While Eloise was one to skip on the occasion for the fun of it after calculating if it would hurt her grades or what not. She had not been in the mood to do that for quite a while now. She was scared and really just wanted to be in her bed. This year had gone from fun to sad real quickly.

She just walked on over to Nina and Missa and sat down by Nina, hugging her legs. Not caring if they had to stand or not.

Probably were going to hear bad news anyway to make things worse.

Just like last year.

Something was wrong. Nettie could feel it in her bones. The Headmaster wasn't going to gather everyone together in one place and interrupt class just to sing Kumbaya. Something had happened. There was still no news on Teddy and that Hufflepuff girl who had gone missing, and she couldn't help but fear the absolute worst as she entered the dueling arena.

It didn't help that just about every time she closed her eyes, she felt like she was back in the boathouse, being attacked by bugs and being told by some invisible voice that everyone had abandoned her. That made it even worse when it came to Teddy disappeared - what was the poor kid feeling? If he was stuck in the mist out there...what sort of nightmares was he enduring?

Trying not to think about it, and failing miserable, her eyes scanned the crowd as she entered. She saw Chloe, still visibly upset and understandably so. She saw Nina and Missa nearby, and Eloise - who was sitting on the floor in the fetal position, looking very un-Eloise like. Biting her lip and determining that she was the friend who needed the most attention at the moment, she walked over and sat next to her, rubbing her back in a comforting manner as she sat down.

...........this was bad. Very bad.

Anahera could feel it.

She'd been trying to ignore it for the past few days, that uneasy feeling that something was wrong. Yes, they were aware of the mist, of course. That alone was worrying. But it was something beyond that. Something worse. Something much much worse. She'd heard people whispering, worrying about their friends but she'd chosen not to pay any attention to that.

This was Hogwarts, it was a big castle with a lot of hiding places.

It would be fine. Everyone was fine.

At least that had been her mantra up until now. Right now, however, all she could focus on was the people already in the Duelling Arena. Her eyes skipped over a few students she hadn't really been in contact with, and rested a little longer on those she considered friends. And while she did feel a hint of relief every time she spotted someone she knew, the feeling was only short-lived as she went back to scanning the room for the rest of them.

Maybe she needed a better vantage point than right by the door.

That announcement made Anna instantly think someone had died. Bring all lessons to a halt when they were trying to carry on even though the mist had taken over the grounds? Definitely really bad news.

That and the tone of the Headmaster's voice were the reasons the Gryffindor was instantly very serious and seemingly ignoring all those who started asking her too many detailed questions. From the moment of the announcement up until she made sure the last student under her responsibility - which meant almost the entire school, but more specifically those in the same lesson as her when they heard Trent's voice - had arrived safely at the Duelling Arena, it felt like her focus had narrowed down to the situation at hand and nothing else. There was no time to answer questions unless it was 'is this the way I need to go?'.

Anna was at the very back when she entered the room, but although she continuously looked behind her to check on the others, she moved ahead a few rows of students to she could lock her eyes on Headmaster Trent and listen to every word he was about to say.

She wanted names - in case she knew any of them - and was also waiting for the next instructions. Although she was trying not to look too tense for the sake of others, the sixth year was still ignoring questions and murmurs from all those around her. Her attention was only divided between the entrance to the Arena and Headmaster Trent.

Her hand was ready to reach for her wand any second now. Her schoolmates standing around looking terrified didn't get any acknowledgement from her as she was there to act on the situation and not comfort people. Sorry.

Headmaster Trent struck Drewett as a man of resilience and composure. But when the Ravenclaw entered the duelling arena along with the rest of the students, he immediately noticed the man pacing back and forth. That usually wasn't a good sign, and there was a wee bit of panic settling in the Ravenclaw's chest as he pushed his way through the crowd into the room.

His eyes scanned the arena for familiar faces. Drewett was especially relieved to see Dia, Chloe, Nina, Vita, Nettie, Missa, and even Eloise already among the crowd. They were safe. That mattered a lot to him. He wanted to make his way there to sit beside the fourth year girls but decided against it when he realized he hadn't seen Mark or Xaria or Evan in the arena yet. Instead, he stood close to the entrance of the room, leaning against the wall with his eyes searching for familiar faces as more students poured inside. He just wanted to make sure his friends arrived in here. Just please.

And no, today was a horrible time to feel a panic attack arising. He began patterning his breaths again. Hold it together, Drewett.

He had been on his way back to the dormitory when he had heard the announcement. Turning around, Sammy was surprised he’d found the dueling arena without much problem. He wondered as he looked around if Eleanor had found her way her and wondered if Cassidy was ok as well. He hadn’t made many friends this year and those two in particular stuck out in his mind. He also wondered briefly if Beezley was ok. He didn’t see any of the house elves and hope she was. He liked that elf.

He slipped into the arena hoping to stay inconspicuous and stay out of the way. His eyes scanned the room looking for people he knew, but he didn’t really find any. So he snagged a spot on the floor, tucking his feet under him criss-cross style and tried not to let the other’s panic in the room induce fear in himself. His eyes landed on the headmaster; his pacing sure wasn’t helping the growing anxiety in the room.

o.o ......

Maeve wanted to go home. But she also simultaneously wanted to just snuggle and hold Chase for eternity. But she also wanted to snuggle all her friends she'd made here. Most of all, though, she wanted to know Kamryn was safe. There was a sickening in her stomach that had been for a few days since she'd realized the Hufflepuff was missing. Since she'd talked with Nico and the girl had bailed on her art session. This was more than just one of Kamryn's usual bouts, Maeve had a feeling and she didn't like it at all.

She'd probably stressed her roommates out with worry over the last few days too.

Moving quickly into the Dueling Arena, she hoped this wouldn't be a long assembly. Anna and Anahera were there and she moved over towards the dormmates and reached a hand out to each of them for support. Cordelia too, thank merlin.

Hogwarts had always been like a prison to Tina, but in the past weeks, her figurative prison had become a literal one. No more morning runs, no quidditch, no visiting the butterfly garden… every day an endless loop of being stuck behind these stone walls with no escape or distraction from the things that bothered her. Now this - whatever this was - had her feeling more like a caged animal than ever! Summoned by her least favorite person at Hogwarts to a room packed with people she didn't know very well under uncertain circumstances… it was a trifecta that sent her anxiety Into overdrive! For once she'd actually welcome being cooped up in Ravenclaw Tower. At least there she could be alone if she needed.

She trudged into the dueling arena, refusing to make eye contact or otherwise acknowledge the headmaster as she entered, lest he should see any fear reflected in her eyes (or vice versa). If there was one thing she'd learned in life, it was that most people will take advantage of even the slightest moment of vulnerability to tear you down, and she was not giving Headmaster Trent or anybody else in this room that satisfaction! She stood off to the side as far away from other people as possible, her arms crossed and her face a mask of stoicism, *but inside, her thoughts ran wild.

The last time Trent gathered the entire school in one place like this was when Dolly Dopple died. Surely there couldn't be deaths at this school two terms in a row! The odds of that happening had to be astronomical… and yet, deep down Tina knew it was a very real possibility. Any other time, she might be scanning the crowd for familiar faces, making a mental note of who was and wasn't here, but all her concentration went to keeping up her emotionless facade. Besides, a mental headcount probably wouldn't help her. She didn't really do social interaction, so it wasn't unusual for her to go days without seeing a specific person, even some of her housemates. For now all she could do was wait and worry.

With a free period from teaching, Noble had been on his way to the hospital wing with a tray of freshly brewed healing potions when the announcement had rung through the hallways. His brow furrowed as he processed the Headmaster's words, sensing that whatever the reason for their summonings, it wasn't good.

Already more than concerned about one of his Hufflepuffs, Noble balanced the tray of vials on his hip and hurried up the rest of the stairs to the Duelling Arena. The Headmaster's pacing was hardly reassuring once he arrived, and Noble manoeuvred between the already assembled students towards the front. He was glad to see Sterling already there, ushering students inside and he gave her a nod. Times like these, they needed responsible hands on deck. Hopefully Aaron wasn't too far behind.

"Headmaster," he greeted once he'd deposited the tray on a nearby shelf. Hopefully they wouldn't be requiring those potions any time soon. Noble's usually stern gaze was concerned and searching for answers in the man's face as he spoke again.

"How can I help?"

Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no.

This was not good. This was not good at all.

Lucas headed down to the Duelling Arena, a piece of parchment scrunched up in his hand and a terrified look on his face. Whatever the announcement was, whatever the reason they were being called down here for, it had to be serious. Nothing about it sounded good, and after the announcement from last term, he wasn't holding out much hope either.

Heading into the room, he first glanced at Headmaster Trent, who was...... pacing. Yeaaaaaaah, that wasn't a good sign either. Should he say hi? Hello? Ask what's wrong? Probably not. This was a moment he knew he should definitely keep quiet.

He tore his eyes away from the man and instead, started walking around and trying to find a familiar face. Or, well, the face he usually looked for when he was in trouble or uncomfortable or anything. Was Emma here? Was she around? She always knew what to do and say during a time like this. And he felt like he needed her right now, especially given....... yeah.

When he couldn't find her, Lucas just..... stopped. Here. At an empty spot. There, he unfurled the piece of parchment in his hands and just..... stared at it. It was one of the posters of Tad that someone - he was going to assume one of his siblings? - had put up. Missing. Tad was missing! A deep uncomfortable feeling started to settle in the pits of his stomach and he was starting to find it difficult to breathe again. But this time, it wasn't because of how crowded the room was - which would still make him uncomfortable if he was paying any attention to it - or because being stuck indoors was finally getting to him. This time, it was because of what this poster might be saying about his friend.

Scrunching it back up again, the Gryffindor looked right ahead, trying and failing not to show how much he was panicking inside.

This wasn't good. This wasn't good at all.

The booming voice had startled Kaysha and no doubt the kiddos whom she had been teaching. Without questioning the instructions, she had gathered the students and shepherded them along the corridor to the Duelling Arena. Thank goodness it was not a distance from her own classroom. Along the way, she tried to keep the kiddos calm as naturally, there was bound to be apprehension, fear and maybe even a little excited.

"Headmaster,'' Kaysha said, announcing her presence. At the same time, she was eyeing him questioningly. What had happened that required all of the Castle's attention immediately? Tension was rapidly building on her end.

Of all the people Eiji thought he would find himself indebted to at Hogwarts, Céline Myles was so far removed from the list it was uncanny. But here he was, indebted to her for finding his little sister and bringing her to him while he went running frantically through the upper level corridors searching for her. He was still furious at her (which her, you ask? Both) but in light of the current situation he was willing to form a temporary cease treaty. There would be ramifications later. VERY much so.

Entering the Dueling Arena, Eiji had quickly found a spot to let Rebecca lay down in her burrito blanket mess and remained standing nearby. Standing so he could look around and make sure that certain people were present and accounted for. A wave of relief watched over him when he found Missa...surrounded by essentially everyone else he cared about at this castle. Trinetta was okay. Eloise was okay and had a temporary pass for today. Nina was okay. Professor Noble was okay.

The mist...being inside the castle...he had seen it and felt the hairs on the back of his neck raise while stupidly running back downstairs looking for Rebecca. All his THINGS were trapped in that mist. His potions stores that were the subject of so much controversy as of late. All of his clothes and what few personal affects he had...he could only imagine this having a heavier toll on his little sister. All the pictures down there...the fact that one of the older Hufflepuff girls she had admired from afar was missing...Eiji felt a tinge of guilt for feeling more grateful that sorrow at the moment, but the people he needed to be safe, physically, were.

And right now...that was all the Slytherin cared about.

With the arrival of each new student, Malachi found just a little of the apprehension easing from his muscles...only a little. A part of him hoped that the two who were missing would show up as well, end the last of his fears and allow him to move on but they hadn’t turned up anywhere in the last few days, and neither to his classes either. To skip every single class in a week...all across the board....it just didn’t make sense.

As the ranks of students and staff swelled, the Headmaster forced himself to come to a stop. It would do no good furthering the tension with pacing, no matter how much he felt like crawling right out of his skin.

The fog was downstairs. Every few seconds, the images would flash back to his mind and they made his heart race furiously within his chest. It was all he could do to remain somewhat composed though there was no mistaking the concern etched into his brows. This was a serious situation, there was no use pretending all was fine. He nodded to each professor as they entered, still scanning the room for new arrivals.

The Headmaster’s throat went dry at Winklebleck’s question. “No one has died.” A statement meant to assure him as much as the others. They were missing. No one had any proof that this fog killed and while he’d done the calculations, viewed it from every angle and knew how unlikely the odds were, the man was still unwilling to name it so. ”I’m relieved to see you’ve all made it here. I don’t mean to frighten you, but the situation involving the mist has not gotten better. Quite the opposite, it’s gotten worse.” His voice was firm, despite his apprehension. If he was asking them to remain calm, he would himself have to do as much. The man paused a moment to let them brace themselves for what he was sure they would know was coming bad news. “The mist has breached the castle. As far as I can see, it’s spread through the ground floor and could be lower. No one is to make any attempts at getting to the ground floor or beyond. I’d prefer you remained at the second floor and above.” Which no doubt would leave the Slytherin and Hufflepuffs with questions but it wasn’t time for that yet.

“I don’t want any repeats of what happened out on the grounds.” No moving towards the danger. No sinking to the floor and crying. No screaming and panicking and nearly getting each other killed. That day had taught him how ill prepared the students were for danger and this was a bad time for that. “Does anyone remember what we learn in Defense class? What are you meant to do when faced with danger?” He NEEDED to know that they knew before they left here, or there would be more missing.

With Alis trying to find Jackson and the other boys, and Jorgie off trying to find all of her siblings, Holly was seriously close to giving into the tears… but she was just about holding it together. There were younger kids than her, and they needed her to be stronger than that. That, and she didn’t want to be known for crumbling into a stupid mess. That wouldn’t help anyone.

Steeling herself and picturing what Cameron would do, she straightened her back and turned around so that she could listen to the Headmaster even if her hand still was in Avery’s.

”Stay silent and think. Always think.” Nothing worse than setting off at a fool’s pace and alerting enemies of your plans or whereabouts before you have even had time to formulate a plan. That and silence had been needed - especially against blind creatures and … well, the mist didn’t have eyes.

Right???

Cornish stood at the back of the room, having herded a few pokey firsties along and not wanting to make a production of taking his place at the front of the room. He was uncomfortable and unhappy about what was going on, and it was unlikely that anyone would be comforted by the expression on his face. He crossed his arms and scowled at the back of everyone's heads as the Headmaster spoke.

Why weren't they evacuating? There was a Floo in the Headmaster's office, at the very least. If the question was 'what should they do in the face of danger', especially danger that didn't put up a fair fight? Run away!

TERRIBLE THINGS WERE HAPPENING AT HOGWARTS! TERRIBLE!

And Toddles arrived in the dueling arena wailing at the top of his elfsie lungs to let every know it.

"AAAAAAAAAH!"

The house elf paused for a breath, his lungs screaming in ouchie for holding that scream for so long.

"FLUFFSIES CARRYING DANGEROUS WHISKIES! HOGWARTS IS UNDER ATTACK! DANGEROUS SPIKESIES WHISKIES AND PINK FLUFFSIES, MR. MASTER HEADMASTER! THEY COMES FROM THE MISTY, THEY DOES!"

Another deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep breath, his chest puffing up big like a balloon so he could continue, though the volume of his shouting was deflating much like a balloon too.

"TODDLES WAS BEING GOOD ELFSIES! TODDLES SWEEP SWEEP SWEEPING OUTSIDE THE KITCHENS WHEN THEY COMES! TODDLES POPS INTO THE KITCHENS WHERE IT IS SAFESIES FROM THE FLUFFSIES AND THE MISTY!"

*Pop*

Tinka appeared in the arena no more than seconds after Toddles. The elf was in time to hear the screams of the not so baby elf and they only made her more frantic.

She had seen THINGS. Great and terrible things. They were down in the Great Hall where she had been laying out cupcakes as a between class snack for the studentsies. OH NO! The cupcakes!!!

The elf began to sob wildly, though thankfully not as wild as her companion.

Tinka very sorry Master Headmaster, Tinka very sorry! The cupcakes! Tinka never saved the cupcakes!!! It comes! It comes it does, right into the Great Hall. SCARY AND MASSIVE and Tinka ran, yes she did but it followed Tinka until she went back to the kitchen!!!!! Tinka left the cupcakes!!!!” Here she began to wail. “How will the studentsies eat??? Monsters! Monsters in the castle!!!!”

The announcement was heard as Beezley was cleaning so she popped into the dueling area. Quickly she saw all the studenties faces, her ears went back and she looked at the headmaster.

"Beezley is here to do whatever is needed master. Beezley just needs told if master needs Beezley to help."

Was he looking at her? She couldn't see, because once all the others came in her shortness was a problem, so talking about what happened before felt like he was talking about her. She knew she froze and she knew she didn't do right, but the minute she saw what she saw it was over, she couldn't do anything. She was thrown back to first year when she felt like the worst witch ever. Lowering her head she wasn't going to meet anyone's eyes so she missed seeing Eloise in her sitting position, Netta, Drew, or anyone else coming in. She was ashamed for being so dumb when the mist hit at first and she was upset from everything else.

Defeat, worry, scared, were just some of the feelings that were taking over, but she tried to pay attention, tried to see if there was only hope of a search party or even a fight group for this mist. What was the plan, because Chloe McCarthy wasn't going to hang back this time, her friend was missing...


Friend... missing...

Where was Gunnar, Jolie, Finlay, Felix.... Had they come in? She started to jump up and down to look for them, Calyx? They most likely were in this big group, but being short made it super hard to find people. Plus she should be listening to the headmaster and putting to memory what everyone was saying.

Ellie sat on the floor at the back of the room near Professor Cornish trying to make her ears stop wincing after the loud wailings of toodles and tinka. The mist was very, very bad she knew it. That two of her peers we’re missing was alarming and super scary. She thankfully didn’t know either of them very well, but it was still distressing to not know what had happened to them out there in the mist. She had helped the headmaster lock the windows the other day but clearly that hadn’t been enough.

As headmaster Trent started talking reassuring them that nobody has died Ellie didn’t feel reassured. Nobody knew what this ominous mist was or where it came from or what it did and it was clear their head didn’t either. Ellie didn’t see her head of house the in the crowd so she inched a little closer to Professor Cornish to feel a little safer.

A chill set in Ellie’s bones and made her whole body shiver at the news that the mist had breached the castle’s lower floor and that they we’re to keep above the second floor. How we’re they going to eat and where? Where we’re the snakes and badgers going to sleep? Questions she couldn’t answer so Ellie raised her hand to answer the question she could answer. "Headmaster when faced with danger we're supposed to stay together because there is strength in numbers and get to higher ground." Especially if the danger was below.

Dorian had heard the announcement while he had been playing mario kart video game in the entertainment room and had wasted no time and dropped the controller and left to go to the dueling arena. He hadn't even shut off the device.

On his way, the sixth year spotted Professor Stewart gathering the students and he knew that it was the safest bet to go with her and the others than going there alone. Safery in numbers and all that.

Once he entered the Arena, he was ...surprisingly... calm. Perhaps the seriousness of the situation had not dawned on him yet but for now, there was no panicked breathing or watery eyes. He didn't greet anyone except for the adults who got a nod and he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over each other.

So... Judging by the House elves rambling, Hogwarts was under attack again. Shocker... Should he finish his education at Ilvermorny next year? To be honest, the teenager had been stuck in the gaming room a lot this year playing video games if he wasn't doing his homework so he was a bit confused about what was going on. It also made him realise that he had been living in his own bubble this year which....wasnt necessarily a bad thing but he had promised his father to make more friends. Ugh

"If the lower levels aren't save anymore does that mean the Slytherin's and Hufflepuff's are going to stay with the Gryffindors and us for the time being?" he asked while raising his hand in the air. Forgetting that this wasn't class

"First of all, we should try to remain calm" which was probably very hypocritical coming from him but he was stating facts here not personal experiences. "Assess the situation, know your enemy. You can't beat an enemy if you know nothing about it. Stay in groups, like Ellie said, there is safety in numbers. Also, As someone once told me, there's no shame in running away as sometimes that is the option that keeps people alive" not exactly textbook answer but he wanted to say that.

Returning Professor Noble's nod, Archer turned to listen as the headmaster began to speak and basically confirmed her previous thoughts. The worst had happened. The mist had breached the walls of the castle. Nowhere was safe. They were essentially trapped (not that they weren't before, but you know). This particular Hufflepuff did, in fact, have questions, but this wasn't the time for such trivial things like where they would sleep and what about their things. A potentially murderous mist had made its way into the castle.

Wait, was the headmaster trying to give them all a DADA lesson after dropping that little bombshell?! She found herself giving the man an incredulous look and was about to question his sanity when.....saved by the house-elfs. Though, now her ears were ringing from Toddles yelling. And what was he saying ab-oh. It hit her then that everyone saw something different in the mist. Now what kind of thing caused fog and that? And how to bring it up without causing even more of a panic? Surprise, Archer was actually thinking beyond chaos and pot-stirring. It was surprising even to her.

"Building on that," because she was all for running, especially since there was only one thing the came to mind that would cause the aforementioned situation, "we could use our brooms to get out of here. Those of us that have one here could summon them and those who don't can use the school brooms...." Yep, that sounded like a good plan, especially if THOSE things were causing the mist.

SPOILER!!: Stasya

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverTiger

Although she’d nearly stopped dead as she’d arrived only to hear Cordelia’s question, only to get herself moving long enough to stop next to the smaller redhead, giving the headmaster a nod to show she was ready to do her duty. She really hoped that the answer to that question would be no one, or even that it was crazy thinking in general even if it would hurt her to see one of her ickles called crazy. But the fact remained that there had to be a reason they were all advised to avoid the mist, so the fear that the younger girl was right was definitely there.

Cordelia reached out for Stasya’s hand as the prefect appeared beside her. She needed to know that her friends were safe. ”I want to go home,” Cordelia admitted in a soft voice. She was trying really hard to maintain an appearance of fearlessness, but those walls were breaking down under the pressure of the situation.

SPOILER!!: headmaster

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

With the arrival of each new student, Malachi found just a little of the apprehension easing from his muscles...only a little. A part of him hoped that the two who were missing would show up as well, end the last of his fears and allow him to move on but they hadn’t turned up anywhere in the last few days, and neither to his classes either. To skip every single class in a week...all across the board....it just didn’t make sense.

As the ranks of students and staff swelled, the Headmaster forced himself to come to a stop. It would do no good furthering the tension with pacing, no matter how much he felt like crawling right out of his skin.

The fog was downstairs. Every few seconds, the images would flash back to his mind and they made his heart race furiously within his chest. It was all he could do to remain somewhat composed though there was no mistaking the concern etched into his brows. This was a serious situation, there was no use pretending all was fine. He nodded to each professor as they entered, still scanning the room for new arrivals.

The Headmaster’s throat went dry at Winklebleck’s question. “No one has died.” A statement meant to assure him as much as the others. They were missing. No one had any proof that this fog killed and while he’d done the calculations, viewed it from every angle and knew how unlikely the odds were, the man was still unwilling to name it so. ”I’m relieved to see you’ve all made it here. I don’t mean to frighten you, but the situation involving the mist has not gotten better. Quite the opposite, it’s gotten worse.” His voice was firm, despite his apprehension. If he was asking them to remain calm, he would himself have to do as much. The man paused a moment to let them brace themselves for what he was sure they would know was coming bad news. “The mist has breached the castle. As far as I can see, it’s spread through the ground floor and could be lower. No one is to make any attempts at getting to the ground floor or beyond. I’d prefer you remained at the second floor and above.” Which no doubt would leave the Slytherin and Hufflepuffs with questions but it wasn’t time for that yet.

“I don’t want any repeats of what happened out on the grounds.” No moving towards the danger. No sinking to the floor and crying. No screaming and panicking and nearly getting each other killed. That day had taught him how ill prepared the students were for danger and this was a bad time for that. “Does anyone remember what we learn in Defense class? What are you meant to do when faced with danger?” He NEEDED to know that they knew before they left here, or there would be more missing.

Oh, no one was dead. That was somewhat of a relief. Obviously they weren’t here for a happy announcement though, so Cordelia’s anxiety over the situation was not at all put at ease by that confirmation. And, you know, people were still missing so for all she knew they could be dead. Now, what had she learned in defense class? ”Exercise caution and don’t blindly trust everything?” The actual spells she could do but the complicated theory and morality discussions in class were much harder for her to follow. Alternatively, they could all evacuate the castle via floo network. That was sounding like a really promising option right now.

SPOILER!!: Tinka

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tinka

Tinka very sorry Master Headmaster, Tinka very sorry! The cupcakes! Tinka never saved the cupcakes!!! It comes! It comes it does, right into the Great Hall. SCARY AND MASSIVE and Tinka ran, yes she did but it followed Tinka until she went back to the kitchen!!!!! Tinka left the cupcakes!!!!” Here she began to wail. “How will the studentsies eat??? Monsters! Monsters in the castle!!!!”

All of the things the house elves were saying were honestly freaking Cordelia out a little bit. ”Yes, how are we going to eat?” What if they all starved? What if she passed out from low blood glucose and/or had a seizure and/or died before all of them could reach the point of starvation? She had enough snacks in her bag to last her for a couple of days maybe, but snacks were no meal replacement. Or what if she survived the starvation but ran out of insulin and then died from DKA from her blood glucose being too high? What if whatever the house elves were warning them about killed her in an entirely unrelated to diabetes death? Were there monsters and mist in the kitchen? Or, like, could the house elves all just pop down to the kitchen to get food and pop back up here? WAS THE HEADMASTER GOING TO DO ANYTHING TO PREVENT THEIR DEATHS? WERE THEY ALL GOING TO DIE???? WORSE, WAS SHE GOING TO HAVE TO SHARE HER BED WITH SOMEONE FROM HUFFLEPUFF OR SLYTHERIN?

Hanna had fallen asleep, with her Potions revision as her pillow. It had been the worst way to wake up, and instantly she felt the shaking electricity of adrenaline.

The Ravenclaws. Had to get them safe to the Duelling area. Which was where she rocked up, slightly out of breath but hands trembling with adrenaline. She saw Professor Stewart with the Headmaster, and wandered over to some of the Ravenclaws. She didn't really believe that the students that were missing might only be missing. No, she was sure they were dead. The mist didn't bode well. She remembered watching a movie about mist, and it wasn't good. And now it had breached the castle. That was a very terrifying thought. Because it would surely rise through the castle just like air, and once they were all crammed in the highest towers, where would they go then?

She listened to everything the Headmaster said, but the thing that really got to her the most was the appearance of the house elves. They were scared, and that scared Hanna. Her mouth was completely dry. She couldn't even swallow. Her throat felt like it was going to adhere closed. "Wh-w-what are we s-supposed t-to do?" she asked nobody in particular. Could the house elves bring the kitchens up, if those walls were breached? She was happy to share the common room with any of them - elves, Professors whose offices were lower, and other students.

Carmine followed a tall young Slytherin into the Duelling Arena, letting him peel off to lean against some wall while she placed herself where the students, and the headmaster, could see her. It was a good thing that Professor Noble had helped her replenish the supply of calming draughts and dreamless sleep potions - they seemed to be in high demand at the current moment, and Carmine suspected that demand would only increase.

In actual fact she was certain that Malachi would need something too - she was certain her own former student and colleague, Malachi's wife, Talia Trent, would be none too appreciative of her husband expiring from stress.

She smiled kindly and reassuringly at a few of the more distressed-looking children but otherwise her expression was gravely attentive to the Headmaster's words and she stood with her back straight, shoulders back. She was not defeated. And there were some of the students who were rallying admirably, with constructive suggestions. Pity about the house elves panicking bringing the tension up in the room though.