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"I feel like the universe is out to get me."

Her eyes were glazed over as she stared mindlessly up at the vaulted ceilings of the Headmaster's office. Iris sank into the cushions of the small sofa that rested beside Dumbledore's desk, hands fidgeting with the heart-shaped locket clasped around her neck.

She sighed heavily, "I mean, couldn't I at least just have one normal year?" Turning her head to the side to look at the old professor, Iris continued, "And forgive me for my blunt rudeness, sir, but this tournament may be your worst idea yet."

He gave a weary chuckle, gazing over fondly at the teenage witch, "I am not offended, Iris. You are correct in your judgements." Dumbledore frowned at her, "I am, truly, very sorry that you and Harry must go through with this."

Iris rolled onto her side on the sofa, now looking across at the man. He looked tired, worn out, and so unlike the jovial old wizard she was used to having these chats with. She was worn out too, so exhausted from all the crying and worrying she had done the last night, not getting more than thirty minutes of sleep before she awoke in a hyperventilating panic.

The caramel-haired witch had found herself trapped within the same reoccurring sequence of nightmares that consisted of vivid flashes of green light, haunting laughs that echoed throughout the empty darkness, and a pair of glowing red eyes. This time, though, she had only suffered through the familiar scenes a few times before a brilliant white glow overtook her entire dreamscape, blinding her before a soft voice spoke, telling her to wake up.

Iris couldn't particularly recall the voice once she woke up, choosing to forget about the entire nightmare as a whole as she sat awake in her bed for the rest of the night.

"I'm scared," she spoke quietly to Dumbledore, noticing that the twinkle that was usually present in his eyes was dull.

He stood from his grand chair behind his desk and made his way over to a cushy armchair that rested beside the sofa, "I'd be worried if you weren't."

Iris sat up all the way, her wide, innocent and pleading eyes staring into Dumbledore's wise, knowing ones, "How am I meant to do this?... How do I get out of this alive?"

The Headmaster sighed heavily, peering at her through his half-moon shaped glasses, "Iris... from the moment I met you, I knew you would grow to be not only an exceptionally powerful witch but an exceptionally kind one as well, just like your mother and father." Iris could feel her eyes begin to well up with unwanted tears and she looked to the floor. "I have no doubts you will be able to make it through this tournament. You are stronger than you know."

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Iris did her best not to worry about the tournament over the next couple of days. True, she could not ignore the pitiful or hateful looks she got every time she walked down the corridors or sat in the Great Hall, nor Cedric who, at every opportunity possible, attempted to corner her multiple times throughout the castle so she would speak to him. Iris had not spoken to him since the night of their argument, as hard as it was for her. Maddie, Issac, and Kasper had even all approached her at some point over the couple of days since then practically begging her to talk to him so he would quit sulking.

She wished she had something other than homework to focus on, and it was then that Iris realized how she didn't actually do anything besides her schoolwork. At least Harry would have had Quidditch had it not been cancelled because of the Tri-Wizard tournament, but as much as she enjoyed watching her brother play, Iris had never been interested enough herself to pick up a broom. On the other hand, their lessons were becoming more difficult and demanding than ever before, particularly Moody's Defense Against the Dark Arts. 

To their surprise, Professor Moody had announced that he would be putting the Imperius Curse on each of them in turn, to demonstrate its power and to see whether they could resist its effects. 

"But - but you said it's illegal, Professor," said Hermione uncertainly as Moody cleared away the desks with a sweep of his wand, leaving a large clear space in the middle of the room. "You said - to use it against another human was -"

"Dumbledore wants you taught what it feels like," said Moody, his magical eye swivelling onto Hermione and fixing her with an eerie, unblinking stare. "If you'd rather learn the hard way - when someone's putting it on you so they can control you completely - fine by me. You're excused. Off you go."

He pointed one gnarled finger toward the door. Hermione went very pink and muttered something about not meaning that she wanted to leave. Harry and Ron grinned at each other. They knew Hermione would rather eat bubotuber pus than miss such an important lesson. Iris was rather shocked by the announcement that Dumbledore was allowing teenagers to have an unforgivable curse used on them, even for teaching purposes.

Moody began to beckon students forward in turn and put the Imperius Curse upon them. Iris watched as, one by one, her classmates did the most extraordinary things under its influence. Dean Thomas hopped three times around the room, singing the national anthem. Lavender Brown imitated a squirrel. Neville performed a series of quite astonishing gymnastics he would certainly not have been capable of in his normal state. Not one of them seemed to be able to fight off the curse, and each of them recovered only when Moody had removed it. 

"Miss Potter," Moody growled, "you next. "

Iris moved forward into the middle of the classroom, into the space that Moody had cleared of desks. Moody raised his wand, pointed it at Iris, and said, "Imperio!"

She waited, staring nervously at Professor Moody as his both his natural and magical eyes stood eerily still, both watching her intensely. When nothing happened for a second, Iris glanced over to Harry and Hermione out of the corner of her eye, forehead wrinkling in confusion.

Moody then let out a grunt that could have almost been described as a chuckle, one corner of his mouth lifting into something that vaguely resembled a smirk of approval, "Must be one of the strongest occlumency users I've ever encountered, Potter. Very well done." Iris' face turned pink at the praise.

Iris' classmates were murmuring quietly as she returned to her place beside Harry and Hermione. Ron had taken residence on the opposite side of the classroom, having decided to ignore both the twins (but mostly Harry) after the two boys had gotten into a big fight about Harry and Iris becoming champions. Iris was glad Hermione believed them. She didn't know what she would do if she had lost both of her best friends and Cedric.

After class ended, Iris was walking with Harry and Hermione through the castle to the owlery. She needed to send a letter to Sirius telling him about the tournament, though really what she wanted more than anything was for him to be there in person to help her get through this.

Arriving in the owlery, Iris sat down and began her letter after forcefully urging Harry to write one to Remus.

Dear Paddy,

I don't know if you've heard, but the Triwizard Tournament's happening this year and on Wednesday night Harry and I got picked as fourth and fifth champions. I don't who put our names in the Goblet of Fire, because neither of us did. I can't help but be terrified, not only for myself but for Harry and Cedric (my boyfriend, he got chosen as the Hogwarts champion first.)

I wish I could have written to you with better news, as I'm sure that's hard to come by, but unfortunately, this is what my life has come to. I miss you more and more every day, and I can only hope that someday soon we'll get the chance to talk in person again.

Hope you, Buckbeak, and Remus are doing well,

Love, Iris

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It was Saturday night, a week and a half since Iris' name had been thrown from the Goblet of Fire, and she was miserable.

Not only because she felt more alone and outcast in the past week than she had her entire previous years at Hogwarts, but because they wouldn't be finding out the details of the first task until November first which was just less than two months away. Iris was sure the apprehension and dread would only build up more and more until she would eventually be so anxious that she wouldn't even need the tournament to kill her, she would just end up spontaneously combusting.

And so Saturday night, when she was following her usual daily routine of heading back to the common room after leaving the library, she noticed something odd going down the middle of the usually empty corridor. At first, Iris thought someone had spilt a trail of something red leading down the corridor and around the corner, but on further inspection, she realized that it was actually a trail of rose petals.

Eyebrows furrowing at why there would be a line of flower petals going down the hall, Iris cautiously continued on forward, following the trail which happened to be going the same direction she was headed. Slowly turning the corner, Iris realized where the petals were headed and came to a stop outside of the archway that led into a spiral staircase up to the astronomy tower.

As the girl looked around she noticed a note stuck to the wall beside the arch with one word on it that made her sigh in defeat. Poking her tongue into the inside of her cheek, Iris pursed her lips before finally breathing heavily through her nose and pulling down the bit of parchment with her name written on it and climbing up the stairs.

Once she reached the top of the astronomy tower, Iris stopped in the doorway, not at all surprised by who she found waiting.

"I'm sorry."

Iris took a few steps forward, looking around at the setup that was on the floor of the tower. A large soft grey blanket was spread out on the stone with a few lit candles flickering around the perimeter along with dozens of roses and rose petals scattered all over the floor.

"I know," she said softly, finally looking at him.

Cedric fidgeted in place, nervous eyes roaming over her face, "I should have believed you. I know you well enough to know that you wouldn't have done it." He took a few hesitant steps forward so he was standing right in front of her, a heartbroken pleading look on his face, "I was just so scared."

Iris' throat began to burn as her eyes became glassy, "It's okay. I forgive you." Her hand reached up to the side of his face where he leaned into her touch, "I'm sorry too... I was overdramatic," Iris apologised.

Cedric reached up, his hand gently wrapping around hers and he pulled them to sit down on the blanket he had set up. It was a slightly chilly night, making Iris glad she had decided to wear her warm burgundy jumper that morning.

She gestured to the whole setup, "This is all beautiful."

"Anything for you."

They sat criss-cross, knees touching, across from each other conveying every emotion through their eyes for just a minute before Iris made the first move. She leaned forward, Cedric following her lead as he met her in the middle and their lips touched. It started slow but quickly delved into new territory as it got slightly more heated.

Neither of the two had ever snogged before, leaving them to figure out clumsily how to go about it, though it was clear that neither one of them had taken their separation well as they clung to each other, limbs tightly intertwined. It was a new experience, one that Iris was glad she shared with Cedric. She had missed him more than she realised and having him back made her feel whole again.

Not too long after the two had settled down, they were laying down gazing at the stars illuminating the night sky. Cedric was on his back with Iris curled into his side, head resting on his chest comfortably as he stroked her hair every few seconds. She loved the stars and all the constellations that reminded her of Sirius and the sliver of the moon hanging among them that made her think of Remus.

Iris felt at peace for the first time since her name had been drawn. Wrapped in Cedric's arms she found herself suddenly thinking she might actually have a shot at getting through the tournament. And as he held her close she finally realised something.

"I love you," she whispered.

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fiNaLLy gOsh

I just love them too much, but idk man my bbys be getting a lil bit saucy tonight

thank you all so much for the lovely comments you've been leaving! It's so much fun to read all your reactions to the story haha

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on another note, I'd love to start doing shoutouts in these author's notes so leave me an inline comment here telling me either something you love about the story so far or something you'd like to see more of and I'll shoutout everyone who wants one in the next chapter!

wow these a/n's are a mEss, but thanks for reading!