Our Universe

There's been an accident. There's been an accident.

It's Juniper—

Accident.

Juniper.

Juniper.

Accident.

The message repeated itself in Teddy's head over and over again.

All the blood had rushed out of him, frozen in fear. Surrounded by glass shards.

Only then did Teddy realize he hadn't kissed Juniper goodbye. He hadn't told her he loved her.

St. Mungo's. He had to go to St. Mungo's. And he should— he should call Ror and James. And— Teddy gripped the edge of the counter forcefully, knuckles whitening as he attempted to calm himself.

Deep breaths, Theodore. That's it. In through the nose, out through the mouth.

He needed to stay calm. He needed to breathe. Everything was going to be all right as long as he kept a cool head. Juniper was fine. Juniper was fine.

Teddy dialed James's phone hurriedly, thank god for smuggle contraptions at a time like this.

He picked up on the first ring, but it was Rory's voice that greeted him. "What do you want?" she questioned irritably. "If you're going to whine about being lonely just—"

"There's been an accident," Teddy cut her off, saying the words aloud made it feel worse.

"What?"

"I got a message— I— it doesn't matter. Junie— she's at St. Mungo's."

"St Mungo's?! Oh my god!"

I have to go Ror, I—"

"We'll be there right away."

With that taken care of, Teddy steeled himself, apparating into thin air with a singular 'pop'. He did not bother to pick up the broken wine glass before he left.

In a blink of an eye, he was transported into the hospital, white walls and tiled floors. It smelled like bleach.

Frantically he searched the hospital for anyone who could help him. Juniper was fine. She was fine. She was fine. She was fine.

The more time he spent scouring St. Mungo's floors, the less certain he felt of his mantra. What if she was already gone? What if she was dead and he hadn't gotten there in time? He was supposed to protect her.

This was all his fault.

"Please can anyone help me?" Teddy accosted nurses and orderlies and healers left and right, panicked. "Please I got this message and I don't know who sent it, but my girlfriend was in an accident. Juniper. Juniper Potter. Do you know where she is? Where can I find her? Do you know where—?"

"Teddy?" The telltale mass of wayward black curls came into focus.

Teddy's heart almost stopped out of pure relief. "Juniper?!" He rushed over to her and scooped her up into his arms, holding her tighter than he ever had. "Oh my god— oh thank merlin— you're okay." He kissed her all over, cupping her face in his hands, "You're okay."

Besides a a small wound above her eyebrow, and a few cuts and bruises lining her arms, Juniper seemed relatively unharmed. Teddy wouldn't let her go, however, still recovering from his scare.

"I'm okay," Juniper reassured him, running her hands over his chest in soothing motions.

"I thought—" his breath caught in the back of his throat. "What happened? Your face— they said there'd been an accident."

"There was," Juniper nodded, eyes glossing over with tears. "But it's not me— it's— it's Mum. She's hurt. Really bad, Teddy."

Juniper veins had been pumping with adrenaline since the incident, it had been the only thing keeping her going. But now, seeing Teddy, everything came crashing back down. The gravity of the situation set in and Juniper was nearly winded. She collapsed against Teddy, head throbbing, grateful for his solidity. He was here. He was here.

"Mum's hurt?"

Juniper spun around to find James and Rory, frazzled and harried looking.

"You're okay!" Rory cried out in relief, enveloping her in a massive bear hug.

"James—" Juniper reached out for her brother. She didn't know how to say what she needed to say. Where was her father? He should be here by now.

James had gone pale, "What's wrong with Mum, Junie?"

"She— James they took her into surgery— she was bleeding a lot— I—" her voice broke. The expression on James's face was enough to kill her.

"Is she okay?" James asked, taking Rory's hand. Juniper opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

The truth was, she didn't know. It had been bad. Really really bad. Her mum hadn't been breathing when Juniper saw her last. She's screamed for help for what seemed like hours, her throat raw. And there was blood. So much blood. It stained Juniper's hands and ran down the street. Her clothing was coated with it.

Where was her Dad?

"Juniper is she okay?" James repeated, unrelenting.

His sister was at a loss for words, completely helpless. "I—"

"WHERE IS MY WIFE?!" Harry's question thundered through the hospital. The man barreled into the room, glasses askew. Juniper had never seen her father in such a state.

"Dad!" Her and James called, alerting him to their presence.

Harry walked right up to Juniper, gripping her by the shoulders. He was panting heavily, like he'd ran all the way there. "Where is she? What happened? Is she okay? Do you know where she is?"

He berated her with questions, one after the other. Juniper didn't know any of the answers. For the second time, she opened and closed her mouth like a fish, unable to speak.

All she could see was her mother, lying limp on the ground. Blood pooling beneath her. There was too much. She couldn't stop it. It was everywhere. Stay with me, Mum! Please, please....

"Juniper!" Harry pressed, jerking her out of the horrible flashback. He stepped back, for the first time taking in her appearance. "You're— you're covered in blood."

A tear formed in the corner of her eye, hands trembling. "It's not mine," she whispered, choked up.

Harry swallowed hard, looking as though he was one second away from falling apart. Juniper didn't know what to do. What to say. She couldn't make this better.

Be strong. She thought to herself. She had to be strong for her mum. For her dad, James. That's what Miranda would've done.

She was always so strong.

Be strong, Juniper.

"Excuse me?" A nurse came up behind them. "Are you the family of Miranda McGonagall?"

Harry whirled around, feverish in his response, "Yes. Yes, she's my wife. Where can I find her? Is she alright?"

The nurse's jaw dropped, "You're— bloody hell, you're Harry Potter. Oh my— blimey— sir it's an honor to meet you. I—"

"My wife." Harry reminded the man impatiently, he didn't have time for being fawned over.

"Oh of course, sir," the nurse stuttered, still starstruck. Harry had that effect on people. "Right this way— wow I— I just can't believe it's you. Just in here, Mr. Potter."

The awed healer led them down a long hallway, stopping at a room with rows of cushioned chairs. "Your wife— well our finest Healers are working on her, she's in the operating room now."

"When can I see her?"

"I really don't know sir," he shuffled awkwardly, "you can wait in here until we get some more information." The nurse pointed at the chairs, some already filled with weary families waiting for news.

Juniper couldn't sit down. She couldn't. The clock ticked on the wall, the only sound in the quiet room.

James and Rory left momentarily to meet the rest of the family in the lobby. They'd all come from Diagon Alley.

Tick, tick, tick.

Harry paced back and forth, as Juniper tried to calm him down. "There has to be someone here who knows something!" Harry was ranting, clutching his head in his hands.

Juniper knew that all that anger was a front for how worried he was. She did the same thing.

"Dad, calm down," Juniper pacified. "Take a breath.

"I will not calm down!" Harry roared, charging towards the reception desk. A tiny, old wizard sat behind the glass, organizing files. Harry slammed his hands down on the desk.

"Dad!" Juniper apologized profusely to the poor elderly man, who was bewildered and a bit frightened.

"What happened Juniper?" Her father turned to her, desperate for anything that could help. "I need you to tell me exactly what happened."

So Juniper did. She told him the entire story. She told him about how she was walking down to the coffee shop to meet Miranda, and she'd seen her for one brief moment, and then a man jumped out of an alley and grabbed her.

Grabbed them both.

She told them about how she was apparated to a giant cave, and it was then she realized how deep in trouble they were. Because her mother was there too, bound and gagged just like Juniper. And before them stood Greyback and Selene, plus a few other thugs who must've been werewolves as well.

How she had to watch them rip apart her mum, sink their teeth into her flesh, the manic glint of their haunting yellow eyes when they lapped at her blood. Because it wasn't Juniper they wanted. It was Miranda.

How she'd fought and kicked and scratched, until Selene had struck her across the face. Selene had enjoyed toying with her.

Juniper could still feel her claws dragging along her skin, the smell of her breath and the dark red of her lips, blood.

Greyback stroking her hair, forcing her to look at her mother being chewed to death.

How all had seemed lost, until Miranda managed to get free of her constraints. She got a hold of her wand, and saved Juniper.

Her mum was the reason she was alive.

But the damage had already been done. Miranda passed out the second they got out of the cave, using every last bit of her strength to apparate them away.

Juniper had tried to stop the bleeding she'd tried, but it had been useless. There were so many wounds and Juniper could barely see straight.

Then the shallow rise and fall of her mother's chest stopped altogether.

Now she was in surgery.

But Juniper was terrified that it was too late.

That the last words her mum would remember her saying were, I wish you weren't my mother.

When Juniper finished, Harry looked like he might either punch a wall or devolve into tears. "I knew it," he burst out, "I knew she'd get hurt one of these days. Damn it— I told her— I told her it was too dangerous!"

"This is my fault," Teddy shook his head. "This is all my fault, I never should've—"

"No it's not," Harry interrupted firmly. "It is not your fault, son. This is— Miranda has been working on the same mission for a couple years now. The Ministry got word of a werewolf uprising and— well she tried to infiltrate once before and she nearly got herself killed because of it. She made some enemies. Powerful enemies."

Harry went on to tell them about how the werewolf pack had been looking for an opportunity to retaliate ever since. That they'd stalked him, stalked Miranda, even went after the children. Juniper was a direct example of this.

"You were supposed to be their greatest weapon," Harry was saying, gesturing at Teddy. "A werewolf on the inside, with direct access to three of the most powerful families in the wizarding world. Your relationship with us— well that was something they could use. But then—"

"I said no," Teddy finished for him. "I'm so sorry— I— I put all of you in danger. Why didn't you—?"

"I knew you'd never betray us," Harry explained plainly. "We both did. That's why we were so scared when you started dating because we knew Juniper would be an obvious target."

Juniper's head was reeling with all this new information. No wonder her mother had been gone for months at a time. No wonder her father had been stressed.

How could she not have known? All this time, she'd thought Selene wanted her dead because it was the one thing standing in her way form being with Teddy.

"Juniper?" A familiar voice reached her ears.

"Oh my god— Alex!"

Alex's brow furrowed. He was in his Healer uniform, all professional, even carrying a clipboard under his arm. Hard to believe that it was the same guy who'd been throwing back shots of Firewhiskey the previous night. "What are you doing here?"

"It's Mum," Juniper replied, that ever present lump growing in the back of her throat. She swallowed it down.

Be strong.

"They said she's in surgery— but they won't tell us anything else— I—"

"I'll go see what I can find out," Alex nodded decisively, jumping into action.

Juniper's heart swelled. "Are you serious?"

"Of course." Alex smiled, squeezing her shoulder comfortingly. He headed out the door.

They all anxiously awaited Alex's return. Juniper's pulse skyrocketing whenever those double doors swung open.

Teddy's knee jiggled up and down, up and down. James and Rory had returned, all the uncles and aunts and cousins in tow.

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

Juniper still wouldn't sit down. She had to take care of her father. Her father who kept pace the room like a maniac, muttering nonsense under his breath. Harry had run his hands through his hair so many times that it was all standing on end.

Finally, the doors swung open and Alex appeared. Juniper tried to read him for a sign of her mother was okay, but couldn't. She supposed as a Healer you kind of had to have a good poker face.

"I've just been down to her operating room," Alex informed them, choosing his words carefully. All eyes were on him. "She has very extensive injuries, and it was touch and go for a while, she is stable for now. She should be out soon, but she most likely won't be conscious until tomorrow."

"She's stable?"

"Currently, yes."

Harry's entire body went slack with relief.

Stable. Her mum was stable.

Juniper had never loved a word so much.

In fact, she was so overcome with relief that she grew dizzy from it. Having to steady herself on the arm of a chair. Her vision blurred for a moment, and she stumbled.

"Whoa," Teddy caught her around the waist, supporting her. He peered at her in concern, "You okay, trouble?"

"Fine," Juniper inhaled deeply, touching a finger to her temple. "Just got a little lightheaded for a second."

Teddy was not convinced, mostly due to the fact that most of her body weight was leaning against him. "Maybe you should sit down, have that nasty cut on your head checked out."

"Teddy, I'm fine," Juniper brushed him off. "It's not a big deal."

"Junie you're bleeding," he wiped a trickle of blood off her forehead and Juniper involuntarily winced. Teddy gave her a pointed look, "I knew you were hurt."

Alex tapped her on the arm, "Why don't you let me take a look at it? I think I can fix it up pretty quick if you come with me to a patient room."

"That sounds like a good idea," Teddy said, but Juniper disagreed.

"I'm fine," she insisted. But even as she said it, her head pounded with pain. Her legs were practically giving out as she stood there.

Teddy was not giving up, "Junie..."

"I can't just leave, Teddy," Juniper bit her lip. "Dad— he— I can't just leave. What if—?"

"I promise it won't take long," Alex said gently. They both knew why she didn't want to leave.

"See," Teddy folded his arms. He was not budging on this issue. He could be just as stubborn as Juniper when he wanted to. Especially when it came to her safety. "She's stable, Junie. He said your mum won't wake up for hours anyways. It's okay."

"But—" Juniper started to protest.

"I will sit with Harry, okay? And I will come get you if anything changes. I swear."

Juniper was wavering, about to give in. Teddy could tell. "Look," he pointed out, "me and California are agreeing on something. That never happens. Which probably means you should do it. And I'm voluntarily letting you go somewhere alone with him."

"Okay," Juniper relented resignedly. Her head really did hurt. And she had rope burns circling her wrists and neck. She let Alex guide her away by her elbows. "Make sure he eats something," she called over her shoulder, still reluctant to leave, "and sits down. He needs to drink water. And—"

"Go, Junie," Teddy rolled his eyes, waving her out of the room.

Once she had disappeared from his view, Teddy walked towards Harry with trepidation.

The man had finally taken a seat in a far corner, his fingernails digging into the cushion.

Teddy sat down beside him, both silent for a moment.

"We were fighting," Harry murmured, more to himself than Teddy. "I was mad at her. I said horrible things— I was upset she was leaving, scared. Scared that something like this might happen. I didn't mean them— I didn't— I was stupid. And now—" He broke off, voice thick with emotion. Harry removed his glasses to pinch the bridge of his nose. His green eyes were piercing, sad as they were.

After a beat, Teddy offered, "You know, I didn't say I love you to Juniper this morning." He glanced at Harry, whose head was between his knees. Teddy soldiered on. "Every time she leaves, or I leave the house, I tell her I love you. Just in case."

Teddy had made that promise to himself a long time ago. He always kissed her goodbye too, but he wasn't going to include that part for both his and Harry's sake. "Because you never know when the last time you see someone is going to be the last time." Teddy and Harry knew that all too well, another thing they had in common. "But I didn't say it this morning. She walked out the door and I didn't say it. Then I got that message—" Teddy's muscles tensed at the memory. "And I thought— I still can't believe I didn't say it. What if she had—? Why didn't I say it? Why didn't I—?"

Harry seemed to break out of his trance. He put a hand on Teddy's shoulder, "Hey, stop that. She knows. You don't have to say it. Even if she hadn't been fine— she knows, son."

"Miranda knows too," Teddy told him, face honest. "You can't beat yourself up over this. She knows how much you love her, it doesn't matter that you were fighting. You've been together nearly thirty years. She knows you love her, Harry."

"I hope so," Harry sighed, but Teddy saw his shoulders relax slightly. He leaned back in his chair, head knocking against the wall.

Rory approached, hand firmly entwined with James's. "We were thinking about getting a bite to eat. Do you want anything?"

Teddy took a peek of James's expression, trying to gauge what he was feeling. He looked uncomfortable to leave, just as Junie had.

"Ror, do you want me to go with you?" Teddy asked. "Then you can stay here, mate."

"Would you?" Rory smiled up at him gratefully. "You okay with that Potter?"

James nodded, noiseless, taking Teddy's now vacant seat.

Rory and Teddy hopped in the elevator, making their way to the small hospital café.

They didn't have a huge assortment of items. But Teddy and Rory bought some pasties, loads of scones, and several cups of tea.

Teddy got coffee for Juniper of course, the largest size they had. He hoped she'd eat something, but knew coffee was a better bet.

"This is insane," Rory remarked, as they waited for their food.

"Tell me about it." Teddy thought back to his panic earlier in the day, grimacing, "I mean— I almost lost her. She—"

"Don't," Rory shut her eyes. "I can't even think about it." She held up the hem of her white button down, displaying a large ink stain, "I was so scared when you called I broke a quill."

"I broke a wineglass," Teddy said, shrugging.

Rory groaned, "Are you serious? Which one? If it was the nice one I swear to godric—" She paused, "Probably not what I should be concerned about right now."

Teddy's lips twitched, "Probably." Despite everything, he could always count on Rory to be Rory.

It was nice. The normalcy. It gave him hope.

"Did you at least clean it up?" Rory was saying. "Because even in an emergency a simple charm is all—" she stopped noticing Teddy's eyes on her, "what?"

Teddy smiled. A real honest to god smile. It was the first time he'd really smiled all day. He slung an arm around Rory, "I love you, Ror."

Caught off guard, Rory frowned, "I thought Juniper was the one with the head injury."

"Oh shut up," Teddy rolled his eyes. "You love me too, I know it. Say it." He encouraged, nudging her, "Say it. Say it. Say it."

Rory elbowed him, "Okay, okay I love you too, Lupin. Now come on, food's ready."

"I knew it!" Teddy crowed triumphantly, balancing far too many cups in his arms.

"Whatever old man."

When they arrived back at the waiting room, Juniper had since returned. Her wound a minuscule scar. Hardly noticeable. Alex had done a good job.

Teddy handed her the steaming cup of coffee, "How are you feeling?"

"Fine." And she was. Physically fine anyway. The pounding in her head had resolved itself, and her open cuts were no longer burning her skin. Alex had given her a potion for the pain.

Teddy was skeptical. "Actually fine or Juniper fine?"

"Actually fine," she replied, taking a small sip of her coffee. It churned through her, and Juniper felt ill. Her insides had been in knots of anxiety since she'd gotten to the hospital.

"Eat," Teddy thrust a greasy paper bag at her. "Pasties, your favorite."

Juniper pushed the bag away, nostrils flaring at the buttery smell. "I'm not hungry." As the words left her mouth, her stomach grumbled loudly.

Teddy raised an eyebrow, "Potter."

"Fine," Juniper nibbled the edge of it to appease him. She wasn't sure she could manage more than that

"You need to eat, trouble," Teddy pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead. "I expect that to be gone when I'm back."

He joined Rory in passing out the rest of the tea and snacks. The pair tending to the family with care.

Juniper watched him tuck a blanket over Cali, who'd fallen asleep. She was so so glad that he was here.

James was a mess. Her dad was a mess. Juniper had to be strong. She had to take care of them. And Teddy was taking care of her.

He was being strong for her. And right now, that was the exact thing Juniper needed.

"You've got a good one," her father spoke up, eyes meeting hers for a brief second. He waved his hand at Teddy, who was still making sure everyone was eating and drinking, handing out pasties and scones, tea.

Juniper was thankful for some sign that her dad was still in there somewhere. Both him and James tended to go silent in times of trouble, prone to violent outbursts of emotion when it finally became too much. She was worried about her father's mental state. He still hadn't drunk anything, let alone eaten something.

"Yeah," Juniper's lips tilted up ever so slightly. "He's pretty great."

Two Healers in green robes entered the room, one was Alex. The other was a woman who looked to be around her parent's age, chestnut hair in a long plait down her back. The woman consulted her scroll of parchment, "Miranda Potter?"

Harry shot to his feet like a rocket had been lit underneath him, "Me. I mean— my wife. My wife. That's my wife."

"Harry?" The woman's head tilted in recognition. "Sorry— it's— er— I'm Susan. Susan—"

"Bones," Harry remembered suddenly. An image of a mousy Hufflepuff girl flashed through his mind. "you were in D.A."

Susan Bones nodded. She cleared her throat, "We just took Miranda to recovery, but she won't be conscious for a while. If you'd like to see her—"

"Where is she?" The look in Harry's eyes was desperate.

"Follow me," she said, leading him out the door. The whole horde of them rose from their seats, the McGonagall's, Granger Weasley's, Potters, and Rory and Teddy. They took up the entire width of the hall. Susan looked a little taken aback, "Oh— you're all coming then— right. Okay."

She led them down a winding passage, where the intensive care unit was located. Miranda was in one of the private rooms.

Juniper saw her mother first, a glimpse through the glass windows. She wished she hadn't. Her mother was hooked up to some sort of humming apparatus, glowing as it transported a potion into her veins. Miranda looked frail, sapped of life. There was a large bite mark on her neck, a gash that started at her collarbone and disappeared under her hospital gown down to her belly button. Her dirty blond hair was dull, stringy.

Juniper hated it. Hated how weak her beautiful mum looked in the hospital cot. How pallid her complexion was in fluorescent lighting. She barely recognized the woman lying before her.

Harry rushed to Miranda's bedside. He stroked his wife's cheek, "I'm here, Mandy. You're gonna be okay. I'm here."

"I can only have six people in here at a time," Susan eyed the gaggle of witches and wizards warily. "And we really prefer family only in intensive care."

"We're all her family," Harry's jaw clenched, words rough. "Every single person in here is family."

"I'm sorry," she apologized. And she really did look sorry about it. "It's policy. I can't—"

"It's alright," Hermione responded, lest Harry explode. "Ron and I will take all the kids home, it's getting late. Notify us the second anything changes." Hermione's face was drawn, worry lines digging deep into her forehead. She kept fidgeting with the bracelet she wore around her wrist. "And I do mean the second, Harry."

"I'll go with them," Ginny added. She shifted her attention to her husband, "You'll be okay here without me?"

Mateo inhaled slowly, "Go ahead. They'll need help wrangling all five."

"Seven," Harry corrected. "Nessie, Cali? I want you guys to go with your aunt and uncle, okay?" Juniper's sisters began to protest. "Girls, I promise if Mum wakes up I'll tell your aunt, and she will bring you here no matter what. Meanwhile, you need to get some rest. Have a sleepover with your cousins. I don't want you to worry."

The remaining six took their positions in the recovery room. Teddy and Rory had offered to leave as well, but James and Juniper wouldn't hear of it. Instead, they'd made a quick trip to their flat. Juniper was antsy until Teddy came back. She felt safer when he was with her. More assured.

He'd grabbed her a fresh change of clothes, seeing as hers were covered in blood. Juniper was calmer in new clothes, her favorite pair of worn sweatpants like a comforting hug. And she didn't smell of her Mum's blood anymore. Juniper sniffed the soft Holyhead Harpies jumper Teddy had brought, and tears sprang to her eyes.

It smelled like home.

She must not have worn it since she moved, because it still smelled like lilies. The soap her mum used to do laundry. For a moment, if she closed her eyes and held the fabric of the jumper close to her nose, Juniper could pretend that her mother was right next to her.

Night had fallen by now, most everyone was slumbering. Even Harry, who'd nodded off about an hour or so ago, head buried in the cot's linens. Matt was curled up in a chair, knees tucked beneath him. James was snoring, laying in a sleeping Rory's lap.

Juniper was awake. She wouldn't even let herself slouch.

Teddy traced the back of her palm with his index finger, "You need to sleep."

"I can't," Juniper replied staunchly. Her tone was hushed. "Dad's asleep, Uncle Matt, so's James. I have to stay awake. What if she wakes up and I'm asleep? I can't risk it, Teddy."

"I'll stay up," Teddy declared.

"Really?" Two hours ago, Juniper wouldn't have even considered it. But her eyes were so so heavy, and her neck ached from being upright so long.

Tenderly, Teddy wrapped an arm around her, adjusting himself so that Juniper could nestle into his chest. "If it means you'll sleep. Of course."

Juniper yawned, letting herself sink into Teddy's body against her better judgment. Maybe— maybe just for a second, she thought to herself. She'd just close her eyes for a second. He was so warm, and she was so tired. One second and then— Juniper's eyes fluttered shut. Within minutes she was asleep.

She was woken abruptly the next morning, her brother shaking her violently. "Juniper!" he cried out, still shaking her. "Junie wake up!"

Juniper's eyes snapped open, "What? What happened?" She rubbed the sleep away, blinking blearily. "Is mum—?"

"She's waking up!" James hissed, as the scene in front of Juniper came into focus. Her mum was stirring.

Juniper's heart leaped, an unwanted spark of hope burning in her soul. Was she really going to be okay? Were things going to be normal again? She prayed they would be.

Everyone in the room was wide awake, Matt hurriedly sending word of the development to the rest of the family by way of Patronus.

Harry was more alert than he'd ever been, clasping his wife's hands in his own. He peered at her with open longing, breathing, "Mandy?"

Juniper watched as her mother's eyelids opened, bit by bit. Her lashes revealed her multicolored irises, one green, one blue, slowly igniting with life. She coughed, reeling with from the exertion of moving her limbs. Miranda's voice was a mere whisper, faint and fading, "Harry?"

Juniper's father choked on a sob, cradling his wife close, "Miranda— thank godric. I love you so much, Miranda. I love you so much. Don't ever leave me again. Don't ever—" the rest of Harry's sentence was lost to tears as he kissed Miranda.

"Mum?" James ventured, cautious. Like he was afraid she might disappear at any moment.

Miranda smiled ever so slightly, cracked lips parting, "Hi, buddy." A teardrop ran down James's cheek, and he hastily wiped it away. "Boys can cry too, Jamie," their mother reminded him, patting his knee with great effort.

Case in point, your Uncle Matt.

I'm not crying!

Then what would you call the fluid that's currently spewing out of your tear ducts?"

I love you, little sister.

Thirteen minutes!

And?

...I love you too

"Junebug," Miranda reached out a trembling hand. "You're okay." Her beautiful, strong girl. Miranda would fight for her daughter until the day she died. From the day Juniper had been born, Miranda had done everything in her power to keep her safe. To teach her how to be brave. How to stand up. How to fight.

"I'm so sorry, Mum," Juniper wept. She had so much she wanted to say to her. So much that she should've told her before. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean anything I said— I'm so lucky to have you—"

There was an intense beeping from one of the machines, interrupting Juniper with its harsh alarm. Miranda's eyes rolled back in her head, a bloodstain rapidly growing beneath one of her bandages. Without warning, Miranda went limp in Harry's arms, her breathing ceased.

"Miranda?!" Harry frantically felt for a pulse, searching for her heartbeat. "Miranda?! Miranda wake up! Miranda!" He looked wildly around the room, distressed, "What's happening to her?! MIRANDA!"

"Help!" Mateo raced into the hallway, shouting for a Healer. "Help! Someone!"

"Mum?" Juniper and James were beside themselves. "Mum?!" This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be happening, She had just been awake. Breathing, talking, cracking jokes. Juniper needed to make things right. Her mum had to know. She had too.

What happened next was a blur. A barrage of Healers rushed in, all waving their wands and hands over her mother's lifeless body. They wheeled her cot away, speeding down the hallway. Harry could only go so far, and he gave a tortured cry when they disappeared with Miranda behind a set of double doors. They were taking her into emergency surgery again. Something had failed, or— she hadn't been responding to the potion— or something like that. Juniper couldn't hear anything the Healers were saying.

It was all white noise to her.

Harry was tearing at the seams, five seconds away from falling apart. The first ordeal had been enough stress and now this. Juniper could see him teetering on the precipice of insanity. He wouldn't sleep, wouldn't eat, wouldn't move. He was listless. Inconsolable. Any solace that his children could have sought in him was long gone. Juniper wasn't sure he even knew they existed anymore.

James was much of the same. He stuck to Rory's side like glue, staring blankly at a wall. Rory was doing her best to comfort him, massaging his back and murmuring soothing reassurance.

The rets of the family were back at St Mungo's by now, hope that had been kindled at Mateo's earlier message long gone.

Juniper couldn't get the image of her mother going unconscious out of her mind. It played over and over on a loop. The sound of the machines sharp beeping. Over and over and over.

Time wasn't real. She didn't know how long they'd been waiting when Healer Bones and Alex returned. Only that their faces were grim. A pit formed in Juniper's stomach.

"Where is she?" Harry's mind was currently running on a singular track. "Is she okay? Where is she?"

"In the Dark Beasts and Magical Maladies ward," Susan answered, mouth in a thin line. "She's unconscious."

Something was wrong. Juniper could feel it deep within her bones. Something was wrong.

Miranda?

I can't hear you anymore.

Why can't I hear you anymore?

Her Uncle Matt's silent calls were all the confirmation Juniper needed. Something was very very wrong. Alex couldn't look in her in the eye.

"Okay," Harry ran a hand through his hair, "can I go see her? When will she wake up?"

"Mr. Potter," Susan started. Juniper noted her professionalism. Another red flag flaring up. "Mr Potter your wife's injuries were extensive. We had to revive her twice during the first round of healing spells. When she arrived she was already— we had hoped that—"

"What— what are you saying?" Harry asked, confused by her lengthy explanation. Why wouldn't she let him see Miranda?

"I'm saying—" Susan struggled for a moment. The pit in Juniper's abdomen doubled in size. She grasped Teddy's hand, squeezing it so hard her veins bulged. Teddy did not flinch. "

"I'm saying...she's not going to wake up."

Juniper's heart stopped. She looked to Alex for a sign of something, anything to make this not real. His gaze was trained on the ground.

"We have her on life sustaining potions currently, but that will fail again shortly— you know as well as I do that—"

Harry shook his head vehemently, denial setting in "No."

"....wounds of this variety, well they're permanent—"

"No."

"...we did everything in our power to—"

"No!"

"...anything we do at this time is pointless. Her wounds will continue to reopen, they will never heal. She can't—"

"NO!" Harry thundered, clamping his hands over his ears. Tears fell freely everywhere Juniper looked. This wasn't happening. This wasn't happening. "You have to keep trying! There has to be another way! You can't just let her—"

"Harry— she just— she lost too much blood." Silence. "I'm so sorry."

Hermione let out a a strangled whimper, and Mateo's jaw fell open, stunned.

Juniper screwed her eyes shut, begging for this all to be a twisted nightmare. Praying she'd wake up and her mum would be there. Alive. Healthy, glowing like she usually did. She'd wear her old pair of Levi jeans from the nineties, the ones that every time she put them on she'd boast, "Twenty years later and they still fit." She'd wear her stupid, embarrassing band t-shirts that she was too old for, and dance around the kitchen like a maniac.

She'd kiss Juniper's dad, despite the moans and complaints from the children. She'd swat them with dish towels and flick water at them. She'd baby James and make fun of Juniper's uncles with her aunts. She'd know that Juniper loved her.

Her mum would be here.

But when Juniper opened her eyes, Miranda was still gone. And everyone was crying. And all Juniper saw was her dad's tortured expression, spit flecks flying from his mouth as he yelled.

"YOU SAVE HER!" Harry roared, staggering backwards. "DO SOMETHING! THAT'S MY WIFE! My wife— Miranda—" He broke down into horrific, gut wrenching sobs. His agony was unspeakable, consuming his entire frame. He stormed out of the hospital.

"Dad-!" Juniper exclaimed. She couldn't break down like he had. She just couldn't. She still had him and James to worry about. Vanessa, Cali. Breaking down was not allowed for Juniper Potter. Not anymore.

"We've got this," Hermione and Ron went after him, grief written all over their features.

Vaguely, Harry remembered a promise he'd once made to a girl he loved. Under the light of glowing lanterns, tinsel and holly strung all around, setting off the pale gold of her shimmering dress. Her eyes had filled with tears, and she was beautiful, even when she was afraid. 

"You are never going to lose me," he'd said, with the kind of certainty he shouldn't have had at sixteen, and particularly not at the time. "Never." He'd swore to her, knowing he shouldn't have. Knowing the consequences, what awaited him in the future.

Harry had always been terrified about breaking it, a vow he'd spoken without the control to keep it. Only now did he realize that she'd never made the same promise.

Miranda Euphemia Potter died that day.

The next two weeks passed by in a haze of crumpled tissues, red eyes, and slammed doors. Juniper was exhausted. But she welcomed the exhaustion, it was better than feeling. It numbed her.

Juniper still hadn't cried.

She hadn't had time.

Between Harry passing out in his study almost every night, smelling like he'd bathed in gin, and his lack of motivation to do anything. That was included but not limited to, cleaning the house and himself, eating, staying awake, caring for his two children who were still very much alive, and shaving. Basically anything that didn't involve sobbing over her mother's belongings. A picture of her, of them, her jewelry. Oh and drinking. He was drinking a lot recently.

Juniper had run herself into the ground trying to keep her family afloat. Thankfully, as of last week, Vanessa and Cali were now safely at Hogwarts. Harry was taking a leave of absence. That was her job.

Now that her mum was— she still couldn't say it. Couldn't think it. It was up to Juniper now. And in all honesty, she desperately needed the distraction. She heard her mother's voice in her head, a mantra.

Be strong, Juniper.

Be strong, Juniper.

Be strong, Juniper.

And Juniper was going to be strong, just like Miranda had been. She would make sure her father didn't lose himself in his grief, spiraling downwards. She would take care of her brothers and sisters, just like her Mum had. She would make her proud. Anything. Anything to not feel. Anything to make it up to her mum.

I will be strong for you, Mum. Juniper promised every morning. I will be strong.

Juniper sighed, quietly letting her hair loose. She could feel Teddy's eyes on her before he came into their bedroom.

"Hey," he sank down on the mattress beside her. "You're back late."

"Yeah— Dad was having a rough night," Juniper lifted her shoulder. Rough was an understatement, but she didn't want Teddy to worry more than he already did.

Teddy put a gentle hand on her thigh, "You know, you have to take care of yourself too, Junie."

"I'm fine," Juniper brushed him off airily. She couldn't meet his eye. She knew what would happen if she did. She'd fracture. Her heart would split int two and she didn't think it would ever mend. Teddy could always chip away at the wall she put up around herself.

"No you're not," Teddy murmured. Juniper's breath hitched. "I know you, Juniper. I know that you think you have to be strong right now, but you have to talk to me. You have to let your emotions out. You haven't cried, Junie. Not once."

A lump lodged in the back of her throat, sticking. Juniper bit her lip so hard she drew blood, "Teddy—"

"Juniper you're the toughest, most stubborn person I know. And it does not make you any less strong if you cry. It's me, Junie. Just me. It's okay." Teddy stared deeply into her eyes, and this time, Juniper couldn't look away. "You don't have to be strong with me, Juniper. I love you no matter what."

And then Juniper cracked.

She collapsed into Teddy's arms, crying so hard her stomach hurt. She dissolved into a puddle of tears, entire shaking with sobs. "I miss her," she blubbered, "I miss her. I want my mum. I just want my mum back. I want my mum."

"Shhhhh," Teddy stroked her hair, "I've got you. I'm here."

"I want my mum."

"I know," Teddy hugged her tight. "I know."

All Juniper wanted was her mum.

But it was the one thing she couldn't have.

Never again.