Take Eight
Just another day of hell at Hogwarts, under the High Torturer – sorry, High Inquisitor Umbridge.
Dinner time in the Great Hall was a greatly anticipated event, especially if nothing major had happened for the whole week, if only because many previous pranks were conducted there.
When the doors opened, three-quarters of the student population pushed their plates away, just in case they collapsed into their dinner from laughing too hard.
A man with an official crest on his robes stood there.
Umbridge gave him a saccharine smile, rising from her seat to greet the man. "Good evening, how may we help you?"
The students were vaguely disappointed, until he opened his mouth.
"Hello, I'm from the Ministry of Magic, Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, Pest Advisory Bureau. Our division received a tip-off a few days ago that Hogwarts is infested with a magical pest." He glanced down at his clipboard. "I believe it refers to itself as Croakores Toadbridge?"
The students lost it at that, some toppling right off their benches as they screamed with laughter.
The sugary smile still plastered on her face, Umbridge replied. "I'm afraid you must be mistaken. There is no magical pest in Hogwarts."
"You can't catch me!" screamed a shrill voice, cutting through the chaos. Hearing that, the students settled down, ready for more drama to unfold.
The ministry official blinked at the voice. "Oh, but I would disagree, Miss Umbridge. That voice sounds like a Class A magical pest in the advanced stages of development to me."
Making sure no one else was watching, Parvati nudged Angelina lightly. When she turned to her, Parvati whispered in her ear, "Can you transfigure her bow to a toad again?"
Surprised, Angelina nevertheless pulled out her wand discreetly.
Across at the Ravenclaw table, Padma placed both hands to her mouth and blew lightly.
"Boo!" the newly-transfigured toad yelled, bouncing up and down on Umbridge's head.
"Ah, there it is!" exclaimed the ministry official brightly as Umbridge screamed.
Parvati and Padma exchanged gleeful looks.
Ventriloquism Charm combined with Voice Distortion Charm. Easy to find, and extremely useful.