Chapter Eight-Discovery

Thursday arrived quickly and Colin was in high spirits. He had a wonderful, although secret-to-everyone-else-but-friends, boyfriend who managed to still be with him over a month. His apprenticeship with Pomfrey was going quite smoothly and his grades have been top-notch...meeting Hermione's except he kept that little detail to himself. Today, he was going to meet Miles in the hallway before lunch for a little midday kiss.

"I'll see you guys in a bit, gonna meet up with Miles first."

"All right, Col." Neville and the others waved him goodbye as the cheerful blonde sauntered away, his flowing hair no longer in a constricting ponytail for Herbology. He failed to see two female Snakes following in hot pursuit.

Careful to stay a few steps behind, Brittany hissed "Why would he see 'him' of all people? He's a fucking mudblood for Merlin's sake.''

''Not sure.'' she lied smoothly. ''But if we don't keep up, we're bound to lose him."

Trotting down a flight of stairs, he turned the corner at a suit of armor, stopping at green and gold shield where Miles was waiting for him. A few feet away, the slippery she-devils peered from behind that corner, only to have their jaws drop.

''Oh my god...I am so sorry, Elisa.'' Brittany whispered. Miles was holding Colin in a tight embrace, their lips melded together in a passionate kiss.

Elisa only smirked. 'Knew it. Now I and Brittany have seen them. There's no way he'll be able to invalidate the gossip queen of Slytherin.'

"I can't wait to share this juicy piece of gossip near dinner, you should tell his dad.''

''Let's get to lunch and play the waiting game. I can't wait to bust him for this betrayal.'' Faking anger, she dragged her gal-pal away.

"I'd love to see you tonight, baby. Unfortunately I have a test to study for in Charms.''

Pouting playfully, Colin responded ''Aww...ok. Yeah, I need to do some review as well. See you later.'' Giving Miles one last peck on the lips, he headed back to lunch.

'What did I ever do to deserve you, Colin?'


After the rest of Thursday's classes, Colin and his company headed down for dinner. ''So, Percy...how do you think you did on your test?"

"Actually, I think I made an 'O'...the runes aren't as difficult once you get the syllabary down pat."

They entered the room to find people staring and whispering. Some were pointing and laughing, some appeared disgusted.

"Why are they looking at me like that? Did I step into one of the Twins' traps and didn't realize it?"

"No, you'd know if you did. Something's not right."

"Creevey! Is it true you're dating Bletchley?!" Ron asked, his face twisted in distaste.

Colin froze, his heart felt as though it was about to burst forth out of his chest. "W-Where did you hear that?"

"We heard it from some Slytherin girls. Everyone knows." Hermione supplied, her face sympathetic. Colin looked to his friends and brother who were equally shocked that he'd been outed.

"Creevey's a little fag, I knew it!" Some older Hufflepuff jeered cruelly.

"I can't believe you, he's a Slytherin! They hate Gryffindors and muggleborns! What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing's wrong with him, Ronald! And whatever he does is none of your business!" Percy scolded.

"I think I can speak for myself." Colin interrupted, facing Ron. "Whoever I so choose to see is none of your concern. I don't care if he's a Slytherin. It's just a house."

"Just because you saved him, it doesn't mean you have to date him!"

"Do you even realize how daft you sound right about now?"

A minute later, Miles and his friends walked right in, meeting that same whispering and laughter.

"What're you looking at?" he snarled, causing some Ravenclaws to turn away.

"Dating a mudblood, Bletchley? Man, I never thought you'd sink so low...but apparently you have!" Pansy cackled, causing laughter to erupt from her end of the table.

'How the fuck..?'

'Now, time to play the shamed damsel..' Running right up behind Bletchley in the hall, Elisa screeched ''Miles Alastair Bletchley, how could you?! You and I are betrothed and you're running around with this..this...Gryffindor boy!'' she wildly gestured at Colin who only glared.

"Oh shit, here we go." Zacharias muttered, watching the scene unfold.


"I saw him all up on you in the hall! Don't try to deny it, Brittany was with me! You have some nerve cheating on me with that little manwhore!"

Miles glowered at this hen squawking before him. Brittany smiled smugly at the Keeper, thinking he's getting his due.

"Excuse me? 'Manwhore?' Seems like the pot is calling the kettle black." Colin spat, stepping up, not backing down from the scheming bitch.

"What the bloody hell are you blithering on about?"

"I know about you and your little rendezvous with Rawlins. Miles told me everything. Don't you think it's funny that only a day after he found out about your small indiscretion and confronted you over it, he ended up poisoned and left to die in the hallway, hm?"

That retort caused a flood of gasps and whispers to start up again. The professors at the staff table were listening intently. That definitely caught their undivided attention.

Elisa stared at the blonde. Feeling eyes on her, she responded. "I never said anything about that, Creevey. That is only coincidence. How do we know that you didn't poison Miles? It makes sense...poison the object of your affections, save his life, get into his good graces and make him yours."

'Oh, this bitch is good..' Bletchley thought, watching the showdown.

Colin returned "I would never do such a horrendous thing but I know a certain SOMEONE would. You see, I believe.. and several others, also believe you did it, too. I'm going to tell you why that is. You see me, I'm just a regular muggleborn Gryffindor, busting my arse trying to achieve good grades and make it in the wizarding world. I have my family, my friends and a potentially good future ahead of me. Why would I jeopardize all of that when I have nothing to lose? You, miss Blackheart..have everything. With that marriage contract, your were under agreement to keep your legs closed until your wedding night lest it becomes invalid. Sweetie, he caught you that Thursday night, getting felt up and Merlin knows what with Connor Rawlins. Seeing as you pretty much knew what you liked, I can surmise you've done this plenty of times before. He confronted you, no...you actually told on yourself with those white lies you fed him. He broke it off and you couldn't take it. With the loss of that contract, you lose everything-the money, the prestige, a higher social standing, and probably your daddy's respect!" Colin finished venomously.

With that, the room remained silent. A lot of people in the Slytherin circle knew about the Bletchley-Blackheart marriage contract. Stipulations were quite serious, and many would be damned to lose their place amongst the elite. Elisa glared darkly at the muggleborn. If looks could kill, Colin would definitely be dead right about now.

"Very intelligent theorizing, but there's one thing. If I did try to kill Miles, where is the proof? Oh that's right, there is none. Before you could even try to slander my name with that dangerous accusation, I suggest you find evidence. We all know that I couldn't possibly have done it. I have a lot of connections that'll back me whilst you have none." she hissed icily, meeting him face to face.

"All right, Mr. Creevey, Miss Blackheart...separate to your tables this instant." McGonagall ordered the two seething students, who grudgingly obeyed.


"Colin...you've neglected to inform us of that little detail. Why is that?" Luna queried, sitting beside him.

"Honestly, Luna, Miles told me in confidence and I didn't think it would have been fair of me to give his business away."

"Oh, that's considerate of you."

"Yeah, and it gives us a clearer suspect." Justin added, glancing at the still-fuming Snake. "I think they should tell the aurors."

"Not exactly, Justin. The Blackhearts are also one of the most powerful families in Britain and they have some of the brightest legal council here. If there is no evidence pointed against her...and since the Reaper's Draught is nearly untraceable, you'd be going on a wild goosechase and they'd discredit you for using slander and say you have unfounded animosity towards her because she was mean to a muggleborn friend; which you also happen to be.'' Susan pointed out, making sure he understood that someone couldn't just throw an accusation with no ground to stand on.

"Still, something has to be done. I don't think she's gonna take him putting her on the spot lightly. She will retaliate, I just know it." Justin responded, having seen something like this amongst the muggle elite back home.

Miles was sitting down at his end of the table with Marcus and the others, staring at his empty plate. "Mate, I know you're pissed but you have to eat something, try to get your mind off her for now." Terence pleaded, hoping to sway him. Bletchley never misses a meal and when he does, everyone better vacate the premises.

"How can I? That fucking bitch outed us. We all know what a blabbermouth Parkinson is, if word hasn't already been sent to my dad now, it'll will be by tomorrow. That's one thing I'm worrying about. More importantly, it's Colin. You know muggleborns are treated unfairly over half the time, and now they know that we're together...the jibes will only get worse. I don't want to lose him over this.'' he sighed sadly, watching Colin nibble on his dinner. He didn't seem to be too hungry himself.

"Just take it one day at a time, mate. We'll help you figure out something." Flint reassured. Warrington watched his friend in pity. Colin was the best thing that has ever happened to Miles. It's like he's added more meaning to his life. And, Cassius would be damned to let anyone, especially that two-faced jezebel, ruin it. He was more determined now than ever to get that proof and send Blackheart to Azkaban, come hell or high water. First, he was going to need assistance outside Slytherin house. He's going to talk to Cormac first thing after dinner.