Carina Gray is a sharp-witted, fiercely loyal Slytherin with a knack for mischief and a heart of gold she tries hard to keep hidden. Known for her bold sense of humor and unwavering courage, she isn't afraid to stand up for her friends, even if it m...
Nearly a year had passed since that surreal day when Professor McGonagall showed up at the orphanage, offering her an escape she never thought possible. Hogwarts had been all she could think about since. She'd spent countless nights poring over her books, flipping through their pages so many times she could practically recite whole chapters from memory.
Magic wasn't just real—it was hers. And now, after waiting for what felt like forever, today was finally the day she'd leave the orphanage behind. The cramped, dusty rooms, the cruel glares of the other kids, the joyless meals... it would all be nothing but a distant memory.
Her trunk was heavy as she dragged it down the street, but she didn't care. Every step brought her closer to King's Cross Station, closer to the moment she'd finally be free.
Free to start her new life.
When she reached the station, Carina stared up at the grand arches of the building, feeling a small knot of nerves twist in her stomach. It was the first time she had ever made her way through London on her own. She gripped her ticket tightly in her hand, her eyes scanning the platform numbers: Nine. Ten.
But nothing about Nine and Three-Quarters.
"Really? A hidden platform?" she muttered to herself, tugging at the handle of her trunk as she wandered aimlessly between the two platforms. "Why can't magic things just be simple?"
She stopped, feeling ridiculous as she glanced around. People were bustling through the station in a hurry, paying no attention to the eleven-year-old girl standing there with a huge trunk and an anxious expression. Carina frowned, biting her lip as she tried to figure out what she was supposed to do next.
As Carina searched the station, she noticed a boy standing a few feet away. He wasn't as confused as some of the other students, but he still looked a bit uncertain. He was about her age, with messy black hair, round glasses, and a trolley weighed down by a large trunk.
Their eyes met, and for a second, neither of them said anything.
"Are you looking for the platform too?" Carina asked, stepping toward him.
The boy shook his head, offering a faint smile. "Sort of. I kind of know where to go, but I'm doing this on my own today." He shrugged. "My dad's already at Hogwarts—he's a professor. And my mum's not well, so I've kind of been left to figure it out."
Carina nodded, giving him a sympathetic look. "That's tough. But at least you kind of know where you're going."
The boy smiled a bit more, warming up. "Yeah. I'm Harry, by the way."
