Welcome to Hogwarts(Boyxboy)

Chapter 32

The carriage rattled to a halt on the front lawns, bumping and swaying slightly on its narrow wheels. Flint leapt out onto the grass with Dan and his other Housemates, listening happily as they discussed their holidays but not saying much himself as he heaved his trunk from the carriage and dragged it towards the oak front doors with the rest of the crowd.

"Flint, slow down," Dan said, smirking a little.

"I'm not..." Flint trailed off, not really sure what he'd been planning to say as a retort.

Dan sniggered. "I think this boy's got you pretty thoroughly whipped," he said, dragging his trunk up the stairs and into the Castle, Flint a few steps ahead of him.

"Dan, I told you, I'm not ready to date right now, not after everything that happened," Flint muttered as he tried to casually scan the crowd gathered in the entrance hall to greet returning friends.

"Mhmm," Dan said, rolling his eyes. He clapped Flint on the back. "Well, whatever it is yournot doing, keep it up. It's nice to see you happy again."

Flint paused to give him a warm smile. "Thanks," he said, elbowing his best friend lightly. "Now go on, I've got business to attend to."

"Oh, is that what we're calling it these days?" Dan muttered as he stepped through the throng of students towards the marble staircase.

Flint chuckled and stood on his tiptoes to look around the hall, grinning as he spotted the group of Ravenclaw sixth-year boys gathered at one side of the hall, chatting with the returning Riley and Montgomery and laughing about something.

He saw Thad leaning against the wall a little away from the others, gnawing his bottom lip and glancing around in a way that Flint knew he was trying to look nonchalant and failing adorably.

Grunting with exertion, he pulled his trunk over to the group of boys just as Kurt smacked Campbell around the head for something. He caught Thad's eye at last and grinned, laughing as the other boy ducked his head, blushing scarlet.

"Oh, hey, Flint!" Kurt said as he approached.

"Hey," Flint said, stopping as he reached the small group. "How was your holiday?"

"Oh, not bad," Kurt said airily, half-glancing at Thad, who was staring at his feet, "Just discovered that Thad's apparently a master of egg fights, so, whatever." He smirked as he returned to his conversation.

"Really?" Flint said, turning to look at Thad, who looked as though he might like to become a part of the wall he was leaning against. "I'm sorry I missed it."

Thad swallowed nervously and glanced briefly up at him.

"So," Flint said, moving to stand next to Thad and leaning his trunk against the wall. "Good holiday?"

Thad shrugged. "It was alright."

Flint chuckled. "Miss me?"

Thad's eyes widened and he flushed deeper.

"You don't have to be embarrassed," Flint said with a laugh. "If it makes you feel better, I missed you, too."

Thad looked bewilderedly up at him. "Really?" he said, sounding astonished.

"Mhmm," Flint hummed in reply, smiling faintly. "I'm excited for Hogsmeade. To tell you the truth, I think Dan's gotten a bit sick of me prattling on about it."

Thad looked at him as though he'd grown an extra head. "You're excited to go to Hogsmeade...w-with me?" he said in a small voice.

"Course I am," Flint said. "I'm anxious to pick apart the puzzle that is Thad Jenkins."