Summer 1991 -
It was the summer of 1991, a young 11 year old girl by the name of Hermione Jean Granger was busy sitting inside to escape the heat. It had been one of the hottest summers record in history and Hermione could not handle the heat for many reasons, however there were two very specific reasons she preferred to spend the most of her time inside, cuddle up with a book. Her hair and the girls from her school. She had extremely bushy hair, and whenever the humidity got to her it made her look like she had been electrocuted. Hermione longed for the days of when she was older and she would be able to do anything with her hair.
Her hair and teeth were the main reasons why she got tortured and tormented at school, most days she would come home from school and lock herself in her room for however long it took to stop crying. Her Mother and Father didn't know, she didn't want to upset them or cause them any embarrassment. She knew her Mother and Father loved her, they always told her every morning before school and every evening before she went to bed.
Books were Hermione's escape, whether it be fiction or non-fiction, any book she could get her hands on always transported her into a different world and it was the most exhilarating feeling. She was a keen learner and eager to impress anyone she met with her knowledge and facts. To Hermione, being smart and trying to own that no matter what anyone said, gave her a sense of purpose. She wanted to be as bright as possible.
So it came to no surprise when Hermione's Mother, Monica, found her young daughter curled up on the sofa with a book in her hands. "Hermione, dear? Why are you inside on such a lovely day?"
Hermione tore her eyes away from her book to meet the eyes of her concerned Mother, she shrugged. "I just prefer reading Mum. Books can't hurt you" she whispered, dropping her eyes back to the book to pick up where she left off so she didn't have to look at her Mum.
"Whatever do you me-"
A loud knock on the door stopped Monica Granger in her tracks, she pursed her lips, just wondering who would be calling. "I'll be right back" She gave her daughter a smile before disappearing back into the hallway to answer the door.
Hermione sighed and closed her book, just knowing that she would soon be in for having an interesting conversation with her Mother, she really did need to learn when to stop talking. She could hear whispers in the hallway before the door was shut gently, followed by footsteps shuffling and heading towards the living room again. Hermione looked up in time to find her Mother walking back in closely followed by an older, stern looking woman who was wearing what seemed to be a Halloween outfit.
The curiosity of Hermione got the better of her and she couldn't help but blurt out, "Mum? Why is that woman wearing a fancy dress costume?"
Monica's eyes widened in surprise at how blunt her daughter just was, "Hermione" She whispered, "You don't ask that to strangers, or judge them on what they are wearing"
Hermione felt her cheeks go warm at the chastising her Mother gave her, "I'm sorry Mum, I didn't mean to be rude" Her eyes flicked over to the older woman and she smiled, "I'm sorry to you aswell, I hope I didn't offend you"
The older woman nodded, not allowing her stern facade to break, but as she observed this young Muggleborn she couldn't help but feel there was something special about her. She would definitely fit in at Hogwarts, maybe not right away but she would. "Thank you for the apology Miss Granger"
Monica looked back at their visitor with such vigor, that she may have just gotten whiplash. "Oh, I'll just go get my Husband, excuse me for a moment and please do sit down" She smiled warmly before disappearing through the door once again, this time calling out to her husband.
The stranger took Monica's advice and sat down on the armchair in the chair, directly facing Hermione. It was silent, and Hermione couldn't tell if it was awkward or a nice silence. She was trying to read the older woman's face to find a hint of if she was there to give them good news or bad news, but the woman had such a perfect poker face that Hermione couldn't read her. It felt like an awfully long time before both of her parents reappeared, taking their places on the long sofa, glancing between Hermione and the woman with confusion and curiosity .
"Mr and Mrs Granger" The woman began, even her voice sounded strict, "My name is Minerva McGonagall. I am the Deputy Headmistress for Hogwarts School of Witchraft and Wizardry" Minerva stood from her seat, reached into her robes and pulled an old looking envelope.
"Excuse me" Hermione raised a hand much to the delight of her parents, "But what is Hogwarts?"
Minerva chuckled once before glancing at the young girl over the edge of her glasses, "Hogwarts, Miss Granger, is a school for young children like yourself. They came and stay at Hogwarts for seven years and are taught all the necessary skills to became a great Witch or Wizard"
Hermione's eyes widened as she looked at her parents who were staying at Minerva with a look of disbelief, "A what?"
"It's suffice to say that you are indeed a Witch" Minerva handed the letter to Hermione and watched as took in the sight of the crest
Hermione ran her hand over the smooth wax, it was a deep, warm red with an emblem of sorts imprinted into the wax. She broke the seal and opened the letter, revealing multiple pieces of parchment. Her eyes scanning the words, trying to take in what she was hearing.
The letter read:
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: ALBUS DUMBLEDORE
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Miss Granger,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Hermione couldn't help it, her mouth dropped open in complete and utter surprise. There was no way she was a Witch. They were meant for fairy tales and bedtime stories, not real life! She shook her head when her thoughts finally caught up, "I'm sorry but you must have the wrong Hermione Grange. I couldn't be a Witch"
"Have you ever made something happen that you couldn't explain?" Minerva asked, with sincere interest. "Has your adrenaline ever gotten you so worked up that mysterious things have happened?"
It was Monica that answered for her daughter, "Many times" She laughed at the memories came flooding back. "There was one time at the supermarket. Hermione was being chased by a young boy, he was teasing her quite bad about her hair, Hermione was running from him and next thing we knew she was suddenly up on the top shelf" Her father, Robert, who had been remaining silent during this suddenly broke out into laughter.
"Or that time she caused the young Magee girl to trip over her own feet"
Monica and Robert laughed at the fond memories of the many amazing but hard to explain situations their daughter had been involved in. They took a look at the stern teacher on front of them before composing themselves quickly. "So what you're saying is that our daughter is a witch?" Robert asked
"Correct" Minerva agreed
"And she's been invited to study at this school?"
"Again, correct"
"Is this the best school for her to attend?" Monica queried, education had always been important to her
"I can assure you that Hogwarts is the best Wizarding school in the country. Your daughter will study under many talented teachers who have trained in their relevant areas of expertise and she will be under the care of the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore"
"This...Albus fellow, is he trustworthy"
Finally Minerva smiled, only briefly but it was a smile. "Mr and Mrs Granger, I can assure you that Albus Dumbledore is one of the greatest Wizards the community has ever seen. Hogwarts is also the safest place for your daughter to be while she is training and learning the necessary skills to complete her education. We offer the highest protection we can, and we have many wards on the school to ensure that no Muggles or dark wizards can enter the school?"
"Muggles?" Hermione's brows furrowed, it wasn't everyday that she was clueless about something. "Just what is a Muggle?"
"A Muggle is a person who has no magic ability. Like your parents here, they do not have magic but they have produced a magical child. So, to Wizards you would be known as a Muggleborn Witch. You will learn all of this during term, if you wish to accept your place, that is"
Hermione glanced at her parents, know that she understood a bit more she felt the excitement course through her veins at the thought of studying something completely new. Her parents turned to look at her, already sensing the curiosity that their daughter held.
"Mum, Dad?"
"Hermione, this is a wonderful opportunity" Monica smiled, reaching over and placing a hand on her daughter's. "We have a Witch in the family! How proud we are. And if you choose to go to Hogwarts then we will support you 100%"
Robert nodded in agreement, "Of course! As hard as it may be to send you off to school far away, we always knew you were destined for wonderful things. You're going to make us so proud"
Hermione felt the tears brim at her eyes before she threw herself into her parent's waiting arms, she hugged them tightly before turning to look at, she assumed, one of her new teachers. "I would love to accept the offer"
"Wonderful, term time begins on September 1st. The train will be departing from Platform 9 and 3/4. The other letter included explains what you have to get books, uniform and wand wise. As Wizard currency is different to Muggle currency you can attend the bank in Diagon Alley, called Gringotts. In there you will be able to convert your money. I shall owl you where you shall need to go and how to get there, as a Muggle family I know this will be hard to navigate. But for now, I must be going. We look forward to having you at Hogwarts, Miss Granger"
And with that Minerva vanished from the room with a loud pop, Hermione winced at the sudden loud noise before glancing through the requirement list.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
UNIFORM
First-year students will require:
sets of plain work robes (black)
plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.
COURSE BOOKS
All students should have a copy of each of the following
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble
OTHER EQUIPMENT
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS
"Wow" Hermione whispered, "I'm a Witch. An actual Witch" She smiled.
"You're special Hermione, you always have been" Monica smiled
Hermione glanced at her Mum. Special was all she wanted to be, and now she was.