"The best." Maybe every boyfriend said that but he meant it more than anyone else. He wasn't sure about the hair fluffing, though, because it tickled and it made him shudder. And right now was no different, but it did remind him that she needed to cut his hair again in the summer. She'd done a swell job of it last year.

DORA HAD THE CAULDRON CAKES, WOOT!

"Umm..." Theo lifted his handful of beans up to examine them closer. Was he and Alice having a conversation? Did this need archiving? "I think I got a grass one. And that one is a sausage." He paused, looking at the brown bean closer. "Or it could be dirt, but I think I'm swaying towards sausage a bit more."

Basically the dodgy looking beans went into his pocket.

Anyway... Theo held out his hand full of beans towards Alice, "Take your pick." Yes, PLEASE take these gross beans from him. He wasn't gonna have any, that's for sure.

Aww yeah, West was being adventurous with the beans. Theo felt bad, though. He kinda didn't want to give West the bad beans, but if he insisted then fine. He moved his extended hand so that they could both reach. Now... cauldron cakes? Theo looked over at his girlfriend with a biiiiiiig smile.

Ethan watched the huddled form of his girlfriend for a moment, Keeping the light smile on his face. It pained him to see her as sad as she had been lately, but maybe his presence would lighten her mood and then could spend some time together before he had to go off to do a little prefect stuff. His smile grew a bit wider as she turned towards him and he chuckled at her words before wrapping his arms around her as she cuddled into him. "It's that amazing bloke that you keep talking about again, isn't it? He sure is lucky to get so much of your attention.." He kissed her head, then leaned against her as he sat back on the seat.

He shrugged lightly in response to her question. It was nice, he supposed.. he wasn't sure what other word to use there. He considered the Slytherin prefect to be a friend, so it was pretty good company on his last journey to the train. "Yeah, I guess.. I shared a boat with Daichi and we talked a bit. Did you get to sit with Ariana in the carriage?" He knew that had been the plan anyway and he hoped the other girl's presence had made the journey easier. Glancing down at the animals at their mention, he watched them play for a moment and chuckled before looking back at Min. "I think she'll be alright," he said, lightly rubbing her back as he held her. "She has Liesel to keep her company.. Speaking of owls, I'm still counting on you to help me pick one out over summer." He had been meaning to get one for a while and he had to for sure before going to Uni.. and since she was the expert, he could use some advice.

And there was a smile. Ethan smiled back a bit brighter as he looked down at her. "I can stay a little while, I don't have to go just yet.. and then I shouldn't be gone long. I'll come back." Sure, he still had some duties to complete on the train ride back, but he was going to spend as much time here as possible.

Minerva sighed as his arms went around her. This had come to be such a comfort zone the last two years to her. What was she going to do without that comfort next term. Trying to at least chuckle at his words she shook her head, "Honestly I think he's been cursed to have to put up with me and all my problems." She knew he was... who in their right mind would deal with a girlfriend who had put him through as much as Minerva. A guy kissing her, trying to be friends with him again, the ice cream issues, the detention, and now all the crying..She knew just how amazing he was for putting up with all of that. He would never realize how much she truly appreciated everything he did for her.


She gave a small smile, "I really like Daichi.. Even with the ice cream issues.. He was fun to hangout with this term. I'm going to miss him." That felt like it was becoming the story of her life lately. "That was your first time on the boats wasn't it?" She thought about the boat ride. "I bet it's weird for the ones that were first years here. It was pretty much the scariest ride of my life at that point. I had never been away from my mom and not knowing the wizarding world. I was terrified." She couldn't help but smile thinking about it now. She realized Ethan's trip was probably very different since he wasn't a first year nor had he been on them before. She nodded at his next question, "Yeah I sat with Ari and Beezus actually. I guess us girls have to stick together now that our guys are leaving." She gave a faint smile hating the thought of them leaving. "Forrest sat with us too.. I feel so horrible, I am suppose to be looking out for the first years and I was the one that gave Forrest ice cream." Her frown deepened at this. Some role model she was..

She watched the pets play and glanced at Liesel in her cage. "She will, but she will miss Elise. It's alright for these two to stay with you while I'm at St. Mungos, right? " She knew Fluffy stayed last summer with him while she was at her grandparents, but now this was two extra pets. Looking back at Ethan she nodded "Of course I'll help you. What type do you want, do you have a preference? " She thought for a moment. "I could see you with a pretty snowy one or maybe an adorable brown barn owl, you know the ones with the white in their faces." These were just thoughts, but she was leaning towards the snowy, but it was his choice in the end. "We will have to make sure Liesel likes him as well. They will end up spending lots of time together." Well hopefully in the future they would be.


He didn't have to go yet, that was exactly what she wanted to hear. She really didn't want anyone else's company. It was their last train ride from school together. She would make time for her other friends later. These last moments were done after this trip and she wasn't wasting any seconds away from him. "I'm glad you can stay. I just don't want to be with anyone else right now." She hoped that didn't seem mean.

Ethan raised an eyebrow at her words, still keeping his arms around her. He really wished she wasn't so hard on herself all the time and could see the great person she really was. Shaking his head slightly, he said, "I happen to know firsthand how lucky he really is.. You aren't something to put up with. You're someone I want to be with." He lightly kissed her forehead before settling back in his seat again. Didn't she know everyone had their little issues and that no one was perfect? Their relationship may have had its ups and downs but it was what had shown them how much they could be there for each other and how strong their bond really was. It was how he knew they would last being separated from each other.

He nodded a bit, his mind wandering to the earlier boat ride. "Yeah, Daichi's an alright bloke.." He had gotten the idea that some people questioned his prefectship, especially with the ice cream issue, but Ethan always liked the guy. He was nice and Ethan liked nice. His eyes drifted back to Minerva, hearing her question. "Hmm..? Oh.. yeah, it was.. I know first years come in that way and I guess it was supposed to be symbolic or something.." But it sort of had a diminished effect on him since he didn't originally come in that way, he supposed. "I'm sure that was difficult for you," he said, squeezing her hand. "But you're strong.. and you made it through that," he added with a small smile. She was a very strong girl to go through as much as she had over the years, he knew that. He also knew she would get through the issues she still had lingering.

He allowed the faint smile to stay on his lips as she talked about her carriage ride. The three sixth year girls.. well, seventh year now, he supposed.. were all in the same boat so to speak. It would be nice for them to have each other. He was about to say something along those lines when she mentioned Forrest and the ice cream. He knew the first year Hufflepuff.. very inquisitive boy. She gave him the ice cream? Initially surprised, he chose not to say anything not wanting her to feel worse than she already did. "Don't be so hard on yourself, Min.. it was part of the affliction, I think. You wouldn't have intentionally put anyone in danger." He really didn't want to talk anymore about it though, remembering their fighting, and did not want to relive any of that part of it.

Green eyes followed Minerva's gaze as she looked towards her owl. "I know she will.. and Elise will miss her friends too, I think.." He looked back at his cat again, knowing how much the Siamese had gotten used to Min's two pets.. before looking at her again. "Oh of course they can stay.. I might even put Liesel to work," he added with a wink and grin. Of course his parent had their own owl, but before she got out of Mungo's maybe he could adopt Liesel as his own, temporarily. He thought over the types she suggested and shrugged a little. "I hadn't thought too much about that aspect, I guess.. Maybe we should just go and one will speak to us in a sense." That was how he came to have Elise anyway.. He nodded again at her words. "Maybe we should take Liesel with us to make sure they can get along.."

Ethan smiled as he leaned against her a little, relaxing in the seat. He had a little time before he really had to go and he couldn't think of a better place to spend it right now. "Me either, to be honest," he said quietly. It was really hitting him that this would be his last train ride.. the last time he would be here with her.. and he really wanted to make the most of it.

Giving a small smile to his words and the kiss on the forehead Minerva wrapped her arms around him and gave him a tight hug. "Well I a very glad you see it that way, because I wouldn't want anyone else trying to put up with.. I mean being with me." She gave a small smile before resting her head on his shoulder. She found her self lost in thought for a bit. Thinking of just different times and events. She felt like a movie of pictures was running on repeat in her head the last few days and it didn't seem like she could turn it off. Giving a small sigh she looked up and gave a faint smile. There was no need to let him see her like this again, so putting on her best fake smile she tried to joke a bit, "You know... Prefect McCarthy.. You still have to tend to the younger students. So it's probably a good thing you are here.. This one needs a comfy place to rest her head." She chuckled softly before resting her head back on his shoulder.


She listened to his words about the boat a bit sad that it probably was just different for him not doing it his first time. Maybe graduates should be allowed to pick carriage or boat, since he was so use to the Carriage never being on the boat it might have meant a little more. But she knew seventh years or graduates went that way for special reasons. She couldn't help but frown at the word.. graduate.. Not that she wasn't happy for him and all of them, she just hated the feeling of missing him so much next term. "Yes symbolic is definitely what it is for ones that have been here all seven years, but it's just a boat too though. So it's all in the eye of the beholder I guess." So it might not be symbolic even for someone who had been here all seven years. She gave him a small smile, "You have always given me to much credit at this strong stuff. I was normal when I got to this school. Both parents, my brother, a normal life.. Everything changed after getting here. " She looked out the window again thinking about all of it. Maybe normal wasn't the best word... Just her old normal, but it was all she thought. She knew it wasn't coming to Hogwarts or even the magic that had changed her normal events outside of the school did.

She shook her head, "Some older student rule model I've turned out to be this year." She had always prided herself in helping her younger friends and hoping to be a good role model for them. She smiled as she thought about Alec saying he still looked up to her even though she wasn't sure how at this point. "I don't want to hash out this term anymore.. My head hurts every time I think about how I acted. I really don't know how you didn't just throw in front of a bludger with some of my behavior." She gave a weak chuckle. A cringe of disbelief came over her, "Did I really sing in class? That really happened? and hugging Lafay... " That now in her right mind was a mix of being the worst thing and funny at the same time. The detention on the other hand was not.. and she touched her hair absentmindedly. "Let's be done with this term, alright.. I know we have to bring it all back up with your parents and I'm so dreading that conversation right now, but for now.. no more term talk."

She looked at Ethan and a small blush went across her cheeks before even saying anything.. "I.. I guess I don't look at them as friends anymore... I look at them more like family." was that completely weird to think of animals as family? If so she was okay with being weird, but she wasn't sure how he would take the family part with the three animals wrapped together. She watched them a bit longer as he said he would watch her pets. Her blue eyes reaching his green and she smiled, "Put to work?? I think she will like that really. I think she gets annoyed with all the babying I do to her." She looked at the little owl for a second, "She's pretty much your owl too. So feel free to use her whenever you want." She knew Ethan had gotten the owl for her, but she never thought of Liesel's as just hers this entire term so it was only true that he used the owl whenever he wished. Just go and see what one would jump out at him. Well that sounded like a plan and it was something to look forward to after the hospital stay, "Sounds like a great idea." She gave his cheek a small kiss.

Hearing his words she was glad he didn't want to be anywhere else. She had been hoping for a quick train ride back just to move on from all the bad, but at this very moment with them in the compartment knowing it was the final time. Minerva decided the train ride could go as long as it needed.

"It's an old lady name." She teased grinning. It was slightly suspicious when he called her by her proper nickname, considering the past times he had. That and because he was was West, and with him she wasn't Dora. Though now it was just interesting and worth noting.

Those bean flavors didn't sound appealing at all, but then again she never had been a fan of the candy. "You guys can have all the cauldron cakes." She'd gotten just enough for them all to have one of them, and a pumpkin pastie if the wished since she didn't waste any coins on actual candy.

She handed one to Theo, and stretched her arms out a liiiiitle for Alice to reach them, making a quick fish face back at her. Dora was still sore all over from earlier too. "You give great gifts, West." The best were always ones she could keep things in.

Didn't they all have old people names? All except for West, and he was named for a cardinal direction, so. Alice wiggled around some more in his considerably looser arms now, using his grip on her waist to keep her in place as she stretched for Dora's cakes. "Sausage?" Not troll bogey. Or earwax. Much better than Flamsteed's cookies.

She nudged the corner of a cauldron cake wrapper into her boyfriend's mouth and kept one for herself before leaning forward again. Inspecting Theo's handful of beans seriously, she selected the supposedly sausage one for herself- was he sharing with her? Was someone documenting this?- and promptly popped it into her mouth.

"Mmmmfff." Her face screwed up immediately, nose wrinkled worse than her gramps' forehead. "Nope. Definitely dirt." Grass would have been a better choice. Alice ripped open her cauldron cake to get the bean's taste out of her mouth, face still scrunched.

There was probably a cookie in that flavor, too.

Smiling a bit bigger, Ethan hugged Minerva back as she wrapped her arms around him tightly. He didn't add anything else to her words, feeling he had said enough. There was no one else he'd rather be with. He kept one arm loosely around her as he released her from the hug and she rested her head on his shoulder. He gazed out the window for a moment, just enjoying sitting with her for the time being, and getting lost in his thoughts about the past and the future. Hearing her voice, the 18 year old looked down and chuckled a bit at her words. He might have to give up the badge very soon, but maybe he could keep the title.. even if it was just between them. "You're right, I do still have my prefect duties to tend to," he said with a smirk. "And if you need my shoulder, then I'll just have to stay here a while longer so you can have it." He rubbed her arm lightly as she settled back in.

Ethan nodded a bit as she agreed with his words about the boat being symbolic. He sort of figured it would hold deeper meaning for those who had been here all seven years, but the manner of journey hadn't been that big of a deal to him more than the journey itself. He grew silent at her next words, really not sure of what to say to that. She didn't correlate coming to Hogwarts with the terrible events, did she? "Sometimes we're forced to be strong and circumstances end up showing us what we're really made of," he mused aloud as he looked out the window again. Forced strength didn't diminish one's success through trials.

He played with her hair lightly as she continued and he shook his head. "Don't beat yourself up over it.. it was something out of your control.." He thought a bit about some of the other students' behavior as well, especially Daichi, who really was a student leader. Ethan was sure that he felt even worse, but even he had to know it wasn't his fault. Hopefully other students understood the actions of their peers.. the minority, it seemed, who weren't affected by the ice cream, that is. Raising an eyebrow as she questioned him about her behavior, he looked at her carefully then nodded slowly. "Yes.. among other things.. it's how I knew that there was something wrong. It was just so unlike yourself.." He trailed off, trying to push the troubling memories away. "That's what started me investigating things and trying to find somebody to help.." He didn't need to go into it, really.. but a small part of him believed that he had some part in getting Lafay to come up with a cure. He nodded to her words, his thoughts a million miles away as he knew there was still one more thing he'd need to talk to her about, beyond what they had to say to his parents.. but that could wait. "Don't worry," he said quietly as he reached his hand down to grasp hers. "I'll be there right with you to help if you get stuck.."

Green eyes tore away from the three animals as she spoke and he looked at her curiously, slowly smiling as he realized she was blushing. "Well.. I guess they are sort of family.. I mean, as much as they are together, they're pretty much inseparable.." And whatever owl he would get would have to fit into that niche as well. He chuckled lightly as she talked about Liesel. "Oh.. but I bet she appreciates all the spoiling you do for her too.." He vaguely thought about getting some treats for all their animals from his bag, but decided against getting up just yet. "Well, thanks.. I may need to use her for a little bit until I get my own." And even though he knew Min was somewhat worried about her flying too far, he knew she could handle it.. he might start her off easy anyway. He smiled at the kiss on the cheek, then settled back in the seat for the journey.. or at least as much as he could.

"Cool," Wade grinned. It was nice hearing how good people feel, you know. He was also grinning on how he'll be spending the first part of the summer, mainly. "I'm really looking forward to it myself now." He tilted his head at her, before asking "So what you doing for the summer?"

Taylor smiled and looked at him, "Well, my plans got cancelled for traveling to France to where my mother was born since I got an internship." Tay beamed at him, "I am interning at the Daily Prophet." She didn't care that her annual trip to France got cancelled since this was totally more important. "What about you?" She tilted her head and smiled at him.

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that got cancelled" Wade could admit to being a little confused on how Tay seemed happy to not be going to France for the summer, until she mentioned her intership. "Oh, that's neat though. Congratulations on that!" He beamed for her. "Well, I'm going to Disneyland Paris and then do some working." Then asking since he was curious, "You must be looking forward to interning there.. is that where you want to work after graduating?"

Tay smiled and giggled. "Thanks!" Taylor stood up and twirled in delight... like she usually does whenever she was really happy. "Oh I love Disneyland Paris!" Tay smiled, "Where are you working at for the summer?" Taylor sat back down, interested. She nodded, "I am looking forward to interning there." Tay shrugged, "I dont know yet... it sounds interesting but I like potions a lot so I dont know..."

Wade chuckled at little at the brief twirl, it was a little cute. "Yeah? I've never been there, so I'm quite excited to go with my girlfriend there." Hmm.. now where was he working? "Well, I applied at a few places in Diagon Alley already. I'm really hoping on the Quidditch store, QQS." Yes, he silently kept his fingers crossed on that one. "Well, that sounds good, exploring and keeping your options open and everything.. So how's your family take on this?"

Tay blushed at his chuckle and tilted her head, "Is something funny?" She smiled and nodded, "Yeah, I been there once or twice on my trips to France since I go to France every year with my family. It is where my mom is born and raised so we usually go see my Grandmere but she died recently so we were only going to visit the village this year." She smiled, "I hope you have fun. Oooooh, your girlfriend? Does she go to Hogwarts?" She smiled, "Well I hope you get QQS then." She smiled, "Yeah..." Taylor shrugged, "Mother is thrilled that I got the internship but sad that I wont be going to France with them this year."

"It is." West agreed casually. Definite old lady name.

Instead of answering about gifts again, West gave Dora a significant look, one that meant HEY-DO-YOU-SEE-THAT-THEY-ARE-GETTING-ALONG-SORT-OF,-DON'T-MAKE-ANY-SUDDEN-MOVEMENTS-IN-CASE-THE-BALANCE-IS-THROWN-OFF, which was a real look by the way.

He slowly took a greenish bean from Theo, and then tossed it in his mouth without looking at it too closely...

....

......

"Overcooked cabbage." He pronounced, and swallowed it, making a slight face. But Alice to the rescue with a cauldron cake. He tore the packet with his teeth and bit into it and tried his best not to scarf it down all in one go.

"Do you guys happen to know if there is a shrinking charm that is safe to use on lizards?" Just casually putting it out there.

Wade still smiled as his chuckling ended, "Don't mind me, I didn't know you were also a dancer. Very cool." No really, Tay could bark like a dog, and dance. How can that not be cool? He listened to her tale on her vacations to France, it reminded him on his usual trips to Norway. "Wow, it's like the same with me and going to Norway.. though it's mainly to see my Aunt, Uncle, and cousin.. Sorry to hear about your grandmere though." Wade smiled though at her wishing him to have fun.. and also- "Thanks.. and yeah.. her name's Indy. She's in Ravenclaw and in our year." He nodded though in understanding, "It's weird though, knowing we only got one more year of Hogwarts.."

Taylor smiled and blushed, "I have been dancing every since I could walk." She looked at him, "I always take dance classes every year in the summer but the last year or two, I taught them at my old school... taught the younger ones, of course... I still took dance classes with my peers when I wasn't teaching the first year students." She smiled at him, "I am glad that you think it is cool..." She smiled, "You have family in Norway? What is it like there? It is one of the countries I haven't yet visited." She glanced at him then shrugged, "Eh, I wasn't really that close to my Grandmere but thanks." She smiled, "That name sounds familiar... though we are in the same year and house... I dont know if i personally met her or just heard about her..."

"Wow," No really, "Now that's dedication." Wade was impressed by that. He smiled back as she asked on his hometown. "I was born there, right now it's just my Aunt and Uncle over there while my cousin stays with my dad and me during the summer. Up until now we'd always go visit them during breaks." Oh, and how was it.. "It's quite nice, really, even in the cold since there's a lot of nature to explore.. Most come to skii there for sporting, though I prefer surfing over that." Wade shrugged, smirking. "Well, it is a big school.. I came in my fifth year and we didn't meet until early last year."

Tay smiled and shrugged, "I just love to dance... I had a dancing partner here in Hogwarts... Damon Mercada, my cousin, but he graduated last year. I was the only one he would dance with." She giggled and smiled, "I sometimes dance with Harvey Watson though..." Taylor smiled, "Oh nice!" She looked at him, "It sounds wonderful there. I should put it on my country-to-travel-to list." Tay messed with one of her blonde curls, "I come from Scotland, where my father was born and raised. My twin and I were raised by a nanny since he was always at work it seemed and since our mother was taken..." She trailed off and glanced away but looked at him again, "Yeah, it is a big school... I came in my second year... what school did you transfer from?"