 The seventh years + mentions of everybody Rhibear ~ Madam Solo ~ ❄ Showtunes > Everything ❄ ~ Accio Jedi ~ Gryffinclaw ~ Just a doll
So far, Gaston had held up reasonably well through the goodbyes, but the moment he laid eyes on the Slytherin table, all the sadness he'd been struggling to fight all night hit him like a ton of bricks. A part of him wanted to turn back and spare himself the heartache, but he knew he couldn't. He owed it to them to give them a proper goodbye. Clutching his cane tighter, he hobbled to the Slytherin table. "Good evening, everybody," he greeted. He gave the Baron a polite nod of acknowledgement and managed a small, wobbly smile for Patrick, Slate, Cameron, and Juni. Hopefully they would forgive him for the lack of individual hellos. The aftermath of the Inferi attack and the annual round of goodbyes put an enormous strain on his heart and made conversation nearly impossible!
As his eyes scanned the table, painful memories of that night came rushing back...Vivian and Felicity's broken arms, Junia's head injury. He'd lost count of the number of times he wished he could've taken those injuries in their place! Then his heart skipped a beat as he came to Flynn. He hadn't expected to see him back at Hogwarts! As happy as he was to see him, it didn't quite erase the sad realization of just how close he'd come to dying. Gaston had to take several deep breaths before he was able to push his emotions aside long enough to force a smile. He knew this one wasn't much for sentimentality, and he didn't want to make him uncomfortable. "Congratulations, Flynn," he said, handing him a box that contained a quill pen. "Good luck in your future endeavors, whatever they may be." The important thing was that he still had a future!
Gaston's bright blue eyes landed on a group of seventh year girls (Felicity, Kye, Junia, and Vivian), and he felt a surge of pride. He'd had them every year but their first and watched them grow into strong, smart young witches. "Vivian, Felicity, Kye, Junia..." he said, beaming at each girl in turn. His eyes lingered on Junia for a second with an apologetic look. He was sorry for getting annoyed with her during the inferi attack; he was just on edge because he thought he was going to die that night. "Ladies, it's been a pleasure having you in my classes the past years. Congratulations to all of you!"He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out four more boxes, giving one to each girl.
There was still one more goodbye at this table, and it was the one Gaston had been dreading all night. Well, there was no turning back now... He heaved a shuddery sigh as he turned to Skylar. One look at her was all it took to send his thoughts back to the first time he ever talked to her, the time she comforted him after that disaster of a cooking lesson... so many memories! "Skylar..." he began, but his voice broke the moment he tried to speak. She had no idea how much she'd inspired him! There were time when he felt so alone and disliked that he doubted he was going much good at Hogwarts, but if Skylar Diggory liked him, he knew he had to be doing something right. "Congratulations and t-thank you... for being a great student, b-but most of all... for letting me g-get to know you..."
There was so much more he wanted to say, but his words failed. His head bowed, and he had barely enough time to fish the box containing her quill pen out of his pocket before he had to press his free hand to his eyes against the tears that threatened to fall.
__________________ Old voices I had thought long since dead whisper of another life I might have led
If I could take that second chance, If I could make my life anew, If only dreams came true... |