So much was going on and so much confusion that Chloe's head was spinning. She wouldn't let go of her brother nor the professor, but her eyes went shut. She didn't want to see it anymore if they were going to die she was going to not see it coming. She just cried and hid her eyes. Why was this all happening? Hogwarts was supposed to be their place to learn not to die.

She heard Gunnar say about leaving and she nodded without opening her eyes, her clutch to the professor's robes not budging. She was too scared to run, but if her brother thought it was best she would go with him.

Then it got quiet...

Not really quiet, but not the chaos noises she was hearing, so little by little she opened her green eyes and the things were not fighting, they were leaving? What was going on? In a squeak of a voice she was able to get out, "What happened?" Her eyes went to her brother and noticed his robes, "Gunnar you're hurt."

Penny had been on alert since she had first heard the screech and she had practically run down there the entrance hall as soon as she had gotten Professor Kennedy’s patronus.

She gasped as she got down there and surveyed the damage. Her miracle cream was going to be put to good use tonight! She clucked about as she went from student to students to see if she could do much at the moment.

“Gaston!” She said as she moved hurriedly over to him. “Can you help get all the kids with scratches up to the Healers wing? I’ll be able to fix them in no time, has any more reports of injuries come in? ” She asked as she looked out the door before turning to the students and addressing them herself!

“If you have scratches and are able, please get up to the Healers wing and sit on a bed. If you are well, please help an injured person up to the Healers wing, I’m going to need as much help as I can get to make sure everyone gets healed tonight.” She said as she turned once more towards Gaston. “You get up there too, don’t think I didn’t notice the limp! ”

So quick she didn't even register it, a lasso of fire caught around the inferi closest to her and she looked up, bleary eyed, to see Marchand with his wand out. He'd saved her. Sylvie stared at him, still trying to scramble away with one tired hand, until Tayo was blocking her view of her head of house and she dropped her wand, clutching at him instead. Marchand had saved her life. Professor Marchand had stopped her from dying.

It was strange, seeing it all from the floor. Burning portraits, charred bits of wood, lethal spells flying everywhere. Sylvie felt pain everywhere, in her head, down her bad arm, in her shoulder, in the leg she tried to kick with. It was in a haze that she watched everything stop, once again, as coins rained down at the inferi from seemingly all corners of the school. She held her breath, blinking teary eyes, willing them to just leave them alone. She had never felt so young, so weak, like she did in this moment.

And then it was really over. She could still hear them, claws on the stone floor, the slithering of dead bodies as they tore at clothes, pockets, skin, all in her mind. But she could also hear real footsteps, and the familiar voice of the school Healer. Sylvie struggled to sit up, using Tayo again for balance. She probably needed to go to the hospital wing as well; her arm had gone from white hot stinging to a throbbing, excruciating burn. But.. But she needed to say thank you to Marchand first.

"P-professor?" she squeaked, her attempts at standing not going well. There was something wrong with her ankle, it was all wonky. "Professor Marchand!" First thank you, then ankle. And arm. And head? And sleep. Oh my Thrall yes, sleep sounded like a great idea.

It was at that precise moment that a silver fennec fox burst through the doors, or what was left of the doors, and came to a stop in the middle of the Entrance Hall. Hirsch's voice boomed out for everyone to hear, "The Inferi have retreated back to the Lake with their treasure. We have news from Merchefianess Arethusa that they've returned to their caves and aren't moving. It looks like we're safe." Hopefully. "Make sure everyone gets to the Hospital Wing to get looked at or to get some Calming Draught or some kind of potion to help them sleep peacefully tonight." Merlin knows, they needed it. "Afterwards, please make your way to your common rooms. Well done on putting up a brave fight, everyone."

Once the message was over, the fox disappeared in a silvery whisp of smoke.

When Sylvia finally reached the bottom of the steps, she gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. There were injured students, Professor Marchand, and dismantled bodies of Inferi strewn across the floor. It was a site that could make anyone sick. She looked around, noticing that man of the portraits had been burned, as well as the giant doors of the castle. Those would take some time repairing.

But right now she knew she needed to help with the injured. She walked over to her friend and put a hand on her shoulder. "Penny how can I help?" She knew there was something she could do to alleviate the stress she could see in her friends face.

Rylee raced through the doors... well sort of since they were gone?... and into the Entrance hall. It looked like the Inferi had made it into the school too! Eyes still wide with fear and panic she skidded to a stop somewhere in between everyone that was still gathered around.

"Help! W-.." Stops to suck in a deep breath, leaning over, her hands on her knees as she tried to force out words that made some sort of sense. "Pathways! Professor Grimsbane, Derf..." Can't breath. Her heart was racing still and it was hard to get enough air. What if the Inferi came back while she was here getting help?!

Tears slide down her cheeks and she did nothing to brush them away. "They need help down there fast!." Please excuse her shouts but this was urgent. Why couldn't she catch her breath?! She didn't even get this winded while running around the grounds each and everyday.

Exhausting from all that running to get the treasure, Dorian sat with his back against the wall. Everyone seemed to have someone who was taking care of them anyway so the Ravenclaw took that moment to catch his breath.

After a while, the third year realised that the nurse and caretaker were at the hall as well, probably to assist anyone who was injured. His blue eyes looked over the scene. The entrance hall looked like a war zone from a zombie movie he had watched once at his friend's house. With the Inferi now gone, Dorian should not have jumped in fright when a silver fennec fox appeared in their midst but when he heard the voice of his Head of House, he relaxed again.

Calming Draught? He did need that but it was taking all of his effort to stand up. Not that he was injured , he was just tired. And then Rylee bursted in to the entrance hall and seeing the state of her, he immediately stood up. "Rylee!" he said as he quickly walked towards his friend. He had not called her Rosie which indicated the severeness of the situation. And then her words paled him. What about them? Were they injured? ...or dead? Merlin's Beard what? "I'll help" he he said with a small and tired smile. The Inferi were gone anyway. So it would be less scary ...unless they were so badly injured that he'd faint ...guess he'll have to see.

"Are they badly injured?" he asked. Cause if they were injured to the point they had to be carried to the castle , he could not help out alone and they needed more help.

Gaston stood with his back to the students, anxiously looking out into the night for any signs of survivors or more Inferi coming. Try as he might, the tears wouldn't stop. Conflicting emotions, each stronger than the last, battled for control of his heart until it was just too much to keep inside. Even with the Inferi gone, he was still afraid - not afraid of the corpses themselves but afraid for his students and colleagues. He already knew Flynn was gravely injured. How many others lay dying, or worse, already dead? And the ones who survived their injuries... what kind of emotional damage would be left? His fear was tinged with bitter anger at the person who sent the Inferi - what kind of monster harmed innocent children over gold?! But, most of all he was angry at himself. He'd kept the students alive, but even his best efforts weren't enough to stop them from getting injured. Seeing them in so much pain hurt him worse than anything the Inferi could possibly do to him!

He felt someone touch his arm and reluctantly turned his head as he heard Eria's voice. He was a little surprised. She wasn't one of the students he would've expected to try and comfort him, but he was nonetheless touched that she had, probably even more so than if it had been another student. He sniffled in reply. Any other time, he might've chuckled a little at the comment about him getting tetanus, but now he was too exhausted. His hands were already cut and bruised from the fight, anyway; he didn't see how holding on to the door could do much worse. He tried to smile or at least speak, but he couldn't bring himself to do either. All he managed was a weak nod. He didn't feel very gallant or much like a good professor at the moment, but it meant the world to him to hear her say such kind things.

He eyed the chair Eria summoned for him but made no move to sit. If he did, he felt he may not get back up, and he needed to remain standing long enough to help the injured students to the hospital wing. Rather than holding on to the door, he gripped the back of the chair to steady himself. It was only when Hirsch's patronus gave the all clear that he dared take his eyes off the darkness outside. He wiped his eyes - well, his good one, anyway. The injured one hurt too much to touch - and turned at the sound of Penelope's voice, his face streaked with blood and tears.

What was she doing here? She was supposed to be helping Flynn! She must not have seen the patronus he sent after Kalen's. He nodded in reply to her."I-I can help you patch up the students with only scratches," he offered. He'd helped River tend to the students injured from the monster in the portal a few terms ago. "I've informed St. Mungo's, in case anyone needs to be transported." Another nod at Penelope's next question. "At least one student is inured in the greenhouses," he said, and his voice dropped to little more than a whisper as he added, "He may d-" No, he couldn't say it! "-not survive."

He heard her mention his limp, but frankly, he was more concerned about the gashes across his face and the fact that he coulnd't see anything out of his right eye. He would go to the hospital wing like she asked, but only to look after the students. He had no intention of letting her treat him. That would be a waste of time and resources that could be better used for the kids. He would go to St. Mungo's after everything was said and done. He didn't think he could keep up the strong facade in front of a hospital wing full of kids, and he didn't want them to see him a weepy, wounded mess! Then there was Rose... he needed to get back to her so she could see with her own eyes that he was still alive.

At some point, Sylvia arrived, but before he could tell her or Penelope to go to Flynn, Rylee burst in. The relief Gaston felt at seeing her safe quickly turned to sadness at the news of more people injured. His gaze shifted from the students to the door, his mind debating whether to stay or go help the people on the pathways. He decided against it; he could barely stand, let alone run fast enough to help them in time. Besides, he couldn't leave these kids after what they'd just been through together!

He eyed Rylee with concern. "Here, sit down," he said, gesturing to the chair Eria had summoned for him. "Take all the time you need..." He gave her several moments to try to catch her breath, he gently pressed on, "Was anybody else there with you? Any other injuries?" Somehow he suspected that wherever they found Derf, they'd find Abra too. He was worried about the boy, though he knew not even half as worried as Junia must be! Then he turned to Penelope and Sylvia. "Go! I'll take care of the students until you get back."

Now Gaston just had to get all these kids up to the hospital wing, while he was hardly standing himself. He summoned a piece of fallen debris from the door and transfigured it into a cane to support himself. Moving slowly among the students, he said, "You heard Healer Macmillan. If you feel you can move, go to the hospital wing now. We'll conjure stretchers to transport the rest of you." His dark head whipped around as he heard someone call his name, and it was only then that he saw just how badly Sylvie was injured. Hobbling to her side as fast as he could, he waved his wand, and a stretcher appeared. "Here, Sylvie. Will you let me levitate you to the hospital wing? Try to get on this, if you can..."

So much was still going on and Chloe wasn't following any of it. All she knew was she was hurt, her brother was hurt, and she was exhausted and scared. She wanted to go home and be as far away from the castle as she could.

"My.. my brother got hurt." She pointed with her arm that had clearly been hurt by the things as well.

"Is it over now? Can we go home?" She whimpered a bit and just looked around lost and confused. They were saying about going to the healer wing, but Chloe just didn't want to go, did she have to go? She just wanted to lay down and cry, well cry more. She wanted to hang on to Gunnar and find Rhea. She wanted to make sure Xar was alright too.

She wanted to not think about how she was the worst witch ever for not being able to be brave and use spells.

With tear stained cheeks and shaky breaths, Rylee throw her arms around her friend when he got close enough, hugging him tightly. "Dorian!" He was okay! Or well he appeared physically alright in the quick glance she got of him before the hug which she kept brief mainly due to the need of getting help still.

Where they injured badly? Uh... "I-.." She wasn't entirely sure but yes it looked that way to her. The professor had passed out and Derf didn't seem to be responding either. It was a mess out there!

At the offer to sit down the lioness shook her head slowly, her already messy ginger hair sticking to her face where her tears had began to dry up. "No time to sit down, Professor," she replied in what she hoped didn't sound like defiance. She had promised Bel and those on the pathway help and she intended on getting that help and returning to them herself. It didn't matter how out of breath she was or her own small injury that was in the form of some scratches on her arm, as long as she was able to walk she needed to be there for her friends.

Sucking in another shaky breath and willing her body to stop trembling she nodded in reply to Marchand. "Quinn was with me." Quinn who she had gotten back to the castle with her. "There's lots of others on the pathway." Another deep breath. Finally her words were making sense now that she was away from any immediate danger. "Professor Grimsbane is really hurt and Derf too... a-and I think Abra also.." The latter one she wasn't entirely sure of but he looked like he was injured as she had run past them all. "Bel is there and some others..." More sniffles happened as she wiped her face with the back of her hand.

"I need to go back and help them all, Professor..." Once everyone from the Pathways was safely inside the castle in the hospital wing then she could help out anywhere else... AND find her brother and friends.

Even though the Inferi were gone, a new kind of chaos had erupted, as students from other areas of the castle and other professors started to arrive. She managed to catch little bits and pieces of what everyone was saying - Flynn was in shock? Derf was hurt? NOOO! NOT DERF AND HIS HAIR!

It sounded like it had been a bloodbath out on the grounds, and Nettie suddenly thanked her lucky stars that she hadn't been out there. She could only imagine...

Hirsch was making an announcement, it seemed, and she turned to listen to her Head of House as he insisted everyone go to the hospital wing to get Calming Draught or something to sleep. Nettie was pretty sure she was going to pass out the second she put her head on the pillow, though. Making a deal with herself that if she couldn't sleep, she'd go to the hospital wing, she decided it was best to just head to the common room. She wanted to say goodbye to her friends, but they all had their own problems to deal with right now, especially Chloe, so instead she just turned and headed towards the stairs, realizing just how tired she was with every step.