Headmaster Dumbledore nodded agreement. "Indeed, and the Muggle World is reasonably safe."
"Besides, one can't Apparate inside the Castle—we'll have to walk beyond the grounds first."
"All right, I was too hasty," Professor McGonagall said, nodding and tucking her wand away, no trace of embarrassment on her face.
Worrying over students hardly warrants embarrassment; for a Professor it's perfectly normal.
"Albus, let's be off," Professor Flitwick urged, glancing at Headmaster Dumbledore.
Clearly he wasn't as calm as he pretended to be.
Headmaster Dumbledore gave a grave nod and strode briskly toward the Castle gates, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick close behind.
The three veteran Professors fairly flew along, moving far faster than their years suggested.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Three sharp pops rang out beyond the alley; Lynn spun around, instinctively drawing the wand from her pocket and aiming it at the entrance.
"Lynn, what is it?" Maranhao asked, startled by the sudden motion and reaching for her own wand.
"Those three cracks match the Apparition sound described in the books almost exactly."
Lynn stared at the alley mouth, eyes cold and still. "Chances are, three people just Apparated outside."
"Most likely it's Headmaster Dumbledore and the Professors come to collect us."
"But we can't rule anything out, so I drew my wand in case."
Listening to Lynn's flat, matter-of-fact explanation, the other five exchanged glances, then in silent accord leveled their wands at the entrance.
Hermione, standing closest to Lynn, shifted a half-step away.
If things turned violent and the newcomers weren't Professors, Lynn was unquestionably their best fighter.
Hermione needed to give her room to maneuver, not become a hindrance.
At the same time Hermione kept the muscles in her legs taut; though she wasn't yet much of a duelist,
she could still throw herself forward to block a curse for Lynn if it came to that.
All seven Young Wizards held their wands at the ready, every spell they'd learned racing through their minds.
This was the sight that greeted Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick when they stepped into the alley.
Their students stood wands raised, pointing straight at them, faces alert and stern.
Far from taking offense, the three Professors were delighted by their students' wariness.
Professor McGonagall looked almost proud; Professor Flitwick beamed; Headmaster Dumbledore merely twinkled and spoke cheerfully.
"Good morning, children."
Recognizing the Professors' voices and faces, Hermione and the others lowered their wands with visible relief.
Only Lynn kept her wand up—Polyjuice Potion existed, after all.
Securing hairs from Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick all at once seemed unlikely,
but the probability wasn't zero, and Lynn refused to ignore it.
The faint ache in her thigh, a reminder of past danger, told her that Hermione and the rest deserved better than careless assumptions.
"Lynn, they're the Professors," Hermione whispered, tugging her sleeve.
"Could be Polyjuice," Lynn replied, voice steady, eyes fixed on the three adults.
Where moments earlier the Professors had felt pride at their students' caution,
now their hearts ached. Vigilance was good,
but for a second-year to consider Polyjuice disguises so thoroughly spoke of profound insecurity.
Memories flickered; Lynn recalled Professor McGonagall once suggesting she explore the eighth-floor tapestry on her next nighttime wander.
Satisfied, she lowered her wand.
She bowed her head. "My apologies, Headmaster Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick; that was rude of me."
"No fault at all, Miss Lin," Headmaster Dumbledore said, stepping forward with a smile. "Only the cautious stay safe."
"I'm heartened by your vigilance, Miss Lin."
Professor McGonagall ruffled her hair, wishing Hogwarts could one day give her all the security she needed.
Professor Flitwick beamed. "With awareness like that, you deserve points!"
"Filius, we can't award points before term starts,"
Professor McGonagall laughed, though her expression said she'd love to.
"Right then—time to head back," Headmaster Dumbledore announced to the seven children.
The Professors took them in three turns, Side-Along Apparating to Hogsmeade.
The sensation was dreadful, especially the first time; back at Hogwarts Hermione and the others clutched their stomachs, pale and retching.
Lynn, though not sick, was equally white; Hermione took two steadying breaths and thumped her chest.
"That rivals the knight bus."
Once everyone had recovered, the Professors led them toward Hogwarts Castle.
Professor McGonagall glanced sideways at Hermione walking almost pressed to Lynn and raised an eyebrow.
So close… she smiled in understanding.
Remembering Lynn's perpetually blank, never-quite-happy face,
she thought that if her guess proved right,
she might speak with Filius about letting Miss Granger spend a few nights in Ravenclaw Tower.
After all, Hogwarts dormitories had room to spare.
But that could wait; they were still so young.
And even if Miss Granger already sensed which way her heart leaned,
melting Lynn's icy shell would take time and patience.
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