Chapter Text
1 September 1998
Dear diary,
I’m 18 years old but I’m still writing Dear Diary like I’m 11. But I didn’t know how else to start this journal. My mind healer said it would be good for me to keep a journal. For the hard days, she said. Whatever. Not sure if this will work but I might as well give it a go. I read up on journaling and found all sorts of different ways. Bullet journaling looks kinda fun but I’m not sure if I’m creative enough for that.
Anyhow, I’ve decided to apply to enter a healing mastery in Melbourne. Mum and Dad live in Carlton and I want to be close to them even if they don’t remember me. Maybe I can worm myself into their lives somewhat.
That’s not the only reason I want to move there. Unsurprisingly I want to be as far away from England as possible. I can’t stand it here anymore.
Well since this is gonna be a bullet journal, I may as well use bullet points. Why Australia would be a good place to go to:
- No one knows me there
- I can start from scratch
- Close to Mum and Dad
- Away from stupid reporters
- Sunny weather (I heard)
- They didn’t just have a war
That should be enough, right? I haven’t told anyone about my plans. I just know Harry and Ron are going to protest about it. Ugh. I love them but they are really quite stifling. Can’t I just follow my own path????
20 September 1998
Hello again,
I got accepted into the healing program!
I’m so excited!
To do list:
- Sell Mum and Dad’s old house
- Give away furniture bla bla
- Pack up my books and clothes
- Write thank you letters to professors
- Buy plane ticket to Melbourne (not taking an international portkey - it makes me sick!)
- See the Weasleys and tell them my plan (wish me luck)
- Book a hotel in Melbourne while house hunting
I still have 3 months to kill. The term in Australia doesn’t start until February. But I will go there early - maybe after Christmas.
12 October 1998
Dear Diary,
As expected Harry and Ron were not happy about my plans to move away.
“Why can’t you just study at St Mungo’s?” (Harry)
“Australia is too bloody far away!” (Ron)
As if we can’t communicate via Floo? It’s not like we dont have magical methods of transport. Honestly. Why can’t they just be happy for me?
Dearest Professor Mcgonagall,
How are you? I’m writing to let you know that I was accepted into a healing mastery in Melbourne, Australia.
I would just like to say that I am eternally grateful for having a teacher such as yourself throughout my years at Hogwarts. You have always inspired me to strive and give my absolute best efforts in all of my endeavours.
Wish me luck!
Yours truly,
Hermione
26 December 1998
Diary,
It was a sombre Christmas lunch at The Burrow yesterday. The first one since the war ended and without Fred. To be honest I didn’t really know what to say or do. I hadn’t really lost my family in the war. Well, my parents don’t remember me but they are still alive. And I am going to see them soon.
Ginny helped me clear my parents’ old house last week. She took a few muggle appliances for Arthur. I shrunk most of my clothes and my library of books into a trunk and I am staying at The Burrow until I leave England.
On a happier note, I bought my ticket to Melbourne. My new life is approaching!
2 January 1999
Diary...
Happy New Year!
Apparently as part of journaling, people keep momentoes and stick them in the journal. So here are my boarding passes then.
5 January 1999
Dear Diary,
It’s summer here in Australia. It can get bloody hot too in Melbourne during the day. Up to 40°C on some days. Thankfully I brought a lot of summer dresses. The thing is Melbourne has 4 seasons in one day!! It can be hot, cold, rainy, windy all on the same day.
I visited the healing school today. The school is within the muggle University of Melbourne, tucked into the Old Quadrangle building. The campus reminds me of England, with the old buildings and beautiful architecture. Because I came from England, I’m considered an international student so they assigned me a buddy to help show me around Wizarding Melbourne, the healing school and taught me a few things about Aussie (short for Australia!) culture. Her name is Joyce. She told me the best way to face the 4-seasons-in-a-day is to layer my clothes. I opened a bank account at the magical bank in the town but I also wanted to open a bank account in the muggle world. What do Aussies call muggles? I must ask Joyce a few things. I should list them before I forget.
- What do Aussies call muggles?
- Are there any mind healers here?
- What do Aussie wizards play for sports? Surely Quidditch is not the only wizarding sport there is???
- Where's the best place to get fish and chips?
- How does one get the news here?
Signing off now. I received my timetable and subject list so I must get a study plan going ASAP!
Dear Harry and Ron,
How are you both? I'm actually doing quite well here. I found a studio apartment in muggle student accommodations on Lygon Street. It's within walking distance of my healing school and Lygon street is known as 'Little Italy' because it has so many Italian eateries. Tasted my first gelato last week - Ferrero Rocher flavoured - it was DIVINE. Lygon street is in the suburb of Carlton which is where my parents live. They work at the nearby Royal Dental Hospital. I haven't actually met them yet. I wanted to get settled in first before tackling that.
My classes have started and they are a delightful combination of muggle medicine and wizarding healing. I don't know why we never learnt Human Biology in Hogwarts - surely that is knowledge everyone must have?!
Australia is so laid back. The lecturers are referred to by their first name. Not even with 'Professor'. It took a while for me to get used to it. No one even uses surnames here. Aussies (short for Australians) also like to shorten everything. At first, I was a bit confused and couldn't catch what people meant when they said 'arvo' (it means afternoon) or 'avo' (short for avocado). They even shorten their names. Steven is Stevo and Andrew is Andy. In the spirit of things, I decided to shorten my name to Minnie. My dad used to call me that anyway so it's not actually strange for me.
How is everyone there? I do miss Molly's home cooked meals and British food sometimes but the choices of food here are amazing. It's so multicultural and unique. I made several new friends among my coursemates especially among international students such as myself. I never even thought about how witches and wizards from China, South East Asia, India, Brazil would be like. They all have their own magical culture which is so fascinating.
I hope we can stay in touch. I would love to hear how everyone is going! I have sent a few packets of Tim Tams (Aussie favourite) and Anzac cookies.
Lots of love,
Minnie (a.k.a. Hermione) :)
10 February 1999
Dear Diary,
I am really enjoying my classes. This semester I am taking:
- Human Biology and Physiology
- Latin
- Basic Healing Spells
- Anatomy
- Healer Communication and Examination Skills
We have lectures and then at the end of the week we have a tutorial where we are given a diagnostic problem and we have to figure out the diagnosis based on what we learnt that week. It's like solving a puzzle and we do it in groups. We also have a communication tutorial where we have to roleplay seeing patients and asking them questions to help figure out the diagnosis. The 'patients' are usually one of us and we take turns to do the roleplay. It is quite daunting sometimes because it's in front of everyone in the group. We haven't started examination skills yet - this is where we learn how to examine the patient and look for signs that can help us diagnose whatever condition they might have.
While my studies are keeping me distracted, I do see the mind healer on a weekly basis to help with my coping mechanisms. Sometimes I think that I am abnormal because blood, guts and gross things don't freak me out. Perhaps that's why I am becoming a healer? Perhaps that's why the war violence didn't affect me so much? Am I abnormal?????
15 February 1999
Dear Diary,
Joyce came up to me today and asked if I could be a buddy to a late-intake student from England. Apparently he was held up because of some problems with his paperwork and because he's also from England, they thought I would be the best person to help him out. She said his name is Declan. But I didn't catch a last name. They don't do surnames here, remember?
Because it was Joyce, I agreed to help. Besides, it probably wouldn't be someone I know. It's not like people are rushing to come to Australia of all places.
I'll write him a letter soon.