The first day after his reply stretched longer than the week that followed. Blaine spent all of breakfast searching the ceiling for Queen, for a sign of any owl fluttering his way, but none appeared. Sugar was the only person near him to receive anything, but boxes of chocolates and fingernail polishes werent love letters. By the following Wednesday, Blaine gave up hope despite Mike and Sam insisting he continue to wait.

"Hes probably scared," Sam said as they sat down to breakfast. He scanned the cloudy ceiling and frowned. "I mean, who writes an anonymous love letter and expects a reply?"

Mike waved as he joined Tina at the Ravenclaw table. Elliott Gilbert and Dani Greene, two seventh year Hufflepuffs, took seats beside them.

"Morning, Blaine, Sam," Elliott greeted. He gave them a wide smile as Dani yawned and finished tying back her dark blond hair. "Scanning the skies again?"

Blaine grumbled as Sam said, "Well, if Blaine wont keep looking, then I will."

Dani patted Blaines shoulder and shrugged. "I dont blame you for giving up, if you are. It probably was a silly girl, and shes too embarrassed to write back."

Sam kicked Blaine under the table.

"Ouch, Sam! What was that for?"

"I was aiming for her," Sam snapped. He waved his fork in Danis face. "Hes going to write back. I bet hes just, like, editing his love letter so he doesnt talk too much about your onion booty yet."

"I do not have—"

Elliott cleared his throat. "You do, actually. Very plump." He laughed at Blaines stunned expression. "Not that Im interested, relax. Asexual, remember? Im not really into, well, any of that."

"Onions arent plump," Blaine said. "That doesnt make any sense."

"It does!" Sam insisted. He shoveled eggs and bacon into his mouth, then climbed to his feet as the last of the Ravenclaws filed out in a wave. "Divination, gotta go! Search the skies, Blaine. Hes gonna write back!"

Blaine glowered at the table as Sam left. His first class was Defense, but it wasnt until lunch time. Dani finished her plate and rested her head on his shoulder.

"So what did this love letter say? Its all Sugar will talk about. The rest of the girls are smitten with it, too. I think some of them are disappointed."

"It was… I dont know. Sweet. It doesnt matter now." Blaine ducked under the table to pull out his Defense essay for a final revision. There was nothing else to do anymore. The only single person he knew now was Elliott and he was so busy running half the clubs in the school that he was only around for a few meals a week.

Dani gave him a little hug as he propped his book open against the juice jug. "Youll find someone some day, Blaine. Sweet guy like you, it wont be much longer." She stood up and shouldered her bag. "Im going to meet Melissa. Post-breakfast date. Bye!"

Elliott shoved a piece of toast between his teeth and waved as he stood, too. " G cub metin. ater!"

Blaine watched them both disappear into the entrance hall. Dani stopped at the Gryffindor table to pick up Melissa, and Elliott thundered out of the room. Everyone was busy. Busy with romance and relationships and great things in their lives. He buttered a piece of toast, stacked his scrambled eggs on half, and folded it over. It was time he gave up on pinning and hoping. His mother always said wishful thinking meant nothing without drive and hard work. Without a reply or a real person to get to know, he couldnt do either.

He scanned his book, checking the last few facts he hadnt had time for last night, when something clattered down on the table.

Queen hooted at him.

Surprised, Blaine looked up past his book and saw a letter in her beak. Deep green ink, that same curly scrawl that had left an imprint in his mind. Blaine snatched the letter up, his throat thumping with the rhythm of his heart. He wrote back. His secret admirer—please be a boy—had finally sent him a reply. After a quick glance around the almost empty hall, Blaine opened the letter.

Blaine,

Im sorry this reply took so long. The first few weeks back are always so hectic. Actually, Im sorry I started this letter that way, too. I bet you read those first two words and assumed I was apologizing for thinking you were straight and that I was some girl like you feared, but Im not. Like yourself, Im gay, but very… shy, I suppose. At least in this way. Ive wanted to say something to you—ask you out even—for months now, but I cant. Its complicated. It would be amazing if we kept writing, though I dont think Im ready to meet up.

I hope that isnt a problem for now and that youll still want to write me back. Youre such an amazing boy. Intelligent and kind and so talented. Its always a thrill to watch you on the pitch, especially when you beat Rachel Berry. I also hope you dont think Im Sebastian Smythe. I know hes been interested lately, but hes not me. Not by a long shot.

This letter is getting really lame, isnt it? Im sorry again. I want to get to know you, but if… if my friends found out—if either of our friends realized—wed both lose them. I dont want that, and somehow I dont think you would either. Thats not much of an excuse, I know, but some of my fellow Slytherins (and yes I am one. I hope that doesnt turn you away) have a lot of difficulty with change. I dont want you to have to deal with trouble from them because of me.

Your Admirer

Blaine reread the letter twice before setting it down. It was a relief to know that his secret admirer was a boy, but it was also a letdown, too. Just letters, perhaps only letters that may fizzle out completely some day. He wilted a little at the thought, but as he reread the final paragraph, the second to last sentence caught his attention. A Slytherin! This boy was in Slytherin. Could he be—if it was Kurt, the boy hed dreamt about and liked for years—

But there were a lot of boys in Slytherin. In particular, a lot of queer boys in Slytherin. Blaine counted off the ones he was certain about. Two fourth years, a fifth year that was bisexual, a pansexual seventh year, and then Sebastian Smythe, Kurt Hummel, and Dave Karofsky for sixth years and—

What if it was Dave? Blaine grimaced and glanced down at the letter. He seemed like a decent guy these days, but several years ago hed been less than friendly. Blaine hoped it wasnt him, because he wasnt interested after the way that boy had treated him, Kurt Hummel, and several others.

For the rest of the day, Blaine worked on a list of suspects in Slytherin. He tentatively ruled out Sebastian Smythe since the letter had said that was wrong, but he imagined it was possible that was a lie. How much could he trust this boy to be truthful when he refused to meet in person?

But that still left a decent list of seven. Fourth years, Adrian Jonstin and Trevor Roster; fifth year Michael Burton; Kurt Hummel and David Karofsky from his own year (with a maybe on Sebastian Smythe); and then Jesse St. James and Alex Hernandez from seventh year. Blaine couldnt rule any of them out even though half of them were dating one another or, in Jesse St. James case, dating Rachel Berry. Blaine wasnt sure what to think of it. He didnt know any of the boys, and had only spoken to Kurt once. If it was Kurt. Was it worth to keep writing if it meant helping some of those boys cheat?

Thursday morning, Blaine headed to Care of Magical Creatures by himself. He was the only Hufflepuff taking the N.E.W.T. level course, and so far he wasnt enjoying it. Last week theyd done the usual reminders and reviews on safety procedures, and Blaine had ended up partnered with Professor Beiste. Of all the Hogwarts professors hed had classes with, she was easily the nicest, if a bit stranger than most.

He arrived in the entrance hall where they met just as the Slytherins came up from the dungeons. A large group of Ravenclaws came down the marble stairs, and Brittany Pierce skipped right over to Santana Lopez for a big kiss.

"Hey, love."

"Hi. Do you think well be finding unicorn beetles today?"

"I doubt it," Santana said. "I dont think those are around Hogwarts."

Kurt Hummel snorted beside her. "I dont think theyre real at all, Britt."

"Of course they are. Bubblegum tortoises and unicorn beetles are everywhere if you know how to look."

Blaine watched the trio for a few minutes, took in the way the two girls held hands and how Kurts eyes looked over the entire group until Professor Beiste arrived.

"All right, you lot. Were going to be spending the majority of this first term down by the lake, studying what lives in there. From now on well be meeting there for class unless the weathers awful. Come on. Follow me."

Blaine followed behind the group as the Gryffindors rushed ahead and the Ravenclaws and Slytherins filed down the hillside to the lake shore. They set up their quills and opened their book to the chapter on Grindylows as Professor Beiste broke them into groups. He was pleased to see they were groups of three and four this week so that he wouldnt be left out.

Professor Beiste broke up the Gryffindors and Ravenclaws, and arrived at the Slytherins, Brittany, and himself last.

"Lopez, Pierce, Hummel, and Anderson, you four by the bushes down there, okay? And no sneaking off, girls. I wont have a repeat of last June."

Santana rolled her eyes, and Brittany beamed and came over to Blaine. "Hi, Blainey. You cut your hair this year so you look like Elvin."

"Elvis," Blaine corrected as they headed to the water.

"Thats some stupid Muggle, isnt it?" Santana asked.

Kurt said nothing as they sat down at the edge of the lake.

"Hes a singer my dad likes," Brittany said. "Youd like him, Santana. More than Quidditch."

"I wouldnt," Santana said. "Nothings better than Quidditch except your—"

"Nope! I dont want to hear about your sex life!" Kurt shouted and yanked on Santanas robes until she sat down. "Anderson doesnt either, do you?"

Blaine flushed a little. "Um, no, thats… no."

He sat down on Kurts other side as Brittany sat beside Santana. As Kurt re-explained the assignment to Santana and Brittany, Blaine watched him. Was it him? Could he be so lucky to have Kurt admiring him from afar? But if it was Kurt, then why was he frightened of his friends not liking Blaine? Brittany liked him well enough, and Santana was hostile toward everyone. The others rarely said a word to him, but they were Quidditch rivals, so hostility wasnt surprising. Was he just wasting his time dreaming instead of asking the boy right beside him?

"I cant believe Smythe thinks youre trying out for Quidditch this weekend," Santana was saying. "You fell off your broom first year, remember? Whats he got on you?"

"What makes you think hes got anything on me?" Kurt asked as he checked the lakes temperature with his wand. "Maybe Im just sick of listening to Rachel think shes Merlins gift to Quidditch."

"Youre trying out for Seeker?" Blaine said before he could stop himself.

Kurt nodded and looked at him for the first time since theyd gathered in the entrance hall. It was like the look hed given him the Owlery. Kind, uncertain, even a little hopeful. "Um, yeah, its… I wanted to when I was little, but the team my first year just laughed at me and didnt give me a chance."

"Oh, boy, here he goes." Santana tossed her quill aside and grabbed Brittanys hand. "Come on. Lets sneak into the bushes for a snog before Beiste notices."

"Santana, if you get us into trouble—"

But the girls were already gone. Blaine watched the bushes rustle a bit before the girls were too far away to be seen.

"It cant be comfortable," Blaine said.

"What?"

"Trying to snog in bushes, I mean. Ive never, like, um, tried, but wouldnt you get twigs in your hair and scratches everywhere?"

Kurt frowned back at the bushes. "I hope so. Im so sick of everyone else having someone to—never mind. So, um, whatd you get for water temperature?"

"Fifteen degrees Celsius," Blaine said. He couldnt bring himself to say anything about Kurt not dating anyone. "Same as you. I wonder how cold it is at the bottom."

"If it has a bottom. I heard they used to during the Triwizard Tournament once, a long time ago. They said the Durmstrang ship rose right up out of it. I figure it must connect underground to, like, the ocean and seas or something. Wouldnt that be wicked?"

"Itd be fun to explore. I wonder if well have a class in the lake at some point."

Kurt nodded and went back to scribbling on his parchment. He was so beautiful, so simple in how he existed beside Blaine. It would be more than a dream could ever offer if Kurt was his admirer, if he was given that chance to have a fantastic boy like him back.

"What? Is there something on my face?"

Blaine jumped and blushed. "N-nothing. Sorry. I was just thinking about…" He bit his lip instead of saying anything about the letters hed been receiving. If it was Kurt, he wouldnt admit it out here in the open. He might even stop writing if Blaine pestered him. Or tease him and tell everyone who didnt already know. "Quidditch. I was thinking about Quidditch. Your tryouts this weekend. I think you can beat her. As long as you stay on your broom."

Kurt glowered at him. "I wont fall."

Blaine laughed and shook his head. "Im kidding. Im sure youll be great. Rachels good, but shes sort of… well…"

"Over the top? Pain in the ass?"

"A bit… selfish. Doesnt put the team first. Thats what Quidditch is about, really. Being part of a team. I think youll give them that."

Kurt smiled slightly and then looked away. "Maybe. My dad will be proud. He owns a Quidditch shop in—"

"Diagon Alley," Blaine said. "My mom shops there for all our equipment. Nobody makes a racing broom like Burt Hummel."

This time Kurt beamed, his cheeks flushed as the distant boom of the bell reached their ears.

"Pack up and get going, boys," Professor Beiste said. "Are those two in the bushes again? Lopez! Pierce! Itll be detention if I caught you two at it again!"

Blaine and Kurt headed into the entrance hall together and stopped at the marble staircase.

"Good luck this weekend."

"Yeah, thanks," Kurt said. "Um, Ill see you in Potions tomorrow?"

Blaine nodded. "Maybe at your tryouts, too. We have practice right before, so… I might stick around to see how it goes?"

"Spying on the competition?" But Kurt was smirking in a kind way.

"If you dont mind, I will. Smythe will probably kick me out if he sees me watching."

"Then dont get caught. Im sure youve got a little Slytherin in you somewhere, right?" Kurt headed up the marble staircase and turned at the top. "See you."

Blaine stood there until crowds began to pass around him. Some groups headed into the dungeons, others up the marble staircase. Elliott appeared from the dungeons.

"You okay? You look a little dazed."

"I got another letter," Blaine said. "Its, um, the boys a Slytherin."

"So?"

"Im going to keep writing."

"Good. Id kick you in your sleep if you didnt."

Elliott took him by the robe and lead him into the Great Hall.