A Journey At Hogwarts

XVIII. Two - Nil for Cursed Ice

The Scottish highlands couldn't seem to get any colder, but throughout February, they did. While Juniper was antsy about getting the ice vault sooner, she also wanted to be prepared. She couldn't afford to go through it and have another friend hurt because of her and another trip to the hospital wing.

A visible mist emitted out of Juniper's mouth as she grew breathless. She had been finalising and perfecting this spell for the past two hours. The practice had gone on for weeks.

"Incendio!"

A brief moment of warmth spread to her face as a large burst of fire emitted from her hornbeam wand. The flame hit the square on the red target. Scorch marks marred the training dummy, slowly covering the metal in black. Juniper found producing a flame easy but much more challenging to control and direct that spell.

Bill clapped proudly, "I think it's safe to say you've mastered the fire-making spell."

"And you've managed to increase the span by an estimated fourteen centimetres, making it a total of seven metres and two centimetres now." Rowan analysed the grass where the frost had melted away and any burn residue with a measuring tape. She has been meticulously noting her progress.

Juniper started bringing Rowan along to her and Bill's spell practice to 'help improve her fire-making casting'. While this wasn't a lie, it wasn't her main intention either. Was the young Ravenclaw playing matchmaker for her friend? Perhaps, however, Juniper couldn't overlook her friend's crush when here was a chance that she could help to get them close in proximity to one another. The introduction was awkward and stiff. Rowan could barely peep out a word to Bill, but he was kind about it, and slowly, Rowan has grown more comfortable around Bill. He often engaged with her, asking questions and even jokingly asking if she could monitor his progress, turning it into a friendly competition.

She wiped away the beads of sweat from her forehead.

"I think it's time to break into the cursed vault, then," Juniper determined. It had been long enough of a wait. Juniper had been impatient and has more or less neglected her studies to practice her spells and incantations. She was falling behind on assignments and receiving detention at times to catch up on work plus more. Professor Snape was the primary source ready to dish out punishment for any slip she presented.

"I agree. We'll probably have to sneak out at night-time." Bill suggested. "I know how to get past the patrol squad."
"Luckily, we are also night-time sneaker experts," Juniper smirked.

Bill grinned, "sounds like a plan then."

"You better dress warmly," Rowan warned, as she would know firsthand. She suffered from chills and has adapted to wearing multiple layers. Madam Pomfrey monitored her condition and said she was progressing better.

At quarter past ten, Juniper came running down the corridor with her blue and bronze scarf tailing behind her. The fourth year was waiting for her near the forbidden corridor, carefully watching his surroundings.

"Sorry! I had a lot to catch up on homework that I forgot and last minute practise, and then I lost track of time-"

"It's okay, Juniper. You can stop flapping about." Bill found it comical that Juniper was more worried about being late.

"Sorry, it's just...this matters to me. A lot."

"I get it."

Bill gave Juniper a reassuring pat on the head as they headed off into the corridor. She hid a small smile as she reminisced about Jacob. That chilly wave returned as she revealed the stairs again pulling her thoughts to the present. There must have been a reset timer for the wall to cover again. Afterall, whoever designed the cursed vaults must have thought about teachers and other students discovering it. Juniper was suited up in her two jumpers and scarf as they ascended the stairs. It was exposed, like from the last time she and Rowan had entered.