Between the Lines

The Granger house was warm and inviting, with bookshelves lining the walls and the scent of freshly brewed tea lingering in the air.

It was a stark contrast to what Harry was used to, and for a moment, he simply stood in the doorway, shocked.

Hermione's mother, a tall woman with curly brown hair and a kind but observant gaze, was the first to greet him.

"You must be Harry," she said, her voice polite but cautious. "Hermione has told us a little about you."

Harry nodded, gripping the strap of his bag tightly. "It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Granger."

Her father, a broad-shouldered man on the taller side, stepped forward next. He had the same sharp eyes as Hermione, and Harry had the distinct feeling that nothing escaped his notice.

"I'm Richard," he said, extending a hand. Harry shook it quickly, hoping he was putting enough force into it.

After shaking Mr. Granger's hand, Harry couldn't help but notice how different this was from anything he'd experienced before.

No sharp glares, no yelling, just quiet assessment. It was strange. He wasn't sure if he liked it or if it just made him nervous.

They were incredibly kind, but he could tell they were studying him, noting the way his clothes hung off his frame or the slight hesitation in his voice.

"Why don't you two go settle in?" Mrs. Granger suggested after a moment. "I'll bring some tea and biscuits."

Hermione nodded and eagerly tugged Harry toward the staircase. "Come on! My room is this way."

As they ascended, Harry caught snippets of a quiet conversation behind them.

"He's awfully small for his age…"

"He seems polite, though. And Hermione likes him."

Harry forced himself to focus forward. He had heard far worse things whispered about him before, but somehow, this felt different. It wasn't judgment, just… concern.

Hermione's room was exactly as he imagined it, neatly organized with stacks of books covering nearly every available surface. A desk sat against the window, and her bed was covered in soft-looking blankets.

She wasted no time pulling their newly acquired book from her bag, practically bouncing as she sat cross-legged on the floor. "Alright, let's see what we've got!"

Harry sat beside her, feeling some of his nerves fade as he focused on what mattered, their new book.

It was an old, leather-bound tome, the title embossed in gold lettering: A Beginner's Guide to Magic and Theory. Hermione carefully opened it, revealing delicate, slightly yellowed pages filled with elegant script and detailed diagrams.

She read aloud, her voice tinged with awe.

"'Magic is the art of bending reality to one's will, using intent, knowledge, and focus. While most modern magic is conducted through the use of wands, the origins of spellcraft predate such tools, relying instead on innate power and structured rituals…'"

Harry leaned closer, fascinated. The pages were filled with notes on magical theory, early spellwork, and even rudimentary potion-making. There were diagrams of wand movements, symbols used in ancient magical scripts, and detailed explanations of how intent played a role in spell casting.

Hermione flipped the page excitedly. "Look at this! It explains how different magical disciplines developed over time. Charms, Transfiguration, even Alchemy!"

Harry nodded, absorbing every word. "So, even before wands, people could use magic. But it was harder, more unpredictable."

"Exactly!" Hermione's eyes shone. "And look, here—" She pointed to a section detailing the concept of magical energy. "'All witches and wizards possess a core of magical potential, which can be strengthened through practice and study…'"

Harry seemed to be understanding already. "So magic isn't just about words and wand movements. It's about controlling the energy inside you."

Hermione grinned. "Yes! And if we can understand that, maybe we can do something even before we get our wands."

The thought sent a thrill through Harry. He had already done accidental magic before, but this was different. This was understanding it, using it deliberately.

Just as they were about to turn another page, a knock came from the door.

Mrs. Granger stepped inside, carrying a tray of tea and biscuits. "How's the book?" she asked with a smile, though her gaze lingered on Harry a second too long.

"It's amazing, Mum," Hermione said eagerly. "There's so much in here!"

Mrs. Granger set the tray down and took a seat on the edge of the bed. "I'm glad you're enjoying it, sweetheart." She glanced at Harry again before speaking carefully. "And what about you, Harry? Do you believe in this magic stuff too?"

Her gaze flicked to Harry again as he took a biscuit. He made sure to take only one, a habit from the Dursleys, but her expression didn't shift to annoyance or disappointment, something Harry was unfamiliar with.

It could be curiosity. Maybe something else.

Harry hesitated but nodded. "Yeah. It's… a lot, but it makes sense."

Mrs. Granger's expression remained warm, but she seemed to hesitate. "That's good," she said after a moment.

Mrs. Granger gave her daughter a knowing look before standing. "Alright. Well, let me know if you need anything."

Hermione huffed but nodded. "We're just reading, Mum."

As she left, Hermione sighed. "She worries too much."

Harry wasn't sure he agreed. The concern from her parents wasn't something he was used to, but it was… nice, in a way.

Still, there was no time to dwell on it. He turned back to the book, determined. "Let's keep going."

Hermione eagerly flipped the page, her fingers careful as if handling something sacred. The next section was filled with diagrams: intricate patterns of circles, lines, and symbols.

"Runes," she breathed, eyes wide. "Look, Harry! These were used in early spellcraft before wands standardized magic."

Harry leaned in, studying the delicate script beneath the drawings. "So… magic used to be more about writing and symbols?"

"Not just writing," Hermione said, tracing a rune with her finger. "It says here that ancient wizards could inscribe runes into objects or even carve them into the air with raw magic. It helped channel their intent more effectively."

Harry frowned thoughtfully. "So if wands focus magic, but runes used to do the same, maybe… there's more than one way to use magic?"

Hermione practically vibrated with excitement. "Exactly! That means magic isn't just about spells—it's about understanding how to shape it."

A quiet thrill ran through Harry at the thought. If magic wasn't just wands and incantations, maybe they could find a way to use it early.

He exchanged a glance with Hermione, who was already flipping to the next page, eyes bright with possibility.

They had so much to learn.