The staff are seated at a long table, stretching across a dais at the front of the room. Feel free to come up and say your short farewells.

Well. Truebridge showed up to the feast, ready to say his goodbyes. He'd made a decision, had a better offer and now...? Well, He supposed it was as good a time as any to let Tate know, let alone the students and he supposed the other staff. He sat down at the table and waited quietly.

Trixie decided, seeing as she had helped him out in the last DADA lesson, that she would go and speak with Truebridge. The rumour was, if she had heard it right, that he was possibly leaving. And Trixie truly hoped that this was just a rumour and not the truth. She didn't want to have to see what was technically her first head of house leave after just one year of her being here.

"Hello professor" she smiled softly as she approached the man at the Staff Table. "You ready to go home then?" she sighed. Trixie herself didn't want to go home and she was coming back next term.....Hopefully. Provided nothing went wrong at all. Nope she'd be perfectly fine and ready for another 2 years at Hogwarts.

Violet walked up to the staff table. So many people were leaving Torin, Nancy, Cela, and more. She looked around at spotted her favourite Professor, Truebridge! She walked over to him, completly ignoring Trixie at the moment, and she leaned down and starting hugging him. "I'm sad, Professor." she mumbled gloomily. Like reallyyyyy sad.

"Hello Trixie." Truebridge thought about the question. "Yes. I am." He cleared his throat. "I intend to ask... a good friend of mine to... move in with me." He was strangely nervous about that. He looked around the hall.

"I will miss this place I think." He spoke quietly, as if to himself.

"And are you looking forward to going home for the summer?"

Oh dear.

"Violet. What is the matter?" And... she was hugging him. Like a deer in headlights, Truebridge froze, though he tried to relax. If he didn't think about it, it wasn't so weird.

Trixie didn't exactly 'get' what he was referring to, so she kinda just raised an eyebrow suspiciously at him. A friend? Move in with him? "Which friend?" she asked almost daringly. Whaaat? She was a Slytherin, it was only natural. Plus he was looking around the Great Hall. She was totally confused. Meh

Woaaah. Rewind. Did Truebridge just say he was gonna miss this place? "Are you meaning to say you are going?" she asked, the smile dropping from her face. No that can't be true.

Sniff

"Please Don't go" she almost begged a pout on her face. He was the first professor she 'officially' met back in his office all those months ago.

She shruggd about his question about going home. "I suppose. Spend a lot of the time down on the farm and get to see the animals again but I'm gonna miss all this, friends, professors, everything" she sighed. Well wasn't this depressing? And she wouldn't get to see Nancy either. That made her extremely sad. Not her favourite prefect leaving. A tear came to her eye.

She noticed her young blonde friend come along and hug Truebridge. She disguised an eye roll but felt for the Slytherin. She would have hugged her herself if she wasn't already occupied.

Violet stopped hugging him. "Well a lot of people are graduating and it makes me really sad." she replied. See, she did have feelings! All her peers that ever doubted that should've totally seen this right now. And then she got into her head what Trixie and Trubridge were talking about. So Truebridge was leaving too?! Violet was ten times sadder now. "I don't want you to leave me either, Professor." she said hugging him again.

"Right? What's for eats?" Tate through himself across the stairs and around the table, falling heavily into the scrolled chair that sat in the middle of the table. He was feeling that antsy feeling, the one that started as an itch in the back of his neck and ended when he hit the road.

He needed a vacation.

"Zan. What's the what?" He nodded at the Slytherins.

Erm. Yes well, it was out there now, wasn't it?

"Yes. I've been offered a job at the Wizarding University of Cairo." It paid a LOT more and meant he wouldn't have to put up with the whole... thing... with Hecate. Odd situation and just another example of how your impressions of a person could change over time and how you could think so well of someone and then they end up being a huge disappointment.

"Considering the reason I was.... replaced as your head of house, its really only a matter of time before the board of governors decide to move on that and fire me. Again." Eh. "I'd much rather choose to leave, though I hate the thought of leaving any of you behind." And at risk of losing body parts or worse.

Surely Hecate would be on her best behaviour now though?

"And as for which friend..." He eyed Trixie. "The former Herbology Professor, Anastasia Bunbury, who I attended the Alumni Ball with." They'd been together for... a long while now. Technically longer than the Lawsons. Hmm.

"You'll come back refreshed though, Trixie." He told her. "After summer you'll be ready to go, and see all your friends again. And you can always write to me. I'll write back of course."

And Violet.

More hugging.

Awkwardly he patted her arm.

"Well, I don't want to leave all of you either. But it is something I need to do for myself. And you're doing so well now, you're very strong and intelligent. A brilliant Slytherin and I admire how far you have come, and know you have so much further to go and you can do it. You can write to me if you wish."

Oh yes. The boss.

Well, he supposed that Tate ought to know.

"Casey." Ahem. "I resign."

That'd do it.

Was it time to leave yet?

Constantine plopped himself down into an empty seat, a touch away from those already there and poured himself a glass of water. Another year come and gone.

Oh well.

Well, this was a bit awkward. Truebridge didn't seem like the type of Professor one would be hugging, and yet, these children were. Lily, who had been trying to keep her mind on her own business, thinking about going home to see her son....

She'd been trying hard, till Casey came along, and, well. THAT must have been why the children had been hugging on him.

Hmm... awkward. This kind of thing.... it happened often, didn't it?

Hecate looked down the table to Ethan... Did he just... resign?

Tate raised an eyebrow, but otherwise, he didn't move from his slumped position. What. The. Hell? He'd gone to bat for this man, he'd thought they were friends... he'd nearly quit when the governors came back with their pronouncement about Lafay...

And this was the thanks he got? "I should shove your nose out the back of your head using only my fist and a bit of Muggle physics," he finally growled, letting his eyes close. He kneaded his forehead.

"Perhaps, Ethan... perhaps it would have been better to share this information with me earlier. And in private. Just one of those social conventions you might want to remember for next time."

She was here. Gold had been about to tell Headmaster Tate that someone thought he had looked awesome - "dapper" - at the ball, but had refused to allow her to quote them on that. That was it. But, the moment she stepped up to the Staff Table, this was what she heard.

I resign.

The words were out before she could stop them,

"You can't."

The Headmaster was there, in 'conversation' with Professor Truebridge ---- and Gold launched herself on Truebridge, and hugged him. HUGGED him. "You can't resign," she said. "Everyone leaves. Professor Crispe left. Professor... Professor Kazimeriz left -" There was a lump in her throat - "Professor Lawson is leaving. Professor Lawson -" The other Professor Lawson -- "Is leaving. You can't leave." He had to know that.

Had to.

Jeez. Trixie already hated, okay more like was scared of she couldn't hate anyone, of Lafay enough already. Now she was, technically making Truebridge resign. That was just..... Okay she couldn't find a good enough adjective to describe it.

"B-B-But...." she started. "Nothing can be better then Hogwarts" she pouted, almost giving him puppy dog eyes. Now they usually worked. Whether they worked on professors was another matter.

He actually answered her question about which friend. Maybe the Slytherin should be more nosey more often. "Oh I see" she replied, sly grin and with a wink.

"Refreshed? If you mean smelling of horses and covered in goodness knows what and mud then sure, refreshed is the word" she sighed. Yeah because it was never dry in Wales. So she wouldn't get down to the beach or anything. So sad. Write to him? Eh she wasn't in need for a pen pal, she wanted her professor. "I will..." she told him. What exactly do you write to your ex professor about? She didn't think he'd exactly want to know her life story.

Oh the Headmaster. Perfect. "Please make him stay Sir" she pouted over at him now. Wow what was with the girl today? Well at least she was being polite. A good little slytherin. *Angel halo* But she heard his comment and stared blankly. Jeez that was a little violent......

And Moretti? Now there was someone she knew well. Not like she'd been to the hospital wing, what was it, 5 times now? Although the last one wasn't her that was injured or ill. But it was kinda her fault. Oops. "Hello Healer Moretti" she smiled softly.

O_______o

What a moment to show up at the staff table. Preston stood a bit off from the dias, and just watched. Watched Truebridge resign. Watched Tate growl. Watched hordes of students attach themselves to the Defense teacher.

And so he stood back just a little. Etiquette lessons, next term, perhaps? Merlin.

Hands shoved into his pockets, and a slightly concerned look on his face, Raiden stepped up to the staff table, eyes sweeping between those that were already around. There were a whole bunch of professors there already but he didn't care about those ones.

Well he did but... not at the moment. When he spotted Professor Truebridge, he took a few steps closer to where the man was.

Only to hear him resign.

...oh.

Biting awkwardly on his tongue, he quietly stared at the man as Gold attached herself to him, not completely surprised but still obviously not pleased.

Oh dear.

Lily.... had no opinion, nope. Not one that she was about to voice, anyway. It wasn't exactly her place to get involved.

But, Tate looked like he was about to have a hippogriff. Sort of. Lily tilted her head at the man, considering him for a moment before wondering if he could do with a calming draught. She had one. She did. Her eyes slid between Tate and Truebridge for a minute, before she was distracted.

"Oh, hello Trixie." She smiled at the Slytherin girl, who had been one of the hugging children. "I trust I will see you in the hospital again, next term?" Hopefully, for visits, and not injuries.

"Oh okay." she replied. Oooh yay complements! That made her feel a little bit better. "Thanks." she said and forced a smile. She watched as Tate starting saying all this stuff to Truebridge. Eep! That looked like her cue to go, but she was too shocked to say anything she just stood there slooooowly took a step back.

Violet gave a little pout as Gold starting hugging Professor Truebridge he was HER hugging buddy. Hmph. She focused on Tate and Truebridge again and just stared.

Merlin, HORDES of students were attaching themselves to Ethan... he did not seem... comfortable. For that reason she had the urge to move closer to him and hug him tight. She didn't do it of course... besides... Sage may get jealous and finally show his Gryffindor courage and passion... maybe...

She had wanted things to go better between herself and the DADA professor, history is history and they had that... but... alas the future is unpredictable no matter what the Divination kook says.

Hearing her name spoken, Iliana lifted her head and looked down the table. She gave Gold a weak smile, hoping it would look authentic. She had never been the best actress.

Then with a little sigh, she leaned back in her chair to watch over the Gryffindor House table. For the last time.

"I wouldn't want to have to hex you." Truebridge answered apologetically and tried to extract himself from the hugging Violet.

"I decided yesterday. Or rather, I got the offer a week ago and made my mind up yesterday." Ah yes. Social conventions. Those pesky things. He wasn't so good with them really.

Was this the appropriate time to extend a dinner invitation?


More hugging? By this point Truebridge was obviously twitchy. He liked these kids but he had to keep telling himself not to hex every single one of them, simply because he didn't really DO touching. Never had. Superhuman effort though, and he patted Gold's shoulder and nodded at her even as he tried to free himself.

"You'll leave one day too, Gold." Err. "I've... enjoyed having you as my student." True. But there was hugging. Which was less enjoyable.

"Its the people that make Hogwarts. Not the place itself. And with magic, you never truly leave anyone." Floo and all that. "I know you'll be fine. And help your house mates." and... you know, make sure they get through the next term intact. "Its been a pleasure teaching you, Trixie."

Well. Refreshing to Truebs who liked spending his summers tramping around the world, interacting with dangerous beasts. It would be the Congo for the first half of the summer and Tibet for the second.

"I believe in you, Violet. You proved everyone wrong this term and I'd like to hear that you continue to show everyone what you are made of." Truebridge added, finally managing to pull himself free from the huggers. He spotted Raiden and gave the boy a nod.

That was all he had to say? "I won't, before this school refuses me," Gold said quietly, detaching herself from Professor Truebridge. "Or perhaps I will." Her tones were even quieter, now. "You're right, Professor. Perhaps I will." Perhaps she should. She turned around, pausing only in front of her Head of House, on her way back to the Gryffindor Table.

"You've been one of the best teachers ever," she said, simply. "Thank you for two, wonderful years.You'll be missed, Professor." She had every intention of keeping in touch with the Lawsons.

Simon smiled as he walked upto the staff table, he hadn't meet the head this term but he guest he knew which one would be the head. Simon looked around as he saw quite a few other students hanging around the staff table, well he was on a mission, he wanted to speak too the head, he wanted to wish him a pleasent summer holiday and thank him for a great term.

Simon saw the person who he thought was the headmaster, well he hoped it was the only problem was he seemed to be talking to another member of staff "Headmaster, I just wanted to say I have enjoyed my first term here and I can't wait for the next term." Simon smiled. "Also I hope that you have a great summer holiday." Simon said hoping the Headmaster didn't mind him speaking.

Iliana had promised herself she wouldn't cry. But... as she looked down into Gold's pretty face...

"Thank you, dear," she said softly. "I'll miss you, too." And before she could walk away, she added, "I'm prouder than you'll ever know."