As I emerged through the wall at platform 9¾, a strange sensation befell the usual hustle and bustle of the first day of a new school year. Before I had time to take in my surroundings however, I was shoved into the grimy wall by a hooded figure, roughly carrying a screaming woman away from the platform. He pushed her into the wall I had just come through, leaving the platform echoing with eeriness once again. I stooped to pick up my fallen bag and was confronted by a masked figure, 'Name?' he spat at me. I stuttered as I gathered my thoughts together before finally replying, 'Neville Longbottom.' The faceless figure rolled out a large piece of parchment before reaching my name and placing a thick, black cross through it. 'Everything seems to be fine here. Pure blood eh?' the man asked me. I nodded before he stepped aside for me to wheel my trunk onto the main platform.
I dreamily stumbled onto the Hogwarts Express, my luggage in tow, and collapsed into my usual carriage. I sat myself next to the window on the recognisable stiff seats and watched the scene outside unfold. Death Eaters patrolled the platform whilst first years hung onto their mothers. Wanted posters bearing Harry Potter's name plastered the usually empty walls of the station, whilst another muggle born was carted off through the barrier into Kings Cross station. The wizarding world as I once knew it had changed forever. However, before I could completely disappear into my thoughts, the thud of a heavy trunk and slamming of the carriage door disturbed me. It was Seamus. 'Bloody Death eating scumbags!' he exclaimed loudly as he crammed his trunk onto the overhead compartment. 'Little miffed are we Seamus?' I joked.
'Miffed? Livid I am! Tranna tell me that I'm a muggle born they was! Half blood I am, anyway, told 'em were to stuff it dint I. Luckily, they got a little distracted by my latest purchase, Peruvian darkness powder. Amazing it is, Fred and George swear by it! Perfect for distracting enemies, sends a thick, black smog over them. Can't see a bloody thing can they? Anyway that's how I came to be here, how was your journey Neville?'
'Well, it wasn't as showbiz an entrance as yours was!' it was at this point that our fellow Gryffindor and West Ham fan, Dean Thomas walked into the carriage followed by Luna Lovegood, a Ravenclaw. They swiftly took their seats whilst Seamus re-enacted his tale for them. I sat myself in the corner of the carriage and closed my eyes.
The train came to an almighty stop as its metal wheels screeched against the track. I awoke from my slumber with a start as Seamus picked himself up off the floor. 'Merlin's beard! What was that?' He said in alarm as I rushed to the window. 'Someone's coming aboard!' Luna exclaimed as I felt a wave of panic sweep over my friends. The sound of trunks being overturned got closer as murmurs began to echo in the corridor. Just then, the carriage door violently slid open to reveal a mask less Death Eater who I didn't recognise. 'Where is he?' the man spoke in a raspy voice as he threw Dean's trunk, and its contents onto the floor. 'If you mean Harry,' I spoke defiantly, 'then he's not here!' The Death Eater smiled menacingly as he left the carriage. 'Wow Neville! Nicely handled mate, thought I may have had to step in there, but I'll give it to you mate. You had it pretty much sorted,' Seamus said jokingly as I laughed half-heartedly. My legs felt like jelly as I collapsed back into my previous position. All that was on my mind now was the possible feast that might await us at Hogwarts.