Finals week was a season of bounty for Mr. Filch. His Storage Room had recently acquired all sorts of curious little objects-confiscated from students. Among them was a slate covered in handprints of every color, which he solemnly brought into the staffroom.
"Infuriating, unbelievable! A pack of Gryffindor brats were using this slate to perform some ridiculous ritual-fortunately, I discovered them early and stopped them from succeeding!"
Looking grim, Mr. Filch nodded to Brian, walked a few steps farther, and set the slate on the table in front of Professor McGonagall, who was checking the End-of-Term Reports. He explained hoarsely,
"They intended to link their magic together and cast a powerful Wish, bringing a calamity down on Hogwarts so the final exams would be canceled! Utterly outrageous! Since they have no desire to better themselves, I propose we round up these brats and expel them outright!"
"Thank you, Argus. Thank you for your hard work." Professor McGonagall put down her report, glanced at the slate, and said without betraying any emotion, "I'll give this serious consideration."
"Not at all. It's my duty." Mr. Filch gave a cruel smile and continued, "And if, before expelling them, we could string them up for some traditional punishment-"
"As for punishment-" This time, Professor McGonagall interrupted him without hesitation. "You'd best discuss that with Professor Dumbledore. That part is his decision."
"Ah... ah, all right." Filch stammered, then turned and left.
Brian put down the complicated, profound Advanced Transfiguration Theory he was reading and looked at Mr. Filch's retreating figure, unable to hold back a sigh.
This was a critical period. Mr. Filch had to patrol Hogwarts thirty times every day. His Storage Room grew fuller, his muscles grew stronger, and Mrs. Norris grew thinner, to the point that even her meows had become