Gaston managed a smile for River as he tried to cheer himself up by thinking of all the exciting things he had going on this summer... spending time with his family, sightseeing with Rose, playing a few shows with his bandmates... but that look from Headmistress Hawthorne deflated him. He didn't think what they did was that horrible, personally. They weren't kissing or holding hands; they didn't even speak to each other before going to their seats. All they did was arrive at the same time and look at each other. And he wasn't blind to the fact that everyone else had received a smile or a wave or at least a nod from the headmistress, but he only greeting he got was a disapproving stare. He always saw her as cold and intimidating, but now he was starting to think she actually disliked him. She wouldn't be the first, he thought darkly.

Miss Franks-Mundie's words got a small, though still sad smile from him. "Maybe you can," he replied. He was going to tell her about his band's upcoming international tour and their London stop - which was one of only two venues he himself would be playing - but Headmistress Hawthorne dismissed her and Mr. Kennedy both with another disapproving look. Gaston was not pleased at all, especially when he saw the Ravenclaw's reaction, but there was nothing he could do.

Absent nods for Laurel, Jordan, and Hirsch as they spoke. Oh, so Hirsch and River had plans for the break? That explained the arm punch and knowing look he saw earlier. "Sounds fun," he said, replying to Laurel and Hirsch at once. He gave Jordan a quick knowing look to show that his words had been noted. "I'll be spending most of the holiday in France," he said in reply to Hirsch and Laurel's questions about his plans. If they'd asked him sooner, he would've gladly elaborated, but he wasn't in the mood at the moment.

Wait, what? Gaston's blue eyes blinked in surprise. Viktor Sokolov as actually speaking to him?! He raised a slightly skeptical eyebrow at what was said, though. He wasn't sure if Sokolov was genuinely curious or just trying to get him in more trouble with Headmistress Hawthorne... or both. For now, he decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and replied with a nod, "I have." There, short, sweet, and to the point. No one could fault him for that answer... he hoped.

Gaston listened to the headmistress's speech, applauding in just the right parts, and then the food arrived. He stared at the plat in front of him, hoping the feast would distract him from his sadness, but it didn't. He just sort of pushed the food around with his fork, forcing himself to take a few bites here and there so he wouldn't attract attention. Any other time he would've been in tears - and probably would've been now if it weren't for the fact that two of the people seated at this table were the last people on the planet he wanted to see him vulnerable. Oh Merlin, could this feast please be over soon? He just wanted to go home and be with his parents, his friends, and his Rose... the people who actually liked him.