A pile of wands lays in wait for the staff of Hogwarts upon the head table.

There was the sound of a cute little giggle as Constantine slowly walked towards the staff table. He was bent over slightly, so that he could hold onto Jadyn's little hands as she slowly walked in front of him. He watched with pride at every wobbly step his one-year old took.

"Up you go," he mumbled quietly with a smile and then he effortlessly picked Jadyn up into his arms. She giggled again as she was cradled to his chest, turning her head a little to stare at students as they walked past. Neo stepped up onto the Dias and started for his usual seat.

That's when spotted the pile of...twigs? He leaned over to inspect them closer and was shocked to see that they weren't twigs...they were wands! And there was his! He picked it up hurriedly and twirled it amongst his fingers. Ahh; it felt so nice to have it again!

Eyes fixed on the pages of a book on Morgan le Fay, Professor Svensson entered the Great Hall and made his way toward the staff table. He turned the page as he neared the Dias and, distracted by the flapping of the parchment, missed the step onto the Dias and stumbled. This dragged the Transfiguration professor from his intent focus on the biography and he looked down at his feet, as if wondering how exactly he had managed to get this far.

The professor shrugged to himself and bent down the corner of the parchment to mark his page in the book before thumping it closed and tucking it under his arm. Humming softly to himself as he closed the remaining gap between himself and the staff table, Svensson noticed the groundskeeper near a pile of something. Frowning, Svensson stepped closer to see that the pile was--wands! Gasping, the transfiguration professor grabbed for his wand, easily recognizable, at least to him, by its length, smudges, and overall trustworthy-looking demeanor.

Gripping it tightly, Svensson stood still, simply staring at his wand. He had missed his wand like a friend. It was good to have it back.

Antonio shuffled in to the Great Hall, preparing to take his place at the staff table, when his eyes were caught by something at the very head table. He had been despondent ever since he had lost his wand, but now he thought he saw something there, a bunch of wands lying together right there on the table!

Antonio walked over and sure enough, his wand was found lying there along with a bunch of other ones which he was willing to bet belonged to his fellow staff members. With a smile, he pocketed the wand and walked over to take a seat, smiling at the few people who were there ahead of him. It was still early, and today was going to be a very good day indeed. He just had that feeling!

He smelled like Quidditch and was still wearing his gold officiating robes from the Japan-Australian match. When the long (and yes, it was looooong) match ended, he grabbed the portkey and found himself outside the gates of Hogwarts. Then he sprinted for the castle and didn't stop until he came to a skidding halt at the Staff Table.

Wands.

His precious hornbeam.

Then he started acting like some strange, possessed man and eagerly reached into the pile of wands until his hands touched it.

"My . . . PRECIOUS!" he exclaimed rather loudly and began to gently caress his hornbeam wand.

Alessia walked into the great hall and forced a smile to her face. She sat at the table and saw her wand... Who had found it? She summoned it with her new wand and placed it in her pocket.

...

Wait...

What was that... horrid smell?

It was like... something horrible crawled to the table, died, and then came back to life long enough to fart...

"Maximus?" She asked the Quidditch official, "is that smell... you?"

Professor... strike that... Interim Headmaster Kazimeriz entered the great hall in his typical shuffling, limping way. The antiquated man approached the dais, noticing the pile of wands left on the table. He crossed slowly over to it, smirking at Max as he exclaimed over his rediscovered wand.

"Good evening, Maximus." he said idly as he scanned the table for -- yes, there it was. His wand. Not that he would trust it for use until it had been examined-- it could have been tampered with. He casually picked up a napkin and used it to pick up his wand, wrapping it before he slipped it into his robes pocket. Constant vigilance: he had it.

He smirked with amusement at Max, watching him fawn over his wand. "Getting a little friendly with your wand, aren't you, Maximus?" he commented dryly, shaking his head. "Oh... That reminds me... how is your grandmother?"

Ethan had intended to wait for Annie, but he figured as long as he saved her a seat it would be fine. He strode into the great hall, his sleeves rolled up and his wand holster visible. It was also quite noticeable that he had a wand stowed within it.

He reached the table, noticed the pile of wands and immediately picked out Annie's wand, though he too was careful not to handle it directly. He withdrew the wand from his holster and cast a few spells to check that Annie's wand was alright. Hmm.

Nothing wrong with it.

He stowed his wand took a seat, being sure to leave one next to him for Annie. He placed her wand on the table in front of him and nodded a few greetings to the other staff, then looked out over the students as they arrived. Another term over. He made a mental note to talk to Copernicus and Dominic before the end of the feast.

Walking through the doors of the Great Hall, Marcus gave Iliana's hand a gentle squeeze as they made their way up to the staff table.

To say that he was happy would have to be an understatement. Because he was happy! Happy! Happy! In just a few short weeks he would be a married man and he could not wait!

Marcus held out a chair for Iliana the moment they reached the table and he nodded to his fellow colleagues. As his gaze was drifting back to his gorgeous fiancee, he noticed his wand sitting in the middle of the table.

Sweeeet!! He moved forward and almost pounced on the table in his eagerness to retrieve his beloved wand. And look at that, Iliana's was there as well. Marcus picked up both wands and walked back over to Iliana.

"Your wand my dear lady" he announced as he bowed in front of her and holding out her wand to her.

Constantine watched Max with amusement, as was Jadyn. She let out another giggle at the outburst that came from Max, and now the sight of him stroking his wand. Though, with an attention span the length of an ant, Jadyn had quickly re-focused on her father and started to try and steal his wand.

Iliana smiled as a little blush rose up in her cheeks and she was led into the Great Hall. She knew the majority of the staff knew of their happy news, (at least the ones that mattered) but this was the first time she'd walked hand in hand with him, like a couple, in front of so many people. It felt nice.

She climbed the dias and spotted a blessed sight indeed. Marcus was holding her wand out to her. Her LONG LOST and OH SO MISSED wand! Before having the chance to sit down, she hugged Marcus around the neck and said, "Marcus Lawson, I love you!"

Hearing a small giggle, Iliana let go of Marcus and turned around. "Constantine!! Who is this?!" she asked, taking the seat beside him and his daughter. She took the pretty girl's little hand in hers and smiled. "She's simply GORGEOUS, Neo! Is your wife here as well? "

Constantine had been looking down, smiling, as he played with Jadyn in his lap. He jumped though when he heard his name get called loudly, only to smile again when Iliana took a seat next to him.

"This is Jadyn," he answered, smiling as he watched Jadyn turn her head and stare at Iliana, observing. "Oh, thank you...and now, she's not. Madison is at home getting some much needed rest."

Jadyn reached out her other hand to Iliana while her big, brown eyes remained fixated on the woman.

"Well hello, Jadyn," she said in a soft, high pitched voice. She lifted her eyes to Neo as he spoke and gave him a tiny frown. "Oh that's too bad. I was hoping to finally meet her."

Then his little angel reached out for her and a smile lit up Ili's face. "Aww Neo, do you mind?" she asked, looking thoroughly thrilled with the idea of holding his daughter in her arms.

Tiberius had risen from his seat alone at the Ravenclaw table and slowly made his way up to where the staff were gathering. He played with his hands, palms clammy, occasionally wiping them on his robes. The ball in his stomach was growing increasingly larger, but he'd finally decided that he needed to walk up there and just do it... even though he thought he might pass out from fright.

Coming to a stop near Kazimeriz, he clenched and unclenched his hands nervously, keeping his eyes securely on his shoes, not taking notice of any of the other professors. "Excuse me? Professor Kazimeriz?" His voice was low, and hesitant.

The fact that he was standing there was remarkable. If this had been the opening feast - which some may remember he spent under a table, hiding - the thought of approaching would have paralyzed him. But as it was, there he stood.

"Professor, I wanted to apologize for..." he trailed off, rubbing his nose with the back of his hand.

For trying to ship you to Australia?

For my outburst?

For not coming to your office?

Blinking rapidly, still refusing to look up, he simply repeated himself. "I wanted to apologize."

Kazimeriz watched Truebridge enter the hall, take and test one of the wands. Only knows how to do that because I taught him that spell, the ungrateful little prat. he thought. Ah, well. Karma would win out, in the end. He smiled at Truebridge, his eyes twinkling. "Good evening to you, Professor Truebridge." he said, his tone warm and his smile sincere. After all.. what did he have to be unhappy about? He was, for now, headmaster, and the evening was just chock full of promise. Oh, yes indeedy it was.

Kazimeriz said nothing, pressing his lips together as he waited to hear Max's explanation. Perhaps no one had ever taught him a deodorizing charm? Whatever the case, it seemed his goddaughter was not too badly off for having been jilted by the missing Headmaster Bontecou, judging by her mood. The way Kazimeriz saw it, if that was what the man was made of Alessia was better off shut of him. It did not hurt, of course, that his absence allowed Kazimeriz the opportunity to take the helm at the school. Something lost, something gained. At least the school will benefit from the change in leadership... and Alessia seems no worse off, really.

Merlin on a bicycle built for two, the professors these days had no notion of professionalism or appropriate conduct. Even back in his own youth, he would never have felt compelled to invite Mrs. Kazimeriz or Penelope to the dais. It simply wasn't done. Which was not to say that the groundskeeper's daughter wasn't cute as a button-- she was-- but this was the Closing Feast, not Happy Fun Family Bonding time. To say nothing of Lovey and Dovey... Were he not in such a good mood, he would reprimand them harshly for setting a poor example for the students with their public display of affection. Now, really. That is just appalling.

Kazimeriz raised an eyebrow. He studied the small boy, standing utterly still and silent for a loooooong moment. Then he nodded- just slightly. "Accepted, Mr. Pryce. See that it never happens again." He turned back to Max as though to dismiss Pryce, then turned back. "Oh, and Mr. Pryce?"

If he could have disappeared into the floor, he would have. The old man's silence was worse than anything Tiberius had imagined happening as he'd made his way up to the front. He was certain that everyone could hear his stomach gurgling nervously.

Daring to raise his eyes, he looked up just in time to catch the man's nod before he spoke. Eyes wide with surprise, Tibi nodded quickly, and dared to exhale as Kazimeriz turned back around.

Too soon. He was being addressed again! "Y-yes, Professor?" Tibi raised his chin from his chest and looked up at the man.

"Nice work in potions this year." Kazimeriz almost smiled at the boy. Almost. "I expect you to showcase the same exceptional quality of work next year in open potions lab... where you are to report for your detention service, every Tuesday. For the duration of the term. Enjoy the feast." Now the old man did smile, his livery lips pulling into a wide grin that multiplied the number of wrinkles on his face to at least 257,000 (plus two).

That...

That was his 'up to something tone', Ethan was quite familiar with that even if it had been a while since he'd last heard it. He turned his head slowly and watched his old Mentor for a moment, obviously wary.

"And to you, Professor Kazimeriz." He bowed his head a little, but didn't drop his eyes.

You'd have to be an idiot to drop your eyes around that man. Truebridge hoped Annie would show up soon so they could leave. He still hoped to have a look around the school and see if he could find his chihuahua and these days the less time spent in Krazimeriz' company, the better.

The old man was unstable, Ethan was sure of it. Just look at that beatific expression. He twitched slightly as he overheard Kazimeriz instruct Tiberius Pryce. Tuesday detention service hadn't gone out of style then.

Ah, traumatic memories.

The End-of-Term Feast brought about a few mixed emotions for LouAnn Purple. On one hand, she was mega excited for the summer break to officially be here. On the other hand, though, it'd be hard to leave her friends for an entire summer, her only communication with them being letters and occasional visits. She was making her way to the Gryffindor Table when she spotted....ohhh! The smallest Masterson! Beaming, LouAnn hurried over to the Staff Table, skidding to a stop just a foot away from where the staff members were seated.

"Hey, Mr. Masterson!" she greeted, approaching her older cousin with a smile. She'd met his daughter once before, but that was a year ago when she had no idea they were even related. This would be her first time meeting the little girl as "younger cousin" rather than just "someone's cute, little baby." She took a tiny step closer, smiling at the baby all the while. "I'm sorry, but I don't really remember her name. She's still as cute as I remember, though!"

LouAnn's gaze switched from the baby to a man some ways down the table---Professor Kazimeriz. Her happy face quickly fell, and she gave the man an apologetic look. Clearing her throat, LouAnn scooted down a little until she was facing the Potions professor. She owed him something, and it definitely wasn't a lost piece of homework or a borrowed cauldron. It was an apology, and now was probably the best time to take care of that. "Hi, Professor. I just wanted to let you know how great a term this was. You were surely a great---ohhh, forget it. It was a great term and you were a great professor, but I'd like to...well, to...umm...apologize," she said, her eyes remaining right on his, so he'd know she was serious.

Oh!

Hehe...

"I love you too Iliana" he murmured against her ear as he returned her hug. Marcus let go and took a seat on the other side of Iliana and watched with amusement as she went gaga over Neo's daughter.

The little girl was certainly adorable that was for sure and he was positive that if he Iliana had a daughter she would be absolutely gorgeous especially if she looked like her mother.

While Iliana was playing with...um...he was sure that Neo had just said her name and Marcus had forgotten it already, he let his gaze wander down the table and he spotted Kazi staring at him and Iliana.

Oh it seemed nothing ever changed, did it? Marcus picked up his goblet and raised it towards the old man before taking a sip. Seriously! The old man needed to get out more.

He almost choked on his water at the thought of Professor Kazimeriz going out and actually socialising with people.

Marcus straightened up in his chair a little when he spotted Tiberius Pryce conversing with Kazi. Not another poor child being terrorised by the old man! Geez! How many did he have to save from the old coot?

Well you know, the state of the hospital being what it was lately... Caroline had been busy.

She troubled herself with tidying up a bit, putting on her best dress, (alright, maybe she donned a few cosmetic potions as well,) and headed down to the feast.

"I hope I'm not late," she announced herself, clickity clicking, very carefully to the dias and stopping near Ethan. Hmmm... what was going on now?

"Cari." Ethan gestured to the free seat on one side of him, the other of course, he was saving for Annie. Cari earned a small smile, something that Ethan didn't often do except around the Herbology professor, but then rescue missions, giant dogs and the muggle inquisition tended to cement a friendship fairly well.

"Sit down, you aren't late at all."

Headmaster wasn't here yet after all.

After having a long discussion with Torin Kane, Reese Upstead walked up to the staff table with the Hufflepuff following her. Her brown eyes stayed on Lupa the whole way up to the table and her heart was literally beating hardly against her chest. She was scared, yes. Not only was she scared of what Lupa was going to tell her, but if Lupa really was going to believe her. The 17 year old really didn't know much about what happened with the boxes, but she still had that feeling that she was involved with it, and she knew she needed to at least apologize.

Finally arriving up at the table, Reese walked over to Lupa and gave her a little smile. Lupa was a nice professor, yes? Yes. She had always been nice to Reese and Reese always liked her, but...she was just plain scared, that's all. "Professor Lupa," she said. "I want to apologize for...I don't know, Professor. Those boxes in front of your office in the common room, I walked past them yesterday and, for the first time after passing them many times, I feel like I had something to do with them. I don't exactly really remember doing anything, but yeah...it's a hard feeling to explain. And, I just want to say sorry. I didn't mean to. I really didn't." Oh, please don't be mad at me, she said in her head.

Terrified was a good word to describe how he was feeling as he followed Reese to the Staff Table. But he wanted to do something before he left for the year because he was feeling guilty.

And his fear of Professor Kazi was not really helping things as he placed himself across from the teacher. And now he was regretting coming here and his brain froze.

"Professor Kazi, I want to apologize to you," he uttered in a quick breath. "I think I did something bad to you, but I can't remember all the details. But.. I'm really sorry, Sir."

He had vague memories of what had happened. "I - I don't think I was in total control of myself, Sir. I can't even really remember what I did." He furrowed his brows as if that might actually help him remember.