SIIIIIIIGH


Stormy didn't want to go to the portal but he wasn't going to go against his dear mothers word. The polter-kid followed his mother to the portal on the sixth floor. As he made his way to the sixth floor he flew some loops.


"I'M HERE TO SAVE THE DAY!"


Okay, maybe he was a little bit happy about saying the day.


HEHEHEHE!

Gaston leaned against the wall for a brief moment to catch his breath as he caught up to the rest of the group. He was glad to see that both Miffy and Storm were already here and had't gone back on their word (yet) and even more glad to see Kay, Laurel, and Miss Delgado were still standing guard and unharmed. He gave each of the ladies a small smile and a polite nod.

His face fell as he overheard what Laurel said, though. Where was everyone?! His eyes darted apprehensively toward the portal. Shouldn't they have been back already? Had something happened? What if they all...? His heart dropped at the possibility that everyone who had gone inside had already been devoured by the monster. He shook his head, trying to make the bad thoughts go away. he couldn't think about that now!

The longer they waited, the more restless Gaston became. He'd already begun to pace back and forth. All this waiting and watching was getting to him! If the other group didn't return soon, he was going in after them! His hand instinctively wen tot his wand. He needed something to distract himself, so he decided to join the others in buttering up the poltergeists. "Yes, you certainly are," he said, managing a weak laugh as Storm announced he was here to save the day. "You're doing a very brave thing... both of you." He gave each of the poltergeists a little smile as his eyes shifted back to the portal.

So, everyone was here, professors and poltergeists included. And Olivia, too, for whom Levi had a relieved smile. It was comforting to know that his fellow Gryffindor had not gone inside the portal, too. Not that she'd mentioned such a thing before, but it was still comforting.

Levi still could not understand why anyone would want to. Well, he could understand why professors did. It was, probably, part of their job description. But, students?

Anyway, best of luck to them.

His current group presently needed a lot of that, too, considering... Storm and Miffy. Though Miffy seemed very good at controlling the polterkid, there was still something about Storm that made him feel like he was on the verge of jumping off a high cliff, unwillingly.

So, what now? He looked at Daisy, in question. Like somehow she could give him any answers. Then he looked at Olivia. Then at Professor Newton.

"I think," He whispered at Daisy, only for her to hear, and trying to keep his smile in place at the poltergeists, "It's time for the adults to...completely take over." At least Professors Newton, Stewart and Vance were there. Oh, and yes, Marchand.

If they dismissed him now, he'd be completely fine with it.

Kane had followed the rest of the group up to the portal, watching the poltergeists with interest. He expected them to just up and LEAVE at any moment now, but they seemed to be...sticking around. Now the rest test - to see if they could get them to stick around until people came OUT of the portal.

His heart sank a bit when he realized that the group around the portal was...pretty small. MEANING people hadn't yet come OUT of the portal. Meaning Abey and Simon were STILL in there as well. Biting his lip, he snaked his way through the portal until he got to Brent's side.

He was kind of anxious to see how this all turned out. Once they went in the portal...were the poltergeists STUCK there? He was still not sure how this whole thing was supposed to work, but as long as it was CLOSED and everyone from Hogwarts was on the right side - and the monster was IN THERE when it closed - that was all he cared about.

He wanted to ask Brent what he thought would happen to the annoying mother-son duo when they went in the portal, but he didn't want to risk them overhearing him ask about it, and then decide they weren't going in.

With a thoughtful nod at Professor Vance (about the clock), Olivia shifted her gaze towards the staircase leading down into the lower floors; where the rest of her team should've been reemerging at any moment. Sure... seeing Brent Westwood first thing was okay... but where was Levi? She was a lowly Lion Lady out here trying to survive and she definitely would've felt leagues better having a partner-in-Gryffindor nearby. But also... Leon? Mason? No one else had been attacked along the way, had they?

Needless to say, it made Liv slightly nervous that they'd taken the polterkid's word so quickly. What if he'd been playing them all? What if this was an elaborate prank?..... Her peers had definitely gotten into her head about the damage these spectral energies could cause. And what exactly would Miffy have done in the face of that damage? Laugh?... Given the scene on the fifth floor, Olivia very much thought so.

... Of course, when Daisy suddenly appeared, tugging a bewildered looking Levi along with her... the blonde found herself relaxing. No, she didn't know Daisy that well, or Levi, but she formed attachments to people quickly (which was not a good thing, but... it was a character flaw that couldn't really be helped). Olivia already appreciated them both... And Mason... And Leon... And maybe even Brent and Kane, too... Odd, but probably due to the new found realization that she and Miffy weren't really friends. To those who knew her, it was a tough blow. Perhaps she was trying to overcompensate for the loss?

Remind her not to mention that to her therapist.

.... And forgive Olivia Phillips if she didn't grovel to those family-harming... bullies! That spoiled brat had went after her cousin. HER FAMILY, so he could just go and get himself stuffed right and proper, thank you and good night. Miffy, too, if she wanted to laugh and encourage someone... Playing with people's lives was not a joking matter. It wasn't even original.

Consider her #unfriended

Refusing to so much as glance at the newly-arrived polter-duo, Liv saved her energy for mean-mugging the portal entrance. She wouldn't entertain that situation. Not her department. In fact, she was certain they were going to toss both poltergeists into the portal. If Storm went, Miffy was sure to follow, right?

Good riddance.

Her annoyance at Storm and Miffy aside, Olivia still had far too many friends that had gone into that swirling vortex of doom. It would've taken real force to remove her from this spot. To be honest. Anyway, Daisy was giving her The Look™, and Levi...appeared ready to ditch this popsicle stand. "Hopefully they kick them both in." It was said a little viciously, but... Well. When you hurt family, you're asking for it...."Are you sticking around?" Spoken so that only the two of them could hear.

Olly was still pulling Kitty along, one hand gripped tightly in hers and the other holding onto both of their wands. They'd made it up the stairs and to the portal and were toppling out on the other side. There was a brief moment of relief when Olly realized this was the real Hogwarts and they were safe. But then he remembered they had only been the first to come through and the others were still on the other side. With any luck they would be coming through soon. They were supposed to have followed him and Kitty and the boys. The boys. Were they there too? They'd gotten out?

The pain on his face was hard to ignore. The monster had really gotten its nails in. Olly had managed to focus on his escape but now he had no distraction from the pain. Or the blood. He could feel it on his cheek and even some running down his neck. He was still trying to adjust to his surroundings and barely recognized any of the people standing around outside the portal. Was one of them a healer?

Chris raced down the corridor of the hallway following behind Olly and Kitty hoping they were paying attention because he didn't have his wand out. As soon as he saw the portal though he knew that he would be okay. This was going to be over right? He ran through the portal carrying Simon on his back and trying not to get himself to turn around and go get Nat before depositing him safely. As he arrived he looked around and took several deep breaths sliding the boy from his back carefully. Man he was heavier than he thought. Might be a good workout to run with him on his back.

He looked around at the people trying to find the healer. "OI! We need healers! I've got Simon!" Surely someone was paying attention because he was about ready to run back inside and get Nat if only he didn't have to make sure this one got to see someone for that breathing issue.

ooc: Zelena is with Simon and Chris. Just too much for me to catch up on.

Zelena had made her way out right beside Simon and the Ravenclaw sixth year. She was annoyed with herself that she had repaired Simon's glasses but she honestly thought that it would be helpful for Simon if he could see the exit.

It was obvious that Simon had breathing difficulties and looked around for a Healer. Her mind wasn't exactly functioning and she was getting upset but she refused to let Simon see it. He and Abey needed top priority in terms of help.

Still gripping Abey's hand, Rula tumbled out of the portal right after Zelena, Simon, and the Ravenclaw boy (whose name she would probably try to find out later), falling flat on the floor.

Oof!

Merlin. That... That was...

It took a couple seconds, but finally it registered. They'd made it! This was the real Hogwarts! They were alive!

But not out of the woods yet. The Healer. Hospital wing. They needed those. The rest of the group would be coming through too - and then hopefully the poltergeists went through or did whatever they needed to do to get rid of that portal before that nightmare came back again.

"C'mere, Abey," she said softly, pulling him close to lead him away from the portal and toward the group.

Peeves was BOOOOOOOOOOOOORED!!!

Celebrating his victory all by himself was no fun, so he decided to see what was going on at the portal. Oooooh, lots o people here! Yay!

HONK! HONK! HONK! He was glad he remembered to bring his party horn with him

"WHAT'S UP, PARTY PEOPLE?" BIIIIIIG shower of confetti for everybody!

But Peeves frowned when he saw Storm. WHAAAAAAT?! Why was that twerp still here? And Miffy was with him. "What are YOU doing here?!"

Gaston thought he was going to go mad with worry just standing there waiting and watching! Just when he didn't think he could take it anymore, Mr. Borzekowski-Thomas appeared pulling Miss Valentine along. His heart sank when he saw their wounds. So much for his hope that everyone would return unharmed!

Speaking of which, where was everyone?! Mr. Jensen, Miss Holmes, and Mr. Rockefeller had arrived shortly after the others, and Mr. And Miss Botros were here too. But he knew that wasn't everyone who'd gone into the portal. Where were Regina, Hirsch, and Cami? And Charlotte and Henry? And Noelle? And Nat? He was so overwhelmed with worry that it took him a moment to register Mr. Jensen saying they needed the Healer. He took a deep breath. Okay, focus, Gaston! Happy thoughts... With a quick wave of his wand, he conjured a patronus. the silvery white platypus floated away in the direction of the hospital wing, and he watched it go. Please hurry, River!

The professor gave Mr. Jensen a quick nod. "Of course, Mr. Jensen," he said. "I've just sent for Healer Reed; he should be here soon." His gaze momentarily strayed to the other end of the hall, hoping against hope to see River approaching. Then his attention turned back to Mr. Borzekowski-Thomas and Miss Valentine. "Healer Reed is on the way," he told them. "In the meantime, I can do something to stop the bleeding." He was hesitant about using healing spells when it wasn't his area of expertise, but he couldn't just leave them to bleed like that! A wave of his wand cleaned up the blood, and another cleaned the wounds themselves. Then he traced the path of the wounds with his wand, reapeating, "Vulnera Sanentur, Vulnera Sanentur, Vulnera Sanentur..."

When he'd finished doing that, he turned to Mr. Rockefeller. The poor kid seemed to be having trouble breathing! the thought crossed Gaston's mind to summon the boy's inhaler for him, but he quickly realized that wouldn't work since he had no idea where the inhaler was. He'd just have to find another way to help him until River arrived. He bent so that his eyes were level with the first year's and placed a comforting hand atop his shoulder. "It's alright, Mr. Rockefeller," he said softly. "Try to calm down... you're safe now." He kept whispering soothing words to the boy, hoping it would calm his breathing a bit, until...

He heard horns honking. Oh, good Godric Gryffindor! Not him! Not now! Gaston rose and wheeled around to find Peeves floating there. Reacting quickly, he cast a shield charm around the students who'd just come from the portal, hoping it would be enough to keep them from getting covered in confetti. He was done with these shenanigans! "ENOUGH, PEEVES!" he bellowed, his eyes flashing like bluebell flames. "Take your damn horns and confetti and get out of here!" He started to point his wand at the floating nightmare but thought better of it. "And if you even think about bothering these kids after what they've been through, I'll -" It took all the restraint he had to keep from finishing that sentence. He reminded himself that Miffy was still here, and somehow he didn't think she'd take kindly to him threatening her husband.

Home. Hogwarts. Home. Safe. Was he safe? Was Abey?

He was quickly let down off the Ravenclaw's back and was rested against a wall. Hand clutching his chest once again trying to catch any breath he could with his graveled gasps for air. Tears and sobs occasionally escaping his eyes, and his lips.

He reached forward with his other hand and snagged at the pant leg of the older boy who had carried him on his back (Christopher). "My. In...haler." He wheezed. If someone could get it. "Is. Abey...Here?" His eyes landed on the Girl who had ran to him first (Zelena), the Slytherin. She helped repair his glasses.

When the Professor spoke to him next, Simon wanted his inhaler so badly he rasped out "My Room...o..n desk" He wasn't sure he could wait for the Healer. His arm released from the Ravenclaw's pant leg and he just ended up clinging to the Charms Professor's arm briefly, before the Man turned his attention to the Ghost.

His eyes darted around trying to find the Gryffindor, Abey, but it landed on the Portal instead and the young badger's breathing began to sound panicked and uneven again. Why was that thing still here!?

Zelena was happy to see Rula exit the portal with Abey but she was very concerned about those that hadn't exited. Had the monster made a meal out of any of them? "Please let them be safe." Zelena begged.
Really? Zelena was now having to deal with this? Professor Marchand said to Peeves pretty much what she was going to say so she mouthed a "Thank you, Professor."

Zelena heard Simon mention to Professor Marchand the location of his inhaler and so she concentrated hard on the location and firmly said, "Accio!" The inhaler zoomed into Zelena's hand and she quickly handed it to Simon.

"Here's your inhaler. I think Abey has come through the portal. Rula's with him. She's a fellow Slytherin." Zelena said reassuringly.

Abey hadn't so much run through the alternate Hogwarts as he had stumbled his way through it. Aside from being incredibly unsteady on his feet, he also had no idea how to get back to the portal on this side; the monster had been moving so fast when it brought them through to its lair that actually Abey had been far too disoriented to know where he was, AND it was so dark too. During the escape, he just told his feet to keep running and let Rula guide him in the right direction.

He hadn't fully processed that they were going through the portal, not until they were already on the other side and Abey found himself, once again, in a heap on the floor. This time, though, he recognised his surroundings and, most importantly, he was still hand in hand with Rula.

It was all a bit of a shock to the system actually, having gone from that terrifying and cold, dark world that seemed to bleed 'evil', to this warmer, brighter, normal Hogwarts. Even though they were out of the freezing cold and almost out of danger, Abey still shook violently, and stared around him - though without really seeing - with wide, fearful eyes. He was still crying so hard that he felt sick, and kept willing himself to not throw up.

The only thing Abey wanted to focus on right now was Rula. He moved with her, away from the portal - as far away from it as he could get - and clung to his cousin, burying his face against her, crying even harder than before. When he tried to speak, the only words that came out were, "Waitingit'sw-w-waitingwaitingi-it'swwwaitingit-it-i-it'swaiting..." frantic, panicked, and jumbled.

Not knowing for sure if he was safe - and certainly not feeling as though he was - Abey simply held on tight to Rula and kept his face hidden. With his eyes closed, all he could see were images of the monster, replaying themselves behind his closed eyelids, but he was terrified that - were he to uncover his face and open his eyes - he would find himself back in that awful place, with that awful monster, all alone, actually for real.

Everything hurt, that was true, but Abey was not at all concerned with that right now. In his head, he saw that decaying pile of bones, he saw the monster fighting to get at the rescue team, he saw (smelled, felt, heard) it grabbing his collar and leaning closer to him, teeth bared, ready to snuff out his life with a single, horrible bite...

Letting out a fresh wave of sobbing, Abey held onto Rula even tighter and trembled so bad it was a wonder he was still upright at all. He couldn't look, not at the portal, not at anyone else, not at his surroundings. If he looked, the monster would come back. If he looked, he would be back there, and it would all have been for nothing.

Still holding Olly's hand as tightly as she could (this wouldn't hurt though, as her grip wasn't very strong), she stumbled with him out of the portal and had to throw her hands out to prevent her from crashing face first into the floor. As she fell her kneecap wobbled out of place for a split second before coming back in.

Safe. Safe and surrounded by other students and professors. She heard Peeve's booming voice nearby as he threw confetti, but was too hurt to care. She desperately hoped he's just leave them alone if was going to cause trouble, just this once. She pressed her arms into the ground, sobbing softly as blood continued to drip from her face.

Professor Gaston was bending over them then. He cast a healing spell on her. Her blood dried and vanished, and before she knew it her wounds were healing.

"Thank you, thank you," she whispered, sighing softly as the pain started going away.

They had done it, yeah? As far as Daisy could tell, having missed much of the discussion and planning, the Professors wanted the poltergeists by the portal. Well, the polter!demons were there, eerily willing to help in a way that still made the Slytherin's stomach twist nervously. After all the mess and attempted murder (!!!) they had done, it seemed too easy. Miffy wanted to repay Hogwarts for allowing her to get married? Yeah, right. Something shifty was going on.

Her eyes moved towards Olivia once more, widened in surprise at her words. Was that the plan? Throw then into the portal? Maybe the girl was just expressing a wish, or something. Otherwise who even knew what would happen once Storm went through? Miffy would definitely lose it and that's why Daisy nodded in reply to Levi's words. "There are plenty of adults here, they can deal with it." She was not sticking around to witness a polter!attack/tantrum, thank you very much. Therefore, she started to answer Olivia's question, head shaking side to side and excuses already lined up in her head when chaos erupted.

In true Hogwarts fashion, it must be said.

Students started to fall down from the portal, plenty of them injured. Kitty and Olly were bleeding, a lot, and she thought back at all the preparation they had done in the Hospital Wing. It should have been done here, because there was no way the students could make it down three floors in this state. At least Professor Marchand was doing his best to help them while also calling for Healer Reed and telling off Peeves. Maybe a bit too harshly, considering Miffy was there, but the circumstances were harsh as well. Trust the poltergeist to show up at the worst of times, though. The confetti falling from the air made the whole scene look even weirder and she visibly grimaced. As the abducted firsties were returned to the real Hogwarts, her grip on Levi's arm broke and she moved to clutch his hand, instead. Nope. This was it. She could literally point out the moment her trust in Hogwarts as an institution was broken; children were clearly traumatised, students who had gone to try and save them were bleeding severely, and the plan to end this relied heavily on two poltergeists whom no one could control.

"Professor," She started suddenly, eyes still surveying the entire scene. She wasn't even sure to whom she was speaking just .. someone. With sense. "shouldn't we call for St. Mungo's? Or the Ministry?" Healer Reed was good and she was one of the few people she still trusted in all this mess. But it was, undeniably, a big mess.

One second she was in the Alternate Hogwarts, the next Noelle was through the portal.

She was out of breath and numb. A horde of emotions hadn't hit her yet. Right now, she practically slammed into some of the people that were still around the portal. She managed to miss them before tripping and collapsing on the floor. Out of breath, she couldn't speak.

Noelle's eyes trained on the portal though. She was urging without speaking the others to come out. The monster had been right behind them. She didn't even care to look at anyone around the portal at this moment. Her attention was on the others still in.

Come on.
Come on.
Come on.

Brent breathed a sigh of relief when Storm finally showed up. The polter-kid was still going on about how happy he was to save the day. If he wasn't a poltergeist, Brent would actually feel sorry for him. Did he even realize what he was about to do? ... Ohhh, well. Brent was not going to be the one to explain that to him. Storm could figure that one out on the flip side.

Brent looked at Professor Marchand. Following the professor's lead, he nodded and added, "Oh, yeah. Really awesome thing you're doing here...saving the day and all," he said. He looked back at the clock. How much time did they have left? If any? Also...was Miffy going in that portal, too? Brent hadn't even thought about that, but he figured she would seeing as her kid was going in. Hmm. Well, that was one way to get rid of some poltergeists...

The little bro was here, too. Which was--... Whooooa, wait. People were coming out of the portal now! There was Olly...and Kitty...and duuuuuude, people looked pretty bad. He wondered what had gone down in there, but there was plenty of time for that later. This meant good things, though! Chris! Simon! Brent tried to peer into the portal to see who else was coming through. Was it too early to assume everybody was okay?!

OHMYGOOOOOSH. There was Zelena and Rula and ABEYYYY. Duuuuuude. Everybody was going to be okay! He fought the urge to ask and make sure the monster wasn't going to just tumble on out the portal with them. Peeves had shown up, too, and duuuuuuuude! Professor Marchand let him HAVE IT. That had been AWESOME to witness!

...but there were others. Brent's heart began beating faster. Were they okay? He was torn between wanting to approach the others and express how happy he was that they were okay and to see if there was anything he could do...OR asking where the others were and seeing if they, too, were going to make their way to the other side.

...and was somebody going to give Storm some kind of directions?

Olly was glad they were calling the healer here and weren't making them go to the hospital wing. First there was the little fact that it was so far away and he didn't want to have to go all the way there. There was also the fact that Olly did not want to have to leave before Noelle came through the portal. And the others of course. But he needed to know Noelle in particular was safe. But he would like someone to help him with the scratches soon. Thankfully Professor Marchand knew exactly what he and Kitty needed. The wound still stung a little but it was nowhere near as bad as it had been.

"Thanks professor," he said, reaching a hand up to gingerly touch the scratches. They didn't feel quite as bad now that the blood was gone. "Here." That was directed to Kitty, as he held her wand out to her. "You dropped it."

Noelle! There was Noelle! As soon as she emerged from the portal Olly was at her side. He was glad to see she wasn't hurt. There were still others that needed to come through, though, and he hoped they had all fared just as well. They should be coming through anytime soon, yeah? Hopefully? He glanced around at the ghosts that had gathered. What exactly was the plan again? Storm had to go through? All Olly knew at the moment was that Storm was there and that was good. But first they had to make sure the others were safely on this side of the portal, then they could worry about closing it.

Skylar was still moving as swiftly as her fatigued feet and legs would allow her, wondering still what would happen when they got the poltergeists to the portal and if the group had no returned yet from the alternate hogwarts. She felt her heart skip a beat or two, as she approached the area and found it was filled with more people than those who'd gone into the alternate Hogwarts. Only something was still amiss.

A quick look around told her that Abey and Rula and Simon and Zelena and Kitty and Olly were all back .... along with another Ravenclaw boy she didn't really know. But they all looked in worse shape and Skylar just wished she knew healing charms to help console them all. Or feed them chocolates and happy thoughts.

And Peeves ... what on Earth was Peeves doing up here?! Scrutinizing the senior poltergeist it took a minute before she realized Noelle was back as well. Sweet Noelle who would do anything for her; who was practically like a sister. And there wasn't anything more that the third year could do but thank the stars above her, and run toward the older girl and wrap her arms around her. If Noelle was bleeding all over her, Skylar didn't care.

Also there were still a couple students missing, right? And a couple professors? But for now, it was just enough to hug Noelle as tightly as possible.

She got through the portal and slowed her jog to a stop. Her breath heavy from the running. She put her hands to her sides and looked around to quickly count heads of the ones that had come through. "Is... everyone... alright?" She really should workout more, certainly not a quidditch player that was for sure. She had forgotten about her face and now was just focused on the stitch in her side.


Was Healer Reed here? She glanced around and that's when she fully took in the view. The stupid Poltergist, all the students, professor, so many people were there ready for action. "There coming, they were right behind me." She hoped they were still behind her and Professor's Hirsch lasso worked.

He was really going to have to teach her that in the month she had left of school.

Chris watched as people came through the portal. He looked at the young Hufflepuff as he tugged on his pant leg grateful as the Slytherin took care of the inhaler issue as his mind was clearly more on the people coming out. Where was Nat? Why wasn't she out yet? A mild panic started to set in and he was about ready to go back inside when he saw the Head Girl come out. He let out a breath he hadn't known he had been holding and quickly pushed his way through everyone to get to her.

"Nat!" He said still getting through the crowd of people. He had half a mind to shove some out of the way but that wouldn't help. As he reached her he wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. "I almost went back for you. Are you okay?" He pulled back and inspected her noticing the scratch on her face. "You're hurt."

All of a sudden, people started POURING out of the portal.

Kane was definitely not a healer, and he didn't even know any basic healing charms, but he wanted to help in any way he could. He was about to run up to the Slytherin boy who'd dragged the Ravenclaw prefect out of the portal, when...SIMON! He started panting and Kane knew that was a sign of an asthma attack - his father had them sometimes - and he was just about to turn in to Tasmanian!Kane again and sprint ALL the way down to the basement to get it, when an older student had the foresight to use that handy thing called MAGIC to summon it to them. Ok, good. Marchard was healing some of the injuried ones as well, and the poltergeists were still here and hadn't run away so...that was good. There was a LOT happening, but they seemed to have control over things for now.

They were still missing a good number of people though. Just when he had been afraid that MAYBE Abey hadn't made it out - he came tumbling out as well, with that annoying Slytherin girl who'd tried to get a professor to escort them to the common room. THEY WERE BOTH ALIVE! Poor Abey - Kane felt like his heart was sinking as he watched the younger boy sob on the floor. He couldn't even begin to imagine what was going through his brain, and what he had seen in the portal...he'd be a mess too if it had been him.

Biting his lip, he walked over and knelt down next to the boy. He wanted to reach out and touch him to assure him it was ok but he didn't want to spook him either. The last thing the kid needed as a heart attack induced by the thought that some innocent touch on his shoulder was actually the monster. Kane knew OF Simon and had spoken to him once or twice, but Abey was someone he had actually talked to and considered a friend, sort of. He wanted to do SOMETHING. Kane wasn't even sure if he'd be able to hear him over his own crying.

"Abey, it's ok, you're safe now - you're back at Hogwarts!" he assured him. He gave a sort of apologetic look to the Slytherin girl that he'd glare-sassed earlier. He then turned and looked at Marchard, who had just blown a gasket on Peeves. This...could end really badly. It was hard enough getting them up here...and now this might become an explosive situation. Hopefully, whatever animosity Miffy and Peeves seemed to have between each other would hold up, and they'd want to stick around and "save the day" just to spite him.

Could everyone just GET OUT so they could throw Storm in there (or all three of them, Kane didn't care) and be DONE with this mess?

"Is everyone on their way out?" Kane asked the group at large. "I mean, is anyone...um....not coming back?" he trailed off quietly. He just wanted to be sure everyone was accounted for, and if someone wasn't, well...that they didn't waste time keeping the portal open for a poor soul who would never return.

Practical stuff, you know?

"Thank you for picking it up for me," she said, slowly reaching her arm forward to take her wand back from Olly. She twirled it around in her fingers, gazing blankly forward for a few moments. "And for...you know. Saving me." If he hadn't grabbed her and guided her back to the portal, she may never have made it. "Are you...better now?" He hadn't seemed to have been injured as badly as she had been, but maybe he was just better at hiding his pain.

Now that she was better she was able to notice who was coming out of the portal. Her breath got caught in her throat as she watched the others still inside make their escape. Natalia and Noelle tumbled out next, and Rula and Zelena and the two boys were already out. The headmistress was still inside, as were the professors.

Please let them be okay...

Camilla made a so very not graceful return into the true Hogwarts corridor. She stumbled and nearly fell only managing to catch herself before she had. That would have been seriously embarrassing if she had been in the state of mind to even care about it. Backing herself up into the nearest wall she laid her head back against it trying to catch her breath, eyes closing at the sudden change of lighting as well.

Still with her eyes closed to spoke to everyone around her, having heard all their voice. "Hirsch and Regina are the only two inside...they were both right behind me," Cami was quiet after that. They had both been behind her. So where were they now? Opening her eyes she looked towards the portal willing them to come out now.

It was then however as her breathing slowed back to normal that she was able to feel it. The pain. The deep hot burning pain that only came with fresh wounds. Once more her hand raised to face only to drop back down to her side just as fast. It didn't take a genius to know the claw marks were bad. She'd let River check it out for her after he had attended to everyone else.