Sunday August 31st

My Bedroom

I've never much liked the colour green. I guess that would suggest I don't like my eyes, since they are green. I suppose I don't in a way. People are always coming up to me and saying "Oh you look so much like your great-grandmother" or "You've got Harry's eyes". Meh. It's annoying. Don't they know how annoying that is? Maybe someone should show them ... turn them into look-a-likes of Grandpa. Maybe that's why I dislike the colour green? Who knows.

What a way to start, eh? First page of my lovely new diary and I'm ranting about the colour green. Its not that bad a colour I suppose. Some things look very nice in green ... grass for example.

Urgh! I'm still doing it!

Okies. I guess I should introduce myself so future generations reading this will know whose crazy words they were reading. My name is Hariette Lillian Potter. Yes, that's right. Potter. I'm the grand-daughter of Harry Potter, hero of the Dark War, defender of the Wizarding world and the wizard that defeated the Dark Wizard Voldemort.

Sometimes it can be frustrating to have a family that most of the Wizarding world knows. There's hardly any privacy. Whenever we go places, people always come up to us, wanting to have an autograph or just to talk to us. By us, of course, I'm talking about Grandpa Potter and dad. Although I know grandpa is uncomfortable in situations like that he's always willing to answer questions and such. It's been over 40 years since the downfall of Voldemort but people are still bothering him about it!

Dad isn't as famous, but everyone still pretty much knows who he is. At first this was because of grandpa, I suppose. If you get recognised for being the granddaughter of Harry Potter, imagine what it's like being the son of Harry Potter! But dad's well known in his own right too. He's an Auror at the Ministry of Magic, one of the top Auror's too! He's been responsible for more captures of Dark Wizard's than anyone else in the department. Of course his job means that he's not around as much as me or mum would like, but when he is it's that much better.

You may have got the impression so far that it's only my father's side that have done anything notable in the Wizarding community, but mum is almost as well known in her own right, as she is for being a Potter. My mother was the creator of the Wolfsbane Cure. No joke. Apparently she became dedicated to finding a cure after seeing the agonies her father (my grandfather Lupin) went through every month. The Wolfbane cure is given to people that have been biten by werewolves and is able to stop the curses spreading through the victims bodies. Of course it doesn't always work and depends on how early the cure is able to be given - but 8 times out 10 its very effective.

I'm so proud to have such parents.

Yet it can be so maddening to have such parents! Everyone expects you to do something brilliant with your life too. Or to be as smart, brave, and witty as them! It's a wonder I haven't burst from the stress of it all.

That's where Quidditch comes in.

Quidditch is the BEST sport in the world. People that say otherwise are nuts. Played on broomsticks in the air, Quidditch is fast, exhilarating and dangerous. A wonderful combination. There's nothing better than flying, the wind in your hair, the elation of rushing through the air hundreds of feet above the ground. Coupled with the thrill of Quidditch, its a great stress reliever! I guess I get my flying abilities from my dad, but definitely my enthusiasm from mum. Although mum isn't a keen flyer, she's an avid supporter of the Wimbleborne Wasps (she never misses a game if she can help it). Dad's a brilliant flyer and enjoys Quidditch but has never had the kind of enthusiasm that mum has. Ever since I was 5 she's been dragging me to the games.

Now's a good as time as any to mention my Aunt Eloise, who gave me this diary. She'd be most disappointed to find that she didn't get a first page mention. Eloise is my favourite aunt. Ok I only have two aunt's, but Aunt Rachel is a bit strange. You'd have to be really, to be editor of The Quibbler! Eloise is my mum's eldest sister, but she acts like she's my age! Like Grandma Lupin, Eloise is a metamorphous and she's always pulling tricks on Dad and Uncle Albus (mum's younger brother). She's more like one of us than an adult, which means that she lets me get away with so much!

Anyway. Since yesterday was my 16th birthday (Happy Birthday to me!), her present was this diary. Apparently, I'm supposed to fill it with all my wondrous thoughts and feelings.

"I kept a journal when I was your age and it's helped me never to forget. I can read back through it and see what a little madam I was!" she said.

So that's what I'm going to do. Write down things, so I never forget.

This summer has been a bit of a bust. Two months of doing almost absolutely nothing! Of course, it was a welcome nothing. After the stress of OWLs (which by the way I never want to repeat in my life!) it's been nice to just relax and have a good time. Although too much relaxing can drive a person batty. I almost welcomed July 31st ... almost.

Of course you know what July 31st means, how could you not? Unless you're a Muggle who picked this up by mistake. In that case, let me enlighten you. July 31st marks the day in which Harry Potter finally defeated Voldemort and freed the Wizarding world from his evil tyranny and madness. This year marked the 40th anniversary of old Voldie's death and so was doubly special.

Grandpa gets a little uneasy around this time of year. Brings back memories of those that he lost during the war (like his parents and his godfather, Sirius Black) and those he lost during the final battle like Charlie and George Weasley and Minerva McGonagall. Grandpa's more solomn on this holiday and tends to disappear for a few hours. He always makes it to his party though.

You see, July 31st is also his birthday.

We try and make sure he has a nice time and doesn't dwell on bad thoughts, though it's hard sometimes. We usually just have a quiet party either at the Burrow, where Nana and Pops still live, or at our house, where it's just family and close friends. But this year the Minister for Magic, Malcolm reed, threw a special Liberation Day celebration at the ministry. Of course Grandpa had to go - not that I think he enjoyed it much. Both him and Grandma Ginny never really like big ministry things. Mum and dad got an invitation too, but not me! So unfair. Instead, us kids (me, Sirius, Logan, Dan, Luke, Morgan and Sophia) had to stay at home. Of course Dan and Luke tried to sneak in, got caught and grounded for the entire summer but there you go.

Other than that, the usual inter-family Quidditch tournament (us Potters' won once again) and my birthday two days ago, nothing much has happened.

I'm looking forward to the new school year. I recon 6th year is going to be loads better than 5th, no exams at the end of the year for one! Me and my bestest buddies, Sirius Lupin (who also happens to be my cousin) and Logan Longbottom (Sirius' cousin) have a plan this year. Our cousins, Dan and Luke (the Weasley Twin's) hold the title of resident Prankster's at Hogwarts, a title that we're determined to take this year. After all, me and Sirius have a Marauder-ing legacy to uphold!

Only 7 hours to go now till we leave! Maybe I should get some sleep? Sirius, who managed to convince his dad to let him spend the night so he could come with us to the Hogwarts Express in the morning, is snoring on the spare bed in my room, cookie crumbs scattered about the place. I tell you, he's going to get fat one day!

Till the morning then, my lovely, green diary!

Urgh ... green ... I wonder if mum has a spell to change the colour?