lumos / phan

two

"This isn't me?" Dan says, confused, but as soon as he puts his hand out, the feather drops back down, floating gently through the air and barely brushing against his fingertips as it lands in his palm.

"It seems like it was Mr Howell," Professor Flitwick says thoughtfully, "quite a unique talent you seem to have."

"I think it was just the wind..." Dan protests, but he's even unsure - it wouldn't be the first time he's somehow done spells without a wand.

"I suppose you're right - spells without a wand are basically unheard of for someone of your age," Professor Flitwick says, still skeptical.

"Yeah, just the wind or something," Dan murmurs.

Professor Flitwick nods in response before going on to tell the class to carry on with practicing their spells. There's a different atmosphere in the classroom now though, Dan can feel eyes on him and Hermione turns to face him, her eyebrow raised in accusation.

"Do you really think it was the wind?" she asks matter-of-factly, "that's pretty daft, even for a Slytherin."

Dan's face turns to a scowl as he dislikes the way she exaggerates words to make the person she's talking to feel stupid. He gives her his best glare, although its effect is reduced as his fringe is falling in his eyes.

"You know, all Slytherins aren't the same, that's pretty daft," Dan says, matching her tone, "and does it even matter anyway? Also don't be so condescending, I'm sure you're not perfect."

"I suppose not, but if I were you I'd want to know," Hermione says with a huff, tossing her hair over her shoulder before she points her wand at her own quill, "and I'm not condescending. Wingardium leviosa."

Dan feels anger boil inside of him, his fingers withdrawing into fists as he feels resent grow inside him for the obnoxious girl beside him with her smart-ass attitude and judgemental looks. He hates when people treat others as below them, with a burning, burning passion.

He looks up to where her feather is floating in the air, all white and pure while she is smugly pointing her wand, looking around and seemingly proud of herself for perfectly executing the spell. He dislikes people who thrive off the stupidity or incompetence of others, or tries to make them known of their superiority, so he decides to try out his 'mind spells' again.

Incendio, Dan thinks, whilst staring intently at Hermione's floating feather. Immediately, the end catches fire and soon ashes are raining down from the sky, black snow coating her and her desk. She looks puzzled for a moment before turning to Dan with a sharp and intimidating glare.

"You set my quill on fire," she says accusingly.

"Your spell must've messed up, I don't even have a wand in my hand," Dan says innocently.

"I will find out what this is," Hermione challenges, "you should tell the teachers too - it could be an unfair advantage or something."

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Dan says with a smirk.

***

"Dan!" Phil calls out, running down the hallway towards him with a large smile and his yellow and black striped scarf trailing behind him.

"Hey Phil," Dan says with a laugh, watching as he halts and bends over, seemingly out of breath already, "why are you wearing a scarf? It's not that cold."

"I love my scarf! Also, we have transfiguration together next!" Phil says happily, "the Ravenclaws are so annoying to have history with. They try to imply we're stupid and most of them pay attention. Ugh."

"Hermione Granger should go join them," Dan says, rolling his eyes and feeling annoyance build up inside him again.

"Did she knock you over while shooting her hand up to answer a question?" Phil asks with a giggle, "she does that sometimes."

"She was just a know-it-all and was all like, cause you're a Slytherin," Dan says, rolling his eyes yet again, "everyone thinks we're all evil."

"Well everyone thinks Hufflepuffs are all pushovers!" Phil says with a frown, "that we're too nice and all that."

"Well, that's not completely untrue for you," Dan says with a laugh, nudging Phil with his elbow.

"Shut up," Phil says, shoving Dan away with a laugh, "you evil Slytherin."

"Damn right I'm evil, I'll push you down the stairs on the way to transfiguration," Dan says as they begin to walk towards their next classroom.

"No you wouldn't, you're actually a massive marshmallow inside," Phil says, "you're the least Slytherin person in this school. You just pretend you're a tough."

"I am tough," Dan says with a smirk, "and I wouldn't have to push you - you'd just fall yourself anyway."

Phil remains silent for a second.

"Shut up," Phil says, narrowing his eyes at him, "you... butt."

"Well shit," Dan laughs, "I have sure been told."

***

hello welcome to another chapter. hope you enjoyed! if anything's not accurate pls let me know. also what do you think of Dan being able to do magic without a wand :o

thanks for reading so far!!