"Where am I today? I wish I knew 'cause looking around there's no sign of you. I can't remember one jump or one leap, just quiet steps away from your lead. I'm holding my heart out but clutching it too. Feeling this short of love that we once knew. I'm calling this home when it's not even close. I'm playing the part with nerves left exposed.

Standing on a darkened stage, stumbling through the lines.

Others have excuses. I have my reasons why…" -Reasons Why, Nickel Creek

Reasons Why

By Ginavere

Dedicated to Lauren whom I wrote this story for. The only girl I know that thought Percy was cute and who got scared the first time she read the first book. The girl that made fun of my love Harry Potter in middle school, but came around when the movie came out. This one is for you.

Lauren Hendricks woke up as the first light of dawn shone through the window. It's too early in the morning she thought, she thought as she stumbled out of bed. She felt her way to the dresser and pulled the top drawer open. Her eyes slowly came into focus as she looked down at the contents. She shook her head to see if it would clear her head. She lifted the lifted the top item up. It was a black robe with a small crest embroidered with an 'R'.

"Penny! Are you up yet?" called a voice from outside the room. The girl pounded on the door for a second before it flew open. "I guess I didn't close it well enough when I left," she said, "Oh there you are, Penelope. I hope I didn't wake you up."

"Are you talking to me?" asked Lauren hesitantly.

"Is there another Penelope Clearwater in the dormitory? I think not."

"Who are you?" Lauren was getting very confused, "Why are you calling me Penelope Clearwater?"

"Well for one, I'm Karen Stample- you know, the girl who you've roomed with for almost 7 years now! Second of all, Penelope Clearwater is your name."

"Umm… Where am I?"

"Have you gotten amnesia?" Karen replied, "You're at Hogwarts."

"Oh, okay," said Lauren cheering up a bit. If I'm going to be delusional today, she thought, I might as well be inside a Harry Potter book.

***

"Hey guys," said Bethany Taylor as she and her best friend, Katie Harrison walked down the stairs to the Gryffindor common room.

"You guys made it down before anyone else in your dormitory today," said George Weasley as he and Fred exchanged surprised looks.

"Angelina and Katie Bell are still up pouting," said Katie.

"What did you do?" asked Fred.

"I simply told them to mind their own business and stay away from my diary," said Katie.

"You never told me you kept a diary," said George.

"She also told Angelina that she snores like the Hogwart Express coming into Hogsmede Station," added Bethany.

"What did we tell you girls about playing nicely?" Fred shook his head and laughed.

"Well she does!" cried Katie.

"Let's just go down to breakfast," Bethany sighed. The four of them stepped out of the porthole and down the stairs to the Great Hall.

***

"Are you feeling any better?" asked Karen.

"Yeah," said Lauren happily. She was almost skipping down the hallway. "I think I'm getting a hold of this dream thing."

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, nothing." They walked into the Great Hall. The Ravenclaws were also discussing the quidditch game they had against Hufflepuff that day. Karen and Lauren/ Penny sat down at the table and grabbed some eggs.

"The Gryffindors are being extremely annoying," Cho Chang whined from the other end of the table.

"Not all of us I hope." There was a boy standing behind Lauren. She turned and caught the red hair and horn-rimmed glasses that meant it could only be one person, Percy Weasley. Oh my gosh, Lauren squealed in her mind, He's even hotter than the guy that played him in the movie!

"Morning, Penny," Percy said. He sat down next to her and poured himself a glass of juice, "Exciting game today, I hope you win."

"Why would you care?" asked Roger Davies, who was sitting next to Cho.

" Because if you lose to Hufflepuff, Gryffindor doesn't have a chance at the Quidditch cup," said Percy smiling.

"I see," said Cho.

***

"Hogsmede tomorrow," said George happily. He and Fred kept looking at each, then at Harry Potter- who was sitting by Ron and Hermione- and then laughing.

"Be sure to wear your cloaks," said Bethany eyeing Fred, Lee, and George sternly.

"Of Course, Mother," said Lee. The three boys burst out laughing.

"George and I need to do something alone first," said Fred.

"Zonko's at noon?" asked Lee.

"Sure," said Katie and George then.

"It's settled then," said Fred. He and George broke out laughing again.

"You two are starting to scare me," said Katie.

"What do you mean 'starting'?" asked Lee. "They've always been scary."

"I guess you're right," laughed Bethany. "Come on, people, let's get our cloaks so we can get out to see the match. Fred, George, you two need to watch Ravenclaw's tactics for your match against them."

"You're starting to sound like Wood," complained Fred. Then imitating Oliver Wood he said, "We need to memorize the other team…" Katie shushed them.

"Guys," she said, "Oliver is sitting right there."

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and related characters, places, and terms belong to J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros. and other assorted businesses or groups. Katie Harrison and Bethany Taylor sorry, Beth belong to Betha-chan and Ginavere.

A/N: How was that for a story? Now go on… hit the little button. I'm sure you can do it. You got this far, didn't you? Review please. Goodbye