"Oh, hello Headmistress," Kurt lifted his gaze from the parchment paper he was doodling on to look to the front of the Charms classroom. Professor McGonagall was standing with her hand on the shoulder of a short boy whose hair was slicked back with way too much product. Kurt couldn't help but realize, as he continued his gaze downward that the boy pulled it off much better than Professor Schuester. When he reached the boy's hazel eyes, Kurt froze. He looked so nervous, and he was blushing from being put on the spot, but his eyes. Kurt felt like he was going to get lost in their warm hazel color. When the Headmistress began to speak again, he forced himself to look back at her.

"I'm very sorry to intrude, Filius, but Mr. Anderson just arrived. Do you mind?" She spoke kindly, with a small smile gracing her features.

"Of course not, Minerva, go ahead."

McGonagall's eyes scanned the room for a moment before landing on Kurt, who swallowed nervously. "Ah, Hummel, perfect."

The whole class turned in their seats to stare at him. Kurt tried to hold his head high, but he could feel his cheeks' getting hot in what he was sure was an embarrassing blush. "Yes, Professor?" His voice was at least an octave higher than usual.

"You have a spare hour next, am I right?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Would you mind showing Mr. Anderson around the grounds?" She gave him a look that said that yes, he could decline, but she would be very disappointed if he did so.

"Of course not, Professor."

"Great! Mr. Anderson, why don't you take a seat near Mr. Hummel for the remainder of Charms?" The boy gave a short nod before heading over to where Kurt was, and nervously sitting beside him. McGonagall gave a quick smile before excusing herself. Flitwick started back on his lesson immediately, giving Kurt a chance to turn to the Anderson kid.

"Hi, I'm Kurt," He said with a smile, holding his hand out towards the boy, who was biting his lip.

"I'm Blaine," The boy replied, extending his hand and placing it in Kurt's. "I, uh, I see you're in Gryffindor, too."

"Yeah," Kurt replied awkwardly. He hated how tense the air between them was, and how obviously uncomfortable Blaine looked, but he didn't know what to say. So he turned to listen as Flitwick went off about how to properly perform the Diffindo charm. It was another half an hour before the class was excused.

"So, uh, what've you seen so far?" Kurt asked, clutching his books to his chest.

"The Headmistress' office and the hallways," He responded with a grin.

Kurt smiled back at him brightly, "Well, that's obviously most of the school."

Blaine laughed, and Kurt's grin broadened. He had such a nice, heart filled laugh. Kurt was definitely looking forward to hearing more of it. "Why don't I show you the Gryffindor Tower first? That way we can both drop our stuff off and I can tell you the password. I'll take a look at your schedule when we get up there and show you your classrooms," Kurt paused to lean over, whispering into his ear, "And don't worry; I'll tell you all the juicy gossip about the teachers."

Blaine laughed again, and Kurt decided that, yes, hearing him laugh would have to start becoming a normal occurrence.

As Blaine walked next to Kurt, he couldn't help but smile. The taller boy was so happy and nice and definitely sarcastic. He hadn't immediately asked why Blaine was transferring mid-term, nor had he pestered him for being short. As they walked towards the Gryffindor Tower Kurt chattered on as if they were good friends, smiling the whole time. Every couple of minutes he'd look over, eyes meeting Blaine's, and just grin. Blaine quickly discovered that Kurt's eyes were something that he'd never get used to. Since they'd met only forty-five minutes or so ago, he swore they had changed color at least twice.

Blaine was snapped out of his thoughts when the staircase they were currently walking up moved. Not expecting it, Blaine tripped and fell sideways. He stared wide-eyed up at Kurt for a moment before they simultaneously broke out into laughter.

"Oh my god, Blaine," Kurt said breathlessly, offering a hand, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," He was still laughing as he placed his hand in Kurt's and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet, "Yeah, I just wasn't expecting that."

"I'm sorry; I probably should've warned you they move. I'm just so used to it now." Kurt still hadn't let go of his hand, and Blaine was in no way complaining.

When the staircase jerked to a stop, Kurt dropped Blaine's hand like it was on fire, giving a short laugh, and not meeting his gaze. "C'mon, the tower's this way!" He called over his shoulder. Blaine headed after him, though he was a bit confused, and if he was completely honest a bit hurt, that Kurt had looked so scared before dropping his hand. Kurt continued to lead him up the stairs (Blaine was very careful to hold on now) and to the seventh floor. They stopped in front of a portrait of a lady in a pink dress.

"Password," She said monotonously.

"Nuovo inizio," Kurt spoke the words, which Blaine assumed were either Itailian or Spanish, clearly and the lady nodded. The portait opened up and Blaine got his first look at what he assumed where the Gryffindor Commons. He stepped through the threshold and stared at the elegant furnature and decor that made up the room. There were a few students sitting on the red velvet couches, but most of them had their noses burried in books and didn't even look up at the entrance of the pair.

One person, however, did. "Hello, Princess!" A mohwaked boy said, getting up from a chair placed near the fireplace, "Ooh, who do we have here? A new boy toy?"

Kurt crossed his arms across his chest and glared up at him, "Do you have to act like a Neadrethal, Puckerman?"

Puckerman lifted his hands in surrender, "Hey, it's who I am. But seriously, who's your new 'friend'?"

"This is Blaine Anderson, he just transfered here," Kurt stepped aside and smiled warmly at Blaine, but quickly turned back to Puckerman and gave him a stern look, "Be nice, Noah."

Puckerman—or was he supposed to call him Noah?—stepped forward, hand extended, "Puck."

"Um, hi," Blaine placed his hand in Puck's nervously, and for good reason. Puck pulled him forward so he was glaring down at Blaine, who could feel his breath on his forehead.

"Look, kid. I dunno if you play for Kurt's team or not, but I swear to whatever God you believe in that if you hurt him I will break your wand, and your face."

Blaine stared wide up at Puck, his mouth opening to defend himself, or something, but no sound came out.

"Puck, let go of him," Blaine heard Kurt say from behind him, though he didn't dare look away from the mohawked man in front of him. "I'm serious, Puck, let him go."

It was another moment before Blaine's hand was released, and he stepped back quickly. "I'm sorry about him, Blaine. He's just an idiot." Kurt placed a hand on his back, "C'mon, I'll show you the dormitory."

"Hey Puckerman!" Puck looked to the entrance of the Gryffindor commons to see Nick and Jeff.

He gave a nod, "'Sup?"

"Did you hear about the new kid?" Nick asked eagerly, "Someone said he's a Gryffindor."

"Yeah," Puck said simply, "I've seen him. He was with Kurt."

"Oh really?" Jeff raised an eyebrow, "And was he...?"

"I dunno, maybe?" Puck shrugged, "I warned him off my boy anyway."

"Please tell me this one didn't wet himself," Jeff groaned, "I do not want to hear Kurt go on about you scaring off anyone who'd ever want to date him, or whatever it is he goes off about."

"You said they dropped by here, are they already gone?" Nick piped in.

"Yeah, Kurt said something about having to show him around or something. Said he'd see us at dinner."

"Damn, I wanted to meet this kid. What's he like?"

"Well, he's short. Like, hobbit-sized. His name's Blaine, and he uses about as much gel as Schue."

Jeff and Nick groaned in unison. "What is it with people and hair gel now a days?"

"I dunno, man. But this Blaine kid was strange. He seemed really nervous and figity, jumping at everything."

"Well he did transfer mid-semester," Nick pointed out, "maybe something happened at his old school?"

"Especially if he's gay," Jeff added, "lots of kids come here 'cause they're gay and tormented. That's why Kurt came."

"Good point," Puck nodded, "And maybe now Kurt can finally get laid."

Kurt and Blaine walked across the silent grounds without saying a word to one another. The air around them was still a bit tense and awkward, but Blaine had loosened up a bit as Kurt started showing him the classrooms and whatnot. They were currently standing near an old birch tree that overlooked the lake. Kurt thought he could see the giant squid in the distance.

"So what do you think of Hogwarts so far?"

"It's... amazing," Blaine replied after a moments thought, "and everyone seems so nice."

"Yeah, well McGonagall doesn't things slide very easily."

Blaine laughed, "I noticed, but she seems nice."

"Oh, she's great. As long as you stay on her good side." Kurt glanced down at his watch and saw that it was nearly time for supper. "Why don't we head back to the great hall?"

Blaine simply nodded and followed Kurt in the direction of the grand castle. He was suddenly nervous. Kurt obviously had friends in Gryffindor; he had met Puck that afternoon, and what if they didn't want Blaine trailing around like a lost puppy? What if they decided that they didn't like him? Blaine gulped nervously as he played with the hem of his robe sleeves. His heart was beating fast in his chest as they approached the Great Hall. He could hear the chatter of what sounded like hundreds of students. Kurt simply walked through the grand doors and straight for the middle table on the right. Blaine could see the now familiar red and gold that were his house colors. Kurt walked towards the front of the table, where Blaine could see a gap big enough for only one person next to a dark haired girl. It was just as he suspected, but he still followed Kurt over to his friends.

"Hey guys," He said warmly, receiving a chorus of "Hey"'s and "What's Up?"'s. He sat down next to the brunet, leaving Blaine standing awkwardly behind them. He was just about to turn and try and find a seat elsewhere when a blonde kid spoke from across the table. Blaine noticed a newly formed spot between him and another brunet.

"Don't be shy, new kid. Come sit over here."

Glad they were semi-close to the end of the table; Blaine walked around and sat between the two. The blonde threw his arm around Blaine's shoulders immediately.

"Hey there, I'm Jeff." He nodded to the brunet on Blaine's other side, "That's Nick," and then to the girl between Puck and Kurt, "and that's Rachel."

Nick leaned over to him, whispering loudly in his ear so Rachel could hear anyway, "She's a bit loud." There was a thud from under the table and Nick winced, "And bossy!" He added.

Puck snorted into his pumpkin juice as Rachel booted Jeff under the table again, and even Blaine smiled a little bit. Until she turned to him and extended her hand across the table. Blaine hesitantly shook it, "Hello, I'm Rachel Berry. Gryffindor, obviously. Sixth year, same as you, and inspiring to go on to join Broadway," She leaned across the table to speak to him, "I'm Muggle-born. Broadway's like this—"

"Um, I know what Broadway is. My mum's a Muggle."
"Oh, brilliant! Finally someone who understands." She sighed dramatically. This time Kurt snorted into his water. Rachel seemed to choose to ignore it.

Blaine's smile grew as he was welcomed easily into the conversation, as if he was an old friend. They started explaining traditions and events that were held at Hogwarts, and also about the Quidditch tryouts that were going to be held next week.

Blaine was really starting to feel like transferring was a good idea after all.