"Is this what death feels like?" Rory bemoaned, slumping on Juniper's shoulder as they walked down the hall to their next class

James hid a chuckle, "Aw, sunshine."

"No. No 'aw sunshine'" Rory huffed, crossing her arms. "I'm still mad at you."

"Come off it, Wood." Teddy rolled his eyes, nudging her. "We beat you at one challenge."

"I'm not entirely convinced you didn't cheat," Juniper added, in firm solidarity with her best friend. Their first day back from holiday, and Parkinson had started the semester off with a Potions competition. To, "get their sorely underprepared arses in gear for NEWTS". Those were her exact words. Teddy and James had beat them out, and Rory hated when Teddy bested her. Juniper was the same with James. Juniper hacked out a cough, which in turn, set James off. Her throat was still a little scratchy.

"And to think," Rory continued, eyeing James, "I practically brought you back to life. Is this how you repay me?" James and Juniper had both caught a nasty cold at the tail end of holiday. Probably due to the fact that they had stayed out practically all day in the freezing snow having a never-ending snowball fight, and coats too thin to be of any use. Though both brother and sister vehemently denied it.

"I still don't understand why Teddy didn't get sick too," Juniper mulled, frowning. "He was out there with us the whole time, and wearing even less." Teddy and Rory had to basically spoon feed Juniper and James, who were both horrible patients.

"I'm a different breed," Teddy quipped, "literally."

"Good thing too," Rory noted, peering at her class schedule. They had Transfiguration next. "I don't know if I could've dealt with three whining, snotty noses."

"If it's any consolation," James smirked, "the two of you made very sexy nurses."

"Amen to that," Juniper echoed, high fiving her brother.

Rory pursed her lips, smile threatening to break loose when she caught James's eye. "Nice try, Potter. Your sweet talk is not going to work on me."

"This time," Teddy said under his breath, mischief written all over his face.

"Lupin!" Rory whacked the boy across the arm with her book bag, glaring daggers at him. "It's not going to work, Potter," she repeated. But even as she spoke those words, her cheeks were turning pink. James was giving her the look. The look. The look that made her feel faint and her knees weak. She was entirely at his mercy and James knew it.

"Really?" James raised a teasing eyebrow, leaning against the wall outside McGonagall's classroom. He grinned, reaching out to brush a strand of her hair behind her ear, "Kinda seems like it is..."

His red and gold tie was as crooked as his damning smile. Rory could not stand it, the way it hung loose around his neck. She must fix it a thousand times each day, button up his shirt too. It was never buttoned all the way, and the sleeves were always rolled up...which, you know, she didn't mind so much. "Idiot," Rory breathed, before pulling him in by that stupid crooked tie and kissing him.

They were interrupted shortly with a prim "Ahem." They found McGonagall, squinting at them over the rims of her glasses, tapping her foot impatiently. She indicated her watch "Class has started, if the two of you would like to find your seats. That is, as long as it doesn't intrude on what seems like a very important mission to find each other's tonsils."

"Sir, yes, sir." James saluted, winking as he passed. Rory was mortified, giving a small meek nod, cheeks burning. Juniper and Teddy were snickering from the back of the classroom

McGonagall let out a tired sigh, pressing a finger to her temple, "Teenagers."

"I'm not sure I want these sex crazed delinquents sitting near us," Teddy whispered in mock trepidation. Him and Juniper were milking the shit out of the situation, delighted that for once, James and Rory were the troublemakers of the four. "They might corrupt our innocent souls, Junie."

Juniper shook her head dramatically, "I'm so disappointed in the two of you. I thought you were better than this."

"Some of us are trying to learn here," Teddy chastised in an over the top disapproving manner. Him and Juniper shared an evil grin.

Rory slumped low in her seat, scowling deeply. "If we buried them in the Forbidden Forest no one would ever find the bodies," she whispered to James.

"Honestly we could just chuck them at the massive spider colony, less hassle," James seconded, miming the insect. "With the pincers and all."

The days passed quickly, most classes consisted of N.E.W.T.S preparation now. Which was boring as hell, in Juniper's opinion. You didn't need to do well on  N.E.W.T.S to be a professional Quidditch player, so she couldn't care less. She had that offer from the League waiting for her, and she was pretty certain she was going to take it. She loved Quidditch, and she'd get to travel. It seemed perfect.

Since Juniper now had an inkling of what life after Hogwarts looked like, she was significantly calmer than her peers. More specifically, Rory, who'd been stressing about seventh year since first year. Now that the end was upon them, Rory was in full Rory form.

Thank god James was there to talk her down from the ledge, otherwise Juniper wasn't sure she'd ever leave the library. That or she'd drown in a pile of her own highlighted notes. The truth was, Rory had no reason to worry. Juniper knew for a fact that she'd been approached by three departments in the Ministry for a internship, and her marks on exams were stellar enough to get her into any study program she wanted..

As for James and Teddy, Juniper had no clue what their plans were, only that they included the other. They probably didn't have one, to be honest. They'd screw around and figure out stuff when they had to. That had been Juniper's plan too, if she hadn't gotten that chance to play professional Quidditch.

"Hey can I borrow your boots for tonight?" Juniper asked Rory, as the four of them ducked into the common room.

"Tonight?" Rory cocked her head, distracted momentarily from her textbook. "What's tonight?"

"Three Broomsticks with Alex and Leah?" Juniper reminded her. They'd scheduled it months ago. Alex finally had a little time off work, and Leah was dying meet Rory. Rory was less thrilled about the prospect, as was Teddy.

Rory flipped through her planner, "Shit that's today?"

"You forget, sweetheart?" James said, flopping down on to the couch.

Teddy murmured low into Rory's ear, "Wishful thinking, maybe."

"Right," Rory murmured back, both careful not to let their significant others hear them. Rory sighed, brow already pulling together tightly in the stressed way that always occurred when she got less than a perfect score. She chewed on the inner corner of her cheek, continuing to look through her planner, "My Runes assignment is due next week and I've barely started, and I was supposed to go to a study session, oh-! And we've got that essay for—"

"Hey," James put two comforting hands on Rory's shoulders, "Wood, relax. You have plenty of time for all of that, I promise."

"Well— if Ror has schoolwork she needs to do..." Teddy started, expression innocent. "That should take priority, and I guess we could reschedule—OW!" Juniper socked him in the arm, shooting him a look.

Rory and Juniper headed upstairs to their dorm, and Juniper had to prevent Rory from running into several walls since her head was buried in her book. "So, boots?" she prompted again, turning the knob to their room.

"Yes, you can borrow them," Rory agreed, tapping her chin. "Ugh— what am I going to wear?"

Vivian was sitting on her bed when they entered, silently braiding her hair.

"Hey, Vivian," Rory gave her a small wave, before busying herself at the dresser.

"How are you?" Juniper asked quietly, sitting down on the bedspread opposite her. "Is everything...?" Alex had given her brief updates over holiday, but Vivian had only stayed at his flat two days before returning to Hogwarts. According to him, the procedure had gone well and she was physically fine. He'd said she didn't talk much and rested a lot, and from Vivian herself there had been radio silence.

"Fine," Vivian nodded, folding her hands in her lap.

"Have you— have you told anyone?" Juniper ventured cautiously, this topic was a minefield. "I mean— after Hogwarts are you going back to—?"

"Look, Juniper," Vivian cut her off. "I really appreciate what you've done, but I don't need— I can take care of things on my own. Like I always do."

"But Vivian— that's what I'm saying," Juniper implored, "you don't have to do it on your own. I can help—"

"I don't need your charity, okay?" Vivian replied stiffly. "I'm grateful for everything, really, but I don't— I will figure out everything myself. I know you don't understand it, just let me be. Please."

"Alright," Juniper rose from her seat with a heavy heave of her shoulders. Vivian was right. She didn't understand it. At all. Even after everything Juniper was still willing to support Vivian.  People needed people. That was like, the number one rule of survival. But If Vivian was too proud to accept her support, or only wanted to rely on herself, Juniper had to respect that. You couldn't help someone who didn't want to be helped. "Well, we're going out tonight. If you'd like to come."

Vivian declined, as Juniper had expected. It didn't hurt to try, right? "I'm good. Thanks."

"Leo, Charlie, Vic, and Henry are staying in, if you want to find them," Rory offered. "I think they're playing a round of Exploding Snap." There was no response from Vivian's direction, so Rory moved on, "Can you hand me that top, Junie?"

"Yup," Juniper tossed her the shirt in question. A long sleeve turtleneck, it was one of Rory's favorites. And she looked amazing in it. Rory pulled it over her head, then shimmied on a pair of sheer stockings.

Juniper, who was busy zipping up a pair of jeans, frowned, "Are you wearing a skirt?" It was the middle of winter still, freezing outside and snowing more often than not.

"Dress, actually," Rory told her, proceeding to throw on a dainty, babydoll slip dress. It had lace detailing at the edges, and thin straps, accentuating her tiny waist nicely. She finished the look off with a pair of platform Doc Martens and a coat of shimmery lip gloss, gathering her hair at the nape of her neck.

Juniper raised an eyebrow, looking her up and down. She was wearing tight, washed black jeans and a loose red cardigan, and her leather jacket of course. The dressiest thing about her outfit was Rory's heeled boots.

Juniper's hair was in ponytail like always. Now, Juniper had never been one for getting all gussied up, Rory had always been better about it than her. But they were going to Three Broomsticks for Merlin's sake, sometimes her and Rory showed up in stained sweatpants. Juniper had a sneaking feeling that this display was due to something else.

That something else being a 5'8 blonde named Leah.

"What?" Rory asked, smoothing her dress of wrinkles.

"Nothing," Jumpier shook her head, grabbing her jacket off of the chair. "You look hot."

"That was the general idea," Rory smiled, linking arms with Juniper as they headed out the door. The Doc Martens made her near even with Juniper, who was five foot five....fine, five foot four and three quarters. Emphasis on near. They came to stop in front of the guys' dorm, about to knock, "How much you wanna bet the boys are not even close to ready yet?" Just as Rory's knuckle was about to touch the wood, the door swung open.

"What was that now, Wood?" Teddy folded his arms pointedly, smug. Him and James stood in the doorway, seemingly ready. Both looking far too pleased with themselves. The four of them trotted down to the Hogsmeade passageway.

Teddy, who had obviously come to the same conclusion about Rory's appearance that Juniper had, elbowed her, "That worried, eh Ror?"

"Shut it," Rory whacked him with her purse. "Your shirt is practically off for how far down you've unbuttoned it. And where'd you get those trousers? The toddler aisle?" Teddy glowered at her and Rory giggled, "Don't dish it out if you can't take it, Goldilocks."

Teddy's jaw dropped in horror, "I'm going to kill Nessa!" Then, softer so only Rory could hear, "I'm merely showing off my assets, Ror."

Rory gagged, "You disgust me."

"What a coincidence," Teddy stuck his tongue out at her, "you disgust me too!"

"Well, you disgust me more."

"I'm pretty sure you disgust me more."

"You—"

James glanced over his shoulder, him and Juniper laughing, "What are you two bickering about now?"

"For your information, Potter," Rory lifted her chin haughtily, "we were actually getting along really well."

"Oh yeah?" Juniper was disbelieving.

"Erm— yes," Teddy reiterated, "didn't you know we're literally the best friends ever?" Him and Rory made a heart with their hands, completely sarcastic.

"Literally," Rory repeated, pinching his cheeks with a slightly more force than she needed. "I mean— we're more than best friends. We're soul mates."

"Twin flames," Teddy said in a sugary voice, linking pinkies with Rory. They were greatly enjoying their little performance. "Actually— we were just professing our undying love for one another. We've decided to elope and run away together."

"Ah," James and Juniper suppressed laughter.

"We're sorry you had to find out this way," Rory pretended to wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. Solemnly, "Not that you didn't expect it."

"Of course," Juniper nodded sagely, "seeing as it was so obvious."

Teddy clapped James on the back, sun beginning to set behind them, "No hard feelings, mate?"

"Who am I to stand in the way of true love?" James reassured him with a grin, chuckling.

By the time they finally arrived at the Three Broomsticks, the sun had set, stars twinkling overhead. Alex and Leah were waiting for them at a corner table a round of butterbeers already there.

"Alex!" Juniper exclaimed, at the exact same time James said, "Leah!" Teddy and Rory hung back as the other four greeted each other excitedly.

"I have not seen you in so long!" The blonde girl enveloped James in a massive hug, and Rory tensed beside Teddy.

She really was beautiful, sparkling blue eyes, and a glowy tan that had not yet faded. Leah was wearing blue jeans that fit her like a glove, and a simple wrap top. And she was not only sporting a septum piercing, but rocking it, a look that Rory knew she could never pull off. She hated her for it a little. Her glittering smile and perfect beachy waves. God, she was pretty.

And touching James's arm. She was intensely pretty and she was touching James's arm. Rory would've quite liked to take a fork and stab her right in her perfectly symmetrical button nose.

It was almost like Teddy knew what she was thinking as he gave her a wry smile, which quickly turned into a pinched pucker when he saw Alex kiss Juniper on the cheek. The two sighed simultaneously, "Well, this should be fun."

After the initial introductions, they took their seats. Leah, who'd never met Teddy or Rory, was eager to get to know them. Juniper didn't know Leah all that well either, just that she was Alex's best friend, and for some reason liked James enough to write to him. They all talked until their glasses were empty.

Well— all is a broad term. Teddy grunted occasionally, keeping his hand firmly on Juniper's thigh. Juniper would like to say she minded, but she didn't. The comfortable weight made her feel secure, and the occasional stroke of his thumb didn't hurt either. Every so often, when she noticed his knuckles whiten after Alex said something to make her laugh, she'd lace her fingers through his, gently squeezing in reassurance.  Though, once or twice, Teddy laugh at something Alex said, looking almost surprised when it happened.

Meanwhile, Rory was very poised. Too poised, in Juniper's opinion. She remembered the first time she'd brought up Leah, back in sixth year. Rory had acted strangely, and then Juniper had thought nothing of it. It was funny, really, Juniper knew that Rory had nothing to worry about. James was utterly smitten with her, even now, he couldn't keep his eyes off of her.

Besides, Leah was not at all interested in James. In fact, Juniper had the strangest feeling that Leah's interests lay elsewhere. Throughout dinner, Juniper noticed the way Leah's eyes drifted to Alex. The warmth in her expression when he rested his he'd on her shoulder. The pair were basically playing footsie under the table. Juniper had never seen Alex like that. Then again, she'd never really spent time with him around Leah. He lit up whenever she spoke.

She knew they'd been friends forever, since school, but there was nothing friendly about the way Alex gazed at Leah's lips whenever they moved. Interesting. Very interesting. Maybe Juniper could play a little matchmaker, it was February after all. She'd make a great Cupid.

"Anyone up for a refill?" James asked, holding up his drained mug in question.

"I'll come with you," Rory nearly catapulted out of her seat, anxious to escape. Alas it was not to be.

Leah followed, "Think I'll join you two, I want to see if they have chips." She corrected herself quickly, "Not fries. Chips. Real chips."

"Could you be any more American?" Alex lamented, teasing.

Leah shoved him, "You just quoted Chandler Bing. I win." She tossed her hair, standing up, much to Rory's dismay.

Juniper carefully clocked Alex obviously checking out Leah's arse and long long legs as she walked to the bar with Rory and James. Perfect. Here was her opportunity. She pounced immediately, "You like her!"

"Huh?" Alex was bewildered by her sudden outburst, as was Teddy.

"Leah!" Juniper hate having to explain herself. Why did men always have to be so thick? "You's so totally in love with her."

"Are you drunk?" Alex peered at her closely, turning to Teddy, "Is she drunk?"

"I don't have to be drunk to see that you and Leah are moony eyed for each other," Juniper huffed, flicking Teddy in the back of the head. "Back me up here!"

"What— oh yeah," Teddy nodded, "definitely moony eyed."

"Leah is my best friend," Alex insisted, taken off guard. Juniper could tell he was lying because he was flustered. Alex was never flustered. Again. Very interesting. He sputtered, "I don't— I'm not moony eyed. I mean she's gorgeous and funny and kind— and I love her to death, but we're not— I don't— and she doesn't— she's my best friend. That's all." Teddy snickered to himself. "What?"

Teddy and Juniper shared a meaningful look, "Nothing," Teddy ran a hand through his hair, "you just- er— you sound like me two years ago."

"And we all know how that turned out."

Back up at the bar, Rory, James, and Leah were waiting for the drinks. James was trying to get Madam's Rosmerta's attention, sometimes her could sway her into giving them Firewhiskey. Though they were of age, she wasn't supposed to sell to Hogwarts students. Leah put a hand on Rory's shoulder, looking down at her, "He's the one of the good ones, isn't he?"

"Sorry?" Rory looked up at her, damn those blue eyes were positively mesmerizing. How was she so tall? This was unfair. Rory hated that she had to look up at her.

Leah towered over her like some sort of goddess. A blonde Amazon angel, sent from the heavens to make Rory feel like a frumpy garden gnome. She was just the right height for James, too. Her head meeting perfectly at his shoulder.

While it wasn't a full foot between her and James, Rory had always known they must look comical together. If she stood on her tiptoes her head barely met the top of his chest.

"There are so few good men left out there. Especially wizards." she continued. "James is one of the good ones. I knew it from the first time I met him."

"Right," Rory swallowed, hard. And he's mine! She wanted to say. Mine. My boyfriend. My good one. My James. "I'm pretty lucky."

"Indeed," Leah smiled, James returning just before there could be any awkward silence.

"What are you two going on about?" James was heartened to see Rory actually speaking to Leah. He knew it was hard for her, even though she was undeniably cute when she was jealous.

"You," Rory kissed him on the cheek, standing on her tiptoes to do so. She ducked beneath his arm, "Apparently you're one of the only good men in this world."

"Who can argue with that?" James preened, messing with his hair. A black curl fell over his forehead, and Rory attempted to put it back in its place. The key word there being attempted. "I'd say Al is one of the good ones, too."

A soft sort of look came over Leah's face, "He is."

"So, any success with the whiskey, Potter?" Rory leaned into his chest, already knowing the answer.

"Unfortunately, my irresistible charm and dashing good looks did not work," James clutched his heart dramatically. "Odd, because they usually do."

"Idiot," Leah and Rory both said simultaneously, and despite herself, Rory smiled when it happened.

Leah giggled, "You know what? I think he's luckier." Damn it, Rory cursed. Damn it. Damn it all. She was nice. Rory couldn't hate her if she was nice. Now, Rory liked her. Ugh. Her life was so hard. Leah put an arm around her, the girls leaving James to carry the drinks back on his own, "You have no idea how much I've heard about you, Rory."

"Oh, really?" Rory raised a mischievous eyebrow. "Tell me more."

"Leah!" James shouted after them, balancing mugs in his arms. "Wood!"

Leah and Rory spent the rest of the night swapping stories about James, talking animatedly and giggling intermittently. Juniper spent the rest of the evening convincing Alex to ask Leah out, while Alex protested again and again. At one point Juniper thought eh even growled at her. To be fair, she had not been very overt about her signaling with Leah right next to him.

"They're friends now," James clapped his hands happily, watching Leah and Rory chatter on.

"I can see that," Teddy noted, biting back a grin. Leah whispered something in Rory's ear, eyeing James. Rory clapped a hand over her mouth, and they both burst into raucous laughter.

James squinted, suddenly unsure. What exactly were they saying about him? "I feel like I've made a mistake."

"There it is," Teddy pointed a finger at him.

"No— no—" James's voice was more uncertain than Juniper's in Divination. "It's a good thing. Right? It's a good thing for your girlfriend and your girl friend have a friendship. Isn't it?"

"It has not worked out well for me so far, no," Teddy said, patting James on the back. "I'm afraid the damage is done, mate."

Juniper was glad that Rory and Teddy appeared to have gotten more used to Alex and Leah. Hopefully they could do things like this more in the future, especiallly since Rory to along with Leah now. That would certainly make things easier.

She was also glad that she got to talk to Alex. He was living on his own, working, he was on his own. So was Leah. And that would be Juniper, James, Rory, and Teddy in just a few, short months. Juniper hoped they'd do as well in the future as Alex had, and although Juniper had always been one for living in the moment, right now, she felt as if she had to think about what came next.

She had to think about the future, because it was important. This was something she kind of needed a plan for. She couldn't just jump in headfirst. Juniper needed to know what to do. Most importantly, did her future include Teddy?

Did Teddy want to be included in her future? He'd always been so vocal about his commitment phobia, his adversity to marriage. Sometimes she still couldn't believe that they were in a committed relationship. That she was his girlfriend.

Of course she wanted Teddy in her future. Of course she did. She couldn't imagine life without him. But to what extent? She didn't want to freak him out, send him running for the hills. She was still afraid of that. One wrong move and he'd be gone. She needed to know, though. These were important things to know.

Her and Teddy had veered off from Rory and James, choosing to wander around Hogsmeade's cobbled streets instead go heading back up to the castle. Rory had claimed fatigue, but Juniper saw that look on James's face. The one he always used to have on when he stole cookies out of the jar. She knew exactly what the two of them were up to. Though she wished she didn't. Gross.

Taking a deep breath, Juniper ventured, "So— er— Teddy— you know how we were talking about life after Hogwarts at dinner?"

"Sure," Teddy kept her from falling as she tripped over a bit of pavement.

"Well—" Juniper exhaled. Here goes. Now or never. "I know that you and James have always talked about getting a flat together after school. I mean— Rory and I have talked about the same thing. But now— James gave her a promise ring, I feel like they might— you know, and— well, what about us? I'm not saying— I mean I don't want a promise ring or anything. I— I know that you might— but what if we got a flat? Maybe all four of us." She was babbling now, completely overthinking. She was scared of what would happen if she stopped speaking. "That way we could afford something nice— and you don't have to— I just want to know how much to factor you in. Because I want to factor you in, but I want you to want me to—"

"Whoa," Teddy grabbed her by the shoulders, "breathe, Juniper." He waited for her to inhale a much needed gulp of air. "So you want to— live with me?"

"Only if you want to— I— I know it's a big thing to- to think about. And we're young and we're not—" Juniper bit her lip before she could say anything more, as she'd been dangerously close to saying the forbidden word. The m word. Married.

"No— I mean," Teddy rubbed a hand over his jaw, mulling it over, "it's not that I haven't thought about it." He had. A great deal actually. Teddy's future had always looked a bit bleak. He knew that prejudice still existed, there were lots of places that wouldn't hire him because of his condition. He'd have to make his own arrangements for transformations after Hogwarts too. He didn't want Juniper to have to deal with that. With him. "I think it'd be fun. Especially is the four of us all live together."

Juniper's heart caught in the back of her throat, "Fun— you really—? So you want to...?"

"Yeah," Teddy traced the line of cheekbone gently. He shrugged, "I mean it's still pretty far off. Nothing's set in stone, yet. But yeah— it's something to think about."

And just like that, a huge weight lifted off Juniper's shoulders. She was so so relieved. She'd never been more relieved in her life. Juniper hugged him, "Okay. Okay. I just— I'm so glad that you— did I freak you out? Because I know— I didn't want to freak you out."

Teddy pressed his forehead to hers, "You didn't freak me out, Potter."

"Promise?"

"Promise," Teddy kissed her, and Juniper melted into him, savoring the faint taste of butterbeer on his tongue.  "I love you, trouble."

Juniper kissed him again, smirking, "Understandable."

"Shut up." They continued to walk. Rather— snow, with some walking sprinkled in. They blindly wandered through Hogsmeade, only focus on each other. Teddy feathered the tips of his fingers against her arms, hands traveling downwards until they grazed just beneath her ribs. Juniper shivered in response to his intoxicating touch, lips parting. She gasped as he dug the hand not gripping her waist into her black tangles, pulling her even closer. He groaned.

So absorbed with one another, that Juniper backed straight into something fleshy. A person. And not just any old person, either.

"Oh—" Juniper whirled around to apologize, red in the face.

"Hey, Juniper."

Juniper's mouth fell open. Because standing before her was none other than Xavier Zabini. She hadn't seen him in a year, not since, well— not since her and Teddy kissed for the first time. He looked mostly the same, a bit broader chested.

Teddy's mood instantly darkened. His fists clenched and he stepped in front of Juniper. The classic, psycho Teddy Lupin protectiveness was in full gear.

"The two of you are together then?" Xavier queried, his eyes flicked to Juniper. "So I was right? About him? About you and him? I was right." Teddy growled, and Xavier backed up a few steps. "Look, I don't want any trouble. Have a good—"

"Honey they were all out of— oh—! Hey." Lola appeared from around the corner, taken aback from Teddy and Juniper's presence. She took Xavier's arm.

Juniper arched an eyebrow, "So I was right too." She grabbed Teddy's hand, leading him away from Xavier before he could attack him. "Always a pleasure, Lola."

When they finally got back to the castle, Juniper was yawning up a storm. She could've fallen asleep on the moving staircase if Teddy had let her. Juniper clambered through the portrait hole, finding the common room empty except for a slumbering Charlie Granger Weasley. He stirred when they entered, ginger hair mussed from sleep and eyes bleary.

Charlie stretched, "Whatever you do. Do not go in our dorm." He warned, shuddering, "Seriously. Don't."

"That why you're out here?" Juniper yawned for what must be the thousandth time, snuggling herself into Teddy's body. "You can come to mine, you too Teddy."

"Already planning on it, trouble," Teddy nipped at her neck.

Charlie pretended to vomit, "Aw, yuck! Come on, guys." He grabbed a package off the table and thrust it at Teddy, "This came for you, by the way."

Teddy's werewolf senses went into high alert, a strong scent emanating from the brown box. Something in that package was setting him off. What, he couldn't be sure. He took it from Charlie, nostrils flaring involuntarily. His skin prickled with goosebumps, hair standing on end.

"You coming, Lupin?" Juniper paused at the foot of the stairs, wondering why he wasn't following her.

He waved her on. Something told him that he ought to open the mysterious package alone. "I'll catch you up." Once Juniper and Charlie had safely disappeared around the curve of the staircase, he carefully unwrapped the twine ties.

As soon as the package fell open, the smell hit him smack in the nose, overpowering. In the box there was a single piece of parchment, stained with blood. Human blood. So close to the full moon, Teddy's mouth filled with saliva, unfolding the note. His stomach turned over, another scent he recognized hitting him then. No. It couldn't be. But it was.

The letter was brief, just two sentences. But those two sentences were enough to change Teddy's entire world.

Join us.

Or she's gone.

Selene was back.

you didn't think she was gone? did you?

AHAHHAHAHHAHHA

ANGST ANGST ANGST

oh these next few chapters are going to be

SO.

MUCH.

FUN.

for me

not you

yeah you guys are not going to have quite as much fun

MWAH LOVE YOU!!

-colleen

thoughts--------------------------->