James pumped his fist in the air, slinging an arm each around Juniper and Teddy, "Six years down, mates, one to go!"

"Wait that's so sad," Rory pooched her bottom lip out, her and Leo sharing solemn look.

Charlie, James, Teddy, and Juniper just blinked at them.

"Is she alright?" Charlie stage whispered, "Her mind must be addled from the heat."

Rory rolled her eyes, flicking the back of his head.

Juniper laughed along with the rest of them, but she supposed Rory had a point. Hogwarts had been like her second home since she was eleven years old. How hd six years gone by so fast? Juniper wasn't sure she was ready to leave. Hell, she wasn't even sure what she wanted to do after Hogwarts. What would happen to their friendships after Hogwarts? To her and Teddy? Juniper just wanted things to stay the same. Things were so perfect right now, in this moment, she wished nothing would change. And she could stay here forever like this.

"So," James started, interrupting Juniper's thoughts, "plans for the trip."

"Which, I want to remind everyone, was my idea." Juniper said pointedly, elbowing her brother in the ribs. That motherfucker, always stealing her thunder with his big ass mouth.

James stuck his tongue out at her, "I know. But seeing as I'm the oldest-"

"TWINS!"

"Bubs, I hate to break it to you, but I'm older than all of you lot," Teddy commented with a smirk, preening.

"Sorry, Grandpa, couldn't hear you over your graying hair," Rory retorted cheekily, slapping Juniper a high five. Teddy made big puppy dog eyes at her, and Juniper giggled. He was so cute. Not that she'd ever tell him.

James clapped his best friend on the back, struggling to contain his own amusement. "Hey! Don't bully my old man. Now back to the matter at hand-"

"Still confused as to when James became in charge of this..." Juniper grumbled, crossing her arms.

"Responsible James scares the fuck out of me," Charlie said, nudging Juniper with his shoulder.

James threw his hands up in the air, frustrated, "I swear to god, if one more person interrupts me- I just want to make sure that we all have a fun and safe experience this summer."

"Oh my god you are such a mum," Juniper snickered, poking fun.

"NO I-"

"Mummy Jamessss!" They all crooned, much to James disgruntlement.

"I am not a mum!" James cried in protest, sulking.

Rory smiled softly, eyes sparkling, the words slipping out of her mouth before her brain could catch up, "You're cute when you're defensive."

"What?!" Leo, Charlie, and Juniper chorused in unison, minds blown.

A broad grin spread across Teddy's face, "What?"

James, slack jawed, gulped. His voice was almost breathless, face filled with a mixture of surprise, elation, and confusion, "What?"

The expression that Rory was currently sporting was equal parts horror and embarrassment. She looked frantically to her friends for help, desperate. Juniper just raised her eyebrows, unsure how her best friend was going to squirm her way out of this one.

"Er- what?" Rory stammered, burning a furious red. "I didn't- I- I only meant...erm..." Before Rory could dig herself into a deeper hole, Victoire showed up, skipping out of the castle, violet hair flying behind her.

"Hey!" The girl sang, "What's going on mon cheries?"

James' eyes were still locked on Rory. Rory wanted to die inside. Merlin. Why had she said that? Just blurted it out like a massive idiot?! Something about James Potter made her brain turn to mush, the second he flashed that heart melting smile her way she was done for. Oh Godric, what had become of her? Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

With a resigned sigh, Teddy swooped in like a godsend, "Cheers Vic, we were just talking about summer plans. We want take a solo trip this year, a sort of last hurrah."

Rory breathed out a huge sigh of relief, the direction of the conversation successfully and deftly switched topics. Her arse was saved...for now. She still had a hopeless crush on James Potter, of course.

"You owe me," Teddy mouthed silently to her, arching an eyebrow. Rory flipped him off.

"Sounds fantastique!" Victoire exclaimed, oblivious. "Do you know where you're going yet? Because maman and papa have a beach house that sits empty the majority of the year. I'm sure we could go there, I mean- if I'm invited..."

"Are you serious?" Juniper asked excitedly, grabbing her arm. "That would be perfect!" The beach. The beach really was perfect. Juniper pictured the ocean, foggy mornings, warm sand, maybe even some sunlight. Swimming and laying out in the brief moments of heat. Being on their own, staying up late and watching the sun rise and set, getting drunk and being stupid teenagers. She could hardly wait.

"Totally!" Victoire answered. "When are you going?"

"Erm-." Juniper hadn't gotten that far.

Apparently James had, her brother jumping in decisively, "The end of July, and hopefully the beginning of August if I can convince mum and dad."

"Okay, I'm sure we can work something out," Victoire said, a group of her Ravenclaw friends beckoning her over. She blew a quick kiss to Juniper, waving goodbye.

Juniper waved back, she was happy Victoire had fit in so smoothly. It was obvious that Hogwarts was where she'd always belonged. She wondered if Vic had any potential love interests on the horizon, and made a mental note to ask her about it next time they were together. Speaking of potential love interests, Juniper was impatiently awaiting for the day that her brother and Rory would finally get their heads our of their arses and get together.

Not that she could talk...it had certainly taken her and Teddy long enough. But, Juniper would really like it if Rory and James could hurry it up because if James was dating Rory, well- that would definitely make it loads easier to drop the bomb about her and Teddy. Ugh. Juniper still didn't know how they were going to announce it to everyone. Their whole friend dynamic had shifted, and she had no idea how the guys were gonna take it, least of all James. They weren't the only people she had to worry about either, her family added a whole other messy part to the equation.

Oh god, her dad and her mum. Last her mum heard, Juniper was done with Teddy in a romantic way. Teddy had been apart of her family for as long as she could remember, but Juniper wasn't sure how they'd take it that she was dating him. There'd certainly be a lot more security when he slept over at the Potter's.

"We should probably finish packing," Rory tapped Juniper on the shoulder, gesturing towards the castle. "Or in your case, start."

"Oi!" Juniper cried reproachfully, swatting her best friend. "I started! Mostly..."

"Hardly," Rory teased, tweaking her nose. "C'mon, Junie, let's go. And before you ask, no you cannot come," she pointed a finger at Teddy's chest. Rory's eyes went wide, as did Juniper's when they quickly realized her mistake.

Leo's brow furrowed, looking between the three guilty parties, "Why would Teddy want to come? And why couldn't he?"

Juniper froze. Leo was smart, he'd figure it out if they gave him the chance. Charlie and James were easier to fool, but not if they thought Leo was suspicious. That was a dead give away.

"Oh- erm- you know..." Juniper winced, begging Rory to save this.

"I just wanted some girl time with her, hahaha," Rory laughed weakly. "You boys are always messing up our plans, especially Lupin, and you Potter, with your incessant need to be included in everything."

The guys seemed to be satisfied with this answer, and Juniper's anxiety cleared momentarily. It looked as though their secret was intact.

"On a roll today, eh Wood?" Teddy muttered lowly, and Rory promptly socked him in the shoulder. "AH! Owwww."

Rory and Juniper linked arms and headed up to their dorms, tilting their faces towards the warm, summer sun. All around them, Hogwarts students milled about, enjoying their final day on campus. Sitting lazily by the lake, and tiny first years running wildly down the grassy knolls. Juniper couldn't believe her time here was almost over. One year, she thought to herself silently, one more year.

"You think there's a spell for finding my red jumper with the hood?" Juniper asked jokingly. She had a habit of misplacing her personal effects, quills, schedules, books, socks, hats, anything really. Once, she'd found her left shoe up in the Owlery with no memory of how it had gotten there. This was a trait she'd received from her mum, and often, the so called "lost" objects, were in plain sight all along.

Rory put a finger to her chin, thinking, "The Holyhead Harpies one?" Her eyes squinted, adjusting to the relative dimness of the vast castle halls, "Didn't you trash that after the party when Macmillan threw up on it?"

Juniper shuddered at the memory. Marvin Macmillan took advantage of James' heavy pour a bit too excessively. "You're right...I think I tried to block that out."

"We all did," Scarlett Jordan piped up from the corner of the common room, nodding to the pair of girls as they entered.  Her mahogany arms were laden with various trunks and the carrier for her hairless cat, Jeannie.

"Hey, Scar," Juniper said, catching a potted Flitterbloom when it toppled off the girl's precarious pile of items. A crumpled up piece of parchment nailed her in the back of the head, a sheepish Ethan and Evelyn wincing as it did so.

Ethan scratched the back of his head, "Chuck it in the bin for us, would you, cuz?"

Juniper rolled her eyes, but obliged, ruffling her cousins' hair, before her and Rory clambered up the stone staircase. Juniper was already dreading packing, there was only so much she could do with magic. Plus, Juniper was certain that Rory knew an advanced spell for it and was withholding the information from her, solely on the principle that Juniper put packing off and off and off, until either James or Rory finally gave in and packed for her. It was a strategy well crafted by her Teddy, Leo, and Charlie over the years.

"Ror..." Juniper started. "Do we have to pack right now- I mean right now- we could-"

"Junie!" Rory exclaimed, chastising. "No! You're not skiving off of this. You've got to pack!"

"Rorrryyyyyyyyy," Juniper pleaded, drawing out her name. She leaned her head on her friend's shoulder, and they swung open the door to their dorm.

Vivian was in there, sitting on her bed and very intently reading a letter. Her hands her clutched tightly around the slip of paper, expression closed. As soon as Juniper and Rory walked in, she stood up abruptly, shoving the letter in her pocket with a start.

"Oh-!" Juniper smiled, "Hey, V, you packing?"

"Just about finished," Vivian replied, busying herself with a stack of folded clothes.

Juniper was surprised. Usually, Vivian was a chronic procrastinator just like her, leaving all packing until the very last possible minute. "Eager to get home, then?" Juniper said.

"Er- sure..." Vivian replied shortly, turning her back to Juniper once more.

"Right- anyways," Juniper leaped at the chance to tell Vivian about their plan for the summer, it was so up the girls' alley, "I don't know if James told you yet, but we're taking a trip over summer holiday, just us. Vic offered her beach house, and I'll send you the dates when they're more nailed down. You're in, right?"

"Erm- actually- er- I don't think I'll be able to make it..." Vivian muttered hurriedly, avoiding eye contact.

Juniper furrowed her brow, "What? How do you know? I'm sure we could switch the dates around if-"

"No- erm- I- I really just can't go anywhere you know? Parents..." Vivian waved her hands airily, tiptoeing around the question.

Juniper was thoroughly bewildered. Vivian's parents had always seemed to be the sort that let their children have  a lot of free rein, unlike her own. Vivian went to parties, gallivanted around France by herself, drank and smoked, all to her parents' knowledge. Surely, going on a trip to the beach with school mates wasn't a big deal. There had to be another reason. Did she just not want to go? That seemed unlikely as well, Vivian loved traveling and being on her own out in the world, also...partying. Which there would certainly be a lot of, not that they were going to tell Miranda and Harry about, of course.

"Are you sure?" Juniper pressed, "If transportation's an issue you could stay at ours, my parents wouldn't mind. Oh- or my parents could talk to yours and-"

"Look, I'm just not going!" Vivian cried out, interrupting Juniper's babbling. "Okay?"

"Okay," Juniper backed off, hurt. "Just trying to be nice..." she murmured under her breath, irked.

Vivian sighed, shouldering her bags and walking to the door. She flashed a small smile, "Have a nice holiday, Juniper." She nodded, "You too, Rory." And with that parting comment, she disappeared out the door.

Juniper face planted onto her bed, groaning in muffled voice, "She hates me."

Rory shook her head, rubbing Juniper's back, "No babes, it's me she hates."

"She doesn't hate you!" Juniper sat up in protest, "We're her best friends, why doesn't she want to spend tine with us?"

Rory shrugged, "I dunno. She's been off all year, Junie. Like she didn't want to be at school. Maybe she just misses her family." Rory continued, mulling it over, "It must be hard, her being the only witch in a Muggle family, here at Hogwarts all by herself. Summer's probably the most time she gets with them. She's just anxious to get back, it has nothing to do with you."

Juniper only took some comfort in Rory's words. To be honest, she didn't know enough about Vivian's family to assume anything. Her friend rarely discussed them, in fact, she never talked much about her Muggle life at all. When asked, Viv usually diverted the subject, or gave a non answer. Perhaps Rory was right. She hoped she was, then it had nothing to do with her.

"Maybe..."

Juniper had barely begun the tedious task of packing her trunk, when there was a knock on the door. "Who is-" Rory didn't get to finish her sentence, the intruder bursting in without waiting for an invitation.

Teddy grinned at Juniper, sauntering over to where she was busy shoving Quidditch gear into a bag.

"Lupin!" Rory chastised, whacking him over the shoulder with a heavy textbook. "What did I tell you?!"

"I chose not to listen," Teddy retorted, winking as he bent to give Juniper a kiss.  Juniper melted in an instant at his familiar, yet all too exhilarating touch. She sank into him, reaching her arms around his neck. Teddy's lips firm on hers, so deep and savouring. Juniper felt a bit lightheaded.

Rory made a gagging sound, "For fuck's sake, you're like an addict."

"I missed you," Teddy said lowly, paying no heed to Rory's opinions.

"You saw me not more than one hour ago," Juniper reminded him pointedly, scrunching her nose.

Teddy smirked, "Yeah, but I didn't get to kiss you then." He traced a thumb along her jawline, slipping his hand around her waist so he could pull her in for another swoon worthy kiss.

"And you don't get to kiss her now either!" Rory snapped her fingers in front of Teddy's face sternly. "Out with you!"

"Ah, ah, ah," Teddy smiled evilly, wagging his index finger at Rory, "you owe me, Wood. Remember?"

Rory growled, pursing her lips and begrudgingly exiting the room, calling out, "Thirty minutes, and that's all! Do you understand me, Lupin?"

"You'd think she'd be a wee bit more grateful, seeing as I saved her bloody arse earlier," Teddy snickered. He turned to Juniper, they were finally alone. "Hi," he murmured, gazing into her eyes.

Juniper willed herself not to blush. She didn't think she'd ever get used to the brazen, bold, and honest way Teddy looked at her, like he could see every part of her, right down to her very core. That sounded dirtier than she'd meant it to...

"Hey," Juniper planted a kiss on his jaw, lacing her fingers through Teddy's.

"You missed," he said, matter of factly, pulling her onto his lap. He kissed her full on the mouth, harder, one hand fisting her black mane of wild hair. Teddy's mouth trailed down her neck and onto her shoulder then back up to her lips. Juniper's head fell back in lust when he reached the sensitive spot near the curve of her neck, and she let loose a small noise of contentment, one hand lifting to her mouth to conceal it. Teddy's hair was a vibrant shade of blue.

"Teddy, Juniper mumbled into his neck, "we can't- oh- we- Ror said thirty minutes."

"I can do a lot in thirty minutes," Teddy whispered into her ear devilishly, sending goosebumps down Juniper's arms. His hands roved dangerously up her thighs, and Juniper inhaled sharply, body overwhelmed in passion.

"Teddy..." she breathed warningly, heavily resisting the urge to tear off his shirt. Focus, Juniper! "Your hair is blue," she said, in an attempt to distract herself. Teddy made a rumbling noise.

"Always is around you...for some reason," Teddy answered, running a hand through it.

"It used to be blue all the time, or any other colour. But, mostly blue," Juniper noted, remembering back to when they were little and Teddy's hair would randomly morph colours, or he'd suddenly sprout a pig's nose.

"I didn't know how to control it back then."

"I liked it- like it- the blue, I mean," Juniper told him, gently running her own fingers through his soft curls. "Why don't you change it more often?"

"I didn't want to be different anymore," Teddy shrugs, eyes downcast.

Juniper kissed him, "Well, I love who you are, who cares if you're different?"

"The world," Teddy laughed wryly.

There was a beat of quiet, then Juniper spoke, "If you can control it, why does it turn blue around me?"

"Because my feelings for you are the one thing I have no control over," Teddy cupped her face in his hands, hazel eyes locked with her green ones.

Juniper bit her lower lip, heart swelling with love. "Smooth," she noted in appreciation.

"Thank you, darling."

Juniper pulled a face.

"No?" Teddy frowned, "Baby?"

"Ehhhh," Juniper wavered, not loving it, but not hating it either. Currently, Teddy was on a mission to find a term of endearment for her. Though Juniper had informed him time and time again that she was perfectly fine with him calling her Potter and Junie just like he always had, love was fine too. Teddy had insisted that he needed to find something special. Sweetie was a no go, as was sunshine, and worst of all...babe.

"Angel?" Teddy offered hopefully.

Juniper stuck out her tongue, "Getting worse."

"Princess?"

She just blinked at him, disgusted. "If you ever, I mean ever- refer to me as princess again, I will hit you over the head with a Beater's bat and throw your body into the Forbidden Forest."

Teddy choked on a laugh, squeezing her hand, "You're so cute when you're plotting my murder."

"Keep calling me cute, and that day will come a lot sooner than you think," Juniper's lips curved teasingly, eyes twinkling with a daring gleam.

Teddy grinned openly, kissing her long and slow. In one quick, flawless, move, Teddy flipped her over onto her back, dragging his tongue across her lower lip in a way that made Juniper's mind go to some very sinful places. His strong hands circled her wrists, pinning her to the mattress.

"Guys?" The door to Juniper's dorm slammed open, Charlie barging in without so much as a warning.

Teddy catapulted off of Juniper as fast as he could, both their hearts beating a mile a minute. Juniper silently cursed herself. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. What in the bloody hell were they supposed to do now?!

"Hello-!?" Charlie stopped short, glancing from Teddy to Juniper with wide eyes.

Juniper looked to Teddy wildly, her face flushed as his was. They were each flustered beyond belief, hair mussed, clothes rumpled, and Juniper could practically feel the hickey blossoming on her neck. Merlin fucking shitballs.

"Wha- er- were you guys just- are the two of you-?" Charlie stuttered, ginger brows sinking deep in bafflement.

"I was just helping Junie get a contact out!" Teddy yelled forcefully, distancing himself even further from Juniper. "She was having some trouble," He coughed loudly.

Juniper nodded her head vigorously, "Yup! That's all! Nothing else!"

Charlie blinked slowly, "You hate wearing contacts."

"Trying something different," Juniper covered quickly, "obviously it backfired."

"Right..." Charlie said.

Juniper prayed that her and Teddy had convinced him that they weren't doing anything out of the ordinary. He seemed to believe her. Today was just full of close calls. Too close. What if it had been Leo? Or, *gag*, James?

Teddy cleared his throat, "So- er- what did you need, Weasley?"

"Mummy James wants us to get everything packed, and of course he's being totally anal about overseeing it." Charlie mocked, "Your folding skills are a disgrace to society, McGonagall."

"He sounds just like Ror." Juniper marveled at just how much her brother and her best friend had in common.

"Does not!" Rory protested adamantly from the hallway, her and Leo carrying random odds and ends in their arms. They both peered into the girls' dorm, and Rory immediately folded her arms, "I see you've gotten absolutely nothing done."

Leo glared at Charlie and Teddy, "I can't believe the two of you left me alone with that anal prick. He just packed my novels in alphabetical order."

"IT'S CALLED ORGANIZATION!" James bellowed, brandishing a rolled up Quidditch poster at them. He tossed his hair haughtily, black mess of curls bouncing as he did so. Rory covered a giggle behind her hand, eyes soft, and Teddy threw her a pointed look.

Juniper smiled, delighting in the antics of her friend group. Ugh. She still had to pack. But maybe there was a way she could get out of it...and possibly bring two certain idiots in love together. Yes...there was a way. She really was an evil genius.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————

"Still don't know how you did it," Teddy marveled to her lowly, as the six of them walked down to the awaiting Hogwarts Express.

Juniper preened, lifting a careless shoulder, "It's just a matter of choosing your words carefully." Juniper had not had to do a single scrap of packing. And all she'd had to do was tell James that Rory was a better packer than him and vice versa. The pair were practically fighting over who got to pack her trunk up. It was brilliant.

"You are trouble," Teddy said, shaking his head. Then his eyes lit up, "Trouble."

"What?" Juniper tilted her head questioningly.

"I'm going to have to be careful with you aren't I, trouble?"

Juniper felt a little tingle of warmth spread through her fingertips. Looked like Teddy had found the magic word. "You just might," she replied cheekily, wishing she could kiss him. Of course James was literally right in front of them, so she wouldn't dare.

She watched the green landscape fly past her, the train chugging briskly along the tracks. Juniper caught Teddy staring at her out of the corner of her eye and blushed, hitting him lightly on the arm. Meanwhile, Rory ignored Teddy's smug expressions, since she was seated right next to James, dangerously close to touching his hand.

Soon enough, the Hogwarts Express was pulling into Platform 9 3/4, stopping wit a resounding clank of its gears. The metal shined in the late afternoon sun, steam puffing in crisp clouds, disappearing into the crystalline sky.

"Let's move, twinnies," Vanessa poked her head in the compartment, Rose right behind her.

Juniper and James blew a raspberry at her. They hated when Ness called them that.

"Oi! Disgrace to the family," Rose goaded Charlie, "get your lazy arse up, there's press from the Daily Prophet out front." The strawberry blonde grinned, "Don't worry big brother, I'll make sure they get your good side. Oh wait- there isn't one."

Charlie lunged for his sister, who was busy cackling with Vanessa. The squabbling between siblings continued all the way through the train and out inot the station, James and Nessa still tussling when their parents found them.

Hermione closed her eyes wearily, sending a weak wave to the Daily Prophet photgraphers, eager to capture the goings on. "This is entirely your fault," she whispered to her husband, watching as Rose poured a flask full of butterbeer over Charlie's head.

Ron hummed cheerfully, "I know."

Rory craned her neck, standing on her tiptoes to search over the crowds of people, short as she was. Her dad, nor her mum, were nowhere to be found.

She felt a hand on her shoulder, "Oh, Rory dear- you do go by Rory, yes?" Miranda inquired.

Rory nodded.

"Right- well, you see Rory, Oli-your father's been called away to coach the Ireland team, and I'm sure you know what a big opportunity this is for him. Chances like that don't come often."

Rory knew exactly what a big opportunity it was for him. It was practically all he talked about, ranted- raved about. All Rory heard, day in and day out, was how he'd been robbed of his Quidditch career, lost his chance, that he deserved more. That's why he wanted her to do Quidditch so badly, he didn't care about what she wanted, he only cared about living vicariously though her. And now he'd finally gotten his chance to coach again, of course he took it, Rory thought.

Miranda continued, unawares, "And your mum-"

Rory scoffed bitterly, pursing her lips, "Let me guess, Amy didn't want to pick me up from a place like this?" The disdain dripped off her words like poison.

"Uh- yes- your mother, Amanda, well I'm sure she had other things going on, and she just couldn't make-"

"Oh, she could have," Rory said flatly, "she just didn't want to."

That was the problem with her mum. Or, Amy, as Rory liked to call her, since she hadn't been much of a mum to Rory in five or six years. Amanda Wood, once Amanda Harrington, was a Muggle heiress. Oliver and Amanda had a whirlwind romance, having Rory very soon after they met. Rory had always suspected they'd stayed together out of duty to her, at least on Amy's part. She wished they hadn't. She felt bad for Amy, truly, trapped in a marriage with a man lost in the glory days of his youth. She knew her father loved her mother, perhaps more than he should, but her mother had wasted so many years listening to him whine about what could have been. Rory couldn't blame her for resenting him, resenting Quidditch, and therefore holding the whole magical world from which it came from with disgust.

And by proxy...Rory herself.

Amanda had been perfectly happy to care for Rory when she was younger. Her perfect little girl, her mini me, the pride and joy of every luncheon they'd attended. So smart, so beautiful and poised. And then Rory had started exhibiting signs of magic, she turned eleven, got her acceptance letter from Hogwarts. Oliver had been so proud, excited as Rory had seen him in years.

He'd immediately began training her, every hour of every day was spent running Quidditch drills, and all he could talk about was how she was going to. Make the team as a first year. A sport she'd once found kind of fun (she never really liked it much), became something she absolutely dreaded.

Meanwhile Amy grew more and more distant. She tried at first, came along to Diagon Alley, attempting to discuss school with Rory. She just didn't get it, and now she pretended as though the wizarding world didn't exist. So Rory wasn't surprised at all her mother hadn't deigned to pick her up. Not surprised at all.

"It's quite alright, dear, " Miranda said kindly, "you're welcome to stay with us as long as you like. You've been such a good friend to Junie."

"You're coming with us?!" Juniper grabbed her friend's arm excitedly, "Are you serious?!"

Rory nodded, and Juniper squealed, "Finally! I don't have to spend my entire summer surrounded by the Y chromosome!"

"Oi!" The boys cried, offended. Juniper blew them a kiss, sticking out her middle finger.

"Staying with us, Wood?" James sidled up beside her, seemingly innocent. Juniper rolled her eyes.

"I am indeed, Potter," Rory answered, biting back a smile.

James could barely contain his glee, "Brilliant."

Rory blushed, and Juniper punched her brother, "Don't even think about it, James!"

"You don't know what I was thinking," James said, then quickly realized his mistake when Juniper snickered.

Yeah dummy I do

Fuck off

You think I want that image in my mind?

How long is she staying?

I dunno

Is she a pretty sleeper? No- I know she's a pretty sleeper

She's kinda grumpy if she doesn't stick to her sleep schedule actually-

I love her

You're insane, you know that?

Look at her hair in the sun. I wanna die, she's so beautiful.

Duh, I know. She's literally hot.

She's not just hot, Junie, she's-

I can't listen to this again. I swear your thoughts are so repetitive

The motley crew of witches and wizards, young and old, loud and...louder, eventually made it out of the station without any further incidents. Oh who are we kidding? Vanessa tied James' shoelaces together when he was waiting in line, so he face planted when he stood up to use the loo. Teddy and James dumped ash in her air in retaliation. Juniper also got ash on her and teamed up with her sister to make it look as though the boys had peed themselves. There were several other transgressions as well, but those were the highlights.

Rory and Juniper made their way up the lane to the Potter house, flanked by Teddy and James.

"Why is he here?" Rory muttered to Juniper, gesturing towards the blonde boy.

"Haven't you heard?" Juniper replied wryly, teasing. "He's always here."

"I feel loved," Teddy narrowed his eyes at Rory and Juniper, lifting his chin up resolutely.

"You are loved, mate," James reassured, opening the white gate gallantly for Rory, then promptly letting it shut on Juniper.

Harry was waiting in the kitchen when they entered the house, busy at the stovetop. He looked up when his children came in, pushing his glasses up on the bridge of his nose, "Grilled cheeses and tomato soup alright for supper?"

Her mum's favorite, Juniper thought privately. Which either meant they'd had a fight, or her mother was going on a mission soon. Juniper liked neither of these options.

"Sure, Dad," James shrugged in response. "Do we have any Jaffa cakes?" He nosed around the cabinets, Teddy close behind.

The butter sizzled in the pan, soup bubbling in a pot on the back burner, and Miranda receded down the stairs, "You'll spoil your dinner, James."

"Please, Mum," James pouted sickeningly, him and Teddy sporting identical doe eyed expressions.

"Alright, but don't eat too many," Miranda relented, just as Juniper knew she would.

"Mummy's boy," Juniper coughed out under her breath, not at all inconspicuously .

Rory laughed, and Harry noticed the second girl in the kitchen for the first time, "Oh- hullo, Rory?"

Rory waved awkwardly, "Er- hello Professor-"

"Just Harry will be fine," Harry said. It was no secret that the man hated being called Headmaster, Professor, or anything of that sort. In fact, he frequently forgot that he wasn't supposed to call the students by their first names.

"Right- erm, Harry," she tested out warily.

It had always struck Juniper as amusing that her friends were so nervous around her family, particularly her parents and aunts. Like, yeah they were sorta famous, but they were really just embarrassing. And weird. And just complete dorks. Juniper highly suspected if they weren't wizarding celebrities, they'd probably have been bullied as children.

"Ugh," Vanessa appeared in the kitchen, face pinched, "is that cheese?"

"What have you got against cheese, Nessie?" Harry asked, flipping the grilled sandwich in the pan.

"Dad I'm literally vegan," Vanessa replied, with a well practiced eye roll. "Please, godric is that butter too?" Her nose turned up in disdain, "Justice for cows."

Harry blinked. "Hear that, Mandy?" he nudged his wife, bemused. "Our daughter is a vegan."

"Since when are you vegan, Ness?" James filled a glass of water from the faucet, leaning against the counter. His forearms flexed, and Rory ran hot, much to Teddy's delight.

Vanessa twisted her blond hair into a high ponytail, "Since Phil watched that documentary on the conditions of farm animals. It's exploitation you dumbarse. And being vegan helps the environment."

Harry and Miranda nodded in understanding, both mouthing, "Luna," to each other with knowing smiles.

Juniper had had a feeling that was an Ophelia influence. Her mum, Juniper's Aunt Luna, was all about that sort of stuff. For Christmas this year, Luna had given Juniper a bag of "healing crystals" and incense. More than often her birthday present from the Lovegood-Longbottoms' was a potted plant and a horoscope reading. Juniper and James were Cancers, not that she had any idea what the meant.

"Wash up, kiddos," Harry told them, untying his flowery apron as he ladled tomato soup into bowls. "Food's ready."

"For Chrissakes, Dad, James and I are nearly of age," Juniper sighed, "could we maybe stop with the kiddos?"

"Not a chance, Junebug," Harry hummed cheerfully. "Cali girl! Dinner!" he yelled up the stairs.

James handed a serving of dinner to Rory first, of course, the damn prince. "Friendly reminder that I'll be of age before Junie," he stuck out his tongue at his sister.

"Two minutes, I swear to Merlin," Juniper threatened to dump a ladleful of scalding soup down his back, before Miranda whisked the spoon out of her hand.

"Imagine being old," Vanessa snorted, already seated at the table with her avocado toast.

"Imagine being vegan," James fired back through a mouthful of his grilled cheese and tomato soup, spewing crumbs everywhere.

Vanessa flipped him off, "Fucking animal exploiter,"

"Vanessa Draco Potter watch your mouth!" Miranda reprimanded, shaking her spoon...which was still covered in tomato soup. "Shit- fuck, I got it on the linens."

Vanessa gasped, "Fucking hypocrisy!"

Harry struggled to contain his laughter and Miranda threw him a dirty look. The family continued to eat, talking loudly over one another, and in Vanessa's case, regarding everyone with a heavy amount of loathing. As she usually did.

Everyone brought their dishes to the sink, which Harry said he had covered. Yup, Juniper decided silently, definitely something going on. Usually they made the kids do it. And Miranda told them all to go to bed at a reasonable hour, before leaving to meet with Hermione and Ginny at the local pub.

"I love your family," Rory giggled to Juniper as they carried their bags up the stairs, and Juniper just groaned.

"Now you know why I'm here all the time," Teddy added, winking.

Rory raised an eyebrow, looking over her shoulder at the top of the staircase, "Sure that's the only reason?"

Teddy scowled, "Hush, you." Warmth blossomed in Juniper's abdomen.

Juniper showed Rory her room, ushering her inside. However, Juniper remained in the hall.  She tilted her head at Teddy mischievously, lips curving into a full lipped smile.

"Hey, trouble," he whispered to her, voice low in a way that made Juniper's heartbeat speed up. God he was so fucking hot. If they were alone right now...merlin.

Juniper glanced furtively around to make sure no one was in the vicinity, then carefully laced her fingers through his, "Hey, princess."

"I thought you hated princess. You mentioned murder." Teddy reminded her, rubbing his thumb along the back of her hand.

"I do hate princess," Juniper said, "for me." She smirked, "Never said anything about you."

Teddy shook his head, dragging his tongue along his bottom lip, "I hate you so much,"

"I can guarantee I hate you more...princess," Juniper grinned. God she loved him. She loved him so damn much. She hated how much she loved him. She really did.

"Impossible, Potter," Teddy murmured to himself, "Fuck- you're just-" he didn't finish his sentence, resolving instead to pull Juniper in for a powerful kiss. Their lips connected, Teddy's grip firm and strong on her neck. Juniper sighed in satisfaction, running her hands up his broad chest.

"Are we doing a sleepover here tonight? Because- OH MY FUCKING SHIT!" Charlie gasped in horror, agape, caught completely off guard as he came up the stairs. His eyes bugged out of his head comically, mouth hanging open wider than Juniper thought possible. He shouted, "WHAT THE FU-"

Teddy tackled him to the floor, clamping down a hand over his mouth, and dragging him into Juniper's bedroom. James popped out of his room next door, confused, "Was that Weasley shouting like a maniac?"

"No- I mean yes- but- oh fuck!" Juniper attempted to explain but failed miserably. "Just go away, James!" She hurried into her room and shut the door behind her, making sure to lock both that and the door to their shared bathroom. What was she supposed to do now?! This was not good. This was very not good.

Charlie was fighting against Teddy and now Rory's restraints wildly, bewildered and lost.

"Hey, Weasley," Juniper said unaffectedly, wincing.

Teddy and Rory released him carefully, and there was a moment of silence, until, "WHAT THE FUCK IS UP WITH-"

"Muffliato!" Rory uttered in a rush, casting the spell with ease.

"WHAT- WHO- YOU WERE- AND SHE- AND YOU- WHAT THE FUCK, GUYS?!!?!!" Charlie yelled in a stream of incoherence.

Juniper might've found it funny if it was happening to someone else. And if Charlie's reaction was any indication of how the others would react, her and Teddy had definitely made the right decision on holding off announcing their relationship.

Teddy stood, slipping an arm around Juniper's waist, "Well- you see, Charlie..."

"We're-" Juniper looked to Teddy, wondering if he could say it. If he could actually put into words what was happening.

"Potter and I- well we're- she's erm- er- she's- Juniper is my...girlfriend," Teddy let out a huge exhale. Charlie's eyebrows shot up so far they almost disappeared into his ginger hairline.

Juniper felt her cheeks warm. He'd said it. He'd really said it. It was real. "You okay over there, Lupin?" she teased.

"Perfectly fine, Potter." Teddy squeezed her hand, "I love her, Charlie. I really really love her."

"I'm sorry-" Charlie interrupted, in shock, "you- and her. You- and him are- WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!" He clutched his head, blinking rapidly, his gaze set on Rory, "And you- you knew? You knew the whole time?!"

Rory raised her hand sheepishly, "Guilty."

"Holy shit," Charlie whistled in disbelief, "does anyone else know? Leo? Does James know?"

"No! And you cannot tell him!!" Juniper ordered menacingly. She needed Charlie to know how important it was to keep this a secret.

Charlie ran a hand through his hair, "Fucking- I knew something was going on earlier- contacts? Please. Christ- the two of you- after all this time- I never- I mean I never thought- sure Junie was always lovesick, pining away, but I never-"

"CHARLES!" Juniper screeched. That prick. Juniper was going to eat him alive. "SHUT UP!"

Teddy grinned in triumph, hazel eyes twinkling, "Pining?"

"I will hurt you," Juniper threatened, sucking in her cheeks.

"I'd like to see you try, trouble," Teddy cupped her chin in his hands, leaning in for a sweet kiss.

"Oh for fuck's sake," Charlie gagged. "I don't wanna see that. That's revolting, that is." Silently, Juniper flipped him off, her and Teddy continuing to snog away.

Juniper woke up the next morning to the smell of French toast wafting from the kitchen. French toast? That must mean her uncle was here. Matt made a killer French toast. The raven haired girl yawned and stretched, finding the cot next to her empty. Rory must be up already. Her and James both, fucking morning people. Juniper could barely stand them.

She padded down the stairs in her fuzzy striped socks, rubbing her eyes. Her large grey pyjama shirt was rumpled, slipping off her shoulder a bit, and looking more like a dress than anything since it covered her pyjama shorts almost completely.  To her groggy surprise, the kitchen was extremely full that morning. Both of her uncles, Rose, Charlie, Leo, and then her parents, Rory, Teddy, and her sisters.

"Finally decided to join the land of the living, Junebug?" her mum joked, swatting her lightly with a dish towel.

"I need-"

"Here, trouble." Teddy handed her a mug of coffee, making sure he was out of earshot of the adults, "I really like those shorts."

"Yeah?" Juniper bit her lip, taking a sip of coffee.

Teddy's hand brushed over her thigh as he moved past, "A lot." He was certainly feeling bold this morning.

Charlie saw and was decidedly sickened, pretending to vomit, "Some of us are trying to eat, you horny motherfuckers." Juniper choked on her coffee, face beet red.

"You alright, Junebug?" Miranda piped up from the dining table in the other room, and Juniper gave her a thumbs up, sputtering.

The screen door opened with a loud whine, slamming shut as a shirtless James jogged into the kitchen, abs glistening with sweat. Now it was Rory's turn to choke, on her freshly made kale smoothie.

James wiped some sweat off his brow, messing with his hair, "You make that, Wood?" He tousled his hair again.

Rory was having trouble catching her breath, her pulse was racing, heat was rising, heartbeat quickening, and she was not the one who'd been running. "I- what? This-? Oh- er- yes- erm- yes I made it." She paused, "Do- would you like some?"

"Well, if you made it," James winked, pouring himself a cupful, "also, kale hits."

Kale *hits*?

Leave me alone.

You literally suck at flirting

Leave me aloooooooonnneeee

Teddy viewed the whole exchange with much mirth. "Just tell him," he wheedled into Rory's ear.

"No!"

"You'd rather just gawk at him when he comes in from his morning runs?"

Rory threw her head back, sighing, "Can you blame me? It's not as if it's a bad view."

"Oh babes," Teddy rubbed her shoulder.

"I hate that you call me that, you know."

"Yup!"

"So, Mum, have you made a decision yet?" James asked earnestly, coming into the dining room with a shirt on, this time.

Miranda propped her chin on her hand, perusing the stack of paper in front of her, "Well I'm very impressed that you've thought of so much-"

"The itinerary?" James took Rory by the arm and beckoned her into the room, "Wood helped loads with that."

Miranda nodded, "Ah- you're the good influence."

Rory blushed profusely, embarrassed, "Oh- I didn't really..."

"Sure you did," James encouraged, excusing himself to get some eggs and French toast. "Please Mum!"

Once James had gone, Rory stood awkwardly alone in the room with Miranda. For some reason she desperately wanted to make a good impression on this woman. For some reason...

"You can sit if you like," Miranda said, pointing to the chair across from her. Why was Rory so intimidated? It was just Juniper's mum, and James'. And a world renowned Auror...

"Right- of course," Rory fidgeted shyly. She was so grateful that they'd taken her home after the train station. If they hadn't she would've ended up at Amy's parents' house in Surrey. Hilda and Harold. Ugh. Rory was not a fan. They'd written Amy to of the will when she married Oliver, and barely tolerated Rory.

"You know, I was wondering what'd gotten into my son," Miranda mentioned, eyeing Rory with a knowing gleam in her multicolored irises. "Now I understand."

Rory blushed for what must have been the hundredth time that morning, "Oh- James and I aren't- I mean he's great- really great...er- but we're not... we're just friends, really."

Miranda payed no mind to Rory. Mothers always know, after all. "You're good for him, you know. I've never seen him so focused, so responsible."

"James is actually- well I'd like to say I had something do with that, but that's all him. He is smart, he is responsible. He's loyal, and he'd do anything for anyone. He's got the biggest heart of anyone. And yeah he's goofy, but he's also sort of the best guy I've ever met?" Rory gushed. She just couldn't stop herself. It was all true, anyways. "I mean you raised him right- you really did, you should be proud."

Miranda put a hand over Rory's, "I can see why my son likes you so much."

Butterflies fluttered in Rory's stomach, "Did- did he say that? I mean did he tell you-?"

"Sweetheart," Miranda smiled, chucking, "you're all he talks about."

James entered the room, eyeing his mother and Rory suspiciously, "What's going on here?"

"I like her," Miranda said matter of factly, wagging a finger at her son, "don't lose this one. Jamie."

"OKAY MUM!" James cried, humiliated.

"I expect an invite to the wedding!" His mum called in parting, unable to resist embarrassing her one and only son. "Save me a front row seat!"

"WE'RE LEAVING NOW!"

IM SO SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG TO GET OUT I FEEL SO SO SO SO SO BAD!!!!!!!!!!!

EXAMS ARE KILLING ME SLOWLY

death

taylor swift and coffee are the only things keeping me alive

barely

just barely

anyways i love you all, and im so very very sorry

next chap will be the trip!!!

ranting—————————>

help,

colleen