Professor Breen and Professor Dumbledore left the Hospital Wing with Professor Slughorn, their swift, resolute steps seeming to herald that the conversation they were about to have was of critical importance.
Sirius watched their retreating backs as if he wanted to speak, but in the end, he merely stood there in a daze, saying nothing.
Then Professor Snape left as well.
After the three professors vanished from sight, he started moving too, staggering out of the room.
"Everyone, get into bed!"
Seeing that the sources of trouble had all gone, Madam Pomfrey finally breathed a sigh of relief. She drew her wand and repaired the damaged glass sliding door, then turned around and glared furiously at everyone.
"Should we make some arrangements, Minerva?"
Professor Sprout adjusted her hat, which was covered in pudding, and covertly glanced at the ward where Vitia was being held.
"I can swear on my life, everyone—"
Fromid said urgently.
"Vitia will not harm a single living thing here. Everything she did before was only out of necessity!"
"I hope you understand, Fromid—"
Professor McGonagall said, glaring sternly at Fromid.
"That room holds a Dark Witch capable of fighting Amosta, and just beyond one wall are Hogwarts' young students. We cannot take any risks!"
Professor McGonagall then made the arrangements.
She rejected Arthur and the others' request to guard Vitia themselves, saying in a tone that brooked no refusal,
"Filius, Pomona, Fromid, and I will guard her. The rest of you have all been through a brutal battle tonight. Every one of you needs rest!"
As she spoke, the four of them entered the private ward one after another.
Madam Pomfrey made every one of them drink a potion, sparing no one except Hagrid.
With a stern look that allowed no argument, she forced everyone into