Year One "the Philosopher's Stone"
Chapter 1.
Hermione Granger woke up to the smell of bacon and eggs; smiling to herself she knew this would be another one of many relaxing summer days she would have for the next two months. Two blissful months of reading as many books as possible with no one to disturb or make fun of her for it. No classmates jumping out from behind tree's trying to scare her as she read. No one to make fun of her frizzy hair. Just peace and quiet. "Thank god for summer," she said quickly to herself before leaping out of bed and rushing downstairs to help her mother finish making breakfast.
"Morning Mum, Dad!" She yelled out upon reaching the last stair, rounding the corner to the kitchen. Seeing her father sitting at their small breakfast table reading the morning newspaper, she walked over to him and gave him a quick hug and peck on the cheek. Keeping her arms wrapped around his neck she asked, "Have you read anything interesting in there yet?" Her eyes began to scan the article her father was reading.
George Granger chuckled at his daughter's eagerness to know what was happening in the world. A trait, he had been told, that was not in most eleven year old girls. "No cricket, nothing too interesting today, but if you would like I'll bring it up to your room later so you can read it when I am done." Smiling at her, he lowered his forehead to hers, "Right now however, I do suggest you go and help your mother. Otherwise, I fear our toast will be burnt to a crisp."
"Don't think I didn't hear that you. And it's not my fault the toast gets burnt. It is the toasters, I do believe that contraption has some sort of vendetta against me," Elizabeth Granger yelled out in an amused voice to her husband.
"Of course darling, I think we should throw the blasted thing out for being so stubborn."
Hermione giggled at her parents silly antics, "Or I could just make the toast myself, since the toaster seems to at least like me." Walking into the kitchen she grabbed the bread and began to toast.
"Oh my darling child whatever would I do without you!" Elizabeth wrapped her arms around her daughter and began to swing her around, making Hermione scream out in glee begging her mother to put her down.
XoxoX
After morning breakfast was done Hermione ventured out to the backyard with a few of her favorite books, and sat down against her favorite tree losing herself in the world of fantasy she longed to be a part of. Hours went by as she poured herself into her book. She was, in fact, so enraptured by the word of Narnia, a book that made her silently argue to herself each summer that it was one of only a few guilty pleasures she had so therefore it was perfectly fine to read the stories each summer break, that she had neither heard nor noticed her mother calling out to her from the kitchen window. Finally upon hearing her mother call out her name, for what was probably the seventh or eighth time, she looked up to see what all the fuss was about, "Sorry Mum, do you need me to help you with something?"
"No darling, I've been trying to tell you for the past five minutes you have post waiting for you on the table," Elizabeth watched her daughters face light up at the mention of having a letter.
"Okay I'll be right there!" Hermione scrambled up off the soft ground with a huge smile on her face. It wasn't every day she had post, in fact she normally only got it on holidays or her birthday. Brushing the dirt of her bum, she began to skip toward the house, abandoning the world of talking animals behind her. Upon entering her house and reaching the table she saw a very unusual looking letter. "This one here Mum?" She asked in a rather skeptical voice, not wanting to go over and grab it until her mother confirmed her question. Seeing her mother nod, she reached over to pick up what looked like a very old envelope that someone had decided to use after years of being forgotten in a dusty attic. Silently she stared at the address on the letter.
Ms. H. Granger
The First Door At The Top Of The Stairs
15 Downing Street
London
United Kingdom
"How peculiar, who on earth would address a letter like this," she quietly mumbled to herself while reading the second line of the address again, "And how do they know what bedroom I sleep in?" Deciding that this was a letter best opened in private, Hermione walked back out towards her favorite tree and sat down once again against it. Praying silently that her favorite spot would lend her some comfort if this was some silly prank hatched up by the girls who were in her class. Taking a deep breath she flipped the letter over to open it, and was shocked to see that it had a wax seal on it. Looking at it closely she saw a letter 'H' with what looked to be a lion, serpent, badger, and raven surrounding it. Careful not break the strange seal, Hermione began to open her letter with a slight trepidation. Her fingers trembled slightly as she pulled out the piece of paper and began to read the letter.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Ms. Granger,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"How utterly ridiculous," Hermione began to fume at the idea of someone trying to pull such an elaborate prank on her. "Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry. I guess I should give them points for having such a huge imagination, but honestly. ' We await your owl'. Ha." Hermione shuffled the first piece of paper behind her to see what highly unrealistic equipment they thought she should buy.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL
of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Sets of plain work robes (black)
2. Plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. Pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. Winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.
"A pointed hat? Dragon hide gloves, oh come off it. As if dragons could possibly exist."
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1)
by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi
by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection
by Quentin Trimble
A tingling sensation began to run through Hermione's hands at the idea of being able to read such books as these. She began to feel a slight ache in her chest, this person had obviously gone through a lot of trouble to make fun of her. The question of who would do such a thing began to run through her mind as she continued on.
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring and owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
"Broomsticks? What am I going to do with a broomstick, fly on it?" Hermione started to silently cry to herself. "Ha! A wand, a cauldron. Am I to brew up some smelly concoction and then turn someone into a toad perhaps?" Her tears started to come from a place of anger as she stared at the pieces of paper in her hands. "Well the jokes on you, whoever you are, you can't get rid of me that easily," she began to shout out to nobody, "You may have an astonishing imagination, but I am smart enough to see through your silly attempt to have me make myself look like a fool!" And with her last statement she crumpled up the papers and threw them into the bushes. Hermione grabbed her books in an angry flurry and stormed up to her room, replying only with tears when her mother asked what was wrong as she flew passed her. As Hermione reached her room she slammed the door behind her and threw herself onto the bed, breaking down into heart wrenching sobs.
Elizabeth followed behind her daughter, picking up the pace when she heard Hermione slam her bedroom door. Upon opening her door she saw her daughter, crying into her pillow. Quickly she sat down on the bed next to her pulling her small little girl into her arms. She began to calmly whispering words of comfort, while rocking her back and forth. "It's okay my love, its okay." She began to make shushing noises, "There there my dear, come one, tell mummy what happened."
"It's...not...fair," Hermione sobbed out. "I...can't...help...being...smart!"
"Darling what are you talking about?" Elizabeth pulled Hermione into her lap so she could look at her. Seeing her daughters reluctant to meet her eyes she put one finger delicately under her chin. "Oh my dear," she quietly stated, kissing the tears falling down Hermione's face. "Please tell me what happened, so I can help you. You know I hate to see you so sad."
Hermione paused for a moment, taking in a deep breath so she could explain to her mother what had happened. "That letter I got today. It -hiccup!- it was an awful prank!" Taking another deep breath she continued on, "It was some horrid letter saying that I was accepted in -hiccup!- into a school called Hogwarts, and that it is a school for witches!" Hermione lost the semblance of control she had and began to sob once again. Her mother began to quietly console her once again, not pressing her daughter into telling her more, but instead waiting until Hermione could start speaking.
"I'm sorry mum," Hermione wiped dry her eyes, and looked up apologetically at her mother, "I'm making your shirt all wet with my stupid tears."
"Nonsense, my shirt doesn't matter at all," she said smiling down at her daughter, "Are you ready to continue on with your story?"
Hermione nodded, "The letter had all sorts of ridiculous things, like how I was to get a wand and how first years couldn't have brooms. How I was supposed to respond by owl, whatever that means. It was awful mum, they even had gone as far as to write out a bunch of boo -hiccup!- books I had to get. And they sounded like such wonderful books!" At the mention of books tears began to stream down Hermione's face. "Why would someone send me such an awful letter?"
Elizabeth's heart wrenched seeing her daughter so upset over the letter. She felt angry slowly begin to build in her chest, wanting to have a very long discussion with the little hooligan who wrote it. "Don't worry darling it will be all right. I know there's not much I can do to help. But, why don't you clean yourself up, dry those pesky tears from your eyes. Then when you are all sorted out, how about you and I go to the library and see if there are any good books we can get?"
"Really?" Elizabeth smiled as she heard her daughters voice perk up a bit. "Of course sweetie." And with that she placed a kiss on her head and let her daughter get ready for their outing, pausing only at the door to say, "I love you."
"I love you too mum." Hermione smiled back, the sadness almost gone from her face.
XoxoX
A week had passed since Hermione had received the strange acceptance letter to a school that couldn't possibly exist. She had, of course, argued to herself that it was ridiculous that there was a school called Hogwarts. However, she found herself on several occasions daydreaming about it. Imagining how wonderful it would be to start over somewhere fresh. Somewhere where nobody knew her, or made fun of her for being the very smart an eleven year old that she was. She imagined that there would be other students like her that loved reading and learning just as she did. But as soon as she would realize that she was dreaming about the impossible she would shake her head and continue with whatever task she was currently doing.
It was during one of these times that her thoughts were prematurely interrupted by the sound of a door bell. She was about to rush downstairs to answer the door when she heard her mother call out, "I've got it! Nobody panic!" Hermione giggled at her mother, she was glad she had such funny parents. As she heard the mummer of voices begin, she realized the door must not be for her since her mother was not calling her down. It was about ten minutes later when she heard her mother calling her to come downstairs. Quietly praying to herself, she hoped she wasn't about to meet one of her mother's boring colleagues. "I'm coming mum!" Hermione slowly detangled herself from her bed and library book and descended down into the living room.
As she entered she saw her mother sitting down having a cup of tea with an oddly dressed person. "Did you need something mum?"
She saw her mother nod and smile at her, "Yes dear, there's somebody here that would like to talk to you." Her mother beckoned her over to stand next to her, "Hermione, this is Professor McGonagall. She is the Deputy Headmistress of.." Her mother looked up to the woman, "I'm sorry what is the school called again?"
Hermione heard a crisp voice reply, "Hogwarts, Mrs. Granger."
Hermione woke up to a strange Scottish voice, "Miss Granger, are you with us yet? Please Mrs. Granger don't worry, it was just a spell that will wake up your daughter, there was absolutely no harm done." Hermione slowly opened her eyes and took in the scene around her, for some reason the woman she had just met was leaning over her and her mother was looking down at her with worried eyes. Quickly Hermione came to the conclusion that she had fainted. Blushing Hermione began to get up, "I'm so sorry Professor..."
"McGonagall," the woman answered her.
"Professor McGonagall, I don't normally faint. In fact I don't think I ever had before now." Still blushing Hermione stood up and extended her had, "It's a pleasure to meet you ma'am."
Minerva McGonagall raised her eyebrow in amusement at the young lady's behavior, "A pleasure to meet you as well Miss Granger." Minerva took her hand and shook it lightly before clearing her voice and sitting once again on the couch. "Now, if we can I would like to explain some things to you." She watched Hermione nod and sit next to her mother. "First off, here is another copy of your Hogwarts letter, as I am sure you have tossed yours out." She noticed the blush return to the child's face.
"I'm sorry Professor, I just found the thought of a magical school highly improbable." Hermione smiled shyly.
"That is perfectly normal Miss Granger. Almost all muggleborns do the same." Minerva noticed Miss Granger was looking at her confused, "I'm sorry my dear, 'muggleborn' means you come from non-magical parents." Once she saw the confusion leave her face she continued on, " Now I'm sure you are no wondering how on earth you are to get the items that are on this list, the answer to those questions are in this letter. That is, of course, assuming you are interested and want to attend Hogwarts."
Hermione looked up at her mother with silent hopeful eyes, and seeing that her mother was okay with this Hermione all but scream at her, "Of course I am! I mean who wouldn't want to learn magic?" At this last remark Hermione felt doubt flash through her. "Are you sure I..Are you sure I will be able to do magic though?"
Minerva quickly responded, "Hermione let me ask you something, have you ever done something or had something happen to you that seemed impossible. Something you couldn't explain?"
Hermione thought back to the times in her life that had confused her. The times when the children who made fun of her had mysteriously ended up in a tree, or when she longed for a place to disappear into she would find the book she wanted lying beside her.
Minerva saw Miss Granger going over the things in her life that had been unexplainable, "Those times are referred to accidental magic. And as far as whether we can tell whether or not a child has magical abilities, there is a special quill that detects the birth of a magical child and will write those names in a large book. That way if it happens with a child born from muggle parents we can send them a Hogwarts letter."
"So I'm really a witch?" Hermione asked with a smile.
"Yes Miss Granger, you are a witch."Minerva gave her a small smile before continuing on. "Now, here are the rest of the instructions you need. Here is your Hogwarts ticket, along with directions on how to board Hogwarts Express. You will find all the instructions I have given you will be able to explain everything in detail." She paused and looked up towards the new student, "Now Miss Granger, I cannot emphasize how important it is to follow all of the directions to the letter. Is that understood?"
"Yes Professor McGonagall." Hermione said in a confident voice, determined to impress her new Professor.
"Now I am afraid I cannot stay any longer, I have many other students to see too. Thank you very much for your time Mrs. Granger." Minerva stood up and shook the parents hand, then turned to one of her new pupils, "I will see you on September 1st Miss Granger. Have a good summer until then."
Hermione reached out again eagerly to shake her new Professors hand, " I can hardly wait Professor McGonagall."
A/N: Woot longest first chapter I have EVER written! I really hope you guys enjoy this story. At first I was worried about not being able to write as long of chapters that I want. However it seems that will no problem. Anyway. I just want to add that this will be fairly similar to HP, I am doing it from Hermione's views. However the events that will happen are slightly different. That's all I'm saying though!
Oh yea and...um that button down there...yea you know what I'm talking about. Review me...I need 'em, in fact this story needs them to survive! Dooooo it.
A/N (April 6th): Fixed how the staff at Hogwarts knows whether or not a child has magical abilities.
A/N (April 7th): YAY! So I downloaded Microsoft Word finally so all grammatical and spelling errors shouldn't happen. However let me know if any of you see's some and I'll fix it. Trying to get this story as close to perfection as I can.