Natsu Dragneel and the Order of the Phoenix

Dreyar's Army

"Eisenwald has been reading your mail, Natsu. There's no other explanation."

"You think Eisenwald attacked Happy?" he said, outraged.

"I'm almost certain of it," said Lucy grimly. "Watch your frog, it's escaping."

Natsu 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, Natsu, Gray and Lucy's whispered discussion about how Eisenwald had nearly caught Weiss went quite unnoticed.

"I've been suspecting this ever since Goldmine accused you of ordering Dungbombs, because it seemed such a stupid lie," Lucy 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 Eisenwald to manage it - tip off Goldmine, 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 Goldmine would object, when's he ever stuck up for a student's rights? Natsu, you're squashing your frog."

Natsu 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 Lucy. "I just wonder if Eisenwald knows how close it was. Silencio."

The bullfrog on which she was practicing her Silencing Charm was struck dumb mid-croak and glared at her reproachfully.

"If he'd caught Snuffles -"

Natsu 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 Lucy hastily, pointing her wand at Natsu'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 Gray. "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.

"Its the way you're moving your wand," said Lucy, watching Gray critically, "you don't want to wave it, it's more a sharp jab."

"Ravens are harder than frogs," said Gray through clenched teeth.

"Fine, let's swap," said Lucy, seizing Gray'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 Heartfilia!" said Professor Connell's voice, making Natsu, Gray and Lucy all jump. "Now, let me see you try, Mr. Fullbuster."

"Wha—? Oh - oh, right," said Gray, 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.