You walk into the feast to see an abundance of Gryffindor Gold & Red. Congratulate your Lion peers on winning both the House Cup AND the Gobstones Cup!

This was it. The last night in the nursery, the final hurrah. Funny she hadn’t expected to feel so... affected, in fact, Justine had thought she’d be jumping for joy on her last night in this crazy school, in reality she actually felt…. A little forlorn. Sad even. This school had at times been equal parts boring and equal parts insane, but it was thanks to this school she had met those few people who now meant so much to her.

And with this thought in mind, Justine entered the Great Hall for the final time in her school career.

Finally, it seemed Connor Jones was leaving Hogwarts. He hadn't been here all that long but he felt different than the boy who got on that train two years ago. The now 17-year-old was ready to face new things. He was going to finish his final year at home and that meant this was his last feast, a scary thought but also an amazing one.

Hogwarts had given him just as much as he felt it took. His best friend in the whole world, one he felt he'd have until the day he died. Honestly Jun was more like the brother he never got, There was Eden, Addi, Justine, even Clara who he seemed to go back and forth with was now his friend. He would miss his friends here.

Speaking of which, he noticed Justine, she seemed a little sad. Maybe she was feeling the same bit of nostalgia he was. "Thinking about how much you'll miss me?" He asked her, a grin on his face. He intended to stay friends with Justine. They might not have always been good for each other, but he felt like he understood her in ways no one else did and maybe she needed that.

Justine didn't have to turn to Connor to see the grin on his face, she could hear it in the boy's voice, a voice she had grown rather fond of over the past year of knowing him. Funny, she hadn't even considered the fact that they'd known each other so long. "You must be a mind reader," Justine sarcastically replied, turning mischief filled green eyes on him.

They'd had good moments hadn't they? That first night when they'd searched for the fez, the time on the beach, the movie... It hadn't always been arguing and angst. And even though Connor hadn't always done the right thing by her, Justine found it was easy to forgive him.

Perhaps because they had each showed the other parts of themselves they usually kept hidden. "Go on Jonesy, you can say you'll miss me, it's not a crime." She teased.

Connor laughed a little and sighed. "It's a gift, and a curse." He said and joked. He saw the look in her eyes and wondered what she was up to but he was pretty sure he would have to figure it out for himself.

They had upsides and downsides to their friendship over the last year, He had a special place in his heart for her. He was sure he always would, along with the obvious few other people.

"Nope, cause i'm not gonna miss you." He said very confidently, letting a nice little pause set in. "Cause we're still gonna see each other and hang out. So i won't have the time to miss you."

“Is it? Oh, you poor thing,” Justine replied, she had no idea exactly what she had in mind, but she was determined to play some sort of prank of mischief on the Gryffindor, not out of unkindness, more out of actual fondness really.

“Oh, really now?” She raised a thick eyebrow at his words, thought the skeptical look shifted a moment later to an amused grin as Connor spoke again. Silly Boy Scout. “Oh we will? And what makes you think I want to see your face?” The question was spoken with her usually dry, sarcastic tone, but it was easy to see by the subdued smile that she was pleased by the boy’s words.

Though, to be honest, she had the feeling that they’re hanging out would only lead to trouble… Justine had never been one for caution.

It truly was a GLORIOUS evening, wasn't it? His spirits only lifted when he found a very festive looking jacket in his closet. Considering all the negative memories attached to the garment, the professor wanted to make sure that he replaced those with good ones. Not to mention that the jacket was in Gryffindor colors. He also wore it partly to make Cece not feel so bad about the outfit he had selected for her and had nearly stopped by her office to tell her the deal was off - it was not very friendly to put the woman in such a poofy and frilly outfit - but what BETTER way to show how dedicated he was to his friendship with the Healer than to dress up as well?!

As he approached the entrance, he couldn't help but admire how STELLAR he Great Hall looked. It really did look best in the noble colors of red and gold. They were such HAPPY and FRIENDLY colors. Bright and vibrant. Always put a smile on your face. It was something the other houses were seriously lacking. Perhaps he could discuss the matter with the Headmistress....ask for an upgrade on the house colors. Make them a bit more bright.

Although a part of the astronomer was insisting that the colors were just fine the way they were, Airey added it to his staff table to-do list. Such discussion would come after he made the public announcement about the sleep over to be had in the observatory that he, Sopie, and Cutty had organized.

"Connor! Justine! Good evening!" he greeted the two as he approached them and wrapped them BOTH up in a big bear hug, one on either side. "Oooooh ooh ooooooh! You know what we have here? An Astronomer Sandwich!"

Did they get it?! OH he was just HILARIOUS tonight!

Releasing them both, he turned towards the seventh year and wrapped her up in another embrace. "Congratulations on your graduation," he said rather dramatically. "You are going to be absolutely stellar out there!" He paused for a moment. "I do hope you BOTH will attend the slumber party that myself and my two bestest of friends will be holding this evening in the Observatory. All to celebrate the beauty that is the frienships at Hogwarts. Have you seen them? I seem to have lost them on the way here. Got a bit too eager and came down the stairs at a bit of a sprint and leaped every third step."

Connor nodded and made a pitiful little face, to try and look really sad. "It's so difficult sometimes." He said jokingly. Maybe the look in her eye was worrying...just a little.

"Mmhmm i'm pretty sure you're gonna want to hang out. I'm gonna be in California and so are you. We're clearly gonna need to hang out." He said and grinned a little. It would be interesting to see her more. A familiar face would be nice. He'd never been to California.

Merlin, what was going on! Ohh! "Hey, Professor!" This was a little awkward, considering that little moment in the astronomy tower. Connor laughed a little bit cause of his super corny sense of humor. While he wasn't graduating Connor wasn't coming back. Did Flamsteed think he was a seventh year? Hmm maybe he meant that toward Justine. "Who exactly are we talking about?"

Well. The end of term feast. Thornton just stood in the doorway for a moment, trying to take it all in. Opening seemed like just yesterday and he was trying to memorize the details. Just in case.

Walking in, his eyes settled, however, on something completely, disastrously unsettling.

HOOK.

The Professor had been looking for the book... Thornton remembered running into him and Penelope searching for it. He must have found it and.. wait. Thornton squinted as the man hugged the students in front of him. It didn't seem like Hook.. but it certainly didn't seem like Professor Flamsteed either.

Thornton stood, perhaps a little stupidly, unsure whether trying to skirt around the man was a good idea or sheer madness.

"Take me anywhere!
Drop me anywhere!
Livehpewl, Leeds, or Birmingham
Well I don't care!"

Came the boisterous song of one, Cutty Mordaunt. Or perhaps just something that resembled him in both sound and sight. He had, one arm chummily draped around the neck of Sophie Brown. The loose strings of his new and immaculately weaved friendship bracelet in cream, green, lavender and pink drawing out the lavender of his freshly & best-friend applied MANicure. His accoutrements were more sharply done than were his dear best friend, Sophie's. He did try, but she was going to have to give him a lesson or two in friendship bracelet making. Also, braiding hair. But like the quality-hearted person she was Brown's reaction did not trigger feelings of inadequacy in Cutty.

"Professor Flamsteed! Aren't yew lookin' sharp!" He said once spotting the meat of the Pirate!Astronomer sandwich spreading the word about the sleep over. What efficiency! Cutty couldn't have asked for a smarter, more energetic best friend in an adult figure. "Sorry we took alorra time, Professeh. Sophie had to do my nails. Looks like yer made good use of it, though, didn't yer?"

THEY WERE SINGING. Well, CUTTY was singing, and Sophie was making noises that were attempts at fitting the words Cutty was singing, but she didn't KNOW the song, but it didn't even MATTER either - they were TWO BEST FRIENDS, singing and having fun and enjoying each other's company and it was time for the FEAST! WOOO!

As the pair entered the Great Hall, Sophie was sporting two long braids draped over her shoulders - one perfectly done by herself, and the other a little sloppier but not terribly done by her best friend Cutty. The braids BOUNCED into the air as Sophie skipped along with Cutty until they saw BEST FRIEND AIREY! Who was looking MIGHTY dapper today! But wasn't he always?! He was a GOOD-LOOKING guy ALL THE TIME!

In a burst of excitement, Sophie tugged BEST FRIEND Cutty along to get over to BEST FRIEND Airey faster, and she let go of Cutty to LEAP onto Airey's back. "BEST FRIEEEEEEEEEEEND!"

THE TRIO WAS REUNITED!

"You're looking especially STELLAR! Look at Cutty's nails, look at 'em! Doesn't he look great?!" She could do that with HIS, too, at their sleepover if he wanted! And she would do EVERYONE's nails, too! Anyone who wanted them done! And ALL the friendship bracelets!

Finally, after her explosion of elation, she grinned goofily at the two students Airey was already talking to. "YEAH! You guys are TOTALLY invited! C'mon!" It would be LOADS OF FUN!

Justine barely had time to take notice of her favorite Professor’s arrival when the man suddenly enveloped herself and Connor in a bear hug of all things. Seriously, what was with people hugging her? She was not cuddle-stine, she was cool-stine, Better known as too-cool-to-hug-stine. Actually the girl just wasn’t sure what to do with such a happy affectionate gesture and she might have been blushing quite a bit. “Er, Yes, Good evening, Professor… hahaha.. Yeah.. Heh.. Funny.” Could he let go now? Maybe? Yes? Thankkkkksss.

Oh no, here it was again. Justine just managed to awkwardly pat the Astronomer on the back without going too stiff or awkward, also, she was shooting death glares at Connor lest he think of mentioning this to anyone.

The next words out of his mouth were actually... Well, it was actually nice, especially coming from a man she respected and who’s lessons she really enjoyed. She smiled up at him, not her usual subdued one, but a real, honest one. “Thank you, Professor, I’ll really miss your lessons. They were my favorites.” She hadn’t meant to say that, perhaps all the time spent with Connor and Luxy was really turning her into a softy.

Pshh, the beauty that is the friendships at Hogwarts? Who’d spiked his potion? “A slumber party?” –Wait, what? And what was this about his two bestest friends? Maybe the earlier book possession had had long term effects on his brain? – “I’ll probably come along…. Um, Who are your... best friends?” She tried to speak without snickering but it didn’t work.

Snort. “Oh yes, I’m sure it is.” With Flamsteed around her little prank would have to wait, jovial he might be, but she doubted he would be as easy going as not to lecture her.

“We’re gonna need to, huh? Didn’t know you were so fond of me, Jonesy,” Was she flirting? No, she was being friendly, totally different, not flirty, okay, maybe a little flirty, but it didn’t mean anything. She flirted with everyone for Merlin’s sake. “He means me, it’s why I got the extra… Hug… “

And then the candy dealer popped in and after him that Brown girl and Justine was struck by the idea that they must all be under going some sort of sugar rush or something, ether that or they’d snagged some Liquid Luck from Culloden’s office and were riding that wave.

“Uh… Yeah?” Actually this kind of sounded like a fun thing, even if the world’s weirdest trio was spearheading it. “Since when have you three been this close?” Something was definitely happening here that Jus was much to curious to ignore.

Her favorites? HER FAVORITES?! It did the man's heart wonders to hear such thoughtful words. Not to mention downright overwhelming. He could just feel himself bubbling over with appreciation and would have given Justine yet another hug had it not been for Connor's question. "Precisely," he beamed. "It is she who isdoing the graduating from Hogwarts this term, right Jonesy," he chuckled as he steped towards the boy to ruffle his hair affectionately.

Jonsey. Heh. That was an adorable little nickname now, wasn't it. The perfect one to use among friends.

Turning to look for the rest of his best friends forever trio, BFFT for short, he spotted Thornton looking a sorts of anxious where he stood. Oh no no no, this woud not do! With two spirited leaps, the professor moved to stand beside the charming little first year. "Good evening, Thornton. How absolutely splendid to have you here with us," he greeted as he placed one arm around the boy's shoulders and patted his arm. Had he heard about the sleep over? Perhaps he should repeat himself ---- OOOOOOOF!

Stumbling several steps forward, arm still around the first year, Airey glanced up over his shoulder to see... "THERE you are Sophie!" he exclaimed with an expression that could only be compared to an eager cruppy being presented with its favorite ball to play with. "I should love to see my best friends, cuddling up again we soon should be," he added to Cutty's serenade, changing a key word to fit the current climate a bit more. "Oh those ARE stellar! Did you bring it with you? We should all have matching nails." To help encourage a sense of comroderie.

Adjusting his arms so he was giving Sophie a proper piggy back, he turned towards Justine once again with yet another goofy grin on his face. "Since..." he began, looking down at his sundial watch quickly. "...approximately 3 hours 4 minutes and 15...16...17...seconds ago, but sweet solstice it feels like it has been since forever!" They were just THAT close, you know?!

Was his hat getting in Sophie's way? The hat that had miraculously stayed on despite his stumbling when she ha jumped on him? He imagined the feathers must tickle a little.

"Shall Cutty and I escort you to your table, Sophie? I have an errand I need to take care of there so it is no trouble at all." Anything for a friend, right? Not to mention they could prolong their time together before he needed to attend to other duties. He gave a quick peek into the Great Hall and looked towards the Gryffindor table. "Oh look! Anastasia must have stopped by to congratulate Gryffindor on their victories this term! How incredibly kind of her! Perhaps I should head there first to show my appreciation as well." He just had the urge to give the red head an affectionate hug.

To the Gryffindor table then, yes?

Connor was actually referring to the Professors 'Two best friends' But that question seemed to answer itself with the presence of Sophie and Cutty. Hmm.

Was Justine flirting with him? It as always a back and forth kinda thing with them so it was very hard to tell at times. "Maybe i am and maybe i'm not, Catwoman." He chuckled a little, she was basically Selina Kyle so he was still calling her this.

He turned to Professor Flamsteed. "Right..she's graduating." He remembered a lot of people didn't know he was leaving. Right. He had to add informing the school to his to-do list. "What's this about a slumber party?" Connor was under the impression they were getting on the train after dinner?

... Thornton? Had Professor Flamsteed just called him Thornton? And a side-hug? What was happening?? Thornton just simply blinked in response, searching for actual words. He'd finally settled on asking whether the professor was feeling like himself, when Sophie jumped on the professor.

And he didn't freak out.

Thornton's mouth fell open a little, as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing. Nope. He simply couldn't do it and he wondered whether he should seek out anyone who might know what was happening. He scanned the room quickly. The headmistress looked maaaaaaad and Thornton spared just the quickest of glances at the student leaving (Phoenix). He wasn't going anywhere near her, he decided. He didn't want to get Professor Flamsteed in trouble...

Oh! He knew! Professor Flamsteed had told him in the hallway that one day with the extension charm to get Professor Romanos if anything went wrong. If she were the one to go to if he got stuck in a bag, well, then she was probably the one to go to about this.

Thornton stepped back from the very odd crowd that had assembled and inched his way around them... now, could he find her?

Justine sniggered as the Professor ruffled Connor’s hair, echoing her earlier words and even using her nickname for the Gryffindor boy. Oh this was just much too amusing, she wished Connor wasn’t leaving so that he could have lived with that little nickname even after she left. Alas, the boy was ducking out early. “Yeah, which makes me the special one today, right Professor?” Justine smugly replied, no she was not affectionate, but she did love attention.

She hadn’t expected the nickname, she’d sort of thought that after things had dissolved between them that he would have dropped the pet name, obviously this was not the case. It… didn’t hurt… It was more a bittersweet feeling, the name was tinged with memories and feelings that she wasn’t sure what to do with. “Always so mysterious, Detective.” The smile was subdued, but coy.

She’d had a reason for wanting to see him, but Flamsteed, Cutty and Brown had banished it from her thoughts.. What was it now… What had she wanted to see him about? Oh! The books.
“I have your books… Sign them for me, yeah?” She said, stepping closer to hand him the two copies he had sent her, both still in perfect condition.

Since when had the three been this close?! "Since FOREVER!" Sophie beamed, batting the feathers of the man's hat out of her face, but then best friend Airey was actually COUNTING and being all scientific and exact and logical the way he always was - oh, Airey, what a knowledgeable best friend! So witty! So wise! So intelligent above all others! "Or that!" Soph agreed with his calculations. Had it REALLY only been a few hours? Merlin! It DID feel like forever!

But oh no! She had left her nail polishes behind! "I don't have them now, but FIRST THING, I'll get 'em and we'll take 'em to the slumber party! We'll do ALL our nails and match!" It would be the BEST bonding time AND they would all look fabulous! It would be the most fun time EVER!

And the GRYFFINDOR BOY was asking questions about their party, so Soph didn't hesitate to chime in, giggling as she had to bat Airey's feathered hat away from her ticklish neck, "We're having a SLUMBER PARTY in the ASTRONOMY TOWER! We'll party in the observatory and stay up all night eating food and having fun and probably NOT EVEN sleeping at all 'cause we'll be having too much fun! We can sleep on the train tomorrow ANYWAY. Y'only get to have a slumber party like this ONCE!" Unless Airey decided to have one ALL the time next term, which would be WAY cool of him! Soph LOVED that idea!

To the TABLES! Sophie nodded her enthusiastic agreement, turning her head to BEAM at Cutty and show HIM her excitement, TOO, and even reached for his hand to hold, still perched on Airey's back as she peered over at the Gryffindor table as Airey spoke about it - TOOOOOOOOOBES WAS THERE! "Yessssss! Tobes is visiting over there, too, best friends! We've GOTTA include him and invite HIM to our slumber party BEFORE anyone else, since he's my FIRST best friend! Then the FOUR of us can be best friends, too!" First they'd add Tobes to their friend group, then soon enough, the WHOLE SCHOOL! "EVERYONE should get to join our friendship group!" That meant Justine AND Connor AND little Thornton over there were all invited, too!

Penelope stood in the entrance, trying to get a grip on herself. "Don't let your wand spark, don't set your robes on fire with said wand sparks, control your emotions," she whispered to herself. Actually, maybe it would be best if she pulled her wand out now because she wasn't sure about her wand after what had happened at the astronomy tower. Was that Professor Flamsteed? "Good evening, Professor Flamsteed." The astronomy professor seemed... different today. Ooh, Thornton was here! Hello, Thornton." Penelope was holding her wand in her hand so as not to set off sparks in her pocket should that happen again.

It was the end of term feast. Seventh years would be graduating. Everyone would be leaving for the summer. Penelope didn't want to leave. She didn't want all of the seventh years to leave. The end of a term was a very emotional time for Penelope, and she was doing her best not to cry or anything, especially around Flamsteed. Get a grip. She needed to get her emotions under control now. It wasn't working. Penelope was crying. She just hoped that Flamsteed wouldn't be too freaked out by the tears.

Cutty had been pulled, but willingly, toward the Professor as they approached, his arm released as Sophie Brown made a running leap for Flamsteed's back. There were at present other students about in the form of a tiny Ravenclaw boy and Justine and an older Gryffindor who he assumed was her man. Cutty's polished hands applauded at the addition of a new verse to the song he'd been singing by Professor Flamsteed. "Professor, I didn't know yer could sing!"

At the mention of his Man-icure, Cutty held up his hand and wiggled his fingers like a Balinese dancer, letting the light catch the lavender of the lacquer and showing it off to the Professor and anyone who cared to see.

"Round about that, yeah." Cutty added to the Professor's calculation of how long they'd been bestfriends. That really wasn't too long in the grand scheme of things, but Cutty had moved quicker. Besides, when it came to his two most trusted best mates wasting time was the last thing he wanted to do. Gotta strike whilst the iron is hot and go in for the kill if you wanted to be worth anything to your friends.




Cutty stood by for a moment waiting eagerly to see if Sophie would like an escort to the table. His hand reached up and took hold of her small one when she reached for it. It was now, so important that she know that hand was there for the taking, them being bestmates and all. "Tobes?! I love that guy!" This exclamation came as quite inexplicable. The thought of Tobias Tempus excited him, yet filled him with horrible regret for things he'd said to the boy months and months ago. "Yes, yes, we should! Invite him everywhere for everything. He must always be included!" He spoke of this idea as if it were a matter of life and death. He naturally assumed it was and also assumed that the small Ravenclaw boy, Justine and her man were coming along.

"You're special EVERY day, Justine!" he proclaimed with some serious and eager head nodding. "EVERYONE IS SPECIAL EVERY DAY!" Really, were they all aware of how incredible they all were? Each and every student and staff and creature? Yes, even the creatures! Even that terrifying adorable beast kneazle that Miss Cambridge owned.

And then Penelope appeared. Dear sweet fragile Penelope! "Hello Penelope!" he greeted while half scooping her up into a hug. It was a bit difficult with Sophie on his back. And she was crying?! Oh the POOR thing! "Come come now. No need to cry. You are surrounded by friends here." They couldn't have tears! No no no! Tonight was a night of celebration!

His attention turned towards Cutty and grinned. "Of course! I was a member of the choir here as a student, starting my third year, and never stopped. Music and singing as just stellar for the soul, you know?" He leaned over towards Cutty and jabbed his thumb obviously towards Penelope. "I think SHE could use some musical healing, you know? I do hope you are familiar with the song Happy by Pharrell Williams. It's a bit old by mosts standards, but quite peppy!" And just what the Healer ordered when there were tears!

Bouncing in place a little, and making sure he still had a proper hold on Sophie so she wouldn't slip off while he performed said bouncing, Airey began to slide back and forth as he began to sing.

"Because I'm haaaaappy...Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof...Because I'm haaaaappy...Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth...Because I'm haaaaaaappy...Clap along if you know what happiness is to you...Because I'm haaaaappy...Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do...."

He did a little electric slide action in the direction towards the Gryffindor house table before glancing over his shoulder towards Peneleope and Thornton. "Come on you two, loosen up a little and get jiggy with it!" To turn an old expression. Of sorts.

The professor continue to make his way over towards the Gryffindor table...but couldn't help feeling a bit...odd as he did. Almost uncomfortable?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

And then Penelope appeared. Dear sweet fragile Penelope! "Hello Penelope!" he greeted while half scooping her up into a hug. It was a bit difficult with Sophie on his back. And she was crying?! Oh the POOR thing! "Come come now. No need to cry. You are surrounded by friends here." They couldn't have tears! No no no! Tonight was a night of celebration!

..........

"Because I'm haaaaappy...Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof...Because I'm haaaaappy...Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth...Because I'm haaaaaaappy...Clap along if you know what happiness is to you...Because I'm haaaaappy...Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do...."

He did a little electric slide action in the direction towards the Gryffindor house table before glancing over his shoulder towards Peneleope and Thornton. "Come on you two, loosen up a little and get jiggy with it!" To turn an old expression. Of sorts.

The professor continue to make his way over towards the Gryffindor table...but couldn't help feeling a bit...odd as he did. Almost uncomfortable?

Flamsteed was HUGGING her? Since when did Professor Flamsteed hug people? He didn't seem to be bothered by the tears at all. He was telling her that there was no need to cry. Certainly not what she would have expected from Flamsteed. She might have expected such behavior from a Hullepuff or a housemate, but she never would have expected Professor Flamsteed of all people to be giving her hugs. This was not at all like Flamsteed.

They were going now. Penelope followed Professor Flamsteed.

Sophie SQUEEZED Cutty's hand, happy as could be just to be HOLDING HIS HAND AND that he was so happy about the idea of Tobes! Yay! She always KNEW he really liked Tobes, deep down! He hadn't meant to hurt him at all before, had he?! It was all just a big misunderstanding!

There was BOUNCING happening, and Sophie held onto BEST FRIEND AIREY with one arm and kept hold of Cutty's hand with the other and her eyes GREW in excitement as she KNEW Airey was bracing himself to burst into song - AND THEN HE DID! And they were BOOGYING! And he was so GOOD! So musical! So suave! Such a natural!

The Ravenclaw was BEAMING with the utmost delight and giggling, unsure of the correct words to Airey's song but she tried HUMMING ALONG all the same! But then they were MOVING and DANCING and SINGING, and Sophie gripped best friend Cutty's hand tighter as they grooved right on over to the Gryffindor table.

TO THE TOBES!