Written for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: Transfiguration (write about Minerva McGonagall; prompts - sunglasses, bans, tray and hair), and the Connect The Weasley's Challenge: James/Fred - jagged.
Unconventional Valentine
She had no idea how or why the tradition started, but all she knew was that she would wake up every year on February the 14th and find a tray with heart-shaped pancakes, a rose in a vase, a cup of coffee and a surprise "gift". Not to mention the letter. It always started the same:
Dear Minnie,
You didn't think we'd let you miss the fun of Valentine's Day did you? Besides, we know that you secretly love us (even if your strict Professor act stops you from showing it).
Then there was a vague explanation of the "gift." Whether it was sunglasses (to shield your eyes from the glare of Dumbledore's magenta robes), Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans (we decided to break out of the stereotype of buying chocolate for your Valentine) or a bright pink bow (to put in your hair to show your Valentine's spirit) they always had some witty comment about their odd, unconventional Valentine's presents. They always ended the letter the same too:
Please enjoy your breakfast and we will try to hold in our love for you for another year. Love from your favourite students (don't deny it you know it's true),
James and Sirius
For nine years she had received these strange, yet heart-warming Valentine's tray before the war took it away from her. She had never told anyone about the tradition, and so was utterly shocked when, on the 14th of February 2017 she awoke to find a tray adorned with heart-shaped pancakes, a rose in a vase, a cup of coffee and a jagged piece of pale purple crystal, with a letter lying beside it.
She approached the tray cautiously, not entirely certain she wasn't hallucinating. With trembling hands she opened the letter.
Dear Minnie,
You didn't think we'd pass up the opportunity to follow Grandpa and Sirius' footsteps, did you? Besides, we know that you secretly love it (even if your strict Professor act stops you from showing it).
The jagged crystal is to prove that just because something (or someone) is rough around the edges it doesn't mean they aren't special. Thanks for everything you've done for our family.
Please enjoy your breakfast and we will try to hold in our love for you for another year. Love from your favourite students (don't deny it you know it's true),
James and Fred
She didn't know how they had known, but it didn't matter. And when they walked through the Entrance Hall to see 50 extra points in the Gryffindor hour glass James and Fred knew that they had done the right thing – even if they had snuck into McGonagall's office last month and found a stack of old letters marked "private."
A/N. What with Valentine's Day coming up this just popped into my head. Who said McGonagall couldn't have some fun every once in a while? Anyway, please let me know what you thought. NG