Ravenclaw House Table
 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y28...venclaw2-1.jpg
by Beatrice Castell (xXxPandora)

The Eagles, who finished fourth in the House and Quidditch Cup race this term, sit under a slightly dusty navy and bronze banner representing their house. The place settings are the same as those from the start-of-term feast, since not all students can be trusted to remember their Dixie plates, Solo cups, and plastic silverware. Enjoy the food!

Elise's eyes were glazed over as she walked down the corridors from the seventh floor, trying to take the longest route to the Great Hall as she could to attempt to prolong the time she had left in the castle. She wished she could say like the others in her year that she was coming back the next term but she couldn't. It was like a premature goodbye, she decided as she ran her fingers lightly across the cold walls, felt the wood of the banisters more acutely as she went down the stairs.

Almost but not quite falling into the trick step on the way down, she bit her lip when it came to the doorway. This was it. Her last time at the Ravenclaw table, the last end-of-term feast. She wasn't ready to leave but she had to. It was her time.

Quite mournfully, she made her way to the table. They hadn't won the house cup but it was probably her most productive year so far. She even got an Exceeds Expectations in Ancient Runes, for Merlin's sake. She'd lead her team to win the last match of the season. She had a lot to be proud of. Taking a seat somewhere near the middle of the table, she watched the Great Hall fill up slowly but surely. Her team didn't even know yet.

Another School Year was basically over. Even though they were last in The House Cup and Quidditch. It had been a fun year. But now was the time to remember the Seventh Years who were leaving. Plus It meant he was going to be a Fifth Year next term. Weird. Nigel walked over to the Ravenclaw table and did not think he was that early. But apparently he was. The only person there was Captain, so far.

"Hey Captain" Nigel said.

Nigel took a seat and looked down to see they still had solo cups and plastic silverware. Well at least it is consistent.

"Hey, 'Lise," Mo wasn't exactly bouncy as he dropped onto the bench beside Elise, but he was significantly more upbeat than he'd been even a few days ago. The effects of the Slytherin-poison-syrup was mostly worn off by now, although Mo was sort of missing how exciting and lovely the world had looked when he'd still been an ice cream eater.

Still. He felt good. "You look like someone's running around stealing birthdays. Cheer up, okay? We'll win it next year." Or they wouldn't. Turned out that Mo didn't care so much about winning so long as they played well and tried hard and had fun. He had a liiiiiittle bit of Hufflepuff in his soul, hiding right behind the big chunk of Gryffindor and bigger piece of Ravenclaw.

So food, then. Food? "They should feed us first and talk at us later, don't you think? I come here hungry and then have to wait and practically end up eating my own hand in the process." And he preferred not being driven to self-cannibalism.

Dora was still at a loss about everything when she walked into the great hall for the second time this year. She had Alice's hand, and like the opening feast she wasn't looking at other tables, even though it wasn't a rule. She was just extremely worried about her best friend, and so all the attention went to her.

Heading over to her table, she took a seat not far from Mo and Nigel yet still close to the doors in case she wanted to leave and do other things. They could totally do other things if she wanted.

She wasn't sure what to say here and now, she just sat in silence and frowned at the disposable plates and utensils.

It had taken every ounce of Alice's strength not to bring Piggit to the feast this year. She was nearly sixteen, and nearly sixteen year olds weren't supposed to bring pig rabbit teddy bears to feasts. But she had a Dora, which was pretty much just as nice, so it was okay.

Clinging to her best friend's hand tightly, she waved as cheerfully as she could at Mo and Nigel and sank down next to the Ravenclaw. Blue, blue everywhere. Her cup wasn't red, because she was at the blue table. Even though her Gryffindor tie and bright red Captain's badge made her stick out like a sore thumb in the midst of the sea of eagles, it felt a little better over here. Could she stay? They'd let her stay, right?

She had no plans to move.

Alice was a claw today.

Mo, Nigel, Dora and Alice.
 

"Relocation, Ni. Budge down and sit by Dora," Mo mussed Elise's hair and left her to her moping as he slid off the bench. Cat's cannoli got a kiss, and then Cat got one, and then the cannoli got one again. Priorities, you know? He'd been waiting ages for these, and he was starving.

"You're an angel," Mo informed Cat with complete solemnity as he slid an arm around her waist and pointed her down the table. They were sitting with Dora and Alice. He even let Cat pick a seat first before sitting beside her. "So. Diagon Alley. We're going. Clear your schedule."

Mo has spoken.

Nigel smiled as Dora and Alice walked to the table. The more the merrier and even Cat was here. Though Nigel understood why. But was surprised he got a box also. From what he could smell. It was Cannolis. Awesome!

"Okay, Okay, Thanks Cat"

Nigel said as he budged on down the table. To leave Cat and Mo to themselves. That plus Article Twelve of the Bro Code, Bros do not share desserts. Meant time for Nigel to eat some Cannolis. Yum.

"Marcus Orion and Nigel. Can you believe they're still feeding us on this stuff?" She pointed to the paper plate seated in front on of her with a displeased expression before pushing it aside and replacing it with miniaturized proper plates and utensils that she'd shrunk long before heading down here. "Hey, Cat." She did see the girl and even gave her a small forced smile of sorts.

Kinda hard to be all smiley cos of reasons.

She squeezed the older girl's hand and looked over at her, giving her a more sincere smile. "I got plates and cutlery for you too." So she wouldn't have to eat of plastic.

"Where are MY cannolis?" Hmm, Cat? 'Cause Alice needed them more than anybody else there, obviously. She wasn't all that hungry today, anyway, so she could probably just have her friend's cooking for dinner and not bother with the awful Hogwarts food. And she could eat on her best friend's cutlery. "No plastic?" Dora was her favorite. She got hand squeezes back.

Nigel got as much of a grin as Alice could muster, and then she was giving Cat and Mo all the pitiful looks. Depressed fifteen year old with a broken heart over here, okay? Could they hurry up the couple talk so Caterina Ocarina could hand over the cannolis?

There was no better remedy to sadness than eating your feelings.

Ohh a kiss... her boyfriend was kissing a pastry. What. Cat blinked in his direction and just shook her head. Alright. Maybe he WAS hungry. Kissing food was a good sign of that, right? She smiled at Nigel as he scooted. Nice Ravenclaws to let her sit with them. They were all getting mental head pats.

"Well, I try." Good compliments from boyfriends were good. Hehe.

Cat sat and raised an eyebrow at Mo's decisions. "When? You say this like we're going right NOW." She wasn't opposed or anything, but she needed more details than that. "You should try that." She added, gesturing to the cannolis. "S'good."

She glanced over at the other Ravenclaw boy she'd come over to see and gave him a nod of acknowledgement. "Sup Nigel. You think I can pull off being a Ravenclaw for the time being?" Hmm? As long as they were all, ya know, HERE. She liked this table, there were good people at this table.

Ooooh. A smile. Well, sort of. A little one, anyway, but it counted and Cat would take it. She smiled back. "Hi Dora. You like cannolis? I made some for you too, in case." Ya know. People liked sweet things and if Dora didn't want them, she'd just end up giving them to Alice and that would be where they would end up anyway.

GOODNESS.

Needy Alice was NEEDY. Cat got up and made a point to stand by Alice and personally hand her the specially marked box of cannolis. "There, just for Alices. Specially made." With love and stuff. Eat them up. She patted Alice on the head and went back to sit beside Mo.

Hi Mo.

Move. Bestie coming through. :3 *clones*
 

Kat was going to head back over to the Slytherin table later when the important people in her house arrived. While they haven't arrived yet, Kat found the time to make it to the Ravenclaw House Table. She had a best friend to see before she left Hogwarts. Yeah, Elise Alienne Fairfield was never going back to Hogwarts after this night. The thought of it already made Kat sick to her stomach... but why would she not let her bestie say no to such a huge offer? She had to accept it because it was a big opportunity and as a bestie, Kat was always going to support her. No matter what.

Eyes searching for a familiar blonde, Kat recognised other Ravenclaws. There was Mo and then Dora. Some were even from other Houses like Alice and then... the other Slytherin she saw earlier at their Table. Okay, she'll have to make sure she knew her name before she left next term. Uhm yeah. And then that was when she saw Elise.

...

The Slytherin prefect quietly made her way towards her best friend and tapped her shoulder. Hello, we're here to hug you.

All you people
 

Elise was interrupted from her sea of thoughts by someone greeting her with her title. Smiling a little, she looked up and offered Nigel a finger-wiggle. No matter how much she may have told the guy to call her Elise, he was as stubborn as a rock. It was probably something she was going to miss the most about the guy. "Hey, Nigel," she said, slightly later than she should have. It didn't matter, though. Nope.



It was Mo, sliding rather happily into the seat next to her on the bench. His grin was pretty contagious and Elise was kind of smiling too. The thought of birthdays being stolen was really quite genius. Did he come up with that term? If he did, Elise was pretty proud of him even if she really had no reason to be. Nodding a little, she turned to face the Branxton.

"I'm sure you guys will."

He was a Ravenclaw, he could figure out what she meant.



Elise hardly noticed her hair being ruffled when Mika pretty much bounced into the Great Hall, looking like she'd swallowed the sun or something like that. The beaming was really quite blinding. Blushing a light pink, she ducked her head slightly in what was pretty much reflex now. Hide the blush before it got worse.

"Thanks, Mika," she smiled, meeting the other blonde Ravenclaw's eyes. "It's a team effort. I couldn't have captained half as well if I didn't have such an amazing, supportive team. You're all the best, so thank you. I'm really sure you guys'll get the cup next term." Or maybe not? Whatever happened, she couldn't be more proud of them. They had the best sportsmanship she'd ever seen, even if they hadn't won the Cup that term. Either cup.



Elise was not very discreetly staring at the Slytherin table, looking for certain people that she wanted to see before she left for the last time. Not just the boyfriend, but the bestie. Maybe even the Slytherin Quidditch Captain. She didn't want to leave on bad terms with people and she'd make amends with Montmoroncy on the train. If she could hold herself together long enough, that was.

Seeing neither of them there, Elise was somewhat disappointed but they were probably running late. Chris wasn't known to be early and Montmorency was probably trying to savour his last moments in the dungeons. Kat, though. Where was she? She was usually early for this sort of stuff, which struck Elise as weird.

Then, feeling a tap on her shoulder Elise turned around. Blue eyes meeting green ones, she got out of the bench and stood numbly for a while. Yeah, Kat. She was just going to stare at you for a little while, okay?

Stare.

That was feast wasn't going to begin just yet. Usually they waited for, if not all, the majority of the students to arrive. The Staff table wasn't even complete yet so Kat and the others definitely still had time to say farewell to the graduating students. She took this opportunity to see the people from other houses and extend her good byes and best wishes to them. Especially her best friend.

Because she wouldn't come back.

Ever.

There was her bestie. Standing in front of her, no words at all. Kat sort of did the same too because it was just a bit sad to do something else like that. Cos really, after tonight and probably tomorrow during the train ride, Kat would be oddly quiet. Or not. It would depend. A lot of people were leaving Hogwarts, with the graduates and some people who got offered something big for their future.

Finally moving, Kat wrapped her arms around Elise... and hugged her. Yeah... this was just sad.

For anyone (mention of Mo, Mika and Kat/K2 though)
 

It was just staring, for quite a long time. Elise could hardly open her mouth to speak and she wasn't sure that she wanted to anymore. Was this how it felt to be a graduating student? Just standing there, wanting to hug everyone and everything but at the same time wanting to just try and memorize every part of the castle while they still could? It wasn't easy, that was for sure. It was probably worse that she wasn't even going to get to be a seventh year but life-changing opportunities couldn't just be passed up like that.

But when her bestie hugged her, she pretty much lost that tiny degree of self-control she had left. It was like she just realized that she wouldn't be there to goof off with Kat behind the Professors' backs or injure her in a match. She wouldn't be able to squeal with excitement over the most random of things and she would miss that, a lot more than she'd thought she would.

"I'll miss y-you," she whispered, a single tear running down her cheek. It was probably a good thing that she wasn't facing her table because if they saw her cry, she'd never quite forgive herself. The fact remained, though.

She was't coming back next year.

Mo, Dora, others. WHOEVER WANTS HIM.
 

Eyes straight ahead. If he glimpsed that harpy he might vomit on her existence. Mhm. So with a smile on his face, Garrick slid into a seat near Dora and propped his chin in his hand.

"Glad this year is over, everyone?" He was. He could get to the beach now. And like... he didn't have to worry about running into people (a particular person really) that were dead to him.

THIS WAS REASON TO SMILE BIGGER STILL.

Now where was Benjy? And Blue? WHERE WAS BLUUUUUUUE?

anyone/everyone
 

Realizing that he could no longer delay the inevitable, Ethan began making his long descent from Ravenclaw tower to the Ravenclaw table. This would officially be the last time he would be dining at the Great Hall and, after today, he would no longer be gracing the corridors of Hogwarts with his presence. Deep in thought as he headed in to the End of Term feast, the soon-to-be graduate's heart was full of conflicting emotions.

Tonight's feast, along with leaving itself, would be bittersweet, he figured. He hadn't even wanted to come to Hogwarts nearly three years ago, but in the end, he was glad that he came to the school he now considered his own. Though much of this term had personally been difficult for the 18 year old, he wouldn't exchange his experiences here for anything. Even if the dementors and ice cream craziness had him spending months wishing the term would be over, now that it was coming to an end he was a little reluctant to leave some of the people and memories behind. Looking back, he really did have a great three years here.

His mind still focused on what he'd be leaving behind and what was still to come, Ethan approached his house table and lowered himself on the bench, only vaguely aware of the presence of others around him. He muttered a hello to those nearest him and almost subconsciously pulled out the tableware he had owled from home at the start of term from his messenger bag. Still consumed with his thoughts, he allowed his eyes to drift over to the Hufflepuff table and the Staff table, while he propped his head with one hand and distractedly tapped his fingers on the table with the other.

for anyone and everyone... dedicated to Bazinga XD
 

"It's one possibility," Benjy commented, as he reached the Ravenclaw table a short ways behind his cousin. Sliding in beside Garrick, he tilted his head thoughtfully. "It wasn't the best of years, granted..." He should have known that from the moment he wiped out in the middle of King's Cross, or when he got a punch before even reaching the castle or just any of Garrick's more dramatic moments really.

"And for once, I'm really looking forward to the summer." He looked a little smug at that one. "I mean, being at home. I always look forward to the family trip." Y'know, just to clarify.

*cough* you know who you are that needs to see this *cough* and we saw Tay bark! lol
 

Minerva had just left the Slytherin table and her talk with Daichi. She decided it was time to face reality and head towards the claw table. Walking slower than a snail she stopped and watched everyone talking. Chewing on her lower lip she couldn't help but see Ethan alone. Had he just gotten there? Maybe she shouldn't go over already.. Maybe she should give him more time to be with his friends and things, but she didn't have much time left either with him.. at least here. She couldn't help but think of the last two years.. Meeting by accident really. If it wasn't for her needing a partner for the fire crabs she wondered if everything would have still ended up the way it did. Fire crabs would always have a new meeting to her. Then how she figured she would never have a shot at him after announcing to the entire school just how cute she thought he was. A small laugh left her lips at this thought.

All the classes, working together, studying together, and just having fun around the school. The date at the lake, that pathway.. she couldn't help but shudder at how that special moment was now ruined by that horrible Valentines day. She thought about all the bad that had gone on and how he was still with her. How he told her he wanted to take care of her and now he was leaving.. She was stuck an entire term without him. She wibbled frozen to the spot. Not sure she could even move, but she had to. She needed to be next to him like she always was.

She knew she had to look a mess.. Her eyes were already stinging from the crying she had done, they felt like they were permanently puffy. She didn't even bother with eye liner the last few weeks knowing it would just streak with the tears. As she walked slowly up behind him a thought came to her. Maybe the thought would make this easier.. She had been reading plenty of poetry books lately so it wouldn't be weird.. would it?

Not caring she put her hand through his hair and sat down next to him. " O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?, Deny thy father and refuse thy name; Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I'll no longer be a Capulet." Giving him the smallest of smiles she hoped that could at least give away some of the sad tension she knew would be around. She didn't care if anyone had heard and thought it was weird... He was sort of her romeo.. They were from two different worlds.. just no one was telling them they couldn't be together. Which was a good thing, because there was no way she was not being with this boy..

Elise...Ethan/Minnie...some Ogden, Kendall and snag her if you want.
 

anyone can grab her ^_^
 

Coming from the Ravenclaw tower, the seventh year wandered around the castle for a while, passing by familiar places. She remembered random events from the past seven years. She was going to miss Hogwarts and everyone here. And she couldn’t believe that she wasn’t coming back next year. With a sigh, Gwen found herself standing at the entrance to the great hall.

Here goes.

Taking a deep breath, Gwendolyn Greene made her way in. She soon stopped, quite close to the door. The Ravenclaw took a moment to give a quick look around the Great Hall. Letting everything sink in. The four house tables. The staff table. The banners. Everything.

With another deep breath, the Eagle walked towards her house table. Quite a few people were already there. ‘Hi everyone’, she said, doing her best to smile. Did it work? Maybe. Maybe not. She was too sad to be leaving in order to be able to give a genuine smile. But, in the same time, this end of term feast would be one she would remember for a long time. So she wanted to be a bit more cheerful.


One of the first Ravenclaws she saw was the Quidditch Captain. ‘Hi Elise’, she greeted her housemate. Hmm. The girl seemed to be upset. Wasn’t she a sixth year? That meant she still had one year left at Hogwarts. But maybe she was sad that her friends were leaving. Hmm. Anyway, Gwen decided not to ask anything like ‘are you alright?’. Because she herself was trying desperately to avoid that question.

So just ‘hi’. Just that.


‘Hi there’, she greeted another one of her fellow housemates. ‘Looking forward to the summer holiday?’ She was sad to be leaving, but that didn’t mean she was going to ruin other people’s good mood.

Gwendolyn gave a quick look around the Ravenclaw table, before drawing her attention to the Gryffindor one. Hmm. She would wait a while before going to say goodbye to the lions. For now, she would be staying around here.


Eventually, Gwen decided to take a seat. Since the table wasn’t that crowded yet, she picked a random spot, not far from the other students. As she scanned the place, her eyes fell on the blue on her uniforms. Alright, that made a small smile appear on her face. Being a Ravenclaw was just the best. Gwen couldn’t believe she had thought she wouldn’t be sorted into his house. Clearly, the sorting hat did a great job. Heh. She wouldn’t want to be in any other house.

Raising her eyes, Gwendolyn noticed someone sitting across the table. ‘Hello Mika’, she greeted her housemate, doing her best to smile once again.

Just please no ‘how are you?’ questions.


Glimpsing at the staff table, the seventh year noticed the Professors who were already sitting there. She was going to miss their classes.

Such a Ravenclaw.

But it was true. How could she not miss the classes at Hogwarts? Especially the Potions ones. Drawing her attention back to the Ravenclaw table, she spotted Kendall. They hadn't talked much lately. Anyway- ‘Hi’, she greeted the girl.


Alright.

Things were going well so far.

She was doing her best not to be sad at the feast. If not for another reason, she would remember this day, and she wouldn’t want to be all depressed. Though, her plan soon failed horribly once she spent more time at the Ravenclaw table. She was going to miss everyone. She was going to miss Hogwarts. And she couldn’t believe that seven years had passed so quickly.

Sigh.

So much for the positive attitude.

Close to the place where she was sitting, Gwen noticed the Ravenclaw Prefect. ‘Hi’


She couldn’t really tell how she was feeling at the moment. Happy? Sad? Enthusiastic? Depressed? All of the above? Just when she was taking another deep breath, she heard someone... bark?

*raises eyebrows*

Really now?

Although there wasn't too much reason for Wade to leave his table, other than to see his girlfriend.. He had some older friends that he deep down knew he needed to say his farewells to. They were starting their careers soon, and it would be a while before Wade could see them again after this. So, with that he sat at the Claw table.

Wade had only just noticed who he sat by before he greeted. "Nigel," He remembered one of the many Quidditch practices with what he had done to distract him. Can't ever forget that kind of stuff, heh. "doing alright? Any plans for the summer?" They were sort of friends or whatever after that, right?

"Hey Ethan," Hmm.. Wade kind of wished they had hung out more. He was such a cool sport, even accepting that onesie he gave so he could match his Minnie Mouse.. Heh. "how are you?"

"Hey Gwen," Wade smiled at her. Well, he was not going to forget her, from their first run-ins during his first term at the school and that adventure in the dungeons they last did. "you doing, okay?" Wade knew asking about summers, and next years only reminded him that goodbyes were approaching sooner.. and well, he wanted to put it off as long as possible.

Wade quirked his left eyebrow at the sound. Looking around, expecting to see one loose, he only saw a girl.. Hm. "That.. was impressive." Well, what else could he say to that?

mostly ETHAN and KENDALL (andElise), mentions other peeps ^_^
 

Beezus fumbled with the locket chained around her neck once she had stepped into the Great Hall. It wasn't the usual, chatter-filled Feast that she had experienced for her past five years at Hogwarts and although the general mood of the place was bringing her spirits down, Beezus understood why it was so. Not only were many amazing people graduating but they also lost and would be losing some important members of the School Staff. Too much has happened this term and she, herself, was not in the highest of moods at the moment.

Hence, the lack of smile when she approached the Ravenclaw House Table where her eyes unintentionally landed on her Captain's figure out once. Blonde hair.....was easy to distinguish amidst a crowd so maybe that's why. It was just almost close to the point of being frustrating that saw Elise first despite the number of students already gathered on that table. It hurt.....to see her friend.......and it hurt more because she knew that their friendship had been tainted now.

Too bad but she didn't want to say sorry. She was still upset at the girl.....and she reckoned that was going to stay. Well, at least my indifferent towards her can stay, but she can't.. Beezus thought bitterly.

She was being bitter, yes. But she had reasons.....reasons she knew not everyone would understand.

The brunette sighed and decided for the better to tear her gaze away from the sight and went searching for her co-Prefect instead. She found him easily so her legs went straight towards him. "Ethan, congratulations. You're off to the real world now." Despite things, she managed to smile faintly at him. His girlfriend though she was evil got a greeting too. "Minerva.."...or it was more of an acknowledgment, really.

Mika, and Mo and the girl with him that Beezus didn't know, Nigel, Dora and those people on their side of the table got a slight wave and nod from her before she descended on a seat next to Kendall. "Hey, Kendz."

Her head dropped to the girl's shoulder.

i swear she aint that weird x3
 

Taylor glanced up seeing Gwendolyn raising her eyebrows and Tay tried to act natural. She held back a chuckle at the reaction. After a few seconds, she glanced down and fiddled with her robes, not sure what to do.

Taylor glanced up at the guy and her cheeks got slightly pink. "Oh... Thanks..." She fiddled with a curl, starting to wonder why she even barked in the first place. Tay glanced down for a few seconds then up at the guy, not sure if he wanted to say anything else or if she should introduce herself or just go back to whatever she had been doing when he... complimented her? OR whatever...

It did seem that Elise was feeling down. Maybe a cannoli would help. Never doubt the power of cannolis



Nigel smiled at Cat's question. "As long as you talk about Mustaches and Mermaids. You will be fine." Because come on. Everyone loves a good mustache joke.


Nigel looked up from eating a cannoli to notice a fellow housemate. Who if Nigel's memory served him. Was graduating. "Hi. Yeah. Beach and just relaxing for this summer. Though maybe some work. Cannoli?" Nigel ask pushing out the box. He did not really want to ask what she was going to do after school. It was a feast. People should at least be a little happy at a Feast and not reminded of that they are graduating and not coming back to school


"Wade. Cannoli?". Nigel said offering him one. He had more than enough. For some reason Nigel could not get the image of Minnie chasing him around the pitch trying to touch his hair. Though it was awesome hair. Quidditch was awesome and insane at the same time. "Nothing much. Beach and probably trying to find some work. You?"

Ethan and Elise aaaaand anyone who wants to grab her
 

This feast was...different.

How? you may wonder. Well, there was the twisting in her gut, for starters. You know that feeling of dread in the pit of your stomach that you just couldn't for the life of you place? Well, it was like that but she knew exactly what was wrong. Her Quidditch team was falling apart. Yes, it was as much hers as it was Elise's. They were like a family. Not in the way Theo or Cassia were like family but in the way cousins were. Cousins who hung out a lot more than regular cousins did.

Cousins who sucked Merlin's stinky socks for ditching her to go on to do better things.

Like that kind of family, you know?

Blue sat outside the Great Hall, wallowing in self-pity she really wasn't permitted to have. She wasn't even leaving. But it was just the realisation that this was only the beginning. That the future was just WAITING for her. Ethan and Elise were going this year. Then Bee next...who would give her cuddles and pretect her when she got nightmares?! It was a tad overwhelming and completely unfair. Here everyone was leaving to be grownups and do things like pay morgages but she was stuck here worrying about OWLs. Stupid teenagerism. Stupid angst. Stupid Ethan.

Stupid stupid stupid.

The soon-to-be fifth year stood up, her bat in hand and slipped into the Great Hall for the what, second time this year? That was CRAZY. Like, doxy-droppings nutty. Blue glanced at the Slytherin table and decided it would be more appropriate not to go over there today but she'd say hi to her friends at some point. The girl made her way over to the Ravenclaw table and you know, gave them a glare.

“Do you know what you guys are?” Ethan and Elise, that was. “Rude. Incredibly rude.”

Well, now that they knew that, she twisted her wrist slightly to draw attention to the bat in her grip. And now she felt shy. And was blushing. Hazel. Blushing. It was so outrageous that it required birth-cert name instead of Blue. “So I kinda thought...maybe youguyswouldsignmybat? Justsomethingsoyouknowyouguysarestillkindaonthetea m. Every time I hit the bludger...technically you guys would be too. Or, ya know, you're names would be anyway.” They'd laugh, wouldn't they?

Different-ish timelines?
 

Tonight... is the night of the saddest End of Term feast ever.

After the little farewell (more to come during the Train ride) to her best friend Elise, Kat had noticed another familiar Ravenclaw not too far away from her position. Yeah, she looked weird just standing there and staring at people but she didn't have much to do now because she was still trying to accept the fact she would have to go through her seventh year with Elise. But she had to push that thought away for now because she had other Ravenclaw friends to acknowledge. The prefect returned K1's smile. "Hi Kendall," the soon-to-be seventh year greeted.

Maybe they could chat, yeah? Catch up with each other because ever since that dementor attack, Kat barely saw her Ravenclaw friend and her chocolates. At least she had the chocolate with her so that the soul suckers didn't exactly do much damage.


Nope. This was way too much.

Kat wasn't going to cry, really. She'd save that for when Elise would exactly leave. And never come back. She wanted to spend the last day in Diagon Alley and maybe just... pretend none of them were leaving. Honestly, Kat didn't know why she allowed Elise to go... but it was something you can't just forget about. An offer that big isn't something that is given to a person everyday. But the consequences were always. bad. Her best friend wouldn't be here to complete their seventh year together but at least she'd be home-schooled. Kat would visit her once in a while and make sure Elise's lame excuse of a sister didn't plan on hurting her. Protective best friend, that was it.

She still remained clinging to Elise and not wanting to let go. The Slytherin couldn't care less how weird she looked like at the moment because when it came to just her and her best friend, Kat didn't care what other people think of them. They'd have to deal with it. Only they just don't know what it felt like to be in Kat's shoes. To be left by her bestest friend since forever. "I'll... miss you too," Kat said and blinked a few times because the tears were about to fall too. Ugh, she wasn't going to show weakness. Not tonight at least. "You'll be okay... right?" What's a Kat without an Elise?

Quidditch peeps and Taylor in the beginning
 

Ethan's eyes drifted over to the other occupants of the table, namely the other members of his Quidditch team.. mostly because that was who made up the majority of the table so far. He watched them a little distractedly, not really listening in on any conversations.. just.. watching.. and allowing his mind to wander with thoughts about this Quidditch season in general. They might have come in last overall, but it still had been a good season, hadn't it? Especially their last game where he really felt like he had settled into the new position he had originally balked at. Those fourth year boys had caught on to a good thing with their starfishing.. it was weird, but suitable for meditating and clarity. Oh and it was also a decent Keeping move. His only regret was that he did not catch on to it earlier.

He caught sight of Elise with the Slytherin prefect, Kat.. vaguely wondering if they were friends and shrugging lightly to himself. He supposed he hadn't noticed if they were, but it probably didn't matter either way to the boy, did it? He looked away as their exchange seemed to be getting emotional.. it wasn't his business, whatever it was.. plus his own emotions had been threatening to surface, he certainly did not need to get caught up in someone else's. He let his eyes wander to the Hufflepuff table again, when.. barking? caught his attention..

Ethan turned his head in the direction of the barking, spotting Taylor not far down the table, sporting a wide smile on her face. Had that been her? Shaking his head, he chuckled a bit at the thought. That had been kinda weird.. but he could actually use the laugh right now. "Hey, Taylor," he called down to her, giving her a small smile and lifting a few fingers in a casual wave.

Ethan began to grow lost in his thoughts again, pondering things like the very near future, summer, wondering how certain things depended on others.. when he felt a hand through his hair and he turned slightly, casting questioning eyes to the owner of the hand. His gaze softened considerably at the sight of Minerva sitting next to him, the person who had been at the forefront of his mind.. though when wasn't she, really? And though she seemed sad, and he could feel his own emotions threatening to emerge, he gave her a small smile, happy that she decided to join him at his table and he opened his mouth to speak.

He closed it quickly, however, when she spoke first, gazing curiously at her as she quoted Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet.. his smile grew at the notion. So many thoughts flashed through his mind in that moment - from their fated meeting in class to the date she recently recreated at the lake and everything in between the last two and a half years.. working in the student gardens together, dancing at the fundraiser, sharing his summers with her in Germany, their first Valentine's Day together, even the heartwrenching moments that proved how strong their relationship was.. They really did have their own love story and she was his Juliet. Could it really be the last time he would sit at this table with her? He tried his hardest to push that thought away if only for the moment.

Taking his cue from her, Ethan picked up her hand and looked into her eyes. "Shall I hear more, or shall I speak at this?" He picked up her hand and lightly pressed his lips to the back of it, keeping his eyes on her. It was apparent that she had been crying. He so did not want that for her, but he knew that the antidote mixed with the end of term issues was really taking its toll on her. The last few days had seemed better though, so he was hopefully things were evening out and would get better over summer. He smiled a little at her and continued further into the scene to a part that he felt could be meaningful. "By love, that first did prompt me to inquire. He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes. I am no pilot. Yet, wert thou as far as that vast shore washed with the farthest sea, I would adventure for such merchandise."

Ethan wondered how far she had gotten in that book of sonnets he lent her. There was one he might have to read to her later.. though he might know of a better time.. He let her hand go then lifted his hand to the side of her face, still looking into her eye. "You've been crying," he said simply, quietly. Trying to give her a small smile, he added, "No more tears." Then he put his arm around her and slid closer to her, kissing her forehead. He wanted their last moments at Hogwarts to be remembered as happy ones.

Hearing his name, Ethan tore his eyes away from Minerva, though he still kept his arm draped around her. Mika wasn't far away from them and the fourth year got a smile in return from the prefect. Which reminded him that he wouldn't be her prefect much longer and the smile faltered just a bit. He had gotten to know the girl a bit better this term and he thought back to the first time he met her while she was catapulting food at the beginning of term. Ethan had to chuckle at the memory. Thankfully she hadn't been too much of a handful during the term and he had come to know her as a pretty great girl and not a bad Quidditch player. She was one of his eagles that he'd miss.

"Hey, Mika," he finally greeted the girl, his smile brightening again as he did so. "Got some exciting summer plans?" Yes.. keep the focus off of him and his not coming back.. what was she up to?

Hearing another voice addressing him, ethan allowed his green eyes to wander till they landed on the owner of the voice. Gwen. She was one of the few Seventh years in his house, him being the only boy, and he thought there was one other girl.. at any rate, he kinda wished he had gotten to know his yearmate a bit better. Soon-to-be graduating Claws could have stuck together.. Though with the craziness of this term, it was a wonder he had gotten to know anyone better this year. He gave the girl a small smile, "Hi Gwen... so.. what do you have going on after graduation?" Certainly something, whether it be continuing education, a gap year, or just work.. he was remotely curious, he supposed.

Ethan turned as he heard his name again, this time green eyes landing on a familiar Hufflepuff.. not that he would know him as one by his attire. Instead of the usual house-colored school robes, the boy was clad in a tiger onesie.. which brought a smile to the Ravenclaw Prefect's face. "Hey there, Wade," Ethan said with a good-natured chuckle. He rather liked the amiable sixth year and only wished he had gotten to know him better.. and perhaps without the ice cream madness of the last term, he would have. Well, there was always summer.. and, since he was also a friend of his girlfriend's, maybe they could all hang out. Hadn't he heard Wade was now dating Spike's little sister?

"I'm doing alright.." he shrugged lightly. It was the truth, he was doing fine while keeping his emotions at bay. "You..?" Not that the Puff was leaving school for good, but it was polite to return the question, yeah? "Thanks for the onesie, by the way," he added with a grin. Ethan had tried it on, but still hadn't found the proper place to wear it yet.. knowing it would be best to wear it with Min as a matching set.. hehe.

Oh and there was his co-prefect.. Ethan watched Beezus as she headed his way down the table. And that reminded him again that his prefecting days were coming to an end. Did he really have to give up his shiny badge? Pushing that thought away, the boy watched her carefully as she stood next to him. He had been worried about her recently as the antidote seemed to hit her hard and he hoped that she was starting to feel better. He couldn't tell if she was still down because of it or if her mood was more affected by end of term things, especially knowing that she was in a similar situation to his own girlfriend.

Giving her a warm smile in spite of all of that, he said, "Well, thanks Beezus.. I suppose I am." Real world in a sense, anyway.. He'd still be a student, though it wouldn't be in the same way. Things were definitely changed though some things he would hold on to stay the same as much as he could. "I'm glad I got to be your co-prefect." She was another of his Eagles that he'd really miss.. He had enjoyed getting to know the great girl she was as well over the last couple terms, from the common room to patrolling corridors to the Quidditch pitch. He inwardly sighed.. thinking again about last times..

Ethan turned his eyes away for a moment and spotted Blue heading his way, blinking at the look she was giving him. Was she glaring? He looked at her in confusion for a moment upon hearing her words. "Rude..?" he repeated. "What.. did we do?" He glanced up at Elise a bit questioningly as well as Blue seemed to be addressing the Captain also. Maybe Elise would know what the fourth year meant. Then he peered back at the younger girl, green eyes wandering to the bat in her hand as she twisted it menacingly at them.

The girl had gone completely mad, he just knew it. Ethan was sure that Blue was angry with the two of them for some unknown reason and was about to beat them senseless with her bat and he subtly reached for his wand protectively. And then she spoke. Ethan leaned a bit closer to understand her words as she drew them all together and he slowly grinned. "I think that's an awesome idea, Blue.. I'd be honored to sign your bat. And to play with you in spirit." He bent down and pulled a self-inking quill from his bag and reached for her bat, signing, Ethan 'The Wall' McCarthy. He handed it back, then his eyes snapped to Elise as something Blue said finally registered. "Why aren't you going to be on the team next term?" She wasn't a seventh year.. where was she going?

A bit of Min in the mix
 

Tay glanced up and beamed as she saw Ethan. She waved back then actually got up and bounced over to him, hugging him. Taylor pretended to lick him like a dog would do then giggled, "Hey, Ethan." She pouted a little, "I cant believe you wont be here next year." She sighed, "Im gonna miss you though we didnt hang out that much." Tay laughed then saw Min and hugged her, "Nice quoting. It would make Ravenclaw proud to have you be one of them if you were a bird like us." She winked, teasing her.

Benjy and Mika and he says his name is NOT Ogden. It's GARRICK
 

Looking at Benjy for a moment he shrugged. It had been a STUPID year. The stupidest. But that was beside the point. Garrick was ready for vacation. He wanted out of England for a bit. Maybe he could make Mum take him somewhere TROPICAL. That would be a great end to the year.

He doubted Benjy would go.

See Garrick wasn't stupid pr clueless. He knew Benjy had a thing for that disgusting girl with the retched friend. Oh well. He could crash and burn in that if he wanted. Garrick wasn't going to get involved in it.

"I'll be gone most of the break. Have fun with her." Oh he hadn't told Benjy had he? Oh well.

And then Mika got his attention for a moment. She even got a smile. "Hope you have a great summer, Mika. I know I am looking forward to mine," he said with a chuckle.

Lame. He was being lame with people.

Mentions of Beezus too
 

As more people entered the Great Hall, Elise noticed the evil!Puff come up to the Ravenclaw table. Ordinarily, she would have protested but seeing as it was her last day with her boyfriend in this same hall, she figured that she'd just let it slide. She knew how it felt to be trying to soak up the last moments with the people you loved, anyway. But if she stayed, Elise might have to slip something into her pumpkin juice.



It was probably lucky that Mika distracted her from her thoughts before Elise had a chance to act on them. That could have been dangerous. Nodding instead at the younger blonde, she smiled. "And for you too." What else was there to say now? She was pretty much at a loss for words as it was.



Gwen. Sweet Merlin, Gwen was graduating. It just mostly made Elise realize how fast the past six years had gone. One moment she was just a first-year, hoping for someone to help her understand how the castle worked and the next? She was here, sixth year Quidditch Captain. Leaving a whole year prematurely.

"Hey, Gwen," she smiled, waving. Trying to ignore the question in the older student's eyes, she tried to divert her attention. Who else was there? Oh. It was Beezus. Upon seeing the prefect, Elise's expression pretty much shattered.

They weren't on particularly good terms then and this certainly wasn't how things were supposed to end. They were close friends, for crying out loud. One night changed everything. She hadn't thought it possible, but it was a fact now and despite the fact that Elise had apologized multiple times, they weren't going to make up anytime soon.



The next thing she knew, there was Blue marching up to her and Ethan and stating something that pretty much baffled her. Rude? Did she say something that Blue found offensive? Or was it the fact that she was leaving? Obviously, something had upset her ickle and Elise hated herself for doing it. "I'm sorry," she said quietly, lowering her gaze to the floor.

She would have probably bashed her head on the table if the not-so-ickle-anymore Ravenclaw hadn't continued her speech. Looking back up to meet the girl's eyes, she realized that Blue was blushing. Faintly, hardly visibly, but still. Blushing. Okay, this was probably serious.

She wanted Elise to sign her bat.

Elise wasn't sure if she was going to laugh or cry when she heard the words. She was flattered, so very flattered. It was such a huge honour, to have someone want to have you sign their bat. Beaters were very picky about their bats and what touched them. Elise would know. But it was also just a little more painful, their separation. She wouldn't be there to captain them to the victory they were sure to achieve next term, but she would definitely be cheering them on from the stands.

"I-I'd be honoured, Blue. Thank you," she smiled, following after Ethan and pulling another self-inking quill from her bag and uncapping it. Doing her absolute best not to cry, she signed her name in her usual neat script on the wood of the bat, adding in smaller writing under her name the title that Bee, Mo and Blue had given her a while back. Queen Beater.

"Hey Blue?" Putting her quill back into the bag, she offered the bat back to the young beater. "You're a really brilliant beater. I know I've said it before, but you should know that I mean it." She could be the next Queen of Bludgers, y'know? Elise was proud of her.

Then, she turned her gaze to the prefect. She hadn't told him yet. She hadn't told most of her team, save for Beezus. And after seeing Bee's reaction, Elise was pretty discouraged from telling anyone else. Moving closer to Ethan, she lowered her voice so that nobody else could hear her clearly. "I'm leaving to play for Pride of Portree." There. She'd said it. Pulling back, she shrugged. "I was going to tell you on the train, but you asked. So.. yeah." I hope you're not mad. It was an opportunity that she couldn't miss. He had to understand that, right?



This whole situation was hard, hugging onto her best friend as if her life depended on it. Practically clinging to each other like a pair of koalas, they were. It didn't matter that they had the summer to themselves. It was the last time they were going to cling within these walls. And maybe cling on the train too, but that would be different.

"Right," she whispered back, nodding. "Will you?" That was the more important question here. Would Kat be okay without her to rant at or would the Slytherin find a new bestie and forget all about her? The thought of it terrified Elise but it was entirely possible. She wasn't going to dwell on that, though. Today was going to be a reasonably happy day (even if it was almost over).

"We still have the summer?"

Snag tackle glomp! :D Tay and Ethan >:D
 

And so, another closing of a year at Hoggy-Warty Hogwarts. Am wasn't entirely sad, on the contrary, she was elated to see Logan again. Swaying over to her house table, she noticed Tay and Ethan.

"I got sleep like I promised, PoTayto," she told her friend upon arrival, sliding into the seat across from the fellow Claw and poking her nose.

She also greeted Ethan. "You probably don't remember me but I'm a friend of Min's, and I would like to make sure you're treating my close friend right," she said with her signature squint.

Taylor sighed as Ameliah called her 'PoTayto'. She frowned at the poke as well and swatted at the hand, "Itold you not to call me that, Am." Tay smiled though, "Good that you got sleep though."

"Isidora Yelena," Mo gave her a cheeky grin before nudging over to sit across from her on the bench. He made sure there was space for a Cat before continuing. "'Course I believe it. What changed between broke before and broke now except some of us learned to cook and some of us learned to mooch off each other what can cook," he shrugged as he unpacked his own permanent dinnerware from home.

"I have extra silverware today. Who wants?" Anyway. They were all geniuses at surviving on poor food and no one to clean up after them, so Mo thought maybe it had been a good outcome. Against their will, but still good.

Mo unpacked the box of cannoli and examined it closely. Not because he still thought the Slytherins were trying to poison him, but because he was curious about how things were made and prepared and this smelled really good. Did she know? He set the cannoli down in front of Cat so she could make sure she had one too.

"Not saying we're going now. I'm saying we're going period. It's all fixed. I'll brook no arguments." He would totally brook arguments. He was Mo and thus could be talked out of most anything.

"Creepy!" Mo waved at the appearance of the ever reclusive Ravenclaw and gestured her over. Why was she acting like she wasn't interested in sitting with... the mopey Alice, the fierce looking Dora, the also mopey (why with the mopes?) Elise, the frenetic Nigel, and... Mo and Cat, who defied mere adjectives but were probably blinking annoying?

Now that he considered it, Mo didn't blame her for not wanting to join them, but he invited her anyway. "Come sit with us and have a cannoli." Pastry for all.

Mo heard Elise, but he didn't listen to her. She was being cryptic sad!faced Ravenclaw, after all, and he didn't really know how to handle sad women. Sad Alices were a bit easier, because he could just talk at her until she distracted herself with his stupid chatter, but regular girls... they didn't respond to logic, he wasn't sure when hugging was permitted, and they acted like you should know why they were sad.

Merlin knew her puppy may have gotten lost OR her grandmother was ill OR she didn't like her dress. It could be anything. He reached over and patted her hand, though, because it was all he knew to do. "Be happy. We're first in fun this term, and the carpet burn on my belly from the Slip N' Slide is almost gone. Please be happy?"

Like... please?

Wade was fairly blank at the dog noise she had made earlier. It was quite accurate, which took him by surprise. But.. hmm? Aww, was she embarrassed now? "Yeah.. " He hoped she didn't seem too discouraged. "You think you could teach me how to do that?" ..What? He could purr already, might as well learn other animal speaking.

"Sure, thanks." Wade accepted the Cannoli before taking a bite into its deliciousness.. It could use some pickles though for the extra deliciousness. Heh. Oh, the beach? Sweet! "That sounds fun, you play any sports out on the water?" Hmm? Oh, yeah what was he doing. "Just going to Disneyland with my girlfriend then look for some work as well."

Well, what could Wade say about Ethan from the entire year of knowing him? How calm and collected he portrayed himself. "Cool," That too. "I'm doing fine, myself, given everything.. Got any plans for the summer?" He was sure it involved time with Minnie, but yeah, maybe if he wasn't busy they could all get together. "No problem, I'm glad you like it." See, Ethan was cool. Anyone who liked onesies was cool in Wade's eyes.

Ameliah pouted at both the swat (reminding her vaguely of the time when she turned her friend into a badger) and the rejection of the nickname. Well, at the swat, at least. Ameliah was used to Tay's grimaces at her genius nickname for her. "Well, I'll stop it eventually, promise. But for now, you shall be PoTayto. Until I'm mature enough to stop, at least," she added with a shrug.

Taylor grumbled and looked at her, "Why cant you just stop calling me it now?" Tay whined at her, with a pout. She absolutely hated that nickname and would have not been her friend because of it, if she didnt love Ameliah to death as a sister. Taylor sighed, "You are almost a 6th year, you should know better." She hissed slightly.

"Mustaches and mermaids OR mermaids with mustaches?" Now there was something to talk about. "It would be hard to shave underwater, ya know?" Huh. Never thought about it before but really.

Really.



HEY LOOK.

BLUE.

"Blueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee." Cat held up the cannolis. Blue got her own box too. She should like... come get them before Cat ate them herself. Heh.

Cat eyed Mo as he examined the cannoli and nudged his arm, "They're pretty easy to make. I can show you some time, if you want. Baking lessons with Cat." Hey, their first baking attempt had worked quite well, right? Why not have MORE?

Pfffft. "You think I am going to argue? Cat? Caterina?" She tossed him a grin because he DID know her and just shrugged. "Alright. You're the boss. You tell me when." Cause apparently it was all FIXED. "Try one." She nodded to the cannoli. "They're goooooood."

Not JUST cause she'd made them herself, but mostly.

Since everyone ELSE got cannolis and Cat had not thought to save some for herself, she was most definitely glad that Mo had given her one. Otherwise, she would have just stolen one anyway. Heh. She was about to shove one in her mouth when someone spoke. Cannolis. Yes. She was going to eat one.

Ooooh. It was that girl. Cat smiled in greeting and did not shove the cannoli in her mouth. "Yep. I did, you want one? Have one, they're good." She picked another one out of Mo's box and offered it to the blonde. The boy could get more later, she'd see to that. More smiling. "I've seen you around." She pointed the cannoli at herself. "Cat." But the girl knew that already.

All you Quidditch folks (and Min) !
 

sorry i didnt see this when i replied to Ameliah
 

Tay glanced at him, in confusion. "You want me to teach you how to bark?" Her blush slowly faded away, "You werent teasing when you said that it was impressive?" Taylor smiled and giggled a little, "Yeah, I can teach ya if you really want." Tay held out her hand, "I'm Taylor or Tay... and you?"

She couldn't believe that it was the end of term fest for the fourth time! Orr sat down at the Ravenclaw table and felt a bittersweet mix of happiness and sadness because she would not see most of her friends for the next couple of months and Fifth year sounded so hard. But either way she was excited and nervous at the same time.

She couldn’t help but smile at the shocked look on his face, but her face was soon to mirror his with shock as he took her hand and recited Romeo’s part. As she watched him lift her hand to his lips she fought tears from making their appearance yet again. She really didn’t want to cry again in front of him. She owed it to him not to cry, to be happy. He deserved a great night, a great feast with friends and without his girlfriend being a big cry baby over him not being with her next term. She was being selfish and she knew she was, but it was hard to think about not sitting at this table with him again. Blue eyes staying on his green she was about to continue when she was stopped by him continuing on. She bit her lip trying to make sure the tears didn’t make their way out. This was just so beyond sweet that she couldn’t fight it and a few tears escaped running down her cheek.

Trying to stop the tears she wiped her eyes with the tissue in her free hand. As his hand went to her face she looked away from him to the table when he asked about her crying. Well that was obvious since she couldn’t even hide it just now. No more tears that was easier said than done. She didn’t want to cry anymore and half the time she wasn’t sure why she was. All she knew was this term had turned out hard and not because of academics. How would she ever survive another term without him here. This was just horrible and she hated every minute of it.

Her reddened blue eyes looked back up again and she gave a small smile, Thou know'st the mask of night is on my face, Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek For that which thou hast heard me speak to-night Fain would I dwell on form, fain, fain deny What I have spoke: but farewell compliment! Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say 'Ay,'And I will take thy word: yet if thou swear'st, Thou mayst prove false; at lovers' perjuries Then say, Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo, If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully: Or if thou think'st I am too quickly won, I'll frown and be perverse an say thee nay, So thou wilt woo; but else, not for the world. In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, And therefore thou mayst think my 'havior light: But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true Than those that have more cunning to be strange. I should have been more strange, I must confess, But that thou overheard'st, ere I was ware, My true love's passion: therefore pardon me, And not impute this yielding to light love, Which the dark night hath so discovered. It was helping a bit from the sad awkward tension she knew was coming, but that was it she was done. No more Romeo and Juliet, because it was getting to her as well. I’ll try to stop the tears.. I’m sorry.” She leaned into him with his arm around her and closed her eyes for a few moments trying to compose herself better. “Congratulations by the way.. You did it.” She really really tried to sound as proud as she could of him, because she was.. She was super proud of him.



Just as she had finished the Juliet line Minerva heard her name and turned her puffy tear stained face to look at who the voice belong to. She blushed a bit thinking that Mika most likely heard their little poetic moment. She didn’t care really though it was a special moment between them and that’s all that mattered. Feeling his arm around her made her feel safe and comfortable so she tried to be a bit more social. [b] “Glad term is over?” She wondered what the almost fifth year had going on. “Any big plans? You and Kaiden hanging out?” She really approved of Mika dating one of her badgers. She could get protective over them, but she knew Mika was great so it was a good fit for Kaiden.




Minerva looked up again when she heard Ethan’s name and then her own, but she couldn’t help but notice the was it attitude that her name was said in. Seeing that it was Beezus, Minerva couldn’t help but wonder what she had ever done to this claw to get such a cold shoulder treatment from her most of term. She felt like she was always nice and willing to help out. For goodness sake she told the girl to go hug her boyfriend and that he gave good hugs. She could have told her to get lost and go find her own boyfriend to hug, but now she was nice and she would still be nice now. “Hello Bee, how are you this evening?” She was in the same boat as Min with a seventh year boyfriend so Minerva couldn’t help but feel for the girl at the moment.

Then her blue eyes snapped up defensively as someone was calling Ethan… rude? Ethan was far from rude to anyone so she couldn’t help but look at Blue very oddly and when her eyes hit the bat she felt her blood start to boil at what the fourth year could possibly be thinking. She knew what kind of arm that girl had on her. The thought of it made Min take her hand to the back of her head without meaning to. She was about to step in, because no one hurt her Ethan when Blue continued on about signing the bat. Min couldn’t help but smile and shed more tears at the same time. [b] “Blue that is one of the best ideas… It’s so sweet.” Even if Ethan was signing the bat that could have easily taken Min out for the long hall during that match.
Her eyes then turned to Elise the other claw beater, why was she signing the bat. She had another year, right? She saw her lean into Ethan and say something, but didn’t really hear what she as saying so she just shrugged it off. If the girl wanted the world to know she would have said it louder. So Min just gave her a small smile, “I don’t think we have ever really introduced ourselves. I’m Min, but I guess you basically know that. You are a great beater.” She moved a little closer to Ethan and laid her head on his shoulder. All these emotions were leaving her just exhausted.




Minerva had shut her eyes for a few moments when she heard a familiar voice. It was Taylor, but she was talking to Ethan so Min figured it was okay to keep her eyes close. She would open them and say hi to her friend when they were done, but before she could there were new arms around her and she stiffened and let out a scream jumping into Ethan. She looked at the source of the hands and gave Taylor an apologetic look. Why did she have to have such a problem with hugging. She use to love hugs. Love them and now she couldn’t handle them at all. The first thought she had was her hair burning from that plant. If she ever had to go near plants again it was too soon. “I.. I’m sorry.. I just can’t hug right now… E is the only.. I’m sorry Taylor.. I’m sorry..” She frowned and then heard the girls next words blushing a bit, “I would have liked being in this house. I love my own, but this seems like my second family.” They really did seem like it. She loved cooking for the claw boys she had this term and she hoped Mo wouldn’t mind eating her food again next term.



Hearing another familiar voice Minerva looked over at Eliza. The girl seemed happy. That was nice to see. She was another one that Minerva swore was poisoned by that syrup, but maybe she really wasn’t. Maybe Ethan really was right and no one was poisoned, but if no one was poisoned than that would mean she really had just lost her mind and she really was just mental. Which Minerva wasn’t sure which was worse. Either way her trip this summer was going to help… she hoped. It had to.. she had to get over these issues she had been having. Giving Eliza a small smile, “Hey Eliza, ready for summer?” Of course it seemed everyone was ready, but Min wasn’t sure she was. She wanted term to end, she wanted to be home, well not really home but at Ethan’s, but she knew where she was headed and that kind of scared her. Leaning her head back on Ethan’s shoulder she sighed at the inner fight in her head. She just wish she could make it stop.

EVERYONE really...not quoting.
 

Mika, K2 and Beezus (not necessarily in that order)
 

The mood at the table was definitely not helping Kendall feel any better. Not much had physically happened to her after the Fright Fest, which had proven itself to have been named accurately, but she still hadn’t really gotten free of that paranoia about the dementors coming back. Even while she’d been hiding in the library, she’d felt like the coldness was going to come creeping after her. It hadn’t to her knowledge, but she hadn’t gotten the idea out of her head. That, plus the view of empty chairs and morose professors at the staff table, had pretty much determined that her hair wasn’t going back to normal any time soon. She was just going to have to hope that she’d get back to normal on the train, so she wouldn’t have to explain to Jeremiah or whoever came to Kings Cross to pick her and Patrick up. After last summer, she didn’t want her family to have to worry about her any more than they already had been. The kind of half-hearted smile she’d gotten from Katrina only made her even more worried, too. Even without the plastic cutlery and stuff, this feast might end up being the most depressing one ever, and that was counting next term’s when she would know she wasn’t coming back. “Hi Katrina,” she still returned, trying to give her a more convincing smile than the earlier one even as she took another nibble of the chocolate in her hand. The food hadn’t shown up yet, so she wasn’t going to starve herself.

Well, maybe everyone wasn’t entirely too depressed to function. She’d blinked as Mika had noticed the chocolate she’d dropped in front of her as she’d passed her, anyway, not even realizing that it might have taken her a few seconds to notice the response. A lot had been going on, and she’d use that excuse. Either way, the reaction made a tiny genuine smile creep over her face, although the odd auburn/indigo hair didn’t go away. It was probably going to take a lot more than Mika’s mentioning Patrick to break her free of her mood entirely, but it was a start. “You’re welcome. Figured I might as well finish off the term like it started, and it keeps me from eating my whole stash before the train,” she admitted. Of course, the chocolate was still going to disappear, but she wasn’t eating it herself. “Yep. Pretty much all my chocolate was this term.” She hadn’t really bothered to go to Honeydukes to augment it, especially not after the dementors. She’d still managed to make it last all term, with a few moments of asking him for more. Which reminded her that she hadn’t managed to see if he’d arrived at the feast yet, and she’d glanced away toward the Slytherin table as the blonde had gone back to talking to Mo and the others.

Only to see a familiar brunette walking over, looking about as happy as she felt minus the mood ring hair. Beezus definitely had things on her mind, and upon another glance toward the Slytherin table, Kendall had a vague idea of at least a possible reason. There had been all the horrible things this term, but at least she was still going to have her boyfriend there next term. Her friend and Prefect wasn’t, and that made her feel sympathy along with everything else. She had questions about why the whole feast seemed down, but at least she could be there for her friend. She could try to reassure her, like she was expecting Patrick to do for herself later. “Hey Beezus,” she returned, slipping her arm around the other girl as she’d felt her rest her head on her slender shoulder. There, at least it was halfway a hug. She couldn’t offer chocolate to make Beezus feel better, anyway, so she was going to try other things. Plus, it distracted her from worrying about if there was going to be any invasions. Maybe the feast was going to be perfectly normal, or at least as close to it as possible. Paper plates didn’t matter, questions didn’t matter, missing staff members at least sort of didn’t matter. The important thing was being there for her friend when she was hurting, like she’d promised earlier.

Hearing a voice somewhere close calling her name, the seventh year turned around and managed to spot Wade. The Hufflepuff was one of the people she really had to say goodbye to. But before saying goodbyes she should say a ‘hello’. So.

Smirk.

‘Hi’, Gwen greeted back. ‘Yeah, I’m good’, she said a bit hesitant, not giving many details. ‘You?’ Pause. ‘Do you have any plans for the summer?’ On the one hand, summer plans reminded her of the fact that she was graduating, but on the other hand, she really wanted to know what her friends would be doing. ‘I hope we can meet around Diagon Alley sometime’ If Wade had some free time, that is.

Heeeeey! There was Beezus.

Because the Ravenclaw Prefect was on the other side of the table and the place was kind of crowded, Gwen decided not to yell a ‘hello’. Instead she gave a small wave.


Alright, so even Gwen had to admit barking like a dog at the feast was funny. Heh. ‘Having fun?’, she asked, with her arms folded as she eyed the girl. Hmm. What was her name, again? Gwen was sure she had seen the other Ravenclaw around the school before, and they had met a few times on the train. The bad part was that the seventh year was awful at remembering names.

Erm.

She would need another year at Hogwarts to get to know some people better. Could she do that? Be a seventh year again? Yeah, probably not.


Gwen gave a small nod as she listened to what her housemate was saying. Hmm. Some work? 'What do you have in mind?’ Working around Diagon Alley, maybe?

Her attention was then drawn to the box the other Ravenclaw was holding. ‘Umm...no thank you’, she said simply. She was too nervous to eat.


So far no one had asked anything about graduation. It was kind of the younger students to try and not point out the fact that they were graduating but still. Gwendolyn thought it was something you couldn’t avoid. Or pretend to forget about it. So. She just had to face it, Gwen figured.

Ethan’s question was straight to the point. What was she going to do. ‘I want to become a healer’, she said with a small smile. She had her mind set on being a healer eve since she was a first year. ‘You?’, the seventh year asked.


Seeing Elise so... sad? troubled? , Gwen started wondering if she remembered something wrong- was the other Ravenclaw a seventh year too? Graduating now? But no... she was certain that the Quidditch captain was one year younger. So... what was going on?

‘What’s up?’, she finally asked a bit uncertain. There was probably not much she could help with but still... wasn’t it worth trying? Gwendolyn Greene trying to be nice. This was something that didn’t happen very often.


‘Heh...I did’, she answered her question. Probably the entire great hall heard Professor Flamsteed yell about Pluto. It was just something you couldn’t miss.

She really appreciated the fact that Mika was trying not to mention anything about graduating. It was thoughtful of the younger Ravenclaw. Howeveeeeer... Gwen thought you just couldn’t avoid the inevitable. Duh. ‘Since this will be our last feast together at Hogwarts...’, she started, trying to seem positive, but in the end her voice started trembling.

Deep breath.

Alright, now she really didn’t know what to say. A moment of silence followed until she spoke up again. ‘I’m going to miss you’ Yeah. She was going to miss Mika. And the other Ravenclaws.

Another short pause. Now she really had no idea how to continue. Goodbyes were harder than she had imagined. ‘Can I get a hug?’

She jumped back at the scream and gave Min a weird look. Tay nodded as she said sorry, "I'm sorry... I should have asked first..." When did Min get so against hugs? She held back a pout but smiled when Min blushed, "Well, we love you here in Eagle territory." Taylor ignored the urge to hug Mins again because she didnt want another scream in her ear... and since Min said only Ethan can hug her. She mentally sighed and smiled at Ethan and Mins.



Taylor glanced up when a voice began talking to her. She recognized the person but the name didnt come to her so she just shrugged it off. "Yes... Yes, I am." Tay beamed a smile at her and laughed, "Are you having fun yourself?" Yep, she aint gonna meation her barking... hopefully this didnt pertain to it... but it probably did... at least someone asked her for lessons in barking... that would be super fun!

You ever seen those Muggle horror movies wherein two dumb girls just screamed their heads off while holding each other tightly because they were going to die? Yeah, that was like Kat right now, clinging to Elise like it was her dear life. Except minus the horror and the screaming part. No matter how much she wanted to just keep hugging her bestie, she'll have to let go. "I'm sorry if I'm choking you," she apologised and then took her arms away from her best friend. Heh... how long was that?

At least Elise would be alright without Kat. But what about Kat if her bestie wasn't there? Nope. She wasn't too sure about her answer. "I don't know. I'll try to." Promise. One term without a best friend? She'll try to survive... because after that, they'd be living in an apartment or a flat together where they'd spend all of their time. Just the two of them.

Summer. "Yes but... after that, maybe not as much time as we had." Sniffle. Yes, Kat was starting to sniffle... and she didn't want to cry. Reserve that for later.


Still, Kat wondered where Kendall had went during all of those dementor attacks. She wasn't exactly there during the Quidditch matches, or was she? Didn't really pay attention to the things around you if a cloaked figure came passing by and threatening to suck your life away? Hah, no thanks. Or maybe at the Fright Fest? Trust her, it wasn't the student leaders who set those dementors loose. Like... why would THEY do that? Hmm? Headmistress Truebridge would have a fit and expel all of them in a heartbeat. Did her K1 have a hiding place? Because that seemed really interesting and she would definitely like to know where. But it was a hiding place, remember? They usually were secret and, well... hidden. Well-hidden. It made Kat even more curious. Ahem... anyway. "How are you?" More like 'you still have your soul, right?' only in a more polite way. Still part of catching up, though. Mhm.

"Let's do baking lessons this summer. At your place," Mo suggested, leaning in so that he was speaking only to Cat, and giving her a warm smile that was just for Cats too. He could learn to make cannoli, and maybe some other foods, considering her family was Italian and apparently quite good at making enormous lasagnas that somehow seemed still warm when they were owled.

He took her hand under the table. Y'know... no rubbing it in or whatever. "Diagon Alley... soon. I'll owl you." And with his free hand he attempted to then shove the entire cannoli in his mouth. Just for hungry-boy-reasons.

Mika seemed a little lost, which was probably a result of holing up in the tower for these past few weeks. Mo gave her a helpful smile and a shrug. "Things are good, actually. I mean, obviously the school was overrun by dementors, First lost his soul, we still have turn stiles, and Alice is mopey-faced, but I personally am doing just fine." But then Mo wasn't ever going to say otherwise. It was his silver linings thing.

"I'm going to Diagon for a while, and Nigel and I are going to the beach at some point. And Cat is coming to visit me at my house... and vice versa. And... no. Never been to Blackpool." Mikas asked a lot of random questions, but Mo understood her conversational style by now. Namely, he just kept answering until she got tired. It wasn't really complicated.

haha Under the table and then in the library ;) *answers the unasked question*
 

Kendall hadn’t really minded the lack of conversations involving her. She had a Beezus to comfort, and that was at least a tiny distraction from worrying about if dementors were going to invade the feast. Although they definitely wouldn’t have been attracted by happiness, if most of the people in the Great Hall had anything to say about that. The sight of Headmistress Truebridge skipping, along with all the other weird things that seemed to be happening at the staff table weren’t normal either. Apparently the whole feast was just going to be weird, and she now had the explanation for the empty seat up there to deal with too. She’d never gotten to ask the groundskeeper if he’d spoken to any lake monsters, and now she wouldn’t be able to. It was almost enough to make her more depressed, but she was determined to be strong for Beezus. That and she knew that Patrick wouldn’t like seeing her hair as indigo as it currently was. She was going to keep it from going even more purple at all costs.

She turned her head carefully as she heard Katrina speak, anyway, not wanting to startle the prefect’s head on her other shoulder. “Um, I’m okay,” she answered, a little bit confused by the question. It should have been obvious she wasn’t her normal self, but then she remembered that not everyone knew about her mood ring hair difficulty. Even she had half-forgotten about it after she’d sort of gotten control over it earlier in the term. The stupid dementors made her fall backward in that progress, which was annoying. “Do you want any chocolate?,” she asked, gesturing slightly with the hand that wasn’t wrapped around Beezus that was still holding the chocolate bar she’d been nibbling. She had more, so she figured she’d offer. She’d figure out how to get it out of her bag somehow.

Elise was probably being vague about it but considering the number of people there that she didn't want to know about things, she couldn't risk saying it out loud without being vague. Mo had a point, though. First in fun. That was definitely something to be immensely proud of, even if they didn't win any cup. And the carpet burn?

The blonde laughed so violently that she was shaking with silent giggles. The carpet burn although Mo's doing, was something all Ravenclaws would be sporting. Either on their behinds or their bellies. Sometimes both. They were CrayClaws, after all. "Of course," she nodded. It wouldn't do to sulk on her last day, right?

Even if it technically wasn't really the last. She'd come back, just not properly.



Elise finally stopped staring at Blue and Ethan as though it would be the last time she would see them when she heard someone address her. Trying not to take the bat from Blue and whack the person interrupting, she ever so slowly turned to face the evil!Puff and smiled tightly. She didn't actually need to be introduced to the evil!Puff, nor did she require her to state her name. It might be easier not to like her if she didn't know her name anyway.

BUT SHE WAS COMPLIMENTING HER! Still evil, though. She was just stating a very obvious fact. Barely keeping herself from saying an 'I know' or 'Obviously,' she smiled a little more sincerely. "Thank you." She had no plans of returning the compliment, though. She wasn't going to say something she didn't mean. "You aren't completely horrible yourself."

That was as close to a compliment as she was going to get.



Elise was really trying to pay attention to Mika and all that, since the girl was pretty much chatting her head off and beaming blindingly at just about everyone there. Then, the younger gave Elise a look and muttered something about not doing something. It was a question, she could detect that much, but the words were a total haze.

Smiling apologetically at her, Elise tapped her ear with a finger. "I didn't catch that." She doubted it was meant to be caught, though.



There was the dreaded question. The one she should have addressed the moment she'd sent the owl off and explained to her team. Unfortunately the only two people she'd told were Blue and Beezus. Beezus not taking the news quite as well as she had hoped. How was she going to explain herself now? To tell them that this could be her last feast here, unless the board decided to let her join her year for their graduation. It was a highly unlikely idea, since she wouldn't have been there for classes.

"I'm not coming back," she said, sotto voce after what felt like forever. "Well... I am, but only for my NEWTs." The correction was really quite necessary.

Don't stare at her, the rest of the table. Not talking to you.



Elise was pretty much numbed when Kat finally let her go, slightly wobbly at the knees without the support she was clinging to. Taking a deep breath and steadying herself with a hand on he table, she smiled shakily at the best friend she was leaving behind. "I didn't mind." That was the truth. She really didn't mind being hugged within an inch of her life. Who knew how many times she'd get to cling to her after this, anyway?

"Yeah? We'll try together, okay?" she smiled, rubbing the back of her neck nervously. She'd try her hardest, focus on beating and sooner than they knew it, Kat would be graduating. Then it would be just the two of them and they could have all the time in the world together. Not romantically, of course. She had a boyfriend. So did Kat.

No. Nononononono. The bestie was crying. This was bad. This was very very bad. Kat was supposed to be the emotionally stable between the two of them. If she cried, Elise was going to cry and she had no plans of crying in front of the whole school. "I'll come visit during Hogsmeade weekends. I promise." She could rest assured of that. Then, placing her hands firmly in the bestie's shoulders, she met the other blonde in the eye. "Don't cry. Lafay's staring at you and we still have the train ride to cry at."

Hopefully that could snap her back to normal.

Why was Elise so fidgety? Once he had signed Blue's bat, he watched the Claw captain carefully as she in turn did the same. But there was something about her that was off. She almost seemed like she was about to burst into tears at any second.. something he wouldn't have expected from the girl. In fact, he had gotten to know Elise as someone with a rather tough exterior and had only seen her on the verge of this kind of emotion once before. Was something wrong?

He was still eyeing her warily when she turned her gaze on him and leaned in a bit closer. Whoa.. what? Ethan stared at her for a moment, a bit stunned. Sure, that was a great opportunity, but to leave school a year early..? Maybe he was thinking too much like a rational Ravenclaw.. "That's.. really great.." he finally said after an exaggerated pause. "I'm just a little surprised," he admitted, smiling a bit bigger after the initial shock. Not that she wasn't a great beater, just.. "I would have thought you'd finish your last year before going pro," he added in a lower tone. He did figure that would be her career of choice anyway. "Well, you were a great captain.. I'm glad I got the chance to play with you." He offered his hand to shake and clapped her on the back.

He glanced over at Minerva, smiling lightly as she then formally introduced herself and complimented the girl. His smile faded a bit as he turned back to Elise and heard her words to which he raised an eyebrow. Not horrible..? “She’s a great player,” he informed her and no, he wasn’t biased. It was a mark of a good player to be able to adapt to different positions when needed. Perhaps Elise hadn’t noticed that, but she could have been a bit more friendly, especially when Minerva didn’t have to be in the first place.

Green eyes soon drifted over to another person at their table who was now apparently talking to him.. not that she addressed him by name. He sat watching her, unblinkingly, as she spoke and he raised an eyebrow to her words, not much caring for her tone. Don't remember her..? She did know who she was talking to, didn't she? He happened to be her prefect and he made it his business to know everyone in his house. "Of course, I remember you, Amelia.. I know all my Eagles," he said plainly. "And if you're a close friend of Minerva's, then I'm sure you know exactly how well I've treated her the last two years." Honestly.. She barely ever spoke to him and obviously knew very little about his and Min's relationship to feel the need to say something like that to him after they'd been together for over two years. He figured she thought she was trying to come off as a protective friend, but he thought she was being rude and was quite insulted by the insinuation. He wasn't impressed with her squinting at him either.

Given everything.. Ethan's mind drifted for just a moment with the events over the past term. It had really been an eventful last term for him, hadn't it? In some ways he was so ready to put it behind him and had been for some time, but now that the end was here, he sometimes wished that he still had a little more time. Had he done everything he wanted to before he left? He looked back at Wade and wondered how well he had fared over term.

Ethan hadn't known the boy all that well to be able to tell if he had been affected by the ice cream till near the end of term when he actually saw him eating it and once he fell hard from the antidote. He knew how difficult it had been for Minerva and a few of his other friends.. he wondered if it had been as difficult for Wade too. Probably. Not to mention dementors and.. well, Ethan wasn't going to let his mind go there but the whole situation had been pretty terrifying for everybody.

Mentally shaking himself from those thoughts, he focused on what the other boy said next. "Well.. going home to Germany for a start.. then we'll see." Much of his plans were determined on how long Minerva would need to be healed, so he was leaving things a bit open-ended. "I had a job last summer.. but hadn't set one up for this year yet, might try to. Travelling probably.. but keeping things casual, I guess, before I have to go off to Uni. What about you.. big plans?" Chuckling, thinking about the onesie, he nodded. "Min and I will have to have a pajama party.. They're meant to match, right?" He thought it was some sort of muggle reference, but he wasn't completely sure.

Ethan soon felt a presence sitting next to him and he turned slightly, smiling as he saw who was there. His smile faded just slightly, sensing her sadness and remembering how strongly the antidote affected her. He hated seeing her so down and was hoping that she would be feeling a bit better by now, though maybe the typical end of term feelings, not to mention the recent terrors, had been brought into play as well. But she did seem to be better, at least more so than recently, and he gave her a brighter smile.

”Hey, Eliza.. Some term, huh?” He nudged his younger housemate with his elbow while giving her a crooked grin. That was sort of an understatement, wasn’t it? It had been a whirlwind of crazy which had left him feeling like there just hadn’t been enough time to do normal things, like just hanging out. Though he supposed that was a good and bad thing in its own right. If there was one person he’d miss the most besides Minerva, it would be this girl who he’d come to think of as his little sister, probably more than she’d realized. He was not going to sit at their table and be sad about things though, especially as he felt he like ending his term on a happy note and would still lead his classmates by example. It didn’t always have to be goodbye..

Green eyes glanced distractedly to the plasticware in her hand as she began playing with it then back to her face. “So.. whatcha got going on this summer? I expect you to come visit me..” Ethan was fairly certain that Eliza had never been to Germany and, now that he sort of had his own place, he planned on having a few visitors and making the most of his time before going off to Uni. This would be a fun summer. “Plus, I’m sure Mariel is anticipating some rigorous training,” he chuckled. As much as he liked playing, he was remotely glad he wouldn’t be keeping the same schedule as last summer.. he was looking forward to relaxing some, especially after the term he just had. Still, it would be fun to get together to just play..

Once he had finished his recitation of Romeo’s response to Juliet, Ethan continued gazing at her, his smile faltering a bit from the tears beginning to fall again. No.. she wasn’t supposed to be crying, though he could understand it. He knew how deeply emotional things had gotten closer and closer to the end.. and it seemed to just be one thing after another. And he knew how she felt about his leaving, and the thought about it being his last few minutes here made him melancholy himself.. so he really couldn’t blame her there or expect something different. But it tore him apart to see her cry and he so wanted her to not dwell on his leaving.. it was so far from goodbye for them.

And then she was smiling a little, so he did the same, the smile growing as she continued with Juliet’s response to his Romeo words. He continued gazing at her as she spoke those poetic words, one of the most affecting parts of the play. He was touched by the exchange, really, and that she thought to speak it to him before they left. When she was finished, Ethan kept his arm around her and kissed the top of her head before leaning against her. “I do love you,” he managed out in not much more than a whisper in an answer to the question in the scene. Though he was sure she already knew. He sat there, just holding him against her for a few minutes. ”That was really great,” he said after a moment’s thought. ”Did you memorize that whole scene?” He hadn’t realized she was all that fond of Shakespeare, but after that book of sonnets maybe it sparked a new interest. His smile grew a bit nostalgic as he leaned against her and heard her words. ”Thanks.. I guess I did.” Of course he still had his NEWTs to pass, but really, this was it..
Ethan felt Min’s head on his shoulder and he kept his arm loosely around her shoulder, lightly rubbing her arm as he talked to Taylor. Amused eyes followed his housemate as she came over and he used his free arm to give her a half hug in return, laughing a bit as she pretended to lick. ”Down, puppy,” he chuckled and gestured the sentiment with his hand. She was acting pretty goofy, but he was thankful for some of the lightheartedness going on today. ”I know.. it’s kind of weird to really think about,” he agreed, nodding thoughtfully just a bit. Even though he had only gone here for three years, it would seem strange to him not to be coming back in September.. to be going to Uni instead. But it was a new beginning, he thought, and he was sure good things would come of it. ”I’ll miss you too,” he admitted. He would miss a lot of people now that he thought about it, but that just meant he’d have to make it a point to see people when he could. ”Hey, it’s not my fault you were playing a game of hide and seek with me without telling me,” he teased her, adding a wink. Seriously.. where had she been all term?

He got a bit lost in thought with that notion when he saw Taylor reaching for Min. He opened his mouth to warn her about her difficulty with hugs as of late, but he was too late. That scream. Ethan clung tightly to Minerva as she jumped closer to him, his expression pained as he fought to calm his increased breathing. He knew logically that everything was fine now, but he couldn’t help his thoughts from drifting to terrible places. Ethan tried to calm himself down as vaguely listened to the apologetic exchange between the two girls and he managed a strained smile. Hopefully her appointment would help her, he so hated to see her like this.. no.. he knew it would help her, he believed that.

Feeling a bit more calm, Ethan relaxed his tightened grip around Minerva, though he still left his arm draped around her, and he looked up at Mika, mirroring her smile. Oh.. that was a nice thing to say. He wouldn’t admit it to many, but he had been a bit worried about what kind of prefect he had been. Though looking back, the times he really questioned himself was when the dementors were around.. and that might have had something to do with it. ”Well, thanks, Mika.. that means a lot to hear you say that.. and I’ll miss you too..” She was a really sweet girl and he was glad he had gotten to know her over the past term, especially on the Quidditch team. His smile faltered a bit as she mentioned that dreaded ice cream. Even the thought of it still turned his stomach, which was a shame.. it used to be one of his favorite treats.. If he never heard those two words in sequence again, it would probably be too soon. ”Yeah, I hear you there..”

He thought for a moment about her question, figuring she would have turned it back to him when he asked.. they hadn’t made any really big plans like they had last year, though that had to do with the beginning of summer and he was sure they’d be doing stuff besides. ”That’s still a little up in the air,” he said after a moment. ”There are some things we need to do at the beginning of summer.. but, yeah, after that we’ll be spending the rest of summer together in Germany, I think.. maybe do some travelling..” He looked at her a bit curiously as she leaned closer, then smiled graciously, hearing her words. ”Thanks, Mika.. I’d appreciate that.. you’re a good friend..”

Oh was it speech time already? Ethan’s eyes drifted towards the staff table as he heard the Headmistress speak. Was it just him or was this feast going so much faster than his previous two end of term feasts? It had always seemed to take ages for her to speak and for food to appear.. or maybe it was just the fact that it was his last one and it just felt to be flying by.. almost as if it were symbolic. He quirked an eyebrow as he watched the Headmistress start skipping around the Great Hall, then shook his head slightly as he turned back to the table and started helping himself to the food.

He resumed his conversation with Gwen as he piled on a heaping helping of mashed potatoes on his plate. “Oh, a Healer?” He glanced up at her, tilting his head slightly. “That’s what my girlfriend wants to do too, actually.. Are you going to Uni or doing like an intern?” He took a bite of potatoes, swallowing as the question was returned to him. “I’m going to Wizarding University next term.. I’m studying Herbology with a focus on experimental breeding.” He was starting to look forward to it.

Didn't quote, but Mika, Elise, Ethan, Taylor...
 

She couldn’t help but smile at his words, “I know you do..You’ve proven that time and time again this term.” She looked up at him and bit her lip. “I’ve over heard some things the last few days.. I.. I get it now. I’m so sorry for all the fighting this term and not believing you. I know it was that ice cream that was the problem. I really wanted to stop eating it for you. You do know I would do anything for you, right? I.. I just couldn’t.” She looked away knowing that this term proved how weak she truly was, but she wanted to him to know the she understood it all now. A small blush came over her as he said that the Romeo and Juliet was great. She was afraid it was lame, but if he thought it was great. “Oh.. it just kind of came to me standing over there watching you. I was hoping it could keep me from being an annoying crier, but hearing you recite it.. well I guess nothing can stop me from crying these days. I’m sorry…” She looked down at the table feeling bad that she couldn’t stop crying. How on earth did she even have enough tears after the last week or so. Shrugging his question off, “Books I can do… remembering things I read comes easy. Plus, I have really enjoyed the books I’ve been reading lately. The sonnets, but I do think Romeo and Juliet is my favorite.”

Minerva turned her focus on Mika as she saw the girl blush. Well that was sweet, she was glad to see Mika seemed to really like her younger badger. Kaiden was one Minerva felt extra protective over, he seemed to be so self conscious in his place at Hufflepuff that she didn’t want others pushing him around. “Well if things go quickly for me at the beginning and I ended up taking the trip to my grandparents, maybe we could work something out that you could come with me and meet up with Kaiden. I’m not sure exactly what State he lives in, but we can see.” She had to know where he lived, but at that moment with everything else going on she just couldn’t remember. It wasn’t that big of a deal she could ask him. “I know what it’s like to live a million miles and an ocean away.” She smiled up at Ethan, but she was lucky in that situation. Her grandparents didn’t understand anything that was the wizard world and it all made them nervous, plus the fact they really never could afford the plane tickets for her to go home, so it was easy for her to stay with Ethan and his family the last two summers.

“No.. no.. it’s okay Taylor.. You didn’t know.. “ Minerva looked down at the table feeling horrible that she had jumped and screamed from her friend. Taylor had been there really through everything she had been through so it shouldn’t have been so hard to let the girl hug her. Looking up at Ethan she gave an apologetic look for the scream he had to be sick of hearing that sound. She felt the need to run away from the entire hall at that moment. As much as she didn’t want to leave knowing she would be coming back without her support, she wanted as far away from that great hall as possible at this very moment. Trying to regain some sense of conversation with Taylor she gave her friend a small smile. “Thanks Tay… I’m glad you think so.. I’m sure others think differently though.”


Her eyes glanced towards Beezus and now Elise after her choice of words. Minerva touched Ethan’s robes as he said she was a great player. Whispering, “It’s fine.. E.. “ She didn’t want to be the source of any problems between him and teammates or friends. Especially his final evening. “Maybe.. I should just go back to my table.” She was starting to feel a bit out of place with some of the attitudes she felt she was getting. Maybe she was just being paranoid or her overly emotional state was getting the best of her, but she really was feeling a bit unwanted from the group around her boyfriend. She decided not to say any more to Elise, she knew she wasn’t the best player on the field, but she also felt she had done well at Chaser that last match. Maybe she should change positions all together. It was something she could think about over summer.

Taylor giggled and smiled at Ethan then obediently sat down. She was happy that she was getting some laughs out of it. Tay nodded at what he said next, "I wish you could stay one more year." Taylor gave him a smile then tilted her head, "You would miss an annoying gal like me?" She laughed, "Or are ya just being nice?" Tay smirked a little. Tay glanced down at the hide and seek part and sighed even though she knew it was a joke because of the wink. Taylor glanced up at him, "I... I had things to work out... some personal stuff... ,ya know?" She glanced away to Mins, "I should have asked though..." She sighed but then gave a small smile to her, "Anytime, Mins... and if othrs think differently then thats their problem."

"Yeah, well.." Wade smirked at her, "I'm not the type to tease.. It'd be cool if you taught me. If you don't know how to purr, I could teach you that in exchange." He accepted her hand, "Tay.. very cool way to meet you, I'm Wade." No really, it wasn't everyday you could claim meeting someone over a bark. Heh. "So.. what do you say?"

"Cool," It was always nice for Wade to hear his friends doing well. Especially with Gwen who unfortunately was leaving the school pretty soon. "I'm doing alright," Oh, plans on summer. Heh, so much for avoiding the topic incase it was painful for her. "Yeah, going to Disneyland Paris, then just hanging around Diagon Alley and maybe do some work.. how about you?" He then smiled. "Definitely.. it's going to be weird not seeing you at the school now."

"Ah, I didn't know you were German.. that sounds nice, though, a good break with your family before heading off.."It getting hard to believe that a year from now, Wade would be facing the same situation. "So what University are you attending?" Wade tilted his head as he asked, before he sort of laughed on the matching onesies. "Oh yeah.. a Minnie mouse is nothing without her Mickey mouse." He winked, giving that reference hint.. and incase he didn't pick it up. "They're a famous cartoon couple to muggles." Now it was his turn to explain his plans. "Well, first Indy and I are meeting each others parents then going to Disneyland in Paris.. this will actually be the first summer I don't go back to Norway, since I'm thinking on working around here while my cousin comes over.. guess that's sort of big" He shrugged before looking back at him. Maybe, it was just because it finally set in that Ethan won't be here for long. "You know.. you're not going to hear any goodbyes from me as long as Minnie's around." He smiled since well, they became friends through her before his face went somewhat sympathetic on the next thing he mentioned. "I imagine it's going to be hard on the both of you not being able to see each other as much next year.." Wade felt like he owed the guy something, despite his gift, he wanted to do more for the both of them.

Ethan McCarthy. The second Prefect partner she had after Spike. He was truly one of the most amazing persons she ever knew. In fact, now that she thought about it....she grew close with him not because they were co-leaders, but because, in a way, Ethan was always there for her. She won't say as much because of her mood but she was very thankful she got to know and work with him this term. It was a blessing.

She couldn't help but return the smile she got....even at least in the small gesture she can repay him for all that he's done for her - saving her from exhausting night patrols, providing a humorous company for when they're taking care of Prefect duties and all. "No. I'm more grateful that you were my co-Prefect this term. I hope the next one would take care of me...and the rest of the flock as warm as you did." Yeah....he sure has taken care of her....many times and she owed him a lot for that. "Do write if there's anything, anything at all, that you need or if you just need someone to talk to." She won't let him down. He was almost a brother to her.

What it was with Minerva Wheatborn and why she couldn't seem to genuinely like the girl, Beezus didn't know. They never really clashed or anything.....so, hearing her call her 'Bee' made the brunette stop short on her tracks. It always came out sweet to her whenever people called her that....

She had to take a second before responding. Minerva was Ethan's girlfriend...and Ethan was graduating, as much as Dylan was....in a way, she and the Hufflepuff were in the same boat. Beezus bit her lip. Maybe she'd actually judged off the girl even before knowing her in depthly? But it wasn't too late to straighten the curves in their path, right? She just needed to stop acting like she knew anyone any better. With this, Minerva actually got a smile too, though not as bright as the one she gave Ethan....it was a smile.

"Min......i.......Mini. I can call you Mini right?" Beezus chuckled slightly. "I'm fine tonight....I just feel like a headache is coming but otherwise...I'm alright. And you?" She was used to people graduating. And she was happy for them......the only thing that was biting her head off right now was the fact that some people who weren't graduatees were leaving and not coming back.

Gwen wasn't one of those people, obviously. She was graduating because it was the way it was. She was a seventh year....and smart, thus she passed and was now on her way to see the world. She nodded at the girl, whom, in her past few years at the school turned out to be a pop up friend. Although they never really got close, Gwen gets an award for being a constant figure in Beezus' everyday life.

She was thankful for Kendall. The girl never complained whenever she would just need someone to hold on to or anything of the sort. And she knew Kendall understood things even without her saying anything. She would know what a friend needed and didn't question those. Like right now....with her arm around the brunette, Beezus felt as though she can handle all the weirdness that was happening now. Her head stayed resting on Kendall's shoulder when the speech happened....when Bunz happened. And all those other things.

Food. They had food.

But it wasn't the the feast food they were used to, so in the end, Beezus didn't feel like eating. She was still in a mood. "I hope things are a little when we come back next term." Really, people were dying every term now......she didn't know if she could could take more.

Looking up from her table setting before her, Eliza gave Minerva a smile. She was trying to focus on the positive, difficult as it may be. And not just for herself, but to be a supportive friend to Minerva. Merlin knew she didn't need Eliza being sad and dragging her into a pit of feels. She nodded at her badger friend and gave a little shrug. "I guess as ready as I'll ever be, yunno? It will be nice to be home and away from some of the...things here. But...well, you know." She wasn't going to mention anything at point blank, not out loud, not right now. "We should get together over the summer sometime, if you're free," she suggested, trying to sound cheery.



She felt Ethan nudge her and turned her face upwards to look at him. She had thought that if she really looked at him for too long, she would lose control on her chin wibbling, but as a happy surprise to her - that crooked smile of his just made her feel better, as it usually did. She felt a small grin creep across her face as she touched the sparkling blue necklace Ethan had given her that year for her birthday, and she nudged her elbow back at his. She nodded towards Minnie, in reference to what they'd just said to each other. "Yeah, I'll say," she said with raised brows and large eyes. Really, with everything that had happened, it was a wonder any of them had survived the term. His next sentence made her smile grow even more. She had just talked of getting together with Minerva, and now she might be able to see Ethan too? It was greatly improving her mood. "Visit you? You mean it? In...in Germany?!" Forget the sadness she'd been feeling. Ethan had just turned it around for her. She hadn't expected to be able to see him for a while, maybe until he was settled more, but to get to see him during the summer, and in Germany no less - a place she'd never seen before in her life - was exciting to be sure. "I hope my parents will let me...It's far," She twisted her mouth downwards and furrowed her brows, but decided it would all work out. She wouldn't worry about that now. "I'm sure if I fill them in they wouldn't mind... Plus, other than that I'm not really doing anything. I might dog sit for the neighbors again and maybe we'll take a quick trip to the states, but I'm not sure if they've decided yet." There would be some convincing in her future if she was going to be allowed to travel to Germany, but she was after all, a very logical Claw and her parents would hopefully appreciate her reasoning. She chuckled at his mention of Mariel. The woman really did like to train seriously, and while Eliza was more in Quidditch for the fun of it, she knew she should probably practice over break if she wanted to try out again next year. She laughed again as she answered, "Sounds good. I'm sure I could use the practice and if she wants to train someone, I'll volunteer!" She knew it would be fun for her, whether or not Mariel wanted to tear her hair out over her lack of ferocity on the pitch. Eliza looked over to Min to include her in this topic as well and said, "How about you, Min? You want to do some more Quidditch practice with Mariel this summer?"

Tay smiled and then nodded, "You know how to purr?" She shook his hand once he accepted her hand. Taylor chuckled, "Yeah, I guess it is a pretty cool way to meet. It is a pleasure to meet you, Wade." Tay nodded and beamed a smile, "Heck yes!" She laughed and then hugged him. Taylor pulled away and twirled. Tay always seemed to twirl when she was really happy... being a dancer, it is just natural. Tay blushed and looked at him, "Sorry for that..." She gestured to him, "And for the hug... I should have asked if you were a hugger..." Her blush deepen, "I hope you dont mind the hug..." Taylor shifted her weight then smirked, "Do you know what dogs do when they are happy?" Tay raised an eyebrow and looked at him.

Of anyone she’d expect to have pointed out the bizarreness that her hair was right now courtesy of the dementor attacks, Kendall would have expected Mika to have done so. Except, she didn’t. It was almost enough to surprise her into asking if it was even noticeable, but then nobody had really noticed her hair since Vivi had like two terms ago when there had been the discussion about colored streaks. Vivi had graduated that term, and since then it was like everyone had just gotten used to the occasional weird color in her hair. Although this time was almost worse than back when Patrick had made her hair straight-up purple for a while, because it was like it had only halfway changed. The auburn and her pink streaks were still there, just veiled by the indigo. She didn’t decide to bring it up to her fellow metamorphmagus, though. It was easier to just stick with the actual conversation, especially when talking about her boyfriend made her at least temporarily forget the dementor paranoia. “He is, isn’t he?,” she agreed with another little smile. “It’s the end of term. I’ll get more, so I may as well share what I have.” With someone who really appreciated it.

There wasn’t a lot of conversation happening when it came to Beezus, but Kendall hadn’t minded that either. She could just be there for her friend, and let the other girl speak whenever she felt like it. There was the distraction of the speech and the insanity that had followed, anyhow, and she’d continued to watch incredulously as the skipping, odd gravy dancing, students acting oddly and Professor Hadley even kissing the Ancient Runes professor. She almost wondered if there was something in the food, but then that had only just appeared. There wasn’t a possibility that everyone who was acting weird had eaten yet. Some of them had gone over to the staff table before the food had even really appeared. Maybe it’s the table, she thought, ignoring the still not very appetizing food on the table for her chocolate. Even if it wasn’t the food making people weird, she still didn’t really trust it or the paper plates and plastic silverware. Maybe she’d get something non-chocolate on the train, or annoy whoever met her and Patrick at Kings Cross to feed them before heading back to Galway.

As that idea had crossed her mind, she finally heard the prefect at her side murmuring something, and she turned her attention away from the craziness. “I hope it’s a lot more than just a little better,” she replied. It was going to be their last term. She’d rather not continue the pattern of people, professors, dying from plant attacks or getting their souls sucked away. There was almost never a quiet term at Hogwarts, but for once she actually wouldn’t mind it. Maybe for once she could just relax, at least however much she’d be able to with exams again next term.

Ethan mirrored Minerva's smile as she spoke. He really would do anything for her and he was glad she knew that.. and he was sure she felt the same. He was just glad one of them was unaffected by the ice cream to be able to think clearly, but he was even more relieved to just have it all be over with. It had been really difficult and there were time s that he wasn't sure he could get through it. But it was over now. And she would be completely better after this summer, he was sure of it.

Ethan tilted his head slightly as he looked at her curiously, listening to her words. She got it.. she finally got it. After all those months of fighting and pleading with her, just trying to make see what was going on, she finally understood. Of course, it nagged at him a little that all of his efforts fell on deaf ears, when she finally realized what was going on it was from the words of others.. but he did not entertain that thought for long, because more than anything he was just glad that she finally understood what had happened and they were on their way to putting it behind them. A wide, relieved smile fell over the boy's face as he enveloped her in a hug. "It's okay, Min.. really. I know it wasn't really you and none of it was your fault. It was that ice cream and what was in it." He pulled away, putting a hand to the side of her face and giving her a small smile. "I'm sorry for fighting with you too. I knew you couldn't help it, but it was just.. so frustrating and.. I knew you were being poisoned and I couldn't do anything about it." He frowned a little and looked down, remembering how heartbreaking and helpless he felt watching her affected the way she was. "Let's just try to put it behind us, okay?" he said, looking up at her with a small smile. But he wasn't sure that it was completely over.. the questions of who tainted the ice cream and why were still left unanswered as far as he knew, so the danger could still be present. He didn't want to get into that with her now though, she was still far too emotional, but at some point they'd need to talk about it.

He smiled a bit bigger as she explained her reasons for reciting from the play. It really was a sweet moment and he was kind of glad to have his time at Hogwarts end in that way. "Oh.. well, I didn't mean to make you more emotional.. I just got caught up in it, I think." As she started to look down, he reached his hand over to gently lift her chin and look into her blue eyes. "Don't be sorry.. I understand." He was sad too, really.. he hated the thought of leaving her behind, but he was trying to push all the good thoughts of graduation to the forefront of his mind to keep his emotions at bay. "I'm glad you liked the sonnets, especially," he said, smiling bigger again. "They're my favorite.. Shakespeare was pretty amazing. Maybe they'll do one of his plays at the Castle Festival this year.." Hopefully she'd want to go there again with him..

Ethan chuckled a bit and shrugged. "One more year will just delay the inevitable.. I'm going to miss being here, but I'm kind of excited about going to Uni.." Sure, he had conflicted feelings, but he had to admit that the thought was somewhat intriguing. He gave her a sideways glance as he grinned. "Annoying.. you? Never.." he gave her a nudge with his elbow and chuckled more, then stopped as he looked at her curiously when she looked down. "Oh.. right.. everything okay?" He'd feel really bad if something serious was going on and he hadn't been available to talk if she needed him. That was his job as her prefect and friend.

Ethan nodded his affirmation. "Yeah.. both my parents are English.. but I was born in Germany. They moved there after they got married.." Not that he was going to bore anyone with his life story right then, just the gist of it since he asked. "Just going to try to have a relaxing summer this year, I think.. Min is going to stay with me at least part of the summer too, but there's plenty to do there without getting too overwhelmed." They did have a great last couple of summers, though they were packed full. Maybe it would do them both some good if they weren't quite as busy this year, especially after her stay at St. Mungo's and the fact that he'd have some serious academia come September. "Oh, that sounds fun.." he said in regards to Wade's plans. "I've been to Paris.. but never been to Disneyland. Indy's brother told me about it a couple years ago when they went.." And then it was Ethan's turn to be mildly surprised. "Didn't realize you were from Norway.." he mused aloud. "What kind of job are you thinking about getting?" It vaguely reminded him of the time he worked at the Owl Post in Diagon Alley..

He sat, leaning his head on his hand as he thought over the Muggle reference. Yeah, that's what he thought it was, but he hadn't seen them.. he'd have to make it a point. "I like cartoons.. I've seen them once. Mice, huh?" He thought over what they must be like, though he had seen the onesies so he had a clue, when he looked up hearing Wade's next words. "Good to know," he nodded. "It's not really goodbye anyway.. more of a see you later." His slight grin faded at his next words as he thought them over. "It will.. It will be really hard not seeing her everyday." That was a luxury he had long gotten used to.. even with the summers that they spent almost the entire time together, it would just take a getting used to that he didn't really want. "I'm going to Wizarding University, the Edinburgh campus.. so I won't be far away though.. I'll be at Hogsmeade weekends and Quidditch games." It was something, though he knew it wouldn't be the same..

Ethan glanced up at Mika as she turned back to him and he chuckled a bit at her words. "Well.. same to you.. Fifth year is kind of a big deal. Make sure you still make time for fun though.." He remembered his own fifth term rather fondly for reasons. "Germany is great.. where I'm from actually.." He wasn't sure if she realized that or just thought it was one of the places he'd be traveling to. Ethan smiled a little wider as she confirmed helping out and looking after Minerva. "Oh yeah..? Well, she is always good for that.. she is a great friend." He didn't want to pry and ask about what she had helped with, but he knew his girlfriend was always one to help.. she had been his friend before they started dating and he still considered her a good one.

Ethan gave Beezus something of a crooked grin in response to her words. That was a sweet thing for her to say and he hoped the rest of his house knew how much he enjoyed being their leader along with Beezus. He really did love his Eagles. "Well, it was my pleasure.. I really enjoyed being a Ravenclaw prefect. I'm sure whoever comes after me will do a great job.." He had his own thoughts who the next prefect would be and he let his eyes drift down the table, but he wouldn't voice his thoughts. Turning back to his co-prefect at her next words, he smiled. "Thanks, I appreciate that.. and same goes for you. I'm only an owl away.. and I'll be back to cheer on the team for Quidditch." He wouldn't be really gone for long..

Ethan matched Eliza's growing grin, glad to see that her mood was lightening. He didn't want to say much more about the ice cream or dementors or really any of the difficult aspects of the term, ready to move beyond that and think of happier things. But he nodded, chuckling a bit at her surprise over his invitation. "Well, of course.. how else are we going to hang out over summer?" Though he knew there were other ways.. meet ups in London or a pick-up game at his aunt's, but this would be more fun. He watched her think it over, seeming to be worried about how to get it past her parents. "We have a big house.. well, my parents do.. I'm sure it would be no problem if your parents wanted to come too. Make it a holiday and stay a few days." Maybe that would make things simpler..? Of course if she wanted to come alone and a bunch of friends wanted to hang out, that was cool too. "Well, I could always have my parents talk to yours too, just to set their minds at ease.. Oh, I might go to the States too. Maybe. That's where Min is from, but we haven't put a whole lot of plans into place yet.. just sort of depends on a few things right at the beginning of summer." And he'd leave it at that, it wasn't really his place to expand on that subject. He chuckled along with her laughter as they discussed his Quidditch-crazed aunt. "Yeah, I might hang out there some too.. just for the fun of it.." He wasn't even sure if there was a Quidditch team at the University he was attending to even play there, but he wouldn't miss just playing for fun over summer.

Taylor glanced at him and nodded, "Yeah... I guess you are right." She smiled and hugged him, "I can be..." Tay giggled, "Thanks for being an amazing friend, Ethan." She nodded, "Yeah... I got it mostly taken care of..." She sighed and glanced away. "Nothing to worry about..."