Hi! Welcome to Chapter 12! Yeah, I know it's been longer than expected and I keep kicking myself over it. Unfortunately I cannot write 24 hours a day. If I could do that without going insane and still manage to produce a good chapter, it would be a blessing. Well, enough of my blabbing, on with the show! :P

Chapter Twelve-An Actual Date

"..Then it's Johnson who passes the quaffle to Bell, narrowly escaping a bludger sent by Warrington! Thankfully it slams far off, unfortunately not far off to hit Bole, the bloody git..."

"Mr. Jordan!"

"Sorry, Professor! Anyway, Slytherin is leading Gryffindor 120-90 and Wood's looking furious!"

As Lee Jordan's colorful commentary progressed, Colin and his band stood together in the Gryffindor stands, cheering on the Lions as they battled on with the Snakes. In the midst of dodging bludgers and swooping Seekers, Colin crept about, snapping perfect photos at numerous angles, focusing directly on the Slytherin Keeper. Miles easily deflected another pass from a snarling Alicia Spinnet when the quaffle nearly hit her from the previous rebound. Privately, Colin was sure to wish him luck despite knowing how the game would mostly likely end.

He smiled, clicking the shutter button, catching Miles on the side.

'Very determined, definitely shows on your handsome face.' he mused, blushing over the exact face he planted kisses on last night.

He sighed, ready to take yet another photo when he heard ''Potter's got the snitch! Gryffindor wins! Game over!" Yep, Slytherin lost again. 120-240. What a crushing defeat. Colin frowned as Bletchley scowled, mostly from hearing Flint shout in frustration and the fact he'll have to hear it all the way to the showers and probably to the dorm. Poor guy can't catch a break. No worries, Colin will see that he helps alleviate the tension later.

''So, there goes another game."

"Yeah.." Cormac clapped him on his shoulder. "It's too bad. Honestly, their strategies were quite excellent."

"That's all dandy but with Harry still on the team, they still lost and Miles probably won't hear the end of it. I'll help him feel better."

Cormac winked. "I'm sure you will."

"Dude, we've just started dating. No sex this early."

"What about-"

"No, no blowjobs either."

"Way to be a buzzkill, Col. Which reminds me, I have an appointment in the locker-room."

Colin grinned. "You do that. Tell Warrington I said 'hello.'"

"Probably won't be doing much talking.''

Colin simply nodded in response while his friend disappeared. 'I wonder how far he's going to take it.'

Creeping silently through a separate corridor, Cormac observed as six of the Snakes vacated the locker-room. He noticed Warrington hasn't exited quite yet. Smirking, he swaggered up towards the door, opened it and went inside. In front of him stood a taller, muscular, light brunette dressed in only a towel, bent over and facing the inside of his locker. He walked closer, remembering to warm his hands like Neville so brilliantly (and humorously) pointed out.

'Need to buy more shampoo, probably a new face wash, and-' He found a sudden firm pressure grasping the full shape of his backside. There was no need to turn around.

"Hello, Cormac."

"Hello, Cassius."

Later that afternoon, Colin and Neville watched Cormac saunter into their dorm with reddened and swollen lips, some curious neck bruises and a goofy-ass smile.

Neville peered over his hand of cards. ''I think it went well, don't you?"

Colin just smiled, nodded and shuffled the deck.

"You did, didn't you? Knew it." Justin leered the next morning when he and his band met in their designated spot at the ruins in the courtyard.

"You don't know shit. He probably just jerked him off." Zacharias countered the sex assumption, watching Cormac touch his strongly visible hickeys yet again, proud of his badges of honor.

''Smith's got it."

"Told you, Finch."

"Shut up."

"Hey, at least there were no galleons lost on this one." Hannah reminded on the positive side.

"True."

"Well, I did believe you and Cassius went all the way for a moment, considering how long you were gone. Took you about two hours to come back to the dorm." Colin added on Cormac's right, leaning against the rock behind him.

Cormac lowered his eyelids halfway in mock-lust. "You missed me?"

"Ehhh...not that much."

"Oh, you wound me."

Susan raised her eyebrows. "A handjob on day one? Think you could've waited at least a week before doing that?"

Cormac grinned. "I told you guys I wanted to let him know I fancied him and I did in my own special way."

"And then you were rewarded.'' Dennis replied in a sarcastic monotone and the arrogant Lion either didn't notice or didn't care.

"Oh yes, which I will be again in the very near future. God, I have got to tell you. He has THE MOST perfect arse I have ever laid eyes on.''

"You go ahead with that. I'm going to stretch my legs a bit.''

"I'll be sure to regale you with the lovely imagery before bed."

"You always do."

Colin stood and headed across the courtyard, taking the time to observe the autumn foliage and how vibrant it has become within these past weeks. The orange trees to his right in the far distance reminded him of Bletchley's hair, with their top leaves matching his bright near-pumpkin shade and the lower ones reflecting the darker undertones. Their dark oak trunks were also solid and sturdy like him, only exception was that he wasn't as tall as they were...more on the lines of 5ft 9, give or take. Colin randomly noticed they were nearly the same height and it wouldn't be long until he surpasses that, considering his own father is over six feet. He knew he wouldn't have it in him to make short jokes when the time came but Dennis was another story, entirely. His little brother could be such an asshole sometimes. Well, at least Miles will have permission to hex him on occasion. Colin just chuckled, picturing Miles zapping Dennis with a mild stinging hex and he falls off the couch with a yelp. Hey, he's allowed to be a little bit vindictive. He lives with Dennis.

Smiling to himself, he turned down an empty grassy walkway, his long golden hair fluttering in the light breeze. Another person sauntered towards him with an aristocratic grace. "Hello, Creevey."

Colin stopped, seeing it was Malfoy. "Uh, hi. Well...bye."

Draco stepped forward as he tried to turn. ''Wait. Got a minute?"

Colin shrugged, unsure of where this was going. What piqued his curiosity more was how Draco found him in the first place. He responded. "I guess I do."

"Good, because I was wanting to speak with you."

Colin knew the Ice Prince was beating around the bush, trying to be subtle as he gazed upon him with a foreign look in his eye. The Lion was getting impatient with this overdrawn tactic. "All right. Just out with it already."

Draco raised his sculpted eyebrows and faintly smiled. "Since you put it that way, I came to request your company for a midnight date up at the Astronomy Tower. I'll, of course, supply the refreshments and you don't have to bring anything but yourself."

Colin stared, shocked to see Malfoy; of all people, has expressed interest in him. A muggleborn. One that he's tormented and taunted ever since his first fucking year, one that Goyle pummeled while he stood and watched. 'Shocked' probably wasn't the best term to describe how he felt at this moment. 'Angered' and 'disgusted' was far more accurate.

He furiously snapped. ''You hate muggleborns. Why the hell are you even attempting to ask me out?! You've protested my existence from the very beginning!"

Draco retorted smoothly, putting his hand up in a gesture to calm the Gryffindor. ''That was then. And considering how you look now, I decided for a change.'' That response was so bloody typical. He couldn't have expected anything less from him.

Colin scoffed. ''Seriously? Because of my looks? Wow, I..I really can't describe in words how conceited and shallow you are. To even think about going...ugh." He shook his head, not bothering to finish. "No, just no. I will not go out on a date with you. I'm gonna go." Spinning on his heels, Colin left Draco standing and sputtering in the walkway.

Taking a moment to gather his wits, Draco fumed. 'Did he just deny me? How dare he! Colin should've accepted my invitation. Anyone who's anyone should be grateful that I bother to seek them out and the ones that have were.'

He sighed, tapping his foot upon the ground, thinking. There had to be a reason, a good reason why Colin turned him down (while totally disregarding the mention of his looks). He's let up immensely on his teasing, enough to where it's nonexistent. He's praised his work in class. He forbade Crabbe and Goyle from approaching him or his brother, so why the hell did he say 'no'? He knows the Lion is single, so there shouldn't have been a problem. But whatever the underlying issue was that caused his plan to blow up, he needed to find out and terminate it. Colin was going to be his one way or another.

That night in the Room of Requirement, two lovestruck teens laid upon the couch, arms wrapped around each other in a gentle embrace and sharing deep kisses until the clock struck ten. Colin glanced at the clock, pulling away from Miles. He whined, missing that hot, wet mouth.

''Aw, why'd you stop?"

"Have you looked at the clock?"

"Do I have to?" He resisted that very movement, focusing on Colin's face instead.

Colin smiled. "It's an hour before curfew and it takes a while to get back."

Miles pouted. "Ok. I guess we can call it a night, then."

"Before we do, I've been thinking."

"About?"

"Why is it that we haven't planned our first actual date yet? Snogging in the ROR doesn't exactly count."

Still holding onto Colin, Miles replied. "Well, we're not out to the school and you've been receiving invitations left and right. In between that, classes, and practice, we haven't gotten around to it. Have you anything in mind?"

Colin flushed slightly, moving hair behind his ears. Miles loved how he did that. So fucking cute. ''Uh, not exactly. I was kinda wondering if you did."

The Keeper grinned, laughing. "No, not lately. I was caught up in the here and now."

Colin snorted. "We suck at this, don't we?"

"A little but we can think of something later, I suppose. No pressure."

Colin deliberately moved slowly out from under Miles and stood. ''Yeah, we can. I really need to get going so, goodnight?"

Miles kissed him once more and pinched Colin's backside, smirking when he squeaked. ''Goodnight."

'I really should have thought sooner about our first date. I knew it was coming. Merlin, I hope I can come up with an idea or two so Miles and I can reach an agreement. Problem is, I'm drawing a blank. Terrible. Maybe after tonight it'll be easier to brainstorm.' Colin mused after he showered, dressed and wandered straight to bed.

He opened the bedcurtain to see Cormac already there with the duvet pulled up to his neck. Throwing up a Silencer, Colin narrowed his eyes slightly, the corner of his smile upturned in amusement. ''Please don't be naked."

Cormac gave him a little smirk. "You never have a problem when we're dressing or in the showers."

"We're not in the showers, we're in my bed. Big difference."

"Relax, Col." Cormac opened the duvet, showing his pajama-clad lower half. "I'm not naked. And if I were, I don't think you'd mind. You certainly didn't when you spent the majority of summer hols with me."

Colin crawled in and shut the curtain. "I didn't have a choice. We shared your room and you traipsed about naked half the damn time.''

Cormac flitted his violet orbs to Colin's mouth and hummed. ''That's not the only thing we shared.''

Colin didn't counter, remembering the times they practiced snogging when they weren't lifting weights. Cormac offered to do more after groping, caressing, and stroking him a few times but he refused, saying he wanted Miles to do the rest for him. Cormac happily respected his decision and kept the casual affection to a minimum. (As minimum as Cormac was capable of.)

"Yeah, we did." Colin smiled, pulling up the covers. He sighed, drumming his fingers on his stomach. Cormac stilled them by placing his hand on top and rubbing it gently.

"What's on your mind? I noticed the intense, thoughtful look you had when you came into the common room.''

''I can't think of what to do for a first date. I mean, there are so many obvious things but I dunno how because we're not out and there's so much we can actually do within these walls. I dunno what to choose or where to start."

"Has he thought of anything?"

"Nope. We're both at fault for that. Too caught up in trying to get each other, remember?"

Cormac nodded in understanding, then quieted for a moment. He looked to his best mate. ''How about this. Why not try a small intimate dinner date? It's classic but always a good place to begin. It's how my mum and dad started.''

"That doesn't sound bad. I think that would work...hey..'' the gears in his head started to turn. ''Hey...I think I know how to do it. Remember when I told you the first time Miles and I hung out after dark in first year?"

''I do. See? You're creative.''

"Yeah, I think it'll be quite enjoyable. So..." Colin nudged him, turning on his side and propping his head on his head. He playfully tapped his mate's lovebites with a free hand. ''...how exactly did your encounter with Cassius unfold?''

Cormac grinned mischievously. ''Get comfortable because it's going to be a very detailed explanation.''

In the Slytherin dorm, Bletchley's bed.

'Nice. You have absolutely nothing planned for your first date with Colin. Good going. You're doing an exceptional job as a boyfriend.' Miles berated himself as he got into bed that night, charming the curtains silent to drown out the passionate noise coming from Flint's bed. For such a prim and pompous prefect, Percy could get loud and wild. The Keeper sighed and turned on his back, staring up at his canopy. 'I have got to think of something. Anything. It has to be something Colin would like. Damn, where's Cassius when I need him?'

To his right, the emerald curtain shifted and a muscular body crawled through. ''Hey mate."

There he is and in great timing, too. "Hey.."

Cassius smirked. ''So, I see you're also not interested in hearing Weasley's concert. Flint must be performing rather well."

''I assume from the pitch of every other cry, he is.''

''Need to talk? You seem like you do from the nonchalant tone I'm hearing."

Miles replied flatly. ''I suck."

Cassius nodded. ''You're brilliant at it."

"Not that kind of suck. I suck at being a boyfriend. I haven't considered anything for mine and Colin's first date."

"Seriously? It's not that hard."

"Don't be an arse, I'm asking for help here.''

"Ok, well...if we take the fact of your relationship staying unknown to everyone else, your choices are somewhat limited. Hogsmeade is definitely out of the question, same as a picnic during the day outside where anyone could see. You guys are better doing something indoors. Something that's not too extravagant. Hmm...how about an indoor picnic? Like wherever you two meet? Picture it." Cassius gestured his hands about like an artist would to an audience when there's a portrait before them. "Mood lighting, food pilfered from the kitchens, a soft blanket or transfigured dining table set, and you two all by yourselves. It's romantic, it's personal, it's a good opportunity to get some groping in."

Miles smirked. "You know, that doesn't sound half bad. I'll mention it to him, thanks. And yeah, the groping's not gonna happen. At least not this early. We're not you and Cormac. Oh and how did all that play out earlier? I can see from the bruises it totally wasn't terrible.''

"Amazing. He's quite adept at handling cock."

''...Transfiguration essay: E, Potions test: O, Defense...another O. Good because any lower in that and Dad would have given me a lecture.'' Miles murmured, folding his graded essays and/or test parchments and stuffed them inside his bag. Thankful that his scores remained at an appropriate range, he rose from his seat and left the Great Hall.

This time, a balled-up parchment bounced off the back of his head. Bletchley whipped out his wand out of instinct and glared behind him, his scowl frightening a few first-year Ravenclaws. They dispersed immediately and fled to the left. He looked down at his feet, picked it up and unraveled it. It was Colin's handwriting.

'Oops.'

He didn't mean to scare them off. It was out of habit. Hoping Colin didn't witness that, he scanned the letter.

'-Come to our spot around 8:00 tonight and skip dinner. Got a surprise for you.-'

Almost laughing, he incendioed the note and smiled, gazing back to the occupied blonde wandering far down the corridor. 'A surprise for me, eh? Guess you beat me to it. I'll be there.'

When eight rolled around, Miles passed before the wall three times, giving way to a wooden door. He took the time to dress impeccably for the occasion yet still casual. Miles came to his date wearing a dark emerald green long-sleeve shirt and fitted black jeans that hugged every muscle on his athletic body. His short red hair, neatly combed, and on his skin, a faint spritz of high-end cologne. Not too overbearing, not too light, just enough to alert the senses. ''Colin?" He called, entering the darkened room.

''Where are you? Got your note."

A light shone not far from where Miles was standing.

''Over here.'' Colin replied with a grin. From the average-sized 'Lumos', Miles could make out that Colin sported a sky blue button-up shirt, a pair of medium-blue stonewashed jeans with a tasteful woven leather belt, and white trainers. His golden hair cascaded over his shoulders without a single tangle and Miles could have sworn he also put on a dash of cologne, of course it was an expensive muggle brand he caught a whiff of from being within close proximity of Justin Finch-Fletchley a few weeks back. Colin must have borrowed some. Still, it riled him up all the same. He looked gorgeous.

"You look stunning."

"Thanks. So do you." Colin smiled, eyes roaming all over the Keeper's prominent chest and biceps. Miles waltzed over and brought him in for a kiss.

"So, why's the room pitch black?"

"Well, I finally came up with an idea for our first date."

"I noticed. You beat me right to it."

Colin snickered. "I did? I'm sorry, I meant to tell you before but I decided on a surprise. Uh, what did you want to do?"

"Eh, a small private indoor picnic between us."

"Good that you didn't bring anything."

"Why?"

Colin whispered, raising his wand. "Because of this." He pointed at the ceiling. ''Vocare caelum nocturna!'* The stone above shifted from a straight black to a darkness mixed with few wispy clouds, thousands of bright dots spread in every direction and to the top right, a waxing gibbous illuminated the recreated current skyline. A wide grin cracked the Keeper's slightly tanned and lightly-freckled face. This was the sweetest thing Colin had ever done for him. (As of yet and before this date.)

''You remembered. Our first night here.."

''Yep and if you look down to our right." He pointed to a spacious blanket lit by extra fairy lights on the corners with plates, silverware, goblets, Butterbeer and an enchanted picnic basket packed to the brim. Colin led Miles to the blanket and sat across from him, opening the wicker lid and pulling out food.

Miles took the plate Colin prepared for him. ''This is definitely what I had in mind...uh, except for the indoor planetarium scene and my twist would have had us sitting on chairs.''

Colin popped the cork on his bottle and winked. ''Great minds think alike."

"Uh, Col?"

"Yeah?"

"I really gotta be honest. Cassius helped me come up with an idea."

Colin snorted and hung his head in playful shame. "Cormac helped me initially. I thought of the rest.''

''We can't do anything without their help, can we?"

"Apparently not."

They shared another round of laughter until their stomachs reminded them to eat.

Licking the leftover caramel off his fingertips, Colin asked. ''Would you like another caramel pudding? I've put four in here because you like them so much.''

Bletchley felt some blood pool in his groin watching that pink tongue wash away the sugary sauce, wishing those fingers weren't what he was licking. Miles made a move to casually press his thighs together. ''Uh, um..nah, I-I'm full."

"Really?" Colin pretended he didn't see what was forming in those tight jeans and licked his finger again even though the caramel was already gone, just to see his expression.

Miles followed the movement like a hawk. "Yeah, I couldn't eat another bite."

Colin's not going to admit he felt himself harden and blush slightly. "Me either."

Deciding to change subject, Miles asked. "Think we should clean up and get out of here?"

Colin pointed to the large pillows inside the wicker basket's compartment with a small pout. "I was hoping we could lay here and make out for a while if we had time."

Miles loved that pout so he surrendered. ''We do have a little over an hour before curfew."

"Great!" The blonde enthusiastically threw down those pillows, grabbed Miles by the collar and excitedly claimed his mouth. Miles was too happy to comply.

''Thank you for dinner, Col. It was lovely."

''You're welcome. Too bad we couldn't lay around longer."

Miles whispered, bumping their noses together. "Maybe we can on the next date."

Colin hugged him. ''I'll be looking forward to it."

They shared a deeper, more passionate kiss before Colin left to the tower and Miles, the dungeons.

*''Vocare caelum nocturna": "(I) Summon night sky" (It's the planetarium spell Miles cast when Colin was a firstie. I made that all up. Excuse the order or whatever that is or may be wrong. I'm not a Latin major.)

What you think? Kinda cute for a first date? (Hey, I tried.) :P :)

(Also, I spaced out the dialogue and cleaned things up a bit. It's still the same content, so to all who's followed prior to this, don't worry! I did this to all my fics so it's easier for everyone to read.)