Twice Chosen | Esmerelda Potter

4. Fractional Platform

Today is September 1st, which is the day I take the train to Hogwarts! I can see it is about 9 o'clock, which means we slept in again.

Dora is asleep in her bed. She only seems to oversleep on the important days.

"Dora. Dora. I think we overslept!" She arises with a start and glances at the clock across from the bed. 

"Not again!" Dora sighs. 

We both run downstairs in a hurry. She mutters a spell underneath her breath and the eggs rise out of the fridge and break and cook. She runs upstairs. I'm entranced by the cooking eggs every time. I watch as an egg is suddenly cracked, and then it magically floats to the hot pan to cook. I watch it again and again until they are all made and they sit on a large plate.

Dora runs back downstairs and we sit at the table eating magically made eggs. 

"Here's the plan," says Dora with food still in her mouth. "You meet Hagrid and Harry and King's Cross Station. I have to oversee something today at work."

I'm a bit disappointed that she can't come with me to the train station, but that feeling passes quickly.

"Okay."

I'll take you there using apparation."

"Got it."

When it comes time, I grab onto Dora's wrist and hang on for dear life. My stomach contracts and squeezes and I feel quite sick.

When I open my eyes, we are at a busy train station.

"Look! There's Harry and Hagrid! Go see them! Have a great first year! Write every day, I will answer. Now, here's your ticket," Dora hugs me. When I let go of her, she is gone. 

I glance at the ticket in my hand. It says Platform 9 and 3/4. Maybe Harry knows where that is, because I certainly don't.

I run up to Harry and Hagrid and they address me warmly.

"Blimey, is that te time? Sorry ya two. I hafta go. See ya soon!" Hagrid says in a rushed tone. Hagrid runs off in the other direction.

"Where do you suppose Platform 9 and 3/4 is?" I ask. "Dora never told me where it is."

He glances at his ticket. "No idea."

We walk down until we are stuck between Platforms 9 and 10. I look around the train station, but I can't find any sign that points to Platform 9 and 3/4.

"Excuse me!" Harry says to a nearby train conductor. "Can you tell me where Platform 9 and 3/4 is?"

The conductor shakes his head. "Think you're being funny? Kids these days..." The conductor walks off, obviously angry. 

"Worth a try," I say. Harry shrugs.

I look around the entire train station again, but there is nothing related to Platform 9 and 3/4.

"Where do we go now?" I ask.

"Esmerelda, listen," Harry whispers.

"...packed with Muggles. Platform 9 and 3/4 this way!"

I turn around and see a red-haired lady leading four boys behind her, while holding a girl close to her. Harry and I glance at each other and follow just behind them. 

Each kid, except for the girl, lines up single file. Every single one of them has bright red hair, even more fiery (and neater) than mine. 

"You first, Percy." the lady says. 

The tallest boy pushes his cart in between the pillars. He starts running up to the wall. He is going to crash!

"No! Stop! You're going to...," I scream but the boy disappears through the wall. 

Five pairs of alike eyes stare at me and then Harry. I pray that I'm not turning as red as I feel.

"Do you need help getting onto the platform?" the lady asks with sympathy. "It's Ron's first time too. Watch them. Fred! George!" She points to the identical boys ahead. I rub my eyes, I think I'm seeing double!

"He's not Fred, I am!" 

"Honestly, woman, you call yourself our mother?"

"Sorry George!" They roll their carts up behind the wall. 

"I'm only joking, I am Fred!" I giggle. The mother looks exasperated and nudges the next boy while the two twins disappear through the wall.

"Actually, Ron, hold off. These two need to go first." The boy backs up and Harry steps up. 

"Good luck," the girl by her mother quietly murmurs. Harry nods while I thank her. He runs at the wall and I close my eyes. I pray to myself. He disappears with a swoosh. 

I run next. My legs fly across the platform and I brace myself for the horrible impact that will come. However, it never comes. Once I'm through the wall, I stop and look up:

PLATFORM 9 3/4

"Esmerelda! Come quick! It's two minutes till 11!" I follow Harry aboard the train. The conductor tips his hat to us while I wave back.

Students are dashing into compartments and slamming doors with such force that it makes my teeth rattle and the windows move.

"Here's an empty one," I say to Harry. He follows me into the compartment. 

I haul my trunk and try to put it on the shelf but it falls and narrowly misses my foot. Captiosus shrieks. I stroke her on her head and apologize. 

"I'm no taller than you are. I can't help you either," Harry says.

"Need any help?" Harry and I turn around. The two twins from the platform are in the threshold. I nod and Harry says "Yes."

They pick up Harry's black trunk and my navy blue trunk and slide it onto the shelf above with no effort at all. 

"That'll do it. Five galleons please." I look at Harry who looks at me. "Uh..." I start.

"Oh we're only joking." 

"Well do it for free on one condition."

"Tell us who you are." The twins alternate sentences.

"I'm Harry Potter."

"I'm Esmerelda Potter."

The twins eyes widen.

"Wow!"

"I can't believe it!"

"Can't believe I get to brag to Percy about helping the Potter twins before him!"

The twins disappear talking and leave Harry and I alone. 

"So, what should we do?" I ask. He shrugs. We are going to have multiple hours to ourselves. We could do anything.