Quote:

Originally Posted by nicole black

The chaos that was the great hall was overwhelming for even someone like Damien, who's family thrived on disorder and mischief. A rescue mission, a fight, what were they going to do about the younger students? Damien's mind was on everything but himself.

It was a shame Amelia or Evie weren't around to keep him from doing something stupid, because bum leg or not he was about to do just that. "I volunteer for stunning team." He said, his smooth voice showing none of the trepidation he felt within.

He was thinking of Lux, of Cinna, of Rorie and even his mother and how idly he'd sat by while all of them had gone through some great injury. No more, Damien would stand and he'd help fight off the horde. It was time to stop being a cowardly lion.

LOOK! It was that Gryffindor kid who'd gone into the girls bathroom and started all this mess!

Ok, Caleb knew he hadn't actually DONE anything to start all this. But he had been the reason that Caleb had been in the girls bathroom in the first place and heard the screaming coming out of the Chamber that had been haunting his dreams for weeks. It was good to see him like...ALIVE and all, but still, he had no one to blame by himself for his injuries! If Caleb had been a Hufflepuff or something maybe he'd have felt sorry for the kid, but nah. He had no time for pity.

"Oi! You think you should be going into the battle like that?" he asked the boy, eyebrow raised as he looked at his leg. "We already have students missing, we don't need you going missing too because you can't run away. No offense," he added, not wanting to offend the kid, but like...let's be real here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarahlooo

With the fear, the excitement, the adrenaline, and the worry, the desire to throw up was the strongest emotion Evangeline currently possessed. She scratch on her arm was burning, she was pretty sure she had a fever, and her head was pounding like there were a thousand nargles in there, desperate to beat their way out of her skull. She pushed through the discomfort and the crowds of people to find a particular boy in particular. If she felt like this, she could only imagine how Damien felt.

Ah, and she found him, right as he volunteered his crippled self to try and save some people. "No, you don't," she urged as she walked up behind him, her good arm looping into his for support. "You'll get yourself killed." He couldn't RUN, let alone walk very far. Dumb Gryffindor.

Wait, was that Benzi? ALSO signing up to get himself killed?

BUT WAIT! There was Evie! He hadn't run into his Ravvie friend since the incident in the bathroom and was relieved that she, too, was alive. Maybe there was hope for Lux and Cinna! And Noel and Truebridge! Although it might not seem like he cared, Caleb REALLY did - he didn't want anyone dying! IT WAS NOT OK.

"Evie! You're alive!" he exclaimed, running to his friend and giving her a BIG OL BEAR HUG in greeting. "I thought you were DEAD after you went into the Chamber! I was doing patrols and saw you go in, but by the time I got there, you were gone...you too," he added, looking at Gryffindor boy. But he didn't know him so he wasn't as excited, obviously.

And then Caleb took in her appearance. Yikes. She looked like she was gonna pass out...

"Are you ok?" he asked. Stupid question. OBVIOUSLY she wasn't...

xxxxxxxxx

Oh Merlin, how on Earth had all this happened?! That was all Addison could think as she burst into the Great Hall. And more importantly...how was Addi the ONLY one here right now?! Had the rest of the department not made it?! Where was Harmony? Daphne? Mordred? Anyone??

SHE WAS JUST A RECEPTIONIST! SHE COULDN'T DO THIS ALL ALONE!

The team had been in Hogsmeade, looking for signs of wayward acromantulas, when they'd heard the news. When Harmony's patronus first arrived, telling them that acromantulas had attacked the school and taken not only some students, but the headmistress as well, Addi hadn't really been thinking when she signed up to go. She hadn't been scared or doubtful or anything...and somehow, without any defensive training outside of her school classes, she had been able to make it through the fray and break through to the castle. Once they all got to the Great Hall, they were supposed to be meeting up to take on the spiders once and for all...and yet it was just her. A young woman with only a few months of job experience who wasn't even 20 years old yet.

Now, all that fear was crashing down on her. She was afraid - not only for her safety and for all the kids in front of her - but also for her team, who were all still out there, apparently.

Ok, breathe Longbottom. You just survived a horde of giant spiders. You can do this! Just start doing SOMETHING. Anything!

So she did the only thing she could think of as the adrenaline pumped through her veins. "Who is in charge here? Department of Magical Creatures, reporting for duty!" she shouted. She knew that Truebridge had gone missing, which was TERRIFYING, but someone had to have taken the reigns in her absence...

"Absolutely not," Daphne Addison said, happening upon her daughter as she entered the Great Hall of Hogwarts. She wouldn't dare embarrass her oldest child in front of her peers, but Daphne couldn't help but feel an immediate relief upon seeing her little girl. Fighting through the entrance hall hadn't been easy, but she didn't want her daughter to know what kind of danger she'd just been through.

She knelt down to Kate's height and looked her in the eye. "You have to stay here with your professors. Please, Kate," she begged. Daphne knew that once she left her daughter's side to go on the front line, so to speak, she wouldn't be able to know for sure that Kate had followed her instructions. She'd just have to trust that she would. She gave Kate a quick kiss on the forehead before turning away.

Where was a professor in this madness?! Her wand gripped in her hand and by her side, she weaved through a large group of students in search of the nearest one.

With a mixture of fright and sadness in her blue eyes, Kate just glanced over at Caleb. Her mom was here, which meant the Creatures department had been called in. "Do you think the people on the front line will make it out okay?" she asked. Casting a daydream charm was one thing, but Kate figured her mom was heading out to fight the spiders one-on-one. Or worse, one-on-a thousand.

Kate pushed herself off the bench and went to stand by Caleb. She didn't know where he was going, but he was an of-age wizard offering to let her stay with him. It didn't take being a Ravenclaw to know you shouldn't say no to that.

Frankie had been the quietest he had ever been in his life ever since he found refuge. Unlike some of his classmates, he refused to volunteer to risk his life just to save the Headmistress and a couple of students that had been dumb enough to get in the way of angry spiders. All he knew was that things would have gone differently if it had been him that had been taken by the acromantulas. The Gryffindor was willing to bet his family’s entire vault at Gringotts that he would have managed to escape with just a few battle scars. After all, he had made it the entire way from the seventh floor to the Great Hall still intact.

Necklaces? Stunning? Using tablecloths to look like a basilisk? The blond quietly groaned, having no hope in either of those ideas. Clearly those stupid necklaces some of the other students had were not doing what they were supposed to, and stunning was only effective when it wasn't raining spiders. As for the tablecloth idea suggested by the History of Magic professor, well, it just seemed ridiculous. How could a bunch of acromantulas who had been smart enough to successfully burst into the school and take some students and the Headmistress be dumb enough to fall for a fake basilisk?

Until a legitimate plan was made, the blond was just going to sit in the safety of the hall and think about how long it would take his father to pull him out of the school and send him off to Durmstrang.

It was a pretty significant thing for the acromantulas to have been roaming around in Hogsmeade, but it was a bigger problem that they had left the forest to ATTACK the entire school and take human hostages. Tancred had been one of the first to volunteer to provide his assistance once his boss alerted the Creatures department what was going on at the school. His three kids and the kids of his close friends were trapped there in the muck of it all, and there was no way he was going to allow them to become dinner. All he found himself doing since he heard the news was praying that neither Chloe nor the twins had been snatched by the angry arachnids.

With his team alongside him, he made his way through the grounds up to the castle, casting spells and dodging pincers and hairy legs left and right. Normally he would have taken a moment to appreciate their enormity, maybe even try having a conversation with one. But they had put the safety of his children in jeopardy, so there was no time for pleasantries. Papa bear was mad, and his cubs needed his protection.

Tancred's entry into the Great Hall was followed by a flash of blue as he repelled an incoming acromantula. He didn't even stop to watch as the eight-legged creature blasted backward. Immediately he scanned the crowd of students for his own children. His eyes first found Caleb, his twin boys, then Hayley and Chloe, Vannie's kids, and the scared faces of children that belonged to his other friends. With his wand still at the ready, the dragon commissioner followed Daphne toward one of the professors to yell at them for letting this happen form a plan of action.

Text Cut: Damiennnn

Quote:

Originally Posted by nicole black

No, you don't.
Damien almost wondered if somehow or another Evie had begun to sense when he was having bad ideas, it certainly seemed that why to the young man, how else did the lanky black girl always end up at his side, ready to drag him away? Damien peered at her carefully before answering, she looked pale and sickly, in other words, she looked the way he felt. "I have to do something, I can't just sit back." He said, turning a little to face her.

It was strange. In this moment she reminded him of a lot of people, Amelia, Rorie, even in a weird way, Barton. Evie was looking out for him just the way they all did and in this moment he was filled with affection and fondness for her. Damien hugged her tight, arms wrapping around her small waist, bringing her close to him. "I'll be okay, but I'm overdue for a spot of good luck." He said, tugging lightly on a strand of her black hair, arms still around her.

Finally he pulled back. "You're not okay, you need a healer." Of course, Damien was one to talk, but he could deal with his injury, he was a man.

Or at least he was pretending to be one.

She had a radar. A Damien-about-to-be-stupid-go-save-him radar. Clearly, it worked, because there she was, trying her hardest to keep Damien from going on a suicide mission to be the most gryffindor gryffindor there's ever been. "You can't go," she pleaded, tugging on his arm. Really, he couldn't! "Stay in here, help with the basilisk trick," she said, her arms wrapping around his shoulders when he pulled her close to him. Sophie wasn't here, Benzi was leaving, Eden was signing up for danger, pretty much EVERYONE was ready to go out and put themselves in danger. She couldn't let Damien go too.

"You're not okay, either," she said, looking up at him with wide, brown eyes. He had gotten it worse than her, he just had a higher hero drive than she did. "Please?" Evie begged again, clinging to him still. She didn't want to be alone in here.

Text Cut: Caleb

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lissy Longbottom

BUT WAIT! There was Evie! He hadn't run into his Ravvie friend since the incident in the bathroom and was relieved that she, too, was alive. Maybe there was hope for Lux and Cinna! And Noel and Truebridge! Although it might not seem like he cared, Caleb REALLY did - he didn't want anyone dying! IT WAS NOT OK.

"Evie! You're alive!" he exclaimed, running to his friend and giving her a BIG OL BEAR HUG in greeting. "I thought you were DEAD after you went into the Chamber! I was doing patrols and saw you go in, but by the time I got there, you were gone...you too," he added, looking at Gryffindor boy. But he didn't know him so he wasn't as excited, obviously.

And then Caleb took in her appearance. Yikes. She looked like she was gonna pass out...

"Are you ok?" he asked. Stupid question. OBVIOUSLY she wasn't...

And then, out of nowhere, came Caleb to chew out Damien for trying to be a Gryffindor. HAH. SEE? Not that a prefect's word really meant anything (sorry guys), but it was another person telling him not to DIE.

And then he was charging toward her.

OOF. Evie got a little bit of air knocked out of her when Caleb gave her the biggest (and only?) hug he had ever given her. Slightly weakened, Evie stumbled back a step, but managed to keep her footing. It was reassuring to know that Caleb had been so worried about her. Evie had no idea he had seen them disappear into the chamber. And it had taken that long to get help? They didn't even get help, they escaped on their own!

Was she okay? Hah, yeah, she was great... "I've been better." There really was no point in lying. She probably looked like a zombie. She felt like one too. "Don't tell me you're about to go fight on the front lines, too." Because that would be ANOTHER person leaving her.


- - - - - -


After receiving word from Harmony of the situation at the school, January didn't hesitate in going with her coworkers to the castle. She was nearly out of breath as she reached the castle made her way past the mobs of frightened and excited students. January kept her eyes alert for any attackers, but mostly for the older people she knew would be professors and staff members. Finally, she found two of them together (Maddox and Glendower)

"We're here to help," the tall ginger responded confidently, gesturing to herself and her coworkers who had already arrived and who were arriving at the moment. "Tell us what we can do."

Boy, she was excited to go home and tel Vic about this.

Chris looked up as he heard a voice and saw a grownup leaning down and talking to him. He nodded meekly and looked around, "Can I stay under here?" he asked quietly. He didn't want to go help search because that's how people got eaten and he knew some spells but not enough for a big spider to not eat him. He crawled on his hands closer to her and whispered, "Can you not tell my dad I hid?" Oh Merlin his dad the former head of MLE....how was he going to explain that if he found out?

There was something refreshing, and yet unnerving, about Brown's smile. Refreshing as in it was probably the most light-hearted thing he had seen all day and made him forget, at least temporarily, of the long-legged horde outside the doors. Unnerving, as it reminded him of what she expected of him. Of what all the students expected of all the Professors. And what the Professor's expected of themselves.

No pressure. None at all.

He was so caught up in that thought, and being on high-alert, that the hug took him by surprise. For a moment, Sabel just blinked, not sure what to do with himself. After a moment, he patted her shoulder, stumbling to find the words that she would need to hear at that time. 'Thanks' just didn't seem to cut it. But before he could make any of them out, she was off, looking for her friends most likely.

Fine by him. He had a job to do, and the further she was from the doors, the safer she was. The safer they all were.

It was the clap to his shoulder by Professor Thompson that startled him back fully. A grim smile pressed against his lips and he returned the gesture in passing to the other man. "Keep a weather eye."

As if he wouldn't. As if any of them wouldn't. It was obvious, but at the same time, it seemed like the only right thing to say. Needless, the man got serious props for his ability, and the fact he looked like he could cast another firestorm without breaking a sweat.

Merlin, his age was catching up to him.

Rider's voice drew his attention next, and Sabel couldn't help the smile that touched the corners of his lips. It wasn't as grim as it had been before. While his initial thought was that students shouldn't be so eager to stand on the front lines, it was impossible to deny the honesty, or the courage, of the statement.

It was impossible, not to think back to a time when he had done the same.

Reaching over, he clapped the kid on the shoulder. "Of course we are. We wouldn't be much of wizards or witches if we didn't at least try, now would we?"

What was magic for, if not for at least making the best attempt to save a life that one could. Wasn't that the very definition of magic? Something spectacular and wonderful to behold? Wasn't that the definition of life?

His gaze roamed over those gathered in the Great Hall, students and Professor's alike. His attention hinged briefly on Yoongi, offering the young man a strong nod, and moved across the group he was standing with. All students he had taught, all supporting one another and offering themselves to support Quigley's plan.

His gaze drifted over to Toby, and Flamsteed standing by as the most solid support he'd ever seen the man. A true beacon of strength, even with the rocks tucked under his arms.

Checking the doors to make sure that no legs were crawling through the cracks, Sabel made his way over to the small group of students that had offered to join in the search and rescue. Adi and Yoongi, Henric and Rider. Couldn't well say they were going to look for, and save people, if he wasn't willing to stick his own foot on that road.

A heavy hand fell on Yoongi's shoulder. "I'll cast my ballot in with the search and rescue." Along with Cassie and Leo, both of whom got a solemn nod from him.

More words might have been spoken, if a sudden rush of activity at the doors didn't snatch his attention first. Turning around, Sabel blinked in surprise. There was something about Ministry employees that made them stick out like sore thumbs, be it in the way they held themselves, spoke or demanded things. Though, mixed with the shopkeepers from Hogsmeade, they made for an interesting sight.

Some distant hope of seeing his former fellow MLEr's played at the back of his mind, but was quickly dismissed. Though one woman, the one who stopped to speak to Kate, caught a flicker of memory. He thought he recognized her, but couldn't be very sure.

Still, there was no denying, the combination were a welcome sore thumb, and earned a half-smile from him, though it was incredibly short-lived. "You lot sure know how to hustle. Sure are glad to see you, though." Sabel half-nodded, half-pointed towards the staff dias at the end of the Great Hall. "Professor Maddox Quigley is organizing direction, along with Professor Abraham Botros and a few of the others up at the front."

With her hair now up in its high bun and out of her way, Sophie licked her lips anxiously, trying to figure out... what to do and where to go. She still wanted to stray from the Ravenclaws gathered, but she knew she needed to stay-- when suddenly Kitridge gave her PERMISSION TO GO. Well, he wanted her to LOOK for more Ravenclaws, but... couldn't she just go and say she'd gotten sidetracked taking care of her friends?! SHE WAS GONNA ROLL WITH THAT. "Got it, sir," the prefect saluted, then TOOK OFF to find the Tobes who was undoubtedly hiding somewhere. As she went at that moment, she spotted Evie, Penelope, and Clara, ALL of whom appeared to be going to join the Ravenclaws, so... TA DAAA, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. And she was gonna keep going till she found her boys. Ahem. Sorry not sorry.

But then she stopped her search when Quiggles was laying out a game plan for them. The Daydream Charm? What in Merlin's name... he really TRULY thought that would work? That sounded mega dangerous to her and VERY tricky to pull off, but she didn't let the skepticism show on her face. No, she tried to seem as calm and obedient as possible - but all the while, she was thinking she wanted to FIGHT.

That was when she started her hurried search for Tobes, then - she wanted to see what he was going to do. When her eyes fell upon him, he was no longer in hiding - he was out in the open, and stumbling over his words as she neared him and heard him volunteer to stay behind and defend. Flamsteed was there beside him, too, encouraging the Hufflepuff before she could get to him, but when she got close enough to join him, he looked like he was going to pass out or have a full-blown breakdown or SOMETHING VERY NOT GOOD, so she just stood a little ways away, looking at him with deep concern. But it WAS good that so many professors were staying behind who would undoubtedly have Tobes' best interest in mind - Flamsteed, Moxley, and Botros, at the absolute least.

Then Javy was announcing that he was going to assist in the attack, Dakest was in for search and rescue... and Sophie threw a nervous glance over to Culloden. She wanted to go where he was going, unless he was staying behind. There was no way she could be stagnant right now, even just in staying behind to help with the daydream charm or keep the spiders out of the Great Hall. No, she needed to be out and about, attacking and defending and searching and HELPING actively, even if it meant... something could happen to her.

So... no matter what, she was going with Javy or Dakest, two people who she HOPED wouldn't let anything happen to her... probably. Well, at least they wouldn't let her get carried off or EATEN WHOLE, right? They would look out for her. But... looking over at Dakest's group, there were TOO FEW GIRLS GATHERED THERE. No girls, actually, besides the Divination professor, so... that sent a pang of motivation through her, and Sophie inched closer to Tobes and looked him in the eyes gravely after she'd made her decision. "M'gonna go fight, 'kay? Be brave, Tobes. It'll be okay. I'll see you later. Promise." She kissed the Hufflepuff on the cheek before adding on, her voice breaking, "I love you." She gave his hand a squeeze as her gaze lingered with his, then she urgently fought away further emotions as she left it at that and rushed over to join Dakest's group, her wand in hand.

"M'here," she announced, nudging herself into the space right beside Dakest and staying close to his side. Her yearmate and housemate, Benzi, got a weak smile out of Sophie Brown, but that was all. She was just... here now. Trying to turn off emotions and turn on some... form of bravery and channel all the adrenaline coursing through her veins into positive fuel for the forthcoming task at hand.

They could do this.

Oh, good, Gabe wanted to come along with her to spread the charm. She shot him a small smile and was about to take his hand again when--

WHAT.

WHAT EVEN, CLARA WILDE?

Ignore the best friend, why don't you?! Merlin's pants. "Clara--" she said quickly, and she gave her friend a BIG OLE' HUG from behind. "We were worrrrrrried about you!" she cried.

KFHEIRUHFIEHFIETHGIH

People from the ministry were showing up left and right. Eden was a little..fascinated by it, actually...hmm. It made some wheels turn in her head....and she spotted Evie...ugh. She waved at her and glanced at Gabe and Clara..and then back at Evie. She hoped Evie knew...EDEN WOULD PROTECT HER FROM THE SPIDERS like she had BEEN promising to do for awhile now. Evie..Damien...Cole...Nemo...Thornton, Maddie..KYROH? Ugh, she could name many more friends right now, and it's why she wasn't feeling that scared, because she wanted to help defeat the spiders for ALL OF THEM.

This was an utter mess. Moving along with his team, Cole marched to the great hall. How long had it been since he stepped in here? REALLY long. Blasting away one of the acromantula just as the nostalgia was about to hit, Cole forced himself to stay in the present. It wasn't that hard to do anyway given the state of things.

Again, what a mess.

He couldn't help but feel sad seeing the faces of the children. Fear, disbelief, bravery - it was all there. This was not what they were suppose to be doing right now. They didn't come to school for this. This was suppose to be a safe place. He noticed how some of them were volunteering themselves and he did not approve - especially for the search and rescue mission.

Coming to a halt next to January and Tancred, Cole recognized the former MLE employee. Dakest. He frowned seeing kids (Benzi & Sophie) line up next to Dakest for search and rescue, and commented: "I think we should limit the students involved in search and rescue, we don't know what's out there" In his opinion, there shouldn't be any kids involved. He wanted them out of here. But obviously that wasn't happening. Hogwarts really needed to think about emergency exit strategies for the kids when crap like this happened.

Henric watched with interest, the school librarian sure had skills in the medical field. He didn't feel much pain when he wrapped the bandage carefully around his arm. As soon as Mr.Kitridge tied the knot in place, Henric pulled his bandaged arm closer and flexed the fingers of his hand gingerly. He then looked up at the librarian with a small smile,"Thanks, Mr.Kitridge...this will do nicely,feels a lot better now..." He nodded and let the librarian attend to Adi too. "Yeah..you're stubborn too Adi,we're going to find llia and the rest...I'm not staying here,"he said with resolute.

-------------------------

As more Hogmeade shopkeepers came to help, Henric couldn't help but feel relief as they would be more skilled adults to fend off those creatures in the castle. Henric wasn't in the slightest bit scared of those blasted spiders.Nope.They were his biggest enemies right now. He couldn't care less if they kill a great number of them in the process,they were asking for it anyway.

Professor Dakest was going to lead the search and rescue mission? Even Yoongi, Sophie, Rider were joining the team. Great! They needed more brave souls like them in the group, he believed they could stand a chance against them! Yeah, he was determined to fight! Henric stayed close in their little group, eager to start with the mission. They needed a plan fast, llia and the rest of the spider-napped victims would soon be dead meat if they do not hurry. He nudged Yoongi's on the side, "You guys ready?"he asked, looking around.

Angel was just waiting blushing and looking down at her shoes, the Librarian was mad at her and she didn't like that, she wouldn't have minded so much if it had been the healer, but for it to be one of her favourite staff members well that was just making her sad.

Angel looked up and then she heard someone shout that they were from the Ministry of Magic. "Can I help, please?" Angel had wanted to charge into the forest whilst singing everyone was kung-fu fighting... which in her mind was still the correct song for this occasion. "I won't get in your way, I just really want to help save everyone who was taken." Angel looked at the staff from the Ministry wondering what they would say.

Yoongi saw the Hogsmeade people and even a few of ministry entering through the door but he didn't pay much attention to them. He was looking at Marsha and gave a small smile as she nearly started to cry. He wanted to tell her that everything was going to be okay but he couldn't. He perfectly well knew what he had signed up for so he couldn't lie and make promises he couldn't uphold. So he continued to smile as she told them about a Ravenclaw. He got it, she wanted to be with the people she liked. "Good idea, Marsha but i also want you to stay close to Professor Flamsteed or any of the other adults" he nodded his head, yes she would be safe with them.

Yoongi cringed as Adi SHOUTED that he would volunteer for the search team. The Gryffindor rubbed his ear but he was looking at the Hufflepuff Prefect with a grin. And it didn't take long before more people joined them. Sophie, Henric, A Ravenclaw he did not know andthe divination professor and librarian. He had a good feeling about this group.

If he had not seen their Defense Professor walking to their little group, he would have probably slapped the hand that landed on his shoulder out of defence and shock. But he had seen the Professor's movement out of the corner of his eye and he smiled instead. Which turned in to a slight frown when Henric nudged him in the side. If he was ready? He sighed deeply and laughed. "Not really" he said. He needed a shower already and they hadn't even begun! He turned to the Defense Professor and poked his arm "don't say terms like Bottleneck okay? I don't know what these terms mean and if i hear them later in a situation i would probably freak out so normal language we can all understand" he said and it took him a second to realise what he had said and he scratched the back of his neck "I-Imean....please?" don't be mad T__T

After battling through a hoard of acromantulas, whilst being careful not to fatally harm them, Francesca Rae arrived in the Great Hall of Hogwarts with her co-workers. This place took her way back. It wasn't all that long since she'd been a student here herself, buuuuut she couldn't think about that now, she needed to have all her focus on the task ahead.

Rae surveyed the scene, noting all the frightened faces of the students, darn it, distracted again, and all she wanted to do was wrap them all up in big hugs and offer them cookies, but she couldn't. Instead, she offered them reassuring smiles in passing, as she made her way to where teachers and others from her department were gathered. Everything was going to be okay. She overheard the last of what they (Cole) were saying, about holding off on sending too many kiddos to assist in search and research. “Agreed,” she said, speaking up. “Sixth and Seventh years, if they’re willing, but I don’t think it’s wise to risk anyone below Fifth.”

Including the girl that had just approached the group (Angel) who was wanting to volunteer herself. CHILD. She was just a child. "It's not safe. It wouldn't be helping anyone if you got taken, too," she addressed the girl, a look of sympathy on her face. She understood the desire to help - it was the reason she was here. It wasn't as if dealing with large spiders was her forte.

If Rae had her way, no children would be at risk at all, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

It was truly tragic.

Janelle had not seen that coming. Mr. Kitridge was not going to tell her what to do. He wasn't going to tell her what not to do. She got to decide? Seriously? Well her first thought was to go on the search and rescue mission, if they would let her. But......then Janelle thought about what had happened to her sister in the Forbidden Forest and........yeah, maybe not. She was brave and she wanted to help find her classmates and the Headmistress, but she wasn't stupid. If her sister couldn't handle the things in the forest, how could she possibly be a help? It was one thing to fight the spiders on your turf, but going into their home.......nope. Janelle was not feeling that confident.

Janelle decided to think through her options. Where would she be most helpful. One possibility that she was taking off the table was just staying put and hiding under the table. So, she could attack the spiders or work on the charm. Janelle really wanted to be on the spider attack team. The question was, were her skills stong enough? As a second year, did she know enough spells? She was good at stunning, but she definitely did not want to be a liability to the team. Finally she made her decision. Turning her attention to her Head of House, she said, "I'll work on the charm." Janelle hoped that she made the right decision.

SPOILER!!: Echo

Echo did not like what was going on, not one bit. She hated the thought of some students and professors leaving. they should all stick together shouldn't they? Noticing Hady smile over at her Echo made her way to her friend. Thank goodness they were in the same house. Reaching Hady she gave her friend a hug. "have you noticed anyone missing?" she whispered... she was totally afraid to know the answer but she also wanted to know so badly.

"this is just crazy isn't it" she whispered again while also staying really close to her house members. Now they were all talking about tasks and who was going to volunteer? and she heard Hady say she would help, Echo turned her head really fast and looked at her friend... "noooo stay with me" she said in her head as she didn't want her friend to get hurt.

Rolling her eyes she piped up as well. "If Hady goes, I go with her... so I guess that means that I voulenteer too?" she let out a breath of air while clinging to Hadys arm.

Hady was silently waiting to hear whether or not she would be able to go out and search for those that were missing. From what she was currently hearing around her it didn't appear that she would be. Something about fifth years and above. It always seemed to be that way. If she had to stay behind however at least she'd be doing something. Working on the charm to hopefully distract the spiders would be of help to her fellow mates and professors that would be going out there and bringing back the missing people.

As Echo came and stood beside her the third year lightly returned the younger girls hug. From the looks of it she appeared to need it. Hearing her question as well though caused Hady to let out a small sigh. "Yeah four or five students were taken, (one from their own house) and um the Head Mistress as well," she replied honestly. In a situation like this the truth was always best no matter how it was looking.

She glanced over at Echo once more noticing how she was keeping very close to everyone. She couldn't blame her friend with that. There was safety in numbers. What she hadn't expected however was for Echo to volunteer to go on the search and rescue with her! Say what now?! Why would she do that? Clearly Echo didn't really want to go out there, did she. Hady was nearly a hundred percent certain that she didn't. Feeling the girl clinging to her arm almost made her laugh but she didn't. Someone clinging to her was a rather different feeling but not at all a bad one. At least she could help someone feel better.

"It's okay. I doubt I'll be going out there...I don't think the Professors will let me," Hady told her quietly patting her arm in comfort. "They'll bring them back and things will get back to normal around here..." Or as normal as this place could get anyways.

Even as she spoke and listened to everyone else she couldn't stop herself from continuing to search the hall with her eyes for buddy.

Okay, Glendy was fine. Great! They needed the staff to stay that way. "I'll be okay, Professor.'' He smiled at her. One of the reasons he liked her so much was because of this trait of hers: caring for everyone. "Right now we just need to find Lux, Ilia and the others.'' It was his only concern right now. That and the girl he was holding in his arms. "I'm sure too,'' he added though he wasn't one hundred percent feeling that way. Gosh! The Hufflepuffs just HAD to be safe. If another one of them were taken...

"I'll see to it that he gets to the Healer, Mr K.'' Squinty eyes at you, Henny. Adi was going to make sure you were taken care of. Especially since he was joining the Search and rescue team. And yes, he could be stubborn too but not this time for the benefit of his Puffer friend here. "Nope, not a spider,'' Adi told the Librarian and still squinting at his friend. "It was actually some of the wall where the spider crashed into it. Henric gave me his handkerchief so that I could press it against my head to stop the bleeding.'' Woops. He needed to return one of those handkerchiefs to Henny. "I don't, Mr K. I just have a slight headache but I'll be okay. Thank you for asking.''

Not cool, Professor Bellaire. Not cool at all. Adi clung tightly to Marsha. "She's just over reacting,'' he said as the girl repeatedly said 'no'. "Everyone will be fine.'' The Hufflepuff felt Marsha tremble and just held her tighter. "Want me to help you find your Aunt Xandra? But I'm not sure I know who that is. Maybe you could tell me her real name.'' He didn't even know she was related to someone currently in school. "I'll be back. AJ and Yoongi, too.'' If AJ chose to come with them. He was trying to be reassuring and positive. Also, part of him did not want to leave the young Lion behind.

Woops. "Sorry there, Yoongi. I just wanted to be sure that they heard me.'' He did like how the older students did not hesitate to volunteer for the search and rescue. They younger students also were stepping up with volunteering for the Charm casting. Adi's brown eyes followed the new arrivals. Ministry people? But he was distracted by Professor Dakest. "Will we be ready to go soon, Professor?'' His eyes shifted again, this time to Professors Glendy and Botros who were getting those fabrics ready and Cassie and Mr K who were joining them. Yeah, this group could get back at those spiders.

But it meant leaving Marsha At least she would be safer here.

Emerald had taken a little longer than the other shopkeepers that had rushed up to the school to offer their assistance. Mainly because she had wanted to close up her shop and grab together a bag of pranks and other joke supplies that could be of use in the fight. The patronus message from the Hogwarts school staff hadn't exactly prepared her for the grim sight that met her when she entered the school grounds, a place riddled with spiders.

In order to get inside castle the brunette shopkeeper used pranks and some well aimed spells to allow her admittance into the school. Silently Emerald made her way inside the Great Hall, stopping near Saul, Maisie and Hops which she nodded to in turn before she whispered. "Have they got a plan of action?"

Evie was begging him. She was actually begging Damien not to do this and it hurt his heart. He moved forward as he tugged him, his lips set into a painful grimace as an ache shot through his leg. "I'm no good at Charms Evie, I'd mess everything up!" He said. Stunning spells, defense that was what he was good at, Damien wasn't even sure he knew how to do the daydream spell and the thought of making a mistake in such a dire circumstance filled him with dread.

But then Evie said please and he saw the fear and the worry mangled up in her dark eyes. There it was again, the urge to protect and to keep safe. He ran a hand through his hair and he as about to reply when the Prefect walked up.

Damien didn't know this dude, well, he'd seen the dude, but they'd never spoke and he definitely didn't know his name which made it kind of weird and awkward and really surprising when the guy started on him. He clenched his jaw, blue eyes set in an uncharacteristic glare. As much as the Chicago born boy wanted to disagree, he knew that this guy was right.....

Damn it all.

"Fine." He said, almost spitting out the words. "Fine, I'll stay and do the charm." He looked to Evangeline. "You're with me, okay?" Damien wasn't letting her get injured or taken, no, he'd gotten her into this mess, he'd make sure she got out.

Who was the team? Eden, Gabe... there were others, too many for him to count, but it was a solid lineup. They could do this.

Echo was so glad that Hady was here, she felt like a life vest that was attached to her. "wow, thats so many people" she said with such shock in her voice. what was going on in this school???

She hoped that Hady was telling her the truth.. "I hope not and I hope everyone comes back safe and sound" Looking around she was trying to search for the faces that she knew to make sure all her friends were okay.

and now other adults were coming in and trying to help..


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Jose finally had made it to the great hall, he was sadden by how many times he actually had to come to Hogwarts to help out its inhabitants. Looking around he spotted tons of students and as well as a bunch of adults.. and there were his department co-workers. Reaching them he was a bit out of breath. "hello, sorry... just ran here." he tried to catch his breath.

Standing there he tried to listen to see what the game plan was with the charms and what not, thank goodness Harmony had given them the heads up on what was going on here. "I'm here to do what ever you guys wish for me to do.. if thats protecting the students by the great hall here, near the front entrance or go out and help with anything. i'll be your guy" Jose he was always so brave.

My my, but weren't they an eager bunch? Not that he could particularly blame them, but it was slightly concerning. They did remember what it was like to be swarmed by gigantic spiders, didn't they? Perhaps not. Perhaps the thought of saving their friends overshadowed the memory of fear and helplessness. A way not to feel helpless.

If their friends were still alive....

The thought turned Sabel's stomach, and he let out a breath. More like a huff, that came right after Rehman asked if they were ready to go, a sentiment echoed by Henric. "Soon enough, I'm sure. Everyone in the hall needs to know what they are doing, and be ready, before we take a step." So yes, they were going to have to wait.

Perhaps they could discuss....

His attention went to Yoongi, even as he felt the Brown push back up against his side. He blinked at the boy for a moment before laughing. "I'll do my best to remember not to. Simple terms then. Nothing too technical." The kid got a clap on the shoulder again.

And then, because laughing felt good and Merlin knew how stressed they all were about what had come and what was to come, Sabel rested his opposite elbow on top of Sophie Brown's head. She was the perfect height for an arm rest, and he did it with a good natured expression. A bit of normalcy among the chaos. A brief reprieve if they could. A return to normal thoughts, from heroic tendencies. Hopefully, maybe.

"I do hope you all remembered to clean your ears this morning. Need good listeners today." In other words, listening and obeying would be happening, and there was no argument about it, no matter how light-hearted it was said.

His gaze slipped over to Marsha, who was being carefully craddled and carted around by Rehman. It brought the flicker of seriousness back and he hesitated. "Rehman, I understand you wish to come, to look for your friends, but bravery exists in every choice here." His gaze caught on the young girl, Angel, who had stopped by to beg to help. A heavy look, a meaningful one. "If you can protect just one person, that is a world of help. Even if it's staying here, to make sure the younger ones are safe. To make sure we have a safe place to return to."

But he wouldn't stop Rehman. Valentine, maybe, due to her age. But not Rehman. He understood all too well the motivators behind the emotions and decisions that were going on today. Not all would be logical, and not all needed to be.

Even as he thought as much, the Ministry made a proud appearance as the undeniable voice of logic. Sabel couldn't help wincing slightly as he withdrew his elbow from atop Brown's head and turned to face Cole. The man got a small smile of recognition. He'd seen him around the ministry, here and there. He didn't recognize the woman that stopped beside him.

"I think, Mr. Knight, you'll have an easier time convincing the acromantulas to surrender." His smile was tight, bearing no amusement. "I agree with your sentiment, both of you, and were there a decent choice and better times, none of us would ask students to get involved. But the truth is, we need all the help we can get. Unless you happened to bring the whole ministry with you?"

A bad joke? Ill timed? Probably, but he held onto his point. And the fact that these students were ready to give their all, for someone else. Foolishly or not, it was admirable. "I'm sure that as long as those who have presently volunteered listen and obey orders, being capable as they are, nothing ill will come of their involvement."

However, there was also no denying that the Ministry had a point. He nodded slowly. "That being said, I do agree that the younger ones could be of much better use here. Those younger minds and bodies often have fuller imaginations and can fit into tighter crawlspaces. Perhaps," his gaze drifted across the young 'uns in the group, landing on Marsha and Angel, "they would prove indispensable with the charm and securing our home once again."

He wasn't an idiot. None of the Professors were. But sometimes life required risks, and when it did, even if they were worrisome, it was important to speak with confidence. If the students heard he, or the other Professors, didn't have confidence in them, how would they really fair when it came down to what they all had to do?

So many things were happening at once that it was beginning to get hard to keep up with. Bellaire's comment didn't surprise her a bit. She chanced a glance at Marsha, and it seemed like she didn't miss the comment. How could she? Adi was already doing damage control, but AJ doubted it was helping much. The situation they were is was dire, but it didn't mean that anybody was going to lose their life over it. They didn't know what state the snatched students and staff were in, but AJ refused to believe that they weren't still with them.

Yoongi didn't know where the other Gryffindors were either, and that didn't help anything. There had to be a reason why they weren't here. Maybe they were just missing them in the mess before them. More and more people continued to come and this was looking like a right army. Those spiders aren't going to stand a chance.

Options. They could stay behind and cast the daydream spell or they could be apart of the search and rescue. Well, this fourth year didn't even have to think twice about what she wanted to do. It looked liked Adi was already on the same thought process as she was. She stared her boyfriend in the eyes as he said his piece. "I don't want to stay behind. I want to save the others." Putting Marsha in the mix of it was the only thing that made her stop and hesitate for a moment. AJ bit her bottom lip and looked at the young girl that was still clinging to Adi. "Marsha... I..." Oh? She had an aunt? Didn't that just work out perfectly for AJ? "Let's find her before we leave." Because AJ wouldn't be comfortable with just leaving her, but no way was she going to miss out on an attack mission. No way.

"Search and rescue for me." She would be useful. In fact she felt like she would be more useful rescuing than staying. She was brave and wasn't afraid to make things happen. "I know I'm only a fourth year, but I promise I will be a major asset," she said to Dakest with pleading eyes. Don't make her stay behind. She was fifteen year old now. A total big girl.

...There was a MAN telling them the students shouldn't come along? RUDE. Sophie OPENED HER MOUTH to inform him that she was OF AGE and thus an ADULT, but in the next moment, Dakest was using her head as an armrest. She froze for a moment, her nose slowly scrunching at this development, but she couldn't fight the highly amused smile that soon graced her features. A woman was suggesting that sixth and seventh years should be allowed, then, and the prefect visibly relaxed further because she was GOING TO GET TO GO, now standing in a comfortable stance and giggling occasionally at the professor's arm on the top of her head, finding it to be very funny, and she gave the professor's side a playful prod as if to say, Hey, I'm not your personal armrest. But she didn't say it aloud because she clearly didn't mind one bit.

Dakest was giving his opinion on the matters of who could come, too, then, and Sophie veryyyy slightly tilted her head so she could look up at him as he spoke. She smiled at EVERYTHING he had to say - the snark he gave the man about bringing the whole ministry, his defense of his own students and their capabilities to handle the task at hand, and even at his wisdom to knock a few of the younger kids out of their group. Realistically, it just made sense to keep the younger ones behind. The adults and oldest students would have enough to worry about in their search and rescue attempts - there wasn't time for them to have to be looking after the kids who weren't of age yet. No, this way, everyone present would be an adult and could look after themselves. Less blood on anyone's hands if someone got hurt because they WERE all adults who could take care of themselves, but they could still have each other's backs. There would be no weak links. Or... well, if there was a weak link, it was probably her.

Which meant they were in pretty good shape.

With the professor's elbow off her head, Sophie nodded at the gathered group at large and addressed the non-student adults present, "M'of age and got an Outstanding on nine OWLs including Defense Against the Dark Arts. M'fully equipped to do this." Well, maybe not FULLY equipped, but she was far more likely to be of help than hold them back. So she was COMING. They weren't making her stay behind.

But they'd better put their foot down and not let the underclassmen come along. No one who wasn't of age should've been coming along, even she knew that. And... if they WERE allowed, Sophie, as a prefect, was going to feel obligated to protect them, which would just mean she wouldn't be able to be helping at the task at hand. MAKE THE LITTLE ONES STAY BEHIND, DAKEST, for the safety of them ALL.

Angel didn't like the fact she was being told she was too young, she really wanted to help search for her friend and get them out plus she had an advantage that no one else had and she was going to tell the Professor that now.

"Professor!" Angel smiled at the DADA professor. "You have to let me and AJ come." Angel had suddenly thought about something. "See we can totally confuse the spiders, if I hide and she shoots her spells and then she hide and I shoot my spells from a different direction, the spiders will think that were super human as we look alike." Angel totally thought it would be cool. "The spiders will never suspect a thing."

Having made her choice, Janelle looked around the room to see who had volunteered for what job. Then she noticed those who seemed to have aligned themselves with the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Oh no, not Adi. And her prefect Sophie Brown too. Janelle didn't know what else she had expected. Of course they would want to fight. She was not surprised, but she was very worried.

Janelle made her way over to Adi. She had to wait her turn though because he had a number people around him. When she saw an opening, she made her move. Moving closer, Janelle spoke very softly. Please be careful Adi. I need my away from home big brother to come back safely OK?" Then she gave him a big hug, hoping that A.J. wouldn't mind. Now she needed to find out who was in the charm group. Janelle really needed to be doing something and doing it soon because if she didn't, she was going to have too much time to worry and be afraid.

Oh, there was Evie! And she looked... well, he couldn't quite tell, but she was alive and well and telling off that guy for volunteering so she was okay. Relatively speaking of course. He'd... just kind of left her hanging all those months back and with everything that had happened hadn't really felt like it was a good time for anything. NOW however, watching her fret over the guy...

NOT NOW. Bad timing. Moving on.

Turning his attention to all the first years who'd suddenly caughthis attention, he zeroed in on a redhead who looked familiar. Granted, if it was her, the last time he'd seen her she'd been much happier and decidedly less fearful for her life. Her holding on to the Hufflepuff prefect was proof enough to see that she was terrified. She was related to Benny, uh, somehow. And Xandra. She'd played with Suri. A wave of immense relief washed over him as he realised that this could all have just as easily happened next year with Suri at Hogwarts and he shook his head. Talk about making terrible, impossible decisions.

Benzi was dragged out of his thoughts by the sound of the male Slytherin Prefect, and frowned at him. Clearly the guy Evie was berating was important to her - otherwise he failed to understand why she would berate him - so why was Newell yelling at him like that and being REALLY not nice about it?! Really uncalled for. He was JUST about to turn away when he saw the hug exchanged between Newell and Evie and couldn't help but stare.

This was going to be a problem, he needed to stop looking. MORE ADULTS, the best distraction. Good. Yes. Hello, probably Ministry people. Distracted by all these unfamiliar faces, all Benzi could come up with as a reply to Dakest was, "Yes. But we have to succeed." Noel's my best friend was a phrase his mouth decided to let go unsaid, and he was eternally grateful. No need to let Dakest know he was emotionally invested in this. Didn't they have rules about that or something?

Matching Sophie's weak smile with one of his own - he was going to silently judge everyone who thought this was a good time to crack jokes and laugh without a care in the world - he blinked as one of the new people spoke up (Cole). ... ?????? "Si-" he wanted to start, affronted A WRONG, but caught his tongue and instead listened to what his peers had to say about this. Meanwhile, Benzi felt his anger levels rising at that statement alone, and took a few imperceptibly long breaths. He really needed to keep his wits about him. No slipping up could happen. Not tonight.

Okay, Miss Ministry. He could do only sixth and seventh. Perhaps some good fifth year old but DEFINITELY no prepubescent children. Lips twitching at Dakest using Sophie as an armrest, he nodded vehemently at the DADAProfessor's words. Yes. The students could help. The students WOULD help. Benzi might not have an O in his O.W.L like little Miss Sophie Prefect there but he was confident he could hold his own against ANYONE in this room, and on the grounds.

A sentence Dakest had said echoed in his head as he waited - silently, because if he were to speak he might start getting himself worked up, and that would lead to yelling and then to a whole lot of very bad things - for the group to decide on who was coming and who wasn't. "... but bravery exists in every choice here." He looked around for Hayley again. She was brave, she could handle this.

"So. What's our plan? Do we know where they'd holding them?"