The 1^st of September 1991 came around faster than I could have imagined. We managed to get on the platform easily enough but Mum was nervous of everyone being able to see us vanishing, but nobody even looked up. It was as though they were completely unaware of what was going on.

On the platform it was a mixed feeling of overwhelming excitedness, fear and tears. I didn’t seem to be the only one feeling this way so that was reassuring. There were so many people I didn’t know how we would fit on the train. I found a compartment with some other new girls and a 2^nd year Gryffindor. Perhaps an older relative. We all waved to our parents and we were off. More excitement. I could almost not contain myself.

After only an hour a new student called Neville Longbottom (ever such a strange name) came into the compartment he was round faced and looking very worried. Apparently, he was looking for his toad. His pet toad. I hadn’t thought about bringing an animal and already seemed left out, but a toad seemed a strange pet. The conversation that the girls were having was starting to get boring, or maybe I was boring to them. I wasn’t sure and didn’t want to make a bad impression before school had even started, so I offered to help Neville look for his toad. I changed into my robes and wandered along the train. “Excuse me have you seen a toad?”

It felt rather silly but I was meeting people all the way along. Some Gryffindors playing “exploding snap”, some fifth year students worrying about owls and finally I cam to two first years. One with the brightest shade of ginger hair, named Ron, who insisted to speak with his mouth filled with sweets. Not pleasant. The other had messy black hair that covered a bolt of a scar! I had read about this boy it was Harry Potter. The boy who lived and killed… he must not be named.

I couldn’t believe that he would be in my class, although it did quite annoy me that the spells they were using were either wrong or not working. So, I showed them a spell I had learnt and I knew worked. I pointed my wand at Harry’s face which made him look terrified and said “Oculus Reparo” immediately his glasses repaired themselves. I was very relieved that it had worked. I have read that some terrible things can happen if you don’t.

After making my way back to my compartment with Susan and the others I found that we only had a short amount of time before we arrived at Hogwarts. My excitement was mixed with fear now as a loud voice that echoed from the platforms asked all 1^st years to get into the boats. Myself and the girls got in a boat and it drifted beautifully to the castle.

Despite everything you read in the books it seems that words can’t often convey everything that yours eyes can take in. It was the most amazing way to arrive at the school.