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.