(o2. hogsmede )

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IRIS STOOD before her bedroom mirror, scrutinising the number of crimson veins that traced their way up her forearms like delicate lacework. They were fainter today—more pink than red—but still visible enough to necessitate long sleeves despite the suffocating temperature.

"Iris!" Her mother's voice floated up from downstairs. "Jade's here!"

Iris tugged her sleeves down one final time and grabbed her supply list from her desk, deliberately avoiding a second glance at her reflection. She'd spent enough years memorising the patterns beneath her skin; she didn't need another reminder of what the Crimson Veil was slowly doing to her.

Jade was waiting in the foyer, looking irritatingly unaffected by the heat in a light summer dress, her dark hair swept up in an elegant knot. She took one look at Iris's long sleeves and raised an eyebrow. "You're going to melt."

"Better than the alternative," Iris muttered, though they both knew she'd cast enough cooling charms to keep the fabric comfortable against her skin. It was a practiced routine by now, one of many small adaptations that had become second nature over the years.

"Have you got your potions schedule?" Mrs. Greer asked, appearing from the drawing room with her handbag. "And your emergency vial?"

"Yes, mother," Iris said, fighting to keep the edge from her voice. "The same place they've been for the past four years."

Jade stepped in smoothly before Mrs. Greer could launch into her usual list of concerns. "Don't worry, Mrs. Greer. I'll make sure she doesn't forget anything. We've got the whole list organized by shop to make it more efficient."

Iris shot her friend a grateful look as her mother's anxious expression softened. This was why Jade had been allowed to become such a fixture in their lives—she knew exactly how to navigate between Iris's fierce independence and her mother's constant worry.

"Very well," Mrs. Greer said, reaching for the Floo powder. "I have my appointment at St. Mungo's, but I'll be home when Professor Snape arrives with your term supply."

Once they'd stepped out into the village, Iris felt her shoulders relax slightly. "Thanks," she said quietly. "For that."

Jade bumped her shoulder gently. "Please. I'm just saving myself from having to listen to you complain about being smothered all afternoon." But her smile was understanding. "Now, where first? And don't say Scribbulus for that ridiculous quill you've been obsessing over."

"It's not ridiculous," Iris protested. "It's practical. Self-inking, spell-checking, and it can transcribe lectures while you're distracted by Thompson's horrible attempts at wandwork in Charms."

"You mean while you're busy making scathing comments about Thompson's horrible attempts at wandwork," Jade corrected. "Fine, but we're getting books first-."

"Oh fantastic" Iris finished dryly, spotting the telltale cluster of ginger heads near Madam Malkin's. "Just what I wanted to see."

The Weasleys seemed to have brought half of Gryffindor with them. Granger was there, of course, her bushy hair even more untamed in the humidity, along with what appeared to be their entire Quidditch team save one notable absence.

"We could go around through Knockturn," Jade suggested, only half-joking. "Might be less painful than watching Ronald Weasley attempt to pretend he's actually going to buy new robes."

"Don't tempt me," Iris muttered. "Father actually suggested I explore some of the shops there this summer. Said I might find some 'interesting alternatives' to the standard healing potions."

Jade's expression dropped. "Please tell me you didn't."

"Of course not." Iris started walking, forcing Jade to keep pace. "I'd rather deal with the veins than whatever contaminated ingredients they're pushing down there." she added with a hint of her usual sharp smile.

They managed to slip into Flourish and Blotts without direct confrontation, though Iris caught Ron Weasley's scowl as they passed. The bookshop was blessedly cool compared to the street, though crowded enough to make Iris's skin prickle with awareness of how many people could accidentally brush against her arms.

Jade, as usual, positioned herself like a shield between Iris and the worst of the crowd. It was such a natural movement that most people probably didn't even notice, just as they probably didn't notice how Jade always sat on Iris's left side in classes, blocking her dominant arm from view during the bad days when the veins would pulse and writhe beneath her skin.

"Standard Book of Spells, Grade 5," Jade read from their list, reaching up to grab two copies from a high shelf. "Defense Against the Dark Arts... oh, that's interesting."

"What?"

"Defensive Magical Theory by Wilbert Slinkhard." Jade frowned at the plain burgundy cover. "I've never heard of it. Usually, they at least pick something with a bit more flair. Remember Lockhart's entire rainbow collection?"

Iris took the book, flipping through its dense, dry pages. "Father did say this morning that the Ministry's sending someone to teach Defense this year. Suppose this explains the change in curriculum."

"Your father would seem pleased about that."

"Practically gloating at breakfast." Iris shut the book with a snap. "Said it's about time the Ministry took a proper interest in what Dumbledore's teaching us. Especially after everything that happened last year..."

She trailed off, both of them remembering the end of last term: Diggory's body, Potter's wild claims, and the swirling rumors that had followed them all home for the summer. Iris's father had been absent more nights than not since then, always returning late with a tired expression on his face.

"Look," Jade said suddenly, nodding toward the front window. The Weasley group was passing by, their arms laden with packages. Ron was gesturing animatedly about something while Granger shook her head, her expression exasperated.

"No Potter," Iris observed. "Suppose he's too busy preparing for his hearing?"

"You saw the Prophet this morning, then?"

"Hard to miss." Iris moved toward the Potions section, scanning for their required texts. "Illegal use of magic in front of a Muggle. Apparently the Ministry's finally had enough of Dumbledore letting him get away with everything."

Jade hummed thoughtfully. "And you believe that's all it is? Just the Ministry suddenly developing a passion for underage magic regulation?"

"Of course not." Iris pulled two copies of Advanced Potion-Making from the shelf, handling them with more care than the other books. Potions texts were expensive, and she went through enough of her budget on the actual potions themselves. "But it's not exactly our problem, is it?"

"No," Jade agreed, though she sounded uncertain. "I suppose not."

They finished their book shopping and moved on to Scribbulus, where Iris spent far too long selecting her new quill while Jade made increasingly dramatic comments about dying of old age before they'd finish their shopping. The heat seemed to intensify as the afternoon wore on, and by the time they reached the Three Broomsticks, even Jade's perfect composure was showing signs of strain.

The pub was packed with other Hogwarts students and their families, but Jade's height and determined expression quickly secured them a corner table. Iris sank into her chair gratefully, the cooling charms on her clothes beginning to fade.

"Butterbeer?" Jade asked, already standing. "Or something colder?"

"Pumpkin juice," Iris decided. "And maybe those potato things they do here? I need to take the evening dose soon."

Jade nodded and made her way to the bar, leaving Iris to observe the crowded pub. A discarded Prophet on the next table caught her eye, Potter's scowling photograph dominating the front page beneath the glaring headline. She didn't need to read the article to know what it would say—as she mentioned, her father had spent breakfast dissecting every detail, his satisfaction growing with each paragraph.

"Here," Jade's voice broke through her thoughts as she set their drinks down. "Potato things are coming...You're brooding again."

"I don't brood."

"Please. You've got that look you get when you're thinking about either your condition or your father. Sometimes both." Jade took a long sip of her butterbeer. "Want to talk about either?"

Iris traced a finger through the condensation on her glass. "Snape's coming by tonight with my term supply."

"Ah. Basically both, then."

"Father's insisting on being home for it this time. Says he wants to discuss some Ministry business with Snape." Iris couldn't quite keep the worry from her voice. "You know how he gets when he tries to involve Snape in anything beyond my potions."

Jade's expression softened slightly. "Want me to come over after? I could stay for dinner?"

"No," Iris sighed. "Better not. But... save me a compartment on the train tomorrow? Preferably far from wherever the Gryffindor hero squad ends up?"

"Obviously." Jade grinned. "I'll even hex anyone who tries to take your seat."

"You just want an excuse to practice that new stinging jinx you learned."

"Guilty." Jade's smile faded slightly. "It's going to be an interesting year, isn't it? With everything that's happening..."

"Yes," Iris said. "I suppose it is."

They finished their late lunch and completed the rest of their shopping in comfortable silence, both lost in their own thoughts. When they finally reached the gates of the Greer estate, Jade pulled Iris into a quick, fierce hug.

"Try not to murder anyone before tomorrow," she said lightly. "I'd hate to have to break in a new best friend this late in our academic career."

Iris rolled her eyes but squeezed back briefly before stepping away. "I make no promises. Especially if Father starts in on his 'proper pureblood connections' speech again."

"Just think about that lovely new quill," Jade called as she started down the path. "And all the scathing comments you'll be able to write about everyone with it!"

Watching her friend disappear around the bend, Iris felt the familiar weight of calmness back over her shoulders. In a few hours, Snape would arrive with his carefully labeled potions, and she'd have to go through another tense evening of her family dynamics. But tomorrow she'd be back on the Hogwarts Express, safely ensconced in a compartment with Jade, watching the countryside roll by as they left the pressures of home behind.

She just had to make it through one more night.

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