Valentine's Day is fast approaching, Badgers. Do you all have a Valentine? No?!? This year I've been looking up traditions that Muggles have used to catch a Valentine. Maybe one of two will work for you.
Did you know in England children dressed up as adults on Valentine's Day? They went singing from home to home. One verse they sang was:
Good morning to you, valentine;If you don't care for singing--or others around you don't care for your singing--you might try this: in the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their Valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling. (This year I'll be wearing Brad Pitt's name on my shoulder.... Oh sorry, I forgot; he's a muggle actor, and he's dreamy. But that's irrelevant.)
Curl your locks as I do mine---
Two before and three behind.
Good morning to you, valentine.
In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a young man. If she keeps the gift, it means she will marry him. (All gifts to yours truly can be send care of Kappas and Troll, LTD, Hogsmeade.)
In Wales, wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favorite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, "You unlock my heart!" (Personally I wouldn't take a spoon unless it was dipped in 14-carat gold and diamonds.)
Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire. (I wonder what it means if you see a pro-quidditch player.)
Some people said if you found a glove on the road on Valentine's Day, your future beloved will have the other missing glove. (Right, anyone know where Charlie or Bill Weasley will be on Valentine's Day?)
Remember to send out your Valentines early, and you'll have to watch for the delivery of candies and presents that Professor Liv has so generously offered to send, along with the precious. In fact, let's not mention this to Liv at all; it can be our little secret.
Happy Valentine's Day, Badgerlings!!!