Ean was quite content, the kind of content a usual lion would be after a delicious meal. Except the meal hadn't arrived yet. Beneath the red and golden house banners showcasing his former house's win, that was one of the big reasons for him being content. Before he took his usual seating, he gave each of his colleagues and boss a friendly hello and smile, awaiting tales of their summer plans before he shared his own.

Ean had a lovely summer planned ahead. "Nothing like a peaceful end of the year." He commented as he clutched one of his sports magazines to read.

A lovely summer was indeed planned.

A trip to the country of their descendants? Needless to say the DADA professor was quite in anticipation of it. Despite the fact that they had visited before {but that was many years ago}, this time they had the privilege to share the moment with their family.

They were just a few steps behind Ean, taking their time to get settled in at their seat. When they did, Dhruv properly surveyed the Gryffindor themed banners. “Gryffindor certainly outdid themselves this term,” Dhruv commented mildly, though they were rather pleased about the win - the Gobstones one as well. Sorry, Hady! “I hear you on that. A peaceful year all round, actually.” As one got older, one wanted to keep out of drama. And Dhruv certainly had grown accustomed to quiet time at Hogwarts.

Wilber grunted—a sound not unlike a teakettle just beginning to grumble about the water temperature—as he lowered himself into the golden chair at the center of the dais. The cushion gave a resigned whoomph, as if the chair, too, was ready for a nice tropical retreat.

"Gracious," he muttered, shimmering emerald green robes bunching slightly as he wiggled and wrestled them into place. A practiced shove of his spectacles with the side of his knuckle followed. "Why do these chairs get taller every year?" He wasn’t really asking anyone in particular, though his gaze drifted sidelong toward his colleagues on either side with a knowing twinkle. One hand patted the armrest absently. "No? Just me then. It’s the altitude—I’m sure of it. Affects the knees."

Both hands patted the armrest fondly as he took in the sweep of crimson and gold decor—was this his first Gryffindor-themed feast since becoming Headmaster? Merlin, he really ought to keep up with his memory exercises. If he didn’t start challenging his brain more often, it’d go soft as treacle pudding and twice as wobbly. The Great Hall buzzed with the energy of hundreds of hungry students, but up here on the dais, things felt still for just a moment. Sacred, almost. Between the candlelight overhead and the faint scent of warm wax and brass polish, Wilber felt caught between reverence and mischief.

He reached for a napkin—only to find it dart away from his hand.

Another attempt.

Another subtle shift.

Then a soft chirrup of something smug.

"Earl," Wilber said patiently, without looking down. "We’ve talked about this." A shimmer of movement at his elbow, like heat rising off stone. Then a napkin reappeared, folded neatly and weighted with a wrapped toffee. "Ah. All is forgiven. Though I hope you've brought enough for everyone." He accepted both, unwrapping the sweet with a slight smile and casting a glance toward the rest of the staff table. "Anyone else being assisted by an overly enthusiastic demiguise tonight? Or is mine just feeling particularly festive?" The line between festive and rebellious, he mused, could be a rather fine one to parse for some. "I certainly was quite the comeback from behind, wasn’t it, Dhruv? Earl must be partial to your Gryffindors, Ean. He swears he foresaw it, though given he also predicted the dessert trolley would come alive and tango... I’d take that with a pinch of pumpkin spice."

Compared to his first term teaching at Hogwarts, Marcus was glad this year had been more of a proverbial walk in the park. Knock on wood of course, there was still the feast and everyone’s departure tomorrow morning still. But as he entered the Great Hall and may his way up on the dais, there was certainly a pleasant atmosphere in the expansive room. Especially at the table belonging to the house of Godric Gryffindor to match the decorations that lined the enchanted ceiling.

“Good evening,” he greeted Ean, Dhruv and Wilber who were already there, the latter asking about a mischief maker. A demiguise? Not that he would see it until it made a move in its invisible form. “Not that I’m aware of,” he answered as he took his seat to the left of the others. A side of the staff table, he was reminded as he settled in, would be losing a few faces that he had gotten used to.

Now, some might think that Hadleigh may be upset that her Slytherin's didn't continue their spectacular run that they had going with the House Cup. But she wasn't. The students as always had done remarkable this year, just as all the students have. Sooner or later one of the houses was bound to take over. And this happened to be that year.

So it was with a warm smile that Hady made her way onto the staff dias tonight. Passing behind Ean on the way to her own seat, she gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "Congrats to Gryffindor. Way to take the lead right at the end. No doubt I'm sure you're very happy." As he should be too! All the houses should be proud of themselves this term.

"Anyone have anything exciting planned for break this year?" Who was going on vacation? Weddings? Grandbabies?! Who knew what everyone else had going on in their lives. As for her, Hady was happy to be going home to her own husband and spending time with him and their children.

Settling down into her seat she went ahead to pour herself a goblet of water. Hmm? What was this? Hazel eyes immediately scanned the area beside her and around the table for the mentioned Demiguise. "I don't believe that I have been either, however I wouldn't mind if one decided to pay me a visit." A gentle laugh escaped her lips. She was rather fond of the creature, as she was of all the creatures under her care... And those that weren't.

Norman entered the Great Hall, feeling slightly nostalgic. Fourteen years ago come September, he set foot in this hall for the first time. That feast began on a dramatic and rather frightening note with the Neo-Alliance’s takeover. All those years ago he made a promise that he would never allow anything like that to happen again; he would stay on to protect the students until the last child present for that awful term had graduated. Now he could look back and say he fulfilled his promise twice over.

Now, as he made his way to the staff dais for the last time, all was calm. Just as it should be, he thought as he glanced around the room. His bluish-green eyes momentarily lingered on the Ravenclaw table.

“Good evening, all,” he greeted his colleagues, nodding politely to each person in turn as he took his seat at the far end of the table. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a movement near the headmaster. “I take it Earl is joining us this evening?”

He glanced down the table in Ean’s direction. “Congratulations on the House Cup victory,” he said with a slight smile. While a Ravenclaw victory would’ve been a nice send-off, he wasn’t disappointed. His Eagles had worked hard and stayed out of trouble; that was all he could ask for.

Marion Burbage had been present at many feasts in her day — as a student, a professor, and now an exceedingly talkative ghost for the umpteenth time. But never had she made a quieter entrance… which was to say, she burst dramatically through the center of the Gryffindor banner near the doorway into the Great Hall with a whoosh of cold air and a flourish of translucent robes that trailed behind her like the tail end of a comet as she floated to the air towards the dais.

"DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH-lings!" she sung, flapping her arms as though they were the reason keeping her afloat and not her spectral form. "Oh I do appreciate a Gryffindor-themed feast! So red! So gold! So… completely... HMMMMMMM... lacking in restraint!" Though an elegant yellow and black would be her forever preference — not a roar of victory, but the quiet dignity of a well-tended wheat field. She turned her attention to Ean and clutched her heart — or at least where her heart would be were it still beating. "Goodness gracious HEAVENS ABOVE! My lion cub! How proud I am! Gryffindor! The Cup! The streak broken! Well, I simply MUST say that your little cherubs were simply marvelous this term. For once no one tried to play a round of catch in the Tower Patch by throwing a quaffle or whatever THROUGH me!" She blew him a ghostly kiss and playful wink as she turned towards darling little-not-so-little Hady. "I mean no offense to you of coooooooourse DAH-ling. Slytherins put up beyond a splended effort as well to make for QUITE the riveting House Cup race this term, INDEED!"

She no doubt would have done something embarrassing or another to Dhruv and Marcus and ESPECIALLY their squishable headmaster and his invisible companion — who she was moderately convinced was currently occupying her seat due to an odd indentation in the cushion that she CEEEERTAINLY was not making as she hovered above it — when her attention landed on Norman.

The air around Marion stilled and the sensible thing WOULD be to float over towards his end of the table instead of acting like a brass band on a quiet Sunday morning. "NORMAN! OH OH OH my DAH-ling,” she bellowed, yet still managed to maintain a fondness to her voice. "A noble professor, a wise Ravenclaw… and now, a GRANDFATHER SOON ENOUGH! Oh, my darling man. You hold that child. You cuddle that grandbaby. You kiss their little head every chance you get — even when they're sticky and loud and insist on calling you something ridiculous like 'Bampa' or 'Poo Poo'. EEEEEEEEESPECIALLY then!"

She looked as though she might cry, if ghosts could.

And just like that, the mood snapped back like a slingshot.

"ANYWAY!" Marion brightened. "Wilber, dear. I DOOOOOO believe Earl may be occupying my chair. Lucky for him, he won't feel a THIIIIIIING if I sit on him."

There was nothing better than a Hogwarts Feast in Amelia's mind. Of course she'd have loved to have seen the Hall adorned in gold and black, however the scarlet and gold at least was a pleasant decor change from the green that had become accustomed to the over the past five years. She didn't really have too long to savior it all as Marion was incessantly chattering on about to Norman about being a grandfather and she was taking aback to 24 years ago when her grandbaby was born. A man now. Hard to believe how fast the time was flying.

She did snicker to herself on Marion sitting on Earl.

"OH Ean, mighty congratulations to your Lions. What a fight this house cup race turned out to be" Those were honestly some of the best terms, were the more competitive ones. Even if it felt despair on the losing end, she knew they tried their best.

As for herself, she was looking forward to enjoying more free-time with her hubby. While she would be busy with her coaching duties during the summer months and tryouts in the spring, it was nothing compared to the full-time commitments of teaching. And she wasn't quite ready to part from the quidditch world or even these students, 100% just yet.

She looked over towards Hady, "Just coaching. You all should most definitely come to a match or two. It's not professional, but some of these students are proving quite talented."

Wilber chuckled warmly as greetings flowed in from his colleagues, and his eyes wandered briefly to the napkin-wrapped toffee now nestled beside his plate ー best to save that until dessert and not spoil the flavor of the steamed cauliflower. “Yes, it seems Earl is indeed joining us this evening,” He confirmed to Norman with a touch of fond exasperation, glancing sidelong as the shimmer of his familiar made an approving hum. “In spite of reminders of the rules, I may add. Marion, my dear, I advise negotiating gently if you see a suspicious shape beneath you upon your spectral seat. He’s become rather territorial since the spring equinox.” Very unfortunate, indeed. He had no choice but to retire a couple of potted plants from his office due to the demiguise marking the space ー the smell had been rather horrific for a time.

At Hady’s question, the headmaster’s eyes twinkled. “As tradition dictates, Earl and I will be migrating to somewhere tropical. Sun-drenched, rich with the hum of unfamiliar instruments, and hopefully very forgiving of a man attempting to learn steelpan while accompanied by a demiguise with a tambourine fixation. I will be sure to report back on our musical progress during our first staff meeting before the beginning of next term…assuming, that is, any is made at all.” He made a valiant attempt to continue, at the very least inquire about the Care of Magical Creatures professor’s plans, but Marion’s voice soared once again, and he was fairly certain he saw several goblets tremble as a result.

“Yes, yes, DAH-ling. We do enjoy your enthusiasm,” he called out, leaning forward over the table slightly and jokingly cupping his right ear. “But unless I cast Sonorus upon myself and someone provides a more expansive hydration station nearby, as I rather did not enjoy going hoarse the last time, I will need you to settle down for just a moment. I’ve a speech to deliver soon.”

Soon, or perhaps now? Wilber gave the Great Hall another generous look over ー young people basking in laughter and celebrating their trials and triumphs of another year at Hogwarts, the room full of stories ー all beneath the shimmering deep, dusky twilight enchanted sky. While true that scarlet and gold were the dominating colors tonight, and yet every table buzzed with the energy of a term well-lived. Yes, now seemed the appropriate time to rise from his seat before his own slight peckishness turned into something a bit more ravenous.

Wilber approached the podium and paused just a moment to straighten his robes ー and pocket a bit of demiguise hair Earl had shed earlier. Casting a warm look across the Great Hall, he raised his hands and waited for all to settle down. “Before dessert gains sentience and decides to tango, let us bring this term to a close as we always should: together. I must say, you all make for a marvelous sight tonight. It has been quite the year, full of remarkable effort, courageous growth, and thankfully minimal acromantula-related injuries.” He paused to pick out a few choice students from the crowd. “And on that note, I am pleased to report our resident colony in the Forbidden Forest has remained…shall we just say…mellow since the beginning of term.” Pausing, his eyes twinkled in the direction of the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables. “We credit this, in part, to reports from the magnificant centaurs. They shared that a couple of flocks of Fwoopers took up residence near the acromantula lair, which seems to have satisfied both their hunger and their rather eccentric taste in noise. I shan’t elaborate.”

He paused, holding space for a few scattered laughs, and rubbed his balding head with his palm while he nodded solemnly before continuing. “I would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to our graduating seventh years. You’ve made it. Through exams and essays, heartbreak and Herbology, Quidditch victories, and Potions disasters…you’ve persevered. You’ve left your mark on these ancient halls, and I, for one, cannot wait to read your Memory Book entries later this evening. Please remember, the more embarrassing the anecdote, the more likely I am to give you a wink and a biscuit at your alumni brunch.” He smiled, cheekily, and took a moment to laugh at his own humor. “Now, to the matter of House honors! I offer a roaring congratulations to Gryffindor for winning the House Cup this year and breaking a five-year streak of Slytherin dominance. An extraordinary feat and well-earned. BUT let us not forget our serpentine scholars who soared to victory and claimed the Quidditch Cup with spectacular broomwork and teamwork. The Gobstones Cup belongs to Gryffindor as well this term, and if anyone on the team would be so kind as to instruct the other Gobstones youths on how best to dodge exploding gunk…do pass it along. The house elves especially would appreciate not cleaning up little dripped trails of stench after matches.”

Wilber cleared his throat with a playful glance towards those who might be taking any celebrations a little too robustly ー he still had more to say, you see.

“While it is expected we bid farewell to our seventh years, we also must bid farewell to several of our beloved professors…each of whom leaves behind not only a legacy, but bits and bobs the castle won’t soon forget and notes I’ve yet to decode.” He straightened slightly, hands on either side of the podium and fingers curled gently over the edges, tone revenant and warm. “To Professor Carton, our steadfast Transfiguration Professor, who will be stepping away to spend more time with his growing family. We wish you joy, peace, and all the cuddles that come with grandparenthood. To Professors Conrad and Rook, our bright stars of Arithmancy and Divination, you both leave us in pursuit of magical studies elsewhere. We wish you continued success and expect postcards, possibly in riddle form. To Professor Adara, who has taught both Flying and Potions with both precision and patience will be departing to focus on family, though will continue as the U-17 English Quidditch coach. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships, and we are certain you will continue to bring these qualities beyond the Hogwarts pitch. And finally, to Professor Fergersnout, whose History of Magic lectures were equally riveting and insightful, rumor has it we may see your name light up the Phoenix Theater marquee. We await the debut of ‘The Goblin Rebellions: A Tap Musical’ with bated breath.”

The headmaster gave a proud smile, pausing to step back from the podium to offer these professors the round of applause they were due ー don’t dilly dally in joining in too, youths!

“Now, a brief word of caution to our returning students. I implore you to prepare yourselves for the road ahead ー though what precisely to prepare for, I cannot say. Perhaps an extra umbrella. Perhaps a sturdier sense of humor. Almost certainly both. Peeves may have mellowed slightly, perhaps in an odd gesture of solidarity with the acromantulas, but the castle has a curious way of keeping us on our toes, doesn’t it? One never quite knows what may be lurking around the next corridor…or in the next Yorkshire pudding.”

He returned his hands to the podium, leaning forward upon it once more. “And for those of you eligible or soon-to-be-eligible for Apparition, I highly recommend tuning into the next ‘Wands to Know’ broadcast on the WWN. You’ll thank me later for it.” And with that, his hands came together in a final clasp. “Be proud of what you’ve achieved this year. Be kind to yourselves. And remember this as well: no matter where the road takes you next, you’ll always have a place here at Hogwarts. Thank you, and now, at least, let the feast begin!”

He gave a warm nod as, right on cue, his stomach rumbled like a thunderstorm. The golden platters filled with food and within moments so did the air with laughter. Wilber sat again, immediately reaching out for a bit of steamed cauliflower when the entire bowl began making its way off the table.

“Earl!”

"They certainly did... and Slytherin kept up quite the competition." Ean replied to Dhruv. He was very proud of the house. "All ready for the summer? Time went by so quickly." He added as he flipped a page to skim briefly. There were better things going on here than the contents of the magazine. Was that a demiguise? How fascinating, as he observed the banter going on from Wilber. His further greetings extended to Marcus who arrived shortly.

"Thank you Hady," Ean smiled. "I'm looking forward my trip to India with the whole family." It was very exciting. "What about you?" All the further congratulatory responses were welcomed and appreciated. Ean continued smiling, nodding, "Thank you, Norman and gradulations to you too is in order as well.." He was a good man and had a wonderful future ahead as the news of a baby stoked a thought in his mind. Which was interrupted by Marion's form of thanking. Ean briefly felt warm at the extravagance of it all. As thankful as he was, he was sure Hady and Dhruv were entertained by his reaction. "Ahem, yes.. I say the credit, of course, mostly goes to the students who worked hard this year." Especially when they started at a disadvantage with negative points and all.

The speech was made, Ean applauding with everyone at the appropriate parts of the speech. Such optimism, that was what the students needed and would be getting. "One moment, I have a table to address." As Ean got up to head towards his alumnus table, they deserved an extra set of words from him before he can enjoy his hearty meal.

Interesting plans? Well, that could depend on what Hady’s feelings on various interests were, though he supposed his particular plans would likely be satisfactory to the woman. “Spending time down in Italy for me,” Marcus offered with a smile, thinking on his and Ash’s plans to visit family there. Quite enjoyable, with or without him also being consulted about the gardens of the family estate. Spending time getting his hands dirty was rarely a bad thing to him.

The herbologist turned to his other side at the sound of footsteps in time to note Norman seemingly lost in a look over the tables. Ah yes, one of the staffers who would be leaving and not returning next year, the younger man no doubt feeling nostalgic. Change did tend to do that. However, Marcus couldn’t dwell or offer any words to Carton as the more vocal and…dramatic of their colleagues made her ghostly appearance. He did his best not to chuckle at the various remarks and verbose actions, especially towards the transfiguration professor, something Amelia opted not to as she came in to sit on his right.

Another change in the roster.

“Sounds fun…” he remarked on her answer to Hady. Granted he was never the sportiest, having lived up to his bookish sorting, but that didn’t mean he didn’t enjoy the occasional watching of a match. And there was the headmaster getting up and making his way to the podium. Marcus obeyed the unspoken request, keeping quiet and focusing on the man as he gave the end-of-term speech. Yes, to Gryffindor for the house cup and gobstones. Yes, to Slytherin for the quidditch cup. And friendly words for all graduating students and leaving professors. Each gained polite clapping from the herbology professor.

He just wish he knew what Wilber was talking about when referring to next term. A raised eyebrow gracing his features as the feast was begun. Oh well...he'd see next year.

Dhruv was, of course, happy for Ean. Low-key, but very happy nevertheless. “You know I am. No need to ask you though,’’ they replied with a wide smile. “There isn’t a day I’m not going to enjoy.” As for time going by quickly, it sure did. It felt as though this term had only just begun.

Poor Wilber. The pains of growing older. Dhruv was about to ask the man if he needed some assistance with the robes but all seemed to be under control after a short moment. “Just you,’’ they confirmed, good naturedly. There was no shame in admitting when things were difficult, as Wilber just did. “There are special exercises that can strengthen your knees, if you’re ever interested in learning them.’’ Did this mean Dhruv was volunteering? Yes. But thoughts of knee exercises effectively poofed from their mind as they observed in amusement the shenanigans that occurred without warning. “Hmm? Oh, yes it was. Quite impressive, as were each of the other Houses in their own right.”

As time ticked by, their other colleagues were making an appearance. “Good evening, Marcus. Hi, Hady.” Dhruv loved that Hady was remarkably gracious in the Snakes missing out on the House Cup. Then again, did they really expect anything different from her? “Evening, Norman.” The DADA professor had watched many professors come and go over their tenure but Norman had been one of those that had been a constant. The man would be missed but Dhruv understood that there was much to look forward to with his family. They could only imagine what it was like to be in anticipation of the birth of a child.

That sing-song and wildly enthusiastic greeting could only belong to one person ghost: Marion. They smiled warmly at her though a hearty and amused laugh escaped him when she blew that kiss at Ean. They managed to heroically turn it into a slight cough, their hand blocking the smile that nevertheless remained. Especially when Marion remarked about Earl not feeling anything if she sat on him. Oh, and there was Amelia; she received a raised hand in greeting.

The speech in full swing now, Dhruv couldn’t help but reflect on the adventure at the start of the term. All had ended well, even Jaws had managed to make a full recovery from his injury and was somewhat more attached to Dhruv now. The speech continued and they cast a look along at each of the tables in turn. They graduates and any other student transferring would be missed, as would the colleagues they had come to know over the years. Someday that would be them. But changes could be great and Dhruv wished those departing nothing but the very best

But the food was here, a good thing because they were feeling rather hungry by now.

Norman had barely sat down when Marion’s booming voice jerked him out of his thoughts. “Good evening, Marion,” he greeted the ghost with a slight smile. His smile grew at the (rather loud) mention of his future grandbaby. Her words called to mind the image of himself holding a chubby, happily babbling baby… the way he never got a chance to do with his own daughter at that age. Not through any fault of his own, of course. He had no idea he had a daughter until Normandie was already school-aged.

While he wasn’t one to wear his heart on his sleeve, the thought was enough to make the tough ex-Auror emotional… almost. “Thank you,” he replied. “I intend to do exactly that.”

Ean’s congratulations likewise received words of thanks. “Thank you, Ean. I’m looking forward to this new chapter in my life.” Dhruv’s greeting got a polite nod in return, and the mention of Earl made him snicker slightly. Disguising the snicker with a cough, he turned to the headmaster and replied, “Yes, animals do have a mind of their own, don’t they?” And a certain disregard for rules, too. He smiled at the shimmer indicating Earl’s presence. “Hello, Earl.”

Norman sat, listening with respectful attention to the headmaster’s speech. His last headmaster’s speech at Hogwarts. It wasn’t until he heard his own name mentioned that the finality of his looming departure set in. He kept his eyes down, focusing on his water goblet until the speech was done. Looking up as food appeared on the table, he glanced down the table at his colleagues. “Thank you for that wonderful send-off,”Wilber,” he said with a small smile. “It’s been an honor working with all of you.”

Who knows, maybe some of his colleague would still be around in 11-12 years when his grandchild would start Hogwarts. Pushing his chair back, he rose to make is way to the Ravenclaw table.