— Dear Diary —I knew when that man came from Hogwarts that I'd never be home again. I mean, I hoped-- but Papa's always been quite clear about where wizarding folk belong, and where my family do, and I'm not family anymore. Not really. I'm a witch, and there's no magic in Ilkin blood. I knew when I left Dovecote he wouldn't write to me much. It shouldn't hurt, but I guess it still does.
I won't say anything, of course. That would be wrong. Most of the other girls here lost their parents for real. One of the new girls lost them both in one night, and won't say anything about how, so I feel I should not complain.
Still, Autumn cannot come fast enough. I'd give anything to be back at school. At least I feel like I belong there.
— The Lonely Miss Ellen Ilkin —