"You're an idiot, Potter," Val huffed as she looked over his face. "You were severely outnumbered and could have gotten seriously hurt."

They were in the infirmary because James had gotten into a fight with Peter and a few of his new Slytherin buddies. She had shown up and hexed the Slytherin's before dragging a reluctant James to the infirmary to get checked out by Madam Pomfrey.

"But I didn't," he countered. "Besides, it was bound to happen at some point, I needed to get it out of my system."

"You needed to get punching Pettigrew out of your system?" she inquired and he shrugged. She rolled her eyes before she raised her hand and flicked his ear.

"Hey!" he whined, rubbing his ear.

"You deserved that."

His nose wrinkled slightly and he ran a hand through his hair. He fell unusually quiet and Val raised an eyebrow. "Cheer up, Potter. You still got to punch him. You should be happy not looking like someone just killed your puppy.

"Do you want to go to Hogsmeade with me?" he blurted out and she smiled at how nervous he appeared. "On a date?"

She grinned in response, "Yeah, I would really like that." Her head tilted to the side for a moment, "As long as you promise not to punch anyone else."

He laughed a little at that, "I think I can manage that much."

"Good because it's kind of a deal breaker," she informed him.

He leaned down and placed a quick kiss on her lips and she smiled, "I'll see you later then?"

"Sounds good," she grinned before he kissed her one last time and walked away.

She was about to make her way to the common room when McGonagall appeared out of nowhere. Val covered her heart as she regulated her breathing. That women could appear out of nowhere.

"Sorry," she apologized. "The Headmaster has requested to see her."

Val's eyebrows pinched together in confusion. What did Dumbledore want with her?

McGonagall led her to the Headmaster's office before leaving the girl to her own devices. Val made her way down the spiral staircase. She raised her hand to knock on the office door but Dumbledore spoke before she could. "Come on in."

She shook her head slightly before she entered. "Headmaster," she greeted. "You wanted to see me?"

"I did," he nodded. "Have a seat."

She sat down, her mind running through the possible reasons for her being here.

"I am terribly sorry about your parents," he apologized and she let out a breath of relief. For a moment she thought she was going to be arrested.

"Things happen."

He smiled sadly, "I had a question for you."

She tensed up again. This was it. They didn't believe she knew nothing and she was going to get sent to Azkaban.

"Did you know you had living relatives?" he asked and she was surprised by this. It was an odd question but specific.

"I think my mom might have a sister in America," she explained with a shrug. "I'm not sure but I remember hearing about her when I was younger. I think my grandparents got a divorce and when they split they each took one of them. Anyway, I've never met her."

Dumbledore nodded, "Well you do in fact have an Aunt and you have three cousins."

"I do?" she asked in surprise.

He nodded again, "While you are of age so it's your choice in where you go from here, your mother's sister has said that she's open to taking you in if that's what you want."

"In America?"

"Um, can I think about it?" she requested and he nodded.

"Of course."

She smiled gratefully before standing up and making her way to leave.

"Oh, before you go," Dumbledore spoke up. Val stopped and turned back around to find the Headmaster approaching her, parcel in hand. "Here," he said, handing it to her, "It's from your Aunt."

Val took it from him before saying a quick goodbye and walking out. She had to get back to her room to get ready for her date with James.

She entered her dorm and opened the letter to read:

Dear Valda,

I'm aware that up until this point, or at least until recently, you had no idea that I existed. While the circumstances in which you had to find out are absolutely dreadful, I want you to know that I'm glad that you know now.

I can understand if you want nothing to do with me or your cousins but I want you to know that we tried to get in contact with you sooner but any letters we sent were clearly discarded by your parents. They had their reasons, of course, and maybe they were good ones.

I'm sure that you have many questions. One being why don't we know each other as family? The answer to that is simple or complicated, depending how you look at it.

Around the age of eleven, your mother and I received our letters to attend Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But also around this time, our parents had been fighting often.

A week before we were supposed to leave for Ilvermorny, a new letter arrived for her that said she had been accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

When we confronted our parents, they explained that they were getting a divorce and that our father was moving to England and taking Veronica with him and leaving me and my mother behind.

We stayed in contact at first, sending letters whenever we got the chance. But as time went on, the letters grew less frequent and seeing as we never saw each other in person, we fell off.

She invited me to her wedding to your father and I attended, bringing my husband and child with me. My husband is a muggleborn.

Val sucked in a breath. It always came back to that. How had she not realized that her parents were this way? Was she so blind that she didn't even realize that her own parents shared the same views as the man terrorizing the Wizarding World with his pureblood propaganda?

They were friends with Marlene's parents. At least they seemed like they were. But then they told Marlene that she wanted nothing to do with her. Were they just good at hiding it?

When your father saw who I brought with me, he kicked us out. I tried to get in contact with Veronica but she never responded. I'm assuming that he got rid of them.

Anyway, I know you're going through a lot right now having just lost your parents and all but I want you to know that you aren't alone. That you have a family. If you're willing, you are more than welcome to come stay with us. I understand that you have a life at Hogwarts but if you would consider coming for a few weeks to visit, your cousins would love to meet you.

Sincerely,
Jessica

She quickly folded the letter upon hearing the door open. She opened her side table drawer and dropped it in.

"Hey," Alice greeted. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "Are you okay?"

Val nodded quickly. "I'm fine," she answered. "Just a little nervous is all."

"Oh, that's right," Alice smiled and Val was grateful that she didn't see right through her. "You have your date with James today." She crossed the room and welcomed herself to Val's closet. "Not that it's your first but it is your first time in Hogsmeade together. You've been together for four months, I'm surprised it took him this long to finally take you."

"Yeah, he's never been the brightest," Val stated as she joined Alice in front of her closet, "What are you doing?"

"Helping you choose an outfit that you'll look smoking in," she explained as she turned to face her, holding a dress up to her. She squinted her eyes before shaking her head and putting it back. "It's probably because of what happened in Diagon Alley. Shock can do that kind of thing to people. Frank's dad was there. He said that James was leaving Quidditch Supplies before it went up in flames. He got lucky."

Alice froze in place before she slowly turned to look at the girl. "Oh, Merlin, I'm sorry," she apologized quickly, taking Val's hands in hers. "I'm stupid. So incredibly stupid! I didn't even think..."

"It's okay," Val shook her head. "He did get lucky."

And he had. If he had left the store even a second later, there was a large chance that he wouldn't be here.

"Oh, got it!" Alice exclaimed, pulling Val from her thoughts. Val looked at the girl to see her holding up a dress. "This is the one!"

"Oh, no," Val shook her head. "I was just going to wear-"

"Nonsense," she interrupted with a wave of her hand. Alice pushed the dress toward the girl. "You're going to go put that on and then come back to me so I can do your makeup. You're going to look so hot that you'll have James Potter begging on his knees."

"I don't know if-"

"Go!" she shouted. "There's only so much time."

Val got changed quickly and as soon as Alice finished up her makeup, she made her way downstairs. She wasn't really a makeup person but Alice was very adamant.

She started down the stairs to find that James was already waiting for her.

He looked up at her, "Wow."

"Are you blushing?" Val inquired, a smile gracing her face as she walked down the remainder of the stairs. It didn't feel real and she hoped that he didn't notice. He either was more oblivious than she thought or he decided not to bring it up.

"No," he cleared his throat quickly, running a hand through his hair. "No, of course not." He held up a bouquet of flowers, "Um, these are for you."

She smiled again only this time it was more genuine. Val took the flowers from him, "I love them. Thank you."

He relaxed slightly before sticking his hand out for her to hold. She took it and he started the walk to the tunnel that would take them to Hogsmeade. While most of the students would be taking the carriages, it was easier to go through the tunnels and a lot faster as well.

"I feel ridiculous," James admitted.

Val glanced at him, "Why?"

"Because I've known you for months now and I don't think I've ever been this nervous before," he explained. "I feel like I might throw up."

"That would certainly make for an interesting story," she replied and he shot her a look. "You have nothing to worry about," she pointed out as she rested her head on his shoulder, "You could make a complete full of yourself and I wouldn't mind."

He placed a kiss on her head, "How did I get so lucky?"

"I don't know," she answered, "But you better keep it up because I'm not a girl you want to lose."

He smiled, "It's good to know that you can be right about something."

She pulled away from him and whacked him on the arm. He rubbed his arm and shot her a playful glare, "Watch yourself, Potter."

He opened the door to the Shrieking Shack and they both stepped out. There was some old snow that was melting on the ground but the sun was out. The weather wasn't too cold or too hot and Val was grateful for that.

They made their way to the town where a few groups of kids had already arrived. James slung his arm over her shoulder as they both looked around.

Val could have sworn she could have seen the flash of the mask like the one the man who killed her parents wore. She tensed up and James seemed to notice. He looked around in confusion, rubbing her arm in comfort, "What is it?"

"Nothing," she answered quickly. "So where are we going?"

"I figured we could go to the Three Broomsticks," he explained. "We can eat something before we walk around."

She nodded, "Sounds good."

They entered the pub and were greeted by Rosmerta almost immediately. They ordered their food and drinks before finding somewhere to sit.

The place was rather empty but that probably had to do with the fact that not everyone was there just yet.

"Val?" he asked and she looked up. She hadn't even realized he'd been talking.

"Sorry," she apologized. "I'm listening. Go on."

He ran a hand through his hair as he watched her for a moment. He nodded before he started talking again.

Her mind wandered despite herself. America wasn't on the verge of a War. America would be safe. Besides, a few weeks would mean she got a break from it all. She would come back.

"Val," he tried again and she looked up. He had a frown on his face, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "I'm fine."

He didn't seem to believe her but didn't question it. She tried to listen to him but her mind wondered again. She couldn't stop thinking about her Aunt and the letter she had sent for her.

"Val, what's going on?" James finally asked and she sucked in a breath.

She watched him for a moment. She could tell him. It's not as though she would be gone forever. Just a week or so to go see them. She would have to tell him eventually. Vanishing without a word didn't seem like a good option.

"Nothing," she answered. "I'm fine."

"Yeah, right," he replied, his irritation with the girl barely masked. "Maybe doing this so soon after everything that's happened was a bad idea."

She smiled tightly in response, "Yeah, maybe you're right." She stood up, "I'm really sorry."

"Don't be sorry," he shook his head as he stood up as well. "It just wasn't the right time just yet." He started to follow her out but she stopped him.

"You stay here," she suggested quickly. "Go find Sirius and Remus. Don't let me ruin your day."

"It's fine," he shook his head. "I'll head back with you and we can just hang out in the Room of Requirement until dinner."

"No," she said and she didn't miss the way his face dropped in response. "I - I'm just going to head to bed. I'm tired, there's really no point in you coming with me."

"Yeah, okay," he huffed. "Um, I'll see you later then?"

She nodded in agreement before she walked out, leaving him alone in the Three Broomsticks. He watched her as she left, wondering what he had done wrong.