Bedknobs and Broomsticks [HP fanfic; BNB Book 1]

First Date

October 31, 1977

"Mansfield and Delacroix are what?" gawked Sirius.

"They're going to Slughorn's party together," murmured Peter. "I heard him talking to her after--"

"Like hell they are!" scoffed Sirius.

"Mr. Black, I'm afraid that's five points from Gryffindor for swearing in class," said Professor Flitwick. The four Gryffindors glowered and looked back down at their books.

"That Delacroix is up to something..." muttered Sirius.

"She's become really unpopular with the Slytherins lately," said Mariah. "I think she broke up with Rosier. Or Rosier broke up with her. He was originally going with that Lottie whatserface but she caught him with his tongue halfway down Marcia Snook's throat in a broom closet and broke it off."

"How do you know all this?" asked Sirius, frowning.

Mariah shrugged. "I overheard Lottie complaining about Rosier wanting to go to the Slug Club party more than he wanted to be with her," she said. "She was saying that soon there wouldn't be anyone left to ask but Snape who's in the club."

"Yeah, well Snivellus is so desperate, he'd go with anyone," Sirius cut in.

"He is going," said Mariah. "To Slughorn's. She ended up asking him."

"Dammit, even Snivellus is going!?" hissed Sirius.

"Mr. Black! Another five points, I think!" called Professor Flitwick, sounding miffed.

Sirius lay his head on the desk. "How the hell did Snivelly get a ticket..."

"He's in the Slug Club," piped up Peter. "He didn't need one."

"Still... he has a date. That's bloody insulting..." Sirius shook his head. "That's it, I'm gate-crashing. James can lend me the cloak, but I'm getting in there one way or another." He grinned. "And maybe I can mess with Rosier's prospects a little..."

"I wouldn't push your luck, Padfoot," said Remus, speaking up at last.

"Yeah," said Mariah. "After suspension, they could expel you for gate-crashing."

"Oh please, I won't get caught."

"For your sake, I hope not," muttered Mariah.

The bell rang and they stowed their books away in their bags, making their way out of the classroom to prepare for dinner. Mariah followed the three boys through the halls. Something caught her eye and she glanced to the side, seeing Kurt by a pillar, looking at her.

"You two go ahead, I'll catch up with you later," she said.

"What? Where are you going?" asked Sirius.

"Nowhere, I'll just see you," said Mariah, turning and walking back. Glancing back, she made sure they were gone before turning and walking straight to the pillar, smiling at Kurt. He smirked back, taking her hands as she reached him.

"Tough day?" he asked.

"Ooh, dreadful," said Mariah sarcastically.

"Tonight's the night," said Kurt. "Shall we say nine, then?"

"Nine for what?"

"Nine for bailing on kitchen duty for bigger and better things," said Kurt.

Mariah's smile flickered. "Oh... well, do... do you think we could meet up by the spiral staircase instead?"

"Why?" asked Kurt. Mariah looked uncomfortable, and after a moment Kurt's smile faded. His hands left hers and he leaned back against the wall, crossing his arms. "Is this about how you don't want to be seen with me?"

"Oh, don't be like that. Look, they're not the biggest fans of Slytherin and I know that when they find out we're going together they'll be upset and I... I just don't want that to happen until after the party."

"Hold up... what do you mean 'when they find out we're together'? Are you saying you haven't told your friends?"

"I... Kurt, you know my friends," said Mariah.

"And you know mine! Neither of us as well as we should, but we understand what we're dealing with. The day you said yes to me, I marched back to my common room and announced it to all of them. Avery, Mulciber, Rodolphus, Rabastan... all of them. Have you told anyone?"

"Lily knows," said Mariah softly.

"Did you tell her, or is she just assuming?" asked Kurt.

Mariah frowned. "I told her that night, give me some credit." She crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "But I told her not to tell James."

Kurt looked at her, sighing, and uncrossed his arms, running one hand through his hair.

"How about this. Tonight will be our first date," he said. "If it's terrible, you can toss me away and have nothing more to do with me. But if things go well, I want you to know that I'm willing to take this further." He looked her in the eye.

Mariah hesitated. "Yeah, okay," she said.

Kurt smiled again. "What are you doing right now?" he asked.

"Um, nothing, I was just going to drop off my bag before dinner," said Mariah.

"Let's go for a walk," said Kurt, jerking his head towards the lake. Mariah nodded. Kurt held out his hand, but Mariah followed him without taking it, stuffing her own hands in her pockets.

They walked out onto the grounds, now dark in the failing light, strolling down towards the lake. It was chilly, but not truly cold, and their breaths rose in mist before them. The grounds were empty but for a few students lazing about as they were in their free period before dinner. When they had cleared the steps to the Entrance Hall, Mariah slowed her pace and allowed her fingers to link with Kurt's.

They rounded the lake three times, and when it came time for dinner, neither of them felt like leaving. They walked the grounds for another hour or so before returning up to the school for the feast, following the light from the windows as the grounds turned black with the night. Mariah's hand was in Kurt's, and they didn't release them when they entered the castle.