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Josephine gazes blankly at the desk in front of her.
She was studying in the common room when she accidentally drifted off to sleep and had a nightmare. Even though she has convinced herself that everything that has happened with her family hasn't really affected her, Josie can't help but notice some subtle changes in herself. For one, she feels more on edge, like everything could go wrong. Another unsettling change is her tendency to dissociate from her surroundings, suddenly finding herself back in that dreaded house.
Her friends are beginning to notice the vacant look on her face and her unresponsiveness when they call her name. Earlier that day, Evan had to tap her arm multiple times just to bring her back to reality, only her to flinch back once she was back to reality. It leaves her feeling embarrassed. Why does she react that way?
Shaking off her thoughts, Josephine reminds herself that she is supposed to meet Tom soon, even though it is very late at night, there are no students around except for the prefects. As a prefect herself, she hopes they won't send her back to her common room if she gets caught outside.
Josephine manages to leave her common room discreetly and navigates through one of the secret passageways she has memorized from a map she had stole from James once. Grateful for her good memory, she twists and turns through the passage, wondering about Tom's intentions. She has no information to offer him yet; maybe he simply wants to threaten her again.
After what feels like an eternity, she reaches the end of the passageway. The door leads to a small forest near the Shrieking Shack. She checks to ensure she has her wand, then casts a small light on its tip. Stepping through the door, she is met with a blast of cold air, which she appreciates in spite of the winter chill.
The exit on this side of the passageway doesn't resemble a door at all; it appears as if vines are intertwined together. She closes it behind her and begins walking through the snow. Even though the passageway is near the shack, it is still quite a distance.
There is another passageway through the Whomping Willow, but Josephine has no idea how to stop the tree from attacking her. After what feels like an hour of careful navigation, she manages to sneak through the back door of the shack, clutching her wand tightly.
"Josephine," a voice calls out. She swiftly turns around and aims her wand, only to sigh when she realizes it is just Tom.
"Tom," she responds, lowering her wand.
He wears a smirk as he says, "Technically, it's Lord Voldemort."
Her brows furrow. "I'm not calling you that."
He scoffs.
Clearing her throat, she inquires, "What do you want?"
"I just want to see if you've joined his group yet."
"I have."
"And?" Apparently, her response doesn't satisfy him.
"Well, there isn't a meeting yet. I have no information." She might be a bit too fatigued, her tone lacking the utmost respect she promised herself she would use with him to ensure her safety.
Tom sighs in annoyance.
"If that's all you want, I'm going now."
She begins to walk back outside, but his voice stops her.
"No, we're starting your first lesson in Occlumency."
She refocuses on him, inwardly yearning to pass out on the floor and get at least an hour of sleep.
"Fine."
He moves a chair to the center of the abandoned shack, mocking her as he motions to it, saying, "Sit."
Suppressing the urge to roll her eyes, she walks over and settles into the chair.
His eyes seem to scrutinize her, as though trying to deduce her entire identity with a single glance.
Without warning, he delves into her mind.
Thankfully, she has stashed her and Helena's plan deep within a mental closet.
He uncovers a multitude of memories, some she has even forgotten.
She takes a deep breath as he withdraws from her mind, her hands gripping the chair's arms tightly.
"Can we stop?" Her voice trembles; he has only entered her mind once, but she is utterly drained.
Tom seems inclined to argue, to persuade her to try it again, but then something seems to cross his mind, causing him to step back. "Fine, go."
Without wasting a moment, she stands up from the chair so abruptly that stars dance in her vision. She walks out of the shack and into the frigid winter air.
Josephine stumbles through the snow until she reaches the door.
