It had been an unusual year for Dhruv, and after they had had time to settle in once more as their self, they had begun to feel some level of shame at the way they had treated their colleagues and students. True, it wasn't Dhruv's fault; that could only be blamed on the Mirror's enchantments but still...

This shame was still present as the DADA professor arrived at the Staff Table but they did their best to ignore it as they settled into their assigned seat. Instead, they tried to think of happy things: lessons with Daniel, hangouts with friends, time by themself and of course, Slytherin winning the House Cup. Their old House had done them proud.

The year had been truly exciting, and Rue had truly cherished the experience Hogwarts had given her. But while she did not like to admit she was aging and that her handicap truly limited her in what she could handle... Hogwarts had exhausted her. Not the teaching, no, the students had for the most part been truly wonderful. But the sheer size of the castle and the commotion that seemed to come along with being one of the adults responsible for a massive amount of children, it left her feeling haggard and in need of a very long break.

Which was exactly what she would be giving herself. She would continue to teach, but through private institutions where she was working only one on one with students. That seemed to be more her speed, though she would certainly miss the students she has met thus far.

It was bittersweet, to be sure. But for tonight, she would not be focusing on the bitter part and focusing her sole energy on the sweet. A pleasant meal with her colleagues, while they celebrated the hard earned victory of Hady's own house. Taking her seat between the chair of the winning Head of House and the already seated restored DADA Professor, she offered Dhruv a smile. "I'm truly looking forward to enjoying the feast tonight in all the elves true culinary glory. How are you feeling, Dhruv?"

Three years down…

And while Celeste didn’t regret switching from teaching at the university to Hogwarts one bit, the latter certainly made life a bit more interesting. Made her somewhat glad her children had already long gone through their seven years within the castle. At least the situation with the mirror and people behaving out of sorts was relatively back to normal. With no serious harm, well other than the destruction of the charmed heirloom itself. And she didn’t want to dwell on poor Macarius out of his time and element.

No...not when it was supposed to be a happy, celebratory night.

Coming up to the staff dais, the older woman took in who was already there. One of their newer additions who certainly was around for a more complicated term and Dhruv who had joined the staff when she had. “Guid evening,” she greeted both warmly, offering a bit more umph to her smile at the Defense professor as she moved to her own seat. She may never be able to fully understand what all they had gone through with the mirror mania, but Celeste had been trying her best to be supportive of all who had gone through it, especially her colleagues.

There was nothing quite like a clean castle to perk one’s spirits right up.

Or perhaps it was the euphoria of another year successfully completed, depending on one’s definition of success that was. Despite the hiccups of the term everyone seemed to be themselves once more, including those dear house elves who’d set Hogwarts right back to its original splendor. It was nice to enter the Great Hall and pull out his chair to take a seat, without a smattering of dust flying up from the cushions to attack his allergies. He was a very happy Headmaster indeed.

Settling into his chair, the gentleman’s eyes turned to survey his colleagues with a familiar twinkle in his eyes. “Good evening all. I trust everyone is feeling well this evening?” His eyes perhaps lingered for a brief moment on Dhruv of those in attendance, before his attention also turned to Roulan and Celeste as well.

Though this term wasn't squeaky clean, the least now was Ean needing to pick out cobwebs from his plate before his meal. And the common room and his rooms were given a new refreshing look. "Evening," He said pleasantly to each of his colleagues as he made his way to his seat. "It's nice to return to a well-kept hall again," The head of lions though was a little sadden at the position his house ended up in. Any blame he had however was not directed on the lions. So he didn't linger on such negative emotions, it wasn't his style to let that ruin his meal and the rest of the evevning.

The summer was awaiting Feirgrund, and he had much to look forward to afterward that would turn the tides. Assuming he still had a place to call home this summer as he looked towards where his godson was to be seated.

It would be only the second but final Feast at which Rue would sit next to them. Dhruv was heartily saddened by this fact because the woman was well liked on their part, and they were sure that many students felt the same. They watched her amble into her seat before taking up the conversation starter. “Hear, hear!’’ Dhruv said softly but enthusiastically. “I dare say it's wonderful to see the Castle back in its full glory also. I’m just sorry that you won’t be here to experience it come the new academic year.” But Dhruv completely understood wanting to take time for oneself; they really did. “A tad better. I still feel terrible about everything…” They shrugged lightly. “I’ll be fine though.” Dhruv’s colleagues knew all about their feelings, as was evidenced in Celeste’s greeting. The extra cheerful smile did not go unnoticed and they appreciated it. “Hello there, Celeste.” His own smile was a grateful one.

There was also Wilbur who now occupied the throne-like seat on Dhruv’s left. The Headmaster too received a smile. “Doing better,’’ they replied honestly. It truly felt wonderful to know that they were cared for. “Rue and I were just having a chat about how wonderful it would be to have the House Elves’ scrumptious cooking once again.” Dhruv’s closest colleague, Ean, got a wave in greeting. They’d offer some words of encouragement later: the Lions were sure to do better next term.

Every term seemed to prove something unique and made Amelia more grateful that her direct heirs were done with their Hogwarts schooling. Though she felt waves of guilt thinking about her little brother's offspring, but hopefully she'd be here to keep an eye on them.

She nodded at Ean's sentiments about the well-kept hall. "Definitely and my sinuses appreciate it too." Who'd have thought that the elves weren't overworked at all, but it just came down to friendship in short. Then again, as a former Hufflepuff she wasn't surprised since she definitely believed in the power of friends.

She glanced down the table giving nods of acknowledgement at Rue, Dhruv, Celeste and Wilber - although didn't make an effort to join their conversations as being far away was a hindrance. Why was it still a long table? They needed a round table to make communicating easier.

This term had given Norman a lot to think about. He always thought his polar opposite would be a cruel tyrant like Lucien Rosier, but his mirror image was nothing like that! He wasn’t sure what to make of it. Was it because that level of evil was beyond even the worst version of himself? Or because he had more in common with the man than he cared to admit?

Then there was the way the students responded to his other half… well, before his antics became too over the top anyway. He thought his fun side had died long ago with his wife. Maybe there was a way to bring it back - not to the point of singing and skipping through the halls like an overexcited child, but some element of fun.

The transfiguration professor was lost in thought as he approached the staff dais. “Good evening, all,” he greeted, nodding politely to each person in turn. His eyes lingered on Dhruv for a second, giving them a knowing look. He could somewhat relate to being ashamed of one’s mirror image. He took his place at the far end of the dais, looking out at the house tables. So far, so good. Clean castle, students and staff acting normal, and no sign of shenanigans!

The headmaster sat contentedly on his throne, watching the students chatter amongst themselves like happy little chipmunks. Ah, youth! The gentleman was soon distracted by more arrivals. “Good evening, Ean,” he replied with a soft chuckle. “Ho, ho! Yes, it most certainly is! You know what they say, cleanliness is next to happiness.”

There was the potions mistress! “Hello, Amelia, dear,” Wilber greeted, smiling. “You can say that again! Speaking of which, that reminds me of a joke. What did the nut say when it sneezed?” While he awaited her answer, he took the opportunity to greet the latest arrival. “Good evening, Norman. I trust you’re well this evening.”

Dhruv’s words got a smile. “Glad to hear it! Of course, no one blames you, dear. We know that wasn’t you.” All’s well that ends well. There was no lasting harm done, aside from the loss of the mirror itself. Such a shame to lose an heirloom - regrettable but necessary. Wilbur didn’t dwell on the loss for long, however. The mention of the house elves’ cooking perked him right up. “I completely agree, especially their delicious baked goods! I could really go for a sugar cookie. How about you? Is there a particular food you’re eager to sample?”


After allowing a few more moments for stragglers, Wilber rose to his feet with a soft groan. He raised a hand for quiet, pausing until he had everyone’s attention. “The end of another term at Hogwarts is upon us, young people! Tonight we have a delicious feast to look forward to, so I won’t keep you. I know you’re all hungry little chipmunks! First, a couple of announcements are in order, starting with the House Cup winner. Congratulations, Slytherin! It was a well-earned victory. Please give a round of applause!”

He turned toward the Slytherin table, leading the school in applause. When the clapping died down, he continued, “For some of you, this will be your final feast with us. Congratulations to this year’s graduating class! I trust you’ll go out into the world and shine like the bright little stars you are. A round of applause for the seventh years!”

He led another brief round of applause. “I wish you all, students and staff alike, a happy summer full of friends, family, and fun! Now let’s tuck into our meal!”

With that, plates of food appeared on the tables.

Tapio had been sitting in uncharacteristic silence as he waited for the feast, though he greeted each of his colleagues with a smile (and tried very hard not to make it to big of a smile when he saw Norman Carton--he would never forget that skating party, though he would hate to mention anything and embarrass the poor man).

Tapio had been musing about what might have happened had he been one of the folks to go through that mirror, and it thought frightened him. All his life, since he was very young, he'd been aware of his great size and strength and tried with all his might to reign his body and his temper in. He was very, very glad not to have exposed the world to his opposite, for he was afraid his shadow self might have proved a violent and dangerous man. Fortunately, he had not had to find that out. Nevertheless, he could not treat those who had had that experience with anything less than kindness and sympathy now, for it could easily have happened to any of them.

Now he was eager to taste this feast, and then to travel home to Scotland and see his dear wife, and check up on how his younger son had been doing at school (and whether he'd really settled down or had gotten into any more trouble during the term). At least the Elves were back to normal!

Perhaps indicative that Apollonia lived in her own world of disorganised chaos, the History of Magic Professor hadn’t been completely aware of the mess that had become of Hogwarts. At least she wouldn’t have noticed until her office, which she hadn’t bothered to clean herself for there was something quite magical about the old artefacts on the shelf covered with dust, had suddenly become spick and span again. She somewhat missed the little spider that had taken residence in the cobweb in the corner of the room who had now clearly become homeless. Perhaps she should offer him one of her hats to nest in.

It wasn’t that Fergersnout had remained silent amongst her fellow Professors as they conversed before the Headmasters speech but rather that she was paying close attention to the students should anything go drastically over-the-top like it had at the start of term feast. She rather enjoyed a touch of theatrics after all. The mood however was relatively calm and it wasn’t until Winterbottom had made the necessary announcements that she chirped up, holding her goblet up in a ‘cheers’. “Here’s to surviving a year” she chortled.

Dhruv had returned Amelia’s greeting with a smile; not a small one but their usual one. Yes, they were doing their best not to have a pity party for themself. “Hello, Norman.” They caught the look but did not react to it; they were trying their best not to make this a pity party. “I’ll keep that in mind, Wilbur,’’ Dhruv remarked, grateful for the reminder. Then they hurriedly carried on the conversation to a happier topic. “Sugar cookies are perfect! However, I’m leaning towards apple tart dusted generously in powdered sugar.” Yes, Dhruv was particularly craving this.

When Wilbur stood up to dive into the speech, the DADA professor paid rapt attention as they always did. There was, as usual, enthusiastic applause for the winning House and for the graduating class. Then, soon after, it was time to tuck into the fine Feast the dear old Elves had prepared.

Tapio raised his goblet in return. "And to enjoying it!" he added. "By the way, if anyone has the energy after this feast, you're all welcome to join me in the groundskeeper's cabin for a beverage. I've been making something special--sima, a drink the Finns traditionally have on May Day. I know it's a little late, but it'll still be good." He didn't add that he had also made some May Day crullers, just in case the House Elves hadn't been quite back to normal at the feast. But the food was back to its usual deliciousness and he didn't want to mention it now and hurt the Elves' feelings. If there were any left after tonight, he'd take them to the Hufflepuff Common Room early tomorrow as a sort of goodbye treat to take with them on the train.

Celeste looked out over the gathering students, the banners over the Great Hall a Slytherin Green. Her husband would be happy to hear of the results of the year, a graduated snake himself. Turning back at the sound of approaching footsteps, she returned Wilber smile. “Guid evening, Headmaster,” she greeted before nodding. “Aye, quite well.” Especially given the newly cleaned from top to bottom castle was no longer making her sneeze every few minutes, the astronomy professor nodding in agreement at Ean’s own comment.

Well-kept indeed.

Dhruv’s returned greeting warmed her heart, proof that the other professor was doing well in light of previous months. A further happy thought to end the term off right. Speaking of potions masters, Celeste returned Amelia’s nod, hoping she hadn’t been too deterred by her own first term being marred by the near-disaster. And there was a Norman, one of the few who had been on staff longer than she herself, the longest of all she seemed to remember. “Guid evening to ye, Norman,” she returned as he approached to take a seat on the other end of the dais. It really was a long table.

But no time to dwell further as Headmaster Winterbottom got back up to speak, her attention now on him and the students in front of them. The astronomy professor clapping for Slytherin in good-natured camaraderie and support. “Here here,” Celeste agreed with a chuckle, raising her own goblet briefly to Appolonia’s toast and Tapio’s addition. And now to feast.