Encounter
After hearing what the children said, Wanda couldn't hold back any longer. A warm and sincere laugh escaped her lips as she gently embraced little Harry, who was still sobbing, his face covered in tears and his cheeks flushed.
"There, there, sweetheart… it's over now," she whispered while stroking his hair, trying to calm his trembling breaths.
A few steps away, Mrs. and Mr. Granger were doing their best to comfort Hermione, who was crying just like Harry, clinging to her mother's arms with her eyes tightly shut in fear and confusion.
"That's not how it works, Harry," Wanda said in a soft, almost motherly voice. "They don't erase their brains… just their memories. The man we saw simply forgot he walked into the Leaky Cauldron. He went home peacefully, not even knowing he'd forgotten something important."
"So… they're not going to erase Hermione's brain?" asked Harry, his voice broken, looking up at Wanda with a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
Wanda smiled and caressed his cheek.
"Of course not. Neither her brain nor her memory," she said quickly. "After all, Hermione is a little witch… just like you're a wizard."
"Wait, what did you say?" Mrs. Granger suddenly interrupted, her eyes wide open.
"Hmm? That Hermione is a witch," Wanda repeated, a bit confused by the reaction.
"A witch? Like the ones who fly on brooms and cast curses?" asked Mr. Granger, frowning. He sounded more curious than mocking, though his tone held a trace of sarcasm, as if he still thought this was some elaborate joke.
"Yes, something like that," Wanda said calmly. Then, without warning, she lifted the couch with a simple wave of her hand"without even touching it.
The Grangers instinctively took a step back. Their eyes widened, and a flicker of fear crossed their faces.
"What? You didn't know?" Wanda asked, surprised. "I thought you were what they call squibs and that your daughter had inherited magic from somewhere."
Seeing that they didn't respond, she quickly added:
"And before you get scared… no, they're not like the witches in fairy tales. No warts or bubbling cauldrons. Technically, they're just special people who can use a certain energy to perform magic. That's all."
She paused, as if recalling something uncomfortable.
"If I'm not mistaken, the Church made up all those horrible stories so people would fear them," she said in a casual tone, though she thought this wasn't the time to mention that evil witches did exist… some worse than anyone could imagine.
"So… our daughter is, like you said? Magical? Will she be able to do what you just did?" asked Mrs. Granger, her eyes shining with a mix of disbelief and emotion.
"Yes," Wanda nodded with a smile. "At age eleven, all magical children in Britain are invited to a special school called Hogwarts. Or so I've heard… I never actually went to a magic school myself."
She knew exactly what it meant for parents to learn their daughter was special. The uncertainty. The fear. The instinct to hide her from the world for her protection. She herself had been a child marked by her power, which had led her down a very dark path before she found a second chance.
"There's actually a whole magical community, hidden in plain sight. People just… can't see it," Wanda explained gently.
"I think I have a lot to take in," Mrs. Granger murmured, still stunned.
"I understand. That's why it's better if you start learning little by little, on your own," Wanda said. Then, she looked up at the ceiling and snapped her fingers.
Immediately, several books floated down from the upper floor and began to land softly in front of them, as if being handed over by an invisible presence.
"Here you go. Magical history, basic laws, and everything you need to understand why children like Hermione go to special schools," she said while placing nearly a dozen books into the family's arms.
Hermione, her eyes still watery, suddenly managed a small smile. Her love for books was stronger than her fear. She held one carefully, as if it were a treasure.
"Oh, by the way… it's better to keep all this secret from non-magical people," Wanda warned seriously. "I don't mind hiding it because I can defend myself… but if you get discovered, you might be in danger."
"So… will Hermione go to Hogwarts with me?" asked Harry with sudden excitement, turning to her.
Wanda blinked, surprised.
"You want to go to Hogwarts? There are other magical schools… some even nicer."
"Well… my parents went there. That's what the funny-bearded man said," Harry replied, shrugging, as if trying not to seem too interested.
"So you were eavesdropping, you little rascal!" Wanda exclaimed with a playful grin, ruffling his hair. "It doesn't matter what school you want to go to. What matters is that you go where you want."
Harry grinned from ear to ear and nodded enthusiastically.
"But first… we need to find you a good preschool," Wanda added with a motherly look.
"Friends? Will I make friends? Awesome!" said Harry, eyes sparkling with excitement.
Wanda looked at him fondly. Despite all the chaos and pain she had lived through, simple moments like the genuine smile of a happy child reminded her that protecting what was still good in the world was worth it.
...….
After the Granger family found out that Hermione was a witch, Mrs. Granger"still with amazement flickering in her gaze"began taking time off from her job as a dentist. She didn't want to miss a single moment of what her daughter would discover in this new world.
Accompanied by Wanda and little Harry, they explored Diagon Alley together, which turned into a new adventure with every step. Of course, Hermione didn't leave her mother's side for a second. She bounced excitedly around her, begging to go with them every time they went out.
"They'll be safe with me," Wanda had promised, with a confidence that only someone who had survived chaos could offer.
Mrs. Granger accepted, still with a glint of uncertainty in her eyes, but determined to discover the world her daughter so longed to be part of.
On the first day, Mr. Granger went with them as well. He watched everything with a mix of skepticism and concern. But in the days that followed, he had to stay home to care for his wife's patients now that she had temporarily stepped away from her practice.
Even without Wanda, Diagon Alley was surprisingly safe. Ever since rumors began to spread about a mysterious wizard hunting dark wizards, the place had filled with Aurors patrolling almost daily. The constant presence of authority figures kept any danger at bay.
One afternoon, while they were resting on the small terrace of a cozy magical café, Susan"Hermione's mother, who had quickly become friends with Wanda"smiled sweetly as she wiped Hermione's face with a napkin.
"No matter how many times I try this cake... it's still just as delicious as the first time," she said, laughing.
Wanda shot an amused glance at Harry, who had cake even in his hair. With a quick wave of her hand, she cleaned him up with a charm. He didn't even notice the spell"he just kept eating happily, eyes sparkling.
Thanks to good meals, sweets, and constant care, Harry no longer looked like the scrawny, malnourished child Wanda had rescued. Now he had rosy cheeks and a little tummy that made him look more like a child. In time, that belly would probably disappear. He had good genetics, after all.
Susan had bonded well with Wanda, especially after Wanda patiently explained everything about the magical world. Though, of course, if she knew Wanda had only been learning all of this for a month, she might have been even more surprised.
"Did you get the call from the nursery?" Susan asked with a smile.
"Yes! Harry will start next week in class 1-B," Wanda replied cheerfully.
"1-B? Then he'll be in the same class as Hermione!" Susan exclaimed excitedly.
Upon hearing this, Harry and Hermione looked at each other with wide eyes and broke into radiant smiles. They started jumping and laughing, celebrating the news.
"Thanks for the letter of recommendation," Wanda said sincerely. She knew that without Susan's endorsement, it would have been very hard to get a spot in that prestigious preschool in such a short time.
As they chatted peacefully, a harsh, scornful voice shattered the calm afternoon.
"You're useless. Is that how a noble of the prestigious Malfoy family should behave?" said a tall, blond man with an arrogant air, speaking to a small boy the same age as Harry and Hermione.
"I'm sorry, Father… I thought…" the boy murmured, holding back tears, head down, voice trembling.
But his father cut him off sharply:
"You thought nothing. You're a disappointment. I should have you sleep with the house-elves. You've dishonored our name by playing with a Muggle child! Unacceptable!"
The man's face twisted with rage just at the memory.
"What kind of troll-brained fool brought a Muggle child to Diagon Alley? Disgusting! You're lucky the Dark Lord is gone... If it were up to me, I'd personally rid us of this filth. Come, Draco. You'll be punished at the manor."
"Yes… Father," the boy replied quietly, his face filled with sadness.
Susan and Wanda had witnessed the whole scene.
"Muggle... that's what they call us, right?" Susan asked softly, uncomfortable.
Wanda nodded, not taking her eyes off the back of the man who had just walked away. Anger pulsed under her skin like restrained fire. How could anyone treat their own child like that? You didn't need to know the Malfoys' history to understand that man had no idea what it meant to love.
"We'd better go. I don't want to run into someone like that again," Susan said firmly.
Wanda nodded and, with a sigh, took Harry's hand. The children, though a bit confused by what they had seen, were soon distracted, checking their backpacks: magical books, enchanted toys, and educational items for young witches and wizards.
That day ended with laughter, walks, and many questions. But deep down, Wanda knew she couldn't ignore what she had just seen.
Lucius Malfoy…
Yes, she would definitely make him pay for that.
...….
💬 Author's Notes:
I wasn't planning on writing this chapter like this, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth. Reminded me that Lucius Malfoy needs to suffer.
In the next chapter, we'll get a glimpse of preschool life… and how Wanda cleans up the atmosphere, especially if Mr. Malfoy crosses her path again.
After that, we'll start making small time skips: first weeks, then months, and eventually years… until the main story at Hogwarts begins.
Oh, by the way… would you like me to add a romance subplot for Wanda?
I hadn't planned on it, but it might be fun. Imagine someone trying to win Wanda's heart while she acts completely unbothered…
After all, we already have the perfect love triangle for this story, don't you think? 😉