When Blaine reached the Quidditch field he was greeted by two very nervous and disgruntled Gryffindors.
"Where the bloody hell were you all day?" Sam shouted before he had even landed.
"We were darn worried, Blaine!" Mike added. He wasn't as loud but obviously as stressed as Sam.
"I..." Something told him that telling his friends about Kurt would be a bad idea. He couldn't risk them telling someone about Kurt... or just giving them the possibility to talk him out of meeting him again.
"I got lost... like I warned you might happen," he couldn't help but point out, "So I waited somewhere for the weather to get better and then I flew straight home hoping to find you guys here already."
Mike looked at him still not 100 % convinced.
"And that took you all day?" Mike inquired.
"I picked a very clouded spot for crashing..." Before Mike could question further, Blaine turned to Sam. "So, what's with you? You were just gone! Did you find Mike? Did you at least manage to see the sea?"
He rattled off some question and as friendly and talkative as Sam was, Blaine had him drawn into a conversation fairly quickly, preventing Mike from interrogating him any further.
Blaine managed to wait for a whole of twelve hours. He had just had a late, nice Sunday brunch with Sam and Mike as he excused himself to attend to business.
Thankfully, Tina had just come over from the Ravenclaw table and was whispering sweet nothings into Mike's ear while Sam was busy reading some Muggle comic he adored, so neither questioned what sort of business he might have to attend to.
Blaine went to get ink and paper and then straight to the Owlery. He liked coming here. The birds had a sort of cheer to them that he loved and he enjoyed watching them fly around.
"Hey, Pavarotti." He greeted his owl as it flew down to rest on his arm obediently. The Barred Owl was beautiful and gladly let itself be petted by Blaine, making him smile.
"Okay now, fella. I need this hand to write." He laughed and nudged the owl off his arm after a couple of minutes. The owl chirped disgustedly but settled on Blaine's shoulder as Blaine started to take out ink and paper.
Dear Kurt,
I hope you got home safely. I did and was able to deflect my friend's questions as to where I had been.
I thought about you a lot this past day. Is it weird that I miss you? It's just that I have never met anyone like you and talking to you was amazing. I'd love to do it again soon.
I know that my friends have date night on Friday. I tend to stick to myself in the library on those days... but how would you like to be my date this Friday? The nights aren't too cold yet and we could have a picnic at our meadow.
Let me know if you'd like that or if you just want to meet and chat again.
He paused for a moment, surprised that he was bold enough to ask Kurt for a date already but debating if signing with Love, Blaine might be a little forward. Then again, Kurt had kissed his cheek and that was not something you did with just anyone.
Before he could lose his courage again Blaine signed the letter with his name and yours sincerely adding a little heart after his name. It might be a weird mixture of old fashioned and primary school, but it was all that Blaine could manage.
He let the ink dry before folding the letter neatly and putting it into an envelope. Pavarotti was already patiently waiting with one leg stretched out so Blaine could tie the letter to it quickly.
"Okay, little one. This is important. It's for a boy called Kurt whom I met yesterday. I only know that he lives east of Hogwarts somewhere in Scotland, but you'll be able to find him, right?" His voice had gotten a little higher and quieter, close to sounding desperate. He knew in theory that owls just found the people they had to deliver to, but as his only contacts were his family, he was able to give accurate directions usually.
Pavarotti made a sound as if he were insulted by the mere suggestion he couldn't and with a stroke of his wings, he was up in the air and out of the tower, leaving Blaine behind with a pounding heart.
The answer reached Blaine two days later at breakfast and again fate was on his side. He was running late, having stayed up all night to finish a paper he hadn't been able to focus on all Sunday, so his friends were already heading to their respective classes, while he was left nearly alone at the huge table to choke down some toast.
As he saw Pavarotti from afar he nearly suffocated on the bit of bread he was swallowing.
With trembling fingers he tried to get the envelope from the owl's leg, earning himself an annoyed cry as he didn't work fast enough.
He took a deep breath as he opened the letter and read:
Dear Blaine,
I am so glad to hear from you, though the owl nearly gave me a heart attack. There indeed is a difference between imagining something happening and seeing a fully grown, winged predator sitting on your TV.
Anyways, it's a lovely bird. I was a little afraid of it but it stretched out its leg and just let me take the letter. It even let me pet it and now it is sitting on my windowsill waiting for my answer so I guess I should hurry.
Okay, I am glad that you didn't get in trouble. Neither did I. I told my Dad I had been out shopping and luckily he didn't ask for proof.
Concerning Friday... do you mean like going out? Because I would love that. To be your date.
Okay, the bird is still looking at me, so I'll finish up here. So, Friday at six at our meadow?
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Have a good day, Blaine.
Love, Kurt.
Blaine squealed and reread the letter. Kurt really wanted to go out with him. He hadn't just made things up. His first date with Kurt. Well, in fact his first date full stop. Suddenly he was nervous, but then his eyes landed on the Love, Kurt part again and his heart did a pleasant little flip.
As expected his friends were really busy Friday afternoon and neither of them so much as batted an eye when he declared around 4pm that he would take his homework to the library.
Not for the first time being friends with some of the house elves came in handy. He had stored his broom in the kitchen, and as he came down the stairs some excited house elves presented him with a huge picnic basket filled with delicious treats. There was fruit, pie, butter beer, pumpkin juice and some still hot muffins, next to plates and some blankets.
"The basket is enchanted, dear Sir." One of the elves, Blaine believed her name was Chorchy chirped. "The food will not get cold and the fruit while not be squashed, Sir. You also needn't worry about the bottles or plates. They will all be unscathed."
"Thank you so much, guys. You are amazing. My friend will love it."
The elves glowed and bowed under his compliments and gratitude as he took his broom thanked them again and left in a hurry, politely declining any other offers of food.
Outside he made sure that no one was in sight before he performed a quick chameleon enchantment on his things. They were still bodily there but blended in their surroundings so that they were less obvious. Despite this precaution, Blaine was still glad that no teacher or student crossed his path as he headed to the Quidditch field.
He had figured that if someone saw him taking off from there it would be least suspicious.
A couple of spells later and the broom was visible while the basket was shrunk and firmly attached to the broom. He was good to go.
He had been worried he wouldn't be able to find his way back to the clearing, but thanks to a helpful spell he had found in the library, that advised his broom to simply fly back the way it had come, he found the meadow in record time, landing half an hour before Kurt was even set to arrive.
Quickly, he returned the basket to regular size and set up the picnic at a nice, still sunny spot. The sun was slowly setting but they would have light for about another hour, and, thankfully, the elves also had thought to include magic lights in the basket.
Blaine looked at his work with delight. The blanket laid on a soft spot of grass, the delicious food spread over it, leaving enough room for them to sit together... but not too close together (Blaine was nervous about coming on too strong), a faint glow coming from the basket where the lights remained.
Blaine smiled and then nervousness overcame him again. What if Kurt didn't like the food he had brought? They had exchanged messages all week. Why hadn't Blaine thought about asking him what he liked or didn't like? Or worse what if the food was perfectly fine but Blaine was dull and lame and awkward and Kurt would just want to leave? Or worse... what if Kurt just didn't come? Not really wanting to meet Blaine anyway but too polite to cancel on him?
Blaine shook his head. He was being silly. He knew Kurt liked him in some way. Or at least he had when they met and since then Kurt had given him no reason to assume that that had changed.
No, they would spend a wonderful evening together. The elves' food was the most delicious thing in the world. No one could dislike anything these magic beings made, and they had hit it off nearly perfectly. Conversation came easily to them, even when pressing issues... like crashing or bullies.
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't hear Kurt approaching or calling him and only when a hand softly touched his shoulder did he turn with a throaty shriek.
Kurt laughed.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Blaine. I didn't mean to startle you." Blaine blushed. He hadn't considered his own jumpiness as a possibility to spoil the evening.
"No, I was just... thinking." Blaine rubbed his neck, averting his eyes.
"About?" Kurt asked and automatically Blaine answered: "You."
As soon as he'd said it, he looked up with wide eyes, but Kurt just smiled this addictively happy, giant smile and Blaine smiled back.
For a moment they just stood there awkwardly. Their "hellos" had been profoundly ruined and now neither seemed sure what to do. A handshake seemed too formal, a hug maybe too friendly and a kiss...
"Would you like to sit?" Blaine motioned towards the blanket and Kurt gave him another smile.
"I would love that." They settled down, getting comfortable on the blanket and Blaine presented all the delicious things he had brought.
After that the awkwardness was forgotten. The food quickly led to Kurt asking about the Hogwarts kitchens and then elves as Kurt tried, wide-eyed, to imagine what they looked like. He mused that he would love to have an elf, to help with the household and especially get his dad to eat healthier. Blaine took Kurt's hand when the boy told the story of his father's heart attack, and Kurt didn't let go even when he was finished.
"But Carole keeps an eye out for your father, right?" Blaine comforted Kurt.
"Yes, she is amazing. I like her a lot. I still miss my mum and of course she isn't... but she's good for dad. I'm even grateful for Finn. With my dad having to go easy with work, Finn is a real gift when it comes to handy work."
"Your family sounds amazing. You are lucky to have them." Kurt grinned, missing the slightly yearning tone to Blaine's voice.
"I know I am. I just wish we... were in a better place." Kurt's blue eyes were clouded for a second, the ocean turning into the sky on a rainy day but Kurt recovered quickly, squeezing Blaine's hand.
"Tell me about your family." A lump tightened in Blaine's throat. It wasn't that Blaine's parents were bad people... but while other children spent their school days missing home,Blaine felt at home at Hogwarts... or at least more so than at his parents' house. Both his parents worked for the ministry, always busy, always too bothered to care.
He guessed that they loved him, they gave him anything he asked for, sending presents and good wishes for Christmas, his birthday or just finals... but there wasn't something like a family life, like Kurt and his family had.
His brother was fond of him, he knew that. But even more so of himself, while he toured the schools and universities of the wizarding world with his theatre company.
"Yeah, when you board, your friends sort of become your family." Blaine deflected, winking at Kurt. He was worried that had been too much but Kurt just nodded understandingly and motioned for Blaine to continue.
"I guess, I'd call Mike and Sam my family. They are my best friends... and I kind of have to thank them for crashing into you. Mike is sort of quiet, but really talented and loyal. He's always been there for me. While Sam is more a force of nature." Blaine giggled thinking about his enthusiastic friend. "He's from a Muggle family, so he was brought up a little differently from Mike and me and he reads all these strange comic books, but he's a good guy. He's always fun to be around, and I know I can always count on him. I think that's what is really amazing about those two. They are just there for me."
A lump of a different kind caught in his throat. Sometimes you don't see how much people mean to you until you really think about it he thought fleetingly, the thought was gone when he felt his other hand had been taken into Kurt's.
Kurt was kneeling in front of him, their hands intertwined between them and on Kurt's face, there was something so thoughtful and determined and plain beautiful that Blaine's breath caught.
"I want to be there for you," Kurt whispered, his eyes fixed on Blaine's, searching and then the space between them was closed and Kurt's lips were on Blaine's. Soft skin sealed over his mouth, not moving just touching, eliciting heat that spread through Blaine's whole body.
It was his first kiss. It was perfect.
When Kurt pulled back, Blaine opened his eyes slowly, smiling at Kurt who looked as dazed and flushed as he felt.
"I want to be there for you, too," Blaine whispered back. There was no one to hear them, but talking normally despite their proximity would have destroyed the cosy intimacy they had created.
Blaine let go of one of Kurt's hands and cupped the other boy's neck, pulling him in for another kiss.
Time passed way too fast, sharing kisses and being giddy about it all.
Around them the world got darker. They had settled under one of the blankets and as a shiver ran through Kurt, Blaine laid an arm around him tugging him closer and making him blush.
Too soon, the freezing night around them got too cold to endure and Blaine still had a broom ride ahead of him. They packed up, smiling over the sort of domestic task, and again Blaine gave Kurt a lift to his car. Kurt hugged him close and Blaine revelled in the feeling of being allowed to enjoy it as much as he did.
Back at the castle Blaine managed to sneak in unseen. The Gryffindor common room was already nearly deserted, and he quickly made his way up to the 5th years' bedroom he shared with Mike and Sam.
"Where were you all evening, mate?" He was greeted by Sam.
"Oh, you know. Studying. Doing some research on... Muggles." He lied quickly, kicking off his shoes and taking off his robe. He was glad that he had brought his broom to the storage unit instead of just bringing it back to their room.
"Why? You don't have Muggle Studies." Mike remarked, from where he was reading on his bed.
"Just... general interest. I mean I've been friends with Sam for so long, and I know so little." He smiled at his best friend, hoping it looked less forced than it felt. Sam grinned back with a surprised delight that already had Blaine feeling guilty for lying.
He would tell his best friends about Kurt... he wanted them to know about this new, special, wonderful thing in his life. But he couldn't. He was equal parts scared of their reaction, especially Mike's, and egoistic, wanting to keep Kurt and their secret relationship to himself for a little while longer.
Before further questions could come up, he quickly went into their adjacent washing chamber, changed into his pjs and bathrobe and hoped his friends would have found a different topic when he'd come out.
He was in luck. Mike had already turned off his light and Sam seemed to be searching for something. Quickly he went to bed and turned his light off as well, Sam still looking under his bed and piles of clothes.
Blaine was about to drift off when he heard Sam speak again.
"Gosh! Blaine! Was the library flooded or something?"
"Huh?" Blaine murmured sleepily. Next to him, Mike turned on his lamp again, looking startled and annoyed.
"No? It wasn't. Why would it be?" Blaine mumbled as he sat up to look at his friend.
"Then what happened to your boots, man? They look disgusting!"
His boots were full of mud and leaves, remains from the unlucky spot near Kurt's car where he had landed. Kurt had cursed adorably and Blaine had hurried to clean his shoes with a spell, earning himself a loving kiss and a delighted "Your magic is so practical! I love it!"It seemed like he had forgotten to clean his own shoes, too busy glowing under Kurt's adoring eyes.
"Oh, right! I went for a quick walk along the lake. I read so much and had to get out."
Sam chuckled before cleaning Blaine's boots himself and continuing his search. From his left though, he was still getting a confused look.
"I get the mud. But the shore of the lake isn't exactly the right place for those leaves."
"Ah, well I guess they just... got into the stream from the forest or something." Blaine shrugged and quickly lay back down, turning away from Mike to avoid further questioning.
He would have to be more careful.