Chapter 1
Chapter 1
As Hermione Jean Granger strolled home from the store one late afternoon, her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the new books she needed to read for her upcoming school year. On her 11th birthday, her ordinary day took an extraordinary turn when a woman named Minerva McGonagall appeared and revealed herself to be the deputy headmistress of a most extraordinary school—Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. At that moment, everything about Hermione's peculiar qualities suddenly made sense.
Hermione had instances where she had done unexplainable things, like levitating a book she couldn’t reach. She was a witch. Hermione never had friends growing up because her nose was always buried in a book. Now she has a chance to explore a new world, but she doesn’t know that her new world is about to get bigger and more dangerous in 3... 2... 1.
Hermione’s POV
"No, Daisy!" I turned my head toward the noise and saw a horrifying sight. A small puppy had escaped its owner and ran into the street where a car was approaching. Without hesitation, I ran and scooped up the small puppy, but in my focus on that, I forgot about the car. "SCREECH!" Instinct kicked in and I acted quickly. With the dog in my hands, I jumped high, tucked the dog to my chest, rolled along the side of the small car, and landed firmly on my feet on the ground behind the car. With wide eyes, I looked at the small dog and then at the car. Did I just...?
“Daisy!” A small relieved girl ran up to me.
“I guess this belongs to you?” I say as I pass the dog to the girl.
“Thank you so much!” The girl and her dog take off back to their yard.
“Are you okay, miss?” A man asks getting out of the car that almost hit me.
“Yes. I'm fine thank you. I'm just…” I take off running the rest of the way home. What was that? I didn’t even know it was possible, let alone I could do it! I run up the steps to my house and begin to open the door only for my hand holding the door knob to go straight through the door still holding the door knob. What is going on? Has someone cast a spell on me? Is this a thing magical people go through? I never read anything in any of the books I’ve bought about something like this. Temporarily disregarding the door I run to the fireplace remembering the information Professor McGonagall gave on how to contact her in case of emergencies. I grab a small pinch of powder and toss it into the fireplace, watching as it erupts into a mesmerizing green flame.
“Professor McGonagall’s office Hogwarts,” I say clearly and stick my head in when the flames turn green. “Professor McGonagall? Are you there? Please it’s an emergency.” Looking into her office it’s very tidy and the professor herself is sitting at her desk and jumps hearing my call.
“Miss Granger? What is the problem?” She asks.
“Do magical children experience any physical changes? Increased strength or reflexes for example? I’m a little spooked. I just broke my door with my bare hands and jumped over a moving car! I’m completely fine but…” I trail off watching her eyes go wide as I was speaking.
“Go sit and have yourself a cup of tea to calm yourself. I’ll go speak with the headmaster and be with you shortly,” she replies calmly.
“Thank you so much, Professor.” I leave it there and go to the kitchen and make a tea service on the off chance she comes here. As I’m warming the water I hear a loud “What happened to the door? Hermione?!” Dad, oh thank goodness! I run to my father, Dan Granger, and hug him tightly.
“I’m so sorry, Dad! I didn’t mean to! I was panicking and then that happened! I floo called Professor McGonagall and she said she would get back to me. I jumped over a car, Dad!” I ramble.
“A car?!” He shouts. I hear the kettle whistle and remove myself from my father to finish the tea service.
I continued the calming process of setting things up and explaining everything that happened on the way home with small noises of distress from my dad. By the time I finish and have a cup of tea in my lap in the living room, the fireplace turns green and my eyes go wide at seeing both Professor McGonagall and Headmaster Dumbledore stepping out.
Professor McGonagall was wearing a dark green shade of robes and the Headmaster was wearing bright purple robes that had constellations on them. “Miss Granger I’ve been told you have had quite the afternoon,” Headmaster Dumbledore said. I give him and Professor McGonagall a thorough explanation of the events and show them the door as well which the headmaster fixes with a swish of his wand. “That does sound distressing and I see why you called,” turning to my father he asks “Mr.Granger would you allow me to cast a few simple spells on Miss Granger?” With a nod of father’s head, the headmaster’s wand is in motion moving in elegant twirls and waves. A sheet of paper appears in front of the headmaster and as he reads his eyebrows rise slightly. “I have discovered the problem, well not a problem but I am unable to assist in this instance. I can contact a past acquaintance and he will need to come and talk with you. Tell me have you heard of what happened in Sunnydale, California over in America?”
My dad speaks up, “That sinkhole that destroyed the whole town?” I remember watching it on the news with my parents the whole town is now nothing, but a crater.
“Yes. Something occurred over there that I am only aware of because of my position in the International Confederation of Wizards. Sadly I can not tell you the details, but what I will say is that was not of the Wizarding World and had some after-effects all around the globe. When we received no news from others having your symptoms we assumed we were not affected. I will contact a gentleman who can help in just a moment. Miss Granger, I promise this will not affect your ability to attend Hogwarts, but it does change some things because this will not go away. There is nothing to worry about, but I will say this. Thank you Miss Granger for all the good you will do in this world,” He turns again to my father, “Mr.Granger, I must ask you if I can place a few wards on your home. Think of them like invisible protective barriers that keep things away. Even in my capacity as the Supreme Mugwump, I cannot divulge what has occurred, but I ask you not to allow Miss Granger out of the home after sundown.”
“Of course, but why?”
"I must ask you to trust me. This is a precaution to ensure her safety. I am sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. Now might I borrow one of your telephones? This particular call will not cost anything."
“It’s right over here headmaster,” I say standing up and showing him the phone.
He comes over and picks it up dialing way too many numbers, but surprisingly he does get a response. “Hello, this is Albus Dumbledore with the International Confederation of Wizards. Am I speaking with Rupert Giles?”