Heaven in Hiding [H.P.] ✓

Snow falling

Juniper had never felt as terrible as when she her friends had set off on their way home for the Christmas holidays. Well.. Lucius would be staying with her and her parents, same as Rodolphus, Narcissa, Michael and even Regulus, who had more recently joined their group would be finding shelter with her family. But Bellatrix was gone.. and she had possibly hugged the girl she loved and adored with all her heart for the last time. Bella had pulled her and Narcissa aside for last night and the three of them had cried themselves to sleep, embracing tightly.
Now she was clutching said Black-girls hand as they were getting off the train. "Bella?" The girl nods, glancing down to her?" "I love you. Always." "Love you too." Bellatrix leans down a bit and Juniper kisses her cheek, hugging her tightly. "Dance one song for me as well, Princess Wintertime." "That's a new nickname.. I love it." They slowly part and move their separate ways, Juniper and her other friends heading home.

She had gotten all dolled up and kissed her friends goodbye before flooing to Durmstrang Academy where a whole lot of stares immediately had found her. Looking around she feels a hand gently tap her arm. "You look breathtaking." Looking up at Dima she is thankful for her self-control or else she'd have blushed like a little girl. "So do you." Brushing her hands over the suit he is wearing she smoothes out a small fold in it. "Come on, let me show you around." Taking his arm she allows him to lead her into the depths of the school.

Durmstrang was smaller than Hogwarts. And it carried the feeling of the Slytherin house throughout. Of Pureblood novelty.
Juniper felt at home, though it truly was a new place for her to be.
Her eyes glitter a bit as she follows him into the large hall where students had already gathered, yet none had begun to dance yet. "Would you like a drink?" "Nonsense. That can wait!", Juniper huffs, pulling him to the dancefloor. He follows her with a chuckle, managing to keep up etiquette before twirling her over the floor moments later. They dance as if they had never done anything else, exchanging smiles while all other faces around them blur.

"Krum! Who is this?" His friends with their dates had moved in, looking the British witch up and down. "This is Juniper Winters.", he introduces her and she gives a slight nod and a polite smile. "She's not in Durmstrang..?" "No. I visit Hogwarts in my sixth year. But I can promise that I can understand you perfectly well." The boys look at her surprised. All except Dima. "I met her at the Karkarov families ball.", he explains. "She's pretty but.." "Say another word and you'll regret it. I'm a Winters. And if you thought you know the cold I'll show you just how bad it can really burn you.", Juniper smiles with daggers shooting from her eyes at the girl beside one of his friends. She falls silent immediately and quietly goes to get herself a drink. "You're tough." "My brother says that I should never feel afraid to put peasants in their place.", Juniper shrugs. "Brother?" "Unofficial. Our families were always very close and we grew up together. His name is Lucius Malfoy." The Malfoy name obviously was very well known and everyone nods, understanding. "Brother? Not boyfriend?" She visibly cringes, making Dima laugh. "No need to say something else." They share an overall truly pleasant evening.. however.. somehow.. there was an acute lack of affection and chemistry of that sort. He was a friend. But not more. Not more but also nothing less.

And so, late at night, she finds herself back at home, stepping out of the fireplace and stopping in her tracks.

Because across from her, arguing back and forth, was a duo of Gryffindors and her friends. "Black, Potter. What are you doing here?!", she curses, moving towards them quickly, gaining attention. "Shouldn't you be with your lover for a while longer?" "Snarkiness doesn't suit you, you know? No, Sirius. We decided that we're better off as friends than as lovers. He is sweet and attractive.. but that isn't everything. Now tell me why you are throwing a temper tantrum in my home and possibly endangering me, my family and my friends?" The boy, instead of answering collapses into her arms and Juniper relents, wrapping her arms around him in return.
"What is going on, love?" He simply squeezes her tighter. "I missed your departure by seconds. I didn't want you to leave... You have me! Why would you..", he whispers and Juniper simply embraces him thightly. "We're just friends, Sirius. Nothing more. It's alright. It's alright.. I'm not leaving or anything. I'm here."
He shakes slightly as a few tears leave his eyes and he buries his face against her neck. They stay that way, with her gently swaying them back and forth, brushing her fingers through his dark hair. "Thank you."