Thick of it : reboot

The orphanage gate creaked slightly as the group stood before it, the morning air filled with a mixture of excitement and reluctance. James adjusted his bag, glancing at the familiar faces gathered to see him off.

"Alright, everyone, looks like I'm off then," James announced, his tone light, but with a hint of nervous anticipation.

Erwin, nodded firmly. "Do well there, James. I trust you'll make the most of your time."

Levi, arms crossed, eyed James with his deadpan expression. "Just don't be a slob, brat. Keep yourself clean."

James smirked. "I'll try, but no promises."

Hange, dramatically throwing her arms in the air, sighed. "It's going to be so boring without you! And I still don't understand why you're off to some mysterious 'boarding school' instead of just staying here."

Arthur, standing beside James, exhaled patiently. "I did explain, Hange—he received an offer. It's a prestigious institution."

Hange squinted at him suspiciously. "Hogwarts. Right. Sounds made up, if you ask me."

Sasha, entirely uninterested in the debate, stepped forward, holding out a small, slightly misshapen potato. "Here. Take this. Eat it when you're hungry."

James stared at her, amused. "You do know I'll be getting food there, right?" He ruffled her hair fondly.

Sasha huffed. "Fine, then I'll take it back—" she made a sudden grab for the potato, but James was faster, swiftly tucking it behind his back and stepping behind Arthur.

"Nope. It's mine now," he declared.

Arthur shook his head in exasperation. "Alright, enough dawdling. Let's get going."

James took a final look at everyone. "Bye, guys!"

The group called their farewells as Arthur led James down the street.

King's Cross Station was bustling with its usual chaos—commuters rushing about, last-minute goodbyes exchanged, and the occasional luggage disaster unfolding. Arthur Pennyworth, a man who had spent his fair share of time in train stations, was now standing between platforms 9 and 10, frowning deeply.

"I have spent my bloody life in this part of the station," Arthur muttered, glaring at the signs. "And never—not once—have I seen any mention of a Platform 9¾. This is completely, bloody ridiculous."

James, suppressing a grin, observed the station layout. "Maybe it's hidden… like Diagon Alley? Between the pillars, or maybe the pillar itself?"

Arthur gave him a considering look. "That's actually a solid guess."

As they were deliberating, James noticed another boy nearby, dressed in oversized clothes and nervously speaking to a security guard.

"Excuse me, sir," the boy asked hesitantly. "Could you tell me where Platform 9¾ is?"

The guard gave him a look usually reserved for particularly annoying tourists. "Oh, very funny. Next, you'll be asking for the express to Wonderland. Move along."

James's inner thoughts hummed with amusement. Well, well. Time to meet THE guy.

He stepped toward the boy. "Hey, are you looking for Platform 9¾ too?"

The boy, clearly relieved to find someone equally lost, nodded. "Yeah… do you know where it is?"

James shrugged. "Not exactly, but I have a feeling it's hidden. Like Diagon Alley."

James internally sighed. Pretending not to know something when the answer is right there is bloody difficult.

Before they could discuss further, a family of redheads came into view, their trolleys stacked high with trunks and an odd assortment of pets. A woman with a warm but firm voice was speaking to the children, one of whom—a lanky boy with a smattering of freckles—was looking just as lost as Harry.

"Muggles everywhere," one of the older twins muttered to his brother. "Dad would be fascinated."

James nudged Arthur. "Let's follow them."

Arthur, ever the gentleman, decided a more direct approach was in order. He stepped forward and cleared his throat.

"Excuse me, madam," he addressed the red-haired woman .

The group stopped, turning toward them. The woman, regarded Arthur with curiosity.

"Yes?" she inquired.

"Do you happen to know where Platform 9¾ is located?" Arthur asked, as if he were inquiring about something perfectly ordinary.

The woman's expression softened in understanding. "First time at Hogwarts?"

Harry nodded quickly.

"Not to worry," she reassured them. "This is Ron's first year as well. I'll show you how it's done." She turned to her children. "Okay, boys, one at a time. Percy, you first."

James watched with interest as a tall boy with glasses and a pompous air strode confidently toward the brick wall and—without hesitation—vanished right through it.

Harry blinked. Well, that's new.

"Fred, George, your turn."

The twins grinned at each other before dramatically announcing, "See you on the other side!" and sprinting through together.

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Well, that's certainly… unconventional."

James, now eager to give it a go, gripped his trolley. "Let me try."

Taking a deep breath, he pushed forward, keeping his speed steady as he approached the wall—then whoosh—he was through.

On the other side, he emerged onto a platform unlike anything he had ever seen before. A massive, gleaming scarlet steam engine stood proudly, emitting puffs of smoke. The air was filled with the excited chatter of students, some reuniting with friends, others saying goodbyes. Owls hooted, trunks clattered, and the atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation.

James stepped aside just as Harry and Ron came through, looking equally awestruck.

Arthur's voice called after him, "Alright, hurry up, boys!"

James turned, giving Arthur a quick nod. "See you soon."

Ron was saying goodbye to his mother, while Harry hesitated, simply watching the exchanges around him.

James caught Arthur's eye one last time, and the older man gave him a reassuring nod before stepping back through the barrier.

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