Chapter 71: Chapter 71: "King's Cross Station"
September 1st, 1989
Upon arriving at King's Cross station that morning to catch the Hogwarts Express, Harry and his companions quickly realized just how bustling one of London's busiest hubs could be. The station teemed with life—commuters darting to catch their trains, families navigating the crowds, and children's excited chatter filling the air.
Harry's entourage for the day included Sirius, Amelia, and Susan, making it quite the family outing. Emma had initially wished to join them, but Harry persuaded her otherwise. It would have been too embarrassing for Harry to have many people sending him off to Hogwarts. Though Sirius had initially planned for just the two of them to accompany Harry, Susan's eagerness to witness the Hogwarts Express firsthand transformed the journey into something of a family outing for Sirius's household.
In a decision rooted in compassion for his feathered friend, Harry had sent Hedwig ahead to Hogwarts. The thought of her confined to a cage for the nine-hour journey didn't sit well with him, nor did he see the need to bring her cage to Hogwarts at all. Hedwig, with her keen intelligence and independence, was more than capable of finding her way to the school's owlery or enjoying the freedom to explore as she pleased. Harry trusted her completely to look after herself without any issues.
To further streamline their travel, Harry employed a combination of shrinking and weightless spells on his Hogwarts trunk, carrying it in his pocket instead of on a cumbersome trolley. This practical choice, however, made them somewhat of an anomaly amidst the throngs of travelers, their absence of visible luggage setting them apart in a place where nearly everyone had something to carry or push along. But that was nothing to worry about.
Harry already had many complaints about several aspects of his train journey to Hogwarts. The idea of spending nine hours on a train to reach Hogwarts seemed excessive to him, especially when one could apparate to Hogsmeade, a village close to Hogwarts, in just a few minutes.
The concept of a magical railway station dedicated solely to the Hogwarts Express, which was used only four times a year, puzzled him even more. He questioned the necessity of creating an entire station for a train that served such a limited purpose.
In Harry's view, the magical platform at King's Cross Station was an extravagant and unnecessary venture. Considering the wizarding community's access to more efficient means of travel, the investment in a train service seemed illogical. Harry couldn't understand how the Wizengamot, the wizarding world's governing body, had ever approved the construction of this station. It struck him as a waste of both time and resources.
Harry had quickly learned that applying logic to many aspects of the wizarding world was futile. The decision-making processes within this community often seemed to lack sense, leading to a number of questionable practices and traditions.
Among the other peculiarities of getting to Hogwarts was the method of accessing the platform itself: running headfirst into a brick wall. Harry mused over the numerous spells likely in place around the said wall to prevent this act from breaking the Statute of Secrecy, as families vanishing through a wall would surely attract unwanted attention from the non-magical world.
Although there were alternative ways to reach the platform, such as the Floo Network, they came with their own set of complications.
The platform's Floo connection was singular, preventing direct access from individual homes to the platform. Families wishing to use the Floo had to converge on a specific location in Diagon Alley, leading to congestion around the Floo point, especially on departure days like today.
As a result, many families familiar with the non-magical world preferred navigating the physical barrier between platforms nine and ten at King's Cross Station, opting to blend in with the muggle surroundings rather than face the chaos of the Floo point.
As Harry was lost in his thoughts, he was brought back to the present by Sirius's voice, indicating they had arrived at the crucial spot. "The platform's right through here," Sirius announced, pointing towards the barrier between platforms nine and ten.
Harry observed the scene carefully, noting how the bustling muggles around them seemed oblivious to this particular part of the station, a testament to the magical protections in place to maintain the secrecy of their world.
Sirius, ready to share a piece of Hogwarts tradition, instructed, "What you need to do is run straight at the wall, and you'll find yourself on platform nine and three-quarters on the other side. Come on, pup, take a bit of a run-up."
Harry, however, wasn't about to be caught in what he suspected might be a playful test of courage. Ignoring Sirius's suggestion for a dramatic entrance, he opted for a calm and measured walk through the barrier, proving to himself and Sirius that a theatrical run was unnecessary.
As he emerged on the other side, the sight of the Hogwarts Express greeted him—a striking red engine steaming patiently on the platform, its presence dominating the otherwise empty surroundings. The platform was alive with activity; students hustled about with their luggage, greetings and farewells filled the air, and the occasional screech of an owl added to the cacophony. The station was absolute chaos. Harry had timed their arrival to minimize waiting, so the train's departure loomed.
Following Harry's calm passage, Sirius, Amelia, and Susan joined him, stepping through the barrier into the magical side of King's Cross.
Sirius couldn't hide his disappointment at Harry's nonchalant approach. "You're no fun, Harry. It's a tradition for Hogwarts students to run through the wall. Walking through is just... boring."
Nevertheless, Sirius's spirits weren't dampened for long. Looking around at the bustling platform, he couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia. "Ah, just like I remember. Noisy and full of life. Let's go, pup," he said, eager to soak in the atmosphere of his own school days.
The bustling platform was filled with chatter and the clatter of luggage as Harry and his companions navigated through the crowd, searching for an empty compartment for Harry to occupy during his journey to Hogwarts.
Amidst the sea of faces and hurried goodbyes, Harry's ears picked up a familiar voice calling out to him.
Glancing toward the source, he spotted Cedric Diggory's head poking out of a compartment window, waving enthusiastically in his direction.
Harry returned the gesture, then turned to Sirius, indicating his decision. "I'll join Cedric, so there's no need to search any further. Plus, the train's about to leave."
At that moment, Susan, who had been wide-eyed with wonder at the bustling platform, suddenly expressed her desire. "I want to go too," she said, her voice tinged with longing.
Amelia gently reminded her, "You're not old enough yet. Your time will come soon, and then you can head off to Hogwarts with all your friends."
"But that's two years away! And Harry won't be there at home. It'll be so boring without him," Susan protested, her disappointment evident.
Harry tried to reassure her, "I'll write to you. You won't miss out on anything. I'll tell you all about Hogwarts, so it'll be like you're there with me. And when it's your turn, you can show your friends around just like a pro."
Susan, only partially consoled, clung to Harry's arm, her plea soft but desperate, "I don't want you to go. Can't you wait two more years so we can go together?"
As Harry prepared to respond, the train's horn sounded a warning, signaling the imminent departure. This allowed Harry to gently disengage from Susan's grip.
Sirius, always the mischief-maker, couldn't resist giving Harry a bit of advice, "Remember to have fun. If I don't hear about you causing a bit of trouble, I'll be disappointed. You're Padfoot's godson, after all. And if Snivellous gives you any trouble, remember those special pranks I showed you."
Amelia, ever the voice of reason, added, "Ignore Sirius, Harry. Just focus on enjoying yourself and making some friends. It's high time you found friends your own age."
Harry grinned at their remarks, assured them he would indeed enjoy his time, and then proceeded to say his goodbyes. His trunk, still magically reduced in size and weight, rested securely in his pocket, bypassing the need for any cumbersome luggage handling.
There was no discussion about which Hogwarts house Harry might be sorted into; to them, it mattered little. Sirius had long since shed any bias against Slytherin, indicating his acceptance of Harry's potential placement within any of the Hogwarts houses.
As the train's horn sounded once more, Harry, standing by the door, waved back at Sirius, Amelia, and a tearful Susan. Knowing she would be okay by the next day, Harry offered a reassuring smile, maintaining his wave until the platform faded from view.
Making his way to Cedric's compartment, Harry was thinking of ways to pass the nine-hour journey without succumbing to boredom.
Chapter 72: Chapter 72: "Hogwarts Express"
When Harry reached Cedric's compartment, he pushed the door open without a second thought to knock, assuming formalities were unnecessary among friends. However, the sight that greeted him stopped him in his tracks, rendering him momentarily speechless.
The compartment was teeming with life, far from the quiet space Harry had envisioned for a journey spent in Cedric's company. Aside from Cedric, there were five other occupants—all of whom were girls. Harry couldn't help but mentally tip his hat to Cedric's undeniable charm; despite his young age, he seemed to effortlessly draw a crowd of girls.
Glancing around, Harry realized he didn't recognize any of the girls. But this was expected since even though he knew many characters in the Harry Potter books, he did not remember their character descriptions.
Cedric, catching sight of Harry, beckoned him in with a warm smile. "Come on in, Harry. They're all first-years like us. We'll make room," he offered, gesturing to the cozy assembly that had formed in his compartment.
The girls, upon noticing Harry—a boy who shared Cedric's good looks but was a new face to them—were quick to shuffle around, eager to accommodate another friend. Yet, despite their welcoming gestures, Harry felt a tug of discomfort at the prospect of joining such a crowded space.
"Actually, I think I'll find a different compartment," Harry demurred, his voice polite but firm. "I didn't get much sleep last night, what with all the excitement about starting at Hogwarts. I'm going to look for somewhere I can stretch out a bit. Catch up with you later, Cedric."
Without waiting for Cedric's response, Harry gently closed the door behind him. The idea of spending nine hours in a cramped space, surrounded by a group of lively eleven-year-old girls, was more than he was prepared to endure. He silently wished Cedric the best of luck, imagining the energetic conversation that would undoubtedly fill the compartment in his absence.
Roaming the narrow corridors of the Hogwarts Express, Harry was on a mission to find a quieter compartment. Given that first-year students were typically assigned compartments towards the end of the train, he focused his search there.
Utilizing an easy spell, Harry was able to discern the occupancy of each compartment without needing to intrude, allowing for a swift and unobtrusive search. Despite his efforts, an empty compartment remained elusive, so he settled for the next best option: a compartment that housed only three other students.
Before entering, Harry respectfully knocked, then gently pushed the door open.
"Excuse me, but it seems every other place is full. Would you mind if I joined you here?" he inquired, addressing the compartment's current inhabitants—two girls and a boy.
The trio seemed to be from affluent wizarding families, each carrying an air of aristocracy. One girl, with her hair tied back in a ponytail, was playfully interacting with a boy with long brown hair, while a blond-haired girl was engrossed in a book.
The playful girl warmly responded, "Of course, you're welcome to join us, provided you don't mind our company."
The boy, eager to be helpful, offered, "Where's your trunk? I'll help you stow it above."
"Thanks for the offer, but it's actually in my pocket," Harry revealed, hinting at the magic used to condense his luggage.
Curious, the boy asked, "Interesting... But how will you enlarge it once we're at Hogwarts?"
"I know the counter-spell. It won't be an issue," Harry reassured him.
Impressed, the girl speculated, "You must be a third-year student to know such magic, right?"
Intrigued by her assumption, Harry asked, "What makes you think I'm in the third year, Miss...?"
"Thornwood, Arabella Thornwood. The irritating fellow here is Reginald Whitlock, and that bookworm is his sister, Elvinia Whitlock," she introduced. "But you do look older. Am I wrong?"
As Harry settled into an available seat near Reginald, he clarified, "Pleasure to meet you all. However, I'm afraid you're mistaken. I'm a first-year student, just like you. Potter, Hadrian Potter."
Reginald's question cut through the small talk, his curiosity evident. "Potter? Are you related to Charles Potter, the Boy Who Lived?"
"Yes, that's my brother," Harry confirmed, a hint of resignation in his voice. "But please, let's not dwell on him. It's been years since we last met. There were... security reasons."
Elvinia, who had momentarily abandoned her book, chimed in with her own question, clearly intrigued by Harry's identity. "Are you the same Potter who's been all over the newspapers recently? The one who was emancipated?"
"That would be me, Miss," Harry replied, maintaining his composure despite the probing nature of the questions.
Arabella, looking both impressed and puzzled, asked, "So, you've already passed your OWL exams? How did you manage that? I only received my wand two months ago."
"I had a training wand for a few years and focused on the theoretical subjects for my OWLs. Didn't need to cast a single spell," Harry explained, trying to simplify the complexities of his unusual academic path.
Reginald couldn't hide his envy. "That sounds incredible. You mean you can use magic outside of Hogwarts without any restrictions?"
"Well, yes, but it's not without its dangers," Harry cautioned, hinting at the responsibilities that came with such freedom. "You might want to discuss it with your parents for a fuller picture."
The conversation shifted as Harry found himself fielding an array of questions about his life. Their curiosity spanned from why he wasn't living with his parents to the reasons behind his emancipation and his relationship with Sirius Black.
Harry had anticipated this level of interest and had prepared answers to navigate through the inquiries without revealing too much. He explained that security concerns had kept him from living with his parents, his desire for independence led to his emancipation, and Sirius Black was his godfather, nothing more.
As the questions continued to pour in, Harry found himself wondering if joining Cedric's compartment, despite its crowded state, might have been the lesser of two evils. At least the girls in Cedric's compartment did not look like the curious kind. Yet, Harry remained patient, understanding that this was likely just the beginning of the inquiries he'd face in his first week at Hogwarts.
The calm of their compartment was momentarily interrupted when the door swung open, revealing a tall teenager adorned with a Prefect badge, his dark hair framing a stern expression. A distinct, unpleasant odor wafted in with him, causing a wrinkle of noses among Harry and his new acquaintances.
"Seen any red-haired troublemakers about your age?" he inquired, his gaze sweeping the compartment for any sign of mischief.
The group shook their heads in unison, indicating their lack of knowledge regarding any such individuals. With a brief nod, the Prefect closed the door and continued his patrol down the corridor, leaving the scent of dungbombs lingering in the air.
"Any guesses on what that was about?" Arabella asked, curiosity piqued by the Prefect's unexpected visit and the peculiar smell.
"Seems like someone's idea of a joke," Reginald speculated, identifying the source of the stench. "I'd bet it was dungbombs."
Harry, connecting the dots, added, "Red hair, you say? That's got to be the Weasley twins. Cedric, who lives near them, told me they're quite the pranksters."
Reginald's concern was evident. "Should I be on guard?"
"Only if you end up in Slytherin," Harry advised with a hint of amusement. "From what I've gathered, the twins have a particular fondness for targeting Slytherins."
Elvinia, intrigued, questioned, "What's so bad about Slytherin?"
"Actually, it's quite simple. Slytherins tend to be more serious and have a no-nonsense attitude. If I were a prankster like the Weasleys, I'd find it more entertaining to play pranks on those kinds of people," Harry clarified.
Harry was unsure about the Weasleys' relationship with the Potters. If James had any influence on Fred and George Weasley, Harry suspected they'd be even more troublesome than they were known to be in the books. Should James and Remus have been mentoring them, Hogwarts could expect its fair share of chaos. Harry anticipated that the coming years at Hogwarts might be particularly challenging for those often on the receiving end of the Weasley twins' pranks, especially the students of Slytherin House.
Arabella broached the topic of Hogwarts houses, turning her gaze towards Harry. "Which house do you reckon you'll end up in, Hadrian?"
Harry's response was nonchalant. "Any house works for me, though I'd rather not be in Slytherin."
Elvinia, puzzled, inquired, "Why's that?"
Harry elaborated, "Being sorted into Slytherin might just make me front-page news. 'Boy-Who-Lived's brother turns to the dark side?' Sounds like trouble, and I'm not fond of trouble."
Reginald chimed in, expressing his preference. "I'm leaning towards Ravenclaw. It seems like it'll be a quieter environment, from what I've gathered."
Arabella teased, "You're aiming to be with the nerds? Doesn't sound like much fun. I'm thinking Slytherin could be interesting. Plus, I can't let ELvinia wander into Slytherin alone."
Harry offered some advice, "Ultimately, your house doesn't define your entire life. It's just a part of your seven years at Hogwarts. Choose the house where you feel you'll be happiest."
He knew that those brought up in pureblood aristocratic families often favored Slytherin, but he was also aware of the house's complexities. Joining Slytherin meant navigating a political minefield from a young age—a daunting prospect for any 11-year-old. He hoped Arabella and Elvinia were prepared for such an environment.
After spending a bit more time conversing, Harry excused himself to visit Cedric's compartment. Along the way, he spotted the Weasley twins in a dash but decided against engaging. He sought a tranquil Hogwarts experience, not a rivalry filled with pranks.
In Cedric's compartment, he was introduced to future Gryffindor Quidditch stars Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet. After getting acquainted, Harry returned to his own compartment for some rest.
As darkness fell, an announcement indicated their approach to Hogsmeade station. They took turns changing into their Hogwarts robes, anticipation building for their first night at the castle.
Upon the train's arrival at the station, the students began to disembark, buzzing with excitement about starting their Hogwarts journey.
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