Harry passes the last month of the summer at the Burrow. On the day he and the others are scheduled to leave for Hogwarts, they set off in Mr. Weasley’s car, though Mr. Weasley drives on the ground instead of flying. They arrive at King’s Cross station moments before the train is scheduled to depart. Everyone except Ron and Harry passes through the inconspicuous portal to platform nine and three-quarters, from which the Hogwarts Express departs. When Harry and Ron try to enter the portal, which is disguised as a regular barrier, they bounce off of it, along with their luggage. Confused, they panic as the train’s scheduled departure time passes.

Ron proposes that they fly the car to Hogwarts alongside the train; Harry agrees. They set off, engaging the vehicle’s invisibility booster to conceal the car from Muggles, but the booster soon stops working. They then take cover in a layer of clouds, occasionally descending to check the train’s route. Hours later, as they near Hogwarts, the car’s engine falters, then dies. They crash-land in a large, enchanted willow tree, whose branches batter them and the car; Ron’s wand breaks. Once beyond the tree’s reach, the car forcibly ejects Harry and Ron and their luggage, then drives away.