25th December
Christmas Day
Harry gave me this journal. He told me that I keep so many things bottled up there has to be some way I can express them. Ron is always sticking his nose into my business, playing the big brother routine on me all the time. I suppose he feels left out that his brothers can boss him and Ginny around (and she actually listens to everyone except for Percy and Ronald) but he can not, and Ginny doesn't listen to him anyway. That is no excuse for his behaviour anyway.
I figured out today that Harry is the only reason we hang around each other. Even in our fourth year when he and Ron were fighting, I couldn't stand to see him upset and angry. I brought them back together and Ron started to be even more of a pain.
Harry is like a brother to me, I would never think of him more. I've liked many boys, but Harry is not one of them.
Ronald on the other hand is like my brother's best friend who I like, but annoys me greatly as he is around all the time. Before he really knew me he insulted me all the time, but now that he does know me he takes advantage of it. He does have some good qualities though; he is funny and… well he's funny. Sometimes.
Since I'm considering people family, Mrs. Weasley would have to be our mother. I mean I have a mother and father, but in the wizarding world, she is our mother. Mrs. Weasley can be a bit overbearing but she treats us all as part of the family, not only caring for us but also grousing on us as well.
I don't know who would be our father, but if Sirius were still alive, then in his sensible state he would be- who am I kidding, he has no sensible state. I guess Remus would be like our father, caring for us, but not too much. He isn't like Mrs. Weasley, he steps back when we need him to.
Mr. Weasley would be that odd uncle you love, but you don't really get. Dumbledore would have been our kind, old grandfather. But then Snape killed him.
Snape would be that distant relative that everybody knows about but nobody likes. Especially when he betrays the family.
Ginny is like my sister; gorgeous, funny, helpful, but a pain sometimes.
Everyone else are my cousins. We are all part of one big family, but now I realise it hurts Harry the most when someone dies because we are his family. The rest of us have our own real families. As we become closer, our families all come together, even my muggle one. Mr. Weasley has made them feel very welcome.
Now as I sit by the fire, watching Harry and Ron play wizard chess, I feel this warm tingly feeling in my stomach. I realize I am watching the people I care about most and they feel the same way about me. We will be going to Christmas lunch downstairs soon. I suppose that I better go down and help her. But I have a clearer understanding now of what has been on my mind. I know why Harry gave me this diary and I am thankful. All of the things I have written down are things I can not say in person, but all of us know.
I will write again next time I have something on my mind,
Hermione Granger