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v. chamber with the monster
"What's going on here? What's going on?"
Attracted no doubt by Draco Malfoy's shout, Argus Filch came shouldering his way through the crowd. Then he saw Mrs. Norris and fell back, clutching his face in horror.
"My cat! My cat! What's happened to Mrs. Norris?" he shrieked.
And his popping eyes fell on Harry.
"You!" he screeched. "You! You've murdered my cat! You've killed her! I'll kill you! I'll —"
"Argus!"
Headmaster Dumbledore had arrived on the scene, followed by a number of other teachers. In seconds, he had swept past Matilda, Harry, Ron, and Hermione and detached Mrs. Norris from the torch bracket.
"Come with me, Argus," he said to Filch. "You too Miss Winters, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger."
Lockhart stepped forward eagerly.
"My office is nearest, Headmaster — just upstairs — please feel free —"
Matilda shook her head.
"Thank you, Gilderoy," said Dumbledore.
The silent crowd parted to let them pass. Lockhart, looking excited and important, hurried after Dumbledore; so did Professor McGonagall and Snape. Matilda didn't see Professor Flitwick, he was never exactly easy to find in a crowd.
As they entered Lockhart's darkened office there was a flurry of movement across the walls; Matilda saw several of the Lockharts in the pictures dodging out of sight, their hair in rollers. The real Lockhart lit the candles on his desk and stood back. Dumbledore lay Mrs. Norris on the polished surface and began to examine her. Matilda watched as Harry, Ron, and Hermione exchanged tense looks and sank into chairs outside the pool of candlelight, watching.
The tip of Dumbledore's long, crooked nose was barely an inch from Mrs. Norris's fur. He was looking at her closely through his half-moon spectacles, his long fingers gently prodding and poking. Professor McGonagall was bent almost as close, her eyes narrowed. Snape loomed behind them, half in shadow, wearing a most peculiar expression: It was as though he was trying hard not to smile. And Lockhart was hovering around all of them, making suggestions.
