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It is the following night, and Josephine is just finishing unpacking her trunk when a knock sounds at her door - or rather, the door of the room she now considers her own.
"Come in!" Josephine closes her closet door and turns to see Karina entering with a smile. "We're watching a movie. Interested?"
Josephine appreciates Alora and Karina immensely.
"Sure." Josephine slips on a pair of slippers before leaving her room.
Alora stands in front of a strange muggle device called a TV. Josephine's knowledge of muggles stems from Dorcas and her fascination with learning new things.
Karina walks over to the sofa and sits down while Alora fiddles with the TV.
Josie joins them on the sofa. She adores their house with its predominant colors of sage green and browns. The sofa itself is a lovely sage green, and pressed flowers adorn photo frames on the wall alongside pictures of Alora and Karina.
The room boasts multiple windows, most veiled by curtains against the darkness outside. On the window sills sit a few plants and crystals.
The soft golden glow from the lit candles bathes the living room.
Alora steps back with a satisfied sigh. "I think I did it!" she announces, smiling at Karina.
"Good job," Karina chuckles as Alora settles beside her.
"What movie is this?" Josephine asks, sitting up a bit straighter.
"'Gone with the Wind!'" Alora replies with a smile.
Midway through the movie, Alora decides on popcorn and heads to the kitchen. Josephine intends to ask Alora about destroying horcruxes. Is now a good time?
Deciding she might as well, Josephine rises and makes her way to the kitchen. Sitting on one of the stools near the kitchen island, Josephine gives Alora a small smile.
Might as well ask directly, right?
"If I ask you something... can you promise not to ask any questions?" Josie trusts Alora, especially since Alora had confronted Dumbledore about her ability to foresee the future.
Alora turns slightly, wearing a perplexed expression. "I won't ask any questions," she assures Josephine before resuming her popcorn-making task. As she does, Josephine ventures, "Do you know how to destroy horcruxes?"
Everything about Alora's movements pauses momentarily. Josephine can't see Alora's face as she's turned away, but she senses Alora's surprise at the question.
A second later, Alora continues making the popcorn. Josephine overhears Alora mutter under her breath, "Moving rather quickly."
Then, Alora turns toward Josephine. "Basilisk venom works," she whispers, her voice barely audible. "It's hard to find, but it works. Fiendfyre is effective too, but the fire is incredibly dangerous."
Josephine realizes that destroying those horcruxes will be a formidable task. Basilisk venom? Fiendfyre? It sounds daunting.
"Thank you, Alora," Josephine says simply.
Alora nods slowly. "Be careful, Josephine. You have many future paths ahead of you. Choose what's best. Even I cannot see everything." Alora turns back to continue with the popcorn.
Josephine sits there for a moment, trying to process the weight of this information. She eventually rises and returns to the room where the movie is playing, offering Karina a small smile before attempting to focus on the film.
Inside, Josephine pretends. She pretends she is fine, trying to disregard the fact that the information she has received essentially implies that destroying those horcruxes might pose a lethal threat to her.
"Karina," Josie begins, turning toward her with a smile, "do you think you could teach me Spanish?"
Karina's face lights up with excitement. "Of course, definitely!"
Josephine's smile feels more genuine this time. "Thank you."
Karina beams before refocusing on the movie. Alora soon emerges with a bowl of popcorn, joining Karina on the couch.
At least for tonight, she can pretend easily.
After the movie ends, Josephine quietly returns to her room, locking the door behind her. She sits on her bed, fiddling with the bracelet that Regulus had given her.
She contemplates writing down the ways to destroy the horcruxes but knows she won't be able to forget them now. If she dies, will Tom compel her friends to join the Death Eaters?
The necklace he seeks, left at Hogwarts, carries her protection, but it is in a different location than the diadem.
It seems Tom has no intention of harming her or the people she has named because he needs that necklace for another horcrux.
Thus, if that entails him putting on a charade, feigning a peculiar form of care for her, then that is what he will do.
Hadn't he done the same to Helena? Faked care to secure the diadem.
At least she can find solace in that. He won't inflict harm upon her or her friends as long as he lacks possession of the necklace.
He possesses knowledge of her true parentage. He is the one who has divulged that information to her.
Perhaps... she is the sole individual able to access the necklace. Crafted by Rowena, it makes sense if the piece is concealed from those not of her lineage.
Tom will soon manipulate her into attempting to procure the necklace, oblivious to the fact that she has already located it.
A part of her wishes that Tom merely wants her as a spy. Yet, she comprehends his desire for the necklace and his wish to enlist her due to the prophecy.
She exists solely as the deciding factor between both sides.
Is that her destiny? To forever remain in the liminal space between two sides?
