Chapter 81 The Attack

Eisen smiled as he took a forkful of the pitch-black, coffin-shaped cake and savored it. While the young wizards celebrated, he noticed an array of colorful ribbons dangling from the ceiling, drifting through the auditorium and chasing the giggling monster masks floating in the air.

The Halloween dinner's food was similar in taste to the usual fare, but its eerie presentation made it feel refreshingly different, perfectly suited for the spooky occasion.

Before Eisen knew it, it was already ten o'clock. After dabbing his mouth with a napkin, he began discussing spells with Professor Flitwick. Lately, the two had engaged in deep exchanges on magical techniques, so the conversation flowed naturally. Lockhart, who was nearby, tried several times to join in but was politely ignored by Eisen, who responded with a nod and an elegant smile.

Eisen, however, was fully aware of Lockhart's true nature. In fact, most of the professors and observant students knew the reality of Lockhart's abilities. Though Eisen felt inclined to critique Dumbledore for hiring him as the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, he remembered Hagrid's explanation: it was due to the scarcity of applicants for the position, giving Lockhart the opportunity by default.

The Skeleton Dance Troupe played a mellow tune to close their performance. They passed the young wizards, gracefully arranged themselves in a line, and bowed to everyone, completing their act. As cheers and applause filled the hall, the troupe vanished in a puff of smoke, marking the end of the show.

With the Halloween festivities over, the young wizards began leaving the auditorium, excitement still evident on their faces as they whispered and laughed among themselves. Clearly, this year's Halloween celebration had left them thoroughly delighted.

After the students departed, a few professors stayed behind, using their wands to tidy up the chaotic hall. Suddenly, a young wizard rushed back into the auditorium, his face anxious as he tried to catch the professors' attention. His voice was tense, his lips trembling slightly, as he blurted, "Professor, there's something you need to see!"

At that moment, startled murmurs erupted from the students just outside, confirming that something unusual had happened. Eisen switched to a heightened awareness and observed the situation from afar. In an empty corridor on the second floor, he saw the trio standing in stunned silence, with Mrs. Norris—the caretaker's cat—petrified and hanging from a torch bracket.

Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Snape, and others hurried out of the hall, their expressions serious, as the students parted to make way. Eisen exchanged a glance with Professor Flitwick and followed.

Upon reaching the empty corridor, they found three young figures—Harry, Ron, and Hermione—standing in the center, their faces taut as they stood under the wary eyes of onlookers. Eisen's gaze moved to Mrs. Norris, who was rigid yet visibly not dead, merely petrified.

Nearby, in red letters smeared on the wall, was a message glowing under the torchlight: 

*The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. Enemies of the Heir, beware!*

In an instant, the joyful atmosphere turned tense. Students looked at Harry with suspicion, clearly suspecting him and his friends of being responsible for the unsettling scene.

"My cat! What's happened to Mrs. Norris?" Filch's horrified voice cut through the silence as he rushed into the corridor. Spotting Harry, his face contorted with rage, he yelled, "You! You killed my cat!" His voice rang with accusation, glaring at Harry as though he'd committed a terrible crime.

"I—" Harry began, but his voice faltered under the suspicious stares surrounding him, making it hard to breathe.

"Filch!" Dumbledore spoke soothingly, stepping past the trio to release Mrs. Norris from the bracket. "Filch, I need you, along with Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger, to come with me."

"Headmaster, my office is closest," Lockhart quickly suggested, eager for attention.

Dumbledore nodded. With a brief signal to Professor Flitwick, he led the group toward Lockhart's office, where the students cleared a path, silently watching them pass. Lockhart trailed behind, clearly pleased at his involvement, which made Eisen shake his head.

Once inside Lockhart's office, the Lockhart portraits on the wall grew agitated, hiding as if intimidated by the sudden commotion. Lockhart, beaming with self-importance, lit a candle and motioned to a space where Dumbledore gently placed Mrs. Norris on the desk.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione sank into nearby chairs, pulling away from the candlelight as Eisen glanced their way. Dumbledore poked Mrs. Norris, his eyes focused as though probing for hidden signs, while Professor McGonagall examined her closely. Snape stood in the shadows, eyeing Harry with an unreadable expression.

"It was likely a curse," Lockhart announced with confidence. "I've seen it before—a transfiguration curse, perhaps. A shame I wasn't there to save her!" Lockhart paced, boasting about his supposed expertise, while the pictures of him on the walls nodded in agreement.

Filch, on the other hand, was overwhelmed with grief. Eisen stepped forward to touch Mrs. Norris, noting the hardness of her fur. His touch sensed a faint power—a subtle but aggressive curse.

*The power of a curse,* Eisen realized, feeling a growing certainty.

"Filch, Mrs. Norris isn't dead," Dumbledore reassured him, breaking through Filch's sobs.

Lockhart quickly chimed in, "Yes, exactly! She's simply petrified, as I suspected!"

Filch, though, shot Harry an accusing look, convinced he was the culprit. To emphasize his belief, he didn't hesitate to reveal he was a Squib, discovered, he felt, by Harry himself. But Eisen knew Filch's suspicions were misplaced, if not entirely unjustified.

Add power stones 

I hope your like the chapter 😊.