September 1st, 2023

Alexander and his family arrived at King's Cross Station about thirty minutes before the train was set to depart. He looked down at the glimmering piece of paper that he had received in the envelope detailing his enrollment into the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It had been eight months since he had received his letter and was made aware of the wizarding world that was around him, that he was now a part of.

"So, Platform Nine and... Three-Quarters?" Said Alexander's father, inquisitively.

It was an awkward number indeed. All of the other platforms were free of fractions, but Alexander's wasn't. He thought this to himself and thought it was rather amusing. He was reminded of his time shopping in Diagon Alley with his parents. Everything seemed almost whimsical to a degree there and it began to look like Platform 9 3/4s was going to be no different.

"It's just up this way, remember. We enter right between platforms nine and ten." Said Alexander excitedly.

"I believe you're right, love. It should be just up this way." Alexander's mother replied in acknowledgment.

Alexander had been waiting for this moment since he got his acceptance letter. His trip to Diagon Alley had only doubled his excitement. His face was now wide with a smile and his stride was longer and more forceful than it was just moments ago. The hanging signs with the numbers Nine and Ten had come into view at last. As he approached the brick pillar dividing the two numbers he quicked his pace to a run and closed his eyes as he crossed the threshold onto the platform.

Alexander opened his eyes to a steam-filled station filled with a few witches and wizards who had decided to arrive as early as they had. Some of them were clad in black robes that draped down to their ankles and others looked as if they had just walked in from the muggle world. Looking back, he saw his his parents cross onto the platform, his father first who was then followed by his mother. They shared his look of awe as all three of them took in the sight of the red locomotive that was bellowing steam from its exhaust.

"Woah..." Said all three of them in an uncanny unison.

"Do you want any help loading your luggage son?" Broke the awestruck silence as Alexander's father placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Er.. I.. Yes." Stammered Alexander as he continued to scan his eyes around the station.

Flanked by his father and mother, he pushed his trolley toward the train. He tripped over every other step as he tried to walk while looking around the platform. His eye caught the clock hanging near a sign that read "Hogwarts Express".

"Only five minutes left until it leaves. Best we get you loaded." Said his mother, who's eyes had also caught the time on the clock.

His parents walked with him to the threshold of the passenger car. Before he could say goodbye, his parents had swept him into a tight hug. After which he unloaded the trolley full of luggage and stepped onto the Hogwarts Express. He turned around in the doorway to wave goodbye to his mother and father who had returned the gesture. He noticed the remnants of a tear trail that had been quickly wiped away on his mother's cheek. He walked deeper into the express and found a compartment that he would call home for the duration of the journey.