The Hogwarts Express Saves the Day
By: Inari Takahashi
Disclaimer:I don't own either Harry Potter or the Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends Series.Those belong to Ms. Rowling and Reverend Wilbert Awdry and Christopher Awdry.The only thing I do own is my collection of Trains.I have no intention of profiting off this story.
Chapter Two:
September 1 dawned bright and sunny. When Hannah pulled into Kings Cross Station, Platform 9 ¾ was empty except for a couple of porters. As it was still too early for the children, the scarlet and gold engine settled down for a nap, whilst her engineer and fireman readied her for the long journey.
A couple of hours later, the excited sound of children's voices woke her up from a dream of taking children to the seaside. She sleepily let off a cloud of steam, waking up completely. A couple of firsties admiring her new coat of paint helped her remember where she was, and she watched the children and their parents gather on the platform.
Witches and Wizards brought their children every September 1rst to see them off to a new year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Owls in cages and cats weaving around the ankles of the children and adults added to the din. Hannah never tired of seeing this, remembering similar scenes in previous years.
"I'm getting old," she said sadly to her driver. "I remember when your grandfather was setting off on his first year at Hogwarts."
Her driver only chuckled and told her that she would never grow old. "I have some news, " he told her. He had watched a shabby man with a suitcase board one of the coaches earlier. "One of the professors is riding with the children today."
"Perhaps it is because Sirius Black escaped Azkaban Prison," the fireman said from where he was getting the firebox ready for the trip. "They'll want protection if he even thinks about going after the children."
Hannah gasped, letting off a cloud of steam, when she was told about Sirius Black being a murderer. "Poppycock!" she snorted. "If he is a murderer, then I'm a tank engine. I remember all the pranks he pulled with his friends."
The engineer had his own thoughts on the matter, but didn't voice them as he watched the last of the children board the coaches. The families milled on the platform waving and shouting their goodbyes to the children hanging out of the windows, waving back.
"Time to go," he finally said, alerting the others to get ready for the start of their journey. A whistle blew, telling everyone that the train was about to leave. Steam rose in a cloud, the whistle blew one last time, and Hannah pulled away from the platform with a smile on her face.