The chosen one: Hermione Granger embraces her magical power

By Niyati Goel

July 4th, 1997. This was the day Hermione discovered that her entire life had been a lie. Hermione, a young girl with frizzy, untamable dark hair, brown eyes, and protruding teeth, lived in a modest house in the city of Phoenixville. She possessed remarkable intelligence, beauty, and kindness, but above all, she was an ardent bookworm. Hermione’s world revolved around books, and any free moment she had was dedicated to reading. Unfortunately, her passion made her the target of constant bullying at school, earning her the nickname ‘Ms. Know-It-All’. She felt a deep sense of emptiness and loneliness, yearning for true friendship. Each year, as she blew out her birthday candles, her only wish was for companionship, but it never materialised. However, all of that was about to change.

On a Sunday morning, Hermione sat alone by a window in her favourite library, The Bookbar. With a steaming cup of coffee before her and a copy of Schooled in Magic in her hands, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was different from others. Although she couldn’t quite pinpoint how, Hermione knew deep down that she possessed a special kind of magic. Lost in her book, she noticed a little black kitten outside the window, shivering in the freezing cold. Moved by compassion, she swiftly opened the window and brought the cat inside. She lovingly petted it, wrapped it in a warm blanket, and hurriedly fetched a saucer of milk. Little did Hermione know, this was no ordinary kitten—it was, in fact, a witch in disguise.

As Hermione returned with the milk, she was astounded to witness the black kitten transform into a tall, severe-looking woman. The woman wore square glasses identical to the markings the kitten had around its eyes, an emerald cloak, and had her dark brown hair neatly tied into a bun. Stunned and nervous, Hermione blurted out a barrage of questions, “Who are you? Where have you come from? What do you want from me?” The witch, known as Professor Minerva McGonagall, replied calmly, “Good morning, Ms. Granger! I am Minerva McGonagall, a professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am here to inform you that you are a witch, Ms. Granger!” Hermione’s mind reeled with disbelief as she stammered, “Me? A wizard? No, that can’t be true. Magic doesn’t exist, does it? You must be mistaken. I can’t be a witch… Can I?” Professor McGonagall chuckled warmly and reassured her, “I have made no mistake, my dear. You are indeed a witch, and I believe a remarkably talented one. You simply require some training, which is why I am delighted to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.” With those words, she handed Hermione an off-white envelope sealed with a red imprint of an owl. On the front, written in bold golden italics, were the words, “To Ms. Hermione Granger, the brightest witch of her age.”

Hermione’s eyes shimmered with joy as she gazed at the envelope. Looking back at McGonagall, she nodded with determination. At that moment, everything seemed to fall into place. Hermione felt as though she had found her true calling, her destiny. She was resolute in her determination to become the brightest witch of her generation. From that day forward, Hermione never looked back. Little did she know, Hogwarts would become the place where all her heart’s longings would be fulfilled.

MORAL: Sometimes, the journey of life takes unexpected turns that lead us to the place where we truly belong.