Hadley caught sight the two handed wave back from Airey and just smiled in amusement over him. In some sense she missed his enthusiasm sitting next to him. Not that Cosgrach and Leo weren't great company, but they were definitely more reserved than Airey.



Ah and there was the headmistress; with a second year Gryffindor in tow who was going to be sitting with them at the staff dais in the empty groundskeeper seat. Well this was different, but definitely provided more elbow room for Annie and Cece. And though it was nontraditional, Josephina figured the Headmistress knew what she was doing having a student sit with them. She wouldn't just do so on a whim, without thinking things through. The muggle studies professor offered the two a casual wave.


... as she heard Cassie speaking to Nessa and Leo and then offered a hello to rest of them. The blond was so bubbly that Josephina had to wonder, was it a Divination thing? But then she didn't remember Nolan being like this, yet he was a male. So perhaps just females? No wait, Renee wasn't so bubbly either. Nonetheless she offered a wave in return to her; "Evening Cassie!"

She nodded at Leo, "You don't have a ten month old baby at home though, do you? But yes, yes, you're probably right even if ... well what if the concerned parents tried to show up, but couldn't get to us? Because nothing seems to be able to get in or out; well, until recently as things have started to thaw" But by the love of Wenlock, it was still cold.

She shook her head; she wasn't bitter over her house not winning but it was still strange. "They did, didn't they? But it is strange, Gryffindor winning, i mean. Not that I'm not happy for them, because I am, it just feels different. Everything feels different. Like change is coming or maybe its already here," Hadley shrugged, taking a sip from her water goblet, as the librarian moved into a topic change. "Besides spending time with my family, I'm not sure. I'll let you know in September?"

"Hey now, i do appreciate the compliment, senorita, don't get me wrong!" Fina said mildly offended by her tone. "And lovely, even if i don't need slimming, well it still has that effect!" Please, her man would know better than to say such things. And she wouldn't let him get away with it either.

"Ah yes, the Hogwarts Library is one of a kind," she nodded, patting her neighbor on the shoulder. He did a good job with its upkeep. That was what she was talking about with pursuing her studies, right? Hopefully. "And yes, a full washroom is a great benefit. But I doubt Anastasia could say anything to refuse your return; a proper Arithmancy curriculum among the students was certainly well received." She didn't hear anything negative in the least.


She turned to look back at her flower friend and smiled at her response about her lions. "Of course. But yes, I understand what you mean. They really persevered to earn the win." She nodded, trying to hold back the sadness she felt at the thoughts of not seeing Seren at the dais next term. She would definitely be arranging Hogsmeade meetings with her at the Three Broomsticks or something. And there was going to be some serious girl!bonding after the feast too. Last one.

She smiled amused at Cosgrach. "I didn't strike you for much of a beach lover, Cosgrach. But I guess misreading people does happen." she laughed back at him.

"Oh you know, just spending quality time with the family."

And there was the speech. Well before that, she did overhear an explanation to the healer on why Kevin was sitting there; see! She knew there had to be a reason! Anastasia wouldn't just have a student up at the dais for the closing feast for any willy nilly reason.

She clapped appropriately at hearing the announcement of the house cup and gobstones cup, knowing that her Hufflepuffs were still winners at heart. And then without further ado, the food! Her favorite part....


... just as she begun spooning mashed potatoes onto her plate, Lux came up and greeted them, wishing them an amazing summer. Would they ever get to eat in peace? Probably not. "Thank you, Lux and likewise to you on wishing you an amazing summer!"

See now, even though Nessa was younger than her and didn't have kids of her own yet, she was pretty sure the woman would understand. She was empathetic at least in the way she addressed her. "You could say that again," Fina sighed. "I'm pretty sure I've counted down to the minutes left until I see them again ... but my plans mostly include hanging out with them, nothing really set in stone though, I might possibly be taking Sept to see his grandparents in Italy." They'll see though, who knows? Maybe the grandparents will come to them?

So Hadley kind of loved the fact that Aditya seemed taken to addressing her as 'Professor Head of House', like a merge of her two titles. "Thank you, Adi! Rest up and enjoy your summer as well!"

Hand, there was a hand in her presence, which brought her back to reality - pulling her from her million and one thoughts. It was Cosgrach. Smiling as brightly as she could muster right now, she took his hand and gave it a gentle shake. "And likewise, it was an absolute pleasure working with you too, Cosgrach," she returned. "Yes, yes, thank you," she added for the congratulations. Despite all the woes he came to her about, the Lions still did well to secure the top spot.



Cassie was easy to get along with, she was vibrant, and though sometimes you couldn't look directly at her, for fear of being blinded... it was nice that she was so, warm. The talk of next term though, that was a little depressing. In her eyes, there was no next term. But the life here would go on without her. "And I wish you all the very best, I truly do," she added, for the sake of speaking. It was hard now.

The blondes reassurances were appreciated, and it wasn't something she particularly doubted would happen, but it was nice to be sure. "Thank you, Cassie." She needed to hear that. "I most certainly will. I'll likely visit for Hogsmeade days too, so I'm sure this won't be our last meeting."



Falling silent as Annie rose to address the school, Seren listened, her eyes drawn to Gryffindor and all her wonderful students. They deserved this, this was a celebration for them. She applauded at the right times but for the most part, didn't take in everything - and was certainly not attentive by the end of the speech, however brief it was.

But oh look... there was food.



She was starting to pile food on her plate when Lux arrived, in front of her... ... and that question. Merlin. She dropped the roast potato she was holding in a pair of tongs onto her plate, and settled it on the side of the serving dish.
...

Her honorary Lion.

".... I'm afraid it's my time," she replied softly, only aware after the fact that is almost sounded like she was dying, which she wasn't. There would be none of that. Seren offered Lux a small smile, the girl would live.



Gravy, gravy, gravy............ it was what love was made of.

Seren was casually pouring from the gravy boat when a figure stopped abruptly in front of her part of the table. Oh loooook, it was Zander. "Hello Zander, enjoying the feast?" she asked, pausing in her gravy pouring for a moment. The bouquet of flowers being thrust her way caught her attention, and so her gaze fixed on the different varieties. It was a stunning bouqet, so bright and cheerful looking. "Awww, thank you Zander, they're beautiful." She quickly abandoned the gravy boat in exchage for thhe bouquet, and brought them close to her face to give them a sniff. The perfume was beautiful...
...

....

And what was that? They made... sounds? She turned her ear to them, but couldn't make much out of it over the sound of them all babbling in chorus and her colleagues deep in conversation... and the hall full of conversation and clinking plates and cutlery.

"They're charming," she stated simply, sure she would be able to better appreciate them later.

Of course... then there was Kevin.

She looked up the table toward the seated Lion, yelling, and then back to Zander.

"You have something to say to me?" she asked, curious.

The voice to her side caught her attention, and of course it was Nessa. "Thank you," she trilled. "I really am, so very proud and delighted," she confirmed, because pleased was a little bit of an understatement. A lot of energy went into this term, despite the temptation to hibernate.

"Did you enjoy your first term here?" she asked politely, making conversation. It was a crying shame they hadn't had many opportunities throughout the busy term to get to know one another a bit better.



Ruin the surprise?............. Merlin. They hadn't broken anything had they? Or ... messed something up? She wasn't sure what to expect really, but if it was by design, it could be almost anything. "Hhmm... alright, alright, tonight it is," she replied, grin back in place. Of course she would prefer celebration to the mournful morning goodbyes... that would be too hard.



Oh goodness, gracious.

Seren peered over the table at Adi, the sweet young Badger, of course with his trademark grin, she couldn't help but do the same. "Hello Adi," she greeted warmly. His words touched her deeply, and she could feel a tear welling in the corner of her eye. This was so hard, and so lovely at the same time. "Thank you, thank you..." she started, lost for words, "it's been such a pleasure having you in my lessons, and rest assured I'll miss you too... I'll miss all of you..." and she was terrible at goodbyes, didn't believe in them either.

She dropped her cutlery to her plate, her appetite had already been waning anyway. "Come here," she commanded, rising from her seat to wrap her arms around the boy. Departing Herbologist needed hugs, she did, so she would get them.



"They really did...." It had been a beautiful sight to see.

Of course, it was strange to think they'd be going separate ways, no longer in such close proximity for much of the year. It was going to take some getting used to. "You'll have to owl me every week, I doubt very much Derfael will keep me so busy I won't have time to reply." And this way she could keep up with the happenings at the school too - she was still vested in Hogwarts, despite leaving it.

The new and improved felix felicised Zander nodded. "You're welcome!" ... Well she did say thank you. He gave the woman and firm nod, even though she looked at Flailsteed all funny (what was that about), before walking away from her.

All in a days work, my friend.




Imagination?! No. It was a real thing. They were evil. Except not anymore. At least not according to that Lotus girl and she was a SIXTH YEAR so she knew what she was talking about. Either way, Zander didn't reply to the imagination part because there was just other stuff to use his energy AND ADRENALINE on!! Not being worried was just SO much fun!! This stuff was GREAT!! Was this how that how devil-child Zahra felt like all the time?

A STORY!? WAIT A MINUTE. "THAT'S BRILLIANT PROFESSOR!!" Why was he speaking so loudly? The man was sitting right in front of him... But the excitement, you know!? It was just too much to keep contained. He wanted to just release it alll!! Ahem. "I think I will! I will write a story!! And you can be in it if you want!! It'll be AWESOME!"

Heh. Zander Adair Author, Professional of COOL. Maybe it was his lucky day, huh?





It was so funny because he was so excited about the flowers that he TOTALLY missed the question. Okay, so not that funny. He was too busy looking into her beautiful, deep eyes to laugh. He was ENTRANCED. Even under this potion, she was still GORGEOUS. And that is why he didn't say anything. Nothing at all. Just breathing and watching and melting. BUT THEN, he snapped right out of it when she took the bouquet.

"Awww, thank you Zander, they're beautiful." Insert snort here? No. No. He would not snort. But the blushing thing, that was still a thing. "Just like you, Professor." snort. WAIT-- DID HE SAY THAT OUT LOUD!?...... Oops! Oh well, the new and IMPROVED liquid luck Zander didn't even worry about it. What was this and could he have this stuff ALL THE TIME PLEASE?

Just then, he heard a shout from a little ways away. KEVIN!! He gave his friend a gigantic goofy smile. And waved super enthusiastically, then gave the boy a thumbs up. It was funny how supportive his fellow Gryffindor was being considering how he laughed when Zander had first told him about his undying love for the woman. But the support was nice and most definitely appreciated. Except for... Say it?? Well he had been planning to let the flowers do all the speaking for him except it was kind of hard to hear them while everyone else was talking around them.

The Gryffindor winced when the Head Mistress reprimanded Kevin. He was only trying to be a good supportive friend!! It wasn't fair! Still looking at the boy, Zander tried to give him a look to show that he was NOT on the same page as the headmistress. Hmph. But, "say his goodbyes to Professor Bentley IN PRIVATE"??? But no, no headmistress ma'am this wasn't goodbye THIS WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING!!

Turning back to Professor Perfection, he kept the goofy grin plastered on his face. What did he want to say? Well he couldn't just propose to her in front of all these people! What if she was more of the private kind of woman? He wouldn't want to offend her! No, the proposal must wait. "Just that I think you're the best, kindnest, and prettiest Professor--no, PERSON, EVER!!"

Was the professor knocking on the wooden table? He really was worried about bad things happening to her... or at least not having to deal with her when something did happen. "Well, I've survived my first year...," she said, grinning at the professor, "...so I will be coming back to your lessons for my second year at Hogwarts." She wasn't sure if she would have survived if she was a Hufflepuff, but she was a Ravenclaw, and she was still alive. Even though things had happened to her in Professor Flamsteed's classes, she was looking forward to his classes next term.

Muggle dry cleaners... Penelope was getting ideas about the professor's suits and dry cleaning. Could house elves learn how to dry clean suits?