It was June's second to last night in the Selwyn household before heading back to Hogwarts, and something was wrong. Something had been wrong for the last few days, and June couldn't figure out what it was. Or when exactly the shift had happened.

Everything was fine when she came home, Christmas was delightful, but once the new year had begun it was as if the air in the home became stale. Still. Silent. Threatening to crack at any moment.

June was sitting on her bed in her pyjamas, her Lumos spell illuminating the pages of her novel as she read. She'd predictably received a plethora of books for Christmas and, to no surprise, was already working through her second one.

Knock knock.

A gentle rap at the door took June from her story. "Junie, can we speak with you?" Her father sounded tired, his voice soft.

"Sure you can!" June set her bookmark in her book and closed the cover, setting it on her bedside table as Phinehas and Louise Selwyn entered the room.

Her father offered June a gentle smile as the two sat beside to their daughter on the bed. "Reading anything exciting?"

June nodded. "Catcher in the Rye. It's a muggle book, isn't it?" Phinehas had been keen to explore more muggle literature after conversations with Mr. Henry.

"That it is..." Phinehas's attention was clearly elsewhere, but on what? A moment passed where June's father was clearly searching for words. He inhaled sharply. "June, something has happened, and I- we think you are old enough to be able to know about it and have a say in it."

June shifted, uncomfortable by the sudden change in her father's tone. Well, at least it was a bit of a relief to hear that something had in fact happened and she wasn't overthinking anything. She began to attempt to brace herself for whatever news would come. Had her grand-père passed away? Were the Selwyns moving because something was wrong with the house? Oh Merlin, had June done something wrong? Though her mind raced with possibilities, she never would have thought of what her father said next.

Phinehas took a long breath in. "June, your mother has been having an affair."

Silence.

The idea of an affair was not entirely foreign to June, it was even a main plot in her father's most recent book. But her mother? June blinked slowly, trying to process the information.

Her father squeezed her hand, looking June in the eyes. June heard her mother sniff, tears threatning to spill from her eyes. "I found out on New Year's Eve. June, it is not your fault. Your mother loves you very much, she just made a mistake." Phineas's voice quivered ever so slightly.

Louise nodded, her face a storm of emotions. "I made a mistake. June...Sweetheart, I am so sorry. I.." She fought to find the words. "Merde. Shit."

Phinehas took hold of the conversation."It's happened, and we can't fix it or control it. But what we can do is communicate and be honest with each other, alright?"

June nodded, her expression a mixture between shock and nothingness.

Louise let out a soft snivel. "June, I am so so sorry. Your father is right, it is not your fault. Oh, mon fille my daughter, I'm so sorry."

"She has apologized to me," Phinehas continued, "and I've forgiven her. She's cut off contact with him, and has promised to make things right again."

June didn't respond. She wouldn't even know how she would respond if she did.

Her father stood up, composing himself. "We are still a family, and we're going to come back from this. Alright?"

"Alright," was all June could get out.

Louise rubbed June's shoulder. "It's late, June. But please talk to us, talk to me if you are feeling angry or confused. Your father is right, we are a family, and family communicates." She offered her daughter a pathetic smile before standing as well. "Bon nuit Goodnight, June."

Her mother turned, walking out of the room as Phinehas kissed June's forehead. "I love you Junie, alright? We love you." June wasn't so sure how much she believed that anymore. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," was the automatic response that came out. June looked up into her father's eyes. "I'm fine," she said a bit more convincingly.

Her father nodded. "Alright then, Junebug. Sleep well." He walked to June's bedroom door, pausing for a moment as he began to close it. "Everything is going to work itself out." Whether that was directed towards June or himself was unsure, but the door was closed before clarity could be found.

June sat unmoving, for how long she wasn't sure. Her mind was racing yet was empty, the room unbearably hot yet cold as ice.

Her mum had cheated.

June got under her covers, dispelling her lighting charm. Her mum had cheated. She stared at the ceiling as she begged for sleep to overtake her. Her mum had cheated.

A seed was planted that night in the mind of June Selwyn; a seed of anger. And though she didn't know it, that seed would soon be watered. And grow.

Her mum had cheated.