The woman in the mirror (Harry Potter fanfic)

Chapter 2.7 (Mrs. Norris, the frozen cat)

The greatest risk any of us will take, is to be seen as we are
- Cinderella

The Hogwarts castle
Scotland, Great Britain
October 31 1992

"Live 'uns!" Sir Patrick exclaimed, spotting Artemis, Harry, Ron and Hermione and giving a huge, fake jump of astonishment, so that his head fell off again. The crowd howled with laughter.

"Very amusing." Nick said darkly.

"Don't mind Nick!" Shouted Sir Patrick's head from the floor. "Still upset we won't let him join the Hunt! But I mean to say....look at the fellow..."

"Is there something wrong with Sir Nicholas?" Artemis walked out of Harry's arms and went to stand in front of Sir Patrick.

"The living 'un speaks." Yelled his head and Artemis rolled her eyes at his surprise.

"Yeah, I didn't die because my tongue got cut out like that nun over there." She pointed at a corner. "Which by the way is a stupid way to die. You're very much able to live without a tongue."

"If I could have everyone's attention, it's time for my speech!" Said Nearly Headless Nick loudly, striding towards the podium and climbing into the icy blue spotlight. "My late lamented lords and ladies, and gentleman, it's my great sorrow..." but nobody heard much more because Sir Patrick and the rest of the Headless Hunt had just started a game of Head Hockey and the crowd were turning to watch.

Artemis rolled her eyes again as she stepped back to feel Harry's arms engulve her once again. This earning a glare from Ron.

Nearly Headless Nick tried vainly to recapture his audience, but gave up as Sir Patrick's head went sailing past him to loud cheers. "I can't stand much more of this." Ron muttered, his teeth chattering.

"Let's go" Harry agreed.

They backed towards the door, nodding and beaming at everyone who looked at them, and a minute later they were running back up the passageway full of black candles. "Pudding might not be finished yet." Ron said hopefully, leading the way towards the steps to the Entrance Hall.

And then Artemis was held back by Harry. He was frozen to his spot, Artemis still in his arms as he seemed to be listening intently. "Harry, what're you...?"

"It's that voice again...shut up a minute..." He stared at the dark ceiling. "This way!" He shouted, letting go of Artemis and he began to run up the stairs, into the Entrance Hall. The babble of talk from the Halloween feast was echoing out of the Great Hall. Harry sprinted up the marble staircase to the first floor. Artemis, Ron and Hermione clattering behind him.

"Harry, what're we..."

"SHH!" He stopped to listen again. "It's going to kill someone!" He ran up the next flight of steps, three at a time. Harry hurtled around the whole of the second floor, the others panting behind him, not stopping until they turned a corner into the last, deserted passage.

"Harry?" Artemis silently moved towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Harry's eyes were mad as they searched the walls.

"Harry, what was that all about?" Asked Ron, wiping sweat off his face. "I couldn't hear anything..."

"Look!" Hermione gasped, pointing down the corridor. Something was shining on the wall ahead. They approached it slowly, squinting through the darkness. Foot-high words had been daubed on the wall between two windows, shimmering in the light cast by the flaming torches.

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED. ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE.

"What is that thing....hanging underneath?" Ron asked with a slight quiver in his voice.