Time passed by in nearly similar fashion. Hermione continued with her schooling and studied everything that drew her interest. She visited the library in the Orphanage and 'borrowed' some more books.
When she was ten, she was informed by Neville and Harry that they would have a hard time sending letters because they were going to a private boarding school in Scotland that year.
Hermione felt sad about the news and she became withdrawn all the more.
What's the use of having friends when they couldn't write to me often or even meet me in person? Perhaps it would be better if I didn't have friends at all. She thought to herself.
.
.
.
In that same year, Hermione started noticing something odd about her animal friends. They seemed to visit her more often after she had stopped writing letters to Harry and Neville. The animals probably sense her withdrawn state of mind.
What was more strange was finally noting a white crow which appeared to visit her twice in a month.
One night, Hermione saw the white crow perched on the tree just outside her bedroom window. It's white wings a stark contrast to the dark backdrop of the forest.
She instantly knew that there was something special about the bird.
Opening her window with curiosity, Hermione raised her arm and gestured for the beautiful bird to come fly down in her arm. The crow simply cocked its head and Hermione met its intelligent eyes; eyes the color of silver.
Almost reluctantly, the bird flew and landed on her arm. Hermione then reached out and rubbed the bird's feathers.
It was a beautiful bird, and she told it so.
"Beautiful..." She said.
The bird appeared to preen in pleasure and made a crowing sound.
Hermione smiled in amusement.
After that day, she began to look forward to the crow's visit twice a month.
.
.
.
Right before she turned eleven, Hermione received a strange letter. At first, she thought someone had just played a prank on her when she began to read the contents of 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 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
.
On the second page, Hermione read the following requirements for the said magic school.
.
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.
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
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, if they desire, an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS
ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
Yours sincerely,
Lucinda Thomsonicle-Pocus
Chief Attendant of Witchcraft Provisions
.
Magic? Wizards and Witches? How absurd! Hermione thought after reading the letter. Whoever sent this must be completely and utterly mad. Who would dare easily believe such nonsense?!
However, Hermione would soon realize the entire truth when an old man would come to visit her.
.
.
.
Albus Dumbledore stared at the eleven year old girl and said to her, "Yes, Ms. Granger. You are, for the lack of a better term, a witch."
At his words, the girl simply gazed at Dumbledore in disbelief.
"That's hard for me to believe, Sir. However, if what you say is true, I want you to prove it." The girl, Hermione, ordered him with such shocking force that left Dumbledore mildly alarmed and speechless.
He sensed the strong magical compulsion in the girl's last statement. If Dumbledore had a weak mind, he knew that he wouldn't be able to resist such compulsion.
For a moment, Dumbledore regarded the girl. Although her way of speaking was not as imperious as Tom's. It was tempered somehow, but Dumbledore couldn't help but notice the uncanny similarities between her and the young Tom Riddle.
"As you wish, Miss Granger," He said. Dumbledore then took out of his wand from his pocket and waved it towards the girl's dresser.
A moment later, the dresser burst into flames and began to shake. The girl instantly gasped at the sight.
"I believe you have something to show me, Ms. Granger," Dumbledore said while he watched when one of the drawers of the dresser suddenly surge opened to reveal the things the girl had stolen and kept as a trophy.
"What do you mean, Sir?" The girl asked, almost innocently, but Dumbledore could see right through her pretense.
"Those things you kept in that drawer are not truly yours." Dumbledore pointed out at the contents of the drawer. "You must return them to its rightful owners, especially the books."
The girl glared at him before he heard her answer, "I was planning to return the books and the other items, Sir, but something always comes up."
"Then, you should make it your priority to return them," was Dumbledore's answer as he met the girl's eyes. "Because I, and the rest of the staff at Hogwarts, won't tolerate this kind of behavior from a student, Ms. Granger. Thievery of this extent is considered a crime."
"I didn't steal those things! I was simply 'borrowing' them, especially the books!" The girl replied defensively. "Ask Mr. Lupin. He knows that I'm borrowing those books indefinitely!"
"I know the man you speak of. From what I understand, Mr. Lupin has a soft spot for you. It's for this reason alone that you are able to borrow the books for long periods of time without fear of repercussions. However, you should not take advantage of the situation. That's another thing that you need to change once you start studying at Hogwarts."
"First of all, I'm not taking advantage of Mr. Lupin. Second of all, how are you so confident that I will go to this school, Sir? I haven't even decided about going yet." The girl told him.
"Its compulsory that you go to Hogwarts, Ms. Granger. If not to learn about magic, but perhaps for you to harness your true potential as a witch."
"The school sounds interesting enough, but I believe it's too restrictive for me. Other than that, I don't have the funds for studying in such a prestigious school."
"In able to uphold our reputation as the best Wizarding school in all Europe, our school's rules and our competitive curriculum are there to produce outstanding witches and wizards. You might find the school restrictive, but it's only for the benefit of all our students. And in regards to the lack of funds, you need not worry, the school will provide the funding for you and all the requirements that you need to purchase."
"So am I to believe that the school are simply going to provide me with funds that I need without anything in return? And how do I go about purchasing all these requirements? I don't know a place that sells those kinds of items."
"Yes, the school is willing to provide funding to any magical students who have special circumstances, which means you, Miss Granger. As for purchasing your requirements, there's a wizarding place where you can buy those items. It's called Diagon Alley."
"And how do I go there?"
"You only have to go through Leaky Cauldron to access the wizarding shopping district."
"Where is this Leaky Cauldron?"
And so it went, with Dumbledore providing the girl with answers while Hermione Granger continued to inquire about the Wizarding World.
The girl's hostile behavior towards him hadn't faded away, but Dumbledore considered it a success for convincing the girl to attend Hogwarts.
.
.
.
After her first meeting with the Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, Hermione Granger made it her mission to learn more about the Wizarding World.
It's for this reason that Hermione declined Dumbledore's offer in sending someone who could help Hermione with purchasing her school requirements.
Thus, Hermione found herself alone in entering the place called Diagon Alley. Anyone would find it intimidating to be alone in a new, strange place, but not Hermione Granger. Instead she was excited to explore the place by herself.
The first thing that she needed to do was buy a wand. So Hermione asked a few people for direction towards Ollivanders Wandshop. Fortunately, the people there were kind enough to help Hermione locate the place.
"Welcome to Ollivanders." the man behind the counter immediately said the moment Hermione entered the shop. "How may I help you, Miss?"
"I'm here to purchase a wand," Hermione replied as she walked towards the counter.
"Of course," the white-haired man said, "but before I sort through the wands, let me measure your wand arm first."
Hermione stretched out her right arm towards the man and she watched when the man took her measurements.
"I will be back," the man said after he was done and he instantly disappeared to the back of the shop.
He came back a moment later with a slim box carried in his hand. Hermione observed how he laid down the box at the counter before he opened it.
"10 ¾ long, made of vine wood and it possessed a dragon heartstring core." The man informed her as he gave the wand to Hermione.
Hermione accepted the wand in fascination.
"Now, give it a wave," the man suggested to her.
She did as instructed and waved her wand.
However, nothing happened.
She saw the man frowned.
"Try doing it again," the man advised.
Hermione repeated the process but still got no results.
"Perhaps you require a different wand," the man told her.
Then, he went back and began selecting wands for her to test.
Hermione tested each and every one of the wands but nothing seems to happen and she was getting impatient as a pile of wands grew at the counter.
Until...
"I wonder…" She heard the man said as he brought a new box to her. He opened it and presented the wand inside for Hermione to take.
Slowly, she reached out and took the wand from the box. The moment Hermione touched the wand, she felt a surge of power and watched with wide eyes when light emanated from the wand in her hand.
"Who are you child?" The man suddenly asked as he stared at Hermione with a puzzled expression.
"My name is Hermione Granger," came her immediate response.
"Curious, very curious." The man muttered. "The wand did not react to Harry Potter when he came to my shop, but now it does so to you...and I wonder the reason behind such a strange occurrence. It's very curious indeed."
"Sorry, but what is so curious about it." She inquired.
"I remember every wand that I sold, Miss Granger. It's so happens that the Phoenix, whose tail feather resides in your wand, gave another feather, just one other. It is curious for you to be destined for this wand when it's brother is owned by You-know-who." The man informed her.
"Who?" Hermione asked, frowning.
"We do not speak his name, but he is known throughout the entire Wizarding World as a Dark Wizard." The man said, "The wand chooses the witch, Miss Granger. It is not always clear as to why that is. However, it is clear that we can expect great things from you. Afterall, He-Who-Must-Not-be-Named did great things, terrible things, but great…"
Hermione stared at the man and wondered who he was talking about. In all her eleven years of life, she hadn't heard anything about a dark wizard who inspired terror from a person that they fear to speak his name.