[HPforGrownups] Platform 9 and 3/4

[GRETCHEN BAKIES]

No: HPFGUIDX 112637


meriaugust <meriaugust at yahoo.com> wrote:

Something struck me as funny while I was doing a reread of SS last 
week. In the scene in, IIRC, chapter 6 (The Journey From Platform 
Nine and Three Quarters), Harry is alone in King's Cross Station and 
desperately searching for his way to the Hogwart's Express. He 
overhears the Weasleys talking. Mrs. Weasley asks aloud, "What's the 
platform number again?" and Ginny replies "Nine and three quarters." 
Now it is entirely possible that this was just a sort of staged 
conversation in order to confirm to Harry that these are in fact 
wizards going to Hogwarts, but this still strikes me as a weird 
thing to ask. After all, Mrs. Weasley has allready escorted Bill and 
Charile to school, so why is it that in Ron's first year she needs 
reminding of nine and three quarters? Is this perhaps and 
implications that there are other WW train platforms hidden in 
King's Cross? Just a thought.
Meri - wondering where Platform 5 and 7/10 goes...

Now Gretchen:

Rats - you beat me to the punch and sent an email before I did!  I noticed that also.  Plus, Aunt Petunia is very surprised when Harry tells her the platform location and you would think she'd know about it.  Even if she didn't go with her parents and Lily to King's Cross anytime, I'd think Lily would have talked about walking through a wall with her trunk!  I've been debating if it was staged, as you said, to let Harry and the reader learn how to get there.  The other thought I had was that this was something put in place just that year as part of the protection surrounding Harry.  Then no matter how many times Molly had taken the trip herself or escorted Bill, Charlie, Percy and the twins, she might not remember what the new arrangement was and needed to be reminded.  One thing that mind back this idea up is in POA, the dementors don't get on the train right away at King's Cross.  They stop the train after its left the station. So maybe there is something in place to protect Harry
 from dementors, assorted DEs and Lord Voldemort.  

Gretchen - whimpering that when she finally thought about something new, someone beat her to it.  Slinking back to a hidey hole to lurk in.

 

 


 



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