Open Y40 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 green and silver colours of Slytherin house, signifying their victory for the year. It had been a close one, up until the end, but it seemed Gryffindors streak had come to an end. 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 Slytherin." The woman announced, producing the cup in question seemingly from thin air, to be presented to Professor Castillo 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, River Hopkins-Vance of Slytherin, with a grand total of one thousand, two hundred and eighteen points. In second place, with a total of one thousand, one hundred and sixty points - Ronald Lazarao, of Gryffindor. In third, Estella Fuentes of Hufflepuff, with eight hundred and eighteen. Last but not least, we have Sutton Spencer of Ravenclaw, with seven hundred and fourteen 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, though her demeanor took on a more somber tone. "Before we finish, I would like to make an announcement. As most of you are aware by now, an incident occurred in the forest earlier this semester involving a dangerous creature, which has resulted in the expulsion of two students, and the serious injury of another. The Ministry have thoroughly conducted their investigation into the situation, you may even have seen them around school grounds around the time, and this creature no longer poses a threat to this school. I'd like to remind students not to dabble in magic they do not understand, and that breaking the rules in place for everyone's safety, and the consequences that follow, do not necessarily end within the scope of this school. The consequences these students in question face is yet to be determined by the Ministry of Magic, and may follow them for the rest of their lives. Do not let the same thing happen to you."

"At the beginning of each year, and at multiple periods throughout, each of you are warned against entering the forest without being accompanied by a member of staff. As has since been made clear, this is not without reason. The incident that occurred should have, and could have been avoided earlier, had students followed the rules and refrained from trespassing into the forest. Had it not been for staff intervention, all three students involved may not have been with us today. In fact, had it not caught our attention sooner than it did, this incident had the potential to be fatal, and for a far wider range of people. We cannot reasonably monitor the forest, nor can we reasonably restrict access to it in its entirety, so when we warn you not to enter, it is for your safety. We do not do it for any other reason, and students themselves do not have any other reason to enter than simply to defy our authority. This is the price of that defiance. I'd like you to think about whether that price is one you're willing to pay. Let this be a cautionary tale for future years. Now, enjoy this feast and have a safe travel home. Until next year."​

 

[Professor Angel Castillo]

Angel was feeling unbelievably smug. Of course this year's end of year feast came with a tinge of somberness with Professor Alicastell's sincere warning after the trouble in the forest, but even if the Slytherin's had been running Angel ragged with jinxing each other, starting fights, and heckling the head boy during his own speech, at least Angel didn't have anyone expelled this year. And they'd won the house cup. And the Quidditch cup too. Angel couldn't take credit for it all, really, the students had done all the heavy lift. And yet. Angel was unbelievably smug.

He made sure to cheer extra loud as the top points earners were announced and Slytherin was named the house champion, taking a moment to turn in his seat at the staff table to catch the other heads of houses' eye before settling back down as Katherine finished her speech and the feast began.

 

[Aeon Summers]

Today was anything but a joyous occasion for Aeon. Most days weren't, since his son had been expelled from the school. He didn't get to witness him complete his NEWTs, to see him graduate, to see him in his final days of school, before he'd get to embark on his own life. There'd be no tearing up with pride. It had already been hard in recent years knowing he wouldn't get to see both of his children graduate together in the way he'd always imagined, not since his daughter had transferred to a school out of the country, but he'd thought he'd have this, at least.

Aeon had seated himself at the staff table, the furthest from the middle as one could possibly be. He could barely stand to be in the same room as Katherine for more than five minutes on a good day. Now, he couldn't bear to look at her at all. Not since she'd called in law enforcement on her own grandson. Another betrayal among many. The rational part of him knew what Lysander did was wrong, and that she'd done what a headmaster would do, but his heart couldn't reconcile it. Katherine had done enough damage to his own childhood, his own family, to be blameless. That hadn't changed.

And it didn't end tonight. It seemed Katherie hadn't finished causing him further grief. The man seethed with anger, listening to the woman continue to parade around what had happened with his son for her own gain, this so-called "cautionary tale". She hadn't needed to bring more attention to it and humiliate his family any further. It had happened. It was in the Ministry's hands now. It was done. And so was he. He'd heard enough tonight. The professor set his fork down beside his plate and rose from his seat. "Excuse me." He muttered to the people beside him, before slipping out towards the exit. He had an office to pack before the end of the evening.​

 

[Ajaccio Skey]

Ajaccio couldn't really believe that this was his final night at Hogwarts, he had worked so hard over all of the years, put so much work into his classes, accio, and his friends but after everything this was it. It was difficult to not feel frustrated and sad about it too, this last night, the last month had been completely marred by the trouble which had happened. He glanced towards the gryffindor table, finding it absent of his friend and feeling that loss. He should've been here. There was just something so frustrating about all that had happened, and one not solvable because it wasn't like any of them could take back the actions done. He glanced towards the head mistress as she stepped forward to speak, he applauded heartily to his girlfriend's house's victory, since he knew it had been a while since anyone but Gryffindor had won. He cheered for the top points, knowing that his brother's boyfriend was the top points holder for gryffindor. The mood shifted as the head mistress address the rumours, and he could feel the weight of the speech, the actions of his friends. The food appearing had the same granduer, it didn't feel the same, it didn't feel right. The noise began building, but Ajax didn't feel hungry, for the first time he realised he was glad to be leaving. ​

 

[Leia Hume]

Leia was rather pleased with herself, she'd had another successful year at the school, she had managed to get all of her classes, won the duelling contest and for once they'd actually won the house cup. She didn't want to consider what her contributions to it had been after all, she knew she wasn't a top points earner, but she liked to think they weren't for nothing. She applauded to their announced victory and to all of the top points, none of which were students she knew, and really none that she cared to get to know either. Leia hadn't been paying too much attention to what had been going on, she had bigger things to deal with like her classes and exams, and deciding what she would take into her final year, but the head mistress spoke and Leia was nodding along. Rule breaking was bad and would only result in disappointment. Leia was not a rule breaker. She was glad when the woman finished speak, since the food appeared and Leia was able to get stuck in. She was looking forward to going home and relaxing for the last time before she would have to enter the real world. ​

 

[Valencia Addington]

Valencia was glad that it was the end of the semester. She was excited to go home. She missed it and she was a little bit excited to be away from the magic for a bit. Valencia listened as the headmistress spoke, politely clapping to the winning house. The girl didn't really care about the house points and whatnot. She honestly would much prefer to be heading home more than anything. The young Ravenclaw felt the mood shift when dramatically when she spoke about the latest incident. She was still a little surprised by what had happened. It wasn't long the food appeared on the table, and she couldn't wait to dig into the food. She had been starving, but it wasn't really the same as her father's cooking, which she was excited to eat again. As Valencia was just over half of eating her food, she had felt that she was becoming full. The girl turned to the person next to her. "Hey, do you want my other bun? I think I overestimated how much I was going to eat" Valencia says with a small embarrassed chuckle, as she pointed to the uneaten bun on her plate.

 

[Lumio Skey]

Lumio had managed to finish another year without too much injury, his grades remained consistent, which he wasn't sure was a good thing, or a bad thing. The course was harder, so he was keeping his grades up, but he'd never managed to do that well in them. The teen was next to Ronald at the great hall for the feast, the farewell party which the gryffindors had had a few weeks prior felt a little more wrong now one of the guys from the year was gone. Lumio felt the loss was more bitter since they also had come in second for the house cup which had to in part have been because of that one student's inability to get his final points for lessons or whatnot. But Lumio applauded for the slytherin's, knowing they'd put in a lot of work for it, and it would be wrong to be bitter about it. He cheered very loudly for his boyfriend, who deserved his points victory. Of course the speech shifted and spoke a little about the dangerousness of rule breaking, well, severe rule breaking. He was glad when it ended, feeling very awkward about it. He pulled his plate towards him and began filling it with food. ​

 

[Liusaidh Styx]

Liusaidh was gleeful, they had won the quidditch cup and she was certain they were about to see them win the house cup too, which of course meant those old stipulations which Styx had set out were fulfilled, she had a plan therefore, she was absolutely going to go annoy Professor Castillo until he relented and the trampoline she had been fighting for would be put in place. And then she knew she'd have to decide if she wanted to have any more dreams or victories, since if he said yes and she'd have two whole other years to persuade him, then all of her achievements at Hogwarts would be done. She'd bested Styx and would've gotten the trampoline. Liusaidh cheered loudly and obnxiously for her house as the head mistress said they'd won. She then cheered for River and booed loudly for all the other houses. She rolled her eyes as the woman kept speaking, this was pointless and she rested the urge to shout anything out, just glad when the food appeared. Liusaidh was watching Castillo waiting to see when he'd leave so she could follow. ​

 

[Molly Burke]

In all honesty, Molly was a little sad that she was going to be leaving Hogwarts for the break. But she was also excited to see her friends and family that she hadn't seen in a while. She had missed spending time with her younger siblings, even though she found them a wee bit annoying. But before Molly could see her family, she had to sit through the boring part of the feast and listen to what the headmistress had said. She found it totally boring and not interesting, especially since they hadn't won the house cup this year. Molly leaned on her hand, her eyes slightly drooping from the tiredness and boredness. But when the headmistress had spoken about the latest incident, Molly perked up a little. She was a little disappointed to not know the full details, but she was also shocked. She didn't really understand how this could've happened. However, the Hufflepuff was suddenly distracted by the food and happily dug in when the food appeared.

 

[Branson Archer]

Branson was feeling pretty relieved that the semester was over, he had struggled somewhat to keep up with his classes this semester, they had just seemed a lot more difficult than in the previous years, but he knew this was likely due to the fact he was older and the classes were in geneal more difficult than they had previously been. It meant he was a little worried about his OWLs, but there was done to worries about those later. Not right now while the end of year feast was going on. He glanced towards the hufflepuff table and spotted Blair and knew he needed to do something there too. But he wasn'y sure, the kiss had meant something but she'd never mentioned it after, admittedly he hadn't either, but that wasn't the point. He applauded for Slytherin, for the top points and sat listening keenly for the information the head mistress gave. It was more than their head of house had given and yet didn't include that much more information, just that the ministry was involved which felt very serious. Branson was glad the food appeared and after a bit was nudged by Valencia who offered him a bun. "Oh sure!" he said, taking it from her plate.
@Valencia Addington ​

 

[Pixie Longmire]

Pixie Longmire did not spend much time around other students and yet she'd even heard about what had happened. Truly the only thing she was frustrated by was the fact she hadn't been able to see it. There was no desire in Pixie to die by a snake's eyes, but a old sort of snake that was forbidden, that was something to see. She was sat at the very end of the hufflepuff table, ensuring that by being one of the last to arrive and she wasn't even looking to the front, just glancing away and vaguely listening. She didn't really care for the warnings given or the top points. So was glad to just be able to focus on the food that then appeared in front of her, looking for the first moment she could justify leaving. ​

 

[Nolan Burke]

Nolan was excited about the break, he kinda thought he needed it after the hard work he put into his classes, which had surprised him. The Hufflepuff had hoped that his grades weren't disappointing as he knew that his mum wasn't approving of what he wanted to do when he left school. He was excited to catch up with his mates that he hadn't seen in a bit. The boy wasn't gonna admit it, but he was a wee bit excited to see his siblings. The boy listened to the headmistress. He was a bit bummed that they didn't win this year, but he clapped and cheered a little for the winning house, just to be nice. He notices his sister who is sitting further down the table, dozing off. Nolan then listened to what the headmistress had mentioned about what had happened in the forbidden forest. Nolan was still curious about the forest, but after hearing rumours about what had happened, he wasn't so sure if he wanted to see what was in the forest. It wasn't long until the food arrived and Nolan quickly dug into his food. He turned to the person next to him as he ate. "You got anything interesting planned for the break?"

 

[Eugene Nestor]

Eugene was looking forward to going home, it was going to be amazing to spend time with his cousin, working on music and recording the songs he had written over this last year. He knew he wouldn't be able to get a job again, still being too young, but at the very least Eugene felt confident that his cousin would have her job and everything would be fine. He had heard, of course, about what had happened, the parts of which had trickled to him, and he knew vaguely Kasim from Accio, not well, but enough to know when the boy had been expelled and to the feel the loss in the team. Eugene knew he would have a difficult year come the next with a lot of pressure on him to do things a lot of work to complete but he was confident about it. The hufflepuff applauded for all the top points ensure he did so very loudly for the hufflepuff winner. It was difficult to listen to the rest of the speech, he knew it was all very sound things, that breaking rules could end badly, that's why they existed. It just felt a little sour. He was glad when the food appeared and he could focus on that. He shook his head at his friend, "Nah cuz, you?"
@Nolan Burke ​

 

[Abigail Payne]

Abby felt that her year wasn't that exciting. She hadn't really made any friends and she regretted not trying a little harder. Sure she had met some of her classmates and considered a few of them her friends, but she felt that they probably didn't feel the same way. However, Abigail was a little bit excited about the break. She couldn't wait to get her hands on some painting and some DIY stuff. Abby had zoned in and out from the headmistress' speech. Clapping along with everyone else, even though she didn't even know why she was clapping. When the food finally arrived, the young Gryffindor slowly began to eat her food, a minute closer to going home.

 

[Valeria Iglesias]

Valeria knew she wasn't about to get any prizes for top points or even for their house. But it was nice to bookend her first year at the school with being able to do this, by being able to attend the feast. She had had a good first year and was almost disappointed to be heading home for a period of time. She didn't want to end up alone and doing what ever boring things her parents would have her doing. Or where she'd have to pester them for enough money to then be able to do some proper shopping so she'd have entirely new outfits for the next year. She listened along to the top points applauding for each of the winners and finding it ultimately bizzare to have for the top of the top points that many house points, she had to assume all they did was homework, and god that had to be the most dull thing ever. She had expected the bit which followed given that her head of house had also given a speech about it. She was just glad when it was over and she could focus on getting some food and looking for someone to speak to or to flirt with. ​

 

[Xiuying Huang]

Xiuying was a little nervous to go back home. She knew that her parents wouldn't be happy with the grades that she had gotten. She did try to do well in her classes. Always studying in the library or wherever and whenever she could. But she still didn't do well. The Ravenclaw couldn't wait to be at home and sleep in her comfy bed. Though she was happy that she was going to be able to spend some time and see her brothers during the break, as she had hardly seen them around the school. She listened as the headmistress spoke about the forbidden forest, but she was only partly listening as she had heard it from her head of house as well. When the food appeared Xiuying dug into her food, thinking of the things she could do for her upcoming break.

 

[Leonardo Orr]

Leonardo had been a little disappointed by his grades, he hadn't done any better than first year, and he knew that it was a toss up as to whether his grandfather would or wouldn't care, but if he ended up caring it was going to appear like Leo hadn't done enough work. He was also aware that he was going to go home and then likely he would be by himself for the whole of the holiday. He looked towards Jordan at the hufflepuff table and knew that he wanted to be able to go round to the boy's house to practice quidditch, this was something he wanted to do, since it would make his holidays less boring, but it would help keep his quidditch up. The boy almost missed most of what the professor then said about the top points and was rather keen to listen to what was said about the incident. Leo had heard grumblings, but hadn't cared enough to pay more attention so the chance to here it fromt he head mistress was welcome. It wasn't a lot of information, though interesting, and Leonardo just focused as food appeared in front of him.​

 

[Aine Thompson]

Aine was utterly exhausted. Being away from home for so long was really tiring and as much as her family could be difficult, she couldn't wait to be back in her own bed, in the comfort and privacy of her own room. She missed the local bakery's cream donuts that had such an artificial sugar taste that she couldn't get enough of. She missed being able to play games on the computer. She missed her bookshelf and the novels she'd read and re-read so often that they really weren't in the best condition to travel. She really did miss her parents, in a way - although it wasn't as though she'd really be able to talk to them about anything that had gone on. She'd have to hide away in her room, but that wouldn't be so bad. It would be peaceful and magic-free.

Still, she was kind of looking forward to coming back, she had to admit. Maybe magic wasn't really her thing but at least the Professors were nice. Professor Carter and Professor Corrins believed in her. She'd even managed to make conversation with a few other students and it hadn't all been completely terrible. Some of them even seemed to maybe possibly kind of sort of enjoy her company? Or at least, not hate it? Which was a step up, in a way.

Aine did hope, however, that the mood of the castle picked up for next year. She wasn't quite sure what had happened, but rumours spread, and there was something about two students getting expelled. She wasn't sure for what and even after the headmistress spoke she still wasn't sure. It was all well and good to reiterate that the forest was dangerous, but maybe it was better to know details? Not knowing just inspired curiosity and rumour. Maybe knowing would make people seek out whatever was in there, but was not knowing much better? Pondering the question, Aine tucked in to her meal. The food here was really good, too. She doubted her siblings ate nearly as well as she did at boarding school. Another point in Hogwarts' favour. Even if they did make her write with a quill and ink. Positively archaic.

 

[Seamus Reid]

Seamus was a little disappointed the year was over, mostly, going back to his parents was always a bit of a bummer, since they were awful, but at the very least he did always have Hamish. He glanced over to the other boy as the head mistress began speaking. Seamus was easily swept up into the cheering of the other students feeling pretty excited about their win. He hadn't contributed much to it, but he still felt he could celebrate with them. Which of course he did. He cheered loudly and then only applauded for the top points. The speech shifted in tone and Seamus was glancing towards Hamish trying to gauge his reaction to it. None of what was being said was going to stop him from continuing to go into the forest, and he wasn't sure whether he should or shouldn't tell his brother that. Eventually the speech stopped and Seamus spotted the transfiguration professor leaving. He just ignored it instead turning to his food. ​

 

[Issac Jacobs]

This year had been okay until the past couple of weeks. The past couple of weeks had been a rollercoaster. With everything that had happened in his year group, it had been quite overwhelming. He was glad that Emma was okay, though he was constantly worried about her. However, the boy couldn't believe he was here. He couldn't believe that he managed to graduate. He clapped politely to the winning house, though he may have been a little disappointed that they didn't win this year and that their winning streak broke. Issac's mood went sour and frowned a little at the mention of the incident, getting flashbacks of him being a worried mother hen all over again and with everything that had happened. He was glad when the food had arrived, hoping that the food would somewhat distract him.

 

[Aurora Archer]

Aurora would definitely count her first year at the school a success, she was feeling a little at a loss of how to have a thing like her brother or sister had, but she had done well enough in her classes had made plenty of friends and was feeling pretty good about all of it. It had been good, and it had been good that she was with her sister in all of it. There would've been nothing worse than having this year be apart from her sister. She loved spending time with her, so why wouldn't she want to be in the same house. The gryffindor was a little disappointed that the house hadn't won the house cup as despite an apparent streak she wasn't able to enjoy it. The girl did applaud for all the people who had put in so much work for so many house points, it was kind of incredible. She took her sister's hand at the mentions of what had happened, knowing that her sister would probably be a little sad that the creature had died and that such bad things had happened. But then the food appeared and she began loading both her own plate and her sister's plate up. ​

 

[Rosie Archer]

Rosie Archer felt happy with her first year, sure, she hadn't done too well, only achieving one O and that was in herbology, and that felt rather obvious. She wasn't too happy about all the rumours she'd been hearing about what had happened to some students and possibly a creature. But Rosie knew it wasn't her placed to either be involved or make herself involved in such rumours. She kept to herself. Or kept to her and Aurora. Rosie clapped for the top points, almost surprised that neither Aurora nor Bran came up since in her mind they both worked a LOT. But the points people got were insane. She then felt Aurora take her hand and squeezed it back. She knew such a creature was dangerous and it was probably right to kill it, but that didn't mean she couldn't still be disappointed and sad about it's death. Rosie was glad when the headmistress stopped speaking and was able to just focus on the food being put on her plate. ​

 

[Jenna Jusantrea -Maxwell]

This was the last year and. Jenna was sit here last time and looked around taking memories of Hogwarts shcool. It was a little sad that she didn't good job with grades but she was know try find something for herself.

 

[Augustus Westwick]

Augustus was never a big fan of the feasts, but he also couldn't bring himself to skip this one. He would only get one more end-of-year feast before he was a graduate, which was mildly terrifying. Augustus listened to the headmistress' speech, trying to figure out what had happened from what she said. It was widely known two students had been expelled, but Augustus hadn't been able to find out what had happened exactly. He was pretty interested but knew better than to ask a professor. They were obviously hiding this on purpose. Augustus didn't sit with Ryan the way he usually did and he hoped his friend would just chalk it up to the table being busy. After their confrontation, Augustus hadn't felt very comfortable around him. He hoped the break would fix some things, but he wasn't sure if it would work that way.

 

[Nikko Blackwood]

Nikko couldn't wait to go home and the hours till the train him felt impossibly long. The last few months of the semester had dragged and he had hardly paid attention to anything around him. Somehow he had finished up his classes but even in his disinterested state he had heard about the forest incident. Everyone had. He hadn't put too much thought into until he realized that Lysander had somehow disappeared and be quickly connected the dots. He had hoped to get a bit of advice before taking over as captain next year but he guessed he was really on his own now. Nikko was a little disappointed they had lost the house cup this year. He couldn't remember a time when they hadn't won but there was always next year. He tried to serve himself some food but he wasn't very hungry.