Harry Potter and the Test

Opening





I pulled the collar of my jacket up tighter around my neck. The cool air chilled my skin and the icy fog that surrounded me even made it worse.

'What Gulf Stream?' I thought to myself. 'The brochure never mentioned that I would have to survive Arctic winds and ice in September.'

I stepped further away form the curb as the taxi that took me here left me behind. With a soft puttering it escaped back into the manic traffic of old London, allowing me to explore Kings Cross Station on my own. Looking at my watch I saw that I had about half an hour before my train for Glasgow took off. This is one 'cab' that I wouldn't want to miss.



I was participating in the Studies Abroad program run through my high school. For my junior year, I decided to take England over Italy. The past few days, chilly as they have been, have made me consider whether I made the right choice. That aside, I was enjoying my time overall and since I still had a few days before classes got underway, I had some time to myself. It was time to see the sights and sounds of London.

Entering, I felt the chilly draft follow me in. Spotting the departure board, I stepped up to it, making sure my train was leaving on time, without any delays.

"Glasgow.Glasgow.Glas--"

Just then, I felt an elbow jab me in the shoulder. I was jostled by it and staggered forwards. My arm was already aching by the time I spun around to see who might have run into me so hard.

"Excuse me," I shouted to the man who I guessed had lunged into me.

He stopped and spun around to face me. On either side of him he was flanked by two other men. All three were tall, burly and obviously tipsy. The one on the right had a ragged beard and glared at me.

"Wot did 'ou say?" he slurred, pointing his finger at me as he spoke.

Fearing bodily harm, I lowered the tone of my voice.

"You.you bumped into me."

"Really? 'id we Cha'lie?" The middle man asked the other two. Obviously the ringleader, he snickered, looking between the two and then back at me.

"I guess we did." His reply calmed my nerves; however, this settling lasted only monetarily.

"Let us 'elp 'ou get dusted off then!" he replied and all three began coming at me. With only a few feet separating us as is, and seeing their rapid approach, I spun around and took off in the opposite direction.

Not knowing the station well, I had no clue where I was to run to. No matter where I went, though, I had to dodge person after person, giving up on excusing myself after the tenth near collision. The trio was still after me, not bothering to use any grace in making their way through the crowds. I passed platform after platform on my right. The eighth one passed me and there, the people grew even thicker, I knew I had to change my direction and quick. Pausing to look over my shoulder, I took off down platform nine.



Brick columns ran down its length, and I had to weave between them to keep clear of people and have a safe path of travel as well. I heard trains on both sides of me whistle, a handicap to my journey since it covered up the sound of footsteps, an advantage I had been relying on in my attempted escape. I looked over my shoulder again, and couldn't see them. This worried me; I continued to run further down the platform, but looked around at the same time, preparing myself for when they ran out at me, starting from some hidden spot, beyond my view.

"WATCH OUT!"

I heard someone shout. Whether it was in reference to me or not, I didn't know. All I could see was a massive blur, running at me, full speed. At that point, all I had was my instincts, and following their lead, I dodged out of the way, straight into one of the columns. Preparing for the hit, and subsequent beating I would receive from the thugs, I winced.

Nothing.

I opened the eyes.

Before me, there were surges of people, running in front of me and just behind them, was a train. With steam pouring out of the stack, I noticed the shiny exterior, how the wheels gleamed and the wooden carriages shone.

I laid there on the ground, on my side. Not wanting to take on the appearance of a drifter, I got myself up. Brushing the soot off of my black jacket, I looked around, trying to get a perspective of my current situation.

'Damn,' was all I could think. I was obviously not in the place I was before. True, I wasn't being chased anymore, but I wasn't on platform nine any longer. Heck, even the ground was different. Gone was the cold concrete, now replaced by hardwood. Kids ran in front of me in what appeared to be black cloaks, looking much like the coat I was wearing. By the hand, they led who appeared to be their parents. Carts of trunks, topped with cages containing birds and even rats rolled by, chattering to everyone within their range.

"This is not..hmmmm." I couldn't even finish my sentence. I began walking back towards where I assumed the platform had started. A few steps later, though, I felt contact once more. However, this time it wasn't rude.

"Jacob, come on!" I heard him shout. Whoever it was had taken me by the elbow and began walking me back to where I started. I couldn't see his face since I was currently traveling backwards. Steeping as quickly as I could, I had little time to think up any questions to ask my leader.

Seconds later, I was forced up some steps into one of the train's cars. Finally, he let go. I stood there, waiting to see my 'captor's' face. He turned, and a look of shock came to his face.

"Oh my.I'm sorry. I thought you were someone else," he apologized. He shook my hand, trying to make up for his embarrassment. As this exchange went on, I heard a clock signal that it was noon. I began to step away and move towards the door. A final toll, though, seemed to have an effect on the doors. They slammed shut, abruptly stopping my exit.

"Hmmmm..that's not good." I murmured to myself, ascending back up the steps. I felt the train shift and begin to move forward. I could do little else but stand there.