Wade wasn't sure exactly, but he felt like he was being watched. Like a heavy set of eyes towards the back of his head, which made him turn around facing the staff table, careful to avoid that empty seat. Hmm.. It must have been his imagination. His attention then returned to his friends.

Aww.. Wade wanted to just wrap his tiger-onesie paws around Minnie into a hug and they could sing soft kitty together.. but he knew Minnie wasn't feeling all that well with hugs right now, so the best he could do was just stare at her while his head rested on the paw. It made him want to cry too. "I know.. everything's going by so fast." He beamed though at that last part. "Aww, that's so sweet.." He then patted his paw on her, she was cool with that, right? Oh.. his plans. "Yeah.. Indy and I are going to Disneyland in Paris." He beamed at that, it got his mind off of that sad lingering from earlier. "We should all get together again.. when you're free, of course." Wade knew Minnie would be busy during the summer, but hopefully they can get one visit out of the entire season.


Nice.. term. Wade sort of blinked. Well.. it did have its high points, but a lot of low points as well. He definitely didn't want to think too much on the bad. "It's been crazy.. but lots of nice things happened this year." He smiled a little, that was true. He had fun during Quidditch, hanging with his friends as they ate ice cream and pickles before Mr-..oh.. He felt his stomach drop slightly. "How about you?"

Guess Wade shouldn't be all that surprised to see.. well, the look on Forest's face when he did that. He was relieved that he didn't scare Forest with the random wand pointing. "No problem.. Just lots of practice helped." Wade gave him an encouraging smile, incase he was wanting to learn to do that as well.

Ella was born this way.. Heh. "Oh cool,"They were going to have a slumber party of their own. "Well, hopefully we'll run into each other then," Oh? His summer? "I'm going to Disneyland Paris with Indy.. then look around for work." He shrugged, "My cousin Luc, will be visiting so we'll hang out at Diagon Alley." Hmm, he also knew what she had to go through now. "So.. you think you'll do well on your OWLs?"

He grinned. Wade wasn't going to forget Nessie. She truly was a Hufflepuff queen with her modesty. "But so are you.. You're going to rock at the WADA." He lightly raised his tiger-onesie paw. Badger boom!

Wade still chuckled at the little guy. He wasn't really in the mood to shake his rump, but he did get off the table saving them points.. So the most he could do was some swaying. *Sway* Sway* Left and right. Left and right.

"Yeah, me too,'' Jory responded to Oakey. He was not too good with words but he did surprise himself on occasions. He glanced once more to the book where soon there would be graduating students lining up to write their entires then addressed Oakey again. "So, dude, I'll hear from you sometimes, right?'' He'd be interested in hearing about his friend's adventures of work at Gringotts. And maybe sometimes they could catch up in Hogsmeade or something?

Jory couldn't help laughing when Anna said she had loads of dirty laundry to take home. "Leaving them all for your mom to wash,huh , Anna? Now that you've learnt to do laundry you should help her.'' But really, who liked doing house work, anyway? "Sure, go on,'' he added. "You should join in the dance too.''

"You feeling a bit better?'' Jory asked Ronnie, full of concern. It was just like after that time she had faced the Dementors. He disliked seeing his Ronnie so sad but he understood what she was going through. He just kept his arm around her, wanting her to feel better. Jory wiped away the tear from her face when stammering, she told him she was sorry. "It's alright, Rons. We're all having a bad time here.'' Hoping to get Ronnie's mind off graduation for the moment, the badger changed the topic. "All set to come stay at my place?'' Well, she won't be coming immediately because of course she'd have to go see her family.

"Thanks, Ella,'' Jory said. And he did know what she meant by the waiting part. Plus waiting for the results didn't help. But they'd have a month or two to wait for those. "So, what have you decided to do after Hogwarts?''

And who in the world was shouting his name? He was right here, wasn't he? Not a million miles away. Jory turned to face the person with the loud voice. "Gwen!'' he shouted, though not as probably as loud as she had. He hugged his friend back. "Hey, stranger. Long time no see.'' He grinned. She had been his friend for seven years and he was going to miss her terribly. "Sit with us,'' Jory added, pulling her to sit at the table, next to him. "Remember Ronnie, right?'' So the two friends had some catching up to do. "What's your plans for the summer?''

"Thanks, Kace,'' Jory told the little Puff. "I want to join either the Auror Department or the Department of Magical Games. But I suppose any Department would be okay as long as I enjoy working there.'' He grinned. He wondered what Kace would consider doing after his seven years, but he probably wasn't thinking too much about that right now. "Yes, we should definitely owl each other. And I'll maybe come see you guys during a Quidditch match or Hogsmeade weekend.'' Jory would definitely make the time to come see everyone again.

Mate... him and Wade were MATES. Mates with good hair. Nodnod.

"Anytime, mate!" he said, smiling a little at the dude, "Erm... how come you decided to wear a onesie to the feast?" Because his curiosity was getting the better of him. And Wade did stick out like a cone of ice cream amongst pickles in his onesie amongst the rest of the hall. Kind of.

Summer plans... did he have summer plans? "Yeah! Erm... Tag and I..." Pause. Wait, did Wade know who Tag was? "Tag's a Gryffindor fourth year who has blonde hair and is a leprechaun. ... Yeah... him and I are meeting up to practice mattress sledding. And... most of my summer will be spent over with Ells!" Which was nice, actually. Really nice.

"What about you? Got any plans?"



So Tobias liked the idea of video games? "Awesome!" he said, smiling a little bit more, "I hope you like Mario Kart!" Although, Alec was willing to run to the nearest store and buy something else, if Tobias wanted. That is, if that store hadn't shut down over the past year. "And pizza!" he added in as an afterthought. How could you forget pizza with video games?

"I live in Surrey which... isn't too far from London so... I could come and meet you somewhere?" Wait, where did Tobias live?

Alec smiled back at the younger Hufflepuff and even gave his, Tobias's, monkey a two finger salute. ... Yeah... now he really wanted his puppy toy.



BLINK. BLINK.

Wasn't Ronnie leaving?!

BLINK.

... But... did he have a good year? "Yeah... erm... it's been an interesting year," Did that answer her question? "I'm just glad that summer's right around the corner." Summer's... Summers... heh. "Have you had an interesting year, Ronnie?" It was probably more important that she had had a great year since, well, this was her last year here. And he hadn't even had the opportunity to get to know her that well. Frown.

Their house won the cup? "Oh! Thanks! Erm... Gryffindor put up a great fight this year!" Nodnod.



...

STARE.

Asher... little dude... was dancing? Actually dancing on the table and... was that the chicken dance?

The smile on Alec's face turned into a grin and before he knew it, the boy was laughing. Full on laughing his heart out and even clapping along with the guy. He needed some cheering, yeah? Because dancing was hard on its own, let alone dancing in front of people.

But Wade was right. Those two couldn't get in trouble. Especially for, you know, dancing.



Oh hey! A high five! Alec smiled a little and high fived the first year back. ... First year. He was so young! But then again, Alec must seem young to some of the older people he knew. Like that elderly woman he kept on bumping into last summer.

And he was fine? "That's awesome!" ... Right. Dementors. Right. Alec reached up a hand and ruffled his hair before saying, "Yeah... yeah, hopefully they won't be back when we come back from the holidays." Hoping was always good, yeah?

"Oh! Well... I'm planning on meeting up with Tag, the leprechaun, and Mattress Sledding," It was happening. Definitely. "And I'm spending most of it with Ells, actually. What about you? Any awesome plans?"



BLINK.

She didn't have any plans for the summer? ... That... wasn't bad but it sounded a little odd to Alec, who always made sure to have some sort of plans for the summer. Even if it was just popping over to Tag's to play with the puppies make some pizza. But... maybe Anna was one of those people who... liked to go with the flow? He... really didn't know.

Nevertheless, he smiled at her... before blinking some more. Professor Lafay? "You're going to go and babysit the Little Professor?" That didn't sound bad... not bad at all. And maybe Lafay was nicer around the home. Maybe. "That's really awesome, Anna! Erm... have you asked her?"

His plans for the summer? "Well... I'm meeting up with Tag for a bit and Tobias too and... I'm staying over at Ella's for the majority of it," he said, "Apart from that... not much!" So hint hint, Anna.



At least she acknowledged his presence. Not that Alec thought that the older badger would ignore him or anything but... he had the slight feeling that she might want to be alone. Maybe. He understood, though. If him and Ells were in different years and he knew that htoge'd have to spend some time far away from her...

Frown.

But Minnie. Before he knew it, the girl was leaning on his shoulder and... and... was she crying?! ... Uh oh. His chin wobbled slightly but he wrapped an arm around her protectively. There was no way he could tell her to stop crying or that it'll be okay so... he just let her cry it out on his shoulder. It would be better if she let it all out, yeah?

It was probably a good thing they were sitting right next to each other because otherwise, he would have completely missed what she had said. "You'll never be completely alone, Minnie... never..." he whispered, "And yeah, I'll sit right by you and we can... erm... we can sing that kitty song together? You like that song, right?"



So... maybe randomly hugging Jory wasn't such a great idea. But it was Alec's way of kind of apologising for not being as friendly as he had wanted to this past year. And it wasn't as if Jory was hating the hug so...

Super!hugs.

Letting go, Alec gave the boy a small smile. "Yeah? Well... that's great!" It really really was. Nodnod. "Erm... have you got any plans for after Hogwarts?" This was always interesting to find out, actually. Interesting and sad... but he liked to focus on the interesting part.

The smile on Alec's face stretched wider at Jory's next words. He thought that he, Alec, was a great Quidditch player and one of the best Seekers? Really? "Thanks Jory! Erm... for both parts! That means a lot to me, you know," The Seeking part. Definitely. "Yeah! Erm... I just need to have a word with Hadley and... maybe James, if Hadley thinks it's right to do so but... professional Quidditch... yeah!"



Summer's end. Heh.

WHOA! No. Hold the snitch! "In Cairo?" Why so far, Oakster? "That's brilliant! Erm... what are you going to study over there?" And why was it that he could imagine the boy bringing a different flavour veggie drink for every day he had to go in?

At the seventh year's next words, Alec found himself letting out another chuckle. It felt good, though, being able to laugh instead of be really sad and mopey about certain things. "Yeah, you do!" he said, nodding. And as long as they didn't come from the floor, Alec was okay with having those drinks. Rumour had it that they didn't taste bad.

"I'm going to miss you, Moose." Which was weird considering a certain robe and girlfriend incident but... it was true.



So... he shouldn't be looking at her face for so long. It was dangerous, you know. Because then he ended up forgetting what he was meant to be saying or doing and all he could focus on was... her face.

This was entirely her fault. No one told her to have such a pretty face.

Alec blinked out of his thoughts and tried to focus on what she was trying to say. Try and enjoy the feast? "Erm... you sure? You don't need any gummy worms or... or a blanket fort?" There were probably some ropes and spare blankets and cushions left around. Maybe. Unpacking would be too much of a hassle.

He held onto her hand and gave it a small squeeze, not caring that they were kind of too far away for this gesture to remain between the two of them. Anything for him? "Erm... hug me? Later? Please?" Because hugs solved everything, yeah? "Yeah... erm... and you don't mind me coming over, right?"



Oh hey! It was Jory's NOT Girlfriend... girl... person.

Alec smiled sheepishly at the older girl and reached up a hand to ruffle his hair. Thinking back on that day was just plain awkward for him now. Especially since he knew things and stuff. And her reaction to his... slight outburst made a lot more sense now.

But at least she was talking to him! "Erm... hey!" he said, smiling at her, "Erm... I'm sorry about... last time." Maybe he shouldn't have reminded her, though. Maybe. "I'm Alec, by the way. Alec Summers!"



He... really needed to stop staring at people like this. And he had had an excuse with Ells because of her face and all but this was a lot different. It was more... of a shock. Because she was sad, yeah? And that meant that she was going... to cry? He didn't know.

The dabbing at the eyes, though... that made him look away, his chin wobbling even more. Wasn't there a way he could keep her here? Make her stay? Have a big sleepover in the Hufflepuff common room under a large blanket fort because Ells would like that too? Yeah? No?

"Awesome!" he whispered, nodding. As for joining her and Ells on the train... "Erm... aren't you two going to be in the Prefect's Compartment?" And he wasn't exactly allowed to go in there, right? "But... yeah! Yeah, of course I'll come and visit!" Nodnod.

Jory:

Annabeth was feeling uncomfortable among so many couples. Doing the laundry with my mom? Definitely wasn't part of her plans. "Oh, Jory! Doing the laundry definitely is not part of my plans! 'm thinking about job hunting... As nanny... I'll ask Professor Lafay if she wouldn't like to hire me. But it could be later... Now I'll dance a bit... it's really funny whatever Asher is doing. I'll be back to hug you all after talking with Professor Lafay." She smiled.

Alec:
"It should be nice to have so many plans for summer..." And family, friends, and a love... Ok. Maybe she was talking too much with him and it could annoy his girlfriend in someway. And Asher was still dancing. Better to hurry before he could stop. "I'll talk with Professor Lafay... after talking to Asher and learning his funny dance. Bye!" She grinned, waving, and looked at Asher.

Asher:
She approached Asher and stood gazing at him. "Asher, it's amazing! I never saw something like it before... How this dance is called? Could you teach me?" She asked, grinning.

Hufflepuff table. Right. She was here....after she went 'round the Ravenclaw table. She had some people to say goodbye to in this territory. People who taught her things and whom she had great memories with. Two of these people were the Heads, Oakey and Nessie. She saw Oakey left the said table when she approached so she supposed she'll go wish him congratulations later.....for now, she had to find the girl who never gets tired of swapping books with her and the one person who taught her how to dance.

The search didn't take too long, naturally. The redhead was a famous figure, and it wasn't only because she was a School Leader....but she was a kind of person you would really want to get to know despite her flaws. A small smile crossed Beezus' lips.....they weren't the bestest of friends, but Ness sure had a special place in her heart.

She pulled out something from her pocket and stepped to where the ginger was, sending excuses all the way.

When she was right beside her finally, Beezus didn't waste time and took the older girl's hand. Well, actually...she handed her something. "Hey, Red. Congratulations."

Hmmm... endless supply of energy. Maybe it could be done?

Tobias was really trying to be hopeful that his mood would start to pick up. He had a theory that maybe he was just a bit homesick again and the added stress of the term had exacerbated it. So... he'd be fine. Soon. Yeah.

"I'll try," he said to Oakey as he nodded. "Really, I will." He NEEDED energy anyway, if he was going to start training to get into shape for going pro. He could DEFINITELY give Ella a run for her sickles, so long as that energy returned. Ehehehe.

"You should write too. I mean, if you don't get to visit... you know?"

=====



Video games... pizza... Tobias' eyes went wide. He had NEVER enjoyed both of those together before. His parents had always been too busy to play games, and Toby's friends at his old school hadn't really liked video games or weren't allowed pizza or weren't allowed to hang out at his house on account of Toby finding himself in trouble a lot. So that offer was AWESOME. Toby realised he was sitting with his mouth agape and quickly rectified that by replying to Alec.

"Sure! I mean, my family would have to say yeah, too. But I'd love that. And maybe you could come visit me in Brighton?" There was a pier and the rides or they could play more video games at his grandfather's house.

Suddenly the summer didn't seem like it would be so lonely after all.

Smiling slight, Tobias had Bobo salute Alec right back.

=====



Hearing Minerva's voice properly for the first time in what seemed like ages, Tobias looked around. He visible kind of winced when he saw her having a go at the Slytherin girl. Toby couldn't remember if the other girl had apologised or not, but he was sort of wondering if maybe it was such a good idea to make a scene. Tobias could have helped get back at the girl all sneaky... maybe...

Plus he was wary of there being any trouble, but he and Forrest were reasonably small, so if a staff member was attracted to the commotion he could just tug his fellow first year under the table with him and out of sight. Sometimes hiding was a very good idea.

With that back up plan in his mind, Tobias decided to wait and see what happened.



Yes. They had each other's backs, for sure. Forrest might know that Tobias was fiercely loyal, or maybe he was starting to work it out. That was one of the ways Tobias' true Hufflepuff colours shone through.

There were a lot of people talking to Forrest, and that made Tobias happy a bit because he could see that his friends had friends which was always a good thing because having friends was really useful, you know? He just liked knowing that other people were happy.

When Forrest's attention was back on him, Tobias hitched the smile back onto his face. It wasn't even that difficult. The feast, yeah. "Definitely," he grinned back to his fellow first year. He left it unsaid that it would be a brilliant feast if they had good food and avoided dementor attacks.

Tobias let Ella answer the question about Elephant. He was still not all that talkative because of the whole energy thing but he was kind of saving all his talking energy for when it was his turn. Maybe soon he'd go back to being able to natter away for hours on end. He did give a grin when she said she was glad he'd brought Forrest over though. You know, 'cause Toby did good and all that.

He remained quiet for a moment. Because Ella was asking Forrest a question after all. He just kind of picked up both Bobo and Elephant and focused on looking at them both. After a little while doing this, he looked up at Forrest again.

"I was wondering if you wanted to hang out this summer? Maybe you could visit me? Or we could hang out in Diagon Alley when you get your school things, if you're, like, already busy over summer." It was just a suggestion, but for some reason Tobias was instantly terrified of the answer. If Forrest was busy, that was fair enough, but if it was a total no because he didn't want to, then how crushing would that be?

The usually confident boy looked back to the stuffed animals in his hands.

When was this feeling going to go away? It had lifted somewhat, but parts of it, like this strange lack of his usual confidence, still lingered.

=====



Before he realised what Ness was talking about, Tobias found himself looking down at his chest to where she was pointing. Then it clicked. Heart. Figuratively. Right.

He looked back up at her and hesitated a second before nodding.

"You better," he said, his miserable expression kind of quirking into a smile. And if she didn't write he'd just owl her first. Ten times. All at once.

The Hufflepuff remained silent for another moment or two before he spoke again. "I'll miss you."

Yeah.. the onesie. Wade knew sooner or later a Professor or someone else was going to ask him on his choice of attire. "Well.. " At least Alec would understand. "Mr. Firth and I agreed to wear our onesies at the feast before.. well, you know-" His mouth twitched a little in effort to smile, "I got him a cow onesie to match his pets." Shrugging, "and I promised him I would wear mine." Who knows, maybe wherever Mr. Firth was, he was wearing his as well.. Least that's what Wade wanted to believe.

He was somewhat glad that they were now talking about the upcoming summer.. Wait, there was a leprechaun at this school? Wade furrowed his brows slightly, as that actually seemed kind of cool to imagine. "Mattress sledding?" He smiled as his eyebrow quirked, he was interested. "Cool.. that's going to be a lot of slumber parties for you." Oh and his summer? "Well, Indy and I are going to Disneyland Paris.. I'm also going to be looking for work so I can save up on more stuff." Who knows, it could be another year of onesie fun with the right amount of funds. "So.. this mattress sledding, where do you do that at?"

"I'd love to come!" Marigold said to Ronnie, both excited and a bit shy. "I'm just glad I got to meet you. Imagine if we never met!" She was immediately horrified. That would have been awful. She felt sad at the very thought.



"Hi! I'm Marigold. Umm... What year are you?" she asked Laura, wondering. She grinned, though, she looked nice.



"OKAY," Marigold said happily. SHE MADE A FRIEND IN FORRESTYEP.



Marigold grinned at Ella.

"Thanks, you too." She liked Ella, not every older student immediately asked questions about you that weren't... Mean. Ella was nice. Therefore, Marigold liked her.




Marigold giggled at Kace.

"Urg, you're squishing me sweetie!" she said playfully, but then she extracted herself from his arms. "My grandparents are visiting! What are you doing for the summer?"

She bit her lip. "Keep in touch, okay? And maybe we can meet in Diagon Alley! I can't spend summer not talking to you!" she burst out. She loved her friends, even the ones it seemed she met yesterday, and so she was straightforward with keeping in touch. There wasn't anything wrong with friendship in letters, was there?

Normally, Forrest hated goodbyes so he rarely looked back at the departing person; but this time, after relaxing in her hug too, he looked back at Nessie as he walked to his seat and saw the 'Thank you'. He nodded then and offered her the best smile he could muster. He should be intimidated by older students--he'd always been in his previous schools--but here, they were all friends. They were a big family, and that was the reason he could hug her goodbye.

He was going to miss her, but she had to graduate. Where would she work?

-----------------

Hehe, Forrest LOVED high-fives and hugs of friends.

"I've been fine," he said to Kace with a broad smile. He was willing to forget all about Sonea, and he wasn't going to be sissy by looking shaken by a stupid little girl.

"How about you? Any summer plans?"

-----------------

...so Wade just practised and it happened. The wandless magic. Wow. Forrest nodded gravely. So far he'd underestimated the power of practice, but maybe he really should do it sometime. Just look at how well it worked for people.

...yeah. Practice. He was going to do that next term. He was going to study from the beginning, he was going to fold his clothes, make his bed, and study.

...did it ever work for a student?


And back to Ella and Tobias.

Just elephant it is. "I guess it's a perfect name." He grinned, and fought for a moment to keep the same grin and nod, but he failed. His grin was shadowed with that question because he'd remembered Sonea.

"Yeah I'm--fine." He tried to shrug casually. "She's the only bully so far, so that's good." While Sonea was just as cruel, she was only one so really it was fine. At least there weren't about five of her like in his previous school. Plus, he had the family of Hufflepuff now. His heart swelled with pride again and he quickly turned to Tobias to avoid any emotional silliness.

Wait Tobias what are you doing. He was supposed to be his save haven from emotions, yet he was talking all this cool stuff and trying his best to make him explode with all the good feelings.

He gasped and a moment later, his face was shining enough to illuminate the whole hall.

"'Course I'd love to hang out!" he exclaimed as soon as he could talk. "We normally live in Saudi Arabia due to my father's job but all our relatives live in England and I can stay with one of them at worst we'll shop for school but we have a house in London too I'll pester my mom to stay here and--" Oh he'd already said too much. He had drowned him with his excitement, hadn't he? He looked way too enthusiastic about this and what if Tobias backed out now? What if he was overwhelmed with his enthusiasm and...

...no. Surely he did want to hang out really? He'd helped him with Sonea the Bully! Forrest held his breath and examined his friend.

...please don't freak out Tobias?

And yeah Forrest was that lucky. Before Tobias had much chance to response, Headmistress decided to deliver her speech. The twelve-year-old couldn't have been more reluctant to listen to it, but he turned his eyes to the woman nonetheless because it would be rude of him if he didn't.

Yes, the groundskeeper. His happiness evaporated that instant, and although he didn't know the man that well, he understood what 'a kiss of dementor' meant. He shuddered and fidgeted on his seat. Was there a cure? He hoped they would find a cure soon. It was just... he shut his eyes tight, looking very troubled with the idea. A kiss of dementor...

...NO MORE OF THIS PLACE!

That, Forrest had to laugh, although it was a half-hearted one. That much was true, and he was glad to see he wasn't the only one to think so.

And there was someone she hadn’t thought she would be seeing at the Hufflepuff table.

‘Hi Ronnie’, she said, sounding surprised to see the Gryffindor there. Mehh. The other seventh year probably just came to say goodbye to the Puffs as well. ‘Yeah’, she managed to mumble a reply to Ronnie’s question.


Gwen was a bit surprised to get a hug so quickly. But anyway, it was their graduation. Hugs were only normal now. So she hugged Nessie back.

Nessie was one of the people Gwen wished she had known better. The Hufflepuff was a fun person, alright? ‘I’ll miss you’, she finally said after letting go of the hug.


Hugging Jory, Gwen was struggling not to collapse. The Hufflepuff was one of her closet friends, and she really hoped they would still meet after graduating from Hogwarts.

Hmm. What was Jory saying?

Sit with us... Us? Hmm. Gwen figured he probably meant the Hufflepuffs. With a small nod, the seventh year took a seat at the table. ‘Sure I remember Ronnie’, she replied, completely oblivious to what was going on.

Hmm. Hang on... Gwen’s attention was drawn to Ronnie, then to Jory, then back to Ronnie. She didn’t know the two were friends. She didn’t even know that the two knew each other.

Mehh.

So anyway- back to Jory. Summer plans? ‘I think I’ll spend some time at home in the first part of the summer’ Since her parents probably missed her, and she would be gone for some time after that to study in order to become a healer. ‘I don’t have any big plans, I just think I’ll be around Diagon Alley, maybe working’ She hadn’t thought this through. She didn’t have enough time for that. Making plans could wait. ‘By the way, did I tell you that I got in at the University I wanted to?’ Smiiiiirk.

‘Enough details from me’, Gwen concluded with a light chuckle. Because Jory knew very well that she didn’t like talking about herself. ‘What are you going to do?’ This summer? After graduating?


Alright...

This would be one of Gwen’s limited edition niceness moments.

‘Don’t worry about it’, she said simply. ‘It’s just something I’ll remember from Hogwarts’, the seventh year added with a chuckle. That moment had been awkward. But she had plenty of awkward moments. Like the time she accidentally turned her hair blue. Heh. All things she should remember in a few years.

‘Nice to meet you’ Pause. ‘Gwen Greene’, she introduced herself as well.

Laura looked at Ella and sighed. "I'm okay." Laura lied, she was feeling down about a few things, she was scared about her OWLS and she was scared about a few other things, plus then she had seen what had happened to Firth which has been horrible and now he wasn't here, she was a sad 16 year old, very sad. "Your still up for meeting up right?"

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Laura clung to Gwen. "Can't you stay for a couple of years so we can keep talking?" Laura hadn't seem Gwen much this term which was really bad and she was really upset about it. "Don't leave Gwen." Laura sighed, she was ever more depressed now.

Laura looked at Marigold. "Well I'm in my last day as a fifth year." Laura said truthfully. "When we come back next summer I will be a sixth year." Laura couldn't wait for that, she had seen loads happen in her five years at Hogwarts and she wanted to see what happened next year when she was here. "How did you enjoy the year?"

Marigold looked at Laura. A fifth year?

"How are you feeling about OWLs?" she asked. "I... Enjoyed the year, though of course the dementors were not very fun."

Marigold looked around. She wished that there was a dementor she could force feed the contaminated ice cream. That was a random thought.

Gwen. Ella’s green eyes wandered over to the Ravenclaw and she forced a smile. “Hello there.” She was graduating too, huh? And from the looks of it, the older girl was feeling just like Ella, down. Sigh.

Kace and Belle would be around the Alley this summer? “Well maybe we’ll bump into each other, then.” That’d be nice. It had been a while since the blonde had seen the older girl. As for the cruise Kace would be going on, “That sounds brilliant. I hope you have a lot of fun.” Nodnod.

Was Ronnie crying? WIBBLE! That wasn’t allowed, y’know? The blonde felt her own eyes fill with tears but she did her best to keep them from falling, concentrating on what the firey haired girl was asking her instead. “It was…interesting. Did you?” They hadn’t hung out nearly enough and that made Ells a bit sad, especially knowing she’d missed her chance. Ronnie wouldn’t be around next term to make up for the lost time. Frown.

Why couldn’t Ness just not? Didn’t she know how hard Ella was trying to do this denial thing. It would be so much harder if she looked the red head in the eye and just…this was the worst. The blonde reluctantly looked up at the nudge and she sniffed, dabbing at her eyes with her robes. “I don’t want you to go.” That pretty much said it all right there. “But I know you’ll do brilliant at WADA and I’m proud of you.” Wibble. Could she have a hug maybe?

“I hope we do run into each other. It wouldn’t be the same not seeing you guys the entire summer.” And without seeing Wade in his onesie all curly-haired and smiley. She’d miss that, y’know. Hold up! Did kitty!Wade just say Paris? Dreamy smile. “I bet you’ll have a lovely time. I’ve heard Paris is amazing.” And she still had yet to go. Grumble.Grumble. “Sounds like you’ve got a busy summer planned, then. I hope it’s great.” Much happier than their year, though not all of it had been terrible. “Oh I…hope so. I’ve been studying lots.” So she was prepared for the OWLs…or she hoped she was.

“Welcome Jory.” She was only telling the truth so no thanks necessary. As for his question, Ella bit her lip. “I honestly have no idea. I’ve got some time to think on it, though. What about you?” Had he decided?

Alec staring at her like he was was causing the blonde to blush and look down at the table, a tiny smile on her face. He needed to stop that, okay? Really, really. “I’m sure.” She answered quietly when she finally looked up again, her cheeks still rosy red. “Just…sit with me later? I mean if you don’t have more packing to do.” She would really like his company and hugs. The hand holding thing was nice too but it couldn’t last. The blonde gave his hand one more squeeze and then released it reluctantly, wishing the feast was over already so she could hold his hand as much as she wanted. “Hugs later. No problem.” He’d get lots. “Course I don’t mind. I can’t wait until you come visit.” It’d be the best part of her summer.

Tobias and Forrest were adorable and Ella watched them quietly, arms wrapped around her elephant for comfort. “Y’know, Forrest, if she keeps bothering you just let me know, okay?” Ella had his back. Oh and another thing, “If you boys want, we could all meet up in Diagon Alley one day. It’d be nice to see you both.” Mini!beam. She really meant it.

Laura didn’t look like she was fine. Not even a little bit. Ella wasn’t up for arguing over the matter, though. She felt terribly tired all of the sudden. “Course I am. I’m sure Sophie would join us too. It’ll be nice to hang out.”

…

And then the speech happened and Ella listened quietly, eyes on her water goblet. She was still sad about Firth and sad about the dementor attacks and still just sad in general about things. She did manage to clap for Slytherin, though. She also clapped for her own house because getting the house cup and winning gobstones wasn’t too shabby. She was proud. The whole not having to pay as much next term thing was a relief to hear and she somewhat brightened at that part too. The headmistress sounded confident so she’d try to be too. She wasn’t up for skipping around, though. She’d leave that to the older red head.

The red head nodded in agreement. "Yeah, same with me." she said, noticing he looked a bit...off. Distracted or upset or something. She studied the badger for a moment, wondering what was up. He really did look puzzled. And he seemed to keep looking at the staff table. Ronnie glanced at it and remembered about the groundskeeper. Ohhh...maybe that was what this was about? "Hey, are you doing okay?" she leaned over and whispered, placing an arm around him to comfort him.

"A little, yeah. Thanks." she said back quietly, smiling a little as he wiped her tear away. Wasn't he just the best boyfriend? Jory was a pro at helping her feel better. Then he was changing the subject, which she was actually a bit happy for. The red head nodded. "Yep, I sure am!" she told him. Ronnie had been eager to meet his family and be with them ever since they planned it. How exciting this would be! She couldn't wait to hear embarrassing stories about Jory and see his cute wittle baby photos! Hehehe.

The lion listened as Alec said his year was interesting and she gave a small nod. "I'll have to agree with you there, mine has been the exact same." she told him. It was really too bad they hadn't talked much this year, perhaps they could meet up sometime in Diagon Alley? Or visit during when the students went to Hogsmeade. She'd go to see all her old friends every chance she got, that was for sure.

"So," she then said, drumming her fingers lightly on the table. "What are your plans for the summer, Alec?" she asked. It was weird how she went from a sobbing mess to this talkative, happy person. Ronnie was just trying to liven up the table, to keep everyone happy. She really hated to have a sad last end of term feast, so why not try and make it a bit happy? Meh. She was really trying...

So, she'd be coming! Brilliant! "I'll have my mum owl you all the information." she told her, smiling brightly. This would be so much fun, having a party. She had invited tons of people so it'd definitely be fun. Then she nodded at what Mari next said. "Right?! I am too! You're so awesome." Ronnie told her, smiling again. It really was too bad they couldn't have hung out more, though.

"Mine was interesting as well," she answered with a small nod. The dementors... the cuts...everyone being awfully happy then sad all of a sudden...just...everything was interesting. Scary. Weird. This term was definitely not quite her favorite, that was for sure. But the word interesting pretty much covered it all. "What are your plans for the summer?" she then asked.

SPOILER!!: Ronnie!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupert-Grint-Fan

The red head pointed over to where it was, where a few seventh years stood writing their own entries. "It's over there," she told him. She had been the first to write in it for this year, which made her feel pretty awesome. Yet she was surprised she hadn't broken her hand or anything from all that writing...heck, it STILL ached from that. Meh. "I'm going to miss you," she added, turning her attention back to him and smiling a little. He was just the cutest thing on Earth. She'd definitely miss his adorable-ness.

"Ah okay i will check it out later, i promise." he grinned to her. He had MUCH talking to do with his fellow housemates. Awww Ronnie was gonna miss him? Well he replied back saying, "I am gonna miss you too!" he smiled and then gave her a bear hug. "I will miss chasing butterflies with you."

SPOILER!!: Jory :3

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

"Thanks, Kace,'' Jory told the little Puff. "I want to join either the Auror Department or the Department of Magical Games. But I suppose any Department would be okay as long as I enjoy working there.'' He grinned. He wondered what Kace would consider doing after his seven years, but he probably wasn't thinking too much about that right now. "Yes, we should definitely owl each other. And I'll maybe come see you guys during a Quidditch match or Hogsmeade weekend.'' Jory would definitely make the time to come see everyone again.

Oooooh he wanted to work in the Auror Department or Magical Games. Kace smiled and told him, "I heard being an Auror can be hard work but i am sure you can manage it." he nodded. He told him truthfully.

"Yes we need to OWL each other. Maybe we can exchange our addresses?" he suggested to Jory. Then he mentioned seeing Quidditch matches. Kace nodded, "I think i will be on the team again next term. It was so much fun. Were you ever on the Quidditch Team?" he asked curiously.

SPOILER!!: Alec! :3

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermionesclone

Oh hey! A high five! Alec smiled a little and high fived the first year back. ... First year. He was so young! But then again, Alec must seem young to some of the older people he knew. Like that elderly woman he kept on bumping into last summer.

And he was fine? "That's awesome!" ... Right. Dementors. Right. Alec reached up a hand and ruffled his hair before saying, "Yeah... yeah, hopefully they won't be back when we come back from the holidays." Hoping was always good, yeah?

"Oh! Well... I'm planning on meeting up with Tag, the leprechaun, and Mattress Sledding," It was happening. Definitely. "And I'm spending most of it with Ells, actually. What about you? Any awesome plans?"

He felt another hair ruffle. He squirmed underneath it. He was getting used to this by now. He didn't mind them at all. He agreed with Alec on the dementors. "I hope they won't be back when we come back to school. They are horrible creatures." he shuddered thinking about them.

Oh a leprechaun? Kace gave him a quizzical look. "You are meeting a leprechaun?" he asked curiously. He wasn't judging Alec. Oh no he wasn't. Then he was doing mattress sledding. "The mattress sledding sounds really cool. I wish i could do it!" he beamed at Alec.

Then he asked about his plans. Kace pondered about it. "Well..i am going on a cruise with my family..so basically i am taking a huge boat to islands around the world. I am quite excited." he smiled at Alec. "Then i am doing some sports camps my mom signed me up for." He loved doing the sports camps because he got to meet new people his own age. Plus his mom wants him to be a normal kid.

SPOILER!!: Marigold :3

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScarletCharm104

Marigold giggled at Kace.

"Urg, you're squishing me sweetie!" she said playfully, but then she extracted herself from his arms. "My grandparents are visiting! What are you doing for the summer?"

She bit her lip. "Keep in touch, okay? And maybe we can meet in Diagon Alley! I can't spend summer not talking to you!" she burst out. She loved her friends, even the ones it seemed she met yesterday, and so she was straightforward with keeping in touch. There wasn't anything wrong with friendship in letters, was there?

"Oh...sorry!" he grinned sheepishly. He didn't mean to squeeze Marigold that hard. Oh so her grandparents are visiting? "Thats awesome!" he smiled at her. Then she asked what he was doing. He was gonna tell her what he told Alec. "Well i am going on a cruise for a week and exploring some islands. Then i am going to some sports camps for the remaining parts of the summer." he nodded. He was pretty excited he was gonna be kept busy.

Then she asked to keep in touch. He smiled and replied, "OF COURSE! I would love to stay in touch! Plus i am going to Diagon Alley a few days before school starts so maybe we can meet there?" he suggested. "I will OWL you during the summer..maybe we can exchange addressees?" he suggested.

SPOILER!!: Forrest! :3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deniiz

Hehe, Forrest LOVED high-fives and hugs of friends.

"I've been fine," he said to Kace with a broad smile. He was willing to forget all about Sonea, and he wasn't going to be sissy by looking shaken by a stupid little girl.

"How about you? Any summer plans?"

Kace was glad Forrest was doing fine. He remembered meeting him with the centaurs. He wasn't too happy with that encounter. But he was a first year after all. He totally forgot that till now. Then he heard his question...he snapped back to reality.

"Well i am doing well. I am excited to go back home but i am going on a cruise for a week with my family and exploring islands then i am going to some sports camps to retain normality in my household." he told Forrest. "How about you!? What are your plans?" he asked his fellow puff.

SPOILER!!: Ella!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

Kace and Belle would be around the Alley this summer? “Well maybe we’ll bump into each other, then.” That’d be nice. It had been a while since the blonde had seen the older girl. As for the cruise Kace would be going on, “That sounds brilliant. I hope you have a lot of fun.” Nodnod.

"Yeah of course we can bump into each other! Maybe we can have ice cream or something if Alec is with you." he suggested to Ella. "Thanks i am excited to go on my cruise to explore islands. I am also going to sports camps to retain some normality with my mother." Kace shrugged like it was no big deal. "Have you been to sports camps?"

Minerva looked at him and blinked through her tears, “No I really don’t.. I didn’t do hardly anything towards the end of the term.” It was just to much effort and she was struggling to even care about classes by the end. Honestly why didn’t they just cancel with all the dementor attacks. Firth would still have a soul if they would have. She nodded and tried to wipe her tears. She so wanted to give him a hug, but there was just no way. She could Ethan and was just starting to be able to with Ariana, but baby steps had to go with this. “You will visit? Please Jory.. Don’t forget.” She didn’t want him to forget her. Minerva looked up to the eighteen year old. He was super smart and they had become pretty close over the years.



Minerva listened to the first year.. The term was fun? What on earth was fun about it. Minerva could remember fun at the beginning, but she still couldn’t figure out what made her act that way at the beginning. She would have never done some of those things, but the rest of term was just horrid and Minerva found herself shuddering from it. Well I’m glad you had a good term. It’s always nice to have a great first term.” She was about to say something else when she felt arms go around her and it wasn’t a quick hug it was an emotional pull you tight hug and Minerva stiffened and her head was screaming DO NOT HUG ME….. BURNING PLANTS… NO HUGS.. BAD… BAD… but she clamped her mouth shut not wanting to hurt the first years feelings. Once the girl let go Minerva moved a bit and gave her an awkward smile still biting the inside of her lip not to scream at the poor first year. “Well I hope you have a g..great summer.” She put on the best smile she could find.



Minerva looked at Ronnie a bit pathetic. She shook her head, “No..no it’s not your fault. You didn’t know.. It’s just.” She leaned a bit closer, “I just can’t hug. Since that detention all I see if burning plants whenever a hug is mentioned or I.. I’m hugged.” Tears welled up again in her eyes saying it. She hated every minute that she was feeling that way, but it was something she had to deal with. Sighing she knew she was spoiling fun for people, but she just couldn’t help it. “I’m sorry.. I should have not come down I think. It would have been better for everyone if I didn’t. “ Cheer up? She really did want to cheer up, but it just wasn’t happening. She tried to give a fake smile at least.

Oh she had great plans and some were with Kitty, well that was nice. Oh here turn to say plans, Minerva fidgeted, “I’m not really sure yet actually. I have to do a few things first then my summer can start.” She wasn’t sure how long the first part of her summer would be, but she hoped it would be quick.


He didn’t do luck well okay.. Minerva just shrugged, “You’ll do great whatever you are doing. You know that day at the duck pond that I got detention this term. I couldn’t help but think about that time when we had to work together to help the baby dragon. I think you really saved me from some torture that day.” She shuddered thinking of the torture she had went through with Lafay back in February.. It could have happen a few terms earlier if she would have been alone in the barn area that day. “I know we haven’t been the best of friends.. but I’m really glad I got to know you..” She looked down feeling awkward again. “Yeah she will.. She really loves you.. ya know.. I like seeing her so happy.”


Minerva was just watching again staying quiet when she saw Gwen. Giving her best small smile she waved. “Hi Gwen. How are you?” The girl didn’t seem to say much usually, but Min liked her. She was glad to have met her a few terms ago. She actually thought her and Jory would end up dating, but it seemed Jory was with Ronnie now. They were cute together. “Congrats by the way. Any plans after this?” Probably the biggest question of the night for the seventh years, right?



Minerva listened as Kace talked about his family. The words sounded so familiar. She remembered Belle saying pretty much the same things, plus the cookies were amazing. “Belle sent me cookies this term. They were great. So if everything else is that could I could only imagine.” She looked away at his question trying to not show him the frown that was on her face. “Well.. Kace.. I don’t really have family to go home to. I do.. because I live with my grandparents, but I guess it has never really been the same. I’m surprised Belle didn’t mention that to you.” She looked at the first year again. It wasn’t that she couldn’t talk to people about her family she could, just in the mood she had been in lately she found it harder. “But to answer your question, yes I think my grandparents are ready to see me.” Was that the original question….


Minerva blinked at the head girl a few times through her tears. “ Known me? Well thanks Nessie… That means a lot. I.. I just wish we would have been able to hang out a little more.” She couldn’t believe Nessie had said that she felt good that the soon to be graduate like that she knew her, but Min felt she hadn’t been that great of a friend to her not this year at least. “You’ll come around to visit, won’t you?” She felt like a needy child asking that all the time, but she really didn’t want to lose her friendships she had made. Friends had been her rock when things had happened in her life, so they were the most important thing to her.

Feeling yet another set of arms around her Minerva tried not to stiffen too much. Again that dreaded image of burning plants came into her head and she bit the inside of her lip hard trying not to scream for Nessie to get off of her. She knew the stiffening had to be noticeable and she etched away a bit, “I.. I’m sorry Nessie.. I.. I’ve just been having a.. a hard time with.. hugs since that… d.. d.. detention.” tears were flowing again and she looked down. Honestly she really need to talk to a healer about this, but the one at that staff table was not going to the be one she talked to. “Oh.. I.. I hope so too.” was all she could answer to Nessie saying about getting better. She wanted to get better she really did.



Minerva sat in a bit a of a daze with it all. The realization that Ethan was leaving and the fact that she was going to be a seventh year. This would be her in a matter of a year. That didn’t seem possible. “It really has” She shrugged and smiled at his paw on her arm. “Well it’s the truth. You’ve become a great friend to me this term Wade. I am glad we got the chance to be this way.” He was one of her closest friends now. “I.. I’m not sure what all went on this term with the way I acted, but I’m sorry if any of it bothered you.” she pinked a bit thinking about the petting and the singing. The nickname had come out of it, but the nickname was staying….

Minerva’s eyes glanced up at him, “Paris? Well that sounds fun. Is that where she is from?” She didn’t know that much about Indy, she really should start finding more things out. “ If it’s anything like the States, Disney is a great place.” She had been a few times back at the one in Florida, but she figured they were all the same. She found herself nodding again, “Yes.. after I see the healer and stuff I think we should hang out. Maybe all four of us can do something.” That would be fun, right?



She felt his arm go around her and she stiffened yet again, but this wasn’t really a hug it was just one arm not a hug. So she let it happen and continued to cry on him. Blinking she looked towards Ella, “I’m sorry.. I didn’t mean to take your boyfriend and cry on him.” She really didn’t mean to cry so much. What a downer she must be. Looking up at him she tried to give a smile and pulled out her tissue. “Thanks Alec.. That means a lot.” but she felt alone, very very alone even with all these people around. She closed her eyes trying to calm down a bit, when she heard him say he would sit with her and sing soft kitty, what? Oh… She looked back up. Wow that song was going to haunt her now wasn’t it. How did she even sing it in front a people, but whatever it sounded comforting at the moment. “Yes we could… Thank you Alec.”

Once she was alone at the table again Minerva tried and failed to get her composure back. She just couldn’t stop crying. Wiping her tears yet again she heard the Headmistress talking and turned her eyes to the staff table. Her eyes didn’t stay there long seeing two staff members made her look away. She was afraid too much eye contact would bring them near her. Her mind went to all the crying and how stupid she had to look. Plus the hugging.. all the hugging that was going on. Minerva just couldn’t handle it anymore and began to rock, pulling her legs up on the chair. She just sat there looking at the table. When the food appeared she had no appetite, but not wanting food go to waste and she probably would end up hungry later. Minerva began shoving the food in her pockets. Grabbing some meat, veggies, and mash potatoes. Filling her pockets full of the feast food she curled back into her ball to try and hide for the rest of the feast hoping at least for no more hugs.

The girl was being suspicious – more than suspicious when you realized that her best mate…and well…yeah, well that he wasn’t in the great hall at all. So who was the awkward girl looking for? No one was sure.

Then she quickly waaaaaved to Ella, Alec, Asher, little Kace, Forrest, and everyone she had come to like from Hufflepuff…and even those she didn’t really know all that well. Her face just read I AM SO UP TO SOMETHING with that suspiciously awkward grin – the one that almost made her lips pull into thin barely visible lines.

Her skin tightened slightly as she began to smile even harder – her cheeks beginning to burn. So she was just standing there twiddling with the edge of her skirt.

"That sounds great!" Marigold said, excited to be included with Ronnie, who she was beginning to pretty much adore. "I'll check my mail," she said, grinning.



"Oh so you're pretty busy then." Marigold nodded at Kace. She knew the feeling, the types of camps she had gone through in her childhood. "My grandparents are coming for my birthday, it's June 14," she went on. She nudged him playfully. "I expect you to remember that." Smirk.

She thought for a moment of inviting him over for a day, but this summer her parents decided to keep it low key and family based. "Okay! Tell me when you are going to Diagon Alley. Umm..." Marigold searched in her bag for a piece of parchment and a quill, which she used to scribble her address on. "Here. Any mail, muggle or owl, will arrive here. Since my mom's a muggle, we have post to our house," she explained.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*~*~

All of a sudden, Marigold wanted to SING! She stood up on the Hufflepuff table and cleared her throat.

"I'M A LITTLE TEAPOT, SHORT AND STOUT. HERE IS MY HANDLE, HERE IS MY SPOUT!" She kept going with the song, with matching body movements. When she finished she was breathless from the yelling singing. Wow, twice in one year, singing in front of an audience? First transfiguration now this.

She could almost get used to it.

As Hecate walked toward the Slytherin table for her speech, she overheared the reason why the Hufflestud was dressed the way he was dressed.

... well done.

And she continued to the Slytherin table.

"Same here, we still plenty of moments to share together," Wade smiled at his Captain Ellaphant. Wade definitely was going to make the most of the next year with them. "Yeah, sounds like it.. I'll be sure to owl you on how everything is over there." It did sound like a busy summer for him. "Thanks, I hope yours goes great as well." Those OWLS.. Wade was quite glad to have already dealt with them. He tried giving an encouraging smile to her, "I'm sure you'll do awesome.. you're one of the brightest in your year from what I've heard."

*After the speech*

The speech came eventually, and Wade had no choice on recognizing that empty seat near the Headmistress. He sighed, before trying to keep his face from frowning. His brows did furrow however when the Headmistress decided to sing and skip throughout the hall.. He blinked at the sight before he heard Ronnie speak with him after.

Ah, Wade should've known that Ronnie would sense his hidden sadness. Of course, he didn't want to be sad, but.. well, it was barely a week since that tragedy happened so there was still some pain embedded. "I'll be fine," He tried giving Ronnie a reassuring smile. "Thanks, though.. You're such a good friend Ronnie." He accepted that comforting hug she gave him, and he returned one as well. "It's just still a little fresh on my mind, you know.. on what happened." There were so many what if's and difficult nappings involved for Wade since then, but there wasn't anything else he can do but gradually accept what had happened.

Wade couldn't help the smile on what Minnie told him, the smiling did him good despite that delicate weight in his gut. "Same here.. it's kind of funny on how we first met." It still entertained him from that time last term when she confronted him after his bludger hit Ethan, her boyfriend. Surely, the average person would get upset over it, but not Wade, it impressed him and he knew right away they were going to be friends whether they liked it or not. Heh. "You've yet to stop entertaining me Minnie, with your petting, singing, and calls across the pitch during practice." He shook his head at her when she tried apologizing to him, "Hey, there's no need. You're not allowed to not be yourself as long as you're my friend." Wade accepting just about anyone as his friend.. that truly served him as a Hufflepuff. He held his onesie paw out, for the pinky swear.. if possible."Okay, Minnie mouse?"

Now if there was another reason to smile despite the inner pain, it was on the topic of Indy. Just the thought of her brought such a warm and fuzzy feeling that even 3,000 times the hair ruffles from Alec couldn't replicate. "Yeah, it does. She's fluent in french and is even talking about having me try some of their delicacies." Not that he mind, as long as pickles were involved, of course. Now hearing from Minnie that Disney was going to be a lot of fun, was also a relief. "Well, that's good to know. Maybe someday we can all go there."

Once again, Wade felt a watching presence near him. He shrugged the feeling off again, thinking like last time it was all in his head. Hmm..

Laura’s loud ‘Nooo’ made Gwen feel very sorry that she was leaving. She was leaving from Hogwarts. After seven years in a place it was impossible not to be attached, apparently. ‘Afraid not’, she answered the first question with a sigh.

She hugged the younger Hufflepuff. ‘I’m going to miss you’ Now here was something she didn’t think she would be saying to a Hufflepuff when she was a firstie. ‘You will write, won’t you?’, the seventh year asked. They would still keep in touch after she would graduate. And there would be Diagon Alley. And Hogsmeade. But who was she kidding?! It wouldn’t be the same.

Siiiiigh.

Ugh.

The dreaded question.

‘How are you?’

‘I don’t have the slightest idea’, Gwen wanted to reply, but managed to stop herself. ‘I’m alright’, she said, raising her shoulders a bit. ‘You? Looking forward to the summer holiday?’ Quite many people had their summer planned ahead, and Gwen just hoped they would have the time to meet around Diagon Alley. Because she was determined to spend some time there.

‘Thank you’, she replied with a genuine smile (now this was something- Gwendolyn Greene smiling!). ‘I’m going to continue my studies’ University yada yada yada. ‘I want o become a healer’, the seventh year said enthusiastically.

Smirk.

After she said goodbye to her friends, the seventh year noticed that she had never spent so much time at the Puff table. Ever. Weird. Standing up, Gwendolyn started walking back to her own house table.

In her way, she noticed someone. ‘Hello, Professor Lafay’, the seventh year greeted. Should she stay and say goodbye (since she wouldn't be coming back to Hogwarts) or keep walking?

Decisions, decisions...

Jory didn't mind hugs. Not one bit. And especially now, he could do with a few. Too bad he really hadn't gotten to know Alec. He was sure they would have been great friends. "Epic failure, Jory,'' he thought.

"Well, I plan to join the Auror Department,'' the badger responded. "But the Department for Magical Games and Sports won't be too bad, would it?'' Grin. "It's actually my second option.'' As Alec's grin grew wider Jory's grew too. "You're welcome. So, if you change your mind about the Quidditch, have you thought about other options?'' But he thought Alec would be way better off playing the game. And he could even be one of the most famous players.

Jory grinned at Anna. "I know. Who likes doing chores? I was just teasing you.'' He sometimes helped his mom out and found chores a complete bore. And job hunting? And for Lafay too? "Er...Anna? Aren't you going to enjoy your holidays? Spend it with your family and friends?'' He didn't mean to be nosy but he couldn't help wondering why she would want to take up a job.

Jory couldn't help but notice the way Gwen was looking from him to Ronnie. He could not figure out why she was doing that. He did not realise he had not told Gwen about him and Ronnie.

He listened to Gwen's plans. So, she wasn't sure about everything as yet. Cool. Other than a few plans here and there he wasn't sure what he wanted to do before he applied at the Ministry. And she got into a University! Really cool! "Nope, you didn't tell me. Congrats, Gwen!'' Jory gave his friend a one armed hug. "Which one is it?'' He grinned. "You won't forget about me when you make all those new friends, would you?'' He was teasing her, of course, but he didn't want her to forget him. ''As for me, I'm just gonna hang around. Take a good long holiday before I apply to the Ministry. Other than having Ronnie over by me, I haven't made much plans.''

As Gwen turned to speak to Alec, Jory grinned at the memory of the two last meeting. Alec had thought Gwen was his girlfriend. And honestly, he had been so amused watching Gwen's reaction. Hehe.

Jory nodded at Ella. Yep. She still had some time. "But you must have an idea or two, right?'' During fifth year, he had thought about his options but never made an actual decision until sixth year. "I hope to join the Auror Department.'' He knew the training and so were demanding but he hoped to do his best.

Jory grinned a bit, pleased to see Ronnie feeling better. Even a little better was okay for him. "Great!'' he said. "I suppose mom and dad have already done everything they could think about to welcome you.'' No doubt his mother had planned what to cook or bake whenever Ronnie came over. ''I keep forgetting to ask though. I know you've got to go see your parents and family first so after how many weeks will you come?'' Or days? Why did it have to be weeks? But Jory didn't want to rush her out of spending time with her family.

Jory nodded at Kace. "I heard that too. There are lots of training to be done.'' He smiled. "Thanks, Kace! I can let you know how it goes, if you like.'' Because he won't want to bother the young Puffer with unnecessary stuff. "Great idea! And maybe sometime you can visit me?'' He loved having friends over and his parents did not mind so it would be no problem. "I hope you are,'' Jory added with another nod. "And nope I never was. I just preferred to watch.'' Besides, Hufflepuff always had the best team each year.

Jory kept looking at Min sadly. He wished he could hug her. Maybe it wouldn't do much but she would probably feel a little better? And he really understood what she meant about the end of the term. Darn Dementors. They ruined everything for everyone...especially poor Mr Firth. "I'll surely come,'' Jory reassured. Min was one of the persons he'd never ever forget. "Make sure you get on the team next term, Min.'' Because he'd come to cheer his House on and cheer especially for her.

After talking with prof. Lafay and wait for the speech end, she came back to Hufflepuff table, sat near to her friend Jory and said to him, her eyes sparkling.

"Jory! She said it's a possibility! Lafay! She said she will talk with my family and her husband and so... she can hire me!" The girl clapped her hands excitedly.

"I know you're not understanding me, as I never told you who are my parents... My parents aren't good people." Then she lowered her voice and added "my father is a pickpocket and my mother uses to fool people to take their money. As I don't agree with their practice, they don't like me.... and when they became aware that I'm a witch, it frightened them... but it didn't take too long for them think about all the possibilities they could do with my powers.... and I said I never would cast magic for mislead people.... so, they expelled me. My lovely mother threw all my things away right in the middle of the street... It was late of night. I called my uncle and he helped me, gave me some money and made contact with someone from Hogwarts, who helped me with all I needed to come to school. I don't know who helped me, as nobody seemed to know what happened to me... I fear my parents would try to take money from prof. Lafay or something like that... Or, the most of this, I fear she doesn't hire me when she know the true about my family... she can think I'm not trustworthy..." Anna panicked, closed her eyes and began to cry silently, looking at the floor to disguise her feelings.

WADA. The mention of that instantly put the first genuine, small smile on her lips for the evening. That was the one thing that convinced her it was okay she wouldn't be here next year. There was a tiny mumble, which was basically a disagreement to what Wade was saying, just not loud enough for him to hear. "Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it so I hope I excel next year." She was so going to put her badger on and work crazily next year. That was her plan.

"You doing anything this summer?" Because that seemed to be the question she could think of the quickest and she was a curious moo.

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Those eyes? They were eventually off her then? She peeked a look at him and now noticed he was looking completely away. Pout. He was acting really strange today, most people were actually.

Maybe there were rumors or something hiding. No, Alec would tell her. She was sure of it. The pouting continued, but eventually she shook the strange behavior off her mind.

Yep. Prefect's compartment. She gave him a nod. People had popped by for visits before hadn't they? If not it wouldn't be too difficult to meet up in the corridor or at the station. Either way she wanted a proper, proper goodbye with her three favorite kiddos. "Good, cause I want to see you..before..well just you yeah." NOPE. She was NOT finishing that sentence.

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Red? Was that Fin? He was the only the one that had ever really called her by that, but he wouldn't be here. He was way done with school. So whom was it then? The Hufflepuff turned to look beside her when she saw a blue uniform over a yellow one which was what more she expected. It was Bee of course.

Speaking of which she had books for her. Although before she could even open her mouth to say anything about that she noticed the key chain that was placed in her hands.

...Gifts? Umm....The red head looked at the key chain for a moment with a mumble. She really didn't need anything but considering it wasn't something to big at all she kept her mouth shut. Was really sweet of Bee and probably a good way to keep memory of her.

"Thank you." A weak smile appeared and her arms automatically squished Bee into a hug. "This is quite...me." The key chain, that was with the purple and the dance it was perfect. "I have books to give you tomorrow, by the way." Ones Ness planned on letting Bee keep of course.

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There, that's what she had wanted a beautiful-ickle smile. She returned his smile, yet hers was still weak. It was the best she could do for today. "I'll owl you everyday if you even want me to?" And if owls could travel fast enough too of course, but she'd make time. She promised herself that.

There was a slight silence in which Ness thought about Tobias growing up. Second Year huh? He'd always be an ickle in her head and maybe that was because she didn't want to feel old when he grew up some, but he didn't need to know she thought that.

Those words. They stung in an odd way, almost in a warm way. "I'll miss you too." She murmured at him quietly.

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Forrest, another ickle smile. This was all she needed to keep her smiling tonight. There was just something about kids that you couldn't help smile back at them. It was almost as if it was a crime not to smile back.

So smile she did, as best as she could. Would there be cute ickles like this at WADA? Eh. Probably not.

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No. No. Head shake for Gwen, because I miss you was not going to happen.

This red head would accept no excuses. They'd both be out of here and abble to apparate, so that meant they WOULD see each other yeah? Ness would do her best to keep in touch with the friends that she could.

"No you're not going to." Pout. "I'll make sure to see you."

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Gulp. She could feel her close throat at those words. It clenched smaller and smaller, until she took in a deep breathe of air. Her first and most instinctive reaction was to wrap her arms around Ella, she gently squished the girl as if to never let go.

"I know, I know." It was a mumble, whisper. "Thank you, but kiddo..I'm proud of you." With Quidditching and all, of course. She could never repeat that enough.

--------

The tears, they made Nessie frown slightly at her fellow Puff. It was never ever pleasant to watch anyone cry, let alone one of your friends. "Don't cry." She tried to make her voice sound as gentle as possible. "And..yeah, I wish we could have too, but I'll be at Hogsmeade when I can pop by." Mhhhm. Weekends ought to be free then, or she'd make a plan, especially for quidditch matches. NOT a chance she wanted to miss watching those.

Stiff hug. Mellow. Was this supposed to be some sort of reject--oh.

More mellowing. She was not okay with hugs? And she was crying now too? All the red head dead was frown and pull back. Something here wasn't being untold and it was something to do with that detention. Of course she wouldn't pry, but it did concern her. "I..I'm worried about you." She didn't mean that in a bad way, it was genuine and she didn't want to leave her wondering if Min would be okay or not."You'll be okay yeah?" Where was Ethan. He'd maybe know what to do to make Min feel better, no?

The seventh year smiled. "Good!" she said. Chuckling softly, she returned the bear hug, holding the firstie tightly. He gave the best hugs ever, that was for sure! "I will too! That was real fun," she told the boy with a small smile. Hopefully there would be butterflies in Hogsmeade when she visited so they could chase them together!

Oh. Detention...that made perfect sense. "I'm so sorry," Ronnie whispered, looking at her friend with concern. Well, that was just horrible! Being afraid to hug. Hopefully, Minerva would get help from that soon. Because not being able to hug was plain rubbish. Poor Minnie. She'd hug her to comfort her right now but...yeah she couldn't quite do that. Heh. Gingerly, she placed a hand upon the girl's shoulder and gave her a small pat. Then the red head shook her head, her red hair flying along as she did so. "No, please don't say that." she told her friend with a frown. "We all need you. All your friends. It wouldn't be the same without you here, Mins. Happy or sad." She gave the girl a reassuring smile.

"Oh, I see!" she said, suddenly remembering the party she was having. "Well if you're not busy, on the second official day of summer I'm having a graduation party and I really want you to be there." she explained, smiling. She wanted to get as many classmates as possible there so that it could be a HUGE party!

The Gryffindor smiled. "Sounds good!" she said. Wow, she couldn't wait for this party. She was inviting tons of people and hoped to have everyone come. It would definitely be fun! "So, got any fun plans for summer?" she then asked.

The red head nodded understandably, knowing what he meant. Poor guy, she really hoped he'd be feeling happier soon. But it would probably be hard...what had happened was pretty big and serious. She felt the same as him pretty much. "I get that, Wade. And it's no problem, I'm always here for you." she said, smiling at him.


She smiled at what he said about his parents. D'aww, really? They sounded so nice! Ronnie was quite eager to meet them. "That's so nice!" she exclaimed, beaming. Then she chuckled. "I already discussed this with my family and they want me to stay with them for three days then I'll be there." she explained with a small nod.