Pale in the Shadows

Part I Magick in the Air – Chapter 6 Meeting the Lion Head

About: How Hogwarts helps muggles understand their peculiar children. (This is perhaps the shortest chapter out of this entire part; if anyone wants to see anything more for Hermione please just review and I'll consider it, but for now, her part is shortest of all.)


Term had just ended and Hermione was rather grateful, if not a bit saddened that it meant the school's library was closed. She was curled on her bed reading a fantasy novel, Crookshanks curled on top of her purring. Since finding him, she mused, remembering how he had lectured her in his girlish voice that she shouldn't stereotype his gender, he sure has gotten it in his head that I'm the pet. Hermione couldn't help but love the strange animal though, who taught her just as much as she learned from books. Their strange connection, too, had seemingly grown stronger over the past few years, which, according to Crookshanks, was due to him being her familiar.

Suddenly, he dug his claws in, happily shouting, Finally! I never thought they'd come!

Hermione yelped, knocking Crookshanks to the floor. 'Don't do that!' she shouted, smarting. He looked up at her indignantly and stuck his tongue out. 'Stupid cat.'

I am not a cat. I'm a kneazle, he reminded her for the umpteenth time. Anyway, you might head downstairs before your parents call for you. A wizard has finally come to speak to them about you.

Curious, Hermione opened the door letting Crookshanks out. It was a shame, she realized, watching him strut down the hallway. After that fateful day and taking him to the vet, unfortunately there had been so much nerve damage to his tail, the Grangers had to have it removed; aside from that, he really was a regal feline. Feline is okay, but cat isn't, the girl thought, amused, as she overheard her mother speaking to someone at the door.

'…from a school called Hogwarts?'

'Yes, and we're very interested in your daughter. She's a very talented girl. Might we go and talk in the living room?' came a kindly voice.

As her mother was turning to call for, Hermione had come down the stairwell to the entryway and stopped next to Crookshanks. The woman at the door was middle-aged with her graying hair pulled back into a severe bun. She looked up at Hermione through square-shaped glasses, her eye twinkling with calculation. 'You must be Hermione Granger, then?' she asked.

'Yes,' the girl replied, glancing at her mom. 'Crookshanks said you'd be coming.'

'I'm sorry,' her mother said, face turning a shade of red. 'She told us that she can hear him talking. Hermione still isn't out of that stage of pretending to hear animals…'

Surprised, the woman looked at the feline who sat licking his paw. He paused only to pert at her for a second. 'Amazing. This is the first time I've seen a kneazle take so well to a human. You said he told you I would be coming, then?' Hermione nodded as her mother's jaw dropped in realization. 'Well then, Misses Granger, Miss Granger. I suggest we take some tea and seriously discuss this matter.'


Minerva was surprised at the young girl who steadily met her gaze, knowingly. She had expected an awkward conversation with the Granger family, as most of the conversations with muggles and their magick-using children went; however, once Minerva had obviously accepted Hermione talking to her familiar, Laura and Theo had warmly welcome her into the house. It also helped that once being welcomed and giving a short explanation of her coming and what Hogwarts was, that she whipped out her wand and produced four steaming cups of tea for them.

Chuckling, Theo hugged his daughter. 'Alright, alright, I owe you an apology,' he said.

Hermione shrugged, drinking from the tea. 'It was a logical doubt, Father. However, like I said, so long as there is no proof to repute magick, there is a likelihood that it certainly exists.'

Smiling, Minerva stepped in. 'Hermione is exceptionally bright, especially for her age. Now, I'm sure you must be wondering more about Hogwarts such as how to get your supplies, what exactly the school entails—since up to this point there has been obvious doubt as to what was fantasy and reality.'

'Well, yes. You must admit that it's a little farfetched for us despite the fact that seeing is believing,' Laura said, patting Hermione's hand. 'We're a simple family of dentists, and though our daughter is brilliant, we never expected her to be a witch or wizard. Eccentric, what with her talking to Crookshanks, but not magick. Why, we're not magick!' The woman had a slight frown to her face, the essence of doubt marring her beauty for a moment.

'I'm actually unsure of quite how to explain this,' Minerva began, 'but sometimes two non-magick parents do have a magick child. I myself am from wizard parents, but I know of several who are from mixed or non-magick parents. You see, magick has a funny way of finding the most unusual outlets. Why, look at Crookshanks. He has bonded with your daughter, which is why they are able to communicate to each other; it's not as make believe as you may have thought. It's actually something that happens for some young wizards.

'I know this definitely a lot to take in, despite your daughter's preparations for you. I am available to you to question; however, I can tell already that Hermione has made up her mind to attend Hogwarts.'

Theo and Laura glanced at their daughter, who shrugged. 'I do need a challenge. I can study and learn all I want at school where magick isn't taught, but I don't truly belong. Even you know how eccentric I am.'

'Oh, honey, you know we mean it as an endearment,' Laura said, running her fingers through her daughter's bushy brown hair in reassurance.

'How about the supplies you spoke of?' Theo asked, glancing at the list Minerva had handed them. 'Obviously this isn't mainstream. And what of the cost?'

'There are two ways you can deal with this. One is to have me purchase the materials for Miss Granger and supply you with a bill. You money is different from the money that wizards use, so there is a conversion factor. The other option you have is to arrange a date you would be willing to meet me in London, and I can take you and your daughter on a tour of Diagon Alley, which is an area wizards, witches, and others shop for their magickal needs.' Sipping her tea, Minerva gave the Grangers what she hoped was a welcoming smile. 'Honestly, we try to make this as painless as possible. First, it is a huge shock, though compared to most families, Miss Granger has certainly prepared you. Second, all three of you are stepping into a whole new world. Despite the fact that you two do not have magick, you will be around it more and see it more as your daughter progresses in her studies. I can already guarantee you that you should be beyond proud of her ability, too. If you are okay with her attending Hogwarts, she will certainly shine. As a teacher and the assistant headmistress, I vouch for this and Hogwarts sends you status reports each quarter.'

And she will shine, Minerva thought as they progressed through the day, the Grangers signed Hermione's attendance and discussed with her the date they could meet her in London for the schools supplies and tour. I have never seen a muggle -born so powerful at such a young age. Hermione met her gaze once and nodded as though accepting a challenge, and the elderly witch felt ready to accept the tutelage of such a promising student.