She stood by the door for a long time, A long, long time. As she stood at the entrance to the hall she found herself looking up, at the enchanted ceiling and for the first time just really looking at how pretty it was. Hogwarts was a really wonderful place. One she'd miss more then she'd like to admit, more then she would ever admit. This was her last time coming into this room, probably for forever, and if not forever then at least for a long time. She let out a breath and blinked a few times before slowly walking over to the Slytherin table her heels clicking on the floor as she went. This time though she reached out as soon as she reached her table and ran her hand along its edge. All the way down to the area she remembered sitting at right as she was sorted her first year. She looked back over her shoulder and for a moment saw Marilyn winking at her, just as she did when she cleaned her plate for her during her first feast. She swallowed a lump in her throat and continued down the table, to where she sat with her team every feast the past four years. The place where she felt accepted in her house for the first time. Where she made some of her dearest friends from her house. It was here that she decided to stop walking. She stopped at looked up at the professors table... empty still. The other house tables... empty... except for Min. She'd see her later though. "Stay Classy Hogwartians" she muttered to herself as she sat in her usual stop before leaning on the table and putting her head down on it and bringing her arms around her head, cocooning herself in her own arms as she just..... waited.

Merlin, this would be the last time she'd be sitting on this table.

The thought of it made Katrina Hudson feel sad again. Just when she thought she would get over the fact that she would be graduating after this feast by writing down all her thoughts in her entry at the Memory Book, the feeling and the weight of what she'd be losing after graduation- her friends, mostly, and her shiny Head Girl badge - came crashing down on her all over again. So much for progress, right?

There was only one Slytherin she noticed in the Slytherin House Table and that was Ari. Kat decided to sit beside her soon-to-not-be dorm mate because... why not? "Hey," the Head Girl greeted her and then sat down. Ari didn't look okay, but that was understandable. Kat wasn't okay either.

Where were her ickles? Cat? Cassia? Little Caleb? She needed to say her goodbyes to them before she lefts.

So was he sad about graduating? He wasn't sure. It wasn't as if he had been at Hogwarts for all seven years. He wasn't that attached to it. So. Not really. There was going to be a new adventure, and really he couldn't wait for it. He smiled to himself as he headed down to the feast. This was what he was going to miss. He loved food, especially the hogwarts ones. Maybe he could back just for the feasts? That would e very good.

Oh. There didn't seem to be many people. Literally just Arianna and the lovely Kat. Not much of a good bye feast really was it. "Nice that people wanna say bye to us...." He mused, as he sat down next to his girlfriend.

Heyyy, boyfriend. Haven't seen you in a while, you know? Kat grinned at Cle. It was good to see him after a while. What with her schedule being super hectic, she didn't really get to spend much time with him. She didn't get to see him in her free time too, because homework and Quidditch. Sighs. "Hey, you," she greeted him.

PSSSSSSH. Was he being sarcastic? "Riiiiight," Kat said and sort of hit him at the arm. Well, gently. She wasn't going to hurt him. C'mon, that would be dumb. "They'll be pouring in soon," she said. Pouring in on the Slytherin table and hugging Kat and all that. Yes, she could already imagine it. Nobody wanna miss saying their last words to the Head Girl, right?

Elise walked slowly into the great hall, her hair down and mostly unrecognisable. She hadn't exactly been around all that much and to be perfectly honest with herself, she didn't think that she would get a very friendly reception from her table. She supposed it was lucky for her that the Ravenclaw table was empty but she sighed. It would fill up soon. Ravenclaws were always punctual people.

Her hand strayed to her face, wiping away a tear that had leaked its way from her eye. This really was the last time she would be there, then. There was no "eighth year" in Hogwarts. Seven, and she had missed most of that one year. She didn't even know if it was worth missing, being so busy chasing her dreams and doing the things that made her happiest while leaving the people she loved behind. It was hardly fair, but c'est la vie. That's life.

Elise's eyes rested on the Slytherin table, and a small smile spread across her face. It was Kat. Her legs moved almost of their own accord as she made her way towards her best friend who was sitting at the green-decked table with her boyfriend that Elise recognized but didn't know personally. She breathed in, pushing away her inhibition as she did and tapped the other blonde on the shoulder.

"Hi, bestie," she said, her voice little over a melancholy whisper and her smile bittersweet.

She was going to have to see her before she went over to the Ravenclaw table. Maybe she would borrow some strength, some willpower to actually graduate from the place where she had practically grown up.

Doooooooooooooone.

She was done. Her trunk was closed after so much effort and she was all set to leave. Practically. She however was feeling a mix of constracted emotions. Glad it was finally summer time and she no longer had to stufdy, a little bit afraid that there was still results to be announced and of course, VERY sad that there were snakes she was going to sit with here for the last time. That last reason settled like an easy feeling in her stomach and downed on her emotionally.

Cassia shuffled to the snake's table not glancing any other way. All the way here she was telling herself she wasn't going to be a child but a brave almost-sixteen year old. Hopefully she could do this. She had to. Because she wasn't going to NOT see them forever. Nope. She was going to stay in touch.

Gathering her robes, she slid into a seat near both Kat and Ari smiling at both of them warmly. Unlike other times, she decided she wasn't going to visit other tables. Savoring all the possible time. "Hi, girls," she beamed at the two girls and offered a smile to Kat's boyfriends and to Elise.

She was just gonna sit here silently while the others came. Where were her other friends?

Caleb couldn't believe it. One year of Hogwarts DONE. Where had the time gone??? Wasn't he JUST getting sorted like, yesterday? Although he had to admit, even though he was sad to be leaving, he was looking forward to a nice break. He just wanted to relax and hang out with the fam, and spend time with his friends without worrying when his next potions essay would be due.

As he walked to the table, he noticed that all the people there seemed to be seventh years. AWWW. Another reason he wasn't looking forward to this feast - it was goodbye time for the old kids.

"Hiya Head Girl," he said with a smile as he sat down next to Kat. He nodded to a few of the other seventh years - sad, he didn't think he'd ever gotten the chance to meet them - and then he noticed Cassie was nearby, the girl he'd met in the courtyard one day.

"Hey Cass! Ready for summer?" he asked with a grin. He couldn't remember if she told him to call her Cassia. Or Cassie. Or Cass. So Cass it was. For now.

A year over and this time, Cat was a little sad. She'd certainly be back next year, for sure, but her older Slytherin house mates who had sort of become older sisters in a way, would not and that definitely made her a sad little Cat.

Though she tried to not look too sad, cause it wasn't the end of the world, right? She'd still see them, Kat had already promised she'd be back and all. Cat hurried down to the end of the table where the two were seated and smiled, "Hi." Maaaaaaaybe she could squeeze in and sit next to both of them? Maybe.

Okay, so Sophie still didn't know many people here, but HAIII, Slytherins!

First things first. Sophie was pretty much awesome. She had finished the term first in her house, and better yet, Caleb was right behind her! Sophie was less happy for Caleb and his placement and more excited that she'd beat him. Still, the Newell's had dominated the scores this term. Secondly, it was officially SUMMER BREAK. Well, not officially, because they still had the train ride home and all, but it might as well be official. She had no more classes and homework to do, and that was most important.

"Hi, little brother," she said, edging into a seat by Caleb. One of these days, she was going to find herself some friends, so she didn't have to rely on her brother all the time.

" hey Hudson." she was still hudson.. always will be hudson. She noted the girl sitting next to her and almost wanted to just lean into her, almost like she did countless times before when Ari would be upset about something and she would just cry it out to her in her room and Kat would just pat her back and tell her to toughen up. tough love. it worked

"they better say goodbye to us." she said to the male voice who was without a doubt her roomie's boyfriend and team mate Cle. "we're too awesome not to say bye too." yes her hands we're still in her hands and she was probably not making sense, they probably only heard muttering, she didnt care tho.

" Hi Cass." nope she wasn't going to cry nope. with her head now picked up she gave the younger snake a smile and nudged her she'd be okay.

" Hi to you too Cupcake Queen." Ariana blinked. she wasnt sure why she had just called her that but it felt nice. it was almost as if she was passing her the torch and letting her now be the official cupcake maker for the snakes. yup thats what it was. Good Job Caterina

Adelaide made her way into the Great Hall for the end of term feast. How was this term over already? She was not ready to go home and feel like an outcast again. At least she was going to spend part of the summer at Derry's. That would definitely be worth it.

She spotted her dormmates and her quidditch buddies and made her way over, squeezing in an open spot. "Hey guys." Addi smiled, but then frowned a bit. Right. Kat and Ariana were leaving.

Adi had spotted the two Slytherins he had gotten to know during the year, Caleb and Sophie from where he was sitting at the Hufflepuff table. Did he still had a bit of a crush on Sophie? Yes. Did he still get nervous and blabbed nonsense while talking to her? There was only one way to find out. He'd go see if he still made a fool of himself.

The soon to be second year was half way to the Snake table when he suddenly remembered someone else. Hannah. He quickly scanned the table but the girl didn't seem to be there yet. Good. He didn't fancy meeting her right now.

"Hi, Sophie! Hi, Caleb!'' Awkward grin. He was so out of place here. Did they mind if he joined them?

Smug as he'd been when he'd first taken a seat at his house table, Cutty returned to it wearing a like expression. He plopped down towards the end of the table in order to have a good spot by which to view everyone. He'd made a lot of friends, unintentionally of course, but they weren't on his mind. Cutty was busy reflecting on his little chessboard where he'd placed everyone and conjuring up what he planned to do with his bishop and his knight, the latter of which was easier to secure than he imagined (or so the boy thought). He'd have to spend half of his summer in Egypt and the other in Canada so there was really no time to waste.

The boy's smug expression sort of faded into a more...self-satisfied one as he remembered to practice and study the human transfiguration spell Bronislava had shown him and perhaps, inadvertently taught him. Getting turned into a Pig!Cutty, making deals, shameless promos, and almost semi-skinny-dipping into the lake all made for not a bad first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Ascanius was not in the mood to do this final feast thing. For some reason this term had lagged a bit at the end there and he was ready to get home and get back to work for the summer holiday. The whole school thing got tedious after a while and all of his life had been consumed by OWLs, so he was content to just finish out this feast and get on the train the next day.

Slipping into his usual seat, he tapped his index finger on the table over and over again in a triplet rhythm.

...mmk, where was the food?

Hecate arrived at the table and said “Very well Slytherin Students, pay attention." Hecate said clapping to attract the student’s attention. “Although I am very disappointed about the Quidditch Cup, congratulations on achieving second place in the house point race.” She sighed as she rubbed her temples.

“I would first like to wish the seventh years at this table, Clement Belrose, Zhenya Burton, Sky Carter-Hope, Eliza Chapelle, Chelsea Charm, Charlit Emmerson, Katrina Marie Hudson, Juliet Kim, Ariana Logan, Carson McIntyre, Kiana Desiree Remora, Harlow Syria Riddle, James Phoenix Silsbury, Christopher Stylinson, Olivia Wenesko and anyone else I missed, goodbye and good luck in all their future endeavors as I'm sure all of you younger students do too. ” Yes. She knew her students… “That being said, as I do every year, there are a few people I would like to acknowledge. ”

“Miss Sophie Annabella Newell , with 460 is the Top earning Slytherin Student, and she is the second top point earner in the school. " She clapped her hands as she usually did, knowing the others would join her. "Master Caleb A. Newell is the second top scoring Slytherin student with 352 points.” She clapped again. “Miss Cassia Somerlad is the third top Slytherin student with 239 points.” She smiled at the girl, and clapped for her too. ”Captain West Odessa is fourth top Slytherin point earner with 222 points, ” again she clapped. “And finally with 218 points, Prefect and Head Girl Katrina Hudson is the fifth top point earner in the Slytherin." She clapped again.

"I would like to also acknowledge your Slytherin house leaders, Prefect and Head Girl Katrina Hudson, Prefect Theodore Kinsley and Captain West Odessa who has been named top chaser of the year.” She clapped one last time. “Thank you for your leadership this past year. ”

She took a deep breath, and painfully continued. “To those of you who are not graduating, I will not be returning to Hogwarts to train you. I have chosen to leave Hogwarts to spend more time with my family, and to continue my potioneering career. I will ALWAYS…” she paused and swallowed, masking her emotions, “always cherish the time I’ve spent here, and the students whose lives I’ve touched in some way… make me and Salazar Slytherin proud.”

And before she choked up, she returned to the Staff Table.

Ohh, so maybe Sophie wasn't stuck with only her brother after all. She grinned as Adi called out to her. She'd gotten to know him in a few of their classes and then talked to him for a few minutes out at the duck pond. She tucked her hair behind her ear and gestured for him to take a seat.

"Hey, Adi," she said with a smile. She should congratulate him on the Hufflepuffs winning the house cup, but she was just too proud for that sort of thing. Besides, in her mind, she was trying to convince herself that Slytherin really did win, and the Hufflepuff decorations were really just a joke.

She started to say something else to him, but then--...



...oh. It was MAW MAW!

Sophie only called her that in a joking way, but really, if she didn't stop, she'd accidentally say that aloud one day. She spun around on the bench and faced their Head of House. Ohh, a speech. Hmm.

Sophie grinned when she was called out as the top points earner for their house. She tried not to focus too hard on the fact that she was second in the whole school. She would have been first had Cambridge done a little less heroic work.

Gryffindors.

But then...

WHAAAAAAAAA. WHY?!

She was her grandma! She was supposed to stay for six more years and just...be here while Sophie was here. Sophie's jaw dropped, and then she clamped her mouth shut again. At least she was going home to spend time with her family. That at least meant Sophie would see her again.

...and then woman was gone. POOF. Someone was in a hurry. She just dropped that load of bad news then took off, didn't she?

They better get someone good next term. As Head of House, she meant. They had some big shoes to fill. Whoever they may be.

West had arrived at the table just as Professor Lafay did and he sat down in silence as she did her usual speech thing. He wasn't looking particularly happy but he definitely gave her his full attention. The Quidditch cup part... he didn't react externally but internally it still stung. Even with the top chaser part, and with Theo and Kat getting ribbons in their 'new' positions, it didn't feel all that good. It wouldn't until he could prove himself to her.

And then there was a sort of bombshell that he didn't at all expect. West stared after the suddenly disappearing Lafay.

Wait what? What? She was leaving? He opened his mouth and then closed it again with a snap.

He felt a bit lost. Everything was horrible and crappy and messed up anyways, he for sure hadn't expected that he'd lose his head of house. West swallowed roughly and just stared up at the staff table. What was he supposed to do now?

He didn't want her to go.

So, this leaving feast was going pretty much the way that Sky had expected. Goodbyes were being said, tears were threatening to fall, her classmates were writing in the book. Soon, she would be up there writing in that same book. Before she left this room tonight, in fact. But, food came first and in order to get said food, she had to listen to one last Headmisstress speech.

But first, it was Professor Lafay's turn.

Wait, what?

She was leaving too?

Sky wasn't even going to be here next term, but she did feel for those who had gotten used to having her as a professor and Head of House. They had to say goodbye to not only her class, but also to their Head.

Cutty made a note to himself. Whatever the hell they put on the NEWT was guaranteed to make you disappear as he had heard nor seen half of these people during the course of one school year. As his Head of House carried on, he applauded when she did for the obvious reason that these were Slytherin achievements, but also because she had provided him with some very good information. So, Sophie, Caleb, and Cassia were nerds, huh?

He knew his instincts at pushing Cassia for the female prefect weren't wrong, but...

Who exactly was going to station Somerlad as such if Lafay was leaving?! He hadn't been terribly attached to his head of house, but he liked her enough under the mistake that he had thought she might be easy to seduce. But, also, she had been a good teacher to him, and who now was going to kick him into a cauldron and brew or die him the way he liked?! He would be harsh and quick to judge whomever took her place.

So here was Kat, waiting for the food at arrive. If this was going to be her last feast in Hogwarts, she might as well enjoy it while it lasts. She would definitely miss the food and the yellow-orange-ish glow of the Hall, and most especially the people. Damn, the people. She would miss them, but not Hogwarts. She wasn't going to miss homework.

... Because who DID miss homework? C'mon.

As Kat played with the badge on her robe (this would be the last time TOO and she didn't wanna let anyone else take away the 'Head Girl' title from her), she was distracted by her thoughts until she heard someone. Someone who called her bestie. Now, really... who would call Kat bestie? Of course, it was nobody but Elise Alienne Fairfield.

STARE. Yep, Kat turned around to stare at her bestie. "I would really like to say I miss you and jump and cry my eyeballs out, but you choose now to show up, when it's our last feast in Hogwarts... when you didn't show up for majority of the term?" The Slytherin sounded like an ungrateful child, but really. Elise showed up just NOW when it was the End-of-Term Feast and all the tears were supposed to be shed. Ugh. "How could you." SNIFFLE!WIBBLE.

KAT WAS JUST SO VERY GRATEFUL THAT CASSIA WAS HERE.

Because this was her time to say goodbye and the sad stuff to her Slytherin!sister. The tears were stinging her like bees, but she held it in. If someone thought she was tearing up, let's just say she was sweating through her eyes. Pssh. Anyway, she tried to maintain her straight face.

Which was a fail, obviously. It usually worked but not tonight.

"Hey..." Okay, that was all she could managed right now. Hugs later, otherwise she'd be a mess even before the meal arrived.

Caleb Newell was another story. Unlike Kat's ickle!fifth years, he was her only ickle!firstie. Seeing him for the last time tonight was SO not okay. Tears were threatening her. No. She was going to fight them off. NO SHE WASN'T GOING TO CRY. Save that for later. She was cherishing this moment.

"Hiya, favourite firstie," Kat said, and half-meant, half-forced a smile. So yes, maybe the Head Girl did make up her mind and named him her favourite, because why not? He was a Slytherin PLUS super awesome. No better choice, yeah? Also, there's a little bit of something for him in Kat's memory book entry but she wasn't going to tell him that cos he'll see it in his last end-of-term feast. Ahem, yes. He could have a hug if he wanted, just in case.

Caterina Moretti, too. Like another punch in the stomach, making her realise that this WAS real and she wasn't dreaming. Ugh, why? Why seven years, Hogwarts? Could Kat sit in one of the classes in the next few terms, be with her friends, but not actually do homework? Cause she would, if given the chance. And she totally didn't mind that she wanted to sit in between Kat and Ari. It would be her only chance now.

Oh... okay. "Hello." So....................... hugs? Did anyone want Kat!hugs? She'd give them. Free of charge.

Logan. Okay. Kat was gonna miss her, but she was sort of confident that she'd see her dorm mate again soon. Diagon Alley, maybe? You wants Kat!hugs? ... "You okay?" And BOOM! Katrina Hudson had just asked the stupidest. question. ever.

Someone give her an award.

Many people. Heyyyy. Finally all her Snakes were coming in and joining in their awesome Head Girl's final feast. One of them was Adelaide, her fellow Beater in that one match. She was a great Beater, and Kat was totally confident that she would beat the butts of the other teams no doubt. "Hey," she greeted the redhead.

Meh. There was a lot of people to miss. Just... so many.

Oh hey, Mama Snake. Kat actually smiled as she saw her Head of House come over towards them. It was good to see her before leaving this place. Lafay had been such an inspiration and a brilliant Potions Mistress and Head of House. Could Kat ask for more? No, she couldn't.

But points. Yes. Fifth point earner. Okay. At least she was on the list and all, so no big deal. Kat applauded especially for her fellow top point earners because they did great this term, even if Kat could've done better than just that. But you know, stress. She was busy a lot. Least she had a reason. Also, it had been a great time leading Slytherin alongside Theo and West. Such an honour.

..................

Merlin's beard, did she hear right? LAFAY... LEAVING? Nope. That couldn't be right. Kat blinked before taking the truth in. Why was she leaving? Why....? Hogwarts needed a Lafay. Nobody's education would ever be complete with LAFAY. How unfortunate of the first years next term. Sucks for them to not be under such an amazing Professor.

SIGHS.

"Cupcake Queen?" Cat giggled and placed herself right between Ariana and Kat. She was sitting HERE and no one else was cause, well.. she wanted to. She was going to miss them. Cat put her arms around Ariana and gave her a big HUG. "I like the sound of that." Totally did. She was the CUPCAKE QUEEN.

Hehe.

From her spot between the two graduating Slytherins, Cat waved at the one of her two redheaded roommates. "Hey Ade."

..............What.

What? Why? Cat was sad enough already because of Kat and Ariana leaving and now Lafay was saying she wouldn't be coming back next term too? Ugh. Life was so not fair at the moment. She tried not to wibble too noticeably, though. Surely Lafay wouldn't appreciate wibbling. But Hogwarts wasn't going to be the same without her.

After Cat hugged Ariana, she turned her attention and her arms to Kat and hugged her too. "I will miss you." Yep. But Kat had promised to be around at times, so she would still see her. "When you visit Hogsmeade, make sure you drag Ariana along with you."

GRIN.

Just then Cutty turned up. "Hiya, Cutty!'' Adi greeted the other Slytherin. Hmmm. He had gotten to know quite a few Slytherins this year. Hannah, Cutty, Sophie and Caleb. One could say he was making friends. "What's up? Looking forward to the holidays?''

"Do you guys mind if I join you?'' Adi asked Sophie. Heh. Look at that. He was not blabbering. And this was good because he hated looking silly. He was sure Sophie had noticed his weirdness before but was thankful she hadn't pointed it out. Before he could utter another word though, the Slytherin Head of House turned up. Uh. He should probably take a seat before she shooed him back to the Hufflepuff table. So the first year did just that, sitting next to Sophie as Lafay started to speak.

Woah! That was a lot of graduating students from Slytherin this year. And the Newells' were the two top point earners. Cool! "Congrats,'' he whispered to Sophie and Caleb. Why was Cutty not up there too? But then...Potions Mistress say what? She was leaving?! Why, why WHY? Despite her being so strict Adi did like the woman. Adi listened to her finish in silence and then watch her head back to the Staff table.

Well! At least there were faces she could look at and not feel sad but quite the opposite. The almost-sixteen years old smiled at the firstie warmly. "Hey, Caleb." she greeted him back. At least she was sure she was going to see him after summer.

"I am absolutely ready!" she nodded meaning the answer very much. She really could use the break after OWLs. UGH! She did NOT want to think of those because results! "Are you? Any interesting plans?" She could remember herself when it was the end of her first year. She couldn't wait to go back and tell her family about everything!

Ariana SMILED!

That had an unusual magical effect on the blond this very time. Her lips twisted in a grin at the older girl and she found herself inching closer. She wanted to say something but anything she thought of had something to do with leaving somehow. Packing, eating, train every single thing.

"My owl bites," she found herself saying. "So careful when you receive letters," She told Ari her voice slightly quivering but then steadying itself.



As their head of house approached the able, Cassia turned her attention to the potions mistress. She listened to Lafay as she listed off the graduates names that probably weren't going to be mentioned all at the same time again. Then came the top earners. She beamed proudly and sent a smile in West's direction who joined. They did good, yeah? And speaking of, her brown eyes flickered over faces searchingly of the other half of the terror twins.

But then her head whipped in Lafay's direction again.

WHAAAT?

Did she hear right? Judging by the look on the faces around she did!

The snakette blinked and stared down at her hands. Like she needed more sad news and more people to part with. She couldn't just wrap her mind around the thought of Lafay leaving and that the potions mistress won't be around to teach potions or here when Casisa graduates.. Nope. Just nope.
The surge of all the feelings that flowed through her was just too much and it was all bottling up.

She turned to Kat whose face she had grown too used to and found herself comforted at the sight of it. Although right now, the Head Girl didn't look much better than Cassia.

The almost sixteen year old attempted to compose her face and look all casual but it was just hard to. Where to even begin. "How are you champion?" she managed to say. That question contained so much meaning.

Thank merlin her rommates were here. At least she was sure they were coming back. RIGHT?!! D: Derry wasn't here yet. Cassia turned to her fellow snakettes. "Hey, girls." she smiled at both of them. Were they happy they were finally done with exams and going to have a break for three months. She was almost sure they were.

"Got any Summer plans?" She asked curiously attempting to have a normal and not sad conversation if possible.

She had no idea why she was running late for the feast, time had somehow managed to get away from her. Hannah quickly made her way down to an empty seat and tried to pretend as if she had been there the whole time. She caught the tail end of the congratulations and she clapped along with everybody else.

The sixth year turned her attention to the staff table. Was her head of house really leaving? Hannah could help but to feel a pang of hurt. It wasn't just any professor leaving, it was her head of house. She couldn't help but to wonder who would take over Potions and more importantly who would be her new head of house. Whoever took the spot would have some big shoes to fill.