Golden Daffodils

by songintheglaciers

Jo had always been aware of the fluttering warmth breathing in her middle since her reincarnation. How it thrummed, mirrored her emotions and heeded her every intention. So when an eerily familiar tall, prim woman garbed in emerald robes of a fabulous and decadent velvet enters her home, she never imagined she'd reincarnated in a fictional world she barely knew anything about.

40. Forty

"Hermione?" Neville called out, concerned why the witch was leading him into a secluded corner as soon as they finished lunch, throwing cautious glances around the area.

"Josie wouldn't want them to know the truth," Hermione whispered. "And neither was Slytherin to know part of it. We can't tell anyone else. Not after Ron or what happened in Potions today. Josie might actually snap and hex Malfoy with a Flatuance Hex if he says the same the next time we have lessons together."

"But Josie did go to get checked, didn't she?" The wizard asked, pursing his lips in thought.

"No," Hermione shook her head. "Before... bat boy—" she whispered quietly, gaze darting around them again for a few moments, "—arrived, Professor McGonagall was reading a letter from Josie's mum. She didn't show it to Madam Pomfrey but I understand why Josie has a fear of germs after what she told her."

Neville's eyes hardened, nodding.

"There was a flu outbreak in our world two years ago which lasted until late last year, around October. An... epidemic. The U.K. was hit badly but my area was okay, not many died. Josie did tell me how less well equipped Wales was compared to England and..."

"Someone close to her died," he mumbled, gaze falling to the floor.

"Three family members," Hermione clarified quietly. "Professor McGonagall said it was her grandparents and dad's first death anniversary in a few weeks. Josie came to her for advice because she was doing bad without her mum with her," she continued and Neville had a sudden understanding that made him stiffen.

He could have potentially died yesterday.

Josie knew. Josie was there. She saw.

"Yesterday wasn't your fault, Neville," the witch pulled him out of his thoughts with firmness to her voice, face hardened with determination. "Josie will tell you however many times it takes for it to stick in your head and so will I. This isn't your fault either. I think if she knew, she would follow you around like how Nikolay follows her as if he's her shadow."

Neville's lips quirked up at the image as he lifted his head.

"Is it bad how easy that is to imagine?"

"Honestly, no. They're just like each other sometimes."