The end of summer brought with it a familiar thrill as Sagar stood once more on Platform 9¾, the air alive with the whistle of steam and the chatter of witches and wizards eager to return to Hogwarts. The scarlet Hogwarts Express gleamed beneath the high glass roof, its brass fittings polished and its windows reflecting the excitement of a new term45
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Sagar's trunk, packed with new books, enchanted quills, and a few magical surprises, was already loaded aboard. The Patel twins, wide-eyed and nervous for their first journey, clung to their tickets and looked to Sagar for reassurance. He smiled, remembering his own sense of awe the year before.
The platform was a swirl of families saying their goodbyes, owls hooting in their cages, and the Trolley Witch preparing her cart of sweets. Sagar greeted familiar faces—Hermione with her nose already in a book, Ron fussing over his luggage, and Draco Malfoy casting glances at the crowd, determined to make a grand entrance.
As the train's whistle blew, Sagar shepherded the twins aboard, finding a compartment midway down the train. The corridor buzzed with energy: friends reuniting, prefects giving instructions, and first-years peering out at the passing countryside with wide eyes25
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Once settled, Sagar leaned back and let the rhythm of the train carry him north. The journey was always more than just a ride; it was a time when friendships were forged, secrets whispered, and the anticipation of the unknown grew with every mile2. The Trolley Witch soon arrived, her cart piled high with Chocolate Frogs, Pumpkin Pasties, and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. Sagar bought a generous selection, sharing treats with the twins and a shy Hufflepuff who joined their compartment.
Outside, the landscape shifted from bustling city to rolling green fields, then to wild moors and dark forests. Sagar watched the scenery, his mind drifting between thoughts of the magical summer at Jadhav Manor and the mysteries that surely awaited at Hogwarts this year.
As the sun began to set, the train's lamps flickered on, casting a golden glow over the compartments. Laughter and stories filled the air. Sagar listened, sometimes joining in, sometimes simply observing—always learning, always planning.
When the train finally slowed, the castle's silhouette appeared against the darkening sky, its windows twinkling like stars. Hogsmeade Station bustled with activity as students spilled out, older ones heading for the horseless carriages, first-years gathering for their boat ride across the lake6.
Sagar paused on the platform, breathing in the cool night air and feeling a familiar surge of anticipation. Another year had begun—one that promised new magic, new friendships, and new secrets to uncover.
With a final glance at the scarlet train, Sagar led the twins toward the carriages, his heart light and his mind already racing ahead to the adventures waiting within the castle walls.