Dan and Phil and The Chamber of Secrets

Chapter 2

What was this? Dan stared at the scene in front of him. He couldn't seem to process just what he was seeing. Before he could think about it too much, he heard footsteps from down the hallway. A crowd of students begun to form. Whispers and murmurs were heard, and Dan felt many stares and saw people pointing at him.

"Alright alright, let me through. Move out of my way!" He heard someone yell, as Mr. Filch shoved his way to the front of the crowd. His expression of resting anger turned to one of shock. "Mrs. Norris..!" He said faintly, beginning to reach up towards her motionless body. He turned around suddenly, his murderous gaze coming to rest onto Harry and Dan, standing helpless in the middle of the ring of students. "You!" He bellowed, storming towards them and grabbing both boys' arms. "I'll have you both expelled for this! I'll punish you! I'll kill you! Wait until I get my whip-"

"There will be no expelling tonight," said a strong voice. Dan turned his sight down the corridor. Dumbledore was striding confidently towards them, robes billowing behind him. Professor McGonagall followed closely. "Let us through," He said, sweeping his arms out. The crowd of students shuffled apart to let him through. His gaze swept over the scene, eyebrows furrowing together. He turned to Dan and Harry, still trapped in Filch's grip.

"Kindly let go of Potter and Howell," he said softly. Dan wondered how he could be so calm.

"I want action!" Screamed Filch. "My cat has just been murdered, I want students punished!"

"She's not dead, merely petrified," Dumbledore said, blue eyes gazing at Filch through his half moon spectacles. "I'll say it once more, Argus. Release my students."

Grumbling under his breath, Filch stomped away. He didn't even have to yell at the students to let him through. They all moved out of the way in fear of him.

"All students return to your dormitories!" Yelled Professor McGonagall. Dan began to shuffle away with the rest of the crowd. "All students except Potter, Howell, and Lester."

Dans heart hammered. Did they blame him? He looked around until he spotted Phil's small frame timidly walking towards them against the flow of students. "Come with me, you three," McGonagall instructed, marching off and motioning for them to follow her.

Dan glanced at Phil as they walked. His face was more pale than usual, probably from fear. Dan wished they had just let him go, he hadn't done anything wrong! And now the whole school would probably think Phil was the one who petrified Mrs. Norris and wrote with blood on the walls.

"Sit," McGonagall said when they arrived at her office. "Lester, come with me, the other two remain here." Phil was shaking as he stood up, but followed McGonagall out of the main office room. Dan immediately turned on Harry. "What just happened? Did you do that? What's the chamber of secrets?"

"Why would I try to petrify Filch's cat?" Harry retorted back. "I just happened to be there."

"But why were you down that corridor?" Dan asked determinedly. "The Gryffindor dormitory isn't on that hallway, and bedtime was soon."

"I had detention with Gilgory," Harry said back. "I told you that at lunch, remember?"

Dan relaxes slightly. "But that still doesn't explain who did it. Because it wasn't you, and it wasn't me. And once again, what's the chamber of secrets?"

Harry shook his head. "I have no idea. I feel like it might have something to do with the voices I was-" he rounded on Dan suddenly. "Promise me," he said earnestly, "promise you won't tell anybody about that. About the voices. They'll think I'm the heir for sure."

Dan faltered for a second, but Harry's pleading gaze was staring right at him. "I promise," he said, just as McGonagall and Phil came back. She waved her hand. "Howell, come with me." Dan gave Phil a small smile as he passed by him, then entered the other room with McGonagall.