"Professor Umbridge wants to see you."
Cedric had just finished class and was on his way to lunch when Filch stopped him in the Entrance Hall.
"What does Umbridge want with Cedric?"
Several of Cedric's friends glared angrily at Filch. Everyone knew that being singled out by Umbridge never meant 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 softly 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, look up at him, and offer her trademark smile. Pointing to the chair opposite her, she said, "Have a seat, Mr. Diggory."
Cedric discreetly examined Umbridge's office. This was his first time here. The room was filled with pink decorations completely unsuited to Umbridge's age. All sorts of cat plates sat on the shelves, giving the place a distinctly girlish feel.
Only, the office's owner was an old hag.
Cedric suddenly understood why Umbridge liked speaking in that shrill, girlish voice. So she had always possessed the heart of a young girl.
But thinking of Umbridge's actual age made him feel thoroughly sickened.
A thick, sturdy iron bolt had been fixed to the wall behind the desk.