Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters, places, and ideas belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers, not me.
by Auror5
The night before Lily departed for Hogwarts found the Evans family in a hotel suite going over last minute details.
"Let's take a look at the train ticket to see where exactly we are to go," announced Wesley.
He scrutinised it, and exclaimed loudly, "What? Platform nine and three-quarters? No such platform exists! Is this some kind of joke?"
"Let me see, dear. There must be a mistake."
Wesley passed the ticket to Zinnia's outstretched hand.
She frowned as her eyes scanned the information printed on the admission slip. "Platform nine and three-quarters? Why, surely it must be an error," Zinnia stated.
"But, why would they tell us that if it were a mistake?" Lily yawned while petting Snowball.
"I don't know, pumpkin. They do seem to be an eccentric sort. At least, the ones we met at Diagon Alley seemed that way. Wes, perhaps we can straighten this all out at King's Cross. I am sure many Hogwarts students will be taking this train."
Wesley sighed. "I guess we have no other alternative. I have never seen any platforms numbered with fractions. Oh, here, Lily, this is for you."
Wesley dropped several gold coins into Lily's hand.
"Thanks, Dad! It's money from Gringotts."
"It is the money left from your school shopping. It's only five Galleons, but you may need it. So keep it, sweetie. Put it in a safe place, all right?"
"Okay."
"Lily, you're tired. In fact, we all need to go to bed now. It's late, and we must rise early tomorrow." Zinnia yawned.
***
About twenty minutes later, Lily was tucked into bed trying to fall asleep. A million butterflies seemed to be fluttering madly in her stomach, and making it a challenge for her to relax. She wondered whether she would make any friends at Hogwarts and whether her grades would be good.
What do they teach at Hogwarts? she thought. Will they really teach me how to fly a broom? How can I fly one without falling off? The broomstick is not wide enough for me to stay on properly. It hurts, too! I tried to sit on one while no one was watching. How do they do it? Do I have to cackle like those witches on television? Will I have to eat weird food? Will I have to learn how to turn people into frogs and rats? I hope not, unless it's someone I don't like! What if I don't have enough magic? What if I fail all of my lessons? What do they do to bad students? Turn them into mice? I hope my teachers are nice! What if my classmates don't like me?
Eventually, after much tossing and turning, Lily fell into a light, troubled sleep.
***
"Hurry, honey! We want to be at King's Cross at 10:15, and it already 9:30," exclaimed a harried Zinnia.
"All right, Mum. Could you help me with Snowball? He doesn't want to get into his carrier."
"Don't worry, Zin; I have him."
***
They arrived at King's Cross at 10:15, and began their search for platform nine and three-quarters.
"It simply does not exist as I've stated before!" Wesley said, irritably. "See here? Platform nine, and there's platform ten. This must be some kind of joke!"
"Honey, why don't you wait here with Lily, and I will go inquire at the information booth."
A few minutes later, Zinnia returned. Lily and Wesley observed that her face was flushed with obvious embarrassment.
"What happened, Zin? What did they say?"
"To be frank, I was quite humiliated! They told me that no such platform exists! They laughed at me, and told me to go on my way. They were busy. What are we going to do?"
"Let me look around some more. You two stay here. Let me sort this out."
At 10:40 a.m., Wesley returned visibly furious.
"This is absurd! There simply is no platform nine and three-quarters."
"Mum, Dad, what are we going to do?" Lily was starting to feel distressed.
While standing not far from platform ten, they suddenly noticed a man and a teenaged boy a few meters from them. The teenager had a trunk with him, and a cage carrying a large barn owl.
"Mum, Dad, I think he's going to Hogwarts. Why don't we ask him how to find platform nine and three-quarters?" Lily said in a low voice.
The man, who was apparently the father, exited the scene and left the boy standing alone. The teenager had silvery blonde hair and a pointy chin. He appeared about sixteen or seventeen years of age. He turned and locked his gaze onto the Evanses. His face was full of loathing and contempt. Malice could be seen in his cold, grey eyes, which settled upon Lily. Then his lips curled into a snarl as he scrutinised Lily with hostility. Lily backed into her father, who placed his hands tightly onto her shoulders. The teenager glared briefly at Zinnia and Wesley, and then moved toward the space between platforms nine and ten. At that moment, a large group of people happened to pass in front of the Evanses, and obstructed their view of the malevolent teenager. Once the crowd passed, they realised that they had lost him.
"Where did he go?" Zinnia's voice trembled. "Did you see how he looked at us? How he looked at Lily?"
Wesley bent down to Lily's level, and said in a concerned, worried voice, "Sweetheart, if you see that young man in school, you stay away from him, understand?"
"Yes, Daddy."
"I didn't like the way he looked at us, not one bit. Must be disturbed."
A few minutes later, they heard a lady say, "Come. We must hurry or we will miss the train. We only have about ten minutes." The Evanses turned and spotted a family of four a few meters from their location.
"Now, Fiona, I don't want you pestering your brother while you are at school, all right?"
"Yes, Mum," reluctantly replied a small girl of about eleven years old. As soon as her mother's back was turned, she stuck her tongue out at her brother, who appeared about fourteen years of age.
"I'm turning you into a salamander once we're at school, you little imp," threatened the teenager.
"Blah, blah, blah," the girl responded.
"Mum, Dad, I think they're going to Hogwarts, too. See? They both have owls. Let's ask them. They seem nice."
"Sure, why not?" Wesley led his clan over to the family of four.
"Er, excuse me. How do we find platform nine and three-quarters?"
The man and woman peered at the Evanses.
"Are you Muggles?" the man said.
"Er, yes, we are, except our daughter. She is attending Hogwarts for the first time."
"Really? So is our Fiona!" exclaimed the woman.
"Hello. We are the McKinnons. I'm Liam. This is my wife, Kendra; son, Craig, and daughter, Fiona. How do you do?"
"Pleased to make your acquaintance. I'm Wesley Evans. This is my wife, Zinnia and daughter, Lily."
"Why don't we do it this way? Kendra you take Zinnia, Lily, and Fiona with you, and Wesley, Craig, and I follow? We don't want the Muggles to notice anything out of the ordinary."
"Yes, that sounds like a good idea. Zinnia, Lily, and you too, Fiona, come with me." Kendra McKinnon beckoned Zinnia and Lily to follow her.
"Zin, go on ahead. I will grab the trunk. Here Lily, take Snowball." Wesley handed Snowball, in his carrier, to Lily.
Zinnia and Lily followed Kendra McKinnon and her daughter, Fiona.
"Now, the trick is to not let any Muggles see you. Be nonchalant. Let's walk briskly. When we see a group of Muggles pass, we walk through the barrier. Just follow Fiona and me."
Very shortly, a group of rowdy teenagers passed by. Kendra strolled swiftly toward a space between platforms nine and ten, with Fiona, Lily, and Zinnia in tow. Zinnia and Lily were sceptical. They were afraid that they were going to walk headlong into the platform barrier, and earn large painful bumps on their heads for their effort. The barrier approached. Lily and Zinnia held their breaths. Kendra and Fiona seemed to disappear just before they would have collided into the barrier. Amazed, Zinnia held tightly onto Lily's hand, closed her eyes, and with one arm straight out in front of her, stepped through.
"Wow!" said Lily.
Zinnia opened her eyes and saw a bright, red train billowing steam in front of them. A number of children and their parents were running around the platform labelled, "9 ¾." The scene was that of near chaos. Numerous owls were hooting, cats were screeching, hissing, or meowing, and too many rats and toads scampered about loose with children chasing after them.
"Welcome to platform nine and three-quarters! This is the Hogwarts Express." Kendra smiled warmly at Lily and Zinnia.
"Come on. Let's find a compartment." Fiona grabbed Lily's hand.
Zinnia and Kendra followed.
They stepped inside the train, and found an empty compartment for Lily and Fiona. Lily left a decidedly disgruntled Snowball in his carrier, on a seat by the window. As they were leaving the train, Liam, Wesley, and Craig walked on carrying trunks. Kendra pointed out to Wesley and Liam the compartment Lily and Fiona would occupy.
On the platform, the Evanses and McKinnons paid farewells to their children.
"Honey, please don't forget to write us after you settle in, all right? We want to know how you are doing," Zinnia said with tears in her eyes.
"I'm really going to miss you, my girl." Zinnia then grabbed Lily into a tight embrace and kissed her.
"Will miss you too, Mum," Lily replied softly with a very large lump in her throat.
The train's whistle began to blare. Yelling goodbyes to their parents, Craig and Fiona rushed onto the train.
Wesley hugged and lavished kisses on his daughter. He then whispered in Lily's ear, "Take care of yourself at the school in the north, on the banks of lake. We love you. Don't forget to write us."
Frequently glancing back and fighting tears that threatened, Lily slowly moved away from her parents.
"Goodbye Mum, Dad. I love you!"
She stepped into the train and found the compartment she and Fiona selected. She sat down and noticed two boys sharing the compartment with them. Lily then opened the window and gazed out at her parents, who were watching with their arms wrapped around each other. Her mother was crying. The McKinnons were standing nearby.
"Bye, Mum. Bye, Dad," shouted Fiona.
Heroically fighting back tears, Lily waved at her parents as the train began to roll away.
They returned her wave.
"Bye, Mum and Dad!" Lily waved frantically at her parents as the train picked up speed. She watched, nearly hanging out the window, until she could no longer see them. Lily then plopped down onto the seat, and stared at her hands while struggling to hold back tears.
Eventually, Lily glanced around the compartment and looked at her companions. Fiona was seated across from her gazing out the window. Fiona had long, rich brown hair with flecks of gold throughout, large indigo eyes, and a rather elfin face. She was slightly small for her age. One of the boys had light brown hair, and was rather cute. He seemed a bit shy to Lily, and was huddled near the door. The other boy, sitting next to her, was slightly chubby with mousy brown hair and beady dark eyes. He appeared as though he were terrified.
"My brother is in Gryffindor. That's probably where I'll end up," blurted Fiona. "Lily, which House do you want to be in?"
"I don't know. What are the Houses?"
"Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin."
"What are they for?"
"That's where they put the students. We live in the Houses. Craig said that Slytherin is the worst House. Pray that they don't stick you in there!"
"What's wrong with it?" piped up the chubby boy with beady eyes.
"Craig said that all of the bad wizards and witches come from Slytherin. The wizard who started Slytherin was a Parselmouth."
The boys gasped in astonishment.
"What's a Parselmouth?" said Lily.
"Oh dear, you don't know?" Fiona responded, incredulously. "Why, it's a wizard that speaks snake language. Only bad wizards can speak to snakes."
"Oh."
"I do hope they put me in Gryffindor," said the chubby boy. "I hear that it's the best House."
"It is! Craig says so."
"I saw this girl at the bookshop in Diagon Alley. She said that she was in Hufflepuff."
"Oh, Lily, you don't want to be in Hufflepuff. Craig says that only the stupid ones are put in Hufflepuff. He said that they aren't smart. All Gryffindors are brave and smart," Fiona proudly stated.
"I bet I'm stuck in Hufflepuff," muttered the boy with beady eyes.
"If you do get stuck in Hufflepuff, go for the Quidditch team. Perhaps you can be their Keeper," Fiona advised. "I want to be the Seeker for Gryffindor. My father said that I have the right build, and I'm fast. I always practice flying on my broom. I have a Nimbus 1001. They're the latest."
"I don't know. I'm too big, I think," replied the boy.
"What's Quidditch?"
"Oh, Lily, I must tell you! It's so much fun! You fly around on brooms and try to score by throwing the Quaffle, a red ball, into the other team's hoops. But, you have to watch out for the Bludgers. They're heavy black balls that try to knock the players off their brooms. The team who catches the Golden Snitch wins! I really want to play for whatever house they put me in. Craig tells me I'm such a tomboy." Fiona made a face.
"Craig has a girlfriend. Her name is Sasha, and she's in Ravenclaw," giggled Fiona. "One day," she whispered conspiratorially. "I saw Craig kissing her photo, and moaning 'Oooh, I looove you, baby; you're so divine, so lovely and mine, oooh, um, lovely love.'"
They laughed.
The compartment door opened and a girl stepped in. Lily immediately recognised her as the girl she met in Flourish and Blotts.
"Hello, I'm Bertha Jorkins. I'm thirteen, and in Hufflepuff."
Fiona rolled her eyes but Bertha did not notice. Lily smiled.
"I remember you," Bertha said to Lily. "Flourish and Blotts. Her parents are Muggles. Did you know?"
"Who cares?" replied Fiona.
"I thought you would want to know. Aren't you a McKinnon?"
"Yeah, so?"
"What's your name?"
"Fiona."
"That's pretty. What's yours?" Bertha directed her attention to the boy with light brown hair.
"Remus. Remus Lupin."
"And yours?"
"Peter Pettigrew."
"Pleased to make all of your acquaintances. I do hope each of you is placed in Hufflepuff. I can tell you all about Hogwarts. I know a lot. I must go now. My friends must miss me." Bertha then exited the compartment.
"What a Uric!" exclaimed Fiona. "She's stupid really. Talks too much, my mum says. I hope none of us are placed in Hufflepuff. Can you imagine being with her all the time? Her friends. Really! Craig said that she doesn't have any friends because she's always telling everyone's business."
The compartment door slid opened again, and a witch with a trolley full of food asked if they wanted anything. Lily looked at the unfamiliar items, and requested Fiona's advice.
"Let's get Cauldron Cakes, pumpkin juice, Chocolate Frogs, and my favourite, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans."
"Okay. What are Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans?"
"Oh, they are much fun," Fiona said with a mischievous gleam in her eyes.
They sat down and began to eat. Lily unwrapped a Chocolate Frog, and noticed a card inside. She took a bite of chocolate, and then began to choke on it when she observed the person on the card winking at her.
"It's moving!"
"What? What do you mean?" said Fiona frowning.
"The man in the picture is moving!"
"So? They always do."
"I've never seen photos move!"
"Muggle photos don't move?" Fiona and Peter chorused, incredulously.
"No!"
"That's strange," remarked Remus breaking his silence.
Lily read the card. It was that of Nicolas Flamel, an alchemist. "Wow, he's positively ancient," she muttered.
She unwrapped another Chocolate Frog, and saw a picture of Albus Dumbledore, who was smiling and waving at her. "Now I know what he looks like," Lily said, softly.
"What who looks like?" said Fiona.
"The Headmaster. He seems kind."
"Oh. Craig said that he's, erm, a bit daft."
"Do any of you want to play chess? I have a board," offered Remus.
"Yes, I would like to. I love chess!" Lily replied.
The compartment door slid open once again and presented Craig and three of his friends.
"Oy, get out. This is ours," yelled Fiona.
"Oh, stuff it, billiwig. How are the fresh bloods doing?"
"We were fine until you and your trolls walked in!"
"Now, now, Fiona, let's not get too excited, shall we?"
"Oooh, Sasha baby, oooh, um, so lovely and kissable," Fiona moaned while puckering her lips.
Lily, Peter, Remus, and Fiona laughed loudly as Craig, blushing furiously, backed quickly out of the compartment. His friends followed.
"All right, Remus, let's play chess!"
"We'll take turns. Peter or Fiona will take the place of whomever loses, eh?" said Remus.
Lily nodded her head.
Remus pulled out a board and chess pieces from his trunk. "White or black?" he said to Lily.
"Black."
Lily saw that the pieces came alive.
"Wow! They talk and move by themselves. Brilliant!"
"You mean Muggle pieces don't?"
"No! Not at all!"
"How boring!" Remus replied.
About thirty minutes later, Lily emerged victorious.
"Who wants to play me next?" Lily said to Peter and Fiona.
"I will," shouted Fiona.
Almost fifteen minutes later, Fiona announced her defeat.
"You're really good at this, Lily."
Peter played next, and surprisingly performed much better than Remus and Fiona but in the end, about an hour later, his king yielded to Lily. The girls and boys continued to play as the day progressively descended into darkness. Sometime later, they realised that the train was slowing down.
"We must be near the school. We should put on our robes, now," Fiona declared.
They scrambled around the compartment, rummaged in their trunks, and pulled out their black robes. By the time the train had stopped, they were seated with their robes on. They all had nervous expressions on their faces. Too soon, they were stepping off the Scarlet Express.
"Leave your trunks, owls, and cats, please. They will be taken to your rooms after you are sorted," proclaimed a shrill voice.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"1
Lily glanced over in the direction of the voice, and gasped. The man was huge! Lily had never seen anyone as tall as the man before her. He had to be at least three meters tall, and with a ton of hair on his face and head!
"That's Hagrid, the gamekeeper," whispered Fiona in her ear.
"Over here. That's right! Firs' years, follow me," boomed Hagrid.
Lily, Fiona, Peter, and Remus, along with the rest of the first years, moved toward the giant man.
"No more'n four to a boat!"2
Lily, Fiona, Peter, and Remus climbed into a boat.
"All right? Everyone in? FORWARD!"3
They then sailed silently across the still, dark lake to a great and imposing castle with many turrets and towers. Some of the windows were lit with a warm glow. Lily wished they had arrived during the day so that she could see the castle properly. Soon, they entered the castle walls through a tunnel, into an underground harbour, and stopped.
"Everyone out, now. Watch yer step," Hagrid thundered, his voice echoing off the close walls.
They walked across the lawn, and then up a flight of stone steps leading up to a huge, oak door. Hagrid raised his fist and knocked loudly. A tall, very stern-faced woman in forest green robes opened the door and stared down at the group.
"Here they are, Professor, the firs' years."
"Thank you. I will take them from here, Hagrid. Follow me, children." She propped the door wide open to allow them in.4
"I'm Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts, and Head of Gryffindor House."
They followed Professor McGonagall who led them into a magnificently large entrance hall, larger than some homes Lily had been in. She glanced up and saw that the ceiling was far, far above them. Professor McGonagall ushered them into a small chamber to the right of the reception area. They crowded into the small room. Each student wore a look of fright or apprehension on his or her face. Lily wondered what would happen next.
---------
1J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, (Scholastic Press, 1998), p111.
2J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, (Scholastic Press, 1998), p111.
3J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, (Scholastic Press, 1998), p112.
4J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, (Scholastic Press, 1998), p112.