...

Was there something wrong with Theo? He seems like he was grumpy or maybe someone annoyed the hell out of him. And Kat sensed the tiny sarcasm in his words. What an awesome boy. "Thanks," she said.



There weren't a lot of Slytherin on the Table yet. Though there was a crowd of them talking to their friends. The blonde spotted Ariana Logan by the Ravenclaw House Table, probably smooching the life out of her boyfriend. Yep, that girl kissed like a dementor. SNORT.

Turning to her back, Kat noticed a familiar figure... of someone blonde. A bit taller than Kat. The fourth year narrowed her eyes to focus on the girl. When the girl turned around, Kat's eyes widened. Could you believe it? It was Cass. The girl hasn't seen Cass since like... the common room encounter? Or the welcoming feast? That feast was when she said hello... but now, it was good bye.

The fourth year approached the seventh year with a ghost of a smile. When she went nearer, the smile just faded knowing that she'd never see Cass as a student ever again. "Cass..." Kat croaked, then gave her a forced smile. Yep, she wanted to frown or just cry. But she just didn't want to, because she had to set things straight.

Then, the next second Kat hugged her honorary sister.

At the younger girl's suggestion, the blonde laughed "That sounds like an awesome idea, but its highly unlikely." She admitted "I didn't really excel in any particular subject after all." And also the fact that she was gone for most of the year might have something to do with it. "Thanks for the effort though."

But enough about her, here she was, talking to this girl that she had just fleetingly met in her seven years and she was talking about herself! "So, Olivia, what year are you in?" Cass asked.

When she heard another voice address her, the blonde turned on her seat and nearly cried when she saw her honorary little sister, Kat, standing behind her, an unfathomable expression on her pretty face.

"Kat!" The older blonde said tearfully as she welcomed the hug and returned in fiercely, not wanting to let go. "I'm going to miss you sooooo much." She said thickly as tears bordered her hazel eyes.

Cassia blinked at the thanks part. Why was Kat asking and thanking to sit with them. She could just do it she is KAT. "Oh you don't have to ask." Cassia said waving her hand dismissively. No manners between Snakes. She smiled and scooted to make room for Kat. And good the girl didn't seem to be stressed about the OWLs thing. Cassia remembers that whenever she asked someone they'd be nervous about it. But Kat wasn't and that was cool.

She has started already...Wow. She was really a good student, Cassia thought. "Interesting. I'm sure you will do great and you still have plenty of time." She told her. The younger snake only had a vague idea about the OWLs thing but she knew they were exams and surely if one studies one succeeds. That much she knew. She wasn't going to occupy her mind with unnecessary thoughts.


Cassia listened in interest to what Theo was saying about the Quidditch and she nodded in total agreement when he mentioned that the Slytherin didn't win. "Oh you guys were so awesome and surely snakes are winning next term." Because Snakes are supposed to win! And this term was just like last term a tragic coincidence in which another house won. Who won again? Hufflepuff? Was that even their name? Ehh...well yeah it was. "Professional Quidditch match! That is so cool." She said enthusiastically unable to hide the over surge of excitment. Theo must have gotten used to her over-reacting habit. And She didn't know much about that game but it's a professional thing so it gotta be important. "You guys send me a detailed letter before and after you play and tell me everything about it." Because she must know and she didn't know where that game was held. "I'll be rooting for you from afar." She said with a sincere nod. She didn't play but she was a faithful and supportive fan.

And now to switch from the childish cheerful mode to the business spying mode.

The twelve-years old propped her chin on her hand dramatically and drew her gaze down listening to Buttress explaining the matter to Terry. She nodded slowly at each word. "Not to mention that their presence had been noticed when unusual events occurred." She added in a tone that matched her friend's. "And by the way, I think we successfully finished the first mission." She declared. "You know he one about the barbecue." She had actually forgot the exact term. Her bad. "Because none of the....." PAUSE. "Yellows are missing." You know yellow...puffers. Not that she and Theo actually investigated but who was checking they might have been investigating and even themselves didn't know. That's the art of spying.Duh! "So I say we did a great job this year." Mhm..They will leave the castle triumphantly.

Richard smirked at the face his girlfriend made when they were interrupted by Ariana. She was...beautiful and something beyond that. Unable to help it, he felt quite pleased about Aurora being mad at the girl for interrupting them. His pleasure reflected to his face with a wide grin. His locked his gaze on his girlfriend and gently put a hand on her cheek and moved her face to look at him instead, not Ariana. ''We are not going to die unless the love inside us would someday decide to be poison.''

His gray eyes looked into hers, his gaze reflecting much of his confidence and contentment. Then he smiled a bit and looked up towards the healer lady again. And as if she knew that she was being watched, the woman turned to look at him. When their eyesights were caught and locked, she smiled and gave him a little nod of...a greeting perhaps.

Everything happened so fast but seconds felt way longer to Richard, as soon as the woman turned back to the girl she was having a conversation with, Sierra, the Slytherin boy's face became all red. He was blushing...pretty much. A woman. Adult. Caught him staring at her. Merlin! Not knowing what he was going to do, he seemed to forget even breathing for a moment. When his brain worked a bit, he his himself into the closest and safest shelter he knew; Aurora. Leaning his head on her shoulder, he hid his blushing face from the others at the table.

"I promise I'll write." she said with a firm nod. Of course Ronnie would write...why wouldn't she?! She then smiled a little as he said he'd write. "Good, good." she said. He'd better write...or else...

She felt a little better as he said to meet in Diagon Alley. "Okay, sounds good to me." she said, watching as he wiped away her tear away. She smiled a little, hugging him tightly again as he said they'd keep in touch. "Good." she mumbled. She then remembered something.

"Oh! I have a goodbye present for you...but...I think I left it with my stuff." she frowned. Darn, she'd really wanted to get it to him at the feast...she was so forgetful! Ah well, there was still the train at least. "I'll give it to you on the train."

Aurora caught Rich's smirk out of the corner of her eye and grinned a little, her smile only widening at the touch of his hand. She covered it with her own and held it there as she turned to look at him, his familiar grey eyes drawing her green ones and captivating her entirely. The butterflies that had appeared earlier were now threatening to suffocate her it seemed - she was feeling all light headed and... well he was just so perfect! Though the lightheadedness might have been the hunger. "Well... I don't think that's ever likely to happen." Honestly where did he get those words from..?

She blinked slightly, wondering why he was suddenly looking away... but then he leaned his head again her and she stifled a laugh when she realised he had been blushing. That was so cute... He was honestly adorable. She stroked her hand over his hair and turned her head slightly so she could smile at him. "Nobody's looking..." she said quietly, glancing up and down the table.

Kennedy let out an upward breath, his curly fringe bouncing on his forehead as the air brushed it. He needed another haircut, though he liked his hair. Meh. He'd think about that tomorrow. When he was home. Or maybe the next day. Meeeh.

He turned his head toward the voice that called him, a smile creeping up on his lips as he saw Kat. "Hey, Kat..." He barely got out when the young witch got him in a hug. It was sweet and Kennedy had to swallow before he got all mushy and emotional. Well, he wasn't the emotional type to begin with, but this was the first official goodbye he's received and it did stuff to him. He hugged her back, patting her back. "It was my honor meeting you," he smiled, sincerely. "Same here...I'm going to miss all of this," he said, briefly glancing around. Feelings. Why was he feeling them right now? Gah! "You take care and have fun this summer, alright?" he said, sending Kat a playful smirk.




If Kennedy was the mushy type he would have 'aww'ed' at the new visitor. And he did internally, because this snake, Cassia, had just wished him good luck in his life. He had a hunch he'd need it. Lots of it. He smiled at her. "It's nice to meet you, Cassia," he said. "Thank you, I'm going to need it," he said, chuckling softly at the end. Feels, go away, Kennedy needed a clear head right now.



Kennedy smiled and nodded in greeting at the Healer, but then she was excusing herself. "Thank you, you as well," he said. He was going to enjoy this feast. It was his last, after all. When she was out of reach, Kennedy turned to Sierra with a smile plastered on his face....




His smiled only grew wider when Sierra hugged him. Without hesitation, Kennedy wrapped his long arms around her and squeezed her, planting a kiss on her forehead. Could this last longer? Like, not end? But, Sierra pulled away causing Kennedy to almost pout, but he didn't. Men didn't pout. When she grabbed his hands, he laced their fingers together. With every word that spilled out of her mouth, Kennedy's heart thumped harder against the wall of his chest.

The thought of Sierra being proud of him made a happy feeling engulf him. And the thought of the "big, bad adult world" made him feel slightly nervous. Okay, who was he kidding? He was extremely nervous about the adult world. It's going to be new territory that he isn't familiar with. Different from his student life where, if something bad happened, he could run to his parents. No. Now he was an adult and he was going to have to deal with things himself. Sort of scary, but like Sierra said, he could do it.

Kennedy pulled her back into a hug when she congratulated him. "Thank you...I don't know what to say. I'm still a bit shocked that I've made it this far," he said, pulling away just enough to lock eyes with her. "But I am grateful that I met you. You're an extraordinary person and I'm lucky to have had you by my side when things were rough," he smiled, taking her hand in his. "Thank you, Greingoth," he said, keeping a happy tone in his voice and planting a kiss on her lips.

She did a lot more for him than she would ever imagine.

Oh great. Kat just finished drying her tears after the encounter with Kurumi at the Lion's table, thanks to the conjured / transfigured tissue of the Gryffindor. Her efforts seemed to have went to waste once Cass hugged her back so tight. Yes, Kat didn't want to let go either. Then soon she just started tearing up again. Weaaak.

GULP.

T____T

This term was the saddest of all terms. Most of the painful good byes were sad during this term, 2079. "I'm going to miss you too, Cass..." and the girl meant it. She just wished nobody had to leave, or graduate. It was truly hurtful to Kat, since she's made strong friendships with so many graduating students this term. But no regrets.

This was good bye for her older honorary sister though...



Uhmm... actually, Cassia, she had to ask. You know how possessive Theo is with a lot of stuff. You may never know that maybe even he's possessive with seats. But since he already allowed, Kat thought it was good already. The fourth year smiled at the younger girl.

"Yeah, and thanks," Kat nodded, well since because Cassia said she'd do great but you know... she might totally suck at it. But Kat was doing her best to and was aiming high because she didn't want to put Slytherin done and she didn't want to feel like a failure either. She had some insecurity issues, that's why. Well, even if OWLs weren't so interesting and boring since she'd have to take 12 exams... It was fine. Whatever.



Kat wasn't going to cry. Even if it was all sad again. She stayed strong, despite how ironic it was since being strong required a bit of bravery which was a total Lion thing. Kat wasn't a single percent of a Lion. "We're so lucky to have an awesome Head Boy like you," Kat said as she released the hug. She would've said he was the BEST head boy but Kat obviously knew all Slytherin prefects were awesome and plus, Salander was a good Head Boy too.

Take care. "Of course, Head Boy," Kat said with a smirk. She would never get tired of calling Ken the Head Boy because, hey, he totally was deserving. And plus, he's been a good student leader and model. "You also take care this summer." Since it'd be the first summer he'll not be a student from Hogwarts.

WHAT IN MERLINS!! Ariana JUMPED flailing her arms and elbowing someone next to her in the gut when she heard screeching & screaming and jumping on the departing flying professor " what is she YELLING about!? and Sorry" she said to anyon and the person she hit as the headmistress dropped her cup "has she gone mad!?" perhaps she had. her jewelry was possessed this term.. maybe she had been too. that wouldn't surprise the rising 5th year.

West was late but he sure didn't act like it, simply sauntering up to the Slytherin table and claiming a spot by the other second years without so much as an excuse or a by-your-leave. He'd been BUSY that was all. Mmhmm. But now he was gonna stuff his FACE. He wasn't alone mind you, him and Dylan arrived together. They had been having MAN!TALKS. Very important things those.

Food went into the mouth before he acknowledged anyone else. Mouthful of potato and gravy, and he gave a general 'sup' nod of acknowledgement to everyone, and a fistbump for Theo of course.

OMNOMFOODNOMNOM

Yes, they were late. No, Dylan didn't too much care.

Entering the Great Hall behind Odessa, he immediately noticed how packed all the tables looked...Particularly Gryffindor's. Squinting at an obvious cluster of students somewhere along the middle, the Captain spied Cookie at the heart of it and sighed.

He would properly mourn the loss of her delicious baked treats later.

For now, Dylan just took a seat where some of his team members were gathered and grabbed a plate, filling it up. He was hungry...and no one needed to judge. You know, with him being a growing boy and all. Hmph.

...And why was there screaming?

Kat was obviously having a weird-ish touchy evening. So many seventh years to say good bye to?

All the sad emotions seemed to have shifted to awkwardness when the blonde saw West and Dylan approach the Table. Oh dear... things have been weird since Kat told West about her feelings for him. She couldn't hide it forever and it was best to let the second year know.

Kat couldn't even say hi to him or Captain. She had this weird feeling that maybe he's gonna tell or has told Dylan about what she told him. After all, Kat knew West trusted their Captain more than anyone except Theo.

Feeling too awkward, Kat turned to face her plate on the table. Nope, her stomach couldn't even handle the food she wanted to eat. Even how delicious they looked like.

YEP.

Theo trusted that every other member of the Quidditch team were gonna work extra hard next term, as he was. The boy had only experienced two wins since starting Hogwarts, and one of those wasn't even official. But no matter, he was no quitter. "Well..." Theo pressed his eyebrows together as Cassia got super excited, "We're not playing in a professional match." Though, they'd still be awesome if they did, "We're just watching one." And the more he thought about it, the more flaily he got.

"Very suspicious." He looked the table area over, to make sure no one was listening. Succeeded the first mission? Heck yeah, they did. Even though they did absolutely diddly-squat. But it was the taking part that counted. "SUCH a success. We'll need to continue next term." Hopefully they'd take a step back.

Theo had never actually encountered a ghost.

And that's probably a good thing.



Oh, THERE he was.

Theo raised an eyebrow as his bestie AND his captain arrived together. What were they up to? And why wasn't Theo invited, more importantly? He merely tapped his fingers impatiently on the table to get over his slight jealousy, but he was all good when they came on over. "Hi." The necessary fist bump was done.

And hurrah..
......
................

Theo looked at Kat, then looked at West, then looked at Kat, then looked at Dylan, then looked down at his food.

AND THEN HE GIGGLED.

"Sup, Theo." Because West was cool like that. Really.

West, mid mouthful, shot a look at Dylan and then another at Theo after the fistbump when his bestie... giggled. Well okay. He nodded and turned his head slightly to look over at Kat, thinking about the stuff Dylan had said. And about other things.

And Kat wasn't even looking at him? That was weird, right? He flicked a pea at her.

...

This was just too awkward. Kat couldn't look at anyone in the team right now, even if she was sitting beside Cassia who was sitting beside Theo. Then West sat beside him with Dylan. Oh, who are you kidding? Awkward was an understatement.

When Kat saw Theo glance at her and managed a giggle, the blonde obviously knew why he did. Oh, of course West told his best friend. The fourth year hid her face out of embarrassment with her hand. Talk about a bit humiliating...

And then... something hit her neck. "Aahh," Kat said and looked at the thing that had hit her. A... pea? Strange. While rubbing the part the pea hit, she looked to which direction it came from. And then... oh, dear. Kat blushed, finding out it came from West.

So awkwaaaaaard. And cute. Hehehe.

Kat managed a small smile at her fellow teammate. Well, it was about time she did something rather than hide her face again. She was so not going to get hit by a pea again.

The second-year looked at her friend and nodded unsurely. "You're welcome." Because Kat said thank you. Was it possible that now that Kat was going to be a fifth year she'll be one of those older kids who didn't want to hang out with older ones? Cassia hoped not. Because she liked to stay close friends with Kat. And the second-year was going to grow up too. Well, turning thirteen is growing up according to her mother.


Normally a person would be feeling kinda stupid to have gotten excited about something that isn't the way it is. But, Cassia just nodded casually when Theo cleared out that they weren't actually playing. "I see. But you'll get to gain experience and stuff." That much she knew. Quidditch playing would be watching others' moves and developing their own by doing so. And it must mean something to them that they have this opportunity. While surely Cassia would never think of watching a game she didn't know any of the players in it.
It's all about being confident. And they had all the confidence they needed. Catty and Butress. "Yup we'll see what is needed to be done next year." She agreed. The safety of the castle laid upon their shoulders. Ehh..Something like that.


Then West joined and that satisfied Theo who was waiting for that. And the boy was real hungry. Cassia noted that. She nodded with a smile that included the captain as well. Because he came too. And like always Cassia felt again that she was the only one who didn't play Quidditch here. How come all her friends play Quidditch. Well, Dora didn't but she wasn't here.


The second-year couldn't help NOT notice that there was some staring going on. But she wasn't being stared at which was good because it's not comfortable for her. Then a pea flew. Cassia made sure to steer away. You know it was aimed at Kat and she was sitting next to her. Is it a food fight? Well, she wasn't sure she wanted to participate.

... West flicked another pea and then sort of.... shuffled over, smooshing into Theo to make him move down enough that Kat could... y'know, come sit on his other side?

Theo nodded coolly at Cassia. But if they spoke any more, other people would hear. And this stuff was HUSH HUSH.



"Nothin'... what's up wit' chu?" As in... what was he and Dylan doing that didn't include HIM?

Theo raised an eyebrow when West flicked a pea over at Kat. Did he want her to come and sit with them or something? Even after.... all the stuff.... going on? Awkward. Maybe West felt the same way about HER...

And then he was being shoved over, which he didn't appreciate, so he made a grumble noise.

THERE - enough space for another big butt, of which he assumed would be Kat's.

Uhmmm... what?

Kat just started laughing softly and not so audibly. Why was West attacking her with peas? Praise this guy for making her smile even with how awkward it was. The girl mouthed the word 'what?' because West wouldn't be flicking peas at her if he didn't want to do anything with her.

And.... why did he make Theo move? It's not like... he wants her to sit beside him right?

"I'll tell you later." For realsies. West would. He always did when Dylan and him had a heart to heart and he found out things or got advice or whatever. Who else could he say stuff to if not Theo? Nobody, that was who.

He ignored the gurmbling though and even, for the moment, stopped eating the FOOD.

Which, you know, was a big deal.

He gestured, and sort of waved. Come over? Yes. He nodded and patted the spot next to him.

... because they were still friends and everything right? West brandished another pea.

Did he just...?

Her instinct was right. He did want her to sit beside him. But what worried Kat was the fact he made Theo scoot. If Kat was in Theo's shoes, she'd probably be annoyed with it. They were the Terror Twins, inseparable. And Kat didn't want to be the reason for them to separate like that. More reasons to feel strange.

Kat looked at Cassia and sent her a 'I'll transfer seat' look before standing up and approaching West. Eh, hopefully she didn't fall. When Kat slipped in between the Terror Twins *awkward*, Kat looked at West. Well... what was he calling her for?

And uhmm... sorry Theo.............

"Oh, sure.." That was something at least. It was probably about Quidditch, which is why he wasn't saying it here. Couldn't be spilling any team secrets now, eh?! Even though this WAS kinda the Slytherin table.

Never mind.

Theo was all for secrets.

Uggggggggghhh...

She was sitting in BETWEEN him and West? Fine... just fine. Theo smiled, and scooted over a little to give her big butt some more room. So, this was awkward.

....

Theo wondered what Kat was thinking right now.

If this was her biggest dream come true. Sat by TWO AWESOME KIDS West.

He hoped that she wouldn't snog his best friend's face off.

Cos then he'd have to exit quickly, or maybe stay and take a picture. Decisions.

Should I stay or should I go?

.....
Anyway, Theo wanted some chicken.

que awkward STARING at her teammates.... what in merlin's pants was going on!?
the girls just sat there and watched the exchange of flying pea's between Hudson and Kdessa and then Kinsley's obvious jealousy and the whole thing going on......... had she MISSED something.. cause she felt out of the loop now and

o______________________O

why did Odessa want Hudson to sit next to him and... WHY was she being so awkward about it.. Okay this was all too much for her to take in really. the look exchanges.. the awkward shuffling... the... West.. being all weeeirrrd.. Ariana was going to get to the bottom of this..... Awkwardness...

"what is this?" she asked very bluntly while pointing to the awkward!Hudson and the WeirdActing!West. i mean really had she missed some memo or was something go................................................ ..

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Did they Like Each Other!?

Of COURSE that would be the first thing ariana's mind jumped too.. and her eyes went wide staring at the two of them as the thought came to her mind.
oh. my. this. IS. awkward. way to go Logan.. you should of kept your mouth shut!

It was weird that Theo was all the way on the other side of Kat now, like they couldn't exchange bro!looks so easily or anything.

Well he would just have to use bro!brainwaves if anything important came up.


"You could sit with me on the train." West stated casually and then filled his mouth with some bread and munched on it, eyeing Kat for a moment to see what she would say to that, or if she'd say anything, or just sit there being all quiet and strange.

...

What is Logan doing? Staring at Kat like that. WEIRD WEIRD. This girl must've had a lot of things in her mind. And Kat was already making inferences that Logan was thinking about...

About... them. And of course, Ariana Logan, even if she didn't know, has her way of finding things. Suspicious. Kat eyed her, giving her fellow Slytherin a "what the heck?" face. Ok, you may stop the weird stares.

Back to West. Sit with him on the train... that's it? He called her for that? Well, he could've just told her to... you know... just pay him a visit. Kat thought he might have more to tell her, but well... she was not getting her hopes up. Nah, she'll just get hurt. Again.

"Uhmm... okay," Kat said. It was weird why she wasn't eating, even if West was eating. Her stomach still can't handle it all. Weird.