Jack Smith and the Theory of Charms: Chapter 3: Platform 9-3/4: Part 3

The next morning breakfast was delicious, but strangely quiet as no one could talk about the reason Jackson was leaving. It seemed to go on forever, so he felt relieved when his dad finally said it was time to go. He gave his mom a goodbye hug, then rode to the station.

As Jackson and his dad pushed his luggage through the station, he looked through the letter again to find the directions onto platform nine and three quarters.

"So, what now?" his dad asked as they stood looking at the barrier between platforms nine and ten.

"It says we just need to walk right into the barrier," Jackson replied. "I need to go first because it doesn't work for non-magical people. I can push the cart in front of me. For you to get on you need to keep hold of me while I pass through."

"Okay," his dad said, looking nervous but a little excited.

Jackson grabbed the handles of the cart, and his dad took hold of his shoulder. He began pushing the cart toward the barrier, telling himself that it would let him through. He just had to keep going. Just had to keep going.

Suddenly he was through. There was a beautiful red, black and gold train to his right. There were also hundreds of kids and parents, many of them in robes like what he'd seen in Diagon Alley.

"Wow," his dad whispered behind him. Jackson looked back at him and smiled, glad that at least one of his parents was excited about his magic. He began pushing the cart to the train.

"Jack!" Jackson heard a voice behind him. He turned to see a girl with brown hair he didn't recognize stepping out of the barrier. He frowned and started to ask who she was, but then her brown hair turned green and her skin melted into the face he knew from the bookstore.

"Vanessa?" Jackson asked.

She nodded as she walked up to him. "Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," he replied.

"Jackson, who is this?" his dad said, his voice curious.

"Oh, sorry. Dad, this is Vanessa. We met when I was looking for my books," Jackson explained. "Vanessa, this is my dad."

"Nice to meet you," Vanessa said, her hair turning blonde as she shook his hand.

"Nice to meet you too," his dad said, staring at her hair.

Just then the conductor began calling for everyone to get on board. Jackson hurried to load his chest then helped Vanessa with hers. He gave his dad a quick hug before climbing back on the train. He waved goodbye as the train started moving.