DISCLAIMER: Well, you know, the usual…I do not own Harry Potter, because if I did, I wouldn't be writing stories HERE.

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10 year-old Hermione Granger woke up n rubbed her eyes.

"Good morning darling," her mom echoed in her ears.

"Oh, hi mom!" she replied, passing her fingers through her tousled hair.

"You have long day to go, Mione. Have to collect forms from Eton and other schools, take you for a haircut, pick up your diploma from junior school and shop for new clothes." Mrs. Granger ticked off her fingers.

"So, baby. Be quick. Daddy wants to talk to you too."

Hermione jumped out of her queen sized bed and obediently picked up the clothes mom had so carefully laid on her bedside chair and ran to the bathroom.

Downstairs Mr. Granger was sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper diligently.

"Is she up?" he asked as soon as his wife entered.

"Pretty much. I told her that it would be a very busy day ahead and that did it."

"I can't believe my own little girl is going away to boarding in two months. Clarissa, why can't she go to Armstrong or Playfair Secondary or something?"

"Honestly, Albert. You are acting like a sentimental granny! She has to grow up. Can't you see? She has been pampered for too long. Now it's her time to be independent. I assure you she will love it. She is so excited. She is reading up everything possible for her interview on Monday. She is brilliant; she just needs the right sort of environment to nurture her intelligence. And Albert, we can afford it. When we decided to have her, we promised to each other that we'd never say no to her demands and we'd always give her the best. Anyone can go to Armstrong which is infiltrated with bullies but the daughter of Clarissa and Albert always deserves the best."

Mr. Granger knew she was right. He looked into his wife's hazel brown eyes and nodded with comprehension.

"Yes, darling."

Hermione came skidding down the stairs and flew into the kitchen.

"Morning dad! Ask me the table of 14. Anything please!"

"Ok, what is 14 times 7?"

"Umm…98!"

"Yes my love. But now I…"

"And I also learnt that the earth is round. Ferdinand Magellan said that. Did you know that daddy? Bet you didn't. And of course did you know that we have 206 bones, but a foeties…no a foetus has 300? And and and you never told me that there is a tooth called the wisdom tooth?"

"Oh honey. You are just so intelligent," Mrs. Granger caressed her curls. "But daddy needs to say something to you. Will you listen?"

"Honey, I know you are very keen to go to a boarding school and I fully appreciate your enthusiasm. But you must understand that I love you loads and I will be extremely sad the day you'll leave us. You are the apple of my and your mother's eyes. Never forget that." Mr. Granger's eyes were moist.

"Daddy, I am not leaving you. I am just learning how to stand up on my own feet. And I will come back every six months, won't I? Another question, will you be there to protect me all my life?"

Mr. Granger smiled at her.

"My Hermione has indeed grown up. I am proud to be your father. Now rush along. Mommy has to take you for a lot of work."

Mrs. Granger and Hermione came home tired. It had been a day of standing in eternal queues, interviews, collecting transfer certificates and waiting at Clip 'n' Snip.

"Hello, honey." She kissed Mr. Granger on the cheek. "How was your day?"

"What do you expect, Clarissa. It was no pique nique. Patients and patients poured in. and managing was tough. I had a meeting with the board today and they said that an increase in staff would be most welcome. So we're putting up ads."

"I see. Mione and I had a big one too. Doesn't she look adorable in her feather cut?"

"Of course. Any cut would suit Mya wouldn't it?'

Before Hermione could reply, the doorbell rang.

"Oh, it must be Mrs. Pinaco next door. Run out of flour I think." Ms. Granger smirked and walked to open the door.

But it wasn't Mrs. Pinaco, or anyone they knew. It was a tall thin man with a long crinkled nose and papery skin. The most astonishing feature of this old man was his beard which extended down to his waist and was carefully tucked into his leather belt. Not to forget, he had a weird dressing sense. He was sporting a bright yellow robe…more like a cloak which had red stars on it and was definitely made of expensive material.

"Yes, may I help you?" asked Mrs. Granger sweetly.

"Ah, indeed. You'd do a great help by letting me in and allowing me to explain the purpose of my visit which is no rendezvous."

"Please come in."

Once in the drawing room, the man said.

"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Granger and hello to you too Hermione. Lovely child, she is."

"Umm, sir, I don't know how you got our address, but you know, we look at our dental patients only at work. Of course, I'd be pleased to give you an appoint…" Mr. Granger trailed off as the stranger raised his hand.

"No no no," he smiled, "I have not come for a dental checkup. However, now that I know you are a dentist, next time I will come to you. My molars give me a distinct pain when I wake up in the morning. But as of now…I need to talk to you. Good evening, I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and I need to talk to you about your daughter Hermione Granger and her future education."

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A/N: just the beginning of a wonderful fanfiction (I'll try my best). I am a very sincere author and I promise 2 live up to my name. I'll post ASAP, try to do 4 chapters a week, but if storyline drags then I'll take some time. There's so much of doom after his death, but don't get depressed. It is not a silly, impossible Draco-Hermione lust fiction because fools should know by now that they aren't meant to be. Please read and review. It does make an author happy. Posting comments does not mean posting compliment, so feel free to review.