Chapter 3 – The Feast
•~•~•~•
Around half an hour later, we arrived at Hogwarts. As all the students started to pile
Into the Great Hall, I sat down on the Gryffindor table between Hermione and Dean and sent a smile towards Harry and Ron that were seated opposite us.
Once everyone was seated, Professor Dumbledore took his familiar path from the Professors table to his golden owl podium. "Good evening, students. I'm so very pleased to see you all looking well and happy for the new year ahead of us. As you can see, we have a knew professor joining us this year." Dumbledore gestured behind him and towards a fairly aged man, who, quite frankly, resembled a walrus with tufts of greying hair laced upon his head.
"This is Professor Horace Slughorn." Dumbledore continued. "He will be teaching Potions."
Confused mutters spread all around the room.
"And Professor Snape will be teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts." Dumbledore finished.
Gasps escaped everyone's mouths as this new information settled upon us.
"Bloody hell," Ron muttered.
"Boo!" someone called from further up our table, and soon there were boo's coming from every house table. All except the Slytherins — they were cheering with delight.
"Silence!" Dumbledore's voice echoed throughout the hall, effectively stopping all sources of sound. "I wish you all another wonderful year here at Hogwarts, and now, let the feast begin!"
At his words, a variety of different foods and cuisines appeared on every table, and gasps of awe and delight were heard from the mouths of many.
I grinned at the food in front of me, but not before I laughed and rolled my eyes at Ron, who— as usual — had his face stuffed with as much food as he could fit in his mouth.
"Ronald!" Hermione scolded. "You're eating like a pig!"
Ron just shrugged, causing laughter to rise within our small group.
Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes. "You could at least leave some room for dessert."
I glanced towards Harry who was grinning at me. We always found joy in watching Hermione scold Ron for something as disgusting as his table manners.
I grinned back before I began to dig into the beautiful plates of food set out along the Gryffindor table.
•~•~•~•
The common room was nearly empty by the time the five of us had reached it, but I wasn't surprised, most people usually stuffed themselves with as much food as they could, leaving them too fool to do anything else but crash for the night.
I lingered around near the fire, hoping I could get Harry alone for even just a minute. But what I would say to him, I'm not sure. I just couldn't seem to get him out of my mind.
Ron heaved out a sigh. "I think I ate too much."
"You think?" Hermione questioned rhetorically, sarcasm dripping from every note.
Ron have her a flat look. "I'm going to bed. See you guys tomorrow."
"Good night Ron," I called out to him as he walked away.
That was one down. Two more to go...
A yawn escaped Hermione's mouth. "I don't think I can keep my eyes open for much longer. I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow. Night." Hermione waved and headed up to the sixth year girls dormitory.
It was just me, Harry and Dean left now.
"Are you going to bed, Dean?" I asked, praying to Merlin he'd day yes.
"Not until you're going," he smiled.
Damn.
I glanced over at Harry, and then sighed. There was no way I was going to be able to talk to Harry alone. Not with Dean breathing down my neck. "It's getting late." I stated.
Nah, really, Ginny?
"I should probably head to bed." I continued. "Good night, guys."
"Good night, Gin," Dean called out, waving at me as I ascended the staircase to the fifth year girls dormitory. I waved back at Dean before he disappeared into his dorm, and then smiled at Harry before he did the same.