Snow Angels

Chapter 2 - The Announcement

"Excuse me, may I have your attention, please?" Dumbledore asked unnecessarily. He already had everyone's attention because it wasn't every day that he made an unexpected announcement. "I have a rather huge surprise for you, and I'm sure you will all love it. As most of you know, tomorrow is Valentine's Day, and so this year we will be celebrating it as a school."

There was a mixture of cheers from the girls and the Hufflepuff table, and groans from the guys and the Slytherin table. Hushed conversations erupted throughout the Great Hall about what they thought was going to take place, and they forgot all about Dumbledore.

"Quiet down now, please. As I was saying, tomorrow is Valentine's Day, so the staff and I have something extraordinary planned for you. In this big container there are the names of every student in this school. In a few minutes, after I'm done talking, you will all line up and pick a random slip of paper with a student's name on it. No peeking either! Tonight I want each and every one of you to write a card to your "pal" saying something nice, but don't reveal who you are. That is the fun part! There's more to come, but I still have to discuss with the rest of the faculty, but you will learn about it tomorrow morning. Now, you can all line up so you can pick your pal. And please, no peeking!"

One by one, the students lined up, nervously talking to their friends about who they would and wouldn't want to pick. All Harry knew was that he didn't want to pick Malfoy. This whole thing was a stupid idea anyway.

Finally, after waiting in line for ten minutes, Harry reached his final destination, Dumbledore and his big white box container. Harry closed his eyes tightly and reached in hoping for somebody at least halfway decent. He fished around and finally grabbed hold of a piece of paper. He pulled it out, opened it up and read what it said: Draco Malfoy. His day could not get any worse than right now. How could he even think of writing him a card, let alone writing something nice? Harry looked up at Dumbledore as if to ask to pick again, but all Dumbledore did was smile and nod. It was like he already knew who Harry had and was encouraging him. Harry stepped out of the line and moved to the side to wait for Ron and Hermione. Quickly thereafter, they both emerged out of the line holding their own white slips of paper.

"So, who did you both get?" inquired Harry. Surely neither of them got anyone as bad as he did.

"Well, I got Neville. He's not so bad. At least he's someone I know," replied Hermione. "What about you Ron?"

"I got some girl named Alicia Karth. I don't really know who she is, but I have a feeling she's a fifth year in Hufflepuff. Oh well. So, I'm dying to know, who is lucky enough to have Harry Potter write them a Valentine?"

Harry glared at him, then whispered, "Promise not to tell?" Hermione and Ron both nodded their heads in unison, and leaned forward a little bit. "I got the one and only DRACO MALFOY! Of all the people in this whole school, I just had to go and pick that git. How convenient, isn't it? What am I going to do?"

"Well, for the moment let's not think about it, or else we'll be late for our class," instructed Hermione.

"How can I not think of it when our next class is Potions with the devil itself," cried Harry.

*~*~*

Hermione was sitting in the middle of the boys carefully paying attention to what Professor Snape was saying while vigorously taking notes. Only gods knew what Ron was doing, and Harry, he had better things to think about then how to make a potion to shrink someone's head. His eyes kept glancing over in the blond boys direction, and once or twice caught Draco looking at him over his shoulder. Every time Draco snuck a look, Harry would turn a dark shade of red while Draco looked nervously away.

Damn, I never realized how cute Draco is, he's pretty scrumptious. No wonder why all the girls like him. Aahh! I did not just say that, did I? What has gotten into me? Just because I have to write Draco a Valentines' Day card does not mean I have to go and fancy him, for Christ's sake. But still, the way his sliver-blond hair falls into his gray eyes, and the way he bites his lower lip when he's concentrating is just so sexy. But no! I can't possibly like a guy could I? I mean, I've never really gave it much thought, but there really isn't much need to. Until now, I guess.

All of a sudden Harry felt a nudge on his side and came to full focus.

"Well Potter?" sneered Snape.

"I'm sorry, what did you ask?"

"I asked if you could give me the first ingredient in the Shrinking Head potion. Obviously you weren't paying attention."

"Uuuhh...umm..."Harry mumbled.

"It's blood of a toad Harry, blood of a toad," Hermione muttered under her breath. She was used to doing that these past few years.

"Blood of a toad!" Harry shouted out loud, excitedly.

"Very good, Potter, but twenty points from Gryffindor."

"WHAT?!" cried Harry, Ron and Hermione at the same time.

"Yes, you heard me. Twenty points for shouting out loud in class and for telling Mr. Potter the answer." Snape glared in Hermione's direction.

Harry turned bright red again, this time a deeper color. Not because of getting in trouble, he always did, but he could feel Draco's eyes on him and it was making him uncomfortable.

I really do need to stop this or else I could end up in big trouble. Maybe I'll talk to Hermione later. She would understand.