The morning air was cool and quiet.
Harris stood at the edge of Platform 9¾, staring at the red steam engine that was the Hogwarts Express. Smoke puffed gently from the chimney, and excited students rushed past with trunks and owls, laughing and waving.
He held his ticket tightly.
Behind him, Thom and Mara stood close, trying not to look sad.
"You packed enough socks, right?" Mara asked for the third time, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief.
"Yes, Mum," Harris said with a small smile.
"And the toothpaste?" Thom added.
"Yes, Dad," Harris said, chuckling.
But inside, he felt it too that tight feeling in his chest. He was excited. He had waited years for this. But still… this was the first time he would be away from home.
"You've always been a little special," Mara whispered, kneeling to hug him. "But even if you weren't… we would love you just the same."
Thom nodded, putting a firm hand on his shoulder. "We're proud of you, son. You're going to do great things."
"I'll write," Harris promised. "Every week."
"And we'll send chocolate. Real Muggle kind," Thom said with a wink.
The train gave a loud whistle.
Harris turned to them one last time.
"I love you," he said, his voice quiet but clear.
Mara pulled him into one more hug. "We love you too."
Then, before the tears could fall, he grabbed his trunk, his owl cage, and his wand… and walked toward the train.
The corridor inside was busy. Students talked loudly, dragging trunks and looking for empty compartments.
He finally found one.
Sliding the door open, he saw a boy already sitting by the window, skinny, with messy brown hair, round glasses, and a huge smile that lit up the whole space.
"Mind if I join you?" Harris asked.
The boy looked up. "Please do! I was starting to think I'd be sitting alone."
Harris set his things down and sat across from him.
"I'm Harris," he said.
"Alex Richards," the boy replied, holding out his hand. "Muggle-born. First wizard in the family. My mum nearly fainted when the letter came."
Harris laughed. "I know the feeling. My parents aren't magical either."
They shook hands, and it felt… right. Like this wasn't just a hello, it was the start of something bigger.
They talked for hours. About books. Food. Spells they hoped to learn. Worries about classes. Which House they might end up in.
Alex was curious, full of questions and ideas, and laughed easily. Harris found himself relaxing in a way he didn't expect.
Halfway through the trip, the door slid open again.
Summer Greengrass stepped in.
Her eyes landed on the two boys.
"I was wondering where you'd gone," she said to Harris, then looked at Alex. "Mind if I sit?"
"Sure!" Alex said brightly.
Summer sat beside Harris, and just like that… the trio was formed.
Three kids from different worlds.
Three different stories.
But something told Harris, this was just the beginning.