Chapter 4 is here! Haven't updated this one in a while but felt inspired to start working on this one again. I hope you enjoy Also Merry Christmas!
Chapter 4
Harry ran and kept on running, not really sure where he was heading at first but unsurprised when he ended up in front of the Slytherin common room entry. His heart pounded in his chest, sweat clinging to him from his mad dash as he stood and tried to catch his breath. He suddenly felt foolish for turning up here, what did he think was going to happen?
Before he could leave, the wall hiding the Slytherin common room moved and out strolled several 6th years. They all stared at him for a moment, before a short blonde girl turned and called out "Blaise! Someone here to see you."
Harry flushed crimson and looked down sheepishly.
"Harry" Blaise said, concern furrowing his brow. "Are you OK?"
"I-I'm sorry for just turning up like this, I just didn't know where else to go" Harry said haltingly.
"Shh" Blaise said quietly, pulling Harry into his arms and into the common room, letting the wall close behind them. They made their way through the common room, Harry still tucked into Blaise's side as they ignored the whispers and several catcalls that followed them down the corridor to the 7th year dorms.
Thankfully the room was empty, and Harry let some of the anxiety that had been filling him fade away.
"What's wrong Harry?"
"I'm sorry for just turning up like this" Harry said softly, Blaise interrupting before he could continue. "You are always welcome here."
"Oh" Harry said in surprise, "thank you. I just had a run in with Seamus and needed to get away, you were the first person I thought of."
Blaise looked at him intently for a moment, "I'm glad you did."
The door swung open and in walked Draco Malfoy and Theo Nott. Harry made to spring apart, but Blaise kept him close. Draco was watching Blaise while Theo stared at Harry.
"Harry just came for a visit" Blaise said with a significant look at Draco and Theo.
Draco watched them for a moment longer before nodding.
"Of course. Tell me Potter, have you started the transfiguration essay?"
Harry shook his head slowly, "meant to this afternoon but, things came up. I'm a bit worried, Maslow's theories are pretty confusing."
"Oh, I agree, completely outdated, Blaise here happens to be a fan of them though" Draco said with a sardonic smile and a nod at Blaise.
"You are?" Harry said with a smile.
"I wouldn't go so far as to say that I'm a fan, more that I understand the importance of learning how to transfigure water before we try to transfigure ice."
"But ice is so much easier, it's a solid!" Draco argued, while Theo rolled his eyes, this was obviously an argument the pair had had before.
"That's why you need to start with water, ice is just a change in water's form not its own thing per se."
"I think I have to agree with Draco" Harry spoke up, laughing at the ridiculous look of hurt on Blaise's face. "Just kidding" Harry whispered from where he was tucked into Blaise's side.
"Are you staying the night?" Draco asked as he started gathering his night things and heading to the bathroom.
"Ah, I… er" Harry looked at Blaise.
"You are most welcome to" Blaise said with an exaggerated wink that had Harry laughing again.
"If that's alright?"
"Of course, Bear!"
Harry jumped at the name, just as a house elf popped into existence beside them.
"Perhaps you would like to send a missive to Mr Weasley and Miss Granger, just so they don't send out a search party in the night?"
"That's probably a good idea. Umm Bear, could you please let Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger know that I am perfectly safe and spending the night in the Slytherin dorms."
"Make sure they are alone when you tell them" Blaise spoke up "I'm sure you don't want people getting the wrong idea."
Harry, who had never had to think about such things before nodded in agreement.
"Thank you, Bear."
"You can borrow my pyjamas" Blaise said, rummaging through his drawers until he found a deep green satin set, before pulling out another set in black for himself.
They both headed to the showers, Harry blushing slightly at the idea of Blaise being naked in a stall next to his own, before he pushed the thought from his mind and set about washing himself quickly.
The pyjamas were of course far too large, hanging off him and Harry had to hang on to the pants to stop them falling down. Blaise's eyes sparkled as he watched Harry, while Draco, Theo, Crabbe and Goyle all laughed uproariously.
Harry rolled his eyes but didn't try to stop the small smile forming on his lips.
He made his way over to Blaise's bed and climbed in, turning his back on the room at large, which had gone strangely silent. Harry didn't want to know what the issue was now.
He felt the bed dip behind him, Blaise climbing in, and Harry scooched over to make sure the other had enough room, even as his face heated at the very idea of sleeping in the same bed with the older teen.
Harry heard the curtain pull shut and Blaise muttering a few words, probably a silencing spell and perhaps a charm to keep the curtains closed.
"You alright?" Blaise asked quietly, wriggling around as he got comfortable.
"Not really" Harry squeezed his eyes shut, jumping slightly as Blaise laid a hand on his shoulder. "It's just… who could have sent those letters out. It's such a cruel thing to do, sharing all my inner most thoughts and feelings without my permission. I mean if I had wanted to tell my crushes how I felt I would have just done it."
Harry bit back a small sob as the roller coaster of emotion that he had been riding all day threatened to burst out.
Blaise didn't say anything, just pulled him close and Harry let himself be held.
He woke up the next morning to Blaise snoring softly beside him and for a moment everything was calm. Then he remembered the shit show that had been his day yesterday and he let out a quiet groan.
He didn't want to wake Blaise, not after the other teen had been so kind, taking Harry in last night when he'd been upset. So, he lay in bed, thinking about who could have possibly sent out his letters. It was obviously someone in Gryffindor, no one else would have had access to his trunk to get at the letters. Thankfully, the most embarrassing part was behind him, he didn't think that any of his crushes would share the letters with others, well he hoped not. He'd gotten some back, but maybe he should ask for the others back just to make sure.
His biggest problem now was Seamus, Harry had no idea what the other hoped to achieve by reciting the letter back to him last night, why couldn't he just forget the whole thing and pretend like it never happened. His stomach roiled at the thought of Dean finding out or possibly reading the letter.
Blaise stirred beside him, pulling Harry from his thoughts.
"Breakfast?" the Slytherin said sleepily, pulling Harry a little closer before sitting up.
"I might have to go back and change first."
"Oh, it's no problem, Bear would've laundered all your things over night, they will be all ready for you to wear again today."
"Oh, that's very kind of him" Harry said touched and glad of the opportunity to stay away from Gryffindor tower for a while longer.
When they pulled back the curtains and climbed out of bed Harry found that Blaise had been correct. The clothes he had been wearing yesterday were clean and hanging ready in Blaise's cupboard.
"Thank you, Bear" Harry said quietly as he grabbed his things and moved to the bathroom to get changed, ignoring the boys around him just changing in the open.
Harry's heart skipped a beat as Blaise purposefully took his hand as they made their way out of the dormitory and towards the common room, where they were greeted by an irate looking Pansy.
Oh, right. Blaise was trying to make Pansy jealous to try and get her back.
"What is he doing here!?" the dark-haired girl hissed through clenched teeth, while the rest of the common room looked on in amusement.
"He was here at my request" Blaise replied smoothly, giving Harry's hand a small squeeze.
Harry, however, released the hand and instead slipped his arm around Blaise's waist, smiling at Pansy.
"Blaise kindly helped me out when I didn't feel like trudging all the way back to Gryffindor tower so late at night."
Pansy shot him a look that would've melted the flesh off others but to Harry was nothing after all the scorn that had been heaped on him over his entire life.
"Breakfast?" Harry said brightly with a soft kiss to Blaise's cheek, before he began pulling him away. Harry could already here the screaming as the wall closed behind them.
"That was masterful" Blaise said with an easy grin.
"She was so jealous she was practically spitting fire" Harry laughed.
"Join me for breakfast" Blaise asked as he felt Harry stiffen at the sight of the Gryffindor table, "it'll really tick Pansy off."
The whole school buzzed as Harry made his way towards the Slytherin table and Harry felt dozens of eyes watching his every move. But he ignored it all, as he had for years and sat down with Blaise. Draco and Theo soon joined them and to Harry's great surprise, Ron and Hermione made their way over, squeezing in opposite Harry and ignoring the scowls sent their way.
"Just what the bloody hell is going on, Harry?" Ron asked, already dishing up a large plate of food.
Harry fought the grin on his face.
"Nothing, just having some breakfast with my boyfriend" he would tell them the truth later.
"Your boyfriend?" Hermione said dubiously. "We both know how into Blaise you were, but I thought you got over that."
Blaise smirked as Harry's cheeks turned red.
"We connected recently over quidditch and really hit it off. We decided to give us, a go" Blaise said, a little louder then was necessary.
Hermione watched them shrewdly and Harry tried his best not to squirm under her scrutiny. She nodded once but she looked at Harry in a way that let him know that this wasn't over.
It was a surprisingly pleasant breakfast and Harry felt lighter as he kissed Blaise on the cheek goodbye and trailed off after Hermione and Ron for their first lesson of the day.
"Meet me in the library after dinner and we can work on that transfiguration essay" Blaise called out before he got too far away.
"See you then" Harry said before turning the corner towards Herbology.
A sharp pinch to the arm brought Harry back to reality and he turned to see Hermione glaring at him.
"What's going on?"
Harry sighed, glancing around to make sure no one was listening before quietly explaining about the letters and the plan Blaise and he had come up with.
"Oh, Harry, I'm not sure this is such a good idea. You've never been in a relationship before."
Harry waved his hand dismissably, "we've got it all worked out, so no one gets attached."
"Like spending the night in the Slytherin dorms and then having breakfast together?"
Harry paused, well when you put it like that.
"Last night was an exception, I was really upset about a run in with Seamus. Blaise was there for me."
"Harry, you need to talk to Seamus. Sort all of this out."
"I did speak to him, told him to just forget all about the letter."
Hermione rolled her eyes so hard Harry was worried she may do herself an injury.
"That is not what I meant, and you know it."
"Who do you think sent the letters?" Ron butted in, a thoughtful look on his face as he redirected the conversation.
"Could be anyone in Gryffindor" Harry said with a huff, shivering as they left the castle and made their way towards the greenhouses.
"Was anything else missing from your trunk?" Ron asked.
Harry thought, "I'm not actually sure, I was kinda freaking out at the time."
"Might help narrow it down if something else was taken."
"I'll check after lessons" Harry agreed.
Harry made sure to stick close to Ron and Hermione during lessons that day, not giving Seamus a chance to speak to him alone. Thankfully Seamus didn't seem inclined to continue their conversation from yesterday in front of anybody, though he did feel the others eyes on him throughout the day.
As Harry sat in the library that night waiting for Blaise to arrive, he couldn't help but feel a little relieved at how smoothly the day had gone.
He pulled out his transfiguration work, thinking he may as well get started while he waits. He'd gotten half of his essay finished when it began to dawn on him that Blaise wasn't coming. Where was the Slytherin? He stubbornly refused to acknowledge the unhappy twist in his stomach.