"Miss White, I'm afraid we're going to need a-" Headmaster Dippet began, pausing only briefly when I noted that both Juniper and Ruth were only just waking up. "My apologies, girls. But Miss White, we're going to need an explanation as to what happened yesterday." He stood at the end of the bed as Juni sat up groggily rubbing at her eyes as Rue stretched beside her and sat up slowly. Behind the headmaster crept the matron, clearly still overly interested at what landed her in the hospital wing. On his other side stood Professor Dumbledore - if he knew anything at all, he gave absolutely nothing away. His expression was full of concern with almost a spark of electricity to it- as though he were going to spring into action to find whoever harmed her as soon as she said a name.

"I…" Juni began lamely, looking down at the palms of her hands as she began frantically searching her brain for what lie she could tell the headmaster while simultaneously cursing herself for not coming up with something to begin with.

"It was a dueling accident, Headmaster," Rue told him simply, if not a little bashfully. "We were practicing a new spell and counterspell and things just… Went wrong." She grimaced as she looked at Dippet who in turn looked between Dumbledore and Juniper for confirmation.

"I don't know if a simple sparring accident would be enough to cause-" Dippet began before Juni interrupted.

"I just didn't want Ruth to get into any trouble, Headmaster. Otherwise I would've said something earlier." Juniper glanced at Rue as she took one of her hands in a silent 'thank you' before she looked between the adults standing at the end of the bed.

"Girls, if we don't get the truth of this, I'll be forced to get the Ministry involved to investigate," he informed them almost crossly.

"It is the truth, sir," Rue insisted and Juniper nodded in agreement.

"I really don't think… Albus," Dippet gave Juni a very fixed look before turning his gaze to the man next to him. "Albus, do you think there's any sort of validity to this?"

"Well," Dumbledore had yet to take his eyes off Juniper, as though he were studying her. "I have been teaching about quite a few new dangerous spells recently, and seventh years have always been encouraged to take to practicing their dueling skills."

No one said a word. It was as though they had all decided to believe the lie at the same time, fully knowing that it was a lie.

"Well," Dipped resigned after what felt like ages. "Perhaps we should be less lenient on our sparring rules, Professor, and restrict dueling to being in-class only." He gave the girls one last glance before turning on his heel and exiting the hall. Hesitantly, the matron stepped forwards and took Juniper's hands and inspected them. Deciding that they were acceptable, she then almost robotically inspected her neck, moving her hair and letting it fall back around her shoulders as she straightened.

"Everything is looking in order, Miss White," she told her with a small smile. "You may be excused back to your dorm, but do return if anything changes, yes?"

"Of course, ma'am," Juni agreed, returning the smile.

"I'll make sure she does, ma'am," Rue added in definitevly as the matron began to leave. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stepped onto the cool floor. Hissing softly, she pulled her feet back off and sat on the side of the bed. "We need to find a way to make stone floors less frozen."

"You know," Dumbledore began thoughtfully, "I've been saying that for the last 40 years or so." The sound of a door closing fell on the hospital wing and Dumbledore dropped his tone. "Juniper, if you could meet me in my office once you've had the chance to change and have breakfast?" Both of their eyes were on Juni as she slowly sat on the side of the bed.

"Of course, sir."

"So do you care to explain what really happened yesterday?" Dumbledore asked as Juniper walked into his office and shut the door behind her. He extended his hand, indicating she should sit at the chair opposite him at his desk. She silently slid into the seat and fidgeted with her fingers. She still wasn't convinced that the man in front of her wasn't the one who had attacked her yesterday. After all, he was the one she was supposed to meet up with. What reason did she have to believe that it wasn't him that had sent the note to relocate and reschedule? Sure, it could have been a pure coincidence, but-

"Juniper," he interrupted her thoughts gently, eyes all but glued to her face, studying her. She shifted in her chair uncomfortably. "I certainly hope that you aren't under the illusion that I had something to do with your injuries, are you?" She felt her stomach drop slightly as she looked at him. Was she really that easy to read? Or was he simply asking because he was in on it? A soft sigh escaped the professor as he sat back in his seat and glanced out the window in his office. It had been storming all morning, and the sound of rain gently hitting the glass echoed throughout the room.

"What can I do to try and convince you I played absolutely no part in your attack?" Juni's mind immediately went blank. She hadn't even considered how he could prove his innocence, or even that he'd be willing to try. After a few moments, Juni realized there was only one way that she could really trust the man across from her. Even before yesterday she had her doubts, but maybe…

"Veritaserum."

Dumbledore seemed to visibly stiffen for a moment as he quickly considered this option. He clearly hadn't expected her to offer this choice so quickly.

"That…" he began almost awkwardly. There was a short pause as he finally returned his gaze to her, nodding slowly. "That can be arranged."

Another pause. Juni raised her eyebrows in surprise at his acceptance. She didn't think that the Albus Dumbledore she knew would have ever agreed to drinking Veritaserum for anyone, let alone someone who was still a near-stranger. He knew too many things, or at least he did when she knew him more. It could be potentially dangerous if the wrong person went asking-

"However-"

There it was.

"I do insist on a bit of caution on your part," he gave her a measured stare. "There aren't many things that can be done to help ease your mind, I understand. If Veritaserum is what it'll take, then I accept. But, and by no means take this personally, I will also have a dose of the antidote readily available. There are many people who would seek to… Take advantage of the knowledge that I possess."

"Understood, Professor," Juniper sat forward slightly in her chair. "Um, how would we even get Veritaserum, though?" Dumbledore gave her an almost confused look.

"Professor Slughorn, of course," giving her a gentle smile, he glanced back at the window. "I'll take care of it this afternoon, and by this evening, you can have your reassurance." Sighing softly, he stood, making his way to the window. "Though I'm afraid continuing our meeting now would be rather pointless." Shifting in her seat, Juni watched him closely as he clasped his hands behind his back loosely, watching the rain.

"Professor?" The man turned back to look at her curiously for a moment.

"Well how are you to know if anything I'm saying is the truth?" Juni stiffened, realizing that through his quick acceptance of the Veritaserum, she'd already subconsciously accepted that he wasn't her attacker after all. Was she really so gullible? She looked away from him, unsure whether it was in embarrassment or shame- or maybe both.

"No, it would simply be best to reconvene in the evening. After dinner, perhaps?"

"Of course, Professor," Juniper quickly rose to her feet and made to leave the office.

"Juniper?" Juni froze at the door, turning her head to look back at him. "Do be careful today, yes? You were, as I recall, supposed to be 'laying low', as you described it."

"Oh, um," something about his words sent a chill through her as she gripped the handle of the door tightly. "Of course, Professor."

"So I've come to the completely unfortunate conclusion that it was, in fact, not Riddle," Ruth said in a matter-of-fact whisper as the pair sat in one corner of their common room. It was mid-afternoon and there were a decent amount of students littering the room. Some were studying, some gossiping, some reading and others just chatting with their friends. Tucked away on some plush chairs in the corner, no one paid any attention to Juni and Rue as they went over the options.

"And how did you come to this monumental discovery?" Juni laughed softly and Rue sighed dramatically before glancing around the room as inconspicuously as she could.

"Well, it turns out that he was actually in a meeting with the headmaster and all the other goody-two-shoes in the school about students being out and about after hours. I guess there's been a rise in that lately." Shrugging her shoulders, Rue brought her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. Resting her chin on her knees, she absentmindedly played with one of the seams of her pants between her fingers. Juniper didn't remember telling her about that little detail of Tom's innocence, so she figured it must have been the truth, then.

"Do you still think that you-know-who is a suspect?" she asked innocently. Although Juni knew that she was meaning Dumbledore, she immediately felt her heart begin to race. Concern spread quickly across Rue's face as she lowered one leg, leaning forwards towards Juni. "June, what's wrong? Do you think it was him?"

"No," she shook her head, trying to simultaneously shake the feeling of dread that came with what Rue had just asked. "No, I don't think so."

"Then what's wrong?" Rue asked, scooting closer and putting her other leg down. Pressing the back of her hand to Juni's forehead as though checking her for a fever, Rue didn't take her eyes from Juni's face. "You look like you've just seen a ghost or something… If you really don't think that you-know-who is behind what happened then-"

"You wouldn't be accusing me of something, would you?" a soft voice sounded from beside them. The girls jumped, as neither of them had even noticed Tom Riddle walk up to them. He took a seat on an empty chair next to theirs and looked at them expectantly.

"No," Juni glanced at Rue, wanting her to stop repeating 'you know who'. "No, you've been decidedly cleared."

"Am I to assume you've come no closer to finding your assailant?" Tom raised an eyebrow at her, ignoring Ruth almost entirely until she cleared her throat.

"Why are you here, Riddle?" she crossed her arms over her chest as she scooted in her seat as though to physically side herself with Juni and define him as an outsider.

"I told Juniper to find me when she left hospital," Tom shrugged a shoulder. "She didn't. So I found her, and now I'm here. Ta-da."

"It's fine, Rue," Juniper waved her hand dismissively as she sighed. "Anyway. No, we haven't."

"Well, while you two have been sitting around wondering who it possibly could've been, I've begun a list of people it couldn't have been."

"And how exactly have you done this?" Rue narrowed her eyes distrustingly. Tom looked at her for a moment before giving her a small smile.

"I simply began with the other prefects who were in a meeting with myself and the headmaster at the time of the attack." Rue sat for a moment, her eyebrows furrowing.

"Well," she began, clearly irritated with his continued intrusion. "That's barely anyone."

"It's twenty-five people including myself and the headmaster. How many have you managed to rule out?" Juniper could tell a smirk was beginning to form on his lips as he looked at Rue while she fumed at him. Juni was simply thankful that he had begun a list at all- she didn't know who all the prefects were, and it was a much better start than simply 'it could be anyone at the school'. Still, she couldn't help but wonder…

"Why are you even trying to help?" Juni considered Tom almost suspiciously as he turned his attention back to her. His face had fallen back to its seemingly default look around her- void of expression with a mild hint of 'I'm being inconvenienced by your entire existence'.

"Because," he emphasized, as though the answer should be completely obvious and she was an idiot for even having to ask. Continuing in a more hushed tone, he leaned forward slightly so others would be less likely to overhear what he was saying. "We have a want-to-be murderer on campus. And I'm head boy. I don't see what part of this concept you're not understanding here. I've refrained from reporting it immediately to the Headmaster at your request, but-"

"Oh I get it now," Rue interrupted, laughing slightly as though she should've seen through him earlier. "You want all the recognition for yourself for figuring it out and 'saving the school' again."

"Well, I hadn't thought of it like that before, but now that you mention it-"

"It doesn't matter," Juni closed her eyes and rubbed gently at her temples. "It literally doesn't matter. As long as we figure out who it was before I actually die, who cares what the motivation for figuring it out is?"

The three sat in silence, but that didn't stop a smug look from forming on Tom's face. Juniper wanted to reach over and smack it clean off, but she restrained herself. She didn't want to cause even more problems for herself.

"Oi! Riddle!" A short, squat boy called from across the room, causing all three of them to turn and look at him. "Stop flirting with all the girls, we're going to be late!" Waving his hand he turned and laughed at something the boy next to him said as the two of them made their way towards the exit of the common room.

Tom's jaw clenched and unclenched slowly before he stood abruptly, grabbing his bag and leaving the girls once again by themselves.

"God," Rue scoffed under her breath the second Tom was out of ear's reach. "Can you believe the audacity of that boy?" Shaking her head in disbelief, she laughed slightly and looked at Juni. "As though we couldn't work out that all the prefects and head boys and girls were likely cleared by ourselves. Please."

"I just don't want to fight with him more than I already do," Juni sighed, realizing that Rue was completely right. If they had just put a second or two of thought into it, they definitely would have come to that same conclusion.

"When is that stupid potion's project finished, anyway?"

"Not until the end of term," she groaned and bowed her head, her hands running along the sides of her neck before resting on the back of it. Rue groaned in sympathy for her friend.

"At least then it'll be over and you never have to talk to him again, right?"

"I hope so." Juni's stomach seemed to do a flop as she spoke.

Part of her did hope that she never would have to talk to Tom Riddle again after their project. He was pompous, arrogant, rude and dismissive. But he was also brilliant, talented (at potions at least, that she knew for sure) and knew how to play the professors and other students to get what he wanted. Though she wasn't convinced that the last trait was a… good one, necessarily, it did come in handy when working with him.

She never felt as though she could get a solid read on him, though- what he was thinking or what he might say next. One second he seemed to hate everything about her, as if she were the biggest inconvenience he'd ever had to put up with. Other times… Was he really trying to help her to 'get credit' like Rue said? He did bring her dinner last night when he had absolutely no real reason to.

Professor Dumbledore poured two small cups of tea, setting the pot back on his desk. Sliding one cup over to Juni, he offered her a biscuit.

"Oh, no, thank you," Juni smiled slightly as she picked up the cup of tea and took a long sip.

"Now then," Dumbledore began as he picked up his own cup. It was dark outside, the candles on the walls burning brightly. "How was your dinner? I particularly enjoyed the pickled fish. What about you?" Juni made a face as she lowered the teacup from her lips.

"Dinner was fine, but I didn't even want to look at the pickled fish, let alone try it." Dumbledore hesitated as he leaned back against his chair, watching her. Pausing for a moment, he glanced around the room.

"What happened to you yesterday, Juniper?" his voice was casual, as though he were asking what her favourite book or colour was.

"I got a letter from someone telling me to meet them at the black lake at 10 in the morning. I figured it was you, because we were already supposed to meet up yesterday to talk about my time-turner," Juni blurted out. Stopping suddenly, she blinked a few times, confused at her own forthcoming.

"And?"

"And when I got there, you weren't there so I waited in case you were held up in a tutoring session or something. Just when I was about to give up, I was attacked from someone behind me. I never saw them. They…" she shook her head, almost confused as to why she was still talking. "They strangled me with something that felt like fire. When I must've passed out, they tossed me in the water."

"And you were afraid that this person was me, correct?"

"Yes, sir." Juni stopped short, pressing her lips together tightly as she looked at the Professor in alarm. A chill shot through her as her eyes darted from him to the teacup still in her hand and back to him again.

"I'm sorry, Juniper, I needed to get to the truth of things," Dumbledore sighed as he withdrew a small vial from his coat pocket, his cup back on the desk.

"You…" Juni gaped at him, taking a step backwards. "Gave me truth serum?"

"I did," he told her as he poured a few drops from the vial into his own cup. "And here is mine." Replacing the stopper on the vial, he stashed it back in his coat.

"And…" Juniper's voice faltered slightly as she watched him gingerly pick up the glass and bring it to his lips. "And you'll be giving me the antidote, right?"

"I certainly will," he told her before taking a long, slow sip from his glass. Inhaling deeply with his eyes closed, he sat the cup back on the desk, keeping his hand on it. "But first, we're going to talk." Opening his eyes again at her, Dumbledore studied her closely. His eyes were bright, as though he were searching for the answers to his questions in her face alone. Juniper swallowed hard and shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Let us get the most pressing concern out of the way first," Dumbledore began, taking another, smaller sip. "I was not your attacker, nor did I have any involvement or knowledge of your attack."

A breath of relief seemed to flow through Juniper and she seemed to visibly relax, looking down at her hands in her lap. Inspecting them for any hints of the scars she knew wouldn't be there, Juni remained silent. She didn't want to say anything unnecessary in case she said something she shouldn't as well.

"Are you satisfied with this answer?"

"I am," Juni began to rub her palm gently with the opposite thumb, not wanting to look at him.

"Good," she heard him shift in his seat again, knowing his eyes would still be on her. "Now…" there was a long pause, as though he were considering what he was going to say next.

"...How did you get this?"

Without thinking, Juni's eyes shot up. Wound around the professor's hand was a long, golden chain.

Dangling at the end of the chain hung Juniper's time turner.