(26. friends are family )

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THE SLYTHERIN dormitory was quiet when Iris entered, the only sound the gentle lapping of the lake against the windows. The familiar green-tinged light cast shadows across the empty beds - everyone else was still at dinner. But Jade was there, sitting cross-legged on her bed, still in her crumpled uniform from earlier. She looked as exhausted as Iris felt, dark circles under her eyes and her usually perfect hair falling in messy waves around her face.

"I saw them leave," Jade said quietly, breaking the silence. "On the Thestrals. From the Astronomy Tower."

"You can see them too?" Iris asked, though she shouldn't have been surprised. They'd never talked about this, about death and what it leaves behind.

"Since second year. When my grandmother died." Jade answered, fiddling with a loose thread on her sleeve. Then she met Iris's eyes, and there were tears gathering in them. "You didn't go with them."

"I couldn't." Iris sank onto her own bed, facing Jade. The familiar green hangings brushed against her arm. "My father-"

"I know." Jade's voice cracked slightly. "I'm sorry, Iris. I've been horrible. I was scared and angry and..." She took a shaky breath. "I took it out on you because you were trying to do the right thing, and I was too afraid to do it first. It was easier to be angry at you than to admit I was a coward."

"I never meant to drag you into any of it," Iris whispered, her own eyes stinging now. "The DA, everything else..."

"You didn't drag me anywhere. I followed because that's what we do." Jade moved to sit beside her, the mattress dipping slightly. "We stick together. I just... forgot that for a bit. Got lost in my own fear."

They sat in silence for a moment, shoulders touching, before Jade spoke again. "George asked about you, you know. Before they left. Wanted to make sure you were okay."

"And you're sure that's who he was asking about?" Iris managed a small smile, nudging Jade's shoulder.

"Shut up," Jade bumped her back, and just like that, they were them again. Five years of friendship couldn't be broken so easily after all.

୨ৎ

Later, Iris sat alone in the common room, curled in her favorite armchair by the fire. The flames cast a greenish glow through the lake water beyond the windows, making everything feel slightly unreal. Like she was watching the world through clouded glass. The events of the day kept replaying in her mind - the fireworks, Umbridge's office, watching them fly away...

The common room entrance suddenly burst open, making her jump. Jade practically fell through, breathing hard like she'd been running.

"Iris! They're back."

They ran together through the castle, their footsteps echoing off stone walls, skidding to a halt at the entrance to the Great Hall. The returning group looked like they'd been through hell. Luna was supporting a limping Neville, his face covered in dried blood. Ginny helped a shaken-looking Ron, who had a nasty cut above his eyebrow that was still bleeding sluggishly. But it was Harry's face that made Iris's heart sink - he looked hollow, like something vital had been carved out of him.

"What happened?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she met Ron's eyes across the space between them. She could read the answer in his face before anyone spoke.

"He's gone," Harry said, his voice empty of everything but pain. "Sirius. He's dead."

"I'm so sorry, Harry," Iris said softly, meaning it with every fiber of her being. She knew what it was to lose family, even if in a different way. Knew how it felt to have pieces of yourself torn away.

Harry just nodded and turned away, heading toward Gryffindor Tower. Neville, Luna, and Ginny followed, their footsteps heavy with exhaustion. For a moment, just the four of them remained - Iris, Jade, Ron, and Hermione standing in the flickering torchlight.

Hermione gave Iris a tired smile, something knowing in her eyes. "It's been a long night. I think I'll head up too." She shot Jade a meaningful look, and they both departed with quiet goodnights, leaving Iris alone with Ron.

"Are you alright?" she asked quietly, taking in his battered appearance properly now. Besides the cut on his forehead, bruises were blooming along his jaw, and he held himself like his ribs hurt.

"I don't know, really." He looked exhausted, shadows under his eyes making them seem even bluer than usual. "But you were right. He was there."

"My father?" The words tasted like ash in her mouth.

Ron nodded, and she saw anger flash briefly through his tiredness.

"Of course he was." Iris's laugh was bitter. "Here I thought your father might have been lying when he said he finally joined. Suppose I can't ignore it anymore, can I?"

"What are you going to do?"

"Go home and pretend," she said simply, wrapping her arms around herself. "What else can I do?"

"You could-" Ron started, taking a step toward her, face full of something that made her heart ache.

Iris moved closer, making him stop mid-sentence. They were close enough now that she could see the flecks of gold in his eyes, count his freckles if she wanted to. "I'll be fine. Just... write to me, yeah?"

"Yeah," he breathed, and for a moment they just stood there, too close and not close enough.

"Goodnight, Ron," she said finally, stepping back before she could do something stupid like reach for his hand.

"Goodnight, Iris."

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The next morning was brisk, the early light brushing over the grounds as Iris walked alongside Neville, Jade, and the other. The group was an odd patchwork, but somehow it worked. Luna skipped a few paces ahead, her radish earrings swinging with each step, while Ginny tried—and failed—to keep Harry from nearly tripping over his own feet as he walked with his head down, deep in thought.

"Careful there, Potter," Iris teased lightly, though her tone lacked its usual sharp edge.

Harry looked up and gave her a small, sheepish smile, then turned to Hermione and Ron, who were walking just behind him. "I've been thinking about something Dumbledore said to me," he murmured.

"What's that?" Hermione asked, her brow furrowing in curiosity.

Harry hesitated, glancing at the others before speaking. "That even though we've got a fight ahead of us... we've got one thing Voldemort doesn't have."

Ron frowned slightly. "Yeah?"

"Something worth fighting for."

For a moment, there was silence among the group. Iris felt her chest tighten slightly at the sincerity in his voice. It wasn't often she let herself dwell on the idea of loyalty or belonging, but Harry's words struck something deep within her.

She glanced at Ron, whose expression had grown uncharacteristically serious, and then at Jade, who walked quietly at her side.

"You know," she began softly, her voice carrying just enough to reach the others. "I think I've decided something."

Jade turned her head, giving Iris a curious look, while the rest of the group slowed their steps to listen.

"I've spent so much time... worrying about how people see me," Iris continued, her eyes focused ahead. "What they think, what they expect. Trying to fit into this ridiculous idea of what a Slytherin is supposed to be. And for what?" She shook her head, a small, rueful smile tugging at her lips. "It's exhausting."

She stopped walking for a moment, her gaze sweeping over the group. Neville's shy, kind smile; Luna's dreamy, unwavering gaze; Ginny's fiery confidence. Harry, Ron, and Hermione—so different from each other, yet so fiercely united. And then there was Jade, her closest friend, standing there with an almost imperceptible nod of encouragement.

"I don't care anymore," Iris said firmly, her voice gaining strength. "Screw what the others think. I'm happy with you guys, and that's all that matters."

The group exchanged glances, each one of them visibly moved by her words. Iris turned to Jade with a faint smirk. "What do you think?"

Jade's lips quirked up in a half-smile, her usual sarcasm softening into something warmer. "Yeah," she said, nodding. "I was thinking the same thing. Took you long enough to catch up."

Iris let out a soft laugh, feeling a weight she hadn't realized she was carrying lift from her shoulders. "Well, better late than never, I suppose."

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