"𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙮"
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IN WHICH ~ Jupiter Cassiopeia Lestrange thought she could escape her family's dark legacy at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but in her second year, Tom Riddle's diar...
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"Your peace is more important than understanding why something happened the way it did. Let it go."
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In the brisk morning air of the courtyard, Professor McGonagall's gaze swept over the gathered third years like a hawk scanning for the slightest disturbance. Her voice, clear and sharp, cut through the chatter with precision.
"These visits to Hogsmeade village are a privilege," she announced firmly, her Scottish brogue leaving no room for argument. "Should your behavior reflect poorly on the school in any way, that privilege shall not be extended again."
Beside her stood Filch, his thin lips curling in smug satisfaction as he snatched permission slips from the students with a claw-like hand, muttering darkly about muddy boots and stolen quills.
Jupiter sat on the cold stone steps, her elbows resting on her knees and her chin propped on her hands. Her attention was split between the murmuring crowd and Harry, who was fiddling nervously with the two permission slips he had practically wrestled out of her grasp earlier. She'd warned him this was a long shot, but nothing short of a magical miracle was going to deter him.
Professor McGonagall's voice carried over the courtyard. "No permission form signed, no visiting the village," she stated, her words as final as a sealed tomb. Harry, undeterred, strode toward her with determination, holding both slips aloft like a knight presenting a peace treaty.
"Professor," Harry began, his voice resolute, "if you sign it, can we both go? Please?"
McGonagall raised a single eyebrow, her expression softening only slightly at his boldness. "That's the rule, Potter," she replied. "I'm sorry. Only a parent or guardian can sign. Since I am neither, it would be inappropriate." She rested a hand briefly on his shoulder, her touch both firm and kind, before turning to rejoin the group. As she passed, she offered Jupiter a fleeting, sympathetic smile.
Jupiter exhaled heavily, watching as Harry's shoulders sagged. "Told you it wouldn't work," she said softly, her tone more resigned than mocking.
From the path leading toward Hogsmeade, Ron and Hermione waved back at them, their faces torn between excitement for the trip and sympathy for their left-behind friends.
"See you later!" Harry called, forcing a smile and a wave that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Jupiter nudged him lightly with her elbow as they began trudging back toward the castle. "Hey, at least you're not stuck here alone," she said. "Could be worse, right?"
Harry shot her a dubious look. "Could it?"
Jupiter rolled her eyes. "If you're going to sulk, I can always go to the library and let you brood in peace."
