"Professor Umbridge wants to see you."
Cedric had just finished class and was about to go for lunch when Filch stopped him in the Entrance Hall.
"What does Umbridge want with Cedric?"
Several of Cedric's friends glared furiously at Filch. Everyone now knew that being targeted by Umbridge never led to anything good.
"Come with me."
Ignoring the hostile looks from the others, Filch led Cedric toward Umbridge's office.
Cedric turned to glance at his friends, shrugged, and followed Filch out of the Entrance Hall.
"That damned toad. We have to do something!"
Though they said so, and knew they ought to do something to help Cedric out of trouble, none of them actually took action.
Perhaps they did not know what to do. Or perhaps they simply did not dare do anything.
When they reached the door to Umbridge's office, Cedric's expression remained calm. He had long expected this day to come. After Filch knocked lightly three times, Cedric entered through the door Filch pushed open.
Umbridge sat behind her desk, writing something. Only after Cedric entered did she set down her quill and look up at him. Wearing her signature smile, she pointed at the chair opposite her. "Have a seat, Mr. Diggory."
Cedric discreetly looked around Umbridge's office. It was his first time here. The room was filled with pink decorations utterly unsuited to Umbridge's age, while all kinds of cat plates sat on the shelves, giving the place a distinctly girlish feel.
The office's owner, however, was an old witch.
Cedric suddenly understood why Umbridge liked speaking in that shrill, girlish voice. She had always had the heart of a young girl.
But considering Umbridge's actual age, the thought made him feel sick.
On the wall behind the desk was a thick, sturdy iron bolt. Three