▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐒𝐢𝐱 ━︎━︎ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐫𝐢𝐦 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒 for the first class of the day was not something that Juniper enjoyed at all. Juniper walked with Harry and Ron to class, Hermione showing up not too long after. She really didn't like this class, the thought of knowing the future somehow terrified her. She didn't want to know what her future was going to be like, she didn't want to know if there was an impending doom looming over her shoulders. The group of four all sat down at one of the tables, a crystal ball sitting in front of them.

"Broaden your minds," Trelawney spoke. "You must look beyond. The art of crystal gazing is in the clearing of the inner eye. Only then can you see. Try again." Ron was sleeping, Harry had his head on the table staring at the ball, and Juniper was messing with her necklace. Harry quickly sat up when the professor made her way over to their table, waking Ron up in the process. "Now what do we have here, hm?"

"Oh," Hermione said with an excited smile, "do you mind me trying?" Professor Trelawney smiled at her excitement, waiting for her to go on. "The grim. . . possibly."

Trelawney leaned closer to her. "My dear, from the first moment you stepped foot in my class, I sensed that you did not possess the proper spirit for the noble art of Divination." She grabbed Hermione's hand, looking at her palm. "Ah, you may be young in years, but the heart that beats beneath your bosom is as shriveled as an old maid's." Juniper's mouth fell agape at the woman's words. "Your soul, as dry as the pages of the books to which you so deseperately cleave, mhm." She gave Hermione's hand a pat and the witch scoffed, ripping her hand from the woman's grasp. She stood up, hitting the crystal ball with her hand and knocking it off the table.

Harry, Hermione, and Juniper jumped in surprise, watching the ball as it rolled away with Hermione leaving the classroom. Trelawney turned and looked at the three in confusion. "Have I said something?"

When the class was over, the trio made their way down the steps. "She's gone mental, Hermione." Ron started. "I mean, not that she wasn't always mental, but now it's out in the open for everyone to see."

"She's been hanging out with Juniper too long," Harry joked. Juniper scoffed, slapping his arm although there was an amused smile on her lips. Harry smiled at her before coming to a stop. "Hold on." He kneeled down, picking up the crystal ball that had rolled away from their table and onto the steps. "We better take this back."

"I'm not going back," Ron said with disgust. The thought of having to walk all the way back up those stairs did not appease him.

"Fine." Harry shook his head. "See you later."

"I'll come with you," Juniper offered. Harry sent her a thankful smile before they made their way back up the steps and into the classroom. Harry set the ball down in its rightful place, moving to leave but stopping and staring into the ball. Juniper looked at him confused and before she could say anything, a hand was placed on both of their shoulders making them jump.

"Professor Trelawney," Harry breathed.

"He will return tonight." Her voice sounded terrifying as she spoke, as if she'd been possessed. Juniper's eyes widened in fear.

"Sorry?" Harry asked, glancing at Juniper before looking back at the teacher.

"Tonight, he who betrayed his friends, whose heart rots with murder, shall break free. Innocent blood shall be spilt, and Servant and Master shall be reunited once more." She suddenly choked and began coughing before regaining herself. She turned to look at Harry and Juniper, surprised to see them. "Oh, I'm so sorry, my dears. Did you say something?"

"No." Harry said, slowly backing away from her and grabbing Juniper's hand in the process. "Nothing." He quickly dragged Juniper from the classroom and they both went running down the stairs.

Juniper swallowed thickly. "What the hell was that?"

Harry shook his head. "I don't know." He looked at Juniper. "But I have a feeling we're going to find out."

Juniper sighed, "Comforting."

Juniper made her way to her room, changing out of her robes and into more comfortable clothes. She explained to Hermione what Trelawney had said and Hermione rolled her eyes. "She's crazy."

"Maybe." Juniper nodded. "Hopefully."

Hermione looked at Juniper. "Hey, it'll be alright." She offered her a small reassuring smile and Juniper just nodded in response. "Come on, let's go see what the boys are doing." She stood up from the bed and hooked her arm into Juniper's before the two made their way to the common room. They met up with Ron and Harry, deciding to go pay Hagrid a visit.

As they made their way outside, the sound of metal sharpening could be heard. Juniper frowned, sharing a look with Hermione, before focusing her attention back on the executioner that was sharpening his giant blade. He looked up at them, his face old and his teeth rotting. He had a black hood over his head with holes for the eyes and mouth. This was the executioner for Buckbeak.

The three continued on their way. "I can't believe they're going to kill Buckbeak. It's just too horrible." Hermione frowned, shaking her head. They walked through the hall before making it back outside.

"It just got worse," Ron suddenly said.

"Did I tell you?" Draco's voice rang in Juniper's ears and immediately and involuntarily she recoiled. Draco and his goons were hidden behind a giant slab of rock, binoculars in Draco's hand as they watched Hagrid's hut and Buckbeak from afar. "Father said I can keep the Hippogriff's head. I think I'll keep it."

Hermione's anger bubbled inside of her and finally she exploded. She stepped forwards. Approaching footsteps made the three boys turn. Harry, Juniper, and Ron quickly followed after her. "Ah, come to see the show?"

"You!" She growled, advancing towards them. "You foul, loathsome, evil little cockroach." She pulled out her wand, pressing it against Draco's throat making the boy press his back against the rock. He cowered in fear and Juniper just smirked, crossing her arms as she watched the whole thing in amusement.

"Hermione, no!" Ron stopped her.

"Hermione, yes." Juniper countered.

"He's not worth it," Ron continued.

Slowly, and unsurely, she lowered her wand. She turned around and immediately Draco started laughing. Without hesitation, Hermione turned and curled her fist, throwing it towards Draco and punching him in the face. He fell to the ground and Juniper's mouth dropped in surprise before she smiled widely and began chuckling. She looked at Harry. "Maybe she has been hanging out with me too much." The three boys ran away.

"That felt good." Hermione sighed.

"Not good―︎brilliant." Ron complimented.

"Can I say something?" Juniper asked, raising her hand slightly. The three looked at her. "That was attractive."

Hermione's eyes widened, a deep red blush quickly forming on her cheeks, a smile forming on her face. Juniper smirked. Harry just looked at Juniper, smiling at her in amusement and shaking his head whilst Ron looked at her like she'd just said the most horrendous thing in the world. "What?" She shrugged. "We were all thinking it, I just spoke it."

"We can always count on you to speak your mind, June." Harry told her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders before they began walking.

"Absolutely you can." Juniper chuckled. The group made their way towards Hagrid's hut and as they were walking Juniper couldn't help but think about how much she's changed since meeting them. They were her best friend's, and she realized in that moment that if Harry had asked her, she would risk her life for him. She'd risk her life for all of them if it meant keeping them safe.

"Oh, look at him." Hagrid said, staring out the window of the hut. "Loves the smell of the trees when the wind blows through them."

"Why don't we just set him free?" Harry asked from his spot beside of Hagrid at the window. The other three were sitting at the table.

"Ah, they'd know it was me." Hagrid shook his head. "And then Dumbledore would get into trouble. He's coming down, you know, Dumbledore. Says he wants to be with me when they. . . when it happens. Great man, Dumbledore. Great man."

Hermione stood up. "We'll stay with you too, Hagrid."

"You'll do no such thing." Hagrid immediately shut the idea down. "Think I want you seeing something like that."

"Add it to the list," Juniper mumbled. "Can't be worse than having a father being the one to commit the murders." They looked at her and she looked up at them. "Did I say that out loud? Can we pretend I didn't say that?"

Hagrid nodded and went back to Hermione. "No, you just drink your tea and be off. Oh, before you do, Ron. . ." Hagrid walked over to a box before pulling out Ron's rat.

Ron stood up. "Scabbers! You're alive!" He grabbed the rat.

"Want to keep a closer eye on your pets, Ron."

"I think that means you owe someone an apology." Hermione said, stepping forwards expectantly.

"Right." Ron nodded. "Next time I see Crookshanks, I'll let him know."

"I meant me!" Hermione snapped. Suddenly, the pot sitting in front of Juniper broke, making her jump. Hermione looked at her in silent question, knowing the girl could use non-verbal magic. Juniper shook her head. This wasn't her.

"What was that?" Ron questioned.

"Ow!" Harry suddenly yelled, placing a hand on the back of his head. He turned out towards the window to find where it came from and Juniper stood up, joining his side. Harry looked out the window and his eyes widened. "Hagrid."

Hagrid came to stand beside him, looking out the window. "Oh, crikey. It's late. It's nearly dark." Outside walking towards the hut were Dumbledore, the executioner, and Cornelius Fudge. "You shouldn't be here. If someone sees you outside the castle this time of night, you'll be in trouble―︎big trouble. Particularly you, Harry and Juniper." A knock came at the door. "With you in a moment!" Hagrid shooed them, covering a blanket over the creature sitting in the corner. "Quick. Quick."

The group made their way towards the back door, Harry stopping to give Hagrid a quick reassurance, before following the other three. They stood at the door, Juniper leaning her head out to see and when the three adults entered, the four teenagers left. They ran down to the huge pile of pumpkins, hiding behind them. They listened to the conversation before Hermione suddenly turned. Juniper looked back at the forest behind them, the feeling of someone watching her making her skin crawl.

"What?" Harry asked, turning as well along with Ron.

"I thought I just saw. . . never mind."

"Let's go." Ron urged before beginning to make his way back to the castle. Harry and Hermione quickly followed whilst Juniper lingered for a moment, staring into the dark forest before shaking her head and following after her friends.

They made it to the top of the hill, staring down at Buckbeak. Hermione had tears in her eyes as they watched the executioner lift his blade and as he slammed it down, Hermione quickly turned, placing her head into Juniper's shoulders. She couldn't watch. Juniper wrapped an arm around her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. Harry placed a comforting hand on Junipers shoulder whilst Ron placed a hand on Hermione's.

"Ow." Ron suddenly jumped, dropping his rat. They all looked at him. "He bit me. Scabbers!" He quickly started chasing after his rat. They called after the redhead but he wouldn't listen, running down the hill to follow his animal. Juniper quickly followed and the other two were close behind. Juniper came to a sudden stop at the top of a smaller hill, Hermione and Harry joining either side of her. Ron continued chasing his rat. . . right to the Whomping Willow.

"Oh, damn." Juniper muttered.

"Harry, you do realize what tree this is." Hermione said, catching her breath.

"That's not good." Harry realized. "Ron, run!" He yelled for his bestfriend and Ron just looked up at them.

Horror fell on Ron's face and he pointed behind them. "Harry, Hermione, Juniper, run!" They turned to look behind them and soft gasp fell from Juniper's lips. It was the dog she had seen inside of the castle a few months back. "It's the Grim!" The dog ran towards them, growling and barking but he jumped right over them and headed towards Ron. It grabbed Ron by the ankle, dragging him towards the tree. He yelled out for them and they quickly ran towards him. Harry dove to the ground, trying to grab Ron's hand, but he missed and the dog dragged Ron beneath the tree.

"Well," Juniper breathed, placing her hands on her hips, "that's great." The three looked down the hole Ron had just been dragged into before suddenly they were hit by a tree limb and thrown backwards. Juniper looked up to see the tree alive. She let out an exasperated sigh as she brushed herself off and stood up. "And now there's that."