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Chapter Six: A New Tutor

"Morning ladies," Professor Slughorn said as Juniper and Kaylynn entered the classroom and went to stand next to a table with a few other students. "How is your family, Miss Clayton?"

"They're fine, sir," Juniper said as she pulled out her Potions book and laid it on the table. She knew that the only reason Professor Slughorn inquired about her family and seemed friendly with her was because her father had helped solve an embezzlement case a few years back before Juniper was even enrolled in Hogwart's. It was in the newspapers and her father had gained quite a bit of fame and was even promoted. Juniper's father had thought it was a small feat and felt he didn't deserve any praise or rewards as he was only doing what was right.

"I'm sorry we didn't get to enjoy that Quidditch Match between the Harpies and the Cannons this summer," he said with a hint of regret.

"I'm sorry, sir, but my parents had to work a lot this summer. We didn't really get much of a chance to do anything."

"Quite all right, quite all right. I do hope you to see you at one of my dinners this year. You can't keep avoiding them forever." He wagged his finger as he feigned scolding her before turning to the class. The door opened once again and Eileen slipped in.

"Welcome Miss Mariano, please don't make it a habit of cutting it close each time."

Eileen nodded as she set her satchel on the table. She was standing near Avery Burke and Michelle Voras. It was the only available space left, so Eileen didn't exactly have many choices.

"Now then, today we're going to be learning to brew a rather fun little concoction known as The Girding Potion. Would anyone like to venture a guess as to what this potion does?"

Avery's hand shot up and Professor Slughorn addressed her. "It is a potion that will give the consumer extra endurance for a substantial amount of weeks. It's a very powerful potion and the maximum dosage is no more than two small vials. More than that could have serious consequences."

"Well, you just answered all of my questions in one go. Excellent, ten points to Ravenclaw." Avery smirked rather priggishly in the direction of Juniper table before facing the front of the class again.

Kaylynn leaned over to whisper to Juniper. "Do you think anyone would be too upset if I drowned her in her own cauldron?"

"I don't think you'd need the Ministry to get you on attempted murder," Juniper muttered. "Just ignore her, it's not worth it."

After a few minutes more discussion, Professor Slughorn set everyone to work. There was chatter as they set up their cauldrons and lit the flames underneath. Juniper and Kaylynn went to one of the sinks at the back of the classroom in order to fill their cauldrons with water. They passed the table where Avery, Michelle, and Eileen were setting up their own supplies. Juniper heard Avery speaking to Eileen.

"I know everything there is to know about everyone," she said proudly. "I can tell you who is worth knowing as a friend and who isn't. There are students here who just aren't worth your time."

"Ugh, there she goes trying to turn someone else against us," Kaylynn muttered in disgust as she stepped out of the way to let Juniper fill her cauldron. "How she can sleep at night is beyond me."

Juniper remained silent, she was curious as to what Eileen would say. Would she agree to Avery's offer? Or was she much smarter than that?"

"We can be best friends," Michelle said leaning over to smirk at Eileen. "Stick with Avery and no one will be able to touch you."

Avery ran her fingers through her rich black hair. "That's right, there are many people who will just bring you down. Take Juniper Clayton for example. She may look like the typical sweet and innocent shy type, but she's ruthless. Her family has been threatening and harassing my family for years now. In fact, her father has threatened to kill my father on more than one occasion."

"What proof do you have?" Eileen asked not looking up from her book as she studied the ingredients.

"Huh?" Avery and Michelle looked at each other then back at Eileen.

"I said, what proof do you have? All I have to go on is your word. How do I know that what you're saying is true?"

Juniper relaxed slightly and walked back to the table. It seemed that Eileen wouldn't be so easily swayed by Avery. Juniper turned on the flame under her cauldron and allowed the water to heat up to a boil before she started adding ingredients.

"My potion isn't turning pink for some reason," Kaylynn said peering down into her cauldron. "I know I added the doxy eggs." She picked up one of the small bottles and perused it. "Oh...this definitely isn't doxy eggs." The blackened potion began to quickly bubble and rise to the surface, spilling over onto the table and eating through most of Kaylynn's cauldron and the wood. The students at the table backed away quickly so that the acidic concoction wouldn't touch them.

"Don't panic, don't panic" Professor Slughorn strode forward, whipping out his wand and waving it. The mess disappeared and the table and the cauldron was set right.

Kaylynn winced. "Sorry, professor."

"No harm done, just try to be a little more careful next time and make sure you look carefully at each ingredient."

The rest of the class went by without much of a hitch. Juniper also failed to correctly brew her potion as she'd forgotten to add in the fairy wings and flying seahorses, but she hadn't burned a hole in the table. Those who had gotten the potion correct received no homework, but those who didn't were assigned an essay that was due before the next class.

There was about thirty minutes before lunch, so the students had a break before then. Juniper and Kaylynn started to head back to the Hufflepuff common room. They wanted to get in a little bit of private Quidditch practice before eating, but as they approached the staircase that would lead to their dorms, a chubby sixth year Ravenclaw approached them.

"Juniper Clayton? Professor McGonagall wants to see you in her office. The password is Gumdrops."

Juniper looked at Kaylynn. Why was she already being called in on the first day of term? Had she done something wrong that she didn't realize? Juniper thanked the Ravenclaw and told Kaylynn to go on without her before heading up the various moving staircases to the Headmistress's office. She stopped in front of the gargoyle statue and gave the password. The stone gargoyle sprang to life and jumped out of the way, giving Juniper access to the stairs, which she ascended.

The young Hufflepuff wrang her hands, causing them to become rather sweaty before she knocked on the door. "Come in," Professor McGonagall's voice called. Juniper opened the door and stepped inside. Professor McGonagall was sitting behind her desk. All over the walls, the past Headmasters snoozed, including the former Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore. Juniper had often wondered what kind of man he'd been. He could almost pass for someone's elderly grandfather. But this time, Juniper didn't look at the Headmaster. Instead, her eyes fell upon one of the wooden chairs placed in front of Professor McGonagall's desk.

"James, what are you doing here?"

He grinned cheekily at Juniper before Professor McGonagall asked her to sit down in the other chair. She did as she was told, gripping the arms and nervously running her fingers over the grooves.

"You can't be so nervous each time you're called into my office," Professor McGonagall childed gently. "You're not in any trouble."

Juniper relaxed, but only slightly. "Then what am I in here for?" she asked.

"I've been going over some of your files. You've been struggling quite a bit in some of your classes over the past few years, the most prominent being Transfiguration and Potions."

Juniper lowered her head. So, she was about to receive a lecture on the importance of schoolwork. "I try the best I can, but I just don't understand a lot of it half the time."

"I am not lecturing you, I am merely trying to tell you that you need help. Just because you struggle a bit doesn't mean that you're a bad witch. From what I have seen, you're very skilled in Charms and rather fair in Defense Against The Dark Arts. But I think it would be best for you to have a tutor. That's why Mr. Potter is in here. He's always done well in the classes that you are struggling in and he knows the material, which is why I think he could help you."

Juniper glanced at James. Because they were a year apart, it was hard for them to hang out together at Hogwart's, except on the weekends or during breaks. Juniper hated the thought of having a tutor, but if James was the one helping her, then she'd get to spend more time with him, even if it did involve having her nose stuck in a few books.

Yet, there was that doubt again. "But, professor, I'm not sure if it would help. I mean, it's hard for me to get a decent mark on my homework papers."

"That's because you procrastinate until the last minute and always turn in something that's hurriedly written."

Juniper blanched, while that was true, she didn't like being reminded of her failings.

"You come from a long line of some of the most prestigious witches and wizards. I would think that you'd want to follow in their footsteps."

Juniper had heard stories of her parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents when they were at Hogwarts and they'd all been very bright young witches and wizards, quickly rising to the top, academically and then going on to lead prominent and successful lives. But it seemed like that tradition was broken with Juniper. Chances were that her future involved cleaning the bogs at the Ministry.

"Under my tutelage, you'll do great," James said confidently. "A few tutoring sessions with me and you'll be able to turn a desk into a horse or brew a Wit-Sharpening Potion with your eyes closed."

"Why don't you focus on helping her with the smaller stuff, first, Mr. Potter," Professor McGonagall berated.

"Got it, professor." He grinned cheekily at the Headmistress who shook her head, but the corners of her mouth twitched slightly and lifted the lid of one of the small candy bowls on her desk. "Would either of you care for a lemon drop?"

Juniper looked at James muddled. "A what?"

"It's a type of Muggle candy."

"Professor Dumbledore was fond of them back when he was Headmaster," Professor McGonagall explained. "I have to say that they grew on me, as well."

The two teens each plucked a piece of the hard candy from the bowl and thanked the Headmistress before leaving the office with James holding the door open for Juniper to let her out first. The two of them walked down the stairs together before stopping.

"So, do you want to sit down and we can go over a schedule a little later?" James inquired.

Standing this close to him, Juniper's cheeks developed a very faint pink tinge. Why did he have to be so near, and why did he have to smell good? She wondered what kind of shampoo he used. Even though his hair looked like it hadn't been brushed in months, she still found the overall look rather appealing and longed to run her fingers through the dark locks. She silently told her body parts to behave.

"Juniper?"

She looked up at him, broken away from her fantasies. "Huh, what?"

James smirked and reached over to playfully tug at her ponytail. "Daydreaming again, aren't we? Good thing we weren't walking or else you might've fallen down some stairs and I would've had to catch you. Not that I would have minded as I like breaking your fall."

Juniper bit down on her bottom lip, smiling and squealing inwardly. He was utterly adorable and she have just stared at him all day, even though he might find such a thing disturbing. "Oh, right, the schedule. Er...well, we could talk after dinner this evening."

James nodded in agreement. "Sure, we'll meet outside in the library."

With that out of the way, the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff headed down to The Great Hall. Upon entering, the two separated to go to their own tables. Kaylynn was already sitting at the table with her mouth full of turkey and swiss cheese trying to talk to Marianne Forrester at the same time. Marianne took her bag off the bench so that Juniper could sit down beside her.

"What took you so long?" Kaylynn asked. "Why did you walk in here with James?" Her eyes then widened and she began exclaiming rather loudly. "You snogged him, didn't you?"

A few nearby students turned to stare at her and Juniper sank down in her seat. "N-No!" she denied.

"Then why are you blushing?"

"Stop teasing her, Kaylynn," Marianne scolded lightly.

Juniper explained what had really happened in Professor McGonagall's office making it very clear to both of them that she definitely didn't snog James.

"Well hey, this is great!" Kaylynn said excitedly when Juniper was finished talking. "It'll give you a good chance to really get closer to him!"

"We're just friends, Lynn, He's only helping me with my schoolwork, that's all. Nothing is going to come of this. Besides, chances are, he has a girlfriend."

"He doesn't," Marianne said. "He's definitely a free agent."

"Yes, but if you don't make your move soon, then that might all change." Kaylynn poured some more pumpkin juice into her goblet.

"I doubt a few tutoring sessions would help my love life or lack of one," Juniper said taking a turkey sandwich from one of the platters. "Besides, I'm too young to have a boyfriend."

"You're just making excuses," Kaylynn said with a sigh. "You really need to stop constantly putting yourself down like that. You're one of the prettiest girls I know and you're nice, unlike some of the other slags that go to this school. You should give yourself more credit."

Juniper knew that Kaylynn was just trying to make her feel better, but it didn't help. There were other girls that would be more better suited for James. He didn't like her in the way that she wanted him to, deep down. He was just being nice, that's all.

"If you miss this opportunity, you're going to regret it for the rest of your life."

Kaylynn's words lingered in Juniper's mind. Why did she constantly second guess herself? Was it because she didn't think she was good enough for anyone? If James did like her, what exactly did he see in her? There was a chance she would lose sleep over her long list of doubts tonight.