Chapter One

A Letter From The Owl

Hermione Granger came from a family of renowned dentists. She had always been told that dentistry blood ran down her veins, yet she was always seen buried or hidden in a large pile of books. It didn't matter to her if it were fiction or real life, she had learnt since she was six that she was fond of reading. More than that, she loved reading; she embraced its presence like an early birthday present.

She had sat herself down in the 'Grangers' dentist clinic, her bushy brown hair behind her, while she read on about fictional vampires. She read every line steadily, her chocolate brown eyes focusing on the detail of every line. She stopped when the line came to a 'The End.' Great. She finished another book. How she hoped she had at least brought some extras from her increasingly large collection of books back at home.

Her eyes scanned the clinic, the receptionist was horribly busy with phone calls, and her parents were probably too busy with their patients to supply her with any reading materials. Could she possibly borrow a dental book – those sorts that teach us about dental hygiene? She had probably read some already, but it was better than doing nothing.

"Patient 157, the dentist will see you now… room 14 please…" She heard the announcement over at the megaphone speaker. The number-coded box changed from number 156 to 157.

She saw an old man around his forties push out of his chair carelessly, and dragged his feet toward the hall of doors, one which probably led to a 14. The calendar beside her was marked 23rd July, school did seem miserable now – there was no place for education.

There was no way Hermione could stand that hospital smell now, it was getting into her brain, every whiff of it – she could convince herself to stop breathing – seemed terrible. (A/N: Sorry ppls, I have this slight irritation for hospital smells. X) Fresh air was what she really needed.

She took herself out of that chair, with her book in hand, outside. When she walked out of those doors, which led to the back of the hospital, into an alley, she immediately found herself next to a large barn owl. It sat perched on a curtained window's ledge, hooting, its eyes looking in her direction. She jumped for a while, having been surprised by the most strangest of animals – particularly owls which actually come out in daylight.

It had a yellowish colored letter in its beak; it ruffled its feathers, edging for Hermione to go closer. Was it about to peck or bite her? It was a huge one after all, it may attack her. It hopped forward, holding balance on a rubbish bin. It bent down and dropped the letter on the floor in front of her, and swooped off right after.

(A/N: I wonder if its possible for owls to locate people in hospitals…?)

Hastily picking up the letter, she found her name and address on the front of it, no stamp whatsoever. She flipped it around to find a purple wax seal, which showed a lion, a snake, a badger and an eagle, which were surrounded by a large 'H'. She really didn't feel like opening it now, there was no name or return address, and many haunted stories had warned her never to go opening unnamed letters. This one came from an owl.

Nevertheless, it was addressed to her, and she was the only Ms H. Granger to have been approached by an owl – it had to be for her. She ripped it open, her face filled with anxiety about its contents, seeing as though it was rather thick.

"Patient 162, the dentist will see you now… please make your way to room 10, patient 163, room 11, thank you…"

She read the words 'HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY' at the top, in emerald green ink. Followed by the name Albus Dumbledore which followed suit, showing his positions and status. It made no sense, there was no Order of Merlin, nor had she ever heard of a Hogwarts school all her life, or she would have been able to read about it in the school world records (she had some free time) .

That's it, the letter was raving mad, someone had definitely given the letter to her as a practical joke. She did not take in consideration how something she had not known, could ever be true. She continued reading anyhow; it ended in a Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July. There was an enclosed list of books, if someone was trying to do her in, they surely took a lot of thinking and convincing.

"Thank you ever so much doctor…" Came a voice from inside the hospital, behind the back alley door.

"My pleasure, my pleasure, I'm sure. I'm going off work in a few moments, there's no need for that. Take care, yes… yes… good evening…"

Hermione wanted to believe it, she wanted to believe that she had been accepted in that magical witch school. The best thing was to tell her father about it – would he be as excited as her perhaps?

"Dad!" She yelped as she bumped the door open, yanking on the door knob every chance possible to get it open, she spotted her father returning to room 4.

"Patient 169, please make your way to room 4. All patients, please pay attention to the following announcement: the dental clinic would close at 6.30, in half an hour… thank you…"

"DAD!"

"Yes, dear. What is it? I've got to make the appointment – the – the clinic's closing early today because of –"

"But this is important! I've been accepted into another school! They said I'm starting in September, can I go?"

"What school?" Said Dr. Granger, taking the already opened letter from Hermione's hands, reading the detail, and eyes shifting from the booklist and the letter occasionally.

"Oh dad, can I go? I mean – this sounds so awkward, but I really want to go, maybe there's this entire world full of them, I've read some remarkable ones. If this is a story I'll bet it's the best!" said Hermione, happily. "Plus – there's even this place, to buy books. I've heard of it from some people, loads of children my age enter this club looking place called The Leaky Cauldron; maybe we can try there? Ask around?"

"Maybe calling the headmaster is better."

"Erm, this letter came from an owl, dad. And there's no number for you to call."

"Dr. Granger… patient 169 is waiting for you… proceed to room 4… thank you… Patient 172…"

"I've got to run, we'll talk about it after work, you're mum's going to be hectic, she's never heard of it – but I suppose she'll check it out, maybe sometime tomorrow…" Said Dr. Granger, who was in a rush to hurry back to room 4.

Hermione watched as her father jogged his way back to room 4, her hands grasped on the book and the open letter, the booklist in another hand. This was most exciting. She was entering another school. And this time – it's one with magic!