October arrived, spreading a damp chill over the grounds and into the castle. Madam Promfrey, the nurse, was kept busy by a sudden spate of colds among the staff and students. Her Pepperup potion worked instantly, though it left the drinker smoking at the ears for several hours afterward.

Raindrops the size of bullets thundered on the castle windows for days on end; the lake rose, the flower beds turned into muddy streams.

Harry was walking back from the Halloween feast when he noticed a crowd.

He saw what they were looking at.

Foot high words had been daubed on the wall between two windows, shimmering in the light cast by the flaming torches

THE TIME OF NIGHTMARES HAS BEGUN

Under it Mrs. Norris the caretaker's cat was hanging by her tail from the torch bracket. She was as stiff as a board, her eyes wide and staring.

Under it was a stag skull.

Potter filch said is m-my c-cat d-dead?

No Harry said HEADMASTER!

What is my boy? Dumbeldore said you think?

Petrification Harry confirmed there are only two ways that i know of and this matches the worst one.

You can't be Dumbledore said.

A Basilisk Harry confirmed the worst possibility and the most likely.

Dumbeldore nodded grimly.

Everybody back to your dormitories Harry said Professor Sprout what's the condition of the Mandrakes.

They should reach adulthood by the end of the year Professor Sprout said.

Wait Harry said is that a stag skull.

Emergency Staff meeting Dumbeldore said Harry get some sleep.

Yes Sir Harry said.

Dumbeldore levitated Mrs. Norris and the skull.

Staff meeting

It's Nihilus Dumbeldore said he's taunting us.

You mean someone who could make a shadow cut Professor McGonagall said that would make him powerful but a parselmouth as well.

We must find the chamber of secrets Dumbeldore said that must be his lair.