Snow Angels

Chapter 1-The Eve of Valentine's Day

"Hey Harry, wake up. You've overslept, it's almost time to go downstairs for breakfast," Ron said earnestly while shaking Harry furiously trying to get him up.

Harry moaned and his eyes fluttered open. His emerald eyes had a glazed look to them, but that was obviously from just waking up. His raven black hair was sticking up all over the place, messed up from the previous night of tossing and turning.

"What time is it?" Harry mumbled not wanting to get up.

"It's 7:45. You have only 15 minutes to get ready, so you'd better hurry."

Harry sat up quickly, alarmed that he had slept so late; he had never done that before. Why hadn't his alarm gone off? he wondered. Harry got out of bed, and quickly put on the everyday black robes that matched his hair so well. He then went into the bathroom to wet his hair, so it wouldn't stick up so badly. Harry always hated getting up late, he never liked being in a rush and today was not an exception. Well, I guess this will have to do. I know I don't look the best, but when do I ever? Harry was not a person that dwelled on looks that much.

Harry and Ron left the Gryffindor house ten minutes later to head down to the Great Hall for breakfast. Apparently Hermione had left earlier with Ginny because she had become impatient waiting for them. Figures, girls can never be late for anything, can they?

Ron and Harry reached the Great Hall, mostly everyone was all ready there when they got there, but that was OK. Everyone seemed to be in high spirits and were talking and laughing away. Hermione saw Ron and Harry enter the Hall and waved them over to the Gryffindor table. They sat on either side of her; Harry next to Neville, and Ron next to his sister, Ginny.

"Do you know what tomorrow is?" Hermione asked.

"Uuhh...no," replied Ron.

Hermione sighed. "Do you guys know anything at all, or are all of you complete airheads? Tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and I hear Dumbledore is going to be surprising us with something new this year."

"Well...that's nice Hermione, but Valentine's Day really isn't my thing. It may be for you girls, but us guys, we don't usually tend to make a big deal out of that mushy kind of stuff," Harry said a little disgusted.

Hermione looked hurt. Her eyes went from shimmering to looking teary eyed. How come girls are so dramatic all the time? I don't think I said anything offensively, but whatever.

"Look, I'm sorry 'Mione. How about a hug?" Harry spread his arms wide open and gave her an adorable sad puppy face. How could she resist that? Hermione leaned into the friendly grasp of his arms. She felt much better after that.

In front of them, the food started appearing. This morning it was scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, toast, hash browns, and squash (a really watered down orange juice, the British drink). The noise level dimmed down because of the new arrival of food, but only slightly. All around him, Harry heard talk of Valentine's Day.

"What are you getting Talena for Valentine's Day?"

"Hey Daron, will you be my Valentine? Har. Har. Har."

Harry tried to block it all out of his head. He did not like Valentine's Day at all, not only because of the mushiness like he had told Hermione of earlier, but also because he was reminded of his parents. Valentine's Day was all about love, but Harry didn't even know what it felt like to be loved by his own parents. So why should he care if his friends said they loved him? He didn't even know the true concept of love. It gave Harry a longing inside and made him feel sad. He hated it.

Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw a flicker of movement. He noticed that the Great Hall was becoming quieter with each passing second, until there was dead silence. Dumbledore was making his way slowly from the High Table to the podium at the front of the room where all could see him.

"I told you something was going to be happening," Hermione said matter-of-factly out of the corner of her mouth.

"Shh," shushed Harry. Hermione sent him an evil glare. "I want to hear what he has to say."

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