𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒩𝒾𝓃𝑒

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3:08 a.m.

Iris moved her eyes from the clock and back to the ceiling.

Two hours.

The teen had awoken two hours ago, after approximately three hours of sleep. And as each minute went on, her eyes would stray from the ceiling and to the digital clock sat on Sally-Ann's nightstand.

Sally-Ann complained about it constantly. Unfortunately, magic and technology don't always get along, so the girl has to reset the clock every night in order to keep it on track.

She was an odd girl, well all of them were really.

They were close as could be, the three of them together most of the day.

It was natural, of course, being as nearly everyone else shammed them. Valeria and Tracey were half-bloods, while Sally-Ann was muggle-born and proud. The other room of Slytherin girls from their year were all pureblood, and they lived up to the stereotypes. Well, besides for Jane Yaxley, but she was complicated.

And the shame from outside of Slytherin came from a place of fear. Valeria could come off as cold and distant, serious. She fit the energy of a Slytherin. Sally-Ann had friends from other houses before, but then school rivalries stuck, and she was outcasted. She apparently took no shit, developed a rather sharp tongue, and was cast as a Slytherin in personality. Tracey's mother was a Bulstrode, a notable family in the English community of pureblood. Her mother was disowned and thrown out for marrying a muggle, of course, but the family ties were still written in blood. Tracey was deemed a Slytherin in name.

Energy, personality, name. They were missing something; Iris was sure of that, but despite that...

The three of them somehow were the most Slytherin trio the house had to offer.

It's hard to see at first, but it showed over time.

In how Valeria fit the role of ambitious, constantly on top of school work, tutoring during lunch, on track of being a prefect, and very dedicated to her cultural club. Her goal, to be an ambassador for the Ministry of Magic.

In how Sally-Ann was a perfect example of a loyal and growing leader. She cared for her friends and kept them on track. She often reminded Valeria to put aside the books, relax, and enjoy some of her time. She often snapped back at those who made remarks at Tracey's reserved behavior but still pushed her friend to leave her shell.

And also in how Tracey, most surprisingly, turned out to be quite resourceful. No one ever had a problem Tracey couldn’t solve. She could stitch up a pair of jeans with or without magic. She kept her money in check down to the sickles. She made spare change in selling secrets to other… always fear what the quiet kid knows.

Of course, the girls weren't perfect. Valeria often forgot about her health, Sally-Ann was temperamental, and Tracey lacked confidence. But they were still growing.

...

Iris's eyes fell to the clock once more.

3:09am.

Huffing, she gave up.

Leaving the bed, she silently walked over to her wardrobe, pulling out a hoodie to cover her tank top. She then carried her eyes over the dark floor, spotting her sneakers beside the door. Shoes on her feet Iris had moved to open the door when she suddenly turned back around.

Returning to the bed, she put her attention on the nightstand. Opening the top drawer, Iris reached in, took the two necklaces she always wore, and then left the room.

Hiding them under her hoodie, the teen slowly walked down the hallway and quietly went into the common room.

The dungeons at night were always dark, cold, and the slightest bit damp. The faint light that did exist was a constant green glow from being below the Great Lake. It's an ominous mood, but there was something beautiful about it all.

The common room should have been no different. It should have been nearly pitch black, with the green glow being all that filled the room. It should have been devoid of life or energy. It should have carried a damp smell. It should have been silent.

Tonight it wasn't.

Tonight the fireplace was lit, the orange flames fighting off the night, dancing proudly. Tonight it was the residence of a single figure sat in the armchair. Tonight it smelled of the fire and... the library. Tonight it was filled with the sounds of the crackling fire and the turning of pages.

Watching the figure for a moment, Iris slowly approached. Stepping into the light of the fire, a playful smile fell onto the teen's lips, "You're such a cliche," the boy jumped slightly as his eyes jolted to the girl, "Always have a book in hand, reading by the light of a crackling fire late into the night."

Iris sat on the couch arm as she kept her gaze on Theodore Nott, the boy who happened to be glaring at her.

"Could have given me a warning first," he was tense, and his voice raised.

A hum escaped Iris as she shifted her eyes to the fire, "Wouldn't have saved you from the scare."

Theodore sighed, his glare fading as he slowly calmed down. Then, looking towards the fire, he asked, "I'm assuming you're too energetic to sleep?"

The girl nodded, the flames reflecting in her eyes, mimicking the growing color of blue fighting through the green. "Classes are going to be rough," her smile grew a bit larger, "bet that by the end of the day, I have a year's worth of detention."

The boy rolled his eyes, "They will go easy on you today and tomorrow," he shifted in his seat to get comfortable once more as he dryly finished, "So maybe just one month."

Iris laughed, an airy sound and incredibly quiet, it still was... mood-lifting, and even Theodore blinked as it sounded out into the space. It was calm and sincere, very unlike the dry laugh that had left her during her argument with Harry Potter.

A few seconds of silence followed as the two teens stared into the fire. It could have been calm and the one moment that both teens really enjoyed the other's company. Peacefully enjoying the quiet and light-hearted moment. But Iris was restless.

Standing up, she glanced back at Theodore, "I'm going for a walk."

Theodore raised an eyebrow as he allowed his eyes to carry over the girl, pausing for a moment on her pink plaid pajama pants, "Dressed like that?"

Casually she shrugged, "Not like anyone else will be up," her eyes flickered out the window as a shadow crossed by then returned to Theodore, "Want to join?"

It hardly came out as a question, more of a polite gesture if anything. But still, Theodore quickly answered as expected, "I'll pass. A walk with you tonight will definitely turn into a three-hour excursion into the forest."

Iris smiled as she turned and began her walk towards the door, "Most definitely... oh, also," She spun to face the boy while taking steps backward, "You're almost at a good part."

The boy rolled his eyes as he turned back to the fire, "Thought I told you not to do that."

Stopping before leaving, Iris gave one last look to the boy, "If it helps, it wasn't deliberate this time," her smile was soft and almost apologetic, "Can't really just turn it off."

And with that, Iris left through the door.

~~~~~~

"Do you think you could tap your nails on your leg or anything other than the table in HoM? I nearly went mad in Charms listening to that," Theodore quipped as he sat beside Iris at lunch.

Iris dragged her eyes away from the enchanted ceiling, face void of emotion as she silently reached for food to fill her plate.

A laugh came from down the table as a certain Sally-Ann called over, "Hey Iris," mentioned girl lifted her gaze from her chicken to lock eyes with Sally-Ann, "If you finally snap and decide to murder someone, can you make it McLaggen. He's been bugging me for a date for ages."

Sally-Ann then turned back to her group, ending her teasing but setting off many others.

Somehow by the start of lunch, Iris had received detention, walked out of Muggle Studies, and scared away a group of fifth years with nothing but her glare.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

She was energetic, irritable, and incredibly intimidating.

It was not a great day to be stuck in classes all day. And to make it all worse, the most boring class happened to be after lunch—History of Magic with the very dead, and very much a ghost, Professor Binns.

Her behavior had apparently spread quickly through the school, as now, all around her, she received stares and quips. And all the yelling.

"Blackwell, think you'd be able to send Binns off for real!"

Why do they have to yell? Iris stopped moving as her eyes closed. Theodore side-eyed her.

"Hey Blackwell, you should backtalk McGonagall like you did Flitwick!"

Just want some quiet. Iris clenched her jaw. Theodore turned his full attention towards her, scooting away just a bit.

"Congrats on the walkout! Wish I had the guts for that!"

So fucking loud. Her eyes opened, dark and dangerous, the green more black with every comment. Theodore attempted to silence the people around them.

"While you're at it, why don't you go have another go at it with Potter!"

BANG!

Iris's fist hit the table as she stood up, attracting the attention of those nearby and, in effect to people slowly catching on, the entire room.

She stood still but tall. And she stood tall and dangerous.

Her eyes carried over a few people, all that caught the dark eyes flinching away.

Everyone's attention was stuck on the girl, an air of absolute authority radiating off her in waves. Suffocating everyone nearby and reaching even those in the farthest parts of the room.

Her eyes moved to the teacher's tables, going from person to person. Seeing the same wide eyes in them all.

Until she didn't. For when she reached Professor Remus Lupin, Iris instead caught the calm, tired face she had seen the night she visited him. He gave her a faint smile, one that was understanding and sympathetic. And he gave her a slight nod.

Iris relaxed a bit, the deadly look in her eyes fading. Then, taking a breath, she said two words to those that could hear, "Be quiet." Before grabbing her bag and taking her leave.

...

The air seemed to return to normal the moment her figure was out of sight.

It took a moment and some courageous students, but eventually, the constant hum of chatter filled the hall once more.

And up at the teacher's table, one fearless teacher spoke up, "The joys of a Blackwell in Hogwarts, I envy you Lupin," they all looked towards the named man, "you're so used to it that you barely flinched."

Eyes still filled with sympathy, he half-heartedly laughed, "Believe it or not, that was hardly the worst they can be."

~~~~~~

Skip-- skip-skip.

The rock bounced itself over the still water, leaving ripples in its wake each time. Three times. A perfectly respectable number but far from impressive.

At least that seemed to be Iris's opinion as she hummed briefly, eyes still on the spot the rock had failed to jump. Taking a breath, she glanced down at the pile she had collected, considering the group of flat rocks that sat just beneath the water. Inches from her submerged feet.

Picking one, Iris turned her eyes back to the water. Correcting her stance, the stone was turned over in her hand. Then she readied herself and, without even a moment of thought, sent the stone flying.

Skip--skip--skip-skip.

Iris smiled faintly at her victory, allowing her eyes to close as a breeze carried by the lake, rustling the trees and lifting her loose strands of hair.

...

Her eyes shot open, narrowing them as she turned her head the slightest amount. She straightened her posture as a leaf crunched.

"What's your record," the tired voice of Remus Lupin questioned as he stepped out from the tree line.

Iris relaxed immediately, taking in a breath as she turned her head to face the newest professor. Taking a second to glance over his failing posture and the dark circles under his eyes, Iris returned to her rocks. Readying herself, she answered, "Four," and then the stone was soaring.

Skip---skip--skip--skip-skip.

"And now five," a playful glint appearing in her constantly changing eyes. The green currently pushed back to just the outer rim, a cobalt blue ruling.

The man stopped a good amount to the side of the teen, just at the edge of the water, his tattered shoes daring the water to reach out and touch them. Tired eyes watching as the teen sent another stone off into the water,

Splash!

Remus Lupin let out a bark of a laugh at the sudden failure of the girl. Of whom quickly shot the man a firm look, turning fully to gently kick water in his direction as she allowed a pout to fall on her lips. Nose scrunching, she glanced at the ripping water where the rock sank, "Stupid thing hit the water wrong."

A puff of air left Iris as she moved out of the water, bare feet carrying her over to the discarded socks and shoes. Taking one in each hand, she looked towards her newfound companion, the man standing, staring out over the lake. Thinking for a moment, she tilted her head, "What brought you out here?"

He was shaken from his moment of peace by the question; turning his head to look at Iris, his faint smile returned, "This has always been the most peaceful spot on the grounds. Would eat meals here the day before the full moons back in my school days."

Iris nodded in acknowledgment as her eyes wandered out into the trees.

Lupin's smile seemed to grow as he watched her swing her arms slightly. Quickly scanning the ground for the path that led him to their current location, he turned away from the water. Slowly making his way to the path, he asked, "Would you like to join me on the walk back?"

Iris didn't need to be asked twice as she quickly bounded over, taking up a lead as the two started their walk. Her still bare feet easily avoiding a few twigs littering the ground.

The duo was silent, listening to the swaying of the trees and the chirping of the birds. But, surprisingly, Iris was the first to shoo off the quiet, "Harry's stubborn."

Lupin chuckled, responding to Iris's firm glance with a smile, "He will come around. You will make certain of that."

Iris scrunched her nose, her feet just narrowly missing a rather sharp sick. Voice sharpening a bit, she said, "Not sure I want him to anymore. I mean, I get that he didn't even know I existed before this summer, but..." she trailed off, taking in a breath as to calm herself, "I suppose I just expected us to already be much closer than this."

Lupin observed Iris as a breeze rolled by once more, taking particular notice of how her posture was down and her steps less planned. "That would be the problem, though, would it not?" Iris tilted her head a small amount as Lupin paused a beat.

Eyes still locked on the back of the teen's head, he continued, "You have always known of Harry, and quite frankly, you know more about Harry than he does himself. You were able to make expectations because you knew that someday you would meet. Harry just needs time to--"

"Get to know me," Iris cut in, eyes rolling as she straightened her posture once more, "Trust me, I'm more than aware."

Lupin sighed, shaking his head a bit as he smiled faintly. The glint of a memory behind his eyes. Finally allowing his gaze to leave the teen, he added, "Your story will come out at your pace. No one should rush you. So at the same time, there should be no need to rush with Harry. Take some time for you both to cool down; after all, life does just have a funny way of working itself out with time."

Iris huffed, her planned way of navigating the path returned. Sending the man a playful glare and a bitter, "You do just always have to be right, don't you.”

The duo broke from the treeline only seconds later, all between them and the castle being a field of grass and wooden bridge.

Lupin found his gaze back on the teen as her head slowly turned, eyes catching every inch of space. When satisfied that there was no one else around, she relaxed, a smile finding a way to her lips as her feet met the soft ground.

The professor could only shake his head once more, speaking as he turned his gaze to admire the castle, "How are you getting along with your classmates?”

Iris halted in her steps at the question, scaring her walking partner as she jumped around to face him. Eyes alight, she exclaimed, "Tracey Davis snores!" Remus raised an eyebrow as he continued his walk.

"I swear the girl is like a mouse all day, and then the second her head hits the pillow, all the built-up noise floods out!" She threw her hands into the air as she turned back around, walking beside Remus, "It's preposterous!”

Iris lapsed in speech for a second as she gathered her thoughts, "And Sally-Ann keeps challenging me. I get she is basically the leader of her group, but the little fights for dominance are annoying. Especially since I win every time, and yet she still attempts to stare me down longer or combat my knowledge of anything. You'd think she'd have given up by now.”

Smile growing wider by the word, Remus closed his eyes, just simply listening as the teen continued on. His feet carrying him along their path with nothing but distant memories from when he was here years ago.

"Valeria is easy, just had to allow her free access to my comic books, and now we get along well enough. But she just seems easier in general. Not as shy as Tracey and not as headstrong as Sally-Ann. The perfect mix, but sometimes she just enters study mode and never returns. It's worrying almost.

"We've adjusted to being able to coexist, but I can tell they are still uneasy around me at times. Still trying to figure me out and all that. Sometimes they just stare, but they don't ask the questions, so I guess it's an okay trade." Iris ended with a shrug as Remus nodded.

A beat of silence fell upon the duo as they reached the wooden bridge, Iris's smile fading away as the wood cried faintly under the new weight. Then Remus's eyes opened his eyes as a question seemed to come to mind, "And Theodore Nott?"

Iris shrugged once more, mind clearly elsewhere as she spoke, "His father tells him just about everything and, to be completely honest, he just doesn't care."

"So the easiest company to keep," Remus elaborated on her actual meaning.

The girl hummed, "By far. No uneasy stares, no questions, no bullshit," Iris smiled, "Only thing he wants from me is to leave him alone."

"And I assume you refuse every time that thought crosses his mind," a playfulness in his voice. The end of the bridge nearing ever closer.

Iris smirked, eyes glinting, "It's too fun, and besides, eventually he'll come to enjoy my presence." The duo took the last step on the bridge, entering the courtyard and now coming up on the door.

"Oh? And is he currently at a point of mild tolerance?" Remus stopped at the well, sitting down on the edge, looking into the sky. Its blue color beginning to shift as the sun started its descent.

Iris continued her journey alone but still continued with the small banter, "Perhaps not that far yet, but he's slowly becoming more aware of the fact he can't escape."

Remus failed to say anything more, instead, just closing his eyes and taking a breath, enjoying the moment. Iris's steps even failing to fill the air with any disturbances, her feet still bare and silent.

Upon reaching the steps that would take her inside, Iris hesitated. Allowing the small breeze to catch her hair one more time, she turned her head. Calling over her shoulder before finally disappearing from sight.

The words seemed to strike something in Remus Lupin, for he flinched. He flinched before opening his eyes to reveal a storm of emotions. And yet, the tired smile refused to leave as the words replayed on a loop.

"See ya around, Uncle Moony."

~~~~~~

Hours had passed. How many were unknown, but the moon proudly gracing its light onto the world.

Nearly complete, all except for a small sliver that would make its appearance the following night, completing the cycle.

Bringing luck to some. Misfortune to others. Nothing to all the rest.

Curious how that works.

The moon such a fascinating object of nature.

At the very least to Iris Blackwell, whom, after stopping by the kitchens and having a run in with curious creatures, settled into the Astronomy Tower.

An empty plate to the side and an unfinished drink in hand. Eyes locked onto the ball of light in the sky. Mind elsewhere, lost to the thoughts no one could hear. Eyes dull, the blue died down to a ring around the pupil, green winning for the night.

...

Something seemed to catch her attention as her gaze lazily shifted to look down below. Breaking her thoughts from whatever void they had vanished into.

Taking in a deep breath, Iris slowly relaxed as she looked down at her drink. Eyes shifting out over the grounds, she brought the goblet to her lips, muttering a small, "Happy Birthday to me."

And then she drowned down the last bit.