Everything I had ever dreamed of was going to happen. I was going to Hogwarts. And a magical train was going to take me there.
Right, hard to believe.

I had never been to King's Cross Station before, and it was big. And overwhelming. Couple that with my nerves. This was going to be a very interesting day. There were more people than I'd ever seen before. Some of them were magical, as I could see by their large trunks and owls.

I hadn't thought to get an owl. I wanted a cat and my mum said I would have to pay for one myself. And well, cats are expensive. I was also only 11 and very broke. Seeing people holding owls and toads and cats made me swell with envy.

But having a pet was a different thing. First, I had to survive this train ride. Make some friends along the way and survive Hogwarts. Getting to the platform was a bit hard. Try as might, I couldn't see the platform anywhere. And wouldn't the muggles get suspicious if a magical train came to the station?

It was all very confusing, but my mum knew what she was doing. She led me right to where the platform was supposed to be.

"Mum, there's nothing here." I said, confused.

"Patience. Right here, you're supposed to walk through this pillar, and you'll emerge at the station." she explained.

"Mum, you've got to be kidding me."
She expected me to walk through a pillar! A literal pillar! I would obviously crash and die. There was no doubt about that.

"Trust me." she said.

Well, if I died it would be her fault, I thought. I adjusted my trunk and walked with a steady pace towards the pillar. It came closer and closer, but I kept walking. It was inches away now. I kept walking. I was going to crash now; I closed my eyes and shielded myself from the incoming collision. But surprisingly, it never came.

I opened my eyes and was immediately astonished by what I found. Hundreds of wizards and witches were crowded around the station. Waving goodbye to their kids. And their it was, in all its might and glory, the Hogwarts Express. It billowed smoke as more and more kids boarded the train. Kids were waving goodbye to their families from the window.

My mum walked through the pillar at that moment.
"I know it's a bit overwhelming. But you'll get used to it. Now then, go on, get on the train!"

I hugged my mum and waved goodbye. I walked to the train and took one last glance at my mum. I would be a while before I saw her again. An adventure awaited me. All I had to do was get on the train.

Before I knew what was happening, I was on the train searching for a carriage to sit in. The people you sit with on the train ride may as well turn out to be your best friends. It mattered who you decided to sit with.

515 words