▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐞 ━︎━︎ 𝐇𝐨𝐠𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐒𝐀𝐓 in her room, a book in her hands as she read about potions. Her curly hair fell down her shoulders, feet crossed at the ankles as she sat on her twin sized bed. Her dark purple walls reflected in the sunset shining through her window, soft white curtains keeping the rays from actually entering her room. A photograph of her family hung on the wall in front of her, the moving figures of her parents smiling down at her when she was just an infant. The time was coming, her first year was going to start soon. Hogwarts was going to become her second home.

Juniper chewed on her bottom lip, unable to focus on the potions as her mind became muddled with worry. She knew the looks that everyone was going to throw her way as soon as she stepped on that platform. The only people she could count on to not throw dirty glares her way were Remus Lupin and her mother, and both of those people weren't going to be with her. It dawned on her that this was going to be the first time that she was truly away from her mother. A shiver ran down her spine. She didn't want to be away from her mother. She couldn't protect her if she wasn't with her. Maybe going to Hogwarts wasn't the best idea.

     "Knock, knock." Anastasia's soft voice came through the door, her knuckles gently tapping against the brown wooden door before she turned the golden knob, pushing the room open and peaking her head inside. She smiled at her daughter. "Tomorrow's the big day," Anastasia said excitedly, sitting down on the edge of Juniper's bed. "Are you excited?" She placed a hand on her leg that was covered by her blankets, rubbing her thumb gently across it.

     Juniper looked at her mother, forcing a smile as she nodded her head. "Yeah." She looked down at her hands, playing with her fingers.

     Anastasia noticed this immediately, a frown pulling at her lips. "Baby, what's wrong?"

     Juniper hesitated for a moment, opening her mouth and then closing it again before a soft sigh fell from her lips. "I don't want to leave you, I can't protect you if I'm not home."

     Anastasia softly chuckled, "Sweetheart, I promise you that I will be alright. I'm supposed to protect you, remember? Hogwarts is a safe school. I trust Dumbledore, he'll keep you safe."

     "We're supposed to protect each other," Juniper whispered.

     "Juni, what's this really about?"

     Juniper looked at her mother with sadness in her eyes. "I don't want you to be alone."

     Anastasia stared at her daughter, her heart breaking. She knew what her daughter was really trying to say. She was all that Juniper had, and Juniper couldn't lose her. Just like Anastasia couldn't lose her. They had been with each other every single day, this was going to be the first time since Juniper had been born that Anastasia was going to be in the house alone. "I'll be alright, don't you worry about me."

     Juniper nodded. "Do you miss him?"

     "Everyday," Anastasia said, a sad smile on her lips.

     "Everyone's going to look at me tomorrow."

     A sigh fell from the older woman's lips, the brunette moving so that she was laying beside of her daughter. She wrapped her arm around Juniper's shoulders, pulling her gently into her side. "I know. Everyone's going to judge you, people might even say cruel things to you, but don't you ever cave in to what they say. You are a wonderful person, Juniper and the ones that stop to actually get to know you are the ones you can truly trust."

     "Just like Dad, Uncle James and Uncle Remus did with you."

     "Exactly. They welcomed me in with open arms just as others will do with you. But do me a favor? Don't let your desire to be like me cloud over your judgement."

     "I won't," Juniper promised.

     "It's getting late, sweetheart. Get some rest." Anastasia pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I love you, Juni."

     "I love you too." Juniper watched as her mother stood from the bed, smiling at her before turning the lights out and closing the door. Juniper sat there for a moment before sighing. She put her book on her bedside table before crawling deeper under the covers and forcing herself to sleep.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑 books, her wand, her robes, and now she was standing on the platform of the Hogwarts express, staring up at the giant black train with nerves. She was holding tightly onto her mothers hand, not wanting to let go. Anastasia could feel her daughter's anxieties. She turned to her, kneeling down in front of her and smiling up at her. She placed both hands on either of Juniper's shoulders.

     Anastasia brushed the hair from her daughter's face. "You are going to do great, Juni. I will write you as much as possible and I expect for you to do the same." She stood up, kissing her on the top of the head. "I love you so much, darling."

     Juniper nodded, looking over her mom's shoulder. Regret instantly swirled in her stomach. Stares and whispers were already aimed towards her, making her swallow thickly and avert her eyes. She looked at her mother. "I love you too."

     Anastasia smiled proudly, placing a hand on her daughters cheek. "My brave girl." She took a step back and Juniper took a deep breath before making it onto the train. She turned back and her mother waved at her. Juniper waved back before disappearing into the train.

The carts had been filled up quickly, and every time Juniper tried to enter one disgusted looks were thrown her way and the door was pull closed. Tears wanted to pool in her eyes, but she refused to let that happen. She made it to the last cart, it had one spot left. Inside were two boys and one girl. One of the boys had dark short hair, circle rimmed glasses placed on his nose. Beside him, the other boy with bright red hair was stuffing his mouth with candy, half of the trolly inside of their cart. Across from them sat a girl, her busy brown hair going kind of everywhere, and there was an attitude about her that just screamed. . . know-it-all. A sigh fell from Juniper's lips as she knocked on the side of the door, grabbing the trio's attention.

     "Hello," Juniper softly said. "I'm sorry to be a bother. . . I've been trying to find a seat since we've left. This is the last one." She swallowed thickly, her nerves starting to get the best of her. "Um. . . do you. . . do you mind if I. . .?" She pointed nervously towards the open seat.

     The boy with the glasses nodded his head encouragingly, giving Juniper a smile―︎this took the girl completely off guard. "Sure."

     She smiled, "Thank you." Carefully, she took a seat beside the girl.

     The girl was quick to hold out her hand, smiling brightly at Juniper. "I'm Hermione Granger."

     Juniper took her hand, shaking it. "Nice to meet you."

     "Ron Weasley," this time the boy with the red hair spoke. Hermione rolled her eyes at him, disgusted that he was talking with a mouth full of food. Juniper nodded in greeting.

     "Harry Potter," the boy who welcomed her said.

     Juniper stopped, her breath hitching in her throat. "Harry Potter?" She questioned. He was the one, the reason her father was in Azkaban. Immediately she cleared her throat, knowing that he probably got the same amount of looks that she did. Instead of looking at him like he was a celebrity―︎which he was in the wizarding world―︎she looked at him with a gentle smile. The way he had done with her. "Nice to meet you, Harry."

     "Well?" Hermione asked.

     Juniper looked at her with confusion. "Well, what?"

     "Aren't you going to tell us your name?"

     Juniper's mouth ran dry. She licked her lips before nodding. "Uhm, I'm Juniper." She forced a smile, hoping they wouldn't notice her leaving out her last name. It wasn't that she was ashamed of her last name, because she wasn't, she just wanted to have one group of people not look at her with either fear or disgust in their eyes.

     "We're almost there, you guys better change into your robes." Hermione said as she stood up, walking out of the cart. She stopped, turning back and looking at Ron. "You have dirt on your nose, did you know? Right there." She pointed to a spot on her nose before turning and walking away.

When the train came to a stop, they all filed out. Hagrid was standing there with a light in his hands, calling for all the first years to follow him to the boats. Juniper climbed into one of the wooden boats, moving to give other's room. Only one person got on the same boat as her, and it was only because there wasn't anywhere else for them to go. When Hogwarts came into view, Juniper couldn't help the way that her mouth fell open. Her mothers description of the place was nothing compared to seeing it in person. It stood on a hill. It was simply huge, a large castle that somehow filled her with a sense of comfort. She smiled widely. This was the place where her mother and father met and fell in love.

When they climbed off the boats, they were led inside and up a set of stairs. Turning the corner they came across another set of stairs as well as an older woman standing at the top of them, covered in head to toe with black. Her hands were placed in front of her and she had a smile on her face, one that was kind but stern, letting Juniper know she was the woman that wanted to get things done.

     "Welcome to Hogwarts." Professor McGonagall clapped her hands together. "Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now, while you're here your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule-breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup―︎"

     "Trevor!" Neville Longbottom quickly cut her off, running forwards and scooping the toad up into his hands. He looked up at her, swallowing thickly. "Sorry."

     "The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily," McGonagall finished. She turned on her heel, walking away from them.

     "It's true then." The sound of Draco Malfoy's voice cut through the silence, his blonde hair easily identifiable. "What they're saying on the train. Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts." Draco motioned to the two boys beside of him. "This is Crabbe and Goyle." Draco moved towards Harry. "And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy." Ron snickered making Draco snap his head towards him. "You think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask you yours. Red hair and a hand-me-down robe? You must be a Weasley." Draco turned back to Harry. "You'll soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort." He narrowed his eyes at Ron before focusing his attention back onto Harry. "I can help you there." Draco held out his hand.

     Harry looked at Draco's hand then back at Draco. "I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks." Juniper couldn't help but smirk to herself. McGonagall walked back, tapping Draco on the shoulder with a roll of parchment. Draco glanced at her before moving out of the way.

     "We're ready for you now. Follow me." She turned around and started walking towards the dining hall doors. The first year students all followed her, watching as she threw the door open and started walking into the room.

Juniper looked at the room in awe, floating candles hanging above them, the main source of light in the room. Along with the candles, the ceiling was bewitched to look like the night sky above, and it was absolutely mesmerizing to her. There were four long tables in the dining hall, all filled with the older students. As they walked in between two of the tables, Juniper glanced at the older students, wondering if they recognized her. When the looks were given she immediately knew that they knew who she was. She sighed to herself, she was never going to catch a break. Nonetheless, Juniper forced herself to hold her head up high, deciding she would sulk about it when she was by herself.

     They were lead to the very front of the room, the Professor going up the steps and stopping them. "Will you wait along here please?" She asked, watching silently as the students did so. "Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words."

Behind her there was another long table, except where the others were turned to be up and down along the hall, this one was face to run along the stage area where all of the teachers sat, facing the students. In the middle of all the teacher's, an older man stood up, his white beard just as long as his white hair was. His beard was tied closer to the end, making him look more neat. He had glasses placed on the bridge of his nose, but for the most part his face looked kind and calming.

      He placed his hands flat against the table as he started to speak. "I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years, please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, has asked me to remind you that the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you." Dumbledore sat down.

Juniper raised her eyebrows at that last part. Well, she wasn't sure she could believe her mother when she said that Hogwarts was completely safe.

     Professor McGonagall pulled their attention back to her when she unraveled the scroll in her hand and spoke once more. "Now, when I call your name, you will come forth, I shall place the sorting hat on your head and you will be sorted into your house." She held up the hat before saying the first name, "Hermione Granger."

As Hermione went up, Juniper couldn't help but cross her arms anxiously. She knew that she could get two possible houses. Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Silently she prayed for Gryffindor. She wanted to continue her parents Gryffindor legacies and maybe if she was in their house, she could learn more about their time back in Hogwarts. One by one everyone's name was called and everyone was placed into their houses. Much to her dismay, Juniper's name was called last. Of course it was. Just her luck.

     "Juniper Black."

     In an instant, whispers echoed around the hall, just as they did when Harry's name was called. She clenched her jaw. She wouldn't show weakness in front of them. She was going to show them that she was better than them and that she was smarter than them. She went up the steps, sitting in the seat and closing her eyes as the hat was placed on her head. "Oh, yes, I see. Very smart indeed. . . two very obvious choices. But which to put you in. . ." The hat droned on and on until finally it shouted her new home for the next seven years. "Gryffindor!"

Claps came from the Gryffindor table, a couple of cheers, but mostly just looks. Juniper made her way to the table, sitting at the end by herself. As the food appeared and the ghosts came out to play and talk, Juniper picked at her food with a fork, a frown on her face. This was going to be a little tougher than she thought.