Till Forever Falls Apart

Chapter Twenty-Two: Almost There

September 1, 1992

And just like that, it was the day Harry and Val would begin their second year at Hogwarts.

Thankfully, Sirius had gained some composure over the course of the year. Of course, he would always be dramatic, and Val surely knew that, but she was grateful that he wasn't as nearly as moody or tearful as he had been on this day a year ago.

They were back at their other home in Godric's Hollow, going over the final preparations for the trip to the train station.

"Are you sure you have everything you need?" Sirius said as he tied his boots.

Val nodded for what seemed like the hundredth time that morning. "Yes, Dad, I'm sure."

"All of your books?"

"Positive."

"Your robes?"

"In my trunk."

"Ruttledge?"

"He's downstairs."

"A sense of adventure?"

"Oh no!" Val gasped with sarcasm. "How could I forget?"

"Hey. You're only in your second year. Don't start giving me an attitude just yet."

Val smiled. "When would you say the appropriate time to start giving you an attitude is?"

"Uh, never," Sirius patted her back as he carried her things down the stairs.

Remus was scribbling something on a piece of parchment when they had descended the steps. Noticing them, he sent off the letter with the family owl.

"Are you excited for another year, dear?" Remus dusted himself off and hurried over to help with the luggage.

Val nodded. "Very. I want my Potions grade to be perfect this year."

"You don't need Potions," Sirius scoffed. "I wouldn't care if you came home with D's or P's in that class."

"But you got E's," Val pointed out.

"That's because I had Slughorn. You aren't as lucky," Sirius muttered.

"Enough of that," Remus motioned that they move on. "Val, I made you breakfast. It's in the kitchen."

Val's stomach flipped with excitement as she rushed off to the kitchen area, finding a stack of toast waiting for her as she entered. Every spreading one could think of was lined up in their glass jars. Taking the strawberry jam, she screwed off the lid and took a butter knife, slathering the sweet substance onto the golden-brown pieces of bread.

"Darling, one of these days I'm going to have to break you away from the strawberry jam. It's the only one you ever pick," Remus said as he walked in, taking a piece of toast and adding his own spreads to it.

Val took another bite. "It's not that I don't enjoy the others. I just can't resist choosing the same flavor every time. I think it tells people I'm a consistent person."

Remus looked at her questioningly. "I thought we already talked about the fascination with personality types, Val."

"What can I say?" Val shrugged. "I like to understand people."

"And if we don't get moving, you're going to have to hope Flitwick is understanding when you aren't at the feast," Sirius shouted from the other room. Remus and Val grinned at each other before taking their breakfast and followed Sirius out the door.

Locking the door behind them, both fathers extended their hands to their daughter.

Val groaned. "I hate apparating."