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It is now Friday, and throughout the week, Josie has been growing closer to Regulus and the friend group. She finds their company enjoyable, appreciating their kindness and sense of humor. Her patrol with Regulus has gone smoothly, as it is still early in the school year, and few students venture out past curfew. Now, she is in her dorm, engaged in a conversation with Dorcas.
"Oh, also, there's a party tonight," Dorcas casually mentions.
"Cool, are you going?" Josie inquires, momentarily looking up from the task of organizing her desk.
"Yes, and so are you," Dorcas responds with a mischievous grin.
Josie's grip tightens on the book she holds, almost dropping it in surprise. "No, thanks," she replies, maintaining a polite smile. Parties are generally fun, but she isn't keen on being around drunk individuals. It makes her uncomfortable.
"Regulus will be there," Dorcas adds, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively.
"So?" Josie shrugs.
"Listen, didn't we make a deal to talk to other people?" Dorcas reminds her.
"Yes, and I've talked to Regulus, but you haven't spoken to Marlene yet, so I don't know why you're bringing it up," Josie retorts, rolling her eyes as she carefully places everything back on her desk and takes a step back.
"Okay, well, can you come with me to the party to make sure I don't get too drunk and say something I regret to Marlene?" Dorcas pleads, flashing an innocent smile.
"I don't enjoy being around people who are drunk or high, you know that," Josie confesses, her tone reflecting her reluctance.
"If you genuinely don't want to go, then I won't force you. But sometimes, I think you want to go but don't know how to step out of your comfort zone," Dorcas reasons, her expression understanding.
Josie bites her lip, contemplating the offer. She sighs and closes her eyes, weighing her options. "What time is the party?" she finally asks.
Dorcas' face lights up with excitement. "Yes! It's at 10:30 in the Hufflepuff common room," she reveals.
Josie glances at the clock on the wall. 9:00 PM.
"What should I wear?" Josie inquires, seeking Dorcas' fashion advice.
"Well, what do you want to wear? A dress?" Dorcas suggests.
"No dresses, please. Something comfortable," Josie requests. She does like dresses, but wearing one to a party is out of the question.
After some deliberation, they settle on a pair of flare jeans and a cute shirt—a simple yet fashionable choice. Josie opts to keep her hair down and adds some small braids. She adorns herself with her regular jewelry. By the time they finish getting ready, it is already 10:20. They even have a mini dance party in the midst of their preparations.
Discreetly, they make their way to the Hufflepuff common room. Josie briefly contemplates turning back since, as a prefect, she technically shouldn't be participating in such activities. Its ok to have sometimes.
Upon entering the common room, Josie can immediately tell that many attendees are either high or drunk. Surprisingly, her brother and his friends are not present, likely due to the recent full moon. It is a mixed crowd from different houses, and she is surprised there isn't a fight brewing. Considering the Hufflepuffs' reputation, she should have expected the presence of a fair share of individuals getting high.
At one moment, Josie turns her head away from Dorcas, only to find her friend gone when she looks back. "Are you kidding me?" she mutters in annoyance, picking at her nails as she makes her way toward a corner of the room. However, her progress is interrupted as someone grabs her arm.
"Josephine," a familiar voice calls out, using her full name.
She turns to face the speaker. "Regulus," she acknowledges, noting that he doesn't seem as intoxicated as some of the others, though he does hold a cup of what she presumes to be fire whiskey in his hand.
They are pushed even closer to the corner as the crowd grows more lively, but Regulus makes an effort to shield Josie from the constant jostling by bringing her closer to the corner.
"And here I thought this wasn't your scene," he teases lightly, releasing his grip on her arm.
"It's not. Dorcas dragged me here," Josie replies.
Regulus nods in understanding.
"Why don't you like parties?" he inquires, tilting his head and looking down at her. She had assumed he wouldn't be much of a party person, but maybe he just enjoys getting drunk.
"I don't like drunk people," she states plainly.
He sets down his cup on a nearby table.
"You didn't have to stop drinking. It's okay, I'll make sure Dorcas is alright and then leave," Josie assures him, not wanting to impose her preferences on someone else.
"You don't like drunk people, so I won't drink near you," he shrugs nonchalantly, as if it's no big deal.
"No, really, Regulus, it's fine," Josie insists, not wanting to force him to change his behavior for her sake.
Before he can respond, someone carelessly bumps into them, causing their drink to spill all over Josie. The person doesn't even bother to apologize before walking away.
Josie gasps as the cold liquid makes contact with her skin, realizing that she has borne the brunt of the spill.
"Gross," Josie mutters, holding her wet shirt away from her body in distaste.
"Come on, let's go," Regulus says, taking her arm and leading her out of the common room. As they exit, Josie catches Dorcas throwing her a thumbs-up.
"Regulus, it's fine. You can go back; I was going to leave anyway," Josie insists.
"I don't want you to walk back alone, alright? It's okay, I'll just walk you back to your common room," he assures her.
"Are you sure?" Josie hesitates, not wanting to impose on him.
"Yes, now come on," he says, releasing her arm as they begin walking in the direction of her common room.
"Thank you, Regulus," Josie whispers as they approach the Ravenclaw common room.
"It's no problem, Josephine," he replies.
"I still don't know why you insist on calling me by my full name," Josie remarks, realizing she's becoming more at ease around him and enjoying it.
"Because I like your full name," Regulus confesses.
They reach the Ravenclaw stairs.
"Thank you again for making sure I got here okay," Josie expresses her gratitude.
"Goodnight, darling," he bids her farewell before she ascends the stairs.
Darling. That's certainly a new term of endearment from him.
