My First Big Step
As I walk through King's Cross Station with my mother, I know I am about to embark on my first big journey on my own. She insisted on bringing me here herself, since I did all of my school shopping in Diagon Alley with my two uncles.
I have walked between two worlds my whole life, living mostly as a muggle like my mother, but knowing of the magical world that my father came from. I know that very soon I am going to walk through a wall and be fully engulfed in the magical world, no turning back. Even though I know my life is going to change dramatically, I don't feel fear, anxiety; I am calm and relaxed, knowing I am exactly where I want and need to be.
Scratch that, I am excited! I am going to a school after all. I am going to be learning everything I could possibly want to learn!
Just as I have that thought, we reach the wall between platforms nine and ten. I look around at the bustling commuters and pick out a few travelers that are dressed not quite right heading for where I am now standing. I know them to be going to the same train as me, we just can't see it yet. I look up at my mom, and smile. She smiles back, but with a slight sadness in her eyes.
I enter into a completely different place. The smell of coal burning smoke and steam from the train engine wafting through the platform. Everything is slightly obscured by the smoke and steam as well. The sounds of the whistle and mechanical parts groaning as the train sits waiting to take hundreds of children to Hogwarts. This massive beast known as the Hogwarts Express is like a living thing, a giant beast of burden.
I continue down the platform and find where to leave my luggage. A massive pile of trunks, suitcases, cages and bundles of other items waiting to be taken aboard for their own journey to Hogwarts. I add mine to the piles and am ushered to one of the cars by a conductor.
I find an empty cabin and pull out my copy of "History of Magic," and begin reading. I am only about two-thirds of the way through the book and wanted to have it read before classes start. As I sit reading, I wait for others to join me.
Just as I finish a chapter and contemplate starting another, my cabin door slides open...
I have walked between two worlds my whole life, living mostly as a muggle like my mother, but knowing of the magical world that my father came from. I know that very soon I am going to walk through a wall and be fully engulfed in the magical world, no turning back. Even though I know my life is going to change dramatically, I don't feel fear, anxiety; I am calm and relaxed, knowing I am exactly where I want and need to be.
Scratch that, I am excited! I am going to a school after all. I am going to be learning everything I could possibly want to learn!
Just as I have that thought, we reach the wall between platforms nine and ten. I look around at the bustling commuters and pick out a few travelers that are dressed not quite right heading for where I am now standing. I know them to be going to the same train as me, we just can't see it yet. I look up at my mom, and smile. She smiles back, but with a slight sadness in her eyes.
This is it, Jason. I have to say goodbye to you now. It is important for you to make your way through the wall on onto the train on your own, as much as I want to see you board and wave at you while the train leaves.
She leans down and gives me a hug.I don't understand why you can't though? Uncle Chilwick and Brutus are weird to say the least; you don't have to listen to them. Plenty of parents are going through with their kids.
She kisses me on the forehead and ruffles my hair a little.That may be, but this is an important day for you. You start your life as a wizard once you walk through that wall. I will never be a witch, but I will always be your mother. I love you.
I turn and grab hold of the cart with my trunks on it and begin pushing toward the wall. I gather some speed, and just as I begin to disappear through the wall, I look back and see my mother waving goodbye.Alright, Mom. I love you, too.
I enter into a completely different place. The smell of coal burning smoke and steam from the train engine wafting through the platform. Everything is slightly obscured by the smoke and steam as well. The sounds of the whistle and mechanical parts groaning as the train sits waiting to take hundreds of children to Hogwarts. This massive beast known as the Hogwarts Express is like a living thing, a giant beast of burden.
I continue down the platform and find where to leave my luggage. A massive pile of trunks, suitcases, cages and bundles of other items waiting to be taken aboard for their own journey to Hogwarts. I add mine to the piles and am ushered to one of the cars by a conductor.
I find an empty cabin and pull out my copy of "History of Magic," and begin reading. I am only about two-thirds of the way through the book and wanted to have it read before classes start. As I sit reading, I wait for others to join me.
Just as I finish a chapter and contemplate starting another, my cabin door slides open...