[h2][b]PATRICK FORD[/b][/h2]

Patrick awoke to a soft beam of light falling across his face from the circular window settled high into the wall of the boy's dormitory. There was always something so refreshing about waking up naturally with pressing obligations but he wasn't such a fan of leaving the warmth of his bed. However, the Hufflepuff common room was barely even call given its cozy nature and the fires that were always tended to. The copper bed warmers around the room were of course a bonus as well. For a few moments he just lay still, one strong arm laid flat across the sheets as he examined the low ceiling. Several vines were growing along one of the walls but this wasn't uncommon as the Hufflepuff basement was draped all over in various plants. It was a cool place really, a place purely for Hufflepuffs with its yellow and black decorations and the cushy, welcoming aura. 

Finally, Patrick pushed back the patchwork quilt and rose from his bed, lifting his long arms above his head to stretch out his body. He could feel the cravings of hunger building in his stomach but figured that he should at least change first before heading down to quench it. So he did and after quickly sprucing up, he exited the basement and headed down the corridors. As the Hufflepuff common room was near the kitchen he could smell the powerful scent of food already and it made him groan, stomach twisting a little more with desire to eat. Sure, there were probably more pressing things he could be thinking about such as his subjects or the fact his shoulder was still a bit iffy after the accident during the last Quidditch session. He had refused a trip to the hospital wing out of pride and he knew it wasn't a broken bone or a severely pulled muscle. Besides, it only twinged in one position which wasn't enough for concern. He'd definitely had worse but thank goodness for Wizarding medicine. 

As he passed into the Great Hall he wandered by Marcus Sinclair and offered him a happy smile. The older boy had done him a great favour a while ago by mentioning he knew someone who could tend to his owl Eponine who had been a bit under the weather for a short time. It had appeared she would need proper help but Marcus' younger sibling had apparently been up for the task. Patrick had trusted him and it had paid off when Eponine had been back to her normal self in no time. After the small greeting he carried on, glancing around as he neared the middle of the Hufflepuff table. He gave a glance around, wondering if Genevieve was around and awake yet. He had been friends with her for years now and even if they didn't greet each other at breakfast then there was no doubt they'd see each other later in a class. 

He finally came to a halt and leant over the table to grab a piece of toast. He knew that most people sat down but he also wanted to wander and see if he could find some of the other Hufflepuff Quidditch players and talk. Then he leant for a knife to slather the toast in butter and with his slight lack of early morning focus he ended up bumping his elbow against someone as he pulled back. "Sorry!" He apologized quickly, looking down at the girl [@The Muse of Eru] that he recognised but couldn't place her name straight away. She seemed to be so content eating her sausage too. He knew a lot of the people in his House but he was closer to the older students. As he chewed his toast, he glanced over at the Gryffindor table, still searching for the long brown hair and the pretty face he knew so well. And then he saw her and lifted his hand in a greeting gesture, hoping he could catch her eye. She looked like she was talking to someone though. Bright blue hair. Definitely not a common trait and the Gryffindor robes. Just have been the Evans guy. Of course Patrick knew him as he was the Captain and Chaser for the Gryffindor team. You didn't shake the hand of a stranger after all and they were the same year. However if Genevieve was deep in conversation, he didn't want to disturb so he leant around briefly against to get another bit of toast.

[@ScarlettWaters16]
[@hatakekuro]