I have decided to start keeping a diary, so that I can express my thoughts without family members nagging me to Be Polite. Note the word 'private'. No one else is allowed to read this. THAT MEANS YOU, ARABELLA!

School starts soon. I'll be a second year!!! That feels old. I'm not looking forward to classes, boring! But I'm looking forward to seeing Claire and all my other friends again. As well as meeting the new first years and imparting my wisdom on them.

Things are okay here, if boring. Father's been obsessed with this Quidditch tournament. I've watched Quidditch matches at school before, but I always got bored and let my mind wander. It's definitely not my thing. Plus I'm too clumsy to play it well.

Grandmother is cranky as usual. Arabella is grumpy because she didn't get chosen as a prefect, so she's been compensating by being even bossier than usual. I've read practically all the books in the house and am now wandering around with nothing to do. It almost makes me wish for classes to start again. Not quite, mind you.

I hope I can have lots of adventures this year!!!

Until next time,
Maggie

---