ACK.

One moment he's all wanting her to come back to HIM in September, then he can't even decide if he wants to be her BOYFRIEND. Pfft. And they say GIRLS are indecisive. But what if he changed his mind? Surely he didn't kiss just for the sake of kissing her? It didn't SEEM like Orlando.

Which must mean that he's trying to be nice. If they weren't so close and her adrenaline levels weren't sky rocketing at the moment, Ryden might have even rolled her eyes. Instead, she did something that she'd kind of been wanting to do for the past few minutes.

Ryden rose on her tiptoes and kissed him again. Lightly, she pecked his lips then grinned. "Do you even want to be my boyfriend, Orlando? I'm not the easiest girl..." she said, not even TRYING to control what her mouth was currently jabbering on about. All connection between reality, reason and whatever this situation was, was purely coincidental.

Because in what universe would Ryden actually admit she was high maintenance? Psht.

Perhaps, she could read his face. Or mind. Or his wild heart. It had to be one of those things because why did she suddenly decide to grace him with another kiss. HE WAS NOT SURE. AND HE DID NOT CARE TO BE SURE. He cared about enjoying the small, adorable kiss.

Speaking of adorable - he dropped his hand from her waist and traced his fingers from her elbow to her wrist and rounded it to hold her hand. Her small, adorable hands in his. "Yes. I would really like that. Really like being your boyfriend." he smiled, simply squeezing her hands and controlling his urges. He really wanted to pull her into a squeeeeze-worthy hug, you know.

He laughed, a trace of his father's booming laughter echoing in his own laugh. "Yes. I know that. From the first day, I met you. I knew that"

Holding hands. Looking down at their intertwined hands, Ryden remembered with a slight smile how even before all of this happened, they'd already done that. Strange to think that she might have had feelings for Olrando all that time... Or had she? The brunette was struck by an odd thought. Had she liked him before?

Hmm. She'd think about it later.

"Then I'd really like being your girlfriend," Ryden said, and beamed at him the same way she had when they'd won the lagoon hunt thing, squeezing his massive hands back. She had a BOYFRIEND. There was something she hadn't thought would happen at Hogwarts. Then again, there were a lot things she hadn't anticipated about this year.

Unable to help it, Ryden chuckled and shrugged, his laughter infecting her as well. "Yeah well..." she dwindled off, not apologising for anything. She was who she was and anyone who didn't like that got punched. Or anyone who she deemed deserved a punch. Hehe.

"What did you say back then? Something about rain?"

It was strange seeing Ryden react like to him. The punches, the eye rolling, the 'don't you dare' antics all seemed to left somewhere outside the great hall. he would tease him later on for this. MOST DEFINITELY.

He used his thumb to brush the corner of her lips, when she literally beamed. "I didn't imagine, you smiling like this Ryden" he said, very surprised. He never imagined getting a 'beam' like this out of her - and cause of him. SURREAL. "Are a closet sappy person, then?" he teased, not being able to help himself.

Orlando's eyes finally left hers to look anywhere but at her when she mentioned the 'rain' incident though. Their first meeting. Their first awkward meeting. The words he had spoken then seemed more true today. Dropping his hand that was near her cheek, he took her other hand in his too - squeezing them both, he spoke: "Nobody, not even rain has such small hands,"

His thumb made her skin go all tingly and Ryden longed to scratch it, but decided to just leave it for now. Wouldn't really go with the mood to start itching all over the place. At Orlando's words however, the Ryden he'd met ten months ago took over and she made a face, punching him lightly with her free hand on his arm. "Hey! I'm not sappy. Psht," she warned, and raised the fist.

Or does boyfriend status automatically give immunity from punches? How does all this work, really? Ugh, was she going to have to buy him a pink bear for Valentine's? Bleh. She was NOT doing that.

Alarmed as he suddenly looked away from her, Ryden registered finally that there were others in the world beside them and looked around, only to focus back onto Orlando as he squeezed both her hands and spoke. "Ah, yes. Silly boy... Even now, that could get me mad at you," the brunette shook her head, chuckling quietly.

It was true though. No matter how nice the intention was, the words still stung where it hurt most. Leaning her head against Orlando's chest, Ryden sighed. And she hadn't even begun eating yet. Was everyone else's feast this interesting?

William walks away sadly. Presley deided to talk to her housemates but not him. What else is new? William thinks to himself.

Alfie was just considering what food to eat when she just barely caught sight of the water dribbling down the boy's chin, something that got another laugh to erupt from her lips. It was in no way taunting though, nowhere near mocking the boy, but rather showing a sort of endearment that was also reflected in her large blue eyes. She couldn't help but stare at him, Theo was completely adorable to her, she'd found herself noticing his features all the time when she was around him. A large smile displayed on her face, Alfie listened to him mention about having forgotten about that event, wondering vaguely what happened to that cake cannon. But she didn't seem too interested in responding at that moment, her large saucer-like eyes still stuck on his expression, taking in the sight of her boyfriend holding back his chuckles, amusement on his face.

Alfie seemed to not hear his next words either, her expression turning thoughtful as she admired him silently. It was only then that she seemed to realize how much she was going to notice his presence not being around her over the summer break. "I'm gonna miss you," the little blonde very suddenly announced, though her voice was as soft as ever, gentle as it fell through the small space between them. And with that she leaned up just slightly in order to place the warmest of kisses onto Theo's cheekbone, her eyes closing for the moment and causing her eyelashes to brush against the boy's skin. She let the kiss last a moment longer than necessary before she pulled back, flashing the boy a warm smile before allowing her gaze to fall sheepishly to the table before her.

Oh good, the girl was coming on over to join them. The more, the merrier, of course!

Vashti nodded and grinned. "Yep. But I'd enjoy it even more if the food was here." She was definitely hungry by now. She'd been packing most of the day so she hadn't eaten much since lunchtime, which was just horrible. When was the feast going to pop up? There were plenty of students here now, though, upon glancing up at the Staff Table, there didn't seem to be many professors present. Where were the rest of them? Hmm.

"How about you?" she asked, turning to her fellow fifth year.

Vashti watched a little quizzically as Presley seemed to debate with herself whether she was ready to go home or not. Finally, after a few seconds, she settled on an answer, and Vashti nodded. "Well that's good," she said with a smile. "The summer holidays will probably go by quickly anyway, so you'll be back to Hogwarts before you know it." That was always how it felt to Vashti. Summer went by so quickly, at least for her. She wasn't sure whether anyone else felt that way.

A bunch of Presley's friends were popping up then to chat with her, and Vashti smiled at them if they looked her way but turned her attention to her fellow fifth year for a moment before looking around the table to see who else at arrived.



Suddenly hearing a familiar voice, Vashti scanned the table and found the source - Louisa. Good, she was hoping she'd find the girl during the feast or the train; she needed to scold her for talk to her about that stolen trophy the third year had shown her and Dallin. Because obviously it hadn't been her own - her name wasn't on it. And she had to talk to her about-

Hmm? Vashti thought all that within the few seconds it took for her to notice the look her friend had on her face. She didn't look very happy, and she definitely didn't seem to be enjoying whatever book she was reading.

Frowning, the fifth year wanted to go and see what was wrong, but she was still talking with Presley and Marie, and she thought it would be rude to abruptly excuse herself. So she simply made a mental note to check on Louisa later, once her conversations had finished.

Even the embarrassment evident on his colored cheeks wasn't near to the degree of humiliation that Theo was accustomed to feeling. Alfie made him feel normal and comfortable. Not that her awkwardness outmeasured his, but it was rather that they balanced each other out. Her staring plus his clumsiness somehow added into an equation that spelled out a good relationship for Alfeodore. However, his smile faltered at the uttering of four small, simple words: "I'm gonna miss you." No matter how much he tried to deny it, two long months would separate their next encounter. Theo felt as if he had swallowed an anvil and turned to her, biting his lower lip. The summer would feel like an eternity unless they did something about it.

"There'll be no need to miss me," Theo smiled softly, his free hand gently placing a loose lock of wavy blonde hair behind her ear. "I can visit you, we can visit each other. I'll learn how to conjure a patronus to send messages to you; that would be faster than any owl or Bree." He managed to laugh lightly although the unknown future of their summer, whether together or apart, unnerved him. "I can fly over and cast a disillusionment charm on me and my broom, I can... there are ways, you know." He took a breath and paused his rambling, bringing his lips to kiss the top of her head. The goodbyes at Platform 9 & 3/4 would be hard; his stomach clenched at the sad thought.

Alfie's large blue eyes swept away from the table as Theo spoke to her, coming up to lock with his own gaze as he gently tucked a strand of her light blonde hair behind her ear. Her expression calmed at this gesture, her features beginning to brighten as the boy at her side began to list off the many ways they could visit one another and communicate, that there would be no need to miss one another. The girl flashed him the warmest of smiles then, letting out a soft chiming laugh at the idea of him flying over to her home and casting a disillusionment charm on himself and his broom. "You'd fly all the way over to my house?" she mused softly, endearment sparkling behind her large eyes. It was then that he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, yet another gesture that made the girl feel all warm and fuzzy.

"I'd like to see you," she murmured softly to him as he pulled back, a soft smile on her expression as she spoke the honest truth. But the idea of not communicating with the boy seemed ridiculous, she wanted to hear from him, be around him whenever she could. "Besides," Alfie started playfully, flashing Theo a teasing grin. "Someone has to make sure that my Theo doesn't get snatched up by another girl!" Letting out a string of soft chuckles and successfully lightening the mood, she leaned into him a bit more, tilting her head back as much as possible in order to meet his gaze. "You know, all of those other girls will quickly realize that your big intimidating girlfriend won't be around all the time!" she explained with mock alarm in her expression, amused with the idea of ever being considered intimidating. Alfie was an average sized (some might even say short) little blonde girl with giant blue eyes and a gentle nature. The idea of her being intimidating seemed rather ridiculous though no one's seen her on a deserted island yet. "They won't even hesitate in trying to steal you away from me!" she continued with a grin on her face, "They'll just say, 'Oh there's that handsome Theodore Dumble, looks like his girlfriend's out of sight, I think I'll walk right up to him and tackle him with my undying love!'" the little Ravenclaw decided, making her voice a little higher as she mocked these imaginary women who would apparently be flocking to Theo's side over the summer.

Alfie's reassurance that she'd like to see Theodore over the summer only made him feel more sure of her affection. It wasn't as if he had been doubting anything, but verbal reassurance was always better than simply supposing one's feelings for another. "I'd love to see you," He added. If it had been his choice, he would have swept himself and Alfie away to a more private place, where first years wouldn't be looking at them as if they were a couple in a romantic film, but being at the leaving feast was mandatory. However, the onlookers didn't bother him as much as Theodore supposed they would. Curiosity was natural, albeit annoying at times, but Alfie's beautiful blue eyes and soft face pushed away any thoughts of puny little Hogwarts children.

Throwing his head back in a melodramatic display of laughter, he drawled out his faux chortling, "Har har har... har." Shaking his head, he flashed her a toothy smile. "I'm no Casanova, obviously," He spoke, the idea of himself looking like a wizard version of the muggle Fabio too ridiculous to comprehend. "But no one else has my heart or will have it." The idea of Alfie being swept up by Fabio himself was much more frightening that the prospect of little tweenaged girls in his hometown sending him anonymous love notes. "Now, for you..." He began jokingly, scratching his jawline, "Bree and I will floo ourselves over and claw any boy who dares to steal you away. That, I promise you." Dimples formed in his cheeks as he held back another round of laughter, although such fears of losing her were real and present. However, he had trust in Alfie and she in him; it wasn't likely that their relationship would falter over the summer, even if Theo was kidnapped by a psycho zombie girl and her talking carrot.

As Theo let out his fake, melodramatic chuckles, Alfie let out a string of harmonious, real giggles to add to the symphony of laughter, all too amused by his response to her worries. Grin on her face, she gaze up at him as he assured her that no one else had his heart, or would get it, a statement that got the warm and fuzzy butterflies to erupt once more. It was then that he jokingly promised that he and Bree would floo over immediately and claw any boy who dared to steal her away. "You promise?" the blonde repeated playfully, the warmest of her soft smiles displayed on her features as she gazed up at him in an almost dazed manner.

"Well, I can assure you Theodore Dumble," Alfie began, her voice soft and gentle as it always seemed to be, amusement clearly displayed in her large blue eyes. "That my heart lies entirely in your capable hands," she continued, her free hand coming up to absentmindedly straighten up his tie a bit more. Her large eyes flickered to his collar as she did so, though they returned to his own blue ones in the next second, holding his gaze with obvious happiness beaming from her. "...and even if any other boys were interested, which I'm sure they won't be, I wouldn't have eyes for any of them..." Her left hand gently centered his tie absentmindedly, "...rather I would be anxiously awaiting the next letter...or patronus...or floo from my Theodore Dumble." Her forehead was practically resting on his own now, her large eyes locked shamelessly onto his own. "Because I like him very much," she admitted as though it was some kind of secret, a small smile on her features. "Much too much to allow anyone from either of our home towns to steal one of us away." Her voice was so soft it was hardly above a whisper, gentle and calm as the conversation only really involved the two of them. And her staring issue was still there, but in the best possible way, as this time she wasn't staring at someone from afar curiously or even admiring the side of her boyfriend's expression, but rather staring directly into his own eyes, keeping their gazes locked as she assured him that no one would come between them over the summer.

Philip looked up at is fellow Ravenclaw members, not uttering a word. He couldn't believe the term was over. He couldn't believe that next year, he'd be a 7th year. His time at Hogwarts was almost over and that thought depressed him beyond anything that had happened the whole year.

While others might have thought of the end of the term as a fitting closure to a great year, leading up to the start of another wonderful year, Philip thought of it as only another door closing shut and smacking him in the face mid-way through. He had so much left to do and so little time to do it. He hid his face in his hands quietly and shivered in his seat.

Mafalda slowly walked past the Ravenclaw table on her way to the Hufflepuff one. She hated having to leave Hogwarts!

Audrey sat down, next to all her Ravenclaw housemates. Thinking of how this year had been a wonderful new experience, moving to London alone, Hogwarts & all the wonderful magical times she'd had. She couldn't wait for next year to start. She thought of all the 7th years leaving, especially of Neptune, their star Ravenclaw. 'I want to be just like her!' Audrey thought. "Hey Ravenclaws! Let's win the House Cup next year!" she shouted. She immediately shrunk back in embarrassment. 'I'm sure no one was paying attention to me, at least not until I did that.'

Presley nodded in agreement with Luna. The year had gone so fast, but it was a wonderful kind of fast. "So, I think my brother is taking us on a surprise vacation somewhere. But I'm not sure where, or when. You'll both have to..well, Luna, tell your brother. And you too Rachel. Your parents." Pres wasn't sure how to comfort Luna at this point. With noone left but her brother and friends.


Presley noticed Philip just down the table from her, sitting in silence. She smiled brightly and waved to him. "Hey, Philip!"

Alright.


He was here.


Jim sat down in his usual spot and lounged comfortably, apparently not a bit cut up about the whole leaving school forever thing.

Well, that was because he wasn't. New adventures now, hey?

Looking up Finlay saw a very familar person sit down. It was Jim, someone Finn hadn't spoken to for nearly a year now. Well....spoken too properly. Finn really had missed him, and they were graduating now. Kind of making a sudden decision, Finn stood up, and approached his fellow seventh year.

He sat down, kind of next to Jimmy, but a bit further away from he usually would've sat. "Hey Jim..." He didn't quite know what to say. This was really the last chance that they would have to make up....Finn hoped it would work.

" Bye" William called out to Presley. He could not help but cry. Presley really never wanted to talk to William at all. This is very hard for him.

"Yes? Was there something?" No warmth there. Jim looked up, not bothering to move or welcome the Head boy in any way.

Had the speech happened yet? He looked up to the staff dais and decided that it hadn't. Aside from the whole feast not having really started yet, they all looked like they were waiting too.

Bye? Where was he going? "Wait, where are you going?" Presley asked in confusion. Maybe he was feeling neglected because Pres wanted to be friendly to everyone? She just wanted to have the chance to say goodbye to everyone instead of just a few people. And since Pres always fell asleep on long car rides or trains, she had to say goodbye now. So she didn't want William to leave. She wanted him to stay and chat for a while with all of her friends. Well, she wasn't sure if Philip was a friend, he was so much older than her group, but they'd talked before, and he looked lonely...

Yeah. James clearly still really hated him. Finlay sighed, looking away. He still really didn't know what he could actually do. He'd spent the last year regretting what he had done. He realised how stupid he had been. He'd lost the most important thing in his life, and he didn't even know if he'd be able to get it back, earn jim's trust again.

"I want to apologise...." For everything. "Again. I really crossed a line, something that I should never have done. This years been really crap without you. I didn't realise how much I took you for granted until now...I was a really suckish friend." Majorly. He deserved this.

The Ravenclaw she had sat next too was a sixth year. She heard someone call him Phillip, so she guessed that was his name. "hello Phillip." Audrey said kindly

Jim didn't even answer but inside he was stewing. Finlay STILL didn't get it.

And Jimmy was done explaining.

Speech? Now would be a good time.

" I was going back to my lonely seat at Gryffindor" William told Presley. " I thought I asked yo ua question or questions, but you were busy and I just figured you did not need me around anymore " William wxplained to Presley. " I am feeling rejected by my whole house and another so-called friend Emily who chose not to speak to me" Willaim explaind to Presley. "Do not worry, I know yo uhave to speak to all your friends at RavenClaw' William forced a smile.