A STRANGE VISITOR AT GRANGER RESIDENCE

Mr Granger was reading a newspaper beside the fireplace. Mrs Granger had just left to her mother’s place. The smell of the dinner filled the living room when there was a knock on the door, gentle but loud.

“Who might this be, in such an odd hour of the day” muttered Mr Granger almost involuntarily, “Hermie! Get the door honey.”

“Papa, I am reading” replied Hermione from her room.

“Oh of course!” laughed Mr Granger, shaking his heads gently. He went himself to open the door.

As he opened it, he saw an old man in a long white beard studded in a light blue robe. His large blue eyes shimmered from behind the half-moon spectacles. “Good evening, Mr. Granger!” the old man greeted.

“Umm… good evening” he greeted back in astonishment. How did he know my name, he thought. He inspected the old man -- he certainly is from out-of-planet, he thought!

“How may I help you … umm … sir?” he asked, not knowing if “sir” was the correct salutation!

“You would not mind a little chat, would you, Mr. Granger?” The old man asked politely.

“Ah, no ... I mean sure” Mr Granger replied with a perplexed countenance. There was a brief pause before he spoke hastily, “Oh please sir, do come inside … beg your pardon”

He offered the way and the old man followed happily. The old man looked relaxed and his old age did not affect the vigor he displayed. He sat down after being offered by Mr Granger. “I hope she is fine, your daughter?” He asked almost suddenly as he sat down.

“Oh ... Hermione? Umm … she …”

“I believe she is contemplating?” The old man interrupted.

What! He knows she is reading. Who is he, Mr Granger thought.

“Umm .. yes, she … she’s inside” He looked worried this time, “Sir, do we know you? I mean, I am sorry but you seem to know us … reading and name and .. “ Mr Granger inquired.

“Oh she never told you!” Old man spoke suddenly, interrupting Mr Granger.

“Hermione knows you?” Mr Granger asked in a feeble voice.

“I believe so, Mr Granger” He smiled again. It was as if he was always smiling. “I am here to pay her a visit! I have something of her possession”

“Oh, umm .. Hermione” Mr Granger called her, “Darling, come here in the living room.”

“I am studying dad” She replied almost suddenly. The old man broadened his smile,” Miss Granger!” The old man called this time.

There was no reply. Mr Granger looked surprised. After a minute or so, he could hear the footsteps. It was Hermione with her eyes protruding out of her head. He had never seen her so amazed in his life. The book she was carrying dropped on the floor. Mr Granger curiously asked, “Hermie, do you know him?”

Hermione ignored the question or perhaps she did not hear it. Her looks clearly displayed her astonishment. Mr Granger asked again, “Hermie?” After she looked at him he continued, “Do you know him?”

“Yes, but … “

“But …?”

“But that was …” She said slowly this time, “In my dream.”

“Dream …? Hermie, are you all right?”

“I am afraid, she is quite correct!” The old man spoke again, “I am Professor Dumbledore. Headmaster of …”

“Hogwarts” Hermione interjected,” Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry”

The old man nodded.

“School of what … wizard …?” Mr Granger looked lobotomized!

“So is it true Professor?” Hermione asked the old man, “that I am a wi…”

“Witch, yes Miss Granger!”

“That can’t be, there is no such thing!” Mr Granger exclaimed. “Is this a prank or something Hermione, like the one you did to our cat?”

“I did not hide him Papa” Hermione screamed, “I just said what if it could change into a glass and it did”

“Oh! I shall hear no such nonsense next time Hermione” He sounded furious, “You merely bought that stupid glass and I don’t know where that cat went”

The old man took out a stick from his sleeves and pointed to the kitchen door, a flame of light passed from the stick and after a second or couple a cat came out of kitchen. “I believe this is the cat, Mr Granger?”

“Crookshanks!” Hermione yelled in delight. Mr Granger couldn’t believe his eyes. His face was red and her eyes wide open.

“And there were something more unexplained events. Mr Granger?”

“Yes but … we thought … Hermione tricked us”

Old man smiled again.”Oh yes I have something of yours, Miss Granger!” he took out an envelope from his pocket and handed over to Hermione. The envelope opened itself and Hermione read aloud --

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Miss Granger,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall,

Deputy Headmistress

 Mr Granger suddenly wanted to speak something but the old man spoke to him, “She will be under our guardianship and I would be happy if you would accompany her to the school, an exception for the muggle parents.” Mr Granger wanted to say something again, when he was interrupted again. “Non magical community -- muggles”, Dumbledore smiled.

“I am afraid I will have to leave you with your thoughts. Some officers from the ministry will be here tomorrow morning, for we have some legal obligations. I hope you will co-operate Mr Granger. Miss Granger,” he turned to Hermione, “We shall meet soon.”

Just as he said those words, the strange visitor at Granger residence disapparated.