Chapter 4: Between a platform... and another platform.

A/N: In perusing my favorite HP fanfics and those that are more popular, it seems authors tend to eschew more obvious material for focusing on the changes. While having myself been away from writing from fan fiction for such a long time that I'm likely rusty as hell, I am enjoying writing this fic and hope you are enjoying it. A question for any readers:

Would you prefer the Mysterious Author to show up ONLY in the beginning or where it might be relevant?

I don't own anything besides some personal effects and a silly desire to write in a verbose manner.

To be read upon successful casting of the beginning spells...

As the young bird flies joyfully with it's new wings, so to do you begin your true journey into the Arts. The nine spells I have included to start you on your way are a good start but there are so many more spells to pick up, a number of which I have encoded in this book using my own methods. You can hold your thanks to me if you ever decide to go traveling the Planes. That being said, you now have a plethora of paths open to you, nigh onto infinite. I cannot decide where you will go, but the words I have recorded within should be of some comfort or guide to many an Artist. In my own view, the best way to delve into the arts will likely be familiar to you by reading to this point. Let us first master the beginning spells already in this book and continue opening the door to further knowledge and power...

When Harry had arrived at home after that eventful day, he had planned on testing out more cantrips with his wand and viewing the effects. However, to his surprise, the beginning spells were now readable. His excitement surged and dwindled as he remembered he had just 30 days to pack, and get ready. He quickly deduced the best use of his time and found himself able to cast 2 of the beginning spells a day. He prepared the most quiet and non-disturbing spells, if anyone was bothered by the spell casting in the cupboard or bathroom, no one said a thing. What was very interesting to Harry was that even without his wand, he could cast these spells just fine. He wondered if the magic of the wand was integrated in him now, or what had happened. The Wise Author was of no help in this area, wands in his realm being somewhat less useful. He had thumbed through his books but none of the authors of these seemed to know or mention his type of magic. He would have to ask at the school as he felt that Hagrid's warning applied to the use of his wand. Soon though he found himself at King's Cross, having prepared a trusty Magicians Armor, and because he had decided to open a page at random since he had no idea what would happen on a magic train, Color Spray. An odd spell that he was unsure of it's effects as he had no one to test it on. Luckily, the books effects of not needing three colors of sand still worked from his mokeskin bag securely attached and hidden on his person. As it was, he watched the Dursleys drive away as he viewed his cart with trunk and owl's cage. Wishing he could tuck them away in his pouch, he began looking around the two platforms. Before using magic in public (Detect Magic working only one minute for now), he decided to approach the problem logistically. 9 and ¾ was a number between 9 and 10, and there was precisely one area that could effectively be between platform 9 and platform 10. The dividing barrier.

Harry approached it, how to test without seeming suspicious now... Harry took a look around and saw people leaning against walls waiting for their trains. That could work but he had an annoying trunk to take care of. Prestidigitation could take care of 1 pound of the heavy trunk, Feather Fall would only work on objects falling... Ugh... 17 spells and still so little he could do. Fine. He steadied himself, grabbed and oriented his cart to the wall, and pushed. Not expecting anything, he was surprised as the cart and himself phased through the wall. SO. EASY. Harry wanted to do... something... to make this make sense. He mentally shrugged off the weirdness and congratulated himself for unsuccessfully successfully solving the odd puzzle. It was a quarter 'till and Harry Potter was on Platform 9 and ¾. A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people, a sign overhead said Hogwarts Express. Harry pushed onwards through the odd crowd of Wizards both male and female. He wondered briefly if the females preferred Witches but decided that was a question for later. Not wanting to cause a stir, Harry found an empty compartment near the end of the train. Hedwig was an easy lift but now he was stuck with a heavy trunk yet again.

Lacking a lifting spell was getting annoying. Harry reached for his pouch, the Mysterious Author would likely tell him to grab some lesser-versed to help as the easiest option but it wouldn't hurt to consult the text. Before he could do so however, two red-haired twins came over. "Want a hand?" Harry smiled as he heard that, thank god(s). After an odd introduction to Fred and George and an oddly large family talked about him outside Harry felt both embarrassed, annoyed, and excited. After all, to be famous for something he supposedly did as a baby was just... The door opened suddenly and Harry's train of thought was broken as a young redheaded boy came in. "Anyone sitting there? Everywhere else is full." Harry shook his head and the boy sat down. Before Harry could say anything to him, the twins were back and re-introduced themselves and their brother Ron. "Are you really Harry Potter?" Ron blurted out when they left. "Yeah, that's me."Harry responded. "Huh, I thought it'd be a joke... do you really have the..." Harry showed Ron his scar, "Wow..." They talked a little about their families, Ron was surprised Harry didn't know too much about the wizarding world that he knew and Harry was a bit saddened by Ron's low self-worth. As Ron finished talking, Harry told him a bit about his life before finding the spell book and Ron cheered up a bit. They talked a bit about what to expect at the school as Ron knew a bit about the classes but not much about how they would be sorted, how the castle was arranged or too many details that Harry was curious about. Harry wanted to segue into magic, but the cart came by and they enjoyed several bizarre snacks. Harry pocketed his new trading cards in the pouch, knowledge that came by this easily might be well-known but he needed to know more about this so called wizarding world.

"Sorry," A boy came into their compartment, "but have you seen a toad at all?" They shook their heads, and the boy cried and sat down. "I've lost him, I've been all over this train... I... I"

"Hey, hey, calm down."Harry said thinking quickly, "You're sure to find him, I bet if we ask the older students they would know of a way to find him for you."

The boy looked to him, "You really think so?" Harry nodded and stood up. Ron looked up to him, "You coming?" Harry asked. Ron started to look red and stood up as well. The boy sniffled, smiled and stood up, "I'm Neville, Neville Longbottom." "Ron Weasley." "Harry Potter." "Are you really?" Neville asked. Harry looked to Ron, "Is this sort of thing going to happen often?" "I told you mate, you defeated You-Know-Who!" Harry sighed, "If you say so." They left the compartment and decided to head further back first. The first compartment they came across held a single girl reading a book. There was a second or two of awkward silence when they knocked and Harry inwardly sighed, "Hi, I'm Harry Potter, yes, Harry Potter, this is Ron and Neville. We're looking for Neville's toad. Have you seen one?"

The girl quickly bookmarked her book and stood up, already dressed in her new Hogwarts robes. "Nice to meet you Harry Potter, do you know that you're in books?" "Yes, no wait, no. Really?" "You're in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts." "Can... Um... Can I borrow those when you are done?" Harry asked, feeling silly but really wanting to know what the world thought of him. The bushy haired girl smiled, "Of course, as long as you treat them right." "Oh I always-" Ron coughed. "Right, um. Toad." Harry blushed a bit. "I'm Hermione Granger." She put her book away in her trunk quickly. "And I have a great idea to find his toad quickly, let's head to the front of the train to the Prefects compartments." "Of course, the front. That makes sense." Ron said, looking put off with this adventure already. "You know.. you have some dirt on your nose." Hermione said. Ron flushed and wiped it off. What a strange group of people to meet, Harry thought, hoping he'd get to see them more throughout the school year.