Ethan took a deep breath after his mini speech to the Head Girl and waited for her to absorb his words. He hoped it wasn't too.. final sounding. But it was definitely something he felt he should say to her.. and certainly before she left because he didn't when he would see her next. And then she was suffocating him.. Well, not really, but he definitely didn't expect such an enveloping hug. Grinning a little, the boy wrapped one arm around his prefect and gave her a few pats on the back before pulling away.

Mascara running..? Oh no, no no no.. he didn't want her to tear up. "Oh.. I didn't mean to make that sound all mushy, or anything.. just had a few things I wanted to let you know before term was officially over." Grin. See..? Smiling, happy.. The boy beamed at her as she continued. "Yeah, Ravenclaws make a great team.." He couldn't really think of one he didn't like.. they all seemed to make such a great little community. "And we'll get that House Cup next year and make you proud." That had done so well with that this term and had it right up till the end. Chuckling at her words, he nodded. "I know, I know.. I didn't mean to make it sound that way.. And I'll write.." Not that he was the best correspondent, but Louisa made him a little nervous right then with that look.. and he did not fancy a howler from her. "So what are your plans for after Hogwarts?"

Ethan grinned at Ariana's words and chuckled a little. "Good.. I'll look forward to that." He wasn't worried.. he didn't really have anything to hide.. and figured she'd get to know him well enough over the summer, since Minerva was planning on spending a lot of time at her house. Oh, all summer.. Ethan turned to look at Minerva at her words. "Oh, right.. I remember you telling me that.. Sounds like you'll have fun, just don't get into too much trouble," he told her jokingly with a little wink. Turning back to Ariana, he added, "You won't mind if I stop by for a visit once or twice then?" Because no way was he going all summer without seeing Minnie.

He then looked over at Harvey as he spoke. "Oh.. near London then? I have family near there as well.. I'll probably stay there if I get my internship." And it would be nice if he heard about it soon.. like any time now.. so he could actually finalize some of his summer plans. "Well, you live closer than I do," he added with a chuckle. "I live in Germany.. Heidelberg to be exact. Though if I apparate with mum or dad, the distance doesn't make much difference," the boy said with a shrug. That's how he got here near the start of term and it took mere seconds.

Ethan gave the newest member of the group a chuckle as Minerva introduced them. Famous..? "Well, I don't know about famous," he began with a grin. "But yes, I'm Ethan.. Good to meet you, Am." Or, Ameliah.. as she called herself? She seemed cool enough.. and funny that he didn't know her though they were both Ravenclaws.. but he could easily blame that on being busy with OWLs and all that.

His eyes drifted over to the Staff table as the group talked about people and things he didn't really know and he turned on feeling a tap on his shoulder. "Oh, hi, Belle.." he smiled at the sight of the Hufflepuff prefect and returned her hug. "Of course.. can't leave without saying good-bye." She was the first friend he made at Hogwarts, after all. "So, have any fun plans for summer?"

And then another hugger joined their end of the table.. Oh! and he knew this one.. "Hey, Ronnie.." he shot the Gryffindor girl a grin, a little surprised that she knew everyone else there as well. "Happy to be done with all that studying, now?" He knew he was glad to see term come to end for just that fact.

Belle smiled when she caught Ethan's attention. "Hi Ethan!", Belle loved Ethan's hugs. He was a good hugger. When Ethan asked what her plans for the summer were, Belle told him, "Well i am working on my grandparent's farm. I am going to bond with my little farm animal friends again. I am going to work on my tan. Keep in touch with my friends. Speaking of which i will need your address to send owl post to you and check up on you." Belle wanted to keep her closest friends in touch. That is for sure. "How about you? Are you going back to france or anything?"

WHERE was he?! He nearly DIED and now he was... NOT here.

Anya scanned up and up and down the Ravenclaw table looking for the Captain. She'd avoided even going to her table JUST to see him.

AND THERE HE WAS!

She ran over and skidded into the seat next to him. She knocked his hand out of of the way and threw her arms around him in a tight hug. She pulled away long enough to give him a kiss. She then returned to hugging him in a near death grip. "Youcouldhavedied." she said in a soft voice.

And so she sat there. Refusing to let go.

Dustin was still exhausted. After all that happened with the final quidditch match and the after party, he was still feeling a bit numb. More optimistic, but not QUITE his normal self. Perhaps he had crashed a little too hard after eating all those cupcakes.

After making his way down from the Ravenclaw Tower (packing had been a nightmare - he kept getting distracted by this and that and spending way too much time playing with various things he'd collected during his first year) and into the Great Hall, he sat down with his fellow house mates and waited eagerly for the Headmistress to give her speech. Mostly, he just wanted to fill up on food....and maybe sneak some snacks into his trunk later.

She was such a traitor. She'd first been to the Gryffindor House Table before coming here. Heh. Well......it was closest to the door and besides, she wanted to be done saying her farewells to her friends from other houses before settling in on her nest. She wanted to spend the remaining time with them without anything else to think about. Duuh.

And so, tugging on her striped bronze and blue necktie, Beezus paced towards their very own Ravenclaw House Table, a huge, genuine smile still plastered on her lips (lip gloss: her favorite, Ruby Woo XD). Now where were her birdies at? Hmmmm. Oh! There's Elliot. But she was still busy talking with some of her friends -- which Beezus didn't personally know -- so the brunette maneuvered her way out. And then she saw DustBin. "No crying tonight, okay?" She said when she got close enough to pat him on the shoulder. GRIIIIIIN.

Her dark brown eyes did their job as she stood there. And not long enough, she managed to catch sight of the graduating 'Claws, the people who, in her own little mind, she called the lucky ones.

"I'll head over there, are you coming?" she asked the Parrot, yet even before she could get an answer, her legs had already moved towards Vivi and Vickers. "MAMA VIIIIIIIIIII!" Stride!stride!tackle!TAAAAACKLE!kaboom!until she was hugging the blonde around the neck from behind! OH. Uhm. Was she interrupting something here? She looked at Vickers then beamed at him. "Good evening Vickers."

And who was that?! Past the 7th year Ravenclaw's shoulder, she saw Spike's curls so she waved to get his attention. "Hey, stud!" Merlin, she was glad they were fine now. Or civil with each other, at least. "Oh, and hi Louisa!" Smiles for the Head Girl too. The two must've been maximizing their last moments together as partners in their Ravenclaw leadership duties.

"Well you better know when not to screw up, because I'm getting more and more spells that I've been meaning to try out.. I just might have to use them." She gave him a smirk knowing if anything else she was joking, but maybe he shouldn't tempt to see if she could be serious. Now that Taylor had left she felt herself relax a bit and able to enjoy the company around. She knew she would need to fix their friendship, but at the moment she just didn't know if she could trust her anymore or not.

Then he was being goofy about her comment,"Oh Harvs, you know who I'm talking about." She then really wondered what her exact plans were, she hated not knowing. "I have to make it to DA even if I don't stay in London, I have to get some books before going to my grandparents. We are almost fifth years Harvs, you know what we will be doing at the end of next term." She cringed a bit thinking about those exams. "So who is picking you up from the train station?" Minerva was kind of afraid to hit the station, she wasn't having anyone meet her.



Minerva tried to hold back her words she didn't want to fight with Damon and she knew she would never win this fight with him. They were so oblivious to how the behavior bothered others. "I'm not mad at you.. I just have found I don't trust her anymore. I felt like she was wording hugging wrong on purpose and I feel she is just trying to be center of attention, she seems to always has something wrong."Min knew that might have sounded harsh, but her frustration was at its limit with Taylor anymore.

"Anyway, camping sounds like a great way to spend your birthday and I want ideas for a gift, don't try to get out of this. Hey do you think Puck would mind if Ethan came along as well?" She hoped Damon wouldn't mind, but Ariana was going to be there, she didn't want to be a third wheel not knowing who else would be going.



Minerva looked up just has Ronnie hugged her. Hugging back Minerva smiled, "Hey Ronnie.. You ready for summer? Any big plans this summer?" She couldn't believe how little she saw Ronnie this term. That was strange for them, but so much had went on this term. "So how did your OWLs go Ronnie? Hope you didn't stress to much about them."



Minerva couldn't help but laugh a bit at Ariana, "Oh great.. I'll walk in and smile at Rowan, no.. no.. I should walk in and say Hey Daddy Rowan I'm home.." She busted up laughing thinking about Rowan's face. "I think that is going to start the summer with a blast just by itself." Not that she didn't like Rowan, she actually liked him and his sense of humor, she just knew they didn't see eye to eye the last few times together.



Minerva frowned, well if the friend didn't know, maybe give Harvs the benefit of the doubt and try to be friends, but she wasn't going to say anything. "Well I think you should try to find that answer out, something still just doesn't seem right to me with that situation." She wasn't sticking up for anyone, but at the same time she had her thoughts about it. "So what plans do you have this summer Am?"



Minerva laughed as he said not to get into to much trouble, "I don't think you have anything to worry about, I keep Ariana on the good side, so maybe it's a plus I'm staying with her." She was just joking of course and looked at Ariana grinning. "You know the first time I met Ari she put me upside down with her wand. It was an interesting first impression." Yes, she liked to remind Ariana how mean she was the first time they met, but it was under the bridge now and she couldn't imagine having someone else in that best friend spot. "Of course you will be over.. Ari would never make me suffer like that." She held his hand tightly, no there was no way she wasn't seeing him all summer.

Then she blushed a bit, everyone saying famous or the Ethan, maybe she did talk about him a bit much to her friends, but he always made her so happy. Looking at him she gave a little apologetic look on all the fuss over him, but she did have many great friends and of course they all wanted to know him. As everyone talked a thought came to her mind and she turned with a big smirk on her face. "So remember at the quidditch party how you were so sure about a certain cup... Looks like I was a bigger threat then you thought." She giggled and glanced at Harvey with this as well. Then there was someone else behind them, "Hey Belle.. didn't I just see you.." She teased her friend.

Milton lazily looked around the Staff Table where the ghosts seemed to be chatting up a storm. Whyyyy? He just wanted food. And then a nap. And then summer.

After spacing out for not even thirty seconds, Milton nearly jumped out of his seat in surprise (but he couldn't really, because there was a 14 year old pinning him down) when he was tackled by a figure with lots of brown hair.

Anya, of course. Milton chuckled and tried to regain his balance, but as soon as he sat up, he discovered that Anya was planting a kiss on his lips. In front of everyone. Which... he actually didn't mind? He was just kind of surprised and slightly flustered. And then she was back to hugging him to death.

"Yeah, and if you don't loosen your grip, it might happen again." Milton let out a light laugh, returning the bear hug and squishing her. He knew she was worried about him, and it made him feel better. "I'm fine," he murmured quietly. "Just a few bumps and bruises," and post-traumatic sress, "but it's nothing I can't handle." He was a big boy, after all.

"Min, she's just been stressed." He knew Taylor wasn't to happy with her father, "And she actually probably is a lot like me with that. English wasn't her first language, easy to mix words." Damon sighed, ready to get off the topic.

Damon shook his head, "I don't want anything Minnie." He nodded to her question, "If it's alright with Dad I don't mind." Damon shrugged, "As long as you just have to promise me that there's not going to be any arguing." Because Taylor was going, as were her boyfriend and Maxwell, he didn't want any fighting for that period of time. He would warn that Rowan would be too, but she's spending the summer with him so, not his place.

Belle smiled and looked guilty. "Well um.. i wanted to go see Ethan and say my last goodbyes before we leave for the summer." She could not leave Ethan without saying something to her best friend. She remembered when they met in the owlery and learned a lot about each other there. "And i know why you are here..." she teased her friend and gave her playful wink while pointing to Ethan.

Upon feeling a light tap on his shoulder, Max turned with delight to find Ella standing before him. "Hi, Ella!" he greeted with a smile, glad that she had stopped by to see him... wait, was she about to cry?

Nooooo.

When she shoved the large box into his hands, Max frowned at her. "Ella, you didn't have to get me anything," he murmured sadly, running a gentle hand along the delicate pattern of the box. After a pause, he looked up at her and said, "I guess you probably want me to open this now, huh?" He hated doing that - it made him uncomfortable to have someone watch him expectantly. What if he didn't react the way she wanted him to? What if it made him ridiculously sad? He offered her a soft smile, though, and pat the empty spot on the bench next to him for her to sit down. Then he set the box on his lap and pulled off the lid of the box.

As he set the lid on the table in front of him, he stared down at the contents of the box, a blank expression on his face. There was more than one thing in there, he realized, and pressed his lips together firmly in anticipation of forthcoming emotion. The first thing his hand reached for was the navy blue fabric; upon pulling the item from the box, he realized it was a sweatshirt, unfolded it, and held it out in front of him to see what was on it. Aw! "Aww, Ella, this is perfect!" he raved happily, turning to give her a big grin. "I love it. Thank you."

He set the Ravenclaw Quidditch sweatshirt down on top of the lid and stuck his hand back into the box. The next thing he pulled out was... a book of some sort? His eyes fell over the cover curiously. Dr. Seuss? Like... a medical doctor? Did Ella think he needed some sort of help? "What's this?" Max asked lightly with a slight smile, turning the cover toward her for emphasis of his confusion. A book was always a great present for him, of course, but... he wasn't quite understanding.

Text Cut: Spike

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermygirl

He was reaching for the pot with Louisa's plant in it, when Max plonked himself down. "Hey Max," Spike said with his usual crooked grin, though noted that the older boy's gaze had settled on the Head Girl. Was Spike missing something here? Did the seventh years have some kind of plot going on? Spike pushed his glasses up his nose, the slightest wrinkle of a frown between his eyes as he glanced between them.

Hmm.

Spike ran his tongue lightly round his lips, before dropping his hand back to the table. "I, er, got you both a little something, nothing much, but..." Was now really a good time? He couldn't tell.

Awkward.

Text Cut: Louisa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magical Soul

"Aw Spike you didn't have to!" Louisa's face expressions changed by the warmth feeling from this kind gesture. She let go of the spoon and was about to extend her arm to pat her co-prefect's arm. But Max joined them then and sat down and was doing this annoying thing when he would look into her face and show he knew she was upset and was feeling sorry for her and her eye twitched and... sigh. It was very wrong to be mean to the boy when he was nothing but supportive toward Louisa since the start of this term but she couldn't help but wear that poker face when she answered him. "Tired. And sleepy. I want to go to bed and get this over with." Shrug.

.... "How are you ? We did it, huh?" Because she felt guilty. She wanted to smile at him but her mouth only managed a twitch.

Louisa glanced at the other two Ravenclaws again sitting away from them and wondered if it was very suspicious that they were separated like this. Spike was smart enough to see something was fishy around here and Max apparently already knew something. Probably more than Louisa already knows because technically she knows nothing. Inclining her head at the far away Ravenclaws she asked softly, "Does it look like a friendly talk to you guys?" She was paranoid, trying to interpret body language and not jump to conclusions. No one was talking to her about it and she knew Karma was out to get her because of a certain head boy and red head so yeah, she did have reasons to be worried.

Vivi and Vickers looked very... good shootshootshoot! sitting and talking though. Alone. Peaceful. Though awkward.

But it wasn't really a big deal. It was just that Louisa was told Vivi wanted to stop talking to them but.... maybe they were sorting things out. It didn't always have to involve her. Even if Vivi made her feel that it did involve her. Ugghhhh so frustrating just thinking about this!

The soon-to-be former Head Girl sighed and looked back at Spike, forcing her attention back on him. "It's the perfect time actually. I'm sure it's something impressive. What do you got?" She folded her hands together and feigned a big grin. Yep, distraction please!

Max eyed Louisa through her poker face. She wasn't fooling him, but... of course he wasn't going to say anything on the matter, especially not in front of anyone else. He would much rather catch up with her after the feast and really find out how she was doing. "Same," he said simply. Tired and sleepy. He wasn't as eager to get the feast over with, but it was easier to just agree than communicate his actual feelings.

...Friendly talk? This time it was Max's turn to poker face, since he knew the kind of conversation that was going on between Vivi and Vickers. Or, at least, he assumed, considering the information Vivi had just shared with him about the situation with Vickers. "I think so," he replied quietly. And he left it at that. Because, honestly, it was probably friendly... but... Max was still weary of Vickers' gift-giving.

Oh. Spike had... presents for them? Really? Max gave Louisa a smile at her eagerness and followed suit by offering a nod to Spike. "Sure, bud. You didn't have to, though."

Minerva sighed, there was not getting through to him. Everyone had there problems just most people didn't run around crying on everyone else's boyfriends shoulders, but she didn't want to fight about this.. At least not here. She tried to hide her irritation, "Well anyway, your getting something for your birthday, so stop arguing." Yes end of story. As for camping, "Well I will sweet talk Puck about Ethan coming, I know he won't say no to me." she joked, but thought she wouldn't have a problem with him.

Oh! He was happy to see her? This made Ella feel ten times better about coming over and she gave the older boy a small smile. "H-hi Max."

Frowning? Noooo. No frowning allowed. Ella felt the corners of her own mouth drooping downward and she shrugged, eyes on the ground. "I um... I know but I just wanted you to..." To remember me? To know how awesome you are? A million responses came to mind but she left her sentence unfinished, eyes flickering back up to his. "Yeah...please open it." Because she needed him to understand how she felt. When he patted the empty spot next to him, the fourteen year old sat down and looked at him expectantly. Go on Max, open it.

...And he did.

So the sweatshirt? Ella watched as he pulled it out of the box and smiled a little at his reaction. He seemed to like it and even better, he'd said it was perfect. "I um...well I just want you to know that I think you're...the best keeper ever and...yeah." Words were kind of failing her now like they usually did at times when she had so much she wanted to say. "I-I'm glad you like it...and you're welcome."

Oh, the Places You'll Go! ...Ella smiled as Max removed the book from the box next, noting the confused yet curious expression. This one she'd be happy to explain. "My Granddad...he used to read this to me when I was little...It's a children's book only the words inside are kind of helpful at any time you're going to start a new adventure. You see...I'm always doubting myself and Granddad said this would explain what he thought of me and erm...my potential." And that's what she hoped it'd do for Max as well, help him realize how great he could be. "I...do you mind?" And she reached for the book, flipping it open and looking for a particular part that she thought would help explain. Clearing her throat, the small blonde began to read, "So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact. And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed) Kid, you'll move mountains." ...Yeah.

Damon sighed, "I don't want anything Min. Just a week with my friends with no drama." He nodded.

...She wanted him to what? Max continued to frown at her, saddened by her current state of seemingly high emotions, and realized how much he really needed to assure her that he wasn't going to leave Hogwarts and just forget about her or stop all contact. She was going to be his friend forever whether she liked it or not.

"Awww, bud, I'm not the best Keeper ever," he chuckled, his eyes shining with genuine appreciation for the young Hufflepuff sitting next to him. "And you know that - but I appreciate it all the same."

As Ella began to explain the book, he handed it to her and tried to smile at the story she began to tell, but a frown fought to take its place. So... it wasn't really a medical book? And... the book had a lot of meaning to her? And... she wanted to give a copy to him for the same reason? His eyes began to moisten but he just tried to smile through it, and then Ella began to read from the book.

Oh.

Oh.

Choking through embarrassed laughter, Max looked at Ella as if she was currently the most precious thing to him in the world. Did she really think he was going to go on to do such great things? Move mountains? She... really believed in him that much? "I love this," he said about this present, too, gently taking it back from the Hufflepuff and smiling down at the cover. "My first owl to you this summer will be a review of the book, okay?" He grinned up at her and started to move for a hug, but... there was one thing left inside the box, wasn't there? He was going to save the hug for the end. There was no need to work himself up prematurely; he still needed to get through whatever the last gift was without shedding any tears. He told Vivi he wasn't going to cry during the feast.

...But that didn't seem like it wasn't going to be possible.

As Max set the book on top of the sweatshirt and pulled the last gift from the box, the Ravenclaw's face fell. Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero.

Wibble.

He pressed his lips firmly together, trying to steady his wobbling chin as he read over the words in the frame a few times.

Then he swiftly proceeded to throw his arms around his little Hogwarts sister and hugged her long and tight. "This means more to me than..." he whispered through a tight throat, looking down at the frame behind Ella's back as he embraced her. He wasn't sure what it meant more to him than, so he didn't finish his sentence. "Thank you, Ella. You know I'm never going to forget you, right? We're going to be penpals till the end of time - even if you stop replying, I'll still bug you and send you more letters." Tearful laughter. "You're stuck with me." He continued to hug her and sniffed hard. "You're one of my best friends."

Lily felt safe sitting next to Louisa. After everything that had happened this term, the redhead needed to feel safe somewhere. So slowly her tears stopped falling and she tried to be happier. Diagon alley was close to where Benjy's apartment was so that meant it would be easier for the third year to go visit, except when it was the school year. "So I'm gonna get to see you every summer and whenever I come home for Christmas?" Because that would be a pretty sweet deal if she couldn't have Louisa at school all the time. That thought actually earned Louisa a small grin.

After hearing that the head girl was planning on moving to her own place, Lily leaned in close and whispered her next sentence very quietly. "Is Vickers gonna move in with you?"The third year looked up at the head girl to try and see her reaction. Benjy's now fiance was going to be moving in with him... But Lily kinda thought that this situation was a bit different than Benjy's. And plus, Louisa seemed like she wanted to be on her own.

Before answering the older ravenclaw's questions, the third year reached down and pulled her bag onto the seat next to her. Once it was next to her, the claw turned back to Louisa. "I didn't like all the scary stuff that kept happening this term. But it was alright otherwise." Lily kinda grin/smirked up at her older friend before turning back to her bag.

"Here." She said, plopping a decent size box down on the table in front of Louisa. "This is my gift to you for being my older sister and graduating from Hogwarts." This was something Lily had been working on since Christmas as she wanted everything to be perfect including the little painting Lily had worked on in her spare time. The third year grinned as she waited for the head girl to open her gift.

Ella let out the tiniest of giggles, thinking Max took things so literally sometimes. Sure he wasn't the best keeper in the world, but he was to Ella. "Fine, you're the best keeper I know." She corrected, poking him gently in the shoulder. And even more than being the best keeper she knew, he was maybe the nicest. She was pretty sure about that.

Luckily Ella didn't noticed Max's watery eyes or she would have lost it then and there. Instead she finished her explanation and looked up at Max sheepishly, hoping he didn't think her incredibly silly for giving him a children's book. It was just...something she figured could speak for her when she inevitably couldn't find the right words to explain her feelings. That was what Ella liked most about books and songs, there was always one that seemed to fit what you were feeling.

The soon-to-be fourth year BEAMED at her friend when he told her he loved the book, feeling a tremendous amount of relief as the words left his mouth. "It just...it's helped me and I figured maybe it could do the same for you? I think...you can do anything, Max. I just think people need to remind you of that every now and then and erm...I'm happy to be one of those people." The small blonde laughed softly at the thought of him reviewing it, nodding her head a little. "I...yeah, sounds perfect. I look forward to hearing what you think." And to hearing from Max in general, really.

Ella's heartbeat increased a bit when she realized that Max had come to the last item in the gift box, the one she'd put the most thought into. It had come to her during the Muggle Studies Lesson on real life super heroes, as she listened to her classmates talk about people who had change their lives in some way or another.... Max was one of those people for Ella. He'd made her feel smart and helped her embrace her quirks like the dancing around in the courtyard... Ultimately he helped her see that being Ella Bishop wasn't such a bad thing. Her eyes began to fill with tears as she watched him remove the item from the box, biting her lip in anticipation.

...Wibble.

This was maybe the nicest and saddest hug Ella had ever experienced. The third year wrapped her arms around her Hogwarts brother and squeezed him tightly. She knew this would be the last hug she'd get for a while and she wasn't keen on letting go. Her tears started to fall as he assured her he'd never forget her and she buried her head in his chest, sniffling a bit. "I n-needed to hear that." She whispered in reply, feeling quite bad for making her friend break down like this. "Y-you ...you're one of my best friends too, Max. I...you're one of the best people I know...I love you."

Because Max was family now, no doubt about it.

Presley stepped into the Great Hall and look frantically around for her best friend. Though a year younger, Elliot knew how stressed Presley had been about her OWLs. She'd flown through most of them, but her last one that she'd just barely finished was what she needed to tell Elliot about.

She didn't see her friend, so she sat down with a prime view of Milton Shaklebolt. Just in time to see his girlfriend kiss him. Maybe sitting where she could see him was a bad idea. It was certainly bad for her emotions right now.

Presley fought to keep her face a mask of cheerfulness. She knew that certain people in this hall would love to see the Princess of the Black family fall. They would love to see her world collapse. After these last two years and all of the terrible media, she wouldn't give a single person that satisfaction. She grinned happily and greeted acquiantences, hoping Elliot would show up soon.

Kendall had been half-tempted to turn back around and go wait with Accio for the time to leave for the train when she'd stepped into the Great Hall to see a sea of yellow banners and more than half the school staff in black. She'd been running on another sugar rush, and the former had just been kind of blinding. She was happy for Logan and Mason and Harlan and even Abby a little, however. There had been the moment of wondering if the black was Hufflepuff thing too, but then she remembered the rumors of plants eating professors. Which only made her that much less excited, but she figured someone would notice if she'd walked in and then back out. Therefore, she was stuck for the duration. She had glanced toward the Slytherin table to see if Patrick was there, as she could annoy him fro more chocolate. Plus, she needed to tell him she'd gotten permission for him to spend the summer with her, but she didn't see him amongst the snakes. Maybe he's hiding again. I can always find him on the train too, she thought, before she noticed Beezus walking over to the Claw table from the Lions'. At least that meant there was someone she could talk to.

Following her over, she blinked as she saw she had gone over to Vivi and Vickers with another little Claw. Not because she felt out of place, although she quickly pulled a curl of her hair in front of her eyes to double-check that it was still the normal pink-streaked auburn as opposed to blue again. It had taken her a while to get it to turn back from the blue-black it had turned during the Arithmancy final. It still looked normal, but remembering Arithmancy only brought her back to looking at Vickers with big eyes. He was graduating, so that meant she'd have to survive the subject on her own next term. She wasn't going to be sad, though, so she blinked and stepped forward again as Beezus was greeting Spike and Louisa. "Hi Beezus! Um, congratulations Vivi and Vickers?," she said. She wasn't entirely sure what someone said to graduating people, and the sugar still running through her wasn't letting her remember if she knew what people had said to her brother three years ago.

Yes it has to be a very pretty bracelet, to do justice to its owner. he mused. But instead he says this ”I thought it had to be something you wouldn’t mind wearing, nothing too obvious to betray its true nature but small enough so that it can be hidden when you don’t want it seen.” See he has learned a bit more about defensive strategies since his pathetic punching practice at the Dueling Arena.

If this talk had looked too serious that was broken by his chuckling at Vivi’s rendition of Spiderman. ”I think I can successfully count as an achievement that I’ve taught Vivi Branxton something.” he said with grin.

As his gaze returns to the bracelet and hears her words he opened his lips and closes them. Is it so morbid of him to think that Vivi could actually be mortally wounded on the job even before she could start it? ”I....I just hoped it might come handy for any unforeseen circumstances... like dropping your wand under the couch or something.” he said with a half-smile. He is trying to make light of the circumstances the seriousness of his gift-- that it really could make the difference between life and death.

And now the letter has entered the conversation. A few times he opens his lips to speak only to close it again. Now that he actually has her attention he has second thoughts? His gaze drifts to her face... whatever anger he had felt initially when he received her letter has dissipated now, the only thing left was the intense sadness in his eyes. "Vivi... I wish...." what? Where are those words that was rifling through his head when he was reading the letter, talking back silently as if the Ravenclaw blonde could hear him? "....I wish you didnt have to cut yourself off from me just to have your peace of mind..." he started, then his gaze drifted to box that once bore his gift to her "...I know--I understand why you needed to do it... its just, when you placed yourself in exile.... have you ever considered you werent only doing that to yourself, but indirectly, to me as well?"

He pressed his lips together. This could so easily be an argument about how he felt and about what he thinks, but he doesnt want to make this conversation be about himself. His silent argument with the letter was enough time and energy spent on that. "I just wished..... you didnt make that decision for me all on your own...." she knows what choice he was talking about right? "... because what if I've actually decided on someone else?"

...Distraction

Unconsciously he leaned away from the Ravenclaw blonde when he caught the quick blur of Beezus giving her a hug, then Kendall saying something about congratulating him and Vivi.

....Disoriented...

He shifted his gaze away from the youngsters to give Vivi a moment to deal with them, but then his gaze fell on the other older Claws-- Max, Spike... Louisa. He stares the ginger Head Girl, and he could feel something sharp and painful in his chest, so overwhelming that he had to look away. He didnt know what they were talking about, but those furtive gazes in their direction can only mean one thing...

... this was going to be a long train trip back home.

Sleeping back in the dorms sure did feel like a luxury after the camping. Spike was a fan of camping - but the sheer number of students in that space didn't make for the most pleasant nights. At points the snoring was unbearable. "Surely you've been..." He was going to say 'back in the dorms', but a frown flickered across his face. "You've not just been up studying all hours of the day, have you?" Was that why she had that slighty shifty look? Because she was sleep-deprived from studying and Prefect Patrols?

He would have quite happily taken some more on, if he'd known. Louisa had supported him when he was out of sorts...he'd quite happily do the same back.

...

Present momentarily put to one side, Spike glanced between the two seventh years again. Yup, something was most definitely up with them. And as close as he was with them both, it was times like this that he felt the odd one out. His eyes followed Louisa's gesture towards Vivi and Vickers. "Not being overly close to either of them, I'd say it looks amicable enough..." he said, confused as to where Louisa was leading with that question. a quick glance back said Max wasn't giving much away either. Had there been a falling out between them and Louisa wanted them to make up before the end of term and they went their separate ways? "It doesn't appear to be going badly, if gift giving is going on, at least..." he said, turning back to the Head Girl as his pushed his glasses back up his nose (again).

He gave a skeptical look at Louisa as she announced she was ready for her present. He wasn't sure if really wanted distracting from the happenings down the table or not. But seeing as Max had agreed too, Spike proceeded to pull his wand from his robes before turning the pots round to check the labels as to whose was whose.

"This one is yours, Louisa," he said, carefully placing the apparently empty blue pot in front of her. With a tap of his wand, however, the true contents revealed themselves. The pot was full of pale blue, almost lilac in places, chiming bluebells. And nestled in between them was a small carved wooden Eagle. "One of my hybrids," Spike explained, his smile showing just a hint of pride. "I thought it'd be a nice addition for your new place. They're less noisy than the commercial ones, making a gentle calming sound as you brush past. They've also got a better scent." If you were into that kind of thing...

And with that done, Spike passed Max his 'empty' pot. "I thought of giving you some of my honking daffodils, to remind you of my distinctive alarm clock in the dorms," the Prefect said with a chuckle, "but I figured this was more appropriate..." He gave the pot a light tap of his wand, and a Polypody fern appeared. Amongst the frongs, the was something else - a wooden carved figure on a broom. More than just a figure: a Keeper. If you looked closely, you might even think it resembled Maximus James himself. Or was it least trying too. Spike wasn't that good with either knife or wand carving just yet. But he was getting there.

He hoped they liked them. Spike had tried to think pretty hard about what might be good, or thoughtful or relevant - and most definitely personal from him. "Not the best for packing, of course..." he said with a crooked smile. He hadn't thought that far ahead. He looked away, almost shyly. Yes, he wanted to know what they thought - but at the same time, what if judgement had failed him? What if they didn't like them?

It was as he glanced away he saw Beezus give him a wave. He returned it was a small smile. Things weren't quite back to the way they'd been before, but they were on the floo network to recovery. He might have even blushed a bit at the use of 'stud'.

Harvey nodded "Yeah.. well in london actually.. about 20mins from the station by train." he then raised his eyebrows "You do? what kind of family?" he asked.. maybe he and Ethan would be hanging out afterall.. just them boys.. seeing as he had family in london too. "Yeah? well then if you do.. maybe we can hang out sometime.. just us guys" he then looked at Mins hoping she wouldnt mind her best friend hanging out with her boyfriend.. he couldnt promise they wouldnt talk about her.. but.. they could try. He nodded as he talked about him being in Germany "Whats it like in Heidelberg?" he asked before agreeing with him "Yeah then it wouldnt.. well.. soon we will all be able to do that.. apparate." then they would be able to go anywhere they want!! He would be able to take Ella anywhere she wanted to go.. just him.. and her.. that would be the day!



Harvey just blinked at her.. "Y..you do? Well..I will try not to screw up." he chuckled a little "But you know you and that wand of yours are welcome to try anything even if I havent screwed up.. as long as you put everything back to the way it was.. AND.. no-one knows about it" he whispered to her.. cause it was between him and her only. Ella was right.. he had missed this.. laughing and stuff with Mins, maybe now was the time to balance his time between the two girls. He didnt want to miss out on any big news that Mins might have.. now that she was with Ethan.. she might just wanna talk about the boy.. and Harvey wanted to hear about him.

Harvey raised his eyebrows.. and shook his head "Nope.. dont" he tried hard not to laugh.. but he knew it was a matter of time before he would. He smiled and nodded "Well... looks like we will be meeting either way.. maybe we could shop together?" he questioned.. Ethan and Ella were more than welcome to join too of course! He chuckled and nodded "Yeah I know.. but I dont wanna think about that right now!! Thats a whole year away.. come on Mins.. the summer is what we need to think about right now.. not some exams that are 12months away!!" he chuckled trying to get her mind of those exams.. did she really want to think about exams when she was going to be having the best summer with Ethan? really Mins? come on!! He then smiled before realising why she asked "Mom.. dad has to work." he debated on whether doing this or not.. but it wasnt him if he didnt.. so he made the same offer he made before "Want mom to pick you up as well and drop you to wherever you need to go? I am sure mom wont mind" he smiled. His mom knew Mins from what she had heard and even met her a couple of times, so his mom didnt really mind.. in fact.. Mins was a frequent topic between him and his mom ever since they had dated all those years ago.

Anya continued to desperately cling to the Ravenclaw. It was almost like she feared if she were to let go, he'd disappear.

...

She let out an embarrassed laugh and slowly let go. "Sorry." she said looking down a little. She then rested a hand on his leg. Because. She still had that weird fear that something would happen if she let him out of her sights.

Because, obviously, she stood some sort of chance against things like man eating plants.

She gave him a quick once over. "You look okay. ... are you feeling alright though?"

It wasn't hard to appreciate that Vick paused to let some of Vivi's beloved younger Ravenclaw classmates say their fond farewells, and she gave him a little shake of her ponytail to indicate her approval before turning her attention to Bee and to Dustin beyond her. She offered a hug to both students, and Baby Chaser got a hair ruffle as well.

"Just ease up a bit and let me breathe," she loosened the death grip on her neck. "Now then... you're going to have to be responsible for taking care of the other Claws next year, and you've already promised to look after Mo," she reminded the girl sternly. Bee was the mama now.

The girl moved past to greet some others, and Vivi jumped and turned with surprise. Louisa was here? Was just... oh, right THERE. That's... unnerving. Vivi smiled weakly at the other Ravenclaw 7th year girl.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverTiger

Following her over, she blinked as she saw she had gone over to Vivi and Vickers with another little Claw. Not because she felt out of place, although she quickly pulled a curl of her hair in front of her eyes to double-check that it was still the normal pink-streaked auburn as opposed to blue again. It had taken her a while to get it to turn back from the blue-black it had turned during the Arithmancy final. It still looked normal, but remembering Arithmancy only brought her back to looking at Vickers with big eyes. He was graduating, so that meant she'd have to survive the subject on her own next term. She wasn't going to be sad, though, so she blinked and stepped forward again as Beezus was greeting Spike and Louisa. "Hi Beezus! Um, congratulations Vivi and Vickers?," she said. She wasn't entirely sure what someone said to graduating people, and the sugar still running through her wasn't letting her remember if she knew what people had said to her brother three years ago.

Oh, the little sweetheart with the colorful hair! Vivi offered the girl a small smile and a finger wiggle. "Thank you, Kendall." It sounded like a question, but Vivi would take it as a statement. Congratulations were in order.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelsheen

Yes it has to be a very pretty bracelet, to do justice to its owner. he mused. But instead he says this ”I thought it had to be something you wouldn’t mind wearing, nothing too obvious to betray its true nature but small enough so that it can be hidden when you don’t want it seen.” See he has learned a bit more about defensive strategies since his pathetic punching practice at the Dueling Arena.

If this talk had looked too serious that was broken by his chuckling at Vivi’s rendition of Spiderman. ”I think I can successfully count as an achievement that I’ve taught Vivi Branxton something.” he said with grin.

As his gaze returns to the bracelet and hears her words he opened his lips and closes them. Is it so morbid of him to think that Vivi could actually be mortally wounded on the job even before she could start it? ”I....I just hoped it might come handy for any unforeseen circumstances... like dropping your wand under the couch or something.” he said with a half-smile. He is trying to make light of the circumstances the seriousness of his gift-- that it really could make the difference between life and death.

And now the letter has entered the conversation. A few times he opens his lips to speak only to close it again. Now that he actually has her attention he has second thoughts? His gaze drifts to her face... whatever anger he had felt initially when he received her letter has dissipated now, the only thing left was the intense sadness in his eyes. "Vivi... I wish...." what? Where are those words that was rifling through his head when he was reading the letter, talking back silently as if the Ravenclaw blonde could hear him? "....I wish you didnt have to cut yourself off from me just to have your peace of mind..." he started, then his gaze drifted to box that once bore his gift to her "...I know--I understand why you needed to do it... its just, when you placed yourself in exile.... have you ever considered you werent only doing that to yourself, but indirectly, to me as well?"

He pressed his lips together. This could so easily be an argument about how he felt and about what he thinks, but he doesnt want to make this conversation be about himself. His silent argument with the letter was enough time and energy spent on that. "I just wished..... you didnt make that decision for me all on your own...." she knows what choice he was talking about right? "... because what if I've actually decided on someone else?"

...Distraction

Unconsciously he leaned away from the Ravenclaw blonde when he caught the quick blur of Beezus giving her a hug, then Kendall saying something about congratulating him and Vivi.

....Disoriented...

He shifted his gaze away from the youngsters to give Vivi a moment to deal with them, but then his gaze fell on the other older Claws-- Max, Spike... Louisa. He stares the ginger Head Girl, and he could feel something sharp and painful in his chest, so overwhelming that he had to look away. He didnt know what they were talking about, but those furtive gazes in their direction can only mean one thing...

... this was going to be a long train trip back home.

"You taught me lots of things," Vivi shrugged as she attempted to conceal the bracelet beneath the sleeve of her jumper. It slid up just a bit, which was good, but would it catch? It would be better if it didn't slide at all, but this allowed it to be tucked inside something long-sleeves. Vivi pushed her sleeve back up and rested wrist and bracelet on the table.

Was it weird to be comforted by the fact that he looked unhappy over the thought she'd be in danger? When her mother fretted, it just annoyed Vivi, but here was Vickers looking a bit stricken, and she found it charming. Not that she should, but then who ever said that emotions made sense, anyway? "I'll practice with it once we head home for the summer. It'll completely confuse Mo to get hexed with no wand in sight. You've given me new and creative ways to torment a nitwit." There now... no more talk of death and doom.

Her smile settled a bit, turning perplexed at the corners as he began to speak of the letter. That was the thing about Vickers... for someone who could be quite eloquent, he had so much trouble just saying what he meant lately. Vivi needed clear words, because figurative ones confused her. "You don't really understand. I mean... you understand what I'm saying on a cognitive level, but emotionally, how could you? I exiled myself to punish myself for hurting you and..." She nodded her head down at Louisa. "But in the library that day, you looked so sad. I can't stand thinking I made you that way." She'd wanted to protect him, but that had apparently hurt even more, and had spread to hurting Louisa too.

She tried to listen to what he was saying, but the press of bodies and voices around them was distracting, and the look on his face made her feel like someone had hollowed out her chest on the inside. She patted his hand under the table, trying desperately to keep up. He'd wished she hadn't made up his mind, because he'd already decided? But was that a subtle way of letting her down easily? Or was it...? That deadly chin wobble was back. "Just tear up the letter. I was being stupid anyway to think that I could give up on our... our friendship." Or whatever it was they had these days.

She became conscious that her hand was still on his, and Vivi gave a little start and pulled free. It didn't appear that she had his attention anymore, and she forced herself not to look down the table at Louisa again. Nothing like being stared at to make a girl feel even more suspicious. Vivi put her head down on the table, pressing her cheek against the cool wood and covering her face with her arm so that any tears that might leak out as a result of this excess of confused emotion and guilt and frustration wouldn't be seen. "She knows, Vick. I'm so sorry."

Dylan decided on a walk around the hall after the puff table he decided to come to the claw table to see what everyone was upto, was there crying and all that yucky hugging here as well that was going on at the gryffindor table. He couldnt see many younger claws here so maybe he was at the wrong place cause he was looking for some fun people to hang out with and it seemed there werent that many here at least. Anyways this bunch of people are too smart for him he wouldnt be able to get them to join him in doing something fun and mischievous. But he decided to stick around anyways just in case there was someone that he could have some mischief with.

See? They were in so much better terms now than a few months, weeks and days even, that had passed. There was still the slight feeling of awkwardness but she was choosing to sweep it to the side so that the axis of their friendship won't go trembling again.

"I am so hungry." She mouthed towards him, chuckling a bit. "Are you?" Like that. Nice and slow. For them to regain the friendship that had been in jeopardy's tow.

Arms still latched on their Mama Chaser's neck, Beezus turned her head upon hearing her name being mentioned. "Hello Kendall." The brunette said, offering a smile that reached up to her eyes.

Hehehe. After hearing that from the blonde, Beezus immediately released her from the hug, grinning innocently. "You ARE breathing." she pointed out before moving to the side.

Then came the Mama talk. All the while she was just smiling and nodding at the older girl. "I know, I know. It's my duty to take care of our birdlings next term. Especially the ones in our Quidditch end." She didn't mean any implication whatsoever other than the simple fact that she really was going to look after the younger Ravenclaws. Although, she did wonder who's going to take on the vacant spot as the Ravenclaw female Prefect now that Louisa was graduating. It wouldn't hurt anyone to be curious, right? "And yes Mama Vi, your little brother will be on the top list. I'll have my eyes on him." To be honest, she was excited to meet Hummingbird's brother already.

---------------

It seemed as though the Great Hall became even noisier, not only with the bidding of farewells, the sobs and laughs and chitchat from the four house tables but also with the appearance of the Ghosts on the Staff's flatland. Letting their Mama Chaser continue her conversation with Vickers, which in Beezus' opinion was a tad suspicious, she turned her head to and fro and tried observing her fellow Hogwartians. Hugging, crying, whispering. Just the usuals.

By the way, where was Dylan?

Beezus was about to tell Vivi and Vickers that she'd take a quick skim at the Slytherin Table for her boyfriend when she was met with Vivi's forlorn figure with her head on the table, the blonde hair cascading down the wood carelessly. For the first time that night, the fourth year frowned. "Mama Vi? What's wrong?"

"Vickers, what did you do?" It was rare to see Genevieve Branxton like that and since Vincenzo Vanderbilt was the only one at the closest then he ought to be the culprit to the girl's sudden loss of composure.