▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 ━︎━︎ 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐋𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐔𝐏 from where she was cooking her daughter's breakfast, smiling as Astra flew in through the open kitchen window. The owl sat there perched for a moment, cawing for attention from the older Black woman. Anastasia chuckled at the needy owl, exchanging the letter in her mouth for a treat. Anastasia gave the owl a pat on the head before sending her on her way. When the owl was gone, Anastasia enchanted the food to continue to fix itself before making her way up the stairs and towards her daughters room. She opened the Hogwarts letter in her hands, silently scanning over the supplies for this year before closing the letter and knocking on the door.

     "Juniper?" Anastasia called, turning the knob and carefully peaking her head inside, smiling at her still sleeping child. Anastasia pushed her way into the room, walking over to her daughters bed and placing a hand on her should, gently nudging her awake. She watched as Juniper's face scrunched up before slowly opening her eyes. "Good morning, sunshine."

     "Mmm, five more minutes." Juniper mumbled, rolling on her side.

     "Your Hogwarts letter just came in," Anastasia whispered. Juniper turned towards her at that news. Anastasia waved the letter in front of her, watching with amusement as Juniper pulled herself up into a sitting position, taking the letter from her mother's hand. As Juniper read the letter, Anastasia said, "After you eat, I thought we might go ahead and head down to Diagon Alley to get your books and everything."

     "Can Shadow come with us?" Juniper asked with hope.

     "You know he can't." Anastasia stood up, glancing at the dog that was laying at the foot of Juniper's bed, where he always was. Anastasia whistled for the dog, pointing towards the door and watching as he slowly stood up, jumped off the bed, stopping long enough to stretch his body before trotting out of the room. "Come on."

Juniper begrudgingly pulled herself from the bed, throwing the covers to the side before letting her bare feet touch the ground. Shivers ran up her spine at the chill of the floor. She walked out of the room, her mother following after her. They made their way down the steps, Shadow already waiting downstairs for them, eating away at his food. Juniper sat down in her usual spot, smiling as the food was placed in front of her. She didn't begin to eat until her mother was sitting down with her and as soon as they were both sitting, Juniper dug in.

     "Mom," Juniper swallowed her food before continuing, "why can't Harry know you are his godmother?" Anastasia had to stop herself from choking on her food in surprise. The dark haired woman turned her head to look at her daughter. "His aunt and uncle treat him horribly. Why can't he just come and live with us?"

     Anastasia didn't answer for a moment. "I was told to stay out of any affairs regarding Harry. It was the only way to keep you safe. Plus, with your father being in Azkaban, the ministry isn't too keen on keeping the infamous 'boy-who-lived' under the same roof as a 'murderer's wife'."

     Juniper frowned, "That's not fair."

     "You're right, it's not." Anastasia sighed. "But, we have to play by the rules. I'm hoping that maybe sometime in the future we can get him to come live with us, but that's not under my control."

     Juniper huffed. "This is unfair. Is it not law that when the parent dies the child must be given to the godparents before the siblings of the parents? And in any case, weren't you and James siblings?"

     "Practically? Yes, we were. On paper, no." Anastasia placed her fork down. "Euphemia and Fleamont never could legally adopt me, for reasons I do not know of, but I did live with them since the ripe age of twelve. Besides me, James never had any siblings. And then everything with Sirius happened and they thought it would be best to give Harry to Lily's sister."

     "Who thought it best? Let me guess. Dumbledore?" Juniper rolled her eyes, grumbling to herself whilst subtly handing Shadow a piece of bacon from her plate. Anastasia looked at her with chastising eyes and Juniper smiled innocently at her.

     "Go get dressed." Anastasia grabbed both of their plates and walked over to the sink whilst Juniper went upstairs and changed. When she came back down they both quickly made it to their fireplace before using the floo powder in order to get to Diagon Alley. The green flames enveloped her skin before Juniper stepped forwards, smiling at how busy Diagon Alley was.

     Anastasia took a stand beside her daughter, smiling at her as she smoothed down her daughters hair before taking her hand. They started to get everything on the list before heading towards Flourish and Blotts where Juniper would get her books. A scoff fell from Anastasia's mouth when she saw Gilderoy Lockheart's photo in the window of the shop. "Oh Merlin, Juni don't make me go in there and listen to that man."

     Juniper smiled at her mother. "You just wait out here, I'll go right on in."

     "Juniper!" The sound of her name being called made Juniper turn her head. She tried to hide the smile that wanted to bloom on her face when she saw Hermione running towards her with Harry right behind her.

     "Who's this?" Anastasia asked, looking at Hermione with a kind smile.

     "Hermione Granger, ma'am." Hermione introduced herself.

     "The academice rival that you wouldn't stop telling me about?" Anastasia asked. "Yes, if I remember, Juniper told me how incredibly bright you are."

     "Mother!" Juniper groaned, trying to hide the blush that was rising on her cheeks. She glanced at Hermione who was smiling brightly at her. Merlin, Juniper hated when she smiled at her like that. It made her stomach nauseous.

     "Sorry, sorry." Anastasia apologized. She looked at Harry and smiled. "And you must be Harry. Juniper talked a lot about you as well. I'm Anastasia Black, Juniper's mother."

     "Nice to meet you," Harry smiled.

     "Come on," Juniper whispered, walking away from her mother and entering the bookstore with Hermione and Harry following after her. Not long after, Anastasia made her way into the store, following after her daughter and her friends, despite not wanting to listen to Gilderoy Lockheart―︎a man that Anastasia believed to be a complete idiot for reasons Juniper did not understand.

     "Juniper, dear, how are you?" Molly Weasley stood there with her children, smiling brightly at the girl. Juniper smiled back as she gave Molly a hug, telling her that she was good. When Molly saw Anastasia standing behind her daughter, her gaze seemed to brighten even more. "You are a sight for sore eyes, Anastasia."

     "Molly, it's so good to see you. Arthur talks about you whenever I see him. Still as in love with you like he was the day you two got together."

     Molly placed a hand over her heart in awe. "That man may get on my ever last nerve, but I do love him." There attention all turned when Gilderoy Lockheart's presence was announced and he walked out with a smile on his face. All the women seemed to swoon over him except for Anastasia and Juniper.

     Juniper crossed her arms, glancing over at Hermione who was intrigued before looking back at the man. She shook her head. "Personally, I don't get it."

     Anastasia smiled, placing a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "You and me both." They watched as a photographer for the Daily Prophet squeezed his way to the front, taking a picture of Gilderoy. His eyes moved across the room before landing on someone.

     "It can't be." Gilderoy said. "Harry Potter?"

     "Harry Potter!" The photographer exclaimed, quickly grabbing Harry and pulling him forwards, making him stand beside Lockheart.

     Lockheart roughly grabbed him, pulling the boy under his arm. "Nice big smile, Harry. Together, you and I rate the front page." The photographer snapped a photo before Lockheart spoke again. "Ladies and gentlemen, what an extraordinary moment this is. When young Harry stepped into Flourish and Blotts this morning to purchase my autobiography, Magical Me. . ." Everyone clapped for him except for Juniper and Ron who exchanged looks with each other. Juniper felt comfort in knowing she wasn't the only one who didn't understand the infatuation. "Which, incidentally is currently celebrating its 27th week atop the Daily Prophet bestseller list, he had no idea that would in fact be leaving. . .with my. . . entire collected works free of charge." He handed Harry a stack of his books.

     "Oh, to be Harry Potter. Maybe I could get all my books for free." Juniper mumbled earning a nudge from her mother.

Harry walked away from Lockheart and over to Molly who quickly took the books from Harry, telling him that she was going to get them signed for him. Molly told them all to wait outside and Juniper looked up at her mother. Anastasia nodded for her to follow her friends and Juniper gave her a small smile before doing just that. It was three seconds before they would reach the door when an infamous head of blonde hair came bounding down the steps. 

     "Bet you loved that didn't you, Potter." Draco spat, coming to a stop right in front of them. "Famous Harry Potter, can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page."

     Ginny Weasley stepped forwards, narrowing her eyes at Draco. "Leave him alone."

     "Look, Potter. You've got yourself a girlfriend."

     "Draco, your jealousy's showing." Juniper called to him.

      Draco sneered at her and just as he went to make a comment the head of a cane was placed roughly on his shoulder and immediately he went quiet. "Now, now, Draco, play nicely." Lucius Malfoy looked at his son, watching as the boy stepped aside before Lucius stepped forwards towards Harry. "Mr. Potter. Lucius Malfoy. We meet at last." He held out his hand and reluctantly Harry shook it only for Lucius to pull him forwards. "Forgive me." He used the walking stick to push the hair away from Harry's face, revealing his scar. "You scar is legend, as, of course, is the wizard who gave it to you."

     "Voldemort killed my parents," Harry told him, trying to pull away from him. "He was nothing more than a murderer."

     "Hmm. You must be very brave to mention his name, or very foolish."

     "Fear of a name only increases the fear of the thing itself." Hermione spoke and Juniper silently wished that for once she wouldn't speak.

     "And you must be Miss Granger," Lucius snapped his head towards her. "Yes. Draco's told me all about you and your parents. Muggles, aren't they?"

     "Is that a problem?" Juniper challenged, taking a step forwards so that she was slightly in front of Hermione.

     "Oh I know exactly who you are." Lucius looked down at her with disgust. "You're almost as famous as Harry Potter himself. Tell me―︎Juniper, is it?―︎how is your father fairing?" Juniper clenched her jaw at him. "That's right. I forgot." He smirked before his eyes moved to Ron and Ginny. "Let me see. Red hair, vacant expressions. . . tatty secondhand book. . . you must be the Weasley's."

     "Now I know where your son gets it from," Juniper spat.

     "Watch your tone, young lady." Lucius's voice turned dark as he looked at Juniper.

     "Or what?" Anastasia Black took a stance behind the group of children, making them glance at her.

     Lucius stood up straight. "Anastasia Black. I'm surprise you show your face."

     "I'm surprised you still bully children for their parents and riches." Anastasia shot back. "Oh wait, if I remember your parents correctly, you were their golden child. Such a shame they went down the wrong path and got themselves killed."

     "And yours lived?"

     "Don't talk to my mother that way." Juniper went to take a step forwards but Hermione grabbed her hand, keeping her in place.

     Anastasia hummed, forcing a smile on her lips. "Children, I think it's time for you to go outside."

     "I think we should all listen to Mrs. Black," Arthur Weasley made his presence known as he smiled at his kids.

     "Well, well, well, Weasley Senior." Lucius looked at Arthur who turned his attention towards him. "Busy time at the Ministry, Arthur, all those extra raids? I do hope they're paying you overtime, but judging by the state of this, I'd say not." He held up Ginny's hand-me-down book. "What's the use in being a disgrace to the name of wizard if they don't even pay you well for it?"

     "We have a very different idea about what disgraces the name of wizard, Malfoy." Arthur calmly said back.

     "Clearly," Lucius said with disgust. "And I thought your family couldn't sink any lower." Arthur said nothing. "I'll see you both at work." Lucius turned on his heel and walked out.

     Draco went to follow his father, stopping to look at Harry. "See you at school." He glanced over at Ron before walking out.

     "I hate him," Juniper muttered.

      "Yeah, well, they're your family." Anastasia sighed.

      Juniper snapped her head towards her mother, a pure look of horror on her face. "What do you mean they're my family?"

      "Let's walk out first." Anastasia offered and everyone agreed before walking out of the shop. Juniper walked beside her mother, saying bye to her friends. "Lucius married Narcissa Black, your father's cousin. So, legally by marriage, you and Draco are cousins."

     "Merlin, someone kill me now." Juniper groaned, rubbing a hand down her face. Anastasia chuckled, placing an arm over her daughters shoulders. "I'm really convinced you and dad hate me."

     "Oh, hush." They made it back into their home. "Now get your trunk. We have to leave now."

     "Yes, ma'am." She gave her mother a salute, giving Shadow a quick pet as she ran towards the stairs. She brought her trunk back down and headed to the station. She had her cart, running through the wall with her mother following after her. Anastasia stood in front of her daughter, giving her a kiss on the head. "No getting almost murdered by trolls this year, alright?" She cupped her daughters face in her hands. "I love you, sweet girl."

     "I'll try not to." Juniper smiled. "And I love you too."

     Anastasia nodded her head towards the train. "Go on. I'll see you at Christmas."

Juniper said her goodbyes before climbing on the train and finding herself an empty carriage before taking a seat close to the window. The train began moving and Juniper couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed when none of her friends came to find her. It was probably because they knew she was related to Draco and didn't want to associate with her. Which, quite honestly, she wouldn't blame them for that one bit. She doesn't even want to associate that with herself.

     "There you are!" The door slid open and in the doorway stood Hermione. Juniper's eyes widened in surprise, watching as Hermione entered and closed the door behind her before sitting across from Juniper. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

      "You were?" Juniper's eyebrows rose.

     Hermione frowned in confusion. "Of course I was. Why wouldn't I?"

     "I-I don't know. I thought that now you guys knew I was related to not only Sirius Black but Draco Malfoy as well that you wouldn't want anything to do with me."

     "Why on earth would you think that?" Hermione scoffed at her. "You can't get rid of me that easily. Keep your friends close but your enemies closer, right?"

     Juniper smiled at her. "You ready for round two?"

     "Born ready." Hermione then glanced around for a moment before asking, "Where's Harry and Ron?"

     "You didn't find them while searching for me?" Juniper frowned.

     Hermione shook her head. "No."

     "You don't think they missed the train."

      "I saw Ginny and the twins earlier. So how did they not miss it but Ron and Harry did?"

     Juniper looked at Hermione with a blank face. "It's Harry and Ron."

     "That's fair enough." Hermione nodded. "I guess we'll see them at dinner."

     "I guess so."

     Hermione looked at Juniper for a moment. "You didn't answer any of my letters."

     Juniper hesitated for a moment. "I didn't get them. Which is odd because Astra never misses a letter." She was lying. It was a bold faced lie and she felt bad about it because Juniper had read and opened every single one, but she never replied. In this moment, Juniper felt like a horrible human and was mentally punishing herself for it.

     "Oh," Hermione nodded. She forced a smile. "That's alright. Sometimes it happens. You never know."

     Juniper nodded. "Yeah." For the rest of the ride neither of them spoke, the silence being filled with the occasional turn of a page in the books that they were both reading.