Nova's Universe

Chapter 21 (2016-2027)

Luna Dora (2016)

Studying in the Great Hall was proving to be a challenge. The ever-present tension between Victoire and Teddy, ever since his break-up, made focusing nearly impossible. I glanced up at Teddy's perpetually magenta hair and rolled my eyes. Victoire scooted closer, accidentally bumping his arm as he scribbled notes. Their oblivious flirting was driving me insane. I was one dragon scale away from smacking their heads together. Trying to stifle a sigh, I returned to my textbook.

"Dora, I heard you roll your eyes."

"Just sighed, Victoire," I muttered, rolling my eyes for real this time. Were my parents this frustratingly blind when they were young? How did Tulip, Penny, and Tonks tolerate it without smacking them together?

"Hey Teddy, mind if we chat for a sec?" One of Teddy's classmates approached.

"Sure," Teddy said, standing up with a hint of relief, I was sure.

"Nice hair, by the way." Victoire tensed beside me at the compliment his mate gave him.

"What's been your problem for the past week?" Victoire whispered once Teddy was out of earshot.

"Nothing, Victoire. Drop it." I gritted my teeth.

"I thought you'd be happy Teddy and I are hanging out more now that he's single?"

"I'd be happier if you two could actually grow a pair of eyes," I retorted, raising an eyebrow.

"Stop it, Dora. I'm not confessing my feelings." Victoire sighed dramatically.

"Maybe you should. It's the end of the school year, his last year... you know?"

"No, Dora. Don't push me. This hair colour thing still confuses me."

An idea popped into my head. I grabbed Victoire's shoulders and turned her to face Teddy, who was just returning.

"Hey Teddy," I said with a wink. "What's the deal with the magenta hair? Any hidden meaning?"

Victoire's voice trembled as she echoed my question, "What does it mean?"

"You know exactly what the magenta means, Luna," Teddy hissed, his cheeks flushing crimson.

Victoire gasped, whirling on me. "You know? You said you don't know!"

"You asked her?" Teddy countered, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. He couldn't think she didn't notice.

"Yes, and it's been freaking me out," Victoire admitted.

"Why?" Teddy's voice dropped, tinged with sadness. He acted as if she was supposed to decipher some secret message.

"Because it only happens when you're around me! Do I make you uncomfortable, Teddy? Is it some kind of joke?" Her voice trembled with a vulnerability she tried to mask.

"No, Merlin's beard, no!" Teddy exclaimed, his disbelief clear.

"Oh, every dragon that can fly! Honestly, you two are worse than Mum and Dad ever were," I groaned, throwing my hands up in exasperation. "And Dad's hair never changed colours!"

"What are you talking about, Dora?" Victoire blinked, confused by my analogy.

"Victoire, for a Prefect, likely future Head Girl, and one of the brightest Ravenclaws Hogwarts has ever seen, you're surprisingly bad at puzzles," I said, shaking my head.

Turning to Teddy, I added, "And you! Stop moping and just ask her out! Spoiler alert, she won't say no!"

Their faces mirrored each other's confusion, making me pinch the bridge of my nose. Honestly, they were like children.