<div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;"><span class="bbc_u"><strong>2022 Start of Year Trip to Hogwarts</strong></span></span><br/><strong>Location:</strong> Platform 9 3/4, King's Cross, London -&gt; Hogsmeade Village, Scotland<br/><strong>Date &amp; Time:</strong>01/09/22 - 11:00 AM -&gt; 5:30 PM<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong> Open to all students and teachers taking the train<br/><strong>Content:</strong> Description of the train ride<br/><strong>Post Rate:</strong> No further GM posts. All post between yourselves.<br/></div><br/><div align="center">(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/67/38/ef/6738efaf0002d8aed04370a290d2c197.jpg)</div><br/>With the students and a few teachers gathered on the platform, all having successfully crossed through, the gleaming form of the Hogwarts Express pulled up to Platform 9 3/4. It was a tall, regal steam engine chugging and huffing with the bluster of a thing out of time still determined to maintain its decorum. Even as the world of technology passed it by the tradition, circumstance and ceremony of that train still draw a little gasp from more than a few of those looking on and at least warm, familiar smiles from those who were very used to it by now. Where the school bus might be a sign of grim inevitability for some the Hogwarts Express was almost universally a joyful thing.<br/><br/>It pulled up slowly, coming to a halt to let the students all board the carriages and stow away their luggage. Inside the train was no less beautiful with its carriages split into rooms with comfortable, plush seating and wonderfully made wooden tables. Around four students would have very comfortable room in each, with six being a more cramped fit. For the most part the interior was dark, carved and polished wood alongside deep reds. As usual the prefects would largely gather in their carriage towards the front of the train, many of them firmly familiar with one another by now.<br/><br/>After fifteen minutes, to be sure all were firmly aboard, the Hogwarts Express set off promptly at 11:15 AM. The roar in the engine room became a splutter of steam and a sharp whistle as the train rocketed up to a very admirable speed, setting off on the very familiar journey through the British countryside.<br/><br/>At 12:30 the trolley would begin its journey along the train, offering chocolate frogs and pumpkin pastries and all manner of other goods to the students in each carriage. The witch pushing the trolley, a kindly woman, would also make sure to inform any students she didn't recognize that there was a buffet cart towards the back of the train. She had a good memory and would almost always recognize when a student was new despite only seeing them a few times a year.<br/><br/>While more magical for any late bloomers or even just any first years who had heard tell of Hogwarts for many years the train ride was, by its own standards, relatively mundane for a time. The countryside flitted by as steam trailed overhead and all was well among the carriages.<br/><br/>The only moment that was at all unusual came at 1:26 PM. As the train was traveling through a particularly long tunnel, when none could see, those aboard would swear it rocked. It wasn't too violent but it was certainly enough to jostle them in their seats and to shuffle things about on their tables. The sensation was somewhat akin to turbulence, firmly an impossibility in a train weighing hundreds of tonnes traveling in a straight line on a set of tracks. However, after that moment, it was not repeated once for the remainder of the journey.<br/><br/>As per usual the trolley made a second trip at 3pm, bringing food to any who might have missed it the first time or picked up a little more of an appetite.<br/><br/>Without further incident the scenery turned all the more beautiful as the train made its way through Scottish highland, rising up on a crisp, sunny but still and cool day. Night drew in towards the end of the journey, falling dark by the time the train came in to Hogsmeade station at gone five PM.