Incompatible

Misjudged

Valentine was sitting at the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall, leaning on her boyfriend, Jae. They had begun a lighthearted romance when he assisted her quite a lot in 5th year. He was daring and silly, and made her heart race when he would lay on the charm. They had a relationship that others would describe as "easy going "; they were in the same house, they were both often breaking the rules, and they were both passionate about their endeavors. It made being around Jae, fun, happy and fulfilling. She hadn't been looking for a relationship at all, when Jae had steadily pursued her, she realized she didn't have a reason not to see what would happen.

For a short flash of time,  she foolishly thought she might have a reason to choose someone vey different and that reason had amber eyes and a constant air of disinterest. Valentine shook her head, as if physically trying to shake the resurfacing thought from her brain. Been there, obsessed about that, enough already. Now in her 6th year, Valentine brings her attention back to the conversation where Jae is telling her about his newest recipe while also alluding to his "uncommon collectibles" business transactions. Valentine admonishes Jae, "you know I don't want to know, if there is anything that I need to tell the teachers, I will." Jae jokingly rolls his eyes and adds, "so righteous....until you need something". He then winks at her, bops her nose playfully, and kisses her forehead. Valentine sighs, she does feel oddly at peace with this boy.

Valentine was in transfiguration class, where she sat next to one of her best friends, Andre. In between listening to the lecture and working on the newest transfiguration technique she chatted with Andre. He was asking her how it felt to be in a steady relationship and telling her how jealous he was. Valentine kindly tells Andre that he will find it himself as well, just to keep being himself. She then adds, "but being in a steady relationship with a wonderful guy like Jae is really nice, I feel lucky". From behind her she hears a snort and a cough that sounds a lot like someone overhearing them is in disagreement with what she has to say. She turns her head to see none other than Talbott Winger staring directly at her. When he stares at her like that, she feels like he is boring into her soul with his serious amber eyes. Not one to back down from an insult, Valentine immediately gets angry and firmly responds, "What's your problem?". Talbott coolly responds with, "since you are talking so loudly during class I couldn't help but to hear you, and frankly I feel what you are saying is a bit ridiculous". Valentine is fuming now, and responds "it's none of your business, but since you are so rudely interjecting, I have no idea why you would feel that me being with Jae is ridiculous". Talbott pauses and then replies as if it's the most logical statement in the world, "I'm not saying that you and Jae being together is ridiculous, it actually makes sense. What I am scoffing at is that you feel Jae, a known rule breaker and liar, is wonderful". Valentine jumps up to yell a response, when Andre pulls her arm to have her sit back down, because Professor McGonnagal begins walking sternly towards them. Listening to her friend's nonverbal cues, she glares at Talbott and turns back around.

She is still fuming later in the day, she is withdrawn and distant from the friend group all hanging out. Always the kind and understanding one, Penny comes and sits down by her. Penny asks, "what's upsetting you so much Val?". Valentine shrugs and responds, "I know you want to help, but you aren't the person I should talk to about this". Penny sits quietly, contemplating, and then states, "Talbott, again? I am betting on that because there are only three people that rattle you- Snape, Merula, and Talbott. Since Talbott and I are dating, that's why you don't want to talk about it". Valentine smiles and says, "of course you figure it out in two seconds". Penny brightly returns the smile, her face falls and then she says, "I just wish you too could get along....please don't take what he says too seriously. He is so logical, and a rule following Ravenclaw. He is so different from you, but he doesn't get that you always have the best intentions". Hating to see her sweet friend sad, Valentine responds, "I will let it go, don't worry". Penny squeezes her hand thankfully.

Weeks pass, Valentine and her friends are all focused on school and the most recent developments with the cursed vaults at school.  Being the infamous student curse breaker at school always keeps her and her friends busy! The newest development requires help from a skilled potion maker, so Valentine decides to recruit Penny to assist her. No student knows potions as well as Penny, so she plans on approaching her after Herbology class. She approaches Penny and tells her what's their current dilemma is, that they need a beautification potion again, she had brewed one previously for them. The biggest issue is that Penny would have to help by also "borrowing" some supplies from Professor Snape. Usually, Valentine has no problem doing the hard parts that were not "school sanctioned" herself. However, she was on Snape's radar to an extreme degree since her last adventure and Merula tattled on her to everyone, she knew she would not be able to get anywhere close to the supplies. Penny, however, was one of Snape's favorite students. Valentine didn't feel good about asking her friend to break the rules, but she had no choice. She took a deep breath and approached Penny.

Penny was understandably doubtful of Valentine's plan. She was excited to brew the difficult potion again, but really didn't like disappointing the professor who had taught her so much. As a Hufflepuff, she was always trying to be agreeable and helpful, so she wanted to help but didn't want to break the rules. However, Valentine was very good at being persuasive, so pretty soon the blonde Hufflepuff had all but agreed to the plan. Before she could agree however, Talbott came rushing into the classroom and loudly exclaimed, "I don't care what Valentine has sold you on, but this is not a good idea!" Valentine looks at him incredulously, and begins to ask how he knew about her plan. Talbott doesn't even let her get the words out when he bitterly quips, "your friend Barnaby is strong, but doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut, I overheard him telling someone the whole plan." Penny just looks between the both of you with her mouth agape, and lets Talbott take her arm and pull her out of the classroom.

Valentine thinks, "Seriously!!!! What is his problem??? ". She turns into her cat animagus form and follows after them. She witnesses as Talbott sits down with Penny and puts his hand gently on her shoulder, "I know she is your friend and you care about her. She is different from you though, she has a goal and she will stop at nothing to get it. I'm not saying she doesn't care about you, but she is impulsive and acts before she thinks through the repercussions, both to herself and her friends. If I overheard it, anyone could have overheard it, and you would be the one paying the price. Please trust me, I care about you"......Valentine doesn't stay to listen to the rest. She leaves the scene with a broken heart, she knew he was right in this but it hurt hearing it this way.

She takes a deep breath and thinks about what to do next. She decided that at this point, her tried and true boyfriend would come through for her. He clearly understood that bold moves needed to be made to combat the evil that was happening. She would brew the potion herself after Jae got her the needed supplies. Her thoughts drift to her 4th year, when Penny asked her to find her friend, Talbott, to discuss a potion....how did things get like this?