Josie was woken early the next morning by someone gently shaking her. She opened her eyes and without her glasses could make out someone who wasn't her dorm mates above her.
"Josie, wake up." She rubbed her eyes and reached for her glasses. She smiled sleepily at Cathy Richards. Cathy had been a friend of Lucie's. Maybe more than friends Josie sometimes suspected.
"Professor Dumbledore has asked to see you in his office," Cathy whispered. That woke her up and she felt a sick feeling in her stomach. She got out of bed and Cathy passed her her dressing gown and then walked with her the whole way to Dumbledore's office.
"Good morning Miss Potter," Albus Dumbledore said, as the young girl entered his office. For a brief moment she looked around in awe before sitting in the seat he pointed to.
"Morning Sir," she said, a yawn trying to escape.
"Lord Voldemort was defeated last night Josephine," he said, getting straight to the point. The little girl didn't know of the prophecy exactly, but knew that her family were to be important to the evil wizard's downfall. She nodded and he continued.
"He went to your Uncle's. Your family were there celebrating Halloween," he said. She was aware of that. Lucie's letter told her that yesterday morning. She said she was going to eat Josie's toffee apple.
"Your mother is in St Munro's curse unit. She is currently unconscious. I am afraid James, Lily and Lucie didn't make it. They died protecting Harry."
Albus Dumbledore had often been the bearer of bad news but he had never delivered such news to a child so young. He watched as her face paled and she began to shake with tears.
"They didn't die in vain Josephine. They wanted a better world for you and young Harry."
She looked up and wiped her eyes.
"Harry?"
"Your younger cousin survived the killing curse."
"Where is he? I need to see him."
"He is living with Petunia Dursley. Until it is safe for him to return to our world," Albus said.
"Can I go see him?"
"No. For his safety and yours."
"Can I see my mum?"
"The healers are not currently allowing visitors." With this Josie jumped up and ran from the office, not to be seen for another few hours. Albus Dumbledore looked at the Daily Prophet on his desk. The headlines
HE WHO MUST BE NAMED IS DEAD
HARRY POTTER – BOY WHO LIVED
The photographs of the Potters. And he thought of the part the crying girl would have to play in years to come. The mentor of the most famous child in wizarding history.
—
The other members of the Seven had an odd breakfast, celebrating the end of war with the rest of the school, but each stole glances at the doors into the Great Hall, looking for Josie.
"Do you think she's alright?" Daniel asked.
"Of course not," Grace snapped. Who would be alright if they found them self in Josie's position.
"Maybe they took her home?" Daniel suggested.
"No one came for her stuff. And she wouldn't go without her wand," Felicity said, checking her skirt pocket for the two wands. She didn't feel comfortable leaving Josie's wand unguarded in the dorm.
"Lets go look for her," Bill said.
"We can't miss Herbology. We can go after in History Of Magic," Grace said. She was the sensible one, she wouldn't miss an important class for anyone.
"Yeah, Binns won't notice," Philip agreed. He didn't want to be on the wrong side of Professor Sprout – he was still convinced she hated him. Purely because he wasn't a Hufflepuff like the rest of his family.
Bill shook his head, he wasn't waiting another hour. Six months ago when his uncles died Josie came to find him as soon as she heard. It was only right that he do the same for her.
"Tell Sprout I'm sick," he said, grabbing his bag and standing up.
"Wait." Felicity handed him an apple and a piece of toast. "In case she's hungry."
"Thanks." The five left watched him leave and then Grace looked around. So many people were happy, everyone looked less worried than the previous day. Most Slytherins seemed to be eating in silence. She supposed this was because they had lost. And in the coming months they would be facing much harder times