Chapter 9: Platform 9

[King's Cross Station. Up on a crossing bridge, Eva, with her cart of her baggage, equipment and Hedwig, walk beside Hagrid. A couple look at Hagrid, suspiciously.]

Hagrid: What're you looking at? [He then checks watch] Blimey, is that the time? Sorry, Eva, I'm gonna have to leave you. Dumbledore'll be wanting his- well, he'll be wanting to see me. Now, uh, your train leaves in 10 minutes. Here's your ticket. [hands the train ticket] Stick to it, Eva that's very important. Stick to your ticket.

[Eva looks at his ticket.]

Eva: Platform 9? But, Hagrid, there must be a mistake. This says Platform 9. There's no such thing...is there? [Eva looks up, but Hagrid has vanished and Eva all alone with her cart.]

[Eva is walking down lane between trains. A man rushes by.]

Man: Sorry.

[Eva sees a guard.]

Eva: Excuse me, excuse me.

Guard: Right on your left, ma'am.

Eva: Excuse me, sir. Can you tell me where I might find Platform 9?

Guard: [incredulous] 9? Think you're being funny, do ya? [he walks off]

[Eva then notices a woman, A woman, two sons, one daughter, the second woman, one daughter, and two sons, the third woman, two daughters, and 8 kids walk by, pushing carts.]

Mrs. Martinez: It's the same year after year. Always packed with Muggles, of course.

Eva: Muggles?

Michelle: Come on. Platform 9 this way! All right, Mikinze, you first.

[A tall girl with brown and Black hair, called Mikinze, comes forward and runs towards a brick wall. Amazingly, she disappears right into it. Harry is amazed.]

Mrs. Gray: Emma, you next.

Abby: She's not Emma, I am!

Emma: Honestly, woman, you call yourself our mother.

Mrs. Gray: Oh, I'm sorry, George.

[Emma moves towards the wall]

Emma: I'm only joking. I am Emma. [She runs through the wall, and is followed by her twin sister. Eva shakes her head in disbelief.]

Eva: Excuse me! C-could you tell me how to-

Mrs. Martinez: How to get on the platform? Yes, not to worry, dear. It's Luis's first time to Hogwarts. And this four kids too, as well. [pan to a Hispanic Black haired boy, called Luis, who smiles.] Now, all you've got to do is walk straight at the wall between platforms 9 and 10. Best do it at a bit of a run if you're nervous.

Jose: Good luck.

[Eva takes a breath and runs at the wall. She shuts her eyes and emerges on the other side a magnificent station at Platform 9 with a red train, which is the Hogwarts Express, and bundles of people. A whistle blows, and Eva sighs with relief.]