It always happened. One moment you’re feeling like the year is dragging at one point or another and the next it’s all over. And as this term had wound down, Rajesh was more than a touch glad that he hadn’t had any important exams to study and sit for. His time had been complicated enough then having to study like he had the previous year. Alas Lisa and Ash hadn’t been so lucky, thoughts of the latter reminding him that she would be leaving tomorrow morning for the last time. That had to be rough to be going though, knowing he’d have to brace himself for that next year.

Entering the Great Hall, Raj could see there were already a fair share of people, both staff and students there at the various tables. No familiar faces at the Ravenclaw just yet. He made his way to the middle of the Ravenclaw benches and took a seat to observe the goings on until the feast began in earnest.

With having finished writing in the memory book, Evan made his way back towards the Ravenclaw table, finding himself a spot and settling across from Raj who he gave a nod towards. He wasn't feeling particularly chatty though, feeling the finality of his time here and the uncertainty of what was to come next. Logically, he knew the next year would have some relaxation to it - while he gave himself plenty of time to figure out what he really wanted in the future. But for now... there was a slight twinge of fear settling itself in the pit of his stomach.

Hopefully once food was here he could eat to distract himself from that. But for now, he just remained quiet, eyes fixed on the staff table for the time being while waiting for the speech to begin.

Jude and Evan had come down to the Great Hall together but while his best friend had gone off to make an entry in the Memory Book {Jude hardly dared to believe it would be his turn in a year from now}, the Hufflepuff had stopped to greet Bella for a bit. After noticing Evan making his way to the Ravenclaw table, he had bid his favourite Slytherin bye {for now} and followed the bestie.

“Found you!’’ he announced himself cheerfully. “Hi, everyone! Just passing through,’’ Jude told the nearby Ravenclaws, which included Keighley’s girlfriend, Olivia. Actually, he was here to lend Evan some moral support, it being the Claw’s last end of term feast and all. He lifted a shoulder to bump the other boy’s. “Reckon I can convince you to spend an extra week at my place?” he asked, half seriously and half teasing.

Ash was more conflicted about Hogwarts than she'd ever been before. She'd spent years counting down the days until she was free, until she could leave Hogwarts and not come back... but now that it was the time, she hesitated. She was afraid.

She approached the table apprehensively, not sure what to say or do. First, she pulled gifts out of her bag and set them in front of Jude, Evan, Raj, and all her other friends. Then she sat down by them without a word.

And Evan…how had he forgotten Evan, the other Narn, had also faced his NEWTs and would be leaving for the adult world. But Rajesh remembered when the older Ravenclaw appeared at the table looking more than a little out of sorts. And not because he no longer had to worry about turning into an alpaca. Raj returned the nod with one of his own not sure of what to say in the situation, saved as Evan’s best friend appeared to show his support. "Hey," he said, echoing the greeting.

And then Ash appeared, dropping a wrapped gift in front of him as well as the others before sitting down with them. “Aww you didn’t have to,” Raj remarked, certainly not expecting anything from his fellow eagle. Though he had to admit he had enjoyed some of the times they had run into together. Before their powers both got out of control. “But thank you all the same.”

The cheerful tone of his best friend got a small smile from Evan, as he also nodded towards Jude, scooting a bit in case he wanted to sit for a moment before he had to make his way back to Hufflepuff table. "And hear I thought growth spurts had finally made me easier to spot." he attempted to tease, trying to at least appear less melancholic. The offer was tempting, and considered it for a moment before giving a small nod. "Maybe. Though I imagine if I did at the start your boyfriend might be grumpy." Maybe not, considering how chill the no-maj boy seemed to be based on his limited interactions. But also... Jude was a fun person to be around, and he imagined that Davet was missing the company. So if he hung out more... Maybe middle or end of summer would be better.

Suddenly there was a gift in front of him, and Evan looked at it before blinking and looking towards the giver and giving a small smile. "What's this?" Clearly it was Ash and her endless generosity. Which was making him feel a bit silly for but having considered before to prepare something for her and maybe some of the other seventh years.

Though... He was trying to treat graduation as a good bye to the building. But just a ... "see you later" to his peers.

Jude was in a very good mood, despite the fact he missed those butterfly pals of his. He was so sure that he would be unable to pass one in general without stopping to admire it. Ah well. But that cheerful mood of his was something he hoped would rub off on Evan. He couldn’t stand to see the bestie looking so down in the dumps. “Anyone could spot that head of hair of yours, actually,’’ Jude stated and reached up to give Evan’s hair a bit of ruffle. He was grinning broadly, having recognised Evan’s attempt to not be caught too much in a sad/worried mood. There wasn’t any hope on the Hufflepuff’s part that Evan would want to stick around on land longer than necessary so there was surprise on his part when his offer was actually considered. “I really doubt that Dav would feel that way. You know how laid back he is.” That was one of Davet’s best traits. “I think he’d understand that I wouldn’t be seeing you for a while, anyway.” And now he would just ignore that familiar sense of panic in the pit of his stomach; he needed to focus on that talk he and Evan had had at the Willow.

“Spending lots more time with dragons and hippogriffs this summer then, Raj?’’ Jude was still in awe of his fellow sixth year’s Gobstone-playing father; the man had taught him quite a lot even though Jude hadn’t planned on going pro. The guy was quite surprised to find an object sitting before him quite unexpectedly. It took him a moment to realise that it was Ash’s doing. He hadn’t been expecting it, even if he had given her something a few weeks back but it was awfully kind of her. “Thank you, Ash!’’ Jude remarked. “That’s kind of you.”

"I wanted to. You're welcome. It's got a card and everything," Ash murmured to Raj. They all ought to get used to her presents... she was very rich, and she liked to give people presents when she was sad. So... presents. "What does it look like? I'm giving you a goodbye gift, silly." And she put lots of thought into her Evan present because he was her best friend. She owed him more than could ever be made up, but presents were a good start. And of COURSE she'd gotten Jude a present, because he'd always been so nice to her and he'd given her that pretty bracelet.

"This summer, I'm going to get my apparition license. I'm going to move out. And I'm going to see my friends," she explained to nobody in particular. There were plenty of other things she had to do to, but she didn't feel like talking much. Not until she'd thought a lot.

His hair?? He'd been told multiple times he had nice hair but he didn't really think it was something that would distinguish him in a crowd. Though he'd take Jude's word for it, snorting softly as he made no move to fix the now mused mop. "That's true. But I also imagine he misses you a ton." although, he supposed it was true now neither he or the muggle boy would be seeing Jude often. At least... Not for the school year, and perhaps it would still be difficult to once Jude was on WADA. "Maybe so. How's Reagan doing with the impending leave?" they weren't as frosty, but Evan still tried to keep a somewhat wide berth from the Gryffindor - despite friendships with the majority of the rest of her dorm.

He looked at Ash's gift again, before smiling at her. "The thought is appreciated. But it's not goodbye. I'll see you plenty." He'd pop in as often as possible to see her. Ash was like another sister, and he worried about her as much as he worried about Lisa and Maya. "How are you feeling about heading home?'

Riiight.

As if Jude wasn’t used to Evan’s hair by now. Also, bestie did look so cute with messy hair. With regard to Davet, yes, he knew that Davet missed him a lot. It was heavily stressed in their correspondences from both the other boy and Jude himself. “He does,’’ the Hufflepuff replied cautiously. “I miss him a great deal too but I’ll manage to divide my time between you two, I promise.” And his cousins and his sisters and brother and his parents. It was of utmost importance to him to spend time with the relationships he held close to his heart. “Rea’s quite looking forward to going on tour with Ko and the band! I think it’ll do her well. I sort of feel guilty that she’s putting off WADA while she waits for me to graduate so we can attend together though.” Jude tilted his head questioningly. “You two okay? I mean, she hasn't been mean to you again, has she?

“Those sound like perfect plans, Ash! Good luck with Apparition!” Jude was quite thrilled to acquire his own license when the time came. “I hope we can meet up at some point when you’re not busy. It doesn’t have to be this summer but at some other point.” Jude was still touched that he had gotten a present from her.

Raj turned to Jude as the other boy’s question got his attention. “That is the usual plan,” he answered, confirming his plans for the summer. Plenty to keep busy with on the reserve. Not that he didn’t get free time to himself over the summer. “And dealing with the sisters getting ready for Hogwarts.” That was going to be the biggest change for the coming year…him in his final term and Dynah and Nadia starting out. “What about you?”

I wanted to. Rajesh smiled because those were the best presents to get, the ones not done out of obligation, and she surely hadn’t been required to. But then that was Ash, a very giving heart, even when plagued by Peeves’ ‘gifts’ like the rest of them. Those flowers were carefully pressed between the pages of a book to keep. And he had noticed the card and all like she had made a point to point out. “I’m sure I’ll love it.” Though he was all for opening it up at another time