With a bright smile on her face, Heather entered the hall and sat at the table. Everyone was so happy today, and vacation is almost here. She looked around for any familiar face and watched all the excitement buzz around. She really did feel light and happy today and it somehow felt weird. She didn't know why, but it really felt good so she didn't question this weird feeling anymore.

what was important was that everyone was happy .

The moment Mia saw Josh at the Gryffindor table, she excused herself from her own table and made her way over. She had to stifle a laugh at the way he carried on but that's why she liked him.

She sat down on the other side of the boy and leaned in. "Joshua." She drawled placing her elbow onto the table and propping her hand under her chin. "How is everything with you these days?"

For some reason, her words, or perhaps her tone, didn't sit particularly well with him. It reminded him of fourth year. Of their fight then. And that was not something he wanted to remember. And he definitely didn't want a reoccurance. So he stayed silent. His hand rubbed Lexi's shoulder for a moment as he gave Kurumi a small smile. Otherwise, it was best to just sit there and do as little as possible. Cause as little problems as possible.

Time flied at Hogwarts!

It was already the end of term and fifth year was over. Next year she would be a sixth year prefect. One year from graduating. A bit emotional over the reality of things Sophie entered the Great Hall with a happy smile on her face. The year had been a rollercoaster ride with love, heart break and classes all in jumbled mix.

With her prefect badge pinned to the front of her robes the brunette headed over to the Gryfffindor House Table. Sophie was very proud of her house since they had managed the impossibilty of a few years to take the House points cup from Slytherin. Sophie took a seat in the middle of the table. "Evening everyone!" she greeted everyone within hearing distance. Down the table she was that Patroclus was already sitting. At least this feast there would be two prefects in attendance.

"Are you ok?" Rex asked Elyon. " I will be missing HogWarts as I am graduating this term" Rex said to Elyon." I really enjoyed my time with you here" Rex said to Elyon.

" Hi Heather" Rex called out. " I am happy we got to know each other before I graduated" Rex said to Heather. " How did you like this term at HogWarts?' Rex asked Heather.

Lexi sighed slightly and looked at Sabel full in the face for probably the first time that day. "I'm sorry. I really am. I am just tightly wound and overly emotional, ya know. I don't mean to upset you or anything. I will let the subject drop and we can sit here and enjoy our time together," she said half heartedly. She would TRY for him. That much she could do. Mhm.

Glancing over when she heard a familiar voice she spotted Mia. Sighing again she turned away. That was all kinds of awkward now and tonight was not the time she wanted to deal with it. Or ever. She could let it go, let it slide off of her back and just... whatever. Not really a top priority. Feh.

The sad little lion leaned her head against Sabel's shoulder and just stared at her plate and nibbled the little piece of cookie that was left.

Still snuggled in Lexi's hugs, Kurumi peered around the blonde and saw the familiar face of HEATHER! Where was Mr. Panda?

"Heather!" Kurumi waved grabbing her box of fortune cookies and heading over to her fellow second-almost-third-year friend. "Can you believe that the term is over?"

Heather turned around and saw Rex. She smiled at him. "Oh, congratulations, Rex. Im glad i met you as well. This term's been swell...a lot of things here and there, a little weird and awkward but, im really glad to have spent it with friends."

Turning from Rex, she saw Kurumi coming over with a box of cookies! She stood and hugged her friend. "Kurumi! yeah...i cant believe this term is over so quickly...but it was nice."

Kurumi opened the box so Heather could pick out her favorite one of the hand-decorated cookies she had made. "I know...it all went by," Kurumi's words caught in her throat when she caught Adam out of the corner of her eye. "...fast..."

Her focus darted back to Heather. "Where is Mr. Panda?" Good, a change of subjects was very good.

"COOKIES!" Heather helped herself with the chocolate one that had stars on. "Oh? Mr. Panda? errr......." Heather looked around and then back at Kurumi. "Promise you can keep a secret?"

Kurumi giggled when Heather's eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw the cookies. She sure hoped that Heather got one of the more meaningful fortunes. She had had a hard time keeping everything original as she wrote.

Hearing Heather look around nervously, Kurumi leaned in a bit in attempt to keep their conversation more private. "Promise." She had a few things to tell Heather as well.

Haha. Good reaction from Lexi. Actually for a moment Josh thought she might use him as a decoration to the table before her and throw him in the trash right after she was done with her meal But it looked like from her expression that no such thing was going to happen in near future. Hehehehe.

''Well...Lexi. Actually the question is...is the term break ready for ME?'' Yeah! Laughing pretty loudly, as lous as almost to dominance Legend's loud entrance, he eyed the girl back once it was over ''What about you? Any plans with Stras? I bet you have since you two seem glued to each other despire the house differences''

Missing Kurumi's apparent blush while he was talking to Lexi, Josh turned back to the younger lioness and gave her a HUGE warm smile. She had made cookies for him! Awesome! Well...no for him and everyone else and everyone else. Whoever they belonged to anyway Josh liked sharing so he'd already share with everybody at the table if they were all his cookies.

''Yummy!'' the almost seventeen years old handsome boy exclaimed with, of course, that smile which felt like it was never going to leave his face tonight. Then he randomly choose and grabbed a cookies from the box and immediately started to munch on it. ''Delish! You are so unique and awesome Kurumi just like your cookies.'' hehe. Taking another bite from the cookie, he patted the girl on the shoulder gently and playfully.

Aaaaaand here came the PPP aka Perfect Prefect Patroclus. ''Always'' Josh quickly replied to his remark about that night belonging to them for in his idea every night belonged to them. They rocked. ''We rule every other night and day and evening and noon and all of it! Even the short period of day during you spend time in bathroom! You know it already PPP!'' Ehehehehe.

Party? Coolness! He loved parties! And they were already having a great one. Aha!? Tonight there would be another P added to PPP. Like Perfect Party Prefect Patroclus!!! ''So, PPPP YOU!'' Well...there was no doubt that Josh Carter had enough creativess to add more P's to that but whatever...

Hah! Finally Cappy Captain Si had made his appearance at the scarlet and gold table of victory and nobleness. Returning his best friend's smile, the boy could not help but think asking him for a spare beater's bat to return the annoying act of Ryan sending him a letter bearing the word 'IMPORTANT' on it which Josh had not bothered to read yet. If it was from the notorious ex-Auror Chambers, ,it was nothing to be taken seriously whatever words it had on it in any language.

''You know, Si! You know it! I know you probably said that for others for you already i was born to beat people and everything at anything.'' Taking a deep breath Joshua was about to continue his cheerful boasting yet he fell silent when a Ravenclaw dude at HIS table caught his attention and practically attempted to make fun of their performance at Quidditch.

He did not know that boy but there was no doubt he was another meanie birdie. Those pathetic birdies, they all thought they were secretly above everyone. So, automatically glaring at him Josh opened his mouth to give him a real smart remark to experience when Simon did beat him to it. Eh. The captain was right. And possibly it was enough for the birdie so the Gryffindor boy just chose to ignore him. No fights tonight. It was the time to make fun, not the time for combat.

Sabel. The graduating lion. Not after much time, soon enough Josh was going to that experience that feeling as well. He even right now could not decide if it would feel happy or sad. Looking at Sabel, he did not look sad at all but not like the happiest person in the world either. Maybe then it was a kinf of mixed feeling. Eh. He was going to taste it anyway if he was ever going to manage get through all the classes without getting expelled or killed.

Smirking at the good-bye lion's playful jab, Josh gave him a thumb up for everything. Well...maybe there were not so close but he was definitely one person he was proud to have as a housemate. ''So, you are free!!! Good luck with the life after school and don't scare us deciding to marry soon plus care to keep yourself alive a few or a lot bruises are okay and allowed by me!'' Bahahahahaha!

Mahahahahah. This table was so much fun right now. If only it had always been like that every time he had visited the Great Hall for meal this term. But nooo mostly it had been quiet with a few lions sitting around and whispering words to each other. Meh. So boring. Yet hopefully it was good, loud and crowded enough for him plus it became even better when he felt a presence at his other side which turned out to be his favourite Hufflepuff; Princess Mia!

It was nice to hear the full version of his name which people rarely used from the pretty princess . ''Yeah!'' he answered with a huge, warm and sincere smile. How was everything with him these days? Very good question you highness! ''Things are great!'' so the Gryffindor boy said as it was very obvious from the expression on his face that he had been experiencing rather happy last days and minutes of the term. ''Everything is on track and just perfect!'' especially during and after the time he shared with Evelyn in that broomshed of Vinny's. ''What about yours?'' Hmmm?

Heather shuffled through her pockets and pulled out what looked like a 6-inch tall version of Mr. Panda. Heather let the doll sit on her palm as she showed Kurumi and the doll looked up at Kurumi and waved its hand, a little frantic, but fine.

"I had a little practice with some spells...unfortunately, i have a pretty bad aim. Next thing i knew, Mr. Panda is as small as this. I didn't know how to reverse the spell so once i get home, I'll have to ask my mom how to get Mr. Panda back to his size..." She leaned closer to kurumi to whisper. "No one knows about this except you, Kuurumi. and i wouldn't let Ed or Cass know, especially Cass. She hates Mr. Panda for some unknown reason...and if i let Mr. panda out of my sight within Cass's reach, for all i know...Mr. Panda might end up as Ice's chew toy."

The Panda doll cowered and hugged Heather's hand tight and she patted its head. "Don't worry, Mr. Panda, i won't let that happen to you."

Of course she knew that he and Evelyn had gotten back together and even if her friend hadn't told her, she would be able to tell just by the look on his face. "I am so glad to hear that." Mia just hoped that he didn't do anything stupid because she would no doubt have Evelyn on her doorstep and hexing her.

"I guess that talk I had with her did some good huh?" In other words Joshua, I did what you asked now it's your turn to pay up. Giving him a smile, Mia brushed her hair off her face. "It's been okay. It will be so much better when I get to Russia." And Nik.


Feeling someone's eyes on her, Mia turned her head and locked gazes with Lexi, until the Gryffindor turned away. She raised her eyebrows before shaking her head and turning her attention back to Josh. They might have been friends if the Gryffindor hadn't jumped to all the wrong conclusions. Ahh well, things happen for a reason.

Kurumi felt like she could melt in the warmth of that smile. Sure, it wasn't blinding like Treyen's, but it certainly was enough to make her feel a bit weak in the knees. She probably would melt like the chocolate he had given her after their first meeting in Diagon Alley had it not been for the bench she was sitting on.

"Th-Th-Th-Thank you," she said NOW losing control of herself and her hair turning a rosy pink on the spot.

"That's....Mr. Panda?" Kurumi squeaked pointing at the tiny little panda on Heather's hand. Kurumi didn't want to laugh, really, she didn't. But the fact that the panda that usually came up to around her waist was now about the size of a large gumball was just too ridiculous not to. Okay, so the two of them turning into canaries had been more ridiculous, but this was pretty close to the top. "I promise I won't say a thing," she whispered back as Mr. Panda waved back to her.

Kurumi wracked her brain for a moment. "Hey, have you tried using an Engorgement Charm on him?" That did make things bigger. Perhaps it called for some more experienced hands...

"Well, in all honesty, i could try...but...i haven't fully practiced on that spell yet. Each time i try, things get way bigger than expected..." Heather said. "why don't you try Kurumi? you're much better at spells."

Oh awesome! It was always nice to hear that a friend was glad for his happiness. Throwing the last remaining piece of cookie he had stolen from Kurumi's box, he nodded and gave the Hufflepuff girl a cheerful grin right after swallowing the deliciously baked thing down. ''But i guess the summer break will be a little bit difficult for me to a point'' Yeah. During the days he was going to be away from his love. Those were going to be pretty challenging. Eh, during that period of time than he was going to try satisfying himself with the good memories and other reminders of her existence. This was never going to be enough but whatever there was nothing else to do. They could not just marry, could they? Pffft. Well...Josh was going to be of age in August yet Evelyn had another year ahead. Not to forget that the idea of marriage was a little bit scary

Whatever...

The Huffie princess had talked to his she-snake? Suuuure. Of course. This should have been what encouraged her to get to talk to him and apologise for the attitude she had kept towards him during almost the whole term. Actually he thought there was no need to apologise to him since he had deserved everything she had done and more but she apologised anyway. And they were back together again as they were always supposed to be. And this was all thanks to Mia. ''You are an awesome friend, Mia.'' so he did admit with a quick with at the girl ''More awesome than the awesomest one. During all the year i have done such many crazy stuff, got points taken for it, got tortured in the dungeons under the name of detention for it, risked my everything to get her back yet failed and...And you came with your generous help and put everything in track with a single conversation. I do admire you'' Not to mention that he owed her a lot.

Hehe


Hehehe. Kurumi was apparently the cutest housemate Josh had and she was surely among his favourites in the whole school. There was nothing in the world to suggest something different about it. Yep, he was not even saying 'suggest the opposite' and preferring 'suggest something different' because there was nothing kept opposite to that truth even at the point of imagination. Not to forget the fact that if Josh decided how great a person was, it had to be the universal truth for he was the Master of Everything.

BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

''You are welcome!'' he said happily, with pleasure yet his wide smile faded some when something, for a split moment, had made him think that there was a thing wrong with her. Was there a flaw of some kind? Or a problem? The boy could see no sign of a such thing on the surface. However it was always better to ask. So, gently putting a hand on her shoulder, Josh spoke with a concerned look ''Kurumi. You'r fine, right? There's nothing wrong, right? Did someone annoy you?'' Show me who did it and i shall reshape his face!

Kurumi looked at the panda and then back to the turquoise holster in her robe's pocket. "Last time I tried using that Charm was in class last term," she said leaning forward to get a better look at the panda. "That didn't turn out so well." With her luck, she would end up blowing up the poor stuffed animal and then Heather would never speak to her again.

She couldn't have that. She had already lost Adam this term. Losing Heather too would just make her world turn more on its side than it already was.

If only there was some older and wiser more experiences witch or wizard around...

BINGO...

Kurumi hardly heard Josh speak to her as her eyes drifted a little to the left and she saw that her hair had turned pink. Quicker than Josh could say hippogriff, Kurumi threw her hood over her head and tried her best to think about boring things like...grass growing...his smile...paint peeling...his smile...Walnut cleaning himself...JOSH'S HAND ON HER SHOULDER!

Clearly, this exercise wasn't working. "I'm fine," she nodded pulling down on her hood a bit. All she needed was for Josh to think she was some sort of freak. She understood was Lexi had told her the other day in the dorms, but that didn't mean she was ready to accept that as her new reality.

"Actually," she continued now daring to look up at him with her innocent violet eyes. "Heather, you remember Heather, right?" He had tried to make the poor thing dance on the table at the opening feast. "Her panda had, um, a little accident...and shrunk..."

Sophie had been sitting in the middle of the Gryffie table watching and observing the other student's in the hall. Her prefect duty didn't stop just because the term was almost over. Hearing the 'engorgement charm' mentioned the brunette sharpened her ears. Hopefully nobody was planning to do something stupid at the end of term feast? Sophie spotted the Japanese girl, Kurumi from the opening feast now a very long time ago whom had managed to throw pasta into her hair by accident.

That was all forgotten now though! Scooting over a few empty chairs to get closer to the conversation around Kurumi the prefect called over noting the troubled expression on the girls face "Is everything all right Kurumi?" Probably not why else would a girl any girl for that matter feel the need to hide their face with a hood. The brunette prefect poured herself a glas of water as she waited for a response.

WHY. SO. LOUD? GAH.

Lexi smiled half heartedly at Josh and chuckled. "I am not sure that anything is ever ready for you, Josh," she said jokingly. Well... it was true. Josh was like a force of nature... BIG and LOUD and DESTRUCTIVE.

"SAL and I do have plans for the summer, yes. The plan is to spend as little time in the UK as possible before heading to the Greek Isles for the majority of the summer. We will be around Rae's a little bit as well," she said, perking up a little bit, but not too much.

Caroline nodded and listened to Adam, her mixed emtions was for something totally different. She didn't want to go home, and deal with her mother and her new or soon to be new husband. "You'll make new friends Adam, It'll be easy for you. After people get to know you."

Aww, that's sweet. Of Course he would still think about her. They we're like first loves. Now Caroline may really cry now. She smiled slightly. "Yeah, I know. I kind of feel like I'm losing a little brother."

"Hey Patroclus."Tori quietly but audible enough called to him. He was one of those she would miss. They came in the same year and had their own successes in Gryffindor. He was prefect and an excellent student. Tori was a quidditch player, chaser and beater. They won the cup. Things like these, were going to be cherished memories.

She even remembered the potions class she had partnered with Josh Carter. They were brewing emotion affecting potions. She cried and screamed and laughed in that class while Josh went bonkers. It was one of those classes Tori would never forget.

Tori even remembered Carter. He was the first Hogwarts friend on the train. They were close for a while until things started to fall apart for Tori. It all began when her birth father died before she could meet him.

Even love found Tori at Hogwarts. The boy she fell for, Matt, was one her small sources of happiness. They met in the Gryffindor common room. He loved her and she loved him. As they say,"'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." Matt had to leave and Tori had say goodbye.

Her life Hogwarts, seemed so full yet it felt incomplete. She would miss the classes, the common room, the great hall, the quidditch and most of all the wonderful people she met.

Of course, Josh's dark brown eyes did not miss the slight pinkness of the girl's hair yet he refrained from making any comments about in case she'd misunderstand him as she was uncomfortable with it. But there was a question which poked his mind, yes yes he believed he had a brain so a mind despite Professor Hadley's ideas about him, at it was why, then, she did it if she was unfortable with it. Or maybe she did not do it on purpose. Well...yep not on purpose but then why it did happened like right now? He had seen her around who knew for how many times before yet this pinkness of hair was something new that his eyes caught.

Anyway, she said she was fine and that was what was important. ''Good'' the Gryffindor boy said squeezing her shoulder playfully. But surely while doing that he paid extra attention to be gentle and not to hurt her since he knew his physical strenght was dangerous when under no control just like the day he wrecked Carter's face with a mere fist. Eeeeh. That was no good. Maybe he was supposed to stop exercising for a month or else. Hmmm.

Forget the exercise now! Kurumi was telling him something important! Heather? ''Heather?'' he repeated narrowing his eyes as he tried to remember to whom the name belonged. ''Heather, well...'' It sounded familiar but somehow he could not...ah yes! He got it now. ''...yeah. Remembered now'' But ''A Panda? Shrunk?'' What was she talking about? ''Ummm sorry. I .'' don't understand. What can be wrong with a panda? And mot importantly what is a panda doing in Hogwarts? I thought they were not even allowing dogs''


Well...Right Lexi! That was kinda the truth. There always had been something he could not fit himself with wherever he went. Like general rules or habits or stuff like that. Mostly people considered him weird, odd, reckless or unnecessarily-overly brave. Pfffft. Who cared? ''Eh...perhaps you'r right'' he said with a quick nod of approval. ''But i know Evelyn is an exception to that. She is powerful enough to handle me!'' Ehehehehehe!

To Greek Isles? ''Wow! That is a lot of way but i doubt you are complaining because it is all Stras, isn't it?'' He would not complain travelling about even to the end of the world if it was with Evelyn. So, he supposed Lexi would be glad with having Stras Stradivarius Salamander Salander with her. And Rae's? Oh, what a coincidence ''Aha! I will drop in there for a few hours as well. I dunno when though''

"Oh yes!" Elyon chirped happily. "I was just wondering what it would be like to be a mermaid!" She said brightly, her eyes still
dreamy as ever.

When Elyon heard Rex, she tirned to him and gave him a big hug. "I'll miss you Rex. You were so nice to me! I hope you have fun with your dance studio!" Her speech was a little muffled as her face was buried into his robes. She pulled up and looked up at her older friend. "Will I ever see you again? Even if neither of us return next year?" She asked thoughtfully.

Emily ran into the hall. She was late and she knew it. Great! They had already started. Mabye if she just slipped in...
"Halle! Nika!" she cried jumping on them from behind. Hopefully they hadn't choked or anything. "Can you believe it? We're going home! A year's gone already!"
She sat down opposite them and poared herself some pumpkin juise.
"You guys are crying!" she smiled, but realised as soon as she'd said it tears had begun to form in her own eyes. They wern't really going home.