Zhenya sighed. She knew it would be too much to hope there wasn't a speech. But... true. "You're right. Not the same." But it wasn't the same, was it? It was the last night at Hogwarts.

"Are you..." she started to say, but wasn't sure how to finish. Okay? Prepared? Sad? No, she wasn't going to pretend to assume what he was thinking but there was probably a dark cloud over most of the seventh years.

And then the Headmistress got up for her speech. Zhenya pulled her knees up to her chest and tried to focus on her breathing.

Zhenya cheered for the Lions and the Badgers. She was happy the two houses had won the house cup and the gobstones cup, but her smile just wouldn't spread very far, try as she might.

So it was true, she was stepping down her role as Headmistress. And Professor Botros was taking over. Well, if she had to leave, Zhenya was glad Professor B was taking over. She wondered whether he would keep up with Ancient Runes or step down from that. Not that it really mattered. Zhenya remembered, with a pang, that she wasn't going to be there.

And then the speech came to an end, leaving a slightly more empty spot inside. She quickly wiped at her cheeks, making sure they were dry.