Chapter 39

Valentine's Day

With the second task ten days away, Lily tried to put it out of her mind, especially since Valentine's Day had arrived. She was excited to be spending the day with Ginny and had been planning the day to be perfect. She still didn't fully understand her emotions, but she had decided to just run with them.

As she finished getting dressed and applying her make up, she asked Parvati, Lavender, and Hermione what they thought; all three girls approved her choice of outfit. She had chosen a pink summer dress with red hearts all over it. Her figure was more feminine now, and her breasts had continued to grow modestly, so the dress looked perfect. She wore the heart necklace that had been her gift from Ginny for Christmas, which she rarely ever took off.

She had a box wrapped for Ginny, a necklace with a golden letter G, a heart, and a golden L, symbolising the way they felt for one another. She knew that some people thought that it was just a crush, but Lily knew it was more than that, despite their youth.

As she reached the common room, she saw Ron waiting for Lavender and smiled at him. "You look amazing, Lily. Ginny's going to love that outfit," Ron complimented.

"Thanks Ron. You and Lavender have a date?" Lily asked. Ron nodded.

"Madam Puddifoot's tea shop is having a special Valentine's Day event, so I booked a table for Lavender and me," Ron replied. Lily nodded.

"I did the same for me and Ginny, and I think Hermione might be with Viktor, I'm not sure," Lily replied.

"No, Viktor asked me to join him for Valentine's Day," Alicia Spinnet's voice came from behind them as she had just emerged from the girl's dorm. "I was surprised, but apparently whilst he had a nice time with Hermione at the Yule Ball, they both agreed it wouldn't really work out."

"Okay, that's news," Ron mused aloud. Lily knew why, but since Hermione hadn't said anything yet to anyone else, she didn't want to break that silence.

"Well, I'm sure we'll see her down there," Lily said, smiling.

"Probably," Ron agreed, as Lavender and Ginny came down the stairs, both smiling at Ron and Lily.

"You look beautiful, Lily," Ginny complimented. Lily blushed and held out the box.

"I… I got you something," Lily said meekly, looking shyly at Ginny, who accepted the box.

"Oh Lily, that's so sweet," Ginny accepted the gift and opened it, revealing the necklace. She gasped softly.

"Lily… it's… perfect," Ginny said, tears welling up in her eyes. "Help me put it on?"

Lily took the necklace and gently put it on Ginny, who turned and kissed Lily softly.

"I'm glad you like it," Lily said, smiling at her. "I hope you don't mind; I booked a table at Madam Puddifoot's."

"Why would I mind? I love it there," Ginny replied, smirking. "They always have such delicious cakes."

"I… I didn't have chance to get you something Lavender," Ron started softly, but Lavender put a finger to his lips.

"Ron, I don't care about presents. I love spending time with you," Lavender said.

"Well, I also booked a table at Madam Puddifoot's for us," Ron explained softly. Lavender let out a squeal of delight.

"Oh, I love their cream teas, have you ever had one?" Lavender asked. Ron shook his head.

"No, but I was told they're nice," Ron replied. Lavender nodded.

"They're amazing, you get sandwiches, scones, cakes, and drinks, and it's so pretty in there. They always go all out for celebrations like valentine's day; I saw it in there last year, and they had flowers and singing love hearts everywhere," Lavender explained, before kissing Ron. "That's the most amazing gift you could have given me. Thank you."

"Anytime," Ron blushed deeply at the compliment. "We all going?"

"Lead the way," Lily said, smiling.

The walk to Hogsmeade was nice, with the sun beaming down on the group, keeping them warm with a gentle breeze blowing in the background. Lily and Ginny spoke about the day, about what shops to go to, and what they wanted to do in the summer holidays. Lily suggested that they go out to dinner at a nice restaurant, with Ginny wanting to do such a treat for Lily's 16th birthday, which she was okay with.

As they got to Hogsmeade, they started with their favourite shop, Honeydukes, with Lily treating everyone to a large bag of sweets. She was in an incredibly happy mood, especially since she had a girlfriend for the first time on a valentine's day, and as they went to a jewellery shop, Lily slipped Ron a few galleons to treat Lavender. She had told him beforehand about the idea, and whilst Ron had objected at first, Lily refused to back down, so Ron finally accepted the gift.

Lily also brought Ginny a new dress, and a scarf, whilst Ginny brought Lily a beautiful set of earrings, with a ruby heart on them. As they made their way to the tea shop, they were all impressed with the decorations; roses and love hearts in the air, floating, with the floral scent filling the room, and romantic music playing in the background. Every table had screens around them so they could be covered, so the couples all had privacy, and yet there was room for a lot of them. Lily knew they had to be using an extension charm.

As they were ready to go in, Lily smiled as she saw Hermione and Fleur talking as they walked together. "Found Hermione," Lily pointed out.

"She should have said, we'd have walked up with them," Ron said.

"They're coming here, must be meeting their da…" Ginny started, but froze. Lily frowned, then saw what Ginny, and now Ron, followed by the others, were seeing. Hermione and Fleur were smiling… and kissing each other!

"What in the… when did that happen?" Ron found his voice first.

"I'm not sure, but… probably after Christmas," Lily guessed. Hermione smiled as she saw the group and walked over to them.

"Okay, so I probably have some explaining to do," she said sheepishly.

"You and Fleur dating? Seems simple enough. Are you both happy?" Ron asked.

"I know I am," Fleur said, grinning.

"Me too," Hermione agreed. "It feels so… right."

"That's what matters," Lily smiled as she hugged Hermione. "You deserve to be happy."

"We're going into the tea shop," Hermione told her. "Coming?"

"Definitely," Lily said. She saw Malfoy up the lane and rolled her eyes. Fleur also spotted him, and smirked.

"We should give ze bullies a show," Fleur suggested. Hermione also grinned as Fleur pulled her into a kiss. Lily laughed as Malfoy and Parkinson both stood there, their eyes wide and jaws dropped as they saw the kiss. Lily noted they weren't the only ones; a number of Hogwarts students were staring.

"Let's go inside, shall we?" Lily asked. The group grinned as they all went inside, leaving the students to gossip.

As Lily and Ginny sat at their table, Lily smiled at her as they talked about their holiday plans. "I was thinking, we could go to London for a day out, maybe see a Muggle theatre show, they have quite a few wonderful shows, including Phantom of the Opera. Uncle Sirius took me to see it once, it was brilliant," Lily said.

"I'd love that," Ginny agreed. "Okay, so I know this is a romantic date, but are you ready for the task?"

"I'm ready. I mean, I want to run a few more training swims this week, and test my spells underwater, but I can hold my Bubble-Head for just over two hours, so I shouldn't have a problem," Lily replied.

"And your Lumos?" Ginny asked, holding Lily's hand. Lily smiled and kissed Ginny's hand.

"Don't worry, I've got this ready," Lily promised.

"I know. I've got complete faith in you," Ginny replied.

"Thank you, Ginny," Lily said, smiling. "Ever since we've started dating, everything's been so much better. I love it, I really do."

"So do I," Ginny agreed. Her smile faded, though, as she looked down.

"What's wrong?" Lily asked, frowning. Ginny took a breath.

"I've been having more nightmares… and one about the task. What do you think is the most important thing in your life?" Ginny asked.

"Thing? I dunno, maybe my Femininus Draught, necklace from you, or my broom," Lily replied, frowning.

"Right, but none of them are so important that they can't be replaced. Now, think about the most important part of your life right now, at school, that can't be replaced," Ginny said. Lily shook her head.

"There's only one big part of my life that can't be replaced, and that's…" Lily's voice trailed off as her voice broke. She gulped as she looked at Ginny. "No, no, that… no, they can't…"

"You're at the same place as I am," Ginny confirmed her fears.

"No… Dumbledore… he wouldn't let that happen, would he?" Lily asked, her eyes full of fear. "I won't… I won't let that happen! I won't let anyone risk you… oh god, or Hermione, or Cho, or Alicia! I won't!"

"Lily, I've been thinking about this, and if this is part of the task, I doubt we'll be in any danger. Dumbledore wouldn't let any of us be hurt, would he?" Ginny asked.

"I'm sure none of the previous champions were supposed to be hurt, and I'm sure I was never meant to face Voldemort, or Dementors!" Lily exclaimed, her heart racing. "No, I refuse to let anyone use you like that."

"Lily, I love how protective you are," Ginny said, smiling softly. "I've already got a plan. If anyone asks me to go to Dumbledore's office before the task, I'll hide my wand on my person, or cast a spell so I'm able to do something to help."

"I'm going to speak to Dumbledore soon as we get back to school," Lily replied, her heart still racing as she felt a wave of anger race through her.

"Lily, please, don't get worked up," Ginny said softly. "I don't want you panicking, and I don't want you getting overwhelmed."

"Ginny… you… I will never let anything happen to you; I swear. You're the one I love, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect you," Lily said. Ginny looked at Lily, gasping as she put her hand on her chest.

"You… you love me?" Ginny asked. Lily blushed as she swallowed and looked at Ginny.

"I… yes, I… I love you, Ginny," Lily said, holding Ginny's hand. Ginny blushed furiously, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"Lily… I… I love you too," Ginny told her. She stood up, walked around the table and kissed Lily softly, smiling weakly at her. "You… I mean… I…"

"I know, I didn't… well, expect to say it like that, but… it has to be love, I want to always be with you, I feel happy when you're here, sad when you're not, and when we're together, I feel like I can do anything," Lily explained.

"Then you'd better get down to me quick, because I'll be waiting for you!" Ginny exclaimed, smiling. "Because when you get me back, we're going to be having a date that night, you hear?"

"I'm going to speak to Dumbledore, but I'll make sure I'm ready for a date, we can use the Room of Requirement and ask Dobby for help," Lily said, grinning as Ginny sat down, allowing them to enjoy the rest of their afternoon.

"Is everyone insane?" Lily demanded as she stormed into Dumbledore's office, seeing Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Moody, as well as Cornelius Fudge. She didn't know what they had been talking about, but there was fury in her eyes as she stood with Fleur, Cedric, and Viktor.

"I have been accused of being so many times, I'm sorry to say," Albus said, his eyes twinkling as he met Lily's gaze. 'Damn him, how can he always make it impossible to be angry with him?' Lily asked herself. From the look in his eyes, she guessed he knew why they were there.

"Lily, you sound rather… upset," Cornelius said, looking at her. "What happened?"

"We figured out the bloody task! You're going to put our girlfriends in the lake with the Mer-people for us to recover!" Lily exclaimed angrily. Minerva looked at Lily and took her hand.

"Lily, you need to understand that we didn't like that part of the tournament, it's why we're here right now, planning their safety," Minerva said, the anxiety in her voice clear. "It was planned by Mr. Crouch and Mr. Bagman."

"Right, because they're the best people to bloody trust, aren't they? Crouch didn't even give Uncle Remus a trial, so he spent all those years in Azkaban for no reason, and Bagman has proven he's a bigot!" Lily exclaimed bitterly. Fudge took her hand and met her gaze. There was something in his eyes that helped Lily to start to calm down.

"Lily, please understand, I disagreed with this as well, but it was agreed between the three respective Ministry departments, our department of Magical Games, as well as their French and Russian counterparts. I was overruled since I don't have a say in how the tournament is run, otherwise I'd have made sure you were allowed to pull out of the tournament," Fudge said, looking at her. "But I have been working with Albus to ensure that those people who are taken into the lake will be very well protected. Alastor, that is Professor Moody, myself, Albus, Minerva, and several other exceptionally gifted witches and wizards have all contributed to the spell to ensure they are safe."

"Safe how?" Cedric demanded. Fudge looked at him with a small smile.

"First, they'll be put into an enchanted sleep, so they won't have any sense of panic, neither will they feel any fear," Dumbledore answered. "They will then be placed into a stasis shield spell, so that nothing can touch them. Water, creatures, spells… nothing will harm them at all. When you reach them, all you need to do is cut them from the ropes keeping them tied to the bottom, and as soon as they reach the surface, the spells will end."

"On top of that, I've arranged for several witches and wizards to be underwater as well, remaining out of sight but nearby, in case of an emergency," Minerva added.

"And zey will not be harmed?" Fleur asked, narrowing her eyes. "I have only just found my happiness with Hermione, and I will not allow zat to be risked."

"I assure you that none of them will be harmed," Dumbledore promised. "I must confess, I feel a sense of pride, seeing the four of you together, side by side, united by friendship, love, and kindness. This tournament, whilst not having gone exactly as planned, has done what I hoped it would; promoted international kindness and cooperation."

"Indeed," Minerva agreed. "I believe this is thanks largely to Lily. If there is one thing I know of you Lily, you have an incredible ability to bring people together in the best of ways, and it touches my heart to see."

"Aunt Minnie, it's because of you and Uncle Sirius that I'm like this, you both raised me, and I love you both. If I'm that good, it's because you and Sirius made sure I was," Lily told her, feeling calmer now she knew what was going to happen.

"That's kind of you to say, but you are exactly like your mother, she was the same way you are," Minerva told her, placing a hand on Lily's shoulder. "I'm very proud of you."

"Thank you, Aunt Minnie," Lily said, feelings tears threaten to well up.

"She's right Lily, you are wonderful, and you did bring us all together," Cedric agreed.

"Thanks to you talking with Hermione, I have found ze woman I love," Fleur told her.

"Because of Hermione, I am also happy vith Alicia, who is sweet and vants me not for my fame, but for who I am," Viktor said.

"You're all just as amazing, and I know this is a competition, but I'm glad I'm in it with all of you. I don't care who wins, I've got new friends, and that means more to me then this damned tournament," Lily said, smiling at her friends. Despite being worried, Ginny's voice echoed in her head, and she knew she would never let her girlfriend down.