Hogwarts: Novel Era of the Wizarding World

The morning had arrived, and Adam stood by the window, gazing out into the quiet world beyond. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft golden light over the neighborhood. Adam's mind wandered as he stared out, thinking how the view outside his window would change from tomorrow onward. Hogwarts, a magical world, was just beyond the horizon, and it was almost hard to believe that his life would never be the same again. Everything felt so normal now, yet the weight of the unknown pressed on him. Tomorrow, his world would expand in ways he couldn't yet fully grasp.

As Adam stood there, lost in his thoughts, a voice from downstairs called up to him. "Adam! Are you ready?" Olivia's voice was warm, but there was a hint of a tremble in it.

Adam quickly snapped out of his reverie. He turned away from the window, a wave of emotion sweeping over him as he heard his mother's call. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and then hurried downstairs.

When Adam reached the bottom of the stairs, he paused, standing there for a moment. He saw his mother, Olivia, standing by the doorway, her eyes filled with emotion. A faint shimmer of tears glistened in her eyes, but she smiled warmly at him. The sight of her, so full of love and pride, made Adam's heart tighten.

"I'm ready, Mom," Adam replied, his voice thick with emotion. A small smile tugged at his lips, but it didn't quite reach his eyes, which were filled with an unspoken mix of excitement and sadness.

Olivia's smile softened, and she stepped forward, her arms open as if to embrace him. "I know you are, Adam," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the tears still lingered in her eyes. "You're going to do great things."

Behind Olivia, George appeared, his smile full of warmth, but also a hint of nostalgia. "It's time to head out, kiddo," he said with a wink, though there was a tinge of sadness in his voice as well. "You've got a big adventure ahead."

Adam looked at both of them, his heart heavy with emotion. The love and support they had always shown him felt even more precious now, knowing he would be away from them for so long. Despite the bittersweet feeling, Adam knew that this was his moment. He smiled back, his heart swelling with gratitude and a deep sense of purpose. It was time.

The Taylor family arrived at King's Cross Station, the morning bustle of the station filled with the sounds of people hurrying to catch their trains. At the same time, the Granger family pulled up, and George gave Adam a nod, gesturing for him to greet them while he took care of the luggage.

Adam smiled, feeling a bit of nervous energy building up as he walked toward Hermione and her parents. "Hey, Mr. and Mrs. Granger," he said, giving them a friendly wave. "How's everything going?"

"Everything's fine, thank you, Adam," Mrs. Granger replied warmly, though there was a hint of concern in her eyes as she looked at Hermione. "We're just making sure Hermione's all set."

Adam turned his attention to Hermione, who was standing a bit apart, looking puzzled and slightly concerned. "Hey, Hermione, are you ready to go inside?"

Hermione looked at him with a frown. "Well, that's the thing," she said, her voice tinged with frustration. "I was reading the ticket, and it says the platform number is 9 3/4... But that's not even a real platform! I had my dad double-check, and he said there's no platform like that!"

Adam couldn't help but laugh at her skepticism. "I knew you'd have a question about that," he said, his smile playful. "But don't worry, Hermione, I know exactly where we need to go. Trust me."

Hermione raised an eyebrow but seemed to relax a little, reassured by his confidence. "Well, if you say so..."

Adam turned back to his mother, giving her a quick smile before looking up at the sky. "It's time to go, Athena," he called out.

In just a few seconds, the quiet flapping of wings filled the air, and an owl swooped down, landing softly on Olivia's shoulder. Olivia gently patted the owl's head and then placed her back in the cage.

Adam's gaze followed Athena as she settled in, and he smiled. "Her name's Athena," he explained, his voice soft with affection. "I didn't know what to name her at first, but she's smart and brave enough to hunt on her own, so I figured... why not the goddess of war?"

Olivia gave the owl one last affectionate stroke before turning to the Grangers. A brief, casual conversation passed between them before they all agreed it was time to head inside, especially since the clock read 10:40.

With everyone in tow, Adam led them to the pillar between platforms 9 and 10. Everyone looked at him, confused by the odd spot. "What's this?" Hermione's dad asked, eyeing the pillar warily.

Adam just smiled, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "Just follow me, and trust me," he said, then without another word, he grabbed his luggage trolley and sprinted toward the pillar.

His family and the Grangers watched, wide-eyed, as Adam ran at full speed. Olivia gasped, and Hermione's parents looked at each other in shock. Hermione herself, though still puzzled and frightened, couldn't look away.

Without hesitation, Adam passed straight through the pillar, disappearing from sight with a brief moment of shock hanging in the air.

"Adam!" Olivia gasped, stepping forward, only to stop in her tracks, her heart pounding.

For a moment, all was still, and then, as if on cue, Adam's voice echoed back from the other side of the pillar. "Come on, it's perfectly safe! Just run through like I did!"

A brief moment of silence followed before everyone hesitantly followed Adam's lead, half expecting the wall to swallow them whole. But as each of them made their way toward the pillar, they suddenly found themselves on the other side, standing in a bustling platform—Platform 9 3/4.

The Grangers, along with Olivia and George, stood in stunned silence. The sight in front of them was beyond anything they could have imagined, and yet, it was just the beginning of Adam's magical adventure.

As the families stepped onto Platform 9¾, they were greeted with a scene unlike any they had ever imagined. The platform was alive with the hustle and bustle of witches and wizards, many dressed in robes of various colors. Steam billowed from the gleaming red Hogwarts Express, creating an ethereal mist that swirled around the excited students and their families. Owls hooted from their cages, perched atop luggage trolleys, and the occasional toad croaked from inside a box. Parents stood by, giving last-minute advice, while older students reunited with friends, laughing and chatting as they prepared to board the train.

The grand train stood waiting, its polished brass fittings gleaming in the light as its powerful engine hummed quietly. The air was filled with excitement and anticipation, the sound of laughter, and the occasional shout as students hurried to find their compartments.

Both the Taylor and Granger families stood in awe, taking in the magical scene before them, as if the platform had transported them to another world. Adam and Hermione, after a few moments of wide-eyed amazement, quickly made their way onto the train, eager to find a compartment. Luckily, though the platform was crowded, they managed to find an empty space.

"Here we go," Adam said, grinning as he placed his luggage on the rack, Hermione doing the same beside him. "Looks like we made it just in time."

Hermione, still looking a bit dazed by the spectacle of it all, smiled back, she thought of all the books she read about the Hogwarts and said, "I can't believe it... we're really going to Hogwarts."

After stowing their things, they stepped back out of the train to say goodbye to their parents. There wasn't much time left before the train was scheduled to leave, and the platform seemed to buzz with the urgency of the final moments.

Olivia's smile trembled as she looked at her son, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She had always known this day would come, but that didn't make it any easier. "Take care of yourself, Adam," she whispered, her voice breaking just slightly. "Promise me you'll write often… I don't want to go too long without hearing from you."

Adam's heart clenched as he saw the tears in her eyes. He had always been able to count on his mother's strength, and seeing her so close to breaking now made the lump in his throat nearly impossible to swallow. He stepped closer, pulling her into a tight hug. "I will, Mom," he whispered against her shoulder, holding on just a moment longer than usual. "I promise."

George's hand rested firmly on Adam's shoulder, but his eyes betrayed the steady confidence in his voice. He had always been the strong one, the calm one, but today... today was different. "Go make us proud, kiddo," George said, his voice thick with unspoken emotion. His eyes softened as he squeezed Adam's shoulder. "You've got an incredible world ahead of you. Just… don't forget where you come from."

Adam smiled weakly, his heart weighed down by the gravity of the moment. The bravado he had tried to maintain was slipping away now. "I won't, Dad. I'll do my best," he said, his voice cracking ever so slightly. He felt the warmth of his father's hand and held onto the feeling for just a bit longer, unsure of when he would feel it again.

Hermione hugged her parents, both of them looking a bit overwhelmed but proud nonetheless. "We're so proud of you, Hermione," her mother said. "Have the best time, and don't forget to enjoy yourself."

Her father gave her a fond look, his voice gentle. "You're going to do amazing, sweetheart. Just be yourself."

Hermione nodded, blinking back tears. "I'll miss you both. I'll write as soon as I can."

With the goodbyes said, Adam turned to his parents and the Grangers, wanting to make sure they could leave without any trouble. "Let me escort you all back to the pillar," Adam said, giving a reassuring smile. He guided them through the bustling platform, leading them back to the magical barrier between platforms 9 and 10.

Just as they were about to step through the barrier, Olivia froze, her hand reaching out to stop Adam. It was as though the finality of it all had just hit her. She pulled him into her arms, holding him tightly as if she could keep him safe just a little while longer. Her hand cupped his face, trembling as she kissed his forehead. "Take care of yourself, my boy," she whispered, her voice thick with the weight of everything she couldn't say. "We love you more than anything."

Adam's chest tightened painfully, the bittersweet warmth of his mother's embrace almost too much to bear. He closed his eyes, letting himself sink into the comfort of her arms for just a moment longer. "I love you too, Mom," he whispered back, his voice raw with the effort of holding back his tears. "I'll be back before you know it."

Before she let go, Olivia reached into her bag and pulled out a small box. "This is from Mrs. Moon," she said, pressing it into Adam's hands. "She left it at the door this morning. It's a gift for your new journey."

Adam felt a strange warmth as he looked at the box. He turned it over in his hands, noticing the elegant handwriting on the note attached. Enjoy yourself to the fullest at your new school, and learn lots of new things while taking care of your health and safety.

The simple words filled Adam with a sense of comfort, and he smiled. "Tell Mrs. Moon thank you from me, okay?"

Olivia nodded, her eyes shimmering. "I will."

With that, she turned and walked toward the pillar, and Adam watched as his mother disappeared through it, followed by George and the Grangers. For a few moments, Adam stood there, staring at the place where they had just vanished. The platform around him continued to buzz with activity, but for a moment, he felt completely still, caught between the world he was leaving and the one he was about to enter.

After a brief pause, Adam turned back to the train. He made his way over to Hermione, who was waiting for him by the door, and together they re-entered the train, heading to their compartment to settle in for the long journey ahead. The adventure was just beginning.

As Adam and Hermione settled into their compartment, placing their luggage neatly and taking a seat, the weight of the moment began to settle in. The excitement was still there, but it was mixed with the quiet realization that this was the beginning of a long separation from their families. Outside the train, the station was alive with movement, but a different scene was unfolding with Adam's parents.

As the train's whistle echoed across the platform, Olivia could no longer hold back the flood of emotions. The dam broke, and the tears she had been holding back all morning spilled over. She collapsed into George's arms, her body trembling as she clung to him, her sobs muffled against his chest. Adam was their world—how could they say goodbye to him, even if only for a year? The house would be so quiet without the sound of his laughter echoing through the halls.

George wrapped his arms around her, gently caressing her hair, though his own eyes shimmered with unshed tears. His heart ached as much as Olivia's did, the pain of letting Adam go sinking deeper now that the moment had truly arrived. They had raised him, nurtured him, and now he was venturing into a world they knew very little about.

George held her close, his own heart shattering as he felt her tears soak through his shirt. His hand gently caressed her hair, though the soothing gesture did little to ease the ache in his chest. His eyes, too, were brimming with unshed tears. He had always been the steady one, but now, standing there with his wife, the weight of Adam's absence bore down on him with full force. "Let it out, Liv," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You don't have to be strong right now. He'll be back before we know it… but I know it hurts."

Olivia sobbed quietly against his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt, and George tightened his embrace, his own tears finally slipping free. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, trying to comfort her, though his own heart felt just as heavy. It wasn't easy—letting Adam go—but they both knew it was a step he needed to take.

For a few moments, they just stood there together, wrapped in each other's warmth, leaning on one another for comfort as the train prepared to pull away. Even though Adam was venturing into a magical world far from theirs, they held onto the promise that their family would never be broken, and Adam would always come back to them.

As both Olivia and George stood there, their hearts heavy with emotion, tears flowed freely. Olivia sobbed softly into George's chest, while George's own tears fell silently, each tear carrying the weight of a parent's love and the pain of letting go. They clung to each other, finding solace in their shared grief.

The train's whistle broke through the air, sharp and final. It wasn't just a sound—it was the signal that their son was truly leaving, the beginning of his journey into a world far beyond their own. The magic that separated them from the other muggles allowed them to hear it, even as the rest of the world bustled on, oblivious. But to Olivia and George, that whistle carried the weight of a thousand goodbyes.

The rumble of the engine, the screech of the wheels on the tracks, and the soft huff of the steam engine echoed in their ears. With that sound, the reality of it all sank in—Adam's journey had truly begun. He was no longer the boy who watched the world from his window. He was stepping into something bigger, something magical, something unknown.

As the Hogwarts Express began to pull away, its wheels screeching against the tracks, they stood frozen, hearing the last visible sign of their son's departure disappear into the distance. Olivia's hand clutched George's arm tightly, as if holding onto him could somehow tether Adam back to them. But the train rolled on, and with each passing second, the platform seemed a little emptier, a little quieter.

Far from the station, in a secluded part of the countryside, a blonde-haired couple suddenly appeared in front of a grand mansion, their robes billowing softly from the sudden movement. It was the Malfoy Manor, towering and imposing as always. Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy stood before it, both in high spirits. They exchanged proud looks, still riding the excitement of seeing their son, Draco, off to Hogwarts.

"Our Draco is finally off to Hogwarts," Narcissa said, her voice full of quiet pride. Her eyes shone as she turned to Lucius, her hand lightly brushing his arm. "He's going to make us so proud, I just know it. He'll be more than just powerful… he'll be extraordinary."

Lucius smiled, a rare softness crossing his normally stoic features as he placed a hand over hers, the weight of his cane balancing against his leg. "He will be the strongest of his generation, Narcissa," he replied, his voice brimming with certainty. "Draco is already surpassing expectations. He'll rise higher than I ever did. His talent is unmatched." Lucius's voice was filled with ambition, his eyes glowing with the kind of pride only a Malfoy could possess.

"Yes!" Narcissa agreed with shining eyes. "I believe in him! He'll definitely become…"

Narcissa's smile faltered as a cold sensation washed over her, her words trailing off into silence. Her footsteps faltered, and she took a stumbling step backward, her face draining of color as her breath hitched. Her hand, which had been resting so calmly on Lucius's arm, now clutched at his sleeve with trembling fingers. "Lucius…" she whispered, her voice barely audible, the tremor in it sending a chill through the air.

Lucius's brow furrowed at her sudden change, his hand instinctively reaching for his wand as he followed her gaze. His own breath caught in his throat as he turned to face the mansion. It was as if reality itself had bent, distorting what should have been a familiar sight into something foreign. The entire right side of the Malfoy Manor—gone, erased from existence as if it had never been. Lucius's sharp mind struggled to comprehend the impossibility before him. This… this wasn't destruction… it was something worse.

The right half of the mansion, once majestic and pristine, was gone. Not destroyed, not in ruins, but entirely vanished—as if it had never existed at all. Lucius felt his heart freeze for a moment, his mind unable to process the eerie sight in front of him. The grandeur of their ancestral home had been sliced in half, with only the untouched left side standing as it was in place.

Lucius felt his breath catch in his throat, his usual composure shattered in an instant. His mind raced, trying and failing to piece together how such an atrocity could have occurred. The sight of the half-vanished mansion rooted him to the spot, but only for a moment. And then, like a bolt of lightning, dread struck his heart. "Father!" he shouted, his voice laced with pure panic. Abraxas Malfoy had been inside.

Without hesitation, Lucius's instincts took over, and he bolted toward the remaining half of the mansion, his cane nearly slipping from his grip. His heart thundered in his chest, a sickening rhythm that matched the rising dread in his veins. Abraxas couldn't be gone. Not like this. The mansion's absence was one thing, but losing his father—the mind of the Malfoy family—was unthinkable. The very foundation of his world felt like it was crumbling.

Lucius's frantic steps came to a halt as a familiar voice, steady and unwavering, drifted from the shadows of the remaining structure. "Lucius… you've returned. Come inside, we need to talk."

Lucius froze, the panic in his chest giving way to a wave of overwhelming relief. He whipped around to face the source of the voice, his heart still hammering but his mind slowly regaining clarity. There, standing in the dim doorway, was Abraxas Malfoy, untouched and as composed as ever. His cane was firmly in hand, and his sharp gaze was locked on Lucius with an intensity that sent a shiver down Lucius's spine. But there was something different—something in his father's eyes, something cold and calculating beneath the surface. The relief that had surged through Lucius began to ebb away, replaced by a gnawing uncertainty.

"Father! You're safe!" Lucius exclaimed, his earlier panic slowly easing as he saw Abraxas unharmed.

Abraxas's gaze lingered on Lucius for a moment longer, unflinching and cold. "Come inside," he repeated, his voice as stern as a command. There was no warmth, no relief at seeing his son return—only the weight of something darker. The authority in his tone left no room for argument, and without waiting for Lucius's response, Abraxas turned and strode into the shadowed remains of the mansion.

The relief Lucius had felt moments earlier vanished, replaced by a heavy dread that settled in the pit of his stomach. This was no ordinary incident. His father's calm in the face of this disaster only served to confirm it—Abraxas knew something, and whatever it was, it was far from comforting. With a tight grip on his wand, Lucius glanced at Narcissa, who was still frozen, her face ghostly pale, her lips slightly parted in shock. Silently, he nodded to her, and together they followed Abraxas into the cold, lifeless halls that remained.

The couple quietly followed Abraxas into the house, the lingering questions of what had transpired filling the air between them, unspoken but undeniable. Whatever had caused the mansion to disappear had left a chilling mark, and it was clear to Lucius that something far darker was at play.