The Train

The final day had arrived. The entire household was in disarray, with all of the servants and maids running around. There could be shouts heard here and there, with most of them regarding the departure of their Young Lord. It was time for him to leave for Hogwarts. Will was sitting in his room, with a trunk of luggage next to him. Ash was perched on top of the suitcase, and it certainly had no cage. A beast as majestic as a phoenix had no place in a cage. He was alone in his room, and it seemed that all of the chatter outside was pointless, because the main cause of it all didn't care for it even a little.

"Well, William. Are you ready to go to school?", Will heard Raphael's voice come through the doorway.

"Yes father. I am prepared for it indeed. I think I am ready to start living on my own."

"Well then, time is running out. I wonder why the entire house is making such a mess with the main reason here. We should leave. Jamie shall carry your luggage. Come on now, let's go. The car is waiting, and your mother is in it. You don't want her to wait.", Raphael said cheerfully.

"Well, we don't indeed.", Will agreed. The both of them left the room and went to the entrance of the Monroe Manor. Ash cries out as it quickly followed Will. A luxurious Rolls Royce was just sitting there, waiting to be ridden. A chauffeur was standing at the side of the door, holding it open for the both of them. Daphne was inside, clearly impatient as she was constantly looking at her watch.

"Come in you two! What if you miss the train on your first day of school?", she shouted. Will and Raphael rushed inside the car. Shortly after, a short man came carrying the suitcase that Will was taking with him. Ash flew into the interior of the car, and sat obediently at Will's lap.

"Okay then, shall we go? Let us go to the London Railway Station.", Raphael said, and the driver nodded, as seen in the rear-view mirror. The car started, very smoothly, if I must add. They started their drive, and in a short twenty minutes, got to the railway station.

"Well then, platform nine and three quarters. Oh, Raphael! How long has it been since I have been here, getting onto the platform.", Daphne reminisced as they were rushing through all the commotion that was the London Railway Station. Finally, they were at the column that was three quarters between the ninth and tenth platforms.

"Look Will. Follow me. You might be afraid on your first time, but you shouldn't worry about it. Once you get there, it is truly magical.", Daphne bent and told Will.

Will nodded, as he saw Raphael went inside the Column with no hesitation. Will clenched his fists over his trolley, and then gulped once. Ash, who was on his shoulder now(it was quite surprising that it drew almost no attention among the huge crowd), also shifted a little, as if it could sense Will's discomfort. He took a deep breath and rushed towards the column. The moment he touched the column, it felt ethereal. The muggle London disappeared, and the banners that used to say 9th platform were replaced by those that said '9th and three quarters.'.

Will turned around and looked at the train itself. He could see the name, 'Hogwarts Express', written on the train. He looked and found his father, and his mother quickly followed behind.

"Well then. I guess this means goodbye. Will, remember, if you need anything, you can always send a letter, Ash here might not be an owl, but we are Monroes. Getting you an owl in the school was child's play. Look, if you need anything, ask us. If you are feeling homesick, writing will help.", Raphael said, while Daphne was on the side, sniffling. She had moist eyes, as she looked at Will.

Will nodded, and the train blew a huge puff of smoke.

"Quick then, get on, will you?", Raphael said, as he helped Will get onto the train. Will started carrying the huge trunk, when Ash relieved much of his pain but bearing the load.

"Thanks Ash.", Will said faintly. Though it was his second life, it didn't mean that he did not have any love towards his parents. Quite the contrary, His eyes were moist, and he was about to tear up. But, all of that stopped, as did time, because at that moment, he saw Harry Potter.