 Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Moy Pomidor | Seneca's Beard | That Is So Fetch!
He'd spent enough years watching the older students that sixth years had always seemed distinctly old. Experienced. Like they ought to know exactly what they were doing by now. Yet here Rajan was, making his way toward the Ravenclaw table with all the grandeur befitting someone who had earned stellar OWL scores, survived five whole years at Hogwarts, and was now another year older and, presumably, another year wiser.
At least Hogwarts itself hadn't changed much. The Great Hall was as loud as ever, conversations overlapping beneath the enchanted ceiling as everyone reunited after summer. Even the familiar scent of the castle was comforting, mingling with the faint petrichor that had followed them inside after the damp journey from Hogsmeade.
Dropping into an open seat, Rajan glanced along the table for familiar faces. "Hey, everyone." He gave a little wave, immediately wondered whether the wave had been necessary, and lowered his hand to the table. Right. Good. Nailed it.
His attention wandered toward the staff table, taking note of the faces that were no longer there as well as the new ones, and then, inevitably, toward the other House tables.
Sixth year meant NEWT classes. It meant he was officially one of those older students he'd once found mildly intimidating. People might even expect him to know what he was doing now.
...Terrifying, actually.
But that was a problem for tomorrow.
Tonight there was food, and Rajan had priorities.
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