Juniper grumbled as she traipsed the hallways with Jade and Rory. Vivian was in detention for exploding her potion all over Professor Parkinson's robes. All around them girls giggled and whispered in huddles, while boys leaned against archways casually. "I swear to Godric if I see another one of these posters, I will- "

"I'd hate to see you in detention again Junie." Professor McGonagall warned, tapping her wand sternly.

Jade gasped, extremely caught off guard, and Rory went pin straight, self consciously touching her hair.

"Sorry Auntie- I mean Professor." Juniper gave her aunt a cheeky grin, and returned to walking down the halls.

"How does she do that?" Jade put a hand to her chest, "I nearly passed away."

"I still can't believe you talk her like that, so casually." Rory shook her head in disbelief, "I could never."

"You obviously haven't seen her cursing like a drunk bloke at a Quidditch game." Juniper laughed at the memory, and then returned to her scowling as she spotted another advertisement for the annual dance.

Usually this dance, started when Hogwarts welcomed its first group of new students back after the rebuild as a way of celebration, was held in the spring. However, this year the dance had been moved up in honor of the twentieth anniversary of the Yule Ball. It was even gong to be an exact replica of the night in 1995, and pretty much everyone at Hogwarts was in a dance frenzy. Everywhere Juniper looked another girl or guy was being wooed, James had asked Rory at least five times already. Juniper couldn't stand it. To top it off, her parents and the whole group was extremely abuzz as well. The original classes that attended the dance had all been invited, which meant that not only would Juniper have to attend this stupid charade, but that her parents would be there as well, which was just perfect.

She was supposed to meet her mum, aunt Ginny, and aunt Hermione in Hogsmeade to get dresses. Her aunt Hermione was especially frantic about the anniversary, particularly because the Daily Prophet was doing a story on the six friends and their families, sort of a "where are they now" piece. This was very important to Hermione because the election was coming up, although at this point she was going to be the Minister of Magic no matter what. She was the best person for the job, and everyone knew it. That didn't stop her from stressing, despite Ron's attempts to calm her.

"I just don't understand why they have these things in every corridor." Juniper grumbled, "It's already all over every bloody newspaper, even the Quibbler is talking about it."

"Aw c'mon," Rory nudged her, "dances aren't so bad, they can be fun if you let them, Junie. None of us have dates anyways, we can stick together."

"You could have date if you wanted Ror." Juniper gave her a pointed look, "It's not as if you haven't been asked."

"James doesn't count." Rory crossed her arms haughtily.

"Does Charlie count?" Jade smiled sheepishly, looking down at her palms.

Juniper almost choked, "WHAT?!"

"He asked me yesterday," a faint blush spread across Jade's face, before she quickly clarified, "as friends! AS FRIENDS! Stop giving me that look you guys!"

"When I get a hold of that boy..." Juniper raised an eyebrow mischievously, "I can't believe he didn't tell me about this!"

"It's not big deal, we're going as friends. He didn't have anyone and neither did I, so we decided to go together." Jade explained, her cheeks still rosy.

"Mmmhhmm sure." Rory didn't even try to suppress her wide grin as she squeezed Jade's arm, "That's why you're blushing so much then?"

"Shut up Ror, or I'll tell James you want to go to the ball with him."

Rory's mouth dropped open, "You wouldn't."

"Wanna find out?" Jade giggled teasingly.

"Have you told your dads yet?" Juniper asked quizzically, she couldn't imagine telling her parents she had a "date" even if it was just as friends, let alone the boys.

"Merlin no, Jade shook her head emphatically, shuddering at the thought. "They'd either be wayyy too happy for me, or wayyy too over protective. No in between. And dad would probably make some joke about how dating Weasleys is a family trait."

"You just said dating." Juniper pointed out.

"Wha- no- I didn't-" Thankfully, Jade is saved from having to answer because their attentions are drawn to a heated conversation between Teddy and Madison.

"Teddy that's not fair you can't-" Their tones are hushed but angry, the girls can only make out some of the conversation without looking like they're eavesdropping.

"...I told you Maddie!" They catch the tail end of Teddy's retort as he storms off, leaving Madison agitated.

Jade and Rory look to Juniper with wide eyes, "Any idea what that was about?"

"No clue." Juniper was just as confused as they were, she had thought Teddy and Madison were doing well. To her surprise, Madison spotted her. Immediately, she ducked her head, figuring she had been caught, but Madison approached her.

"Can I talk to you for a sec Juniper?" Madison tapped her on the arm.

Jade and Rory exited quietly as Juniper nodded, following Madison to a small alcove in the hall.

"Is something wrong?" Juniper adjusted her bag across her shoulder, gazing up at Madison's solemn face.

"No- I mean yes- but, I'm not really sure." Madison lowered her voice so as not to draw attention to themselves.

"Huh?" Juniper was completely bewildered, "Why are you-"

"I just thought- I think something's going on with Teddy."

"What happened?"

"He's been...off lately, he's not as affectionate, he doesn't come see me as often, he's always talking to other girls. He gets irritated more, sometimes he's standoffish, and ignores me."

Juniper sighed, she knew this was going to happen, "Madis- Maddie, I tried to warn you, I told you that he wasn't going to be a boyfriend. I don't understand what you want me to do here."

"No, she shook her head, this is different, it's not just-"

"Look, Juniper put a hand on Maddie's shoulder, I'm sorry, I really am. You're a nice girl, it's not about you, it's Teddy. I know you had hope, but-"

"You could talk to him. I know you could." Madison stared straight through her, and Juniper squirmed under the intensity, "You could find out what's going on, and then maybe-"

"If I could help you Maddie, I would, but trust me this is how things go with him. I'm sorry." Juniper was genuinely sorry. She knew just how careless Teddy could be with girls' hearts, and Madison didn't deserve this. Any girl in her position would blame his sudden lack of interest on something else.

"Ok, Maddie bit her lip, thank you. This conversation actually helped a lot."

"I'm glad. Now I really should get going. I'll see you later?" Juniper smiled, turning to go

"See you later." Madison waved, going down the opposite way to the Hufflepuff dorms.

She met Jade and Rory outside the entrance to the common room. They had waited for her, the good friends they were, although they probably also waited in part because they wanted to hear about what went down between Madison and Juniper.

"Are you guys like... friends now?" Jade furrowed her brow, voice laced with shock.

"What- no. I mean kind of, she asks me for advice about Teddy that's all."

"And you give it to her?" Rory blinked in confusion. "Willingly?"

"Yes I- why are you staring at me like that?"

"We're just surprised you're helping her." Jade replied, swinging open the portrait hole.

"She's nice, I feel bad for her okay."

"We thought- you know given your history with Teddy..." Rory started, trailing off guiltily whens he saw the glare Juniper was sporting.

"For the thousandth time I do not like-"

"Is Junie in denial about a certain blonde again?" Leo sidled up behind them, smirking at Juniper, who swatted him on the arm with her book bag.

"Shove off Leo, then Juniper rounded on him, did you know about Charlie and Jade."

"He asked her to the ball right?" Leo shrugged nonchalantly, and then made air quotes, "As friends."

Jade frowned at Leo, "The air quotes were not necessary."

He grinned, "Oh I think they were."

"So Charlie has a date, Teddy's most likely going with the Madison girl, James- I'm not going to talk about James, Rory cleared her throat, what about you Leo? Have you...asked anyone?"

Juniper side eyed her friend suspiciously, that was a little weird. Rory was using an odd higher pitched voice, and wouldn't make direct eye contact with anyone.

Leo seemed unaffected, "Nah, James and I are probably going stag. Why?"

Rory ducked her head, and Juniper noticed that her face was slightly flushed, "No reason. Juniper and I are most likely going alone too, you know, unless someone asks us."

"Well James has certainly asked." Vivian entered the common room, lips curving into a daring smile as she ribbed Rory.

"Ugh, Rory groaned, putting her hands to her face, don't."

"What about you Miss Knox?" Juniper poked her shoulder, "I'm sure you're fielding some proposals at the moment."

Vivian laughed, "Maybe. I'm still making my final decisions." She fluttered her fingers airily, sinking down into a comfy armchair and pulling out a fresh sheet of parchment paper. She cursed as her quill snapped, spraying ink everywhere, "Shit, honestly why can't we just use fucking pens?!" This was not the first time she'd voiced this opinion.

"That reminds me, Leo looked up from his book, I need to buy some new school supplies, anyone up for a Hogsmeade trip this weekend? I'd go with the guys but they've got some inane Quidditch clinic."

Juniper made a sullen expression, pouting as she responded, "Yeah, an inane Quidditch clinic that I have to miss because mum's making me go shopping for stupid dresses. Sorry Leo, I can't."

Jade and Vivian apologized as well, "I'm helping Professor Longbottom in the greenhouse." Jade said.

"I'm going to the inane Quidditch clinic too." Vivian rolled her eyes, "Nice vocabulary flex by the way McGonagall."

"I know." Leo preened, pretending to toss his hair.

"Well...I'm free, I- I could go with you. If you want?" Rory stammered, all three of her friends sharing a wary look with the other.

"Yeah?" Leo asked, smiling.

"Sure. It's no problem."

"Excellent, thanks Ror." Leo checked his watch, "Crap look at the time, we've got study group in five, you coming?"

"Coming." Jade and Rory chorused, packing their books and parchment up and following Leo out of the common room. Around third year, Leo, Rose, and Vanessa decided to form an informal gathering to study with. This group quickly expanded, and it now housed Rory, Jade, Evelyn, Cordelia, Marie, and many others. Now that O.W.L.'s were fast approaching, the group met even more often.

Juniper winced, "We should probably start studying for those huh?" She looked at Vivian.

"Eh, Vivian scoffed, who needs studying?"

"Took the words right out of my mouth Knox" James plopped himself down on the sofa opposite Juniper, Charlie and Teddy in tow.

Outside the window, the snow was falling quickly, blanketing Hogwarts in a gorgeous layer of sparkling white. The snowflakes swirled wildly in the air, and the whiteness was so thick you could hardly see the Forbidden Forest below. This was Hogwarts at its most gorgeous, icicles glistening from every eave, the trees dusted with fresh powder. It was a fairly heavy snow for November, but no one was complaining.

Vivian sighed happily, resting her chin on her hand as she gazed at the storm, "I love snow."

"I would've pegged you as more of a summer girl." Teddy chuckled at her reaction.

"I like summer too, but nothing, nothing compares to a snow day."

"Snow day?" Juniper, James, Teddy, and Charlie are all equally baffled.

Vivian gasped, "That's right! None of you will ever know the joy of waking up the morning after a blizzard and you run to the television to see if your school has been canceled for the day. Oh, you guys, Muggle snow days were the bomb. You could stay inside and drink hot cocoa and watch movies all day, or you could go sledding. Snow days were like the basis of my childhood."

"Why don't we get snow days?" Charlie huffed indignantly, palled at this short hadn't they'd been dealt.

"When you live and go to school in the same place, it kind of defeats the purpose." Vivian laughed.

"Well I do not think that's fair." James folded his arms.

"You're right, Juniper had gotten an idea, it's not fair..." Her eyes lit up as a plan began to form in her mind.

"I know that face, Teddy pointed excitedly, Junie has a prank!"

"Do I?" Juniper smirked, scribbling something down on her parchment.

"Oh my merlin you're right she has prank face on!" Charlie bounced up and down in his seat, rubbing his hands together gleefully, "It's gonna be a good one I just know it."

"Tell us Junie! Tell us!" James commanded impatiently, while Juniper paused for dramatic effect. She rather enjoyed making them wait for it.

"I-"

"Miss Vivian Knox?" A voice came from the entrance to the common room. "Professor McGonagall needs to see you in her office."

"Can I ask why?" Vivian was surprised, "Have I done something wrong?"

"She just wanted you to come right away miss." The house elf squeaked.

"Alright, Vivian responded disappointedly, I can't believe I'm going to miss Junie's prank idea."

"Don't worry V, I'll tell you when you get back." Juniper reassured.

"See you guys." Vivian disappeared out the portrait hole.

"Well..." James motioned for Juniper to continue, the boys looking at her eagerly.

"Right, Juniper pressed forward, so we were talking about how we cannot have a snow day because we live and go to school in the same building, but... what if the building was the problem?" She tilted the corner of her mouth suggestively, raising an eyebrow.

Teddy caught on first, "Are you saying...what I think you're saying?"

James and Charlie's eyes grew wide, "We make it snow...inside Hogwarts!!!"

Juniper nodded fervently, "It's just a weather charm, but on a slightly grander scale." She winked, "So grand, that the professors won't be able to fix it easily. I think we can combine a sticking charm as well just to be sure." She showed them the notes she had sketched down on the parchment paper, displaying her thought process. "So...what do you think?"

"Let's get to work." Teddy ruffled her hair, and the boys bent over the parchment. They talked late into the night, Leo joined them at some point, adding to the rather in depth discussion that was occurring about mixing charms. Rory and Jade just shook their head, saying they didn't even want to know and retiring to their dorms as soon as they retuned from study group.

The remainder of the week passed quickly, most of their free time was consumed by the planning of the prank. The boys and Juniper spent every waking moment perfecting and practicing their technique, they had the prank scheduled for the end of exams, just before the dance.

Juniper hadn't seen Vivian since that night in the common room. According to McGonagall, Vivian had taken an early holiday, and wouldn't be returning until the second semester, but she wouldn't tell Juniper anything more than that.

Before Juniper knew it, it was Friday. She slogged through the slushy ice in the courtyard to her last class of the day, she could not wait for the weekend, even if it did mean shopping for dresses with her mum.

When she arrived to Charms, sliding into the empty seat between James and Jade, something was different. The desks had all been pushed back to the sides of the room, creating an empty space in the middle. Professor Flitwick was nowhere to be found and McGonagall stood in the center of the room, watching them all like a hawk as the filed in.

"Where's Flitwick?" She whispered to her brother.

"I dunno." James shrugged his shoulders, whispering back, "It was like this when I got here."

McGonagall clapped her hands twice, bringing them all to attention, "As I'm sure you all know the upcoming dance is fast approaching. Now, this dance is particularly special because it is modeled after the Yule Ball, a time honored tradition in the wizarding world. And although the Triwizard Tournament has ceased to exist for certain... reasons, the Yule Ball is still an important part of this school's heritage. You are my house, and you will under no circumstances embarrass me." She narrowed her eyes at where Juniper, James, Charlie, Teddy, and Leo sat, "Which is the reason we are having this dance practice."

As soon as she said the two words, an audible groan echoed through the classroom.

"Now, now, she tsked disapprovingly, there will be none of that. Your parents had to do it and so will you." She gestured at James, "Mr. Potter, up you get."

"Me?" James pointed at himself incredulously, eyes wide with horror.

"Yes you Mr. Potter, she grabbed him by the arm, sometime in this century preferably."

Juniper, Charlie, Leo, and Teddy snickered quietly, mocking James as McGonagall demonstrated how to do a proper waltz. He looked positively mortified when she instructed him to put his hands on her waist, and then glared at his friends with such ferocity had he had the power to do so, they would have shriveled up right then and there.

McGonagall cued some music, and announced that they should all pair up. James tried to leave, but McGonagall said, eyes twinkling, "There's an odd number Mr Potter, you'd better just stay with me."

James blinked rapidly, "You are taking way too much joy in this Auntie." He whispered, scowling.

Professor McGonagall dropped her voice to a whisper as well, "This is payback for the water balloons in my office, it was your mother's idea. Remind me to thank her the next time we have dinner."

"That was Peeves!"

"Yes but who gave them to Peeves? Besides you really think the Wood girl would've said yes?"

James slouched lower as the rest of the class made mad dash to pair up. Juniper found herself looking wildly around for someone, anyone, as the rest of her classmates took to the floor. Jade was with Charlie, Rory was with Leo, Evelyn was with Pippa, Ethan was with Phoebe, where was Viv when Juniper needed her? Teddy was...Juniper looked up. Oh no.

Teddy stood before her, smirking like the cocky idiot he was, hands shoved in his pockets, "So-"

"No." Juniper said stubbornly, "No, no, no!"

"I'm sure James wouldn't mind if you tapped him out, paired up with Minnie?" Teddy gave her a teasing grin. "Otherwise, it looks like you're stuck with me." He held out a hand, waiting for Juniper to take it.

"I miss Viv." Juniper sighed, begrudgingly taking Teddy's hand and letting him pull her out onto the dance floor.

"Oh come on Potter, Teddy gripped Juniper's waist gently as he guided her through a messy two step, most girls would kill to dance with the Theodore Lupin."

Juniper stumbled, tripping over her own feet as she scowled at Teddy, "Shut up Teddy."

"You're a really bad dancer you know that?" Teddy's cavalier grin broadened into a wide smile, laughing jokingly as he watched Juniper struggle, "I forget how clumsy you are off the pitch."

"You're an arse."

"The compliment is much appreciated love, as we've confirmed on multiple occasions, I have a great arse." He winked at her, "Your words, not mine."

Juniper gasped in indignation, "You self absorbed-" She was stopped mid rant as Teddy dipped her back, twirling her out alarmingly fast, and then back into his chest all in one swift move.

Juniper giggled in spite of herself, "Where in the world did you learn to dance like that?"

He beamed at her reaction, swaying softly to the music, "Sirius taught me a few tricks, a pureblood upbringing comes with certain perks." Teddy twirled her again for good measure.

"Show off." Juniper muttered under her breath, but she was smiling.

"Admit it Junie, you're enjoying this."

"Maybe a bit." She conceded, rolling her eyes. Her cheeks were bit redder than usual, but she chalked it up to all the spinning she was doing.

"I knew it!" He crowed triumphantly as his face lit up.

"Don't let it go to your head Lupin!"

"Too late Potter!"

Juniper felt her feet leave the ground as Teddy lifted her up into the air, "Teddy!" She exclaimed, laughing, "Put me down!"

"Theodore put my Quidditch captain down this instant!" McGonagall scolded, "Don't make me come over there!"

Teddy and Juniper devolved into snickers, having the time their lives as they danced around the classroom for the rest of the period. Little did they know Madison had walked by and seen the whole thing.

Juniper went to bed that night still thinking about the dance practice that day, and then instantly felt a wave of guilt wash over her. He was involved, he may not have been committed but he was involved. Besides, he probably just thought of it as a friend thing. Which she did too, she did, just...NO! Juniper mentally chastised herself, trying to get comfortable with her pillows.

Evelyn had to drag her out of bed the next morning, and Juniper sleepily put on some random clothes in the dark. She did not understand why her mum and the others insisted on getting to the shop so early, it wasn't like the dresses were going to run away at when the clock struck midnight or some other batshit like that.

She yawned, pulling on her coat as she joined Evie, Rosie, and Nessa just outside the courtyard. They walked down to Hogsmeade together her and Evie quietly conversing about Quidditch while Vanessa and Rose chatted about something going on with Cordelia.

As expected, they were some of the first few in Hogsmeade, and the first ones in the dress shop. Except for their mother of course, who looked much too bright eyed for the hour, well Hermione and Miranda were bright eyed, Ginny looked a little cranky. Ron was there too, for reasons Juniper did not know.

Juniper sniffed, she knew the reason for her mother's cheerfulness, "Where are you hiding it Mum?"

"I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about." Her mother feigned confusion, very obviously hiding something behind her back.

"Please Mum, Juniper begged, just one sip."

"You say that every time Junebug, plus you're still growing it's bad for you!"

Juniper looked at her mother suspiciously, "Dad told you to say that, didn't he?"

Miranda smiled sheepishly, kissing each of her daughters on the head while Hermione sighed sadly, "Harry's right about one thing, you're all growing so fast! Stop it!" She shook a finger at them jokingly, "It's making us feel terribly old."

"Aww darling you don't look a day over thirty six." Ron kissed his wife's cheek encouragingly.

Hermione turns to him, stone faced, "I'm thirty five Ron."

Ron winces, nudging his daughter, "I think that's my cue to leave."

"Nice one Weasley." Juniper's mum laughed, waving goodbye.

"I'm very sorry Hermione!!" Ron called as he exited, "Remember how much I love yoooouuu." His voice is lost to the wintery wind, and the shop bell jangles to signal that the door has been blown shut.

Miranda and Hermione have already pulled some options off the rack and are excitedly dividing them up between us. Vanessa is busy informing them of what Ophelia's going to wear, to make sure they don't clash. Vanessa had told her parents very simply around one or two years ago that she was a lesbian, something along the lines of "I like girls." And shortly after that her and Ophelia had started dating.

"Phil's wearing a purple jumpsuit, very flowy, she explained, she was about to wear this really nice tux but change her mind last second."

"Sounds pretty." Ginny said. "What about you jumpsuit, suit, or dress?"

"I think dress." Vanessa said, spotting a silvery one at the bottom of her pile and plucking it, "Ooh let me try this one!"

Rose took a couple deep blue gowns in varying shades, while Evelyn stuck to the neutral tones. Juniper just stared at the pile of dresses in front of her, unmoving.

Vanessa practically skipped out of the dressing rooms, doing model strut for everyone to see as she posed in a rather fetching black and silver tulle dress. There was a nice ornate overlay, and a structure underneath, revealing just enough to still be appropriate for a school dance. It was very Slytherin, perfect for Vanessa, and of course she looked amazing in it.

"Oh and what if we do your hair like-!"

"That's what I was thinking!"

Juniper overheard snippets of her mother's and her sister's conversation and wondered how they could just do that. Put on a dress and automatically know it would look amazing, they made it seem so effortless. It was very hard for Juniper to feel beautiful, and sometimes she was afraid of feeling beautiful, growing up with four boys has its consequences. She never wanted to seem too girly, or care too much about how she looked, what if they made fun of her? It was safer to not try.

She watched, smiling as each girl found their perfect dress. Hermione was nearly brought to tears when Rose emerged from the dressing room in a deep blue, velvet gown with a delicate tie back. Ginny gave her daughter a high five when she saw Evelyn in a very beautiful white-gold, high necked shift dress. It was short, moveable, and paired nicely with Evie's flaming red locks.

Miranda came over and put an arm around her daughter comfortingly, "See anything you like, Junebug?"

"I really don't know how to tell, Mum." Juniper replied honestly, "I don't even know where to start."

"Look at this pile over here," her mother gestured. "Just pick the first one that catches your eye."

Juniper sighed, " I told you mum, I really can't-" She stopped, peering closer at the pile. A flash of color had appeared. Her mother grinned.

"Find something?" Miranda smiled knowingly, "Go on, try it."

Carefully, Juniper removed the dress she had seen. It was reddish, sort of more on the maroon side, plain, with a v neck. No fancy embellishments or embroidery, only a bit of a ruffle where the v neck joined. It wouldn't have caught anyone's eye, but there was something about the simplicity she liked. She slipped into the dressing room and tried it on, not looking in the mirror yet. She was almost scared to open her eyes, what if it was horrible?

Gingerly, she peeked at her reflection, and her hand clapped over her mouth in shock. She looked, well at least Juniper thought she looked...pretty. Juniper definitely liked the way she felt in it. It was soft, and seemed to hug her figure well, was that a waist she saw? It even gave the illusion that her chest was bigger than it was. The color made her eyes look even more green, and she could practically imagine dancing around the Great Hall in it.

"Show us Junie!" Her aunt Ginny called from outside the dressing room.

Juniper obliged, stepping out of the dressing room cautiously, feeling extremely self conscious. There was a collective intake of breath from the women in the room, even the shop keeper.

Juniper blushed, "Is it- bad?"

"Junebug you look beautiful."

"That's the dress isn't it? Tell me that's the dress!" Vanessa exclaimed loudly, "Holy shit Junie, you look amazing."

"You think I should get it?" Juniper tucked a pice of hair behind her ear bashfully, she was beaming.

"Yes!" The shop keeper nodded emphatically, "Like now!"

Miranda, Ginny, and Hermione insisted on getting the girls' lunch at the Three Broomsticks, and then proceeded to buy them way too many pairs of shoes. Most were heels, even though Juniper told her mother over and over again that she could not walk in those. However, she did find a striking pair of chunky boots that she thought even Vivian would approve of.

"We should probably let you get back to school now." Miranda smiled as they exited the shop, pulling her winter coat tighter, "You've been forced to hang out with your boring old mums long enough."

"It was fun Aunt Mandy, we didn't mind!" Evelyn said earnestly, while their mothers gave them skeptical looks.

"Honest," Rose reiterated, "today was really nice, right Junie?"

Juniper found herself agreeing with this, despite her expectations she had actually enjoyed herself quite a bit, and before she knew it the words were tumbling out of her mouth, "Yeah, we should do this more often." Well that was unexpected, usually Juniper would rather eat Charlie's socks than spend time with her mum.

"Especially if you're going to buy us shoes." Vanessa added, as she held up the parcels she was toting around.

"And lunch," Rose patted her stomach happily, "food and shoes, who could ask for a better combination?"

Hermione laughed, kissing the top of her daughters strawberry blond hair, "You are definitely your father's daughter."

"So long as we don't miss Quidditch again, I'm up for it." Evelyn nudged Juniper conspiratorially, while Ginny threw her head back and chuckled.

"And you are definitely my daughter."

Their mothers walked them back to the entrance of Hogwarts, hugging them each goodbye slightly tighter than necessary. Juniper made a mental note to spend more time with her parents when she could, she never realized how much they missed heir children when they were all off at school.

She walked up to her dorm, still carrying her newfound dress in her arms. Juniper couldn't wait to show Jade and Rory and Vivia- she sighed- she missed Vivian so much. She was actually worried for her best friend. Juniper had written her several times to ask what was wrong, but had heard nothing back. She swung open the door to her room.

"AAAAAAAAHH!!!!!" Rory was lying face down on her bed, her screaming muffled but audible as she yelled into a pillow.

Juniper immediately rushed over, "Rory! What's wrong?!" She pulled her friend off the pillow she was currently mutilating.

Rory buried her face in her hands and for a moment Juniper thought she might be crying. Then, slowly, the brunette raised her face and Juniper discovered that she was laughing, hysterically so.

"Oh god, Rory hiccuped between giggles, oh god, oh god, oh god."

Juniper looked at her friend with massive concern, "Ror you're scaring me. Are you ok?"

"No, Rory laughed harder, brown hair swishing as she shook her head, no I am not ok."

"Are you dying?"

"Possibly, Rory gasped, trying to explain, oh Juniper you should've seen it I- oh god I can't- it was like a trainwreck. I've never- and Hogsmeade- and- and the ball- oh god- you have no idea."

"Are you- are you having a stroke of some kind?" Juniper peered at her friend, gaping at Rory. She had never seen her friend act in such a way.

Rory took a deep breath, fanning herself to try and get the laughter to stop. At this point she was laughing so hard tears were in her eyes, "So you know how I went to Hogsmeade with Leo today? Just the two of us."

"Uh huh, Juniper nodded slowly, your date right?"

"It definitely wasn't a date."

"But you wanted it to be...?"

"I thought- I thought, Rory covered her face again, I'm so stupid."

"You're many things Ror but stupid isn't one of them, tell me what happened."

"Well to start off, it was an absolutely awkward ordeal, and then- and then- oh I sort of asked him...to the ball..." Rory winced at the memory.

"And he said no?" Juniper hugged her friend, "I'm so sorry for-"

"No he said yes, Rory interrupted, but we're going as friends. Ugh, Juniper I can't believe I had a- nope won't even say it."

"So you are going to the ball with him?"

"Yes but just as friends. He made that very clear." Rory started laughing uncontrollably again, wiping tears from her eyes as she giggled, "Oh Juniper you should have seen it, I made a right fool of myself."

"I'm sure it wasn't as bad as you think Ror." Juniper consoled, already planning on marching down to give Leo a pice of her mind, "Give me a minute, she rose from the bed, I'll see you at dinner."

"Wait, Junie! Where are you-" The door shut behind her and Juniper raced inot the boys' dorm.

"Where's McGonagall?" She asked Charlie who was the only one in there.

"In the library." Charlie eyed her suspiciously, "Why?"

"Thanks." She said curtly, turning to go.

"Junie I know that look!" He called out after her, "Don't kill him!"

Juniper stormed into the library, eyes flashing as she spotted him reading in a corner, "LEO SEVER-" She began to shout.

"Shhhhhh!" Madam Pince have her a harsh glare from behind the rims of her glasses.

"Leo Severus McGonagall!" Juniper whisper shouted, standing over him with her hands on her hips.

He flipped the page of his books calmly, and hen averted his gaze upward, gulping when he saw Juniper's expression, "Uh oh."

"Uh oh is right!" Juniper snatched his book and repeatedly whacked him over the head with it.

"Ow, oof, OUCH! OI! Junie!" He whispered, trying to keep his voice low under the watchful eye of the librarian, "What did I do?"

"You know what you did!"

Leo covered his head protectively, "No I don't!"

"You don't?" Juniper paused.

"NO!" Leo yelled, and Madam Pince pointed to the door, wand raised threateningly.

Leo and Juniper sheepishly left the library, resuming their conversation in an empty classroom.

Juniper folded her arms over her chest, "Why were you so rude to Rory today?"

"Rude?" Leo looked genuinely surprised, "I wasn't rude, I thought we had a nice time."

"That is not the way you treat a girl on a date Leo!"

"Date?!" Leo's eyes were saucers, practically bulging out of his head, "What date?"

"It was just the two of you! Alone! You basically asked her out!"

"Wha- no I- that was a date?! She thought it was-"

"You didn't know it was a date?!"

"What about the look on my face suggest I knew it was date Junie?!" Leo rubbed the back of his head in shock, "I thought we were just hanging out, like friends."

"The why did you say yes when she asked you to the ball?"

"Because that was as friends!" Then Leo realized, "You mean- she wanted to go with me not as friends?"

"DUH!"

"I could never do that to James!" Leo exclaimed.

"I know that, I'm not daft, Juniper replied, but if you like her I'm sure James would understand. He shouldn't be the reason you're-"

"That's- not the only reason..." Leo twisted his hands nervously, shifting from foot to foot.

"Do you have a secret girlfriend I don't know about?" Juniper was confused.

"More like... secret boyfriend." Leo bit his lip shyly, a blush spreading over his cheeks as he waited for Juniper's reaction.

Juniper's jaw dropped, "You- you- she started to hit him again- WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!?" Then she hugged him, hard, and began asking a series of rapid fire questions. "Who is he? Can I meet him? Do I know him? Is-"

"One at a time Junie slow down." Leo grinned, "I'm still figuring it all out myself, I shouldn't even call him my boyfriend, we haven't discussed labels."

"But you like him?"

"Yeah." Leo smiled bashfully, "I do."

"That's all that matters. Seriously though why wouldn't you tell me? You had to know I would support you!"

"Of course I did, but his parents aren't exactly supportive, he's only told his brother. We just thought it would be easier if no one knew."

"Who'd you tell?"

"You're the first."

Juniper hugged him again, "Aww Leooo!!"

"Okay, okay, he brushed her off, enough with the mush." He grew more serious, "Could you- keep it to yourself, for now I mean?"

"Of course, but I'm sure the boys and the family will-"

"I know, Leo responded, I just need a little more time. I'm going to tell everyone soon."

Juniper kissed him on the cheek, "I'm so happy for you!"

Leo stuck his tongue out at her, "Come on, he said, slinging an arm around her shoulders, let's go work on the prank."

"Music to my ears."

PHEW THIS WAS A LOOOONG CHAPTER BUT I LOVE IT :))))
NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE ABOUT THE PRANK AND THE DANCCEE

MWAH I LOVE YOU ALL<333

-coco