Chapter 2: Impressed

Harry entered the great hall looking around for friendly faces. Everyone "knew" Harry, but Harry was only interested in finding people he had been close to while at Hogwarts. Harry found it surprising to see so many people he didn't recognize. Luckily for Harry, Ron and Hermione quickly rushed up to greet him. Hermione flashed the beautiful engagement ring Ron had given her, so Harry could see. Harry grinned remembering the letter Ron had sent him telling him his plans to propose to Hermione. "Congratulations," Harry said brightly to Hermione and Ron as they walked to the table where they'd be sitting.

Looking around Harry saw that almost everyone there was with someone. He hadn't thought to bring a date. He did notice with a smile that Draco was without a date too. Their rivalry had calmed down over the years but the animosity between Harry and Draco had not yet completely faded. Draco seemed to be doing well. As to be expected Pansy was hanging off his arm gossiping with another Slytherin. He forcibly pushed thoughts about Draco out of his mind.

Thoughts returning to his own house, Harry started placing faces with names and old friends. It wasn't long until the other Gryffindors started sitting down. Listening to a few conversations helped him immensely in recognizing former classmates. He was shocked to see how everyone changed.

Ron looked over at Harry and whispered, "Can you believe it? Everyone is so different!"

"It is just so weird, seeing all of us now and how much we've changed in only a few years," Hermione added.

Harry could only nod agreement. He was almost in shock. Not only were so many people different, but most seemed to be very successful! He couldn't understand why he was so shocked. The thought that it was because it made him feel unimportant was quickly brushed aside only to return with vengeance at the sight of Ginny arriving on the arm of a very handsome pro Quidditch player. The boy who lived -- The boy who lived to do almost nothing with his life! Overly dramatic thoughts like that echoed in his head for the next few minutes, until someone walked up to him.

"Harry," said the velvety voice.

"Yes, who are you," Harry replied lacking any tact whatsoever.

"It's Neville," the tall handsome man answered with confidence.

"Wow, I really am having trouble telling who people are."

"Same here," Neville replied, laughing casually. "Is there anyone sitting here? It seems that they're aren't any seats left."

"Sit down then," Harry gestured towards the seat, as Headmistress McGonagall took the stage.

Clearing her throat, she caught the attention of the crowd. "Welcome, I hope you have enjoyed your time here so far for those of you that arrived early, and I hope you will also enjoy the events we have scheduled for this weekend. Now, Deputy Headmaster Filius Flitwick would like to say something, if I am correct," with a glance toward Professor Flitwick, McGonagall returned to her seat. Almost everyone in the room understood the meaning of the look: Keep it short!

"I hope you have all received the schedule of events, if not there are extras outside the hall, you can pick them up when you leave. Oh its so nice having you all here-" Professor Flitwick paused with a glare from the Headmistress and returned to the point of his speech. "We also ask that you do not visit your house common rooms tonight, please wait until the designated time tomorrow. Breakfast will be served in the Great Hall at the end of the students breakfast. Once again, I welcome you back to Hogwarts!"As Professor Flitwick returned to his seat, McGonagall stood up, clapped her hands twice (a joke only understood by the muggle-born of the crowd), and a glorious feast appeared on the tables causing surprised murmurs and laughter around the hall. Seconds after, the hall was filled with the merry sounds of talking and eating, as the former students got to know one another again.

Neville smiled shyly as Harry, Ron and Hermione turned to him. "Neville," Hermione asked, sounding astonished."The one and only," he replied, "at least I think so." The joke caused some laughter from those nearby.

"Wow, you've changed quite a bit," Hermione and Ron said at the same time. They had already announced their engagement to the rest of the table.

"Well I suppose so," Neville answered readily. He really did look like another person altogether. He wasn't very reserved or shy when it came to speaking. In fact, he seemed very composed and answered the questions thrown at him without hesitation or uneasiness. His hair was darker than Harry remembered, and his tanned. He was also had more muscle and height, it looked like he spent some time outdoors. He looked very masculine, but still retained a somewhat feminine and youthful appearance at the same time. When looking at his eyes Harry got this feeling Neville was wise beyond his years. There was something new in Neville, a spark that Harry couldn't identify. One thing that surprised Harry though, was that Neville was wearing muggle clothes: a pair of nice dark slacks, a crimson dress shirt. Harry spent so long examining Neville that he didn't notice Neville's eyes on him.

"I think we've all changed," Neville said quietly to Harry with a hint of sadness in his voice. Their eyes met for a second or two, but then they were interrupted by some old 'friends' who suddenly walked up to the Gryffindor table.

"Look who showed up alone," Draco Malfoy announced to the crowd, with a wide smile spread across his face. It turned out he did have a date but not Pansy as Harry had originally thought. Instead Draco's date was gorgeous woman named Melinda. She smiled apologetically at Harry, for the hurt was obviously etched onto his face. Surprisingly, it was not Harry (who was currently at a loss for words) to stand up. Instead it was Neville with his newfound courage, "I suppose some things never change Draco, you still have your head so far up your ass that-"

Hermione stood up and cut Neville off before he started a fight, "Go away Draco, I think you're the last person that anyone at this table wants to see." To add to everyone's shock Draco actually did what he was told. He turned on his heel and quickly strode off, followed by his girlfriend who apparently changed her mind about Harry and gave him a look that could melt metal.

"I'm not sure which is worse," Neville muttered darkly, "Draco or his new girlfriend."

Harry watched as the two sat down at the Slytherin table, immediately absorbed into the conversation. He sighed getting odd looks from Neville, Ron and Hermione (looking especially concerned). "That was Melinda," he said quietly, adding "my ex," for clarification. Although he had lost his appetite he put some food on his plate and started eating it so he wouldn't have to answer any questions.

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The banquet turned out wonderfully in spite of the earlier unpleasantness, and it wasn't long after Draco's visit that Harry started to feel better. After dinner there was dancing, and even more talking. Ron and Hermione disappeared for a while (they went dancing) and Harry spent his time talking to the people left sitting at the Gryffindor table.

He had to admit he was surprised that Seamus Finnigan and Dean Thomas had both shown up dateless. It turned out that Harry was wrong though, Seamus and Dean had shown up with dates -- each other. By that point Ron and Hermione had returned. No one was hiding their shock. "I've never met a homosexual before," Ron said nervously, trying to break the silence. Hermione rolled her eyes and resisted the urge to point out that he had known both men for years.

"Actually," Neville piped up, "that's not true." He was blushing but not too noticeably.

"You too," Dean commented dryly. After a moment he continued, grinning "I thought so, in fact I'm not at all surprised." Although the students at Hogwarts had not been very sheltered, they were left looking slightly confused. Seamus noticed this and gave them a short 'crash course' in homosexuality. Even including the shock at the aforementioned conversation, the night continued on quite well.