Rivilis Amiculus

The Sorting Ceremony

~Armin~

Soon, September rolled in and Grandpa dropped me off at King's Cross. I was left alone and I looked at the ticket.

"Platform 9 3/4?" It didn't make any sense. I stayed and kept looking back and forth between 9 and 10. About 15 minutes passed before a boy tapped my shoulder.

"Excuse me? You're in the way," he said.

"In the way of what?" I asked.

"Um..." He didn't respond.

I looked at his trunk and I noticed the Hogwarts coat of arms, "You going to Hogwarts too?" I asked.

"Oh! You're a wizard! I'm sorry, I couldn't tell if you were a muggle and, you know, we're not allowed to talk about magic to them," he explained.

"I have an owl. What would a muggle be doing here with a snowy owl in a cage?" I questioned.

"I suppose you're right..."

"Well, do you know where 9 3/4 is? I've been standing here clueless," I replied.

"Yeah. You just run through there." He pointed between 9 and 10. "There's a barrier that you need to pass through. Just run and don't stop. You'll crash into it if you do."

"Just... Just run?" I asked.

"Yeah, I'm starting this year so I've never done it, but you should be fine," he added.

"Alright... Thanks." I moved up against platform 9 and took a few moments before I went for it. I held onto Alba's cage and started running. I kept running and expected a crash, but it didn't happen. I opened my eyes after I heard a loud train whistle. A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform that said '9 3/4'.

I pulled out my ticket and was let on the train. I put Alba in a compartment before dragging my trunk through the door. With a little bit of struggle, I managed to get it in and sat in the compartment with Alba. Eventually, the boy who helped me peaked through the door.

"Do you mind? Everywhere else is full."

"Not at all!" I gestured to the seat on the opposite side of me and he sat down.

"I'm Connie Springer, by the way. I forgot to introduce myself."

"Armin Arlert. Thanks for your help back there. I was so lost."

"No problem. What kind of wand do you have?" he asked.

"Oh?" I pulled out my wand. "It's Cypress wood and unicorn hair," I answered.

He pulled out his wand as well as a book that said The Philosophy of Wands.

"Where did you get that?" I asked.

"Huh? It's on the shelf next to the desk at Ollivanders. I got it for the ride to Hogwarts." When he said that, the train started moving.

"How long is the ride?" I asked.

"Ages! It'll be dark by the time we get there," he replied and opened the book. "Cypress wood..." he mumbled as he looked through it. "It says that Cypress wielders will die a heroic death."

I blinked and looked at him confused, "What?"

"It's just a philosophy but it's interesting," he said.

"I hope I don't have to," I mumbled.

"It says they're rarely called to lay down their lives but would do so if required. You think you're going to be in Gryffindor?"