Just a Game

Nurse Blainey moved briskly between the beds in the Hogwarts hospital wing, ensuring each student received the care they needed after what had been a frankly brutal Quidditch game. Slytherin versus Hufflepuff. From pre-game discussions most had seemingly expected the latter to be to be trounced and the game to be over quickly. But the Hufflepuffs had put up a commendable fight, especially if one were to judge by the number of injured 'Snakes' now laid resting and recovering among puffy, white sheets.

Artie, one of the Slytherin Chasers seemed to have gotten some of the worst of it. Bruised and bandaged after repeated assaults by a vicious Poppy Harlow during the match. Despite that - the boy seemed in high spirits, doing some after-action talk with Artorias and Nora who both seemed to have fared better during the game.. as far as visible damage was concerned at least. They shared a laugh over something, and the bed-ridden Chaser winced immediately from his aching jaw, something which only seemed to amuse the other two further.

A little further down the rows of occupied beds laid James Page, the Seeker who had single-handedly and decisively pushed his team to victory with a dramatic grab of the snitch. Like Artie he seemed a little worse for wear. There was even a rumour he'd lost a tooth, though upon closer inspection that seemed false. Or at the very least if he had - Blainey had attended to it by now.
On the chair next to his bed sat.. Euphemia? That was unexpected. Adrian had wanted to congratulate his teammates and make sure they were all okay, but he'd not really prepared to find a Ravenclaw watching over one of their star players. Not that he could really blame the Witch. Spotting the handsome Slytherin earlier giving it his all to secure the snitch had stirred something even in the blonde cheerleader. Which.. Adrian inwardly admitted to himself, might have been part of the reason for making the trip to the hopsital wing in the first place.

After saying his helloes and congratulating the others, Addie headed on over to the aforementioned pair. Even before getting close he noticed how the normally stoic James seemed a little humbled by his injuries, and Eupemia's gentle fussing no doubt only added to it in that regard. She helped him adjust the pillow, tighten a few of the bandages.. and even offered to hold the glass of water for him so he could drink - that however James turned down, he was bruised - not crippled. At least that's what Adrian figured someone so heroic might've said in response - but he was still too far away to hear. They just smiled at one another and continued chatting until he carefully interrupted them by approaching the foot of the bed.

With two pair of surprised eyes now looking his way, Adrian immediately felt his ears grow hot from the mounting pressure of not saying something stupid. Fortunately they were hidden by locks of blonde hair.
"Hey, James.. Euphemia." He offered, stiffly. Both hands coiled around the metal bar which crowned the footboard of James' bed, a bar which Addie subconciously squeezed as a means to release some tension as he stood smiling sheepishly at the two. "You-.. You played really well today and I just wanted to say congratulations on catching the Snitch." His heart thumped so hard Adrian feared it might jump out on the covers, much to the dismay of Nurse Blainey no doubt.
Euphemia maintained her smile, she looked real cute in that light, the Slytherin cheerleader noted.. rays of sun penatrating the glass window catching her blonde hair - which was cut just shy of the shoulders. Slight freckles, pretty - soft lips.. They made a good pair.
"Thanks Addie, team effort!" James raised his hand to offer a thumbs up accompanied by a handsome smile. Even when bruised and slightly swollen in some places it wasn't difficult to tell why he was popular.
Despite the fact that it most likely hadn't been direct praise for the blonde Slytherin cheerleader himself - It still made him feel all warm and gooey inside. To the point where he'd decided to finally say something - but his lips only parted to produce a cut-off: "I-..". He noticed Euphemia's hand resting atop James' forearm. It threw him off completely.. and hoping to save face Adrian discreetly tried to steer it in to: ".. I should go check the others. Please rest for our next game!"

He didn't wait for any reply this time, instead Adrian turned and hurried for the door, hands rising to rub his burning cheeks in uncontrollable embarrassment.