Alfie, Who?

Platform 9 3/4

The time came for Alfie to say goodbye to his parents. The Doctor would take Alfie to the Kings Cross station in his TARDIS. "Why can't we just take the TARDIS straight to the school?" Alfie asked, holding on tight as the TARDIS rumbled and shook, coming to a crashing halt just outside of the station. Alfie pulled his large trunk full of books, robes, supplies, photos from home, etc. along on a wheeled pulley. Atop his trunk was his mongoose cage. She ran around and around her cage with playful excitement looking here and there. Her little brown nose sniffed the air in all directions.

    The cool autumn air is crisp and fresh. Alfie observed the Doctor appearing to taste it. "This really is my favorite time of year." He turned to see impatience in his young companion's face. "I've told you. We can not take the TARDIS onto school grounds in such a way. Besides, you'll want to take the train. You will make many friends on this trip. It will be good for you."

"Will I, Doctor?"

"I really don't know." The Doctor laughed slightly. "But you won't know until you get there. Ok, now. Let's go. The directions say to go to platform 9 3/4! Well, that makes no sense at all." Alfie and the Doctor made there way into the train station and walked down the platform until they got to platform 9. At that very moment they watch the last of a small family disappear into a column just ahead. "Well, that's something!" He turned dramatically toward platform 9 3/4. "Come on Alfie, I think I see something." Alfie pulled his cart half way to the next platform where the Doctor was standing. He'd pulled out his sonic screwdriver and was scanning the pillar there. "It seems as if this pillar isn't really there. It's a very clever cloak to deceive onlookers."

"Erm, I'm sorry?"

"The pillar isn't really there." The Doctor laughs excitedly. "It's a trick. A rouse."

"It's magic!" Alfie's eyes are wide with excitement.

"Magic. Trick. Whichever it is, let's go. We don't want to miss our train, now, do we?"

"What are we to do?"

"Walk straight on through!" The Doctor rubbed his hands. "Go on, then! You first. Bottoms up!" He gives Alfie a nudge and he and his cart go right through the pillar without delay or consequence. "Well, GERONIMO!" The Doctor exclaimed as he, too, disappeared beyond the platform at 9 3/4.

When the Doctor emerged on the other side, he found Alfie standing, watching in awe at the families and steam and the beautiful red train and the sounds. "I've never seen anything like this! It's amazing, Doctor!" Alfie looked around. Families were hugging and kissing their loved ones, helping them put their trunks and cages on board. "Look over there!" He pointed down toward the front of the train. "Those kids have owls! Everyone's got animals!" He looked around further. "No one else has a mongoose."

"Well," The Doctor began. "Let's get you and Pennyfeather on board.The train is scheduled to leave in 5 minutes!" He pulled Alfie's trunk to the door of the closest car. "Upsey daisy!" He yanked the trunk up onto the train. Alfie followed behind him holding Pennyfeather's cage.

"Doctor, can you take the train with me?"

"No, Alfie. I will meet you there. I promise."

"OK." His anxiety was apparent. "But, Doctor. What if it has all been a mistake? What if I'm not special? What if I get there and I can't do anything that the other kids can do?"

"Oh, Alfie. You are special!" He knelt a bit, fixed Alfie's collar, and smoothed his sandy bangs. Showed him his big friendly smile. The one that when you see it, you know that everything will be all right. "You will be great and do GREAT things!" Then he put his fingers in Alfie's hair and ruffles it right up. The train's whistle blew indicating that it was about to take off. "All right, then. See you on the other side!" The Doctor jumped off the train.