Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Let's never bring it up again, shall we? I'd rather not dwell on it.

Shades of Truth

"Oh, I haven't seen one of these in years!"

Hermione turned just in time to see Ron nearly bowl over an elderly wizard in his eagerness as he rushed toward a nearby display of what appeared to be fist-sized, oval-shaped, grey stones. They were inside Zonko's Joke Shop for the first time, one of their many stops on their first trip to Hogsmeade. Hermione sighed before making her way over to Ron, wishing for the hundredth time that Harry were here. It was becoming increasingly difficult to fake enthusiasm each time Ron found a new silly product to be fascinated by; it would be a relief to split that burden with someone else, and Harry might actually share Ron's interest in the various joke items around the shop.

Forcing a smile, she asked, "What is it, Ron?" Probably a long-lasting dungbomb, or something like it.

Ron had picked up one of the stones and was examining it with interest. "They're called Mood Meters, Hermione. You pick it up, say the incantation, and watch it change color. Then you look up the color on one of these charts, and it will tell you what mood you're in."

"Muggles have those too, Ron. They call them mood rings. The rings change color based on your skin temperature, which supposedly indicates your mood. They're absolute rubbish, of course," she explained, smiling slightly.

Ron shook his head and pressed the stone into Hermione's hand. "No, these really work! Here, you try. All you have to do is say 'Iridesensiate!'"

Hermione did so, merely to humor Ron. The Mood Meter immediately turned a lime green. Ron consulted the chart. "Hmm. Would you say that that's green or green-yellow?"

"Definitely green-yellow. What does that mean?"

Ron grinned. "Green-yellow indicates exasperation," he quoted. "You need to relax, have fun, and learn to take a joke. Wow, this thing really understands you, Hermione."

She scowled. "Oh, ha ha. Let's see what your mood is, funny guy." She forced the Mood Meter into Ron's hand.

Still smirking, Ron said, "Iridesensiate," and the stone immediately switched from green to pale pink. His smile feel.

"Well, what does that mean?" asked Hermione, trying to peer over Ron's shoulder at the list. He quickly hid it from view.

"Nothing. You were right; these things are rubbish. Let's go." Before Hermione could respond, Ron dragged her away from the display and to the section of the store containing Fanged Frisbees and Screaming Yo-yos, letting the emotion chart flutter to the floor. It sat there innocently, its information displayed in a variety of colors.

ZONKO'S AMAZING MOOD METER: HOW ARE YOU FEELING?

White: White means boredom. Pulling a prank can help with that!

Black: Black shows fear. BOO!

Red: Red represents anger. Calm down! Life isn't that serious.

Orange: Orange connotes excitement. You are ready to go!

Yellow: Yellow implies surprise. Hopefully it was a good surprise!

Green-Yellow: Green-yellow indicates exasperation. You need to relax, have fun, and learn to take a joke.

Green: Green suggests trust. You are among friends here.

Blue: Blue signals sadness. You should eat some chocolate; it helps.

Purple: Purple says happiness. You are having a good day, aren't you?

Lavender: Lavender proves calm. Life is cool right now.

Dark Pink: Dark pink insinuates lust. Easy there, tiger!

Light Pink: Light pink signifies true love. Let that special person know how you feel!

The door chimed brightly as Ron and Hermione departed, the latter none the wiser as to what the stone had said.