Part 5 : Some Family Time

'' I like birds… '' was the feeble first thought of Juniper when she started to gain consciousness again. Her eyes were still shut as she had last left them but she could hear the birds' jolly song of morning. She felt strongly as if she was at home, with her family. It wasn't only the birds' song that made her feel like that, as she heard them in her Hogwarts dormitory room too, but she also smelt something flowery just like the home-made perfume of her mother.

'' How much I miss them ! '' she thought and opened her eyes. Well, then, it was a little shock for her. She was expecting to find herself in her four-postered bed at the Gryffindor's girls' dormitory, surrounded by her dorm mates. But, instead, she was in a large white room, filled with beds and cupboards full of bottles. Moreover, there was a woman holding her hand, whose long hair was spread on the bed as she was sleeping one half of her body on a chair beside, and the other on the empty part of Juniper's bed. The familiar smell was coming from her.

'' Mom ! '' Juniper exclaimed, trying to sit up. The woman woke up suddenly, jumping of the chair with her voice. This was a tall, willowy, olive-skinned woman who had a thin, still well-built body with long, wavy and very black hair. Her oval and mostly cheerful face looked tired and her olive green eyes were full of concern. So, here was Galanthia McRiver standing by her beloved daughter. She took a second to observe Juniper and then almost threw herself on the girl, hugging and kissing.

'' June !.. Oh, thanks God ! You're ok, you're ok now darling. Ah, how much I feared for you. I thought.. I thought that you might not open your eyes again and I.. I thought I'd die of worry and be.. because I love you so much.. What were you doing there ?! But you're ok, aren't you ? Are you really ok ? '' said Mrs. McRiver in a kind of delirium, sobbing in tears, hugging and trying to look at Juniper at the same time.

The confused girl couldn't say anything for a moment, as she was still trying to recollect what did lead things here. And slowly, she started to remember. She remembered their forest trip, Wind and Morgan.. and the thing that attacked them. The reality struck her. She was in the hospital wing and had been so injured that her mom was called to school. Having things figured out, many questions came to her, though she was very afraid of their answers. So, she put her head on Mrs. McRiver's breast – now sitting on the bed, cuddling her daughter - and spoke with a weak voice :

'' Mom.. Mom.. Ok. I feel good. Really. What happened after I passed out ? Who took me here ? When did you come ? And..and more importantly how are Wind and Morgan ? ''.

Galanthia hugged her firmlier and answered, still sobbing lightly :

'' Oh darling, don't worry… Your friends are ok, Morgan only stayed at the hospital wing for a day and that was because he was too shocked and couldn't take his eyes off you even for a second. Otherwise, Madam Pomfrey fixed his broken arm with a touch of her wand and a little potion. Wind must be your unicorn fellow… She is great too, she wasn't very injured at the first place Hagrid and your dad made sure she was healthy enough without letting her go, which she did indeed reluctantly. Actually, Hagrid had had to shoo her so that she could go, join her herd. Shooing a unicorn ! Can you believe that ! Your dad was shocked. And…about her.. Just what… ? ''.

But Juniper interrupted, she needed herself answers before answering the questions.

'' Dad ! '' she cried happily '' So he is here too ? But where is he now ? ''.

Galanthia laughed, she wasn't sobbing anymore :

'' Of course he is here too. Indeed when we got the news he was so shocked that he tried four times to apparate inside the castle before remembering that it isn't possible. Ok, I admit that I tried that too, but just once, out of confusion. Actually, I have sent him out almost an hour ago because he was really getting my nerves on. ''.

Juniper laughed too :

'' What did he do this time ? ''

Galanthia's smile faded a little and one could tell that she was trying to hold back the tears :

'' Well honey… You see.. It has been two weeks since we first came here. It was like a hell the first week as Madam Pomfrey or the healer they called from St. Mungo's weren't able to say for certain what would happen to you. Oh, we prayed a lot, nights and days. Your friends came and almost all your teachers too, especially Professor Dumbledore. He was very worried about you too and Professor Snape did brew your potion himself. He seemed to be in pain seeing you lying white and still.. He.. he.. must have.. liked you a lot..an..and the others too.. But.. of course.. everyone loves our de.. dear..sweet..girl. ''.

At this point, she couldn't continue because of all the tears sliding down her prominent cheekbones. Juniper had had to pat her back for a few minutes before her mom calmed down.

When she started talking again, her voice was still trembling a little :

'' So.. On Monday, you started to breath more easily and we have been told that you would get well soon enough. We were thrilled ! But it's Saturday today and we were getting nervous again though Madam Pomfrey kept telling us nothing was wrong and it was a matter of time. But you know your dad.. He just couldn't stop worrying or keep his mouth shut about it. So I sent him out with Professor McGonnagall when she came to check on you. I don't know where he went but it's a good thing he wasn't here when you woke up as he could make you pass out again with his joy screams. ''.

They laughed together, mother and daughter. Juniper felt light at the heart knowing everyone was all right and her parents were there. So before she remembered asking about what had attacked them and how they were saved, they chatted heartily for some time about home, her parents's recent trip to Romania to write about a small vampire tribe, her godfather's last visit and this kind of stuff. Then, hitting her head lightly to the brass bed headboard and stricken suddenly with incredible pain, Juniper got back to the point.

'' Then, mom, what happened exactly ? What attacked us ? And who found us, saved us ? ''.

Mrs. McRiver sighed, the joy she felt of being with her daughter starting giving its place to anguish again.

'' We don't know what exactly atacked you, June. We just know that it the same thing that has been attacking the unicorns since the beginning of the year. Of course, Dumbledore must have a good guess about it but he won't tell us, not now at least according to what he had said. I just don't know why he is keeping it as a secret. If he is trying to keep us from panicking, well, that's not happening. What would be evil and strong enough to attack the unicorns ! Not an ordinary beast, that's for sure. And you bet I know the beasts ! ''. At this point, Galanthia McRiver got silent, seemed to be lost in some scary possibilities. Her usually courageous, calm, soft look was full of concern now. Watching her mother trembled Juniper, yes, she was aware that her parents knew well the fantastic beasts and anything that would make her mom this much afraid must be really frightening.

Juniper felt the need of talking to disturb the tense silence.

'' Who saved us mom ? Who took us here ? ''.

'' Professor Dumbledore told us that it was that amazing Firenze the centaur who made the monster go away. Then he took Morgan to the edge of the forest and called Hagrid for help, 'cause he knew that your skull had been cracked after hitting it on a rock and didn't move you. So Hagrid called Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfrey and they brought you here with utmost care. They even called for a healer, your situation was that serious when you came. Then we were called, your dad and I, in case..in case we could help. '' finished Mrs. McRiver with a sob.

Juniper felt terrible, all of it was her fault. It was she who had dragged Morgan to the forest, who had caused Wind to leave her herd and who had painfully worried her family. She hugged her mom, thinking that it was a good reproach what she deserved, not the affectionate arms embracing her. What to do now ? She just wanted to make sure Wind was ok she just couldn't stop herself, the forest was almost like calling her, she couldn't resist the temptation. Even now she couldn't swear that she wouldn't go in there again, all she could promise to herself was that she wouldn't take anybody with her again.

She was lost in these thoughts and feeling warm and safe in her mom's arms when the door of the hospital wing opened a little. A tall, thin, tanned and almost blond man with big brown eyes came in talking slowly with a little witch. Mr. McRiver stopped still when he turned his head to Juniper's bed, expecting to see her sleeping. But what he saw instead shocked him. He couldn't say anything or move for seconds. Then literally jumped on to the bed screaming :

'' My flower ! I can't believe it ! Oh God ! At last, at last ! Thank you.. ''.

Galanthia who fell slowly of the bed because of her husband's extravagance stood up and looked at them merrily. Behind her, Professor Sprout was crying silently.

Juniper couldn't help laughing. She had missed her silly dad so much. Then, it was all over again kissing, hugging, sobbing and chatting. They went on like that until Madam Pomfrey came in and told them off for the ninth time ( this time, not smiling ) for tiring her patient. It was almost 8 p.m. and she agreed to give them five more minutes before they left and Juniper went back to sleep.

'' Where are you going to stay ? You aren't going back this early, are you ? '' Juniper asked before her parents left.

'' Leaving you this soon.. Flower, don't you know us ? We'll both stay here until the headmaster litterally kicks us out for abusing their hospitality. Besides your cracked skull, it's great to be here again. '' said Lawrence McRiver, laughing heartily.

'' Also, added Galanthia, we have been staying in our own houses for these two weeks. Yes, we begged for it, yes we did all to arouse enough pity so that they'd let us and yes we aren't even ashamed. Staying at home of our student-selves really helped us keep our spirits high. ''.

'' Can't believe it ! That's wonderful. Ravenclaws stay at one of the towers too and Hufflepuffs stay at one floor below the ground if i remember well what you had told me about those years. ''.

'' Yes flower, also, the Hufflepuff's is the best of them all. Remember that too. ''.

'' Huh '' snorted Galathia '' Anywhere better that the Ravenclaw Tower would be just impossible. I just can't wait to go to the Tower's guest room. ''.

'' I'm glad you had had fun while it wasn't even for certain that I'd live. '' Juniper said kidding.

Galanthia laughed, Lawrence cried, they both kissed their beloved daughter goodnight and each left for their own house's guest room.

With the medicaments she had been given, it didn't take long till Juniper went back to sleep, peacefully.

When she woke up in the morning, she found Morgan sitting next to her. Seeing her opening eyes, he jumped on his feet and laughed :

'' It's nice to see that you're not dead. You scared us a lot ! ''.

June laughed and yawned at the same time :

'' And how come you are visiting me this late ? Why didn't you come yesterday ? ''.

'' Of course I did ! '' answered Morgan in a self-defending tone '' But Madame Pomfrey didn't let me in. According to her even the family visit was too much in your then current situation and mine was out of question. I wasn't expecting her to accept me today either but she said that you showed much improvement since seeing your parents, so friend visits could be ' beneficial ' too. ''.

'' Oh, clearly she said so because she doesn't know you Morgan. What could be worse for a cracked skull than a never-stopping-talking friend ? '' she joked merrily.

'' Ha ha, very funny. '' he triend to imitate an offensed tone '' Well, you'll have to deal with it June, because I'm going to visit you every day before you leave the hospital wing. ''.

'' Then I need to hurry up. ''.

'' You had better ! By the way, speaking of non-stop talking people, your dad sent you this from the breakfast. ''.

He opened the handkerchief wrapped around some kind of a small, green cupcake and gave it to Juniper.

'' He said that this was something he made and it would give you healing energy. He actually asked Madame Pomfrey to give you this but she doesn't trust this kind of stuff and now wouldn't let your dad pass without checking his bag and pockets. So he sent it with me. If you ask me, don't eat it, your dad isn't a healer or a potion master. You may even get worse ! ''.

Juniper ate the cake in two bites and said, still chewing it :

'' Actually, he could have been bothe if being an adventurer hadn't been his dream. He may look a little weird, but he would never give me anything unless he was sure. ''.

'' A little weird ? June, he is your dad and all that but he may be the strangest person I've ever met. No offense. But 4 days ago he interrogated Peeves about his childhood so that he could find the reason lying under his ' ferocious attitude '. He still seemed hopeful after Peeves had emptied 8 bins on his head. Moreover, he actually tried to pass every out of class time with me. He said that he wanted to know his ' flower's' best friend more profoundly. He asked the sign and favourite colours of my every family member ! Can you believe it ?! ''.

Juniper was laughing so hard that her head ached.

'' Classic ! '' she said '' This is him, Morgan, always curious, caring and insisting. ''

'' Well, I would have used different words but actually I liked him. He is kind and intelligent. I liked your mom too, and very much indeed. She's wonderful ! So cool ! Even the way she walks and talks ! But June… You don't really look like any of them, not the colours nor the shapes. You must have taken after an aunt or something. ''.

'' Well, mom has 3 sisters and dad has a brother but I've never met them. So I don't know. But I remember asking once why my hair wasn't black or blond like them. Dad said that the genetics has its own way and I haven't thought about it since. Do we really look that different ? ''.

'' You have brown - red hair, theirs is blond or black. Your skin colour is much lighter than each. So, I would never guessed that you are parents and daughter. '' Morgan said '' Maybe you are adopted. '' he said kiddingly.

Juniper laughed.

'' Oh come on ! Perhaps I look like one of my aunts. Also, mom has green eyes like me. ''.

'' Hah, but a very different green. Yours are more like a bright green and hers are olive green. ''.

'' Morgan. You know you're giving me headache, right ? I don't look much like them, so what ? My dad comes from an Irish family, so he must have many red head cousins or even brothers. I don't know, as I've never met them. ''.

'' That's weird too. Why wouldn't someone show at least the photos of their siblings to their child ? I'm telling you, you must have a family secret or something. ''. Morgan looked excited with the idea, already considering the ways of revealing such a secret. Juniper listened to him silently for some time. She couldn't really think of a famil mistery, her parents have always been so honest and clear about everything. Still, she wondered why she has never met any of her relatives. She used to ask her parents this too. They always told that they weren't really close and that they very busy and didn't have time for even dropping in for some tea. Juniper never totally understood it and indeed never thought much about it either. As she didn't know how other families lived, she hadn't had a chance to compare themselves to them. So, she accepted the situation as an ordinary one and hadn't insist on it.

Before falling asleep listening to Morgan's theories, she decided to ask her parents about their families again.