Reading the books- Marauders era

The Writing on the Wall

"The Writing on the Wall," the book started reading aloud.

"What's going on here? What's going on?"

Attracted no doubt by Malfoy's shout, Argus Filch came shouldering his way through the crowd. Then he saw Mrs. Norris and fell back, clutching his face in horror.

"My cat! My cat! What's happened to Mrs. Norris?" he shrieked.

"We're trying to find that out too," Flitwick mumbled.

And his popping eyes fell on Harry and Hermione.

"You two!" he screeched. "You two have murdered my cat! You've killed her! I'll kill you! I'll -"

"Of course two second years would kill a kat," James rolled his eyes. "They have nothing better to do."

"Argus!"

Dumbledore had arrived on the scene, followed by a number of other teachers. In seconds, he had swept past Harry, Ron, Cassiopeia and Hermione and detached Mrs. Norris from the torch bracket.

"Come with me, Argus," he said to Filch. "You, too, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Miss Potter, Miss Tonks."

"They are in trouble," Lucius jumped in his seat in excitement.

Lockhart stepped forward eagerly.

"Not him," Arthur groaned.

"My office is nearest, Headmaster - just upstairs - please feel free -"

"Thank you, Gilderoy," said Dumbledore.

The silent crowd parted to let them pass. Lockhart, looking excited and important, hurried after Dumbledore; so did Professors McGonagall and Snape.

"Why is Snivellus going with them?" Peter asked in disgust.

"He is a Professor, Mr Pettigrew," Slughorn threw a disappointed glance at Peter.

As they entered Lockhart's darkened office there was a flurry of movement across the walls; Harry saw several of the Lockharts in the pictures dodging out of sight, their hair in rollers. The real Lockhart lit the candles on his desk and stood back. Dumbledore laid Mrs. Norris on the polished surface and began to examine her. Harry, Ron, Cassiopeia and Hermione exchanged tense looks and sank into chairs outside the pool of candlelight, watching.

The tip of Dumbledore's long, crooked nose was barely an inch from Mrs. Norris's fur. He was looking at her closely through his half-moon spectacles, his long fingers gently prodding and poking. Professor McGonagall was bent almost as close, her eyes narrowed. Snape loomed behind them, half in shadow, wearing a most peculiar expression: It was as though he was trying hard not to smile.

"Why would you smile?" Marlene asked Severus.

"Everyone hates Mrs Norris," was all he said.

And Lockhart was hovering around all of them, making suggestions.

"It was definitely a curse that killed her - probably the Transmogrifian Torture - I've seen it used many times, so unlucky I wasn't there, I know the very countercurse that would have saved her. . . ."

"You can't make a dead person alive," Lily argued.

"Animes can," Ted sighed.

Lockhart's comments were punctuated by Filch's dry, racking sobs. He was slumped in a chair by the desk, unable to look at Mrs. Norris, his face in his hands. Much as he detested Filch, Harry couldn't help feeling a bit sorry for him, though not nearly as sorry as he felt for himself and his twin. If Dumbledore believed Filch, they would be expelled for sure.