A Life Worth Choosing

Authors Note: I thought I'd try something new by giving Draco and Ginny a well needed break. Here's a look into the Hogwarts lives of Junior and Kaeda.

Chapter 17: Home at Hogwarts

Junior walked into his dorm in the North Tower to find his roommates already unpacking. It amazed him how they had only arrived fifteen minutes ago, yet the room was already littered with clothing, books, and other items scattered about the floor. Carful not to tread on any of the other occupants belonging, Junior crossed the room to the far wall where his four poster resided near the window that overlooked his Uncle Charlie's cabin set on the foot of the Forbidden Forest.

“Did you have a good holiday, Mate?” Talon, a dark haired, bright blue eyed wizard, asked as he cleared a path from his bed to Junior with his wand.

“It was interesting,” Junior shrugged. “How was your holiday down under?”

“Awesome! The surf was amazing!”

Talon was Junior's best friend from Gryffindor House. They had become friends in Junior second year, when Talon and his older sister Jaylee transferred to Hogwarts when their family moved to England after their father died.

“Did I miss anything exciting while I was gone, man?” Talon asked after a detailed description of his holiday.

“Only the biggest news to hit the wizarding world, since the fall of the you-know-who,” a small voice squeaked from the opposite side of the room, where Kaden was climbing his step ladder to get on top of his bed.

Being half dwarf, Kaden was the smallest of his class and pretty much the smallest student in Hogwarts, but he was certainly the most boisterous. Size didn't mean anything to him.

“Draco Malfoy has returned,” Kaden said throwing a copy of the daily prophet to Talon.

“Dude! He looks like you!” Talon said looking back and forth to Junior. “You related or something?”

“Did you drink too much salt water or something,” Braden asked as he stalked across the room to Junior and Talon.

Braden was Junior's least favorite roommate. Junior found him to be very arrogant, always trying to claim himself to be pureblood when everyone knew for a fact that he wasn't.

“Does the name mean anything to you?” he asked.

Talon read the name out loud, “Dude, he even has the same name as you! Bummer.”

“It is his father, you Skrewt!” Braden lashed out, annoyed.

“Oh, My God! You must be like so excited!” Kesler rushed over to join the group. “O-M-G, look at his shoes. You have to tell me where he got them,” he said stealing the Daily Prophet away from Talon.

Kesler was the dramatic one of the group who was in love with fashion. Everything from his Sandy brown spiked hair to his Prada boots were the latest in Muggle couture.

“Forget about the shoes, how is your sister doing?” Braedan interrupted.

“I'm feeling a bit hungry. I'm going to head down to dinner,” Junior excused himself, trying to get away from the madness of all the questions.

Junior walked down the stairs and crossed the Gryffindor common room, stopping only to say hello to James and Aiden before moving on out the portrait hole.

As Junior entered the Great Hall, he quickly spotted Avery who sat solo at the end of the Gryffindor house table.

“May I join you?” Junior asked sitting down before Avery could answer.

“I hate school,” Avery mumbled, his eyes focused on something across the room.

Junior looked to the Slytherin table where he assumed Avery was starring to find his sister talking wildly amongst her roommates as well as an older wizard with wavy auburn hair and green eyes so bright that Junior could spot way across the Great Hall.

“Ooh, he's so exciting. He's a model for Madam Malkins,” Avery mimicked in a high pitch voice trying to sound like a witch. “I could model too if my mother was a Veela and my father was a werewolf,” he said in his normal voice.

“Isn't Zyler your best mate?” Junior asked confused.

“Yea, your point?” Avery asked finally looking towards Junior.

“Why don't you just ask her out already?”

“I can't do that.”

“Why not?”

“Well, I- um, and she's- um. Well- She's too young!” he stuttered.

“You and Zyler are the same age. Are you going to let him date her?”

“You're going to let who date who?” Teddy asked sitting down across from them.

“Kaeda and Zyler,” Junior answered.

“Kaeda's dating Zyler?” Teddy asked confused.

“No, Ave's mad that Zyler's talking to Kade, but he says she's too young to ask her out himself,” Junior clarified.

“She's not that young mate. Just look at my parents. My mum's thirteen years younger than my Dad,” Teddy said scooping mashed potatoes onto his plate.

“I just need some more time to think about it,” Avery said, shaking his head.

“What ever you decide to do, mate, just promise you're not going to be like those two,” Teddy pointed towards Marcel who was walking into the Great Hall, with his arm wrapped around the waste of a blonde Hufflepuff prefect.

The three boys watched as Marcel pulled the witch closer to him, kissing her lips softly before whispering something in her ear. She giggled slightly before saying something back, as her blue eyes starred up at him pleading him not to leave her. He kissed her once more before leaving to join the boys.

“You and Ella are getting serious,” Teddy said as Marcel took a seat beside him.

“You're letting her wear your Quidditch jersey?” Avery added.

Marcel looked around before leaning in towards the middle of the table.

“After practice, we were just snogging in this empty classroom and she kind of lost her shirt,” Marcel smirked.

“Just snogging?” Junior raised an eyebrow.

“Hey JR,” a voice interrupted, startling the boys sndcausing Teddy to spill his pumpkin juice.

Junior turned around to see the bright smiling face and this weeks, purple hair of Talon's older sister Jaylee.

“How's it going, Jay?” Junior asked the Ravenclaw.

“Great! I was just wondering if you could give this to Tal,” she said handing him a Potions book.

“Sure no problem.”

“Thanks. Hey, Teddy,” she added looking across the table.

Teddy smiled, giving a small wave, this time knocking over Marcel's pumpkin juice.

Jaylee gave a small giggle, “See you in class,” she said before walking away.

“I'm sure Teddy wouldn't mind a snog with her,” Marcel laughed after Jaylee left.

“So what's for dessert?” Junior asked as the Entre disappeared and the desserts began to arrive.

“Wait a moment,” Avery protested. “JR calls me a chicken for not asking out Kaeda, yet Teddy won't even talk to Jaylee and you guys don't rag on him?”

“You expect me to talk to her?” Teddy asked shocked. “I can't even be in the same room as her without tripping or destroying something. Just this morning I dropped my Herbology book into the fireplace in the common room and all she did was walk by. Which reminds me, I have to owl my mum to get me a new one. I'll meet you in the lounge later.”

The boys bid him goodbye and watched him walk away.

“So, JR, any witches in your future?” Marcel asked as he shoved pudding into his mouth.

“A few possibilities,” Junior smirked gazing around the Great Hall.

“You know I can always hook you up with Ella's best friend, Teigre. She thinks you're cute.”

“Is there a witch in this school that doesn't think he's cute?” Avery asked.

“No thanks, Cel. I think I'll just stick to my routine. In fact, I think it's time to head out,” Junior said as he watched the dark curly haired witch who sat next to his sister leave her seat and head for the entrance hall.

Junior followed the witch up the staircase, keeping a good distance. Only when he heard his name called, did he take his eyes off of her.

“Hey Uncle Charlie,” he answered as he noticed his uncle running up the stairs behind him.

“Junior, I'm so glad I caught you. I was hoping you could look after the boys for me tomorrow evening. PJ usually sits for me, but he has a parchment due and I'm desperate.”

“Of course, Uncle. May I ask what the occasion is?”

Charlie looked around for a moment before turning back to Junior with a smile, “I have a date.”

“Oooh, anyone I know?”

“Maybe,” said Charlie. “So tomorrow after dinner alright?”

“I'll be there.”

“Thanks, June, I owe you,” he said before turning around and heading back down the staircase.

Junior continued up the stairs and started to look around for the witch, but she was gone. Disappointed, Junior continued on to the lounge.

Just as he was turning down the corridor where the lounge was located, a pair of hands reached out from behind a tapestry and pulled him behind him. Before he could think, Junior found himself engaged in a deep passionate kiss. Breaking for the need of air, Junior smiled as he noticed the bright green eyes of the curly haired witch starring up at him.

“What took you so long?” she asked.

“My Uncle,” Junior answered pulling the witch closer, leaning in for round two. “You know- Payton,” he said between kisses, “you nearly- scared me- half to- death.”

The witch just looked up at him and smiled, before wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his lips back to hers.

_________________________________________________________________________

Kaeda sat in the Great Hall talking wildly amongst her friends. The desserts had long disappeared, but the conversations carried on through the evening.

“So then this witch from Beauxbaton academy just stops me outside the Louvre and just freaks out. `Merlins your Zyler Vella!' she screamed. Then all these Muggles were just looking around wondering what the bloody hell she was talking about as she went on and on about how she subscribes to Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions catalog just to see me in it,” Zyler carried on with another rendition of his holiday in Paris while the Slytherin girls all giggled away.

It must of been Kaeda's fourth, maybe even sixth time hearing the story since their return, but she had her mind on other things. While the other witches were busy asking Zyler to flex his muscles, Kaeda was keeping an eye on Avery who she could see sitting across the room starring in her direction, not paying any mind to Marcel and Ella who sat across from him, engaged in their own personal activity.

It was quite unusual for Avery to sit at the Gryffindor table. Usually he sat with Zyler and together they would work their charm on the Slytherin Witches. Then later would he catch up with Marcel, Junior, and Teddy in the lounge after dinner to work on their homework.

Even her roommates were getting suspicious about what had happened between the two of them over the break, but Kaeda kept her lips seal. It was bad enough that she spent her entire ride on the Hogwarts express talking about her father's return, she didn't want to spend all night talking about Avery as well. So instead she continued to listen to Zyler drone on and on, adding a slight giggle in every once in a while along with the other witches.

“Well, I'm getting tired,” Zyler finally announced. “Miss Malfoy, may you do me the honors of allowing me to escort you back to the common room?” he asked, taking her hand to his lips where he gently kissed it.

Kaeda glanced to Avery through the corner of her eye before answering.

“Of course,” she smirked.

Wrapping her arm around Zylers, she allowed him to lead her out of the Great Hall, briefly waving to Avery and Marcel as she passed the Gryffindor table.

Kaeda and Zyler took a seat on the sofa in front of the fireplace, Zyler wrapping his arms around her.

“You know, in all this commotion, I didn't get a chance to ask how your holiday went,” he whispered before kissing the side of her mouth.

Kaeda jumped to her feet before sitting back down on the opposite side of the couch, leaving room between them.

“It went fine, is it just me or is it hot in here?” she asked.

“It's definitely you,” Zyler said, pulling her back down onto the sofa and scooting himself closer to her. But before he could move in close enough, Avery threw himself in between them.

“Hey Vella!” he said.

“Hey Potter, what are you doing here?” Zyler asked with a slight snarl.

“Just thought I'd remind you of the Quidditch practice tomorrow morning.”

“Quidditch practice?” Kaeda asked, not remembering there being one.

“Yes, first thing in the morning before breakfast. Hufflepuff has already had practice today and we need to be on top of our game if we want to win.”

“Great, then we'll see you in the morning then,” Zyler said trying to get rid of Avery.

“Well, actually, I was hoping, since you're co-captain, you would spread the word to the rest of the team,” Avery smiled. “I would do it myself, but I have to check with the headmistress about reserving the pitch.”

Zyler hesitated for a moment before agreeing, “I'll be right back,” he said to Kaeda before walking away.

“I'll be waiting,” Kaeda smiled.

Kaeda and Avery sat in silence for a moment.

“So, shouldn't you be heading to bed?” Avery finally spoke.

“Bed? It's still early.”

“Well, I wouldn't want our star seeker to be too tired for practice.”

“Oh really?” Kaeda said seeing right through his act.

“Fine, look, I know his act. I just don't want to see you get hurt.”

“Don't you think it's a little too late for that?” she shouted before getting up and walking for her dorm.

“Kaeda, wait!” Avery shouted after her.

Kaeda walked into her dorm, slamming the door behind her and threw herself onto her bed.

“Are you alright Kade?”

Kaeda looked up to see the blue eyes of Katrina starring back at her.

“I'm fine. Just a little annoyed is all,” Kaeda answered, sitting herself up.

Katrina pulled her long blonde hair up into a pony tail before sitting herself down next to Kaeda.

“Anything you want to talk about?” she asked.

“Well-” Kaeda began.

“Kaeda!” the door swung open revealing two witches.

The first with long curly purple hair with eyes to match. The other with hair, long black and shinny, and bright yellow eyes.

“We saw you and Avery. What happened? Is he and Zyler fighting over you? Wow, this is wicked! The two hottest wizards in Hogwarts fighting over you! Eeep!” the purple haired witch squealed.

“Vi, relax! It's not what you think,” Kaeda said attempting to stop her.

“So you and Avery are not fighting?” Viola asked.

“Well we are, but Avery and Zyler aren't.”

“Wait, so all that screaming wasn't fighting?” the black haired witch asked.

“Of course it was, Mac,” Viola said annoyed.

“Oh- wait, I'm confused,” Macadrian said.

“Please don't think too hard, girl, you're brains not quite use to it,” Viola said smiling. “So, are you going to tell us or do we have to slip some Veritaserum in your pumpkin juice?”

“Er- where's Peyton?” Kaeda asked trying to change the subject.

“Supposedly in the library, but you know her,” Katrina answered.

“Yeah, not everyone's a goody-toe shoes like Kat,” Viola smirked.

“That reminds me, I have a tutoring session to get to,” Katrina grabbed her school bag and ignoring her roommate, she left.

“She has a lot of tutoring session lately. Who can be that stupid?” said Viola.

“I know, and I thought she always got top marks,” Macadrian said trying to think.

“I stand corrected,” Viola said under her breath. “She's not the one being tutored, she's tutoring someone else! So Kade, quite changing the subject. What happened between you and Potter?”

“Er- I almost forgot!” Kaeda announced jumping to her feet.

“Forgot what?” Viola asked.

“That I- had to tell Junior something. I'm going to go find him!”

_________________________________________________________________________

Junior fiddled with his tie and ran a comb through his platinum hair as he walked into the lounge. Looking around, he spotted his friends sitting in a corner by a window. Marcel and Avery were sitting on a couch engaged in a conversation while Teddy sat in a chair across from them, his nose in a book.

“And where have we been?” Marcel called out as he spotted his younger cousin crossing the room.

“I was in the library,” Junior lied.

“Really? I was just in there and I don't recall you seeing you,” Teddy said without glancing up from his book.

“So what did I miss?” Junior asked taking a seat in a vacant seat beside Teddy.

“Just Ave having a row with Zyler,” Marcel answered.

“Do I even want to know why?” Junior asked looking to Avery who just shook his head.

“My guess is that it had something to do with your sister,” Teddy said between pages.

“Speaking of Kade,” Marcel pointed towards the door just as Kaeda walked in.

“That's my cue to leave,” Avery said standing up. “See you at breakfast.”

Kaeda walked in to the lounge and looked around. She saw Avery trying to sneak away without notice. Spotting Junior, Teddy, and Marcel by the window, Kaeda walked over and took the seat beside Marcel.

“Grrr...!” she growled.

“Having fun are we?”

“It's not funny, Cel!” Kaeda growled throwing a pillow at him. “You are his best mates, what's wrong with him?”

“Whoa, calm down, sis. Don't you think this is considered girl talk?”

“You know something, don't you?” she asked eyeing her brother. “Tell me or I'll hex you!” she said pulling out her wand and pointing it at him.

“Look, Kade, all he said is that he thinks you're too young for him.”

“WHAT?” Kaeda shouted in outrage.

“Shhh, Kade keep it down,” Marcel hushed.

“That's ridiculous! If that's what he thinks then why did he kiss me in the first place?” she said in hushed tones.

“He kissed you?” Teddy said slamming his book close.

“Oh, like you guys didn't know.”

“No, we didn't,” Junior laughed. “He refused to tell us anything.”

“Fine then! If that's what he thinks then I'll- I'll-”

“You'll what?” Junior asked raising an eyebrow.

“What ever it is, don't do anything stupid,” Marcel cautioned.

Kaeda took a deep breath and looked around the room, smirking as she spotted Zyler near the fireplace.

“Oh, no,” Junior said as he caught the gleam in his sister's eye. “I know that smirk. Don't do it.”

“JR's right, Kade. It's not like Avery is even here to witness anything,” Marcel added.

“Don't do anything stupid,” Teddy called out as she began to walk away.

Kaeda marched up to Zyler who was chatting to an auburn haired Slytherin wizard.

“You alright Kaeda,” the boys said.

“Hello Orion,” Kaeda smiled. “Do you mind if I steal Zyler for a moment?” she asked sweetly.

“Of course. Anything for a fellow Black,” he smirked before retreated.

“Well, Miss. Malfoy,” Zyler smiled. “I was afraid Potter scared you away.”

“Not quite, he only detained me. Anyway, I was hoping we can start from where we left off,” she said placing a hand on his shoulder.

“As you wish,” he grinned taking her hand and leading her over to a vacant sofa. “So where were we?”

“Right about here,” she answered as she pressed her lips against his.

Junior sat back shaking his head, “I can't watched this,” he said getting to his feet.

“Hey Junior,” a curly brown haired witch said as she walk by, holding the tip of her glasses at the corner of her mouth.

Junior smiled giving a short nod, “Ashlyn.”

As he watched the witch walk away, a loud crash sounded from behind him.

“Hey, JR, isn't that your owl?” Teddy said gesturing towards the Eagle Owl that hovered just outside the window.

Junior opened the window, allowing the bird to sour in. The owl perched itself on the arm of Teddy's chair and held out it's leg for Junior. Junior untied the letter, and with a pat on the head, the Eagle soared back out into the cold night air.

“What's it say?” Marcel asked curiously.

“It's from Mum. She says her and Grandmother Molly are taking a holiday to Ireland and they will be back in time for the match. It also says that father is starting his job tomorrow, so he will be busy as well,” Junior said as he skimmed through the letter. “PS. Your father still doesn't know our little secret. Don't let your sister tell him. Let him stew for a while.”

“And people wonder where Kaeda gets her need for revenge from,” Marcel laughed.

“What's the big secret?” Teddy asked curiously.

“Oh, well you know that article about Mum marrying Xavier?”

“Yes.”

“Well, turns out he had it published without her knowing and she had completely broken it off with him the night before.”

“So they're not getting married?” Teddy asked to make sure he was fully understanding the situation.

“Exactly,” Marcel answered. “She was so bloody pissed about the fight that Draco started that she's taking it out on him by not telling him the truth.”

“Oh, so then what were you so bloody mad about this morning?” Teddy continued his questioning.

“That would be for finding him passed out in a Muggle club,” Junior answered. “Not a pretty sight. And neither is that," he said in disgust as he spotted his sister snogging the older Slytherin. "Well, I'm tired,” Junior yawned. “I'm going to head to bed.”

Junior bid goodnight to his friends and walked out into the hall. Looking in both directions to make sure he was alone, he turned in the opposite direction of the tower and walked towards the dungeon, slipping quietly into an empty classroom.

“I was hoping you would show up,” a voice rang in his ear.

“Ash, do you honestly think I would miss an opportunity to spend some time with you?” he said turning to the Hufflepuff witch before leaning in for a kiss.

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