The Slytherin Of The Scamander Family Book 2 (Hermione x Male Reader)

The Writing On The Wall And The Story Of The Chamber Of Secrets

As the quartet approached the wall, the torches sputtered, their flames burning dimly.

"What's that... hanging there?" Ron stammered, his voice trembling with fear.

"It's... it's Mrs. Norris," Seth whispered, his voice tight.

Suspended by her tail from the torch bracket, Mrs. Norris hung motionless, her body rigid, eyes wide and vacant. Seth moved closer, hesitantly reaching out his hand.

"Seth, what are you doing?!" Hermione hissed, her voice sharp but low.

Seth glanced back at her before turning his gaze to the cat's lifeless form. He gingerly touched her fur, his expression darkening as realization dawned.

"She's been petrified," He murmured, his voice barely audible.

"What?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowing.

"She's been petrified," Seth repeated, louder this time. "But the question is... how?"

Soon enough, the corridor fills with students, who gaze at the bloody writing and Mrs. Norris, Madame Pomfrey expresses horror and shock; Colin gets his camera ready, but Percy stops him. Seth's gaze suddenly landed on Orion, and he noticed the worried expression on his beat friend's face.

"Enemies of the Heir, beware! You'll be next, Mudbloods!"

It was Malfoy, who had elbowed his way to the front of the crowd, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

"What's going on here?!" Filch roared, pushing through the crowd. "Clear the way, clear the way. Scamander... what are you-" His voice faltered as he glimpsed past Seth at his cat's frozen form, and he trembled. "Mrs. Norris? ...You've killed my cat."

"No, no," Seth stammered as Filch approached him.

"I'll kill ya..." Filch growled, grabbing Seth by the robes. "I'LL KILL YA!"

"Argus!" Dumbledore's voice cut through, as he, along with McGonagall, Lockhart, Sprout, and Snape, stepped into view.

Filch let's go of Seth.

"Everyone will proceed to their dormitories immediately," Dumbledore instructed.

The students turned to leave. As the Quartet prepared to follow, Dumbledore called out again.

"Everyone except you four."

The Quartet froze, remaining behind as the rest of the students departed for their common rooms.

"She's not dead, Argus," Dumbledore reassured Filch as the last of the students departed. "She has been petrified."

"Ah, I thought so," Lockhart declared, adopting a know-it-all tone. "Such bad luck I wasn't here. I know the exact counter-curse that could have saved her."

McGonagall, however, paid no mind to Lockhart's boast. Her attention was solely on Seth, who met her gaze. And unbeknownst to Seth, Snape was also watching him intently.

"I swear I didn't hurt Mrs. Norris, Grandmother." Seth thought, directing his message at McGonagall.

"I know you didn't, my boy." McGonagall replied telepathically, reassuring him.

Seth felt a wave of relief, comforted by her belief in his innocence.

"But how she has been petrified I cannot say." Dumbeldore said.

"Ask him!" Filch insisted, pointing at Seth. "He's the one who did it. You saw what he wrote on the wall."

"It's not true, Professor, I swear," Seth protested. "I never touched Mrs. Norris."