THC, Round 7, standing in for Ravenclaw, DADA, drabble.

Prompt: [Object] Candle

Word count: 576

Beta(s): Charlotte, Miranda, Bea.

Author Note: AU. A scene that didn't happen but could have.

"Wingardium Leviosa," muttered an annoyed voice. "Wingardium Leviosa!" it repeated.

"Will you stop that?" Seamus complained.

"No," Ron replied truthfully, his face red from anger. He would get this right! "Wingardium Leviosa!" he almost screamed.

In absolute delight, the candle he had been focusing on levitated a few inches. That was much more impressive than a silly little feather! "Yes!" he cheered, releasing the charm suddenly and allowing the—thankfully unlit—candle to clutter onto the floor. He paused for a second, looking at the candle then burst into laughter. "Did you see that, Seamus?"

"I did," he replied with a nod.

Ron didn't care that his classmate didn't actually look, some things were more important than recognition, and that was accomplishing something amazing. By that, he meant being able to show somebody up. He will soon be recognised and stand out from under his brother's shadow and under Hermione's, too!

"Are you done now?" Seamus asked, with a slight whine to his voice, a quill poised in his hand and a piece of parchment in front of him. "I'm trying to concentrate."

"On what?" Ron retorted, wanting to practice more.

"Writing to my Ma and Da!" Seamus replied simply.

Ron sighed, he really should write a letter to his parents. He hadn't since he started here; it was so fun and chaotic, when would he find the time? Instead of following Seamus' guide, he stood up and walked out of the dorm. "See you later."

"Bye."

Walking down the stairs alone, he wondered where his brother Percy was, he'd be so impressed that Ron was able to levitate a candle! He was also interested in magical development and being better than everybody else. So if Ron was the first person in his year to levitate something heavy like a candle instead of a feather, then he sure would be proud in some way. Also, Percy was a know-it-all like Hermione, but not as annoying, so surely Ron could get tips on how to best her even more.

As he jumped down the last step, he paused. Sitting on the sofa, in all of her annoying glory, Hermione. The one who thought she was so much better than him because she could levitate a feather. "Oi, Mione!" he called, walking up to her.

She looked up from her book and tried to smile. That made him falter. She didn't look like the annoying know-it-all right now, just another student. But Ron being himself didn't let that stop him. "I can levitate a candle," he proudly exclaimed.

"Go on then," she challenged, a gleeful look in her eye. "Let's see it."

Somehow, Ron hadn't ever considered that she'd ask him to do that. He should've practiced more. "Fine!" He looked around quickly and saw a candle. Perfect.

Pulling out his wand, he pointed and announced, "Wingardium Leviosa."

Nothing. Zilch.

"Wingardium Leviosa!" he repeated. With a proud look, he saw the candle raise an inch. Unfortunately, it then dropped and fell onto the ground with a clatter.

Hermione jumped up as Ron took a few steps backwards. "That's not how you're supposed to do it!" she told him knowingly.

"I levitated it though!" he defended.

"Fire!" she exclaimed, pulling out her wand.

"What are you going to do with that?" he replied.

"Aguamenti!" she called and water squirted out of her wand and flooded the fire out.

Ron frowned and his shoulders dropped. "Know-it-all."

"You can thank me later."