Title: The Darker Side of Iridescence
Disclaimer:
What you recognize isn't mine
A/N – Sorry if there is a little out of character business here, I needed something to work off that was different from anything else out there. Oh ya, and anything in Italics are thoughts. Well, enjoy...
Chapter 1-
It was snowing gently at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Snow was just lightly frosting everything it touched, spreading a white blanket over the roofs and grounds of Hogwarts. The lake had a frozen sheet over it, with a sprinkling of powder along the top. A slight wind blew, moving around the newest layer of snow, bringing it even into the densely covered forest.
It may have been cold outside, but inside it was comfortably warm. Fires were burning merrily in all the common room hearths and decorations were strung up from every corner of the castle, giving the surroundings a bright, warm, festive look. It was the day before the start of the Christmas holiday, and the excitement in the air was infectious throughout the castle, with the Ravenclaw common room as no exception. Students were sprawled about on chairs, on the floor, reading, playing wizard chess and Exploding Snap, talking to friends about holiday plans, or just relaxing.
There was one person not taking part in the apparent cheer and good- natured merriment of the students. It was Luna Lovegood. She was curled up in a ball on a windowsill, staring blankly outside.
This is just like Christmas, except for one thing; I am not going back home. Ever. Since Father died in September, my legal guardian has been my Aunt Kaia. She's my mother's sister and she hates me. Ever since Celeste, my mother, died, she has. I think she blames my father and I for my mother's death. Kaia treats me just like most everyone does here. So does it make a difference whether I stay or go? Of course not. Everyone here says I am weird, but I don't care. Though, it would be nice to have a friend, someone who will hunt for different things with me, and wouldn't squeal when they see a–
Luna's thoughts were rudely cut off by a sharp jab in the back, a mumbled "Opps," and a bunch of laughter.
Silly girls, Luna thought, never looking where they are going.
With that, she went back to thinking of fond memories of her father and what little she could recall of her mother. After being interrupted twice more, Luna finally got fed up. About to teach the last annoyances a lesson, she suddenly remembered her mother's favorite saying, "Wit beyond measure is a man's greatest treasure, but follow your family's history, know when to keep a cool head and always give off an aura of mystery."
Sighing to herself, she realized that it was easier said than done, following the last bit about keeping a cool head. Luna decided that the only way that she could do this, was to escape from all her peers, all the other happy students, packing and discussing vacation plans.
Luna knew that her passage would be followed by jeers, but this was the first time she really took notice. Some of my open-mindedness must have left with my father, Luna mused to herself, I never really cared, not until now. Until my father passed away and left me with no one. Where can I go, to get away from it all? I mean, there is really nowhere I want to go. The lake brings back memories of hunting for Kappa with Father; the forest is the same way, looking for things such as Quintapeds and Crups with him in the forests of Southwest England and southernmost Scotland. Inside, I just can't concentrate and I feel to enclosed. Everything used to make sense when Father explained it, but now...
While Luna was thinking these thoughts, her feet started taking her up various staircases and through assorted passageways. Suddenly, she tripped over a trick stair. Looking up, she thought, Damn, I think I'm lost. Sitting down on the cold floor, with her back against the wall, Luna started reading an article from The Quibbler about Demiguise. Her father had gone to the Far East and had actually caught a Demiguise. Mr. Lovegood was well known for his ability to observe many rare, dangerous and magical creatures.
The Demiguise is a very peaceful and beautiful beast with an ape-like
appearance but with doe eyes and lots of silky hair. I found one not
two months ago roaming the forest. I captured it but had let it go,
its outstanding beauty did not warrant a life in captivity. I believe
from my brief visit with their race I can determine that they are
indeed directly related to...
Tears obscured Luna's eyes, and a tear fell on the article. Why, why did you have to go Father. She thought fiercely to herself, why did you leave me, we had so much more to do, so many animals to find. She cried silently, sobs racking her thin frame, her long dirty blond hair half obscuring her face. Her eyes for once lost that permanently surprised look she always had.
You weren't supposed to leave yet, not now, not ever. You were my lifeline, my hope, I could face everything because you were there, yes, I could even face mothers memories and the kids here at school and having kids scoff at any new ideas that aren't their own, but you're gone now, and never coming back. But why, why did you leave me like this? Its not like you father, you were always there for me, even when Mother died. You put your own grief aside and put me first. You helped me be able to face everyone, put on a face of dottiness, to exclude an aura of weirdness, I could take the stares and comments when you were here, I could take them, I didn't care, knowing you would be there for me, knowing we had a next adventure together coming, knowing that you would have something fun to do, some interesting animal to find next and that I could come help you. But now you are gone, and I can't take them anymore. I know if you were here you would tell me to put on a brave face, and that I could take it, but your not here, and I don't know what to do. For the first time in my life, I have no answer, no plan, no one to turn to.
Luna was so distraught at the memories of her father that she just shook for a minute, releasing all the tears and pain she had been holding the entire time, letting down the face that she used in front of the crowds, letting go of her extreme open-mindedness in her grief. She hoped that this would help her fill the never-ending void in her heart, the void where her father and mother should be. But it didn't help, not that much.
Luna eventually cried herself to sleep in that dark corner of Hogwarts, alone and unwanted, no one realizing she was not in her dorm, no one realizing the trauma she had gone through. And, she though, for once in her life a non-open thought and no one caring.
A/N – Hope you like it! It's my first ever story! Please review and give me advice, I would really appreciate it! ^_^ I just wanted to give a HUGE cheer to my BFBG (Best Friend Beta Girl)! Thank you so much, couldn't have done it without you (I also wouldn't have posted if you had not convinced me to.) =D Oh ya, and if you are wondering about the title... you will just have to read on because it doesn't get explained until much, much later.
Ch. 2 –
Luna awoke to a cold side, a numb arm and leg, and very red eyes and stuffed up nose. She felt a little better, a little more normal, but the void had not been filled, no, not even started. The wound was still open a gapping, gushing fresh blood and trying to swallow everything in site. But she no longer had any tears, and felt only a little worse for wear after her night on the stone floor with just her robe on.
"Man I need to go", she said to herself. She was startled by the sound of her voice, cracked and sharp, scratchy because of her lack of water since yesterday's lunch. I wonder where the nearest bathroom is, she wondered.
Hmm, she mused. Where am I? The place looked no more familiar in the early morning light than it had in the dark last night. Well, I guess I will just go back to wandering around, I just hope I find a bathroom. Soon. She got up, brushed herself off and headed off to the passageway to her right.
She wandered around for ten minuets before she realized where she was. Oh! She thought to herself. I am on the second floor, near Myrtles bathroom! She quickened her step, her bladder over-ridding everything she had learned about Myrtle. She herself had never been in Myrtles bathroom, but she had heard plenty of stories. I bet she isn't as bad as she's made out to be, I mean, I am made out horrible and look at me! She laughed inwardly at that last thought and the one that bubbled up next. I bet she is even nice! I mean, everyone who says bad stuff about her just makes fun of her. By that time she had reached the door to the bathroom and bolted into the first stall she came to.
"Wh-whos there?" A wailing voice floated over to Luna, "Another student come to tease poor Myrtle, to laugh and throw things at me?" And at that the voice burst into tears.
"No Myrtle, I just want to use the restroom," Luna said, her voice coming back to normal. She walked out of the stall and went to wash her hands. "I didn't mean to disturb you."
"Oooh, so that's how it is. You just want to ignore Myrtle, it doesn't matter that she's crying. Noooo, you don't care"
"No Myrtle, I didn't hear you crying, you weren't when I walked in here," Luna stated absently to the wall three feet to the left of Myrtle's current position.
"Well then, you didn't come to visit me," Myrtle sniffed "No one ever comes to visit me, no one cares! Not even my family, no, not even them! After two weeks they stopped coming. They said I was depressed. Well who wouldn't be, I'd dead! My own family doesn't care, they..." she was cut of by an absentminded,
"At least you have a family. I don't have one anymore," from Luna, who was still staring off into space a couple feet to the left of Myrtle.
"Wait a minute" Myrtle said suspiciously. "Then why aren't you crying? Everyone else comes and cries. I laugh at them; they think I should feel bad. But I don't care, I cry all the time and no one feels bad for me.
"I feel bad for you, I cried last night, it hurt. I am sorry." Luna said (still staring off into space)
"Then why have you never come to visit me" Sneered Myrtle maliciously
"Because I didn't know you were crying," Luna said, for once looking directly at Myrtle "Why do you cry so much?" Luna said, once again looking away from Myrtle.
Myrtle promptly burst into tears. "Be-be-because I'M DEAD" she managed to wail out
" What's it like" Luna asked, oblivious to the distraught-ness of Myrtle "Being dead that is? I would think it would be cool to be dead. You could roam around, be with your family," Luna was asking these questions while staring vaguely off into space
"Wh-what?" Myrtle stammered, looking up from her tears "what are you talking about, of course it is horrible to be dead" she said impetuously.
"I wouldn't think so, I mean, can't you go places and see things we can't? Can't you walk through walls, and do all sorts of other crazy stuff?" Luna's eyes had lit up with the fire of passion burning in their depths. She was no longer seemingly out of it, but intensely focus and interested on her topic.
"Well, I dunno" Myrtle said, "I never really thought about it that way..."
"Well, now that you have, I bet you have seen many things being a ghost. Hey, wasn't there a rumor that you could go to the lake?"
Myrtles eyes started to water again "Only if I get flushed down the toilet"
Myrtle was on the verge of bursting out wailing when Luna interrupted "WOW, I wish I could do that. Then I could study all the things down there and write articles about them and tell my dad. And since I was dead, he would be there to and we could do this together." Luna sighed.
Suddenly her eyes lit up, almost seeming to glow, going from a mushy brownish red to a golden copper color. "Hey Myrtle" she whispered excitedly, sincerity shinning through every movement of her body. "Can you tell me what lives in the lake?"
Myrtle looked taken aback at first, trying to see if Luna was making fun of her. But hen she realized Myrtle was totally sincere and that just rocked her reality. "Are-are you sure?" she asked timidly. No one had every asked this before and actually meant it!
"Completely! I've always wanted to know what lives there but never been able to find out first hand!" Luna said, unaware of Myrtles realization, "Can you tell me all about everything that lives there." After a moments pause "Please?"
"Ok" Myrtle said happily, no one ever wanted to listen to her, but now that she had a captured audience she loved it! "I'll start with the giant squid. He, and it is a he, is about....
A/N – hope everyone is a bit more in character! Please read and review!
Disclaimer:
What you recognize isn't mine
A/N – Sorry if there is a little out of character business here, I needed something to work off that was different from anything else out there. Oh ya, and anything in Italics are thoughts. Well, enjoy...
Chapter 1-
It was snowing gently at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Snow was just lightly frosting everything it touched, spreading a white blanket over the roofs and grounds of Hogwarts. The lake had a frozen sheet over it, with a sprinkling of powder along the top. A slight wind blew, moving around the newest layer of snow, bringing it even into the densely covered forest.
It may have been cold outside, but inside it was comfortably warm. Fires were burning merrily in all the common room hearths and decorations were strung up from every corner of the castle, giving the surroundings a bright, warm, festive look. It was the day before the start of the Christmas holiday, and the excitement in the air was infectious throughout the castle, with the Ravenclaw common room as no exception. Students were sprawled about on chairs, on the floor, reading, playing wizard chess and Exploding Snap, talking to friends about holiday plans, or just relaxing.
There was one person not taking part in the apparent cheer and good- natured merriment of the students. It was Luna Lovegood. She was curled up in a ball on a windowsill, staring blankly outside.
This is just like Christmas, except for one thing; I am not going back home. Ever. Since Father died in September, my legal guardian has been my Aunt Kaia. She's my mother's sister and she hates me. Ever since Celeste, my mother, died, she has. I think she blames my father and I for my mother's death. Kaia treats me just like most everyone does here. So does it make a difference whether I stay or go? Of course not. Everyone here says I am weird, but I don't care. Though, it would be nice to have a friend, someone who will hunt for different things with me, and wouldn't squeal when they see a–
Luna's thoughts were rudely cut off by a sharp jab in the back, a mumbled "Opps," and a bunch of laughter.
Silly girls, Luna thought, never looking where they are going.
With that, she went back to thinking of fond memories of her father and what little she could recall of her mother. After being interrupted twice more, Luna finally got fed up. About to teach the last annoyances a lesson, she suddenly remembered her mother's favorite saying, "Wit beyond measure is a man's greatest treasure, but follow your family's history, know when to keep a cool head and always give off an aura of mystery."
Sighing to herself, she realized that it was easier said than done, following the last bit about keeping a cool head. Luna decided that the only way that she could do this, was to escape from all her peers, all the other happy students, packing and discussing vacation plans.
Luna knew that her passage would be followed by jeers, but this was the first time she really took notice. Some of my open-mindedness must have left with my father, Luna mused to herself, I never really cared, not until now. Until my father passed away and left me with no one. Where can I go, to get away from it all? I mean, there is really nowhere I want to go. The lake brings back memories of hunting for Kappa with Father; the forest is the same way, looking for things such as Quintapeds and Crups with him in the forests of Southwest England and southernmost Scotland. Inside, I just can't concentrate and I feel to enclosed. Everything used to make sense when Father explained it, but now...
While Luna was thinking these thoughts, her feet started taking her up various staircases and through assorted passageways. Suddenly, she tripped over a trick stair. Looking up, she thought, Damn, I think I'm lost. Sitting down on the cold floor, with her back against the wall, Luna started reading an article from The Quibbler about Demiguise. Her father had gone to the Far East and had actually caught a Demiguise. Mr. Lovegood was well known for his ability to observe many rare, dangerous and magical creatures.
The Demiguise is a very peaceful and beautiful beast with an ape-like
appearance but with doe eyes and lots of silky hair. I found one not
two months ago roaming the forest. I captured it but had let it go,
its outstanding beauty did not warrant a life in captivity. I believe
from my brief visit with their race I can determine that they are
indeed directly related to...
Tears obscured Luna's eyes, and a tear fell on the article. Why, why did you have to go Father. She thought fiercely to herself, why did you leave me, we had so much more to do, so many animals to find. She cried silently, sobs racking her thin frame, her long dirty blond hair half obscuring her face. Her eyes for once lost that permanently surprised look she always had.
You weren't supposed to leave yet, not now, not ever. You were my lifeline, my hope, I could face everything because you were there, yes, I could even face mothers memories and the kids here at school and having kids scoff at any new ideas that aren't their own, but you're gone now, and never coming back. But why, why did you leave me like this? Its not like you father, you were always there for me, even when Mother died. You put your own grief aside and put me first. You helped me be able to face everyone, put on a face of dottiness, to exclude an aura of weirdness, I could take the stares and comments when you were here, I could take them, I didn't care, knowing you would be there for me, knowing we had a next adventure together coming, knowing that you would have something fun to do, some interesting animal to find next and that I could come help you. But now you are gone, and I can't take them anymore. I know if you were here you would tell me to put on a brave face, and that I could take it, but your not here, and I don't know what to do. For the first time in my life, I have no answer, no plan, no one to turn to.
Luna was so distraught at the memories of her father that she just shook for a minute, releasing all the tears and pain she had been holding the entire time, letting down the face that she used in front of the crowds, letting go of her extreme open-mindedness in her grief. She hoped that this would help her fill the never-ending void in her heart, the void where her father and mother should be. But it didn't help, not that much.
Luna eventually cried herself to sleep in that dark corner of Hogwarts, alone and unwanted, no one realizing she was not in her dorm, no one realizing the trauma she had gone through. And, she though, for once in her life a non-open thought and no one caring.
A/N – Hope you like it! It's my first ever story! Please review and give me advice, I would really appreciate it! ^_^ I just wanted to give a HUGE cheer to my BFBG (Best Friend Beta Girl)! Thank you so much, couldn't have done it without you (I also wouldn't have posted if you had not convinced me to.) =D Oh ya, and if you are wondering about the title... you will just have to read on because it doesn't get explained until much, much later.
Ch. 2 –
Luna awoke to a cold side, a numb arm and leg, and very red eyes and stuffed up nose. She felt a little better, a little more normal, but the void had not been filled, no, not even started. The wound was still open a gapping, gushing fresh blood and trying to swallow everything in site. But she no longer had any tears, and felt only a little worse for wear after her night on the stone floor with just her robe on.
"Man I need to go", she said to herself. She was startled by the sound of her voice, cracked and sharp, scratchy because of her lack of water since yesterday's lunch. I wonder where the nearest bathroom is, she wondered.
Hmm, she mused. Where am I? The place looked no more familiar in the early morning light than it had in the dark last night. Well, I guess I will just go back to wandering around, I just hope I find a bathroom. Soon. She got up, brushed herself off and headed off to the passageway to her right.
She wandered around for ten minuets before she realized where she was. Oh! She thought to herself. I am on the second floor, near Myrtles bathroom! She quickened her step, her bladder over-ridding everything she had learned about Myrtle. She herself had never been in Myrtles bathroom, but she had heard plenty of stories. I bet she isn't as bad as she's made out to be, I mean, I am made out horrible and look at me! She laughed inwardly at that last thought and the one that bubbled up next. I bet she is even nice! I mean, everyone who says bad stuff about her just makes fun of her. By that time she had reached the door to the bathroom and bolted into the first stall she came to.
"Wh-whos there?" A wailing voice floated over to Luna, "Another student come to tease poor Myrtle, to laugh and throw things at me?" And at that the voice burst into tears.
"No Myrtle, I just want to use the restroom," Luna said, her voice coming back to normal. She walked out of the stall and went to wash her hands. "I didn't mean to disturb you."
"Oooh, so that's how it is. You just want to ignore Myrtle, it doesn't matter that she's crying. Noooo, you don't care"
"No Myrtle, I didn't hear you crying, you weren't when I walked in here," Luna stated absently to the wall three feet to the left of Myrtle's current position.
"Well then, you didn't come to visit me," Myrtle sniffed "No one ever comes to visit me, no one cares! Not even my family, no, not even them! After two weeks they stopped coming. They said I was depressed. Well who wouldn't be, I'd dead! My own family doesn't care, they..." she was cut of by an absentminded,
"At least you have a family. I don't have one anymore," from Luna, who was still staring off into space a couple feet to the left of Myrtle.
"Wait a minute" Myrtle said suspiciously. "Then why aren't you crying? Everyone else comes and cries. I laugh at them; they think I should feel bad. But I don't care, I cry all the time and no one feels bad for me.
"I feel bad for you, I cried last night, it hurt. I am sorry." Luna said (still staring off into space)
"Then why have you never come to visit me" Sneered Myrtle maliciously
"Because I didn't know you were crying," Luna said, for once looking directly at Myrtle "Why do you cry so much?" Luna said, once again looking away from Myrtle.
Myrtle promptly burst into tears. "Be-be-because I'M DEAD" she managed to wail out
" What's it like" Luna asked, oblivious to the distraught-ness of Myrtle "Being dead that is? I would think it would be cool to be dead. You could roam around, be with your family," Luna was asking these questions while staring vaguely off into space
"Wh-what?" Myrtle stammered, looking up from her tears "what are you talking about, of course it is horrible to be dead" she said impetuously.
"I wouldn't think so, I mean, can't you go places and see things we can't? Can't you walk through walls, and do all sorts of other crazy stuff?" Luna's eyes had lit up with the fire of passion burning in their depths. She was no longer seemingly out of it, but intensely focus and interested on her topic.
"Well, I dunno" Myrtle said, "I never really thought about it that way..."
"Well, now that you have, I bet you have seen many things being a ghost. Hey, wasn't there a rumor that you could go to the lake?"
Myrtles eyes started to water again "Only if I get flushed down the toilet"
Myrtle was on the verge of bursting out wailing when Luna interrupted "WOW, I wish I could do that. Then I could study all the things down there and write articles about them and tell my dad. And since I was dead, he would be there to and we could do this together." Luna sighed.
Suddenly her eyes lit up, almost seeming to glow, going from a mushy brownish red to a golden copper color. "Hey Myrtle" she whispered excitedly, sincerity shinning through every movement of her body. "Can you tell me what lives in the lake?"
Myrtle looked taken aback at first, trying to see if Luna was making fun of her. But hen she realized Myrtle was totally sincere and that just rocked her reality. "Are-are you sure?" she asked timidly. No one had every asked this before and actually meant it!
"Completely! I've always wanted to know what lives there but never been able to find out first hand!" Luna said, unaware of Myrtles realization, "Can you tell me all about everything that lives there." After a moments pause "Please?"
"Ok" Myrtle said happily, no one ever wanted to listen to her, but now that she had a captured audience she loved it! "I'll start with the giant squid. He, and it is a he, is about....
A/N – hope everyone is a bit more in character! Please read and review!