WRITING ON THE WALL

It was late in the day. Alex, Hermione and Neville were doing some homework at the library. Ron and Harry were doing detention for what had happened at the start of the year. Professor Snape had sent them to write an essay about the swelling solution, a potion that caused things to grow and expand. They were doing some research, when Ron showed up at the library.

- Detention with McGonagall is the worst. Although, Harry is with Lockhart, I don't know what's worst.

- That's worse, no doubt. – Alex, Neville and Ron laughed, as Hermione looked at them annoyed.

- Well, if you're done, so is Harry. Let's go find him. – Hermione picked up her stuff, and Ron and Alex followed.

- See you later, Neville! – Alex waved her friend goodbye.

They were walking through the corridors when they encountered Harry, who looked agitated.

- Harry!

- Did you hear it?

- Hear what? – asked Ron, concerned.

- That voice.

- Voice? What voice? – this time was Hermione the one who asked.

- I heard it first in Lockhart's office and then again, just… - Harry grew silent. He seemed to be hearing something.

- Are you okay, Harry? – Alex wondered.

- It's moving. I think it's going to kill.

- Kill? – Ron gave him a scare look. Suddenly, Harry started running, and the three friends went after him.

- Harry, wait! Not so fast! – Harry didn't seem to have heard Hermione.

Harry stopped in the middle of the corridor, then looked down to see the floor was wet before walking to the right. Alex, Ron and Hermione ran to catch up with him. They stopped abruptly as they saw numerous spiders scurrying away through a crack in the window.

- Strange…I've never seen spiders act like that.

- I don't like spiders. – both Alex and Ron said at the same time, looking at each other with fear.

- What's that? – Ron said. They glanced at something else on the floor. The puddle of water showed some bloody writing. They looked up to the wall and saw the words written there, with blood.

- "The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir, beware."– Hermione read. - It's written in blood.

- Oh no… - Harry said, looking to the left. They all followed his gaze and gasped when they saw Missus Norris, Filch's cat, tied to the torch, frozen. – It's Filch's cat. Missus Norris.

Suddenly, Percy walked into the corridor, right behind them, leading the other Gryffindor students. So did the other prefects of the different houses. Soon, the corridor was filled with students, who gazed at the bloody writing on the wall and Missus Norris. Everyone looked shocked. Madam Pomfrey walked in and expressed horror. Colin, the little Gryffindor boy who had tried to take a picture at Ron the day that he puked slugs, tried to take a picture, but Percy stopped him.

- "Enemies of the Heir, beware". – Draco read the words on the wall.

- You'll be next, Mudbloods. – Goyle said, looking at the Gryffindors.

- What's going on here? – Mister Filch pushed his way through the crowd. – Go on, make way, make way. – he glared at Harry. – Potter, what are you…? – suddenly, he saw his cat. – Missus Norris? You murdered my cat.

- No, no. – Harry walked backed, since Filch was walking towards him with a deadly look.

- I'll kill you. I'll kill you! – he grabbed Harry by the shirt.

- Argus? – Professor Dumbledore showed up, followed by Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape. – Argus, I… - he looked at the writing on the wall. – Everyone will proceed to their dormitories immediately. Everyone except you four. – he said at the Slytherin and her Gryffindor friends.

- Not again… - Alex whispered to herself. Every student started going towards their common rooms.

- She's not dead, Argus. She has been petrified. – said Dumbledore looking at Mister Filch. This calmed him down.

- Ah. Thought so. – said Lockhart, with a smug on his face. - So unlucky I wasn't there. I know exactly the counter curse that could've spared her.

- But how she has been petrified I cannot say. – Dumbledore inspected the cat.

- Ask him. – Filch said looking at Harry. - It's him that done it. You saw what he wrote on the wall.

- It's not true, sir. I swear. I never touched Missus Norris.

- Rubbish.

- If I might, headmaster. – Snape started talking. - Perhaps Potter and his friends were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, the circumstances are suspicious. I for one don't recall seeing Potter at dinner.

- I'm afraid that's my doing, Severus. You see, Harry was helping me answer my fan mail.

- That's why we went looking for him, Professor. We just found him when he said… - Hermione stopped talking when Alex hit her on her arm.

- Yes, Ms. Granger?

- When I said I wasn't hungry. – said Harry. - We were heading back to the common room when we found Missus Norris.

- Innocent until proven guilty, Severus. – said Professor Dumbledore.

- My cat has been petrified. I want to see some punishment!

- We will be able to cure her, Argus. – Dumbledore looked at Professor Sprout, who was also there. - As I understand it, Madame Sprout has a very healthy growth of Mandrakes. When matured, a potion will be made, which will revive Missus Norris. And in the meantime, I strongly recommend caution…to all.

The students left the corridor, heading to their common rooms. Alex was led by Professor Snape, who was heading to his office.

- Miss Black, if I may offer you some advice…You should start focussing more on your classes and less on…Potter's matters.

- I think I'm doing good at classes, sir. Besides, it wasn't Harry's fault what happened tonight. You heard professor Lockhart.

- Still. It would be a shame that someone as talented as you ended up failing her classes for being playing around with their friends. Now head to the common room.

- Yes, sir. Thank you. - Alex got into bed as soon as she arrived to the common room.