Chapter 169 - 168 — Valentine’s Day Love Songs

Chapter 169: Chapter 168 — Valentine’s Day Love Songs

# Chapter 168 — Valentine’s Day Love Songs

Christmas was over, and Cassandra had returned to Hogwarts.

Almost as soon as she arrived, her admirers informed her that someone had impersonated her and entered the Slytherin common room on Christmas Day.

Not only had that person held Vesey’s hand, but they’d also hugged and kissed her!

Cassandra clenched her fists so tightly that her knuckles cracked. It was obvious that if the culprit ever appeared in front of her, she would kill them!

To Vesey’s surprise, however, Cassandra never explained that she hadn’t been the one who’d done those things.

At first, Vesey assumed she was simply embarrassed.

But as they continued interacting, Vesey noticed that Cassandra had started awkwardly taking the initiative to hold her hand. She even seemed to be looking for an opportunity to hug her, though she never quite managed it.

Vesey nearly died laughing.

Cassandra really ought to thank Hermione.

After all, Hermione had helped her take that first step.

Of course, Hermione herself was furious when she realised what had happened.

She couldn’t believe she’d gone all the way to the Slytherin common room, failed to uncover much useful information, and somehow ended up helping Cassandra get closer to Vesey instead!

Unfortunately, she couldn’t confront Cassandra directly, so she could only stew in her own anger for several days.

As for another person involved in the incident, Malfoy had also discovered that Harry and Ron had disguised themselves as Crabbe and Goyle and entered the Slytherin common room on Christmas Day.

He was absolutely furious.

After all, he’d recognised Harry and Ron from behind just as they were about to transform back.

Those two had even cursed him before running away, which had made him even angrier.

However, because he’d told Ron where his dad’s precious secrets were hidden, Malfoy had been getting an earful from his father lately.

His father had even sent him a Howler.

Although the Howler had been opened in Malfoy’s dormitory, Vesey had still heard rumours about it.

Apart from these incidents, the only other interesting development was that Harry and the others had discovered a diary.

Hermione was extremely wary of it. She had examined it with her wand for quite some time, but she couldn’t detect anything unusual.

Vesey had also taken a look at it.

Honestly, if she hadn’t known about the diary from the original story, she probably wouldn’t have discovered anything suspicious about it either.

Nevertheless, she persuaded Harry to throw it away.

"This diary has been lying around with Moaning Myrtle for far too long. Since its owner threw it away, let’s help him by tossing it into the rubbish bin!"

She said this seriously.

"I just have a feeling that something is wrong with this diary, but I can’t find any evidence!"

Harry still refused to throw it away.

Like Vesey, he had a strange premonition that there was something wrong with the diary.

After all, the name of its owner was Tom Riddle.

Ron had discovered the name while looking through the school trophies.

"He won an award for special services to the school!"

Tom Riddle had lived fifty years ago, which was exactly when Malfoy said the Chamber of Secrets had first been opened.

Harry suspected that the diary might contain some evidence.

Unfortunately, even by February, he hadn’t uncovered anything useful.

There was, however, some good news.

The petrification incidents had stopped completely.

Lockhart apparently believed he’d prevented further attacks. He frequently wandered around beside the other professors, loudly declaring, "I don’t think there’ll be any more trouble!"

He would wink at everyone before continuing.

"The culprits must have realised that I’ll catch them sooner or later. It’s only a matter of time! They’d better give up now before I have to take action!

"You all know that what this school needs is a cheerful atmosphere. I hope everyone can be as happy as I am.

"I’ve made extensive preparations to eliminate the tension left over from last term. Believe me!"

He repeated these speeches so often that Vesey could barely stand hearing them anymore.

Many students around the castle wondered what exactly Lockhart was trying to accomplish.

They didn’t have to wait long to find out.

Valentine’s Day arrived.

When Vesey entered the Great Hall for breakfast, she discovered that enormous flowers, streamers, and heart-shaped confetti were constantly falling from above.

She had no choice but to cast a protective barrier around herself to keep the falling decorations off her steak.

"Good morning, everyone! And a very happy Valentine’s Day to you all!

"So far, ten people have sent me Valentine’s Day cards. Forgive me for arranging all this without telling you beforehand, but I thought you’d enjoy it! And that’s not all!"

Lockhart, dressed in a bright red robe, clapped his hands.

Twelve particularly short figures entered the hall.

Of course, they all had wings and carried bows and arrows.

"My friendly, well-meaning little Cupids will be wandering around the castle, delivering Valentine’s Day cards to you. And they won’t stop there! They’ll sing to you as well!"

Lockhart announced enthusiastically.

"I believe everyone will participate with great enthusiasm, and I’m sure the professors will be delighted too.

"Look at Professor Snape! You should ask him how to brew a love potion!

"And Professor Flitwick, who knows more about charming magic than anyone else! He’s a cunning old rascal!"

Professor Flitwick buried his face in his hands, wishing he could disappear.

As for Snape, he wore a malicious smile. Anyone foolish enough to ask him for advice on brewing a love potion would probably end up being forced to drink a bottle of poison.

Throughout the day, the dwarfs kept barging into classrooms and singing love songs to the students.

At first, Vesey found it rather amusing.

But when she realised that most of the requests were for her, she could hardly keep laughing.

When class ended, Vesey slung her schoolbag over her shoulder and prepared to leave. Several dwarfs were still surrounding her, singing.

She really wanted to throw them all out.

But after considering the consequences, she had to endure it.

She cast a Silencing Charm on herself and continued listening to their singing with a smile.

She was practically dying inside.

If she took too long to get to the Great Hall, would she find it completely covered in food by the time she arrived?

She genuinely couldn’t understand why so many boys at this school wanted to confess their feelings to her.

She’d thought she’d made it perfectly clear that she was merely being polite to them. Why were they still singing love songs to her?

Especially in such an elaborate romantic atmosphere!

Apparently, this was what all those who fancied her had come up with.

"Come on, hurry up!"

After one of the dwarfs finished singing, Harry grabbed Vesey and tried to pull her away.

But another dwarf caught hold of both Harry’s and Vesey’s schoolbags.

Harry turned around angrily.

"Can you give Vesey some peace for a while? Who could possibly stand being surrounded like this all morning?"

The dwarfs refused to listen.

As they tugged at the bags, the diary in Harry’s pocket fell out.

Vesey’s face immediately went pale when she saw Ginny’s expression.

She tried to pick up the diary, but Malfoy got to it first.

His eyes gleamed with the prospect of revenge.

"Let’s see what sort of diary Potter has been keeping! Perhaps he’s written something about the people he likes!"

Ginny’s face turned even paler.

"Give it back!" she shouted furiously.

Malfoy snorted at her.

"I know who you are. You’re another one of Harry Potter’s little followers! You probably want to drink the water he washes his feet in, just like that Colin Creevey!"

Vesey immediately stepped in front of Ginny, her expression turning cold as she glared at Malfoy.

"Who do you think you are? How dare you insult Ginny and my brother? Give the diary back. I don’t think you’re capable of beating me!"

She drew her wand.