▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐨 ━︎━︎ 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐞 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 lead to the Gryffindor common room, she wasn't expecting the moving staircases and the multiple talking paintings. She made her way into the common room, not even bothering to listen to Percy Weasley who kept repeating that he was the Head Boy and Prefect. When it was time for them to separate and go find their rooms, Juniper couldn't help but be thankful that she was most likely going to be alone. She made her way up to the rooms, pushing open an empty room where her stuff was waiting for her. She sat down on the bed, slowly falling back onto it and closing her eyes with a deep sigh.

She couldn't help the immediate tears that pooled in her eyes, closing them tight as she let the tears fall. She wanted to go back home. She wanted to be with her mother. Juniper had never really had any friends in her life, she was a loner and she liked to study. No one really ever approached her. She didn't have siblings to keep her company. Her mother was her best friend as well as her Uncle Remus. They were the only ones that she really talked to. She sat up and wiped away her tears, clearing her throat as she pushed her hair out of her face. The sound of footsteps entering made her stop.

     She turned her head, surprised to see Hermione Granger standing there. Hermione stood in the doorway for a moment, looking at Juniper with raised eyebrows. "Are you alright?"

     Juniper narrowed her eyes. "I'm fine. What do you want?"

    "Well if you'd take a moment to open your eyes you'd see my stuff sitting on the dresser right across from you," Hermione sassily remarked. "Looks like we're roommates." Hermione closed the door, walking into the bathroom to change into her night clothes. Hermione walked out, sitting on the bed and grabbing her book, immediately dipping her nose into it.

     Juniper stared at the girl for a moment, clenching her jaw in annoyance before standing up and walking into the bathroom. She closed the door, placing her hands on the sink and looking at herself in the mirror. "Grow up, Juniper. Not everyone is going to like you." She stood up, straightening her shoulders. "You're going to be just fine. You don't need anyone that isn't your mom and Remus." She took a deep breath before changing her clothes and then walking back out.

     "Were you talking to someone?" Hermione asked.

     Juniper looked at her. "Were you minding your business?"

     Hermione stared at her. "I see this is going to be a lovely year."

     Juniper threw her hand towards the door, the door flying open. "There's the door, feel free to leave."

     Hermione sat up immediately, her book lying askew. She stared at the door before looking at Juniper. "How did you do that without a wand?"

     Juniper glanced at the door and shrugged. "I've always been able to do it, even as a baby."

     "Only powerful wizards are able to use non-verbal magic." Hermione pushed her, clear jealousy clouding her face.

     "Both of my parents were purebloods, Hermione. I guess the magic is stronger for me."

     Hermione stared at her for a moment, offended. "Are you saying that just because my parents are both muggles that you're more powerful than me?"

     Juniper closed the door. "That's not what I meant."

     "Then what did you mean?"

     "Forget I said anything," Juniper muttered. She crawled under the covers.

     "I'm just as capable as anyone, you know?" Hermione defended herself, staring at Juniper in anticipation. When Juniper said nothing, Hermione frowned deeply. She knew that she was just as capable as the others. Just because she was a muggle born didn't mean anything. Her eyes switched over to the stack of books that were sitting beside of Juniper's bed. She remembered the words the hat had said to Juniper, how she had been smart, smart enough to even be considered a Ravenclaw.

Once Hermione laid down, the lights turned off. Juniper laid there, staring at the wall for a few moments before she softly sighed, forcing herself to close her eyes and get some rest. When she woke up, the sun was shining through her window. The sound of shuffling could be heard, making her peak over the covers to see Hermione pulling her robe over her arms. Juniper sat up, rubbing her eyes and sitting there for a moment. She didn't get a wink of sleep, she was exhausted. It wasn't for a lack of trying, she just wasn't used to not sleeping in her own bed.

     Hermione glanced towards the girl, her nose up in the air per usual. "Morning."

     "Yeah," Juniper mumbled. She crawled out of bed, grabbing her clothes, walking into the bathroom to change and brush her teeth before walking back out. She grabbed the books she would be needing before walking to the door and heading to her class. When she got there, she was the first to arrive.

     "Miss Black," Professor McGonagall greeted. "I'm not surprised to see you are the first to arrive."

     Juniper smiled at the Professor. "Just ready to learn."

     "I'm sure it's nothing you haven't already read. Your mother does a great deal to tell me how much you've been studying. I have high hopes for you, Black. Let's hope you follow in your mother's footsteps." She motioned towards the seats, silently telling her to sit wherever she'd like. She sat down in the third row, getting her desk organized as she patiently waited.

     Of course, Hermione was the next one in the class. She stood there for a moment, staring at the desk where Juniper was sitting and contemplated for a moment. Huffing to herself, Hermione made her way over to Junipers desk, taking the seat right beside of her. Juniper glanced at her and Hermione noticed. "Care if I sit here?"

     "I guess," Juniper whispered.

     As the class started filling in, Hermione said, "I think we got off to the wrong foot."

     "No, we didn't." Juniper shook her head. "I see the looks you give me. I can tell from your aura that you're going to be my biggest competition."

     Hermione furrowed her eyebrows. "Competition?"

     This time Juniper couldn't help the smirk that pulled at her face. "For the top spot of course."

     Hermione straightened her shoulders. "The top spot?"

     "I plan to follow in my mother's footsteps, be the top in my class."

     "Well, you're going to have to fight for it." Hermione said, this time a small smile started pulling at her lips.

     "Oh, don't worry, I will. It's my one goal here. I always finish my goals." Juniper turned back towards McGonagall as she started teaching, not noticing the small smile that lingered on Hermione's face. It was the first conversation they'd had without any venom in Juniper's voice. Maybe Hermione could be her friend, maybe this school wasn't going to be as bad as she thought.

     As they were working on their assignment, the sound of the door opening made the two girls turn. Neither of them were surprised to see Harry and Ron running in late. Juniper just shook her head whilst Hermione rolled her eyes, both girls going back to their work. "Whew, made it. Could you imagine the look on McGonagall's face if she knew we were late?" Ron said, looking at Harry.

     The cat that was sitting on the desk quickly leaped forwards, transforming into McGonagall. Both boys stared at her in awe before Ron said, "That was bloody brilliant."

     "Oh, thank you for that assessment, Mr. Weasley." Professor McGonagall spoke. "Perhaps it would be more useful if I were to transfigure Mr. Potter and yourself into a pocket watch. That way one of you might be on time."

     "We got lost," Harry explained.

     "Then perhaps a map?" McGonagall replied. "I trust you don't need one to find your seats." Turning on her heel, she went back to her cat form and sat on the desk whilst the other two sat down. When the class was over, Juniper stood, stretching her back before grabbing her books. Hermione smiled at her as she waited before the two started towards their potions class.

They were all sitting there, smoking cauldrons sitting in front of them. The room was dark and Juniper couldn't help the unsettling feeling that twisted in her stomach. She didn't like anything about this room, and when the teacher came storming in, slamming the door open dramatically as he did so, Juniper felt even less comfortable in his classroom.

     "There will be no foolish wand-waving or silly incantations in this class." Professor Severus Snape stopped, whipping his body around to face the mix of Gryffindor and Slytherin students. He placed his hands together, his eyes narrowed, a permanent frown on his face. "As such, I don't expect many of you to appreciate the subtle science and exact art that is potion making. However, for those select few. . . who possess the predisposition. . ." Snape's eyes were focused on Draco before he looked back at the others in the room. "I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and ensnare the senses. I can tell you how to bottle fame brew glory and even put a stopper in death."

     Chills went down Juniper's spine. She didn't like how he slowly talked, annunciating every syllable in every word. She remembered her mother telling her about Snape, how he had been bullied in school and he had the right to be dismissible of other people because they'd always been that way towards him, to not be hurt by his harsh words that would without a doubt leave his mouth. Snape's eyes focused on her, before switching over to Harry who was writing everything down. "Then again, maybe some of you have come to Hogwarts in possession of abilities so formidable that you feel confident enough to not pay attention."

     Quickly, Juniper nudged Harry in the side, making him look at her before looking up at Snape. Snape moved over, his movements somehow so smooth it made Juniper question her own walking skills. "Mr. Potter. . . our new celebrity. Tell me, what would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood."

     Hermione's hand shot up in the air, and although Juniper knew the answer as well, Snape intimidated her so much that she chose to avoid any eye contact with him along with choosing not to speak in his presence. Harry on the other hand just stared at him and shook his head. "You don't know?" Snape asked. "Well, let's try again. Where, Mr. Potter, would you look if I asked you to find me a bezoar?"

     Again, Hermione's hand shot up, but Harry's stayed down. "I. . . I don't know, sir."

     "And what is the difference between monkshood and wolfsbane?"

      "I don't know, sir."

     "Pity," Snape said. "Clearly, fame isn't everything. Is it, Mr. Potter?"

When Snape turned away and the class eventually came to a close, Juniper was the first out of the room. Hermione wasn't too far behind her. She knew for a fact that Juniper knew everything Snape had asked, and yet she never raised her hand once. Hermione sped up so that she was walking beside of her, frowning slightly when she saw a frown on her face, her books pulled tightly to her chest.

     "Juniper?" Hermione questioned, making the brunette turn and look at her. "Are you alright?"

     Juniper turned her head to look at Hermione, forcing a smile as she nodded her head. "Yeah, I'm alright. I know, wasn't very competitive of me. Snape just. . . he scares me." She whispered the last part, scared of anyone else hearing her. Hermione said nothing, and instead nodded her head in understanding.

     "One question though," Hermione broke the silence. Juniper hummed in response. "You did know all the answers, right?"

     Juniper cracked a smile, "Of course I did."

     "Good. It would be sad to already be in the lead of someone who believes they know everything." With a smile Hermione walked ahead of her, and Juniper just shook her head in slight amusement.