Tatiana was here and ready to go. She had always been mildly curious about this school. She had seen a few pictures of the grounds and dorms from when she had a friend that attended this school. She never thought she would be here in person though.

She held her wand out with one hand, and with the other she held a portkey. She nodded solemnly along. Greatest fears and nothing being real seemed all too much like her teenage years.

It was strange to be back at Hogwarts. Weren't they just here for the same problem ? Eh. Caleb gave s small wave to his neighbors and got hsi wand ready. He had a portkey in his orber hand. Are they going to get rid of it this time? Whatever it was?

Was it wrong to be excited and stoked and eager to meet an army of boggarts that had taken up residence in the Hogwarts castle? Probably, but Rebecca couldn’t change her feelings as she stood next to Darej as Mr Flamsteed gave them some last minute instructions that she felt we’re a bit redundant. With one hand she tugged at the collar of her protective gear to make it not stick irritatingly to her neck, with the other she pulled out her wand. To Darej she whispered curiously as they waited for the signal to advance. "How thick was the mist last time?"

Laurel felt unease and dread as she stood and waited behind Airey and looked across the bridge at the looming figure of the Hogwarts castle. Why she had signed up for this was a mystery. She worked with prophecies not creature extermination! Pulling her blond hair back with string that she pulled tightly, she gave off a loud sigh to herself. Laurel loved Hogwarts she had worked there for a number of years before she had started her current job at the ministry. Taking her wand out Laurel listened closely to Airey’s cautioning words. Perfect they we’re really doing this, going into a thick mist that made you see things and facing boggarts that fed on your fears.

Well... here they are again, back at Hogwarts once again, still not much different then the last time they were here. Bryson could clearly remember that day like it was nothing, yeah... wasn't a fun day for him. But this time he came prepared ready for action, nothing was going to bring him down he had work to do! Looking around the place, he wondered if the Hogwarts kids were able to come back next term, he heard from his cousins that some of them missed the place terribly.

Nodding to his fellow co workers his hand ready in his hand he waited for futher instructions. He was ready to face this head on and get this done once and for all. He loved Hogwarts but he didn't want to keep coming back like this, hopefully next time will be on a happier term.

Kendra might have been slightly apprehensive about this mission once the team began nearing Hogwarts. After all, her expertise didn't exactly involve defeating dark creatures. But if she felt that way at all, she certainly didn't show it. She was a picture of fierce determination and confidence as she walked with the others, her wand drawn and her portkey on her person. They had perfected their trials and enchantments. This had to work.

"Remember your training, team," she added after Airey's words as she fell into step behind him. "We can and will handle this." They knew what they were walking in to and they were prepared. She was sure they would be able to restore Hogwarts again....hopefully.

Grae didn't realize how tightly she was gripping her wand until she noticed a dull ache creeping up her right arm. She needed to loosen her grip if she wanted to preserve her strength for today. Taking a deep breath, she tucked a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear. She didn't imagine that her first time back to Hogwarts after graduating would be like this.

The young witch wasn't quite sure what to expect from this mission, to be perfectly honest. She had attended the mandatory training sessions, of course. But from what she had heard, this mist had a mind of its own. The only thing that was pretty much guaranteed was that she would be facing some of her biggest fears today. Resigning herself to the fact that she would just have to take whatever was thrown at her, she followed her department head.

Yassi was not sure she was meant to be here. She was very apprehensive about working in such a dangerous environment and as much as she tried not to show it, everything within her features gave it away. She was uneasy.

Being an apparition instructor and containing creatures were two entirely different matters. She liked classrooms and students, not investigations and uncertainty. Unfortunately, however, she was raised to be polite, to respect authority, and to always extend her help whenever it was needed. Of course knowing their limited numbers, she had no choice but to volunteer for the mission. Even though she did not want to be here... At all.

Yassi was reluctant, but she tried to keep a smile in place as she tightened her grip around her wand and followed behind the crowd.

Travelling via Portkey, while a reasonable option for such large quantities of people, was always met with apprehension from Zhuó Xiá. No amount of travelling using this device could get her used to the nauseating feeling that took over her after she had landed - and today was no different. As soon as she landed, the Creatures Department Head took a moment to gather her breath. Deep breaths. In and out. The cool Scottish air filling her lungs. It was a moment of weakness, which was unusual for her, but a moment she very much needed.

A minute or so had passed by before the woman straightened up, doing her best to look as though she had her composure. She was one of the Department Heads here on this mission, if she lost her composure, what would her team think of her? Nevermind the fact that this was her first mission on the job and she was being thrown into the deep end of a serious - and life threatening, no doubt - mission. Losing composure was simply out of the question.

With that thought in mind, she swiftly turned to her team, doing a quick mental headcount to check that everyone was there while taking out her wand as well. "Okay, team, let’s go. Remember to make smart decisions and to work together, whether you like the person or not." Personal affairs didn’t matter when there was such a huge crisis on their hands. And she frankly didn’t care.

Shooting them a fleeting smile, she turned on her heel and started walking forwards.

In all due honesty, Anya did not think it would be kind of scary the moment she signed herself up for this mission. Her thrill-seeking, spontaneous soul was made for events like this, and she had no hesitation when they were asked for volunteers. Just like everyone else, she underwent training exercises for this. She was quite hyped. Low-key, at least. Everyone else seemed tense that it was making her feel weird. One would think she looked a bit too relaxed as she tapped her pointer finger against her wand to the beat of Marc Anthony's Vivir Mi Vida.

Besides, Anya had never been to Hogwarts before. All the firsts today. She wasn't going to admit that the castle did kind of had that creepy vibe too it. Like the prince's castle before he turned into his human form, from Beauty and the Beast.

Anya followed the rest of the group, but stayed specifically behind and close enough to her boss man, Mr. Flamsteed. She looked at whoever was beside her, and offered a fleeting smile. Maybe they'd stopped looking too tense. She could only hope.

Darej couldn't see any noticeable danger as he spent more time checking out the scenery. If anything he could see more than previously, it looks like the barriers did their job in containing the mass. Still though, as adrenaline was flowing through him he still had a set of nerves bundled below with the prospect on what they could all be facing. His head turned at the directed question, "Yeah, much thicker.. but mostly out here." He whispered back. Even though the coast looked to be clear, there's no telling what could be lurking so the hush toned was appropriate. "It shouldn't get that thick out here again." He was confident today would be a success with all the training they did beforehand.

The respective Department Heads were all here and had given the go-ahead for them to move forward. So Darej did so. Since Rebecca was already by him he kept close enough in front of her. He remembered last time how having a partner was necessary.

As soon as the leaders instructed them to move ahead, Val followed suit. He had never been to Hogwarts before as he surveyed the grounds leading to the castle. The closest sighting he ever had of the school was back in his final year at Beauxbatons when they had taken part in the Quiz Bowl nearly 2 decades ago as the event. Who would've thought it would come down to this? Shaking his head of the thoughts, this was not a grand tour, he would be helping in vanquishing the thread and keeping a record on the events.

Val kept close to the team with the other Unspeakables as he was living up to his job's namesake. He returned a small smile Anya sent in his direction. Someone had to remain optimistic during this, oui? His hazel eyes then gazed ahead to whatever is waiting for them.

Wait. WAIT. WAAAAAAAAAAAAIT.

This was a disaster! It was in this moment that the Trekkie recalled that he had neglected to remind his Unspeakables that they should check all red shirts or jackets at home. Though, by now it had been said so many times to them that it was likely they all remembered. Unless they were new...in which case, well....may the Force be with you.

What? The man was allowed to be a fan of multiple fandoms!

"Alright, Unspeakables," Airey began with his amplified voice. "Let's begin the process of removing the enchantments so we can all get inside..." Adjusting his tie, he ventured glances at both Zhuó Xiá and Kendra to give them both a firm nod - once his team had the intricate enchantments removed so the main doors to Hogwarts could be opened, it was their mission to lead.

Gripping his wand tightly, he began with the precise but intricate wand movements necessary.

Soon enough they we're given the go ahead to cross over the bridge which she did somewhere near the front of the large group of assembled ministry employees. Laurel was walking near Airey so when he amplified his voice to speak to everyone it felt like he shouted directly into her ears. Massaging her now ringing and pained ears the blond unspeakable said a few not so nice words about her boss man inside her head. Getting that out of her system Laurel ignored the pain in her ears as she stepped up in front of Hogwarts main doors to remove the enchantments together with Val, Anya and Airey. Raising her wand and gripping it tightly as she stood with Airey on her right and Anya on her left Laurel began casting the necessary spells to remove the enchantments with deep concentration.

Becca took a deep breath as she heard Miss Li give the go ahead to advance forward. Darej's response confirmed what she had heard in the meeting prior to starting the mission. The mist was thicker outside than inside the castle, but who knew it could have changed recently so it was best to stay on your toes. "Thanks Darej," Rebecca whispered back as they went over the bridge towards the castle, her senses on high alert. "I hope it's okay if I team with you? This is my first really dangerous mission since I started and Miss Li reminded us to keep close to one another." She was well trained and definitely equipped to deal with an infestation of boggarts, Becca was looking forward to it with excitement but it didn't stop some nervousness to seep in. With Darej moving ahead of her, she shot Bryson a quick smile by her side before she looked ahead at what was to come.

Freyja looked around nervously. What had she gotten herself into by agreeing to this? She had felt all important, volunteering to save the day at her old stomping grounds and all, but now that she was actually here... Some of that bravery was lost. She had been in Ravenclaw, not Gryffindor, after all. The fog was creepy, and though she knew it was only boggarts, they were, like, weird boggarts. She’d dealt with her fair share of boggart infestations — she had inherited her great-aunt Hildegaard’s house after the old woman had died, and there were plenty of magical nuisances around when she’d gone to clean it up — but none of them had killed anybody or created magical fog that shut down a whole school.

Still, she put on her best brave face and pushed her glasses up farther on her nose. She held her wand aloft and echoed Airey’s movements. Charms were her speciality. This part she could handle. It was just the... after this part that she wasn’t so sure about.

But wasn’t this what being a Department of Mysteries employee entailed? Sure, okay, so she was in the Love Chamber and spent most of her time thinking about the warm fuzzies that did things like offer protection to others. But who cared?! She was a mystery woman, and this fog was a mystery indeed! Kind of, anyway. Well, whatever. Here she went.

As each spell was lifted, thanks to the efforts of the Ministry's Unspeakables, the great doors of the Hogwarts castle began to rattle and creek with bone chilling vigor. Soon a silence fell upon the land, the final protective spell lifted and the double doors slowly swinging forward on their hinges and the darkness beyond beckoning all to step inside.

It's now or never.

Val was among the other Unspeakables with removing the barriers left up from the last mission. He had to admit they did a splendid job containing the mass. Who knows how far this mist could've spread if they left it untreated. Anyways, once it looked like the work was done the doors began to open.... They didn't have to go inside first, right? Val wasn't moving unless directed. Instead, he gripped his wand tight before glancing at those nearest him. Not that he was scared he just wasn't the type to make the first move right away.

Darej waited as the Unspeakables did their... unspeakable thing. Probably to double-check that there were no lingering forces that others weren't trained to see. He could sense the hesitation in Becca when she mentioned this being her first time. Even though this wasn't his first he basically fed off adrenaline to keep going. "Fine by me." He whispered back, having no issue with working with another. He paused a moment before adding, "You have my permission to do whatever's necessary, Rebecca." Last time what he saw was unexpected and his guard had faltered momentarily and he didn't want a repeat of it without quick assistance. The sound of door creaking took his attention then.

This was it, the doors were now ajar. There was nothing but the darkness within. Darej looked at the others and would wait until his team went in first.

If Chloe was nervous, she definitely didn't show it. She'd practiced with the box and was ready to help take care of this issue and make Hogwarts safe again once and for all. Once the spells were lifted and the doors to the castle creaked open, the redhead found her gaze shifting instinctively towards her former Head of House. Must not call him Professor, she reminded herself again. But then, what DID she call him? It seemed inappropriate to use his first name, as his former pupil and Mr Flamsteed just did not sound right.

What she did know was why was no one moving?

"Is it... time..." Chloe asked to one of the department heads present. Also if Yassi or Grae wanted to buddy up with her, that'd probably be a good thing. Since they'd probably be dividing and conquering to make sure they covered every last corridor....

It was an unusual feeling, being back. The castle was still very much the same castle she spent seven years in during her teenage years but there was also an air of change about it. Maybe it’s because she knew about the situation at hand and what had transpired or because it had been a while since she’d returned to the castle. Whatever the reason, she felt as though she was both back home and venturing through a stranger’s house at the same time.

Head held high and wand held out, she continued marching forwards. Her eyes darted here and there, almost looking out for the slightest unusual shift in movement before eventually landing on Airey. The nod was understood, especially after his command to the Unspeakables.

Turning to her team, she started, "Once the charms are lifted and the doors open, we can go inside. Remember your training and be on the lookout for any boggarts the minute you step over the threshold. In fact, be on the lookout for any boggarts that try to escape." She hoped they didn’t need reminding to use their brains and make smart choices. Her eyes, meanwhile, turned back to the doors and the sounds that were coming from it as the charms lifted.

And then they opened.

Zhuó Xiá stared at the darkness that lay beyond the open doors. A darkness that caused a chill to shoot down her spine. This was, without a doubt, terrifying, which might’ve been the main reason behind her hesitation in stepping into the castle. But something eventually clicked inside her brain and she turned to give her employees a nod. It was time.

Lighting her wand, the Creatures Department Head turned around and started walking into the castle.

"Okay, you have my permission to do what is necessary too Darej." Rebecca whispered back with assurance in her tone. This was a very dangerous mission and they need to keep on their absolute toes. If your guard faltered and you we're attacked and nobody had your back then who knew how things might end. The sound of the doors creaking open and showing immense darkness took her whole attention. Straightening up and gripping her wand tightly Rebecca felt her mouth go dry and a chill go up her spine as Miss Li reminded them to lookout for the boggarts. Well they we're the whole reason why they we're there, but Becca wasn't exactly thrilled to soon be seeing giant tarantula's everywhere she looked. They we're her biggest fear for good reasons. When Miss Li lit her wand and started walking inside Rebecca fell in step behind her boss. Lightening her wand she glanced once to Darej before she turned her gaze forward and started walking into the darkness of the castle she loved.

Laurel cast her last spell that removed the last barrier from the last mission. She hadn't been involved in that mission, but she had been briefed on how it had gone. It seemed that the spells had kept the boggarts contained inside the castle. It was something positive at least. Laurel took a step back when the door's began to open ahead of them into the castle's darkness. She was not going to go in among the first ones. She was sticking close by Airey and the other unspeakables. Re-gripping her wand tightly Laurel looked to Airey, waiting for him to move before she followed. She was not a big fan of boggarts, in fact she disliked them very much.

Sweet solstice what HAD he done?

Airey was truly in an internal panic over this whole red shirt affair and was rapidly trying to do a headcount of just who was sporting the color today and - to be rather frank - if they could afford a little trimming around the edges in a pinch. Though his efforts were cut short as his colleague began the gentle charge inside with her command.

Oh...sweet sweet solstice...here they go.

Nodding to his own department, the astronut took a few cautious steps forward before somewhat boisterously waving his wand above his head to conjure a bit of light that he then tossed ahead of the group and through the large doubled doors inside. Ought to help a little with seeing and not at the expense of their own wands acting as handheld flashlights.

Being in the middle of danger had never worried Sloane, he’d been through so much and being orphaned so young had made his teen years (the years spent at this very building) full of careless and irresponsible actions. It did, however, feel … unsettling, being back here; aware of what was going to happen when we stood within the walls of the school that had been his home for so long, reminding him heart and soul deep of the loss of sister. He was desperately (but silently, stoically) clinging to the fact that he had advance warning. It should give him and his patronus a chance.

He hoped.

His own personal boggart wouldn’t stop him from making the school safe again though. He would much rather face this and work towards clearing the school up. He knew that his siblings would rather have their children back at Hogwarts instead of abroad… And he would feel better knowing that he’d worked to keep not only his own family safe but for future generations too. He needed to do this for Alis and Rhys, Dee, Derren and Lina. He wanted them safely back in the UK next term.

Shaking his head slightly to clear it of the thoughts of his family; Sloane looked around and moved closer to where his colleagues were standing. Wand in hand and ready to follow instructions from Zhuó Xiá or the other Department Heads. Sloane gave his own Head a nod, and moved closer to her - watching around them as they moved forward in the eerily quiet.

The wards and enchantments were down. The doors were open.

…. Here we go.

In the absence of living things, the mist had turned into a deep fog that penetrated the corners and nooks of the castle. As the wards on the castle were lifted the fog began moving, rolling towards the waiting group of ministry workers as if a gale-force wind was blowing a hurricane towards the entrance to the castle.

When the fog hit the group, those nearest the entrance seemed affected the worst. Valeray found his colleagues whisked away as if blown away by the force of the fog. Meanwhile, Zhuó Xiá found herself surrounded in a darkness so pressing, the wand lighting charm she had uttered seemed to be slowly going out. By Rebecca’s feet, the fog seemed to swirl and the skitter across the floor, rushing her and her colleague Darej as if a clutter of eight-legged creatures were trying to make a break for freedom.

Or perhaps the Boggarts weren’t trying to escape? Maybe they were trying to defend their hard won territory. The light coming from Airey's wand seemed to attract a small gaggle of Gorns and they did not look happy that the former professor, Laurel, Andrea, and Freyja were blocking the exit to the castle.

Yassi was terrified, though she tried immensely hard not to show it. She was, however, uncharacteristically quiet as she stood in place. It took a few moments before she finally began to follow behind the group, looking to Chloe in hopes that her colleague would want to work together.

The brunette lit up her wand, looking to her Department Head for instructions. This was not something she felt prepared for at all, even with the countless meetings and written briefs. Not yet far enough along to see the creatures, Yassi could feel the weight of the puzzle boxes in her bag. It was all so very daunting.

Oh. They were moving now? Okay. Let's go then. Come on! Yeah. Caleb was impatient. Eh. And bogarts again? Oh no. Caleb kept his wand raised

Laurel followed in the back of the group as they entered into her former place of employment. Wand raised, alert and eyes darting around to detect danger. The fog that had hit the front line the worst only made her blond locks blow back from her face. Feeling her Inner Eye tingling and sensing danger Laurel eyes turned to lock on the oncoming small group of boggarts that didn't look all too happy heading in the direction of her, Airey and Freya. "We've got company Airey and Freya!" she managed to spit out before she quickly cast to protect them from attacks. "Protego maxima!" to put a guarding shield around the three of them. "Airey, shall we try and capture these boggarts or just get rid of them?" It was a valid question considering that the castle was riddled with these spirits and they we're just in the entrance hall.

The fog that came rolling towards her at gale-force speed almost knocked Becca fully off her feet. By some miracle she managed to keep standing up, albeit very winded. Blinking she looked around herself slightly disoriented, only seeing darkness that was pressing in on them. Becca wasn't by any means afraid of the dark, but seeing the light of Miss Li's wand slowly going out wasn't exactly encouraging since hers followed suit soon after. She didn't have time to ponder though as the mist seemed to swirl and skitter across the floor, rushing her and Darej as if it was an oncoming clutter of eight-legged creatures. "Darej!!!!!!!!" Rebecca shouted in panic "We're under attack!" Gripping her wand more tightly she casted, raising her wand over her head "Lumos maxima!" They needed to see what they we're dealing with right?

Wand firmly in her grasp, Kendra cast a glance at her own department's employees, feeling a sudden sense of protectiveness over them. She knew this wasn't exactly their domain, but she also knew that they were tenacious and skilled and were valuable assets to the team.

And once the Unspeakables removed the enchantments, she turned her focus back to the doors and the task at hand. Was it her or did those creaky doors sound like they were straight out of a horror film? She didn't remember them being so spooky when she was a student here so many years ago.

Now or never.

She was not one of the first to enter the castle, but she was not far behind. Kendra's eyes almost immediately caught sight of the thick, dense fog quickly and unnaturally rolling towards them. She knew exactly what this was after receiving intel from the other missions, and even though she thought she would be prepared, it was hard not to feel the overwhelming sense of dread starting to come over her.

Stay strong, Kendra!

Even with a few of her colleagues' wands lighting the way, it still felt like the darkness was pressing in and trying to extinguish their lights. But Kendra did not add her own Lumos to the mix. No, her wand, as well as those of many others, would be needed for another spell. Another significant look to her own employees, and she pulled out her puzzle box, her fingers nearly slipping from it as she heard the panicked shout from one of the women ahead of her.

"Calm down," she hissed, and activated the box before sliding it out towards the middle of the floor. "Riddikulus!" she commanded loudly and firmly, pointing her wand towards the nearest of what appeared to be some sort of reptilian-like creatures. Let this work.