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MadMadamMalfoy · 12-09-2018, 07:13 AM

Gaston's heart sank as he came to the Ravenclaw table. the round of goodbyes to the Slytherins underscored the reality of his rapidly nearing exit, and he still had three more rounds of goodbyes to go. The smile he had plastered on his face was already beginning to falter. "Good evening, everybody," he said, nodding to Jackson, Hanna, Taddy, Ewan, Chloe, Septimus, Juni, Jessa, Drewett, and Kaitlynn in turn. "And good evening to you too, Lady Helena," he greeted the house ghost. "Congratulations on your House Cup win!" Memories came rushing back as Gaston's blue eyes darted across the students' faces... Jackson, Septimus, Drewett, and Kaitlynn in lessons, conversations with Ewan, little Chloe clinging to him during last year's Inferi attack. He shuddered at that particular memory. Then he saw Juni- her dad must be so proud of her talents! And Hanna... she reminded him so much of Rose!

Then he came to Jessa, the student who reminded him most of his failings as a teacher. "Congratulations to you too, Jessa," he said, reaching into his pocket for a box containing a black quill and setting it on the table in front of her. He knew she didn't think very highly of him, and there was nothing he could do to change that but he still wanted her to have it. "And I'm sorry... for everything." Snapping at her in class, failing to engage her interest, not being fast enough to stop Petrov from hexing her... "I don't expect any forgiveness; I just couldn't part ways with things unsaid." Whatever she chose to believe of him, his apology was not a last-ditch attempt to win her over.

"I apologize to all of you as well," he said, addressing the group again. "I-I wasn't the teacher or the Deputy headmaster you deserve..." His voice trailed off, and he heaved a heavy sigh. "I just wanted you to know because... this term is going to be my last. This isn't what I wanted, but I've recently learned I'm too ill to continue teaching..." Merlin, this was hard! He moved up and down the table, handing out quills just like the one he gave Jessa to each student. "I'd like you to have these now, since I won't be around to give them out at your graduations. I wish all of you the best of luck, and if you ever need anything, feel free to send an owl."

Gaston turned away toward the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables but paused for a brief moment as he passed Hanna. "You'll be alright without me?" he whispered. He was worried about her; after all, she was family! And there was another Ravenclaw he was particularly worried about. He managed a small wobbling smile as he looked at Chloe. "And you? You'll be okay next term?" Of course they would... they had to be, right?

12-09-2018, 07:13 AM	#26 (permalink)
MadMadamMalfoy Newbie Mod Alley Proprietor Mackled Malaclaw Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Hazbin Hotel Posts: 11,076 Hogwarts RPG Name: Norman A. Carton Graduated Hogwarts RPG Name: Sydney M. L. Masters Slytherin Second Year Diagon Alley Proprietor: Caledon Roth The Leaky Cauldron	Stopping by before the feast closes Rhibear ~ Madam Solo ~ Dark Brooding Girl ~ Accio Jedi ~ Gryffinclaw ~ Just a doll Gaston's heart sank as he came to the Ravenclaw table. the round of goodbyes to the Slytherins underscored the reality of his rapidly nearing exit, and he still had three more rounds of goodbyes to go. The smile he had plastered on his face was already beginning to falter. "Good evening, everybody," he said, nodding to Jackson, Hanna, Taddy, Ewan, Chloe, Septimus, Juni, Jessa, Drewett, and Kaitlynn in turn. "And good evening to you too, Lady Helena," he greeted the house ghost. "Congratulations on your House Cup win!" Memories came rushing back as Gaston's blue eyes darted across the students' faces... Jackson, Septimus, Drewett, and Kaitlynn in lessons, conversations with Ewan, little Chloe clinging to him during last year's Inferi attack. He shuddered at that particular memory. Then he saw Juni- her dad must be so proud of her talents! And Hanna... she reminded him so much of Rose! Then he came to Jessa, the student who reminded him most of his failings as a teacher. "Congratulations to you too, Jessa," he said, reaching into his pocket for a box containing a black quill and setting it on the table in front of her. He knew she didn't think very highly of him, and there was nothing he could do to change that but he still wanted her to have it. "And I'm sorry... for everything." Snapping at her in class, failing to engage her interest, not being fast enough to stop Petrov from hexing her... "I don't expect any forgiveness; I just couldn't part ways with things unsaid." Whatever she chose to believe of him, his apology was not a last-ditch attempt to win her over. "I apologize to all of you as well," he said, addressing the group again. "I-I wasn't the teacher or the Deputy headmaster you deserve..." His voice trailed off, and he heaved a heavy sigh. "I just wanted you to know because... this term is going to be my last. This isn't what I wanted, but I've recently learned I'm too ill to continue teaching..." Merlin, this was hard! He moved up and down the table, handing out quills just like the one he gave Jessa to each student. "I'd like you to have these now, since I won't be around to give them out at your graduations. I wish all of you the best of luck, and if you ever need anything, feel free to send an owl." Gaston turned away toward the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables but paused for a brief moment as he passed Hanna. "You'll be alright without me?" he whispered. He was worried about her; after all, she was family! And there was another Ravenclaw he was particularly worried about. He managed a small wobbling smile as he looked at Chloe. "And you? You'll be okay next term?" Of course they would... they had to be, right? __________________ 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...