Filch's cat, Madam Norris, was hanging from a torch bracket on the wall, her body stiff as a stone.
On the wall, a line of large words was written in vivid red liquid:
The Chamber of Secrets has been opened, enemies of the heir, beware.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione were standing by the wall, being pointed at by the surrounding students.
"Did they do it?" someone whispered.
"Possibly, I just saw them when I arrived."
Charlie walked closer and carefully observed Madam Norris's condition.
The cat's body was stiff as a stone, her eyes wide open, and her pupils dilated.
But she felt alive, as if she had been hit by a Petrificus Totalus or something similar.
Charlie's expression grew serious.
Today a cat was hanging here; tomorrow it could be a person.
He did not want such a dangerous element to remain nearby.
The commotion around them grew louder, students crowded in the corridor, craning their necks to get a clear view.
"Move aside! Everyone, move aside!"
Filch's sharp voice came from outside the crowd.
He pushed students aside and rushed over.
Judging by his appearance, he was ready to severely punish whoever caused the commotion.
When he saw Madam Norris hanging on the wall, he froze in place, clutching his head in horror.
"My cat! Madam Norris!"
Filch's eyes instantly turned red.
Then, his gaze locked onto Charlie, who was closest to the cat.
"It's you!"
Filch let out a shriek, his voice cracking.
"You killed my cat!"
"I'll kill you!"
Harry and Ron rushed forward simultaneously, holding Filch back tightly.
"Calm down, Mr. Filch!"
Harry hugged Filch's waist, but the scrawny old man's strength was terrifying at that moment.
Ron grabbed his arm and was almost thrown off.
Charlie glanced at the agitated Filch, his tone flat.
"If I wanted to kill your cat, there wouldn't even be a speck left of her now."
Filch froze in place.
He knew Charlie could absolutely do it.
Ernie squeezed out from the crowd, hurriedly explaining for Charlie.
"Charlie was in the Great Hall the whole evening; we all saw him."
The Hufflepuff students nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Charlie was here all evening."
Filch finally reacted.
That's right.
Madam Norris was fine before the feast.
Only someone who wasn't at the feast could be the culprit.
His gaze swept through the crowd.
Suddenly, a voice came from the crowd.
"Harry wasn't at the feast tonight!"
Everyone's eyes immediately turned to Harry.
Filch's eyes widened, as if about to spit fire.
"It's you!"
Harry's face turned pale.
"It wasn't me!"
He quickly explained.
"I went to Nick's Deathday Party!"
Filch was about to say something else but was interrupted.
"Argus!"
The crowd automatically parted.
Dumbledore walked over, followed by Professor McGonagall and a group of Professors.
Dumbledore walked to the wall and took Madam Norris down from it.
"Argus."
He turned and looked at Filch.
"Your cat is not dead."
Filch was stunned.
"What?"
"She was merely Petrificus Totalus."
Dumbledore said.
"Though serious, it can be cured."
Filch showed a relieved expression.
Dumbledore looked at Harry, Ron, and Hermione.
"You three, come with me."
Lockhart rushed forward, afraid of not getting attention.
"My office is the closest, let's go there!"
He flashed a perfect smile at the surrounding students.
"Leave this kind of thing to me; I have experience."
Just as Dumbledore was about to leave, Charlie called out to him.
"Professor, what is the Chamber of Secrets, and what is the heir?"
Dumbledore turned back to look at Charlie, his eyes deep.
"The Chamber of Secrets, huh..."
"Albus!" Professor McGonagall stopped Dumbledore, seemingly not wanting to discuss the topic.
"It's alright, Minerva, if they want to know, they will always find a way."
Dumbledore shook his head, and Professor McGonagall no longer objected.
"The Chamber of Secrets is merely a legend. Built by Salazar Slytherin, only the heir of Slytherin can open it."
"It is said that Slytherin kept a monster inside, and when the heir opens the Chamber of Secrets, the monster will purge the school of all who are unworthy of learning magic."
"Of course, this is just a legend, no need to take it seriously."
After speaking, Dumbledore left with Harry and the others.
However, Charlie had a bad feeling; from Slytherin's pure-blood ideology, the so-called unworthy of learning magic would refer to Muggle-borns, wouldn't it?
Damn it, it's coming for me.
Professor McGonagall began to disperse the crowd.
"Everyone, back to your dorms!"
She said sternly.
"There's nothing to see here!"
The students slowly dispersed, but the discussions continued to rise and fall.
Charlie stood still, his gaze looking in another direction.
That was the direction of Slytherin.
Aside from Harry and his two friends, there was one other person missing from the feast.
Draco Malfoy.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 70 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"