Wands and Wishes

Where You Are

When the summer holidays came Iris could not have been happier though she had to come to terms with the fact that everyone was still sent off on missions while she was forced to stay back and wonder if she was going to see them again. Ronan had taken Eridanus to his house for the first half of the summer and Iris couldn't help but to feel jealous over the fact that Eri was about to be with her boyfriend while she was lucky when she got to see hers.

"After this assignment, the three of them will have some free time." Remus said as he joined Iris outside near one of the ponds.

"They'll just have to go again." Iris retorted, throwing a rock into the calm water and watching the ripples it made.

"I know it's not easy for you Iris." He said, taking a seat beside her with a sympathetic smile.

"I just wish there was some way I could help!" Iris exclaimed, throwing a larger rock into the water, "I'm of age and everything, I can at least do something!"

"You're still in school." Remus pointed out.

"I can leave school."

"No you cannot."

The two of them turned in surprise to find Professor Dumbledore walking towards them with a kind smile on his face. Neither of them said anything as the older wizard approached.

"It is a wonder you did not end up in Gryffindor with your sister Ms. Evans." Professor Dumbledore began, his blue eyes shining as he looked down at her, "You showcase so many qualities Godric Gryffindor valued for his house."

"With all due respect to the noble house of Gryffindor," Iris said, shooting Remus a small smile, "Salazar Slytherin valued those same qualities as well."

"Of course, you are correct Ms. Evans." Dumbledore said with a smile of his own, "But there has always been something that sets the two houses apart."

Iris was taken back to her fourth year, after Sirius had coaxed her down from her tower hiding place and she stood with him and the others in the unused classroom after Eridanus and Ronan left. They had all said that Slytherins were just Gryffindors with attitude problems. Could it only be the attitudes of these two houses that sets them apart, or is there more to it?

"Chances are we will never find out what exactly it is that differentiates Gryffindor and Slytherin." Dumbledore stated, "Regardless, you cannot leave Hogwarts just yet Ms. Evans."

She wanted to ask why but she was sure that any answer she was given would be along the same lines as anything her sister might say.

"You, Ms. Black, and Mr. Weasley must all stay in order to prevent any others from following the same path as so many before them." Professor Dumbledore said in response to her unasked question, when Iris said nothing in return he continued on, "Lord Voldemort has a network inside my school and it is my wish to keep as many children from following him in his pursuit of power as possible. For this I need your help."

"I'm sorry to tell you this Professor, but no one is going to listen to us." Iris said grimly.

"Oh, but they will." Dumbledore assured, "Those with the will to fight will listen to what you have to say."

"What exactly are we supposed to tell them Professor?" Iris asked meekly, "Voldemort promises greatness, wealth, and power. What is there we can promise them that's better than that?"

"Life." Remus answered.

"What motivates you to resist Lord Voldemort Iris?" Dumbledore inquired curiously, watching as a fish, gleaming the colors of the rainbow under the rays of the sun, jumped out of the water to catch a passing dragonfly.