Paloma stared around her. Not many people had arrived at the Great Hall. Maybe it was sad...like it was for her, and sort of a relief, too? Because no more biliary gland crazyness at the thought of seeing Justine for another year...

...but oh wait. She was going to spend two weeks of her summer with her, at now their apartment. GAH. Paloma still had to talk to her mother about the decisions she made without even consulting her. She sat down, took her notebook, hoping she would be able to organize herself, to check who she was going to congratulate for their graduation and send presents to.

Well, this was it. Jasmine's time at Hogwarts was almost over and she was putting on a brave face. Fortunately she was one of the first to arrive at the Ravenclaw table, so she'd have a moment or two to get herself together. She couldn't believe that two years had gone by so fast. Now she would have to say goodby to her friends, her Professors, her home. This was not going to be easy. Jasmine took a seat toward the end of the table and began to reflect on her time at the school.

Justine returned to her House table with her plate piled high with Macaroons she had politely commandeered, from the Gryffindor table. She was about to sit herself down, and sink her teeth into the little technicolored morsels when her green eyes spotted the features her annoyingly goody-goody and pushy housemate and now roommate a few seats down.

Hmph.

To think she was supposed to be spending the first few weeks of her summer real with miss perfect. What had her darling father been thinking? Flipping her long brown hair, Justine decided that it would be a waste not to bother Robles on their last night, so she stood and approached her.

"Hi Roomie." She said, her green eyes glittering with impossibly fake sweetness.

Maddie didn't really get why people got so emotional at feasts. The seventh years got to LEAVE. Some of them were done with school forever and that was exciting to her. To be able to go after things that interested you specifically and be a proper adult, it was something she was looking forward to. Forget holding on to childhood, Maddie Cooper was ready to RULE the adult world at the ripe old age of thirteen.

The second year but pretty much THIRD year, now ambled into the Great Hall and straight for the Ravenclaw table, noting that Dima and Kyroh were not yet in attendance. She'd save them seats, providing they WANTED to sit with her. Perhaps Thornton would sit with them too. Perhaps.

After settling into her spot, the brunette saw Jasmine lost in thought and she simply watched the older girl, curious. It was only after a few minutes that she spoke to the seventh year. "Galleon for your thoughts."

...She knew that was just an expression, right?

Twitch.

Roommie.

Twitch.

Paloma pursed her lips at the sound of that voice, that not long ago pretended to sound French. Calm down, Robles. You can't lose your head right now. You have two weeks to do that. That is what she repeated herself as she turned to face the tall skinny figure next to her with a sweet smile.

"Hello. Need anything, Roomie?" She replied, knowing that Justine hated as much as she the arrangements her parents had made, without their consent.

After stopping by the Hufflepuff Table for a while, Adi next made his way to the Ravenclaw Table. Why? To see Jasmine. It was her final feast, after all. Adi had no trouble finding her as she was among the first Claw students there already.

"Hi,'' he greeted them all cheerfully as he took up a spot next to his seventh year friend. "Hello, Jasmine.'' She looked as though she were in her own world and the Badger suspected she was thinking about her time here.

It was finally here. Lux didn't want to believe it, but that wouldn't change anything. Sadly she made her way over to the Ravenclaw table, giving a wave to Jasmine. She was leaving too, and Lux didn't want that; she wanted her friend to stay.

Adi and Maddie got waves too. At least they weren't leaving. Lux didn't really know Maddie but she seemed nice so maybe they would get to know each other better. She would be Graduating with Adi which was nice since he was her friend.

Finally Lux reached Paloma and Justine. "Hello," she said to Pal before sitting on the bench beside Justine and pulling her friend into a hug before starting to cry. She didn't want her friends to leave and she especially didn't want her Lion to leave.

Eden had draaagged Clara down here--she KNEW her friend had NOT been eating, and she was trying to force her to, basically. Dumb Phoenix--she was so glad she hadn't seen him yet. She didn't need it..no. And ugh. This feast was going to be so awful.

So. Bloody. Awful.

And for many reasons. Connor was leaving--Jun--Justine--Phoenix feels--ugh. She didn't want to come, EITHER, but she did anyways. "Come on, dear--" she said softly, and pulled her along.

SIGH.

She smiiiiiled as she approached the table and saw Paloma...HI! She waved at her friend and then saw JUSTINE and tried not to absolutely CRY because SHE WAS LEAVING. Eden went to FLIIIING her arms around Justine and sniffled. "DON'TLEAVEME!" she yelled loudly, and didn't let go.

OOps.

Hi Jasmine. She got a one-armed wave because Eden was clinging to Justine. Like a leech.

OOOH HI MADDIE! Eden waved at her, too.

Well. this was going to be a jolly fun feast.

Jun made it to his house table. The table and draped blue and gold banners over it every day. Walking aside it, his delicate fingers lightly glides on it with his movement. The place was starting to fill up and chitter chatter could be heard around him. Spotting his fellow house prefect, Jun waved at Jasmine and continued walking. Then he spotted three girls he was very close. And one of them was a little redhead he was going to leave behind. Quietly sighing to himself, he walked over to them and sat down. Roomie? Were Jus and Pal going to live together now? Either of them forgot to mention important information.

"Hello, Ladies," Jun finally spoke and gave all three of them a weak smile.

Ugh. Robles, just seeing her face was enough to annoy and vex Justine in ways nothing else could, thankfully it seemed to go both ways, so at least Jus had the pleasure of driving the ballerina crazy.

“No, roomie, I just thought I would pop over and see how you are, you know we have to look after each other now.” Justine said, still with that same sweet smile, and an eye flutter thrown in for good measure.

Jus was about to very quietly, and subtly stick a nice happy kick me sign on Paloma’s back when she found herself being pulled into a hug by-

Lux. The petite redhead was crying and had nestled herself into Justine’s arms and the model had absolutely no idea how to fix it or what to do, except that almost immediately as if on instinct, her arms had wrapped themselves tightly around her dear friend. “Oh Luxy, don’t do that… ” Justine said, completely forgetting Pal’s annoying presence. Lux crying was a sure fire way to soften up all of Justine’s hard, cold edges and right now when Jus was sadly going to leave her sweet little friend – more like sister – behind, it was doubly true.

A second later, Eden had flung her arms around Justine and was yelling loudly for her not to go. She couldn’t decide if she was amused, annoyed or rather touched, was it possible to be all three? She did care for Eden, despite all the poking and teasing and the times when she'd become angry with her, Justine had come to think of her as a real friend and not just a new plaything.

All this affection was really starting to make the model feel uncomfortable, she still wasn't good with this sort of stuff, even if she was getting better at it, and she might just have been blushing, and feeling much too awkward for her liking. “Eden, I hate to tell you, but I sort of have to?” Justine softly joked, an arm awkwardly wrapped around each girl.

Seriously, she needed help.

And then Jun sat down at the table, and a sense of calm washed over her. He was so not going to help her, but Jus was impossibly glad to see him. Maybe she could wean Lux onto him and then deal with Eden… “Hey Pretty Boy,” Justine said, smiling softly at him.

As Justine wrapped her arms around Lux, the redhead couldn't stop crying despite the older girl telling her not to. She couldn't help it; things were bad enough with her love leaving, but she was also losing Justine and Jun who were practically her siblings.

Speaking of Jun, he chose that moment to join them almost as if he had read her mind. One arm made her way around him so that she ended up hugging both of her friends as she cried.

Jasmine was so deep in thought that she hadn't realized that the table had begun to fill, that is until she heard a familiar voice. Looking up, she said, "Maddie Coop". "Oh I was just thinking about my time at Hogwarts.....and how much I'm going to miss this place." Jasmine looked at Maddie and was pretty sure she'd be taking over the Prefect job in few years.

"You know Maddie, I'm counting on you to keep the Claws in line after I'm gone. Are you up for it?" Truthfully, Jasmine knew that Ravenclaw house would be in good shape. Her housemates were pretty awesome. "Hey Maddie, do you have big plans for the summer?" Summer, how had it gotten here so quickly.





Jasmine heard her name being called and turned to see Adi sitting beside her. Ahhh Adi, here was someone that she would really miss seeing. "Hey there. What's up my friend?" Adi was one of the friendliest people around and he always made Jasmine smile. "How are you enjoying the feast so far?". As always Jasmine couldn't wait for the food to come. She wasn't in a hurry for the feast to end though because that would mean her year would be over.

More and more people were arriving at the feast and Jasmine spotted friends and acquaintances. Seeing Lux and Jun, she returned their waves and continued chatting with her friends.

Paloma took a deep breath, trying not to think of herself jumping over Justine, like that scene in the muggle movie, haha. But seriously, the fact that they were now really going to 'live together' for two weeks, and that Paloma would have to leave her apartment to Justine for a whole year, and after that whole year having to share the place with her was just beyond her bearing emotions. "That's so nice of you. Have you received your schedule, so I can actually...see your face during those two weeks?" Sarcastically, of course she said that. Paloma was going to make sure she saw the very least of Justine when in New York.

And suddenly, the rush of emotions landed on her roomie, by Lux and Eden, who had by then learned to...like Justine, maybe? Paloma knew that both were honest, and maybe Justine was actually a good friend to them, so she just smiled and waved at them when approached, trying not to think herself that she...well, wanted some of that love as well. Envy, maybe.

....and then...

....*wibble*

"Jun" There she was. Paloma got suddenly filled with tons of emotions as Jun joined them. She had been holding them for a long time, she was not ready for him to leave Hogwarts. But showing her emotions wasn't exactly her thing in real life, so...she just held herself from going to tackle him in hugs and beg to him not to leave.

Eden CLUUUUNG to her. So DESPERATELY. JUSTINE. She was almost a sobbing mess--"Do you HAVE TO?" Couldn't she just...FAAAAIL her NEWTs and STAY?! Technically she had already TAKEN them but OH WELL.

SIGH.

She already missed her...WHAT WAS THIS.

And then...Jun.

OH JUN.

Eden suddenly flung herself at HIM and gave HIM a hug, too. "JUN! JUN!" she said passionately--dramatically--very much so. "You're leaving too--" she was being ridiculous but she didn't CARE she was going to MISSSS Them all SO much.

UGH.

She looked at Paloma--SHE WAS STAYING, YES. Thank Merlin. THAANK Merlin. Sweet little PALOMA.


BUT EDEN'S LIFE WAS OVER.

Char slowly made her way into the great hall for the feast, still unsure about being there. She had been bed ridden for so long at this point that existing anywhere but the Slytherin Common Room felt unnatural. Luckily, she had started feeling better the day before the feast and decided now would be a good time to find Lux and apologize for falling off the face of the planet. She was sure her friend wouldn't mind though since she was so nice.

She was going to search the Hufflepuff table first, but she glanced at the Ravenclaw table and spotted a very familiar redhead sitting around loads of people. Char didn't want to interrupt, but she really needed to talk to Lux. Making her way over, she tapped Lux on the shoulder and waited patiently for her to turn around. Charlotte had plenty of time, she could wait.

Zhenya glanced over to the Ravenclaw table and saw Jasmine, her new friend. She was sad that she had made a friend who was leaving Hogwarts. Zhenya wanted to say goodbye, so she made her way over to Jasmine. She didn't know what to say, she didn't know Jasmine very well, but she was the kind of person Zhenya was very happy to know. She approached from behind, cleared her throat, and decided to just give her a hug.

"I just wanted to come and say hello. And… goodbye, I suppose too."

Professor Culloden had been right about the Calming Draught....because despite the emotional intensity in the Great Hall, Gabriel felt....somewhat okay.........which was a drastic improvement if one considered the Welcome Feast. Fainting under the weight of the sorting hat had NOT been his finest hour...Most embarrassing up until that moment, for sure....

He'd even brought his gift for Professor Flamsteed with him, hoping to catch the man before they were ushered out into those rickety carriages. After everything that had happened in the library, Gabe couldn't approach anyone...mainly because his face had been one gigantic bruise. Grayson and Ruby drama had somehow sucked him in....and things had happened...and people had gotten hurt...like himself.

His sister really knew how to pick them......

Anyway, Gabe was just ready to go back to Greece this summer, with Jeremiah, and test out what they'd worked so hard on this term. Though, it was hard to make any mental plans, considering how stupidly LOUD Eden McGee was. It made no logical sense to be THAT loud...They weren't fields apart...

Stink. Eye.

Well, wasn't this just the worst?

"You know I don't want to be here," she stated, knowing full well it wouldn't make any difference. Being here was the last thing Clara wanted to do right now. It was trouble enough to be stuffed in a room filled with people all packed closely together and it was only made worse by her terrible mood. There was one thing she could be grateful for, though and that was the fact that no attention would be directly on her - except perhaps Eden's - as there were so many weepy students. Hopefully, she would be able to sit silently for most of the feast without too much bother.

The red head slumped lifelessly into her seat, willing the time to fly by.

She dreaded seeing people she knew; she didn't want anyone she cared about seeing her like this. So worn down, lifeless, hollow. Who knew she could ever feel this way? And over a guy, no less. The worst part, perhaps, was that this was all her doing. She'd spoken to Phoenix and broken it off ... whatever it was. It had certainly been more than just a friendship, but that was ruined now.

Clara tried to cast those thoughts aside, they wouldn't be any good for her and now was not the time for them. She looked up briefly as each person arrived, simply because Eden made some sort of cry of agony ... or it could be a war cry for all she knew, every time someone arrived. She also didn't miss the arrival of Gabe, possibly the only other person beside Eden that she would be happy to see today. He was all healed and looking like ..... he wasn't too phased by the large amount of people here. Good. She tried to catch his eye, putting on a brave face and hoping that he wouldn't notice any lingering sadness.

Jasmine's head was spinning. There were so many people that she wanted to see and so little time. Here came one of them now. "Hi Zhenya", Jasmine said with a cheerfulness she was struggling to maintain. Zhenya was the sweetest Slytherin she had ever met. If ever there was reason to question the sorting hat.......

Jasmine returned Zhenya's hug then looked directly at her. "I don't like goodbyes so how about we say, until we meet again? I'm so sorry that we didn't have more time to get to know each other better. I enjoyed working with you so much." It was really too bad that they'd only recently had a chance to work together. Jasmine was sure that they could have been great friends.

Trying to change the subject fom goodbye to something more positive, Jasmine asked a question. "So what will you be up to this summer? Big plans in the works?"

Lux! Hey, hey! Adi smiled at his friend just as he noticed Gabe. Gabe got a wave and Adi couldn't help but wonder if the Ravenclaw guy had dropped some of the shyness yet. He was cool...only hindered by his shyness. Like Benny. Anyway...

Back to Jasmine.

"Just making the usual rounds to see everyone,'' Adi replied smiling. Normally, he would stop by at the Ravenclaw table a little later on but not this time around. "I would enjoy it a little more if you weren't leaving,'' he added seriously. But of course there was no way he could stop her from leaving... or coming back next year.

"What are your plans after Hgwarts?" It was something the boy never asked her before and was curious about it now.

A curious first year eyed the Ravenclaw table noticing two familiar faces and without thinking he walked towards it. Hugo waved at Maddie, the girl who knew some of the Hogwarts' secrets and who thought was cooler than him. HA not. He continued on walking and poked Paloma on the back "Are you leaving?" She was a seventh year, right?

He sat down next to her and noticed there was an older boy who looked a bit sad. Mhm, he definitely was leaving Hogwarts. "Why should you be sad about graduating?" The now second year ehem asked to Paloma.

Maddie looked at Jasmine thoughtfully, wondering how she would be feeling when she was in the older girl's shoes. Would she miss this place? Eh. It was the people that made a place interesting, yes? So she'd miss the people most. At least that's how she saw things NOW.

"'COURSE I'm up for it," Maddie said confidently. She wasn't above hexing people if it meant practicing for Defense Against the Dark Arts AND keeping a promise to Jazzy. Multitasking FOR THE WIN. BESIDES, she was an expert at looking after people by now. People she LIKED, anyway.

"My brothers are meant to look after me which pretty means I'll be looking after MYSELF." Which was no biggy, really. "Plus I'll probably visit Kyroh and Thornton." They'd invited her so she might as well see how they lived outside of school. "Do YOU?"

Then there was commotion at the Gryffindor table, NOT surprising at all, and Maddie glanced in that direction. That BOY in a SKIRT had LONG legs, gosh. It reminded Maddie of spiders and she shuddered, quickly averting her gaze. She wasn't a FAN of spiders.

And more people. It was fairly obvious why Ravenclaws were popular given the vast amount of talent and awesomeness flowing through the house but the table sure seemed to be filling up fast. Eden of the garden variety got a finger wiggle from the brunette and a proper smile TOO. Maddie liked Eden. WELL, when she wasn't being SUPER loud and emotional and HUGGING like she was right now. Maddie didn't really GET the whole scene. Eden was sometimes like a helpless baby eagle and Maddie felt the urge to just PUSH her out of the nest and encourage her to spread her wings a bit. Also the Hufflepuffs that had gone to see Culloden at the same time she had. They were as good at potions as SHE was so there was respect, she s'posed. They got waves TOO. And then there was the small Slytherin, Hugo. Hugo got a smirk. Had he gotten whomped by the willow yet? Maddie would want to hear ALL about it if he ever did.

Zhenya let Jasmine hug her back, and she enjoyed knowing she had made a friend. She smiled as Jasmine spoke to her. She understood that she didn't like goodbyes, and she nodded. "Until we meet again! Perfect. Do you know what your plans are for next year?" She didn't even know what Jasmine wanted to become! Whatever it was, Zhenya knew she would be amazing at it.

Agreeing 100000000%, Zhenya was slightly sad when she replied "I'm sorry too. I would have liked to be able to get to know you more too. It was really great working with you as well, I'm very glad we got the opportunity to work together." That potions lesson where they had first met had been her FAVOURITE lesson ever!

"I'm going to be visiting my brother and his family. I've never met my nephew or sister in law before! And then I'm going to Seattle to visit an old friend. A bit of a busy summer I think. What about you?"

While detaching herself from her seventh year pals, she saw Clara...looking miserable. She sighed and pushed a glass of pumpkin juice her way.."Come on, Clara.." she said encouragingly, trying to be all nice and gentle to her. She needed it. And Eden wasn't leaving her side ONE second. NOPE.

SIGH, though. For real. At least Phoenix had gone. Maybe Clara would feel better no-----HOLD UP.

Was...was Gabriel Banner..giving her...

THE STINK EYE.

Eden gave him a VERY glare-y look back and wondered WHY this Banner sibling disliked her. She had never even had a CONVERSATION with the kid, and BLEGH. "Your...friend is giving me a mean mug-" she told Clara, nodding Gabe's way.

Merlin.

Kid needed to chill out.

BUT MADDIE! Eden gave the younger 'claw a BIG smile and another wave and UGH.She adoooored Maddie. The cutie.