End Of An Era ((Sophia))

[Aurora Chan]

Aurora pondered a moment, quill gritted between teeth and dangling precariously, a thoughtful expression on her face. On her lap lay a piece of parchment, scrawled writing across the page, and after a moment’s thought, she dipped her quill to paper again, scribbling rapidly with a crease in her brow indicating her avid concentration. Writing and changing lyrics always took some time, and with the OWLs out of the way and no last minute homework that needed to be handed in since it was the end of the year, Aurora had plenty of free time to dedicate to her music. She could do whatever she wanted, with no stress or worries placed on her shoulders. It certainly felt nice to be burden-free. Since the summer holidays would be upon them soon in only a matter of weeks, Aurora’s priority now was to get ready for the band practices and couple of concerts they were lined up for during the vacation period; she was always occupied, all year round, and she liked it that way too. Finishing the song before her off, Aurora smiled triumphantly before dropping her quill and glancing at her watch, realising that dinner was probably already set out downstairs in the Great Hall. Time had flown by quickly; Aurora had worked on her music for a few hours without even realising it. Her stomach growled in agreement that dinner was waiting to be served, and with a grin, Aurora jumped off the bed, stowed her stuff away hastily, and left the dormitory to head to the Great Hall.

Aurora strolled past the Hufflepuff Common Room, eyes scanning the bustling area for a familiar head of short black hair, but saw no sight of Harmony. Instead, several other well-known faces passed her, acknowledging Aurora with hellos, and she returned them with her usual enthusiasm. Believing that her younger cousin was either in the Great Hall already or elsewhere, Aurora resigned herself to a lone walk there, and slowly exited the Common Room. She usually had dinner with Ari and Harmony anyway, so she’d see them down there sooner or later. Aurora passed her short journey not in silence, but rather filled it with her continuous, unceasing humming of her newest creation. Practice makes perfect, after all, Aurora grinned to herself. She could hardly wait to see Domino’s band members again; the last time she had seen her childhood friends was during the Easter period, when Aurora and Leo had returned home for the holidays. Those two weeks had flown by quickly, and Domino had barely gotten anything done. Aurora had sworn she’d make this summer last, cramming in as much as possible with her friends. They were all dedicated to their music cause, despite it only being a past time. Aurora was sure she would miss Hogwarts too though, without the familiar faces of fellow students and teachers alike (okay, so Snape was an exception) that she usually saw every day. The lessons too she would think back on with fondness, but at the same time Aurora was glad she was going to be able to drop Potions and Herbology next year, and focus on her favourite subjects. She’d never been a sciencey person, and Snape hadn’t made the Potions experience any better for her.

Aurora entered the Great Hall with a curious gaze around at her surroundings. The four tables were slowly but gradually being filled up with students ready for their dinner, and Aurora automatically made her way over to the Hufflepuff one. Smiling and greeting some fellow Huffles, Aurora sat down in a rather secluded area, where Ari and Harmony could join her later (and maybe Leo, if he could stand the odd stares a Gryffindor received when sitting on the Hufflepuff table, not that that had ever stopped Ari). The delicious looking and smelling food was already set out neatly across the length of the table, and happily Aurora tucked in ravenously. She had to admit, making music worked up a serious appetite. She just wondered when her cousins would get here. A meal was not fun without socialising, in Aurora’s opinion, but not one to be held down in any way, she immersed herself in daydreams and thoughts of the past year that had flown by so quickly. Aurora had to admit her fifth year had been just as crazy as her fourth year, if not worse. The hole that had been created with the absence of Daniel as a partner after her fourth year was steadily growing day by day, even if Aurora chose to ignore it; the OWLs had been stressful, especially for someone like her who hated to revise and work hard, and with the professors breathing down her neck requesting her to buckle up and get on with it; and coupled with the blow of her aunt’s death at the end of the year, both Ari and Harmony undoubtedly taking the loss to the heart badly, Aurora had had her hands full every single day. She was glad it was over, but somehow she was sure the next two years would be just as stressful.

Looking back on it, Aurora supposed that the year had been eventful, but memorable for good reasons too. She had to enjoy life despite its multiple hardships, and a smile lifted to her face as she remembered the fun moments during her sweet sixteen. It would’ve been sweeter with Daniel by her side, but Aurora supposed you couldn’t have everything in life. Sighing aloud, Aurora was suddenly jolted out of her daydreams by a familiar voice, and looking up, she smiled in recognition as a girl she knew sat down in front of her. “Oh, hello Sophia! Dinner too, eh?” Aurora greeted her friend with a keen grin. Sophia Hallington was a Hufflepuff in the year below her, and Aurora knew her fairly well after having spoken to her frequently over the last couple of years. “How are you anyway, Sophia? Are you well for the end of the year? I’m exhausted.” Aurora admitted with a wry smile, pushing her fork into her mouth hungrily. She was the best at multitasking, especially when that included eating and chatting at the same time. “The OWLs really took it out of me… Heh, you’d better be ready for next year.” She warned with a supportive grin. “It’s hard, and the teachers are pretty evil, but if you ever need any help, I’m always here. Good luck with them anyhow, I’m sure someone like you will be fine. I can’t believe I’ll be in my sixth year soon… Wow, it sure has gone quick, eh?” Aurora laughed happily.

[Sophia Hallington H7]

((Well, I dunno if you intended it to be like that, but I took dinner to be lunchtime, hehe. It was easier that way...anyway, post's up!))

The end of term was in sight. Just three more weeks, then she'd be on the train back to London, ready to go home for the summer. she couldn't help but remember the journey home at the end of last year, thinking that this journey couldn't be any worse. She hadn't heard anything about Crabbe, or his "friends" since then. She wasn't aware of there being any older students being as bad as that lot, but she decided that she would still be wary on the train back. Though due to the incident she had become more assertive, and less of a wimp. THough she was no better at DADA than she was last year. Admittedly, it had become harder now, but still. She only had to cope with it for one more year anyway, then she'd be going on to her NEWTs. That was a scary thought...she had an idea of what subjects she'd be doing, provided she got the grades-but it was still a scary prospect.

That morning, she was sitting in a rather dull potions lesson. She was sick and tired of Snape going on about how the groups results "simply weren't good enough", and how he expected the group to work much harder next year, and that the Slytherins in his other group got much better results. Sophia did not like Snape at all, but she wasn't too bothered about potions. It was one of the other subjects she would definately not take to NEWT. Hearing Snape tell the class that they were dismissed, she stuffed her textbook into her bag, closed it, and left the dungeons as soon as possible. It was now lunchtime, and she was hungry. That lesson had seemed to drag on much longer than it usually did and she heard her stomach rumble as she closed the door into the great hall.

She dumped her bag on her bed in the dormitory, and decided that she would go for dinner straight away. She could take her time, as for once she didn't have any work to do, and so she wandered into the great hall, scanning the Hufflepuff table for anyone she knew. Not seeing anyone she knew well, she went over to a Chinese girl that she recognised as Aurora Chan, a girl in the year above her. Sitting down opposite her, she picked up a chicken leg from the plate next to her, and took a bite from it. Noticing that Aurora seemed to be in a dream world, she said a cheery "Hey!" to try to bring Aurora back to the real world.

"Yeah, dinner for me too now. I need it, after that dull potions lesson I've just had. I hate potions, and potions hates me. I just can't get a grip on it at all! Snape hates me too, but then he seems to hate anyone not in Slytherin. Just one more year to put up with it, then no more potions ever! Otgerwise, I'm fine, thanks. How about yourself? I'm not surprised you're exhausted...those exams most have been horrible." Sophia wasn't looking forward to the exams next year at all. She wanted to do well, but she knew that she just wouldn't get particularly good grades. She enjoyed most of her lessons, she just wasn't particularly good at any of them, except Herbology and Arithmancy. She was also quite good at History of Magic and COMC, but nothine else.

"Oh yeah, I'll be really prepared next year" she said, finishing off her chicken leg, and picking up another one. "This year was really hard, but I know that it's all gonna be uphill from here. As long as I get my act together and get organised, I'll be fine." Organisation was one of Sophia's main downfalls. She often left work till the last minute, or didn't do much for a few nights then it all piled up on top of her. "And thanks, I do hope I'll do well. I'm sure you'll do well too. It's just scary that it's only one year now, and I guess that next year will just fly by! Oh, I hope the teachers aren't more evil than they've been this year. I can't afford to let my grades slip more than they already have!" She then finished her second chicken leg, and poured herself a goblet of pumpkin juice.

"Oh yeah, time has flown by since I've been here! It doesn't seem like yesterday when I was sitting over there, with that hat on my head being told that I was in Hufflepuff. Not that I needed the hat to tell me which house I'd be in. I'm not intelligent enough for Ravenclaw, brave enough for Gryffindor and I'm not pureblood, so that ruled Slytherin out. But hey, I'm glad I'm a Huffle. And wow, sixth year...you must be pretty scared! Which subjects are you taking for your NEWTs, or does it really depend on the grades you get?" She then took a bowl from the pile and filled it with tomato soup and some bread from the mass bowl in the middle of the table, and started to eat it.

[Aurora Chan]

((No problem. I’ll just alter this post a bit.))

Aurora laughed and made a face at Sophia’s reply. She needn’t be reminded of Snape, it upset her meal quite a bit, but she was extremely glad to be seeing his back for the next two years. Ah, utter bliss. “He hated me too.” Aurora nodded with a sympathetic smile. “It didn’t help that I just don’t understand Potions either. We’re in the same boat. But at least I’m rid of him now forever. I’m dropping Potions, I’m glad it’s over. These five years have been hell… Snape’s just a biased idiot of a teacher though. And like you say, one more year and then no more. Unless you want to take it for NEWT?” Aurora tilted her head curiosity at Sophia. She was reminded that Ariane was planning on doing Potions next year, and tried not to gag; the thought was just horrifying. “I’m pretty fine, apart from being a little tired.” Aurora chuckled as she took another bite of food. “Yeah, the OWLs were pretty hard. But I’m sure NEWTs will be harder.” She made a grimace, though Aurora was glad she would be at least in her element next year.

Aurora nodded supportively as Sophia said she’d be ready. “That’s the spirit!” She giggled whilst punching the air in enthusiasm. “Yep. It’ll all be over before you know it, and then you’ll be in sixth year, like me. It’s gone way too fast.” Aurora’s smile turned wry at the events that had occurred over the last year or so. Even she had trouble believing she’d be seventeen in January, an adult in wizarding terms, and be starting her NEWTs. The thought was scary, but exciting. “Try to relax and have fun too, though.” Aurora suddenly advised with a half serious face. “Life isn’t all about studying. Sometimes you need to take a breather. You’ll find you’ll be so engrossed in your work, you won’t even remember to eat!” Aurora laughed cheerily as she popped another morsel into her mouth, waving her fork around in the air. She smiled sympathetically again. “Don’t worry. They’re only doing what’s necessary for you to pass. Of course, it’s just another wonderful excuse for Snape to be even nastier, but apart from him, don’t hate the teachers too much. They’re just trying their best for us too. Though they do work you like… slaves.” Aurora laughed at the use of her metaphor, remembering the long hours she had pored into Potions in hope of even passing it.

“Same here. It feels like the sorting ceremony was just yesterday.” Aurora nodded in understanding, a dreamy look in her eye. It was nice talking to somebody equally as happy and chatty, who could get where you were coming from. Aurora got on with most people generally, but a little understanding and similarity was often rare. She laughed at Sophia’s almost degrading words. “Oh, I totally understand how you feel. I’m not clever or witty enough to be in Ravenclaw. They’re just so hardworking. Gryffindors are brave and determined, and I think I lack that motivation. And could you imagine me a Slytherin? Us, Slytherins?” Aurora threw back her head and laughed in delight. She hadn’t known much about the four houses back then, apart from what her parents had told her, but she didn’t mind being a Hufflepuff either. Aurora was quite proud of her house, and she felt she fitted in perfectly. She could still remember the day it happened clearly, how the Sorting Hat had been placed on her head and her mind read like a book. “I am a pureblood though.” Aurora admitted, “Though I do think I’m the furthest thing from a Slytherin. I can imagine the look on Professor Snape’s face if that was the case.” Giggles erupted again. “But hey, we’re Huffles, and proud of it, right?” Aurora grinned enthusiastically.

“I am a little.” Aurora smiled wryly, slight apprehension reflected in her eyes. “Who wouldn’t be? I struggled a little on the OWLs, and the NEWTs are rumoured to be twice as deadly. But I am taking subjects I have more skill in, rather than slaving away at Potions and Herbology, so…” Aurora gave a tiny shrug. “We’ll see when the time comes. Then I can tell you if it’s as difficult as it sounds. Probably is, but hey… I’ll survive. I always do.” Aurora took a draught of drink, before setting the goblet back on the table. “Hm… Oh, yes, it does depend on what grades you get. Apparently, Snape won’t take any students to NEWT level unless they gain an Outstanding in their Potions OWL.” Aurora gave a grimace and a roll of her eyes. “Can you believe that? That’d be impossible for me. Thank goodness I’ve never had any intention of taking Potions further anyway. Otherwise I’d be in deep trouble. The other subjects are probably more lenient… I think they prefer it if you can manage an Exceeds Expectations though. I plan on taking Arithmancy, Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Muggle Studies and Transfiguration. If I get the grades. I’m pretty confident about Charms and Transfiguration, and probably Muggle Studies too, because they were relatively easy. I hope I get the right marks for the others though.” Aurora smiled calmly. “And what about you? Any plans yet? I don’t know what I plan on becoming… Though some people are more sure than others.”