Hey guys! Man, I am so late on updating this fic, huh? Well, I'm posting chapters 9 and 10 all in one night! They're kinda long so I hope that's some compensation. Starting in chapter 10, Colin is in his Fourth Year. :) (Oh yeah, there will be some m-rated material towards the bottom.)

Chapter Nine-Bedtime Conversations

Sunday morning in the dungeons, one Snake remained sleeping in his bed whilst six...technically.. four others were up nursing hangovers. They surely overdone their victory celebration.

"That's it. I'm never drinking again." Lucian groaned as he popped the cork on a hangover potion.

"Yeah, you say that now...just wait until New Year's at my place. You'll be hammered and I'll have to scrape you off something or someone...most likely one of us or, if you can pull it off, my dad." Cassius commented offhandedly as he came from the bathroom, fresh as a daisy.

"I don't wanna fuck your dad."

"That's not what you said last night, mate." Graham added, stretching out from under his covers.

Bole narrowed his blue-green eyes.

"Well...y-you know you can't take what I say drunk as truth."

"I don't know. You know the saying 'In vino veritas'-'In wine, there is truth'? Technically, it should be 'In Firewhiskey, there is truth'..."

As Graham continued and Lucian further denied, Miles yanked back his emerald-green bedcurtains and groggily sat up. ''Fuck, I drank too much."

"Good morning to you too, Bletchley." Cassius chirped, taking a seat across the stocky hungover redhead.

"God, you're being so loud."

"Actually, this is normal tone, you've got a massive hangover."

"No shit, Captain Obvious. What all did I do last night? Most of it's a blur."

Warrington tapped his temple, recalling Saturday's events. "After dinner, there was a huge party in the dungeons, nearly everyone was drinking. Bole, Flint, Pucey and Higgs were blitzed...haha..so were you. Then again, maybe not THAT shitfaced since you oh-so-happily made your way across the school.."

Miles's bleary eyes focused instantly, staring at his roommate. "Across the school? Where did I go? What did I do? How did I get back here?"

"Nothing bad, I assume you went to wherever it is you often disappear and Colin found you." That calmed Miles, too bad the moment was short-lived. "...Though, something did happen."

Miles's jaw dropped, his skin started to flush. ''What? What did I do?...did I...oh my god." Memories of last night flashed across his eyes. He, touching Colin's hair and leaning in, then slurring and drunkenly planting his lips on Colin's, forcing a kiss...Colin pulling away and leading them back to the dungeons.

''Yep. You kissed him. Twice." Cassius smirked, holding up two fingers.

Bletchley gaped. "Twice?...I kissed him...twi-...oh..oh.. fuck!" Bile soared from the pit of his stomach and through his esophagus as Miles raced towards the bathroom. Marcus started laughing from the shadows of his canopy until Graham cast a bright 'Lumos'.

''Arrgh! Turn off that goddamn light!" Flint snapped, ducking underneath his pillows.

Warrington casually leaned back onto his bed. "While Miles pays homage to the porcelain god, we'll just let that sink in."

Sometime after breakfast in an empty room, Cormac, Justin, Dennis and Zacharias fell over laughing so hard; it was difficult to piece together what they were saying when Colin explained to his pals what transpired last night.

''He...he was fucking...AHAHAHA!"

"A-Are you...are you..s-serious?!"

"Oh, oh that's too good!"

"A big fat, sloppy wet one! Good, huh?!"

Colin buried his face in Susan's arm while she petted him, trying to keep laughter from escaping her own lips. "It's..it's ok, Colin. Not everyone's first kiss is as romantic as they wish."

He leaned up, sighing "It certainly wasn't how I pictured but.."

"Come on! You liked it and you know it!" Dennis crowed teasingly.

"...I never said I didn't like it."

The laughter ceased upon Colin's admission.

"Oh? Tell us what you liked about it! How long, how wet and was there tongue?" Cormac ran off the questions as if it were a list.

Colin replied, blushing furiously. "Although unexpected, it wasn't rough...kinda gentle. It lasted for a little while. Yes, it was a bit wet and there was tongue. It uh...the kiss tasted of apple pie and Firewhiskey. It was spicy yet sweet." He allowed last night to return to his mind. Miles playing with his hair, speaking softly to him, then leaning in and kissing his lips.

Unfortunately, he had to end it in mid-session. Miles was drunk and it wouldn't have been right to keep on with the kiss. "One question remains unanswered. Why did you pull away? If you wanted him to kiss you...why break it off?" Zacharias queried.

"I couldn't let him continue while he was not in his right mind. No matter how nice it felt, I have to consider him and his feelings. Besides, Miles was so sloshed he probably doesn't remember it happened."

"But, what if he does? What if he wasn't as blitzed as you thought?"

"I won't know because I won't bring it up. If he does, then we'll talk and handle it from there. I can tell you guys one thing...he was heavy. I had to help haul him all the way back to the dungeons. I don't think I can do that on a daily basis...I'm just not strong enough."

"Firewhiskey and apple pie, you say? Hm, that sounds like a tasty combination." Luna commented randomly.

"Ok, that was random as fuck...which gives me an excellent idea. Why don't I smuggle in a bottle and you guys swipe apple pie from the kitchens? I'd like to try this out." Ernie suggested, hoping for takers. Sounds of agreement and sneaky plotting scattered about as Colin shook his head.

' I really just had to give away that detail...didn't I?'

Colin received a message coming back from lunch. Actually, it was balled up and thrown his way.

'-Come to the ROR tonight. We need to talk.-'

Colin 'incendioed' the parchment in the bathroom. 'Was Zach right? Is it possible that Miles just might remember the kiss? I won't know until I go tonight.'

Eight o'clock struck on his wristwatch, prompting the blonde to enter the secret room. Miles was pacing about, rubbing the back of his neck. He seemed rather nervous. Calmly, Colin cleared his throat. "Hey...what did you need to see me for? We haven't met on Sundays in quite some time."

Miles stopped and took a deep breath. Slowly, he spoke "I...I think you know why I called you here. I need to apologize. Colin, I'm so sorry I kissed you..I was so fucking drunk and I-"

Colin cut him off. "It's ok, Miles. I know you didn't mean it. Sometimes, when someone has a little too much to drink...they do things they normally wouldn't." Miles stared at him, unsure if he should still be ashamed or relieved.

"Y-You're not mad at me? You're still my best friend?"

Colin smiled softly, sparking that inner loving warmth within the Keeper. "Of course I'm not angry and yes...we're still the best of friends. I'm not gonna throw it away because of something you didn't mean." Colin inwardly felt disappointed with his words but they had to be said. He didn't want Miles to find out his feelings just yet.

"Thanks, mate. You don't know how much that means to me." Miles replied. His own smile masked the sadness behind it. He meant everything he put into that kiss, he just didn't expect to find himself doing it that soon and being fucking inebriated. "Ok, uh...now that we have that dilemma sorted, you want to hang a little while until we grudgingly have to leave?"

Colin beckoned him over to the sofa. "Sure thing."

Close to curfew, Colin returned to his dorm. On the way back, he'd done some thinking. How much longer was he going to wait to tell Miles how he felt? Would he really go through with it? Was he prepared to accept whatever response Miles would give him? Colin was finding it harder and harder to keep his secret. When he'd gaze into Bletchley's eyes, he would see a greater emotion flickering, just begging to break through the forest green surface. Inside, the blonde couldn't deny believing the Keeper was hiding something.

Also, he'd catch Miles staring at him out the corner of his eye on occasion but he kept quiet, feeling unsure of the reasoning behind it. Stepping into the shower, Colin adjusted the water temperature.

' Could it be possible? Could Miles be harboring feelings for me after all? I dunno...ugh, this is so frustrating! Why can't I be a man and say it already and forget the consequences? Wait...because I'm not that foolish. Only fools open their big mouths at the wrong time. I'm sick of being so indecisive...'

Toweling off his body and charming his hair dry, Colin ventured back to his bed, only to have Cormac waiting on it. "Cormac? What are you doing?" Thankfully everyone else was asleep or this would have looked incriminating.

''I'm wanting to talk again."

Shrugging with a 'Whatever', Colin rolled under the covers and cast a 'Silencio'.

"So, I can assume from how long you've been absent, Miles remembered the kiss."

Colin nodded, tucking the crimson blankets around him. "Yeah, he did. Honestly, I really didn't think he would have remembered...he was slurring and swaying every which way. It was a bloody miracle we made it back to the dungeons without him falling on top of me."

Cormac chuckled. "Yeah, it was. What happened?"

"Miles started apologizing for supposedly forcing himself on me and he didn't mean it. I told him it was fine and I knew he didn't mean to do it...sometimes things happen...blah blah blah. You know that whole song and dance. He was relieved and I was disappointed. I didn't voice it or show it, though."

Cormac playfully ruffled Colin's hair. "Aww...you really fancy him, don't you?"

"Please don't make fun of me."

"I'm not, mate. I'm genuinely concerned over your emotional well-being. I think it's sweet you're crushing hard on the Keeper. I know you still don't want to tell him just yet but it couldn't hurt to hint around. He might just do the same thing...ya never know. I don't think Bletchley is as daft as I've heard people prattle on.''

Colin felt as if now was the best time to let Cormac in on his little theory. ''Uh, I have a small secret about your idea."

"Oh? tell me."

"Well, lately I've noticed Miles watching me longer than usual in my peripheral vision. And when we'd look each other in the eyes for conversation, I'd see something...something that wasn't there before..." Colin suddenly began staring straight up into his canopy with realization settling in. "Or maybe it was always there and I never looked hard enough."

Cormac held a broad grin upon his handsome face. "Ahh...so you're thinking that Bletchley's been hiding his own crush? And he's been just as cowardly as you?"

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, McLaggen.." Colin sneered in sarcasm.

"Heh, you're welcome. Anyway, I think you've stumbled onto a very interesting concept. You're both harboring feelings, or at least your gut gathered that's what's happening and you're both unsure of the other. Well my lovesick pal, I've got my own marvelous plan to make sure you draw the truth out of Miles. But.." There always had to be a catch.

Colin raised an eyebrow "But what?"

"You will have to trust me. This is going to take until September first."

"Oh Merlin, what are you gonna have me do?"

"You can still visit Miles in between, so don't freak out. All I need is your spare time during the rest of year, including winter and summer holiday, and for you to consume more protein. Also, bring some shorts, a shirt and your trainers."

"Ok?"

In the Slytherin fifth-year boys' dorm...

Miles couldn't sleep. He'd spent the last hour tossing and turning. His earlier meeting with Colin would not leave his mind to save his life. The Keeper was replaying Colin's responses.

' "It's ok, Miles. I know you didn't mean it. Sometimes, when someone has a little too much to drink...they do things they normally wouldn't." "Of course I'm not angry and yes...we're still the best of friends. I'm not gonna throw it away because of something you didn't mean."... But I did mean it, Col. I meant everything. Why can't I have more courage like you to say what I feel? I want to so terribly but I cannot bear the thought of potentially not having you if you don't feel the same way. It's so hard. When I look at you, I just want to kiss you until we're both red in the face. I want to hold your hand and just lay there with you while we stare at the night sky just like in your first year...except for that one thing. I don't want to make one mistake that'll cost me dearly and if Colin won't be with me...I dunno how I can take it. I won't know. I have to tell him someday, I just have to but...but...why am I so scared? Why do I feel so alone in this? I wish I had help.'

His musings were interrupted by Warrington stalking over and pulling back the bedcurtain. He knelt down next to Miles. ''Hey mate, you seem distressed considering you've been rolling around for the past hour. Care to talk about it?"

Miles sat up and allowed Cassius to crawl in beside him. Cassius silenced the curtains on instinct and faced his best mate. "What's on your mind? Is it the conversation about the kiss?"

"Yeah, I apologized wholeheartedly and Colin forgave me. I was grateful but I was also upset. He said he knows that I 'didn't mean it'. The thing is, I meant it...once I realized that I done it in the first place right after I spilled my guts in the bathroom. Sure, I feel guilty about the fact I snogged him while drunk off my arse but the kiss altogether, I'm not. I mean, how else was I ever going to hint around at how I feel? Am I so wrong for doing that? You know, a part of me hoped earlier today that it would incite some suspicion but at once, I hated myself for doing it so damn early. I thought that one moment fucked up my chances of ever being with him...that's if he'll even consider it at all. Cassius, I just don't know if I can do it. I'm stuck.''

Cassius sat there, listening intently as his friend poured his heart out. He saw just how broken up Miles was over the entire situation. He knew that Miles really cared for this Gryffindor and it tore him up inside to think his best mate's heart would be shattered if it turned out Colin's feelings weren't mutual. Warrington knew exactly where he was coming from in the whole secret crush business. He's had his eye on an arrogant third-year Lion himself and he's had to hold back considering the age difference. It's been rather lonely for him too, as much as he loathed to admit since he was also a bit of a cocky bastard.

"Miles, you want to know what I think?"

"You're gonna tell me anyway."

"I think that you're straining to keep your friendship with Colin so much that you're hurting yourself. You also care deeply for him and want to express your feelings. But, you're scared because you don't think he'll accept. If Colin doesn't want to return those emotions, it'll undoubtedly crush you and you don't want to put yourself through that pain. You will wonder...'How can we still be friends and how can I be happy if you're in the arms of someone else?' That's two of the toughest questions out there to think about, mate...but there is something you need to grasp. You will never know how Colin will react if you keep it all inside. You need to take the chance to find out. If he doesn't...then I know you will find someone else to care for you but if he does, I will be more than happy and I'll wish you both the best in the world. It takes one confession to learn the truth."

The Beater gently wiped away a tear falling down Bletchley's mildly-freckled cheek and smoothed out his red hair, comforting him. Nobody ever believed Cassius Nero Warrington was capable of such warmth and caring behavior. Little did they know there was so much to the brash and rough Slytherin. Miles wiped at his damp eyes, smiling. "I'm so lucky to have you as a best friend. You're really wonderful and I know you'll make McLaggen very happy."

Cassius comically scoffed.

"Oh yeah, I knew who you've been checking out. I don't always focus on Colin." Miles smirked as Cassius flushed. Sadly, it was too dark to see it.

"So, what do you plan on doing about Colin?"

"I think I'm going to tell him eventually, most likely next year. It's much more appropriate since he'll be fourteen and it won't look so weird. What about you and Cormac?"

Cassius rubbed his short-cropped light brown hair...the half-inch of it. "Probably the same. He does have a birthday coming up but I'd like to help you out first."

Miles knitted his brow. "How so?"

"Do you trust me?"

"What sort of daft question is that? Of course I trust you! Now stop being so cryptic and tell me exactly how you're intending to help."

"You'll see eventually. I promise you it is nothing bad..quite far from it."

"I hope this isn't some stupid mushy friendship bonding exercise I've heard some 'Puffs blab about...''

"Come on, eat a little more than that. You're going to need your energy this afternoon."

"Tell me again why you're making me do this." Colin returned as Cormac put another chicken sandwich onto his plate.

"You need the adequate fuel for this little plan I'm executing. You want Miles to confess and this is going to help you get it. Plus, you said you weren't strong enough to keep him from falling."

"Don't remind me."

Monday's classes ended for the day and Colin was following Cormac down a familiar corridor. Once they turned the corner, the lion's breath hitched. They were going to the Room of Requirement. He surely didn't tell him this was where he and Miles would meet, so he wondered how his housemate found about this place.

"All right, here we are. It's called the Room of Requirement but I call it my gym." He gestured around to Colin, showing the various weights inside the stone room. "It's basically a replica of the workout room at my manor. The equipment matches the muggle only except it's magical. For example, when you're using the barbell and you feel your arms are fixing to give out due to the lactic acid buildup, the barbell automatically senses it and instantly returns to its holding place...thus reducing the chances of significant injury or death. Although, it's still highly recommended that you have a spotter...regardless of it being enchanted or not. Standard safety."

Colin whistled. "Genius. Honestly, so many people can benefit if there was equipment like this. Almost four years here and this world still amazes me. Uh, how does the barbell automatically sense it?"

Cormac smiled "Easy, when you touch any part of the metal, it takes a tiny sample of your magical signature which is present in your blood, soul and tissues. It keeps track of what you can handle and what you can't, so it lets up when you literally can't push anymore."

"Ah...ok."

Cormac led him over to a blue mat and went over the stretching and the do's and don'ts of messing around with weights, then led him over to the barbell once they changed clothes.

"We're going to start you off small then build your way up. Don't be embarrassed if you can't lift it far, not everyone can on the first day. I sure as hell couldn't. I'll be right here behind you and I won't let you get hurt. My brothers and dad do the same for me." Cormac reassured Colin as he prepared each end of the barbell with a five-pound circular weight. Colin gazed uneasily at the barbell. Five pounds each may sound like an easy feat, but that was only added to the metal bar itself...which was actually rather weighty. People seem to forget about that.

Slowly, Colin enclosed his hands on each side, awaiting Cormac's signal. "Ok, on the count of three, you're going to try and push this up. My hands will stay on, got it?"

"Got it."

"One..two...three.." Cormac lowered the barbell and Colin pushed up, reaching halfway before feeling his arms strain. On command, the barbell went to its place. "That was good for a first try. Now, we'll do a couple more reps then we'll move on to the dumbbells."

"S-Sure..."

Two hours later, Colin and Cormac used the showers that appeared in a corner of the ROR. If a living room set could appear, a bathroom fixture was no exception. Gulping down the water provided, Colin laid on the blue mat and gazed at Cormac. For a third year, the bloke was pretty built. He did say his older brothers (which one already graduated and the other was a Gryffindor seventh year) and father got him into this. Creevey knew he had a long way to go.

"I'm not sure if I can make it back to the Tower."

Cormac laughed "You will, mate. And trust me,you will be feeling sore tomorrow."

"Should I take pain-relieving potions?" "No, you can't on the days we're working in here. You'll have to ride it out. Taking pain-relieving potions will inhibit your ability to feel if you're over-straining your muscles. You'll end up tearing one and cause damage if you work them too hard or move the wrong way. Not a good idea."

Colin sighed at the answer, but since Cormac had more experience, he had to take his advice. "Alright. So, are the others in on the rest of your cleverly-designed plan?"

"Yup, even Percy. Now move, we have to get started on that History assignment.''

Close to midnight in the silent Slytherin fifth-year boys' dorm...Bletchley's bed.

"Cassius? Are you sure you wanna do this? I don't want it to seem like I'm straying from him."

"I'm quite sure, mate. It's not straying since you're not officially dating. Like I said before, this is how I'm going to help you. Trust me, casual sex will benefit the both of us. You'll gain experience; which Colin will be sure to love once you show him, we'll both satisfy our ugly needs, and we're keeping one another company until our Lions are ready for us." Cassius whispered softly into Miles's ear as he massaged his shoulders and trailed kisses down the nape of his neck. Miles exhaled softly as he leaned back into Warrington's touch.

The Keeper had to admit, this felt pretty damn good...Cassius's firm and callused hands kneading into his muscled back, warm lips gliding across his neck...working their way to his jaw. Miles pictured the hands being a little smaller and softer and the lips fuller and pouty.

"Mmm...Colin."

Cassius stopped and laughed a little, Miles opened his eyes and looked down in embarrassment. "I.. uh...sorry."

"That's ok, mate. I'm not exactly thinking of you right now, either. It's fine if you moan Colin's name, it'll make things much easier for us."

"O-Ok." Miles relaxed, allowing Cassius's hands to drift down his torso and push off his cotton boxers. Bletchley's length was already fully hardened and standing to attention. Warrington smiled as he grazed his fingers teasingly around the shaft, making his friend shudder with that simple touch. "Cas..."

"Heh heh heh, someone's sensitive...I like that. Lay back."

Miles did as he was told, watching Cassius rub circles around his inner thighs and leaning down to kiss them. He gently nipped and sucked the skin, leaving small red marks he could admire in the showers after practice. Moving upward, Cassius closed his experienced mouth around Miles's length, sucking carefully yet thoroughly.

Miles arched his back slightly, running his hand over Cassius's short-cropped hair. Warrington let up momentarily with a noisy 'pop', gazing at him with half-lidded steel-gray eyes. Silently, he slid Bletchley's legs apart and grabbed his wand. Muttering a spell, Miles felt his lower half tingle and a wet warmth surround his entrance. Cassius did the same to his fingers and started massaging that certain spot. "Would you like to know why you're not on top?"

Miles responded "Because...unh...you're the one who knows what the fuck he's doing?"

"That's right..." Cassius slowly inserted a finger. "...I sure do. Eventually, you're going to be doing the same to Colin and it's only right that you know how it feels firsthand." He moved in a second finger, stretching those tight walls. "...Then, you can go to town on him...sounds. good. doesn't. it?"

Miles gasped with each thrust.

"I'll take that a definite yes. Here's a little something else you're bound to fancy..." Cassius leant back down and flicked his tongue quickly against that untouched skin, pressing harder with each motion.

"Want more?" he chuckled at his flushed and panting friend. Miles nodded frantically. Slicking up his cock with the leftover lubricant, Cassius directed himself and slowly entered the virgin redhead.

Miles grit his teeth, growling "Fuck, is it supposed to hurt like this?"

"Only for a little while, then it starts to feel good...be patient." He responded softly, easing in and out at a gentle pace. Cassius was right. A few minutes later, the pain subsided into satisfying pleasure. The Beater took the hint to go faster when Miles pushed himself down, holding him closer. The growls of ''Fuck! Harder!" and "Faster!" also gave him some indication.

It felt as if an hour had passed when the both of them hit their climax and collapsed next to each other on the surprisingly spacious four-poster bed. Thank Merlin the curtains were silenced because their cries would have woken the dorm. Miles panted, gazing at his best friend and now temporary fuck buddy, tiredly.

"That was...more intense than I pictured. Uh, think Colin won't mind if I decided to bottom half the time?"

"I don't think he'll mind at all. Pleasure goes both ways, mate."

My, our boys have interesting ways of readying their buddies, huh? XD For the whole barbell thing, yeah...it's true. The bar itself is quite heavy..I know.