Chapter 9: Juney Moony and the Coven of Witches

"You what?" I asked quietly.

"I want to know the story. You told me I could find out if I just asked you, so here I am."

"Why now? I haven't talked to you in weeks, Stiles." He uncomfortably scratched his temple.

"I just came from Derek's. Peter kind of launched into this story about Derek and his first love. I couldn't help but think about how Ms. Blake was talking about Heart of Darkness."

"The whole unreliable narrators thing?" I asked.

"Right, and it got me thinking. No one really knew your story, your 'narration' before they made accusations."

"They?" I asked pointedly, glaring at him.

"Okay, me. I didn't know the whole story, I couldn't see the whole board before. And I was just hoping that it wasn't too late to hear your story." He looked honest, and I so badly wanted to believe him.

"Stiles, I-" I began.

Stiles threw his hands out in front of him, "I'm not asking you to involve yourself back in this. I just figured I would try and right a wrong here."

I rolled my eyes, "Come in," I said as I opened the door wider.

He practically launched himself inside. I shut the door and lead him up the stairs to my bedroom.

"You know, I never expected this place to look so-"

"Normal?"

"Well, yeah."

"I'll be sure to put up extra cobwebs and torches next time," I said, and Stiles gave a small smile.

I walked into my room, and immediately felt self-conscious. Books were strewn across every surface, and clothes were scattered all around.

"What's this on your wall?" Stiles looked up at the drawings of the tree stumps. Mortified, my face flushed.

"Nothing, don't worry about it." I sat up on my bed, and pat the bed for Stiles to join me.

He sat down, eyes staring into mine.

"So..." I began, "What do you want to know?"

"Everything you're comfortable telling me," I searched his face, and for the first time in what felt like ever, it was void of suspicion.

"Well get comfortable, it's a long one."

I was waiting for the clock to strike twelve. I was about to turn thirteen, and my magical ability was about to make itself known. I could finally start practicing magic, and learning control. It was daunting, but I was thrilled.

The hand made it's way to the twelve, and everyone in the room shouted, "Happy birthday!" My parents rushed over and hugged me, and I felt very excited. This was it, this was the time.

"So now what?" I looked at my mother.

"Well, we just wait. Something will happen today, we just have to be patient, and let it happen." She responded soothingly.

"Don't worry Moony," my father planted a kiss on my cheek, "it'll happen, we all know it."

Later that morning, while making breakfast in the large penthouse that displayed the Manhattan skyline, I telepathically moved a plate of chocolate chip pancakes closer to me.

My parents were absolutely thrilled. Telepathy showed signs of strength and leadership in witches. Later that day, during the party my coven threw for me, I was introduced and assigned to my Guardian, Ginny Child.

It was no secret that I was talented at what I could do with my magic. By the time I had turned fourteen, I had passed many tests demonstrating a witch's control over their ability. Witches much older than me still struggled with things I considered a breeze. I was heralded as a prodigy in my coven. So much so, that there were even rumors the High Priestess of my coven was talking about me.

Life was great, I went to a great school, had wonderful friends inside and outside my coven, and had the most loving family I could dream of.

For three years, I worked with Ginny on not only mastering my ability, but delving further into the magic of telepathy. We conducted research of all sorts, performed experiments of many multitudes, and were praised for our work. Ginny had started to teach me about potion craft, and how it could amplify my ability to work with magic. Like my magic, potion craft seemed to come naturally for me. It was easy.

Ginny and I had grown closer as well. She grew from being my Guardian, to being my mentor, to my friend, to being a combination of mother and sister for me. She often took care of me when my parents had to leave town. We grew closer, and that made it so much easier to work with her. Ginny helped me through my first heartbreak, the slip-ups I had with my magic, the papers I had written on our research.

I had a good life. I was given quite a bit of good fortune. It didn't last nearly as long as I hoped. When I turned sixteen, things took a turn for the worse.

My sixteenth birthday brought a lot of fun memories of my sweet sixteen and my friends. But among all the new things I had received with turning sixteen, I also received a new ability. I could cast spells alongside my telekinetic ability. The two were different branches of magic, and while some witches had the two of them, no one had ever developed the ability so late after their thirteenth birthday. It was unheard of.

Word spread through the coven, and suddenly people grew curious. Why would my magic remain dormant so long? It had never happened before. My parents kept reassuring me that this was okay, although there were times where I wasn't sure if they were trying to comfort me or themselves. Regardless, I started up with new lessons on spell casting. It was trickier than I could recall telekinesis being, but I seemed to be a natural. Eventually, after six months of my new ability, my parents seemed to warm up to the fact that their daughter was one of the lucky witches who had more than one ability. Surely it was another good sign.

It soon after became clear that my good fortune in my coven had run out entirely. Six months after my sixteenth birthday, I showed signs of an empath, a more rare ability among witches. The first person I told was Ginny, as I didn't think it was okay to tell my parents. They were already so hesitant about my spell casting, and I didn't want them to run and tell the High Priestess, as I didn't think that I was that much of a threat.

Ginny begged to differ. She told me to talk to my mom, and to get the High Priestess involved. Surely then we could properly research why I had more abilities than any witch we had ever come across. Reluctantly, I went and told my mother.

To my surprise, my mother freaked out. She kept yelling at me, asking me if I was sure, and then she dragged my father into the whole mess. He could hardly look me in the eyes, as if I was just some freak of nature.

My mother did end up going to the High Priestess. Knowing that my parents were well respected higher ups in the coven, my case would immediately go under investigation.

The next two months were pure hell. I was poked, prodded, and examined by so many spells, some excruciatingly painful. All to see how it was possible. I learned along the lines that no witch in recorded history had exceeded two abilities. None.

That wasn't the only thing I learned. Under so much stress and pain came another ability: I could manipulate the earth's elements. It came as quite a shock, and the officials in my coven were flabbergasted.

People were starting to panic. Everyone that I had known since birth started avoiding me like the plague. Rumors started swirling about that I would attempt to overthrow the coven, and eventually kill everyone I loved the most. It grew to be so suffocating that the only person I talked to would be Ginny.

Ginny never left my side, not once. She told me that she didn't care how many abilities I possessed, she knew none of the rumors were true. She said that she didn't care what kind of witch I was, she cared what kind of person I grew to be.

I wish I could say the same for my parents. I hardly ever saw them after my fourth ability came forward. It wasn't until one spring day did I receive any kind of information on what my parents were doing.

"June, wake up. Moony, you gotta get up now," my father said gently. I looked around and groggily locked eyes with my father. His grim facial expression was enough to bring me out of my sleepy haze.

"What's going on?"

"I can't talk about it, just get up, and get dressed. Wear something more formal,"

"Where are we going?"

"We're meeting with the Council."

Council meetings were a big deal. The Council consisted of the High Priestess, my parents, and several other elected officials in the coven. Together they made decisions regarding the wellbeing of the coven, and the supernatural events that affected it.

I got dressed and headed down to the kitchen, where my parents and Ginny were all waiting for me. Thankfully, Ginny looked as confused as I did. We all left the penthouse and headed down to the streets, where the car to take us to the council was waiting. Some time between us leaving and slipping in the elevator, Ginny grabbed my hand.

She didn't let go until she had to. Walking up to the building where the Council was to be in session, we learned that this session was to be a public affair. My eyes widened, usually the Council only opened up to the public in times of real crisis. My parents, without so much as a second glance at me, left to go to their seats. It left me and Ginny to walk into the center of the council room by myself.

I looked over at Ginny, frightened, "Gin, what-"

"No matter what happens," she told me with the utmost sincerity, "I'm right behind you."

Behind us, the doors opened, and I walked through.

It was the longest walk of my life, to get to the center of the room. I heard hushed whispers echoing all around me, and even scoffs of disbelief. I could feel every pair of eyes on me, and I suddenly felt like I was on the verge of a panic attack.

"June Astor, make your way to the center of the room please," I looked up at the High Priestess. My palms went from clammy to full blown sweaty in a matter of seconds. I had never met this woman before, she was only ever talked about. And now she was here, it felt like she was the judge, jury, and executioner for the trial I didn't even know I was on.

I made my way to the front of the room, breathing shallow, and legs shaking.

"I'm sure you know why you were brought here today?" She asked me in a firm tone.

I quickly shook my head, scanning the room for my parents. They were sitting not too far to the right of the High Priestess.

"No? You are not aware of the panic you have caused this coven? The hysteria you bring with you? The fact that you have four abilities, of the likes that no witch has ever been recorded to have?"

"I'm aware of that last one," I said in a small voice. The High Priestess narrowed her eyes fractionally.

"I have heard many things about you, June. None of which lead me to believe you are a violent person of any sort. You are incredibly smart, and a remarkably fast learner. Yet I still am told many things. Many things."

"Good things, I hope," I squeaked.

"June Astor, it has come to my attention that you are now a problem to this community, and you potentially pose a threat to our way of life. Your abilities are unlike anything in the history of our kind, and our fellow witches want to know just how much of a threat you are."

"But I'm not! I've never hurt anyone, I've never lost control, I-" I stopped when she put her hand up.

"But you could," She said with purpose dripping on each word. I trembled.

"I would now like to dismiss the public, as what happens with June is now a matter of the Council. Thank you for being here today." Everyone started leaving, and I spun around the room to find Ginny. True to her word, she remained rooted to the spot.

When everyone left, the High Priestess spoke once more, "I'm afraid, June, that the Council has already reached a decision."

"Verdicts that quick are never good are they," I asked defeatedly.

"The solution was brought to me by none other than your parents. Seeing that they are your legal guardians, I deemed it fit for the solution to be one on their terms. With this, June Astor, I formally cast you out of this coven. We will begin the work of severing all ties with you, and your suspicious ways."

"Cast out!" I was crying now, "But I don't understand, why do we have to do this?"

"Your abilities are now considered a threat to this coven. We cannot have you practicing magic in our midst. We cannot take the risk that you will someday wish to overthrow us entirely. Who would be able to stop you?"

"But I could never do that!" My cries had turned to sobs, "Please, High Priestess, I could never."

"It is a risk we cannot take." She repeated.

"Mom please, please don't do this! Dad, you can't let them do this!"

"We ask within the month for you to vacate New York City. It is a rule that you cannot return to the city of your ex-coven for five years. We will be cloaking our coven in spells designed for you to never see us again. You are to sever any and all ties with your school and your family." She was starting to raise her voice so she could be heard over my sobs.

"Please! I don't have anywhere else to go!"

"That is not a concern of this coven."

"But-"

"High Priestess." I turned to see Ginny walk up to me, tears falling down her face.

"I'm sorry, this is a matter of the Council."

"I understand that, ma'am. But I am June's Guardian."

"Not anymore."

"With all due respect, I will always be her Guardian. I cannot allow you to cast her out to be left alone."

"What are you saying, Miss...?"

"Child, High Priestess. And what I'm saying, is that I ask that you cast me out as well, so that I can continue to protect her and her magic."

The High Priestess's eyes widened, "You would willingly let yourself be cast out of all you know for this girl?"

"I take my position as Guardian very seriously, ma'am. I'll protect this girl until I die."

There were hushed whispers as the Council considered this. I rounded on Ginny.

"Ginny, I can't ask you to-"

"You never had to, June. I'm here for you always. I love you, and I will not let you do this on your own."

"Very well, if this is the path you choose, then I hereby cast you, Ginny Child out of this coven as well. You have the month to vacate New York City."

I wiped the remaining tears from my face. Stiles had a look of pity on his face. I was very thankful he didn't verbally offer me any.

"So what happened then?"

"My parents disowned me. Legally and figuratively. I had to sever all ties with them and my friends. I did what the High Priestess asked, I left New York with Ginny. And we came here. Clear across the country where they couldn't bother us again."

"But your parents were the ones who wanted to cast you out?"

I nodded. "They couldn't have the fear and stigma surrounding their name, so this was the best option."

"But why? I mean, didn't someone say something?"

"No one outside that council room knew that it was their idea to cast me out of the coven. They paid off everyone, including me and Ginny."

"They paid you to keep quiet?"

"They gave me half of the Astor fortune as a means to keep quiet. They kept saying it was the last act of parenting they could do, but Ginny and I both knew that was a lie. They couldn't have their reputation ruined by the fear and hysteria surrounding me, but they also couldn't have people knowing they willingly gave up their child."

"So they were left the martyrs in the end." I nodded again.

"So you were disowned by your parents?"

"I was legally adopted by Ginny in that month."

"But don't adoption processes take months, even years to settle?"

"Stiles we're talking about magic here, it tends to expedite things."

He offered a small smile, "Right, sorry."

"Anyway, Ginny legally adopted me, and I changed my last name to Child. After everything that happened, I was glad to let all of that go."

"And now?"

"I wouldn't go back, if that's what you mean. I couldn't stand it, never really knowing why."

"But you said-"

"I said why the cast me out. But I just don't know why, you know?"

"No I can't say that I really do."

I gave a watery chuckle. "The official reason was due to hysteria and panic at the fact that I might kill people in the future to get what I want in life. But I already had it. Those people in that coven knew me since the day I was born, they knew who I already was as a person. They knew my temperament, they knew my intelligence, they knew everything. And yet they still cast me out. My own parents still cast me out, then bought my silence, and I'll never know why."

We let that settle between us. It became increasingly hot in my room, so I walked over and opened my windows. I sat back down on the bed, and listened to the silence.

"Everyday I'm more okay with being cast out." Stiles looked over to me, "They showed me their true colors, and who they thought I could be. I just - I wish I could somehow find a way to prove them wrong. I'm a good person, I know that through and through. I thought that when I made friends with you guys, I was going to be okay. I guess when I heard what you were saying about me - I don't know, it just felt like I was being cast out a second time. Like maybe they were right about me, I was too much for my own good."

Stiles tilted his head, and said, "June, I never meant to - I just, ugh," he sighed. He ran his hands through his hair, and locked eyes with me.

"June Child, I am so-" He was cut off by his phone ringing.

"Scott, I can't really talk at the moment. But you - Lydia - ? The school? Okay, yeah, I'll be right there. June, I have to go."

"Is Lydia okay?" I followed him out of my room and down the stairs.

"I don't know, Scott said he got a call from her telling him to meet her at the school. That it was like the last time."

"Last time like the pool last time?"

"I think so."

"Great, I'm coming with."

Stiles turned around to look at me with wide eyes, "June, you don't need to get involved-"

"I know I don't need to, but this is Lydia. I need to make sure she's okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, just let me grab my shoes. I call shotgun."

"June, it's literally just the two of us, you don't need to call shotgun." He said as I closed the door of my house.