The Potter Twins and the Order of the Phoenix {5}

19. Take Back the Power

"What's your plan for tomorrow? Are you a leader or will you follow? Are you a fighter or will you cower? It's our time to take back the power" ~ Take Back the Power, The Interrupters

"Umbridge has been reading you and Harry's mail, there's no other explanation."

"You think Umbridge attacked Hedwig?" I ask, suddenly outraged. "Oh, that bitch - Harry, watch your frog!"

Harry points his wand at the bullfrog that has been hopping hopefully towards the other side of the table--"Accio!"-- and it zooms gloomily back into his hand.

Charms is always one of the best lessons in which to enjoy a private chat; there is generally so much movement and activity that the danger of being overheard is 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 and Dad last night goes quite unnoticed.

"I've been suspecting this ever since Filch accused you of ordering Dungbombs, because it seemed such a stupid lie," Hermione whispers. "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."

I look down; Harry is indeed squeezing his bullfrog so tightly its eyes are popping. He replaces it hastily upon the desk.

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

The bullfrog on which she is practising her Silencing Charm is struck dumb mid-croak and glares at her reproachfully.

"If she'd caught Snuffles--"

Harry finishes the sentence for her.

"--He'd probably be back in Azkaban this morning." He waves his wand without really concentrating; his bullfrog swells like a green balloon and emits a high-pitched whistle.

"Silencio!" I say hastily, pointing my wand at his frog, which deflates silently before us. "Well, I suppose he's in less danger now that Dad can provide proof of his innocence, but regardless, they can't do it again. I just don't know how we're going to let them know. We can't very well send him an owl."

"I don't reckon they'll risk it again," Ron says. "They're not stupid, they know she nearly got him. Silencio."

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

"Silencio. SILENCIO!"

The raven caws more loudly.

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

"Ravens are harder than frogs," Ron says through clenched teeth.

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

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

"Wha--? Oh--oh, right," Ron says, very flustered. "Er--Silencio!"

He jabs at the Bullfrog so hard he pokes it in the eye: the frog gives a deafening croak and leaps off the desk.

It comes as no surprise to any of us that Harry and Ron are given additional practice of the Silencing Charm for homework.

We're allowed to remain inside over break due to the downpour outside. We find seats in a noisy and overcrowded classroom on the first floor in which Peeves is floating dreamily up near the chandelier, occasionally blowing an ink pellet at the top of somebody's head. We've barely sat down when Tay comes struggling towards us through the groups of gossiping students.

"I've got permission!" she exclaims. "To reform the Quidditch team!"