Here you are! Chapter six! Enjoy! :P

Chapter Six-The Uncertain Start of Something

It took nearly two hours to completely give Colin the run-down on his manor to make sure he didn't get lost. Upon returning to his room, Colin faced Cormac. "Thank you for the tour. I just hope I remember everything."

"Just be careful after dark, don't have a reason to snoop around and you'll be fine."

"You know, you seem a little more relaxed. It's nice to see you're not so tense."

Cormac grunted, trying to say this appropriately ''Eh. I've had numerous guests. I figured if I'm calm, they would be."

"Very cordial of you."

"Not really. Just simple etiquette. Lunch will be ready shortly." He left the long-haired blonde alone on his bed.

Colin absentmindedly traced the gold pattern on his duvet. 'Still rather rough around the edges, but much better than when we first met. This is a process.'

Seamus and Dean returned just in time for lunch to be served on the dining room table. With them, they brought an extra array of desserts to accompany the apple and blueberry crumbles already in the kitchen. Colin merely shook his head at the newest pile of boxes and so did Cormac. They knew it was most likely Finnigan's doing. After lunch, the guys decided to head down to the workout room for some exercise.

Seamus queried. "Colin, you comin' too? There's plenty o' weights to go around."

He shook his head. "Nah, maybe tomorrow or the next time you plan on going down there."

"Aw, you can still come down and watch. We could use another banterin' buddy while we get all sweaty and disgustin'.''

Dean rolled his eyes. ''Oh, yeah. That's gonna make it even more enticing. Seamus, you're gross sometimes."

"But you still fuck me in the showers afterwards."

Colin snorted and lightly blushed at the retort. Cormac commented to him with a sigh. "This happens everyday. Nothing new."

Colin still turned down the offer. "Maybe later. Thank you, though."

"Aww...well..ok." Seamus dragged Dean and ran ahead of them, whispering. ''Be glad I suggested it. Colin can always come down another day, watch 'im benchpress 200 pounds and be amazed...and turned on."

"Oh god, Shay."

"Hey, even with the cursed appearance, he still has an impressive build."

"Hm, this is true.''

Colin separated from the three and went back to the library. Cormac stared after him as he left. 'You don't exactly need to see what's underneath here anyway.' he mused self-consciously as he pulled his shirt tighter around himself.

As the day progressed, the quartet hung about, laughed and talked..telling each other about themselves and their hobbies. Cormac was a little less forthcoming with personal information but Colin decided not to push him. A little chipping away at the stony surface here and there goes a long way. About thirty minutes past midnight, Colin crept out of his room. He couldn't stop thinking about that door. That one piece of red ribbon over the knob made it all the more mysterious and he had to check it out. He meandered silently down the hall.

'Ok, now I hope I remember the way there.'

Taking a trip downstairs, through several corridors and a left or two, Colin was in the west wing in what he nicknamed 'The Mahogany Hall'. ''Red ribbon, red ribbon, red ribbon...there you are.'' he muttered softly as he found it. Colin reached his hand out to turn the knob. ''Ow!" he hissed, jerking his palm back. Red light sparked around the knob for a brief moment then vanished.

''What the hell-?''

''I knew I'd find you down here.''

Like a scared rabbit, Colin spun around to see Cormac twirling his lit wand, allowing the light to float down his disfigured face. ''Cormac..I..I.."

He held up his hand to silence him. ''I figured you'd allow your curiosity to get the best of you, like some who have came here before. That door was specifically warded so that would not happen. There's nothing you need to see."

Colin still had to question him. "Is that...is that where the portraits are kept?"

Cormac remained silent.

"It is, isn't it? What is so wrong with letting someone know how you looked before?"

He answered softly, beckoning Colin over. "Come with me."

"Ok." he responded unsurely as he followed the master to his bedroom. Cormac shut the door behind them and gestured Colin to sit across him on the sofa.

"I'm not going to yell at you, if that's what you're worried about. And no, I'm not going to ask you to leave, either. Let me answer your question. I don't like to be reminded of the past...of how I looked, who I associated with...how I acted. It all got me where I am today. It brings back too much pain. I have to live looking like this for the rest of my life, all because of a drawn-out mistake. I will never go back to the way I was and I don't want to have it constantly thrown in my face. So, it's better that I keep all my portraits locked away. Please, I ask you not to go searching again. Can you do that for me?"

Colin responded. "Y-Yes. I'll leave it alone."

"Thank you." Colin rose and stood by the door "Before I go, can I ask you one more thing?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"How did you know I snuck out?" Cormac smirked, or at least tried to without making himself seem more grotesque. ''I saw how you stared at the door earlier today. And I watched you leave your room after I came back from the kitchen. Next time, you may want to use a disillusionment, not that it would have gotten you anywhere with the wards."

Colin blushed at his lack of forethought. ''True. Well, goodnight Cormac."

"Goodnight, Colin." The door shut and he laid back onto his bed. 'I do have to give him credit, he truly was curious and had no malicious intent.'

''Morning, guys. How'd you sleep?" Dean queried sleepily as he sauntered into the dining room.

Colin responded with a smile "I slept great. It's a lot better than what I have in forever. I think it's the bed."

Cormac shrugged "Same I guess."

"Well WE for one..." Seamus skidded into a chair next to Dean and nearly fell out of it. "...slept perfectly. A nice shag will do that for ya.''

Colin took the pumpkin juice close to Cormac. "They always announce their intimate business first thing in the morning?"

"Seamus does. There's no such thing as shame when it comes to him."

Seamus gave him a cheeky grin "Hey, you've made your share of announcements as well, though we never really had to hear you say it. We could hear them through the walls.''

Colin snickered. "So, you forgot the silencing charms on occasion?"

Cormac flushed slightly, averting his eyes to the bacon on his plate. ''Not...exactly.''

Seamus chirped "On occasion? Shit, it was on purpose! Personally, I think he did it just to annoy us."

"Then again, a couple of times could have been payback for when we'd forget while in the throes of ecstasy...and the rest, he was being a right dick." added Dean offhandedly.

Cormac felt as if he could bury his head through the floor. He's trying not to make Colin see him as some tawdry, perverted manwhore and Finnigan wasn't helping. Truthfully, there was no point in concealing that part of his past dalliances. It was widely known throughout the province. Colin sensed his apparent discomfort and patted him on his broad shoulder.

"It's ok, mate. Not everyone has an angelic past."

Cormac's skin burned under his touch. "You could say that again." he lowly muttered. His guest returned to the others. "So, what's on the agenda for today?"

Dean tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Well, there is the idea of you accompanying us to the weightroom."

Later that evening, the guys were relaxing in the parlor. Colin was observing as Dean and Seamus were perusing yet another naughty magazine, pointing and muttering amongst themselves.

Colin whispered to Cormac. "How often do they purchase those?"

"Every month...or week depending on the so-called theme and country of origin. Finnigan sticks with Europe and America, mostly."

"So I take those belong to him."

"All 287 issues."

"Jesus..." Colin snickered. Leave it to Seamus to have nearly 300 pieces of pornography stashed away in his room. That was not surprising, whatsoever.

"What do you expect? He's a horny little leprechaun. You'd think he'd have some originality but I leave that department to Dean. He's more creative, being the artist out of us." Cormac added with a small smile, matching Colin's.

'There's a nice smile I had yet to see. I've watched you laugh somewhat but I find this much more pleasant. Calmer, natural, more genuine.' mused Colin as he gazed across the other end of the sofa, watching as Cormac's eyes never left his.

Dean and Seamus continued as if nothing was happening right in front of them, but they were definitely looking. Realizing that he's been practically boring holes into Cormac's face for the past two minutes, Colin snapped to attention.

"Y-Yeah...he is more creative, I guess. Uh, I'm thinking about turning in early. I'll..I'll see you guys in the morning." The blonde left the parlor with an awkward air, striding past two smirking faces and a faintly-crestfallen one.

"Hey, why don't you see if Colin's ok? He seemed a little...eh...distracted?" Seamus suggested, hoping Cormac would take the hint but he declined.

"No..no. I'll just stay here for a little while longer."

Dean nodded before he asked, wanting to know what the house elves were talking about in the kitchens. "So, what is this I hear about you and Colin talking late last night?"

Seamus sputtered from his tea with wide eyes and a comical grin. "W-Wait..what? You two were up together?! Alone?!"

Cormac held up his hands. "Hey now, it was nothing like that."

Dean smirked. "Oh? Then tell us. What was it like? One of the house elves saw you lead him into your room."

"Your room?!" Seamus exclaimed and the master ignored, further responding. "I saw Colin sneak out to the west wing. He noticed THAT door on the tour and he got curious. I followed him, he tried to open it but the wards shocked him. I made my presence known, he asked if that's where I kept the portraits and wondered what was wrong with others knowing how I used to look. So, I beckoned him to my room and explained why. Asked Colin if he'd leave it alone and he agreed. I also told him how I knew he was down there and he left. That's it."

Dean returned in understanding. "I see. Hm..I was wondering when he'd try to go exploring. He's certainly not the first."

"I'm just glad my parents installed the wards when I begged them to. Couldn't stand another spiteful comparison."

"Colin didn't seem too spiteful."

Cormac narrowed his eyes in thought. ''No, he didn't. He wasn't in the slightest from what I could feel. But...it doesn't matter. Even though Colin is far nicer than I anticipated, it's better that my pictures remain hidden. If you guys will excuse me, I'm heading to bed."

Watching Cormac's back fade from view, Seamus laid his head on Dean's chest. ''I guess Cormac does have a point with keepin' them locked up. If everyone knew the stipulation to reverse Cormac's curse, how would we know if their love is legitimate? If they saw Cormac's former face beforehand and knew that would be the outcome if they claimed to love him, that would be the only reason. Because of his looks, not what's inside."

"Too true. Well, you know when Luna cast that curse, I think she had that exception in mind, to prevent false love. As for real feelings, I don't believe we have to worry about Colin. You saw how he was staring at Cormac, even if only for a brief moment. Their eyes never left one another and how Colin was awkward in leaving us? Something's in the air, my bouncy shortcake and I think it's beginning to take form."

Seamus chirped impatiently, pecking Dean on his cheek. "I hope it takes form faster. I don't want anyone ruinin' what we've worked so hard on and I especially don't want Cormac to end up with a broken heart."

"Neither do I, so it's up to us to make sure that doesn't happen. So when there's an opportunity, we need to drag Colin here...get him in the habit of staying over, get the both of them alone more often and let nature do the rest."

"Ahh...I love it when we're plotting."

"Me too, babe..me too."

Colin was relaxing away in his bed, allowing the thoughts to pass the forefront of his mind. These thoughts just happened to belong to an hour earlier, when he stared at Cormac and his smile. It was so calm and without reserve. Sure, it did make the lopsided half of Cormac's face scrunch and bulge a bit but a smile was a smile. Everybody was capable of one..unless there was an issue with their facial muscles. The blonde thought it looked rather nice on him. His outward sorrow faded for at least a little while and Colin found himself wanting to see it more often.

'You should smile more, Cormac. You're among friends and I won't make fun of you. I've already made that clear. You're my friend now too and I don't want to see you so unhappy. Merlin, I sound so cheesy and girly and that last part sounded a little on the romantic side. I should be careful, I don't want Cormac to think I'm coming onto to him...we've met only a short time ago. That would be wrong of me, wouldn't it? Yeah...yeah...it would be. Why am I thinking otherwise?' He had no idea why he questioned himself. ''I'm too tired to think about this. I need my rest." Colin spoke aloud before turning out the light.

Cormac however, was having trouble falling asleep. Currently, he was sitting next to the window, gazing at the moonlit sky and thinking of earlier. 'Why did Colin stare at me like he did? And..why couldn't I break away? Who am I kidding? Those eyes are mesmerizing...so clear, so piercing...it's like 'one look and you're done' and I was certainly done. Was he being sweet as he always is or...is there something else? There's just something in the way he talks to me and when he touched my shoulder.' he rested his hand on it, feeling the heat re-emerge. '...I can't help but think something's there, even if it's slight. Unfortunately, I cannot assume nor press forward. I might be getting the wrong impression and I don't want Colin believing I want him for more than friendship, no matter how positively wonderful that sounds right about now.'

The rest of the week progressed smoothly and Colin was enjoying himself. He's familiarized himself with the halls of Cormac's manor, had a few rounds of laughter from being continuously entertained by Seamus and managed to get Cormac to further inch out of his shell. All in all, it was a great week. It was too bad he had to go home this Saturday afternoon. ''Aww, do you really have to go? Things were just gettin' good!" whined Seamus as Colin headed to the door with his trunk packed and shrunk.

''Yes, I do. You know Mum needs me back home to help. I'll be sure to come again, now that we have some time set aside in between."

''Good, 'cause I would've roughed you up if ya didn't.'' Seamus grinned as he playfully pinched Colin's hip. Dean honestly didn't mind that interaction since he thought it was cute.

Cormac approached the blonde before he opened the door. ''It really was nice for you to stay. I hope you had a good time over here."

"Truly I did. Don't worry." Colin smiled.

Shyly, Cormac asked. ''Um, when do you think you'll be able to stay that long again?"

"Well, maybe within a month...or maybe earlier, I'm not sure. If I learn sooner, I'll be sure to tell you. Ok, I must go now. See you all later." A chorus of byes and see ya's sounded behind him.

Cormac was the last to whisper as he stared after his friend. ''Bye, Colin.'' When Colin disappeared, Cormac sighed and ventured off to his room.

Dean nudged his Irish shortcake. ''I think someone's missing someone already."

"Adorable, isn't it?"

Arriving within minutes, Colin waltzed inside his door to see Dennis pulling away from Nigel's mouth. The elder Creevey smirked. "Am I interrupting something here?"

Dennis stuck his tongue out. ''It was about to be something until you came in...and besides, we were just bored since haven't been testing out charms."

"You two...not testing charms? Ok, the sky isn't falling and hell has yet to freeze over."

"Haha, funny. Anyway, Mum and Dad won't be back 'til late. They're at some soirée thing with his colleagues. How did your week-long sleepover go? Get laid?"

Colin replied as he took a seat. "Fine and no...there was no sex. Even if there was, I wouldn't tell you."

"Aw come on, Col! We're brothers, we're supposed to confide in one another about our illicit affairs. There's no way in hell we'd tell our folks! Just for thought, Nigel and I screwed every night this week and once in the broomcloset at school. We were almost caught too!" Leave it to Dennis and Nigel to have casual sex and christen the stone floor in an unsafe place.

Colin scrunched his face. ''Yeeaah, thanks for the image. I don't think I'll be able to get that out of my head...arsehole." Dennis and Nigel snickered at his expense.

Dennis pressed on. "So, what all did you do? I know you couldn't have laid around all week."

"Well, I got a tour of the manor, then..." Colin finished with his account while they listened intently and gave their input.

Nigel took his time to comment ''What's he like? Cormac McLaggen? I heard he was quite a tyrant."

Colin shook his head immediately. "Oh no, not at all. Cormac's actually nicer once you get to know him, although it's taking time. He hasn't been around other people except Dean and Seamus for three years. So, he doesn't trust many."

Dennis leaned over onto Nigel's lap. "I guess we can't blame the bloke. I've heard things about him in school and around town and they were not all that pleasant. It seems he used to be quite the looker and lost it all in one night for being stupid. Tough break."

"It's been very tough on him and I know he's repentant. There isn't much I can do regarding his appearance but being his friend is something I know that'll help him. Cormac doesn't need to be alone, not like he was. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to my room. You guys...do whatever it is your were doing." Colin replied softly, sounding a little more somber than he should have.

Nigel whispered to Dennis. ''I think something's going on between them, don't you?"

"That...or there will be."

Yep...there is a flicker of something, isn't there? :) Stay tuned for the next update!