Till Forever Falls Apart

Chapter Twenty-Four: First-Day Jitters

September 2, 1992

Val and Anthony did not speak the day following their fight.

It was to be expected of Val, who could hold grudges as the day was long. She carried his crimes against their friendship at the forefront of her mind, poking out her chin and straightening her shoulders as she walked into the Great Hall for breakfast. She wasn't willing to talk to him just yet, and she hoped the sting of her walking over to the Gryffindor table would hurt just as much as the words he said to her the night before.

Placing herself on Harry's left side, she cast a hateful look over at the Ravenclaw table. Padma had her back to Val, but Anthony faced her, narrowing his eyes at his former friend, now... enemy? Is that what they were to each other?

Anthony gave her a spiteful look and returned to prodding his untouched food, clearly not in any sort of mood to eat the bright fruits arranged before him.

"We got mail," Harry said through a mouthful of what Val assumed to be a sweet, doughy pastry Lily had sent them.

Attached to the basket that held the fresh breakfast treats were two letters in creme-colored envelopes, addressed to the two children. Harry's had been ripped open, and Val plucked her own from its place tucked between the bamboo of the basket and soft material to hold the food in. She recognized the stationary, and without further delay, she broke the red seal and opened the folded piece of paper.

Val,

I hope you have a wonderful first day back and miss us as much as we miss you. Your dad and I are going to Brighton for the weekend and wanted to know if you would like anything from your favorite shop by the colorful flats? Do you remember those? Anyway, let me know if you or Harry would like anything.

We've also sent along some extra biscuits for Ruttledge. He's getting quite heavy, so cut back a bit on the treats dear.

Your dad also wanted to send this to you. Do with it what you will. You might see things you wish you hadn't though. He thought it might be a good idea for you to have it now seeing that he got it around your age.

That is all for now. Write back soon, Val.

We love you!

Your favorite father,

Remus

Val pulled back the cloth to reveal a black leather journal. Eagerly, she pushed her breakfast off to the side and opened the diary, finding a small note written on the inside cover.

Val,

I started writing in this when I was your age. James and your father didn't know about it till our seventh year, and thank Godric for that-they would have never let me hear the end of it.

It seemed fitting that I give it to you. I wrote in it quite often, so you're bound to find something interesting in here. I wrote notes, directions to passageways, scribbled drawings, and so much more. I did not check it before I packed it away in Lily's basket, so if there is something in there that's... slightly mature for your age, I do apologize. I was rather childish, or as your father might say, I had a thick head.

I hope all is well. Use it wisely ;)

Your favorite father,

Sirius

Val flipped the first two pages, seeing that they were blank. The paper was beginning to fade from brilliant white to light yellow. There were stains on the side that seemed like... was that butterbeer? Stew? The ink was beginning to dwindle, but Val could still clearly make out the words her father had written twenty years ago.