Year 4 Part 6

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This is actually a 5th year SQ, but I'm using it in 4th year. There are oddly 2 Valentine's Day SQs for 5th year. I have other plans for the Valentine's Day ball, but wanted to wait until the characters are a year older

After Christmas, time flew by. before anyone realized, Valentine's day was approaching. An announcement was made in the great hall. Gilderoy Lockhart would be visiting Hogwarts on his book your. Valentine themed lessons would be taught in several classes.
"I love Valentine's day" I said to Barnaby
"I will this year I think" he winked
"What do you suppose Snape is going to go with a Valentine themed potions class?" I giggled
We found out the following morning
"Today we will be learning about love potions, which manufacture infatuation. Love potions are strictly prohibited at Hogwarts. Unfortunately, Valentine's day inspires foolish young witches and wizards to experiment with such potions. Which brings me to what is in this cauldron." Professor Snape gestured to a pink shimmering liquid "This is Amortentia. The most potent love potion in existence. Rather than create true love, Amortentia induces in the drinker an unhealthy infatuation with the provider. It's is extremely potent and dangerous. It must be continuously administered to maintain it's effects. And those who are conceived under it's influence are doomed to be incapable of love. I want you to study it's appearance and commit it to memory in order to recognize and avoid it should you happen to encounter it. Do not linger near the cauldron or you could catch a whiff of it. Amortentia will smell differently to each of you according to what... attracts you." He said the last bit with disgust.
"What do you think yours will smell like" whispered Barnaby
"Hmmm... I would say clean laundry and sandalwood" I laughed
"That's what you always tell me I smell like. I was hoping you would say that" he smiled
After potions, we had transfiguration.
"In this class we will be turning lovebirds into love notes. Your notes will say whatever is in your heart"
After practicing all class, most of us were able to successfully perform the spell, however with all the notes talking, we could only hear what our own notes said.
Later that day, it was time for Lockhart's lecture. He swept into the great hall with dramatic flair flinging his cape aside, landing on Andre.
"Good Evening. Surely your professors have been talking about me, but to have the wizard, the authy, the legend in the making here in your presence is overwhelming for all of you"
I looked at Barnaby trying not to laugh.
"I shall be selecting a few students at random to attend a private book signing. I shall see the lucky few at Flourish and Blotts"
Barnaby and I both got invitations. When we entered Flourish and Blotts, we saw Andre, Talbott, Merula, and Penny
"It's just us 6" I asked
"Seems that way. A bit odd isn't it?" asked Penny "Lockhart said he had a surprise. What do you think it's about?"
"Himself probably" I laughed
"Seems to be his favorite subject"  Barnaby laughed
"I promised a surprise and I'm here to deliver" Lockhart said with a flourish of his cape "Please direct your attention to the young Hogwarts students in the back. These randomly chosen students thought they were just here to attend my book signing, but they are about to become my apprentices for a special Valentine's Day project!"
Lockhart made his way back to our group
"Mr. Lockhart we're..."
"Flattered I'm sure."
"Actually I was going to introduce myself" I was getting annoyed at his interuptions
"Yes well, there's no time to thank me. Let us head back to Hogsmeade" he said prancing out the door.
We met at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop
"Well, what do you think of the place" asked Lockhart "I think it's magnificent"
"I guess he doesn't want us to answer" I whispered to Barnaby
"Well, we went on our first date here. That certainly was memorable" we laughed at the memory
"This is where we will have our Voyages, Vampires, and Valentines party"
"Voyages, Vampires...and Valentines? That sound ridiculous" I rolled my eyes
"Ridiculously... intriguing" said Andre giving me a look
I guess I didn't mean to say it out loud
"I am happy to oblige Mr. Egwu"
"Wait. you already know our names? I thought we were chosen at random" I said
"Ah yes. Of course you were. I made it my business to learn all about you"
"So is this party to celebrate your book or Valentine's Day" I asked
"Precisely. And thank you for volunteering to lead the committee"
"Wait. What!?"
"Apologies. No time for more questions. Instructions will follow" and he hurried out the door
"Does anyone know what's going on?" I asked
"Apparently you are leading this...whatever it is" said Talbott
"Something seems off about this" said Merula. "We barely got a word in"
"At least it looks like we'll be together on Valentine's Day" said Penny optimistically "Let's go to the Three Broomsticks to talk about how we're going to spend it"
At the Three Broomsticks, we all grabbed a booth and started talking
"Something smell fishy about this. Can we all agree on that?" asked Talbott
"They serve fish and chips here. Maybe that's what you smell" Barnaby looked confused
"He means this Lockhart project seems weird" I whispered
"Oh. Ok." he smiled putting his hand on my knee
"Well as chief apprentice, what should we do first?" asked Penny laughing
"Chief apprentice? I'm not calling myself that!"
"How about Captain Valentine?" asked Andre
"Alright guys not funny" I said shaking my head
"Well what do you want to be called?" asked Barnaby
"Just call me by my name. This party has a ridiculous enough name"
"We should probably bring dates if it's a Valentine's Day party" said Penny glancing at Talbott. I know she really liked him. This might be the perfect opportunity for Penny to ask him out
"I know who I'm going with" whispered Barnaby rubbing my thigh. I blushed hoping none of our friends noticed
Over the next few days we were able to get all of our supplies. Barnaby and I worked with Professor Sprout on Flowers. Penny and Talbott were in charge of decorations, and Andre was in charge of everyone outfits. Merula didn't actually do anything.
The morning of the party we were all at Madam Puddifoot's decorating
"Did you ask Talbott to be your date?" I asked Penny quietly
She didn't say anything. Just smiled. I knew her answer was yes.
"I'm so glad. That's why I paired you up!"
After decorating, Andre approached me to tell me he finally finished my outfit. everyone else's had been done for days.
"I wasn't worried. I knew you wouldn't let me down" He brought me up to the transfiguration classroom to show me what he came up with. A light pink dress with a tiered skirt. I tried it on and it was perfect
"Just one thing missing..." said Andre grabbing his wand. He changed my hair style to be a bouncy blowout with pink highlights
"Oh Andre I love it! I never would have thought of pink hair!"
We all agreed to meet at Madam Puddifoot's. When I walked in, Barnaby spotted me right away and ran over to me
"You look amazing" he said touching my hair
"You look great too". He wore a black shirt with a hot pink jacket. "Pink is a great color for you"
"I've never worn pink, but Andre insisted"
"I'm glad he did"
Lockhart was walking around asking everyone questions about themselves and taking notes.
"Weird that he's asking about us and not talking about himself yeah?" Barnaby asked me
"You're right" I said
"Ah Miss Bond! I understand you are known for you curse breaking talents along with your decorating"
"I'm...I guess... Arent we here to celebrate your book? Why are you asking us all weird questions?"
"Of course! Life is full of daunting deadlines. Particularly from publishers"
"So...are you trying to get stories for your next book?"
"We are here to celebrate Voyages with Vipers"
"You mean Vampires" said Barnaby "Not that I read it. I prefer books with lots of pictures"
"Yes pictures would have added to the authenticity"
"Vampires can't be photographed. And why would your books need more authenticity? Unless your stories aren't true"
"Is that why you want to know what we've seen and done? Because you don't see or do much?"
"Why do you think I chose you.... I mean randomly selected you"
Barnaby turned to me "We have to tell professor Dumbledore"
Lockhart pulled out his wand
"Obliviate!"
"What just happened?" I asked
"I don't know. I can't remember" said Barnaby
we looked around. Everyone else seemed to be as confused as we were.
Lockhart disaparated immediately
"My memory is kind of fuzzy. Do you think he cast a memory charm on us?" asked Penny
"Perhaps there's something he didn't want us to know. I can only remember bits and pieces...not enough to make sense of anything"
"Maybe we remember different bits and pieces" said Talbott "I thought memory charms target a specific memory"
"Only if they're cast properly" said Merula
"Let's get back to Hogwarts" I said. "This can't be how our Valentine's Day ends"
We all walked together to the courtyard and everyone went to their common rooms.
"Did you notice Penny and Talbott?" I asked Barnaby
"No what about them? I guess I was a bit distracted"
"They were holding hands on the way back. I'm glad the memory charm didn't make them forget they were on a date"
"Come with me" Barnaby pulled my hand down towards the greenhouses.
"Where are we going? It's after dark."
"Just trust me"
We walked into the greenhouse and it was decorated with flowers and plants. There was a small candlelit table for 2 surrounded by vines in the shape of a heart
"What is all this?" I gasped
"Surprise" he whispered kidding me on the cheek
""Barnaby this is amazing! I can't believe you did all this for me"
"I asked Professor Sprout for help. You deserve something special. I knew Lockhart's party wasn't going to be special enough. I have a gift for you" he pulled out a vine with flowers and a heart attached.
"Barnaby it's beautiful"
"Rowan helped me with it. Just take good care of my heart okay?"
"Thank you for trusting me with something so precious" I whispered.
A lovebird flew down and landed on our table in front of me. I knew exactly what to give Barnaby.
I used the spell Professor Mcgonagall taught us to transform it into a love note
"I love you Barnaby" It said He grabbed my hand and pulled me into a kiss. His tongue penetrating my lips passionately. I wrapped my arms around his waist. His hands caressed my hair. I lost track of how long we were in the greenhouse. It was definitely the best Valentine's Day.

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