Most of the characters, settings, and events in this short story were created by J. K. Rowling, not I.

What did Hermione Granger do before she entered magical world? How did the magical world find her? We first met her on the train. What happened before that point?

In the 8 chapters of this short story we meet young Hermione Granger and follow her path to Hogwarts.

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Chapter 1 of 8 - The Garden
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Grandpa sighed heavily as his granddaughter sobbed. Grandpa held her closely.

She stammered, " – so – so – so cruel! Why? The other children are so mean to him – and – and – " She did not finish the sentence.

"Yes, Love, it is terribly cruel," soothed Grandpa. Grandpa knew a bit about the boy who was tormented by other school children, since his granddaughter often ranted about boy’s struggles.

"I – I – I – don’t care if the other children dislike me. I don’t really like them, either, but at least I don’t treat them cruelly as they treat Jacob," She sniffed and wiped her nose with the back of her sleeve.

Grandpa squeezed her shoulders again, then rubbed her bushy hair as he knew she liked. They sat on a bench among the Morning Glories, Stargazer Lillies, and Larel Bushes in the garden that Grandma had planted. The granddaughter had finished school for the day.

Grandpa’s cat, Donatella, sauntered over then weaved and rubbed around Grandpa’s legs, meowing softly.

"Why do the other children tease Jacob?" asked Grandpa, who could think of nothing else to say to fix the situation.

"They tease him because he is...ummm...I think that..." She stammered.

"That he what?"

"I think Jacob is...he is...Jacob..." She covered her mouth with her hands, and Grandpa thought that she wasn’t going to finish her sentence.

She removed her hands. In a tiny voice she continued, "I don’t think Jacob is very smart" She buried her face in Grandpa’s side. "Oh! That’s a horrible thing to say, I know, but I don’t think he understands a lot of things that we do or say." She rushed onward. "So other kids tease him and call him ’dumb’ and ’stupid’ every day. They say things to confuse him. They tell him lies so he’ll look foolish. One time they told him that we had a new school rule that we shouldn’t wear shoes or socks, so he arrived in class barefoot."

Grandpa shook his head.

"They treat him like this all the time. He has never done anything to them, and he doesn’t do anything even if they are mean to him. I mean, it’s not his fault, right? He didn’t decide to be the way his, right? And maybe he isn’t the smartest person in the world, but he is, you know...he is...," she paused. "...kind of sweet. I like that, even if he isn’t smart. When I talk to him he always smiles, which is nice. So I stay close to him, and I hope that protects him, and that usually works. Well, sometimes."

She reconsidered. "Maybe, I think."

Then, "Not really, I guess."

Grandpa felt sorry for Jacob too. "Love, you are absolutely right. The other children ought not to treat Jacob horribly."

She looked up at his face. "Grandpa, why do the other kids treat him like that?"

"Sadly, some people are not as courageous as you are. They are scared to do what is right. They fear not only what others may think, but also to what they must abandon to become more than what they presently are. No one can reach any higher by remaining seated."

Grandpa kissed her head. "Your Grandma said that she knew you would be a magnificent young lady. She - she - " His voiced cracked, "And now look at you!"

Grandpa quickly straightened up, turned his body towards his granddaughter, and looked straight into her eyes. His weathered hands delicately braced her shoulders, and he stared solidly into her eyes, his voice carrying a deep conviction.

"Love, listen closely."

Grandpa squeezed her shoulders firmly.

"You are a very courageous girl to stand up for the boy when other people treat him cruelly. Do you understand?"

She nodded.

"This takes bravery. Do you understand?"

She nodded again.

"Then say it. Say "I am a brave girl’"

"I – I am a brave girl"

"Yes, you are. You are a brave girl. Nothing else in this world could make me a happier Grandpa. I am honored that you are my granddaughter."

Grandpa bear-hugged his granddaughter tightly. "Your grandmother would be proud of you too."

He kissed her on the top of her head and sniffed her hair. She knew, but didn’t fully understand why, Grandpa’s words were so important, and paused to think about them, and in pausing stopped crying.

Donatella jumped onto their laps, and forced her head under their hands. She purred and lifted her tail high in the air, then flopped onto their laps, exposing her belly. After scratching Donatella for a bit, Grandpa heard a sigh from his granddaughter that meant she felt better.

"I love you, Grandpa".

"I love you too, Hermione Jean."

Donatella rolled from side to side, purring more loudly, stretching her body so that her front claws, her body, and rear claws draped over both laps. Hermione and Grandpa scratched Donatella again.

"We should get you home. Your Mum and Dad will return soon." Hermione and Grandpa shifted, but the cat stayed. Grandpa and Hermione, amused by the notion of a black and white cat that could keep two people seated, looked at each other and laughed.

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Teaser for Chapter 2 of 8 - The Last Day of School
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When Hermione’s parents first registered her The Children’s Academy, she amazed the faculty with her reading skill. In fact, Headmaster Peters granted special permission, based on the instructor’s assessment, to enroll Hermione in a reading class three years above her age. Last year Hermione completed all of the reading levels that the school offered, and during the following summer she became the first and only student to...