Jokes and Sympathy: Opposites Combine
Author Note: Am I Joanne Kathleen Rowling? Nope. It's not mine, then. Here's a fairly sentimental chapter with a splash of comedy thrown in. Ginny's ultimate girls night in... a hectic snowball fight... and more!
Five past eight arrived, and 'Meda set off to Greenhouse Three for the training session. A lanky man with dark blonde hair approached her at 8:15.
"Ah. Miss Potter. I am Charms instructor Stewart Ackerley." the man said. 'Meda looked a trifle confused.
"Forgive me, Mr. Ackerley, but if you're a Charms instructor, why are you here? I understand some reasoning, of course, but it seems a bit, well... off, if you get my drift." she trailed. Stewart Ackerley let a trace of a grin cross his features.
"I do get your drift, but funnily enough, Miss Potter, it was no simple quirk of accidental magic you did. It was a non-verbal Bombarda. A very strong one at that, to break such a charm. You're very skilled, but sometimes you let your magic get away from you. Considering your parentage, this is hardly surprising." Stewart said. 'Meda went slightly pink.
"I-I-I..." she stuttered. Stewart nodded - dealing with Harry Potter's daughter was a tad tricky.
"Your Head of House tells me you can do very good Stunners." he recited. 'Meda went red.
"That was months ago. And it was self-defense, before you start questioning other people-" but Stewart politely cut her off.
"I've heard the story. And I would like to see what spells you feel you have good control over." 'Meda gripped her magohany and phoenix feather wand and cast.
"Wingardium Levoisa!" she called. A plant shot upwards and landed on another table when 'Meda did the wand movement in reverse. Stewart raised an eyebrow.
"Good control, Miss Potter. Anything else?" he asked. 'Meda looked guilty all of a sudden.
"For this next spell you've going to have injure your nose." she whispered. To her surprise, Stewart grinned.
"Ah. Episkey, am I correct? Very advanced. Give it a go." he said, denting his nose a fair bit. 'Meda inhaled.
"Come on, you don't have a nerve problem, Andromeda..." she muttered. She paled as she directed her wand at Stewart's face. She thought of her mother.
"EPISKEY!" she commanded with all her will. Stewart grunted.
"Ah. Excellent, Miss Potter. You could be a Healer when you finish Hogwarts." he stated. 'Meda fought down a blush.
"My mother took a training course at St. Mungo's." she stuttered. Stewart smiled.
"Ah. Luna Lovegood, best Healer of '99? She treated my dragon pox." he remembered. 'Meda looked shocked.
"I've heard a vague rumour you can do a very complicated feat of magic." Stewart said. 'Meda thought of the day she met Joan and Phillip.
"EXCEPTO PATRONUM!" she exclaimed. A silvery Thestral streaked out of her wand. Stewart clapped for her.
"Hmm...your problem is that sometimes you put too much emphasis on spells sometimes. Just think 'how much do I have to put into this incantation' before you cast the spell. You'll do fine." he explained. 'Meda bowed. "You know, Andromeda, I have been unsure about you. Just keep in check." Stewart said, as he walked out. Joan and Phillip suddenly sped into the greenhouses as soon as the path was clear.
"Whoa you guys! You can Apparate!" 'Meda exclaimed. Joan rolled her eyes - that was 'Meda for you.
"Of course not Heaton. We were hiding. You bowled old Ackerley over, you know? I think he liked you. I heard a rumour that he's an ex-Claw. Maybe he warmed to you because of that." Joan muttered. 'Meda sighed.
"Joan, I'd hate to think he liked my ability all because of some silly reason like a house link, or - Merlin forbid - my father's fame. I wowed him with my witty personality, if anything. And most importantly, my spells." 'Meda tutted. Suddenly another figure appeared.
"And most importantly, as Aunt Hermione has told you 'Meda, you can't Apparate in and out of Hogwarts." Louis snickered. 'Meda let out a growl.
"I never thought that you, Louis Weasley, would go over to the 'dark side'." she said, the growl fading into a laugh as she did air quotes.
Louis slicked back his strawberry-blonde hair.
"Me? Go over? Never! What with all my charm..." he grinned. 'Meda face-palmed.
"Ugh. You're turning into the Sirius Black of this generation. Your genetics will get you in trouble one day." she groaned. Louis laughed.
"I really doubt it. But if they ever do, I owe you twenty Galleons." he proclaimed.
"Done." 'Meda said, completely deadpan. They shook hands, 'Meda's eyes getting their unique twinkle that showed she was a force to be reckoned with.
"C'mon you three, back to the castle." Louis said, leading the triad the other way.
"Just because your sister is Head Girl that does not give you the right to boss us about." Phillip muttered. Louis smiled.
"Believe me, Master Boot, I incur my own style of rule-abiding." he replied.
"More like rule-breaking." 'Meda whispered loudly. Her cheek earned her a mock-glare from Louis as he pulled the Cloak out of 'Meda's robes.
"Under the Cloak, you three. Ickle firsties aren't supposed to be out this late."
'Meda, Joan and Phillip sent the part-Veela looks of venom.
"We can explain that." Louis was shocked that they said it in unison, but didn't show it.
"I'm sure there's a good reason." he laughed. The triad went to bed that night cursing part-Veelas. Monday 19th was eventful, with a rather odd Potions lesson. After an accident, 'Meda's brew exploded, so vicious sludge was split everywhere and Joan and Phillip were covered in boils.
"Go to the Headmistress' office, Potter." Professor Nott hissed in a deadly silky voice. 'Meda hung her head and went to McGonagall's office. When Nott's attention had refocused on the class, Phillip and Joan followed their comrade - it seemed logical.
"Shortbread." Joan said. The gargoyle sprung open, and the triad went up. "Potter, Corner, Boot. What are you three doing here, may I ask?" McGonagall asked. "Professor, we had an accident in Potions." Phillip said. McGonagall's eyebrows shot up.
"Then, Master Boot, you and Miss Corner should be in the Hospital Wing." she replied curtly.
"If tradition continues Minerva, a Potter will always have friends to back them up." came the snide voice of one Severus Snape. 'Meda looked at Snape's portrait.
"I am proudly following that tradition, Professor Snape." she said with a smile. McGonagall cleared her throat.
"Why were you summoned to my office?" she asked.
"The reason being is that Professor Nott ordered us. Well, ordered me. Joan and Phillip came willingly. My potion exploded and caused Joan and Phillip some harm. Sorry guys." 'Meda explained, turning her head to say the last two words. McGonagall looked thoughtful.
"It seems that Professor Nott's judgement was a bit faulty. I must say though" she said with a laugh "that you seem to be a natural for causing incidents."
At McGonagall's comment, Snape made a small, dispraging noise.
"Is there a problem with that?" 'Meda said with an edge to her voice - her father was right, Snape did have a nasty side, even if he was probably the bravest man Harry ever knew.
"The so-called problem" Snape hissed waspishly "is that I thought you would be different, Miss Potter. You are, after all, a Ravenclaw, and the first Potter in four generations not to be Sorted into Gryffindor." the portrait finished. 'Meda's face was coloured brightly.
"It was inheriting my mother's wisdom that got me where I am, although I am very brave and rebellious." she said defensively. Snape mumbled something like 'spoken like a true Potter'.
"Come now, Severus. Harry fought to have your portrait here. The best thing to do is to show his daughter some decency." Albus Dumbledore's portrait said. A reedy voice cut in.
"Hmm. Although if you saw the way the Potters treat Grimmauld Place, Albus, you might change your mind." Phineas Nigellus muttered. 'Meda smiled, and the other two had to supress giggles - Luna's prank at Christmas was still fresh in their minds.
"Anyway, I will talk to Professor Nott and try to convince him it was an accident." McGonagall proclaimed with the faintest of grins, shooing them off. Madam Pomfrey was a tad annoyed that Joan and Phillip hadn't come to the Hospital Wing straight away.
"If it had been just a broken nose I would have cured them myself." 'Meda said in a meek voice. Madam Pomfrey sighed.
"At least you're not following in your father's footsteps in injuries." she chuckled. That night, 'Meda went for a late-night stroll under the Cloak. Stumbling across the Trophy Room, she unearthed Harry and Ron's awards. She was shocked. She cornered Rose at break the following day.
"Rosie! Rosie! You have to come and see this!" the Ravenclaw exclaimed. Rose found herself being dragged off to the trophy room.
"Look!" 'Meda pointed at the awards. Rose's jaw dropped. Special Awards for Services to the School awarded to Harry Potter and Ron Weasley for demolishing the threat of the Chamber of Secrets. Rose shook her head.
"Whoa. What..." she trailed, shell-shocked. 'Meda supressed a smirk.
"You'd think our parents' live quite comfortably off those Merlins anyway." she said. A flutter of parchment hitting the floor was heard.
"Curse you, Boot!" Joan's voice could be heard.
"Oh lord." 'Meda said. "I know you two are using the Map." she said. Joan and Phillip emerged.
"We were looking for you." they chorused - then paused to look at the trophies. When they saw Harry and Ron's awards they staggered. The triad may have come under fire from Louis, but they soon did an act that was worthy of Prefects - making sure a student didn't do a supreme wrong-doing.
They had to double back at Potions on February 28th, and caught Carly Simon in the act.
"Oh dear, we are in trouble." Phillip chimed. Carly paled - her plan was done for. "It's not what you think!" she exclaimed. 'Meda's eyes shone, and she shook her head.
"Hmm... I think we've gotten lucky." she said with a laugh. All the colour drained out of Carly's face quicker than you could say 'Vane'.
"If you must know, I'm slipping up in Potions. I thought I'd have a quick dash of Felix Felicis." she stuttered. 'Meda smirked.
"I thought so. Lucky I can do Legilimency on a minor level. Since I'm a compassionate person, I won't tell. But if you put one foot wrong again, I'll go to Professor Longbottom." she uttered. At the mention of her Head of House, Carly twitched.
"All right, all right..." she whispered, putting the Felix back. That night, 'Meda wrote a letter to Harry about the adventrous Potions-related brand of justice. Dear Dad, I ran into Carly Simon after Professor Nott's lesson. She was trying to smuggle some Felix Felicis. Didn't Romilda Vane smuggle a Potion once? I fear Carly may be following in her mother's footsteps. Give my love to Mum, Ginny, and all the Weasleys. Love, 'Meda.
Back at Grimmauld Place, Harry was resting on the sofa. Astraea hooted and he got up. By the end of 'Meda's letter, he was holding himself for fear of crying with laughter. He grabbed some parchment, and wrote back. Dear 'Meda, yes, Romilda did smuggle a potion. She slipped some Armortentia into Ron's Chocolate Cauldrons. Well, he said they were his. Romilda really meant to get me. But Ron insisted they were a birthday present, and being Ron, scoffed the lot. The funniest thing is tomorrow it'll be twenty-one years since that incident. Love Dad. 'Meda rolled her eyes. How many girls had been hung up on her father, just because he was the Boy-Who-Lived? It was a bit frightening. The next day when the triad were walking to the Hall from Ravenclaw Tower, a draft hit them. They shivered a bit.
"Oof, it's a bit nippy." Phillip muttered. 'Meda nodded.
"It is quite freezing." she agreed. Joan's teeth chattered.
"It's r-r-ruddy B-BONE CH-CH-CHILLING!" she exclaimed. Phillip and 'Meda both just burst out laughing - Joan was never that forward with words. The Great Hall had turned into an ice rink of sorts - almost everywhere was an icy blue. McGonagall's face was like stone at the Head Table.
"Will the culprit come forward?" she hissed.
A mocha-coloured body in Gryffindor robes trembled. Said body was then followed by her brother. 'Meda grumbled - she knew it. Fred and Roxanne trotted to the front of the Hall. Where they promptly got their ears chewed off by the Headmistress in front of the whole school. The lion Quidditch team suddenly found itself without Beaters for a week. Elizabeth Sloper and Jerry Coote didn't exactly make excellent subs, but sometimes you just had to make do with what you had. Dom Weasley, the Hufflepuff Seeker, was grinning at this. Indeed, Hufflepuff trampled Gryffindor at the next match. After the 'Puff victory, Roxanne was in a towering temper, and unfortunately Dom got the worst of it. The mocha-skinned Weasley knew how to hold a grudge for a fairly long time, and soon an ugly incident occured where the Seeker crashed into a wall. Dominique, being quite light and fairly tiny for a fifth-year, broke a lot of her bones when Roxanne hexed her into the wall, and Louis, seeing his sister sprawled out like that, took her to the Hospital Wing, levitating her a bit - she was barely conscious. Dom woke up to see 'Meda, Joan, Phillip and Louis peering at her with anxiety.
"Hey Dom." 'Meda smiled, grasping her godcousin's hand to comfort her. Dominique squeaked.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you, Miss Potter." Madam Pomfrey said.
"Miss Weasley has at least forty bones broken." she continued. Dom's throat went dry.
"Oh my..." the patient moaned. Madam Pomfrey nodded gravely. As she walked away, a familiar spark of blue hair emerged.
"Ted-dy!" Dom croaked, coughing. Teddy rushed over.
"Hi Dommy." he said, cradling her slight frame. Dom blushed.
"Don't c-call me that!" she demanded, before breaking into a large coughing fit. Teddy sat down, maneuvering Dominique so her head rested on his chest. She sighed contentedly.
"So, how's the Auror course coming?" 'Meda asked. Teddy smiled.
"It's fine. I keep myself to myself and go along without leg-ups." he chuckled.
"Being the department Head's godson helps you get through." Joan smirked. Teddy mock-glared at her.
"What did I just say about no leg-ups, Miss Corner?" he hissed. 'Meda grabbed a flannel.
"Augamenti!" she proclaimed, wringing the flannel of the drips. She folded it and put it on Dominique's head. This caused a moan of 'thanks' from the wounded patient.
"Teddy, I didn't think you'd visit just for me." Dominique said. Teddy's hair flashed a rainbow.
"There are two Hogwarts girls I would cut corners for, because they mean everything to me." he smirked. 'Meda pouted - he obviously meant Victoire and Dominique. How dare he! She was his godsister!
"'Meda, I know what you're thinking. Yes, I'm dating Victoire, but you and Dom will always be my super-special girls." Teddy said, his eyes sparkling. This resulted in friendly kisses from his super-special girls. 'Meda and Dom grinned, and Joan and Phillip sniggered when they saw Teddy's cheeks burn.
"No doubt that Vic is nailing Roxanne right now." he said. Dom's smile was one of satisfaction.
"Speaking of nailing people, Madam Pomfrey will nail you if you don't drink your Skele-Gro." the Metamorph finished, hugging her loosely, giving the triad a wave, and exiting. Dominique inhaled - part-Veela or not, she couldn't handle this.
"Down it quick." Phillip said. Dom did so, grabbing the flannel in her other hand. She didn't need it, luckily. Joan patted her back. Dominique coughed, and Joan slipped her hand back - a shock had gone through it.
"Holy mother of Merlin, Dominique..." she hissed. Dominique raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?" she asked. Joan inhaled.
"Well, to put it bluntly, you. It's just... you seem so frail... and if a newbie like me can say that about a fifth-year, then there's something wrong." she said, her expressive eyes full of sympathy. Dom laughed lightly.
"It's just the impact of the wall to my spine, I suppose." she said. Phillip chuckled.
"Just get better, alright?" he said. Dom nodded, winking at him. Later in the RoR, 'Meda and Joan were smirking at Phillip.
"What?" he sighed. 'Meda hiccoughed.
"Subtle winks..." Joan muttered, laughing. Phillip turned the faintest trace of pink.
"I- wha- you're crazy!" he exclaimed. The girls clutched their hearts.
"We're wounded, Paisley!" 'Meda said.
"Dom is part-Veela. And I think-" but Phillip blew a raspberry, stopping the silver-eyed girl's speech. 'Meda cleared her throat.
"And I think she's worked her magic on you." she continued.
"And I think that you, Andromeda Ginevra Potter, are completely and utterly out of your freaking mind." Phillip growled. Joan started to sing mockingly.
"Phillip's crushing on Dominique! Phillip's crushing on Dominique..." she hummed. Phillip brandished his wand.
"I am not! Three reasons: one, she's four years my senior - two, I'm too young to have crushes - and three-" but Joan cut him off.
"-she's devastatingly purty?" she sighed dreamily, obviously mimicking a lovestruck personality. Phillip harrumphed.
"And three, it was just a wink. Her Veela blood must have been pumping extra hard to get in sync with the Skele-Gro." he finished. The girls laughed.
"We were joking, Paisley. We know you're not lusting after her. After seven months you should know what we're like." they chorused. Phillip sighed. 'Meda flourished the töfa ring.
"And you know we'll be friends forever." she said. On April 16th - Quidditch matches and lessons did occupy time; a surprising chunk had flown by since the ice rink prank - Roxanne received a red letter. She glanced at Neville at the staff table, who was looking at her with no mercy in his usually kind face. The letter started to smoke.
"ROXANNE GEORGINA WEASLEY! HOW DARE YOU HEX YOUR COUSIN INTO A WALL!" Angelina Weasley's voice rung throughout the Hall. The Gryffindors were stunned - the table was violently shaking because of the reverb on Angelina's voice.
"YOU'RE LUCKY I'M THE ONE SCOLDING YOU! JUST IMAGINE WHAT YOUR AUNT FLEUR WOULD BE SCREAMING AT YOU FOR HURTING DOM! YOU ARE IN SOOOO MUCH TROUBLE! MCGONAGALL WAS RIGHT TO STRIP YOUR QUIDDITCH PRIVILEGES!" And with that, the Howler unfurled into pieces. Roxanne looked like she'd been hit with Petrificus Totalus.
"Oops..." Joan whispered. Roxanne learnt the error of her ways and her bond with Dominique repaired quickly. Back at Grimmauld Place a couple of days later, Harry dipped his quill in an ink pot, pondering over what to write for this letter he had in his head. He decided quickly.
Dear Dudley, how are you? Listen, I know we've been reuniting through letters, and I'd like to meet face-to-face again after all this time. And not just you. Petunia as well. Listen, is two weeks today a good date? Because you mentioned you're on sabbatical. I have a lot to settle on that day, and I'd like to visit then. Can you tell me whether you can convince Petunia? Let me know whether it's 'safe' to come to 4 Privet Drive then. Harry. P.S. Write your reply on paper and attach to the owl's leg - she'll know to send it back to me. Harry laughed as he finished the letter. 'Safe' had been the right word to use. He really wanted to rebuild the bridge with the Dursleys - despite everything, they were family.
"What are you doing?" Luna's voice asked. Harry put the letter in the envelope and wrote Dudley Dursley on it. Hedwig II took off out of the window. Luna gave Harry a glance as if to say Harry James Potter you are so in for it you lovable lout! Harry laughed - after all these years he could still tell what Luna said by glances - they'd have whole conversations with just facial expressions sometimes.
"What?" Luna pouted. Harry laughed some more.
"It's... Merlin, Lu. The soul bond we've developed means I can tell what you're thinking by your facial expression." he chortled. Luna laughed with him.
"If you must know I've been writing to my cousin Dudley. I thought two weeks from now would be a good time to finally reconnect." Harry continued. Luna nodded gravely - this May 2nd would hit hard for sure. It seemed unbelievable that it was twenty years this year since the Final Battle. Since May 2nd was a public holiday, the students were excused from lessons if it happened to fall on a weekday, but remained at Hogwarts anyway. With 'Meda being Harry's daughter and everything, Neville made up an arrangement which he said would stand for her whole seven years at the castle - after the lessons on May 1st, 'Meda would Floo home to Grimmauld Place to stay there until just before breakfast of May 3rd. He had to fight Penelope Clearwater and McGonagall to do it, but he won. And so after lessons on May 1st (when it rolled around), 'Meda had Flooed home with Neville in tow. Luna hugged them both.
"It's so good to see you two!" she exclaimed.
"How's Ginny doing?" Neville asked. Luna rolled her eyes. Neville... she thought.
"Gin's doing fine." she replied.
"No crazed hormone swings?" Neville asked.
"Harry and I have to try and calm down when she gets edgy." Luna muttered. Neville mumbled a meek 'sorry'. Luna laughed.
"How's Ginny coming to Hogwarts tomorrow?" 'Meda asked.
"By very careful Side-Along." Luna said.
AN: I think half of the chapter was great work, and at the same time, the remainder was quite weak. But it's a good chapter overall. Joan guessing about Stewart Ackerley being a former 'Claw was completely true. He was the first Ravenclaw in his year was he was Sorted in Goblet. It's shocking how many characters turn up over the course of HP, even if it's being mentioned just once. I figured 'why not resurrect a few, or invent their kids?'. That's why Elizabeth Coote and Jerry Sloper turn up - they are Ritchie Coote's daughter and Kirk Sloper's son. The 8th chapter has the reunion to commerate the twentieth anniversary of the Final Battle amongst its sequences. Expect some familiar faces and salt being rubbed in old wounds when that scene comes, along with other memorable events.