A/n: I'm a terrible person but my real life has been dominating my existence.
I tried so hard to make this cute and fluffy but still congruent with the rest of the story.
Kurt crinkled his nose in distaste, "it's not fair."
"What exactly isn't fair?" Hermione quirked a brow, holding back her amusement at her friend's sulking, "please, enlighten me."
"Tracey Davis has been asked to the Yule Ball three time, Padma Petil is beating them off with a stick," Kurt slammed his book shut, "even Pansy Parkinson has been asked twice."
"And your point being?"
"I've only been asked once," Kurt let out a cry of despair and laid his head on the closed library book before him, "am I so monstrous?"
"You have a boyfriend," Hermione rolled her eyes at her friend's pity party.
"I know that," Kurt rolled his eyes, "it doesn't mean I don't want to be asked."
"People assume you'll be taking Cedric to the ball," Hermione's tone had a whiff of condescent to it.
"I am taking Cedric," Kurt peered at her curiously.
"That's why nobody has asked you."
"Boo," Kurt rolled his eyes.
"Also," Hermione quirked a devious brow, "we're in a love quadrangle with Harry and Cedric."
"Don't you dare," Kurt snapped and pointed an accusatory finger at his best friend, "people don't actually believe that!"
"You'll be surprised what people will believe," Hermione giggled, "Mrs Weasley believed it."
"I heard," Kurt slumped in his seat, "And I've since lost faith in all humanity."
"From whom did you hear?" Hermione quirked a brow, "because it was in a letter to Ron."
"You don't get to know as much as I do by simply having one source," Kurt patted the top of Hermione's head condescendingly, "you learn to keep your ear to the ground."
Hermione furrowed her brow for a moment, "What does that even mean?"
"Hipster Weasley told me," Kurt shrugged, "he was with his mother when she read the article."
"Which one was Hipster Weasley?" Hermione smirked, "was it biceps?"
"It was biceps," Kurt agreed.
"I thought you two didn't like each other," Hermione smirked.
"I'm impossible to hate."
"And that's why you've been asked to the Yule ball so many times," Hermione teased.
"That's an indication that there's something wrong with the world, not me," Kurt crossed his arms angrily, "I've lost all faith in Humankind… Wizardkind too."
"Isn't that a little extreme?" Hermione shook her head, "Especially since you're dating the most eligible boy in school."
"No, I'm inconsolable," Kurt shook his head, "don't try to make me feel better."
"Well," Hermione shrugged, "if I'm not even supposed to try…"
"Since when do you listen to anything I say," Kurt quirked a brow, "try bitch."
"Well, if it makes you feel any better, Anthony asked me to the Yule ball," Hermione grinned.
"Oh my gosh," Kurt pepped up and his eye shot open, "wait, which one?"
"Both," Hermione's smile was slightly devilish, "I told Anthony Rickett I had a date and I told Anthony Goldstein that I'd thrown better away; by which I meant I'd thrown Anthony Rickett away."
"You have a date!" Kurt's eyebrows shot up to his hairline, "does this have anything to do with why you always blush when I mention the library?" Hermione blushed again as Kurt motioned around them, "Is it Neville?"
"No," Hermione's smile reached from ear to ear, "it is not Neville Longbottom."
"Shoot," Kurt snapped his fingers, "I told him to ask you."
"I know," Hermione's smile faltered for a moment, "Ron thought I was giving him the run around when I said I had a date, laughed about it for an hour."
"Oh, my poor little Admetus," Kurt clutched his chest.
"He asked Ginny Weasley afterwards," Hermione shrugged, "she was glad to be asked."
"Oh, my sweet Admetus," Kurt clutched his chest again but this time there was an air of endearment to the action. Kurt schooled his features and stared deeply at Hermione, "If not Neville or either of the Anthonys; who, may I ask, are you taking to the Yule Ball?"
"You promise not to take the mickey out of me?" Hermione fidgeted nervously.
Kurt smiled, "When have I been known to react in any manner but with an air of grace?"
"Might I remind you how you reacted to finding out Scabbers was actually a middle-aged man?" Hermione crossed her arms with an indignant smirk.
"Pish posh," Kurt shook his head, "Ronald had been talking out the side of his neck about my relationship with Cedric and I needed to put him in his place."
"I'm not surprised you two still aren't speaking," Hermione shook her head, "the Kurt and Ron show is a complicated mess."
"I'm speaking to him," Kurt shrugged, "I just don't think there are still grounds on which we might base a friendship."
"Complicated mess," Hermione giggled.
"Don't deflect," Kurt swatted her upper arm playfully, "tell me."
"You promised not to make fun of me, keep that in mind," Hermione leaned forward, her voice was barely above a whisper as she spoke, "Viktor Krum."
Kurt's face lit up, "The Durmstrang champion?" Hermione nodded meekly, "shut the front door."
"Don't tell anyone," Hermione folded into herself for a moment, "other people won't be as happy to hear it as you are."
"On my life, I swear not to whisper a word of this to a soul," Kurt smiled gleefully, "Where'd you meet him?"
"In the library," Hermione blushed.
"I've been coming here for years and I have never met a boy worth dating," Kurt crossed his arms, "but that explains the blush. How'd you meet him?"
"He asked me to help him find a book," Hermione smiled, "that one on dragons you tried to show to Harry."
"It's been a thing that long and I'm just finding out?" Kurt's jaw dropped and he shook his friend, "this is a new low, keeping secrets from your best friend."
"Says the man who has secret meetings with Professor Dumbledore," Hermione crossed her arms, "you have no leg to stand on."
"I'm Kurt Elizabeth Hummel," Kurt fixed an imaginary stray hair, "I always have a leg to stand on."
"Besides," Hermione blushed ever so slightly, "it didn't become a 'thing' till after the first task. He found me in the library to thank me for my assistance and we got to… talking."
"What's he like?" Kurt smiled, "Is he charming and gentle like Cedric?"
"I think he's more shy and sentimental," Hermione giggled.
"Viktor Krum." Kurt giggled, "he's like a chocolate truffle; all hard muscles and biceps on the outside, shy and sentimental on the inside."
"How would Cedric feel, hearing you speak of another man that way?"
"I think a little jealousy might do us some good," Kurt smirked, "it would do us the world of good."
"What would do you good?" Harry gave the pair a large smile as he and Ron slid into the seats across from Kurt and Hermione.
"Kurt was just telling me about how Tracey Davis has been asked to the Yule Ball three times," Hermione smiled at her best friend, "Kurt thinks that if Cedric had to compete for his affection then he would be able to reap greater benefits for himself."
"I don't mean to be that person-" Kurt pursed his lips for a moment, "No, I totally do mean to be that person. Cedric Diggory is very lucky to have me and I think that if he thought that might be under threat then he would treat me even better than he already does."
"You really are something all your own," Harry shook his head with a chuckle, "We were wondering if we could ask you something."
Kurt and Hermione exchanged a look, "How can we help you?"
"How do we talk to girls when they're in a pack?" Harry gave a weak smile.
"We don't give girl advice," Hermione shook her head.
Kurt shrugged, "Can't help with that."
"You helped Finn get with the prettiest girl in school," Ron sniped, "is it just us you don't want to help?"
"Angelina Johnson is the prettiest girl in school," Kurt and Hermione scolded in unison.
"Besides, Finn and Padma have been hot for each other since First Year," Hermione shook her head, "we just needed to give him confidence."
"And," Kurt crossed his arms, "Finn brought us McDonald's, Chocolate cake and later champagne. You didn't even bring us a chocolate frog."
"So you can't help?" Harry batted his eyelashes.
"Fine," Hermione rolled her eyes, "who are you thinking of asking?"
"I was thinking of asking Cho Chang," Harry gave a shy smile, "if that's fine with Kurt."
"Kurt doesn't mind," Hermione shrugged, "so long as you keep her away from Cedric."
"Yes but I heard from Fred, who heard from George, who heard from Angelina Johnson, who heard from Marietta Edgecomb," Kurt gestured for them to come closer, "That Cho is going to the ball with Marcus Belby."
"The stuttering fifth year Ravenclaw," Ron exclaimed in shock.
Kurt nodded solemnly, "That one."
"Why would she go with him?" Ron roared, "Harry's a champion."
"He's cute," Kurt rolled his eyes.
"Smart," Hermione added.
"Shy."
"Witty."
"Tall."
"And Harry hasn't asked her," Hermione added, "she doesn't know he's an option, I doubt she'll dump Marcus just because someone more famous came along."
"Who are you going to ask?" Kurt turned away from a disheartened Harry to Ron.
"Hadn't thought about it," Ron scrunched up his face, "Hermione, you're a girl."
"Where are you going with this?" Hermione raised a curious brow.
"Well," Ron shrugged, "would you like the honour of going to the Yule Ball with me?"
"Ron," Harry peered at his best friend in shock, "Hermione's got a date, remember?"
"She just said that to get rid of Neville," Ron shook his head confidently.
"Even if I had just said that to get rid of Neville, the way you asked me is in no way appropriate," Hermione snapped angrily, "So I'll say the same thing to you I said to Anthony Goldstein, I've thrown better away."
Hermione got to her feet and stormed off, Ron chuckled, "Her loss, she's turned me down and nobody else will ask her."
"I'm sure she'd rather go alone than with an asshole like you," Kurt snorted, "but then again, you were the sixth person to ask her."
Kurt got up to follow Hermione out. As he was checking out both of their books, Hermione having left hers on the table, Harry Potter appeared at his side. Kurt waited for the boy to speak but he didn't say anything, "How can I help you Mr Potter?"
"Tell Hermione that I apologise on Ron's behalf," Harry shook his head, "I don't know what his deal is this year."
"Right," Kurt rolled his eyes, "This year."
"Who can I ask?" Harry blurted out, he blushed as Kurt raised a quizzical brow, "I mean, you know who has been asked to the ball and who hasn't been asked."
Kurt smiled, "You really don't have to go with somebody you're romantically involved with, Neville's taking Ginny and that's purely plutonic. Maybe you can take a friend too," Kurt looked over Harry's shoulder, "someone who'll be surprised to be asked and fun to be with."
Harry followed Kurt's line of vision and smiled, "Of course, good one devil."
~0~
Kurt felt Cedric's foot on his foot once more, "No, you're not even trying."
"I am too trying but this is hard to do in reverse," Cedric furrowed his brow.
"You're doing it forward," Kurt untangled himself from his boyfriend's arms, "I'm the one doing it backwards. If you don't want to do this then we don't have to, we could spend the night sitting down."
"I really want to learn how to dance," Cedric smiled and gently ran his index finger down the contours of Kurt's face, "that way I can rub it in everyone's face that I have the best date there, the most beautiful person I've ever laid eyes on and a god amongst men; nobody else can say that."
"Somebody's taking Hermione Granger," Kurt giggled, "they'll have all the same claims."
"Hermione might be one of the greatest people alive but she's not you," Cedric lowered his hand to Kurt's waist and took Kurt's free hand in his own, "you two could be identical but she wouldn't be you, in the same way you'll never be her." Cedric began to lead their dancing once more, "Front step, cha-cha cha. Back step, cha-cha cha. Side step, front step, back and turn."
"You're improving," Kurt smiled broadly, laying his head on Cedric's shoulder, "I'm so lucky to have someone like you in my life."
"Am I not the lucky one?" Cedric grinned like the Cheshire cat as he twirled Kurt wildly around.
"Not even," Kurt smiled gleefully as he used Cedric's broad shoulders to balance as he fought off the dizziness induced by the twirling, "From the first day, I've been the lucky one."
"How so? How are you the lucky one?" Cedric smiled as he fumbled a step, "tell me how that could be when everyday with you is one I where I grow into a better person. How am I not the luckiest man alive?"
"Because every moment spent with you is one where I can be," Kurt took a deep breath, laying his head on Cedric's chest and listening to the steady rhythm of the taller boy's heartbeat, "vulnerably me. As if whatever pain exists in the depths of your being were a reflection of that in my own soul."
"That's called love," Kurt listened to the modulation in Cedric's breath as the bass vibrated through his chest to Kurt's ear.
Kurt stood up straight, "everyone should be arriving soon."
"Now you can see how I'm comparatively better than they all are," Cedric nibbled on his ear playfully.
"Will the student soon become the master?" Kurt smiled, letting out a small giggle.
"Should we give you a minute?" Santana crossed her arms and cocked her hip.
"Because we could totally come back another time," Dani teased with a broad grin on her pretty face.
"No," Kurt untangled himself from Cedric, "you're just on time."
"Really?" Neville shifted nervously, "because it feels a lot like we entered right in the middle of an intimate moment."
"Cedric and I are in the throes of young love," Kurt shrugged, "all our moments are intimate."
"No fighting that logic," Cedric grinned, "as tempting as it might be."
"Get a room," Ginny rolled her eyes.
"Be nice," Neville nudged her with his shoulders, "or you'll have me stepping on your feet all night when Kurt asks us to leave."
"Nobody's telling Santana to be nice," Ginny pouted.
"Because everyone is afraid of her," Neville hissed back.
Kurt chuckled, "All eyes on me, I'm going to demonstrate the footwork so pay close attention." Kurt began his demonstration of a simple waltz, "Forward, sideways, together, back." Kurt ushered Neville forward, "Do it and I'll follow. Remember, dance should be a song you can see with your eyes."
"Forward, sideways, together, and back," Neville repeated as they circled the dance floor, his eyes planted firmly on his feet.
"Look at your partner," Kurt lifted Neville's chin, "I'm sorry I encouraged you to ask Hermione to the Yule Ball without checking if she had a date first; I thought that if you were the early bird you be more likely to get the worm. Not that Hermione's a prize."
"I'm actually really happy that somebody's asked her," Neville grinned, taking a break from counting his steps.
"How so?" Kurt furrowed her brow, "I thought you liked her."
"I do like her," Neville assured Kurt, "She's amazing but I don't feel possessive of her, she one of my closest friends and she deserves to be happy more than anyone else."
"Gee thanks," Kurt giggled.
"It's just," Neville took a deep steadying breath, "You get a lot of recognition for everything you do but Hermione's more of a behind the scenes girl; it's great to know that somebody else sees her as I see her, sees her for who she really is."
"Neville Christopher Admetus Longbottom," Kurt smiled broadly at the gangly boy before him, "you are more amazing than even you know, you'll be glad to hear that at least six other people see Hermione the way you see her."
"Six?"
"There's me and Harry but we hardly count," Kurt smiled, "There's Anthony Goldstein, Anthony Ricket, Terrence Boot, and Cedric."
"I can't take that much competition," Neville shook his head.
"I'm going to take that as my queue to break this up," Cedric smiled at Neville, "I can't take the competition either."
"Silly boy," Kurt giggled as he was replaced by Ginny in Neville's arms.
~0~
"You know," Kurt put his hands on his hips, "When I got your summons, I thought you were going to show me your dress robes." Kurt stepped over his boyfriend's school uniform, "As intimate as we may be, I don't think I'm ready to watch you take a bath."
"The egg spoke to me," Cedric didn't even turn to look at Kurt as he spoke.
"What?" Kurt leaned over to where Cedric was clutching his golden dragon egg, "are you alright?"
"It sang and it was beautiful," Cedric smiled at Kurt as if noticing him for the first time, "The egg sang to me."
"You're making no sense," Kurt laid a firm hand on his boyfriend's shoulder, "let's start at the beginning and move chronologically from there."
"You have to be in the water to fully experience it," Cedric gave Kurt a dopey smile.
Kurt chortled condescendingly, "Tempting. Are you on drugs?"
"No," Cedric giggled, "Anthony just gave me the herbs of the earth to calm down."
"Did you smoke said herbs?" Kurt crossed his arms.
"Yeah," Cedric smiled even more broadly, "how did you know?"
"I know Larry," Kurt shook his head, "I know all about lighting up a spliff." Kurt leaned forward to feel the water in the large tub, as he'd assumed from the dissipated bubbles- the water was freezing. Kurt tapped the surface with his wand, "Calido. You'll catch a cold."
"Toasty," Cedric smiled up at him.
"Better isn't it?" Kurt smiled at the boy, "Tell me what the egg said."
"Get into the water," Cedric smiled up at him, "it's nice and warm like when you-"
"Would you like a drooble?" Kurt interrupted as he sat down behind Cedric.
"Do you have that cloud chocolate I like?" Cedric looked at him with pleading eyes.
"Lamingtons or Turkish Delight?" Kurt furrowed his brow, "Finn calls both by the same name."
"The witch's one," Cedric leaned up to kiss Kurt's cheek.
"Turkish Delight," Kurt chuckled, "You're in luck, I have some in my room."
"Are you propositioning me Mr Hummel?"
"Am I ever not prepositioning you?" Kurt purred in response, "Venir." A small wooden chest appeared in Kurt's hands, Kurt placed a powdery pink block of gelatinous goodness on Cedric's tongue, "tell me what the egg said."
"I'm not the singer you are," Cedric blushed as he spoke with a mouth full of Turkish Delight.
Kurt grinned, "I'll allow it."
"Come seek us where our voices sound, we cannot sing above the ground," Cedric's voice was a low croon, the boy was tone deaf but it wasn't completely unpleasant; Kurt suspected his affections made him biased. He watched in amazement as Cedric sang the clue, "An hour long you'll have to look, to recover what we took."
Kurt squeezed his boyfriend's cheek, "only ever sing for me."
"Now you sing for me," Cedric smiled broadly.
"You're the one on drugs, not me," Kurt blushed.
"That one from the world cup," Cedric beamed.
"I thought you didn't like that one," Kurt teased, "besides, I like to leave Ella Fitzgerald to Ella Fitzgerald when I'm sober."
"Sing me something pretty," Cedric laid his head on Kurt's lap, wetting his slacks.
Kurt cleared his throat, "Are you certain when you say you care?
Do you love me with some love to spare?
I'm gonna ease right into our little love affair,
So be certain when you say you care."
Kurt hummed into the boy's ear, "that was so pretty."
"You're pretty," Kurt countered, knowing that asking the boy about the clue now would be a waste of a beautiful moment.
~0~
Kurt stood in the Gryffindor common room with Denis Creevey bouncing excitedly at his side, "Is everyone gone?" Hermione called down from the top of the stairs with a nervous croak.
"Yes," Kurt giggled, "just Denis and I are left, at my insistence the juniors have all gone to watch the procession."
"Okay," Kurt could hear Hermione gulp from where he stood at the foot of the stairs leading up to the Girls dormitories. Hermione stood at the top of the stairs in a black floor length sheath dress with a sequence grey sleeveless bodice, her hair was sleek and loosely knotted at the top of her neck; she was dressed very simply but with a subtle air of old Hollywood glamour, most importantly it felt like Hermione- modestly exceptional. She gave him a shy smile, "I put it together myself. You don't hate it, do you?"
"I'm completely in love with this," Kurt took a deep breath, "if it were at all possible, you would have just turned me straight."
"My crush on you has increased tenfold," Denis boasted.
"Thank you Denis," Hermione giggled, she then turned and eyed Kurt's cloak suspiciously, "What are you wearing?"
"I wanted you to be the first to see me," Kurt untied his cloak and let it fall off his shoulders. Hermione gasped and he was glad to know that despite always looking great, he could still out do himself. Kurt proudly fixed his cross bowtie, the one part of his outfit that wasn't strictly traditional. Kurt twirled on the spot and his deep green and navy kilt lifted slightly from the momentum. Kurt smoothed down the golden buttons on his traditional black cropped blazer before speaking again, "Do you like it?"
"The kilt's a little short," Hermione teased as she grazed the space between the hem of his kilt and the top of his white knee-highs, "but that makes it that much more of a Kurt Elizabeth Hummel masterpiece, I like the fur pouch especially."
"It's called a sporran," Kurt beamed as they exited the portrait hole, "and this particular tartan is called a black watch."
"Honey," Hermione grabbed his hand as they climbed down the stairs, "save it for Oprah."
Kurt swished his fly plaid so it hit Hermione gently on the side of her head, "You are my Oprah."
"Watch it with that," Hermione scowled at him, "or I'll steal your brooch and you'll lose that piece of arbitrary fabric draped on your shoulder."
"It's traditional," Kurt rolled his eyes, he turned to Hermione as they were one corner from the grand staircase that led to the procession, "you ready?"
"As I'll ever be," Hermione shrugged. The pair came around the corner to a sea of junior students who had come to observe, in that sea they could see the four champions; Fleur Delacour was with Roger Davis, a seventh year Ravenclaw prefect and Headboy; Harry stood chatting to his date, Luna Lovegood; and the remaining two watched in awe as their dates descended the grand staircase together.
"Hermoninny," Viktor Krum smiled ever so slightly before kissing Hermione's hand, "You look exquisite."
"Thank you," Hermione blushed, "You look dashing yourself. This is my best friend Kurt."
"Hermione's been hiding you well," Kurt smiled as they shook hands, "I believe we've met before, if only in passing."
"Yes, the eve that the champions were selected and again on the morning of the first task," Viktor smiled, his English came slowly and thickly accented in a low gravely voice, "Hermoninny speaks of you constantly, I feel like I know you well already."
"Terrible things only I'm sure," Kurt wagged a brow at the boy, receiving a shy giggle and a clap on the shoulder in response.
"Kurt Elizabeth Hummel," Cedric smiled broadly in a black tuxedo, "You take my breath away and give me reason to keep breathing all at once."
"Cedric Diggory," Kurt smiled back at his boyfriend who was clad in the spiffiest tuxedo Kurt had ever seen, "the more time I spend with you, the luckier I feel. To have you in my life is the gift that keeps giving."
They embraced each other and just before they could kiss, Professor McGonagall appeared in emerald green dress robes, "There will be time for that later, you two." She gave him and Cedric a pointed look, "but now, it is time for the four champions and their dates to lead into the ball and open the dancing."
"We have to dance?" Harry's eyes shot wide open, "I thought that was optional."
"Don't worry," Luna smiled broadly and winked at the boy, "I got you."
"Will you still love me tomorrow?" Cedric whispered in his ear, "If I embarrass myself, I mean."
"If you don't embarrass yourself then you won't have to find out," Kurt teased as they linked elbows.
The four champions lined up in the order they had placed in the first task, the large doors leading into the great hall opened and they led into the large room to the sounds of an elegant orchestra waltz. Kurt was floored by what Professor Flitwick had done with the place, it was truly a winter wonderland; there were elegant ice sculpture that doubled as cider fountains, white organza draping from floor to ceiling, crystal chandeliers, and bouquets of white chrysanthemums, hydrangeas and carnations all around the room.
As the champions entered arm in arm with their dates, there was some clear shock to Harry Potter and Luna Lovegood, but the one that threw everyone for a loop was Hermione Granger and Viktor Krum. People not only gaped at the dolled up Hermione, the odd boy receiving a reproachful nudge from their date, but at the idea that they had walked by the natural beauty and failed to pay her a moment's thought, and here she was in the arms of one of the most famous and strapping young men.
Kurt could only smile, for people were finally seeing what he had long seen; Hermione Granger was multi-faceted. Yes, she was a book worm and an over achieving type-A but she was also one of the most beautiful people he knew, inside and out.
Cedric held out an inviting hand as they stood at the centre of the dance floor, their cue sounded and the pair began to waltz merrily. The first people to join the champions were Professor Dumbledore and Madame Maxime, and Professor McGonagall and Don Karkaroff. As Kurt danced happily in Cedric's arms, he noticed Neville and Ginny join in on the dancing whilst Luna led Harry around the dance floor. Kurt looked up at Cedric, thinking about how perfect this moment was, here in each other's arms as they danced happily, as if they were the only people in the great hall.
The waltz was followed by a more contemporary and jazzy tune with a distinctly Iberian tone, the faint hearted cleared the dance floor and only the skilled and the brave remained. Kurt moved to leave the dance floor but Cedric held him firmly in place, Kurt raised a curious brow, "Feeling brave?"
"And eager to carry innocence with me into oblivion," Cedric smirked broadly.
"I'm sure that's the first time I've been accused of being innocent," Kurt chuckled as they began to move slowly and sultrily in time with the tango music that filled the great hall.
"I'm sure it will be the last," Cedric chuckled, "You dance as if you've laid with the devil."
"Mr Diggory," Kurt wagged a brow as the third pass came round, "is that an accusation or a proposition?"
"Maybe a bit of both," Cedric shrugged, "Maybe a bit of neither."
"Don't get fresh with me young man," Kurt raised a finger for the sliver of a moment before moving it to Cedric's waste and beginning to lead their dancing.
"You want me to find out the answer to that question?" Cedric grumbled as he failed terribly at following Kurt's lead, "Don't you?"
Kurt dipped Cedric and grinned villainously as he held him suspended for a moment, "maybe it's not that I've lain with the devil but that I'm wrestling with the devil within."
Kurt raised Cedric back to standing and they stood chest to chest as the tango faded into a merry foxtrot. Their dancing was interrupted by a very brave man, "May I steal Mr Hummel away from you for just one dance?"
"Of course headmaster," Cedric bowed, "I'll go get something to drink, maybe talk to Pot- Harry."
Kurt smiled at his boyfriend before turning to the headmaster, "Professor Dumbledore, I've been meaning to speak to you."
"You have?" Professor Dumbledore quirked a brow, "you usually just show up in my office when you have something to say, you also shout in these meetings and make threats."
"I'm not the one who's out of character here," Kurt pursed his lips, "and it's for that reason that I've taken on a new project."
"Might I ask what this new project might be?" the older man quirked a brow.
"You wouldn't get an answer even if you did ask," Kurt smiled.
"What role am I supposed to play in this project of yours?"
"I need for you to follow the advice of a wise man and 'let things play out, for the time being at least'."
Professor Dumbledore gaped at him for a split second before schooling his features, "shall I cast the memory aside."
"You can trust me," Kurt smiled, "at present your interests are my interests."
"Have I ever told you of this lovely bathroom on the seventh floor I once used by chance, late one night?" Professor Dumbledore raised a quizzical brow, "it was simply exquisite, but I've never seen it during waking hours so I've since concluded that it was a dream."
"My dreams are more interesting," Kurt shrugged, "Professor Trelawney would be so happy to hear about them."
"What is your divination paper on?"
"Tyromancy, the use of cheese to see the future," Kurt shrugged, "you don't want to know about my dreams?"
"As I recall, you banned me from asking about your dreams," Professor Dumbledore shrugged, "I think it was after some shouting, you only described them as nightmares."
"As is fit to call them, now that I understand them better I am able surmise that they are not my dreams," Professor Dumbledore was shocked by Kurt's confession, "I am not in any of these dreams nor am I linked to any of them, I've been robbed of the ability to dream by synchronicity that transcends space and possibly time."
"Oh wow," Professor Dumbledore stopped dancing and bowed, "that does sound nightmarish, auf Wiedersehen."
"Auf Wiedersehen Professor," Kurt bowed as well. Before Kurt could recompose himself, Harry grabbed him and started dancing with him by force, "What is happening?"
"I think your boyfriend just prepositioned me," Harry whispered.
"What?" Kurt furrowed his brow, "what did he say to you?"
"He invited me to take a bath in the prefect's bathroom," Harry shuddered.
"And he told you to bring your golden egg," Kurt rolled his eyes when Harry nodded, "that's not a come on, that was him advising you on how to deal with your golden egg without breaking the rules."
"That makes more sense," Harry nodded, "So, Hermione and Viktor Krum."
"Yes," Kurt nodded, waiting for a misstep on the green eyed boy's part.
"Ron looks like he's about to die," Harry chuckled.
"How did he end up with Pavarti?" Kurt furrowed his brow, "I thought Dean was going to ask her."
"He did," Harry nodded, "she said no, apparently she got a prophecy that she would go to the ball with a champion and was holding out for me or Viktor, when neither of us had asked her last night she asked Ron."
Kurt giggled, "maybe in an alternate universe. I have a boyfriend who requires my attention."
Kurt walked to the table where Cedric was sitting beside Viktor and Hermione, "Kurt." Cedric smiled, "we were just talking about you."
"Were you?" Kurt smiled shyly, "what about me were you discussing?"
"We were telling Viktor about you are balancing having a close friend and a boyfriend as champions," Hermione explained, "it required a little back story."
"They were telling me about how you and Harry fought a basilisk and an evil wizard together," Viktor explained excitedly, "saved little red haired girl's life. Fought dementors, saved Hermowninny's life."
"Hermione likes to downplay her role in all of this," Kurt blushed, "she's probably the only reason any of us are alive but I came here to steal my boyfriend back for one more dance before dinner is served."
"We should go dance as well," Hermione smiled at Viktor, "Let's not let Neville and Ginny have all the fun."
The four of them joined Neville and Ginny on the dance floor, which was now being dominated by Hagrid and Madame Maxime. Not solely due to their large size but more so because of how mismatched they were; Madame Maxime was a tall and elegant lady, polished in every way, and Hagrid was more rough around the edges- a testimony to how opposites attract. Kurt had never attested to that theory, mostly because of how similar he and Cedric were, their main differences were in their opinion of quidditch and that Cedric was more laid back than Kurt was. Kurt smiled at Hermione as they made eye contact for a moment, she smiled back and in that moment he knew the night was perfect in every way.
When they sat down for dinner, the champions were seated at the head table with the three headmasters, Ludo Bagman and surprisingly, Percy Weasley.
"Percy," Kurt smiled devilishly, "what are you doing here? Does somebody need some photocopying done?"
Hermione, Harry, Luna and Cedric giggled, "Be nice Kurt." Hermione spoke with false sternness, "maybe he's been sent with a message."
Viktor turned to Hermione with a furrowed brow, "I don't get it." He was silent as Hermione whispered an explanation to him, when Hermione was done he nodded and chuckled heartily.
Percy, with his nose turned up at them, spoke in a sharp and falsely level voice, "are you quite done?"
"No, I have one," Harry grinned, "could you pass a message to Hedwig when you go back to your office in the owlery?"
Viktor raised an open palm, "would you like some bird seed?"
There was a round of laughter all around the table, much to Percy's chagrin, "I'll have you know that I've been promoted to Mr Crouch's Assistant."
"What were you before?"
"I was an administrative assistant and now I'm his assistant," Percy scoffed.
"That doesn't sound like a promotion," Kurt shook his head, "did you get a raise?"
"Well," Percy scratched the back of his neck, "no."
"Does he know your name now?" Harry chided the older boy.
"Well, no."
"Do you still get Coffee and write memos?" Hermione tried.
"Yes, but-"
"That doesn't sound like a promotion to me," Kurt shook his head.
"Sounds like you're still doing the job of an owl or a few simple enchantments," Luna shrugged, "definitely not a promotion."
"I now have proxy to fill in for Mr Crouch in his absence," Percy smirked, "and I can vote on his behalf, not at the Wizengamot but during the Triwizard tournament. Like tonight, he's at home ill."
The group of six huddled for a moment before all nodding their agreement, "still not a promotion." Viktor shrugged, "sounds like he's letting you do tasks he doesn't want to do and slapping a new tittle on it."
Before Percy had a chance to say anything more, Ludo Bagman cut him off by forcing himself between the elder Weasley and the Champions, "Evening Champions and dates, having a smash?"
"Yes," Kurt spoke monotonously, his tone drenched in sarcasm, "we're having a really rad night."
"Far out," Ludo grinned, missing the facetious nature of Kurt's response, "Having any luck with those golden eggs?" Cedric, Fleur and Viktor nodded, Harry shook his head, "What about making plans as to how to tackle the task?"
"I am ready," Fleur nodded, her eyes sharp and her competitive nature evident in the way she eyed her competition, "the task could be tomorrow and I would be ready to go."
"I need a little more time," Cedric and Viktor admitted in chorus, Kurt and Hermione exchanged a look of amusement.
"What about you Potter?" Ludo wagged his brow at the dark haired boy.
"It's coming along," Harry muttered between spoonfuls of his split pea soup.
"Good to hear," Ludo smiled nervously and surveyed the area around him, "Good to hear indeed, I'm going to go to the little wizards' room."
"May I be excused would suffice," Madame Maxime sneered.
"Quite right," Kurt echoed, "We don't need the intimate details of your life."
"Or any detail at all," Hermione grumbled with her nose scrunched up in distaste, "least of all when we're trying to eat."
"Do tell Ms Granger," Professor Dumbledore turner to face her, "How is SPEW coming along?" her leaned closer to Don Karkaroff, "You know Ms Granger is the brightest witch of the age."
"Ah, yes," Roger Davis smiled, "I've heard of this project that was started by Ms Granger and Mr Hummel extensively from Professor Burbage's new alternate, Commrade Flamingcough."
"Flaming Cough?" Fleur knitted her brow.
"There was a student with Dragon pox in the infirmary when she was forming the persona, be glad you didn't witness the seizure that preceded it," Kurt explained, "back to the dazzling Hermione Granger."
Hermione blushed for a moment, "we're off to a steady start, due to the delicate nature of the situation and our desire for sustainable change we have been quite meticulous in mapping out our journey to elvish freedom-"
"Elvish freedom?" Percy scoffed, "Don't be ridiculous."
"I'm sorry," Hermione glared at the boy, "but did anybody ask for your opinion?"
"Burn," Viktor coughed with a chuckle.
Percy pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose in horror, "Why I never-"
"Didn't think so," Hermione turned back to the headmaster, who had an impressed smirk on his face, "As I was say-"
"Ten points to Gryffindor," Professor Dumbledore smiled broadly.
"We started our plan by visiting the Hogwarts' kitchens," Hermione explained, "we felt that house elves who worked in moderate to good conditions would be more open to receiving freedom but we were faced with resistance, we've since made an ally who liaisons with the masses on our behalf."
"A house elf ally?" Madame Maxime was shocked by the notion.
"Yes," Kurt answered on Hermione's behalf, "Dobby, a free elf. It was a matter of refining his familiarity with his letters and then negotiating a fair compensation for his services."
"Wait," Harry raised his hands, "Dobby, Dobby the house elf? The one I know?" Kurt, Hermione and the Headmaster nodded in unison, "Where ever did you find him?"
"He works in the Hogwarts' kitchens," Hermione explained.
"As a free elf," Kurt elaborated, "the beginning of an era."
"That's brilliant," Harry beamed.
"He's so lovely and kind," Luna affirmed, "Quite sharp as well, he took to his letters really fast."
"That's Dobby for you," Harry smiled from ear to ear, "I should go see him."
"That's nice Harry Potter," Luna patted him on the shoulder, "but I think Hermione should carry on with her story."
"Thank you Luna," Hermione smiled broadly but Luna's attention had turned back to playing with the layers of white organza that made up her dress robes, "We've surveyed the house elves and are now more familiar with their narrative of their plight. We've since incorporated that into our plan, there'll be an article about it in The Quibbler."
"The what?" Cedric furrowed his brow.
"The magazine I give you every month," Kurt hissed at his boyfriend, "the editor, Xenophilius Lovegood, is Luna's father. We've had this discussion before, multiple times."
"Your father is Xenophilius Lovegood?" Madame Maxime beamed at Luna.
"Oui Madame," Luna bowed her head slightly.
"I once read his book, Going Fuzzy and Other Side Effects."
"I read that one," Roger Davis announced, "I heard the guy who wrote it was quite… eccentric."
"Eccentric is what boring people call people with personality," Viktor shrugged nonchalantly.
"Touché," Roger chuckled.
"Hold up," Kurt gaped at Luna, "Your father is a published author?"
"Yes," Luna shrugged, "he was a lot more popular in foreign markets, Flourish & Blotts wanted to market it as speculative fiction and he wouldn't have it."
Madame Maxime looked around with a false smile on her face as if to ask what the book was, if not speculative fiction, she settled on, "Oh, I see."
For the remaining courses of their banquet dinner, conversation seemed to be dominated by the Champions' dates. Due to the fact that Roger Davis and Luna Lovegood were both Ravenclaws, and both Kurt and Hermione had almost been placed in the same house, it was easy for the four of them to keep a conversation going due to many shared interests; whilst they enjoyed their dinner the conversation moved from politics, to academics, to the fact they'd have fared better in the tournament than their dates, and even their opinions on Professor Burbage's new alternate.
When dinner was over, three of the four champions returned to the dance floor; Luna and Harry moved to sit with Ron as Pavarti had abandoned him for a Durmstrang gentleman who was more willing to dance with her. Kurt paid little mind to the sulking red head as he and Cedric went back to dancing.
"Oh my word, oh my word!" Ginny grabbed Kurt by the shoulders, separating the pair, "Oh my word."
"What's wrong with you Ginny?" Kurt glared at her excitement, "Are you possessed by an evil overlord again?"
Her face fell, "what? No."
"Then why are you touching me," Kurt glared at her hands so hard she retracted her hands.
"The Weird Sisters are about to go on!" Ginny squealed excitedly.
Kurt turned to Cedric with a small smile after dismissing Ginny to spread her cheer elsewhere, "Cedric, aren't you a moderately enthusiastic fan of that band?"
"I practically hate them compared to how you feel about Roberta Flack," Cedric teased as he nibbled on Kurt's earlobe.
"Mr Diggory, Mr Hummel," Professor McGonagall scolded, "Keep it PG."
"There goes setting the night to music," Kurt chuckled.
Hermione came up and hugged him from behind, "Viktor and I were planning on going up to the Astronomy tower for a little drink," she smacked his thigh suggestively when she said the word 'drink', "Would you two care to join us?"
"Sounds like fun to me," Cedric crossed his arms as he stared at the pair.
"What will we be drinking?" Kurt smiled.
Hermione smiled broadly, "it's a gin night."
"Good," Kurt nodded, "wouldn't want to smell too strongly of alcohol when we see our parents tomorrow morning."
Hermione stuck out her tongue, "I'll go see who wants to join us."
"You can take your hands off my hipflask now," Kurt shook his head, removing Hermione's hands from his thighs, "You have me, no need to convince me."
"I might get jealous," Cedric grinned.
"Might you call the action…" Kurt paused, placing Cedric's hand where Hermione's had just been, "tempting."
"Ever so tempting," Cedric moved his hand to a more chaste location, "but as the muggles say, lead us not into temptation."
"Only some muggles say that," Kurt giggled.
"Let's play pretend then," Cedric teased.
Kurt giggled, "Under normal circumstances, only Hermione is allowed to match her wits with mine but you're so damn cute when you do it."
"Cuter than Hermione?" Cedric quirked a brow.
Kurt shook his head, "don't set yourself up for failure, if I've learned anything from being in direct competition with Hermione Granger, it's that you always come in second place."
"Not even when I do this?" Cedric leaned in and kissed Kurt.
"Careful," Kurt chided the taller boy, "Professor McGonagall might see us."
"Let her see."
"Just as you have your boundaries," Kurt put a finger on the boy's lips, "I have mine, Professor McGonagall and I share a relationship based on mutual admiration and respect."
"Suppose you're ready to rip me a new one as well?"
Kurt turned to see an angry Ron standing behind him with arms crossed, Kurt raised a curious brow, "What on earth do you mean?"
"Your friend Hermione just told me to mind my own business when I was looking out for her best interest," Ron stood with his arms crossed expectantly.
"I don't think Hermione needs anyone to look out for her best interests," Kurt giggled, "that was your first mistake." Kurt untangled himself from Cedric and squared up with Ronald, "Your second mistake was to think that I had any thoughts of you or to share with you."
"I don't know what's gotten into the pair of you but your letting these boys go to your heads," Ron spat.
Kurt stopped for a moment, "or maybe you're letting the jealousy you feel as a result of not having any intimate relationship got to your head."
"Well," Kurt gave a small smile as Ron's words died in his throat.
"I don't think you should join us for drinks," Kurt turned his nose up at Ron, "I don't think you'd be welcome in your current state." Kurt moved to leave, "I really think if you'd put more effort into those robes they'd have a lovely vintage feel to them, can I have them when you're done?"
Ron eyed him in bewilderment, "sure."
I changed Hermione's dress to the one Emma Watson wore to the 2015 Oscars because I HATED the one from the movies and the books, I thought it was too over the top for Hermione.
If you're curious about Kurt's dreams, you should be. that is totally my intention, it is my new mystery.
Calido- Spanish for warm, according to google translate.
Reviews are love!