Warning, extremely bad poetry in here. Don't say I didn't warn you!

February - Valentines Nightmare

Valentine's day.

Minerva hated Valentine's day. She despised the sudden love-sickness that washed all over the school. Pink became a popular colour. Minerva hated pink. She didn't mind it at first but ever since arriving at Hogwarts and seeing such a grand and majestic castle covered in pink streamers and pink paper hearts and pink valentine's cards, it made Minerva feel sick.

Yes, she hated Valentines day. Minerva believed that if a couple truly loved each other, why should they just celebrate one day a year when they should be all year round? Then again, Minerva was grateful this meant the castle wasn't tainted with pink and hearts constantly.

Normally, Minerva would hide away on Valentine's Day with a book. Lessons ended early and there would be an annual 'Lover's Ball'. Of course, to Minerva, this was the worst day of the year. She was missing double Charms and Potions for no reason. So she'd take her textbooks and hide somewhere quiet and alone and read the afternoon away.

However, Headmaster Dippet had introduced something new this year. As there was such a mass of owl post during the week leading to Valentine's Day, Dippet had revealed a plan to cut the owl traffic flying into the Main Hall. Valentines Cards would be sent like memos, not by owl post unless they were sent or accepted from out of school grounds. It had worked; the owl traffic had reduced. However, you know had to duck constantly when wandering the corridors. Cards would fly in during lessons and make the class jump out of their skins when the door flung open and slammed against the wall. Most of the teachers grumbled, especially when half the cards were howlers. They weren't exactly howlers but the message inside was usually sung by a choir upon the opening of the card (which opened itself). It sent the class in a frenzy of giggles, especially the receiving girls. Minerva glared at them as they continued to squeal throughout the lessons.

Minerva had never received a Valentine's card.

Not once in her previous two years had a valentine's card been sent to her nor had she sent one to someone else. Minerva didn't care; in fact, she was grateful. She hated Valentine's day and rarely spoke to any of the boys in her year group. Jason and her biology partner, Icarus Longbottom, were probably the only boys she had a full conversation with that didn't include insults or cursing.

Yet, this year, she received one.

Sadly, it was a howler. In the middle of Transfiguration. In front of her friends. In front of her favourite teacher.

It was the most embarrassing moment in Minerva's life.

The door swung open and made a ferocious bang as it slammed against the wall. Dumbledore paused mid-sentence. The class jumped and watched the pale green envelope zoom over their heads and fall on to the desk of...Minerva.

She glared at it, surprised. The envelope tore open, the card opened itself. A choir began to sing:

O' Minerva McGonagall,

She's such a beautiful thing!

Everytime I see her,

I wish to dance and sing!

Her face is pretty as a picture,

Her eyes green and bright,

Her smile, it blinds me,

Her hair is as dark as night!

She's the smartest person I know,

She's fiery and untame!

I wish she'd be my Valentine,

But I won't tell you my name!

But here, I'll give you a hint!

My voice is like a fiddle,

So there, thats your clue,

I hope you liked this riddle!

The song was sung in a constant-changing pace, poorly written and had no flow. The class bursted into laughter once the poem was finished. Minerva's cheeks burned and she bowed her head low. Jason struggled to contain his own laughter, knowing it would be rude to laugh at his friend.

Dumbledore calmed down the class, not even cracking a smile. Minerva felt grateful. He didn't laugh, he knew how embarrassing it was to her. Dumbledore quickly returned the class' attention back to Animagi. As Minerva began to jot down the advantages of becoming an Animagus, Jason sharply elbowed her rib.

"So, who's it from?" He grinned. Minerva glared at him.

"I'd rather not say." She whispered back. She furiously wrote in her workbook, glaring at the paper. She could hear the whispers, feel the heavy eyes of students on her and their stupid grins. She had never felt so embarrassed in her life.

The lesson slugged by until Minerva finally packed up and stormed out of the class. She couldn't even make eye contact with Dumbledore she was so flustered by the Valentine's Card. She charged her way towards the library where she saw him. She grabbed the collar of his shirt and dragged him around the bookcase. He dropped his book in surprised and staggered. Minerva threw him in front of her and glared at him.

"How could you send me a Valentine's card?"

Riddle steadied himself and grinned. "You worked it out then."

"It was pretty obvious: I hope you liked this riddle!" Minerva's accent thickened as she grew more frustrated with the smirking boy. "How could you? You embarrassed me in front of all my friends!"

His smirk faltered. "You didn't like it?"

"No!"

"Was it too cheesy? I tried to make it shorter but the minimum was four stanzas. All I wanted to say was how pretty you are." Riddle smirked, hoping it would win her over. He thought he'd start small. After nearly a few months of praising, flirting and being kind to her, he'd thought he'd ask her to the ball in an attempt to win her over. It didn't.

"No, I hated it because I do. I hate Valentine's Day. It's a pointless day, pathetic and I hate everything to do with it!" She growled. "Next time, don't send one to me."

His smile now gone, Riddle had realised he had made a mistake. A Valentine's Card was not the way to win Minerva over. He should've known; normal girls fall for the card but Minerva was smarter and more proud than them. It would take a lot more to gain her attention. "Sorry, Minerva." He apologised. "I'd just thought I'd send you one, well..."

Minerva frowned. "What?"

"I do like you," Riddle lied. "I was hoping you'd come to the ball with me?"

Sighing, Minerva leaned away from him. "No Tom. I'm sorry but...I don't like you. Not in that way."

Riddle nodded. "It's okay. I wasn't expecting a yes anyway. Sorry if I did embarrass you."

She seemed to accept his apology. Minerva nodded to him, warned him not to do it again and left the library. She walked towards Gryffindor tower to swap her books for next lesson when she bumped into Dumbledore.

"Good morning, Ms McGonagall. Enjoying your break?"

"Morning Professor." She blushed, looking away.

"How are you?" Dumbledore asked, wishing she'd look at him. He hated it when she refused to meet his eyes. "From the...incident earlier, I suppose you didn't take it too well."

Minerva looked up. "No sir, but I'm fine."

"I hope you weren't too harsh on Mr Riddle."

Minerva frowned. "How did you-"

"The 'riddle' was plainly obvious." Dumbledore chuckled. "I hope Madam Pine won't be making Mr Riddle's teeth shrink to normal size."

A smile grew on Minerva's face. "No sir, I just told him not to do it again."

"I hope you let him down nicely."

"Well..."

Dumbledore laughed lightly before shaking his head. "Poor boy. Hopefully he's not too upset by your rejection." Minerva bowed her head, wondering if she really was too harsh on Riddle. Her teacher noticed her deep thinking and decided to change the topic. "I tried to get everyone's attention from you. I know you hate being in the centre of attention."

"Thank you sir."

The two turned and walked towards the tower together. "How is Quidditch training?"

"Well, I'm getting better at catching the Quaffle. Jason is brilliant, like always. He gets it from his parents." Minerva replied. "I'm nervous for next week's game, though."

"You'll do marvellously, I'm sure." Dumbledore chuckled.

Minerva didn't look so certain. "I'm not sure, I'm not as good at Quidditch as Transfiguration, you know."

"I've seen you on that broom. Believe me, you'll do fine." They splint paths, Dumbledore turning to his quarters and Minerva towards the tower. "I'll see you at lunch, Ms McGonagall. And good luck for next week. I'm sure you'll do wonderfully."

Minerva's heart lifted as Dumbledore gave her a winning smile before they both turned and walked towards their separate destinations. As she walked, Minerva bit her lip. Was she really to hard on Riddle? He did say he liked her. Did she hurt his feelings? Should she have let him down a bit more gently? Minerva sighed, suddenly regretting her blunt words. Her father always did say she was too brass and didn't really think the consequences of her words before she spoke them.

As she strode down the corridors, she made a mental note to go apologise to Riddle later. She turned her mind to other thoughts, like the burning image of Dumbledore's faithful smile.

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