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Platform nine and three-quarters was packed, like it always was. Blaine was easily able to spot the first years. There seemed to be a few more than usual this year. That was promising, in his mind. Hogwarts needed more students. There was definitely enough room.
Blaine headed for the front of the train, where the Prefects' compartment was located. There was more than likely going to be a meeting for the Prefects, to hand out the new patrol schedules and to inform the fifth-year Prefects of their new duties.
The Gryffindor wasn't looking forward to it. He didn't want to see Kurt or Sebastian again. Not yet. While he was mostly over what had happened the year before, he was still slightly hurt and bitter. Just seeing either of the two boys would rub salt into the slowly healing wound.
Blaine swung his trunk up above a seat in the Prefects' compartment with practiced ease. He had come a long way from being a short first year with no upper body strength. Just two more years and he would be leaving Hogwarts.
"How was your summer, Blaine?" Mercedes asked when she joined him a few minutes later. They were the first Prefects to arrive.
The curly-haired boy shrugged his shoulders.
"Fine," he said. "Pretty boring for the most part. Yours?"
Mercedes grinned.
"We went to Germany for most of the summer. It was fun, except for the day when my dad decided to take us to Auschwitz."
"Auschwitz?" Blaine asked. The word was vaguely familiar but he assumed it was something Muggle. Mercedes's parents were fascinated by Muggles. They had even gone so far as to send Mercedes to a Muggle primary school before she had arrived at Hogwarts.
"The Muggle labor camp in the second world war?" Mercedes asked, hoping to ring a bell in Blaine's head. "Extermination camps? Gassing and all that?"
"Oh," Blaine said with a blush. "That sounds like a depressing visit." Mercedes nodded.
"My mom spent most of the day crying," she informed her fellow Prefect before deciding to change the subject.
"So did you and—" she started to ask. Blaine cut her off.
"No," he replied sharply. His tone softened a little. "I sent him a birthday card, though." Mercedes raised an eyebrow at that admission.
"Did you hear anything back?" she asked. Blaine shook his head.
"I wasn't expecting to," he said before glancing out the window and onto the platform. He immediately looked away, having spotted Sebastian. The Slytherin was saying goodbye to his mother.
Sebastian kissed his mother's cheek one last time before grabbing his trunk.
"I'll write," he promised as he began walking in the direction of the train.
"You better," she warned. "Otherwise I'll send a Howler."
Sebastian tried not to shiver at the threat. He knew his mother would follow through on her threats and he didn't want to deal with the public humiliation that the Howler would bring.
Sebastian looked around the platform one last time. He refused to admit that he was looking for something. Two somethings, to be accurate.
Sebastian glanced in the direction of the Prefects' compartment and spotted a familiar head of curly hair. His stomach twisted nervously. Blaine.
The Slytherin was still having a hard time grasping the fact that he had fallen for two people at once. Who did that? Especially falling for both of them after they had sex multiple times. Wasn't it the other way around in normal relationships?
Swallowing nervously, the Slytherin Prefect gripped his trunk handle harder and began dragging it toward the Prefects' compartment.
Kurt glanced at the clock and frowned nervously. It was nearing eleven o'clock and the train would be leaving in the next few minutes. He would have to rush to make it on time. Hopefully there were no more Muggle-born first years that needed help finding the platform since he had to leave. Thankfully he had managed to convince Santana to take his trunk through the barrier. It was one last thing that he had to worry about.
Making sure no one was paying attention, Kurt slipped through the barrier and straightened his robes before walking purposely toward the train. He pinned his Prefect badge on the front of his black robes as he made his way through the thinning crowd. It was mostly parents on the platform now.
The Ravenclaw Prefect had to refrain from smirking as the younger students dodged out of the way as they ran down the train aisles. It was clear who had the power on the train.
By the time Kurt arrived at the Prefects' compartment, there were only a two seats left. Kurt bit his lip nervously, considering his options. He could either sit next to Blaine and face Sebastian or sit next to Sebastian and face Blaine. Neither of his options were ideal.
The conversation in the Prefects' compartment quieted as Kurt appeared. After a few seconds of hesitation, Kurt gritted his teeth and sat down next to Blaine. It would be easier to face Sebastian than his ex-boyfriend.
The silence in the Prefects' compartment remained for a few moments longer. Several of the Prefects shook their heads, resigned. Of course things hadn't been solved over the summer. Naturally they were going to be tense. Why had they even allowed the boys to sit so close together?
"All right, let's get started," the Head Boy for the year, a Gryffindor named Trent, spoke up, turning the focus away from the three Prefects.
After the first few days, the students began falling into a regular routine at Hogwarts, including the Prefects. The rumors that flew around the halls the year before had been forgotten by most already. There were new rumors to listen to and pass on.
The three involved in last year's rumors were secretly relieved. The speculation they had been under had been smothering. They would deal with the occasional inquisitive glance or pitying stare as long as it wasn't the focal point of the school. The pressure to resolve their issues back then had been too much.
Within the first couple of days, Kurt had staked out his spot in the library. It was set slightly away from the other tables but he could still keep an eye on things. The librarian trusted him to keep the other students in the library under control and he wasn't about to fail her.
The year before, Blaine would have joined Kurt for their study dates. Now the Ravenclaw was alone. It was disturbing how much Kurt missed the Gryffindor. Studying seemed much duller now that he had no one to share it with.
Nearly two weeks into the school year, Kurt was in his study spot when he had an unexpected visitor.
Kurt glared up at the Slytherin as he was approached.
"What do you want, Sebastian?" he asked sharply. Sebastian took a seat next to him
"I have a proposition for you," he said.
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