𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐕𝐀𝐑𝐄｡ // a harry potter fanfiction

i.ix

Two months had passed since Iris had found the mirror. Although she was tempted to go back to see her family, she knew it wasn't a good idea. Every time the girl was tempted, she tried to remember Dumbledore's warning to Harry.

Iris didn't realize how much time had gone by until she was in Charms class. As usual, she was sitting as far away from the golden trio as possible. Today they were learning how to do the floating charm.

"Now, don't forget that nice wrist movement we've been practicing! Swish and flick, swish and flick. And saying the magic words properly is very important too..." the little witch zoned out after that. She had heard this speech thousands of times. Iris pretended that she could only float her feather an inch above the desk after a couple of 'failed' attempts.

'You're saying it wrong. It's Wing-gar-drum Levi-o-sa, make the 'gar' nice and long." Iris then watched as Hermione skillfully floated her feather towards the ceiling. Why did all of this seem so familiar?

As Iris walked out of class, she watched Hermione push through Harry and Ron in tears. She remembered now! Today was when Professor Querrill released the troll. Iris slowly walked to the dining hall. It should be fine, no one got hurt during this incident. Plus, this was a huge bonding moment for the golden trio. There was no need for Iris to keep an eye on things.

She sat down at her usual place at the table as the food was beginning to appear on the platters. Iris took a look at the dishes and internally cried. It's been two months here and there was still not even a grain of rice to be seen! Of course the food was good, for a little bit, but she's Vietnamese! She needs a daily portion of rice to survive! Plus all the sweets and the sugar at the table satisfied the kids at the table, but she had already gotten past that point. There's only so much sugar a woman could take.

Iris looked up from her table and saw Aria leaving the dining hall. What is she doing? Aria couldn't be interfering with the troll incident could she? No, she wouldn't. But could she have forgotten? Iris' thoughts were interrupted when the doors to the dining hall were slammed open.

"Troll in the basement," Professor Quirrell whimpered before 'fainting.' The students went crazy with worry as the professors silenced them all. The Prefects led their respective houses back to the common rooms. Iris looked over to Slytherin's line to look for Aria. Maybe she came back already? Her stomach was tight with worry. Where is she?

Iris' stomach dropped when she saw Draco Malfoy and Daphne Greengrass sneaking out of the line. Aria wasn't in the Slytherin line. Iris was trying to push her way out of the line, but the crowd kept her moving forward.

It wasn't until she almost reached her common room was Iris able to escape. She rushed over to the bathroom. There she saw Professor Snape carrying Aria out of the bathroom. Her face was bruised and her eyes were closed. Iris almost rushed over to them, but stopped as she watched Daphne and Malfoy leave the bathroom. Daphne still had tears running down her face.

"Calm down, it's only a concussion. Song will be fine," Malfoy said, not looking convinced of his own words. Iris slid down the wall she was hiding behind. Aria is safe. She's ok.

The reality suddenly hit her. Iris always knew there was a possibility of them dying, but this made it more real. She almost lost her best friend. And that won't happen again... not if Iris can help it.

-

The next morning, Iris woke up as early as possible. She quickly got dressed and rushed over to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey opened the door and quickly ushered the little girl in.

"Now she needs lots of rest, so don't disturb her!" Madam Pomfrey warned. Iris quickly agreed and ran over to Aria's cot. Aria heard the commotion and promptly pulled the blanket over her head.