#4 - Facing the Consequences

Despite her fixed injury, Amber decided she couldn't sit still until dinner. However, as she didn't want to venture too far from Hogwarts and strain her arm too much, she decided for the Owlery in search for Feathers.

With quick feet she got up the steps and entered the Owlery, being greeted by the smell owls, their cooing - and a familar Slytherin: Benjamin.

Amber hold back a grimace. That wasn't weird at all right now... She took a breath and approached him, though still a bit unsure, seen by her tucking one of her pigtails.

"Oh, hi, Benjamin! You're... here for sending letter? Or gathering feathers as well?"

She took a quick glance around to see if she spotted any feather, then looked back at Benji, giving him an encouraged and sincere smile.

Their 'first' meeting earlier today might have been weird (alright, awful), but nothing they couldn't fix or improve upon.

And if Caine had decided the Slytherin was a likable person, then he would be! The Hufflepuff was never wrong with that. And if Benji could handle Caine as well... Kudos!

Just his luck wasn't it? Benji closed his eyes and had his back towards Amber. He muttered a curse word and counted to ten before plastering on a rather fake, but still somewhat convincing smile as he turned around. As if he needed more embarrassment. Why did Fates hate him?

''Letter actually,'' Benjamin bit his lip. He fell quiet and the uncomfortable silence stretched between the pair. It was unbearable and Benji was bound to break it sooner rather than later.

''Look…'' he started, scratching at his neck. ''Sorry for before. I just…I'm not good with new people, especially ones that mean a lot to those I care about.''

It was about the best apology Amber would get right now, though Benji might seek her and Joshua out sometime later after he could process the whole day. His grandma still raised a pureblood gentleman with proper etiquette and that called for an apology. So, Benjamin compromised until he could think of something better.

''Since I've some time before meeting up with Caine again, figured I might as well look for some feathers,'' the Slytherin shrugged and resumed looking around until he spied a nesting box with some healthy-looking feathers underneath it.

''Uh yeah, not risking it today,'' Benjamin said to himself, eyeing the owl. It didn't look particularly nice, not like the one that went off with his letter. He took out his wand and moved a little away, more towards the entrance, and swished it.

''Accio protective gloves,'' he clearly pronounced and imaged where he put them. It was good luck that Benji generally kept his things very neat and orderly, especially when it came to Potions and Herbology.

It didn't take long for the gloves to come flying into his hands. Benjamin put them on and joined Amber back inside the owlery. He showed her the gloves and wriggled his fingers at her.

''I'll distract the owl and take one of the feathers. You can take the other if you want,'' Benjamin said, just a little bit reluctantly. If he were there with the exact purpose of getting the ingredients, he'd grab both for himself. But since this was mostly a happy coincidence, he was feeling generous.

Besides, Amber was Caine's friend, one of his best ones, as Benji gathered. He already made a horrible impression and nicking both feathers from under the Ravenclaw's nose? It wouldn't really endear Benjamin further.

With soft cooing noises and careful steps, Benjamin slowly moved towards the owl and attempted to pet it, in order to distract it from his true intentions. It wasn't sure at first and gave a few warning pecks, but his protective gloves shielded Benjamin enough that he didn't need to make another trip to the Hospital Wing. He didn't think Madam Pomfrey would be too impressed.

When it saw that Benjamin didn't mean it any harm, the owl settled and moved just enough that Benji could grab one of the feathers. He did so with one hand, the other still gently petting, and put it in his pocket. The feathers weren't as delicate as some of the plant-based ingredients so it didn't need that much careful handling at first.

Without saying a word so as to not startle the owl, Benjamin nodded towards Amber and then to the owl, signaling the girl to make her move now, especially since it didn't seem that she had gloves with her.