different
Juniper can pinpoint the exact time she realized things were different between her and Teddy. It was during fourth year, Juniper was 14, he was 15. Fourth year was a changing period for all of them. Puberty, hormones, you know the deal. Girls were getting curvier, guys were getting taller. Their voices had stopped cracking every second of the day, their chests were getting broader. There was a certain level of awkwardness when interacting with the opposite sex, as if they didn't quite know what to do with themselves now that things had been altered.
All the boys could talk about was snogging, or shagging, which girls were the hottest in the year. It was not a fun time for her. In fact, Juniper wanted to vomit just thinking about it. Juniper was glad that year that she'd had other friends, female friends, who understood when Juniper had period cramps and didn't call her a girl if Juniper felt like doing something new with her hair.
They were having their monthly Muggle movie night in the boys' dorm, otherwise know as the Triple M. Charlie named it, not her. They would push all the beds together and pile it with blankets and pillows, using the curtains to create a sort of fort, then project the movie onto the wall. James loved forts. Juniper swore that boy would never grow up. Charlie and Leo were fast asleep as was James, the three of them sprawled out across the four beds in a tangle of lanky limbs. Juniper remembered wondering how they had gotten so tall in just the span of a year. James and Juniper used to be the same height, and Leo had only been a few inches taller than her. But they had all sprouted up, leaving her behind at her pitiful 5'2 existence.
Teddy and Juniper were the only ones still awake as Pretty in Pink came to a close. Juniper loved old movies, especially from the 80's and 90's, it had been her pick that night. The boys had moaned and whined about it being a chick flick, but Juniper didn't care. Surprisingly enough, Teddy had been in her favor, he was a big 80's fan too. Something Charlie, Leo, and James teased him about constantly.
Juniper was wearing her standard nighttime attire of an oversized t shirt, most likely her brother's or Leo's, a haphazard bun, her glasses, and sweatpants. It was colder at the time so the boys had shirts on, thank god for that, because Teddy without a shirt on...oh boy. The whole year Juniper had been becoming increasingly aware of Teddy. How is hair fell in front of eyes when he read a book, the way his forearms looked when he rolled his sleeves up, the muscles he was getting from Quidditch, the electric shock Juniper felt when he tugged her ponytail or nudged her shoulder, sometimes even the sound of his voice made her blush.
Fourth year was very trying, to say the least.
Before, he was cute and yes, Juniper had a silly little crush on him, but that was playground stuff. This was...something else. Juniper had slept over in the boys' dorm dozens of times before, and it had never been a problem, never seemed odd. Juniper had been doing it since she was a baby, but tonight, tonight was different
Teddy was sitting right next to her, so, so close. Juniper could barely breathe. Her thigh grazed his, and suddenly Juniper was extremely conscious of every move they made. A million thoughts ran through her head. Had this t-shirt always been so thin? Oh god, Juniper wasn't wearing a bra, and the shirt was slipping off her shoulder on one side. Why did Teddy's biceps look so good in that top? Merlin, they were sitting so close together. Had he always sat this close to her? Was it hot in here? Was Juniper sweating? What if he saw her sweating? WHY WERE THEY SO GODDAMN CLOSE?!
The credits rolled slowly, and Teddy yawned, stretching his arms above his head. Which of course caused his shirt to ride up, exposing his defined v line. You had got to be fucking kidding her. Juniper flushed, looking away. But wait, it got worse. Teddy pulled a blanket around the two of them, looked at her with a quizzical smile as he asked, "Ready for bed?"
Juniper almost passed away. Not kidding. Juniper thought there was going to have to be a funeral. Here lies Juniper Lily Potter, killed by Teddy Lupin's sleepy voice, may she rest in peace. Quickly, before he could realize she was flustered, Juniper leaped out of the bed.
Teddy was yawning again as he frowned, "Where are you going?"
"Back up to my dorm." Juniper had cleared her throat loudly, hoping he would just drop it.
"But you always sleep over here after movie night."
"Well I just- I think- I think I'd better sleep in my own room from now on."
"Why?"
"Because Teddy! We're getting older- and you know- I shouldn't sleep here anymore."
"What are you talking about?"
"We're teenagers now Teddy, we-"
"What does that have to do with anything?"
Oh merlin why was he so thick? This had to be the most embarrassing conversation of her entire life. Worse than when her mum and dad taught them about proper protective charms.
"We're too old for this Teddy, okay? Its...different now. I'm going to sleep in my own dorm after movie nights."
"Okay?" He frowned confusedly. "I guess..."
A feeling of immense relief had washed over her then as Juniper sighed and walked to the door.
"Junie, wait!" Teddy whispered, jumping out of bed.
Bloody hell what now? Juniper had almost made it out the door.
"What is it, Teddy?"
"Here," he placed the fuzzy blanket into her hands, "take it. I know you get cold at night, and we've got enough."
Her heart nearly melted, why did he have to be so sweet? He knew her so well, better than anyone besides maybe James.
"Thank you Teddy." Juniper took the blanket gratefully, knowing all too well that as soon as she reached the privacy of her dorm she would inhale the heady, irresistible scent Teddy had left on it.
"Goodnight Potter." He murmured tiredly, pulling her in for a one arm hug
"Goodnight Lupin." Juniper closed the door softly behind her, tiptoeing up to her dorm. Being careful not to wake any of her friends. Rory could be cranky as hell if she didn't get enough sleep. Maybe Juniper should tell James that, make him a little less obsessed. Though knowing him, he'd probably think it was adorable and proceed to crush even harder.
Anyways, that was the precise moment Juniper knew that things between her and Teddy were not like they were between the rest of the boys. It was also the moment Juniper realized that Teddy didn't see her the same way Juniper saw him. To him, Juniper was just one of the guys, he couldn't even imagine the possibility of her being someone he was attracted to. And man did that sting. That night Juniper promised herself she would get over Teddy Lupin, and so far it's been going really well. Oh who was she kidding? But honestly Juniper doesn't like him. She really doesn't. She swears...