Keep Breathing ♢ James Potter

7 | Entry 2 - Replaced & Torn

Harry's first day of classes seemed to be a success. After he and Ron found themselves in the hallways, laughing at the new students trying to find their way to class, Professor McGonagall lectured them and told them to join Slughorn's Potions class during their free period.

Despite hating Potions, Harry found himself succeeding for once. After borrowing a used book from Slughorn's cupboard, it proved extremely useful. He used the notes to brew a perfect potion of Draught of the Living Dead, earning him a vial of Liquid Luck. His potion was even better than Hermione's, which she wasn't exactly thrilled about.

At the end of the day, Harry dragged Ron and Hermione into the empty Gryffindor common room to tell them about what he saw the previous day in Astrid's diary.

"So, what you're saying is that this journal sucked you into some sort of memory from Astrid's first year, and you saw Sirius?" Ron asked, still confused by the whole situation.

"Sort of. I don't know... it was weird," Harry explained. "All of a sudden, after I said the word, smoke filled the room, and everything changed. It was like I was experiencing her exact memory from the day in the diary."

While Harry was trying to explain it to Ron, Hermione became increasingly distrustful of the book.

"Harry, doesn't this sound familiar to you? The diary, the memories... What if it's the same as Tom Riddle's journal? You heard what Sirius said, Astrid wasn't exactly on our side of the war. She could have been a Death Eater. Who knows what curses this diary could have? I think it's best if you report it to Dumbledore."

Despite Hermione making an awful lot of sense, Harry refused to take her advice.

"No!" Harry burst out, rising from his seat. "Dumbledore was the one who gave it to me. I'm sure he would have checked to see if there was any dark magic on it. Besides, it's not like she's writing back to me in the diary."

"Not yet, anyway," Ron mumbled, staring into the fireplace. After his sarcastic remark, Hermione hit Ron across the head with the book before dragging both boys down to dinner.

-

Later that night, Harry debated whether or not he should continue reading the diary. Hermione wasn't wrong when she said it acted similar to Tom Riddle's journal. But Harry couldn't ignore the burning curiosity that grew stronger inside him.

Once all the boys in the dormitory fell asleep, Harry grabbed his invisibility cloak and snuck out of the room. He knew the one place where no one would find him: The Room of Requirement.

After pacing by the wall a few times, Harry entered the Room of Requirement, only to find a room he hadn't seen before. It was plain—nothing more than a couch, a fireplace, and some equipment he assumed could be used for studying and practicing spells.

As Harry sat down on the couch in front of the fire, he opened the diary and ran his fingers across the pages. He didn't know when he would have the chance to read again without Hermione and Ron noticing, so he decided to read as many entries as possible.

-

September 5, 1971

Dear Diary,

I got sorted into Slytherin, as expected. The first week hasn't been all too bad, but I wish Sirius would talk to me. Whenever I try to talk to him, he avoids me. So much for promising to stick together.

Since Sirius got sorted into Gryffindor, he has been hanging out with a boy named James Potter whom he met on the train. He no longer hangs out with me as much as we used to. I assume it's part of his act of rebellion against our parents.

Anyhow, I wish I was back home. I may not completely enjoy my parent's company, but I would love to be with Sirius and Regulus again.

A.B.

-

Once again, Harry read out the word "Ostendo" at the bottom of the page, and soon after, his surroundings began to change.

This time, he wasn't in Grimmauld Place. Instead, he found himself in the Great Hall. He watched as Astrid sat at the Slytherin table, writing in her diary. She was alone until two other students wearing Slytherin robes approached her.

"Oh, Astrid, stop sulking. Sirius shouldn't be talking to you. You'd just get in trouble with your parents," said a petite, auburn-haired girl, sitting down across from her. A boy with black hair sat next to Astrid. The girl had captivating green eyes that seemed to draw people in, while the boy had soft, honey-colored eyes that lured people with their warmth.

"Just because it might make my life easier doesn't mean I have to like it, Ember," said Astrid, shutting her journal and grabbing a piece of toast from the table.

"Ember, give her a break. Her brother has already forgotten about her. In a matter of four days, Sirius has already replaced Astrid with a new best friend," said the boy sitting next to Astrid, gesturing toward the Gryffindor table.

Harry followed their gazes and saw Sirius sitting with a group of friends at the Gryffindor table. One of his friends looked strikingly similar to Harry—only with brown eyes. This was the first time Harry had seen his father when he was young. All the photos he had ever seen of his father were when he was older and with Lily.

It was obvious to everyone, including Harry, how close Sirius and James were, despite knowing each other for only four days. When Harry looked back at Astrid, he saw the glum expression on her face, and he couldn't help but feel pity for her.

"It's alright, Kai. I'll get over it. Potter can have Sirius for all I care. I still have Regulus, and that's all that matters."

Although Astrid wouldn't admit it, it was clear how much it hurt her that Sirius had forgotten about her so quickly. He acted as though she didn't even exist. So much for blood being thicker than water.

After the trio left the Great Hall to study in the library, Harry looked back at Sirius and his father one last time. He noticed that Sirius's face had grown cold as he watched Astrid walk out of the room. Harry could only guess that this was just the beginning of what would soon become a torn family.