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Josephine rubs her eyes, feeling the weight of approaching December and the urgency to start studying the notes she has been taking. Even though the O.W.L. exams are still months away, she realizes that if she doesn't begin now, she might never get started.
Sitting in the library, Josie glances longingly at the window as snowflakes gently flutter down outside. She can't help but wish Regulus was there with her. Shaking off the thought, she temporarily abandons her notes, her mind wandering to the image of Regulus – his slightly overlong hair, the analytical gaze of his gray eyes, and the soothing quality of his voice. He seems to step out of one of the books she cherishes.
Though she has liked people before, her feelings for him are more intense and palpable, which scares her a little. Josie is aware of the obstacles between them. Their families have different affiliations – his parents likely want him to follow the dark lord, while hers would prefer her to join Dumbledore's cause.
The realization that they don't have much time left at Hogwarts and that their paths are diverging makes her question the hope she holds onto. She forces herself to focus on her notes, hoping to distract herself from her spiraling thoughts.
As Josie is immersed in reading her potions notes, she hears a chair scrape across the table, and to her surprise, it is Regulus. It seems like he appears whenever she thinks of him.
"Hello," she greets with a smile, closing her potions book.
Regulus tilts his head curiously, "What are you reading?"
Letting out a sigh, she replies, "The notes for potions. I'm gathering all the material I've taken for the O.W.L. exams." Her fingers lightly tap on the stack of books.
Just as they are starting to talk, two students approach – Avery and Mulciber, known for their pureblood supremacist beliefs. Josie quickly looks down at her book, trying to appear occupied.
One of them sneers, "What are you doing with a blood traitor Black?" He moves closer to Josie, causing her to instinctively lean away from him.
Her eyes lock onto Regulus, not expecting him to take any action, as he would get in serious trouble with his parents. He sits up straighter in his chair.
"Just showing her that her place is below us," his voice turns cold, and he stands up from the chair.
Avery laughs and goads Regulus, "Let's go, Black. Wouldn't want people to think that you actually like this blood traitor." Regulus nods in agreement.
Josie watches as the three of them depart. She feels conflicted; she knows she could do something or say something, but Avery and Mulciber are not just regular students. They are dangerous, and they would likely hurt her and get away with it.
Without much thought, she packs her bag and decides to leave the library. She needs a change of environment and opts to walk outside, despite the cold weather.
As soon as she steps outside, the chilly breeze hits her, causing her to shiver, but she keeps walking along the castle walls, avoiding stepping into the snow. Snowflakes brush against her face as she loses herself in thoughts about the passing year, feeling like she hasn't accomplished much due to having to be "patient," as Helena has advised her.
Suddenly, she hears footsteps behind her and turns her head to find Regulus walking up to her. They walk together in silence for a while before she voices her concerns out of the blue.
"Is this how it's going to be?" she questions.
"Pardon?" Regulus tilts his head to look at her.
"I mean you, Evan, and Pandora. Are you guys going to have to stop hanging out with me because of the whole dark lord thing?" Josie avoids looking at him.
"We don't want to," Regulus replies after a moment of silence.
"But you are. Maybe not now, but soon," she states, feeling a sense of sadness taking hold of her during this winter season.
Regulus remains silent, confirming her fears.
"Can you leave? Like Sirius did? I mean, all of you could leave," she stops walking to face him.
"I'm not like Sirius. We have no place to go," his voice strains.
Her frustration shows in her furrowed eyebrows, "You can still leave. All of you. You could come with me."
He scoffs, "And what, come to live with your family? Join Dumbledore?"
"I'm not saying to join Dumbledore. I'm saying leave your parents' house. You don't have to join them," she replies, even though the wind is making her freezing cold, she refuses to go back inside.
"Don't act like you know anything about what's going on with this war," Regulus shoots back.
"You're right, I don't!" she exclaims, taking a breath, "Because I'm not joining Dumbledore, and no one will tell me anything about the war!" The rumors of an impending war scare her; she is just fifteen, and the uncertainty is overwhelming.
"I just want to help," her voice breaks slightly, and she hates showing her vulnerability.
"You can't help us," his words strike her hard, leaving her feeling powerless. Having magic seems meaningless if she can't do anything to protect her friends.
Regulus walks away, leaving Josie to contemplate everything. The world feels scarier now, and all she longs for is to be a carefree kid again, before Hogwarts and everything that comes with it.
