Chapter 1

August 2, 1997----

"Bye Hermione!"

Hermione Granger waved back at her uncle and young cousin before rounding a corner past the security checkpoint. She had spent the summer after graduating Hogwarts with her only remaining Muggle relatives, her uncle's family in Philadelphia. Now, she was looking for Gate 12 at the Philadelphia International Airport. She was in the Muggle world for what might be the last time in her life; but she had her place in the world of magic. Looking up at the signs on the roof, she easily found her way to the gate and sat at a vacant chair in the waiting area, setting her trunk on the seat next to her.

She thought once more of her cousin. Her Muggle father's brother and his family had no wizard blood in them; nor did they know anything of the wonderful world of magic in which Hermione's destiny was seated. She was required, as one of those with the knowledge of magic, to conceal that same knowledge from the Muggle world. And she had done it. Her cousin looked to be a promising student among Muggles, and Hermione almost wished he could have come to the wizarding world with her. If only he had been a wizard, he would have done well at Hogwarts and as a magician in the future.

What exactly made Muggles and wizards different? Why couldn't Muggles be able to learn magic?

"Attention all passengers, British Airways flight 8133 to London is now boarding!" sounded a voice that reverberated through the airport. Hermione shelved her thoughts for the moment and stood up, checking that she had her ticket in her hand. Picking up her trunk, she joined the line of passengers ready to board the large airplane.

August 5, 1997----

An owl dived towards the open window of Hermione's bedroom as if dive-bombing, releasing a package onto the desk and then swerving away. Hermione snatched up the package and looked at the mailing label. It was from her cousin.

With some curiosity, she opened the package. The first thing she saw was a piece of Muggle paper folded in thirds. She unfolded it and read:

Dear Hermione,

On the day you went back to London, I bought this book. It has been very popular since its publication, so I went and got it out of curiosity. But after I read it, I am now driven to ask a question.

The book is called "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and it features a character with the same name as you. But I also noticed that the description of the character in the book fits you exactly and has the same birthday. I also think I remember you mentioning a friend from school named Ron. There is a character in the book named Ron Weasley and the description, again, fits the friend you mentioned. The story is quite unbelievable, but I've sent you a copy of the book along with the letter.

There's more to it: Sites are popping up on the Internet with more stories of you and your friends' adventures of magic, and most of the stories are conflicting with each other. I could show you next time you visit. They're mostly based on the book, though, so all I want to know is the veracity of the supposedly fictional book.

Are you the Hermione Granger referred to in this book? Please read it and tell me if everything in the book is true. I do hope it is…except, please don't Obliviate my memory or anything—I promise I won't tell anyone else about this whole thing, I won't blame you if you really have been hiding all this from me—I only want to know! Is it true? Does the Wonderful World of Magic really exist?

Love,

John

In shock, Hermione put down the handwritten letter from her cousin and picked up the book. It was a small, hardback book with a dark blue cover. At the top was written: "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone." Cautiously, Hermione opened the book to the first page and began reading. She became gradually more absorbed in the book—and realized that as far as she could tell, it was mostly accurate.

It was only when she had finished the book that she noticed her growling stomach, and realized with a start that she had forgotten to eat breakfast. As she proceeded to the kitchen, it dawned on her that this book might have serious consequences for her own world—the world of wizardry. It was clearly impossible that a Muggle author's imagination could simply happen to be identical to the actual events that had happened at Hogwarts during Hermione's first year.

Someone in the Wizarding World was giving away the secrets of magic to a Muggle.

Soon after finishing her "breakfast" (as it was already almost noon), Hermione apparated down to the Burrow, finding Ron in the act of eating his lunch.

"Hi Hermione," Ron greeted her between bites.

Hermione walked up to the table and put the Harry Potter book and her cousin's letter on the table. "Ron, I think you should see this," she said. "It's a book about our first year at Hogwarts, written by a Muggle. I got it from my Muggle cousin in America…"

Ron, who was concentrating on his meal, had only heard "It's a book about our first year". He looked up, surprised. "A book about our first year? Who would write that?" He picked up the book and read the title.

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Oh, it's just a book about Harry," Ron said dully, "He is quite famous now…"

"No, it's not just about Harry," Hermione explained, "It was written by a Muggle author. And it's an almost exact account of our first year at Hogwarts. We're all characters in that book, and as far as I can tell everything's right, down to the tiniest details!"

"How's that? You just said it was written by a Muggle. How could they know about our first year at Hogwarts? They don't even know there is a Hogwarts!"

"I know," Hermione nodded grimly, "it means that somehow, a Muggle has learned about our world. Think, Ron! This could be a very serious problem for all of us!"