Daydreamer's Disease

Daydreamer's Disease

PROLOGUE

31^st December

Dear Diary,

You're my first ever diary, would you believe? I received you for Christmas and never bothered writing in you until now. Maybe I should introduce myself.

I have a disease. And don't look at me like that; I'm not crazy! You can't catch this type of disease, because basically, it doesn't really exist.

Anyway, I'm Mia Wickham, sixteen-years-old, with uncontrollable hair and not yet had a decent pash (my first was with some spoilt brat named Danny).

Over there kicking the footy in the backyard is my brother, Patrick, who has just turned twelve. My sister Eloise is only five. Our dog Cooper, a Maltese cross Poodle, is a right idiot but we love him all the same.

My dad came over from Aberdeen (which is in Scotland) before I was born, and then he met my mum, right here in Swan Reach. His accent is still quite strong, although my relatives claim he's lost it!

My mum, Sofia, almost married some rich, pompous man named William Scarborough, but thankfully settled for my less-than-perfect, beer-gut dad, Dave.

You don't even give me time to reply, do you, Mia Wickham of Swan Reach?

What? Who wrote that?

Didn't you notice the name written on the front of this diary?

Er, no. Just hang on there, be back in a second.

...

Okay, I'm back.

Well? What does it say?

It says: W.H Schatten. Never heard of him.

Well of course you haven't heard of him! He's from England, about thirty years your senior!

How do you know? You could just be a figment of my overactive imagination. You could be a disease. I have a disease.

I am no figments, nor am I a disease.

What is your name, then, surely you have a name?

The cover, darling, the cover!

So YOU are W.H Schatten! But what does -

Waldemar Herr Schatten.

What a strange name.

My parents were German, and we migrated to England when I was three, hence the "strange" name, as you put it. And don't forget, our W's are pronounced as V's, so you would say Valdemar, instead of Waldemar, understand?

Yeah, of course. I've studied German before!

You're a bobby-dazzler aren't you?

Charming.

No, no, it wasn't an insult. You must not be from the land Down Under. That term means someone or something is excellent.

I see. So, Miss Wickham, how did you come about my diary?

I already told you - I got it at Christmas.

No. I'll rephrase: who gave you my diary?

My peckish Uncle Peter.

How rude of you!

Calm down, Waldemar! "Peckish" means hungry. So in other words, my Uncle Peter is hungry all the time. He's a bit fat, I think.

Interesting.

Sorry, but I have to go now. We're having a barbie!

I beg your pardon?

See you!

2^nd January

Waldemar? Are you still there?

Considering I am replying to you, I'd say yes.

That's great.

I have been meaning to ask you something.

Okay.

Are you a person of magical ability?

You mean a witch? Well, since I only freaked out a little when you replied to me, why don't you guess?

I think you are.

Correct! And had you not noticed I write with a quill?

I did indeed notice that. What school do you attend?

You probably wouldn't know of it.

I am indeed British, although I have been in Australia for quite some time now. Never really seemed to pick up on the jargon you speak of so fluently.

Where in Britain are you from?

London. So, please tell me what school you're from?

Whispering Wall of Witchcraft and Wizardry, or in other words, the Four W's.

How unique! When I lived in Britain, I attended a school named Hogwarts.

Hogwarts... that sounds a little familiar. Oh yes, my dad went to that school! He doesn't really talk about it, though. Something about a Lord-somebody.

Voldemort?

Yes! Lord Voldemort. Darkest wizard known of all time. Do you know him?

I know OF him, I don't know him personally.

Your first name sounds like his a little... Waldemar, Voldemort... Except yours is German, and Voldy's is French. Voldemort means "flight from death". I find that fascinating. I'm actually reading a book that mentions him: The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts. Did you know that a boy named Harry Potter survived the killing curse?

I did indeed know that.

We have our own Dark wizard here in Australia. Patrick dares not speak of him, but I can't help slip his name just to spite him!

What is his name?

Surely you've heard of him, if you say you've lived in Australia. But he's only known here as:

The Shadow Lord

Nobody knows who he used to be, well, what his real name was, and the people who do probably try to forget it.

Do they really?

Yes, really. Why so curious?

No reason. I suppose you are curious to know how I am replying back to you.

Because you're some random enchanted diary from Zonko's?

How dare you accuse me of being from some ridiculous joke shop?

I wasn't accusing! Sorry if I offended you.

No, no offence taken. I just get a little irritated when people jump to conclusions.

Okay. But seriously, I've heard of diaries being enchanted before. My Aunty works for the Ministry of Magic, in the Department of Eradicating Dark and Mysterious Objects. She's actually had to visit the Department of Mysteries at one stage, which I found extremely exhilarating when she told me. Did you know there is a revolving -

Yes, yes. I know all about the Ministry of Magic. Let me tell you a little secret. You promise not to tell anybody, not even Patrick?

Of course.

Have you heard of a boy named Tom Marvolo Riddle?

Erm... it does sound a little familiar. Actually, yes I have heard of it. I read in the Daily Prophet some years ago that that was Voldemort's given names, but he despised them and resumed his current identity. But what's that got to do with anything?

He preserved his soul in a diary.

I... I... sorry but mum's calling me. Gotta split!