A/N: I appreciate the viewers who gave me reviews… I love hearing someone out there is actually reading them! ^^ Well, I know I haven't added this chapter after a while… I'm having major Writer's Block problems, ya. Anyhow, Harry Potter is copyright to J.K. Rowling. I love her, she writes the bomb books, yo! Lol, anyhow, please enjoy this, more to come I promise!!
Chapter 3 –
Platform 9 ¾
Alice ran through the quiet, dark streets of London. Her heart pound sounded loud in her head, her palms clammy from the nervousness. Why now had her mother chosen to send the letters? She was 14, therefore she'd missed out on about 4 years of school at Hogwarts! She'd probably never catch up with the others, she thought. But maybe she'd meet people who were like her. She ran across the empty intersection, and towards Mae's street. It only took about 10 minutes or so to reach the house from there. It was small, but very peaceful and happy. Mae lived with her father and step-mother, Steven and Helen. Mrs. Helen, as Alice called her, was very kind and pretty in a faded way. Mae's father was a bit on the chubby side, but had the friendliest smile-Mae had gotten that from him. Alice searched for a few pebbles, once she found a few, she through one at Mae's window. It took about 4 pebbles total to draw Mae's attention, and she turned her lamp on and pulled open her window to look down curiously at the unknown visitor. Once she saw Alice's face, she gestured upwards. "Alice… what are you doing down there at 3 in the morning!? Come on up!!"
Alice shrugged and whispered back. "now, how am I supposed to do that??"
Mae sighed. "Go around back, I'll open the door and let you in." Alice nodded and scurried towards the backyard, Pugsley, Mae's pit bull dog, lay asleep in his dog house, Alice leaped over the flower garden and towards the door just in time for Mae to open it up, her face beaming. "lovely to see you here, now come on up before you catch a chill!" Alice couldn't reject, for almost immediately Mae grabbed her arm and propelled her upstairs. Once in Mae's room, Alice looked around at the girlish like room. Pink was everywhere, it reminded Alice of a fairy tale room. Mae plopped on her bed and Alice sat next to her. Mae offered her a chocolate cookie from her own personal cookie jar, and Alice accepted it gratefully. She hadn't eaten since earlier that afternoon, and Mae and she enjoyed munching on them quietly for a while. After the time became to long and silent, Alice told Mae about her mother's letter, her invitation to Hogwarts, her step mother and father refusing for her to leave, but she ignored them and here she was. Mae raised her eyebrows in surprise. "wow Alice… But… you're 14… why so late?" Alice shook her head and shrugged. "how should I know? This is all new and weird to me…" Mae blinked and then stood. "well, you surely have to reach platform 9 and ¾ by this morning… aah… aha! The train leaves at 10 AM sharp, so we must get you over there it's… bloody hell! 6:30 and the station is far away from here… a good 45 minutes or more driving. Well, looks like my dad can help us there Alice." Alice thought to be 6:30 AM… that WAS sort of early… not late… but how would she know, this was all very confusing for her…
It was about 8:15 AM by the time Mae's father woke to his surprise to realize Alice was a witch, about to take her first train to Hogwarts. Steven (Mae's father) scratched his head and smiled. "well now little miss Alice… a witch, aye? Congrats… hmm.. well, you may want Helen to take ya dear… I dunno where that place is… and Helen surely knows since she be a witch and all… woops!" he covered his mouth and turned a light shade of crimson. "er… you didn't hear me say that Mae…" Mae stared dumbfounded "H-Helen is a-a… witch!?" Steven nodded just as Helen floated in happily to the kitchen and smiled merrily to Alice. "ah, hello Alice! What's this…? Oh yes, Mae… We meant to tell you when you were older… but, well… guess the time has come… I am a witch, I went to Hogwarts and graduated…" she turned to Alice and looked at her knowingly. "yes… and I am not only a witch dear, but I am a Seer as well." Mae blinked. "you… you are!? Wow! This is so… cool!" Alice was quiet most of the time, but the fact that kind ol' Miss Helen was a witch with Seer blood was actually quite odd. Alice handed Helen the letter from Hogwarts, Helen squealed with delight. "oh, joy! I will definitely take you to the station and drop you off, Mae dear, you'll come also." Helen looked at her watch and jumped. "dearie me! … come now, let's go! We'll be late… and we don't need that for a first impression now do we, girls?" Helen, accompanied by Alice and Mae (who was still trying to tie her sneaker) all hoped into Helen's car. She started it at once and swerved out of the driveway, almost hitting the neighbor's cat.
Alice was quite nervous… She didn't know one thing of magic… and she'd be so far behind… if her mother had held onto her past 3 year letters, why had she JUST decided to send one… this was so confusing. Mae interrupted her thoughts. "oh, Alice!" she cooed. "what if you meet a cute looking guy… oh, joy! You need a boy in your life to lighten you up every once in a while you know!" Alice laughed nervously but looked out the window, what Mae said still lingered in her mind. 'yes… what IF I did meet a guy… hmm.. I hope I do, I really wish someone would be there for me…' Helen glanced up through the rear view mirror at Alice, smiled and continued driving with her musical happy humming song.
Once they appeared at the busy station, it was already nearly 9:45 AM. Helen jumped out of the car, followed by Alice and Mae. Helen sighed. "oh dear Alice… I think you may have to go and get your supplies at Hogsmeade… We didn't have enough time." Alice gasped. There where supplies needed!? Mae let out a soft 'oh' and stared at Alice. "well, I'm sure they'll understand. Just go and talk with the headmaster-" Alice fumed. "but I don't KNOW anybody there!! I don't know the headmaster, I don't know any of these people, OR professors!" Her eyes watered and Helen put a calming hand on her shoulder. "there, there Alice… it'll be alright I assure you… see, there is someone there who will help you. I can see… and she is of blood to you, on your mother's side. Now, come along we shall get going." Mae mused. "but… Helen… there IS no platform 9 ¾ … there's just 9 and 10!" Helen giggled. 'ah, nonsense Mae! You have to go in between 9… run through the wall you know. See, watch these kids…" and sure enough, 2 boys, seemed to be 12, ran through the wall with their owls and trunks. Their parents waving a tearful goodbye. Alice gulped, how on earth was she supposed to run through a wall- "ah Alice, stop doubting so much! You're not a muggle-" Mae blinked. "muggle? What's a muggle?" Helen smiled. "It's non magic folk… now Alice, just go on and run through that wall, don't worry dear! Just close your eyes and run through… you won't feel a thing… now, watch over yourself and remember to write!" Mae hugged her friend and wiped her tearful eyes. Alice smiled, took a deep breath, grabbed her one trunk and ran through the wall full speed. Remarkably, she actually made it through the wall! She gaped at the fact, and noticed all the people running to the big black train, Alice was so scared.
'What have I gotten myself into…' she angrily thought to herself. A few second years pushed past her towards the train. Alice slowly followed, her shaky hand holding the ticket out to a guard. He smiled and said, "come on about m'lady… ah, where is your luggage I daresay?" Alice sighed and shook her head. "I-I sort of just got this letter to Hogwarts… I'm 14 and have never been…" she climbed aboard while the guard looked at her stupidly. Alice's luggage was taken to store under the train with the other students. She didn't know what to do, she walked around looking for any type of empty compartment. A tall, blonde boy followed by two other chunky ones pushed past her. The blonde one, probably the leader, said 'out of my way you git!' Alice snorted and walked along. 'how rude… I swear, if anything, that shows how rude some stupid people at this crack headed school can be-' she had bumped right into a tall, rather lanky boy. His red hair rather scraggly and his robes look rather old. Alice blushed from embarrassment "er… s-sorry.." The boy nodded and smiled. "s'no problem here! I wasn't paying attention either, so really-" the blonde headed boy and his two fat side kicks spoke from behind Alice. "ah, Weasley. What are you doing roaming about, you're not with your precious Potter? I'm sure he is missing you right now you poor stupid-" Alice backed out of the way just before the boy called 'Weasley' lunged forward to grab the blonde boy's hair. He hissed, "You had better shut your trap Malfoy! I had to go catch the food cart to buy some chocolate frogs, you stupid a-" a few compartments down, a door opened. A girl, with rather poofy brown hair and a very pretty face. Her brown eyes scowled. "Ron! What on earth are you doing…?" Ron turned and snorted, letting Malfoy go. "Well, if this stupid pig would stop messing with us, then MAYBE I wouldn't have to be forced to pound his face into a bloody pulp!" Malfoy glared, then flew around and walked briskly down the halls, followed by his companions. The girl sighed and walked to him. "Ron, you must learn to control your temper." Ron snorted. "ME!? It was all HIS fault, not mine Hermione." Alice gaped "y-you are Hermione… a-and you're… Ron Weasley… oh my… I can't believe this…" the girl called Hermione looked at her as if for the first time. "er, yes. My name is Hermione Granger.. ah, why do you want to know…?" Ron nodded in agreement and looked at Alice questioningly, and she beamed. "Well, of COURSE I would know about you… I mean, I've read all the books that have come out so far… oh joy! I can't wait until the next one..." Hermione stared. "books…? What books…?" Alice. "but… of course you must know what I am talking about… you know, Harry Potter and the Sourcerer's Stone, Chamber of Secrets, Prisoner of Azkaban, Goblet of Fire, Order of the Pheonix… You do know of these, don't you?" Ron stared dumbfounded at her, Hermione turned pale. "er… I have no idea… what… you… er…" She bit her lip and looked around, she looked again at Alice. "um… I don't think we've heard of such books… I really don't know what you are talking about… but, uh… do come and sit with us… it's just me, Harry and Ron-" Alice gasped. "oh! Harry Potter!? WOW! This is just… wow… so bloody amazing…." Alice beamed and followed the confused Ron and Hermione into the compartment… Wow, though she read the books, imagined it… she was actually coming into their world… she really wouldn't have much of a difficult time… She knew what was all going on, she had done endless research on the books and studies… She met the characters… This was just so mind blowing…
Harry Potter was, as the book described him. Tall, shaggy almost black hair that never really stayed the way he wanted it to. Brilliant green eyes, and circular glasses. His shaggy bangs were covering his scar, she knew. "uh… H-Harry Potter?" Harry looked up at her from his book. He nodded slightly. "yes… that's me." Alice shook her head in amazement. "wow… I can't believe this… You're Harry Potter… and you're Hermione Granger… Ron Weasley… uh… May I ask you, what year are you going to?" Hermione nodded nervously. "yes. This is our 5th year…" Alice gave a small intake of air, and sat down near the window, for the first time she noticed a girl sitting on the other side on the compartment, a dreamy expression on. Her not-to-there eyes seemed to stare into space, her pale blonde hair long. This, undoubtedly was Luna Lovegood. Alice let out an 'awe' sound, then looked at Hermione. "Um… I don't have my uniforms… in fact, see, I'm 14 and I-I was supposed to receive a letter when I was 10… but I had only just received it from my mother yesterday… I have no supplies, uniforms… nothing… er… can-can you help me out? Please?" Hermione was nodding, smiled and took Alice's hand. "sure! Come with me, I'll let you put on mine until we get a chance to go to Hogsmeade or somewhere for your supplies… This is rather odd. Are you a Seer? Alice blushed. "er, no… my dad's a human…" Ron smiled and said "muggle" and Alice blinked and went on. "and my mother left when I was small… uh… she was a witch." For once Luna mused aloud. "ah, a half-ling… welcome Alice." Alice nodded and stood up, following Hermione out the door to the girl's bathroom.
Hermione took out her wand, waved it abit and said "Accio!" and a folded uniform and cloak appeared. Alice took it and was reminded of something. "ah, Hermione… Since I am a 4th year… er… am I supposed to go up with the 1st years and get sorted… it may seem odd you know…" Hermione nodded. "well, we'll go see Professor Dumbledore… He probably knows what to do, don't worry, we'll work this out." She smiled. "now, go and change in the stalls, I'll wait here" Alice nodded and took the clothes and went into the stall to change. It was very odd to Alice… She was actually wearing a uniform of a Hogwarts student… how awesomely weird… Alice wanted to squeal out with excitement… This was the greatest thing that had ever happened to her! The uniform fit perfectly, but there was no patch on it for any house. She walked out and Hermione grinned. "wow, you look great in that… er…" Alice smiled. "sorry… My name is Alice Rhodes." Hermione smiled and held her hand out, Alice took it. "pleasure to meet you Alice Rhodes… now, let's go back to the others and see if the candy cart hasn't come by… I'm dying for another one of those Pumpkin Pastries! Mm!" Alice grinned and Hermione and she both went back to the compartment, Alice had already made one friend.
A/N: well… FINALLY I brought in the Harry Potter casts and all… XD I am VERY sorry it took SO LONG for this to come… I really am, I had exams and all this school work, it was drowning me out. But now I'm back and here's the 3rd chapter. Please review and I hope you get others to read, this is my first fic and I am trying my best to make it the greatest one I can ever do! - Lin