Badgers at bat

[Austin Branning]

The new season was creeping closer and Austin found himself practicing more than ever. In an effort to spend more time with Geo and get himself ready for the new season the pair arranged to work out together. Austin had got in some hitting practice a few weeks prior so he was eager to practice flying and perhaps he would help Geo practice as well. Austin met his fellow Hufflepuff in the common room and together they ventured down to the Quidditch pitch. They found it empty which was fortunate given how close the season was and hopefully it would remain empty while the pair needed it. Last time Austin came down to practice he hadn't remained alone for long.

Austin was a little nervous for the morning ahead. Though they were training together, something that was as far from romantic as possible on some level it felt like a date, though it was very much not. Austin smiled at Geo as he disappeared to grab a quaffle from the supply shed and returned. "I think its only fair we start with you first," He said tossing her the quaffle. "Lets see if you can beat me,"

 

[Professor Geovanna Adler-Cade]

It was strange, Geo had spent so long feeling as though she owed herself to other people, that she'd come to realise she'd never really let herself enjoy what she wanted. The holidays had more than confirmed however that her ideologies had to change, and while last year she'd befriended an older Hufflepuff, it was within the last few weeks or so that she felt as though what lay between them had started to blossom. She'd happily accepted his proposal of Quidditch practise, both to spend more time with him and time in the sky, and as they headed down under the cool skies she'd been looking forward to getting out the castle. "Really Branning? You think I won't?" She teased with a grin as they found themselves on the pitch. Geo had always loved to fly and after recently acquiring a new broom she felt more than slightly confident that she would be able to get the ball past the Beater. Her emotions had been somewhat crushed over the break, but being around Austin was bringing out her previous energy that she'd neglected for too long. Geo smiled at the brunette, but catching the Quaffle and tucking it under her arm, she wasted no time rising into the air with a level of competition between them being something she would never back down from. Dressed in her house robes with pride, and glad that no one else currently occupied the field, she flew a lap of the pitch before heading towards the hoops, trying to get used to the new speeds of the Firebolt.
​

 

[Austin Branning]

After the party and the afternoon they spent together in his dorm talking Austin was glad to see Geo in an environment where she could relax. He loved her smile more than anything and seeing it as she mounted her broom and took to the air meant everything. "Lets see just how fast your new broom is," Austin teased as he mounted his own broom and and joined her in the air. He did a few practice laps to adjust to being in the air before he made his over to the hoops to play keeper while Geo practiced her shots. "Lets see what you got Volt," Austin smirked, for all the good it did as Geo likely couldn't see it. They both knew that Austin was no keeper and any shots he saved would be pure luck but Austin was already having fun with his fellow Hufflepuff. Really that was all their joint practice was all about. Austin just wanted to spend time with Geo and have fun doing so.

 

[Professor Geovanna Adler-Cade]

Getting the Firebolt had clearly been a good decision. It was fast and it allowed Geo to make turns more sharply than it did when she'd been using one of the school browns, meaning thst as the fourth year approached the hoops she was able to fly up on Austins left side and switch the angle from which she was throwing at the last second. Sending the Quaffle sailing through the air over his shoulder, she did wonder how he was going to manage without his bat. He had brilliant strength and aim for the position, but no doubt playing Keeper was a little different. Geo was also glad to be having practise with someone in her own house for a change, as while as fun as It was being out with Elly or Flavio, it would have made Ravenclaw stronger too. "Catch," she laughed, leaning up on her new broom barely a few feet away to witness the shot. ​

 

[Austin Branning]

Their outing on the Quidditch pitch showed a Geo in stark contrast to the Geo who had poured her heart out on the floor of Austin's dorm. For Austin it was nice to see the girl so relaxed and happy, her smile enough to melt his heart every time she flashed it. As much as he could have spent all afternoon staring at Geo he needed to focus, he was there to train as much as anything else and while he wasn't a keeper he still wanted to give it his all to give Geo the challenge she needed. He watched the girl closely as she made her way towards him with the quaffle. When the quaffle left her hand Austin was momentarily distracted by her adorable laugh and could only watch as it went past him and into the hoop. "Okay I'll give you that one," Austin laughed throwing back the quaffle. "You won't get it past me again though,"

 

[Professor Geovanna Adler-Cade]

It was the first time that Geo had managed to get a chance in the air since the match the previous year, and she was elated again to find herself outside in the freedom of the sky. She raised her eyebrows at his comment, not that Austin would be able to see too clearly from the distance, and catching the Quaffle once again she tucked it under her arm with a grin. She was surprised to have managed to score a goal as easily when she felt overly conscious of her movements. Usually someone who would have enjoyed being the centre of attention, the fourth year found herself nervous when he watching her, and hearing him laugh only made her lose her balance on her broom. It was only a moment but she did her best to play it off, moving the Quaffle from one arm to the other in a bid to distract his attention from the fact she'd lent a little too far on one side, before glancing back over in his direction. "You wanna bet on that?" She asked, willing him to up the stakes. Sure they were practising but with a threat of winning on their tails, perhaps it would help them concentrate.
​

 

[Austin Branning]

Austin smirked when Geo suggested a bet and his mind suddenly went into overdrive as he tried to think of bets that he wouldn't mind losing for one reason or another. "Did you have something in mind?" Austin asked looking over at her. It was her idea so he was intrigued to see if Geo had something particular in mind, would it be something funny that they could laugh about later or something else entirely. Austin decided to fly closer to Geo. If they were gonna raise the stakes he didn't want to be shouting across the pitch.

 

[Professor Geovanna Adler-Cade]

Geo grinned as Austin seemed to take her up on the bet, although as he flew a little closer towards her she wondered what they could actually bet on. Sure there were a few obvious things, but it had been a while since Geo had played a joke on a friend and finding the perfect opportunity, she too flew up beside the Hufflepuff with a small smile appearing on her face. "Alright, well.." she paused, no longer having to shout as she was a mere few feet away from him. "If I get this goal, you have to go and ask professor Pendleton for the recipe of a love potion." Of course it was beyond both their skill sets, however the idea of approaching a professor with such a request brought a smile to her face. She was balanced on her broom, her eyes boring in his as she willed him to accept, ready to push off the moment the words left his mouth. This was going to be hilarious.
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[Austin Branning]

Austin listened as Geo outlined her idea for the bet and let it sink in. It was ridiculous which it made it all the more hilarious and it wasn't like he had any great ideas himself. "I guess so, but is anyone going to believe I need to use a love potion on you?" Austin laughed and flew back towards the hoops. Last year simply thinking of such a comment in his head would have made Austin a nervous wreck but he had been able to say it with a straight face while maintaining eye contact with Geo. The influence of his fellow Hufflepuff was becoming more noticeable every day. "Show me what you got," He yelled back.

 

[Professor Geovanna Adler-Cade]

Austins reply caused a sudden laugh to escape, though she did wonder if her feelings for him were really that obvious. Wasting no time she flew back in a circle, leaning forward on her broom before heading back to the hoops. She was certain she was going to get the ball through the goal, and grinning at the boy as she picked up speed and threw the Quaffle at the middle ring. Her blue eyes watched it soar through the air, although her heart dropped in her chest when suddenly it was thrown from its destination as Austin managed to hit it off course with his broom. She loved professor Pendleton but the idea of barging into his office requesting something like a love potion had just come back to bite her. "Oh god.." she sighed quietly to herself, her cheeks already turning slightly pink at the thought. "Well, apparently you'd make a fair Keeper too," she smiled at Austin weakly, wondering if it had been the best idea to bet in the first place.

Permission for godmod granted :3
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[Austin Branning]

Austin was expecting Geo to score. She was a chaser and he was simply there to help her out so he was as surprised as anyone when the quaffle was in front of him, rather than catch it Austin batted it away with the end of his broom. He sighed in relief as the realisation seemed to dawn on Geo that her genius idea had backfired on her. "I always suspected you thought I was a keeper," Austin called across the pitch, his confidence at an all time high after pulling off the catch. Flying back over to her he couldn't help but smile as he imagined what he imagined would be a humerus scene that would soon be playing out. Austin flew over and pulled up next to Geo so their brooms were almost touching. "Just so you know, you don't need a love potion to win me over," He smiled at her as he leaned over and planted his lips on hers. His heart thumping in his chest as he made such a bold move, in mid air of all places.

 

[Professor Geovanna Adler-Cade]

If balancing on her broom had been tricky when she thought was looking at her, it was nothing compared to the brain power she had to use as he flew up beside her. She had already been smiling from his retort, the boy she'd met six month ago seemed to be changing substantially in front of her eyes. Every part of her body seemed to freeze as Austin lent across, white flashes going off in her mind as the warmth of his lips on hers caught her off guard. It was the first time he'd initiated a kiss between them and as the Hufflepuff was in real danger of dropping out of the sky as she was unable to focus on much else asides from the fact she was here with the boy that caused her heart to grow, she put out one hand, reaching for his arm to hold on to as the other remained tightly gripping her broom. It was a miracle she managed to stay in the air at all. She kissed him back for a little longer than they had previously, but for the first time wishing they were on the ground so she didn't have to pull away when she did. Her eyes flickered up, her heart only singing more as she caught sight of his brown orbs and barely able to tell her face to smile as she were lost in her thoughts, wondering how she'd ever managed to be worth anything to someone as amazing as Austin, she was at least able to whisper out a word in response. "Noted."
​

 

[Austin Branning]

Kissing in mid air was certainly a new and slightly terrifying experience but it wasn't as scary as putting himself out there like he had. They hadn't kissed since the party and while they had spent a lot of time together since coming back to school Austin didn't know where he stood with Geo, she'd told him she wanted to get to know him but he wasn't sure how she had meant that, he thought he had but he was less sure as time went on. Feeling Geo kiss him back made him feel like he could fly without the broom, not that he'd try it and when they pulled a part he was at a loss. They'd come out to the pitch for a reason but Austin couldn't focus on anything anymore. "We should erm, go down and get the clubs," Austin suggested, hoping Geo would pick up on his trail of thought. More practice wasn't whathe wanted, he wanted more of something else.

 

[Professor Geovanna Adler-Cade]

It was hard to explain how the tension in the air had changed in such a short space of time, and the Hufflepuff wasn't sure whether they were meant to just continue on with their practise. Of course, they'd come out here for a reason and she did want to make sure they were both ready for the upcoming games, but it was as though they needed to come out with what was going on between them before they could focus on something else. When Austin suggested they head back to the ground, part of her wondered for a second whether he really meant it. No doubt he wanted to practise too and they'd yet to be able to have a chance at aiming bludgers, although she quickly twigged that perhaps having her feet back on a flat surface would be beneficial. "Yeah, sure." she added simply, suddenly more nervous that she felt was necessary. It was during times like these that she wished she had a friend like Jess to turn to, but knowing that wouldn't be the case any time soon, she was going to have to take matters into her own hands.

Summoning the Quaffle and returning to the ground, the fourth year headed in the direction of the equipment, before turning back to see if Austin had made it to the ground. It was an unusual occurrence that she were lost for words, however a situation she appeared to be finding herself in more frequently the longer she spent with this boy. As the corner of her mouth lifted into a small smile, she watched to see whether he really did mean what he said, and they'd be returning back to the air, but her heart was hammering in her chest and it was taking every effort she had not to show it.
​

 

[Austin Branning]

Austin smiled when Geo agreed to his return to the ground plan and hoped she had picked on what he meant. His head was all over the place and more Quidditch practice was the furthest thing from his mind in that moment. The new season was important but it wasn't more important than what was bubbling between he and Geo. Once on the ground Austin picked up his own club and passed it between his own hands. "You know," He began, his back to Geo. "I don't think I can concentrate on Quidditch right now," Austin sighed as he let the club slip from his hand and onto the floor. "I actually had something else in mind," Austin added as he turned and closed the gap between them. "This time without the danger of falling," He smiled at he as he took her hand and looked in her eyes and studied her face for some kind of sign that she was thinking the same as him. Once he found it he closed the little remaining space and planted his lips on hers.

 

[Professor Geovanna Adler-Cade]

As the Hufflepuff's blue eyes flickered between the boy and their environment, she was finding it increasingly difficult not to say anything. However, she didn't really need to. Her head jerked up as she heard the sound of the bat hitting the floor, but before she could respond Austin was in front of her once again, his hand entwined with hers as her eyes searched his for his true motivations. Her heart had left her body when they'd kissed in the sky, but now that they had their feet firmly planted on the ground it was much easier to let herself give in to what was happening. Even though they'd never specifically discussed what was between them it was obvious that it was something deeper than just friendship.

Geo kissed him back but only for a second. Just as quickly as he'd joined the pair did she pull back, although her eyes never left his as she began to take a few steps backwards, pulling him by the hand towards her. As she backed up into a small space that would be less likely for the couple to be found, she paused, taking in every part of him as he stood in front of her, her eyes moving up to admire his features. That night at the New Years Party she'd found something about him that matched her, and with each meeting Geo found herself only wanting more of his company. "I'm glad I'm not the only one," she said under her breath, both arms sliding around his shoulders as she reconnected them. She'd never kissed anyone with quite as much passion as she did Austin, but it came naturally to the Hufflepuff as she fell against him. Regardless of her age, she knew how she felt towards him, and while it may not have been something she could easily put into words, she could only hope her actions were doing a better job of portraying her feelings.
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[Austin Branning]

Geo was on Austin's wavelength and that was clear when she broke the kiss to move them over to a more secluded spot, not that he thought anyone would be coming across them any time soon. The first kiss with Geo at the New years party had been his first ever and every moment he had spent with her since then had been magical and whatever they had continued to grow. Now words had been spoken but Austin knew how he felt, there was no denying what felt when he saw her, when he held her, just hearing her name was enough to capture Austin's full attention. He was completely infatuated with his fellow Hufflepuff and he was glad that his feelings weren't completely onesided.

Austin didn't know how long they remained in the secluded spot but he didn't care, he had never felt anything like the passion and the electricity between the two of them as they kissed. When Austin first met Geo, truly met her, he was someone being pushed aside so his sister could spend more time with the girl. In that moment he hadn't considered that anything could have happened between them but he had. It had begun that night and it was still developing but Austin was excited to see how it goes.

The day passed by almost without either Hufflepuff knowing. They spent some time kissing in the small space Geo had pulled them into and at some point they moved to laying out on the grass. The afternoon was a daze of kissing, talking, cloud spotting and long moments of gazing into each others eyes. Before he knew it there was a hint of darkness in the sky as the sun began to set. "We've been here all day," Austin mumbled to Geo who had her head leaning on her chest. It truly had been the perfect day and while he didn't want it to end, he was getting hungry and dusk could only mean dinner was approaching. Though both being Hufflepuffs did mean they would be able to have dinner together so Austin wouldn't have to let go of Geo just yet.

 

[Professor Geovanna Adler-Cade]

It was as though the fireworks that initiated their first meeting were going off in the young Hufflepuffs mind, and Geo would have felt lost if she didn't have Austin by her side. Kissing him was nothing like anything else she'd ever experienced, and while she may have dated in the past, her feelings towards the boy were much stronger than before. She wasn't entirely sure how long they'd been entwined before they eventually moved further out, spending no doubt a number of hours in one anothers company. At one point as they'd been talking, lying out on the grass under the warmth of the sky, she'd watched his features as he spoke of a tale from his childhood, and she'd become mesmerised just observing his movements to the point she'd almost not heard what he was saying until his dark brown eyes had flashed back into her own, shocking her concentration back to earth.

She hadn't meant to actually fall in love with anyone, and it was strange even to her own ears when she questioned herself, but it was difficult to deny the possibility that it was happening. Taking one day at a time, she was happy to just see how things progressed, not feeling the pressure of needing to be something or someone in particular so much as just enjoying herself at the time. She smiled at his comment, lifting her head slightly to plant a small kiss on his jaw, "So much for Quidditch practise," she teased, glad they would at least get other opportunities during the teams sessions to perfect their skills. It wasn't like they could have stayed out there all evening, and shifting her weight up onto one arm, she truly felt the extent of how long they'd been out as a chill ran through her. She'd dressed appropriately for flying, but not for spending all day outside. The fourth year picked herself up off the ground, one hand out to help Austin up. "Come on, we don't want to miss out on all the food." she grinned, knowing that they still had plenty of time left that evening to spend with each other, but perhaps in the comfort of their house instead. It was tricky to focus on anything that wasn't him, and without releasing his hand as he took to his feet, she instead wrapped her arm through his further, no longer worrying about whether she was over stepping the mark or pondering whether or not they were on the same page. It was obvious and Geo was going to do her best to make the most of it.
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[Austin Branning]

Austin laughed at Geo's comment about Quidditch practice. I had been the purpose of coming out to the pitch but he was more than happy with how their day had panned out. Austin had never felt what he felt when he was with Geo, the fireworks that went off whenever they kissed was a feeling he hoped could hang onto forever. Austin could have spent the rest of the evening just watching Geo. The way her hair moved in the gentle breeze, her expressions when she was thinking, the blush on her cheeks when he looked at her. He was in complete awe of his fellow Hufflepuff and while he was hungry, he didn't want to leave her side for anything.

"No regrets," Austin said looking into Geo's eyes with a slight smile on his face. When Geo said they didn't want to miss out on the food he knew they would finally have to move and rejoin the rest of the school. After being alone with Geo all day it would almost be strange to be around other people, but they had to do it eventually. Austin took Geo's hand and got to his feet and was glad to see that not only did Geo not let go of his hand she looped her arm in his. Austin smiled and gently kissed her forehead, lingering for a few seconds. "I guess we should rejoin civilisation,"