Rain drizzled steadily over King's Cross Station, pooling on the cobblestones as carriages clattered past. Hermione led Cela by the hand through the crowded concourse, weaving past muggle travelers who gawked at the girls' robes and bundles of magical supplies.
At last, they came to the enormous brick wall between Platforms 9 and 10. Hermione stopped and turned to Cela. "Here it is. Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. Are you ready?"
Cela raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Wait… are you sure? I just… run into a wall, and we appear somewhere else?"
Hermione laughed, like a bright musical sound. "You sound like a first-year who's never heard of magic! Yes, Cela, if you walk straight through this wall, you'll end up on the platform. Just… trust me."
Cela hesitated, staring at the solid bricks. "I don't know… seems dangerous. What if I just smash my head and…"
"Oh, come on!" Hermione chuckled, rolling her eyes. "Nothing's going to happen. Unless you forget to move forward, in which case, yes, you'll probably bruise your nose. But you'll survive."
Cela snorted. "Fine. But if I come out with a concussion, I'm blaming you."
Hermione laughed again. "Deal. Just hold your bag tight and follow me."
Taking a deep breath, Cela stepped forward. She collided gently with the wall, expecting some resistance—but instead, the bricks gave way, as if melting into air. A brief flash of cold wind, a strange hollow sensation, and then… she stumbled onto a platform filled with steam, the scent of coal, and the low hum of magical anticipation.
"Wow…" Cela breathed, looking around. The Hogwarts Express stretched along the platform, gleaming scarlet and gold, its windows fogged and shimmering. Students hurried with trunks and pets, their robes damp with rain. Owls hooted from cages, and a few cats slinked along the edges, tails high.
"I… I can't believe it," Cela said, spinning around. "I'm really going to be a student at Hogwarts."
"Of course you are!" Hermione said, tugging her toward the train. "Let's find a compartment before it fills up. Come on, come on!"
They hurried along the platform, past students hugging their parents goodbye. Rain dripped off the roof, sending streaks across the cobblestones. Cela's eyes were wide with wonder. "It's… huge! And… I can't believe the train—look at the steam!"
Hermione grinned. "Hurry! We need to find a carriage. Most people already went inside because of the rain."
They reached the rear carriages and found the last door ajar. Hermione nudged it open, revealing a cozy compartment with velvet seats. A man slept in one corner, a small stack of books beside him. Hermione's cat, Crookshanks, leapt onto her lap, arching her back with a low purr.
"Perfect," Hermione whispered. "We'll take this one."
As they settled, the door opened again, and Harry Potter and Ron Weasley entered, dripping from the rain. Harry's glasses were fogged, and his hair plastered to his forehead.
"Ah! Hermione!" Harry said, smiling. "Good to see you back."
Hermione greeted Harry with a warm smile. "Harry, you're here! I thought we were running late, but you lot are late again, just like last year."
Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You have no idea. I came with Mr. Weasley's car, but Percy lost his Head Boy badge and was in a right state trying to find it. Of course, the twins had nicked it and didn't give it back until just an hour ago, just to mess with him. That's why we're so late."
"Hi," Cela said, managing a polite smile.
And Harry nodded to her.
Ron trailed behind, his eyes narrowing at Crookshanks, who was comfortably perched on Hermione's lap. "Ugh, Hermione, why'd you bring that… that monster? It's terrifying! Scaring my poor Scabbers—he's already half-dead. Why do you have to torture him more with that beast of yours?"
"Ron!" Hermione hissed, clutching Crookshanks more firmly. "Don't talk so loudly. The professor is sleeping, and you sound ridiculous."
"Professor?" Harry asked, glancing at the sleeping man.
"Yes," Hermione said. "That's Professor R.J. Lupin. He's our new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
Cela blinked. "So… this is who Dumbledore went to recruit? The new professor?"
Hermione sighed, nodding. "Yes, well, I hope he's at least decent enough to teach us some proper spells. I don't want to waste another year just reading from textbooks or diving into fantasy novels."
Ron groaned, crouching to peek at Scabbers, who was visibly trembling. "And this rat—he's shaking! Hermione, look at him. You and that… Crookshanks. It's terrifying him. Look at him!"
"Ron, enough," Hermione snapped, exasperated. "Scabbers is fine. Stop overreacting. Honestly, you complain about everything."
Harry suppressed a chuckle. "It is a little funny, though. Crookshanks looks like he wants to eat Scabbers, and Ron's panicking like it's a Hungarian Horntail."
"Crookshanks is not going to eat him!" Hermione hissed. "He's just… inspecting him. That's all. Now sit down and be quiet!"
Ron scowled but muttered under his breath. "He's still scary. My rat's probably traumatized for life…"
Cela giggled quietly, enjoying the banter between Hermione and Ron. "This… this is interesting. They really argue a lot, don't they?"
Harry smirked. "Oh, yeah. Stick around, and you'll see it all year. Ron's always dramatic, I try to stay out of it, and Hermione's usually busy correcting his behavior or complaining. They haven't dueled yet, but with how they act around each other, I wouldn't be surprised if one day I catch them tearing each other's throats out."
Ron shot Harry a glare. "I heard that, Harry. I'll get you for that one. Anyway… my dad told you to be careful about Sirius Black, didn't he?"
"That… sounds terrifying, mate," Ron murmured, his voice low.
Harry glanced at Cela, who was quietly listening to their conversation, and gave a small shrug. "You'll get used to it. Every year, something strange happens at Hogwarts, and unfortunately, it usually has something to do with me."
Hermione patted Cela's shoulder. "Don't worry too much. You'll be fine. Just stick with us, and you'll be safe."
Ron muttered again about Scabbers, mumbling something about how the rat might die if Crookshanks looks at him too long. Hermione shot him a glare that could have frozen water midair. "Ron! Will you be quiet, please? This is exactly why you don't get to have nice things."
Cela stifled a giggle, leaning closer to Harry. "I think I'm already enjoying their bickering," she whispered.
Harry grinned back. "Just wait till we get to Hogwarts. The twins will be at it too, tormenting Ron over that rat of his. It's going to be absolute chaos."
Outside, rain hammered against the windows, drumming a steady rhythm. The temperature dropped slightly, and steam from the train mingled with the foggy glass, making the compartment feel like a warm bubble of safety.
Suddenly, the train jerked to a halt, shaking slightly on its tracks. A sharp whistle echoed down the platform outside.
"What now?" Ron groaned. "It's always something. Every year, something happens!"
Harry leaned toward the window. "Looks like the weather… or maybe some delay on the tracks. Hogwarts Express doesn't usually stop like this."
Hermione leaned back, Crookshanks nestled against her shoulder. "Let's stay calm. Probably nothing dangerous. Just… weather, or a delay."