chapter twenty-nine : the second wizarding war begins

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HE WHO MUST NOT BE NAMED RETURNS

In a brief statement on Friday night, Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge confirmed that He Who Must Not Be Named has returned to this country and is once more active.

"It is with great regret that I must confirm that the wizard styling himself Lord — well, you know who I mean — is alive and among us again," Fudge said, looking tired and flustered as he addressed reporters. "It is with almost equal regret that we report the mass revolt of the Dementors of Azkaban, who have shown themselves averse to continuing in the Ministry's employ. We believe the Dementors are currently taking direction from Lord — Thingy.

"We urge the magical population to remain vigilant. The Ministry is currently publishing guides to elementary home and personal defence which will be delivered free to all wizarding homes within the coming month."

The Minister's statement was met with dismay and alarm from the wizarding community, which as recently as last Wednesday was receiving Ministry assurances that there was 'no truth whatsoever in there persistent rumors that You-Know-Who is operating amongst us once more'.

Details of the events that led to the Ministry turnaround are still hazy, though it is believed that He Who Must Not Be Named and a select band of followers (known as Death Eaters) gained entry to the Ministry of Magic itself on Thursday evening.

Albus Dumbledore, newly reinstated Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, reinstated member of the International Confederation of Wizards and reinstated Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, has so far been unavailable for comment. He has insisted over the past year that You-Know-Who is not dead, but is recruiting followers once more for a fresh attempt to seize power. Meanwhile, the 'Boy-Who-Lived' —

Juniper threw the paper aside, now wanting to know whatever they had written about Harry. She, Angelina, Alicia and Lee had been having breakfast when the mail arrived.

"They're complimentary about Harry now," Alicia said, also reading the Prophet. "'A lone voice of truth . . . perceived as unbalanced, yet never wavered in his story . . . forced to bear ridicule and slander . . .' Hmmm," she added, frowning, "I notice they don't mention the fact it was them doing all the ridicule and slandering in the Prophet . . ."

"Well, you know," June said, shrugging as she grabbed another toast, "some people never change. Anyway," she added leaning closer to her friends, "there is something I wanted to ask you guys."

Lee, Angelina and Alicia exchanged a look, before the former said, "You can ask us anything."

June hesitated. "Well, now that Voldemort is back, there is this group that fights against him. I'm not asking you to join us. It will be dangerous, you might die in doing so. It is your choice and I understand if you don't want to —"

"Of course we'll join," Angelina interrupted her. "I mean, I will."

"So will I," Alicia quickly added.

"And I," Lee finished. "Life is getting boring after all."

"We might die," June reminded them quietly.

"Then it will be for the greater good," Angelina said. "Something that is bigger than us. Something that is worth dying for."

"I surely hope it is," June muttered.

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"We should do something."

June looked up when she heard Lee say those words. She, Lee, Angelina and Alicia were currently sitting under a tree near the Black Lake, enjoying the good weather.

"I mean," Lee continued, standing up, "this is our last year. We need to celebrate it! We need to live before we die!"

"Very poetic, Lee," Alicia said, "mentioning our nearing death."

"He's got a point, though," Angelina said, getting up, too. "In a couple of days we're going to leave Hogwarts forever. We might as well throw a big ass party to celebrate the fact that we graduate!"

Juniper scrambled up. "Damn right we will. How about a party in the Room of Requirements tonight? Only for seventh-years, of course!"

"Yes!" Alicia said, grinning now, too. "Merlin, this will be great!"

And so, the four of them spread the word. Their idea was immensely popular and even a couple of Slytherins wanted to come. Juniper, deciding to forget their differences for a night, allowed this.

"Shall I wear this or this?" Alicia said, holding up two dresses.

"Red one," both Angelina and June said at the same time.

"All right," Alicia said, laughing. "But June should wear that leather skirt I bought her for Christmas this year."

"Of course I will," June said, grinning as she took the black skirt.

"And use this top," Angelina said, throwing her a sparkly golden top. "It suits you better than me anyway."

"That's not true," June protested, "but thanks."

The trio dressed up, did their hair and slid into their shoes. June took Aubrey and Charlie's necklace. Then, she grabbed her parents ring and slid it on her right ring finger. It was a perfect fit.

"I can adjust your wand into the bun in your hair," Alicia said. "Here." She took June's wand and stuck it into her bun. "Looks good!"

June laughed. "Thanks!"

The three of them made their way down to the common room where Lee was already waiting for them.

"Looking good!" he said, eying them up and down. "You will be my escorte tonight?"

"I'm your dreams, Jordan," June said, grinning, "but I suppose you can accompany us."

The four of them made their way towards the seventh floor and entered the common room to see it had been decorated with different kinds of colors, representing all houses. Students were already dancing and drinking, June saw a table full of drinks and snacks.

"Wow," Alicia breathed, looking around. "I didn't think it would be this awesome!"

"You and me both," Angelina said, grinning. "What are we waiting for? Let's dance!"

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Juniper smiled as she recalled that party. It had been one of the best nights at Hogwarts. She leaned her head against the window of the Hogwarts Express and looked outside at Hogwarts Castle, which was getting smaller and smaller as the train fastened its speed.

She was going to miss it.

"It's sad, isn't it?" Alicia said, following her gaze.

"Yeah," June said, standing up. "I need to go to the bathroom," she added, and without saying anything else, she moved out of their compartment, feeling the need to be alone for a moment.

Walking down the small hallway, she could hear laughter from inside the compartments. Everyone seemed to be happy to get back home again.

June leaned against the window and looked out onto the Scottish highlands. She felt weird knowing she wasn't going to return to Hogwarts as a student anymore. With a pain in her heart, she realised she'd miss it. It had been, after all, her second home for seven years.

"June?" a voice came, making her turn around.

Liam stood on the other side of the hallway, looking at her in worry.

"Are you all right?"

She pushed herself off the window and managed to give him a smile. "Yeah, everything's fine."

Liam gave her a look that told her he obviously didn't believe her, but he didn't say anything as he moved to stand next to her. June realised he had grown significantly over the last year and he was only a couple of inches smaller than she was. His blond curls had grown longer and were now falling over his eyes.

"I'll miss having you around," he told her, as he glanced out of the window.

"I'll miss being around," June said, following his gaze, "but it is part of life."

"So you're going to be an Auror, huh?" Liam said.

"Yeah," June replied, nodding.

"You'll be careful, won't you?"

Juniper turned her head to look at him. His blue eyes were eyeing her seriously and once more, she had to remind herself he wasn't the boy that she saved from the lake anymore. He had grown up.

"Always," she promised him, placing her hand on his. "Don't start causing any trouble when I'm gone, okay?"

"I would never," Liam vowed.

June squeezed his hands gently before releasing them. "I know. That's my job."

They quietly laughed, but that stopped when Draco appeared in the hallway. His grey eyes darted from June to Liam and back. Strangely, June had the feeling he wanted to talk to her.

"Liam, why don't you go back to your friends? I promise you I'll stop by once I get back to my compartment."

Liam glared at Draco, but nodded slowly. "Okay." He backed away, before turning around and walking away. June leaned back against the window, not saying anything. There was a moment of silence.

"I'm sorry."

This caused June to raise a surprised eyebrow. She had certainly not suspected an apology right now. Not when they had practically sentenced his father to Azkaban after their little mission to the Ministry.

"Why now?" June asked, straightening her back and crossing her arms.

"When Umbridge tortured you, I knew I couldn't keep going on like this," Draco said quietly, his grey eyes staring out of the window. "I'm so sorry, June."

Juniper didn't reply, nor did she look at him. After a couple of moments, she turned around, threw her hands around his neck and pulled him in for a hug.

Draco froze, seeming to be surprised by this.

"I forgive you," June told him, as she hugged him tightly.

This seemed to do it. Draco quickly hugged her back just as tightly and June realized he must have needed it.

"How can you forgive me this easily?" he quietly asked her, burying his head into the crook of her neck, though he was at least the same height as her.

"Because that's what family does," was all June said. "You fight and you forgive each other."

Draco didn't reply, he only hugged her more tightly.

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As the train slowed down in the approach to King's Cross, Juniper felt an enormous amount of sadness wash over her. This would be the last time she'd step out of the Hogwarts Express as a student. Maybe the last time she took it at all.

When the ticket inspector signaled to her that it was safe to walk through the magical barrier between platforms nine and ten, however, she found a surprise awaiting her in the other side.

There was Mad-Eye Moody, looking quite as sinister with his bowler hat pulled low over his magical eye as he would have done without it, his gnarled hands clutching a long staff, his body wrapping in a voluminous traveling cloak.

Nymphadora stood just behind him, her bright bubblegum-pink hair gleaming in the sunlight filtering through the dirty glass of the station ceiling, wearing heavily patched jeans and a bright purple t-shirt bearing the legend The Weird Sisters. June was relieved to see that she was well.

Next to her was Remus, his face pale, his hair greying, a long and threadbare overcoat covering a shabby jumper and trousers.

Aiden and Sirius stood next to him, both beaming and clearly in love with each other. June thought it was cute.

At the front of the group stood Molly, Arthur, Charlie, Fred and George. Charlie rushed forwards, picked her up and swung her around as June laughed.

"I have missed you too."

"From now on, we don't have to miss each other anymore," he muttered, kissing her forehead. "Congratulations, June."

June smiled. "Thanks." Then, she let him go and engulfed the twins, who wore brand new suits, in a tight hug.

"Glad to see you could make it without us," George said fondly, hugging her back. "We missed you, Junie."

"I missed you, too."

"What are you all doing here?" Harry asked, as he gave Sirius a hug.

"Well," Remus said with a slight smile, "we thought we might have a little chat with your aunt and uncle before letting them take you home."

"I dunno if that's a good idea," Harry said at once.

"Oh, I think it is," Moody growled, who had limped a little closer. "That'll be them, will it, Potter?"

He pointed with his thumb over his shoulder; his magical eye was evidently peering through the back of his head and bowler hat. June leaned an inch or so to the left to see where Mad-Eye was pointing and there, sure enough, were the three Dursleys, who looked positively appalled to see Harry's reception committee.

"Ah, Harry!" Arthur said, turning from Hermione's parents, who he had just greeted enthusiastically, and who were now taking it in turns to hug Hermione. "Well — shall we do it, then?"

"Yeah, I reckon so, Arthur," Mad-Eye said and Sirius nodded. The three of them took the lead across the station towards the Dursleys, who were apparently rooted to the floor.

"Good afternoon," Arthur said pleasantly to Mr Dursley as he came to a halt right in front of him. "You might remember me, my name's Arthur Weasley."

June doubted they would have forgotten him.

Mr Dursley turned a deeper shade of puce and glared at Arthur, but chose not to say anything, partly, perhaps, because the Dursleys were outnumbered. Mrs Dursley looked both frightened and emberassed; she kept glancing around, as though terrified somebody she knew would see her in such company. Dudley, meanwhile, seemed to be trying to look small and insignificant, a feat at which he was falling extravagantly.

"We thought we'd just have a few words with you about Harry," Sirius said, narrowing his eyes.

"Yeah," Moody growled. "About how he's treated when he's at your place."

"I'm not aware that it is any of your business what goes on in my house —" Mr Dursley began.

"I expect what you're not aware of would fill several books, Dursley," Moody growled.

"Anyway, that's not the point," Nymphadora interjected, whose pink hair seemed to offend Mrs Dursley more than all the rest put together, for she closed her eyes rather than to look at her. "The point is, if we find out you've been horrible to Harry —"

"— and make no mistake, we'll hear about it," Remus added pleasantly.

"Yes," Arthur said, "even if you won't let Harry use the fellytone —"

"Telephone," Hermione whispered.

"— yeah, if we get any hint that Potter's been mistreated in any way, you'll have us to answer to," Moody said.

Mr Dursley swelled ominously. His sense of outrage seemed to outweigh even his fear of this bunch of oddballs.

"Are you threatening me, sir?" he asked, so loudly that passers-by actually turned to stare.

"Yes, I am," Mad-Eye said, who seemed rather pleased that Mr Dursley had grasped this fact so quickly.

"And do I look like the kind of man who can be intimidated?" Mr Dursley barked.

"Well . . ." Moody said, pushing back his bowler hat to reveal his sinisterly revolving magical eye. Mr Dursley leaped backwards in horror and collided painfully with a luggage trolley. "Yes, I have to say you do, Dursley."

He turned from Mr Dursley to Harry.

"So, Potter . . . give us a shout if you need us. If we don't hear from you for three days in a row, we'll send someone along . . ."

"I promise to visit often, cousin," June told him, placing a hand on his shoulder and giving it a gently squeeze.

"Bye, then, Potter," Moody said, grasping Harry's other shoulder for a moment with a gnarled hand.

"Take care, Harry," Remus said. "Keep in touch."

"We'll see you soon," Sirius promised him.

"You won't be alone this time, Harry," June said, smiling. "I promise."

Harry gave her a smile and a quick hug before following his family towards the exit. Charlie moved to stand next to June and offered her his hand.

"Let's go home."

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Published 28.07.2021

I hope you enjoyed it & tell me what you think of it!

This was the last chapter for act three :)
From now on, chapters will be slower due to the fact that I'm studying again and I want to publish a couple of chapters of Metanoia first before continuing with act four :)

Anyway, Draco apologized!! And Liam's still a cutie pie!

Stay safe and healthy everyone!
Laura