Juniper awoke with an unfamiliar, but not unpleasant, weight crossing her body. She blinked, fumbling for her glasses in the bright morning light. She was basically blind without them. Juniper reached her hand out, searching for the black frames and- wait. What was- Her hand was on something soft, it felt like hair. And not just anyone's hair. Teddy's hair. Juniper nearly gasped, suddenly immensely grateful that both her brother and Teddy slept like the dead.

So that was what the unfamiliar weight had been. Teddy's arms were currently wrapped around her, his head tucked neatly over hers. With much difficulty, Juniper extracted herself from his secure grasp, careful not to disturb either boy. She grabbed her glasses from the dresser and tiptoed into the next room, mentally cursing herself. How had she let that happen? She'd been so careful, so, so careful.

Juniper groaned, sliding into bed next to Leo.

"Happy birthday Junie." Leo turned around to face her, propping his head up on his elbow and grinning, "Have a nice sleepover did you?"

"Oh piss off." Juniper whacked him with a pillow, scowling. "It's James's fault, that wanker."

"Thought you weren't doing sleepovers anymore Junie." Charlie poked his head out of the bathroom, toothbrush hanging out of his mouth. He tutted mockingly, "Couldn't resist the stunner eh? Happy birthday by the way." Charlie called, rinsing his mouth and wiping the excess toothpaste off with a towel. He sat down on the edge of the bed, sporting the same knowing expression as Leo.

Juniper shook her head, pressing her lips together in a firm line, "You two are horrible."

"You love us really." Charlie winked, nudging her.

Juniper narrowed her eyes, "You've got gum in your hair Charles." She sniped, sucking in her cheeks. He did, in fact, have gum in his hair. How or why she did not know.

He shrugged, "Me and James invented a new game last night." Charlie then attempted to pull the gum from his hair, but only succeeded in further entrenching it in his reddish hair.

Leo shuddered, "I was nearly caught in the crossfire." He clutched his own dark curls protectively, and Juniper laughed.

"You guys are such weirdos."

"You guys?" Leo raised an eyebrow, "Junie I hate to break it to you but if we're weirdos, so are you. We're all the same."

"Well except for the massive crush on Teddy Lupin." Charlie teased, and Juniper shoved him off the bed.

"How many times do I have to tell you I don't fancy him?!!" Juniper cried indignantly, crossing her arms. She stared at the two boys with fury in her eyes.

"Ahem, anymore." Leo pointed out, then more mischievously, "Not that we believe you."

"For all we know you could've been snogging him all last night." Charlie added cheekily, earning himself a punch in the arm from Juniper.

"Yeah that's what happened." Juniper rolled her eyes, words punctuated with sarcasm, "We snogged while my brother was right there."

"I didn't think you had a problem snogging in front of James." Leo said innocently, "Didn't you spend the whole summer attached to Alex's lips?"

Juniper's jaw dropped open, "How did you know that?!"

"I didn't." Leo replied with a smug smile, "But you've just confirmed it for me."

"You are a complete arse, you know that?" Juniper was incredulous. How had he known? James certainly didn't tell him. They'd both had an unspoken agreement that they weren't going to tell any of the guys. It had to have been the letter. She hated Leo's intuitiveness sometimes.

"Please," Charlie scoffed, "It was so bloody obvious, no bloke writes a fucking letter to a girl unless he's at least snogged her. At least." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at Juniper and she burned a fiery red.

Leo snickered, "From the looks of that photo you two were definitely close."

"Bet Teddy didn't like that one." Charlie snorted, "Been moping about all summer he has." Juniper had to admit they were right about Teddy acting oddly. She chalked it up to her being gone for so long, they had to get back in the rhythm of things. He was just out of sorts. Juniper didn't want to dwell on it too much. Most of her previous agonizing over Teddy was to do with her chronic overthinking.

"Will the two of you shut up?!!" Juniper growled, flipping them off. "If we're talking about love lives, shouldn't we be talking about Leo?" She smiled sweetly, it was a low blow. But hey it was her birthday, and she needed the heat off of her.

"Ooh yeah," Charlie was immediately distracted, turning his attention to Leo, "When are we going to get to meet this man of yours, mate?"

Leo looked to Juniper with betrayal, exhaling, "Mean."

"Necessary." Juniper shot back, smirking.

"C'mon," Charlie pressed, "When?"

"Never. If I can help it." Leo muttered, poking his tongue out at the two of them. Then he sighed, rolling to his stomach, "He's actually in town for the Cup...and I was thinking-"

Juniper squealed, pouncing on Leo, "He's here! We can meet him?!"

Leo buried his face in a pillow, "Maybe! Maybe!" He groaned, "I can't believe I told you guys that."

"Believe it baby." Juniper clapped her hands excitedly, her and Charlie jumping up and down on the bed and cheering.

"Merlin." Leo covers his head with the duvet, "Geroff! Oi! Why am I friends with you lot?"

"Having a party without us?" Teddy and James strolled in the door, both boys with wildly messy bed head. James especially.

"It's my birthday I'll have you know." James pouted, mussing his hair, "Speaking of, why has no one said happy birthday to me yet? I was born first."

"I swear James, it was three fucking minutes." Juniper clobbered her brother with a pillow, which naturally turned into full blown pillow fight between the five of them. Feathers were raining down all around them, shrieks and bellows echoing through the whole house. Vanessa and Rose stood in the doorway looking disapproving.

Vanessa rolled her eyes, yelling downstairs, "Yeah Aunt Gin they're definitely up."

"Well tell them to get their fucking arses down here then." Juniper heard her Aunt Ginny's muffled tone through the floor, and then the distinct sound of her uncle shushing her.

"What am I supposed to say, Matt? Bloody buttocks?" She heard her aunt's quick witted response and laughed out loud. Aunt Ginny had the worst mouth of all the parents, though most of them cursed casually. Her Aunt Mione was the only one who showed restraint. Juniper thought it was a consequence of having children in your early twenties. In fact, it was family lore that Charlie's first words were "bloody hell" because of the amount of times Uncle Ron said it around the house. Hermione wasn't a fan of that story.

The five made their way down the stairs, greeted, per usual, with a huge pancake breakfast. This was where they gave the birthday girl or boy, not in this case, their presents, and they would have to wear the ridiculous crowns. Then they would be subject to a story about their birth, and more often than not an embarrassing childhood one as well. It was the tradition. They didn't really have birthday parties, at least not with their parents. At school they celebrated as a group because all of their birthdays were so close together. First Junie and James, then Charlie, then Teddy and Leo. This year they were planning on a big blowout party in Gryffindor Tower. James and Teddy had been planning it since third year.

"Here you go." Ron bequeathed Juniper and James each with a garish gold crown, ushering them to the two eats at the head of the table. Of course James preened and swanned around like a bloody king, tossing his hair arrogantly. The effect was slightly off-putting, given that he was still in his golden snitch pajamas.

"...and there I am, my water just broke-" Looked like they were already in the middle of the storytelling portion. Although Juniper had heard the story a thousand times, she leaned in eagerly, listening to her mother with intent.

"And Weasley's looking for his fucking keys, his keys!" Juniper loved this part of the story, it was guaranteed laughter.

"This man doesn't even own a car!" Miranda exclaimed, and everyone chuckled.

Ron folded his arms sulkily, "I was panicking!"

"I was the one in labor!" Miranda retorted, as she always did. The group in hysterics. After an impressive round of good natured jokes about Ron, they serenaded Juniper and James with the birthday song, and the twins blew out the candles on their pancakes covered in whipped cream.

"Dear Lord." Hermione put a hand to her chest, "are you really 16?"

"Ugh, don't." Ginny lamented, plugging her ears, "I feel ill."

"We were just sixteen!" Ron shook his head in disbelief, and then with a goofy smile, "I was a looker."

"Ew! Dad!" Rose pulled a face, "You're ancient."

"I've never been so happy to be the younger sister." Ginny cheered, goading her older brother.

The rest of the morning continued in this merry fashion. Laughter and jokes, lots of tearful hugs from the mothers who, "can't believe how grown up they all are". Eventually, the adults all split off into their respective duties, leaving the children in the house alone for the day. Ginny's got round the clock Quidditch training, Ron went to help Fred and George with the shop, Hermione had a plethora of election duties to fulfill. The summer rush was starting. Juniper suspected that her mother and uncle were set to leave for another Auror mission soon. They always got secretive when they were about to go. It was odd that her father was also being very secretive. He had had lots of meetings lately, and Juniper had spied him and her mum whispering in hushed voices lately.

She never gave it much thought. In her opinion, her parents were quite boring. Anything they were whispering about couldn't interest her much to begin with.

Juniper pulled her ratty Gryffindor quidditch tank over her head, securing her hair in a tight ponytail. James had suggested they have a Quidditch scrimmage, him and Juniper captaining the teams of course, and Juniper was determined to beat him. She grabbed her broom and rushed to the sprawling backyard to pick teams.

James was already there when she arrived, "Since I was here first, and born first," He said cockily, just to annoy Juniper, "I think it's only fair I get to choose first."

"Whatever." Juniper eyed him daringly, "I'm still going to win."

"We'll see about that, sis." James began to pick his team, "Teddy."

Of course, Juniper thought to herself. She went next.

"Rosie." The red head was the best Quidditch player of the lot, could play any position really. If James was smart he would've chosen her, but Juniper knew his loyalty to his best friend ran too strong. Her brother was so predictable.

"Nessa." James countered, welcoming his sister to the team with a high five that she declined. Now that was a smart move. Vanessa and Rose had to be split up, it wasn't fair if they were on the same team. Much to the girls' chagrin.

"Ethan." Juniper called to her cousin. She always had a special place in her heart for Ethan. She felt almost kindred to him. He was the lone boy in a group of females while she was the lone girl in a group of males. Plus he was really good at Quidditch.

"Evie." Again a smart move splitting up the twins.

"Charlie."

"Cali."

"Leo." Juniper said at last, getting her final and reluctant member of the team.

"Seriously you chose Cali before me?" Leo took his jersey with distaste.

"Hey!" Cali frowned, offended.

"Mate you don't even want to be here." James reminded him with a laugh, "At least Cali's got some spirit."

"It's called common decency."

"There is no place for common decency in Quidditch."

"You're lucky it's your birthday." Leo replied, still grumbling as he mounted his broom. They took to the sky, not playing with Seekers and only one Beater. Juniper put Charlie in keeper, Rosie and Ethan as Chasers, and told Leo to try and stay out of the way. Which he was more than happy to do. She played Beater, which she wasn't normally used to, but she could hit a mean bludger when it suited her. And she was still irritated with Teddy about last night, so taking her anger and confusion out with a bat sounded pretty good right now.

James put Vanessa in goal, he was a Chaser, along with Evie and Cali. And Teddy was Beater. Teddy flew obnoxiously close to her the whole game. Juniper knew he was just doing it to get a rise out of her. And she was annoyed to admit it was working.

"Hey Potter." Teddy did a deep dive to hit a Bludger she had just chucked at James's head.

"Lupin." Juniper sped away from him, tucking her head close to the broom handle to streamline her speed. He was right on her tail, she could almost feel his hot breath on the back of her neck. Thankfully, she was faster. She made a sharp turn and shot upwards, careening towards the clouds.

In a few moments there he was, hovering next to her midair.

"Slowpoke." She teased, flying a loop around him lazily.

"At least I've hit more than one Bludger this game." It was starting to mist. Rain dripping in both their faces. Juniper could hear James bellowing instructions from down below, probably wondering where his star Beater had gone.

"Shut up." Juniper scrunched her nose. He was doing that arguing thing again. Arguing just for the fun of it. They fell into this sometimes, fighting because they could. Sometimes Juniper thought teddy enjoyed it.

"Face it baby you're just not cut out for my Beater lifestyle." Teddy did another trick, blatantly showing off.

"Baby?" Boy was he asking for it. Juniper arched an eyebrow, pursing her lips, "You've forced my hand." She had seen the Bludger coming towards them as they were having this conversation, another skill she'd picked up as a Seeker. Teddy had not. He was distracted. That worked in her favor. Juniper took her opportunity and wielded her bat, hitting the Bludger with a satisfying crack. She had wanted it to clock Teddy in the side, not too hard, just enough to knock him off balance. But Teddy was still showing off like the stupid prat he was, and he was flying with no hands. Juniper watched in horror as Teddy hurtled through the clouds, disappearing from her view.

Instantly, she dove down to the ground, searching for the spot where he had fallen. She discarded her broom, frantically running through the tall grasses, mud splattering her bare thighs. Oh my god. What had she done? Her heart was pounding, she didn't even notice when a sharp reed slashed her forehead. Juniper spotted his broom and bolted to the patch of meadow.

There he was, lying motionless on the ground. She clapped hand to her mouth, rushing to his side.

"Oh god, oh god." Juniper was terrified, "Teddy! Teddy!" She rolled him over, trying to see if he was unconscious or dead or bleeding, "Teddy! Oh my god are you-" She stopped mid- sentence, Teddy was shaking. Shaking with laughter.

"Are you laughing?!" A wave of relief rolled through her body, immediately replaced by anger. Teddy was convulsing with snickers, shoulders heaving as he gasped for breath. Tears streamed from his eyes.

"THEODORE FUCKING LUPIN!" Juniper roared, shoving him backwards onto the ground and pummeling him.

"Ouch! Ow! OI!" Teddy dodged her fists, "Okay, okay Junie, the Bludger still hit me y'know."

"You thought this was FUNNY?!" She shouted, still recovering from when she thought she killed him, "I thought you were dead!!!"

"No." Teddy conceded, smirking, "I thought it was very funny." She began to hit him again, "Ow! Okay! OKAY! I'm sorry Junie, but you should've seen the look on your face..." He chuckled to himself.

"I hate you."

"No you don't." Teddy said, a huge grin on his face, "Otherwise you wouldn't have cared so much."

"I'm going to kill you."

"Well you very nearly accomplished that."

"Next time I won't be so worried." Juniper replied haughtily, turning way from him.

"Aw c'mon Junie," Teddy pleaded goodnaturedly, "Don't be like that." He went to pull her back to him, and saw the blood dripping down the side of her face. "Holy shit Potter, you're bleeding!"

Juniper touched a hand to her forehead absentmindedly, "Oh, guess I am. Hadn't even noticed."

Teddy's face no longer held that same twinkling, teasing glint in his eyes, it had been wiped away by concern, "Wow, you were really worried." He murmured quietly, putting a hand over hers. He was giving her that intense look again, soft hazel eyes tracing her every movement.

"Don't have to sound so surprised." She mumbled back, letting him keep his hand there a second longer than she should've before moving away. She wiped at the blood and winced.

Teddy tore off his jersey and pressed it gallantly to her wound. Juniper rolled her eyes.

"Don't remember asking you to strip."

"Would you rather me use my pants?" Teddy challenged.

"I would rather you use nothing at all." Juniper said stubbornly, refusing his help. "I'm fine Teddy."

"It's raining Junie-"

"All the more reason for you to put your clothes back on."

"You've cuts on your ankles too, there's a lot of blood, just let me-"

"I told you I'm fine Lupin, you don't-"

"Damn it Potter! Will you just let me take care of you for once!?" Teddy cut her off angrily, breathing hard.

teddy's pov:

I woke up and Junie was gone. My arms felt empty. Why did she leave? She never woke up early. Never. Why wouldn't she touch me anymore? It was infuriating. Why did things have to change? I hated not knowing why. Maybe if I knew the why, I could sort out my current confusion. I just want things back how they used to be. When Junie would lay next to me without a second thought. When I didn't want to kiss her. Have I always wanted to kiss her? I don't know. I don't know anything anymore.

I heard her laughing in the next room. She was with Leo and Charlie. I wondered what they're talking about. I looked to my left. James was still asleep. I shook him awake, considered dumping cold water on his head, but figured it was the man's birthday. He deserved a break. Leo, Charlie and Junie were still laughing when we came in. I love Junie's laugh. No. What? No. No. My brain was betraying me. Leo was looking at me funny.

A horrible thought struck my mind then. Did everyone know? Could everyone see the way I was brazenly staring at Junie? Fuck. I need to be more careful. It was hard. She looked fucking fantastic, swatting people with pillows. Didn't help that she was still wearing those shorts. Those bloody shorts. The things I could do to her in those shorts. NO! BAD TEDDY! What is wrong with me? She's my best mate's sister. She my best friend. She's- beautiful. She's Junie. I don't know what I'm feeling. It's not like all those other times I've been attracted to a girl. I'm in uncharted territory here and that scares the shit out of me.

I was grateful for the reprieve breakfast gave. I loved the birthday traditions. Overjoyed that I was included in them. Included in this wonderful family. I'd always felt sort of like an outsider. The only one not related. Even though Harry and Miranda always said I was a part of the family, never made me feel anything but included.

We decided to play Quidditch. And I thought that would be just what I needed to clear my mind, rid it of these feelings about Junie. However I failed to take into consideration how simultaneously adorable and sexy Junie is on a broom. She was playing Beater, giving me the perfect opportunity to bother her as much as I pleased, rewarded with her cute little angry face. She must've told me to shut up a thousand times since the game began. Needless to say I was pretty damn happy.

I swear I didn't mean to call her baby. It just slipped out. But the reaction it got was pretty stellar. I had the idea to scare her midair, decoding not to rejoin her above the clouds and pretend as if I'd fallen all the way to the ground. I lay there motionless for a couple minutes before she finally found me.

"Oh god, oh god." She was actually afraid. I couldn't believe my luck. I'd legitimately fooled her. Usually, she was too good to get pranked. "Teddy! Teddy!" I felt her soft hands on my shoulders, and her bare legs by my side as she leaned over me. I almost wished I was really injured for a second just so she would stay in that position for a little while longer. Jesus what is wrong with me?

"Teddy! Oh my god are you-" I couldn't help myself. I laughed.

"Are you laughing?!"

I laughed so hard my stomach hurt, and I had to suck in big mouthfuls of air to breathe properly.

"THEODORE FUCKING LUPIN!" Ooh she was definitely angry now. Her nostrils were flaring and her green eyes were flashing as she shoved me to the ground. I loved her angry. NO. BAD THOUGHTS! BAD BRAIN! VERY BAD!

"Ouch! Ow! OI!" Although her hands were small, she packed a mean punch. Skills developed when you grew up around four guys. "Okay, okay Junie, the Bludger still hit me y'know." I protested.

"You thought this was FUNNY?!" She shouted, "I thought you were dead!!!"

"No." I smirked, knowing it would make her even angrier. Hell maybe she'd push me to the ground again. "I thought it was very funny."

"Ow! Okay! OKAY! I'm sorry Junie, but you should've seen the look on your face..." It was a pretty great moment. If only I'd had a camera.

"I hate you."

"No you don't." I grinned. The rain was heavier now, droplets settling on her dark hair. I wanted to kiss her, wanted to shove her to the ground, pin her wrists and- oh my god I need help.

"Otherwise you wouldn't have cared so much."

"I'm going to kill you."

"Well you very nearly accomplished that." I was being cheeky on purpose.

"Next time I won't be so worried."

"Aw c'mon Junie," She could never stay mad at me long. Except for that one time. I didn't like to think about that. I hated when she wouldn't speak to me. I was a downright mess. Couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. That's what anyone would do though, for their best friend.

"Don't be like that." I pulled her back to me, noticing a small trickle of blood on her face. It dripped onto my arm. My heart nearly stopped. I wasn't a squeamish person, I'd seen nasty wounds before. Blood never bothered me. But something about seeing Junie's blood, the gash on her forehead steadily bleeding. It made my intestines twist and turn over. It made me want to hold her close and never let go.

"Holy shit Potter, you're bleeding!"

Juniper touched a hand to her forehead absentmindedly, "Oh, guess I am. Hadn't even noticed."

She had been that concerned? She was so afraid for me that she hurt herself and didn't care. Remorse panged me. I didn't think she would take it this hard. "Wow, you were really worried." I murmured quietly, putting a hand over hers without thinking. She was cold, like always. I still wanted to kiss her. But in a different way than before. I wanted to trace the curve of her cheek with my thumb and kiss her softly all over her face and tell her it was going to be ok. I wanted to stroke her hair and tell her I was sorry. I never wanted her to bleed again.

What was happening to me? Maybe James slipped something in my pancakes this morning. There has to be a rational explanation for this. There has to be. She's Junie. I can't have- I can't.

I just can't.

since y'all liked the teddy pov so much last time
thought i'd with another one

next chapter will be about the World Cup!!

goodnight,

coco