Chapter Summary: Dinner is served.

Author Note: Hope you enjoy this little update you guys! Just want to let you know I posted Jane's ballgown, Evie's ballgown, and Audrey's ballgown on Tumblr today! Hoping to get some good drawings and reference images for the rest of theirs done soon so I can put them up too. (My user on tumblr is the same as it is here! xXxAngelStormxXx!)

It didn't take long for the teens to inform their parents and families of the swapped seats. Doug was right, Snow eagerly accepted the invitation to join him in sitting with Evie and her father. (She wasn't sure what to think of the fact that Hades was Evie's father, but she was keeping an open mind, ready to welcome them both with open arms.

At Audrey's puppy-dog pout Aurora and Philip joined them as well. They hadn't wanted to infringe upon her time with her new friendships, but Audrey wanted her mother and father to come sit and get to know Mal (and the others) with her. Anita was touched Carlos asked her to join them and of course Lonnie's family jumped at the offer. Jay was originally going to be moved by them anyways, so why not instead simply reverse that so they moved seats instead?

Craftily the teens physically moved the tables so instead of small circular tables being so spread out, they were much more closely knit and organized like the tables near the front were. There was room, and then some for people to sit and join them. Mal and her father Diaval arrived just as people were beginning to trickle in to find their seats as dinnertime came closer and closer.

"Today is a great day." King Beast's voice echoed loudly in the grand dining hall. "Today we celebrate our families and share our gratitude and our thanks for the people in our lives, the things we have and can do, and for our great Kingdom of Auradon. Today marks the first day that my son, Prince Benjamin hosted and opened one of our celebratory balls. Each day brings us closer to his impending coronation this spring. Benjamin, my boy," he turned and raised his glass, "You still have a great deal to learn before you take the throne, but I know that with my guiding hand, you shall feel more than ready when the time comes for the crown to rest upon your head." he toasted and polite applause filled the room.

Ben bowed his head to his father as he stood up at the head table, sending a smile their way as everyone clapped. He began his own speech only after the polite clapping subsided. "Thank you, father, I hope I shall be a wise King when I take the throne." he nodded his head humbly as he spoke before raising it and picking up his own glass. "Today, I am honored to have the chance to host our Family Day celebration as my first ball to host in true royal capacity. I want to thank each and every one of you who could come out today to celebrate and spend time with your students here at Auradon Prep. Being away from your family for lengths of time can be hard on anyone, and we are all very grateful to you for being patient with us while we attend our classes and for taking the time to join us here today. So thank you."

Ben paused in his speech as the crowd clapped before continuing. "I also want to congratulate our students on making it halfway through the first semester of the year." he starts, "not just our returning students, but our new students as well. Adjusting to life at Auradon Prep can be difficult at first, but once you have the chance to get used to it you find there is so much that you didn't know you were capable of." He smiled again as he met Mal's eyes.

"I want to specifically congratulate our transfer students who have come from the Isle of the Lost to attend our school. They have gone above and beyond to meet the goals set for them by the Royal Council and the School Board and I am pleased to announce that starting on Monday they have been cleared to begin attending classes with the rest of their peers. Congratulations you guys!" he raised his glass to them, and Evie beamed as their friends and guests cheered for them. Mal's ears hurt from the noise, but she couldn't bring herself to really care. Freddie shrunk in on herself, she was used to attention back home but in Auradon it was foreign to her. Lonnie ruffled Jay's hair and teased him about having to attend classes like a normal person now and Jane kissed Carlos's cheek.

"Now, I won't keep you waiting any longer. Without further ado, waiters and waitresses if you please." he motioned for them to go ahead. "Ladies and gentlemen, dinner is served."