Adelaide wanted to tell Connor he had no reason to be nervous, but then again. She still didn't know how all of her fellow snakes would react. She waved off his mention of leaving. "You're fine with me." She eyed around the group. As long as no one else said anything she really didn't care. She bit her lip. She hadn't even gotten to talking about that with everyone yet. Therefore, she really didn't want to answer that just yet.

Watch it Odessa. Adelaide just smiled back at him.

"I know." She knew she could always talk to West's about those things. Sometimes it was easier to talk to him than Derry. Mainly just because it was someone different. "Maybe. Even though I'm not sure about the Wanderers. The snow kinda killed me ever hearing back from them." That would be fun though. But any team was a team to her at this point. "And if not, better watch out. You know how good my aim is."

Adelaide smiled. "I would love that actually. Get back in tip top shape before everything."

And good. He was being nice to Connor.

Adelaide felt a bit bad for laughing at Theo when he blushed. But still, that was quite entertaining. "You ready for the great big world?" She was partially there.

She ignored the looks from Theo.

And then West was yelling at the younger snakes with his captain voice. You tell 'em Odessa.

Pssht.

There you go, he was next apparently. Why did everyone think he was such an ogre when it came to hugs? Sure, he hated hugging non-important people but he could hold onto the important ones all day. "Sure, I'm up for it on this special occasion." He grinned at her.

'Kay, the laughter was annoying him now. Theo shifted under the table uncomfortably.

"Yeah." He smiled at West but soon shrugged his arm off of his shoulders. "Let's stop being soppy now before I start blubbering." Thankfully Theodore had learned how to control his waterworks when in public, but he was certainly planning them for as soon as he got home.

Wow, shouty West. Wait, wasn't this a job for the Head Boy? How could he possibly contribute without looking like an idiot but still keeping his authority? "Yeah!" Brilliant. What a Head Boy to be remembered.

Words like great big world kinda freaked Theo out, but this was a bit of an awkward place and time to start laying his anxieties on his friends. Best to just smile and nod. "I guess! Going for a few tryouts hopefully. See where that takes me." Anyway... moving on from him. "What about you?!" He was very interested in hearing other people's plans, mostly to compare them to his own.

Jonas shrugged "It's okay," He said.
He shivered again thinking about the thought of being friendless. Maybe he could work like that? No. He was not an evil person.
"I am not an evil person," Jonas muttered to his self.

"'Xactly!" he said, nodding at Simon. Whitty approved of the plan, did he know? "Besides, I bet you're going to have lots of fun there. I just wish you were coming on the field trip." He couldn't express how much it SUCKED that most of his friends wouldn't be able to come to the trip. He'd just have to ride solo and look cool while doing so. OR find someone to tag along with. Wait, he WAS going to be in Diagon Alley? "Brilliant! If you could make it, that'd be great." Meeting up reasons. Because he knew that he'd need some sane people around.

"Those are the best kind of plans, I say." Adding in just the right amount of work to complete the task at hand. AND someone else would get into trouble. SMIRK. You know what was even better? The Hufflepuff that would help. "Gold!" Did he know her? YEAH. "She'd be perfect! She's dead cool!"



Never running out of food. IMAGINE THAT. Jeez. JEEZ. Grayson would give anything for something like that. WELL. He LIKE the Slytherin common room so if there was a way in which the Hufflepuff one was the same, he'd be all up for it. Bring his mates along too, just for the heck of it. "Lucky, man! Bet you can sneak in some midnight snacks, too."

It was a good thing that Adi wasn't taking the Aparecium thing seriously. GOOD. Because if he had, Grayson would NOT have been impressed. "Very! Everyone loves a good gossip, man." Distracts you from the now. At the Hufflepuff's words, the Slytherin waved a hand. "Nah! It's a gossip column, yeah? It'll publish lies and over-exaggerated truths. You don't seem like a bad person." Shrug.



Man. MAN. She saw right through that. "You sure about that, Wayne? With a punch like that, maybe you should be the bodyguard." Joking, he was. Completely. His smirk in return said all. "In case anyone tries to attack you? I think I've got that covered well." He was dead confident in his protecting skills.

You know what was funny? People using foul language. Especially people like BEVERLY, whom he always thought was one of the good Slytherins. HEH. "Excited much?" Did he have plans? "Yeah! GREECE. Are you going? Because it's going to be BRILLIANT." And it was going to be the highlight of his summer, he was SURE of it.



At Cutty's response to his question, Grayson raised an eyebrow. Being a teenager -- and a COOL one, at that -- he understood exactly what that half flop meant. Did he not care? No? In a way, it sounded exactly like Cutty but it also didn't. Whitty just couldn't explain it.

"You gonna be around Diagon Alley, then?"



Adi was COOL, did he know? And hilarious too. Man oh MAN. Grayson tried his hardest not to snort at his words as he shook his head at Agatha. House prejudism. What a rude wifey.

And then there was kicking. Of course there was FREAKING KICKING. THIS WOMAN WAS FREAKING VIOLENT AND NEEDED TO BE RESTRAINED.

"OWWWWWWW!" What the actual--

Before he could continue with his tirade of mental swears and curses and GLARES FOR HAPGOOD -- his eyes weren't watering from the pain, no thank you -- a loud, booming voice rang out, making him loosen his grip slightly and turn his attention towards.............

............. West. West the musical and authoritative one. LOL. You're busted, Hapgood. They all were but the fact that it was happening to Agatha too made it just that little bit better.

Simon and Ethan and West were all right. Uh huh. He wasn't going to let HER ruin this feast. Letting go of her elbow, Grayson bent under the table agai-- "OWWWW!" MERLIN'S SAKE, STOP KICKING HIM. He was trying to get AWAY from the psycho one, thank you. The fifteen year old emerged on the other side and sat in between Ethan and Sophie, his blue eyes still on Agatha.

And then there was eye rolling. From Whitty. Because they were 'kids', according to her, and DESERVED the violence. He had every mind to send her a kissy face just to push her buttons even more but the people in her vicinity didn't deserve to have her turn into Medusa again. "Sounds like someone's got a bit of a violent side," he said as quietly as possible.

"So what do you think Africa's like?" he said to no one in particular. Cool the tension, man. Cool it.

Oh, ...oops.

Sophie had suddenly been called away from the house table and had just given everyone she was talking to a slightly apologetic glance as she'd walked away. But now she was back, and apparently, she'd missed EVERYTHING. Whyyy?! Why did all the good stuff have to happen when she was away?

BLAH.

She edged into the empty spot right next to Mr. Hottie Whitlock and just let her eyes dart from person to person as she tried to figure out what had happened. There was Hapgood, who never seemed to like Sophie for whatever reason. Sophie wondered what was going on between Agatha and Grayson, since it seemed like everything had been centered around them.

WAIT.

Hapgood didn't have a thing for Grayson, did she?! There would be big time glares. BIG TIME, Agatha.

Cat laughed and selected herself a cannoli, "I hadn't even considered it being bad food in the first place, West!" She nudged him lightly with her elbow. She stole a few of the chocolate chips from her cannoli and savored them before she even planned on eating the whole thing. "The last one needs to count more than any of the others." She nodded, "Its sort of weird, isn't it? I've been so ready to leave but now that it's come down to it, it's a weird feeling." Cat wrapped one arm around West's neck and gave him another hug, though it was a half hug because cannoli was happening. "Any time."

"Yeah!" And what was this? Theo was so in for hugs! She'd kind of thought he would be, all things considered, you know? But still, it made her very happy and there was a great big grin on her face when she threw her arms around him and gave him a great big squishy hug of a lifetime. YAY THEO!

Ye-es that was his name. West grinned at Beverly. "No problem. I bet you're getting pretty good at it by now.... I haven't seen you around." GET IT? GET IT? Bahhaahaha. Okay. That was a little too punny... clearly he'd been spending far too much time with Nigel Barrington, punmaster.

A box...? He examined it and then beamed at her. "A muffin? Thanks!" Yeah! He had food already, a ton of it, and the feast hadn't even started! This was awesome! So yeah, he didn't regret leaving a little note for her in the memory book then. Mhmm.

"I'll save this for the train." He added. It would be TOUGH but he'd manage.

West started on his autograph... not just leaving it as his signature either. Gotta write a bit of a note of course.

"Sure." Invitation. Nod. Whatever. No skin off his nose, really. It was always good practice to have an audience so whatever.

West looked up.

"Hey Layla." Someone looked to be making the most of the weather break through. He could spot a dress under her robes. Didn't blame her either, thankfully they weren't gonna be stuck here any longer. Though it was AWFULLY convenient, timing-wise.

'scuse you?

"He's not the one yelling at me." West pointed out. "Knock it off or I'll stick your forehead to the table and you can finish the rest of the feast yelling at your feet." Did she reaaaally wanna push him on this? Reaaaaaally? And he didn't care about the under-table kicking, it was just the volume and distraction that annoyed him. She could kick away... if they all played their footsies in silence that was.

"You would if it was via the West express." West said in a normal tone, raising one eyebrow at the Hufflepuff then grinning. Then he added casual advice, "But really... you probably don't wanna draw Tillstorm's attention. She's not the greatest fan of Hufflepuffs." Or had nobody else noticed this but him?

Simon was a good kid. The GOOD one of the group, clearly. West just smiled back.

"Thanks. Yeah I am... its going to be amazing getting on a broom again.... when I next play... if you wanna come and watch I can spring you some tickets." No big deal.

"The snow has got in the way of a lot of us furthering our external career options." West agreed. Like he was ON the team and STILL hadn't been able to play for most of the year. It sucked.

"Oh I know how good your aim is... but I also know your weaknesses." BROWS. So sheee should watch out. Buahahaa.

"Great. Lets take a few days to settle in, then drop me an owl, yeah?"

Blubbering? He thought he was going to? Honestly, West already had for Botros reasons and memory book reasons so he was pretty sure he was cried out.... but if Theo did chances were that West would, lets face it. He put on his staunch!manly face and nodded in agreement.

And Theo had his back of course. YEAH.

Yeah see? He wasn't all that bothersome. Under the table and whatever who cared? Though the yelling was a bit annoying at least it had stopped.

"I've been a few times... Togo.. Burkina Faso... Tanzania... South Africa... for Quidditch, and to Egypy a bunch with my dad and Botros. S'different depending where you go." There you go, see? An answer for you. Calmly, because no hard feelings over this way, so long as the feast went on enjoyably.

Grin.

"Well, just clarifying." Hehe. He swayed a bit with her lil nudge and nommed on the cannoli happily. "I keep thinking about the first time I was here... me and Theo." And pee pants lulz but he didn't mention that, "And Terry and Cassia." And a few others, "And... just... everyone else that came over the years -Including you- and I feel really lucky to have been a part of it all. With everyone. It IS a weird feeling. Because... what happens next? Even when stuff got crazy here, there were some things you could always count on, people you could always count on... but we have to count on ourselves now, or something."



........................

.... and did he hear something about Greece? People were talking about Greece. His cousins were going on that trip.

... West wondered if he should apologize for them now, or pretend like he didn't know the Banners at all.

Caleb couldn't believe that in two years time, he'd be prepping for OWLs. Hadn't he JUST started Hogwarts? It seemed like time had flown by, and all the crazy things that had happened didn't really help either. It was starting to become a common thing around here for him to have multiple near death experiences per term...at this rate, he really WOULD be prematurely aging, and not from a virus side effect thing.

"Hey sis!" he said with a grin as he approached Sophie and plopped next to her. Not only was he happy to see her - cause duh, she was his bestie - but GRAYSON wasn't speaking to her. So that was a good sign, right? Hehe.

Simon gave a small grin towards Jonas and then paused for a second. Finding topics to talk about was hard when he was thinking of ALL the unpredictable things Agatha could do. "So got a favourite subject?" he tried. Lame Simon. Laaaame topic, man.

The field trip? Grayson was so lucky to be going on it! Simon nodded really quickly for he wished that he could have gone to. "Me too, mate. Cause it would have been awesome to all go together. I was tempted to fill out the form anyway," he said with a smirk. The boy had almost been able to do it if it had not been for a couple of Professors walking behind him when he was JUST about to submit those forms. Merlin's Beard. Sheesh. Diagon Alley. Yes. "I'll work on my parents. I should be able to do it." Being in the UK could mean that he could meet up with Grayson, CB, Ethan, and all of his friends. It'd be so much fun to be over here. He'd even get a summer.

So Grayson knew her? Perfect, perfect. Simon could have done an evil laugh reminiscent of a certain villain from Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along; however, he didn't want to frighten anybody or get told off by a possible older student so he just smirked. Hehe.

...He... He just wasn't going to get involved after West told Agatha off again. Simon was convinced now that the girl was pretty much digging her own grave. Or she was probably digging all of theirs. Yes, that was more like it. That was scary. Why did he have a slight crush on a scary girl? He didn't know why. Turning to West, he grinned when he saw West grinning at him. SO WEST WASN'T MAD AT HIM!? Phew. His hero was happy with him cause he was a good kid. Simon hadn't done anything wrong, right? Simon was a good kid. The GOOD one of the group, clearly. West just smiled back. He blinked a couple of times at West's offer of getting HIM some tickets to a Quidditch match. "That'd be brilliant! Thanks so much. I'll definitely take you up on that when I come back to the UK. It depends on when I can come back during the summer but I'm working on my parents." Simon was trying to convince his parents to let him come back overseas for a bit during the summer so he could spend time with friends here. Simon paused and became all the more serious."Are you ready to leave here?" He couldn't imagine what West what have been feeling at this moment.

Simon turned to see Sophie glancing at Agatha strangely. Wait. Was she-? No, she couldn't possibly be thinking the same thing that he had been thinking about Grayson AND Agatha. Anyway, he decided to speak to her to help pull her out of her thoughts. "So looking forward to going home, Soph?" he asked with a grin.


Africa?Why were they talking about-?

OH.
Heh.
Brilliant move, Grayson. Simon smirked at Whitlock's tactics to diffuse the unnecessary tension and possibility of random plates being chucked everywhere. Speaking of plates, Simon carefully moved his plate and cutlery closer to him and further away from Agatha so that she wouldn't accidentally attack him with anything. "Africa? I'd like to go there one day specifically Egypt. Wouldn't it be awesome to be able to see all those pyramids and read those hieroglyphics?" he asked the table. Yeah, he thought it would be awesome.

Aaaand then Caleb appeared. Oh a normal person- hooray! He gave a wave and a grin to his dormmate. "Hey Caleb. How's it going?" he asked with a wide smile and had to restrain himself from adding, You missed the discus throwing competition.

???????????????



Marigold craned her neck - West was tall - and tried to see what he was writing. It didn't seem to be just his signature, either. Her pulse quickened. And as for him outright INVITING HER TO SEE HIM PRACTICE!?!?!?

Okay, maybe he didn't invite her. But he agreed with her (!) that she was being invited. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS SUMMER WAS GOING TO BE SO GREAT. But one more thing.

"And, uh, when you guys start having concerts - just, let me know. I'll come."

She was maybe getting a little emotional but no one could tell because it just sounded like she was stuttering more.

Biting's not always bad... Derry bit her lip to keep from laughing and inhaling her water, but very, very quickly glanced in a certain someone's direction, then back to Józsua, then wiggled her eyebrows all suggestively. ... Okay that was probably mean, but teasing was easier than admitting to herself that she had a lot of mixed feelings about graduating and stuff...

........She squeezed Józsua's hand right back, and just nodded a bit, taking a moment before she spoke to make sure she didn't cry or anything. Nope. Good. "S'all good." she said, grinning. "Our shortbread business is still on the cards for when I still can't figure out what to do with my life, right?" It better be.

"All the shortbread you can eat!" Food exchange established. Awesome! "Also, these are awesome as usual." Derry said, her voice a little muffled from the mouthful of cannoli she'd shoved in there... What? They were GOOD.

"Hey Beverly!" Cheery face cheery face cheery face. She glanced at the box next to her and blinked a little. Hmm..? What was this..? She looked at the younger girl, a huge smile on her face. "Thank you, really." she said, peeking into the box. "That's so lovely of y-" But when she looked back up, the girl was gone.

...

She'd wanted to give HUGS.

This has proved to be the feast in which she spoke the least. She usually would have talked to everyone who'd have joined and stuff but now she didn't feel like it. The leaving feeling was kind of looming over her weirdly. But of course the blond couldn't just stay silent. So it was nice exchanging words with Grayson.

"Oh, yeah that. Sounds really cool going to Greece. It'd be fun after this unearthly and awfully long winter," it was mean for the staff to not let the graduates go. Like really, a trip to Greece on the first year she wasn't here. Thanks a lot! At least she got herself a plan to travel around.

Now was she excited? Sure she was, one of the many things she was feeling excitement was one of it. "I am actually." Although she didn't look like it now. "I'm taking a year off to travel and stuff," It really sounded cooler than it actually was. She was going to try what she was good at. Something really hard and scary to do. "You know, have fun and good luck with your upcoming years," She smiled at him noticing Bunz at the corner of her eye getting up for the speech. The snake felt like she was some seventy years old wishing people luck in life and all. Kinda felt cool in a way.


Yup, last speech. Her attention was on the headmistress as she started talking. She seemed to be in a really good mood for someone who had been trapped in a castle for a while and probably had to shoulder responsibility to solve or fix the situation. Which sort of was. Like they could leave.

Once the speech was done, Cassia clapped for the Gryffindors and eyed the food. She stuffed her stomach with Cat's cannoli so no food for her now. But she wanted to do a couple more goodbyes so the seventh-year slid out of her seat and headed to the staff table.

Course it was a good point. Józsua's expression softened as Addi laughed, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. S'better.. He felt a little better for the distraction of conversation. “So.. you got your future all planned out?” He picked up his fork and started playing with it. Everyone seemed to have a good plan for the future. Everyone except he and Olly... but there was a strange comfort in not being alone there.

But he caught Derry in his peripheral vision and his eyes followed hers to.... then widened as he looked back at her. He was half tempted to kick her under the table for that.. but he wasn't the violent type--pacifist here, yea?

“Merlin, Derry..” He mumbled. Still... that thought had been planted now and it wasn't a bad one. Not at all..

He actually managed a proper smile at the mention of the shortbread business. “We'll make a good team. You do all the baking and I'll just watch... an'... oh.. eat the profits.” The former seemed to be the way their past baking sessions had gone. "Great business plan." Mhm.. Gringotts would surely fund this venture..

And.... oh no.. the speech..

As much as Józsua hated waiting around... especially when there was food involved, he had been hoping time would slow right down today. No such luck. He really didn't have much of an appetite.. but he would force himself to eat.. or take a doggy bag--yea... great idea. This was the last time, after all, that they would be able to sample the elves supreme cooking.

He looked back at Addi and Derry once the headmistress was done.

"Hey, you reckon anyone would notice if I kidnapped one of the elves from the kitchen?"

Derry finally gave in and exploded into silly giggles, only managing to wet the table with the water she'd spat out. "Sorry..." she managed, attempting to calm herself. "I just... sorry..." She wasn't sorry. Not even a little bit. She grabbed her wand and dried the table quickly, setting her goblet down a safe distance from her hands.

... Yes, changing the subject was probably wise. For him anyway. Not that she'd say anything, she was just slightly amused because Józsua was all blushy... usually that was her... So it was a novelty. "Sounds good to me. You in, Addi?" She nudged her ginger twin. "Shortbread and Brownies?"

Ooooh speech.

Yeah yeah... blah blah blah...

Aaaaand FOOD!

Derry quickly filled her plate and started eating. Taking a few moments to swallow her mouthful before replying. "Probb'ly." She chewed on a bit of chicken. "I'm gonna see if I can get my mam to properly teach me how to cook." Because her mam's cooking was the BEST! ... Or, well, it was really good anyway. As they knew... "Or just... send me meals. Wherever I end up living."

Nope. No panic there.

Finally the headmistress had given her speech, if you could even call that a speech, so Cece was able to get away from that ridiculous staff table and that annoying little brat of a lion that she had been forced to sit next to. Once she arrived at the Slytherin table she cleared her throat and spoke loud enough for everyone at the table to hear her. "All right all you Slytherin students, listen up." She looked around the table noticing the students from other houses there. They could listen too or go back to their own tables. She didn't care what they did, as long as they were respectful to her snakes right now. "I know most of you are disappointed that you didn't win the house cup this term." Heck, Cece herself was very disappointed. "But I want you all to know that I am proud of the effort you put into trying to win. You did not make it an easy win for those lions and for that you deserve to be congratualted." Hopefully next term she would be congratulating them on an actual win though. "I also want to congratulate you on winning the Gobstones championship." At least they got one cup this term. Even if it wasn't an important one.

“Now I would like to acknowledging a few students tonight. Grayson Whitlock, with 627 points is the top earning Slytherin Student, and he is the fourth top point earner in the school." She clapped her hands knowing the others would join her. "Sophie Newell, with 624 points is the second top earning Slytherin Student, and she is the fifth top point earner in the school." She clapped again. “Ethan Mordaunt is the third top Slytherin student with 601 points.” She smiled at the boy, and clapped for him too. This was one little snake Cece really liked. ”Beverly Wayne is fourth top Slytherin point earner with 510 points,” again she clapped. “And finally with 474 points, Simon Holden is the fifth top point earner for Slytherin." She clapped again.

"Next I would like to acknowledge your Slytherin student leaders. Graduating seventh years Head Girl Cassia Somerlad, and Head Boy Theodore Kinsley. Thank you for your leadership this past year and good luck with your future endeavors.” And cue more applause.

"And finally, to the rest of our graduating seventh years, Adelaide Adams, Derryth Ferrier, Caterina Moretti, West Odessa, Ascanius Stark, Layla Channing-Sands, and any others who I might have missed, good luck in whatever your future holds for you,"

And let's not forget the non graduates. "To the rest of you that will be returning next term. Have a great summer and make sure you come back next term ready to win that house cup." She would not be pleased if they lost again. Especially by such a small margin.

She looked around the table. Was she going to miss any of those graduating students? Maybe. But not enough to for her to get all emotional. She would let the students be the emotional ones. That was something they seemed to be good at. "Enjoy the rest of the feast. And stay out of trouble." Yes, she was looking at you Hapgood. Cece had seen the little stunt the girl had done with that plate and it did not amuse her at all. "Don't make me come back here because you lot don't know how to behave yourselves." They would not find her to be so nice if she had to come back.

Now to go find Victor and check on him. She wanted to make sure he was doing okay since his release from the infirmary.

If Agatha weren't so irritated, she would have loved hearing Grayson's painful yells. But she wanted him OUT OF THERE that instant. Good, he was on the other side already. GOOD.

The girl was too busy trying to IGNORE them all to notice Sophie Newell's face. Besides, she couldn't care less about that girl at the moment. Her stupid 'boy friend' had gotten what he deserved and Agatha was far from feeling guilty. It had all been his fault anyway.

Ohhhh, so Grayson wasn't the one yelling at him, but West thought it was okay to yell at HER in the first place, even when she wasn't even TALKING to him??? Right, yeah, that seventh year made a lot of sense. NOT. Agatha narrowed her eyes at him when he threatened her and mumbled something about 'if her uncle was there' and 'Africa'. She wouldn't respond to him because she was getting CALMER now and it wouldn't be a silly seventh year that would make her explode again. Hmph. Agatha Hapgood officially disliked West Odessa, though.

The third year was not only annoyed right now, she was also bored. Resting her chin on the palm of her hand and her elbow on the table, the girl listened to the Headmistress's speech. Then Healer Tillstorm came over and started being all gushy over the top earning Slytherins. Agatha rolled her eyes as each name was spoken. They all felt the need to rub that in her face. WHATEVER, she didn't care about those points anyway.

Mumble grumble. Stupid points, grumble.

She stared back at Healer Tillstorm when the woman gave her a look, telling them to behave. She wasn't telling that JUST to Agatha, WAS SHE?? How unfair was that!!!!!!!!!! The girl spent the rest of the feast frowning and eating with sharp moves and would GLARE at anyone who dared speak to her.

Except Beverly. The fourth year didn't need to receive any glares because horse riding.

Ehhhhh, she was getting closer. Yeaaaaah, let's just go with it. Theo didn't know where to put his hands at first and felt like there would be a Mo Branxton staring at him from somewhere no matter where he did. Wasn't like he was about to touch any butts, though. He settled with reacting naturally and wrapped his arms just underneath her own arms. There we go. After a quick squeeze, Theo pulled back from the hug and scratched the back of his head, but still grinning. "You're not a bad hugger, you know!" He'd missed hugs.

Bro nodding. Yeah. Bro!nod right back at ya.

........................... still waiting.

Ooh, yes, speech. The LAST big speech he'd ever hear at Hogwarts. It was definitely a good reason to listen, but he was soon bored and distracted when he saw Cassia sitting a few seats away. Theodore waved a little frantically but dropped his hand super fast when he realized what he was doing. He'd catch her later. For sure.

FOOD.

OH. Acknowledgement, yes. Theo stopped eating immediately and sat up straight with his nose high in the air. He was being acknowledged and he hoped everyone was listening. Should he stand? Nah, instead he just clapped extra hard for his and Cassia's names.

As Tillstorm finished up with her speech, particularly sending off the Slytherin graduates, Theo felt a little overwhelmed with... sadness? Nerves? Something like that, but this had actually done it. Tillstorm was making him wibble like the big baby that he had always been. Theo flicked at his left eye very quickly, playing it off as nothing. Food was very distracting, so the Slytherin dug straight back into that.

Ethan rubbed the back of his head as he turned his attention to the Head Boy. Yeah? Yeah what? His eyes then landed on Agatha and West. Haaaaaaaaaha. That sure will shut the WITCH up, hmm? Use your HEAD Hapgood. Loool! And he’s got things to say to Simon too. So sorry about leaving your side, Watson. But we’ll be back in a minute!

Ethan then heard Grayson…yelling…under the table? Ethan ducked and saw his buddy being kicked by Agatha. The blond boy wanted to draw his wand and lock her legs and feet for good. Oooh. His education back in Durmstrang had its perks. HE WILL use it against you Hapgood if something bad happens to Grayson.

However, the boy emerged on his side looking mad, but at least his face was unscathed. Good. Good news for the WITCH because Ethan did not need to hex her…for now. “You okay, mate?” he asked Grayson as he rubbed the back of his head. “Witch doesn’t have class at all…albeit looking high-class.” He murmured to the boy, then snapped his attention when their Head of House spoke. Ooh. Do they…get this every time? This is awesome! And hey, they are being acknowledged. Cool! First up was Grayson who was top point earner for Slytherin! This kid is too cool, yeah? Ethan clapped for his friend and had his palm face up towards him. Low fives, mate! Then Sophie! Power couple, much? Seems like it. The blond boy clapped for Grayson’s sweetheart and gave him approving nods and grins. Then…whooooa. He got a place???! Ethan’s jaw dropped, but was able to regain his composure when their Head of House gave him a smile. Oh boy. That made him feel EXTRA special, you know? Ethan returned the smile and gave nods to everyone clapping for him. He then clapped for Miss Wayne…and claps too for the Head Boy, and Cassia.

Ethan would want to thank their Head of House too for keeping a close eye on them, but then she left already. Shrugging, he excused himself from Grayson and Sophie, leaving them to have a quiet meal together, and went back to his seat next to Simon…who appears to have scooted AWAY from Agatha. GOOD. “Congratulations, Watson.” He said as he reappeared on his side, and nudged his best bud giving him a grin and a nod. “The two of us must work hard together next term…just like Grayson and Sophie over there. Now that you mentioned that there’s such a thing as a House Cup…” he said as he filled his plate with food. “Now…about your girlfriend over there,” he started as he pulled his plate toward him and got his cutlery. “…I don’t like her. But that’s just my opinion.” Meaning, he really doesn’t have a say if Simon wanted to pursue the WITCH. “Shall we?” he asked as he gestured towards their food. It was just proper to ask one’s companion to eat before placing the food inside his mouth yeah?

Now THAT is class, Hapgood. Learn it…and learn it WELL.

Kace decided to walk by the Slytherin house table. He wanted to pay a visit to Grayson and Simon, his two buddies before he went home for the summer. As he made his way he saw Simon first and tapped him on the shoulder and said, "Heyy mate, you excited for the summer?"

Then he went over Grayson and thought he should pay him a visit too! "Heyy Grayson, how have you been?" you know a nice conversation starter.

Jonas nodded at him. "My faborite subject is a toss up between Care for magical creatures and histpry of magic. Didn't a ghost used to teach that class?" He asked.

((Sorry forgot to respond. Hopefully I wont get flagged for double posting. If I am not allowed to double post please let me know))
Jonas turned once again to eathen and nodded. "Yeah, not too late. I have a fear about being friendless. A small and probably uselsess but still"

And the Headmistress began speaking so Simon listened very attentively. Too bad that she hadn't awarded any last minute points cause the boy was certain that would have gone to the Snakes. When she announced that the Gryffindors won, he too clapped along in support of Zander, Emmy, his new friend Bay, and other friendly Lions that he'd met along the way. They were a good group that would keep the Snakes on their toes because next year the cup was going to belong to Slytherin. Then finally Healer Tillstorm came over to give a mini-speech. Simon slumped his shoulders a little so that she wouldn't notice him too much because of the whole hug incident (which he still was mightily embarrassed about). But then she even said his name so Simon had to look up from his seat and straighten his shoulders, looking alert. He gave a wave to the rest of the table and then Ethan grabbed his attention.

Simon grinned when Ethan congratulated him. "Hey thanks you too. Congratulations are certainly in order, said Simon as he reached for a goblet and raised it into the air to toast his mate. He took a sip as he was quite thirsty and then Ethan uttered the dratted words.

Now…about your girlfriend over there...

He almost spat out his pumpkin juice and ended up coughing up a storm when Ethan had assumed that Agatha was his GIRLFRIEND. He shook his head several times and then reached for a goblet filled with water. "No. No. No. No." He tried to catch his breath, continuing to cough underneath his arm. "NEVER EVER EVER." he said all rather quickly before he began to regret it. He liked Agatha but if she wasn't going to be nice to his friends than perhaps he oughtn't have a crush on her after all. CB was nicer. "I'm not really going after her Holmes. I've got my sights set on a lovely Ravenclaw." He nodded at the notion of eating food. Wow, Ethan's manners were all amazing. Simon gave him a nod and a grin. "Yes, we shall."

He took a bite and then Kace had come over. He reached for his napkin, dabbed his mouth, took a sip, and then gave his Hufflepuff mate a nod and a grin. "[b]Hey Kace! Yeah, I am. Weeell it'll be winter for me but I'm hoping to get back over to the UK for some summer heat. "What are your plans, mate?"

Then Jonas was speaking to him again. He sort of liked the older Snake and hoped that he could get to know him more. Phew. At least Jonas hadn't told him that question was lame cause he had already had that happened to him once coming to the school. He grinned, relieved that the older boy had answered the question. Care of Magical Creatures and History of Magic? Nice. Well, the COMC part. Simon liked that. History of Magic was fun too- well maybe he enjoyed it thanks to the Professor- that was probably it anyway. "Nice. OOh I believe I know who you're talking about.. Uh.. Was his name Professor Binns or something? I heard that he used to drone on about history," said Simon. Droning on about history sounded boring for the boy much enjoyed Professor Glendower's style of teaching. It was much better acting it all out. "I like CoMC. That's one of my favourites. I also like Astronomy and Ancient Runes." And Charms and Potions too. Only class that he didn't like was Arithmancy.

The Slytherin smiled, raised his own goblet and drank its content. They have all the right to be happy albeit the ruckus that happened earlier. They didn’t win the House Cup, but at least they weren’t last…and that Gryffindor’s win wasn’t an easy one. Now those Lions better watch out next term because the Snakes have nowhere else to go, but UP.

Setting his goblet down, Ethan started to eat his meal, but then slowly chewed on his food as he looked at Simon looking worried. Was…he choking? The blond boy let go of his cutlery and had his hand gently slamming the back of Simon. He’s not going to die, yeah? No? Good. Ethan let out a chuckle as Simon said the words ‘No’ and ‘Ever’. The blond Slytherin knew deep down that Simon won’t settle for the Witch, given that she’s got signs of being a psychopath. Ethan’s chuckle and smile slowly faded from his face when Simon mentioned a girl from Ravenclaw. “We’re not after the same girl, yes?” Just…just to make sure.

Another Hufflepuff came over to their table and got Simon’s attention. Ethan got his hands off of Simon’s back and nodded at the Badger. Seeing that Simon’s busy with another person, Ethan resumed eating his food…



His attention however shifted to Jonas. Fear of being alone, that’s what’s bothering him now, yes? It’s a good thing that he’s in Slytherin. From what he has observed all throughout the term, the Snakes tend to look out for each other…friends or not. “Then…start making friends. There’s nothing wrong talking to another person, really.” Or…was Jonas the shy type? He should really hang out with him and Simon if that’s the case. Simon was the shy guy a few months back. They were both new to the school, as they were transfers, and didn’t know anyone. If…the older boy was really shy, he should start interacting with the Badgers. They seem to be the friendliest lot after all. "Aren't you going to eat? The pork roast is really delicious." he said as he gestured his knife to the food in front of the older Snake.

Healer Tillstorm made her way back over to the Slytherin table after she realized there was something in her pocket she needed to return to a student.

Finding just that student she needed to talk to she stopped right behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. "Mr. Odessa. I need to speak with you." Yes, she was interrupting him and his friends.

"Well maybe it will help to get free tickets and all that. I'll let you know though, and you can owl me any time you want some tickets... makes a pretty good no-pressure date y'know..." Just adding that last part casually because Simon clearly was at that point of appreciating girls and why not hand out some wisdom right? Right.

As for being ready to leave... West shot a glance next to him at Theo, his best mate, remembering sitting next to him in exactly the same spot at the table at their very FIRST feast, seven years ago, and then looked back to Simon.

"I don't know how you're supposed to know you're ready for something you've never done before... its sort of scary every time, if I'm honest, but I want to be ready and maybe that's the same thing sometimes. 'Sides, there's someone I quite badly want to see out there." As in... out of Hogwarts. West smiled wistfully. Probably said someone didn't want to see him... but he was trying not to think about that too much.

He smiled faintly at that Egypt stuff and looked up toward the staff table, specifically at Botros. Yeah, definitely would be visiting him again. Definitely.

"Sure... I'm sure you'll hear about it." West said, finishing up his autograph and message for her. He passed the parchment and quill back to her and slouched back in his seat, stretching his legs out under the table.

"There you go." He smiled at her. Hopefully that was okay, yes?


...............

There was the headmistress's speech. West listened, wrinkling his nose a bit at the boats part... honestly he was more inclined to go via carriage anyway. And Tillstorm did her bit and West applauded quietly in the right places (And grinned at Theo and Cassia) but stayed silent otherwise, thoughtful about certain things. Then the food was there and West chowed down on it, his appetite hadn't been ruined by cannoli, it had been primed.

He hadn't been eating long though when Tillstorm came back, tapping his shoulder.


West put his fork down and looked up at her for a second, then stood up, unfurling from the seat until he was stood looking down at her, him being much taller than her now. Taller than pretty much everyone, really, but it was stark contrast to how things had been when he'd very first met her.

"Yes ma'am." What about? He hadn't done anything.... that she knew of. He stepped away from the table and waited politely, bright blue eyes fixed on the healer.

Whoa!

When did the boy go and get taller than her? What happened to that short little kid who let her use his broom when the train broke down? He grew up, that's what happened. Not only did he grow up, but now he was a graduate heading off into the great big adult world. But back to the reason she she was standing there with him now.

She put her hand in her pocket then pulled it back out. "I believe I have something of yours." Holding her hand out she opened it up so he could see what was in it.

He did want it back right?