Disclaimer: Does the word alone not tell you I don't own it?

Author's note: sorry this took so long! i was planning on posting it yesterday, but i wouldn't let me sign in. grrrrrr. well anyway heres ch 4! read nd review plz!

Chapter 4

A New Knowledge

Hermione's parents looked up from the letter in shock. "So it's true then." Her mother said, looking at her with a look of disbelief on her face.

"Yes. I have also received a supplies letter." Hermione looked at her mother hopefully.

Her father had an angry expression on his face. He turned to her mother and yelled, shaking the table slightly. "I WILL NOT SPEND MY HARD-EARNED MONEY ON THAT SCHOOL! I WILL NOT ALLOW SOME MENTALLY UNSTABLE IMBECILE TEACHING MY DAUGHTER TO PULL A RABBIT OUT OF A HAT!" Her father was fuming. He had a bad temper, but Hermione had never seen him look this angry before.

"Sit down dear." her mother said patiently. "Let's think about this." Hermione looked up in shock. Had her mother just said what she thought she said? Her mother turned to her, clearly unhappy with the current situation. "Hermione go to your room. I need to talk to your father about this."

"Sure mom. Call me back down when you're done" Hermione stood up with a defiant look on her face. She would go to Hogwarts with or without her paren's consent.

Before Hermione left the room, her mother whispered in her ear. "I don't blame your father for not wanting a freak for a daughter."

Hermione flashed her mother a sarcastic smile and went upstairs to her room. She didn't care what her parents said, and she wasn't about to let her mother's comment get to her. When she opened her door, she noticed an owl perched on her chair, looking at her expectantly. She noticed a package tied to it's leg. She looked at it curiously. What could it possibly be? She walked over to her desk, and untied the package from the owl. It gave her a friendly hoot and flew out of her window.

She eagerly opened the package. A note fell out of the brown wrappings. It read:

Dear Miss Granger,

Enclosed you will find Hogwarts, A History. I hope you find it interesting. As for how to get your supplies, go to the Leaky Caldron in London on August 30. You will find it near the new bookshop. There will be someone standing outside of the building waiting for you. Show them your supplies list, and they will help you shop. I hope you summer is most enjoyable.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Hermione put down the letter, and picked up the book. It was old looking and leather bound. She was ecstatic. In her hands she held the first book she had ever seen about the magical world. She opened th book, and began reading hungrily, overjoyed with this newfound knowledge. She was halfway through the book, when her father's voice echoed through the halls, calling her downstairs.

"Hermione get down here. Your mother and I need to talk to you immediately."

"Coming!" Hermione quickly walked down the stairs, with a determined look on her face. Now that she was armed with new knowledge, she new her parents wouldn't be able to refuse when she told them everything she had learned.

She walked into the living room, where both of her parents were waiting. As she approached, they looked at her, both wearing annoyed yet pleased expressions.

Her father spoke first. "We have decided to allow you to go, since it will give us more time for work. When and where do you need to be dropped off?"

"Well, I need to get my supplies, so drop me off at the new book store on August 30. That will give me enough time to buy my supplies." She didn't bother mentioning that there would be someone waiting for her, since that would only upset her parents.

"You don't expect to get your schoolbooks at the bookstore do you? They won't sell them there." Her mother gave her a knowing smirk.

"I'm not stupid. I know they won't sell them there. The store I'm looking for is close to there. I just don't want you to know where I'm going. Besides, I want to buy a few books before I leave" Hermione flashed her mother a I'm-still-smarter-than-you-so-bug-off smile.

Her parents ignored her smart-alecky comment. "Alright then. We will drop you off on August 30. We still expect you home for Christmas, so don't get any ideas to stay at that school." Her mother spoke stiffly, as if she were talking to a client.

"Ok." Hermione said, standing up to go back upstairs. Turning to her parents, she said. "If you don't mind, I would like to go back upstairs to my room."

Her parents waved her away, clearly not caring what she did. She went back to her room, and continued reading the history of her new-found world.

An hour later, Hermione had finished her book. She set it down, smiling. The book had fascinated her. It was unlike anything she had ever read. She was particularly interested in the four founders, Godric Gryffindor, Helga Hufflepuff, Rowena Ravenclaw, and Salazar Slytherin.

She remembered reading about the four houses, and wondered which one she would be in. She would prefer to be in Gryffindor, but she also thought that Ravenclaw would also be a good choice.

She sat in her room, thinking about everything she had just read. She was amazed at how well the wizarding world got along without electricity or other devices she took for granted.

She was also very interested in how Hogwarts stayed hidden from those who were not supposed to see it. There was so much protection on that castle.

She continued to think about the wizarding world for the next few days, thirsting for more knowledge. She decided to write another note to Ms. McGonagall, asking for information on current events. The only problem was that she didn't have an owl, nor did she know where to find one.

As if someone had read her mind an owl flew into her room moments later. Strangely, it had nothing tied to it's leg. Although this was foreign to her, she didn't question her luck.

She gave the owl a bit of bread she had snuck from the kitchen, and sat at her desk. She began to write yet another note to Ms. McGonagall.

Dear Ms. McGonagall,

Thank you for sending me Hogwarts, A History. It was a very interesting read. If it's not too much trouble, I was wondering if you could send me some information on what has happened in the wizarding world this century. If you can't find the time, I understand, but I would really appreciate it if you would. Thank you again for Hogwarts, A History.

Sincerely,

Hermione Granger

Hermione put down her pen, and tied the letter to the owl's leg. She watched as the bird flew gracefully out of her window. She went to bed that night, wondering if the owl would return the next day.

Hermione woke just as the sun was beginning to come out of the clouds. She loved this time of day, because the beginning of the meant a new start. She knew she couldn't change the past, but with each new day there was hope for a better future.

She got out of bed, and got dressed. Just as she was walking out of her bathroom, her phone began to ring. Wondering who could be calling her this early, she went over to her desk and picked up the phone.

"Hello, Granger residence. Hermione speaking."

"Hello Hermione, it's Grandmother. How are you on this fine day?"

"I'm doing well, thank you. And you?"

"I'm well. Are your parents home?"

Hermione looked at her clock. It read seven thirty five. Her parents usually left for work around seven, so she knew they weren't home. "No, Grandmother, I don't believe they are. Would you like me to take a message?"

"No Hermione, you misunderstand me. I would like to take you shopping today, but I wanted to ask your parents' permission first."

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind. They shouldn't be getting home until around five anyway."

"Alright Hermione. I will pick you up at exactly eight o'clock. I expect you to be ready."

"I will be ready, Grandmother. I'll see you then. Goodbye."

"Goodbye, Hermione."

Hermione hung up the phone, and finished getting ready. She looked at her clock, which now read seven forty five. She went downstairs and grabbed a quick bowl of cereal, just in case her grandmother didn't take her out to breakfast.

Just as she was putting her bowl in the dishwasher, she heard a horn beep from outside. She knew it was her grandmother, so she quickly grabbed her jacket and purse, and locking the door behind her, stepped out into the warm August morning.

She walked over to her grandmother's car. "Good morning, Grandmother. It's nice to see you. She got into the car, and shut the door.

"Good morning, Hermione. Have you eaten breakfast yet?"

"I had a bowl of cereal before you came. Why?"

"That is not enough breakfast. You know very well that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. We are going out to eat."

Hermione knew better than to argue with her grandmother, so she nodded. "Alright, Grandmother. Where would you like to go?"

"There is a small restaurant that I would like to take you to. It's a five minute drive from here."

"That sounds nice. Thank you for taking me out today."

"Well, I thought it would be a good idea to buy you some nice new clothes so you look presentable next year."

"Thank you . That's very kind of you." Hermione decided to wait a while befor she told her grandmother that she was a witch.

They soon arrived at a restaurant called 'Aurora'. They were quickly seated, and given their menus. Hermione looked around the restaurant. It was simple yet elegant.

She glanced at her menu, quickly deciding on an orange juice and blueberry pancakes. She soon found out it was a good thing she had already decided on her meal, since seconds later her grandmother spoke. "Have you decided what you want yet?"

"Yes, I will have an orange juice and blueberry pancakes, please."

"Good. That should be filling enough. I will order for both of us, so the waitress will get us our food faster."

This didn't make sense to Hermione, but she didn't argue. She just smiled slightly and nodded her head so she wouldn't upset her grandmother. Her grandmother had a strange way of thinking, but Hermione never questioned it. She knew if she did it would only upset her grandmother, and since her grandmother was the only person who would take her out, she didn't question her way of thinking.

They sat there for ten minutes. The only words spoken were between the waitress and her grandmother. By the time the food came, Hermione was starving. She didn't scarf down her food, however, because it would only cause her grandmother to yell at her. Her grandmother had always told her to eat slowly, but she only really did this in her grandmother's presence.

Forty five minutes later, both Hermione and her grandmother had finished their meals. Her grandmother beckoned the waitress over, and paid the bill.

They left around nine o'clock and headed to the local department store. Before they entered, Hermione pulled her grandmother aside. "Grandmother, I need to talk to you."

Her grandmother looked at her questioningly. "What is it? You're not in trouble again are you?"

Hermione wondered where her grandmother was getting this information, but she didn't ask. "No, I'm not in trouble. This is about something else."

Her grandmother began to grow impatient. "Well spit it out already! I don't have all day!"

Hermione took a deep breath and looked at the floor. It was now or never. "I'm a witch. I'm going to start school this year."

"I always knew you were strange. I will accept this under one condition: You must be at the top of your class. If you are not I will be sure to have your parents pull you out of school." Her grandmother looked at her, clearly waiting for her to speak. "Well, what do you say to this?"

Hermione looked at her grandmother determinedly. "I will study hard, grandmother, I promise. I will be at the top of my class."

"Good. Now let's buy you a couple of outfits to give your teachers a good impression of you."

They stayed at the store for an hour, and finally came out with some simple blouses and skirts. Hermione's grandmother drove her home, and when the car stopped in front of Hermione's house, she thanked her grandmother profusely.

She went to her room, wishing it was already August 30. She couldn't wait to read her textbooks. She sighed to herself and thought, 'Well at least I only have another month to wait.' She picked up Hogwarts, A History and began to reread it.