⌗ ⌗ ⌗

She turned her head to look at the old wizard beside her. He gazed back with an intense curiosity, though Iris could also see sadness buried deep within his crystal blue eyes.

"Your friends have been worried. Sirius and Remus too, of course, along with your brother and myself," Dumbledore informed her, as if she wasn't already aware, "You haven't made it easy to find yourself."

Iris hummed in agreement, "I didn't want to be found."

Dumbledore nodded thoughtfully, "And yet, here you are, and here I am beside you... I have been searching for days since you went missing. For a moment I feared something horrible had happened to you— that perhaps Voldemort's followers had made a move... that is, until I was told that you had left Harry a letter in your wake." The sun had set by then, the lights of the Eiffel Tower washing over each of their faces, "I could barely believe it when I received word from an old student, now dear friend of mine, Madame Rousseau, telling me that you had come into her shop."

"I know." Iris looked down at the ground in front of her, "I knew that she had sent for you."

The elder wizard regarded Iris with a new sense of curiosity, "And yet you stayed, let me find you?"

"I'm tired of running, I guess." Iris shrugged, "I know you had people watching us at the Dursleys... every day I was there I could sense someone watching. I was upset," Iris admitted lowly, "I hate being in that house... I felt so trapped. The only thing I could think about was that night."

Iris turned back toward the Headmaster as if seeking comfort, "I felt horrible leaving Harry but it was driving me mad just sitting in there all day feeling absolutely useless."

He nodded, "Iris... I ask that you join me now in my return to Hogwarts... I believe that there are many things I must tell you."

⌗ ⌗ ⌗

Mere minutes later, the two had apparated into Hogsmeade. The many shops and houses were lit up in the dark and there were a few people walking throughout the street. In the distance, Iris could see the silhouette of Hogwarts. There were only a few lights on in the grand castle which the teenage witch assumed was due to the few Professors who chose to stay at Hogwarts over the Summer holiday.

Iris and Dumbledore began the journey down to the castle side by side. There were a couple of people here and there along the way through Hogsmeade that whispered and exchanged looks as they passed. Iris wasn't pleased by all the nasty thoughts she could hear them thinking about both herself and the Headmaster.

Noticing the growing sour look on her face, Dumbledore spoke quietly to her, "You know, Iris, this is not my first time being held under public scrutiny... No, there have been many instances over my years here as Headmaster where less than desirable things have been said about me." He looked to Iris and said seriously, "But one must not let the thoughts and opinions of others get to them. Dark and dangerous times lie ahead, Iris, and we must prepare the best we can, even if the entire wizarding world disagrees... I believe it is our duty to protect the ignorant, though they may not be deserving at times."

They had left Hogsmeade, now on the dirt road that led back to Hogwarts.

"I just can't understand how they can be so close-minded— it's going to get them killed!"

Dumbledore nodded gravely, "Perhaps... but you cannot make everyone agree with you, Iris. That is life. And I am afraid... when Lord Voldemort finally makes his move... they will not be prepared. That is why in my spare time I have begun recruiting the odd witch or wizard who believes in our cause."

Iris turned her head to look at him. The light from the moon made his eyes gleam, their usual sparkle igniting.

He continued as they approached the Hogwarts courtyard, "I am reforming a group that was first founded in the previous Wizarding War. Your parents actually both took part in it... a group called the Order of the Phoenix, comprised of talented and dauntless witches and wizards dedicated to the fight against Voldemort and his Death Eaters."

Iris' brows furrowed in thought as the towering Hogwarts doors opened magically before them. As they walked inside, Dumbledore waved his hand and immediately the candle sconces lining the stone walls flared to life.

"Can I help? Join this group?" Iris could almost see the gears turning behind the old wizard's eyes as he looked at her. "Please... I just want to do something good— help take down Voldemort, for Cedric."

 Dumbledore hesitated for a moment, coming to a stop just outside the Great Hall. "Ordinarily the Order is exclusively for those who have already graduated from Hogwarts... however, I believe in your case an exception is to be made. Were you not already in danger I would not allow it, but I'm afraid there is nothing I can do now but prepare you for the inevitable."

A new sense of hope and purpose came upon Iris for the first time since Cedric had died. She felt relief knowing that she would be doing something. Iris wasn't prepared to lose anyone else by Voldemort's hand.

"But first, there are a few things I think it is time you finally learn..." As began, Dumbledore led her into the Great Hall, "I suppose it all begins at one moment in a pub fifteen years ago."

⌗ ⌗ ⌗

An hour and one story later, Iris had learned a great many things.

First, there was a prophecy that foretold 'the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord.' Second, Harry was that 'one.' And third, Voldemort didn't know the entire prophecy and they needed to keep it that way.

Dumbledore had explained to Iris the story of how this great prophecy had come to be and how it was the key to defeating Voldemort. It spoke of a boy born as the seventh month dies who would have the power to beat the Dark Lord.

Through further discussion, Iris learned that Voldemort had only been told the first portion of the prophecy. From the evil wizard's perspective, apparently the one with the power to beat him could have been either Harry, Iris, or, surprising Iris, Neville. However, what made it certain that Harry was the so-called "saviour" was that Voldemort himself chose him. He made the decision to choose Harry as his equal, therefore locking in Iris' brother as the only one with the power or ability to defeat him in the end.

It frightened Iris, knowing the responsibility that rested on her twin's shoulders. She decided within a second that she would do everything in her power to help him and make sure he came out of this alive.

Shortly after Dumbledore's explanation, he had sent her to bed assuming correctly in that she was exhausted and severely needed a good night's sleep. Iris made her way up to the Gryffindor Common Room, her thoughts racing as she crashed heavily onto one of the familiar sofas. She laid down across it, staring into the magically blazing fire in front of her.

Iris wondered what Harry was doing at that moment. She wondered if he was absolutely furious with her.

Dumbledore had disclosed one more important bit of information that night: Harry's mind was connected to Voldemort's. It was dangerous, not just for Harry but for everyone. If Voldemort learned of the connection's existence... well— that would be bad. It scared her though to know that at any moment Voldemort could breach Harry's mind.

She had, of course, noticed his growing internal rage in the few weeks she had spent with her brother prior to her departure. Iris knew it would only get worse the longer he was pent up at the Dursleys and she was left with a horrible guilty feeling in her gut as she thought that maybe if she had stayed he would have an easier time. She should be there for her brother as he was struggling.

The selfish part of her told her that this was all for the best.

⌗ ⌗ ⌗

The morning after her arrival at Hogwarts, Iris woke early and wandered down to the Great Hall where she ate her breakfast alone. It was a beyond strange sensation to be in the school without other students around. Iris felt rather lonely as she sat by herself in the very large room, her only company being the occasional ghost that passed by the doors and smiled in greeting. She assumed the Hosue Elves had been notified of her arrival as, as soon as she had entered the Great Hall, a golden plate materialised with a generous meal ready for her.

Within the hour, she was joined by Dumbledore himself. The man appeared to have already eaten and looked in a brighter mood as he approached Iris.

"Iris, I trust you slept well?" He asked kindly as he took a seat across the table from her. After a nod of confirmation from her, Dumbledore continued, "I have formed a plan that I believe will help us make the most of our limited time together. Though first I should tell you that the Order has a meeting tonight, and I wish for you to accompany me to it."

Iris perked up when she heard that, knowing that both Sirius and Remus would be at the meeting. She wanted more than almost anything at that moment to see her godfather again. The last time they had spoken was before he had left to start gathering supporters with Remus, and in the few weeks since then, Iris' longing for his parental guidance had grown immensely.

Perfectly interpreting the look on her face, Dumbledore said, "Yes, I do expect Sirius will be rather relieved to see you. He was quite distraught when you left your aunt and uncle's house." Iris flushed, looking away. "In the meantime, though, I thought that perhaps it would do you some good to get just a bit ahead of your classmates."

The twinkle in his eyes told Iris that his interpretation of 'a bit' was understated.

The rest of the day confirmed just that. Iris had never thought to imagine what it would be like to have Dumbledore as a teacher, but after only a few hours she felt like she had learned more than she had her entire first and second years.

For as long as she had known of him, the Headmaster had always been hailed as one of the greatest wizards of all time and as he worked to pass his knowledge down to Iris she could see exactly where his reputation came from. They started off slow with Dumbledore teaching her a few new spells before they turned to actually practising them.

Iris remembered the joke of a duelling club from her second year and could name a thousand ways Dumbledore's teaching was better. He had magically pushed all the tables in the Great Hall against the walls leaving the middle of the room wide open for the two of them to trade spells back and forth.

Everything he was teaching her was advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts— things he thought would be useful in the future when an inevitable fight came. Iris had never been more glad that she was a quick learner; Dumbledore was not holding back his pace as he taught her one thing after the next until their time wiled away. After she learned a new spell they would commence with a duel. Though Dumbledore was holding back a lot, he certainly wasn't making it easy for her to win either.

They paused briefly for lunch before resuming until just before it was time to leave for the Order meeting. Iris had just enough time to shower, which she was grateful for as working all day had left her covered in sweat. Iris had never known wandwork to leave her so exhausted, but learning so many new spells and manoeuvres in one day made her want to just fall over where she stood and take a nap.

The only thing that kept her awake and alert was the thought of seeing Sirius soon. As she and Dumbledore stepped into the grand fireplace in his office and each shouted "Twelve Grimmauld Place!" Iris' heart beat with excitement. Before flooing, Dumbledore had had Iris read a small piece of parchment with the address written on it.

She had barely stumbled out of the new fireplace, coughing and as dust and ash clouded around her, when she was practically bulldozed. Iris was being squeezed so tightly she could barely breathe.

"Oh thank Godric you're here— I was so worried! You can't just leave your house—"

"Sirius, you ran away—"

"That's beside the point, Remus!"

Giving in to her godfather's tight hold, Iris sank into his body. For just a second before she pushed it away, a thought fleeted through her that wondered if this was what it was like to be held by your father.

She wrapped her arms around his middle tightly, muttering out through his tight grasp, "I'm okay, Sirius, really."

Finally, he let her go, pulling back to where his hands rested on her shoulders. He looked down at Iris, observing her closely as if looking for any obvious forms of injury. As he did so, Remus walked up behind him. With his usual kind smile, he clapped a hand on Sirius' shoulder, gently pulling him back from Iris.

"We're all just glad you're safe, Iris."

After that, Iris was introduced to the rest of the members of the Order of the Phoenix. She didn't recognize many of them, but they seemed like a good lot. Those that she did know consisted of Mr and Mrs Weasley along with Bill and the real Mad-Eye Moody. There were a couple Aurors besides him, and Iris also noticed quite a few of the odd assortment of wizards and witches had been a part of the original Order.

They didn't do much during the meeting but Iris was fully immersed in the experience as they divided up watch duty for the prophecy between the different members. There was also the matter of Harry and keeping him protected at all times.

Now that Iris was at Hogwarts, there was one less thing to worry about in the grand scheme of things. Sirius wanted Iris to stay at Twelve Grimmauld Place with him for the rest of the Summer which was quickly refuted by Dumbledore who insisted that Iris was safest at the school. Iris sat uncomfortably in her chair as Sirius argued against it. The elder wizard pointed out that he was teaching Iris and after urging from Remus and reassurance that Iris would be coming to the Order meetings, Sirius finally gave in.

Too soon for Iris, the meeting ended and it was time for her to leave. As the rest of the members headed out, some through the floo and others just out the front door, Iris was once more wrapped in Sirius' arms.

She hugged him back tightly, giving one final squeeze and promising that she would see him soon before she followed Dumbledore into the fireplace and back to Hogwarts.

No sooner had she stepped foot into the Headmaster's familiar office than she was greeted by an unfamiliar face. Sitting sternly in one of the chairs in front of Dumbledore's desk was a woman Iris did not recognize.

She was quite elegant looking, with a stern face and sharp, calculating eyes. The woman was dressed in a midnight black cloak which contrasted with the vibrant auburn locks that tumbled pin straight down her back.

Her eyes bored into Iris' as she spoke, her voice regal like that of an ice queen, "Hello Miss Potter, I have been waiting a long time to finally meet you."

⌗ ⌗ ⌗

not me apologising in every chapter for taking so long to update 👀

sorry tho haha, I got kinda stuck on this one but fingers crossed it'll be relatively smooth sailing from here for the next few chapters

so I have a question for you all— do you prefer longer chapters or short ones??

I've been trying to decide how to go about with writing this book because on one hand, I like writing long chapters for you guys so I can be sure you get a whole bunch of content all at once. On the other hand though, idk if you guys would prefer if I just cut the chapters earlier? It might make it easier for me to update more frequently but at the same time, every chapter might not have a big punch in it.

let me know what you're thinking! I'm really curious to hear what you guys have to say and what you prefer!