He couldnt believe it. This day has finally come...

Vickers walks into the Great Hall, all packed and ready to go. The benefit of doing things early, although he did miss the Quidditch celebrations... which was probably for the best since he wouldnt have been such great company.

He looks up and notices the swirls of the bronze and the blue, putting a smile on his face. Yep at least in his last year in Hogwarts he can be proud to say he helped get those colors up, finally did something to do his house proud.

He hung about the doorway, waiting for a particular ginger gal to show up, thinking of catching her now before her duties as Prefect and Head Girl makes it impossible for him to get a quiet word in or two. Nestled in the crook of his arm is a gift box, its contents something he has been working on a good part of the term....

Louisa left all her feels upstairs - or well she thought she did as she descended the moving stairs, savoring every single detail in this last journey down to her last feast as Hogwarts.... Darnit! She wiped the annoying moist from her eyes and continued to the Great Hall's door. She kept focusing on how her friends walked the same way, probably with the same feelings and yet they survived and were now as happy as the fairy tales' endings.

... fairy tales...

She instinctively looked around for Vickers as she walked further forward. She kind of was afraid to see him as well as wanted to avoid him tonight. A breakdown of emotions was so, so bad on top of her already agitated heart.

OH! THERE HE WAS!

Louisa's face betrayed nothing of her excitement. She noticed the box he had in his arm and then her eyes settled on his face softly, not smiling or beaming. Slightly blaming and accusing. "Hey." She said pausing next to him for a second, "Coming in?" To their table?

Did he pick up on her facial expressions? Maybe, but he was buoyed with the excitement of the House Cup and the pride of his gift, so any slight animosity was lost on him for now "No not yet... I want to give you something...." he said as he handed her the gift box. "I wanted to give this for your birthday but... it wasnt quite ready yet. But it is now." he smiled.....

It was very uncomfortable to see him glowing and happy and generous like this. "Oh?" She couldn't get as excited as he was though, her head was a jumble of thoughts and assumptions today. "But you sort of already made my birthday... something great." He took her to New York on Christmas! Her fingers clutched the small box tightly, albeit quivering a bit, and stared at it for a few seconds.

How come she couldn't get mad at Vickers like she got mad at pretty much everyone in her life before? Like, if Adam hid something and struggled through it on his own and then Louisa found out she was kept in the dark, she would've burst in his face and forced him to spill the beans. Or if it was Paulie, she'd go straight to her wand (nothing she hadn't done before). Or Joao! She'd also burst in his face and then the two of them would be mad for like seven months before talking again.
Okay, not mad, that was too much maybe. How come she couldn't even frown at him? Or! or be cold and give him the silent treatment?

She lifted the lid and stared at the beautiful-- was that a.. wolf's head? A faint gasp escaped her lips. She wanted to wear it now! She also wanted to walk into the Hall with Vickers, holding hands and swinging them happily! She wanted to find Max and Vivi there and try to drown the powerful nostalgia with all of them!

But she just stared at the gift, her eyes sparkling and silent.

sniff

There was a gasp... and a sniff. Was he expecting something more? Well maybe a leap in excitement as he thought she might react-- then again it wasnt as sparkly-pretty as his birthday gift to her. Or maybe she was confused? Yes that has got to be it....

"Its a dream catcher...." he started as he moved closer then took out the necklace. Unclasping it, he looped it around her neck and secured it in place. There now the magic was set, as the necklace now knows who it truly belongs to ".... you said you were having bad dreams, so I thought of making this. Native Americans believed dream catchers can protect you from nightmares and chase away bad spirits that can haunt your dreams, and yet allow you to keep the good ones close to you." because not all dreams are bad. "Its tradition to add something precious or important to the dream catcher, so I added a coyote.... because coyotes are known for their ingenuity, adaptability and their sense of humor." something he saw in her.

"And... its laced with another kind of magic..." surely it couldnt have taken him this long if it was just a simple dream catcher was it? Well not that dream catchers were simple magic to begin with anyway "... the necklace knows it belongs to you, so when you're in danger, clasp it tightly in your hand and think of getting away from the danger-- it will transport you to a place where you feel the safest...." a safety measure in case she was in danger in her own home ".... and if someone actually seizes that from you-- well it will transport that person to MLE Headquarters." one way or the other, it will always protect Louisa, real threats or imagined.

The moment of silence was about to stretch more and Louisa wondered whether she had to break it out to him that she knew about the Vivi issue (well not entirely) and that she failed to understand what happened from her dormmate so he had to explain everything to Louisa so she could be NOT clueless and make her own decisions instead of people making them for her.

... but he walked forward and was helping her wear it around her neck. Louisa allowed herself to inhale, feeling at ease by the familiar odor of Vick and slowly moved as in to lean her forehead against his shoulder, but she stopped at the last second when he pulled away and continued explaining.

'you said you were having bad dreams'
She did! Three months ago? In class where she didn't think Vickers was even listening to her as much as he was focused on working on the dream interpretation.

'because coyotes are known for their ingenuity, adaptability and their sense of humor.'
Her throat was contracting now and she wanted to sniff so bad but knew that if she did, her tears would fall down and never stop so her fingers touched the coyote charm.

'it will transport you to a place where you feel the safest'
Okay, the sniffing happened and she took a step to the back quickly, wiping her eyes and slipping the necklace under her shirt. Any more words and deep gestures like this and she'd just lose all self control and start crying like a baby.

"It's--" Oops, voice broke. She cleared her throat and smiled at him, genuinely but not with so much energy. "It's very beautiful.. and perfect." And won't come off her neck except for showers. That also reminded her of the protective runic charm that Vivi gave her for Christmas, which she wore before heading out to the Spirit Room and probably saved her many times afterwards.

She didn't get the chance to tell Vivi that.

Yet?

She wiped her face again and let out a deep breath, "I.. I really need to go inside." The brooch was poking her kidney as she moved. "And I want to--" TALK! Why wouldn't he just come out and say whatever it was that made Vivi so isolated from them? Louisa caught herself though and decided to wait for him to bring it up. "Nothing really important." Forcing a chuckle and waving a hand as she backed away toward the hall, "See you..." And ran inside before he could catch up with her.

She wasn't sure if she wanted to do this...or if she was even ready. It'd been a long term and this thing folded in her hand probably didn't matter any more but still...

Lex's eyes darted around the room, half dreading the moment she would see her Mama Vivi. To the average person the normal thing to do would have been to go to the table of the person you wished to speak with but NO. No way. She was NOT going to the Ravenclaw table for all the chocolate frogs in the world. At the moment she simply couldn't. There were 7th years at that table, a lot of them and they were the kind she actually liked!

For now she would just pace the floor and hope Vivi took her time in meeting her. It wasn't that she didn't want to see her but she knew seeing her would only make her feel worse.

Ella was feeling a mix of emotions as she paced back and forth in front of the entrance. She knew she needed to go in and face stuff but she couldn't bring herself to do that just yet. She needed a pep talk...and probably a hug too.

...She needed Harvey.

He'd be along shortly, yeah?

Harvey made his way to the end of term feast not believing that he was at the end of his fourth year it had been a very short term.. and possibly one of the greatest thanks to Ella.. and speaking of Ella.. was that her standing near the entrance? why was she not heading in? He walked upto her and held her gently by her shoulders and looked at her "Hey Candygirl.. why you standing out here? why arent you going in?" he asked her confused why she was here when she should be hanging out with friends inside the Great Hall

And almost as soon as she'd thought about wanting him there, Harvey was walking towards her. The blonde smiled and looked down at her feet, wondering what else might appear if she wished it to. Ice cream maybe... gummy worms? Shrug. She'd totally take Harvey for now.

"Hi Harvs." She said softly, giving him a small smile. "I'm just...no good at goodbyes." He knew this though, yeah? So...no surprise there. "I guess I need someone to make me go in?" And she looked at him, wondering if he was up to the challenge.

He gave her a smile as she gave him one and answered his questions as to why she wasnt in there, and he couldnt help but understand how she was feeling. "You will be fine! Its not goodbye yet! you have the whole of summer to hang out with them all for a little while longer.. before you do say bye.. and even then.. you can owl them" he said trying to reassure her that she would be ok cause she was a strong girl. He smiled and nodded "Well.. I could try and make you go in.. but mind you I will try pushing you in but I may fail with you being a strong girl and all" he chuckled as he offered her his hand to lead her inside the Great Hall.

You'll be fine! That's what Ella needed to hear. She kind of already knew it deep down but somehow hearing it from Harvey made her believe it. She looked up at him as he continued on. reassuring her that things were going to be okay and that it wasn't as if she'd never see her older friends again. All of this was true but it still made her incredibly nervous that people were leaving. Sometimes...in some cases...people who leave decided not to come back.

"This is all true." She said, nodding her head. "It's just...maybe I'm rubbish at dealing with change?" And by maybe she mean that this was totally true. The blonde laughed a little when he called her strong, poking him in the arm and giving him a half smile. He was good at this cheering her up thing. Taking his hand and lacing her fingers through his, she kissed his cheek before peeking into the great hall. "Alright...I think I'm ready...if you are."

He listened as she nodded and agreed with him and yet went against that in the very next sentence. He shook his head "You are not rubbish, you just.. have a little different way of dealing with the change" yeah that was it.. she dealt with it differently than others did.. she did it with her heart.. and saying bye to all that resided in there. He chuckled as she poked him "Oww.. see! thats what I meant by being strong!" he chuckled some more as she took his hand and lacing their fingers together she peeked into the hall and said she was ready, he nodded "Ok.. lets go then" he said walking into the Hall leading her in and letting her adjust to the atmosphere as he very slowly walked into the hall further

Something was definitely off.... there was something about Louisa that wasnt adding up logically, and his burgeoning hawkish instincts was sensing theres more to this conversation than meets the eye. He opened his mouth to speak, about to ask her what was the matter when she waved her hand and proceeded further into the Great Hall. He stood there, awkwardly, staring at her receding form. Well.... time to get himself to his table right? He had... other gifts to deliver.

It was sort of obvious that Lex was pacing up and down the floor, waiting for Vivi to make an appearance. Cute, really, but how was she supposed to know the girl was here? Other than the fact that Vivi was always keeping an eye on the Baby Lion.

"What are you doing? You're going to miss the meal," Vivi had slipped away for a moment, and she put out her hands to the girl. Huggle? Would she accept the hug this time, or was touching a no go?

Lex jumped slightly at the voice then turned to face the girl slowly. Merlin, didn't anyone ever hear of walking loudly? Or had she simply been spacing out too much...? Meh, either way Vivi startled her. She eyed the girl's outstretched arms and for once actually second guessed getting a hug from her. "I'm not missing anything...the speech hasn't begun and the food hasn't appeared..."

She continued looking at the tempting offer of a hug but she couldn't. Not yet anyway.

"So...this is a bit late...but..." She extended the hand that held the item she'd been clutching ever since she left the common room. It held a lot of meaning to the 11 year old but she knew she couldn't keep it. Technically she was supposed to have handed it back much sooner but each day that she kept it made it harder to give it back. Today was no different, except she had to because Vivi wouldn't be coming back so she wouldn't get the chance again. "Sorry I kept it so long..."

She dropped her arms and sort of hugged herself instead. No hugs? That was the saddest thing ever EVER. Vivi tilted her head to the side and listened as Lex pulled out that tie she'd loaned the girl all the way back at the beginning of the year.

"Keep it. It isn't like I'll need to wear a tie to work, right?" She grinned, and she continued to hug herself. "Maybe it'll help you remember to think like a Ravenclaw and not get caught. Do you remember what of yours I still have?"

Oh great. Why'd she have to go and do that? Now Lex was feeling all terrible about not taking the hug Vivi had offered. The girl was now hugging herself! She'd have to fix that as soon as possible but at the moment it was important to maintain her composure and she couldn't do that if she was busy throwing her arms around her and crying.

Her eyes lowered as she waited to be scolded for keeping something as valuable as a piece of her uniform for so long but she quickly looked up with a smile, the first one all day, when she said she could keep it. "You mean it? Wow thanks! I'll take care of it forever and ever!" She was officially prepared to break the limbs of anyone outside of herself that tried to touch this tie. It was now as sacred as chocolate frogs. Yup. Especially since Vivi just basically told her that the tie would make her smarter. That's what she meant...right?

Speaking of chocolate frogs!

Lex grinned up at her. Funny enough, the thought of getting candy wasn't what made her so happy, it was that Vivi remembered. But wait...the grin slowly faded. "I wasn't exactly a good student all year...I don't think I still qualify..." She didn't see how she could any more... Man, she could really use that hug now.

It was just a tie, and not even one Vivi had remembered giving to the younger girl, but it obviously meant a lot to Lex, and so she just nodded and gestured to her. All yours.

"You were pretty good, and you didn't get caught when you weren't. Other than the whole... getting kicked out. Don't do that again, okay? Keep your tongue." She pulled the box of chocolate frogs out of her bag and offered it to Lex. Twenty-five frogs... all in crisp, new packaging. "Do you collect the cards?"

She was in the middle of marvelling at the prettiful tie while listening to how good she was for the year but then quite suddenly she found herself looking up at her Mama Vivi. Sure she could understand the 'don't do that again' part; it made sense, home wasn't a good place any more but keeping her tongue? Her eyes widened a little. "ButWhatIfThePerson'sAnIdiot???" She couldn't make promises under those conditions>.<

She couldn't, it was just too imposs--

o_O

Dear. Merlin.

If she was dreaming she'd hurt anyone who woke her up. Vivi...Vivi was...and the whole box...and frogs...and...fdvufdvcdvdu!!!!

Lex took the box. "ThankYouThankYouThankYou!!!" She would probably get through the entire box before the feast started but that wouldn't be a problem...right...? Oh and the cards. "Well yes and no...I keep 'em then bribe Will and Jeremy with them when I want something done." Nod.

"Idiots." Vivi shrugged. "They're everywhere, Baby Lion. We have to learn to live with them, I think." She watched fondly as the girl clung to the chocolate frog box. Those... wouldn't last long.

Thank Merlin she didn't have to sleep in the Gryffindor common room tonight.

"Now then... where's my hug? Are you going to continue to deny me? You won't be seeing me again for a while."

She pretended to listen while she ripped apart the thin plastic on the box. Time to devour some chocolate frogs to drown her sorrows and give herself a sugar rush. Mm. She'd never tried having a sugar rush while she was sad before...Oh um...but back to what Vivi was saying. Something about idiots and...garden snails...whaaa? She blinked up at her. The girl was making no sense. Or maybe she'd lost all processing abilities after being given the frogs, either way she was lost. "Suuuure..." That was a safe answer, yes? "Idiots and snails..." Vivi was weird sometimes so she wouldn't question it...not when there was chocolate in her hands--and so much of it!

Crap! In all her sadness then her chocolatey happiness she almost forgot about the hug she was fighting against. Vivi's words got to her really badly. Okay. Denying over. She WANTED her hug before Vivi left then found another 11 year old and forgot about her.

Lex flung herself at Vivi and latched onto her. "I would've given you sooner but...I thought it would've been too sad..." And now that she was thinking about it again...it was...

OOMPH. Vivi took a first year right to the gut, and her arms instinctively wrapped around the girl and held on tightly. She would miss her Baby Lion, even if theirs was a sort of unconventional friendship. It wouldn't make sense for an 11-year-old and an 18-year-old to be friends, but it worked for them.

"It is sad, but it's happy too. If we stayed as we were, you'd have to be a first year forever. How miserable is that? And I'm ready to go... be a grown up person now." She really really was.

Now that she was actively partaking in a hug she couldn't believe that she'd been holding back. The hug was pretty sad, just like she figured it would be but it was also warm. For a moment she stood perfectly still, just enjoying the hug for what it was; a hug. For now she wouldn't think about the fact that it could be the last or anything along those lines. No. Just a simple hug. It was getting harder to accept the fact that this would be Vivi's last feast. Didn't they just arrive at hogwarts? Where did the time go? Of all the people in this school that could leave she had to be one of them?!

"Yeah I suppose we can look at it both ways...sad but happy..." She was still waiting to see the happy in all of this but she would do what she'd been doing all term; blindly agreeing with Vivi. The logic would come in time, she was sure. The girl wanted to grow up and there was nothing the 11 year old could do about it. In fact she was growing too, in only a few days she wouldn't be 11 anymore. Everything was changing. "Just don't forget me...a-and don't go finding some other 11 year old that likes chocolate frogs...and if you don't owl me like you said you would then I'll die." Straight face. It was very possible that she would.