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It's Tuesday, and this weekend is Hogsmade weekend, which Josie eagerly anticipates. However, at the moment, she is preparing for her patrol with Regulus.
"Is this okay?" Josie turns to face Dorcas, She's is dressed in black pants and a green sweater.
"Wearing his colors," Dorcas smirks at her.
Josie glances down at her green sweater. "Oh, I guess I am," she mutters.
"Don't overthink it," Dorcas reassures her, placing her hands on Josie's arms.
"Alright," Josie manages a slight smile. She turns, picks up her wand, and tucks it into her pocket.
"I'll see you later," Dorcas calls as she reclines on her bed.
Josephine exits the room and makes her way to the doors of the Great Hall.
"Regulus," she greets as she approaches him.
"Josephine," he smirks down at her, a few strands of dark hair falling in front of his face. His eyes briefly scan her outfit, causing Josie to instinctively feel the need to cover up.
They begin their usual route, the silence between them becoming increasingly tedious.
"Do you want to play twenty questions?" Josie blurts out of nowhere. She is growing bored with the lack of conversation, and despite feeling nervous about asking personal questions, she still decides to take the initiative.
"Twenty questions?" Regulus tilts his head to the side, his eyes focused on her.
"Yeah, we just ask each other questions," Josie shrugs, starting to pick at her nails.
"Sure."
"Hmm, do you speak any other languages?" It's the first question that comes to Josie's mind. She's fairly certain Regulus speaks other languages, but she isn't sure which ones.
"Yes, French. What's your favorite gift you've ever received?"
"Oh, probably one of those pearl necklaces. My dad got it for me when I was eleven, before Hogwarts, but it broke." Josie reminisces, remembering how devastated she had been when it broke in her third year. She had sobbed uncontrollably, struggling to catch her breath. It wasn't just about the necklace itself, but the sentimental value it held.
"Josephine?" Regulus calls, bringing her back to the present.
"Oh, sorry. Um, if you weren't sorted into Slytherin, which house do you think you would be in?"
Regulus ponders for a moment. "Maybe Ravenclaw, actually. How about you?"
"The Sorting Hat debated putting me in Slytherin," Josie replies.
"Really?" Regulus raises an eyebrow.
"What, is it not believable?" Josie thinks she possesses distinct Slytherin qualities.
"Not really, although I don't know you that well," he admits.
Just as Josie is about to ask another question, they hear a noise coming from a nearby classroom. They exchange glances and walk closer to the classroom door. Regulus retrieves his wand and whispers "Lumos," casting light as they open the door.
Inside, two students are making out. The boy and girl gasp and look over. Josie recognizes the girl from Ravenclaw, indicated by her tie, and the boy is from Slytherin.
Josie notices Regulus's raised eyebrows, and she swiftly takes control of the situation. "Five points from both houses. Now go," she commands firmly.
The students quickly adjust their disheveled clothing and exit the classroom, making their way towards their respective common rooms.
Unable to contain her amusement, Josie can't help but let a smile cross her face. "That was interesting," she remarks.
As she turns back to face Regulus, she finds him already staring at her. She clears her throat, feeling a slight flush rise to her cheeks, and resumes walking in the intended direction. She senses Regulus following closely behind her.
After another hour, their patrol comes to an end. "Goodbye, Regulus. Have a good night," Josie yawns, her fatigue becoming evident.
Regulus smirks down at her and replies, "Goodnight, jolie fille."(Pretty girl)
"What does that mean?" Josie's eyebrows furrow. It's French, but she isn't sure of its meaning. Merlin, she wishes she had learned another language so that she could engage in discreet conversations or talk about people right in front of them.
"You're smart, figure it out,"
"Was it an insult?"
Regulus tilts his head and looks down. "It wasn't," he states before walking away.
Rolling her eyes, Josie makes her way back to her own common room. She enters her dorm cautiously, opening the door slowly so as not to disturb her sleeping roommates.
To her surprise, Dorcas is still awake and looks up as she enters.
"Hey," Dorcas whispers.
Josie smiles in response, intending to head to the bathroom. However, Dorcas hands her something before she can move. "It came while you were gone. Goodnight."
Dorcas settles down and quickly falls asleep. Josie looks down at the object in her hand—it's a letter from her mom.
Sitting down on her bed, Josie breaks the seal and begins reading.
Hello Darling,
How's school been? Anybody catch your interest?
I hope you've been having a good time with prefect duty. Who were you paired up with?
I just wanted to check up on you. Me and your father are doing good.
I know your father...hasn't been the best lately and I'm sorry dear. We will both talk to him about it when you come home for holiday.
I love you my Josephine.
Love,
Mom.
Josie takes a moment to absorb her mother's words. It's comforting to receive her mother's check-in and expression of love. She misses her mom dearly, especially with the dark wizard and his followers gaining power.
Though her parents don't explicitly discuss the situation, Josie has seen the attacks on Muggle-born families in the news. She wondered if that was why everyone had a partner in school this year. To see if they would get along. It would make sense. If Voldemort and his whole group were rising then theoretically Dumbledore would create something similar to stop them. So maybe paring everyone up was to see how people worked together. If they could be a team.
It made sense.
Lost in her thoughts, Josie realizes that it's getting late. She decides to reply to her mom in the morning and puts the letter aside. With a sigh, she begins preparing for bed, eager to rest and face the challenges of the coming day.
