Wands and Wishes

If Only

Iris hadn't talked to him in three weeks, she had sat at the Gryffindor table with the group but each time he spoke to her she would find some excuse to leave. He had tried cornering her in the hall between classes but Eridanus had come to her recuse and she hadn't been to her tower hide away either.

Sirius only wanted the chance to explain himself. He had continued to use the silver quill, it had become his addiction, and though the color had never changed from its assuring pink, the letters were broken as though Iris herself was broken.

The Christmas holidays had begun and even though they were staying at the same place, Iris still found ways of avoiding him. Even here in Diagon Alley, where they were all shopping for presents, he had yet to see her.

"She'll come around mate, just give her some time." James commented after catching Sirius's wandering eyes.

"I could kill Peter." Sirius grumbled then sighed.

"You don't mean that." Remus stated from James's other side.

"I just might." Sirius corrected, "He ruined everything."

"Well Iris seemed to have taken care of him." Remus pointed out, doing nothing to suppress his amused smile, "At the very least consider it a good thing that she didn't so the same to you."

"He was the fattest pigeon I've ever seen." James laughed, continuing to eye different jewelry, "Why do you think he didn't rat Iris out?"

"He was probably too scared of what she might do if he did." Sirius answered with the ghost of a smile but his amusement died as he finally caught sight of Iris and watched her go into another shop accompanied by Lily and Eridanus.

"Iris will come to her senses." Remus assured but Sirius only turned away from him.

"What do you think of these?" James suggested, holding a pair of ruby earrings up to his friends.

"I don't think they're quite your color." Remus said with a smile.

"What about those pearls, they'll match that dress she's always wearing." Sirius recommended and gestured to the piece of jewelry.

"Not a bad idea. I was thinking of maybe getting her a cat."

"Wait until we graduate for that." Remus sighed and shook his head, James would give Lily the world if he could.

"What about you, aren't you going to get Iris something?" James asked, looking over at Sirius who was eyeing some of the jewelry.

"I'm getting everyone something." Sirius responded dryly.

"You know what I mean."

"I don't want to talk about this mate."

"It's Christmas, can't the two of you figure things out?" James murmured.

"Ask her that." Sirius retorted.

James and Remus walked off, intending to buy the pearl jewelry set for Lily. Sirius meanwhile eyed a particular necklace, imagining the silver chain around Iris's neck and the way the sapphire would match her eyes. He sighed, running his fingers over the gem and wondered what things would be like had Peter not interfered.

~*~

She tried not to notice the feel of his eyes, tried to ignore it, tried not to care but it was all easier said than done. Iris had managed to pay him as little attention as possible since their date, the memory of which still caused her heart to ache with fresh hurt, but now that they were staying at the Potter's house for the Christmas holiday avoiding him was becoming harder.