Emma Potter; Going to War

23: Dobby's Help

"Umbridge's been reading your mail, Emma. There's no other explanation."

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

"I'm almost certain of it," said Zoe grimly. "Watch your frog, Nick it's escaping." Nicholas 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 was 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, Zoe and my whispered discussion about how Umbridge had nearly caught Sirius went quite unnoticed. I

I had also told Harry, Ron and Hermione. They must have drawn the same conclusions too. 

"I've been suspecting this ever since Filch accused your brother of ordering Dungbombs, because it seemed such a stupid lie,"Zoe whispered. "I mean, once the letter had been read, it would have been quite clear he was't ordering them, so he wouldn't have been in trouble at all — it's a bit of a feeble joke, isn't it? But then I thought after you told me about Hedwig,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 think Filch would object, when's he ever stuck up for a student's rights? "

."It was a very, very close call last night," I said. "I just wonder if Umbridge knows how close it was. Silencio!"The bullfrog on which I was practicing her Silencing Charm was struck dumb mid-croak and glared at me reproachfully.

 "If she'd caught Snuffles . . ."

 Zoe finished the sentence for me."He'd probably be back in Azkaban this morning." 

She waved her wand without really concentrating; her bullfrog swelled like a greenballoon and emitted a high-pitched whistle.

 "Silencio!"I said hastily, pointing my wand at Zoe's frog, which deflated silently before us. "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 Zoe. "He's not stupid from what I've heard, he knows she nearly got him." 

"Silencio!" we heard Ryan exclaim from behind us.

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

"Silencio! SILENCIO!"

The raven cawed more loudly. 

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

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

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

"Very good, Miss Potter!" said Professor Flitwick's squeaky little voice and Zoe, Ryan and I all jumped. "Now, let me see you try, Mr. Harper!"

 "Wha — ? Oh — oh, right," said Ryan, 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 leapt off the desk. 

It came as no surprise to any of us that Zoe and Ryan were given additional practice of the Silencing Charm for homework.