Dear Diary,

The last two and a half months have been unbelievably stressful. But underneath it all, I can't contain just a bit of excitement. I mean, I'm going to Hogwarts! Right now, I'm trying to finish A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot, but I just can't finish it. I mean, who knew the history of wizards would be so boring? Anyways, I'd better fill you in on the last two and a half months. So, two and a half months ago, I came home from dance practice to find Mum and Dad in the middle of a huge fight. "She's not going!" I heard Mum scream. "Why not?" Dad demanded. "Do you really think she'll enjoy going to some public high school in the suburbs of London? Do you know how bored she'll be?" Mum stared at Dad like he was crazy. "Bored?" She screeched. "It's better to be bored than learning crap at some fake wizard school that's never going to get her anywhere in life!" Dad growled in frustration. "You're not listening! Hogwarts will get her a really good job in the Ministry of Magic, or Gringotts, or even a teaching job at Hogwarts itself! As long as she makes good grades, she'll be fine." Mum rolled her eyes. "Right, sure. And cats wear glasses and read books." Dad shook his head. "Like I said, you don't listen." Mum crossed her arms. "Fine. She can go. But you're paying for everything. I-I don't want anything to do with it!" She stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind her. Geez, Mum's temper is almost as bad as mine.

"Dad?" I said questioningly. "What's going on?" Dad knelt in front of me, his face creased in a smile. "Sweetie, do you remember that school I used to tell you about?" I nodded. "Hogwarts." Dad swallowed. "Well, you're going." I blinked. "Say what now?" Dad tilted his head at me, grinning broadly. "You're going to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." I shook my head and blinked again. "Um, can you-can you repeat that?" Dad smiled and repeated himself. My mouth dropped open. My eyes grew wide as saucers. I took a deep breath. Dad plugged his ears. Cue the screaming. 

"OMGOMGOMGOMGI'MGOINGTOHOGWARTSWHATTHEFRIGGINHECKI'MGOINGTOHOGWARTSAHHHHHHHHH!"

Half an hour later, I was still bouncing on my bed, throat hoarse, when Dad came in and said it was time for bed. "We have a big day tomorrow. We're going to Diagon Alley to get your stuff." He smiled. "YES YES YES YES- wait, tomorrow?" I looked at him, eyes wide. "Yes, tomorrow." He said amusedly. I cackled. "BEST SUMMER VACATION EVER!" I bounced on my bed one more time before flopping on my heap of pillows and passing out. 

So yeah. That was two and a half months ago. The time since then has been spent shopping, organizing, cleaning, sorting, packing, paying for all my stuff, writing to Professor Dumbledore, paying my tuition, booking all my courses, etc, etc, etc. Now that finally on my way, I can't help but wonder. What if I make terrible grades? What if I die by basilisk paralysis? What if everybody hates me? What if-I shook my head and smiled at myself. No wonder Dad said I'd been reading too much Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I'm becoming paranoid! Nobody will hate me, right? I mean, I already made my first friend!

Oh, that's right. I forgot to tell you. I met my first friend! She had bushy brown hair, a large overbite and a confident expression. She came in earlier and asked if I had seen a toad. I raised an eyebrow. "That's a bit of an odd question, don't you think?" She blushed and smiled sheepishly. "Well, a boy named Neville, um, he lost his toad, you see, and I'm trying to find it." I smiled at her. "Well, that's very thoughtful of you." I said politely. She grinned at me. "Thank you. I'm Hermione Granger." She held her hand out. I shook it. "Lizzie Hunt. Nice to meet you." She nodded. "Likewise. So, have you seen... the toad?" I snapped my fingers. "I have, actually." I said. "It was out by the second compartment's door last I checked." She smiled gratefully at me. "Thanks." 

"No problem!" I said brightly. I waved at her as she exited the compartment. So, did you think I did well? Hopefully she didn't think I was weird. Anyways, I think that's all for today. I'd better get changed. I think I see the school!

Yours,

Lizzie