The End Of Year Feast

[Katherine Alicastell]

It was the end of the school year, a final goodbye for some, but merely the start of a long, well deserved break for most. Students and staff alike could enjoy some quality time at home without the stress of exams and study looming over their heads. The castle would be uncharacteristically quiet with most of them gone, a reprieve from the antics and rivalries, but there was still work to be done over the course of the holidays for at least some members of the staff, and the house elves employed to ensure Hogwarts remained presentable for the coming year.

As the students filed in, the banners adorning the Great Hall rippled and changed to reflect the signature blue and bronze colours of Ravenclaw house, signifying their outstanding victory for the year. They had taken quite the lead compared to the other houses. Rising from her seat at the staff table, Katherine slowly made her way up to the podium, waiting for everyone to settle into their own seats before speaking. "Welcome one and all to this year's final feast. Before we begin, I'd like to say a few words. First of all, a round of applause for the winners of this year's House Cup - congratulations to Ravenclaw!" The woman announced, producing the cup in question seemingly from thin air, to be presented to Professor Phillips on behalf of his house.

"Of course, we can't forget those students who's dedication and ambition earned the most points for their respective houses. Our top house point earners this year are - in first place, Elizabeth Chatwin of Ravenclaw, with a grand total of one thousand and sixty one points. In second place, with a total of one thousand and twenty eight points - Geovanna Volt of Hufflepuff. In third, Kauri Tipene of Gryffindor with six hundred and seventy points. Last but not least, we have Sam Mackintosh of Slytherin, with six hundred and forty five points. Congratulations to our winners." The Headmistress joined in the applause for each of them, commending their efforts and achievements toward their house.

As the applause died down, the woman moved to wrap things up and allow them to commence eating. "A quick reminder, as per the Decree for the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, you are not permitted to use magic underage outside of Hogwarts. I do not want to receive any letters from the Ministry of Magic over this end of year break. Now, enjoy this feast and have a safe travel home. Until next year."​

 

[Kauri Morales-Tipene]

Kauri couldn't believe the year was over already. Every year it got harder and harder to leave his magical life behind and return home, go back to being boring and normal and doing things like watching TV and going to the park with his muggle friends. How could TV compare to seeing real magical creatures, or learning to tell the future?! It was a struggle, and as difficult a year as he had had, he was sorry to be leaving Hogwarts behind. He sat with some roommates for the final feast, listening to the Headmistress's last speech and just enjoying his final evening for some time in the place that was becoming his home. He only really half paid attention to the speech, clapping when the house cup winners were announced. It wasn't much of a surprise to Kauri, he saw how hard his Ravenclaw classmates worked and was constantly impressed. He would have liked to have that kind of work ethic, but his current roster of classes was quite enough for him, for now. He clapped for Ellie and Geo as they were called out as top points earners, impressed by his classmates hard work. It was a shock when, in the middle of applauding, Kauri heard his own name. What? Kauri stared at the headmistress in disbelief. He had been working hard all year, but hadn't actually expected to place. After a moment of confusion, a huge smile spread across his face. It felt good, to have his hard work and good behaviour acknowledged. After clapping for the Slytherin winner and listening to the end of the speech Kauri set in to eat his last meal at Hogwarts for the year, a warm glow of happiness still filling him.

 

[Geovanna Adler-Cade]

Another year, over. To think that Geo was almost at the halfway point of her time at Hogwarts already was both terrifying and exciting. As she sat at the Hufflepuff table with Vil, she was taking a sip of her water as she was mentioning a few ideas that the girls could do during the holidays. Now that exams were over, Geo had every intention of getting to know the girl better than just a dorm mate. As the Headmistress began to speak, Geo turned on the bench and listened to the end of term announcements. When the time came to reveal the top scoring members of each house, Geo's eyes lit up at the sound of her best friends name in Ravenclaw. Her blue eyes immediately scanned the table for Elly, and despite the differences they'd had this year she was still very proud of how well she'd done, especially when she had so many other activities to content with outside lessons. Before she had a chance to say anything, she heard her own name called for Hufflepuff, a pinkish tint appearing on her face at the realisation. It had never been her intention to get so many, only to do her best in her lessons. She sat in shock at the table for a few moments, allowing the waves of excitement and relief wash over her. The third year continued to clap for Kauri and Sam, and as the speech came to an end she turned her attention to her friends once more. Peering over her shoulder towards the Ravenclaw table, she hunted once again for Elizabeth, hoping that the small wave she sent would catch her attention.
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[Olive Layton]

As Olive was listening to the Headmistress give her speech, the Potions professor was just daydreaming about how lucky she felt having survived her first year at Hogwarts in one piece. She'd come away learning more about herself and her sister, and knew that next year she was going to have to keep an even closer eye on the Slytherin for the defence of the prefects. She clapped at the names of the students whom won the most house points, although Olive herself had yet to teach any of them it seemed. Eager to get into the feast, the redhead was pleased when the speech came to an end, and she wasted no time in helping herself to the display of food arrangements that had been prepared for the occasion. Although unlike to admit it, she was feeling strangely sad at the prospect of taking time away from the school for a while, and not being able to see her friends and colleagues on a day to day basis, and while she knew it wasn't as though they wouldn't be speaking at all, she was already looking forward to the brand new term.
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[Anmoch Marcach]

Another year had gone by in the blink of an eye. For a spirit like The Night Rider, whom in death had been bound to the plane of the living for thousands of years, time appeared to flow quickly, and faster still as more time went on. He had existed through countless lifetimes, centuries felt like mere decades, which made a student's entire span of time at Hogwarts feel like hardly more than a weekend to the ghost. Still, the Rider attended these yearly events, though he did not applaud with the mortals of his house as the Slytherin point earner was called, a congratulations for achieving only last place. It was nothing to commend.
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[Tristan Collins]

Tristan had been unhappy to learn Ravenclaw had won the house cup despite his hard work. He sighed as he looked up at the banners, watching as they changed to the colors of Ravenclaw. It wasn't the worst house to lose to. At least it wasn't Gryffindor. Tristan settled into a seat and listened as Professor Alicastell started her speech. He listened attentively as she listed the students that had earned the most points for their house. His face soured when he heard the name for Hufflepuff called out. Geo Volt, he knew that girl vaguely. It wasn't the same girl that had won over the past few years, but it still wasn't him. His scowl deepened as Kauri was named next. He clapped politely, but pointedly didn't look at the Gryffindor table. Somehow, being beaten by a boy he had dumped felt humiliating. He tried not to let it show, but his expression didn't brighten much during the actual feast. He was tired of not being acknowledged.

 

[Corrine Lagos]

Corrine had been looking forward to the end of year feast all day, eager for the food but mostly eager to be one step closer to going home. She wouldn't be going straight home though. She'd be spending her first month in New Zealand with her sister before heading home mid-July. It would work out because she'd get to spend some time with Xena, her new friend. Corrine thought they were pretty much opposite but somehow Xena made her feel more brave and confident, and she liked both of those things. As the Headmistress declared the house winners, Corrine clapped politely for Ravenclaw.

She continued to listen, her eyes finding Kauri. She clapped loudly and cheered. "Yay Kauri!" she smiled as the professor continued on. Even though she didn't speak to Kauri ever, ever since that day, Corrine had felt a sense of responsibility towards him. They'd both been duped by Tristan Collins, though Kauri, obviously, in a far greater way. It made Corrine want to see him happy, however, especially since she'd seen him at such a low point. It led her to smile and nod in his direction when she saw him, and clap for him like now. As they were left to begin feasting, Corrine reached for the nearest bowl, some mashed potatoes and spooned some onto her plate.