Varying Shades of Blue
Author Note: Am I Joanne Kathleen Rowling? Nope. It's not mine, then. Writer's block is a truly terrible disease... anyway, the tense atmosphere of the last chapter lingers throughout but it's all merry at the end! This chapter's title is a spoof of a song title - trying to figure out. Joan mentions the actual title subliminally somewhere.
A week after the reunion, a particularly sunny day for May 9th, 'Meda walked down to breakfast.
"Hey Heaton." Phillip greeted her. 'Meda smiled.
"Where's Joan?" she asked.
"She must be having a slight lay-in. She did say she was feeling a tad off-colour last night." Phillip replied.
"I'll get her up." 'Meda beamed. Phillip shook his head.
"This is Joan Eleanor Corner we're dealing with, 'Meda." he laughed. 'Meda rolled her eyes.
"Watch me work my magic, Phillip Christian Boot." she remarked. Phillip made a face when 'Meda mentioned his middle name. The silver-eyed girl laughed, then ate her morning meal. "Time to see if someone slipped Joan a Sleeping Potion." she said. Phillip chuckled.
"Just don't be late for Herbology." he proclaimed.
"Pffft! I'm the Professor's goddaughter! You know as much as I do that Neville will let me slide!" 'Meda chirped, skipping away in a manner worthy of her mother. She knocked on the first-year girls' dorm door, and didn't hear anything. "Joan? Are you there?" 'Meda pondered, opening the door. She heard a cough.
"'Meda? Is that you?" a shaky voice quavered. The rustling of a quilt, and Joan's head emerged from underneath. 'Meda walked over. She gasped. Joan was chalk-white.
"You're burning up!" 'Meda exclaimed, feeling Joan's forehead. Joan sneezed.
"I feel like dragon dung." she moaned.
"You said you were feeling a bit peaky, but something tells me you were putting on a brave face last night." 'Meda sighed. Joan nodded weakly.
"Listen, it's Herbology first thing-" but the black-haired girl stopped.
"Oh Merlin! I'm going to miss Herbology!" Joan exclaimed, shooting upright. With a painful groan she crashed back down onto the bed. 'Meda suddenly looked stern. Joan's jaw twitched - she knew her friend was concerned, but sternness didn't suit her.
"Stellacain, you're not going to any lessons today." 'Meda said in a soothing tone. "I mean, look at you. All the colour's positively drained out of you, you have a killer temperature, and it seems as though you'd have trouble getting up." the silver-eyed girl finished.
"Not to mention this cold." Joan coughed before sneezing promptly.
"Exactly. Listen, I really have to go, but do you want some soup to calm you down?" 'Meda asked tenderly. Joan nodded, her teal eyes watery.
"My tear ducts are playing up." she coughed. 'Meda suddenly rummaged around in her trunk.
"Just some spare robes of mine." she explained, and placed them in their folded state onto Joan's bedstand. "If you want to get out of those pajamas, put them on."
"Thank you Heaton, you're a saint. A complete saint, you know that?" Joan beamed, her laugh leading into a cough.
"Oh no, Joan. You're the saint." 'Meda grinned. Joan smiled - she sort of knew what 'Meda was referring to. The silver-eyed Ravenclaw summoned a house-elf to serve Joan some chicken noodle soup on a tray. "Go at your own pace, OK. Hope you improve." 'Meda said, waving. "I would come over and give you a comforting hug, but I don't want your cold." she clarified sympathetically.
"It's fine 'Meda. Go on." Joan smiled. 'Meda picked up her trunk, and with a final wave, bade Joan goodbye. In a few minutes she was at Herbology.
"Just in time." Neville's voice called. 'Meda turned to face her beaming godfather.
"Hmm!" she laughed.
"But where is the witty and loyal Miss Corner?" Neville asked.
"She's feeling a bit queasy, so she'll be absent." 'Meda replied, sitting down at a desk. Neville took the register and set the class on their task.
"So I'm guessing no-one slipped Stellacain a potion then?" Phillip queried under the class noise. 'Meda shook her head.
"I'm afraid not. The poor dear's really under the weather. Sneezing, coughing and her's temperature's through the roof!" 'Meda replied.
Phillip looked depressed at hearing that. Lessons passed and after a brief lunch, he and 'Meda walked up to the Ravenclaw Common Room. What met their eyes was Joan wrapped up in her duvet, the soup tray on her lap and she was surrounded by tissues.
"Phillip!" she exclaimed, coughing. Phillip patted her on the back.
"'Meda told me about your predicament, Joan. Why didn't you tell us in full instead of putting on a brave face?"
"I didn't want to worry you." Joan muttered. "So I gathered my non-existent courage."
"Non-existent? Stellacain, listen-" Phillip said, but Joan had more.
"Paisley, don't say that I'm brave. I'm not. You two have some guts. I don't. Underneath my intelligence is a shadow of cowardice." she trailed, sadness in her voice.
"More like a shadow of undying loyalty to those closest to you." 'Meda said, her voice firm. Joan's lip trembled. "I'm not mad, just trying to get my point across. Don't make something up like 'Phillip and I have courage because we've got Gryff blood', because you have a heart most would die for." 'Meda finished, beaming. Next she was laughing because Joan was engulfing her in a gigantic hug.
"Thanks, Heaton. You always cheer me up." Joan grinned. 'Meda smiled her head off.
"Merlin, Stellacain, you make it sound like my mother's gift of comforting people is genetic." she said. Joan laughed then coughed.
"Oh believe me, I know you both well enough to know that the gift is genetic." she choked, her throat going dry. Phillip conjured a glass of strawberry juice.
"Down it quick." he said, passing the glass to Joan. 'Meda laughed.
"Déjà vu." she chuckled. Joan clicked.
"Don't expect a wink from me, Mr. Boot!" she smiled. Phillip nodded curtly, but it was a joyous guise.
"Mmm... that worked a fair bit." Joan said after drinking the glass. Her throat felt a bit better, but she was still duvet-ridden.
"I always find a glass of strawberry juice can help stress, and it seemed like a good remedy for your throat." Phillip grinned.
"Did Neville let me off homework?" Joan asked. 'Meda grinned.
"He did. He almost did the same for me. I guess it's his parental instinct kicking in, and he always said I'm like a daughter to him anyway." she smiled.
"I thought once Ginny had gone you wouldn't get special treatment anymore." Phillip chuckled. 'Meda looked at him. Phillip's face showed nervousness.
"'Meda, dear friend, please don't hex me." he whispered. 'Meda laughed a firm yet melodic chuckle.
"Oh please Paisley. I don't have a gift for hexes. Charms, definitely. But not hexes. Nevertheless, I'm sure my unyielding enthusiasm would be sorely missed." she said, a very slight twitch in her facial muscles.
"I'm guessing that particular sentence means a lot to you." Joan said, putting her arm around 'Meda. 'Meda nodded.
"See Joan? You're a great person with your mix of Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff blood. The snippet 'Caring wife, devoted mother and adventurous researcher. Your kind soul and unyielding enthusiasm are sorely missed' is my grandmother's epitaph." the silver-eyed girl proclaimed. Joan and Phillip chorused 'Awww' in harmony. 'Meda smiled back in appreciation, then glanced at her watch.
"Damn." she cursed. "Potions." she continued, answering the others' looks.
"Come on then, before Nott gives you detention." Phillip muttered darkly.
"But-" Joan started. Phillip looked back at her.
"You can't risk sneezing and coughing all over the potions, Stellacain." he said. "Besides, Nott wouldn't like it if a student turned up in their dressing-gown." he finished, smirking. Joan was blank, but her mind was working up a comeback plan. Phillip laughed.
"I'll get you, Paisley. Be on the watch." Joan whispered with a tone.
"Sure. Stop using that tone and I'll believe you." Phillip replied. "I wasn't using a tone." Joan countered. "Can we go before Nott grills us?" 'Meda asked hurriedly. Phillip sighed and exited with 'Meda.
Later on the trio were strolling the corridors in mixed spirits. On one side, Joan's cough had gone, and her teal eyes had their usual joyful light back. On the other side, the other two smelt unholy. Scorpius Malfoy had tipped his cauldron and the Ravenclaws just escaped. Scorpius had hissed 'careful, Potter' in a mocking tone, Phillip had wanted to hex him, but 'Meda's compassion had kicked in and she stopped her friend from getting in trouble. Phillip had complained, but 'Meda wore him down. After being told this anecdote, Joan said that 'Meda a 'mystical power'. The silver-eyed girl face-palmed at this.
"Tell you what, I'll take a shower. This stench is really getting to me." she said.
"It might be the split potion causing the mystical power." Joan quipped. 'Meda face-palmed again.
"Joan Corner, you are without a doubt the most abstract person I have ever met." she sighed comically.
"Your mother is Luna Potter née Lovegood. I wouldn't talk." Joan fired back.
"There's no use bickering over split potion." Phillip laughed. The girls laughed along with this.
"Inventive spin on the old Muggle saying, Paisley." 'Meda said. One Flying lesson later on in the month, the triad were working hard.
"Come on, Joan. Three laps." Katie Bell's voice was calm yet commanding. Joan kicked off the ground, did a lap, and suddenly crashed. This happened three times, and Katie knew something was up.
'Meda's eyes scanned the scene. The Slytherins were fingering their wands.
"Do you think it's because I don't have any Quidditch background?" Joan asked. 'Meda shook her head.
"No." she said, her voice unusually low.
"What do you mean?" Phillip asked.
"I mean that the stinger may rebound." she joked cryptically.
"And you call me abstract." Joan said. Katie noticed their conversation.
"What's going on?"
"Katie, I think if you follow Joan's broom progress and Scorpius Malfoy's wand at the same time you'll find something." 'Meda said. Katie did so. Shock dawned on her. Scorpius was hexing Joan's broom. The young Malfoy was given detention quicker than he could blink.
"I swear he's his father all over again." Katie mumbled as the lesson ended. 'Meda walked off pondering Katie had said, a thoughtful expression on her thin face.
"I'm sure Draco Malfoy annoyed Katie greatly in the past." Joan mused.
The morning after, 'Meda was walking through the corridors after the last lesson - the others had to stay back.
"Well isn't this a nice surprise." a familiar voice drawled. Scorpius looked evilly happy, if such a thing made sense. 'Meda sighed.
"What do you want?"
"Look Andromeda, you ratted me out. And I don't take it well when people do such things." the Slytherin growled.
'Meda reached for her wand, but Scorpius was quicker, and socked her one. Strutting away, he grinned maliciously. 'Meda was left on the floor, leaning onto the wall. Joan and Phillip soon noticed their friend in said state when they reached her.
"What happened?" Joan asked anxiously.
"Scorpius Malfoy." 'Meda moaned, struggling to fight the pressure in her chest.
"Why don't you Episkey your nose?" Phillip pondered.
"I'm trying to get my breathing stable before doing it." 'Meda hissed in pain.
"'Meda, we love your logical brain, but sometimes logic should bow to impulse." Phillip said, handing her a Chocolate Frog.
"Oh, thanks Paisley." 'Meda grinned. "Oh, chocolate..." she breathed. Phillip fixed her nose. All the chest pressure went, and 'Meda could breathe clearly. With this, she wolfed down the chocolate. "Mmmm!" she laughed.
"You sound like Teddy." Joan laughed.
"It was more Remus who had the chocolate obsession, apparently." 'Meda chuckled back. "Merlin, I felt so blue when Scorpius injured me." she sighed.
"Blue can also represent a clear sky." Joan pointed out, smiling, and walking awkwardly in soft steps, as 'Meda was leaning on her. "Try to think of a deeper shade of blue."
"Stellacain, you know I get up early. I don't really see a night sky before my body sends me to sleep." 'Meda laughed.
"Levicorpus." Joan whispered. Phillip stammered in surprise as he was hoisted upside down. "Revenge." Joan grinned.
"Joan, let me down. Now." Phillip muttered.
"Rose was in this situation at Christmas, as you guys know, so I can let you down Paisley." 'Meda smiled kindly. She muttered 'Liberacorpus' and Phillip landed on his feet.
"I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Joan said, tapping her wand on the Map. She and Phillip could use the Map, as long as they told 'Meda beforehand. Only Miss Potter could use the Cloak though. "Scorpius is far away, so let's get to the RoR to cool off in case he decides to come back." Joan proclaimed. 'Meda nodded, tenseness going through her veins - she barely felt such emotion. She suddenly remembered what she'd told Rose earlier in the year. Deep breaths. Count down from five.
"Five, four, three, two, one." she exhaled. After an hour in the Room, the triad were back in business.
"I solemnly swear I need some food." Phillip said seriously. The girls burst into howls of laughter. "I was being serious!" Phillip continued at a slightly higher pitch, but this made 'Meda split her sides.
"C'mon you two, let's go down to the kitchens." Joan laughed, musing about her two friends' banter. The triad met some familiar faces in the kitchens.
"What on earth are you two doing here?" 'Meda queried. Rose and Raymond shrugged.
"Popping down for a snack." they replied in unison. 'Meda couldn't help but smirk.
"'Meda, your face..." Raymond trailed. 'Meda felt her nose, and it clicked back. Phillip looked sheepish.
"I'm not very good with that spell." he admitted.
"Broken nose?" Rose pondered. 'Meda nodded. "It wasn't a result of another hair-brained scheme you three did, was it?" Rose joked. Phillip fake-glared.
"Rose Weasley! 'Meda, Joan and I may get up to the occasional hi-jinx, but we are innocent. I don't know if we will become this generation's version of Harry, Ron and Hermione - only time will tell with that." he gasped then proclaimed.
"Innocent! Ha!" Rose scoffed.
"Anyway Rosie, my broken nose was the result of an... unfortunate... encounter with Scorpius Malfoy." 'Meda sighed.
"I'll hex him to death, I swear." Rose growled.
"Wow, the Weasley spirit finally comes out in little Rose!" Raymond joked.
"Oh, did my display of temper Confound you, McLaggen?" Rose joked back. The triad groaned promptly at this.
"You already pranked him. You'd think he'd learnt his lesson." Raymond said. 'Meda shook her head sadly.
"He hasn't." she whispered. "Phillip, watch out. He's gotten through to Joan and me now."
"'Meda, honey, calm down." Rose soothed. After a good night sleep, the triad woke up to see the Ravenclaw-Hufflepuff Quidditch match.
"I could whoop them all." Roxanne Weasley mumbled.
"Roxie, let it go. McGonagall can't be that strict with Gryffindors." 'Meda encouraged.
"Ask your dad, Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione." Roxanne replied, a twinkle in her eye. A vaguely familiar voice sounded, and the grounds erupted in cheers.
"Why does that voice sound vaguely familiar?" 'Meda pondered. Phillip rolled his eyes.
"'Meda, look." he gestured forward. 'Meda's eyes popped. Eleanor Branstone, the Harpies Beater, was refereeing the game. "Goodness knows how that happened." Phillip muttered.
"I have a pretty good idea how." 'Meda smiled.
"What's going on?" Roxanne and Joan asked.
"Eleanor Branstone's refereeing this match." Phillip said, a flash of fake irritation in his eyes. Roxanne's jaw dropped.
"The Eleanor Branstone? I idolise that woman!" she exclaimed. Phillip sighed.
"Roxie, my mother's a Harpie as well. Besides, I thought you'd get less flustered. Your Aunt Ginny used to be on the team." he finished.
"To be perfectly honest, Roxie, Demelza turns into a normal person when you meet her. Besides, akin to what Phillip just said, your family have their fair share of fame, you know." Joan said, trying not to laugh. 'Meda was not so lucky, and ended up giggling promptly.
"You do know I've met Eleanor, right Roxie?" she chuckled. Roxanne's eyes bugged out.
"You WHAT?" she squeaked.
"Yes, about three years ago." 'Meda laughed.
"Good Merlin..." Joan whispered jokingly.
"Don't you start, Corner." Roxanne teased. Joan traced an oval around her head with her finger. Phillip laughed, and 'Meda snickered.
"Doubt that." Roxanne pouted. Joan gasped.
"'Meda, Phillip, back me up." she supplied.
"You do have a clean record Joan." 'Meda retorted.
"Ha!" Joan stuck her tongue out at Roxanne - the halo had been justified. Eleanor's commentary was fun, and the Harpie did a lap of honour with the Hufflepuffs, who had won the match. 'Meda, Phillip and Roxanne had wanted to groan, but a look from Joan had quickly shut 'Meda and Phillip up on the double. It is unwise to tangle with Susan Bones' daughter 'Meda thought - Joan had done the look because Susan had been one of the so-called stars of Hufflepuff. Besides, Joan could had sworn Eleanor had given 'Meda and Phillip both the tiniest of grins as she passed them. The month of June came with blistering sunshine, and back in the adults' lives, light-hearted chaos was beginning to reign. At least, at Longbottom Manor.
"I'll bet you Paige will kick up a fuss, literally, and come early." Ginny grinned. Luna sighed comically.
"I still can't believe 'Meda was born on your birthday." she huffed in jest.
"I still can't believe what you named her." Ginny joked back.
"I wanted to honour my mother, and you're my very best friend, so easy come, easy go." Luna said neutrally.
"She's really a combination of you and Harry, Lu. You know that. 'Meda's got your kindness and brains along with Harry's courage." Ginny said.
"And not the emotional range of teaspoon, thank Merlin." Luna joked. Ginny snorted - that quote from Hermione to Ron was still classic after all these years.
"But I'd also like to think she also has traits of her namesakes too." Luna continued. Ginny raised an eyebrow.
"You knew your mother best, Lu, so you can judge that. But what has 'Meda got in common with me?" she queried. Luna laughed.
"You're kidding, right? Gin, you're pretty much her second mother, and her natural cheeky side wouldn't be there if she hadn't gotten it from you." Luna half-scolded, half-joked.
"I guess you're right." Ginny grinned. "'Meda's got that love for astronomy from you and Harry, though." the redhead continued. Luna blushed.
"After all this time?" Ginny laughed.
"Always. You spoilt a private moment between me and Harry!" Luna pouted. "Nay." Ginny replied. "Ginevra Molly Longbottom!" Luna groaned half-heartedly.
"Hey!" Ginny exclaimed.
"I swear, I'm at my wit's end with you!" Luna punned, smiling serenely at her best friend.
"Wit beyond measure..." the pregnant redhead began, grinning like a sixteen-year-old. Luna clunked her head on the table in fake frustration. Ginny snickered as she heard a rather muffled 'ow!' from the blonde.
"It's funny to think that Paige will be born two weeks before the school year ends." Ginny mused.
"Neville will have two weeks off then, and not complete a year as a teacher." Luna said.
"We talked about that, actually. It's his choice. Paige is due on a Friday, so Nev can take paternity leave then." Ginny proclaimed.
"'Paternity leave.'" Luna chuckled, making air quotes.
"I know. I'm a character. Jokes aside, if Nev does take time off, they'll bring in a former Herbology student as a supply." Ginny smiled.
"Maybe Hannah Macmillan?" Luna joked. Ginny's teeth were bared.
"Don't mention that pesky blonde." she muttered.
"C'mon Gin, Hannah didn't have a thing for Neville for very long. Far as I know it was a little crush during their fifth year." Luna consoled. Ginny sighed.
"Some crushes take their happy twists and turn into full marriages in the end. Like you and Harry." the redhead teased, elbowing Luna. Luna turned pink, thinking of when she loved her golden Gryffindor from afar back in her fourth and fifth year.
"Or actually, now I come to think of it, like Terry Boot's affection for Demelza, even though he didn't tell her until a year after the War." the former Ravenclaw thought out loud. Ginny reflected about that.
"Terry did often turn up at Gryffindor practices in our O.W.L year. I remember him brooding viciously in the shadows after Ron nearly led Delms to tears." she recited.
"Isn't it weird how Phillip ended up becoming 'Meda's friend?" Luna pondered. Ginny nodded.
"There's a fair amount of history that runs deep." she laughed lightly. The two adults had no idea that the Ravenclaw triad had been thinking about fairly deep history of the previous generation. Back at Hogwarts, Rose Hermione Weasley was on a mission. A seemingly silly mission.
"Hey! What are you doing here?" Phillip pondered.
"I do have some brains, Boot." Rose smirked, walking into the 'Claw common room.
"Moving on." she continued, firing a Reducto at Joan and Phillip's chess pieces, focusing on obliterating the board. Phillip, luckily, saved it by moving it super-quick.
"Damn!" Rose cursed. "Inborn Quidditch reflexes..." she muttered. Phillip bowed while 'Meda and Joan cheered. "Anyway, you three should be studying!" Rose near-whined - the mission was to get the triad back on track.
"We've covered it all." Joan said almost lazily. "Exploding Snap, Heaton?" she invited.
"Sure." 'Meda beamed. Rose groaned - those three were clever, but they had to know it all for the exams!
AN: Rose trying to destroy the chess board! *gasp* Ron would be ashamed! Scorpius should learn by now that you should never mess with 'Meda, Joan and Phillip - because they'll always have each other's backs! Ginny and Luna's talk was fun to write - I really do love their friendship, and it's interesting to see how it would have strengthened as the years went on. Next chapter emotions will flow as very soon Ginny's off to St. Mungo's to have Paige - and the first-years will face their end-of-year exams. When Joan laughed at 'Meda's remark 'Oh no, Joan. You're the saint' it was because she knew 'Meda was referencing Joan of Arc. Funnily enough, I named Miss Corner after the French heroine when I created her character.
