Valentine's Day Arrives
February 14th.
When the young wizards entered the Great Hall early in the morning, they almost thought they had gone to the wrong place.
Pink and red flowers and confetti drifted down from nowhere, swirling slowly in the air.
Soft light streamed down from the dome, casting dappled shadows on the walls and floor.
The entire Great Hall seemed to be immersed in a warm, sweet atmosphere.
But what attracted the most attention were the "creatures" flying and playing inside the Great Hall.
A dozen or so blond toddlers with pure white wings hovered under the high dome, weaved between long tables, and swung their legs on the chandeliers.
They looked no more than three or four years old, with chubby faces, bright eyes, and tiny wings fluttering behind them, scattering dappled sunlight.
Some were carrying small bows and arrows, some were holding harps, some were blowing small horns, and some were playing small drums...
"Wow--"
A little witch couldn't help but exclaim in amazement. She tentatively reached out her hand, wanting to approach a little angel that was hovering in mid-air.
The little angel turned around, gave her a bright smile, and then flew over to rub its little face against her palm.
"So soft!" the little witch exclaimed. "The skin is just like a baby's!"
Soon, more young wizards gathered around.
They discovered that these little angels were not only adorable in appearance, but also exceptionally kind in personality.
A Cupid dressed in a small white robe took a parchment from his satchel, unfolded it, cleared his throat, and recited in a childlike but clear voice:
"Hello, young wizards of Hogwarts. You may call us ' Cupid '."
On this special day, do you have any unspoken feelings you want to share with someone?
"If needed, you can send us a letter expressing your feelings."
We will definitely deliver it to the person they love!
The Great Hall erupted in cheers.
"This is so cute!"
"Wait, can they read? I thought they were some kind of Magical Creatures!"
Who cares if they can read or not! Being cute is enough!
At the High Table.
Professor McGonagall picked up her teacup, her gaze sweeping over the lively scene in the Great Hall. Her face remained as serious as ever, but a subtle, almost imperceptible smile lingered deep in her eyes.
She glanced at Snape beside her; her colleague looked more somber than usual today—or rather, more tired.
The bluish-black color was deeper than usual, making him look like he had been up for several sleepless nights.
"Severus," McGonagall said with concern, "you look tired. Balancing Potions Class and Defense Against the Dark Arts classes must be exhausting. If you need any help—"
"No need," Snape interrupted coldly. "This little thing won't affect my performance at all."
His tone was curt.
McGonagall didn't insist; she knew how passionate her colleague was about the position of Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Even if it was just substituting for someone else, Snape was happy to do it and didn't want anyone else to help him.
Snape stared darkly at the group of students surrounding Cupid below, then suddenly spoke:
"Minerva, I think we should add another rule to the school regulations."
"What?"
"The private concoction of Amortentia is strictly prohibited." His voice grew even colder. "Last week, during my inspection of the potion-making practice room, I discovered at least five idiots who had been turned into silly fools, clutching their cauldrons and grinning like idiots by their own failed attempts at Amortentia."
McGonagall paused slightly, then nodded seriously. "Indeed, that's not safe."
However, it's normal for the children to be more "active" these past few days.
McGonagall's gaze swept over the young wizards below.
Although they were still wearing the same school uniform, the details today were exceptionally rich—some boys had their hair meticulously combed, using twice as much hairspray as usual; some girls wore delicate little necklaces around their necks, colorful ribbons wrapped around their wrists, and rings on their fingers that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere...
McGonagall reached out, trying to catch a few falling petals.
The petals looked just like real ones, with a faint pinkish sheen at the edges.
But when they touched her palm, they instantly turned into illusory specks of light and dissipated into the air.
She was slightly taken aback.
I tried the falling confetti—it vanished the moment it touched my skin, just like before.
These flower petals and colored paper, though seemingly solid, will never actually fall onto a person or into their food.
It looks more like some kind of Alchemy?
McGonagall looked up at the "Cupid" fluttering above the Great Hall.
She could tell that those were neither living beings nor products of Transfiguration.
Then I thought of the fountain that had suddenly appeared a few days earlier beside the path on the sports field, a "gift" from an Alchemy to the school.
McGonagall chuckled. The only one with the ability and the inclination to create this scene was Dumbledore ...
She glanced at the empty principal's seat in the center of the High Table.
Then he looked away and gazed down at the long student table below, or more precisely, in the direction of Ravenclaw.
Lucien was sitting there.
Holding a glass of Pumpkin Juice, her dark green eyes scanned the Cupid Accio in the Great Hall.
There was no curiosity or surprise in his eyes, only a calm observation—as if he were confirming that they were functioning properly.