Ginny Weasley fell onto the lifeless form of her brother, her body trembling with the force of her sobs. Around her, the quiet sobs of Hermione Granger and Harry Potter punctuated the otherwise eerie silence of the Great Hall. They had gathered beside Ginny, their own tears mingling with hers as they offered what comfort they could.

Ginny's tear-streaked face turned suddenly toward Harry, her eyes blazing with a mixture of accusation and anguish. "Where were you?" she demanded, her voice raw and broken.

Harry had no answer. The weight of his failure pressed down on him. He had promised himself, time and time again, to protect his friends, but tonight he had fallen short. The crushing guilt settled heavily on his shoulders.

Ginny's gaze swept over the assembled teachers, their faces etched with sorrow but marked by a certain helplessness. "And where were you all?" she asked, her voice rising in bitterness.

Her eyes landed on Professor Dumbledore, whose face remained impassive and unyielding. "I used to believe that Hogwarts was the place where people were safe inside these walls," she said, her voice breaking.

Dumbledore, standing among the teachers, stepped forward with a somber expression. His eyes, though full of wisdom, reflected the sorrow of the moment. "Miss Weasley, we know we couldn't protect your brother. We couldn't protect some of the other students as well."

Ginny's face was buried in her brother's chest, her words muffled but still clear. She had no strength left for argument; she was consumed by the enormity of her grief. Her body shook with each sob, a stark contrast to the calm demeanor of the headmaster.

Dumbledore continued gently, trying to steer the conversation despite the pain. "Miss Weasley, we all grieve, but the danger is still not over. Your life is still in peril."

Ginny's shoulders sagged, her voice barely a whisper as she spoke, "I don't care if I die or live."

Dumbledore's gaze softened, understanding the depth of her sorrow. "Sadness and grief are essential, but we don't have enough time," he said, his tone laden with urgency.

Ginny's head snapped up, her eyes fierce and filled with anguish. "I just lost my brother, Professor!" she shouted. The sheer force of her cry was a raw testament to the intensity of her pain.

The room remained eerily silent, each person grappling with the magnitude of their loss. Ginny's face, still streaked with tears, was now marred by an expression of regret. She looked at Dumbledore, her voice cracking, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have—"

Dumbledore's eyes, though weary, held a gentle warmth. "I take no offense, Miss Weasley. I understand the pain you're feeling. While we cannot bring back your brother, what we can do is focus on saving Miss Scamander, Miss Dealcour, and unfortunately, Professor McGonagall."

Hermione's heart sank further as she listened. She knew that Daphne and Fleur had been taken, but the absence of Professor McGonagall was particularly unsettling.

Dumbledore continued, his voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. "We have searched the entire premises, and Professor Minerva McGonagall is still missing."

Severus Snape, his face a mask of indifference, added, "It is highly surprising that a witch of such experience and power could fall into traps. It's a stark reminder that even the most skilled can be caught off guard."

Dumbledore's gaze shifted to Snape with a hint of rebuke. "Severus, traps are indeed tricky. We must be cautious."

Snape's expression hardened. "I will find her soon," he declared, determination in his voice.

Dumbledore shook his head, his tone resolute. "Miss Granger must be the one to lead the search. She has witnessed and experienced much of what has transpired from the beginning. But you, Severus, will assist Miss Granger and Miss Weasley with your findings."

Snape turned his steely gaze toward Hermione. "Miss Granger."

Hermione met his gaze, acknowledging the change in their dynamic. "Professor."

In that moment, Hermione realized that Snape, along with Filch, had not been dismissed as she initially thought. They were still part of the team, their roles a strategic facade meant to mislead the true enemy into believing they were safe.

Dumbledore's voice cut through the tense silence. "Everyone else may leave. Miss Weasley, Miss Granger, and Severus will remain."

Professor Flitwick, along with Harry and the levitating body of Ron Weasley, exited the office. Ginny watched her brother's form being carried away, her heart aching with an intense sorrow. But she knew she had no time to grieve now; she had to focus on preventing any more deaths.

Once the room was cleared, Snape began speaking with an air of authority. "I have discovered that the recent disappearance of Boggarts and Dementors has led to the creation of humanized Dementors. These creatures are far more dangerous and insidious than their traditional counterparts."