Harry Potter and Percy Jackson half-blood heroes (Book 5)

Chapter 10

"Umbridge has been reading your mail, Harry. There's no otherexplanation."

 "You think Umbridge attacked Hedwig?" he said, outraged. 

"I'm almost certain of it," said Hermione grimly. "Watch your frog,it's escaping."

 Harry pointed his wand at the bullfrog that had been hoppinghopefully toward the other side of the table — "Accio!"— and itzoomed gloomily back into his hand. 

Charms were always one of the best lessons in which to enjoy a private chat: There was generally so much movement and activity thatthe danger of being overheard was very slight. Today, with the roomfull of croaking bullfrogs and cawing ravens, and with a heavy downpour of rain clattering and pounding against the classroom windows,Harry, Percy, Ron, and Hermione's whispered discussion about how Umbridge had nearly caught Sirius went quite unnoticed. 

"I've been suspecting this ever since Filch accused you of orderingDungbombs, because it seemed such a stupid lie," Hermione whispered. "I mean, once your letter had been read, it would have been quite clear you weren't ordering them, so you wouldn't have been introuble at all — it's a bit of a feeble joke, isn't it? But then I thought,what if somebody just wanted an excuse to read your mail? Well then,it would be a perfect way for Umbridge to manage it — tip off Filch,let him do the dirty work and confiscate the letter, then either find away of stealing it from him or else demand to see it — I don't thinkFilch would object, when's he ever stuck up for a student's rights?Harry, you're squashing your frog." 

Harry looked down; he was indeed squeezing his bullfrog so tightlyits eyes were popping; he replaced it hastily upon the desk. 

"It was a close call last night," said Percy. "Let's hope Umbridge didn't see him. Oh shut up Silencio!"

The bullfrog on which he was practicing his Silencing Charm wasstruck dumb mid-croak and glared at him reproachfully. Percy glared at it back

If she'd caught Snuffles . . ." 

 "He'd probably be back in Azkaban this morning," Harry said waved hiswand without really concentrating; his bullfrog swelled like a greenballoon and emitted a high-pitched whistle. 

"Silencio!" said Hermione hastily, pointing her wand at Harry'sfrog, which deflated silently before them.  "Well, he mustn't do itagain, that's all. I just don't know how we're going to let him know. Wecan't send him an owl." 

"I don't reckon he'll risk it again," said Ron. "He's not stupid, heknows she nearly got him. Silencio!" 

The large and ugly raven in front of him let out a derisive caw. 

"Silencio! SILENCIO!" 

The raven cawed more loudly. 

"It's the way you're moving your wand," said Hermione, watchingRon critically. "You don't want to wave it, it's more a sharp jab."

 "Ravens are harder than frogs," said Ron testily. 

"Fine, let's swap," said Hermione, seizing Ron's raven and replacing it with her own fat bullfrog. "Silencio!" The raven continued to openand close its sharp beak, but no sound came out. 

"Very good, Miss Granger!" said Professor Flitwick's squeaky littlevoice, and Harry, Percy, Ron, and Hermione all jumped. "Now, let me seeyou try, Mr. Jackson!" 

"Already done it professor" Percy replied showing his mute bullfrog. "Gosh I hate frogs," mumbled Percy.

"Excellent! Just like your mother. Mr. Weasley?"

"Wha —? Oh — oh, right," said Ron, very flustered. "Er — Silencio!" 

He jabbed at the bullfrog so hard that he poked it in the eye; the frog gave a deafening croak and leaped off the desk.