Reese didn't say much. She stood up a little while later and wandered up to the staff table. Kiri glanced after her for a moment, then her eyes strayed in the direction of the teachers - most of them had arrived (luckily, that idiot Borr wasn't there), and Kiri watched them for a while. But Reese became more interesting again. Kiri sat up straight. She was talking to Professor Lupa! Of course, Kiri had no idea what Reese was saying, but from her posture and the look on her face, it was something she was uncomfortable with. Very much so.

Kiri felt a little dizzy. What if Reese did know something after all? Was she telling Professor Lupa about Kiri? Before she could decide what to do, Professor Kazimeriz stood up and began talking.
What followed was so... bizarre that, if the old man hadn't been involved, Kiri could have sworn was a theatrical performance. Professor Truebridge sacked... Professor Lawson the new History of Magic teacher... Nurse Avalon was leaving too?! "No," said Kiri loudly, but in the general displeased murmuring that had broken out among the students, it wasn't particularly noticeable.

What was happening here?
She looked around at the students. Those who weren't angry had looks of utter confusion on their faces. And a little way away was Raiden. Thumping his head against the table. Kiri stood up and hurried over to him. "Raiden. Hey, Raiden," she said quietly, sitting down next to him. "Stop it." She tugged on his arm. "What's going on here?"

Evan was just taking another bite from his chicken when Aaron talked. With the word 'apologise', the bite almost got to his trachea. He choked a bit, grabbing a glass of water and drank the whole glass to breathe again. No, he must have heard it wrong. Aaron just didn't apologise and offered to be friends. He just... couldn't! Maybe he was under some sort of effect? Some remainings from the last potions class? Though Evan hadn't seen him there. But it didn't sound right... yet he could guess he meant it. Taking a good glance at him, the blondie guessed he was totally of himself, though what did he know of dark magic? Nevertheless now wasn't time to be sceptic. He cleared his throat in case his voice was hoarse because of the shock.

"Of course I'd like to stop this silliness between us De--Aaron." Duh. He didn't like being enemies either. It was just odd and sad that Aaron offered it right after Fallon's leaving as if he pitied Evan. Whatever. And Evan wouldn't apologise for that matter, it was them who started it and kept being mean to him after all. He had been totally innocent. Maybe, even though it looked even more distant than Kazi's leaving teaching, they'd become friends. It just depended on Aaron. If he was nice, Evan'd be nice back.

Fallon wandered into the Great Hall, massively late. It had taken her forever to pack. She had gotten a letter from her mother the day before saying she wouldn't be able to stay the summer. It really put a damper on her packing. She went over to the Slytherin table and sat next to Evan. It took everything in her power not to cry in front of all of her friends. "Hey guys," she mumbled under her breath.

He did not want to look up again. Looking up would mean looking at the foolish antics of everyone at the Staff Table, where adults were doing things that made no sense while smiling and pretending that they did. It was a good thing that the small voice was instantly recognisable, because otherwise he'd have no clue who he was talking to.

"I don't understand this at all," he muttered, face still decidedly against the table; the only concession on his part was that he'd stopped smacking his head off the wood. "There has been so much crazy stuff this term. People died. So much other stuff too, with the anti-werewolf campaigning and everything... why do they have to do this on top of it. Have the students not had enough abrupt and negative changes this term, do they really have to carry it over to next term?"

A small voice in the back of his head murmured that it didn't want to come back next term now. This school year had been too much. But... well he had to. His friends were here. GROAN. Why had Hogwarts gone from being amazing and the best place in the world to being a place that he didn't even want to be?

Rebecca wandered into the Great Hall wishing she would have showed up on time. She looked around the room for her friends only to realize that she hadn't made any this term. Becca walked quickly to the end of the table to sit alone and eat her meal.

Anti-werewolf campaigning... Kiri bit her lip worriedly (it felt rather sore by now). Luckily, Raiden didn't see, he was still staring straight at the table. Everything had become so complicated! Werewolves and strange memories and fired professors... Kiri didn't know where to start.

Well, Raiden was right here. She rubbed his arm consolingly. It made her feel a little bit embarrassed, but, right now, who would notice? Kiri glanced at the staff table again over Raiden's hunched shoulders. The shameful display wasn't over yet, apparently. Professor Kazimeriz... what was he thinking? Kiri had always been slightly scared by him - he really was very intimidating. But despite all that, he'd seemed like the kind of person to whom Kiri could apply all those words she came across in old tomes: Honourable. Venerable.
She'd never have thought he'd be so petty.

"Don't worry about it," she mumbled to Raiden. "Maybe they'll sort this out during the summer. What if the headmaster comes back? Professor Truebridge won't be, er... sacked then!"
But she had to admit to herself she didn't sound convincing. It really looked pretty bad. By Kiri's count, Hogwarts would need a new nurse and several new teachers - Astronomy (she sighed inwardly), of course, Defence against the Dark Arts if Professor Lawson moved, maybe others if more followed Professor Truebridge in protest or solidarity. What was happening to the school?

"Professor Kazimeriz seems very sure that the Headmaster won't be coming back from whatever sabbatical he's gone on. At least not any time soon. Otherwise, I doubt he'd take the time to make such staffing changes." He looked at Kiri, nose scrunched in distaste as he pointedly avoided looking at the staff table. There was a pink spot on his forehead from its contact with the table. "If the Headmaster planned on being back for the next term, then Professor Kazimeriz wouldn't bother sacking people, I think."

It was... aggravating, at the very least. There was no apparent reason for Professor Truebridge to be sacked. He was a good professor. He cared about the students, enough so that he had let Raiden unload his anxiety and annoyance on him after Daphne had attempted escape by window from the Astronomy lesson. He'd let Raiden stay in his office for however long he'd wanted, just talking about his basic inability to handle eeeeeeverything. He was a good person, what profit was there in letting him go?

"Yes, I guess you're right..." Now rather annoyed by the antics at the staff table, Kiri slumped down on the table next to Raiden, propping up her head with one hand and wondering just how childish grown-ups could be. Now it was clear why Professor Kazimeriz had been in such a good mood earlier. She should have been more suspicious, or at least more attentive - but then again, Kiri had been wrestling with her own problems then.

She tried to think of what would become of that over the holidays; and the next term as well. Sooner or later, she would have to confess to Professor Lupa. Of course, Kiri would prefer later... No, what she'd prefer was never, but she tried to retain some degree of realism, but just how long would she be able to keep this quiet? If not to the professor (assuming Reese hadn't mentioned her), then what about other people? Her friends? Her parents?

She sighed loudly. "I hate this," she announced to no one in particular.

"I hate it too," Raiden mumbled, finally looking. Cope and Dom were up there... Raiden felt a strange burning sensation in his stomach. They were showing the professor support, and... well he wanted to as well.

But...

No buts. It didn't matter if Professor Kazimeriz would be displeased with him over it, he realised. He didn't care. Professor Truebridge deserved better than what was happening. He stood.

"I'll see you later, Kiri. I can't just..." He didn't bother finishing; instead, he stepped over the bench and headed toward the Staff Table, his eyes never flickering away from the group up there.

Destiny made it back to the Slytherin table just in time to see Professor Truebridge go flying through the window. In other circumstances Destiny might have even laughed at him, but no, not today.

Destiny sat down and stared out the broken window. She was too busy 'crying' to even see why he flew out that window. Imagining Kazi picking Truebridge up and throwing him out the window, Destiny might have let out a few chuckles, but could easily pass as sobs. It was not the time to laugh.

Destiny wanted to go home, before Kazi started throwing students out the window.

Evelyn was staring wide eyed at Professor Truebridge being thrown out the window. A CLOSED window. She made a little 'o' with her mouth, imagining how much that may have hurt him. Truebridge may have been fired, but he didn't deserve being thrown out of the school in such a fashion.

Continuing to stare up at Kazi with wide and horror filled eyes, she sat down next to Destiny. "You okay?" she mumbled in an almost inaudible voice.

Destiny sat there still in disbelief over Truebridge. She nodded at Evelyn's question, if it even was a question. Just nod to acknowledge her sitting there.

The vision of the professor flying out t he window was replaying in her mind over and over again. Was no one going to check on him to see if he was okay? Well not Kazi, since he was the one that did that to him. 'What just happened?'

What did just happen? Very good question. She did see Destiny nod, whether it was to her question or something else but... wow. "I don't know." she shook her head in disbelief, her gaze going from one staff member to the other, to the window, back to Kazi, than started all over again.

"I do know to just never, ever, ever...get on Kazi's bad side though." Evelyn whispered, slightly nervous from not using his full name. Didn't want to get thrown out the window like Professor Truebridge or anything. 'Should I stop calling him Professor?' Breaking out of her thoughts, she turned her attention back to her friend. "Are you sure you are okay? You didn't look too happy when you left the table." As if Destiny didn't know that. Pfft.

If the professors weren't going to check on Truebridge, they could at least fix the window. They were just lucky it wasn't cold out.. 'I just don't ever want to get near Kazi. He is a creepy old man.' Destiny whispered that last part and held on to the table. She didn't want to get lifted up out the window.

'Did it work? Is Josh going to tell me?' Destiny smiled as she wiped the tears off her face. Maybe if Josh thought he made her cry, he would feel bad and fess up. Unless he doesn't have feelings, then the tears were for nothing..

"I have a feeling it will be impossible to avoid him all next term though." she mumbled, laying her head on her arms that she placed on the table. Aw, poor Professor Truebridge. Or Mr. Truebridge. Whatever you call him now...

Wait...

What?

"What do you mean 'did it work'?" she asked, lifting up her head and staring at Destiny, raising a brow. "You were faking?" Scoffing, she took a sip of water and shook her head. "Don't tell him that." she mumbled, fiddling with the edge of the table before continuing. "And he can say anything he wants to." Teehee, not giving away any information there! Nope nope nope.

'I wasn't faking. The tears were real..' Which they were. How was she supposed to get an answer with no tears? Psssh.

'I'm not going to tell him. Which means you can't either!' Well of course she wasn't going to tell Josh she was faking! Then he would never, ever tell her. And then the tears would've been wasted. And Destiny didn't like to waste tears for nothing. 'But you know what would be easier? For someone to just tell me!' This whole thing is turning into an investigation. Maybe she could steal some of old man Kazi's veritaserum? It would be so much easier, and it would probably land her out the window with Truebridge, but it was worth it.

'Well no wonder the girl acts the way she does.' Marie thought as she stared at Kevin for a few seconds when he said he loved Kay. Not really knowing how to reply to him all Marie could say was "You love her?" 'Wow, lucky girl.' She was really going to have to talk with Kay once they got on the train and find out why she didn't tell her about Kevin before. 'Wait, the train, I bet she will want to sit with Kevin. I won't be able to question her with him there. Maybe I better find her before we leave.' Looking over at the Hufflepuff table Marie seen Kay sitting with some of her friends. 'Yep, gotta talk to her before the feast is over.'

Marie looked back at Kevin to ask him if he was going home on the train when all of a sudden she heard a loud crash at the staff table. She looked up just in time to see Professor Truebridge flying out the window. "Holy Merlin, what is going on up there? First Truebridge gets fired, now he is flying out a window." Things didn't look good here, this feast was turning out to be a disaster in the making. Looking around the staff table Marie's gaze fell on Kazi. 'I bet he was the one that threw the professor out the window, that nasty, wicked, mean old man.' All of a sudden Marie felt the urge to get out of Hogwarts. She wasn't liking the place very much right now, she just wanted to get home to her parents where it was safe. Dead students, staff getting fired, people flying out closed widows, nope, not a safe place to be now.
Looking back at Kevin she said "Umm, you don't think that would happen to a student do you?" 'I mean students have been killed this term, who's to say they won't be flying out windows next?'
"Kay is lucky she will have you around to help protect her next term." At this point Marie didn't know if she wanted to come back for her second year, maybe she would ask her parents if she could be home schooled. Heck, maybe her parents would let Kay live with them and she could be home schooled too, then they would both be safe.

Well of course the tears were real. The reason behind them wasn't though...right? Unless she really was upset. "I won't mention anything." Evelyn didn't want Josh to be angry again with either of them, especially since they would be heading home so soon.

Smiling, knowing Destiny still wanted to know so badly, she turned to her friend. Well it was pretty obvious. Why would they go through all the trouble of avoiding the topic if something wasn't going on? Shaking her head, Evelyn looked up to the staff table when she heard a loud laughter. Ah, the Headmaster. Kazi. Of course...

Destiny literally covered her ears with the sound of Kazi laughing. It sounded like someone had stepped on the tail of a kneazle. 'Was he laughing at Truebridge?' Well that proves that he is an evil old man. And then he spoke the feast drawing nigh. Destiny had no idea what nigh meant, but she figured it had something to do with getting ready to leave. Whatever, Destiny was actually looking forward to the long train ride home.

Oh the long ride home! And Destiny didn't even eat yet! She would starve and wither away if she had to get on that train on an empty stomach. Grabbing a plate, Destiny piled on the food, shoveling it into her mouth. After about three shovel fulls, Destiny looked at Evelyn 'Are you going to eat? The train ride is long.' Even though Evelyn probably knew that, being as she took the train up here. And with that, Destiny starting shoveling again.

Forgetting all about Kazi for a moment, she watched Destiny pile some food on her plate and start to eat. "I'm not hungry." she mumbled, shaking her head. Ever since Truebridge was thrown out the window, her appetite suddenly disappeared. Actually, she felt sick just looking at the food. "They have a food trolley on the train, so if I get hungry I'll just getting something there." And then she could eat when she got home.

Home... Would she even call that place that? Hogwarts seemed more like her home than her actual home! Sighing, she glanced over at the Gryffindor table, seeing if Josh was finally done with cleaning up the pumpkin juice. Her eyes wandered down the table and landed where Marilyn, Carter, and Rafe were. Marilyn seemed to be acting slightly odd at the moment, but then again...Rafe was there. Could have been because of that. What a year this one turned out to be...

Right, trolley food. Destiny forgot. She gave Evelyn a mouthful smile. She noticed Evelyn glance back at the Gryffindor table. She watched Josh clean the table for a few seconds, wondering why he just didn't vanish whatever he was cleaning. Use magic as much you can, while you can. 'You know, you both make a cute couple.' she said with a grin. 'And I promise not to tease you..that much.'

Evelyn blushed, looking away from Destiny and letting her hair 'accidentally' fall into her face so the Slytherin wouldn't notice. 'No comment. Don't say anything. Don't say...anything.' Can't have Destiny get all the information too soon now can she... "What? You will not tease me!" she scoffed, turning back to her friend, slightly slamming her hands on the table. No one teases Evelyn Flores!

Iris stared between the two boys in shock, not believing what had just happened in less than thirty words. She was about to say something when Fallon appeared, seemingly out of nowhere. "Fallon! Oh ... you look awful ... like ... even worse than usual the past few weeks. Is everything alright?" Other than the whole 'you're leaving' thing, that is...