[color=bc8dbf][center][h2][i]Karen Antonius[/i][/h2][/center][/color][hr] Click, clack. The sound of solid heels on cement resounded clearly despite the crowd at Kings Cross station. Parasol in one hand, and shoulder bag in the other, a certain blonde made her way through the mass of people rushing to catch their train. A pleasant smile was on her face, as if she were somehow recalling a joke that has been heard thousands of times over, yet still retains its hilarity. That joke, of course, was what Karen knew as "life". And currently, Karen stopped in front of a certain pillar marked "Platform 9" to once again partake in the hilarious events that life was beholden to. Life consisted of many things, one of the foremost among those things was "knowledge" -- knowledge was an inevitable part of growing. One started out with little knowledge, and a lack of knowledge could lead to any number of situations, usually funny, but all too often tragic as well. Thankfully, it was the former that Karen bore witness to at the moment, as she did every year for the past six years of her life at Hogwarts. A child, probably no more than 10 years old, accompanied by confused looking adults, probably his parents, looked around Platform 9. Obviously, they'd been told to go to Platform 9 [sup]3[/sup]/[sub]4[/sub], but not where it actually was. Thus, the inevitable clucking about like a helpless chicken for the entrance ensued. Over and over again, they looked around the platform, finding nothing to clue them in on what to do or where to go. Finally, it looked like that parents had given up and most likely assumed they'd been scammed, and patted the child on the shoulder, preparing to disappoint him then before leaving. The child's face crumpled and tears welled in his eyes as his parents most likely convinced him of what they probably saw as a very elaborate practical joke. Well, there was indeed a joke, but it was far from reaching the punchline. All that was left was someone to deliver it. Karen smiled slightly. She always did enjoy having to commit this honor. [color=bc8dbf]"Excuse me,"[/color] said Karen, in the light, pleasant voice she was known for, [color=bc8dbf]"are you perhaps looking for Platform 9 [sup]3[/sup]/[sub]4[/sub]?"[/color] Immediately the boy's eyes brightened. With a wide smile, he ran up to her, trolley still in hand. "Yes! Yes! Do ya know where i' is miss? Are ya a wizard too?" "Now Jake, calm down," said the woman, probably the child's mother. She glanced at Karen for a moment, and Karen found a sliver of distrust in her gaze. All the better then, she thought. [color=bc8dbf]"Yes, I know where it is, no, I am not a wizard,"[/color] replied Karen. [color=bc8dbf]"I'm a witch, which is basically a wizard, only we're girls instead."[/color] "Oh! I gettit. Well, ca' ye tell me wheh the Platform i' then? I's my first time hea' an' I dun' wanna be late!" [color=bc8dbf]"of course."[/color] In response, Karen lifted her hand and pointed. By this point, even the parents were dragged into the flow of events, and as one, the family turned to where she was pointing. The family did nothing at first, just staring and staring at the sight before them Staring back at them was a single stone pillar with the sign "Platform 9" hung over it. Annoyance crossed the fathers face as he snapped at Karen. "Is this some kind of joke young lady, because I've had it with this," he said levelly. "You had better explain yourself before I report you to the police." Karen returned a cool gaze of her own. [color=bc8dbf]"It's no joke sir, I assure you. The entrance to the Hogwarts platform is [i]right there.[/i]"[/color] Perfectly in time with her words, a family of wizards walked right passed the wall and into the Platform. Karen had to pat herself on the back for that. Getting the timing down was rather difficult. At once the family's jaws metaphorically hit the floor as they stared with wide eyes as one by one members from a family of a different sort disappeared into the apparently non-existent wall. [color=bc8dbf]"That is the the entrance. All you have to do is walk through it, simple as that."[/color] Nodding dumbly, the three slowly approached the wall. Just as they were about to reach it, Karen suddenly said, [color=bc8dbf]"Oh, but do take care not to be too nervous as you go, else the wall becomes solid again."[/color] The family abruptly stopped in their tracks, looks of alarm on their face. And [i]there[/i] was the punchline. The priceless looks on their faces practically made Karen's day as a mixture of shock, horror and fear played across them. Chuckling softly, she walked passed them and let them off the joke, pulling the three of them in with her as she went through the barrier. At once, the sight that greeted them was one that was so similar, yet inherently different from what they were used to, for a moment, they were stunned into silence. [color=bc8dbf]"It's really something else, isn't it?"[/color] said Karen, staring along with them. [color=bc8dbf]"The magical world really never loses its charm, no matter how old you get. Of course, the same applies to the muggle world, but I digress."[/color] Turning to them, she gave a short bow of her head. [color=bc8dbf]"I do hope you enjoy your time here. I know I did. I'll be seeing you soon then."[/color] Waving dumbly, still a little culture shock, the family disappeared from Karen's view as she stepped into the train. That joke was practically a routine of hers ever since her fourth year, when her parents stopped escorting her to the station. Father wouldn't have minded, but Mother would have surely stopped her before raising a fit. Of course, she changed up her methods overtime and switched things up a bit every now and then, but the end result was always the same, and always left her with a smile on her face. A spring in her step after what she considered a good start to the year, Karen was halfway into the train when she opened the closest compartment door. Unsurprisingly, it was already occupied. It was also someone she knew. [color=bc8dbf]"Hello, Elliot, a pleasant morning isn't it?"[/color] [b]Elliot Forrester[/b], a fellow Gryffindor and Quidditch player. He was one of the teams Chasers and quite popular among the Gryffindors -- well, as popular as most the other Quidditch players were, anyway. Karen stepped inside, but remained standing. [color=bc8dbf]"You don't mind if I sit with you do I?"[/color] [@josephb]