Astray

Chapter 6

They had arrived at the station a few minutes behind schedule because of muggle traffic so they were in a bit of a rush as they hurried through the building. They came to a halt between platforms 9 and 10 and James looked to Euphemia and Fleamont for directions to get on platform 9 3/4.

"Okay children, Coralie, you must already know how to get onto the platform. Am I correct dear?" Euphemia asked her.

"Yes ma'am, Mr. Albus taught me all about it before I came to stay at your house this summer," she took her cart with her bag, her cat, and her owl on it and leaned against the wall. As she fell through the wall between the two platforms she suddenly heard the excited chatter of many students and parents saying goodbye.

As she walked she picked up a few conversations between parents and their children.

"Be good and remember, the only house worthwhile is Slytherin!" A plump woman in her mid-thirties was berating her son who seemed as though he wasn't listening to her. He was a young boy, seemingly going into his first year, with black curls to his shoulders and piercing grey eyes.

"We'll be proud of you no matter what house you get, okay?" A man in his early forties places his hand on his son's shoulder.
"Okay Dad," He was in his first year as well it seemed. He had short straight sandy brown hair and eyes of the same color. The thing that stuck out to her the most though was the giant scar cutting across his left cheek.

"Be good my son. Your father couldn't be here, but he said he loves you and he'll see you at Christmas, Okay?" A young mother said to her son. He was a stumpy boy and seemed much too plump for his age, but she wasn't one to judge. He had short mousy hair and watery blue eyes.

Before long she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see James smiling and gesturing to get closer to the train. His parents were right behind him as they all walked towards the bright red train.

"Well this is where we leave you to venture off on your own," Fleamont said from behind his wife.

"We need to hurry, but we'll see you at Christmas dears. We love you very much," she kissed James forehead and hugged him and then did the same to Coralie.

"Ughh, Mooooommmmm!" James groaned wiping his forehead. Coralie, on the other hand, stood stunned, as this is the most motherly act anyone had shown her her whole life.

They finished their goodbyes and boarded the train. They must've looked strange, a small girl with a cat on her shoulder walking beside a tall lanky boy, both with very unruly hair.

When they finally found one it wasn't completely empty. Sitting inside was the black haired boy she had seen talking to his mother earlier.

"Hello, do you mind if we sit here?" She asked politely.

"Yeah sure," he said dismissively as he nodded his head toward the seats across from him.

"My name is Coralie, what's yours?" She asked trying to make conversation in the awkward silence.

"Sirius Black. It's a pleasure," he said smirking as they shook hands.

"Is that a limited edition Bulgarian quidditch patch? I've been looking everywhere for one! Where did you find it?" Coralie burst out as she saw the red patch on his black bomber jacket.

"My father has connections," he said leaning back in his seat with his hands behind his head. They went on for a few minutes before the compartment door slid open.

"Hello, I was wondering if we could sit here," A girl with fiery red hair and forest green eyes asked, though it didn't sound like she was asking. Behind her was a lanky boy with a crooked nose and long greasy hair, his eyes were weird though, they were so dark she couldn't tell where the iris ended and the pupil began.

"Sure!" James pushed Coralie off of the bench and patted the seat next to him for the girl to sit. The greasy haired boy helped her up from the ground.

"Hello, my name is Severus," he said in a voice so quiet she could hardly hear him at all.

"Well thank you for helping me up Severus," she turned to glare at James, but he was too busy being ignored by the red-haired girl he didn't notice her," I'm Coralie, it's nice to meet you." She sat down by Sirius and patted the seat next to her for him to sit down. She learned the bossy girl's name was Lily as James kept pestering her with flower puns.

"So, what houses do you think you'll be in?" Coralie tried to break the awkwardness in the air.

"I don't know all of them sound good to me," Lily said.

"My mother was in Slytherin so I probably will be too," Severus replied slightly smiling down at Coralie.

"Gryffindor all the way! Slytherin are losers!" James yelled pumping his fist in the air.

"That is extremely rude!" Lily glared at him.

"Don't talk to him like that!" Coralie yelled standing up. She was red in the face and her fists were clenched. Even though he threw her away like she was nothing he was still her best friend and she wasn't going to let anyone talk to him that way.

"Well, it's true!" Lily was standing as well now.

"It may be true, but you're being just as rude!" Coralie shot back.

"Come on, Severus, we're going to find another compartment!" She took off out of the compartment slamming the door behind her. Severus just sadly smiled at Coralie and followed Lily.

"Look what you did! You scared her off!" James came back at her but she didn't feel like dealing with him right now so she just sank back into her seat and crossed her arms looking out of the window.

"Well it going to be a long ride," Sirius whistled lowly.