Beverly had the back end of the group in case any of the Slytherins decided to straggle off elsewhere. She'd stick them onto Caleb if she had to. They were staying together as a group.

Her heart did give a loud jolt in her chest when she heard Bellaire's voice. It was as if the woman's firm voice provided some kind of comfort. It meant she was safe, her snakes were safe.

Walking to the front of the group after making sure the Slytherins at the back did not run off, she nodded politely at the woman. Caleb wasn't the only one in charge. She was there. It wasn't her fault she wasn't tall and her head didn't stick out of the crowd.

"Professor Bellaire," she glanced around, "Our Head of House isn't with you?" Although really, just Bellaire being here was enough for the Prefect at the moment. She had just witnessed fire like she has never seen it in her entire life, and acromantulas take away the Headmistress and students, she needed a figure to learn how to handle these situations from.

Oh, AJ knew all about the spider army. She was slinging pots and mandrakes like her life depended on it in Herbology. She still couldn't believe that the headmistress was gone. They took their leader. Maybe they were just rebellious teenage spiders, and they would be getting a spanking when they showed up with humans.

It didn't make sense. Her pet spiders were so nice. Why this attack? Obviously people had been hurt, but AJ wasn't the least bit afraid. It was all a big misunderstanding. She knew that if it came down to humans versus the spiders she was going to protect everybody standing in this hall right now. It still hurt her feelings having to hurt a creature... even ones that needed a time out.

"I know about the spiders," she said as if it was no big deal. "I meant where are all the lions at?" Were they supposed to be somewhere else? "Airey is here so we obviously should be here, but where is Zander? And the others?" How did you just lose people? AJ turned her brown eyes on Adi. "Did you say Lux?" Who, what, when, where and why? Her eyes widened, but not enough to hopefully not induce more fear in the ones who were struggling with the attacks and snatches. But, Lux was the nicest person she knew. How did she get taken?

Looking at his forehead she couldn't help but to be worried. "How many fingers am I holding up?" she asked while putting three up. You know, just trying to ease the tension that you could cut with a knife.

But wait. "Ilia too?" This was not good. Not good at all. She couldn't even imagine what they were going through. "Hopefully they are together... wherever they are."

Smiling, she looked back at Marsha who was still clinging to Adi like a lifeline. "I'm glad you do." Now if the necklaces did their job, they wouldn't have anything to work about.

Happy family? AJ looked at her holding hands with Adi and a clinging Marsha, and she suddenly had a vision of their future, and couldn't help but to have a goofy grin on her face.

Oh, sweet Merlin, the relief. Zhenya headed over to Professor Bellaire, knowing she would be able to give them orders to stay safe. "Hi Professor," she said, morosely.

FINALLY, more snakes. It wasn't just Caleb and Dot, there was Hady, Echo... But there were more snakes than that.



Wait... what? The Acromantulas were still trying to get in? Zhenya started to feel nauseous. Was Mr Kitridge ready for this? Was ANYONE ready for this? Ew ew ewwwwwwwwwwww. She had a panic attack during the Transfiguration Jungle, that stupid spider, and it had nothing on these Acromantulas.

No, she was a SEVENTH year. She was going to be leaving after a few more weeks. If she wasn't ready, how could any of the younger students be ready? Zhenya set a concentrated and determined, confident look on her face. She would give the illusion of being okay with this, of being ready. Deep down she wasn't, but she would fight gallantly with the Professors, Prefects and her fellow students.

Oh, good, there was Beverly, Zhenya noted her approaching the group. She realised now that Healer Murdoch wasn't there. Hopefully she was tending to all the wounded, and not being carried away with the Acromantulas. No, the Acromantulas wouldn't be able to get Murdoch would they? Surely not...

Why couldn't they have stayed in their common rooms again?

Not that he dared go against a professor's orders. He DID feel safest wherever the professors were, it was just... the long trek back down to the great hall from the lion's den with GIANT SPIDERS WHAT and a very troubling stomach ache didn't do him much good. He was gunna huuuuuurl. Oh, and the big kicker here... he left Groot in his room in his haste to get out.

"Professor...?" he fiddled with his wand before reaching up and tugging on the astronomy man's sleeve. "I left Groot in my room."

What to do??

Siiiigh. Caleb was letting people die again. It was terrible. His mother would be ashamed of him. Should she mention that, or was it likely that he already knew? Probably he knew... Caleb gave off the aura of someone who cared what his mother thought.

"I can stay here. Que... Professor Bellaire is here now. Maybe now that she's here, she'll have a plan. Does she seem like someone who always has a plan? I'd follow someone like that anywhere." Someone with a plan. Not someone who was a bossy royal pain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davvy_Wavvy

Sophia sighed a little when Caleb came over with three snakes. Three was certainly better than none but this just wouldn't do. She thought maybe she'd have to leave them to go search the castle again but splitting up wasn't a good idea with the spiders continuous onslaught.

"Good job Mr. Newell. I need you to really step up now and protect these students. Make that badge mean something while the professors hold the spiders off and round up the other students."

"Hullo, Professor. I'm accounted for. I accounted for myself, and then I accounted for Caleb and he accounted for me." She was very responsible and could probably be put to work doing important and life-saving things. Just saying. "I can help protect people too. Or maybe ride on your back into the Forbidden Forest." Ahem. "There's an age line. But I'm helpful."

Oh, LOOK. Hady was safe! Dot gave the younger girl a squeeze too, just to let her know she was glad Hady wasn't dead. Unlike Noel Wallace, WHO NO ONE WAS RESCUING.

Why had he wanted to come back? Could someone find him and remind him why he'd fought so hard to come back to this school only to end up huddled in a corner trying not to become spider food?

The answer, of course, was his friend, but right now he didnt' see any of them and he was worried that they had become spiderfood but he was not at all prepared to move from his spot.

He barely noticed Eden speak to him and so only nodded in response to her question. Okay was relative, wasn't it. He was better off than Noel. Better off than the Headmistress. But if she could be taken, what hope was there for any of them. And they'd cornered themselves. They could so easily be surrounded. And if the acromantulas got the houseelves... everyone in the hall would eventually be starved out. Thornton was spiraling. Worst case scenarios swirled through his head. But all the same, when Kitridge spoke...

"No bites, sir. I'm fine."

Right. Fine.

He hesitated and backed away a little when he heard Kitridge's voice. Instinctively, his clutch on his elbow tightened causing him to wince in pain at the sudden movement. He finally looked up and shook his head, "I'm fine.."he said, tight-mouthed. Then Adi came, talking sense to him, he was right he was just being stubborn and he couldn't do anything to save llia with his injured arm. Henric sighed and held out his arm so Mr.Kitridge could examine it closer."No snake bites.." Fortunately. "I fell...hit my arm...sprain,"he muttered under his breath, trying his best not to show any pained expression on his face. He sprained his arm on a skateboarding incident before so he knew the familiar feeling. Give and take a few weeks to heal, he guess... not particularly caring. His eyes briefly shifted to the Hufflepuff table and saw Toby cowering under the table. Immediately, he felt bad all of a sudden for pushing him away earlier. Henric bit the inside of his cheek, not sure what to do or say.

After his little accidental search and rescue earlier, Maddox had taken to making his own checks around the castle. It was easier going alone, going as a cat that slipped in and out of places while being less likely to be noticed.

From what he could see, it was an all out takeover. Of course something of the sort was suspected but not at this magnitude. It looked like they would actually be in need of the emergency plan he'd been forced to sit through developing with Bellaire.

Huh. Would you look at that.

While the Heads of Houses did their necessary checks the Charms Professor made his way to the staff dais. He trusted the woman would see the look and take it as her invitation to join him. In the mean time the man pulled out his wand. Having covered the room with a silencing charm it was time to get to business and what other way to do that than a sonorus charm? His ears would hate him for this.

"I'll need everyone's attention." And a pause to let them settle...if only a little. "First of all, I'm aware there are spiders crawling around outside. You lot are aware there are spiders crawling around outside now we're going to have to move pass all that if we want to take back our school. They have our Headmistress and a few of your schoolmates off doing Merlin knows what so we don't have much time." Maddox rubbed lightly at his ear with his free hand, already feeling the effects of loud noises on them. "Naturally we have a plan." his expression turned to one of a more conspiratory nature. "What do acromantulas fear most?"

Marsha giggled; softly and only for a few seconds as AJ held fingers up in front of Adi’s face. As far as she was concerned, Adi was fine… after all, he’d been holding her up quite easily for the last ten to fifteen minutes and he didn’t seem to be getting tired… He didn’t seem unstable or anything… but she did keep an eye on him to make sure that he told AJ the CORRECT number.

As much as Marsha would love to move… she wasn’t going anywhere unless someone REALLY made her… or they were moving against the spiders. She wasn’t moving until then though. Nope.

Although, as she looked over the crowd, the added height that Adi gave her she finally spotted Lance. Oh, thank GRIFFIN! He hadn’t been in Herbology, as he’d been feeling ill the night before… but it made her feel a little better knowing that he was in the Great Hall with them and not stuck in the dorms, still sleeping along in his dorm.

As much as she wanted to go and talk to Lance; again… she wasn’t moving.

Well, that and Professor Quiggley had silenced the room and was talking over them - loudly. Gosh, she knew how much the man hated loud noises… he was probably hating this right now, but it was helpful and needed. Marsha didn’t really know much about what spiders didn’t like… though so far they hadn’t liked shields or fire. ”Fire!” She called out to the Professor who had helped her perfect her incendio charm in the common room a few months ago.

Whoops. Sorry for not putting up her hand or being quiet Professor - but that didn’t seem important right now...

"BASILISKS!" Zhenya said, over the crowd.

They had the necklaces!

DOH! Zhenya hadn't handed any out. She wasn't even wearing one. Where in the devil had she put the necklace after the SNAC meeting?

Oh good, Bev was here! That lifted the load off of him just a bit, since Bellaire made it sound like he was going to be the one in charge of fighting off any spiders that went to attack the Slytherins. He was pretty sure that was NOT in the job description but now that she was here, he could hide behind her! PERFECT!

And now there was Quigley - thank Merlin! Everything was falling into place. He heard someone shout BASILISKS from his group of snakes, and he felt like all the blood had been flushed from his face.

OH. NO.

Were they going to have to go into the Chamber? Get a basilisk? He was...so confused now. Was everything connected to the incident in the girls bathroom a few weeks ago? Had he really NOT been going crazy? He needed to sit...no, he couldn't sit, he had to save face, look brave, for his Snakes...

He just stayed quiet, hand on his wand holster, watching every corner of the room as he tried to process everything that was going through his brain right now...

It was only a few steps into the Great Hall, but it was enough to nearly sap him off what energy he had left. Part of him wished that Sophie hadn't decided to cling to him so much, but at the same time, he was grateful for it. Her presence reminded him he needed to keep on his feet. To appear immobile and strong, even if he hardly felt it.

The waft of fresh-ish air in the Great Hall (if one could call baked goods, student sweat and sickly perfume fresh), helped a little. As did seeing all the students gathered, despite the various levels of distress on their faces. And there were Professor's too. A sigh of relief left him, and nearly took his legs out from under him.

With a shaking hand, he sheathed one of his wands. Now half-free, he patted one of Sophie's hands that was clinging to him with a death grip. "You did good. Go check in with your head of house."

They were taking numbers right? And Maddox was organizing the resistance. And Airey....well Starman looked exactly like Sabel felt. There was no amount of expression as to how much he wanted to join the other man along the wall, in the same sort of recharging posture.

He sucked in a breath and worked the tingling out of his hand still clutching his wand. He would just, stay by the doors and try not to lean against them. Stay here in case another student tried to get in, or a spider wanted to try their luck.

Passing by Zhenya, Beverly reached out a gave her shoulder a soft squeeze. It was from gratitude for sticking together and for cooperating. Stopping next to Caleb, Beverly turned her attention toward the Charms Professor.

Yeah. Spider. LARGE HUNGRY spiders. Had it been one then Beverly would have taken interest in dissecting it for potion ingredients, but after this incident, she was going to step and squish any and every single spider that crosses her path. She's had enough of them.

There was a plan. It wasn't flying out of here, was it? Because in that case Beverly would take her chances with the spiders, just saying. But Quigley didn't seem to be heading there.

"They're afraid of the basilisk's gaze because they're unable to protect themselves from it," she spoke up. They already tried the fang necklace, and they didn't have any pet basilisks, what did it matter?

Crossing her arms across her chest, wand still in her grip, Beverly whispered to Caleb under her breath. "Maybe he can transfigure into a basilisk too." She was in a mood.

Attached to Dakest's arm like a small child would to her father as they hurried inside, Sophie wasn't going to put her wand away at all. Ever, probably, in case the spiders started breaking through the windows and infiltrating the Great Hall at any moment. No - this was a time for CONSTANT VIGILANCE. Clearly no place was safe, and Sophie wasn't convinced that the spiders wouldn't start emerging from the very stone under their feet or something. She was very, very on edge, and she let go of Dakest only when she realized that she WAS CLINGING TO HIS ARM.

She didn't even realize she'd done it. It was just instinct. She'd needed the stability and stabilized herself. But now she was just a tinge embarrassed about it - until he told her she did a good job out there in the entrance hall, and a genuine smile actually broke across Sophie Brown's lips at his unexpected encouragement.

"So did you, sir. We're lucky to have you fighting with us today." Would Romanos have conjured up a huge firestorm to obliterate the spiders blocking the Great Hall like that? Sophie didn't think so, and the battle would've been even more painstaking. At least they had a minor break to recharge and figure out a plan, right? Yes, things had gone FAR more swiftly because they'd had Dakest there with them, and the gratefulness for him shone in her gaze up at him before her thin arms wrapped around his torso and squeeeeezed him in an impulsive hug, then in the next moment she rushed toward where the Ravenclaws were gathering without another word.

Checking in with her head of house was solid advice, yes, so when Sophie reached her housemates, Soph stood on her tiptoes in the back of the group and waved a hand over their heads to get Kitridge's and Tanner's attentions. "Present. Professor Dakest and I were on the front lines making sure everyone got in safe, but m'here." Who was missing, though? She could name a few missing Ravenclaw faces, but before she could even answer her own question, her gaze strayed to different parts of the Great Hall - to poor Thornton over yonder, to Culloden who got very sad, broken looks, then to the other gatherings of houses... and... where... were Zander and Tobes? Soph's neutral expression soon turned very, very concerned, and she faced a bitter inner battle of... knowing she needed to stay and be a leader for the Ravenclaws, and go make sure her two best friends were present and accounted for. But... okay, Tobes was here for sure, right? She'd SEEN him go inside. So... he must be hiding somewhere, which would've actually made a lot of sense. She knew her Tobes - but she was still concerned and WOULD BE until she had him directly in her sights.

WHERE WERE HER BOYS? Could she... could she leave? Could she branch off really quick and find her people? Would Kitridge be upset with her? The female prefect finally brought her gaze back to meet her Head of House's, meeting his eyes with her own worried ones, an attempt to silently convey that she NEEDED TO LOCATE HER PEOPLE. But... then Quiggles was talking - ow, the ears - and Sophie's arms crossed, her vine wand protruding out from under her folded arms, and chewed on the inside of her lower lip anxiously as she absorbed the man's words. TIME OUT. The HEADMISTRESS had been taken, too?! THAT was why she wasn't there? And... what if Zander was one of the many that were TAKEN? And how did any of them even know that the acromantulas hadn't KILLED and DEVOURED their peers already? Wasn't that what these kind of dangerous creatures did, feasted on flesh when they got the opportunity? What in Merlin's name would keep them from eating them right off the bat?

The thought made her feel sick to her stomach - her boyfriend, acromantula food - and she once again needed to be near... someone. Dakest, Culloden, Javy, Tobes... someone in the room whose own strength or friendship with her would reassure her that everything would be okay. Most of all, she wanted Cat and Mo. Both of them, one on each side of her. They would've made everything better. But for now, Sophie Brown kept silent as her thoughts on the matter were already provided as answers, so instead, she tucked her wand between her knees and busied herself with brushing her fingers through her hair, then flipping her long hair in front of her and brushing through it some more. It was just as much of a nervous task as it was a necessity, and she dug out a hairtie from her pocket and worked at putting her hair up in a high ponytail as she tried to calm down.

...She needed more hugs. Could people tell that she was barely holding together her brave facade? Merlin.

Goody. Henric was not being stubborn and for that Adi was grateful. He just wanted everyone to be safe and sound. He also saw the other boy was watching Toby. "Toby will be fine, Henny. I think what just happened out there got to him.''

Ehhh, what was that Yoongi was saying? At first Adi didn't get it so he glanced at AJ to see if she did only to see her looking down at their hands and at Marsha. OHH! Something had clicked so his brain came up with an answer. The Puffer grinned. Yeah... his future was going to be exactly like this. Mhmm.

And AJ was so nice in giving Marsha the necklace they had made. His own one had been lost during the battle with the spiders. Ugh! Darn things! The thought of him made his blood boil. They were the cause of him not having his best Hufflepuff girl bud around and the cause he and Henric didn't have Ilia. If Adi hadn't been holding Marsha, he would have been clenching his fists right about now but the firstie resting her head and turning ever so often comforted and calmed him down as well. "Nope, they don't always have to be. I bet one day you'll be a whole lot braver than you feel right now.'' He squished his friend again. He was there for you and would always be.

"Lux has been taken too,'' Adi told AJ dully, resting his cheek against Marsha's shoulder now. "She's been missing for about a week. Ilia was just taken and I couldn't help stop the spiders.'' It made him feel useless and a failure towards his friend. Uh oh. AJ had finally noticed the cut. Marsha too. "I'm fine,'' he told them and then in amusement to the question AJ was asking, he replied, "Uhhh, eight?'' Haha. He kidded. But would it be enough to send the girlfriend off into Worryland? Nah, he wouldn't do that to her. "I'm joking. Three.''

OH THANK THE HIPPOGRIFFS a Professor had finally decided on action! Come on, Catman! Let's move this along! Adi especially wanted his Lux, Ilia and Headmistress back! "What Marsha and Zhenya said.'' No use repeating information, was there?

Maggie wasn't asking any dumb questions (seriously Dot? A beacon??). Maggie was preparing. Preparing NOT to die. So she was pulling back her hair, taking deep breaths, making sure she had her wand tightly gripped in her hand. The spiders could come crashing into the Great Hall any minute after all. And Magdalena Natalie Traulton was too young to die.

Also too beautiful.

Following Caleb over to Professor Bellaire (it was a relief to have her there!!), Maggie noticed two people looking like they were having a mental breakdown. First was Thronton. Of course. Why was she not surprised? Good thing she hadn't wasted any time on him. Maggie just stared at him for a moment. Seriously?

And then the second was Toby. She looked at him for a little longer but didn't do anything else.

She had herself to worry about after all.

Attention back on the group of Slytherins surrounding her, Maggie nodded at Hady and took a small step closer. So SHE was alive too. That was good. And then Dot said something so stupid that it earned her an incredulous look. "Why would you VOLUNTEER to go out there?!" Was she insane? That's what the staff was for. That's what the adults were for. That was NOT their job. All THEY were here for was to learn things. This was a school not a war zone.

Although right now it was both, apparently.

And then Quigley spoke. Which reminded her, where was the Headmistress in all of this? Was she still rescuing students? Probably. Or battling spiders. But seriously, she SHOULD be here, leading them. Telling them what to do. She WAS the boss aft-

Oh.

That explains it then.

Huh. That was extremely discomforting.

They had a PLAN??? So far it hadn't exactly worked very well if the HEADMISTRESS AND STUDENTS had been kidnapped. And she knew what the acromantulas wanted. So was having the Headmistress and some of the students being EATEN ALIVE part of the oh-so-awesome plan??? "Can't we get reinforcement???" Maggie asked, not loudly enough to interrupt Quigley but loud enough for the people standing next to her to hear.

Like, Ministry? Yes? Was that it? Anything that would prevent them from sending STUDENTS out into battle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckyLinJi

...
The doors opened, Yoongi gripped his phoenix wand a bit tighter but it weren’t spiders entering the hall. Just their Head of House.Gosh he looked exhausted. Must have run from the top tower down to the great hall. ”Professor Flamsteed!” he called. ”Have you seen our Prefects anywhere? Are they okay?”

Panting with little beads of perspiration running down his brow, the Astronomy professor finally managed to catch his breath and looked towards the young man. "They're safe," he nodded. Thank Merlin. Only Miss Bayless from their house was in peril at the moment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiro MacMhuirich

...
She sighed and moved back to hugging Adi. ”Thank you, AJ. I love it.” And it, as well as them - and Professor Airey - really did make her feel a little safer… Though considering their Headmistress and the Caretaker had been taken… she wasn’t sure if anyone would REALLY make her feel safe until all of this was over.

Catching the first year's glances, Airey attempted to return a confident smile back. But it was difficult to accomplish and even if his outward appearance was convincing, his interior was not so much.

Best not burst her bubble with that necklace either. He had one of those, given to him by Cassiopeia just the other day. Lot of good it had done him just now. But hope was a powerful weapon, no matter how illogical it may be, and not something that he would take away from any young mind right now. Not under these circumstances.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roselyn

Why couldn't they have stayed in their common rooms again?

Not that he dared go against a professor's orders. He DID feel safest wherever the professors were, it was just... the long trek back down to the great hall from the lion's den with GIANT SPIDERS WHAT and a very troubling stomach ache didn't do him much good. He was gunna huuuuuurl. Oh, and the big kicker here... he left Groot in his room in his haste to get out.

"Professor...?" he fiddled with his wand before reaching up and tugging on the astronomy man's sleeve. "I left Groot in my room."

What to do??

Groot? Who was...

Oh...

Rubbing the back of his neck anxiously as he contemplated how best to, er, word this, the man reminded himself what he had just told himself not ten seconds earlier. Hope. Hold on to that.

"I ensured that the secret passageway leading into the common room was sealed. Nothing will be breaking through there," he assured the boy. True words. That just left, well, the Fat Lady. But with no one in the common rooms...perhaps that would mean the acromantulas would leave those areas alone? He did almost feel herded into the Great Hall but also did not consider these creatures to be intelligent enough to do so.

Should have listen more to Medea while she prepared lessons. Oops.

"Surely your toad has found himself a hiding place."

Were toads that smart? He hadn't a clue.

But he did instinctively hold Pebbles and Boulder closer to himself.

SPOILER!!: Maddox

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

After his little accidental search and rescue earlier, Maddox had taken to making his own checks around the castle. It was easier going alone, going as a cat that slipped in and out of places while being less likely to be noticed.

From what he could see, it was an all out takeover. Of course something of the sort was suspected but not at this magnitude. It looked like they would actually be in need of the emergency plan he'd been forced to sit through developing with Bellaire.

Huh. Would you look at that.

While the Heads of Houses did their necessary checks the Charms Professor made his way to the staff dais. He trusted the woman would see the look and take it as her invitation to join him. In the mean time the man pulled out his wand. Having covered the room with a silencing charm it was time to get to business and what other way to do that than a sonorus charm? His ears would hate him for this.

"I'll need everyone's attention." And a pause to let them settle...if only a little. "First of all, I'm aware there are spiders crawling around outside. You lot are aware there are spiders crawling around outside now we're going to have to move pass all that if we want to take back our school. They have our Headmistress and a few of your schoolmates off doing Merlin knows what so we don't have much time." Maddox rubbed lightly at his ear with his free hand, already feeling the effects of loud noises on them. "Naturally we have a plan." his expression turned to one of a more conspiratory nature. "What do acromantulas fear most?"

ATTENTION HAD!

Listening, and still catching his breath, Airey nodded at the answers of basilisks and fire. Fire they had - thanks Sabel for nearly burning everything down - but a basilisk? Preeeeeeeetty sure they were in SHORT supply of that.

"Let me know which one of you has one of those lying around," he said under his breath. Sarcasm NOT appreciated at this moment, Flamsteed.

Although, seriously, if any student was doing some illegal breeding in the school (Cutty Mordaunt, perhaps?)...this may be the one time he would argue against detention and suspension.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lislchen

They had a PLAN??? So far it hadn't exactly worked very well if the HEADMISTRESS AND STUDENTS had been kidnapped. And she knew what the acromantulas wanted. So was having the Headmistress and some of the students being EATEN ALIVE part of the oh-so-awesome plan??? "Can't we get reinforcement???" Maggie asked, not loudly enough to interrupt Quigley but loud enough for the people standing next to her to hear.

Like, Ministry? Yes? Was that it? Anything that would prevent them from sending STUDENTS out into battle.

OH THAT THOUGH! THAT!

Pointing towards the Slytherin, Airey nodded. If they were REALLY going to be taking back the school, they were going to need more wands. More wands and, while the man would support any student's desire to defend Hogwarts, stronger magic.

"Patronus to the Ministry? Or Hogsmeade?" he offered as he slide towards Miss Traulton. Still pointing. And wheezing. Lots and lots of wheezing.

Just someone else do that because he was still recovering from his battle down from the seventh floor. Patronus would hardly make it to the Astronomy Tower in his state.

Except for the fact that so far the plan was turning out to be a very good one. Under this table, Toby was free to be apart from everyone else and block everything out and maybe have an emotion or two. And that was certainly happening. He might have maybe sort of been silently kind of crying, and keeping his face quite hidden just so that on the off chance that if someone did see him, they wouldn't realise. The sounds of the Hall rumbled and rushed through him, over him, around him, none of it making a whole lot of sense, while Toby sat and tried not to think about the sight of all those spiders, the spells, the flames...

He knew they'd needed to get to safety, and that the acromantulas had been aggressive in their attack and stolen away at least one of his peers, but a creature was still a creature, a living thing was still a living thing, and it was nigh on impossible to put things into perspective. It hurt Toby's heart to think about everything. Those poor creatures...

Thinking about it brought on a sudden rush of emotions, and as hard as Toby tried to fight them, push them away, repress them, it was all that much more overwhelming. He heard what sounded like Quigley's voice - but who could really be sure? - boom out over Hall, and then others respond to him. And then Toby couldn't help it. Despite his best efforts, he let out a small, pitiful sob.

Merlin. No. Not here. Hopefully the sound was lost in the general din of the Great Hall, because on top of everything else, Toby couldn't handle the idea of anyone hearing... that. No. Not happening. He wasn't even here. Nope. Carry on, people. As you were. PAY NO MIND.

*sob*

He had decided to skip Herbology today. Mandrakes really weren't his thing.

... Turns out it had been a really bad idea.

Benzi had been quietly minding his own business in the Great Hall, thinking about his life and shoveling food into his mouth like there was no tomorrow when suddenly loud noises echoed in from the entrance hall. Blinking, he turned his head and tried to make out what was happening. Loud noises were a regular occurrence in this school, certainly he could finish his meal in peace and then go see what was happening right? It wasn't like anyone was dying.

SCRATCH THAT PEOPLE WERE SCREAMING. He forcefully swallowed the food already in his mouth and took off towards the double doors, rounding the corner of the table just as people started to stumble in, looking exhausted and like they'd suffered through their worst nightmare.

VERY alarmed now, Benzi stared at the students - and professors - as they all poured into the Great Hall, then turned to see VERY BIG SPIDERS scuttling away. ... ACROMANTULAS?! REALLY??

Instantly pulling out his wand, just in case they came back, he wove between the students as he tried to find Noel and Hayley. And Evie. Where was Evie? He hadn't seen her for a few days now. What if the acromantulas had DONE something to her? He'd NEVER forgive himself if she'd gotten hurt while he'd been "staying away". He should have been BY HER SIDE. HAYLEY'S TOO. Chance was most likely useless. WHERE WERE THEY?!

Okay but wait, wait. They might be here, he just needed to look. Noel, Digs, Evie, Cutty, Puck, Benny... were were all his friends?! Friends being a loose term here. Not the point now. Moving on. Brushing past the Hufflepuff prefect (Adi), Benzi was suddenly rooted to the spot as he overheard the conversation and slowly turned around, horrified. "Students were TAKEN? NOEL???" he exclaimed, eyes wide, and without waiting for an answer pushed forward to find his housemates. Namely Evie and Hayley. WHERE WERE EVIE AND HAYLEY??

He finally spotted a few Ravenclaws and made his way over to them, pushing people out of his way as he started to catch on to what had happened from the conversations going on around him. Something about Herbology, and the Headmistress?? And some other students were taken. Hadn't a kid died last year because of acromantulas?

O_O WHAT IF NOEL DIED????!??!?!?!!?

No. NOPE.

NOEL WOULD NOT DIE. AND NEITHER WOULD HAYLEY AND EVIE. No one was dying. NO ONE. NO MORE DYING.

Level head Benzi. Deep breaths. In and out. Level head. Ignoring Quigley's impromptu Charms/CoMC lesson, he turned his head to the entrance again and saw Professor Dakest standing there keeping guard. Alone. He was probably tired while Benzi had literally done nothing all morning, so the sixteen year old quickly made up his mind to join him. There was no way he was just going to stand here, especially when he couldn't spot Hayley or Evie. "Mr. Kitridge, I'm here and I'm fine, and I'm going to go and stand with Dakest in case any spiders come back," he announced for the headcount and without waiting around to let anyone stop him, quickly made his way to the DADA professor.

"Professor Dakest, I'm here to help sir," Benzi said seriously, his wand out and ready as he moved to stand by and keep guard for any possible giant spiders. Good thing Suri wasn't here, she'd have fainted. "Are we going to go save the students who were taken?" he asked, frowning as he looked back at the students gathered, then out towards the grounds. He wanted in on the rescue mission. Noel was there. He was going.

"They're not just scary they will eat you without thinking twice about it." She flashed the girl a look. Trying to save a cat when her life was in danger? Was she even really a Slytherin? Sophia shook her head and continued to look around, hoping the Slytherin numbers would grow.



Sophia spun around when the voice of the female prefect reached her ears. "No healer Murdoch is not with me right now but I have no doubt that she'll be here soon. She's a competent witch and can fend for herself." That was not to say that Bellaire wasn't worried about her colleague. "In the mean time you know what you and Caleb have to do." She gave the girl a nod.



"I trust you heard the instructions?" She said looking down at the student. "You're all prepared for this. Remain calm and keep your wits about you. Remember that you're a Slytherin and Slytherins don't die..." She gave the girl a reassuring pat on the shoulder.



Dot got a dead pan look from the professor for a few seconds. Really? She wasn't sure if the child was making jokes or not but there would be no riding on her back into the forest to help. Annie got herself captured, she ought to be able to hold on and defend herself until they could execute a proper rescue mission. "I just need you to stay here, safe and help to keep the younger students calm Miss Wojack. Don't try to help unless explicitly asked to do so. "In other words stay outta the way.



What? What now? Oh...Maddox had finally arrived in the Great Hall and look he was all in one piece. She wasn't sure if she wad a bit disappointed or relieved. What no battle scar? She did catch his single though but she needed to ensure that all her snakes were in good shape before she left them with the prefects.

"We know what they're doing to them. They're eating them...or trying to at this moment!"



" They will not get here on time. Remember there is no apparating into the school. In the mean time we'll have to defend ourselves and we have to win. They're beasts we're wizards. We are better than them and we have wands. Remember all that you were taught and use it. Don't be afraid to kill them because they won't be afraid to kill you."


With that Sophia moved away from the snakes to join Maddox at the dais. "If this doesn't work Quigley, I'm prepared to come out covered in acromantula blood...but I'm not dying and these children are not dying."

SO MUCH WAS HAPPENING!

There was way to much commotion around here if you asked her. Sure she completely understood the situation at hand for she wasn't in the least a stupid girl. All the yelling, running around, and crying wasn't exactly helping the problem they were all now facing though was it? If you asked her everyone needed to just stop and take a deep breath to collect themselves and their thoughts before a plan was set into place and then cared out. Herself included in that.

SPOILER!!: Echo

Echo ran behind Kate and she was glad to see that alot more students were in the great hall. She heard where the Slytherins were. "im here" she yelled as she bound her way over to her housemates.

As she had made her way towards the rest of her fellow Slytherins she heard her younger friend Echo before she spotted her running over. This made Hady let out a tiny sigh of relief to see another of their house safe and sound. She gave the younger girl a small smile and a nod of her head.

SPOILER!!: Professor Bellaire

"Good, stay here and try not to wander off...not even to join the students from the other houses. We need to ensure everyone is accounted for. Mr. Newell is in charge."She said looking between the two girls.

It was only a moment after reaching her housemates that Professor Bellaire was looking at her and instructing her not to go anywhere. She hadn't planned to. All she'd been doing was looking with her eyes for a friend...whom she had yet to see. That didn't mean anything though cause she was sure he was just fine. "Yes Professor," Hady agreed quietly giving a small nod of her head in confirmation that she would listen.

SPOILER!!: Dot

Oh, LOOK. Hady was safe! Dot gave the younger girl a squeeze too, just to let her know she was glad Hady wasn't dead. Unlike Noel Wallace, WHO NO ONE WAS RESCUING.

Unconsciously rubbing at the back of her hand she continued to glance around the Hall as she listened to everyone around her. And then she was being HUGGED? Blinking quickly it took her a second to realize who the hug was even from. Sorry Dot but her head wasn't quite in the spot it should be at the moment. "Hey Dot..." she offered quietly giving her slightly older friend a semi hug in return. Nothing against the hugs really she just wasn't used to many people hugging her.

Hady flinched inwardly the moment the Professors all got LOUD. Really loud. Yeah they had to be heard and all but still that didn't help any. Cringing slightly while rubbing her temples with her fingers she tried to think. Fire worked as she'd seen several of her fellow mates casting fire charms and spells at the spiders. However if they all started casting spells like that surely they'd burn down all of the castle. So probably not. Um...

Lux? Sweet and innocent Lux? A week? So many questions. How did AJ miss that her friend had been missing? Although, it was normal to go days without actually seeing each other, but a week? Where had her head been? A zoned out expression took over her face.

Lux.

It was as if she were having an out of body experience. Her mind was so preoccupied that she didn't even hear that he had said eight fingers were up instead of three. "Yeah..." Was it all just now sinking in for her? Still, a million emotions flooded her, but terror wasn't one of them. Those spiders were going to get it.

Before long, the great hall was silent thanks to Quigley forcibly sushing them. Good grief, he was loud. YES. A plan. A plan of attack. They were going to get Lux, Cinna, Bunz, Noel back. Was there another missing student? It was hard to keep track.

Fire. Yes, that was good. Basilisks would be the perfect solution, but they had a small problem considering they had to add scent to the very old fangs that were used for the necklaces. The basilisk that used to live here was dead as a doornail. If he wasn't then he was lacking manners with the whole hoarding fangs thing.

"Peppermint oil?" She had heard it was a thing from her mom. She sprayed it around the baseboards at home sometimes.

Trying to block out all the commotion was not working and staying huddled in the corner was just making Thornton all the more anxious. The whole being cornered aspect of it. He'd have nowhere to run if the beasts ended up in here with them.

So with wobbly knees and jelly legs, Thornton forced himself to his feet, wand still gripped tightly in his hand, and... scanned the room.

Professors. He wanted to stand near professors. That was the safest place, right? Near an adult? Chewing on his lip, he didn't really care which professors, though maybe he should, and shuffled off in the direction of the nearest ones.

MORE students than Ilia were taken by the spiders?!

Yoongi looked at the Hufflepuff Prefect with a shocked expression on his face and he shook his head when Adi talked about how he shouldn’t worry about when he left them alone at the entrance hall. It had only been what? Ten minutes ago? But it felt like a whole day already. He looked at the side of his head to see it was injured but he was still walking and talking so that was okay. “Ah you’ll live”

Looking at Marsha, Yoongi could not help but smile as well when she did. The whole situation was nothing to smile or laugh about but her he was. It was probably best not to tell her that he had never tried that shield spell before but had seen Toby using it earlier. He had mesmerized the incantation and wand movement while he had been looking and it did help he was really good at Charms. He could do this.

And then AJ gave…a necklace to Marsha. Protecting necklace? Yoongi could not help but scoff. Sorry but he did not believe such an object could protect anyone. He did not say this out loud though and he had turned his scoff in to a fake cough. ”I don’t know where the other Gryffindors are at…”

Professor Flamsteed looked like himself after he had run to Professor Dakest’office for help. He obviously did not do any exercises , something Yoongi was going to change. He would jog on the grounds sometimes to keep his condition good . ”That’s good” he sighed in relief when he heard that they were fine. He knew about what happened to them in the previous year. This whole thing must be a complete déjà vu moment for them.

And then Professor Dakest entered the entrance hall and Yoongi let out a high pitch cry. HE WAS ALIVE! Adi had already told him that if something happened to the Defence Professor it wouldn’t have been his fault, but honestly, if something had happened he would still feel guilty about it. But he was okay. He did not walk over to him although he had multiple questions right now , because the voice of Professor Quigley was heard above all others.

Yoongi turned his attention to the Charms Professor and his face fell when he confirmed that the Headmistress and a few students were captured. So far, it had only been rumours except for Ilia whom he had seen getting captured with his own eyes. They had a plan? He doubted it but said nothing. The Professor’s brains were probably rolling around right now trying to make a plan and pass it off as if they had it already. ”A basilisk , sir.. but so far fire has done the trick as well” Professor Flamsteeds sarcastic comment was priceless though and the Gryffindor could not help but let out a nervous laugh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

OH THAT THOUGH! THAT!

Pointing towards the Slytherin, Airey nodded. If they were REALLY going to be taking back the school, they were going to need more wands. More wands and, while the man would support any student's desire to defend Hogwarts, stronger magic.

"Patronus to the Ministry? Or Hogsmeade?" he offered as he slide towards Miss Traulton. Still pointing. And wheezing. Lots and lots of wheezing.

Just someone else do that because he was still recovering from his battle down from the seventh floor. Patronus would hardly make it to the Astronomy Tower in his state.

..........what on Earth????

????

Maggie wrinkled her nose a little and CASUALLY moved away from Professor Flamsteed when he slid closer to her. Which was accompanied by a lot of wheezing. On his part, obviously, not hers. He was so weird, seriously. She eyed him but also glanced over to Professor Quigley to see what he thought of her suggestion.

Seeing as Professor Flamsteed had pretty much repeated it for everyone to hear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davvy_Wavvy

" They will not get here on time. Remember there is no apparating into the school. In the mean time we'll have to defend ourselves and we have to win. They're beasts we're wizards. We are better than them and we have wands. Remember all that you were taught and use it. Don't be afraid to kill them because they won't be afraid to kill you."

Oh.

Never mind then.

Maggie's attention was back on Professor Bellaire. Right. They wouldn't be here on time. So nobody was on-call so to say in case of an emergency? There was a huge flaw in their security, huh? Well, also the fact that those enormous spiders were in the castle in the first place. The Headmistress had some serious explaining to do. If she made it back alive.

"I already killed one." She deadpanned. Yup. Heather, who was Heather? So no worries, professor. Maggie knew not to be afraid to kill them.

....speaking of, "Who's missing?" Maggie asked Dot next to her once Bellaire was back up there on the staff dais.