Harry smiled nervously as Padma and her group slipped into the room chattering happily, pausing to throw him a smile and a wave before they went and found an available seat. They were just waiting for the Slytherins to arrive, and even though Harry was sure word had gotten around that they would be joining them, he hoped that no one said anything.

Besides the brief conversation this morning, this would be the real test as to whether his friends and Blaise's could really mix together. Blaise had sat with him for lunch as promised, but his friends had sat at their normal table, and supper he had greeted Harry at the doors with a gentle kiss and confirmation of the time before going and sitting at the Slytherin table.

He had already learned more about Blaise however, and the more he did learn the more he liked the man. Though quiet he had interacted with the others at the table, making a point to talk to Neville about herbology, no doubt to try and put the timid Gryffindor at ease with him after this morning.

It was just nice being able to interact with the other, it had been a long two weeks since the Courting gift had been sent, and it had driven him mad not being able to speak to the Slytherin after their kiss, but the traditions said that the instigator of the Courting was not allowed to interact with the other for the first two weeks so as not to pressure them, and to make sure that the first date was truly of their own accord. A little silly to Harry's mind, but he had stuck to it.

Now though he could interact with Blaise, and he found himself searching for him in the corridors between lessons. The others had, of course, started teasing him about it when they realised what it was he was doing, but they seemed happy, truly happy, for him. They also seemed to genially like Blaise, each of them finding something to talk to him about.

"Stop worrying about it," Ron snorted throwing his arm over Harry's shoulder and hugging him.

"What if they don't get on though, or there is a fight," Harry grimaced.

"As long as Draco's lot don't show up I seriously doubt it. We all have a common point of interest to ensure we get on," Ron smiled, before rolling his eyes at Harry's blank look. "You and Blaise idiot,"

"Besides you should be worrying more about the letter winging itself to your overprotective godfathers," Luna snickered perching herself daintily on his lap.

"Ugh don't. Do you think the phrasing is right?" Harry grimaced. It had taken him nearly three hours to write the letter to Sirius and Remus explaining what was happening, and he still hadn't really been happy with it. But he had had to send it as it was to be in time for the meeting.

"I think it is the phrasing that is least likely to cause them to set up camp in the cave in Hogsmeade again," Ron said, surprisingly tactfully.

"Ugh, I'm going to have to spend my first Hogsmeade trip talking to them rather than having a date with Blaise," Harry pouted.

"You really think Sirius isn't going to floo call before then?" Luna raised her eyebrow.

"Sassy doesn't suit you," Harry huffed.

"I don't know, it kind of sort of makes you look cute," Ron mumbled turning an impressive shade of red. Harry forgot his misery a little to smirk at his friend.

The silence that fell over the group told him that the Slytherins had just walked in. Looking up he had to suppress a smile as he watched Blaise's eyebrow twitch as he visibly fought down the possessive urges in him at the sight of Luna perched on his knee and Ron's arm around his shoulders.

As a reward, and to make a point, he slid Luna onto Ron's knee and made his way quickly to Blaise, wrapping his arms around him in a hug. Blaise's larger hand gripped his chin and gently tilted his head back to press a kiss lightly to eager lips, Harry pressing back to deepen it.

"This is a little bigger than we were expecting!" Adrian whistled looking around at the faces staring back at them.

"Harry, I really have to protest!" Ginny called out from the back of the group. The Slytherins all tensed visibly.

"Yes?" Harry didn't think this was going the way they thought it would, but you could never be 100% sure with his adoptive sister's temper.

"Yes! If you adopt Slytherins as well you are going to have less time for us!" Michael Corner nodded.

"I vote we get rid of the Hufflepuffs to make room for them!" Terry Boot smirked teasingly.

"Hey!" Ernie puffed himself up.

"What he isn't going to get rid of the Slytherins considering his sweetheart is one of them," Ginny shrugged.

"Did you really just refer to Blaise Zabini as a sweetheart?" Hannah Abbott tried to smother her laughter behind her hand as she stared at Blaise's impressively muscled frame towering behind Harry.

"Well...man hunk?" Ginny suggested. Harry choked and went bright red, covering his face as he felt as though he was burning up. Blaise's hand touched his waist gently and held him there as Neville waved his arms.

"That's enough, leave them alone!" He scolded.

"We are interested in hearing what this D.A thing is," Theo drawled as he walked passed Harry and Blaise and flopped onto a chair making himself comfortable.

"Oh, it's a group that Harry set up last year to teach us Defence considering how shit Umbridge was at teaching us. We all got Outstanding marks last year. He's amazing at teaching!" Natalie beamed at Harry who was just getting redder and redder.

"I'm not that good, you just needed the right encouragement," Harry waved them off.

"He really is, I was picking up spells faster than I ever have," Harry groaned softly as they started singing his praises, and dropping exceedingly none subtle hints that they wanted him to start up the D.A again.

He started slightly when Blaise's hand moved from his waist to wrap his arm fully around his waist and tug him back against his larger frame. Tilting his head back he looked up at Blaise, confused when he saw serious grey eyes considering him with something thoughtful in his eyes that Harry couldn't place.

"Are you two going to stare at each other all night, or are you going to teach us?" Ginny asked startling Harry and making him realise that he and Blaise had just been standing staring at each other for who knew how long. He flushed and moved a little away from Blaise, but there had been something incredibly calm and soothing about just being in the other man's presence.

"Ok, so there are three spells tonight that people seem the be struggling with," Harry started before falling back into teaching mode which he actually felt quite comfortable in and started explaining the spells.


By the end of the night, he was quite happy with the progress that everyone had made. There were still a few people struggling with the spells, but they were going to carry on trying, and if they had caught the grasp of it by the following evening Harry had promised them he would help them again.

But more than that everyone had gotten on well together, the ten Slytherins seemed to have slipped into the group well, and they had all gotten on together. There were even a few of them chatting to those from other houses as they wandered from the room.

"That was impressive," Blaise said stepping up next to Harry and brushing some hair from his face. Harry realised that he didn't quite want to say goodnight to Blaise yet, and a quick glance at his watch told him that they still had a little time before curfew.

"Come with me?" He asked softly. Blaise's grey eyes widened and he looked pleased as he nodded.

"Harry?" Ron asked.

"I'm taking Blaise to meet Dobby," He called over his shoulder.

"Can you bring me something back please?" Ron called.

"Yes,"

"And me," Seamus called.

"And me," Parvati called.

"And me," Neville called.

"And..."

"Yes yes! I get it I will ask Dobby to bring some things up to you!" Harry rolled his eyes before dragging Blaise out of the room.

"I am a little bit worried about asking you where we are going," Blaise said dryly glancing over his shoulder back into the room where they could hear Harry's friends laughing.

"It's a surprise," Harry said impishly.

"Ok," Blaise shrugged placing Harry's hand into the crook of his arm.

"What just like that?" Harry asked a little surprised.

"I don't particularly mind where we go as long as I get a little more time with you," Blaise said honestly. Harry blushed a bright red again, lowering his eyes to the floor. "May I ask you something?"

"Of course," Harry looked back up a little startled at the suddenly serious tone in Blaise's voice.

"I have told you I have been watching you for a while,"

"In your cute creepy way, yes," Harry couldn't help but tease.

"Yes," Blaise glanced down at him looking amused. "I have noticed that you really don't like your fame,"

"Yes," Harry frowned a little wondering where this was going. He led Blaise down another staircase as the Slytherin clearly tried to decide what to say.

"You seem... to genuinely dislike compliments, or at the very least they make you uncomfortable, even from your friends, from me," Blaise noted.

"I'm sorry," Harry grimaced.

"I'm not having a go at you or trying to make you feel bad. I just want to understand, and I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable with me," Blaise shook his head.

"Hold that thought or a couple of minutes?" Harry asked stopping outside the entrance to the kitchens. He was relieved as he reached out to tickle the pear that this gave him a few minutes to formulate a response to a very difficult conversation.

Blaise watched bemused as the pear giggled before Harry opened the portrait to reveal the kitchens. They stepped inside as he looked around a little wide-eyed, staring at the place students could only dream of seeing. And of course, Harry knew where the kitchens were.

"Hi Dobby," Harry smiled just as a House-elf barrelled into his legs squeaking in delight. Blaise reached out and braced Harry so he didn't fall over, before glancing down completely bemused at the brightly dressed house elf. "Dobby this is Blaise, Blaise this is my friend Dobby,"

"Dobby is happy to be meeting Master Harry's Blazy," Dobby squeaked bowing.

"Ah, the same to you," Blaise blinked.

"Dobby could you put together a snack basket to take to the Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw common rooms, and could you take a snack basket to Theo Nott and his group in Slytherin and tell him it's a gift from Harry and Blaise please," Harry asked. Blaise shook his head as he watched Harry with a warm expression.

"Is Master Harry wanting anything?" Dobby squeaked.

"Could I have a hot chocolate and a slice of cheesecake please Dobby," Harry smiled.

"And Master Harry's Blazy?" Dobby looked at Blaise.

"Tea and chocolate cake," Blaise said before blanching at the look he got from Harry. "Thank you?" Harry looked a little mollified so he guessed he had gotten it right.

"Straight away sirs. Your normal table is there Master Harry," Dobby smiled before bouncing off happily.

"Thank you, Dobby," Harry said before taking Blaise's hand and leading him over to the corner where there was a little sofa and table set up by the fire.

Blaise watched as Harry stripped off his robes leaving himself in just his trousers and shirt, before toeing off his shoes and curling up on one half of the sofa. When he looked up he tilted his head confused at the intensity of Blaise's stare.

"Sorry, I have never got to see you so...relaxed, it's nice, intimate," Blaise explained as he peeled off his own robes and took a seat next to Harry.

"Thank you, Dobby," Harry smiled as the House-elf placed their requested items onto the table in front of them before hurrying back over to help put together the baskets that the other House-elves were happily creating.

"Harry?" Blaise asked seeing the tenseness in the other.

"The magic binding us from discussing personal things about each other is present during the whole courting, until our betrothal or the breaking of our Courting, right?" Harry asked softly.

"Yes, and I would not break your trust, Harry," Blaise frowned.

"Blaise, it's not that I don't want to trust you, but I don't really know you, and I have had my trust betrayed before now by people I knew well," Harry grimaced at the wounded look he was given.

"I understand, I hope, that I may come to earn your trust," Blaise clearly wasn't happy, but he understood.

"I hope so too," Harry smiled before taking a breath. "I told you that my muggle relatives didn't like me or having e in their home," Harry started to explain wringing his hands together.

"Yes," Blaise said slowly, clearly guessing he was not going to like whatever he was about to hear.

"I didn't hear very many nice things growing up. My teachers in school or Mrs Figg who babysat me while the Dursleys went away on holiday were the closest I came. I... struggle to hear nice things about myself, when people compliment me I don't really know what to do with myself, and I struggle to believe them. Ron and the Weasleys, Sirius and Remus noticed and they have been...working on it, but still..."

Blaise looked at the gorgeous man in front of him, and could only imagine what his childhood had been like if he struggled to even cope with Blaise telling him that he wanted more time with him, and inferring that he enjoyed spending time with him. The Slytherin in home shouted out to find these people and curse them six ways to Sunday.

Instead, he took a breath and moved so that his hand was cupping Harry's face. Green eyes met his own grey tentatively and he could see that Harry was expecting him to reject him, to decide that this was too much effort and turn tail.

"So, when you said that you didn't think I saw you?" Blaise asked gently.

"I... you're so... and I am not really anything special, besides my name which you seem to not be interested in at all, I just don't get...I..." he drew to a stop when Blaise pressed a finger to his lips.

"So, you don't believe me when I tell you how gorgeous I think you are? That you are beautiful and handsome, sexy and innocent, that your eyes are absolutely amazing, and the greenest that I have ever seen, your skin is beautifully pale. That I have dreamt about what you would feel like underneath me, writhing in pleasure? That you are kind and generous, clever and sweet, that you are warm and giving, and that you stand up for what you believe in and never give in, no matter how hard things are,"

"I don't..." Harry didn't know how to respond, and he could feel his skin burning red at the things Blaise was saying.

"You don't need to say anything Harry, just listen. Every time I say something, listen and trust me that I am telling the truth. And I will tell you often exactly why I am falling in love with you," He watched as Harry's eyes widened, and hope-filled them.

"Thank you, for being so understanding," Harry took his free hand and squeezed it gently, allowing himself to be pulled forwards by the hand on his cheek so Blaise could press a sweet kiss to his lips.

He took a breath and leaned into the kiss, his eyes fluttering shut as he allowed Blaise to wrap him in his arms and hold him close while kissing him just a little deeper. His heart was pounding in his chest, and yet he had not felt more content or peaceful in a long time.

Blaise's own heart thundered when he pulled back and caught sight of a happy smile on those slightly kiss-bruised lips, and the sight of green eyes fluttering open to meet his own.

"Will you tell me a little more about the D.A?" He asked softly, trying to come up with something to keep Harry talking.

"Sure," He smiled curling up into Blaise's side cautiously. The larger teen smiled faintly as he wrapped his arm around Harry's shoulder.

They sat sipping their drinks and eating their cakes as Harry told him some funny stories from the D.A and about the types of things that they had done during the half a year they had run.

"You seem to really enjoy teaching," Blaise commented as he waved his finished cup down onto the table.

"I do," Harry bit his lip as he reached out to take Blaise's hand, and started to play with his larger fingers thoughtfully. "I would actually really like to become a teacher,"

"Not an auror?" Blaise asked calmly.

"No, I kind of just said that to piss Umbridge off," Harry admitted with a blush.

"Oh thank Merlin, I don't know if I could have lived without having a nervous breakdown with you going to fight dark wizards every day," Blaise groaned dropping his head back against the sofa.

"You are sure of yourself," Harry snickered poking Blaise in the side.

"Of course darling, I will sweep you off your feet and make you fall in love with me," Blaise said like it was the simplest thing in the world. Harry curled up a little more onto the sofa, cautiously pressing his cheek to Blaise's firm and warm chest.

He sighed contently when a strong arm wrapped around him and held him close, smiling as Blaise's fingers started combing through his hair. "I don't think that will be difficult to do,"


He had been having a pretty good day. He had been gently teased by the others when he had moved around the dorm room and bathroom with a big smile on his face thinking about the night before. When they had made their way down the stairs Blaise had greeted him at the door with a kiss and holding a rose for him. Only after he had slipped the rose into the lapel of Harry's robes and stolen a couple more kisses did he let him go to the Gryffindor table, with a promise to join him for lunch.

He had sat between Ron and Theo in Transfiguration, bemoaning that he and Blaise didn't share that lesson anymore, but enjoying the quiet snark of the Slytherin. Theo seemed interested in getting to know him, and in sussing out how exactly he felt about Blaise. Theo and Ron had gotten on quite well and had found common ground in chess, Theo promising Ron a match.

Lunch had been fun, Blaise didn't say much, but he had sat listening the chatter of the Gryffindor table and Harry's friends, commenting now and then, but the whole meal they had had their fingers tangled together on top of the table. Harry had reluctantly parted from him at the end of lunch, stealing a couple more kisses before a laughing Seamus had dragged him away to Care of Magical Creatures.

Supper had been spent shooting looks across the Hall to Blaise who had been sitting watching him with a warm look in his grey eyes, and a small smile for him every time their eyes connected. For which of course he had received more teasing and laughter from his friends as they had watched the two of them. Luna had been his hero defending him from the others and telling them off for teasing him so much.

He had met Blaise at the doors to say goodnight, and just as he had been leaning up on his toes to receive one of the kisses that he was rapidly becoming addicted to, it had gone to hell.

He thanked Merlin for his quick reflexes as he felt the spell coming at them and slammed his smaller frame into Blaise's and throwing him off course of the spell that was fired at them. The shields that went up around them was almost on automatic from his friends, and he spared the thought of how far they had come in their learning. But then he saw who had attacked them, and his heart sank.

Hermione was standing there panting and looking furious. "How could you!"

"Pardon?" Harry frowned nudging Blaise behind him despite his protests and flicked his wand readying his own shield. He noticed Ron and Neville dropping back behind the others shields, readying their own. Hermione was a powerful witch, and there was a good chance she would smash through their shields if she attacked, they would raise theirs when the others fell, giving them a chance to fire off spells at Hermione.

"You're a traitor Harry! You're supposed to support muggleborns, not go in for this ridiculous and antiquated form of buying someone! And a Slytherin!" Hermione spat. Harry groaned as he could see all the purebloods and half-bloods in the area tensing furiously at her words.

"Hermione, you can't dismiss the traditions of others just because you don't like them. Blaise is using them so that I know he is interested in me, and not the Boy-Who-Lived," Harry pleaded with her to understand with his eyes. She knew how he felt, she knew how insecure he was about people wanting him only for his fame.

"Why else would a Slytherin want you?" She sneered.

Harry jerked back as though he had been slapped, that did more damage, more than anything else she could have said or done, more than any spell she could have cast on him.

"That's enough," Ron snapped glaring at her.

"That is more than enough. I am not sure what I have done to upset you so much, but I can say with surety I have not once taken place in any of the pureblood propaganda against you, I have never once used the slur against your muggle blood, I have never once given any indication I think less of you, or abused you in anyway. So, besides your own prejudice against my House, what problem exactly do you have with me?" Blaise growled wrapping his arm around Harry's waist and holding him close.

"Yo...you are all Death Eaters!" Hermione stammered.

"Actually, the only one show prejudice here, seems to be you," Luna said dreamily, but her eyes were sharp and angry.

"As far as I can see Zabini has been mixing with blood traitors, half-bloods, and muggleborns with no issue for the last couple of days. Not to mention he is courting a half-blood," Parvati shrugged.

"If anyone seems to have the prejudiced here it looks like it would be you," Neville glared.

"Come on Harry, your friends can deal with this, I will walk you back to your common room," Blaise said softly but was clearly not going to argue with him as he started leading him away. Ron narrowed his eyes a little but nodded before turning back around to Hermione.

"Harry, what happened?" Ginny hurried down the stairs towards them as they were three corridors away, Harry hadn't said a word and Blaise was clearly furious.

"Granger decided to have a go," Blaise answered when Harry didn't. Ginny took one look at Harry's face before she looked like a storm, she stomped forward and hugged him tightly.

"I am going to kill her! You, look after him!" She ordered Blaise.

"Yes Mame," Blaise said amused before watching the redhead disappearing down the corridor in a storm of angry mutterings. He turned to Harry with a small sigh tugging the smaller teen closer to him and held him tightly. "I'm sorry that this has happened because of me,"

"I don't think that this is so much to do with you, and more to do with the loss of control over things," Harry sighed, allowing himself to drop into Blaise's embrace.

"Hmm?" Blaise asked confused.

"She doesn't like not having control over things. I think aside from the fact she is prejudice against anything Slytherin, she is also not happy that I have made this decision without asking her permission, and basically getting her authorization for this," Harry motioned between them.

"You know what she said wasn't true, yes?" Blaise asked quietly.

"I know, it's just the fact that she said it more than anything else. She knew that would hurt me the most," Harry sighed snuggling a little closer.

"I'm sorry," Blaise frowned.

"For what?" Harry asked confused.

"That you are hurting, and that your friend has done this," Blaise brushed his hair from his face looking at him concerned.

"I can think of something that could make me feel better," Harry bit his lip shyly.

"Oh yes? And what would that be?" Blaise smirked.

"Maybe a kiss?" Harry suggested shyly.

"Just one?" Blaise asked, brushing a teasing kiss along Harry's cheek to his ear. His green eyes fluttered shut and he pressed a little closer to Blaise's warmth, feeling a delighted shiver run through his spine.

"Maybe a couple more," Harry murmured.

"That I can manage I think," Blaise smiled cupping his cheek and drawing him closer. The kisses weren't overpowering, gentle and sensual they pulled Harry in, drew him deeper and deeper into the kiss until all he could think about was himself and Blaise, the rhythm of their kiss.

It got even better when Blaise's arm wrapped firmer around his waist and pulled him even closer, holding him firmly so he was taking most of his weight and Harry could just relax against the Slytherin's taller and broader frame, enjoying the feeling of those powerful arms holding him, and of the broad chest pressed against his own.


He was in a little world of his own as he drifted into the Common room half an hour later with very kiss-bruised lips, and feeling a little more relaxed. So the sight of his godfathers heads floating in the fireplace speaking to Ron was enough to make him freeze.

"Don't even think about it!" Sirius said quickly, spotting him trying back away from the Common room.

"Hey Siri, hey Remi," Harry grinned sheepishly waving.

"We received a very interesting letter this morning," Sirius narrowed his eyes at his rumpled appearance.

"Huh imagine that," Harry grimaced sitting next to Ron who squeezed his shoulder and pointedly didn't move from his side.

"So Blaise Zabini huh?" Remus asked gently.

"He's initiated courting with me," Harry nodded.

"And you accepted?" Sirius narrowed his eyes.

"Yes, I...I really like him, Siri,"

"You're too young!" Sirius wailed turning to Remus desperately.

"Sirius we had this conversation!" Remus scolded.

"But our baby!" Sirius sniffled.

"Sirius!" Remus rolled his eyes.

"Fine, so you like him?" Sirius pouted at him.

"I really really like him," Harry nodded.

"Since before this courting?" Remus asked.

"Yes, I have liked him for a few years, but I didn't think he would ever see me like that," Harry bit his lip. "He's really good to me,"

"What did he do for your first date?" Sirius asked a little huffily.

"He took me to his sister's restaurant, he told me that he knew it was mixing the first and second dates, but he knew I wasn't interested in him showing me how much money he had, or impressing me with his standing, instead he wanted to take me somewhere personal to him," Harry smiled happily.

"Ugh, I want to meet him," Sirius groaned.

"Does this mean you're ok with it?" Harry asked hopefully.

"I'm not happy about it, but if he makes you happy," Sirius sighed but he smiled at Harry.

"Thank you!" Harry beamed. "I think you will like him, he's a gentleman, and protective,"

"And Harry already has him wound around his little finger," Ron added.

"Of course he does," Remus laughed.

"I do not," Harry protested.

"Harry the guy follows you around like a puppy, which for a 6-foot guy built like a wall is a brilliant sight," Ron snorted.

"Do you have your box he sent you?" Remus asked.

"Oh, I will go get it!" Harry jumped to his feet and raced up to get the box, which he kept safely on his bedside cabinet. "Here it is,"

Ron flushed a little indicating that he had been giving the two worried godfathers information on Blaise. He narrowed his eyes at his friend before turning back to the others.

Sirius was suspiciously misty-eyed and looking a lot happier after Harry finished showing him the box, played the song for them and showed him the rose. Remus was admiring the work, magic crafting was not an easy thing to do.

"It's just..."

"Yes?" Harry asked nervously looking back to Sirius.

"It's just really romantic!" Sirius choked. Remus rolled his eyes.

"Honestly you read way too many romance novels, Sirius, focus! We are not going to ok this guy just because he is romantic!" Remus said firmly.

"Yes, yes of course. So when can we meet him?" Sirius cleared his throat.

"I don't know yet, I will try and sort something out before Christmas, I promise," Harry said, mentally wondering how long he could keep them away from each other.

"Ron mentioned that Hermione hasn't been great about this?" Remus asked gently.

"She tried to destroy the courting box before I knew what it was or could look at it," Harry nodded. The two men sucked in a shocked breath and promptly started choking on the ashes from the fireplace.

"Wow, she knew what it was?" Sirius asked stunned.

"That's why she tried to destroy it," Harry grimaced.

"She has been a little bit weird before all of this, I think it is just the straw that broke the Threstrals back," Ron shrugged.

"The others have been amazing though, they have been guiding me through the whole courting thing, and the rules," Harry said, and then mentally grimaced as he noticed Remus and Sirius' face. "I was actually going to ask you something to do with that," He made up quickly.

"Oh?" Sirius looked hopefully at him.

"Would you be able to get me some proper robes and boots, the full attire, for different types of dates, and label them up for me so I know what is appropriate for what? And if I write to you the type of things that Blaise would like, would you send me some ideas for appropriate rings?"

The three men gawped and stared at him wide-eyed.

"You are already ready to officially accept the Courting?" Ron choked.

"You know that he still has three dates before you officially have to make a choice? Accepting it now makes it official and makes it a lot more serious!" Remus added quickly.

"I am going to wait till after the second date, but unless it goes horrifically wrong, or something happens before it, I can't see any need to wait for the third and fourth date. I will think about it seriously after the second date. But I am quite sure guys. He said..." Harry paused blushing.

"Yes?" The three of them asked almost at the same time.

"He said that he was falling in love with me," He was practically squirming in place.

"Awwwwww!" Sirius cooed.

"Sirius!" Remus said with exasperated laughter on his face.

"Sorry, sorry, but he got lines!" Sirius grinned.

"You have been watching more films huh?" Harry asked.

"Oh Harry! We watched Letters To Juliet last night! It is wonderful!" Sirius sighed.

"I regret buying a DVD player," Remus said dryly before oomphing when Sirius elbowed him in the ribs.

"Like we haven't also spent the week marathoning Primeval!"

"It's really good! We are going to have to watch it at Christmas!" Remus said enthusiastically to Harry and Ron.

"Stephen and Ryan belong together!" Sirius nodded.

"They really do. Imagine what they could do with all that uniform!" Remus wriggled his eyebrows at Sirius.

"Godson present!" Harry groaned as Ron started laughing, though he was quite red around the ears.

"Anyway, tell us how the start of your year has been beside Blaise?" Remus smiled at them.


"So," Harry said slowly. He could feel Blaise's eyes focussing on him, clearly sensing the change in his tone. They were currently sitting on the sofa in the kitchens again, they had decided that their little sofa offered them the most privacy from being gawped at or people trying to eavesdrop on their conversation. It stopped their friends from walking in on them trying to have a private conversation. It also allowed them the excuse to snuggle close to each other on the sofa.

"Yes?" Blaise asked when it didn't seem that Harry was going to go any further.

"I may have spoken to Sirius and Remus last night," Harry bit his lip.

"May have?" Blaise grinned.

"You aren't taking this seriously enough," Harry pouted poking Blaise gently in the cheek.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I am taking this seriously, I am just a little nervous about how my ex-teacher who happens to be a werewolf and a convicted criminal felt about me Courting their godson," Blaise took his hand and pressed a kiss to his palm. "So how did it go?"

"Well, I am fairly sure Sirius is swooning with second-hand romance," Harry laughed. "And Remus is trying hard to be stern and disapproving, but remembers you from third year, and it seems the quality of your school work and dedication back then has given you an up with him,"

"That's good isn't it?" Blaise asked.

"It is, it went better than I expected," Harry smiled curling up against Blaise. "Though they want to meet you,"

"Oh!" Blaise gulped.

"Are you nervous?" Harry laughed looking up at the purposefully blank face.

"No, no, I am just meeting the only man who has ever managed to escape from Azkaban, what is there to be nervous about?!" Blaise drawled.

"Sirius is a puppy dog," Harry chuckled to himself.

"Hm, it's weird I had accepted that they were your godfathers and all, but I had not actually equated that with meeting them for some reason," Blaise licked his lips. "What if they don't like me?"

"Well I really like you, so I am sure they will," Harry smiled. "Just keep being romantic, Sirius is a sucker for it,"

"Oh, Sirius is is he?" Blaise shook his head amused.

"Yup Sirius," Harry nodded before smiled and leaning up for a kiss.

"Well, I will have to step up my game for tomorrow night,"

"Give me a hint?" Harry pleaded.

"Nope, no and no again, it is a surprise," Blaise said for the hundredth time, but he pulled in Harry by the back of his neck for another kiss.

"Mmm, I can't believe that it has been two weeks since our first date," Harry said as they parted.

"I know, the time has flown by,"

"It's a good thing right?"

"Yes, definitely, I have not been so happy as I have over the last two weeks," Blaise ran his fingers through Harry's black hair, his grey eyes soft and warm as they looked at the smaller man.

"Me either," Harry admitted.


"Ok, you are...ready!" Dean nodded stepping back after running his fingers through Harry's hair one more time, styling it in the way that made it more sex hair than bed hair.

"Have you got your coat?" Neville asked.

"Here!" Luna held up the garment she had covered herself with the keep warm.

Harry loved the coat, Blaise had sent it to him as a gift before their date tonight with a note telling him to wear it. He had not seen Blaise all day, the other man had disappeared early in the morning to prepare for their date, leaving only the coat and a portkey to take him to the date.

He was a little nervous and shocked by how much he had missed Blaise. They didn't spend all day together, but he normally got at least an hour with him. He had missed him a lot more than he had expected today. He was also wondering what on the earth their date would be, and why he would need a coat for it, it wasn't that cold yet.

"Ready?" Ron grinned.

"Ready," Harry nodded.

He was walked down to the gates by Ron, Neville and Luna who kept coming up with more and more extravagant ideas as to what the date would consist of until his sides were hurting from laughing. It went without saying that Luna won that game.

And then he was disappearing from just passed the grounds when he activated the portkey.

He gasped and looked up wide-eyed as Blaise caught him upon landing in the snow, stopping him from taking a full tumble into the cold powder. As it was he was glad Blaise's note had said to also wear waterproof warm boots.

Blaise's arms stayed around him as he straightened up and looked around where they were wide-eyed. They were standing on a mountain slope that was covered in snow, the stars were bright above them, and with the exception of a large building behind them, there wasn't a soul for miles around. And the coat was suddenly making a lot more sense to him as he pressed against Blaise's side for warmth while the warming charms in the coat kicked in.

"Where are we?" He asked awed looking over the dozens of snowy mountains around them as far as his eyes could see.

"Ah! First," Blaise held up a finger stilling his questions. Blinking confused he melted a little when Blaise drew him close and pressed a warm and teasing kiss to Harry's lips. Allowing himself to sink against Blaise all of the questions he wanted to ask faded into the background as he lost himself in the taste and spicy scent of the other man.

"I do like your way of greeting," Harry laughed when they parted, his misted up breath floating in the air between them.

"This, is for you," Blaise held up a white rose, pinning it to his coat lapel. "And we are at my hotel,"

"What?" Harry gawped looking back to the building.

"My grandfather left me this building in his will, a year ago I made it into a hotel. I wanted to have my own finances and income, and not just rely on my family name and money. A little bit of a cheat I know considering that this was left to me through the family. But I wanted to create something, a business of my own. I used the money from my trust fund and worked for the whole of summer between fourth and fifth year getting this place designed right. My father helped me with a few bits and pieces, but this is mine. And from the money I have made from this place, I have bought another hotel,"

Harry could tell that Blaise was nervous sharing this with him, his grey eyes for once looked unsure and nervous. And he could not help but be completely awed at what Blaise had already started to create at only 16.

"That... is amazing! Can we go and see?" Harry asked.

"The rest of our evening is actually in there," Blaise smiled placing Harry's hand into the crook of his elbow and started leading him up the slope towards the hotel. "This place is charmed to have snow all year, we are actually in Scotland still, the whole area is muggle free, though I have wards around my hotel for at least 60 acres that allow magical partners to bring muggles with them, so mixed families can have holidays here if they want,"

"Why is the whole area muggle free?" Harry asked curiously.

"You will have to wait and see," Blaise smiled mysteriously.

"You're awful!" Harry whined.

"You love it," Blaise shook his head.

"This is amazing Blaise, really," Harry smiled looking around.

"It's a place where everyone is welcome no questions asked. My staff... they're friends whose families rejected them when they wouldn't take the mark last year," Blaise said softly as Harry turned to him wide-eyed.

"That's part of the reason you opened this place huh?" Harry guessed.

"I had always planned on it, hotels and things like that is something that our world is calling out for. Places that aren't just like the Leaky Cauldron and a little bit grim, or a room here and there attached to a Muggle hotel. It's a market that has a massive gap in it. But yes, my friends and people I knew were facing either having to work for that... monster, or become homeless, with no money and no chance of a job. I had this place sitting waiting and ready. So we all came here, set it up, and they run it for me,"

They had nearly reached the hotel by this point, but Harry pulled him to a stop. Pausing in the snow Harry went up onto his toes and wrapped his arms around Blaise's neck, pulling him down so he could kiss him sweetly. He hoped that the other couldn't sense the fluttering his heart was currently doing. Merlin, he had been enamoured with Blaise before he had initiated the Courting, but he was rapidly starting to fall in love with him.

The more he got to know him, the more the caring and gentle side, the warm heart and honest man was revealed to him. A man that thought of others, and looked after them, exactly the type of man that he could give his whole heart to. Exactly the type of man he could quickly fall in love with.

Blaise looked a little surprised when they parted, but he was smiling happily, realising that he had clearly done something right. He took Harry's hand in his own and led him through the doors of the hotel, leaving Harry a moment to gaze around wide-eyed at the beautiful building.

Harry ignored the staff members, and more importantly Blaise's friends, who were all obviously taking him in and judging him, and how they were together. He gave them that time as he looked around. The inside had been designed and charmed to look bright and airy, the opposite of the Leaky Cauldron and other wizarding hotels. the only real colour to the walls were greys and shining silvers, white and beech wooden beams and panels was the major colour choice. The reception desk was a sweeping beech top.

A beautifully and intricately cared beech staircase led up the stairs to where the rooms presumably were. Celtic knots decorated it making it a work of art in its own right. To the side of the reception desk appeared to be the restaurant where the sounds of chatter, laughter and clinking cutlery and tableware flitted through to them.

The whole place had a lovely warm atmosphere, and you found yourself relaxing almost as soon as you stepped inside. There were three massive fireplaces in the reception area alone, all with comfortable looking seating in front of them. The magical fires crackled and danced merrily in their grates, giving off a lovely warmth, with the added delight of adding a homely and welcoming feel to the room.

"Blaise," A young woman swept towards them in neat robes, her blonde hair twisted into a perfect bun with tendrils framing his face. Brown eyes were piercingly on Harry, however, and he felt as though he really was being taken apart for assessment.

"Maize, this is Harry who I am courting, Harry this is my manager, right-hand woman and cousin, Maize," Blaise introduced. Harry steeled himself and fought from pressing closer to Blaise. If he was expecting Blasie to meet Sirius and Remus then he could grow a backbone and meet this exceedingly scarily relative. Though right now he reckoned he wished he could summon Voldemort back from the Veil and face him instead.

"Maize, it's an...honour to meet you," Harry changed his mind from saying pleasure as that would clearly be a lie.

"So you are the one that has our Blaise so enamoured," Maize looked him up and down visibly. Blaise tensed under his hand and shifted a little but Harry met her gaze unwaveringly.

"I am quite enamoured with him as well, and have no intention of hurting him," Harry said bluntly. Maize was unwavering for a moment and then she grinned and smothering laughter behind one hand patted Blaise on the arm with her other hand.

"I like him, make sure you don't hurt him. There are a lot of people here that think a hell of a lot of this guy, you hurt him there is going to be a line of people gunning for you," Maize said with a scary grin.

"Maize!" Blaise growled protectively, but Harry pushed him back with a hand to the chest.

"I have no intention of hurting him, and if I do, I will take whatever comes my way," Harry said firmly.

"Good, we have an understanding then," Maize nodded before motioning to a room to the right and meandered back to the reception desk. There were several people behind it now, and they didn't disguise the fact they were clearly gossiping as they all surged forwards to speak to Maize as soon as she was within earshot.

"I'm so sorry," Blaise groaned, and Harry was bemused as he realised that Blaise was actually blushing.

"It's fine honestly, it's nice to see," Harry assured him.

"This is one of the private rooms you can hire for a private meal and date," Blaise coughed changing the subject before he opened the door for Harry and allowed him to step forward.

To say the room was beautiful had to be an understatement, a high sweeping ceiling made the room feel bigger than it probably was, the ceiling was white with golden and silver clouds moving gracefully and serenely around the deep sapphire moon that was glowing in the centre. Small stars were glittering like little crystals amongst the sky scene.

The walls of the room were white and golden with hints of a deep forest green mixed in. The white carpet allowed your feet to sink into it as soon as he stepped into the room, and sitting in front of the fire was a thick and comfy looking sheepskin rug.

A round table sat slightly to the right of a huge marble fireplace a neat white linen and a candelabra was sitting in the middle of the table with candles flickering merrily in them. Place settings were all set out and waiting for them. Directly in front of the fireplace, there was a comfy looking black leather sofa and a side table. A large basket was sitting on the table covered with a folded blanket.

He started a little when Blaise's hands started to pull his jacket from his shoulders.

"I set this room up for dates, if people want to have a private meal, there are three of them in the hotel," He explained.

"It's lovely!" Harry breathed as he slipped his arms free of the sleeves and watched Blaise hang the jacket on the coat rack by the door.

"You can take your shoes off," Blaise smiled kissing Harry's cheek before pulling his own boots off and wriggling socked toes into the warm carpet. He had been quite amused by Harry's tendency to tug off his shoes whenever he could. He preferred walking around in his socks, and whenever he got the chance toes off his shoes, including at the dinner table. Luckily it was something that he clearly found endearing Harry thought as he pulled his own boots off and placed them under the coat rack, before taking Blaise's hand and allowed him to seat him at the table.

As soon as they were both seated what looked like pate and toast appeared in front of them.

"The chef is one of my friends who escape, he spent months along with the other kitchen staff learning every skill both magical and none magical to learn to cook. They even went to a muggle cooking class for a month," Blaise told him as they got settled and Harry picked up a slice of toast.

"Oh Merlin, this is really good!" Harry hummed after taking a tentative bite.

"Some other time you will have to come and have a look around the kitchens,"

Blaise had been shocked by Harry's admittance that he liked to cook, though he had extracted a promise from Harry to cook for him some time.

"That sounds really good, I would love to see your other hotel as well," Harry smiled.

"I will show you the plans for it over the weekend," Blaise nodded.

"How the hell have the papers not gotten hold of the fact you own this?" Harry asked curiously. This was something that the papers would love to know about the other man.

"I have it running under a different name for now. It is a little bit of a pride thing, but I wanted it to be successful in its own right, and not just because I own it," Blaise shrugged.

"I understand that," Harry nodded.

"I know you do," Blaise reached over the table to brush his fingers gently over Harry's cheek. "I didn't bring you here to impress you with this place, I brought you here because I wanted you to see that I am not just my name,"

"You are a hell of a lot more than that Blaise, I know that," Harry reckoned Blaise had revealed a lot more about himself than he had actually intended to in bringing him here. "Thank you for trusting me with this,"

"You have shared a lot with me, I wanted to give you the same respect,"

"Have I told you about me and Hermione breaking Sirius out from Hogwarts under Fudges and some Aurors noses?" Harry asked casually and then cackled evilly as Blaise started choking on a piece of toast and pate.

"You what?!" He spluttered when he finally managed to clear his airways with hasty gulps of water.

The story of the great escape took them through their starter, and into their main course popping up in front of them.

"I am seeing the Slytherin side of you," Blaise snorted when he had finished, shaking his head. "I can't believe you knocked Snape out!"

"It's no wonder he dislikes me so much huh?" Harry grinned. "I have to admit though when he is being particularly horrible, the image of him hitting the wall gets me through rising to his insults and giving him what he wants,"

"Please tell me that you have got the majority of this out of your system though? I don't think I could take worrying constantly about you," Blaise pleaded.

"Hey! Trouble has a tendency to find me!" Harry grumbled.

"And you are impulsive and dive head first into everything that crosses your path," Blaise shook his head. "When you are mine I may have to punish you if you dive headfirst into something without at least thinking it through first,"

It was said teasingly but Harry felt a shiver of desire running down his back and burning low in his stomach in a way he had never really felt before, except when he was alone at night with his fantasies of the man sitting in front of him and silencing charms around his bed.

Blaise's grey eyes narrowed slightly as he took in the blush taking over Harry's face. "Huh," He commented lowly, dangerously, but seemed to take mercy on Harry in saying nothing further. Harry, however, was more than aware that their conversation was not done.

Their conversation after was a little awkward and tinged with embarrassment from his side, and what he could only call a predatory air from Blaise's side, however, they got back into their normal easy conversation, chattering away happily and easily to each other as they ate.

"May I?" Blaise stood and offered his hand to Harry as they finished their second course, the plates popping away. A little confused Harry placed his hand into Blaise's and allowed him to pull him to his feet and lead him away from the table. They walked over the fireplace, Blaise snagging the basket from the table.

He placed the basket in front of the rug and then lay down on it before holding his hand out for Harry. Flushing a little, but not able to resist being close to Blaise. The taller man arranged Harry to his liking, much to the smaller man's amusement, tucking Harry close against his own chest so he was facing him, but could snuggle close to the chest he was rapidly coming to love as much as the man himself.

Sure enough, as Blaise reached for the basket Harry snuggled in close to his chest, wrapping his arm around the larger frame of the Slytherin.

"We have desert in here, but we can have a little break if you would like?" Blaise asked.

"That would be good, I'm quite full already," Harry nodded.

"Well we have salted caramel hot chocolate here, and this is for you, well sort of," Blaise looked uncomfortable as he held out an envelope to Harry.

Curious Harry took the envelope and opened it, taking out what seemed to be a booking form for Blaise's hotel. It was for two weeks, and the names on it were Sirius and Remus. Looking up he met Blaise's nervous grey eyes.

"It's traditional for the second date for me to give you something valuable. I thought about getting you jewellery, or something like that. But then I thought, maybe, this would be a little more valuable to you. Sirius made need to wear a couple of glamours, but part of what I have set up here is as long as you do no harm, there are no questions asked. With everything that you have said about them, and all the stress that he has been through over the last few years, well I thought, maybe a break somewhere, with a little luxury, and time to relax, maybe would be good for them?"

Harry stared between the booking in his hand and Blaise who was getting more and more nervous the longer he spoke. Carefully he placed the booking to the side, before turning and throwing himself at Blaise. The taller man grunted but automatically wrapped his arms around Harry's waist as the green-eyed minx pressed their lips together and proceeded to hungrily thoroughly kiss Blaise, showing exactly what he thought of the present.

"So... I did well then?" Blaise grinned relieved.

"You did amazingly," Harry breathed out before pressing their lips together again. This kiss was slower and more searing this time, Blaise cupping the back of Harry's head and drawing him even closer, taking over the kiss and drawing Harry's lips into a sensual kiss that had the smaller man's toes curling. He closed his eyes and pressed even closer to Blaise as more drugging kisses were pressing to his hungry lips until he opened his mouth and allowed Blaise's tongue entrance.


Harry was practically glowing as they walked down from the hotel to the portkey point. His hand was warmly held in Blaise's, the warming charms from his new coat were protecting him against the cold. He laughed happily when Blaise spun him around a little before tugging him closer and started swaying with him to no music.

"What are you doing?" Harry grinned as Blaise started sweeping them gracefully through the snow and fresh snowflakes fell around them.

"Dancing with you, I am not ready for tonight to finish," Blaise sighed.

"Me either," Harry admitted softly. He beamed as Blaise spun him again before drawing him into his arms and swept off again. The world around them was silent and peaceful, the stars glittered overhead as the ceiling had in their private room where they had lain for another three hours in front of the fireplace talking and getting to know each other better, chatting about everything and anything that came into their minds, exchanging sweet kisses and sometimes just lying enjoying the feeling of the other against them.

Harry closed his eyes as the cool air brushed teasingly over his face as Blaise spun him out again, he could stay here forever, dancing in the starlight with the glow of hotel brightening the world around them just enough for him to see the warm and open expression on the normally impassive face of the man that he was falling in love with.