Only Just Begun

Magic Aside, Certainty at Heart

Jerry woke up that morning with an unusually light feeling. After a string of chaotic days, his body finally seemed to sync with his spirit — less exhaustion, more clarity. London was slowly revealing itself not just as a refuge, but as a stage for unexpected experiences. And, being a proudly self-proclaimed nerd, there was one thing he couldn't miss: a visit to the Warner Bros. Studios — home to one of pop culture's most iconic sagas: Harry Potter.

Though not exactly a die-hard Potterhead, Jerry respected the scale and brilliance of the world J.K. Rowling had created. And the chance to step behind the curtain of that cinematic magic? Unmissable. It was the kind of bucket-list-worthy experience that didn't come around often.

He took the Underground to Victoria Station, where the shuttle to Watford would depart. The ride would be long — about an hour and a half — but he didn't mind. He was finally doing what he had promised himself in London: living, experiencing, collecting moments. When he arrived, a long, winding queue of visitors awaited him — each face lit with the same spark of anticipation. The wait didn't bother him. His ticket was already secured, and the sheer excitement in the air was more than enough to keep his patience alive.

When he finally boarded the bus, he chose a window seat and let himself be rocked gently by the rhythm of the city. He watched the bustling streets, the rows of Victorian rooftops, the hurried traffic lights, and the trees swaying softly in the wind.

And then — uninvited, unannounced — she returned. Carol.

Her face appeared in his memory with the clarity of a recurring dream — the kind you don't want to wake up from. The last time he saw her, he could barely keep his eyes open. And yet, he remembered the feel of her hand resting over his, the worry clouding her eyes, the warmth of her presence like a balm. And with that memory came the question that had been haunting him for days: "Does she feel the same way I do?"

He didn't know. But he knew how he felt — something far deeper than mere attraction. He wanted to really know her. What was her life like back in the U.S.? What dreams kept her awake at night? What kind of music made her smile when she was driving alone?
He wanted to share a coffee. A dinner. A conversation that didn't need to end. More than anything, he wanted a chance.

The arrival in Watford pulled him out of his reverie. They were about to step into a world where magic felt tangible. As soon as he passed through the gates of Warner Bros. Studios, he was greeted by a welcome video featuring the legendary trio — Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint. The group's excitement was electric. Jerry felt it ripple through him like he was crossing into another dimension.

Then came the Great Hall of Hogwarts — vast, majestic. The stone floors, the long wooden tables, the floating candles, the iconic props... Everything whispered of stories and memories waiting to be relived.