Chapter-7

Oliver Williams sat on the floor of his small room in St. Mary's Orphanage, his enchanted trunk open before him. The early morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the wooden floorboards. September 1st had finally arrived, and with it, the day Oliver had been eagerly anticipating—the day he would leave for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

The trunk was nearly full, neatly packed with everything he would need for his first year at Hogwarts. His new school robes, freshly ironed and folded, lay on top of his other belongings. His books were stacked in the corner of the trunk, organized by subject. He had spent every spare moment since his shopping trip in Diagon Alley devouring those textbooks, memorizing spells, potions recipes, and the history of the magical world. The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 1 by Miranda Goshawk had become his favorite; he had read it so many times that the pages were already beginning to show signs of wear.

Oliver couldn't contain his excitement. He had been so absorbed in his studies that he had barely noticed the passing days, but now that the time had come, the reality of going to Hogwarts filled him with a mixture of eagerness and nervousness. He closed the trunk with a soft click and locked it using the magical signature lock that only he could open.

As he stood up, Oliver took one last look around the room. It had been his home for the past few weeks, ever since he woke up in this strange new life. The room was small and plain, but it had provided him with a sense of stability and comfort. Now, he was about to leave it behind for a world he had only read about in books.

A knock on the door broke his thoughts. "Come in," Oliver called.

The door creaked open, and Matron Hughes stepped inside. She was a kind woman with a gentle smile, her graying hair tied back in a neat bun. She had been a steady presence in Oliver's life since his arrival at the orphanage, and though their interactions had been brief, he had grown to appreciate her quiet support.

"Are you ready, Oliver?" Matron Hughes asked, her voice warm.

Oliver nodded, trying to hide the nervous flutter in his stomach. "Yes, Matron. I can't wait to get to Hogwarts."

Matron Hughes smiled, a hint of pride in her eyes. "I'm sure you'll do wonderfully there. Remember to study hard and make the most of this opportunity. Your parents would have been very proud of you."

Oliver felt a pang of sadness at the mention of his parents, but he quickly pushed it aside. He didn't have any memories of them, just a vague sense of loss. But he knew that Hogwarts was a new beginning, a chance to create a future for himself.

"I will, Matron. I'll work hard," Oliver promised.

Matron Hughes nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, let's not keep the Hogwarts Express waiting. I'll accompany you to Charing Cross Railway Station."

With that, Oliver lifted his trunk onto its wheels, transforming it into a trolley that he could easily maneuver. He followed Matron Hughes out of the room, casting one last glance over his shoulder before closing the door behind him. The journey to Hogwarts had officially begun.

The streets of London were bustling with activity as Oliver and Matron Hughes made their way to Charing Cross Railway Station. The orphanage was close enough to the station that they could walk, and Oliver found himself absorbing the sights and sounds of the city. The morning air was crisp, and the sky was a clear blue, promising good weather for the journey ahead.

As they approached the station, Matron Hughes slowed her pace, turning to Oliver with a thoughtful expression. "Remember, Oliver, Hogwarts is a place of learning, but it's also a place where you'll form friendships and discover who you are. Don't be afraid to ask questions or seek help when you need it."

Oliver looked up at her, appreciating the advice. "I will, Matron. Thank you for everything."

Matron Hughes smiled and gently squeezed his shoulder. "It's been a pleasure having you at St. Mary's, Oliver. Now, go and make us proud."

With that, they entered the bustling station. The noise of the crowd was almost overwhelming, but Oliver kept close to Matron Hughes as they made their way through the throng of travelers. The station was filled with people hurrying to catch their trains, the sound of announcements echoing through the cavernous space.

"Here we are," Matron Hughes said as they reached a large sign that read Platforms 9 and 10. She glanced around, her eyes narrowing as she searched for something. "Now, Oliver, listen carefully. To reach Platform 9¾, you'll need to walk straight at the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10. Don't hesitate, and don't stop. It might feel strange, but trust me, it's the only way to get to the Hogwarts Express."

Oliver stared at the solid brick barrier, his heart racing. He had read about this in the books, but now that he was actually standing here, it felt surreal. What if he couldn't get through? What if he crashed into the wall?

Matron Hughes seemed to sense his anxiety. "Don't worry, Oliver. The barrier will let you through. Just walk confidently, and you'll be fine."

Taking a deep breath, Oliver nodded. He gripped the handle of his trolley tightly, his knuckles turning white. "Okay, here I go."

Without giving himself a chance to second-guess, Oliver began to walk towards the barrier. As he approached, he picked up speed, closing his eyes just as he was about to collide with the wall. But instead of hitting solid brick, he felt a strange sensation, like passing through a veil. When he opened his eyes again, he found himself standing on Platform 9¾.

Oliver gasped in amazement. The platform was bustling with witches and wizards, all dressed in their robes, chattering excitedly as they prepared to board the Hogwarts Express. The scarlet steam engine stood proudly at the platform, its polished metal gleaming in the sunlight. Smoke billowed from its chimney, filling the air with the scent of burning coal.

The platform was a world away from the Muggle station he had just left. Owls hooted from their cages, parents fussed over their children, and the occasional flash of magic sparked in the air as students showed off their new wands. It was everything Oliver had imagined and more.

"Goodbye, Oliver," Matron Hughes' voice broke through his reverie. She had followed him through the barrier and was now standing beside him, her eyes misty with emotion. "Remember, work hard and stay true to yourself."

Oliver turned to her, feeling a lump in his throat. "Goodbye, Matron. Thank you for everything."

With one last smile, Matron Hughes gave him a gentle pat on the back. "Off you go now. The train won't wait."

Oliver nodded, taking a deep breath as he steeled himself. He waved one last time before turning towards the Hogwarts Express. His heart was pounding with excitement as he approached the train, his eyes wide as he took in every detail.

The train was a marvel, its carriages painted a deep red with gold trim. Each compartment had large windows, offering a glimpse inside where students were already settling in. The wheels of the train were massive, gleaming in the sunlight, and the whole engine seemed to hum with anticipation, as if eager to begin the journey to Hogwarts.

Oliver found an empty compartment near the middle of the train and heaved his trunk inside. The seats were plush and comfortable, and as he stowed his trunk in the overhead rack, he marveled at how real it all felt. This was it—he was really going to Hogwarts.

Once he was settled, Oliver reached into his pocket and pulled out his wand. He had been dying to try out some magic, and now that he was on his way to Hogwarts, it seemed like the perfect opportunity. The easiest spell he had read about was Lumos, a simple charm to light up the tip of the wand.

Taking a deep breath, Oliver focused his mind on the spell. He pointed his wand forward and whispered, "Lumos."

For a moment, nothing happened. But then, to his amazement, a soft light began to glow at the tip of his wand. It was faint, but it was there—a small, steady beam of light that illuminated the compartment.

Oliver grinned, his heart soaring with pride. He had done it—his first successful spell! He waved the wand around, watching the light dance on the walls of the compartment. It was a simple spell, but it filled him with a sense of accomplishment.

Just as he was about to try it again, the compartment door slid open. Oliver quickly extinguished the light, feeling a bit self-conscious as a girl with bushy brown hair and a book tucked under her arm stepped inside.

"Is this seat taken?" she asked, her voice polite but direct.

Oliver shook his head, gesturing to the empty seat across from him. "No, not at all. You can sit here."

The girl smiled and sat down, setting her book on her lap. "Thank you. I'm Hermione Granger, by the way."

"Oliver Williams," he replied, offering a small smile in return. "Nice to meet you, Hermione."

Hermione's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked around the compartment. "Are you excited about going to Hogwarts? I can't wait to start learning magic. I've read all about the school and the subjects we'll be studying."

Oliver chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease. "Yeah, I'm really excited. I've been reading my textbooks too. There's so much to learn."

Hermione nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, absolutely! I can't wait to get to the library. They say it's one of the most extensive libraries in the wizarding world."

As they continued to chat, Oliver found himself growing more comfortable. Hermione was clearly very intelligent and driven, but she was also friendly and easy to talk to. They exchanged stories about their preparations for Hogwarts, with Hermione mentioning that she had already tried a few spells herself, much to Oliver's surprise.

"I tried Lumos just now," Oliver admitted, holding up his wand. "It worked, but only just."

Hermione's eyes widened in approval. "That's impressive! I've been practicing too, but I haven't quite mastered it yet. I'm sure we'll get plenty of practice at Hogwarts."

The train whistle blew, signaling that it was time to depart. The platform outside began to blur as the Hogwarts Express slowly pulled away from the station, gathering speed as it left London behind. Oliver felt a thrill of excitement as the landscape began to change, the city giving way to rolling hills and dense forests.

For a while, they sat in comfortable silence, watching the countryside pass by. The conversation had put Oliver at ease, and he felt more confident about the journey ahead. He knew that there would be challenges, but with his books, his wand, and new friends like Hermione, he felt ready to face whatever Hogwarts had in store.

As the train sped towards its destination, Oliver couldn't help but wonder what awaited him at the end of the journey. He had read so much about Hogwarts, but now he was about to experience it for himself. He couldn't wait to walk through those ancient doors, to see the Great Hall, and to start learning magic in earnest.