"Severus, Filius, and Pomona, I'll leave the protection of Hogwarts to you..."
An envelope that had taken the form of an aged face floated in the air. After delivering a long message in an elderly voice, it burst into flames and quickly turned into a handful of ashes.
In the Potions office at Hogwarts, Severus Snape, the Head of Slytherin, remained silent for a long time. Beside him stood Professor Sprout, Head of Hufflepuff and the Herbology professor, and Professor Flitwick, Head of Ravenclaw and the Charms professor. Well, he was standing on the desk.
"Will Dark wizards really attack Hogwarts?" Professor Sprout frowned slightly, her plump face full of vexation.
"It is still a possibility." Snape hesitated for quite some time before finally nodding. "It would be best not to let this affect the students still at school... I'll notify the Prefects of each house and have all the students return to their dormitories early tonight. Then we'll put up defensive wards."
"Leave the wards to me," Professor Flitwick said.
Snape nodded. With Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall both absent, Professor Flitwick was naturally the most skilled at spells of anyone currently at the school.
"Then I'll make some preparations as well. I imagine the main force of the Death Eaters will be over where Dumbledore and the others are. But in that case, we might have some unusual things coming our way," Professor Sprout said.
Snape nodded, and Professor Flitwick and Professor Sprout left one after the other.
Without further delay, Snape took out his wand and cast a special spell. A moment later, a house-elf appeared in the room.
"At your service, Head of House Snape, sir." The house-elf bowed respectfully to Snape.
Unlike Professor McGonagall, who, as deputy headmistress, could summon a house-elf with a mere gesture,