The unexpected visitor
Tears filled Hermione’s eyes. The letter was true. She was a witch. Then Panic and fear overflooded her. She hadn’t told her parents about the letter, about Hogwarts and about someone coming to visit. What would they say?
And what would they say, if they found out she was a witch?
Trembling she slowly opened her door.
“Sorry Professor but I don’t know I usually don’t let strangers into my home.” Her mother answered polite but firm.
“I am sorry I thought you daughter would tell you about my visit. I had written her a letter, explaining that I would come.” The Professor answered.
“No, my daughter didn’t tell me, give me a moment please.” Jane Granger sounded a bit unsure but also apologetic.
“Hermione” she called up the stairs. “There is a visitor for you. She told me she had send a letter.” With trembling hands Hermione opened her bedroom door and looked at her mother downstairs.
“I am sorry Mom-“she said, her voice sounded hollow and anxious. “I thought it was a joke from my classmates.” Her mother looked at her with pity in her eyes.
“Its ok darling.” Mrs Granger answered, this wouldn’t have been the first time, Hermione was bullied by her classmates with a mean joke. As she went down the stairs to the open door, she only had one thing in mind: the letter was telling the truth, or this was the meanest and yet biggest joke ever.
A tall, stern-looking woman dressed in emerald-green robes was standing in front of her house. Her black hair was pulled back into a tight bun, and she wore square classes, all in all this woman looked like she was a professor at a magical school Hermione thought.
“Hello Professor McGonagall” Hermione said with all the courage she could muster.
“Ah you must be Hermione; I’ve been waiting to meet you.” The older woman said and reaching a hand out for a handshake. “May I please come in, so we can talk?”
“Of course,” Jane Granger said, standing besides Hermione mustering the strange woman on her doormat. “Please come in.”
When all three sat down in the living room, Richard Granger joined them, firmly shaking hands with the Professor, before sitting down besides his daughter and wife.
When everyone was seated it became so quiet that you could have heard a fly breathing. Hermione’s mind was racing with thoughts and questions, her parents were baffled about the unexpected guest and professor McGonagall seemed to be looking for something inside on of her pockets.
“How did you know in which room I am living?” She didn’t know why this was the first question to come out of her, but she was glad that the silence was over.
“We keep an eye out for every child that shows the talent you have.” Professor McGonagall answered.
“I am sorry Professor, but I don’t quite understand, what do you mean with talent?” Was Richard Grangers, Hermione’s father, first question to the professor. “We know our daughter is very smart, are you someone from a school for gifted children?” His face was earnest while he was proudly talking about his only child.
“Hogwarts is a school for gifted children, yes.” Minerva McGonagall answered. “But Hermione’s Intelligence is not what brings me here.” The Professor said and then looking directly into Hermione’s eyes she said:
“You see, Hermione, you are a witch.” Hermione’s heart stopped for a second. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“A witch?” Jane Granger repeated. “This isn’t possible.” Her voice tinged with disbelief.
“It is. Hermione has been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is a school for young witches and wizards to learn about magic and how to use it responsibly.” The professor seemed to have finally found what she was looking for in her robes, and pulled out a letter, handing it to Hermione.
When Hermione reached for the letter, she was trembling so much, that she couldn’t crab it. “I was sure this was a mean joke from my classmates” She tried to explain to the professor.
Her father broke the moment between the girl and the older woman. Grabbing the letter, with a harsh gesture. “This isn’t possible. Magic isn’t real. Don’t talk such nonsense to my child.” He ripped the letter open.
“You aren’t the first parent who doesn’t want to believer their child is different. But think really hard, aren’t there any strange things Hermione can do? Doesn’t Hermione have talents you can’t explain how she does it?”
McGonagall looked over to Hermione for just a second, but Hermione could have sworn, that she winked at her, as to motivate her, to do something, to show her parents how special she was. In this moment she realized what she needed to do.
This was when the rain drops started to fall from the living room ceiling. Heavy, thick raindrops kept coming down. More and more until it almost felt like standing under a shower.
“Hermione, calm yourself.” Her mother cried out, grabbing her trembling child by her shoulders. “Everything’s all right my love. Everything’s all right.” She said over and over while embracing her daughter in a loving hug.
When Hermione finally calmed herself, Professor McGonagall gave the Granger family a stern look over her glasses, then pulled out a short wooden object gave it a swirl and the family, the professor and the whole living room, was dry immediately.
“I think Hermione just showed us an excellent example of the talents I was speaking of. Its a good thing, my dear child.” She said directly to Hermione. “Being a witch, I mean, you will be an extraordinary witch, I am sure of it, with your wits and your powers. You will be exceptional.” The professor gave Hermione a rare smile and then locked eyes with Richard Granger.
“You must see that she doesn’t belong in a normal school.” Her father blinked in awe, still star struck from the magic he just had witnessed.
“I only ever made it snow before.” Said Hermione then into the silence that was building up again. “And I can do this.” She proceeded to say, clearly becoming more and more sure about herself. Then she casted the fire inside her hands.
“That is incredible my child.” Said McGonagall proudly. “Can you really control this?” she asked, and the girl nodded proudly.
“Is it safe? The school I mean.” Jane Ganger asked softly still kneeling in front of her little girl.
“Hogwarts is one of the safest places in the magical world,” McGonagall assured them. “Hermione will be well cared for and will receive the best education possible. She will also be among other young witches and wizards, learning and growing together. I am sure, in no time, she will have a lot of friends.” Professor McGonagall sounded so sure of herself, that even Mr. Granger seemed to change his attitude.
“And where is this school, I never heard of a school, that’s called Hogwarts.” He said, clearly trying his best, to keep it together, while scanning the letter he held in his hands.
“I am afraid the direct location of the school I cannot tell you. But among wizards and witches the school is well known, and in my opinion the best school in the world for young witches and wizards.”
“This is amazing.” Said Hermione finally, with glimmer in her eyes, which melted her fathers heart. “I can’t wait to learn everything about it.” She said eagerly.
“I have no doubt, that you will excel Hermione.”
The Professor then proceeded explaining the Granger family everything about the magical world, how to access Diagon Alley for school supplies, and what to expect at Hogwarts. By the time she left, the Grangers felt more at ease, though still overwhelmed by the revelation.
As Hermione watched the professor disappear down the street, she clutched the letter tightly. Her life was about to change in ways she had never imagined, and she couldn’t wait to embark on this incredible journey!