Hermione Granger
A background for Hermione Jean Granger had been established over the past few days by Enola, Eudoria, and Ms. Lane.
Hermione is the daughter of Robert Granger and Helena Tonks. Hermione had two older brothers - Mitchell, who was nineteen years older, and Stephen, who was eighteen years older. In case Enola slipped up and mentioned her real brothers, they used Sherlock's well-known muggle-born status as an excuse - Stephen Granger and Sherlock Holmes were childhood friends. Helena Tonks was the sister of Ted Tonks, and Hermione had been raised with Nymphadora Tonks, her maternal cousin. Robert Granger had died when Hermione was three.
As for personality, they laid the groundwork and waited for where she would be sorted into. They took Enola's confident know-it-all personality and amplified it. Hermione had a forceful personality and a thirst for knowledge. From where she was sorted, Hermione would allow herself to change into a more comfortable personality as time passed. As Eudoria pointed out, people change people.
Eudoria had lowered the wards around the property meant to keep out all uninvited wizards and witches since they'd sent the letter, although allowed one that alerted to apparation to stay up.
So when someone apparated outside of Ferndell on a hot August morning three days after Enola and Eudoria had 'visited' Hogwarts, they knew exactly who it was. Eudoria apparated away immediately, and Enola perched anxiously on her seat in the library.
I am Hermione Granger. I am forceful, I am clever, and I have no idea about magic.
I am Hermione Granger. I am forceful, I am clever, and I have no idea about magic.
I am Hermione Granger. I -
A loud knock sounded on the front door, and Enola shot up immediately. Ms. Lane smiled kindly at her before leaving the room and heading to the front door.
"Hello, may I help you?"
"Hello, Ms Granger? My name is Professor Minerva McGonagall, I am here to speak with you about your daughter."
The conversation continued for several minutes, and Enola willed her eyes to focus on the novel she had been trying to read since Eudoria left.
The four young faces round the fire cheered up as they thought of this, but then Jo said sadly, "We haven't got Father, and we won't have him for a long time." She didn't say 'perhaps never', but each silently thought it, remembering that he was away at war in the South
The door to the library opened, and Hermione Granger glanced up at her maid's smiley round face.
"Hermione, there's a woman here for you. She's offering you a spot at her school," Ms Lane told her, and Hermione straightened, peering around for the woman who promised to further her education.
The woman was tall, rather severe-looking, and had black hair tied back into a tight bun. She looked around seventy years old.
"Hello Miss Granger, my name is Professor Minerva McGonagall," the woman introduced.
"Oh, I know! I heard you out in the hall. So what's this school about? Would I have heard of it? Does it have a big library? What's the graduation rate? Are there any notable graduates I would know?" Hermione vomited words at a hundred kilometers an hour.
The professor seemed taken aback at her energy and took a moment to gather herself. "You have keen ears, Miss Granger, although I doubt you would have heard of this school, given the full name is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Professor McGonagall waited for the outburst or a dramatic gasp, but Hermione didn't seem as surprised as she had expected. "You were already aware of magic?" she deduced, and Hermione nodded eagerly.
"I have all of my cousin Dora's old books - although most of hers are covered in scribbles," she said, holding up an old Potions book. "Nymphadora Tonks, she was a Hufflepuff."
Now Professor McGonagall was the one looking shocked. "Miss Tonks is your cousin?" she repeated, eyeing Hermione warily.
"My niece," Ms Lane explained. "She's my brother Ted's daughter. Dora and Mione have always been so fond of each other. They were practically raised together, although I never suspected Hermione was like my brother. Are you sure?"
McGonagall didn't seem surprised by the question, although her expression flickered like she'd heard it many times. "We have many ancient spells in place to account for when magical children are born," she explained before looking at Hermione again. "Have you ever made anything happen when you were upset or angry?"
Hermione wracked her brain, remembering the first time she'd displayed magic ability. She'd been trying to rescue a sheep from a cliff edge and almost died, only barely getting away through desperate apparation back home.
Ms. Lane knew what Hermione was thinking and placed a delicate hand on her shoulder. "But how come you didn't contact us earlier instead of three weeks before the beginning of the school year?"
McGonagall looked awkward, but her mask flickered back on after a second. "We usually visit muggle - that is what we call non-magic people - born children in the summer before their first year because they have little ability to control their magic beforehand. Accidental magic becomes rare for witches and wizards after that age. Children with no magical relatives have no contact with the magical world before they are invited to Hogwarts. I admit, there are faults in the system, but the magical world does value its secrecy."
Ms. Lane looked torn between understanding and frustration at her words, while Hermione wore an expression of pure delight on her face. "My aunt Andy can wave her hand and make socks fold themselves. When do I learn how to do that to get out of chores?"
Ms Lane chuckled. "Like you do your chores," she shook her head fondly.
McGonagall shook her head. "European witches and wizards choose to use wands as conducts to focus magical ability until they are old enough to perform magic wordless and wandlessly," she explained. "Your aunt Andromeda is from a very powerful family, which is why she has such ease with magic. Some of the old magical families use family Heirship rings as conducts for specific magics."
Hermione's hand instinctively brushed over a plain gold band on her left forefinger. McGonagall glanced down at the band, narrowing her eyes slightly before her expression cleared again. She pulled a crisp envelope from her handbag and passed it to the bushy haired girl.
Hermione reached for the old-fashioned envelope and ran her hand over it. Unlike the usual envelopes Hermione had seen, it was made of parchment and was addressed with flowing script in emerald-green ink.
Miss H. Granger
The Middle Bedroom
Ferndell Hall
Shropshire
Hermione broke the ornate wax seal and devoured the writing inside.
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 on 1 September. There will be an orientation for incoming students of non-magical parents held at 9:00 AM on 10th August at Platform 9, King's Cross Station, London, at which time you will be able to submit your enrolment forms.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"Your orientation is in a train station?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
"That is simply where the orientation begins, Miss Granger. From there we will guide the students around important magical sites in London while taking them to purchase school supplies," McGonagall explained.
"How many other muggle-born students are there?" Hermione asked curiously
McGonagall was silent for a moment. "There are six other muggle-borns starting this year," she told her.
"How big is the library? What's the fashion like? What are the other notable wizard families? Is Merlin real?" Hermione gasped with the last question.
Ms Lane laughed at Hermione's flood of questioning. "You've gotten her interested, Professor. She's going to be the biggest study in her year, mark my words."
Professor McGonagall left an hour later, seemingly exhausted by the line of questioning. She'd left behind a bottomless trunk for Hermione to take with her to Hogwarts.
On the ninth of August, Ms Lane and Hermione traveled down to a motel in London and stayed the night before heading to Kings' Cross Station in the morning.
The station was dull and relatively normal, which opened up a realm of questioning as to how exactly it was hidden from the normal - the muggle world.
Hermione and Ms. Lane had arrived at Kings' Cross Station at nearly eight-forty in the morning and after a glance back at the letter, headed to Platform 9.
The Platform was empty, so the two were left waiting. The suspense was nearly killing Hermione. "When do you think the others will get here?" she asked her mother, almost jumping up and down in excitement.
"I am not sure, but I think he might be one of your new classmates," Ms. Lane glanced over her shoulder, and Hermione spun around.
A boy with dark skin and dark hair was coming towards them. He appeared to be of African descent and had a mother of similar appearance behind him. In his hand was his own Hogwarts envelope, and he kept glancing around.
Hermione pulled her own letter out and waved for him to come over. "Hogwarts?" the boy asked, and Hermione nodded excitedly. "This is all so strange. I mean - magic? Real?"
"I know!" Hermione laughed. "I'm Hermione Granger."
"Dean Thomas," the boy introduced. "This is so strange, right? Like, does part of you still think this is an elaborate ruse?"
Hermione rolled her eyes, chuckling. "I think my doubts entirely faded when my cousin turned her nose into a snout."
Dean's brown eyes widened. "Really? That's awesome. Professor McGonagall turned our table into a tortoise," he said.
Hermione's eyes widened. "I wonder when we'll get to do that! This is all so exciting, I can't wait to read all about the wizarding world!"
Dean laughed. "So you're a reader?"
"Avidly. Are you telling me you don't want to learn everything about this new world we are now a part of immediately?" Hermione raised an eyebrow.
Dean shrugged. "Okay, that's fair. I am mostly trying to figure out Quidditch. Did you know there's a sport where people fly around on brooms hundreds of meters in the air trying to knock other people off their brooms? It sounds so problematic. Like if one person catches a tiny flying golden ball then the game just ends and they get a hundred-and-fifty points? That makes no sense."
Hermione agreed. "I don't know much about sport, but still! And from what Professor McGonagall and my cousin said, that's the only sport! And there is one team per school house, so only twenty-eight people in the entire school can play that sport. I think these people need some logic," she told him.
"Couldn't agree more," a voice said in an Irish accent, and they turned to see a girl with light olive skin and curly dark brown hair wound into a bun on her head. She was taller than both Dean and Hermione, much to their dismay, and had soft brown eyes. "I couldn't help overhearing you. Orientation?"
Hermione nodded. "I'm Hermione Granger, this is Dean Thomas," she introduced.
"Hazel Stickney. And isn't this school in Scotland? Why is it that they have one train station for Ireland and the U.K. at the bottom of the country? Like you said, Harmony, these people have no logic whatsoever," the girl said.
"Hermione," the bushy-haired girl corrected.
"What?" Hazel frowned.
"You called me Harmony. It's Hermione," Hermione repeated.
Hazel blushed. "Oh, I'm sorry. Hermyoniny? Hermone? Hermaiaone?"
"Close enough. It's fine, people get it wrong all the time," Hermione waved it away. "My friend Enola once called me Herminny."
Dean and Hazel laughed at that. "So where are you guys from?" Dean asked.
"Ireland," Hazel said.
"Shropshire," Hermione said.
"No way - me too!" Dean grinned. "How do I not recognize you?"
"My mother and I live in an estate in the countryside, pretty far from everything," Hermione explained. "This is my first time in an actual city."
"Ahh," Dean nodded. "My family lives close to Ludlow, but we have a plot of land where I dominate at football."
"Oh you will be so wrong," Hazel shook her head. "I have ten siblings and we live near our cousins. We have two whole football teams in our family - beat that."
"Professor McGonagall said there's a lot of grass and open space, you will have a chance to face off," Hermione told them. "One on one football tournament."
"Football tournament? Hogwarts has one of those?"
The three muggle-borns turned to see a boy walking over with an older man behind him. The boy had light brown skin and dark curly hair. The man behind him looked very clean and was wearing a suit, and he moved over to the small crowd of adults.
"It doesn't yet, but like hell am I going to a school without football," Dean scoffed.
"Absolutely," the other boy nodded. "I'm Justin Finch-Fletchley." His voice had a slight posh accent.
"Hermione, Hazel, and Dean," Hazel pointed to each of them in turn before checking her watch. "Eight fifty. How many are we waiting on?"
"Professor McGonagall said there were six muggle-borns starting this year," Hermione told them. "It's all really exciting, isn't it?" She couldn't control the excited grin that spread across her face.
"Where were you guys headed before Hogwarts?" Hazel asked curiously.
"I've been homeschooled my entire life by my mother, so it would've been the same," Hermione told her.
"I was going to Loretto," Hazel said.
"No way," Dean gaped. "Same!"
"I was going to Eton," Justin said, and Hermione's eyes widened. Eton had a very successful history, turning out over a dozen prime ministers and being the go-to school for the Royal Family.
"Really?" Dean raised an eyebrow. "That's cool."
"Are you guys here for Hogwarts?" a light brown-skinned girl asked. Her voice had a strange accent to it that Hermione didn't recognize. She had light brown hair and pretty violet eyes.
"Yeah," Hermione nodded. She opened her mouth to introduce everyone, but a shout stopped her.
"Hey!"
The group turned to see the last two muggle-borns walking over, a girl and a boy. The girl had light tan skin, auburn hair, and lime-green eyes. She was a head shorter than the boy next to her, who had upturned blue eyes, light skin, and blonde hair with frosted tips.
"You guys here for the orientation?" the boy asked. He had a Welsh accent and had a slight limp.
"Yeah," Hermione waved her hand. "I think this is all of us. I'm Hermione Granger, this is Hazel Stickney, Dean Thomas, and Justin Finch-Fletchley."
"It's lovely to meet you. I'm Astrid Maybank, and this is my best friend, Roland Abberley," the girl introduced.
"I'm Manaia Gate," the violet-eyed girl added.
Before anyone else could say anything, Hazel smacked Dean roughly on the arm and pointed down the Platform to where Professor McGonagall was making her way over with two other women. The one on the left was a squat little witch with a patched hat planted over her flyaway hair, while the other woman was a tall slightly greying brunette with brown eyes.
"Ah, you're all here," Professor McGonagall greeted. "This is Professor Pomona Sprout and Madam Poppy Pomfrey," she gestured to each in turn
The short woman smiled warmly, and Hermione tried not to laugh as she noticed dirt in her hair. "It's lovely to meet you all. I'm the Head of Hufflepuff and will be your Herbology Professor."
"Really?" Hazel perked up. "So... you're like the magical version of an Agriculture teacher?"
Professor Sprout looked a bit puzzled, but Madam Pomfrey nodded. "That is mostly correct, Miss Stickney. And I'm Hogwarts' Healer," she said. "Hopefully we will never have to interact throughout your school life."
"Really? How much training did you need to become a Healer? How long did it take?" Astrid asked quickly. She had the same look of intrigue and delight that Hermione often wore.
"I will answer any and all questions you have about my profession on the way to Diagon Alley," Madam Pomfrey smiled at her enthusiasm.
"The reason you were asked to meet here is because this is how you'll get to Hogwarts," Professor Sprout said. Then she walked into the wall and disappeared.
The muggle-borns scrambled back while their parents gasped in horror. Hermione started forward, taking a nervous breath before walking through the wall.
The platform was empty bar Professor Sprout. Hermione turned around and saw a wrought iron archway where the barrier had been, with the words Platform Nine and Three-quarters on it.
Dean emerged through the archway, a grin on his face. One by one, the group moved onto the platform.
"On the first of September at eleven o'clock, the Hogwarts Express will depart from this station," McGonagall told them. "If you don't make it on time, there are a lot of witches and wizards that will be able to help you get to Hogwarts or get in contact with us."
"This is so cool," Astrid gushed as they went back through the arch. "I wonder how many people will be here."
The group of nine made their way to the Leaky Cauldron, a shabby pub that instantly raised red flags, although they dissolved when the kids entered Diagon Alley, which was just as brilliant as Hermione remembered.
"I'm definitely dreaming," Hazel declared. "Somebody punch me." Dean took the opportunity to hit her in the arm roughly, to which she coughed, "Weakling."
The teachers divided the students into three groups - Madam Pomfrey taking Astrid, Manaia, and Justin, Professor Sprout taking Hazel and Dean, and Professor McGonagall taking Hermione and Roland.
McGonagall was smart enough to leave the bookshop for last, knowing full well that her students would never leave.
The teachers had gotten the children bottomless tote bags because McGonagall told Hermione and Roland that the past muggle-borns always bought everything they could about the magical world, and it was too much to carry.
Hermione pulled out the second piece of parchment that came with her Hogwarts letter
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Uniform
First-year students will require:
1. Three sets of plain work robes (black)
2. One plain pointed hat (black) for daywear
3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags
Set 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
The three visited a Cauldron store first to buy two standard size two pewter collapsible cauldrons before heading to the robes store, Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions.
Madam Malkin was a squat, smiling witch dressed in all yellow. "Oh it's this day again," she said as soon as she saw Professor McGonagall. "Pop up on the footstools next to the other girl."
The girl on the stool had light auburn hair worn in a long plait and brown eyes with her arms out while another witch pinned her long black robes.
Hermione and Roland were placed on her left side and had long robes pulled over them. Madam Malkin began to work on Roland's robes while another witch began to pin Hermione's.
"Hogwarts, right?" the girl asked, and the two nodded. "I'm Susan Bones."
"I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Roland Abberley," Hermione introduced. "It's lovely to meet you. Isn't this all so exciting? I can't believe this is really happening!"
"Muggle-borns, right? I heard the annual orientation is happening today," Susan checked, and Hermione smiled sheepishly.
"Where did you hear that?" Roland asked, squirming a little and glancing at the robes' pins.
"My aunt works in the Ministry, so she knows all about the educational system. She mentioned the orientation when she dropped me off," Susan told them.
"Really? What is the Ministry like? Who are the best teachers? How does it operate in comparison with the muggle Ministry? Does the Royal Family and the Prime Minister know about magic? Who are the notable magical families?"
Susan laughed, interrupting Hermione's flood of questions. "Well for starters, yes the Royals and muggle Prime Minister are aware, the Prime Minister is always updated on anything horrific that could affect the muggles. And for bad news... the Muggle Ministry is better than the current Wizarding one. The Minister for Magic, Cornelius Fudge, can be bought off easily," she warned.
Hermione's jaw dropped, and she winced as a pin pricked her arm. The witch working on her robes was frozen but began working again after receiving a fierce look from Madam Malkin. "You're kidding," Roland raised an eyebrow.
"Sadly, no. My aunt Amelia is the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, so she's on the Wizengamot - which is like magic Parliament - and she said Fudge is blindly following the majority, which means he agrees with the bad things. And as for the Wizengamot, it's not like Parliament in the way that it's a democracy, the a lot of the seats are held by the heads of the major Pureblood families," Susan told them.
"Like the House of Lords?" Hermione frowned.
"Yes and no. The House of Lords doesn't make up the entire Parliament, whereas it mostly does for the Wizengamot. The only people in the Wizengamot who can get in without House seats are Department Heads, which is why my aunt is in there, the Secretary to the Minister, the Minister, and the Head of the Wizengamot, the Supreme Mugwump, Albus Dumbledore, who is also the Headmaster at Hogwarts. He can only vote in a tie, but he holds a lot of proxy votes," Susan explained.
"Is any of this making sense to you?" Roland whispered, but Hermione waved him away. Learning about the Wizengamot she would take a seat in one day is extremely important, and Susan was more than willing to explain the corrupt system to those who would be targeted by it.
"Who are the hereditary House seats?" she asked.
"Well, there are a lot. There's Avery, Abbott, Brown, Bones - that's my one, Black, Boot, Breslin, Bulstrode, Burke, Carrow, Corner, Crabbe, Crouch, Dunbar, Entwhistle, Fawley, Flint, Gaunt, Goyle, Greengrass, Kildare, Lestrange, Longbottom, MacDougal, Macmillan, Montague, Malfoy, McKinnon, Nott, O'Liathain, Ollivander, Potter, Prewett, Parkinson, Prince, Patil, Peverall, Pucey, Roper, Rosier, Rowle, Selwyn, Shacklebolt, Shafiq, Spinks, Smith, Spungen, Strahan, Travers, Turpin, Urquhart, Vaisey, Warrington, Weasley, Wood, Yaxley, and Zabini. Then there are the Hogwarts seats, although they can't be held unless all four are held, which is weird."
"That's a lot of ancient seats," Hermione noted. She didn't realize there were so many.
"Some of them are extinct - like the Peverall line that went to the Potter family, and the Gaunt one. And the McKinnons were all wiped out a decade ago," Susan added.
"What are the Hogwarts seats?" Roland asked.
Susan looked puzzled. "Nobody told you? Well, there are four Houses at Hogwarts, named after the founders - Gryffindor for Godric Gryffindor, Hufflepuff for Helena Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw for Rowena Ravenclaw, and Slytherin for Salazar Slytherin.
"Gryffindors are supposed to be brave and daring. They're the kind of people who dive headfirst into danger without thinking about the consequences. Gryffindors are very reckless, short-tempered, and arrogant with a savior complex.
"Hufflepuffs are supposed to be just and loyal. They're really undervalued and underappreciated, and considered to be the boring loser house because they accept anyone into the house, which is stupid
"Ravenclaw's traits are wisdom and intelligence, so they're just considered the nerdy smart house.
"And lastly, Slytherin House. None of the other Houses like them, which is stupid, but the prejudice is centuries old. The traits are ambitious and cunning, but everyone just says they're evil. Basically, the founder wanted to only teach those born from magical families, but the other founders disagreed. Now everyone in that house is considered to be a blood purist, and the entire school teams up against them. Although Ravenclaw's considered the smart house, that's just because no one bothers with the Slytherins. They are incredibly clever but had their death warrant signed as soon as they were sorted.
"The houses don't just matter at school. They're considered for everything for the rest of your career. Slytherins and Ravenclaws have a way higher employment rate because they don't tolerate failure, and employers appreciate the attitude. Gryffindor employers prefer to not employ Slytherins due to the very strong Gryffindor versus Slytherin rivalry. The annoying thing about that is that you are sorted once at eleven and never again, so your entire life is defined by your personality at eleven."
"That's totally barbaric! Hufflepuff shouldn't be the worst house - if anything it should be the best! I mean, Gryffindor wants eleven-year-olds who are willing to die for their country, and Ravenclaw wants people who are smart and like learning - it's a school! It's your job to make them like learning and make them smart. Slytherin's like a college preparatory school whose tuition is more than the average yearly salary, but Hufflepuff wants to accept everyone and foster an environment of hard work and fair play for the students and everyone just hates them for that? That's rubbish!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Exactly!" Susan agreed. "It says something about our society that Hufflepuff's traits are the most undervalued. In an ideal world, we'd all want to be Hufflepuffs."
Roland nodded in agreement. "Anyway, the teachers," Susan continued. "There are six core classes - History of Magic, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Herbology, and Potions. They're compulsory until Sixth year, and you can only take certain subjects if you achieved certain O.W.L. results - O.W.L.s are the Ordinary Wizarding Levels that are taken at the end of fifth year."
"So like GCE or a CSE?" Roland asked.
"I don't know what those are," Susan said plainly.
"CSE is the Certificate of Secondary Education, final exams taken at sixteen. GCE is the General Certificate of Education, also known as Ordinary levels, were more academic exams taken at sixteen. If you got enough you could move on to the advanced levels," Hermione said
(I don't know how right this is, I do not live in the UK, I got these definitions from the internet)
"Oh, then yeah," Susan nodded. "Anyway, the History of Magic teacher is a joke - he's a ghost that lectures for hours about goblin rebellions and won't notice if you fall asleep. My aunt has been trying to get rid of him for years. The Defense teacher is replaced every year, this year it's Professor Quirrell. He had a bad experience with vampires and has a stutter now. Professor Flitwick is a half goblin, he's the charms, teacher. He used to be a Duelling Champion. Professor Sprout is the Herbology teacher. Professor McGonagall is the best, which is why she's the Deputy Headmistress. She teaches Transfiguration. And then there's Professor Snape."
Susan seemed to be mentally debating how to explain him. "Snape is the Head of Slytherin, and is very unpopular, but he's one of the best teachers. He has no tolerance for mistakes and constantly belittles his students while favoring the Slytherins, but that's because no one else will. The entire school hates the Slytherins, but he's the only person who they can go to. He bullies 75% of the school to support the other 25%. Potions is one of the most dangerous subjects at Hogwarts, and the way he teaches shows how serious he is. Yes, he does go overboard in telling people how they failed, but Potions and Transfiguration are very dangerous, so he's making sure they don't forget."
"The other subject you'll take this year is Flying. First years are required to take it, but it's an option after that. The Flying teacher is also the Quidditch referee, Madam Hooch. She's a bit loose with safety.
"Any other questions?" Susan breathed, her voice starting to croak slightly.
Hermione opened her mouth, but was interrupted by the witch standing up and saying, "That's you done, dear."
Hermione moved to a plush pink sofa, sitting down and waiting. "Thank you. And yes, I do have more. So many more. For starters, I heard someone gush over someone called 'Harry Potter'. Who is he?"
Susan straightened, and all the witches working on robes froze, exchanging a look. "Well... that's a sad story," Susan said slowly. "It starts with the war."
"War?" Roland repeated. "What war?"
"A man who called himself 'Lord Voldemort' began to gain followers called the Death Eaters. He was very powerful, and almost everyone feared to even speak his name, referring to him as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, or You-Know-Who.
"They had views on muggles and muggle-borns that many ancient families agreed with and supported. In 1970, the wizarding world was officially at war. The Death Eaters and Voldemort attacked the Ministry and muggle-born homes, torturing and killing many, treating house elves and goblins like vermin. Death Eaters would infiltrate the Ministry and mind-control others to join them. Voldemort enlisted the most dangerous werewolf in the UK - Fenrir Greyback, who would bite wixen children and turn them, ruining their lives young. He had an army at his disposal.
"The Height of the war was in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Dumbledore was considered the only one Voldemort ever feared, and Hogwarts became a sanctuary from him, although many children were influenced by their parents to act with similar beliefs. Nobody was safe from Voldemort, who'd killed everyone who opposed him. The Prewetts, McKinnons, and most of the Bones were all dead.
"Then, on Halloween 1981, Voldemort turned up at Lily and James Potter's home in Godric's Hollow, where they were hiding with their fourteen-month-old son Harry. Voldemort killed the couple and cast the killing curse on Harry. But instead of killing him, the curse rebounded, and Voldemort vanished. Many think he's dead, but others think he's still out there, but too weak to fight."
The room went silent as Susan finished explaining. Then,
"But how? How did the baby survive?" Roland whispered.
"Nobody knows. He's the first person to ever survive the curse, which is why everyone calls him 'the Boy Who Lived'. No one knows what happened to him afterward either - he just vanished. But he'll be starting in our year," Susan said. "He was left with nothing but a lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead."
The room was quiet again. Then both Madam Malkin and the witch working on Susan's robes stood up. "You two are done," Madam Malkin choked, her voice scratchy.
The three students thanked the witches and headed to the front of the shop, where Professor McGonagall was talking with a square-jawed witch with greying auburn hair. "This is my aunt Amelia. Aunty, this is Hermione and Roland," Susan introduced, and Amelia's eyes narrowed when she saw Hermione. "It's lovely to meet you, Professor McGonagall."
"It's nice to meet you too, Miss Bones," Professor McGonagall nodded at the girl before turning to look at Roland and Hermione. "You two ready?"
The muggle-borns nodded, and Susan waved. "I'll see you in September. Come find me on the train if you don't have anywhere to sit," she said before leaving with Amelia.
Professor McGonagall led Roland and Hermione to Ollivanders next. It looked narrow and shabby. Peeling gold letters over the door read Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 BC. A single wand lay on a faded purple cushion in the dusty window.
The three entered, and a tinkling bell rang somewhere in the depths of the shop. It was a tiny place, empty except for a single spindly chair. Hermione stared round in wonder. It didn't look like much, but Hermione assumed there was more to it than just this. Appearances deceive in the magical world
"Good morning," a soft voice said, making Roland and Hermione jump. An old man was standing before them, his wide, pale eyes shining like moons through the gloom of the shop.
Hermione bounded forward, shaking his hand eagerly. "Hello, sir! It's lovely to meet you! My name is Hermione Granger, I look forward to getting a wand oh so very much. I'm a muggle-born, you see, and I've never seen anything like this before! How long have you been in the business? I heard your family has a Wizengamot seat, are you the one who votes? What is your stance on-"
"Miss Granger," Professor McGonagall interrupted. "Give Mr. Ollivander some space."
Hermione pulled back, cheeks flushing. Ollivander looked her up and down, his eyes narrowed, and Hermione raised an eyebrow, shaking her head slightly.
"Well, Miss Granger, you first. Which is your wand arm?" he said after a moment.
"I'm right-handed, sir," she beamed. "Does it make a difference? Or will I have to use -"
"Your right hand will suffice," Ollivander interrupted. "Hold it out. That's it."
He began to measure Hermione from shoulder to finger, then wrist to elbow, shoulder to floor, knee to armpit, and round her head.
"Some people can train to become ambidextrous, able to cast with either hand, which is very popular in pureblooded wizarding families. Most stick to just the one hand," McGonagall explained.
Ollivander nodded as he worked. "Every Ollivander wand has a core of a powerful magical substance, Miss Granger. We use unicorn hairs, phoenix tail feathers, and the heartstrings of dragons. No two Ollivander wands are the same, just as no two unicorns, dragons, or phoenixes are quite the same. And of course, you will never get such good results with another wizard's wand."
"Really? That's interesting," Hermione mused, her mind running theories as to how it works and overthinking everything. "The ingredients might hold some sort of connection to the magical core of someone, or maybe if the theory of souls restarting life is true, the wand types hold some sort of connection to that, maybe it depends on where you're from."
Roland laughed as Hermione thought aloud. "Where did you read about all of that?" He asked.
"My aunt Andromeda brought me books," Hermione waved the question away. "Maybe it depends on family blood -"
"Miss Granger," Ollivander snapped his fingers and the tape measure fell to the ground. He'd been flitting around the shelves pulling off boxes. He pulled a box down and opened it, nodding to Hermione. "Try this. Beechwood and phoenix core. Eleven inches. Nice and flexible."
Hermione had barely touched it when the wand was pulled away. "So length is a factor. It has something to do with body length, or perhaps even the genes and alleles that determine height."
Wand after wand was shoved into her hand, only adding to Hermione's growing list of theories about wand lore and magic cores. A small pile of boxes and wands mounted high on the spindly chair.
"Tricky customer," Ollivander tutted. "How about... Vinewood and dragon heartstring. Ten and three-quarters inches, Nice and supple."
Hermione gave the wand a flick and a stream of silver and green sparks spun through the dusty air. Roland sucked in a breath. "Are your eyes glowing?" He sounded intrigued.
Ollivander clapped. "Oh bravo! Your turn, Mr?"
"Roland Abberley," Roland said nervously.
"Which hand do you write with?" Ollivander asked as he waved his wand and made Hermione's pile fly back onto the shelves.
"I'm ambidextrous," Roland said.
"Really?" Hermione grinned. "That's interesting."
The tape measure had more work to do, measuring Roland's entire body from shoulders to elbows to wrists. Ollivander had begun rummaging through the shelves. After a minute or so, he ordered the tape measure to stop, presenting Roland with a sleek wand. "Hawthorn wood and phoenix core. Twelve and a half inches. nice and supple."
Roland waved the wand, but Ollivander snatched it away, presenting him with another. "Birchwood and unicorn core. Eleven inches. Unyielding flexibility."
Eventually, Roland had a small pile. It took fewer tries than Hermione's had, but it took at least ten minutes.
"Elder wood and unicorn core. Ten and three-quarters inches. Unyielding flexibility," Ollivander presented Roland with a sleek black wand. Roland brought the wand down and blue sparks jumped from the end like a firework. Hermione clapped and bounced, her mind already making theories as to why she had a larger reaction.
Professor McGonagall handed over fourteen coins that she had called 'galleons,' and then the group headed down the road to the next store - Heart of the Star. Inside was an array of astronomy charts, constellation names, posters, telescopes, and many other astronomical equipment.
Two women were walking around and managing everything. They looked almost identical, both with dark hair, piercing grey eyes, and the same cheekbones. The only visible difference was while the first was taller and had curly hair, the latter had more waves and was slightly shorter.
The former made her way over, smiling at the professor. "Hello Professor," she greeted.
McGonagall shook her head. "Polaris, you aren't at school, you know you don't have to call me your Professor anymore," she sighed. This was evidently not the first time they had this conversation.
"You are always going to be Professor," Polaris grinned. "I'm assuming these are your new muggle-borns?" she guessed. When her grey eyes flicked to Hermione, the woman took a step back. "Holy Black. I wasn't aware she had a daughter."
"Hello! I'm Hermione Granger, this is Roland Abberley. How long have you been in the astronomy business? Did you enter the industry because of your name? Is your younger sister also named after a star?"
Polaris held up her hand. "I see Black-junior is quite a scholar. I don't recognize the Granger name, though. What's your mother's name?"
"Helena Granger nee Lane. How good is the business? Is-"
"Okay," Polaris interrupted. "Miss Granger, Mr. Abberley, my name is Polaris Black, and that is my younger sister Ascella-"
"Zeta Sagittarii," Hermione grinned.
"-Black. Follow me and I'll get you sorted with the telescopes you will need for Astronomy classes," Polaris led them through the store. "And to answer your questions, Pseudonym daughter, my family is very skilled in astronomy and every Black for decades has been named after astronomy. My sister and I started the business when I was in my first year out of Hogwarts and she was in her sixth year at Hogwarts, back in late 1981, early 1982."
"How good is the business? Who are the major competitors? What house were you in? What are rivalries like? What was Hogwarts like during the war?" Hermione vomited questions, to which McGonagall and Roland sighed softly, while Polaris laughed.
"The business is good. We replaced the old astronomy business that the Black family had been investors in since they'd formed since the family who ran it had all died in the war. There aren't any major competitors, we have had the only astronomical store in Diagon Alley for a decade, since anyone who wanted to try, learned our last names. The Black family has existed since before Hogwarts and is the richest and most influential. We're the Royal Family of the wizarding world," Polaris explained.
"The Royal Family married relatives," Roland said quietly.
Polaris raised an eyebrow. "My cousin's parents were second cousins," she said. Roland's eyes widened. "Well, he's my great-grandfather's brother's great-grandson. But it's easier just to say cousin and not think about the family wreath. You wanted telescopes?"
Hermione ran her fingers over a dark purple telescope with constellations carved into it. "Andromeda," she said.
"Taken," Polaris noted. "Another cousin. Look at any star or constellation name in this room, and I guarantee someone in my family has been named after them."
"Eridanus."
"Bellatrix."
"Cassiopeia."
"Aries."
"Draco."
"Ventris."
Polaris laughed. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and Ventris is from Star Wars," she said. "And yet he was the first. Well, technically Eridanus Ventris Black was the first in 499, but his father is the name of a Star Wars character now. Vendris Black was the original Black, son of Tristan Meliodas of Lyoness in 464."
"You know a lot about your family's history," Roland noted.
"Traditions get passed down, as do all of the stories. Our family tree is very excessive. Part of the reason Ascella and I refrained from marrying and became businesswomen, despite external pressure," Polaris said.
"And to answer your other questions, everyone in the family, apart from my aforementioned disaster of a cousin Sirius, has been sorted into Slytherin House. By the time I started in 1975, he had a reputation as a prankster. The Slytherins were influenced by their families into having blood-purist views and were considered Junior Death Eaters by the rest of the school. The extroverted kids would try and hurt other students, and Sirius with his fellow Gryffindors became quite the antibullying system. As for the rivalries, it is very much Gryffindor versus Slytherin, while Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw stay out of it but support Gryffindor over Slytherin."
"Anything else?" Polaris asked.
"No thank you, Polaris," Professor McGonagall said quickly. Polaris flashed her a grin before leaving. Hermione pouted. She still had so many questions!
Hermione bought the telescope with the Andromeda constellation etched on it, while Roland chose the Canis Major constellation, becoming a fast fan of Sirius Black. Professor McGonagall didn't say anything about their choices, although Hermione swore she saw a tear in the stoic professor's eye.
After paying for telescopes, next on the list was the apothecary for crystal phials, protective gloves, and a brass scale. Hermione exhausted their guide with question after question until Professor McGonagall assured her that there were many books on potions at Hogwarts and that the next stop on their list was the bookstore. Hermione and Roland both got excited at the prospect and practically dragged her down the street.
Flourish and Blotts was their dream. The shelves were stacked to the ceiling with books as large as paving stones bound in leather; books the size of postage stamps in covers of silk; books full of peculiar symbols and a few books with nothing in them at all.
Hermione poured through everything. Professor McGonagall naively promised to fund for any books they wanted, but no more than twenty each excluding assigned readings.
Roland had grabbed everything on arithmancy he could find, reading about the mathematics. He'd told Hermione earlier in the tour that he'd been considered somewhat of a prodigy in the subject, and while Hermione was questioning everyone and everything, he was asking Professor McGonagall quietly about the mathematical subjects offered. As soon as he mentioned Arithmancy being the Wizarding equivalent, Hermione ran to the shelves and added Arithmancy to her list.
She ended up at the limit, with books on wizarding culture, healing spells, and potions, history, potioneering, advanced spells, arithmancy theory, creatures, transfiguration, rune work, dark arts, flying, wand lore, alchemy - pretty much anything she could get her hands on.
Roland on the other hand, bought fifteen books on arithmetic theory, three on magical artistic techniques, one on history, and one on wizard politics.
Hermione was not at all surprised to see they'd spent an hour in the bookstore. They exited only to run straight into Professor Sprout, Dean, and Hazel, who were shadowed by Susan and her aunt Amelia. Susan was telling the two all about the house rivalries while Amelia and Professor Sprout debated the foundations and running of the school.
"Hermione! Roland!" Hazel bounded over with Dean. Her hand was clasped around a light brown-and-gold wand. Dean held his own wand, a brown wood with light brown swirling around like a slinky. "This is Susan, she's in our year."
"We've met," Susan told her. "I met them in Madam Malkins."
"Hey Susan," Hermione grinned. "Did you run into Astrid, Manaia, and Justin too?"
Susan looked outraged. "Why would you think that?"
"Susan!" Manaia walked over with Astrid, Justin, and Madam Pomfrey. "How was shopping?"
Dean, Hazel, Hermione, and Roland all looked pointedly at Susan, who simply raised an eyebrow. "You were wandering around with Hogwarts professors. Didn't make it hard."
Ms Lane laughed. "Thank you, Professor McGonagall, but we have to get back on the train to Ferndell Hall tonight, so I'm afraid we cannot hang around much longer."
"Wait - you guys live in Ferndell Hall?!" Dean questioned. "We thought that place was haunted! My mate's brother tried to break in a couple of nights ago. We live right down the road."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Good luck with that. Our maid Eudoria knows Jujitsu. I've been training with her since I could walk - she's unbeatable," she said.
"Really? Could she train me?" Dean asked. Hermione seemed taken aback, but his request was entirely genuine.
She looked him up and down. He played football, so he wasn't unfit by any account. "Why don't I just train you at Hogwarts?" she pointed out. "Eight years, remember?"
"Dope," Hazel nodded. "I'm signing up. Anything to help kick Dylan's arse easier."
"Dylan?" Astrid questioned.
"Brother," Dean explained. "Alice, Brock, Connor, Dylan, Elodie, Flynn, Gracie, Isla, Jane, and Kailan."
"Alphabetical order?" Roland nodded. "Creative."
"This has been fun, but Roll and I have to catch a bus up to Wales," Astrid changed the subject. "Thank you, Professors, we'll see you at Hogwarts!" she slung her bottomless tote bag over her shoulder and left with Roland.
"We could give you guys a ride," Dean's mother, a dark-skinned woman with long brown hair and dark eyes.
"That would be lovely, thank you," Ms Lane smiled.
"I've always wanted to see it, Dave says it looks overgrown and abandoned. Bye, Miss!" Dean waved at Professor Sprout while walking backward. "Thanks for the stuff!"
The car ride was mostly spent with Dean and Hermione talking loudly about the trip while Ms. Lane and Dean's mother Batanai chatted in the front. When the car arrived at Ferndell Hall, they were surprised to see a few guests.
"Cousy!" Nymphadora cheered, running over to the car.
Nymphadora Tonks was a seventeen-year-old recent graduate of Hogwarts. She had a pale heart-shaped face and dark twinkling eyes. As a Metamorphmagus, she could change her appearance at will, although she typically kept her hair short and spiky, and often bubblegum-pink.
Hermione squeaked, jumping into her arms. "Dora!" she grinned.
Ms Lane, Dean, and Batanai got out of the car, and Ms Lane started towards Nymphadora. "Dean, Batanai, this is my niece Nymphadora, and my sister-in-law Andromeda."
Hermione detached from her cousin to grin at her aunt. Andromeda was almost identical to Eudoria, however, she had softer features and lighter hair.
"Was he on the orientation?" Nymphadora asked, and when Hermione nodded, her face transformed to reflect Batanai's. Dean's jaw dropped and Batanai looked shocked.
"Dora's a Metamorphmagis," Hermione explained as Nymphadora's face turned back to normal. "She graduated from Hogwarts in June."
Dean's eyes widened. "Really? What house were you in? What do you do now?" he asked.
"Hufflepuff," Nymphadora grinned. "And in September I'm starting Auror training. Aurors are the magic version of a police force."
Dean nodded slowly. "How long will that take?"
"Three years," Hermione told him. Dean raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I know, but magic makes everything a lot more complicated. There's healing, removing curses, dueling, all of that stuff." Dean nodded in understanding.
Batanai cleared her throat. "Well it was lovely to meet you, but we have to head on home before dark," she said.
"Dope. I'll swing by and try not to get ripped to shreds by your scary maid," Dean waved as he got back in the car.
"Bye Dean," Hermione waved goodbye as the car drove off.
"So how was it?" Nymphadora nudged her again. "Tell me about the newbies."
"Well Polaris called me Pseudonym daughter and seemed to recognize me," Enola laughed, and Andromeda chuckled.
"Why don't we go inside to see the 'scary maid who rips people to shreds'?" she offered. The cousins laughed, linking arms before going inside.