The Invisible Platform
The rest of that day in Diagon Alley was spent popping in and out of shops, and reminding Powder that they were in fact there for Vi.
Once all her books and such were acquired and the three of them were settled at home, Vi finally allowed herself to feel a glimmer of excitement at the prospect of her new life ahead, as she layed in bed and read through some of her textbooks.
And now, on September the 1st, Vi found herself at King’s Cross Station, and it was chaos.
Vi had never seen so many people in one place before, rushing in every direction with their luggage, shouting over the din of train announcements. Powder practically vibrated with excitement, spinning in circles to take everything in, while Vander kept a firm grip on Vi’s trunk, leading them through the crowd.
Her Hogwarts letter had said to board the train from Platform 9¾, but there was just one small problem.
It didn’t exist.
Vi checked the signs again. Platforms 9 and 10 were clearly marked, with a solid brick wall between them. She looked down at her ticket, brow furrowed.
“This… has to be a joke, right?”
Vander scratched his chin. “Dunno, kiddo. Letter made it sound like it was real.”
Powder tugged on his sleeve. “Maybe it’s invisible!”
Vi exhaled sharply, glancing around. That’s when she spotted them—a group of people, standing near the wall between the platforms. A family, all with trunks and owls in cages, talking in hushed but excited voices.
And they weren’t just standing there.
One of the boys—tall, with dark hair—took a few steps back, then walked straight at the wall.
Vi opened her mouth to shout—he was going to crash!—but before she could, he was gone.
Her brain short-circuited.
No way. No way.
Powder gasped. “Did you see that?!”
“Yeah,” Vi muttered, still processing. “Yeah, I saw it.”
Vander let out a low whistle. “Well, that’s somethin’.”
A woman from the group—clearly the mother, with soft features and an air of confidence—must have noticed them staring. She walked over with a warm smile.
“First time, dear?”
Vi hesitated, then nodded.
The woman glanced at Vander and Powder, then back at Vi. “Muggle-born?”
Vi almost corrected her, but what was the point? “Yeah. I guess.” She expected the same reaction as the curt woman from Diagon Alley.
The woman gave a knowing nod. “It’s not as scary as it looks. Just walk straight at the barrier. Don’t stop, don’t hesitate.”
Vi looked at the solid brick wall.
Yeah. Sure. No problem. Just casually walk into a wall.
Vander clapped a hand on her shoulder. “You got this, kiddo.”
Powder grinned. “Or you’ll crash and explode into a million pieces!”
“Not helpful, Powder.”
The woman chuckled. “I’ll go first with my son. You follow, alright?”
Vi nodded stiffly, gripping the handle of her trunk.
The woman led her youngest boy toward the wall, pushing their trolley at a steady pace—then, just like before, they disappeared.
Vi’s stomach twisted.
She could do this.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed forward. Step by step, closer and closer. The bricks loomed ahead—too real, too solid. Every survival instinct screamed at her to stop, but she clenched her jaw and ran.
For a split second, she braced for impact.
And then—
Cool air. The scent of coal and steam.
Vi stumbled, blinking at the sight in front of her. A massive, scarlet train sat on the tracks, gleaming under the high-arched ceiling. Students bustled about in black robes, trunks and pets in tow, while families hugged their children goodbye.
She turned, heart racing. Behind her, where the entrance had been, was only more platform—no sign of the barrier she had just walked through.
Powder’s voice cut through the noise as she sprinted through after her. “That was so cool!”
Vander followed, looking just as stunned. “Huh. That’s a hell of a trick.”
Vi exhaled, finally letting herself believe.
She was here.
She was really going to Hogwarts. This wasn’t her world. Not really. But it was too late to turn back.
The whistle blew, steam curling into the air. Powder squeezed her arm. “You’re gonna be awesome,” she whispered, like she could read Vi’s mind.
Vi took a deep breath. “Yeah,” she muttered. “Hope so.”
Vi tightened her grip on her trunk’s handle. The Hogwarts Express loomed ahead, steam billowing from the engine as students climbed aboard. It felt surreal—just an hour ago, she hadn’t been sure any of this was real, and now she was about to board a train to a school of magic.
“Alright, kiddo,” Vander said, ruffling her hair. “You be good, yeah?”
Vi swatted his hand away, but her grin gave her away. “Yeah, yeah.”
Powder latched onto her waist in a tight hug. “You’ll write?”
“Of course,” Vi promised.
Vander gave her a nod. “Go on, then.”
With a final glance at them, she turned and hauled her trunk onto the train. The narrow corridor was packed—students in robes squeezed past each other, chatting excitedly. Vi shuffled forward, glancing into compartments, most already filled with groups of friends.
Finally, she spotted an empty seat in a nearly vacant compartment—only one other girl was inside. The girl with the blue hair from Diagon Alley.