"A lover? Maybe.
Something tender,
anyway. But tender like
a bruise."

Every Hogwart's student piled into the Great Hall for their final feast before returning home in the morning. For the seventh years, this would be their final meal at Hogwarts. Callista sat down at the Slytherin Table and waited for Dumbledore to begin hid End-of-Year Speech. He would announce the winners of the House Cup.

Gen sits next to her, hands clenched in her lap as she waits in anticipation. "I can't believe we're really at the end!"

Fallon nods along from opposite her, though her eyes are focused on something behind them. Perhaps a blonde Gryffindor. "I thought it would never end."

Callista tries to feel as excited as her friends, but one glance at Rabastan's grim look fills her with dread at what's to come. Though she loved Rabastan, the thought of their wedding scared her. The war scared her. Rabastan could tell. He wrapped his hand around hers under the table and gave it a light squeeze. It was comforting. He understood her fears.

The Headmaster stepped forward to his podium and opened his arms, taking in all the students sitting in front of him. "Good evening, Hogwarts. Today we celebrate not only the end of another year, but our Year 7s as well. They have completed their NEWTs and will all be entering a new phase in their lives." 

He looked around, picking out the Year 7s amongst them. He spoke directly to us now. "Year 7s, Hogwarts has been a source of comfort for many of you. Though it has been challenging, I hope it has been joyous as well. Most importantly, I hope it has prepared you for what comes now." A grave look passed over his features before he replaced it with his usual smile. "Whether you will seek out a job in the ministry, or perhaps as a healer, you will face even more challenges. As you navigate this new world, know that in Hogwarts you will always find help. All one must do is ask for it."

He nodded and the students clapped their hands. Aidan groaned. "I just want to eat."

Gen shook her head, but her smile stayed on her face. "Don't you want to see who won the House Cup?"

He shrugged and look at Dumbledore.

"Now, for the moment a lot of you have been waiting for. The winners of the House Cup!"

The students cheered and when they quieted down, he continued. "In fourth place, with 327 points, Hufflepuff." He waited for the claps to end before announcing the next place. "Third place with 405 points, Ravenclaw!"

Slytherin or Gryffindor, it could be either. Gryffindor already won the Quidditch Cup. Callista hoped Slytherin could beat them. 

"Now, this one was very close. Second place is 498 points, and first place won by 12 with 510 points." He waved his hands and the house banners above each table began to change. Red and gold peeked through as he shouted, "Gryffindor wins!"

The Slytherins were the least enthusiastic as the other houses cheered for the winners. 

Rabastan muttered, "I don't understand how they win with Potter and Black in their house."

Callista sighed. Though she was happy for James, it was disappointing to lose. She did not hear Dumbledore announce the feast and was shocked when the food appeared in front of her. She was grateful to see it. They could enjoy the meal together as friends.

When they were dismissed, Gen dragged the girls to their dorms to pack. They had spent the whole day in the Common Room and had neglected to do it. Rabastan grabbed her free hand before she could be dragged into the girl's hallway and pulled her close, planting a kiss on her lips and whispering good night. She light blush crept up her cheeks and Gen grabbed her into the hallway before anyone else could see it.

They got to their dorm and piled onto Gen's bed. It was the closest. Once they were all seated, they looked at each other. Fallon leaned forward slightly. "So, what first?"

Gen leaned back until she was laying down, her hair cascading down the end of the bed. "We should probably do the cupboard first."

No one moved. Tiredness was sinking in and none of them wanted to handle the heavy task that was packing up their entire dorm room. Callista looked at the two of them. "Do we really have to pack?"

"Can't the house elves do it for us?" Fallon added.

Gen sat up and huffed. "House elves can't do everything for us." She stood up. "Now, get off your lazy arses and start packing."

The girls chuckled. Callista turned to Fallon and said, "You've been a horrible influence. Look at what you've done! Turned our Gen into a monster."

Gen scrunched her nose and, in a humorless tone, said, "Ha-ha." A smile snuck its way onto her face as she tried to cover her laugh.

Callista laughed and got off the bed. Her cupboard was an organised mess. Messier than at home. Her mother would not allow anything less than perfect. At Hogwarts, in the comfort of her shared dorm, she allowed herself to be more at ease with her system. She knew where everything was, even in the pile of sweaters in one corner of her shelf. If she reached into the back on the left, she would find her favourite green one, right where it is supposed to be.

She sighed and grabbed the first item, a pair of jeans, and chucked it into her bag. After deciding she wanted to sleep now more than anything, she took out her wand. "I can't be bothered."

Fallon chuckled from behind her, already waving her wand. 

She waved her wand and her items flew out of her cupboard and folded themselves into neat piles inside her trunk. She busied herself with her bedside table next, adding photo frames to her trunk and a rain scented candle that she bought at a little shop in Hogsmeade the previous year. 

When she had finished packing up the room looked bare. Their trunks stood next to the door, ready to be taken to the train the next morning. Only a few things remained, like the clothes they would wear on the train.

All three girls lay in their beds. "Goodnight," Gen whispered in the dark room.

"Goodnight." Came the reply from the other two.

The beginning of the rest of her life started tomorrow. It was the end of an era, and the start of another. One she was not too sure she was ready to face.

~~~

A gentle shake to Callista's shoulder was what woke her up the next morning. She turned over and start up at Gen, her black hair not yet brushed. "Good morning." Though her touch was gentle, her tone was groggy and annoyed, as if she wanted to go back to bed more than anything else. She probably would if they did not have a train to get onto.

Callista yawned and sat up, clinging to the heavy green blankets. She would miss them. She would miss Hogwarts and all it had to offer. She threw the blankets off of herself and got up. She brushed her hair and did her skincare routine that her mother insisted she followed. She brushed her teeth and got changed. She packed the last few items. It went by in a blur and at last she was standing in her doorway with a hand on the doorknob. 

"Cal! Let's go!" Fallon called from down the hall. She closed the door, leaving their luggage to be collected by the House Elves and brought to the train.

At the end of the hall she was greeted by Rabastan, who grabbed her hand and kissed her on the temple. "Ready?" He asked.

When they got home, their lives would change. She shook her head.

He squeezed her hand, pulling her out of the common room. "Me neither," he whispered.

The walk down to the Hogsmeade train station was bitter-sweet. Her friends pointed out different places, recalling memories as they walked through the castle. Gen even pointed out a log on the walk down to Hogsmeade that Aidan tripped over in fourth year. Though he complained, his smile was still bright as he looked at her.

The train platform was filled with students milling about, none quite ready to leave. Teachers urged them to get on so they train could leave and slowly they did. Callista's group finally made it to the doors. 

She stopped on the step into the train. With a heavy heart she looked back at Hogwarts, wishing she could stop time and stay in the moment for a while longer.

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Hope you enjoyed!

I'd love to hear any feedback and please comment, I adore reading them! <3

- walkingmasterpiece