Once they were gone, Harry mumbled something about having to slap down idiots too stupid to know they were outmatched, out-gunned and outwitted as he followed the remaining three aurors back to the street. The auror, who had already been there before the RR Team arrived, appeared unhappy the senior auror of the Team had stopped Harry killing the idiot, but did not say anything.
As he walked out of the lane Harry could see Madam Bones had just arrived and was talking to Hermione and looking in their direction.
"Lord Potter," she snapped. "You and yours need to get back to the castle, now."
Harry looked around and could see that what few remaining students there were, were quickly being herded by aurors towards the carriages.
"Alright," he said. "Why the evacuation?"
"I'll explain back at the castle," she returned, still looking carefully about rather than at him. "I need you moving, right the Hell now."
He gave her a nod and saw that both his ladies were ambulatory, at least. He gave them a quick check to make sure they weren't in imminent danger and indicated to the carriages waiting for them.
"Come on," he said. "Let's get you two back to see medi-wizard Robinson."
With his wand still out and carefully walking with them - Daphne was trying not to jiggle her arm too much - he asked Bones, "Now that we're moving, how about you give me the quick synopsis of why the students are being ordered by you back to the castle?"
With the eyes of all aurors surrounding them, now numbering in their immediate area more than a dozen pairs, she quietly said, "Dumbledore managed to escape lawful custody, this morning."
That had all three instantly on alert, with Harry quite furious. "I'll be expecting you to give me a better overview than that, once we're back inside the school, Madam Bones."
"You can expect it all you like," she retorted. "I'll tell you what I deem you need to know; nothing more. And, yes, that will be once I get you three back inside the castle."
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
After having caught the end of the attempted attack on Potter, the mudblood and Greengrass by Nott and his paid cronies from his vantage point across the street, hunkered under a Notice-me-Not alongside the plant shop Dogweed and Deathcap, Malfoy managed to hold off being found by the aurors until one of the last in the school to be in the village.
With Parkinson, Crabbe and Goyle he ended up in the carriage right behind the Potters.
He was actually there only to keep an eye on Nott and his two to see what they were up to. So, he saw the entire attack and Potter's reaction within seconds of it starting.
When he saw Potter's near instant reactions and speed, he gave a small shudder. He knew he had no chance of developing that sort of reaction time or casting speed himself. Therefore, Potter would wipe the floor with him if he tried to confront the other boy front-on. No, he'd have to be Slytherin about it and take him from ambush.
Mind you, that's exactly what Nott tried and he still got his arse handed to him. No, he'd need more minions and have to space them further apart than just the yard and a half as Nott did.
This would require far more planning than the so-called 'extensive' plans he'd already dreamed up.
_‗_
―==(oIo)==―
ˇ
As soon as the three arrived at the steps of the castle, they were greeted by both the Longbottoms and the Headmistress.
The latter took one look at both Potter ladies and firmly stated, "Infirmary; right now. I'll make sure medi-wizard Robinson is there and ready for you."
Both Hermione and Daphne nodded back and were escorted by Susan and Hannah. Neville hung back for Harry. Marchbanks turned slightly away and called for an elf, telling it what it needed to do before it popped away again.
When she saw Bones she asked, "Mine are all back?"
Bones replied, "If there are any stragglers they're trying to hide from my aurors. They'll be found and brought back. If there are any, it'll only be a few.
"Oh, and three won't be returning tonight, if at all."
Marchbanks just cocked an eyebrow.
"Theodore Nott, Tom McGruder and someone Cowley," said Bones. All Slytherins. All three laid in wait to ambush Lord Potter and his ladies. Both his ladies were hurt, as you saw, and Lord Potter... put them down."
"Dead?" asked Marchbanks.
Taking Marchbanks aside, she replied, "No, but at least one of them is wishing he was, Nott."
"Oh?" asked Marchbanks.
"According to my Senior Auror, first on the scene, he reported that Lord Potter... how can I put this... claimed that Mister Nott attacked his right foot with his testicles."
Marchbanks cocked an eyebrow as she smirked back. "And how is the boy?"
Grinning back, Bones said, "Lord Potter believes Mister Nott may have managed to bruise his foot. My auror, the conscientious young man he is, immediately charged Mister Nott with attacking Lord Potter and injuring him. That's on top of the charges for attacking and injuring Lord Potter's two bonded."
Marchbanks had to work hard with her Occlumency to ensure she didn't cackle with glee.
A moment later, she was all business again. "Any sign of Albus?"
As if she'd been dosed with cold water, Bones braced up a little and replied, "No. However, I've left a large standing guard under disillusionment in the village to keep an eye out for him."
Marchbanks nodded and asked, "If he is spotted and re-apprehended, please let me know with all due haste. These kids are going to want to know why their weekend at Hogsmeade was suddenly cut short."
She replied, "Just tell them a dangerous escaped criminal is on the loose and it was thought he might have attempted to attack Hogsmeade while the students were there, looking for possible hostages."
Marchbanks gave a nod and said, "The truth, without giving anything away. I'll do that at lunch."
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