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JK Rowling: why I chose King's Cross for Platform 9 ¾ JK Rowling: why I chose King's Cross for Platform 9 ¾
(about 4 hours later)
When Ottaline Gambol commandeered a Muggle train to serve as the new mode of transport for Hogwarts students, she also had constructed a small station in the wizarding village of Hogsmeade: a necessary adjunct to the train. The Ministry of Magic felt strongly, however, that to construct an additional wizarding station in the middle of London would stretch even the Muggles' notorious determination not to notice magic when it was exploding in front of their faces.When Ottaline Gambol commandeered a Muggle train to serve as the new mode of transport for Hogwarts students, she also had constructed a small station in the wizarding village of Hogsmeade: a necessary adjunct to the train. The Ministry of Magic felt strongly, however, that to construct an additional wizarding station in the middle of London would stretch even the Muggles' notorious determination not to notice magic when it was exploding in front of their faces.
It was Evangeline Orpington, minister from 1849-1855, who hit upon the solution of adding a concealed platform at the newly (Muggle) built King's Cross station, which would be accessible only to witches and wizards. On the whole, this has worked well, although there have been minor problems over the ensuing years, such as witches and wizards who have dropped suitcases full of biting spellbooks or newt spleens all over the polished station floor, or else disappeared through the solid barrier a little too loudly. There are usually a number of plain-clothed Ministry of Magic employees on hand to deal with any inconvenient Muggle memories that may need altering at the start and end of each Hogwarts term.It was Evangeline Orpington, minister from 1849-1855, who hit upon the solution of adding a concealed platform at the newly (Muggle) built King's Cross station, which would be accessible only to witches and wizards. On the whole, this has worked well, although there have been minor problems over the ensuing years, such as witches and wizards who have dropped suitcases full of biting spellbooks or newt spleens all over the polished station floor, or else disappeared through the solid barrier a little too loudly. There are usually a number of plain-clothed Ministry of Magic employees on hand to deal with any inconvenient Muggle memories that may need altering at the start and end of each Hogwarts term.
King's Cross, which is one of London's main railway stations, has a very personal significance for me, because my parents met on a train to Scotland which departed from King's Cross station. For this reason, and because it has such an evocative and symbolic name, and because it is actually the right station to leave from if you were heading to Caledonia, I never knew the slightest indecision about the location of the portal that would take Harry to Hogwarts, or the means of transport that would take him there.King's Cross, which is one of London's main railway stations, has a very personal significance for me, because my parents met on a train to Scotland which departed from King's Cross station. For this reason, and because it has such an evocative and symbolic name, and because it is actually the right station to leave from if you were heading to Caledonia, I never knew the slightest indecision about the location of the portal that would take Harry to Hogwarts, or the means of transport that would take him there.
It is said (though where the story originated I could not tell you; it is suspiciously vague) that King's Cross station was built either on the site of Boudicca's last battle (Boudicca was an ancient British Queen who led a rebellion against the Romans) or on the site of her tomb. Legend has it that her grave is situated somewhere in the region of platforms eight to ten. I did not know this when I gave the wizards' platform its number. King's Cross Station takes its name from a now-demolished monument to King George IV.It is said (though where the story originated I could not tell you; it is suspiciously vague) that King's Cross station was built either on the site of Boudicca's last battle (Boudicca was an ancient British Queen who led a rebellion against the Romans) or on the site of her tomb. Legend has it that her grave is situated somewhere in the region of platforms eight to ten. I did not know this when I gave the wizards' platform its number. King's Cross Station takes its name from a now-demolished monument to King George IV.
There is a real trolley stuck halfway out of a wall in King's Cross now, and it makes me beam proudly every time I pass…There is a real trolley stuck halfway out of a wall in King's Cross now, and it makes me beam proudly every time I pass…
JK Rowling, from Pottermore.com
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We have a copy of an exclusive framed Pottermore print, and a Platform 9 ¾ keyring, to give away to five lucky readers. The framed print is an illustration from Pottermore showing the moment Harry Potter first breaks through the barriers at Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station and sees the Hogwarts Express for the first time. The print comes with an official Hogwarts Express ticket and a certificate of authenticity. These prizes are given by Pottermore.com and The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross.We have a copy of an exclusive framed Pottermore print, and a Platform 9 ¾ keyring, to give away to five lucky readers. The framed print is an illustration from Pottermore showing the moment Harry Potter first breaks through the barriers at Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station and sees the Hogwarts Express for the first time. The print comes with an official Hogwarts Express ticket and a certificate of authenticity. These prizes are given by Pottermore.com and The Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ at Kings Cross.
You've got until midnight on Sunday 31 May 2015!You've got until midnight on Sunday 31 May 2015!
To view the artwork featured in Pottermore's exclusive framed print more closely, visit the 'King's Cross Station' moment in Book one, Chapter six, on pottermore.com (registration required). Also see Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4.To view the artwork featured in Pottermore's exclusive framed print more closely, visit the 'King's Cross Station' moment in Book one, Chapter six, on pottermore.com (registration required). Also see Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 3/4.