Chapter 11: Platform 9 ¾ & The Hogwarts Express

The next day, Gavin woke up feeling rather befuddled. He found it very hard to sleep the previous night after learning that the Everharts were nearly wiped out even when they had griffin powers. He had so many questions but he couldn't get any answers, even from the book on the podium that was in front of the family tree (which was a detailed report of the family's history). As a result, he started to panic. It was the first time he realized he could actually die in this world.

Prior to yesterday, if you told Gavin he could die in the wizarding world, he would scoff at you and write you off as an idiot. His egotistical mind never for a moment considered that possibility because he simply thought it as impossible. After all, who was he? He was a one-in-a-million super genius. A prodigious mathematician in his previous life and the youngest member of what he thought was the most powerful wizarding family in this life.

With his status, wits, and future plans and ideas on improving the magic system, he thought of himself as unrivaled in terms of talent and future strength in the wizarding world. He even felt that Voldermort from the books would not be able to graze the soles of his feet after he spent a few years at Hogwarts, regardless of whether he was more powerful in this world or not. As for dragons, he knew that the chances of fighting one was slim. After all, according to the griffins, no higher dragon had appeared since Darwin's time and they didn't know the reason for their disappearance so he thought that the probability of encountering one was extremely low, if not zero.

The dragons that today's wizards know are 'lower dragons' according to the griffins. Apparently, 'higher dragons' were as big as mountains and could manipulate elements like griffins. There used to be lower griffins as well, but they were all killed during the dragon-griffin war, leaving only their half-breed descendants, Hippogriffs.

Gavin was frowning as he was deep in thought. He used his occlumency to suppress his emotions so he could think rationally. Once he did, he figured out a few clues that could tell him a few things. Firstly, no griffin died. Why was that?.... Secondly, the possibilities for the cause of death of the Everharts could be anything for all he knew since his dad never mentioned the cause, even when he was asked, so it was too early to draw any conclusions. All he needed to do for now was observe, investigate and make adjustments to his plans once he got to Hogwarts.

As he thought these things, he regained mental clarity. Gavin resolved in his mind to reel in his ego and treat this world realistically and seriously, not as some form of heaven or playground for him to idle about nonchalantly.

'Right then, let's get ready. Today is a big day after all…' Gavin thought, smiling. The day was here! He was finally attending the school he had only attended in his dreams.

[Indeed it is, Cass and your parents are already ready. Apparently they want to get to the platform early.] Aelia suddenly said as she jumped on Gavin's bed and looked at him with her sparkling blue eyes. She was wagging her tail, indicating her excitement for the place of adventure that is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

[You're so adorable, Aelia..] Gavin said, looking at his furry sidekick. He couldn't help but smile as he looked at her. She was really adorable when she wagged her tail.

Aelia smirked and puffed out her chest.

[I am, aren't I?] She said, rather haughtily.

Gavin just laughed and stood up from his bed, commencing his morning preparations…

***

"Are you sure you have everything, Gav?" Sophie asked, looking at Gavin as the Everhart family walked towards platforms 9 and 10 in a busy train station. It was a fine morning at Kings Cross, characterized by the usual horde of people moving about rather hastily. As it was rush hour, everyone was trying to get to their respective destination on time. For some people, it was their workplace, school, or airport…while for some select few, it was a castle teeming with ghosts, moving staircases, and talking portraits….

"Yeah I packed everything. It's all in the briefcase." Gavin replied, smiling at his mother. He had moved Aelia and all his stuff for school into the briefcase so he didn't have to use a trolley.

"Alright." Sophie said, smiling softly at Gavin as she suddenly stopped in the middle of two pillars.

"We're here." Cass said, in a tone of excitement. He was standing beside Evan and was holding the handle of a blue suitcase.

"Yes we are…Alright, who wants to go first?" Evan said to his sons while smiling.

"I'll go...You guys would probably need to help Gav since it's his first time." Cass replied immediately in a jeering manner while smirking and looking at Gavin.

"Suit yourself." Gavin shrugged and said.

Cass looked as if something was stolen from him. He was about to scoff and say something when he realized it was just part of Gavin's ploy to get a reaction from him. He laughed internally at Gavin's attempt. He had almost been caught out.

"I will." He said, smirking and immediately running into the wall between platforms 9 and 10.

'Almost got him.' Gavin thought as he chuckled. He then turned his head and performed a military salute to his parents, intending to make a joke.

"Private Gav is moving out. I'll see you on the other side…" He said.

"Roger that soldier, stay safe out there." Evan said with a serious face, mimicking a general in the army. Sophie just chuckled and smiled warmly at the two of them.

Gavin then nodded and chuckled before running to the wall and phasing through it.

Once he got off the other side, he finally saw it. The iconic symbol of Hogwarts in all its glory. The illustrious Hogwarts Express. It was a scarlet steam train with numerous carriages and a red sign on its front. On the sign, 'Hogwarts Express' was emblazoned in gold.

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'It's even more beautiful in person.' Gavin thought as he looked at the train. He had imagined that the train would look like how it looked in the movies, but it was a lot more appealing in person.

There were not that many people on the platform, largely because Gavin had come a little bit early due to his parents, who justified it by saying that they were busy and wanted to see him off before getting about their day. Gavin didn't mind it, so he didn't say anything.

Evan and Sophie came onto the platform shortly after and went to the spot where Gavin and Cass were standing. They said their farewells to Cass first and hugged him, before Cass winked at Gavin and got onto the train with his suitcase.

"Make sure you take care of yourself, study hard, and write to me often, okay?" Sophie said softly, kneeling down to Gavin's height, squeezing him tightly and kissing him on the cheeks.

"Will do, mom." Gavin replied, smiling affectionately at her. The feeling of motherly love was seriously intoxicating and Gavin was sure that he could never get enough of it. It was something he deeply treasured.

Sophie then ruffled his hair gently and stood up, giving space for Evan to talk to Gav.

Evan knelt down and looked at Gavin deep in the eyes with a stoic expression. He then laughed immediately after once he saw Gavin tensing up a little and spoke.

"Relax, I wasn't going to bite you." He said, patting Gav's shoulders.

"Course not." Gavin said lightly and chuckled, easing up.

"Right…I'll just say three things. One, if you have any problems, make sure to owl me. I'm always here for you." He started with a smile.

"Secondly, make sure to torch your brother's arse in quidditch. He's getting a bit too cocky about his keeping skills." He then added, laughing.

Gavin laughed as well. He planned on doing so anyway. Evan then stopped laughing and immediately became serious.

"Lastly…Beware of Albus Dumbledore. He's a manipulative person and personally, I'm not his greatest fan." He said sternly.

Gavin nodded and agreed inwardly, though he wondered why his Dad was telling him that specifically. He knew he wouldn't get any answers if he asked so he just kept it in mind.

Evan then stood up and patted Gav's shoulders once more.

"I'll be off then." Gavin said as he smiled and took one last look at his parents before waving at them and headed into the train with his briefcase.

Once he entered the train, he started searching for an empty compartment and weaved his way around numerous students, most of whom were staring at him, especially the female students. Some of them giggled and waved at him as he passed their compartments.

'I forgot…I'm ridiculously handsome now.' He thought once he saw all the attention he was getting.

Honestly, he absolutely loved it and it really fueled his ego. He had to use occlumency to suppress his emotions, in an attempt to clear his mind and just relax.

Soon, he found an empty compartment and occupied it. He then placed his briefcase on the overhead luggage rack and sat down beside the window, gazing at the mundane scenery of students and their parents/guardians saying their farewells while he started thinking about the future.

After a couple of minutes, he was about to grab a book from his briefcase to read when he heard a knock on the compartment door.

Gavin turned to see who had knocked on the door. It was a rather handsome and tall boy around his age with jet black silky hair and bright amber eyes. His posture exuded confidence and he had this calm air around him.

"Mind if I sit in here?" He said, opening the compartment door and looking at Gavin.

"Yeah, feel free. I'm Gavin Everhart by the way. You can call me Gav." Gavin said amiably with a smile.

"Ah sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Brandon…Brandon Pendragon…"

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