Ethan looked up as Krazimeriz started to... give the closing speech? Again? He shifted slighty in his seat and briefly joined in the applause for the graduates, his eyes searching out Copernicus and Dominic but also Willow, Reid, Emiliano, Tammy, Kaika, Tino, Jason, Evolette, Krissy Eva, Plymouth, Samson and a few other graduating students, briefly flicking to the Hufflepuff table and the noticeable absence of Abby Weasley and Helios Sunrider.

As Congratulations were given to Gryffindor, Ethan's eyes went to the Slytherins. Narrow victory indeed. He was certain that it had simply been because his former house had stopped trying. He was certain that had something to do with the molly coddling they got from Alessia Lupa.

Story time? Really?

Hufflepuffs for Quidditch of course. Ethan was not a huge follower of the sport, though he admired the tenacity and teamwork that got Hufflepuff to the top.

Where was the Headmaster?

He waited through the old man's speech, his face impassive as Kazimeriz spoke of the students who had died. Memories of the two seventh years in particular flickered to mind, Ethan had not known the younger student particularly well.

Ah, finally. Where was the headmaster? A sabbatical?

Ethan twitched slightly, not believing it for a second. Oh this was not good. Kazimeriz as Headmaster? He shifted in his seat uneasily, straightening and flicking his eyes to Axe in barely expressed surprise. What? And what was wrong with the way Marcus taught Defense?

And then it came and Ethan went rigid and turned his eyes to Kazimeriz.

Dismissed?

He took in the cheshire grin, the smug stance and bearing the old man held and stared him down, speaking loud enough for his voice to carry.

"On what grounds?"