Staff Table
 

The staff are seated at a long table, stretching across a dais at the front of the room. Feel free to come up and say your short farewells.

Well. Truebridge showed up to the feast, ready to say his goodbyes. He'd made a decision, had a better offer and now...? Well, He supposed it was as good a time as any to let Tate know, let alone the students and he supposed the other staff. He sat down at the table and waited quietly.

Trixie decided, seeing as she had helped him out in the last DADA lesson, that she would go and speak with Truebridge. The rumour was, if she had heard it right, that he was possibly leaving. And Trixie truly hoped that this was just a rumour and not the truth. She didn't want to have to see what was technically her first head of house leave after just one year of her being here.

"Hello professor" she smiled softly as she approached the man at the Staff Table. "You ready to go home then?" she sighed. Trixie herself didn't want to go home and she was coming back next term.....Hopefully. Provided nothing went wrong at all. Nope she'd be perfectly fine and ready for another 2 years at Hogwarts.

Violet walked up to the staff table. So many people were leaving Torin, Nancy, Cela, and more. She looked around at spotted her favourite Professor, Truebridge! She walked over to him, completly ignoring Trixie at the moment, and she leaned down and starting hugging him. "I'm sad, Professor." she mumbled gloomily. Like reallyyyyy sad.

"Hello Trixie." Truebridge thought about the question. "Yes. I am." He cleared his throat. "I intend to ask... a good friend of mine to... move in with me." He was strangely nervous about that. He looked around the hall.

"I will miss this place I think." He spoke quietly, as if to himself.

"And are you looking forward to going home for the summer?"

Oh dear.

"Violet. What is the matter?" And... she was hugging him. Like a deer in headlights, Truebridge froze, though he tried to relax. If he didn't think about it, it wasn't so weird.

Trixie didn't exactly 'get' what he was referring to, so she kinda just raised an eyebrow suspiciously at him. A friend? Move in with him? "Which friend?" she asked almost daringly. Whaaat? She was a Slytherin, it was only natural. Plus he was looking around the Great Hall. She was totally confused. Meh

Woaaah. Rewind. Did Truebridge just say he was gonna miss this place? "Are you meaning to say you are going?" she asked, the smile dropping from her face. No that can't be true.

Sniff

"Please Don't go" she almost begged a pout on her face. He was the first professor she 'officially' met back in his office all those months ago.

She shruggd about his question about going home. "I suppose. Spend a lot of the time down on the farm and get to see the animals again but I'm gonna miss all this, friends, professors, everything" she sighed. Well wasn't this depressing? And she wouldn't get to see Nancy either. That made her extremely sad. Not her favourite prefect leaving. A tear came to her eye.

She noticed her young blonde friend come along and hug Truebridge. She disguised an eye roll but felt for the Slytherin. She would have hugged her herself if she wasn't already occupied.

Violet stopped hugging him. "Well a lot of people are graduating and it makes me really sad." she replied. See, she did have feelings! All her peers that ever doubted that should've totally seen this right now. And then she got into her head what Trixie and Trubridge were talking about. So Truebridge was leaving too?! Violet was ten times sadder now. "I don't want you to leave me either, Professor." she said hugging him again.

"Right? What's for eats?" Tate through himself across the stairs and around the table, falling heavily into the scrolled chair that sat in the middle of the table. He was feeling that antsy feeling, the one that started as an itch in the back of his neck and ended when he hit the road.

He needed a vacation.

"Zan. What's the what?" He nodded at the Slytherins.

Erm. Yes well, it was out there now, wasn't it?

"Yes. I've been offered a job at the Wizarding University of Cairo." It paid a LOT more and meant he wouldn't have to put up with the whole... thing... with Hecate. Odd situation and just another example of how your impressions of a person could change over time and how you could think so well of someone and then they end up being a huge disappointment.

"Considering the reason I was.... replaced as your head of house, its really only a matter of time before the board of governors decide to move on that and fire me. Again." Eh. "I'd much rather choose to leave, though I hate the thought of leaving any of you behind." And at risk of losing body parts or worse.

Surely Hecate would be on her best behaviour now though?

"And as for which friend..." He eyed Trixie. "The former Herbology Professor, Anastasia Bunbury, who I attended the Alumni Ball with." They'd been together for... a long while now. Technically longer than the Lawsons. Hmm.

"You'll come back refreshed though, Trixie." He told her. "After summer you'll be ready to go, and see all your friends again. And you can always write to me. I'll write back of course."

And Violet.

More hugging.

Awkwardly he patted her arm.

"Well, I don't want to leave all of you either. But it is something I need to do for myself. And you're doing so well now, you're very strong and intelligent. A brilliant Slytherin and I admire how far you have come, and know you have so much further to go and you can do it. You can write to me if you wish."

Oh yes. The boss.

Well, he supposed that Tate ought to know.

"Casey." Ahem. "I resign."

That'd do it.

Hecate looked down the table to Ethan... Did he just... resign?

Tate raised an eyebrow, but otherwise, he didn't move from his slumped position. What. The. Hell? He'd gone to bat for this man, he'd thought they were friends... he'd nearly quit when the governors came back with their pronouncement about Lafay...

And this was the thanks he got? "I should shove your nose out the back of your head using only my fist and a bit of Muggle physics," he finally growled, letting his eyes close. He kneaded his forehead.

"Perhaps, Ethan... perhaps it would have been better to share this information with me earlier. And in private. Just one of those social conventions you might want to remember for next time."

Con. <3
 

She was here. Gold had been about to tell Headmaster Tate that someone thought he had looked awesome - "dapper" - at the ball, but had refused to allow her to quote them on that. That was it. But, the moment she stepped up to the Staff Table, this was what she heard.

I resign.

The words were out before she could stop them,

"You can't."

The Headmaster was there, in 'conversation' with Professor Truebridge ---- and Gold launched herself on Truebridge, and hugged him. HUGGED him. "You can't resign," she said. "Everyone leaves. Professor Crispe left. Professor... Professor Kazimeriz left -" There was a lump in her throat - "Professor Lawson is leaving. Professor Lawson -" The other Professor Lawson -- "Is leaving. You can't leave." He had to know that.

Had to.

Jeez. Trixie already hated, okay more like was scared of she couldn't hate anyone, of Lafay enough already. Now she was, technically making Truebridge resign. That was just..... Okay she couldn't find a good enough adjective to describe it.

"B-B-But...." she started. "Nothing can be better then Hogwarts" she pouted, almost giving him puppy dog eyes. Now they usually worked. Whether they worked on professors was another matter.

He actually answered her question about which friend. Maybe the Slytherin should be more nosey more often. "Oh I see" she replied, sly grin and with a wink.

"Refreshed? If you mean smelling of horses and covered in goodness knows what and mud then sure, refreshed is the word" she sighed. Yeah because it was never dry in Wales. So she wouldn't get down to the beach or anything. So sad. Write to him? Eh she wasn't in need for a pen pal, she wanted her professor. "I will..." she told him. What exactly do you write to your ex professor about? She didn't think he'd exactly want to know her life story.

Oh the Headmaster. Perfect. "Please make him stay Sir" she pouted over at him now. Wow what was with the girl today? Well at least she was being polite. A good little slytherin. *Angel halo* But she heard his comment and stared blankly. Jeez that was a little violent......

And Moretti? Now there was someone she knew well. Not like she'd been to the hospital wing, what was it, 5 times now? Although the last one wasn't her that was injured or ill. But it was kinda her fault. Oops. "Hello Healer Moretti" she smiled softly.

Oh dear.

Lily.... had no opinion, nope. Not one that she was about to voice, anyway. It wasn't exactly her place to get involved.

But, Tate looked like he was about to have a hippogriff. Sort of. Lily tilted her head at the man, considering him for a moment before wondering if he could do with a calming draught. She had one. She did. Her eyes slid between Tate and Truebridge for a minute, before she was distracted.

"Oh, hello Trixie." She smiled at the Slytherin girl, who had been one of the hugging children. "I trust I will see you in the hospital again, next term?" Hopefully, for visits, and not injuries.

"Oh okay." she replied. Oooh yay complements! That made her feel a little bit better. "Thanks." she said and forced a smile. She watched as Tate starting saying all this stuff to Truebridge. Eep! That looked like her cue to go, but she was too shocked to say anything she just stood there slooooowly took a step back.

Violet gave a little pout as Gold starting hugging Professor Truebridge he was HER hugging buddy. Hmph. She focused on Tate and Truebridge again and just stared.

Merlin, HORDES of students were attaching themselves to Ethan... he did not seem... comfortable. For that reason she had the urge to move closer to him and hug him tight. She didn't do it of course... besides... Sage may get jealous and finally show his Gryffindor courage and passion... maybe...

She had wanted things to go better between herself and the DADA professor, history is history and they had that... but... alas the future is unpredictable no matter what the Divination kook says.

Hearing her name spoken, Iliana lifted her head and looked down the table. She gave Gold a weak smile, hoping it would look authentic. She had never been the best actress.

Then with a little sigh, she leaned back in her chair to watch over the Gryffindor House table. For the last time.

"I wouldn't want to have to hex you." Truebridge answered apologetically and tried to extract himself from the hugging Violet.

"I decided yesterday. Or rather, I got the offer a week ago and made my mind up yesterday." Ah yes. Social conventions. Those pesky things. He wasn't so good with them really.

Was this the appropriate time to extend a dinner invitation?


More hugging? By this point Truebridge was obviously twitchy. He liked these kids but he had to keep telling himself not to hex every single one of them, simply because he didn't really DO touching. Never had. Superhuman effort though, and he patted Gold's shoulder and nodded at her even as he tried to free himself.

"You'll leave one day too, Gold." Err. "I've... enjoyed having you as my student." True. But there was hugging. Which was less enjoyable.

"Its the people that make Hogwarts. Not the place itself. And with magic, you never truly leave anyone." Floo and all that. "I know you'll be fine. And help your house mates." and... you know, make sure they get through the next term intact. "Its been a pleasure teaching you, Trixie."

Well. Refreshing to Truebs who liked spending his summers tramping around the world, interacting with dangerous beasts. It would be the Congo for the first half of the summer and Tibet for the second.

"I believe in you, Violet. You proved everyone wrong this term and I'd like to hear that you continue to show everyone what you are made of." Truebridge added, finally managing to pull himself free from the huggers. He spotted Raiden and gave the boy a nod.

Con and Liisha <3
 

That was all he had to say? "I won't, before this school refuses me," Gold said quietly, detaching herself from Professor Truebridge. "Or perhaps I will." Her tones were even quieter, now. "You're right, Professor. Perhaps I will." Perhaps she should. She turned around, pausing only in front of her Head of House, on her way back to the Gryffindor Table.

"You've been one of the best teachers ever," she said, simply. "Thank you for two, wonderful years.You'll be missed, Professor." She had every intention of keeping in touch with the Lawsons.

Simon smiled as he walked upto the staff table, he hadn't meet the head this term but he guest he knew which one would be the head. Simon looked around as he saw quite a few other students hanging around the staff table, well he was on a mission, he wanted to speak too the head, he wanted to wish him a pleasent summer holiday and thank him for a great term.

Simon saw the person who he thought was the headmaster, well he hoped it was the only problem was he seemed to be talking to another member of staff "Headmaster, I just wanted to say I have enjoyed my first term here and I can't wait for the next term." Simon smiled. "Also I hope that you have a great summer holiday." Simon said hoping the Headmaster didn't mind him speaking.

Iliana had promised herself she wouldn't cry. But... as she looked down into Gold's pretty face...

"Thank you, dear," she said softly. "I'll miss you, too." And before she could walk away, she added, "I'm prouder than you'll ever know."

"My dear," Tate finally did sit up as he offered the girl a sympathetic smile. "I wish I could convince Professor Truebridge of anything. He knows that I will always have a spot for him at my school, but for now... it seems like he has other paths he needs to follow."

"I suppose we'll never know whether your hex would out pace my fist," Tate said easily, but he was willing to let it go. Truebridge meant no harm and the look on Violet's face had him feeling... like a brute. And Tate was NOT a brute.

"Funny how fast things change. I suppose I'll have to post advertisements in the Prophet. Something pithy that still manages to warn them what they're really getting into." It was possible Tate actually looked at Lafay when he said 'warn'. Maybe. "Don't be a stranger, Zan. I liked you having my back."

Ah. Tate turned from Truebs for the moment, offering a nod to the Hufflepuff in question. "I'm glad you enjoyed your time here. With the Triwizard next term, I can assure you that next term will be quite as exciting as this one was."

"Chicken..." she said under her breath and smirked. She coughed. "Can someone pass the chicken." She asked. "Ethan... we never had that cup of tea... I feel slighted now that you are leaving... maybe I'll visit you where ever you are off to. Where is it, you are going to?" She asked him.

Gold hesitated. She wanted to hug Professor Lawson. But the teachers didn't understand. Gold didn't want this hug to be a waste, too. Then she reached out, and did. "I'll send you lots of owls." She glanced round the Staff Table. Professor Lawson still wasn't here. The other one.

"Please tell Professor Lawson, from me, that he's been the best Muggle Studies teacher ever," she said, tones honest.

Simon smiled at the Headmaster. "What is that?" He wondered what was going on but decided it was none of his business, Simon had never heard of a Triwizard cup before.

The hug was more than enough to send warm tears cascading down her cheeks. She hugged Gold back fiercely and let out a small laugh. "Promise?" she teased before releasing her hold. Owls would be wonderful. There were so many people she wanted to keep in touch with.

Nodding her head, she said, "I'll tell him." Marcus was going to miss this place as much as she was. "Take care of yourself, Gold."

"I think I'll always have your back." Probably. Just often from afar really. "We should... with... Annie and Cari... dinner..." Pause. Or that might be... you know, bad for someone's health. It wasn't like those two got along. Hmm.

"Or just me." He amended, unsure if it was even possible to have Anastasia be on her best behaviour in that sort of situation.

"Cairo." Truebridge answered. "Back to History actually." Solemnly, he flicked his wand, so that the teapot poured Hecate a cup of tea. He levitated it to her without his expression changing. "Cup of tea." There. Done.

Trixie smiled weakly at Moretti as she acknowledged her presence and couldn't help but let out even a slight giggle as she asked about whether she'd be seeing Trixie next term. "Most probably. I'm accident prone, you know me" she smiled. "But I'll come and visit too if I dont injure myself."

Trixie listened to what Professor Truebridge had to say but she wasn't happy with it. "It may be so but what happens when those people leave?" she asked. Next term would be devastating for the Slytherin and she wasn't even thinking about the term after that. Help her housemates? She was doing that already. "It's truly a pleasure being taught by you sir" she said with a small pout. He certainly didn't have a lot to say on the matter.

Ok so the Headmaster had calmed down from that little violent outburst. Thankfully. Because quite frankly that was scary enough. And he was being all sympathetic and stuff, which Trixie appreciated. "Well thank you anyway" she smiled softly albeit weakly. "And it's been a pleasure being at Hogwarts this term" she informed him.

"Promise," Gold said, putting as much warmth as she could into the hug, now. It didn't feel like a waste. It felt exactly like it should - like a good!hug. "Pinky promise," she added, with a light smile. She didn't like Professor Lawson sad. She wanted her to smile. Be happy.

"I will, if you'll smile."

Aww, Truebridge was so nice she wanted to hug him again, but decided not to since he seemed...uncomfortable when she did. "Thank you, Professor that means a lot. No one really tells me that." she replied. Only one person said something similiar but not as touching as that. "You really are a awesome Professor, and I'll miss you." Violet let out a sigh of relief as things seemed to calm down. She never really talked to Tate, so she decided it was safe to talk now. "Hi, Headmaster Tate." she said. "This term has been...fun." she said awkwardly. She wasn't really sure if Tate liked her so she usually tried to stay away from his office and not make eye contact.

"You get stronger." Truebridge answered simply. "You learn."

There was not much more to say. Ethan Truebridge was different. He always had been. And while he was very fond of his students, expressing that wasn't easy. He did it through his actions and through helping them more than through his words.

"I suppose so." Truebridge agreed quietly.

Guilt was a foreign thing to him, so he didn't quite recognise it for what it was. Though considering he tended not to do things for himself, it was about time that he did. He couldn't feel bad about moving on with his life.

"You can write. I'd write back." Of course.

... and he was hungry. Surely he would get a chance to eat?

Well that seemed reasonable enough. "Deal," she said, wiping her cheeks dry. She gave Gold one more quick hug and a warm smile. It was a sincere smile. One she didn't have to fake at all.

"Now run along and enjoy the rest of the feast. You deserve it."

"You need to learn to tell yourself. Tell yourself true things and important things, not superficial things." And she was getting better at seeing her own REAL value as opposed to the surface stuff she always went on about before.

"I'll miss you too. I suppose." He did. He supposed.

-exits Gold -
 

Gold smiled. This was better. Professor Lawson looked more beautiful when she was happy, Gold decided. Sadness didn't suit her. "I think I do," she half laughed. "Don't forget to write back, Professor."

She returned the hug with a quick one of her own, before returning to the Gryffindor House Table. She couldn't say she had come to terms with the fact that people she loved - not only professors, but friends. More than friends, best friends, some of her favourite people, even a boyfriend - were going to leave Hogwarts, all at once, but she felt better.

Better than she had, in a while.

She looked at the cup of tea and began laughing. No. Really. That was funny. She took the cup and raised it to him. "To your health... and your new job." She said and winked at him. Then continued laughing and put down the cup. Not a sip taken... Like she trusted anyone... psha...

Mmmm. Somehow, Raiden wasn't really surprised. Like at all. Professor Truebridge was a good person, but if he'd gotten something better, and considering the treatment he'd received over the years...

He'd seen the man fired for no reason and tossed out a window. He'd been removed from his stance as the Head of Slytherin House for no good reason, and replaced with someone who wasn't even qualified, in Raiden's opinion, to clean the castle floors. And last term, after returning from being locked in Azkaban, he'd ended up in St. Mungos along with the rest of them, injured in the fight.

Were Raiden offered a better job in better places, he would have left too.

"I'd like that." Writing, he meant. It would be nice. "I can't say I'm... not sad that you're going. But I wish you the best, sir."

And... less clingy teenage girls.

"You'll see, lad. Have no fear... it'll all be made clear next term," Tate smiled broadly at the boy.

"It's like you're setting me up for a situation in which someone HAS to hit me," Tate groaned, putting his hand to his head. Everyone in that group had hit him. They should start a club.

"But Cari would very much like to see you, I think. Dinner would be nice. I'm hoping to travel this summer, so maybe we can come to you."

"I'm glad. No one died, which is pretty much my only rule of thumb in judging whether we had a good term. No kidnappings, no deaths, and no serious injuries," Tate crossed his fingers to show that he HOPED their good luck would continue.

"Hello, child," Tate raised his hand and sort of wiggled his fingers at her. "I'm glad you had a good term. Plans for the summer?"

"Yeah, I guess." she replied. "I'm glad I'm better now, and I'm sorry for being rude last term." She didn't think last term was fun at all. Nope.

She half smiled. "I'll probably write to you." she said, she would totally have to update him one day.
"Not that I know of, I think I'm just going to take it easy." she replied. "Although it would be nice to finally see Torin dress as a girl though." she added with sigh. Oops, did she say that out loud? Hehe. "How about you, sir?"

Yeah he was late as usual but he wouldn't be Marcus Lawson if he wasn't late to a social event. He still had that rock star approach where nothing happened until he got there.

But his time hadn't been wasted. He had taken the time to actually walk around the castle and its grounds for the very last time. You know, to say goodbye and all.

He was feeling good. Happy even. He had made this decision a couple of months ago and now that the last day was finally here, Marcus was really quite excited about what the future is going to bring.

Of course he was going to miss the students especially the three Slytherin girls aka Destiny, Evelyn and Marie, Jake, Eli, Gold, Patrick, Xylon, Fallon, Arya and there were many more.

It made him stop for a moment before heading to the staff table and look out over the sea of students.

Bugger!

He was actually going to miss this place more than he thought. He shook himself and headed towards the dais, he'd made his decision and there was no going back now no matter how sad he was feeling right now.

And he was sad.

He was.

As he finally got to the dais, Marcus immediately took a seat beside his wife and found her hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. Then he glanced around at the rest of his colleagues and raised an eyebrow at all the students milling around Zan.

What was going on with his friend now?

...because I felt the need to post Nance somewhere.
 

Nancy had decided to was only appropriate to say goodbye to all the professors...because it would be for good this time. This last time. Sniff! As she made her way up to the Staff Table her blue eyes flickered over to the Seventh Year Memory Book and it made her feel even sader as she watched Cela finish her entry. She was going to save this for last. It was too final to do it right at the beginning of the feast.

Upon arriving at the staff table her face fell into a slightly confused frown. Why was Gold literally throwing herself at Truebridge?! It wasn't HER last term and it wouldn't be...a dawning look crept across her face as a suspicion formed in her mind. A suspicion she needed confirmed first though. "Raiden." Nancy said softly as she walked up to stand next to her fellow Prefect. "What's going on?" By the way she inclined her head towards Truebridge and the rest of the girls people surrounding him it became obvious what she was referring to.

Hopefully it wouldn't be what she was suspecting.

What Lawson didn't know was, while he was taking his walk around the school and grounds, a certain Slytherin was behind him..the WHOLE time.

No, Destiny was NOT stalking the man..

Spying was more like it.

She didn't think he was ever going to head inside to the feast with how slow he was walking. She figured he was either really upset or he was just really old and slow. Of course, being Destiny and all, she chose the latter. But today she was not going to tease him about his age or even that ever growing bald spot of his. Nope. She was going to be nice..unless he started with her first, then she was going to let him have it.

Still following him up to the staff dais, Destiny took a look around the Hall, noticing Evelyn at the Slytherin table with Rae and whatshisname..she would stop over there when the food arrived later. She was going to spend the whole summer with Evelyn anyway..she'd have plenty of time to talk to her then. She gave her friend a wave as she passed, then turned back to Lawson..

..who was getting away!

Walking a little faster, which was taking a lot out of her, she finally reached the dais and stopped right in front of where Lawson was sitting, "LAWSON! I totally saw you cry at the Whomping Willow."

Oh..she was supposed to be nice.

permission given
 

The Lawsonator was still gazing down the table at Zan and wondering what was going on. He absently picked up a goblet of water and was just bringing it to his lips when...

Destiny happened.

Not expecting to have someone yell right in front of him, Marcus jumped slightly and the goblet jerked in his hand and water spilled down the front of his robes.

It was kind of a knee jerk reaction and what he did next was done without conscious thought. He just simply reacted because the girl had actually scared him and he had not seen her coming. And you know after once being the DADA professor it made Marcus look bad.

As he turned towards the Slytherin girl, Lawson flicked his wrist and the goblet tilted and the water flew out heading straight for Destiny and hitting her straight in the face.

"Ooops. My bad."

Mwhaha.

Bahaha!

Lawson had been so scared he wet himself.

Destiny really didn't mean to scare the man, she just figured she would speak loudly so he could hear her better. And it had nothing to do with his ancient ears, the feast was just really loud and if she couldn't hear herself, she figured he wouldn't be able to hear her either. Plus, yeah, he had ancient ears.

Snickering a little as the water ran down the front of his robes, she didn't see the water fly in her direction..until it hit her right in the face. After using her hand to wipe the water out of her EYES, she glaaaared at him as he said 'my bad'. Pffft. He totally did that on purpose, she KNEW it. The Lawsonator was incredibly lucky the feast didn't start or he would have had a face full of potatoes right then..

"Remember when Marie wet me and you tied her to me? Do I have tie you to her, to teach you a lesson?" she asked, pointing a wet finger at him.

Better then tying him to Marie, she should tie him to the chair, so he couldn't leave.

He'd been slightly distracted by hearing mutters about Torin Kane and dresses, but it wasn't enough so that he didn't notice Nancy's appearance. Glancing at her, he gave her a smile, a rather grateful one at that. She'd been a really good prefect and she was a great person, and he'd miss her. He'd miss a lot of people leaving this term.

There was one he really did need to seek out, though not to say goodbye.

"He's leaving," Raiden said carefully, eyes facing the staff table again and catching the little water tussle between Lawson and Destiny, rather than watching Nancy's reaction. "He's just resigned."

Fallon walked up to the staff table to say goodbye to Lawson. She really didn't want to, but she knew it would be best if she did. When she reached there, he watched as he made a goblet of water hit the Destiny girl in the face. It was kind of funny and Fallon tried to control her giggles. It didn't work. She finally was able to control herself and turned to Lawson. "Hey Professor Lawson." Yeah, she hadn't really thought about what she was going to say.

Teehee!

She looked like a drowned kneazle.

And that would be the second time that he had managed to cover Destiny in some sort of liquid. The whole can of soda last year at the slumber party had been funnier though. But this was still funny.

Marcus placed his elbows onto the table and gave the Slytherin a very sweet smile and fluttered his eyelashes at her.

"Do you even know how to produce ropes from your wand Miss Shephard?" He seriously doubted it.

And yes he was just daring her to try it.


Turning away from the crazy girl but managing to still watch her from out of the corner of his eye because she was bound to do something to him, Marcus smiled when he saw Fallon.

"Hey there Fallon. Looking forward to your summer vacation?"

Dude, he was really going to miss these kids.

Fallon smiled up at Lawson. She just realized he was the only professor that she'd talked to outside of the classroom. Next year was going to be so weird for her.

"Yep. My dad just moved into a new house with lots of land around it." Which meant Quidditch practice and bonfires. It was going to be a fun summer. "Are you looking forward to your summer?"

She wasn't going to mention him leaving just yet. Nope.

She turned to Marcus Lawson. She smiled and gave him a polite nod.

"That's Quite Enough Miss Shepard! He is still Professor Lawson to you, no matter if he teaches here or not. I suggest you watch what you say while you are in my presence or anyone elses." She said placing her wand on the table, her hand over it. "Do I make myself clear, or should. I. Amplify it?"

Squeezing Marcus hand to keep from giggling, Iliana's eyes went to Lafay's. She gave the woman a quick smirk, that said, 'You tell her' before taking another sip from her water glass.

What in the name of Merlin's eggs was Lawson doing?

Destiny took a step back from the dais as he started doing that freaky thing with his eyes. If it wasn't for the smile plastered on his face, she would have swore he was being possessed by some kind of demon thing. But..can someone who was evil already be possessed again? She'd have to ask Truebridge about that seeing how he taught DADA and all. He'd know about demons.

Scoffing at the fact that she was STILL wet and hearing the question about producing ropes, she moved her hand to her pocket where she kept her wand. She should probably buy a holster this summer..eh. "I can too produce ropes. Did you forget that you taught that to me, in my first year?" He probably did forget..old age and all.

"Do you want me to.."

"..show you?"

Merlin's cold spaghetti!

Slowly she turned to Professor Lafay as she started scaring talking to her. Or was she yelling? It didn't matter what she was doing, the woman now had her wand out! If the staff table wasn't so high, the very scared little girl Destiny would have climbed over it and cradled herself on the Lawsonator's lap.

She was going to be lit on fire..again.

Taking a step away from the table so it would be easier to stop, drop and roll when the time came, she shook her head. "Amplifying is not necessary, Professor. You made yourself crystal clear." She gave a quick thumbs up before looking back at Lawson with a 'help me' expression.

He would help her..right!?

"Really? That sounds pretty awesome. I think that Mrs Lawson and I might look into finding a house that has lots of land as well." It had never been something he had considered before but now with Ava and he was sure there would be more little Lawson's to follow then it would probably be a good idea.

Marcus gave the Slytherin a smile, "I certainly am looking forward to a break. Thinking of heading abroad with the family." Not sure why he actually said that because he hadn't been thinking about it at all but now that he had said it, it seemed like a good idea.

Marcus returned Hecate's nod and then his mouth dropped open when she started in on Destiny.

Oh dear!

Now he knew why the students were so scared of her. "Err..."

What does one say to that?

Glancing at his wife he had to bite on his lip to keep from laughing, "Don't encourage her" he muttered under his breath.

Just as he was opening his mouth to dare Destiny to do it, Marcus watched with amazement as the girl backed down quick smart. He couldn't help but let a little smirk cross his features. Perhaps he should have gotten lessons from Hecate on how to tame the naughty children.

And then Destiny gave him that look and Marcus just couldn't resist her, with a deep sigh he lent over to his wife and spoke in a low tone, "You can kill me for this later."

He let go of her hand and turned towards Hecate. Marcus reached out with his hands and took hold of her face and pulled her forward, smacking a nice BIG kiss on her lips.

Without saying a word he let go of the Potions Mistress and turned back to Destiny, "Now what was it you were saying about the ropes?"

"Good." She said and took a sigh. Why was it, students thought they could talk back to the professors?

She turned from the girl to Marcus... What was he apologizing to his wife for? She thought but soon her eyes went wide and both her eyebrows shot up as her lips were being pressed upon by the Muggles Studies Professor... Her mind went blank.

Soon as he pulled away, she covered her mouth with her hand and forgot the student completely.

Zane saw Mr. Masterson get up right as Zane reached the hall. He made his way over to him, slowly but surely. "Mr. Masterson, I just wanted to thank you for helping me at the lake when I needed it." he said smiling.

"Behave, children," Tate rolled his eyes at the antics of his staff. The Lawsons and Lafay were in a mad dash to be the most disruptive element, neatly displacing Zan and all the hugging that was going on.

"Ili. How's that kid of yours doing?" Tate was absolutely certain there was no better way to sidetrack a new mother, and he needed to keep this from becoming some sort of natural disaster.

Oh.

My.

Merlin.

What just happened was actually WORSE than being lit on fire. If Destiny had to choose, she would have chose the fire, that's for sure. At least she could get rid of the flames, but the vision of The Lawsonator and Crazy Lafay kissing was embedded in her head and she didn't think she'd ever be able to erase it. It was going to give her nightmares for the rest of her life.

She was going to need therapy.

With wide eyes, she looked between the kissing Professor's. What was she suppose to say or do after that!? "Umm.." Speechless. Destiny was speechless. "Umm.." She might have looked like a fish, with her opening and closing her mouth so much. It didn't help that she was still wet either. Finally deciding what to do, she found her voice, "I'm gonna go.." throw up..arrange Lawson's funeral..gouge my eyeballs out with spoons, "..finish my homework."

Turning away from the staff table, Destiny ran to the Slytherin table. That would be the last time she visits the Professor's at the feast.

Not really understanding what Marcus was muttering, Iliana eyed him curiously for a moment, still sipping at her water. Kill him? Pssh!! Why?

Then his lips were pressed against Lafay's, smacking sounds and all. Unable to help herself, Ili laughed, spitting water along side her husband's robes. She quickly grabbed her handkerchief, dabbing at her mouth and then his shoulder. "Sorry," she said, still smiling.

She looked at him apologetically. "Feel better?" she asked, trying not to laugh again. Oh she wouldn't kill him for that. But she'd be served breakfast in bed for the next week.

Hearing her name, Ili pushed herself closer to Tate, giving him a proud smile. "Oh Ava? She's doing wonderful, Headmaster," she replied. "She's just starting pulling up this week. I have a feeling she'll be walking in no time." She gave the man a nod of her head, hopefully conveying that she wasn't AT ALL a jealous wife. Marcus was just... well... Marcus.

Watching Hecate's reaction from out of the corner of his eyes, Marcus couldn't help but grin.

It worked!

Bwhaha.

That had to be the first time that he had seen Destiny Shepard at a loss for words. It was rather amusing to see her stutter over her words and then run off to the Slytherin table.

She was going to have to thank him later for doing that.

Maybe he should have tried that earlier with Hecate and then she wouldn't be so mean to the students.

But then again...

...maybe not.

"Sorry about that boss."

Ooops maybe Tate should give the Potions mistress a kiss too. Might make him feel better.

Or you know...not!

This is why he was married to the best woman in the world. Iliana Lawson was truly one of a kind.

He lent over with a smile on his face and gave her a wink before planting a kiss on her. "I do now" he replied with a small chuckle.

Well he OBVIOUSLY wasn't talking to her... She was older than he was. It was all the kids attaching themselves to the DADA professor... or... Shepard... right.

"Right... Yes-Wait. What?" Homework? At the closing term feast? That child was off...

She wiped the water the woman spurt off her face with her napkin. "It's. No. Problem." She said through gritted teeth... She couldn't be mad at the woman. Her husband had just... kissed her, after all.

She shuddered... The man was incorrigible. She wanted to tell his wife to keep in on a leash... but she thought better of it. Maybe Sage wouldn't have seen it... maybe... maybe if she didn't call attention to it... "Marcus... I hope you leave your forwarding address with us... so we may keep in contact." and I can get back at you for this! she thought.

Um ... What!? Josephina had just been thinking how she wished she'd gotten to know some of her colleagues better, but instantly took that back. Since apparently getting to know your colleagues nowadays involved close physical contact and other reprehensible actions.

Ew.


As the Transfiguration professor muttered ever so rightly under his breath. "Couldn't agree with you more, Sir." she nodded at him, through a forced smile. Because truly, she wanted to vomit in her mouth.

Oh noes. So it WAS true. Crap! For once she had hoped that her suspicions weren't proven correct. "Sucks." Nancy muttered, her eyes fixated on Truebridge. "Did he say why?" Hogwarts was going to miss him. He had been a great teacher. Sigh. And if what she'd heard was true then the Lawsons were leaving too...

Talking of which. O___o Had Lawson just totally spilled water onto Destiny ON PURPOSE?! Well, that was just...but she wasn't going to say anything. Destiny could fight her own battles. Heck yes! Besides, this was her last day here so she wasn't going to end it throwing pie into a professor - or ex-professor? - 's face. Though, it would be-



-GROSS! Err...not what she had wanted to say at first but...WTF?! Had Lawson just KISSED Lafay?! Why?! Was this an image she wanted to take home as a memory of Hogwarts?! Heck no! Though...somehow it was...amusing. 'cause judging by the look on he-Lawson's face this certainly had not come from any hidden romantic feelings for their Head of House. Hopefully.

"Did you SEE that?!" Nancy muttered into Raiden's direction, still staring at he-Lawson, before quickly glancing at she-Lawson who was obviously also quite amused by her husband's behavior. Was that on their everyday agenda? Kissing other people for fun...or for the sake of startling them. Which definitely had worked with Lafay. Definitely.

Turning back towards the very lovely Potions mistress, Marcus pulled out a piece of parchment and scribbled down his address. "Oh please do Professor Lafay" he said holding out the parchment. "Don't be a stranger."

Hehe, she would last five minutes at his house, what with Ava there and all.

Still leaning towards Hecate, Marcus couldn't help but notice the looks on his fellow colleagues. He of course mistook the green look on their faces for jealousy.

And why not?

Marcus Lawson always got to kiss the pretty girls.

Fallon smiled and nodded at Lawson. "Definately." She was going to miss talking to Lawson and thinking about it just made it hard for her to find what to say.

Fallon grinned as he said something about going abroad. "That sounds like a lot of fun. And very relaxing." She knew being a Professor at Hogwarts had to take it's toll on you. Some of the students were just crazy.

She was going to say something when Lawson kissed Lafay! Fallon didn't know what to say. She kind of stood there in shock and just watched what was going on. She wasn't going to get in the middle of this.

Egypt?! He was leaving Hogwarts to go to Egypt? Along with Bunbunz? Maybe? Her red hair would be VERY popular there...almost as much as they had been among certain Hogwarts-boys. "Sucks." Nancy repeated with yet another sigh as she met Raiden's eyes for a moment before looking back at the man in question. "He was one of the best professors." Along with Shackleton.

"Yeah, EW is a good way to describe it." Probably also the only. Who would want to kiss Lafay like that? That was way too dangerous. "He's lucky she didn't set him on fire." Nancy uttered, frowning slightly at the pair. And what came across as a joke could very well be reality. And Raiden knew that only too well.

"'tis so sad to see all those people leaving." She stated with her head slightly cocked to the side. Yes, technically she was one of 'those people leaving' but then again, she wasn't talking about herself right now...no, that was too depressing. She was talking about all the OTHER people.

Mel too =)
 

Arya was late to the feast. She was late last term as well, and she told herself that she would be on time this term, but a certain kneazle of her's wasn't ready to leave. So after packing she has spent the last few hours searching for Perseus. Now that she had found him and put him in his cage so she wouldn't have to find him again, she sauntered into the Great Hall for the last time as a preteen.

The young puff was in a particuarly good mood as she walked past the four house tables. Sure she was leaving behind all her friends and professors for the summer, but she had made it all term without any midnight duels or being cursed, and that was definitely something to smile about.

Hopping onto the staff dias, she waved at all the Hogwarts staff as she made her way over to her favorite professor. Surely she couldn't leave without saying goodbye to her. Grinning at the woman, she greeted her with the usual big hug. "Hey, Lady Lawson!" She peeked over to the muggle studies professor. "Haiii, Sir Lawson!" He would have to come to her if he wanted his hug, cause she had no plans of standing too close to Lafay.

The end of term feast saddness was starting to sink in, she was gonna miss Lady Lawson. Both the Lawsons and all the other professors that had grown on her over the past term. "I'm gonna miss you, Lady Lawson." She said softly as she gave the woman another hug. You can never give too many hugs.

Tate was tired of the drama and the squabling. Much as he wished the seventh years well and knew he'd miss them (some... of them), he was just READY for the term to end and for everyone to go home and RELAX. People were wound tight and doing bizarre and inappropriate things.

He stood abruptly. "Welcome, once again, to our end of term feast. I hope that you all enter this hall with memories from this past term, whether from the job fair, your classes, our alumni ball, or any of the many events put on in your individual houses. Today is bittersweet, because we know that SOME will not be returning next term... they will be moving on to better things. But it is a happy beginning for them, and we all know that in a few short months, we begin again. If you were a success this term, you cannot rest on your laurels. And if you struggled in some way, fall is a fresh start. Go home, enjoy your time off, and come back ready to learn and grow. And now... finish your dinners. The train will depart shortly."

Max applauded Tate's speech while chewing a mouthful of Shepherd's pie. His objective at the feast was to be seen and to say very little so that he could actually eat his meal (too often, he had to sneak into the kitchens and fix a snack because he never got around to eating).

He swallowed and turned to the Headmaster who was seated to his left. "Nice and to the point, Tate. Well done!"

"I won't." She said and turned to the other professors. What was their problem?

... she had to hand it to him. He had a way with words.

"I agree." She said and then finished the contents of her glass. Could she leave now? She didn't like the looks she was getting. She pulled her wand into her holster and snapped it into position.

Preston turned back to look at the woman who had spoken to him.. ahhh, Professor Hadley.

"It's no wonder the students behave as they do," he whispered back in a hushed tone. "Puts me off my meal."

Instead of eating - for between the earlier display and the fact that there was chicken on the table, he'd lost his appetite - he turned his attention to the Headmaster.

Well said. Well said, indeed. A relatively quiet term, compared to what he'd heard about terms past. A successful job fair; an joyful alumni ball. No mayhem. No madness. Well, except maybe from that Potions woman. Preston scoffed, internally, at the thought of what had transpired.

He looked out over the hall, eyes lingering over the 7th years who would leave as he absentmindedly ran a finger along the rim of his cup.

"Yeah..." One hand slipping out of his pocket, Raiden rubbed the back of his neck. "He still is one of the best."

He would just be one of the best professors somewhere else, was all. But still... it did suck that Truebridge and Lawson were leaving. Especially since Lafay was staying.

"She wouldn't. He's not a defenceless child," he murmured wryly. He was a staff member, surely she'd know better than to harass them, at least. Eyes settling on the headmaster for a moment, he turned the man's speech over in his mind for a minute before looking at Nancy again.

"I'll miss you next term." He smiled. "It was nice, working with you as prefect."

Lisa! Patty! Mel! Conner!
 

"I'm sure you don't need much help there..." Hecate muttered under her breath... After all, that collar was so tight around his neck, she couldn't believe he didn't choke on the liquids he was drinking.

Tate had been sitting. Enjoying his meal. Having a drink. Ignoring the dramas. Sigh. It couldn't last.

He stood again and waved. "Before we leave, I would be remiss if I didn't take a moment to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our House Cup winners. Congratulations to Slytherin House on your win this term. Even with the unfortunate set back at the beginning of the term, you lot pulled through to victory based on your hard work and spirit of cooperation. I'm sure your current Head of House is very proud, but I am certain that the Head of House who saw you through most of the term will leave our hallowed halls knowing he instilled in all of you a sense of fair play and the rewards of effort."

"I'd also like to acknowledge the Hufflepuffs for winning the Quidditch Cup this term. You played amazingly well, and you are a credit to your house. Special thanks to your captain," he nodded in the direction of the Badgers.

Hecate applauded for her house. She turned to Ethan and nodded in his direction as Tate spoke about the 'other' Head of House. "Do enjoy your time in Cairo, and try to get some color..." she whispered in his direction.

The clinking of his chinaware cup was about the only sound Kapoor had made this end of term feast. That, and the slight slurping noise as he tried to get a trickle of tea that had drizzled down the side of the cup when he drank from it. It had been fun, being back inside the old castle walls of his boyhood school. Getting to work along side such wonderful teachers had also been a blessing.

He dropped a sugar cube into his cup with a plop!!! and refilled one last cup.

Vindictus put his fork down and listened as Becca spoke. When she finished, he smiled at her and stood up to shake her hand. It was a gentle, yet firm shake. "It's been a real pleasure teaching you, Becca. I wish you future success at whatever you do."

After finishing his tea, Kapoor turned the cup over and placed it on the saucer upside down. He couldn't help being a little curious as to what it might say. He then sat up and made his way over to some of the student tables to with them well on their summer break from school.