"Magic is might", rings out over the speaker phones across Kings Cross station, however no one notices, it is just one in many phrases called out over the speakers at regular intervals.
Archibald and his wife, Edwina and son Caractacus scurry across the platforms, dreary and grey, they pass the posters of our most exulted Minister and Dark Lord, pass a muggle sweeping the floor, and another fixing a bench, their collars digging into their throats, they make their way to the pillar between Platforms 9 and 10, but it is different now, where a hidden door way used to stand now stands a cage, with what looks like an airport x-ray scanner beside it and a booth in which a Death Eater stands waiting. Archibald goes first, placing Caractacus' Trunk on the scanner he steps into the cage.
"Places your hand in the sampler", orders the Death Eater, the voice is familiar to him, he probably went to school with him, or worked with him, before the downfall, Archibald places his hand on a shelf attached to the side of the cage palm up, a sharp pain stab into the centre of his palm and half a second later a green light appears above the cage, allowing him to exit through the opposite side and onto Platform 9¾, he collects Caractacus' trunk from the other side of the scanner and calls for his son to come through next.
Caractacus, a boy of eleven and already looking like his father, steps up to the cage, his gangly frame is stiff as he walks into the cage and the door slams shut behind him, he places his small hand on the shelf gingerly at the Death eaters order and feels the sharp pain, giving out a squeak of pain, the cage swings open and allows him through. Now it is Edwina's turn, she walks slowly up to the cage, edges in, she knows what is going to happen, what happens every time she has to be checked, placing her hand on the shelf there is a quick stab in the centre of her palm, then all hell breaks loose, chains seem to appear out of no-where and restrain her to the side of the cage facing the Death Eaters booth, an alarm is emanating from somewhere and the light on top of the cage is flashing red, a second Death Eater comes tearing down Platform 9¾ flanked by two dementors, Archibald is shouting over the din trying to be heard, holding up a piece of paper with a ministry seal upon it, a skull with a snake between its teeth stamped on in bottle green wax, he shows it to the Death Eater from the booth, while the second Death Eater has his wand drawn and ready to stun, or kill.
The booth Death Eater reads the paper and mumbles "Filthy half-blood", he tosses the writ back to Archibald, who is glaring so hard he looks like he may hit the Death Eater, but, knowing better his anger subsides and the Death Eater waves his wand at the cage which causes the chains to disappear and the door to open, allowing Edwina on the Platform, she rushes over and hugs Archibald, who holds he close, after a moment the make their way down the platform towards the Hogwarts Express, following the Death Eater and two dementors who is making no effort at not showing his disappointment from Edwina being allowed past the barrier.
As the three of them walk, Archibald struggling slightly with Caractacus' trunk the Hogwarts Express comes into view the great red steam train with its large Hogwarts crest looks resplendent surrounded by billowing clouds of white steam, as they carry on they pass the beautiful first carriage with its plush seats and large windows, then they get to the rest of the carriages, great grey hulking boxes, which look like they should contain prisoners rather than students, with their tiny windows barred and great doors which open only from the outside it is a terrifying sight, especially for a young boy who must now leave his parents and board alone, they make their way towards and open door and Caractus' mother and father hug him tightly and kiss him, "Be Strong" Archibald whispers, "and we will see you at Christmas on visiting day, we love you Caractacus".
Tears begin to fall from Edwina, and Caracatus can feel them coming too, he quickly boards the train and waves to them as the door slams shut, leaving him in semi-darkness.
Archibald walks down the Platform dragging Caractacus' trunk followed by a sobbing Edwina, they take his trunk to the last carriage where it is taken by four house elves, one on each corner, each elf is extremely dirty, and they are so thin you can see their ribs, on their backs is the Hogwarts Seal, branded into them as if by a hot iron, leaving this appaling sight Archibald and Edwina make their way back up the platform and leave, Edwina is sobbing, Archibald comforts her as best he can " He will be fine Edwina, he will keep his head down and do as he is told, and we will see him for Christmas"