Valentine’s Day was quite different in Korea. Actually in Korea there was said to be a special day for every month, each on the 14th, that focused on couples and celebrating them, though only two days actually had advertisement and involved grand gestures- Valentine’s Day and White Day. February had Valentine’s Day, a day where men traditionally received gifts from female suitors, and March had White Day- which was actually adopted from Japanese culture- where men then gave gifts in return. It was a nice concept, though in recent years couples tended to just celebrate both days together, which made the transition to the idea of one holiday easier. Not much easier, up until he came to Hogwarts the children at the theatre followed the traditional days for sending and receiving, Han actually had never sent a gift in February until he came to Hogwarts.
One thing hadn’t changed though, every years his gifts always went to friends, he’d never once sent a gift to anyone he actually liked liked, not that he really put much thought into noticing people. His list, which he was re-writing for at least the tenth time was a difficult one to come up with, mainly because he was on good terms with most people but unfortunately couldn’t by most of the school flowers. At Kennedy’s keen observation Han threw his arms over his list to cover it, smiling bashfully and, unable to lie as always, pulled his shoulders up into a shrug. “It’s a surprise.” That much was true, or it was going to be but he doubted on the day anyone would have much trouble figuring out he was behind the flowers. It wasn’t a surprise either that Kennedy was sending Sam something, at least he was the only person he could imagine Kennedy sending them too, even if there was an awful lot ordered for one person. “They’re not for Valentine’s Day? Do you, erm, know what a dozen red roses means?” Han had specifically chosen to send three because he knew that didn’t hold significance, but twelve in a bouquet was definitely significant, it was a sign of pure devotion which- on Valentine’s Day or not- was supposedly very romantic. Kennedy had been prepared to marry Sam, he loved him a great deal even if Han couldn’t really understand the rush, so many anything other than twelve a bouquet would be silly. “It’s nice to send them home, eomma has appa though so I think I’ll trust him to give her something nice.” Considering she was carrying a baby he was sure they could break tradition and make sure she was looked after especially well on that day.
The Ravenclaw had never really cared about Valentine’s day, but he knew that a lot of people that were like that. People didn’t care about holidays unless they had someone to celebrate them with. For Kennedy, he usually made the people that he loved gifts and give them randomly throughout the year, but he had always hated the capitalist holiday of Valentine’s Day for obvious reasons. Most every holiday was driven by capitalism now. Kennedy would rather just celebrate the people he loved every day, rather than just one day of the year. Now he realized that the people that he cared about had changed throughout the years, but still he had always had someone in his life that he cared enough to give them some sort of gift. Of course that person that he normally shared Valentine’s day with had been Charlie. Kennedy remembered the first time that he met Charlie. It had been in primary school. The bubbly blonde different from all the rest, dressed in jeans and a shirt with a dragon on it, insisting on being called Charlie rather than Charlotte. He instantly felt drawn towards the other. He remembered their first Valentine’s day together as well, exchanging cards with everyone in their class. Kennedy and Charlie had been the only ones to make their cards. He was a different person back then. Times had changed the both of them. Perhaps maybe for the best.
He hoped that Han’s friends appreciated the gifts that they were getting. It was always nice to get something from someone. That meant that the person was thinking about you. For Kennedy, he tried to make his friends feel appreciated every day of the week. Same with his family, though that was a more difficult thing to achieve since they lived so far away. The Ravenclaw slumped his shoulders at Han’s reaction, pretending to be hurt by the other’s want to keep it surprised. He wanted to know, but he also didn’t want to know. Kennedy really ought to try and think of something to get the people he cared about this season. Especially those that he was going to invite to the wedding. He looked at Han with a small smile. “Yeah, of course I know what they mean,” he said. “I, erm, just want him to know that I do love him. I’ll get him something special for Valentine’s day,” he replied. “I mean… I’ll probably get him something besides flowers.” Kennedy didn’t know if he would be getting anything for Sam at all, but he was hopeful. “I donno. I care about him a lot. I love him, so.” The boy looked down, trying to figure out what else to say. Eventually, he decided it was probably not worth saying anything else about it. Kennedy’s relationship was in a strange place right now. “My mum doesn’t have someone to give her flowers. She just has her brother, but he probably won’t do anything. He doesn’t date or care about romance. I think maybe my mum will like that I’m thinking of her. Well, I hope so at least. I donno. I never know what my mum is going to do or react to the things I do for her. Maybe I shouldn’t give her flowers.” Kennedy thought for a second. “Oh, dear. I’m not so sure now.”
