Hermione's eyes were glued to the last card.
A girl in blazing red armor standing tall in the middle of fiery wood. A staff that seemed to be burning was held upright like a sword of a crusader. Her eyes were closed, brows scrunched, and lips pressed hard. The more she looked, the more she felt relentless energy coming from the card, urging her to fight, to explore, to do something.
Then Sylvian turned the card, and she snapped back to herself.
"If you please show the letter to Mrs Granger, I could start explaining it all. I have a feeling we will have more time to discuss tarot with you, Miss Granger."
Hermione nodded and passed the letter along. As her mother's expression became more and more confused, Mr Scamander started talking again.
"The idea of magic, not tricks of a showman, but real magic, might seem absurd to you. That is a completely natural reaction. Because centuries ago, many Ministries of Magic all over the world convened a meeting and passed the Statute of Secrecy. They did this to completely sever the connection between magical and non-magical societies. This was in part to protect the witches and wizards from the increasing number of non-magical people and in part to stop all the wars related to this issue.
They managed to hide the entire magical world, but one link remained. Witches and wizards born to the ordinary people."
"Slow down, sir. You mean to say there is a whole new world right beside humanity? That is impossible!" Mr Granger got agitated.
"There are billions of people around the world. Nothing can remain hidden for so long."
"Mr Granger, I'm not an expert in this field from Ministry. It's not within my duty or expertise to explain how we keep our secret.
Let's go back to our issue of interest. Your daughter, Miss Hermione Granger is a witch, and she was accepted to the greatest and possibly only magical school in Great Britain: Hogwarts.
I hope you can calm down and think it through. Have there been any accidents or things that cannot be explained around her?"
That horrible day came to Hermione almost instantly.
It was late June, just like this time, but 3 years ago. She was reading her Encyclopedia her Dad bought for Christmas. Katie and her two friends came again to mock her. Her Mummy taught her to walk away in such situations. It usually worked, but this time...
She could never remember what happened fully. Memories after Katie snatched the book were hazy. All she remembers is three girls lying a few feet away, screaming incoherently. Pages of the book were floating down around her.
After that they moved to a new house, and no one mentioned it anymore.
Her father was also looking at her Mum with worry on his face. Hermione understood they recalled that incident. And maybe more...
"You don't need to tell me those accidents, Mr Granger, Mrs Granger. We call it "accidental magic", perfectly normal for young witches and wizards who are yet to learn how to control their powers.
The reason we insist on having them go to Hogwarts is actually this. If they don't learn, their magic can become dangerous for them and people around them.
I hope you understand what is at stake here. If you want, I'll give you some privacy, and you can discuss for a while. Or if you have questions, I'm ready to answer."
"Mr Scamander, could you show any demonstration of your power? Not card tricks or illusions, but real magic."
He smiled and took a beautifully engraved wooden stick... like a magic wand tricksters use.
"Usually conjuration and transfiguration are more visually stunning. I'll use that for demonstration."
He pointed in the air and gave a graceful twirl. Suddenly water seemed to flow out of thin air right in front of them. Mr Scamander used his wand to direct water to flow in an elegant pattern, like silk flying in the wind. In a few moments the flowing water covered the space over the table and reached a volume of a small pool.
Grangers were mesmerized by this miraculous scene. The light from the window bent and created splashes of rainbow after passing through the water curtain.
Hermione looked at the wand moving like a maestro's baton in Mr Scamander's gloved hand. It suddenly came to a halt and swished down.
The water flying over their head turned into thin swords under their amazed and horrified gaze and flew down to the table. They heard an unmistakable sound of a blade cutting wood. Small splinters even flew out and touched their face.
Mr Scamander made another graceful motion with his wand. Some swords turned into liquid metal. This fluid moved through the surface of other blades and created a flowery pattern over the top. Swords became supporting columns, and a flowery net created a miniature London on their table.
Mr Granger reached out and caressed the holes on the table first. Then he touched the swords and flowery mesh.
Hermione and Mrs Granger also reached out to check it.
"I'll fix your table before I go, Mr Granger. If you want, I can leave this filigree to you. It'll keep its shape for a few months, then vanish into air.
Now, let's go back to our talk. Do you have any questions about the Wizarding World or Hogwarts?"
Then her Mum asked some questions about school. Tuition and living fees and general questions, like do wizards use pounds or not, is there university after finishing school, how does the Ministry work, and what are employment options? Mr Scamander gave short but detailed answers to each of them.
"Mr Scamander, you mentioned magic will become dangerous if they don't learn how to control it. Could you explain more about it?"
"I'm sure there have been a few... not-so-pleasant magical accidents with Miss Granger. Untrained magic is reactive and protective. Sometimes dangerously so.
When emotions of a witch or wizard get out of control, magic inside them will also lash out and try to destroy or harm anything or anyone perceived as a danger.
Magic grows stronger with their age. I can say that whatever accident happened when she was young will be several times more destructive after a few years."
"Is the only way going to this school? Does the ministry have any other solutions?" Her Mummy asked with a faint trace of worry.
Hermione could understand her worries. Her future was already fully planned. This sudden change made all their plans obsolete. But she wasn't sad or worried at all.
She could study Magic! With other smart kids like her. She wouldn't be alone anymore. No one would call her "goody-two-shoes" or "teacher's pet."
"Unfortunately not, Mrs Granger. In case you refuse to enroll her at Hogwarts, we can only provide some instructions to prevent magical outbursts. If any accidents occur in the future, she might be fined or sent to Magical prison according to the damage caused."
Hermione couldn't stand it anymore.
"Mum, Dad, I want to study at Hogwarts. Mr Scamander explained everything, it'll be dangerous if I don't go to this school.
I will find friends there and study magic with them. It'll be wonderful!"
Her father and mother looked at each other and had one of those silent conversations.
"Okay, let's finish your first year there. We'll discuss future plans in your summer holidays.
Can we see the supplement list, sweetie?"
"These books and supplies are sold in magic shops. In London, they're mainly on Diagon Alley. You can also exchange your money for magic currency.
This Alley has a hidden entrance in the Charing Cross Road. I'll be your guide this time and accompany you for the shopping as well."
"That's very kind of you, Mr Scamander. Sorry for the trouble."
"It's no trouble, ma'am, just doing my job."
"We'll quickly get ready then. Let's go, 'Mione, hurry up."
___________________
Hermione imagined all sorts of magical or unassuming entrances she could. An old wooden door in a forgotten neighborhood, a sparkly crystal one hidden in plain sight in an expensive shop, a carpet thrown over a wall that opens up to a bustling market...
The actual entrance was a bit unassuming. Just another dirty pub downtown. The only weird thing about it was how her parents didn't notice it until Mr Scamander pointed and told them about it. Apparently it was under some spell that makes muggles (he explained some wizard terminology on the way) ignore it.
"Three bricks up, two across. Remember this brick, Miss Granger. Next time you'll do it yourself."
Mr Scamander nudged the brick with his wand. Then something magical occurred: every brick on the wall started moving. The wall in front of them turned into an archway.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley. Let's go, our first stop is Gringotts."
The narrow street was full of people in weird clothes going about their business. Shop displays were full of flying biscuits, tools and utensils moving on their own, and strange-looking plants and animals.
Buildings were all from different time periods and thus had varying styles.
After a few minutes of walking, they came across a grand white building, with walls and columns looking askew. In front of a grand bronze door stood two short guards in scarlet-and-gold livery.
"They are goblins, a magical race. Try not to stare." Mr Scamander warned in a whisper after they passed the front door. Then they came across a big silver door with an engraved poem:
"Enter, stranger, but take heed.l
Of what awaits the sin of greed.
For those who take, but do not earn,
Must pay most dearly in their turn."
This set of doors opened into a grand and imposing hall lit with shining chandeliers. Mr Scamander led them to a free teller.
"Excuse me, we would like to exchange muggle money for galleons."
"The going rate is £5, how much will you exchange?"
"For 90 galleons and 170 sickles."
Her father took out £500 and started counting the coins. The teller goblin gave them a pouch after he finished.
"There are a few expensive first-time purchases this year, that's why I asked you to exchange more money. Starting from next year, £200 should probably cover all your expenses.
We first ought to buy a school trunk to put all the books, tools, and supplies."
"I don't remember seeing it in the list?"
"This letter is written in the same format to everyone, Mr Granger. Most young witches and wizards come from magical families, so they usually have one at home already."
They got her a simple school trunk and then got a little telescope from the next-door shop. Potages Cauldron Shop was also nearby. They got her a pewter cauldron, a set of glass vials, knives, and a brass scale. Mr Scamander said they would use them for Potions class.
He also mentioned she ought to buy a silver knife in case she practiced rituals and sacrifice magic on her own, as a steel knife wasn't a traditional choice. Hermione wasn't sure if he was serious or joking.
After that they entered a tailor's. The shopkeeper greeted her cheerfully and made her stand on top of a short wooden stool. An older boy standing on the other school greeted Mr Scamander.
"Hello, Sylvian. Here with your relatives?" He looked at her curiously.
"Hi, Eric. No, this is Miss Granger and her parents. She is a first-year student this year. I'm their guide."
"You became a professor? That's so cool. Which class? Defense?"
"I prefer a quieter life, Eric, you know me." He gave a small grin. "But I'm afraid I have to take away an hour of sleep from everyone's schedule starting this year to achieve that."
"History? That's even better. I thought I was gonna fail the OWL from it. I don't know if the books Binns chose are particularly boring ones or if we became so used to sleeping in his class. Whenever I try to open History books, I fall asleep."
"If we advertise them with a slogan "Even Ravenclaws use it to fall asleep", they'll sell like crazy."
"Tch, typical snake. Anyways, see you at school, Professor Scamander."
"Take care, Mr Murley. Don't forget your summer homework."
"You are also a teacher, Mr Scamander?" Mrs Granger asked in surprise.
"Yes. In the Wizarding world, employment conditions are quite flexible with age. As long as your employer is sure of your ability, you can do any job. At Hogwarts, you can say I'm working with people from my great-grandfather's, grandfather's, and father's generations."
The family of 3 looked dumbfounded.
"Your great-grandfather's? How old is he?"
"Our Headmaster, Professor Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, probably around 120, give or take 10 years."
"That's quite an advanced age."
"Mr Granger, I know a wizard who has been alive since medieval times. Headmaster has quite a long journey in front of him."
After paying for the clothes, they went to get her books and writing supplies. Professor said they use parchment at school, and she'd have to practice writing using a quill till the semester started.
Hermione felt a surge of excitement when they arrived at the bookstore. Shelf after shelf, full of books written on every possible magic a human could imagine.
Alchemy, Spells, Curses, Transfiguration, Mind Magic... Calm down, Hermione, professor is standing with you. Don't leave a bad impression.
First, let's get the books in the list.
Next, a few to see learn wizard culture and Ministry laws... "Hogwarts: A History? "Get it. Oh, I should ask Professor for a few recommendations on history.
"Uhm, professor Scamander, uh, sorry, can I call you that, sir?"
"Of course, Miss Granger."
"Thank you. Do you have any recommendations, Professor? I would like to learn more about Magic History."
"A History of Magic " by Bathilda Bagshot is the best one written in English. We use it for History lesson at Hogwarts as well. You can also get a copy of "Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century" to get familiar with recent major news."
Saying so, he left Hermione on her own to browse another aisle. She found the books he mentioned and went to the front desk. Her parents were also there, putting ink and parchment rolls into her trunk.
"16 galleons, 11 sickles and 21 knuts. If you want, I'll add a quill or a few feet of parchment to round up to 12 sickles."
"Add some more parchment, thank you."
Professor came back with a book after they put everything in the trunk.
"How much for this?"
"2 galleons and 5 sickles, sir."
He paid for and handed the book to Hermione.
"This is a gift to the first student I met. I hope you will like it."
"Professor, I can't"
"Please, take it. If you read it fully, you'll see a magic trick."
Intrigued and grateful, Hermione took it from him. The title read, "The History of the Kings and Queens of Britain".