Author's Note: The chapters start getting longer now, so I hope you enjoy. Thanks for reading and reviewing, MNF
Chapter 8:
Rumour
The business of the Wizengamot for the remainder of the morning was rather dull. Three new members were sworn in, and there was a discussion regarding the increase of fees on Quidditch tickets to support the upkeep of the pitches. Junie quickly did the maths and realized the suggested fee increase was less than a pound per ticket. Honestly, if you were going to a match, you should pick up the added cost. The Ministry fee hadn't been raised in nearly fifteen years. Junie decided that politics weren't for her, beyond knowing that there were just leaders. After watching Sirius, she knew he was that.
After the session was over, and Sirius declared that the body would reconvene at nine the following morning, the friends waited in the gallery for Sirius to be done being interviewed and receiving his good wishes. James came in and signalled they should come down. Sirius was ready to escape the Ministry.
The quartet had spent their time alone talking about the pre-Hogwarts education of students, and in particular, their children. James and Lily's four, as well as Remus and Marlene's two, had gone to Muggle primary school until Hogwarts. In the case of Charlie Potter and John Lupin, until they discovered they could use magic to pull pranks in the KS 2, Year 5 class. They were promptly pulled out and placed in Marlene's school. She was a teacher at the Primary school the Wizengamot had created for magical children whose Muggle parents had abandoned them. The two continued to be a terror, but at least the teachers knew what to do with them. Being in different houses at Hogwarts had put the kibosh on some of their pranking. Charlie was in Gryffindor while John was in Hufflepuff.
"Why isn't there a school for magical children from magical families?" Junie asked. "Some of them arrive without basic skills, like penmanship and how to calculate the most basic maths problems. Most of my third years have never had to write a book report."
"John did his correctly?" Remus asked, having set his son on several book reports over the years.
"Yes, both John and Charlie did fine book reports, but they were the exception."
"Well, you have the ear of the Chief Warlock," Marlene said, causing Junie to blush, "use it."
"Juniper Meadows, what is that blush about? He had his tongue down your throat most of Sunday night!" Lily accused.
"Please, Lils, yell that a bit louder," Junie bit back. "I think there might be a few people on the Atrium level who didn't hear you." Lily stared at her friend until she had to laugh. The doors to the upper gallery opened, and they were met by the other half the Marauders. It was decided that lunch in Muggle London would be more comfortable for Sirius. He'd have an opportunity to eat rather than be stopped every other forkful. As the sextet left the building, they had no way of knowing a particular junior reporter was following them.
Once they were far away from the Ministry building, Sirius took Junie's hand while they walked.
"I liked having you there today," he said softly. "I felt calmer."
"I'm glad I could help. You're not upset I didn't want to go public yet, are you?"
"Of course not. I am a public figure, and admitting you're involved with me will raise your profile in the public's mind. Eventually, when you're ready, we'll let the world now. For now, having our friends know is enough."
"You're rather confident that this is going somewhere, aren't you?"
"Not me, The Source. Look at these four; magic chose well for them. I think it chose well for me too." Sirius raised their intertwined hands and kissed the back of her hand, causing her to smile.
"You know, Minerva has a theory why we didn't get our names at seventeen," Junie said.
"Really? What did dear old Mini say?"
"I can't believe you call her that," Junie said softly. "She thinks it's taken us to forty to be ready for each other."
"That is certainly true for me. Becoming Lord Black made me grow up. Too many responsibilities."
James pointed at a more upscale restaurant, and they turned in to enjoy themselves. The reporter went behind the building to Disapparated behind the dumpster. He had a scoop of epic proportions.
The next morning Junie went down for breakfast early; she'd spent the afternoon with her friends and their husbands, something they didn't usually do, just talking and relaxing. Junie had always avoided situations like this since Sirius was always with James and Remus, and she hadn't wanted to put up with his idiocy and immaturity. She didn't realize how complex and thoughtful the conversations between the five of them were. The Marauders might still sometimes be childish, but they were also sharp, well-read, and chatted on almost any topic. Lily even lured Junie into sharing her ideas for a Magical primary school. Sirius asked her to write up her thoughts, and he'd bring it up before the Wizengamot.
Minerva was already at the table, and Junie was happy to take her seat beside her friend and mentor.
"I take it you had a good day yesterday?" the headmistress slyly asked.
"I did," Junie admitted as she sipped tea and served herself some fruit, and then proceeded to put butter on two slices of toast. "I'd never watched the proceedings of the Wizengamot before."
"So, Sirius was entertaining, then?"
Junie side-eyed Minerva. "The whole thing was interesting. But yes, the new Chief Warlock was impressive. I didn't realize just how intelligent he, James, and Remus were. Well, let me amend that; I knew Remus was smart because he'd study with Lily and me sometimes, but I didn't know James and Sirius knew so much. The discussions we had yesterday afternoon were thrilling."
"Ah, so you now understand why those two, James and Sirius, are likely to change the Wizarding world?"
"I do. I don't think there was a subject they weren't prepared on. Marley and Lily weren't slouches either."
"You had to have known your friends were intelligent," Minerva corrected her. "No, those three men are the future, and I feel we are entirely fortunate for that. I think you are as well. You're smiling, which you only did infrequently in the first term."
"I feel more comfortable teaching this term," Junie explained. "I'm not learning anyone's name or their personality, and I'm not finding my feet as a teacher. Being a legal associate doesn't prepare you to stand in front of children and teach, even if you know your material implicitly."
"Junie, I knew you'd excel at this position, or I wouldn't have hired you. However, it is more than that which has you smiling."
Their conversation was interrupted as owls flew in, delivering The Daily Prophet to professors and students alike. Minerva's owl did better than most and placed it on the table before getting a little nibble of bacon. Done with their treat, it flew off. The headmistress unfolded the paper to find a large picture of Sirius on the front-page accepting congratulations. Junie smiled at his happy visage there. She just knew he'd worked for the crowd masterfully. Then Minerva opened the paper completely, and the second photograph of Sirius, kissing the back of a hand, fingers intertwined, and belonging to Junie was there.
She dropped her fork, causing it to clatter against her goblet and plate. Her hand immediately went to her mouth.
"How did they?" she whispered, causing Minerva to stop reading the article about the Wizengamot vote and search for whatever her protégé was talking about. Her eyes widened when she saw the photo. The pair were beaming at each other, and even in black and white, you could see Junie's cheeks blush at Sirius' actions.
"Oh, my dear, you didn't know?"
"We were in Muggle London, going out to lunch, and we thought no one knew us. I wasn't ready for people to know. It hasn't even been a week yet."
The Great Hall became quieter, and most of the papers were open to the front page and the picture. Junie's stomach dropped, and she lost all desire to finish her breakfast. She went to slide her chair back and leave, but Minerva stopped her.
"If you run from here with embarrassment, it will only make it harder when you face your students in their classes today. Stay here, sip your tea, make conversation with me and the other professors for twenty more minutes, and then we shall walk out together as if nothing unusual has happened. If you run, you will not be able to control the gossip in the school, much less the world."
"We didn't give anyone permission to take our picture."
"Well, it might not be a photograph, Juniper. This looks more like a snippet of memory, which means you didn't need to give permission. I'd contact Sirius and let him deal with the paper."
"Did you know he's the one who bailed out the Prophet when their last editor absconded with their funds?"
"I do know that, although I think there are only about ten of us who do. That is why Sirius should deal with it. I believe in a free press, but not when they dig into someone's private life for no reason except to sell papers. Oh dear, there's an accompanying article written by Rita Skeeter. I thought she was fired after that debacle with Harry being the Most Eligible Bachelor at fifteen."
Junie thought she would be sick when she hit the third line.
NEW CHIEF WARLOCK FINALLY HEART-BOUND
By Rita Skeeter
We are excited to report that it seems our new Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, Sirius Black, has finally found love. Seen out and about in London with his closest friends, James and Lily Potter and Remus and Marlene Lupin, while holding hands with his new lady love. Identified as Juniper Meadows, Muggle Studies Professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardly, our source saw them not only canoodling but overheard talk about them recently receiving their Heart-Bond names.
It was scandalous when Black did not have a name at seventeen – eldest son of such an ancient family – and led him to a series of very public but never long-lasting relationships through the eighties and early nineties. The most interesting of these being his relationship with Lady Sarah…
Junie didn't need to read about Sirius' past relationships, as they'd not even discussed them yet, although she was cognizant of Lady Sarah. She skipped ahead to where she was mentioned again. It was blessedly short.
Juniper Meadows, also forty, had worked for the Department for Magical Law Enforcement as a legal analyst who moved cases and criminals from the Muggle courts to the magical ones. She worked particularly closely with DMLE head, Amelia Bones, and deputy head, James Potter. The half-blood witch makes her home in Sunderland, living in the childhood home of her Muggle mother. Meadows achieved eight OWL's and six NEWT's at Hogwarts. Her father works for the Ministry apothecary system as a technician. His own Heart-Bond was broken by his intended, Ernestine Selwyn, daughter of Jenivive Selwyn. She had been put forward as a possible Chief Witch for the Wizengamot against Sirius Black.
The article went back to talking about Sirius' dating life, which Junie ignored. She had never known her father was supposed to be bound to a Selwyn. After seeing the elderly woman, she wasn't surprised her father was rejected.
Junie put the paper down and then slid it toward Minerva. Junie closed her eyes, took one intense breath, and rose. "Thank you for everything this morning," she said to her friend and slid out from behind the table, then put her chair back under the table. She met Filius Flitwick on her way down the steps from the dais.
"Congratulations, Junie," he said. "I always thought it was strange someone so nice wasn't matched when you were a student. You deserve each other." Junie smiled at her old head of house.
"Thank you, sir. I didn't intend for anyone to know until I was sure this was going to be a long-term relationship."
"There are few couples matched when they are older. It does make things harder, but I'm sure you'll weather it effortlessly."
"Thank you again, sir."
"We are colleagues, Juniper. Call me, Filius, please."
"Thank you, Filius."
There were plenty of eyes on her as she left, although Rosie Potter was all but cheering from her seat. Junie decided she could expect no less from her excitable goddaughter. She returned to her quarters and Floo-called Sirius, who swore he would deal with the paper shortly. She signed off feeling apprehensive about the day but screwed up her courage to go to class.
Her first class of the day was the fifth year OWL students. Junie had just begun the section on Muggle medicine and the advances in understanding the human body that Muggles had made. She could tell it was going to be a challenge as the girls filed in, many of them holding their copies of the paper and giggling. She had two sections of fifth years. This one was Gryffindor and Ravenclaw. Even the young women from her old house were caught up in the gossip. When everyone was in the room, she unexpectedly began the class.
"By your giggles and unseemly pointing as you came in, I assume you're aware of the article in the Prophet this morning. I will allow you two minutes to ask questions, as long as they are not impertinent. Go."
"Did you really only get your name at forty?" one Gryffindor asked, somewhat aghast.
"Yes," Junie answered. "It isn't common for it to happen, so none of you need to concern yourselves." She pointed to another girl.
"Sirius Black is known for being a ladies man. Doesn't it bother you?" The Ravenclaw hit on a nerve. Junie did her best to not let it show.
"Chief Warlock Black," she said, stressing the title, "and I have had long lives. We are bound to have dated other people."
"My da says he's bad for the Ministry," a Ravenclaw boy piped up, his Irish accent so thick it took several weeks for Junie to figure out what he was saying in class in the fall. This, she understood quite well. "He's making us weak by letting creatures have fair status."
"Well, your father is certainly entitled to his opinion. However, I would state that throughout magical and Muggle history, it is often those who subjugate others who do not stand up to the test of time or remain in power. Sentient creatures – and we're learning there are more every day – should have the right to determine their own futures."
"So, you'd let a centaur into school as a student?" another Ravenclaw piped up.
"I think if a centaur wanted to be a student, the headmistress would need to consider having them attend. Now, the logistics might be troublesome, but consideration needs to be given. Any other questions?"
"How does he kiss?" a girl from Gryffindor asked, causing the seven boys in the room to groan and getting her out of answering the question. Junie let the room quiet down, held it for half a beat, and then moved on to her lecture.
The day followed like this, although by the time Junie went from her last class straight to dinner, the rumours had grown to include her having Sirius' baby and letters suggesting she should step down from teaching because she was an unwed mother had arrived from some parents. She threw herself into her seat next to Minerva, wishing she'd chosen to go to her rooms instead of eating in the Great Hall.
"So, you think I should be admitting centaurs now?" Minerva asked mischievously.
"No, I said if one did ask to come, the fair thing would be to consider the logistics and then decide. I'm sure I'll have a Howler or two on that subject, too," Junie answered petulantly as she spooned some peas and pearl onions onto her plate. At least she liked dinner tonight, roast pork and all the trimmings.
"Which I would do, although I'm not sure where a colt or filly would sleep here in the castle," Minerva added thoughtfully. "This, too, shall pass. You're a shiny new thing, and everyone wants to gawk. Another new thing will come along and surpass you. Then you and Sirius can get on with getting to know each other."
Junie looked at her friend, tears brimming over her lower lashes, "I hope I make it until then." Knowing she wasn't going to make it through dinner without crying, Junie stood up and slipped behind a tapestry to her right, leading to a private passageway for professors to come and go from the dais without climbing the stairs. She quickly made it to her rooms without passing too many students.
She wasn't surprised to find the pile of mail awaiting her or the dinner tray, which was hot. Deciding to ignore the mail, for the time being, she tucked into her meal at the small table she had for tea parties. Her fire roared to life, and it was Sirius.
"I've been waiting for you to come back," he said. "Can I come over?"
Junie looked at him for a long minute, the flames making his dark hair appear to be fanning out around him like a Gryffindor lion, only in a strange green colour. Hesitant to open herself to any more ridicule, she shook her head no.
"I can't. Not today. I'll call you soon." With a wave of her wand, he was gone, and her Floo was once again closed to everyone but Lily and Marlene.