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There’s something unnerving about discovering magic is real. Especially if you’ve spent your entire life believing it to be the thing of fiction and myth. Hermione Granger was experiencing that first hand. Standing in front of the entrance to Diagon Alley, Professor McGonagall by her side, she found she couldn’t quiet wrap her head around it.
“Now, you stay close to me. We’ll head to the bank first. From there, to get your wand.” Hermione watched as Professor McGonagall taped out the sequence to be allowed into the alley before she briskly strolled through. Hermione followed at a hastened pace.
“Professor, are there any books that could explain the schooling system?” At the young girl’s question, Minerva internally laughed. This one was a Ravenclaw, for sure.
“There are. You’ll find them at Flourish and Blott’s. The one we usually recommend is Hogwarts: A History. It goes over the history of Hogwarts, the grading system, OWLs, NEWTs and the like.” She smiled when she noticed the girl’s ears perk up at the mention of OWLs.
“What are OWLs?” The girl struggled to keep up as they darted through the crowds at an alarming pace. Enough so that Minerva slowed her pace.
“Ordinary Wizarding Tests. They’re the magical equivalent of the GCSEs.” The recognition flashed across the girl’s face.
“And the NEWTs are the A-Level equivalents?” The gleam in the girl’s eyes made Minerva want to laugh.
Definitely a Ravenclaw.
“Yes. OWLs are taken in your fifth year. NEWTs in your seventh; but if you wanted to get a general idea of what they cover there are study guides available at Flourish and Blott’s. That’s the bookstore.” The unadulterated glee that crossed the young girl’s face was contagious.
“Can we go to the bookstore first?” It was an innocent enough question, but Minerva knew where such an innocent question would lead to.
“We may browse the bookstore first and purchase only your required textbooks. When we finish the rest of your list we can return.” At the girl’s downturned expression, Minerva expanded on her statement. “While I realize your parents sent along a rather hefty sum to cover your school supplies, we would be remiss not to get the required supplies first before I turn you loose in a bookstore. I saw the drawing room in your home.” Said drawing room was covered in floor to ceiling bookcases, and that wasn’t even counting her parents' office nor Hermione’s own room.
“Is there a used bookstore?” They had finished their business at the bank, and were making their way to Ollivander’s.
“Not like you’re thinking, no. However, Flourish and Blott’s does keep a steady supply of used books for those that need financial assistance to purchase their school supplies. Surely your parents would want you to purchase new textbooks?” This was said over the rim of her glasses as Hermione gave her a sheepish grin.
“Not really. A book in ‘Good’ condition works just as well as one in ‘New’ condition as long as it’s the same edition required by class.” At Professor Mcgionalla’s exploring look, Hermione broke out into a grin. “It means I can get more books if I purchase them used.”
The smile that broke out across Minerva’s face had Hermione laughing.
“You’re a Ravenclaw if I’ve ever seen one.” Her tone was gentle as they pushed open the door to Ollivander’s shop.
When they left nearly forty minutes later, it was to head straight to the bookstore.
“Now remember. Textbooks only. You may browse for an hour so that you get an understanding of what books there are, but then we really must be getting on with our shopping.” Minerva said, laying down the ground rules as they stopped outside Flourish and Blott’s.
“Yes ma’am.” The mischievous grin on her face didn’t bode well for the Professor as the young girl darted into the shop before disappearing into the stacks.
Leaving a startled Deputy Head standing out on the pavement.
There was something about a bookstore that Hermione found calming. It soothed all the rough edges and calmed the anxiety that threatened to bubble to the surface. Knowing she only had an hour, Hermione quickly gathered her first-year textbooks.
The bookstore's used section took up the entire fourth and fifth floors. Hermione found the school books on the fourth floor, divided by year. Finding the first-year bundle, she winced at the price. Just the standard textbooks were 40 Galleons. It was still a sight better than buying them new, but Hermione had hoped for better pricing. Scanning the supplementary bundles, her eyes lit up at the possibilities.
Not only was there a basic supplementary bundle, which was recommended all first years get, but different levels were also availabe depending on how in-depth one wanted to go. Hermione’s fingers itched to just snatch up all the bundles and deal with her parents later. After all, she was entering a brand-new world she knew nothing about. It couldn’t hurt to prepare as much as possible. That’s when a thought struck Hermione. It was wrong, and she’d be in so much trouble if anyone ever figured it out, but her anxiety was climbing at the thought of leaving all these books behind.
Skimming the potions add-on bundle, her fingers itched. It was nearly twice the price of the Standard First Year bundle, but the ingredient compendium alone was worth the price. Adding it to her mental list, she scanned the Herbology and OWL subject add-ons with stars in her eyes. For OWL subjects, there were Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Care of Magical Creatures, Divination, and Muggle Studies.
Slipping further into the stacks, Hermione found the third-year section and located the OWL bundles laid out by subject versus full class schedules.
Everything sounded interesting. Still, if she narrowed it down to Ancient Runes, Arithmancy and Divination, she just might have enough to get them all. Yet her anxiety climbed further. The books were calling to her like they never had before.
Hermione had always been an anxious child, but this was something else entirely. Snagging the Arithmancy bundle from the Third Year section, she added it to her First Year Bundle. At least this way, she wouldn’t have to leave them all behind. At the last possible minute, she snagged a Muggle-born bundle with a copy of Hogwart’s: A History tucked neatly inside.
Hermione winced at the total. Even used, it was still nearly 160 Galleons, but she had managed to get forty-six books. It broke down to roughly three galleons a book which wasn’t bad at all. Besides the fact, Hermione knew her parents would be more amused than upset. Meeting Professor McGonagall at the check-out counter, she noticed how the older witch's mouth pulled up in a semblance of a smile.
“Just required textbooks, I see.” It sounded like a question but was said like a statement, and all Hermione could do was grin.
“I honestly can’t help it Professor McGonagall.” It wasn’t a lie; there was something about a book that sent Hermione’s heart racing at the prospect of diving into the new knowledge it held for her.
“I have a feeling you’re going to be spending a lot of time in the Hogwarts Library.” Hermione merely grinned as she paid for her order before looking at the massive stack of books and frowning. “What’s the matter?”
“I didn’t think this through. We still have more shopping to do and carrying these all around while we do isn’t going to do us any favors.” The frown on her face caused Professor McGonagall to smile.
“No worries, dear.” Hermione watched as her pile of books was placed inside a massive wooden crate before the crate was shrunken to the size of one book. “Standard with all orders over five books.”
Hermione picked up the wooden crate, turning it this way and that with a critical eye before she turned to Professor McGonagall, but the Professor was already speaking before she could get the words out.
“Yes, I will teach you the spell. Now come along. We have more shopping to do.” With her first trip to the bookstore under her belt, Hermione turned and tilted her head back to look up the center of the staircases.
Four floors and thousands of books were just waiting for her with magics beyond her wildest imagination.
Hermione had a feeling she’d be spending a lot of time here.