Ayo, ladies and gentlemen! We meet again. Er... we talk again? No... we... interact again... yea! We interact again! So, this is the longest chapter yet. I know that when Hagrid met Harry for the first time, he just gave Harry the base intro but I imagined it a little differently with the Grangers. So, tell me about it!

Yours,

DiyaHunterOfArtemis

Disclaimer: Still not mine.

Chapter 3: The Absurdity of It All.

The Grangers and Professor McGonagall sat in their kitchen, each having a cup of tea in their hands and a whirlpool of thoughts swirling in their heads.

"A hundred years ago, give or take a few," started the witch, "four of the greatest witches and wizards of that time, united with an idea of starting an institution for young people with magical potential. They were Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff. To put it in the words of our beloved Sorting Hat - you will come to terms about it later - the four did so because they had the 'selfsame yearning to make the world's best magic school'. Once they set the foundation of Hogwarts, each created a house of their own to represent their favored personality traits. The Gryffindors were known for their bravery and chivalry; Slytherin embodied the values of being sly and cunning; Ravenclaw supported intelligence and wit and Hufflepuff supported all those who were loyal and believed in fair play." McGonagall paused to take a deep breath and looked at the curious and awe-filled faces of the Grangers.

Hermione was taking in all this information and the more she heard, the more interested she became in the wizarding world. However, she was intrigued as to why didn't she know about all this beforehand. She was confident that if she knew that witches and wizards were real, she would have dug out as much knowledge about them as possible.

"But... why are witches and wizards in hiding? I mean, why not come out in open?" enquired Hermione, voicing her thoughts.

McGonagall looked at Hermione for a moment before saying, "You see, Miss Granger, during that century, the magical community was in danger as they were persecuted by the muggles who were hostile to magic. Hence, the need to hide." Looking at the questioning look on the Grangers' faces, she hastily added," Between the magic folk, we call non-magic people as Muggles."

Realization dawned on Hermione's face as she remembered reading about people with weird abilities and the torture that were opposed on them in one the library books consisting of Britain's history. But another question popped in her head and before she had time to reconsider it, she blurted, "But then, how come the muggles can't see the school?"

Professor McGonagall seemed to be regarding the question. But, instead, she said something unexpected but not unheard by the Grangers,

"You are a bright individual Miss Granger and I can see the makings of a great and intelligent witch in you." Then, for the first time since arriving at the Granger's house, Professor McGonagall smiled. "And to answer your question," she continued, "the castle of Hogwarts is concealed by a number of charms and spells to keep it hidden by and forbidden for the Muggles."

WOW. Just...wow. Hermione glanced at her parents and saw that even if they believed Professor McGonagall, they were still a bit unsure about the whole idea of magic. Her father looked at the Professor for a moment too long and than asked her, "Er.. if you don't mind, can you show us? Magic, I mean." He looked at his wife for support and Jean Granger nodded once.

"Sure. Under normal circumstances, it's forbidden for a witch or a wizard to perform magic in the company of a muggle as per the International Statue of Secrecy but the staff of Hogwarts is allowed to do magic in order to prove the truth of it all to the parents of young muggle witches and wizards." revealed Professor McGonagall. This being said, she got up from her chair and turned it into a comfy-looking couch with just a flick of her wand!

The Grangers were looking at the couch with eyes the size of saucers and mouths wide open. Hermione took a cautious step towards the couch half expecting it to lunge at her. She then touched it and slowly sat on it and BLOODY HELL! It felt just like a real couch! Her parents were still looking at the chair-now-turned-into-a-couch with gaping mouths and she was relieved to see that they had a reason to believe Professor McGonagall now.

Jean nodded her head once, then twice and then she suddenly engulfed her daughter in a giant hug. "Oh Hermione dear, I knew that you were bound to do great things but a witch! Who would have thought?! Oh, I am so happy! Charlie, this calls for a celebration!"

Hermione looked at her dad for his approval and saw that he was also looking at her with a proud gleam in his brown eyes. Her dad was a man of few words but she knew him too well to know that he was ecstatic just by his expression.

Minerva McGonagall cleared her throat for a second time that day. "I am sorry for interrupting this moment of affection but there are a few more details that I want to familiarize you with. First of all, you should know that Miss Granger will be staying at Hogwarts for the whole year except for the Easter and the Christmas holidays. She can come home during those holidays as per her wish. She can of course bring a trunk full of her clothes and possessions with her. The list of all the required books and equipment is given with your acceptance letter. You can buy all the things necessary from Diagon Alley which is magically concealed in the backyard of a cheap-looking bar called 'The Leaky Cauldron' located between 48 Charing Cross Road and 12 Great Newport Street."

She paused to look at Hermione's parents and they nodded to show their understanding.

She then continued, "Miss Granger has to board the Hogwarts Express at 11 a.m. on September 1st from platform 9 and 3 quarters where she will reach if she runs through the wall between platform 9 and 10. Now, any queries?"

Professor McGonagall glanced at Hermione and then Mr. and Mrs. Granger, all of whom simultaneously shook their heads.

Hermione remembered that she hadn't opened her second letter with the books yet. She lifted the letter that she was still holding tightly and opened the second piece of parchment.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

UNIFORM:

First-year students will require:

1. Three sets of plain works robes (black)

2. One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear

3. One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)

4. One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings)

Please note that all pupils' clothes should carry name tags.

COURSE BOOKS:

All students should have a copy of each of the following:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk

The 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 Scammander

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

OTHER EQUIPMENT:

1 wand

1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)

1 set of glass or crystal phials

1 telescope set

1 brass scale

Students may also bring an owl OR a cat OR a toad

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICK

Hermione was fascinated. She couldn't wait to get her hands on all those magical books. And the one that intrigued her most was The History of Magic because now that she knew that magic is real, she wanted to know as much about it as possible. She wanted to leave no stone unturned in collecting a vast amount of knowledge about magic.

"Well, my work here is done then. I bid my farewell. Miss Granger, I will meet you in Hogwarts."

Professor McGonagall gave a last smile to Hermione, shook hands with both Jean and Charlie, turned towards the door and with a last look at the Grangers, the witch was out of the door and lost in the sea of people moving outside leaving the Grangers to ponder over the absurdity of it all.

Well, here's it then! Review and tell me your views 'bout it!