"That's really terrible."
In the Hufflepuff common room, the children gathered around Cedric Diggory. The scene was usually quite common, but today was different.
"Cedric," Pomona called from the entrance to the common room.
The young, handsome Hufflepuff prefect turned to look at her.
"Come here for a moment."
"Sorry, make way," he said to the others. The children around him automatically parted to make a path.
Pomona turned and walked ahead. Only when they reached an empty spot did she turn to face him.
"What were you talking about just now?" she asked with a fake smile.
Cedric ran a hand through his hair.
"Were you talking about what happened at the Quidditch World Cup?" she continued, still smiling.
"I won't talk about it again," Cedric said hurriedly.
"Do you remember the Chamber of Secrets incident two years ago?" Pomona said softly. "Everyone said Harry Potter was Slytherin's heir."
"That was a misunderstanding," Cedric said.
"What did you do at the time?" Pomona asked again.
Cedric sank into his memories.
"Rumors stop with the wise, but clearly there aren't many wise people in our House. Besides, even if I told you not to speak of it, I couldn't stop others from discussing it in private. And then there's Leta Skeeter. Have you read the newspaper?"
"I have."
"You were there. Do you think what she wrote matches the facts?"
Cedric said nothing.
"Even if you're not as fond of meddling as Percy Weasley, when rumors that contradict the facts begin spreading, you still have to stop them. You did well just now, but I don't want the same kind of 'excitement' happening in the common room again."
"Yes, Head of House," Cedric said solemnly.
"How are you feeling?" Pomona asked again. "I know you've just been through something terrible..."