The curse was thrown, quietly, silently as quickly as if she'd spoken the words, and Hermione felt the reaction quick. The word protego flew through her thoughts as she made the wand movement, watching the spell bounce. The classroom paused. Most had barely begun, yet she could hear them whispering, wondering if they had actually done it. "Impossible," she heard from Malfoy, "probably whispered the spell out the side of her mouth."