▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐧 ━︎━︎ 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞, 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐋𝐄 came in sight, Juniper had never been so happy to see Hogwarts in her entire life. The car landed roughly on the ground and the group were quick to jump out. Juniper took a step away from the car, looking at how rough it looked. She put her hands on her knees, taking a moment to breathe. How did she manage to get herself into these situations every single time? She looked up from the ground when Ron's agitated voice could be heard.

"Follow the spiders. Follow the spiders! If Hagrid ever gets out of Azkaban, I'll kill him!" The sound of the car cranking made Juniper look at the car. She moved to stand beside of Harry as the car closed its doors, backed up and drove into the woods. Ron continued, "I mean, what was the point of sending us in there? What have we found out?"

"We know one thing," Harry said confidently. "Hagrid never opened the Chamber of Secrets. He was innocent."

"Well, that's great and all, but next time you want to find out information, try not to get us killed." Juniper hissed, running a hand through her hair. She placed her hands on her hips as she looked at Harry. He had a frown on his face and she softly sighed. "I know that you just want to prove his innocence and figure this out, I do too, Harry. I need to know who did this to Hermione so that I can make sure it doesn't happen again, but this is the second year in a row where we've been put in situations where we're inches away from death. Harry, I'm all that my mom has left. I'm just saying we need to be more careful. Take precautions. Think first before jumping headfirst into danger."

"I know," Harry nodded his head. "I'm sorry for dragging you guys into this."

Juniper shook her head. "Don't be sorry. We're your friends. We're going to help you no matter what. I just wish it didn't involve us almost dying." She sent Harry a smile before wrapping an arm around his shoulders, wrapping the other one around Ron's. They began to head back towards the castle. Juniper kept a smile on her face. "I'd say this was a pretty successful day, don't you?" Harry smiled at her and Ron just shook his head.

As they made it into the Gryffindor common room, Juniper said her goodnights before making her way into her and Hermione's room. It was quiet again. This time instead of Hermione not being here because of a potion mishap, she was here because someone had petrified her. It made Juniper angry every time she thought about it. She wanted to know who this person was, she wanted to take them down. She wanted Hermione back. She couldn't stand a quiet room. She couldn't stand being alone.

The thought made her laugh. Juniper's been alone her entire life. Why is the thought suddenly so terrifying to her? She's never needed anyone before except for her mother and Remus, but that was it. Juniper was independent and she liked to silently study by herself. . . that was until Hermione started to silently study with her. When they weren't with Ron and Harry, it was just them alone in this room, both of their noses in books. They would occasionally make conversation if the book was interesting enough. Now, standing in this room, with no sign of Hermione except for her trunk that was neatly placed at the end of her bed, Juniper wished that Hermione was in there with her.

Juniper softly sighed to herself as she took a seat on her bed. She wanted to go up to the astronomy tower and write another letter to her father, but she was so exhausted from all of the events that had unfolded tonight that she didn't want to move out of her bed. She glanced towards Hermione's empty bed again before sighing and reaching forwards to grab her journal. She opened it to the next empty page, grabbing the pen that Hermione had gifted her. She looked at the pen for a moment, rolling it between her fingers before she began writing.

Dear Sirius,
There has been a lot that's happened. Hermione has been petrified and I feel so alone. You know, usually when I write these letters I sneak off to the astronomy tower so that no one sees me writing to you. I don't need people thinking that I'm crazy. I mean they already think that of course, seeing as you're in Azkaban and all, but that's besides the point. I don't really understand it. I've been alone my whole life, and then this curly haired know-it-all comes in and then suddenly the idea of being alone is terrifying.
Harry, Ron, and I went into a giant cave that was filled with these gigantic spiders. It was the most terrifying thing I've ever witnessed in my entire life and I suddenly completely understand Ron's fear of spiders. Those things are scary when they're small, but now that I've seen them in a larger font, they're horrifying. There was so many of them too. I wanted to burn all of them and I almost did but then this flying self-driving car came out of nowhere and saved us so the spiders live another day. I have to say, I love Hagrid and all, but he really befriends some of the most terrifying creatures. I mean first there was Fluffy, and now there was. . . what was the spiders name? Aragog. He really need to be more careful with the creatures he handles. Maybe he should be the one to teach the care of magical creatures.
You know, this is my second year at Hogwarts, and nothing but tragedy has followed everywhere I go. Is this how it's always going to be? Every left and right there's always going to be trauma awaiting my arrival? Can't I just have a normal life? Of course not. Sirius Black is my father, an infamous marauder. An infamous murderer. Pushing that fact aside, my last name alone tells people everything they need to know, everything they need to assume.
The point of me writing this was to let you know that I am still alive. That I have faced another challenge that's brought me close to death and have lived to tell the tale. I'm being dramatic of course, you know this, but what can I say? I like being overdramatic sometimes. It makes things more interesting. Anyways, I should get some rest. After today's adventures, I'm actually quite tired. I think we're going to visit Hermione in the hospital wing tomorrow. I really hope they un-petrify her soon. I'd never admit this to anyone, but I kind of miss her. However, her being out is definitely boosting me up to the top in my classes, so that's exciting. But I still want her back. I'm going now.

Love,
Juniper

Juniper closed her journal and softly sighed to herself. She held the journal in her hand for a moment, her other hand closing around the locket that Remus had given her for Christmas last year. She missed Remus. Merlin, she missed Remus so much. He had been a father figure to her because he was the only male figure in her life. He'd been there since the beginning. Since before her dad had been sent away to Azkaban. Remus has been there to pick her up when she was down, he had been there to support her and to give her love when she needed it and when her mother couldn't be there because of work. Remus was everything to Juniper and she missed him so much. He gave the best hugs and he always provided her with chocolate to cheer her up. Juniper could really use a hug right now.

Frustrated tears sprang to her eyes. All of this was too much for her to handle. Why did they have to be the ones to handle it? Why couldn't Dumbledore do something for once and handle it himself? They were kids for Merlin's sake! They weren't even considered teenagers yet. Yet, somehow all this responsibility was placed on their shoulders and they were supposed to live up to these expectations, especially Harry just because he was the boy-who-lived. Why couldn't Harry just simply be a boy? Why can't he just simply live his life? Juniper felt for Harry more than anyone. He didn't deserve this burden. If Juniper could take it from him she would.

The sound of scratching on her window made Juniper turn her head. She frowned, looking at the time before standing up and opening the window. Astra sat there patiently, a letter in her mouth. Juniper reached forwards, giving the owl a pat on the head as she took the letter with her other hand.

"Astra, what are you doing here?" Juniper whispered, walking away to fetch the owl a treat. "It's almost midnight." She walked back over to the owl, letting her take the treat from her hand. She ate it before hooting and then flying away. Juniper watched the owl fly away before closing the window. She sat on the bed, looking at the familiar writing on the front of the envelope before opening it.

Dear Juniper,
I haven't heard from you in a while. I know you think I worry about you too much, and maybe I do, but I haven't gotten a letter from you in two weeks and it's making me nervous. I'm hoping it's because you've been having such a great time that you simply haven't had the chance to sit down and write me, which is completely understanding. I'm trying not to be too overbearing. The house is just quiet without you and I just miss you. I'm being ridiculous, I know. Remus tells me that I need to give you your space. Speaking of Remus, he says hello and that he misses you. Anyways, I'll keep this short. Just send me a letter when you have the chance. I love you, Juni.

Love,
Your Mother

Juniper softly sighed, closing her eyes as she leaned her head against the wall. She made a mental note to write her in the morning before visiting Hermione before pulling the covers over herself, cutting the lights off. She sat there in the dark and immediately she reached for her wand, lighting a candle so that there was some light in the room. She laid there in her bed, closing her eyes as she tried to go to sleep, but she couldn't. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't go to sleep in an empty room. She couldn't go to sleep unless Hermione was in there with her.