Every year, on September 1st, a tradition has taken place. It was on this date, in the world of Harry Potter, that the students returned to school after the summer holidays. At 11am on that day, the Hogwarts Express would depart from Platform 9 and 3/4 for the journey to Hogsmeade.
As a bit of fun, to mark this the departure board at London’s Kings Cross would show the Hogwarts Express. The trouble is that over the years it had become something of an event for Potter fans from all over the world.
They would dress up, wave their little wands around, and cheer to celebrate the departure of the mythical train. The numbers grew and grew. The issue is that the numbers coming just got too much and it interfered with the safe and normal operation of the major London terminal.
Network Rail, the station operator, said last year’s event was the final straw and it had become unmanageable. They said in a statement to the London Metro newspaper:
“Having thousands of people (not travelling) at King’s Cross made it challenging for us as station operator.”
London Kings Cross, part of the Kings Cross / St Pancras transport hub, is one of the busiest destinations in the country, with several major rail lines converging there alongside six separate underground lines.
Despite the fact that it had been publicized that nothing would be happening this year, hundreds still converged on the station with their little wands and cloaks and were left disappointed when nothing happened.
A video posted on social media would bring a tear to a magical mad glass eye, captured the tragic comedy. A sea of wizard robes, house scarves, and plastic wands gathered and began counting down to 11 AM, and then… nothing.
Harry Potter fans were left disappointed after gathering at King’s Cross station for the annual Hogwarts announcement, only for it to never come.
It had previously been announced that it wasn’t happening this year.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) September 2, 2024
Warner Bros Discovery had already issued a statement back in July advising fans not to travel to King’s Cross this year.