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As the first class of the day commences, the school's halls remain eerily deserted.
Josephine finds herself in need of a respite, a sanctuary to collect herself before the next class.
Her breath quickens as the memory of her conversation with James replays in her mind.
Worry grips her; she hopes James hasn't trailed her.
She glances over her shoulder, relieved to confirm his absence.
However, footsteps ahead catch her attention.
Evan, with a smile that quickly fades as he notices her disheveled state, blocks her path.
He can see the telltale signs of her distress - her rapid breaths, the tears barely held back.
"Josette," he says softly, stepping closer and lightly touching her arm.
"Come on," he urges, leading her in a direction she doesn't care about.
All Josie desires is solitude. Perhaps wherever Evan is taking her will suffice, and then she can dismiss him to cry alone.
Her mind remains unfocused on their route, inadvertently guiding them to a secluded corner in the kitchen.
Evan helps her into a chair and settles across from her.
"Josette, breathe," he instructs.
It feels impossible, even though she knows it isn't. Emotions tend to shroud rationality.
Evan seizes her hand and taps on it, syncing his breaths with the taps.
"Breathe," he encourages.
It works.
She endeavors to synchronize her breath with his finger's rhythm.
"Sorry," she murmurs, though she can't pinpoint the reason for her apology.
"You have nothing to apologize for," Evan reassures.
Once her breathing has steadied, Josie raises her hands to rub her eyes.
"Did something happen?" Evan inquires gently.
"Just my—James," she replies, feeling like her identity has been stripped away. She is too stubborn to seek her real parents' identity from her adoptive parents.
Perhaps they wouldn't even tell her, or maybe she had been taken from loving parents who are still searching for their lost daughter.
Or maybe her real parents are no longer alive.
She shifts her gaze from her hands to Evan.
"You know," Evan begins, choosing his words carefully, attempting to divert her thoughts, "I had a sister."
Had.
Her brow furrows. "What happened to her?"
His blue eyes fall downward, carrying a trace of sadness.
"She died," he admits with a sigh. "I was ten, and she was nine."
Josie remains silent.
A line of sorrow etches into his eyes as he continues, "No one ever told me how she died, just that she was gone."
Josie extends her hand to grasp his, and he allows it, finding solace in their unspoken connection.
A sad smile crosses her lips.
"Now," Evan clears his throat, "I don't want to be sad anymore."
Josie chuckles.
Evan rises and pulls her up from her chair.
Laughter spills from her lips as he hurriedly leads her through the hallways.
They are having fun until Filch's harsh voice shatters the moment.
Josephine's eyes widen, and she looks at Evan with a hint of panic.
"Keep running!" he shouts.
She rolls her eyes but follows his advice.
For a moment, it is exhilarating to sprint through the corridors with Evan, trusting him to guide her to their next class.
Almost forgotten is the impending task of approaching Dumbledore to join his order and gather vital information for Tom.
~~~~~ What were you guys for halloween if you dressed up? I was a vampire🦾
