Preserved in a Diary

September 1^st

Dear Tom, I'm so worried and I nearly forgot you!

Forgot me?

Please don't be mad. I wouldn't be able to survive going to Hogwarts without you.

Maybe it was all the excitement with starting school, you'll make new friends and you will forget me.

No Tom, I won't forget you, you've helped me through the past month and I'll keep writing to you during the year.

Do you promise that Ginny?

Yes, I promise! Are you still angry at me?

No, I wasn't angry just disappointed, but I forgive you.

Thank you Tom, I wanted to talk to you, I'm so worried.

Write to me.

Ron and Harry, they aren't on the train. I've looked through all the compartments and Hermione doesn't know where they are even though she's best friends with them. I'm just so worried!

You seem troubled.

Well yes, I don't know, maybe they just missed the train but I can't help being worried.

It's only natural to be worried about your brother and Harry.

I know, I just hope they are okay.

Nothing can be done now if you are already on your way to Hogwarts.

I just can't believe it. On the day I've been waiting for years to arrive, something bad has to happen.

Cheer up Ginny, they'll be fine.

I hope so.

Pray for them.

I have to go, I think Hermione wants to talk to me and she looks worried as well.

September 2

Dear Tom, we're at Hogwarts and I'm in Gryffindor!

You seem happy.

I am. Harry and Ron actually came to school in dad's flying car. Which is worse than it sounds really because my dad works for the Misuse of Muggle Artefacts Office. But they crashed right into the Whomping Willow -

Whomping Willow?

Yes, it's a tree, it bashed up the car and Ron even got his wand broken. They got into so much trouble, I think Ron just wanted some attention and Harry got dragged into it. Ron can be so stupid at times, just like my other brothers.

Is it frustrating?

Yes, Tom it is, it's amazing how you understand how I feel.

But you mean so much to me Ginny.

But how is that? I don't understand why you're not a person, why you're a diary.

Some things, even I don't understand.

So you don't know?

No, my mind, wanders,

Do you have a memory?

My memory is not clear, keep writing, it helps my mind. Tell me about Hogwarts.

Hogwarts is like a castle, it's a beautiful place, I'm so glad to be here. The classes are fascinating so far, but they can be really hard. I have to go now Tom, it's late and I'm very tired. Goodnight.

Goodnight Ginny.

September 4^th

Dear Tom, it's really great at Hogwarts but I'm starting to miss home a bit.

Have you made friends?

Oh yes, mostly people in Gryffindor and in my dormitory. They are interesting people, there is this one boy, Colin Creevy, a muggleborn, he's so excited to be here that he goes around taking pictures all the time.

Are there many?

Many what?

Muggleborns?

There's a few.

What are their names?

Well, there's Hermione Granger and Justin Finch-Fletchley, I'm sure there's more I just don't know everyone yet. Why are you interested?

These things are interesting. Hermione is a friend of Harry Potter's isn't she?

Yes, I wish I was like her, clever and friends with Harry. They always talk to each other but they're just friends.

Just friends you say? How can you be sure?

For one thing, Hermione loves the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher.

A teacher? She is in love with a teacher?

A lot of girls are, but I don't like him, he seems a bit self-centred. He's attractive of course but he's a lot older and he gave us a quiz in our first lesson and it was all questions about him, like what his favourite colour is.

He doesn't sound like a worthy teacher.

I know, and Defence is supposed to be really important.

It isn't.

Did you learn it when you were at school Tom?

I did, it was interesting but not important. Do not worry yourself Ginny.

I'm not worried.

Good.

I should go now, I've homework to do. Bye.

Goodbye.

September 9^th

Dear Tom, you'll be happy to know that I've made a few more nice friends.

I am.

Ron got a howler from Mum this morning at breakfast, it was so loud! I think he deserved it though. Most of these classes are so hard, especially Transfiguration, and History of Magic is so boring!

And Defence Against the Dark Arts?

It's alright I guess, it's a bit strange though, working from the teacher's own books that he wrote.

It would be.

And Professor Snape's classes are the worst.

Professor Snape?

Yes, he teaches Potions down in the dungeons, he's an evil old bat in my opinion. He is the head of Slytherin as well.

Interesting, who is the Headmaster of Hogwarts at the moment?

Professor Dumbledore.

Really?

Yes, did you know him?

He taught some years ago.

I heard about that. He's great though isn't he; he's the only person You Know Who was afraid of.

Afraid of him? Why?

I'm not sure; some say he's the greatest wizard that ever lived.

That ever lived? How can they be so sure?

I don't know Tom, I have to go now, class is about to start! Bye!

September 11^th

Tom, I was wondering, can you see me?

No.

You can't see anything?

Only the words that you write.

Okay, I understand.

Why do you ask?

I was thinking that maybe Harry likes girls that are pretty; though I'm sure he isn't that shallow. Well I hope he isn't.

Ginny, do not ponder on looks, I'm sure you are a lovely girl.

Tom, that makes me feel much better. Can I describe to you what I look like anyway?

If you like.

I have brown eyes and red hair like my brothers. I'm like a female version of them. My dad says that red hair is the Weasley trademark.

Then you should be noticeable.

Now that you mention it, not a lot of people have red hair do they?

No.

What do you look like Tom?

As I said before my memory isn't clear but I was tall with dark hair.

I'm quite short. It's funny Tom, your writing seems clearer.

I feel stronger.

That's good. I need to go now, Goodnight.

September 14^th

Dear Tom, Fred and George have been teasing me again. Colin gave me a picture of Harry today, he's mounting his Quidditch broom. Did you ever play?

I do not remember.

Well Harry plays, Ron told me he was the youngest to play in a century.

Impressive.

He is. Sometimes I think I was meant for him but other times I don't. He saved the wizarding world twice, I could never do something like that.

One day you might.

Maybe but I doubt it.

How did Harry Potter save the world twice?

Well I told you the first time, when he was a baby.

I remember, and the other time?

He made sure that You Know Who didn't get the Philosopher's (Sorcerer's) Stone.

Why was this important?

You Know Who was going to use it to come back again.

I see, but who is 'You Know Who'

He was a Dark Wizard who murdered a lot of people.

But what was his name?

No one says it.

Why?

Because it's evil and he might come back.

How can a name be evil?

I don't know.

But a brave Gryffindor could say it.

No Tom, I can't.

So no one says his name?

Well

Well?

Someone told me that Dumbledore did.

Dumbledore said it and he didn't come back?

No.

I just want to know his name.

Okay, it's Voldemort.

Lord Voldemort? The Dark Lord?

Don't say his name Tom.

I understand it distresses you.

I have to go now, I'm very tired.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

September 19^th

Dear Tom, it's been really hectic at Hogwarts, compared to what its like at home. Malfoy is on the Slytherin Quiditch team because he bought brooms for the whole team! I know that the Gryffindor team will beat them though; Harry is a really good player. But Malfoy makes me sick! He called Hermione a mudblood and when Ron tried to hex him, his broken wand backfired and he's been throwing up slugs.

Are you happy?

Happy? Why would I be?

You told me your brothers annoyed you.

Yes but he didn't deserve it, it's starting to be a bad year for him.

Is it a good year for you?

So far, but you never know what could be around the corner.

Very true, I'm sure you'll have a great year.

Oh thank you Tom, I'm sorry I have to go now! Bye.

Goodbye.

September 23^rd

Dear Tom, I just wanted to talk to you for a second, it's early in the morning and I just had a nightmare.

Do you want to talk about it?

I was in the Forbidden Forest and someone was chasing me through the trees. Then they jumped on me from behind, I was on the ground and then I woke up.

Are you alright?

I'll be fine, I have to go down to breakfast now. Bye Tom.

Bye Ginny.

September 25^th

Dear Tom, I've decided that Potions is the worst subject ever!

Why is that?

It's because of Professor Snape, he likes all the students in his house but he hates us Gryffindors. Slytherins never lose house points or get detentions in his class. One of them was calling me Ginger Weasel, it makes me so mad! And they tease Colin a lot too, call him a mudblood and say he's in love with Harry but it's me who's in love with him.

You still seem very fond of him.

Yes, and I'm still not brave enough to talk to him!

You should at least try; you seem like a nice girl.

Thank you Tom! If he was in the common room right now I would talk to him but he isn't. I have to go though, it's really late. Goodnight.

Goodnight.