Iris made her way onto the train alone. She'd gotten up stupidly early, so that she could wander around the castle one last time, on her own. After walking all the way round the grounds, and after crying a lot, Iris finally made her way to the carriages to go to the train.

As she stepped on board, the Head Girl found it extremely difficult to hold in her tears. Miss Beaumont did not have her Prefect badge on, nor her Head Girl one. She didn't even have her Slytherin robes on. She was already in her Muggle gear. Iris didn't find it fitting to wear any of them on her last morning in the castle, or on the train. She thought that it would be easier to watch the castle disappear behind the forest for the last time, if the reminders of her position in the school were hidden away in her trunk.

Wand in her pony tail, and Hermes the Pygmy Puff on her shoulder, Iris opened the Prefects' compartment and went in. She was kind of glad that it was empty.... and now just to wait for the other prefects to get here....

Aha! Someone was in a better mood this morning. Then again, who wouldn't? He'd talked to Finn and he'd decided many things. One of them was to stop 'wallowing in sadness' like Neptune had said.

The other was...

Hey! He had to be at the Prefect's Compartment, no? Because he knew he'll find Iris in there, so, the door opened up with one motion, and the Lockhart boy smiled at the not-too-happy looking Head Girl, "Iris! Congrats!" the smile was genuine, he was happy that Aaron had proposed, because that ought to make her happy, no? Never mind the fact that his own school year didn't have a great ending, he was still glad hers had. She was leaving them and that couldn't be easy.

Legend raised his hand so he could knock on the closed compartment door before he realized that technically...he was allowed in there now! Shrugging he opened the door and walked in, expected to be greeting by all the awesome Prefects.

But only Iris and Treyen were there.

Oh well! They were still awesome.

"Wow...the first time I'm actually allowed in here is on my last train ride. Weird." He grinned before plopping down on the seat beside Treyen.

Iris looked away from the window as the door opened. As she saw Treyen, she smiled.

Congrats? ... Did he mean? Iris looked down to the glittery ring on her finger, then back to Treyen. Her smile got bigger. "Thanks, Treyen." He was the first person that wasn't one of Aaron's few best friends to sound genuine about congratulating them... and that made Iris happy. It doesn't matter if you like the person or not, you should still be happy for them. Ahem. Evan.... Jimbo.

And then Legend walked into the compartment. The blonde offered him a somewhat-cheerful smile, too. At his words, Iris laughed. She couldn't help it. But that was probably a good thing. Better to be happy on the last train ride than sad, after all.

Simon knew he had to check in with his fellow captains and the prefects at some point during the ride. He had gotten to know them over the planning for the scavenger hunt and it would be rude to not say goodbye especially to those he had known longer and better like Sophie Legend and Iris. Reaching the compartment, his belongings stowed away, he opened the door and stepped inside only to notice those already gathered there.

Iris, Treyen and Legend.

Almost one from each house and all prefects making him the first captain around. Simon paused for a moment, taking in a deep breath as he tried to think of something to say as if profound words were needed. "Best to treat it like any other train ride...eh?" he asked quietly as he walked further into the compartment so as not to block the door.

L-E-G-E-N-D walked inside. Right. Patroclus was no longer with them, Treyen kind of forgot about that little fact because to him there had been three Gryffindor Prefects. It was only natural that he'd been expecting the other boy inside the compartment.

Either way, he smiled to him and shrugged, "Doesn't feel any different, right?" well, Treyen hadn't felt any different being on this particular compartment, and that's what he was talking about. He couldn't possibly have a saying in the bit about this being Legend's last train ride, though, but he kind of believed that you had the power to make it different or not.

Yes, Iris, that's what we mean. His smile got wider as he noticed her own smile. See? She was a happy Head Girl. She still was Head Girl to him, even after the train had stopped in King's Cross, she'd still be Head Girl then. Like Trixie, who was now Head Girl of a family of her own.

"I'll be expecting a wedding invitation, by the way," or another invitation? Didn't Iris say she had something for the Prefects?

The door was opened again, and his eyes followed the sound. Simon. The well-behaved one, at that. He chuckled at his words, "It is just like any other train ride," he said, adding a wink at the end.

And, truthfully, it was like any other, because they even had an engaged Head Girl in here.

Had they always gotten up this early for the train ride home? Arya couldn't remember, but she was glad to have packed all her belongings the night before, oversleeping wasn't fun at all.

Kneazle snuggled deep into the hood of her gray jacket, she pushed the door to the prefect compartment open and grinned sleepily at it's occupants. "I dunno. I'd swear this one started earlier than the other rides." She commented, catching the tail end of what Treyen and Simon were saying.

"Unless..." She looked over to the head girl, grin growing a bit wider. "Congrats, Iris!" Mmhmm. Arya had HEARD.

Ambling over to the seat beside her best friend, she slowly slumped into it, giving Perseus enough time to crawl out of her hood and onto the seat beside her since her lap was occupied by a box.

"Morning." She gave him a questioning look. He was better now, yes? He looked better. "You left this at the table." Letter on top, she slid the box closer to him, nibbling on her bottom lip. Yeah, she'd read the letter, and she wanted more details. Though she supposed they would have to wait til so many ears weren't present.

No? No, Treyen could totally disagree, then again, he arrived way earlier to the Common Room yesterday. Maybe Arya stayed in the Great Hall until the feast was over and didn't sleep as much as he did. Though, he didn't sleep much either.

"Don't think so, same time as always," whatever always meant.

He did smile her way. And the look she gave him didn't go unnoticed. Just exactly how awful had he looked yesterday? The smile turned to an apologetic one, and he nodded once, "Morning, Arya," but that same smile turned into his usual one....before noticing what Arya was bringing to him. His eyes did widen a little bit at the sight of the box. Right! The box! He left it there without meaning to. And...what's with the note, Arya, eh? "Yeah, I did, thanks," he said, taking the box and setting it next to him, away from Perseus.

"What's this?" he gestured to the note, but quickly read it, or started to, because he couldn't finish reading it, his eyes went straight to Arya. She'd read that, right? "I...think we'll need to talk." Later. Like, in a couple minutes, yes?

"I suppose it's just me then," She mused. Maybe it was just her?

He'd looked pretty awful yesterday for someone Arya knew to always be smiling. And so it was good that he'd smiled at her in return allowed her to relax some into her seat. The box. "Your welcome. I didn't eat any of them," And he HAD to know how hard that had been for her. They weren't just any cupcakes, they were Kurumi's!!

She bit her bottom lip, recognizing the look on his face when he finally realized what the letter was. "We do... whenever your ready." Because she didn't want to rush him out of the good mood he seemed to be in, but she did want to know what was up with her co-prefect.

Jacob walked up and down the train several times with his head down, his mouth sealed shut, and his hand continually scratching the back of his neck . He had been hoping that there would be an empty compartment somewhere... but as it would happen, it is extremely difficult to find an empty compartment when you didn't look up from the floor.

So he'd decided that the least bothersome place to be would be the Prefects compartment.

Back down the train he went towards the Special Compartment. He kept his head down as he got closer, and finally picked it up just to be able to find the handle. He opened the door, and quickly sat in an empty seat.

Jacob felt like his throat was getting dry. It was really abnormal for him to not talk this long. He couldn't remember even saying good night to the other boys in his Dorm, but really he didn't feel like talking... he had nothing to say. All he did was stare at his feet, scratch the back of his neck, and somewhat listen to the voices around him.

Sophie made her way onto the train, struggling slightly with her heavy trunk. As luck had it the brunette prefect didn't go far before she found a compartment to stash it in. The lioness chose the least popular compartment in the front corridor. Sophie would retreat back there later for some solitude or a talk with Evan. She still couldn't believe that he was leaving to start his football career.

Satisfied that her trunk was secure the brunette made her way up to the prefect compartment to share the last train ride of the year with her fellow prefects and captains. Sophie had to go around a game of wizards chess in the corridor which had several loud and cherry spectators. Smiling at them she asked "You will let the trolley lady pass won't you boys?" Several of them hurried to say of course prefect Sophie..Her smile widening she passed them and walked at a speeder pace.

Up ahead she saw the ravenclaw captain Jacob Blunt step into the prefect's department. As Sophie passed the window she was surprised to see how many had already made it there already. Pushing open the door she walked in to join them saying brightly "Morning, Iris, Legend, Treyen, Arya, Simon and Jacob!"

Remembering Iris impending wedding Sophie turned to the head girl "Big congratulations Iris! When will the wedding be?" And am I invited? Moving to sit down next to Iris she asked everyone "Any special summer plans?"

Evan got hod up incredibly early to enjoy the morning coldness of up this north of Hogwarts, out walking on the grounds and visiting the most important places for him. He was, oddly, content though to be leaving. He felt like it was time to leave at last, to choose and go on his own way. Hogwarts had been his home for the last six years... but not anymore. So, dressed fully in Muggle clothes, the boy drew his luggage behind him to the train. He didn't feel like a prefect now, so why wear the badge?

Even though he felt content, that contentment was felt only if he kept to himself. As a few people had greeted him with his own title prefect, he had felt a spasm in his heart and wondered whether anywhere would feel this warm out in the real world. Head bent down, he stuffed his luggage in some compartment, the first one he found, and as if in trance made his way to the prefects' compartment. Only then did he realise that he didn't pay attention to where he stuffed it. Oh well. He didn't want to return now to check every compartment, especially people were gathering and there were a few he wanted to avoid throughout the ride.

Opening the door of the compartment, he closed it behind him before turning to face them. He was surprised to find it so packed, but then again he had been slow in his attempts to find a compartment. Smiling genuinely, he greeted all with a "Good morning." Well, better to be happy than sad, right?

He eyed Iris for a moment, wondering if she was still mad at him, and his eyes fell on Sophie at last. It made him blush slightly, and he didn't know why. It had been a whole year that they left their awkward situation behind... smiling at her, he moved away from the door to stand leaning on the wall next to it. He didn't feel like sitting.

Sophie had just seated herself next to Iris when the compartment door was pushed opened again and Evan stepped in. Her friend was clad like a muggle already it seemed. "Good Morning Evan..." she greeted him warmly as his eyes came to rest on hers. She averted her gaze to look out the window for a second before she turned back to him since they were yet to leave the station. "So, are you ready to leave Hogwarts Evan and go into the wide world?" Letting her gaze drift she took notice of the fact that Evan didn't wear his badge either for some reason and neither had Iris. Was that their way of leaving Hogwarts and cutting the cord to their old school life? Was she going to do the same next term when she left?

Simon caught the wink expressing the true meaning of the Hufflepuff prefect's words, causing himself to nod in understanding and agreement. He looked back to the door as it opened again, smiling as Arya though the sight reminded him of seeing Sabel at the flying final. The Gryffindor made a mental note to try and check in with the older graduate if he could. At her comment about it being earlier, he simply shrugged in response. "Seems the same."

His thoughts were drawn out more words of congradulations were passed to Iris, making hims remember what he had heard about happening at the feast. Simon hadn't been paying much attention the previous evening but it had caught his attention leaving the tower. "Yes, congrats Iris," he remarked turning to the Slytherin with a brighter smile for her sake since her future was far more upbeat. "Seems Aaron had to outdo my gift from the trip to school," he teased letting himself get a little more relaxed.

Simon moved to take a seat for now as he was begining to feel ackward just standing and turning his attention back and forth between those in the compartment and those entering. He chose a central seat and sat down, looking back at the door as first Jacob and Sophie entered one at a time. The graduating captain couldn't help but notice something was a little off with his Ravenclaw counterpart and while he had noticed him with Vindictus at the staff table while he was with Donovan and the new badge he now wore, Simon couldn't help place the reason.

"Morning Sophie..." he returned the prefect's greeting instead, opting to move his attention away from Jacob for the time being. "...Jacob" he added out of politeness.

With his Montrose Magpies hoody on, his headboy badge safely in the hands of Fallon, Finlay Carmicheal wandered along the corridor of the train. This was his last train journey, but it was hardly that sad for him. He was partly happy to be leaving Hogwarts, he was looking forward to starting his career with the montrose. Although he was sad to be leaving the school, the ravenclaw quidditch team as well. He would miss them all.

He was heading towards the prefects compartment. He needed to thank all of the prefects for a great year. He had really had a great year,a nd he knew it was partly down to them. As he got to the compartment he saw that some of the prefects were already. He entered the compartment, and smiled at them all. "Hey guys..." This was kind of sad now.

Iris smiled at Simon as he entered the compartment. She nodded at his words. They were very true...

The blonde laughed at Treyen's expectation. Ahh... She was going to miss him next year. "Ahh... Don't worry, Treyen. I'm expecting you to be there." And then she looked at the others in the compartment.

"I want all of you to be there." 'Twas true. Iris had gotten very close to all of them (well, maybe with the exception to Legend) over the course of the year. They were all fantastic, and she really did want them all to attend her wedding.

Wedding... Gosh. It was such a foreign word. It sounded odd to hear it in her head. Iris supposed that she best get used to it, though.

As Ayra walked into the Prefects' Compartment, Iris smiled at her. Resuming her looking out of the window, Iris was kind of waiting for Aaron to show up... (She'd not bothered trying to wake him before her wanderings around the school this morning).

It was only when the Hufflepuff prefect announced her congrats that the blonde looked back to her prefects. "Oh!..." hehehehe. "Thanks, Ayra!" Iris grinned. See, this is why Iris loved the Hufflepuffs. They were so lovely and cheerful.

Jacob...

Iris smiled to the Ravenclaw captain as he appeared, too. Noticing that he was very quiet, Iris decided to speak up. "Hey, Jacob... Are you okay?" Aaand, there's the concerned frown. Even when she didn't mean for it to be there, it still was.

Iris giggled at Sophie's question. Thinking ahead, were we? "Thanks, Sophie... but... I don't know... haha... I'll definitely let you know, though." With a smile, Iris nodded at the girl. Yes. Sophie was definitely getting an invitation. Iris really liked her.

... And in all honesty, Iris would be extremely surprised if Sophie didn't get her Head Girl badge next term.

When Evan appeared, the first thing Iris noticed was that he was dressed like she was. Muggle clothes with no badge. Obviously they'd had the same idea. She nodded to him, but otherwise didn't say anything to him.

She was still kinda annoyed at the boy, because of last night.

When Simon congratulated Iris too, she grinned even more. Even though she felt like Aaron was the one who should be getting the congrats. He was the one who planned the whole engagement, right? ... Iris didn't know how it all worked really, what with congratulating people for things.

"Ahh... He does seem to have done, doesn't he?" She replied, laughing. Simon's gift from the start of the year WAS brilliant though. That caduceus was really pretty, and very fitting.

Ahh! Finn!

Iris smiled at him as he, too, showed up. " 'lo" she said, simply... The blonde also wondered if Finn was going to disappear to go and sit with Fallon for some of the journey. He probably would...

Soo, she'd just give it a minute or two more before saying what she needed to to her prefects.

His eyes drifted between his shoes to the metal Bats badge on his chest. Jacob looked up momentarily to give a nod to those who said his name in greetings, trying to add a smile with it... well an attempt was better than nothing. His head was spinning to much to be able to do anything properly. He was sure that if he tried to stand, he'd probably end up on the floor.

When Iris Spoke, Jacob looked up again. He saw the frown on her face, and tried to offer a reassuring smile. "Fine. Just a bit dazed." his throat felt even dryer as he spoke. But Jacob gave a small laugh "I always thought Dropping out of that dump would make me feel good." It didn't. If anything Jacob was feeling worse and worse about it.

But Jacob was fine. He'd get over it soon... he always did about these kind of things, Like when his parents had disowned him when he first decided to got to Hogwarts. That wasn't a good feeling, but he got over it.

Jacob now took the time to scan the room and everyone in it. He hadn't noticed how many were actually in here. Then someone else opened the door, and Jacob first noticed the hoody. He finally gave a genuine smile, and offered his hand to shake the Head Boy's

"Again, I must say Congratulations. Seems like the next time we meet, we'll be opponents... Hopefully it wont call for too much blood." he said, and sat back. Montrose vs. Ballycastle. Jacob would actually be looking forward to it.


Then something struck him. Jacob then turned to face the Gryffindors. "Have you guys heard from Patroclus by any chance?" he needed to speak to his Friend... he hadn't heard from him in a while, and it was begining to worry him.

Yeah, it was probably just Arya, but he just shrugged the thought away. Even Simon seemed to think it wasn't any different from the rest. Really, Treyen just didn't want to point how COMPLETELY different it was, because, like, half the people in here won't be returning.

He certainly didn't want to think about that. Most especially Finn. But there were ways to ask for his advice if he wasn't at Hogwarts, so, he'll deal with that.

HOWEVER, Finn didn't have to be so sad as he entered the compartment. Tsk, tsk.

"Do you want one, though? Because you can take one if you want," he said, eyes on Arya, because he was only offering her a cupcake, no one else, sorry, but there are only TWO cupcakes. If anyone feels like complaining, then complain to Kurumi.

Mmmhmm. Yes, exactly. He nodded, but gave her a small wink as if to tell her everything was okay. Or much better than yesterday, anyway.

Actually, Treyen didn't mind if the others were invited or not, but thanks for the clarification, Iris.

He did smile when she mentioned he was expected. Same as New York, right Finn? "Then I'll be there," wherever and whenever THERE was. For all Treyen knew, they'll be getting married in three years, but whatever, he was invited TODAY.

That was pretty neat.



JACOB.

Patroclus? Sigh. Patroclus.

"Morning, Sophie!" She greeted the girl with a bright expression, waking up more and more with each newcomer to the compartment. Maybe it WAS just her that had woken up later than usual.

Yup, it was just her. Simon had definitely confirmed that.

She greeted each person that entered with a smile and a finger waves, even speaking to those who'd spoken as well.

Did she want one?

Did he even KNOW her? Of course she wanted one! Arya beamed, nodding her head as she poked the box he was holding. "I would looove one, either one will do." She'd let him pick which one he wanted for himself. Obviously everything was good with him, if he was winking and sharing his food.

Patroclus... she DID wonder what'd happened to the awesome lion.

See! See! He managed to make her make him eat less. There was a very small smirk on his face, but he was all for sharing, really. "Take the one with the broom," he said, with one nod. He'll keep the Snitch for himself. After all, it was the last Snitch he could ever get.

That was a sad thought, which is why he pushed it away from his mind and then sat patiently as he waited to hear if anyone knew anything about Patroclus. He'd been a very nice Gryffindor.

He didn't even know why he'd left in the first place.

Arya was well aware that he'd gotten her to get him to eat less, but she didn't care in this case. It was Kurumi's cupcakes! She had to have one more of those before the term was OFFICIALLY over and she wouldn't see the girl for Merlin knows how long.

Taking the one with the broom, she licked the edges of the wrapper, "Mmm. Thanks!" The Huffie prefect would slowly eat her cupcake while she too waited to hear if anyone would knew anything about that tall Gryffindor.

The lioness shifted in her seat. Looking over at Simon she asked to spark up some conversation that was harmless. "So what are you plans for the summer?" Was it just her or had the mood in the compartment gone from bright to awkward in just a few minutes? Sophie knew that it was going to be a sad train ride home but it didn't have to be so if they made it fun.

Sophie was studying Jacob's sullen figure by the door. She had heard about his talk with Professor Vindictus and that he was leaving school to take a place in a professional quidditch team. The lioness didn't have time to dvelve over the ravvie captain's feelings when Finlay entered decked out in all montrose magpies attire with no badge on his chest. Certain that the leaving seventh year had made a pact not to wear their badges she blurted out confused and a little hurt. "Not you Toooo!First Iris and Evan and now you too..What is so bad about wearing your badges on the way home?" Looking from Iris to Finlay to Evan she buried her head in her hands before looking up again "Hogwarts hasn't been a bad place, has it?" Why were they making this a sad ride?

Her eyes slightly read with tears Sophie just nodded in Iris direction. She would gladly come to Iris wedding but this was too sad. And she would curse them if they tried to joke it off. The lioness was going to miss all of them no matter what they said.

Patroclus!!!

Sophie turned to meet Jacob's eyes. Swallowing she bustled with her bag for a moment before she dragged out a bottle of water. "Wan't some water Jacob to ease your throat?" The lioness was though only bying herself some more time. "Um, I got a postcard from Patroclus some time after he left. He said he was fine. But nothing since. Maybe you could ask Destiny....she might now.." She had been quite close to Patroclus if Sophie's memory served her right.

Iris looked up at Sophie, slightly surprised at her little outburst. She raised a confused eyebrow. "Not at all. Hogwarts has been AMAZING." Realising that the sixth year was talking about the fact that all the graduating prefects were badge-less, Iris' mouth fell into a small "o" "Oohhhh.... Sophiee... The only reason why I've not got my badges on are because I don't think I'd be able to get off the train in London if I kept that association there on my chest." They're going on display at home, though. And when she moves into a house of her own with Aaron, his badge was going to join hers. Yuup. That's the main reason why she didn't have them on, though. For the emotional detachment... The Head Girl really wouldn't be able to get up and leave this train for ever if she still considered herself the school's Head Girl.

Looking around the compartment, Iris sighed. Not all of the prefects and captains were here... Hmm. Should she just speak to them now or give it a couple more minutes to see if the others would turn up, too?

Evan considered the question of Sophie for a moment. Was he truly ready? Well, he wasn't going to spill his worries out now, so he simply nodded. "I guess so, time to grow up," he said with a small smile. He was 18 now, time to move on with the next stage of life.

...wait, what did that Ravenclaw chap say to Finn? They'd be opponents next time? Now that Evan paid attention, he noticed they both had different Quidditch team badges. Wow. He guessed it was obvious though, both were fantastic. Or so he had seen from one of the only games he had watched for the sake of Mina.

"Congratulations," he adressed both of them with a smile. Apparently, he was the latest person to know or notice, since no one else congratulated them. "I wish the best of luck." All three of them were on their way to be professional sportsman. Though, his profession was a bit different.

Was Sophie crying over the fact that all three of them weren't wearing a badge? Evan blinked, moving to her to hold her hand lightly. Until she had pointed it out, he hadn't even noticed that.

"Not that it was a bad place!" he said after Iris, "It's only... it'd be hard to get it off." And now that they weren't at Hogwarts technically, he was free. Ready to move on.