Chapter 10 as promised! You're going to see things escalate here! (It's a bit longer...but I hope it's not overwhelming.) (Also, there will be more Colin/Miles action after this chapter!)

Chapter Ten-The Other Blast-Ended Skrewt

Around lunch, everyone settled around the table as the house elves served. The boys talked over Quidditch strategies while Mason and Damian twittered on about several remaining clauses left over in the documents they perused earlier. Colin was quietly nibbling his salmon next to Miles, whom he was happy to get a seat beside but his joy was stalled since Kaiser took the chair on his left, cruelly smirking. Another reason for Colin's silence was the fact Kaiser had a hand on his knee. He was left-handed, so there was no questioning as to why his right was 'in his lap'.

'Keep your cool, Colin. Don't blow up, try to stay normal. Don't wanna cause trouble or arise suspicion.' The Lion replayed the long mantra over and over until Miles shot him a subtle smile. That melted away some of his discomfort.

Across from the Gryffindor sat Damian. He was partaking in his midday meal, subtly glancing at Colin. 'Forget the desk, I'd rather have you on my bed, writhing and screaming as I fuck you into the mattress...can't decide whether you'd be more comfortable with your legs spread open, over my shoulders or wrapped around my waist. I guess we'll find out when we cross that eventual bridge.' The image of Colin raking his nails down his back as he thrust into him brought a slow-stretching smile across the older male's handsome face.

Colin caught the upturn of his lips when their eyes met. Yeah, that reared up his discomfort twenty more points. 'Creepy.'

Once lunch ended, Colin was alone out in the other rose garden on the eastern side of Bletchley Manor. Taking in the fresh summer air, he gazed along the red rosebushes, where they ended at a batch of violet-toned roses.

'That's an interesting shade I had yet to see. Who does her gardening?' His mild musing skidded to a halt when a tall figure stood next to him out the corner of his eye.

"They are quite a delight, aren't they? Mason's mother has an artistic eye when it comes to floral arrangements.'' Lord Urquhart commented casually, turning his onyx orbs to the lion.

Colin responded apprehensively but politely. "I thought Lady Bletchley had these done.''

"No, she merely added a few of her favorites to the collection. She and her mother-in-law always had similar tastes.'' It was funny how he mentioned the words 'similar tastes'.

"I see. May I ask you something?"

"You may."

"Why are you even out here with me? Shouldn't you be inside with my lord going over those...documents...or whatever it was you two brought up?"

Damian returned smoothly "Always to the point, aren't you, little Gryffindor? Well, I like the outside air just as any normal breathing creature and I wanted to get a pleasant view.''

Colin inwardly commented 'Heh, you may be kidding yourself over the ''normal'' part. You're right over the creature bit. There's no way you could be normal given what you've sired.' "Yes, the roses are a wonderful sight, aren't they?"

"I never said I was talking about the roses.''

Colin froze, slowly averting his eyes to Lord Urquhart. His onyx eyes held a mischievous yet dangerous and lustful gleam, boring holes right into Colin's body.

'Oh my god! HE's the other blast-ended skrewt! Ew, man! One Urquhart is enough, now I've got the dad wanting to ride my arse! Isn't there a law against this here?! He's like...fucking forty!' "E-Excuse me?"

"I think you heard me clearly, Colin." He crept closer, as if he was a viper ready to strike at prey. "L-Lord Urquhart...you're-you're a married man. You have a wife waiting on you back at home, a-and your son is right in there. What would he say if he saw you coming at me like this?"

"He won't." Damian dragged the smaller blonde into his chest, wrapping his arms tightly around Colin's waist. Beyond shocked, Colin gulped as Damian lazily encircled a golden lock over his finger, feeling how silky it was...just as he imagined it. With that same finger, he traced the underside of the lion's jaw, tickling him as if he were a kitten. "Do you realize how absolutely stunning you are? It's a shame no one's managed to capture you. But you've surely captured me..."

'How is it that I've never heard that pick-up line? That has to be older than me.' "That's kind of you to say, really, but I must decline. I'm not interested. And besides, you shouldn't be attempting to run around with a teenage boy, Lord Urquhart.''

''Oh? And tell me...why shouldn't I?"

"Well, for one, you're married. Two, I'm a minor...fifteen years old...and three, why would you risk your elitist reputation by playing in the sheets with a muggleborn or how most of you so kindly call me, a mudblood?"

Damian smirked, rubbing the small of Colin's back. "One, I could give a fuck less about my wife. Two, the ages of consent in the wizarding world are 14 to 15. Three, I can play around in the sheets with anyone I so please..taken or not, pureblood or not. Do you honestly think I stick with one kind of wizard?" He finished that by shaking his head, the smile never leaving his face.

Colin narrowed his eyes "Wait...you're gay?"

"Like half of the men in my circle, not counting the ones who are bisexual or with those tendencies. You've been in this world for several years now, it's sad that you have yet to understand how things work around here.''

Kaiser's last words flew back to Colin. ' ''Not everything is as it seems.'' Fuck, so that's what he means.' "You're right. I don't. I can, but it doesn't mean I have to participate."

"Are you sure about that? I could open so many doors for you."

"I'm quite sure, now let me go." Colin firmly retorted.

Damian raised Colin's chin, gazing into his eyes and whispering "As you wish." before placing a kiss to Colin mere millimeters away from his lips. Loosening his grip, he allowed the lion to slip away, watching him hurry into the manor. 'I'll let you go for now, little darling...but I'm not done with you.'

Inside the manor, Colin was rubbing the corner of his mouth of that unexpected kiss. 'The nerve of that man! Where does he get off in...wait..why the hell didn't anyone tell me just how much younger the age of consent was?! This isn't the middle ages anymore! It's not like I'm the only son or daughter of a peasant being sold off to the highest bidder. I..I need Miles to explain this to me later.'

Right now, Colin was going to enjoy the rest of his day. Kaiser and Vaisey were leaving after dinner tonight.

For the rest of the day, Colin read a little more of that book, wandered around the manor and spent a little time with Miles and his pals outside, all while ignoring Kaiser's miniscule attempts to 'stoke his fire'. During dinner, the blonde was having a small conversation with Miles. Both were speculating over what material the OWLS and NEWTS will possess this time around while Damian was sipping his wine, watching the exchange.

'Simply adorable.' Oh, he saw the subtlety in their approach. Their eye-contact, the distance between their hands on the table, the faint smiles sent in each other's direction...they were dating. It didn't take what muggles called a 'rocket scientist' to see what was going on here.

'Mason's son has feelings for the muggleborn. I wonder how long this has been going on. No matter, I'll have Colin in my bed before the summer's end. Truly, I think it's cute that Miles believes he'll be the first to deflower him. But in all seriousness, Colin needs a man, not a boy. He needs a man who has a little over twenty years of experience in the art of carnal pleasure and who better to instruct him than myself? I know exactly how to drive a young man wild. Where to touch him, how fast or slow, what to say...I am more than capable of making him come undone. And he will...they always do...'

Meanwhile, at Colin's left, Kaiser was musing to himself as he took sideglances at the lion. 'This conquest has proven tougher than I anticipated. I can't seem to get him alone here anywhere. Hm, most likely this is due to being on Bletchley's turf. He knows this place inside and out...and I don't. Wait, maybe that's what I need? To level the playing field. Miles has been to my manor on numerous occasions but he only knows what I've shown him. I should suggest to Father that the Bletchleys should come over for a dinner party of our own and to bring Colin. That way, I can be sure I'll have alone time with that gorgeous Lion. Perfect.'

Julian Vaisey was across from Kaiser, hiding a scowl as he ate his Cornish game hen. 'Why the fuck do you keep looking at the mudblood when you should be looking at...-'

"What you think, Julian?" Montague interrupted his thoughts.

''Yeah, that'll work..'' he smoothly replied. Thank goodness they were discussing more Quidditch strategies with Flint.

Once dinner ended for the evening, Lord Urquhart was standing in the foyer; having one last chat with Mason when Julian and Kaiser approached him with their bags packed. Colin was standing at the far end of the hall, watching as they prepared to leave. Kaiser shot him a final smirk before sauntering out the door with Julian in tow. Damian winked at him behind Mason then left to apparate to his manor.

'Thank Merlin, they're gone!' Racing upstairs, he ran into Miles's room.

"They're gone..."

"Yes!" Miles fist-pumped the air victoriously.

"I'm glad I can finally have some peace without having to look over my shoulders constantly."

Miles took Colin into his arms and kissed him contentedly. "Me too. It'll be just the two of us tomorrow."

"The two of us?"

"Yeah, the guys are leaving after breakfast."

"Oh.." He's a little saddened over that. He was actually liking his gang and becoming good friends with them.

"Yep, then you and I can catch up on all the snuggling we've missed. Since tomorrow's your extra day off, why not lay in bed like a couple of lazy sods? We've earned it."

Colin grinned "Now that's an idea!" Flopping onto the bed, they sighed in relief. Remembering what transpired earlier, Colin faced Miles, absentmindedly stroking the duvet.

"What's up, babe?"

"I've been curious...why is it that the age of consent is under 17 in the wizarding world?"

Miles raised an eyebrow, letting out a slow hum. He wondered what made him bring this up but decided to see where Colin was going with it.

"Well, it stems farther than the Dark Ages...you know, like with the Muggles...the age was younger and they didn't give a shit? It's still like that today because the Ministry recognizes that wizarding teenagers are actually capable of making their own decisions, and are not extremely vulnerable sheep like muggle adults presume when it's regarding an adult seeing someone under 17. They know what they're getting into...and teenagers do adult things whether you like it or not...so there's no point in cracking down so heavily. If both parties are consenting, there's no problem. Around 14-15, that's when a lot of experimentation occurs and it often leads to sex...thus, those are the ages of minority when a teenager is seen as able to make their choice."

Colin whistled. "Wow...yeah, that's not how it is with muggles. If someone over 17 engages in sex with a girl or guy that's 14 or 15...that's considered statutory rape and you're doing several years prison time-even if the other party consents. The teens where I'm at know good and well what they want to do. It's not that different from here."

"Muggles are too uptight."

"I know. They truly underestimate people, honestly."

"Why did you ask, Col?"

"Well, I was curious and I decided to ask."

Miles nodded, knowing he'll get the real answer out of him later on. "Anything else you're curious about?"

"Yes, is it true that like, well...many elites here run around on their spouses with the same or opposite sex?"

This was getting interesting. Miles returned "Oh yeah. It's like with muggles who do the exact same thing, only there's no social or moral stigma that comes along with the 'infidelity'. Most marriages here are arranged unlike in your realm so, when a couple is paired and there's no feelings whatsoever between them...they stay married yet date whomever they please after they produce an heir or two. It doesn't matter if the persons in question are straight or not. They could each fly on both sides of the pitch and fool around."

"I don't get it...why not divorce?" Colin scrunched his face in confusion.

"Divorce is unheard of unless in instances of abuse. And with arranged marriages, it's to seal alliances and strengthen political ties. Both parties get what they want in the arrangement after fulfilling their duties and they're happy campers. Thus, there's no need to dissolve the union. My parents' marriage is like that."

Colin's jaw dropped "What?"

"Yep. I'm the product of an arranged marriage. I'm not the only one...Warrington, Flint and Montague are too."

"No way."

Miles chuckled "Yes way."

Colin chirped "Could you elaborate?"

Miles replied "Both of my folks are bisexual, but lean more towards the same sex. For example, my dad and Warrington's dad, Tiberius, they secretly dated back in Hogwarts, the same with my mum and his mum, Megara. They were all best friends, too. When our grandfathers; Alastair and Nero on our fathers' side, Benjamin and Octavian on our mums' side... drew up the contracts, they split them up. One was to wed the other and so forth. One wedding night and nine months later, here I am. My parents still love each other as best friends but are not in love, you know?"

Colin nodded in understanding. "I do now...what about Flint and Montague?"

"Oh, their dads are as gay as Christmas. And they're still seeing each other to this day. Same thing with mine and Cassius's parents."

"Jeez.." Colin laughed. "Your dads have quite the interesting arrangement. How did you ever find out about them anyway?"

Miles tapped his chin in recollection "Well, in the case for Flint and Montague, they saw them snogging underneath the mistletoe when they were eight. For me and Cassius, it was late one night and we snuck down to the kitchen for snacks and well...we were bored and wanted to roam around. We passed the entry hall to Dad's office but then we heard moaning. Please note that we were six and very curious. We snuck in and tiptoed to the door where his office was and saw that it wasn't shut all the way. We peeked through the crack and well...imagine our surprise when I saw my Dad in nothing but his white dress shirt, his hair down and everything...riding Tiberius as if his life fucking depended on it."

Colin snickered "Oh god."

"That's exactly what he said, among other things. And no...hahaha! We didn't stay there the entire time, we kinda left the door where it was and ran back to my room."

"Damn. Did they seriously forget to lock the door or at least put up a goddamn Silencer? Children tend to roam past their bedtime."

"It seems so..."

"Do they know you two saw them?"

"I think they figured it out when Cassius and I looked at them funny the entire weekend. Our mums were out of the country and when they arrived that afternoon, they uh...how you muggles say 'Felt a disturbance in the force' and asked us what happened. We explained in a way only six year-olds knew how. They shared a smirk and taunted our dads about it after dinner. They were sooooo embarrassed. I can tell you this, they remembered to completely shut and lock the door after that incident."

Colin burst out laughing. "Fuck, I'd be embarrassed too if my son caught me getting plowed to high heaven! Though I have to be honest...the sound of two hot older men going at it is a turn on."

"You think my dad's hot?"

"Well, yeah. I can admit a guy's handsome without wanting him. Why would I search around when I already have what I want right here?"

Miles smiled warmly at Colin's response, kissing him graciously. "Good answer. Honestly, it's gross picturing my dad going at it with anyone...though if there was an opportunity to see Aurelius Flint and Michael Montague fucking...hmmm..."

Colin snapped his fingers "I was thinking the exact same thing. I'd like to witness that, too. What about any of your mates?"

Miles grinned mischievously "I've seen Cassius and Cormac in the broomshed, Terence and Adrian in the showers, Graham and Lucian in the locker-room...I also saw Marcus and Percy one morning in the dorm on a Hogsmeade weekend."

"Good Merlin..." Colin gulped at the vivid imagery before him, feeling his jeans tighten substantially.

Miles smirked at the effect this was giving the blonde.

"God, Miles, we're so fucking perverted."

"Not as bad as Cormac and Cassius. They're far worse."

"Oh, yeah. Definitely, definitely worse."

*Cues dramatic music* O.O Colin finally knows the identity of Blast-Ended Skrewt number 2! XD Like father, like son...eh? *snickers* And for those who may find the age a little high...at least he's not Mr. Herbert old! (Please tell me you got the Family Guy reference!) In my head...Damian's like...40.

Hm..do I also detect an air of jealousy from Vaisey?

And with Bletchley's parents...didn't see that coming, did ya? XD

Just to clear up any confusion: Alastair Bletchley is Miles's paternal grandfather and Benjamin is his maternal grandfather. Nero is Cassius's paternal grandpa and Octavian is his maternal grandpa.

Extra random author's note: I picture Cassius's mom with the appearance of that actress Denise Richards...but with an English accent.