Raised with Magic

Chapter: Boris

Dear Jared,

I find that there might be some truth in the family's suspicion that our dear Great Aunt was a seer. I've found in the library several texts including Unfogging the Future,Knowing the Signs: a Guide to Tea Leaves, and a Lisa Trent book called, Seeing; Gift or Fabrication? I was talking with Mr. Clearwater, the owner of a well known bookstore over here, and according to him these are all mediocre texts for beginners and the people who wish they have the gift. However, I have also found Samantha Pryde books, a much more serious and distinguished author in the field. Among them are Sight,Premonition, and Palm reading for the Blessed. I've finished the first two and am currently working my way through the third. I found the material and Pryde's writing style interesting, but I don't think I have any talent or serious interest for the topic. The reason I think that she might have been is because these are her most warn books which aren't considerably aged.

My second reason may be a bit self centered. I think she knew who I would become. I know that is sounds odd, but there is a fair collection of potion texts which don't look like they have ever been read. Along with a few other topics which are important to me.

I'm curious to learn more about her. Will you tell your Gram about that and ask her to help me out? Please.

With love, Hermione.

I read over my letter four times and re wrote it twice to make sure I liked the way I sounded. I don't like seeming selfish or self centered when writing to Jared. Even if he would never believe me to be. But he is important to me, and so is Gram. Even with me so far away and only barely being part of their family, they both like me. Gram even lets me call her Gram. So my writing style is important, because I know Jared will end up showing Gram the letter too, even though I wrote her a letter also.

Both letters, the one written to Jared and the one I had wrote yesterday for Gram, were placed on the very edge of my nightstand. Mum would mail them the next time she was heading into the ally. Seeing as she seems to go at least every other day, I knew that they would be mailed soon, so I didn't worry. Actually, Mum would be heading out today, so I really didn't need to worry. Which I didn't, instead I turned my attention onto Leo.

Leo was sticking around a lot more the past few days which, when fairly common, seemed a bit out of place considering my near neglect of my magic over the past few days. Leo normally only stays around all the time when I am constantly using magic.

Mum had charmed Leo's hair short only the day before so I am quite content to lay on my bed just petting Leo. Cheers to no shedding on my bed. Luna would be pleased too once she noticed. She says that the cat hair attracts the Nims, and those are nasty little buggers.

"Was your letter ready yet? I'm heading out soon." Mum asked, knocking lightly as she let herself in. I don't really see the point of knocking if you plan to come in anyway, but besides it being odd, it doesn't bother me.

"Yes, two actually. Thanks Mum." I handed over my letters after I blew on the ink of Jared's letter one last time and folded it neatly. "May I go to Hogwarts today?"

"If Albus says it is alright. I'll floo him before I leave."

Uncle Albus was excited that I wanted to come to the school. I hadn't visited since the school year had started and he was glad to see me. We had tea and when a parent of a student dropped by without an appointment demanding an audience with the Headmaster, he sent me outside with Fawkes as my supervision. I've always been told not to go into the forest without an adult that I trust. Therefore, Fawkes and I headed towards the Great Lake.

I named the Giant Squid Boris. When I had asked Hagrid before about him I was told he has been in the lake since before the Founders even entered the area. In my opinion the fact that he didn't have a proper name was completely unacceptable. I couldn't understand how so many students and professors had come and gone from the school and yet he had never been named. I also didn't understand why so many of the students would stay clear of the lake. From what I know, the Giant Squid, Boris, has never hurt anyone. He really is a big secluded softy.

I don't remember much, only fragments. I remember something grabbing my ankle and being underwater. I remember Fawkes and being cold. I remember glass and darkness.

"She's waking up." I heard, it was fuzzy, but enough for me to wonder why Bill was in my room.

"Albus, what happened to her?" Aunt Minerva's voice asked laced with concern. I was completely confused. I hate being confused. I'd prefer any other mental state, I really, really, do.

"It would seem that the Giant Squid pulled her into the lake." No he didn't! My mind was screaming, apparently I managed some form of vocal grunt of protest because the room grew quite. That was nice.

What seemed like forever passed as I fought off the darkness which surrounded me. "You gave us quite the scare." Aunt Minerva told me when my eyes finally opened. She was sitting by my side and I only then realized that she had an iron grip on my hand. It hurt, but the slimy feeling on my foot annoyed me more.

"Not Boris." My voice croaked and some women I had never met made me drink some vial concoction.

"What was that Hermione?" Uncle Albus asked. Professor Snape gave me a weird look as I reached for my foot, but I didn't care what he thinks. I just wanted to get whatever the slimy thing in my sock was away from my foot!

"Boris, also known as the Giant Squid, did not pull me into the water." As I said this I pulled some green plant from my sock. Professor Snape stole the thing before I could identify it, but as long as the thing was away from my foot I was happy.

"It would seem that Miss Granger is correct." He decided.

"What do you mean Severus?" The Professor was questioned by Aunt Minerva.

The plant from my sock was held up. "This is Kepler weed. It's a bit uncommon in this area, but is most likely the reason behind her ordeal." Everyone seemed to accept this explanation, but I was a bit confused, again. Where was I? How had I gotten here? Why was Aunt Minerva, Uncle Albus, Professor Snape, Bill and the weird lady here? And what was Professor Snape talking about?

"What happened?"

"It would appear like some kepler root pulled you into the great lake and Fawkes pulled you out and to Professor Snape." Uncle Albus answered.

"Yeah, right to Professor Snape's window in the middle of class. It was brilliant, he climbed out the window and everything!" Bill added with a spark of glee in his voice.

"Thank you for that Mr. Weasley." Professor Snape barked. "Now that you are assured of Miss Granger's health you may return to your common room." He sneered, dismissing Bill. Reluctantly and unhappily Bill complied.

"Thank you." I spoke to the room as I fell back into sleep, I promised myself that I would say thank you to Fawkes later he is such a great bird.