for glory & power

She hummed, taking a step back, eyes wide with shock but the rest of her expression schooled in a neutral expression. “You are a very ambitious girl,” she said finally, saddened by the fact the girl’s mother was probably as crazy and it’s probably now too late to teach Juno better, “I hope you get what you want.”

Juno grinned, “God I hope so,” she walked over, pressing into the girl’s space before hip-bumping the girl with a mischievous smirk curling on her lips. “Now you, you know what I want,” power, glory, anything that would make her know, “what do you want?” she quirked her head to the side. “I mean you’ve already got the beautiful thing down pat.” Juno winked.

“If I could explain anything Gussy did, I’d be a much happier man.” It hurt to know that she was upset with him, but he was sure it wasn’t actually his fault. He couldn’t think of anything that he’d done to warrant her accusations. Juno was right, arguing with her wasn’t going to make their relationship better, but that was a separate matter. “I can live with her hating me if it means she’s safe.” It wasn’t ideal, but he wanted to make sure she lived safely, and he’d pay whatever price he had to. There was nothing Roland wouldn’t do for the people he loved. He never did anything by halves, putting every effort into everything he did. This was no exception “The very fact they’re dangerous is why Gussy shouldn’t be with them. But we can handle them, if it comes to that. We’re not easy pickings either.” Juno was unpredictable in everything but her loyalty, and Roland was skilled at both physical fighting and magical dueling. 

“Roland, if any woman in your life would explain their minds to you, then you’d be living much less stressfully. Gussy and my own lovely self included in the bunch,” she gave him a playful eye roll before thinking on it. Those merchants were quite the set, their strut and manner gave Juno the type of smiles that were equally nervous and excited like they were a challenge. Juno never had bad instincts when it came to an adventure at hand. “You’re too good for the lot of us Ro, much too good,” the same couldn’t be said for most people, but Roland was cut in a class of his own in her own beloved opinion of him. The Gryffindor had always found herself in spots of trouble, in problems that Roland seemed to aide in nicking her out of, and she was eternally grateful as well as equally pissed her hide needed saving. But if it was Roland, she couldn’t fault him-- he loved, he was loyal, she would always respect that of him. “Alright, say we can handle them, say we do manage to get her out of their clutches. What then? What if Gussy runs off again into the foul world to find more danger, God knows I do it weekly and we are in a castle,” Juno raised her brow, “she’s here now. You’re here now. We can fight them all day, but that won’t keep Gussy from doing what she wants.” Juno knew the feeling, but even still as much as she supported Roland’s endeavors, for hadn’t always endorsed her own but also aided her, she knew that sometimes danger was to be found because one wanted it. “We are not easy pickings, a dragon didn’t kill me, doubt some ship hands could manage it.”

Lavinia chuckled a little at Juno’s response, which was to apparently state the facts of how not opposed she would be to kissing Lavinia. Of course, she wasn’t opposed to such an idea as well. “But what if I prefer eternal gratefulness?” she teased a little, still letting the girl simply stand there under the mistletoe. “Are you implying that I’m the sort of woman to do anything more than kiss a girl under the mistletoe?” She was. But it the girl had funny responses, and she was a little interested in hearing another of them.

Juno snorted crossing her arms behind her head, “What pray tell would you do with eternal gratefulness, can’t sell it, can’t fuck it, can’t bask it in.” instead Juno cricked her neck as it craned to look at the pesky plant above her head. “Oh, I am not implying, I'm telling you that I think you are exactly that sort of woman. I’m not apologizing if I’m wrong either, because with a face like that I am entirely hoping that you are.” Juno couldn’t help but laugh. “Besides, what fun would a girl under the mistletoe, bound to the ground be to you. Anyone else would’ve already undone the spell, made fun of me, moved on or be positively scandalized that I’d be propositioning you.”

Bri laughed in amazement and delight. “That certainly sounds like an adventure. I’ve never faced a dragon, crocodiles are bad enough, and they don’t fly or breathe fire.” She bobbed into a little courtesy without thinking, it was a habit. “Bri Shacklebolt. Sorry to just walk up to you like that. It’s just… growing up, so many of the other girls didn’t want to get their hands dirty, so my sisters and I had to go on adventures alone or with our brothers. It’s nice to meet someone else who is just as inclined to do something reckless.”

There was a wild flare in Juno’s eyes, this woman was from someplace far-flung, from the dreary lands of England.·“Crocodiles you say, well they may not breathe fire nor fly, but I’ve heard that they are marvelously dangerous beasts,” she couldn’t help the excited edge to her tone, and the curl of her lips,·“Juno Ashworth, it’s not a problem, I prefer boldness to timidity,” before nodding with an air of understanding.·“I get that, I was often set aside for adventures by my brother, but I’m afraid I always found myself in a spot of trouble or some mishap growing up,” partially a reason she was sent off,·“I’m afraid I’m more than happy to get my hands dirty.” The Gryffindor laughed, it was bright, excited and cheery,·“Oh what sort of recklessness do you have in mind, I’m afraid Hogwarts, while moderately interesting, has yet to sate my appetite in this manner.”

[ the 1st feminist discore in Hogwarts circa 993. ]

Vasilisa blushed, flattered by the compliment, but she wouldn’t be distracted from her original point. “You can be gorgeous and have someone slay a dragon for you, this way not one strand of yours gets burned, and your skin remains beautiful and line free! Imagine the stress that goes into killing a dragon,” even the thought is enough to make her frown her eyebrows in a way she knows she shouldn’t, “it’s a waste of your beauty if you would ask me.”

Juno blinked, “That’s not quite the point, if you feel like being pretty is important, then go ahead... be a stunner, because you are and you can be whatever you want, if it makes you happy. But you do know we won’t be pretty forever. We’ll be crones, and then what will people know us for? Our one-time beauty? No,” the dark haired woman threw back her girls and lifted her chin with a haughty grin, “I will not be remembered as some bygone pretty face. I’ll kill a dragon and travel to the desert, people will know my name, my deeds and,” she leaned forward into Vasilisa’s space, a pert catty grin on her lip, “my fine fucking face. It’s a waste of youth and talent to not seek glory, and I have both. In spades.”

Used to her ways, and just as terrible at words, Roland appreciated the way she leaned into him, his arm moving to rest on her shoulders. It had always been easy being friends with her. Her rough edges brought out what he saw as the better part of himself, the part that was willing to take risks. Too often, he got himself so caught up in his head, but she always pulled him back to reality. “Me, mother, everyone but herself is to blame.” While he also blamed their mother, it stung that Gussy could say such things about him. He had thought they were close, but clearly not. “I don’t know.” He admitted, which was a rare thing for him. Roland always had a plan, always knew what he’d do next. The Sorting Hat had considered placing him in Slytherin for that very reason. “First, I think, is to find that damned captain and make sure he knows Gussy is no longer in his employ. By any means necessary.” Which meant he was ready to duel the captain for Gussy’s sake. “I spoke to one of the crew, I have a feeling that if she is around when I confront the captain, I may need backup.” 

There was always something immediately comforting about Roland in her space, now matter how far away the pair were from each other for any given amount of time. Hogwarts, for all that she didn’t want to be there, had thrust them together almost daily and it was wonderful. “Well that’s just dumb, I mean, sure our families can be a lot,” his was even more out of step than her own, “but why would she go after you?” Roland tried his best, that much could always be said of him. So she waited for him to gather his thoughts, she’d always go to the ring for him, and she waited. Juno was patient as he gathered his thoughts and carefully went through the plans. “Don’t you think that may... I dunno drive a further wedge between you two? Is she there against her will? Does she want to be with them? You don’t approve, I get that, but forcibly removing her... she might just balk and I doubt it'll be pretty,” Juno didn’t know Gussy well, if she was going to be honest, mostly in passing with Roland, but she knew she was of a fixated mind. She could respect someone like that. “You know I’m always willing to be your back up, and confrontation is what I do best,” her smirk was reckless, “but hose merchants aren’t easy pickings Roland,” she warned him she could tell, by the way, they walked and their eyes. Juno was wary,  but if Roland asked for her at his side, she was never going to deny it.

Delilah had been watching the whole scene from a decent distance, leaning against the wall. Watching was a loose statement though, she would glance every couple seconds to make sure everything was still calm and collected, while doing the same to other parts of the room as well. Within seconds though the apparent innocent situation had changed and Delilah’s wand was in her hand and flicking through the air as she threw herself into the situation. She didn’t have time to throw any kind of physical punch, but apparently the girl had enough grit to do it herself. She gave very little regard for the boy on the ground and looked over at the girl. “Delilah Gathers, you alright?” She asked, raising her eyebrow. Though she highly doubted the answer would be anything other than yes. She shook her hand back politely as she spoke. 

Juno puffed as she looked down at the man, still crying, still a bitch. God this was so annoying honestly, if he had just approached nicely then she may have entertained the idea of a kiss. But instead, he got handsy. Now he hand ached, she hadn’t curled her hand right and now she had to go whine to Holden or else Roland will give her that exhausted look. Not that he wouldn't do the same thing. “That’s a pretty name, and a pretty accent, French? I’ve done a turn or two with your people,” the balls that they attended were fancy, and though her father was a muggle knight, her mother’s pureblood pedigree and skill granted them in quite beautiful halls that Juno ruined with liquor and fights. Which in her opinion made it much more fun. “I’m fine, it would take a little more than this little shit to get on my nerves,” she looked her over with a grin, “fast reflexes, you a duelist?”

In her defense, her first reaction would have been to punch. She didn’t expect backup, and she certainly didn’t expect such a pretty face, she blinked when she came barrelling through. Her fist ached lightly, and the overgrown toddler that had taken the pinned up mistletoe as a chance to grab her rump and attempt to kiss her had led to his bloody nose. Her newfound partner was behind her shoulder. She noted that he was crying,‘Pussy’ was her first thought before rounding on the girl, “Juno Ashworth,” she thrust her hand out, the one that could uncurl, “who’re you?” If she sent another person to Holden she knew she was going to get it, but the unnecessary grab from the still crying man-child was cooling her. 

Oh, she was a little funny, wasn’t she? All bite one minute, and the next she was asking brazenly for a kiss. Lavinia leaned in ever so slightly, as always wanting to play with her food a little. “A kiss? Is that all?” She was careful to let the heat of her words brush over Juno’s lips. But then she pulled away, leaning on the stone of the wall behind her. “Ah- well- if girls like you don’t need to stand under mistletoe to get kisses, then I supposed I could just undo the hex for you.” Hexes were rather a favorite of Lavinia’s, the funny little biting and twisted things. They often had a mind of their own.

Juno grinned, she loved someone who gave as good as she got, the fight and the chase between two possible lovers was half the fun before the tumble. “What you want more than a kiss darling,” she hummed as she leaned forward, locking her knees so she wouldn’t go flailing forward like a fool. The woman was close, she could close the gap, but she didn’t huff or puff when she stepped back, instead Juno let a smile curl across her fine features. “I’d be eternally grateful, but maybe the mistletoe isn’t just the reason I’d want a kiss. But then again,” Juno flicked her eyes over to her, “I think you’d have a fun time with me. I’m always up for a good time. I’m not above saying that I don’t want one,” Juno didn’t beg anyone, “you’re pretty, I’m pretty, we’d be a great picture in a bed, or against wall.”

[ what is life without d a n g e r ]

“If you are beautiful, and you are, you don’t need to go out on adventures to prove something. Only girls without any beauty need to put themselves in danger.” raising her chin, Vasilisa serenely smiled at Juno, confident that her words were an universal truth. “See! Your mother isn’t pretty and she is good at slaying dragons, because she needed the talent. But you have such beautiful eyes, and your skin is beautiful. Why risk losing that?”

Juno flipped hair over her shoulder, a smary grin on her face, “Oh I know I’m one very pretty face. But the point isn’t because I’m pretty, it’s because I want to prove I’m just as good as anyone else. Besides, I think you are much prettier than me,” her smile was reckless but there is a tone of sweetness in her voice. She had always been a pretty girl, it was a point of pride but it took no particular skill to have a cut figure and fine features. “My Mother has so much talent, she is so amazing,” there was a warble in her voice, “being pretty doesn’t hold a candle to what she can do. If I can be gorgeous and slay a dragon...” she shifted uncomfortably, then maybe she’d be less of a disappointment. “Why not risk it, what is life without going full tilt at it? If I could slay a Dragon, ride a Griffin, then my pretty eyes and nice skin is just a bonus.”

Cass was endlessly curious, one of the few completely honest facts about herself that she shared with others. So when she saw a young woman standing at the base of the Bell Tower, she’d decided to find out what she was saying to herself. Amused once she realised, she offered a simple opinion. “I didn’t find Horned Serpents to be that difficult.” There was something of a dare in her voice, not flinching as the woman reached for her wand. There were a few other people on the grounds, if someone attacked her while there were witnesses, she’d be able to use that. “I’ve certainly faced worse.”

Juno turned around to find the woman close to her shoulder and quirked a brow. “Oh, did you not find it difficult?” the Gryffindor grinned, a pull of her lips. So she had seen them, not be outdone she knew immediately that she had to see it too. “What exactly have you faced, everyone says they’ve seen something worse. But most people are liars,” Juno slipped her hands into the pockets of her dress and quirked an eyebrow. “I just want to swipe some scales and look at it, not kill it, where did you meet a Horned Serpent?”

Lavinia’s own eyebrow quirked in response at Juno’s mention of a hex. But she wasn’t entirely surprised. She knew there were quite a few miscreants running around the halls, herself rather included. Though she personally thought she was above miscreant level. Either way, she followed the girl’s thumb upwards, spotting the mistletoe with a little smirk. “Ahhh, well that explains things, doesn’t it?” She took a daring step towards the girl. “So you need someone to kiss you?” she taunted a little.

Juno couldn’t help the hapless blush on her cheeks, undone by a simple fucking hex, no wonder her parents sent her off. She growled and twisted again in her boots that were much too tight. She couldn’t take a step back from the other woman’s advance, so instead, she jutted her chin up, “ I need to get unstuck, it seems that this counter-curse is one I don’t know.” the taunt made her words bite a little, she always hated being backed into a corner. “Besides, girls like me don’t need to stand under mistletoe begging,” her grin was mischievous as she leaned forward, “but if you know how to unstuck me I’d happily give you,” Juno’s blue eyes gave Lavinia a once-over, “a kiss. I am rather partial to women.”

@junxashwxrth

The Juno girl wasn’t one Lavinia had particularly spoken with before, but she seemed something of the very definition of a loose cannon. Though to be fair, many of the Gryffindors were. Lavinia hadn’t noticed the mistletoe overhead just yet as she placed herself near the girl, wondering what exactly is was she was speaking so enthusiastically about. “I think the entire castle can hear you.”

Juno quirked an eyebrow, at the admittedly stunning girl, she was mostly annoyed because someone cast a jinx at the stone she was passing over, leaving her stuck beneath the Mistletoe. Thus far only one person had braved giving her a kiss, it was on the cheek and she hexed his arse. But she was still stuck. “Good, maybe then whatever idiot did this can undo the hex,” she tried to jostle her boots but no luck, still stuck, “ridiculous fucking, stupid, of all the idiotic...” she huffed and looked over before jabbing her thumb up at the mistletoe as an explainer. 

Juno,

Merry Christmas. It is a pleasure to have you in my house. I am proud to call you one of my students and so I have given you a ring to represent our house. As well you can find a kit to make your own wax seal. It is important for any person to have a personalized wax seal.

Godric Gryffindor.

Juno grinned Hogwarts wasn’t the worst maybe, maybe…. she gave it a solid maybe. She put the little ring on, she had no idea what to do with the seal but she liked it anyway. It was a nice gift, and she grinned as the ring caught the light.

Merry Christmas to one of my dearest friends. 

You have no idea how grateful I am that you will always have my back, even if only so you can have the honour of taking me down yourself. 

Love, Roland

 Dear Juno, 

 You seem really cool! Thanks for taking care of me this semester! 

 Moira.

6. 

“Clear your mind, you need to calm down sweetheart,” Juno shook as fingers gently pushed curls from her red face, “just settle yourself.”

“He was hitting her,” her voice was high and reedy, childish in the way that all six-year-olds were, “he shouldn’t be hitting her. We’ve gotta stop her Mama!” her voice pitched as she watched the path the man had dragged the teenager.

“Honey,” Katherine kneeled down, she was not a beautiful woman, she was handsome, with a high arched nose and a deep earthen eyes with these odd gold flakes in them, “go home, go find your father he ought to be back from the castle by now,” the sun was dipping low over the horizon, Juno knew that there were simply a quick walk from the sea, where she often went to watch the sun rise and set when she could get up early enough and drag her father out before arms training. 

“But Mama--”

“Go home Juno, and practice your light spells sweetheart, I have to do something really quick,” so Juno turned and set off down the path, before hiding behind a tree. She peeked and watched her mother gather her loose brown and blue skirts, revealing her wand that was strapped often to her calf. It was a handsome silvery color, with the heartstring of a chimera in it, Juno had held it once. Before she turned, and within a blink of an eye flash-stepped through the thicket, small pops of magic following the trail the man led the girl down. With his bloody fist and her oddly twisted arm.

Juno was going to be exactly like her Mama one day.