The Chamber of Secrets

                                    

                                          
Before the second years could assemble a plan the corridor was filled with happy, well-fed students. The chatter, the bustle, the noise died suddenly as the people in the front grew closer and spotted the hanging cat above the seven students.
                          
"Enemies of the heir, beware?"
                          
Teddie felt her friends press closer to her, hiding her behind them as Warrington pushed his way to the front of the crowd. His cold eyes found Teddie and a smirk snaked onto his lips.
                          
Teddie swallowed her fear. She didn't like that look one bit.
                          
"You'll be next, Green," Warrington said, grinning.
                          
"Shut up, Warrington!"
                          
Warrington turned his gaze to Theo, but before he could retort the sound of wheezing came from inside the crowd. Seconds later Argus Filch shouldered his way through.
                          
"What's going on here?" Filch demanded. "What's going -" he broke off as his gaze found Mrs Norris. All colour drained from his face and he clutched at his chest in horror. "My cat... what happened to my cat!"
                          
Filch swung around wildly. His eyes glaring from each student to the next until he found the seven students in the middle of the corridor, separated from the rest of the crowd. "You!" he screeched, pointing at them. "What did you do?! You murdered my cat!"
                          
"No!" Teddie cried.
                          
"Argus!"
                          
Teddie felt a touch of relief as Professor Dumbledore emerged from the crowd, followed by several other teachers, including Professor Snape. In seconds, the headmaster swept past the group and detached Mrs Norris from the torch bracket.
                          
"Come with me, Argus," said Professor Dumbledore. "As well as you seven." He looked over at the students.
                          
Lockhart stepped forward eagerly. "My office is nearest, Headmaster - just upstairs - please feel free," he said, giddy.
                          
"Thank you, Gilderoy," said Dumbledore.
                          
The crowd parted to let them pass. Teddie kept her head low to avoid the gazes of the Slytherin students as they were dotted here and there. At the very back of the crowd, looking confused and alarmed were Marcus, Adrian and Derrick,
                          
"Teddie..." Derrick said as she emerged, clinging to Theo's arm.
                          
"What's going on?" Marcus asked, reaching out for her. He stopped as Professor Snape clamped his hand down on Teddie's shoulder and steered her away.
                          
"You can speak with Miss Green once she's returned to the common room, Mr Flint," Snape said.
                          
Teddie looked back at Marcus as she walked away. She offered him a small, weak smile, and then disappeared around the corner with the others.
                          
Marcus sighed and turned to the others.
                          
"This isn't good," Adrian murmured.
                          
~X~
                          
As they entered the Defence Against the Dark Arts office, Professor Lockhart ignited some candles on the desk, he shuffled aside some paperwork, making room for Dumbledore to set down the cat and begin a thorough examination.
                          
The second-year students stood together near the door, watching tensely. Professor Dumbledore would tell them if Mrs Norris was dead or not.
                          
"She's not dead," Daphne whispered as Lockhart bounced around, muttering suggestions about how he could've saved her if he had been there. "She can't be dead. Please don't let her be dead."
                          
Blaise reached his arm around Daphne and held her closer. "Can't someone shut him up?" he asked.
                          
Teddie looked up at Professor Snape. He was standing just in front of his students, almost hiding them from view. He must've heard Blaise's comment because the side of his lips twitched upwards into an almost smile.