Being inexplicably knocked unconscious on the Quidditch Pitch had already left Dolores Umbridge furious.
She had originally planned to soothe her irritation by announcing Potter's lifetime ban to McGonagall and enjoying the other woman's angry, unwilling, and resentful expression. Instead, McGonagall's claim that Potter had already been banned only made her even more annoyed.
From Professor McGonagall's attitude toward the matter, it was clear that she had likely guessed Umbridge intended to punish Potter by stripping him of the right to play Quidditch. Knowing she could not change the outcome, had she deliberately done that just to disgust her?
McGonagall was no fool. Umbridge was not surprised that she could have thought of that.
But would she really do such a thing?
It did not suit her character.
Umbridge found the whole matter strange. She even suspected McGonagall had made that remark on the spur of the moment simply to disgust her.
No matter what, it could not change the fact that Potter would be banned from playing forever.
She believed the expression on Potter's face when he heard the news would be quite spectacular.
As Umbridge prepared to return to the Defense Against the Dark Arts Office, she suddenly caught the smell of something burning in the corridor. And that burnt smell... seemed to be coming from her office.
Outside the Defense Against the Dark Arts Office, the caretaker Filch was clutching a ring of keys, trying to open the door so he could rush in and put out the flames before they caused serious damage to the school.
Floating behind Filch was Peeves, his face full of malicious delight. He clutched his stomach and laughed at Filch for being unable to open a single door. "It's burning, the flames are burning Filch's backside!"
"Professor, it sounds like something