Darius had a number of things on his mind as he sat knowing the end was near as he would graduate. His eyes were up at the enchanted sky. He had to make certain decisions and of course spend time with the family. But then what after that? He was expecting certain questions to be asked by his friends when they arrive... and perhaps he was ready to answer them at last.

Aside from that, he was feeling pretty good reliving the memory on helping take down the coward of a board member. He couldn't wait to share this news back home.

Aria Mae McLeod hated saying goodbye to the people she liked. Sure, there was the chance that they would meet again but still… It was for this reason that she secretly hated the End of Term feasts. And the mornings after. Horrid, horrid times those were.

“Daaarius!’’ Aria sing-sang, plopping herself onto the space next to her friend and pretending as though him graduating wasn’t bothering her. Darius had been one of the few to really understand her seeing as they had some traits in common. She playfully reached out to poke him lightly in the shoulder. “A galleon for your thoughts? AND. Did you know that I’m going to miss you terribly next term?”

Apollo was not normally an emotional one, but maybe something was changing in him. Other than the fact that he was growing like a weed He didn't know what it was but as he made his way into the Great Hall that evening, something compelled him to walk towards the Slytherin Table unrelated to the pretty girl(s) and maybe get some final words of wisdom from his former teammate. He hadn't told him the news yet, but surely Darius would have heard?

"Darius..." He placed a hand on his shoulder. What did one even say to someone who you may never see again? This goodbye stuff was seriously for the birds. "You uh... you .. be good out there. Maybe I'll see you around sometime." Okay, yea, he should go back to his table now. Besides wasn't as if she was here yet. Though with Aria here, surely it wouldn't be long before her dormmates were present and maybe it was for the best to not be at the Slytherin table when that happened. He still wasn't ready to confront the feelings^TM

Violet was in a benevolent mood this evening--all in all, it had been a pretty good year, minor incidents like getting trapped in her common room and losing her homework down a giant crack in the dungeon floor aside. Compared to the strain of the Neo-Alliance years and even last year, with the O.W.L.S. and all, this year had been relatively calm and pleasant. Next year would probably be tense again, with the N.E.W.T.S. coming up (and she still had to make up her mind which tests she was going to take), but it would still be better than the O.W.L.S., because she was now fully over the after-effects of Poppy's potions and felt fairly confident in her abilities at the ripe age of eighteen.

Strolling over to her table, she saw Darius and the ever-bubbly Aria already there, but was curious to pass by a somewhat awkward looking Gryffindor, apparently one brave enough to linger over near the Snakes side of the room. "Evening, Apollo," she said nonchalantly as she came up behind him and then moved to take a seat next to Darius.

Aria propped her elbows up on the table then interlocked her fingers so that she was able to rest her delicate chin on them. Her gaze was everywhere, taking in all the happenings. She spotted Apollo from a distance and regarded him curiously as he approached the Slytherin Table. Ah, he was here to bid farewell to dear Darius. Aria looked the Gryffindor over, thinking that he seemed more awkward than regular. And what was this? He actually ignored her? Two could play that game. Run along back to your Table now, Adara-Stark.

Not having anything to say {as usual} to Violet, Aria contemplated her upcoming summer plans. Imagine interning at a successful fashion studio, one that belonged to Anita Sandhu! This teenager could hardly wait to officially begin her modelling career!

Entering the great hall Isabella 'Bella' Connolly let her eyes wander up at the ever changing ceiling as she did at least once every day. Then her focus shifted to the snake table as she slowly walked towards it, noting who was already there like Darius, Aria, Violet and Apollo. That her best friend was there and not over at the lion table was a little odd, but Bella figured he just wanted to say something to Darius or someone.

Coming up to the table Bella took a seat across from Darius and the others. "Hey everyone!" she greeted with smiles to Darius, Aria, Violet and Apollo.

"Evening Violet," Darius said. She always had a cool air about her that he respected. Followed by "Hey Bella," who joined in their side of the table. Each moment that passed it only confirmed the reality on him leaving.

Darius smiled at Aria, "Just a Galleon?" He felt his own thoughts to be worth way more, as a tease. "I wish I could say the same.... I'm just kidding, it's going to be weird not being around here with you anymore." He usually found these kinds of sentiments cheesy. But they usually were for good reason. Aria was just as good as another little sister to him. He rarely said it, but he would miss her too. "Soon as I pass the tryouts, I'll score you some tickets to see a game." Best reasons to be pulled away from Hogwarts, yes? He was thrilled to get the attention from a Scout as a Professional Beater.

It hadn't been long since he sat down that he saw Apollo heading over to him. How sweet. He gripped the hand that was over his shoulder to give a subtle firm shake. "Hey, you got it Apollo, I trust you'll lead the U-17 team while I'm gone, yeah?" His little team and training brother. He would say more but given the rules they'd have to wait until after the final speech and the train ride home before he could share the other good news.

Violet looked up at Bella's approach. "Evening, Bella, Darius, Aria" Yes, Aria could ignore her if she liked, but that just encouraged Violet to push the other girl just a bit (couldn't let the younger snakes push you around, not when you were about to become a Seventh Year).

Violet looked around the room to see who else was there at the other tables. She saw her friend, Ashley, sitting at the Ravenclaw table up near the teachers, looking a little glum as usual. Two years of being friends with the younger girl and Violet had still not been able to find out what was going on with her life to cause her to seem vaguely unhappy all the time.

Violet herself could not feel unhappy this evening, though. She felt fairly pleased about the year and she had received a letter just a few days earlier with some excellent news, news that she was for now keeping more or less a secret. Witch Weekly was going to publish the short story she had written about the Neo-Alliance takeover of Hogwarts (well, more of a novella, really, since it was rather long). It would be published serially in three parts over the summer and the first issue would be out by the end of June. The magazine was not Violet's first choice, but The Daily Prophet had proven stubborn about presenting anything that put the school or Ministry "in a bad light," as they had put it. Violet snorted to herself--she had no doubt that it was the Ministry that didn't want anything published that reminded people of just how bad things had gotten at the school (and how they did very little about it, until the end of the year). Well, no matter, the Prophet wasn't the only periodical in the world, not even in the small world of witches and wizards.

Violet had told only a few people--Ash and Miss Howard--that she had even submitted the story to be published, and she had told no one at all yet that it had finally been accepted. Violet decided that she wouldn't, but would just wait until the next issue of the magazine came out with her story in it and see what everyone said. Her grandfather, when she had hinted at the whole writing venture, had 'hummphed' and told her not to do it, and if she did do it to absolutely not use the family name and embarrass the ancient House of Blackthorne (so of course Violet had gone ahead and sent it out, under her full and proper name). Wouldn't Ignatius Blackthorne be surprised to see his ancient name staring out from the cover of Witch Weekly? Violet could hardly wait.

“Hello, hello, Bella!” Aria chirped. “Finally made it down from the dorm, I see.” Then again, Aria had been wandering the grounds before coming to the Hall so she wasn’t even sure the dorm was where Bella had been. But WHY in Merlin's good name was Violet emphasising her name like that? The fourth year wiggled her fingers at the older girl. “Evening, Violet! You’re extra cheerful tonight.”

“You don’t get more than a galleon because I’m pouty about you leaving.” Seeeeee? Aria lifted her face slightly then actually pouted. She was really a lot more upset than she let on but heavens no! There would be no spoiling Darius’ final Hogwarts Feast with a bunch of sadness. “How dare you!’’ Laughing, the fourth year reached out to smack Darius on the arm. She was very missable, thank you very much, Sir! On a side note, it warmed her heart to know that he was going to miss her. “I look forward to that. And I’ll be cheering for you the loudest!” Aria legit couldn’t wait for all the good things to go Darius’ way now that he was embarking on a new chapter. “Also, let me know about the guys you meet.” There was a wink from her because while she herself was not interested in dating at the moment, she wanted to hear all about Darius’ dating life. You know… so Aria could Transfigure anyone who might hurt her friend.

End of term feasts were not Bella's favourites. After this feast and train ride Darius wasn't going to be coming back after the summer for another year. Looking over at him she voiced out in a tad emotional tone. "I'm going to miss you Darius, the snake den isn't going to be the same without you. I hope we can stay in touch via letters?" He was like a 'big brother' type friend to her here at Hogwarts when she couldn't talk to Apollo or Aria or someone about things that happened around school and so on.

Turning to Aria first she chirped back with a smile. "I did Aria. I had to break up a kneazle fight in the common room on my way up. The scratches i got on my arm still hurt." Lesson learned, boy kneazles did not mix well. Rubbing her left arm as if to show Aria where she had been scratched she turned her attention to Violet. "Have you got any summer plans Violet?" Bella wondering what was going on between Aria and Violet.