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Josephine drifts away from Dorcas's words, struggling to focus on her friend's conversation. She doesn't want to burden Dorcas with her troubles, but at this moment, she can't think about anything else.
"Dorcas, I just don't feel well. I don't want to go to Hogsmeade," she admits, that whole week she had successfully evaded all her classes by feigning illness. Her schoolwork was sent to her, and she even managed to escape prefect duties for a week.
Dorcas furrows her brows with concern. "You've been feeling ill this entire week."
"It's not—" Josie sighs, trying to muster a faint smile. "I'm fine, I just need rest, okay? Tell Regulus I'm fine, I'm just sick."
Reluctantly, Dorcas agrees to convey the message to Regulus and leaves the room. Josephine sighs and reclines on her bed, her mind filled with images of Aspen, Serena, and thoughts of Nyla, wondering if she's still alive at the age of fifty-two. Perhaps she could try to find her? But then Josephine remembers her long list of other responsibilities: searching for a Horcrux, mastering Occlumency, obtaining information from the order on behalf of Tom, extracting information about Horcruxes for herself and Helena, and maintaining her relationships. Oh, and pretending that everything is perfectly fine.
A knock echoes through the room, prompting Josephine to stand up and approach the door. "Dorcas, I said I was fi—" She opens the door but quickly shuts it when she realizes it's Regulus.
"Josephine?" Regulus's voice carries an amused tone from the other side of the door.
"Yes?"
"Why did you shut the door?"
"Because I don't look my best right now. We can talk through the door."
She can hear Regulus chuckle softly. "I don't care how you look."
"Well, I care."
"Let me in, Josephine."
"No, thanks," she replies, nervously biting her lip.
"Listen, I'm—" She can hear him take a deep breath. "I'm worried about you."
"I'm sorry," Josephine apologizes.
"Don't be sorry. I just want to make sure you're alright."
She contemplates his words for a moment. "Give me a couple of minutes, and I'll open the door," she promises.
Josephine quickly casts a spell to tidy her hair and changes into fresh clothes. As she applies a touch of makeup, she sighs at the reflection in the mirror. Despite her efforts to conceal it, she doesn't feel well mentally. Dressing up and putting on makeup doesn't change that.
Exiting her bathroom and opening the door, she greets Regulus, "Hi."
Regulus looks up from where he's fiddling with his rings. "Can I come in?" he asks.
