The winter air was crisp as the dark-haired Gryffindor crept through the snowy lanes of Hogsmeade, his breath forming wispy clouds in the night. He had slipped out of Hogwarts under his Invisibility Cloak, determined to satisfy his craving for Honeydukes' finest treats. Sneaking into the sweets shop was a risk, especially after curfew, but the allure of chocolate frogs and Every-Flavour Beans was too strong to resist.
As he browsed the shelves, carefully avoiding Mrs. Flume's watchful eye, Harry froze at the sound of the bell above the door. In strode the blond Slytherin, flanked by his usual retinue of followers. Harry's heart sank. Draco Malfoy was the last person he wanted to encounter, especially alone and vulnerable in the candy shop.
Crouching behind a towering display of Fizzing Whizzbees, Harry peeked through the gaps in the shelves. To his surprise, Draco didn't join his friends at the counter for teasing banter or jibes at Harry's expense. Instead, Draco approached the Valentine's Day display, eyeing the assortment of heart-shaped boxes with a contemplative expression.
Harry's curiosity got the better of him. What could the Slytherin possibly want from Honeydukes on Valentine's Day? He watched as Draco carefully selected a beautifully wrapped box of chocolates, his fingers tracing the golden ribbon with a rare tenderness. It was a side of Draco Harry had never seen before—a moment of vulnerability that seemed incongruous with the haughty persona he usually projected.
Heart pounding, Harry remained hidden until Draco and his companions departed, their laughter fading into the night. Only then did Harry emerge from his hiding place, his mind racing with thoughts of what he had witnessed.
Days passed, and Valentine's Day arrived amidst whispers of secret admirers and romantic gestures. Harry found himself in the Great Hall, surrounded by a flurry of pink and red decorations. He wasn't expecting anything special—not until an anonymous package appeared at his seat during breakfast.
Carefully unwrapping the parchment, Harry's eyes widened as he revealed a familiar box of chocolates, adorned with a golden ribbon. His heart skipped a beat as realization dawned. It was the same chocolates Draco Malfoy had purchased at Honeydukes that night.