Till Forever Falls Apart

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Midnight Meetings

October 31, 1992

Pumpkins of all sizes floated in the air. The mysterious feeling of thrill and eerie stories filled the halls as students walked to and from their various locations. Many of the Slytherins (later joined by a few Ravenclaws) felt that it was appropriate to wear their hoods on their heads that day. The cloaked figures huddled together created a ghostly image that frightened first-years and left many in the seventh year laughing.

    It was the perfect atmosphere for a Halloween celebration, and Val had her curly-haired head buried in her father's diary.

    Val's bond to the book that usually rested snugly in her robe pocket had grown over the past month. It was a way to clear her mind of any troubles or irritations she had. She had taken to reading it before she slept, during her free time. Harry began to become impatient when she had brought it with her if they were doing something together. There were times when he would give up trying to have any sort of conversation with Val, knowing it would go nowhere as soon as she opened the journal. He even tried to read over her shoulder a few times, only to be met with an elbow in the ribs from the girl. Harry learned to not bother her when she read it, and made sure Ron knew not to cause issues if the diary was present.

    "I don't understand her fascination with Sirius' journal," Harry told Hermione. "It can't be that interesting."

    "I think it's sweet," Hermione countered. "She must miss him."

    "I wonder what exactly is in there," Ron said suspiciously as he fiddled with the broken end of his wand.

Val clutched the diary tightly, focusing intensely on the open page before her. Looking up from the drawings, she scanned the library to make sure no one was around besides the three Gryffindors in the corner watching her.

Being discreet, Val put the leather book in her lap, turning it on its side.

"A passage?" She whispered, holding her quill loosely.

    Sirius had made specific directions with clear markers as to how and where to enter and exit the passageway before her. His swooping cursive could easily be read, along with the arrows that pointed to the paths he had crossed years ago.

    "Hi, LB," Harry said casually as he pulled the chair next to her so he could sit in it. Laying his head on the back of the chair, he looked up at her. "Anything interesting in there?"

    "Yes..." Val said absentmindedly, licking her lips as she jotted a few more notes down. "There's something."

    Harry gave her a flat look. "Nearly Headless Nick invited us to his death day party tonight. Would you like to join us?"

    "Death day?" Val said questioningly, not caring to look up from the passageway map. "Who celebrates their death?"

    "Ghosts I guess," Harry sighed, knowing none of his efforts to grasp her attention would be successful.

    "I take that as a no?"

    "I would Harry, I really would," Val paused to look at her friend. "But there's something here I want to see, and with everyone at the feast, this is the perfect time to explore the castle."

    "Let us come with!" Harry said eagerly, his spirits rising as he leaned closer. "It would be more fun, and you wouldn't get lost."

    "When have you known me to be led astray, Potter?" Val looked at the boy haughtily. "Besides, if you're gone from the feast for too long, McGonagall-or even Snape- is bound to think something is going on. No one would notice my absence."