Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Challenges listed at the bottom.

Word Count: 763

Fic Notes: HarryBlaise, Pre-slash

Colours Don't Define You

He watches from the shadows, unseen and almost invisible. He's always been able to make himself unnoticeable, it was a skill learned at his mother's hem, much like, when he wanted to, he could make himself the focus of any room he entered.

It was a handy skill, when watching the most watched boy in Hogwarts.

With all eyes on the boy hero, it was even easier to pretend he wasn't looking when he was, because everyone else was doing the same thing.

But Blaise didn't think that the others saw what he saw. He didn't think they saw the way the weight of the world seemed to make his shoulders sag sometimes, nor the occasional mischievous smiles when he was allowed a moment to just be.

(Those smiles were few and far between, and Blaise thought perhaps he was one of only a handful that had been privileged enough to see one.)

He didn't think many saw the loneliness that clouded Harry's eyes sometimes, nor the way he sometimes reached out to touch someone, then thought better of it and let his hand drop back to his side.

Not even his friends had noticed that, despite spending most of their time glued to his sides.

It made Blaise sad in a strange way. He wanted to reach out to Harry, but he was hesitant to do so. Not only because if it was known, it would put him in a precarious position of his own, but because ultimately, he was a coward and he feared rejection.

The green and silver that hung from his neck made him weary that Harry would turn away in disgust, even if he didn't strike Blaise as the type to do so.

(Sometimes, Blaise daydreamed about sitting with Harry in the library, perhaps helping him with potions or getting help with defence. Sometimes, he imagined holding Harry's hands in the quidditch stands while Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff battled in the sky. Sometimes, he had flashes of a memory that didn't exist where he could pretend Harry was his.)

…

For all the years that Blaise had watched in the shadows, even he couldn't believe his eyes when Harry rolled from Hagrid's arms, and stood face to face with the Dark Lord, with no fear in his eyes and his wand held firmly in his hand.

How he had the balls, Blaise would never know, but he supposed that was why he was the saviour.

When the battle was over, Blaise noticed Harry leave the hall, and with a quick glance at the people around him, he followed after him.

Perhaps it was the year away, or the lingering adrenaline, but in seconds Harry had turned and had his wand trained on Blaise, his eyes blazing as he stared at him.

"Why are you following me?"

Blaise blinked at him. "I… I…"

Harry arched an eyebrow at him, and Blaise sighed. He knew he could probably spin a tale of him not following Harry, that it was just a coincidence they'd left at the same time, but he was tired. Tired of hiding, tired of not being seen by the only person he really wanted to see him.

And they were done with school anyway, so what was the harm?

"I wanted to make sure you were okay," he admitted quietly. "After everything that's happened in the last few hours… hell, probably the last year… I wanted to make sure you weren't about to fall apart. And… I guess I missed seeing your face."

Harry frowned. "I… don't understand."

"I've watched you for years," Blaise admitted. "Not in a creepy way," he rushed to add, wincing. "Just… I've watched you struggle and I've seen you happy, and I guess I just… I never thought it would be welcome if I told you that I… that I like you."

"Oh."

Blaise kicked his foot against the floor while Harry slowly lowered his wand.

"Uh. Sorry for the…" Harry waved his wand slightly in his hand. "People following me hasn't ended well this last year. Guess I'm still a bit on edge."

"Understandable," Blaise murmured.

Harry nodded and then ran a hand through his messy hair. "I just… I need to go and shower and sleep and… but it's… maybe you'll be around the castle for the next few days? We could, uh. Talk?"

Lifting his head to meet Harry's eyes, Blaise couldn't help but stare. "Really?"

Harry nodded, his eyes flicking down to Blaise's tie. "Your colours don't define you… and not every Slytherin is bad. Right?"

Blaise smiled. "Right."

Written For:

Limited Edition: Childrens: Peter Rabbit: mischievous

Valentines or Palentines: Day 12. HarryBlaise

365: 105. Coward

Musical Yearly: 73. Britpop: Gotta Get Thru This: I pretend that you're already mine

Insane House: 217. Hesitant