CHAPTER 3

Platform Nine and Three Quarters

The day had finally arrived and Alex could not contain his excitement, the whole family teased him during breakfast but it did nothing to dampen his mood, when breakfast was done, they thanked Tink and prepared to leave for the train station. Mr Steward was wearing beige formal trousers, brown shoes, blue formal shirt tucked in with no tie and a brown jacket that accentuated his muscular build, Mrs Steward on the other hand wore high waist jeans, a loose long sleeved top and heels. No one would have believed that these two were from two well-known Pureblood families as they looked like every day muggles.

The school trunk and other supplies were loaded into the car and drove off to King's Cross. The journey was uneventful and Alexs's parents did most of the talking with each other, Isolde was still sad that she wouldn't start school till next year and had been sulking since morning, Alex was excited and could not wait to get on the train and meet the other students. The duel in Knockturn alley had finally made him realise how good his new wand felt, he had now realised that the old wand he used had always been resisting him.

His new wand on the other hand allowed him to cast spells with ease which increased his speed and attack potency. It thrived in combat. They arrived at king cross train station and quickly rushed to platform nine and three quarters. "Right son, you just push your trolley towards the dividing barrier between Platforms nine and ten, best do it with a bit of a run just to be safe," said Alexs Father. 'don't crash don't crash' thought Alex as he pushed his trolley towards the barrier and closed his eyes awaiting the coming crash. Nothing happened and he kept going so he opened his eyes. He was staring at a scarlet steam engine that was next to a platform packed with people, these he could tell were not muggles as most of them were dressed in robes and others arrived via the floo network.

His parents caught up to him and his mother was the first to speak, "Now remember darling enjoy yourself and learn as much as you can we will keep in touch via owls and if you need anything all you have to do is ask" she finished, "Now now dear, don't spoil the boy rotten im sure our son will find his own way at school, you know how independent and adventurous he is," he added laughing "But on a more serious note son, do not forget to keep practising, and work on your occlumency, and learn the spells in the reference book I gave you, we will practice when you return for Christmas, and do invite Harry son. " he finished. "Yes, father I will and I will not let you down" Alex said hugging both his parents. He then looked at his sister who was still quiet but offered him a hug before he went into the train to find a compartment.

He found Harry sitting alone in a compartment and knocked on it, "Mind if I join you" he said as Harry looked up and beamed at him," Alex, please come in, join me". Alex sat down and the two boys started talking when two identical boys with red hair walked in looking for a compartment, "sorry mates, compartments almost full up, mind if we join you?" Harry and Alex didn't mind so the twins sat and introduced themselves "im Fred this is George" said the twin named Fred pointing to his brother, "I'm Harry Potter"

The twins were shocked and asked to see If harry indeed had the scar, after he showed them they let the compartment saying they had to look for their friends, a while later Alex and Harry heard them talking outside with their mother about how the boy they helped out earlier was harry potter, a few minutes later a boy who appeared to be the twins younger brother came into the compartment and asked to join them and they agreed, he sat down and introduced himself as "Ron Weasley", "Harry Potter" said Harry "Alex Steward" replied Alex. Ron looked at Alex and said "I've heard about your parents, the Aurors that came from America, right?" Alex nodded his head and Ron went on to ask if harry really had the scar.

Harry went on to ask if both Alex and Rons family members were wizards and Ron answered saying "Eh-I think so, I think mom has a second cousin that's an accountant, but we don't talk about him." Harry Looked at Alex who said "everyone in my family I know is a wizard, a century ago a few were born without magic but that hasn't happened in recent times "Harry had a look that Alex could not understand, that is until harry spoke again, "So you must know loads of magic" he asked.

"Yes, I know a bit" Replied Alex. Ron had a look of scepticism and sure enough asked Alex to show them some of his "magic". Alex pointed his wand at a sweet and said "Avifors", the sweet turned into a flock of birds causing Ron and Harry to jump back, Harry was excited and asked Alex to teach him but Ron looked like he had swallowed puke flavoured Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. He quickly changed the subject by asking Harry how it was living with muggles, "Horrible, well not all of them, just my aunt, uncle and cousin are, though I wish I had three wizard brothers."

"Five," said Ron. Who for some reason now looked gloomy, he explained how he was the sixth child of the Weasleys to attend Hogwarts and had a lot to live to, as his oldest brothers Bill and Charlie were head boy and Quidditch captain, and Percy had been chosen to be a prefect, whilst Fred and George were the popular kids since everyone thought they were funny, he complained saying that everyone expected him to do as well as the older brothers and that if he did then its no big deal because they already did it.

Ron continued complaining too them and Alexs's mind drifted as he thought about what Ron had said, he felt bad for Ron because he understood the pressure he was under, he too was expected to be great, he had been molded and trained from the time he could walk to be as good as his parents, better even. He had learnt to cope with the pressure and continue to learn everything he could but that thought was always at the back of his mind. 'Was he good enough?'

He was brought out of his thoughts by Ron who had loudly declared "you said you know whos' name!" said Ron, sounding shocked but looking impressed "I'd have thought you of all people_"

" I'm not trying to be brave or anything, saying the name," said Harry, "I just never knew you shouldn't. see what I mean? I've got plenty to learn…I bet," he added voicing his concern in a worried tone. "I bet I'm the worst in class." "You won't be." Said Alex looking at harry, "plenty students come from muggle families and they learn magic quick enough, you will be fine." Harry smiled at his friend and the conversation continued as the trio talked about what they liked whilst the train continued and carried them out of London.

The three boys were interrupted from their discussion around midday by a great clattering outside the corridor, and a smiling woman slid back the door and said "anything off the trolly, dears?" Alex was already hungry so he got up and was followed by Harry who proceeded to loot the cart of every sweet he could get his hands on, Alex raised an eyebrow but did not question it instead bought enough candy for two people as Ron did not get up, probably because he hadn't received pocket money.

Alex and Harry returned into the compartment to a Ron who had a look of Bewilderment on his face at the amount of candy the two boys had collectively. "Hungry, are you" "Starving" said Harry. "Feel free to dig in" said Alex as the two boys put the sweets on the seat. "Thanks, but I brought lunch from home." Said Ron as he brought out a lumpy package and unwrapped it looking at its contents. "She forgets that I don't like corned beef." said Ron, and explained that with five other children at home his mom doesn't have time to prepare a propre meal. Alex and Harry ended up managing to convince Ron to join them in eating the candy and the next half hour was spent explaining to Harry what chocolate frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans and collectable cards were, harry even got a card of Albus Dumbledore showing all the achievements the man had made in his life.

The country side was now flying past the window when a knock came from the door and it slid open, revealing a round-faced boy who looked tearful, "Sorry, have you seen my toad at_oh hi Alex how are you doing?" Alex replied "Hey Neville, I am great It's been a while how are you, Lost Trevor again?"

"Yes "said Neville Miserably. "Well, if you see him…" He left. Alex explained how him and Neville grew up together and how he's always misplacing his things, Ron made a comment about how if he had a pet toad, he would lose it as quick as he could but he couldn't complain since he had scabbers. The rat in question was fast asleep on Ron's lap, something about the rat rubbed Alex the wrong way but he could not place his finger on it, he instead listened to Ron who claimed he knew a spell to turn the rat yellow and was about to show of the spell when the compartment door slid open again and a girl walked in asking if anyone had seen Nevilles toad, Ron was about to answer when Alex interrupted, saying "Neville always loses Trevor and he always finds it after a while, I wouldn't worry miss…? " "Hermione Granger, and you are?" Replied the girl shaking Alexs's hand.

"Alex, Alex Steward" "Pleasure." Replied Hermione, she was already in her school robes. "that's Harry Potter and Ron Weasley" continued Alex as he pointed at the two boys. "Harry Potter" said Hermione. "I read all about you in 'a history of magic'." She went on to explain how she had read all her textbooks after purchasing them in preparation for the school term.

She then asked if Ron was doing magic since he had his wand out and sat down next to Alex and told Ron to cast the spell. Ron hesitantly cast the spell saying, "Sunshine, daises, butter mellow, turn this stupid, fat rat yellow."

Nothing happened and Alex wasn't expecting anything to happen because that wasn't a real spell, he had been expecting Ron to use the Colovaria Charm, which would have been impressive for Ron since it's a OWL level charm. He would have cast it for Ron but at the risk of looking like a 'know it all' he decided against it. Hermione on the other hand was disappointed saying "I'm not even sure that's a real spell" she went on to him how bad the spell was before telling the boys how she had tried some of the spells to great success. 'Oh, I like this one' thought Alex as he continued listening to Hermione with more interest, possibly already having found a study partner.

Hermione Asked if the boys had any idea what house they were going to be in and Alex replied saying he hoped to be put into Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, Hermione too was looking forward to be put into Gryffindor but didn't mind Ravenclaw. Harry asked what house Ron's brothers were in and Ron explained how al his brothers had been in Gryffindor and how he didn't want end up in Slytherin because all evil wizards were in Slytherin. Alex gave this some thought and came to the conclusion that Slytherin wouldn't be so bad, he was a descendant of Slytherin after all. After Hermione had excused herself, the boys continue talking for a bit when the door slid again and much to Alex's chagrin, Draco Malfoy walked in, with two beefy boys that looked more like baby trolls. "Is it true?" Asked Malfoy. "They are saying Harry Potter is in this it's you, is it." said Malfoy as he looked at harry.

"This is Crabbe and Goyle." Said Malfoy pointing at the two trolls behind him, "names Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

'Oh joy, now he's stealing my lines too' Thought Alex as he listened to Malfoy introduce himself. Ron sniggered and Malfoy turned to him, and proceeded to insult Rons family before Looking at Harry and then Alex and saying "you'll soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others Potter, you don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there" before extending his hand out to harry who didn't take and told him he could tell the wrong sort for himself.

Malfoy was embarrassed and he threatened harry and talked about his dead parents, this really made Alex angry and he stood up and went to stand in front of Malfoy and looked down at him dead in the eye with murderous intent. "You have to the count of three to walk out, or your girlfriends are going to carry you out" Malfoy's face turned an even darker shade of red and was about to respond but common sense got the best of him as he noticed that Alex was bigger than Crabbe and Goyle and he scrambled out of the compartment shadowed by his bodyguards. Ron then explained to Harry that the Malfoy family were once death eaters and when 'you know who' was defeated, they claimed they were controlled and had no choice.

A voice echoed throughout the train that they would soon be arriving at Hogwarts in five minutes time and that all luggage should be left in the train as it will be taken to school separately. The boys changed into their robes. And followed everyone else as the train stopped and people pushed outside into the cold night air. "Firs' years! Firs' years over here! All right there, Harry, Alex" Hagrid beamed at the boys and could be seen over the sea of heads. The first years followed Hagrid what seemed to be a narrow path that was dark. Hagrid told them that they would be getting their first look of Hogwarts soon and true to his word the castle came into view. There was a loud "Oooooh!" from the first years.

Alex had to admit the castle looked magical indeed. The narrow path led to a black lake and Hagrid told the first years that thy wee to board the boats four students at a time, Harry, Akex, Ron and Hermione sat together. The fleet of boats moved together through the lake and everyone sat in silence. The boats went through a tunnel that led to an underground harbor underneath the castle where the first years disembarked. Hagrid handed Trevor back to Neville who became happier after being reunited with his toad. They all followed Hagrid up a flight of stairs and after making sure that all first years were accounted for Hagrid knocked on the big door in front of him.