A/N: English is not my native language; I apologize if there are grammar mistakes!
I DO NOT OWN THE HARRY POTTER UNIVERSE OR ANY HARRY POTTER CHARACTER WHICH WAS MENTIONED IN THE BOOKS.
A/N 2: Thank you so much for the reviews, favorites and followers! It means a lot!
A/N 3: I forgot to mention it last chapter, but each time there is a *, it means I have copied the sentence from somewhere. Last time I copied it from Harry Potter Wiki
Last sentence: '"Welcome to Diagon Ally," McGonagall said, and went through the archway.'
Now, let's move on to the chapter…

Chapter 2

'Wow' was the first thing that crossed Hermione's mind. There were shops everywhere,
and hundreds of people. She walked slowly, looking at the shops, and suddenly noticed McGonagall was about twenty meters ahead of her, her family trying to catch up. She understood why she had said 'do try to walk in my speed,' and started running in their direction. She finally caught up with them. They walked a bit more, following McGonagall. She suddenly stopped walking. "This building," she said and motioned a leviathan building,
"is Gringotts Bank. We will now open you an account, so Hermione, and Harrietta, at time, will be able to purchase their school equipment. I am sure you have Muggle money with you, but wizarding money is different," McGonagall explained to the family.
Hermione looked at the doors, and saw there was something engraved on them.
She read in her heart:
Enter, stranger, but take heed
Of what awaits the sin of greed
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn.
So if you seek beneath our floors
A treasure that was never yours,
Thief, you have been warned, beware
Of finding more than treasure there.*
She told herself she would never, ever try to break into Gringotts. I am not planning on breaking anywhere, but the last place I would break into is Gringotts, thought Hermione.
"Mrs and Mr Granger do follow me to open your bank account. Girls, you may join us and be completely silent, or wait outside," McGonagall said.
"We'll wait outside," Harrietta said, and the girls walked outside.
"This place is amazing," Harrietta said once they were outside.
"I think so too. I wish I could go to Hogwarts now; there are so many magical areas I want to study. Professor McGonagall's only mentioned History of Magic and Transfiguration, but the book list says we have to buy books that are related to other subjects, like potions and charms," said Hermione.
"The list is in mum's bag, remember? Buying the books is the whole purpose of the visit; we will be able to look at it once they come out of the bank," said Harrietta.
Hermione felt a bit silly, but she brushed it off; sometimes her sister was mistaken, and sometimes she was. Usually, Hermione was harsher on herself than that, but she knew Harrietta was just as bright as her, unlike the stupid students in her class (both intellectually and emotionally). Hermione was not a show-off, but she would not state the kids in her class were smart, because they were not clever, and were mean to her; she would never say someone nice was stupid, because she valued friendship more than cleverness.
"Girls, your parents have exchanged some Muggle money into wizarding money; Galleons, Sickles and Knuts; there are twenty nine Knuts in a Sickle, and seventeen Sickles in a Galleon.
Now, I think we should go to get your school equipment; is there a specific shop you would rather visit first?" McGonagall said.
"I think we should buy a wand first, because the uniform and textbooks are heavier," said Hermione.
"A nice way of thinking, dear, but in the wizarding world there are special carts that follow the user and carry his load, so weight is not a problem," said McGonagall.
Hermione blushed and said: "Then I think we should start from the closest shop."
"I knew you were bright, Hermione. Now, the closest shop to The Leaky Cauldron is the cauldron shop, but Ollivander's is on the other side, so I think we should go there first," McGonagall said, and Hermione blushed.
"That sounds great," Harold said.
The two Muggles and three witches went to the Wans Shop, and Hermione started talking to her Professor about wands.
"Professor McGonagall? I have a question," said Hermione.
"What is it, Hermione?" asked McGonagall.
"Could you please tell me more about wands?" the girl asked.
"Of course I can, but I think you should call your sister; she seems a clever girl, too," the professor said. Hermione smiled; Professor McGonagall said 'she seems a clever girl, too' so it means she thinks I am clever, thought Hermione.
"Harrietta, I've asked Professor McGonagall to tell me about wands. Do you want to listen?" asked Hermione.
"Sure," answered Harrietta, and they returned to McGonagall.
"I thought both of you would like to hear the explanation," McGonagall said, speeding up.
"Each wand is different; there are no two identical wands. Each wand has a core – dragon heartstring, phoenix feather and unicorn tail hear are the cores that are used in Ollivander's shop – and wood, which the wand is made of, length and flexibility. For instance, my wand is made of Fir wood; it is nine and a half inches, its core is dragon heartstring and it is stiff.
I am no expert in wand making; I know a bit more than the basic information, but I am sure Mr Ollivander will be glad to explain you more when we reach the shop," said McGonagall.
The girls thanked her for the explanation, and started discussing wands.
"We are here," said McGonagall, and went into the shop. The family followed suit, and entered it.
"Minerva, it is a pleasure seeing you. Fir, nine and a half inches, dragon heartstring, and stiff, if I remember correctly?" asked a white-haired man with a smile.
"As always, Garrick," answered McGonagall.
"Girls and Mr and Mrs Granger, this is Garrick Ollivander. Garrick, this is the Granger family. Hermione," said McGonagall, and pointed towards Hermione, "is willing to purchase her first wand."
"Hello, Miss Granger," Ollivander said.
"Hello, Mr Ollivander," Hermione said.
"I understand you will be starting Hogwarts when you are nearly twelve," the wandmaker said.
"Yes, because I was born in September," the girl answered, "but I love magic already; I find it fascinating. Professor McGonagall has told us a bit about wands, and I think it is very interesting," she said eagerly.
"Breathe, dear. I find it interesting, too, since I work here," the man said. Hermione smiled.
"I am sorry if I talked too much; I am not showing-off; I am only very interested," she said.
"I didn't think you were showing-off for a minute; I do not show-off when I ask people if I am correct about their wand information – I merely test my memory. Now – to your wand," the man said, and Hermione's eyes glimmered.
"What is your wand arm?" He asked, and took an odd-looking sellotape roll out of a drawer.
"I write with my right hand, sir, if that is what you mean," Hermione said politely.
He then started measuring her arm, height and other strange measurements.
Ollivander then went to the back of his shop, and climbed a ladder. He then took a few cases from a shelf.
"Yew, ten and three quarter inches, unicorn tail hair, unyielding," said Ollivander, and handed a wand to Hermione.
"Give it a wave."
Hermione waved the wand, but Ollivander snatched it out of her hand almost immediately.
"No, no. What about this one? Acacia, dragon heartstrings, eight and three quarters inches, unyielding?" He said.
Hermione tried, and again, nothing had happened.
"Oak, dragon heartstrings, ten and three quarters inches, unyielding?"
Nothing happened. Hermione was starting to fear that she was not a witch, after all.
Ollivander had probably noticed, because he had said: "Not to worry, dear. We will find you the perfect wand." Hermione smiled a bit. "I am almost sure this one is splendid for you: Vine, dragon heartstrings, ten and three quarters inches, unyielding."
The second Hermione touched the wand, scarlet, yellow, blue and emerald sparks shot from her wand, creating the letter H.
Ollivander looked stunned "Only once, in all my years Minerva, not even Tom Riddle…" he said. "My dear God," whispered McGonagall.
"Why are you all staring at me?" asked Hermione innocently.
"Only once, in all my years, has a child created something with his wand. Minerva has made the sparks fly around, which is very impressive too, but only Albus Dumbledore, until you, of course, has created something with his wand. You have created the letter H from the colors red, yellow, blue and green, which happen to be the colors of Hogwarts Houses – Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin. I think you are a very clever young lady – of course, there are talented witches and wizards who have not done this; Tom Riddle, and you professor -" McGonagall smiled, "- for instance – but the ones who have done so, are, with no shadow of doubt, very, very talented." Ollivander smiled after he'd finished talking to Hermione, and she grinned broadly.
"I – thank you, Mr Ollivander," she said, still smiling.
At that moment, a short man and a family entered the shop.
"Minerva! Nice seeing you," the man said.
"Very nice seeing you too. I see you are here with a Muggle born?" McGonagall said.
"Indeed, I am. This is Justin Finch-Fletchley, with his very kind family. And who are you, dear?" Filius asked Hermione in a rather squeaky voice.
"I am Hermione Granger, sir. Are you a teacher at Hogwarts, too?"
"Yes, I am. I teach Charms."
"Err… Sir? What is your name?"
"Deeply sorry, I have forgotten! My name is Professor Filius Flitwick."
"OK, sir. Hello, Justin," said Hermione.
"Hello, Hermione," he answered. The three kids (Harrietta joined them) were talking while the adults were talking.
"Who is the professor with you?" He asked.
"This is Professor McGonagall. She teaches transfiguration," Hermione answered.
They were talking until the adults told them they had to leave.
"Bye, Justin. Nice meeting you," Hermione said.
"Bye, Justin," Harrietta added and smiled.
"Bye Harrietta, Hermione. I will see you at Hogwarts," Justin said happily.
"It has been a pleasure getting to know you, Miss Granger, and your family as well. Always nice to see you, Minerva," Flitwick said, blushing a bit.
"Nice seeing you too. Have a wonderful year, Filius," McGonagall answered in an odd tone.
This went not unnoticed by Hermione, and she made a mental note to tell Harrietta later.
"Goodbye, Miss Granger. I wish you and your family all the best," Ollivander said, smiling.
"Good to see you, Minerva," he added, still smiling.
"You too, Garrick," McGonagall answered, and she and the family left the shop.
"Do hurry up; the other shops are a bit far," McGonagall said, walking faster. The family was walking faster, too, catching up with her.
They first went to various shops, including ScribbulusWritingInstruments, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, Flourish and Blott's, Slug & Jiggers Apothecary and Potage's Cauldron Shop.
"Very well, Miss Granger; you have obtained your textbooks and other school equipment. When I arrived at your house, I saw you were holding books, and I figured you enjoyed reading. I will now go to a bookshop – it is right here, in front of the cauldrons shop – to buy some extra Transfiguration books, both for my personal reading and for teaching purposes, as I teach extra classes for weak or advanced students. Now, as I have already mentioned, I have noticed you and you sister probably enjoy books. Would you like to join me to bookstore, or would you like to –" McGonagall said, but was cut by Hermione and Harrietta.
"Yes! Thank you very much," said Hermione
"Thank you, Ma'am!" said Harrietta.
McGonagall smiled. Yes, she was stern and quite tough throughout the school year, but it did not mean she was this tough during the breaks, which is why she smiled more. Moreover, the girls reminded her of herself when she was eleven.
"As I thought. Do follow me," the Transfiguration Professor said, and let into the shop.
Hermione and Harrietta were amazed. The shop was way larger than it seemed on the outside; the book shelves were enormous, and were stacked with books; there was a reading area, and also a few books islands. The shop was in perfectly organized, and so were books; they were sorted by subject, author and book size. The books-loving sisters looked at their parent for permission to rush into the store and read (of course they had also wanted to buy some) books.
The parents nodded, and the girls rushed inside.
Hermione found four interesting looking books, and Harrietta found three; the three books Harrietta found were three of the books Hermione had found (Harrietta did not take Hermione's fourth book because she had not noticed it).
They then went to their parents.
"Mum, dad, we have found some interesting-looking books," said Hermione happily.
"Fantastic, darling. What are those books called?" Helen asked.
"The first one is 'Hogwarts: A History;' the second one is 'Modern Magical History;' the third one is 'The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts,' and the fourth one is 'Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century.' Can we please buy them?" asked Harrietta.
The Grangers did not have a problem with money, as Mrs and Mr Granger were successful dentists, and it was their daughter's birthday, not mentioning her acceptance to a wizarding school… Harold looked at Helen.
"Yes, darlings, we can," he said, and the girls didn't stop thanking him and Helen. They then saw Professor McGonagall was walking towards them.
"I see you have found some books; as I have found mine, I think we should pay for them," McGonagall said.
They went to pay for the books. Each book costed two Galleons and seven sickles – eleven pounds and eighty nine cents.
"I know you didn't like it last time," McGonagall started, "but we will have to Apparate."
Hermione and the dentists sighed, but Harrietta grinned with joy.
"Curious you enjoy Apparating; I think you will make an excellent Quidditch player. Before you ask what Quidditch is, it is a wizarding sport. Now, hold me tight," McGonagall said, and they Apparated.
"Thank you so much for your time, Professor McGonagall," said Helen when they arrived at the Granger's place.
"It is no bother at all, my dear. I enjoy every time I guide new students," she replied.
"Ma'am, can I ask you a question?" asked Harrietta.
"Definitely," McGonagall answered.
"When we Apparated in the morning, it was to Muggle London; not Diagon Alley. Why?" the curious girl asked.
"That is a clever question, dear. I was merely testing your sister and yours ability to notice things. Also, I was checking if you were a witch."
"Oh," Harrietta answered.
"I must leave now. Your school equipment is here," McGonagall said, and took a handbag out of her cloak. She then put her hand in the bag, and took out Hermione's textbooks, robes and other equipment.
"How –" Hermione started, but was cut by the adult witch.
"It is an Engorgement charm. It is not very complicated with simple instruments, but it could be difficult. I do hope you have your wand, dear."
"Oh… And yes, my wand is with me."
"Very well, then. I think I should be leaving."
"Thank you, Professor," said Hermione.
"Will we see you again?" asked Harrietta; she took a liking to the woman.
"Of course; if you study at Hogwarts, I will probably still be the Transfiguration teacher, and when you turn eleven you will receive your letter, and I shall come. Moreover, on August thirty-first I will come to give Hermione's her train ticket, and I will then explain to you how to reach the platform," replied McGonagall.
"OK. Thank you," Harrietta said.
"Again – thank you so much, Professor," Helen said, and Harold added "We will be glad to meet again."
"I would like to meet you again, too. Have a nice day, and Happy Birthday, Hermione," McGonagall said, and disappeared with a pop.
"Let's go to the basement; we can read on the bean bag chairs," said Hermione; she knew her sister had wanted to read the books just as much as she did.
"OK," said Harrietta. They took their books (both Muggle and Wizard) and went downstairs.
"What is the matter, Hermione?" Harrietta asked. "I know you; I can read you like an open book – spill the beans."
"Is it just me, or Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick looked a bit odd at each other?" asked Hermione.
"Yeah, I have also noticed it. What do you think is going on with them?" Harrietta asked.
"I don't know, but I will look around at Hogwarts."
They talked about it for a while, and then started reading.
"Girls, lunch is ready," Harold called about two hours later.
"What's the time?" asked Hermione.
"Two thirty; please come to the dining room."
Hermione grumbled, but some why Harrietta rushed.
Hermione then reached the dining room.
"OK, girls," Helen said, "we are going to New Local Café. It is, well… new, but we have heard some good reviews."
Hermione grinned. "Did you know about it, Harrietta?" Hermione asked.
"Can't say I didn't," she said.
"Let's go," Harold said, and the family left.
When they reached the restaurant, Hermione ordered a large dish of fish and chips with Harrietta, and Helen and Harold shared a large chicken salad.
They then went home.
"Hermione and Harrietta, please come here," Helen said. "Dad and I have been talking; we know you two will be going to Hogwarts soon. Now, we think you need to know, in addition to wizarding subjects, the basic muggle subject, and a bit more; Math, Citizenship, English, Science, Spanish or French, History, Computers and Physics – you have not started learning this subject yet, but it is rather similar to math. We don't think you need to study geography; it is rather useless to those who don't do something with it."
"I think it is a great idea," Hermione said.
"Yeah, me too," said Harrietta.
"But will we have to take exams? Because I think we will be under a lot of pressure if we do," Hermione said.
"Of course not, dear! We just think these subjects are important! And, we want you to know the basics so you will be able to take your A-level exams," said Helen.
"But, mum, how are we going to study everything? I mean, you and dad don't know how to teach everything, and I don't think we have enough time until I leave to Hogwarts," Hermione said.
"Hermione, dear, there is no way you will be able to study everything in a year; we thought you should start after you finish your studies at Hogwarts. We can start now if you wish, though," said Helen.
"Great," said Hermione.
"Uh-huh," said Harrietta.
"I will now ask you questions respectively in French to see how much you remember. Since you, Harrietta, were eight when we have stopped, you will probably remember less than Hermione. You can answer in English, but it would be better in French.
"Harrietta; quel est le nom de votre sœur?"
What is your sister's name, Harrietta translated in her mind.
"Le nom de ma sœur est Hermione," the girl answered.
"Hermione; quel est votre second prénom?"
What is your middle name, Hermione thought.
"Mon deuxième prénom est Jean," Hermione said.
"Harrietta, dans quel pays vivons-nous?"
This is simple! We live in England, Harrietta thought.
"Nous vivons en Angleterre."
"Hermione, quelle heure est-il?"
In response to her mother's question, Hermione went to check the grandfather clock in the kitchen, and saw it was four twenty-seven in the afternoon.
"Le temps est de quatre vingt-sept dans l'après-midi."
"Très agréable filles! Je vais maintenant commencer à poser des questions plus difficiles.
"Harrietta, quelle est votre matière préférée à l'école, et pourquoi?"
Err… My favorite subject in school, and why? I guess it is Math because I understand why everything is correct; I don't have to memorize it, Harrietta thought.
"Ma matière préférée à l'école est en Mathématiques, parce que tant que je comprends le matériel que je ne dois pas mémoriser une chose."
"Hermione; qui est votre étudiant moins préférée dans votre classe, et pourquoi?"
Who is my least favorite student in my class? Hm… I think Draco Malfoy is, because
he always says he is the best, and he is also grouchy, Hermione thought.
"Mon élève préféré moins dans ma classe est Drago Malefoy, parce qu'il dit toujours qu'il est le meilleur en tout, et il est aussi grognon et maintient rire à d'autres étudiants."
"Fantastic! Although you have a few grammatical mistakes – which you had had also a year ago – it is clear to me that you have not forgotten a lot. Harrietta, you are better than I have imagined, great job, hon," Helen said.
"Merci beaucoup maman, **" Harrietta said, grinning.
"I think there are two girls who want nothing more than reading their new books," said Helen, and motioned towards her daughters.
Hermione and Harrietta grinned.
"Off you go, then," Harold said.
The girls rushed to the basement; Harrietta read Hermione's Potions book, and Hermione read her Transfiguration book.
They read an hour. And another hour. By the time their parents called them for dinner, it was already eight thirty, and Hermione was nearly finished with her book; Harrietta was about half way through.
After dinner, they returned to their books; Hermione was finished after an hour, and started reading her Charms book; Harrietta finished two hours after Hermione, and she started reading the Transfiguration book.
Since they didn't have to go to school tomorrow (they decided to take a day-off because of the excitement), they stayed up until eleven thirty, reading books (Hermione had finished the Charms book and had started the History of Magic book, and Harrietta had finished the Transfiguration book).
"Let's go to bed; I am getting tired," said Hermione, and Harrietta agreed.
In the following morning, the sisters woke up after ten hours of sleep. They ate breakfast, played 'Monopoly' (they gave up after half an hour), 'Clue' (Harrietta won; Harold was second, Hermione was third and Helen lost) and 'Rummikub' (Helen won; Hermione was second, Harrietta was third and Harold lost). It was noon when the family had finished playing 'Rummikub'. Hermione and Harrietta went to read, and Helen and Harold watched TV.
By the time lunch was ready, Hermione had finished the History of Magic book, and was about to start the Potions book; Harrietta had finished the Transfiguration book, and was about to start the twentieth page of 'Modern Magical History.'
"Girls," Helen said, "lunch is ready, dears."
"Coming, mum!" they said.
"Mum, when are we going to start our advanced studies?" Hermione asked when they reached the dining room.
"I was thinking that we should start after you finish reading your textbooks."
"How do you know we have been reading them?"
"I have seen the books on the couches in the library."
"Oh. OK, I think it is a great idea."
They then ate lunch, which included Sirene cheese and pesto sandwiches and green salad.
When lunch was finished, Harold went to bed and fell asleep, and Helen followed suit.
"What do you want to do, Hermione? I was thinking about talking about Hogwarts," said Harrietta.
"Sounds nice," said Hermione, and they both went to the basement.
"So," Harrietta started when they settled on the couches, "do you think Professor McGonagall is a nice teacher?"
"I think so. She seems very nice. Maybe a bit stern."
"Professor Flitwick seems nice, too. They both blushed when they saw each other, though. Do you think something had happened between them?"
"Maybe. But I will not ask her; it is none of our business."
"Of course we won't ask her, Hermione!"
"So, have you read something interesting? About Hogwarts, I mean," Harrietta asked after a pause.
"No. I have read the Transfiguration, Charms and History of Magic books; not about Hogwarts yet."
"Same with me. I have read the Potions, Transfiguration and Modern Magical History books, but not about Hogwarts."
"Do you want to read?" Hermione as ked.
"Sure."
Hermione took the Potions book, and Harrietta continued her Modern Magical History book.
Four and a half hours later, Hermione was finished with the Potions book, and so was Harrietta.
The only breaks they made were to go to the bathroom, to drink or to eat (including dinner).
It was seven o'clock at night when they had finished dinner. The girls went to the basement and, obviously, started reading, this time Hermione read the Defense Against the Dark Arts book,
and Harrietta read the Herbology (which was also the second Potions book) book.
They read and read, and a couple of days later they finished reading all of the books.
It was a Saturday morning when the family was talking about the girls' advanced studies.
"When we were in school, we could do an A-level exam in Math and only in one other practical subjects; we both chose Biology. Of course, we also did A-level exams in History, English, French – although we could do in Spanish – and citizenship. We did a total of six A-level exams; how many do you wish to take?" asked Harold.
"I think we should take at least six," said Hermione.
"I agree, but I rather not to take an exam in History," said Harrietta.
"No problem; you can take as many exams as you wish. You do not have to take the History exam, Harrietta, so it is not a problem."
At that point, an owl soared through the living room window.
"I think I heard a strange noise," said Harrietta, "I am going to check."
The rest of the family waited, and then – "Hermione! You have a letter!"
Hermione and her parents went to the living room. Harrietta handed the letter to Hermione, and sat on the couch with her parents.
Hermione opened the letter, and started reading:
"'Dearest Hermione,
I am so sorry for not contacting you for so long. Really, don't be mad at me! It is not my fault! I have some explaining to do: First, I am not dead, as you probably thought I am,'" Hermione read, and she then let out a scream: Ally, her only friend – except for Harry – was OK. She was alive!

A/N: Arggg it took me soooooo long to update! *lowers head in shame*
Come on, don't be mad! This chapter is like nine pages!
* I took the Gringotts writing from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
** Merci beaucoup maman = thank you mum.

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