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Josephine is trying. Trying to pretend everything is fine.
And that she is fine.
She is determined to keep her inner turmoil hidden from others. She receives letters from her friends, presumably sent by Sirius from the Potter house. She is grateful for his thoughtfulness.
Upon her arrival, she forwarded her address to Sirius and left it at that. She opens one from Evan.
Dear Josette,
How's my incredible friend? I trust you're holding up well.
I thought you might like to know that I've delved into that muggle book series you wouldn't stop talking about. It's rather enjoyable, but it's set in America, and half the phrases are lost on me.
Perhaps you should consider becoming my personal translator?
On another note, Barty has only sent me a single letter. I can't help but worry, but let's keep that between us. I believe he's fine, but the concern remains.
Wishing you a wonderful day, Josephine.
With love, Your one and only best friend. Sorry not sorry, Dorcas.
Josie can't help but chuckle. Evan's mention of Barty's infrequent letters strikes a chord; it seems they are in similar situations. Regulus, has not responded to her letter. She hasn't divulged the details of her recent experiences to her friends, nor does she plan to.
Her fingers brush against the scab on the left side of her face, a reminder of the cut. She fights the urge to pick at it, retracting her hand with determination.
The impending New Year's reminds her of the passage of time.
Not that it matters really.
Nothing really matters.
Merlin that is depressing.
Shaking off the somber mood, she pushes herself to leave her room. Her footsteps lead her to the kitchen, where Alora and Karina are sharing laughter amidst cooking.
"Hello," Josie greets softly. Both of them turn their attention to her.
"Hey there, dear. Hungry for some lunch?" Alora inquires. Josie nods and settles beside her at the kitchen counter.
"I was thinking, maybe after lunch, I could get my hands on some scissors and trim my hair?" she suggests. The notion might seem a touch impulsive, yet she has long yearned for a change in her appearance. Not a drastic cut, but rather some layers and a bit of length taken off.
Karina readily agrees, "Absolutely. I could lend a hand if you'd like. I used to cut my sister's hair regularly." Josie feels a surge of gratitude for their acceptance, even if her desire for change is partially rooted in her recent decision to run away from her house.
"That sounds perfect. Thank you," Josie beams at Karina, who responds with a playful wink.
~~~
Josie repositions a stool in front of the bathroom mirror, preparing for the transformation ahead.
Karina enters the room and positions herself behind Josie, her reflection looking back at them both.
"Alright, Josie. What's the plan? How much length are we talking, and what kind of style?" Karina quirked an eyebrow with a hint of playfulness.
"Just about an inch or two off, and I'm thinking lots of layers. Oh, and perhaps some long bangs," Josie replies with a touch of anticipation in her voice.
Karina nods in understanding and sets to work, her practiced hands guiding the scissors with precision. Throughout the process, she poses questions to Josie, ensuring that each snip of the scissors is in line with her vision.
After several focused minutes, Karina takes a step back, her task completed.
Josephine gazes at her reflection, a genuine smile forming on her lips. She reaches up to delicately run her fingers through her newly styled hair.
"It's perfect," she remarks, satisfaction evident in her voice. The longer bangs elegantly conceal the cut on her face, a subtle confidence booster.
Karina's own smile mirrors Josie's. "You know, we could take it a step further... how about a little hair dye?"
Josie's eyes widen with surprise and intrigue. "Seriously?"
Karina's affirmative nod is enthusiastic. "Absolutely. We could add a splash of color, a streak maybe."
Josie's interest grows as she ponders the possibilities. "How about a streak behind my ear? And let's make it blue."
The idea settled, Josephine turns to face the mirror once again, a sense of newfound excitement building within her.
~~~
Josephine gazes at her transformed appearance, though in truth, the changes aren't all that drastic—just a fresh haircut and a subtly dyed streak. She toys with the strand of hair behind her ear, the hue coincidentally matching that of Ravenclaw's house colors. She acknowledges that it might be a bit cliché, but the truth is, she can't bring herself to care.
Oddly, this minor alteration seems to offer some solace, a way to differentiate the person she is becoming from her past self. It's as if by tweaking this one element, she can distance herself from her previous identity.
Thoughts about her true parentage often occupy her mind. What circumstances lead them to abandon her? Are they even alive, or were they dead? The uncertainty gnaws at her, an intense dislike for not having all the answers.
A gentle tap on the window redirects her attention. An owl hovers outside, bearing a letter. With measured steps, she approaches the window, allowing the creature access, and retrieves the missive.
Dear Josephine,
Apologies for the delay in my response; my parents have been keeping me quite occupied. What books did you manage to acquire?
How's your experience with the Falling Stars book? I find myself quite engrossed in it.
Wishing you a pleasant day, Josephine.
Regulus.
A faint smile graces Josephine's lips as she peruses the note. The owl has already departed by the time she finishes reading.
Taking a moment, she pens her responses to both Evan and Regulus, then entrusts Alora's owl to dispatch her messages.
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