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"Are you a wizard, or what?"
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- "Happy Valentine’s Day! And may I thank the forty-six people who have so far sent me cards! Yes, I have taken the liberty of arranging this little surprise for you all — and it doesn’t end here! My friendly, card-carrying cupids! They will be roving around the school today delivering your valentines! And the fun doesn’t stop here! I’m sure my colleagues will want to enter into the spirit of the occasion! Why not ask Professor Snape to show you how to whip up a Love Potion! And while you’re at it, Professor Flitwick knows more about Entrancing Enchantments than any wizard I’ve ever met, the sly old dog!"
- — Gilderoy Lockhart announcing his elaborate (and unwanted) Valentine's Day celebration in the Great Hall[src]
A Valentine's Day celebration was held by Gilderoy Lockhart for students and staff of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in 1993. He hoped it would be a "morale booster" for the school due to the opening of the Chamber of Secrets.[1]
Overview[]
Prelude[]
During the 1992–1993 school year, the Chamber of Secrets was reopened, causing considerable stress and tension for students and staff. Gilderoy Lockhart, serving as the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher at the time, was being less-than-helpful due to his vainglorious and attention-seeking personality. He suggested a "morale-booster" to help the school ease the tension, and proceeded to preparations.[1]
Celebration[]
- "He thought, for a moment, that he’d walked through the wrong doors. The walls were all covered with large, lurid pink flowers. Worse still, heart-shaped confetti was falling from the pale blue ceiling."
- — Harry Potter's reaction to Lockhart's garish Valentine's Day decorations in the Great Hall[src]
On Valentine's Day for 14 February 1993, Lockhart overly redecorated the Great Hall with large, lurid pink flowers. Heart-shaped confetti was falling from the pale blue ceiling, and Lockhart was wearing lurid pink robes to match the decorations. He announced the event to the school during breakfast, claiming he wanted to help elevate the mood of the school. However, Lockhart loved getting attention for himself, being an obnoxious and insensitive attention-seeker, and that was likely what he hoped to achieve through the event.[1]
The vivid pink that flooded the school was an annoyance to the Professors and certain students including Ronald Weasley, bringing the opposite effect of what Lockhart wanted. However, some female students like Hermione Granger were excited, due to their attraction to Lockhart's charm. He gave a thank you to the students who had sent him cards, bragging that he had at least 46 Valentines from the students. He then embarrassed Professors Snape and Flitwick, by suggesting they ask Snape about Love Potions and Flitwick about Entrancing Enchantments. He also had dwarfs dressed as cupids and barging into classes delivering Valentines, much to the annoyance of the teachers.[1]
The day was one that annoyed and embarrassed Harry Potter, who was chased by a dwarf sent to deliver a poem by Ginevra Weasley. He tried to run so that it wouldn't happen in front of fellow students, but the dwarf grabbed Harry and he tripped, causing him to drop everything. He then heard the love poem, causing other students to laugh and Ginny to run away. Everyone was glad when the day was over.[1]
Behind the scenes[]
- Gilderoy Lockhart's Valentine's Day event was completely omitted from the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
- On the PS1 version of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the Valentine's Day level is reduced to a chase sequence, of Harry trying to escape the Valentines-delivering dwarves (done in much the same way as the Hallowe'en troll chase sequence featured in the previous instalment).
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (First appearance)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game) (Game Boy Color and PS1 version only)
- Pottermore
- Harry Potter (website)