September 21st - Find myself awake at unusually early hour, due, no doubt, to retiring so early last night, and am entirely unable to get back to sleep. Observing that:

A) It is an extremely pleasant day, and

B) Hermione is also Wide Awake,

I suggest that we Go for a Walk, to which dear Hermione happily Agrees.

Entirely enjoyable period ensues, during which we stroll around the lake, holding hands and exchanging terms of endearment.

Should be very, very sorry indeed if this was Observed by anyone.

Return to Great Hall for breakfast, and am extremely careful to Scowl forbiddingly, lest anyone should suspect that I am in a Good Mood.

This proves unnecessary when Hermione reveals that we will be spending the day with Potter, his strange wife (whose name I cannot for the life of me recall), and their vile offspring.

Good Mood promptly evaporates, and Scowl becomes forbidding in the extreme, but am unwilling to argue after so pleasant a morning, and so it is that I find myself, albeit reluctantly, Apparating into Potter residence, along with Hermione and large package of Chocolate Frogs (these delicacies being, apparently, a great favourite of Potter's, and entirely unobtainable in his local Shop).

Greeted by Potter - has not changed a bit - his wife - name still escapes me, but has unnaturally large eyes - and elder of their offspring - precocious brat of three or so, named Lily, who has one finger permanently inserted in nostril, and appears entirely unmoved by Sneer I send her way.

Latest offspring is displayed - very small, pink, and ugly, but am able to say, truthfully, that He Looks Like His Father - which at least has advantage of sounding like a compliment.

Lunch follows, during which Lily is admonished to Stop Picking her Nose, but merely replies that she is Not Picking it, she is Putting the Bogey Back, which I find amusing; but manage to stifle laughter upon catching Hermione's eye, which is Disapproving. Infant Hogsmeade is fed - eyes are out on stalks at this, metaphorically speaking, but no-one else appears to bat an eyelid, so attempt to act as though appearance of naked chests at lunch table is common-place occurrence.

Following lunch, Potter, wife (wish I could remember her name), and Hermione retire to corner for Gossip and Reminiscence; can hear gales of laughter, also references to Polyjuice and Robes on Fire, but do not like to intrude.

Am thus left alone with Lily, and am quite at a loss as to what I am supposed to Do with her - until she asks me, very Seriously, if I would like to see her Train?

Am not at all sure that I would, but feel it safer to agree - she looks as though she could become Violent if thwarted - and so afternoon is spent recreating route of Hogwart's Express on living-room floor - which I find strangely enjoyable.

Game is broken up by advent of Tea, during which Lily sits on my knee - finger in nose replaced by thumb in mouth, which I find an Improvement - and Hermione holds Hogsmeade. Conversation becomes general, until distressing smell from direction of Hermione causes me to suggest, I hope not too pointedly, that it is Time We Were Going. Hogsmeade is therefore returned - not without some small relief on Hermione's part, I notice - farewell's are exchanged, and we return Home.

Hermione is oddly thoughtful for duration of evening - as, indeed, am I - and, on coming to bed, remarks that Children Really Make a Family, Don't they?

Am forced to admit that I agree entirely, and we discuss Making a Family for some time before coming to a mutually satisfying conclusion and, finally, falling asleep.

Sleep is broken by sudden remembrance, at about three a.m., that Potter's wife's name is Luna.