▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 ━︎━︎ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐒𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 in the common room, listening to Harry rant about how he didn't have a date. He had bumped into Cho Chang earlier and asked her, but Cedric had beat him to it. The golden egg was on his chest as he laid on the couch. Juniper was perched on the arm of the couch, her feet placed on the cushions as she propped her head up with her hand. "I don't understand," Harry sighed.

"Well, Harry, I'd like to say it's not you, but seeing as half the school is mad at you for being part of this tournament, it's probably you." Juniper explained.

Harry sat up slightly to look at her. "Thanks, June." He laid his head back down.

Juniper sighed. "Harry, there will be someone out there for you, I promise. And I don't mean just a date for the dance, I mean someone that will love you for who you are and everything that you've accomplished. I think you forget that sometimes you're just a kid. We're all just kids. You defeated a professor, a giant basilisk, and you uncovered the truth about what happened with your parents and helped my father escape. You, Harry Potter, are an amazing, genuine person. And anyone who can't see that isn't worth a single ounce of your time."

Harry paused. "You mean that?"

Juniper smiled. "I do."

Harry looked at her and smiled. "I can always count on you to cheer me up."

Juniper chuckled, nudging his leg with her foot. "Hey, that's what I'm here for."

Harry sat up. "So, tell me, June." Juniper hummed. "Who is your date?" Juniper smiled down at her hands, Harry noticed. "Oh, it's someone you like, isn't it?" Heat rose to her cheeks and Harry chuckled. "Well, come on. Don't be shy."

Juniper cleared her throat. "I just don't want you to judge me."

Harry furrowed his brows. "Judge you? Why would I judge you?"

Juniper pressed her lips together. "Because it's uh, it's not a boy."

"Oh." Harry replied. He frowned. "Why would I judge you for that?"

Juniper's eyes widened. "You don't. . . you don't care?"

Harry shook his head. "As long as you're happy, that's all I care about. Besides, I see how you look at Hermione."

Juniper choked on air, going into a coughing fit. "Wh-what?"

"Oh come on, June. It's bloody obvious."

Juniper shook her head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Harry narrowed his eyes at her. "Right. . . so, is it Hermione?"

"What? No. I'm not going with Hermione."

"Then who—"

Harry was cut off by the door to the common room opening, a horrified looking Ron being carefully led to a seat by Ginny and a group of others. Juniper and Harry turned to look at the scene. "What happened to you?" Harry asked, standing up while Juniper simply turned her body to face the situation.

"He just asked Fleur Delacour out." Ginny answered.

Hermione, who Juniper hadn't even seen enter the room, ran forwards. "What?" She spared a glance at Juniper who was watching with raised brows.

"What did she say?" Harry asked.

"No, of course." Hermione answered. Ron shook his head and Juniper frowned. "She said yes?"

"Don't be silly." Ron answered and Juniper relaxed slightly. "There she was, walking by. You know how I like it when they walk." Juniper stood and made her way over to the boy. "I couldn't help it. It just sort of slipped out."

"Actually, he sort of screamed at her." Ginny told them. "It was a bit frightening."

"Good lord, Ron." Juniper muttered.

"And what did you do then?" Harry asked.

"What else? I ran for it. I'm not cut out for this, Harry. I don't know what got into me."

Juniper tried, she truly did try, to stifle her laughter. Hermione lightly hit her shoulder. "Jay, it's not funny!"

"I know, I know. I'm sorry." Juniper said before she began snickering and had to stand up and walk away, forcing herself to calm down before turning back to the boy. "Ron, I could have told you not to ask her. She already has a date."

As the Patil twins walked by they said in unison, "Hi, Harry."

Harry turned, watching them walk away before calling out for them to wait. Juniper placed a hand on Ron's shoulder. "It'll be okay, Ron. I promise. Little bit of advice, try not to scream at someone when you're asking them on a date."

Ron glared at her. "Thanks, June."

Juniper huffed, placing her hands on her hips. "You know, I don't understand everyone's hostility towards me today."

Hermione sighed and stood up. "Alright, I think it's your bedtime."

As Hermione began to usher her away, Juniper cried out, "I'm not even tired! It's only six o'clock!" Hermione ignored her and kept pushing her towards their dorm. In response, Juniper mumbled incoherent words under her breath.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 night of the Yule Ball and Juniper was extremely nervous. Hermione had left to get ready with Ginny and Juniper had opted out, deciding she didn't need everyone trying to pamper her when her nerves were already sky high. She was wearing her dress and her heels, her hair was curled and pulled into a half up half down look. She had a light amount of make up on her face, gold glitter was lightly decorated along her shoulders and collarbones. She had golden earrings in, and she had abandoned her necklace that Remus gave her for one her mom had sent her.

Her nerves were eating her up inside, and she was trying to figure out if she was going to bail or follow through. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before making her way towards the Great Hall where the ball was being held. She descended the stairs, anxiety leaking out of every pore in her body. So many people were already there. Her eyes darted around the room before she spotted Fleur talking to one of her friends. Fleur spotted her at the same time, a bright smile pulling on her lips.

Fleur excused herself and made her way towards Juniper. She greeted her, giving her a kiss on both cheeks. Juniper copied her actions. "Juniper, you look beautiful."

She blushed and smiled. "You look stunning, Fleur. I am one lucky girl tonight."

"You and I both." Fleur replied. Fleur looked behind her and smiled. "Isn't that your friend?"

Juniper furrowed her brows and turned. Her breath hitched in her throat when she spotted Hermione. Her hair was curled, being held back by pins with the curls landing on her right side. She had on a pink ombre dress that was ruffled at the bottom. Juniper couldn't look away from her. Hermione had a small smile on her face as she descended the stairs towards Harry and one of the Patil twins, but she came to a stop when she saw Juniper.

Hermione spotted Juniper from across the room, Fleur at her side. Her heart sped up in her chest as she stared at the girl. She looked beautiful. If you asked Hermione, she looked like a star in the sky. Hermione couldn't help but frown as Juniper's attention was torn from her by Fleur who hooked her arm with Juniper's and started to lead her away. Her heart ached watching it, but she pulled her eyes away from Juniper and towards Viktor as he approached her.

Everyone else had been led inside while the four champions and their dates stayed outside behind the closed door. They all stood in line. Fleur and Juniper would enter first, followed by Hermione and Krum, Cedric and Cho, and lastly Harry and Parvarti. The doors opened and they began to walk, heading to the center dance floor and the different couples stood apart from each other. They had decorated the room in a winter theme, completely covered in white snow and ice and Juniper loved it. When the music began, they started to dance.

The smile never left Juniper's face as she kept up with Fleur, grabbing her hand and spinning her causing the girl to laugh before they went back to the actual dance coordination. Juniper lifted Fleur up by her waist, gently bringing her back down as they continued to dance together. So maybe her opinions on dances were changing, because if she was being honest with herself, she was quite enjoying this one. Soon other people began to join in before the entire crowd was dancing.

After the song was finished, Juniper grabbed Fleur's hand, pressing a kiss to it. Fleur smiled wide and blushed. The music changed completely upbeat and everyone began jumping around and dancing. Juniper was laughing loudly, smiling, Fleur grabbing her hand and spinning her on occasion. She was enjoying herself a lot. The weight of the world fell off her shoulders and for a moment she could breathe.

"I need something to drink," Juniper called over the music.

"I'll come with you." Fleur called back and Juniper grabbed her hand, leading her through the crowd. Juniper let out a breath when they got into the open area. Fleur, spotting Harry and Ron, nudged Juniper. "I'll get us some drinks, your friends look a little out of place."

Juniper turned her head, spotting Ron and Harry sitting down with their dates beside them. She sighed before offering Fleur a small smile and nodding her head. She let go of Fleur's hand and walked over to the two boys. "Harry, Ron, Patil's." She greeted them all and the twins smiled at her while Ron looked miserable and Harry just gave her a simple nod. "Merlin, guys, it's a dance. You could at least try and look happy."

"Easy for you to say," Ron muttered.

Juniper frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"You could've told us you were going with Fleur. I wouldn't have embarrassed myself." Ron continued.

Juniper scoffed and shook her head. "Ron, just because you're not having a good time, doesn't mean I can't."

Juniper turned when a student from Durmstrang appeared, holding a hand out to Pavarti. "May I have your arm?"

Pavarti looked at him. "Arm. Leg. I'm yours." And then she left with him, shooting Juniper one last smile before leaving.

Juniper chuckled. "This is supposed to be fun. You two look miserable, and it's not fair to your dates. Ron, you should at least ask her to dance." Juniper nodded to the other twin and Ron didn't say anything. When she saw he was looking somewhere else, Juniper turned and spotted Hermione and Krum. Krum walked away, stopping when he saw Fleur and the two began to talk.

Hermione had a smile on her face as she walked over to them, taking a seat beside Harry. "Hot, isn't it?"

Juniper nodded. "Very."

"Viktor's gone to go and get drinks." Hermione continued. "Would you care to join us?"

Ron leaned forwards. "No, we'd not care to join you and Viktor."

"What's got your wand in a knot?" Hermione asked.

"He's a Durmstrang." He pointed at Juniper. "That one's with a Beauxbatons. You're fraternizing with the enemy."

"The enemy?" Hermione scoffed. "Who was it wanting his autograph? Besides, the whole point of the tournament is international magical cooperation. . . to make friends."

"Oh, I think he's got a bit more than friendship on his mind."

Juniper rolled her eyes. "First off, Ronald, I have a name. Second of all, don't spoil her fun because you're being a miserable git."

"I could say the same thing about you." Ron answered. "Fleur has been looking at you with these. . . these love eyes all day."

Juniper nodded. "Well, I'm walking away before I cause a scene." She turned on her heel and did just that, making her way towards Fleur and smiling when the girl gave her a drink. Juniper chugged it and Fleur just chuckled. Juniper turned her head when Hermione approached. Juniper looked at Krum. "Krum, take care of my girl won't you? Those idiots we call friends have ruined her mood."

Krum nodded his head. "Of course."

Hermione looked at her and Juniper sent her a small smile before walking away with Fleur. My girl. My girl? She wasn't her girl. In fact, Fleur was her girl it seemed. Jealousy brewed in her stomach as she watched them laugh with each other, and it grew worse when she watched Juniper press a kiss to Fleur's cheek.

The night went on, most students were gone, but Juniper was slow dancing with Fleur. Fleur had her chin on Juniper's shoulder as she slowly swayed them. Her head turned when she saw Hermione and Ron walking out with Hermione yelling at Ron. Juniper closed her eyes and sighed. One night. Couldn't she just have one night? She gently pulled away from Fleur.

"I'm sorry." Juniper softly said, nodding towards her friends.

Fleur shook her head and smiled. "It is alright. Go. Make sure she's okay."

"Thank you." She pressed a kiss to her hand. "I'll be back." Fleur nodded and Juniper quickly chased after them. By the time she got out there Ron and Harry were running up the steps with Hermione yelling, "Ron, you spoiled everything!"

Hermione took a seat on the steps, pulling her shoes off as she softly cried. Juniper frowned and walked up to her, taking a seat beside of her. She wrapped Hermione in her arms, placing her chin on top of her head. "Just ignore him, 'Mione."

"This has been the worst." Hermione softly cried.

Juniper frowned. "I thought you were having fun."

Hermione sat up and looked at her. "I tried, Juniper. I tried having fun."

"But. . .?"

Hermione shook her head. "But. . . but I—seeing you and Fleur." Hermione cut herself off. "It doesn't matter."

"Hey, hey it does matter." She gently lifted Hermione's chin, making the girl look at her. She used her other hand to wipe away Hermione's tears. She met Hermione's eyes as she whispered, "It matters. Talk to me."

Hermione hesitated, but looking into Juniper's eyes like this, it was her weakness. She would spill her darkest secrets to Juniper when she looked at her like that. "Seeing you and Fleur, it hurt." Juniper frowned, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "You looked so happy with her, June. And the entire time I was thinking. . ." She trailed off, searching Juniper's eyes for something. Anything. "Why didn't you ask me?"

Juniper let out a breath. She hadn't been expecting that. "Hermione, I—"

She was interrupted when Fleur walked in. "Juniper, is everything alright?"

Juniper looked at Hermione for a moment before looking at Fleur and offering her a small smile. "Yeah, everything's alright." She turned back to Hermione. "Are you okay?"

Hermione pulled away from her and nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine."

"Are you sure? Because I can stay—"

"No." Hermione cut her off. "No. Go have fun. One of us needs to enjoy tonight."

Juniper stared at the girl for a moment and she hesitated. She didn't want to leave Hermione like this. She needed to know what Hermione meant by her question, but Hermione gently pushed her towards Fleur and she sighed before standing from the stairs and grabbing Fleur's outstretched hand and walking back into the dance. Hermione watched her go and she couldn't help the tears that rolled down her cheeks. To her, Juniper had officially become the one that got away.