Which School?

Prologue

Albus Dumbledore's office door opened. Professor McGonagall, head of Gryffindor House and Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry walked in and stood before Dumbledore's desk.

"Minerva, good morning to you," Dumbledore said, gesturing for her to take a seat.

"Good morning Albus."

"A lovely day, isn't it? You are here for your assignment, I imagine?"

Professor McGonagall nodded. "Hagrid and Professor Flitwick are preparing the letters and the owls. I understand that you had a particular child you wished me to visit."

"Indeed. A most . . . interesting case. A young girl who won't turn eleven until the middle of September."

McGonagall peered at Dumbledore curiously.

"Albus, we have rules for a reason. A child must finish her primary education before we can summon her to Hogwarts. Children under that age often have trouble adjusting to life here."

"This child is preparing to begin Muggle secondary school, Minerva. She is intelligent, oh my, yes, and mature as well. Two years ago she was moved ahead in her school by one year. Besides, there have been . . . incidents."

Minerva McGonagall waited. Albus Dumbledore was an old friend, and she well understood his occasional tendency for the dramatic, even if she didn't condone it.

"I am led to believe that she has been the target of bullying. She doesn't speak of it to her parents. She is rather ashamed, which is sadly an all too common reaction, as you know. And so there have been incidents."

McGonagall nodded. When an untrained witch or wizard was placed under stress, they would often perform instinctive magic as a defence or distraction. In some cases this had been extremely advanced magic which had taken a great deal of effort to reverse.

"This particular young lady managed to grow one girl's ears by over a foot in diameter. Happily, it was merely a temporary change, and yet it has led to her being still further ostracised by her fellow students. There have been other incidents, but this was the most striking." Dumbledore said.

"Certainly it is advanced transfiguration for such a young child," McGonagall said thoughtfully. "You are sure you want her to come this year, Albus?"

"She would not enjoy Muggle secondary school," Dumbledore said. His gaze seemed to lose focus for a long moment, as though his mind had gone somewhere else. "No, she is far better off coming here, or at least being given another option to choose from."

McGonagall nodded. "Very well, Albus. I take it that she is a Muggle?"

"She is. Her parents are both dentists, and the story of how they met is most amusing. There is no trace of any wizarding blood in their family, so they will be quite unprepared for your arrival."

"You have her details?"

"Of course," Dumbledore replied, handing over two heavy envelopes. McGonagall looked at the name on the first envelope, the standard Hogwarts letter sent to all potential students.

"Miss Hermione Granger," she read aloud. "Very well, Miss Granger, I do hope that you like surprises."

To be continued. . .