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TW ED thoughts, body shaming?(not sure what to call it), blood, STUPID boys.
"Sorry!" Josie exclaims, flustered, after accidentally colliding with another student.
This morning is different; Dorcas has failed to wake her up, an unusual occurrence. Typically, it doesn't pose a problem since Josephine usually wakes earlier than Dorcas. However, last night was a rare respite from nightmares, and her body compelled her to sleep longer than intended. Consequently, she finds herself running a bit late.
Not excessively late, but she'll have to forgo breakfast to make it to her first class on time.
As she hurries towards her classroom, she bumps into Regulus.
"Josephine?" he murmurs as she takes a step back, startled.
Regulus arches an eyebrow with a quizzical tilt of his head. "Did you oversleep?"
"Dorcas didn't wake me," Josie explains, smoothing a strand of her hair back as they walk together in the same direction, heading to their first class of the day. She needs to give him the items she bought for him.
He hands her a cookie. "Here."
She looks at him with a questioning expression. "What's this for?"
"You missed breakfast," he replies.
Josie examines the offered treat and hesitates before taking a bite. It tastes delicious, but it means she won't be able to eat much at lunch. Not that she eats much in any case.
She finishes the cookie after a few minutes and asks, "Satisfied?"
Regulus nods. "Yes."
She recognizes that he is trying to be helpful, at least in his own way. He doesn't grasp the profound guilt she is already experiencing.
For once, she longs to feel normal.
~~~
Josie gazes at the multitude of books laid out before her. In the library, her mission is to tackle the ever-growing pile of homework, even if it means missing dinner. But, she reasons, at least she has shown up for lunch and put on a facade of eating.
As she opens her potions notebook, a wave of despair washes over her.
The assigned task is to compose an entire essay on the Draught of Peace. To make matters more challenging, they are expected to brew it in class the next day.
Focusing on her essay, she is interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Three distinct pairs of footsteps.
She feigns concentration on her essay, as these steps are unfamiliar, unlike the ones of her friends that she has memorized.
The trio draws closer, and she hears a derisive laugh. "A little blood traitor all alone, hm?"
