A Valentine for ME? Challenge

The Laydown:

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, we present this challenge. The time frame is Chamber of Secrets. Lockhart’s Valentine-inspired card-carrying cupid’s (surly dwarves) delivery an anonymous valentine to Professor Snape! Snape must figure out what lovely OFC sent it to him and you determine how he will react. One of the portraits knows, of course, and a wild game of ‘telephone’ must also ensue among the portraits.

The Rules:
• The story may be no longer than 20 pages in length (not including author’s note).
• The valentine MUST come from an OFC.
• Snape may receive the valentine anywhere in the castle, but must receive it no later than just after lunch.
• A lemony ‘thank you’ is strongly encouraged, but not required.
• Hermione must have a cameo where she overhears (or witnesses) Snape receiving the valentine and gets upset about it.

Include at least 4 of the following:

o Snape saying “A Valentine for me?”
o Snape saying “How disappointing”
o Snape saying “Bloody Lockhart.”
o Snape saying “How I hoped I’d be the one to catch you”
o Snape saying “What the bloody hell is that all about?”
o Lockhart pretending to feel bad for Snape, as he assumes Snape won’t receive any valentines
o A small paper heart decoration falls from the Great Hall ceiling and sticks in Snape’s hair
o Snape confiscating a phial of love potion from one or more students
o Dumbledore and McGonagall taunting (friendly) Snape for getting a valentine
o Using a magical item as a sex toy
o The dwarf giving Snape his valentine reads a love poem (of your creation)
o One of the portraits thinks Hermione gave him the valentine (not true)
o One of the portraits thinks Draco gave him the valentine (not true)
o The OFC who gives the valentine has to convince the dwarf it really is for Snape

Deadline:

The deadline for this challenge is March 14, 2005. After this time, a survey will be created and group members will vote for their favourite story.

Queries:

Have questions? Just e-mail me at ginarsnape@yahoo.com or leave me a note in the reviews here. You can also post a question on TPMM directly (The Potions Masters Muse yahoo group).

Don’t forget to check your fic for grammar and spelling before submitting. New authors are encouraged to find a beta.