Harry doesn't know it yet but the train ride is going to be one of the most important events in his life. For now, he moves along the platform dragging his trunk along. Hagrid wanted to buy him a pet but Harry refused. He doesn't particularly like avians, cats or toads.
He's early, having told his uncle the wrong time. He wouldn't put it past him to make him late out of spite. In fact, he checks his watch, he told his uncle he needed to be here now. He is just on time. Harry supposes that his uncle really does want to be rid of him.
He lingers around platforms 9 and 10 sure that the gate must be here. Perhaps it's like Diagon Alley! Shifting his body to hide his wand, he gently taps the wall. To his surprise, it goes straight through.
Harry sticks it further in, along with half his arm. He looks around him before slipping into the wall. It feels as if there is simply nothing there.
He finds himself next to a huge scarlet steam train. He is certainly in the right place. He manages to lug his trunk on with the help of a smiling bushy-haired girl and in turn helps her with hers.
After holding an immensely interesting conversation with her about authority he learns her name. Ms Hermione Granger is an English Muggleborn with a love for books and the promise that she will never change her name. This is said so plainly that Harry recognises it for the fact it is and discusses outdated customs with her.
Their conversation soon flows from dowry to murder and then the different reasons it happens. By this point, both Harry and Hermione realise the other is there to stay. Next to her parents, Hermione carves a new name: Messy Black Hair. Harry has Bushy Brown Hair etched across his own heart - happy to have another name there. Naturally, gruff friendly giant is already there.
They spend the rest of the ride in somewhat comfortable silence. Soon they will be so familiar that silence is just as comfortable as talking but not yet. Not quite yet.
Their compartment is disrupted twice by two boys looking for Harry. Hermione's face holds slow realisation - Harry has not yet introduced himself. First she feels hurt. Then she lashes out.
Harry is quick to follow her and the ginger stalks him, latching on. Harry is quick to brush him off. The boy, the other, is not important to him right now. He doesn't want someone staring at him like he does.
Finally, Hermione and Harry return to the compartment. Their relative peace is interrupted a second time by an aristocratic blonde.
His attempt to befriend Harry is ignorant at best and downright condescending at worst.
Finally he leaves. He realises that Hermione and Harry are a package and he wants nothing to do with 'the Mudblood' as he's fondly nicknamed Hermione.
The rest of their ride is uninterrupted by any other visitors. Harry and Hermione spend their time getting to know each other.
Hermione is - almost surprisingly - not as embarrassed as one would expect so they simply turn their backs on each other when it's time to change.
When the long, long train ride is finally over, they are called over by Hagrid: the loveable but loose-lipped man.
Harry's smile must be brighter than the sun.