Abby smiled at Hady and said "Hey Hady you ready for the summer" Abby wanted to join the slytherin table and chat to hady and zeke but she didnt want to intritude with all the slytherins but it might help her make some more slytherin friends

Okayyy she was here. Like it had taken forever to pack, since her dorm was so... decorated and everything, but here she was. Almost in proper uniform and everything, apart from just a few tweaks here and there for style and fit reasons. But her shoes were flat and her buttons were done up, and her tie was tied, and she hadn't snogged anyone yet, so noooo reasons to get in trouble, surely.

Ruby sauntered over to her table, not one to bother visiting the others. If people wanted her they could come to her, and if they were her friends she'd see them out of school anyway, and besiiiiides....

.... the boyfriend was at this table. She made sure he could see her (and watch her) coming, and then squished in next to him on the side opposite to Ethan.

.... oh he was back? She didn't interrupt them, or bother to say hello to any of the smaller kids, instead Ruby just busied herself raking her hair with her fingertips, content to simply notice and be noticed.

Especially that last part.

Due to having lived out of his trunk for the last year, as if by refusing to unpack he was in some way less here, Daltons' packing job had been so easy. Literally, after this feast, he would go upstairs and put his uniform in it and there: done. His stomach growled softly, and although he would never admit it, the eleven year old was excited for the food to arrive. That was the one saving grace of this place, after all.

His eyes flicked up at the Prefect as she sat near to him, and he watched her as she then spoke, before returning his rather bored gaze to the staff dais. Yes, he knew who she was - he'd seen her around the Common Room and being a Prefect alright. But he didn't know, her nor did he like her, so he didn't have to act all gushy and crap.

And he wasn't going to. Instead, he offered a non-committal shrug that sort of said he didn't care either way. "Guess so."

Kace decided to go over to the Slytherin table and look for his two favorite partners in crime. As he looked around he noticed Ethan sitting by himself. He shrugged and thought to go over and say goodbye before seeing him at Diagon Alley in the summer. He plopped down next to him and smiled, "Hey Ethan! How have you been?" He turned his head and looked around and asked, "Where is your Watson?" He wondered where Simon was.

End of terms were often super duper sad for some reason, although Dot never found them to be so. She preferred the summer, so long as she could see her friends whenever she wanted, because it meant she had time with her parents and her Bubba!brother. But she could respect people with sadness overload, even when she was excited, so she didn't skip into the Great Hall.

Out of respect and stuff.

She DID make a beeline toward Ruby when she saw the older girl sitting by Grayson. Her other friends were here tooooo, but first, she wanted to see her Style Mentor in person. Dot had very good cat eyes today, after all.

"Hi. Can I sit by you for a minute? I'll leave when someone wants to sit here." Big big big smiles.

Dante was here

For Food mostly. He was a hungry and hopefully growing boy. He can't be this short forever. could he? That would be horrible. Though this year had felt like it moved faster than last term. No idea why.

Maybe he had more fun. Plus there was fun stuff he had planned to do this summer with friends and cool stuff to learn on his bike and skateboard. That will be really fun. So, yeah to things to look forward too.

Still Food took priority tonight. He was starving.

With little care or effort, Cutty Mordaunt entered the Great Hall and took a seat at the silver and green. He mourned the decrease of the Newell girlheadperson for he had no one to immediately tease upon sitting. It was sad. So, so sad, folks.

On the other hand her brother would be absolved of all suspicions. Afterall, the prefect people accused him of offing for the sake of a badge was seated right there. Only, of course Ethan Mordaunt was no longer wearing the badge. And, also he wasn't dead.
"Mordaunt!" He called to the boy at the end of the table and got up out of his seat to make his way over to the side where Banner, Whitlock and Ethan all sat. "Yer alive!" Then Cutty did a highly unusual thing and wrapped his freaking condor arms around Ethan from behind hugging the former Slytherin prefect, even if only a short hug. In fact, he let go with a hurried rush. "Ugh! Did yer say dragon pox??!" Cause he didn't want to fall ill either.

"Yer coomin' bach next year then?" He asked, ignoring his more rhetorical question from before. With Simon scarce and Gregoire gone, that meant Ethan didn't have many those that he was particularly close to.

Hugh was not paying attention.

Not anything new. He just was here for the food and the appearances of being social. BUT HE DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME TO BE ACTUALLY SOCIAL. Yooooooo, he had much to think and do before he was exiled home for the summer months.

Mostly, he was thinking about life.

As per usual.

Ugh. He was falling into a rut. He needed something new to be hung up on. Perhaps, he would occupy himself with food.

Sounded like a good enough plan.

And.......... eyebrow!raise.

Uh huh. He SAW that look she was giving to him, thank you very much. What had he done? Nothing. Exactly. He was just sitting here looking fantastic as always and she was giving him looks as if he'd gone ahead and killed her cat. Jeez, girls were so freaking confusing, man.

Instead of ignoring her, he gave her a curt nod of his head. Hello. Yes. Stare all you want, he knew he was smokin' hot.



"Dragon pox?!" Grayson scrunched up his face at that. "Jeez, man, that doesn't sound like a holiday. You all better now, right?" Yeah, surprise surprise, Grayson Douglas Whitlock actually cared. Alert the Daily Prophet or whatever. The scrunched up expression only ended up disappearing when he heard what the boy had to say next. Transfiguration practical? What? Why would he have a grand time during an exam?! Had the illness addled with the guy's--

OH! Oh DUH!

"NO. FREAKING. WAY! You had to produce a snowstorm for your practical?!" DUDE! That WAS a great exam! Dead simple for Snowstorm Man. "Thanks, mate! Yeah, I can't WAIT to get home and do magic anytime I want." Apart from in front of Muggles cause there was a law against that and all. But there wasn't a law against shoving it in his brother's face.

Summer trip? "Yeah, 'course! Visiting a loch doesn't sound as fun as laying on a beach and chillaxing but eh, whatever," Shrug. "Please tell me you're going as well. There needs to be more cool people there."



Smiiiiiiiirk.

Look who just sauntered in. Mmmm. Mhm. He liked what he was seeing, there was no doubt about that.

The smirk was still spread across his face as he watched his girlfriend -- his GIRLFRIEND -- walk right towards him and sit down next to him. How did he get so lucky? Dude was still tryna figure out the answer to that question. Either way, she was getting his complete, undivided attention. "Looking good there, Banner." Which was hardly surprising. "It's good to see you and all." It really really was.

"You looking forward to the summer?"



The Great Hall had filled up quite a bit, hadn't it? Hardly surprising since this was the End of Term Feast and all but it was still kinda weird to see so many people in one place. So many happy looking people.

And.......... Dante. Hadn't seen that dude around in a while. Heh.

"'Sup, Dante," he called, giving the young dude his famous 'sup nod, "Looking forward to the holidays?" Hot topic of conversation, that was. And a GOOD topic of conversation too: summer was the beat season, mkay?



Cutty Mordaunt.

Man! Cutty. Mordaunt.

Seeing the fellow Slytherin made this sixth year realise just how much he'd missed the dude. There was something unique about the boy which made him a lot different to a lot of people Grayson knew. There were things the other Slytherin would do that he was sure other people kinda sorta wouldn't.

Hugging wasn't one of them.

The eyebrows were raised at the sight in front of him. Jeez, when did Cutty turn into a hugger? Wasn't that a Hufflepuff trait or whatever? "Didn't know you were the hugging type, Cutty," Grayson piped up, his eyebrows still raised and his eyes on the guy close to him.

Wohoo! Finally the term has ended and Hugo was excited to go back home and enjoy his well deserved vacations. But first, the feast.

Sooo...where were the seventh years? Last term he saw a bunch of them with sad faces and now HE was going to be one of them because Paloma was leaving, of course he wouldn't admit it to her. He looked over at the Ravenclaw table to see if she was there, he was going to join them later.

"Have you seen the Hufflepuff prefect?" asked Hugo to Dante as he sat beside him. Marigold wasn't leaving, RIGHT? He was going to visit the Hufflepuff table as well *cough*

"You don't have to leave. Own the space you're in. If someone tries and makes you move, you look at them, like this." Ruby instructed, turning a LOOK on Dot of epic I-despise-you-and-think-you-are-scum-move-now-or-continue-at-your-darkest-peril proportions. Then she smiled sweetly. Lesson of the day for you, little Dot.

"I loooove your look today, by the way." She added, gushing slightly in approval. Oh she had noticed the eye make up.

Was Cutty hitting on his cousin now? They were cousins right? The name thing wasn't just a coincidence? Ruby hadn't bothered to actually ask, nor would she because she didn't quite care enough, but still, things had to be getting a little desperate in Cutty land if he was hitting on his cousin. She painted him with a bland, ten-second smile, and then dismissed his presence in favour of more important things.

Ruby dropped a little kiss on Grayson's cheek which was partly a stamp of ownership in case Sophie Newell happened to be around, lets be honest.

"Gray, you saw me last night," Up close and personal. "And in the common room this morning," On that one couch in the corner, "And in the corridor like two hours ago," Behind a certain tapestry. She smiled at him angelically.

"You make it sound like you were counting the minutes." Yes, that was an opportunity for him to lie and say that he was, to feed her ego and earn brownie points for himself. Ruby was soooo generous with offering up these opportunities.

He got a saucy little wink. "Summer? Oh, you know. Only the company." She had plans, and they involved him, as well as several social events. Pool parties were all the rage this summer apparently.

Pouring herself a glass of water, she sort of half-eavesdropped on his conversation with Ethan since it was about OWLs and she'd had to retake the written portions this year herself. Not the practicals though, thankfully. But she did lean forward slightly and fix a smile on Ethan.

"Oh yes, you should come, Ethan. Even if its rubbish, we'll have a good time, I'll make sure of it.... well, at least for a select few." Ruby winked at him. He could be one of the select of course, she already had plans.

Mm. See? Not just her. With the noticing. Cutty Mordaunt never did anything without an agenda

... Ruby found it admirable, to be honest.

See? There was a reason Brooklyn sort of considered Hady a friend. If she’d really thought about considering anyone a friend. The fact her nod had been accepted without question, and just returned showed that. They understood each other. Too much speaking wasn’t necessary, not that conversation was exactly a bad thing. She just hadn’t seen a reason to stop and talk when there would still be the train and time later if that wanted to happen. And she’d even gotten a smile and a nod back from Zeke, which made her opinion of him raise a little. Had she bothered to make much of an opinion of him in the first place. If Hady liked him there had to be some sort of useful factor to him.

She’d had better things to occupy her time than worrying about whether she could trust the Gryffindor, though. Like whether she should trust Grayson, as he’d given her a weird nod thing in response to her look before going off to talk to Dante. The twelve-year-old ginger wasn’t stupid. She knew he didn’t know why he’d gotten the look, or if he even remembered the reason. She wasn’t about to tell him either. He’d gotten somewhat distracted by the arrival of Ruby anyway. That was okay with her, as she’d just gone back to observing. Oh, and she knew that look Ruby was teaching Dot rather well. NO lessons needed there, not that she was the one getting them.

At least someone had respect. Even if she’d generally ignored the finger wiggle from Ethan. The question didn’t go unnoticed. “It was interesting,” she replied, sitting up straighter at the title. See? Respect. Interesting didn’t really explain the term, but she imagined he had to know at least half of what had gone on at the castle. The swamp attacking, Gregoire…maybe not the nifflers and the fact Zeke apparently knew how to get into the Chamber of Secrets, but he had to have a general idea. Whether or not he’d had dragon pox. She was sort of glad she had the table between her and him for the moment, anyway. She’d avoided the hug from Cutty too. That just looked weird.

“Lochs have beaches too,” she pointed out disdainfully, at Grayson’s comment. Not that she wanted to go on the summer trip because of that.

Well Dante was around more than last term. That was a plus. And there was Grayson Whitlock. "Hey Grayson" He gave a sup nod back. But of course it was not as good as his. That was just the sad truth.

"Of Course. No schoolwork! and it should be a fun summer. You?"

And There was Hugo. and what was he asking. The Hufflepuff Prefect? Dante looked over at the puff table and spotted her. "Yeah i see her. What, you want to give her a special Hugo Foster goodbye until next year?"

Dante said jokingly. Though he did not think she was graduating. But what did he know. He did not really even know her. They spoke like once.

Own the space you're in? Even if it's space that rightfully belongs to a big kid person, or one of Ruby's friends, or... well, anyone? She tilted her head and regarded Ruby like a curious kitten. But Ruby was nearly always right.

And that look. Merlin. Burnt the skin right off her face, it did. Dot tried out her own angry-kitten expression, just to show Ruby that she was learning.

"This is my seat, and I own it. And THANK YOU." Hair flip hair flip hair flip. Over eager hair flip. She nearly fell off the bench but righted herself and grinned broadly at Grayson. And Cutty. And Hady and Dante and Brooklyn. Everyone.

"Yeah. It's a new thing I joost picked up this year." He joshed with the older French boy. Boy. Grayson was a man now, baby. A grown man! "I mean, I've always been affectionate, booht this is opening all sorts of doors that I neveh knew existed." And whether Cutty actually thought he was affectionate or not wasn't immediately apparent. And he wasn't about to mention examples as Grayson's girlfriend was right there. Look at her...

Clinging away like a rouged-up barnacle in that 'I'll kill any witch that dare look at him!' way. And also throwing herself a bit at his cousin. Basically, claiming all the Slytherin male students like a Queen Bee.

Cutty approved.






"Oh yeh." Cutty concurred with Brooklyn's point. Although, possibly Grayson was simply stating that they could go to a different beach. "Lorra them are private too. Yew can do what yer want to on 'em." His expression toward Grayson was subtle and inviting as if suggestion that he could and should do what he wanted to at a loch sometime. Possibly with company. Possibly without.



Finally stepping away from behind Ethan, Cutty took a seat and saw the baby Wojack-Gusey. Goose. The Gosling. Practicing her faces and taking note from some private lesson she seemed to be having with Banner. Also, almost falling off of the bench seat, but saving it. How far she'd come from dancing about tables. Cutty's impulse control potion helped him from saying all of this out loud and also laughing at little Dot's almost slip-up. Instead he smiled back and winked at her.

Ah yes, more people.

It is to be expected because apparently, Slytherin has the coolest students, and, let's face it. They all want to be friends with their lot. Right? Right. Just look at...exhibit A.



BEAM.

"MY HOMELESS RAAAAAAAT!" Ethan beamed and gently punched Kace's arm in greeting. "Sit, sit. Come join the awesome." He's Ethan's friend so it's cool. "I'm good. OWLs done, so..." the Slytherin did a fake streeeeeetch and yawn and rested his arm around Kace. "Looking forward to summer. Can't wait to get out of this place. You're coming to the trip right?" he should be, because ADVENTURE. Duh. "Ah well, you know Watson...he likes to obsess over his findings and documenting them. He'll be around in a minute." he said as shifted in his seat and played with his utensils.

Ethan was about to ask Kace something when...



A hug. A huuuuuuuuuuuuug was given. Ethan secretly wanted one...but not from a boy.

The Slytherin's face dived straight into his plate unexpectedly as the hug was executed. Good thing it didn't last! "Hello to you too, Cutty." Ethan's greeting was less enthusiastic because his nose got flattened. Thanks. "Yeah, but I'm good and well...and..." Was Cutty being serious? Of course he's coming back. As if his father would let him go somewhere else, right? "I'm coming back, definitely. Whyy???" Ethan asked, totally suspicious of his own cousin.

He's a Mordaunt too, after all.



Ethan allowed Cutty to settle down first before facing Grayson. "It was hell..." he said as he rubbed his nose and scrunched it up. "I had to study for OWLs while recovering. Seriously man, I should get a medal for it." Or better, get high grades on his exams. Really, he deserved all the Os. Ahem. “I had to make an ice menagerie, and…I had to make it snow.” The fifth year winked at Grayson, and gave him a nudge. “Seeing that I am the snowstorm man, I had to control the weather. It was a bad thing that the official was nowhere to be found. I could show him a thing or two about snowstorms.” There was also a huge chance that he could seal an O for that, but, alas, he was not given the chance.

“Fear not my friend,” he said as he took his goblet and drank from it. “I’ll be there…will bring my lute along…and I suppose Simon will bring his Ukulele with him. Simon and E-funkel for the win, yo.” LOL. Does Grayson even know that ancient muggle artist? Hehehehehe. “You and I should…” Ethan leaned closer to the older Slytherin and whispered a thing or two to him… “Work out and build some muscles. Heard the ladies go nuts over it.” Aaaaaaaaand, who knows, maybe he could score some serious brownie points from Josie, yeah?

Ethan sat up straighter and winked at Grayson. He was sure that the older snake would agree and do it with him. “I can’t wait to celebrate my seventeenth this coming October. I bet it feels grand to have the trace off you…” he said and nodded in agreement. He was sure that Grayson will have a blast when he gets home. The fifth year looked up at him, when he addressed Cutty and his…unusual show of affection. Somehow, he knew that his cousin was capable of it because he’s not as anti-social as Mordred, so there’s that. “Come here, Graygray. You need MY hug.” Ethan opened his arms and hugged Grayson without second thought.




Still hugging Grayson, Ethan mouthed the words, "He needs more hugs and kisses." towards Ruby. Well, Ethan's not that dumb, because he knew Grayson's constantly showered with those from her. He was just doing it for funsies. Releasing her boyfriend, Ethan leaned on the table to get a better look at Ruby.

"I shouldn't be worried because...fun people." he said as he gestured his hand to her and Grayson...and basically the rest of the Slytherins. "I'm sure it's not rubbish." the fifth year gave Ruby a thumbs up, and diverted his attention to...



Tiny Brooklyn.

What did he do exactly to get such nice treatment? Well, the girl is obviously aloof to so many things and people, and she's like an irritable mama tiger waiting to strike. The tiny person in front of him looks so precious though, but Ethan knew better. Big things come in small packages they say.

The older Slytherin simply grinned at the girl and asked, "I suppose you're going too, eh?" and he glanced quickly towards Hady...and Minister Zeke. The tiny people were allowed to go, so Ethan assumed that they will be there.

Hugo turned around once Dante said he had seen Marigold. Ohh...there she was. Ehem. Everything was cool. He slightly laughed, "Yeaah.." shrugged "That way she won't forget me" genius plan, isn't it? He fixed his hair and robes. "I'll probably go later, she seems busy" and he was nervous. He must not messed it up like he did at the masquerade party.

"Anyways, are you going to the summer trip?" Because Hugo was going and Dante should too. And Marigold too.

Just like the rest of the students, Ethan fell silent as the Headmistress made her way towards the dais, and delivered her speech. The fifth year peeled his eyes away from the woman, and stared down at his plate. He knew what was coming. Slytherin...foolish...well, those words don't mix well, yes? Ethan sank lower in his seat as he took a moment of silence for his fellow Slytherin.

It didn't take long for the speech to be over, because soon enough, food appeared before them.

Kace shook his head and laughed at his nickname for him. "I do not know if I should be offended by that nickname or accept it." he teased him and nudged him back. He even added a playful punch on his arm too. He sat down next to his buddy and he nodded. He remembered taking his OWLS the previous year. "Yeah I know how draining those can be. Do you think you did well?" Just being the curious puff he was he wanted to know. He felt him rest his arm around him. Was he Ethan's personal armrest? Guess so. He didn't mind.

OH! Right the trip! He beamed and shook his vigorously. "Yeah I am! It is gonna be nice to get out of the country. I am surprised my mother said I could go but I am a big boy and I would have went anyways." he smirked deeper and he liked to break the rules sometimes. Aaahhh so Watson was scavenging around. He smiled and shook his head yet again. "Ah Watson always being the curious one. Do you think we should go help him?" he asked. I mean he didn't want his friend to be lonely out there.

*Noah sat at his house table like he was supposed to but he would not do so happily. Resting his chin on his hand he looked around the room lazily. His first year at Hogwarts was almost done and it had been a disappointment. He had heard rumors that people had died at Hogwarts but that was all that he thought that they were, rumors. Nope, they were true. One of the few people that he actually liked had died due to the dark forest. The whole situation made Noah angry. How could a school full of wizards and witches let something like that happen? Why on earth would they even place a school for children right next to a dangerous place. You would think that they would make the forest protected so students from the school couldn't even walk in there, or better yet kill all the monsters in that stupid forest. The people sitting up on that staff table had the power to do that and chose not to. It was disgusting to Noah.

Back home he lived next to a dark forest that was filled with dark and horrible creatures. He was never allowed to go in there and for the most part he listened to his fathers warnings. But that may change over the summer holiday. Why should he have to fear wild things when he clearly had the possibility for more power. No, something had to be done to control these creatures.

That thought didn't help brighten his mood. Truth was he didn't want to leave Hogwarts, he liked it here. At Hogwarts he wasn't bothered, he was left alone. Back home he would have to deal with the constant hovering of his father and annoying sister. Sure he saw Emma here at school from time to time, but they were in different houses and a whole castle apart most of the time. Now he would be across the hall from that chatter box. Noah let out a long sigh not looking forward to his summer at all.*

That cheek kiss? Jeez, way to make him smile like a freaking idiot, Banner.

LOL. They had seen each other quite a few times, hadn’t they? "Doesn’t mean that it’s not good to see you again. Even if I saw you just hours ago." Wink. Fun times, man, fun times. "Would it be a bad thing if I had been counting the minutes?" he asked, smirking slightly and raising his eyebrows just a bit at her. Obviously, he knew how to charm her. Had done it before, hadn’t he? Juuuuuuust saying.

And now it was his turn to have his ego boosted. Obviously, he wasn’t gonna be the only person that Ruby would probably hang around with over the summer but his ego liked to think that he was the best company she was gonna be around. "Heard you’re gonna have some pretty great company." Wink. "The parties should be great. Dead excited for those!"

Oh hey! There was a Miss Dot! ‘Sup nods and smiles for you.



Jeeeeeeeeeeez. What in the name of Merlin was her problem?

It was as if he had broken her heart or hexed her pet and she was out to get revenge or whatever. Sure, he was just brushing off the look she had given before but the sass? MAN. Was he meant to be silently proud or cautious or offended? Merlin knew. "Yeah, but not the kinda beaches I’m talking about. I wanna go to a beach in sunshine with a nice golden sand and cool water. I don’t wanna go to a beach in freaking Scotland where the weather’s gonna be murkier than a bowl of porridge." C’mon, young snake.

"’Sides, there’s no such thing as good, sunny weather in Scotland." Was that an exaggeration? Maybe. But it was still kinda true.



Dante was a cool kid, man. Look at that ‘sup nod! If he wasn’t careful, he was gonna have himself a minion and Grayson was all up for THAT. He’d teach him all of his flirty and sarcastic ways and how to be the PERFECT ladies man. It would happen, dude. All in good time.

"No schoolwork is the biggest bonus there is. They can’t try and pile us with that nonsense while we’re on our break." This was what made the summer holidays so great. That and the weather, which gave him the PERFECT excuse to lounge around without a shirt on if he wanted to. "Yeah, I’m dead excited for summer. I just hope that school trip’ll be an interesting one. You going to that loch?" Was he gonna see more familiar faces there? HMMMM?



A new thing he’d just picked up? SNOOOOOORT. That was kinda funnier than seeing him actually distributing hugs but whatever. "So can we expect more hugs from you, then? Or are they only reserved for a select few?" he asked, wiggling his eyebrows slightly. And yes, he knew all about Cutty’s, ah, affection. Just saying.

……………

The younger Slytherin got his attention again when he interjected and--

LOL. Just LOOOOOOOOOOL!

Oh MAN! That sentence wasn’t taken in an innocent way at all. In fact, it made the seventeen year old glance over at the younger Slytherins near them as he tried to mask his laughter with a hacking cough. "A bit of privacy never hurt anyone. Could make things," SMIIIIIIIRK. "interesting."



Ugh. OWLs. UGH. Grayson was dead glad that he never had to do those again. The NEWTs were meant to be MUCH harder but he didn’t have to worry about those until next year. So it was all cool. Ethan, though? "Jeez, I feel sorry for you, man. I couldn’t willingly study to save my life, how did you manage to do it while being sick with dragon pox?!" He really did deserve a medal. But before he knew it, his blue eyes were widening at the description of the Transfiguration practical. "NO. FREAKING. WAY! Duuuuuuuude! How great is that? You practically have the OWL in the BAG!" Grayson was well chuffed. Look at the grin on his face! "Bet that’s why the official wasn’t there. They knew about your powers and didn’t want to be upstaged, even if you are the Snowstorm Man." Wink.

LOL. Simon and E-funkel. LOOOOOOL! "You two are like a double act, man," he said, shaking his head slowly and smiling, "Speaking of, where’s Simon? Haven’t seen that dude around for some time either." Which was kinda weird, let’s be real. Before he could think too much on this, however, the younger Slytherin was whispering something to him and so, the sixth year leant closer to hear him better. Work out? Build some muscles? SMIIIIIIIIRK. "Dude, you’re on! We’re gonna have fantastic summer bodies with great abs and the like. The ladies won’t be able to resist us." They were pretty irresistible already but that wasn’t the point. "You tryna impress anyone in particular?"

"It feels freaking fantastic! You’re gonna have a great Christmas after your seventeenth." You know, if the boy decided to go home and—

……….

…………………….

Was he being hugged? Er. What in the name of? Were the two Mordaunts okay or what? Grayson took a moment to blink a couple of times before wrapping his arms around the Sherlock of Hogwarts and hugging him back. Properly. Bro hugs were happening.

Brooklyn’s point about the term being interesting had been proven as the headmistress had stood to finally make her speech, of course mentioning Gregoire and asking for a moment of silence, and hopefully give them all the distraction of food. Not that she needed a distraction, really. The conversations she was able to listen to were too fascinating in their own ways to want a distraction, except for maybe from the weird looks she kept getting from Grayson. Probably not ones that were going to stop with her earlier comment about the lochs, either. He seemed awfully focused on what he did to deserve the treatment she was giving him and less about trying to fix it. It wasn’t the second year’s problem.

She’d returned Dot’s grin, though, and turned an almost-smile onto Cutty as the boy had seconded her comment. Ignoring the innuendo that he’d laced it with for Grayson’s benefit. People did a lot of things on beaches. She knew that, even if she thought that was weird and wasn’t apt to stoop to that level any time soon. She’d slightly nodded to show she’d heard him, however.

Before turning back to Grayson as he chose to continue arguing with her. She could do this all day. “So don’t go to that beach,” she replied. “I know of plenty of other beaches that would be like that.” She was originally from California after all, even if she rather enjoyed actually living here in England now. Plenty of bright, sunny beaches there. And she could explore the one on Scotland without having to deal with stupidity. Minus having to worry about getting a sunburn.

“On the trip?,” she asked Ethan as he’d looked over at her again. “Probably.” She’d signed up to go, anyway. She wasn’t going to risk losing her position by not going on the trip to the loch, and it had to be more interesting than the mapmaking this term, not to mention less risk of evil stinky swamps. “D’you think we’ll see the monster?” Just curious here. She figured Ethan would answer. Didn’t care if anyone else wanted to answer the question, or think she was stupid for asking. It was hardly stupid.

As soon at the headmistress was done giving her speech, Cece made her way down to the Slytherin table to give a speech of her own. Once she arrived at the table she cleared her throat and spoke loud enough for everyone at the table to hear her. "All right all you Slytherin students, listen up." She looked around the table noticing the students from other houses there. They could listen too or go back to their own tables. She didn't care what they did, as long as they were respectful to her snakes right now.

"I would like to acknowledging a few students tonight starting with our top Slytherin points earners. Please hold your applause until I have recognized all of them." She looked around the table then continued once she had everyone's attention. "With 443 points, second year Hadleigh Lynch takes first place. Second place goes to fifth year prefect Caleb Newell with 356 points. With 335 points, sixth year Grayson Whitlock secures third place. Fourth place goes to prefect Beverly Wayne with 251 points. And with 241 points, third year Charlotte, I mean Dot Wojack takes fifth place. Congratulations to all of you for all your hard work this term." Now everyone could applaud.

Once the noise died down she continued. "To our graduating seventh years, Virginia McFay, Bianca Rush, Gareth Striker, Zoe Tillstorm, and any others I might have missed, good luck in whatever the future holds for you." She looked around the table with her gaze stopping on Zoe. Cece couldn't believe seven years had already passed since her little cousin walked through the doors of Hogwarts as a itty bitty first year, and now here she was, a woman heading out on her own. She shook her head and cleared those thoughts though. She needed to get back to her speech. "To the rest of you that will be returning next term, have a great summer and make sure you come back in September ready to win that house cup." She would not be pleased if they went a seventh straight term without winning that cup. "Enjoy the rest of the feast. And stay out of trouble." She would not tolerate any shenanigans like the ones they had pulled at the opening feast. Last day at school or not, they would feel her wrath if they stepped out of line.

Not wanting to go back to the staff table where some of her colleagues were acting precisely the way she didn't want her students to act, Healer Murdoch decided to just walk around the Slytherin table. Maybe if she made her presence known for the reaminder of the feast there would be no trouble.

She looked up as auntie came to the table and started speaking. It was still so surreal that this was the last feast at Hogwarts for her. It was hard to imagine next term starting and not leaving on the train on September 1st. She listened as Cece spoke and smiled a little at her when she mentioned her name and that she was graduating as were 3 other Slytherins. She lowered her eyes though after that, still just lost in her own thoughts as the others kept speaking around her.