A/N: Oh my god, it's been so long. So sorry about that guys, school and work have really been weighing me down lately. But summer starts soon, then I only have to worry about work so I should have more time to write! Anyway, this chapter is being split into two parts because I wanted to have a larger focus on the Christmas feast, but I didn't want to have you guys waiting even longer. Part two should be up fairly soon. I'll try and work on it more over the next week, and I won't have a huge homework load because it's the last week of school before exams. Thank you all for your patience and continued support, it really does mean the world to me!

9. It Changes Every Day

"Kurt!" Kurt groaned, squeezing his eyes shut tighter. He felt his bed shift and then he felt a weight on his lower stomach.

"What is it, Blaine?"

"It's Christmas!" He replied excitedly, the bed bouncing slightly.

"Yes, I'm aware. Now can you please get off me? You're kind of squishing my ribs."

"But Kurt it's Christmas!" Blaine shook his shoulders lightly, "You have to get up early on Christmas!"

"No, I really don't."

"Please, Kurt, please?"

Kurt hesitantly opened one eye and was faced with Blaine looking like a kicked puppy. He sighed and closed his eyes again, knowing he couldn't resist that look. "Ugh, fine. Now get off."

Blaine squealed with excitement, and Kurt felt the weight move from his chest. He disgruntedly pulled off the covers and got up. He flinched when his feet touched the cold stone ground, and it took all his self control not to hop back in the bed.

Blaine grabbed his hand excitedly and Kurt ignored the pang of longing he felt. The both stopped when Jeff and Nick sat up board-straight.

"Were you two seriously about to go downstairs without us?" Jeff asked.

"And on Christmas morning." Nick added for emphasis.

"No?" Blaine squeaked.

"Shame on you." The two hopped out of their beds and happily skipped over to the pair. "Maybe we'll just have to keep your gifts for ourselves."

"You all fucking suck." All four boys froze when they heard Puck speak, slowly turning their heads to look at him. "This is my only chance to sleep and yet you all can't shut up for five minutes."

"Now, Noah. There's no need to hostile." Kurt said calmly.

"Yeah, listen to Kurtsie," Jeff added.

"You and I both know they still have the minds of children. They can't help get overexcited for Christmas."

"Hey!" The three boys shouted in unison, all looking very disgruntled.

"Well it's true. Do you all even know what time it is?" Kurt asked, putting his hands on his hips, "It's six. I never get up at six."

"C'mon, Kurt," Blaine said, nudging his shoulder gently, "It's only today, right?"

Kurt's shoulders drooped at the warm-hearted smile Blaine shot his way. He couldn't resist that smile, as much as he wanted to. "Okay, let's go then."

Jeff and Nick linked arms with Blaine, pulling him towards the staircase, in which all three proceeded to skip down. Kurt turned back to Puck with a determined look. He walked over to his bed and grabbed the bottom of his blanket, yanking it off the bed. Puck immediately sat up with a shout. "What the fuck!"

"If I have to get up, so do you."

"Forget it Princess," he groaned, rolling over and pressing his face into his pillow.

"Noah Puckerman I swear to god if you don't get up right now I will turn you into a pink fluffy pillow and put you on Rachel's bed." Kurt smiled as Puck, albeit very begrudgingly, got out of bed. He shot a glare Kurt's way and continued to mutter miserably as he made his way into the common room. Blaine appeared in the doorway moments later and Kurt got his first proper look at him. There wasn't any gel in his hair, and some of the curls were sticking up at odd angles. He was wearing plaid pyjama pants and well-worn hoddie from his old school. Kurt smiled to himself, inwardly questioning how someone could look both adorable and horribly attractive all at once.

"Hey, you coming down?" Blaine asked, leaning against the doorframe.

Kurt smiled and nodded, "Yeah, yeah I am."

He walked towards Blaine and, with a surge of confidence, grabbed his hand. Blaine tensed for a moment, but he didn't pull away. Instead he simply smiled at Kurt and pulled him forward, down the grand staircase. Their friends were all sitting around the red couches. It was the usual scene; Jeff and Nick trying to annoy Puck, Rachel trying to start up a song… it was all so normal, but it still warmed his heart.

He looked at Blaine next. Beautiful, kind-hearted Blaine. He'd stuck through so much of Kurt's crap, and he was still there… still just as warm and loving. Kurt knew that there were probably no romantic feelings on Blaine's end, but he still held hope—even if it was likely he didn't deserve them.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of Jeff and Nick both screeching. Looking over, Kurt saw each of them holding an open gift. Their faces were covered in black soot that made it clear it was their gifts to each other. They both burst into laughter, enjoying the prank in the weird way they do.

Blaine gently tugged Kurt towards the fireplace, sitting him down in the chair closest to it before walking over to the tree and grabbing a small box out from underneath it. He made his way back over to Kurt, leaning down to whisper "Merry Christmas" in his ear as he placed the box in his lap. Kurt looked down at it and saw that the wrapping paper was magically enchanted to change colours; going from gold to red, and then to gold and red stripped. There was a small card gently tapped to the top with Kurt's name written in Blaine's smooth writing. Kurt removed the card as carefully as he could; opening it to read what was written inside.

Merry Christmas, Kurt!

At first I really wasn't sure what to get you. I knew trying to find clothing would be a disaster, and I didn't want to get you a book you already have. However, when I saw this I knew it would be perfect. I'm sure I'll tell you why when you open it, so I won't bother writing it here. Thank you for being so wonderful these past couple of months… You truly have made my life so much brighter.

Yours, Blaine

Kurt stared at the clear lettering, his heart beating slightly faster than normal. He read over the last line a couple more times, just absorbing Blaine's words. It wasn't until he realized the room was oddly silent that he peeled his eyes from the parchment and saw all of the people in the room were watching him. He placed the card gently on the arm of the chair before turning the gift over and lightly pulling off one of the corners, trying not to rip the wrapping. He pulled a small box from inside.

Kurt pulled the gold lid off and gasped. Inside, sitting on a velvet red pillow, was a necklace. He lifted it out of the box with shaking hands and heard Rachel gasp as well. Hanging from a long silver chain was a twisted silver tear drop caged pendant. It had small, glittering jewels running down each of the stems, and inside was a glowing blue orb—clearly enchanted in some way.

"The lady at the shop said that the orb would match the colour of the owners eyes," Blaine coughed, "She also said that it would change based on their mood—brighter when they're happy, dim when they're sad and dark when they're angry… I thought it would be good for you since your eyes already sort of do that and… yeah…"

"Oh, Blaine," Kurt breathed, "It's gorgeous. But you really didn't… I mean, I didn't expect this sort of gift."

"I know." Blaine smiled warmly, stepping closer again. "Do you want me to put it on for you?"

Kurt nodded, placing the gift in his palm. He watched Blaine step behind him and then felt the cool of the metal on his neck. Everyone was staring at him still, and all of them gasped as the necklace shone a bright blue momentarily before dimming slightly. Blaine walked back around and smiled, seemingly happy with the result. "There. Now you can't hide how you're feeling anymore."

Kurt stood up and wrapped his arms around Blaine, pulling him close. "Thank you so much."

"I'm glad you like it," Blaine said, holding him just as tightly in return. They pulled apart and Kurt walked over to the tree, grabbing the gift he'd gotten Blaine. His was a fair deal larger, and the wrapping around it was enchanted to look like the twinkling lights of the night sky. Kurt handed it to Blaine, nervousness bubbling inside him, his heart fluttering as he watched Blaine pull his card off the top. What he'd written inside was simple, but Kurt had written and re-written it so many times that he had it memorized.

Blaine,

Merry Christmas! I had a great deal of difficulty choosing your gift, but I thought you'd like these. I'm so glad that McGonagall decided to ask me to show you around on that first day—it truly wouldn't have been the same without you. Thank you for brightening up the Gryffindor commons.

x Kurt

Thinking back on it, he realized it sounded quite cheesy. If it weren't for the fact that Blaine was currently reading it, he would've tried to take it away. Kurt watched as Blaine's eyes scanned the parchment, and then he looked up to Kurt with a smile. "Thank you."

Kurt smiled back, and nodded to the gift Blaine was still holding, the wrapping twinkling happily. Blaine removed it with considerably less care, his excitement obviously taking over. The lid of the gift box was hastily removed, and as soon as Blaine saw the contents, he let out a rather girlish squeal. He pulled a pair of dragon-skin Quidditch gloves out, slipping them on immediately; obviously trying them out.

"God, Kurt, these are amazing!"

"You like it, then?" Kurt asked, twisting his hands nervously.

"Yes! Of course!"

"And they fit okay?"

"Kurt, yes. They're perfect." Blaine said, slipping off the gloves and flashing him another smile. "Thank you so much."

"Well I—"

"Here our gift for you, Kurtsie!" Jeff interrupted, thrusting a blue box his way. Another one—green wrappings being the only visible difference—was thrust at Blaine. "We wouldn't forget you, Blaine, don't worry!"

Kurt held the gift away from himself, eyeing it apprehensively. He looked over at Blaine and saw he was doing the same, than looked to Jeff and Nick. They both appeared innocent enough, but Kurt had long since learned that didn't always mean they weren't planning something.

"Oh c'mon!" Jeff said happily, "They're not going to do anything, we promise."

Kurt cautiously opened the first, shutting his eyes tightly and waiting for a boom, or the feeling of his hair burning. When none came, Kurt opened his eyes. Sitting inside the box was a jar. He pulled it out, lifting it so he could peer through the glass. Inside was what looked like a cloud; Poufy and white, floating in the middle of the jar.

"It tells you what the weather's going to be like," Nick told him, "When it's going to be sunny the cloud stays like it is now, when it's going to be gloomy the cloud goes dark, when it's going to rain it rains, when it's going to snow it snows and etcetera."

"We thought since you're always worried about your hair, it'd be good for you," Jeff added in.

Kurt smiled at the pair, "I love it. Thank you so much."

"Really?" They asked, both looking generally happier than before.

"Yes," Kurt laughed, "It's perfect."

"See, Kurtsie? We knew you'd like it!" Nick exclaimed, "Now it's your turn Blaine!"

Blaine jumped at their sudden mention of his name, nearly dropping the box. He managed to keep a hold of it, and pulled the lid off. As soon as it was off something flew out, around his head, and then began to hover in front of his eyes, giving everyone a chance to see that it was a miniature version of Blaine's own broom.

"Woah," Blaine had a huge, goofy smile as he watched the broom fly around the room, moving through Rachel's hair and then whizzing past Puck, who looked like he could fall asleep.

"The best part," Nick started, "Is that it is fully functional in cases of emergencies."

Jeff nodded, "All you have to do is use your wand to summon it, and it'll come, then say Engorgio and it'll grow to full size!"

"Woah," Blaine said again, obviously a bit dumbfounded.

"So I guess that means you like it, then?" Jeff questioned.

"Uh, yeah." Blaine replied. The broom stopped in front of his face again, and he reached up to grab it. He held it in front of his nose, and Kurt laughed as he watched Blaine go cross-eyes.

"Good."

"I have gotten you all a little something, too." Rachel said happily. "If you'll all look under the tree, there are 5 booklets filled with some of the best sheet music from the Wizarding world and the Muggle world alike."

Seeing that no one was hopping up to grab them, she took it upon herself to do it, handing them to everyone. "Now we have lots to choose from for Glee club!"

"Thanks, Rach." Kurt said when he realized no one else was going to. There were more mummers of thanks from others in response. Puck stood up suddenly, walking over to the tree and grabbing a simple red wrapped box with a perfectly tied green ribbon on top. Kurt tilted his head to the side as he watched Puck make his way over to Rachel. Everyone struggled to keep their expressions neutral, despite the shock they all felt at the gesture.

Rachel looked more shocked than all of them combined. She took the gift from him and started to open it, the room dead silent as everyone watched in anticipation to see what he got her. She lifted, out of the box, a gold candle. Everyone looked to Puck expectantly, waiting for his explanation.

"It won't ever go out, and it, um… changes smells with your mood." He coughed, "Yeah, I'll completely understand if you don't like it and—"

"Noah, I love it."

Puck visibly relaxed, his shoulders dropping and a sigh of relief escaping. "Good; I'm glad."

Rachel pulled him into a hug and, after he got over the shock of it, he returned it whole-heartedly. Kurt smiled, seeing the way his eyes lit up when he looked at her. Puck, Kurt realized, was smitten, and it looked like Rachel was the only one who hadn't noticed yet. Everyone started talking all at once, people looking under the tree for gifts with their name on it—Puck's gifts to the rest of them among them. There wasn't a point during the gift unwrapping where they weren't either smiling or laughing, and for the first time, completely at ease. Eventually the excitement died down a bit, and Kurt made his way over to where Puck was standing and watching Rachel as she happily sung a Muggle Christmas carol.

"So what happened to Lauren?" Kurt asked when he was sure everyone was too busy doing something else to bother listening to them.

"What do you mean, Princess?"

"Well, what you have Rachel was very thoughtful," Kurt told him, "much like something you would get a girlfriend?"

"What are you trying to say?"

"Do you like her?"

Puck coughed, "Who?"

Kurt sighed. "Who do you think?" When he continued to receive only a blank look, Kurt rolled his eyes. "Rachel, Noah."

"What? Of course not."

Kurt raised an eyebrow. "Is that why you gave her an intricate candle and the rest of us joke gifts?"

Puck looked away, "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You gave me a tiara, Noah." Kurt deadpanned.

"Well it was nice, was it not?"

"Noah," Kurt said warningly.

"I don't like her."

"I don't believe you."

He groaned, throwing his arms up. "Just drop it, Princess."

"Noah?" Kurt asked, receiving an annoyed hum in response, "Just so you know, I'm always here to listen… if you ever need to talk to someone."

Puck was silent for a minute, then he quietly said, "Thanks, Kurt," as he pulled him into a actual, full hug which Kurt willingly returned, smiling to himself.

"Kurt! Kurt!" Blaine looked up to see Jeff and Nick bounding over, huge smiles on their faces. He let his eyes wander to Kurt, who was sitting next to him on the loveseat. His eyes drifted over his face; his eyes twinkling happily and a small smile painting his lips that had been there since earlier that morning. His eyes were pulled to the silver pendant hanging from his neck, the blue still glowing brightly and leaving the pale skin visible on the boy's neck tinged blue.

"Do you want to, Blaine?" Blaine dragged his eyes away from Kurt, looking back at the pair standing in front of them, excitedly bouncing on the balls of their feet. Blaine realized he had no idea what they had just said.

"Sorry, what?"

Jeff and Nick both smirked, knowing exactly why he hadn't heard them. "Do you wanna come outside with us and have a school-wide snowball fight? Best house wins a year's supply of Bertie Botts!"

Blaine smiled, "Yeah!"

Next to him, Kurt groaned. "My hair is going to be a mess, and it'll be all your fault!"

"Awe, c'mon," Blaine nudged his shoulder, "it'll be fun."

Kurt groaned again and pushed himself off the couch. "Yeah, fun." He started up the stair to their room, and Blaine smiled brightly, jumping up to follow after him.

It had been so long since he'd had a good old fashioned snowball fight. It had to have been way back, before he came out to his parents… Back when his dad still liked doing that sort of thing with him.

When he reached the room, Kurt was in the middle of tugging off his pyjama top. Blaine froze mid-step, his eyes immediately landing on Kurt's exposed back. For someone so petite, he had muscles. Muscles Blaine could now not take his eye off as he watched them, mesmerized. Blaine shook his head quickly, forcing himself to look away just as Kurt turned around.

He made his way over to his own trunk, keeping his head down to hide what he was sure what a lovely, bright red blush painting his features. He tried to ignore the feelings bubbling up inside him, but he found it was becoming increasingly difficult to do so. He pulled his old DA sweatshirt over his heart before throwing a pair of sweatpants and his warmest boots on. He grabbed his Gryffindor scarf and hat, as well as is red gloves, before turning back around to face Kurt.

He was dressed in much the same thing, though he managed to pull it off a lot better than Blaine. While he looked attractive, Blaine looked 12.

"Ready?" Kurt asked, tugging his hat on.

"I am if you are."

"Alright everyone, listen up!" Nick shouted. Standing in front of him and Jeff had to be close to 70 odd students of all ages and houses, each talking excitedly about the upcoming match. They slowly started to quiet down and turn to look at the pair standing on the rock near the lake. Nick continued as soon as he was sure they could all hear him, "We're going to be putting down some ground rules!"

"First," Jeff said, "No magically enhanced snowballs."

There were a chorus of 'awe's from everyone, and it took the boys another minute to calm everyone down. "We know, we know. But it was the only way McGonagall would agree!"

"However," Nick piped in, "brooms are allowed!"

They saw a few Quidditch players—mainly Blaine and Oliver—cheer happily, but the rest of the crowd seemed fairly unimpressed. "You're also allowed to use magic to build up your forts, so long as no one gets hurt."

"If someone does get sent to Madam Pompfry, we get detention with Filch, so you gits better keep it clean."

"Now," Jeff continued, "Your clothes will temporarily," He emphasized the word for Kurt, who had immediately started to glare as soon as they mentioned his clothes, "be magically enhanced by us so the snowballs turn them the house colour of the thrower. That way we can tell who did best after the game's over."

"Speaking of which, the game ends at noon." Nick looked down at his watch, "Which is in about three hours."

"There will be hot chocolate, soup and Butterbeer in the Great Hall afterwards!"

There was another round of cheers that caused Nick and Jeff's smiled to grown and then, in unison, they shouted, "Go!"

Everyone started running off in clumps, all heading in different directions. Jeff and Nick jumped down from the rock and ran off to where the rest of the Gryffindors were standing.

"Alright, guys, what's our plan?"

"Well," Blaine started when no one else said anything, "I think everyone on the Quidditch team should fly, obviously, but I also think we should have some people staying behind and building up a good fort, instead of everyone rushing out at the same time. That way the people at the fort could start making snowballs for the flyers to save us time."

Jeff nodded thoughtfully, "Yeah. But how are we going to get the snowballs to the flyers?"

"Well… you said the snowballs couldn't be magically enhanced, right?" Kurt asked.

Nick nodded, "Right."

"Well, why don't the flyers use Locomotor and have them just follow them as they fly?"

The three boys grinned, "That's brilliant, Kurt."

"Is it against the rules?"

"They aren't being enhanced in any way, as you said."

"Let's do this!" Blaine shouted. Everyone ran off to start their tasks, Kurt vigorously directing the construction of the fort, Blaine running to go grab the brooms, and the rest of them running off to join the fight. Jeff and Nick high fived before running after Blaine. The other houses were going down.