Dear Diary,
Two new cousins came to Hogwarts yesterday-Albus and Rose. They got sorted, and I'm still the only Ravenclaw in our family. I like this house, for sure, but it's a bit lonely. Victoire and Albus are in Hufflepuff, and Louis, Molly, James, Fred, and Rose are all in Gryffindor. Everyone in our family expects me to be the smart one, because I'm in Ravenclaw. Rose was the most likely to join me, but it still wasn't that likely; she may be brilliant, but she's also always out for an adventure. It's not that I hate the idea of adventure. It's just that I'd prefer to live them through books than in a capacity in which I might get killed. Makes more sense, to me.
One new kid who did join this house is Scorpius Malfoy. People are already avoiding him. I feel bad; it's not his fault his father was a Death Eater, any more than it's in James' and Albus' and Lily's control that their father is Harry Potter. People shouldn't be judged on who their parents are, but on who they are. I don't have that problem quite as much, since my father is only really known as Ron and Ginny's brother, and my mother is mostly just known as beautiful. Which she is, I suppose, but she's more than that. Why is her appearance all they single out? That's another thing that's beyond a person's control. My greatest annoyance is when people say, "Dominique, you're so lucky, you got your mother's looks." First of all, of course I did, that's how veela genes work. Second, so what? I'd rather, "You got your mother's intelligence," or, "You got your father's courage," or best yet, "Hey, Dominique, you're interesting in your own right, not because of the traits you inherited."
But I digress. The first day of classes went well. Fifth year is rather stressful, what with all the O.W.L.s to study for. I'll probably be alright in Charms, Herbology, History of Magic, and Astronomy; Transfiguration is a bit harder for me, but I'll manage it. It's Defense Against the Dark Arts I'm worried about. Crazy, some may say. My parents fought in the Battle of Hogwarts! I mean, yeah, they did, but it's a lot easier to perform the spells when your life depends on it. I can produce a non-corporeal patronus if I try really, really hard, and I've been trying to get Uncle Harry to teach me how to produce a corporeal one, but he's a bit busy, of course. I've got a year, though. I'll figure something out.
It's getting late and there's another day of classes tomorrow, so I'd best be getting to bed.
Sincerely,
Dominique Weasley