#i know juniper has some prejudices against gryffindor

[usernoneexistent]

A/N: Okay, so Alvina is here, @oneirataxia-girl​ OC and I realised that some things are different from Alvita’s story so let’s call this an alternative timeline from each other where the relationships are the same but the whole missing brother and vaults thing are slightly different same goes for others who will be appearing throughout.

OCs mentioned: Carewyn Cromwell @carewyncromwell​ OC and Ywa Hana another of @oneirataxia-girl​ spawns.

Warnings: Heavy used of the Scottish accent, discrimination against another house. 

The scream of the alarm ringed in Juniper's ears. She set it up nice and early so she could get ready on time, including her mum. Her mum promised that this time she would make it. The smell of dough flooded the entire house which was unusual, as normally it was Juniper in the kitchen. To her pleasant surprise, she found her mum busy making pancakes.

"Your up early, ma," Juniper quipped. 

"Well, I thought since this is yer first day at Hogwarts I would make you something this time."Julia smiled without reaching her eyes, it had the same glaze over when she realised Jacob disappeared, "And I have to learn to stop depending on you so much Juno."

Juniper doesn't say anything, decided it was best to not comment. Julia planted a kiss on Juniper's forehead as she gave her her breakfast. Her mum took small bites of her pancake but left the plate unfinished. It was more than usual, however, Juniper could sense that her mum was going through a lot today. A bittersweetness that was going to stalk them all day. After their breakfast, they finished packing the final things and brought all the luggage to the living room. 

"Let's take a picture together. For the photograph album." Julia took her wand and levitated their old camera, "Smile." 

The smile pained her, probably pained her mum even more. The uneasiness worsened in her stomach. It felt wrong not having her brother, heck, even her father too. He only sent one letter to say that he has high expectations of her and to not get into trouble. Juniper dressed up in her casual wear and helped her mum to grab all her luggage. They travelled to Kings Cross Station, something that Juniper never understood why all the Scottish wizards and witches have to travel down to London when they could just take a train in Scotland to Hogsmeade. They found a cart to carry all of Juniper's things. Mewles flapped about, squawking as she was startled by the rattles of the wheels. Juniper hushed Mewles as they make their way to platforms 9 and 10. 

"Now, we just need to go through there, remember" Julia held onto the cart, "Together?" 

"Together."

They pushed the cart into the brick pillar. Juniper closed her eyes tight while knowing that they would walk through but somewhere deep in her mind, terrified that for some awful reason they do crash. Slowly, she lifted one eye. Platform 9 3/4, a familiar sight. The last time she was here was when they watched Jacob be sent off to Hogwarts for the last time. Now it was her turn, only without Jacob and without her dad. She felt the stares from everyone. Naturally, they would stand out. Pity, disgust, ignorance, even anger show in their eyes. Julia clung to Juniper feeling the same. 

They manoeuvred through the crowd, most avoided them as if they jad some sort of virus and left her luggage to be collected to put with the other luggage and took Mewles with her on board the train. She looked in and out of different compartments only to be quickly rejected but soon enough finds one. There she saw the shiny, black hair that she has been missing for a month now. 

"Rowan?" 

"Juniper!?" Rowan shoot up and squeezed her tightly, "I missed you."

"I missed you too, Rowan," After what seemed like an eternity passed, they finally let go. Rowan pulled Juniper to the window, "Juniper meet my parents."

Rowan introduced Juniper to her parents. She had her mother's face except for the eyes, they belonged to her father. Her older brother who just graduated the year before also showed up. He is helping out with the family farm while recently working at the ministry. Her parents seemed happy for their daughter to have found a friend. Juniper was secretly thankful that they didn't bring up Jacob and treated her normally and did not look at her pitifully. Not long after, Julia caught Juniper and ran over to the window. 

"There you are," she huffed, out of breath. 

"This is ma mum, Rowan." Juniper introduced her mum not only to Rowan but to her family too. The two mothers hit it off. Juniper hoped that they maybe could be friends too. Goodness, Julia needed someone that can keep her occupied and give her some company. The toll of the bell alerted everyone that it was time for the train to leave and said their last goodbyes until the next time they met. Rowan and Juniper stuck their heads and waved goodbye and off North to Hogwarts. The girls sat down once their parents were out of sight. 

"I'm so happy we found each other so quickly," Rowan remarked. Juniper couldn't help but nod in agreement, "Aye, I have tae confess. I couldnae wait to see you again." 

Rowan sighed out a relief, "I'm glad I wasn't the only one who felt that way." 

A couple of people passed them by, a few saw Juniper's hair and immediately scurried away to find another compartment. Rowan constantly looked at Juniper with concern, unsure if she was offended. The blue-haired remained indifferent towards the judgement. Too be honest, she would rather have people whisper and ignore her than harass her. Her main goal is to find Jacob and to be left alone. Well, she added the goal of making some friends. Juniper wasn't expecting much but a few would be nice. At least she has Rowan on her side. They snacked on their confectionary bought from the trolley witch, comparing and swapping their frog cards.

"I have two Dumbledores, do you want one?" Juniper asked, Rowan's eye widen, "Oh that would be great Juniper, thank you! Dumbledore cards are really rare."  She took the card and added it to her collection.

"Dumbledore was in Gryffindor, wasn' he?" She wondered out loud.

"Yeah, he was," Rowan affirmed, she paused, "Do you wonder what house you'll end in?"

Juniper shrugged, "I haven' got a scooby. Maybe Hufflepuff? Most of my family were in Hufflepuff." She never really thought about houses, she knew that her mother's side usually ended up in Hufflepuff. She changed the subject back at Rowan, "What about you?"

“Well, I wouldn’t mind Ravenclaw because that’s were most intellectuals are,” Rowan answered, but added, “But I wouldn’t mind Hufflepuff, they sound very nice too.” 

“Well, whatever house we end in, I hope we’re in the same house.” Juniper remarked. She really didn’t want to be alone with other strangers in a dorm. Having Rowan would be so great for her.

The train chugged on as the sun starts to set and the lights inside brightened to accommodate for the changing lights. Everyone was changed into their school uniform, the first years' black ties ready to be determined for their new colours for the next seven years. The motions of the steam engine slow to halt at a wizarding village. 

"All firs' years! This way 'ere," The deep voice boomed across the platform. All the first years head turned to the giant figure illumenated by the glow his lamp. Juniper noted her surroundings, the many students that followed along the path until they reached to a lake. Boats with little lanterns hanging were prepared. "Don' push. Only four people to a boa'" The giant instructed the students.

Rowan and Juniper made sure to stick together, unseperable. A boy with tidy blonde hair and perminant worried look to his face joined them in their boat. He was skittish, constantly looking around while fiddling with his fingers while a more calmer red headed boy climbed in with them. They gave a quick little greeting but their attention was more focused on towards the enormous catsle that was awaiting them up on the hill. The castle looked very similar to a muggle castle ruins nearby Juniper mused. The boats moved on their own and took them steadily across the lake and once everyone has left the boats. The giant took them inside through these grand wooden doors. It was like being in a fairytale or medival era history book. Many students gasped audibly in awe, they were certainly feeling the same way too. A woman with a stern look and round spectacles waited for them. Her presence alone quieten down the first years students.

"I am Professor McGonagall, deputy headmistress and one of your teachers during your time at Hogwarts. Now follow along to the great hall." She opens another set of grand, dark brown, wooden doors. The great hall was certainly great, grand even. There was four sets of tables for each house and looking up the ceiling seemed to merge with the night sky lighten by stars and floating candles. Porfessor McGonagall lead them down the middle and to the front of the teacher's table. In the middle of the raised platform stood a stool and an old, dusty matted hat on top. 

"Welcome to Hogwarts. Before the Welcoming Feast, we must sort all the first year student into their proper houses." Professor McGonagall's posture was straight and almost feline if Juniper had to describe. "The Sorting Ceremony is very important. While you are, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts." Juniper hopes those words will be true. 

"The four houses are called Gryffindor, the brave and chivelrous," Chivelrous my- Juniper cut her own thoughts quickly. That's the only house Juniper vowed to never be in, no matter what it takes. Her brother told one too many horror stories how a group of older Gryffindor boys bullied Jacob for befriending someone, "Hufflepuff, the kind and diligent. Ravenclaw, the witty and wise. And Slytherin, the cunning and ambitious. Each house has its own noble history, and each has produced outstanding witches and wizards." 

Professor McGonagoll paused, "I hope you all will be fine additions to their ranks. When your name gets called, please sit up here and the hat will be placed on your head. First up Ali, Badeea."

The girl with the starry blue head scarf behind Juniper pushed through and sat on the wooden stool. Professor McGonagall placed the hat on top of her head. 

After a couple seconds passed, the hat yelled,"RAVENCLAW!" 

The ravenclaw table cheered for their first new addition. Badeea's tie and robes correlated with the blue colours of Ravenclaw and joined the table.

"Arcane-Zheng, Alvina." Professor McGonagall read out the next one. An Arcane, in her year. Everybody knew about the Arcanes, powerful and rich from their enterprise Vistas industries. Funny thing is, is her beloved second once removed cousin worked with one of the bosses of the business to help bring down you-know-who. Though Juniper does know a fair bit about the Arcanes but she has never heard of Alvina but to be fair, all she knows is their reputation and not much about the family.

The short girl wore her sleek black hair in a ponytail walked up to the stool. The sorting hat was placed on her head. It took considerably longer than Badeea but the hat came to a final conclusion.

"RAVENCLAW!" Another Ravenclaw. There was a Diego Caplan out into Hufflepuff, the skittish boy from earlier was a Benjamin Copper who was sorted into Gryffindor ironically. A girl with gorgeous red hair, Carewyn Cromwell was put into Slytherin. Professor McGonagall goes through the list. Juniper's stomach churned as her name gets closer and closer to being called. She prayed that the teachers listened to her request of being referred as just Moss not Hasni-Moss. 

"Haywood, Penelope." Juniper breathed a sigh of relief as the blonde girl excitedly stepped on the platform.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat cried instantly.

The students gathered in at the front shrunk in size as more and more names are called out. There was almost half left, "Khanna, Rowan."

"Its my turn now. I hope I see you soon," She whispered, she brushed her fingers against Juniper's. Rowan's turn to be sorted, Juniper bets she would make Ravenclaw, it suited Rowan the best.

"RAVENCLAW!" Juniper clapped along the rest of the Ravenclaw students. She almost yelled out how happy she was for Rowan. She glanced around as Professor McGonagall listed through Ks and Ls. The red haired boy from earlier standing next to her was unusually calm. At closer inspection, she noticed how his hair wasn't just red but a fiery red. He stood out almost as much she did with their hair. She focused back on the sorting ceremony, rightly so, "...and now for..."

She glanced at her list, "Moss, Juniper." 

Finally her turn, the students whispered amongst themselves. Juniper face flushed bright red. She thought she was over this. The whispers. The stares. The assumptions and falsehoods spread by rumours. But this is her life now and it would always follow her. She stepped up the platform and took her place at the stool. Her nose wrinkled slightly at the dust residue that fell as the was placed on her hair. 

"Hmm...a Moss, very interesting," A voice tickled in her ear, "It's a tricky things when families have long lines in the same house. Now, now...where to you place you. A very determined little thing you are and an incredible loyalty you possess...ah...like your brother, you hold a certain darkness deep in your hearth too. I wonder how to handle that darkness...hmm..."

Could you hurry up please, I really couldnae care less what hoose I'm in. Juniper thought to the hat. That was a lie, she really didn't want Gryffindor but if she had to choose it would Ravenclaw as both her friend Rowan and her brother were in.

"Impaitent too. I believe Hufflepuff would not be suited for you," The hat amused, chuckled even, "And thus the chain of Hufflepuffs is broken for the Moss family…but what about Gryffindor. You certainly are daring and bold, facing your obstacle head on.

Please no! Any hoose but Gryffindor. Juniper tensed up, she started to crack her finger one by one. "I see…what a shame however I cannot put you in a house which you seem to detest which leaves us to Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Both worthy houses but which is worthier? You certainly have intelligence but also individuality, you know who you are and what you want, but with Slytherin, that could untap a flood of potential waiting to be explored and an ambition to be achieved in you."

Great, could you just put me in whatever hoose that would help me the best to find Jacob, Juniper thought increasingly more frustrated by the hat's hold up. The hat mused, "Hmm…You care deeply for your brother, alright then. I know now, best put you in;" 

Juniper edged against the sit, for the annoucement, "RAVENCLAW!" The hat roared. 

The Ravenclaw table cheered with mixed emotions. Some happy others a little disgruntled but Juniper couldn't focus on that. She jolted towards Rowan and the two shared a hug. 

"I'm so glad we're in the same house." Said Rowan as the sat down, "Aye, me too." 

Juniper sat between Rowan and a boy with tight curly short afro and deep brown complexion. Professor McGonagall moved onto the next person. 

"Murk, Ismelda." A girl with dark hair covering her face merged from the group with was now down over half it's number. The girl was sorted into Slytherin.  Juniper started to lose focus on the sorting ceremony, clapping anytime a new Ravenclaws entered their midsts. 

The ceremony was almost over when two boys and a girl where left, the red headed boy was still there. Juniper felt bad for him having to stand there for so long. The other was a skinnier boy with his brown hair slicked back and the girl was really short compared to the rest. 

"Weasley, Charles." Announced Professor McGonagall. Juniper noticed the boy that she had been staring the entire time finally moved to be sorted to his house. Weasley was a familiar name to Juniper, she heard about them before. Apparantly there was this joke in the Scottish wizarding community that the Weasley family were the English Moss; distinctive hair, poor and blood traitors. The hat took a minute, maybe it was debating like it did with Juniper.

"GRYFFINDOR!" The hat annouced. Charles seemed overjoyed by the choice and ran up towards a taller boy with the same fiery red hair. That must be his older brother, how nice. It pained Juniper a little and made her think of Jacob, he would be twenty-one now and was past his Hogwarts years but still, if he was around Juniper could write letters to him and have the brotherly advise she needed. Professor McGonagoll called out the next name which tore Juniper away from her thoughts, "Winger, Talbott."

The last boy, cool and collected approached the hat with no hesitations. The hat was placed for a couple seconds before making the last decision of the year, "RAVENCLAW!" 

He joined the table across from the Arcane girl. Finally, the last girl was announced, “Ywa, Hana!”

The hat deliberated but finally concluded with Hufflepuff. With the final sorting, closed the sorting ceremony to an end. 

Everyone settled down very quickly for the headmaster's speech. The teacher was decked out in a purple robe, lined with golden threads and embroidery fashioned on top of his head was a matching golden hat. His eyes twinkled of something curious behind his half-moon rimmed glasses to all that laid eyes on him. 

"Welcome! Welcome to another year at Hogwarts." He began from the rusty golden podium shaped like an owl, "The past few years have seen a great weight lifted from our world. The boy who lived, Harry Potter, is safe. Years from now, young Harry will be old enough to attend Hogwarts...But for now, it's your turn!"

Deep down, Juniper had the feeling that he was talking about her. Not that she wanted to be pretentious or anything but something in her gut was telling her, it has to do with Jacob. That she will find some answers about him, just something. Dumbledore resumed with his speech, "Remember, while you are at Hogwarts, your triumphs will earn you House Points, while any rule-breaking will lose House Points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded with the House Cup, a great honour. I hope each of you will be a credit to your house. Please enjoy the feast."

The room bursted into chatter again as the food popped upon the once empty platters. She never had such good food before, she wanted to complement the chefs who made the food, where ever they are. Juniper was stuffed beyond belief but the food never seemed to disappear. Rowan was the same, the girls laughed and no dared to approach or ask Juniper anything about Jacob so it seems that this was a good day, for now. 

Previous Chapter: Chapter 1

Next Chapter: Chapter 3