The Writing on the Wall

           What’sgoingonhere?What’sgoingon?" 

           AttractednodoubtbyMalfoy’sshout,ArgusFilchcameshoulderinghiswaythroughthecrowd.ThenhesawMrs.Norrisandfellback,clutchinghisfaceinhorror. 

           "Mycat!Mycat!What’shappenedtoMrs.Norris?"heshrieked. 

           AndhispoppingeyesfellonHarry. 

           "You!"hescreeched."YouYou’vemurderedmycat!You’vekilledher!I’llkillyou!I’ll—" 

           "Argus!" 

           Dumbledorehadarrivedonthescene,followedbyanumberofotherteachers.Inseconds,hehadsweptpastHarry,Ron,andHermioneanddetachedMrs.Norrisfromthetorchbracket. 

           "Comewithme,Argus,"hesaidtoFilch."You,too,Mr.Potter,Mr.Weasley,MissGranger." 

           Lockhartsteppedforwardeagerly. 

           "Myofficeisnearest,Headmaster-justupstairs-pleasefeelfree—" 

           "Thankyou,Gilderoy,"saidDumbledore. 

           Thesilentcrowdpartedtoletthempass.Lockhart,lookingexcitedandimportant,hurriedafterDumbledore;sodidProfessorsMcGonagallandSnape. 

           AstheyenteredLockhart’sdarkenedofficetherewasaflurryofmovementacrossthewalls;HarrysawseveraloftheLockhartsinthepicturesdodgingoutofsight,theirhairinrollers. TherealLockhartlitthecandlesonhisdeskandstoodback.DumbledorelayMrs.Norrisonthepolishedsurfaceandbegantoexamineher. Harry,Ron,andHermioneexchangedtenselooksandsankintochairsoutsidethepoolofcandlelight,watching. 

           ThetipofDumbledore’slong,crookednosewasbarelyaninchfromMrs.Norris’sfur.Hewaslookingathercloselythroughhishalf-moonspectacles,hislongfingersgentlyproddingandpoking.