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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~When the day for the train ride came Harry felt unprepared. He had visited King's Cross Station so that he would know where to go when the time came but he had been unable to find the platform. Dumbledore assured him that he should walk through the pillars between platforms nine and ten but when he attempted it he had made something of a fool of himself. He guessed that the platform wasn't always there and that when the time came, it would be ready.
He willed himself into an alley he had selected when scouting the station, the way he used to do. Apparition, he now knew it was called. He knew it was illegal for him to apparate but there was no way to track him. It was something they registered wizards and witches for so they could receive help if they splinched themselves, mostly to protect the Statute of Secrecy. He felt confident that he wouldn't splinch himself. Admittedly, he was carrying more than he usually did. But, he had practiced beforehand to make sure he would be able to do it; especially with Hedwig.
He arrived with a snap of displaced air. He immediately felt anxious and attempted to clear his mind, but failed repeatedly. He pushed on and made his way to platforms nine and ten.
He watched a gaggle of red heads push through the crowds ahead of him. The eldest redhead, a plump woman, said something about muggles which he could hear from where he was. The tallest redhead had already pushed through the barrier. It seemed simple enough. Enter the platform by walking through the wall, just like Dumbledore had said.
Do I risk doing it without help?
He considered attempting the platform without assistance, and eventually decided to wait until the family of redheads were through. It helped to remind himself that it was likely others would come along, should he need help, and he could just ask them. It was unlikely he would be the last to show up for the train.
He braced himself as he strode forward, not knowing what was on the other side.
Its crowded.
Dozens of people were pushing their way towards the train and then away. Waving parents, excited children, and a whole menagerie of pets. Harry nearly panicked and apparated back to his cupboard. He steeled himself and kept his head down, aiming for the closest entrance to the train that he could see. He wasn't spotted, which was nice. His heart beat frantically in his chest. He tried to calm himself with some basic exercises, but it did little of use. He chose the first available empty compartment, which happened to be by the door he entered. It seems that his fellow students didn't like to be near the entrances and exits to the train. He closed the door behind him after lifting his trunk up to the rack, and pulled the curtains
He sank into the seat with a sigh of relief, his heart finally slowing down from its staccato beat. It still jumped when people passed his compartment though. He wanted to lock the door, but he wasn't sure it would be allowed. He really didn't want his teachers to hate him on the first day.
They should at least get to know me before they decide to hate me.
He relaxed a little and found the mind exercises worked better. He pulled out his wand and grinned. It was time to finally cast a spell. He ran through the first motion of the levitation spell. It was the first charm in the book, so it seemed like the best place to start. He had arrived early enough that he had plenty of time before the train was supposed to leave.
He performed the wand movement as he had practiced and spoke the incantation flawlessly.
The quill he had set on the other side of the compartment didn't so much as quiver. He frowned and tried again. Nothing. He might have actually singed it a little. He tried once more, and it might have wiggled, but only just. He decided that it was just his imagination that it moved at all. Was he already going to fail?
He did it again, desperately and nothing happened. He was losing focus.
He cleared his mind and focused on lifting the quill. He performed the incantation and wand movement flawlessly. The quill rose to meet the elevation of his wand tip.
He grinned excitedly and almost jumped at his success until his excitement turned the quill to ash.
Oops!
He frowned and brought out another quill. This time he levitated it perfectly and directed it about the compartment easily. He had time to try out a few other spells too. The first few charms, some of the transfiguration basics, and one of the defense spells. However, without a target, he wouldn't know if his lightly powered stunner actually worked. He didn't want to try it on Hedwig, who had been softly hooting at his success.
Hedwig hooted again as someone stopped outside his compartment. Harry pulled out The Mind, The Maze for some comfort. He jumped when the person knocked politely.
"Hello?" A girl's voice.
"Oh, it's not locked," he replied nervously.
The person outside opened the door and looked at him. She was pretty, which didn't help him much, with Scandinavian features, honey colored hair and blue eyes.
"Are you studying?" She asked politely. "Do you mind if I sit?"
"Make yourself comfortable."
He stood and placed her trunk for her. He sat back down afterwards and immediately returned to his book to try and escape. She sat down opposite him and just stared at him for a moment, her eyes naturally gravitating to his forehead. He saw her eyes widen and felt his heart race as he promptly panicked. He did his best to stay composed and cleared his mind. He relaxed. The train pulled away from the station.
It was one girl. He could leave if he wanted.
"Can I do something for you?" He asked.
She returned her gaze to his eyes and he saw through her. He spread his touch across her mind gently. He didn't want her to notice if she knew anything about Occlumency. She knew he was Harry Potter, but she was also nervous and trying to calm down, which made him feel slightly better. At least he wasn't alone in that regard.
She wants to ask me something. But she won't.
True enough, she didn't. She extended her hand instead.
"I'm Daphne Greengrass. Thanks for inviting me in and helping with my trunk."
Polite and cold. She wants to…
He took her hand.
"I'm Harry Potter and it was my pleasure," he spoke clearly, enunciating each word like he was tasting them.
He could see her hair stand on end.
I make her uncomfortable. The way I talk. I am speaking too softly.
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