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End of Term Feast
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 08-26-14 17:31
The Great Hall was festively decorated in blue and bronze to celebrate Ravenclaw's successful clinch of the House Cup. All of the House tables were full, with every student dressed in uniform one final time this school year. The Ravenclaws looked the happiest, but most everyone else in the room wore a smile. After all, it was the End of Term Feast!
After a little while, Professor Flitwick picked up his fork and goblet. Tink, tink, tink!
The crystal clear chime, though not very loud, nevertheless resonated throughout the Great Hall and over the excited chatter of the students. They fell silent and turned their faces towards the High Table, where Professor McGonagall now stood.
"Good evening, and welcome to the End of Term Feast," she greeted. "First years and transfer students, I hope Hogwarts lived up to your expectations. Seventh years, I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. As alumni of Hogwarts, you will always be welcome here."
Professor McGonagall took on a more somber expression and went on, "This year, we experienced the death of one of your classmates. Although we still mourn her loss, we remember Ravenclaw student Jordana Walker as a vibrant young lady and a dear friend. I think she would be pleased with the outcome of this school year, don't you agree?"
Professor McGonagall held out her hands to show off the Ravenclaw banners that decorated the length of the Great Hall.
"Let's congratulate Ravenclaw House for their victory in Quidditch this school year. Well done!"
The Ravenclaws started to whoop and holler. There was a smattering of applause from the rest of the school.
Professor McGonagall waited for the noise to die down and then said, "And now without further ado, the house points:
"In fourth place, Gryffindor with 121 points!"
The Gryffindors looked pretty down on their luck to be dead last this year, but they bore their defeat well enough.
"In third place, Hufflepuff with 355 points!"
There was polite applause for the Hufflepuffs.
"In second place, Slytherin with 369 points!"
The Slytherins looked both pleased and disappointed by their second place victory.
"And in first place, Ravenclaw with 544 points!"
The room erupted in cheers.
"Well done, all of you!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed. The moment she sat down again, dishes and dishes of glorious food appeared on the tables.
(Bowen) Playing with Food
Author: Nathaniel Ross
Date: 08-27-14 14:10
"Hey Alice could you pass me those chips, please? Thanks! Oh and Mulberry I want some of that casserole as well! Yes, that one on your left, bring it here. Thank you!"
Pelinore added some chips and casserole to his already full plate. He had mixed up all kinds of food together, and was eating as if he hasn't had anything in his stomach for weeks.
"That's disgusting," Alice commented, looking away. "You can't even taste everything properly that way."
Bowen had to agree with Alice and he told so to Pelinore.
"It's a consolation meal. I'm trying to forget that our house came in last place. But it's not just that. Tomorrow I'll be back home and my mother is not a very good cook. I've got to seize tonight's food as much as possible. She tries hard and I keep telling her I enjoy her dishes just so I won't hurt her feelings. "
After such revelation the comments about Pelinore's food combinations stopped. At the Gryffindor table everyone was glad that school was over and summer holidays were right around the corner. But there was also a small hint of sadness because their house hasn't won the House Cup. Bowen also couldn't help himself to think about the dead girl, Jordana Walker, whenever he caught his eye at the many blue and bronze banners displayed at the Great Hall, with the Ravenclaw eagle on it. He had completely forgotten about that tragic event until McGonagall had mentioned it in her speech. In his twelve years of life Bo had been lucky to have never dealt with anyone passing away and so thinking about Jordana's death troubled him a bit. He tried to shake those feelings out of him as he savored his pork chops with extra gravy. Moments later an idea occurred to him:
"Do you know what would be really funny, Pelinore?" he asked his best friend with a mischief smile on his face.
"What?"
"If you added some tripe to your dish…"
"Arrgh, that's gross!" Alice exclaimed. However she raised her neck and started looking around the dishes displayed at the large wooden table, in search for some tripe.
"Bring it on! Meat is meat." Pelinore replied, apparently not showing any sign of weakness about the idea of eating such food.
However, when the dish was brought to him and he seemed to change his mind and tried to shove it off by making a gesture with his hands. He told Bowen he didn't want to eat it. Teasing him, Bowen called him a coward.
"Oh yeah? What about you? I bet you can't have it either."
All eyes were on Bowen now. He looked at the dish, trying to hide his repulse. Carefully he used a spoon to put a miniscule portion of tripe in his plate. Then he used his fork and brought the piece of tripe to his mouth. There were some excited exclamations, mostly coming from Alice and Pelinore. Mulberry was watching the scene as well and other heads had turned towards them. The taste wasn't bad but thinking too much about what he was chewing was enough to make him want to spit it.
Bowen controlled himself and drank a large amount of pumpkin juice right after tasting the tripe. Mulberry applauded and an older student had turned his head to the group, only to then mutter to his colleague that nothing was going on and that it was just a bunch of silly first years, fooling around.
Pelinore tapped Bowen's back.
"That was epic!"
"You're a true Gryffindor!" Alice teased but in a good way.
He smiled. This was a story he could tell Daisy when he went back home for the holidays. He couldn't share with her about the classes he was taking, the Quidditch, the magic, brewing potions, the existence of dragons... But he was sure it would be harmless to tell Daisy how he was dared to eat some tripe and that he sort of liked it! He was looking forward to go back home. He and Stuart could play football together like the old days. He looked around the Great Hall and to his friends. He was going to miss all of this when he went back to his Muggle life, but the truth was he was eager to hang out with Daisy and Stuart again.
Plans for the Break
Author: Cloris Mockridge
Date: 08-27-14 14:41
Cloris kept one eye on the tables of students while she chatted idly with Severus at the staff table. "We will see you in a few weeks, yes? Nephele would be so pleased if you came," she commented.
"I have already informed Nephele that I would be pleased to attend," he drawled, his quiet voice betraying his amusement. "What shall you do with yourself, now that both Kirley and Nephele have headed your frequent urgings to settle?"
Cloris laughed. "I'm sure I shall find ways to stay busy. I do enjoy teaching. It is refreshing to form young minds, even if, as you so frequently insist, they are dunderheads." She was quiet for a moment, taking a sip from her goblet. "In truth, I don't really know. The twins both being married, and hopefully with more grandchildren on the way, eases my mind a great deal. I shall probably spend some time with Valeria, and with young Petula, but I have not truly thought further ahead. I do plan on returning next term, so perhaps that shall keep me out of mischief, along with my charitable obligations."
"I do not believe I have ever seen you at loose ends," Severus remarked, earning another slight laugh from Cloris.
"And I probably shan't remain at them for long. Idle hands and all that," she quipped, smiling as he smirked in amusement.
Lonely
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 08-27-14 17:33
Rowan sat at the Ravenclaw table, and though she was surrounded by her classmates, she felt somewhat alone. In all the time that had passed since the dueling tournament, Beatrix still hadn't forgiven her for suggesting that Ash wasn't interested in her romantically. At first Rowan had found the whole thing a bit silly, but then she'd felt angry herself. Her own anger had eventually passed, and now she simply felt sad over the fact that her closest friend since coming back wasn't interested in friendship anymore.
Not even Ravenclaw's victory at Quidditch and winning number of house points could put Rowan into a happy mood. Without meaning to, and not for the first time since the start of the End of Term Feast, Rowan glanced down the table to where Beatrix sat. Unlike Rowan, Beatrix seemed very happy. She laughed and smiled and didn't seem to have a single care in the world. In Rowan's eyes, Beatrix had already found a new best friend. She sat with Cate Moreau, who everyone knew was in the market for a new best friend.
Rowan knew it was wrong to think of Cate that way. After all, she hadn't asked for her best friend to die. Rowan simply couldn't help but feel a little bit jealous that Beatrix had replaced her so quickly. She sighed and looked away from the happy friends.
She couldn't wait to leave Hogwarts. Her things were all packed, with the exception of some toiletries and what she would wear tomorrow. Laurel's portrait was still out as well, since she didn't much like being stowed away in enclosed spaces after spending two-plus-decades buried under rubble.
Rowan sort of wished she could lock herself in her trunk and not come out until King's Cross. She very much looked forward to going home, not only to get away from her loneliness but also because Westwick Grove was finally move-in ready. She would get to live in her family's home again!
Too bad Beatrix didn't care to see it.
(Kate) Sitting with Hugo
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 08-27-14 18:39
Kate sat next to Hugo at the End of Term Feast, glad to have his company when all of her friends were seated at the Slytherin table. She didn't feel so bad about Hufflepuff being in third place according to number of house points collected, but she wished her house would have earned another fifteen points, if only to surpass Slytherin by one! Oh, well. She was happy for her friends, but she knew they would playfully tease her about Hufflepuff's narrow defeat.
She and Hugo had made plans to visit each other over the summer, and if it worked out, the entire gang would meet up at Emrys Fest. Kate looked forward to the music festival, because it was always a lot of fun… with the exception of last year, when she caught Mark making out with another girl. At least this year it wouldn't become an issue, assuming he even had plans to go.
Because she was thinking of him, she looked over to the Slytherin table, quite a ways down from where her friends sat. Mark was there, sitting next to his girlfriend Capri. He playfully fed her some buttery pasta but intentionally moved the fork away from her mouth so that cream got onto her face. She swatted at him and laughed.
"Kate?"
She blinked and turned back to Hugo. "Sorry, I zoned out. What did you say?"
"Only the punch line to the best joke I've heard in years."
"Sorry," Kate said again, and she offered him a small smile. "Tell it again, and start from the beginning?"
Hugo couldn't resist her smile. "Since you ask so nicely… So, a witch, wizard, and a troll walk into a bar."
"Why would a troll walk into a bar?" Kate asked.
Hugo humored her question only because he knew she asked it to tease him. "Because he was thirsty for a brew."
"Okay. Go on."
Hugo proceeded to tell her the entire joke all over again, and when it was all said and done, he had her laughing so hard, tears streamed down her face. She swiped her hands over her eyes and cheeks, and when her vision cleared, she saw Mark staring her way.
Dinner's Almost Ready
Author: Coco Nutt
Date: 08-28-14 09:01
Coco sets some stuffed mushrooms on a tray near Papa Wal telling him and Mitzi, "A starter to tide you over until supper's ready."
"Smells good wothever we're 'aving," Papa Wal says with an appreciative sniff of the aromas emanating from the kitchen.
"A variety of smoked sausages, among other things. Fritz is bringing something sweet for dessert."
Mitzi nods to the mushrooms, "These are excellent as always, Coco."
"Thank you. Purrl, come on and I'll feed you too."
The small cat cracks an eye at Coco and stares before arching and stretching. She comes off the couch in another stretch before trotting after Coco, meowing to ask what took so long to get around to food.
The dogs, having already been given evening walks, romp in the yard, and fed are now sprawled lazily in a line across the floor. The Welsh Springer Spaniel Dal is still with them and as he gets on so wonderfully with Cash and Zelda, adores Purrl, and thinks the human family members are pretty great too, Coco has about concluded she has a foster fail on her hands.
Sometimes when visiting her horse Hazel, she takes the dogs with her. They have a grand time with all the interesting smells, nooks and crannies of the stable to explore, a large field to frolic in, and a stand of trees where they love to watch for squirrels. At times it makes Coco wish they lived more out in the country.
So does the equine clinical. The Dales ponies and Aethonons she works with in the clinical are on a lovely large farm. The extensive pastures and forested areas are excellent for allowing the Aethonons fully free flight to stretch their wings. Coco will be sorry when the clinical ends and she moves on to the next one though she's sure she'll love it just as much.
The clinicals and other hands-on work such as she gets working at MacFusty's is all Coco has remaining in her programme. She does have some classroom coursework left if she wants to complete the Muggle veterinary requirements. As she very much wishes to do that, she doesn't mind the extra work. Knowing what to do in a Muggle environment, particularly if Muggles are around to witness, means she can still help animals, such as those as the shelter where she volunteers, without bungling by using magical healing techniques when she shouldn't.
Coco puts together a tossed salad and sets it on the dining table. By that time Fritz has arrived. He helps by getting the sausages from the smoker as she takes the warm bread to the table along with some roasted vegetables. There's spaetzle as well though Coco's isn't nearly as good as Fritz's mother, who is also a Mitzi.
Calling Papa Wal and Mitzi Bolt to supper, the four sit down with Papa Wal immediately asking how Coco's and Fritz's day went.
Dinner Conversation
Author: Declan
Date: 08-28-14 14:30
As a step forward in the relationship they are no longer working so hard to deny Declan had asked Zabrynna to accompany him to the Hogwarts End Of Term Feast. Sitting now between AJ and Mariposa and Kissy and Cameron, Declan doesn't feel such an odd man out. He wouldn't have been the only staff member without a significant other of some sort but he's always found it more in his face when sitting surrounded by those who do have dates.
As if reading his mind Kissy remarks, "You know I seem to remember that when I was a student few people other than staff sat at the head table. I'm trying to remember which of them were married and if the spouses ever came to the feasts."
"Where I went there was one main head table with a few side ones. Plenty of room for family or a date."
Cameron asks, "How large a school is that?"
"Was it hard being a student with a parent as a professor?" Cameron asks.
"Some days yes, some days no. There were a few times I'd do well on an exam or project and be accused of only making the mark I did because my father did the grading. Those were always the hardest because I'd start doubting whether I really did earn the grade or if it was given to me but most of the time things were fine. Most of the time I was sure my father would never stoop to favoritism Except when it came to Finella." He says this last with enough of a smile and chuckle to let them know he's joking.
More serious he asks, "Are you worried about when your kids are students?"
"A little," Kissy admits. "But, that's years in the future. so I'm going to try and not obsess over it until then."
Declan cuts a glance to Zabrynna, deep in conversation with her sister and AJ. With this sort of talk going on he can't help but wonder if there will come a day when they have a child who's about to enter school, be it Hogwarts or elsewhere.
Giving his full attention back to Kissy and Cameron, Declan knows that's a discussion Zabrynna and he will have to have sometime soon.
(Mark) Last End of Term Feast
Author: Isolde
Date: 08-28-14 15:13
Mark quickly looked away from Kate and speared a piece of sausage with his fork. He really didn't see what his ex-girlfriend liked about Hugo. What was so great about that Hufflepuff loser? Nothing, as far as Mark was concerned. Nothing at all.
"Whoa, what did that sausage ever do to you?" Capri asked somewhat teasingly, sensing his anger.
"Nothing," Mark said. He hurriedly changed the subject and stated, "You still haven't said if you want to ride the train tomorrow or just skip it."
Capri said, "I've gone back and forth about it. On the one hand, it is a long ride and we could better spend our time elsewhere, like viewing apartments in London. On the other hand, it is our last chance to ride the Hogwarts Express." She paused and then added as an afterthought, "It would actually be my one and only time to ride it."
Her parents had dropped her and Andromeda off at Hogwarts back in January.
"I can tell you it's not that exciting and probably is a life event you can do without," Mark said, "but I'm already starting to feel a little sentimental about this place. If you don't mind, I think I want to ride the train tomorrow."
Despite his recent troubles with his old circle of friends and with Kate, Mark had spent the last seven years at Hogwarts. He felt a bit sad to be leaving, but he was also very glad to go. Leaving Hogwarts closed one door and opened another.
"Sure, we can do that," Capri said. She smiled. "I can't believe I'm starting my job on Monday."
"Remember I have back to back interviews that morning."
"If you aren't hired right away, you could do a little house-hunting for us until I'm free next weekend. Then we can scope out the places you liked best."
"Do you trust my judgment?" Mark asked.
"I'm giving you a trial run," Capri replied, grinning. "If it turns out your favorite color scheme is puke green and mustard yellow, then I'll know you can't be trusted."
"Would you prefer girlish pink and purple? Maybe lavender and fuchsia? I know, lilac and mauve."
"Oh, yes. I do think we need a house that is nothing but pink. It totally suits you."
"I'm secure in my masculinity."
Capri laughed. "I know you are." She waggled her eyebrows. "Trust me."
Mark grinned, intent on continuing with his joke about their future interior decorating color of choice. "So, would you prefer magenta? Or perhaps coral…?"