Gaston sprinted through the doors, his eyes darting frantically to make sure everyone who'd followed him from the lake got back safely. It was only thrn that he dared look back, hoping against hope not to see any Inferi following. Just for good measure, he aimed a fire ball out the doors to deter any of the creatures before slamming the doors shut behind him. The thought occurred to him to magically lock the doors to buy them time, but there might be people trying either to join the fight or get back to safety. He decided to hold off for now.

"Is everyone here and alright?" he asked anyone who was around. "The Inferi could make their way here any moment -" He had to swallow the lump rising in his throat at the thought. "-and if that happens, it'll take all of us to defend the school. Stay close, wands ready. I'll warn the others." He couldn't have anyone wandering off alone!

Gaston raised his wand, concentrating with all his might on a happy memory. Desiree... He thought of going home to his daughter when the fight was done, of the way her eyes would light up the minute she saw him. Silvery platypuses appeared from the tip of his wand and scattered in the directions of the house common rooms with a warning message, while a final one set off toward his home in Hogsmeade... Just in case the unthinkable happened and he never made it back.

He looked around. Where were the other professors?
Paul? Laurel? Kalen? Charles? Celestia? Surely they couldn't all be at the lake with Hawthorne and the others! Hopefully more people would come to help defend the entrance - and fast! There was no way he could do it all on his own...