There was only so much waiting a girl could take. Even getting things ready in the Hospital Wing couldn’t distract Elle forever, not when she kept thinking about things like how her friends were in danger. She knew enough about Nat, even without what the Head Girl had said when she’d left them, to know she’d gone through. That she was facing that thing they’d seen in the corridor, that they’d narrowly kept from capturing Hattie and Daisy. Sort of. She knew they hadn’t really done anything, but the thoughts were there. They were haunting her, as she’d paced.

But she’d gone into action nearly as soon as the Patronus had raced in to notify Healer Reed, tossing some of the supplies they had gotten out into her bag and rather unceremoniously waking the sleeping hedgehog inside as it had been pelted by packets of murtlap essence gauze and vials of calming draughts and blood-replenishing potions. She hadn’t thought about it as she’d run out of the Hospital Wing, barely noticing if the healer had followed her. Okay, the message hadn’t been for her, but if she could help, she wanted to.

She’d kept her bag close to her side as she’d careened around the final corner to come in sight of the large group gathered by the portal, trusting her pet not to get too inquisitive. “I have murtlap essence,” she said, almost randomly, pushing her way through to get to Nat and largely ignoring the presence of the poltergeists. It seemed as if Professor Marchand had dealt with some of the others, and she’d almost instinctively gone into triage mode. Important patients first, and she’d slid a hand past the nose of her hedgehog poking out of her bag to retrieve a packet, as well as a few vials of potion if anyone wanted them. Or even if they wanted to cuddle a hedgehog, at this point. However she could help.

They were out! Henry was still clutching Charlotte's hand as they both made their way through the portal and back into their own dimension. His adrenaline was still pretty high from the fighting and running, and it gave him a somewhat victorious feeling as they moved away from the portal. Though he would feel much better once everyone was out.

And even though there were plenty of people in the corridor, he wanted as far away from that portal as possible. It had been bad enough being there once or twice, but he didn't know that monster could get out until it did. And since it did once, it likely could again. He wouldn't be okay until that thing was far, far away from Hogwarts. Or he was.

But for now, he wrapped his arms around Char and hugged her tight, not wanting to let go just yet. She was safe. He was safe. The first years were safe and.. hopefully everyone else. His eyes fell on the portal first, willing those behind them to come through any second now. Then he looked to the others already through. Some were injured.. and he was sure that the first years would be at least as traumatized as he was... but they were all alive. And.. why were all the poltergeists there?

After what felt like an eternity - or had no time passed at all? - Hirsch made it through the portal and stumbled his way into the regular Hogwarts. Regina shouldn't be too far behind him - he hoped - so to make room, the man moved to one side of the portal. His breathing was laboured and there were searing pains in his legs as well as his wand arm but those seemed like minor details now. Especially compared to the damage that could've been faced back in the cold and dreary place that was the other Hogwarts.

After rubbing his glasses free from any dirt it had accumulated in the other Hogwarts, the Defence Professor took a moment to look around at everyone there. While the blood and cuts weren't there anymore on some of the students - who was the brains behind that? - it was still devastating to see the effect this had had on the people who'd been in the portal. Personally, he thought that everyone who'd been in the portal needed to pay River a visit but this was Regina's call at the end of the day.

"Regina should be coming...." he said, mostly to the professors present. His eyes then found the ones who looked particularly worse for wear because of the rescue mission and said, "You all did an exceptional job during the mission. Very well done." Right there was the smallest hint of a smile. "But you're safe now and we'll get you patched up in no time." They just needed to see where one more member of their group had gotten to.

Speaking of, where was she?

And he didn't want to know what the deal was with the poltergeists.

Levi didn't really have a lot of time to absorb a lot of things because a lot seemed to be happening. Olivia was talking about kicking the poltergeists into the portal, which made him feel good but also bad about feeling good because it sounded, actually, pretty cruel; Peeves was being his usual self, which was honestly a relief; then there were screams and palpable relief at people coming out of the portal. Familiar faces everywhere, really, but his eyes did zero in on fellow fifth years; Noelle, Kitty and Oliver. Two of which were bleeding, which--well.

It should not have been surprising. It wasn't like they'd just returned from a picnic. And yet.

There was something severely and completely messed up that kids his own age--and this is what they were, kids--had been exposed to this sort of danger. It made him feel very stupid, and very immature for having done his best--along with his siblings--to make the entire portal business sound less worrisome to their parents than it actually was. It also made him, suddenly, quite furious at himself and possibly several other people. Or beings. It was a little hard to tell.

He blinked, several times, sharpening his focus and giving Daisy's hand a squeeze. Which he had not noticed he'd been holding--or perhaps it was the other way around--and would have probably taken his time to think about had Henry, Kettleburn and Professor Hirsch hadn't just joined the rest out of portal. Good. Or, well, maybe not, because the headmistress was still missing, it seemed...?

Uh.

The Gryffindor sent his friends small, relieved smiles and made mental notes to catch up with them, later. Then, still holding Daisy's hand and thus taking her with him, went on to stand by Professor Newton. Who, if anyone asked him, had been the indisputable leader of their poltergeist hunt. Well, after Olivia, honestly, but this did seem the sort of time in which adults had to get things done, presumably.

"Professor Newton," The boy whispered at the woman, and ruffled his own hair with his free hand to get rid off Peeves' confetti nonsense, "Shouldn't we be getting ready so we can act as soon as the headmistress comes out...?"

One patronus after another, River was on the edge of letting a growl of his own, annoyed with the fact that yes, HE GOT THE MESSAGE. He'd allowed several students go to find the poltergeists, and he even let Elle out of his watch as an advance party. He had other things to bring, considering that the main patients from the Alternate Universe wasn't just about to be traumatised for a few good years, but one of them wasn't exactly a healthy duckling.

Passing through another Patronus along the way, River parted the growing crowd, and eyed all of those who were injured and bleeding. Gaston was doing the first aid on a student, "Thank you for helping Gaston," he said fishing out a bottle of murtlap essence and clean gauze. "Apply it on the wound after you're done." The essence was faster and less taxing, by the way. "Here's a satchel of Calming Draughts. Please distribute it to those who need it. I'll be with Abey and Simon." he said straightening up, and gave the man a good squeeze on the shoulder. Again, all hands on deck would be really appreciated.

"Miss Penrose," River quickly made his way through the chaotic scene and handed the seventh year another satchel, "Please see to the others who have cuts and the like," River quickly showed her the contents of the other satchel, and gave her specific instructions, "Give the patients Calming Draughts first, antiseptic on the wound, and then seal it with murtlap essence. Clean gauzes are provided too." he said, hanging the satchel over the seventh year's shoulder and gave her a nod of thanks. As much as he wanted to see to everyone, there was no time to spare for the two most vulnerable of the bunch: Abey and Simon.

While the Gryffindor was with his cousin, River dashed to where Simon was and quickly took charge of him. The inhaler will help him breathe, sure, but at that rate, the boy needed something stronger. "Master Rockefeller, focus on me please," he said procuring a bottle of potion with the boy's name on it and held the back of his neck tilting his head slightly to help him breathe easier. River was quick to cast a head-bubble charm covering only Simon's mouth and nose, and placed a drop of Simon's potion inside it, turning it into mist. "Deep breaths, Master Rockefeller. Nice and easy now." he continued, placing his index and middle finger against the side of the boy's neck, taking note of his erratic pulse.

River pursed his lips as he averted his attention to Abey and Rula next. "Miss Botros, please have Abey take the Calming Draught now." Again, as much as he wanted to be sympathetic and such, he must act fast and throw orders at people to save them. Time wasn't on their side now. With a levitating spell, River handed the Calming Draught to Rula, and allowed her to comfort her cousin.

Trying to get her breath back, and clinging tightly to Henry, Char was at this point just trusting the grown ups to do what they needed to do.

Shaking slightly but still not letting Henry go, she returned her runes to the pouch. Wand still gripped tightly though, her fingers felt frozen around it.

Was it over? Was it nearly over? She couldn't spare any energy looking around yet.

"Henry? Are you okay?" She didn't mean physically either. Char didn't care if she might lose points either, because she was going to kiss her boyfriend right now, in sheer relief of what was hopefully safety now.

Finally catching her breath she saw Chris and hugged him when he hugged her. "I'm glad you got out." She had been worried when he went to be part of the rescuers. "You got them both out alright?" She glanced around looking for the boys. Seeing them and then seeing Henry and Char come through she was glad. Her adrenaline was finally lowering, but with the lowering, she started to feel the pain that the monster left on her face. "If you went back in there I would have been so mad." She lifted her hand to her face and felt the blood. "I'm fine, the rest need to be taken care of first."

Her eyes scanned the area and tried to watch what was going on. Hearing Kane, she didn't speak just nodded, they were on their way... she hoped. It was just professors now. Seeing Professor Stewart come out of the portal she said the other's were on their way. "Professor you're hurt." Someone needed to help her. Soon she saw Elle and hugged her friend as she came close, "Go to Professor Stewart first. I'll be fine." All she needed was a towel something for the blood. She could get fixed once everyone else was done.

Seeing Hirsch come through she gave a sigh of relief, she knew his lasso would work, she just knew it. She wanted to go over and hug the man, but she stayed still. She was just going to blend into the background with everything going on. When Healer Reed came she knew he'd take care of all of the injuries.

Moments after Roderik had stepped through the portal, the head stress came running back into the warmth of the real Hogwarts. The first thing she noticed was that the corridor was filled with staff and students alike. Her eyes then started looking frantically for the poltergeists, Storm in particular.

"We don't have much time," she said, breathing heavily. "The monster is coming. Storm needs to go through the portal. NOW."

She turned toward the portal, her wand pointed at it and her attention focused solely on it. He woman was not going to let her guard down until Storm went through and the portal was no more.

So much was going on right now. Storm looked around at everyone and then people were just popping right out of the portal. The polter-kid looked at the headmistress.

"Is it my turn to be the hero?"

He was just here so he could be the hero.

As she tried to catch her breath, Rula tried to focus on everything that was going on here - and there was a lot going on. Peeves was sending confetti everywhere, Professor Marchand was helping Olly and Kitty, Zelena was helping Simon... And then Abey. Her full attention returned to him again, tuning everything else out for the moment.

She kept her arms around him, rubbing his back soothingly. "You're safe, Abey," she reassured softly. "You're safe, okay? You're here, I'm here, we're all here in Hogwarts, and it's gone, it's not waiting anymore, it's been defeated." Well, maybe they technically wasn't true yet, but it would be. She was confident of this, or at least she convinced herself she was, for Abey's sake. Once everyone was safe here, the professors would know how to make the poltergeists close the portal, and the monster would essentially be gone.

As she continued her repeated reassurances to him, she glanced around again, relieved to see that Noelle and Natalia had made it back by now too. There were only a few more from the group remaining now, right?

That Hufflepuff boy from earlier was beside her and Abey now. Hearing his own reassurances to Abey, along with seeing the look on his face now, she was willing to forget the irresponsible and bad attitude he'd had back on the seventh floor. After all that had happened in the space of...however long this had been going on, it didn't seem like a big deal now.

She would have answered how many were still in the portal, but then Char and Henry and Professor Stewart were through - thank Merlin - and the professor answered that Professor Hirsch and the Headmistress were left. And as if on cue, Professor Hirsch was there...and the Headmistress would be through in a few seconds too, right? Merlin, she hoped so.

Elle had arrived now, she noticed, followed quickly by Healer Reed. Thank Merlin. He was taking care of Simon, and then he had turned to her and Abey, ordering him to take a Calming Draught. "Yes, sir." She nodded, accepting the potion. "Thank you."

She focused back on Abey. "Hey, Abey, Healer Reed has something here to help you. We need you to drink it now, okay? Do you think you can take it?" Hopefully he could, she wasn't sure she could force him, unless the Healer knew a way.

And thankfully there was the Headmistress now. And Storm needed to go through. And Merlin, hopefully the poltergeist would cooperate.

Brent breathed a sigh of relief as the headmistress made her way back into the normal plane of existence. A second later, though, his eyes widened as she mentioned the monster was coming. Wait...it was coming?! As in...toward them?! Duuuuuuuude.

Storm was asking about his turn to be the hero now, so Brent took the initiative to encourage him on through. "Yeah, dude! It's your time to shine!" he exclaimed. As in...NOW. "See ya later, man! Thanks for being the hero!" Yeah, whatever. Brent just didn't want the polter-kid to change his mind and disappear right as the monster decided to make its grand appearance.

He stepped back to make sure the entrance to the portal clear, so there was no question that Storm should go through as soon as possible. And just in case something went terribly wrong, and the monster did get through, Brent made sure he wasn't right up front and center.

Alright, Storm. Waiting on you, dude.

There was a lot going on here, but it seemed that everyone was heading out of the portal. The headmistress said that the monster was coming and Miffy knew that the time had come for them to play their part. She was going to do this one thing for the students who had helped her.

The Headmistress said for Stormy to go through alone, but Miffy wasn't going to have that. NOPE.

"Let me go with Stormy so that he's not alone." She was going to stick with her baby.

Chris looked at Nat clearly worried and using his wand summoned a towel to him. "You could be mad all you want but I would have done it anyway," he said as he gently dabbed at the cut to wipe the blood away and held it to her head. "I'll let them heal it or you might lose your head." He was terrible at healing spells. Probably should work on that actually.

He watched as the Headmistress went through and held his wand tightly in his hand ready for that monster to break through. Could we get this portal closed? K. Thanks. He had definitely had enough fun for today and really just wanted to shower getting the grimy stink of that other place off of him.

WHOOO!!!! VICTORY DANCE!!!

Peeves wiggled his hips to and fro while floating midair. He threw in a few more horn honks because why not? But he frowned when Professor Poodle blocked his confetti shower.

PBBBBBBFFFFFTTT!!! He flew up to him and blew a huge raspberry right in his face. BOO! He was no fun!

"If you even think about bothering these kids -" he mimicked in a snooty French accent. Oh well. Enough of him. Back to dancing! HA CHA CHA!!!

OOOOH! Bigheadmistress was here! Now it was a party!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! Peeves squealed with glee. Now it was time for the moment he'd been waiting for. "LATER MUCH, STORMY!" he called to the brat. "SEE YA NEVER!"

WHAAAAAAAT?! Miffy was going too? Peeves's face fell. "You're really gonna go with him?" he said. "We could still have lots of fun pranks together."

He gave Miffy the horn he'd been honking all day long. "Here, so you don't forget about Old Peevsie. Smell ya later, poltergal!"

Keeping his arms around Char as if he needed that physical reassurance that she was safe and okay, he turned his eyes from the portal and surrounding group to give her his full attention. He was still trying to get his breathing under control and could feel his heart thudding in his chest, but he nodded. "I'm okay, yeah... I think so." He still hadn't yet processed everything which he was sure would come later and it hadn't been the most pleasant of experiences but they did what they needed to do and made it out alive.

He brushed away a lock of her hair as he cupped the side of her face with his hand, pulling away just a bit to look at her. "What about you though? Are you okay?" This was nothing that he wanted to have to truly share with her in experience. It was an awful place with a terrifying monster that no one should have to confront with a fight just to stay alive. But she had and he thought she was so brave. Really, they all were, but he was just so relieved that they were safe, that they had helped to rescue those first years, and that they were back and alive. Especially her, even if the thought was remotely selfish, but she was the reason he had gone back in that place from his nightmares.

He leaned in suddenly to kiss her, not caring if there were other people further down in the corridor, even professors. And the thought of point loss really didn't cross his mind as the relief of just surviving that ordeal was what was prevalent in his head. Somewhere though, he could hear something vague about the poltergeists and especially from the poltergeists, but he wasn't really comprehending or paying much attention to that just yet. As far as he was concerned, his contribution to helping save those boys was done and he just wanted as far away from the portal and monster as possible.

One moment, the blonde Gryffindor had been huddled up close to Daisy and Levi, quietly voicing her ill wishes towards the poltergeists... when... PEEVES entered; stage left. Olivia could barely contain the bark of laughter... as it erupted out of her mouth in a sharp pitch. Sorry, SORRY... but... if there was... ONE THING... that they did NOT need at this current moment, it was PEEVES messing up the Professors' neatly laid plan. But like with so many other situations, things rarely went accordingly. It gave her pause... and inspired a deep sense of urgency to get away from this place before something terrible happened.

....and the aforementioned poltergeist had distracted her, effectively, from the fact that people were FINALLY resurfacing from within the Portal... People she KNEW. Friends. They were friends... Olly... Chris... Rula... WITH ABEY. Oh, Lords... Try as she might, her knees buckled slightly beneath the weight of her body, weakened from the relief... as more and more people emptied out into the corridor before her very eyes. And there was so much blood.... Blood. Tears. Loud noises.... She found herself backing up into the wall just beneath the clock, the loud tick-tock of it centering her mind from her own remembered trauma. For some odd reason, her eyes had locked onto the Ravenclaw Prefect, Kitty Valentine. They'd had their petty disputes in lessons sure, but... it was a sobering moment, seeing the girl in this condition. War-torn and broken down. As were so many others... Miss Nat, who'd been so strong and tough... So. Much. Blood.

Oh... and their was Charlotte and Henry... Olivia could've cried. It was hard to express how relieved she was in that exact moment... Perhaps that had been the crux of her attitude from before. Seeing a person she'd known since three years old...disappearing into a portal, only to think that she wouldn't return. Okay.... so... perhaps a few tears were leaking... The Lion lady wasn't made of stone, and despite her annoyance at certain energies, this entire situation had taken his toll; its pound of flesh and peace of mind. From all of them.

They'd all be in therapy after this.

Distracted by Healer Reed arriving on the scene, the blonde pushed her body up the wall, attempting to look as though nothing was amiss. It helped that he'd completely taken command of the entire situation within a few moments, dispatching potions and orders... It was impressive... That was all. And her eyes might've been slightly heart shaped due to it all.

Ugh. Stoopid Poltergeists. ALL OF YOU SHUT UP. WE'RE TRYING TO APPRECIATE THIS MAGNIFICENT MAN HERE... Merlin, if only her voice worked at the moment... Olivia would've screeched at the lot of them, but... she was decidedly speechless... That was... until...

"I want to leave..." It was squeaked out and small in tone and volume, but still conveyed her point. She was unsettled with the fear that this was about to backfire. Besides, no one needed this many onlookers. These people, her peers, needed to be seen by the Healer, and that should've happened without all the attention. This entire ordeal had been traumatic enough...

For Merlin's sake, just seize and pull the poltergal and polterkid into the swirling vortex of doom and be done with it. DO. ET. Please, PLEASE, someone do it.

There was poor old dadsie poo!


His time to shine! That was the only way that he was going to get himself to go through there.


"SEE YA LATER!"


HEHEHEHE! No dramatic scene for him, Storm flew around before finally flying into the portal.

Miffy really didn't want to leave her Peevsie Poo behind, especially when they had SO much fun pranking students and Professors, but she had to do this. There was no way that she was going to leave Stormy to go through the portal all by himself.

"Give them the best pranks you have for me, Peevsie Poo!" she called out as she took the horn that he gave to her. It was time for her to leave.

Blowing a kiss to her Peevsie Poo, she followed Stormy through the portal.

Peeves watched as Storm and Miffy went through the portal. "BYE BYE!!!" he hollered. He was really going to miss Miffy!

OKAY, SAD TIME OVER!

Storm was gone forever, and that only meant one thing. PEEVES WAS BACK ON TOP!!!

"I'M BACK, BABY!!!" He dive-bombed the crowd and covered everyone with confetti. "Here's a little present for ya, courtesy of your NUMBER ONE PRANKSTER!"

She was torn. There was no other way to explain it, but Elle had, somewhat awkwardly due to the fact she still had a handful of potion vials as well as a packet from her bag, returned Nat’s hug. Part of her wanted to argue with the Head Girl, to point out that she was just as hurt as the others and that she needed care just as much, but she also respected the decision her dorm mate was making. Wanting to make sure everyone got taken care of was noble and all, but that didn’t mean ignoring her own injuries.

Her attention had gone to Professor Stewart, though, noting the return of Professor Hirsch and the headmistress out of the corner of her eye. Neither of those looked to have been slashed, so she only allowed herself a single moment of relief that everyone seemed to have made it back. She was going to assume that the headmistress wouldn’t leave anyone behind. Not only that, but she had the reasoning behind the poltergeists’ presence amongst the group now too.

She had turned her head at the sound of Healer Reed’s arrival, however, nodding as he’d given her more instructions. A direction to her actions was definitely welcome, and she went into action once he’d moved on to addressing Simon’s problems, dropping her handful of supplies into the new satchel, even as she took out a vial and some antiseptic.

She handed both to Chris as she passed him, on the way to see to the Transfiguration professor. “Make sure she takes this,” she said under her breath, indicating the vial of Calming Draught. “Then use the antiseptic on her cuts. I’ll be back in a bit with murtlap essence.” She was assuming both he and Nat had heard the healer’s instructions to her, so she was hoping the Ravenclaw could get her to allow herself to be treated.

In the meantime… “Professor Stewart?,” she said, walking over to the professor with a smile. “I can help with your cuts, but first, take this.” And she handed her another vial of potion. Even as she vaguely listened to the sounds of the poltergeists taking their leave before heading into the portal. She wasn’t really going to miss the two newer spirits. Or the antics of Peeves, as she was showered with confetti while treating Professor Stewart.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No sooner had she tripped and collapsed on the floor, the Charms professor was helping her up. She gave him a thankful smile, unable to form words at the moment. She looked around him to make sure Nat, Henry, Char, the Headmistress, and Hirsch made it back through the portal. She knew everyone else was safe.

Not to mention the monster was coming, if they didn't get the poltergeist through, she needed to be alert.

Before Nat came through, Noelle felt arms around her and looked to see her person. Olly. She about chocked up, seeing his face. "Your face." she managed to find enough words to say that before hugging him tightly. Another set of arms slid over her and Noelle looked to see Skylar hugging her. She kept one arm on Olly but slid the other around Sky. She was safe. That would make Noah happy.... where was Noah??

Noelle would think about that later because Nat was coming through the portal followed by Henry, Char, Hirsch and........ finally the Headmistress. They were all out!

Now get those poltergeists in!!
Noelle didn't know how the others had done it but Storm and Miffy were going in?? Thank Merlin. She watched them go in. Now... would that work and make the portal disappear???

Noelle would take a look around and make sure everyone was ... okay... in a moment. (As okay as they could be). Her first priority right now was watching to make sure that portal went away. Then she could relax. Then she could see everyone. Then maybe she could finally speak.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMadamMalfoy

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginevra

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.

It was a Huge relief to hear that Abey had made it through with his Cousin. Maybe if this Portal closes...please close it...please. He could thank her for saving his Friend. His breathing getting no better and most likely getting worse. A faint and scratchy "Thank you" escaped his lips to the Slytherin Girl when she handed him his inhaler.

He tried to steady his hand which was still shaking and actually looking for for something to cling on than to work his inhaler with. He tried to bring it up his lips but he just felt too weak.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefan

While the Gryffindor was with his cousin, River dashed to where Simon was and quickly took charge of him. The inhaler will help him breathe, sure, but at that rate, the boy needed something stronger. "Master Rockefeller, focus on me please," he said procuring a bottle of potion with the boy's name on it and held the back of his neck tilting his head slightly to help him breathe easier. River was quick to cast a head-bubble charm covering only Simon's mouth and nose, and placed a drop of Simon's potion inside it, turning it into mist. "Deep breaths, Master Rockefeller. Nice and easy now." he continued, placing his index and middle finger against the side of the boy's neck, taking note of his erratic pulse.

Before he could even attempt a successful inhaler-ing. He found himself being loomed over by Healer Reed. Which...was good. This was good. He listened to him and didn't take his eyes off the man. In fact. Simon set his inhaler down on the floor next to him and reached for him. This it just felt better. Being close to someone, he didn't want to let go of anyone anymore. He was so tired of losing someone, or being lost to them. So he clung onto Healer Reed's sleeve. That would help him Focus as a Bubble formed around his nose and mouth. He looked down between his nose to see a form of mist take over inside the bubble thanks to a potion. Mr.Reed had with him?
He had seen that Potion before. His Dad must have gotten it to Hogwarts for the Healer to use. Dad....Dad. Mr.Rockefeller.

Simon felt the warm touch of fingers move along the side of his neck. Feeling just that...not...not...that thing's...No Simon couldn't even bare to think of it. He just wanted that Memory Blocked. His breathing did begin to calm down though. He listened to the Healer and started taking deep breathes. His hand still clung to the man's sleeve. Was it all over now?

Gradually the portal began to warp as something, the monster, started making its way through. However, the movement of the two poltergeists changed the outcome of the beast's intentions. The moment Miffy and Storm went through, the energy of the portal emitted a bright green light. Within a blink of an eye, it was gone.

Derf had been in a bit of a daze since performing a rather embarrassing dance for Peeves' amusement, going through the motions and listening to instructions while just trying to do his best to stay out of the way. Because what use could he be? He could just barely manage a handful of spells and that was when he was NOT under pressure. Although pressure was hardly a fitting word right now. Pressure was when you were worried about getting a passing grade on an exam or not clipping a fwooper's feathers too close. This was...this was suffocating. This was...not to sound like a broken record or anything...but this surely was how it must feel to have a Dementor's Kiss performed on oneself.

Standing off to the site during it all, the first year's eyes remained fixated on the portal alone. Where his friends were. Guilt was eating at the inside of his stomach like a parasite. He had heard Etta and Henry speak of what horrors were within there, but it had only fueled his curiosity about the monster. He and Jessa had even created an elaborate plan for how to observe the unknown beast first hand and be the first to figure it out - because what better way of putting his name on the magizoology map than that?! - but now...now the only thing Derf wanted to know about the monster was whether or not his friends could be saved from its clutches.

Eyes watering as time ticked by, the Hufflepuff began feeling weak in the knees while his trembling hand clutched his wand. Lower lip quivering, the first year was just about to sink to the floor to hug his knees to his chest when life was breathed back into him and color returned to his face.

THERE THEY WERE! THEY WERE BACK!

"ABEY! SIMON!" he cried, tears prominently streaming down his face as he ran from his spot against the wall to towards the both of them with his heart so full it was a wonder it had not burst. He didn't know which to run to first to throw his arms around either, so he ended up sort of just running in stutter steps between both friends with his arms stretched out to either side and flapping them wildly like a duckling learning to take off and fly for the first time.

Please just both come to him and make a Derf sandwich, please? He need to feel them to make sure he wasn't dreaming right now.