just for me ⚘ a Fred Weasley Fanfiction

80. sweet like honey

A teary-eyed Juniper used the one-time Floo Network connected to the Burrow's fireplace to get back to Hogwarts, clumsily stumbling into Professor McGonagall's office behind Ron, Ginny and Hermione. Harry arrived shortly after her, landing much more gracefully. Trying to draw as little attention as she could, she slipped out first, heading to the dreaded Slytherin common room alone, planning to sulk in her bed. She had almost made it to the steps leading down to the dungeons, when someone smacked her across the back of her head.

"Oi, you miserable bitch." A voice sweet like honey appeared beside her, linking arms. "I've been calling your name since McGonagall's office."

"They actually let you back in?" Juniper's sullen expression broke into a grin as she looked to Matilda for the first time that school year. "Should I call security or something?"

"They tried to shoot me down at the gate but I'm too strong." Matilda tried to flex her bicep, sending both the girls into a brief fit of laughter. "I think I annoyed my parents too much, they sent me back."

"I don't blame them." Juniper joked as she looked down the steps. "Are you coming in to see Blaise?"

"Um... no." Matilda bit her lip, backing up slightly, her arms resting behind her back. "No offence, but I don't want risk getting attacked for being a Mudblood."

"I don't think that-."

"Trust me." Matilda cut Juniper off quickly, giving her a painful look. Juniper knew better than to push it. "I was just going to meet him in the hall, you coming?"

"I guess I will." Juniper smiled softly. "It's either that or sit in bed and stare at a wall."

"Wow." Matilda grabbed Juniper by the hand, dragging her to the hall. "Weasley sure did a number on you. Have you two spoken since you broke up?"

"Oh, gosh. You've been gone for a while." Juniper laughed, trailing after Matilda. "We're back together, but it's kind of secret. So don't tell Blaise. Or Theo. Or Draco. Or anyone really."

"You're so weird, I'm glad we're friends."

The Great Hall was full as always, all houses spread across the four long tables, but eerily quiet. Instead of the usual happy chatter that filled the air, students were huddled in their groups, whispering to each other while they scribbled down the finals parts of their holiday homework. The silenced, paired with Matilda's natural cheerful aura and chatter, made it almost impossible for Juniper to fly under the radar as she preferred. She cringed to herself as Matilda tried to cut the corner, Juniper's hip crashing into the corner of a table, causing a loud thud that made all eyes turn to them. Juniper gave an apologetic smile to a second year she almost hit, before Matilda dragged her into a seat across from Blaise.

"Found her!" Matilda chirped loudly, climbing over the table to sit beside Blaise, her hands finding his instantly. "She was wondering the hallways, sad and alone and mopey."

"I was not." Juniper tried to defend herself, knowing that Matilda wasn't wrong. "I was just-."

"You're still hanging around with the Mudbl-."

"Shut it, Pansy." Blaise growled, his face twisting into a snarl as he glared at Pansy, sitting just a few spots away. Juniper's head snapped towards her, finding Pansy sitting with Draco, who had his head down, trying to ignore what was happening, and Theo, who was bow scooting himself down to sit beside Juniper, a wide smile on his face.

"Don't waste your breath." He whispered to Blaise, Juniper and Matilda, angling his head away from Pansy. "She doesn't get laid often."