The Beginning
Hermione was making her way to the library, as she did everyday in the pursuit of higher knowledge. While she may only be eight years old, she was highly intelligent for her age. As she walked in she greeted the librarian, Mrs.White. She was a kind old lady and loved the little girl like her own granddaughter. Anyone who was as dedicated to their studies, assigned by school or not, was a superior person in the eyes of Mrs.White. There was also something peculiar about the girl. She had an aura that surrounded her, a calm balance that attracted many. Not children her own age certainly, her intelligence intimidated them, but those who could appreciate her mind knew to keep an eye out for her.
Mrs.White waved back to Hermione and watched as she made her way over to her favorite section of the library, Political Science and Religion. Hermione had been there many times before and had read most of the books there while taking copious notes, all in hopes of an explanation. Today was different though. Today there was something in the air, something that made Hermione more determined and confident than ever before that she would find the answers she was looking for.
As she walked down the aisles she ran her hands over the spines, feeling the history and knowledge beneath them. She continued walking and suddenly stopped, a small shock went through her hand as it touched the spine of a book. She pulled it out without thinking. The title read: History of Magic. No author. Curious, she opened the book and inside was delicate handwriting that said “Property of Tom Riddle”. She smiled slightly, and walked over to a table situated in the corner of the library by her favorite section. Mentally she had dubbed it, her table. Now what Hermione didn’t know was that this was a book of magic. What the magical world didn’t know was that Tom Riddle had spelled the book to update with every new addition of the very same book. So Hermione Granger at eight years old, sitting in a public library was given the History of Magic, the History of the world.
Hermione sat down and opened up the book once more, tracing her fingers over the name Tom Riddle. She wondered who he was, what he believed in, why his book was in the library. She flipped to the next page and began reading, she read about the gods of old, about blood prejudice, the Statue of Secrecy, the rise and fall of Grindelwald and eventually about the Dark Lord and his “defeat” by a boy of only a year old. Hermione didn’t believe he was dead. How could a boy only a few months younger than herself that year, defeat a powerful wizard like Lord Voldemort, as he was apparently called.
Now Hermione knew what his views were and that they basically stated that she and others like her should be killed, but her curiosity got the better of her. There was a mystery here, and unanswered questions. Hermione was determined to solve it.
She got up from her table and walked back towards the checkout desk and Mrs. White.
“Hello Mrs. White, I’d like to check out this book please.” Hermione stated with a toothy grin to her grandmother figure. Mrs. White held out her hand and took a look at it. “History of Magic, hmm. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen this before.” She stated as she began typing on her computer. Hermione began to get nervous. If it wasn’t in the system would she still be allowed to check it out? Granted she could always come back the next day, but what if someone else got to it first? “Hermione dear, it doesn’t look like this book is cataloged in our library.” Mrs.White said looking up at the nervous girl. She softened seeing the anxious look on the little girl's face. “Tell you what, I’ll let you keep this book for good,” Hermione began to bounce on her toes in excitement. “If you promise to come back and tell me everything you’ve learned.” Mrs. White finished.
Hermione sent her a beaming smile. “Really?! I promise, I absolutely promise. I’m even going to do my own research paper and cross check it with other sources so I can make sure I’ve covered everything.” She stated proudly, the plan having already formed in her head after she got halfway through the book. Mrs. White smiled at her softly. “Then you are more than welcome to take it home and keep it. I can’t wait to hear what you’ve discovered.”
Hermione sent her a smile again, shouting “Thank you!” behind her as she rushed out the doors. She was eager to learn what the book had to offer. Thus Hermione Granger was bestowed “History of Magic”, previously owned by one Tom Riddle.