Harry felt confused after watching Astrid and Sirius's argument in the hallway. He wondered why the memory had been blurred out. That was when Harry remembered what Sirius had said in the letter.
"She designed this journal to only open to those she charmed it to. Depending on who you are, the book will reveal only what she allowed it to."
Harry assumed that since the journal thought he was James Potter, some memories might have been too personal to share. While that was true for some, there were other memories kept hidden for different reasons.
The diary was like an addiction, something Harry couldn't resist. He had already been in the Room of Requirement for several hours, yet he still wanted to read more. His body moved faster than his mind, and soon, Harry realized that he was already turning the page to a third entry for the night.
-
November 12, 1973.
Dear Diary,
Time is flying by faster than I expected. I'm already in my 3rd year and Regulus has entered his 2nd year. As much as I've enjoyed these past two years, I hope that my 7th year comes quicker.
As much as I love Hogwarts and my friends, I need to escape everything that's been going on in the world. Sirius has made it his mission to be a menace at home. He's truly embraced being the family disgrace. Whether it's sneaking out of the house or putting up inappropriate posters of women around his room, Sirius has tried everything to upset our parents.
Sirius may act like he hates Regulus and me, but I appreciate the times he tries to protect Regulus. Sirius and I often take the blame for Regulus's careless mistakes. Just last week, he took the blame for Regulus dropping some glass plates. Yet, he still hasn't spoken to me since our fight during 2nd year.
I bumped into James and Sirius today. Sirius didn't even spare me a glance as he rushed past me. He's become so accustomed to acting like I don't exist.
Sirius has become attached to James Potter, his new "brother," I suppose. When he's around James, Sirius becomes a stranger. He's no longer the boy who grew up in our house. He's no longer the boy who promised to always be by my side. He's no longer Sirius Black.
A.B.
-
Harry followed Astrid as she walked alongside Ember and Kai that early morning, ranting about Muggle Studies.
"I'm just confused about it all. How on earth do they make all of these contraptions but not use magic?" questioned Kai during a heated debate about whether Muggles actually had hidden magic. Kai and Ember's bickering reminded Harry about his best friends, Ron and Hermione.
Ember rolled her eyes at Kai and started to laugh at his confusion. "And you call yourself a half-blood. It's called science, you dimwit. You would know that if you bothered listening to Professor Tremblay."
As the group continued to walk, Harry concluded that the trio must have been very close. They had appeared together in every memory he had seen of Astrid at Hogwarts.
Harry continued to follow them, and as they walked down the hall, he noticed the Marauders approaching from the other direction.
While Ember and Kai continued their debate over Muggle Studies, Harry watched as Astrid, with her head buried in a book, unknowingly walked straight into James Potter, who was conversing with Sirius.
As the two collided, their books fell to the floor. Harry watched as they both bent down to gather their belongings.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I was distracted and didn't look where I was going," Astrid apologized, collecting the stranger's books.
She looked up as the boy replied. "Don't worry about it, I didn't notice either," James Potter said as he collected his things and reached for the book she had dropped.
Harry guessed this was the first time James and Astrid had met, which explained why it was included in the diary for him to see.
"Romeo and Juliet," James said, glancing at the book cover. "Such an odd choice for Muggle reading."
"Uh, yeah. Um, it's for Muggle Studies," Astrid replied, standing up and composing herself. She brushed off the fact that she was reading a Muggle book as though it was nothing.
In truth, it was a strange sight for Harry—a daughter of pureblood supremacists reading a book her parents would likely punish her for. But then again, it was just for her class.
Harry looked up at Sirius and noticed his awkward stance next to James.
"I'm sorry for bumping into you, Potter," Astrid apologized again.
James looked at her. "Uh, yeah. No worries." He stood up and glanced at Astrid, clearly not knowing her name.
"I'm Astrid, Astrid Black."
As she introduced herself, Sirius rushed past them. Harry could tell that Sirius felt uncomfortable with his best friend meeting his sister.
James's eyes flickered between Astrid and Sirius, and then he made the connection. "Ohh. Well, it was nice to meet you, Astrid."
The Marauders turned to leave, following after Sirius. Before they disappeared down the hall, James looked back at Astrid and offered her a small smile.
Astrid stared at the group for a moment before turning away, walking off with Ember and Kai as she resumed reading her book.
YOU ARE READING
Keep Breathing ♢ James Potter
Fanfiction"I want you to understand something, Harry...James loved Lily. He truly did love you and your mother. But what Astrid and James had was more than just love. It was all things above love. It was a sacrifice. It was putting each other first. It was m...
