“Umbridge has been reading your mail, Harry. There’s no other explanation”
“You think Umbridge attacked Hedwig?”
“I’m almost certain of it” said Hermione “Watch your frog, it’s escaping”
They hadn't been able to risk talking about what happened in any crowded place. But Charms class was always sufficiently noisy to talk without being overheard. They were learning the Silencing charm, which was ironic, and Harry's bullfrog was making a Trevor-like bid for freedom that didn't last long
“Accio!"
And the frog flew back. Hermione went on
“I’ve been suspecting this ever since Filch accused you of ordering Dungbombs, because it seemed such a stupid lie” she kept her voice down, regardless of the surrounding noise “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 fists were clenched so hard, the frog's eyes were popping out of its sockets. He released it, and it hopped off again
“It was a very, very close call last night” she concluded “I just wonder if Umbridge knows how close it was. Silencio”
Her frog got caught mid - croak, and fell into an unwitting silence. Pride welled up in Hermione, but she didn't smile
“If she’d caught Snuffles-”
“- He’d probably be back in Azkaban this morning” Harry finished for her
His anger was making his wandwork sloppy. He flapped his hand and his frog swelled up like a balloon, emitting a shrill whistle
“Silencio!” Hermione intervened, and the frog slowly deflated
“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 raven in front of him cawed defiantly
“Silencio. SILENCIO!”
The raven cawed again
“Its the way you’re moving your wand” said Hermione “you don’t want to wave it, it’s more a sharp jab”
She should have realised long ago that trying to help Ron rarely resulted pleasantly. This was no exception
“Ravens are harder than frogs” he snarled
“Fine, let’s swap” she gave him the frog, and took the raven “Silencio!”
The raven flexed its beak, its insistent caws ceasing
“Very good, Miss Granger!” the appearance of Professor Flitwick made them all jump “Now, let me see you try, Mr. Weasley”
“Wha-? Oh - oh, right” said Ron, his ears rubyfing “Er - silencio!”
All that achieved was Ron prodding his frog in the eye
Surprise surprise, Ron and Harry got Charms homework that lesson. They were both in need of a pick - me - up, and the world granted them that in the form of Angelina Johnson
“I’ve got permission!” she cried “To re-form the Quidditch team!”
“Excellent!” said Ron and Harry
“Yeah” said Angelina, looking somewhat giddy “I went to McGonagall and I think she might have appealed to Dumbledore. Anyway, Umbridge had to give in. Ha! So I want you down at the pitch at seven o’clock tonight, all right, because we’ve got to make up time. You realize we’re only three weeks away from our first match?”
Angelina walked off. Beaming, Ron glanced out of the window. It was pouring with rain
“Hope this clears up. What’s up with you, Hermione?”
She barely heard him
“Just thinking…” she said
“About Siri- Snuffles?” said Harry
“No… not exactly…” said Hermione, still not really listening “More… wondering… I suppose we’re doing the right thing… I think… aren’t we?”
There was a short pause
“Well, that clears that up” said Ron “It would’ve been really annoying if you hadn’t explained yourself properly”
Hermione blinked
“I was just wondering” she said “whether we’re doing the right thing, starting this Defense Against the Dark Arts group”
In fact, she had stayed awake for so long last night that Ginny had offered to knock her out with something hard
YOU ARE READING
Hermione Granger and the Order of the Phoenix
Fanfic(book 5) As Hermione Granger flew away from her home back towards the magical world, she realised that this wouldn't be an ordinary year. No, this time the terrifying creatures that wanted her dead would be OUTSIDE the school grounds, as well as ins...
