The morning air was crisp, filled with the faint scent of steam and polished metal as Roy Valvas stood beside the iron gates of King's Cross Station. His trunk rested neatly beside him, a subtle enchantment keeping it feather-light. Beside him, the ever-patient Grayfia Lucifuge stood in her usual composed grace, having accompanied him to see him off.
Roy looked at the crowd—muggles hurrying past, wizards hiding in plain sight, and parents giving their children last-minute advice. But his focus wasn't on any of them.
He was waiting.
Within minutes, two familiar figures appeared in the crowd—Daphne Greengrass and Cassandra Vole—both dressed smartly in travel cloaks, their eyes bright with anticipation.
"Roy!" Daphne called, waving slightly as she hurried over with Cassandra beside her.
Roy smiled. "Right on time. You two ready?"
"Of course!" Cassandra said with a grin. "Astoria practically begged us to take notes of everything."
Roy chuckled. "Then let's make sure we don't disappoint her."
As they made their way toward the platforms, Roy quietly sent both Articuno and Dvalin into his Pocket Dimension—a calm realm of endless sky and crystal lakes he used to keep them hidden from prying eyes. The two mythical creatures chirped softly before vanishing in twin flashes of light.
Encounter at King's Cross
The trio made their way through the bustling station, weaving between rushing travelers and floating trolleys until a familiar voice called out—
"Oh! Roy! Daphne! Cassandra!"
Turning toward the sound, they saw Hermione Granger, her bushy brown hair slightly frizzed from the morning wind, a leather-bound book clutched in one hand, and a letter in the other.
"Hermione!" Daphne said cheerfully. "We didn't think we'd see you before boarding."
Hermione hurried over, relief washing over her face. "I've been looking for Platform Nine and Three-Quarters for ten minutes! The letter says it's between nine and ten, but—" she frowned at the signs, "—there's just a solid wall here! Maybe it's a test—some kind of entrance puzzle for first years?"
Roy blinked once… and then, to Daphne and Cassandra's amusement, started laughing softly.
"A test?" he repeated, lips twitching into a teasing smirk. "You really think Hogwarts would make students run headfirst into a wall as a test?"
Hermione blushed, realizing how it sounded. "W-well, it could be! They did say the entrance is hidden—"
Daphne and Cassandra were already giggling behind their hands. Roy, suppressing a grin, stepped forward, his tone light but playful.
"Relax, Hermione. You're right that it's hidden… just not in the way you think."
He gestured toward the solid barrier between platforms nine and ten. A few families nearby disappeared into it without hesitation, vanishing like ripples in water.
Hermione's eyes widened. "Wait—did they just—?"
Roy nodded with mock seriousness. "It's enchanted. You just have to walk straight into the barrier—calmly, with confidence. Don't stop or hesitate."
Hermione's mouth parted slightly. "Straight into that wall?"
He leaned closer, voice dropping teasingly. "Unless you'd rather run at it. But I'd hate to explain to the medics why a brilliant girl with a hundred questions tried to tackle a brick wall."
Her cheeks turned a soft pink, and she swatted his arm lightly.
"You—! You make it sound ridiculous!"
Roy chuckled, stepping back with a faint grin that made both Daphne and Cassandra laugh even harder.
"Alright," he said, nodding toward the barrier. "I'll go first, you three follow. Keep your eyes open—it's quite the sight."
He took a few steps forward, then paused halfway, turning just enough to flash Hermione a knowing smile.
"Don't worry, Hermione. I'll be right on the other side to catch you if you trip."
That did it—her blush deepened noticeably, the kind that spread up to her ears.
"Does he always talk like this?" she whispered hurriedly to Daphne and Cassandra as Roy disappeared through the barrier.
Daphne exchanged a sly look with Cassandra, barely containing her laughter.
"Oh, absolutely," Daphne said with mock solemnity. "He lives to tease people.""Especially when they blush," Cassandra added with a grin.
Hermione groaned softly but couldn't hide her small, flustered smile as she tightened her grip on her trolley.
"Honestly… he's impossible," she muttered, before stepping bravely through the barrier after them.
Through the Barrier
The instant Hermione crossed, the world shimmered. The roar of trains and chatter of muggles vanished, replaced by the enchanting whistle of the Hogwarts Express. Steam hissed around the crimson engine, and owls hooted from cages as students hurried about with trunks and pets.
Roy was already waiting on the other side, leaning casually against a post with that same amused expression.
"Told you I'd catch you," he said softly as Hermione stumbled slightly at the transition.
Hermione blushed again but smiled despite herself. "Show-off."
"Always," Roy replied easily, earning an eye roll from her and a laugh from Daphne and Cassandra.