Drahiodh University, London, England
Luna Lovegood checked Parker's phone for the millionth time. Juniper still hadn't texted them back. She had said she was leaving with someone else but she hadn't answered the rest of their texts, most of which had been penned by Luna herself. She was worried. She didn't like that Juniper had left with a girl they didn't know and was now not answering her phone. She grabbed Rolf's phone instead.
"Luna, you already sent her 6 texts" Rolf reminded her
"Well maybe Parker got nargles in their phone" Rolf rolled his eyes and sighed. Parker glared at him, daring him to talk back.
"Maybe-"
"Luna, Juniper's fine. She's probably not even up yet" Parker told her
"But-"
"She's ok Luna, Ok?" Parker asked. Luna nodded. Rolf turned around. Luna looked in that direction. Juniper was walking over to them. She was wearing a dress that didn't belong to her and her eyes were red. She took the extra chair and slammed her head into the table.
"You ok?" Asked Rolf. Juniper just groaned
"Long night?" Parker teased
"F off" She grumbled
"Didn't end well?" asked Rolf. She snorted
"So are you gonna tell you or are you just gonna keep us in the dark?" She looked up, glaring at them.
"Fine, the beautiful girl I hooked up with either has a psycho family or just hates me and I'm not sure which"
"I'm sorry, what?" Rolf asked
"So long story short, I wake up in her bed, she's super sweet and even offers to take me out for brunch and the her 'gay boyfriend' showed up and told her that she was being stupid for sleeping me. He said if she wasn't careful then they would come after them. No F-ing clue who they are but it spooked her. He said that not all of them were behind bars and that they were rebuilding? They kinda lost me at that point"
"So what does that do with a psycho family?" Parker asked
"I'm getting there. So she tells me that I have to leave and then her boyfriend of all people gives me some sort of explanation. He tells me that apparently his family would disown and murder him if they found out he was gay so they're a beard couple I guess. Oh, and they'll kill anyone who can prove it. And apparently her sister saw us together so I might be getting murdered. Or she just made up some BS so she wouldn't have to speak to me again"
"I don't want to make you feel worse but she probably doesn't like you" Parker said, patting her shoulder
"You're probably right"
"I knew a boy whose family was like that" Luna mused
"I'm sorry?"
"He was a bully but he was dealing with his family. He was nicer last year but I wouldn't call him my friend. He was really mean to me and my friends before then. He even threatened Harry a couple of times"
"Is this the same Harry that got stabbed?" Juniper asked. Luna nodded
"Great."
"If it makes you feel any better, it's probably not the same guy"
"I guess I can hope so"
"I'm sure you're gonna be fine and if not, at least you'll have a cool story" Parker laughed
"F you"
History of the Occult World Classroom, London, England
Luna and Juniper sat in their history class. They were waiting for Hermione and Anna. They shared a table with them and another girl named Rose Fells, so the table looked rather empty. This was Luna's only class with Hermione and she liked having Hermione there. Between the material and Hermione it made the class feel like the year before. Hermione was also excellent to study with. Luna loved Ginny, but Hermione was more at her level when it came to academics. Anna was also at her level, even if she didn't and couldn't know that any of this was real. She also loved having Professor Tonks as a professor. She was incredibly kind, especially when her and Hermione needed a break when they got to difficult topics. Hermione and Anna took their seats at the usual table. The table now looked fuller, but not full.
"Hey!" Anna said cheerily.
"Hi Anna!" Luna waved. Anna laughed. Luna guessed that Anna found her excitement to see her friends endearing, like Ginny. Juniper's head was down on the table. She groaned when Anna spoke. Luna guessed that she was still upset about the day before.
"Geez, what happened to you? You look more upset than Hermione does" Anna asked. Luna and Juniper looked up curiously
"Another bad day at work," she said. Luna nodded sympathetically. She had heard all about Hermione's awful job.
"So seriously, what happened?" Anna asked, poking Juniper's hard with her pencil.
"My one night stand either has a murderous family or she hates me or both" Juniper moaned. Hermione looked over to Luna. They knew a thing or two about crazy murderous families.
"That's oddly specific and vague at the same time"
"Thanks"
"Do you have any more information or is that it?"
"That's it"
"Great" Anna rolled her eyes
"Settle down class" Professor Tonks called. She had the power to bring the attention of the entire class with only 3 words. To be frank, it was impressive. "As some of you might be aware, we have an open seat. Miss Fells has transferred to Brown. From what I've been told, she enjoyed her first days of classes. Now, we also have a new student to fill her spot. She has just joined our school and I expect you to be friendly and welcoming. Class, this is Astoria Greengrass. A familiar looking girl walked out. She had long brown hair and clear blue eyes. Juniper looked up and locked eyes with her mouth formed into an O shape.
"Juniper," Anna poked her with a pencil
"What?" Juniper whispered
"You look like you just saw a ghost," Anna whispered back. Luna looked around for said ghost. Hermione looked up, curiously.
"That's her"
"Her?"
"The girl from the party, my one night stand with a psycho family"
"You're kidding"
"I'm not, I swear"
"Luna, does she look familiar to you?" Hermione asked. Luna looked at Astoria closely. It took Luna a second before she could place her
"She's the same Astoria from my year, she was in Slytherin" Luna whispered back
"I knew I recognized her. Either her sister or her sister were on the inquisitorial squad. Not sure which" Hermione whispered back "I thought she was with Draco"
"What are you guys whispering about?" Astoria whispered. She smirked as she sat down. Hermione subtly moved farther away from her. Luckily she sat between Hermione and Juniper or Luna would have to fight the urge to do the same. Luna thought about Juniper's description of her. It all was fairly accurate to what Luna knew about the family. Except the piece about them being a beard couple. Luna stored the piece about the mysterious they and that they were rebuilding. She could guess who would terrify Draco so deeply but if they were rebuilding, certainly Neville and the Aurors would be aware.
"Astoria Greengrass, nice to meet you" she extended her perfectly manicured hand to Anna
"Anna Kent, that's-"
"Oh I already know the rest of you. Luna Lovegood, Ravenclaw right? Hermione Granger, Gryffindor. And Juniper"
"I'm sorry, Griffin door? Raven's claw?" Anna asked
"Two of the houses at our boarding school" Hermione explained
"So wait, you two know each other?" Juniper asked, looking between Luna and Astoria
"We did." Luna admitted
"We haven't spoken since Graduation" Astoria added
"Oh, so were you guys friends?" Asked Anna. Hermione shook her head
"We ran with different crowds," Hermione said neutrally.
"How civil of you Hermione, you know, after everything that happened in 6th year" she chimed. Her tone was clearly grating on Hermione.
"Girls, please get back to work" Professor Tonk called from across the room. Hermione, Anna, and Luna returned to their assigned reading. Juniper tried to, but could sense every one of Astoria's movements. The hairs on the back of her neck prickled as Astoria leaned closer to her.
"We can still make this work, you know" She whispered into Juniper's ear
"How?" Juniper's mouth spoke, although it didn't seem to connect to her brain
"I'll see you after class" she smirked.