Filch followed Jason Samuels upstairs, where the stairwell was just as crowded.
"We're going all the way up, to the sixth floor..." Jason Samuels said. "Mr. Filch, your rheumatism should be all right, shouldn't it? Do you need..."
"I'm better already!" Filch hurriedly said. "Mr. Lovegood cured me!"
"That's good." Jason Samuels nodded. "It is rather high up. The sixth floor has tea rooms and shops, so it's easier to clear out some space and cast the Undetectable Extension Charm. You know about that..."
"I know!" Filch replied. "They did the same thing for that Five-Wizard Tournament before. I saw those Ministry of Magic employees casting spells."
As they climbed higher, people around them kept giving Filch strange looks.
Those gazes all fell on Filch, carrying complicated meanings—curiosity, suspicion, anticipation... and even undisguised contempt and jealousy.
The people watching were varied as well. Many were dressed like Muggles, in suits and formal wear, and their scrutiny was even more obvious.
Filch instinctively lowered his head, cradling Mrs Norris in his arms as he followed closely behind Jason Samuels, not daring to slow for even a moment.
"Whew!" Jason Samuels let out a long breath and stopped before a door.
"This is it!" He smiled at Filch. "I can't go in with you from here. I still have other things to do."
Filch froze for a moment, then raised his face, smeared with Mrs Norris's saliva, and nodded at Jason Samuels.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he managed, with some difficulty, "Th... thank you!"
Jason Samuels kept smiling. He leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice. "Mr. Filch, don't be nervous!"
"I think you know that there's already a group of people sitting inside, as well as those people outside... I suppose you can guess what they're planning."
"They're hoping I...