This was madness. Pure and utter chaos. Students were running around everywhere - why was Skylar Diggory running after one of the Williams twins? - some screaming about Merlin knows what and, worst of all, those that were getting themselves mixed into the duel between the professors. He was proud about the duelling aspect, yes, but, well, they were professors, at the end of the day. And one wasn't even behaving like her usual self.

And no, he didn't care about the Statue of Secrecy right now. It was too late for that.

It was then that his eyes landed on Gaston who was jerking his head at him. Did he need help? He squinted through his glasses towards Kalen and wanted to ask exactly what was going on with the Astronomy professor but before he could say anything, the Charms professor was out cold.

.............. Er.

Thankfully, Kalen and Jace both got to him before long so Hirsch went back to concentrating on his previous task: overseeing the students as they left. Sure, there were still some that were Gryffindoring around but he concentrated, instead, on the ones that were taking Portkeys out of there. Each one got a small smile and a nod, with Stasya receiving a reassuring look as well. No, he didn't know what happened and no, he wasn't going to pressure her into telling him either but he was going to come and see her after this, regardless. None of this he could say, either, because the next moment, she was gone and he had someone else asking for his attention.

Text Cut: Emmalyn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birchwoodmom

She continued to stand, chanting in the middle of the street, with the chaos occurring all around her. Her wand was out and ready, although she knew no reason for it to be out. Suddenly, she was aware. She looked around her, desperately trying to take in the surroundings and figure out where in the world she was. Glancing down, she saw her wand was out and she quickly pocketed it, hoping she hadn't cast any spells or caused any harm.

Then she heard the voices all around her. Professors shouting directions, students hurrying towards port keys and grabbing other students in an effort to get them all back to the castle. It was all a bit too much for her. She knew she needed to move, but her feet wouldn’t cooperate. She was scared. Tears started streaming down her face and just as she was about to fully panic, the voice of Professor Hirsch broke through.

A feeling of calm and security swept through her body and she was finally able to control her jelly like legs. Her movement towards the professor was slow, but steady. Her eyes locked on him in an attempt to keep all of the crazy going on around her out. “Sir, please wait for me!” She shouted. Before she knew it, she was standing next to Professor Hirsch, her hand outstretched to grab on should he look to be moving away from her. “Please, take me back with you. I don’t want to use a portkey.”

......... Oh. Oh no.

The sight of tears on the young Hufflepuff's face was enough to bring a frown to the man's face. Though he didn't know the exact details of what had happened, it wasn't surprising that some students were upset about the event. It wasn't something you could simply brush aside and forget about quickly, you know. But the sight of the tears along with that panicked voice still made his heart feel heavy.

And no, he wasn't going anywhere.

"Miss Walsh," he said, shooting her a small smile as he reached for her hand, "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere just yet." Using his free hand, he took hold of his wand and gave it a complicated little wave in the air. Instantly, a white handkerchief materialised before them and floated downwards. Hirsch caught a corner of it and, bending down, held it out to the Hufflepuff. "We're just going to wait for the rest of the students to go and then I'll take you back to the castle, okay?" Specifically, the Hospital Wing. "I know that this is a tough situation and you probably want to go home, or to your dorm, but I'd like you to go to the Hospital Wing first to get a quick checkup to see if you're okay. Is that okay?" She might have to stay there for a while, depending on what the Healer says, but he wasn't going to add that in.

Now. As for the rest of the students that were still there, "Students, please grab a Portkey and leave as quickly and safely as possible." Preferably sooner rather than later. His eyes found Miss Walsh again and he directed his next few words at her, "Are you ready to go, Miss Walsh?"

She might have been being dragged by Max a little more because there was so much chaos. She wanted out of there and she was going willingly, but she was Zita and let's face it this was the gossip of the year and down went professors.


"OH MY"


She had gasped as their muggle studies professor went down and she turned her head to Max and grabbed the port key. "Yes let's get the hell out of here."

With her mind whirling every which way, it was all she could do to nod and take the handkerchief from Professor Hirsch. With shaking hands she wiped away the tears that trailed down her face. The area was still chaotic, but her eyes focused on her professor and knowing he wouldn’t let harm come to her.

After a short moment, she looked up to him, “Sir, I had my wand out. I don’t know what happened or why, but I had it out. I’m sorry.” The fear and guilt were consuming her little twelve year old mind. “I’ll go with you to the hospital wing, but I would rather go back to my dorm. I want to go to bed.”

She stood in place, waiting for the moment she would be taken to safety. She knew she would go wherever he took her, without complaint and without resistance. She wanted nothing more than to never see Dufftown again. “I’m ready, sir, let’s go home.”

Nailed her! Well, with the help of whoever had sent the stunner anyway. And no, he didn't care how much danger he'd just put himself in. All that mattered was that Professor Stewart had finally quit attacking the other professors. And it seemed like Professors Kennedy and Marchand were fine now. So, Ronan did what any responsible person would do. He picked up Professor Stewart's wand, walked to where Professor Hirsch was waiting with the portkeys and handed it to the DADA professor before touching one the emergency portkeys. Hopefully, the wand could be reunited with its owner once she was back in her right mind (yes, it just occurred to him she had to have been out of her mind or possed herself to have done such a thing).

Thankfully, it didn't take too long for the familiar tug to kick in take him away, because now the adrenaline was starting to wear off and he was getting tired.

A nice tropical vacation was needed after this.

No, no no no. She was trying to get away from all the chaos not go back towards it! Rylee very nearly began to panic once more when out of nowhere a hand was set on her shoulder and was guiding her back towards all commotion she had been trying to block out. Scared blue eyes recognized the older boy instantly, Matt. They were in the same house and he had let her help him build a house of cards with him at the start of term. She also knew the girl Anna who was with him since she was just one year ahead of herself.

Allowing herself to be ushered along towards the portkeys she continued to look around for Dorian. Perhaps he had went back to the castle already? She hoped so. There really wasn't much time for her to focus on anything as Matt was telling the small group he had gathered to go now. He was leaving them on their own? Rylee blinked a few times in confusion but reached out laying her hand on the chosen item that was their ticket out of there.

Right away there was the not so pleasant feeling in her stomach as she was taken away with the others. She was more than ready to go to bed... after a visit to the Healer.

Melanie had been so close - so CLOSE - to grabbing her wand and finishing up what she and others had started. That puppet of a professor was doing exactly what Melanie had thought, and she was pleased. It was only when Regina showed up and summoned her wand, and casted a few simple spells in her direction. She avoided the first once, easily. The second one however, she was not so lucky to avoid. Her wand was not in her possession, and now she was tied.

"MUGGLES AND NO-MAJ - WE MUST STAND TOGETHER! WE MUST ERADICATE THE SYSTEM - " She started yelling even though she was tied up. "MAGIC EXISTS! AND YOU WILL ALL POSESS IT SOON ENOUGH - THE DAY IS COMING - PUREBLOODS WILL BE ERADICATED SO WE CAN LIVE EQUALLY AND TOGETHER AS ONE - " Melanie could have gone on for hours...

She had a thought in the back of her head, though. Would their leader even show up now that she had been capture, or that it seemed risky? She didn't like the thought. Their brave leader wouldn't want to get caught and possibly not finish their mission.

She hoped Duncan had gotten away.

Melanie did not think of herself as a bad person. It drove her insane to know others did not think about the hierarchy the same way she did. Not when it had been that very hierarchy of blood importance that had broken her family all those years ago...when she and Duncan vowed revenge...

Before he could do or say anything, he was being presented with......

........ a wand. Kaysha's wand, by the looks of it.

Hirsch glanced down at the wand as he took it in his hand, and then over towards Kaysha who was knocked out, from what he could tell, and then at Ronan who had presented him with the wand in the first place. It didn't take long to put two and two together and figure out what had happened here. "Well done," he whispered, shooting the Gryffindor a proud smile. He always was talented when it came to Defence.

Poor Kaysha. Today was not her day.

Text Cut: Emmalyn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Birchwoodmom

With her mind whirling every which way, it was all she could do to nod and take the handkerchief from Professor Hirsch. With shaking hands she wiped away the tears that trailed down her face. The area was still chaotic, but her eyes focused on her professor and knowing he wouldn’t let harm come to her.

After a short moment, she looked up to him, “Sir, I had my wand out. I don’t know what happened or why, but I had it out. I’m sorry.” The fear and guilt were consuming her little twelve year old mind. “I’ll go with you to the hospital wing, but I would rather go back to my dorm. I want to go to bed.”

She stood in place, waiting for the moment she would be taken to safety. She knew she would go wherever he took her, without complaint and without resistance. She wanted nothing more than to never see Dufftown again. “I’m ready, sir, let’s go home.”

Something he couldn't figure out? Why Miss Walsh was apologising.

As Ronan left, Hirsch turned his attention back to the young Hufflepuff, eyebrows furrowed. "You have nothing to apologise for." Did he look like he was mad? Because he wasn't. Not at the students, anyways. "No matter how well prepared you are, you're never going to win every fight or every duel you take part in and that's okay. Don't let it bring you down, learn from it, instead." Besides, he'd gotten into more fights than he could list at Durmstrang and there was not a chance in Merlin that he'd won every single one of them. But, you know, that probably wasn't a good thing to tell a student so he kept quiet about that. "Besides, you're only twelve years old. You'll have plenty of time to learn how to defend yourself."

As for the part about the Hospital Wing..... well. "I understand but once the Healer gives the all-clear, you can spend the rest of the day in bed, if you wanted." He had his reasons for this, even if it might seem slightly annoying right now.

And was that one of the Williams twins shouting about eradicating purebloods and sharing magic with Muggles?

Hirsch exchanged a look with Miss Walsh, silently glad that she had said she was ready to go. If there was a good time to get out of there, this was it. "Hold on tight." The last thing they needed was for her to get lost during the Apparition process, after all. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and turned on the spot, vanishing into thin air and taking Miss Walsh along with him.

Witnesses. She didn't want to just merely be a witness and yet somehow Skylar knew she had little choice in the matter. So she merely nodded at the older Ravenclaw, her focus half on getting to the Charms Professor, but then, just as they arrived, as Jace attended to Kalen, Kalen had mustered the strength to wake Gaston up and she breathed an audible sigh of relief. We have to go ... now... and then for them to go with Gaston... but before Skylar could move towards one of the glowing blue objects, wishing desperately she could apparate, but not willing to ask Jace if he would apparate them, the female half of the Williams duo was going off and at it.

Okay, so she was practically a pureblood herself, but she did have muggle family members, but she was almost ninety-nine percent sure that this was not the way to inform muggles that magic existed. Muggles would not be able to do magic, unless they possessed that trait, regardless of what she was rambling on about...

Rolling her eyes, she nodded at Jace and Gaston. "Ready, when you are," she said, reaching for the Ravenclaw's hand and hoping it would give her strength to manage portkey travel for a third time this year.

Derf was crawling as if his life depended on it and, in a way, a life DID depend on it because he had absolutely NO idea where Scamander was or how and why the warty newt had left his pocket. That NEVER happened. His pockets were enchanted by his dad himself to emulate the ideal environment from the newt and protect her against external forces - like falling from trees and other such every day encounters. So WHY in galloping gargoyles had she LEFT and WHY couldn't he, Derf, recall this horrid incident?

There would be much that would plague the Hufflepuff in the coming days, weeks, months, years - just add it to the list of lingering nightmares from his first year, shall we? - but right now he was only focused on finding his newt. Which was why he barely even heard or registered that Diandra was at his side, trying to offer whatever comfort she could in this hellish sitution for everyone. Nor did he hear Professor Noble's bark for information - WHICH HE HAD, PROFESSOR! THIS HUFFLEPUFF HERE HAD THAT! - and everything else around him just seemed to fade into the background because as he continued to crawl...there were no signs of his newt.

.....though he DID happen upon his wand. Remarkably in one piece even.

Tears stinging his eyes - though he was going to FIGHT the actual ones coming for as long as he could - he clutched his wand to his hand and was hardly thinking straight as he rested on his knees just as the foreign History of Magic professor began shouting MORE of THOSE words.

And then things started to click. Somewhat anyway. The foreign Potions Master blowing something from a box at his own Muggle Studies professor, his classmates suddenly chanting those same words....and then everything was just...nothing. All he could remember was looking at Jessa, terrified, and then in the next blink Scamander and his wand were gone and Diandra was on his arm and he was in an entirely different location on the street and....this was very VERY confusing. One quick glance around, and seeing his same Muggle Studies professor acting ODDLY along with the hodgempodge of other things being shouted, people portkeying (WHERE HAD THOSE COME FROM?!) away or apparating away....overwhelmed was an understatement.

And then the voice of Professor Williams filled his ears LOUDLY since his crawl had brought him practically to her shoes....and he was acting purely on impulse. As though he were in a duel back at Dueling Club and needed to get his opponent to stop casting spells and such. Silence them, as it were. Only Derf was complete rubbish with Silencio and had a very different spell in his arsenal. The Statute was forgotten in the moment - though at this point did protecting that REALLY matter? - as did the whole underaged magic bit. He just needed those words to STOP. He needed all of this to STOP. Which was why he glared up at the woman defiantly, his wand clutched fiercely in his hand, and cast his own magical bread and butter. "Slugulus Eructo!"

If he couldn't find Scamander, if all hope was lost there, let him at least accomplish this much. Let him at least make her STOP talking.

The sight of Professor Hirsch sent a wave of relief to Vivian. Out of most of the staff members at Hogwarts, the prefect definitely trusted him more and that was no strange concept. However, the gravity of the situation at hand did not occur to her until she realised that... what? Possessed? What did Hirsch mean?

Vivian was even more confused for a moment until the very thought of her being possessed terrified her. Not minding one bit that she was already holding Hattie's hand, the Slytherin shifted closer to her friend. She knew it was probably over now that the professors were around, but the Hufflepuff's presence made her feel kind of secured. She absolutely had no idea how she was going to let her family know about what had transpired today, and this weekend field trip was supposed to be fun.

Part of Vivian wanted to stay behind, to help the younger students because that was exactly what her job was. Looking over at her co-prefect, it seemed that Flynn had been under the trance too. Either way, the blond doubted Flynn would have been much help. But she wasn't going to go against Hirsch's instructions. She had been possessed. She felt helpless at the thought of not fulfilling her duties as prefect. "Take care, Hattie," Vivian managed. "I'll see you later." She just wanted to go home and feel the comfort of her bed.

Moving forward, feeling almost sickly from today, Vivian held onto a gross paper cup. She didn't care anymore, whoever had drank from it. Quite unsanitary, but that didn't matter now that she felt the familiar tugging sensation whisk her away from the scene.

Gaston let out a huge sigh of relief when Kalen finally started to breathe normally and speak in complete sentences. He nodded in reply to the other man's thanks, eyeing him with concern. He sounded awful, but at least he wasn't in danger of dying right in front of him. For a moment there, he was afraid that would actually happen. Merlin, he would've never forgiven himself if he took too long to figure out how to undo that spell!

Kalen's next words got a small smile from Gaston. "I will,: he said; he didn't need to be reminded to take care of the students. His voice dropped, and his eyes flicked toward Melanie as he added, "Take care of that." By which, he meant, make sure she gets locked up for a very long time.

He was about to leave with Jace and Skylar when he saw something odd out of the corner of his eye. He turned just in time to see Ronan tackle Kaysha to the ground... about the time Olivia's spell hit her. He didn't know whether to congratulate the boy or scold him for putting himself in danger, but before he had time to do either...

His jaw dropped. Was he really hearing this? Just when he thought he couldn't possibly be angrier at Melanie Williams, she opened her mouth. So let's get this straight... she was willing to take a stand against blood prejudice by eliminating a group of people because of their blood status?! He couldn't even begin to wrap his mind around that. In all his life, he'd never heard a more hypocritical load of dragon dung! He sent Derf a very approving look as he aimed a slug-vomiting spell at the American.

His face comforting with rage, he rounded on Melanie. He wanted to give her a piece of his mind, but instead he decided to let his wand do the talking. He shot a nonverbal Silencio at her, followed with a Langlock for good measure. The pain in his left arm was excruciating, but it was worth it to keep that monster from spreading her toxic ideology any further. Hopefully between Derf's spell and his own, at least one would hit its target, and if more than one did... well, let's just say she deserved any adverse reaction the combined spells could cause.

He shot Melanie a death glare to say, consider yourself lucky those were the only spells I sent at you. Then, wasting no more time, he turned his attention back to Skylar and Jace. "After you, Miss Diggory," he said, and only when he was sure that both kids were holding on did he touch the portkey.

Okay, listen, Faith was not appreciating everything that was going on right now. She'd come here to have a good time and she was honestly feeling really attacked right now. Honestly. She just wanted to run around a Muggle town with her friends and explore some old ruins and take photos and instead just look what had happened instead. It was enough to make anyone cry.

In fact, Faith actually was crying. A lot. She'd kinda collapsed into tears on Katy for a solid few minutes after the shock from the possession lifted (which was about a while after it had for everyone else, because Faith couldn't quite remember how to move).

By the time she looked up, she couldn't see any of her friends anywhere, but she recognised the blue glow of portkeys that the other students were taking. And she was just about to reach for one when she heard SOMEONE talk about the eradication of purebloods and her blood ran cold. She was a pureblood. Technically. Not as pure as some other people, sure, but pure nonetheless. And so were her little brothers and sister and NOBODY threatened the people Faith cared about and got away with it. NOBODY.

So she raised her wand at the Williams twin and tried to remember ANY spell from duelling club. Anything. If she had the presence of mind to recall the incantation for the jelly-fingers jinx, she'd have done that. But she didn't. She couldn't remember a thing.

And in that blind state of fear, she put her wand back and pressed her lips into a thin line. Then she walked up to the woman and bent to her level, looking right into her eyes with all the hatred she could muster. And decked her in the face. For ridding her of her control, for ridding her FRIENDS of their control, and most importantly, for threatening her family.

"I hope the next thing to kiss you is a dementor."

Whoops. Not waiting to be apprehended by the headmistress - whose presence Faith had conveniently forgotten about until this moment - she picked up a portkey and was off. Hopefully she wouldn't get detention so close to the end of term. It'd be really sad.

But was she sorry? NOPE.

For the most part, Regina had her eyes focused on Melanie. There was no way she was going to allow the woman to run free like her slippery brother. Of course, keeping her in place was much easier now that she was tired up with cords, wandless, and ... it was a shame that her jinx hadn’t affixed the woman’s tongue to the roof of her mouth.

But her head did make a sharp turn when she heard Kaysha yelling, telling them all to leave her former colleague alone. Then came the stunning spells. Merlin, what was wrong with this woman? Her wand was raised, but Gaston had made quick work of stepping in front of her and shielding her. Her head spun back to Melanie, though a mental note to thank the Charms professor had been made.

... and then Gaston had been knocked out.

... and Rowan tackled Kaysha to the ground.

Merlin. This was a lot to process. She hoped students were listening to Hirsch and getting the hell out of Dufftown. This was not a time for rashness or trying to prove something.

While she let the other staff members that had shown up deal with Kaysha and getting everyone back to Hogwarts, Regina casted two wispy alligators -- of which speedily shot off in the direction of the Department Heads for Magical Law Enforcement and Accidents and Catastrophes. Aurors and Obliviators were needed on the scene immediately before things got worse.

Her head then shot toward where the voice of a certain Hufflepuff Prefect. While she hoped his slug educing spell did stop Melanie from shouting out this anti-pureblood propaganda, the look on her face told him that he better get his hands on a Portkey pronto.

In fact, any student still hanging around needed to leave. It was an order, not an option, whether they were a student leader, of age, whatever.

"Any student hanging around needs to leave immediately," she ordered. As for her colleagues that were still present, she said, "Someone secure Kaysha just in case she starts moving again -- something isn't right with her." A trip to St. Mungo's was probably going to be necessary for her. Being supportive and appreciating the No-Maj was one thing, but aiding Melanie and her brother in causing chaos and prompting a revolt was another. "And make sure none of the No-Maj run off," she quickly added. "The Ministry is on the way."

OOC: All students should have left the scene by Portkey, returning back to the school. At this time, if you have a character that is an Auror or an Obliviator, we welcome you to post. Aurors will obviously be asking questions about what happened and apprehending Melanie, and the Obliviators will be wiping Muggle memories.

Thanks for playing with us! :3

Slowly but surely, he could feel the ropes getting tighter and tighter. Breathing was becoming even more of a chore for him. Where his eyes bulging yet? Was his face turning purple? The light at the end of the tunnel was in sight for this 67-year-old veteran.

Then suddenly he could breathe!

Squinting his eyes as he gasped for air, he saw that the ropes were gone, those brats and some adults were vanishing, other adults were on the ground either knocked out or tied up with cords, and one of them was screaming. He certainly didn’t need a hearing aid to hear that woman.

What was a Muggle? A No-Maj? What were pure-bloods? Why did they need to get rid of them? And apparently the Ministry was coming? Was that secret code for something?

Archie didn’t want to stick around to ask those questions. He wanted to get out of here before any of these people who, he concluded, belonged in a psych ward went mega crazy on them. So he army-crawled his way up the street, leaving his cane behind, as fast as his aching bones would allow him.

He'd been so focused on what might have taken control of Kay, eyes surveying the general vicinity for clues, that it took a few moments to register that she'd been stunned. By who, he had no idea. He did know that Ronan running in like that was pure idiocy; not that he should have been surprised. Classes this term had quickly shown the boy didn't have an ounce of common sense or self-preservation in him. It was probably a good job the boy had gotten a quick portkey out of here, otherwise Noble might have more seriously entertained the idea of docking him a few points for pure stupidity.

"On it," he replied to Regina, already approaching Kaysha of his own accord. Shield now dropped, ropes snaked from his wand and wound their way around the Muggle Studies Professor's ankles and wrists. "You're positive?" he asked, turning to look across at Laurel. "She didn't touch, eat...inhale anything whilst here? Could have looked innocuous...like spraying a bottle perfume, perhaps."

His knees were bruised and throbbing, cheeks hot and moist from the small trickle of emotional exhaustion seeping from his eyes, and knuckles white from gripping his wand so tightly. The distant pops of those portkeying and apparating back to Hogwarts were muted at best, hardly audible over the pounding beat of his heart in his ears. Bright blues keenly fixated on Professor Williams, Derf barely registered the Headmistress' look - though he distractedly caught her movements out of the corner of his eye.

It was only THEN that he noticed the woman had been bound by ropes, so perhaps hurting a spell at her to throw up slugs was a little inhumane...but then he remembered all that had come to pass last term. The play. Seeing his friends cursed, BURNING on the inside, and he had very ugly thoughts for the first time in his young life. Slugs, magically created or otherwise, were too good and pure to be coming out of something so vile as the likes of her.

Lips curling into a snarl, Derf finally pulled himself up from the ground just in time her the Potions Master, HIS Potions Master speaking to the other professors...and his question was JUST enough to lull the Hufflepuff from his feelings of violation and fury to take a staggering few steps back towards them. "They did something," he almost spat, but his voice was quivering far too much to have that full effect. "He...the Ilvermorny Potions professor...he blew something from a box at her...I saw it...before..." Well, the rest was obvious, yeah? Derf couldn't quite bring himself to speak it presently. Also, he was trying NOT to cry because wearing the badge meant you couldn't in times like this, right? Though the evidence of such was clearly displayed on his cheeks and clinging to his lashes.

And then news of the Ministry being on it's way rang in his ears...and all he could think about was how he wanted his dad. Also how furious his dad would be with all this...including the boy's own actions. At least the man was no longer the department head over at Accidents & Catastrophes now, there was a mild silver lining in that. Maybe.

Hands balling up into little fists, the fourth year looked around dejectedly for a portkey to take a hold of...or any lingering professor to side-along apparate with. He wasn't particularly fussed either way. Scamander was lost, his morals compromised, and this nagging feeling of contamination from being...controlled - which was the conclusion he had come to at this point with his gap in memory and stuff - had his heart heavy and spirit broken.

He just wanted to go home.

Laurel was sad, thankful, weary, angry and confused and a bunch of other emotions as she watched her best friend; Kaysha lying unconscious on the street pavement. She heard Regina's orders and was about to lift her wand to tie Kaysha up when Noble beat her to it making ropes snake their away around Kay's ankles and wrists. She needed to be transported to St Mungos for care.

Turning to look at Noble she nodded "Yes I'm positive Kay hasn't eaten or drunk anything since we got here, but I haven't been by Kay's side the whole time since we got off the bus." Since Kay had been off giving the students directions for the excursion in the village.

When Derfael came over and interjected in the conversation that he had seen Duncan Williams blow something from a box in Kay's face Laurel shrugged "I didn't see that happen, but I believe in Prefect Derfael. Kay probably inhaled what was in the Williams twins box and that made her go mental. I wonder if the box is still around here somewhere? It can be useful to the healers at St Mungos if we can find it." Eyes flashing to Derfael she said kindly "Thank you for you help Derfael! I think though that it's high time that you took a portkey back to the school."

Jace honestly felt triggered when Kalen decided to stay. The Ravenclaw felt that he was done listening to adults, and that they ought to listen to them kids too. Suppressing whatever angsty words that tried to escape his mouth, he pursed his lips as he formulated a good response for Kalen, only to be interrupted by Gaston. Sure enough, when the American woman started shouting her propaganda, Jace knew it was time to go. He didn't want to be questioned, after all. He'd been faithful to the Statute all his life, only to be exposed this way. No...no, he was not going to have any of that crap.

The Ravenclaw turned back to Kalen, only to give the man a serious look. "My uncle will be there too, and I will send him word so he can be my eyes. If you do go wandering off professor, I'm telling Azura." the half-Japanese young man gave Professor Kennedy a quick bow of his head, leaving the protection charm he conjured securely in place. If he was to leave, he'd at least leave something behind that would be useful to the injured professor.

Turning his attention back to Professor Marchand and Skylar, Jace secured his hand with the Slytherin with a bummed expression on his face. "Let's go." He was of age, the Trace was officially off of him, and he could side-apparate any of the adults or younger students back to the Castle. But given the explicit instructions of Professor Hirsch, they have to travel by Portkey, directly sending them to the Hospital Wing. With one last glance at the scene, Jace touched their portkey, and off they went back to Hogwarts.

Matt already felt a LOT better with both of his siblings on their way to Hogwarts and all of the kids going back to normal. He did go back to the Muggles, however, but they too seemed to be moving away - some in dramatic ways, like that old man army-crawling.

Rolling his eyes again, he took the man's cane and went over to him as he continued to crawl away. "Here." The eighteen year-old said, bending down and placing the cane a foot or two away from the man to avoid him going bonkers again and losing it at the sight of Matt, whom he had poked earlier that day and who accidentally had tied him up. Woops? "And I'm sorry about the ropes." The boy added before turning around and going back to portkeys.

Taking a last look around at the scene that appeared to be a lot calmer now - apart form that crazy woman yelling at the top of her lungs about ridding the world of purebloods... great, a reverse, neo-Voldermort was all that they needed -, he made sure to drag with him the last remaining younger kids who seemed to be too shaken to act on their own accord and grabbed a portkey, transporting them all back to the Castle.

After hearing about the apparent mess in Dufftown, Ava arrived on the scene as soon as she was able. Mister ready, she Apparated to an alley nearby Dufftown. She did a Muggle-check on default, but she would be wiping anyone she could find anyway. Hm. No Muggles here it seemed. That suited her fine, this was clearly not where the action had been. Not that she knew what she was looking for... Would there be demolished buildings? War? Were there any injured Muggles about? Ava made her way to what she deemed to be the correct site, and began looking for any victims of the recent event.

As she observed the scene, she noticed an elderly man crawling away and he may as well have been screaming that he was a MiD (her shorthand for Muggle in Distress). She carefully approached the man, doing her best not to scare him.

"Sir. Please allow me to assist you," she spoke calmly and clearly, offering a hand to Mr. Greer. She needed to find out what had happened here, and where better to start?

Isaac apparated to the most inconspicuous location he could find and immediately headed to where the commotion was. He was not pleased in any way. What a way to start his first year as head of MLE. His eyes took in people portkeying away. Was Lynley here?? Who gave the permission for portkeys? He spotted at least one muggle and another ministry employee, he noted from level 3, obliviator he hoped at least. Frowning he looked around him wondering where to start.

Gideon wasn’t exactly one usually tasked with dealing with Muggles. Cleaning up potions mishaps and such around them…yes…but usually the Obliviator division directly handled anyone involved that shouldn’t have been or seen anything they shouldn’t have. They were the ones fixing mental mistakes on the scene. But the notice sent forth from their department head had roped PART in and he had proceeded to step up and helped make up the concoctions they would be needing. Brewing and mixing he could certainly do.

Since the scene was already a mess, with magic and portkeys galore according to the shared information, apparition to the site was a go. The potioner appeared shortly after his coworker, his own sprayer in hand as he took in the scene the best he could. He'd forgone with the suggested bubblehead charm for now until they were ready to actually spray. For now, Gideon was trying to decide where to begin.

Today just might be his lucky day. Finally, he was getting some action before turning over another report to Mr. Mackenna at the end of the day. Ethan honestly debated whether he should make an appearance in Dufftown, considering that Isaac Muir specifically asked Aurors and YATIs to the scene. Not that he was being extra and dramatic, but he'd rather be there to do his job as a Magical Forensics personnel and not ask Mr. Muir to get him a sample of...whatever there is to sample. He did sort of humiliated himself the first time, and obviously, he was gambling with luck this time around.

Ethan apparated in a random back alley and was quick on his feet as soon as the smell of burnt something reached his nostrils. The detective remained in the shadows, quietly assessing the scene...and what a scene it was. Students disappearing via portkeys...Merlin knows where those bunch of muggle rubbish will take them, to the burnt something a few steps away from a stunned and bound professor-- hopefully still breathing, to a couple more tending to her...and then to the woman whom the Headmistress of Hogwarts was guarding.

Confused. He was very confused. Right in the middle of this muggle town, wands were out while students and a couple of adults went on to disappear into thin air.

Ethan emerged from the shadows, made eye contact with a man holding a spray bottle, quickly assuming that he was one of the people from A&C. Greetings and salutations weren't necessary at this point, and so Ethan quickly found himself standing beside Isaac. "Headmistress is over there, sir." the fair-haired Mordaunt said in a low tone, gesturing his head towards where the woman stood. "Aurors and YATIs will be here soon to assist you in the arrest," he said giving the other woman on the ground a quick glance. "Looking at it, the woman with the Headmistress is the baddie, and your main victim is that stunned and bound woman on the ground," it was the perfect picture of getting caught in the act, honestly. "I'll go work with the A&C to collect evidence and samples..." he said, fishing out clear evidence bags from his charmed pockets, swabs, small vials, and a pair of latex gloves. "I'll see you in a bit...sir."

Now, where's that guy with the spray bottle? His name is Gideon too, yes?

This whole thing had suddenly become very odd...but also totally amazing. If this was a prank, both the actors and the special effects team had truly outdone themselves. Boyd was well convinced now that he was stood in the middle of a film set, and his new friends were momentarily forgotten as he stared around in wonder. Sparks were literally flying, and somehow ropes were coming flying out of their wooden sticks. It was even cooler than those stunt and special effects shows at Disney.

MIND = BLOWN.

But then shouting interrupted his thoughts. He looked over at the woman - he assumed she was the baddie in this fictional scene - who was spouting off. What was a muggle...a no-ma-something-or-other? Clearly this meant to be one of the later scenes from the movie. A big action scene like this, might even be the big finale. And here he was, thinking nothing cool ever happened in Dufftown. Somehow he'd ended up in as an extra in a movie!

He started heading toward where all the action was happening...and, was rather surprise to see that people seemed to be just...disappearing over there. One minute visible, the next completely gone. That was some cool camera trick...way better than the ropes-out-of-sticks thing. He needed to find out how it worked. Maybe he could ask Jessa, Abra or Derf about it when he re-found them, since they seemed to be in on the whole thing. Oh, and he should totally snag one of those glowy things as a souvenir too.

It wasn't everyday one ended up in the middle of a film set, after all. His best mate was gonna be well jealous.

Isaac noticed a few more people arrive including the muggle. Nodding to Gideon from level 3 he turned towards Ethan when he arrived. "Good to see you. Ethan." HAH he'd gotten it right this time. Hmph, not going to mention the fiasco of a meeting.

"Sounds good, see what you can find out. I'll speak with the headmistress and the young lady that's with her." Seemed to be a good start at least. He glanced around again before heading towards the Headmistress.