When the trio of Edmund, Charlus, and Antonio reached Hogwarts, they found a small group of people already gathered just outside the castle's wards. The wards were closed and no one was being allowed entry at the moment. These wards were one of the most powerful wards in the entire Wizarding Britain and even someone like Antonio, Dumbledore and Voldemort would have a hard time breaking through the wards.
"What is happening here?" Charlus asked as he approached the group.
"Lord Potter," someone replied. "Hogwarts has been placed under lockdown. No one is being allowed inside for now."
"They told us to wait for a while before entry would be permitted," the man continued. "At the moment, only Aurors have been allowed through."
"Oh," Charlus nodded, his expression tight. He did not argue. Though anxiety gnawed at him as his son was inside, he understood the necessity of Hogwarts' precautions. He could only hope that his boy was unharmed.
Edmund shared the same thoughts, his face equally tense, and so did many of the other parents gathered there.
In about ten minutes, the group had grown significantly larger, and their restlessness was becoming more and more visible when they finally spotted Professor Minerva McGonagall and Professor Filius Flitwick approaching from within the wards.
"Professor McGonagall!" someone called out before she had even reached them. "When will we be allowed entry?"
"I am here for that matter exactly," she responded in a firm, controlled voice. "You all will be allowed entry but before that, there are certain things that you must understand and keep in mind."
"Firstly," she continued, "you will be allowed entry only to the Hogwarts infirmary. If anyone disobeys and wanders elsewhere, they will be treated as an intruder and dealt with accordingly. Do not take me lightly on this and it would be for your own good that you keep this in mind."
"Secondly," she said, "only students whose injuries warranted treatment in the infirmary had been brought there."
"All other students with minor injuries, bruises, scratches and cuts are in their dormitories. If your children are unharmed and remain in the dormitory, you will not be able to see them now."
"Am I clear?" she asked, her powerful voice echoing across the grounds.
Her tone was stern and the expression on her face equally hard. It was obvious that what she was about to say was final. She would tolerate no argument. They would follow the instructions to the letter.
The group nodded in agreement. Although they wanted to see their children, even if they were unharmed, they knew Professor McGonagall would not relent.
Many of them had a sinking feeling that even if their children had escaped without injury, what they had witnessed in Hogsmeade might have left them deeply traumatized. Attack from more than 20 Death Eaters was not something that one would hear about as a regular occurrence.
For now, simply knowing that their children were safe would have to be enough. The wards shimmered, and a small section opened, allowing the people to step through one by one.
"I did not know you had a child studying at Hogwarts, Lord Olario," Minerva remarked as soon as Antonio stepped through the wards behind Edmund.
Antonio raised an eyebrow. Technically, she was right. He did not know what he should reply.
"He is with me, Professor," Edmund interjected quickly.
Minerva gave him a long, assessing look, her expression unreadable. For a moment, it seemed she might object.
"We should move, Professor," Edmund added firmly.
After another moment's hesitation, Minerva gave a curt nod and continued forward with the group.
When they reached the infirmary, chaos greeted them. The large central hall, along with several adjoining rooms, was filled to the brim with beds.
More than a few dozen students lay upon them as healers hurried between the rows, attending to each patient. In one of the rooms, a few more people dressed in civilian attire were also lying in the hospital. They were the wizards and witches of Hogsmeade who had been injured by the Death Eaters.
Around a dozen healers dressed in the uniform of St. Mungo's were present, with Madam Poppy Pomfrey, Hogwarts' own matron, leading the effort at the forefront. The entire area was smelling of potions and blood and wounds.
Just outside the infirmary, a couple of men were seated at a small table, several parchments spread before them. Each parchment bore lists. Names of students who had been injured and were currently in the infirmary, and those who had sustained minor injuries and were resting in their dormitories.
Without wasting a moment, Edmund and Charlus rushed toward the desk along with other parents, their faces tense with worry.
More than a dozen Aurors stood stationed around the infirmary, their eyes constantly scanning the hall. Inside, Alastor Moody stood beside Albus Dumbledore, the two of them engaged in a low, tense conversation.
It was always difficult to tell what was going on in Dumbledore's mind, but a few things were clear. His face bore no smile, the familiar twinkle in his eyes was gone, and his shoulders seemed heavy, weighed down by exhaustion and worry. Albus Dumbledore looked truly fatigued.
Antonio wondered what Albus' reaction to this attack would be. This was the first time Hogsmeade had ever been attacked. Though Hogsmeade was not officially part of Hogwarts, it was deeply intertwined with the school, almost an extension of its domain. It was a settlement built as per the need of the school.
And more importantly, it was Hogwarts' own students, those who were supposed to be under Dumbledore's protection, who had been attacked right on the doorstep of his dominion. It was the first time such a thing had happened. It was the first time Dumbledore's authority had been challenged. And that too in such a brazen manner.
"Edgar is fine," Edmund approached Antonio a couple of moments later. "They say he has just gotten a small cut on his arms."
The anxiety and the worry on Edmund's face had reduced and he seemed to be in relief.
"James is also fine," Edmund added as Charlus approached and joined the duo.
Though Charlus was relieved that his son was fine, there was a trace of worry and frustration on his face.
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