Harry Does Different CDLXIII

Hex the Squib

"Mrs. Norris!" exclaimed Harry, in shock at the sight of the feline hanging by her tail from a light fixture.

And hardly had a minute passed when it seemed half the school showed up. Draco Malfoy read what Harry hadn't noticed from the wall "ENEMIES OF THE HEIR BEWARE!" commenting "You'll be next Mudbloods."

"What's all this?" came a gruff voice who pushed his way through the crowd and stopped, demanding "What're you doing Potter?" then his face twisted with grief and rage "Mrs. Norris! You did this Potter!"

The boy backed away from the furious man stammering "I-i-I would ne-nev-er"

"WHAT IS GOING ON!" a new voice boomed, it was the Headmaster. "Argus! Hold!"

That only momentarily delayed the man, who turned and snapped "Ask him! Him's that done it!" Then seized a fistful of the boy's robe, snarling "I'll kill ya! I'll kill ya!"

Draco and his bodyguards exchanged gleeful looks, while the Headmaster roared "ARGUSSSSSS!"

"Get off me!" Harry didn't spare any attention, focused as he was on the raised fist. He tore himself away. Literally. Everyone heard the rob rip. But that wasn't it, he knew a pretty effective pair of spells "Expelliarmus! Petrificus Totalis!"

The crotchety caretaker didn't even have the release of screaming as he flew through the air, bowling over four bystanders on his way to the far wall. This was just as well, because he was also spared any broken bones resulting from the impact.

"Hand over your wand Potter!" was Professor Snape's curt command "Pack up your things and get out of this school."

Draco was looking down at the man, face full of concern "I think Mr. Filch is really hurt, sir."

"He was going to hit me, Professor." Harry made his appeal to his Head of House "Actually, he threatened to kill me. I want him fired."

Dumbledore interjected "We were all here and would not have permitted it. Madam Pomfrey will attend Mr. Filch."

"I was defending myself." The student's chin came up defiantly "I had enough of it in Surrey. No one lays a hand on me."

The Head of Slytherin complained "Headmaster! Students are NOT entitled to assault staff!"

"Conversely, Severus, we are adults" Professor McGonagall cut in "and as such, not to be antagonized by children. Even if Potter petrified Mrs. Norris, for which there is NO evidence, Mr. Filch's suggested death penalty is not a proportional response. AH! And before you suggest favoritism, I remind you of my animagus."

Dumbledore gave a nod and commanded "This matter concluded, I suggest everyone goto their rooms. Now."

On the way back to Gryffindor, more than a few students patted Harry on the back or favored him with worshipful looks.