Harry was anxiously looking for platform 9 ¾, when a family walked in front of him and walked straight at the wall between platforms 9 and 10. He winced waiting for the sound of the crash, but instead as he opened his eyes he saw the last of the family disappear between through the wall. That's when it hit him, of course, platform 9 ¾ was magical after all and it made since that muggles wouldn't be able to see it. He took a deep breath and then ran straight at the wall only exhaling when he didn't smash into the wall, but instead stood in front of a beautiful red train. Without waiting he headed towards the train and started to contemplate how he was going to get his luggage onto the train.
"Need a hand there?" an older gentleman questioned and at Harry's hesitant nod he pointed his wand and shrunk Harry's luggage. "There you go lad, when you board the train just tap it with your wand and it will go back to its original size. Though best make sure you've already placed it on a rack before enlarging it again." The older gentleman informed and then went back to talk to what looked like his son and wife. The boy looked around maybe a year or so older than Harry himself and was sporting a yellow and black shirt on it that had a badger embroidered on the pocket. Harry took another deep breath and then climbed onto the train in search of a compartment. As he passed by the compartment he was reminded of what his trip to Diagon Alley had been like. People had stared at him no matter where he went once they realized who he was and he hated all the attention. He had made sure to brush his hair down over his scar for today so that no one would recognize him automatically. There was a compartment close to end of the car he was on that held an younger man, perhaps early to mid-twenties, that appeared to be a teacher.
Harry hesitantly knocked on the door and at the man's intoned 'enter' Harry opened the door. "Sir, would it be ok if I sat here?" Harry questioned hopefully. The man glanced up and seemed to freeze before nodding and replying, "Of course, have a seat, Mr. Potter." The man agreed and Harry sat down staring at the man in shock. "How...how did you know my name?" Harry stuttered and the wizard chuckled. "You have your mum's eyes and look almost identical to your dad though you have some of your mum's facial structures here and there." The wizard elaborated and Harry just nodded and blinked a few times before standing and placing his trunk onto the rack above him and tapping it with his wand. When he sat back down he noticed the wizard was staring at him, "How did you get your trunk shrunken down for you?" the wizard questioned curiously. "There was an older man that had a son who looked close to my age and he offered to help me before returning to his wife and son." Harry explained and at the man's nod he flicked his eyes back down and wondered what he could say. "You know, Mr. Potter, this is going to be a very long ride, would you like to perhaps play a game of wizard's chess?" the wizard questioned and was startled to see Harry frown. "I don't know how sir." Harry admitted blushing. "That's ok, Mr. Potter, I'll teach you how to play, if you would like to learn that is?" the wizard offered and at Harry's exuberant nodded he chuckled and waved his hand causing a board and pieces to appear out of his robe pocket. The board and pieces then returned to a normal size and set themselves up. The wizard pointed at a piece of parchment and a table appeared that he then sat the board down on. "Wow that was awesome!" Harry grinned and the wizard grinned back. "Your mum loved to see magic performed as well." the wizard offered and Harry started making mental notes of what information he'd learned about his parents so far. "Did you know my parents well?" Harry questioned hopefully. "Very well, yes, I have some pictures I could show you once we arrive at Hogwarts." The wizard offered and Harry smiled happily. "Thank-you, sir." Harry beamed.
Ron Weasley couldn't for the life of him find Harry Potter; he knew that Harry was supposed to be on the train, but perhaps they had apparted or flooed him there instead.
After playing three games of chess with the wizard, which took only half an hour, the wizard suggested they play again later. Harry could tell the man was tired and also worried about something and he wondered what it was. "Sir, what's your name?" Harry questioned curiously. A pained expression flicked across the man's face, "I'd rather you found out later, Mr. Potter." The wizard stated off-handedly. "Sir, you're a Professor at Hogwarts though, right?" Harry questioned curiously. "Yes, and I'd rather we talk about something else, Mr. Potter." The professor insisted and Harry automatically changed topics. "What are the houses like?" Harry inquired which resulted in tales of the professor's experiences and encounters with the different houses.
They'd been on the train for about an hour when there was a knock at the door to the compartment Harry was in. "Anything of the trolley, dearies?" the older woman questioned with a soft smile. Harry looked over at the professor who hadn't made a move and started forward. "Um, what would you recommend ma'am?" Harry questioned timidly. "Well, dearie, most children your age are fond of Cauldron Cakes, Chocolate Frogs, and Bertie Botts Every Flavored Beans." The older woman offered. "I think I'll take a couple of each please; ma'am would you happen to know what the professor I'm sitting with likes to eat?" Harry questioned hopefully. "Of course, he likes my Chocolate Confectioner's Assortment and Blood Pops, though they're not real blood, just a cherry flavor, you know, with a lot of iron in them for the effect." The older woman elaborated. "I'd like to purchase two of each of those as well." Harry smiled and the woman looked like she was fighting back tears as she smiled lovingly at him and handed over the required desserts. "You have a good day dearie, and make sure to keep that heart of gold you've got." The older woman smiled and Harry blushed before reentering the compartment. The professor was reading a book, but when Harry hesitantly touched his arm he looked up over the top of the book. "Yes, Mr. Potter?" the professor questioned. "Here, professor, these are for you." Harry smiled and handed him one box of the chocolate and a thing of the blood pops. The professor blinked his eyes a few times and then took the proffered sweets and smiled softly, "Thank-you, Mr. Potter." The professor murmured and Harry nodded at him. "You're welcome, professor, after all you're the first friend I've ever made." Harry stated truthfully and the professor nodded mutely at Harry and went back to reading his book for a few moments before speaking himself. "Thank-you, Mr. Potter, I'd be honored to hold that title." The professor admitted and Harry grinned happily before turning to his sweets.
The train stopped and Harry nervously started to twiddle his thumbs. "Don't worry Mr. Potter, you'll do just fine." The professor assured him before turning to leave the train through the teachers exit. "Sir!" Harry called and the professor stopped and looked at him. "Yes?" the professor questioned. "If we're friends, when we're not in class, you can call me Harry." Harry smiled and the professor nodded his head before turning around. "Very well Harry, I shall see you at the feast then." The professor called and exited the train.