Hogwarts Untold: Love, Life, and Loss on School Grounds.

Chapter 3: The Journey Begins

Several hours after our journey began in Diagon Alley, we arrived at the train station. It was nearly 11 o'clock, almost time for the Hogwarts Express to leave. Mum was pulling me through the dredges of muggles bustling through their normal days, my stuff was being pushed by her on a cart. I still don't know where the cart came from actually.

We arrived to the platform at 10:58 and 30 seconds. We stood back, watching older students walk towards a wall, and I became confused as they started to pick up speed and run right between platforms 9 and 10. They disappeared into the wall and I asked my mother, "How can we do that in front of all these muggles!?"

"Muggles don't notice things they don't want to," she replied with a chuckle. Finally, it was my turn. With my mother embracing me, we quickly walked to toward the wall, and I closed my eyes, expecting disaster.

Once we came through, I opened my eyes and looked around. Above me was a sign that read, "Platform 9 3/4." "Wicked," I thought to myself. All around us were older looking kids who knew exactly where they were going, and many first years, who, like me.. were scared and anxious to leave their parents.

Mom rushed me to a car filled with other first-years. She bent down and hugged me the tightest she had in months.

"Mary Emilia," she said, her voice was slightly shaky. "You are so bright. You are an amazing witch, who is incredibly caring and friendly. You will do amazing things at school. Remember that! I love you!"

"I love you, mum. I'll write as as often as I can! I'll miss you."

She kissed me on my forehead, before letting go of her hug. I held on a little longer before she pushes me on the train, "leaves at exactly 11:00am," she said sternly, but with a smile.
   

I made my way onto the train car and followed a few kids that looked like me, anxious & awkward. I followed them and we all sat down in the same car. It was magical— red seats with gold trimmings, luggage racks up top, arm rests in between. I sat down at the window, my hands on my thighs. This adorable blonde girl sat next to me, "I'm Mary!" I say.

"Luna, Luna Lovegood," she replied. She has blue eyes and blonde hair.

After a few more pleasantries about our outfits, and my glasses (I was wearing my all black ones this day).. we were fast friends. Luna would later become one my best friends. I looked out the large window as the train's whistle sounds, and it starts to move. I see my mum, and I tear up as I wave excitedly goodbye to her.

Across the car from Luna and me were two boys, brothers. One was a first year and one a second year. I thought it was very kind of the older brother to sit with his younger brother. I introduced us to them. We found out that their names were Martin and Franklin Greenlick. Martin was in our year. "I'm Mary!" I exclaim! "And this is Luna."

"Nice to meet you," they both replied.

Martin was a small boy, tall and gangly, blonde hair, blue eyes. His brother, Franklin had strawberry-blonde hair and blue eyes as well. I thought that they were both cute. No matter.

As the train continued to rattled down the tracks toward the most magical place I would ever see, I grabbed my luggage and in my floral bag, I pulled out my sketch pad. It was a fact known by only my mother, that I loved to draw. I was rather good at it. I began to sketch the train car and it's occupants.

Just as I started to finish up her likeness, Luna glanced at my pad and said, "Oh! That's amazing! Is that me?"

"It is," I said. "It's all of you!" I tilted the pad toward her and the boys. Everyone seemed pleased with what they had seen. I liked when
people liked my sketches.

The train ride lasted all day. When we finally stopped, the four of us in our shared car looked around. Franklin rubbed his brothers hair, messing it up. He then winked at him, waved towards me and Luna and left the car. Martin said he was going to join his friends. That left the three of us.

We looked at each and burst out laughing at ourselves to ease the silence we didn't mean to create. We then decided all at once to stand up and exit, grabbing our belongings before departing.

When we stepped off the train onto the platform, we were greeted by a large man with shaggy hair, the same man I had seen in Diagon Alley! "Ello there! You lot!" he bellowed. "First years, over here! I'm Rubeus Hagrid, keeper o' keys an' grounds at Hogwarts!" Despite his presence, he was wonderfully kind! He lead all of the first years to a waters edge.

Out on the water sat several boats. Hagrid, as he told us to call him, explained to us that this was the next step in our journey to Hogwarts.