Harry Potter: Awakening the Unknown

The scent of freshly brewed tea and buttered toast filled the kitchen as Hermione sat at the table, flipping through The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 for what must have been the third time since they'd purchased it. A pen in hand, she was already jotting down notes, underlining important sections, and cross-referencing anything that seemed unclear.

Harry, sitting across from her, was in a more relaxed state, absently flipping through Magical Theory while taking occasional bites of toast. Unlike Hermione, who attacked her studies with boundless enthusiasm, Harry absorbed information quietly, filing it away in his mind.

Elizabeth Granger moved around the kitchen, preparing breakfast as she kept a watchful eye on both of them. She had adjusted remarkably well in the past few days, far better than most Muggle parents likely would.

But even so, she was still processing the sheer enormity of it all.

"A school for magic," she muttered, pouring herself a cup of tea before sitting down. "I keep thinking I'll wake up and realize I imagined the whole thing."

Hermione grinned. "You didn't, Mum. It's all real."

Elizabeth shook her head, more in wonder than disbelief. "It's just a lot to take in. I've spent years teaching you about the scientific method and logical reasoning, and now you're telling me that waving a wand and saying some words can defy everything we understand about physics."

"It still has rules," Hermione said quickly. "It's just… different ones."

Harry smirked slightly, taking a sip of his juice. "You'll get used to it."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "Will I?"

Elizabeth tapped her fingers against her teacup, glancing between Hermione and Harry. "I'm still not sure how I feel about sending eleven-year-olds off to a boarding school, magic or not."

Hermione sighed, setting her quill down. "Mum, we've been over this. Hogwarts is the best place for magical education."

"And the safest," Harry added, though he wasn't entirely sure he believed that himself.

Elizabeth exhaled, clearly unconvinced. "I suppose I'll have to trust Professor McGonagall to give me a proper explanation." She glanced at the clock. "Speaking of which, she should be arriving soon, shouldn't she?"

Almost as if summoned by the words, a firm knock echoed from the front door.

Hermione shot up from her chair, nearly knocking over her juice in her excitement. "She's here!"

Elizabeth, far more composed, glanced at Harry before rising to answer the door. When she opened it, Professor McGonagall stood there composed as ever in her emerald-green robes, her sharp eyes immediately taking in the scene.

"Good morning," McGonagall greeted, stepping inside as Elizabeth moved to the side. "I trust everything has been well since last night?"

"Yes, thank you," Elizabeth said, though there was a certain tightness to her tone. "I do have several questions about Hogwarts, but I assume we'll have time for that on the way?"

McGonagall nodded. "Of course. I'd be happy to clarify any concerns you have." She then turned her gaze to Harry and Hermione, both now standing near the table, ready to leave. "Are the two of you prepared?"

Harry nodded. "Yeah, I already have most of my things, but I'm not sure I have enough money for the rest."

McGonagall looked pleased with his preparedness. "No worries we'll head straight to Gringotts to get some galleons for the both of you. If there's nothing else, we'll need to be going now."

Elizabeth glanced at her daughter, then at Harry. "How exactly are we getting there?"

McGonagall's expression remained composed. "We'll take a taxi to central London. From there, we'll walk to the entrance of the Leaky Cauldron. It's disguised from Muggle eyes, so I'll guide you through."

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. "A taxi?" She had been expecting something a little more… magical.

McGonagall's lips twitched slightly. "It is a more discreet option when traveling with Muggle guardians."

Elizabeth quickly gathered her things, making sure Harry and Hermione had everything they needed. Once they stepped outside, McGonagall hailed a taxi with a quick flick of her wand, though to any Muggle watching, it would have seemed completely ordinary.

The ride into London was uneventful, though Elizabeth took the opportunity to ask McGonagall a series of rapid-fire questions about Hogwarts.

"What kind of classes will they be taking?"

"Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Herbology, Astronomy, History of Magic, and Defense Against the Dark Arts in their first year," McGonagall answered smoothly.

"Defense?" Elizabeth worried. "Exactly what kind of dangers do eleven-year-olds need to be defended from?"

McGonagall hesitated for a second before replying, "It is more about building awareness and teaching proper spellwork in case of emergencies."

Elizabeth didn't look entirely convinced but let it go for now.

When they arrived in central London, McGonagall paid the fare and led them toward a seemingly unremarkable pub nestled between two larger buildings.

"This is it?" Elizabeth asked, eyeing the dingy exterior of the Leaky Cauldron.

"To Muggle eyes, yes," McGonagall said simply. She held the door open, and the moment they stepped inside, the world seemed to shift. The interior was alive with quiet chatter from robed patrons and the scent of roasted meat with butterbeer filling the air.

Elizabeth paused, taking it all in. "Well," she murmured, "that's… something."

McGonagall wasted no time leading them to the back courtyard. With a few precise taps of her wand, the brick wall shifted and melted away, revealing the bustling heart of Diagon Alley.

Even though he had been here before, Harry still felt the same rush of excitement as the street came into view.

Shops lined the winding cobbled path, their windows gleaming with everything from enchanted books to potion ingredients. The air buzzed with life, filled with the chatter of witches and wizards moving about their day.

Elizabeth, meanwhile, was staring openly, struggling to process the sight before her. "This is… incredible."

McGonagall nodded. "Welcome to Diagon Alley, Mrs. Granger. Now, let's head to Gringotts."

Harry and Hermione exchanged a quick look before following her toward the massive, white-marble bank looming ahead.

McGonagall approached the nearest goblin with her usual no-nonsense demeanor. "These two need to access their vaults. Miss Granger will however need to set one up first"

The goblin peered at them over his spectacles before nodding. "Name and Key?"

Harry stepped forward confidently. "Harry Potter. Although, I've never been given a key."

The goblin's sharp eyes flicked up to him, recognition flashing across his face. Without further question, he nodded and gestured for an assistant. "Vault 687. Take him down."

Hermione, standing beside him, perked up. "And I need to set up an account."

The goblin turned his attention to her and motioned toward another clerk. "You'll be directed accordingly, Miss Granger."

Harry followed his assigned goblin into the cart, following the track down to his vault. When they reached Vault 687, the goblin simply placed a hand against the door, and it unlocked in response, no key needed, as his blood had already been tied to the account during his previous visit.

As the heavy stone door swung open, the familiar sight of gold, silver, and bronze greeted him. He took a moment to gather a reasonable amount of Galleons, making sure to take enough to cover both necessities and a few extra pieces.

By the time he returned to the main hall, Hermione was just finishing up her paperwork, and Elizabeth Granger was still eyeing the process not sure what to make of it.

"All settled?" McGonagall asked briskly.

"Yes, Professor," Both Harry and Hermione said, their eyes practically glowing with excitement.

"Good. Now, let's get your supplies."