Preserved in a Diary

August 7th

I just wish I could talk to him

Talk to whom?

Did someone write that?

Yes

Is this book charmed I didn't notice the ink disappearing at first, I don't understand.

I've been closed, kept in the dark for a long time, how did you find my diary?

It was just in my Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration book, between the pages.

Interesting, what year is it?

1992

Tell me, what is your name?

Ginny Weasly, not a very good name, I don't like it. What's your name?

Tom Riddle, I think it's a filthy name, it's on the cover.

Oh I see it, but I think it's a nice name. I don't know if I should be talking to you, someone else probably owns this diary, the owner of my Transfiguration book maybe. I think I'll return it to Flourish and Blotts.

Don't return it, no one has talked to me for fifty years.

Fifty years, that's terrible, you must have been so lonely.

I was, but now you've found me, write to me, you seem like a nice girl.

I don't know, what do you want me to write about?

You, your life, you can write to me like a diary, who did you want to talk to?

When I first wrote? I don't know if I can say, you're like a real person.

I am,you can trust me, who is this person?

Harry Potter, the Harry Potter, theBoy who lived.

I don't understand.

Tom, you've been alone for 50 years, so much has happened.

Tell me.

Well, I don't know if I can explain it right. There was a lot of killing by one man, he had a lot of supporters and everyone was afraid. Harry changed that, He Who Must Not Be Named killed his parents and tried to kill him when he was a baby but he couldn't and that caused his downfall. I don't really understand but poor Harry had to go and live with his horrible Aunt and Uncle.

Muggles?

Yes and they treated him really badly, my brothers brought him to our place and they didn't even bother telling me they were going to fetch him. I was only wearing a nightdress when he got back. It's so unfair, I can't stand it, they never include me in anything.

Sounds terrible,

I have to go now, its way past my bedtime and my mum is telling me to turn my light off.

Goodnight Ginny, write soon.

I will, goodnight Tom.

August 8^th

Tom? Are you there?

Yes, always.

I want to know about you Tom.

I don't know what to tell, my life has been boring.

Do you have any brothers or sisters?

No

You are so lucky, brothers can be annoying and I'm going to have to go to school with them.

What school are you going to?

Hogwarts.

I see, you must be leaving soon.

Yes, the 1^st of September.

Please bring me along.

Okay, it will be nice to have someone to talk to.

Tell me more about Harry.

He is a year older than me; he has black hair and brilliant green eyes. I have to go Tom mum's calling me down for dinner.

Goodbye,

Bye.

August 11^th

Tom?

Yes?

Are you sure it would be okay if I kept you?

Yes Ginny, whenever you need some company I'm here.

I'm so glad of that, that you're like my diary. Tom?

Yes?

You were a person?

I was.

How old were you? Were you at school?

In my 6^th year.

You don't mind being my diary?

Of course not, to have you talking to me, makes me stronger.

I have to go now Tom, I'll write again soon.

August 14^th

Dear Tom, I still haven't said a word to Harry, he must think I'm a bloody idiot, although he already knows,

Knows what?

Oh Tom, can you keep a secret?

Of course, that's what diaries are for.

But what if my brothers find you?

I won't tell them anything.

Well, I think I have a crush on Harry, there I wrote it! I feel so stupid now.

It's not stupid. It's normal.

It doesn't feel normal, I haven't felt this way before. I just hate my brothers for teasing me about it, Fred was making kissing noises at the dinner table.

It must be frustrating.

It is, I have to go now, bye.

August 20th

Sorry I haven't written in a while Tom. Please don't be mad.

I'm glad you are writing now, makes me feel stronger.

I'm kind of lonely, the boys are off doing their own thing, mum's really busy and dad's at work.

How many brothers do you have?

Six, Ron's a year older than me, then there's Fred and George who are twins, and there's Percy, Charlie and Bill. Oh and Percy's a prefect at the moment.

At Hogwarts, that's great.

My brothers are so annoying though, especially Fred and George, always teasing me and playing jokes on people. I have to go to lunch now, I'm being called.

August 24^th

Dear Tom, I can't wait to go to Hogwarts, I can't imagine what it will be like. I hope I'm in Gryffindor though.

Why's that?

My whole family was sorted into that house,I don't see myself in any of the other houses.

You have to be brave.

But I'm not at all brave, I can't even talk to Harry!

This Harry sounds like an interesting boy, Gryffindor as well?

Yes, he's in Gryffindor, he's more of a Gryffindor than any of us.

Why do you think that?

He defeated You Know Who, twice!

Sounds amazing, though, I can't imagine.

Oh Tom, fifty years, what year is that?

1942

So long ago, I can't imagine that. I should go now Tom, goodbye.

August 29^th

I've been getting all of my things ready to go to school, so much of it is second hand, except for the books Harry gave me. Two more days until we leave, are you sure you want to come Tom?

Yes Ginny, I've been waiting.

Okay. I have to go, mum wants to see if my new robes fit, well, they're not new, they're second hand, bye.

August 31^st

Dear Tom, I'm so excited but so nervous, we're leaving tomorrow. I'm worried, what if no one likes me? Or I don't make any friends?

I'm sure such a nice girl like you will make friends.

I hope you're right, and if I don't I have you.

Always.

It will be so great, I'll be in a dormitory with other girls. I do hope I'll be in Gryffindor and I hope people don't judge me because my family is a bit short of money.

You'll be fine, just don't forget me.

I won't. Goodnight Tom.

Goodnight.