Ernie's cheeks probably flushed at Michaud's comment, but the coloring was likely hidden by both the shade and by the position of his head as he glared down at his own feet. He was fairly sure there was nothing magical about the spot; the boys down in the slums would've mentioned such trickery if there was any. It was only when he looked back up at Michaud — all the way up — that he noticed something dangling off an old, withered sign.

"What is that?" he asked, his tone accusatory but not necessarily directed towards the other boy. The stress began to set in; perhaps it was from thinking he knew what it was, or perhaps because he knew what it meant. His cheeks went full red at that moment, and his eyes snapped to meet the quidditch player's.