I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

Chapter 22: Mrs Norris

All the students arrived there quicker than the teachers, Fred, George and I towards the front of the crowd. The trio were all stood there, Harry right next to the wall looking around at everyone. He almost looked guilty.

I walked over to him, putting my hand on his shoulder to snap him out of his trance-like look. The crowd to the left began to move to the sides as Filch barged his way past, no sign of Dumbledore yet.

"Make way, make way." Filch approached Harry and I, "Potters? What are you-"

His eyes fixated behind us, and I knew he saw exactly what I hoped he wouldn't. The look on his face changed entirely, pupils dialating, scowl dropping.

"Mrs Norris," he trembled before his face changed yet again, "You've murdered my cat."

"No, no." Harry shook his head, so did I.

"I'll kill ya. I'LL KILL YA!" His bony fingers curled around Harry and I's robes, shaking us violently.

"Argus!" Finally, Dumbledore had shown up.

"Argus I-" he started, before noticing the message, "Everyone, will proceed to the dormitories immediately. Everyone except, you four."

The rest of the students began to make their way there as the trio and I turned back towards the teachers, Hermione and I sighing as we did.

"She's not dead Argus. She has been petrified."

Lockhart, who was studying Mrs Norris, piped up, "Ah thought so. So unlucky I wasn't there, I know exactly the counter-curse that could've spared her."

It was apparent that none of us here believed him, except for Hermione of course, who was grinning ear to ear.

"How she's been petrified, I cannot say." Dumbledore pondered.

"Ask them, it's them that's done it. You saw what they wrote on the wall." Filch said, pointing to Harry and I.

"It's not true Sir I swear. I never touched Mrs Norris." Harry began pleading.

"Rubbish!" Filch shouted.

"What benefit do we get from petrifying your poor cat, honestly Mr Filch?" He just rolled his eyes at me.

"If I might, headmaster, perhaps Potter and his friends were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time." Snape suggested, walking closer and closer towards us, "However, the circumstances are suspicious. I for one don't recall seeing Mr Potter at dinner."

"I'm afraid that's my doing Severus. See Harry was helping me answer my fan mail." Lockhart spoke, hands on his hips.

"That's why Ron and I went looking for him Professor. We just found him when he said-" Hermione looked towards Harry suspiciously.

"Yes, Miss Granger?" Snape lifted an eyebrow, waiting for her to finish.

"When I said that I wasn't hungry. We were heading back to the common room when we found Mrs Norris." Harry chimed in.

"And I was trying to find Harry too Professor, when I heard a voice. I followed it and found Mrs Norris....like this." I gestured towards the hanging body.

"Is that so?" Snape turned to face Dumbledore, waiting for his verdict.

"Innocent until proven guilty Severus."

"My cat has been petrified. I wanna see some punishment!" Filch screamed, rather insanely.

"We will be able to cure her, Argus. As I understand it, Madame Sprout has a very healthy growth of mandrake. A muture potion will be made, which will revive Mrs Norris. And in the meantime, I strongly reccomend caution to all."