Gaston wasn't sure how Headmistress Hawthorne would react to him, but he took the return of his smile as a good sign. At least he hadn't received another disapproving glare like last term! He hadn't been sitting long when Cami arrived, followed soon after by Laurel and Kaysha. "Good evening, ladies," he said, smiling at each of them in turn. He nodded in reply to Laurel's question. "I most certainly am!" he said. Wow, that probably came out wrong! "It's been a fun term," he added. Well, fun aside from the massive identity crisis he'd undergone anyway... "But I could use a break. What about you? Any plans for the summer?"

He'd barely finished his sentence when his seat neighbors, both of them, appeared and congratulated him. Well, this was different! He wasn't used to this much attention; he didn't feel he deserved it. After all, the students had been the ones who secured a Gryffindor victory, not him. Still it was nice to hear! "Hello, Roderik, Tristan," he greeted his seatmates. "Thank you. I am very excited and proud, though I'd still be proud of the Gryffindors if they came in last place. They worked hard this term!" He overheard Hirsch ask about summer plans and nodded. "Yes, as a matter of fact I do have plans this summer," he replied with a knowing smile, and his eyes may or may not have flicked toward Rosalyn's seat. "But you'll find out about that soon enough." They all would; somehow he didn't think it was a good idea to discuss his upcoming marriage around Hawthorne though!

Only moments later, his bride-to-be arrived, and his mood instantly brightened. "Hello, Rose," he said. "Thank you..." For the congratulations and the compliment. "They have; I couldn't be prouder!" He smiled sweetly but didn't allow his eyes to linger on her for too long, lest they betray too much emotion. As he dropped his gaze, he thought he saw Tristan's mouth agape. Did he just see what he thought he saw? Was he...?

Before Gaston could think too much of it, River and Kalen were offering their congratulations. The former's gesture made him chuckle a bit, and he raised his own cup in return. Then he turned to the librarian. "Thank you, Kalen. I'm quite well." This was probably the first time all term that he could honestly say that! "You?"

The professor looked out at the students filing into the hall, beaming in the direction of the Gryffindors. He smiled as he saw Stasya and Emmeline waving at him and waved back. Such sweet girls! His eyes flicked back to his own table. Now where were Paul, Haraldur, and those Ilvermorny professors? As if on cue, the four of them soon appeared, and Gaston greeted each of them with smile and polite nod, though Paul also got a concerned look. He was going to ask if he was alright, but Hawthorne beat him to it.

Then Rooney Bronwyn happened. The shower of confetti and cards made Gaston laugh. Classic Rooney. He supposed he should just be thankful that he hadn't used a firecracker spell this time! He picked up the card nearest him and stuck it in his jacket pocket, though he wouldn't need a card to remember that boy. He was really going to miss his flair for the dramatic! A sudden pang of sadness gripped him, but he managed to hold it together... until he saw Paul burst into tears. He pinched at the inner corners of his eyes and kept his gaze down. Merlin, Paul was going to make him cry too if he didn't get a hold of himself soon!

Thankfully, the speech distracted him before that happened! He listened, applauding wildly when the Gryffindors were acknowledged. His applause for the IMPS competitior and winner and the graduating class was slightly quieter but no less sincere. Then the food appeared, but he didn't load up his plate just yet. He had something to attend to first and discretely excused himself from the table.