Putting It Back
Chapter 28 – Banquet
When they arrived at the Great Hall they noticed it was still expanded to serve the needs of additional press agents and guests. A third year in a uniformed robe ushered the four to a round table near the front. At their table, Luna and Dean were already seated. Three other seats were left empty.
Ron asked, "Who do you think the others are who we will be eating with us?"
Ginny quickly answered, "I suppose it would be Neville and another couple."
Before the others had an opportunity to add their speculations, the question was answered by another usher. Ginny was half right. It was Neville, but in each arm he had a Patil twin. Hermione's mouth dropped in shock.
Harry greeted them, "Good evening, Padma, Pavarti." With a smirk he asked Neville, "You couldn't make up your mind?"
Neville blushed. "Lavender wanted to come too, but you know the old saying, "four is a crowd"."
Hermione was going to correct it, but Ginny patted her arm, giving her a look. She was confident that Neville deliberately altered the saying to be humorous.
Ginny noted, "You probably won't be able to dance with both of them at the same time."
Giving her a sympathetic look Pavarti replied, "Even if we each only get him half the time, it will be far more dancing the two of you will ever get with these two lumps." She gestured to Harry and Ron.
Ginny and Hermione bristled at the insult, but Harry, and Ron, to his credit, sheepishly calmed them. Harry apologized, "Pavarti, Padma, Ron and I are sorry for being such prats at the Yule ball. We should have offered to dance."
Ron nodded in agreement. "Sorry."
Neville nudged the twins and urged them to drop it.
Hermione whispered to Ginny. "That was a low. I can't believe she said that!"
With a mischievous grin, Ginny whispered back, "Don't worry. Tonight, those two will get what is coming to them. Neville may be able to dance the whole night, but he will leave their toes sore for a week." Their shared conversation left a contagious smile on her lips, but she didn't let herself dissolve into giggles.
Despite her effort, Pavarti still gave Hermione a dirty look for what appeared to be gossiping.
Catching her glare, Hermione just smirked. "Ron, you are going to dance with me tonight?"
Ron glowed as he gushed over her. "Finally being with you makes me want to dance all night."
It has happened many times the last week, but Hermione looked at him as if a second head was sprouting out somewhere. She just settled on smiling and enjoying this new Ron.
Ginny thought she was going to puke, but she wanted to have her fair share of the fun. "Harry, what about me? Are you going to ask me out to dance, or am I going to have to ask someone else?" She was pointedly looking at Dean as she said that.
When Dean returned a shy grin, Harry knew this was just one of his girlfriend's antics, and Dean seemed to pick up on it. Luna just cocked her head to the side and gave him a vacant look waiting for his response.
Harry gave her a loving look. "With you in my arms, I could dance all night. As for sharing you others, I just went a whole year without you. Tonight, I would like to have you just to myself."
She was pleasantly astonished. "Nor would I like to share you. It is too soon." Harry leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. Her smile remained steady as she caught Pavarti's eyes.
Padma was just going to make a comeback when Neville redirected everyone's attention. "Oh look, it looks like Professor McGonagall is going to speak."
Professor McGonagall was filling in as the new headmistress. She made a few welcoming remarks and announcements before starting the feast with a wave of her wand. The meal was delicious with all of Harry's favorites prepared. They even enjoyed tentacle tart for the afters. Once the food arrived, the table discussions resumed, yet in a more pleasant manner. The formality of the dress and event, seemed to bring out the best manners out of everyone. Many were sitting up straight, passing food, and eating at a respectable pace. Harry nudged Hermione and motioned towards Ron. She nodded back in wide eyed astonishment, because Ron actually took time to chew his food.
