Welcome to Chapter ten! Colin is finally in his fourth year and Miles in his sixth. I wrote it in bold and italic so you'll notice. This is where the drama starts to escalate. This story is truly not over yet. :)

Chapter Ten-Beginning of Frustration

Wednesday night in early June...last day of Colin's third year.

"You know, Col...I absolutely hated cutting down the number of our visits these past few weeks. Preparation for the OWLS has been murder on me." Miles huffed, sprawling out over the sofa in over-exaggeration.

Colin patted his back sympathetically. "I know, Percy's wrecked his brains studying day in and day out. Oliver also hit the books like a madman."

"Wood? Are you serious?"

"Totally...mostly 'cause he freaked over how he'll do and he badgered Percy to help him."

"Heh. Well, at least he's made the effort to do extra cramming."

Colin propped his head upon his hands. "Indeed. Man, it's crazy how these last several months flew by. Just think about it...in the blink of an eye, you'll be a sixth year and I'll be going into fourth."

Miles nodded at the inevitable. "It's too bad we haven't been able to visit over the summers. At least we have our owls."

Colin smiled softly. "I would go stir crazy if I wasn't able to hear from you. We go home tomorrow morning. Guess we should get some rest for the long ride home?"

"Definitely. Until this September?"

"Until this September..." They drew each other in for a lasting hug before pulling away. Miles allowed his hands to linger a tad on Colin's biceps. He felt a little more muscle and definition.

He grinned. "Have you been working out?"

Colin flushed a tad, shrugging. "A little. I managed to find some spare time."

"Well, I must say it's working...keep it up."

"I'll try.." the blonde responded as they left the ROR for the last night of the year.

-Now in Colin's Fourth Year...-

"Come on you guys, let's go ahead and get our seats. The Sorting's about to start." Hannah mentioned as she and the rest of the gang were literally the last to come in. Colin was standing near the entrance to the Great Hall as his brother and friends went ahead.

Cormac nudged him with a smile. "What are you waiting for? Bletchley awaits."

Colin swallowed and took a deep breath. "Ok, here goes nothing..." Allowing his black robes to hang a little beneath his shoulders, Colin strolled over to Gryffindor table with his head held high, sparking multiple glances and pockets of whispers.

Over at Slytherin table, Cassius was observing as Cormac and Colin sauntered through the doors. His lips pulled back in a tight smirk. "Hey, check out your Colin. I think you ought to see this.." he tapped Miles's shoulder and nodded in the blonde's direction.

Miles turned his attention from Montague and within seconds, his jaw hung open and he felt himself heat up. 'Oh my god.'

Graham followed the Keeper's eyes and he too, found himself staring at the muggleborn. The rest of his mates did the same.

Draco Malfoy was in the middle of some story regarding a summer gala his father threw for only the most important of the social elite when his listeners broke their gaze to catch a view from the farthest end of the hall. Wondering what could have possibly been more appealing than his anecdote, the boastful ice prince flitted his mercury orbs to the source. Malfoy's eyes uncharacteristically widened for a brief moment before returning their normal impassive.

'So that's what's gotten into everyone. How interesting...how very interesting indeed.'

Colin Creevey underwent an amazing metamorphosis over the summer. He now had light golden hair that cascaded an inch or two past his shoulders, shot up several inches and put on a decent amount of lean muscle, enough to adequately fill out his new uniform marvelously from the chest down. Gone were the child-like facial features, those of a devastatingly gorgeous young man were in its place. Pale, unblemished skin...high cheekbones, pouty lips, the works. Colin resembled a figure from that of a classical painting...a beautiful image provided by the gods, yet carefully rendered and made immortal by man.

Muttering and louder whispering continued as Colin took his seat in between Cormac and Percy.

"Oh my god, is that Colin Creevey?"

"No way, that can't be him."

"Holy shit, I thought he was new!"

"He's fucking hot!"

"Is he single?"

"I hope so.."

"Look at him! He sure turned out good. What did he do to himself?"

"No idea, but the holiday treated him very well."

Colin smiled and greeted the rest of his housemates, while getting a few more kinder grins and 'Hellos' than what he was accustomed to. Not too long after he took his place, the newest flood of firsties headed inside and the Sorting was underway. Once the firsties were sorted in their rightful houses, the welcoming feast began.

Percy acknowledged his younger friend. ''You surely have changed over the summer. I must say, you do look amazing. Miles has certainly taken notice."

Colin shyly smiled, moving a lock of hair behind his ear. ''I guess. I hope he likes it.''

"Oh, I believe he will. Don't worry about it."

Cormac put an arm around Colin's shoulders in a friendly manner. ''He better. We've busted our arses to get him where he is now and besides...if Bletchley doesn't take him, I'll gladly have this hot little number all for myself.''

Colin snorted "What about Warrington?"

"I think he's open-minded to a threesome...or he will be.'' Cormac retorted in a sultry tone, giving the blonde a mischievous smirk.

Colin rolled his eyes. ''Whatever, mate. You know, I only did this for one person, I didn't expect to have the entire school gawking at me.''

"Get used to it. You're beautiful and beauty always attracts the masses. It's a gift and a curse, I'm afraid."

Miles was barely touching his plate fifteen minutes into the feast. He was stunned when he saw his best friend. Luna's prediction came to fruition.

' ''The little caterpillar slumbers in its cocoon. It won't be long until it blossoms into a radiant butterfly.'' Ohh...you don't know how right you are, Lovegood. Colin certainly has blossomed. Heh, so that's what you've been up to in between our visits and over holiday and it shows. You've always been lovely in my eyes, even more now as I sit here far away, watching you smile and laugh with your friends. You've always lit up the room. I can't wait to tell you how I feel. I just need the right setting, the right moment.'

To the redhead's left, Cassius's smile was no longer present, his aristocratic features had taken on a serious turn. 'Apparently, Colin's more alluring appearance has not only spurred Miles on. Look at all the others checking him out. Lynch and Kirke from the Lions' table, Davies and Goldstein from Ravenclaw...fuck, even Diggory has wandering eyes. I'm afraid mate, you have some competition in your midst.'

Further down the Serpents' table, the clique of ice princesses were twittering amongst each other. Pansy stole another glance at Colin.

"Damn, he is fine! Where the hell did that come from?"

"I've no clue, I bet you I'm not the only one who wonders how he got so gorgeous over one summer." Tracey Davis replied, peeking over Bulstrode's head. Daphne Greengrass smiled, rubbing meticulously manicured French tips on her vest.

''Muggleborn or not, Creevey is a babe. I'd love to have that boy on my arm. Wait, that won't be any trouble at all...look at me. There's no way he'll say 'no'. We're a perfect pair waiting to happen."

Blaise had to fight a loud snort threatening to escape his dark lips. 'You will have more difficulty than you think, Greengrass.' Hiding his face in his goblet, Zabini cut his eyes to Miles who was in between eating and staring at the Gryffindor. He then darted leaf-green eyes to his associate, Draco; who also had taken an interest. 'This should prove to be quite entertaining. Let the games begin...'

The next couple of days flew by swimmingly. Colin found himself being noticed and treated rather well. People whom he's seen around the castle for years started talking to him all of sudden, the same went for his own house. Guys and girls would wave and greet him in the halls, to and from class...just being friendly as can be...and/or being borderline flirtatious. Colin didn't want to be rude, so he played along. After classes on Wednesday, Colin was having his own small rant in the courtyard.

"Out of all the years I've been here, they're just NOW taking note of my existence? Come on! A good bit of them picked on me or avoided me for the longest time. Do they really expect me to befriend them instantly like some attention-starved animal? What is wrong with these people?!"

Neville shook his head "People can be really shallow."

"I second that. The same is going 'round the Badger Hole. I don't care what other people have said before...Hufflepuff is not as chock full of sweet and caring individuals as one might think.'' Susan added, crossing her arms.

Colin cast another cooling charm in that hot September air, responding. "I don't doubt that for one second. Still, I don't care what made them decide to kiss my arse, but I'm not giving in that easily. I'm not an attention whore."

"Good for you, Colin. Now that you have your principles in order, mind if we head back inside? I'm sweating my bollocks off out here." Zacharias aired out his collar, gesturing towards an entrance.

"Dude, there's these handy inventions called cooling charms, maybe you should use one." Dennis quipped in his usual cheeky manner as they trudged their way into the corridor.

"Shut up."

Thursday morning sparked Potions with the Slytherins. Everyone was currently waiting on Snape to make his entrance. Daphne was watching Colin from the reflection of her compact mirror while touching up her lipstick.

'Creevey, you will be mine. It's only a matter of time. I hope Snape pairs us off for the new lesson, then I can use subtlety.' In the mirror surface, Colin was silently reading his text and playing with a lock of hair.

Draco observed him from the far end of his table. Every movement, no matter how slight, was as graceful and delicate as the rest. Colin portrayed a man of pure elegance, reminding the ice prince of his multitude of etiquette lessons and further proper instruction taught to every pureblood, in exception of the Weasleys.

If Creevey's blood status was unknown, there was no doubt he would have been perceived as one of the elite...known for their impeccable manners, power, influence, wealth and in many cases, outstanding beauty. In his world, beauty only breeds with beauty and pure blood only breeds with pure blood. Colin was beautiful but muggleborn. Normally, pursuing a mudblood was out of the question but for him, Draco was willing to make an exception.

'I am going to have you. First, I have to figure how to ensnare you. It should be of little to no difficulty. Let's face it, I wasn't exactly nice to you so that means I will have to try harder.'

Snape sauntered into his class with one of his semi-permanent sneers. ''Miss Greengrass, this is neither your bedroom nor a beauty parlor, so put that infernal powder contraption away." She snapped it shut and placed it back into her makeup pouch. "For this assignment, I'm pairing you off with an opposite house member. Due to the uneven number of students, there will be two pairings of three."

Groaning was heard throughout the dungeon.

"Do not argue, I will not change my mind. Either suck it up and do your work..or fail. The choice is yours. All right, first...the doubles. Crabbe, Weasley.." The list went on until he finally reached the trios. "Zabini, McLaggen and Longbottom, may Merlin have mercy on your souls and lastly, Greengrass, Malfoy and Creevey."

Colin cringed at hearing that name. He had hardly any issues with Daphne but Draco was another story. This arse called him a mudblood and made his life here a living hell from day one. Ever so grudgingly, Colin wandered over to their table.

''Nice of you to join us." Draco said smoothly as he set up the cauldron.

"Yeah, yeah...let's just get this over with, shall we?" Colin returned as he took a look at the chalkboard and left to gather ingredients. He didn't notice mercury and aqua blue eyes follow him to the pantry.

Returning with the ingredients, Draco issued instructions. To Colin's right, Daphne was carefully slicing up bloodroot while he pounded seeds into dust. With a tiny smile, she traced the outer edge of his hand with her pinky as she worked. Colin slowed down, noticing the featherlike touch that was too direct to be considered accidental. He spared Greengrass a glance and saw she held a very slight smile on her reddened lips and her eyes were lidded underneath those mascaraed lashes.

'Oh shit...awkward.' Colin thought as he redirected his attention to the task at hand.

This was perfect, he now had one of the Slytherin bitches wanting a piece of him. He was just glad it wasn't Malfoy, the world would burn if that happened. Handing the powdered seeds to Draco, Colin expected a disdainful sneer from him grabbing it or a rude comment but found silence.

'Ok, that was weird. No ''About time, mudblood'' or "Leave this to someone who gets it right the first time..'' No nothing. Maybe he's finally grown up and learned to keep his mouth shut for once.'

After Potions ended, Colin gathered his things and headed out the door. Daphne slithered past him, deliberately brushing his shoulder. ''See you later, Creevey." She shot him a sultry wink before catching up with Davis and Parkinson.

''Interesting, now you have Greengrass after you. Who's next, Parkinson? Davis? Ooh, how about Patil or Brown?" Cormac snickered as he, Colin and Neville rounded the corner.

''Don't even remind me."

"Face it, mate. You're wanted."

Colin sneered at his muscular friend. "Don't you have a Beater to be sinking your claws into?"

Cormac rubbed his hands together ''Ohhh yes. As soon as I get the chance to sneak in and corner him in the locker-room..." he made an arse-grabbing motion in midair.

Neville twittered unexpectedly "Be sure to warm your hands first."

They stared at him in bewilderment for his comment.

"What? No one likes to be touched with cold hands...don't judge me."

Cormac threw his arm around the shy Lion. "No judging here, mate. You should make quips like that more often!"

Colin smiled mirthfully as he walked beside his mates. Inside, he couldn't help but think of earlier. He shouldn't be recalling Malfoy's nonresponsive behavior during their brewing. It was so uncharacteristic of him to not make a harsh comment when Colin was in such close proximity. The blonde's thoughts caused him to look to his right. The male in question strode past, giving him a quick emotionless glance. For that brief moment, Colin saw something in those normally hateful mercury eyes that betrayed his prior thought..even just a tad.

'There's no way he could. Malfoy is absolutely against people of my existence. Today was probably one of those days when he decided to hold back. It took him long enough but I'm sure even arseholes of his caliber get tired of bashing me on a daily basis. No worries...yeah...no worries.'

Several weeks pass into Colin's fourth year. Everything has fallen into routine: Wake up, go to class, hang with friends, visit Miles (and still try to weasel an admittance out of him at the right time...whenever that was.), deal with the various students flirting and making passes at him...while kindly conversing back and trying to let them down easily. Thankfully, it was mostly the single female population coming after him so it wasn't too much trouble. Some blokes also approached him, but they were more subtle about their interest, most likely unsure whether or not if he batted for their team. To Colin, it didn't matter as long as there weren't hordes to fight off at this present time. It did make things easier. Unfortunately, he has been having issues with mainly two girls...Brown and Greengrass.

Up in the tower, Lavender couldn't have been more obvious. One day, she would sit right next to him and drag him in for a chat, the next...she'd offer to play with his hair while fingering his arm. Last night, she 'accidentally' fell into his lap.

''Oof! Lavender!"

"Oh, how clumsy of me. I'm so sorry! Are you ok?" Lavender pursed her lips cutely in apology.

"I..I'm fine. Just be more careful next time, please?"

She rubbed Colin's arm suggestively. ''I sure will, cutie."

Colin smiled weakly and nervously. ''Right. Well, uh..I kinda have to finish this or McGonagall will have my head."

"Aww...well, ok then. We'll talk later."

Colin inwardly rolled his eyes. 'Much later.'

Daphne was clicking her nails impatiently at Slytherin table at lunch the next afternoon. She ignored the voices around her as she flit her aqua eyes between her plate and Colin over with the Gryffindors.

'What else can I do to make you mine? I've never had this much trouble in getting a boy to pay me attention.'

Zabini lazily claimed a seat next to her. ''Trouble in your solitary paradise?"

"Oh shut it, Zabini. It's nothing for you to be concerned about."

Tracey interrupted, looking up from her fruit bowl. ''She's just mad because Creevey's not taking the bait.''

Blaise fought yet another laugh and firmly kept his calm. ''Oh? How is it that you have yet to sink your teeth into that particular Lion? Last time I checked, no man could resist your advances."

Daphne huffed, setting down her fork. "I don't understand. I've flirted, greeted him on the way to class, been nice to his rambunctious brother and kept numerous undesirable women at bay and nothing. How come he's not showing the least bit of interest?"

Zabini allowed a tiny smirk to show through and leaned onto one hand. "Would you like to hear my theory as to why that is?"

"No one's stopping you."

"I bet you Creevey's of the homosexual persuasion. Why else would he not surrender to your flagrant use of kind and flirtatious behavior?"

Daphne scoffed. "I don't think so. I just haven't been trying hard enough."

Blaise replied "Are you sure? You're not the only female he's turned away. In fact, he's let down quite a few."

"And you have noticed those few aren't the right sort of women. I am one of those women and once I entrance him with my wiles, he will crumble. My mother didn't raise a fool...she's taught me everything she knows."

Blaise raised an eyebrow and nodded. 'Apparently not everything. My mother's had better luck and she's a Black Widow.' ''I bet you ten galleons he's gay.''

Daphne smirked, flipping blonde hair over her thin shoulder. ''You're on, Zabini."

At lunch's conclusion, Blaise eyed the elder Greengrass daughter as she sauntered out with her friends. 'I will be ten galleons richer quite shortly.'

In the library around 4:15 that Friday (four days later...)

Colin scribbled notes on a piece of parchment at a table in the middle of the library, steadily ignoring the whispers and stares sent in his direction.

'Why I can't just shout out to the entire world that I have no interest in anyone other than...-'

A bottom torso clothed in a mid-thigh petal pink skirt settled on the tabletop right across from him. Colin knew those legs anywhere, as much as he hated to point out. 'Oh for Merlin's sake! Can't you bother someone else?!'

Trying to remain cool, Colin set down his quill. ''May I help you, Daphne?"

Daphne smiled saucily as she crossed her legs seductively, knowing she was drawing attention from various onlookers, one of them being Miles at a distant table not too far off. ''Not really. I was hoping to accompany you here in the library. It can get so dreadfully boring."

"Well...I dunno how I can possibly make it exciting."

She glided her fingertips along the top of his hand, whispering "There are a few things that can make this time worthwhile."

As she relayed her ideas to a very reluctant Colin, Miles growled lowly. ''Who the fuck does Greengrass think she is? Parading herself like a strumpet to get my baby's attention...it's fucking disgusting."

Graham replied, observing the scene before him with onyx eyes. ''Heh, I agree. But, I don't think Colin's taking it too well. Look at his left hand, it's tensing and his eyes, he's starting to get mad."

Montague was right, the blonde was close to losing his temper. Miles took this into consideration and shut up to watch further.

"...So, what do you think? You and me for a little private 'study session'?"

Colin drew in a deep breath and said flatly. "No. I will not go anywhere with you inside or out of this castle. I'm not interested in dating you."

Daphne's eyes hardened at his retort. ''Are you serious?! How you can sit there and blatantly deny me! Look at me! I'm beautiful and so are you. Don't you see that we're perfect for each other? Come on, what is wrong with me?! Can't you just tell me what that is?!"

"You're not man enough..."

Daphne froze as Colin eyed her impassively, hands folded on the tabletop. "Would you care to repeat that?"

Making sure to heighten his tone and to get his point across to the eavesdroppers, Colin returned "I said, You're. Not. Man. Enough. Greengrass, I'm gay...get over it." With that last punctuation, gasps rang throughout the library.

Miles almost jumped for joy at the sudden announcement. His little love came out and put Greengrass and every other chick in their place. Right now, the redhead was desperately trying to hide a goofy grin behind his book while Cassius nudged him. ''Hear that? Now you have a chance."

"I know and it's fucking fantastic. Please stop me from looking like a complete fool."

"Would you like me to hit you?"

"Uh...why not something lighter?"

"Ok, a pinch then."

"Ow! Not right there!"

"Well, you would have looked like a complete fool in more than one place."

Bletchley peered at his crotch, where a noticeable bulge was taking form. "Ooh, you're right. Thanks, mate."

"Anytime. Couldn't have you spear anyone in the corridors...save that for Colin.''

Leaving a flabbergasted Daphne in the library dust, Colin packed his bag and evacuated. Greengrass pinched the bridge of her dainty nose as she sat back down on the table. 'I owe Zabini ten galleons...goddamn it.'

Within mere hours, Colin's admission spread throughout Hogwarts like wildfire. The girls who shown interest were heavily disappointed and as for the single gay, bisexual and non-identifying males, some literally fistpumped the air in victory and the rest fought to contain their excitement in the common rooms. They would eagerly await the chance to make their move... for Colin was single, newly out and ready for the taking.

That's one suitor out of the way...and numerous others of the female criteria. Stay tuned for the next chapter...further drama awaits. :P