the Patil twins
I assumed the reason they had not taken much interest in the car to begin with was that it had no use apart from being able to transport people and objects from one place to another. From a backward wizard's point of view, one that is hell-bent on going against innovation, floo powder could simply achieve the same effect in less time.
They were also influenced by their innate feelings of superiority, at least on a subconscious level for some people, toward muggles. After all, magic trumped any and all technology currently available. Therefore, due to their lack of interaction caused them to develop an ignorance of muggle weapons. Tanks, planes, bombs, guns ect…
If any of these items were to be tampered with and changed by magic, the repercussions would be limitless. The mere thought of it sent shivers down my spine. I really didn't know If I should be thankful for the way wizards are or…
But Parvati's outburst snapped me out of my thoughts. A conflict between nations… if what Padma is saying is true, then this information could be even more dangerous. If I have learnt anything during my muggle life, it is that war leads to technological advancement. Muggle countries thirst for any edge they can grasp over their opponents.
The same thing can therefore be reasonably applied to magical society. If either side were to catch a whiff of what Ron's dad created and knew to apply it to other muggle technology, the outcome would be disastrous.
The room was silent, all eyes on the Patil Twins as their quarrelled. Padma looked apologetic, which only served to further convince the group of what she had said. seeing that, Parvati sighed, beginning to rub the bridge of her nose.
"A word of this to no one, is that understood." She demanded in a hushed voice. "This is not public information. All the people know is that there have been some disappearances by the border, that's all. Obviously, everyone in this room now understands it is anything but! Therefore, my words stand, NOT! A! WORD!"
Her strict and sharp tone sent the boys to the edge of their seats, back straight and pale-faced. I nodded fiercely when she looked in my direction, causing another sigh to escape her lips.
"I will have to make do with your promises alone for now. It is in everyone's best interests if it stays that way…"
Seamus frowned at her words, "what are you insinuating exactly?" his eyes becoming turbid with mixed emotions.
Parvati stared right at him before sneering, "exactly what you think, a word of this comes out, and the ministry will come looking, first, they'll take you… and then your family… and then your cousins- grandparents- friends- acquaintances-- EVERYONE!" She yelled, causing the people seated to jump. She proceeded to run her thumb across her neck insinuatingly, causing Ron to shake.
She continued to stare down Seamus, who was beside himself with fear, quaking like a leaf in a hurricane. Seeing that she had made herself clear, she coughed slightly, "don't ask stupid questions you don't want the answer to. Don't be a hero either… you'll only end up a martyr at best…" she said, mumbling the last part under her breath, yet I just barely managed to catch it.
A surge of complicated emotions pooled in my chest, knowing full well that she was right. Heroes don't receive a good end in a world of benefits and self-preservation such as this. They would only be looked back on as some who died incapable of reading the situation, picking the wrong moment to fight for what was right. Let alone considering that if the opposition was to win, they would simply use him as a scapegoat to quell the public anger, as someone who tried to instigate, agitate and accelerate the war.
The room was submerged in an air of solemness as everyone looked at each other. Each had their own thoughts and viewpoints on the matter, but from their pale faces devoid of blood, it seemed that Parvati's harsh warning hand had the entirely correct effect.
I couldn't help but sigh in praise, she truly was an intelligent and decisive person. In contrast, Padma was impulsive and overly energetic, which was nothing to jeer at, having its own positive aspects to it. combining both of them would create a wonderful and rather effective outcome.
The rest of the train ride was riddled with awkward stares and hushed conversations as they all avoided Parvati's gaze. Padma sat with her head bowed, evidently down about her sister's rebuke and at her own mishap.
I could only pat her on the back and offer her some pastries as a way to silently soothe her. Parvati would occasionally raise her head from her book and gaze at her sister, a pensive expression and a remorseful yet steely glint in her eye.
I could only stifle my own awkwardness by indulging in the books I had brought with me. special spell books that were heavily inclined towards offence. Tom's warning before he left never stopped scratching at the walls of my mind. and although I was mostly dismissing it, he had a tendency to be correct about things of this nature. And considering the solemnity in his tone back then and his firm grip on my arm that only tightened further with every passing word, I knew that there must be some truth to the matter.
"Beware its gaze… use mirrors… what does he mean?" I mumbled as I continued to ponder over these words.
"Could be an animal," a cold and bored voice said, causing my thoughts to freeze as I looked up. Parvati was staring at me from above her overly-sized book. A deep curiosity swam in her eyes.
"Was it Tom who gave you those words?" BOOM! Her words caused my blood to run cold. I shivered in fright as I looked at her in shock; was it intelligence? Intuition? Perhaps something else? I had no idea, but it made me feel naked before her eyes.