At the sight before her, McGonagall drew a sharp breath, almost bristling like a cat.
After the grim-faced Snape gave her a rough account of what had happened, her expression grew uglier still.
She was both shocked and frightened.
McGonagall and Flitwick went forward together to examine Quirrell's corpse, which had shriveled beyond recognition.
Professor Sprout hurried to check whether the Young Wizards were injured, only to be immediately surrounded by wildly excited students, all babbling at once.
"Professor, you have no idea how incredible Deputy Headmaster Shawn was just now!"
"Professor, sob... I was terrified, but luckily the Chief was there..."
"Professor..."
The Young Wizards were just short of calling Shawn Merlin reborn.
The Head of Hufflepuff House looked utterly helpless. Without answering, she patiently drew the Young Wizards over one by one to examine them.
Beside Quirrell's corpse.
McGonagall had been somewhat prepared, but she had never expected things to take such a sudden turn for the worse, only for hope to emerge again.
Flitwick had mixed feelings. Quirrell had, after all, been one of his prized students, and such a clever young man.
Yet he had joined the Dark Lord and infiltrated Hogwarts, constantly threatening the Young Wizards' safety.
Now he was dead. Apparently, he hadn't even managed a final word. Flitwick had no idea whether he had been coerced or had gone willingly.
Flitwick felt both pity and lingering dread as he said indignantly,
"Has You-Know-Who gone mad? Attacking Hogwarts! The Headmaster would never... er, the Headmaster isn't here."
Then he patted his chest.
"Ah, thank goodness. Thank goodness Shawn stopped him."
McGonagall pressed her lips together, then stood and transfigured a coffin to hold Quirrell's corpse and severed head.
Only after Professor Sprout confirmed that no one was injured did she breathe a sigh of