Despite all the crazy...Tristan was in an impeccably good mood tonight. Maybe because he finally decided to take a break longer than two weeks over summer...or other things. But he was in an absolutely chipper mood and couldn't keep a smile off of his face. So, that fact that he was here early and before any of the other professors really astounded him. He was never early. He was usually barely on time.

This was new...he kinda liked it...

He quietly made his way to his seat, noticing that students were slowly trickling in. Once he got to his chair he took his leather jacket off and draped it over the back of his seat, like usual. His oldest and favorite jacket was shredded by the Inferi, but he didn't care at this point. He was just happy to be alive...and happy about other things.

He quietly sat down, and awaited his colleagues, staring out at the sea of students with his mismatched eyes.

Kalen was practically skipping into the Great Hall, all right he wasn’t skipping, but there was a definite bounce in his step, along with a wide smile on his face and his green eyes were bright. He was looking forward to tonight, and looking forward to the summer.

He shot a glance at the table and a small smirk crossed his face as he made his way to the Dais and placed a hand briefly on Tristan’s shoulder.

“Well well well, look who is here early, that’s usually my job.” He said with a soft chuckle as he slid into his spot next to Tristan and took a teacup out of his jacket. “Does a near death experience make it so that you are on time?” He asked with a grin as he looked over at Tristan. It was ever so nice that they were seated next to each other.

“You doing all right.. with everything?” He asked in a softer voice as he used his wand to pour water into his cup. He was still a bit worried about him after the night of the Inferi attack. Though judging by the smile on his face, he seemed to be okay.

Tristan grinned as Kalen made his way towards the table. He looked back at Kalen with a small smile as he patted his shoulder and sat down. Yep. This would be a great summer. He couldn't wait to see his family and actually get a long break.

Tristan chuckled at that comment, "Yes, well, I'm in a very good mood tonight and figured...ehh why not." He watched as Kalen took the tea cup out of his jacket and shook his head, grinning. Same old Kale Chip, always and forever bringing his own cup to the feast. "Apparently, they do." He said with a wink. That battle had definitely changed a lot of things for him...but for the better.

After Kalen finished pouring his tea, Tristan reached out for the cup, grabbed it, and took a sip. Grinning evilly, he put the tea cup back down, and replied, "I am doing perfect, thank you very much for asking." He said with a grin. "What about you?" He knew he didn't have to ask, just by the way Kalen walked in the room.

Laurel entered the Great Hall with mixed emotions. She was happy that the crazy battle with the inferi’s were behind them and that everyone, herself included had healed from the injuries sustained that awful night but it had also made her very pensive. She put on a sunny smile though as she saw that Tristan and Kalen were already seated at the staff table. Laurel could play happy and chipper for a night since they had a wonderful summer break ahead of them. She’d get to see Oliver and her parents and friends. Maybe she could finally get Kaysha to buy a coloured skirt? For the night laurel was wearing a dark dress with glittering white butterflies on it and red heels and her green hoh pin pinned to front of her dress.

Coming up on the staff dais to slip into her assigned seat she smiled at the two present men "Good evening Kalen and Tristan! How are you both feeling tonight? Have you healed from your injuries?" The bad burns on her chest had finally stopped aching and Penny had assured her that the scars would be minimal if she had any. Inferi’s were now on the top of her most hated creature list.

Kay was almost always the first person at the Staff table when it came to Feasts especially. But to her surprise and pleasure, she found that Kalen, Tristan and bestie Laurel were already there. Unfortunately for her, they all sat at the opposite end of the Staff table to her. How sad. "Hello, everyone,'' she greeted when she came up to their neck of the table. "I hope you're doing well especially after that battle.'' Her own scars were healing, though the places where the Inferi had clawed at her cheek were on full display. It may take some time for it to fade. The ones on her arms were covered by her elbow length, light yellow dress.

* * * * * * *

After chatting with her trio of colleagues and anyone else who joined, Kaysha made her way to her seat where she settled in. Keen blue eyes swept the Hall where students were slowly filling it. She saw Emmalyn among her friends and smiled. The little Hufflepuff would be spending the summer with her and the professor was looking forward to it.

Kalen was casually heating up the water in his tea cup, and as soon as it was boiling, he fished a tea bag out of his pocket and dropped it into the steaming cup. He inhaled the scent of the Earl Grey, taking a moment to get himself together. He needed to tone down his happiness, but it was hard to do at the moment. He felt like he couldn’t stop smiling!

He smirked a bit as Tristan spoke. “Well I’m not complaining, it’s nice to see you here early.” He ran a hand through his own hand to give it something to do, and chuckled softly as Tristan leaned over and stole a sip of his tea!

“My tea!” He said in a mock shocked voice. “People have died for less than that.” He teased as he picked up his cup and took a drink, a small smirk on his face as he did so.

He had to fight to keep his smile normal as Tristan said he was perfect. He gave his friend a half smile, and nodded “Excellent to hear, I am doing amazing. ” He said with a wink, before his attention was stolen by other occupants coming into the room.

He cleared his throat and looked up at Laurel and gave her a happy smile. “I am doing excellent, how about you Laurel? ” He asked as he nodded. “I’m all healed up, and you?” Most of his injuries hadn’t scarred thanks to Penny’s miracle cream, except for a deep gash across his chest, but thankfully that was covered. A small smile came to his lips for a second before he turned his attention to Kaysha.

He noticed her scars and he felt bad for her, hopefully they wouldn’t be permanent. “Doing well, I hope you are also?” He asked.

Even though she didn't show it, Regina was still recovering from the Inferi invasion. The scars and burns she gained that night still hadn't fully healed quite yet, so she was still religiously applying the paste Penelope had given her. There was also a slight limp in her walk. But all of that was bearable and would pass soon. She had been in worse shape before, believe it or not.

Her appearance into the Great Hall was, as much has she was hoping otherwise, hard to miss. The yellow dress she was wearing in honour of the House Cup winner was like a beacon in the night. It was sure to attract eyes. As she walked in between the tables and looked up at the staff table, she was glad to see that she wouldn't be the only brightly colored person up there.

Stepping onto the dias, the headmistress have those who were already there a smile. She walked over to their end of the table en route to her seat in the middle. "Good evening, everyone," she greeted them.

Simply put, Hirsch didn't know how to feel. After the recent events, it was difficult to say what was going on inside. He was glad that the Inferi were back underwater but he felt uneasy with the idea of them being there in the first place. Then there was the matter of the number of staff and students that had gotten injured in the process. It was unacceptable and left him with a very uneasy feeling.

Then there was the fact that there were.... other things going on in his life that left him feeling confused. Worried. Nervous. It was probably because of this that he almost decided not to come but he knew he'd come to regret it in the future. Besides, given the current circumstances, he didn't think it would be a good idea to be left alone with his thoughts.

Regardless, it had taken a lot of courage and a great deal of mental preparation to step into the Great Hall but he was here now. With a Ravenclaw pin pinned to his chest and his hands in his pockets, the man walked down the middle and didn't come to a stop until he reached the Staff Dias. And judging by how many members of staff were currently there, it didn't look like he was late.

Sack of Love would be proud.

Regina, who really did stand out in that dress, received the first greeting. "Looking great as always, Regina," he said, putting on that dimpled!smile. His eyes then turned towards Kaysha on the other side of the table and called, "Hey Kaysha. Doing well, I hope?" That scars on her cheek said otherwise but, well, they were healing, right?

On his way towards his usual seat, he shot a smile towards Tristan and Kalen who had been talking about something but the only thing he managed to pick up on on the way here was the word 'tea'. Was he going to question it? Not at all. "Hey, Tristan, Kalen. You two doing okay?" Other than the fact that they both looked very happy, from what he could tell. There was that smile again as he went to sit down on his seat, right next to Laurel. "Hey, Laurel. How are you doing?"

Hirsch sat back in his seat and glanced first at the ceiling, the beautiful ceiling that he could watch forever, and then down at the Ravenclaw Table. There was that familiar heavy feeling again. This.... was going to be a long evening.

Tristan grinned. Yes, he didn't get here early very often, but it was actually quiet nice to be here before all the students got here. Those few quiet moments in the splendor that is the Great Hall...very nice indeed. "It's nice to be here early. I might have to do it more often." He said to Kalen with a grin. The Great Hall was always intriguing with its magical ceiling.

He chuckled at the fake shock on Kalen's face when he stole some tea. "Well, you have the only cup at the table at the moment and I was parched." He said teasingly. With a nod and a grin that brightened his eyes a bit too much, he responded with a casual, "That's good. I am glad." Before tapping his knuckles on Kalen's forearm.

Then more of their colleagues began to pile in. First up, "Evening Laurel! Doing much better thank you! All healed up! How are your burns doing?" He asked casually playing with his fork to keep his hands occupied.

Then came Kaysha, who was looking so much better, but still had some healing to do. "Hey Kay! Doing good! You are looking great yourself." He said with an encouraging smile.

"Evening, Regina. Hope you're healing well." Tristan said to the headmistress with a nod. She had gotten some pretty bad wounds herself. He noticed that she was limping a little as well. Hopefully that would go away soon enough.

Then came Hirsch, who was looking slightly melancholy. Tristan wondered if everything was okay, but didn't want to ask. "Doing well, Roderik." He said with a smile and a nod, "And yourself?" He asked. The battle had been difficult for everyone, and he hoped that it would be just an unpleasant memory for everyone soon enough, but there was something else wrong with Roderik tonight. He couldn't quiet put his thumb on it.

Noble was buttoning up his cuffs as he entered the Great Hall, pulling them down over his wrists to cover the burns that still remained on his arms. Two years at Hogwarts he'd been back at Hogwarts, and he now had scars on top of scars to show for it. Still, it could have been worse, and the potent burn paste he'd brewed had done its job for the most part.

His robes from that night had been damaged beyond repair, but the black robes with embroidered gold facings he'd ordered to replaced them had arrived just in time to wear tonight. The fabric flowed behind him as he strode down the middle aisle, gaze moving over the student tables and lingering on a few already gathered there. He gave a brief nod to Flynn and Ronan at the Slytherin table, hoping they wouldn't be long wherever they were headed off to, before a smirk curled at the corner of his lips as he looked to the other side of the room.

"Good evening," he greeted the other staff already seated as he reached the dais. "That colour suits you, Headmistress." Surely the choice of yellow was not a coincidence. And it wasn't really a surprise to find that his half of the table was empty; it so often was when he arrived in comparison to the other side. Which is why, for now, he took Haruldur's spot. He could move along when the Groundskeeper arrived, but he'd put money on that not happening for a short while yet.

"You're looking wistful tonight," he commented to Hirsch, following his gaze from the ceiling to the Ravenclaws. "Knut for your thoughts?"

Celestia had been beseiged by a barrage of emotions ever since she'd woken up in the hospital wing after the Inferi attack. She'd had to transfer to St. Mungo's for about a week -- and honestly, half-wished that she had gone home from there. Her back now sported a network of scars from some of the Inferi's deeper gauges, and her left arm looked like someone had twisted the muscles the wrong way and frozen it like that (with plenty of scarring to boot). She had scars running down her face and her chest, too; only the facial scars showed any signs of improvement after weeks of treatment. They had faded now into white, jagged lines that weren't immediately obvious at a distance. But Celestia was most grateful that her wand arm only sported some scars; it didn't still get twinges of pain the way her left arm did, and it looked like a totally normal arm in comparison with her left. She knew that eventually she would be sad about these changes to her looks, but for the moment, she was dressed in high-necked, navy blue robes for the feast -- and she didn't care a whit about scarring. This meant that the only scars exposed to the public were the fading, jagged lines on her face. Thank Merlin for that.

No, the emotions still haunting the professor had nothing to do with her injuries; it had to do with the small group of students that she had tried to fight alongside on the Pathways. She still felt fear, concern over the Inferi still lurking in the lake, and most of all -- a crushing sense of guilt that was determined to tear her heart right out of her chest. She had been the only adult on that part of the grounds, and it was her job to protect the students. Yet she hadn't protected them, not at all -- Derfael had almost died, Abra had been viciously attacked from behind, Bel had almost been strangled -- and Merlin knew what else had befallen the rest of the kids. All that Celestia knew was that she had failed. Failed to protect them and failed to protect herself. It was because of the students that she herself was alive. She was immensely grateful to all of those kids for that, and for the fact that they stayed calm enough to help each other survive the horrors of that night. But she had been more of a hindrance than a help to them, and the shame of that lingered in the back of her mind at all hours of the day and night. The truth, it seemed, was even more inescapable than those Inferi had been.

Celestia's ruminations got her through the Great Hall; she could hardly remember walking past the Slytherin table to reach the staff dais -- her eyes looking automatically for Skylar and Julie as they always did since that night. As she approached the staff table, her brown eyes roved across the faces of those already present, and she received a slight shock. Her colleagues -- with the exception of Hirsch -- all looked happy. The Transfiguration professor quickly pasted a smile on her face to match the others' and slid into her seat at the end of the table. She didn't understand how they could be over the attack so soon -- or was it because she was the youngest of the group? She certainly hoped that age came with both wisdom and an increased ability to survive trauma.

"Good evening, everyone," she told them all with another false smile. Noble usually sat next to her, but he had taken over the Flying professor's seat. This caused Celestia's lips to quirk up into a small, real smile -- one of the first she'd had in weeks. Kaysha, then, was her nearest neighbor. Celestia asked politely, "How are you doing, Kaysha? Looking forward to summer?" Because Merlin knew she was!

The Inferi attack had left a lasting mark on Gaston, both emotionally and physically. He refused treatment for his own injuries until everyone else, student and professor alike, had been either patched up and sent to bed or transferred to St. Mungo's, but the delay caused lasting damage. Jagged scars marred his arms, hands, and half his face, and he'd lost most of the vision in his right eye. His leg had been broken in several places from his efforts not to fall on top of a student when the Inferi pushed him and was still healing. It was better now, but he still needed the support of a cane. The healers said the cane would probably not be permanent, but the scars and blindness might be. Funny, he would've rather had the cane for the rest of his life than the scars...

He kept his head down, hoping not to shock anyone with his scars as he entered the Great Hall. He didn't want to be here tonight; he hadn't wanted to come back to Hogwarts at all after be was discharged from St. Mungo's! Every moment he was in this castle, he feared for his life. In the past six years since he started working at Hogwarts, he'd seen poltergeists, portal monsters, cult possessions, and now Inferi... each term more dangerous than the last. Did he even want to know what the next school year had in store for him? As much as he loved his students, he loved his daughter too, and Desiree needed him alive!

But Gaston was here, and this time it wasn't just out of fear of Hawthorne's wrath. After facing a horde of Inferi, she seemed like a cuddly kitty-cat by comparison! If this turned out to be his last feast at Hogwarts (which he hadn't decided at this point), he owed it to the other staff and students to see them one last time... especially the graduating seventh years. He glanced around at the house tables, feeling the familiar sadness that came with the round of goodbyes at the end of every term, but this time there was a tinge of relief. These kids may be walking out of his life forever, but at least they were all walking out alive!

As he hobbled to his seat at the dais, he noticed that most everybody was here already. Hopefully he wasn't too late - or if he was, hopefully they would forgive him. It took him longer to get down the stairs than usual. He managed a small wistful smile for his colleagues. "Good evening, everyone," he greeted. He wasn't in a particularly talkative mood at the moment; he was too distracted by his conflicting thoughts. He had a lot of soul searching to do over the summer!

Laurel had just helped herself to some cold and delicious pumpkin juice that she was sipping on when Kay came up on the dais. Smiling warmly at her bestie Laurel commented. "Hi Kay! I adore the colour of your dress, yellow really suits you. You should wear it more often." Maybe she could buy her a yellow skirt over the summer when they met up for their usual girl’s outing.



Sipping on the juice in her goblet Laurel turned her head to look at Kalen as he spoke to her. Why didn’t see brew her own tea at the feast? It was the first thought that popped into her head. She ignored it as she focused on what her colleague was saying. "Hi Kalen, I’m happy to hear that your all healed up." She hadn’t been with him in the entrance hall but she had heard stories of how it had been. "I’m doing very good. My burns have healed nicely and might not leave much scarring either thank’s to Penny’s miracle burn cream. I feared my chest would look awful since i had burning inferis ontop of me for a time."



The dress Regina wore when she entered the great hall was like a fire beacon in the night. It was quite an eye turner Laurel noted, almost envious. It was quite beautiful. When Regina sat down in her throne seat near her Laurel greeted. "Good evening Regina, your dress is beautiful. Yellow is such a happy colour." It was obviously in honour of Hufflepuff’s cup win but it was fitting too considering what they all had been through. They needed to look to the future and be happy.



Looking down at the Slytherin table Laurel noted silently that Flynn had arrived along with the Bloody Baron, Patrick and was that Ronan? He seemed to want a private moment with Flynn. How private now things could get at a house table with practically everyone overhearing what you wanted to say. As Hirsch took his seat next to her Laurel turned her attention away from her snakes and onto the german DADA professor that looked a bit pensive to her. Smiling at him in greeting Laurel responded. "Evening Roderick, I'm doing good, luckily my burns have all healed up. How are you? Have you healed from your injuries?" If he had gotten any, but she was sure he had like everyone else.



Luckily her stomach wasn’t growling yet but Laurel was getting hungry as the minutes trickled by with chatting with her colleagues. Hearing her name she turned her gaze to Tristan past Hirsh. "That’s great to hear Tristan. I guess Penny’s miracle paste has worked wonders for everyone's burns and scars." Laurel mused before taking a sip of juice. "My burns are all healed. I'm glad the pain is gone too. So are you looking forward to summer vacation?"



Celestia came up on the dais shortly after sitting down near Kaysha on the other end of the table. If she had sat closer she’d have started up a conversation with her but it seemed to call across half the table. So when Celestia passed she smiled at her "Good evening Celestia, are you feeling better?" Poor woman, the scars in her face were still visible.



Laurel wanted to rise out of her chair and help Gaston out of sympathy to his seat, but she doubted he’d let her. Men were too stubborn sometimes. She watched him hobble up and take his seat a few seats from her. Shooting him a cheery smile she greeted "Good evening Gaston! Any idea if Rose will have time for a meet up this summer?"

Kay offered the Astronomy professor a smile. “Oh yes. I know summer’s arriving soon, which I’m looking forward to but I’m also eager for next term. I’ve already got a few lessons planned.’’ This professor wasn’t going to get discouraged by the happenings of this term. Being possessed hadn’t slowed her down either. Her signature smile still in place, she turned to Tristan. “Quite well, actually. Thank you, and so do you as always. How’s that phoenix of yours doing?’’

“Good evening, Regina. You look wonderful.’’ Indeed, this was the truth. “Hello, Roderik! Yes, I am? You? Also, thank you so much for your assistance at the Lake once again. Any special plans for the summer?’’

Laurel had nice things to say as usual. “Why thank you! I haven’t worn yellow in a while. As you know, you always look great in anything you wore. You were supposed to be a fashion designer not a professor!’’

There was a hobbling Gaston about and Kay looked at him in concern, as she had done over the days after the Inferi attack. “Still not fully recovered?’’ she asked kindly. “Rose will see to it that you are.’’ That was a tease.

* * * * * * *

Kay was already seated when Ignatius arrived. She was happy that he was doing well after the events at the Lake but she wasn’t sure if they were on speaking terms. As it was, she wasn’t going to push him for anything. Quite frankly, she was relieved he took up a seat by Roderik because sitting in silence with him would, yet again, be awkward. Hearing Celestia call her name, she tilted her head towards the woman. Like Ignatius, Celestia had not exactly been warm to her after last term. She had gotten used to it but she still returned the smile somewhat hesitantly. “Definitely. I haven’t looked forward to one as much as I do at present.’’ Her blue gazed shifted to the Hufflepuff table when she locked gazes with the reason why she was eager for summer. Kaysha sent Emmalyn a wide grin in return. Yes, she saw you. “I bet you are too, Celestia. It’s been quite the last few weeks.’’

..... Huh?

The sound of a familiar voice caused Hirsch to blink out of his thoughts and turn his attention to.... Ignatius?! Sure, the event at the Lake probably brought them closer together (?) in a weird, life-threatening way but to be taking part in a fully-fledged conversation with the man about something that wasn't work-related was a new territory altogether.

Was he complaining? Not at all.

"And you're looking better." From what he could tell, anyways. "Just thinking about the summer and next year. It's been a crazy year, hasn't it?" There was also the fact that he'd probably need to go and drop by the Ravenclaw Table at some point to speak to Kirk and Erik especially. "What about you?" he asked, "How are you holding up?" Were his scars healing?

Someone else who didn't look like herself was Celestia. Sure, she had a smile on her face but her scars said something else. There was also the fact that she had been hurt so badly that the man was a little surprise she was smiling in the first place. "Nice to have you back, Celestia. How are you doing?"

For someone who liked socialising, all of this talking was starting to feel a little draining, mostly because it was starting to get more and more difficult to think of something to say to his colleagues. This might've been the reason behind the pauses and the slow responses but regardless, it didn't take long for him to smile slightly at Tristan. "Glad to hear it. I take it you're healing okay?" Battle scars were inevitable but sometime in the very distant future, they might just become cool stories. As for him, it was a little harder to find the right words than normal but, eventually, there was an answer. "Yeah, I'm... doing okay. Looking forward to a nice summer break, actually. I think we all deserve it."

Well. Gaston looked a little worse for wear, didn't he? Any emotional damage wasn't seen but that hobbling was hard to miss. He frowned slightly in concern, his eyes taking in every scar he could see on the man's left hand side and that smile that seemed a little..... off. Huh. Looks like he wasn't the only one feeling wistful tonight. "Evening, Gaston. How are you doing?"

Laurel was nice and was probably the only one on the table she couldn't hide things from - apart from Regina. Maybe. It was probably because of this reason that there was the smallest hint of a smile on his face before it dropped entirely. No point pretending, was there? "All healed? That's very lucky. I'm glad you didn't have to deal with any physical marks for long." Hopefully, the same could be said for any emotional marks as well. "I'm okay. I only have a few scars, thanks to Penny's Miracle cream. It really worked wonders."

It was nice to hear that Kaysha was doing well. Really. And he sincerely hoped it was true and not something that was being said to not worry the rest of the people at the dias. "Glad to hear it. I'm doing okay myself. Nothing the summer won't fix." Her gratitude for the lake incident was met with a dimpled!smile on Hirsch's part, mostly because he didn't expect it. She didn't expect him to leave her to die, did she? "What are friends for? I'm sure you'd have done the same for me." Besides, defence was in his blood, not just his job title. "Well, my mum and sisters and nieces are coming to visit so I think I'm spending most of the time with them. I'm probably going to go and see River and Viktor as some point as well. What about you?"

Kalen nodded to the Headmistress, Celestia, Gaston and Noble as they walked past him and he was a little shocked as to Gaston and Celestia’s appearance! Hadn’t they been to the Healer? Surely Penny’s miracle cream would have helped all those scars out? It was that cream that had saved his face from scaring, the only major one was on his chest and it was fading daily. The woman knew her stuff, she had been head of St.Mungos for awhile after all. And was Gaston limping?

He shook his head a bit and was about to talk to Tristan again when their conversation was interrupted by more of his colleagues walking past him. He gave a warm smile to Hirsch as he walked past and he nodded. “I am doing quite well actually, and yourself?” He asked curiously, he had noticed the man looked a bit down tonight, everyone did in fact. They had made it through an awful attack, and they were alive and mostly well. Shouldn’t that be something to celebrate?

Or was that just him? Maybe not everyone had had the realization he had.

He looked down for a moment before hearing Laurel speak. “I’m glad to hear it, that stuff is amazing isn’t it?.” He said with a warm smile though he couldn’t help by grimace inwardly as she spoke about having a burning Inferi on top of her. And he thought being in the middle of the horde was bad. “Any exciting summer plans?” He asked her curiously. He was very excited about his own and his joyful smile was an attest to that.

Kaysha got a smile and an eyebrow raise. “Already? I’m impressed. I’m not going to think about lessons until summer is over. Do you have any plans?” He asked curiously before turning back to Tris with a smile. Their little chat has been interupted, and the smile on his face held a bit of an apologetic note to it.

“Well you should get here earlier more often. You could hang out with me, and we all know how amazing I am.” The edge of one of his bright green eyes moved down in subtle wink before he picked up his tea cup and took a sip.

“So, any fun plans for the summer? Traveling anywhere interesting?” He asked with a soft smirk.

"Evening, Ignatius." Tristan said with a smile and a nod. The older gentleman was looking much better today than he did the night of the attack. He could definitely hold his own in a duel. He was extremely impressed with his talent under pressure. But he shouldn't be surprised. Most wizards his age were. Plus, fending off Inferi whilst being dragged into a body of water...kinda necessary.



Wow. It was very subtle and hard to see, but Celestia had many scars on her face, which kinda surprised him. Healer Macmillan must have run out of her miracle cream or something. "Evening, Celestia." He called back with a smile and a nod. it was hard to talk to people on the other side of the table. He still really wanted to get to know her a little better, but they were all so busy it was just impossible sometimes. Maybe next term.



Okay...seriously...what was going on? Penny must have run out of cream. But he pretended not to notice the scars and limp that Gaston was sporting. "Evening, Gaston." Tristan replied as the Frenchman took his seat next to him. "Any plans with the family this summer?" He asked, wondering how Rose was doing with all of this commotion.



"Yeah, her cream is just top notch. I have never used anything better." Tristan said with a smile. At least Laurel had gotten some of the cream. Then again, Penny kept him stocked up because he was always hurting himself somehow and she got fed up with him visiting her in the Hospital Wing for things he couldn't fix himself all the time. Now he didn't bother her much...except for when he ran out. "That's great. Just keep applying and it shouldn't scar. The pain is the worst part for sure." With that next question he wasn't a hundred percent how to respond but, "I can't wait for it. I am actually taking more than two weeks this time. Felt like I needed a longer break you know?" He smirked at the thought of his plans. "What about you? Any exciting plans?" He asked with a grin.



"Good, good, and I thank you." He said with a grin. He was glad she was doing better. He had been really worried about her the night of the attack. "Ash is as handsome and stubborn as always." He said with a chuckle. That bird was going to make him crazy one day. "Marshmallow is still doing well at the barns. Such a great pup that crup." Tristan said with a wink and grin.



Tristan nodded and smiled, "Healing just fine. Basically healed. My old leather jacket however is not. But that's alright. The thing saved me from much worse." He had been lucky to have that thing on him that was for sure. He couldn't help but wonder what was going on with Roderik. But he also didn't want to be nosy and ask. "Good. Yeah, same. I can't wait for break and we definitely all deserve it, for sure." Which was the understatement of the century. They deserved more than two months off at this point...



Tristan sent his friend a wink. He didn't mind being interrupted as long as they finished the conversation. Which he was sure they would.

Tristan chuckled, rubbing his eyes, "Very true. You are pretty darn amazing I must say. And full of it." He chuckled, "But yeah...we don't hang enough...I think will try to be early more often." He shook his head grinning, still shuffling the fork around to keep his hands busy.

Of course he had to ask. Tristan pursed his lips trying to keep the smile off his face. "Well, see I met this hot babe....eh you don't want to hear about this." He said waving his hand grinning hugely, "Oh, and of course going to Wales to see Aunt Beth and Uncle John. They really miss seeing you. You should come with." He said with a small smile.

Kalen was highly pleased with that answer and his smile was highly contented as he looked over at his friend. “I am not full of it, I just speak the truth.” He teased as his hands closed around his tea cup and he moved it closer to him. If only to give himself something to do. “And we don’t hang out often enough, you down there in your hut, me up in my tower. So far away.” He teased again as he brought his tea cup to his lips to take a big sip of his Earl Grey tea.

It was such a shame that Tristan chose that exact moment to speak again and Kalen full on choked on his tea and then clapped a hand over his mouth as he struggled to swallow it. It was too late though. For Kalen started to cough and spit the remaining tea out of his mouth! It was either that or it come out of his nose, and hot tea through the nostrils is never a good idea.

He coughed more as he quickly shot Tristan a look, he had his wand out instantly and cleaned up the mess before most people would notice.

“Hot babe hmm?” His voice was low and raspy as he cleared his throat again. “Has someone finally snagged our Triscuit?” He asked as he raised an eyebrow and for a moment it looked as if an sadness has dimmed the light in his eyes, he looked down at his tea cup as he seemed to be fighting with emotions.

“You’ll have to introduce us sometime, the best friend needs to approve and all.” A smile was back on his face as he looked at Tristan.

“Yeah! If I’m not going to cramp your style with this elusive person you have met.” He said with a small almost imperceptible smirk and he took another sip of tea. Thankfully this one stayed down.

Tristan chuckled, shaking his head. "Of course you do." He said with a grin. With a shrug, and a sigh he replied, "Yeah...just so far away. We'll have to hit up Broomsticks more often, too." He said with a small smile and a wink.

Tristan properly ignored the tea spitting. Did it happen? Nope it didn't. He didn't see it or hear it. But he was internally cackling.

Tristan smiled at that question and thought about it for a moment before responding, "Eh, just a summer fling, I think. Nothing too serious." He said with a small wink. He looked up and smiled, noting a sadness that hadn't been in Kalen's eyes a few minutes before. He wondered what was wrong, but didn't ask.

Tristan snorted, "Of course you do. All things must be approved by the bestie." He said patting Kalen on the shoulder. If he didn't have Kalen and Rose's approval then it wasn't worth it.

PFFFFFFFFFT. "Dude, you could never cramp my style. Even with your leather loafers." He said pursing his lips, trying not to smile. He was definitely buying Kalen some combat boots this summer. Who goes into combat with LOAFERS on?

She nodded her head at Tristan, more or less responding to his own nod. There really wasn't much else to say. Yes, she was healing just fine. Slowly, but just fine. "Likewise," Regina did manage to say.

Her head turned at the sound of Ignatius ... and she couldn't help but blink in silence for a moment at his compliment. The colour looked good on her? In her opinion, blue was more her colour; yellow, not so much. Regardless, a smile appeared on her face. "Thank you, Ignatius." She left it at that, though she did want to question why the Potions professor decided Haraldur's seat was a better

When Celestia and Gaston arrived, the headmistress gave the two of them a courteous nod of her head. The Transfiguration professor was down at the end of her table, and Gaston didn't seem to be very talkative.

Laurel soon grabbed her attention, however. Again, more comments about the yellow. "Thank you," she replied, still not quite perched at her seat yet. "I'm not too particular about wearing yellow, but figured the occasion called for it."

"Good evening, Kaysha. And thank you."

Then Roderik, with his dimples, happened. Of course, she couldn't help but smile at him. Though this time the smile was a little smaller than usual. "Same to you" were the few words Regina managed to say to him. They would talk later.

Bypassing her seat, the woman made her way down to the other end of the table and walked straight up to the podium. It was a little early for her to be making her speech, but food was a needed distraction. Plus she was certain that there were hungry, hungry Hogwartians out there that couldn't sit there with rumbling tummies much longer.

"Another term has come to an end, ladies and gentlemen" Regina began, looking out at them all, her eyes shifting from the Gryffindor table to Hufflepuff to Ravenclaw and to Slytherin, then back again. "After the unexpected Inferi invasion, we all deserve a holiday to rest, relax, and recharge. Before those days come, however, I do want to recognise the great vigilance that was displayed that night. It isn't every day one has to face a mass of Inferi and live to tell the tale."

The headmistress led the entire hall in a round of applause before continuing.

"Further recognition is in order for Hufflepuff House. Congratulations for your achievement of winning the Quidditch Cup. Furthermore, congratulations on your seizing of the House Cup, with an impressive two thousand and forty-seven points. Your hard work and dedication has certainly paid off."

Cue another round of applause.

"Lastly, I wish to recognise those of you who are graduating. Please rise," she continued. A pause was given while she watched them stand up on by one. "Congratulations on this great milestone. You have achieved so much, from surviving your examinations, mastering various spells, and gaining knowledge and experiences that have shaped you into who you are today. Hogwarts has been like home for many of you, and it will be here waiting to welcome you back. But now a new chapter of your life begins, and I wish you all the best of luck on your future endeavors."

A final round of applause was had. Once the clapping ceased, the headmistress motioned for the graduates to take their seats and then elaborately waved her hand, causing food and drink to appear on all of the tables in the dining hall.

"Bon appétit!"

Gaston was so lost in his thought that he didn't notice Laurel's smile until he heard he voice and turned to look at her. He gave her a small, though slightly less cheery smile in return, but his expression changed as she brought up Rose. If he had his way, he'd take Rose and Desiree back home to France with him and leave this deathtrap of a school behind forever, but he knew he couldn't tear her away from her friends. "I'm sure she'll be able to squeeze that in," he said. He'd reschedule their family plans to work around it if needed. "Do you have any other plans this summer?" As he waited for her reply, he allowed his mind to drift back to his uncertain future. If only he was a seer like Laurel... maybe then he'd know what he should do.

His dark head bowed in an attempt to hide the blush rising to his cheeks as he saw the way Kay was looking at him. Merlin, he hated worrying everyone! Still he managed a slight smile in her direction as he replied, "No, but I'm getting there." Really, his injures looked a lot worse than they felt! His leg was slowly on the mend, and the scars on his arms and hands had already faded somewhat. His smile gave way to a quiet chuckle at her next words. "I know; she always does." Rose had been so patient with him through all of this, more so than he deserved!

Only seconds later, Hirsch asked a similar question. Gaston blinked, unsure of what to say. "I'm... adjusting, thanks for asking," he said. Maybe in time he would accept the cane and the partial blindness, but the scars on his face - or more accurately, his daughter's reaction to them - were something he'd never quite get used to. Desiree didn't like them; poor girl would hide her eyes when she saw them! He sighed sadly. Hopefully having him home for two months would help them both adjust. "You?"

The nod from Kalen went unnoticed, as the astronomy professor was seated on Gaston's blind side. It was only when Tristan spoke to him that he turned his head in that direction and gave both of the men seated to his right a small smile. He nodded in reply to Tristan's question. "We'll be spending most of the summer in France with my parents," he said. He nearly said all of the summer but stopped himself just in time. "I think the break will do us all good!" He wanted to put as much space as possible between Hogwarts and his family!

Before he could ask about anyone else's summer plans, Hawthorne's speech started. He frowned slightly at the mention of the inferi invasion, fighting the bad memories that threatened to come back, but still applauded politely... more so for the students than anyone else. He didn't feel as if he'd done anything special in the fight. Another round of applause was given to the Hufflepuffs; he'd have to remember to congratulate Paul on the House and Quidditch cup wins! It was only as he watched the seventh years rise that the permanence of the impending goodbyes set in, and a sudden wave of emotion crashed over him. The thought crossed his mind to bolt the moment the food appeared, but he could already hear Rose's voice in the back of his mind telling him he needed to keep his strength up. He managed to eat a quick little something before making his rounds to the house tables.

Gaston's arrival at the staff table made Celestia wince; his limp was obvious. She had a bit of one too, but thanks to the Healers at St Mungo's, hers wasn't as pronounced. Poor man -- she found out after the attack that he'd been struggling against another horde of Inferi in the entrance hall. At least he had successfully defended that group of students from the Dark creatures. The Transfiguration professor envied him that for a few seconds before silently admonishing herself. Nothing about that night should inspire jealousy. Another rather shameful thought that flitted across her mind was that at least someone else besides Roderik and herself seemed to be still upset by the incident. She simply didn't understand how everyone else could be so cheerful. Then again, perhaps the rest of the staff were simply better actors than she was...

As she had walked past Laurel, the woman forced another smile to stretch her face. "Of course," Celestia lied smoothly. "I trust you're feeling better as well?" The Divination professor had been in a tough situation, too, Celestia recalled. Well...they all had been in tough situations, but Laurel had been the only professor with a group of students in the greenhouses. Celestia wondered if the other witch's Sight had been helpful at all that night, or if it was helping her to recover so well now. Could she see a brighter future for Hogwarts next year?

"Thank you, Roderik. It's nice to be back," Celestia said simply. She was getting better and better at telling these lies naturally. The truth was that, for the first time in her life, she couldn't wait to get away from Hogwarts. "I'm fine. How are you?", she asked politely. She doubted the Defense professor would give her a more truthful answer than she'd given him, but she did appreciate his concern. Celestia knew that Roderik genuinely cared about their students -- and he was Head of Ravenclaw House -- so the last few weeks in the castle must have been torturous for him. Those kids were going through so much...

Celestia had begun the term thinking badly of Kaysha because of the events that transpired on the Muggle Studies field trip. The Transfiguration professor despised hypocrisy, however, and she too had now failed to protect students in her charge. How could she hold anything against Kaysha now? With that in mind, she had been making an effort to be warmer and kinder towards Kaysha since her return from St Mungo's. Her hospital stay had given her something of a new perspective on many aspects of her life.
"I can't blame you for that," Celestia replied to Kaysha's comment about looking forward to this summer more than any other. She felt the same, after all. "It certainly has been a...difficult few weeks. I hope the summer provides some measure of healing for the students." As horrible as she felt, she knew that the students must be feeling even worse. The professor imagined that peaceful sleep would prove elusive for the residents of Hogwarts Castle without the aid of potions for quite some time.

Celestia applauded dutifully whenever Regina began clapping during her speech. If she was being perfectly honest, the professor would admit that she had taken in very little of the speech itself. She was proud of the Hufflepuffs and the seventh years and the Inferi fighters, of course -- but she couldn't help the empty feeling in her chest that tugged at her throughout something as perfectly normal as a speech. She simply didn't have the energy to listen. It seemed as though the Inferi had the power to reach through time and taint even the feast with some measure of fear and sadness. Celestia tried to push the feelings down as she pushed food around her plate for a few minutes after the speech, but she had little success.

She was immensely relieved when Gaston left the dais to go visit the student tables. Perfect! It wouldn't be rude now for her to do the same. The Transfiguration professor had to make a real effort to slide out of her seat and proceed at a normal pace to the House tables without another word.