Ducks All in a Row
By: Mayhem
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story.
During a rare moment of non-adventure while visiting The Burrow, Arthur Weasley was attempting to get an answer to his very important question - that being, the function of a rubber duck.
Hermione, used to describing more complex ideas, spells and charms to Ron and Harry, was baffled as to how to explain to a wizard such a simple thing.
"A rubber duck... is a toy. An amusement for small muggle children while in the bath." She said simply, not knowing what else to say about it.
"Okay. I see. But, what does it do?" Arthur asked.
"Well... that's it, it's just an amusement. It has no purpose."
"No purpose? I thought most things had a purpose. Like a toy broom teaches you the basics of flying."
"In the muggle world, brooms don't fly, toy or otherwise. Children merely use toy brooms to imitate or help their guardian clean the house." Hermione explained.
Harry had a different idea as to how to explain a rubber duck. Seeing as he couldn't get to a muggle store very easily at the moment, he gathered 5 teacups from the kitchen cupboards and set them on the table in front of Hermione.
"Hermione, you're better at transfiguration than I am. Could you please turn these cups into rubber ducks for me? A normal one and some fun ones."
Hermione nodded and took out her wand to comply. One she turned into a regular yellow rubber duck;one sported black sunglasses; one wore a pirate's eye-patch and tricorn hat; one was green; and one was red with black devil horns.
Harry thanked her and scooped them all up, carrying them up the many steps to the bathroom, calling for Arthur to follow him. Once there, Harry lined all the ducks up in a row on the edge of the bathtub, and turned on the water and added some bubbles. Finished, Harry added all the ducks to the bathtub before stepping back, satisfied with the result.
"All right, sir. I am about to show you the function of rubber ducks. I'll leave, and you get into the tub and soak there and do bathing things and then when you're done, come down and see us again."
Frowning in slight confusion, Arthur Weasley nodded at the young wizard, who smiled reassuringly and left the room.
About an hour had passed when Mr. Weasley appeared again downstairs, dressed again though still slightly damp and carrying the pirate duck.
"I understand the function of a rubber duck now."
Harry smiled, and nodded. He knew it would work.