Author's note:

Thestral's are skeletal winged-horses that pull carriages from the Hogwarts Express to the castle for all students except first years. They can only be seen by a person who has actually witnessed a death, like Harry, so Jeff would not be able to see them.

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee, or Harry Potter, I am just a humble fan :)

Note: I've chopped the end off this chapter as starfishingly correctly pointed out the ear thing was next film - oops! I will get there eventually, but that's the next school year. Quick fix below. Apologies for any confusion :S

Clickety-clack, clickety-clack, clickety-clack.

Nick gazed out of the window at the lush green countryside rolling past. His cheek bumped the cool glass, slightly damp with condensation.

He was really enjoying his first journey on the Hogwarts Express as a student because he had always been fond of trains since he was a little boy.

The sound of the partition door opening snapped him out of his thoughts and he jumped up to help Jeff back into the compartment clutching two styrofoam cups of hot tea and some sweets from the trolley.

As the blond sat down he tossed a small packet onto the seat beside Nick. "For you!" He said cheerily with a wink and a smile.

Nick looked down and smiled as he saw what was in it. "Lemon sherbets! Thanks!" He moved to sit next to his boyfriend and planted a large kiss on his lips. Their noses bumped as the train jostled them both, making the boys giggle.

"I should have gone to get these - it is your birthday after all!" Nick said gratefully.

Jeff shook his head. "Nah, it's okay. You were having too much fun looking out the window. It's really cool when it goes round the bend over that high bridge isn't it? You can see most of the train in front of us."

Nick nodded eagerly. "So, did you see anyone along the train?" He asked.

Jeff nodded. "Yes, I bumped into Thad, he and Trent are a few doors down. I haven't seen Fred or George though. I wonder who you'll be rooming with? If it's them, be prepared for practical jokes on a daily basis!"

Nick laughed. "Yes, thanks for the tip!" He turned his head to face Jeff. "I'll miss staying with you, though." He said softly.

Jeff looked up through his fringe, biting his lip, nodding. "Me too." His gaze lingered, staring into Nick's eyes. Nick leant in and their lips met in a searching kiss.

After a while, Nick leant back against the window and Jeff rested his head on his shoulder, his eyes drifting shut. Both boys were quite tired from staying up late the previous night.

After they had readied Nick's flat for renting out and grabbed a quick bite for dinner, they had taken one last stroll along the side of the Thames, before returning to the flat for their last night together for a long while. Needless to say, neither boy had wanted the night to end, so resisted sleep for as long as possible.

Only the prospect of travelling on the Hogwarts Express had made Nick not drag his feet as they left his flat this morning, first dropping the keys off with the estate agent before taking the tube to Kings Cross St Pancras Station, platform 9 3/4.

The boys finally woke up as the train pulled into its destination station, brakes screeching against the metal railtracks.

Nick and Jeff both stretched and readied themselves to get off the train and join their fellow pupils heading to Hogwarts Castle. Nick slipped his robe over his head and Jeff helped him straighten it out.

"Looking good, Mr Duval!" Jeff joked, winking. "You look like a proper Hogwarts student now. I just wish your colours were yellow, not red." He stuck his lip out in a pout.

"You're just worried Gryffindor will beat Hufflepuff at Quidditch now I'm on their team!" Nick sniggered in reply.

Jeff looked indignant before huffing off of the train in a flounce, calling over his shoulder, "You wish! I won't be playing any favourites, that's for sure!"

Nick laughed heartily and followed him down to the platform, greeting Trent and Thad with a warm hug after Jeff had. He followed the other boys to an empty carriage waiting on the road next to the platform.

Nick settled into his seat on the carriage which was apparently going to take them up to Hogwarts Castle. He frowned, wondering why there weren't any horses even though he could have sworn he heard one snort and whinny. He fell against Jeff, who held him tight with a giggle, as the carriage pulled away with a jolt. Eerie disembodied hoof sounds echoed in his ears as the Castle came into view.

The former Durmstrang boy was feeling a little nervous about meeting his fellow Gryffindor students, so he scanned the carriages nearest to them for red colours on gowns. He could see Kurt and Blaine snuggled together at the back of the carriage on his left. He smiled when they met his gaze and waved. They were riding with a couple of Ravenclaw boys.

He turned his gaze and saw a carriage full of Slytherin boys. One caught his gaze and stared back aggressively. Nick rolled his eyes and returned to watching the road ahead. Only a few more minutes went by and they were pulling into the grounds of Hogwarts, ready to disembark and line up by house.

He turned to Jeff and affectionately pulled him close by his robes. He pulled Jeff down for a firm kiss before they parted company for separate lines. "See you in a while, babe." Nick said, squeezing Jeff's hands. "I love you."

Jeff could tell Nick was nervous. "I love you too, Nicky. I suppose we'll have to sit by house for dinner because of the first years' sorting." He rolled his eyes and squeezed back on Nick's hands before letting go as the boys parted.

Nick smiled gratefully at Kurt and Blaine who waved at him to join them in the line as the Gryffindor students filed into the Great Hall and sat along the long benches.

By the time all the first year students had been sorted into houses by the Sorting Hat, including a quick welcome to an embarrassed Nick personally from Dumbledore as Draco looked on with a scowl, he suddenly realised he was exhausted.

His exhaustion only increased on the seemingly endless route to one of the Castle's highest towers, where Gryffindor House could be found on the seventh floor. Neville Longbottom, who could never remember the password, was waiting by the painting of the Fat Lady. She guarded the entrance to Gryffindor and was currently huffily refusing him entrance.

Kurt rolled his eyes, said the password, "Fortuna Major", then allowed a grateful Neville to enter before them. He showed Nick into the common room, which was a large and inviting room with comfortable chairs and an imposing fireplace.

Next they climbed the stairs to the boys' bedchambers. Nick found his trunk already waiting at the foot of his bed. He counted five beds in total as he took off his shoes and laid on the bed for a rest. His eyes once again drifted shut as his head hit the comfortably squishy pillow, the voices of Kurt and Blaine chatting as they unpacked lulling him into a deep slumber.

In Hufflepuff House, Jeff had finished unpacking and was sat on his bed. He was trying not to think about the missing bed in their dorm. Trent and Thad were also doing their best to distract him.

They were currently mid discussion about the odd staff changes which had been announced at dinner.

"...so let me get this straight?" Thad said. "Dumbledore didn't appoint her, but the Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge did?" He said the man's name like a swear word.

Trent nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid so. I think there's more to her than pink twin sets and pearls...and it gives me the shivers!" He wriggled his shoulders as the other boys nodded in agreement.

"I guess only time will tell. I think we have Defence Against the Dark Arts with her tomorrow, actually."

Thad got up and opened his trunk to retrieve some things, returning to perch on Jeff's bed with a smile.

"Enough of the serious stuff! Now, there's only a few hours left of it, but a birthday isn't a birthday without cake! Since Nick won't be able to sneak out on his first night here, Trent and I thought we'd get you one."

Trent flicked his wand and the candles lit all at the same time on top of a delicious looking chocolate cake.

Jeff smiled widely. "Now you're talking!"

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