17 September, 1995: I, Dudley Dursley, must be out of my mind! Yes, that must be the case, for I am doing something for which I'm sure my father would throttle me, and probably make my dear mum faint.

This is my first day back to school after having been in hospital for a couple weeks after being attacked by some shadow thing. My cousin Harry, whom I have bullied all his life, saved me. I'm not quite sure what that shadow thing was, but it was terrifying! I felt as though I was being eaten... not physically, but... I know this sounds crazy... but my soul was being sucked out of me by this cold shadow thing.

I don't know why Harry saved me. The way I treated him, I wouldn't blame him if he'd left me to die.

That is why I am doing this.

I have to go thank him.

I can't wait 'til the end of the school year when he comes back for Christmas or summer vacation. I can't wait, because I also have to apologize. When he brought me back home after he saved me, I was confused. I told mum and father he put me in the state I was... which was a very weak, confused state, I can assure you.

Well, I have to get to wherever this Hogwarts place is. Trouble is, I have no idea how to get there!

Yesterday, I wrote a note and went to the local zoo. I snuck a key from one of the keepers who was coming out of the aviary cage. I managed to get an owl. The stupid feather brained fowl bit me! Almost took my finger off, it did! I finally managed to tie the note to it's leg and let it go.

I hope the damned bird makes it to Hogwarts and they let me come thank Harry and make amends.

My finger still hurts. I hope it's not becoming infected!

17 September, 1995, evening: My owl theft made the news, and they said they found blood and feathers at the scene. They weren't sure if the blood was from the owl or from the thief (me), but forensics would be able to trace it to the culprit (me) if it wasn't the bird's. I have a feeling I'm going to be in really big trouble soon.

Should I tell the truth when I'm caught?

I hate to admit this, but I don't think I'm smart enough to make up a lie everyone would believe. Mum will take my word no matter how stupid it sounds because she loves me... I'm her little Dudleykins, after all... and father will go along with her because he's about as stupid as me. Anyone outside my family will know I'm lying.

So, I probably should go with the truth. At least I'll get in trouble for the right thing instead of getting in trouble for both stealing and telling a lie.

I just hope I get to go to Hogwarts to apologize to Harry before I get in trouble.