. The trouble was that she never knew what to expect; the joke was different every time!
On the one hand, Valentine was sad. It seemed like her family had forgotten her birthday, like no plan had been set in motion. On the other hand, she tried to remain alert, just in case something did happen.
Valentine glanced over Annabeth's shoulder and barely registered that Annabeth had said something. "Sorry, what did you say?"
"I said that they haven't forgotten."
"But it's nearly midnight!"
Percy sighed. "Just trust us, Vally."
Valentine looked at the clock: 11:52pm. "You guys wanna get something to eat?"
They nodded and they all got up to get some latkes [potato pancakes], sufganiyot [jelly donuts] and hot chocolate. They returned to their table. Valentine looked at the clock: 11:58pm. Perfect timing… Valentine thought as Angela ran over panicking.
"Percy, Annabeth, Valentine!" Poor Angela was gasping for breath. "S-s-something's wrong! You've got to come with me!"
Angela pulled Valentine along, Percy and Annabeth in tow. When they got to the front of the room, everyone yelled out "SURPRISE!" Looks like no one had forgotten after all.
James and Cynthia waved their wands and the dance floor disappeared, and in its place a small table up front was conjured, along with four longer tables neatly arranged just like the Great Hall at Hogwarts.
Valentine took her place in the middle of the table, her parents on one side, and her siblings on the other. Lois got up from the table and went into the kitchen. When she came back out, she was levitating a cake that was made to look like a bust of Valentine.
"Oh my…" Valentine gasped. "It's beautiful!"
Her cousin Aiden, who had graduated from Hogwarts eight years ago and was now working at the Daily Prophet, took a picture of the cake and Valentine side by side. Lois cut it and levitated pieces to the whole family.
Peter stood up. "Valentine, may you live as long as you like, and have all you like as long as you live."
A great roar of "Valentine!" erupted from the whole family.
Valentine stood up and said to everyone at large, "Thanks everyone! I love you all and I promise I won't let you down!"
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Her presents were waiting for her by her bed when she got back to the room she was sharing with Percy and Annabeth. On the top of the pile was a letter from her parents. Valentine opened it.
Valentine,
Happy birthday! Your father and I weren't sure what to get you, so we talked to Percy and Annabeth. They both told us the same thing: that you want to try out for Seeker on the Ravenclaw Quidditch team next year. Your father and I talked and we decided to buy you a broom. Next year, when we go to Diagon Alley, we'll go into Quality Quidditch Supplies and let you pick out a brand new broom. Good luck next term!
Love,
Mum and Dad
Valentine sat dumbstruck on her borrowed bed. "Any broom I want…" She recovered after a moment and opened the rest of her presents. She got lots of wizard candy (and even some Muggle candy), some books of the magical variety, a Holyhead Harpies pin and lots of birthday cards.
There was a knock at the door. "Come in!" Valentine called.
Aiden walked in. He was holding a package. "Hi, Vally. I'm a little late in this, but here's your present." He walked over to the bed and handed her a square package. "I wanted to finish it before I gave it to you," he said as Valentine opened it.
It was a thick photo album. Valentine opened the book. The first twenty or so pages were already filled with family photos, and the last filled page was of that night's birthday cake. There was still plenty of room left. "Oh Aiden, I love it! Thank you!" Valentine got up and hugged her cousin.
"Have a great school year, ok?" Aiden pat her head. They separated.
"I will, Aiden!" Valentine grinned.
Aiden left, and Valentine soon fell asleep with a smile still on her face.
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After breakfast the next morning, the five of them packed up and ate with the rest of the family. Soon after, they were going to take the Portkey home. Everyone gathered to say good bye. About half of the family lived all over Britain, and they were to leave in small groups.
Finally, after lots of hugs and kisses, the five of them were ready to go. Just before they left, James came up to them. "Hey Lois, I have a favor to ask."
She turned to her younger brother. "Sure."
"Can Angela and Chip stay with you this summer?" asked James. "Cynthia and I promised we'd spend the summer alone with Tom and Ben."
"Of course they can! We'd be delighted," Lois grinned.
"They can stay in the guest room," Peter said. "It's always nice to have family visiting."
Cynthia looked at Lois. "I'll send the Gringotts key along for their school supplies," she said. "We'll drop them off by Floo Powder towards the end of June."
"Thanks so much guys. It really means a lot," said James.
The families exchanged a hug and Peter, Lois, Percy, Annabeth and Valentine left.
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NOTE: I hope you guys enjoyed it, and for those who missed it, yes, the Lynns are a Jewish family. You know what they say, write what you know. (Also, Chloe and David are the hosts, but they're very minor characters. Cynthia and David, and their kids, live in England. Just to clear up any confusion.)