Till Forever Falls Apart

Third Year: In Session

September 2, 1993

Val was starting to believe there wasn't an overflow of students in classes.

She looked at her timetable, studying the classes she had that day and the ones to follow. As it had been the last two years, she would have Defense Against the Dark Arts with the Slytherins and Gryffindors, as well as Potions and History of Magic. This year, Divination and Care of Magical Creatures were to be taken with those groups as well, leaving Charms, Astronomy, Herbology, and Transfiguration with her fellow Ravenclaws.

"I've been split," she commented, comparing her schedule to Anthony's. She had tried to look at Hermione's first, but the girl had snatched it away, insisting she needed time to commit it to memory before the first class began.

"You're taking a lot, Hermione," Val had worriedly said that morning before sitting at her own table. "How are you going to keep up with all of it?"

"I will," was all she said, haughtily and finite. "I can manage quite well."

Now, Val and Anthony pressed their heads together, trying to find the time slots where they would see each other in classes.

"I don't think I see you at all on Tuesdays," the boy noted. "Once in the morning, and that's it."

"Surely we see each other more than that," Val held the two papers to the light, trying to see if he had misread a class. "We have more classes apart!"

"Shame," Anthony shook his head sadly. "I would've liked to see you in my Magical Creatures class."

Val would have a word with Professor McGonagall if she saw her. She would thank her for helping her so far in trying to make sure she had class with her Gryffindor friends, but she needed to be with her people more than often. Flitwick hadn't said much when he had handed her the schedule. In fact, he had merely flung it in her direction after getting bombarded by a herd of first years trying to get one of their own unstuck on the changing staircase.

"What do you have first?" She asked, finishing her toast and eggs as time grew shorter.

"History of Magic," he whined. "Just how I would like to start my day-with a ghost who I have not learned a single thing from since arriving here. He calls me Antoine."

"Cute," Val giggled. "I have Divination first, and it's a journey away."

"Miss Lupin-Black?" An elf called out. "Hello?"

She turned to face the tiny creature, smiling. "That's me!"

"Oh, good," the elf was sweating madly, wiping its clammy hands on its apron. "I have been asked by Professor Lupin that you meet him in his office before your first class."

She gave Anthony a tired look, forgetting he knew nothing about her current situation.

"Can't be that bad, can it?" He asked, taking a left turn once they had exited the Hall. "It's only your dad."

"And I have a feeling I know exactly what he wants," she mumbled, knowing that she would have to run all the way back around the school to be able to reach her first class on time.

Anthony left her when she approached the door of the classroom, waving quickly before running off to his class. She didn't bother knocking-it was, after all, technically hers as well as her dad's now.

Turning the handle and pushing the door forward, she saw a group huddled by the front teaching desk, filled with cages and stacked high with paper and books before a single pupil had even arrived. "Lovely," she smirked. "Didn't think we'd be seeing each other so soon."