Jo's confidence had been shaken during the events of September 14th. She was no stranger to danger and had suffered more in her twenty-five years of life than most would in their entire lifetime. And yet, it was the dragon attacks that plagued her nightmares. Night after night she awoke from the same dream with a silent scream on her lips and ice cold terror gripping her heart. Alfred and she had nearly died — countless people did die.
Jo was struggling.
She couldn't discuss the events with Zach. Not when their relationship had turned rocky in recent months, not when she was doing all she could to keep things normal for Ilona. She had no family to reach out to (although she had scanned every newspaper in the weeks following to ensure none of her family members had perished). Hell, only a handful of her friends even knew she was in Britain. Jo had no one and nothing but her nightmares.
Perhaps this was why she decided to risk the exposure of being seen in Hogsmeade to see Alfred. For while their relationship was far more guarded than it once was, at least he was someone she could see and speak to without having to fear larger repercussions. His company and endless, mindless small talk was far better than being left alone with her thoughts for a second longer.
Except, even Alfred was off too, because they'd just gone over this a few minutes ago. Was he struggling with deeper anxieties now too? She hadn't thought so before, but he wasn't the sort to repeat himself so exactly. "Certainly," Jo nodded just as she had the first time he'd said it. "Not feeling useful is difficult. I'm glad Minister Ross thought to send you. Hopefully the new minister will regard you as highly." Minister Ross was Zelda's brother-in-law if memory served, so of course he held Alfred in high esteem.
Then, unlike before, she asked, "do you think they'll look to establish some sort of magical navy? It would be useful to have rather than relying on the ability to find you wherever to help with a disaster."
Jo was struggling.
She couldn't discuss the events with Zach. Not when their relationship had turned rocky in recent months, not when she was doing all she could to keep things normal for Ilona. She had no family to reach out to (although she had scanned every newspaper in the weeks following to ensure none of her family members had perished). Hell, only a handful of her friends even knew she was in Britain. Jo had no one and nothing but her nightmares.
Perhaps this was why she decided to risk the exposure of being seen in Hogsmeade to see Alfred. For while their relationship was far more guarded than it once was, at least he was someone she could see and speak to without having to fear larger repercussions. His company and endless, mindless small talk was far better than being left alone with her thoughts for a second longer.
Except, even Alfred was off too, because they'd just gone over this a few minutes ago. Was he struggling with deeper anxieties now too? She hadn't thought so before, but he wasn't the sort to repeat himself so exactly. "Certainly," Jo nodded just as she had the first time he'd said it. "Not feeling useful is difficult. I'm glad Minister Ross thought to send you. Hopefully the new minister will regard you as highly." Minister Ross was Zelda's brother-in-law if memory served, so of course he held Alfred in high esteem.
Then, unlike before, she asked, "do you think they'll look to establish some sort of magical navy? It would be useful to have rather than relying on the ability to find you wherever to help with a disaster."
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