𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝐸𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉

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Iris had a slow start to her day. She still was the first up and ready, but the standard fifteen minutes of her routine somehow extended to thirty. And beyond that, she spent quite some time just absently looking through her backpack and picking at her uniform's skirt.

However, once her roommates began to stir, she was up and out of the room, backpack over her shoulder, robes left behind. Few people sat about the common room, and all glanced at the newcomer. Well, except for one.

Suddenly more awake than she was all morning, Iris plopped herself into the chair beside Theodore Nott. "Should have stayed in bed," the blue in her eyes flared, bringing back a light they had lacked all morning.

Jumping a slight bit, he looked up from his book to glare at the girl. "Well, it was chancing your appearance or for certain staying with Malfoy and Zabini."

Her smirk made its first appearance of the day. "Oh, so I'm better than Malfoy and Zabini. I feel so honored," she said, sarcasm laced in every word.

Rolling his eyes, Theodore stood from his seat, picking up his bag as he did. Iris's eyes followed him curiously, and once realizing the boy was heading for the exit, she quickly stood and strode after his figure. Long legs proving useful, it took only a second to catch up. Iris asked, "What time does breakfast start?"

"Seven-thirty, but the Great Hall opens at seven," Theodore answered rather blandly.

Iris nodded absently, "How do you know the time? I didn't see a clock in the common room." The two began their ascent up the staircase.

"You know how spells work. Figure it out." Iris oddly zoned out a bit after the words and fell a few steps behind.

The only sound was that strange patter of shoes hitting the stone steps... until it stopped.

Halfway up the staircase, Theodore paused and Iris, returned to her senses, tensed, freezing She attached her dark eyes to his figure. "Don't do that ever again," came his steady voice before he just kept walking.

Once again, Iris's curious eyes watched him, this time till he was out of sight. Then pulling out her wand, she rolled up her sleeve and tapped the object to her wrist and, under her breath, whispered, "Tempus."

~~~~~~

Iris had a rather dull start to her morning. She found herself alone with a group of rather nervous first years. They made for poor conversation and seemed very content to look anywhere that wasn't the third year. Only having herself as company, Iris found her eyes constantly wandering to the door, until they eventually did settle on a particular raven-haired boy. One that did surprisingly well at ignoring Iris's gaze. An action that left the girl quiet.

Then her first class of the day came about. Muggle Studies.

Iris walked into the classroom and quickly settled into a seat at the back. Taking out her notebook and a pen, the girl was immediately lost in her own world.

No one chose to tempt fate and take the chair beside the girl. Instead, the entirety of the class filled. Unbothered by the actions of her classmates, Iris mindlessly doodled.

However the seat wouldn't remain empty for long; as just as the professor, Isadora Edwards, began her first day introduction the door opened once more. And in walked a frantic, bushy haired girl.

Everyone's attention shifted to the girl, and one could have heard a pin drop.

Furrowing her brows, Professor Edwards addressed the teen, "Miss. Granger, correct?" Hermione nodded in response; the girl was clearly uncomfortable.

"I apologize for being late I... ran into a bit of trouble on my way here," she shifted, and Iris—who had been watching with curious boredom—suddenly locked her eyes onto the late arrival, tensing a bit as she did.

"First day, new classroom," the professor gave a kind smile, "just don't make a habit of this. But I assume that is left unsaid, the other teachers speak highly of you."

Hermione nodded once more and quickly followed up, "Of course. Never again."

The kind smile still gracing her lips the young woman allowed her gaze to scan the classroom, "Well, I believe the only spot available is next to Miss Blackwell in the back. I've been surprised with a full classroom this year. Not that it's huge, but..." The ramblings continued on, but Hermione had stiffened, and her eyes had already trailed to the teen who was watching.

Hesitantly, Hermione approached the new third year, moving a bit better once the mentioned teen turned her attention to her notebook once more. Sitting, the Gryffindor found that the Slytherin carried no more interest in anything but her doodles.

Professor Edwards went through her first-day speech, and unsurprisingly most of the students had zoned out. The only students actively paying attention to the words being Hermione, a Ravenclaw, and a few Hufflepuffs.

Clapping the Professor ended her introduction and gleamed at her students, "Now I believe most of you have sat beside someone of different familiarity with the muggle world," her eyes locked onto one table. "However, Miss Emile, I have to ask that you and Miss Yaxley switch places."

As both students complied, Professor Edwards continued, "I have found that the best way to learn of a new world is to receive help from those most familiar with it. Today I would like all the table partners to discuss the differences between the wizarding world and the muggle. No need to stress, this is just an easy class to ease into things.”

After a second of uncertain silence, a few more familiar groups began some conversations, pushing others to awkwardly start.

Hermione, who was still slightly stiff, glanced at her table mate to see her attention still firmly in the notebook. Clearing her throat, Hermione spoke up, "We've been asked to discuss the differences between the two worlds."

Iris simply hummed, an action that scrunched Hermione's face; however, she tried again, "I say we can start with the difference in school. Something more familiar for both of us, I'm a muggle-born, and as you are from America, I have a few questions about the school there." Taking a breath, the girl seemed to be formulating a place to start.

Iris, however, just sighed and dropped her pen. Turning to the bushy-haired girl Iris said her first words of the class, "I was homeschooled."

Hermione blinked, "Oh. That still works, how do wizards homeschool? How did your parents keep up with everything?"

Tilting her head, Iris stared down the girl, "I use a notebook and pen." Hermione's eyes narrowed in question.

Iris's eyes shifted up as her head shook. Returning them to her table partner, Iris explained, "I was homeschooled by a no-maj teacher, my magic lessons were twice a week. I am not a stranger to the muggle world Granger, I grew up in it."

Hermione quieted for a moment then explained, "Everyone has been saying you are a pureblood."

Iris shrugged, "I am, not all pureblood families cut themselves off from muggles. Their world is better in many ways."

Once more, the two girls settled into silence, Hermione lost in space, and Iris watching the professor speak to a group.

...

"Why Harry?" Hermione asked.

Iris's eyes narrowed, and her head tilted, but she still watched as her teacher flitted about from group to group, checking in.

Receiving no answer, Hermione elaborated, "He mentioned that you didn't seem to care about his fame, and the two of you only spent two weeks together. Most of which was talking about Harry's life. Being alone doesn't seem to bother you. So why do you keep looking at him? Why does him ignoring you, seem to bother you?"

As Professor Edwards moved to the group directly in front of the two girls, Iris tensed, and her eyes seemed to lose some of their blue, "Why do I care about being ignored?" Iris rolled her eyes, “They trust you with a time turner. You aren't an idiot, so why would you pick a question that idiotic to try and beat around the bush.

"Just ask what you really want." Iris turned to look at Hermione, her eyes causing the teen to flinch, “If you want to spend your life sticking your nose in places you shouldn’t, at least be direct about it.”

Once more, Hermione found herself tense and under pressure from those burning eyes. She seemed to actually consider her options, but just before she could open her mouth, a cheery voice spoke up.

"Miss Granger, Miss Blackwell. What have the two of you been discussing?" Professor Edwards smiled obliviously at the girls.

The change in Iris was something, tearing her eyes from Hermione she quickly plastered on a small smile and stood from her seat. “We were discussing old no-maj lessons. You see, Professor, I grew up in the muggle world. Blackwell's have always been involved in both worlds."

Somehow the women's smile grew wider, "Really? I can't say I've seen that before. I never kept up with you Blackwell's, but I suppose I should have. I'm impressed." Hermione's eyes narrowed once more, more questions seeming to enter her mind.

Iris nodded her head, "Yes, and being a pureblood, I feel as if it would be better to pair me with another pureblood as being heavily involved in both worlds I could help translate certain ideas and technologies better."

Professor Edwards hummed as she considered the idea before she nodded and turned around. Calling out in her naturally cheery voice, she spoke towards a girl, "Miss Yaxley."

The said girl turned her head, as did the rest of the class.

"Miss Yaxley, I will be having you paired with Miss Blackwell and Hayley you will be with Hermione. Is everyone okay with this change?" Without waiting for the final okay, Iris had picked up her bag and began striding over to her new seat, forcing poor Hayley to quickly put together her things.

As she watched after her once table mate, Hermione could only faintly hear Hayley's greeting words, "Thank Merlin, I was looking for an out. Slytherins are just bad news."

~~~~~~

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The stretch to lunch was a long one and relatively uneventful for Iris. She had found Theodore in her second-morning class, Charms, and the two silently sat in the back. The only thing catching her attention throughout the class being word that Harry Potter had seen a death omen.

Once Charms ended, Iris walked off on her own. Reaching The Great Hall, she scanned inside and then stationed herself at the doorway, eyes on the incoming crowd.

She stood tall and ignored the glances of the students, and once spotting what she wanted, Iris's voice called over the noise filling the room, "Harry!"

Making her way towards the boy, she noticed him glance her way and then right back to his two friends. Her jaw clenched, but when she reached the boy, she had managed to smile. "Hey, I heard about the grim." Harry glanced at her once more, and his two friends uneasily looked between them.

The smile still present Iris tried again, "Divination is the most out-there of studies. Even true seers only get a few true home runs in their life. And omens are the worst. If you go looking for them, you are bound to find them everywhere." Harry once more ignored her and kept walking.

The smile faded, and Iris stopped walking, "You're kidding."

This one got the boy to speak, turning around, he asked, "What?"

Irritation flashed in her eyes, "Is me being in Slytherin that big of a deal? We would be perfectly fine right now if I had been placed anywhere else."

"Being in Slytherin is a big deal," the unexpected voice of Ronald Weasley cut in.

Iris's glare shifted to the red-head, “A big deal is the fool currently running your Ministry. I can promise that whatever biases you have towards a school house are no where near a big deal.”

Ron tensed and crossed his arms, "Slytherin's are bad news.”

"Oh yeah? How many do you know, besides Malfoy and his posse." Iris rolled her eyes from the lack of response and turned back to Harry.

This time the person of interest had glared right back, "That's the point. The first real thing I learned about you is that you're Slytherin."

Iris scoffed, "And what does me being Slytherin tell you Harry," her voice raised slightly as she pushed further, "What could you have possibly learned about me from a school house?"

Harry stiffened and crossed his arms, lacking a response all he could do was continue to stare into the girls' hard gaze.

A dry laugh left Iris as she fixed her posture and cleared her face. Voice becoming unnaturally calm she questioned more, "Does it tell you I'm some blood purist? But that makes no sense... you know I hold no ill will towards the no-maj. Does it tell you I'm some bully? But no, I haven't given any sort of reason to believe that one."

Iris paused for a moment, silence all that existed in the still growing crowd of onlookers, "So what? If you know I'm not a blood purist and have no reason to think I am cruel... what is it Harry? What is the real problem here?”

Harry's bright green eyes were all he had. The stare down with the girl's dark ones was all he could manage to answer with.

And eventually even that failed him.

Eyes falling to the ground Harry just simply turned and pushed his way through the crowd and into the Hall.

Face blank, Iris took no time in doing the same, but instead away from the Hall.

Perhaps two stubborn teenagers with tempers wasn’t a good mix.

~~~~~~

Iris had seated herself outside. Not only did the fresh air seem to calm the girl, but it was convenient for her next class, Care of Magical Creatures.

She could hear the students making their way over but still stared absently out into the forest. Only when a figure appeared before her did she look away.

Theodore Nott looked at the girl with his usual expressionless eyes, "Calmed down enough?"

Iris shrugged, "Have you?"

The boy shrugged right back and began walking, "Class is starting soon. I'm not doing this one alone."

Iris grabbed her bag and stood, tightening her ponytail as she caught up with Theodore, "Ah, so you just need me. Suppose its something. Someday I’ll condition you into loving me Nott.”

Theodore found his eyes rolling as they so often do around Iris Blackwell, he fought back with his silence again. Choosing once again to not engage with her.

Eyes alight, Iris was suddenly a whole new perked up person again, hoping as she followed after Theodore, “Can see it now, you’ll be naming me the best man at your wedding.”

If you asked Theodore what his least favorite thing about this girl was… it was her ability to be so stupid that he just had to respond, “You most certainly won’t be invited to my wedding.”

Iris feigned hurt, “And here I was planning to make you my Maid of Honor.”

Theodore found himself thanking Hagrid for one thing… ending that conversation as his booming voice started their lesson, “C'mon, now, get a move on! Got a real treat for yeh today! Great lesson comin' up! Everyone here? Right, follow me!" He stood in the doorway of the hut, a large boarhound at his side.

Theodore groaned, "I should have signed up for Magic Theory."

The blue flared in his companion's eyes, "Oh come on Nott, he looks like the outdoorsy type. Maybe he deserves more credit."

The group walked for a few minutes before reaching an empty paddock. Gathering around, Iris and Theodore took to the back.

"Everyone gather 'round the fence here!" Called the giant. "That's it— make sure yeh can see— now, firs' thing yeh'll want ter do is open yer books—"

"How?" Said a cold voice that belonged to a platinum-haired boy.

"Eh?" Asked their teacher.

"How do we open our books?" The same boy clarified. He raised his book to show it was bound with rope, and the rest of the class followed suit. Showcasing that all of the books had been sealed shut in some way. Keeping the sentient books from tearing the students apart.

"Hasn'— anyone bin able ter open their books?" The man looked somewhat crestfallen as he looked around to see everyone shaking their heads.

"Yeh've got to stroke 'em," said Hagrid as if the idea was the most obvious one. He took the book from Hermione's hand and ran a finger down the spine. The result was the animal of a book ceasing its growling and falling open.

Iris could hear Theodore scoff silently as he reached for his book in his bag.

"Oh, how silly we've all been!" Sneered the platinum-haired boy. "We should have stroked them! Why didn't we guess!"

"I—I thought they were funny," Hagrid said uncertainty toward Hermione.

This was Iris's turn to scoff as she glanced over at Theodore's book, still having made no move to grab her own.

"Oh, tremendously funny!" Said the same boy. "Really witty, giving us books that try and rip our hands off!"

"Shut up, Malfoy," grumbled the quiet voice of Harry Potter from the front of the group.

"Righ' then," said Hagrid, who had seemingly lost his vigor, "so— so yeh've got yer books an'— an'— now yeh need the Magical Creatures. Yeah. So I'll go an' get 'em. Hang on..." The giant then strode into the forest and out of sight.

"God, this place is going to the dogs," said the ever so loathed Draco Malfoy, his platinum hair marking him easy to remember. "That oaf teaching classes, my father'll have a fit when I tell him—"

"Shut up, Malfoy," Harry repeated.

"Careful, Potter, there's a dementor behind you," Draco said.

Iris, who had been shifting her eyes between the two boys, shook her head before spotting figures at the end of the paddock. Eyes locked onto the approaching creatures Iris slowly pushed through the crowd as she spoke up, “And who was the one running around the train screaming bloody murder?”

The students all locked onto the girl who had reached the fence. Scrunching his face, Malfoy was about to respond when a high pitched voice squealed out, "Ooooooooh!" The girl had pointed to where Iris's eyes were set.

Approaching the group was a dozen strange creatures. The bodies, hind legs, and tails of a horse but the front legs, wings, and heads of giant eagles. Their sharp beaks and long talons showed all they were dangerous; however, their odd orange eyes added a sort of beauty. They were beautiful creators with gleaming coats of various colors, and somehow the switch from feathers to fur was far from awkward.

All attached to collars of which Hagrid held, they were pushed forward. Tying them to the fence, everyone but Iris took a step back.

"Hippogriffs!" Roared Hagrid, much more cheerful than when he left. "Beau'iful, aren' they?"

Their Professor allowed a beat of silence as the students looked over the creatures.

"So," said Hagrid, rubbing his hands together and beaming around, "if yeh wan' ter come a bit nearer—"

Harry, Ron, and Hermione were the only ones to join Iris at the fence cautiously.

"Now, firs' thing yeh gotta know abou' hippogriffs is, they're proud," said Hagrid. "Easily offended, hippogriffs are. Don't never insult one, 'cause it might be the last thing yeh do."

A few shifted uncomfortably. Iris, however, just began tapping her nails to the fence.

"Yeh always wait for the hippogriff ter make the firs' move," Hagrid continued. "It's polite, see? Yeh walk toward him, and yeh bow, an' yeh wait. If he bows back, yeh're allowed ter touch him. If he doesn't bow, then get away from him sharpish, 'cause those talons hurt.

"Right— who wants ter go first?"

More steps were taken away from the fence as the creatures shook their heads and batted their wings in irritation.

Iris seemed to consider it as she turned her gaze towards Hagrid but turned back away after a moment of thought.

"No one?" Asked Hagrid with pleading eyes.

"I'll do it," called out Harry a bit uneasily.

The class all looked towards the boy, and one girl mentioned the grim in warning.

Hagrid cheered and led him to a grey one named Buckbeak. The class held their breath as Hagrid untied Buckbeak. Iris narrowed her eyes, focus entirely on the boy.

"Easy, now, Harry," said Hagrid quietly. "Yeh've got eye contact, now try not ter blink... Hippogriffs do n' trust yeh if yeh blink too much..."

In an almost comedic way, Harry's eyes widened and began to water from not blinking.

"Tha's it," Hagrid said. "That's it, Harry... now, bow..." Harry hesitated for a moment before complying. His bow was short, and the boy still maintained that unblinking eye contact.

The Hippogriff was stiff, making no signs of accepting the young teen.

"Ah," said Hagrid worriedly. "Right— back away now, Harry, easy does it—"

Before the man could finish and before the teen could even process the instructions, the grey creature bent its knees, returning Harry's bow.

Iris tore her eyes away as Hagrid showcased his excitement. Theodore Nott had pushed his way up as everyone watched Harry fly off on the Hippogriff. “Was Malfoy really running around the train crying?

The girl hummed, “Ran into the Weasley twin’s compartment." She then fixed her hunched over posture and looked up to the sky, “Hope they hurry, I want to meet one.”

Theodore pulled a face but before he could respond to her wish, the pompous voice of Draco Malfoy interjected, “Blackwell, I sent my father a letter asking about you today.”

She hardly seemed to acknowledge the boy at her side, nothing but a muttered “really” escaping her lips. Nothing about her changed, not noticeably.

Theodore on the other hand seemed very intrigued with the turn in conversation. Glancing between Draco and Iris before smirking to himself, “Word of advise Malfoy,” Theodore looked to watch the Hippogriff approaching to land, “Blackwell’s are the last people you want to poke at.”

All Draco Malfoy could manage was souring his face before Hagrid opened for the class to meet the the Hippogriff’s, Iris hoping the fence in an instant. Theodore Nott threw Draco one smug look before following after the newest classmate.

Iris’ school bag was left at the fence. Confidently she approached a Hippogriff of an inky black, Theodore lazily a few steps behind, in much less of a hurry.

Eyes dancing, Iris stopped a few feet away and tilted her head, watching as the creature eyed the girl and approaching boy. Once Theodore had stopped beside Iris, the only movement was that of the Hippogriff's orange eye flickering between them.

Smile on her lips, Iris bowed the slightest bit, Theodore following her action directly afterward.

It only took but a moment for the Hippogriff to bow back, and before the poor thing could even raise its head, Iris was bounding over.

Her smile was the brightest that had been seen as she gently patted the black feathers atop its head, "You know if we get to meet a new creature each week maybe this class won't be as bad as you all made it out to be."

"To be fair, all those complaints were just us knowing he's an oaf, but I guess that is why we get to be around these things. They are—"

Iris gave the boy a sharp look, "Careful. Mindless words shouldn't be said around a Hippogriff." She smiled towards the creature, "They are proud beings, and rightfully so. Beautiful things. Isn't that right?" The Hippogriff raised its head high.

Theodore sighed and patted the Hippogriff, "I see why you like them so much." His eyes then floated over the paddock; his companion far too distracted to join in. They settled on the blonde head of Draco Malfoy, who was currently with Buckbeak.

Absently he spoke, "Malfoy's going to cause some trouble. Can feel it."

Iris turned from the Hippogriff and followed Theodore's line of sight, "Him and Harry are rather tense, aren't they? I knew Draco was a bit of an ass, but Harry is rather short with him."

The boy shrugged, "Can't speak for Harry, but Draco certainly goes on nonstop about Potter." Theodore glanced at the second boy and, with his usual bored tone said, "You'd think he loves him sometimes."

Iris smirked as air left her nose, "I bet if you asked he'd—"

A high pitched scream cut through the air, Iris's attention shooting straight to the source and her body moving before one could think.

As Hagrid fought back the grey Hippogriff from getting another hit on the blonde teen, Iris crouched beside his curled up body. Pulling his arm from his grasp, Iris ignored his incessant yelling. Looking it over, Iris cringed but still wrapped her tie around the large gash and waved her hand in an unspoken spell. She then moved as Hagrid lifted the boy and ran off.

The crowd, shaken up, followed to the castle at a walk. Arguments could be heard, Slytherin students being particularly riled up.

Iris slowly stood, she stared after the retreating group with a blank expression. She let out a breath and glanced down at her hands. Finding blood she waved a hand, and it was cleared; however, the teen still hadn't moved.

Theodore Nott had begun walking away when he took notice of the frozen girl. Sighing he looked forward towards the castle and then back at her. Taking his head with an eye roll, he grabbed her bag, which still sat at the fence and moved to stand beside her. Holding out her bag, he said, "Let's go, Blackwell, we have that joint essay in charms."

Blinking Iris returned to life, her posture straightened, and her eyes flared. Grabbing the bag, she began walking, "Homework on the first day, have to say the movies were right. School is shit."

Theodore Nott watched her for a moment, before ultimately and silently following after.