"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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"Nobody trashes your name better than someone who is afraid you'll tell the truth."
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
May 30th, 1995
The mood in the castle was electric as May drew to a close, charged with anticipation and nerves. The third task loomed at the end of the month—tomorrow, in fact—and it seemed like everyone had a nervous energy. They buzzed about the corridors, excited whispers trailing in their wake. Tired of catching them sneaking around the castle, practicing spells in odd corners, Professor McGonagall had finally caved and given them permission to use the empty Transfiguration classroom during lunch breaks.
Harry's preparation had paid off, largely thanks to Hermione and Jupiter's relentless help. He'd soon nailed the Impediment Curse, which slowed down enemies, and the Reductor Curse, a blast that would clear obstacles. The Four-Point Spell, a brilliant find from Hermione, made his wand point north—a crucial trick for navigating the maze.
But the Shield Charm was still giving him trouble. Each attempt fizzled or buckled under pressure, and Jupiter, always eager to help, had been the first to volunteer to test it. Her Jelly-Legs Jinx broke through Harry's charm like it was tissue paper, sending him stumbling around the room. He flailed helplessly for nearly ten minutes while Jupiter laughed, her eyes glimmering with mischievous delight, until Hermione finally relented and performed the counter-jinx.
"You're still doing really well," Hermione said with her usual supportive tone, checking off items on her list. She gave Harry a reassuring smile as he shook his aching legs out, still glaring playfully at Jupiter. "Some of these spells are bound to come in handy."
"Come and look at this," Ron interrupted, standing at the window, his face scrunched with curiosity. "What's Malfoy doing?"
Harry tried to get up from his chair, nearly toppling forward. He grabbed hold of Jupiter's arm for support, wobbling unsteadily as she led him over to the window.
"Was your shield really that bad?" she teased, feeling him lean heavily against her.
"Shove off," Harry muttered, failing to hide a grin.
"Okay," she replied lightly and, without warning, pulled her arm away. Harry flailed, stumbling back and hitting the ground with a soft thud.
"You're dead, Black," he said, pushing himself up with the help of a nearby chair, his grin still fighting through his mock irritation.
"Yeah, whenever you get off the ground—"
"Will you two please come over here?" Ron's frustrated voice cut them off. He was waving them over urgently. Jupiter grabbed Harry's wrist, hauling him to his feet and tugging him toward the window.
