“You’re in for a relaxing summer. Will you be practicing Potions with your mum?” he asked. “I can’t wait to visit Greece and Egypt. It’s going to be an adventure.” He said as he nodded. He and his family needed the time to bond; especially his parents whose licenses to apparate were revoked. They were Aurors for Merlin’s sake. How can the Ministry do that to them?

Mordred again looked down the table to see the head girl. “I’m sure you will be invited. You are AndersonGirl™ after all.” He said nodding. “And it will be an opportunity for you to dance the waltz.”

Mordred sighed as he looked at his empty plate then to the staff table. “I’ve heard a couple of our professors won’t be returning to Hogwarts next year. I wonder who’ll replace them.” He said hoping that the replacement won’t be from the Ministry. He was really disappointed with how the Ministry handled the subjects he love.

Portkey? Couldn't she just walk? Of course she didn't actually ask that aloud. She'd been hesitant enough to ask not to take the train. She knew better to push her luck, especially with Lafay. "Thank you, Professor Lafay," she said. No complaints here. She'd do just as her professor had suggested. Besides, a weight Sierra hadn't even realized had been on her shoulders had just been lifted. It was a feeling of relief she more than welcomed.

"Nothing else," she answered, though, she sort of at least thought she'd get some kind of pat on the back for coming so close to beating Kurumi Hollingberry score-wise this school year. Sixteen points. Sixteen stupid points. She'd be bitter about that for a while. "I'll see you in your office after the feast."

Hecate nodded to the girl.

" No, only one or two Grryffindors talk to me and one is my girlfriend" Willaim told Sierra." Yes, your house is the best, but that is for this term" Willaim said to Sierra." I was hard at work trying to get the house cup for Gryffindor, but I could not help the Quidditch team as they left me off the roster" Willaim explained to Sierra. " I am not saying you will not win again next term, but strange things happen at HogWarts, new students, graduating students, some deciding thay do not want to paly Quidditch anymore" Willaim smiled a very honest smile. " Thanks for the good luck" Willaim smiled again.

Aurora nodded, "Lot's of surfing, then lots of potions and stuff. Egypt sounds cool... oooh, it I write something down for you will you keep an eye out? Just owl me to tell me if you find it and I'll send you the money to buy it for me. You can only find it in Egypt. Can't pronounce it, hang on." she had a quill and parchment in a hidden pocket of her outfit and scribbled the name of a herb on it. "There, just, keep an eye out? Pleeaaasseee?" she had been looking for it from ages and hadn't got round to mail ordering it yet...

She smiled a little. "Of course, can't have a wedding without the Mime Fighting Powers of Anderson Girl" Aurora knew nothing of superheroes and genuinely thought they fought mimes... for some reason. "Though I don't know why they fight mimes..." she added.

What?! Professors were leaving? "Do you know which ones?" she asked, glancing over the table. As long as Bentley and Lafay stayed... and Tate obviously... "I hope Borr keeps his fat ugly nose out of it this year." she said absentmindedly.

Salander was staring at his goblet trying to figure out what boring drink he could ask for when he felt someone sit next to him. He turned his head just as she greeted him. "Oh... hello there!" he replied back with a kindly smirk. Then out of the corner of his eye he saw the Headmaster stride in just as the Great Hall changed into the Slytherin colors. "ALRIGHT!" he hooted aloud and clapped joyously at the new decor. "Guess that makes it official." he grinned at the school's acknowledgment that Slytherin won the house cup. "I wonder if we get fireworks too? I mean, just how often does a house pull a trifecta?"

There was a commotion happening with the Slytherin leaders but only when Jimbo yelled out very upset did Salander turn to really pay attention to it. He saw Lafay walk over with her usual no-nonsense look. Okay looks like that settled things pretty quickly. He should try to develop something like that. The Scowl. He likes it when people gets what he means without him having to make a speech about it.



THen suddenly all the glorious silver and green went dark. Hands over his eyes! His own hands flew over his face as he felt delicate fingers and that wonderful voice that still makes his own heart skip a beat "The Queen of my heart?" he beamed back behind her hands.

Lexi let out a tinkling little laugh and removed her hands. Slipping in front of him she beamed and wrapped her arms around him. "Oh I'm a QUEEN now? Well then I reckon you are my King then. Proper royalty we are." Hehehe.

"This is a bad day... all my friends are leaving for good. Will you run away wif me? As soon as we get to King's Cross. Will Fletchley be there?" Okay. So she knew his name was FINCHLEY at this point... or something similar. Hehehe.

The girl was daft. DAFT! Lola was just about to request and seek friendship from her but she, right now, proved that she was a serial killer out to murder her. This was just the first step with what the taunting and humiliation, but she made a safe distance... for now, the fork the girl was holding was a deadly weapon and she cringed in fear, hoping that she would just throw out the horrible potato before something terrible happened.

Look at that fork. Look at that METALLIC FORK. Look at its prongs that would find its way through Lola Jones's heart. She was simmering with fear and in defense, grabbed an empty goblet in hopes that it would become a safe-shield or what-not. Something hard and solid will do.

OH MERLIN SHE JUST STABBED THE POTATO.

Lola hated the thing, but she still felt resentment and empathetic feelings when the girl mindlessly stabbed it like the mass murderer she was. What was she--?! PLUMPING PYGMY PUFFS THE DEVIL CHILD ATE IT. "Have mercy, child! I don't deserve this--who sent you?! How long have you been out for me?! There is a goblet in my hand and I warn you right now--Wendock the Witch was known for murdering with these deadly things!" This Slytherin girl was eating the disgusting, inedible thing and she only wrinkled her nose in disgust. Potatoes. It reassured her though that the girl wouldn't murder her for she KNEW that those potatoes were a death wish; in a matter of time, they would swarm over her body and multiply like maggots, destroy those precious white blood cells!--and attack her from the inside...

Oh now the poor girl was reaching out a hand for help. Introducing her name before she blew up into smithereens. How adorable. Reluctantly, she reached out, and then knew that the girl was definitely a friend (it didn't matter because she would have been intoxicated by the potatoes) and so she shook the girl's hand. A friend. A FRIEND. "Oh darling, you're so lucky to be my new friend! Not a lot get to be picked that spot!" She cried with her lying tears in the inside. "Do you by any chance enjoy having friends, Aiden?" It was a curious question sought fit to come out of her blabbering mouth.

This girl's beyond weirdness! Shaking her hand reluctantly, Aiden pulls her hand away as soon as Lola let it go. "Depends what kind of friends," she takes a sip of the orange juice while answering the Seeker's question. "As long as they don't take advantages of me," she says smirking a little.

Who sent her? Well, this is going to be difficult. Come on, Aiden! Put your Slytherin cunning at work! "No... No one sent me, of course!" she says sounding a little panicked, but manage to convince Lola with her tone.

He blinked momentarily as Lexi took her hands away and shifted in front of him, looping his arms around her midriff. "King Salander. I like the sound of that..." he chuckled smirking, sitting up a little straighter at his own royal decree. Aaand slouched right back. Not one for proper posture he was.

He looked around the Slytherin table, for some reason he couldnt spot where Rae was at. She was graduating this term. Then he shifted his eyes at the Ravenclaw table and turned momentarily pensive. Finn was leaving, so was Jim, and he completely understood what it was like to have a best friend graduate ahead "Yeah it sucks getting that feeling of being left behind. But then there would always be summers and letters Luv... " he whispered and turned his eyes back to Lexi "Fletcher graduated last year but it didnt mean we completely forgot about each other. It would be like that for you and Neptune, I'm sure of it." he smiled and planted a light one on her lips.

"Babe, you know I will follow you to the ends of the Earth" he said then grinned at Lexi's pet name for dear ol Finch "Yeah he'll be there waiting--oh! Which reminds me, he messaged if we would be needing to have accommodations arranged in India? We have a hotel thats just walking distance from the Taj." For all his misgivings with the Astors, they sure had an impeccable way of selecting the best locations for business.

"The best colours for the Great Hall," Helena said, returning the smirk.

Ahh she loved to see those colours in the Great Hall, even though it was the first time Slytherin won the house cup since she came to Hogwarts.

She also tried to look in the direction where Freya was looking, and apparently the quidditch captain had proposed to Iris. That was so sweet! ... so that's why professor Lafay was glaring at him? It would've been even sweeter to see her smile at least once a term.

Buuut she turned back to Freya. "Excited to go home?"

Mordred took the parchment from her and read what she wrote.

Whatever it was, he was sure he will have a hard time looking for it. “I suppose this herb has a common name?” he said waiving the parchment. “I’ll just ask father to help me find it.” He said as he kept the parchment inside the pocket of his trousers. “No need for you to send me money. I’ll just owl it to you the moment I purchase it.” he said as he scratched the back of his head. Mordred knew his parents would not allow anyone to pay them for a small favor – especially if that favor was asked by a person who came from a respectable family. “Consider it as a gift.” Mordred smiled. “I’ve read that the Lotus flower is an exceptional potions ingredient too.” He added. Mordred made a mental note to add it to his parcel for Aurora.

Mordred took a sip of pumpkin juice from his goblet and almost spit out its content as a reaction to Aurora’s ‘Mime Fighting Powers of Anderson Girl’. He successfully swallowed it before speaking up. “Mime Fighting? As far as I know, mimes don’t do anything…evil.” He said as he recalled their family’s trip to France. He thinks they are silly, weird and scary. Proof that muggles can be really really odd. “Have you seen one in person?” he asked.

He looked at the staff table and looked at Moretti who was looking at the Hufflepuff Table. “Moretti’s leaving. I don’t know about the others.” he said as he turned the base of his goblet in a counter-clockwise direction. “Tsk. Borr. Him and the others. Tate should stop the Ministry from meddling with his school. What kind of students will this school produce if that trend continues?” Mordred frowned this time, thinking of how far his cousins are now in terms of advancement in DADA. He spent most of his time alone practicing defensive and offensive spells straight from their DADA book. Thanks to the Room of Requirement he was able to practice well --without getting anyone hurt.

Upon seeing Professor's conversation was over with Sierra, the soon-to-be-ex prefect approached the woman with an air of confidence and gratitude. Both feelings came from her.

"Professor," he began, as he smiled a little. "I want to thank you. For everything." For one, she had been the very first witch to tell him to pursue his own dreams. And, basically, she was the reason of his good potion skills. He owed much more than a simple 'thanks', but as far as he knew, Josh was the only person capable of hugging her. Maybe next year, he'd send her a box of chocolate... and a free ticket to a game he would play.

"Do you like football?" Just to be sure before he sent a free ticket.

Aiden who was trying to calm Lola Jones turns her attention immediately to Mordred as he mentions that Morretti's leaving. "For real?" she asks in the tone of surprised. Her eyes widen as she looks away from Mordred.

That wasn't the worst part. At least Borr hasn't come up with anything new... Yet. "None of us will know how to defend ourselves if Borr keeps sticking his fat nose in," she sneers, taking another sip of orange juice.

Aurora grinned at him. Her old friends would never have agreed to actually help her. "Thanks." she said, "There is a common name... it's something like Deadly Rose I think..." she said, tohugh it wasn't deadly - not if you used it properly.

"A mime or a superhero? I've seen a mime - weird, freaky things - but as far as I know superheroes don't actually exist..." she said. She hadn't understood the point of the mime to be honest, it was a useless and strange thing... but she supposed it was just entertainment...

"Moretti's going? Oh..." Aurora's face fell, "I like her... I hope the new healer's nice." she said. Healer Moretti had been absolutely lovely to her...

"I swear, I'm going to be taken out to go back to homeschooling again if Borr tries to interfere..." she muttered. Stupid, fat, arrogant man.

Mordred looked up to see Aiden talking to him. “It’s a rumor. I don’t know if she’s really leaving.” he said as he looked at Moretti. If ever it’s true, hopefully Hogwarts won’t get anyone from the Ministry. “Wonder who will replace her as Huffie’s head of house…” he said as he eyed each of the professors. He snorted at the idea of Lafay getting assigned to that house.

“Hm. I suppose it’s similar to the Mortaeus Flower? Well, whatever it is I’ll look out for it.” Mordred said as he began to doubt if his father will help him find it. It seems to be a pretty dangerous potion ingredient. He then figured he has enough time to go look it up in their family library. He was sure Calen was more than happy to help him out. "This is definitely going to be an exciting summer." he thought. "An Auror in the making."

“Whatever is the purpose of a mime, I have no idea.” He said in a defeated tone. “They sometimes ridicule people. I remember watching one and it made fun of me. People then began looking my way and started to laugh too.” He narrated, frowning.

He then addressed both girls. "If ever he keeps his fat bottom in this school, I'm pretty sure mum will favor Durmstrang over Hogwarts this time." he said giving Borr's empty chair a death stare. He was still upset with how he handled the MLE Department. Now both of his parents lost their licenses to apparate. Thinking about it, the response time of the MLE will be slower this time -- he can just imagine dark witches and wizards coming out of their dark caves right now.

He then looked at the both of them. "By the way, have you met each other before?" he asked suddenly remembering his manners. Addressing the older girl first, "Aurora, this is Aiden Heartnett." he then turned to Aiden, "Aiden, meet AndersonGirl™ -- Aurora Quinn."

Caroline returned Emma's smile. "Well, if you need any help you know who to come to." she said with a nod. She would be glad to help her with anything, who knew maybe it would help her with her NEWTs. "Haha well now..... pranks and cake fights..." she laughed rememebering the cake fight at Brae's birthday party. EPIC! "That's was so fun."

And so when things were much simpler for her. Back when she was with Carter. She remembered saving him some cake and there snow ball fight afterwards. Okaay Caroline don't think about it."I know, I don't want that day to ever come either. There are so many of us sixth years here." She only had one more year here, she was going to make it her best."Well that's a good question. I know I'm going to Africa for sure. I maybe going to the quidditch cup. And I've got newborn niece and nephew at home. That auntie Caroline will have to spoil" She grinned. "What about you? What's your plans for the summer?"

Caroline turned around and scanned the Gryffindor table for a certain lion. There he was, taking with Simon she should say bye and wish him luck Simon was the other seventh year that she would miss. She would have to wait the blonde snake didn't even think that she would make it to the Gryffindor table tonight. She couldn't but she'd half to try....... at some point tonight.

As she turned back to stare at her table. She heard quite a commotion as the Quidditch captain was proposing to the head girl. Well isn't that just sweet? She was being totally serious. Yeah it was sweet. Then Professor Lafay and Tate both showed up.

Professor Lafay gave the Slytherin couple down the road. She smirked, but it was still cute. When Tate arrived everything when to green and silver perfect. She couldn't help but smile seeing her house colors all around the great hall. She looked around, while she was admiring the green and silver she spotted someone she knew, Jai she gave him a wave.

Caroline smiled and moved over a bit to give him some room to sit. She frowned slightly. "Enjoying the feast? Yes. Ready be a seventh year? No, not really. I'm just ready to go home." She shrugged. "What about you? Enjoying the feast? Ready for the real world?" Because that's what happens after your done with school, right?

That's when Caroline noticed some thing going on a bit farther down the Slytherin table. A proposal? Well exacly who was proposing Oh the quidditch captain to the head girl. Now wasn't that sweet. She nodded to Evan who said that he'd be back.

She took a few slips of her butterbeer, Merlin this seemed like the longest end of term feast in history. And Tate hadn't even made his arrival yet. Seroiusly, all she wanted to do was to eat, say bye to some people, go to bed, get up in the morning and leave. That was about the time that Tate arrived, and everything went green and silver. That was exciting.

Shorty after that Evan came back. She looked aroound again and turned to with a nod. "Tis a great year to be a Slytherin." She snummed up both of his comments. "So Evan What are you going to be doing now? After Hogwarts that is." She had thought she'd heard something about his playing football but she wasn't sure.

Caroline took a sip of her goblet and grinned "Here, here!" after shallowing her food. The older Slytherin lauaghed as the younger started to eat. and then spoke to her, "It's nice to meet you too." Caroline looked up at the ceiling noticing the change. "Beautiful isn't it?" A grin spreading across her face, "So what year will you be in next term?" Turing her attention back to the younger Slytherin.

Leaning in a little closer she whispered, "King Stradivarius sounds much more regal, babe." Winking she poked the end of his nose and giggled.

BAH. Graduation talk... "Who knows where I will run off to at the end of next year. I am thinking I want to see the world... the WHOLE world. As much of it as I can see. I dun plan to be around here too awful much." Returning the little kiss she snuggled up on him and sighed a bit.

Finchley was fantastic. Even though she wasn't that used to a PERSON waiting on her... she always tried to help him with things. Hehe. "I was thinking... we could rough it this trip. Save some money. Stay in hostels and backpack. I can do magic outside of school now. It'll make things much easier. Besides. I was thinking of hopping around Asia, not just staying in India. I want to see China, Japan... everything we can in two months. Then... we can go home for a while."

Jai saw Caroline wave at him from her table. He quickly went over to her and said,"Hey, just couldn't let the feast end and not say anything to you. I had a great year, one of the best in my life.For once I felt like I belonged somewhere. I couldn't have made it through it without you. So, thanks." He was quiet as he spoke, before he flashed her a smile. He could feel the heat rising in his ears again but ignored it.

Clearing his throat, Jai remarked, "So, congrats to you and your house."

Fascinating how the girl's hand wanted to slip away from her grasp. Lola doubted the goblet's magical powers. She wasn't actually going to use it as a weapon, but it seemed enough that it instilled so much fear into Aiden's tiny heart. She grinned, shaking the goblet in front of the girl's face cruelly. "Yes, yes, Wendock the Witch," she said tauntingly as a reminder if that girl still continued stabbing things with her fork (Lola included).

Even more curious as to why she talked about how she didn't really mind friends as long as they didn't take advantage of her. "Well they're not really friends, are they?" Had the girl been a victim of betrayal? So young!--she slowly imagined the girl suffering a horrible past, stuck as a friendless orphan--OH THE WOE--and then trying to make the friends that she could, but they were all backstabbers and here she was at Hogwarts, seeking friends in hopes of finding one that was worth it: and Lola felt OBLIGED to fill that spot.

No one sent her.

NO ONE SENT HER?

Lola wouldn't dare befriending a liar. The panic in the girl's voice showed it... But the girl didn't really have much to live. By now, the jacked potatoes would have started attacking her liver and kidneys, slowly and painfully. "Oh well alright, MY NEW FRIEND," Aiden would love that title wouldn't she? "So what gave you the decision to make that death pact and eat those potatoes, honey? Something troubling in your life?" Lola leaned closer and pet the girl's head, stroking her hair. She showed signs of pity and oh so dramatically now played the role as a guru/therapist.

Aurora shrugged, "We'll have to wait and see, only a few weeks." she said. She was a little excited for next year already.

Aurora nodded, "Yes! Yes I think so! It's in one of the potions in that book I got from the third hand book emporium..." she said. "And it wasn't very nice..." she shrugged again, if one potion wasn't a particularly nice one that didn't mean to say that others with the same ingredient would be awful too...

She scowled, if Borr did stay... well who knows what would happen next year. "I cannot stand that arrogant, stupid, fat..." she reverted to German and let out a long stream of rather insulting words. Then switched back to English, "Idiot! And if he stays here then we're going to HAVE to do something about it." she growled, irritably batting away a stray strand of hair that had fallen in her eyes.

Aurora nodded, "Yes, I believe we have." she said, smiling at Aiden. "And if you ever introduce me as Anderson Girl again I will inscribe it onto your forehead. That is for Aaron only." and maybe Iris. But she was only dressed as Anderson Girl in pride for her Daddy Snake...

Iris looked to her Fiancé as he took her hand, then smiled back at him. Just knowing that they were going to spend forever together made leaving Hogwarts that bit easier. In fact, it made her excited to leave the castle.

She leant against Aaron's shoulder and sighed contently. She wasn't even that hungry... Iris just wanted to hear the Headmaster's speech. The girl also wanted to go to sleep... She was actually pretty tired.

Iris gasped as she remembered something. The gift she'd made Professor Lafay! Letting go of Aaron's hand, Iris dug her hand deep into her pockets (undetectable extension charms - you gotta love them) and pulled out a round potions bottle. It had a stopper in the top, and appeared to be completely empty, with the exception for one iridescent butterfly. The base of the bottle just fit onto her outstretched hand.

Standing up, the Head Girl walked over to her Head of House. "Professor Lafay?" Iris fiddled with the tag around the neck of the bottle, which simply read "Thank You." "Um. this is for you."

"I read in a book that Muggle children often give their teacher's flowers at the end of a school year... and I wanted to do the same." Hey! It's a nice gesture... But flowers are boring. And... not very magical. "But I wanted to put my own mark on them... so, I've made you something a little... different. Something to remember me by, I guess." Right now, it doesn't look all that impressive, does it? It's just a potions bottle and a butterfly. Well... Lafay would have to take the stopper out to see the gift bloom. Hehe.

She held the bottle out, for the Potions Mistress to take. Iris only hoped that Lafay would appreciate the gift. Getting those butterflies to do what she wanted was a LOT of effort.

Iris simply smiled at the girl. She, like so many of the other Snakes she'd seen in the last 20 or so minutes, didn't seem to think that Aaron's proposal had been a good idea. None of them were her or Aaron though. They knew nothing about their relationship, so the silent judgement didn't bother her.

"Well, good. I'm pleased to hear that." Iris liked the girl; she was ambitious.

The way he said hey made Savannah wonder...and that geeky grin he gave her. This is gonna be an interesting snake. And all that firework nonsense stuff the snake was talking about were eccentric. No way the professors are gonna let them do that! It's gonna make a real big mess in the Great Hall and they're the ones that will have to clean them up. Even with magic it will be difficult.

Savannah made a sense after a while. No introductions? What kind of person is he? Savvy doesn't want to be the one to first introduce herself. But they gotta, 'cause that's good manner, and Savvy want to make more snake friends...but doesn't doesn't wanna introduce herself first. Bleah...

Savannah gently nudged the dude's elbow, hoping that he will notice her and start introducing himself. 'Cause whatever happens, she's not doing it first.

...after done with the congratulating the new, eh, fiancés, Evan returned back with Caroline to answer the questions she had asked before he left.

"Why not ready for your last year?" he asked with a small smile. For him, it had been the easiest; he didn't study much for NEWTs, since his destination was set: Everton FC. But, surely, she wouldn't be ready for her NEWTs yet... still, it was a good year.

"Me? Yeah, the decoration is just to my liking." He smirked. Their awesomeness was something to be talked about until they, themselves, made something better. Because no other house was capable of being better than them. Hehe. As for the next question... he sighed. "I thought I was ready, but..." IHADBEENFOOLISH! "...I am a little terrified now." He had had a few nightmares about it, to be exact. He couldn't run or pass on the pitch, and the spectators were laughing at him. Ahem.

"Yes. We were the best, like always." Especially, their last touch of the points was really, eh, sly. Then, taking a sip at his pumpkin juice, he said "I'll be playing football. At Everton FC." In Liverpool. She should know that, Malfoy and pureblood or not. Because Everton was GRAND.

"I can't say that I have ever seen the sport, bur I would enjoy coming to watch you, if invited." She said.

"Thank you," She said looking at the bottle, "I..." Merlin these kids were going to be the death of her! If she teared up, Vindictus would have a field day with her. "Thank you."

Hecate turned about hearing the Headmaster's speech coming to a close. She cleared her throat getting everyone's attention.

"Slytherin students, I want to congratulate you all on winning the house cup. There was only a week left and you all pulled through beautifully. I will say this once, so listen up. I am very proud of you all." and she was. Truly.

"I would first like to wish the seventh years at this table goodbye, and good luck in all their future endevours as I'm sure all of you younger students do too." And if they didn't she's hex them.

"That being said, I would also like to congradulate you on placing in first place in the Gobstones Cup and in the Quidditch Cup. It's been a long time since Slytherin has won all three and as some of you have already said. It feels good. I would keep the cups in my office but," as I don't want you all to bug me next year, she thought, "I will have them placed in the common room for all to admire." She said with a nod.

"I know you all worked hard but there are a few people I would like to acknowledge. Miss Sierra Greingoth, with 744 is the Top earning Slytherin Student, and she is the second top point earner in the school." She began clapping her hands assuming the other students would follow. "Miss Helena Hopkins is in second top scoring Slytherin student and with her 519 points she's third top point earner in the school." Hecate clapped again. "Miss Evelyn Flores is the third Slytherin top student with 472 points, which places her as Fifth student in the school. Miss Aiden Heartnett is fouth Slytherin top point earner with 284 points, and finally with 200 points, Miss Kimalia Fanster is the fifth top point earner in the Slytherin." She applauded for them.

"I would like to also acknowledge your Slytherin house leaders. Your prefect, Evan Cartwright and Prefect and Head Girl Iris Beaumont" She clapped for them as well. "And last, but certainly not least, Captain Aaron Anderson and his amazing quidditch team." She clapped again.

"To all those returning next term, get your rest, have fun... you will have a lot to learn when you return. Now behave and enjoy the feast." And with that, she gave them all a nod, and returned to the staff table.