Saving Iris

Reassurances

Harry glanced around the chambers as Iris poured more hot water into her mug, chuckling over a story Ron was telling her about Herbology. It wasn't all that entertaining, but either Iris thought it was or she was being polite.

He couldn't always tell, finding his aunt was still very much guarded though she was certainly opening up more.

Harry, on the other hand, was annoyed. He had tried to sneak off to her chambers on his own, but Ron had caught him in the common room and invited himself along. Then they had run into Hermione on the way here as she was returning from the library and in true Ron fashion, he had invited her as well.

Harry didn't mind visiting his aunt with his best friends, but he had hoped to have her to himself today. Ron was always there in their tutoring sessions and more often than not, his two friends joined him when he went for tea. Though he was a bit surprised that Hermione was so eager to come along, considering she had taken to avoiding Ron lately, who seemed permanently attached to Lavender Brown's lips.

"I wish we could go to the fancy dress party," Hermione said, slightly glum. "My parents would have them, though I was never able to take part."

She looked a tad bit sad, though Harry wasn't so sure why she wanted to go so badly. He thought it a bit silly, though that could be his personal aversion to Hallowe'en. Word had spread throughout Hogwarts about the party despite best efforts to keep it under wraps - well, no. If he knew Fred and George as well as he thought he did, he wagered they had intentionally spread word about it, daring students to sneak out.

Dumbledore and McGonagall were adamant that the party was off limits to students, which only further enticed the foolhardy to plan attempts.

"Seems interesting," Ron said, attempting to play it casually.

As though he hadn't spent 20 minutes complaining how unfair it was that they couldn't go in their dormitory last night. Harry snorted, though covered it up by clearing his throat. Iris' eyes lit up, obviously catching him, though she said nothing as she leaned back in her chair.

"I'll be sure to report back on how it goes," she said.

"Have you decided what to dress up as?" Hermione asked. Iris shrugged.

"Oliver wants us to dress up together. I mentioned Cinderella but he says he's got an idea. It's a surprise," she said.

Hermione's eyes lit up as Ron stared at her confusedly.

"What's... Cinderella?" he asked.

Harry chuckled, realizing Ron was the only one in the room unfamiliar with the muggle fairy tale.

"She's-"

"Cinderella was a young maiden who lost her parents and was treated quite evilly by her stepmother and stepsisters. However, she's got a fairy godmother who gives her a beautiful dress and sends her to a ball where she falls in love with the prince. But while trying to get away before the spell is undone at midnight, she leaves a glass slipper. The prince goes all over the country, searching for her and having every maiden try on the slipper. The stepmother tries to thwart this, but the prince finds Cinderella and upon seeing that the slipper fits, he asks Cinderella to marry him and they live happily ever after," Hermione rattled out, completely cutting Harry off.

Ron stared at her in confusion. Harry was impressed she managed to say all of that in one breath.

"It's absolutely perfect. You must go as Cinderella and Prince Charming," Hermione exclaimed as she looked at Iris.

"I suppose we'll just have to wait and see what it is he's got up his sleeve," Iris replied with a chuckle.

"But what sort of name is Cinderella?" Ron asked.