Chapter 2
September 1st 1971
Dear Diary,
Tonight, all the little magical kids came to Hogwarts so they can learn how to use their wands properly & do cool magic spells. I heard about this one boy called Remus Lupin who’s a werewolf, so he needs to go into the shack every full moon to keep himself & others safe. Apparently he’s very kind & thankful to come to Hogwarts because he’ll be able to get away from all the rude people at his orphanage (his parents are dead I think). Orphanages sound terrible.
All the magical children caught a train called the Hogwarts Express to get to Hogwarts. Then, a half-giant named Hagrid helped all the first years stagger into boats to cross the Black Lake, which is the lake at the front of Hogwarts, while all the older kids climbed into elegant black carriages pulled by Thestrals.
Thestrals are like horses but jet-black & without fur. They’re kind of like skeletons.
Once all the returning students were inside the palace that is Hogwarts, the first years got off the boats & were up to the castle by Hagrid, who had a big lantern with him.
Hagrid seems really nice. He is probably twice the size of the youngest students & has thick, matted brown hair & a beard. Hagrid is normally seen wearing a dark shirt, black trousers, a leather belt & muddy boots. Over the top of all of that, he wears a chestnut brown coat. Hagrid is the groundskeeper, so he’s basically gardener.
All the students seemed pretty happy to be at Hogwarts. I hope they are. I am too.
Love Willow.