Chapter 13: Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
Chapter 13: Platform Nine and Three-Quarters
On September 1st, Albert woke up early, climbing out of bed and getting dressed before engaging in some light exercises to fully wake himself up.
Today, he would finally be going to Hogwarts, and he couldn't help but feel a bit excited.
After washing up, Albert began checking over his luggage.
"Are you up? Then come downstairs for breakfast," Daisy, wearing an apron, pushed open the door and said to Albert as he checked his luggage, "By the way, put your robe and pointed hat on top of your luggage so that they're easy to find when you need to change on the way."
"Albert, you're really not taking Tom to school with you?" Niya rushed into the room, wearing her pajamas and holding a short-haired cat.
"Let Tom stay here with you," Albert said.
"What about Shella?" Niya asked further.
"She'll fly to Hogwarts to find me. I asked about it, and there's an owlery at school where she can stay," Albert explained, not wanting to attract attention by bringing an owl to King's Cross Station.
Breakfast was as simple as always, and Daisy even prepared a ham sandwich and a drink for Albert to take with him in case he got hungry.
Of course, there would be food available on the train, and Daisy wasn't worried about Albert going hungry. Herbert had given him a substantial amount of galleons, so they weren't concerned about him wasting money, as there had been no such precedent.
Albert cast a Floating Charm on his bulky suitcase, easily lifting it into the car.
"Did you bring the camera?" Herbert asked. "The one your grandfather Luke bought for you?"
"Yes, I will be writing home every week and sending back photos," Albert assured them, not wanting them to worry that he would forget to stay in touch. He planned to capture some moments at Hogwarts to share with his family.
"That's good," Herbert nodded, "Let's go then."
The family arrived at King's Cross Station before ten o'clock, and Herbert helped Albert load his suitcase onto a trolley.
Albert pushed his luggage to the wall between platforms nine and ten. He made a quiet gesture, casually reaching out and poking his hand into the wall, finding that he could indeed pass through.
Relieved, Albert returned to Herbert's side and said, "OK, I'll go in by myself then."
"Remember to write," Herbert said, "And send photos."
"I know," Albert looked at his sister. "Niya?"
"You're so sly. I want to go too," Niya said, reaching out to give Albert a hug.
"Don't cause any trouble at home, and don't make things difficult for everyone," Albert instructed her.
"I won't," Niya turned her head away, pretending to be angry.
"Son, see you during the Christmas holidays," Daisy gave Albert a farewell hug and kissed his cheek. "We'll go skiing then."
"I know, see you during the Christmas holidays," Albert pushed the trolley, glanced around to make sure no one was watching, and then dashed towards the wall, disappearing from view.
"He's gone," Niya pointed to the spot where Albert had vanished.
"Magic is always so amazing. Let's head back," Herbert said, putting his arms around his wife and daughter. "Don't worry, Albert will take care of himself."
On the other side of the brick wall, Albert found himself in another station, where a deep-red steam locomotive was parked beside the platform. A sign hung from the train, reading: Hogwarts Express.
There weren't many passengers on the platform, as the train wasn't due to depart until eleven, and it was not yet ten. Albert had arrived an hour early.
After entering the platform, Albert noticed new prompts on the panels.
[Discovery: Platform Nine and Three-Quarters - 100 Experience Points Reward]
Exploring the map also granted experience, albeit a small amount, which Albert didn't pay much attention to. He seemed to remember something and quickly moved away from the entrance to avoid being bumped by people coming in from behind.
The original ticket gate had now become an archway, with a sign hanging above it: Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.
Indeed, it was just as described in the book.
Speaking of which, this was Albert's first time riding such an old-fashioned train. It was quite an antique.
Pushing his luggage along the platform, Albert found an empty compartment and used a Floating Charm to move his suitcase inside. He then closed the door and began changing into his wizard's robe.
Albert had just opened the window when Shella flew over and landed on the table. It seemed she didn't plan to fly to Hogwarts by herself but instead wanted to hitch a ride.
"You're a clever little one," Albert stroked the owl's head and took out some owl treats from his box, pouring some into a dish for Shella.
"Right, photography. I almost forgot about that," Albert took his camera and stepped back out onto the platform, snapping a few close-up shots of the Hogwarts Express.
Unfortunately, his photography skills left much to be desired, and the photos turned out mediocre at best.
Fortunately, Luke had anticipated this and provided him with plenty of film rolls.
"This one turned out well," Albert picked a photo that captured the train's engine and nodded in satisfaction before returning to his compartment.
He sat by the window, half-hidden by the curtain, watching the platform. As time passed, the platform gradually filled with more passengers, and to Albert's surprise, it started to drizzle.
"It always seems to rain whenever we're going to Hogwarts," Albert muttered, feeling glad that he had arrived early.
The wizards on the platform held umbrellas, hurriedly bidding farewell to their families in the rain, looking a bit disheveled.
I wonder how many familiar faces I'll see?
Albert didn't expect to encounter the main character just yet. As he was entering Hogwarts earlier than Harry Potter, he would likely be in the same year as the Weasley brothers and Cedric Diggory.
And thankfully not in the same year as the savior. Albert didn't want to have much to do with Potter.
After all, that guy was the savior, born with both the protagonist and the 'let's-get-ourselves-killed' auras. Ordinary people who got entangled with him often ended up in unfortunate situations, unless they had a lucky aura protecting them. Cedric Diggory was a prime example.
As the rain outside grew heavier, Albert narrowed the window slightly. Shella, full from her meal, started dozing off. Owls were, after all, nocturnal birds.
Albert took a chocolate candy from his pocket, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth, enjoying the treat as he listened to the pitter-patter of the rain.
As long as he wasn't the one getting drenched, he didn't mind the rain at all.
The corridor outside the compartment gradually became noisier as more people boarded the train, but Albert had closed the compartment door, so the ruckus didn't disturb him much.
He opened 'Dark Forces: A Self-Defense Guide' and began browsing through it, using the book to pass the time. This wasn't the first time he had read it, and he had already tried out some of the spells mentioned within.
In fact, during the entire summer vacation, Albert had experimented with every spell he knew, except for the Unforgivable Curses. He had even attempted the Patronus Charm, but unsurprisingly, it hadn't worked.
"Hurry, hurry, the train's about to depart!"
A group of people on the platform caught Albert's attention. They were a family in the midst of hurried farewells, and among them were a pair of red-haired twin boys.
"Is that the Weasley family?" Albert observed the famous family with amusement. Ron Weasley, in particular, looked rather goofy at the moment. Standing next to Ron was a girl who must be Ginny, and she clung to Mrs. Weasley, looking sad that she couldn't go to Hogwarts yet.
Albert mentally compared Ginny to his sister. Yup, his sister was definitely cuter.
The Weasley family seemed a bit rushed, probably due to some delay before arriving at the station.
Albert withdrew his gaze as someone knocked on the compartment door.
Standing outside was a young black man.
Indeed, it was much like the description in the books.
Speaking of which, this was Albert's first time riding an old-fashioned train like this. What a relic! Pushing his luggage, Albert strolled through the station and casually found an empty compartment. With a floating spell, he effortlessly moved his bulky trunk inside, placed it in a corner, and closed the compartment door. Then, he changed into his wizarding robe.
Not long after Albert opened the window, Shera flew in and perched on the table. It seemed the owl had no intention of flying to Hogwarts on its own and was instead opting for a free ride.
"Smart little fellow," Albert said, gently stroking the snowy owl's head. He took out some owl treats from his trunk and fed them to Shera.
"Oh right, pictures!" Albert exclaimed, remembering the camera. He stepped back onto the platform and took several close-up shots of the Hogwarts Express.
Unfortunately, his photography skills left much to be desired, and the photos turned out mediocre at best.
Thankfully, Luke had anticipated this and provided him with plenty of extra film rolls.
"This one's good," Albert said, picking a photo that showcased the train's engine. Nodding in satisfaction, he returned to his compartment.
Sitting by the window, he gazed at the platform, half-hidden by the curtain. As time passed, the platform gradually filled with more passengers, and to Albert's surprise, it started to drizzle.
"It always seems to rain whenever we're going to Hogwarts," Albert muttered, feeling glad that he had arrived early.
The wizards on the platform hurriedly bid farewell to their families under the cover of umbrellas, looking slightly disheveled in the rain.
I wonder how many familiar faces I'll see, Albert thought.
He didn't expect to run into the protagonist just yet. After all, he was entering Hogwarts even before Harry Potter, so he would likely be in the same year as the Weasley brothers and Cedric Diggory.
And thank goodness he wasn't in the same year as the savior. Albert really didn't want to have much to do with Potter.
After all, the savior was someone who attracted trouble and tended to drag others down with him. It took a lot of luck not to get caught in the crossfire, as Cedric Diggory's fate had shown.
As the rain outside intensified, Albert narrowed the window gap. Shera, well-fed and content, began to doze off—a natural habit for a nocturnal bird like an owl.
Albert took out a chocolate candy, unwrapped it, and popped it into his mouth. Savoring the sweetness, he listened to the pitter-patter of the rain, feeling rather pleased.
As long as he didn't have to be out there getting soaked, he didn't mind the rain at all.
The corridor outside his compartment gradually became livelier, but with the compartment door closed, the noise didn't disturb him much.
Albert opened Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection and started browsing through it to pass the time. This wasn't his first time reading the book, and he had already tried out some of the spells mentioned within.
In fact, during the entire summer vacation, Albert had experimented with every spell he knew, except for the Unforgivable Curses. He had even attempted the Patronus Charm, but unsurprisingly, it hadn't worked.
"Hurry, hurry! The train's about to leave!"
On the platform, a family caught Albert's attention. They were bidding each other farewell, and among them were a pair of red-haired twin boys.
"Is that the Weasley family?" Albert observed the famous family with amusement. Ron Weasley, in particular, looked rather goofy. Next to Ron was a young girl who must be Ginny; she clung to Mrs. Weasley, looking forlorn that she couldn't go to Hogwarts yet.
Albert mentally compared Ginny to his own sister. Yep, his little sister was definitely cuter.
The Weasley family seemed to be in a bit of a rush, probably delayed by something before arriving at the station.
Albert's attention shifted as he heard a knock on the compartment door.
Standing outside was a young black man.
(End of Chapter)
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