Cursed

Chapter 1

The train whistle pulled Juniper Windward out of her daze. The summer between year six and year seven at Hogwarts had been very underwhelmingly uneventful compared to her wild adventures the year of her 5th. Being sorted into Slytherin was not by mistake, and the longing for an adrenaline high was strong. She had hoped for a "normal" experience for her sixth year and was granted just that, and it was a bore. She enjoyed it but could not compare it to her exciting adventures the year prior.

Many things had changed around Hogwarts since that fateful time with Ranrok and Rockwood. No one seemed to remember how their beloved school almost became ruins if it wasn't for the new fifth-year and the sacrifice of Professor Fig. Everything was... quiet, uneventful, peaceful.

It was an absolute nightmare for someone who suddenly started realizing that "normal" became interchangeable with "boring."

"I can't wait to see Highwing. It feels like it has been forever since I last saw her." Poppy Sweeting said as she promptly sat next to Juniper, furthering her from her initial daze.

Juniper smiled with a slight huff. "You have been gone with your Gran for two weeks touring Europe. You saw her right before you left."

"I know, but two weeks can feel like an eternity when you miss someone," she responded longingly. Poppy only had a handful of people she would choose to spend her time with over caring for animals, Juniper being one of the few.

She sighed at the words of her friend. She knew the feeling almost too well. During her 6th year, she made it a point to keep herself away from most of her friends due to the accounts of the previous years. Poppy Sweeting, Natty Onai, Gareth Weasley, Ominis Gaunt... Sebastian Sallow. Friendships that had changed into shadows of what they once were.

"Maybe we should skip the sorting ceremony and visit her instead. We both know how tedious that's going to be."

Juniper turned with a wide-eyed expression. "You're sounding more like a Slytherin than a Hufflepuff with every passing year."

"You're right, it's because I've been emboldened by our adventures together." She responded while throwing her arms around Juniper. "This is going to be the best year yet!"

"If you say so, Poppy."

__________

The following morning started as any usual day would at Hogwarts: students scurrying around trying to get to class, books and pages flying around from someone's spell gone wrong, and first years frantically running up and down the stairs in search for the right floor of their classroom.

"Junebug!"

Juniper turned to see none other than Gareth Weasley, who had aged nicely over the last summer. He was taller, his shoulders had broadened, and his decision to grow out his hair even longer to accentuate his red waves turned out to be a good one.

"Excuse you, only I call her Junebug. Find your own nickname, Weasley." Poppy called out loudly from where she was sitting.

"Well, I can't keep calling her newbie. That got old last year, Sweeting," he answered in the same sarcastic tone.

Juniper just smiled as he took his spot right next to her, messing her hair up in almost a petting manner while doing so.

"It's too early for mischief, Gareth."

"Nonsense."

"Silence. Just as Ms. Windward stated, it's too early for causing any sort of ruckus." Professor Sharp said, walking pointedly around the classroom. "I expect all of you to excel this year. You are now in year seven, meaning most of you are considered adults and know better than to be neglecting your studies. Now, open your books to page 7..."

Gareth slid closer to Juniper, making their shoulders touch. "How are you?" He whispered.

"What do you mean?" She whispered back.

He raised his eyebrows. "You weren't in contact all summer. I sent you multiple owls. It's unlike you."

"Oh, right... I'm sorry. I've been well. Nothing special over the summer." She answered nonchalantly. His look intensified. She mimicked it in return.

Gareth sighed, knowing her too well to even try to pry any more information out of her, dropped the subject, and slid back to his original position.

Something was brewing, and it wasn't the cauldrons in front of them.

__________

"Ms. Windward, I don't understand. You need to give me more information other than the nightmares won' stop. Now, what exactly is it that is bothering you?" Professor Weasley said, exasperated at the continuous circle that was their current conversation.

"I do not know!" An equally exasperated Juniper shouted while pacing in front of the professor's organized yet busy desk. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to shout, but that is the only way I can describe it. There has to be more, I need there to be more. But these stupid nightmares are scaring me, and they're persistent.

"Do you think you're experiencing some... hormonal changes that might be causing these nightmares?"

Juniper turned to her professor with disbelief. "Professor, I would know if this," she pointed erratically at her body. "...was that."

"I understand," the professor quipped. "Just making sure we've covered all realistic possibilities first."

"Something is not right. I keep having dreams of the night Ranrok opened the repository. But instead of him, it was me. I opened it and used its power, and in those visions, I do horrible... horrible things."

Professor Weasley let out a tired sigh and pushed her glasses to the top of her nose. "Juniper," she began sympathetically. "You are potentially experiencing the reliving of that day because, well, it must have been traumatizing for a young lady to go through everything you did. Especially with the passing of Professor Fig."

Juniper, finally calm enough to stop pacing, turned towards the gentle woman. Yes, she thought, that could be possible, but why now? It's too much of a coincidence for it to happen now.

Professor Weasley continued, "I suggest that for the time being, you don't focus on what has happened at Hogwarts in the past but instead focus on the future possibilities that could happen. Positives possibilities. And if that doesn't calm your dreams, we will resume where we left off."

She guided Juniper towards the door with a soft hand on her back in silence. Juniper looked up once more, meeting the professor's gaze before excusing herself out. After all, it was late in the evening.

Back at the Slytherin dormitories, Juniper layer in bed staring towards the ceiling, hoping, praying, that Professor Weasley may be right, and that it's simply a mere coincidence her dreams are haunting her now. She couldn't risk turning into a dark witch, not when there was so much as stake.