6 Hogwarts Express

[AN: Please pardon my grammar and typos...]

After 30 minutes, we arrived at the train station. The trip is short considering that it was not very far and there is no traffic.

Indeed, my mom is right.

There is no traffic in London or at least it is not to the point that one will be stuck there forever. This is the late 1930, so there are only a handful of cars and busses. Also, traffic system already exists, which made transportation and travel rather convenient.

[AN: Again, it is my misconception. Coz I don't live there and my country has severe traffic.]

I firmly gripped the ticket on my hand. This is the first time that I held a ticket like this, fearing it might get blown or stolen. As though, I am holding the very last strand of my life.

Who else would think this ticket is worth more than their own life? After all, its destination is Hogwarts and you will be riding the most famous train in the world – the Hogwarts Express!

"Nine and three quarters… nine and three quarters… nine and three quarters." I repeat it over and over as I am looking to find it.

Hearing my muttering, my dad can't help but asked, "Nine and three quarters? Are you sure that's the right platform?"

"Yes, I am sure of it… it is here in the ticket." I replied while scanning every platform.

"Are you sure? Because last time I checked, there is no platform nine and three quarters."

"There should be."

Then I saw someone passed over the pillar. It is in between the platform 9 and 10.

There it is! That is where I go!

"I found it!"

"You found it? Where? I don't see anything."

"There! That's platform nine and three quarters."

"But that's a wall."

"That's that."

Thinking that my parents is having a hard time believing; thus, I hurriedly strolled my way in. However, I was stopped midway. My dad pulled me.

"Are you crazy? That is a wall. Do you want to knock yourself over?"

"No. That is how you supposed to enter. It is a secret portal!"

Once again, my dad mused to himself about the things he had witnessed in Diagon Alley.

"Okay, I believed you. I am just thinking what a normal person would think."

"Yah I know. Then, I will go. Bye mom… bye dad." And I kissed them on their cheek.

"Be careful honey. Mom will wait for you."

"Yes mom."

"Don't forget to write us a letter."

"Yes dad. I will send you a letter every month."

Then I ran through the platform and magically appeared in the ever famous train station – the platform 9 ¾ where the Hogwarts Express train is waiting.

Having learned some theory about magic, passing through a wall isn't a problem.

The train is yet to be filled with passengers as it was still early. But I boarded anyway.

I want to explore the train – every nook and turns.

And it seems I am not the only one interested in exploring the train. Along the way, I saw a boy of my age, taking a look at everything.

He is around my height with a smug look on his face. He is handsome but somewhat arrogant. He is probably from a rich family.

What do you call that? Ah… a pureblood.

But he doesn't look rich. In fact, his clothes were shabby, only his looks and bearings are exceptional.

For some reason, I approached him. I thought we have the same interest, so maybe I could befriend him.

First and foremost, I want to make an acquaintance before coming at Hogwarts. It is beneficial for me to have someone in the wizarding world that I could talk about the common sense of this world.

"Hey, do you want to explore this train with me?" I asked but he only gave me a cold look. So I continued, "I am Alfred Stanford… you can call me Al."

I extend my hand for a shakehand but he only looked at it, so I retracted my hand.

A moment of awkwardness came before us, so I broke the silence, "How come you're early?"

"And so as you."

Oh finally, he talked back but he simply throw it back to me. Well, never mind since I managed to break the ice.

"Are you alone?"

"…"

"Do you want to explore this train with me?"

"No, I rather be alone."

This brat… he is getting into my nerve, but I have to extend my patience. After all, I am an adult. Yes, I am an adult and I should not fight a kid.

"Hey, what is your name?"

"…"

"Mine is Alfred… Alfred Stanford…"

"…"

"Then, tell me your name."

"Why?"

"It is common courtesy to tell your name when you make an acquaintance."

"Thinking about that, you're the one who approached me."

"I did, but isn't it good to make friends, we could share our interests."

"I think I have to think about that. Anyway, I'm off."

Sniff… Sniff~

"Wait, what's that smell?"

"What?!" He asked in an irritated tone.

"That smell… wait hold on." I saw a black fudgy grub he concealed inside his pocket, "What's that on your hand?"

"It is none of your business."

"Eh! Are you eating that? Isn't it bad already? I can tell that it's bad by its smell." I said as I rub my nose.

"I am not eating it!"

"Yes you are… I saw you eating it a while ago…" I then point at his left cheek, "… see you still have left over, right here…"

"This… I am going to throw it. So leave me alone."

"Alright, if you don't want to stick with me, then I guess I have to leave you. But, if you want something nice to eat, just tell me. I have lots of cakes and pastries that my mom prepared. And if you liked sweet treats, I also have lots of it. I can share it." I said before I go, but he only stared at me.

That's right kid… I like that look of envy. Haha!

I looked at him one last time and he is still staring at me. If looks could kill, I would have died already. Is what I thought.

Now, back to business, I am going to explore this train.

---

It took me 20 minutes to explore the living spaces of 24 carriages. And I think I am not in the halfway of my exploration.

The train is long and wide, contrary to its outside appearance. It must be because it was enchanted by magic, making it more spacious.

I reached the restricted area of the train, so I decided to return to my cabin.

Not long enough, several teens came boarding the train.

In my cabin, someone entered without knocking. It was a teenager and he look quite mighty – very arrogant.

"Hey you… which house were you?"

"House?"

"You're a first year?"

"Y-yes… I guess."

"Unless you are sorted in Slytherin, you can't sit here."

"Slytherin? I probably am a Gryffindor." I proudly said, puffing my chest.

"Then the more you have to get out." He then lifted me up by my shoulder and tossed me out of the cabin.

"Hey! I came here first!"

"This area is for Slytherin. Now scram!" He then closed the door.

"What about my stuffs?"

The door slammed open and my stuffs came flying at me, burying me underneath.

"Ouch! That hurts."

Even my owl in the cage got hurt that he let out a painful screeching.

That bastard, I won't forgive him!

Just then, a teenage girl came to me.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

"Nope."

"Then let me help you." She then helped me got up.

"Thank you."

"You're first year?"

"Yes."

She is quite a lovely girl with long chestnut hair and a pair of brown eyes.

"But who is that guy. He is such a jerk."

"That guy? Oh that is Henry Selwyn. He is the most outstanding student at Hogwarts. He is seventh year this year."

"Outstanding?"

"Yes. He already passed N.E.W.T in 3 subjects with exceeding expectation remarks."

"Okay… but why does he have to throw me off? I mean, he could use polite words instead."

"Oh that… You see, he is pureblood and came from a prestigious family. So you can say he has some superiority complex."

"That's absurd."

"It may seem that way, but you have to follow the rules. Anyway, let me send you to your cabin. This area here is not for first year students. Here let me help you with your luggage."

Then, she had casted a spell, "Wingardium Leviosa!" to lift all my stuffs.

"Thank you. Magic sure is convenient."