Most of those letters went out around the beginning of August. A few weeks was plenty enough time for the returning students to pick up their books, potion ingredients, and new robes. The new students with Wizard and Witch parents had all learnt about Hogwarts long before, so while they got their letters earlier than the rest of the school, it was more to keep them from getting to distressed at the wait than due to any real need for extra time.
The new students with Muggle parents, however, knew nothing of Hogwarts—or of the entire Wizarding World—so they got their letters earliest. They went out slowly, one each day, to allow Professor McGonagall, the Deputy Headmistress, to visit them and assure them that no, the letter wasn't a prank, to answer any questions that they may have, and to emphasize the importance of the statute of secrecy.
That meant that while Dean was just now getting his letter, a certain Hermione Granger had received hers a week earlier.
Roger and Emily Granger had always thought that their daughter was special, but then, just about all parents do. They were quite proud of how well she did in school, though they knew it had been more difficult for her, of late. They didn't really know what to do about that. Sure, they would have preferred that she enjoyed herself, but they knew that they had been in a similar situation at that age, but came out of it okay. And really, they were rather more comfortable dealing with their mini-adult than with a more average child. Besides, if anything it meant she was becoming more devoted to her studies, and they were loath to discourage that.
Never in their wildest dreams, however, would they have thought her a witch. They had always enjoyed their science courses, and considered themselves normal, rational people. But really, what can you say after you've seen a woman change herself into a cat? At least it finally explained those weird things that seemed to happen around their daughter. And it was quite nice to know that they had both actually seen strange things. Apparently neither of them had bothered to mention them since they obviously couldn't have actually happened.
And that alley! After Hermione had pulled them into that pub they couldn't see—that would never have passed a Health and Safety inspection, so the owner was probably quite happy that normal people couldn't see it—it felt as though they had gone back in time. Honestly, you'd think that with magic they would have come up with something better than open flame for light.
At the bookstore, though, things had gone just as they usually did. Hermione hadn't wanted to leave, and had somehow managed to cajole them into getting far more books than they had planned. Luckily they had found the catalogue, and thus avoided her going through every book in the store. It had made her want an Owl, but at least that had been a discussion they could have on the way home.
Harry's owl finally settled down in a park a few parishes from #4. Sitting calmly at the top of a tree, Harry managed to get more in control of his thought processes. It sure wasn't normal yet, but it was much better than before. He experimented a bit, managing to move his feet and unfold his wings. Surprisingly his hearing and sight didn't seem much different, though being able to see his back was rather weird.
The strangest thing, though, was that he could sense something. There were many of them, too, all of which felt just a bit different. Barely any were close by, and most seemed to be in groups, with a particularly large one in the direction he thought was downtown London. It seemed like those further away generally felt fainter, so a few of them off to the north-west were probably very strong.
There was one not to far south of him that seemed relatively strong, and somehow clearer than most of them. He figured he might as well go see what it was. He certainly didn't want to go back to the Dursleys', and they were probably mad enough that more time wouldn't make a difference, if he had to later.
Flexing what his brain still thought of as his arm muscles, he managed to flap his wings. He jumped off and managed to go forward for a bit, but he was soon tumbling, quite out of control. As the ground approached, the owl took over again, soaring off towards the sun.
Hermione was having a great week. She had new books to read, long a favourite activity, and now she had spells to master, too. Why, just yesterday she'd managed to fix an old pair of her father's glasses with Oculus Reparo. Her parents were most impressed. Quite pleased too, as they were going sailing in Florida after their conference one evening, and it meant they wouldn't need to risk his good pair.
They'd left earlier that morning to catch their plane, leaving Hermione with her usual babysitter. Though she never needed close watching, Hermione was rather particular about who she stayed with, complaining heavily if she thought her minder wasn't mature enough. Luckily, a college student a few doors down was taking classes for her summer term, so both were happy to be alone in separate rooms, reading and working.
Hermione was rather glad for this usual routine, since it meant she didn't have to hide her magic books too actively. She realized just how important it was, though, when an odd-looking owl swooped in through her window.
Harry rather enjoyed the flight, despite being somewhat of a passenger. Fortunately his owl knew where he wanted to go, and had flown straight there. He was still rather surprised, though, when he flew right through the open window and into the house.
After landing on the desk, Harry had enough influence to look around a bit. The things he were sensing were people, if this one was any indication. He had apparently been sensing a young girl with remarkably bushy brown hair. Strangely, owls landing near by was apparently normal for her, as she started talking to him.
"Oh, do you have a letter for me?"
A letter? Why would an owl have a letter?
"I guess you don't. The others were quite eager to give them to me. At least you didn't land on my work."
Harry looked around a bit, and noticed just on what he was standing.
Wait, she's actually taking notes while reading from a book with "Magical" in the title?
"Hmm, I don't have any letters to send, and don't really know anyone that'd want one from me, anyways. Did you come to see me?"
Well, I did, I suppose; Not that I knew what I was going to find.
Harry tried to nod, and it apparently worked, since she took it for an answer.
Hermione had not as surprised as Harry, being used to such things. That said, she was as curious as ever. She figured the deputy Headmistress would certainly have mentioned any letters to expect, and really, there was nobody else that knew her to be a witch.
And yet this Owl's here for me, she thought. I suppose my parents know too, but they're off at the airport. I don't get why they have to leave 3 hours before the flight, though. It can't take that long to drive to Heathrow. I doubt it would even take that long to go through London…
Harry cocked his head quizzically as Hermione jumped up and ran out of the room. She came back with a London road atlas. Laying it on the table, she flipped it open to a large-scale view, and started talking to herself.
"Let's see… They were going to Heathrow, so that's up the A24, then around the M25. The Leaky Cauldron is right in London, though, so they'd stay on the A24 and take the A4 back out. That's… less than 10 miles further, so they'd have plenty of time."
She turned back to the owl on her desk.
"Oh, this is brilliant! I was wanting an owl, and you're just gorgeous."
As she reached out her hand out towards him, Harry froze. When she proceeded to slowly run her hand along his feathers, though, he couldn't help but let out a soft trill in happiness at the feeling.
Author's Notes:
Thanks to Vern for a bunch of fixes.
Yes, her parents can't get into Diagon Alley themselves. Yes, they do need to be at the airport early. She's wrong.
The Grangers' names are from canoncansodoff's Movie Night at the Grangers'.
Snowy owls don't hoot, as a number of writers like to point out. Harry's species doesn't either.
Sadly that's all I have written, so it'll be a while until the next update. This should be enough to get an idea of where I'm going with it, so review and let me know your guesses or preferences!
