Ryan walked in to the Great Hall.He sat down at his House Table and Stared at the Ceiling.He had never noticed it's spectacular beauty.He couldn't believe that his first year was already over.He had met so many People and met Chelsea.He loved Hogwarts.

This was it. This really was it. Carter walked slowly and shakily into the Great Hall. His eyes were bloodshot and red. He'd been awake for the past day straight trying to get as much Hogwarts in as he could before he left.

And he may also have been crying just a bit.

After packing the night before he spent all night saying goodbye to everything in the common room. Yes, everything. The lumpy chair in the corner. The table that had one leg ever so slightly lower. The fireplace. The tapestries on the wall.

He was sure he even scared a few first years with a sudden outburst of how he'd miss all the 'ickle ones'.

He sat down at the table and looked at the empty plate. For the first time in his life Carter Phillips was not hungry. He felt like he couldn't even touch a plate of cheesecake if his life depended on it.

Cassie had finally finished packing...finally..The almost graduated HufflePuff had been packing for three days because she actually didn't want to finish..sealing the trunk would mean it was all over. Seven years of the only place she felt truly loved, comfortable and accepted...seven years of almost bliss..seven years of laughter and tears...seven years to make he wonderful friends she had acquired.

When she packed away her last set of uniforms, she was unable to hold back the tears that she had been fighting. Her last full night at Hogwarts. It was breaking her heart.

Still the seventh year showered and got dressed and came up to the feast. It was only right that she did..she needed to say goodbye properly to some people. A few tear drops were still clinging to her eyelashes when she spotted Carter (not stuffing his face with food). She slid into the seat next to him and snaked her arm around his waste then rest her head on his shoulder.

It took her a little while before she felt sure she could say something without tearing up.

"I'm going to miss you Carter.." Her bottom lip trembled and she used her free hand to wipe the tears that built up before they ran down her cheek.

Ryan was staring at the ceiling when he noticed A boy who was Gryffindor's quidditch captain.Ryan held out his hand and said''I'm Ryan,Pleasure to meet you.''He looked at him and noticed he looked a little tired.''I'm guessing you were up all night looking for Bits of Hogwarts you haven't enjoyed or.......... something like that.''

Carter sat there blankly... he was trying to block out everything. But it wasn't working. He thought about how this would be the last time he'd sit under the enchanted ceiling. This was the last time he could steal potatoes from the Slytherin table.

Merlin.

This was even the last time a Slytherin was going to gloat about the house cup. And yes... Carter was going to miss even that. He might even miss Evelyn.

Maybe.

He hadn't decided on that bit yet.

He was so engrossed in attempting not to think that he didn't even notice the approach of one of the few Hufflepuffs he was friends with. "I'll miss you too Cassie." he said wrapping his arm around her and pulling her in close. Maybe if he didn't let go then this wouldn't actually mean good-bye? Maybe he could just continually hug all of his friends?

Or maybe he failed all of his exams and was forced to stay another year?

He sighed. Too bad none of those things were the case. Carter Phillips was a seventh year and this time tomorrow he'd be back in London. With that thought still in his mind he continued to hug Cassie. His eyes and head were tilted toward the ceiling blinking back everything threatening to come out.

Carter shook the ickle lion cub's hand. "Carter." he said introducing himself. He smiled weakly. "More like saying good-bye to... everything." he said with his voice cracking slightly. "First year, right? I recommend you enjoy it while you can."

''Is it that bad.''He said Looking at him astounded.''Yeah.''Ryan said nodding.''I will.''He said taking everything in The boy said.

Kurumi made her way to the Great Hall feeling like giant balls of lead had been attached to her feet and she were walking under water. She always felt sad when each term came to an end. Her first year had her saying good bye to Cam, who had become much more than just a prefect to her, and had been the first good bye for the young lion where the tears were not born from pain. Last year had been hard as well, saying good bye to Simon and Riley especially, but now..this term...it was like most of the wizarding world was leaving with her. These students were some of the first people she had ever interacted with. Josh had been the first person she had run into, literally, in Diagon Alley. Salander was, unofficially, her first school girl crush. Lexi the big sister she never had. The list went on and on... She couldn't believe it that within 24 hours she would be saying good bye and that they would not be returning to Hogwarts the next year.

As always, the prefect had cookies with her - and she had put more into these particular cookies than any batch that term - but not even baking had brought a smile to the lioness' face.

Good byes were getting harder and harder.

She began tearing up the minute she saw Carter at the Gryffindor table - despite having technically already said their goodbyes in the locker room. She had cried then too and, well, Carter was just going to have to deal with more tears.

"H-H-Hey...C-C-Carter," she whimpered already her eyes on he brink of tears. Merlin, she hadn't even seen the others yet. Someone better get a mop.

As Carter pulled her close Cassie wrapped her other arm around him and finally just let her tears go. Hadn't she told herself that she wouldn't cry? She was so happy she had invested in the waterproof eyeliner and mascara, she could stay cute while she cried...not that she would care at this point. They should decide when they were ready to leave...this was not right, they were being forced to and it sucked.

She lifted her head from his shoulder a bit and tried to act all collected." Now who am I going to get to rub my feet at quidditch matches huh?" She attempted a smile but ended up sighing. Being all nostalgic was only going to make her cry even more. She rubbed his cheek. "never be afraid to let go and be you Carter.." Words of wisdom from Cassie Storm. She returned her head t its original spot on his shoulder..only well now there was a little wet spot from where her tears had soaked through.

Her attention was then turned to the little guy saying hi to Carter. Gah so cute, she wanted to squish him..to hold on to him too since he was apart of the place she was preparing to leave. Maybe he would trade places with her. She gave Carter a gentle squeeze.

Another small voice caused Cassie to raise her head from Carter's shoulder and look around. Not so little Kurumi was now joining the table. She wiped her eyes and offered a smile to the younger girl.

This was it... this was REALLY it wasn't it? Lexi had just left the Memory book and headed into the Great Hall with a heavier heart than she would have imagined having had at this point. Squaring her shoulders she stepped into the Great Hall and made a beeline for her house table. Casting a glance around she seated herself next to Kurumi and nudged her slightly with her elbow. "Is my makeup okay?" she asked her quietly.

Carter smiled weakly. "It didn't seem like it to me... watching everyone else..." But now that he was here. Merlin... how he wished it was just like any other year. He would sit there and enjoy the food and be ready for the summer.

But no. His time had come.



Carter looked at the Prefect. There was no hiding it now. He felt the first, of what he assumed would be many more tears during the night, slip away from his eyes.

"A 'hey' is all I get?" he said weakly. "Get over here and give me a hug."



Carter's shoulder was now wet. And he didn't care one bit. He's always felt uncomfortable any time a girl began to cry. But this time... this time he wanted to cry and be held right along with her.

Of course... he'd never admit that out loud.

He smiled weakly as she rubbed his cheek. "And who am I going to get to be my back-up date?" he asked. He leaned over and gave the 'puff a kiss on the cheek. "And you. Always be Cassie. Wonderful, amazing Cassie." Wonderful, amazing Cassie that he was going to miss seeing everyday.

Could he just kidnap all his friends? Maybe they could start a city somewhere and just be... friends forever?

He leaned his head against hers and looked around. This was only his first goodbye... and he had a feeling things wouldn't be getting any easier.

''It's hard to leave.''Ryan said smiling faintly.He felt so sorry for all the seventh years.

Was a hey all he got? Well, she had given him cookies earlier, so nope...that wasn't all he got. But, she knew that that wasn't what he meant and a small smile crept across her lips when he commanded her to give him a hug. "You know I always follow orders, captain," she laughed as she practically leaped across he bench and threw her arms around him. She was a good little house elf like that.

Wiping her eyes a bit after her whimpered greeting with Carter, her gaze shifted when she felt someone nudge her side. Any composure that she had had was now gone - and it didn't help that some of Lexi's mascara was running down her cheeks. Seeing people cry always made holding back tears harder. Lexi had told her earlier that Kurumi wasn't allowed to cry because Lexi was the one who was supposed to be sad about leaving, but she wasn't so no tears. Since the blonde was crying now...that meant that she was allowed to cry too, yes?

If not...too bad.

"Y-Y-You always look amazing, Lexi," she squeaked as she threw her arms around her. Personal space? Pfft, none of that tonight.

Lexi looked over to Carter and Cassie... fellow Seventh Years. Man. Everyone was having a rough go of it, weren't they? Giving them each a nod and a smile she wiped at her eyes and left them to their conversation.

Lexi felt her chin wibbling as she watched the emotions clear on Kurumi's face. Sheesh. She had told her she was NOT allowed to cry. But here she was, crying her eyes out.

The hug did admittedly throw her off for a moment, but she wrapped her arms around her Little Cublet and held onto her for dear life. "You always were a terrible liar, Kurumi. Always. One of the things I love about you," Lexi said with a sad little chuckle. "It's not goodbye, you know. Never that. Just farewell. Until we meet again. Until you come to France this summer for a little celebration Salander and I are having," she said through tears. No sobs yet... no UGLY crying. No SNOT. For once. Heh.

Great Merlin she was going to miss this place more than she had ever imagined.

Okay, Gideon had to admit it. This was the first term end feast he was actually feeling sad at. Granted he didn't know real well many of the graduating students but he had certainly grown closer to the likes of Carter and Josh. Not to mention any of the other students like Kurumi, Christopher and especially Selina that it was going to be weird not seeing them almost every day for the summer.

Uggg the downfalls of actually opening up.

The fourth year made it into the Great Hall, crossing towards the Gryffindor table. Gideon could already see a few of those mentioned in his head already there but he couldn't bring himself to say anything. He was horrible at this, that he was sure of and it was only going to get worse over time and instead of speaking simply sat down at the table with a sigh.

So, Ellie and Carter were never really excellent friends. But they went to Puddifoots together and ate like 10 plates of the best cheescake in the world. That had to count for something, right? Plus, she offered to be his body-guard once he was rich and famous on the Puddlemere United team. Which was her favorite team, by the way.

A goodbye definitely seemed neccessary. So, Ellie walked over to the Gryffindor table for like, the second time in her life and found Carter looking sad with a whole bunch of crying girls around him. Ellie took the empty seat next to him and elbowed him in the arm gently.

"Hey, Carter..." She greeted rather sadly. Ellie had to say many goodbyes in her life. Her dad, her brother... But that didn't mean she was good at them. She wasn't.

Kurumi internally squeaked when Lexi hugged her back. She had half been expecting the almost graduated seventh year to push her away or say something about her personal space being invaded, so she was bursting at the familiar gesture. If Lexi thought that Kurumi was a terribly liar, then what would she say about Selina?

She nodded, chewing on the inside of her lip. "And we will always have owls," she nodded. She would try not to send too many, those could be a little messy. "France?" Celebration?

Selina fixed her tie for what would be her last time this term before she entered the Great Hall. It seemed, to her, that everytime she prepared to go to these end of term feasts each year became harder and harder. As she grew older she knew more of the individuals who would be graduating. It made sayibg goodbye harder. When she was a first year she knew very little older students so it wasn't as hard to leave. Now she was saying goodbye to Carter, Josh, Jai... So many older students. Even Lexi, who Selina did not always see eye to eye with, she was going to miss.

When she appeaoched the Gryffindor table she sat down and pushed her plate away. She was not hungry.

Awww. All the poor seventh years, crying their little big heads off. Lilly barely knew their names, so she couldn't really "understand". She was more concerned about Rupert and how he'd be. No, the girl was being stupid, and Rose would be right, and he'd be all fine.
This was her last term, before the whole giant summer, which she had to get through, before she could come back to Hogwarts. But now she could see her new home, and before long, visit Diagon Alley. But it was still ages.

Lexi laughed a little bit through the tears. "Yes, and you can send me as many as you want. I will send you postcards from our travels, too." She didn't think Wasabi would mind getting to see the world, too. Heh.

"We decided to keep the house in Bergerac... sort of a vacation home. I figured it was the best place to have a get together this summer. For you know... things," Lexi said as she showed Kurumi the large ring on her very important finger of her left hand. Heh.

Lexi saw Selina as she approached. Heh. That kid was something else. Nodding in her direction Lexi said, "Selina, I hope you have a wonderful break."

The end was officially here.

Orlando Renaldi was going to leave Hogwarts.

The eighteen year old, simply couldn't believe it. It was unreal. It was just .. not acceptable. He took a seat next to Lexi, the only Gryffindor who would understand what he might be going through at the moment. "Can't believe it .. Lex. We will be leaving .."

Lexi felt someone slide in beside her and then she heard his voice. Oh man. Releasing Kurumi, but sticking close to her she turned to look at Orlando tear stained and mopey. "I know... this is it, isn't it? The last time... Orlando -- I don't think I am ready to go yet," she said with a chin wibble at him.

Carrying his Gryffindor school uniform on himself VERY proudly this time, Josh Carter walked into the Great Hall with a neutral expression and just stood at the large doorway to look around a bit. He had been trying his best not to look upset, sad...etc about the fact that this was going to be the last feast he would be attending and the other thoughts it brought like all the memories and...experiences. He had been feeling similar things too much lately and started to realise it slowly that it was enough of those feelings for him.

Finally deciding to proceed, he directly made his way to the Gryffindor table, of course, and stopped right at there to look at the large table in general ''Hello Lions!!'' he called out with a big smile. ''Such a good evening for a closing feast, is not it? I trust everyone is enjoying their time while it lasts.''

It was usually Lexi who rested her head on his shoulder but Orlando leaned sideways and rested his head on her shoulder, this time. "Even though I have been meaning to get out for a while now .. but life without Hogwarts .. I just can't imagine it"

ANd then came in the Gryffindor stud.

Orlando couldn't help but grin stupidly. Josh was everything Gryffindor was about. "Helloooo"

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanficfanadict

Selina fixed her tie for what would be her last time this term before she entered the Great Hall. It seemed, to her, that everytime she prepared to go to these end of term feasts each year became harder and harder. As she grew older she knew more of the individuals who would be graduating. It made sayibg goodbye harder. When she was a first year she knew very little older students so it wasn't as hard to leave. Now she was saying goodbye to Carter, Josh, Jai... So many older students. Even Lexi, who Selina did not always see eye to eye with, she was going to miss.

When she appeaoched the Gryffindor table she sat down and pushed her plate away. She was not hungry.

Having been looking around, Gideon spotted Selina as she came up to the table and absently watched her as she sat down. He knew from her behavior the last few days that the end of term was hitting her more then it did him and her behavior seemed to be reflecting that. Getting up, he moved closer to her, quietly slipping an arm around her as a silent promise that he'd help her through whatever happened, even as Lexi nodded and spoke in her direction.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lara_the_Firelady

Carrying his Gryffindor school uniform on himself VERY proudly this time, Josh Carter walked into the Great Hall with a neutral expression and just stood at the large doorway to look around a bit. He had been trying his best not to look upset, sad...etc about the fact that this was going to be the last feast he would be attending and the other thoughts it brought like all the memories and...experiences. He had been feeling similar things too much lately and started to realise it slowly that it was enough of those feelings for him.

Finally deciding to proceed, he directly made his way to the Gryffindor table, of course, and stopped right at there to look at the large table in general ''Hello Lions!!'' he called out with a big smile. ''Such a good evening for a closing feast, is not it? I trust everyone is enjoying their time while it lasts.''

The fourth year then looked up as Josh appeared, making him inwardly chuckle. Trust the older boy to be the one to be different...to be the one not freaking out and getting all weepy about the fact that this was his last feast. "Hey Josh..." he replied back giving a one-armed shrug with his free arm in response to his words. Gideon wasn't really sure he coul enjoy the feast with his friends sad.