Half Blood Royalty

The Ones Who Lived Strikes Again

"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. Once his eyes focused on Mrs. Norris, he fell back and clutched his face in horror. "My cat! My cat! What happened to Mrs. Norris!?" He shrieked. His eyes fell onto Harry and I. "You!" He screeched, "You two! You've murdered my cat! You've killed her! I'll kill you! I'll-"

"Argus!" Dumbledore arrived on the scene, followed by a number of other teachers; including my father. Great. In just seconds, Dumbledore swept past the four of us and detached Mrs. Norris from the torch bracket. "Come with me, Argus." He said to Filch, "You too, Mr. Potter, Miss Snape, Mr. Weasley, Miss Granger."

Lockhart stepped forward eagerly, "My office is nearest, Headmaster." I rolled my eyes. "Just upstairs," Lockhart continued, "Please feel free-"

"Thank you, Gilderoy," said Dumbledore.

The silent crowd parted to let them pass. I felt Draco's eyes fall upon me as I passed- almost as if to say, 'You should've just come down to the big feast'. Professor McGonagall and my father followed hurriedly behind Dumbledore, who was following an oddly excited and eager Professor Lockhart. Did Lockhart do this? In order to try and feel like the hero or something? As they had entered Lockhart's darkened office, there was a flurry of movement across the walls. Pictures of Lockhart had been scattered along the walls; each and every one of them dodging out of sight, their hair in rollers. The real Lockhart lit candles that had been on his desk and stood back as Dumbledore laid Mrs. Norris down on the polished surface, before examining her. Ron and Hermione exchanged tense looked with Harry and I, sinking into chairs outside the pool of candlelight as we watched. The tip of Dumbledore's long, crooked nose was barely an inch from Mrs. Norris' fur as he observed her very closely through his half-moon spectacles. His long fingers gently prodded and poked at her. McGonagall was bent almost as close, her eyes narrowed. But my eyes quickly fell onto my father, who couldn't take his eyes off of me as the others watched Dumbledore with Mrs. Norris. He wore a stern expression across his face; an expression in which I'd hope just meant he was happy I was actually spending time with Harry Potter (I doubt it- Harry Potter just got his little girl caught in a hallway with Filch's immobile cat). Smh. If only Harry hadn't led us down this path, maybe I could've snuck myself into the Great Hall and acted as if I had been there the whole time- I'm sure Draco would've covered for me with my father.

Lockhart was hovering around all the Professors, making suggestions (because when does he ever just shut up). "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 counter-curse that would have saved her..." His comments were punctuated by Filch's dry, racking sobs. Filch had been slumped in a chair by the desk, unable to look at Mrs. Norris as his hands was in the palms of his hands. Harry and I shot a look at one another; I wonder if he was thinking the same as I. If Dumbledore believed what Filch had said about us killing his cat, we'd be expelled for sure. Would my father being a professor at Hogwarts help me in not being expelled? Maybe Lucius could help put in a good word... being school governor or whatever? Barely had a full year to get to know Harry and I may never get a chance to see him again. Dumbledore was now muttering strange words under his breath as he tapped Mrs. Norris with his wand. But, nothing happened. Mrs. Norris continued to look as though she had been recently stuffed.

"I remember something very similar happening in Ouagadougou," Lockhart spoke out once more, "A series of attacks- the full story is in my autobiography. I was able to provide the townsfolk with various amulets which the matter up at once..." The photographs of Lockhart that were hanging up on the walls were all nodding in agreement as he talked. One had even forgotten to remove his hairnet.