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Josephine repeatedly taps her book while gazing out the window, her weariness apparent. Seated in the library without much purpose, she seems lost in thought.
"Isn't this a bit of a gloomy sight?" a voice remarks.
Startled, Josie turns to find Sirius standing nearby.
"Why are you here in the library?" she questions with narrowed eyes. "You're not planning some prank, are you?" She tenses, ready to flee if needed.
He chuckles and shakes his head. "No pranks this time," he assures her, taking a seat beside her. She sits at a table adjacent to the window, her chair slightly pulled back to enjoy the outside view.
"What's going on then?" She shifts to face him, noticing him fiddling with something in his pocket.
He produces a folded parchment and a ring. "Could you—" He pauses, clearing his throat. "Could you give this to Regulus? It's for his birthday."
Her eyes flit from the note to the ring, then back to Sirius' face.
"Of course, I can," she replies, extending her hand. Sirius hastily places the items into her hands, almost as though they pain him.
"Thanks, Jo," he says with a slight smile before hurriedly departing.
Glancing at the note, she makes a conscious decision not to read it. She suspects it might be in French, based on the few words visible on its front.
Carefully, she places the gifts inside her bag, avoiding the urge to examine either the note or the ring. They feel too intimate to pry into.
~~~
She didn't intend to skip breakfast this time. A nightmare kept her awake until late, causing her to oversleep and miss the morning meal. Consequently, she is now running late to wish her own boyfriend a happy birthday.
Frantically scanning the area, she pauses mid-step, frustration brewing. Where the fuck is he?
"Josephine?" a voice calls out behind her.
Startled, she spins around, the gift bag in her hand lightly tapping against her leg. "Regulus! I've been searching everywhere for you. I overslept, and I—" She stops her own rambling. "Happy birthday!" she exclaims, a wide smile crossing her face. "I'm so sorry for being late; I overslept."
Regulus offers her a small smile. "Thank you, Josephine, and it's alright, I understand."
"I wanted to be the first one to wish you a happy birthday," she explains. "I promise, next year I'll manage it."
He chuckles, a different timbre to his usual laugh.
She cherishes that sound.
"Here," she hurriedly hands him her gift. Though she is reminded of the other present from Sirius weighing on her conscience, it can wait.
As Regulus reaches for the bag, his hand lightly brushes against hers.
She hopes earnestly that he will like her gift.
Opening the bag, he extracts the two books. A smile instantly lights up his face as he gazes at the sketchbook and the other book she has chosen for him.
Behind her back, she nervously picks at her nails.
"Since I discovered your interest in drawing, I thought a sketchbook might be fitting, and—"
He interjects, cutting short her anxious babbling, a gesture she is immensely grateful for.
"I love it, Josephine. Thank you," he expresses, looking up from the gifts. She beams at him before glancing around the hallway. She intends to give him the items from Sirius but perhaps in a more secluded spot.
"Come on," she gently takes hold of his arm, offering him the chance to pull away, but he doesn't. Leading him to a hidden corner behind one of Hogwarts' statues, she releases his arm.
Raising his eyebrows, he looks at her, a silent question in his eyes.
"Here," she retrieves the ring and note from her pocket and hands them to him. His brow furrows. "It's from Sirius."
He tenses, narrowing his eyes. "If reading the note will ruin your day, then don't read it," she advises. "Read it later."
Regulus doesn't inspect the ring; he simply stashes both items into his bag. Maybe she should have waited to give it to him. It's his birthday, and she wants him to have a good day.
A cold touch on the side of her face redirects her focus to his. She leans into his hand.
Regulus tilts his head slightly, asking, "Can I kiss you?"
Without a word, she leans in, sharing a brief kiss. Moments later, they part, and Josephine leans against the wall.
"Happy birthday," she reiterates.
"Thank you, Jolie fille," he responds.(Pretty girl)
