The Forgotten Olympian |BOOK 1| PJO X HP | Alexandra Marine

Chapter 146 - Percy - Silencio!

"Umbridge has been reading your mail, Harry. There's no other explanation," said Alex.

"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 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, our whispered discussion about how Umbridge had nearly caught Sirius went quite unnoticed.

"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."

"It was a very, very close call last night," I said. "I just wonder if Umbridge knows how close it was. Silencio."

The bullfrog went silent mid-croak and glared at me. 

"Sorry, bud," I whispered. 

Hermione started, "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."

"He won't," Jason said. "Silencio!"

The raven opened its beak and closed it again, confused as to why no sound was coming out.

"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!"

I laughed.

The raven cawed more loudly.

"It's the way you're moving your wand," said Hermione, watching Ron critically, "you don't want to wave it, it's 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.

'Son of the Sea God!' the bullfrog in front of me croaked.

"Shut up or I'll put the spell on you once more," I said through gritted teeth.

"Very good, Miss Granger!" said Professor Flitwick's squeaky little voice, making me jump. "Now, let me see you try, Mr. Weasley."

"Wha--? Oh--oh, right," said Ron, very flustered. "Er--silencio!"