Gillygate - 15. The Slytherin Boy

His name started with E, was it Eric? I remembered him as a quiet boy from my Transfiguration and Defence Against the Dark Arts classes. That meant he was also probably good at duelling so even as I whipped out my wand I knew there was a chance I was about to lose this fight. I pointed it at him and he startled.

"I've never jinxed an unarmed opponent." I seethed while stepping forward.

"Philkin, stop!" he jumped up, knocking his book and food into the dirt.

"But I'm really not in the mood to be toyed with by a Slytherin. I just found out my ex-boyfriend is dating the guy he cheated on me with-"

"Don't come any closer! It's not safe!"

I hesitated on my approach, confused by his wide-eyed stare. His shoulders relaxed an inch but my secret admirer remained frozen "They're all looking at you. Lower your wand."

"Who is?" I didn't believe him.

"Thestrals."

"What?"

"There's a pack of Thestrals right here in this clearing. You started approaching them angrily with your wand out and now they're all staring at you."

My wand arm went slack "They're invisible?"

"They can only be seen by someone who's seen death."

"What are they…?" my arm was by my side now, my eyes swept the clearing but could see nothing. The other boy's fear seemed genuine and I believed him.

"Like big skeletal horses with wings."

"Oh." Fucking frightening enough.

"Just back away slowly."

I took my steps backward and the other boy gathered his things into his rucksack. He carefully made his way around the empty clearing. I backed all the way through the tree-line until I met grass and was on the grounds once more. The Slytherin boy was at my side and gave a sigh of relief "That was close."

I stared at him and he raised his hand "Sorry Philkin. I'm Ericus Arter, which you maybe already knew."

I stared at his hand before reaching out to shake it. He blushed and lowered his gaze.

"…You've been sending me letters."

"I have. And I'm sorry, I wanted to meet you eventually when the time was right."

"And when was that going to be?"

"When I came out of the broom cupboard, so to speak. I believe the muggles have a similar saying. Nobody knows that I'm gay."

"Oh."

"You're the first person I've ever told." There was an intense significance in his dark eyes. I felt inwardly startled and finally started to trust him.

"So, you really do have feelings for me then?" I blinked.

"I do." He'd blushed when we shook hands but now he was straight-faced and looking right at me.

"I-I don't know what to say. I'm happy that you feel that way about me. But I just got out of a relationship and I don't know if I can completely give myself to another one."

Ericus looked giddy for a second and almost swayed "Philkin… seeing as I'm not out yet anyway, that's not a problem."

"Okay-"

"Actually, I thought I'd be out by now." He looked down at his shoes "I thought I would've just come out to the others, and been able to meet you by now. But I haven't had the nerve." He looked a little ashamed of himself.

"It's alright, Eric."

"I don't like going by Eric."

"Hm. I don't like going by Phil, so we have that in common." I touched his shoulder and his face went pink "I remember when I first came out, I know it's scary and you really ought to take your time with it." His face didn't start to lose its pinkness until I retracted my hand.

"Philkin… it's not just coming out as gay. It's also your house, and your… status. I'm only a half-blood but the expectations in Slytherin aren't like the other houses."

I didn't understand "But… this is about you not me. I'm not the only gay guy at Hogwarts."

"You are the only one for me."

He still wasn't quite looking at me. His voice was so certain and solemn. It struck me. Even in the two years we'd dated, bashful Quintin had never said something like that. Or anything with such reverence. I remembered the letters I'd been sent and figured the writer had been playing at being romantic, not speaking with utter sincerity.

"Ericus…" I was still mildly blown away. "You don't know me."

"I've known you for five years."

"But not like that. I thought… I thought maybe this whole thing was payback because I duelled that Slytherin last year."

"You are certainly a frequent topic of scorn in the common-room. You and the other mu- muggle-borns. That disrespectful cad got what was coming to him."

"Ericus…" I looked down and tried to gather my thoughts "Neither of us are ready to think about a relationship at this point. We could be friends?"

"Yes." He started to look giddy again "Yes, a friendship with you would be lovely."

I stared at him uncertainly, not quite sure how to peg him. My stomach felt hollow and I didn't think there was time to grab some lunch before the bell toll. I excused myself anyway and with assurances of getting to know each other later we parted. The thought that someone felt so strongly about me was certainly flattering. It was time for Charms class when I got back to the castle, so I changed course and made my way up the moving staircases. Found Kiena outside the door but no Quintin.

"Do I have news for you…" I murmured as we entered class.

"Is it about Quintin? Or Professor Harcourt? I didn't get the chance to ask why he wanted to speak to you after class."

I thought about our sexy Transfiguration teacher. The social skills he was admired for along with his classroom authority. The slight bulge in his silver suit trousers, leaning against his desk while I sat in that chair beside him. His attractive hips and waist. The thought of doing something with Harcourt was enough to get blood flowing to my cock. But I surely, surely imagined it. What was the extra credit he was talking about?

Kiena and I could whisper along with everyone else because Professor Roland was the least intimidating teacher at the school. He was too soft-voiced and pleasant, formal and restrained every lesson. He followed us in, his sapphire and white robes sweeping. The olive-skinned man turned to the class when everyone was settled.

"Good afternoon, we're going to start today's lesson with the water-making spell." His words were clearly cut and enunciated, fingers interlocking. Silver brooches of blue gems shone from his cloak. "Everyone please fetch a ceramic bowl from the store cupboard and absolutely no splashing each other or you'll be sent out the classroom."

I'd have to tell Kiena about Ericus second lunch. For now I needed to get through this class with as much distance between me and my ex as possible.

o0O0o

spellman's syllabry

Aguamenti - Water-Making Spell