Hermione was muggle-born, muggle-educated, just as Harry had been, but in her first year had come to Hogwarts with far more knowledge of the magical world than he had. Harry remembered this was a result of the interference of Professor McGonagal, who introduced muggle-borns and their families to the magical world. He did wonder just how he'd slipped through the cracks. The Order were clearly aware of him enough to pay Mrs. Figg to watch him full-time.
With paper and pencil nicked from Dudley's school supplies, Harry penned a quick letter to Professor McGonagall, who sent the acceptance letters to students each summer. It would be best to remain covert, and pretending at muggle knowledge gave him an in to be close to Hermione. He wasn't all right with watching over her from the shadows. He remembered very clearly - Ron and Hermione had been his only close friends, just as he and Ron were her only. He would not deprive Hermione of any friend, least of all himself.
His letter was polite, yet sceptical, hopefully appearing to be written by someone intelligent but entirely muggle. But how long would be need to wait for a reply? The Dursleys' was a terrible household. Being an adult, he was much more aware that home wasn't forever. He found happiness at school. He could bear the rest of the summer, most likely.
The very morning after he sent his letter, Professor McGonagal showed up at the Dursley doorstep. Harry very much wished he had been the one to let her in, but his Aunt Petunia was much nearer the door.
The moment Aunt Petunia opened the door and saw the professor, she began shutting it. McGonagal was quicker.
"Mrs. Dursley? I'd like a quick word, if you don't mind." His professor said, tighly holding the side of the door in her wrinkled hands.
"We're not interested. Please be on your way." His Aunt, attempting to physically muscle the door shut. It could be worse, Harry supposed. It could be Uncle Vernon answering the door.
Harry peeked his head around his aunt. There was no need for acting, he was very excited to see his professor, to see any hint of magic.
The professor quirked her eyebrows at him. Was she perturbed by his ill-fitting clothing? In the previous run-through, she had only rarely seen him out of uniform and only learned about his poor home-situation much too late.
While she must have seen his scar, she still asked, "And this is Harry?"
Aunt Petunia was surprised that Harry was right by her side, she turned to look at him, and in that quick moment, Professor McGonagal was able to win the battle of the door and push inside.
"As I said, we're not interested. Who do you think you are, barging into our home?" Aunt Petunia shrilled.
"I am Professor McGonagal, deputy headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'm sure you would have heard of me, as I am the one to write the original letter I hear you have been inundated with? It's very good luck Harry was able to get ahold of one, they'd keep coming in greater and greater numbers until he did. A rather archaic spell, much like modern spam. Now I must confirm something, Mrs. Dursley. Have you and your husband neglected to tell Harry about his magical heiritage?"
Aunt Petunia sneered, "We don't want any of your freakishness in our home. This is a normal house."
Professor McGonagal was not known for mildness, but seemed to be holding her temper remarkably well. "Whatever it is for you, magic is perfectly natural for your nephew. Would you have him go his whole life never knowing of what he is capable? In any case, I don't have time to argue. Due to this oversight, Harry has not recieved his invitation to the Muggle-born introduction to our world. Thank goodness you sent that letter, Mr. Potter, or you would have missed it entirely."
Harry's eyes lit up, "You mean to say I have not missed it?"
"No, Mr. Potter. It is happening just this afternoon." Her eyes seemed curious. Had he said too much? Of course he had, he shouldn't know what muggles were!
"If you would like to go, Mr. Potter, you are most welcome. I recommend we leave at once, so I can assist you in getting straight your money matter. Your parents left you a vault, Harry, I have the key to it. Excuse us, Mrs. Dursley."
"Harry will not be going with you!" His Aunt was shrieking.
"Take my arm, Mr. Potter, and I will show you your first bit of magic."
Harry quickly did so and they were whisked away by Apparition to Diagon Alley.
Professor McGonagal gave him a small, curious smile. "You did a remarkable job at maintaining your feet, Mr. Potter."
Oh, he'd forgotten: the first time around it had taken him a long time how to learn to Apparate without stumbling slightly on landing. He could think of nothing to say and only smiled back sheepishly.
"Before we get going, Mr. Potter, there is a matter I'm curious about. You are not nearly as excited, nervous, or skeptical as I knew you would be. That you knew how to return the letter is also of interest."
Harry thought fast, "Well, I've always been aware that magic had to exist - I just didn't know what form. Um, let me explain. Since I can remember, strange things have always happened around me. I'll be in one place, then suddenly the next. My hair grows back far too quickly after a bad haircut. Other things, too. It's obviously something supernatural. Lucky, I suppose, that there is a school to teach me about it. I'm very interested in magic."
The professor nodded, "And clearly knowing just what I meant by muggle-born gathering?"
Harry shrugged, "Context clues."
Satisfied, McGonagal led him to Gringotts.
"So my parents left a vault for me?" Harry asked, "It's so hard to believe."
"Yes, so that you could pay your tuition without relying directly on outside parties. There is a little more for school expenses and to start you off in the world just after school. All together, it is not a great sum of money, so I would advise you spend it wisely. Your parents were not wealthy, Harry."
Harry shook his head, "I didn't mean that. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon told me they were irresponsible. Died driving drunk."
Professor McGonagal was appalled, as he'd expected she would be.
After a moment, her expression resumed its calm. "If I would not tell you magic, I suppose they would not tell you that story." She frowned, dismayed, "Harry, when we are finished in the bank, remind me to speak to you about your parents. There are many things you should know, not the least of which is that they were very, very responsible."
Harry only nodded.
Unlike with Hagrid, Professor McGonagal was very quick and precise. She did not warn him about the distrustfulness and greediness of goblins, simply spoke as one would to any clerk. Business was rapid. They were not taken to the vault; instead the goblin brought them a small sack of galleons, which McGonagal explained was enough for the supplies he'd need to buy today and a little extra spending money, thinking he wasn't aware the meaning of the amount. Harry understood: with his school expenses, what was left over would not be enough to buy anything expensive: no room-sized trunks, no impenatrable dragon-hide armor, no long-distance communication device, nothing of the sort. He was all right with that, they should not be nessecary.
After that, his professor took him to a cafe, where she paid for a tea for herself and a pumpkin juice for Harry. Her expression turned rather serious when they sat down in at a corner table and even though Harry knew what story was coming, he still found himself drawn into the suspence. She told him a little about their years in school, what they were like before the dark subject. She told the story matter-of-fact, but her tone was very sad. Somehow the story felt much more tender and much less frightening from her than from Hagrid. She said the name of Lord Voldemort witout any qualms, but told him he must never say it, as to many people, it was very upsetting, a harsh reminder of the previous war.
In a somber mood, they walked toward the Leaky Cauldron, where they would meet with the other students. As they walked, Professor McGonagal regained her stiff-upper-lip attitude and Harry felt his stomach rolling with nerves and excitement at the thought of Hermione. How strange! He'd never been so nervous to see her before.
Her face was the first one he spotted in the light crowd and he found himself staring at her excited smile for longer than he should have. He was so elated to see her happy. The Hermione of old, only eager to learn, without any heartbreak. Her parents were with her, looking confused, but pleased.
Also in the group with their parents were Justin Finch-Fletchley and three students that for all his years in Hogwarts Harry didn't know. A small group.
Professor McGonagal introduced him to the others (he felt his heart flutter when he shook Hermione's hand). Not a one of them raised even an eyebrow at his name. This was Hermione's first trip to the wizarding world. She had yet to read Hogwarts, A History.
"Are you not with your parents today, Harry?" A girl's mother asked him.
"They're busy, I'm afraid." He awnsered easily.
Shopping in Diagon Alley with the group was much like sight-seeing. The muggles and muggle-borns pointed out almost everything they saw. It was for Harry a very fun experience. He had forgotten the wonders of magic. Far too long a time spend staring at expensive broomsticks with Ron, not enough on his own, appreciating everything.
Before anything else, they had gone to Gringotts and converted money. Next, cauldrons and other potion supplies, mundane supplies like parchment and quills, telescopes for astronomy, then uniform fittings.
The book shop was where the magic really happened. Apart from school textbooks, they were allowed to look for any books to read.
Almost subconsciously, Harry followed Hermione's heels. She looked like a child in a candy-shop and he couldn't help but share her joy. Harry had never been so reading-crazed as his best friend, but being with her inspired him to take a look.
What books would be interesting and useful? Hogwart's library was extensive, he didn't want to buy anything they probably had. He plucked up a copy of Simply Scholar: Spells for the Student, intriguiged only by the title.
Hermione's clear, cheerful voice so nearby surprised him. "Oh, that looks good! I think I'll get that too." She reached for another copy of the book on the shelf.
"Oh." Said Harry, "You could, but, you know, I really wouldn't mind sharing. Why should be buy two copies? When I finish reading it, I could lend it to you."
Hermione looked right into his eyes. Had he been too forward? "That's a great idea!"
Harry grinned maybe a little too wide in relief. "Great! Maybe we can look around together? We can get twice the reading material this way!"
Hermione was clearly very pleased with the idea. Together, they were like a whirlwind through the store, calling across aisles to compare titles, if the book sounded good. Hermione's parents looked happy to let her look around without them, each going to different parts of the store to investigate books. Professor McGonagal was too busy walking from student to student for questions to pay Harry much attention.
In the end, Harry and Hermione both held large stacks of books, Hermione already poking her nose into the one on top as they paid.
"We should compare addresses," She said, momentarily looking up, "I'm a fast reader, I'll send them to you when you're done."
With her address scrawled on a piece of parchment, Harry was happier than he'd been in a long while. They purchased wands next, Mr. Olivander being very discreet in the presence of so many people.
All that done, there was only one thing left to do.
"Professor, before we go, could we stop by the pet shop? I'd like to purchase an owl."
In the first moment entering the shop, Harry was afraid Hedwig wasn't in the shop yet. There were all sort of animals and birds in the small space, but he was able to spot her pure white feathers in the back. He wandered a bit, looking at the other owls so as not to seem precognizant, but knew exactly which owl he'd be purchasing.
Hermione looked curious. "Do you think an owl is a good purchase?"
Harry shrugged, trying to indicate that it varied, "I believe in the wizarding world it's good to have an owl or access to an owl, but for now at least, it isn't nessecary for us. I can send Hedwig to you without stamp money or anything. I... skimmed a bit of Hogwarts, A History in the bookshop, the school has mail owls for the students to use. I'm getting an owl as a pet, primarily - magical owls like these tend to be friendlier, more domesticated than ordinary owls, so she's a good companion. This summer I can send Hedwig to you without stamp money or anything - let me be the first to write. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is yes, but if you like cats, get a cat, or if you like dogs get a dog. I mean," Harry blushed, suddenly aware of Hermione's parents, "if your parents let you keep pets."
Mrs. Granger smiled at Harry's awkward courtesy. "We do, but Hermione's never shown much interest in animals before. Would you like a pet, Hermione?"
Hermione put her chin in her hand, taking on an expression of serious contemplation. Over such a question, in such an environment, it was rather comical. Harry bit his tongue so that he wouldn't laugh.
"I think I would. With a pet, I wouldn't be so lonely." She nodded and resumed her smile, but Harry frowned at what she'd said. Was Hermione lonely?
Hermione decided cats were her forte, as they were intelligent and personal creatures, and spent time looking around with Harry and her parents. She wasn't enthusiastic about cute kittens, or sleek black cats, or purring tabbies, but saw a large, ugly brown-orange cat and seemed to fall in love.
Harry was astounded. The cat was Crookshanks, the exact cat Hermione purchased years later in his original time.
While the Grangers paid, Harry spoke to one of the shop-keepers. "How long has that cat been here?" He asked.
"Eh. Round three years. No one wanted it because it was so ugly. Part Kneezle, though, I suspect. Not half, little less. Why?"
Harry didn't answer. He suddenly felt a bit quesy. He looked around the shop. Hedwig had been so hard to spot because the shop was so full. Conditions for the animals were very cramped. But surely they couldn't spend all their time in cramped cages? Even through his fur, Crookshanks was clearly healthy. Maybe the animals were taken out to exercise, only put in the shop during hours so people could see them all at once. He wasn't sure. For now, the group was heading home.
The other families loaded into cars they'd parked near the pub and waved goodbye to Harry and Professor McGonagal. Harry took her arm and she apparated him to Privet Drive.
"Will you be all right with those materials, Mr. Potter? The Dursley's will not take them from you or damage them? If you like, I could keep hold of your things until the start of school. Teachers also must take the train to get to Hogwarts, I could give them to you there."
That was a good idea. "Thank you. I appreciate that. Er, I think I'll hide the books for now. I want to read them, plus one of the other students and I are going to exchange books as we finish them."
Professor McGonagal actually laughed. "I had figured you would be a Gryffindor, like your parents were, but I see now you are almost certain to be a Ravenclaw, Mr. Potter. All right, good luck with your reading. I will meet you on Platform 9 3/4."
She gave him a nod and apparated away.
Even if he wasn't sure of his owl's character, a magic owl is bound to its owner. She wouldn't run away, so Harry set her free out of her cage to fly around the neighborhood.
"Meet me back here tomorrow, girl." He said to the owl. She seemed to understand.
Once back in the house, Harry went directly to his cupboard, hiding from his family. Hermione had underspoke: she was far more than 'fast' at reading. He'd have to start immediately so she'd have something to read tomorrow!
Quick author note, forgive me! Just wanted to say I'd love edits or advice. Please tell me if you see anything wrong in my story, want to see the story go in a specific direction, anything. I'm using fanfiction as entertaining writing practice, so criticism is always welcome. Thank you for reading so far!