CHAPTER 2
Kurt stepped into the Great Hall Friday morning, making a straight bee-line for the steaming cup of coffee next to Rachel, in his usual seat. He slid onto the bench smoothly, grabbing the mug and taking a piping hot gulp of the black brew before anyone could even bat an eye.
"Someone didn't sleep," Rachel teased, taking a bite of her perfectly unbuttered white toast, "What kept you up so late?"
"I hate Ancient Runes homework," Kurt moaned, taking another gulp of coffee, "Why do we need to study them anyway?"
"Why did you take Ancient Runes?" Santana questioned, eyeing him as if he were a three-headed dog.
"Because my grandparents want me to take as many extracurricular N.E. as possible," Kurt explained with an eye roll, "I barely have any free time. They made me take Muggle Studies, which okay, is ridiculously easy. But I have no other Slytherins in that class. None."
Santana snorted, "That's prime ground for messing with people, Vinson."
"Except for Professor Schuester," Kurt corrected, "I swear, if I have to hear him sing praise to the Gryffindors one more time-"
"Finn Hudson is in your Muggle Studies class, right?" Rachel asked, her gaze locked dreamily on the tall boy on the Gryffindor table.
Kurt scrunched his nose up in disgust, "Rachel, darling, please tell me you don't have a crush on Hudson of all people."
"He's literally a massive pillow of butter," Santana supplied, "Seriously. I'm convinced he has some sort of giant genetics flowing in those buttery veins."
"He's cute," Rachel shrugged, "Our children would definitely be average-sized."
"Are you swooning over Finn Hudson?" Quinn asked as she slid into her seat next to Kurt, "Because honestly Rachel, just no."
"What's so bad about him?!" Rachel asked, "He's a better pick than Jesse-"
"Apart from the fact that he's a Gryffindor, may I remind you of his very Squib parents," Quinn explained slowly, "Including his brand-new Squib of a step-brother, who just so happens to be the new Groundskeeper."
"That's the dream life right there," Santana teased, "No seriously; I could totally see you living in a little hut in the middle of the woods with the Flubber Giant. Really adds to the whole dwarf narrative."
Santana expertly dodged the spoonful of beans flicked her way, and simply sipped her orange juice, "What? I'm keeping it real."
"For the love of Merlin Rachel, just please don't get involved with a Gryffindor, especially one who's our competition for the next Quidditch match," Kurt begged, "I'll even forgo all my prejudices against Jesse and fully support your eventual eloping."
"You guys are so dramatic," Rachel sighed, "Fine. But since we're on topic, can I make an official complaint and suggestion that Santana and Sebastian stop dry-humping in the Slytherin common room?"
"What? He's hot, I'm hot," Santana defended against Kurt and Quinn's stares, "He's came to me looking to experiment and, well, I wasn't about to say no."
"Well, I'm thoroughly disgusted," Kurt sighed, pushing his plate away as he stood up, "I'm going to Alchemy. Quinn?"
"I'll see you there," Quinn replied. Kurt nodded, pulling the strap of his leather satchel over his shoulder and briskly making his way to the entrance of the Great Hall. As he made his way to the large double doors, Kurt pulled out a rolled piece of parchment from his satchel, unrolling it with a groan. As predicted, Kurt had little free time this year, the bulk of his time split between his 12 (yes, 12) N.E.W.T classes, as well as his Prefect patrolling duties, which he had yet to be given a timetable for.
Kurt was too preoccupied by his timetable to notice he was walking head-first into none other than Blaine Anderson.
The two collided, Kurt skidding backwards. He looked up, ready to unleash hell on the other person, when-
"I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going."
Kurt looked up from his parchment to lock eyes with the Hufflepuff boy, who genuinely looked worried. Kurt didn't know if it was the close proximity, or the fact that he'd never allowed himself to look at anyone outside Slytherin, but Blaine was actually gorgeous.
And he didn't mean just plain-old-attractive gorgeous. He meant gorgeous like the change of summer into fall. Like the feeling you get at the end of a long summers day when you watch the sky explode into a million different colours as the sun sets. Blaine looked like every emotion Kurt had ever wanted to feel, but didn't quite know how to let himself go like that.
The garish yellow of Blaine's Hufflepuff tie quickly snapped Kurt out of his daydream. He straightened himself up, brushing off the invisible lint on his robes before nodding, "No need to apologise, it was definitely my fault."
With a tight smile, Kurt brushed past the boy and out of the Great Hall swiftly.
Blaine shook himself out of the interaction. Kurt Vinson… Being somewhat nice? Unheard of. He decided not to dwell on it too much, especially considering the somewhat-massive crush he'd had on Kurt during his fourth year.
He made his way to the Hufflepuff table, sliding onto the bench next to Sam, who was piling breakfast food high onto his plate. They'd only finished their early morning Quidditch practice about half an hour ago, and while Blaine had spent his morning having a shower, Sam had decided to go straight to breakfast.
"Dude, these eggs are like, magical," Sam moaned, spooning a forkful of beans into his mouth.
"We are in a magic school, Sam," Blaine laughed, pouring himself a glass of orange juice, "This morning was great, by the way."
"You really think so?" Sam asked between forkfuls of his food, "I mean, I know it's only our first practice, but I really want to be a good Captain, you know?"
Sam had been elected Captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team during the summer, receiving a rather congratulatory letter from their coach, Professor Beastie. Blaine knew Sam was nervous, especially with their new Chaser Marley, but everyone on the team had pulled through, and Sam was delighted.
"Yeah man, it was great," Nick, the Hufflepuff Seeker, reassured the blonde as he slid onto the bench opposite him, "I mean, Rory actually hit one of the Bludgers. That's progress, man."
Sam smiled, patting Blaine on the back heartily, "Would you look at that? I'm a good Captain."
Blaine laughed, "Don't get ahead of yourself now Mister Evans."
"And that concludes our Introduction to Muggle Studies module," Professor Schuester smiled to his class, "Your essays are due next Monday, and I'd like to remind you all of the upcoming pop quiz on Muggle Technology."
The class began dispersing immediately, Kurt rushing to pack away all of his parchments into his satchel. He didn't know why on earth he'd agreed to take Muggle Studies as another elective. The class bored him immensely, and he was just hoping that Professor Schuester would allow him to fast-track the two years into one. The class was blazingly easy, Kurt having already completed the majority of the essays required for the first term.
"Hey, you're uh, Kurt, right?"
Kurt turned around to find none other than Finn Hudson, Gryffindor Prefect and captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team, smiling at him with a dopey look on his face.
Kurt raised his perfectly shaped eyebrow expectantly, "Yes. And?"
Finn was clearly taken aback by Kurt's attitude, but he composed himself quickly, "I'm Finn. I was just wondering… You're, like, really good at History Of Magic, right?"
Kurt scoffed, "Obviously."
"I was wondering if you could help me with, uh, that essay we have to do for next week?" Finn asked nervously, "I don't really know anyone else who'd be good at it, you know?"
Kurt sighed. He really, really didn't want to do this, but he knew Rachel would kill him for not putting a good word in for her. Not that he supported her absurd crush on Finn, but he'd rather not make his best friend into his best enemy. With a sigh, he agreed.
"Tomorrow at lunch, in the library," Kurt finally conceded, "I'll bring my friend Rachel, too."
Finn smiled widely, "Thanks, dude! You're actually like, really cool for doing this."
Kurt rolled his eyes, standing and slinging his satchel strap over his shoulder, "Bye Finn."
Kurt glided past Finn and towards the open classroom door, sparing no glances to Blaine Anderson, animately talking to Professor Schuester about something called a 'cellphone'. Kurt rolled his eyes at this. Of course Blaine Anderson, adorable Hufflepuff was also a massive fan of all-things Muggle.
Kurt had to stay away. He knew what he was doing. It was the first tell-tale signs of a crush, something he'd had on Sebastian Smythe in his first year (yes, he wasn't proud). He wasn't about to have a crush on Blaine Anderson, and most definitely not a Hufflepuff.
With a sigh, he left the classroom, eager to immerse himself in his Potions essay before going to his Prefect patrolling shift.
"Losers," Santana teased from her place on the sofa in the Slytherin common room. She was lying on her back, her legs swinging off the side of the armrest. She was flicking through a Herbology textbook, smirking at Kurt and Rachel as they prepared to leave for their Prefect duties.
"You're just jealous you're not a Prefect," Rachel scoffed, straightening out her green tie.
Santana looked unimpressed, "No, Dwarf. I'm really, really not."
"Since when are you such a fan of Herbology?" Kurt questioned, picking up the textbook curiously.
Santana snatched the book back, "Since you and Berry showed me up yesterday in class. I'm not about to be embarrassed again by my own housemates in front of a bunch of Ravenclaws."
Kurt raised his eyebrow, "Right, well… Rachel and I are going to go now."
"Enjoy, nerds," Santana waved them off, returning to her Herbology textbook, "I've got a hot date with… Wolfsbane, apparently."
"You've got a problem," Sam concluded, watching his best friend tearing through textbooks in the Hogwarts library, only a few minutes before they were due back in their common room, "A study problem."
"I hate Ancient Runes," Blaine groaned, slamming his head onto the stack of textbooks, "I thought it would be fun to do."
"You're an idiot," Sam shrugged, grabbing the stack of textbooks, "Just get Mike or Artie to help, or even Mike's girlfriend."
"Do you think they'll still be up?" Blaine asked, "I don't want to wake them up by knocking on the Ravenclaw common room."
"It's that, or fail the essay," Sam shrugged, standing up, "See you later dude."
Kurt sighed, rubbing his eyes tiredly. He'd been patrolling for the past hour alone, Rachel having paired up with Jesse, of course. Kurt liked patrolling alone, mainly for all the hidden passageways in Hogwarts. He'd spent the majority of his patrolling last year searching for them (not that he'd ever tell anyone, of course).
Kurt was just passing through the west towers of the castle, about to complete this part of his patrol, when he spotted none other than Hufflepuff king Blaine Anderson sat in front of the door to the Ravenclaw tower, having an argument with the Ravenclaw doorknocker.
"I don't need to get in, I just need Arite or Mike or Tina or someone to come out here and help me with this goddamn essay!" Kurt heard Blaine argue exasperatedly with the knocker, causing Kurt to snicker.
"What bee can you pass around that doesn't sting?"
"I said, I don't know!"
"What bee can you pass around that doesn't sting?"
Blaine threw his quill at the door in exasperation, "That's it. I'm done. I'm going to fail my sixth year and it's all your fault because you won't call-"
"Do I need to tell your Head of House about this?"
Blaine spun around in embarrassment, coming face to face with a smirking Kurt, leaning against the stone wall as he watched Blaine's argument.
"Kurt!" Blaine replied, exasperated, "I-I swear I'm not trying to break in or anything, I was just trying to get homework help from Artie but this stupid door won't let me in, or call him!"
"Did you try knocking on the door?"
"I didn't want to wake the whole house up."
"Because shouting at the door is a better option?" Kurt teased, watching Blaine's face fall.
"I'm such an idiot," he sighed, letting his head fall back and hit the wall, "I'm an actual idiot."
Kurt sighed, watching the adorable boy ponder what to do next. Before he knew what he was doing, the words were out of Kurt's mouth.
"What did you need help for?"
Blaine looked at Kurt, blinking rapidly in surprise, "Uh, Ancient Runes. Artie, Mike and Tina are in that class with me."
Kurt sighed, remembering the sight of Mike and Tina making out only a few desks in front of him, "I'm also in that class. Is it for the essay?"
"It's due tomorrow," Blaine nodded, embarrassed that he hadn't realised Kurt also shared the same class, "I know it's a Saturday, but the Professor wanted mine in early."
Kurt pondered for just a few moments before turning away from Blaine, "Well, come on then. My patrolling schedule doesn't end for another hour."
Finn Hudson had just finished his Prefecting patrol, closing the Gryffindor common room door with a huff. He collapsed onto the Gryffindor sofa, ignoring the curious glances of his best friend, Puck, who had been idly whittling a stick.
"Dude, you okay?" Puck asked as Finn turned around, lying on the sofa facing the painted Gryffindor ceiling.
"Yeah," Finn sighed, "I just… Have a lot on my mind, you know?"
Puck scoffed, "Yeah, like what?"
Finn paused, the silence filling the air of the common room. Everyone else was asleep, save for the two friends. Finn sat up, turning to look at Puck with a serious expression.
"Can you keep a secret?"
"There," Blaine announced with a huff, dotting the last 'i' in his final sentence of his essay.
The two boys had been sat in a desolated Muggle Studies classroom after Kurt had speedily completed his Prefecting duties. Kurt had helped him with his essay, proof reading it before helping him complete the conclusion. It hadn't taken long, forty minutes at the most Kurt would say. Really, he thought it was no big deal.
"Thank you for doing this," Blaine smiled, "I didn't think you'd… You know?"
"Help?" Kurt scoffed, "I usually wouldn't, but you looked like a sad puppy drenched in rain."
"I'm not even wet," Blaine countered.
"Yeah, but you look like you are, with all the gel you use," Kurt teased, pushing himself up to sit on the nearby desk.
Blaine pouted, "You haven't seen my hair without gel. It's literally a birds nest. Brittany's owl once tried to sleep in it when I came to breakfast without gel in my third year."
Kurt couldn't help it. He laughed. He actually genuinely laughed. He didn't remember the last time he'd genuinely laughed, but Blaine made it so easy. Maybe it was because he was a stupid Hufflepuff with his stupid liquid-gold smile and his stupidly adorable eyebrows and-
"You're nicer than I thought you would be," Blaine admitted, his eyes going wide, "Oh god, I said that out loud didn't I?"
Kurt couldn't help but smirk, "Slytherins aren't actually evil, you know?"
"Yeah, but you're… You," Blaine began, "I mean, everyone is scared of you because… You just hold yourself so highly, you know? It's like you float above everyone and everything."
Kurt raised his eyebrow, "You're observant."
"It isn't a bad thing!" Blaine quickly amended, "I mean, sure it might come across as snobbish sometimes, but you're clearly so smart and you're not afraid to show it. You're on the Quidditch team and a Prefect and probably the single best Wizard in all of our year, so people expect you to be-"
"-Uptight?" Kurt asked, turning away, "Yeah. I get that."
"But you're nice," Blaine continued, smiling at Kurt once he whipped his head back around, "And I don't mean just with me. I heard you agreeing to help Finn earlier, and I saw you help Brittany get her cat off a tree the other day."
"He was annoying me," Kurt lied, pushing away the image of Brittany's cat just looking so sad.
"And you're always helping Madame Pillsbury in the Hospital Wing," Blaine pointed out.
Kurt bit his tongue, "I need it for extra credit."
Blaine scoffed teasingly, "You're literally doing the most exams out of everyone ever in the last decade in Hogwarts. You don't need any extra credit."
Kurt shrugged, "I'm ambitious. That's why I'm a Slytherin."
"Either way, thank you," Blaine replied honestly, "I would've never finished the essay in time without you."
Kurt rolled his eyes, crossing his arms, "Just don't tell anyone. My reputation can only withstand so much."
Blaine smiled, "Only if you don't tell anyone about my embarrassing door debacle."
"Deal," Kurt smiled.
Silence fell between them as Kurt watched Blaine's face. The bruise was still there, not as prominent at it had been the previous week, but definitely still fading into a yellowish-brown stain. The words flew out of his mouth before he could stop them.
"What happened to your face?" Kurt blurted out, instantly regretting it as Blaine's face fell.
"I don't really want to talk about it," Blaine sighed somewhat darkly, looking away from Kurt, "Actually, I should probably head to bed."
"Oh, of course," Kurt agreed, eyeing the clock on the far right of the room.
Blaine speedily got his belongings together, a small smile on his face as he thanked Kurt again. Before Kurt could even blink, Blaine was gone.