Nina wore a long face upon arriving at the Great Hall. While most of her friends looked forward to the summer holiday, Nina had other opinions. She didn’t like that her friends lived so far away. At Hogwarts, she could see anyone whenever she wanted. Finding Calloway was a matter of walking into the Common Room, spending time with Calyx was a part of her daily routine, and girl-talk with Lenora could happen at least once a week.

And to make matters worse, the end of the term meant the seventh years were graduating. It was difficult enough when Indigo had graduated, but this year she was losing Freddy, Drewett, and Mackenzie all at once... Next year she would be the one graduating. Everything was changing and Nina Castillo hated it so much. It was all she could think about as she took a seat at the Slytherin table, near the end furthest from the staff dais.

Imagine her surprise when Trent had told her that he had decided to let her and Bernie attend the Feast. Truthfully, it didn't matter to Claudine if she attended or not. Being stuck in the dorm just meant that she would be there alone for a long while and that was just fine with her. Still, she had thanked Trent politely and after much deliberation, brought herself to the Great Hall when the time came.

"As soon as I'm done eating, I'll got back to the dorm,'' she thought to herself and tried to inconspicuously slip into a space at the Slytherin table without being noticed. Claudine avoided looking towards the Gryffindor table. Who knew what mood Bernie would be in? And she didn't exactly wanted to speak with Cole for a while.

As she stepped into the Great Hall for the final time this school year, Isla Bellchant had a mix of emotions. On one hand, she was super happy to be getting a break from all her school work. It'd be nice to sleep in and not wake up to a mountain of assignments to do. Although, she was fairly sure her mom would have her helping out around the house.

On the other hand, though, she was super bummed that Slytherin had apparently not won the house cup. Unless there was a super huge amount of house points given out at the last second, which she doubted there would be, it looked like it was a win for the Lions. Oddly enough, that had been the house she had thought she'd be sorted into at the very beginning of the school year.

The soon-to-be second year passed by the only other Snake at the table. "Hey, Nina," she said, as she sat down toward the middle. "You okay?" The older girl looked really upset about something. She turned her head just in time to see that Claudine had sat down, too. She just gave the girl a nod, because something about her expression told her she didn't want to talk.

F I N A L L Y.

James Eiji Rasting was not one to have size seven thoughts, but they were in abundance this term. It wasn't that Hogwarts felt more hostile than Beauxbatons had last term, but this year had gone by at a sluggish pace and felt even more painful in it's execution. He placed all the blame on his near decapitation towards the beginning of term...but that wasn't even the half of it.

His eyes glanced over towards the Ravenclaw table as he approached his own, hyper focusing on his efforts to find a certain brunette and ignore practically everyone else. Distancing was still a thing...and the constant reminder of what either was or was not present in his dorm every night made his conceal don't feel efforts nearly impossible. He could not wait to be at Himitsumahou...and THAT was saying something.

"It's a feast...not a funeral, Nina," he sighed as he sat down beside his best friend and mostly ignore the others around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

F I N A L L Y.

James Eiji Rasting was not one to have size seven thoughts, but they were in abundance this term. It wasn't that Hogwarts felt more hostile than Beauxbatons had last term, but this year had gone by at a sluggish pace and felt even more painful in it's execution. He placed all the blame on his near decapitation towards the beginning of term...but that wasn't even the half of it.

His eyes glanced over towards the Ravenclaw table as he approached his own, hyper focusing on his efforts to find a certain brunette and ignore practically everyone else. Distancing was still a thing...and the constant reminder of what either was or was not present in his dorm every night made his conceal don't feel efforts nearly impossible. He could not wait to be at Himitsumahou...and THAT was saying something.

"It's a feast...not a funeral, Nina," he sighed as he sat down beside his best friend and mostly ignore the others around.

Nettie had not gone over to the Slytherin table TRYING to stir up any sort of feelings in Eiji. She was, honestly, just looking for Alex and wanting to talk to him about summer plans. Mostly she needed to bug him about what his living situation would be like, because if he hadn't figured things out...well, she wouldn't be a very good girlfriend if she let him sleep in some dark alleyway somewhere, right?

But of course, as she passed, she happened to walk by Eiji as he sat down. She paused, wondering if she should say something or continue what she had been doing this whole time - ignoring him, even though her every nerve was always urging her to bug him. She had been quiet, though. Flashing him only a small smile if she happened to catch his eye before hurriedly looking away. Just something to let him know that, if he ever DID want to talk again, she was here. And Merlin, she wanted to talk to him. She missed him. Keeping her mouth shut and not pushing him was one of the hardest things she had had to do. She had made a vow to be a better friend, and that required being patient and going against literally every instinct she had. After their initial conversation she had tried to fool herself into thinking that she could push past this with him - but that wasn't fair, nor was it being a good friend. It was selfish.

Still, they were about to be separated for the summer months, which would...hopefully be good. So, biting her lip, she looked at Eiji - who happened to be sitting next to Nina, thank Merlin, which gave her an excuse to chat up both of them just for a moment. "Hey Eiji, Nina," she said, smiling softly at them both. "I hope you guys have a great summer!" There. It was simple white flag gesture towards him, but did not invite them to participate in the conversation if they didn't want to not that she thought Nina had anything against her, but she wouldn't do that to Eiji. Not now.

And then she walked back down to the end of the table, sitting next to a first year (Isla) while waiting for Alex to arrive.

No. To put it quite simply, Nina was not okay. She had been dreading the end of this term for the past two years, actually. ”I’m fine,” she replied to the younger girl (Isla). Nina only ever lied out of necessity and though she could pretend it came to her easily, it never really did. She felt a lot of guilt lying, but she was usually far better at playing it off as truth. She didn’t have enough energy to expend on pretending tonight though. ”Thank you for asking.” Her reply was polite, but there was no way that she would be continuing this line of conversation with a complete stranger and… a first year? Um. No.

Furthermore, she had very strategically chosen this seat because it was far from others and there was one person who she very much knew would appreciate this. He also happened to be the one person she needed terribly right now and fortunately his timing was rather impeccable. ”I’m allowed to be upset, Eiji,” he received an eye-roll in greeting, but his presence was very much needed.

She was about to hint at just that when someone who Nina did not feel so warmly about (as of late) made her presence known. The Slytherin immediately felt herself tense up, some sort of anger bubbled within her body as she very much chose NOT to return the greeting. Despite wanting nothing more than to glare at the girl, her eyes immediately turned towards Eiji, who she knew would hate this. She also knew that he was likely to vacate the Slytherin table all together and despite not being able to handle this without him, she wouldn’t protest because she knew.

Which made Nina even ANGRIER at Nettie. What sort of game was she trying to play here?! This was not her house table and Nina knew the girl to be aware (despite being remarkably air-headed). The Ravenclaw was either far more vindictive than Nina thought her to be, or she was actually stupid.

Was anyone placing bets on when Nina would burst into tears? Because in all likelihood? She wouldn’t last far beyond the next post.

He couldn't help but chuckle at Nina's response and he knew she knew perfectly well that he was not discouraging her emotional displays. He may be one of the few who never actively made fun of her, though he did take affectionate jabs at it simply because he knew he could get away with it. "Just making sure you knew why you were in mourning," he shrugged while pushing his fork into a more parallel position with his spoon at his table setting. "Because it's not goodbye forever if the connection is worth it."

Ironic words considering who was just about to come strutting up to their house table.

He felt the hairs rise on the back of his neck and that fork he had so meticulously adjusted was flicked entirely out of position. She, Trinetta, had to be joking right now. Could she really not spend the few hours a feast took up without her incessant need to curl up in his dormmate's lap? It couldn't have happened until after the feast or the bloody train tomorrow? If it weren't for the fact that he knew Missa took her prefecting duties seriously and was therefore bound to her own house table...Eiji would have gotten up to move right on over there. Ironic that the girl who had tossed her badge and would have been the one ushering Ravenclaws to sit at their own house table was not the one doing that very thing.

Whatever. W h a t e v e r.

He was relieved he already had plans to not return to his own dorm this evening.

And he certainly didn't need to see any of this while he was meant to be eating.

Those after feast plans? He wished those were now because he just wanted to be alone with Missa at the moment so maybe, maybe, his thoughts could be quieted and his blood cooled. No offense, Nina.

Her white flag was having its pole snapped in to as his jaw set before he did her the courtesy of replying. "It will be good to be away from here," he replied coolly as he glanced over towards the Ravenclaw table. Was he pining? Yes, yes he was. And he felt like he was about to snap.

Speaking of being away...he needed to physically distance himself.

"I need to use the restroom," he made up lamely as an excuse to Nina as he stood and worked on compartmentalizing what he was feeling because in the end...it wasn't worth it. It didn't change a thing.

And then he was stepping away from the table to...go to the bathroom. Apparently.

Thank Merlin all of them made it to feast. It was one hell of a school year with the wonky portraits and those fake founders running around the school, Jillian was relieved that it's all done now. Not all of them were bad, some were memorable like the fake baby homework. She was deep in organizing and packing up her stuff for the next day when they go home and realized that she needed to get ready for the feast. She tied her hair into a clean braid and added a green ribbon on the bottom.

Yes, she wanted to feast.

The sixth year finally made it into the great hall and dashed her way over to the Slytherin table. Boy was she hungry-- realllllly hungry. Jillian's eyes wandered and smiled at her fellow Slytherins (Isla, Claudine and Nina). She noticed Nina looking upset about something, perhaps it was an end of the term thing? It was a bittersweet time, it's natural. She then saw Nettie as well, smiled at the sixth year Ravenclaw before she sat down. She was looking around to find Harley and saved a seat for him next to her.

Was Austin the only one who thought this year flew by for some reason? Eh. He went and found a seat the Slytherin table, waving at the few housemates that were already there.
Austin frowned when he spotted Nina sitting down. She looked like she was about to cry. He never did like her but he didn't want to see someone cry either. He walked over to her quietly.
"Hey. Nina, what's wrong?" He asked. Maybe it was a mistake. He didn't know but he just wanted to help.

This was it. His final feast of his final year. And Gunnar was honestly happy about it. He was looking forward to the future and he was ready to leave Hogwarts. It was time.

Once he had done the last of his packing and tending to a few of his Head Boy duties, the seventh year Slytherin stepped into the Great Hall for the last time. He had several people he'd like to say goodbye to, but in general he'd see the people he cared the most about after tomorrow anyway.

But for now, Gunnar took a seat at his house table, giving an acknowledging nod to a few already there, and he glanced at Eiji as he got up to leave. He didn't know what sort of drama was brewing at that end of the table and he'd be happy to stay out of it, thanks. Instead, he glanced towards the Hufflepuff table, looking for his boyfriend. Gunnar was hungry and hoping that the speech would be soon so he could eat, but maybe they could sit together. And uh, yeah... he should probably get up to write something in the memory book before he left too.

Pretty soon, the table was filling up, and Isla was kind of stuck in a position of not knowing who to talk with while they passed their time. The older kids seemed kind of lost in their own business, and Isla didn't want to jump in. She did, however, give Nina a brief reply before going about her own business. A brief reply in the form of a nod, that is.

"Hey, Nettie...Jillian...Gunnar," she said, giving a small mention to people nearby. Where was Blake anyway? If he was here, at least she'd have somebody to talk to. It kind of felt awkward jumping into conversation with any of the people sitting around her. She really had to get out more next school year...

The first year sighed and rested her face in the palm of her hand. Please tell me the train ride home isn't going to be this awkward...

Curtis was here, just... here... asleep. His arms folded as his head rested inside with the Slytherins. Specifically near the Headboy and other older students. He was more than ready for the term to end so he could go back home. No more boring Professors to deal with until next term. Fifth year was going to be scary, he'll have to study all the time. Gross. And he was quite sure his parents weren't going to let him relax in the summer.

So, for now, he was resting his eyes until the food can appear and then he can go about his merry. Unless someone needed to talk with him, of course. He had doubts on that and was perfectly fine either way.

Claudine caught Isla’s nod which she returned. The second year debated with herself for a moment (since she wasn’t quite keen on forming conversation at the moment) before saying. “Nice work. Keep it up next term.’’ And she meant every word. Then she was watching the older Slytherins arrive; the ones who always seemed to the younger ones. Even as she watched, they drifted together. Not that she cared. Jillian, perhaps because she was the Slytherin prefect, smiled to which Claudine bobbed her head twice. Aside from those acknowledgements, the girl only glanced at Gunnar (wondering at the same time if he was sad to graduate) and at Curtis (wondering if he had toned down with his shenanigans. Secretly, she hoped he hadn’t).

At the Staff table, she saw Trent and Fuller-Thompson but there was no way she could hide from either of them. Claudine knew that they both would be keeping a sharp eye on her and Bernie. Speaking of her best friend… the Slytherin’s gaze darted to the Gryffindor table before she realised what she was doing.

There was Bernie being social, cool and outgoing as usual. Why was she patting Lucas’s hand though? Claudine marveled that physical contact was that easy for anyone. Resigned now, her eyes sought out Cole. He too was being social; and of course, one of the persons he was being so was Naya.

Jillian stared at the blank plate long enough to notice more and more students have came in to join their schoolmates. She noticed the headboy coming in. Obviously she stood up and got near him. This was her last time to speak with him after all. It was bittersweet. She didn't converse with Gunnar that much other than prefect duties but he was someone she looked up to. "Hello" she smiled at the seventh year Slytherin. "congrats and good luck" not that there was much to say but she wishes him the best of luck.

He will be missed.

She waved at Isla and Claudine when she got back. She was one of their best first years in Slytherins. Jillian liked her.

She moved back to her seat and found Curtis nearby- he seemed quiet. It has been quite a year for him too to be honest and well... She sits right next to him to say hello because why not. "Hi, Curtis" she said with a gentle smile. "You excited for summer vacation?" is it weird that Jillian is being chatty? Perhaps.

Curtis could hear his name but it wasn't an adult male calling him out. He raised his head up, his vision temporarily fuzzy for about a second as the world in front of him returned. Who was it? Oh, it was one of the nice Prefects (Jillian). "Hi.." She was friendly and pretty cute too.

So she wanted to know about his summer? Aw. Well, he wasn't surprised by that, he knew how good looking he was even if he was a bit younger. He returned the smile, despite knowing what he'll be enduring this summer, "Yeah, we go traveling during the summer. Don't know where we'll be going but I'm really looking forward to it." He didn't really care to know what she would be doing the summer, but he wasn't going to be rude to a hot older woman. "How about you? Fun plans this summer?"

Annnd the speech commenced. I'd personally like to thank everyone who didn't force me to give them a detention or any variation of point loss. Curtis of course knew exactly who the Headmaster was referring to with that announcement. If his daddy wasn't right there, he would've stood up to say exactly what he wanted to say. But the more he thought about it, the more humourous he found it. So he really has strong feelings regarding me? His grin grew. So it was almost like a compliment to him. Suddenly, next year will be interesting.

Oh, and he did see Professor Dad looking at him. Curtis with his smile just waved in the direction of the staff table.

Jillian's encounter with Curtis is about him getting in trouble with a teacher, the headmaster, his dad scolding him in a corner and of course that one time she was trapped in a painting. Yes, she recognized him despite him being there for a brief moment. So this encounter.... It's a bit different from the rest of those previous encounters. Jillian figured that deep down the fourth year can be a nice bloke apart from the shenanigans.

She smiled and nodded when he shared his summer plans "I hope you enjoy your summer vacation" she uttered. She's not entirely sure what her plans are for summer since there were no more ministry internships- she was actually looking forward for another summer of that. Her shoulders shrugged as she looked at him "mostly, boredom" and everything else in between.

Jillian's attention changed when the Headmaster finally started his speech. There was a few in his speech that made her smirk. Mostly because she felt like he was actually really happy that this year is over and he gets to have that rest he deserves. Yeah, it was quite a school year to remember. A lot happened and she's not sure how to tell these to her father when she comes home from school. Oh right and Gryffindor won. Jillian was not entirely happy about that but she's just being bitter about it. There's always next year.

Anyway.....

The table is now filled of deliciousness. Jillian's face lit up at the meal she is about to partake. YUM. Everything looks absolutely yummy. She grabs her fork and takes a slice of the meat in front of her, placing it carefully on her plate. "Eat well!" she said, looking at Curtis and smiled.

Eiji was one of the few who never actively made fun of her and she appreciated that more than he could ever know. She smiled a little in reply to his words, though she sill shook her head. Mourning was a very dramatic way to describe how she was feeling though it was entirely appropriate for the long face she wore. ”I know that, but it won’t be the same as having them here.” She wasn’t worried about losing the friendships, but the distance meant that people wouldn’t be as accessible as they once were. And though she did not want to admit it, Nina was a little bit…. clingy.

She watched Eiji tense up upon Trinetta’s greetings and it took every ounce of her not to say something rude to the Ravenclaw. Was Trinetta not a prefect he term before? She should know better than to sit at the wrong table. It set a horrible example for other students. And quite frankly, it was annoying. You didn’t see Nina sitting at the Gryffindor table to be with Calyx. As much as she wanted to be with him, she could survive for the duration of the feast and surely Trinetta Gladin could too.

Was Nina judging her? Yes. Without a doubt.

It also didn’t help that Nina could tell how the Ravenclaw’s presence was effecting Eiji and though she didn’t want him to leave, she understood that it he likely needed a moment to let his blood simmer. Which meant that Nina was once again sat alone. She didn’t feel up for returning Jillian’s smile and when Gunnar arrived, she didn’t wave. She would go congratulate him later though, and express her thanks for his friendship. She was sad to see him leave too.

Despite wanting to cry, she was very much holding herself together even with Austin’s question. The sixth year turned when she heard him speaking, but didn’t respond right away. He had been nothing but rude to her in any of their interactions. And no, she hadn’t forgotten about that time he had assaulted her with a ceramic plate. ”Nothing you need to worry about,” was her simple reply to his question. She didn’t want anyone’s pity.

Fortunately the drama taking place was soon interrupted by Headmaster Trent (who looked especially handsome tonight). She could tell he was ready for the summer, and it did make her a little less upset to see him in his element like that. With the end of his speech came food and Nina couldn’t have been happier for the excuse not to talk to anyone.

Nettie wasn't sure why Nina was giving her the stink eye - after all, she'd done nothing to HER and nothing to Eiji other than existing. Not to mention there was no RULE she was breaking, thank you very much. You could visit other tables whenever you pleased. As a former prefect, she was well aware of that. She truly DID need to find Alex and ask him about his summer plans, as he had been insistent on dodging the question up until now. If she needed to ask her dad if he could crash on the couch, she had a very little window of time where she could run up and send an owl before the train left. Because she certainly couldn't bring herself to ask him in PERSON when they met on the platform. Y I K E S.

Of course, she had no idea what it was that had Nina's knickers in a twist, so she just smiled at her and then nodded at Eiji as he finally answered. "Oh. Good. I'm glad," she had said softly before turning back to the ground of people she had chosen to sit near. She wasn't at all surprised when she heard the creak of the bench behind her as he got up and left the table. Good to be away from here...and away from HER, of course, that was what he had really wanted to say. She took a deep breath, swallowing away a lump that was forming in her throat as she tried to focus on the people around her as she waited for her boyfriend.

Even Isla looked annoyed about something, and naturally her brain went right to it being HER that had caused that reaction - was she that appalling?! Even the first years hated her?? What had she done to her?! "You ok there Isla?" she asked, blinking at her.

Obviously, Trinetta should just go crawl in a hole. It would be better for everyone, apparently!