Platform Nine and Three-Quarters

After returning the rental car, Allen and his family arrived before the Magic Lamp Post. It was Harry's first time traveling by Magic Lamp Post, and he watched Mr. Harris's every movement with keen interest. Like Allen, he found it utterly marvelous.

Although it was not Allen's first time riding it, he had his own reflections. While science and technology in the Muggle world were developing rapidly, changing almost by the day, the wizarding world far surpassed Muggles in its study of both time and space.

If the teleportation technology of this Magic Lamp Post could be popularized in the Muggle world, housing prices in his previous life would not have been so outrageously high.

Soon, a small villa of red brick and white-framed windows appeared before Harry's eyes.

The yard was shaded by lush trees. Several enormous logs had been sawed into sections and scattered throughout the garden. They had probably been enchanted against dampness and insects, and Allen's family used them as seats.

There was also a simple swing fixed between two large trees, its frame entwined with verdant vines and beautiful flowers.

The entire yard was rustic and natural, brimming with life. Harry fell in love with it at first sight. It gave him a feeling of freedom, of being completely unrestrained.

Mrs. Harris had specially taken the day off to welcome Harry.

Her younger daughter, Emily, peeked out from behind her mother.

The moment she saw Harry, Mrs. Harris gave him a huge hug.

"Harry, welcome!" Lenn, the second eldest brother, solemnly held out his hand beside her.

Before the warm welcome had even ended, Daisy, the eldest sister, brought out steaming tea while Mrs. Harris directed sausages to fly into their respective plates.

After the meal, Harry followed Allen to the bedroom. The first thing he saw was a bunk bed.

The bed had clearly been pieced together from two separate beds. The upper bunk was made of smooth wooden boards, complete with the rings of the tree.

Harry counted them in his heart. The tree was even older than me!

The two beds were joined together somewhat crookedly, yet they looked strangely harmonious.

Opposite the window stood a huge desk, covered with books, ink, and a stack of parchment.

Next, Allen helped Harry put all his things away in neat order. Before going to sleep that night, Harry was utterly content. "What a warm and friendly family!"

The following days passed peacefully, but every day was filled with fun for Harry.

He liked getting up early and following Allen through movements he could not understand. His awkward posture often made Allen burst out laughing.

He liked watching all sorts of magical kitchen utensils fly around and cook delicious meals.

He liked gentle Mr. Harris, attentive Mrs. Harris, beauty-loving Daisy, serious Lenn, mischievous and adorable Emily, who always pestered him for stories, and not to mention Teacher Albert, who had earned his admiration long ago.

Happy times always flew by. In the blink of an eye, it was time for school to begin.

On that morning, both lively and solemn, the family packed all the luggage they needed to take with them early.

Using the convenience of his position, Mr. Harris borrowed one of the only two magical cars left at the Ministry of Magic.

Harry stared in amazement as Mr. Harris loaded piece after piece of luggage into it.

It was clearly a small sedan, yet its interior space was like that of a small van!

They arrived at King's Cross Station at ten thirty. While Mr. Harris and the others unloaded the luggage, Harry looked around for a long time, but he simply could not find Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

Harry searched carefully for quite a while, and it was indeed so. One platform had a large plastic sign marked 9, another had a large sign marked 10, and there was nothing at all between them.

"You're looking for Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, aren't you?" Allen carried two large Trunks and had an enormous backpack slung over his back.

Although Allen was very strong, such cumbersome baggage seriously hampered his movements. The backpack rose more than two heads above him.

Almost the instant Allen picked up the backpack, he decided that the first chance he got to use a wand, he would study the Undetectable Extension Charm. His small Kipling backpack would be perfect for it.

Harry nodded. "I can't find Platform Nine and Three-Quarters."

"Don't worry," Allen said. "Just walk straight toward the barrier between Platforms 9 and 10. Don't stop, don't be afraid, and run straight through it. That's important. If you're nervous, just jog. Come on. I'll go first, and you can follow me." Allen had heard Lenn explain how to get to the platform countless times.

Pushing his luggage cart, Allen charged toward the barrier. To Harry, he looked as though he were about to commit suicide.

But nothing Harry feared happened. In the blink of an eye, Allen vanished.

Harry adjusted his glasses, made up his mind, and started running in Allen's direction as well.

When Allen passed through the wall, a deep-red steam engine was waiting beside a platform crowded with passengers.

A sign on the train read: Hogwarts Express, eleven o'clock.

Allen turned around and saw that the ticket barrier had somehow become a wrought-iron archway, with the words Platform Nine and Three-Quarters written above it.

Before long, Harry arrived beside him as well, his face full of shock.