The piggyback ride was the easy part. But it’d probably be the only easy part.

The rest, that was hard.

However, he put on a brave face for Sophie Brown as she climbed onto his back and began the move over to Ravenclaw. Luckily he saw that not many others had joined the table yet, which would make things that much easier. He wasn’t ready to say goodbye to anyone yet, y’know? He didn’t want this to be the end. If he said goodbye… That’d make things real. Zander wasn’t good at real.

He tried to be as lively as possible, giving Sophie a hard time as she had to hold on tightly whilst he made her bop up and down as they went. He paused, only briefly, as he made his way into the Great Hall (for the last time). ”I hate this, Soph.” And then quickly started making his way towards Ravenclaw once again.

As he reached the table, he slowed his pace little by little… And then came to a stop, not knowing exactly where to drop her off, but knowing she’d figure out where she wanted to sit as soon as he left her. ”So, this is it, huh?” He bent down to make her landing easier and took another look at the empty table.

Mussing his hair, the Gryffindor gave her a smile (one that didn’t quite reach his eyes). ”I have to go sit at my table, I guess… But I’ll stop by Ravenclaw again a little later,” And as he said this, he could feel the small boxed-object in his pocket getting heavier and heavier. Almost as if it would burn a hole through his robe pockets and try to reveal itself too early. He’d be back for that in a bit. The one thing he was truly excited for.

This was fine. Everything was fine.

She'd already packed most of her things, save for a few things she'd need for sleep and to get ready in the morning. She'd already taken most of her last visits to her favorite places on the grounds and inside the castle, made memories of as many places as she could, and... now it was time. A piggyback ride into the Great Hall felt good and right, even as Zander made the ride all sorts of bouncy in good humor. She acknowledged that it was extra silliness to combat the compromised feelings, though, and he further confirmed that when he firmly stated that he hated this. That he hated that this was their last feast, their last piggyback ride, their last...

The Head Girl swallowed the rising lump in her throat and blinked back any excessive moisture that threatened to pool in her eyes. This was fine. Everything was still fine.

"Me, too, Zanderpander," she murmured and gave him a comforting squeeze, then slid off his back when he stopped near her table. She heaved an exasperated sort of sigh and looked up at him, her chestnut eyes glossy with apprehension and grief. "Yeah, I guess." She knew he would sit at his table - she didn't expect anything else from him as a prefect for his house - and surged forward to peck his cheek with a kiss, gave his hand an encouraging squeeze, and met his weak smile with one of her own. "S'gonna be great. You'll be great. Lookit - all the banners'll be Gryffindor ones soon, that'll be fun. You're a winner, Zander Adair. Go make the most of it."

Giving him a nod to convey the sentiment of it'll be okay, Soph slipped her bag (the one charmed with an extension charm, holding loads of presents, mostly for professors) off her back, took a seat in her usual spot at the vacant table, and set her bag by her feet underneath the table.

Bring on the emotions.

Still he kept his sad little smile in place. Even though Sophie didn't seem to keen on the idea with her simple 'yeah, I guess'. Zander would've happily sat at Ravenclaw for the entire feast. Though he knew several of them, it wasn't anything like his own house. His own house full of all the friends he'd have to soon leave. Ravenclaws were great... But Gryffindor is was home. And honestly, he wished he could avoiding having to say goodbye to those he really cared about. Not like it'd be forever... But... He had ended up applying to the Portkey Pass program, just as Flamsteed had suggested. Who knew how much time there'd be to visit friends whilst he was all over the place, y'know? So it wasn't goodbye forever, but it sure felt like it.

Anyways. He returned Sophie's squeeze of his hand, with a squeeze of hers. "You too," he smiled. "You pulled Ravenclaw up to second. You're absolutely incredible, Sophie Brown." Giving her one last intending-to-be-reassuring smile, he started to make his way over to the best table of them all. "See ya in a bit, yeah?"

Gryffindor, here he comes.

His first end-of-term feast! How exciting! Davie eagerly clambered into a spot in the very center of the Ravenclaw table, because he wanted to be able to see ALL the action and ALL the House Tables and ALL the professors up on the dais. He had to take everything in, because then he had a whole like THREE MONTHS without Hogwarts! He was gonna miss this place!

But hey look, Head Girl Sophie Brown was here. And Head Boy Zander Adair, though he looked like he was leaving. "Hi Zander, bye Zander!" Davie greeted the gullible Gryffindor with a grin. "Hi Sophie! Did you have a nice term?" Surely she had, since she had won their house like a BAJILLION points.

Paul had stepped down from the staff table talk about a downer, man and made his way to his very favorite table, the Ravenclaw one. His own table...it still looked EXACTLY the same.

Now was not the time to sob about a table, Myers.

He spotted Sophie and Zander, the wonder couple, first. He sniffled as he approached, hoping he wasn't..interrupting them or anything. "Sophie Brown, you will continue to light up any room you step into with your cleverness and your intelligence." He handed her a single flower. Turning to Zander, he SNIFFLED MORE. "Zander, I hope I proved to you that I am, indeed, capable of teaching Herbology." He handed the boy a flower. "May you two continue on your paths with joy and happiness!" he bowed his head and them and headed off to another table...possible Gryffindor...

Hmph.

Did he see any seventh years over there? There was David Truebridge...hmph. The boy got a warm smile from him. "David--" he winked at the boy. Had he SEEN he'd made Paul's Green Thumb Club?!?! HAD HE SEEN IT? He hoped he did. He ruffled the boy's hair before leaving the table.

Last night at Hogwarts for one Benzi Rider. Last time sleeping in the Ravenclaw tower. Last feast. Not to say that he'd been to many of those - he'd counted four, this one being the fifth - but there were still many memories he'd take away from his place. He wasn't exactly sure what or how to feel. Not a big fan of school, Benzi was glad to be done with NEWTs and homework (for a while at least, he'd been coerced into going to uni UGH) but the magic of Hogwarts? Yeah, he'd probably miss that. The freedom. The ease.

Having snuckinto the great hall shortly after lunch, the Prefect for not much longer wasn't really sure what he was looking for exactly. He'd done his tours around the castle and grounds the weekend before and there were only so many times one could look fondly at the view from the tower. The Great Hall.. it was iconic. The true heart of Hogwarts, and probably his favourite place in the castle. Not only because of the food.

He'd stretched out across the bare wood of the Ravenclaw table and stared up at the enchanted ceiling, dozing off as the sky shifted and changed and gradually darkened. At some point, when the elves had begun setting up for the feast, Benzi had relocated to underneath the table itself, shooing away their concerned looks and offers of cookies. He was fine, he just liked the student-free atmosphere. They were all being much too loud out there, and this quiet clinking sound of the setting up it helped him think. Think back through all the memories, the mistakes, the triumphs. Trying to cement everything into his head before it all ebbed away. Thoughts swirled in his mind, loops and loops of his past, the people he'd lost, the ones he'd gained. His hopes and fears, his disbelief at actually having reached this moment.

Before he knew it, the Professors had filed in - he'd been too far away to make out what they'd been talking about, and quite frankly he hadn't cared - and then the students soon after, gradually growing louder and louder as the dull roar of thousands of excited children filled the hall.

He found that he was rather unwilling to join them for now. Everyone was used to his ways, no one woud think too much if he was a little late. Or would be very late by now? He was still comfortable down here under the table. Turning his head to the right when he caught movement, he eyed a girl's shoes with vague interest. Probably an older student, Suri had smaller feet. Speaking of, a pair of said smaller feet also joined the girl, and then another pair a little further away which probably belonged to a professor. And, if he squinted, he could see another pair walking away. Their voices were muffled as they floated down underneath the house table, and Benzi did not care enough to try and decipher them. He was... numb. For now. Just for a little bit longer.

With a sigh, he looked back up at the dark underbelly of the table.

What a difference a year makes. What a difference two years make. How different he was from the Benjamin Rider who was sorted into Ravenclaw all those eons ago, so excited he'd forgotten his own name was legally Benjamin. What a difference.

Kate felt like a failure. She had tried. Really! SHE HAD! She started out really strong, and even though she earned great marks in class, she did next to nothing to help Ravenclaw win the house cup. She hadn't even earned a hundred points. Pathetic. The last she could do is congratulate those who'd pushed Ravenclaw to second place. That was SO MUCH BETTER than dead last.

Approaching the table, Kate saw Sophie and Davie, two of Ravenclaw's highest points earners. "Hey, Sophie! Hey, Davie! Congrats on doing so well to help Ravenclaw get second place," she said. She started to blurt out a ton of apologies about doing so poorly, but she decided not to be a killjoy. So she left it at that.

Kate couldn't decide whether to be her usual cheery and outgoing self or just try to blend into the background. Everybody was probably so happy about Ravenclaw's success, and since she didn't do much to contribute to that, she didn't know exactly how to react.

Hmm...

It was a day of mixed emotions. While Evie would miss certain aspects and people of Hogwarts, she was very excited to get out and start her new journey as an adult. It wouldn't be easy, but she wanted to do it and grow and learn. Her three years at Hogwarts had been mostly good. Very much a rollercoaster, full of learning experiences. She had good memories, she had regrets, and she was a completely different person than she was when she walked in through those when she was 15.

As she walked in those doors this time, she was at peace. She felt like she was leaving Hogwarts on a good note, despite recent tragedies events. She was moving on to bigger and better things.

Evie walked toward her house table, but paused a few steps in. She reached into the pocket of her robe and grabbed out her black with gold detailing "HEAD BABE" badge and pinned it back onto her sweater, for old times sake. Then she continued on her way towards Sophie's spot at the table.

"Hey Soph, hey Davie," she greeted with a smile and a wave before sitting down next to the Head Girl. Then she swung her feet around and under the table and --- WHACK. Evie felt her feet thud against something rather solid underneath the table. Too hard to be a bag, but too squishy to be... anything not human? Evie poked her head under the table and saw... "Benzi??"

She had tried. Really, she had. She didn't even have the bloody OWL excuse this year for why she couldn't even make the top five for Ravenclaw. Just eighty points away though, so it wasn't as if she was the worst Ravenclaw student, but still, Tia felt ashamed. Slinking into the Great Hall, she glanced around at the decor, taking them in before they changed to the all-to-familiar Gryffindor banners. She knew those lions deserved it, but just ONCE in her four years, she wanted those banners to be Ravenclaw ones. She had one more year and she was determined to make it happen.

For now though, the sixth year needed to say goodbye to those who were leaving. Her seventh year friends. She would let it sink in LATER that next year, it would be SHE who would be in the oldest year. It would be she who would be graduating.

Not yet though. She still had another three hundred sixty five days to go and she was going to enjoy them.

"Evie. Sophie." Tia spotted the two older girls. "Good luck!" Because 'i'll miss you' was way too sappy and obvious. Could she get a group hug now?

"Hey Davie," she smiled at the first year, with familiarity."Hiya Kate! Nice to see you again!" She waved at the younger girl, as she took a seat and glanced up at the staff table, wondering which of those faces she would see again, or which never again.

BACK at his old house table! Paul had visited here and there...he really just loved his students ;__;

He might need some tissues, soon, if he thought about all the ones LEAVING. And all his colleagues leaving....SIGH. But it would be OKAY. It wasn't like anyone was dying. Paul had to ...wizard up. Basket of flowers in hand and feeling much lighter than before, he smiled over at Evie...he did not notice Mr. Rider hiding under the table.

"Evangeline! Here you are, m'dear!" He presented her with the flower and smiled warmly. "I hope your future endeavors are everything you'd expect them to be! You are such a passionate student!" He nodded at her and ...

Well, he supposed he should go back to his staff table now. And all the sadness? ...but was Evie...Paul leaned down, peeking under the table as well excuse you, Myers and just stuck a flower in Benzi's face. "HERE ya' go, m'boy! May your wit and cleverness follow you all your days!" He didn't question the hiding under a table. Wasn't that a normal thing for Ravenclaws?

And Paul semi-trotted off to seek out more seventh years. This was very...soothing and cathartic.

He was in the middle of wondering if his mother had ever avoided the feast to lie under the Ravenclaw table too - probably not, let's face it - when, out of literally nowhere, a shoe appeared and RUDELY smacked him on his shoulder. He blamed his lack of attentiveness on the fact that he felt safe under here. Safe and warm and cozy, until the attack of the shoe happened. Who swung their legs out so far anyways? Person must be either overexcited or very tall.

Fully intending to go back to his musings, Benzi ignored the throbbing and tried to relax when he was once again interrupted as the owner of said shoe ducked their head under the table and- of course. How fitting. Rubbing his shoulder, Benzi grinned up at his ex girlfriend. "Nice kick, Shacklebolt. Do-" he said dryly, off to crack some unfunny joke when PROFESSOR MYERS leaned under the table and literally stuck a flower in his mouth. Because why not, you know?

..... Sigh. Hogwarts, man. "Thanks, Myers. You stay cool," he replied after spitting out the stem and squinted at him as he left. Hogwarts professors. He was convinced they were an entirely different species sometimes.

Floating up out of the floor near the Ravenclaw Table Helena gave the busy staff table a contemplative look before she decided against it. She wasn't floating up there, no tonight she was going to be with her eagles.

Floating through at least three unsuspecting students Helena on her way took her usual residence in the middle of the table and beamed brightly around as she waved around with her fan excitedly, but elegantly. "Second place in the house cup dears! I'm so so proud of you all! From last to second is an amazing accomplishment! Congratulations!"

Kitty smiled and tried to look cheerful as she listened to people's conversations and applied gothic makeup to her lips and nails, but she was a little sad that she hadn't gotten to know any of the other students during her first term at Hogwarts. It had been a fun year for sure, but her shyness had prevented her from making any new friends. Her shyness had started to wear off at the slumber party, but now the term was over and many of the students who introduced themselves to her where graduating. She swore to herself that next year she would try harder. And she still had the feast, right?



Kitty had almost finished painting her nails black when a very strange cold sensation went through her. "GAA!" she gasped in surprise, dropping her nail polish on the table. Then she saw it was the Grey Lady, her absolute favorite ghost at Hogwarts (and not just because she was Ravenclaws ghost) - though one that she had been too shy to talk to approach all term. Now she felt kind of honored that she had been floated through. She wanted to talk to her but she wasn't sure what to say, her natural shyness creeping back in. "Thank you Grey Lady" she said with a smile, even though she hadn't really contributed to winning points all that much. "We couldn't have done it without you though!" Oh no! She had just embarrassed herself, right?

Kate glanced up and smiled at Tia, who was returning her hello. At least this meant that not EVERYBODY was mad at her for not earning enough points to make a difference. There was at least one person out there who didn't seem to mind. "Yup, nice to see you, too," she said. "You ready for your seventh and final year?" Kate didn't even know what the girl planned to do next. She hadn't exactly gotten a chance to talk to her that day in Kittridge's office.

Kate had seen their house ghost out the corner of her eye, but she had barely had a chance to look toward her when she felt the strange feeling of something floating right through her. That was a feeling Kate never could quite get used to. She shivered before glancing up.

Ohh...that house cup mention again. Kate knew she shouldn't even reply to that, because what had she done to contribute? Not much. At least the others had done a good job! "Yeah, they did a really awesome job, didn't they?!" she replied. First would have been better, but at least they weren't last again.

Even though her twin brother belonged to Ravenclaw, Ava still felt weird to come to this table and she didn't know why. She really wanted to show off Teddy that Gryffindor got the house cup but well... She could do that later on the train back home. Hehehe.

But why actually she was here?

Oh yeah, she wanted to say goodbye to the Head Girl. They had worked together in a class and she was super nice and stuffs... Of course she had the chocolate frog too as the graduation gift or whatsoever. "Sophie, hey..." The young lioness greeted her. "Uh... Happy graduation and... I have a small gift for you." It's not that special, just a chocolate frog. "It's nice to have a chance working together with you.." She smiled.

Once she had given the chocolate frog, Ava looked around and see if Riley was here already...

Honestly where had the term gone? It was almost as if she wasn't even there for the school year. And she felt like a terrible person, but it wasn't entirely her fault, practically anyone who knew her knew that the sixth year was a very dedicated student when it came to her studies & these NEWTs were no exception for her. Unfortunately these studies had taken up a majority of her time to the point that she really had no free time. But somehow, she'd managed to cram all of that information in her growing brain & she felt so relieved that NEWTS were over.

And the only way she knew how to celebrate this triumph was to head towards the Great Hall for the End of the Term Feast. But it wasn't really anything exciting when she had arrived, because that was when reality had struck her & she came to the realization that it was...The End of Term Feast. And at the end of term feast, people that she felt very close to were graduating this term. These specific people included Sophie & Zander, who was just leaving to head towards the Gryffindor Table. Perhaps she could visit him later, yes?

For now she had Sophie Brown in her sights & the young girl was making a bee line towards her. Once close enough, the sixteen year old's arms were swiftly wrapping around Sophie's frame when she had the opportunity. This was something she truly wished wouldn't be happening for at least another two years. This was the girl Josie met when she was just a first year on the Quidditch team & was truly thankful for this friendship she had formed. Which was probably what was making her emotions get the better of her, as she noticed her eyes were beginning to well up with tears.

...Drats!

Reaching the Ravenclaw table, Janelle was on a mission. She had something to do and she wanted to take care of it before things got too crazy. Looking around, she spotted Sophie Brown and made a beeline for her. Cautiously, she approached the Head Girl and began to speak.

"Hi there. I just wanted to say congratulations. Thank you too, for being such a great prefect and Head Girl.". Then Janelle paused, trying to find just the right words. "Next to my sister, you are the person I look up to most......and I know that whatever you decide to do, you'll be great at it.". Her speech finished, Janelle reached into her pocket and retrieved a tiny box. Holding it out to Sophie, she said, "It's not much." "It's just something to help you remember your Ravenclaws." Janelle had picked out the small eagle figurine because she thought it would be perfect for the head eagle. "Anyway, thanks again", Janelle said, managing one more smile.

Sadness.

This whole event was pure sadness. Rooney understood now why people got upset at leaving Hogwarts. It wasn't the castle that they were sad about, it was the people. Right now, he was in a pit of self-despair and nearly crying. (He had already cried in secret yesterday, and had hidden in his bed with Pomegranate until it was safe to cry louder) He smoozled past some of his housemates, groaned internally at the sight of Zander Adair, Head Idiot, retreating, and then SQUEAKED upon seeing the light of his every day affections.

MISS SOPHIE BROWN.

HEAD GIRL OF -- Wait, was she still Head Girl? Did this still count?

She would just have to be Head Girl of his heart, if not. (She already was that, though. Every day, every hour, EVERY MOMENT.) Rooney Bronwyn could safely admit that the first LOVE OF HIS LIFE was Miss Sophie Brown, Rooney-Appointed Queen of Ravenclaw. Goddess. Irreplaceable sunshine.

WHY OH WHY WAS THIS HAPPENING. WHY OH WHY WERE THEY BEING TORN APART SO SOON AFTER THIS HAPPENED?!

Goodbye, all other females of interest. This twelve -- almost thirteen, in August, pls -- year old was TAKEN. Unofficially, because Miss Sophie Brown still had to keep up appearances with her ninny of a beard. Until Rooney was old enough for her. Until he was a MAN and had some hair on his chin or upper lip.

Until then, he took seat at the very end of the table to MOPE.

HEARTBROKEN SECOND YEAR OVER HERE. PLS.

SHE pulled Ravenclaw up to second? Puhlease. "You're just trying to flatter me, Zander Adair. It was a team effort. We wouldn't have gotten second without everyone's efforts." And there was truth in that. If she hadn't earned a single point, Ravenclaw would have fallen behind Slytherin, sure, but the same could be said about each other Eagle's efforts, too. They'd done it together.

And it was a beautiful thing.

"In a bit, yeah," she agreed with a half-hearted smile, not entirely convinced that he WOULD return to her. She knew the moment he returned to the Gryffindor table, Zander was going to get bombarded by every admiring Gryffindor he was leaving behind. She didn't expect to see him back again any time soon, no.


When they were joined by another Eagle, Soph's attention drifted from Zander to the first year, who got a broad smile out of the Head Girl. "Hey - yeah, it's been... well, y'know." There was a little bit of forced laughter. She'd spent a lot of the term stressing over NEWTs, mourning her father's death, staying busy trying to lead Ravenclaw to the best of her abilities while not letting anyone down while also still having fun... but there had been a lot of fun times and good memories, so she nodded and went on, "S'been memorable, that's for sure. How 'bout you? S'Hogwarts everything y'thought it'd be and more?" Did it live up to his expectations?


...All right, could Myers have been any more precious? His praise made her heart swell, her eyes threaten to pool with tears, and she accepted the flower from him gratefully, her face alight with the utmost joy.

"That's the sweetest thing a professor has ever told me." And she'd had A LOT of professors she'd sucked up to who had offered her compliments in her seven years at Hogwarts, all right? "Thank you, sir. I'll never forget you. If y'ever need any help with your wand, come see me, 'kay? I'll get y'fixed up just right." Hopefully at Ollivander's where she fully intended on working forever and ever.


And then Kate had joined them - sweet, kind Kate who was always brimming with positivity - and Soph smiled at the girl's congratulatory words to her and Davie both. "Thanks, Kate! S'been a fun term. M'glad we pulled out ahead of Slytherin there - it was close a lotta times, but we showed 'em who's boss." And Gryffindor must have cheated or something - Soph was completely convinced Flammy was tinkering with the hourglasses because how in MERLIN'S NAME had they won by 1200 points? - so REALLY, in her eyes, Ravenclaw was a winner. Never in her seven terms had Ravenclaw won first place in a single thing, but... this. This felt just as good as a win.

Ravenclaw hadn't come in last. They'd come in SECOND PLACE, and she'd helped make it happen.

Maybe she wasn't a rubbish leader after all.


The last big feast they'd had like this outside of the holidays, Evie's arrival had been shortly followed by crushed feelings on the Head Girl's part. This time, however, the two girls were back to the way things had been before that whole debacle, and Soph positively lit up at the sight of her dormmate. "Eeeeeeves!!" Soph pined for the girl, making grabby hands in her direction and wanting her to sit with her, which DID happen and she went to hug her--

...Benzi?

Peeking under the table with furrowed brows, Soph was surprised that yes, indeed, there was one Benzi Rider under the table. Merlin. She opened her mouth to question this, but then Myers was swooping back over with his flowers to bestow upon the pair, and Soph... just... snorted. Nice touch of Myers to stick the flower right in Benzi's mouth. Hilarious.

Was her prefect partner gonna come up and join them or what?


Looking up from the Benzi-Evie-Myers debacle at the sound of her name, Soph smiled at the new arrival to the table. "Aww, thanks, Tia. S'been fun gettin' to know you all these years." Even in spite of some Zander-related heartbreak she had caused, but... they were past that, yeah? "Next year YOU'RE the big woman on campus, that'll be fun, won't it?" Soph personally was anticipating that the badge would get passed on to her. A good role model, she was, and always a friendly face.

Of course, there were a couple other mighty fine candidates, but Tia was as superb as they came.


Fortunate to not have been the victim of a ghost pass-through this time, Soph still didn't miss the arrival of the ghost, thanks to Kitty's shout, which made Soph's attention snap in her direction. The young girl was very, very sweet, no matter how shy she was - kind of reminded her of Josie. Her thanking of the Grey Lady was awfully precious, too, and Soph chuckled, adding her own, "Thanks, Miss Helena." No matter how much the Grey Lady had it out for Sophie Brown, she was going to be nice on their VERY LAST NIGHT TOGETHER, all right?

...Speaking of Josie, Soph needed to find that sweet girl. Where in Merlin's name was she?


Ah-ha. Speak of the devil ANGEL.

Soph had caught sight of the sixth year just as she came bounding toward her and a bright smile spread across her face, going all the way up to her eyes, and she greeted, "Josie--!" A HUG WAS HAPPENING. A kind of desperate one, one that shattered Sophie Brown's heart right on the spot. Josie had been her one, true consistent Ravenclaw friend since her second term. Others had transferred to Hogwarts later or transferred away from Hogwarts later and graduated, but Josie had been there all long. Sweeeeet, sweet baby Josie who was not so baby anymore, but was just as adorable as she had been before, but now with added maturity and beauty.

She was stunning, did she know?

Hugging her friend back snugly, Soph nuzzled her cheek against her affectionately and squeeeezed the girl's torso with all her might. A long, warm bear hug that would hopefully last Josie for another year until she graduated, too. "I'll come back and visit you during Hogsmeade weekends," Soph murmured soft reassurance to her friend, trying to suppress her own tears. "And you can owl me any time you'd like. We can get together and hang out - any time, okay? You're always welcome at my house. We'll have a sleepover, just me 'n you." Would that be okay?


Ava Burton. An absolute doll, full of spunk and life, and Sophie Brown saw a lot of herself in this young lion. She'd been a lot like her when she was a first year, so she felt oddly... connected to her in a way, even though they hadn't become all that close in the one year they'd had together. Her arrival made the Head Girl smile, though, and she replied warmly, "Hey, Ava." A gift, though? Oh... aw, a chocolate frog! Soph laughed shortly, thoroughly enlightened by the sweet gift, and accepted it from her gratefully. "Y'didn't have to get me anything - that's super sweet of you, thanks!" She'd very happily devour the chocolate and pass the card along to Zander. FUN FOR ALL.

But her last statement? Kind of bittersweet, and Soph smiled sadly in response. "It was nice to work with you, too. Can't wait to see what you go on to do - you're gonna be fantastic." Prefectdom, top points earner, the favorite student of many professors... the kid was going to be the top of the school, Soph knew it already, and it had been a true pleasure to get to know her even a little. She was honored, really.


And then there was Janelle, one of the younger Eagles who had always been a constant support system in Sophie Brown's life, just the way her big sister had been. Great family, the Guidrys were, and Soph only managed a smile in greeting before the younger girl went into a very, very touching... a too touching spiel.

The tears were real, and the more Janelle spoke, the more the moisture pooled in the Head Girl's eyes, especially as the girl handed a gift over. It didn't matter what the gift was - there were too many kind words, way too sweet of sentiments, she... couldn't. Ugh.

"C'mere," Soph sniffled, kicking her legs over the bench and standing properly to wrap up Janelle in the biggest, most snug bear hug she could give to the Ravenclaw. She laughed a little suddenly, mostly out of the absurdity that was her own crying and pathetic demeanor, and sniffled again, not breaking the hug as she spoke quietly to her, "You've been a great friend, Janelle. S'been... s'been the best getting to know you. You're so incredibly bright, so compassionate, so wonderful -" another sniffle, "- you're gonna do such great things, I know it."

Finally pulling away from the hug, Soph used her robe sleeve to wipe the tears from her face and gave her friend a sincere, wibbly smile. "Keep in touch, 'kay? Y'can owl me any time - I'll visit on Hogsmeade weekends, too, so if y'ever... need anything at all, lemme know, 'kay?" She meant it, too.

Text Cut: TiaMarie

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

She had tried. Really, she had. She didn't even have the bloody OWL excuse this year for why she couldn't even make the top five for Ravenclaw. Just eighty points away though, so it wasn't as if she was the worst Ravenclaw student, but still, Tia felt ashamed. Slinking into the Great Hall, she glanced around at the decor, taking them in before they changed to the all-to-familiar Gryffindor banners. She knew those lions deserved it, but just ONCE in her four years, she wanted those banners to be Ravenclaw ones. She had one more year and she was determined to make it happen.

For now though, the sixth year needed to say goodbye to those who were leaving. Her seventh year friends. She would let it sink in LATER that next year, it would be SHE who would be in the oldest year. It would be she who would be graduating.

Not yet though. She still had another three hundred sixty five days to go and she was going to enjoy them.

"Evie. Sophie." Tia spotted the two older girls. "Good luck!" Because 'i'll miss you' was way too sappy and obvious. Could she get a group hug now?

"Hey Davie," she smiled at the first year, with familiarity."Hiya Kate! Nice to see you again!" She waved at the younger girl, as she took a seat and glanced up at the staff table, wondering which of those faces she would see again, or which never again.

Hearing her name being said, Evie looked over and saw Tia and smiled at her well wishes. "Thanks." She might need it. She'd get through either way. "Are you ready to take our spots?" she asked with a smile. Being a seventh year was fun. There was kind of a lot of pressure too, and even more with being a prefect or Head Girl, she assumed. But Tia would do well.

Text Cut: Professor Myers

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayquilz

BACK at his old house table! Paul had visited here and there...he really just loved his students ;__;

He might need some tissues, soon, if he thought about all the ones LEAVING. And all his colleagues leaving....SIGH. But it would be OKAY. It wasn't like anyone was dying. Paul had to ...wizard up. Basket of flowers in hand and feeling much lighter than before, he smiled over at Evie...he did not notice Mr. Rider hiding under the table.

"Evangeline! Here you are, m'dear!" He presented her with the flower and smiled warmly. "I hope your future endeavors are everything you'd expect them to be! You are such a passionate student!" He nodded at her and ...

Well, he supposed he should go back to his staff table now. And all the sadness? ...but was Evie...Paul leaned down, peeking under the table as well excuse you, Myers and just stuck a flower in Benzi's face. "HERE ya' go, m'boy! May your wit and cleverness follow you all your days!" He didn't question the hiding under a table. Wasn't that a normal thing for Ravenclaws?

And Paul semi-trotted off to seek out more seventh years. This was very...soothing and cathartic.

Another voice said her name, but this time it wasn't one of her classmates. She recognized it, though.

Oh! "Professor..." She was surprised to see him come her way. And she was even more surprised when he handed her a flower. How sweet... Evie sniffed it and grinned at his kind words. She hoped her future endeavors were everything she expected, too! "Thank you, that's very sweet." Evie would miss his... fun spirit. She hoped her professors in university would make if fun to learn like he had.

Text Cut: Benzamin

Quote:

Originally Posted by fire_faerie

He was in the middle of wondering if his mother had ever avoided the feast to lie under the Ravenclaw table too - probably not, let's face it - when, out of literally nowhere, a shoe appeared and RUDELY smacked him on his shoulder. He blamed his lack of attentiveness on the fact that he felt safe under here. Safe and warm and cozy, until the attack of the shoe happened. Who swung their legs out so far anyways? Person must be either overexcited or very tall.

Fully intending to go back to his musings, Benzi ignored the throbbing and tried to relax when he was once again interrupted as the owner of said shoe ducked their head under the table and- of course. How fitting. Rubbing his shoulder, Benzi grinned up at his ex girlfriend. "Nice kick, Shacklebolt. Do-" he said dryly, off to crack some unfunny joke when PROFESSOR MYERS leaned under the table and literally stuck a flower in his mouth. Because why not, you know?

..... Sigh. Hogwarts, man. "Thanks, Myers. You stay cool," he replied after spitting out the stem and squinted at him as he left. Hogwarts professors. He was convinced they were an entirely different species sometimes.

Well, at least she didn't kick his face. Or maybe she wouldn't have felt that bad if she had. She DID have quite long legs though (he knew that). After a little laugh from Professor Myers shoving a flower in Benzi's mouth, Evie poked her head back down under the table when he was gone.

"Sorry," she said. "Didn't mean to kick you." Just in case he assumed it was on purpose.

Pause... "Are you okay?" she asked quietly, since he was, you know... under the table. "Do you... wanna join us?" It looked awful lonely down there. He didn't have to sit with her, but she was offering.

Text Cut: Sophie

Quote:

Originally Posted by feeheeheeny

The last big feast they'd had like this outside of the holidays, Evie's arrival had been shortly followed by crushed feelings on the Head Girl's part. This time, however, the two girls were back to the way things had been before that whole debacle, and Soph positively lit up at the sight of her dormmate. "Eeeeeeves!!" Soph pined for the girl, making grabby hands in her direction and wanting her to sit with her, which DID happen and she went to hug her--

...Benzi?

Peeking under the table with furrowed brows, Soph was surprised that yes, indeed, there was one Benzi Rider under the table. Merlin. She opened her mouth to question this, but then Myers was swooping back over with his flowers to bestow upon the pair, and Soph... just... snorted. Nice touch of Myers to stick the flower right in Benzi's mouth. Hilarious.

Was her prefect partner gonna come up and join them or what?

Finally, Evie was able to hug Sophie. She scooted right up next to her and wrapped her arms around her little frame and placed a kiss on her cheek. "How are you doing?" she asked quietly. Evie knew Sophie was having a much harder time leaving this place than she was. And clearly everyone around her was having a hard time letting her leave. Sophie Brown was quite the legend at Hogwarts. Evie knew that before, but this time she felt no envy towards her friend. She was happy for her, but... having so many people look up to you had to be pretty intense. Too much pressure.

Reagan thought she'd have more turbulent FEELS than she currently did about leaving Hogwarts (never to return, to clarify)...but alas! That wasn't the case. If anything, the Seventh Year was filled with a sense of wistfulness. They were about to step out into the WORLD; a world where every opportunity would be available to them. How could one ever feel sadness at such prospects? No, no...it was EXCITING; the promise of new experiences! Naturally, the Hogwarts castle would be missed. With all its mystery and majesty, it would be ridiculous to think one WOULDN'T feel a certain bittersweetness.

It had been home for so very long.

...but, anyway...

Donning a flower crown of baby's breath and scarlet lilies, Reagan made her way past the stand that held the Seventh Year memory book (mentally vowing to return later after having a bit of dinner)...and trekked towards the Ravenclaw house table. Her first thoughts were of Sophie Brown, as they usually were...but a distraught little face caught her immediate attention, instead.

A very important face.

SPOILER!!: Roo!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanners

Sadness.

This whole event was pure sadness. Rooney understood now why people got upset at leaving Hogwarts. It wasn't the castle that they were sad about, it was the people. Right now, he was in a pit of self-despair and nearly crying. (He had already cried in secret yesterday, and had hidden in his bed with Pomegranate until it was safe to cry louder) He smoozled past some of his housemates, groaned internally at the sight of Zander Adair, Head Idiot, retreating, and then SQUEAKED upon seeing the light of his every day affections.

MISS SOPHIE BROWN.

HEAD GIRL OF -- Wait, was she still Head Girl? Did this still count?

She would just have to be Head Girl of his heart, if not. (She already was that, though. Every day, every hour, EVERY MOMENT.) Rooney Bronwyn could safely admit that the first LOVE OF HIS LIFE was Miss Sophie Brown, Rooney-Appointed Queen of Ravenclaw. Goddess. Irreplaceable sunshine.

WHY OH WHY WAS THIS HAPPENING. WHY OH WHY WERE THEY BEING TORN APART SO SOON AFTER THIS HAPPENED?!

Goodbye, all other females of interest. This twelve -- almost thirteen, in August, pls -- year old was TAKEN. Unofficially, because Miss Sophie Brown still had to keep up appearances with her ninny of a beard. Until Rooney was old enough for her. Until he was a MAN and had some hair on his chin or upper lip.

Until then, he took seat at the very end of the table to MOPE.

HEARTBROKEN SECOND YEAR OVER HERE. PLS.

Roo. Oh, her heart...

Changing course slightly to take the place beside him, Reagan gently placed her hand on his small arm. "I've missed you." It was said by way of greeting, since she wasn't keen to bring immediate attention to his despair.

Also, yes...Reagan DID have several flower crowns looped around her forearm. One for Sophie, one for Professor York...among a few others...but little Roo clearly needed her. Gifting them could wait.

Furmy's wonky wings flapped silently as he flew into the great hall. His large owl eyes taking in the hoard of students who probably didn't even notice he had just arrived. No one ever noticed when Furmgoat was around. Not the other owls when he was at the owl post, and not all these students even when no other owls were around to steal all his attention and treats.

The tawny owl tried not to let that distract him from his task at hand. He had a delivery to make, and so he beat his wings a little harder and searched out the girl person who his letter was meant for.

He swooped down lower, hooting softly to try and it gained him a few glances from the small humans, but not the one he was looking for. She had something coming from hers. But there she was!



"Hoot!"

His landing was less than perfect, knocking over a few goblets and cutlery, but he was on time. Furmy righted himself and held out the leg that held the letter for Sophie, large owl eyes intense on her.

He ignored the looks he was getting from other students unless the wanted to feed him treats.

For you, girl person.

Hmm, what was going on up at the staff table? From his excellent vantage point in the center of the table, Davie saw quite a professors milling around and looking sad and giving each other stuff. Did he miss a memo? Was it somebody's birthday? Did all the seventh years ALWAYS give each other gifts? And the professors too?

And hey look, there was a professor now. The dark-haired boy looked up with a fond smile as his favorite professor passed by. "HI Professor Myers!" he greeted him brightly. Yes, he HAD SEEN the notice about the Green Thumb Club, and he was as pleased as a petunia about it! It looked like Myers was giving the seventh years flowers, which made sense. But Davie only knew a few seventh years, and now he'd wished he'd brought something for them...

Evie got a cheery smile from him anyway. "What are your plans for AFTER Hogwarts, Miss Head Babe?" he asked her brightly. Sophie, well, she didn't look too happy, but he would try to cheer her up. That's what first years were for! "Memorable... yeah, my year's been memorable too! You did a great job leading Ravenclaw. There's no way I could have gotten as many points as you." He pushed his glasses up his nose a little bit as he admired the Head Girl. She had probably aced all her NEWTs, too. Wow. Such a student. He had goals now to accomplish per the Head Girl's example.

Speaking of great students, here were more of his housemates! "Hi Tia! Hi Rooney!" Even though he was sitting a ways away by himself, Davie still liked the second-year Claw. His duel with Blaise was the BEST, and Davie needed to tell him that before they left for the year. Oh look, Kate was here too! "Kate! Thanks! Can we still sit together on the train?" He felt like he hadn't talked to her in a while, and they HAD ridden to Hogwarts together... it would be cool to ride back with her.

LOOK! AN OWL! Yeah, this WAS the best seat at the table. Davie watched with curiosity as the owl delivered a letter to their own Head Girl. Neaaaaat. The last owl post at Hogwarts this year.

"I'm not! You know you did an incredible job," she always did. "But it's cute how you're willing to be so humble about it," he grinned. Sophie Brown was all sorts of incredible, did she know?

He returned her half-hearted smile with one of his own. Sigh. It was hard to be truly exciting when goodbyes were happening and the scary future was ticking closer and closer. He hated it. As he turned to leave he heard his name being called out by one David Truebridge... Who was truly quite a character. Ahem. "Hey David, enjoy the feast," he called out as he made his way further from the Claw table.

However, he didn't make it very far because there was an emotional herbologist coming his way. With a flower. Oh. Well uh, this was unexpected. "Hi Professor Myers," was the man CRYING? Uh. Wasn't this supposed to be Zander's feast to cry??? It's not like Myers was actually going anywhere!? Um. Okay. "Thanks, Sir," he said, taking the flower and getting hit with sudden guilt. Oh yeah. He had forgotten how the first office visit of the year went....

Um.

Whoops?

"You've definitely proved that to me, Professor. I shouldn't have been so skeptical..." And as Myers moved on towards the Gryffindor table, Zander followed behind.

But he'd be back here. There was some business he'd have to attend to in a bit.