Professor Minerva McGonagall stood at the front of the Great Hall, her heart heavy with worry and determination. The once-vibrant atmosphere of the Hall had been replaced by an almost palpable tension, the usual student chatter stifled by the gravity of the situation. Rufus Scrimgeour and his team of Aurors were present, their solemn expressions underscoring the seriousness of the events unfolding at Hogwarts.
The Hall had been filled with the rustle of students shifting uneasily in their seats and the murmurs of whispered conversations. The echoes of Rufus's directive still hung in the air, as did the palpable unease among the students. Professor McGonagall had quickly taken charge, rallying the Prefects and staff to help with the task at hand. The Prefects, each bearing a look of quiet determination, had been essential in managing the students and assisting in the headcount.
McGonagall’s gaze swept over the sea of faces. She had already mentally noted the faces of the students who had been present during the initial attack and was now focusing on the task of accounting for every student in the Hall. The Prefects moved methodically through the rows, calling out names and checking off lists. The process was slow, but McGonagall knew it was crucial to ensure no student was left unaccounted for.
In her mind, McGonagall reviewed the events of the day. The revelation of the creature in the castle, the assembly of the students, and the uneasy interactions between Rufus and the staff all played back in vivid detail. Rufus had hinted that the culprit was likely a student, and this only heightened her sense of urgency. She couldn’t afford to make any mistakes.
The students were lined up and checked, their faces a mixture of fear, confusion, and curiosity. The Prefects moved efficiently, their usual school day roles temporarily replaced by this grim duty. McGonagall kept a sharp eye on the proceedings, ensuring that each student was accounted for and that no one slipped through the cracks.
As the counting continued, McGonagall felt a growing sense of dread. The hall was filled with the occasional sobs and whispered reassurances from friends trying to comfort one another. The collective tension was almost unbearable, and McGonagall could see the strain on the faces of both students and staff alike.
After what felt like an eternity, the final tally was in. The Prefects gathered around McGonagall, their faces showing a mix of relief and concern. “Professor McGonagall,” one of the Prefects said, “we’ve accounted for all the students except for Colin Creevey and Ginny Weasley.”
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McGonagall’s heart sank. Colin Creevey had been missing since the attack, and now the discovery of another missing student was deeply troubling. She had hoped, perhaps naively, that all students would be present and accounted for. The realization that Ginny Weasley was also missing added a layer of urgency to the situation.
“Ginny Weasley?” McGonagall repeated, her voice edged with concern. “Are you certain?”
The Prefect nodded. “Yes, Professor. She’s not here. We’ve checked every student on the list, and she’s the only one missing besides Colin.”
McGonagall’s mind raced. Ginny Weasley was a student she had known well, her family’s reputation preceding her. She knew the Weasley family well enough to understand that Ginny’s absence could be a serious concern. She immediately felt a pang of worry, considering the recent events and the potential danger the missing students might be in.
“Very well,” McGonagall said, her voice steady despite her inner turmoil. “We need to find Ginny Weasley immediately. Gather a team to search the castle and grounds. I’ll inform Rufus Scrimgeour and the rest of the staff.”
The Prefects nodded, quickly mobilizing to search for the missing student. McGonagall turned to Rufus, who had been observing the proceedings with a watchful eye. She approached him, her expression a mixture of worry and determination.
“Minister Scrimgeour,” she said, her voice carrying a sense of urgency. “We’ve found that Ginny Weasley is missing. In addition to Colin Creevey, she is the only student unaccounted for. We need to search the castle thoroughly and find her before it’s too late.”
Rufus’s expression hardened as he processed the information. “Understood. We’ll expand our search efforts immediately. We need to consider every possibility, including that she might be in danger.”
McGonagall nodded, her face resolute. “I’ll organize a search party and coordinate with the staff. We’ll leave no stone unturned.”
As the search for Ginny Weasley began, McGonagall’s thoughts were clouded with worry. The urgency of the situation was compounded by the recent events and the looming threat of the creature in the castle. She hoped that Ginny would be found quickly and safely, but the uncertainty weighed heavily on her mind.
The Great Hall, once a place of learning and camaraderie, had become a place of anxiety and dread. As McGonagall watched the students being gathered and the search parties being organized, she felt the weight of her responsibility more acutely than ever. The safety of her students was paramount, and she was determined to find Ginny Weasley and ensure that Hogwarts remained a place of safety and security.