our universe

- B U T I' M A P O T T E R -

Juniper climbed the staircase to the Headmaster's Tower, already nervous for her conversation with Harry. She was hoping he would take it so well that he wouldn't even mind when he had to break the news to the family. There was no way in hell she was telling her brother. He'd just blab to the rest of them.

"Hey Dad." Juniper called into the empty study, looking around for her bespectacled father.

"Coming Junebug." Harry stumbled into the room, he seemed to have misplaced his glasses. As he patted his pockets, "What's up honey?"He paused for a moment, as if debating whether to say what had popped in his mind, "How are things with the Zabini boy?"

"Fine Dad." Juniper grimaced. She did not want to talk about this with him.

"He's treating you right?" Harry said gruffly, clearing his throat, "No funny business? Don't do anything you'e not ready-"

"DAD!" Juniper's cheeks were a fiery red, "Can we just- not?!"

"Yes." Her dad sighed in relief, settling behind his desk. "Thank you."

Juniper noticed the clothes strewn across the floor, her father's rumpled slacks, unshaven face, the makeshift sofa bed in the corner. Her brow furrowed, "Dad...are you- sleeping here?"

"Oh..." Harry put on his glasses, scratching his head sheepishly, "I suppose- yes."

"But why?" Juniper prodded, "I thought you were staying at home."

"I was." Her father replied, shuffling some papers on his messy desk. "You know- with your mother gone so often- it didn't make sense."

This was news to Juniper, "Mum's gone again?"

"Back today I think." Her father's face brightened slightly, "Actually she should be coming just about..." He checked his watch, "Now."

Juniper's eyes widened, slowly she stepped back. This was not good. Harry was always understanding, the pushover parent, plus he would probably be so awkward that he'd want to get it over with as soon as possible. Her mother, on the other hand, would be so much harder to convince. Which is why Juniper was counting on Harry's help with that.

"You know, I can come back later, we don't have to-" Juniper started to stammer, making for an exit, just as the grand fireplace flashed green. Uh oh. Juniper cursed silently at her bad luck.

In a flurry of ashes, her mother stepped out of the fireplace, relatively unsmudged. "Juniper!" She exclaimed, surprised, looking to her husband for explanation.

Juniper averted her eyes, expecting her mother and father to commit a very public and gruesome display of affection that would have her gagging until next week. Instead, they shared a quick, chaste kiss, and brief hug. Well that was odd. Juniper presumed they must be trying to save her some embarrassment, which she was grateful for. Usually, they wouldn't give her that courtesy.

"What are you doing here Junebug?" Her mother asked.

"She was just about to tell me something." Her father answered for her, and Juniper scowled. Damn it Dad, why did he have to be so clueless?

"I'll come back later." Juniper started to scurry out again, "You guys catch up-"

"It's fine." Miranda smiled invitingly, "What did you need?"

"Go ahead Junebug." Harry slipped an arm around his wife's waist, "We're listening."

Juniper wanted to bang her head against the wall. This was exactly what she'd been trying to avoid. She drew her gaze back up to her parents smiling faces with growing dread. There was no backing out now. She was trapped. Here goes. She took a deep breath, "SoXavierwantsmetomeethisparentsbutitsonHalloweenandIpromiseI'llstillcometothecemeteryandeverythingIjusthavetoleavealittleearlyandprobablystayovernightandit'sreallyimportanttoXavierandI'msorrypleaseletmego?"