Most people don't feel a thing as they cross the barrier to Platform 9¾. There are some though, specially marked by fate, who may experience a fleeting vision or sound.

One heard the sound of hooves pounding over the grass. The hooves faded into a high cold laugh, and a pair of startling green eyes flashed once and were gone.

One saw a full moon rise over a hill and in the distance, he heard a long, sorrowful howl that made the hairs on the back of his neck raise. A silvery mist lay over everything, and the feeling of being completely alone seeped into his very bones.

Another heard the padding of feet, accompanied by a low growl. He saw a small, square, grey cell, where no happiness could be found. It made him feel cold and empty.

The last heard a very quiet pattering, as if very tiny feet were scurrying across a floor. A faint squeak could also be heard. Suddenly, a vision of a destroyed house sprang into his mind. The ruins were still smoldering and in the midst were two bodies, though he couldn't make out who they were. The heart-breaking wail of a small child filled the air, and a sense of fault lay heavy in the last boy's heart.

James burst out of the brick wall and onto Platform 9¾, those brilliant green eyes still dominating his thoughts. He didn't have time to dwell on them though, because five seconds later his mother came striding out onto the platform. She laughed and ruffled his hair.

"Not so bad, was it?" she asked. James managed a weak grin. His mother kept talking. "Now, let's go put your luggage on the train, all right?" James dutifully picked up one end of his trunk while his mother grabbed the other end. They loaded it into the luggage compartment with minimal difficulty. James looked around, unsure of what to do next. Suddenly his mother gave a loud gasp and began to wave wildly at someone.

"James, I've just spotted an old friend of mine, Sally Longbottom. I haven't seen her in ages! You don't mind if I go and have a quick chat with her, do you?" James shook his head.

"Of course not, mum."

"Oh, good! I'll only be a minute. Introduce yourself to some children, maybe you'll find a friend," she called, bustling off to talk with Sally. James looked around. As far as he could tell, all of the other students seemed to be already acquainted. There were small groups of yelling and laughing kids everywhere. James really didn't feel like having a whole group of strangers stare at him. Just as he had resigned himself to waiting alone for his mother to return, he saw the girl.

She was short and slim, with beautiful red hair. It was thick and very shiny. Her back was turned to James so he couldn't see her face. But best of all, she was alone, just like him. James began to walk over to her. As he drew closer, he realized that the girl was having trouble getting her trunk onto the train. James stopped right behind her and cleared his throat.

"Do you need any help?" he asked. The girl jumped and turned around to see who had spoken to her. James' jaw dropped. Widened in surprise were the green eyes he had seen as he walked through the barrier. The girl was staring at James, a confused look on her face. James hastily shut his mouth.

"Do you, er, need any help?" he repeated. The girl considered him for a moment and then nodded. James grabbed one end of the trunk and together they heaved it on to the train. The girl looked at James and grinned.

"Thanks, I'm Lily Evans," she said, extending her hand.

"James Potter." James took the offered hand and shook it firmly. "Are you a first year?" he asked. Lily nodded. James grinned broadly. "Hey, me too! Maybe we'll be in the same house!"

"That would be nice," Lily agreed. "Neither of my parents are magic and I really don't know anyone here." James laughed.

"Well, my mum and dad are a witch and a wizard, and I don't know anyone either!" Lily laughed. James realized that she was very pretty. Her hair was a fantastic shade of red and her green eyes were hypnotizing in the way they sparkled when she laughed.

"JAMES!" his mother called. James jumped about a foot in the air, causing Lily to giggle. He flushed a bit and yelled back.

"Be there in a minute, mum!" He glanced back at Lily. "Well, er... bye Lily. Glad I met you." It was Lily's turn to blush.

"Glad I met you too, James. I'll see you at Hogwarts!" James grinned, waved, and ran off to find his mother.

If Sirius was surprised to find himself suddenly on platform 9¾ and on the other side of the barrier, he hid it well. His mother stood waiting for him, impatiently tapping her foot.

"Come on Sirius, we don't have all day," she snapped. "The train leaves in exactly 10 minutes." Sirius sighed and followed her. He couldn't wait to be on the train and travelling away from his family. Just as Sirius had put his trunk into the baggage compartment, he heard his mother give a shriek. He turned around just in time to see his mother engulf a young girl in a tight embrace.

"Bellatrix! Oh, my dear, it's so good to see you!" she practically shouted. "Oh, and Narcissa, darling!" she shrilled, turning to a smaller girl standing next to Bellatrix. Sirius groaned inwardly. His two least favorite cousins. Great.

"Sirius!" his mother called. "Where are your manners? Get over here and say hello to your cousins!" Sirius dragged his feet, walking over to the three females as slowly as possible.

" 'Lo," he muttered, looking at them sullenly. The two sisters couldn't be more different. Bellatrix was dark. She had long black hair and dark eyes that always seemed to be half-closed. Narcissa was tall and thin. She had blonde hair and would have been very pretty if not for the intense look of disgust that was constantly stamped across her face. Sirius shuffled his feet, wanting desperately to leave. An idea came to him. He boldly interrupted the polite chatter going on around him.

"Where's Andromeda?" he said innocently. The conversation stopped and the three women froze. Bellatrix broke the awkward silence first.

"She's over there somewhere," she announced with a sneer and a vague wave of her hand. "She ran off as soon as we'd crossed the barrier." A twisted smile broke across her face. "Not that I care. I'm glad to be rid of the wench for a bit." Sirius' mother nodded at this and fixed Sirius with a beady eye.

"And you are to stay well away from her, do you understand me young man? She's a horrible influence, absolutely no wizarding pride." Sirius glared, then nodded once. His mother didn't see the crossed fingers at his side, but Bellatrix did.

"Don't worry Aunt Adrienne," she smirked. "I'll look out for Sirius, make sure he keeps the right company." Sirius clenched his jaw so hard it ached. His mother patted his back and smiled warmly at Bellatrix.

"I know you will dear. I'm so happy you're here to look after Sirius." Sirius rolled his eyes. All this false sweetness was making him nauseous.

"I'm tired," he broke in. "Can I just go get a seat on the train?" His mother frowned then looked at her watch.

"Oh my goodness, you have five minutes! Run along, all three of you." She kissed Sirius' head then kneeled down to give him a hug. To any passerby, it would have looked like a mother saying good-bye to her son. They couldn't see how tightly she gripped his shoulder and they couldn't hear what she hissed into his ear.

"You watch yourself, boy, or I will bring you straight back home and it will be a most unpleasant stay, I can guarantee you." She stood up, straightened Sirius' collar and pushed him firmly towards the train. Sirius stumbled forward a few steps, then turned around.

Adrienne Black was already gone.

When Remus opened his eyes and found himself on the other side of the barrier, he gave a shout of astonishment. He whirled around to face his father, whose eyes were shining with mirth. Remus stared at him for a moment, then asked the first question that came to his mind.

"How does it work?" Mr. Lupin laughed aloud.

"I figured I'd be hearing that one from you. The brick wall is made out of purely magical particles. Inside each witch or wizard is a core of magic. That's how you get a wand. The wand's core connects in some way with your core. Anyway, when someone with a core of magic walks through the particles, they sense that core and shift, allowing the witch or wizard to pass." Remus thought about this, then frowned.

"But what about muggle-born witches or wizards. Can't their parents get in to see them off?" Richard Lupin nodded approvingly.

"Good question. Most past headmasters at Hogwarts didn't think any muggles should be let onto Platform 9¾, and they kept all non-magical people out, even the parents. But Dumbledore is different. He devised a way for muggle parents to get through. In each muggle-born student's envelope, there is a tiny pinch of pixie dust, which I'm sure you know, is quite magical. Before each parent cross the barrier, they sprinkle the dust over themselves. This allows them just enough magic to cross the barrier twice: once on the way in, and once on the way out." Remus nodded. He would have hated not being able to wave good-bye to his dad from the train, or having to figure out how to cross the barrier alone.

As father and son had been talking, they were slowly wandering towards the scarlet train. Remus didn't realize the size of it until he was standing next to it. It was enormous. Scarlet in color with gold writing that said 'Hogwarts Express' glittering in the sunlight, the train was an intimidating machine. Remus stared in awe until his father ruffled his hair.

"Yes. It's big. Not let's put your things in the luggage compartment." Remus obediently followed, now looking around at the groups of people. There were rowdy groups of boys who yelled and laughed loudly. Giggling clusters of girls could be found everywhere, and nervous first-years stood anxiously with their parents. Remus' sharp eyes picked out a black-haired boy helping a pretty redhead with her trunk. The boy's hair stuck up in every direction and he wore glasses. The boy had an air of confidence around him and even though they were some distance apart, Remus could see a mischievous curve to the boy's smile.

Another group of people about ten feet in front of him caught Remus' attention next. A woman in her late thirties stood talking to two girls and a boy. The boy had black hair also, but it wasn't nearly as messy as the first boy's. This boy was very good looking, but it was obvious from the look on his face that he didn't want to be talking with the three females. Then Remus saw the woman (who was probably the boy's mother) reach down and give him a kiss. She then knelt down and gave him a tight hug. To everyone else, it probably looked like a tender farewell, but Remus noticed a few things. The boy had flinched as his mother kissed him, and he stood very still as she hugged him. His hands stayed clasped behind his back, not returning the hug. Remus also saw the woman's knuckles turn white as she clenched the boy's shoulder. She whispered something to him and Remus noticed the intense look of loathing that crossed his face. There was something else there as well, longing or perhaps sorrow, but before Remus could figure it out, his father had reached down and put a hand on his shoulder. Remus looked up, startled, and realized that they were right next to the baggage compartment.

"Help me toss your trunk in, Remus," he said. They heaved the trunk into the compartment. Having done so, they walked towards the entrance of the train. Remus had one more question that he wanted to ask his father.

"Dad, what do you see and hear when you walk through the barrier?" Mr. Lupin shot his son a confused look.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I saw a full moon and I heard a howl. Then a silvery mist covered everything and I just felt... alone." His dad frowned.

"I don't know son, I've never experienced anything like that when crossing the barrier. Maybe it was just your imagination." Remus shrugged, not very convinced. It had seemed so real, like he was actually standing on a hill watching the moon rise. And that howl... he shivered. He knew that howl all too well.

Remus suddenly became aware that he and his father had stopped walking. They were at the entrance to the train. Mr. Lupin smiled awkwardly and looked down at his son.

"Well, I guess it's good-bye for now," he said lightly. Remus nodded. "You had better get on, you'll want to find a good seat." Again, Remus inclined his head. His father ruffled his hair gently.

"I'll miss you, Remy." Tears prickled Remus' eyes. His father hadn't called him Remy for years. Remus' arms suddenly shot out and he gave his father a tight hug.

"I'll miss you too, dad," he said. And looking back only once to wave, Remus disappeared onto the train.

Peter burst from the barrier shaking like mad. The ruins of that house had scared him to death. And why had he felt so responsible? He had never seen the house before. And the two bodies... Peter shuddered. He just wouldn't think about that.

He checked the clock on the wall. He had a little over five minutes to put his trunk on the train and find himself a seat. Peter pushed his trolley over to the luggage compartment and attempted to heave his trunk inside. It wouldn't budge. Peter pushed and pulled and struggled against the weight but it was no use. The trunk wouldn't move.

Out of the corner of his eye Peter saw three boys approaching. The one in the center was obviously in charge, judging from the way he walked slightly in front of the other two. He had silvery blonde hair and cold black eyes. He strolled with a casual confidence, while at the same time remaining indifferent to everything around him. He was flanked by a burly boy and a small boy who resembled a ferret. The three seemed to be in deep conversation and their eyes kept flicking towards Peter. They apparently arrived at a decision and altered their course. Now they were headed straight for Peter.

Peter's heart leapt. Maybe they were going to help him! He eyed them hopefully as they stopped in front of him. The middle one spoke.

"You need some help?" he asked. Peter nodded. "Name?" the boy asked sharply.

"Peter Pettigrew."

"Year?" the boy continued.

"First," Peter mumbled, glancing down at his shoes. He didn't notice the smirks on each face or the wink that passed between the three.

"Well," the middle boy began, "I'm Lucius Malfoy. This is Macnair," he said, nodding towards the burly boy, "and this is Nott," he announced, gesturing towards the other. "We're fourth year Slytherins," Lucius continued, pride dripping from each word.

"Er, hello," Peter said slowly. Lucius Malfoy smiled coldly.

"Macnair, Nott, can't you see poor Peter's trunk is too heavy? Why don't you load it for him." Again, Peter failed to notice the wink passing between all three of them.

Macnair and Nott each grabbed a side of the trunk. Unseen by Peter, they undid the clasp. They made as if to toss it into the train, but let go much too early. The trunk came crashing to the ground and burst open. Robes, books, supplies and clothes went flying everywhere. Peter stared, mouth open in surprise. Lucius chuckled quietly.

"Oh, we're very sorry. It was a complete accident, the trunk must've slipped." He checked his watch. "But would you look at the time! We really must be going. So sorry," he said, appearing incredibly sympathetic. His eyes gave him away, though. They were filled with mirth. He was enjoying this.

"You – you did that on purpose!" Peter spluttered. Malfoy's face suddenly went cold and unmoving.

"Are you calling me a liar, Peter?" he said in a low voice, advancing slowly.

"I-I..." Peter couldn't find his voice.

"Because I don't like it when people call me names." His voice was dripping with venom now and Macnair ad Nott were both watching, highly amused.

"Besides Peter," Lucius said, grinning wickedly. "it isn't nice to call somebody a liar. Especially-"

"When it's the truth?" a voice interrupted.

Lucius Malfoy whirled around. A pair of hazel eyes stood watching him amusedly. The boy had messy black hair, glasses and his face was the picture of innocence. Lucius snarled angrily.

"You keep your mouth shut. Didn't your mother ever tell you to keep your long nose out of other people's business?" The boy grinned broadly.

"You know what? I think she did. But she also told me never to talk to slimy gits and well, here I am!" Macnair made a furious start toward him, but a wand suddenly appeared in the boy's hand, twirling idly in his fingers.

"Ah, ah, ah, now is that nice? I really don't want to hex you. And I really wouldn't want my first detention to be the result of an encounter with a couple of idiots. But if you leave me no choice... well, let's just say I've been practicing." The twirling stopped and the wand was suddenly pointing straight at Lucius.

"I believe you were saying you had a train to be on?" the boy continued. "I'd get going if I were you. After all, you wouldn't want to miss it, would you?" the boy said, smiling sweetly. Lucius looked as if he wanted to rush at James and beat him up with his bare hands, but the wand had resumed its idle twirling and Malfoy apparently thought better at it.

"C'mon," he muttered to his two friends, and they disappeared onto the train.

Peter breathed a shaky sigh of relief and bent down to gather his things. To his surprise, the other boy kneeled down and began to help. They finished quickly and together tossed the trunk in the luggage compartment. The train gave a warning whistle: two minutes left.

"Er, thank you," Peter said. "I don't know what would have happened if you-" The boy held up a hand.

"Please, don't. It was nothing." He gave Peter a grin. "I'm James Potter."

"Peter Pettigrew." The two shook hands, and James checked his watch.

"Listen, I've got to say good-bye to my mum real quick, but wait here for me and we can sit together on the train." Peter nodded, grateful for the company, and stayed put while James ran over to his mother. A hollowness filled Peter as he watched the two hug each other tightly. The hollowness didn't last long though, because James soon came running back, a grin on his face.

"C'mon Peter!" he yelled. "We don't want to be late." Peter returned the grin and boarded the train, happy he wasn't alone.