~Diagon Alley, London ~
~ June 2nd 1991 ~
~ Hermione's POV ~
Stepping in to Diagon Alley, The Wizarding hotspot for all things shopping, located in the heart of London was nothing short of breath taking in her opinion. So many colours and sounds in every direction she looked and the feeling she got as soon as she stepped through the brick wall clutching Professor McGonagall's hand was almost overwhelming in its euphoria.
The feel of magic buzzing around her made her feel as if she had come home at long last. It pulsed around her pulling at the 'strange' feeling she always had. Drawing it up to the surface to interact with the magic around her playfully. Hermione had to pause for a minute just inside the alley, allowing herself to adjust to the almost overwhelming feelings it invoked in her. Gasping quietly as she clutched the older witches hand tighter to get the woman to halt.
"What is wrong child?" The brisk question was spoke with a hint of impatience and Hermione glanced up apologetically, unable to voice her response. McGonagall softened a little, a look of understanding flashing in her eyes as she put the pieces together.
"You will one day be a very powerful witch child, only those that posses great magic feel it around them as acutely as you appear to" she said, her tone more gentle than it was before. Decades of honing her own magical core meaning she was quite attuned to the magic of others around her. She had sensed that this muggleborn possessed great power yesterday when they had met. Had felt the girls magic trying to reach out around her as she had descended the stairs at the muggle orphanage and had witnessed the beautiful display of flowers brought on at her strong emotions. She made a mental note to keep an eye out for the brunette, knowing that power that great couldn't be left untrained and she wasn't entirely convinced the first year training would be much of a challenge. Perhaps it was for this reason that Albus had insisted the girl be admitted to Hogwarts a year earlier than usual. She would check in during the year and if necessary she would find ways to help the girl control her magic better. In a world so prejudice to muggleborn witches and wizards it wouldn't do for a pureblood fanatic to realise just how much power miss Granger held or she would become a target to much unpleasantness.
A girl with such potential and such a keen mind was a rare find and the older witch rather selfishly hoped the girl would be sorted into Gryffindor house. That way she could keep an eye on her better as her head of house and she could only imagine the credit the girl would bring them. Maybe it would tilt the tide in their favour for the house cup, I was beyond time that Slytherin lost to her Gryffindor's.
When Hermione had adequately adjusted to the magic around her she straightened herself up. Smiling up at her guide. "Where to first Professor?" She asked excitedly, unable to tame her reaction even slightly. Matron would be less than impressed if she were here Hermione knew. The older witch unable to contain her amusement at the girls clear excitement smiled slightly before leading them onwards towards the rows of shops.
"We will begin at Gringotts, the wizarding Bank as I will have to withdraw from the Schools student fund to purchase your supplies child and then we will head to Madame Malkins Robe shop to get your clothing"
At the mention of having to get money from the school fund Hermione struggled to conceal her wince of shame, it was a reminder of just how 'other' she was. Not having parents to take her shopping or purchase school supplies for her meant she couldn't really protest against the older witches words no matter how much they stung. Wordlessly she nodded, squaring her shoulders as they moved forward and drawing herself up. She had worked for everything she had so far, this would be no different. So she walked with a confidence she didn't really feel, though something inside her told her that it was necessary.
She remained quiet as they walked, silently marvelling at the sights around her, the snow white building that they were headed too, towered above all the others around them. It was rather imposing she thought as they approached, though the buildings weathered appearance gave the impression that it had stood for many a year, when they climbed the steps Hermione was startled to see a small creature by the door. His ears were pointed and he looked humanoid in appearance, though he held himself with a stiff spine giving the younger witch the impression that this creature was rather hardened to the world around them.
She smiled politely when the creature held the door, murmuring a quiet "Thank you sir" as she passed through. Completely oblivious to both the creatures and the professors rather startled looks of shock. The creature unused to witches or wizards no matter their age treating him with any hint of respect. The older witch thinking similarly, if not a little disdainfully. Finding the Goblins that ran the bank to be rather unpleasant creatures.
The inside of the bank was just as imposing as its exterior. The entry room was lined with large desks that seemed to form a natural path towards what she assumed to be the main reception desk. Behind each desk stood a creature, similar in appearance to the first one that held the door for her. All engrossed in whatever it was that held their attention on the desks in front of them.
"Stick close now child, the Goblins aren't too pleasant to witches and wizards" her Professor murmured in warning, as Hermione felt the older woman tighten her grip on her hand. Though the brunette didn't particularly care for the warning administered by the older witch. She much preferred to come to such conclusions on her own, after all it would be highly hypocritical of her to jump to any sort of conclusion about a person's character based solely on an individuals opinion. Considering just how much she hated receiving the same treatment, she too had been judged unfairly her whole life without anyone caring to get to know her before hand.
Approaching the desk Hermione gazed upwards curiously, this creature or Goblin as Professor McGonagall had informed her in her warning, leered down at them with impatience and barely concealed disgust. An impatient eye brow raised in wait. He looked to be dressed in more expensive clothing than the other Goblins, giving Hermione the impression that this creature was probably their leader or held some sort of position of power within the Goblins.
"I would like to withdraw three hundred Galleons from the Hogwarts muggleborn and other emergencies fund, Goblin" the Professor spoke politely but curtly, barely sparing the Goblin a glance as she withdrew her wand from her sleeve. Her tone though polite shocked Hermione, she couldn't understand why the older woman who had been so kind to her the day before was treating another being with such little curtesy.
In response the Goblin sneered, shoving his hand towards them. "Identify yourselves" he demanded and Hermione supposed she couldn't fault him for sounding so insulted and aggressive. She would be affronted too if someone spoke to her that way.
"Deputy Headmistress and Professor Minerva McGonagall and this is an incoming first year He..." but before she could finish, Hermione did something she had rarely done in her life, the result of years of etiquette lessons at the hands of Matron. She interrupted an adult. She knew Matron would flip if she were to see her do such a thing but Hermione really didn't care for the way he Professor was speaking.
"Hermione Jean Granger sir, its nice to make your acquaintance" she replied, her tone sincere as she curtsied, bowing her head in respect. Offering him her hand. She smiled in understanding when the Goblin in front of her blinked repeatedly, before shaking himself and smiling at her genuinely (if the smile caused the rooms occupants a little fear and shock no one was brave enough to comment). "Griphook, Head Goblin here at Gringotts. It is nice to make your acquaintance too, miss Granger." He replied, his tone much less confrontational than it had been. He shook her hand firmly. Before gesturing for them to follow him, seemingly content to ignore Professor McGonagall in favour of the little witch who for the first time in centuries had treated a Goblin with respect.
Moving into an old looking cart, Hermione gripped the side fretfully as they descended on the uneven tracks, stopping herself from being thrown as it twisted and turned without any sort of delicacy. They stopped at vault 912 and Hermione held tight to the Professors arm as she got off the cart. Her legs unsteady as she adjusted back to solid ground. Though that proved to be a mistake when the older witch slipped slightly, the two witches grasping to remain upright. Griphook grabbed her arm, righting her, still a little surprised when the little witch didnt cringe in disgust at his touch but thanked him instead as she steadied her new professor.
The vault they had stopped in was located a few floors below the main reception but Hermione could tell they were most decidedly underground. The damp walls and the dark, kept at bay only by the torch lights littering the walls adding to the feel of the place. Though she could feel the magic around her, much more than she did back on the surface, the vaults around her pulsed with it, each vault feeling slightly different because of what she would soon come to know as family Magik. She found it easier to adjust now that she had a feel of being surrounded by magic, her body adjusting and her own magic greeting that which was rife all around her like an old friend.
Once Professor McGonagall had collected the correct amount of Galleons, they left the way they came. Hermione bidding the Goblin a kind farewell as Minerva didn't even glance at the creature as they left. The young brunette silently wondered if all wizarding folk treated the creatures as McGonagall did or if there was some personal reason for the animosity between them.
Exiting the bank Hermione followed along to Madame Malkins, the robe shop wasn't located that far from Gringotts so Hermione found herself standing on a stool being measured by the shops owner. Madame Malkin was an older witch, slightly older than professor McGonagall if she had to guess but she carried herself with less importance than the professor, giving off a much gentler feel, the woman's magic felt just as calm as the woman appeared to be as she busied herself with Hermione's measurements. Clothes shopping had never really interested her all that much, not that she ever had much money to spend on clothes, so the young brunette found herself zoning out, only nodding along to suggestions politely when the need for her own opinion was pertinent.
She reflected silently as she stood on all she had witnessed so far, certain that Magical London was perhaps the most beautiful place she had visited so far. The feel of magic, alongside the many wondrous sights and colours made even the forests she had visited in her brief time with the Grangers seem altogether pale in comparison.
Sure she didn't know half as much as she would have liked about her new world but she could correct that in time, though she knew enough to know that she never again wanted to feel the isolating feeling of muggle London when a world so full of life existed on her door step. She wondered just how much chores she would have to do when she got home in order to convince Matron to allow her to come again on her own or whether it was worth just sneaking back tomorrow regardless of the consequences.
"Come along now child" Professor McGonagall's brisk tone snapped her out of her thoughts and she quickly moved towards the door seeing that the woman had bagged all her new uniform and was in the process of leaving herself. She followed dutifully, trying to work out who her professor really was. She had caught glimpses of warmth and genuine care from the woman but she had also seen more of the brisk, stone faced woman that was with her currently and she could only speculate as to which side of this woman was really her and what side was the mask. She supposed it didn't really matter all that much outside of her own curiosity and need to know everything she could.
They visited Eyelops Owl Emporium/ Magical Menagerie for her familiar, though she could not find an animal that seemed to call to her in the way Professor McGonagall said it would. "Don't worry child, not everyone finds their familiar so young, some don't find theirs until we'll into adulthood" the older witch had reassured before leading her back out of the shop. Next they stopped by Slug and Jiggers Apothecary so she could get her cauldron and potion supplies for the potions class she would soon be taking but much to the Professors amusement, Hermione didn't truly seem awake until they entered Flourish and Blotts the book shop to get all the texts and writing supplies she would need.
Upon entering Hermione felt like she had died and gone to heaven. The shop was large and the scent of parchment and new books filled the air. It was comforting to her and she struggled to hold herself back from running off to explore. She glanced at the professor, an expression akin to pleading plastered on her freckled face.
Sighing the older witch flashed a rare indulgent smile before answering Hermione's unasked question. "Go on then child, look around. I'll get the required reading and your parchment and quill supplies. You may select five books not on the list to purchase. What type of scholar would I be if I denied one so keen the pleasure of plenty new reading materials to occupy a curious mind"
Not needing any more of an invitation Hermione shot forward as if she were a tightly coiled spring let loose. Quickly losing herself within the racks of texts and knowledge.
~~~~~
Hermione didn't know how long she had been lost within the shelves, her head buried in book upon book, a slowly growing stack in her arms. She had picked four so far. "Defensive Magical Theory – by Wilbert Slinkhard." Had been her first find, "Nature's Nobility: A Wizarding Genealogy" had been second, her insatiable curiosity driving her to discover more about the history of Wizardry in the UK and beyond. "Olde and Forgotten Bewitchments and Charmes." had been next.
"Olde versus New, a study on the ways of wizards" was the forth and she was currently debating the pros and cons of "An all encompassed guide to honing the magical core, and mastering your Magic" it was an intriguing book that spoke of both non verbal and wandless spell casting, something that was a high positive for the brunette and she couldn't find much cons on the matter. Though the predicted difficulty levels (the book stating that even adult witches and wizards struggled) was some what of a stumper for the brunette. She did not know if she would be able to harness her magic in that way. After all she was only ten, a year younger than the youngest students and therefore she predicted having to work harder in order to keep up. Would she really have the time and skill to achieve something that even adults struggled with? She didn't know.
Just as she sighed gently and turned to replace the book upon the shelf, vowing to revisit it once she was more acclimatised to her new world she was startled by a slightly larger body colliding with hers. Knocking them both backwards and sending Hermione's recently acquired books flying across the floor. She blinked for a moment, her mind quickly processing the situation she found herself in. Catching a glimpse of elegant black heeled boots and men's dress shoes standing in front of her and a mop of blonde hair lying beside her.
Taking a breath to compose herself, aware of how matron would want her to react in this situation she daintily picked herself up, brushing out the wrinkles on her navy blue summer dress, like the proper young lady she was supposed to embody. She looked towards the mop of blonde hair that was the cause of her unexpected fall.
She saw a boy, roughly her age and knew he too must be starting Hogwarts in September. He wore stylish black robes and his hair flopped onto his face as he struggled to sit up amongst the tangle he had found himself in. Making eye contact she turned towards him fully, offering him her hand to help him up. The boy looked past her, seemingly looking for permission from his adults to accept the offer before his hand reached out for hers. She grasped him firmly, helping him up, her muscles flexing on her arms from the constant need to haul herself up and down from the attic at the orphanage.
"I am sorry, I did not see you there miss" the boy spoke quietly but sincerely as he stood. Offering her an apologetic smile.
"It's alright mister, accidents happen and I am quite unharmed. Are you alright?" She replied just as sincerely, looking him over for any obvious sign of injury. He nodded his answer, glancing behind her for reassurance to whom she assumed was his parents. Oh how wonderful an idea that was, to have parents to look to for safety. She quickly stamped down on that thought, knowing it did no good to entertain such wishful thoughts.
"Good. I'm glad you're alright. I'm Hermione by the way, Hermione Granger" she replied and frowned when she saw a flash of disgust appear on his face.
"Granger? I don't recognise it. You aren't a mudblood are you?" and try as she might, despite the years of training, Hermione could not hide her wince at his choice of wording. Professor McGonagall and she had discussed wizarding terminology and she had been warned about that word and what it meant. She had hoped to avoid it and never in her worst nightmares did she expect to encounter it so soon. The slight at her parentage or lack there of stung the youngster more than she wished and she turned her head away slightly, tilting her head up in defiance at the implication of her having dirty blood.
"I am muggle born" she emphasised " if that is what you mean" She said evenly in reply. No hint of the hurt he had caused in her tone.
"Now now Draco, no need to be rude. She's a child. She doesn't know her place yet" a male voice spoke up from behind her, his tone bordering arrogance as he stepped round her. His long blonde hair, identical in colour to the boy - Draco - he wore expensive looking robes and carried what looked to be a cane with a snake on top. With him was a woman sporting wild curly brown hair, dressed in a long green summer dress and a black robe with green trimmings.
At this man's response anger flashed in the young brunettes eyes, defiance following shortly behind it as she straightened her posture even more. Unwilling to show even the slightest amount of vulnerability in front of these people.
"Lucius, that is quite enough" the woman reprimanded, her tone steely as she flashed a look of warning at both blondes before turning to face her, her expression much gentler than it had been moments before. Flicking her hand in the direction of Hermione's scattered book pile, levitating them into her own arms neatly.
"I am sorry about them young one, I am Andromeda Lestrange and this is my brother in law Lucius Malfoy, his son Draco you've already met I see. I do hope you're alright"
"Quite fine, Lady Lestrange" she replied, her tone polite but tense, hoping not to draw out conversation, wanting to get away from the uncomfortable situation she was currently in.
Lady Lestrange hummed in response, picking up the book on top of her reassembled pile and examining it before placing it down.
"Interesting choice of reading material. You are muggle born yes?" The woman handed the stack of books back over and Hermione could see the book on mastering magic sat on top, almost tauntingly.
"I am or at least I think I am. I don't know who my parents are if you must know" she replied carefully, nodding her head in thanks to her reassembled stack of books. Though she was quietly impressed by the woman's display of wandless and non verbal magic. Not that she was about to express that mind you.
"Intriguing, I must say miss Granger, for a muggle-born girl, you're manners are exemplary. Now we must run, my daughter is waiting on us. Do let me know how you get on with your reading materials. I can send you some more once your done if you need an extra challenge" the woman spoke warmly, seemingly ignoring the disbelieving looks from her two blonde companions and ignoring the fact that her compliment could have been perceived as a nicely phrased insult. The implication of 'despite your blood status' glaringly obvious to the young muggle-born.
Before she could respond she felt a calm reassuring hand grip her shoulder at the same time she sensed the feel of Professor McGonagall's magic surround her. The Malfoys and Lady Lestrange straightened perceptibly at the older witches presence. Nodding respectfully in deference before hastily retreating from the vicinity.
"I hope there was no issue?" The Professor enquired, guiding Hermione to the front of the shop to pay for her books and supplies.
"None Professor, despite my less than savoury blood" Hermione retorted, seething a little, not even minding that the cursed book on mastering ones magic still sat at the top of her pile of reading material. In her anger she decided she would get the book and become proficient at honing her magic, it would show them to judge her based on something as irrelevant to her as her parents. After all she had never met her birth family, they had nothing to do with who she was as a person, no influence on her whatsoever and she would be damned if she let the conceited stuck up opinions of the pureblood supremacists in society stop her from achieving.
Her whole life had been a battle to prove her worth, why had she ever thought learning about magic would change such a thing?