The platform 9 3/4 was loud as always. People in peculiar robes and hats, with big trolleys with all sorts of knickknacks on them, kept crowding near a beautiful red train, laughing and chatting. Everything was slowly but surely returning to normal: the war left in the past. The beloved school of witchcraft and wizardry – Hogwarts - was completely repaired after everything that had befallen it and was yet again welcoming young witches and wizards back into its embrace. It's been 19 years since the fall of Voldemort, and on the platform, it was now our favourite characters sending their children to the school of magic.
Harry Potter, the boy who lived, had grown up and now stood on the platform with the love of his life – Ginny Weasley (now Ginny Potter) - surrounded by their children. Their oldest, James, as soon as he saw his friends in the crowd, became agitated and tried to run off to them multiple times, only to be stopped by another lecture from his parents. Little Lily Luna, on the other hand, wouldn't leave her mother's side, holding her hand and curiously watching the magnificent scarlet train. It wasn't time for her to go away yet, so she was just happily watching the other children around them. Only Albus Severus Potter, the second born of the famous couple, wasn't sharing everyone's excitement.
For the last couple of weeks leading to this day, the boy couldn't stop worrying about his first trip to Hogwarts. His father often told the children about his first year at the infamous school, about his adventures, the friends he made that year and all the memories engraved into his heart. Every story, however, put more pressure on the boy, especially with an emphasis on the house Harry was in. So, what worried Albus the most was the very first step of his school life. The Sorting Ceremony. All of his loved ones were from Gryffindor. His parents, his brother James, Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione. Even the whole Weasley family (which, by the way, was ginormous) were sorted into Gryffindor. Albus was absolutely terrified that he wouldn't end up there. However, his biggest fear was to be put into Slytherin, Gryffindor's biggest rival.
Harry said his goodbye to James, again reminding him about following the rules (though in his school days, Harry was always the biggest rule-breaker). When James finally ran to his friends, without a backward glance, Harry turned around and noticed the worry written all over Albus's face.
"Did something happen?" Harry asked his son.
"No. Everything's absolutely perfect!" Albus said with forced happiness in his voice, desperately trying to smile and failing.
"You know you can talk to me, right? I can see that something is upsetting you." Harry had a pretty good guess about what was wrong. So, he asked, "Are you worried about the Sorting Ceremony?"
Albus looked at his father with shocked eyes. "How did you know?" whispered Albus.
"I saw the way you reacted to my stories about the sorting hat." Albus's eyes became comically big. Harry smiled warmly, "Of course I did. I just thought it would be better to wait for you to tell me everything when you are ready. But maybe I was wrong and should have addressed this sooner." Harry frowned.
Albus shuffled on his feet and looked away. "You told us that the hat wanted to sort you into Slytherin, and if you hadn't begged her not to…"
"Albus. Severus. Potter. You are named after two headmasters of Hogwarts. One of them was a Slytherin, and he was the bravest man I've ever known. I want to make something perfectly clear. It does not matter what house you will end up in. Believe me, the sorting hat knows our potential better than we do. And who knows? Maybe Salazar Slytherin's house is exactly what you need to find yourself. Listen to me," Harry squatted down to be at eye level with his son, "I know that you are scared, but no matter what the hat will decide, whichever house you will be sorted into, your mother and I will always be proud of you."
As Albus was listening to his father's speech, the weight on his heart became lighter and lighter. He was still nervous, but now he finally started to feel excited to know where the magic hat would put him. The boy's thoughts scattered when Lily's loud shout sounded right behind him.
"Rose! Hugo!"
The girl finally let go of her mother's hand and sprinted toward the approaching Weasleys. Hermione, once Granger - now Weasley - was walking hand in hand with her husband Ron. They were quietly talking to each other, letting their children lead the way. Ron was listening to his wife with a very serious expression on his face, but when Lily's loud greeting rang around them, he immediately smiled and went ahead to greet the Potters. Hermione's smile, however, was fake, which, sadly, only Ginny noticed. Mrs Potter was the only one who noticed all of her best friend's mood swings and fake smiles, how she quietly struggled behind closed doors and put on a brave front in public. Yet, Ginny never pushed for answers. She knew her friend better than anyone and knew that when she was ready, Hermione would spill everything.
Lily was smiling and animatedly talking about something with Rose, who was quietly listening and hanging to her friend's every word. Ron and Harry were already in a heated discussion about the latest quidditch match when the whistle of the train, ready to depart, rang around them. The students all around the platform were saying goodbyes, hugging their parents and quickly jumping onto the departing Hogwarts Express. The scarlet train slowly moved away from the platform, leaving all the fears and worries behind. It was a time for magic and adventure, new friendships and new discoveries.