Save All Your Kisses
Summary: Harry Potter was sick of it; of the media, of the pitying looks - he was stressed. So, he got a map, and trailed his finger across it with his eyes slammed shut. Wherever his finger landed, he would go - and, opening his eyes, he saw Lima, Ohio. A Muggle town; what about his lack of education? He wasn't sure. He had to admit there was a certain thrill about going in with no real plan; and that's what he did.
AN: Harry's Hogwarts education/the war will be explained in either the next chapter or the following one.
Monday came, bright and early, and Harry was beaming when he was making his toast, eating his toast, brushing his teeth, brushing his hair, dressing - he was so damn happy, and he didn't know why. Well, he did know why, actually. He had made an attractive, homosexual friend; there was no hiding in the closet for him. There was no need.
He left quickly, throwing his bag over his shoulder and grabbing a white jacket from the bottom of the stairs. He'd finally managed to unpack everything and now he was content.
He sped to school, aware it probably wasn't great to be speeding, but when he arrived at the school with no complaints, he wasn't too fussed. Getting out of the car and locking it, he turned. Nearly every eye was on him. He gulped, wondering what he'd done to attract such attention, but he walked with swinging hips anyway. Hopefully it was just his appearance that threw people off. Incredibly tight grey jeans tucked into black Doc Martens and a lighter grey shirt wasn't too adventurous, sure, but his jacket was white and very bright - he screamed wealth. Car didn't help, he mused. Good car though.
"Potter Harry Potter!" Harry turned at the sound of his name and he beamed, almost running across the car park to Kurt Hummel. The boy was dressed much like Harry, although a tad more flamboyant with a lovely dark scarf and changing his bland colours for brighter ones.
"Kurt, Kurt Hummel, darling!" His voice echoed across the car park. Silence. Utter silence. Homophobic people alert. Harry cackled to himself. "Oh, Kurt, Kurt Hummel, darling, I missed you. Come, come. I need to find the receptionist, Kurt, Kurt Hummel, and you are my only hope."
Kurt laughed, too, joining in on the theatrics and ignoring the whispers of consequence in the back of his mind. It was one thing being openly gay, but flaunting it was terrible. "Come, Potter Harry Potter, I will show you the way!"
Harry snickered to himself as he was dragged by the taller boy. School bullies had nothing on Lord Voldemort, right? "What do you have first, Kurt? Would you be okay with showing me around a little?"
"I have English." Kurt replied, finally slowing. "And, sure. Tell me about yourself, Harry."
"What do you want to know?" Harry worried his lips. He wasn't up-to-date with Muggles at all.
"Favourite colour, musician, music genre... Those kinds of things." Kurt watched him from the corner of his eye, aware of the students milling around them but oddly concerned for the other boy.
"Um - favourite colour. Hm. Silver, I guess. A mercury type colour. Musician... Pink, I guess. She's the only person I've really listened to. Genre... I don't know. None of that screamo, stuff, though. Some is pretty damn awesome, but when I don't know what they're saying because they're screaming and growling... Hell no. What about you?"
Kurt smiled wickedly. "We're here, Potter Harry Potter. Go get your timetable and I'll escort you to your lesson." Harry nodded, leaving and returning a minute later. "What do you have?"
Harry pursed his lips. "English with... Somebody named Coleman?" He tilted the timetable, hoping the paper would be more conclusive with a room number, but no such thing appeared.
"Great!" Kurt chirped, taking the boys arm and pulling him out of the office. "You're with me! Now, Mrs. Coleman isn't a great teacher, so we can chat and compare timetables and I can introduce you to the idiots in my class."
Was he too happy? Harry couldn't decide, gazing up at the other boy. "Don't you have any friends in your English?"
"Nope," Kurt popped the 'p'. "It's why I'm glad you're with me, actually."
Harry said nothing more, trying to map the hallways mentally. He muffled his shriek when Kurt suddenly pulled him into a room and led him to the back. "Sit there," Kurt pointed to the very corner of the room. "Hopefully others will come in before the idiots get here. I'm their main target."
Main target? "What do they do?" Harry dreaded to think.
"Oh, mostly just notes, death threats..." Kurt was so painfully nonchalant that it tugged at something in Harry's chest.
"Death threats?" Kurt didn't seem willing to disclose any more, but the conversation ended with the arrival of other pupils that stared as they sat down. Harry shifted around on the chair until he was partially hidden by Kurt, who gave him an indescribable look. "I don't like it when people stare at me." Harry expanded, although he didn't feel like he had to. "Subtlety isn't commonly found among your peers, it seems."
Kurt giggled quietly, stiffening when several people in red and white letterman jackets entered the classroom. There were immediate catcalls and Harry kept hearing the words "fag" "Hummel" "new kid" used in rapid conversations.
"Why're they calling me a cigarette?" Harry asked Kurt, his nose wrinkled.
Kurt giggled again. "It's a derogatory term for a homosexual, like faggot." Understanding dawned in Harry's eyes. "And they're not calling you it. They're calling me it."
Harry didn't know how to reply. He blinked before turning his attention to the teacher.
Kurt pouted, expecting a reply to that, and quickly found a piece of paper and a pen. I don't think I should walk you to your next lesson. They'll probably try something with me. He pushed it over and Harry scanned it, pursing his lips. He quickly found a pen - a peculiar fountain pen shaped like a feather that required an inkwell - and jotted a reply.
If they try something with you, they try something with me, Kurt, Kurt Hummel. Kurt grinned. "I wouldn't recommend it, but thank you." he whispered.
Kurt wrote down a question that was plaguing him; Why have you started later in the year?
My old school didn't want me to go, so I had to sit extra exams; massive ball-ache, I tell you. Why aren't we listening to the teacher?
Kurt stifled a laugh. She's the worst teacher I've ever had, that's why. If you're struggling just ask me for help. Can you sing?
Definitely can't sing, no. Why? I sound like a cat in heat.
Kurt had to stifle another laugh, biting his tongue. I was just wondering if you'd like to join Glee Club. Please try out! All of my friends are in it.
A club for being happy? And I have to sing? Harry gazed at the other boy dubiously.
No! It's basically a group of people who sing together... A singing club.
I guess I'll try, but I still sound like a yowling cat in a cat gang bang.
Kurt couldn't stifle this laugh and it rang out across the classroom, nearly silencing it. Harry laughed next to him, still trying to hide behind the taller boy.
"So... Comparing timetables?" Harry asked, sliding his own over to Kurt. Kurt fished out his own and lay them side by side. They both had World History next, with a teacher named Jones. After that, Harry was on his own until fifth, where he was reunited with the other boy for the last three periods. "Shit." Harry laughed, putting his head down. "I was hoping we'd be together forever so I didn't have to socialise."
Kurt's wistful smile wasn't lost on Harry, but he didn't comment on it and pretended to search the rest of the timetables. "Hey, we actually have a tonne of lessons together," Harry muttered, surprised. He opened his bag and found a blue pen, circling the lessons they had together. "Aw, that makes me happy, now. I was worried we'd have none together and we couldn't be friends or something."
A wicked sound echoed across the school, buzzing loudly. "Merlin!" Harry exclaimed, pressing his hands over his ears. "What the hell is that?"
Kurt lifted one mocking eyebrow. "The bell. Come, come, Harry Potter. You'll love World History. I have friends in there. It's easy, too, you don't have to try. I was meant to take it at A-P but I decided against it."
Harry stood, packing away his things, and swung his arm into Kurt's. The taller boy stumbled slightly, but Harry began to drag them out of the room with a curly-hair toss and a swing of his hips. If Kurt noticed the way Harry tripped the people in Letterman jackets the moment they stepped too close, he didn't comment on it; or even the way that Harry held onto his arm with such a strong grip so that he wasn't shoved into lockers.
"So... World History?" Harry turned big eyes up and Kurt smiled widely, pushing Harry through an open door way. "You're so aggressive!" Harry complained, staring at some of his new class; they stared back in an array of annoyance, disgust and amusement. "Where do you sit?"
Kurt grinned, pushing him down in an empty seat and sitting at the table in front. "I have frie - "
"Friends in this class, I get it." Harry smiled, removing a binder from his bag and a pen. "Here's hoping news reports work for me."
This classroom filled up quicker than Harry expected, considering they had nearly ran to here. Mr. Jones was a tall man with lank blond hair - his greasy hair reminded him painfully of Professor Snape, the estranged war hero. Nobody knew where he was, and Harry wanted to find him desperately. He had questions and he wanted them answered.
"Sorry I'm late, Mr. Jones!" Harry's dwelling was broken by this... loutish thing. The person who had spoken had - first of all - a Mohawk. Harry pursed his lips and shook his head. Not liking that. He carried on assessing him; Letterman jacket, body looking like it was pumped up on steroids, broad shoulders and dark eyes. Harry's type, but he also appeared to be straight. Shit.
"Right. Well - sit next to the new kid," Harry bristled at being called the 'new kid'. "Detention after school tomorrow, Puck."
"Whose the new kid?" Dark brown eyes scrutinised the entire classroom and finally landed on Harry's glowering face, aimed at Mr. Jones. "Ah, all right."
He swanned over like he owned the school and anger bubbled in Harry's chest - God he thought he'd left people like that in England!
"You got a name, new kid?" Mr. Brown Eyes gave him a once-over and nodded, swinging his bag to the floor and dropping heavily on the only other available stool.
"It's common courtesy to give your own name first," Harry pouted, looking to the front of the room as the Snape-look-alike began to teach.
"Noah Puckerman," was the simply reply. "Name, new kid. Waiting."
Harry smiled, despite himself. "Harry Potter."
"Nice to meet you, Harry Potter. Call me Puck." Puck turned in his seat to face him; Harry was aware of Kurt's shocked face but paid no heed. "From that accent, you're English. Why'd you move to Lima?"
Harry rose an eyebrow. "Okay, Puck. I moved to Lima because I trailed my finger on a map with my eyes closed and landed here. Good a place as any to come to, right?"
"No," Puck laughed loudly, throwing his head back in his mirth. "Pretty shit place, actually. You must have been in a shit place to come here, huh? Why a finger on the map? That's pretty strange, bro."
Harry smiled, despite his urge to defend Hogwarts. "Shite place, yeah." His eyes glimmered in amusement. "Boarding school in Scotland," he expanded when Puck leaned forward slightly in interest. "But I lived in Surrey when school was out. As for the map thing... It's the way I've always done things." He shrugged.
"So - was there like, baby-booms? Or was it all-male or something?" Kurt looked incredibly shocked now, and had turned around to listen in.
"Mixed sex, but no baby-boom. Never any babies, actually... That I was aware of." Never any babies... I wonder why? Harry bit his lip in confusion. "Any baby-boom here?" He asked, slightly jokingly. Kurt grimaced at the thought and turned around, Puck nudging Harry in the ribs and nodding at Mr. Jones.
"If you're all quite done..." Mr. Jones gave them a pointed look and Harry was temped to stick his tongue out at the man, choosing instead to cross his arms and smile innocently.
The lesson passed quickly, with Puck's witty remarks and Harry's head being filled with the mindless gossip of McKinley High.
By the lesson end, Harry and Puck had built up a hesitant friendship, "What do you have next?" Harry asked, looking at his timetable. "I have History with... Smith? Why don't they tell me room numbers or names?"
"You're with me!" Puck chirped, swinging his bag over his shoulder. "Come on, Harry!"
Harry gave Kurt a cheeky grin and waved goodbye, following the much-taller and larger boy to his next lesson. He soon became aware of people giving them wide berth and there was a lot of staring going on, but he didn't know if it was at him or Puck. He didn't question it, especially since Puck seemed like a good guy to have around.
Harry was nervously waiting outside of his locker, trying to find either Kurt's neat hairstyle or Puck's messy one, when he felt a stirring in his magic, tugging him towards... Somewhere. He was painfully lost. But, he sighed, and trudged along, trusting his magic. It led him to another set of lockers, but he saw the groomed hairstyle and practically bounded over to him. "Kurt!" he sang, stopping to the left of him.
Kurt gave him a small smile but it didn't reach his eyes. Harry frowned; "What's up?"
"Nothing, Harry," Kurt sighed, slamming his locked shut and taking Harry's arm in his own. "Just an idiot or... many."
"Oooh, sounds juicy. Can I do anything?" Harry grinned, ruffling his hair to cover his forehead. Kurt finally laughed as Harry began to rock on his heels and stare at him with wide, emerald green eyes.
"Unless you can find a way to push them in front of a US tank..." Kurt admitted dully, his blue-green eyes shadowed. "They're such... bastards! I hate swearing, I really do, but I can't find a word to describe them!"
"Who is it? I'll prank them." A terrifying grin blossomed on Harry's face. "Ooh, which one is it, Kurt?"
"All of them," Kurt whispered as a boy with an afro stepped close to them and then turned away from Harry's sharp glare. "I'll point them out in the cafeteria."
Harry's grin became a little more malicious when they entered the cafeteria and saw the Slush Puppy machine. "I want a raspberry one!" Harry gasped, dragging Kurt over. He was acutely aware of the 'jocks' sat on a table right next to the machine and Kurt's frantic shaking of his head, but he grabbed two large cups and began to fill them up. "I was never allowed Slush Puppies when I was younger," Harry pouted, sticking two straws into each drink. "I - What are you laughing at? Do you want one?"
Kurt giggled loudly. "Sl - Slush Puppies? Really? We just call them slushies. No, I don't, but thank you."
"Personally I think slushie is a terrible name! Slush Puppy appeals to everyone! Slushie is so drab and dull..." Harry exclaimed, twisting the nozzles up so that the machine stopped. He picked the two up and sauntered off, Kurt following closely behind. "Where do we sit, dearest?"
Kurt flushed at the pet name, much like how he did all those other times Harry referred to him affectionately, and dragged him over to a table filled with other people. "Hey, guys," Kurt nervously greeted. "This is Harry."
There were a chorus of greetings before there was a mad shuffle, trying to make room for the two boys to sit. They ended up pushed together, with Puck on Harry's other side. Harry sipped his slushie, placing the other on the table, watching. Waiting.
"Why do you have two slushies?" A nervous looking boy asked, with a dopey expression on his face. "You better not slushie someone - "
"Kurt?" Harry eye-smiled when the dopey boy began to splutter at being cut off. "What does 'slushie' mean?"
Kurt slapped his hand on his head. "It's - um, where you throw the drink on someone else. Happens a lot to me."
Harry nodded sagely. "Kurt?" Kurt gulped. "Why would they slushie you?"
"I'm not very popular around here, Harry." Kurt put his chin on his hands. "Homosexual, with an IQ larger than my shoe size and not ashamed to tell them about it."
Harry snickered. "I'll protect you, Kurt. Pranking arseholes is my speciality," He wiggled his eyebrows and Kurt huffed a laugh. "Introductions! Hi. I'm Harry Potter."
The people around the table began to introduce themselves, one girl in particular making him laugh. "No, he's not my cousin..."
"Well, it's lovely to meet you all. I guess you're all in that happy club Kurt talks about?"
"Glee," Kurt hastened to correct him. "Yes, they are. A couple are missing - namely Rachel, Santana, Quinn and Brittany," He sniffed disdainfully. "But this is the majority of Glee."
"Will you be joining?" Puck asked, finally speaking. Harry noticed a couple of the Glee kids shuffle and look away from Puck, making Harry terribly curious. "You may as well - you're homosexual and short, so..."
Harry snickered while Kurt bristled behind him, muttering something about bigotry and ignorance. "Definitely not. Can't sing, can't dance, can't act. I can cook, though - bake, too. Hell, if you have a running team or something, I can do that! Used to get a lot of practice running back home." Harry snickered again, louder this time. "Apparently a lot will be done here," Harry gazed around the cafeteria, eyeing people he found to be a problem and resigning himself to a shitty year. "Running is fun."
Puck chortled, leering. "I can definitely tell you're a runner, pretty boy - " Harry smirked inwardly, shifting closer to the other boy and putting his hand on his thigh.
"You think I'm pretty?" Harry threw back, making his eyes go impossibly wide behind his glasses. "Really really?"
Puck shifted uncomfortably. "W - what? Can I carry on my insult? Nobody interrupts Puckzilla - "
"Puckzilla?" Harry giggled, stammering on the name. "P - Zilla?" Puck stuck his lower lip out in a pout and Harry pulled it on reflex. "Don't pout. Babies pout. You're not a baby, are you, Puck?"
Kurt watched with the same expression he wore in World History - a mixture of disgust, jealousy and shock. Harry shrugged internally - in for a penny, in for a pound! He trailed his hand higher on the larger boys lap until Puck shot out of his seat. "I can already tell you're going to be a problem, Potter," Puck laughed awkwardly. "But I'm not gay, okay?"
"We'll see," Harry purred, taking another sip of his slushie. "We'll see, Puckerman."
"It's no good crushing on a straight boy, Harry," Kurt whispered into his ear while Puck sat back down, leaning slightly away from Harry. "Trust me."
Harry turned his head to whisper, "Are you sure he's straight?"
"Does anything that walks," Kurt muttered. "But never any boys."
"That sucks." Harry pouted, putting his head on Kurt's shoulder. "Oh - sorry if you have personal space issues or anything, but I thrive on touch. If you don't want me to pin you down and cuddle you to death, you'll let me be affectionate."
Kurt blushed, staring at the Glee club in slight mortification, slight pleasure. Mercedes in particular looked put-out; the rest seemed confused by the relationship between the new kid and Kurt. Was it pre-existing? "How about a compromise?"
Harry pulled away, looking up with wide eyes. "Listening."
"You can cuddle, touch, pin me down if you let me style your hair for you in the morning. Every morning." Kurt smirked victoriously, ruffling the bedraggled hair. "For as long as you or I attends McKinley."
"That seems like a wank deal," Harry scrunched his nose up, before a mischievous twinkle appeared in his eyes. "Deal. But you also have to help me get recon on some of the people who bully you, all right? I know you have a manipulative mind - all the best people do."
"Only if you join Glee," Kurt's expression was far too smug for Harry's liking - the Glee club watched them like a ping-pong match. "Now, I know you say you aren't great -
"Yowling cat gang bang while simultaneously giving birth to kittens." Harry muttered petulantly. There were startled laughs around them.
"But I'm a competent teacher and I bet - bet I can get you singing well enough to join Glee." Kurt finished smugly. "If you refuse this, you can't cuddle, I won't do 'recon' - all or nothing."
"You haven't even heard me sing!" Harry said, aghast. "I could be tone deaf!" Kurt continued smiling. "Fine. I accept your - terms." Harry grinned widely and went back to cuddling the taller boy. "We're still having coffee later, right?"
Kurt smiled fondly. "Yes, we are. Are we going straight after school or...?"
"Wait an hour or so? So there's less people?" Kurt nodded just as the bell rang.
Harry grabbed his bag and threw it over his shoulder. "Where does 'King' teach? A. P. Chemistry..." Kurt took the boy's arm and began to drag him away, a torrent of slushie where Harry once stood and an angry shout from Puck. "Oh - shit a brick!" Harry laughed. "Thanks, Kurt."
"No problem, Harry." Kurt turned to smile brilliantly, his previously stormy eyes bright with an emotion Harry couldn't identify. "Now - warning about Mister King. He's very strict so don't annoy him. He's only been here six months and he's already on Coach Sylvester's hit list!"
Harry nodded. "Who's Coach Sylvester?" he asked politely.
Kurt gave him a mysterious wink and pushed him through an open door, sending the boy stumbling into a man swathed in black. "Potter!" the man barked and Harry snapped to attention before he realised what he was doing. He stared up at a man he thought dead - or at least MIA - and gulped. Kurt laughed loudly and ran away.
Cold black eyes stared back, pale lips drawn in an angry sneer, and a large hooked nose sealed the deal. "Professor Snape?" Harry whispered, taking in the pulled back black hair and the sharp suit. "But - what?"
The man's face cracked into a tiny smile and he patted the stunned boy on the shoulder twice in greeting. "Hello, Potter. Come, sit. I know you won't be like the insufferable brats I normally teach. Oh, this is wonderful."
Severus Snape - Severus Snape! - pushed him down into a soft chair, with an obvious cushioning charm placed on it. With a nonchalant wave of his hand, the door Harry fell through slammed closed. "I must admit, Potter, you're a breath of fresh air in this... Hole. When I first felt your tumultuous magic I was... Well, it was disconcerting. I initially thought others would follow you, but apparently not." The man paused, taking in Harry's pale face. "Somebody will be following you here, yes?"
"Um - maybe Draco Malfoy, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley?" Harry muttered dumbly. "Sir... Have you been here all this time?"
Severus sighed, speaking slowly as if Harry was a child. "Yes, Potter. Nobody came. Owls, Muggle mail, every available method I had at my disposal... And now you." The man's usually harsh eyes lit up in ill-concealed glee. Harry twitched.
"I can get you in contact with the Wizarding World, sir, but I wouldn't recommend it. Everything's gone tits up."
Severus Snape nodded knowledgeably. "Call me Mister King, Potter. I'm going to start the lesson now."
Harry knew, from the way Snape's eyes appraised him, that he had been stuck with no Wizarding source for over a year. He must have thought that Harry was his helper - but a question plagued him.
Why had nobody responded to Snape's pleas? "Potter?" Snape blinked, staring down at the boy. "Stop dwelling in fantasies and answer the question on the board."
Harry glowered up at the man, the tiniest hints of a smile playing on his lips. "I don't know, sir."
"Did you not to think to open a book before you came here, boy?" Snape barked. Harry's smile grew slightly and the man noticed it too, because he suddenly stopped and twirled on a girl with long brown hair and wide brown eyes to cover his own smirk.
"Cease waving your arm like a baboon at once, Berry!" Snape turned back to Harry and his tone softened slightly. "This is basic Chemistry, Potter. Try and think."
Harry squinted - and squinted, and squinted. "Is there something wrong with your eyes, Potter?" Snape snapped, awkward laughter popping up around the room.
"No, there's something wrong with your isotope." Harry snapped back, wanting to bite his tongue but at the same time wanting to press his former Potions professor. "Is there something wrong with your eyes, sir?" Harry mocked, his eyes glinting devilishly.
To his surprise, Snape threw his head back and began to laugh. "Well done, Potter. That was the question," Harry flushed and opened his mouth to retort, but he was distracted by Snape saying, "Just like your mother."
"You knew his mother?" Berry burst out - Harry turned and gave her a scathing look that silenced her instantly. "I was just asking..."
"Keep your mouth shut," Harry and Snape hissed - Snape added a smooth "Berry," on the end.
The girl recoiled.
The lesson passed in a similar manner - scathing banter between Snape and Harry with odd comments that made Harry's head whirl. By the end of the lesson, the boy was tempted to invite the man to his house to leave the Muggle world for good - but he sooner bolted out of the lesson as the thought caught up to him and nearly ran to his fifth lesson.
Kurt met him half way - well, Harry barrelled into him for fear of actually inviting Professor Snape into his new home - and they awkwardly stumbled and righted themselves. "Hi!" Harry beamed, looking behind him nervously. No sign of him. Harry'd ask tomorrow - after he'd drank his weight in Firewhiskey. Snape was alive and well, living in Lima, Ohio. He felt delirious at the thought.
"Hello!" Kurt beamed back, smiling wryly. "We have Dodgeball, come on." Harry began to follow the older boy, shoving him to right and ducking when a flood of blue landed where Kurt once stood. Harry subtly slammed his booted foot into the assailants leg and sent them sprawling to the floor, covering them in blue slushie.
"Watch where you're going, arsehole!" Harry yelled, smirking victoriously as people began to laugh. He sauntered after the taller boy. "Dodgeball, then?"
"It's kind of in the name." Kurt pursed his lips and slammed Harry into some lockers, pressing himself tight on the other boy. Harry blushed brightly, hoping Kurt wouldn't see it. Brown slushie hit the floor. "I swear this is some kind of joke," Kurt rolled his eyes and carried on walking, Harry following behind in bemusement. "I won't be doing it. He'll make us do it in our normal clothing and I refuse to let myself be hit looking like this." Glinting glasz eyes definitely noticed the blush, but Kurt pretended not to notice.
"I'm definitely in," Harry practically sparkled. "I love dodging things! So I guess if I get hit, I'm out? What about if I catch the ball? Can I kick the ball?"
"In that jacket?" Kurt looked him up and down. "I wouldn't recommend it. I'll look after it, if you want? And - yeah. Don't get hit. Only throw the ball with both feet on the ground - if you catch the opposing players ball, they're out. As for kicking... I don't think so. Just throwing. Face shots are allowed."
"Awesome." Harry's smile became sinister. "I've got a mean throw as well."
And, as Harry twirled and danced around the bright red balls until he was the only one on his team standing, versus several 'jocks' in Letterman jackets, Kurt felt marginally sick to his stomach. Strength in numbers. However, Kurt was incredibly shocked when, instead of going straight down from the very first grouped attack, the boy leapt out of the way in a one-handed cartwheel. The other team was obviously shocked - Harry managed to take three out before he was on the defensive again, doing ridiculous flips and twists that made Kurt's heart pound in concern. He could hear Puck and Finn roaring encouragements at the inky haired boy and, throwing caution to the wind, Kurt roared, "Come on Potter!"
Harry's flushed and beaming face back at him made a funny tingle swell in his stomach, despite his horror when Harry dropped to the floor and sprung out of the way of four balls at once, leaping to his feet and, grabbing one ball, chucking across the gym and taking another jock out.
Harry grabbed another ball with one hand and thrust it into another ball, catching one aimed at his midriff and tossing the two at the biggest remaining jock. Harry gave the last remaining boy a wide, toothy grin, flicking his hair from his face and picking up a red ball. The other boy grinned and held his hands up in surrender, accepting the defeat and taking the ball courteously.
Kurt shot down to him, both bags thrown over his shoulder and jacket carefully in arms, eyes wide and lips in a curving smile. "How - how did you do that? You were outnumbered at seven to one! That was brilliant!" Puck joined them, clapping Harry sharply on the shoulder. Finn lumbered over - Harry noticed Kurt stiffen and flush slightly when the tall boy got too close. Unrequited, his mind immediately sang, "No good crushing on a straight man." Interesting.
"I'm awesome like that," Harry shrugged like it was nothing - Kurt gaped while Puck chortled. Finn looked on with a confused expression - Harry assumed it was his default, because he had the same expression in the cafeteria.
"You're a little badass, aren't you?" Puck threw one heavy arm over Harry's shoulders. "We're going to be great friends, bro."
"Well done, Potter!" Harry nearly shrieked at the sight of a clapping Snape at the opening of the gym, and was ready to bolt. "However, we have something to discuss. Come with me."
"I can't now, sir, because Kurt and I - " Harry pointed at an innocent looking Kurt. "Have to talk about our evening plans. Good day, sir." Harry shrugged Puck's arm from his shoulder and managed to grab Kurt before there was a strong grip on his elbow, leaving him incapable of moving. "I didn't even see you move!" Harry shrieked, jumping and looking up at a smug Snape. "I'm serious, sir, we have plans. Serious plans. Life or death plans."
"Oh, really?" Snape rose one condescending eyebrow. Harry flushed. "More so than reunited Godson-Godfather plans?"
"That's bullshit and you know it! Draco can wait!" Harry growled, itching to hex the man seven shades of puce. "Now, kindly remove your hand from my person before I get you in trouble for inappropriate touching."
Snape's composure broke and he began to chortle. "I don't mean Draco, Potter. Lily made me your Godfather when you were born - didn't you know?" Snape carried on smugly as Harry gasped in horror. "On the subject of Godfathers, how's the mutt?"
"Sirius is fine," Harry rolled his eyes. "Clinically insane and battling starvation, but I guess he's fine." Using Snape's momentary shock, he pulled Kurt away and out of the gym. "No way is he my godfather!" Harry spat in anger. "I'd know!"
Kurt pursed his lips. "I don't know Harry - he did seem to care about you." When Harry's face became pinched and drawn, Kurt realised he'd said the wrong thing.
"That man will never care about anyone except himself." Harry snarled. "You don't know him. He's a cunt." Kurt lowered his eyes and shrugged, turning right sharply and leaving Harry running to catch up. "He was my teacher at my old school," Harry offered when it was clear Kurt disapproved of something he'd said. "He was a massive bully that seriously put me off learning Chemistry. It was my first lesson with him and he made me so upset I cried myself to sleep. He doesn't care about me, Kurt. The most he cares about is my mother."
Kurt nodded stiffly. "Next time, don't use me as an excuse to get away from someone."
"You're upset about that?" Harry laughed, hard anger seeping into his eyes. "I'm sorry, Kurt. There won't be a next time."
They entered the classroom in subdued silence; Kurt was pacified by Harry's response, not reading into the cryptic wording, while Harry's anger and magic was growing and bulging until he could barely sit down.
They sat next to each other, two girls in red uniforms sitting behind them and giggling. "Hello, Lady Hummel," one of them greeted. Harry tried to reign in his magic, digging his fingernails into his palms and drawing sluggish blood. "Introduce us to your new friend."
Kurt sighed. "Harry Potter, Santana Lopez. Santana Lopez, Harry Potter. Harry Potter, Brittany Pierce. Brittany Pierce, Harry Potter. There. Happy?" Kurt sniped.
The blonde girl's eyes widened. Her eyes flicked up to his forehead, trying to find the lightning bolt scar through his hair; when she couldn't find it, she sat back and pouted. "I thought you were a wizard," she explained to a confused Harry. "Lord Tubbington talks about a wizard named Harry Potter with a lightning bolt scar..."
"Your cat?" Kurt huffed a laugh.
"I think it'd be cool to be a wizard," Harry smiled awkwardly, cursing inwardly. "But I'm not a wizard. Nice to meet you two."
Santana Lopez laughed meanly. "Enough of this love fest; are you a homo?"
"E-hem."
Harry turned around, barely paying attention to the lesson. "Are we still getting coffee?" he asked, wondering if it was such a good idea after all. He had been at risk of losing his temper with the other boy - something that he didn't want. Would it be better for him to sleep it off?
"Sure." Kurt replied, sounding incredibly disinterested and frustrating Harry further. "I'll meet you there at five."
By the end of the day, Harry was ready to tear his hair out. Gone was the open, responsive boy he'd met; in his place was an utter bitch. He was trading vicious words with Santana - who Harry was fond of, surprisingly - and giving Brittany amused, mean looks when he thought nobody was looking. There had to be a past here. It was the only reasonable explanation; did he try to find out what?
He blinked when he saw a group of people in red jackets standing in the middle of the car park. Kurt took his hand and squeezed it; they noticed him and stormed over, all of them with slushies in their hands.
"You little fag." The one speaking was tall, with a large head and large stature. Harry smirked when he realised they weren't there for Kurt, straightening himself up. "Because of you, coach had us work harder in Hockey!"
Harry rose one sculpted eyebrow. "Who are you, again?" Santana snickered to the side of him, taking his other hand and appearing seemingly out of nowhere. "Wait - don't answer that. I suggest you drop your drinks, boys, before I snap your fucking arms." Harry spat, bristling. He shoved Kurt and Santana away when he felt the first boy move, barely hearing the pair of them cry out - he ducked and latched onto the arm holding the cup, twisting - he kept twisting and twisting until the boy was on the floor, groaning in pain. "So, let me guess: you need your arms to play Hockey, right? So what would you," He directed the question to the other Hockey players, aware that the boy he was hurting seemed to be the ringleader. "Do if I snapped both of his arms?" He grabbed the other arm and twisted it up and around, placing his boot on the boy's back to press down. The boy let out a loud bark of pain, Harry pressing down harder until it was a constant stream of profanities. "If you don't want me to dislocate his shoulders and break his arms at the joints, you'll drop your drinks and fuck off. You have until the count of three."
They looked at him dubiously, Harry smiling nastily and applying more pressure. "One." They didn't react; Harry pressed down harder until the boys face was on the ground and he was yelping in agony. "Two." Harry began to slowly - slowly pull the strained arms back.
"Drop the cups!" the boy Harry was currently tormenting yelled. "Now!"
The sound of cups hitting the floor was music to Harry's ears. "Now, unfortunately boys, you haven't fucked off."
They ran. "Try that shit again, boy," Harry spat, hauling the much larger boy to his feet. "And I will go through with it. Understand?" He dropped his arms and tapped the boy on the face. "Oh - and," He back-handed the boy, sending him sprawling onto his bonnet. "That is for pissing me off when I'm in a bad mood already. Go, shoo."
"Potter!" Harry grit his teeth, turning to face his fuming Potions Professor. Santana and Brittany were practically yelling their joy at him, while Kurt was flush but his mouth was in wide smile. "I - never before - are you - what was that?!"
Harry grinned charmingly, shaking his hand out and rubbing the reddened skin. "He's a bully, sir. Don't tell me you wouldn't do the same had you had the chance." He widened his eyes for effect.
The man lowered his head in grudging respect. "I'll make sure nobody finds out about you slapping Karofsky, Potter - next time, punch him in the nose. Well, the teachers won't know. You'll be the talk of the school tomorrow. I don't think he'll say anything, but I won't defend you if he does. Oh, and; detention tomorrow lunchtime." The man nodded to the group and span on his heel, striding away.
"That was brilliant!" Santana cooed, dragging the boy close to her and smothering him with a hug. "The way you handled him! Oh, Lady Hummel, didn't you just jizz?"
Harry coughed, a brilliant red blooming on his ears but thankfully not spreading for his face. Kurt replied, slightly breathless, "While such plebeian displays of aggression are below me... That was amazing!"
"Plebeian?" Santana and Harry echoed, looking at each other in bemusement. "I thought it was epic," Santana pouted, fluttering dark lashes at Kurt. Harry copied her to a T, with wide emerald eyes and his lower lip wobbling.
"I thought so too," Harry continued, wrapping his arms around the girl's waist. "It seems such plebeian acts are lost on the cultured these days." Harry sniffed disdainfully, making Santana cackle in laughter. Kurt shifted, clearly unsure but still amused.
"Are you sure you aren't related?" Kurt and Brittany replied, shifting closer together.
Harry looked down slightly and began scrutinising the girl. "Well, you certainly have the luscious dark hair and you're the right height... Tell me, are you related to anyone by the name of Potter, Black, Peverell? While it's improbable that we are, in fact, related, I always look after my own."
The girl cooed in reply, smoothing back a loose curl that fell in front of his eye. "I'll check for you, sweetie. See you tomorrow, yeah?"
Coffee with Kurt was... Interesting. It was obvious that Kurt was painfully in lust (Harry honestly didn't think it was love) or infatuation with Finn Hudson, the dopey jock who, despite tipping him into a dumpster, treated him kindly. So much so that he willingly threw a slushie over himself so that Finn didn't get beaten up. It annoyed Harry to no end - especially when Finn was obviously straight. Well... Not so much as obvious as it was all Finn knew and emulated; Harry was willing to wager that he'd rarely thought of homosexuality before Kurt. "So what draws you to him?" Harry asked politely, taking a sip of his drink. "I don't think it's the whole pregnant ex-maybe not-girlfriend, or his dashing looks..."
Kurt smiled wistfully. "Beauty is subjective. He's kind to me, Harry. He lets me take of my jacket when I go for a dumpster dive. Little things."
"So you're crushing on him because you find him physically attractive and he treats you well? He doesn't try to stop the dumpster dives, though, does he?" Harry's dubious expression made Kurt's happy one falter and he sighed.
"You can't help who you like, Harry," Kurt explained as if Harry was slow - maybe he was when it came to romance? "Don't you understand?"
Harry was flummoxed. He didn't understand. Sure, there was his love-hate relationship with Draco Malfoy, but that relied on Draco taking and Harry willing to give - it wasn't a matter of Draco or Harry liking each other. They offered things. His brief fling with Cedric Diggory - Harry was taking and Cedric willing to give. He had never experienced infatuation from simple kindness. "I don't... Think it works like that," Harry finally admitted. "To me, having a crush works on mutual attraction and the willingness of the two parties to give and take, not just kindness. There has to be something else there."
Kurt cocked his head in confusion. "But what about your flirting with Noah Puckerman?"
"That's just a bit of fun," Harry laughed, finally understanding Kurt's point of view. Kurt showed interest in one person, putting all of his eggs in one basket, while Harry preferred to keep people close and expand relationships that way. "That doesn't mean I like him. Or crush on him, or fancy him - it's light hearted teasing."
"Why would you do that, though, if you don't like him? I understand, I really do, I just don't understand why. It's obvious Noah isn't gay, so - "
"And it's obvious Finn isn't either," Harry interrupted, his voice lowered. "If you fancied every bloke who was kind enough to take your jacket before throwing you into a garbage bin filled with shit..."
Kurt blinked. "I think we should drop the subject."
"I just think you should aim a little more for gay lovers, not straight ones," Harry shrugged. "So, tell me all the gossip about the school."
"Well Puck," Kurt gave him a pointed stare. "Has gotten Finn's ex-girlfriend pregnant," Harry choked on his drink, erupting into small giggles when his coughing fit was over. Kurt carried on, filling him with the nitty-gritty of McKinley High. Harry hadn't laughed so much in a long time - Kurt was especially dramatic when he described the terror of Sue Sylvester and how she had appointed Santana, Brittany and Quinn in the Glee club to tear it down. "She doesn't know I know, of course, but they aren't exactly inconspicuous. So, Harry. Tell me about you."
"About me?" Harry cocked his head. "All right. My name is Harry James Potter and I was born on the thirty-first of July. My best friend's are called Hermione and Ron, who I've been friends with since I was eleven; they were my first ever friends," Harry admitted shyly. "However, I have another best friend named Draco. He's... Well, we spent three or four years hating each others guts until everything changed. His friends ditched him - I don't know why - and he was alone. I was going through a rough period and somehow, we became friends. You've heard about the terrorism in Britain, right?" Kurt nodded his head.
"Well, our school was caught up in a bomb hit. A lot of us didn't get out unscathed - Ron lost a brother - our school had gone and we had nowhere else to go. We had the options of relocating for a month or so to a sister boarding school or continuing our studies at home until the school was rebuilt. Long story short, my exams were startlingly easy from a month of own-study and I graduated then and there. Fast track two weeks or so - I came here. Spur of the moment. There wasn't really much left for me in England." Harry shrugged at Kurt's wide, slightly glistening eyes. "Here's hoping for the best, aye?"
Kurt nodded stiffly, taking a sip of his drink. "I'm Kurt Elizabeth Hummel - yes, that's my real name," Kurt looked up, expecting to see a look of confusion or amusement on Harry's face, but there was only interest. "I was born May twenty seventh. I'm not as interesting as you," Kurt joked, pleased when Harry grinned cheekily. "Well, my best friend is Mercedes, and that's a funny story," He laughed slightly. "I was - well, incredibly in the closet at the start of the year. Mercedes started to like me and ended up smashing my car window when I told her I 'loved' Rachel. She was surprisingly cool about me then coming out gay, but I hope she felt embarrassed for not seeing the signs," Harry laughed loudly, making Kurt's face redden. His glasz eyes were wide, but there was a pleased smile curling on his lips. "I guess I'm frenemies with Rachel Berry," Kurt rolled his eyes.
"She's hopelessly in love with Finn, so she's competition," Kurt tried not to let it show how much Harry's words had affected him. Was there any point lusting after a straight boy who really didn't try to stop the dumpster dives? "But there's nothing really there because Finn loves Quinn. Despite the fact that she cheated on him with his best friend and lied to make it seem like the baby was his," Kurt rolled his eyes again, taking a sip of his drink. "He even has a name - Drizzle. Nobody has told him yet." Harry scoffed softly, feeling slightly disgusted by the affairs of McKinley.
"I guess the worst thing we had was a fourteen year old girl practising with the upper years of my school," Harry offered, smiling fondly at the thought of Ginny Weasley. "She did it for money, anything - they wanted practice, she wanted practice, her family was poor. Her mother's reaction..." Harry laughed. "Molly nearly had an aneurysm, despite Ginny still being a virgin. Nobody was ever pregnant, from my recollection, but there were spontaneous proposals..."
"No spontaneous proposals, plenty of practising." Kurt laughed. "Brilliant. It's great to know that British and American schools aren't that different. I know the semesters are different, and the year system. It's not that different, is it?" Kurt's eyes were wide. "You're okay with your education, aren't you?"
Harry laughed, green eyes bright and excited. "It's more different than you'd expect," Harry chuckled as if there was a hidden meaning behind it, but Kurt didn't ponder on it. "Education wise... Struggling a little - home studies are all well and good but it requires dedication I don't have - and I can tell I'm going to struggle at Chemistry. Just my luck that Sn - erm, King teaches it." Harry rolled his brilliant eyes, finishing his drink. "Oh Harry, you're failing, how about some family-tutoring? Oh Potter, just my luck; you bumbling dunderhead - I get away from you and now you need one-on-one tuition because your IQ is limited to coitus!" Kurt giggled loudly, drawing Harry's attention to the other boy's lips. He blushed, tearing his eyes away. No point crushing on a boy who fancies a straight boy, Harry reprimanded himself.
"I'm sure he isn't that bad, Harry," Kurt finally said. "Sure, he's a giant ass to everyone, but not many teachers would cover you hurting someone like that like he did. Or give suggestions on what to do next."
"Maybe," Harry sighed. "Maybe. So - another?"