Origin Stories - Marauders Era - ATQ Contingency

Chapter 2: Through the Wall and on to the Train

I bounced through King's Cross.

Aunty Em and Mum were walking beside me. Both of them were sporting identical shades of bright purple hair (they were both fully fledged metamorphagi). My Dad had also decided to come and see me off. He was trailing behind us, making sure to pick up anything that had fallen off my overloaded trolley. My pet, Themis, was in her owl cage. Themis was a shape shifter, meaning that she could turn into any animal she wanted, magical or not. Mum had okayed me bringing her with me to Hogwarts with Dumbledore.

My brother, Joshua, was with me as well. He was a year younger than me and had spent the whole morning complaining about not getting to go Hogwarts this year. His eyes were currently a patronising yellow seeing and his hair was a bright red. Unlike me, he was a fully fledged metamorphagus.

Josh huffed, "Why can't I go this year?"

I rolled my eyes.

"Come now, Joshua, we've been through this already," Dad piped up from behind us.

Josh immediately quietened down. Dad only ever uses his full name when he was being serious.

We hit the wall between platforms 9 and 10. Mum had already told us how to get onto platform 9¾.

Aunty Em patted me in the back. "It's your first year. You should go first."

I looked up at her, slightly nervous.

"Go on," Mum urged. "Run at the wall if your nervous, it makes it easier."

I nodded, swallowing my fear and sprinting towards the wall. I flinched as I approached it, instinctively thinking I would hit it, despite Mum's reassurances. Sure enough, I flew through the magical barrier, coming out onto a busy platform with many witches and wizards of all ages bustling around. Passed the sign reading 9¾, there was a gleaming train with the shiny words 'Hogwarts Express' printed on the side.

The energy was hectic and the noises of students greeting each other and families saying goodbyes bounced off the walls. However, there was a sort of order to the chaos. Everyone seemed like they belonged and these ritual like antics seemed almost routine. Students clapped each other on the back as they saw each other for possibly the first time since school broke up. Parents gave their children tight embraces and parting kisses before waving them into the train. Students with all different coloured ties streamed onto the train, helping each other with their trunks and other baggage.

Over to one side, there was a large group of people. In that area, there were anywhere between one and ten adults per student. The students looked the youngest and there were many tearful embraces. Finally, after more than a few minutes, a student would be let go and they would brave the mechanical beast that would take them to their new school, the place that would change their lives forever.

I was so struck with awe that I barely had the sense to move out of the way of the entry. Mum laughed when she saw me after her and Dad walked through the barrier. A few seconds later, we were joined by Aunty Em and Josh, who was still pouting. We headed over the area that seemed to be reserved for first years.

As we got to the group, a couple emerged from the crowd of parents. The woman slapped the man on the shoulder. "Oh toughen up, Fleamont. He'll be fine. He's probably already forgotten about us. Stop being such a wuss."

The man, who was brushing tears from his eyes, didn't reply. I ran towards the couple.

"Aunty Euphemia, Uncle Fleamont!" I shouted.

"Why, hello Rosey!" Euphemia exclaimed. "Fancy seeing you here."

I giggled in response.

"We just let your cousin, James onto the train. Please find him and remind him to feed Henry."