Disclaimer: I do not own Glee or Harry Potter, I am just a humble fan
The next day was Sunday and the two boys spent the day with their respective best friends and any homework that was due that week.
Viktor and Nick were practicing quidditch on the Hogwarts pitch just before lunch. Viktor was pleased to see a slight change in his friend today and was asking about it as they flew fast paced laps around the pitch to finish up.
"So, I guess your date went well?" He yelled over to Nick, on his right.
Nick smiled, nodding. "Yes, we had a great time. We got on really well and it went by so quickly!" He yelled back.
The boys slowed down to a hover, agreeing to finish and flew down to dismount. Nick continued. "It's like I've known him for ages. We are quite similar in some ways, but where I can sometimes be too serious he has this amazing energy and enthusiasm most of the time, I don't think I've smiled that much for a long time."
Viktor smiled and nodded. "I'm glad. I think he is good for you. So, are you going to ask him to the Yule Ball?"
"Yes, I am. If anyone has a problem with it, it's just tough. I'm not hiding what I think of him just because other people don't like or understand it."
Viktor nodded his agreement. "Good. There is a girl I was thinking of asking too." He admitted.
Nick looked over at Viktor as they walked back to the ship. "Oh yes? Who is it? I didn't know you were seeing anyone."
Viktor shook his head. "I'm not. I wasn't sure if she was already seeing someone, because she spends all her time at school with these two boys, but it won't hurt to ask, will it?"
"No. If she is dating, she would say no. I say go for it!" Viktor nodded. "So who is the lucky girl?"
"Hermione Granger." Viktor replied. "She is quite young too, but I like her."
Nick nodded. "Oh, the one who hangs around with Harry and his friend, Ron, I think his name is. She is pretty. I agree, you should just ask her."
"I will. So, Nick? Do you know anything about dragons? Karkaroff told me the first challenge has dragons in it!"
Nicks eyes grew wide as he shook his head. The rest of the way back to the ship, they discussed which spells they knew that could either distract or disable a dragon.
Jeff and Cedric were in the library after lunch, finishing schoolwork for the week. Cedric had disappeared to the wildlife section a while ago and came back to their table with a large, dusty old book that appeared to be about dragons.
Jeff raised his eyebrows at Cedric, asking, "Uh, Cedric, have you got a new interest you want to tell me about?"
Cedric laughed. "No, I bumped into Harry and he told me that the first challenge has dragons in it."
Jeff gulped. He was worried for his friend. "Okay, why don't we look up the different types commonly found? Presumably they'll be guarding something, so you'll need to get round them somehow?"
Cedric nodded and the boys started researching dragons. As they did this, Cedric asked cheekily, "So, are you taking your boyfriend to the Yule Ball?"
Jeff smacked him on the arm and rolled his eyes, blushing. "He's not my boyfriend... yet. Any way, no I haven't. What about you? Have you asked Cho?"
"Oooh, deflection! Don't think I didn't notice! Yes, I asked her and she said yes!" He smiled widely.
Jeff patted him on the back. "That's great!"
Monday to Wednesday were packed full of classes and preparing for the first task, mainly physical exercise to keep the Champion's strength up, ready to be tested. The wands of the Champions were weighed and tested and subsequently declared satisfactory by the wandmaker, Ollivander.
After lunch on Thursday 24th November, the day of the first task, Cedric and Viktor left their friends taking their messages of luck and support and assembled into a designated tent, away from the prying eyes of the public.
Nick and Jeff were both relieved to discover that since the Champions technically stood alone once selected, although everyone expected each school to help their own, mixed seating amongst the spectators was allowed.
Even though Jeff now knew that the challenge was to retrieve a golden egg from a dragon guarding it, he couldn't help feeling nervous for his friend as he entered the stadium, seeing the beast.
He was so transfixed by the dragon that he didn't see Nick enter the stadium and make his way over to Jeff.
"It doesn't look particularly friendly, does it?" Nick asked, making Jeff jump. The blond Hufflepuff smiled up at Nick despite his concern and patted the bench next to him. He exhaled loudly, saying, "No, it doesn't. Here, I saved you a spot. I wonder who's going first?"
It was announced that Cedric would go first, facing a Swedish Short-Snout. At least going first gets it over and done with soon, Jeff thought. Cedric was doing well, he had changed a rock into a dog to distract the dragon and managed to retrieve the egg, but Jeff cried out as the dragon turned and caught Cedric, burning his face before he could get away.
Jeff felt fingers close around his tightly as Nick whispered to him comfortingly, "It's okay, Madam Pomfrey will sort that out in no time, she fixed your ribs, didn't she?" Jeff locked eyes with him and nodded gratefully, glad that Nick hadn't removed his hand. "Thanks." He said, just as a loud announcement declared that Cedric had passed the task. A cheer went up, as the next dragon was brought in.
Fleur managed to get past a Common Welsh Green to successfully retrieve the egg despite her skirt being set on fire and soon it was Viktor's turn to face a Chinese Fireball.
Jeff gripped Nick's hand tightly in support as they watched the Bulgarian use a Conjunctivits Charm to disable the dragon. Unfortunately while Viktor retrieved the egg, the dragon stumbled and crushed some valuable real dragon eggs and he was docked some points, but still passed. Nick and Jeff cheered at this news. Both their friends had passed with only slight mishap.
Jeff turned to Nick, not wanting to let go of his hand. "Well, that's a relief!" He exclaimed. Nick nodded. "Yes. I'm glad they got through. So, I, uh, wanted to ask you something." He gazed at Jeff who nodded, urging him to carry on.
"Will you go to the Yule Ball with me?" Nick asked.
Jeff smiled widely and nodded. "I'd love to, yes!"
"Great!" Nick exhaled in relief, smiling too. They were interrupted by the loud announcement that it was Harry's turn.
After Harry finally defeated a vicious-looking Hungarian Horntail by summoning his Firebolt, the results were Viktor and Harry joint first, Cedric next and Fleur last.
Jeff wanted to delay having to let go of Nick's hand. He turned slightly to talk to the gorgeous Durmstrang boy, who is still holding my hand!
"So, swimming lessons. When do you want to start?" Jeff asked quietly. He didn't want anyone overhearing as Nick had already said he was embarrassed by it.
Nick smiled, gratefully. "Whenever you're free, since it's going to be boring for you!" He laughed. Jeff shook his head. "I don't think any time spent with you would be boring." He said softly, and Nick's breath hitched.
Jeff continued. "I don't have any classes for the rest of the day, do you?" Nick shook his head in reply. "Okay, then why don't we go up to the seventh floor and see if the Room of Requirement will help us? We should only need about an hour, so no one will miss us before dinner."
Nick nodded, happy that Jeff wanted to spend time with him and help him learn to swim. "Okay, lead the way."
The boys jumped up and reluctantly let go of hands to avoid being delayed by unnecessary questions on the way to the seventh floor. Once they got there, Jeff paced up and down the corridor, all the while thinking of a swimming pool, floats and of course swim trunks and towels. He also thought of Nick needing to know how to swim.
On his fourth pace up and down, Nick noticed something appearing on the wall next to him. Suddenly it became much clearer and then it looked like it had always been there. A door.
"Quick, come on!" Jeff grabbed Nick's wrist like he had in Hogsmeade, making Nick smile, as he opened the door and ran through, shutting it firmly behind him.
The dancing reflections on the tall white walls and the strong smell of chlorine made Jeff bubble over with excitement. He was bouncing up and down, holding Nick by the shoulders as he looked at the pool. "It worked!"
It wasn't overly large to be intimidating to a non-swimmer, and it even had one end that was so shallow it would barely pass your ankles. This allowed the swimmer to wade slowly in, getting used to the depth gradually.Perfect! Jeff thought, finally releasing Nick with a blush as he realised he'd grabbed him.
"Uh, there's some swim trunks over there, why don't you get changed while I see what floats there are?" Jeff suggested.
"Okay!" Nick replied and went behind the screen to change quickly. When he came out in knee length navy blue swim trunks, Jeff was turned away from him. The blond Hufflepuff was busy choosing a long tube-shaped float that went under each arm as the swimmer leant forward, perfect for the first few lessons. He turned once he heard Nick return and almost swallowed his tongue.
Nick couldn't help the faint blush appearing high on his cheeks as Jeff's gaze roamed any where but his face, eyes about to pop out of his face before he seemed to realise what he was doing.
Jeff was mentally flailing. Holy mother of... How did I overlook the fact that swimming meant touching a nearly naked Nick? Look at those toned abs! No, don't look! Look at his muscular legs! No, his trim waist with the trunks sitting low! No! Look up! Look up!
He coughed loudly, trying to clear his thoughts. "Right! Yes! Good! I mean, uh... I'll just, um... change... Yes!" Shut up you babbling idiot!
Jeff practically ran behind the screen to change, coming out in scarlet swimtrunks slightly more composed, but still flustered enough that he completely missed the similar effect he had on Nick.
The Durmstrang boy's eyes widened and he licked his lips as his eyes roamed Jeff's pale, deliciously toned, tall, strong but lean body. That was walking straight towards him.
Nick looked up and saw Jeff smiling with an outstretched hand, which he took willingly. Jeff lead him to the shallow end, holding a float in the other hand and the boys started to wade into the luke warm water, side by side, hand in hand.
When the water got to waist height, Jeff spoke. "how are you doing? Let me know if you're starting to get anxious, okay?" Nick nodded. "Okay, so you can see how deep we are, so that at any time you can stand if you need to, right? Lift your arms up, this float will rest across your chest and under your arms and you just lean towards me like that..." Nick obeyed and leant forward in the water, holding Jeff's hands as the blond walked backwards, "...and kick your legs. Great! You're doing great!"
Jeff lead Nick around in a few circles, helping him with position in the water by getting him to kick steadily without too much splash and keeping his body up on the surface. Half an hour went by as Nick worked hard to do everything Jeff said.
"Okay, let your legs go down and stand." Nick did so, smiling broadly, clearly pleased with his progress. Jeff hugged him without thinking, pulling back to blush cutely as he said, "Awesome job! I think that's enough for today. Let's wade out now." He took Nick's hand and lead him out of the pool.
The Room of Requirement had even provided showers by the side of the pool, so the boys rinsed the pool water off before dressing one by one behind the screen. Soon they were ready to leave, about to head straight to the Great Hall for dinner.
Nick stepped close to Jeff. He gazed up at the blond boy as he said, "Thank you for teaching me, I'm really grateful." He opened his arms, leaning up to hug Jeff round the chest as he leant his head in.
As he pulled back, Jeff whispered softly, "You're welcome." Neither boy went to move, so eventually it was Jeff who leant down to close the distance between their lips. Warm tingles erupted as his lips moved slowly against Nick's. The Durmstrang boy parted his lips slightly to lick Jeff's bottom lip and the blond boy willingly parted them, tongues meeting to slide deliciously against each other.
When they eventually parted, both boys were panting. Nick spoke first. "There was one other thing I wanted to ask you." Jeff nodded, wide eyed and smiling. "Will you be my boyfriend?"
Jeff quickly agreed before diving back in for another head-swimming kiss.
Neither Viktor nor Cedric missed the kiss-swollen lips and huge smiles on their friends who both came hurrying into the Great Hall at the same time, fifteen minutes late.
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