A Dream of Hogwarts

Minerva McGonagall POV

After the children had gotten their wands, Professor McGonagall led them out of Ollivanders and turned to her future students with a stern look. "Now just because you've been given your own wands, doesn't mean you allowed to just wave them around whenever or where ever you want to." She saw the boy's face fall.

"Seriously?" he groaned out, causing Minerva to give him a warning look. He was an unusual looking boy. With intimidating sharp features, that Minerva was sure would only get sharper as he got older. His brown eyes were so dark they looked black and his unruly platinum blond was beginning to grow past his brows. He was good looking when he smiled, she noted. But unfortunately, he didn't smile often.

She had watched him interact with the girl all day and they were a stark contrast to one another. Emily was expressional and energetic, whilst Charles was withdrawn and guarded. He hardly ever spoke first and even when he did, he kept his sentences short. 'He learnt to be that way.' Minerva thought sadly. 'He is quite remarkable though.' His subconscious use of magic had thrown her off slightly when they had met up. The boy seemed to have no idea that he was mentally affecting all the nearby muggles. His magic was spread out around him and when a muggle came into contact with it, they would unconsciously avoid it. 'I don't think they even noticed him as they walked by.'

Fortunately, the magic could easily be bypassed as long as you were looking for him and it wasn't nearly strong enough to affect anyone with a magical core. Still, if you weren't looking. Charles was all but invisible to anyone without magic.

"The ministry has strict rules in regard to underage magic Mr Gaunt, and I want your word that neither you or miss Clark will break these rules. Do I make myself clear?" Minerva needed to make sure they understood her, she would hate for them to get into trouble over things they couldn't have been aware of, having not grown up in the wizarding world.

"So I can't make those pretty flowers when I get home?" Emily asked with her eyes downcast, already knowing the answer. Minerva looked softly at the girl.

"What I showed you was a more complicated spell than you realise Miss Clark," Minerva took out her wand and casted the orchideous spell. "It takes knowledge of transfiguration magic, as well as a focused imagination." Emily cheered up at the showcase and Charles's eyes were fixed on the spell. The desire she saw in them unnerved her, but she chastised herself. 'Stop it Minerva. He's just a boy. No matter his name what his name is, he's done nothing to deserve such scrutiny.'

"Now have I made myself clear?" Minerva asked them, having shaken away her previous thoughts.

"I understand Professor," came Emily's high voice. 'They've been calling me Professor ever since they met up with Miss Granger.' Minerva fought back a smile. She always had a soft spot for students.

"And you Mr Gaunt?" she questioned.

Charles nodded, his face calm. "Yes Professor."

Minerva stopped fighting and allowed the corner of her lips to rise, "Then it's time we got the both of you home. I'm sure the both of you want to have a look through your books." This time it was Emily's turn to groan. Which made Charles frown at her, shaking his head lightly.

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Hermione Granger POV

Hermione had gone straight to her room after getting back from Diagaon Alley. She had spent the rest of the day going through her new books, taking notes. The sooner she read them the sooner she could lend them to Charles.

"Hermione," her mother called, "Come down for dinner sweetie." Hermione got up and went downstairs. She was feeling bad about spending most of the day in her room, when her parents had a rare day off from work. She had begged them to take her to Flourish and Blotts, and then all but ignored them once they got home.

Hermione entered the kitchen, sitting down at the table and greeting her parents, "What's for dinner?" she asked.

"Bangers and mash, sweetheart." Her father told her, putting down his newspaper. "Did you cover much today?"

She nodded. "I read through Hogwarts a History and made notes on the potion ingredients I found that weren't in the course book." Hermione said proudly before apologising, "Sorry about staying in my room all day. I know you don't get time off that often."

Her mother laid a plate of food down in front of her and her father, "Don't worry about that, Hermione," her mother said softly, "We know how excited you are for Hogwarts and seeing you happy, is all we need. Isn't that right dear?"

"Indeed." He mused, his face turning smug, "My daughter. A witch. Who would have ever guessed?" Hermione and her mother rolled their eyes at him and his antics.

When Hermione's stomach rumbled, her mother sat down, and they all started eating. Hermione had forgotten to eat lunch when she home, having scurried off to her room to study and now she was feeling the repercussions. She ate her food hungrily, taking large mouthfuls of mash potato. The gravy was her mother's own homemade blend, which Hermione loved.

"Did you get along well with those two at the bookstore today?" her father asked. His wife turned to her head curiously.

Hermione thought about her small conversation with them. "Emily didn't say much but she was really pretty." Hermione couldn't help but compare herself with her. 'She's probably just like the girls at school.' And Hermione didn't get along with them. They teased her for her bushy hair constantly and more than once, Hermione had found herself crying in the girls toilets. Not that she would admit it out loud. 'I don't want Mum and Dad to worry about me. Especially now that I'm going off to Hogwarts.' That was why, when Charles agreed to study with her, she had been so happy. It made her believe that there would be more people like herself there.

"What about the boy," her mother chimed in, "he was a little scary looking, if you ask me." Hermione raised her eyebrow. 'I guess he was a little scary. He looked much better when he smiled.'

"He was nice, we promised to study together sometime." Hermione smiled happily. Her parents smiled at each other with relief. It didn't seem like their daughter would be alone at Hogwarts. Although Hermione never said she anything worrying about her school life. She had also never had a friend over and when she spoke about school, it was always about her lessons.

"Well maybe we should have them round in the holidays. Its been awhile since I've cooked for a big group." Her mother said hoping her daughter would remember, "Not Christmas though. We are going to France after all."

'That would be great!' Hermione beamed at her mother's words and looked to her father who nodded. "Thanks Mum, thanks Dad."

Hermione spent the rest of the evening with her parents. They watched the tv and played a boardgame which her mother won. Hermione furrowed her brows, 'Dad needs to stop giving Mum what she wants whenever she flutters her eyes at him.'

Her father looked at the clock on the wall when he saw Hermione yawn. They were all sat together on the sofa watching a re-run of a popular talent show on tv. "It's getting late sweetheart. Perhaps you should start getting ready for bed?"

"I will," Hermione nodded, getting up and rubbing her drooping eyes. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight sweetie, we love you."

Hermione went to her room and picked up a couple of her new books that were on her desk. 'Magical Me, by Gilderoy Lockhart. And Pure-Blood Directory, by Cantankerus Nott.' She read. "Tomorrow." Hermione said quietly putting them back down. She was looking forward to reading the one by Gilderoy Lockhart more. there were quite a few of his books in the shop and she wasn't the only one who picked a copy up. She had gotten the second book from the history section of the store and planned to read it to further her knowledge on the wizarding world. 'I don't want to get made fun of for not knowing something obvious to kids from magic families.'

Hermione dressed into her pyjamas and tucked herself into bed. As she slept, she dreamed of Hogwarts and smiled. She saw the castle and it halls. She casted spells with her wand as her teachers praised her. And she dreamt of her friends which she hadn't yet met. Hermione slept until late in the morning, not wanting to leave her dreams.