Till Forever Falls Apart

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Locked Away

October 16, 1974

Diary.

I have royally fucked up.

I thought it would be funny! But Moony did not find it hilarious, even when I did charm the door not to open.

But he burst right through, splintering the wood! I'm not sure why he's in such a mood, but my idea of a joke did not help in the slightest with moody Moony. Huh. That's a good name. I just need to make sure I call him that at the right moment so he doesn't get too upset. I never know with him these days. James says it's normal, and he's allowed to be going through things, although he doesn't seem to want to tell us what exactly it is he's going through.

Snivellus was talking to Lily today, and I don't think I've ever seen James so...red. It was humorous, until Marlene told me I needed to pay attention to whatever the hell McGonagall was going on about. I told her I don't need to pay attention-how hard could animal transformations be?? Apparently, she didn't like that. Told me I was too arrogant. Please! She should look in the mirror! Thinks she's getting at something after all that praise she gets for being a beater.

At least Mary isn't being bothersome. I like that she keeps her head on straight, and doesn't let every little thing get to her.

October 5, 1992

The writing stopped there. The page was torn, and the other half was nowhere to be found.

Val flipped through the pages, hoping she would find the missing piece. She noticed that two pages were ripped, then four, then six.

She figured her father had messed up what he was trying to say, scribbled out the words, and threw the ripped paper in the bin.  He could be particular sometimes, and perhaps he was too annoyed or out of sorts to leave whatever he had written behind.

It wasn't as if he was saying anything necessarily important-just the usual complaints about the bores of schoolwork or the mischief he had pulled with the two other marauders she was familiar with.

    Dinner would be starting soon, and Val was as hungry as ever. She had heard that tonight's meal would be cottage pie-one of her favorites.

    Dusting the dirt off her school skirt, she picked up the journal and her other belongings from under the birch tree. The tree was one of her favorite places near the castle to rest and recharge with whatever she had brought with her that day. Some days it was her sketchbook, and although she enjoyed using pencils, she had taken to watercolors lately. Other days it was a book, or homework she was determined to finish early so she would not have to worry about it until the last minute. Val was very good (usually) about staying on task until the deed was done.

    Deciding that she needed washing up before dinner, Val put her books outside the bathroom, and retreated to the sink.

    "Hello Myrtle," Val greeted the ghost as she entered, turning the handles till the water was just the right temperature. She liked it more on the warm side with a dash of coldness so she did not burn herself.

    "Hello, Val," Myrtle said with a whimper as she floated near the window. "Heading to your last meal of the day?"

    "Yes," Val said as she thoroughly scrubbed her hands. "It's one of my favorites. I'm excited."

    "Must be nice to eat," Myrtle complained, sniffling. "I always liked cottage pie."

    Val thought about this for a minute as she rinsed her hands. "I know it's not the same as eating, but would you like me to come and sit with you in the area outside here? It must be dreadful being in the bathroom all the time."