CHAPTER 3
Although Kurt had enjoyed mentoring Blaine the previous night, he absolutely hated having to mentor Finn Hudson, out of all people.
Not only was that boy the worst excuse for a Gryffindor he'd ever met, but he was also very obviously head-over-heels for Rachel, hanging on every word she said. Which was very, very tragic in Kurt's opinion, considering she was also completely and very obviously head-over-heels for him, which was a disaster. There was no way Rachel Berry was going to date a Gryffindor, let alone Finn Hudson.
Once they'd finished Finn's homework, he'd grabbed Rachel and rushed her off back to the Slytherin common room, where he was going to lock the both of them away from any Hufflepuff or Gryffindor or whoever else decided to come into their lives and screw up their inner social hierarchy. Kurt was nothing but determined.
He busied the both of them with their Potions homework, refusing to even acknowledge the fact they'd spent the last two hours with Finn Hudson. Santana and Quinn had joined them too, sharing the coffee table in front of the Slytherin Common Room fireplace.
"Why is it always so dark in here?" Quinn complained, squinting to read the parchment in her hands.
"Because our windows are underwater?" Santana replied easily, flicking through her Herbology textbook, "Hey; what the hell is a Snargaluff?"
Quinn scoffed, "Since when are you an avid fan of all things green?"
Santana shrugged, "Plants are totally cool, okay?"
"Whatever you say," Quinn teased, turning back to her Charms homework, "What do you guys think of our new Chaser?"
"Hunter?" Kurt asked, thinking back to practice earlier that week, "He was alright. He seemed pretty close with Sebastian. Maybe that's how he got on the team."
"By sucking him off?" Santana laughed, "Oh please; if it was that easy, I would be Seeker by now instead of you."
"You and your charm," Kurt teased, "But seriously; I'm not worried about this season. With Lauren and Santana as Beaters, Quinn as the Keeper and me as the Seeker? We've got it in the bag."
"Except for that Ravenclaw Keeper," Rachel pointed out, "I know I'm not on the team, but he seems like he'll be competition."
Santana sneered, "Wesley Montgomery? Oh please, he's no match for our Miss Fabray here."
"Are you guys seriously worried about Quidditch?"
The four friends turned around to find none other than Sebastian Smythe, standing proudly with his gaggle of friends, including fellow Quidditch team players James Kirk and Hunter Clarington.
"I mean, with you as captain, why wouldn't we be?" Quinn asked bitterly, an innocently-sickening smile on her face.
"With you as the Keeper? We're doomed," Hunter retorted, "I mean, do you even know how to play, or are you worried you're going to chip your pretty little nails?"
"Quinn won us the game last year," Kurt corrected Hunter, "Not that you'd know, considering you weren't good enough to play last year."
"Why you-"
"Guys!" Rachel interrupted, standing up, "Can we not argue please? You guys have practice in less than two hours. Keep the animosity for the other team?"
"Sure," Sebastian shrugged, "See you on the field, teammates."
Sebastian and his duo swiftly marched away, but not before James turned back to Kurt, giving him a sly flirtatious wink before following Sebastian out of the common room. Kurt rolled his eyes, turning back to his potions homework.
"What was that?"
Kurt looked up to see his three friends watching him questioningly, sly smiles on their faces. Kurt huffed, leaning back into the plush green sofa.
"James is a flirt, you all know that," Kurt explained, "He's been very… Touchy this year."
"Someone's got an admirer," Santana teased, "And about time too. Someone needs to loosen you up."
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," Kurt glared, turning back to his Potions homework.
Kurt liked the weekends in Hogwarts. On Saturdays, he had Potions Club with Rachel in the morning, followed by hours upon hours of free time, followed by the Slytherin Quidditch practice in the evening. Sunday mornings, however, were his favourite.
That was simply because he had nothing to do. Nothing at all. He'd usually finish his homework by Saturday evening, meaning he had the whole Sunday to do whatever he wanted until his Prefect patrol (granted, that usually meant more work, but at least he had the option). This Sunday, however, was spent with his friends at the Slytherin breakfast table, chatting idly about the year.
"He's just so sweet."
Or in Rachel's case; Finn Hudson.
"Rachel, you only actually spoke to him yesterday," Quinn pointed out, "And besides, you can do much better."
"That's probably the nicest thing she's ever said to you," Kurt pointed out, peeling an orange daintily.
"You can't date a Gryffindor," Quinn continued, "Think about it Rachel; do you really just want to be known as the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain's girlfriend? You're better than that. That's why you're in Slytherin, and that's why you and Jesse are meant to be."
Rachel pouted, sinking into her seat, "It doesn't hurt to dream…"
"Now that the Dwarf's intervention is over, can we focus on more important things, please?" Santana huffed as she lowered her Herbology textbook, "Like how Headmaster Figgins is breaking every rule in the Hogwarts rule book and organising a Winter Ball?"
"That's just a rumour," Kurt corrected, "We don't know if he'll actually do it."
"Oh please," Santana rolled her eyes, "Its Figgins. He'll do it."
Before Kurt could argue back, the sound of crows caws flooded his ears. With a confused frown, Kurt looked up, gasping.
Sundays meant there was no post. However, someone clearly hadn't gotten the memo, as at least a dozen crows started flying into the Great Hall from the high windows, some flying straight through the main double doors and up the nearest flight of stairs, or down towards the dungeons. Before any of them could register what was happening (or cry, as half of the Hufflepuff first years were doing), four crows landed in front of Kurt and his friends, single wet red roses placed onto their plates, with a small note tied to them.
The crows departed immediately, Kurt watching in awe as the flew out of the hall with ease. He hadn't even truly registered the rose until Santana finally spoke.
"Rosa Sanguinem," Santana breathed, flicking through her Herbology textbook, "They're white roses that bleed in the winter, staining them red. They're super rare."
"Bookworm," Kurt teased, looking down at the wet red rose. He picked his note up, scanning it quickly.
Kurt Vinson is cordially invited to attend The Blood Order.
Burn the rose to confirm your attendance.
"What the hell," Kurt muttered, turning to Quinn, "I thought The Blood Order had been disbanded?"
"Clearly not," Quinn muttered, her eyes straying to Jesse St James, who'd been watching them with a small smirk on his face.
Kurt had heard stories about The Blood Order; a congregation of important pure-blooded Witches and Wizards who intended on keeping the wizarding community as pure as possible. In fact, he'd heard about The Blood Order from his own grandfather, who'd been a prominent member throughout his time at Hogwarts. The Blood Order was the highest form of social hierarchy alive in the Wizarding world, disbanded after complaints flooded the Ministry about the 'abuse of power' that had taken place.
Kurt's eyes caught Sebastian's plate, who'd also received a rose. It seemed that the majority of the recruits had been Slytherins, save for a few Ravenclaws and Gryffindors. Kurt frowned, picking up the rose.
"Are you guys going to do it?" Kurt asked, touching the petals of the rose delicately.
"Obviously," Santana scoffed as Kurt wiped away the blood on his fingers with a napkin, "We'd be idiots not to."
"I'm in," Rachel nodded, a beaming smile on her face, "Secret societies are the pinnacle of social standing."
"I'm in regardless," Quinn shrugged, "My mother is a legacy. If I refused, I'd probably be kicked out."
"So it's settled then," Santana smirked, "Meet in the Slytherin common room at midnight. We'll burn the roses in the fireplace."
Brittany S. Pierce loved being friends with Sam and Blaine. Not only would they sneak her into the kitchens late at night to talk to the House Elves, but they were much nicer than her Ravenclaw housemates. Apart from Artie, Mike and Tina, of course. They were nice, and they liked to spend time with her.
Which is why she liked Sundays so much. It meant they could all curl up in the corner of the library together, helping each other write essays and chat about their week. Artie had just finished up his Potions essay while Tina and Mike had been whispering something about a rose for the past half-hour. Sam had been half-asleep on the desk, and Blaine had been furiously scribbling on parchment since the minute they stepped into the library.
Which left Brittany on her own to wander the Herbology section of the library, her favourite. It had been her favourite subject since her first class in Hogwarts, because not only were Mandrakes adorable, but the plants were really, really pretty too.
Also, the Slytherin girl with dark hair that shared her Herbology class that year was really pretty, too.
Brittany searched the bookshelves, trying to find an updated copy of Magical Shrubs & Trees for the Garden, wanting to learn about the new moss that was growing on her dorm windowsill. She'd also just finished the most recent edition of The Quibbler, and she wanted to find out more about the Eenove needles that had been a large feature in that weeks edition.
She scanned the bookshelves, eagerly searching for the book, but… Nothing. She'd seen it there just the previous week, which was slightly frustrating. Maybe Blaine had taken it after she called his hair a shrub?
She turned around and began to walk back to her friends, when suddenly, she spotted the pretty Slytherin girl in one of the alcoves of the library, a stack of books on her left.
And amongst that stack, was the book Brittany wanted.
"Are you researching Eenove needles too?"
Santana looked up, startled, "Um, excuse me?"
"They grown in special garden shrubs," Brittany explained, watching Santana expectantly.
"No, I was just doing… Homework," Santana replied in confusion, gesturing at the parchment in front of her.
Brittany peered at the parchment, reading a few lines, and without missing a beat, "Rhododendron leaves are arranged spirally, not in straight rows."
Santana groaned, throwing her quill on the desk, "I give up. This is impossible."
Brittany shrugged, whipping her wand out, "You're just looking at the wrong books."
With a whispered 'accio' charm, Brittany summoned her own Herbology textbook, complete with diagrams and explanations. She flicked through the textbook expertly, finding the page immediately.
"Here," Brittany offered, passing Santana her textbook, "Can I borrow your copy of Magical Shrubs & Trees for the Garden? I want to learn how to grow Eenove needles."
Santana raised her eyebrow skeptically, "Sure… And uh, thanks."
Brittany smiled, clutching the textbook to her chest, "Just let me know when you're done with the book."
Brittany turned to leave, eager to dive into her newest find, when a voice stopped her. Specifically, Santana's voice.
"Wait!" Santana called, causing Brittany to turn around, "Maybe… You could tell me about the Eenove needles?"
With a beaming smile, Brittany excitedly made her way back to the girl.
Rachel and Kurt walked into the Slytherin common room, laughing about Quinn's most recent prank on a Gryffindor first-year. However, the duo stopped dead in their tracks at the sight of Santana, resident bad-ass Latina Lopez witch, reading none other than-
"The Quibbler?!" Kurt exclaimed, "Since when do you read that crap?"
"Can't I laugh at the loonies of the world in peace?" Santana complained, her eyes unmoving from the magazine in front of her, "Don't you guys have somewhere to be?"
"Kurt had Prefect duties in half an hour," Rachel answered, "I'm going to go practice my solo for Muggle Music club for next week."
"Thanks for the warning," Santana snorted, "Why are you even in that club?"
"Because Professor Schuester blackmailed her," Kurt teased, earning a glare from Rachel.
"Well I'm sorry I'm not in every elective class ever created," Rachel bit back weakly, "It's not that bad though. Mostly, we just compose music and stuff."
"Sure, loser," Santana retorted, "Hey, do you guys think Eenove needles grow near the Forbidden Forest?"
HORHGORHGOIRGHIORHIHR
Of course. Of course Kurt had to be rota'd with Blaine Anderson for his Sunday Prefect duties.
He'd been dreading this particular shift all week, considering Joe Hart was one of the Prefects on duty, and he refused to wear any sort of footwear that wasn't sandals. Kurt had to bite back about ten thousand different insults when he'd first met the boy, and he didn't know if he could handle a whole Prefect shift with him.
Blaine Anderson, however, was another story.
The two had been wandering the first floor corridors for ten silent minutes. Not a single word had been spoked between them, and it made Kurt tense. He didn't like being on the edge, especially when it was caused by a Hufflepuff of all people.
Eventually, Kurt broke the silence with a simple, "Have you finished the Charms homework?"
"Huh?" Blaine asked in confusion, blinking rapidly, "Oh, sorry, lost in my thoughts. What did you say?"
"The Charms homework?" Kurt smirked, "The one that's due tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I finished it this morning," Blaine nodded, "The Professors are sure hounding in on the homework this year."
"Tell me about it," Kurt rolled his eyes, "I don't think I've seen Santana without a Herbology textbook all week. It's actually worrying."
Blaine chuckled, "An avid fan of plants?"
"Not until this year," Kurt shrugged, "It's like she's been body-snatched. She went to the library earlier. Santana Lopez. In a library."
"Terrifying," Blaine teased, his hands deep in his robe pockets as the two wandered the halls, "So… What are your plans after Hogwarts?"
Kurt shrugged, "Apprentice for my granddad in the Ministry and go from there."
"You want to work in the Ministry?"
"Sure," Kurt replied, "I mean, it's what he expects me to do."
"But what do you want to do?" Blaine pushed, eyeing Kurt inquisitively.
Kurt was lost for words. No one had ever asked him that. His mind flickered to the stack of wizarding fashion magazines underneath his bed in his dorm, to all the notes he'd written with his quill next to the latest robe designs. He thought back to the sketchbook he'd started keeping all those years ago, now abandoned at the back of his trunk. Really, he'd stopped dreaming.
"Is this an interrogation?" Kurt joked, easily brushing off the question, "What do you want to do, Blaine Anderson?"
Blaine shrugged, eyes downcast to the floor, "It's kind of embarrassing… Promise you won't go back to your Slytherin friends and laugh about it?"
"I'll try my best," Kurt offered, smirking at Blaine's playful glare.
"I kind of… Want to make music?" Blaine asked, almost like a question as he finally met Kurt's eyes, "I know it's not exactly the wizarding path, but music has always been a part of me. I'd be stupid to not pursue it, you know?"
Kurt frowned, "Like Muggle music?"
"Yeah," Blaine shrugged, "I mean, that's the dream. Yeah."
Kurt was lost for words. He'd never even considered doing anything that had nothing to do with magic. He was a Wizard, for christ sake! He was going to flaunt his magic until his dying breath. But Blaine… He was willing to sacrifice that?
"Why would you give up something that makes you special?" Kurt questioned earnestly.
"Because magic doesn't make me special," Blaine replied simply, "I determine what makes me special, and at the end of the day, music is what makes me happiest. More than magic, even."
"That's… New," Kurt replied dumbly, "I mean- I'm not judging. I just… I've never considered any other paths, you know?"
"We're wizards, Kurt," Blaine smirked, "'The world's our oyster', or whatever. We can do whatever we want with our magic, really."
Kurt smiled. Blaine was so… Refreshing to be around, "Spoken like a true Hufflepuff."
"Hey! Badgers can be just as cool as snakes!" Blaine defended.
And so, the two continued their patrolling shift like that, chattering idly about anything and everything. Kurt learnt that Blaine wasn't an only child, but had a brother who tended to travel a lot, obviously also a wizard. Kurt didn't delve into his family situation, but was happy to listen to Blaine chat about his childhood stories for a good half-hour. Kurt had actually, surprisingly told Blaine about his unnatural love for Astronomy, the only class in Hogwarts he shared with no one he knew.
"I didn't realise you were such a fan," Blaine remarked, "I mean, aren't there only like, ten people on the course?"
"Nine," Kurt corrected, "Including myself. It's quite an easy class, actually. Not to brag."
Blaine laughed, and Kurt felt his heart flutter, somewhere deep within the walls he'd built around it. No. He wasn't going to fall for Blaine Anderson. He refused.
But then again, Blaine smelt of freshly baked cookies and cinnamon, and the honey-brown reflection in eyes was just so pretty to look at. Maybe, just maybe, Kurt could allow himself a few stray thoughts once in a while.
"It's getting pretty late," Blaine remarked as they passed the large clock in the Clock Tower, "I don't get why they can't just get the paintings and ghosts to patrol the corridors? I mean, it would make our lives so much easier."
Kurt nodded readily, turning to look at the time.
Shit.
Five minutes to midnight.
His mind flashed back to the rose on his bedside table, ready and waiting to be burned in the Slytherin fireplace. Panic surged through his body. He could not be late for this.
"Crap," Kurt cursed, turning to Blaine, "Do you mind if I head off? I promised I'd help Quinn with her Potions homework at midnight. I completely lost track of time and-"
"Go ahead," Blaine smiled easily, "See you in class?"
"Thanks, and yeah," Kurt smiled, squeezing Blaine's shoulder as he rushed past, "See you!"
Kurt rushed out of the Clock Tower and down the nearest set of stairs towards the dungeons. He'd learnt to easily navigate his way through the dark tunnels during his years in Hogwarts, and he thankfully made his entrance to the Slytherin common room with seconds to spare, his friends already surrounding the fireplace.
"You're just in time," Quinn smirked, gesturing to Kurt's rose, which had been neatly placed on the nearby coffee table, "You ready?"
"As I'll ever be," Kurt panted in exhaustion, making his way over to his friends, "Let's do this."