"Umbridge must be reading your mail, Harry. There is no other explanation." Hermione said.
"You think Umbridge attacked Hedwig?" Harry 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 hopping hopefully towards the other side of the table, "Accio!" and it zoomed gloomily back into his hand.
Charms was always one of the best lessons in which to enjoy a private chat, there was generally so much movement and activity that the danger of being overheard was very slight. Today, with the room full of croaking bullfrogs and cawing ravens, and with a heavy downpour of rain clattering and pounding against the classroom windows, Harry, Ron, Y/n and Hermione's whispered discussion about how Umbridge had nearly caught Sirius went quite unnoticed.
"She has not made her dislike of me or Harry very secret. It would not surprise me if she was using any method in her means to try and find an excuse to punish one of us." Y/n said now.
"I've been suspecting this ever since Filch accused you of ordering Dungbombs, 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 in trouble 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 a way of stealing it from him or else demand to see it. I don't think Filch 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 tightly its eyes were popping, he replaced it hastily upon the desk.
"It was a very, very close call last night." said Hermione. "I just wonder if Umbridge knows how close it was. Silencio."
The bullfrog on which she was practising her Silencing Charm was struck dumb mid-croak and glared at her reproachfully. "If she'd caught Snuffles..."
Harry finished the sentence for her. "He'd probably be back in Azkaban this morning." He waved his wand without really concentrating, his bullfrog swelled like a green balloon and emitted a high-pitched whistle.
"Silencio!" said Hermione hastily, pointing her wand at Harry's frog, which deflated silently before them. "Well, he mustn't do it again, that's all. I just don't know how we're going to let him know. We can't send him an owl."
"I don't reckon he'll risk it again." said Ron. "He's not stupid, he knows 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 is the way you are moving your wand Ron." said Y/n, watching Ron. "You do not want to wave it, it is more a sharp jab."
"Ravens are harder than frogs." said Ron through clenched teeth.
"Fine, let's swap." said Hermione, seizing Ron's raven and replacing it with her own fat bullfrog. "Silencio!" The raven continued to open and close its sharp beak, but no sound came out.
"Very good, Miss Granger!" said Professor Flitwick's squeaky little voice, making Harry, Ron, Y/n and Hermione all jump. "Now, let me see you try, Mr. Weasley."
"Wha...Oh...oh, right." said Ron, very flustered. "Er...silencio!"
He jabbed at the bullfrog so hard he poked it in the eye, the frog gave a deafening croak and leapt off the desk.
YOU ARE READING
Grindelwald's Burden (Books 1-7)
FanfictionY/n Grindelwald is boy born into a powerful but feared wizarding family. At the age of 11 he has received his invitation to learn magic at the famous Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. What awaits this boy in his seven school years? Uncerem...
