Platform 9 3/4

1st Sept 1991

Carter Residence

I awoke early in the morning, as one often does when they have something important planned for the day. I sat up on my bed and looked around the room with bittersweet feelings. I know I was excited to go to Hogwarts, still am. But this doesn't change the fact that I'll be leaving home for the first time in this life, and wouldn't be back for almost a year.

Teddy trotted up to me as I came out of the bathroom. My boy could somehow sense the heavy atmosphere of the house. He started gently nudging his head on my pants. I picked him up and raised him to eye level.

"It's alright, pal. I won't be gone long. I'll be back before you know it," I reassured him. "I'll talk to Dumbledore and make sure you can come to Hogwarts next year. You'll love it there. Hopefully, you'll eat Mrs.Norris. In the meantime, I need you to do something for me, okay? I need you to take care of the family. Especially mom and Rachel. It's your job to make them laugh while I'm away. Can you do that for me, hmm?"

"Woof, woof," Teddy replied with an enthusiastic licking of my face. That's my boy. I chuckled, thinking maybe someday I can get him to talk like a person. That would be awesome.

I took Teddy in my arms and came down the stairs to meet the rest of the family. Dad gave me an encouraging smile, while mom looked teary-eyed at the prospect of her firstborn going off to school. Poor Rachel had taken the upcoming separation the hardest.

In the last month, she had first stopped talking to me. When that didn't work, she begged me to take her to Hogwarts with me. When I told her I couldn't do that, there was another bout of silent treatment. Finally she grudgingly accepted the state of things after I promised to write home as often as I could and to come home for Christmas.

After breakfast, dad helped me get my school trunk in the car. I cast one last look at the house that's been my home all these years. Hopefully this wasn't farewell, just a short goodbye. We entered Dad's Aston Martin Vantage, whose interior and trunk had been magically expanded so that all of us could easily sit side-by-side. A judicious use of the 'Notice-me-Not' charm prevented any obtrusive muggles from paying overt attention.

There was an apparation point set up on platform 9 3/4. However, a witch or wizard's first journey to Hogwarts was considered symbolic by most. Crossing 'the barrier' at king's cross station signified that you were truly stepping into the wizarding world. So most people, except a few diehard purebloods, took their children through the barrier on their first time.

Arriving at the station, after dad parked the car, we made our way inside. Between platform 9 and 10, stood 'the barrier'. At a simple glance, there was nothing special about it. But as I activated 'Magesight' with a gentle tap on my new glasses, I could see the spatial fluctuations. There was an illusion cast over the archway that connected to an adjacent space.

I could also see some sort of energy field cast over the entire station, most likely a modified Notice-me-Not charm. Which means, as long as you don't draw attention to yourself, people will ignore some strange things, such as witches and wizards dressed in Victorian Era clothes, or kids carrying owls and toads in their trolleys.

As we were about to cross over, I heard some words that made me stop.

"Excuse me, excuse me. Excuse me, sir, can you tell me where I might find platform 9 3/4?"

I turned around, and lo & behold! There stood Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived, asking a passing guard about the entrance. I looked at him closely, but it wasn't the snow-white owl or his famous scar that held my attention. It was his clothes.

The cuffs of his badly dyed grey pants were turned up so many times that it looked rather uncomfortable. His shirt, a dull faded orange, looked more like an overcoat, given how large it was compared to him. Like his pants, his sleeves were rolled up many times. Even his shoes looked like they would fall apart at the drop of a hat.

Up to this point, I had not decided if I was going to involve myself with the golden trio. Don't get me wrong, I have no intention of maintaining 'canon'. If everything goes according to plan, both Voldemort and his masked thugs will be dead by fourth year. No, I was just wondering if I wanted to be involved in their shenanigans or simply pass my days studying in peace.

But as I looked at the poor boy on the verge of a panic attack, I couldn't help my bleeding heart. In both my lives, I was blessed with loving parents. I lived in nice houses. Everything I needed was provided for me. I had friends, I had opportunities.

The boy in front of me was a stark contrast. Parents killed by a genocidal maniac. Made to work for a living since the day he could walk, by the people trusted to take care of him. Forced to survive on scraps, dressed in second-hand rags, and made to sleep in a boot cupboard with everyone literally walking over him everyday.

Even most house elves are treated better than that. And after he goes to Hogwarts, what does he get? A best friend who's constantly jealous of him and thinks that some inheritance money makes up for a lifetime of neglect and psychological abuse. Housemates who are supposed to be like family, yet readily abandon him at every turn.

So you know what, screw it. I was going to be shaking things up anyway, so if I'm in for a penny, might as well be in for a pound. I turned my trolley around and started walking across the platforms, just as the guard answered, "9 3/4? Think you're being funny, do you?" The guard walked away, muttering about time-wasters. I arrived in front of Harry.

"Say, that's a beautiful owl," I complimented Hedwig as a conversation starter. "What's her name?"

"Er, thanks," he said, looking at me warily. "Her name's Hedwig."

"Beautiful name for a beautiful lady." I smiled, giving the noble bird a small bow. "You should probably let her out. I think she might prefer flying to Hogwarts instead of being cooped up in a train compartment for the next 8 hours."

"Right. Wait, you know about Hogwarts?!" he asked, looking at me with hopeful eyes.

"Of course," I gave a light chuckle. "Allow me to introduce myself. Benjamin Carter, first year wizard. At your service." saying so, I extended my hand for a shake.

"I am Harry Potter," he said, taking my hand.

As I held his hand, I discretely cast the 'Diagnostic' spell I had prepared. Let's see, no broken bones, no signs of deep tissue damage. Only problem I can see is malnutrition, something that can be easily fixed with the right nutrition potions.

No blocks on magic, so 'Evil Dumbledore' theory is out. That's a relief. And of course, can't forget the nasty little soul fragment, clinging on like a worm. I'll be dealing with that soon enough. All in all, it seems this world is closely following the 'canon' I was familiar with.

In the meantime, my family had followed after me and caught the tail-end of our brief conversation.

"Potter, really? James' son?" Dad let out as he took a closer look at Harry. "Although now that I'm looking at you, I must say you look exactly like him. Same face, same hair. Even the same glasses," he gave a small smile remembering his long departed housemate.

"Except your eyes. Those you definitely got from your mother." Mom added, as she looked at the son of one of her dearest friends.

"You knew my mom and dad?" asked Harry with wide hopeful eyes, desperate for any bit of information about the people that he unfortunately never got to know.

"Oh yes. Your father and I were in the same House, good old Gryffindor. So was your mum. Although I was a year ahead of them." informed dad, looking at Harry with an indulging smile. "We played quidditch for the House team, chasers. Your father was one of the very best. He could've gone professional, if he didn't choose to become an Auror afterwards. He joined the department a year after I did." Here he went quiet, looking at Harry with a nostalgic expression.

"Even though Lily and I were in different Houses, we were close friends. As muggleborns, we naturally gravitated together because of our perspectives." Mom gave her two cents. "You could even call us academic rivals. Your mother was a genius in charms and potions, exceedingly bright. Your father, on the other hand, was talented in transfiguration. It's a shame what happened to them." said she, looking at him with a forlorn smile.

Harry looked like he had a million questions to ask, but the large clock over the Arrival's board indicated that it was now 10:45. I had no choice but to interrupt.

"I hate to break this up, but we've only got 15 minutes left to board the train." I informed them.

All of them gave a jerk and looked at the clock.

"Merlin's Beard! We better get a move on. Okay Harry, I understand that you don't know how to get on to the platform?" Dad asked him. Recieving a nod in return, he continued. "Not to worry, it's very simple. All you have to do is walk straight at the barrier between platforms 9 & 10. Don't stop and don't be scared that you'll crash into it, that's very important. Best do it in a bit of a run if you're nervous. Got it?"

"Er...yes," said Harry, looking nervous.

"Good. Alright Ben, you go first. Then Harry will follow and we'll bring up the rest." said dad.

"Sounds good," I replied, pushing my trolley around in front of the barrier. "See you on the other side," I smiled at them and started walking towards the barrier. As I came closer, I leaned forward and started running. I came face to face with the wall and blinked. When I opened my eyes, I was standing in a platform filled with people with a scarlet steam engine in sight.

I moved away from the barrier and for a moment, just took in the sights and sounds surrounding me.

Smoke from the engine drifted over the heads of the chattering crowd, while cats of every colour wound here and there between their legs. Owls hooted to one another in a disgruntled sort of way over the babble and scraping of heavy trunks.

The next second Harry came running out of the barrier and slowed down to take in the sights. I ushered him to move away from the entrance and couple of seconds later, the rest of the family showed up.

As we moved along the platform, we could see that the first few carriages were already packed with students, some hanging out of the window to talk to their families, some fighting over seats.

I turned to the rest of my posse. "Why don't Harry and I go get a compartment for ourselves, and then we can come back?" I said, to which they nodded.

As we boarded the train, I said to Harry, "so, have you asked Hedwig if she'd rather fly to Hogwarts, or ride the train like the rest of us mere mortals?"

Harry gave a small smile. "Good point. How about it, Hedwig? Would you rather fly to Hogwarts?" Hedwig bobbed her head up and down in obvious agreement. "Alright girl, I'll see you at Hogwarts then." Harry said as he let her out of her cage. She gave his finger and affectionate nip, and with a hoof took to the clear skies.