August 31, 1938
I leave tomorrow for Hogwarts. I cannot even begin to explain the excitement that is coursing through me. This is my big chance! I can prove to all of them that I really am better than them. I'm going to read all of my textbooks. I don't want to walk in there and know nothing. That won't do.
I bought this diary in Muggle London earlier today, at a shop on Vauxhall Road. I don't remember what the shop was called, but at least I will remember where it is if I ever want to go back. I figured I might want to keep a record of everything that will happen to me this year, as it is such a novelty! I want to remember it all.
I have packed everything except my wand and my books. I have taken to bringing my wand everywhere, but I keep it hidden in my pocket. I was instructed by the teacher – what was his name again? Dumbledore, wasn't it? - to keep my being a wizard a complete secret. I can't stop staring at the train ticket. Platform Nine and three quarters! Does that even exist? I hope so. I hope this hasn't been a joke.
I'm going to start reading those books now. Perhaps I will write tomorrow night about my day.
Tom stared at the words that he himself wrote just a few moments ago. What if someone found his diary and stole it, or tried to read it? When I get to Hogwarts, he thought, I will find a spell to prevent anyone from even trying. Maybe there is one to make the writing readable only to me!
Closing his new journal, Tom made his way over to his trunk, where he had earlier put his new books on the closed lid. Looking through the titles of the books, he decided to first read Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling. He thought it best to first learn about magic and general, and then the specifics.
Later that evening, children were questioning him left and right about his new school.
"What's it called?" Asked Billy Stubbs.
"Is it a school for the mentally disabled?" sneered one boy whose name Tom did not know.
"I bet they're going to kick you out after one week!" said Laura Fletcher, giggling madly. Tom rolled his eyes.
"Be quiet, the lot of you! I'm going to Hogwarts and it's a school for smart and special people." Tom sneered. "Unlike all of you!" The other children rolled their eyes and continued to eat their dinners. One boy continued to snigger at him as he drank his glass of milk. Tom glared ferociously at him, and the glass exploded in his hands.
"Oh, dear me!" said Mrs Cole, the matron. "Come along, Roger, lets get you cleaned up." She picked up the now crying boy and led him to the bathroom. "And could someone please clean up the glass!" She bellowed over her shoulder. Tom rolled his eyes as two other muggles groveled on the floor, carefully picking up the shards of glass. I bet I could clean that up with my wand if I was allowed to use magic outside of school, he thought. He had read about all of the spells and charms in The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk and was eager to try them out. But he resisted. He knew that if he did any magic outside of Hogwarts he would get in trouble with the Ministry of Magic.
Tomorrow, he thought decidedly, I will try them all out!
Soon it was time for bed and Tom was reading in his cot. He was reading A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot, and was wishing that he could be in there alogn with all of the other famous wizards and witches. Mrs Cole stuck her head in his bedroom.
"Tom, I want you to be up at nine o'clock tomorrow morning, so don't stay up too late!" Mrs Cole admonished. "We'll catch the bus at ten, so I don't want any dillydallying."
" 'We?' " Tom repeated, revolted. "I want to go by myself! I'm old enough to take the bus, I can do it!"
Mrs Cole shook her head. "Sorry, Tom, I'm coming with you, and there is nothing you can say to change my mind." She flicked the light switch and the room plunged into darkness. "Goodnight!" Tom grumbled under his breath and set the book down next to his cot. He would put it away in the morning.
As he lay in bed, Tom wished that he wouldn't have to go with Mrs Cole. He was old enough, wasn't he? He knew how to take the bus! And he had enough change to pay for it, too! An idea struck him and he sat upright, thinking. He could sneak out early, couldn't he? If he woke up at eight, he could be ready in time to catch the bus at half past eight. He would be an hour and a half early, but he didn't finish reading all of his textbooks and wanted to finish them all.
It was the perfect plan! And no one would be any the wiser. Tom set his alarm to ring at eight sharp and lay back, grinning to himself as he fell asleep.
The next morning, Tom woke promptly at eight and quickly shut off his alarm. Picking up the book he left next to his cot, he tiptoed to his trunk and placed all the books inside. He hesitated as he saw his robes folded neatly at the bottom. Should he wear them? No, he thought. I can't be seen wearing these by muggles! He had also packed some of his muggle clothes in case, so he pulled out a shirt and pants and wore those. Then he secured the trunk tightly and dragged it so it was near the door. Then he ran to the bathroom, washed his face and hands and brushed his teeth, then, remembering to bring his toothbrush and toothpaste to his trunk, he proceeded down the stairs to the mess hall. No one was there, but there was some food already at the table. Glancing at his watch, Tom saw that he only had ten minutes until the bus left, so he grabbed a few pieces of toast and a juicebox and put them in a small plastic bad he saw lying around. He could eat it on the bus.
Soon he had his trunk at the door with his coat fastened up and his shoes on. Taking one last look at the orphanage, he smiled satisfactorily and left.
Author's Note: Woot, last chapter of the story is up! Did y'all notice the diary? Yes, it's THAT diary. And notice the spells he wanted to put on them… Sequel is coming out in the next five minutes! That one's not finished though… Anyways, it's called Life of an Heir so GO READ IT! :)