Chapter Text
“Jennifer Jareau, your bird got loose in the kitchen again!” JJ’s mother yells, covering her head as she is enveloped in mottled brown and white feathers.
“Coming, mom!” JJ quickly throws her final book, A History of Magic, into her trunk before zipping up the bag and dragging it downstairs behind her. When she reaches the landing, her mother is screeching obscenities whilst running circles around the island.
With a sigh, JJ reaches out her arm and calls for her tawny owl. “Henry, please.” He immediately lands on her hand, shakes out his wings, and is rewarded with a treat JJ pulls out of her pocket.
“I don’t know what’s gotten him in a tizzy lately.” She re-opens his cage, allowing him to step in. “If I were allowed to use magic outside of school, the colloportus charm would really come in handy here.”
“Which one is that again?” JJ’s mother asks, smoothing down her shirt while simultaneously giving her daughter the side-eye.
“Locks doors,” she starts, pulling a ponytail off of her wrist, “but this will have to do for now.” She uses the hair tie to secure Henry’s cage, then places it on top of her bag.
“So, you’re all packed?”
“Think so. I’ve got the hoards of books required for the year, my broomstick, robes, and of course, Henry.” JJ takes a look at the kitchen, finally noticing its state of disarray. “Sorry about the mess, mom… How about I help you clean up a bit before we leave,” she chuckles.
JJ’s mom smiles and throws her arm around her daughter. “That would be just wonderful, Jennifer.”
In the background, Henry coos, clearly pleased with his handiwork.
-
When JJ arrives at the station, she feels as if she’s in her element. Fifth years don’t need to worry about the formalities anymore; she knows where Platform 9 ¾ is, she knows who her friends are, and most importantly, she knows what to buy from the Honeydukes Express. Therefore, when her mom asks if she needs help getting situated, JJ politely refuses.
“You can stay in the car this year. No need to find parking, just drop me off at the curb here,” she smiles.
“This never gets any easier,” JJ’s mom sighs, momentarily shifting the car in park. They both hop out of the vehicle, and JJ’s mother pulls her daughter in a bear hug whilst kissing her cheek.
JJ pulls away, grabs her cart, and double-checks that Henry is secure. Seeing that the ponytail has remained in place, she begins walking into the station.
“I love you, darling!” Her mother calls.
“Love you too, mom,” JJ responds, turning around and blowing her a kiss.
Checking her watch, JJ realizes she’s a bit more behind schedule than anticipated. She picks up the pace, swiftly navigating the corridors of the station. Suddenly concerned she’ll miss her only train to Hogwarts, JJ turns a corner more aggressively than necessary, crashing head-on into another passenger.
“Shit!” JJ yells as her things go flying off her cart. She quickly grabs Henry’s cage, setting him upright. “I am so sorry…” She expresses, looking up at a familiar face.
“Penelope!” JJ yells, quickly forgetting about the scene she has created. She flings her arms around the other girl’s neck, barely giving her time to respond.
“Jayje, how are you?” Penelope pulls back from the hug, placing her hands on JJ’s shoulders. “I’ve missed you so much!”
“I’ve been great! Just waiting for summer to end so I can see some of my favorite people in the entire world,” JJ admits. Penelope beams at the compliment.
“Sorry about running into you there, Jayje. I got a bit lost and began panicking.”
“Lost, still? After five years? I don’t know how you survive at Hogwarts,” JJ scoffs.
“It’s because I have brilliant, wonderful friends doing all the navigating for me.”
“As if you’re not brilliant yourself.”
“We all have our weaknesses,” Penelope laughs. “Anyway, let me help you with your stuff…” Suddenly, the Hufflepuff gasps, touching her shoulder. “Where’s Alvy?”
“Alvy?” JJ asks.
“My pygmy puff! He was right here on my shoulder! Pink, fluffy, a bit mischievous…” Penelope looks around frantically before hearing a melody come from her pocket. Looking down, she giggles when she notices the fluff sticking out. “When did you get down there?”
“How long have you had a pygmy puff?” JJ asks.
“Got him this summer. He’s cute, isn’t he?”
“Sure, Pen.”
“Ooh! We better get going. We were already running late!” Penelope grabs JJ’s hand, practically dragging her to Platform 9 ¾ and through the column.
When the two fifth years settle down in their compartment, they begin excitedly chatting about the school year. That is, until the O.W.L.s get brought up.
“Ugh, don’t even get me started,” JJ groans.
“My sweet sugar cake, you will get perfect marks. No need to stress. Besides, who needs school when you’re going pro in Quidditch?”
JJ laughs at that, interrupted only by a familiar voice.
“Now I KNOW you two aren’t talking about Quidditch without Derek Morgan.”
Penelope jumps out of her seat, squealing as she runs to hug her friend. “Hello, Chocolate Thunder!”
“Hi Derek,” JJ adds.
“How are my favorite ladies?” He asks, putting an arm around Penelope and sitting her down next to him.
“Great now that you’re here,” Penelope smirks.
While JJ and Derek both belong in Gryffindor, Penelope is about as Hufflepuff as they come. The three have been inseparable since they were seated together in Charms class during their first year at Hogwarts. Being in different houses can make it difficult to retain relationships, but given Penelope’s affinity for the two Gryffindors, she would not let them escape her so easily.
“So, JJ, now that Kate’s out of the picture, who do you think is gonna be Gryffindor’s seeker this year?” Morgan wiggled his eyebrows.
“I don’t know, Matt definitely shows some promise.”
“Oh please, Jayje. You know I’m messing with you. You’re definitely a shoe-in.”
“He’s right, JJ. You know I’m not the most knowledgeable about Quidditch, but you were the team’s star chaser. It only makes sense,” Penelope adds.
“I’d love to, don’t get me wrong. I just don’t wanna get my hopes up.”
“Alright, alright.” Changing the subject, Derek looks to Penelope. “So, Baby Girl, speaking of Quidditch, you still got your eye on Hufflepuff’s resident keeper?”
Penelope snaps her head towards her friend. “I thought I swore you to secrecy, Derek!” She half-whispers.
“Wait a second,” JJ scoffs, “you’re crushing on ALVEZ?”
Derek chuckles, and suddenly, JJ’s eyes widen in realization.
“Oh my god,” she says, “you named your pygmy puff after LUKE ALVEZ!”
Penelope hides behind her hands as Derek raises his eyebrows.
“Hold on, I just thought Alvy was some cute name you came up with?”
“I wish.” Penelope says, quietly.
“Alright, I’m done teasing, Pen. Garcia and Alvezzzz…” She rhymes. “Okay, now I’m done.”
“Oh, look at that!” Penelope says, looking out the window. “We made it to Hogwarts! Now, you two can kindly never speak of this again.”
JJ and Derek burst into laughter as the three students get ready to disembark.