Dear Diary,

My full name is Alyssa Elizabeth Baker. I was born in the small town of Ampthill, England on August 5th, 2008 to Caroline and Geffrey Baker. They were delighted to have me, as I would be their first and only child. Tragically, my mother died when I was only four years old. The few vague memories I hold on to of her are vastly comforting, but I fear eventually they may fade away.

My mother was a witch, my father has told me, and so am I. Dad is a "muggle" as the wizarding world calls them, and he wondered if I might turn out to be one as well. But when my powers surfaced at the age of seven, (in a rare fit, I caused a teacup to shatter spontaneously from across the room) relief flooded through him. He felt he could hold on to my mother through my being a witch and carrying on her legacy. Even more, when we found out I was accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, my mother's alma mater, we both threw a grand party to celebrate!

Oh, I forgot! A bit about me. I have long blonde hair that I wish were curly but unfortunately hangs quite straight down to the middle of my back. I have a sprinkling of freckles across the bridge of my nose, and deep-set eyes that appear quite tired without sleep. They are a mixture of blue and green and gray, depending on the light you look at them in. I'm skinny and pale, sickly looking they say, but I feel quite fine and energetic! Maybe I'll grow out of it one day.

I'm not into sports like football or rugby, but I love to swim and dance! I'm drawn toward any activity that feels like I'm flowing gracefully through space, like a dolphin or a bird. I don't have a ton of friends here in Ampthill, but it's okay, because the friends I have made are loyal and kind. We have a lot of fun together at the ice cream parlor and at the local pond! And we love to go sledding when the snow falls just right.

Well, I think that's about it for me. I can't wait to go to Hogwarts this year! Who knows what will be in store for me?