𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 ━━ 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐟𝐨𝐲 (REWRITING)

𝚘𝚗𝚎

Juniper sighed as she trudged through the grass and over the hill. On the other side, she could see the massive crowd of wizards who had gathered to watch the games, and the tents they had set up camp in. When she decided to come the Quidditch World Cup, she didn't think there'd be so much walking.

Truthfully, she hadn't planned on going at all, but since moving back to England, she had yet to meet any other witches or wizards. Her mother, Esme, didn't like the idea of her daughter going, but Juniper insisted she needed to socialize with the wizards in this part of the world.

As she made her way towards the crowd, her mouth fell open in awe. A mixture of music and happy chatter filled her ears, others flying past above her on brooms. Despite being what some would consider a 'rebel', Juniper had never been to any event like it. She was rather well-behaved, but had a habit of accidentally finding trouble.

Her thoughts scattered and she snapped out of her daze as she felt someone bump into her, almost knocking her over. A pair of arms caught her, pulling her back on her feet before she could faceplant on the ground.

She looked up to see a tall brown haired boy looking down at her. "I'm so sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." He said, an apologetic smile on his lips.

Juniper shook her head and smiled. "It's fine," she laughed, "I wasn't either." Clearing her throat, she stood up straight and brushed off her clothes. She had been so caught up in his smile that she didn't notice the group of people with him.

The boy smiled again and stuck his hand out to her. "I'm Cedric Diggory." Turning around, he introduced his father, the Weasley's, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter.

"Juniper Fawne." She said, shaking his hand.

For a split second, Juniper thought she could see Arthur Weasley's eyes widen at the sound of her name, but brushed it off and turned to Harry.

"So, you're the boy who lived?" She asked, joining the group as they walked toward the stadium.

Harry nodded, almost like he was tired of always answering questions about that night. Juniper noticed this and chuckled.

"Sorry, I suppose you hear that a lot." She apologized, fidgeting with the iridescent fairy wing earrings she had chosen to wear.

"Your accent," Hermione started, catching up with the two and pulling Ron along with her. "You don't sound sound like you're from around here."

Juniper nodded and looked at the frizzy haired girl. "I was born in England, the same time everything with Voldemort started to get really bad. My mom was terrified and fled to America, and a few days later, well..." She gestured to Harry, referring to the night his parents were murdered.

"Why would you come back here?" Ron asked, a dumbfounded look on his face. "Have you heard about everything that's been happening?"

"This will be my first year at Hogwarts, but before, I went to a school called Ilvermorny." Juniper pulled out a metal pin with the schools crest on it, showing it to them and sighing. "Something happened and I almost died, it's not safe there for me anymore."

"Well what happened?" Harry asked, finally rejoining the conversation as they made their way up the steps of the stadium. The Diggorys has separated from the group at some point and went their own way.

"That's a story for another day." Juniper laughed and shoved the pin back into her pocket. "There's people my mom trusts here, she says I'll be safer here. I know everyone is afraid of Voldemort, so much so they won't even say his name, but she's always seemed to be extra paranoid about it. It's like she thinks he has a reason to go after her."

"Blimey Dad, how far up are we?" Ron asked, the group looking down the set of stairs. Witches and Wizards from all over were finding their seats.

Juniper noticed two very blonde people looking up at them, a boy and his father. The older one, who she had heard someone call Lucius, gave her a strange look she couldn't quite decipher.

"Well, put it this way, if it rains..." he paused. "You'll be the first to know."

"Father and I are in the minister's box, by personal invitation of Cornelius Fudge himself." The boy snickered.

"Don't boast, Draco, there's no need with these people." Lucius jabbed his son with his cane before looking back up at the group. "Do enjoy yourself won't you, while you can."

Juniper furrowed her eyebrows, he sounded as if he was threatening them. Pulling her jacket closer to her body, she continued up the steps until they reached their seats. Juniper wasn't even sure if she had to sit somewhere specific but she didn't care, she was enjoying the company of these people she had just met.

Throughout the course of the Quidditch game, Juniper barely paid attention. While she did like the sport, she would prefer to play instead of watching it. Instead, she found herself observing everyone in the stands and occasionally conversing with Harry, Ron, and Hermione, who she had discovered were all the same age as her. She had also taken quite a liking to the mischievous twins.

At some point, the game had ended and Juniper joined everyone in the Weasley's tent. They were all laughing and joking about Ron's crush on Krum, when the sound of loud bangs caught the twins attention.

"Sounds like the Irish have got their pride on." Fred laughed.

"Stop! Stop it, it's not the Irish. We've gotta get out of here, now!" Arthur ordered, he sounded panicky and afraid.

Hearing the sounds of screams from outside, the group of them did as they were told and rushed out of the tent. Juniper, staying close to Harry, sighed internally. Was this going to be another year of near death experiences? She thought.

"Get back to the portkey everybody, and stick together!" Arthur yelled, pushing them in the direction of the portkey. "That includes you, Juniper. Fred, George, Ginny is your responsibility."

As they all started rushing off away from the commotion, Juniper stopped and looked back. A group of people in pointed black hoods and carrying torches were marching across the campsite, chanting something she couldn't quite recognize.

As the crowd panicked, Juniper could see Harry fall and get trampled, knocking him out. She started in his direction in an attempt to help, but was pushed back and fell into the side of a tent, hitting her head and blacking out.

⚕

When Harry woke up, he noticed he was alone, apart from one man across the field kicking the rubble. The man flicked his wand upward, causing a large ghostly skull and snake to form in the sky. As Harry looked closer, he could see the man walking toward something - no - someone, a girl.

He squinted his eyes to see better and realized the girl was his newfound friend, Juniper. She looked up at the lanky man who held a demented grin, her hands shaking as she tried to discreetly reach for the wand inside her jacket. Despite being at least a little bit afraid, Juniper held a straight face, not letting the man see her fear. She glanced towards another figure hidden behind some tents, Harry.

Harry, noticing the man seemed to be threatening Juniper, started to pull out his wand. But when Harry blinked, Juniper was gone and the man was left standing alone.