Antares

Chapter Five ~ Roses are Red

Violets are Blue

I Would Do

Anything for You

"Valentine's Day!" Daphne said happily in the Great Hall. "The best day of the year!"

"Next to my birthday, of course," Rachel added.

"Is it time for Valentines Day already?" said Victoria.

"Came too slow in my opinion," Daphne remarked with a bright smile.

"How much longer until the day?" Victoria asked.

"Two days, Victoria," Rachel answered.

"Two days! Oh Lord."

"So Rachel!" Daphne said. "Do you suppose you'll receive anything nice on Valentine's?"

"Feh. We'll see."

"Surely you've heard something. You know how this place is."

"I don't know... I heard something from Moira that Montague might send me something, but--"

"I've seen it too, Rachel! You can kind of tell when he's around you. He fancies you quite a bit."

"Oh, great."

"Would you ever consider him?"

"He's a young one, Daphne! It'd be odd if I did."

"Rachel is not like you, Daphnia," Victoria said.

"Bugger off, Victoria!" Daphne retorted.

"I think all of the boys at Hogwarts can expect a Valentine from Daphnia, hmm?"

Rachel laughed a bit, but she hastily looked away nervously. Daphne had that all-too-familiar heated look, shaking her head bitterly. Victoria leered and turned to Aki, who was sitting across the table.

"Would you agree, Aki?"

Even though Victoria was her good friend, Aki wasn't listening to her. She was preoccupied with listening in on the squabble between her seven housemates behind her, the Ravenclaw Quidditch team.

"David," Ivy said softly, speaking to team captain Fairchilds, "you still haven't told us when our next practice is."

"You do know that the next big match is very soon?" Charlotte said irritably.

"Very important stuff," said Hastings, another one of the chasers.

"I know, I know," Fairchilds said, waving his hand to dismiss it. "I just haven't gotten around to booking the pitch."

"You've had so long, David," Ivy squeaked.

"When was the last time we had practice, hmm?" Roger asked, starting to sound agitated. "Must've been before the Christmas holiday!"

"Usually I wouldn't be complaining, but this is just getting ridiculous, David!" Quentin said.

"My skills are getting rusty," whined the seeker, Farraday.

"It's winter!" Fairchilds countered. "If we did practice, you would all be complaining about frostbite! I can't win with you lot!"

"We might've complained, but we would still practice because each and every one of us here loves Quidditch, and each and every one of us wants to win," said Roger.

"It'd be nice to have that cup, Fairchilds," Charlotte hinted.

"I'd like to be able to touch it just once," Farraday moaned.

"Well, I've seen the way we play. You're all incredible when you get out there on the pitch!" Fairchilds complimented. "I just assumed a little less practice wouldn't hurt."

"Never assume anything, Fairchilds," Charlotte said.

"Well, now you know how we all feel," Roger affirmed. "We need practice. The big game for the cup winner is coming faster than we all expected, and practice time should be stepped up."

"I honestly wouldn't mind some more practice," Ivy said.

"I'm sure that we've all probably forgotten how to ride broomsticks at this point though," Quentin said.

"This time of the year is a tough time to book the pitch," Farraday noted. "I'm worried that Slytherin might've taken up every single spot."

"They wouldn't do that," Fairchilds said. "Un-twist your knickers for Merlin's sake, we have plenty of time to book it."

"Look, Fairchilds," Roger huffed. "Just be sure to book the pitch tonight for as soon as possible, okay?"

"Err--tonight?"

"Yes, tonight."

"Well... err... the thing is--"

"Forget it!" Roger bellowed. "I'll do it myself!"

Aki mouthed a "wow" to Victoria after watching Roger stomp off. Victoria, who had also caught a hint of the dispute, raised both her brows.

"That was scary, eh?" Aki whispered.

"That was very irresponsible of David, though," Victoria stated.

"What's Roger's problem? Why's he so crazy about the game?"

"He is just more dedicated to it than David is, I suppose."

Aki heard voices and followed the direction of them; Oliver Wood, two red-haired twins, and a tan-skinned girl were coming down the aisle towards her. Oliver and one of twins passed behind and took a seat not too far away at the same table. The other two went around and sat across from them. They looked like they were in a heated discussion.

"You're joking, right, Wood?" said one of the twins.

"It's making me tired just hearing it," said the other.

"I'm not joking," Oliver grumbled. "Practice will be on four days next week! Mornings and nights!"

"That's too much, Wood!" shrieked the girl. "You're going to kill us!"

"Quiet, Spinnet," Oliver shot back. "Do you want to be unprepared for the next game? This next game will be the hardest to win, you know."

"But--" the girl started.

"Don't you think you're going just a bit overboard, Wood? I mean, we are playing Hufflepuff."

"Don't underestimate Hufflepuff, Weasley," Oliver said harshly. "But that is not the point! With Snape refereeing, he'll be calling fouls on us right and left--"

"Snape's refereeing the next Quidditch match?!?" Aki cut in suddenly.

The four Gryffindor students stared at her for a second, wondering where her interruption had come from.

Victoria slapped Aki's hand gently and gave a look of embarrassment to them. She laughed nervously, as to apologize for Aki's rudeness. Oliver cleared his throat and answered the curious Aki.

"Yeah. He's taken it upon himself."

"It's going to be one bloody interesting game, I'll say," said one of the twins.

"But you're playing Hufflepuff, right?" Aki said.

"Yes."

"Then why is he refereeing? His house isn't playing."

"He just wants to humiliate us," said the girl.

"Why else? He's a sh--"

Oliver trailed off when he saw the blonde girl with the Slytherin emblem on her robe that was sitting close by.

"Err... he has too much time on his hands, I suppose," Oliver recovered.

"What are you going to do? He'll be so unfair," said Aki.

"Play our best," Oliver said after a heavy sigh. "That's all we can do."

"I hope you all do well," Aki said sincerely. "Good luck."

"Thank you," Oliver said, turning to the twin beside him.

The girl smiled, and one of the twins nodded their head at Aki before continuing their conversation. Aki quickly leaned over to Rachel and Daphne.

"Hey! Are we going to that next Quidditch game?"

"Who's playing?" Rachel asked.

"Gryffindor and Hufflepuff."

"Pah. The two worst houses, eh?"

"Snape's refereeing!" Aki said fervently. "Should be interesting, eh Rachel?"

"Yeah... a bunch of pansies and duffers flying around on broomsticks!"

"Rachel!" Daphne exclaimed, her mouth open. "Don't say that!"

Rachel gave a single, insolent "Ha!"

"Could you imagine Snape?" Aki said. "Throwing insults at the Gryffindors every minute..."

"Well!" Rachel said with new enthusiasm. "Maybe it won't be such a bad game after all!"

"D'you think cute-Terrence will be at the game, Rachel?" Daphne said brightly.

"No." Rachel was clearly getting miffed. "Normal Terrence will be there."

"Do you think we could see him that morning?" Daphne suggested hopefully. "Have a little chat before we go to the game?

"Christ sakes..."

"I haven't seen him for so long!"

"Daphne--"

"Just a quick hello, okay?"

Rachel shut her eyes tightly and blew out a deep breath. She put her fingers to her forehead to allay her exasperation. She gave a crabby look to Daphne, but it had no effect.

"Fine," she agreed at last. "Just meet me outside the tower."

Daphne made an excited squeal and beamed widely. She began to daydream, coiling her hair around her index finger.

"We might be a little late for the game then, you know Daphne," Rachel made clear.

"I don't care!"

"Daphnia would be late to a funeral for her own mother if a boy were involved."

Rachel chuckled, but Daphne paid no mind that she was just insulted. Pomposity washed over Victoria's face, as she was again proud of herself.

"What's he like?" Aki queried.

"Terrence is Terrence," Rachel grumbled. "I don't know what the big fuss is."

"I wanna meet him!"

"Oh, Lord--"

"Can I come too???"

"No, Aki," Victoria asserted.

Aki turned to Victoria, who was looking especially rigid right now. Her hands were clasped on the table, and her face was as still as death.

"W-why not?"

"We do not want to be late for the game, Aki."

"Err... we don't?"

"No."

Victoria sat up straighter and stuck her nose higher into the air. She looked intent on getting her next point across.

"Tardiness is not very ladylike, Aki," Victoria said, a bit louder than was necessary.

Aki shrunk in her seat at Victoria's loud declaration. Victoria was motionless, letting her unblinking eyes penetrate into her. The longer this went on, the more uncomfortable Aki got.

"Err... well, don't want to miss a minute..." an uneasy Aki said.

Victoria cracked a grin and nodded once.

"Precisely."

Aki looked down to the table and rubbed her finger into the wood. She wasn't sure of what the big deal was about getting to the game on time, but figured that questioning it would only make her more uncomfortable. She most certainly did not want to see Victoria with that face-of-stone again. Aki would've liked to see Terrence, but her best friend always did seem to know best. She snuck a peek at Victoria, who was haughtily smiling and gazing down the table.

*****

Aki covered her nostrils with her robe. The smell of garlic was particularly tart today in the Dark Arts classroom. She thought perhaps that it was Quirrell's way of acknowledging Valentine's Day; to repel as many people as possible with rank odour. He was up at the front, hands nervously twitching and talking about Lord-knows-what. Victoria was giving her hard eye to the small pile of gifts on the table in front of Daphne. Daphne was smiling happily and reading one of her cards that she had received.

"Listen to this one," Daphne said, nudging Aki. "Cleverest Ravenclaw... friendliest fifth year... prettiest girl in the world. Happy Valentines Day, Daphne, from Kent."

"How lovely," Victoria said sourly.

"That's nice," Aki commented.

"Do you have a special someone this Valentines, Aki?" Daphne asked.

"Sadly, no. Another lonely year, I'm afraid," Aki said with a laugh. "What about you, Victoria?"

"Don't be silly, Aki," Daphne spoke abruptly. "Victoria is colder than an Aberdeen winter, she'd never like anybody."

This time, Daphne was the one looking glad, and Victoria was appearing resentful. A vein began to pop out of Victoria's reddening forehead. She looked like she was ready to knock Daphne's head clean off her shoulders.

"Victoria's not like that. I'm sure she fancies a bloke now and then," Aki said uncomfortably, taking notice of Victoria's murderous eyes that were fixed on Daphne. "Err... how 'bout you, Daphne? You have so many admirers there, but who would you choose?"

"Ah," Daphne said. "Way to make me think hard, eh Aki?"

"So many..." Aki said dreamily, rifling through and reading all of Daphne's Valentines. "Kent... a Philip Morton... even Trevor sent you a friendly one."

"They're all good blokes, but I'll have to stick with my Terrence."

Aki restrained a guffaw when Daphne said, 'my' Terrence.

"He's in his last year, you know," Daphne noted. "He's the... number one priority, right now."

Daphne gently put down her Valentines as if they were sacred parchments and took in a few of the professor's words. She rested her cheek onto her fist and showed the most undivided attention.

"On second thought," said Daphne. "I may have another special someone..."

"Who's that?" Aki asked curiously.

Daphne's eyes had glassed over, and she emitted a very blissful sigh.

"Professor Quirrell."

Aki had to place a hand over her own mouth to keep from bellowing with laughter and screaming out of disgust. Professor Quirrell glanced over at Aki with her hand over her face and he lost his train of thought.

"P-P-Please... try to li-listen."

"Sorry... Professor Quirrell," Daphne said in a low, seductive groan and flashing her most bewitching smile.

Quirrell's hands gave one particularly large twitch, and he did his nervous titter. He looked away quickly, fighting to get back to his lecture.

"That year he took off was well spent! That first-hand experience has made him--ah--better."

Daphne said 'better,' but Aki got the feeling that she wanted to say 'irresistible.'

"I think it's just the turban that's swaying you, Daphne," said Aki.

"He's such a hero. Do you remember his story of how he got his turban?"

"That story was such a lie."

"No it wasn't! Wouldn't he come up with a better story if it was a lie?"

"His lie--I mean--story is pretty impressive already."

"Even if he hadn't done all that, I don't care. My favourite professor by far. Always."

"Well, I'm sure that you're his favourite student too, Daphne."

Daphne giggled and twirled a lock of hair on her index finger.

"It's a shame you didn't get any Valentines, Aki. If I were a bloke, I'd most definitely send a sweet girl like you one."

Aki smiled and laughed feebly. Daphne rubbed Aki's back and went back to enjoying her Valentines. Aki shifted her book bag onto her lap and slyly opened it up. Hidden inside was a stiff Valentine's card that had very scraggly writing, as if the writer was incapable of printing neatly. She read it from within the bag so that nobody would see.

Smart. Beautiful. Perfect for me.

These are the reasons why I think about you everyday. We should be together. With you, I'd be able to do so many things. I'd be able conquer my enemies. I'd be able to give you things you've never had before. I'd make you happy.

I'd be happy.

(And I'd be better at Quidditch, since you make it easy for me to get my 'broomstick'

up)

Marcus Flint and Aki... better together than tea and sugar.

The words, 'Marcus Flint' were written in green ink, and her name was in blue ink, as to boast some sort of creativity. She was a bit upset that he had just written 'Aki,' and not her last name. Marcus probably had no idea in hell what her last name was. It was a very simplistic card, but it left her with a smattering of different emotions. On the one side, she was horrifically grossed out by the Quidditch and broomstick remark. However, another part of her couldn't help but feel the slightest bit happy that she got a Valentine from Marcus Flint.

~ ~ ~

In History of Magic, Oliver sat completely still in his seat, staring dumbfounded at the unfolded slip of paper he had in his hands. He had found the thing thrown into his Quidditch locker that morning, and since then he had read it about seven times. Polished handwriting wrote discomforting words on the half-sheet of parchment paper.

"What's that you have, Oliver?" Percy inquired, leaning over.

Oliver had no words, so Percy went ahead and read it for himself.

Oliver,

If I were given a rose for every time I saw you in my dreams, I would be lost in a field of endless red roses. If there is one thing that makes me forget these intolerable fools around me, it is your sweet face across the room. Just being able to see you concentrate so hard in your books, or flying so majestically on your broomstick is enough to get me through these days. My Valentines Day would be complete if I could just steal a moment with you, but one look in my direction with your wonderful eyes will make me just as happy. Everyday I pray that you will come to your senses and choose me to be yours, but that day always seems to pass me by. I am patient however, and waiting a little bit more does not upset me. I would do anything for you, Oliver Wood. Never let that escape your memory.

Always thinking of you,

Shigyord E Ardiag

"Just who is this character, anyway?"

"That's the thing," said Oliver, swallowing nervously. "I've no idea!"

"Probably just one of your fanatical admirers again," Percy teased. "Perhaps a little girl in her second year?"

"Quit messing around, Percy. This is... strange stuff."

"It's nothing, Oliver," Percy said. "Just a juvenile crush from some eager girl."

"But the thing that makes me nervy, Percy, is the fact that I got a letter from the same sender last Valentines."

"Is that so?" Percy asked, his eyebrows raised. "This girl is certainly persistent, then."

"Bleah."

"You're not flattered?"

"No!"

"Why not?

"Because... this is just... odd!"

"Just forget it, Oliver."

Percy picked up the paper and waved it around.

"It's not like these things come everyday now, is it? Yet another girl fancies you... just try to find the upside to it, will you?"

Oliver squirmed in his seat. The letter was certainly flattering, but there was something so wrong about it. It just didn't feel right. With a chill tingling down his spine, Oliver re-read the parting sentences of the parchment:

I would do anything for you, Oliver Wood. Never let that escape your memory.