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End of Another Year
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 08-23-15 12:48
Professor McGonagall climbed to her feet when Professor Flitwick tapped his fork against the drinking goblet in his other hand. The Great Hall gradually quieted, until the last sound heard before she started her speech was the chime created by utensil and glass. The grand dining chamber was decorated in yellow and black to signify Hufflepuff's win of the House Cup. Minerva saw nothing but happy faces in the crowd, though some students certainly appeared happier than others. It being the very last evening of the school year was reason enough to put a smile on anyone's face, even those students belonging to the house with the least amount of points earned.
"Good evening," Professor McGonagall began, her voice ringing loudly in the Great Hall. "It is time to bring yet another school year to a close. I trust it went well, and if it did not meet your expectations, then I am certain that next year will prove all the better. For those students returning next year, I wish you a happy holiday and look forward to our next meeting in September. For our graduating seventh years, good luck in your future endeavors, and I hope we shall meet again someday. Now, for the house points:
"In fourth place is Slytherin with 259 points!" She paused to allow for the smattering of applause that followed.
"In third place is Ravenclaw with 275 points!
"In second place is Gryffindor with 417 points!
"And in first place is Hufflepuff with 614 points!"
The Great Hall erupted in boisterous cheers before she even finished speaking. She waited for the din to quiet down before adding, "And I also congratulate Hufflepuff House on winning the Quidditch Cup. Well done!"
She ended her speech there and sat back down between Filius and Hagrid. Taking up her own drinking goblet, she glanced over at the Slytherin table at Malden. He wore a mixture of emotions on his face. He seemed glad to have summer upon him but also appeared disappointed to have come dead last in the race for house points. She wondered how he would feel tomorrow to come home and find the authorities waiting to interview him about a fire-bellied toad he gave his great aunt.
After the discovery that her lost toad was actually an animagus by the name Silas Mimsy, Minerva held a meeting with staff members who were also members of the Order of the Phoenix and with Ethan, who used to be an auror and did occasional consultations for the Ministry of Magic. There was a great deal of discussion on what to do about the intruder, such as interrogate him themselves or somehow use him to their advantage, but not wanting to be accused of vigilantism (again), they ultimately decided to turn him over to the authorities. Ethan went to the Ministry directly and came back with some of his old colleagues, who arrested Mimsy and took him back with them.
Minerva revealed all she knew about Mimsy, including the fact that her own great nephew had been the one to gift the toad to her. Knowing the authorities would want to speak with Malden about whether he knew the toad was an animagus, Minerva begged the authorities to wait till finals ended, since she did not want to distract Malden or any other student––especially if Malden was truly innocent. Likely due to Kingsley's influence, the Ministry respected Minerva's wishes.
Despite not feeling as close to Malden as she did Madoc, Minerva desperately hoped that Malden had purposefully placed Mimsy in the castle. She had a sinking feeling that he was turning out to be more like her elder brother than herself, and that was not a good thing at all.
Factions
Author: Mildred
Date: 08-23-15 14:52
It was disappointing to see the Great Hall decorated with Hufflepuff's colors, but it was even more awful not to be enjoying the End of the Year Feast in the way she wanted: among all her friends.
Last night a discussion had erupted at the Gryffindor common room between her group, when everyone was celebrating their freedom from exams. It all started when Achilles did more than giving Mildred a somewhat innocent peck: he tried slip his tongue into her mouth, in a bold move. Mildred quickly pulled him away, refusing his advances. She pointed her wand at him and warned him not to touch her anymore. You are not my boyfriend she told him. Achilles was confused, and so was everyone else but Wesley. Mildred explained to Achilles that they had never talked about dating, and maybe she had caused the wrong impression by giving in to his attentions. But she had also never came to him and he should take that into account. She then pulled Wesley to her side and announced that the two of them were a couple. Mildred knew that with this she was ruining any chances of being invited to Achilles' house this summer, but during her explosions she was capable of bold things and she wanted everyone to know – especially Achilles – that she had a real boyfriend now.
Two factions had been formed within the group. Achilles, Queenie and Melpomene at one side, Mildred, Wesley and Amelia at the other. Now each trio sat on opposite ends of the Gryffindor table, pretending it has always been like that and that the other group did not exist. Mildred was expecting Queenie to side with Achilles. They were close and she suspected she had some feelings towards him. Something in the way she would always follow him around, although Queenie herself had never admitted anything. But Melpomene's reaction had been a surprise to Mildred. Later last night on the bathroom, while they were brushing their teeth and getting ready to go to bed, Mildred explained to Melpomene what her intentions were when she allowed Achilles to approach her. Melpomene confessed her shock and how she never imagined Mildred capable of using people like that. She said she didn't know if she and Mildred should still be friends and with that she didn't say anything else to her.
Wesley had stayed with Mildred, naturally. He was happy she had decided to assume their relationship and it was a relief to be able to sit next to her, and hold her hand in public. Amelia had taken their side, declaring she knew all along Wesley's feelings for Mildred and she supported them as a couple.
"These ribs are exceptional! You should try some," Wesley said.
"I'm not that hungry," Mildred confessed, taking a glance to the spot where Achilles, Queenie and Melpomene were seated. Just like Wesley, Achilles was eating with appetite, while Queenie smiled at him. But Melpomene didn't seem very satisfied.
"Don't be upset, Mildred. This quarrel won't last long, you'll see. I tried to speak with Achilles last night, at the dorm. He ignored me but he didn't try to hex me either, which was a good start. He'll come around."
"And Queenie is not mad at you," Amelia added, serving herself with some French fries. "You have done her a favor, you know?" and she didn't add anything else, but both Mildred and Wesley sort of understood what she meant.
"By the time of the St. Emrys Fest we will be all together again," Wesley guaranteed her. "Now try the ribs. You won't regret it."
Mildred made an effort to lighten up her mood, and she served herself with some ribs. They started to share their plans for the holidays and Mildred realized she was going to spend the summer with her father. It would be the first time they would be together for more than some hours, and she couldn't help to feel euphoric about the idea of moving in with him. He had written to her telling that he had finally purchased a house for the both of them. She repeated the ribs dish, feeling better than she was earlier.
(Angharad) Monumental Moment - Tinged with Sadness
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 08-24-15 14:26
Cai and I were celebrating our final End of Term Feast at Hogwarts, all the tests were done, the studying coming to an end until the fall when we both turned our attention to Uni. Now, was a time to relax and enjoy our freedom as adult witches in the Wizarding world, without the constraints of school.
The tables were filled with the finest the House Elves had to offer, and the fact that the Great Hall was decorated in the colors of Hufflepuff didn't hurt in the slightest. I fell silent for a few moments, just watching Perla as she talked with a few of our friends around the table about summer plans, and she and I did have a few things planned that would give her some good memories to hold her off until I could see her on Hogsmeade weekends and things like that.
I was going to miss this next year, but in a way I was glad to be leaving it and going to be able to begin making my way in the world. I managed to quell the rise of emotions that threatened to ruin the happy occasion that is the End of Term Feast - at the wish that my mother was still here to see this happen. I shifted slightly and reached for another spoonful of mashed, and some gravy to go with the second helping of turkey and dressing I'd grabbed from some of the platters.
I still had to finish packing, and I was putting it off for as long as I possibly could - though I knew if I put it off too much longer I'd be scrambling to get everything into my trunk in the morning before it was loaded onto the train.
"You alright?"
Perla's voice cut through my thoughts and I offered her a light smile and a nod, "Fine, just thinking about everything I still have to do once the feast is over."
"I know, I think I still have half my things to pack," Perla said with a grin before turning to answer a question that she'd just been asked.
Dinner At The Burrow
Author: Ginny Weasley
Date: 08-24-15 18:28
Ginny walks into the Burrow by the backdoor, as usual, and goes to the ice box. Taking out an Orangina, a drink with which her father has recently become enamoured, she looks over her shoulder at Harry to see if he wants anything. "Butterbeer, thanks" he tells her.
Opening their drinks they walk together into the next room where Molly sits listening to a WWN program, a drowsy Albus snuggled on her lap. Using her wand to turn down the volume she asks, "How did it go?"
"It's done. She's off to Azkaban. Where are Dad and Jamie?"
"Jamie was having an energetic spell so Arthur and he went for a walk. Give me more details than that."
Harry speaks up as Ginny has just taken a drink of her Orangina. "Southway has been found guilty of all the charges, the worst of which are the drug related ones."
"She'll be in Azkaban for awhile," Ginny adds.
Freya Southway had given the authorities a merry chase. She was finally tracked down in Canada. She denied all the charges against her, including intimidation and threats against a relative who is also one of the owners of the Holyhead Harpies. With Southway being held awaiting trial, that owner apologized to the team for succumbing to Southway's threats and subjecting the team to her. She also apologized for trying to fire them all and calling them disparaging names.
Ginny is happier than she can express in words that all this is behind the Harpies. For a time there she thought about looking into joining another team or doing something else altogether. Now that the team is back to normal she's realized how much she's not ready quite yet to give up Quidditch professionally.
"Wonderful that she's where she deserves to be," Molly comments, motioning for Harry to come take Albus. "Dinner is almost ready. I'll just go check on it."
Minutes later Arthur and Jamie return to find Ginny setting the table, Molly starting to put food out, and Harry getting Albus settled in a high chair. Ginny repeats for Arthur how Southway's trial ended then conversation shifts to Harry filling them in on what he can of his undercover work for Kingsley.
Overheard Conversation (Jill)
Author: Aaron Miller
Date: 08-25-15 20:17
After they've placed a drink order Jill looks over her menu at Olive Green. "I still can't believe it's just us tonight. When was the last time that happened?"
Olive pretends to mull over the question before replying with a grin, "Ummm, never? Have you been here before?"
"Once, for lunch. I had a steak, vegetable, and cheese pie that was so good I nearly licked the plate clean."
They both laugh, giving their attention back to their menus, each voicing aloud a few items that sound particularly good at the moment. After making their decisions and placing their dinner orders, Olive comments, "I almost suggested finding a way to sneak into Hogwarts for supper this evening. It's End of Term Feast."
"Yum, though I always ate far too much at the feasts."
"It's a good thing meals like that weren't an everyday thing."
A squeal from the next booth has Olive and Jill looking that direction but with the way the booths are made they can't see anything. What they next hear is, "You're sure he's going to propose?"
"Positive. I stumbled across the ring when putting some laundry away."
"You've hit the jackpot, Iris!" a third voice proclaims.
"You picked well, though you certainly took your time reeling him and Gringotts vault in," the first speaker says. "When are you going to introduce some of his rich male relatives to us?"
"You've met some of them."
"Too young or taken," the third person in their party reminds.
"But who knows for how long any of those relationships will last. Wait a few years and the younger ones will be old enough."
The waiter arriving at their table has the threesome realizing they might have become overly loud. At their own booth Jill and Olive are looking wide eyed at each other. Jill says in a low voice, "I think that's Daniel's Iris."
In an equally low voice Olive remarks, "She's sounding like a gold digger."
No longer all that interested in eating right then, Jill and Olive decide to stay. They'll get take away containers later. Meanwhile, who knows what else they might overhear?
Happy Hufflepuff
Author: Ellis
Date: 08-26-15 18:43
Blakeney sat next to Tessa at the Hufflepuff table and remarked not for the first time, "I can't believe we won."
Tessa nodded her response, since her mouth was full of turkey.
"Alys said that Ravenclaw won last year," Blakeney said. "It's funny, isn't it? Her house won the House Cup during her first year, and my house won the House Cup during my first year. It'll be interesting to see what will happen next year when Conrad is at Hogwarts."
"Where do you think he'll wind up?" Tessa asked, after finally swallowing her mouthful of food.
"Well, I did make that wager with Alys, so it better be Hufflepuff!" Blakeney replied.
"Do you really think he will?"
Blakeney cocked her head as she thought about it. "He is very well liked," she said, "sort of like me." She smiled playfully with those words.
"Well, we all know the Sorting Hat made a mistake with you, so he'll probably end up in Slytherin," Tessa joked.
"As long as it's not Ravenclaw, then I won't lose the bet!"
She glanced across the table at Alys, who was sitting with the other Ravenclaws in her year. Then her eyes slid back over to the Hufflepuff table, where Chip sat. He had already dipped into the first dessert course and had chocolate frosting all over his face.
Tessa, having followed Blakeney's line of sight, rolled her eyes and said, "Boys."
Blakeney tore her gaze away and hastily changed the subject to something far less interesting than Alys' friend Chip Winters.
(Etana and Caroline) End of a Year
Author: Rylee
Date: 08-27-15 18:21
Dinner and dessert long since over, Etana currently sat on the edge of her bed. Trunk open, things still scattered haphazardly and she was making no move to actually begin putting things back into the confines of her trunk.
"I am seriously not looking forward to unpacking everything when I get home," Caroline dropped back onto her own bed and sighed.
"I know, but isn't that what house elves are for?"
"True, but you see how I keep my trunk. It will be perfectly organized for next year and thankfully most of the supplies don't change so I will only need to replenish quill, parchment, ink and a few other random items. New robes will be ordered around the beginning of August and completed well before it is time to board the express in September."
"I am fairly certain that Mrs. Marks will be taking us shopping around the same time as well as ensuring that we have new robes and things of that nature."
Etana pushed up from her bed, "Well, we know we won't be sleeping on the train, so we might as well get things packed and head to bed. Though, I'm quite seriously surprised that neither of us are in a food coma right now."
Caroline laughed and pushed herself up, beginning to finish packing her trunk as well, "We will be soon enough. I'm glad I've showered and have my clothes already laid out."
The two girls talked while they finished packing their trunks, recalling memories of their first year at Hogwarts.
A Bit of Trepidation
Author: Niccolo Zabini
Date: 08-27-15 20:49
Today was the official end of another year at Hogwarts, at the start of next term Niccolo Zabini would be a Fifth Year. In a way he was thrilled with how he was now handling his education, but this coming year would mean more structured work towards his future. He sat back in his favorite Common Room chair, watching fellow Slytherins move about the room, excited as they made their way to a sometimes gluttonous meal. He had been waiting for Petula, Valeria and Anton and closed his eyes for a split second. He jumped as a letter dropped into his lap, only his first name scribbled on the envelope, most likely written with a muggle pen.
Curious, he opened the letter, his eyes narrowed as he read. It was from his brother Dante, and the bulk of text bounced between an outrageous plea for forgiveness, and complaints about the Zabini family. With a disgusted scowl over Dante's rambling letter he looked up just in time to see Petula standing over him, watching with an amused expression. "Hello, Petula."
"Niccolo," she greeted, "deep in thought?"
Nico gave an annoyed sigh, "More like trying to burn this out of my mind, it's hideous." He sat up a little straighter and handed the parchment to his betrothed, "and it's from Dantavian." He watched as Pet scanned the letter, her eyes narrowing.
"He's already disowned, Nico. Don't let him try to draw you into his lies, it's not worth your time." She let her emotions show for a split second, before her usual air took over.
"You're right. Though I fear we may have an issue in the future with the Mudblood wannabe."
She nodded, "Perhaps, but we have a Feast to get too." With a sly smile she tossed the letter into the fire, where it quickly burned to ash.
"Of course, Pet." He stood, and followed her to the great hall where they joined their friends to enjoy a final evening at the castle before summer.