The days were passing at far too rapid a pace for Juniper's liking. It was already November. How was that possible? Her last first semester, gone in the blink of eye. School had never sped by in this fashion, and never had she wished it wouldn't. Juniper supposed it was because they were having so much fun, because they didn't want it to end. Whatever the case, it seemed as though it was Monday one moment, and Saturday the next.

"Hi, Potter," Rory brushed her hand across his shoulder, sitting down on the armchair next to him. She pecked him on the cheek, opening her textbook, and flipping to a page on grindylows. Rory was feverishly studying for exams, predictably so.

James grinned, wrapping an arm around her, "Hey, sunshine." Then he murmured, in a hushed gleeful tone, "Seven."

"What?" Rory tilted her head in confusion, glancing up from her reading.

"Seven," James repeated, a soft sort of smile on his face. He ticked off the numbers on his fingers, "That's the seventh time you've touched my shoulder like that. The first time you did it was when you were reaching past me for a scone at breakfast. The second was an accident, you were trying to get back your book which I'd stolen from you during fourth year Potions. The third time was when you'd finally started to tolerate me. During one of our tutoring sessions." He continued, "I don't think you even realized that you'd done it. You bent over me to see my notes and placed your hand on my shoulder. That was when I knew I had a chance. The other times have been since we kissed."

Rory couldn't believe him. He'd remembered each time, committed every detail to memory. She blushed, planting a kiss on his jaw, "James- you're so cute."

"I am not cute," James huffed, pouting in protest. "I am very handsome and manly."

"Awww, you sound just like Junie," Teddy remarked, flopping down onto the sofa. He smirked at Juniper, who swatted him across the chest, scowling. "OW!"

Rory snorted, and both James and Juniper gave her an affronted look, not sure who should be more offended. They were all attached at the hip these days, the four of them. Practically inseparable. James and Teddy were always together, and Rory and Juniper were almost as close as the boys were now, and dating each other just added a whole other level. It was slightly funny to Juniper. Because Rory and Teddy were not only friends at this point, but best friends. Though neither would admit to anything of the sort. With inside jokes, and a penchant for ganging up on James and Juniper. Yeah, Juniper wasn't all too fond of that. Their friendship was so unexpected, and yet somehow it worked. It just worked.

Juniper was glad they got along, though. She really was. Vivian hadn't always been Teddy's biggest fan, especially when it came to his relationship with Juniper. It was nice that Rory and Teddy were friends. Competitive, annoying, fighting, friends. But friends all the same. She liked that about their group. Everyone's friendship was equal, a perfect square. All pairings were cohesive. Another funny occurrence to come out of this was Charlie and Leo's intensified friendship. They shared a rampant distaste for the couples, expressing it openly whenever they could.

"Letter for you, James," Charlie said from the portrait hole, chucking an envelope at him. He flicked the back of Juniper's head, "We have practice today, captain?"

"Yes," Juniper replied, checking the time on the clock. Crap it was later than she thought. Seriously, where did all the time go? She needed to go set up soon. She wagged a finger at him, "If you're late again I'm replacing you with McGonagall."

"No, thank you!" Leo called cheerfully from the back corner, where he was taking notes.

Meanwhile, James was reading his letter. He laughed to himself, lips moving as he scanned the page. Juniper wondered who it was from. And apparently, Rory was wondering the exact same thing. She propped her chin on James' shoulder, questioning, "Who's the letter from, Potter?"

"Just Leah," he told her offhandedly.

Juniper sat up straighter, interested. She liked Leah, though she didn't know her as well as she knew Alex. "Ooh- how is she?"

"The same," James folded the letter back up. "She's taking her gap year and bored out of her mind with Al away at his internship all day."

"She's in England?" Juniper asked. That was news to her. Alex hadn't mentioned that in his letters.

James nodded, "They've got a flat together in Diagon Alley. She wants to hang out there soon."

At this, Rory's ears perked to attention. "Hang out? Like did she mean with you and Junie?" Rory's voice was steadily rising in pitch, fingernails digging into the armrest of the chair. Juniper had no idea what was going on with her. She was acting  rather oddly. Teddy watched with an amused smile. "Or like- did she mean just you? The two of you. At her flat. Alone."

"I'm assuming she meant me and Junie, if Alex is going to be there." James shrugged, oblivious. "Maybe all of us. I don't know." He paused, cocking his head, "Why do you ask?"

"Yes, Rory," Teddy raised a smug eyebrow. He was sporting a shit eating grin. "Why do you ask?"

Rory shot Teddy a death glare, eyes lasers. "No reason," she squeaked. She cleared her throat, "I just realized I've never met Leah. Interested I suppose. Out of curiosity- what does she look like?" Rory played with her hair, voice innocent. Teddy saw right through her. He coughed loudly, concealing a snicker.

"Oh she's gorgeous," Juniper gushed, unaware of Rory's increasing panic. "Super pretty. She's got that beachy blonde hair, blue eyes, tan skin. She's the epitome of a California girl. Surfs and everything. I swear she could be a model if she-" Teddy whacked her on the arm. "Ow! What?" Juniper frowned at him.

"Shut up," Teddy hissed under his breath, jerking his head in Rory's direction.

Juniper was immensely bewildered. "She wanted to-" Teddy clamped a hand over her mouth before she could say another word. Fine then. Juniper had no idea why Teddy wasn't letting her speak but she had to get ready for practice anyways. "Practice in ten," she yelled in parting, rising from the couch and wriggling out of her clingy boyfriend's hold. "We'll start with laps."

There was a collective groan from the Quidditch players in the common room. James and Charlie got up to follow Junie out the door, but Teddy strayed from the group. He surveyed Rory with a knowing expression.

"Don't you have practice?" Rory growled.

"Out of curiosity," Teddy mimicked with wicked accuracy, laughing so hard his stomach hurt. "Babes."

"I was just wondering!" she argued defensively, crossing her arms.

Teddy scoffed. He knew better. Rory was envious. "Your voice gets higher when you're lying."

"It does not!" Rory squealed. It sounded as though she'd inhaled a load of helium. Or there was a chipmunk living inside her larynx. One of the two. Teddy burst out laughing again.

"Is this entertaining for you, Lupin?"

"You have no idea how much." Teddy sighed happily. He slung a friendly arm over the brunette's shoulders, "Come on, then." They walked out of the common room, headed for the pitch. "Cheer up, Ror. You get to watch James play quidditch now."

She brightened, "That is true."

Quidditch practice went particularly well that day, in Juniper's opinion. There were no serious injuries, and Cleo had only hit the Bludger in the wrong direction four times today instead of her usual ten. That was progress. James was especially good too, probably due to the fact that Rory was sitting in the stands. And if Juniper did say so herself, her flying was some of her best in a while. There was a game tomorrow versus Ravenclaw, and she just hoped that they could all pull it off again. They'd been on something of a winning streak lately, and Juniper was not about to let that be broken.

She touched down on the grass, ducking out of Teddy and Charlie's way. They'd both fallen into a patch of damp dirt and were currently trying to wipe it all on her. Rory was waiting on the sidelines. She was at most of their practices recently, even if Leo wasn't.

"You played good today, baby," Rory said, wrapping her arms around his neck. James flushed, like he always did when she called him baby. Rory did it on purpose. Usually, James was the one making her red in the face, and she loved it when she was flustering him.

Pleased with himself, he traced his thumb along her cheekbone, "Thank you, sunshine."

Juniper stuck a finger down her throat and gagged. Loudly.

"I'm shocked you even knew we were playing," Teddy said over dramatically. He winked, "I thought you were far too absorbed with James' biceps to register anything else."

"Teddy—" Rory started, threatening.

Teddy just steamrolled right ahead, "Because I'm almost one hundred percent certain you were salivating over-"

"Lupin!" she shrieked, socking him in the arm.

"I'm calling it like I see it, babes." The pair continued to bicker, James and Juniper cackling at the sight of it.

A lilting voice came from behind her. Juniper recognized it instantly, dread pooling in the pit of her stomach. It was a voice that had unfortunately, become familiar. "He calls her babe?" Cleo asked, with a wrinkle of her nose.

"Yes." Juniper hoped that that would be the end of it. It never was, with Clementine Greenwald. Technically it was babes, with an s, but Juniper didn't feel like explaining that to her.

Cleo patted Juniper sympathetically, pityingly, "I'm sorry. That must be hard for you."

Juniper almost rolled her eyes. She did not want, or need Cleo's pity. You know what was hard? Talking to Cleo. That was hard for her. "Not really. It's a joke between the two of them. Ror hates it, so Teddy does it." Juniper didn't know why she had to explain this to her. Cleo was constantly hanging around them, acting like she wanted to be friends. The only person she wanted to be friends with was Teddy.

Cleo was still giving her that look of pity. It was entirely annoying. "But still- I've seen them. They're pretty close. Aren't you worried about the two of them...you know?"

"No," Juniper answered bluntly. Her tone was matter of fact, because it was true. Not once had she worried about Rory and Teddy- I mean she couldn't even imagine it. It was laughable, really, how utterly platonic their relationship was.  Cleo must not have very good friends if she thought Rory would ever consider doing that to Juniper. Or Teddy to James, for that matter. "First of all, Rory would never. Second of all, I'm much more worried about my brother cheating with Teddy, than Rory."

James, who'd overheard, puckered his lips at Teddy, waggling his eyebrows. Teddy made a smooching sound in response, "Love of my life."

Juniper's brother decided to add his own two cents, "And I'm more worried about Junie stealing my girl, then bubs over there." He jabbed his thumb at Teddy.

Rory blew Juniper a kiss, "Wife."

"Hottie," Juniper replied, fanning herself.

Cleo just blinked at them all, not quite sure what to say to their little display. And Juniper took a little moment to be proud of rendering her speechless. Any second without her chirpy sing song voice was a second Juniper counted herself lucky.

They began to walk up to the castle, all giggling.

"Juniper Potter!"

Juniper turned around, alerted to the noise. A youngish man with a broad nose and dark eyes beckoned  her over expectantly. His hair was coiffed, and he was wearing an expensive watch. His robes were formal, too formal for a Quiddich pitch. Yet he carried the relaxed air of someone who was more laid-back. He was someone important, but not so important that he'd lost his boy like ways. He knew her full name, which meant he'd come here for the explicit reason of talking to her.

"Might I take a moment of your time?" The man asked. "It won't be long."   

After contemplating, Juniper came to the conclusion that it couldn't hurt. She waved her friends forward, "Go on without me. I'll catch up with you." Her brother and Rory continued the climb up the hill. Teddy, on the other hand, lingered. The man shuffled patiently a couple meters away, toddling his thumbs. "Teddy," Juniper put her hands on his chest, pushing him in the opposite direction, "go on. He said it wouldn't take long."

"I'm going, I'm going." Teddy agreed. But he didn't move a muscle.

"You're not going are you?"

"Nope."

"You're going to ignore me like a prick and wait for me. Aren't you?"

Teddy nodded vigorously, cupping her face in his hands to give her a kiss. "Yup."

Juniper smiled the whole way over to where the man was waiting for her.

"Hullo," he said smoothly, holding out his hand. Up close, Juniper could see how young he actually was. No more than twenty five, by the looks of it. He was handsome as well, and knew it. "I'm Jayden Scrimgeour. I work for Cyrus Cattermole, who is the representative for the-"

"British and Irish Quidditch League," Juniper breathed, finishing his sentence for him.

"Yes, that's correct," Jayden chuckled lightly, amused. "I'm just here to inform you that there will be a scout at your game tomorrow, they're considering you and a handful of others for recruitment."

Juniper's mouth dropped open. She was stunned. "Are you serious?" This was everything she'd ever wanted. Ever since she saw her first Quidditch game, her Aunt Ginny flying through the sky. The roar of the crowd. She couldn't believe it. Was this happening? "Thank you so much, Mr. Scrimgeour!" she exclaimed.

"Call me Jayden, please," he said.

"Oh- sure," Juniper was barely hearing him. A million thoughts were running through her mind. "So tomorrow? Do I need to do anything or-?"

"No, no," he explained, "you'll hardly know the scout is present. And you'll get notice if you've been selected for the next round of tryouts. If you have any other questions you can-"

"Contact the league, of course. Thank you, Mr Scrimgeour."

"Jayden," he corrected. He set his eyes on her, something that Juniper couldn't place crossing over his face.  "Actually- I was going to say you could talk to me." To him? Well that was strange. But Jayden wasn't done. "How does Hogsmeade sound? The Three Broomsticks perhaps? We can discuss Quidditch or... anything else that might come up." He stepped closer to her, and an uncomfortable prickle needled Juniper.  

She frowned, choosing her words carefully, "Er- I have a boyfriend, Mr- Jayden." Juniper glanced at the spot up the hill where Teddy was watching, and Jayden's eyes followed hers.

He scoffed, "The blond bloke? He doesn't have to know." Jayden moved even closer to her, and Juniper could feel his hot breath on her face, "I thought you might like a leg up on the competition."

Juniper gulped. Maybe she was misreading the situation. She shouldn't jump to conclusions. She didn't want to mess up what might be her only chance. Maybe he was just overly friendly. But- there was something about the leer he was sporting. Something snake like hidden beneath the slicked hair and clean cut shave. Something that made her stomach turn. She couldn't ignore it. Juniper's question was cautious, "I'm sorry- I'm not sure I understand."

"I do have the boss man's ear," he whispered, tapping his own ear sagely. "I can put in a good word- or a bad one"

Juniper's eyebrows shot up. Now that was a threat. She stepped backwards from him, "Excuse me? Are you implying that I have to sleep with you in order to do well?"

"Have to?" Jayden's teeth were crooked. He extended a long finger and stroked a lined down her shoulder. "Come off it love. Think of it as a win win situation."

Juniper jerked away from him like he was a poisonous plant. Her rage bubbled through her, ready to burst. "You are a piece of shit, Jayden," she spat. "And I wouldn't go out with you if my life depended on it. I certainly wouldn't sleep with you."

"You're going to regret this. I was helping you," he sneered. His demeanor had entirely shifted, angry at being rejected. He grabbed her wrist, hard. "If only you cared about your appearance, you could be hot," Jayden's voice was rough. Dangerous. His neck was a mottled purple, spit flecks flying in Juniper's face, "Take my advice, wear a skirt tomorrow. Guys don't like girls with mud on them unless they can see some skin. And try smiling once in a while."

At this point, Teddy had grown suspicious. Juniper could see him out of the corner of her eye, realizing that something was wrong.

"Don't touch me," Juniper snapped, eyes steely.  She wrenched away from his grip, elbowing him in the gut. "I will smile," Juniper kneed him directly in the groin, "when I have something to smile about." Jayden let out a yowl of pain, kneeling over. Essentially debilitated. Men. Juniper rolled her eyes. They had no threshold for pain. She pointed to her face, batting her eyelashes, "See, now I'm smiling." Juniper stalked away, calling in parting, "Oh and Mr. Scrimgeour? It's even smaller than I thought." She flipped him off with both hands.

Juniper stormed up the hill, catching Teddy by his hand and dragging him forward. Teddy started, "Junie- what hap-"

"Not now," Juniper cut him off. She knew that if they weren't a safe enough distance away from Scrimgeour that Teddy would waste no time in pounding his face into the ground. Not that Juniper would mind. But Teddy would get into trouble, or hurt. And she couldn't have that.

They were in the courtyard now, Juniper keeping her brisk pace. The fury inside her was still hot. Wear a skirt? She couldn't play Quidditch in a fucking skirt. What a dick. Rodents like Scrimgeour shouldn't be allowed to grace the earth. Was this what her aunt had had to deal with? The world fucking sucked.

"Potter —" Teddy protested, coming to a halt. "Junie- Juniper slow down!" He grabbed her by the shoulders, and for a moment it was like Jayden was there, slimy fingers around her wrist, the smell of his cologne overpowering her. Juniper flinched.

Teddy backed off immediately, "Juniper, what happened?

"That man was from the Quidditch League," she began, taking a calming inhale. "He was sent to alert me that there will be a scout at the game tomorrow."

"For you?! Juniper that's amazing, that's everything —"

"Hold the applause, Lupin," Juniper said with a wry smile. He wasn't going to like this next part. "He also suggested that I sleep with him. And if I didn't he'd screw me over."

Teddy went white. Then red. His fists curled, a vein throbbing in his forehead. "He WHAT?!" Teddy roared, entire body tensing. "I'll kill him. Where is he? I'll kill him."

"And this is why I waited to tell you until we were up here," Juniper rolled her eyes. "I handled it, Teddy." She exhaled, "I might've ruined my chances completely. But- I handled it." The weight of what had happened to her finally began to sink in. Anger replaced with something else.

Teddy was silent for a beat, softening. "Are you okay, Juniper?"

Juniper nodded, chewing her bottom lip. She could feel a lump building in the back of her throat. No. No. She would not cry. That man did not deserve her tears. "Fine. I'm fine. It's-"

"If you say it's stupid, I'm gonna kill you," Teddy said, shaking his head. He reached out his hand, waiting. Juniper sank into him, burying her face in his chest. Teddy was safe, and warm. His arms were strong as he held her, gentle and soothing, head tucked neatly over hers.

She sucked in a shaking breath, "He grabbed me- Teddy. He — I told him no and he still —"

"I'm here," Teddy murmured. "I'm here."

"I hit him in the stomach," Juniper said into his shirt, voice muffled.

He managed a choked chuckle, "Of course you did."

"Then I kicked him the balls."

"I love you." Teddy whisked a stray tear off her cheek.

Juniper sighed. Then she sniffed, mouth turning up at the edges, "I know." She laced her fingers through his, and they continued walking to the Gryffindor tower together. And in that moment, Juniper was eternally grateful that Theodore Remus Lupin was in her life.

"...smile more? He told you to smile more?!" They were back in the common room now, and Rory and James were accurately enraged on Juniper's behalf. Rory was currently expressing infuriated disbelief. "Ugh! Of all the fucking misogynistic—"

"Patriarchal bullshit."

"Smile more," Rory repeated with disgust. "As if we'd want to smile for dicks like him."

"Show skin, he said," Juniper said, gritting her teeth. "One second it's show skin and the next— "

Rory knew exactly what Juniper was talking about. Her expression tightened. "They're calling you a skank or a whore or a slut." She continued, "And then somehow it's your fault when they cat call you. Like the other day, some douche tried to grab my arse in the hall and when I told him to fuck off him and all his douche friends told me that if I didn't want the attention then I shouldn't wear my skirt so short. Then Flitwick dress coded me. For being a 'distraction'."

James snapped to attention, brow furrowing. "You didn't tell me that." Her brother was the sort of person that wore his heart on his sleeve, and Juniper could plainly see the concern etched in his features.

Rory squeezed his shoulder, shrugging, "I knew you'd make a big deal out of it. Or get yourself worked up or in trouble over something that's nothing. It happens all the time."

"It's not nothing!" protested James.

"It's not nothing," his sister seconded morosely, "but it does happen all the time. Which makes it seem like it is. Just last week, Gregory Edgecombe said, 'I sure hope there's an arse for Lupin to tap under all that baggy clothing'." Juniper had wanted to punch him the face right then and there in second period Charms.

Teddy and James were both thoroughly shocked and incensed. They'd had no idea. How had they not known? They could have stopped it. They could have helped. But Juniper and Rory both knew that there was nothing Teddy and James could have done.

"You're not serious," Teddy asked, incredulous. "That's horrible."

James placed a hand over Rory's, "And unfair."

Juniper and Rory looked to each other resignedly, "Yeah. We know." It was something they'd had to deal with daily. It had become normal. That was the sad part. And Jayden today was just another reminder that it wasn't normal. She shouldn't have had to handle that today. But she did. And she was glad that her dad had taught her to go for the groin, and her mum had gifted her with a wicked right hook. She was glad that growing up with four rowdy boys who liked to wrestle had taught her how to fight and stand up for herself. She was glad for all of that. She was not glad that she'd had to use these skills in the way she's had to use them.

Shouldn't the world be past this by now? Should being the operative word.

Juniper settled under Teddy's arm, tracing the lines of his palm. Dusk was settling on the horizon, the stars beginning to appear in the sky. It was a cool, autumn night. The kind that's just chilly enough to want to snuggle under a blanket by the fire, but not so cold that the tips of your toes turned blue. The perfect kind of cold in Juniper's opinion. The common room was cozy, red and gold hangings made warmer by the glow of the hearth. And of course, Teddy. Teddy, who always seemed to radiate with heat, in direct opposition to Juniper's perpetual goosebumps. Teddy, whose scars Juniper ran over with her fingertips without thinking.

She was more clingy when she was tired, Teddy had noticed. Not caring about being perceived as cute or adorable. He was sort of crazy about it. Her eyes were drooping, eyelashes grazing her skin. He brushed her hair away from her face, pressing a kiss to her forehead, "Ready for bed, trouble?"

"Mmmhm," Juniper nodded drowsily. "Love you." Teddy smiled, reveling in her sweet words.

"What about you, Wood?" James tapped his girlfriend on the nose. She was currently asleep on his chest. James shifted, trying to get up. Rory was not having it.

She buried her face in the crook of his neck, holding him tighter. "Nuh uh," Rory mumbled possessively, snuggling deeper into James.

James grinned. He'd never thought he'd be so lucky as to have Rory Wood sleeping on top of him, with no desire to let him go. "Come on, sweetheart," he chuckled, hoisting Rory up in his arms. She made a small noise of contentment, and James nearly died of happiness right then and there.

He carried her up the stairs, all the way to her and Junie's dorm. He was so absorbed with Rory, that Teddy and Juniper were able to sneak a few kisses before he realized. James set Rory down on the bed, tucking her in carefully, and then loosing her hands from around his neck.

James sat there for a minute, on the edge of the bedspread, smiling at her. Juniper rolled her eyes, "She can sleep surprisingly well without supervision, you know."

"I know," James grumbled, sticking his tongue out at his sister. He stood, "She just looks so pretty."

"Sap," Juniper teased, but she had softened. If her best friend had to date anyone, it should be someone who loved her more than anything. And Juniper's stupid twin brother was head over heels for the girl.  "Goodnight, James," she pushed him out the door to where Teddy was waiting in the hall.

Teddy leaned against the wall, "Does the goodnight apply to me too, Potter?" He pulled her in by the hips, "Because — "

"Yes," James growled sternly, yanking Teddy away by his shirt collar.

Juniper woke up early the next morning. Out of character for her, but she had had trouble falling asleep. Juniper was worried. She'd had butterflies in her stomach since her conversation with that rat. And not the good kind of butterflies, like when Teddy pushed her up against a wall and trailed his hands along her neck. Bad butterflies.

The kind of butterflies with razor sharp teeth that gnawed at her insides. Today was a big day. Today she might get the chance she'd always wanted.  A chance she might've thrown away yesterday. Was it even a chance she wanted anymore? To be associated with people like Jayden Scrimgeour? What if the scout was the same? Asking her to play Quidditch in a skirt with no real interest in any of her actual skills. She'd worked hard. So hard. Twice as hard as the male captains.  It wasn't fair.

She hopped out of bed and into her fleece long sleeve she wore under her uniform when it was colder outside. Juniper slid black leggings on, and laced up her trainers, brushing her hair for once and pulling it into a neat ponytail. Well- neat for Juniper, that is.

Gently, she shook Rory awake, careful not to wake Vivian. Not that Vivian would have woken up, or spoken to her. She stayed in bed most days, at least, the days where Juniper saw her.

"Ror," she whispered, "Quidditch, come on."

"Mmmm," Rory rolled over, covering her head with a pillow. "Sleep."

Juniper sighed, poking her, "James in a Quidditch uniform, Ror."

That did the trick. Rory got up, got dressed, all in the span of five minutes. Her best friend was so predictable sometimes. The pair headed down to the Great Hall to quickly grab some toast, and were surprised to find that none of the boys were at the table stuffing their faces with eggs and biscuits.  Not James, not Teddy, not Leo, not even Charlie. Charlie who had never missed a meal in his life. Juniper frowned. This was odd.

"Where are they?" Rory questioned, obviously having come to the same realization as Juniper had.

She shrugged in response, "I dunno. Maybe they're already down on the pitch, that's where I should be. If they're still sleeping I'm gonna murder them."

"Could you murder them after I see Potter in his uniform?" The brunette asked with a cheek smile.

Juniper shoved her lightly, retching, "No! Ew, Ror!"

Rory giggled, linking her arm with Juniper's. The two girls traipsed down to the field, crisp morning air ruddying their cheeks with an apple blush. The grass had been freshly cut, and Juniper could see the stands already beginning to fill. Her stomach turned over and she looked away from the stands before she could catch sight of the scout. It was better to pretend they weren't there.

"I'm going to go find a seat," Rory kissed her on the cheek, wrapping the red and gold scarf tighter around her neck. She was wearing one of James's old jackets, and it was absolutely huge on her. She looked adorable.

Juniper watched her disappear into the crowd of students and teachers, then spun on her heel to enter the locker room. It was shockingly, and worryingly, empty. Her brow furrowed, surveying the room and the rows of benches. She only saw Evelyn and Cleo. Panic shot through her. Where the fuck was everyone? Juniper rarely saw Evie without Ethan, and it was strangely disconcerting.

"Erm-," she threw her jersey on, "what is going on?"

Evelyn, who had just finished taping the handle of her broomstick, threw her hands up in the hair aimlessly. "It's been deserted all morning, I was starting to wonder if you were coming. Cleo showed up about five minutes ago."

"Evie- what about your brother?" Evelyn was insanely overprotective of her twin, and Juniper didn't think she ever let the poor boy out of her sight. Where Evelyn went, Ethan followed, and vice versa.

"No clue," Evelyn shook her head, "I went to his dorm to get him and he wasn't there. Wasn't in the Great Hall either." She paused, "What about yours?"

"Same," Juniper acknowledged. There was definitely something strange happening.

Evelyn took Quidditch just as seriously as Juniper, so she was equally distressed. Took after her mum that way. In fact, Juniper hoped she would be named captain next year, after Juniper's departure." Any idea where the rest of our cousins are?"

"Nope." This whole situation was growing curiouser and curiouser.

"No sign of the boyfriend either, I'm assuming?"

"You assume correctly." Juniper had been joking the other day when she suggested replacing Charlie with Leo, but now it was becoming a little too real. But wait- Leo was missing too. He couldn't even sub in, if he wanted to. "So- let me get this straight," Juniper paled, "we're down two Chasers, one beater, and a Keeper?"

Mouth grim, Evelyn nodded, "Yeah."

"And the game starts when?"

"Ten minutes," Cleo chirped from the mirror, rather unhelpfully.

"Brilliant." Juniper massaged her temples. What was she going to do? This was the single most important Quidditch game of her entire life, and she had less than half a team. What could those boys possibly be doing that took priority? They knew how much this meant to her. They knew about the scout. How could they do this to her? Once she got her hands on them- merlin. Juniper exhaled, diving right into planning mode. This was not how she was going down. "Okay- okay. Okay- Evie, Pippa and Phoebe are on standby, right?"

"Should be."

"That's a Beater and Chaser spot filled," Juniper mentally counted them off. "What about Colin Bell? He's an alright Chaser."

Evelyn poked her head out of the locker room, searching the stands. "I don't see him. No Robins either, he was our sub Keeper. I don't see Macmillan or Stuart Spinnet. In fact, there are a lot of guys missing from the stands. I don't see Silvers or Scamander, no Landon."

The plot thickened. Where was everyone?! "Okay- erm- who else is there?" There was no one else. She needed to compromise here. Desperate times called for desperate measures. "Okay- er- Cali plays Chaser sometimes at family matches?" Evelyn gave her a look. "I know! I know she's a Hufflepuff too," Juniper cried, wringing her hands, "but it's not as if we've got a lot of other options. Erm- there's that second year who tried out. The mousy girl, er- Harley Sloper?" Evelyn's look of disdain only grew. And they still didn't have a Keeper.

Helplessly, Juniper turned to Cleo, "Do any of your friends know how to play?"

Cleo glanced up from fiddling with her nails. She winced, "Er- Natalie knows the rules. But erm- you've seen her play. " Juniper had seen her play. It was just depressing.

She continued, "Kiki is afraid of heights, but she might do it if I bribed her. And she definitely can't be Keeper. She's also afraid of flying objects directed at her face." Juniper groaned inwardly, and Cleo said, "She wants to be a model for Witch Weekly." As if that explained anything. "Ooh- Chantal could be Keeper!" Cleo exclaimed hopefully. "She's only been on a broom once, but Keeper doesn't require that much flying anyways." Cleo trailed off, "She can get awfully distracted though...short attention span and all that. Especially if she sees something shiny." She barked out a short laugh, "Maybe she should be Seeker, and you can be Keeper."

Juniper blinked rapidly, "Maybe."

Evelyn buried her face in her hands, muttering incoherent words of woe. Is this really what it had come to? Begging Cleo's height averse, unfocused, never flown before friends to play for them. Juniper was so so screwed. "Okay- Harley Sloper, then. For Chaser."

"We still need a Keeper," Evelyn reminded her.

She sighed. Juniper actually did have someone in mind, but- it was a risky move. Juniper might get killed. "Rory. Drag her here if you have to."

"Wood?" Her cousin's reddish brows shot up so far they nearly disappeared into her hairline. "But she —"

"Hates Quidditch," Juniper finished, "I know. But I can't think of anyone else. She's certainly got the genes for it. Beg her, remind her how much she loves me." Juniper was praying Rory loved her enough to do the one thing she despised more than getting low marks on an assignment.

"And if she says no?"

Juniper flashed a pained smile, "Chantal it is." Cleo clapped her hands excitedly, and Evelyn palmed her forehead. The auburn haired girl returned swiftly, the excited faces of Pippa and Phoebe bouncing before her.

"We're playing?!" They said in unison.

"I-I'm playing?" Harley stammered, eyes wide with fear.

Rory stood behind Evelyn, arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her gaze was steely. "I'm not playing."

"Ror," Juniper wheedled, attempting to coax her, "Please. Remember how much you love me."

"Not this much."

"Please!"

"Junie, I haven't been on a broom since I was eleven years old!" Rory protested staunchly. Her lips were pinched, apparently even being inside the Quidditch locker room was making her nauseous.

"It's in your blood," Juniper convinced. She was sure of it. And she knew Rory's father had trained her like a drill sergeant, prior to Rory's boycott of the sport. It was all muscle memory, really. Juniper knew Rory could do it. It was merely a matter of wanting to.

"There's really no one else?"

"There's really no one else." Juniper looked at her friend beseechingly, hands clasped. "You know I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important." She knew Rory would do anything for her. Just like Juniper would do anything fro her. As long as it wasn't murder or something. Actually- Juniper might help Rory kill someone, if she had good reason of course.

"I know," Rory gnawed on the inner corner of her cheek. "Okay, but you owe me. You owe me so big!"

Juniper kissed her on the cheek, throwing her arms around her, "I owe you a million, billion times!"

Before they could celebrate any further, the loudspeaker crackled to life. "Everyone out on the field, immediately. Players out on the field. Players out on the field." It wasn't Scarlett's voice. Weird.

Rory panicked, "We haven't even got uniforms on yet- wha-?"

"Players to the field."

Juniper clenched and unclenched her fists. This was just a banner day. "I'll explain to Madam Hooch. It'll be fine. Everything's fine. Come on." Their sad, cobbled together little team journeyed out into the open, but to their surprise, the opposing team looked just as confused as them.

A group was assembling on the grass in front of them. Juniper couldn't make out their faces yet. The voice spoke into the microphone again, "Please direct your attention to the field, people of Hogwarts." And then Juniper saw it.

Her and Rory's hands flew to their mouths, jaws dropping in sync with everyone else in the stadium, "Oh my god."

Because there were all the missing boys. Leo, Charlie, James, Teddy. There was Ethan, and Henry, and Axel, and Landon. Macmillan, Spinnet, Robins, Bell, and others that Juniper couldn't name. There they all were. Wearing skirts. Every single one of them. There were a couple in the stands as well. Rory and her looked to each other, smiles growing on both of their faces.

Teddy waved from his spot behind James, and Juniper waved back, positively beaming. Teddy did a tiny curtsy, dipping his head to her. Juniper's heart swelled with warmth. He'd done this for her. He was perfect. Perfect for her in every way possible. James followed suit, mouthing, "I love you," in Rory's direction.

Rory blushed, mouthing back, "I love you too."

Madam Hooch bustled forward, blowing her whistle to silence the cheers and whistles of the crowd. "Highly irregular," she sniffed sharply inot a megaphone she'd procured from an unsuspecting student, "you cannot play this way. You must go change at once, boys! Or else-"

"Or else what?" James dared, arching a dark eyebrow. "You'll dress code us?"

Juniper grinned. That was her brother. And she'd never been prouder of him.

Flustered, and extremely miffed at the spectacle they were causing, Madam Hooch opened her mouth to respond. But the old woman found she was at a loss of words. "Well- well," she said, "well- Headmaster?" She directed her query to Harry, who was up in professor's box. "Headmaster how would you like me to proceed?"

Harry adjusted his glasses on the bridge of his nose. He winked at his son, unveiling his own skirt he was sporting under his robes, "I say let 'em play."

"You heard the man!" Charlie shouted, cupping his hand round his mouth to amplify his voice. "Let them play!"

"Let them play!" The spectators echoed, stomping their feet. "Let them play!" Juniper, Rory, and the rest of the team joined the chant, pumping their fists. Finally, Madam Hooch had no choice but to give in. She blew her whistle a final time, sending them up into the air. Luckily, Rory did not have to play. She was perfectly content to cheer like a maniac from the sidelines, wearing James' number proudly.

Long story short, they won. They played seamlessly, if not with a few laughs when one of the boys' skirts flew up in the wind. And not only did Juniper win the game, but she also won over the scout from the Quidditch League.

"You're joking!" Teddy exclaimed when she told him, unimaginably happy for her.

"He said, and I quote, 'We'll be in touch'," Juniper squealed, jumping up and down.

Teddy lifted her off the ground and spun her in a circle, Juniper giggling at his antics. He set her down, and pulled her in for a slow kiss. "You know how awesome you are, right?"

Juniper bit her lip. She hardly knew what to do with herself when he was being sweet like that. It made her cheeks grow hot, and her brain unable to form coherent sentence. "Mmhmm."

"And how much you deserve this?"

A tingly feeling spread down to Juniper's toes. "Yes, Teddy."

He smirked, "And how stunning you are?"

Juniper scrunched her nose, playing with the strings of his jumper. Her lips curved at the edges, "No. Tell me again to make sure."

Teddy chuckled. He dropped a kiss on her face and neck to punctuate each word he uttered. "You. Are. Stunning." He wasn't done, though. "And stubborn. And wonderful. And headstrong. And impossible."

"You could have stopped at stunning," Juniper harrumphed, poking her tongue out at him.

"And I love you."

Juniper fought the urge to swoon. She hated him for doing this to her. She lifted her chin up resolutely, trying to appear unaffected, "Okay."

Teddy rolled his eyes and groaned, meeting her lips with his. "Oh shut up, Potter," he grumbled, entwining his hand with hers.

They walked up to the castle together, as they were two of the last left on the pitch. Juniper stayed behind to talk to the scout, and even though she'd told him not to, Teddy had waited for her. And he called her stubborn, the tosser. She had to admit, Teddy looked pretty hot in a skirt, and when she'd told him so he'd been shocked into silence for a good minute, completely destroyed. She liked having that power.

When they swung open the portrait of the Fat Lady, Teddy and Juniper were greeted with the dulcet tones of none other than Rory Wood.

"...love! She signed it love! L- O- V- E. LOVE, James!" Rory was hollering, pacing back and forth across the common room. Poor James was doing his best to pacify the tiny, angry girl, calm her down as she brandished a piece of parchment in her hands. She was waving it around like a mad woman.

"I know — but Wood —"

"Love, Leah!" Rory cried, shoving the letter in James's face. "And she called you an idiot. I call you idiot! Me." She jabbed a violent thumb at her chest.

Now Juniper realized what was going on. So that's why Rory had been acting so strangely earlier. Damn it. How had Teddy known before her? She felt threatened. By Leah. Which was ridiculous because anybody with half a pint of common sense knew that James only had eyes for one girl. Also because- well James was explaining it now.

"Yes you do," James looked to Teddy and Juniper for assistance, but they shook their heads vehemently. No way were they getting in an Angry Rory's way. They were too smart for that. "Rory- look at me. I promise nothing is going on with me and Leah," he said, tentatvely reaching for her hand. "She doesn't think of me like that, and I certainly don't see her in that way. She's a good friend nothing more. It's completely platonic. Nothing could ever happen. She's my girl best friend, and that won't change." James scoffed, "I mean — when has that ever happ — " He stopped himself, grimacing. He had evidently discovered that wasn't a particularly effective argument.

Rory gestured pointedly at Juniper and Teddy, lips pursed. They both hid snickers behind their hands, sheepishly saluting to James. James scowled at them, "The two of you are not helping the situation."

"I'm sorry our relationship is so inconvenient for you, Jamesie," Juniper said, with a large heaping of sarcasm. For good measure, she kissed Teddy.

Her brother flipped her off. "You know what? It really is." James turned back to Rory, placing his hands around her waist. "I promise you have nothing to worry about, sunshine. No one could ever hold a candle to you." He tucked a piece of Rory's hair behind her ear, "And for the record, you're really cute when you're jealous."

"I was not jealous!" Rory muttered sulkily, but James knew she had already forgiven him. And Rory had. She fell into his embrace, ignoring Teddy's teasing whistles and Juniper's gagging.

"Alright now they've kissed and made up," Charlie dusted his hands airily, "and what a boring row that was to watch. Step it up, mates. Who's ready for Movie Night?" He flicked the back of James' head, "My pick tonight, loverboy."

"If you choose Annie, again. I swear to Godric," Juniper bemoaned. "I can't listen to you butcher 'Tomorrow' for the thousandth time."

Charlie pulled an offended expression, grouching, "Just for that, I'm picking Annie." There was a collective murmur of dissent from them all, as they went up the stairs.

"Coming, Wood?" James tilted his head, extending his hand at the stationary girl.

Rory seemed a little surprised at the question. "Oh- I mean- if you want me there?"

"What are you on about?" James laughed, bewildered by his girlfriend's unsure demeanor. "'Course I want you there."

"I just- this has always been- like- the five of you. I didn't want to intrude," Rory explained.

Juniper viewed her with much incredulity,  like the girl had suddenly sprouted two heads. "You're not intruding, Ror. Don't be daft. Even Henry comes sometimes. And you're literally one of us, have been for ages now."

Teddy nudged her with his elbow, "And will be for ages. You're trapped forever, babes. Hate to break it to you."

"You can never go back, Wood," James planted a kiss atop her head, leading her along.

"Scared?" Charlie asked, eyes bright with mischief.

Leo snorted, "You should be."

THIS CHAPTER WAS SO FUCKING LONG

I AM DRAINED

UGH I HATE THAT THESE ARE TAKING ME SO LONG TO WRITE IM SORRYYYYY

thank you so much for you patience i am undyingly grateful.

this chapter was hard for me to write for a lot of reasons, but one of the reasons was that it was really important to me

i hope you took to heart some of the themes i touched on and if you have ever experienced any of those things. cat calling, sexual harassment, etc. ( i know i have) please feel free to reach out to me

this is a safe place and we respect EVERYONE

no matter what they're wearing

LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!

MWAH

-coco