The Reason

Reserved for Red Raven Witch.

Platform 9 and 3/4 was already bustling with activity, and the train wasn't set to leave for another ten minutes, at least not according to Corey Lockwood's timing. She brought her fingers through her long mane of silken burgundy colored hair and smiled, allowing her chocolate colored eyes to take in the area around her. She was searching, in particular, for one person. Remus John Lupin. He was one of her best friends, aside from Constance, better known as Ida, Morris. Still, her family had allowed her to see Constance over the summer, but Remus was who she had to wait to see. She was getting anxious too. Most of it was probably from lack of sleep because her little "gift" had brought her nothing but endless nightmares all summer and all Corey wanted was to be with her friends. They always calmed her down.

She sighed, walking around. Her baggage was already in the baggage car and her backpack was on her back as she looked through the crowd for Remus or Constance or anyone she knew. Finally he came into sight, and she stopped and brought her hand over her heart. At the moment, all Corey was in was a white tank top and a pair of jeans tucked into a pair of boots, but she still took off running and promptly jumped on the unsuspecting Remus Lupin. "Remus!" she exclaimed, taking them both to the ground, but all Corey could do was laugh and look down at Remus. "I've missed you!" she said, quickly helping Remus to his feet and giving him a large hug. For a girl who was petite and barely stood over five feet, she could bring someone to the ground.

"Come on, we still need to find Constance and Sirius. I'm sure James and Peter will find us." she said, quickly grabbing hold of Remus' and leading him through the crowd as best she could. She couldn't suppress her excitement, despite her being completely and utterly exhausted really. She sighed, and looked around, jumping up occasionally to try and see over people taller than she was. She gave a look of defeat. "Remus, I can't see anything in this crowd." she pouted.

-&-

Sirius Black couldn't wait to return to Hogwarts. This last summer had been brutal. He left his parents' home and went to live with one of his best friends, James Potter, and since then he hit the ground running. He had set up his side of James' room that they shared, sent letters to his friends tell them where he was now, and he was visiting with all of his friends. Of course there were some he wanted to see more than other. Like Remus, Corey, and of course, Ida. Their single Hufflepuff friend with fiery hair and beautiful eyes. James often teased him about his thing for Ida, but Sirius couldn't help it. She was nice to him, and she was beautiful. She was a wonderful friend, and if not for that small fact he likely would have asked her out already.

"Looks like you, me, and Remus all have a thing for red heads." he could hear James from a discussion earlier that summer. It was no lie that Sirius was able to contain his crush for Ida rather well. Partially because he always had girls barking up his tree. James had been after Lily Evans since their second year, and Remus... Remus and Corey were best friends, but they could see something more. Harboring from more than one side. Corey was a fun-loving person who brought out the best parts of people, and in Remus. Remus was her voice of reason, and to watch them look at each other always made him smile.

Sirius had been so caught up in his thoughts that he smacked right into someone when he went to board the train. Constance Ida Morris. He smiled and helped her up. "Sorry about that, Ida. Been a bit too excited to pay attention. Can you believe we graduate this year?" he asked her with a smile before his brilliant blue eyes caught sight of Remus... And then Corey. He waved to them and then looked back to Constance. "Come on, let's get a compartment before everyone else boards." he said to her.

All Remus could do was smile at the sight of Corey, hugging her tight in what he would deem a friendly embrace if anyone dared tease him about it. The sight of Corey made his heart leap; not only because she had given him quite the surprise with the sudden tackle. Hiding his surprise well enough behind a goofy grin he stood up and followed Corey closely, laughing at her as she tried to look over people.
"Maybe it would just be easier for you to sit on someone's shoulders." He teased lightly, chuckling at the very thought of her sitting upon someone's shoulders, scouting the area for friends. Well, none of that was really nessary, for right up ahead he spotted Sirius.

Right as he was about to wave he paused, seeing Sirius suddenly look down as if surprised but then smiled. Reaching down he had picked something up, and when I saw the little top of a little girl's red head I new instantly he had found Ida.
Now, Ida and Corey were a lot alike in stature- both petite, not quite 5 foot depending on the footwear they wore- why, when Remus had first met the girls he believed they were sisters! They sure did act like it, and to Remus they would always be sisters. It was a nice thought, and the thought of siblings brought him to think of himself, Sirius, and James. A group of brothers they were, really, it just seemed this friendship circle they had was more like family- oh how Remus had missed his family over the summer.
"Guess we better hurry up and catch them." Finally speaking Remus led Cory by the hand without a second thought, not wanting to lose her in the crowd as he took her to the train.

Ida-
Daydreaming again, thoughts of summer filled Ida's mind and brought a smile to her face. They were warm memories, as gentle as the summer sun's rays kissing one's skin on a beautiful day. Ida thought about how she had fun with Corey when she got to visit, and how she enjoyed seeing her parents again on the farm back home in Georgia. She had just gotten back two days ago, bringing with her a bit of a southern accent she had tried so hard to leave home; it was hard though when your mother spoke with a thick one, it was just natural for her to pick it up.
It was the thought of the accent that she brought over that brought a frown to her face, for she then realized that once she started to talk she would be teased and the bully? Sirius. OH, how she got butterflies and all flustered just at the thought of him teasing her! Ida couldn't quite understand herself why it made her so upset, she had been teased before about her little country twang in her speech, but with Sirius it was a whole new story. That boy had hexed her or something- she was sure of it. She remembered expressing her concern on the subject to Corey one day over the summer when Sirius was brought up in a conversation, explaining how when Sirius came around she got a bit clumsier than usual, and when he did certain things or said something there was a chance she would take it differently than if someone else said or did something. Ida swore Sirius had done it just to tease her, to poke fun at her and to get a good chuckle out of it. Corey, thankfully, had brought her away from such ideas of hexing her just for the fun of it. While Ida knew deep down he wouldn't have done it, she still wasn't sure what was wrong with her.

These thoughts of Sirius suddenly blinded her more than the daydreaming, so she walked as if she were in a daze, staring at her feet and holding her bag close to her. It was the sudden collision that brought her back to reality, and low and behold- look who the devil decided to throw at her. Even though she thought that she couldn't help but feel happy, for Sirius was her friend and a very dear one. . .Even if he did tease her a bit to much at times.

Not able to fight back a shy smile she took his hand, telling him it was alright and laughing at herself- "Guess it's my fault too. Got to pay more attention huh?" With a soft smile she nodded about getting on the train and followed him closely, while doing so she thought about graduating and frowned softly. It was when they found a compartment that she sat down and looked out the window. "I don't want to graduate." She admitted softly, though unsure if Sirius heard her or not.
Great Aunt Mary told her she was just scared of the future and growing up, just another little Peter Pan story, which made Ida believe that maybe she could go find Neverland and never have to grow up. The thought of finding that island and bringing her friends along- she could dream of nothing better. Aunt Mary had laughed at that part, telling her to try and dream for something more realistic. Though Ida had said she would try, she hadn't made any promises.

"Well hello friends." Remus called with a smile, entering with Corey, leaving Ida to forget her dreams of Neverland for the time being. Smiling happily she jumped up and gave Corey and Remus a hug each, telling them how she missed them so much. "It's good to see you too, Ida." Remus smiled, patting her head as if she was a child. . .The story of her life.

Corey allowed herself to be led by Remus. She didn't mind, that just meant she got to watch his facial expressions more than she normally did. Her mind was aflutter with thoughts of Remus a lot more lately it seemed. In the summer, she and Ida had talked all about Ida's thoughts of Sirius, but they also discussed another thing. Corey's thoughts on Remus. Corey had been thinking about Remus so much lately it was making her head reel, and with the nightmares that had been haunting her of darker times ahead, they were helping her in a weird way. And Corey even admitted to seeing her best friend... Remus John Lupin... as more than a friend. However, fear of ruining the friendship kept her from saying anything and she begged for Ida not to say anything either.

Upon sight of the other red-head, Corey hugged her close to her. "It's so good to see you." she smiled and she brought Sirius into a hug as well. He even leaned over to hug her.

"Hey there shorty." Sirius teased and Corey quickly pushed him. "Hey!"

"I told you to never call me that again!" she exclaimed and her brow furrowed before she looked to Remus and Ida. "Come on, we need to get a compartment before all of them are taken." she said, taking hold of Remus' hand and dragging him with her and Sirius took hold of Ida's hand in an effort not to lose her when Corey also grabbed Ida's hand to drag her away. These were their girls, and Sirius loved Corey like his sister. Heck, Corey and Ida loved each other like sisters it seemed. Which was definitely a good thing.

Sirius sighed when they were finally in a compartment and sat down beside Ida and he looked to Corey and Remus. "So how was everyone's summer?" he asked.

"Awesome." Corey smiled, already being over his statement. "Mum and dad took me to Greece, and then when I got back I got to visit with Ida. And then dad and I went Hippogriff riding, and I fell off and broke my arm." she frowned a bit, "But over all, it was awesome!"

Sirius looked at Corey and then to Remus. He wondered if they realized just how close they were sitting to each other. Then again, they also had Peter and James coming and with the girls being small, it generally made everything more comfortable.

[Sorry for lack of quality. I got distracted]

((It's alright ^^ I'm sorry about mine too- I'm at school))

Remus smiled at Corey, feeling bad she broke her arm while wishing he had been there with her. Maybe he couldn't have done anything for her, but he had a feeling he would have tried. With a sigh he shook his head, looking down at her with a look that a parent might give to their child or loved one when they did something wrong. "Now, how did you fall off the animal? Was someone not being safe?" Remus was only teasing her, which Ida decided to add on- "Is she ever safe?" Laughing softly, both of them smiled before the train's whistle blew.

A moment later Peter and James entered, sitting beside us and leaving Ida and Corey to sit squished between the boys. Peter sat next to Ida, giving her a shy smile which she returned warmly. "Hello Peter, hello James." The two of them said hello before continuing to tell a bit about their summer adventures as well. Remus also added in, telling of how he went to India for a little while with his family on a trip. By the time he finished his tale the trolly cart full of candy had come around to their compartment. "Anything from the trolly dearies?" Ida jumped up as if the seat was on fire, pulling out money from her little pruse she had on her. It didn't take long until her arms were full of sweets- so many that one just got a stomach ach from the mere sight.
"How is it you look like that but eat so much? You're going to get sick." Remus said, though the pure childlike happiness radiating from Ida was hard to frown at. Sitting down she opened up a package of chocolate before popping it into her mouth. "Got to keep up on my sweets intake! I've never gotten sick from to much candy." Smiling she offered anyone to take anything they wanted Peter and James took some chocloate frogs while Remus took a few jelly beans with a thank you and a smile.

(bump)

Sorry, I thought my reply went through, I'll hop on it shortly. Doing a few other things first.

(That's fine ^^ I hate when that happens hahaha, but it happens.)

"I am too careful!" Corey exclaimed, but when the trolley came through she bought five bags of sugar quills. They were her weakness, and the look she got on her face when she couldn't get it open was one of frustration and concentration. "I swear they Corey-proof these bags because these delicious little sweets don't want me to eat them." she grumbled and Sirius looked between the two girls before getting a licorice wand and munching on it happily.

"Poor Corey..." he teased which earned him a less than happy look. "Sorry."

After a few moments Corey gave up and pouted, looking to Remus. "Remus, will you open this for me?" she asked, battling her eyeslashes to him and smiling, cutely. "Please."

Sirius shook his head. It was beyond obvious that the two sitting before him were crazy about each other and he nudged Ida a bit and motioned his head over to Remus and Corey. He had always found it funny how the two just refused to admit their feelings to each other, and he gave Ida a smile. "I bet you a sickle they're together by the end of the first month." he whispered to her, and James looked over to him and nodded.

"I say first week." he bet and then looked over to Ida who was happily eating her sweets it seemed.

[My posts will get longer.]

Ida giggled softly, thinking about it for a moment as she watched Remus smile sheepishly, taking the bag from Corey and opening it with ease. "Here you go." The words came out soft and sweet- oh how it was so obvious! Even Ida couldn't believe how obvious it was, for it was just to plain to see when the clueless one of the group could figure it out.
"I'll give it a month as well. They are too stubborn to figure it out that quickly." Too blinded by their own loves to see that the other felt the same, it was quite entertaining to say the least. Watching them for a moment longer Ida sighed softly, leaning her head against the back of the seat as she wondered if any boy would ever like her that way. Ida wasn't the most popular girl, in reality Ida believed she was so plain that no one noticed her at all, she was just there. What man could ever like her? It was that question that made her wish someone would, leading her to suddenly think of Sirius. Her heart leapt into her throat at the mere thought of Sirius liking her in any sort of way. Her heart got tight before skipping while her face went a rosy pink color. The sudden thought surprised her so much she choked on her candy.

Remus looked over at poor little Ida as she suddenly started to have a coughing fit, her face pink with tears in her eyes. After a moment she calmed down and Remus gave her a slightly concerned look. "Maybe you shouldn't eat all that candy so fast." Looking up at him Ida nodded, as if agreeing that she had been eating too fast and that was what caused her to have such a coughing fit.
"I suppose you're right." Taking in a deep breath she popped in a hard candy to suck on. Soon she was fine once again and everyone laughed and joked, talking merrily as friends did. Soon, about sometime near the last light of day, Remus noticed Ida had fallen asleep. Chuckling he quieted James who had been talking with Corey, directing his attention to Ida.

Her head bobbed, becoming heavy, so much so it was hard to keep it up. Not to long ago had Ida told them she wouldn't fall asleep, but now that she was starting to doze off she also started to mutter in her sleep. Just little blurbs, her soft childlike voice commented on how nice the rain felt or how the fox stole her gumdrops. Whatever dream she was having it must have been something to see.
Finally the weight of dreams and sleep got to much and she let her head fall against Sirius' shoulder. Whether she knew it or not she smiled softly in her sleep, much like a child she nuzzled into Sirius' arm before curling up closer to him. Remus laughed under his breath and glanced over at Corey. "Does she always talk in her sleep?" She had sleep overs with Ida, he was sure, and now was curious to know what else Ida dreamed of.

(Forgive me for 'bump'ing so much. I know you probably won't forget about this role play but it seems as a curse on role plays I'm in that if the other person doesn't reply in three days it will die >.< Silly, yes, but it gives me piece of mind to at least try and keep it alive. Even if it does die, I can still say I did what I could to save its life -stares off into distance dramatically-)