I am …

Magical

It was summer 1991, and eleven year old Hermione Jane Granger was sitting in the back garden of her home in Surrey, the sun was shining brightly behind her, as she sat on the grass with a book in her lap, school was finished, and soon she would be going on to the local secondary school, but before she did that she wanted to make sure she was ready. She did so by reading some of the books they would be studying in English and History, a French dictionary lay beside her, discarded onto the grass.

It was quite in the neighbourhood, and that was how Hermione liked it, peaceful. She was humming to herself as she let her eyes moves across the lines, drinking in the words before her.

There was a hoot in the background that she was only faintly aware of, that is until a small barn owl landed right before her. Hermione let out a small scream as the bird sat there, looking at her, almost expectantly. In its beak held a small brown letter, she did not even look at the address on it.

"M-M-MUM!" Hermione shouted, looking fearfully at the bird, she knew something was strange, because owls did not come out during the day She knew they were night creatures. "MUM!"

Suddenly the owl jumped, dropping the letter in Hermione's lap, and soared off out of sight. With shaking hands Hermione turned the letter over.

Hermione Granger,
Back Garden,
Oak wood House,
Oak Road,
Surrey

Hermione was bewildered by the letter in her hands, this was beyond the… This just didn't make sense.

"Hermione!" Her mother called fearfully, dashing out to the back garden. "Hermione what's wrong?" Her mother asked worriedly, as she saw her daughters pale face.

"Mum, an owl just gave me this."

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 Miss Granger
We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

"Susan, this is ridiculous, some silly prank some kid has played on her," Philip said to his wife, as he held the letter in his hand. Hermione was not popular, often teased by other children, he knew they thought her odd, and perhaps she was, but this was unnecessary. "You know that she's been picked on before."

"Tell that to Hermione, she swears it was an owl wh-"

A knock at the door broke Susan from her sentence.

"Mum!" Hermione called form the front door. "There's a strange man who wants to talk to you!"

"Mrs Granger, how lovely to meet you," At the front door stood a man, he was wearing a bright purple suit, paired with long white hair and a matching beard, the icing on the cake had to be the half-moon spectacles, covering electric blue eyes. He was not imposing in anyway, but he looked odd.

"Get away from my daughter!" Susan barked, grabbing Hermione by the shoulders and pulling her away from the man. "I'll get my husband to call the police!"

"Oh dear, there won't be any need for that," The man said, and something about him made Susan want to trust him, but when it came to her little girl, she did not trust anyone. "I'm here about the letter, I'm Albus Dumbledore."

"Oh," Susan said as she sat in the living room, holding a cup of tea in her hands, she had been for the last hour, and not taken a single sip. "Oh." She didn't really know what to say.

"So what you're saying is Hermione, our baby, is special." Philip said – well that was one way of putting it, she had always been slightly different to other children her age, besides the reading. It was also impossible to deny that sometimes odd things happened when she was around, but this seemed so farfetched.

"Yes, she is special… She's a witch, and it's not what I imagine you think it to be, Hermione," he turned to the excited looking eleven year old, "has anything every happened, that you just can't explain?"

Hermione looked at her parents, with the biggest grin on her face.

"Like when I fell off my bike and one moment I had cut my knee, and the next all that was there was a faint pink mark?" Hermione asked, her eyes shining brightly.

Albus smiled at her.

"Yes, like that."

Hermione was struck by awe as she walked onto the busy street, she was not in a normal street, she was in Diagon Alley, the Wizarding Street. Albus Dumbledore had brought her and her parents here to do some shopping, and it was nothing short of amazing.

All around her were store she'd never seen or heard of before, selling things she had never seen before. There were cauldrons and brooms, high stacks of books, animals she could not name. She was overwhelmed by it all, all the colours and the noises, it was outstanding.

"Wow."

"I'm glad you like it, Miss Granger," Albus said smiling at Hermione. "Now, do you think we should get your wand first?"

He led the small group to one of the darker looking stores, stepping inside Hermione could see shelf upon shelf full to breaking point with small boxes, covered in dust.

"Albus, how very nice to see you," An elderly man – older then Albus Dumbledore at least – appeared before Hermione and her parents. "And this is….?"

"Hermione Granger, a new student," Albus said smiling brightly at the man. "I do hope you are well Ollivander."

"Exceedingly, thank you Albus, now, let me see…" The man, Ollivander disappeared among looming rows full of little boxes, Hermione and her parents watched anxiously as he peered through the shelves, until finally. "Ah, here it is."

"Vine wood, heartstring of a dragon, twelve inches, good for almost any spell, charm or curse." He handed the wand to Hermione, and instantly she felt her fingers tingle, and she beamed at the elderly wizard. "I suggest you watch out for this one, Albus, she's going to be one powerful witch."

"Now, remember The Hogwarts Express will take you to Hogwarts on September first, it is on Platform nine-and-three-quarters, I'm sure that you will find your way," Albus told Hermione who was nodding her head as she took in his words.

"But, we'll miss her twelfth birthday!" Susan squeaked as she looked at her daughter.

"Don't worry, mum," Hermione said excitedly, barely unable to contain herself. "I'll owl you like Professor Dumbledore said."

"Oh, ok…"

"I will see you see, Farewell Mrs Granger, Mr Granger," With that, he turned on the spot and disappeared instantly with a loud pop.

Philip turned to his wife, he had barely spoken all day, he was pale and nervous.

"Do you think we have to send her?" He asked quietly, not quietly enough.

"Of course I have to go!" Hermione insisted, determination drenching her words.

"I don't think you can go through with me," Hermione said as she looked at the stone wall, she was terrified, she'd never admit it though. She was staring at a brick hole, which she was pretty sure she could walk through, if not she would surely break her nose. "It said in Hogwarts a History that only witches and wizards can go through, and I don't think you are."

"No, we're not sweetheart," Susan said nervously, was her daughter going to injure herself? How could she not, running into a brick wall, was never a smart idea.

"Well, I guess…" Philip said, he knelt down to his daughter, and engulfed her into a hug, kissing the top of her head. "My special little girl, don't you dare let anyone put you down, and please write to us as soon as you get there."

"And remember you're coming home for Christmas," Susan said, hugging her daughter next, and kissing both her cheeks. "We love you so much, remember that angel."

Hermione smiled at her parents, and then ran towards the wall, they both braced themselves for her to fall on the floor, crying as she split her head open, but instead she disappeared, and was gone.