The days after Christmas were some of the best days of Kurt's life. He and Blaine would meet up during hall patrol as usual, but instead of lingering touches and sneaky eye gazes, the two would clasp their hands tightly together and kiss each other whenever they felt like it. Every now and then, there would be a knock on the Slytherin common room door. Once opened, the hallway would be empty except from a lavish gift like a bouquet of flowers, or a picnic basket full of goodies, labelled for Kurt from Blaine. Kurt had never really enjoyed his life, but right now, he honestly couldn't be happier.

Blaine wasn't much better off. Wes and David kept commenting on how love-sick he was. The group were starting to get sick of Blaine's heart eyes and the fact that he followed Kurt wherever he went like a puppy. But honestly, they were all pleased for him, and hadn't seen Blaine this happy in a long time. They were the only people in the castle to know the extent of his relationship with Kurt, considering they had once walked in on the couple making out of Blaine's bed while they were supposed to be in Herbology. The moment was awkward, but the group just teased in a good-natured way and everything went back to normal.

Kurt could only find one problem with their relationship; nobody else knew. They weren't trying to keep it a secret per-se, but it just so happened that nobody else had found out, and honestly, it made Kurt feel a bit like Blaine's dirty little secret. So, like all good Slytherins, he decided to confront his boyfriend. This just so happened to occur on their next hall patrol.

"So have you told anyone else about us?" Kurt asked as the two sauntered around the castle holding hands.

"No, why?" Blaine replied, looking way too happy to just be walking around the school.

"I was just wondering if we were going to ever tell anyone. Or are you ashamed of me?" Kurt hadn't meant to just blurt out his thoughts, but it seemed his mind had other ideas. Blaine stopped suddenly in the corridor and took hold of Kurt's other hand so both were dangling between them.

"Kurt". Blaine said with a serious look on his face, "I want to shout from the rooftops that you are my boyfriend. Honestly, I was just so happy that the thought never crossed my mind. I would love to go public with you, no matter what other people say".

This was exactly what Kurt wanted to hear. He kissed Blaine passionately to express his gratitude, and they continued on their way, both with huge smiles on their faces.

The next morning Kurt and Blaine walked hand in hand into the Great Hall. Although many were not keen on their friendship, by now it was nothing new, so nobody paid any attention to the new arrivals. It was not until Kurt walked Blaine over to the Gryffindor table and gave him a big, over exaggerated kiss that ended with a smacking sound that the students looked up. Whispers and jeers filled the hall, but they had gotten used to this. Blaine sat down with a love-sick, happy look on his face, while Kurt walked over to the Slytherin table, ignoring his classmates, and sat down looking very pleased with himself.

The talks and whispers surrounding Kurt and Blaine lasted for almost two weeks; longer than any other gossip that had spread in the rumour mill before, but, like all good news, eventually nobody cared any more. And the couple walked hand in hand around the castle whenever they wanted. Every now and then someone, normally a Slytherin, or surprisingly, a Ravenclaw, would approach them and tell one of them that they should watch their backs, and that the relationship would ruin the whole school. Both boys understood their concern, but they trusted the other completely, and paid no attention to the nay-sayers.

It was another couple of weeks before anything of note occurred. The whole school were enjoying their dinner in the Great Hall, when Professor McGonagall cleared her throat and stood in front of the teachers' table, to address the school;

"This year, something truly amazing will occur in the school. Something that has not been seen for decades". This already caused a buzz amongst the students. The headmaster fixed them all with her trademark stony stare, causing silence to fall around the room, and continued;

"Normally, the Yule Ball falls during the Triwizard Tournament. As we all know, since the Battle of Hogwarts, this event no longer takes place". Kurt felt a lot of stares on him, but he ignored them.

"However, the faculty agree that the Yule Ball promoted harmony, peace, tradition and friendship throughout the houses. Therefore this year, the school will be hosting a Yule Ball, exclusively for Hogwarts Students. I hope to see you all there. Do not forget to ask for a date".

Once she had finished the room burst with noise. Every student either yammering on excitedly, or groaning at the thought of a night of dancing awkwardly with someone you've never spoken to before. Kurt was somewhere in the middle. A chance to dress up and dance was not something he would ever pass up, but he never felt included in the school, and having to experience prolonged social contact with these people was not his idea of fun. Across the hall, Blaine was so excited. He imagined a night of dancing with Kurt, wooing him, and making everyone see how perfect they were together.

After dinner, Blaine rushed over to Kurt, who looked very hopeful, and starting talking about what a tradition the ball was, as he knew Kurt was not taught much about Hogwarts as a child. They walked all the way up to the Gryffindor common room, and then Blaine left with a kiss on the cheek and a goodbye. Kurt was very upset. He thought Blaine would have asked him to go with him, and yet, nothing. Maybe Blaine had his eye on someone else, or he didn't want to been seen as a couple with Kurt, or he thought Kurt would embarrass him. Maybe a Gryffindor had already asked Blaine, someone more attractive and more confident that Kurt. No. He knew he was getting ahead of himself, but did Blaine really not want to go with him? Kurt traipsed back to the dungeons, hoping that maybe tomorrow Blaine would ask, maybe he just needed time to think of a grand way of asking.

However when tomorrow came, Blaine still hadn't asked. Couples all around them were being asked by each other in grand, romantic ways, and yet Blaine yammered on about Potions class and Quidditch, without another mention of the ball.

Blaine was not on the same wavelength as Kurt. Once they had parted the other night at the portrait of the Fat Lady, Blaine went inside and started planning his outfit. He wanted to look good for Kurt, after all. You see, Blaine assumed that Kurt would know that of course Blaine wanted to go with him, who else would he possibly want to spend the night with? So poor, oblivious Blaine went about his day with the thought that he and Kurt would make the most handsome couple at the dance.

Almost a week went by, and Kurt still hadn't been asked by Blaine, and it had gotten to the point where he had given up and realised that he just didn't want to take him. It was at this moment that Kurt walked headlong into Connor, causing the two to almost sprawl backwards. Connor grabbed Kurt's hand, stopping him from landing on his butt and kept a hold of his wrist a little longer that Kurt would have liked. Once he had released his hold, Connor gave Kurt a once-over with his smarmy gaze, and asked a peculiar question;

"So, has pretty boy asked you to the ball yet?" Kurt was curious, why would Connor care? He decided to state the truth, as he didn't know what the boy was playing at.

"No". He stated dumbly. Connor tutted;

"Shame. I can't believe anyone would give up the chance to spend an evening with you. I bet you'd look amazing in your dress robes". Kurt couldn't help but blush. As much as he disliked Connor, it had been a while since Blaine had complimented him like that.

"So", Connor continued as he suddenly pulled a red rose out from behind his back, "would you do me the honour of accompanying me to the ball, Kurt?"