While everyone around her spent their time talking Rylee slipped away to do something productive. Find cookies. And milk. Brownies would work too. Honestly anything to snack on right about now would be good it didn't even really matter what it was anymore.

Rylee quietly made her way around the kitchen opening and closing the cabinets as she looked for glasses. Her goal was simple. Find a snack and not make a huge mess doing it.

Ah-ha! Finding some glass she looked over her shoulder at Joey and anyone else that was still around. "Who wants some milk?" Already she was reaching to take down a glass or two, possibly more?

It was only after lunch but for some reason what she had, had already gone, Juniper was in need of a midday snack. Right now with all of the rules and such she didn’t have any snacks in her dorm. Normally she would carry some type of food in her bag at all times. It was just a habit of hers really. So she had been completely off of what she considered as normal. To be honest there wasn’t much around lately that she considered normal.

The sixth year had been down in the dungeon in the potions labs working on an assignment. Seeing that the kitchen was right around the corner from where she was. She made her way down the kitchens, tickling the pear then she headed in. Looking around for something to eat. Something that could be fixed quickly and something she could eat fast since she wasn’t allowed to carry to out of the kitchen.

Patrick had run into the kitchen, growing boy and all he was always hungry these days. Even if he had eaten twenty minutes ago he would need a snack. But today was extra bad cause he had caught the tail end of lunch and hadn’t gotten full. He walked further in, spotting the ravenclaw captain. “hey friend how’s it going?” he was looking around for a house elf so he could get some food or so he could make his own food. “whatcha snacking on?”

Quirly was busy as ever. She had to please her new masters and such as well as the studentsies. YES! They were growing to be strong and needed all the foods they can get. YES! Quirly was at the ready as soon as she saw some of the studentsies arrive in.

"Hungry? IS there anything Quirly can fix for the studensies?" Bowing low with her spatula held. She was ready to serve.

SPOILER!!: Patrick and Quirly

Quote:

Originally Posted by siriusblackliveson

Patrick had run into the kitchen, growing boy and all he was always hungry these days. Even if he had eaten twenty minutes ago he would need a snack. But today was extra bad cause he had caught the tail end of lunch and hadn’t gotten full. He walked further in, spotting the ravenclaw captain. “hey friend how’s it going?” he was looking around for a house elf so he could get some food or so he could make his own food. “whatcha snacking on?”

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quirly

Quirly was busy as ever. She had to please her new masters and such as well as the studentsies. YES! They were growing to be strong and needed all the foods they can get. YES! Quirly was at the ready as soon as she saw some of the studentsies arrive in.

"Hungry? IS there anything Quirly can fix for the studensies?" Bowing low with her spatula held. She was ready to serve.

Juni was looking around for two things, whatever looked good to eat, or a house elf. None of either she spotted yet. Maybe they were cleaning rooms or doing laundry. Something that kept them from being here. They were busy creatures no matter what they did.

She heard someone come in behind her. She turned around maybe it was was one of the house elves. She turned around a seen the Slytherin captain. ”Hey Patrick. Good. How are you? ” Good considering how the term was going so far. ”I don’t know. I’m still trying to decide what I want.”

It wasn’t long before one of the elves were there. ”Hello Quirly.” She waved to the little house elf. ”I think I want a peanut butter and banana sandwich.” She told the elf with a friendly smile. She also wanted a glass of milk but didn’t want to bother the elf with too much.

Patrick smiled as Juni turned around to greet him. “Glad to hear you’re doing well.” He looked around again trying to figure out if he would justvrab a piece of fruit as to not inconvenience the elves. Suddenly he saw Quirly and head Juni request a pb sandwhich. He liked those but he really just wanted a snack he supposed.

“Hey Quirly, could I trouble you for an apple and peanut butter?” Turning his attention back to Juni he added, “I love peanut butter. One of my favorite things to eat.”

TO BE HONEST, Anna wasn't too impressed with their choice of venue. One of the very few places in which they were actually not breaking any rules while doing some celebration, since no food and goodies would be taken out of the kitchens.

How very un-Gryffindor. Boooriiiiing!

BUT she was there nonetheless. Food was involved, and so was celebrating, so she was IN.

Maybe if she decorated the kitchens up a bit it wouldn't be as dull. Yes, that was a good plan. So the Captain, surprisingly being the first one there, got her wand out and started sending out red and gold streamers and confetti everywhere.

In what was probably considered a very un-Gryffindor move, Abra had checked the school rules again and again to make extra double triple quadruple sure they weren't breaking any of them by having this party, and even though he was extra double triple quadruple sure that they weren't, he still had that nagging anxious worry that he'd missed something. Which would, you know, mean trouble. WHICH he wanted to avoid.

But then... party. And not just any party (because, let's be honest here, Abra was not exactly a party animal) but one thrown for the Gryffindor Head of House, who could really do with some cheerful birthday celebrations, you know?

Having arrived at the kitchens, Abra cast an eye around at the decorations Anna was already putting up and thought frantically back to the list of contraband items to try and remember if this was all above board. All he could remember was the no glitter rule, and, seeing as there was no glitter in sight... no, yeah, this was all fine, surely.

"Hey Anna," Abra greeted the captain with small smile. "Nice work." He looked around the room to see if there wasn't something he could get stuck into while they waited for the party guests and, uhh... hopefully Marchand at some point, to appear.

Food! They needed food. And for that, they needed elves, because the only thing Abra was likely to serve up in the kitchen was a fire. Which, you know, probably wouldn't go down well with anyone.

SPOILER!!: Anna and Abra! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hey Ju

TO BE HONEST, Anna wasn't too impressed with their choice of venue. One of the very few places in which they were actually not breaking any rules while doing some celebration, since no food and goodies would be taken out of the kitchens.

How very un-Gryffindor. Boooriiiiing!

BUT she was there nonetheless. Food was involved, and so was celebrating, so she was IN.

Maybe if she decorated the kitchens up a bit it wouldn't be as dull. Yes, that was a good plan. So the Captain, surprisingly being the first one there, got her wand out and started sending out red and gold streamers and confetti everywhere.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixir

In what was probably considered a very un-Gryffindor move, Abra had checked the school rules again and again to make extra double triple quadruple sure they weren't breaking any of them by having this party, and even though he was extra double triple quadruple sure that they weren't, he still had that nagging anxious worry that he'd missed something. Which would, you know, mean trouble. WHICH he wanted to avoid.

But then... party. And not just any party (because, let's be honest here, Abra was not exactly a party animal) but one thrown for the Gryffindor Head of House, who could really do with some cheerful birthday celebrations, you know?

Having arrived at the kitchens, Abra cast an eye around at the decorations Anna was already putting up and thought frantically back to the list of contraband items to try and remember if this was all above board. All he could remember was the no glitter rule, and, seeing as there was no glitter in sight... no, yeah, this was all fine, surely.

"Hey Anna," Abra greeted the captain with small smile. "Nice work." He looked around the room to see if there wasn't something he could get stuck into while they waited for the party guests and, uhh... hopefully Marchand at some point, to appear.

Food! They needed food. And for that, they needed elves, because the only thing Abra was likely to serve up in the kitchen was a fire. Which, you know, probably wouldn't go down well with anyone.

Aretha was totally unaware of any kind of party that may or may not be happening. It was quite by accident that she wind up at the Kitchen at the exact moment to hear Abraham comment on the work Anna had done. The Slytherin peered around to see red and gold streamers and immediately felt out of place. “Um...’’ she began uncertainly. Her gaze shifted from the decorations to the two Gryffindor student leaders.

“Is the Kitchen currently reserved for Lions?’’ Her expression was curious. If this was a party for just the Gryffindors, then that was a bummer. If it wasn’t, then Aretha wanted to hang around. Merlin knew she could do with a bit of relaxation. Maybe... just maybe she would hang around for a while even if these two said she couldn’t.

Guilt was a great motivator, and if she felt guilty about anything, Stasya felt infinitely bad for not helping to make Professor Marchand feel better. Granted, she hadn’t continued her activities that had worried him, but she’d wanted to make up for her earlier actions. Even if she wasn’t entirely certain a party would help much, since she was sure the headmaster and his minions would come up with some way they were breaking rules even if they didn’t have food outside of the kitchens. Plus, there wasn’t any glitter in Anna’s decorations, as she’d monitored the streamers and everything from the ovens. One thing she knew how to do was bake, after all, and she’d been all too willing to help the elves with the request for a cake. Cake and goodies helped all sorts of bad feelings, and it hadn’t been too hard to find out what Professor Marchand liked.

“It really is nice work,” she seconded Abra as she began frosting the cake, before turning as another person arrived in the kitchens. Was it just a Gryffindor party? As far as she figured, it was the more the merrier, and there were plenty of people who needed a little bit of fun.

“No, you can stay if you want. It’s a birthday party for Professor Marchand, actually, but I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know that yet?” Hopefully Abra and Anna wouldn’t disagree with her.

Daisy was slightly taken aback as she spotted the Gryffindor-esque decor in the kitchen. "Erm..sorry. Did you say a birthday party for Professor Marchand? Is that a Gryffindor only celebration because I'd love to help," the Hufflepuff asked the lions. She bit her lip and added, "He saved my life last term. I want to thank him."

She then turned and spotted Aretha and smiled at her albeit nervously.

Was Anna paying close attention to whether she was breaking any of the rules? Nope, not at all. She wasn't PURPOSELY attempting to do so, to be fair, but if she did end up doing it 'accidentally'... she wasn't going to stop herself.

La de dah!

The girl smiled at Abra when he complimented her work. "Thanks very much! Do you want a hat?" She asked, conjuring up some wonky party hats. "Here you go!" She added before waiting for his reply, sending one of the wonky hats his way.

"Thank yoooou indeed!" She grinned at Stas, letting said girl spread the news that no, this wasn't a strictly Gryffindor party to the newcomers as she kept sending more decorations here, there and everywhere. Even the elves were being covered in some sort of party-esque stuff. Wonky Party hats, lots of wonky party hats!

Anna turned to face Daisy when the Hufflepuff arrived and asked her question. "Do help! It's not just for Gryffindors!" She said continuing her gold and red decoration because WELL, it wasn't a Gryffindor-only party but it was a celebration of their Head of House, okay, so she would make sure their colours were well featured.

Let it be known the wonky hats weren't all in Gryffindor colours, however. Anna had a lot of house pride but she wasn't that obsessed.

Bettie nervously made her way into the kitchen. Being a first year and really not knowing any one because all the stuff going on this year she did not get a chance to get to know people. She wondered if she would be welcomed to the birthday party even though she was invited by some other student running around inviting people.

Also she had another reason to come. Her mother really wanted her to go to Ilvermorny because it was closer to home but Bettie really wanted to come to Hogwart. Now she has been wondering if she wanted to come back next year.

Bettie looked around the kitchen and said " hi, someone is going inviting people to a birthday party here and invited me.

Gaston had never been much for birthdays, having spent so many of them sad and alone. That had changed for a time when Rose and later Desiree came into his life, and he finally had someone to share them with. But now... all the professors who knew about his birthday were gone, and he didn't dare risk Scrimgeour's wrath by going home to his family for the day. He was right back where he started...

The dark-haired Frenchman was lost in thought as he stood outside the kitchen. He'd been dreading this day for months! With all that had happened... first the Inferi attack, then months of subjugation under Scrimgeour... he felt as if he'd aged at least ten years in the past one! His hair was more gray than black now; he was dangerously underweight and the dark shadows under his eyes more pronounced than ever, making him look like a dead man walking. If he was this tired and damaged now, what would he be like in ten years? Five? Even one? Would he still be able to be a father to Desiree?He scoffed to himself. He was starting to think his milestone birthdays were cursed! He spent his 30th birthday recovering from the dragon incident at Beauxbatons, and now with his 40th falling on the heels of the devastating news he received around Easter...

Never mind, he had other things to worry about, like the note he found telling him to come to the kitchen. Did he even want to know what this was about? He swore to Merlin, if one of Scrimgeour's goons had called him away from his office expecting him to help punish one of his Lions for violating some rule that never should've existed in the first place, he was going to lose it! Then an even worse thought occurred to him. What if the note meant a student was in danger? He sighed, crumpling the note in his hand. There was no telling what he would find on the other side of that door! He turned the knob, prepared for the worst, and...

Gaston gasped as he saw the kids, the cake, the decorations... He couldn't believe it! Even after all that happened this term, they still cared about him. For several moments, he remained frozen in place, paralyzed by the sudden onslaught of emotion that overwhelmed him. He thought his heart would burst with love for his students! Tears glistened in his eyes, but he was smiling wider than he had in many months as he wandered farther into the room. "You... did all this... for me?" he said once he found his voice.

Whenever there was a party, Rylee was there. This wasn't just any party though. No, this was a birthday party for her Head of House! That alone made it more special and there was noway this third year was going to miss it. Not after the term they were having all everything she herself had been dealing with over the last few months/weeks. A party was just what she needed... what they ALL needed!

Taking a good look around the kitchen she smiled. Anna had done a fine job with decorating. "Do you need any help with anything, Anna?" she called to her team Captain and friend as she made a beeline towards her.

Abra, Aretha, Stasya, Daisy and Bettie all got a smile and wave from her as she passed by them. Hi there, everyone!

She must have gotten here just in time cause there was Professor Marchand and boy did he look surprised! Rylee smiled brightly at her head of house but said nothing as of yet in case they were all going to call out 'Happy Birthday' or something in unison. Cue a quick glance to her fellow Gryffindors but mostly Anna.

After much studying in the common room, Stella decided she needed a break and some snacks. Although there was cookies and other goodies she wanted some food, some real food. Packing her stuff up, she put it in her dorms before walked out of the portrait hole towards the kitchen. She's not going to get in trouble for being out is she? Oh... well, she's hungry and she needs some food in her belly.

After much looking around she made her way to the painting tickling the pear before walking in, as she is she stopped short biting her lip. Seeing a few of her fellow lions a couple of people she didn't know she fidgeted with her hands. "Oh... I'm sorry I didn't know something was going on here, I was just hungry from studying. " she said looking at them. Seeing Professor Marchand she smiled and waved at him along with Rylee and Stasya. "Hello, nice to see all of ya'll!" she said happily glad to see them.

Gaston was so overwhelmed that it took him a minute or two to get a good look at everything. The first thing his eyes fell to were the decorations, red and gold of course- most likely Anna's idea, he thought. And there were hats too... a little wonky looking, but he decided he liked them better that way. It made them more unique! He picked up a lopsided gold hat that looked a bit like a king's crown and put it on. He returned Rylee and Stella's smiles (and Stella's wave too!). In fact, every student in attendance got a smile and a hello from Gaston as he passed. "It's perfect!" he exclaimed. "I love the decorations!" Then he saw the cake, and he gave Stasya a knowing beam. He had a feeling that cake was her handiwork (or at least partly so)."That cake looks delicious. What flavor is it?" He was secretly hoping for chocolate, but he'd enjoy it no matter what flavor it was because his students cared enough about him to give it to him. He turned to face the group, grinning from ear to ear. He just wanted to gather them all up in "Thank you, everybody! You've made this one of my best birthdays ever!" It was outranked only by the birthday when he learned he was going to be a father and the one when he got his Beauxbatons letter.

Behind Gaston's smile, a storm of other emotions whirled within his heart. Panic suddenly set in at the thought of Scrimgeour or one of his henchmen barging in on the festivities, and his eyes nervously darted toward the door. If any unwanted guests showed up, he would tell them the party was his idea and take the fall, no matter what the consequences. There was no way he was allowing his beloved students to be punished for showing him kindness! A dull sadness tinged his thoughts. All their kindness was making the announcement he had to make so much harder!

He took a deep breath. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine he'd have to say what he did now! It was going to be hard, no matter where or when it happened, but he supposed this was as good a time as any. "May I have your attention, please?" he said, waving a hand for quiet. "I hate to spoil the fun, but I have... an announcement." He could already feel the lump rising in his throat, and he hadn't even started yet! Oh, dear Merlin! How was he ever going to get through this?!

"I-I am overjoyed and honored to have been your charms professor and, for some of you, your Head of House these past years b-but... this term is my last..." His voice broke, and he bowed his head to avoid locking eyes with anyone. "i-I recently learned t-that I'm ill... and have been for a long time, and... t-the only way I'll recover is to l-leave Hogwarts." He felt like he was abandoning his own sons and daughters! "I'm s-so sorry! Merlin knows I don't want to leave you!" Once again, tears came to his eyes, but this time they wouldn't stay there. He clapped a hand to his mouth, choking back a sob and turned away. It took a few moments for him to regain his composure. "Sorry,I'm just being silly," he said, wiping his eyes.

He looked out at his students... Daisy, Rylee, Stasya, and Anna... he'd watched them grow from little girls into the strong, smart young women standing in front of him. And Abra... From the moment he met him, he reminded Gaston of a younger version of himself, and he still did, but in a very different way now. And little Stella, so kind and innocent... he hoped she would never lose that! And Aretha and Bettie... he didn't know them as well as the others, but he adored them just the same. "I have loved all of you as if you were my own children, and I'm so proud of the people you've become," he said. "I'll still be part of your lives for as long as you want me. I'm just an owl away..." He smiled a bittersweet smile. "But for now, let's enjoy the time we still have together. Who wants cake?"

Ooh... it was a party for Professor Marchand, well that was even better! She liked parties especially if it was for her friends and loved ones. Professor Marchand had been a huge impact her life this year and was her favorite Professor here at Hogwarts as well as subject. She just hoped that next year won't be the same as this year was, if it was she wasn't going to be staying here long. She hated this year and if wasn't for Professor Marchand and her friends she would've left a long time ago.

Looking at the door she kind started shaking at the thought of Headmaster or one of his minions coming in and punishing them. She hoped that didn't happen, Professor Marchand deserves the best birthday ever! She didn't care if she got punished for this, she wasn't backing down on having fun at her head of house birthday party. Besides the stupid rules she already forgotten like half of them abd probably broke several of them this year. Although now that she thought about it, she probably wasn't the only one.

Upon hearing the announcement Stella held back tears that wanted to escape her eyes. Although she understood very well, she didn't know as well as the others but she knew about what happened in his office. She didn't know him as much as Rylee and Stasya but she was going to miss him. " I'm going to miss you Prfessor, I'm going to miss your kind words and encouragement it really got me through this tough first year here. T...thank you for everything you did for me this year I won't forget it." she said giving him a weak smile.


Stella nodded with tears in her eyes, shs didn't want him to go but she knew he couldn't stay around forever. " We love you too sir and will miss you terribly, I know I will." Stella said looking away so he didn't see her cry. Oh she definitely would be in contact with him, he was so kind to her and she got Mr. Roarson from him basically she could never forget him if she tried. "I wish you well sir, hopefully when you see your Gaston cup you'll think of me!" she said giggling. She remembered seeing his plaque on the door that made her giggle so for Christmas she gotten him a Gaston mug, she thought it was cute and funny.

"I do!" she said raising her hand as he asked who wanted cake.