[#129] Something Gained, Something Lost (Harry Potter)

[imhilien]

Theme Prompt: #129 - Candlelight
Title: Something Gained, Something Lost
Fandom: Harry Potter
Ratings / Warnings: PG
Bonus: No
Word Count: 110
Summary: Electrical lights don't work at Hogwarts. Whether this is a good thing or not depends on who Hermione mentions it to.


At Hogwarts, you got used to candlelight - and fires -  for lighting when it was dark. Wand light for backup, Hermione thought. Nothing electrical worked at all.

Ron's face looked baffled when she tried to explain. Harry knows what she means, but he's happy to give up modern things as the price of being far away from his aunt and uncle.

Hermione's parents are kinder, but their faces go blank when she explains that nothing electrical works at Hogwarts so they use candles a lot.

"Candles?" they repeat in surprise. Candles, in their mind, are to be used when there's a power cut.

She sees their look of pity.

Comments

[apachefirecat]

I needed this explanation very much today, thank you. My husband and I are foregoing certain amenities that I've always considered far beyond amenities, like running water and a proper bathroom, and I never understood why it's so easy for him to just accept that. His family isn't much better than Harry's blood folks, though, so this little drabble actually explains quite a bit. Thank you. <3

[imhilien]

Thanks for reviewing. :) I'm sorry that you're having to do without certain things at this time. I was never the type to enjoy camping holidays, I like having four solid walls and reliable water.

Sometimes we do without, if it gets us away from certain people in life. :/

[badly_knitted]

It's all about what people grow up with and are used to, I guess. The wizarding community are used to relying on candles and lamps, Hermione isn't so it's strange to her but something she'll adjust to, while her parents are just never going to understand. Harry, I think, had to go without so much growing up that he doesn't mind what else he has to do without in order to have a better life.

[imhilien]

Thanks for reviewing. :) The wizarding community don't really know what they're missing; Arthur Weasley does, but doesn't understand how our tech works. Harry can adjust to wizard life because it's still much better than his actual home.

[mxcatmoon]

You said so much into so few words! Brava!

[imhilien]

Thanks for that. :)