Chapter 386: The Misty Siren
The light from the four Patronus charms completely enveloped the stadium, holding the Dementors at bay twenty feet above the stands.
Soon, professors within the castle caught wind of the situation and rushed over. Patronuses began to soar from different parts of Hogwarts, their bright silver light piercing through the rain, illuminating the entire stadium like the sun. The intense chill was dispelled, replaced by a powerful feeling of safety that washed over everyone.
Even some older students' Patronus abilities surged in response, allowing them to summon their own Patronuses. One after another, new Patronuses joined the battle. The Hogwarts counterattack had begun. As various Patronuses filled the sky, the Dementors started to scatter, retreating and fleeing in a panic from the stadium.
Hagrid was even more over-the-top. He called two Unicorns from the Forbidden Forest for reinforcement—though they didn't offer much help. Unicorns may indeed be natural enemies of Dementors, but Dementors can fly, and even they know better than to drift down to ground level to confront a Unicorn. Besides, Hagrid had spent a fair amount of time summoning them from the forest, so by the time he arrived, the battle was nearly over.
Professor McGonagall stamped her foot in frustration as she watched the last few Dementors vanish from sight. She had longed to join the fray, but her priority was maintaining the light screen, ensuring her students' safety. All she could do was watch the Dementors flee, not a single one left to capture.
"What a golden opportunity to handle those Dementors once and for all... and it's slipped away," she thought with deep regret, feeling as though she'd lost a thousand Galleons. No, she corrected herself, the disappointment was far greater than losing Galleons. Galleons can always be earned back, but the chance to deal with Dementors might never come again—especially once Professor Dumbledore returned.
With this thought, she glanced to the side. If only Snape had participated earlier, she might have had the freedom to take on the Dementors herself. A professor relying on a student to cover for her... what a thought!
Snape, noticing McGonagall's gaze, looked away, feigning ignorance. To him, it didn't matter whose Patronus led the charge; all that mattered was that the threat was neutralized.
McGonagall, however, didn't dwell on these thoughts for long and quickly redirected her attention to more pressing matters. The Dementors' intrusion onto school grounds was unacceptable, and the Ministry of Magic would have to answer for it.