▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐞𝐧 ━︎━︎ 𝐖𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝'𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐬 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐀𝐒 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐋, Juniper felt it was necessary to put her hair up, leaving out two strands to frame her face because if she was going down, she was going down in style. Well, as much style as an eleven-year-old can have. She and Hermione made it out of their room, Harry and Ron waiting for them. They all made their ways down the stairs, coming to a stop when they saw Neville's toad, Trevor, sitting there. "Trevor!" Harry sighed, looking at the toad.

     "Trevor, shh, go!" Ron tried. "You shouldn't be here."

     "Neither should you." Neville leaned forwards in the chair, revealing himself. He stood up as he looked at the group. "You're sneaking out again, aren't you?"

     "Us? Sneaking out? We would never." Juniper feigned innocence.

     Harry held out his hands. "Now, Neville, listen. We were―︎"

     "No!" Neville snapped, cutting him off. "I won't let you. You'll get Gryffindor into trouble again. I-I-I'll fight you." Neville held up his fists.

     Juniper smiled. "Aw, that's adorable." Juniper pulled out her wand, pointing it at the boy. "Petrifucus totalus." Juniper watched as the boy became frozen in his spot before falling over, unable to move. Juniper winced. "Sorry, buddy."

      Ron swallowed thickly, glancing at Juniper. "You're a little scary sometimes, you know that? Brilliant but scary."

     Juniper beamed at him. "Thanks, Ron. Now, I think we have a three headed dog to put to sleep." She turned on her heel and walked out the door, the other three following after her.

When Harry pulled out an invisibility cloak, Juniper had multiple questions. He hadn't told her about it, and quite frankly she was offended. Harry rolled his eyes at her and explained it was a Christmas gift. Juniper sighed and forgave him. Hermione smiled at the girls antics. Somehow Juniper could make light of a dark situation, that was something Hermione admired about her.

     As they made it to the locked door that held the dog inside, Hermione looked at Juniper. "Should you do it? Or should I?"

     "Take the honors," Juniper answered. "I did the last one."

     Hermione nodded before pulling out her wand and pointing at the lock. "Alohomora."

     "Let's do this." Juniper said, only to be disappointed when the giant dog was already asleep. In the corner there was a harp playing peaceful sounds. Juniper had to admit that it made even her a little sleepy. When the door closed behind them, Harry pulled the invisibility cloak off of them.

     "Wait a minute. . . he's snoring." Harry frowned.

     "I know why Hagrid named him Fluffy now." Juniper whispered. "He looks very fluffy. I want to pet him. Do you think he'll wake up if I try and pet him?"

     "Juniper, you're not petting the dog." Hermione chastised, looking at the girl with disbelief.

     Juniper sighed. "I miss my dog."

     "Snape's already been here." Harry shook his head, upset that he had beat them to it. "He's put a spell on the harp."

     As they drew closer to the dog, Ron scrunched his nose in disgust. "Ugh! It's got horrible breath."

     Harry's eyes landed on the dog's giant paw, the paw that was covering the trap door. "We have to move its paw."

     "What?" Ron asked in disbelief.

     "Come on." Harry urged. They didn't have time to argue.

     Together the four of them pushed the very heavy paw off the door, wincing as his claws scarped along the wood. Whilst Juniper had the chance, she rubbed the dog's fur. He was indeed fluffy. When they moved it, they quickly leaned down and opened the trapdoor. Juniper looked down the trap door with a frown. "Sure is dark."

     Harry looked at the three. "I'll go first. Don't follow until I give you a sign. If something bad happens, get yourselves out."

     "I'm going with you." Juniper quickly told him. Harry opened his mouth to protest but Juniper gave him a look. "I'm not letting you go in there alone. My mother would kill me."

     "Fine," Harry gave in. Harry paused when he noticed the loud silence in the room. "Does it seem a bit quiet to you?"

     Juniper slowly looked up, her eyes coming into contact with the giant dog that was now wide awake and staring at them. The other three hadn't noticed her look up. "The harp. It stopped playing."

     "Mhm," Juniper nodded, agreeing with Hermione. "Sure did. Hey, guys, um, could you all, I don't know, look up?"

     Harry's eyes widened and without hesitation yelled, "Jump!" He went down first. Next was Hermione who grabbed Juniper's wrist, bringing her down with her. After her came Ron who yelled before landing in the same thing that they all had landed in. It looked like a giant plant with a whole bunch of roots. You couldn't see the floor below.

      "Luckily this plant-thing is here, really." Ron breathed.

     Suddenly the roots started moving and quickly it began trapping the three. Almost immediately Juniper knew what it was. "Stop moving." Juniper snapped, staying still as the roots grew tighter around her. "This is Devil's Snare."

     "Juniper's right." Hermione called. "You have to stop moving, relax. It'll only kill you faster if you don't."

     "Kills us faster?" Ron yelled. "Oh, now I can relax!"

     "See you on the other side," Juniper closed her eyes as she began sinking, falling through. Hermione appeared right after her.

     "Now what are we gonna do?" Ron called, Juniper and Hermione looking up.

     "Just relax!" Both girls yelled.

     Juniper shook her head. "Is he deaf?"

     "Hermione, Juniper, where are you?" Harry asked.

     "Do what we say!" Hermione told him. "Trust us."

     "If you don't trust me, at least trust her." Juniper placed her hands on her hips, waiting patiently for the two boys. Harry was the first one to join them, landing with soft thud. Juniper kneeled down beside of him. "You alright?"

     "Yeah yeah I'm fine." Harry nodded, allowing Juniper to pull him up.

     "Help! Help!" Ron yelled.

     Hermione sighed. "He's not relaxing is he?"

     "Apparently not."

     "We've got to do something," Hermione stressed. Hermione started trying to retrace her steps, thinking of something she'd read in herbology.

     Juniper pulled out her wand, pointing it at the Devil's Snare and yelling, "Lumus solem!" As the sunlight hit it, it seemed to shriek of pain or fear and immediately Ron fell through. Juniper lowered her wand and couldn't help the smirk that she sent towards Hermione. She then turned her attention to Ron, going over to him and standing over him with her arms crossed. "Do you not know the definition of relaxing?"

     "Juniper, not now."

     Juniper put her hands up in defense. "You're right. My apologies, Ron."

     Ron stood up, letting out a breath. "Whew! Luckily we didn't panic."

     The three stared at him with blank faces. Harry looked at his best friend before saying, "Lucky Hermione pays attention in herbology and Juniper knows her spells."

     Hermione turned her head when the sound of movement caught her attention. "What's that?"

     Harry looked in the same direction. "I don't know. Sounds like wings."

     "I vote we find out." Juniper smiled before stepping forwards towards the door that was there and pushing it open. She walked inside, her mouth opening slightly. "Whoa."

     "Curious." Hermione said in awe. "I've never seen birds like this."

     Harry narrowed his eyes before shaking his head. "They're not birds, they're keys. And I'll bet one of them fits that door." Their eyes fell on a broom that was floating and they all walked up to it.

     "What's this all about?" Hermione frowned.

     "I don't know."

     "No one knows nothing. Haven't we figured this out yet?" Juniper mumbled, her eyes staying trained on the keys. She shook her head slightly when Ron walked over to the other door and tried to use a spell to unlock it, only for nothing to happen.

     "Ugh! What are we going to do? There must be a thousand keys up there." Hermione walked back over, shaking her head.

     "We're looking for a big old-fashioned one." Ron informed.

     Juniper pointed. "How about a big old-fashioned one with a broken wing, indicating it's already been used."

     "Brilliant!" Harry smiled at the girl, looking down at the broom only for his smile to fade.

     "What's wrong, Harry?" Hermione frowned.

     "It's too simple."

     "Oh, go on, Harry!" Ron pushed. "If Snape could catch it on that old broomstick, you can. You're the youngest seeker in the century."

     Harry nodded before slowly reaching out for the broomstick and once he grabbed it all the keys immediately began to swarm him. "This complicates things a bit," Ron frowned causing Juniper to look at him.

     "Really?" Juniper scoffed.

Harry chased the key, managing to grab it and throwing it towards them, yelling for them to catch it whilst he continued flying around. Hermione grabbed it, quickly spinning towards the door and pushing the key into the key hole. Quickly they pushed the door open, the three moving to the side that way Harry could fly through the door. As he did so they quickly slammed the door shut as the keys dig into the door.

     Juniper let out a heavy breath. "Well, that was exciting." She swallowed thickly before continuing forwards with the others following her. She pushed open a set of double doors, her steps slowing when she saw what was in front of her.

     "I don't like this." Hermione said from beside of her. "I don't like this at all."

     "Where are we?" Ron questioned.

     "A graveyard," Harry offered.

     Juniper shook her head. "This is no graveyard." Juniper walked forwards, walking beside the very large statues that lined either side of the checker board that she was now standing on. She stood in the middle, spinning in a slow circle. "It's a chessboard." The other three joined her side.

     "There's the door!" Harry pointed. They walked closer to it and when they made it to the statues on the other side, all of the pieces on the front moved, pulling out swords and blocking their path.

     They backed up and the chess pieces put their swords back in their places. "Now what do we do?" Hermione whispered.

     "It's obvious, isn't it?" Ron asked, stepping in front of them. "We've got to play our way across the room."

     "It's a giant game of wizards chess!" Juniper said in awe, a smile on her face. "I love wizards chess."

     "We know," Hermione gave her a pat on the shoulder.

     "Alright," Ron spoke. "Harry, you take the empty bishops square. Hermione, you'll be the queen's side castle. And as for me and Juniper, we'll be the knights."

     "Am I the only one that's excited about this?" Juniper smiled.

     "Yes," Harry and Hermione answered in unison. Juniper frowned.

They all moved to their respective places, Juniper climbing up onto the knight. She made herself comfortable and as she sat up there, it dawned on her that this could be fatal. Hermione was right when she said wizards chess was brutal, and now that they were playing it, they were going to be the pieces that got brutally destroyed.

     "What happens now?" Hermione asked.

     "Well, white moves first." Ron told them. "And then. . . we play."

     "That was so dramatic but I loved it," Juniper smiled brightly at the boy. Ron only shook his head at her. Juniper turned her head when the sound of a pawn moved two spaces forwards on the white side. "Let the games begin."

     "Ron, you don't suppose this is going to be like real wizards chess, do you?" Hermione asked, fear in her voice.

     Ron frowned for a moment before pointing at a pawn. "You there, d-5." They watched as the pawn moved forwards, now diagonal to the white pawn. The white pawn pulled out its swords and quickly demolished the black pawn before putting its swords back into place. Ron's eyes widened. "Yes, Hermione. I think this is gonna be exactly like wizards chess."

     "Ron, seeing as you're in charge of this game and all, try not to get me killed, yeah?" Juniper requested. "Not that this wouldn't be a cool way to die."

     "Juniper, now is not the time to talk about dying!" Hermione looked at her with wide eyes.

     "Sorry," Juniper apologized.

Ron ordered piece after piece to move, some of theirs getting destroyed and some of the other teams getting destroyed. Juniper couldn't help but admit that Ron was really good at chess and when this was all over and she had her own chess set, she was going to play a game against him. She hadn't had real competition in a while, and she had a feeling Ron would challenge her winning streak. As it came down to the end, Juniper and Ron were both stuck in the same position with the queen right in their line. It was either Ron or Juniper going down. The two exchanged looks with one another and Ron gave her a nod to which Juniper gave back.

     "Wait a minute," Harry spoke grabbing their attention.

     "You understand right, Harry?" Ron asked. "Once I make my move, the queen will take me. Then you're free to check the king."

     "Ron," Juniper shook her head.

     "No, Ron, no!" Harry shook his head violently. He didn't want anyone getting hurt for him.

     "What is it?" Hermione asked, confused.

     "He's going to sacrifice himself." Harry told her.

     Hermione quickly turned towards Ron. "No, you can't! There's got to be another way!" Hermione looked at Juniper.

     "It's either me or him," Juniper softly told her. "We're in the same position. But, in this case, Ron moving would give Harry the move needed to win."

     "Juniper's right," Ron nodded. "Do you want to stop Snape from getting that stone or not?" He looked over at Harry. "Harry, it's you that has to go on. I know it. Not me, not Hermione, not Juniper, you." He waited for Harry to nod before taking a deep breath. "Knight to h-3." The knight moved and when it stopped Ron said, "Check." The queen turned towards Ron and began moving. The piece stopped right in front of the knight before pulling out its weapon and demolishing the horse, sending Ron flying and causing him to land on the ground unconscious.

     "Ron!" Harry yelled.

     Hermione went to move and Juniper stopped her. "Don't move! We're still playing." She looked at Harry, nodding at him. Harry moved until he was diagonal from the king.

     "Check mate."

The sword fell from the king's hands, indicating that they won. Harry and Hermione quickly ran over to where Ron was and Juniper had to jump down from the knight before making her way over to him.

     Harry looked at Hermione and Juniper. "Take care of Ron. Then go to the owlery. Send a message to Dumbledore. Ron's right. I have to go on."

     "You'll be okay, Harry," Hermione assured him. "You're a great wizard. You really are."

     "Not as good as you and Juniper."

     "Us?" Hermione scoffed as Juniper managed a small smile. "Books and cleverness. There are more important things. Friendship and bravery. And Harry, just be careful." Harry stood up and Juniper quickly stood up as well.

     "I'm not letting you go in there alone." Juniper shook her head, moving to stand right in front of him.

     "June, you have to." Harry said, placing a hand on her arm. "Hermione needs you."

     Juniper glanced over at Hermione who was already looking at her, offering her a small smile. She looked back at Harry. "I need you to be safe."

     "I will."

     "Promise that you'll come back." Juniper pulled him in a hug. "You're one of the only friends I have. I can't lose anyone else."

     Harry hugged her back. "I promise." They pulled away and Harry walked away, leaving Juniper to stand there and watch him go.

      Juniper walked back over to Hermione who trying to wake Ron up. It took a few minutes before finally the boy woke with a groan and Juniper and Hermione helped pull him up. Ron put an arm around Hermione and Juniper couldn't help but glance back where Harry went. Hermione watched the girl before sighing. "Go."

     Juniper looked at her and Hermione nodded. "You've got him?"

    "I got him. Go!" Hermione shooed her away and Juniper quickly stood up and ran in the direction Harry had went. She ran down the multiple sets of stairs, yelling Harry's name. She came to a stop when she saw the entrance of a room engulfed in flames. She could spot an unconscious Harry on the other side of the flames and without hesitating she ran towards the flames and they disappeared, giving her access to him.

     "Harry!" She kneeled down beside the boy, making sure he was alive. Her eyes landed on the stone that was laying in his hand and looked back at Harry, frowning. "Oh, Harry." She sighed before lifting the boy up, grabbing the stone and putting it in her pocket. "Geez, you're heavy for a small child."

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓 him to the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey took him from her without asking any questions. Her head turned when she saw McGonagall come in. She reached in her pocket, pulling out the stone. "I think Dumbledore should have this."

     McGonagall sighed, using her wand to lift the stone before wrapping it in a cloth. "You're mother is going to be furious when she hears about this."

     Juniper sighed. "Tell me about it."

A few days went by and quickly the entire school heard about what happened with Harry and Professor Quirrell. When Juniper had found out it was in fact not Snape, part of her couldn't help but feel relieved. Snape was too easy a target and nothing in this world was easy. Hermione, Ron, and Juniper stood at the top of the staircase, silently talking amongst themselves. The sound of footsteps made the group turn their heads, all of them smiling when they saw Harry.

     "Alright there, Ron?" Harry asked.

     "Alright," Ron nodded. "You?"

     Harry shrugged. "Alright. Hermione?"

     "Never better." Hermione smiled at him.

     Harry turned to look at Juniper. "June?"

     "Oh, you know, few scratches here and there, my head hurts a little." She rubbed her head and Hermione nudged her in the side. Juniper chuckled. "I'm splendid." Juniper made her way down the stairs and the others followed her. Immediately they all gave Harry a hug. As they pulled away Juniper sighed. "Now, I don't know about you lot, but I'm starving."

     "I second that," Ron nodded.

     "Let's go eat." Hermione smiled, hooking her arm into Junipers as they walked away. Harry watched the two with a smile before glancing at Ron and then walking away with Ron at his side.

When the food was handed to her, Juniper quickly dug in. Slytherin banners were all hanging from the ceiling and although Juniper was angry that Slytherin had won the house cup, she was more focused on the fact that they were all safe and alive. The sound of a spoon hitting a glass made them all quiet down.

     Dumbledore stood up. "Another year gone. And now, as I understand it the house cup needs awarding and the points stand thus, in fourth place Gryffindor, with 312 points." Everyone clapped. "Third place, Hufflepuff, with 352 points." Another round of applause. "Second place, Ravenclaw with 426 points." There were a few cheers. "And in first place with 472 points, Slytherin House." The Slytherins all cheered loudly. "Yes, yes. Well done, Slytherin. Well done, Slytherin. However, recent events must be taken into account and I have a few last minute points to award."

     Juniper glanced at Hermione with furrowed eyebrows before they looked back at Dumbledore. "To Miss Hermione Granger and Miss Juniper Black for the cool use of intellect when others were in grave peril. Fifty points." Juniper and Hermione quickly smiled at one another, Ron and Harry smiling at them proudly as claps echoed. "Second, to Mister Ronald Weasley for the best played game of chess that Hogwarts has seen these many years. . . fifty points."

     "It was a great game," Juniper smiled at him as more cheers and applauds were given.

     "And third, to Mister Harry Potter for pure nerve and outstanding courage. I award Gryffindor House sixty points." 

     Hermione leaned forwards. "We're tied with Slytherin!"

     "Oh, come on, we've got to beat them." Juniper mumbled.

     "And finally, it takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies but a great deal more to stand up to your friends. I award ten points to Neville Longbottom." Immediately they all cheered for the boy, Juniper even giving him a pat on the shoulder as she smiled widely at him. "Assuming that my calculations are correct I believe that a change of decoration is in order." He clapped his hands and the banners changed into Gryffindor. "Gryffindor wins the house cup."

     "Yes!" Juniper yelled, earning laughs from the others around her. Everyone cheered for them except the Slytherins of course, but Juniper didn't care. She was just happy that they came on top.

When it was time for them to board the train, Juniper couldn't help but sigh. Not that she was going to admit it out loud, but she was going to miss the beauty of the castle along with the three people she called her friends.

     "Feels strange to be going home, doesn't it?" Hermione asked.

     "I'm not going home." Harry told them. "Not really." The group all looked at Hagrid who waved at them and they all waved back.

     Juniper sighed as she sat down, looking at the others with a small smirk. "One year down, only six more to go."

     "Don't remind me," Ron groaned causing the group to laugh.

     When they made it to the platform, Juniper said her goodbye's before finding her mother and Remus waiting for her. Anastasia grabbed her daughters hand. "How was school, darling?"

     "Oh, mother, the things I have to tell you."

     Anastasia laughed, kissing her daughter on the head. "I can't wait to hear them."

Juniper looked back one last time, making eye contact with Hermione. She gave Hermione one last smile before turning around and walking with her mother to go home.