“Hey, lady pants, wake up!”
A pillow hit his curtain from the direction of Puck’s bed.
“What do you want, Noah?” He asked sleepily.
“Knowing your time spent in the bathroom, you really need to start getting ready.”
“First class is Herbology, with Hufflepuffs,” the grin was audible from Sebastian’s voice. “And we all know you don’t want to be late from THAT.”
“Fuck you, Smythe.”
“I never bottom, Hummel.”

They were right, and Kurt knew that. He didn’t want to miss the opportunity of seeing Blaine, the sixth-year Hufflepuff he had been crushing on since forever, but had never had the courage to walk up to him and make the first step. So he just suffered, and that gave a perfect topic for his friends to tease him with.

Kurt got out of bed, threw a death-glare at the boys and went to the bathroom to get ready. He didn’t understand his feelings towards Blaine. The boy was a Hufflepuff and for Salazar’s sake, he was the biggest nerd in the entire school, but Kurt found that to be really adorable.
In the common room, they met Santana, who was just coming up from the girl’s dorm.

“Up so early, Lopez?” Sebastian greeted her with a smile.
“It’s funny, because I wanted to ask you the exact same thing. Who did you fuck last night and why aren’t you knocked out in your bed like every other morning?”
“I don’t like to spend the night with my hook-ups. I’m coming and they are leaving, that’s the way it is.”
“You’re sick. Kurt, can we talk somewhere in private?”
“Aw, look at the girls, Puck! We should leave them alone to discuss their lady business,” Sebastian teased them, and then he heard Kurt turn around and pull out his wand from his pocket.
“You call me a lady one more time, and I will hex off your boney little ass! Let’s go, Tana.”
They heard Sebastian saying something, but none of them cared.

“So you are still crushing on the hobbit from Hufflepuff?” Santana asked when they were alone.
“I know, I know! Don’t get started on it, please,” Kurt let out an exasperated sigh and began counting up the usual reasons. “I could have anybody, and he is just a Puff, and he is well below my…”
“Would you please shut the fuck up? I didn’t say anything like that.”
“Sorry, I’m just fed up with Puck and Sebastian teasing me with him.”
“They are jerks, don’t listen to them. Smythe would fuck anyone with twinky features and a tight ass. He's not one to judge.”
“Well, thanks, but you are saying this because…” Kurt was slightly suspicious.
“I can’t say something supporting without a reason?”
Kurt smiled and shook his head, putting his arms around Santana’s waist.
“We are both Slytherins, so I know there is always a reason.”
The girl laughed and nodded.
“You got me Hummel. Your hobbit's best friend happens to be a really pretty little blonde called Brittany. So I think we could help each other out. I found out that your sweetie could use a little help in Ancient Runes and my blonde girl, well… she needs help in everything, but mostly Potions. If I’m correct, that’s your favorite subject, and you are pretty good in it.”
“And you are an expert in Runes, so we can tutor each other’s crush. Sounds like a plan.”
Kurt stopped to think it over. This way, Santana could get close to Blaine and find out everything important about him (especially his sexual orientation), and they could finally meet, and… “You have a deal,” he said with a grin, shaking Santana’s hand.
“Sweet. We can start to work this out right away, on Herbology.”

Blaine was running late, again. Damn, he forgot to set the waking charm, and now had 20 minutes to get ready, grab breakfast and run to the greenhouses.
He pulled on his robes and rushed to the bathroom, deciding against the hair gel, due to lack of time.
When he was sort-of ready, Blaine stormed out of the dorm, nearly knocking over Brittany at the door of the common room, who was talking with Tina, a girl one year below them.

“Hey, Boo! We thought you were already in the Great Hall. Why are you panting?”
“No time… Herbology… can we hurry up?” Blaine demanded in nervous half-sentences. “It’s just a class, why are you so excited?”
Blaine groaned in frustration, but Tina helped him out with a wink.
“It’s with the Slytherins, and Blaine has been… well, crushing on a snake since forever.”
The boy blushed from those words. Yes, all his friends knew that he was head over heels for Kurt. Well, almost all of them, except for, of course, Brittany.

“Why are you crushing a snake? They have the right to live!” Brittany exclaimed in shock.
Tina and Blaine just rolled their eyes. Britt was a bit slow.

Luckily, the Hufflepuff dorm was close to the Great Hall, so they had time to grab some toast before heading towards the greenhouses, where the Slytherins were already waiting.

Kurt and Santana grinned at each other and walked up to the Hufflepuff group.
“Hey, you are Brittany, right?” Kurt asked with a smile. “I’m Kurt Hummel, can I talk to you for a sec?”
“Sure, Kurt. You look nice; your eyes are the same color as the sky. I like that color, it reminds me of the summer, and that’s my favorite season.”
The aforementioned eyes grew large, and Kurt couldn’t decide if the girl was mocking him or not.
“Well, thank you… I think. I happen to be in a good relationship with Professor Slughorn, and he told me that you could use a little help in Potions. Maybe I can tutor you.”
“You are a teacher? Wow, Professor Hummel, you look very young! Why are you wearing student robes?”
Kurt sighed. The girl wasn’t mocking him, but she had some issues, that was for sure.
“Because I’m a sixth-year student, just like you. From Slytherin, as you see.”
“In that case, why do you want to help me? You’re supposed to be a bad guy; I heard all Slytherins are bad. But you seem to be a cute one, why is that?”
“I just want to help you out, because I’m pretty good in Potions, but if you don’t want me to…”

Kurt became quite irritated; he hated the prejudice against Slytherins, which was, unfortunately, still quite common.
“Thank you Kurt; that would be awesome! I have to get at least an Acceptable on my next essay, or I will fail, and that would be sad.”
“So, can we meet in the library this afternoon around six?” Kurt offered.
“I always get lost in this big castle, but I will ask Blaine to help me find it, so I will be there! Thank you.”
Kurt nodded, a bit pink from the mentioning of Blaine’s name. Everything was set. Now they just had to wait for the afternoon to come.

At half past five, Kurt and Santana were already sitting in the library, waiting for their “students” to arrive.
“You do know that Brittany has a tiny problem, do you?” Kurt asked with concern.
“She is slow, but I’m looking for a girlfriend, not a study-partner. She is hot and I want her, that’s the only thing that matters.”
“Okay, it’s your choice. First impression of Blaine? I’m afraid that he might be straight. You know my tendency for falling for straight guys...”
“Don’t worry, ladyface, I have the perfect technique to find this out. And he is a nerd, but he is a Puff, so it’s not a surprise.”
“I know, but he is so cute, and I have something for curly hair, and did you see his eyes?”
Kurt started to babble enthusiastically.
Santana rolled her eyes.
“Okay lover boy, don’t get started on it. Here they are.”
Kurt turned around so fast that he nearly broke his neck. The two Hufflepuffs were searching for them, and when they reached their table Kurt jumped up, completely ignoring Brittany and focusing on Blaine.

“I’m Kurt Hummel, we have Herbology together.”
“I know… I mean, I know who you are, Kurt. Because Britt told me, I’m not stalking you or anything, that would be weird, I just know you from class… I’m Blaine. Thanks for helping Britt out.” Blaine mumbled taking Kurt’s hand and shaking it.

They just stood there holding each other’s hand, completely lost in space, until Santana cleared her throat.
“Okay hobbit, move along. We have some studying to do, so let’s get down to it.”
Kurt snapped out of his trance and turned to Brittany.
“Do you have your books with you?”
“Oh, those are important? I forgot them, sorry.”
Kurt sighed deeply. This will be a long day.

At the table next to them, Santana was on her mission to try figuring out Blaine’s sexual orientation. It wasn’t so easy, so she decided on using her ultimate technique: loosening her robes and tie, and leaning over the book, so her boobs were visible under her shirt.

“What are you doing?” The boy looked completely shocked and confused.
“Well, that’s up to you, gorgeous. What do you want me to do?” Santana whispered seductively.
Blaine pointed on a random rune in the book, quite frightened.
“Would you please tell me what this is? I always forget it. By the way, you smell like the apple pie we had for lunch. It was delicious, don't you think?”
Santana sat back on her chair with a knowing smile.
“They were fine. You are so gay, am I correct?”
The boy seemed even more confused.
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. Is there a problem with it?”
“Not at all, hobbit. I’m gay too, just wanted to test my theory.”
Blaine looked relieved, and smiled at her.
“Sweet. Do you have a girlfriend? I’m not sure how many gay students are here in school. It’s nice to find someone, even if it's a girl.”

Santana looked at Brittany. So maybe she was straight, because Blaine would know otherwise.
“Not yet, but maybe if I’m lucky enough…”
The boy followed her glance and furrowed his brows.
“I don’t know about her, but she has a little problem, so I don’t want her to get hurt. And I won’t let it happen.”
“Calm your tits, hobbit. I don’t want to hurt Britt. I know that she's a bit of a slowpoke, but I don’t care.”
“In that case, you have my blessing. She is really amazing, if you get to know her.”
“So, now that we are done with the personal stuff, translate me this paragraph, so I can see what you know.”

“Look, it’s not that complicated. It's probably the easiest subject, because you just have to follow the instructions and that’s all. We will start with something easy, like…” Kurt ran his finger through the library’s copy of their textbook. “Cure for boils. Here you can see the ingredients and the steps of the brewing.”
Brittany had her eyes on Kurt, not bothering to look at the book.

“Are you a unicorn?” She asked finally.
“I beg your pardon… am I what? Never mind. Listen, Britt you need to concentrate on me and the things I’m saying, because that’s essential if you want to pass.”
“I don’t like Potions. It’s boring, and I’m always mixing things up, so the result is a big BOOM.”
“Don’t worry, we will find out something that makes you pass.”

You are doing this for Blaine, never forget that, Kurt said to himself as he took a deep breath and returned to the book.

“Anderson, this is actually very good. You almost understood everything. Why do you need tutoring again?”
Santana looked at the parchment in her hands in a confused way. Something was fishy around here; she was Slytherin enough to tell that. Blaine became bright red and bit his bottom lip.

“You know, I’m pretty good in Ancient Runes, I only failed my last essay because I forgot to lend it in. When you offered your help I accepted it, because I know you are close to…”
“Oh my Merlin, what a conspiracy from a Hufflepuff! So that means you fancy my little Kurt friend?”
“Is it that obvious? But I’m sure he has a boyfriend, because he is a popular Slytherin. He wouldn’t look at me like that, I know that very well. Because I’m just a nerd, and boys as handsome and gorgeous as him would never date someone like me. You can tell me I’m right, I won’t get mad.”

Santana was fighting with a smile. This was really amusing, and who was she to ruin the fun?
“Well, he never says anything offensive about you, so maybe you should make a move. Kurt is absolutely single, and who knows? Anything could happen if you are brave enough to do something about it.”
Blaine’s hazel eyes lit up with hope and his smile returned.
“Are you serious? But what if…”
“There is no 'if', hobbit, have a little self-esteem. Even I can see that you are cute.”

Meanwhile Kurt was having a really hard time, and he was starting to give up. Brittany was hopeless, and he was clearly wasting his time with her.
“Okay let’s call it a day,” he said, closing the book with a sigh.
“Who is 'day'? One of your friends? It’s a funny name for somebody,” the girl smiled at him and Kurt shook his head.
“Nevermind. I will let you know when we can have a lesson again.”

That will be the day when hell freezes, he thought, and collected all their things.
They met up with Blaine and Santana at the door, and the girl practically jumped on Brittany, pulling her away and leaving the boys alone together.

“Hi again,” Kurt said with a light blush, struggling with his racing heart to stay calm.
Blaine bit his bottom lip, avoiding Kurt’s eyes so he could pull himself together, and ask him out. But he was nervous, afraid of rejection, so he just postponed the problem and brought up a safety topic.
“Hello. Your friend is not wasting her time with Britt, as I can see.”
“Yeah, she can be really straightforward… despite the fact that she is not straight at all.” Kurt added with a nervous smile. Jokes are good; they must break the ice so this awkwardness will ease away.

Blaine looked up at him at awe, completely taken aback by the gorgeousness of the boy next to him. It was time to have some balls and ask the question.
“Ehm… I was wondering… would you…” He muttered, turning bright red, but then he changed his mind. “Nevermind. I don’t want to waste your time. I bet your friends are waiting for you.” Blaine finished with a sigh. Kurt was a popular Slytherin, so he must have had lots of hotter (and taller) guys around him.
Kurt looked at the blushing boy and smiled happily. He was trying to ask him out? Blaine was actually interested in him?
“They can wait a bit more, I’m free. So, would you like to take a walk with me in the park?”
Blaine couldn’t believe his ears, but nodded enthusiastically.
“I would love that.”