Graduates' Boats

[BanaBatGirl]

"Firs' years, this way!"

Never thought you'd hear that again, did you? This time, though, the familiar call seems to be nothing more than an echo, as the groundskeeper is not actually keeping watch over the little boats tied to Hogwarts' dock. Perhaps the Hogwarts staff feels that their newest graduates are more than capable of sending themselves off?

The same fleet of magical boats that carried you to the school as a firstie still bob gently on the dark, deep lake, waiting for your departure. Two graduates per boat, please, and be careful not to tip over. The boat will take off once you release its rope from the dock.

Enjoy your last trip across the Black Lake, and be mindful of Barty.

[SarcasticStrawberry]

Well this was interesting the firstie boats for the current graduates? To ride to their last train ride on the Hogwarts express. He walked over closer to the boats he wasn't getting on until he for sure had a riding buddy.


As he waited his hazel eyes wondered back up the castle he smiled thinking of all the memories from the past seven years. "It's been great Hogwarts. Thanks for the memories." He managed a small smile after he spoke.

[hermionesclone]

Firs' years, this way.

Yeah... Alec had never thought he'd hear that again. Ever. So, it was a bit of a surprise to hear that as he made his way over towards the boats that had been pulled up. He had mixed feelings about this, as one would; on the one hand, it felt great -- brilliant, even -- to be back to his former self. It was great to wake up, look in the mirror and see the smooth, young skin and, most importantly, the brown locks on his head. And none of his joints were aching so there was that.

It didn't take long, however, for the eighteen year old to realise what day it was. It was that day. His actual last day at the castle and the last time he'd make his way out of the castle. It... really put a downer on things, you know? So it was with a heavy heart that the boy had carried out his usual end of year activities; checking everything was packed, checking that the secret compartment was empty of sweets and checking that he hadn't left anything behind.

With his hands tucked deep into his pockets, Alec came to a stop near the boats where... oh? No Groundskeeper? Was he coming or...? Yeah? No? At least there was Asher there, whose presence made Alec smile faintly. The Head Boy -- or was he a former one, now? -- glanced up at the castle too, his grey eyes taking in the many turrets and towers.

"It's... going to be weird, not coming back."

[TakemetotheBurrow]

So this was it, huh?

Ella had nearly walked into a seventh year or two as she made her way out of the castle for the last time, her eyes on anything other than where she was walking because she wanted to take in every bit of it before she left. Because somehow Ella knew that even if she returned here to watch a match or visit Hogsmeade, this place would be different because she would be different. Older and hopefully wiser and in a different place in her life. And really, all of that was pretty overwhelming. Sad too. ...Scary as well. Just...lots of mixed feelings going on during the walk.

And there were the boats.

She'd been so small when she first rode in these. Not that she was much bigger now but still. She felt bigger. Stronger. More capable. Funny how things changed, yeah? ...Yeah.

Taking a deep breath, the eighteen year old came to a stop by Asher and Alec and smiled faintly at both. "You two going to ride together?" She...didn't mind going alone. Sobbing was probably going to happen and maybe it was better she did that on her own. Maybe.

[MuggleDinosaur]

What was this? The term was already over? Adeline sniffled as she made her way to the boats. How was seventeen going on eighteen already? How was she a seventh year already? Why was this happening? Adeline didn't want to grow up, she didn't want to leave Hogwarts. She was completely scare about being out in the real world, she just wanted to stay at Hogwarts for the rest of her life and never leave. The brunette was taking her sweet time by making it to the boats. What if the boats and the train forgot her? Would she get into trouble? Adeline shrugged and found Asher, Alec and Ella down at the boats.

She frowned and started to tear up. Adeline couldn't cry now she had done so well by not crying. She was strong but she guessed she wasn't strong enough to not cry about leaving Hogwarts forever. Adeline ran up to Asher and wrapped her arms around him. Emotional much? "Hey." she said loudly into Asher's chest, of course saying it to Alec, Asher and Ella.

[lemon]

This was it, then.

The real goodbye. Alice had her eyes locked on everything she was leaving behind as she walked away. Having ridden into this place on the boats, it was only right that they took them out as well, wasn't it? The wistfulness of it all was already overwhelming her, and she wasn't even gone yet.

Sidling up next to the other seventh years, she went over who was there. Alec, Ella, Asher... some girl sobbing into his chest...

Nobody who'd want to ride with her, probably. Could she get her own? Alice came into Hogwarts by herself, and it was only right that she left like that.

[Wood'sLittleFlower]

Nervous? No.

Sad? Yes.

Coul sighed and made his way down to the black lake, taking his sweeeeet time. It was strange. This was kind of the last time he'd ever be doing this. Sure, it was just walking.. But in this place? With specifically these people around and in eyesight? Hell, who knew if he'd ever see any of them ever again. Not that all of them were worth the seeing, but a good bunch of them were and thats sorta what he wanted?

Eh. The boy approached the group of already gathered seventh years with his hands shoved in his pockets and attempted a smile. It was super forced, but hey, it was something.

He glanced at each group member in turn, mainly taking note of the head boy, head girl, and the quidditch captain, having not really held a conversation with any of them, but at least he knew faces? And names? Better than nothing. He wasn't in the mood to talk though, so he kept quiet and listened in on the lack in conversation.

[hermionesclone]

Then came the sound of another voice.

Alec, who had been staring up at the castle, finally tore his eyes away from the towers to look over at the newcomer. "Hey Ells," She looked... sad. Not that Alec expected anything else, given the day, but... it still wasn't great to see. No. Sidling up to her, he reached over and grabbed hold of her hand. As for her question... he paused. And then looked over at his Slytherbro. Honestly, he didn't know who he was going to be sitting with in the boats and choosing between his girlfriend and his bro didn't sound like a great idea.

... Luckily Adel was here, yeah?

He watched sadly as the girl embraced her boyfriend before looking over at the Head Girl. "Problem solved. ... Erm... if you... wanted to?" The suggestion was out there. And while he waited for an answer, his grey eyes looked over towards Adel and Asher, a sad smile spreading across his face. Maybe they all needed hugs after this. Yeah.

Oh! New people! "Hey, you two," he called, waving over at Hulk and... boy. A very familiar looking boy. Coulson, was it? They both looked like they could do with some hugs too, something the Hufflepuff made a note of. "Erm... should we wait for the others or...?" Surely, there were more of them coming, right?

[Poolicious]

Boats.

They're going to ride the boats. How awesome was that? The last time he rode that boats was when he was a first year, that feel like a life time ago. Messer quickly made his way towards the boats. This is going to be fun.

He saw Alec, Asher, Ella and Adeline were already there. Great. They probably gonna ride the boats with their girlfriend/boyfriend. Its bad enough being a third wheel to Alec and Ella and now he's going to be a fifth wheel. Sigh. "Hey guys. What's with the gloomy face?" Wasn't he supposed to be the one who had a gloomy face? Being a fifth wheel and all.

Wait.

Is that Alice? "ALICE!" Good bye fifth wheel. "You and me. Last boat ride together?" Yes? No?

[SarcasticStrawberry]

The eighteen year old had ever really noticed the beauty of the castle until now. Such a wonderful place to learn and live for seven years. It really had always been home. Why did her even leave last term? He did come back though. And it was like he never left. He did notice when Alec joined him. He paused a few moments after Summers spoke. This was it. From now on if and when he got to come back it really wouldn't be the same, would it? But it would always be home. "Yes, very weird but it will always be home." He nodded and turned to look at Summers. He patted him on the back. It's going to be alright, man.

They were soon joined by Ella. He smiled at her arrival. "Hey, Ella." He looked at both of them. And shrugged. It really didn't matter to him. He could always wait for.... Adeline. Who had just joined them and balling into his chest. [b]"It's going to be okay, Adeline. He wrapped his arms around her and patted the top of her head. He looked up at Alec and Ella and pulled them into a group hug. Yes the Slytherin made one big slytherpuff sandwich hug.

Alice had just joined them. She sent het a welcoming nod. "Hey, Alice." He hadn't spoken to her all term. They had kind of been close when they were younger. Not real close but they had talked more back then. Then Messer joined them and a gryffindor boy he didn't know he's name coul? Or something that stared with a C.

[magikewe]

Lily slowly made her way down to the boats. She hadn't been down here since her first trip to the castle. Ironic sorta, that it had been 7 years already and she'd never been back down here. Nonetheless, it didn't make it any easier and the girl's eyes already looked puffy having not gotten much sleep on top of the amount of crying she'd been doing. Slowly swinging her bag that hung from her shoulder, the Ravenclaw grad looked around at the other students, who all seemed to have someone to ride with, and climbed into a boat on her own. She didn't really feel the inclination to try to find someone to ride with, so if the time came, she would go alone. For now though, the Ravenclaw sat alone, contemplating her last train home and what she planned on doing.

Soon it would all be just a distant memory...

[Daydreamer11]

The euphoria of getting her youth back had faded somewhat, replaced with the harsh reality that this was it. Alex had arrived at the boat dock to begin her journey to........the future. Right now though, the past was very much on her mind. There were other students waiting for boats. Alex saw them, but didn't really see them because her thoughts were far away. She turned to take her final look at the castle.....home. It was as if her entire life at Hogwarts flashed before her eyes in a manner of seconds. How she would miss this place.

Alex sighed and turned away. No looking back now. Now she would have her memories and that would have to be enough. She couldn't help but feel incredibly sad.

[Weasley174]

Laura couldn't believe it she was going to ride in a boat again, after all this time!!

*sigh*

Laura still wasn't getting used to that. It seemed like just yesterday her twin sister was sat next to her whilst they were waiting to get sorted the very first time and now it was seven years later.

*sigh*

Laura looked up at the castle as she stood there for a few moments, she realised how big and daunting it still looked ever though she had grown in the seven years she had been at the school and how she can't have been able to explore the whole castle.

[TakemetotheBurrow]

The hand holding was appreciated and Ella glanced down and laced her fingers through Alec's, feeling a bit better now that she had him. Looking up again, the eighteen year old gave him a sad smile before turning her attention to Asher, who now had a teary Adeline to take care of. This was the worst. Just...yeah. And it wasn't like she had anything comforting to say so she simply leaned her head against Alec's arm and looked out at the water.

Did Alec really need to ask? "Yeah, I want to." Of course she did. She wouldn't want to ride with anyone else, y'know? Well except for Soph. They'd been her constants and she couldn't think of better choices. She was then pulled from her thoughts and into into a hug and because it was her and hugs always helped, she didn't bother fighting it. Squishes happened and a tiny smile before she pulled away. "No goodbyes, okay? Just see you laters." Eyes for all. They weren't going to have this big sob fest thing. She couldn't handle it.

That went for the others who were here now too. Hulk got a smile and the boy from Gryffindor too. His name was Coul, yeah? The one who belonged to Elodie. She'd seen him around, observant badger that she was. "Hey, you guys." And there was Messer. She tilted her head and smiled sadly at him, wiggling her fingers in greeting. Could she get a hug on the train, maybe? She'd missed him. And as more seventh years showed up, Ella felt like it was maybe time to start getting into the boats. This was it, yeah? And it felt scary. The ending of something big.

Standing on her tippy toes, she placed a kiss on Alec's cheek and said quietly, "Y'think it's time?" And yes, it was okay if he said no. She wanted to stay and she'd need a push to actually set foot in that boat.

[hermionesclone]

It will always be home...

Asher's words seemed to echo in the air and Alec turned to look up at the castle once more. "It will be. Home away from home," Though, as he reminded himself, they were going to go onto something else which was going to be just as great. All of them. And luckily for him, Asher would be right there, something that made him smile a little as he turned to look at the boy.

... Hugs? Yeah, sure. Big, squeezy hugs were given before he let go and smiled a little at the other three and looked around to see...

Messy was here? Messy? MESSY?!

Alec smiled sadly at his roommate of seven years and waved at him. "Hey, Messy!" And gloomy faces? He... didn't know what to say to that. Not really. "Just... feeling weird. Pity we couldn't have a pillow fight in the boy's dorm this year." Because that was how they had hung out the first time they met.

And wasn't it nice that Messy and Hulk were going to be on a boat ride together? Pinky and the Hulk.

Speaking of partners... Alec turned his attention towards Ells and, more specifically, their hands. This was nice, yeah. The hand holding and that smile and... oh! "Awesome. Thanks, Ells," He also liked the sound of see you laters and no goodbyes. Nodding in agreement, he looked around at the others too. This was it, yeah?

The cheek!kiss made him turn his attention back towards the Head Girl. "I... yeah... yeah, I think it is," The lump in his throat grew and he frowned a little before looking around at the others. "Does... does everyone have a partner?" Because the last thing he wanted was for someone to be riding on a boat on their own.