When they had visited literally every shop in the small village Blaine was cold and starving, loaded with bags and bags of all the stuff Kurt had acquired. It had been exhausting and also the most fun he had ever had in the village.

"What do you think about dinner? We sort of skipped lunch but I'm really hungry by now." Blaine suggested as they were strolling down the main road.

"God, yes please! I didn't notice that I hadn't eaten anything all day but those sweets in the shop till now."

Blaine gave him an inquisitive look. "No breakfast?"

The blush was visible even beneath Kurt's from the wind and cold reddened cheeks.

"Maybe I was a little too nervous to eat this morning..."

Blaine cooed. "Aww, were you nervous about going on a real date with your gorgeous boyfriend?"

Kurt turned his head away and that was answer enough for Blaine.

"So, where are we going to eat?" Kurt asked, his voice high, as he attempted to distract Blaine. Blaine let it slide.

"I don't think The Three Brooms would be a good idea. It's a really nice place but also loud and teachers frequent it, too. Then there is The Hog's Head Inn which is... scary. I've never been in there but Sam said some weird people would hang out there." He glanced nervously at Kurt. "Then there is Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop which is, as I was told, the place most couples go to but it's also really, really pink." Blaine could see Kurt crinkling his nose and he sighed in relief. He really didn't want to set foot in there. "There is another tea shop called Brew's and Stew's Café. It's mostly English cuisine but it's really good and they have butter bear, too. It's cosy and a little secluded. What do you say?"

Kurt smiled and motioned Blaine to lead the way.

The restaurant was larger than it seemed from the outside, cosy and warm with lots of dark wood and stuffed with tables and benches. A fire was prickling on one side of the room while a bar took up most of the wall opposite it. The windows were lined with tables, while in the back larger booths, separated by room dividers made of coloured glass, that was shining and the warm light.

"It really does look cosy." Kurt whispered into Blaine's ear and squeezed his hand.

"Table for two?" A friendly looking young woman asked and quickly Kurt let go of Blaine's hand. Blaine noticed but didn't say anything, opting for smiling reassuringly at his still nervous boyfriend. As soon as Kurt felt comfortable in a place he seemed to be okay with showing affection but when he was startled he jumped back as if he feared an assault. He probably did, Blaine mused. The thought felt like venom in his head.

The lady made a flick with her wand and all the bags Blaine had been holding lifted into the air and followed the woman, Kurt and Blaine right behind. She led them to a table for two, close enough to the fire that they could feel the warmth radiating off it but not in danger to get too hot fast.

"I'll just store them for you, alright darlings?" Kurt nodded and the waitress handed them menus.

There was a moment of silence between them as they just stared at the cards.

"This is weird. Why is it weird? This shouldn't be weird." Blaine heard Kurt mumble.

"You know I can hear you." Blaine laughed nervously. Kurt peaked up from behind his menu, eyes wide.

"I just... I didn't... is it just me?" He ended in a whisper and Blaine tilted his head to the side lightly.

"No, I don't know what to say either. Have we reached our peak, Kurt? Is it downhill from here? Silence at the dinner table? What will the kids say?" He tried to joke about it and was relieved when Kurt couldn't suppress a smile.

"They are big enough. They will understand that some things have to end, darling."

"I'm not sure. I think for some things you are never old enough."

"It's terrible how time passes. It feels like it was just two months ago that we met. They grow up so fast I don't even remember having them." Blaine was now full on laughing.

"So we're getting a divorce?" Blaine asked.

Kurt looked at him, smiling but serious for a moment before he announced: "Nah I think we're good."

Blaine's heart jumped at that.

They ordered, Blaine insisting on Kurt trying butter beer, even though Kurt disputed that he wasn't of legal drinking age.

The food was delicious and they shared both of their pies, feeding each other little bites. The conversation was light and joyful, as Kurt gushed over his father's marriage.

"And I get to plan the whole thing! It's so much fun. Carole is amazing and gorgeous, especially since she takes me shopping with her now. Dad's also really happy. I feel like Finn is struggling but he tries hard. He adapted better when they got serious and he tried to be there for me when my dad had his heart attack but I think it's still hard on him. We are not brothers but I will try to make him feel comfortable when we get the house. I don't know but I just... I want this to work you know? For my dad and for Carole and for me, too. Like sometimes it just feels like... family."

Kurt was going on and on and Blaine smiled. To see Kurt so happy made the corners of his lips quirk up and his heart swell. Good he even felt a little like crying. He was just so grateful to hear Kurt so joyful. The feeling wrapped around his heart and filled his head. Blaine felt dizzy. Kurt was just so amazing, so... everything. He tilted his head, resting his cheek on his hand. He knew he was staring. He didn't care as long as he could stare at Kurt.

"And the glee club is going to perform and it's going to be so much fun. Mr Schue is coming too which is sort of weird but sort of not because Dad and him are getting along pretty well for some time now and no glee club without Mr Schue so." Kurt shrugged and took a sip of his butter bear.

"I love you." The words left Blaine's mouth without consideration. It wasn't like he was blurting something out, he just couldn't hold it in any longer. The feeling was so insistent. Love. He loved Kurt.

Kurt's eyes went wide and he coughed a little, obviously chocking on his butter bear but Blaine just kept smiling. He had said it and it had felt amazing.

Kurt leaned back, his eyes wide and so blue Blaine felt like just falling right into them.

"I love you, too." Kurt's voice was high, still a little chocked but the words were perfectly audible and made Blaine's insides melt. He wanted to hold Kurt, to kiss Kurt, to do really dirty things with Kurt that were so far in the future, but he wanted it all with Kurt. And that Kurt wanted all of this with him too, a future, more than just a fling that could be over any minute was the best feeling in the world.

Blaine stretched out his hand and took Kurt's fingers into it, smiling even wider as he felt Kurt's thumb gently caressing over his knuckles. The silence was comfortable now, both of them busy and happy to just stare the other's eyes, marvelling in the moment.

The young wizard was still looking dreamily at his boyfriend as a voice disturbed their intimacy.

"Blaine?" Someone asked startled. Blaine froze. He turned slowly.

Behind him, holding hands and some bags, were Tina and Mike, with equally stunned expressions.

"Hello, Mike. Tina." He smiled at the couple hoping that he looked sincere. "So, I'm guessing that is what your homework looks like these days."

He grinned even wider, trying his best to behave normally, like it happened every day that he was surprised on a date with a stranger on a weekend that he wasn't supposed to be out anyway.

Mike wasn't fazed by Blaine's subtle allusion to his rule breaking, his eyes trained on Blaine's face, while Tina's eyes were moving from Blaine to Kurt and back, clearly curious.

"Who's your friend here? I didn't know you expected a visit from out of town."

"He..." Blaine started looking at Kurt in distress, a similar expression of panic mirroring his.

"I..." Kurt tried to explain, just as speechless as Blaine. Blaine cursed himself internally. Why hadn't they made up some kind of story just in case.

"I'm Kurt, a friend of Blaine's and you're right I'm from out of town just visiting... it was on a whim so I guess that's why Blaine hasn't told you, right Blaine?"

Silently Blaine thanked everything in the world for Kurt's amazing acting skills and fast thinking.

"Yes, I thought you were busy so I didn't inform you when I sneaked out but guess I wouldn't have found you anyway."

"Mhh, no you wouldn't have." Mike smiled friendly extending his hand to Kurt and shaking it. "You don't mind if we join you right? I've never heard of you Kurt and I'd love to catch up. This is Tina, my girlfriend."

Tina shook Kurt's hand as well, saying it was a pleasure to meet him, as Mike got two more chairs.

Kurt and Blaine exchanged an alarmed look but remained silent otherwise.

"So, you're not going to Hogwarts. I'd know you. With such a small student body you just sort of know everyone." Mike smiled kindly, but Blaine noticed how vary his eyes remained.

"No, you're right again." Kurt said and grinned back. There was a light waver to his voice but Blaine was sure that it wasn't obvious enough for a stranger to decipher. "I'm home schooled. My dad is a single parent and... I guess he just didn't want to let me out of the nest or something... I also wouldn't have wanted to leave him alone for the better part of the year."

Kurt's eyes flickered to Blaine and Blaine nodded slightly, signalling that Kurt's story added up for a wizard. Kurt was pretty good at that Blaine realized. The best lie always held a little of the truth.

"Oh, that's sad Kurt. I'm sure you'd love Hogwarts! There is so much to learn and the school is amazing. You also get to meet so many people and other young wizards. You should ask your dad to come and join us next school year." Tina chirped, squeezing Kurt's arm.

"I'll talk to him about it but I doubt it. It would also be weird to be the only... 6th grader to be determined for a house." Kurt laughed and Tina and Blaine joined in.

"Where did you two meet if it wasn't in school?"

"Diagon Alley." Blaine lied quickly. "It was only this summer, must have been why I hadn't mentioned Kurt so far. I was... looking for a new broom and Kurt had just wanted some distance that day... wandering around and we literally bumped into each other."

Kurt nodded effusively.

"A story to tell the grand kids?" Tina teased and Kurt's face lit up.

"I... we..." Blaine stuttered but Tina just winked at him.

"Can't fool me, Blaine. I see you looking at each other and the whole hand holding thing wasn't too hard to analyse."

"Well, I guess... okay you're right. We're together but that's even newer so excuse me for not shouting it from the astronomy tower right away." Blaine grinned and Tina patted his hand. Mike's expression had become unreadable.

"That's really nice, Blaine. I'm happy you've found someone I just have one more question... why is Kurt wearing Sam's robe?"

Blaine, who had just started to relax, tensed up again. Across the table, Kurt's mouth was moving, like he tried to speak but no words came out.

"That's true, Kurt! Sam does have the same robe. That's odd." Tina remarked.

"Truly odd. I always try to go for the less known things. Your friend Sam must have an exquisite taste." Kurt tried to smile, but his eyes were flickering nervously.

"Actually, his mum made it. Sam's family is not really well off and when he needed one for the ball last year, she made it."

Mike's expression was serious as he turned to Blaine.

"What's going on, Blaine? I thought something was off. Now, I know something is off. Please tell me what's going on and if you got yourself into trouble."

Across the table Kurt looked scared, not knowing what to expect now. Blaine hadn't talked too much about what might happen if they were found out, both, too frightened by the possibilities and at the same time not knowing enough, unwilling to alarm Kurt for no reason.

Blaine looked at Mike, his throat dry, as he tried to come up with the best way to explain, to get Mike to understand how important this was. Mike was his best friend. He would understand. He had to.

"Before I say anything," Blaine started hesitantly "I need you to know that I love Kurt. That over the past weeks he has become one of the most important people in my life and that just thinking about staying away from him or worse being kept away from him, is more painful than having to deal with one of Hagrid's Blast-Ended Skrewts." He glanced at Kurt who mouthed "Skrewt?" at him. "I also want you to really concentrate on the fact that you two are my friends and that I trust you. That I love you and that you are like family to me."

His eyes flickered between Mike and Tina. Tina looked confused but curious, while Mike's mouth had formed a tight line. He nodded though and Blaine figured that was all he could ask for.

"Kurt isn't a wizard. He is from out of town, from a small village in Scotland, couple of hours from here. These are indeed Sam's robes and I took him to Hogsmeed today so that we could finally have a proper first date."

"He's a Muggle?" Tina hissed, eyes flickering between Kurt and Blaine in surprise.

"Yes, I am, thank you, no need to be so shocked." Kurt remarked, dryly.

"Well, with all due respect, Kurt but there is. We are very strict with rules and you shouldn't know that any of this exists." Mike's voice was calm but to Blaine each and every word felt like an accusation directed at him.

"If you are implying that you can't trust me, you're wrong." Kurt's eyes were small as he seized Mike up. "And I don't see why you would get to judge anything Blaine did as he did nothing wrong."

"You can't know that, Kurt. You don't know our rules." Mike shook his head. Blaine knew the motion. Mike wasn't even trying to be hostile or antagonistic. On the contrary. He appeared his usual mixture between resigned and sympathetic, a look he usually sported when explaining something to Sam for the tenth time.

"I know that nobody got hurt so how bad can it be?" Kurt snapped. He looked at Blaine like he was waiting for him to jump in but Blaine was lost for words. He couldn't lose Kurt but he knew that Mike didn't answer well to sassing at him either.

"Listen, Mike. We didn't plan any of this. It happened and now I need you to be on my side." Mike was silent for a moment and Blaine hoped to communicate solely with his eyes how serious he was being. That this was one of these moments that counted.

"I... listen, Blaine. You know I am but I can't just give you my word without knowing the story, okay? So I promise to listen and judge afterwards." Blaine let out a relieved sigh and gave Kurt a pointed look to let Blaine take it from there. Kurt looked upset for a second, before his gaze softened and he nodded slightly.

"Okay... maybe starting with the... issue wasn't the best idea. I guess I should start at the beginning, right?" Blaine's crocked smile was met by a giggle from Kurt and a slight twitch of the lips from Mike. Tina on the other hand didn't seem to pay attention at all anymore.

"Whatever you do, Blaine... you should do it quickly. Look who just got in."

Blaine followed her alarmed gaze and looked at the door that had just swung close behind a slender man, with a round face and a green cloak that was slightly crusted with dried dirt at the seamen.

"Oh, no." Blaine whispered, as he watched his herbology teacher approach the waitress. "Oh, no." He repeated as the waitress nodded and turned to walk into their direction.

"What are you waiting for?!" Mike hissed. "Get out! We can handle Professor Longbottom but he can't see Kurt!"

Suddenly Blaine was tucked up and away from the table. As he turned away from where his eyes were fixed on the approaching teacher he saw Kurt dragging him further into the restaurant.

"Where are we going?" Blaine asked, still stunned. It really wasn't helping that panic seemed to paralyse him.

"Backdoor... hopefully." Kurt whispered. Both sighed in relief as they reached a door that lead them straight to the backstreet of the restaurant.

"Well that was... different." Blaine commented once they had calmed down and caught their breath.

"Nice way of putting it to describe the worst first date ever." Kurt snapped as he turned and started walking down the street, away from Blaine.

"Really, Kurt? Really?" Blaine shouted as he hurried after him.

"How else would you describe a date that ends in an interrogation by your date's best friends, being doubted and mistrusted by them without as so much as being backed up by the guy who supposedly loves you and then having to make a run for it because we can't be seen by some guy with a dirty coat!" Kurt had turned around staring Blaine down with fire in his eyes. He was getting red spots on his face from the screaming. He looked younger like that, like he would stomp with his foot like an angered child. But the fury that hit Blaine was so intimidating that he took a step back.

"Don't act like this wasn't as horrible for me as it was for you!" Blaine spat back. "You think I like that my friends think I broke some kind of stupid law? That I betrayed my whole society? That I have to hide who I love. Do you think that's how I imagined that would go?"

"You still could have defended me." Kurt yelled, making his way back towards Blaine with broad steps, coming to stand a couple of feet away.

"Yeah, because that would have totally helped us in that situation." Blaine rolled his eyes. As Kurt's slender pointer finger poked at his chest, he realized that that might have been exactly the wrong reaction.

"Don't you dare make fun of me, Blaine Anderson." Kurt's voice shook and Blaine swallowed. The fire had nearly left Kurt's voice. He just sounded hurt.

"I'm sorry, Kurt. I wanted to. I know that I can trust you but … " Kurt stepped back and bit his lip, his arms crossed over his torso. "The moment I agreed to seeing you again, we knew it would be difficult and if we want us to work we'll need people to understand. I will fight for you, Kurt and whatever Mike decides after I told him everything I will not stay away from you. But having someone we can trust could be worth a lot someday. If we ever find ourselves in a situation like we were just there..."

Hesitantly Blaine grabbed Kurt's wrists and uncrossed his arms. "Is that reasonable to you?"

Kurt turned his head away, avoiding Blaine's eyes, then he nodded slightly and smiled.

"Thank you." Blaine breathed in relief and pressed a fleeting kiss to Kurt's cheek. After a moment of silence he asked: "Was it really such a horrible date? I mean I think I did pretty okay, ignoring the fall out towards the ending?"

Kurt huffed out a laugh and pulled Blaine closer, laying Blaine's arms around his waist.

"I think you did pretty perfect, ignoring the fall out towards the ending as you put it." Blaine grinned and raised his head to kiss Kurt's lips softly. He could feel Kurt humming into the kiss. The press of soft lips warming his mouth and everything else, inside out. He hadn't noticed his eyes drifting shut, until Kurt pulled back and Blaine's eyes fluttered open.

"Bummer about the bags though. You bought so many amazing things for me." Kurt grimaced like just thinking about the lost clothes, sweets and other stuff caused him physical pain.

"Right. Can't leave that behind can we?" Blaine winked and looped himself out of Kurt's grip.

"Wait, what are you doing?" Kurt asked agitated as Blaine headed back to the back exit.

"Getting your stuff. Stay here and look... magical or something."

"Always thought that was a given for me." Kurt murmured, as he watched with nervousness in his eyes how Blaine re-entered the restaurant. It only took a couple of minutes until Blaine entered the street again, once again loaded with bags.

"You did it! Weren't Tina, Mike and your professor still there?"

"They were. But Mike was so smart to make them move to a table at the front, Professor Longbottom positioned towards the door and on the window side. He was so deep into conversation with Mike, no way he could have spotted me."

Kurt nodded and took some bags from Blaine.

"Well, I guess it's time to go home then?" Kurt asked sadly.

"I gather it is." Blaine answered no less gloomy.

With linked hands, they made their way out of the village.