Hermione Granger and Sky Vortex

Chapter 3. The Unexpected Visitor.

'Could it be Greg Wilson finally bringing back my lawn mower?' John wondered as he walked to the door. 'Or maybe those missionaries again,' he thought with a hint of annoyance. He wasn't a fan of missionaries; their beliefs clashed with his own scientific outlook. Given his current mood, he especially didn't want to see them today. 'If it's them again, I won't hesitate to tell them exactly what I think of their silly beliefs,' John decided and, bracing himself for a confrontation, opened the door.

But the sharp rebuke he had ready died in his throat. A woman stood before him in a dark coat, the wind tugging at her clothes and her hand securing her black hat. She was clearly not one of the missionaries, nor did she resemble Greg Wilson in any way...

"Good evening, Mr. Granger," she greeted him with a dry tone, pushing her glasses up her nose. Her serious look made John feel momentarily like a kid who'd been caught doing something wrong. "I'm here to talk about your daughter, Hermione. May I come in?"

Surprised, John moved aside to let her in. As the woman headed straight for the living room, John had no choice but to follow, puzzled. "Who is she? How does she know me and Hermione? What does she want?"

Seeing the woman come in, Emma Granger put her book aside and looked at the guest with confusion. In the bright light of the living room, John could see their unexpected visitor more clearly. She was a middle-aged woman with a rather stern appearance, dressed in a dark robe that John had initially mistaken for a coat. Her hat wasn't typical either, looking more like an elegant wide-brimmed and pointed hat. The woman walked into the living room, took off her hat and gloves, then said:

"Let me introduce myself, I'm Professor McGonagall."

She paused, looking at Hermione's parents and adjusting her black hair, pulled tightly into a bun.

"A professor?" John was surprised, "And you've come to talk about Hermione? Did I get that right?"

"Absolutely right, Mr. Granger. I've come to discuss her further education." McGonagall replied, "May I sit down?"

She gave Hermione's dad a questioning look, and he quickly pointed to the chair closest to their guest.

"Yes, yes, of course! Would you like something warm? Tea? Coffee maybe?" he asked, a bit flustered. "The weather is quite nasty outside today..."

"I wouldn't say no to a cup of tea," the professor said evenly, making herself comfortable in the chair.

John hurried to the kitchen to get the kettle going, trying to gather his thoughts. This visit in the evening had him worried. 'A professor here to talk about Hermione's education? But why? Could Grayson be behind this?' he wondered. John had been concerned that the town's mayor might try to cause trouble for Hermione at her new school. The mayor had seemed quite a spiteful and vindictive person when they met, which made John immediately suspect him of foul play. 'He's capable of pulling some dirty trick,' John thought, gearing up mentally for a fight. After getting the tea ready, John came back to the living room, where Emma and their guest were waiting quietly. He noticed his wife was also casting cautious glances at the guest, probably thinking along the same lines.

"So, Professor McGonagall," John Granger began, settling onto the couch, "as I understand it, you're here to discuss Hermione's education at Oakridge School. Honestly, I had no idea our local school even had a professor..."

"That's not quite right," McGonagall cut him off. "I don't teach at the local school."

John looked at her, puzzled, and frowned, "So you're not from Oakridge School? Then what does Hermione have to do with you?"