Juniper hopped into a carriage with Vivian, Jade, and Rory. Nothing could match the excitement she felt when riding up to that beautiful castle, orange lights aglow like beacons amid the dark treetops of the Forbidden Forest. Juniper's father used to tell them bedtime stories about Hogwarts, and he would describe it with such fervor and appreciation in his eyes, it only made James and Juniper want to go there more.

She looked at the raucous carriage ahead of them, smiling slightly to herself as she watched Charlie and Leo, who seemed to be in a arm wrestling match of some sort, and her brother desperately trying to get Rory's attention, who was currently staring pointedly at the floor of the carriage, stone faced. And where was Teddy? Well, he'd moved on from the blond and was now chatting up a sixth year with blunt bangs and curves for days. Figures.

Juniper crossed her arms and twisted the other way, catching the eye of Xavier Zabini in the carriage behind her, sitting with his best friends Lola and Brian. She blushed and broke eye contact, Xavier was easily one of the hottest boys in school, right up there with Theodore Lupin himself. He was also a sixth year, bloody loaded, and completely untouchable. Vanessa had been to the Zabini's mansion a few times because of her friendship with Cordelia, now the Potters were pretty well off, but it was nothing compared to the Zabini's level of wealth.

One by one, the carriages arrive at Hogwarts, and the students file into the Great Hall. Usually, the Sortings are dull for Juniper, just one more thing that prevents her from the delicious feast, but this year Cali is one of them, and Juniper is dying to know what house she'll be placed in. She slides into a seat between Leo and Vivian, waiting for her sister's name to be called.

Finally, her aunt reads out, "Calista Ariana Potter."

On cue, they all cheer loudly, the chorus of affirmations coming from the Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor tables.

"WOOHOO CALI!"

"YOU GOT THIS CALI!"

"THAT'S MY SISTER!"

"JOIN US CALI!"

"GO CALI!"

Headmistress McGonagall peered at them over her scroll of names sternly, clearing her throat as a beet red Calista covered her face in her hands. The professor placed the hat on Cali's honey brown curls. For a moment, the hat hemmed and hawed, it was having a bit of difficulty deciding which house she should be in, before rearing its head and roaring for all to hear, "HUFFLEPUFF!"

Professor McGonagall sighed to herself, "Lucky me, now there's one in every house."

The rest of the Sorting flies by, and Calista is delighted to find that Alice has also been sorted into Hufflepuff. Professor McGonagall makes her classic opening speech, which, per usual is followed by overdramatic encouragement from the Gryffindor table. James, Juniper, Leo, Charlie, and Teddy in particular. They do this every year.

"YES MINNIE!"

"GO OFF AUNTIE!"

"ALL HAIL!"

These types of exclamations are typically followed by several over the top displays of awe, for example, in third year, James and Juniper orchestrated for a downfall of rose petals to be dumped over her head at precisely the right moment. This particular prank was made possible by Teddy getting access to the overhead balcony by morphing into Filch. Yes he's still alive, how no one knows. Charlie and Leo teamed up with Peeves to drop water balloons on unsuspecting students, creating etc perfect diversion for Teddy, Juniper, and James to set up the roses. Main character syndrome, am I right?

Professor McGonagall shot them all a glare, "As I was saying, in the words of the late Professor Dumbledore, tuck in."

The food magically appeared on their plates, and Juniper eagerly took a bite of her mashed potatoes, of course Vivian has already scarfed down half her plate, that girl eats so fast Juniper is sometimes worried she'll choke. She looked across the table at Charlie, who wad busy double fisting two drumsticks, and her brother and Teddy, who are shoveling mountains of food into their mouths like animals. Meanwhile, Leo was staring at them with the same expression as Juniper.

"Nobody should have to see this." Leo whispered to Juniper

Juniper shook her head, "The three of you are disgusting."

"We're bulking up Junie, Teddy joked, ruffling her hair, don't you want us to be strong for Quidditch?"

"Assuming I let you on the team." Juniper teased, laughing.

"C'mon Potter, I'm the best Beater you've ever seen."

Beside Juniper, Vivian snorted, "As if."

"Pretty sure that's Viv." Juniper grinned, slinging an arm around her best friend. It was true. Vivian was excellent at Quidditch, with a knack for hitting bludgers.

"Hey Ror, Leo called to the brunette, we gotta gather the first years."

"Coming McGonagall."

"Hey Wood!" James waved to get Rory's attention.

Rory sighed, "What is it Potter?"

James paused, surprised, he was at loss for words. He didn't usually get this far. "I- er-"

"Ok I don't have time for this." Rory rolled her eyes and walked away

"Wait! Wood I-" But Rory is already gone.

Juniper smirked at her brother, "Nice one James."

"Shove off." James grumbled, slumping low in his seat as he chucked a roll at Juniper's head.

Deftly, she caught the roll midair, smiling triumphantly.

"Nice catch." A voice came from behind her.

Juniper turned around to find Jesse McLaggen, sixth year, captain of the Hufflepuff Quidditch team.

"Heard you got made captain." Jesse continued, "Guess I'll see you on the pitch." He winked and the four boys' eyes narrowed.

"I guess you will." Juniper replied, waving goodnight to Jesse. Then she spotted the faces of her friends. "What?"

"Since when are you and McLaggen talking?" Teddy raised an eyebrow, looking disgruntled.

"He plays Quidditch, we talk sometimes, why? What's the matter?"

"He winked at you." Charlie scowled at Jesse's retreating figure

"And...?"

"I did not like the way he was looking at you." James practically growled, "Do we need to sort him out? Because-" He begins to crack his knuckles as Juniper groans, smacking her forehead with her palm.

"Are you serious right now? Are you actually- oh my god you idiots. We were just making conversation, Godric, can I have a conversation with the opposite sex without the four of you turning into a pack of rabid dogs?"

"No." Teddy responded simply, "Don't get involved with McLaggen Junie, he's trouble."

"Don't you think I know that Teddy? I'm not interested in Jesse."

"Good." Charlie stated, folding his arms menacingly, "Because you know that if any boy so much as looks at you the wrong way we'll-"

"I know Charlie, trust me I know." Juniper lay her head on Vivian's shoulder tiredly as she whispered, "Why must they be this way?"

"Aww I think it's sweet Juniper. They want to protect you." Jade told her

"Besides Jesse was practically salivating at the sight of you, and they're right about him being a sleazy guy." Vivian wrinkled her nose at the thought.

"You think McLaggen fancies me? Ok did the elves put something in your pumpkin juice? Because that's absolute batshit. There's not a single boy in this school who fancies me."

"You underestimate yourself Junie, I bet there are a lot of boys who fancy you."

"Now you sound like my mum." Juniper pressed her fingertips to her temple, rising from her seat, "Shall we?" She held out an arm for Vivian and an arm for Jade

"We shall." Vivian took her proffered arm, laughing lightly. Jade rose as well, and the three girls journeyed up the winding staircases to the Gryffindor common room. Rory and Leo stand out front, instructing the first years about passwords and common room etiquette. The other Gryffindor students gathered as well. Their friends catcall from the staircases.

James and Teddy blew Leo kisses while Charlie pretended to faint at the sight of him, "Heavens alive it's Leo McGonagall!"

"Sexiest nerd alive right here ladies!" James called, winking at his friend

Jade, Juniper, and Vivian screamed obnoxiously, pointing dramatically at Rory, "Oh my god look it's Rory Wood!"

"Hottie with a bodyyyy!!" Vivian cupped her mouth and her voice echoed off the high ceilings.

Rory and Leo looked at their friends with murder in their eyes, "Don't mind them they're criminally insane, Leo said to the bewildered first years, just ignore that lot."

"We don't know them." Rory shakes her head vehemently as Vivian, Jade, and Juniper try not to laugh.

They filtered into the common room slowly, catching up with Leo and Rory who had performed their prefect duties for the night.

Rory swatted her friends on the arm, "Azkaban! Azkaban now!"

"Babe we're just hyping you up." Vivian teased, squeezing her hand, "Everyone was thinking it, I just put it into words."

Before they could make the trip to their dorm, Juniper stopped at the start of the stairs, "I should go check on Cali, see how she's settling in." She nodded to her brother, "James?"

"Yeah I'm coming." He joined her and they began to clamber out of the portrait hole.

"Wait up me too!" Leo headed over, flanked by Teddy and Charlie

"Wonderful, Juniper rolled her eyes, a field trip."

The five of them walked quickly through the halls, careful not to be caught unawares by Filch and his nasty cat. Calista is busy listening attentively to the Hufflepuff Head Girl, Madison Torres. Madison is extremely pretty, all curves with round, rosy, apple cheeks, and chocolate brown eyes.

Calista catches sight of her brother and sister and the rest of the boys and  she breaks away from the group, looking extremely disgruntled. "What are you guys doing here?" She hissed, shooing them away.

"We just wanted to make sure you were ok Cali girl." Juniper laughed.

"Did you need the whole entourage for that?"

Juniper gave her friends a pointed look, pursing her lips, "It was just supposed to be me and James, but you know how they are Cali. I've been told it's endearing." She tilted the corner of her mouth up at the boys.

"Well I'm fine, so you can all leave, Cali practically pushed them away, now."

"Are you embarrassed of us Cali?" James clutched his chest in mock horror, tugging a ringlet of her hair.

"YES!" Calista put both of her hands on her brother's chest and guided him back down the hall, "Junie!" She looked at her sister with pleading eyes, "Please make them leave!"

"I'm hurt Cali." Leo sniffed, ruffling his cousin's hair. Calista ducks out of the way, scowling.

"JUNIE!"

"We're going Cali, don't worry, sleep well."

"Calista?" Madison Torres called questioningly, "Is something the matter?"

"No, no, they were just going. Sorry Madison." The girl scurried back into the Hufflepuff dorm, while her siblings and cousins linger.

Madison eyed them with confusion, "Do you...need something?"

"We're Cali's family." Juniper explained, "We're just making sure she's doing ok."

"You're Juniper right?"

Juniper nodded, and they still didn't leave.

Madison smiled slightly, "I'll take good care of her really, she seems like a perfectly capable girl."

"We have your word on that?" Teddy stepped forward, holding out a hand, "I'm Teddy, Teddy Lupin."

"I know, Madison tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and looked up at Teddy through long lashes, and yeah you have my word." She took his hand and shook it.

Teddy grinned, and Juniper groaned inwardly. She was just starting to like this girl.

"Thank you Madison." Teddy puffed out his chest a little, obviously trying to make himself appear more muscular than her already was.

"Call me Maddie."

Juniper could almost see the sparks flying between them, it figured. She was beautiful, he was beautiful, their babies would probably grow up to be beautiful and then proceed to make more beautiful babies of their own. Beautiful people gravitate toward each other. Sometimes Juniper wondered if beautiful people all had a secret signal that allowed them to find each other, like one of the Muggle satellites. At least Madison was a good person. Sweet, focused, friendly, much better than the girls Teddy usually hung around.

"Okay Casanova, James clapped a hand on his friend's back heartily, time to go."

Teddy had a cocky smirk on his face as the five of then headed back to the Gryffindor tower, "She's watching me walk away isn't she?" He whispered to Juniper, the broad grin not fading.

Juniper just blinked at him, "I'm not going to check for you if that's what you're asking."

Teddy only smiled wider, nodding with self assurance, "She's definitely watching me walk away."

Juniper sighed, letting a puff of air out in a big heave. She walked up to her dorm, still shaking her head at his absolute stupidity. This. This right here was exactly why she'd made that decision fourth year.

SHORT CHAPTER SORRY:(

I'LL BE UPDATING MORE CONSISTENTLY NOW DW

-COLLEEN

p.s. jesse mclaggen looks like: