Monday mornings were always rough for Blaine. After a weekend of little sleep because of early Quidditch practices and long afternoons and evenings filled with course work he was typically more exhausted then than he was by the time Friday crept up on him. Eyes heavy and lids drooping, Blaine flopped down at his usual spot along the Hufflepuff table and tugged a platter of bacon towards himself. Despite a short first week, his course load have been substantial. Sixth year was certainly no joke like his older brother, Cooper, had made it out to be. That was probably why hed skipped out on N.E.W.T.s and run off to London to become a model. So far it had worked out well for him.

After several forkfuls of eggs, three slices of bacon, and half a cup of tea, Blaine paused to scan the Ravenclaw table across the room. Sure enough the yellow of Mike and Sams ties and robe trimming stuck out like jaundice-plagued thumbs amongst the Ravenclaws deep blue. The only thing that stood out as much was the blond of Sam and Quinns hair. They were cuddled up together on the bench while Mike and Tina did the same several yards down.

Sagging down onto the bench pitifully, Blaine stared at his half-empty plate. Someday hed have that, maybe not during his time at Hogwarts, but someday. Someday hed have another boys hand to hold and someone to snuggle up with when the stress of studying, or a job, became too much.

"Gosh, B, if you looked anymore like a kicked puppy Id have to stun you," Nick commented as he hopped onto the bench beside him. "Whats–" his eyes followed Blaines longing gaze. "Oh, right. Youre pining for romance again. Honestly, a quick and fun snog is so much better."

"Better for you," Blaine muttered as he stared back down at his plate. His stomach grumbled angrily, requesting second-helpings. "I want romance," he reminded the other boy as he started piling his plate up again. "I dont just want to get off with someone every once in a while."

"I didnt say anything about getting off," Nick frowned, filling his own plate as Jeff dropped down beside him. "I said snog. There is a difference."

"Not when its you and Beverly hogging my chair by the fire," Blaine griped.

Jeff sniggered as Nick thrust his fork in Blaines face. "That was one time–"

"It was all the time." Sugar Motta, a fourth year Hufflepuff, had joined their spot at the long table. Blaine had tutored her in Transfiguration a few years back and theyd become good friends since. "Good morning, cutie," she added, sliding onto the bench at Blaines side and peaking him on the cheek. "Are they pulling your wand again?"

The two boys across from them grimaced and pulled faces. "Ugh," Jeff groaned and shoved the platter of bacon away. "That was not something I wanted to picture over breakfast. Or ever, actually."

"Never ever," Nick agreed,. He glared at Sugar and then glowering at his plate of eggs. He shoved his away, too. "Nope, I cant eat now. Thanks a lot, Motta."

"Youll live, Im sure, and then youll realize that Im better than both of you with a bat and that youre a pair of–"

"Aspergers!" Blaine interjected before she could finish.

"Self-diagnosed Aspergers," Nick corrected, glaring at Sugar, who raised her shoulders and tilted her head until she looked positively adorable. More than once Sugar had used her "illness" to get away with saying things that others couldnt. It worked with everyone except Professor Sylvester, but Professor Sylvester also tried to string students up by their toenails when she got the chance.

"Im still the cutest thing at this table," she decided. Nick and Jeff clambered to their feet and disappeared out into the entrance hall. "So whats with the look?" she asked, filling her glass with pumpkin juice.

Blaine glanced towards Mike and Tina, then Sam and Quinn, and finally, and very briefly, in the direction of the Slytherin table where Kurt Hummel was seated with his friends. "Nothing," he sighed, dropping his gaze as his heart rolled down a flight of stairs. "Just–it doesnt matter."

"Hes cute," Sugar said suddenly. "You should definitely go for it."

"He–how did you know who–" Sugar smiled and patted his cheek.

"I dont have to see him to know hes gorgeous," she said simply. "You have wonderful tastes, Blaine Anderson. Ive seen the inside of your wardrobe and that room you call a closet at home. Get your guy before someone else does."

Sugar climbed to her feet and bopped off down the table to sit with her year-mates. Blaine stared after her, turning the suggestion over in his head and wondering just how desperate hed have to be to attempt it, and then at what moment during the next two years hed reach such a point.

Blaine turned back to his eggs and tried his best to ignore the empty seats around himA wet sucking sound burbled behind him. He glanced over his shoulder at a couple of Gryffindors suctioned together at the mouth. Professor Sylvester would be along soon enough to threaten them bodily harm for making out in the Great Hall. If there was one thing she wouldnt tolerate, it was Gryffindors existing in any vacuum of happiness, lust, or bliss.

Sure enough–

"Break it up, duck face! I dont want your offspring quacking in my classroom eleven years from now!"

Blaine chuckled to himself as the couple broke apart. He might love the idea of romance, but sloppy reminders over breakfast werent his taste. Professor Sylvester stalked down the table and broke up a handful of another couples before swooping out of the hall in a shower of parchment. Blaine watched the Hufflepuffs at the far end of the table scramble to help the poor third year collect all of his notes and essays before they were trampled.

Just as he was finishing up, the morning post fluttered in overhead. Owls swooped and dived around each other in search of their owners. A number of them carried large, heavy-looking parcels–forgotten items from home–and others had The Daily Prophet knotted to their legs. Blaine watched one enormous parcel make its way towards Sugar, who squealed in excitement. Her father was incredibly wealthy and made a habit of sending expensive, luxurious gifts for her at least once a week.

A flash of white feathers caught Blaines eyes and a second later his snowy owl, Queen, settled down on his shoulder.

" Lo, girl," he greeted, passing her a piece of bacon. He didnt expect any mail or letters this early in the year. His brother wrote once a month if Blaine was lucky, and his parents were busy with their jobs at the Ministry. But Queens hoot of thanks was accompanied by a letter fluttering down onto the table by his elbow. Surprised, Blaine scooped it up as she nipped his finger in thanks.

There was no formal script on the front of the envelope like his parents letters came addressed with. No ridiculous titles announcing, "The Incredibly Handsome and Deviously Charming, Mr. Cooper Jay Anderson" were stamped on the front, either. If it hadnt clearly had his name scribbled across the front(in a handwriting he didnt know), Blaine would have assumed it was for someone else. Blaine glanced up and down the Hufflepuff table and then at the Gryffindors over his shoulder. Nobody was paying him the slightest bit of attention that he could see. The Ravenclaws were already starting to clear out for classes and he didnt even register on the Slytherins radars. With one final sweep of the hall, Blaine plucked the letter up and offered Queen the rest of his toast. She pecked it in delight as he slit the envelope open and pulled the letter out.

At once an overwhelming scent of warm vanilla and some type of cologne greeted him. Intrigued, Blaine unfolded the parchment and read the very short letter:

You grow more beautiful every morning when the sunlight reaches the high windows and highlights your soft curls. When it hits the amber of your eyes, my world turns over and I wonder how it is that we live so close, yet never together.

Blaine gapped as the tables around him began to clear out. Someone had to be messing with him. Or maybe it was a foolish, lovesick girl who didnt realize he was gay. But still... Blaine read it over again, heart pattering and throat dry. He had a secret admirer, someone reaching out but too scared to say anything aloud. Just like he was when it came to Kurt Hummel. It was such a pointless crush to have. Kurt would never notice him when he was wearing a Hufflepuffs robes. Whoever this was, wasnt who he hoped it was, but that didnt mean it was a bad thing. Either way, it was only one letter. Nothing would probably come from it.

"Oi, Blaine, hurry it up!" Sam hollered across the hall to him. "Were gonna be late for Charms!"

Blaine scrambled to grab his bag and finish his juice. As he stood up and tucked the letter into his inside robe pocket, the sunlight trickled in from behind the thick clouds dotting the sky. He paused, ignoring Sams shouts of protest, and looked around. He always sat facing east towards the sun and the Slytherin and Ravenclaw tables. It was rare if he ever had a reason to turn around towards the Gryffindors, so whoever had written this didnt sit behind him. For now hed have to keep an eye out, and see if he could get Queen to carry a letter back to whoever this person was. It might end in disaster or maybe, just maybe, the one thing hed been longing for might come out of this.

Kurt trudged towards his first N.E.W.T. level Charms class with Santana, Rachel, and Sebastian. It was one of the few classes they all still shared together now that their O.W.L.s were done. So far they had Potions and Transfiguration together, but the other courses Kurt had signed up for were mostly by himself.

"But cant we play Hufflepuff instead–"

"Do you really want to play Anderson?" Sebastian said as they dodged around a frightened looking group of first years, who were clearly lost. "Youve never beaten him."

"Which is why Ive been practicing moves and strategies so that I can. Hes as small as me, so I know his tricks now. Theres no hidden puberty under his belt anymore since I dont think hes going to have one," Rachel snarled. Kurt frowned at her words. Blaines growth spurt had done unnoticed by the other Slytherins so far, but it wouldnt after today. They were bound to have at least one class together. "Cant we play them first? Get the worst out of the way? Gryffindors easy enough these days, and Ravenclaw is–"

"Dont even think about saying a word against my girl," Santana hissed, knocking a second years books to the floor. "Watch it, shorty!"

"Santana," Kurt scolded, watching the girl, a second year Hufflepuff, stare tearfully down at her books. Her hair was dark and curly just like Blaines. Kurt hoped she wasnt his younger sister. "Dont be so rude."

"Whatever," Santana snapped. She rolled her eyes as they reached their classroom. "Itll toughen her up. Gotta make sure at least one Hufflepuff in this school can handle herself."

Santana glared pointedly at Kara Tesslon, a Hufflepuff in their year, who was already seated at the front of the room. With a jolt, Kurt spotted Blaine and two of his friends at a table in the second row. Hed seen Blaines snowy owl flutter down at his table that morning, watched him unfold the letter through a crowd of Ravenclaws charging off to class, but he hadnt been able to bare watching him read it and react. What if Blaine thought it was creepy and weird? His one chance might be ruined if Blaine wasnt as much of a sappy romantic as he was.

"I see you managed to pass your Charms O.W.L. without bribery," Kara snapped, whipping her ponytail over her shoulder and glaring at them as they passed. "Never thought youd be able to find the brains to get here on your own, Lopez."

"At least she can do it without opening her thighs for every examiner that passed through the Great Hall," Sebastian cut in, giving Kara a hard look. The girl flushed, and Kurt turned away quickly and took a seat in the third row, not right behind Blaine and his friends, but diagonal. Everyone present was familiar with Karas reputation and the truth those rumors held. Kurt didnt like the insults, but hed never spoken up to stop them either.

Kurt gave Blaine and his friends another quick glance, but they seemed to have tuned out of the short confrontation. The large group of Ravenclaws in the front row had turned to watch in interest. The Gryffindors, and Kurt knew his step-brother, Finn, would be one of them, hadnt arrived yet.

"So anyway," one of Blaines friends was saying. He was tall and blond with big lips. Kurt thought his name was Sam, but he wasnt sure. "Mike was telling us at breakfast that Gryffindor postponed their first match, so Slytherins playing–"

A loud, wolf whistle echoed around the room as Sebastian plopped down in the seat in front of Kurt and directly next to Blaines desk.

"Anderson?" Sebastian questioned, squinting over the aisle at him. "Damn, is that what you look like without a werewolf climbing out of your scalp?"

Kurt stared stonily at his desk as the room went quiet. This was the first class theyd had with Blaine so far, and despite his hopes, Sebastian had noticed Blaine at once. It was the one thing Kurt had been dreading since hed gotten on the train last week. Sebastian was notorious for hopping from boy to boy and girl to girl. He was one of the few bisexual students at Hogwarts, but the only one who made no secret about his exploits. Everyone else turned to watch Sebastian check Blaine out, all whispering at the beginnings of another conquest.

"Probably cut it so that he stands a chance at seeing the snitch," Rachel added with a smirk, giving Blaine a once over that even Kurt could tell meant she was interested. Even Santana was eyeing Blaines body appraisingly. Kurt wished hed left his robe on instead of draping it over his chair. Every muscle and sharp line of definition was visible through his uniform shirt.

"And yet I still catch it first every time we play you," Blaines now deep, steady voice replied. He looked baffled at the flurry of admiring glances, but the banter was nothing unusual. "Whats your excuse for missing it, Berry? Ego too heavy for your broom to move?"

The two Hufflepuff boys around Blaine roared with laughter as Rachel stalked away and dropped down beside Kurt. Sebastian laughed a few times with them, still staring at Blaine.

"Its her bitterness that weighs her down," Sebastian said. He looked Blaine over again, his eyes dragging as they followed the new contours of Blaines torso, his arms. "Summers been good to you, Anderson," he added with a wink. His eyes racked over Blaines handsome face and torso until Kurts face was flushed with anger. "Very generous in all the right places."

"Unfortunate then that it wasnt the same for you," Blaine quipped. He gave Sebastian a funny look. "Still as much of an ass as you were last year."

"Well," Sebastian said slowly, giving Blaine a lingering, lustful look, "thatll work in your favor if youre an ass man, wouldnt it?"

Blaine stared at Sebastian as Professor Schuester scurried in with the Gryffindors. Finn, Puck, Mercedes, and three other girls filled the remaining seats around the rest. Finn offered him a dopey smile when Kurt turned his way, and Mercedes gave him a small, discrete wave. His step-brother was an acceptable Gryffindor to acknowledge, but it got trickier with Mercedes. She was a wonderful girl, and Kurt liked her a lot, but they both didnt want to face the wrath of their houses over their tentative friendship.

Kurt glared at the back of Sebastians head as Professor Schuester welcomed them to N.E.W.T. level Charms and Rachel hissed angrily at his side. It would be just his luck that Sebastian would aim for Blaine. Honestly, he should have been better prepared for it when he considered just how handsome Blaine had grown. Everyone had been noticing him since classes started last week, even the girls who knew Blaine was gay whispered and blushed when he walked past.

Kurt glowered at his desk as Professor Schuester began his first lesson of review to get them back up to speed for the term. He didnt stand a chance with his stupid letter idea, not with Sebastian flirting and glancing up a storm right in front of him. But Blaine didnt seem interested from what Kurt could tell. If anything he seemed amused and a little concerned by the attention, but not hopeful. It still didnt mean anything good for Kurt. Eventually, Blaines views towards Sebastian would change and Kurt, since he didnt want a quick fling with him, would still be the silent admirer.

Feeling miserable, Kurt ducked down and dug a quill out of his bag. It was pointless to send anymore letters if Sebastian was honing in. Blaine wouldnt care about a secret admirer when he had a real, handsome boy flirting with him . Soon enough, Sebastian wouldnt be the only one vying for his attention.

"Sam, no, thats not blank–"

Kurt looked up just in time to see Blaine swipe a folded piece of parchment from his friends grip. It was his letter from this morning. His stomach jolted at the sight of it, at the familiar scrawl of his own writing. He watched Blaine bat Sams hands away and carefully tuck the letter into his book. Once Sam was focused on the lesson again, Kurt just caught a glimpse of Blaine pulling the parchment free and opening it. The sweetest, brightest smile captured Blaines face then, and Kurts chest twisted like a spring. Hed put that adorable, bashful grin on Blaines face.

"Kurt, perhaps you can tell us the correct incantation and explanation for a Summoning Charm?"

At Professor Schuesters voice, Kurt startled and blushed. He fumbled with his quill, almost dropped it, and looked up to find Blaines eyes locked on his. For a moment, he held Blaines gaze, trying to smile and not look guilty of staring, but just as quickly he looked away. He didnt stand a chance with Blaine at all.

"Accio is the correct incantation," Kurt recited, blushing harder at his high voice. Blaine definitely wouldnt be interested if he knew that letter was from him, not with a voice like a banshee. "A Summoning Charm is used to make an object of the witch or wizards choice come to them."

"Id like to make a certain Hufflepuff Seeker come to me," Sebastian said under his breath, but it was loud enough for Blaine and Kurt to hear.

Kurt gritted his teeth and picked his quill back up, his grip so tight his fist was shaking. Blaines face had turned a bright, embarrassed red as Sam and the other Hufflepuff boy glared over at Sebastian. What he wouldnt give to strangle Sebastian with his stupid tie right now. Just wind it around the other boys neck a dozen times and then a few times around his dick to make sure hed never stand a chance with any beautiful boy Kurt liked ever again.

"Piss off, Smythe," Sam hissed under his breath. He leaned back behind Blaine, who was red in the face, but staring resolutely at his notes. "Blaines tastes are way too good for Slytherin scum like you."

"Boys, enough chatter! Five points from Hufflepuff and Slytherin!"

Sam and Sebastian turned back to the front as Blaine scribbled down what Professor Schuester had already put on the board up front. Was it Kurts imagination or did Blaine suddenly look guilty after Sams last comment?

Kurt gave Sebastians lean form a glance. He was attractive, there was no denying it, but he was rude and callus, too. Blaine couldnt possibly like someone like Sebastian, could he? Kurt wrote down what was on the board, and tried to ignore the gnawing in the back of his mind. If the Slytherin Blaine liked (if he even liked one) was Sebastian...

He swallowed and looked between the two boys again, from Sebastians hot gaze and the way Blaines fingers fumbled as he wrote, the corner of Kurts letter just poking out of his book.

Kurt had to send another one, had to at least let Blaine know that it wasnt Sebastian sending them, because if Blaine thought Sebastian was a secret romantic and went for him under that falsehood, hed never forgive himself.