a distinct lack of charisma
February had rolled around like a storm, and Diana could hardly believe that it was indeed the five month mark of her first year as a practicing witch.
However the month brought its own trials.
You see, for Diana valentines had never made much sense. It was a commercial opportunity, derived from the celebrations of the people of Ancient Rome as a marketing scheme.
Why other people found pleasure in the giving and receiving of paper cards, silly childish love notes and roses would always be a mystery to her.
Although she began to see the appeal when Lilith had alerted her of her Valentine’s haul.
The blonde had quickly become popular, not because she joined in clubs, or helped those in need. But because of two different reasons. She was beautiful, and she was influential.
“Look at all of these” Lilith had infiltrated the Hufflepuff table during lunch and slammed her satchel full of pink and red love notes on the table.
“Are you telling me you’re going to become a postman or is there a point to this?” Diana questioned, picking up one of the cards.
Lilith smiled proudly before ruffling through the cards “I even got one form a fifth year” Lilith smiled before Diana interjected “that’s creepy.”
Diana deadpanned, concerned about her friend and those who had noticed her.
“How is it creepy?” Lilith questioned, tearing one of the letters open “oh- Montgomery what sort of name is that?” She gagged in disgust “and look at that! He’s given me a rose! How average” she tossed the paper behind her shoulder and resumed her rummaging.
“How many did you get?” Lilith casually asked, not really looking for an answer but more to brag about the amount she had received.
“None” was her answer. It hadn’t bugged her this morning, so why did her heart feel like it was in a vice?
“None??” Lilith gasped in outrage, placing hands on her chest “that’s a crime! Every girl needs a valentines card!”
Most of the girls in the general area made sounds of agreement, and in this moment Diana felt herself somewhat envious of the attention the other girls had received. Even if it was commercial.
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Diana had gone through most of her classes in a breeze, potions in the afternoon had consisted of theory. The ingredients and techniques for brewing the perfect amortentia, however Professor slughorn had informed them that they would not be permitted to brew the liquid until at least their sixth year due to it being highly volatile and sensitive.
Her final period of the day was herbology. Professor sprout had been teaching them how to perfectly grow fresh Lamprocapnos spectabilis, commonly known as bleeding heart, and had provided the students with small pink pots.
However halfway through the lesson Diana had felt something strike the back of her head rather harshly. She quickly dropped the pot on to the table and spun around, searching the greenhouse for whatever had hit her.
There, nestled between two pots of hydrangeas, was a paper aeroplane. It had a soft, golden tint as it had clearly been enchanted - probably to hit her - and she grazed the paper cautiously.
She heard a few barks of laughter coming from outside the greenhouse as she resurfaced with the letter. Was it a joke?
Her heart shattered, although the visage did not. She felt like she was about to regurgitate everything she had consumed since birth as she opened the letter and the laughter got louder.
Instead of opening it fully she tossed it to the ground, paper crumpling as it hit the tiles of the floor.
“Miss Potter?” Professor Sprout raised her voice and several heads turned to face her “yes Professor?” She stammered, kicking the paper under the desk.
“What on earth was that ruckus?” She hobbled over to Diana and looked around “did you drop the pot? Are you alright?” She panicked until Diana pulled her hands out of her grasp.
“I’m fine”
Although, she would have been better if she knew the note was sincere. And that the words inscribed were
‘To mon petit jardinier. S.O.B’