Blooming Love
In this story for @hphm-fandom-events girls week 2026. Helena arrives at the Valentine’s Day Ball with Ismelda to make sure she meets up with Miles and to offer her support. While not having brought someone to the ball, Helena plans to have a good time. Yet a pleasant surprise presents itself to her instead.
Themes: Ismelda, Dance, Valentine’s Day
Miles and Melody belong to @melodymidway
Helena Tremblay’s POV, February 1991
“So.” Helena began as she and Ismelda approached the Great Hall, “How do you feel.”
“Ridiculous.” Ismelda muttered yet regardless of how she claimed verbally, she was still not needing to be dragged to the Great Hall
“Don’t be embarrassed.” Helena assured her classmate, “You look great.”
And she was telling the truth when it came to that. Andre always had a way of expressing the person he was designing for it the outfits he created. The colors allowed them to radiate and reflect them in the truest of ways. For Ismelda, he kept the colors dark just as she had desired yet still on theme for Valentine’s Day. It was a rather simple dark crimson dress with a black top that had silver buttons running down it. When Helena squinted at the buttons, it appeared that they almost looked like skulls. Not what she would considering romantic, but Helena figured it fitted Ismelda.
As they enter the Great Hall together, the people who were in charge of designing the version of it for the Valentine’s Day Ball had truly outdone themselves. As head girl, Helena had overseen some of it, but with all her other responsibilities, she did not get the chance to see its full beauty until now. It was almost as if they had stepped out into a rose garden in spring. While the illusion of the sky appeared dark to reference reality, the Great Hall was lit with lanterns to create an enchanting scene. The columns were adorned with wreaths of roses and a grand Renaissance style painting was at the front of the Great Hall.
Ismelda glanced at her before giving a snappy remark, “You are enjoying this aren’t you?”
“Why wouldn’t I be.” Helena commented, “It’s beautiful”
“I suppose it is nice.” Ismelda acknowledged to Helena’s pleasant surprise as she looked around, “And that food over there does look rather appetizing.”
“That’s the spirit.” Helena encouraged before turning to see her brother approaching them.
He was dressed in a dapper suit that was most certainly suggested to him by Andre. His long brown hair was styled in a ponytail in order to keep it tidy. His blue eyes looked at Ismelda and Ismelda alone and while Helena wouldn’t say she considered Ismelda a friend. She knew how much she meant to her brother, and that made all the difference.
As he approached he admired Ismelda’s outfit, “You look beautiful.” He complimented.
“Oh,” Ismelda seemed almost surprise as she awkwardly tried to get a strand of her black hair out of her place, “you…” she began while appearing to struggle with finding out what to say in response, “You look great to.”
Miles beamed, “Andre certainly outdid himself this time.”
“I suppose he has some sense.” Ismelda shrugged.
It didn’t take long for the enchanted instruments to begin to play. As if it was a siren song, couples who had attended to the ball made their ways to the dance floor and began a traditional waltz. The lanterns slightly pulsed in pale pink light to fuel a lovely mood.
Miles extended his hand to Ismelda, “Would you wish to the dance?”
Ismelda blinked, “I… I don’t really dance.” She admitted. “But I suppose I could do one with you.” She decided as she took his hand before narrowing her eyes. Though Helena doubted how sharp they were in the perspective of her brother, “Just do not step on my foot. If you do I’ll make sure you won’t forget.”
Miles chuckled at that, “Will do.” He promised.
Helena wasn’t sure how genuine that was. Even she remembered when they had all gone to the Celestial Ball as fourth years. Back then, her brother, herself, and her cousin all have different romantic partners. For her brother, that took the form of Tulip Karasu. Miles was far from a skillful and practiced dancer back then, tripping over his own feet but otherwise seemingly having a good time. Now that they were seventh years, she assumed her brother had gained a bit more grace.
Before they made their way to the dance floor, Miles turned to Helena, “Make sure you have some fun as well.” He advised her, “Erika may not be here but that doesn’t mean you should solely be here to keep an eye out for unruly troublemakers just because you are head girl.”
Helena chuckled at that, “don’t worry about me.” She assured him, “Now go have a great nice.” She bid him a temporary farewell.
Her eyes lingered on her brother and Ismelda as they departed for the dance floor. They were a rather odd pairing to a stranger but Helena could no longer see it any other way. How could she when her brother was happy and confident in herself?
She sighed as she recalled Miles’ last piece of advice. This was the first time that her and Erika would be apart for Valentine’s Day since they had started dating. She supposed that was the fate of dating someone who was a year above her. Erika had graduated and went off to go play for the Holyhead Harpies just as she deserved. Helena didn’t let the absence bother her though. Her birthday would be around soon after all, and Erika had promised to make a visit to Hogsmeade to celebrate.
“Ah there you are Miss Tremblay.” A familiar voice sounded from behind her, “I figured you would be here.”
Helena turned to see Professor Sprout standing behind her, “Professor Sprout?” She remarked in surprise as she tried to piece together why she approached her, “Is something the matter?”
“Don’t worry.” Professor Sprout assured her, “Nothing is wrong in the slightest.” She added with a knowing smile. “But if I were you I’d be making your way to Greenhouse Four.”
“Greenhouse Four?” Helena repeated in surprise. What sort of tasks awaited her in a greenhouse on a night such as this? Especially one where she was tasked to keep an eye out during the ball as was her responsibility as head girl, “but I can’t.” She attempted to explain to Professor Sprout, “I told
the headmaster that I'd make
sure none of the youngest students snuck in love potions or causes trouble”
“I can cover for you while you’re gone Helena.” Another voice sounded as he made his offer.
Helena slightly turned her head to notice that Corey Hayden had approached while she was discussing the matter with Professor Sprout. She had learned to work alongside Corey when he was named head boy and she head girl. The younger students were their responsibility. And since neither had been prefects before their appointments, they had supported each other through the transition process.
“Are you sure Corey?” Helena asked, “I don’t want to put extra pressure on you.”
“Of course.” Corey assured her, “Don’t worry about it.”
Helena gave in to the insistence of Professor Sprout and Corey. She didn’t even bother asking what was even wrong in the greenhouse. After all, someone who was going to become a herbologist would notice something wrong the second they walked in, “Alright.” She decided before turning to Corey, “I shouldn’t be long.” And then she made her way towards the greenhouses.
Regardless, Helena’s mind raced in anticipation as she made her way towards the greenhouses. Perhaps a mischievous creature had gotten into the greenhouse and had caused trouble. Then again if it was that, why wouldn’t Professor Sprout be able to handle that herself? And if it was a mishap of some kind that has caused a plant to grow to a titanic size she felt like Professor Sprout would still not let Helena handle that alone. She knew the herbology professor trusted her of course, but that didn’t equal Helena doing her job for her.
Just before Helena was about to enter the greenhouse, her attention was broke with the sound of chirping. Helena looked up and the on the edge of the greenhouse roof was Averi. She smiled at her pet Starling and extended her hand to serve as a perch for her.
“I was wondering where you flew off to.” Helena teasingly commented as she searched through her cardigan pocket and pulled out a few blueberries to feed Averi, “You haven’t been causing trouble have you?” When Averi chirped Helena only chuckled, “I hope that was a yes.”
As Averi chirped again and adjusted herself on Helena’s shoulder, Helena simultaneously reached for the door handle and let her into the greenhouse. And the sight within left her speechless.
Helena had thought that the decorations for the Valentine’s Day Ball were exceptional but these were at the same level if not more so. Then again, Helena acknowledged she might have been biased because they were in a greenhouse. The greenhouse was dimly lit in that same enchanting way the great hall had been. The greenhouse was filled with beautiful red and pink rose. and other plants that had been enchanted to either fit with the lovely atmosphere or literally be shaped like hearts.
As Helena welcomed herself further into the greenhouse she quickly spotted a table in the corner and the family face sitting there, “Erika?” She exclaimed in surprise as she rushed to her girlfriend and embraced her, “What are you doing her?”
As Helena took a few steps back to look at her girlfriend, Erika only smiled, “I wanted to surprise you.” She informed her simply.
“Well you’ve done just that.” Helena remarked with a pleased chuckle as she took a seat in the other chair. “You’ve truly outdone yourself! I assumed you’d still be in Wales with all of your training with the Harpies.”
“I’ve been busy.” Erika acknowledged, “But you deserve the best so I had to do something so I pulled some strings when it came to my training schedule to make the trip.” Erika turned towards Helena more directly and smiled, “It’s your final year at Hogwarts and I wanted to make sure to give you a memorable moment so Professor Sprout let
me borrow a greenhouse. She was happy to help, I sense she is a fan of Valentine's Day. And well, you can assume the rest”
“It’s beautiful!” Helena exclaimed yet again without scolding herself for her repetitiveness because it was true. She placed her hand on Erika’s, “Thank you so much.”
“Don’t give me all the credit.” Erika said as she chuckled from the flattery, “Professor Sprout did most of the work. You know I am not that skilled with Herbivicus and all of those other flowery charms. Not like you are.”
“Oh don’t worry I expected as much.” Helena admitted jovially, “the thought behind it all is what makes it so remarkable. But still.” She transitioned, “you didn’t have to do all of this. I was perfectly fine with combining Valentine’s Day and my birthday. I understand.”
“I know you do.” Erika acknowledged. “But you deserve more than that. I knew I could do better than just sending you a letter.”
“Still.” Helena gently insisted, “you've done so much for me this past year. You deserve the world just as much”
