Before Tom knew it, it was September First. The five months between Tom's first true step into the magical world opened up so many new avenues for the young man. Although the teasing by the hands of the terrible trio - what Tom decided to consider Amy, Dennis and Billy - and a general feeling of depression that permeated the walls of the orphanage never truly abated. The thirst for knowledge and inclusion usually had Tom reading in random alcoves that he'd found throughout the orphanage over his Eleven and a half years there. This helped to curve-tail most of the torment that the terrible trio attempted to dish out on Tom for the most asinine reasons.
There was one bought of happiness that made it into Tom's singular world, though. That came the morning of July Twelfth. Mrs. Cole had informed him that she had business matters to attend to not far from Charing Cross Road the following morning, ergo, Tom was allowed to accompany her so that he could complete his school purchases. After arriving at Charing Cross Road with and wishing her a good day, he began his trek to The Leaky Cauldron. Once there, Tom slipped into the empty washroom and extracted a pair of his robes that he bought back in April. Slipping them on over his orphanage uniform Tom slinked out of the washroom feeling much more comfortable within the wizarding pub then he did during his first foray 3 and a half months prior.
With his Hogwarts letter folded neatly within its' envelope in his robe pocket Tom strode through the pub towards the back courtyard to gain admittance to the Alley. With a purposeful stride, Tom stalked down the thoroughfare towards Flourish and Blotts to obtain his school books. Since Tom was able to get vaguely accustomed to the Alley in his previous journey, he was able to not appear so new or out of place as he initially felt back in April. However, he did notice that the alley appeared much more busier than then. Once he had made it halfway to the bookshop it dawned on him - this was generally the time of year that the students of Hogwarts would be frequenting the Alley way. Seeing as there was still 6 more weeks of Summer Holiday the letters for the next term must either be coming soon or have already been delivered. Considering how the salesman at the bookshop mentioned July being the best time to come in for the upcoming terms textbooks, that seemed the most plausible cause for this upturn of busyness.
Squaring his shoulders Tom made his way into Flourish and Blotts, heading directly to the aisle that the salesman mentioned the coming terms' schoolbooks are generally kept. Making sure to grab the necessary books from their appropriate spots Tom wove around the mass of families trying in vain to grab everything and everyone in their party to get in and out of the shop. Making it to the counter was a bit of a mess. If I had waited until this time next month, who knows what sort of madhouse I would've walked right into, thought Tom.
"That will be 2 Galleons 1 Sickle and 5 Knut, young man." stated the salesman, breaking Tom out of his reverie.
"Thank you, Sir." Tom replied as he paid the man and grabbed his books weaving his way back through the throng of people trying to get into the shop.
Once back outside, Tom took a few minutes to assess his list and make sure that he wasn't missing anything. Thinking that he should perhaps grab some extra writing supplies, Tom made his way over to Scriveners Shaft and got some last minute supplies before getting ready to leave the Alley. Once safely ensconced inside The Leaky Cauldron, Tom removed his Robe and place it in the bag that contained his newly purchased school books. Straightening his hair, knowing how Mrs. Cole would natter on about mussed hair and clothes if even a single strand was out of place, Tom walked from the washroom and out of The Leaky.
Meeting up with Mrs. Cole at Kings Cross just 10 minutes later completed what would probably be the only time spent out of the Orphanage this summer, aside from those blasted trips we always find ourselves on in late August gifted to us from such fine philanthropists of London, thought Tom. The short trip back to the Orphanage was spent in silence after a few pointed questions from Mrs. Cole, and that's the way that Tom preferred it.
Next thing he knew, it was the morning of September First. The previous evening Tom had begged off from dinner as soon as possible and double, and triple checked that everything was put where it should be for the following morning. Rising with the sun, Tom was anxious for what the day should bring. He was finally leaving this place for a good solid 10 months! What more could he even ask for?! Bringing his trunk down the stairwell and leaving it next to the door, as instructed by the caretaker, Tom made his way into the dining hall for breakfast before Mrs. Cole accompanied him to King's Cross for his train.
"Tom, do you have everything that you need? Because, I don't see how we'd be able to send you anything to Scotland if you were to forget or misplace anything throughout the school year," commanded Mrs. Cole as Tom sat at his usual seat.
Looking Mrs. Cole in the eyes Tom replied "Yes, ma'am. Everything had been readied and packed since after dinner last night. I haven't forgotten anything." Noticing that his response placated Mrs. Cole, Tom resumed to his porridge, just waiting for her to complete the meal as well so that they may leave for the station.
At a quarter to Ten Mrs. Cole made her way from her office. "Come along, Tom. I haven't got all day." She motioned for him to grab his trunk and follow her out the door. In no time at all Tom found himself standing next to Mrs. Cole at King's Cross Station. "Now, do you have your ticket?" asked , slightly agitated.
"Yes, Ma'am," responded Tom while showing her the envelope containing all of his school papers.
"Good. Now, I don't want to hear anything from this school about you acting up. I will see you on June 31st. Goodbye." At that, she turned and left Tom at the station.
Tom took his paperwork out of his envelope and noticed, in the loopy scrawl written at the bottom of his ticket: "The entrance to Platform 9 ¾ can be found by leaning against the pillar separating platforms 9 and 10." Thinking this odd, but, realizing that this was for a magical school, Tom did as instructed and fell through the wall. Next thing Tom, knew, he was standing on a busy - far busier than the other side - platform full of people wearing robes, pulling trunks and animals - Owls, Cats, Kneazles and Toads - in cages. It was quite a surreal experience for Tom, that was for sure.
Not having anybody to say goodbye to, or anybody fussing over him, Tom made his way through the crowd up to the closest car and up onto the train. Considering that it was still fairly early in the morning, Tom just walked until he got to the end of the car and opened the last compartment on the righthand side. He chose this one because it was out of the way, it's not like people will accidentally keep walking in on him looking for their friends, and he's able to people watch until 11:00 when the train was scheduled to depart.
Deciding to not waste any time, Tom pulled his robe out of his trunk and hung them up by the window seat, grabbed himself his book on Wizarding Genealogy - he was finally starting Surnames that begin with the letter 'G' - and gracefully sat himself down next to the window to read. Before long, who's to say the exact span of time that had passed, Tom started to hear more and more commotion out on the platform. Marking his page and turning to look out the window Tom saw more and more children and teens saying goodbye to their families and starting to board the train. Forgetting about them he sat back down deciding to continue reading until somebody opened, if somebody opened, the door…..
Before long the conductor announced that they will be arriving in Hogsmeade in 10 minutes. Tom decided to place a bookmark in his tome; he had managed to get to the name Gamp. Unbeknownst to him, he was only a couple pages away from finding out something about his ancestors. Placing his book back in his chest and donning on his robe he left the train to meet up with the other first years with a swirl of his robe.