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Chapter Ten: Hermione Remembers
The house was quiet. Ron had taken the children to Harry and Ginny's house, leaving Hermione a few hours to herself. She was supposed to start planning the celebration, for Emma had gotten her Hogwarts letter that morning, but at the moment she had her feet curled up on the couch, a cup of tea in her hands and she was rifling through the family photo albums, thinking.
It seemed like only yesterday that she had held newborn Emma in her arms, imagining what the future would hold for her. Now that that future was here, Hermione was feeling nostalgic and a little sad. She stopped on a picture of herself and Ron, with tiny Emma in Ron's arms, eleven years earlier. They were both smiling, thrilled with the new person that had come into their lives, this new person that they had created together. Emma was sleeping in the picture. Hermione always liked the pictures of her children sleeping the best, because it made them look so peaceful.
She continued to flip through the books, going further back in time. At some point, the albums stopped containing pictures of the children, as Hermione had meticulously placed all the pictures in chronological order, and she had reached the pre-children point. She smiled when she looked at the pictures from her and Ron's wedding, and laughed when she went even further back to their days at Hogwarts.
Finally, she was looking at pictures that did not even include Harry and Ron. In fact, these pictures were plain, ordinary pictures, not moving like most of the others had, for Hermione had gotten them from her parents. They were taken the day that she herself had received her letter from Hogwarts.
That was the day that changed everything.
* * *
Ten-year-old Hermione Granger was one of the top students at her school. Because of this fact, she was a loner, preferring to study in the comforts of the school library rather than running around in the schoolyard with the other children. However, the young girl was not lonely - at least, she didn't think that she was. Her friends were her books, and she spent hours getting lost in whatever story she was reading, be it fiction or non- fiction. However, her favorite types of stories were those that dealt with magic. Being the ever-logical child that she was, her parents found it strange that she should put all her faith in something unproven, but Hermione was sure there was some way to make magic real. Sure enough, her Halloween costume of choice had always been a witch, and she always seemed partial to cats and toads when it came to having pets.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger had always sensed that there was something special about their child. From a very young age, strange things always seemed to be happening around her, though never something the Grangers would have imagined was magic. They were simply things that they attributed to a very great coincidence, like the time Hermione refused to eat lima beans, and suddenly both of her parents were distracted - one by an important phone call from a dental patient, while simultaneously the doorbell rang, to distract the other parent by trying to sell something. Hermione was able to slip away from the table, unnoticed - after throwing away the beans, of course.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger were proud of their daughter's accomplishments, but nothing surprised them as much as the day the letter from Hogwarts came. None of the three Grangers had seen the letter arrive with a brown owl, as it was included with the rest of the daily mail, but all three were confused at the specific address, stating not only the name of Miss. Hermione Granger, but the exact bedroom she occupied on the second floor of their house.
Mrs. Granger was the first to see the letter, and though she found the address quite strange, she handed the envelope over to her daughter without question, but watched over her own letters as Hermione opened it. When she heard the little girl gasp, she looked up again. Hermione was reading the letter again, her eyes moving back and forth rapidly.
"Hermione, what is it?" she finally asked.
"I was right," was all Hermione said. She smiled at her mother and seemed to get a dreamy look in her eye.
"Right about what?" her father asked, and he peered over the daily newspaper at his daughter as well.
"Witches ARE real," said Hermione. "And wizards."
"Hermione, what is that?" her father asked, suddenly concerned. "Let me see."
Hermione handed the letter to her father and smiled as he read it, his eyes widening. Mrs. Granger, allowing curiosity to get the best of her, read over his shoulder and had a similar reaction. Hermione watched them eagerly, waiting for their reaction, but she was disappointed when it came.
"This must be some sort of joke," said Mr. Granger, and he turned the letter over as though expecting to see the word 'GOTCHA' imprinted on the back.
"Of course," said Mrs. Granger, shaking her head. "I quite agree."
"It's not a joke!" Hermione said adamantly, so much so that both her parents looked at her quickly. Her mother sat down and faced her.
"Hermione, dear, how could this NOT be some sort of prank?" she asked. "Perhaps there's someone at school who thought this would be funny? Someone you don't get along well with?"
Hermione shook her head again. "No one," she said, thought now that her mother mentioned it, it WAS possible. "But no one knows how much I like magic."
"But how could this possibly be real?" Mrs. Granger asked. "You know there is no such thing as magic. Not really. Remember? It's mostly illusions. We saw that show on the telly."
Hermione felt herself on the verge of tears. "I think it's real."
Mrs. Granger turned to her husband and they exchanged looks of concern for Hermione. She looked at them again, and they could see her eyes welling up. "I want to go," she said.
"I know you do," said Mrs. Granger, and she hugged Hermione to her.
"There's more," Hermione said, and she used her free arm to shuffle more papers towards her father. "Read it."
Mr. Granger perused the other pieces of parchment that had come in the envelope. After he had read the supplies list, he said to his wife. "I must say, though, that if this IS a joke, someone's done a VERY thorough job." He handed the papers to his wife, and she read them as well. Suddenly, something felt very right about Hogwarts.
"You know, dear," Mrs. Granger said to her husband. "I'm beginning to think this might have some truth to it. How do you suppose we find out more?"
"Haven't a clue," said Mr. Granger.
"It says I have to reply," said Hermione, cheering up a bit now that her parents weren't being so skeptical. "If I want to go." She looked at her mother, asking permission with her eyes. "I really want to go."
"Hermione, there are so many things that we need to figure out before we can even think about this," said her mother. "First of all, we don't even know if this place - Hogwarts - is even real." Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but her mother continued. "And secondly, how exactly do we reply to the school, even if we gave permission for you to attend."
Hermione had to admit that there did seem to be a slight snag in the plan. Her parents had a point. There was no return address and no phone number attached to the letter. She turned the paper over and over in her hands, searching, and was about to give up when the family heard a rapping at their door, and all three turned to see a brown owl attempting to get inside.
"Make it go away!" Mrs. Granger called. "What's an owl doing out at this time of day?"
"I think it wants to come in!" said Hermione, and she ran to the window and opened in. The owl swept in and landed gently on the kitchen table, taking Mr. and Mrs. Granger by surprise. The owl held out his leg.
"What do you think it wants?" Mr. Granger asked.
Hermione's eyes danced as she realized what the owl might be for. "It's going to bring my reply to the school!" she exclaimed.
"What?" her father asked in disbelief. "An owl?"
"Yes!" said Hermione. "I've read about this! It was rumored that a long time ago, witched and wizards used owls to send their letters! I can't believe that's a true story!" Hermione rushed to the cabinet and pulled out some paper and an envelope. She addressed the envelope quickly: Minerva McGonagall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She was about to write a reply when she realized that her parents had not even given her permission to attend yet.
"Mum? Dad?" she asked, begging them with her eyes. "I want to go."
Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked at each other, baffled. "Hermione, we don't know anything about it."
"But, mum, someone they chose me," Hermione said. "They must know who I am, even if we don't know who they are!"
"Hermione," said her father, "your mother and I need time to discuss this." This time, it wasn't Hermione but the owl who answered, with an impatient screech.
"I don't think there's time, dad!" Hermione said. "Who knows when an owl will come for a reply again? You have to tell me now!" Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked at their daughter, and at the determination in her eyes.
"Come on!" Hermione exclaimed. "You know we're looking for a school for me for next year anyway! Here's one that wants me!"
Mrs. Granger was the first to soften. "I suppose it would be all right."
Mr. Granger shortly followed. "We can always pull her out, can't we?"
"All right, Hermione," said her father. "Send your reply. But if anything goes wrong, of we find out this place isn't worth its salt, then you're staying right here with us."
"Thanks, dad!" Hermione said, and she wrote out a quick reply, letting the school know that she would be present on September 1st. She was about to fold the letter and send it off when she thought it would be best to have her parents sign it as well. Mr. and Mrs. Granger signed their names, and Hermione tied the letter to the bird's foot. It took off, and Hermione watched it until it disappeared.
Behind her back, her parents gave each other a look, saying silently to each other, 'What have we gotten ourselves into?'
* * *
Hogwarts remained a mystery for another two weeks, when a larger envelope arrived. Hermione ripped it open immediately, and found her train ticket inside, as well as instruction on how to enter Platform Nine and Three Quarters, and how to get to Diagon Alley to purchase her supplies. She was also told to memorize her instructions, and then to burn them, which she did. She immediately pestered her parents to take her to the Leaky Cauldron, the place where they were told they could gain access to a wizarding area.
"Can we go TODAY?" Hermione asked the following Saturday.
"I suppose we'd better," said Mr. Granger. He and his wife were still reluctant about sending their daughter to such a strange place, but the packet from Hogwarts had appeased the couple's fears. They were told information about Hogwarts and its history, and they were told where they could find more information.
"I must say, I'm interested," said Mrs. Granger, and with that the family left the house. Once they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, they gave the bartender the secret code they were told to utter, and were led out into the alley. They watched in amazement as the bricks parted and showed them Diagon Alley for the first time.
"I told you it was real," said Hermione, and she and Mr. and Mrs. Granger entered Diagon Alley.
* * *
The summer passed by in a blur, and soon Hermione found herself standing between the barriers between Platforms Nine and Ten, saying goodbye to her parents. "Write as soon as you arrive," said Mrs. Granger, "and let us know how it is."
"I will, mum," said Hermione. "Thanks for letting me go." After Diagon Alley, Mr. and Mrs. Granger were certainly convinced that magic did indeed exist, and though they were still skeptical about sending their daughter away to study magic, they knew that it was what she loved, and they wanted her to be happy. But they would never stop worrying about her.
Hermione said her final goodbyes and headed for the platform. She herself wasn't so sure it would work, walking straight into what appeared to be a solid brick wall, but she was determined. Her parents watched her disappear into the brick, and Hermione smiled happily when she made it to the other side and caught sight of the train.
Twenty minutes later she was happily situated in a compartment, watching out the window as the train began to move. Inside, she felt a thrill, as well as a twinge of nervousness, but she was happy. She was going to Hogwarts.
* * *
"I would just like to say," said Ron as he stood at the head of the dining room table and addressed his family and friends, "how proud I am of Emma, and how happy I am that she will be heading to Hogwarts in September."
"Here, here!" said Harry, and he raised a glass, and everyone else did the same.
"And I hope that James here will take good care of her while she's there," said Ron, gesturing to his nephew.
"Maybe," said James.
"Dad! I don't need someone to take care of me!" Emma exclaimed.
"You'll appreciate having James around, anyway," said Hermione. "Even though I expect you'll make scores of new friends, and forget all about us!"
"No I won't!" said Emma. "But I can't wait to go! It's going to be so much fun!"
"I want to go too!" Olivia exclaimed.
"You wait your turn!" Hermione said back to her, not ready to let her second daughter grow up and head to school yet. She still had three years.
The family laughed together, and continued their celebration dinner. After Harry and Ginny left, Ron and Hermione did a quick clean up of the kitchen, and then sat with the children in the living room.
"You okay?" Ron asked.
"I will be," said Hermione. "Just a little sad."
"I know how you feel," said Ron. "I've felt it too. All day. I kept thinking about the day she was born."
"Me too," said Hermione, "though it also made me think about when I was accepted into Hogwarts. I was looking at old photo albums when you were gone."
"So that's why there was nothing set up when I got back!" Ron said, laughing.
"I suppose I got a little carried away," said Hermione. "Just remembering."
"Well, there's a lot to remember, isn't there?" said Ron, and he kissed her. "A lot of good things."
"And so many more to come," Hermione agreed.
Chapter Ten: Hermione Remembers
The house was quiet. Ron had taken the children to Harry and Ginny's house, leaving Hermione a few hours to herself. She was supposed to start planning the celebration, for Emma had gotten her Hogwarts letter that morning, but at the moment she had her feet curled up on the couch, a cup of tea in her hands and she was rifling through the family photo albums, thinking.
It seemed like only yesterday that she had held newborn Emma in her arms, imagining what the future would hold for her. Now that that future was here, Hermione was feeling nostalgic and a little sad. She stopped on a picture of herself and Ron, with tiny Emma in Ron's arms, eleven years earlier. They were both smiling, thrilled with the new person that had come into their lives, this new person that they had created together. Emma was sleeping in the picture. Hermione always liked the pictures of her children sleeping the best, because it made them look so peaceful.
She continued to flip through the books, going further back in time. At some point, the albums stopped containing pictures of the children, as Hermione had meticulously placed all the pictures in chronological order, and she had reached the pre-children point. She smiled when she looked at the pictures from her and Ron's wedding, and laughed when she went even further back to their days at Hogwarts.
Finally, she was looking at pictures that did not even include Harry and Ron. In fact, these pictures were plain, ordinary pictures, not moving like most of the others had, for Hermione had gotten them from her parents. They were taken the day that she herself had received her letter from Hogwarts.
That was the day that changed everything.
* * *
Ten-year-old Hermione Granger was one of the top students at her school. Because of this fact, she was a loner, preferring to study in the comforts of the school library rather than running around in the schoolyard with the other children. However, the young girl was not lonely - at least, she didn't think that she was. Her friends were her books, and she spent hours getting lost in whatever story she was reading, be it fiction or non- fiction. However, her favorite types of stories were those that dealt with magic. Being the ever-logical child that she was, her parents found it strange that she should put all her faith in something unproven, but Hermione was sure there was some way to make magic real. Sure enough, her Halloween costume of choice had always been a witch, and she always seemed partial to cats and toads when it came to having pets.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger had always sensed that there was something special about their child. From a very young age, strange things always seemed to be happening around her, though never something the Grangers would have imagined was magic. They were simply things that they attributed to a very great coincidence, like the time Hermione refused to eat lima beans, and suddenly both of her parents were distracted - one by an important phone call from a dental patient, while simultaneously the doorbell rang, to distract the other parent by trying to sell something. Hermione was able to slip away from the table, unnoticed - after throwing away the beans, of course.
Mr. and Mrs. Granger were proud of their daughter's accomplishments, but nothing surprised them as much as the day the letter from Hogwarts came. None of the three Grangers had seen the letter arrive with a brown owl, as it was included with the rest of the daily mail, but all three were confused at the specific address, stating not only the name of Miss. Hermione Granger, but the exact bedroom she occupied on the second floor of their house.
Mrs. Granger was the first to see the letter, and though she found the address quite strange, she handed the envelope over to her daughter without question, but watched over her own letters as Hermione opened it. When she heard the little girl gasp, she looked up again. Hermione was reading the letter again, her eyes moving back and forth rapidly.
"Hermione, what is it?" she finally asked.
"I was right," was all Hermione said. She smiled at her mother and seemed to get a dreamy look in her eye.
"Right about what?" her father asked, and he peered over the daily newspaper at his daughter as well.
"Witches ARE real," said Hermione. "And wizards."
"Hermione, what is that?" her father asked, suddenly concerned. "Let me see."
Hermione handed the letter to her father and smiled as he read it, his eyes widening. Mrs. Granger, allowing curiosity to get the best of her, read over his shoulder and had a similar reaction. Hermione watched them eagerly, waiting for their reaction, but she was disappointed when it came.
"This must be some sort of joke," said Mr. Granger, and he turned the letter over as though expecting to see the word 'GOTCHA' imprinted on the back.
"Of course," said Mrs. Granger, shaking her head. "I quite agree."
"It's not a joke!" Hermione said adamantly, so much so that both her parents looked at her quickly. Her mother sat down and faced her.
"Hermione, dear, how could this NOT be some sort of prank?" she asked. "Perhaps there's someone at school who thought this would be funny? Someone you don't get along well with?"
Hermione shook her head again. "No one," she said, thought now that her mother mentioned it, it WAS possible. "But no one knows how much I like magic."
"But how could this possibly be real?" Mrs. Granger asked. "You know there is no such thing as magic. Not really. Remember? It's mostly illusions. We saw that show on the telly."
Hermione felt herself on the verge of tears. "I think it's real."
Mrs. Granger turned to her husband and they exchanged looks of concern for Hermione. She looked at them again, and they could see her eyes welling up. "I want to go," she said.
"I know you do," said Mrs. Granger, and she hugged Hermione to her.
"There's more," Hermione said, and she used her free arm to shuffle more papers towards her father. "Read it."
Mr. Granger perused the other pieces of parchment that had come in the envelope. After he had read the supplies list, he said to his wife. "I must say, though, that if this IS a joke, someone's done a VERY thorough job." He handed the papers to his wife, and she read them as well. Suddenly, something felt very right about Hogwarts.
"You know, dear," Mrs. Granger said to her husband. "I'm beginning to think this might have some truth to it. How do you suppose we find out more?"
"Haven't a clue," said Mr. Granger.
"It says I have to reply," said Hermione, cheering up a bit now that her parents weren't being so skeptical. "If I want to go." She looked at her mother, asking permission with her eyes. "I really want to go."
"Hermione, there are so many things that we need to figure out before we can even think about this," said her mother. "First of all, we don't even know if this place - Hogwarts - is even real." Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but her mother continued. "And secondly, how exactly do we reply to the school, even if we gave permission for you to attend."
Hermione had to admit that there did seem to be a slight snag in the plan. Her parents had a point. There was no return address and no phone number attached to the letter. She turned the paper over and over in her hands, searching, and was about to give up when the family heard a rapping at their door, and all three turned to see a brown owl attempting to get inside.
"Make it go away!" Mrs. Granger called. "What's an owl doing out at this time of day?"
"I think it wants to come in!" said Hermione, and she ran to the window and opened in. The owl swept in and landed gently on the kitchen table, taking Mr. and Mrs. Granger by surprise. The owl held out his leg.
"What do you think it wants?" Mr. Granger asked.
Hermione's eyes danced as she realized what the owl might be for. "It's going to bring my reply to the school!" she exclaimed.
"What?" her father asked in disbelief. "An owl?"
"Yes!" said Hermione. "I've read about this! It was rumored that a long time ago, witched and wizards used owls to send their letters! I can't believe that's a true story!" Hermione rushed to the cabinet and pulled out some paper and an envelope. She addressed the envelope quickly: Minerva McGonagall, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She was about to write a reply when she realized that her parents had not even given her permission to attend yet.
"Mum? Dad?" she asked, begging them with her eyes. "I want to go."
Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked at each other, baffled. "Hermione, we don't know anything about it."
"But, mum, someone they chose me," Hermione said. "They must know who I am, even if we don't know who they are!"
"Hermione," said her father, "your mother and I need time to discuss this." This time, it wasn't Hermione but the owl who answered, with an impatient screech.
"I don't think there's time, dad!" Hermione said. "Who knows when an owl will come for a reply again? You have to tell me now!" Mr. and Mrs. Granger looked at their daughter, and at the determination in her eyes.
"Come on!" Hermione exclaimed. "You know we're looking for a school for me for next year anyway! Here's one that wants me!"
Mrs. Granger was the first to soften. "I suppose it would be all right."
Mr. Granger shortly followed. "We can always pull her out, can't we?"
"All right, Hermione," said her father. "Send your reply. But if anything goes wrong, of we find out this place isn't worth its salt, then you're staying right here with us."
"Thanks, dad!" Hermione said, and she wrote out a quick reply, letting the school know that she would be present on September 1st. She was about to fold the letter and send it off when she thought it would be best to have her parents sign it as well. Mr. and Mrs. Granger signed their names, and Hermione tied the letter to the bird's foot. It took off, and Hermione watched it until it disappeared.
Behind her back, her parents gave each other a look, saying silently to each other, 'What have we gotten ourselves into?'
* * *
Hogwarts remained a mystery for another two weeks, when a larger envelope arrived. Hermione ripped it open immediately, and found her train ticket inside, as well as instruction on how to enter Platform Nine and Three Quarters, and how to get to Diagon Alley to purchase her supplies. She was also told to memorize her instructions, and then to burn them, which she did. She immediately pestered her parents to take her to the Leaky Cauldron, the place where they were told they could gain access to a wizarding area.
"Can we go TODAY?" Hermione asked the following Saturday.
"I suppose we'd better," said Mr. Granger. He and his wife were still reluctant about sending their daughter to such a strange place, but the packet from Hogwarts had appeased the couple's fears. They were told information about Hogwarts and its history, and they were told where they could find more information.
"I must say, I'm interested," said Mrs. Granger, and with that the family left the house. Once they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron, they gave the bartender the secret code they were told to utter, and were led out into the alley. They watched in amazement as the bricks parted and showed them Diagon Alley for the first time.
"I told you it was real," said Hermione, and she and Mr. and Mrs. Granger entered Diagon Alley.
* * *
The summer passed by in a blur, and soon Hermione found herself standing between the barriers between Platforms Nine and Ten, saying goodbye to her parents. "Write as soon as you arrive," said Mrs. Granger, "and let us know how it is."
"I will, mum," said Hermione. "Thanks for letting me go." After Diagon Alley, Mr. and Mrs. Granger were certainly convinced that magic did indeed exist, and though they were still skeptical about sending their daughter away to study magic, they knew that it was what she loved, and they wanted her to be happy. But they would never stop worrying about her.
Hermione said her final goodbyes and headed for the platform. She herself wasn't so sure it would work, walking straight into what appeared to be a solid brick wall, but she was determined. Her parents watched her disappear into the brick, and Hermione smiled happily when she made it to the other side and caught sight of the train.
Twenty minutes later she was happily situated in a compartment, watching out the window as the train began to move. Inside, she felt a thrill, as well as a twinge of nervousness, but she was happy. She was going to Hogwarts.
* * *
"I would just like to say," said Ron as he stood at the head of the dining room table and addressed his family and friends, "how proud I am of Emma, and how happy I am that she will be heading to Hogwarts in September."
"Here, here!" said Harry, and he raised a glass, and everyone else did the same.
"And I hope that James here will take good care of her while she's there," said Ron, gesturing to his nephew.
"Maybe," said James.
"Dad! I don't need someone to take care of me!" Emma exclaimed.
"You'll appreciate having James around, anyway," said Hermione. "Even though I expect you'll make scores of new friends, and forget all about us!"
"No I won't!" said Emma. "But I can't wait to go! It's going to be so much fun!"
"I want to go too!" Olivia exclaimed.
"You wait your turn!" Hermione said back to her, not ready to let her second daughter grow up and head to school yet. She still had three years.
The family laughed together, and continued their celebration dinner. After Harry and Ginny left, Ron and Hermione did a quick clean up of the kitchen, and then sat with the children in the living room.
"You okay?" Ron asked.
"I will be," said Hermione. "Just a little sad."
"I know how you feel," said Ron. "I've felt it too. All day. I kept thinking about the day she was born."
"Me too," said Hermione, "though it also made me think about when I was accepted into Hogwarts. I was looking at old photo albums when you were gone."
"So that's why there was nothing set up when I got back!" Ron said, laughing.
"I suppose I got a little carried away," said Hermione. "Just remembering."
"Well, there's a lot to remember, isn't there?" said Ron, and he kissed her. "A lot of good things."
"And so many more to come," Hermione agreed.