Welcome to Hogwarts(Boyxboy)

Chapter 4

New Character: Leighton Cross

"Do you have Pav's cage?"

"Yes, Dad, I have his cage!"

"Calm down, love."

Kurt huffed angrily as he climbed into the taxi between Blaine and Finn, Pavarotti's empty cage clutched in his lap. The morning had risen cold and dreary, with a chill drizzle falling on them as they lugged their trunks out into the street to the Muggle taxis Kurt's father had called for them.

"I just want to get on the damn train," Kurt grumbled, scowling over his shoulder at where his father was climbing into the second taxi behind them.

Blaine gave his leg a comforting squeeze as the taxi pulled out into the street to take them to the station.

They rode in silence, watching the rain wash against the windows and listening to the faint rumble of traffic and the squeak of the windshield wipers.

They reached King's Cross half an hour later, heaving their luggage from the trunk of the taxi and wheeling it across the rail-slicked pavement into the station.

Blaine stopped them between platforms nine and ten and looked at Kurt. "You haven't done this before, have you?" he said.

"No," Kurt said, shaking his head and feeling faintly nervous.

"You'll be fine," Blaine said, grinning.

Kurt moved to hug his father, Finn, and Carole goodbye.

"You be safe, kiddo," Kurt's father said, his eyes over-bright.

"I will be," Kurt said, smiling. "Don't worry about me, Dad."

"Have fun, sweetie," Carole said, hugging him tightly. "Let us know if you need anything at all, okay?"

"Okay, Carole, thanks," Kurt said, turning to Finn, who looked awkward, shuffling his feet and clutching Quidditch Through the Ages, which Blaine had lent him to read.

"So...I guess I'll see you at Christmas, then?" Finn said, glancing up at Kurt.

Kurt rolled his eyes and gave him a firm hug. Finn looked relieved and hugged him back, grinning.

Finn turned to Blaine when they parted and held out his hand, which Blaine shook, smiling.

"Cool meeting you, dude," Finn said, glancing at Kurt. "I'm...glad you guys make each other happy."

Carole gripped Finn's arm, looking proud and on the verge of tears.

"Me, too," Blaine said, smiling at Kurt. "We'll see you in December."

"Yeah," Finn said, grinning and nodding.

"And Jeff and Nick will be there, too," Kurt said airily, biting back a laugh as Finn's eyes widened.

"You boys better get going, the train leaves in ten minutes," Kurt's father said glancing at his watch. He gave Kurt another brief hug. "Love you, kid."

"Love you, too, Dad," Kurt said, trying not to think about the fact that he wouldn't see any of them for three months.

"Bye!" Finn said, waving over his shoulder as they turned to leave.

Kurt waved goodbye to them, promising plenty of letters and telling them he'd see them at Christmas before turning back to Blaine as they left.

"Just be confident," Blaine said, taking his hand. "Follow me."

Kurt squared his shoulders and walked with Blaine towards the solid brick wall between the two platforms, picking up speed as Blaine broke into a light trot.