Abra didn't want to be at this feast. He really, really just wanted to spend the time alone, up in his dormitory, and heck to the whole student leader thing. The Inferi attack had left him incredibly shaken, given it was the second similar experience he personally had gone through. Calming Draughts and high quantities of his regular potions were a necessity in getting him through the days, but he really just wanted to be back home; he needed to be with his family and talk to his own Healer and just have time to be by himself, away from everything. But, in the end, he had come to the feast, assuring himself that if it got too much, he could simply duck out early.

This time around, Abra didn't waste the energy in pretending to be all upbeat and happy when he wasn't, but there was no acting required when it came to the relief he felt that the end of the school year was imminent, that this time tomorrow, he would be back home again. It didn't even matter to him - at least, not quite yet - that he had almost definitely failed every single one of his OWLs just nobody mention the fact that that had been highly likely even without the whole attack thing.

After reaching the Gryffindor table, Abra found a place down at the end of it nearest the doors, all the better to make a quick getaway if he needed to. He sat so that he was facing the other tables, not really wanting to give anyone the opportunity to come up behind him, and waited quietly for the proceedings to start. Abra kept his eye on the others in the room, seeking out certain faces of friends that he had faced certain situations of mortal peril with. Thing was, he was already feeling a familiar sort of disconnect with himself, and a detachment from all the others in the Hall, even as he sat there waiting for the Feast to start. It was like he was hardly even there at all.

The aftermath of the Inferi attack had dimmed Stasya’s brightness a little. She hadn’t gotten injured, but that hadn’t stopped her from reliving memories from first year when she’d gotten permission to spend the night in the hospital wing with Emmeline. Except this time it had been Derf, and that, along with what she’d seen in the grounds as she’d made her way back to the castle from the barns once the all clear had been sounded, had made her feel like she’d failed a little. As a friend, as a student leader…as a Gryffindor even. She’d made people worry, when she’d been off protecting the creatures who apparently hadn’t really been in any danger at all. It felt oddly reckless and stupid of her, but she knew she would have done it again if necessary. She would have taken up her post at the barn door again in a heartbeat, and it made her wonder if she was a bad friend. Because she’d only thought of her friends once Emmeline had mentioned them, and her worry hadn’t stopped some of them from getting hurt. It hadn’t stopped some of them from nearly dying, and that ‘nearly’ part had opened up a hole in her heart that she worried wouldn’t heal.

In some ways, she actually was glad that, as she’d walked into the Great Hall for the end of term feast, there weren’t a whole lot of Gryffindors at their house table acting out like they usually did. She didn’t know if she had it in her to join in if they were, really, as she cut a glance over toward the other house tables to see if Koen was there yet, if Derf or Bel were there yet…She didn’t see any of them, but she did see Abra at their own table and she’d slid silently into a seat next to him. She wasn’t going to speak. She didn’t know what she’d say if she did, nor what would be right. But she’d sit there in case he needed a person, even if she knew she wasn’t really the person he’d want.

Anna was glad the End of Term Feast was here, because that meant she got to go home the following day. Merlin knew how much she was looking forward to just RELAX for the holidays after that... intense... end of term.

Merlin.

The third year uncharacteristically made her way to the Great Hall rather slowly, almost as if dragging herself there. She ran a hand on the surface of the table until she reached her usual spot and took a seat, looking more tired than ever.

Sigh.

Only then she snapped back to reality for a second and realised she hadn't acknowledged the people who were already sat there, so she looked at their general direction and gave them a nod followed by a meaningful look.

They also looked tired and Anna was sure everyone there was mentally tired and ready for it to be the holidays already. Merlin. Could it be morning already so they could board the train?

Rylee's second term had came and gone. The last few weeks had passed by in a blur of emotion ranging from complete fear, anger and pain at the Inferi attacks to happiness and excitement at getting to go home. Tomorrow couldn't come fast enough for her and yet.. despite all that's happened she... wasn't ready to leave. The start of break meant summer was here and the sooner it started, the sooner it would be over. Next term would come and once more she would be here without Reese, Quinn and countless others that wouldn't be returning.

Making her way slowly over to her house table, her gaze only drifting to the other tables for a brief time, long enough to see who was here and who wasn't, it wasn't hard to miss that her table was looking bare. Not only was hardly anyone from her house present but it was super quiet. It felt strange not hearing the laughter or seeing them all joking around.

Rubbing her arm where the healing scratches and small burn were from escaping the Inferi she slipped down onto the bench closest to Stasya, Abra and Anna who were all given a weak smile. "Ready to go home," Rylee asked quietly to no one and everyone at the same time attempting to break the silence even if only for a minute.

Yes, Quinn was aware that it wasn't proper to visit the other house tables until after the speech, once the food arrived and eating commenced, but well...she didn't really have a lot to lose either? The term was done. They couldn't give her detention, she was leaving for London in the morning with everyone else. Strip points from her house? They were already last place, and that seemed to bother her housemates much more than it did her. Couldn't even expel her, as this was it. After tonight she would officially not be a Hogwarts student anymore.

So, it wasn't proper, but she didn't really care tonight. "Hey, Rylee," she slide in next to the second year, and nodded down the length of the table. "Hey, everyone."

Turning back to Rylee, she said, "Ravenclaw table is a downer tonight, and I'd rather enjoy my last night." Though, this table's mood didn't seem all that better, to be frank. "How are you doing?"

By the time he reached the Gryffindor table, the Calming Draught had kicked in fully and he was feeling nice and serene. No chance at waterworks, even though this would be the last time he'd be sitting in this hall for a feast.

"Hey, everyone," he greeted, sitting in the nearest empty spot. "I'm so ready for food, how about you?" He was starving all of a sudden. Feelings could do that to you, even if you were blocking them.

It wasn't hard to miss Quinn's voice over the silence that was laid across the Gryffindor table. Finally, someone willing to take and help shake that dreary feeling away even if only a little. Silence wasn't really her thing even if she did respect those around her in trying to keep a much calmer mood. Everyone knew Rylee was more bubbly then this, laughter, smiles and all things fun and entertaining was what she liked best.

A tiny smile formed on her lips as she shifted slightly to get a look at the younger girl beside her. "Hey, Quinn. I think it's mostly like that at every table tonight. Given... recent umm... events it's understandable." Come this time tomorrow they would all be at home and hopefully be able to get back to some sense or normal for themselves. As for how she was doing, the lioness shrugged. "I'm alright, how are you?"

"Hello, Ronan," she greeted her fellow housemate and Head Boy with a gentle grin. She didn't know him exceptionally well but she would miss him just the same. "I am." Food was good. It helped get her mind off of other things.

Sir Nicholas floated into the Great Hall about the time Headmistress Hawthorne's speech began. It would be most terrible form to draw attention to himself in the middle of the speech, so he hovered near the wall, applauding at all the right moments.
When she was finished, he glided the rest of the way toward the Gryffindor table and his noble Lions.

He hovered above the table, blinking in surprise. Oddbodkins, things were certainly quiet this evening! Perfectly understandable, given the circumstances, but the relative silence depressed the ghost's mood nonetheless. He missed the sounds of laughter and conversation!

"Greetings, Gryffindors!" he said, giving all at the table a deep bow. "And friends," He added upon noticing the young lady Quinn.

Sir Nicholas spied the Head Boy. "Hello, Ronan! I do believe congratulations are in order. The best of luck to you, and may you look back fondly upon your time in the most noble house of Godric Gryffindor!"

He raised his voice to address the rest of the group, "Congratulations and many thanks to all of you as well! Your heroic efforts against the Inferi will be remembered through the ages."

As soon as she could politely slip away from the staff table, Celestia had made a beeline discreet walk to the Gryffindor table. Perhaps it was natural that this was the first table she'd chosen to visit; it had been her spot for the seven years she'd spent at Hogwarts, and the professor was desperate for a bit of comfort normality right now. Regina's speech had felt so surreal to her, as had sitting up on a dais facing all of the students she'd failed to protect.

She wasn't sure why she thought approaching the Gryffindors and attempting to talk to them would be any better than sitting at the staff table, but some instinct had drawn her here nevertheless. She nodded politely to Nearly Headless Nick as she walked past him -- until his last words made her stop in her tracks. He was right, of course; there were many young heroes at this table -- but there were also many students who hadn't been involved in the fight for various reasons. Celestia couldn't help feeling a pang of sympathy for those students too, though she had no idea which ones they were.

The Gryffindor table was already the quietest she'd ever seen it. Celestia sighed slightly; now that she'd arrived at the table, she had no idea what to say.

"Hello everyone," she began hesitantly. "How..how are you all doing?"

What a stupid question. She'd thought that when others had asked the same thing of her all week, yet -- she had to know. The whole group looked miserable -- of course they did -- and she just...she didn't know what to say. But she had to say something. Maybe she'd figure it out if anyone felt like answering her. Maybe.

Rylee had no trouble in falling silent as the Headmistress rose to give her speech. The entire Gryffindor table was alright quiet to begin with, with any luck the speech would be short and the arrival of food would help drive away some of the silence that hung all around them.

It was just as she was reaching to fill her goblet with pumpkin juice that she spotted Sir Nick floating over towards the table. Perhaps he could bring a touch of cheerfulness back into this table. Only no, not really. His words while try were more painful than she would have liked. A clear reminder that some of her housemates were graduating and not returning along with many more of her friends. The mention of Inferi caused an involuntary shudder to run down her spine, the feeling was one Rylee did her best to quickly shake off by taking a long sip of her drink.

"Good evening, Sir Nicholas, I hope you have an enjoyable break this year." She wished the same for everyone really. They all deserved nothing more than to have a comfortable, relaxing, calm summer break. It's all she wanted for herself as well. To go home and be with her family.

From somewhere off to the side of the table she heard her. Professor Grimsbane. There hadn't been much of a chance to speak with her after... everything. Rylee could already feel it, the tears pooling at the corner of her blue eyes unwillingly. This wasn't the time or place to cry! Not again. Why was it she cried at every feast so far?! Why did the professor have to go and ask how they were all doing when they should be asking her? It was a tough question to answer. How was she doing, when she didn't even know herself.

The young lioness hastily wiped her face with the sleeve of her robes before turning slightly on the bench, her food momentarily forgotten. Now words were spoken as she looked up at her for a long moment. What were you supposed to say when someone could have very nearly died defending others. Could she get up and hug her? Was that allowed? Would Grimsbane even understand what she was trying to say if she had. Rylee didn't know and it took a lot for her not to get up and hug the women standing before them. Slowly she opened her mouth willing words to form, words that were always so easy to find on any other given day when she was her cheerful self. "Hello, Professor. Are you ready for break too?" It hadn't been what she wanted to say, not even close. But it was something.

Gaston was exhausted by the time he reached the Gryffindor table. Maybe it was the physical exertion of limping back and forth between the house tables taking its toll on him, or maybe his sadness finally overwhelmed him. Either way, he all but collapsed into the first empty space he saw on the bench, his cane falling to the floor beside him with a dull CLUNK. He sent a quick apologetic look to the students sitting around him. Sorry, kids! He'd be out of the way in a minute… just as soon as his heart stopped racing.

He sat slumped with his head down, blinking against the tears that threatened to blind him even more than his injuries already had. He caught the tail end of Sir Nicholas’s words, but he didn't say anything to the ghost yet. He didn't feel very heroic. How could he when so many students were injured, both physically and emotionally, on his watch? It was only when he heard Celestia speak that his head jerked up. He gave her a sad sympathetic look in reply, though he knew the question was meant for the students instead of him.

His eyes wandered down the table to the students… Abra, Stasya, Anna, Ronan, Rylee, Quinn, and all the others. Each one got a look or a nod in acknowledgement, as he was too emotionally drained to offer a proper greeting. He didn't know what was worse, seeing his Lions so subdued or knowing there was absolutely nothing he could do to make them feel better. Some head of house you are! He inwardly berated himself, and his feelings of guilt redoubled as his thoughts went to his uncertain future. What would become of his Lions if he left Hogwarts? Would they think he abandoned them? That he stopped caring about them? He couldn't have that!

Realizing he could no longer keep silent, Gaston picked up his fallen cane and struggled back to his feet. He slowly made his way down the table to seek out the graduates (one of whom he had exciting news for). He managed a small sad smile as he came to Ronan. “Congratulations, Ronan,” he said, pulling a long box that contained a quill pen out of his jacket pocket and setting it on the table in front of him. “And thank you for everything… for being a great student and Head Boy, for your courage in fighting the Inferi… and don't think I've forgotten about your help at the Dufftown field trip.” He would always be grateful for that!

He glanced around the table sadly as his mind searched for the right words to say to his Lions. “Sir Nicholas is right,” he began, though he could already feel his throat tightening. “We've been through a lot this term. I-” Merlin, was it too much to ask that his voice not break just yet?! He had to swallow hard before he could go on, “I don't know how long it'll take for us to feel right again....I don't know what next term might have in store or even how many of us will be back to face it… but whatever the future holds, I'll always be there for you, one way or another.”

Yes. Zoryn Spinnet was here. She was here the WHOLE time. All of it. Even when you thought she wasn't here. She was here. SHE WAS HERE, OKAY?

Yes.

YES, Zoryn Spinnet was around (as always). Yet for the first time in her life, she wasn't at the forefront. Why? Because inferi were the least of her problems. She had HORMONES. And PARENTS. And HER WHOLE LIFE WAS IN SHAMBLES. And basically her life had officially turned into an after school special.

So like, no offense or anything. But inferior? Never heard of her.

As for everything else, none of it mattered anymore.

Because the only thing that mattered in this moment was the beautiful mashed potato tower on the plate in front of her. MHM.

Hope Faith'll show up soon.

Also, also. No offense but Professor Prichard did know that people could have DIED, right? Did she really think that was a good question? Seriously man, some of the Professors have GOT to work on their bedside manners. And this was coming from ZORYN. That's saying something