The one with the sisters - Year Six [COMPLETED]

Chapter 7 - The one with the Slughorn's Christmas party

Somehow, Iris found herself sitting on the Gryffindor table with her two best friends, the Marauders and – surprisingly enough – Lily, Mary and Marlene. They were having quite a nice chat, until James ruined the whole thing deciding he needed to flirt with Lily.

"I'm just saying, now that Snivellus..."

"Don't call him that." She interrupted the boy in glasses, who was laying on the bench with his head over his arms. "And I'm not going out with you, don't you understand that, Potter?"

"I just think..."

"I don't care what you think." Lily spat, getting up. "Excuse me, will you? I have to get ready to Slughorn's Party."

"Lily, come on..." Iris tried to reason, but her sister only glared at her.

"You should be getting ready as well. It starts in less than an hour."

"Are you really going?" Iris whined, as she snuggled closer to Remus, seeking some warmth. "Those are boring."

"I know." Lily answered and her tone of voice was back to normal. "But you know how much I want to work for the Ministry when we leave school and Slughorn promised me one of his 'old brilliant pupils from the Department of Mysteries' would come today to meet me. You should go too. I've heard Gwenog is coming."

"Gwen?" Iris frowned at the mention of the former Ravenclaw. "Why is she coming?"

"She's starting an all-girl Quidditch Team and I think she hasn't found a Seeker yet." Lily smirked slightly as her sister's eyes widened in surprise.

"You mean..."

"Let's say I convinced Slughorn you're the best Seeker at school. Of course he wouldn't miss the opportunity to brag and it got to Gwenog's ears. She's interested."

"Oh my God, Lily!" Iris beamed, getting up from her seat as all her friends turned to stare at her. "You're the best!"

"Well, I try." The girl shrugged with a giggle. "Now, come on... Let's dress you up so you can make a good impression, yeah?"

"Lily..."

"Come on... Put a dress every once in a while won't kill you."

"Oh, alright..." She sighed, and Lily squealed, as she guided her sister by the hand out of the Great Hall.

***

"The Evans sisters." Professor Slughorn beamed as he pushed both of them toward a man in his late 20's. He smiled down at them as they blushed. "Brilliant students. Only E's. Both Prefects and running for Head Girl next year. Oh, I shouldn't have said that... Well, anyway... Miss Lily Evans here wants to work for the Ministry, don't you, dear? I thought it would be a good idea for you to talk to her about your job there, Harold."

Slughorn placed a hand on Lily's shoulder and the girl started playing with the long sleeve of her beautiful white and gold dress. She cleared her throat before looking up at Mr. Harold Colleman, head of the Brain Room of the Department of Mysteries.

"What do you want to do then, Miss Evans?" Mr. Colleman kindly asked and before Iris could listen to her sister's answer Slughorn was pulling her away.

"Now you... Splendid Seeker I've heard." He said, as he guided her through the crowd.

"I mean..."

"Iris Evans..." A voice she faintly recognized spoke.

"Miss Jones!" Slughorn laughed as he turned around.

She was prettier than she remembered. She had the same long black hair and oriental looking, but somehow, she was glowing. Iris recognized it immediately as pride.

"Good night, Professor." She nodded politely to Slughorn before turning to Iris. "Last time I saw you, you were a little Second Year, still trying to get in the team."

"Yeah." Iris giggled. "And you were a Seventh, Captain of your team and greatest Chaser to ever step into this school."

"Oh, please..." Gwen shook her head with a smile. "Heard you've made it and turned out to be a great Seeker." She said, and Iris shrugged, unsure of what to say. The older lady laughed. "And now you're Captain as well."

"Only because..."

"I know what happened." Gwenog interrupted her. "But if they decided to pick you over that Daniel Summers boy, you must have something."

"I like to think so." Iris shrugged, placing her hands timidly in the pockets of her sweater.

"I like you, Evans." Gwen laughed. "So... I guess you've heard about my project?"

"The all-girl team? Yeah, I've heard." Iris nodded. "And honestly, I think it's a great idea. Women need more representation on Quidditch."

"Exactly." Gwen nodded, as her chest filled with pride. "And for that to happen, I need great players on my team. I have already a Keeper and another Chaser. I was wondering if you'd want to play Seeker for me?"

"Gwen..." She mumbled. "I'd love it, really, but I... I'm not sure I'm good enough. And besides... I'm only on Sixth Year."

"I've seen you playing last year against Ravenclaw. First game. You're great, Iris. Better than any other Seeker I've ever had. And as for you being a Sixth Year... That's fine. Our team will only be formed completely two years from now. Exactly when you leave, right?"

"Yeah."

"What do you say, then? Want to be part of the first ever team of the Holy Head Harpies?" Gwenog smiled widely, extending a hand to Iris.

The girl beamed and giggled out of pure nerves as she shook Gwenog Jones' – and now, her future Captain's – hand.

"Yes." She decided. "Yes, I'd be honored to."

"Great." Gwen nodded. "We'll be in contact then, Iris."

"Alright."

"Enjoy the party, love." She said, turning around to leave. "Oh, and don't take the pumpkin juice. It tastes weird."

Iris laughed.

"Slughorn puts Strawberry on it."

"Pumpkin and Strawberry? That's a weird combination." She shook her head. "Anyway... Bye, Iris."

"Bye, Gwen. Thank you."

"No, love." She smiled. "Thank you."