Had the dreary news not set over the wizarding world, many could have argued that pleasantness of the day. Despite the growing November chills, the strong gale winds, and the frigid rain, the blue sky ahead seemed amiable. Students bustled across the Great Hall, gorging on their breakfasts and rushing through parchments of late homework. Moral appeared high, yet the encroaching fog appeared in the weary eyes of staff sat solemnly at the top table. The professors muttered among themselves, voices out of hearing. The occasional student would send a smile, a wave or a greeting and the noted teacher would return with a trained faultless expression. It appeared very few were expecting the disaster plastered on the cover of The Daily Prophet.

George had begun ripping his toast into small bite size pieces, his mind reeling with possibilities. What would happen if they caught him again? They'd lose him. Anyone who escaped ended up with the Kiss without trial. The blonde eleven year old pulled at his jumper sleeves, and rested his hands on his lap. Theo had more than one exclaimed the boy's tendency to worry too much; if it weren't for the thundering sound of his pulse within his ears and his throat closing within his neck, George might have disagreed.

The echo of beating wings flurried in from the roof of The Great Hall. Students excitedly searched for their own owls, smiling gleefully as they caught their parcels as they dropped from the air. The young Nott turned his head, his eyes trailing across the table for the boy he called brother. Theo sat upright, chatting happily to the friends he had, as if oblivious to the news the morning paper would bring them. George often wondered how his brother managed it, covering himself and his feelings; ones that weren't anger. It took a moment of staring before the bushing haired brunette spotted his younger sibling's gaze, panicked and unsure. He shook his head firmly and twisted his gaze towards the Ravenclaws beside him. George turned back towards his own friends as a result with his stomach twisting. 

In the pause that lingered- the short moment before each student clambered for their friend's copy, ripping and snatching the paper from one to another- George felt the dread set in. Blue eyes stared directly at Seine only to flick to Sadie as she took her own turn to read. One by one, hysteria began to set in. Students began to panic, shouting and confused. Seine drew their attention to a small student with thick dark hair. Her familiarity now struck him- Verdana Dolohov, a cousin. Her own father had been trialed shortly after his own. Antonin Dolohov had been present more than once in their family home during both his and Theodore's childhood. The latter of the brother's had once claimed the man to be "one of the worst" and professed his own fear of the man. George felt the pang of empathetic trepidation as the students around her turned into snakes, hissing her way.

The Great Hall suddenly sprang to life with the shrill panic of several hundred students, each fearing for their safety. Theodore Nott was gone when George turned again for support. The tall Ravenclaw had already begun his beeline for the tall doors as the fights began. His feet carried him along the thick oak table, between his own and the yellow house. His face displayed little emotion aside from a faint sense of concern and dread. A spell shout from one 6th year student as he passed, its intended already screeching in return. Theo's feet picked up their pace and quickly he slipped from the hall. 

[i]"Don't run."[/i] George couldn't see why not. Sadie's grip grew tighter around his forearm, scrunching his sleeve and creasing his shirt. 
"What do we do?" The boy stammered in return as his attention turned to Seine. The yell that erupted from further down the Slytherin table and the spells that followed seemed only to make things worse. A huge boy, matted mouse brown hair and a thick set jaw roared a hex in response and the first fight broke out. "What do we do?" George squeaked again as the frenzy grew worse. He pulled Sadie's hand down from his arm and twisted his fingers into her palm, holding tightly. The situation grew worse, escalated to a state almost out of control.

The sudden booming voice of a wiry woman shook the castle still. Students froze, wands raised and friends in tow. A painful second passed before slowly each student complied, taking a seat at the nearest table, fear on every face. An icy silence followed as Professor McGonagall made her way towards the plinth ahead of all four tables. Her expressed seemed stoic, although by force. Several hundred faces stared her way for guidance, desperate, scared. The few students who'd rushed from the room slowly began to enter the hall and many of the ghosts had taken to join them. They floated quietly against the back wall, whispering among themselves. 

"I understand you're all scared, perturbed and many of you are angry. This wasn't something any of us expected to find out, especially in such a fashion." Her voice strained as she spoke, kind old eyes hiding a fear of something they'd never expected to see again. "Many of you know Hogwarts was subject to its own battle many years ago, and the scars of this have not all healed. Students, professors, witches and wizards alike lost their lives to keep this place standing; but I can assure each and every one of you that this school is as safe as it always has been. These walls will keep you safe. The Minister of Magic is more than prepared to ensure the protection of each student within these walls, [i]regardless[/i] of who they are." She paused in her speech and her gaze circled the room ahead.