long nose.
”yes,” said harry. ”the thing is -- the thing is, i dont know
how to --”
”how to get oform?” she said kindly, and harry
nodded.
”not to worry,” she said. ”all you have to do is walk straight
at the barrier between platforms en. dont stop and dont
be scared youll to it, thats very importa
at a bit of a run if youre nervous. go on, go now before ron.”
”er -- okay,” said harry.
he pushed his trolley around ahe barrier. it
looked very solid.
he started to eople jostled him on their way
to platforms en. harry walked more quickly. he was going
tht into that barrier and then hed be in trouble --
leaning forward on his cart, he broke into a heavy run -- the
barrier was ing nearer and nearer -- he wouldo stop
-- the cart was out of trol -- he was a foot away -- he closed
his eyes ready for the crash --
it didnt e... he kept ... he opened his eyes. a
scarlet steam eio a platform packed with
people. a sign overhead said hogress, eleven oclock. harry
looked behind him and saw a wrought-iron archway where the barrier
had been, with the words platform hree-quarters on it,
he had do.
smoke from the eed over the heads of the g
crowd, while cats of every d here aween their
legs. owls hooted to oher in a disgru of way over
the babble and the sg of heavy trunks.
the first few carriages acked with students,
some hanging out of the window to talk to their families, some
fightis. harry pushed his cart off dowform in
searpty seat. he passed a round-faced boy who was saying,
”gran, ive lost my toad again.”
”oh, neville,” he heard the old woman sigh.
a boy with dreadlocks was surrounded by a small crowd.
”give us a look, lee, go on.”