Quote:
Originally Posted by
MadMadamMalfoy 
Only about half of the magpie flock responded to the Oppugno spell. The other half circled through the air nonchalantly, making happy little magpie sounds. But some was better than none. The birds that did respond to the spell made quick work of pecking and tearing at the left snake pinata. Soon a large hole appeared at the top of the snake’s head, but no candy fell out yet.
The two macaws circled the air for a moment, then split off in different directions. One drifted lazily toward the girl, perching on her shoulder with a loud SQUAWK! The other beelined for the left snake pinata and gave its head a decisive bite. That bite did the job.
The pinata broke, sending its contents spilling out. On first glance, it might appear that the pinata was filled with nothing more than discarded papers and scraps of parchment, but what was that hidden among the papers? Was that a chocolate frog? Were those jelly slugs?
Violet wished she had never heard of magpies! Next time she tried something like this, she was going to pick a more cooperative bird. Half of her flock were flying around doing whatever they felt like doing and not obeying her at all (pretty much like her pet magpie, Mack, come to think of it). But the other half, filled with magpie curiosity, made an attempt at the pinata and poked a big hole in it. Not big enough for anything to fall out yet--that honor fell to the next student--only one of her birds took care of business, but that one was enough (though Violet like to think her magpies had softened the pinata up a bit for Claudine's macaw). Anyway, Violet felt she had done her bit and was not going to make a try at the new pinata.
And---what was the professor saying? And what was she seeing? Candy!! Violet scooped a handful and stuffed it in her pocket before someone could take it away from her, and without looking at it too carefully. Later in the Room she would discover that it was good old Wizarding candy, including some of her favorites. That would make a much better backup food stash than a stale bun from breakfast.