The Space Between[Open]

[Rollo Winner]

Rollo sat on the bench staring at the tracks aimlessly on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. It wasn't that Rollo didn't have anywhere to be or for that matter things to do but for some reason that morning he found himself back at the train station. The train station that in his youth had meant so much to him and for that matter still didn't. Rollo didn't make a large habit out of visiting the station but from time to time it was nice. Thankfully he had yet to ascend to the level of nostaliga where he began to come around at the beginning of term to sit watching all the students board and leave on the train. Then again that was nothing short of creepy in Rollo's opinion and the mere idea of him actually doing such a thing made him shudder. He didn't need this that badly or at least he hoped he didn't. Sighing Rollo slipped the cigarette packet from his pants pocket and plucked one out. Resting it firmly between his lips he lit it calmly and inhaled staring into the sky as he did wondering if in fact the train would grace his presence.

Rollo doubted this though seeing as it was after start of term and furthermore it was eight thirty at night on a weekend. It wasn't as if he'd be able to ride the thing even if it did show up. It wouldn't mean the same thing as it used to anyway and right now he wasn't exactly in a fit state to ride the train. He had spent a majority of the morning getting full of piss and at the moment he reeked of liqour and smoke which Rollo thought would be a dead tip off not to let him on any train what so ever. Yet here he was sitting on a bench and smoking a cigarette at a train station of all places. His feet had carried him here but why was really beyond him. His apartment was most likely a much safer place to be at the moment but he was still here. Shifting himself Rollo lay down on the bench finding that it was much more comfortable then he had expected it to be. It wasn't as if he intended to make it his bed for the night but more so that he just wanted a glance at the stars.

Exhaling smoke calmly Rollo realized now why he had come here. It was rather simple really and why he hadn't figured it out before was beyond him. Well it wasn't actually it was quite simple why Rollo had done the things he did the more that he thought about it. Why wouldn't he return here was the real question? The school was everything that he had loved to say the least and had been his only real taste of freedom. At Hogwarts he had been able to go where he pleased and do what he pleased when he pleased. It didn't matter if his father knew or for that matter even what he thought about it. Rollo for those few brief months was out of his grasp and there was nothing better he could ever ask for that could be better then that. Inhaling more smoke Rollo wished that some way he could become younger again and be given more time to escape his father. That though he knew was impossible and with that thought Rollo Winner let the smoke and his mind drift else where.

[Drew Thornton]

Drew wasn't sure why he liked to hang out at the train station. Aside from that little kid excitement he got from seeing the big engines, he found himself most often on the hidden platform between 9 and 10. Sometimes when he sat there, it just felt like he was a little closer to Felicity.

He didn't often have company when he paced along the tracks, so he was surprised not only to see he was not alone, but to find a familiar face... smoking of course.

"Hey, Rollo. What brings you out here?" he asked, approaching the man. Drew was pretty sure if Rollo wanted to be alone, he'd tell him to bugger off.

[Rollo Winner]

Rollo's thoughts continued to drift and wander into the sky. As always his thoughts drifted to his father which was something he wished he could avoid but knew that he couldn't. It wasn't so much that he wanted to dislike the man but he had forced so much on him through out his whole life. How could he not be bitter about it all? It wasn't completely his fault Rollo of course was to blame to for not standing up for himself but he would never actually admit that to anyone including himself. It all just seemed so much simpler to blame his father. After all the man had never asked Rollo what he wanted just assumed and then forced it all on him as if it was what was best for him. How could the man know what was best for him or for that matter what he wanted if he never asked? That wasn't the Winner way or at least that was what Rollo assumed. Blowing more smoke out he rubbed his eyes with his free hand trying to gain clearer vision but found that it was a lost cause and gave up his mind drifting back to his father.

They were nothing a like so Rollo had no idea how his father continued to believe that they were. Rollo just wished he knew what the man saw in him that was so similar so he could get rid of it. It wasn't Rollo's fault after all that the main carried this false belief that they were some how the same person. He had given his father no indication through his youth, school years, and now for that matter that they were. It wasn't as if he even insisted on seeing him constantly or requested audiences with him, although it wasn't as if he would have a chance to even if he wanted to. Not a day went by when his office wasn't bombarded with letters from his father requesting his presence for lunch or for that matter in front of the Wizengamot. Rollo could on occasion deal with the lunches but appearing for the court hearings was just too much for him. It was as if his father was using them as an excuse to show his son off to his fellow members which just annoyed Rollo to no end.

His next though was one he had often and was a promise that he usually made to himself. It occurred on most dark nights like this no matter where he was it happened as long as he had consumed enough liquor before arriving here. It was the promise that he would break free from his father's grasp and just be his own person. It was in the end meaningless seeing as when the sun rose Rollo never remembered the promise and went back to trudging through life. Inhaling smoke once more he found himself thrown off guard by the voice that reached his ears. Sure he had heard the footsteps but he had chalked them up to his imagination and nothing more. Coughing now on the smoke Rollo propped himself up on his elbows and stared at who it could be. In reality it surprised him a bit to see Andrew Thornton after all it wasn't as if he was out here in on some odd sense of drunk rambling. Rollo though dismissed this thought and shrugged his shoulders at him not sure how to answer his question.

"I suppose the safe answer would be thinking and a bit of nostalgia. What about yourself?"

In reality Rollo knew there was in fact no safe answer although those were the too most innocent ones. It wasn't as if Rollo intended to lay on the train tracks until a train came along and took him out. Rollo wasn't exactly thrilled with his life but it wasn't as if he hated it enough to throw himself in front of a moving train. That was well crazy or at least Rollo thought so.

[Drew Thornton]

"And what would the not so safe answer be?" Drew asked with a bit of humor and taking a seat without being invited. He wrinkled his nose briefly at the foul smell coming from the man, but didn't say anything. Rollo could very easlily tell him to leave, but Drew had the ability to leave on his own if he was really bothered by the smoke.

Drew understood the thinking and the nostalgia, but was kind of curious as to why Rollo chose the train platform. Rollo had been to Hogwarts, of course, so had that connection, but Drew hadn't realized the guy was that attatched to school so as to feel the need to hang out by the Hogwarts Express.

Or, perhaps he just liked trains? That was always a possibility too.

[Ivy Xin]

Approximately ten feet away from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, the Eurostar from Paris was unboarding. Among the everyday passengers were Ivy Xin, one of the world's top supermodels. Ivy had managed to break into both Muggle and Wizarding market. This was rather inconvenient in many ways...She had become a workaholic, and her face had graced every fashion magazine, including VOGUE, Witch Weekly and ELLE. Life was becoming hectic with her star status, and she just wanted to settle down. She had decided to take a break from the modeling and do some soul searching. She had managed the three hour train ride from Paris, listening to "Dust in the Wind" on loop. So far, she realized that she didn't like chocolate raisins and how depressing she thought "Dust in the Wind" was.


She seemed to walk weightlessly, as always. Her long black hair trailed behind her effortlessly as she made her way across the platform, with a single piece of luggage. Her aviators reflected those around her-- but her guise was no use. She stood out as a lanky figure of 6', and that unearthly glow she emitted from her perfect skin.


She decided to visit Platform Nine and Three-Quarters on a whim. She hadn't gone back since graduating from Hogwarts. While she was busy admiring her own appearance from the reflection from the wall, she managed to fall over some poor fellow smoking on a bench near

How embarassing.

"Oh goodness! Will you watch where you're sitting?!" she exclaimed, flustered, trying to regain her elegant composure. One of her heels of her shoe had snapped off, and she instinctively went to grab her wand. She stopped herself, and just groaned. It was a wonder how Ivy managed to graduate from Hogwarts... she was terrible at magic and managed to destroy everything she tried to repair with spells.

She turned behind her and faced Drew, "D'you mind?" she whined, pointing to her broken shoe. Her eyes drew wide, gaping slightly at the sight of someone she hadn't seen in a while. She didn't say anything, in surprise-- and stood there stupidly.

[Rollo Winner]

Rollo continued to stare up into the sky still not focused on anything important. The cigarette now loosely in his lips he inhaled smoke gently and exhaled letting a great cloud of smoke form above him. It was often that he dwelled on what he said or did and back tracking now the question Andrew asked mad him think. The not so safe answer really wasn't throwing himself in front of the train, Rollo realized that now, but something else entirely. Sitting up to make room for Andrew, Rollo rested his elbows on his knees and now stared vacantly out into the tracks not wanting to admit to himself what the not so safe answer was. Wishing and hoping that the thought wouldn't creep into his stupid little brain and furthermore that if it some how manage to he wouldn't vocalize it. Unfortunately for Rollo though due to possibly the amount of liquor consumed earlier or the some what temporary nicotine high did. Rollo couldn't stopped himself if he tried as he spoke despite the fact that he wanted to do so very much.

"Actually to be honest Andrew the not so safe answer is nostalgia. It's a very dangerous thing for people like me."

Rollo didn't further vocalize that thought though as he didn't really have much of a chance to. Granted it wasn't as if he wanted to continue that thought but it was a rare occasion that he got such opportunities to actually do what he wanted. This was true through out his life and had only happened on very rare occasions. When it did in fact happen they were more so small victories if anything and nothing more then that. In Rollo Winner's life small victories was all he was allowed to have and he would take them for what they were worth even if that wasn't all that much. Running a hand through his hair he inhaled more smoke and gazed over at what was his savior from himself in this instance. Rollo though felt as though he should have just continued to stare into the dark abyss though. After all it probably would have been for the best.

While Rollo didn't say anything the first thought that entered his mind was why his savior had to be a female and for that matter an attractive one. Rollo simply listened to her words and said nothing as he found that in situations such as this it was for the best if he just didn't open his mouth. Sure she was blaming him for her error but Rollo hadn't stood up for himself his entire life so why should he start now? Even if he really wanted to yell at this woman he couldn't seeing as she had just saved him from himself. While it wasn't permanent salvation he'd take it. The look on her face though was one the took Rollo off guard though and immediately assumed that it was because of his scars. The stupid grotesque things that littered his body like teenage acne. Looking down now at the ground Rollo exhaled the cigarette smoke through his nose and did nothing more then mumble a half hearted apology.

"Sorry."

It was low, barely audible, and probably just looked like he was mouthing words but regardless he had done it. Glancing up though at the girl the look still was placed on her face. Silently he cursed his scars again and looked back over at Andrew praying for some form of out wishing that Andrew would excuse himself and he could follow suit. Rollo though had a strong feeling that this was not in the cards for him.

[Drew Thornton]

Drew rolled his eyes at the appearance of Ivy. Why she was blaming Rollo for her clumsiness, he didn't know, but with an annoyed sigh, he held out his hand for the shoe and pulled out his wand. It was a simple Reparo and Drew wasn't sure why she didn't just do it herself.

"You need to be more careful," he told her pointedly. It had been pretty clear to him that she had been distracted by her own reflection and hadn't watched where she was going. "You could have seriously smacked into Rollo here." Been there, done that, didn't care to repeat it.

[Ivy Xin]

Drew always seemed to be in a bad mood. Why was he always in a bad mood? Maybe he had an annoying girlfriend or something. Ivy thanked him for repairing her broken heel and and swept back her long black hair and sighed. "It's alright..." she said, forgiving Rollo. "Rollo, eh? What kind of name is that? Isn't that a type of candy?" she asked, a little too interested.

She finally got a good look at the poor bloke she fell over and immediately wondered where he had gotten all those scars. She always thought that guys like that were the best looking-- they had character. She hoped that he gotten them in a fight or something-- that would be really sexy. With luck, maybe he had tattoos. Ivy became completely enamored in the fellow already.

"So... Drew--" she elbowed him in the ribs slyly. "You haven't introduced us..."

[Rollo Winner]

Rollo now stared down concentrating on the floor wondering just how many feet had filthied it lately. It was now a good time away since the beginning of the term and he had a strong feeling that since then no one had been on the platform. It wasn't until tonight most likely that people had graced the platform once again and now instead of just one lonely drunk instead there were in fact three people. While Rollo didn't believe heavily in such things as fate he couldn't help but feel that all of them had gathered here for some reason. Rollo though felt foolish immediately for even thinking of such a thing and furthermore knew that even if he did believe in fate it wasn't about to do him any favors. Throughout his whole life fate, should it actually exist, had done nothing more then screw him and quite royally at that. So far fate had done nothing for him but get him scars all over his body, a job he didn't want, and most importantly an over bearing father. Fate to say the least owed him a few favors.

Rollo though simply listened though as Andrew stuck up for him which he didn't except to happen. Not that he shouldn't have after all Andrew was a nice guy it was just that through out his whole life no one had stuck up for him so Rollo wasn't exactly used to the concept. The cigarette still smoldering in his lips he inhaled once more and blew smoke from his nostrils once more. Hearing her words Rollo winced and felt like swearing loudly. He hated the candy comparison but it seemed to be the only way people ever seemed to be able to relate his name to anything. Granted this was only people who knew of the muggle candy which was few in fact but regardless it happened every now and again and was to say the least annoying. Turning he quirked a brow at the girl and spoke softly in his usual turn.

"Actually my name is a latinized form of Roul, the Old French form of ROLF. Rollo the Ganger was an exiled Viking who, in the 10th century, became the first Duke of Normandy. It's been used as a given name in the English-speaking world since the 19th century."

Rollo felt a surge of pride in himself at the moment for actually knowing that tid bit. He had of course learned it back when he was younger out of simple curiosity. After all it wasn't exactly a common name and really he had no idea why his father had chosen it. Least ways he had never told Rollo but that wasn't uncommon. The only thing his bloody father ever seemed to tell him about back then was how great of an Auror he would be. Silently Rollo finished his cigarette and flicked it now watching as it bounced stopping just short from falling on to the tracks. It was a small space between just like the one between where he was now and where he was five years ago. Still though it was a large enough space to make a difference which Rollo was very well aware of.

[Drew Thornton]

Drew looked blankly at Ivy. No, he hadn't made formal introductions, but he had obviously told her Rollo's name. As for introducing Rollo back? Drew wasn't so sure he wanted to be responsible for that. Ivy was a handful and Rollo was... well, Rollo wasn't the most socially adept person out there. Still, Drew knew he probably still should.

"Rollo, Ivy... Ivy, Rollo," he announced, quickly waving his hand between the two of them. Drew really wasn't too comfortable with the way Ivy was starting to act. Good news was Rollo was at least trying to be friendly.

[Ivy Xin]

"Lovely meeting you," said Ivy, in a silky voice as she offered her hand to shake, or for him to kiss- whichever he preferred. He could do whatever he liked to her. She batted her eyelashes ever so coyly, as she shoved Drew aside. She flipped her hair with her free hand, giving him her dazzling eyes that she usually saved for her lingerie shoots.

Yes, Ivy was pulling out all the tricks today.

Behind her smile, Ivy was nervous and screaming inside. Oh. My. Goodness. Note to self: Get Drew to hook you up with this Rollo, pronto! What should I wear on the date? Should I kiss on the first date? Do you think he would let me see his tattoos? She bit her lower lips slightly, trying to hold back her girly grin. She needed to play it cool.

[Rollo Winner]

Rollo felt the awkwardness of the situation growing. While Andrew didn't seem to be cold shouldering the girl who had appeared he didn't seem to be welcoming her in open arms either. For that matter this Ivy woman seemed a bit too interested in him for his liking. They had just met and now she was batting her eyes at him and all that mess. In a way it made Rollo question her sanity quietly for the sole reason that she was showing an attraction to him this quickly. This was based on looks alone and Rollo was in no way attractive. Between the scars, the sure smell of cigarettes and liquor that he reeked of, and the look of sadness on his face this girl had to be off her rocker for batting her eyes at him. Granted Luce seemed to like him well enough but that was for different reasons and well Luce was different. That was in a good way though not one of those weird ways that usually involved some odd fetish with leather or a rather large over organized collection of rocks or stamps.

Turning Rollo shook her hand weakly not all that sure on what to do or for that matter say. It was an awkward situation one that for all intents and purposes was starting to make even him feel uncomfortable. Which really was odd seeing as in most cases Rollo was able to handle whatever was thrown at him. Something about those years spent working with werewolves gave him some form of good reaction skills which had as of late been employed in his every day conversations. Which really was odd as they were now officially turning into every day conversations something that Rollo had never suspected. He was adjusting though to the best of his ability which really wasn't all that impressive. At least he wasn't caught off guard when people talked to him anymore. That was an improvement right? It was at least in his opinion although in cases such as these where he had little experience how could he really tell let alone begin to think he knew. Working up some form of polite smile though Rollo pushed a few words out of his mouth at the girl.

"Um yeah lovely meeting you to."

Rollo felt unsure of his words but regardless just let them sit. He wasn't about to follow it up with some form of question or even begin to start some kind of conversation. He had come here to sit here in misery and think about how messed up his life was not converse with people. Andrew was fine because the kid knew when to push and when to let things drop Rollo had a feeling that this girl was a whole other matter. Retracting his hand he slipped both of them into his pockets and simply stared into the sky. Rollo had a feeling that this wouldn't end well for him. This though was just a feeling and with such things you never really could know how reliable they were. Sighing he felt like asking Andrew if he should run for the hills or if they should get out of here but decided it was for the best to just sit this one out. What was the worst that could happen?

[Ivy Xin]

Just the slightest hint of his touch sent icy chills down Ivy's long spine. She closed her eyes slightly in bliss as he let go of her hand much too soon to her pleasure. Everything about him sent electrical signals in Ivy's brain to tackle him and pin him to a wall. Maybe it was the Hot Hobo aura he had about him. (LOL) Ivy was used to perfection, dazzling smiles, gay fashionistas and bitchy women and male models who looked like they were perfectly sculpted by Michelangelo.

Rollo was different, which was why Ivy had an almost animal need for him. He was interesting. Ivy blushed, finding herself staring at him. She doubted that he even noticed. Ivy rarely found herself admiring anyone-- she was so preoccupied with her own beauty that she could barely appreciate other people's faces. Everything from his disheveled hair, to the odor reminiscent of broken down bars, to those beautiful, deep blue eyes that cried out angst, regret and wisdom.

God, I love his eyes...

She gulped and broke her stare, and couldn't help but smile. She retreated slightly behind Drew, Ivy seemed a bit shy... This was very out of character for Ivy. She hadn't found anyone she liked so much since Kian Crehonorex. In front of Kian, she was a completely different person. She was less into herself, and less air-headed. Could Rollo be one of Ivy's dreaded unrequited loves? She always fell for boys that could never return her feelings. Why? Because Ivy was completely nuts. (LOL)

An awkward silence followed.

[Drew Thornton]

Drew was pushed aside quite literally, and as he picked himself off fromt he ground, he rolled his eyes at Ivy's antics. Rollo was a good guy and Drew would have liked to see him get out there and socialize a bit more, but hooking up with Ivy was not exactly what the young Auror had imagined. While Rollo was pretty much backwards when it came to social situations, Ivy was overly forward. Well, they said opposites attracted...

Drew let out a small snort at the mere thought of that.

Standing back up and wondering what game Ivy was pulling now, scooting up next to him like she was, he stuck his hands in his pockets and just wondered how it would all unfold. If Rollo really needed some rescuing (and he probably would) Drew get the guy out of there and gladly. Ivy was just trouble that Rollo probably didn't need.

[Rollo Winner]

Rollo felt the awkward silence grow around him and couldn't help but feel more uncomfortable by the minute. It was odd to say the least that Andrew wasn't saying much at least Rollo thought so. Granted this was probably just him over evaluating the matter because to him anyone who talked at all talked a lot so why wouldn't this be the same in his opinion of Andrew? Ivy on the other hand now seemed to have nothing to say. She simply sat quietly and stared at him from where she sat which was now much closer then before. His comfort level was defiantly nonexistent now but he doubted that this girl realized it let alone cared. The staring was so odd to he felt as if he was on display and couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking. It was an odd sensation being watched as she was watching him and Rollo could say pretty easily that he didn't appreciate it in the least. He liked his space and he liked not being gawked at. Sure the scars weren't pretty but that didn't mean that this Ivy girl had to stare at them for so long.

Rollo centered his mind on something else though and let it chase his visions of Luce. She was quite the opposite of this girl and it kept him sane knowing that there was something waiting for him like her elsewhere. It was his first thought now that his head was away from the present scene. He hadn't seen the girl in quite some time and he missed her heck he could probably say he even needed her at this point. Fumbling with his pack of cigarettes he withdrew one and lit it in silence. Rollo made no effort to offer Andrew one though as he knew that the boy would refuse so it was best to just let him know by this point they had come to an understanding about the matter. That he wasn't going to force his habits on him as long as Andrew didn't attempt to try and chide him about his habits. Inhaling smoke Rollo decided that at the moment a simple statement was for the best and the fact that it was coming from him of all people was extremely unexpected.

"Well this is awkward, even by my standards."

It was the truth and the fact that Rollo was stating it made him feel odd and out of place. He was supposed to be the quiet one and while he didn't know about this Ivy girl from the way that she appeared she was a talker just like Andrew. So why in god's name was Rollo Winner of all people the one who was opening his mouth? It was in Rollo's opinion most likely a question that was best left alone.