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Pandora sprints through the school's halls, her heart racing as she thinks about Josephine bleeding. She can't fathom who would attack her like this.
The Slytherin common room is her destination; the boys would likely be there. As for Dorcas, her whereabouts remain a mystery.
She rushes down the steps and nearly trips in her haste. Regaining her footing, she finally reaches the Slytherin common room, though she has to pause to catch her breath.
Knocking frantically on the door, she realizes she can't recall the password.
"What!" the door swings open, and Barty appears. "Oh, Pandora, sorry."
"It's Josie," she whispers, her voice trembling. "She's hurt."
Barty's expression darkens. "What?"
Then Evan emerges. "Oh, hey, Dora, what's up?"
"Where's Regulus?" Pandora inquires, her hands shaking with anxiety.
Evan furrows his brow. "What's going on?"
"Get Regulus, then come out here!" she snaps.
"Merlin," Evan sighs, rolling his eyes before reentering the common room to fetch Regulus.
Barty steps outside and takes Pandora's hand. "Take a breath," he advises.
"She was hurt," Pandora reiterates, her voice choked with emotion.
Regulus and Evan come out to join them. "Pandora, what's wrong?" Regulus approaches, concern in his eyes.
"Josie, she..." Pandora pauses to collect herself. "She was with McGonagall, covered in blood. Her nose was bleeding, and she said she got attacked by two boys."
"Who?" Regulus and Barty ask simultaneously.
"I don't know! All I know is she's hurt, and they're taking her to the infirmary." Regulus practically sprints off toward the infirmary, and Evan follows closely behind.
"Go with them. I'm going to get Dorcas," Barty says, and without further delay, Pandora runs after Regulus and Evan.
~~~
Josie winces as Madam Pomfrey examines her. She sits on one of the cots in the room. McGonagall is standing a bit farther away, awaiting Dumbledore's arrival. The most crucial issue Pomfrey raises is Josie's head; it's bleeding, and Pomfrey needs to assess the extent of the injury before she can heal it.
The doors burst open, and McGonagall scolds, "Slow down!"
Regulus and Evan, however, pay no attention and rush to Josie. Pandora follows a few steps behind.
"Jo," Evan tries to approach her.
"Stop it! Let me heal her. I need space," Pomfrey snaps. Both Regulus and Evan seem infuriated by the response.
