I was on the computer when I saw her walking up the path.

I like going on the computer. It's like going to the library without the walk. Mum always says I spend far too much time researching things, and shoulder get out more. But I like learning. I always think that one day I might need to know something, and if I don't know it I'll be in trouble.

Also, people always think of me as the person who knows the answer all the time. They'll think I'm some sort of idiot if there's some very important question which I can't answer.

The woman was wearing a long blue cloak, with red jeans and a stripy knitted jumper. She looked like a half-hearted attempt at a Halloween costume. I wondered how she could wear all that in the middle of July- it was sweltering hot. She was holding a long dark brown stick in her hand, and kept glancing at the watch on her wrist.

I heard the doorbell ring, and peered out of my window to take a good look at her. She was stood on the doorstep, dishwater blonde hair plaited in a way that didn't really suit her age; she must have been at least forty. She seemed to be humming, and tapping her foot on the doorstep.

There was the sound of the door opening, and Mum's surprised voice.

"Oh! Um, hello?"

The woman replied in a low pitched voice.

"Are you Mrs Granger?"

How did my Mum know this strange woman? No, wait. How did this strange woman know Mum?

"Yes, I am, but….er, who are you?"

"Charity Burbage, I'm here to talk to Hermione?"

What? I didn't know who this Burbage woman was! How did she know me?

I leaned back from the window, just as Mum shouted.

"Hermione! Door!"

I clicked the close button on my computer screen, and left my bedroom. My room is opposite the stairs, and I ran down them.

Mum was stood by the door, and Charity Burbage was stood grinning at me.

"Hello?" I said to her. Mum smiled at me, but I noticed it was rather forced. I could bet she was angry that I did not only know strange women who wore cloaks in summer, but actually invited them over to the house.

"Hello, Hermione. I'm Professor Burbage." She held out her hand. Mum looked confused.

"What is going on?" she asked. Professor Burbage smiled.

"I'm here to talk about Hermione."

Mum suddenly looked scared and worried. I could tell what was going through her mind (because I was probably thinking the same thing); how did this woman know anything about me? What was she up to?

"I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave," Mum said, quickly, starting to close the door.

"No, no, my dear lady, I'm here to talk about school."

Mum's expression cleared.

"You're from St Ursala's?"

I looked at this peculiar Professor. Was she from St Ursala's? If she was, it would be odd- St Ursala's was the best school in England. Why would they employ someone who was obviously insane and dressed like that?

"Goodness, no, I'm from Hogwarts- please, may I come in, it's quite hot out here…"

Mum sighed. I supposed she had decided to take pity on the mad woman.

"Yes, yes, sorry, come in, come in…"

Professor Burbage smiled at me, and entered the hall.

"Can I hang up your…er…cloak, Professor?" I asked.

"No, no, I'll keep it on…" She gazed around our hallway, with such a happy expression on her face you'd think she'd just walked into heaven. "I do love muggle houses…"

I stared at her. Muggle? That wasn't a word I had ever come across. Could it be something from another language?

"Er….shall we go through to the kitchen? Can I get you anything, tea, coffee?"

"Tea, please- and five sugars, if you don't mind, I'm rather partial to sweet tea."

I saw Mum grimace. Mum is a dentist, and so she's completely anti-sugar. But she's also a good host, so she put on the kettle and the sugar.

I sat down at the table opposite Professor Burbage. She smiled at me.

"So…which school are you going to, Hermione?"

"St Ursala's," I said, proudly. "It's the best school in England."

She nodded vaguely. "Where's your dad? Does he live with you?"

"He's at the surgery." There was silence around while Mum brought out three Mugs and put tea bags in them. "Did you say you were from…Hogwarts?"

"Yes, my dear, I did."

"Is that a school?"

"Yes, that's what I'm here to talk about."

She didn't seem inclined to say much more, so I didn't ask anymore questions and we waited until Mum set the three cups on the table.

"So..." Mum sat down next to me, so it looked like a strange sort of interview.

"So." Professor Burbage smiled. "I'm here to talk about Hermione, and her school, and everything else."

"I…I don't really understand, Professor."

She shook her head. "No, of course you don't." She sighed, and met my eyes. "You're a witch, Hermione."

I looked from Professor Burbage to my, Mum, and then I burst out laughing.