Mr. Rockefeller was breaking Gaston's heart! He couldn't even begin to imagine what that poor boy had been through! "It's okay," he whispered. He could hardly believe his ears. Despite everything that had happened, he was more concerned for his friend than he was for himself! "Abey's here... he's safe. He's just over there with Rula." He inclined his head toward the Botroses. The boy seemed to be calming down a little, which the professor was very glad to see, but he was still wheezing and rasping. He told him where his inhaler was, but Miss Holmes had summoned it before he had a chance to react. "Thank you, Miss Holmes," he said, giving her a sad but grateful smile.

He regretted his harsh words to Peeves almost immediately after he'd said them - not because he thought he should've been allowed to carry on what he was doing but because it might upset Miffy and make her decide against helping them. But he'd apologize for it later if he had to. He was not going to let that hovering horror terrorize these students! He was vaguely aware of Peeves mocking him, but he didn't care. He had more important things to worry about right now!

Once Gaston had finished treating Mr. Borzekowski-Thomas and Miss Valentine's wounds the best he could, he had a quick moment to process the scene unfolding in front of him. His eyes scanned the corridor, darting from one face to the next. Some students were crying while many others were just looking lost and helpless, just like... His vision blurred suddenly, and he had to turn away and wipe his eyes. Luckily he regained his composure before anyone else returned form the portal.

Miss Carden said something about informing the Ministry and St. Mungos, and Gaston nodded. "Good thinking, Miss Carden," he said. Now there was just the matter of how to notify them. Both locations were too far to send a patronus. If only Regina was back, then she could relay the message via the portraits, just as Albus Dumbledore had done nearly a century ago. But they'd just have to make do with what they had. Gaston pulled out his little black book and pen that he carried with him everywhere and tore out a couple of pages. He jotted down a couple of quick notes (one intended for each place) and with a wave of his wand, the notes folded themselves up into envelope shapes. "Here, take these to the owlery," he said, handing the two notes to the girl. "Use the fastest owls you can find." But he wasn't about to let her go by herself, not when there was still the possibility that monster could come back! His eyes shifted to Kay and Laurel. "Would one of you please escort Miss Carden to the owlery?" he asked.

No sooner had he spoken that Miss Summers appeared through the portal. She tripped, and Gaston was at her side instantly. "Easy now, Miss Summers," he said, offering a hand to help her up. "Up you get..." Miss Franks-Mundie and Cami arrived a moment later, both of whom bearing scratches, but where were Hirsch and Regina? And where in Merlin's pants was River?! His heart sank when Cami said they were still inside. They hadn't been attacked by the monster, had they?

He was just about to tend to Miss Franks-Mundie and Cami's wounds when Miss Penrose arrived with healing suppiles and got to them first. She looked like she had things under control, so he'd let her take it from here. He paused a moment to catch his breath and felt someone squeezing his shoulder. River had arrived! He nodded in reply to the instructions he was given before turning to Mr. Borzekowski-Thomas and Miss Valentine. "Here, drink this," he said, handing each of them a Calming Draught. He quickly yet carefully applied the murtlap essence and gauze to their wounds before going to distribute more calming Draughts to Miss Holmes, Mr. Jensen, and Miss Summers. He was a little taken aback when he walked up to Miss Kettleburn and Mr. Whittebrook to find them kissing, but he couldn't fault them for it at all! "Sorry for interrupting," he said sheepishly, handing them each a calming Draught, "but Healer Reed's orders. Drink this." Okay, carry on then!

Gaston glanced around to see if there was anyone he'd missed. He heard Hirsch's words to the students and gave the other professor a nod and a sad smile. He couldn't have said it better himself! Then he spotted Miss Phillips looking distraught and overheard her say she wanted to leave. "Okay, I understand," he said, looking at her with concern as he handed her a tissue. "Go with Miss Carden. You can either accompany her to the owlery or go back to the Gryffindor common room."

He had been blocking out the poltergeists until Headmistress Hawthorne mentioned Storm, and he nodded in reply to the polterkid's question. "Yes, Storm, you're going to be the hero" he said, "We need you to be very brave, just like all the students you see here." Wait, what? Miffy was going too? That was... unexpected. Gaston was somewhat sorry to see her go. If it hadn't been for her marrying Peeves, he probably never would've found his own love! Not that she meant to help him, but still... "Miffy, thank you for everything," he said. ANd then the poltergeists were gone.