The Hogwarts Letter

Chapter 6

Hermione woke up the next morning and shoveled some oatmeal down. It was just another normal day, until later, of course, but something felt urgent about it. She moseyed around all morning, and went to the library in the afternoon. The day dragged on. She couldn't concentrate on her books. Finally her parents arrived home.
The parchment in her letter said that the Dumbledore person would arrive at five thirty exactly. She put on a nice shirt and brushed her hair. Just in case it was real. She settled in a chair downstairs with a book, but she couldn't read. Her parents looked just as nervous as she was.
At precisely five thirty, their clock chimed and the doorbell rang. Her parents went to go answer it, and Hermione tagged along behind.
Standing outside their door was a very unusual man. He immediately made Hermione think of a wizard. He was tall and thin, with long white hair and a flowing beard. He was clothed in robes with stars and moons embroidered on them, and small, half-moon glasses perched on his nose. Startlingly blue eyes peered out from behind them.
Hermione's parents opened the door. "Hello," the strange man said with a smile. "I take it you are Miss Granger's parents?"
He shook both of their hands and then spotted Hermione. "Aahhh, Miss Granger!" He shook her hand vigorously. "Very nice meeting you."
"Yes, pleasure," stammered Hermione.
Dumbledore (for it must be him) swept by her into their living room. He settled himself on the couch. Hermione and her parents followed and sat on the couch opposite. The wizard regarded them for a moment with his piercing blue eyes. The he coughed and began speaking.
"As I believe you know, Hermione has received a letter from my school. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I'm sure you think it's a hoax, or a scam, or worse. I assure you it is not. There is a community of wizards living in hiding across Britain, across the world. Hermione here is what we call Muggleborn." He saw the blank looks on their faces and smiled. "A Muggle is a non-wizard. A Muggleborn is a wizard from a family of non wizards. You don't know about the wizarding world or anything, but you have the talent to become a great wizard. I'm guessing you have already had a few instances of accidentally using magic."
Hermione shifted guiltily in her chair as she thought about Vincent.
"If it's real . . ." began Hermione's father. "Show us some proof!"
Dumbledore pulled a slender length of wood from his sleeve and flicked it at their end table. It burst into flame. The Grangers all gasped. "My table!" her mother exclaimed feebly.
Dumbledore smiled serenely. "It's quite alright, Mrs. Granger." With another flick of his wand, the table returned to normal. Hermione reached out and touched it. It wasn't even warm.
"So, do you believe me now?" the wizard asked.
Hermione did, without a doubt. Excitement simmered inside of her. She would go to a wizarding school and learn all sorts of magic, like lighting tables on fire! But when she looked at her parents, she saw the doubt in their eyes.
"Oh, please, please, please, Mom, Dad. Magic is real! I just know it. This school, it's real too! Please, please let me go."
Her parents glanced at each other. Hermione saw the doubt fade. "It appears that it is. And, if you are a witch, then you'd better go," her mother said.
"Oh, yes!" Hermione jumped up from the couch. "I'll be the best student ever, Mr. Dumbledore! You won't regret letting me into your school."
Dumbledore regarded her with amusement. "I'm sure you will. Now, sit down a minute and I'll tell you a few other things you should know, like how to get to Hogwarts or where to buy your school supplies."