Professor Black: A Reader Insert

15. Not Miss Norris

October was filled with the pelting of rain and one inquiry from Severus about the Weasley boy's wand. Dani finished writing the mauling in her book and just used (y/n)'s office as a quiet place to write that didn't have students around when she could. Draco was still smug, that is until the novelty of the thing his dad did for him had worn off, then he told her how he'd ripped a page out of a book at Flourish and Blotts and snuck it into one of Hermione's books and how he'd called her a-.

"I'll skin you if you repeat that here." She said interrupting him.

"It is what she is."

"Only a fool would call those he's outnumbered by offensive terms and consider himself right."

"I- I should apologize to her."

"She'll punch your lights out before she accepts any form of apology from you, quite a few times actually." 

"Will it hurt?"

"Do you have to ask that?" 

Then there was Percy coming to ask if his sister could drop by for tea for something or other, Ginny never did. Luna, one of the kids she had to meet with was a bit on the airy side but this would be expected, things considered.

Then the 31st  of October came with the hissing. That led her to the sight before her, Miss Norris hanging by her tail and a bloody message on the wall and three Gryffindors staring at the scene in shock. She stepped nearer to the students only to have a group of students crowd up behind them. The glare she sent the Draco after he spoke up and stepped forward to the front of the crowd was enough to cripple a hippogriff. She rushed to the side of the Gryffindors and looked them over for any harm done only to have the students part like the Red Sea as the staff came before she could get a good look in.

She sent a look to Severus who was almost obviously rolling in the schadenfreude Harry was enduring in the silence of Lockhart's office as the headmaster examined the cat. Well, it would be silent if Lockhart would shut up. Unfortunately, he wouldn't. At one point she felt Dumbledore's gaze sweep over her for a moment before moving back to the cat. She pulled a small mirror out of her pocket and snuck it into Hermione's pocket, hoping she'd get the hint.

She wouldn't until much later, but the seed would be planted.

"Ms. Black, what were you doing over here if I may ask?" Dumbledore asked a knowing look twinkling from behind his glasses.

"I heard something. I got suspicious, both I and these children got there at about the same time. They were the first to arrive, then myself. Not long enough to petrify Miss Norris at their age."  She didn't want to look at the cat again, it was bone-chilling enough the first time.

"What did you hear?" McGonagall's lips were pursed.

"Hissing, I wouldn't have heard it if it wasn't resonating through the pipes that run by my office."

"You mean-" Gilderoy was interrupted by Snape who shot the blond a look that read as hinted smugness.

"I can concur, she had an episode over the Summer and warned the student under her care to 'carry a mirror and stay vigilant'. That being said Regulus mentioned something named Gregor." 

"The collaboration by two separate dires on the same matter can't be ignored. Why wasn't I notified of this sooner." Dumbledore stood a bit sterner.

"Too soon. The puppet is working faster than expected." She sent a measured glance to the students who were looking at her curiously. "She feels lonely."

Dumbledore dismissed the students who were staring at her intently only to take their place as the one staring intently.

"The crux of this issue isn't something for all ears." She answered his unasked question. "Such a thing is far too horrible."