With two years of teaching experience under their belt, Dhruv was greatly anticipating the third. That's right, they were definitely returning for the new school year after some well deserved rest, naturally. Unlike last summer, there weren't many plans for them in the works. With the exception of mentoring Daniel in Wandless Magic, it was clear as day that Dhruv would be winging it for the next few months. That was fine; spontaneity was often exciting.

Arriving at the Staff Table, the DADA professor took their assigned seat between Marilyn and Wilber. They were hungry but not so hungry that they were starving {it certainly helped that they had had a snack about an hour ago}. So, to pass the time, Dhruv sat back to watch the Hall fill up.

Tapio entered the Feast on time, for a change, whistling to himself. He was anticipating some welcome changes for himself in the coming term, though he would definitely be back as Herbology Professor and Head of Hufflepuff House. He quite loved his little badgers by now and felt as if he himself had been in Hufflepuff, though in fact he had not gone to Hogwarts. He was trying to distract himself from brooding too much on the upcoming summer, the first part of which, at least, would be spent at home with his wife Isla trying to talk some sense into their youngest son to get him back on course.

"Good evening, Dhruv," he greeted his colleague as he edged behind his seat and continued moving on down to the other end of the table to his own seat.

Marilyn still wasn't sure if she was making the right decision, but having discussed already with the Headmaster, there was no turning back now. She'd only been here two years and in that time she'd already felt like she missed too much of her husband, her boys, her baby grand-daughter.

Did anyone besides the headmaster know? Not yet, but they would shortly and for the moment she was determined to keep it her little secret for just a short while longer. So while she nodded at Dhruv in greeting, she fixed her gaze instead on fiddling with her fork at her place setting and alternatively taking sips of water so her mouth wasn't empty.

Ean wasn't sure how the summer would work out with his living arrangements. A recent letter, however, managed to ease any worries and concerns. Now he was looking forward to summer festivities, he had plans for a pleasant vacation with his family. But naturally, it was the end of the term and next one would hopefully turn out splendidly.

Rounding his way to his seating, Feirgrund was able to exchange greetings to each colleague he passed, "Evening," even slipping a friendly quick grip on the shoulder for Dhruv before he continued on to take his seating place. Judging by the whistling, someone else seemed to be in a decent moon, "Evening Tapio, quite an ending for this year, isn't it?" Definitely not forgettable.

How was it, that another year was so very nearly over already? She was ready to go home and do some relaxing with the rest of her family. Her husband and youngest daughter that would be starting at Hogwarts after the summer, were home waiting for her, Nova, Melody and Logan to get there.

With a smile on her face, Hady made her way across the dais. "Good evening, everyone," she greeted them all pleasantly taking her seat. Looking over the great hall there was much to think about in regards to the summer. Things to plan out. After her talk with Headmaster Winterbottom, she would no longer be Head of House for Gryffindor but for her own former house when she was a student back in the day come September. And trips to plans. Family time to enjoy. That was by for most important.

First however, there was to be a speech coming and food which she was thankful for.

Ah yes, the end of the year feast had arrived once more.

And with it the end of his second term as headmaster. Though even in two years it still seemed to come upon one like an expected surprise even when they aware of the passing days of June ticking off throughout the month towards it. Wilber supposed he might have been distracted a little by the eventful job fair that they had hosted (a very successful one if he did say so himself) coupled with the excitement that had followed along with their unexpected guest. At least he had managed to juggle the meetings he had had with various persons about future changes.

“Good evening all,” the man greeted with his staff cheerfully as he moved onto the staff dais to take his seat. Yes…his seat…the Sphinx having been kind enough to vacate when they had made sure to set aside a special one for her. Perhaps when she arrived she could provide a few riddles for his team. Nothing like some entertainment.

Jasmine the young Sphinx had been in such an upbeat mood as of recent that she thought life had never looked more beautiful. From the wind making the leaves of trees sway to the dreary color of the Castle to the black robes of students and professors. Each was beautiful.

Today Jasmine was prancing her way to the Great Hall for the Feast where she planned to aid the sweet grandfatherly man with his speech. Her tail was held high while it danced from side to side. She even smiled at each student she came across. The smiling was no different when Jasmine arrived at the staff table.

“Good evening, professors! Headmaster! It is wonderful to be joining you.” The humans of Hogwarts had done so much for her over the years. Jasmine was grateful. But had they gotten a seat for her as well? “Do I have the honour of sitting beside you this evening, Headmaster?” This proud Sphinx would like to hope so seeing as she was an honorable guest.

Oh dear…

Celeste should have known she was going to get distracted by her research. With the term having been coming to an end, she had been looking into ideas for next term and the time had run away from her. So when she made her way to the end-of-term-feast (having flown down to the courtyard to cut down on the travel time) the students were already gathering in the Great Hall. Upon approaching the staff dais the astronomy professor couldn’t help but notice that the headmaster AND their special guest had already arrived as well. At least it looked as if they hadn’t begun so she wasn’t too late.

“Guid evening,” she greeted everyone, stepping up amongst her colleagues. The older woman grateful she had made herself pause to catch her breath before slipping through the door behind the table. A nod to Tapio and Ean at the other end of the long table. “Guid evening Headmaster,” she echoed to the man to acknowledge him adding “Ms. Jasmine,” to the Sphinx with a polite nod as she took her seat between Devon and Hadleigh. "Tis wonderful to have ye." Now that misunderstandings had been fixed.

Well, that was an eventful way to end out his Hogwarts career, that was for sure.

Javier was going to miss teaching, truly. Still, as he got older and Camila was growing up and moving on with her life, he had to make some changes. Teaching - and teaching at Hogwarts in particular - took a LOT out of him. A nice desk job at the Ministry was calling his name...after a nice long trip back to Brazil, of course. With a few other stops along the way.

Never one for sentimental goodbyes, Javier just nodded at his colleagues, who had all been informed previously of his upcoming departure, along with his Slytherins. "Evening all," he muttered as he sat down.

Before long, the colleagues were trickling in, starting with Tapio. “Good evening, Tapio. Congratulations on your Hufflepuffs winning the Cup.” Those badgers were indeed so hardworking; all of the Houses were, in fact, but only one House could emerge as the winner. Why did Mari look so distracted? They offered her a warm smile but she seemed more interested in the fork and water. “Everything okay?” they asked quietly.

Dhruv always found it a pity that Ean’s seat was all the way on the other side of the table. They rather liked chatting with the Muggle Studies professor, even if they both did plenty of that during the school year. They managed to pat Ean’s hand as it gripped their shoulder. “Evening, Hady! Nova told me she’s hoping to join the Ministry when she graduates. It must be emotional having your first child graduate from Hogwarts in another year.” Unless Dhruv was mistaken, the fourth and last Paton child was due to start Hogwarts in September.

By now the Staff table was becoming packed. “Good evening, Wilber,’’ Dhruv told the man, hoping that there would be no dad jokes for now. The DADA professor still took a while to grasp the humour in most of them. They returned Celeste’s greeting, and Javier’s as well. They were going to miss the Slytherin Head of House but they understood that one just had to move on after some time.

“Hello,’’ Dhruv said to the staff’s special guest. “We’re happy you can join us before you head off to your new home. Will Professor Paton be accompanying you?” And if Jasmine wanted to be on the immediate receiving end of dad jokes, this was all too fine with them!

Norman was running behind today! His usual pre-feast check of Ravenclaw Tower had taken longer than expected, leaving him to rush back to his office to get ready. He was on his way out the door when an impromptu two-way mirror chat with his daughter distracted him. Normandie went on and on about her summer vacation plans for the two of them! She got so excited once she started talking, he didn’t have the heart to cut her off.

Norman entered the great hall to see his colleagues already seated, as well as a special visitor from the Forest. He was slightly annoyed, though not at all surprised that he was the last to arrive. “Good evening, everyone,” he greeted his colleagues, nodding politely to each person in turn. Another polite nod and a slight smile went out to their guest. “Hello, Jasmine. Nice to see you!”

He saw no reason to draw attention to his late arrival now, but he would explain if asked and make his apologies to the headmaster in private. Taking his seat at the far end of the table, he glanced at the house tables for any sign of trouble. So far, so good!

Ah there was their guest of honor. “Good evening,” he echoed with a smile. “Why of course,” Wilber confirmed, motioning to the special chair that had been added to his right, shifting that half of the table down slightly but actually evening the numbers out in the process. One win-win scenario coming right up.

“Good evening Celeste,” he greeted the astronomy professor, nodding as Javier greeted them in kind. The headmaster wasn’t going to comment on whether or not it was a good evening with the potions master. The younger man’s change for the future might be his own choice, but that didn’t necessarily mean it wasn’t hard to see change as a happy thing when it was there right upon you. And as a head of house as he had been, there was a certain familiarity that was to be broken. Wilber didn’t envy those goodbyes. Ah and there was a certain Ravenclaw head of house, no doubt caught up in his various duties that always piled up at the end of the term, Wilber giving a nod of acknowledgment to the transfiguration professor as well.

With the Great Hall looking to be full, it seemed it was about time he got down to business. The headmaster rising from his seat for his usual speech and waiting just a moment or two for everyone to register and start quieting down. “Good evening one and all!” For overall it was a very good evening. “Another fine year has come to its end and with it many good things…like new friends,” he remarked, glancing at the sphinx beside him momentarily before looking back to the crowds before him. “And winners…” motioning above where the yellow and black banners already hanging from the rafters above all the tables in true celebratory fashion for the honor. “Congratulations to Hufflepuff for winning this year’s House Cup!”

“And new beginnings.” No being all sad for the departures that would happen tomorrow. “For tomorrow we will be sending off our graduating seventh years for the final time, watching as they soar into the next adventure.” His gaze popping amongst the various houses where there were sure to be the handful that fit the bill…and then moving to his colleagues at the dais. First to his left towards the potions professor and then to the right towards the charms professor. “We will also be seeing off Professors Javier Hernandez and Marilyn Sayse, thanking them for their wonderful service to the school and wishing them all the good luck for whatever their futures bring.”

"And in all our immediate futures is a grand meal to be had," Wilber chortled with a couple of pats to his belly. "Let the feast begin!" And with a firm clap of his hands, each table became adorned with plates upon plates and bowls and jugs containing all the makings of a lavenish end of term feast.

With each professor that gave friendly words to her or even if it was a nod or a smile Jasmine responded in some way. “Thank you, professor Gert. I can’t promise you’ll keep that opinion after I throw out some riddles.” Jasmine giggled before lifting a paw in a wave to Hernandez and Khanna. “Professor Paton has graciously offered to see that I settle in. I would like any of you professors who would like to accompany us to do so as well. Familiar faces would be helpful.” They may make an unfamiliar face a little homey even if it were just for a day. “Wonderful to see you again, professor Carton.”

Jasmine hopped up onto the vacant seat beside the Headmaster. It was as comfortable as his throne. She looked out at the sea of young faces in the Hall decked out in the Hufflepuff colors. Oh how she would miss Hogwarts. As the Headmaster gave his speech Jasmine politely drank in each word as her tail flicked energetically from side to side.

Just before the food appeared on the tables the sphinx added a few words. “If any of you lovely folks are ever in Egypt be sure to stop by at the Wadi Al-Allaqi Magical Creature Reserve! That will be my new home from tomorrow!”

Now it was time to dig into this scrumptious meal. Afterwards, she planned on doling out a few riddles to the professors and students.

It was never long before the dais was filled with professors. In the blink of an eye it seemed that they were all there, the Headmaster himself and their guest, Jasmine. Each one was given a warm smile as they arrived after herself. Those closest to her, it was easier to hold light conversation with before the speech began.

One of those being Dhruv. "Yes, she is. It's all going by so quickly and I couldn't be more proud of the young lady she's grown into. Come September I'll have all four of my children here for one year together." Now that will truly be the real bitter sweet moment for her. Nova's graduating year and Bryony's first. It was a big one. There was no doubt in her mind already that somehow, someway her kids were going to make it memorable.

A soft smile graced her lips at Dhruv's following question but before she could reply to it, Jasmine did so. Hady giving her a thankful smile for that, as well as for inviting the rest of the staff which she was also going to do in a bit so that all the details could be given to anyone interested. "Yes, please. If any of you would like to come along, the more the merrier." It would be nice if a few of them could see her off to her new home. If not, it was understandable as they all had things they must be getting back to now. She would've gladly went into it all more then but it was time for the speech.

The brunette woman's focas switched onto the Headmaster as he spoke. A glance being cast to her colleagues that were moving forward onto other things next term. They would be missed, as would all the graduating students. She couldn't help but look out over each table, her gaze sweeping over several of them.

As the speech came to a finish she listened to Jasmine tell the students where she was going so they could visit her someday. Right away, she couldn't help but think of several that would want to go see her. With a smile she began to put some food onto her plate.

"Yes, indeed, Ean. One of the busiest I've seen--in a good way, of course," Tapio replied to his colleague. Of course, the busiest was probably his first, when they were still trying to reconstruct all the greenhouses. But the job fair and finding a home for the Sphinx were definitely more cheerful tasks.

"Thank you, Dhruv. I think all the students have done very well for themselves this year." Tapio beamed with pride at the congratulations of his colleagues and the Headmaster's good words. Two years in a row! That was certainly something to be proud of. He hoped his badgers wouldn't let it go to their heads, although Hufflepuffs were probably the least likely people to become conceited.

Tapio raised his glass in a toast to the young Sphinx, who was excited to be going off on her new life, much like the graduating seniors. "Good luck to you, Jasmine, and I hope it will be everything you wish it to be. My wife Isla is eager to visit you at your new home--she hasn't had a chance to converse with a sphinx in many years."

“You’re welcome. They have, as much as they did last year,’’ they remarked to Tapio. “I reckon you’ll be heading down to the Hufflepuff Table at some point to say farewells?” They themself needed to wish the outgoing students well. Dhruv honestly was of the opinion that they would have needed to send out a search party for Norman. The Ravenclaw Head of House was seldom late. But he did turn up eventually and Dhruv gave the man a smile in greeting. Norman seemed fine so they guessed there was no need to be worried that any sort of emergency had occurred.

“All four at once?’’ they questioned in something much like awe. “You’ll have your job cut out for you, Hady. I’m sure you’ll be able to manage though.” It might not be the easiest of feats if all four got up to mischief when together. Spots were open to accompany Jasmine to Egypt? When Hady confirmed this, Dhruv immediately knew they would not pass up such an opportunity. They leaned forward to get a better view of Hady. “Count me in.” There would be ample time for this before they needed to get started on the mentoring that had been set up between them and Daniel. To Jasmine, Dhruv said, “I’m taking you up on your offer.” They would like to see her all settled in!

Speech time! The DADA professor paid full attention, as usual, to Wilber’s words, on the lookout for one of those dad jokes. None mercifully came. They were, however, crushed that Mari and Javier were leaving; this meant that they would have a new table partner on his right next term. With no dad jokes from Wilber and no riddles from their guest {as yet}, they dished themself out some food and busied himself with filling their stomach.

"Yes, the entire little Paton clan will be here for one year together," the brunette confirmed with a small nod of her head. "Now I do hope that's delight I hear in your voice and not fear." This was said as a joke, shown only by her soft smile and gentle laugh that accompanied her words. "Perhaps but I'm very much looking forward to it." There were no words to describe how much she missed her children when she wasn't with them. Merlin bare with her please and not let her children cause too much trouble when they were all here. She was very sure she need not worry much about the oldest two, the younger ones.. well now that was another question. That was something to worry about on another day however. Hearing that Dhruv wanted to join her in making sure Jasmine's travels to Egypt were safe ones, Hadleigh smiled warmly. "Wonderful. Thank you." Would very much enjoy the extra company and is sure that Jasmine would as well until she was settled into her new home.

Easily busies herself by eating for a few moments, her hazel eyes occasionally wandering over each of the house tables.