Hermione Granger and the Sorcerer's Stone

Chapter 1. The Letter

"Mum? Dad? It's about time you got up. I thought you would almost oversleep again. I've already made your coffee but you are going to have to drink it on the way to work because you're already late. I have already put it in mugs for you and I have made your lunch. I know you're dentists but I'm still afraid you're not eating properly," I said as I saw my Mum and Dad come down the stairs and finally dressed for work.

"Honey, calm down. We are about three minutes later than usual. I think we have a little time," Mum said.

"No you don't. That is three wasted minutes. But have your whole day off schedule. I guess that means I should make dinner tonight, seeing as if you're three minutes late now, who knows how late you'll be by the time you get home tonight,"

"Greatly appreciated, Hermione," she said. I sighed in exasperation.

Was I the only person in this house that ever worried about anything? I looked over at my Dad who was looking out the window. Apparently, I was.

"I must not fully be awake yet because it looks like an owl is tapping on our window," he said.

"See Dad, I told you. You should just get more rest. The healthiest time to go to bed is no later than -,"

But my Dad opening the window cut me off and I gave a loud shriek. The owl had dropped something right on my head. Please just let it be something he dropped and not owl droppings. Whatever it was, it fell to the floor. I picked it up and saw it was a letter. Now why on earth would an owl be sending me a letter in the early morning? Owls were nocturnal animals. We had once studied them in school. Forget that though. Why was an owl delivering an owl period? And for some reason, the owl was still here, as if waiting for me to open it. So I did.

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 Ms. Granger,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

I was speechless. I mean, really. What could you say after you was just delivered a letter by an owl that said I was accepted into a school that taught magic.

"Mum, Dad? Please tell me you arranged this," But I knew they hadn't because of the shocked expressions on their faces. I was genuine shock and I didn't like it. But there was even more to it. I felt another piece of paper in there. No, not paper parchment! This had to be some kind of sick joke. Nobody uses parchment anymore.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Uniform

First year students will require:

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry nametags

Course 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 Beginners 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

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

"Dad, this seems un-ethical. This just can't be so,"

"Then how do you explain that owl?" Mum asked.

"You know, anything really is possible and it's not proven that magic isn't real. You have to give it a chance, Hermione. If it turns out that this all some big mistake then....,"

"So, you're saying this school actually exists?"

"I wouldn't know, Hermione. I'm just saying you have to give it a chance."

"So I'm guessing you have to send an answer back by this owl. You have to be prompt," Mum said as she got a piece of paper and a pen.

"Do you want to write it, or should I?"

I didn't answer so she scribbled something down and gave it to the owl, which then flew away. This was just unreal. And my mum was treating it like it was no big thing.

"Mum! How could you just reply like that?! How did you know I would want to go?"

"Well honey, it's a chance to learn new things. Things you certainly wouldn't learn in regular school,"

I had not thought of it that way. It was my chance to learn new things. And I did love to learn.

"But where do we get all this stuff? I've never seen things like this in any type of store," Mum said.

But in answer to my question, another owl flew in, carrying another note. Was this the way these people sent mail?

Dear Miss Granger,

I understand that you have just received your letter and have accepted the invitation to come to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Congratulations!

I also understand that you are of muggle parentage (non-wizards) and may not know anything of the wizarding world and how to get your necessary school things and how to get to school.

To get your school things, you must go to the Leaky Cauldron, in London, and go outback in the courtyard. It will then open for you. You may want to go to Gringotts bank and exchange muggle money for wizard money.

To get to school, go to Kings Cross and go through the barrier that separates platform nine from platform ten. I assure you this is safe.

I look forward to seeing you at Hogwarts.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

"Well I guess that explains everything," mum said wryly.