They had made it. The school year had somehow come to an end, the stress of OWLs was finally behind him, and it was almost time to get back on that train. He took a seat near the backof the table. He figured the students knew how to get to the hall by now... but he would be ready to head the lines back to Hogsmeade after this. Whether this was because he was a prefect or because he wanted to be on break ASAP was up for debate. For now though, he was in a fairly cheery mood.

Entering the Hall felt much less bittersweet to her than previously. She was leaving this hell to go and be in a place with much less rules. Oddly, though, she had always thought of Hogwarts as being less strict than home. Well, not until this year.

She was excited to be going home. She was getting away from the madness! And hoping for it to be a quick night so that she could go to sleep, under the effects of her freshly brewed Sleeping Draught, and wake up, ready to get on the train.

Joining the Ravenclaw table, and hoping there would be no expectations of standing before sitting, she slid in after glancing at the staff table and seeing the Professors already on their chairs. She looked up and down, spotting another of her classmates. "Hello," she said to Jackson. She wasn't overly hungry, but she was looking forward to the feast.

Tad's first year at Hogwarts was finally over. It really was. He.. couldn't help but feel conflicted. This was meant to be a magical year for him and it had a lot more ups and downs than either of his relatives described. Would they believe everything he had to say? Surely they would.

"Hi..." Taddy greeted to the first two people he saw, Hanna and Jackson the Prefect. Now he sort of wished he brought some snacks, he was getting hungry.

Ah. Finally. The final feast had arrived and not a minute too soon! This year had been…there was no word for it other than forgettable. Granted the headmaster had made it somewhat difficult but all in all, it had been forgettable. For Ewan at least anyway.

Taking his seat at the long table in the centre of the hall, Ewan couldn’t help but glance up at the embroidered bronze eagle banners that hung up above the table with a little indifference. Maybe it was because this was the first year he’d completed (Having gone home early last year) and it was rather unimpressive but he just didn’t quite feel the a strong connection. Yet.

With a slight twinge in his stomach at the thought of going “home”, Ewan looked down the table and saw two of his fellow Ravenclaw students. With a slight nod towards both, his mind eventually wandered towards the plethora of tasty food that was coming their way soon.

"EWAN!!!"


She hadn't meant to really yell, but she was excited and hurried into the Great Hall. They weren't supposed to stand until seated, were they? She glanced at the table before sitting down next to him, "We did it! We made it through this term." Honestly Chloe wasn't even sure they would. Plus they won! THEY WON! She was excited about winning the house cup and she felt she actually got better with magic this year.

Glancing to the others at the table she smiled, "Hello everyone! Tad are you happy to be done with your first year?" She knew she'd see him through the summer, but wasn't sure about the rest of her claw friends.

Septimus normally enjoyed school but after the drama of this term he was very grateful for the term to be over. The only positivity being the level of Ravenclaw House points and how well the team, his team, had done in quidditch. One could only hope that it got even marginally better next year or perhaps he was going to speak to his mum. Or maybe he needn’t wait. He hadn’t been able to get much news out since mail was watched, so who knew how Josephine Hadley-Nairne was going to respond to the truth of her former school of employ.

He entered the Great Hall, making his way towards the Ravenclaw table. The third year paused before taking in the sight of his housemates already sitting. Guess it was alright…right? Septimus settling into a free spot on a bench with a soft sigh. Hopefully there would be no more surprises to come.

Lady Helena hovered at the Entrance Hall. She was quite silent as she gazed at the students and Professors (except from Scrimgeour and his people) gathered for the Feast. Many of the faces reflected emotions that were not positive. This saddened Helena. The Feast was meant for having a great time before being the students went home. It should especially be this way for Ravenclaw House as they had won the House Cup. Helena sighed softly. She began to move towards the Table.

“Good evening, students! I must say you lot did a great job of securing the House Cup! Great work when it comes to Quidditch too. Your previous two Head of Houses would have been proud.’’ Helena definitely did not mean that this victory was in anyway thanks to Rafferty Ainsworth.

Juniper was actually relieved that the day was finally here. This term had really been something, hadn’t it? Probably ranked up at the top of her list of worst. Definitely more of a roller coaster ride. At least she would be going home celebrating her seventeenth birthday in a few months.

On the bright side of the term, which let face it there wasn’t really a lot of bright sides this term, Ravenclaw had won the house cup, and had gotten second place in the quidditch standing. She was really proud of the team, she had probably mentioned that to everyone on the team at least twice she was pretty sure of that anyway.

Joining her housemates at their table and finding a spot at the table. She nodded at everyone. ”Hi everyone! It's nice to see the great hall decorated in blue for once.” She figured it was easier to include everyone at once. so they were allowed to sit down without waiting to be told? This was new…. And nice.

"Hey Taddy," Hanna said, as the first year joined the table. "How did you like your first year?" She felt very disappointed for the first years. This wasn't Hogwarts. Although... it actually was now, it seemed.

She watched the other approaching Ravenclaws, and said "Hello," to all of them - Ewan, Chloe, Septimus, and Juni. "Many plans for summer?"

And the Grey Lady! Hanna smiled at the Ghost, "Hello Lady Helena," she said. She nodded. Yes, the two previous heads would have been. Hanna looked up to the staff table, wishing Professor Stewart had been there. "It was hard work. With... everything." Hanna was sure Lady Helena would know - hard work not getting into trouble, getting detentions, points docked, punishments.

Ewan couldn’t help but smile back at his over enthusiastic Ravenclaw friend (Chloe). “Huh. I guess we did didn’t he?” he replied, a small grin on his face. Not only did he make it through the term but they did in fact win the house cup! Maybe this would be the thing that finally made him feel connected to his house. "Are you ready to go home?" he asked her with a rueful smile. "I'm sure there's a lot of people who are uh...ready for a brake" he chuckled slightly, a small glance up towards the head.

Despite his obvious obliviousness to most things this year, he couldn’t help but notice where his fellow student’s glances often returned to as he awaited the start of the feast. The coldness that ebbed from the students on the benches was obvious but Ewan was somewhat surprised when he caught sight of the Grey Lady hovering towards their table, her face slightly down downcast. It seemed as though the sadness had found its way even to the ghosts of Hogwarts. With a small reassuring smile and a polite “Hello Grey Lady, how are you today?” towards the ghost, Ewan continued to look around the hall at his fellow students, waiting for more to arrive.

Jessa was here....albeit at the last minute after most had already entered the hall.

To be quite honest, the Head Girl had every intention to skip the feast. There was only one more night before freedom. She'd spent some of it packing on her own with the dolls already off with V and then a bit more time packing up the last of the things in her lab. Some said leaving would be bittersweet....but it wasn't. There was an almost palpable level of relief. She was finally leaving Hogwarts. Was there better news?

Well...there was but that wasn't the point. Leaving was.

Her memory book entry was made, a small smile earned at the one her sister had left. It sort of cemented it all. This wasn't a dream, she wouldn't wake up tomorrow with another three months left here. This was it.

All that aside...she still wasn't in a very chatty mood. For that reason, Jessa sat aaaaalll the way at the far end of the table, right by the door and away from most of the chatter. It irked her a little, seeing the Great Hall in blue, on the grounds that it never was when Professor Hirsch was here. He deserved it more than whoever was in charge of Ravenclaw now. Up on the dais, she saw the people that had collectively turned the school into a nightmare for her. Not because of the rules, no--this was a school, schools had rules, these rules weren't over the top--it was how some of them treated the students, especially in the last days.

The furthest she could be from them, the better she would feel.

Patiently, Jessa pulled a book from her pocket and turned to the page she'd been on. She would pass the night reading, eat the food when it arrived, usher the students back to the common room, down a sleeping draught then greet the next day and the freedom it would afford her. Yes, it was a solid plan.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Lady

Lady Helena hovered at the Entrance Hall. She was quite silent as she gazed at the students and Professors (except from Scrimgeour and his people) gathered for the Feast. Many of the faces reflected emotions that were not positive. This saddened Helena. The Feast was meant for having a great time before being the students went home. It should especially be this way for Ravenclaw House as they had won the House Cup. Helena sighed softly. She began to move towards the Table.

“Good evening, students! I must say you lot did a great job of securing the House Cup! Great work when it comes to Quidditch too. Your previous two Head of Houses would have been proud.’’ Helena definitely did not mean that this victory was in anyway thanks to Rafferty Ainsworth.

There was the Grey Lady…one of the welcome faces for sure. “Good evening, Lady Helena,” he said, returning her greeting with a smile. “Thank you,” Septimus added with a nod at her words on their accomplishments, including the dig at the current Ravenclaw head of house. “For sure they would.” For him they certainly deserved more credit for the picking of the leadership right on down to their examples set before leaving.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarcasticStrawberry

Juniper was actually relieved that the day was finally here. This term had really been something, hadn’t it? Probably ranked up at the top of her list of worst. Definitely more of a roller coaster ride. At least she would be going home celebrating her seventeenth birthday in a few months.

On the bright side of the term, which let face it there wasn’t really a lot of bright sides this term, Ravenclaw had won the house cup, and had gotten second place in the quidditch standing. She was really proud of the team, she had probably mentioned that to everyone on the team at least twice she was pretty sure of that anyway.

Joining her housemates at their table and finding a spot at the table. She nodded at everyone. ”Hi everyone! It's nice to see the great hall decorated in blue for once.” She figured it was easier to include everyone at once. so they were allowed to sit down without waiting to be told? This was new…. And nice.

Next up was his captain and her greeting as she joined the table. “Hey,” the third year greeted back. “Good year, Captain.” Sure, they earned their place as a team, but her leadership didn’t harm them. “It’s certainly a nice color.” Which was a good thing or he’d get sick of it all over the common rooms and dorms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessiqua

"Hey Taddy," Hanna said, as the first year joined the table. "How did you like your first year?" She felt very disappointed for the first years. This wasn't Hogwarts. Although... it actually was now, it seemed.

She watched the other approaching Ravenclaws, and said "Hello," to all of them - Ewan, Chloe, Septimus, and Juni. "Many plans for summer?"

And the Grey Lady! Hanna smiled at the Ghost, "Hello Lady Helena," she said. She nodded. Yes, the two previous heads would have been. Hanna looked up to the staff table, wishing Professor Stewart had been there. "It was hard work. With... everything." Hanna was sure Lady Helena would know - hard work not getting into trouble, getting detentions, points docked, punishments.

Whoops…he had missed noticing Hanna as he had approached the table. “Hello,” Septimus greeted back as she said hi to him. “Just vacationing with the family.“ Which could be in Britain or Italy or a mix of both, the third year not quite sure of the plans as of yet. “How about you?”

She was content to sit at the end of the table and pretend she was elsewhere. It was easy. The book was an intriguing read, the characters were well developed and the plot was paced just well enough to prevent frustration. The Great Hall and the chatter floating about was easily ignored. No matter what happened, it was no longer her problem.

If Jessa learned nothing else from this term, she learned that she would be punished no matter what she did. If that was the case, then she would be comfortable and punished.

The only interruption she allowed was the sound of Scrimgeour's voice. Rise? Sure. No need to make her last night unbearable. The Head Girl put a finger to keep her spot in the book before straightening her posture and turning her full attention to the dais. For the sake of her own sanity, helped along by that calming draught, Jessa kept her gaze exclusively on him while he spoke. It was more of the same thing she'd heard all year and reminded her of how desperately she wanted to leave. Shame she couldn't sit at the station tonight and wait there for the train til morning.

His comment on those graduating caused her heart to skip a beat. That was her. She was graduating. It was over. Small bright spot in all this. She wouldn't be returning with this regime. It was enough to bring the faintest hint of a smile as she retook her seat.

Jessa watched the food appear as it always did following the speech. While she wasn't ravenous, she could eat something so the Ravenclaw reached from a few things, adding them to her plate. One night to go.

Thank Merlin this term was over. And Drewett never really imagined he would ever agree with such words, to be honest. Once he had finished packing a few of his belongings for heading home, he made his way down to the Great Hall. He used to really dislike how the Ravenclaw tower was flights of stairs away from literally all the places he wanted to be, but perhaps his appreciation for the early morning SORE exercises was a latent effect of all that. The stairs didn't bother him as much as before.

Joining the rest of the Ravenclaws in their house table, the fourteen year old scanned for familiar faces. He was... going to say good bye to Noémi later. It felt overwhelming, just the thought of talking to her, but the older claw was leaving Hogwarts for good. He just need to get that over it.

But for now, he settled on a seat beside Septimus. "Hi, mate..." Drewett greeted and offered a smile to Hanna as well. He then turned around to greet their house ghost too. "G-good evening, Lady Helena...." And they won the house cup. Yes, congratulations indeed. That would have been something he would be proud of, if they were to dedicate their victory to Professor Hirsch or Professor Stewart, by the way.

........At least the food tonight was still great as ever.

Beaming as the Grey Lady showed up she gave a wave. "Hello, doesn't the Great Hall look great!" Chloe couldn't help but be excited to see all the wonderful colors of her house. She was in the best mood tonight, she wasn't sure if she finally just got over everything or if it was because they were finally going home.

Quidditch!!

This did make her smile falter a little, maybe she wasn't fully over everything, but she had gotten past it. "I made Seeker for my little league team in Germay again." Yes, she did say that maybe a little louder than normal, but she had just seen Juni come in.


Why was she so pretty? Chloe couldn't help but stare everytime the older girls came into the room. She wished to look like them one day, they always looked like they should be in pictures in magazine.

Speaking of older girls, where was older Chloe?


Her eyes scanned the room but turned back to Juni. "Hi captain, excited to be going home?"

Looking over to Hanna as she spoke to the group Chloe nodded, "I have lot and lots planned. Most of it involved quidditch, but I do hope to go on a holiday somewhere fun." She hoped her parents were planning something, maybe they could go to a beach or something. "What about you?" She wanted to hear about where everyone was going, did other people have more amazing summers than she did?

Was she ready to go home? WAS SHE READY!


"YES!! I cannot wait to go home and see my parents, my younger brother, and my pets." Leaning closer to him she whispered, "and leave here for a bit." She dare not say it to loud for fear that those professors might hear and keeper her all summer. She was still terrified of most of them.


"Maybe you can come to Germany and visit. I think my parent would be okay with me having friends over." She'd love some of her friends over and show them all her things, espciallly her dad's greenhouse. "I'll be playing quidditch this summer, but I should have time to have some fun too."


He would come, wouldn't he?

After being given permission to sit once more Kailtynn pushed the food around on her plate instead of actually eating it, something that had become a habit. She had nodded to some of the other Ravenclaws as they had come in but hadn't spoken to anyone in particular. She didn't mind the silence though. Quiet contemplation seemed an okay way to end the term.

She was excited to leave, even if her outward appearance didn't reflect that. The only thing that was keeping her from celebrating anything was that she was going to have to come back after the summer break and she had an inkling that no matter how much pleading with her parents she wasn't going to be able to transfer to a different school. After all, she had begged to be here at Hogwarts, but that was before she actually came and now she'd love to be anywhere else.

She took a small bite of the food she had mixed all up and chewed on it. Things could be worse though, right?

Lady Helena could not agree more with the Quidditch Captain. Bue and bronze certainly suited the Great Hall. “I know,’’ was her response to Hanna. “I’ve seen you all work through everything. I am surely proud of all the work this term. I can only hope the next one will be better for Hogwarts in general.’’

“Ewan. I’m in better spirits since the Hall is so beautifully decorated. Are you going to be doing anything special during your holiday?’’ Lady Helena offered a smile to young Septimus. “I trust that the hard work will continue next term.’’

Lady Helena was quite aware of those that were quiet, namely Jessa and Heather, and she let them be. “There’s no need to stammer, Drew. I don’t bite.’’ Helena smiled. “It certainly does, Chloe. You look excited.’’ A moment later, it was revealed why. “Oh my! That’s wonderful. Congratulations.’’


The speech took place with Helena paying keen attention to it. She sighed when it was over but said nothing about the words of Julian Scrimgeour.

"Vacationing sounds nice," Hanna said to Septimus. "Where are you going? I'm going to be meeting my new baby brother! My mum said she will bring him when she picks me up." He was so small, she was sure. She hadn't seen a photo yet, but babies were so small anyway.

Hanna saw her other third-year-Ravenclaw classmate Drewett walk past and returned his smile.

Chloe's holiday really did sound busy, and full of fun things. "Cool! Where abouts?" Hanna wished she was going on a holiday. She'd love to go back to Norway to see her grandparents, but that probably wouldn't happen for a while. "I'm not sure, but I have a baby brother now! So I think I'll just give him lots of cuddles." When he wasn't crying, that was. She remembered that from her other sisters. Babies cried.

Kaitlynn joined the table, and Hanna offered her a wave.

She couldn't feel particularly proud of winning the house cup when she felt like she didn't really do anything to help. The Hufflepuffs should have won, based on House pride. They had really tried to take the school back from the awful men that had taken over. Even though their plans had failed, they had still done something. She couldn't offer any proud smile to Lady Helena.

But then... BOOM! The doors to the Great Hall opened. Hanna whipped her head around to see what it was, in fear of another minion coming in. But it wasn't another minion. It was Headmistress Hawthorne. Hanna watched her with her breath shallow, as she walked towards the Staff Dais. She looked happy. Very Happy. And with great delight, that Hanna kept down in her chest, she watched as Professor Hawthorne handed letters to each of the despicable minions.

Was it okay to clap?!

"Oh I have one of those, I mean he isn't a baby anymore though, he is only a few years younger than me." So maybe it wasn't the same as Hanna was talking about. She just wanted to fit in with her housemates all the time. "I'm not sure where, we usually go on a small one, but it is if my mom's studio isn't busy and dad can get off work. He works at the German Ministry." Plus she hadn't even asked yet about a holiday, but she would assume they would go somewhere. "My aunt and uncle own a house in Brazil, maybe we will go there." That could be fun if they did.

Giving the Grey Lady a bigger smile she nodded, "I've been on it a few years, I'm hoping to end up on the U17 league next year, though I'm not sure if I should try out for leagues around here or Germany." She wanted to play with her friends, but she had friends there too. "Did you play quidditch, I mean when you were alive?" She hoped that wouldn't sound rude, but she truly was curious.

Not that the answer would have gotten to her ears, Chloe looked up and froze. Was that? THAT WAS!!! "Hawthorne's back, guys, GUYS LOOK!" She was pointing and up out of her seat. She didn't care about the stupid sitting rules or anything his speech had said. She couldn't help but bounce up and down on her feet trying to see the table (short girl problems).


"What is she doing? What is she giving them? Is she back?" She wanted to run up there, but she wouldn't she just stayed standing and watching.

Septimus looked over as Drewett took a seat next to him. “Hey,” he greeted his fellow third year, returning the favor before the other boy turned his attention to Lady Helena. As for the house ghost’s statement to him… “Of course it will.” He had four more years at Hogwarts, or schooling if plans changed and he’d be the studious Ravenclaw through and through.

Ah…there was the headmaster that wasn’t the real headmaster in Septimus’ opinion. The man ordering them around like drones. The Ravenclaw obeyed though, standing up when told, listening with batted breath before sitting back down. They all seemed to survive the speech without harm which was awesome.

“Not sure yet…have to find out from my parents,” he answered Hanna as she asked about his vacationing plans. Maybe Italy this summer with his mother’s sisters and family.

He couldn’t think more on it as commotion was rising in the Great Hall and it wasn’t from the men who had wreaked havoc all term. Headmistress Hawthorne was back in the castle and Septimus couldn’t help smiling. Especially when whatever she gave certain men caused them to get up and leave the Great Hall in a huff. Goodbye....fair well. Don't let the door of the Great Hall hit you on the way out.

Or maybe they should given all the pain they had inflicted.

Forget House Cup and Quidditch. “I think this term is gonna end on an even higher note.”

If it weren't for Chloe shouting about Hawthorne, Jessa wouldn't have known to look up from her book. While she had begun eating dinner, her attention was still very much in the pages of this paperback. It was enough to grab her attention and by then the woman was heading for the dais.

What happened next...well...she didn't know how to feel about it.

On the one hand, it was gratifying to see the men leave. Blue eyes remained locked on them as they walked by--some far more deserving of that fate. On the other hand, she was graduating and this didn't make a difference for her. Outside of making breakfast in the morning A LOT LIGHTER and the remainder of this dinner less an anxious event. Some might have thought it was better late than never but by now, for her, it was already too late. The damage had already been done.

People she didn't care for either way had lost their jobs. There had been an entire term of militant structure and open resistance in a never ending cycle that left her exhausted. Jessa was beyond a reaction. She didn't know which to give.

There wasn't too much to think about regarding how the term went. He would just sit here, eat, go sleep and then head back home where he can... well.. would they even believe what happened to them? Yeah, they had to. His parents wouldn't be mad at him, especially with Elisa and Chloe and other people to confirm. He did NOT want to come back here if this was how Hogwarts would really be for the next six years of schooling.

So Taddy was just sitting there when he saw more people arriving. "Hi Ewan," He first noticed. He didn't seem to be a talkative mood, but he probably had alot on his mind too. "Wish we had some food already." He was regretting to forget to bring a snack, but knowing the Professor's eyes it'd prob be snatched right away.

"Hi Chloe," He smiled. "Boy am I ever, you're still coming over so we can play Quidditch right?" He wasn't going to let his flying training go to waste."Hi Lady Helena." Tad smiled up at the ghost, he didn't think he deserved as much praise at the others but felt calm over it.

"Hey Captain." Juni was super cool to him. Tad couldn't help agreeing, it felt nice to be part of the house that won the House Cup. His mom would like hearing that.

"Hi Hanna." How was his first year? "Oh, it went okay. Could be worse, could be better. You fared okay this year?" He didn't want to dampen the mood though. "Any summer plans?"

Eventually Tad looked over and he had to do a double-take. Wasn't that the original Headmistress? He looked around to see others noticing this. "Oh.." Tad gasped as he saw some of the professors get up to leave. "Are they.. leaving?" He asked aloud.

As soon as she had sorted out the little situation at the Slytherin table where one Maxton Carden had thought she was an impostor, Kay had bustled from the Hall to change her attire. The clothing he had been wearing was too small and aside from that, not suitable for the Feast. She was present in the Hall once more and was making her way to the Ravenclaw table. “Good evening to all of you!’’ Perhaps they had not seen her earlier at the Slytherin table and were now a little confused. “Your professors and Headmistress are back,’’ was her reassurance. In truth, she’d miss her kiddos a great deal.

“Before I head over to the Staff table, I would just like to congratulate you on the great work you’ve all put in this term. Professor Hirsch would have been proud.’’ Kay certainly was but she was not going to be taking any credit for this; she hadn’t been around anyway. The victory was all on the Claws. “I know it has been a difficult term but I advise to enjoy the summer, take the much needed leisure time. Next term, will be a much better one.’’ Here, she paused to look towards Jessa and the other seventh years. “To our graduates, I would like to wish you the best. I look forward to hearing great things about you in the future.’’ There was a soft smile before the woman continued. “Enjoy the rest of the Feast.’’ With that, she headed for the Staff Dais.

....

......

Did the idiot girl from Petrov's tent just.....had Wayland...Gryffindor....staff dais.......WHAT?

Jessa blinked, unable to lift her fork to her mouth or turn her attention back to her book when she saw the girl that had gotten her hexed over childish pranks turn into her former Head of House. Or was it current? Had she gotten her job back for coming to school and inciting riots that got children severely hexed? Had Wayland gotten his back for the same? Skulk around the castle, start problems then swoop in after?

Merlin she knew something was off about those students. They were far too brazen with everything to the point of being thoughtless. Now she saw the full extent of that thoughtlessness. Pulling pranks that would get others in trouble. Surely none of them thought pulling pranks would help. They could see that all the professors had to do was slap a couple detentions on them and make them stop.

What...honestly....were they thinking.

The one that ran out....he was usually with the one that turned out to be Wayland. She'd spotted them in Hogsmeade, quite cozy. Kennedy then? Lovely.

Jessa stared blankly at Stewart, feeling her dislike of the woman sinking even further. The bandages currently on her arm were her fault and she had the nerve to come congratulate her on graduation and the house on the cup before prancing off to the staff table like nothing was wrong with what any of them did? The Head Girl was floored. Entirely beyond herself and suddenly far more grateful that tomorrow would be her final day. The nerve. The absolute gall on these so called adults.

Consider her appetite ruined. Once again, she was over Hogwarts.