Harvey then came to the staff table where there were still some Professors here "Professor Bentley, Professor Magnus, The baby elf is sleeping on top of the Ravenclaw Table over there by that Hufflepuff First year. I have informed Professor Scabior and Headmaster Tate and now inform you.." he said to the professors. He wondered where the other professors were. well at least 4 knew and they could spread the word.

Tate carried the sleeping baby elf back to the staff table and set it very gently on his chair. The room was in general chaos, and he raised his hands for the attention of the students. "I'm so sorry that we've made you wait so long for dinner. As you can see, we had a very rambunctious baby elf visiting with us some this term, and it is now caught and confined. We'll decide what to do with it... unless someone will speak on its behalf right now?"

The elf cuddled closer to the nice man's chest in its sleep, putting its little hand by its little lips, sucking on its lil fist.

Minerva walked to the staff table. "Headmaster, Nimma is afraid your going to send her away. I think she is afraid to come get her baby. Can the baby stay at the castle with Nimma?" Minerva was afraid she was being a pain. She looked down concerned she might get into trouble with the professors and the Headmaster for being a pain.

"Nimma will not be given clothes for this, but the baby elf is not her baby. If she will vouch for its good behavior, we might be able to keep the baby, but I need an agreement that this situation will not occur again." Tate glanced back at the elf, but it was completely unconscious.

Whew.

Minerva looked back a Nimma, come on Nimma say something. She then looked back at the Professors then the headmaster. That poor baby elf. Minerva would take it home with her, but she didn't know if students could do that. She frowned and hoped Nimma or a professor would speak for the baby.

Just as she had promised Pips, Kurumi approached the staff table with a slight tremble in her step. What was she supposed to say? On top of that, what would the word of a fourth year weigh in the mind of the Headmaster and the staff?

"Headmaster..." Kurumi squeaked, raising her hand as though she were in the middle of a lesson. "I-I'll speak for the elf." She already had a few thoughts swimming around in her mind as it was and, strangely enough, the words of Professor Vindictus came to mind. Odd.

Minerva was glad when someone else came up someone a little older. She looked around for Nimma disappointed that the elf didn't step up. "Nimma" Minerva whispered. Minerva wasn't sure whether to find her seat or stay in case Nimma needed her. She looked at the Professors and then back to where the House was.

Tate nodded at Kurumi. "Very well. The elf can stay, and I expect Nimma and... and Pips to be responsible for it. And I expect you, Miss Hollingberry, to check in on him when you are baking in the kitchens." And that was that.

Tate gestured to the sleeping elf, indicating that Nimma needed to come and claim it. They would worry about the name later. "Students, I apologize again for the delay. Let's take a moment to congratulate our Slytherin house for winning the trifecta this year. I believe this is the second year in the row for them. They are, however, losing many excellent point earners this year, so it may be anyone's race next term. Let's also congratulate our seventh years, as this is their leaving feast."

He waited for the applause to subside. "And I will keep this extremely brief, as I know how hungry you are by now. This was an excellent term for personal development and good behavior, and I'm proud of all of you. I hope next year will continue in the same way. No one died, and I didn't even have to remind you. So now, go on and eat, and when the train departs in a little while, please remember to take all your socks and belongings with you. I'll wish you good night."

Minerva smiled as the Headmaster said the baby could stay. She turned to where she thought Nimma was. "Nimma see you can keep the baby. As soon as I'm back next term I will check in on you. Promise, I will help anyway I can." Minerva knew even if Nimma was hiding she would here her. She turned back to the professors and the Headmaster "Thank you Headmaster, thank you. Have a great summer." At that Minerva quickly made her way back to her friends.

Nimma creeped up, all wide eyes and wibbles. Nimma could stay???

It could too?

Nimma held her little elfy arms out for the even littler baby elf, which wasn't quite half her size. Already it had grown so quickly.

Pips? Where was Pips? She could really use a prod with a fork and some ear ironing right now. She could!

"Nimma is very very thankful. Nimma is."

Minerva turned back around as she was headed to her table. "Nimma I don't know how elves name their babies, but after this term I think a great name would be mischievous." At that Minerva turned and went and found her seat at the Puff table.

Seren returned to the staff table, carrying her boots and socks. Yep... this was a rather interesting way to end the term, but at least now the mystery of missing things and her shed had been explained. It wasn't as if she could be mad at the little dear...

Finally plopping down in her seat, she began to pull her socks back on.

Kurumi was just about to open her mouth and give some sort of speech about how just because it was young and had mad mistake didn't mean that it shouldn't be allowed to stay. After all, the Headmaster had forgiven Walnut for peeing on his shoes and, well, just take at look at the first years. If everyone who made a mistake, was a little wild, or broke something were forced to leave Hogwarts...then there really wouldn't be a Hogwarts at all. That, and that Nimma was already showing that she was a very capable parent in how fiercely she had tried to protect the infant all term - even if her methods were a bit...misguided.

"Thank you, Headmaster," Kurumi chirped as she bowed deeply. "I
accept all responsibilities of the position and would be pleased to do so." Besides, she was already in the kitchens often enough as it was. Kitchens...this meant...

THAT THEY WOULD BE OPENED NEXT TERM! YAAAAAAAAY!
Kurumi didn't even hear the rest of the Headmaster's speech as she knelt down next to Nimma and threw her arms around the elf to hug her - before the baby was returned to her that is. "Nimma! Hoppity can stay! It's brilliant! Pips will be to pleased to hear this. He was very concerned at the Gryffindor table about you and the baby." Kurumi rolled back on her heels, but remained in kneeling position this time to look at Nimma. "Just, this time, promise that you will ask for help if it becomes too much to handle instead of trying to do it all yourself? After all, isn't that what Hogwarts is all about? Helping each other?"

See that Professor Vindictus? Putting the lesson about school pride to practice in a real life situation!

Alyssa stepped up to the Gryffindor prefect. "Kurumi, I just heard that the Headmaster is going to allow Hoppity to stay. I'm so glad to hear that. If you ever need help keeping an eye on Hoppity or to baby sit it, I'm more than happy to help out in anyway I can. Since the kitchen is near our Common Room, I can always pop in to see how things are going. I'm glad that things turned out okay and that no one was hurt." Alyssa looked over at Nimma and the sleeping baby elf and smiled.