"Both, though at this moment in time she is merely Hermione. One day in the
future, I imagine, the two will converge into one."
"Merlin help me if that day should ever come." She groaned and then collapsed
onto the chair in front of the headmaster's desk. "This girl has quite a bit less attitude than
Miss Potter. How will this work, Albus? If I was able to recognise her even with the subtle
differences, what about people who knew the girl? Poppy, Pomona, Filius... Merlin, what
will we do about Severus?! Do you know how often I had to put that little witch in
detention for striking him? And now he's to be her professor? He's already known for
having a sour disposition with the students."
"Perhaps a subtle Notice-Me-Not would do the trick," Dumbledore suggested with
a smile.
July 31st, 1991Hermione Granger joyfully followed behind Professor McGonagall as she was led
through the Wizarding shopping district called Diagon Alley. After setting up an account
at Gringotts Wizarding Bank, they began collecting all of her books—and to Hermione's
delight, there were so very many—a cauldron, potions supplies, inkwells and quills, and
even an entire wardrobe of robes that Professor McGonagall explained would change in
colour once she had been sorted into a specific House.
"Professor? Would it be all right if I went back into Flourish and Blotts?" Hermione
pleaded. "There were just a few extra books I thought I could read in my spare time, or at
least between now and September first."
Professor McGonagall looked down at the girl thoughtfully. "Certainly, Miss
Granger. I need to step into the Magical Menagerie to pick up a few things for my cats.
Unless you think you'd like a familiar now?"
Hermione shook her head. "I doubt I'll have much time to look after a pet what
with all the studying I'll need to do. I've so much to catch up on already. An entire history
of the Wizarding world I was never taught because I'm Muggle-born."