▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐓𝐰𝐨 ━︎━︎ 𝐀 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐒 time for them to board the train, Juniper gave her mother a tight hug and a few more words of reassurance before getting on the train. As the train began to move, Ron quickly reached out the window and took his rat from his mother's hands. He'd almost forgotten Scabbers again.

Harry had quickly explained to the group how he had made his aunt blow up, but not as an explosion more so like a balloon and that she'd floated away. Juniper had gotten a good laugh out of that. "I didn't mean to blow her up. I just. . . I lost control."

"Brilliant," Ron chuckled.

"Honestly, Ron, Juniper, it's not funny." Hermione quickly chastised. "Harry was lucky to not be expelled."

"I was lucky not to be arrested, actually." Harry mumbled.

"Yes, that is true." Juniper nodded. "But you have to admit it's slightly funny."

"I still think it was brilliant." Ron agreed with Juniper.

They came to a cart that only had one person in it and Hermione sighed before nodding towards it. "Come on. Everywhere else is full." The man had a jacket covering his head, already fast asleep. Harry took a seat beside of the man whilst Ron, Hermione, and Juniper sat on the other side. Ron sat closest to the window, Juniper was in the middle, and Hermione was closest to the door.

"Who do you think that is?" Ron asked.

"Professor R. J. Lupin." Hermione said. Juniper immediately perked up.

"Do you know everything?" Ron asked with a scoff. He looked at Harry. "How is it that she knows everything?"

"It's on his suitcase, Ronald." Hermione sighed, pointing at the suitcase above.

"Oh."

Juniper had a wide, excited smile on her face causing the three to give her weird looks. She looked at Hermione with knowing eyes. "It's him, Hermione."

"Am I the only one who's lost?" Ron asked, looking at Harry who shook his head, not sure what was happening either.

Hermione looked at her before her eyes widened. "That's him? He's a Professor?"

"I didn't find out until this moment." Juniper was beaming with excitement now.

"Care to fill us in?" Ron asked.

"That's Remus Lupin." Juniper told the two boys. "That's my Uncle."

The group looked at him before Harry asked, "Do you think he's really asleep?"

"Seems so." Hermione answered. "Why?"

Harry stood up. "I've got to tell you something." He closed the door.

The conversation of topic almost immediately made Juniper uncomfortable. Apparently Harry didn't realize that the psychotic murderer he was talking about was her father. He explained to them how Sirius Black had escaped to come after Harry and kill him, how he was a loyal servant to Voldemort. Night had fallen and Juniper had switched places with Hermione, leaning her head against the window with a deep frown on her face.

"Let me get this straight, Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban to come after you?" Ron questioned him.

"Yeah." Harry nodded.

"But they'll catch Black, won't they?" Ron asked.

Hermione sat beside of Juniper, watching the girl with pity, but she couldn't help herself. "I mean everyone's looking for him."

"Sure." Ron said. "Except no one's ever broken out of Azkaban before, and. . . he's a murderous, raving lunatic."

"Ron!" Hermione hissed, silently telling him to shut up.

"What?" Ron frowned before looking at Juniper. "Oh."

Harry frowned in confusion. "What?"

Juniper sighed, wiping away the tears that had fallen without her permission. She turned to look at Harry and said, "Sirius Black is my father." Silence suddenly grew thick. "I'm used to people saying things about him, I'd just hoped you'd guys have the decency to not say it whilst I'm sitting right here."

"I'm sorry, I didn't know." Harry apologized.

"It's alright, Harry." Juniper gave him the best smile she could muster before turning silent and looking back out the window. All of a sudden, the train jerked to a stop. Juniper sat up a little straighter. "Well, that's new."

"Why are we stopping?" Hermione questioned. "We can't be there yet."

Harry stood up, opening the door and peeking his head out. Suddenly the train shook, sending Harry stumbling back into his seat. "What's going on?!" Ron's fear filled voice entered their ears as the door closed back.

"Don't know. Maybe we've broken down."

Juniper looked at Harry. "Harry, why would a magical train breakdown?"

Harry shrugged. "It was the only thing I could think of."

Suddenly the lights went off, causing them to look up before Hermione let out hiss of pain. "Ouch, Ron, that was my foot!" The lights flickered back on.

Ron ignored Hermione as he placed his hand against the window, looking out it. "There's something moving out there." He paused before looking at them, the lights going off again. "I think someone's coming on board." The train jerked twice but didn't move, the air suddenly became freezing to the point Juniper could see her breath and the outside window was covered in frost along with Remus' drink that had been sitting there.

Juniper swallowed thickly. "That's comforting."

The train shook again and Ron jumped back. "Bloody Hell, what's happening?!"

Suddenly a movement of wind could be heard in the hall of the train causing the group to turn and look towards the door. Suddenly a cloaked figure slowly began to approach the cart. It's bony looking hand lifted towards their cart door, grasping it and pulling it open slowly. Juniper grabbed Hermione's hand and Hermione squeezed her hand tightly. The figure then revealed itself in the doorway, the cloak covering it's hideous monster face. Juniper looked at the creature, frozen in fear. She knew what it was, she'd read about them when reading about Azkaban. It was a Dementor, and they had rightfully earned the name.

The Dementor turned to look at Ron, Juniper, and Hermione, it's gaze lingering on Juniper and for a moment it grew closer to her. Hermione pulled Juniper close to her, not wanting the thing to attack. After registering her, the Dementor turned to look at Harry and then all of a sudden it began to suck the life from Harry. Juniper let out a yell and before she could do anything Remus stood up and pulled out his wand, a light emitting from it and the Dementor went flying away.

Harry passed out and Juniper quickly went to his side, calling his name over and over until he slowly began to come to. Hermione handed Harry his glasses and he gave her a soft thank you. Slowly, Harry sat up, confusion on his face. Remus quickly pulled out some chocolate, handing it to Harry. "Here, eat this. It'll help. It's alright. It's chocolate."

Harry took the chocolate before looking at the door. "Wh-what was that thing. . . that came?"

"It was a Dementor, one of the guards of Azkaban." Remus answered him. "It's gone now. It was searching the train for Sirius Black. If you'll excuse me, I need to have a little word with the driver." He handed Juniper the chocolate and stood up, walking out of the cart. Juniper quickly stood up, placing the chocolate on the seat before running out.

"Uncle Remus," Juniper called. He stopped and turned to look at her. She smiled at him. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Wanted it to be a surprise." Remus told her. "Although, this wasn't how I imagined you finding out."

Juniper quickly gave him a hug and Remus chuckled, hugging her back. "I'm glad you're here."

Remus gave her a kiss on top of the head. "Me too." He took a step back and Juniper watched him walk away.

⋆.ೃ࿔*:･⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐀 seat in the great hall, keeping her head down and trying her best to ignore the looks that everyone was giving her. She knew it was going to happen. She knew that everyone knew who her father was and now that he had escaped from Azkaban, everyone was sending her glares once again. She sighed to herself. It had just began to die down. She felt a hand being placed over hers causing Juniper to look up. Hermione looked at the girl and sent her a small reassuring smile. Juniper tried her best to return it, but it wasn't very convincing.

Dumbledore's voice made the two girls turn to look at him. The Headmaster stood at the wooden podium, looking over all of the students as he raised his hands. "Welcome, welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Now, I'd like to say a few words before we all become too befuddled by our excellent feast. First, I am pleased to announce Professor R.J. Lupin, who's kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Good luck, Professor." He motioned towards Remus who stood up. The students clapped for him and he nodded before sitting back down.

"Of course," Hermione said. "That's why he knew to give Harry chocolate."

"Potter." The sound of Draco Malfoy's voice entering Juniper's ears made a scowl form on her lips. "Potter!" Harry turned to look at him. "Is it true you fainted? I mean, you actually fainted?"

"Shove off, Malfoy." Ron hissed, turning Harry away from him.

"How did he find out?" Harry frowned.

"It's Hogwarts, news spreads quick around here." Juniper mumbled, glancing around her before spotting a fellow Gryffindor staring at her. Juniper narrowed her eyes at him. "Can I help you?" The boy quickly turned away from her and Juniper mumbled uncoherent words under her breath.

Hermione placed a hand on her shoulder before looking back at Harry, shaking her head. "Just forget about it."

They turned back towards Dumbledore, tuning back in to what he was saying. ". . . Care of Magical Creatures teacher for many years, has decided to retire in order to spend more time with his remaining limbs. Fortunately, I'm delighted to announce that his place will be taken by none other than our own Rubeus Hagrid." He motioned towards Hagrid and applause rang out. McGonagall nodded for him to stand and he did so, managing to move the whole table in the process. He sat back down. "Finally, on a more disquieting note, at the request of the Ministry of Magic, Hogwarts will, until further notice, play host to the dementors of Azkaban until such a time as Sirius Black is captured." Students started whispering and immediately looks were thrown Juniper's way. Juniper placed her head in her hands, slouching down slightly.

Dumbledore continued, "Dementors will be stationed at every entrance to the grounds. Now, whilst I've been assured that their presence will not disrupt our day-to-day activities. . . a word of caution. Dementors are vicious creatures. They will not distinguish between the ones they hunt and the one who gets in their way. Therefore, I must warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. It is not in the nature of a dementor to be forgiving." He held up a finger. "But, you know, happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times." He waved his hand in front of one of the candles and the flame disappeared. "If only one remembers to turn on the light." He waves his hand again and the flame is back.

When the feast began, the whispers and looks continued. Juniper was getting frustrated and upset very quickly. Finally, she stood up, grabbing Hermione, Ron, and Harry's attention. "I can't." That was all she said before walking out of the Great Hall. The three looked at one another, exchanging frowns.

"What do we do?" Harry asked, worry for his friend growing.

Hermione sighed a sad sigh. "There's nothing that we can do except be there for her and glare at anyone that looks her way. She believes her father is innocent."

"What if. . ." Harry paused, making them look at him questioningly. "What if I'm not the only one he's after?"

"You think he remembers he has a daughter?" Ron asked. "I've heard of what happens in there."

"It could be possible." Hermione nodded. "If he isn't innocent, like Juniper thinks, then you're not the only one in danger." Hermione glanced towards Remus who had watched Juniper get up and leave. "Professor Lupin is Juniper's godfather. Her Uncle. She calls him both. Anyways, he might have answers to let us know if we need to protect her."

"We can't let anything happen to her." Harry sternly told them. "I don't care if he gets me, but we can't let him get her." Hermione and Ron nodded their heads in agreement.

"We share a room, I'll walk with her everywhere she goes." Hermione promised. "I won't let her out of my sight." She glanced towards the spot Juniper had been earlier. "Starting tonight."

As they left the hall and struggled to get into the common room due to the Fat Lady attempting to break glass with her horrible singing voice, Hermione told Ron and Harry goodnight before making her way to her room. Juniper was sitting on her bed reading a book. She looked up when Hermione came in, offering her a small smile.

Hermione brought Juniper a plate of food. "I noticed you didn't eat before you ran off, so I brought you some dinner."

Juniper set her book to the side, accepting the plate. "Thank you, Hermione. You didn't have to do that."

"Of course I did," Hermione smiled. "That's what friends are for."

Juniper ate her food as Hermione got ready for bed, Juniper already changed into her night clothes. She finished the food then set the plate to the side. Hermione walked out from the bathroom, sitting on her bed. Juniper motioned for her to sit beside of her instead and the girl quickly did so. Juniper leaned her head on Hermione's shoulder and Hermione wrapped an arm around her. A sigh left her lips. "So much for third times a charm, huh?"

Hermione looked at her, pushing a strand of hair behind Juniper's ear that had fallen in her face. "Just remember that you have Harry and Ron. And you have me. A bonus, Professor Lupin is here and from what you've told me, he'd do anything to protect you."

Juniper shook her head. "I don't need protection from my father."

"Juniper. . ." Hermione softly said, not wanting to make her angry.

Juniper looked up at Hermione. "He wouldn't hurt me."

"You don't know that for sure." Hermione watched her jaw clench. "I'm not trying to make you mad. I just. . . I worry. I just want you to be safe."

Juniper relaxed slightly. "I know."

"Just promise me that you'll be safe." Hermione met her eyes. "I need you to promise me."

Juniper looked at her for a moment before nodding her head and softly replying, "I promise."