Тейлор Поттер и философский виал / Taylor Potter and the Philosophical Vial: Глава 3. Путешествие в Вормвартс с платформы 9 и ¾

Chapter 3. Journey to Wormwarts from Platform 9 and ¾
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Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 08:28

After her confrontation with Rachel, the Dursleys left Taylor alone, and throughout August, the girl enjoyed peace, quiet, and solitude. Normally, this would have meant only a delay, followed by an explosion, a hurricane, a storm of malice and punishment that would make ordinary pinches and douses seem like child's play. But now... oh, now Taylor had Wormwarts, and in her mind, she was already there.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 08:29

She imagined Wormwarts as something like Toybox Alley—vast, bright, filled with wonders, strange mechanisms, flying things, and people with superpowers. And nine months of schooling away from the Dursleys! So Taylor read her textbooks, practiced with a baton, ran, practiced insect control, and even decided to sew herself a costume using spiders, but progress was slow. Still, Taylor trained and studied with all her might, and she was quite nervous, terrified at the thought of failing, of not being able to cope, of being kicked out of Wormwarts, and then the Dursleys' vengeance would fall upon her.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 08:30

Taylor's entire savings from her piggy bank were spent on a ticket to Grand Central Station and a tattered, tattered suitcase on wheels. ATMs refused to accept the goblin debit card, and getting into the Leaky Scanner again was impossible because Taylor couldn't remember the way.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 16:25

"Platform 9 and 3/4," Taylor said, pulling out her tablet and placing her finger on it.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 08:36

A map of the station appeared on the screen, and a thick green line immediately appeared — the route to the destination. Looking around and not seeing the Dursleys nearby ("You need it, so go yourself!"), Taylor smiled as usual and followed the route. There was some pushing and shoving, carts were moving, and people were shouting something over the PA system, but overall, nothing serious, just an unusual feeling, too many people.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 16:36

Platform 9 and 3/4 was, of course, missing, and Taylor paused, looking at the signs for "Platform 9" and "Platform 10." The program pointed directly at the column, a huge pillar ahead, and Taylor wondered. There were no thinkers like the ones in "Leaky Scanner" nearby, but maybe one was sitting right in the column? Or did she have to use her hand? Could the column simply be a three-dimensional illusion, like the pictures in Toybox Alley?

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 16:38

"Did we really have to travel all the way in the car? Couldn't we have flown?" a voice said nearby, and Taylor immediately became wary.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 08:37

The voice belonged to a girl slightly younger than Taylor, but one who made young Potter want to bite her finger out of envy. The little blonde was “gorgeous” and “radiant” in almost the literal sense, while Taylor herself was awkward, skinny, and bony.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 08:39

“You can’t, Victoria,” the plump woman answered sternly.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 12:30

Taylor liked her at first glance — so good-natured and homely, the kind who definitely wouldn't put anyone in a corner, punish them, lock them in a closet, spank them, or tug at their ears! She was a true mother of the family, for besides the pretty little blonde (the woman herself was fair-haired), there were four other children, all carrying wheeled suitcases and tablets. The eldest of the four, with a haughty expression, nodded approvingly at the "gorgeous" girl's remark but said nothing. The twins, brother and sister, very much like their mother, seemed to be bubbling with energy, stamping their feet and dancing, in stark contrast to the youngest. The quiet and calm girl with chestnut hair simply stood and waited.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 16:54

Taylor watched out of the corner of her eye, through the insects that had settled on the family and were flying around. What if they weren't capes? Taylor didn't want to get into a conversation and embarrass herself if things went wrong, so she decided to wait and watch.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 16:55

"We have to follow the rules," the woman said. "Come on, Carol, you go first."

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 16:56

Taylor blinked in confusion as the girl stepped directly into the column. Or rather, not quite that. Taylor didn't see the step; she simply sensed through her mind that the girl, Carol, was inside the column, and only then did she remember that this same Carol had just been on the platform.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 16:56

It would be logical to assume that this was some kind of superpower, but still, what was the principle?

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 16:57

"Come on, Crystal, activate the ticket. You follow her, Eric," the woman said a little impatiently. "The train will be leaving soon!"

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:02

Taylor glanced furtively at her tablet, pointed to "Ticket," and suddenly a new message appeared: "Authorization initiated, please wait..." and, a few seconds later, "Activate key ticket?" Now everything was clear to Taylor, and all she had to do was wait for her turn. When the family disappeared into the column, Taylor waited a minute and followed suit.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:03

"Authorization completed, starting scanning," said a pleasant female voice.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 12:31

From the inside, the column looked more like a closed telephone booth.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 12:31

"Welcome to platform 9 and ¾ Taylor Potter," said the voice.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:04

A section of the wall disappeared, revealing a vast platform. The train was already parked alongside, and children could be seen getting settled, rolling their suitcases, and the sounds of shouts and greetings, as well as the parting words of parents and relatives, could be heard. They needed to hurry, but Taylor couldn't resist asking.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:05

"Doesn't anyone see that people enter a column and disappear?"

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:06

"The artificial Stranger effect in action. Enjoy your studies at Wormwarts, Miss Potter," the voice said.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:07

After which, Taylor was carefully and gently carried out onto the platform.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 12:32

"What...," but the door and the passage in the column have disappeared.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:09

Taylor ruffled her black hair in confusion and walked toward the train. Why travel when you could fly, teleport, create portals, and ride on the backs of enormous animals and birds? Taylor didn't know the answer, but she hoped Wormwarts would hold the answers to all her growing questions. The spacious compartment, with its soft seats and folding table, was almost twice the size of the closet, and Taylor immediately wanted to live there.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:12

Through the insects she'd planted earlier, she sensed the family she'd seen earlier. Through the window, Taylor saw the commotion on the platform, the children, almost unabashedly, demonstrating their superpowers, and their parents, in fact, not far behind. Only now, in this second and minute, did Taylor finally allow herself to relax, believing that she truly belonged to another world.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:17

A world where there was no place for the Dursleys.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:17

"Hello," came a voice from the entrance.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 12:32

There stood the quiet, brown-haired girl Taylor had seen earlier at the train station.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 13:05

"Amy Weasley," the girl introduced herself as she sat down.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:33

She was dressed in something like a robe, white and red.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 13:05

"Taylor Potter," Taylor introduced herself automatically, wondering what to do.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 13:06

A new friend is great, and she's living with a Cape family — that's amazing! But why would she even come into Taylor's compartment? Did she follow her? Did she just sit down right away — the impudence? After living with the Dursleys, Taylor, to put it mildly, wasn't very fond of having her personal space invaded, and she already perceived the compartment as something truly personal.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:35

"Potter?" Amy asked, surprised. "The Taylor Potter? Do you have a scar on your forehead?"

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 13:07

"Yes," Taylor replied.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 13:08

She was enjoying the conversation less and less, but then Amy smiled shyly and extended her hand toward Taylor. A fly perched on her outstretched index finger.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:35

"Sorry," Amy said, "but I thought it was really curious that someone was following us, so I went to see who it could be."

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:36

"Were you able to track me down?" Taylor ruffled her hair again in a gesture of confusion and despair.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:36

"This is my strength, I feel and know how living organisms work."

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 13:08

"Oh!" Taylor said, suddenly understanding.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 13:09

Her mistrust and hostility instantly vanished. She pushed her hair back from her forehead and showed Amy the lightning-shaped scar. Amy asked warily:

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 13:09

"May I touch it?"

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:36

"Okay! " Taylor replied with a sudden, reckless cheerfulness.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:38

Amy's fingers were cool and gentle.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:38

"Are you having problems with your eyesight?" she asked in surprise, sitting back down.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:43

"Well... a little," Taylor replied sheepishly.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:43

There was no point in hiding now, and she took out her glasses and put them back on.

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 17:43

"It's a pity I can't influence the brain," Amy sighed, "then I could fix your eyes."

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 13:09

"Wow!" Taylor exclaimed in admiration. "You only touched me with a finger!"

Camrad_RIP 30.12.25 в 13:10