Chapter 1
{Wednesday 19/9/1990}{06:00}{Granger Residence}
It was finally happening; Hermione Granger was turning eleven years old! She could not be more excited.
Hermione was woken up by her parents with her usual cup of tea, pancakes waiting downstairs along with her presents. She unwrapped a stack of books – a familiar sight every year – along with some new clothes and a new pair of winter boots.
Once the excitement over presents had calmed, she finally got around to opening her birthday cards. This was Hermione’s favourite part, her grandma always put confetti in her card, and she loved it! However, before she could even think about opening any cards, a strange envelope at the top of the pile caught her attention. It was crème in colour with calligraphy on the front of it.
Miss H Black
The Biggest Room
West Byfleet
Surrey
“Mum, I think somebody’s sent a letter to the wrong address.” Hermione said, passing the letter over to her parents so that she could carry on looking through her cards.
Hermione noticed that the room had become uncomfortably quiet after passing the letter to her parents, and when she was opening her cards, they didn’t say a word. Finally, when she was done, Hermione’s mother took a deep breath and began to talk.
“Hermione dear, there’s something that your father and I need to tell you.” She started, immediately getting Hermione’s attention “You should read the letter first.”
Confused, Hermione took the letter and opened it carefully, taking out a thick paper that was inside.
‘Dear Miss Hermione Black,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Please find enclosed a list of necessary books and equipment. Term begins on 1st September. We await your owl by no later than 31st July.
Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonnagal
Deputy Headmistress’
“I don’t understand.” Hermione said, putting the letter down once she had read it three times just to make sure it was real.
Mr Granger sighed before he began speaking “Hermione, this might be a lot to take in but, your mother and I, we need to explain some things to you.” He waited for Hermione to nod before he continued “Okay, there is another society that exists, alongside the one that we are in now. I know that sounds like something out of a fantasy book, but it’s true. There is a world of magic, and you are a part of it.”
“Magic?”
“Yes. I know that it seems amazing and .. well, magical, but around ten years ago, part of the magical world won a war that had been raging for years already. Your parents were victims of that war Hermione.”
“My parents?” Hermione asked, confused “But you’re my parents?”
Mrs Granger gave Hermione a soft, sad smile “Your birth parents Hermione, were victims of the war. Regulus Black and Aurora Malfoy, two amazingly powerful magicians, who fought to their last breath to protect you.”
“They wanted us to raise you if anything ever happened to them. They wanted us to raise you away from the magical world until it was absoloutely necessary for you to know about it.” Mr Granger told Hermione “There’s a lot of prejudice within the Wizarding community Hermione and, there’s a lot of it aimed at both sides of your family. Most of them aren’t very good people.”
“They were on the wrong side of the war?” Hermione asked, eyes glazed, trying to take in all the information.
“Some of them, not all of them.” Mr Granger answered sadly.
“Do I – is there anyone-?”
“Is there anyone you can speak to?” Mrs Granger asked, getting a nod in reply from Hermione “Yes, you have a cousin, although I suppose she would be more like an aunt. She has a daughter a few years older than you; we’ve kept in touch so that when you’re ready, you could reach out.”
“I’d like to do that, if that’s okay?” Hermione asked, a hopeful but apprehensive look on her face.
“Of course, sweetheart. Now, you best be getting ready for school, or you’ll be late.” Mr Granger said, laughing when Hermione sprinted up the stairs to get ready.
~~~~~
Now, Hermione always knew that she was the slightly odd one out at school. She was smarter that most of her peers, doing work that the others wouldn’t move onto until the next school year; but today, she felt more on the outside that she had ever felt before.
She knew it was because of the letter she had received and the news that followed. The only problem was, it was distracting her, and her teachers had noticed.
“Is everything alright Hermione?” Miss Baker asked, joining Hermione at a picnic table at play time.
“Oh, yes Miss, Everything’s fine. I’m just a bit distracted is all.”
“I’ve noticed. Is there anything you’d like to talk about?”
Hermione paused for a moment, wanting to unload everything that was rushing around in her head before remembering that she couldn’t; that this had to be a secret. She decided to go with a sort of truth. “Well, my parents and I were discussing my schooling next year. I have the opportunity to go to a new school in Scotland. It’s a boarding school but, it’s for people like me so I can be challenged.”
“That sounds wonderful Hermione!” Miss Baker replied “I think you’ll do splendidly. I always said that you were too smart for this school.”
“Thank you, Miss.” Hermione replied, a big smile on her face as play time came to an end.
Maybe things wouldn’t be as hard as she thought.
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