Panic began to set in, but Harry took a few deep breaths and kept moving forward. Hedwig's cage teetered on top of his cart, her great white head swiveling this way and that. Once or twice, Harry could have sworn he saw her rest her golden eyes on him, seeming to sense uncertainty in her new friend.

King's Cross teemed with people moving at brisk speeds. It appeared that for every calm traveller, two more ran late and harried. Their nervous energy fed into Harry's own, his hands gripping the cart with white knuckles. He gulped as he neared platform eight. . . nine. . .

Ten.

Of course platform ten was next. No Muggle station had a platform nine and three quarters.

Despair hit Harry now. How could he board the Hogwarts Express if he couldn't even find it? He turned to search for help—perhaps a wizard conductor worked nearby?—when he saw a small family pass on the other side of the hall.

"—amazing how the Muggles never notice the countless patrons disappearing—"

Muggles!

Harry hastily steered his cart to follow the woman who spoke. She was tall and beautiful with shining, pale blond hair, a trait she shared with her husband and son.

"Lucius, why don't you pass through first?" the woman said as she laid a hand gently on her husband's arm. "You remember how hectic the platform gets. I'd hate for Draco to get lost on his first day."

The man smiled and nodded. "Certainly. Draco, you know how it's done. Watch me."

The boy—Draco—nodded dutifully to his father. The man took his place between the columns of platform nine and ten, glancing around to make sure no Muggles were paying attention. Then, he strode confidently straight at the wall and disappeared.

Harry stared, then blinked hard to make sure he wasn't dreaming. That man had just walked through solid brick! He didn't hear a spell or see a wand, either. Immensely confused and now more desperate than ever, Harry forced himself to approach the woman and her son, who was already moving his cart between the platforms.

"Excuse me," Harry said. The woman turned, and her cool expression sent a wave of nervousness through him. "I- I'm sorry, but could you tell me…how to…"

Harry gestured to the wall.

"How to get on to the platform?" the woman clarified. "Surely your parents told you. No one would send their child off to the platform alone without instructing them on how to find it."

Harry felt discouraged. "My parents died a long time ago. And the man who brought me here had to leave on urgent business. I think he forgot to tell me."

"I see," she said, her brow furrowed. "What is your name?"

"Harry Potter, ma'am," he replied, and held out his hand.

The woman's eyebrows shot up, and her son gasped behind her.

"The Harry Potter?" he asked.

"Er, yes?" Harry replied, hand still suspended in midair.

The blond boy immediately stepped over, taking Harry's hand and shaking it firmly.

"I'm Malfoy," he said. "Draco Malfoy."

"Pleasure to meet you," Harry said, smiling hesitantly at Draco's forward demeanor.

The woman, who had watched the exchange with a curious look in her eye, slowly let a soft smile creep onto her fair face.

"It's nice to meet you, Harry Potter," she finally replied, and her dulcet tone made Harry's discomfort vanish slightly. "My name is Narcissa Malfoy. I'm Draco's mother."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, too," he said. And because he wasn't sure how to properly greet a witch, he held out his hand again to shake. Draco smirked, particularly at the surprised look on his mother's face, and Narcissa seemed to find it humorous, as well. She took his fingers with her own delicate hand and shook daintily.

"It's your first year at Hogwarts, is it not?" she asked.

"Yes, Mrs. Malfoy," Harry answered.

"Not to worry, it's Draco's first year, as well," Narcissa replied, turning to her son.

"It will be nice to have met a friend before the term starts. Draco darling, show Harry how to pass through the barrier. We don't want to keep your father waiting."

"Yes, mother." Draco smiled and turned back to his cart, gripping it firmly with both hands.

"It's quite simple, Potter," he called over. "Just run straight at the wall, and it'll let you through. Watch!"

With that, Draco pushed his cart hard at the wall. Just when logic told Harry he would crash into the brick, the boy vanished, just like his father. Harry let out the breath he'd been holding.

Mrs. Malfoy gave him a tiny push on the square of his back. "You next, dear."

Harry looked up at her. "Are you sure? They won't mind if I go before you?"

She smiled. "No, thank you. Besides, I'll be here if you get stuck."

"You can get stuck?" Harry asked horrified. Narcissa laughed.

"No, I meant that I can help you if you have trouble getting through."

Relief washed through Harry. Squaring his shoulders, Harry pushed his cart into position just as Draco had done. Hedwig gave him a nervous hoot.

"Remember, you won't hit the wall," Mrs. Malfoy instructed. "Just keep going."

Harry nodded and gripped his cart. Then, before he could think himself into doubt, he hurled himself forward as fast as he could. The wall sped toward him, but Harry closed his eyes and pushed harder. A wave of cool air passed over him, and Harry snapped his eyes open, pulling to a stop.

This crowd of people differed distinctly from King's Cross's normal patronage. Vibrant robes and bizarre hats adorned most of the passing bodies. Owls and rats squeaked at each other from their cages. A sign signifying that this was, indeed, platform nine and three quarters hung barely readable through the think white steam pouring from the crowning glory of the scene. A glistening red steam engine dominated the room, the words Hogwarts Express lettered golden and shimmery across its side.

"There he is! Father, come meet him!"

Harry heard Draco's voice somewhere to his right. He looked and saw the boy directing his father over to where Harry stood.

"Be calm, Draco," Narcissa said next to Harry's shoulder. He jumped. She must have just come through the barrier, herself.

"Harry, dear, let's move over to them," she commanded. "We don't want to be run over standing here."

Harry obeyed and pushed his cart over to where Draco waited eagerly.

"Draco, introduce your new friend," Mrs. Malfoy instructed.

"Father," he said, walking over to Harry and standing next to him. "I'd like you to meet Harry Potter."

The older man's face changed to one of shock. Immediately, his eyes moved to Harry's forehead, searching for the famous scar.

"Harry Potter, this is my father, Lucius Malfoy," Draco proudly finished the introductions.

"It's nice to meet you, sir," Harry said quietly, holding out his hand. He really needed to find out how to properly greet someone in the wizarding world.

Lucius only stared. "Harry Potter…"

"Yes, Lucius," Narcissa said, laying a hand on Harry's shoulder. Something in her tone caused her husband to look up at her expression.

But Lucius had already made his decision about the boy. The elder Malfoy put on a smile and took Harry's hand.

"Forgive me," he said smoothly, "but you carry a rather famous name, Mr. Potter."

"I've been told," Harry mumbled. "It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise. I trust you are excited for your first term. Have you thought about which House you'd prefer to be in?" Mr. Malfoy questioned.

If Harry had been looking behind him, he would have seen Narcissa cast an exasperated expression toward her husband. Harry, though, only furrowed his eyebrows at the question.

"I don't really know much about them," Harry admitted. "I only found out I was a wizard recently."

"Recently?" Lucius asked, puzzled. "You were kept unaware of your heritage?"

Harry felt a bit embarrassed, but nodded. From what he could tell, this family knew everything about magic. He found it hard not to feel foolish standing with them knowing so little.

Mrs. Malfoy, as any good mother can, sensed the boy's discomfort and squeezed his shoulder.

"Well, all the better that you found us," she said soothingly. "Draco can answer any questions you have on the train to Hogwarts. You'll find your fit."

"Certainly," Lucius grinned, following his wife's lead. "Speaking of the train, we need to get your trunks on board. Only a few minutes until departure."

They spent the rest of their time on the platform loading their luggage, last-minute checks for potentially missing items, and Draco saying farewell to his parents. Harry ended up getting a small, quick embrace from Narcissa and a whispered wish of good luck.

"Come on, Potter!" Draco called from the door to the carriage nearby. "Before the seats fill up!"

Harry rushed over. Draco waved one last time at his parents, then pulled Harry onto the train.

"Let's find a seat," Draco said. Harry nodded and followed the blond boy down the length of the carriage.

When they were out of sight, Mr. Malfoy smirked happily at his wife.

"The train hasn't left the station and Draco's already made the acquaintance of the most famous wizard in recent history," he said proudly. "What an advantage to have going into the school year. If he could persuade Potter to favor Slytherin—"

"Lucius, hush!" Narcissa chastised. "Never mind fame or houses. I see a darling friendship starting between the two, and I will not have you corrupt it with your scheming."

Lucius held up his hands. "Very well, I won't involve myself."

A pause.

"But you have to admit Potter is quite the catch for Draco's social standing."

"Lucius."