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Josie and Regulus also happen to be partners in Potions class. While Josie is decent at the subject, she isn't the best, which often leaves her hating the class. Regulus, on the other hand, seems to excel in potions. He took charge of most tasks, leaving Josie with the role of gathering ingredients. When she tried to help he just..ignored her. She understood his approach, as she tends to do the same when paired with someone less skilled.
After the class ended, they bid each other farewell and went their separate ways. Josie headed to the library in search of an engaging book. Despite having plenty of unread books in her trunk, she craves something more captivating at the moment.
Spotting a fantasy book that piques her interest, she brings it to a secluded table at the back, which she considers her own for the day. Just as she is about to delve into the story, a scraping sound of a chair interrupts her. It's her brother and his friends.
"James," she greets them, closing the book and looking up.
James and Sirius occupy the seats across from her, while Remus and Peter wear apologetic smiles, trying to keep their distance.
"Josie," her brother speaks in a serious tone.
"Yes?" she replies, curious about the reason for their visit.
"We heard and saw you hanging around my brother and his friends," Sirius confronts her.
"Yes," Josie confirms, refusing to deny it.
"You can't hang out with Slytherins," James whispers.
"You can't tell me what to do," she whispers back, her tone defiant.
"Listen, Mom told me to protect you, and this is me just looking out for you," James explains, shrugging nonchalantly. Prick
"So, you think protecting me means telling me not to hang out with people I actually enjoy being around?"
That question seems to stump him.
"James, Sirius, me, and Regulus are paired up in classes and prefect duties. Yes, I'm also friends with people who have connections to Slytherins, but that's none of your concern. I understand you're trying to protect me or whatever, but I can take care of myself."
They try to interject, but she holds a hand up and continues, "If they are doing anything wrong, I will handle it myself. So, stop treating me like a naive child."
Sirius seems to grasp her point, but James cuts in, "They're supporters of You-Know-Who!"
Sirius snaps his attention to James. "Don't," he warns sharply.
"If they are, I'll find out when the time comes, but don't throw accusations at them just for the sake of your protective instincts."
She gathers her belongings and leaves the library. Merlin, she feels as though the things she says are common sense. Her brother never seems to learn how to be mature. He was always treated like a child, while she, on the other hand, didn't have that luxury. She doesn't believe her parents intended to burden her with adult problems, but they often ranted to her about their jobs and stresses, using her as a makeshift therapist.
