THREE
OH FOR FUCKS SAKE

SOMETIMES, SHE imagined the stars the same way as she would a puzzle. They both shared a quality of concluding to countless possibilities. People, life, or even herself. And in the end, everything connects together until it reaches perfection. Funny, how the one thing you value in life is nowhere near in describing yourself.

Iris was no perfectionist, her dorm was a mess with papers scattered everywhere. She often did her tie while speed walking through corridors because she's always running late. Her handwriting is a mess, and she's also left handed which leads to ink smudging against her hand and the paper. The one thing about her that was perfect was her soul.

Merlin, it was beautiful.

How on earth did someone who went through so much pain, have the fullest of hearts? No one knew. But somehow, Iris managed. The gentlest touch, the softest voice, and the kindest words. She had a way with words. On paper, and outloud, she had found the perfect balance of sympathy and support that could even bring out the most sorrowful people that have dug themselves so deep, to feel ok again. She was also compassionate, especially about the things or people she cared most for.

She often dreamt about the world far beyond hogwarts. The planets, and the constellations. How they shine brightly in contrast with the depths of the night to create the most mesmerising shade of blue to be discovered. That's how she decided, at the age of 11 when she had her first astronomy class, that this very shade of blue would be cherished forever.

Which leads back to now, looking up at the darkening sky, there shined her favourite colour. She imagined it to be as clear as ever as she and the girls approached the carriages. The walk was much less stressful than the mayhem that was caused only just to get to the train compartment. The slight breeze blowing strands from her loose ponytail described September perfectly.

The wind wasn't too strong, the air was cold, but not cold enough that you would need to layer up with jumpers and a hat and scarf. It represented the beginning of a school year, and the end of summer.

As they approached the nearing carriages they noticed that only 2 were still, and that they would have to split up as they only carried 6 on each. The one on the left containing 2 younger Hufflepuffs, and the other containing-

"Oh for fuck sake"

The marauders. Lily threw her head back in annoyance as the others exchanged awkward glances. It was no secret that Lily didn't enjoy their presence, which was understandable. Iris thought for a moment on what they could do, deciding that she didn't really mind the boys, and Marlene was Sirius's girlfriend, both of them could separate from the group and meet back at the entrance of the castle.

"Why don't Marlene and I go with the boys, and you 4 go in the other. I'm sure Marlene will want to see Sirius anyway and she'd probably scare the poor children off, and I don't mind sitting with them" she tried to sound as convincing as possible, knowing that for some reason, Lily did not necessarily like her being around them except for Remus.

Lily looked her dead in the eye and Iris was hoping she had not upset her friend further. Dorcas nudged the red heads side and gave her a look. Lily sighed but nodded slightly, showing her way of agreeing with iris. She smiled in relief and gave the 4 girls a hug goodbye and began walking with the blonde, who smiled excitedly.

"Oh I can't wait to see this" she clapped her hands with glee. Iris shot her a confused look but Marlene only grinned, shrugged, and walked slightly ahead.

🦌

James wasn't sure if he had the best, or worst luck ever. Sitting down in the carriage got him excited. Sure he loved everything about being at home with his parents, but Hogwarts was something nothing could top, and he loved every minute of it. He started to wonder why it was taking so long to move and noticed that they and a carriage containing 2 younger students seemed like they were stalling behind.

And then he noticed the reason why.

Panic struck him as fast as ever as he saw the group containing 4 fellow Gryffindor girls in their year, and 2 ravenclaws. One of them being iris emerson, the girl he could not make eye contact with, without making a fool of himself. And she seemed to be pointing in their direction.

'Oh no', James thought. He looked at the other carriage and realised that 2 of the girls would have to join them, and worst of all, it looked like Iris was going to be one of them as she started hugging Lily, Alice, Dorcas, and mary. Marlene followed her actions, confirming that she would be joining her, which was quite obvious anyway.

Dread filled him as he looked at the 2 empty seats left, the one beside Sirius, and the other besides him.

He turned to Peter who was sitting next to him and kicked him, quite hard. Alarmed, he looked up at James who looked pale. Peter, who thought the boy might throw up, handed him the bag that contained the sandwich he ate on the way here.

"What are you giving me that for?" James asked him, only becoming more panicked as he noticed the girls making their way over, Iris had her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as Marlene was clapping her hands with what seemed to be glee? The blonde made eye contact with James and smirked as he grew red in the face and quickly turned back around.

"I thought you were going to throw up.'' Peter shrugged, as innocent as ever.

"And what would that hold, the starter?" James replied, frustrated.

"Well why did you kick me? You looked white mate, but now youre red, are you sure you're feeling ok?

James signed in annoyance, not wanting to shout because one, it would cause him attention that he did not want and two, it was mean.

"Please just swap places with me, now" he said. It's not that he didn't want Iris to sit next to him, he just didn't think he could handle it.

"Why?" Peter asked, desperate for answers

"Peter!"

"Ok!" Just as James stood up a voice behind them spoke, the grin clear in her voice.

"Hello boys"

🦌

Catching up slightly with Marlene, for some odd reason Iris felt nervous. She would be lying if she said the boys didnt intimidate her, they were the most popular boys in school for merlin's sake of course they did. She kept her head down as Marlene got there first, if she said something she wasn't sure. She was only figuring out a way on how to not embarrass herself.

"Boys, meet iris" snapped Iris out of her nervous state and decided she could only play it cool. Lifting her head up she saw 2 grinning faces of Sirius, who she had met before, Remus, who she had seen but had not formally introduced herself to.

Then there was the other half of the group which consisted of Peter and james. Peter gave a sort of pained smile, looking as if he had just been sent a howler. And James, well James was standing up, face as red as lily's hair, looking at her with fear?

She broke off eye contact with him as she felt heat creep up her own face, so much for not making a fool of herself. Why was he looking at her like that? Was he intimidated? No, he couldn't be. She cleared her throat quietly and mustered up the courage to finally speak, noticing she had been quiet for some time.

"Hello Sirius" she said, settling on saying hi to the one she had actually spoken to before. His grin grew wider as she nodded at him.

"Iris," he said.

"Mind if we join?" she asked, addressing everyone else, not wanting to make this awkward, the three nodded as Remus swiftly kicked James, who was still in a trance.

"Sit down," he muttered. James looked at him, then everyone else, made eye contact with Iris, and sat back down.

Marlene took the seat beside Sirius who looked like something was forcing him to kiss her on the cheek. Marlene smiled, although it looked more like a grimace as Sirius awkwardly put an arm around her shoulder. That left the empty seat besides James left for Iris to sit.

Thinking nothing of it, she happily sat down and heard the boy take a quick inhale of breath. She turned her head to look at him, noticing he looked quite pale.

He didn't dare to move. He felt her eyes burning holes into the side of his head, but he kept looking forward, forcing himself not to glance at her.

"Are you ok? You look deathly pale" he heard her say. Her voice was his weakness, like a tide pulling him in. He had no choice but to turn his head towards the sound that engulfed his mind.

Grey

Her eyes, his mind, the world was suddenly grey. He had never been close enough to see her eyes before, sure he had asked Sirius what they were. And they were the same as his. But seeing them up close was a thousand times better.

Not only was the grey engaging, but the moment he noticed the green tint at the centre, he was captivated. He could register his head nodding, but could not form any words to describe what he was feeling, he thinks he made a sound similar to 'mm-mm' and then she smiled. Just a small one, it looked like relief. He cannot believe that she was relieved because he was ok.

And he was. Frankly enough, he had never been better.

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A/N
Their first interaction my babies!!
Literally love them sm already.