Disclaimer: Harry Potter. I don't own him.
The brick wall loomed in front of them. Despite the seemingly impossible events that had occurred over the past weeks, Grace still struggled with the concept of running through this solid mass. Every muscle in her body willed her away to turn around but she knew this had to be done. She had already watched a couple of teenage boys disappear into the barrier so she knew it could be done. Now she just had to summon up the courage to do it.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward tentatively. She remembered Mr Weasley's words, telling her that it would be easier if she used force. Some of the muggle repelling measures were quite strong and she could get into all sorts of trouble if she was too timid. Hardly reassuring words. Her hands gripped the handle of her luggage trolley, feeling slightly slick under her clammy palms. She pushed forwards, squeezing her eyes closed as the wall drew closer. With a small squeal, she tensed, ready for impact. Yet then she heard a whistle. Her eyes flew open. The sight that greeted her drew the breath out of her lungs.
A beautiful shining burgundy steam engine gleamed in the sunlight that streamed from glass panels in the platform roof. The platform was filled with young witches and wizards with their parents fussing over them. Older students lounged with friends, nonchalantly leaning against walls and stealing glances at other groups. If it were not for the unusual attire, Grace would have thought she had stepped back in time to a Dickensian train station. The luggage trolleys were loaded with old fashioned suitcases and cages containing animals that hooted, hissed and hopped noisily.
She heard a clatter behind her and jumped to the side quickly just as Lena stumbled clumsily right into the spot where Grace had been standing. She looked as amazed as Grace had been by the scene so Grace pulled her by the arm to get her away from the barrier. The last thing she wanted was her friend being clobbered in the back of the head by a birdcage before they'd even got on the train.
"Mr Weasley said he'd meet us outside the waiting room at quarter to" she reminded Lena, glancing at the large brass clock jutting out from the platform wall. "So we've got five minutes to find it".
Despite the hustle of the crowd, they found the waiting room with no difficulty. It was a plush room with large squishy armchairs and a magazine rack filled with the latest publications. Grace pulled a broadsheet-sized newspaper from the top of the pile. Fancy typography formed the words Daily Prophet at the head of the paper. The headline was a story about a famous witch who had been caught in possession of Acromentula venom. The photograph on the front showed the sullen witch, who looked as though she would normally be very pretty, being led away by two men in smart black suits. Grace flipped through distractedly until she heard Lena giggle to which she looked up questioningly. Her friend was resting a magazine on her lap but held it up for Grace's benefit. She saw the title for a fleeting moment before the lettering started fading out of sight: The Quibbler.
"We've always heard that the wizarding guys think this is a load of rubbish", laughed Lena, "but how would we know? Why is it so easy to believe in a thestral but not a crumple-horned snorkack?"
Grace shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose it's like muggles. If you see it happen, you believe it. If you don't, it must not exist". As she turned back towards the Magizoology column, she glimpsed a flash of red hair in the window opposite.
Mr Weasley was standing on the platform waving wildly at the pair in the waiting room. They stood up to greet him and he shook their hands heartily.
"First day at Hogwarts! Are you excited?" he asked.
"Oh em gee, I'm excited!" squealed Lena "I can't wait to get on the train. I'm going to buy so many Chocolate Frogs. And I can't wait to get to Hogwarts. And get sorted. And eat feasts. And have a dorm, and, and, and..." she trailed off, unable to think of anything else in her excitement.
"Arthur!" called a voice from further down the platform.
The small group turned to the direction of the voice and saw a pile of dark curls bouncing above the heads of the others in the crowd. Two young witches parted to let the owner of the hair through and Violetta appeared in front of them, grinning. She was already wearing her robes which had a sparkling purple badge pinned to the front. In her hair was a matching ribbon, tied into a bow on top of her head.
"Hi guys! How are you doing? Are you looking forward to starting Hogwarts?"
Lena opened her mouth to talk. Grace noticed and quickly spoke. "Yes! We are both excited", she said before Lena had a chance to start reeling of her list of things to do.
"Shall we get you on the train then? I'll help you find a compartment. I'm sitting up the front with the prefects but if you need anything, you can always come and get me. It's what I'm there for after all." Violetta reached down and picked up a couple of cases from the luggage trolley. "I'll get these on the train for you and save a compartment whilst you say goodbye to Arthur".
The girls thanked her and turned to face Mr Weasley.
"Thank you so much for your help, Mr Weasley. We really appreciate it" smiled Grace. Lena nodded in agreement.
"No problem at all! I'm happy to help. I'll be checking up on you every now and then to make sure you're ok. If you need anything, please do get in touch with me. There's Violetta too and you met her brother Roscoe, didn't you? I daresay you'll make plenty of friends so you'll never be alone. You have each other of course. We really should sort you out with an owl each. I'll get working on that this afternoon, see what I can do for you".
At this, a loud whistle blew twice. "That's your warning, best jump on. We don't want the train leaving without you!"
"Grace! Lena! I've got you a compartment up here!" Violetta was leaning out of a doorway, beckoning them.
"Goodbye girls. I'll see you shortly, I imagine. Have a wonderful time!"
The two girls stepped up to the train and through the door that Violetta was holding open to them, waving and calling their goodbyes to Mr Weasley as they boarded. They entered the carriage that Violetta had saved for them just as the train rumbled into life. The floor beneath their feet shook as the Hogwarts Express began its long journey.
Grace watched the scenes outside the window change from the grey cityscape of London to sprawling countryside. The train snaked through the country as the young witches and wizards inside buzzed with the excitement of their upcoming adventures. After a couple of hours, the old witch arrived pushing a trolley loaded with all the snacks anyone could need. Pumpkin pasties, Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans were stacked into a tentatively tall tower that wobbled as the trolley clattered through the train.
The friends ate until they could not cope with another mouthful. "Eeurgh, I feel sick" complained Lena as Grace stretched out on the bench-like seat. She had just closed her eyes when a sharp rap made her jump. She flew into a sitting position, almost hitting her head on the window behind her in the process.
Hovering behind the glass compartment door was Roscoe, smiling apologetically with his hand raised. He slid the door back and stepped forwards. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I just came to say hello. See how you're getting on and that".
"Well, Lena's eaten too many sweets and feels sick and I'm just recovering from a mild heart attack. Aside from that, I think we're good" laughed Grace. She stole a sidewise look at Lena who was frowning slightly as Roscoe flopped onto the seat beside her.
"Aren't you sitting with your mates?" asked Lena in a slightly accusatory tone.
"Well, yeah, but I'm sure they can cope without me for a few minutes". He winked, to which Lena raised an eyebrow disapprovingly and turned to stare out of the window, suddenly very interested with the cows in the fields outside.
Grace shook her head and shrugged a shoulder in response to Roscoe's puzzled look. For a long while they sat in silence, all three looking out of the window. It had started to rain and droplets were dribbling down the window in hypnotising patterns. Roscoe spoke first.
"I should probably be getting back to my carriage. The others will be wondering where I got to".
"Oh, alright..." began a confused Grace, "Erm, were you going to say anything to us?"
"I was going to but as your friend doesn't seem too keen on me"- Lena snorted "-I'll try again later".
He rose and sauntered out of the carriage leaving Grace staring after him. "What was that all about?"
"Who knows. I told you he was weird", sighed Lena. "I reckon he's up to something".
The rest of the journey was uneventful. The afternoon turned to dusk as the engine continued through the counties of Britain. The girls changed into their robes and laughed at each other, not used to seeing each other in such strange attire. Finally the train slowed and shuddered to a halt. The train was filled with the noise of hundreds of students rising and collecting luggage from overhead racks simultaneously.
The girls stared at each other, suddenly overcome with nerves and excitement at seeing the castle they had only dreamed about. They joined the departing crowd and stepped out into the chilly September night. In the distance they could see glowing candlelight from the windows of an expansive shadowy castle looming from a rocky hill above. It was silhouetted against the inky sky, punctured with sparkling stars in the far distance. Turrets and towers stretched into the wispy clouds, highlighted by the light of the bright moon glowing, reflected in the glassy lake ahead. A crisp breeze started up, whipping leaves in whirling circles at their ankles and creating goosebumps that prickled Grace's skin. They had arrived at Hogwarts.
A/N: Here we are! Now things are going to start looking up! I hope you're still enjoying.