The Magical Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

The Magical Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

Today was September 1st, and the weather was exceptionally fine.

Harry examined the ticket in his hand. The front read "King's Cross Station," while the back read, "September 1st, eleven o'clock, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters." By boarding this train, Harry would be able to enter Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

At the same time, who knew how many new students were feeling just like Harry—joyful, eager, and full of anticipation.

At a vast manor, it took ten minutes just to walk from the front gate to the house.

A tall man was speaking to a child. "You are a pure-blood. Never forget the glory of the Malfoy family!"

"Yes, Father." The platinum-haired boy answered proudly.

Inside a car driving through the streets of London, a man excitedly told his daughter, "Hermione, Daddy believes in you. Even at a magic school, you'll still be the best."

The adorable girl lifted her chin and smiled confidently. "Of course I will."

A plump woman, her face full of fury, shouted upstairs, "Ron Weasley, today is the day you start school, and you're still not out of bed! Do you want me to write to Headmaster Dumbledore and tell him you won't be attending Hogwarts this year?"

"...I'm getting dressed, ha..." A reluctant voice drifted lazily down from upstairs, accompanied by a yawn.

"If you don't come downstairs within one minute, I'll make sure you never come downstairs again!" the woman roared.

"Okay, okay..." The voice immediately turned panicked.

With a thud, something had clearly fallen over.

Harry carried his things, large bags and small bags alike. Fortunately, he did not need to worry about Optimus Prime—oh, no, Hedwig. She was an eagle, so naturally she flew in the sky, while Little Cutie was curled up on top of a bundle. Harry did not pay much attention to them.

He put on the first-year Hogwarts uniform robes, narcissistically checked himself in a small mirror, smoothed his long, straight black hair, and smiled confidently at his reflection. "Let's go. I'm the man destined to become the Pirate King."

Because he had too many packages, Harry had no choice but to carry them to the entrance of The Leaky Cauldron in several trips.

Before leaving, he waved goodbye to Old Tom, whose face was full of reluctance.

"Mr. Potter, I hope you'll visit again next time..."

"There'll be opportunities. About my idea to renovate the pub, you... Hey, don't leave."

"Tch, I'm only doing this for your own good. With such a prime location, connecting south to Xiaoxiang and north to Wuxia Gorge, it's practically a strategic battleground. Compared to this place, golden storefronts are trash. This is a diamond storefront! Upgrade it a little, and it'll be bringing in money by the bucketful every day." Harry muttered unwillingly to himself.

With the intention of helping Old Tom, Harry had written a proposal specifically for The Leaky Cauldron. It covered renovations, tearing down and rebuilding the main hall, changes to the guest rooms... Harry had thought Old Tom would be moved to tears, as though meeting a god, then shout, "Sir, please accept my kneecaps!"

The result... heh heh, heh, heh heh...

Forget it. It was such a painful memory...

Youth... was but a brilliant sorrow... Was he really an artsy young man after all...?

Harry took a taxi to King's Cross Station and arrived at half past nine. He placed his things on a trolley and pushed it around while searching for the platform that led to Hogwarts, Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

Then he noticed that everyone walking through the station was looking at him curiously. Only then did Harry realize that he was just a child, merely eleven years old, yet carrying so much luggage, with Little Cutie strutting along behind him. He himself looked strange too. Not only was he dressed in peculiar black robes, but he also had a tattoo on his forehead and long black hair. Anyone who saw such a strange child would take a few extra looks.

Any other child would have been uncomfortable by now. But who was he? Back in the day, he had ruled the kindergarten!

A few looks were naturally nothing to him.

Harry scanned the signs with purpose and soon spotted Platforms Nine and Ten. A smile appeared on his face. "Found it."

He quickly pushed the trolley forward, arriving between Platforms Nine and Ten. It should mean exactly what it says, right? Three-quarters of the way across.

Harry carefully examined the location. Near Platform Ten stood a pillar made of red bricks, just like in the movie.

"Could this be it? Do I have to test it with my head?" Harry slowly approached the pillar when a strange sensation suddenly came over him. He felt as if the air were squeezing him. Turning his head, he saw that the people around him had become somewhat blurry...

He abruptly stepped back. The strange sensation vanished, and everything returned to normal. Harry let out a long breath. This had to be it.

Harry put his thumb and index finger into his mouth, took a deep breath, and let out a loud, melodious whistle that echoed through the station.

Many people were drawn by the sound and looked toward Harry. Then, to their astonishment, a black eagle suddenly flew in from outside. It circled twice, slowly folded its wings, and landed on Harry's shoulder.

After waiting a moment and making sure no one was watching him anymore, Harry quickly headed toward the pillar again.

Sure enough, that sensation returned, as if he had been cut off from his surroundings. This time, Harry did not panic and continued forward. The eagle felt the pressure too. It shifted its talons and moved closer to Harry's face.

Just as Harry entered the pillar, he turned his head and vaguely saw a woman approaching with several children. All of those children had red hair.

Then Harry went through, as though passing through a film of water. A gust of wind suddenly blew against his face. Harry opened his eyes and saw a scene completely different from King's Cross Station.

It was an open-air station. A deep red train stood on the tracks, with people getting on and off it.

The platform was packed with people and filled with noise—adults talking to children, children talking to children, adults talking to adults. All kinds of voices poured into his ears. Several tabby cats ran about on the ground, while owls hooted inside their cages.

Steam billowed out in thick clouds around the Platform Nine and Three-Quarters sign. A brass plaque on the train read, "Hogwarts Express."

Harry smiled brilliantly, a smile comparable even to Luffy's.

Harry said to Optimus Prime on his shoulder, "Follow the train later." Optimus Prime shot into the sky. Harry then put Little Cutie into a bag, leaving only its head exposed. With so many people around, it might get stepped on at any moment.

Harry walked toward the train, preparing to board. The first few carriages were already full, and many children were chatting and playing around. Harry made his way toward the rear, passing carriage after carriage and window after window.

When he reached a carriage that was not yet full, Harry carried his belongings aboard one piece at a time.

"Hi, need a hand?" A warm voice called out.

Two identical-looking people appeared beside Harry, and one of them asked with a smile. Harry froze for a moment. Looking at their hair, he realized they must be Ron's two prank-loving older brothers, Fred and George Weasley.

"Thanks, but no need."

"What's your name? You don't look like a new student at all," one of them asked.

"Uh, Harry Potter." Harry then stared at their faces.

Sure enough, their expressions were spectacular—surprise, excitement, exhilaration. They had no idea what to say.

"I'll head up first, then. See you." Harry waved at them.

They exchanged a look, then ran toward the back.

"Mum, Mum, you won't believe who I saw..." one of them shouted excitedly.

"It was Harry Potter, Mum," said the other.

"Shut up, let me say it."

"Why should I?" came the unwilling reply.

Luo Bei: In the original, they reach Platform Nine and Three-Quarters through the ticket barrier. I couldn't imagine what that scene would look like, so I went with the movie version.