Ron understood faintly that he was in trouble now, but he had no way out now, with everyone watching him, his only option was to pull off the spell.
He coughed slightly, blinking his eyes and taking a deep breath, then he focused on the rat intently.
“Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, Turn this stupid, fat rat yellow.”
And…
nothing happened.
Harry looked confused, Hermione just rolled her eyes, while both Daphne and me could barely hold back our laugh.
And, we couldn’t.
“HAHAHAHA!!!! Sunshine daisy butter mellow… where did you learn that spell, is it a nursery rhyme?” I laughed.
“Bruh, I came into contact with magic like a month ago, and have only read some books, but even then, I know what you said… was bullocks. Aren’t you from a wizarding pure-blood family? Were you lying?”
“Pfffttt, now they can add generational aura debt to their list of debts.” Daphne joined in, snickering side by side to me.
Ron’s face turned completely red, his ears particularly crimson, even Harry, who was prepared to see something magical, couldn’t help but laugh.
As if that was not enough, Hermione started speaking.
“Are you sure that’s a real spell? Well, it’s not very good, is it? I’ve tried a few simple spells just for practice and it’s all worked for me. Nobody in my family’s magical at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it’s the very best school of witchcraft there is, I’ve heard. I’ve learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough. I’m Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you.” Hermione said somewhat proudly, her tone was a bit bossy and very fast.
“Damien Whitmore, a pleasure. I am in the same scenario as you are, though, I haven’t learned all the books by heart, I can pretty much do all the spells.” I said, offering a handshake.
“Whitmore? Like the land tycoons?” She asked somewhat surprised, my family was fairly famous as we were amongst the richest in Britain.
“The very same. But that’s back in the muggle world, I suppose. So, a fellow muggle-born wizard here.” I smiled. Get faster updates on g.com.
“Daphne Greengrass.” Daphne was next, though she didn’t seem as enthusiastic, I don’t know why.
“Harry Potter.” Harry said with a polite smile.
“Are you really?” said Hermione.
“I know all about you, of course, I got a few extra books. for background reading, and you’re in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century.”
“Am I?” said Harry, feeling dazed.
“Goodness, didn’t you know, I’d have found out everything I could if it was me.” said Hermione.
“Anyways, do any of you know what house you’ll be in? I’ve been asking around, and I hope I’m in Gryffindor, it sounds by far the best; I hear Dumbledore himself was in it, but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn’t be too bad….” Hermione continued, she was by far one of the most rapid speakers I have encountered in this life.
“Well, we are also planning for Gryffindor, but our magical friends here,” I said, pointing at Ron and Daphne, “suggest that we would be sorted based on a very difficult test, which might involve stealing eggs from a Dragon.” I couldn’t help my laugh as I said that.
“What? There will be a test? Heavens, I haven’t prepared at all. Sorry, Neville, you would have to search for your toad yourself, I need to think of a way to deal with a dragon, fast.” Hermione said strangely nervous all of a sudden.
It was kind of funny seeing the proud bossy girl turn into a scared cat all of a sudden.
“Wait, Their credibility is rather dubious, I would recommend you to not worry, most likely they are being pranked by their family. You are probably, the most prepared one here, if you fail, everybody’s failing.” I explained with a laugh.
“Oh really… Wizarding humor is quite advanced, I suppose.” Hermione said while her hand rested on her chin, clearly in deep thought.
“Anyway, we’d better go and look for Neville’s toad. You two had better change, you know, I expect we’ll be there soon.” And she left, oh, there was also another boy behind her, probably Neville, he was just standing there silently the entire time.
“Whatever house I am in…
I hope she is not in it.” Ron said, then trying to salvage his reputation, continued “Stupid spell, George gave it to me, bet he knew it was a dud.”
“She looks like she would end up in Gryffindor, so you might want to start looking for other houses to be in. And if that obviously dud spell fooled you, Ravenclaw’s not for you either. That leaves Slytherin and Hufflepuff, choose your pick.” I said with a very gentle smile. Get faster updates on g.com.
Ron’s face looked like he was about to start crying, “No… if I somehow end up in Slytherin… Mum’s gonna kill me. She would send me howlers everyday… I’m doomed…”
“That’s rough, buddy.” I consoled, reciting the words of a future Fire lord.
“Ughh, anyways, what’s your quidditch team?” Ron asked, trying to change the conversation, by acting like nothing had happened before.
“What’s Quidditch?” asked Harry confused.
“Huh? You don’t know?… Ah yes… Quidditch is like the best game in the world…” And he went on, explaining about all the rules, teams, gameplay etc.
He looked really passionate about it, meanwhile, Daphne from the side spoke to me quietly,
“Trust me, Arcade’s better.”
“Nah, this sounds rather fun…” I countered.
“Bleh, boys and their stupid interests.” Daphne mocked.
“Funny. I seem to be rather interested in you too, and you are pretty stupid… I see, that explains everything.” I said with a smirk.
“Y…You!!!” Daphne hissed, her face turning up red, both of us completely ignored Ron who was still explaining the greatness of Quidditch to Harry.
And at this very moment, that damned door of the compartment, slid open once again.
But this time, it wasn’t Hermione or Neville,
Instead, it was a blonde haired boy, his hair slicked back perfectly, behind him were two fat boys, acting like his bodyguards.
“Is it true?” he said.
“They’re saying all down the train that Harry Potter’s in this compartment. So it’s you, is it?”