Sugarcane.

[Amber Wilson]

It had been a while since Amber and Katie had caught up, and things were turning to be the same as the previous year, both Hufflepuffs were letting school, as well as other things get in the way of them seeing each other regularly outside the common room, and the fourth year intended to change that. Her plan was to surprise Katie while she practised flying that afternoon. Earlier in the year Katie had tried out for the Hufflepuff Quidditch team, and had been appointed as chaser, Amber couldn't have been more proud of her. So the fourth year thought small reward and display of affection was in order. Amber quickly brushed her wavy brunette locks, and gave herself a once over in the mirror before making her way outside to the Quidditch pitch, where she knew her best friend would be. She took a quick interlude to the kitchens to obtain a few cauldron cakes, hiding them inside her satchel as she totted closer to her destination. The afternoon sun graced Amber's pale skin, tickling her with warmth once she left the confined stone walls of the castle.

Amber had always loved being outside, and now that she was basking in the fresh air, she chastised herself for not leaving the castle earlier in the day. Sometimes Amber just let other things get the best of her, like home work or assignments, but that day was not an exception. The fourth year was doing something she wanted to do for a change, which was surprise her best friend. Amber approached the Quidditch pith with a cheerful grin and a spring to her step, making her way into the stands before sitting down and getting the cauldron cakes out from her satchel. The silhouette of the younger Hufflepuff caught her eye, and Amber waved at Katie from across the pitch, waiting for her friend to notice her. ​

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[Katie Swan]

Katie, after being selected as chaser for the Hufflepuff quidditch team had felt the urge to practise. She wanted to prove that she a third year was a worthy choice for a postition on the team. So leaving the Hufflepuff common room that afternoon her broom held tightly in one hand an old soccer ball of hers in the other she skipped lunch and headed down toward the quidditch pitch to have a bit of solo practise and hopefully hone her skills a bit more. Finally arriving the pitch she tucked the soccer ball under her arm to use as a quaffle she kicked off hard and rose into the sky. Feeling the wind rushing through her blond hair Katie began heading towards the goal posts and the south end of the pitch deciding to practise at throwing and scoring goals. Reaching the goals she threw the soccer ball hard with all her might aiming towards the middle hoop. It missed by a whisker. Cursing Katie dived to catch it and tried again. This time it sailed through the hoop. Grinning she turned to fly towards the other goal posts when a spectator in the all but empty pitch caught her eye.

Flying a little bit closer to the spectator who waved at her Katie squinted and managed to make out the outline of an all too familiar girl. Amber. Her best friend that she hadn't seen since the holidays. School and life and been crazy and she hadn't a minute to spare to see her best friend with the exception of the passing glimpses in the common room or at dinner. Grinning from ear to ear Katie abandoned the idea of playing and flew over to the stands where Amber was sitting. Landing on the pitch below the seats she waved back before running up the stairs to the seats and running over to Amber whom she pulled into a rather enthusiastic hug. "Amber! I haven't seen you for aaaages!" she exclaimed pulling back and examining her friend, "What are you doing here?" she asked, of all the places she could have turned up the quidditch pitch was the last place she would have thought of.​

 

[Amber Wilson]

Amber rocked back and forth on her feet, cauldron cakes in hand as she waited for Katie to arrive, they hadn't really had a chance to talk since the sleepover she hosted in the holidays, and of course she missed having the younger Hufflepuff around. They had exchanged glances whenever possible, a smile, anything but a conversation wasn't possible until now. The brunette was silently worried Katie was too busy practicing to catch up with her, and that her intended surprise wouldn't be taken well, as Katie might have preferred practicing her Quidditch rather than spending time with friends. Heck, if the roles were reversed, and Katie was the one surprising Amber, she would be ecstatic, but the fourth year wasn't sure if Katie would act the same. Leaning over the railing of the stands, the older Hufflepuff felt her smile widen as Katie waved back after landing on the pitch below the seats. So far things were going good; Amber didn't need to feel small hints of anxiety in her gut just yet. She knew she should be happy, happy that she was making a decision to have fun for a change, happy that her best friend wasn't irritated at her for disturbing her precious Quidditch practice. So she ignored any ill feelings she began to have, burying them with a smile.

Still waiting, Amber heard fast paced footsteps, and turned her attention to where they were coming from to the sight of her best friend running towards her before being pulled into a tight hug. Amber hugged back, careful not to squish the cauldron cakes in the process. "I'm here to surprise you with food!" Amber exclaimed in reply after pulling away from the hug, glad she had nothing to worry about after all. She held forward one of her cauldron cakes to Katie, a mischievous grin on her features. "Come on, I know you want one." Amber taunted, she knew Katie couldn't say no to food, much like any other normal teenager, she just wanted to have fun playing around a little before they actually got to eating. ​