Harry and Iris were huddled together on the bed. They were just going to bid each other goodnight and were going to sleep.
"Big brother?" Iris asked. Harry looked at her. They both were lying in a sideway position, facing each other.
"Hmm?" he mumbled, caressing her hair. This was one of his favourite habits. Running his fingers through her silky red hair.
"What is parselmouth?" she asked. Harry snorted but continued running his fingers in her hair.
"The correct question is, who is parselmouth? A parselmouth is the person who can talk to snakes and can control them. Also, Voldemort apparently is alive who has that ability. Why didn't you ask this earlier when Daph was ranting?" he asked.
"I didn't want to distract Daphne and also it was fun seeing her try to scare you." she giggled, enjoying his fingers in her hair. He tapped her nose for the comment but remained silent. He was preoccupied with some thoughts.
"What is it, big brother?" she asked. He sighed sadly and looked at her with a frown.
"Can you answer my question honestly? I want you to be honest." he demanded in a serious tone. She nodded with dread.
"Do you like it when we kiss or do you just kiss me to keep up with the other girls? Think properly and then answer. This won't change anything between us. I just want an honest answer from you." he said kindly but there was a slight tremor in his voice as if he was fearing something. His hand slid from her hair to her cheek. His gaze was kind and understanding. She immediately wanted to say 'yes, she loved kissing him' but restrained herself. He wanted an honest answer so she would think properly and then answer.
"It is kind of complicated. When I asked you to kiss me that night, I was both wanting the kiss, just to feel what it would feel like and also to keep up with Tracey and Daphne. But there was a small fear in the back of mind that it would be disgusting to put your mouth on another person's mouth, I mean wouldn't it be disgusting if some of their spit entered your mouth? Just yuck! But I was also curious because I saw Tracey and Daphne enjoying it so I took a leap of faith and asked to kiss you. I don't regret it. I enjoy kissing you." she said with a bright smile. Her hand cupped his hand on her cheek. "My first kiss was magical just like I always heard in stories of handsome princes and pretty princesses. I felt warmth and love for the first time. At that moment, I was unaware of anything but your soft lips."
Harry smiled fondly at her and was amused at her for thinking kissing was disgusting. But he knew that he also found the idea of kissing Daphne and Tracey on lips disgusting last year.
"I am glad." he sighed in relief.
"Then can I get my nightly kiss now?" she requested mischievously. He chuckled and leaned forward, so did Iris. He touched his lips with hers. Soft and light. Their warm breath pooling between them and a second later they were kissing each other passionately. Their lips were feasting on each other. Her palms were cupping his cheeks while his hands were on her waist, pulling her tight against him. The lack of air made them pull back from the kiss after a while. Both were gasping but there were matching pleased grins on their faces.
"Goodnight, little one." he said, touching her soft pink lips with his thumb.
"Goodnight, big brother." she grinned, lightly pecking him on the lips. She turned away from him and nestled against his chest and pulled her knees to her stomach. Harry put his arm around her waist and rested it on her tummy but that hand was immediately seized by Iris, who grabbed it with both of her hands and cuddled it against her chest. Harry sighed in exasperation and kissed her on her neck. Iris giggled.
"Don't do that! It tickles."
"Okay." Harry whispered and then closed his eyes. He was happy tonight with her warm body pressed against his. He was happy that she felt something when they kissed and wasn't just doing it for his sake. That she wasn't just doing it from the fear of abandonment.
The next day after classes and in the evening, the five were in the room of requirement, finishing their homework. Harry was finally done and sighed tiredly. The teachers needed to reign in their need to overload students with homework. Astoria and Iris were on the other side, diligently doing their work. The five were sitting on the mattress with a table between the first years and second years. Harry had gotten this idea from one of those Japanese cartoons where the family sat on pillows around a large table with short legs. If he recalled correctly then the cartoons were called 'Doraemon' and 'Shinchan'. But the pillows were swapped for a large mattress. Tracey and Daphne were on either side of him, both doing their work. Daphne was glaring at the parchment while writing on it. She always hated theoretical stuff. Tracey on the other hand was doing it with ease. Her brown hair resting on her shoulders in two plaits. He grinned. 'Time for some fun.'
He discreetly pointed his wand at Tracey and mouthed, "Wingardium Leviosa!"
Tracey yelped as she was floating in the midair briefly and then was abruptly dropped in Harry's lap gently. The other three girls spared a single glance and went back to their work, not even surprised. Tracey's back was pressed against Harry's stomach and chest. Her head was a little higher than his due to the position, so his face was hidden behind her back.
"Harry? What are you doing?" she whined childishly. His arms encircled around her waist.
"Fulfilling the promise. Daphne sat in my lap yesterday and I don't want to seem partial so it's your turn today. I am just fulfilling my promise. Nothing nefarious." he smiled innocently. Tracey turned her head and gave him an unimpressed look but he could see the blush spreading on her cheeks. Harry grinned and she conceded defeat.
"Just don't disturb me while I write. I am almost done. I don't want to drag my homework because of your interruptions." she told him. Harry nodded. She dragged her books and parchments from her side of the table to his and resumed her work. Harry meanwhile hummed a catchy tune he recalled from a TV show. He was enjoying the feel of Tracey sitting in his lap. Harry had always craved physical intimacy but didn't know about it until Tracey had made that deal to hug him whenever she could after he had saved her. He was thankful for that.
After a few minutes, Tracey announced that her work was done. Daphne made an irritated noise at them. Harry watched Daphne with amusement. If she didn't waste her time and energy in glaring at the parchment then she would have finished it already. Tracey turned in her spot so now she was facing him. Her legs wrapped around his waist while her arms around his neck.
"Now fulfill your promise properly." she smiled playfully and leaned forward. Harry didn't need any more motivation. He closed the distance between their lips. Tracey gasped as her lips fitted against his. Fire. Tracey would use that word to describe the feeling. Her warm body pressed against his warm body. Her smooth lips working with his soft lips. There was so much heat between them. His hand grabbed the back of her head and he kissed her more zealously. His other hand was on her hip, slowly sliding up. His touch caused goosebumps on her tingling skin. She shivered in the kiss. His palm slid under her skirt and rested on her left butt cheek. Her protest was stifled by his more fervent kissing. She was in daze, incoherent. She loved every moment of it. The fire burning inside her, his electrifying touch and even his squeezing of her arse. She loved all of it but unfortunately the lack of air interrupted their passionate kiss. She pulled back her head and stared into his eyes. Those damn adorable emerald eyes. She was panting. He was panting. A pleased grin on both of their faces. His other hand had also joined the previous one in holding her arse cheeks, under her skirt. A clearing of the throat drew her attention from Harry's beautiful eyes. She looked beside her, at Daphne who was smiling smugly and pointing her finger at the opposite side where Astoria and Iris were peeping through their fingers.
"Sorry!" she apologized as blood rushed to her face. She loudly moaned when Harry's fingers sank in her soft arse cheeks and he squeezed her buttocks. The other girls gave her disbelieving looks and she felt she could die of shame at that moment. She glared at Harry who was stifling his laughter. She climbed off of his lap and sat at her place, not looking at anybody and just staring at her parchment. And a second later, laughter erupted around her. Everyone was laughing, except Tracey of course. She glared at Harry who was holding his stomach as he laughed. He slung his arm around her neck and kissed her on the cheek.
"Don't be embarrassed. That was the correct response to my stimulus." he said, wiggling his fingers. She huffed and turned her face away from him.
"Okay, I am sorry, I am sorry. What can I do for your forgiveness? You know I can't bear to see you angry at me." he asked, leaning towards her and nuzzling her cheek.
"Ask him to write my homework. Please?" Daphne said excitedly. Tracey snorted and looked back at Harry. She pushed his head back a little or else she might have given in to the temptation of kissing him.
"Can I ask anything?" she asked, raising her eyebrow in challenge.
"Well, yes, except for my life and asking me to become your boyfriend or husband." He half joked.
Tracey rolled her eyes at him. It wasn't as if she was going to ask him to sacrifice his life. As for her asking him to commit himself to her, that was never going to happen. She was disappointed by it. Very disappointed but she wasn't going to destroy their friendship for it. It wasn't her decision as what Harry did sexually in his spare time. She sighed as she inhaled deeply, ready to say her mind.
"I want us to stop touching each other inappropriately and also stop kissing each other." she said in a weak tone. Harry frowned at that but didn't protest.
"Okay. As you wish, would you tell me the reason?" he asked, unsure of the sudden change. She nodded.
"We are moving too fast. We are only twelve and are already kissing and groping each other. It is just too fast. I don't want to do something which I will regret later. So, I want us to go back to when we just hugged each other and kissed each other on cheeks and not on the lips." she explained half heartedly as if she herself wasn't sure what she wanted.
"Of course. It is your decision. I am sorry if I crossed some boundary. I thought you enjoyed it so I did it." he said sheepishly, feeling guilty. She smiled as she shook her head.
"I enjoyed it and that was the problem." she explained, her answer barely a whisper. Harry nodded though he didn't get what she meant by that. 'If you enjoy something then why are you stopping it?' he thought. Harry looked at others and saw that they were paying attention to their conversation instead of their homework. He glanced at Daphne and tilted his head in thought.
"So Daphne, we also have to stop doing these things?" he asked. She scowled.
"Why? I don't have any problem with that. We will continue." she said after a second. He shook his head
"Are you sure?" he asked again.
"Of course." she grinned confidently. Tracey gave her a disapproving look. Tracey thought that Daphne should have followed her example. Both Daphne and Harry were impulsive and she could see trouble brewing in the near future. Astoria glared at her sister.
"I wonder what our parents would say. Having a physical relationship with a boy who isn't even your boyfriend or betrothed and all of that at the age of twelve." she said sweetly. Daphne groaned and stared at her younger sister.
"What do you want to keep your mouth shut and sealed?"
"Hmm. A promise. I want your promise that you wouldn't go all the way until you are 15. I hope you would mature till that time and stop this stupid thing with Harry. I don't know why you are even continuing it. Harry is indirectly saying that he will be a playboy and won't have a permanent relationship with anyone. You will be just a stepping stone in his path to woo many girls. I hope you haven't forgotten the lessons and warnings mother had given us before coming to Hogwarts." Astoria implored logically. She had an utmost respect for Harry but this was the one thing she couldn't ignore. Daphne was her sister after all. His switching of Tracey and Daphne as if they were just clothes made her insides burn.
Tracey looked uncomfortable. She wanted to defend Harry but Astoria had raised some true concerns. Was she just one of the many girls Harry was going to seduce? What after it? Was he going to abandon her after that? Daphne was having mixed feelings about her own decision. She knew and trusted Harry absolutely but Astoria was also telling the truth. She looked at Harry who was looking pensive. Iris gave the others dirty looks. Who were they to question 'Big brother'? They should feel happy that he gave them a chance to be with him and now instead of being grateful they were doubting him. Before she could say anything in his defence, Harry spoke up.
"I think you all are misunderstanding me." Harry started and looked everybody in the eye. "As I have said to Tracey and Daph last year, in terms of relationships there is the 'best friend/family' category which is above everything else for me. You all are in that category. That is the most important relationship to me. You all are, the most dear to me, the only people I care about. So even if Tracey and Daph decide to not have any physical relationship with me in the future then that is fine. It won't matter in the least. They will remain my best friends."
"I am sorry that I assumed they would be interested in me. As for my commitment issue, I just don't like tying myself to anyone. I believe in enjoyment of life. I believe in the freedom to do anything. So of course, I may have many physical relationships or maybe not. O don't know right now. The future will decide that. I won't change my way for one person. I won't change myself for anyone. I won't even question if Daph and Tracey decided to date some other boy in future. I will be angry, I will be disappointed but I will tolerate it. They have the right to choose their significant others. But they have to promise me that they will still remain my best friends, my family. Just as I have promised them that they would be the most important persons in my life. I want a promise from them that they won't change, that they won't forget me for some boyfriend/husband, that the worth of our relationship won't decrease because of any other relationship they make. That I won't be replaced. That I won't be some distant memory for them. That is the only promise I need for them because I can't go back from here. They are my best friends and I am not going to compromise it. So help me, if in future your husbands/ boyfriends have changed you, that I am replaced, that I won't matter to you anymore then I am going to fucking torture the shit out of those who changed you and give them the most horrible deaths in history." he finished his monologue passionately, putting his emotions in words, banging his palm on the table in anger. The girls jolted back at his sudden anger. Harry sighed and deflated, closing his eyes.
"Sorry for that." he said after a second, with his eyes open and a forced smile on his lips. Astoria looked down guiltily. Daphne and Tracey were instantly hugging him tightly.
"I am sorry for even doubting you for a moment. We will be together forever and that I promise. And no matter what happens, you will be one of the most important people to me." Tracey said emotionally, burying her face in his neck.
"Same." Daphne said. Harry tightened his grip on their waists. 'No one was going to take them away from him. No one. There was no going back.'
When they were back to normal and were sitting side by side, Astoria looked at him apologetically.
"I am sorry Harry." she said softly. Harry shook his head.
"No need for that Astoria. You were just looking out for your sister. You have my admiration and respect for that." Harry said, impressed. She ducked her head in embarrassment and went back to writing her homework. Iris meanwhile was glad that everything worked out and her brother wasn't sad anymore.
"Daphne? Aren't you going to promise something to Astoria?" he asked, amused. She nodded.
"Okay Astoria, I will accept this condition. I won't go all the way with Harry until I am 15." she shrugged. Astoria nodded unsurely. Daphne leaned to his side and whispered in his ear so only he could hear it.
"Doesn't really matter though. We could do so many things in three years before finally doing it." she smirked. Harry chuckled and placed a kiss on her head.
The months passed quickly and it was Christmas morning. The fear of 'Chamber of secrets' had vanished after nothing happened for weeks. The five did visit Regina a couple of times in their free time. Daphne and Astoria went home for the Yule holidays. Tracey had also decided to go home as her father had arrived back in England for the holidays. Apparently, her father worked in America and was rarely home. Harry couldn't fathom why he would go to America for work? Wasn't there work available in the British Isles? Whatever, it wasn't his concern.
He woke up early on Christmas morning and was faced with the same problem. Iris was huddled against his chest with his one hand cuddled against her chest. But today was Christmas and he decided it would be fun to spend more time with her so he didn't feel guilty when he woke her up. He shook her shoulder with his free hand. She turned her body and opened her eyes slowly. 'Will it be narcissistic to love her beautiful emerald eyes?' he thought with an amused smile.
"Good morning, little one." he kissed her forehead. Iris just looped her hands around his neck and pulled him beside her.
"Too early!" she complained as she cuddled against him. Her face resting on his chest and her arms wrapped around his arm. Harry chuckled and ran his fingers through her red hair.
"Okay, as you wish, I thought I would give you your two Christmas presents but as you are not-" he was interrupted as Iris pounded on him, sitting on his stomach and looking at him in delight.
"Presents? I have never received presents before. It will be so much fun." she squealed, hugging him. Harry smiled, hiding his sadness and rage at hearing that she hadn't received any presents before.
"Yes. It will be fun. But before that you must go shower first and wait in the common room. I will bring you your presents there." he instructed happily. She nodded, her hair flying here and there.
"Okay. I am going." she said excitedly, kissing him on the cheek and leapt from the bed. She wore the invisibility cloak and went out of his room in haste.
She was waiting in the common room, sitting at their spot on the sofa in the corner. Her face brightened at seeing him enter the common room. He was carrying a long package in his hands. The few people who were in the Slytherin common room guessed what it was. He sat beside her and gave it to her. She looked confused but after tearing all the packing, her face showed mixed feelings. There was awe and happiness but there was also perplexity. Sitting in her lap was Nimbus 2001.
"Whoa! That's Nimbus 2001. The latest and fastest broom in the market." Draco Malfoy said in awe from across the room. Harry gave him a glare and Malfoy turned away with a huff.
"But what will I do with it? I am not in Slytherin's quidditch team and I have heard that first years aren't allowed to own their own broom." she whispered as other students were trying to glance at the broom surreptitiously. Harry smiled as he put his arm around her shoulder and whispered in her ear.
"Don't worry, if anyone asks then tell them it is my broom but in reality it will be yours. As for quidditch, you may be selected next year for the team. It is all up to you if you are interested in quidditch or not. But the broom is not for that purpose. You see, I want us to fly together on the broom and have an enjoyable peaceful time. It will be a fun activity. Are you up for it? Just you and me, flying in the air." he said. Her eyes widened, imagining the scenario and she nodded in agreement.
"My second gift?" she asked. Harry laughed and kissed her forehead.
"For that you have to come back to my room." he said and led her to his room and sat her on the bed. He pulled out a beautiful emerald necklace from his pocket. A black metal snake wrapping the emerald at its edges and biting its own tail. It was very beautiful. She recalled seeing the same necklace sometimes on Tracey's or Daphne's neck.
"Do you like it?" he asked. She nodded.
"Put it on me." she said and pulled him beside her.
"Aren't you eager?" he joked. She glared at him impatiently. He chuckled as he moved her hair to one side and locked the clasp of the necklace behind her neck. She touched the gem and metal snake reverently. A lone tear escaped her eye. She wiped it quickly and smiled at Harry. He smiled back uncertainly. She climbed on his lap and hugged him tightly. Her arms around his neck, her legs crossed behind his back and his arms wrapped around her waist in return.
"Don't move until I say so. I want to stay like this for a moment." she whispered in his ear.
"As you command, little one." he laughed softly. She buried her face in his neck. She remembered all of her childhood and there wasn't a single time when she received a gift. Being an orphan in an orphanage was bad but being a freak orphan in an orphanage was worse. How she wished Harry, her big brother, was always there with her. How she wished he was with her back when she cried alone in her sleep, to hug her, to comfort her. She shook her head. Dark past was past and the future was bright. She promised herself that she wouldn't leave her brother's side until she died. He was the only boy she needed. He would be her brother, he would be her mother, he would be her father and he would be her lover. She didn't need anyone but just him.
"Iris? Are you okay?" he asked as he heard her sniffles, his voice full of concern. She looked at him and nodded with a smile. The smile slowly faded. She didn't give him any presents. For the matter of fact, she didn't give any of her friends any gifts. Her stomach dropped at that dreadful thought.
"I am fine, big brother but I just remember that I didn't give you any presents. I also didn't give others any gifts. I never had to give anyone gifts before so I forgot about Christmas presents." she said in a sorrowful voice. Harry cupped her cheeks and gave a sly smile.
"Don't worry. I took care of it. I gave everybody gifts in your name. I knew you would have forgotten it. As for you not giving me a gift, it is not needed, you being with me is the best gift I can ask for. Who cannot adore a cute little redhead sister?"
She just didn't know what to say. He had considered everything for her. She only had one thing in mind. She leaned in and captured his lips in a toe curling kiss. He was the one, she decided. He was the only one that mattered. The only one she loved and the only one she would ever love.
Iris was awed and impressed when he had explained that the necklace had the power to summon him and that a part of his magic resided in it. She was very happy. A part of his Deus, a part of him was in the necklace. He also explained that he had given one to Astoria as well. Iris was happy that Astoria also got the amazing necklace as she was her friend but there was a prick of jealousy which she squashed immediately. Big brother had said that he would have many physical relationships in future so she shouldn't be jealous. It is not that anyone can replace her. She was his only sister. Others were his friends but she was his sister, the one related with blood. The one who slept beside him every night. The one he called 'his little one'. She shouldn't be jealous. Others had nothing on her.
They spent the time before breakfast, outside flying on the new broom. Iris instantly loved flying. It was loads better than flying on those frail school brooms. She knew she was good but hearing it from her big brother made her puff her chest in pride. And him sitting behind her with his arms wrapped around her waist was just an added bonus. A very appreciated and loved bonus. After breakfast, they were seated in the common room. He was helping her with the remaining homework. They had decided to skip the room of requirement today as the common room had very few students and the atmosphere was peaceful. They were seated at their usual place. Harry was explaining the importance of some ingredients in potions to her. She was great at potions. She was thankful that Professor Snape didn't sneer at her like he did with other students. He mostly ignored her existence in his class. She didn't have any problem with it. It was better than to be the subject of his sneer or verbal abuse. She had seen many other students giving her a jealous look for that.
Harry had stopped his explanation as he was staring at Crabbe and Goyle who were questioning Draco about the Chamber of Secrets. A sly smile tugged on his lips.
"Harry?" she asked. He looked back at her.
"I just found two lions in the den of snakes." he smirked and pointed at where Draco was talking with Crabbe and Goyle. She looked at him questioningly.
"They are Jasmine and Ron in the skin of Crabbe and Goyle. I suspect the use of Polyjuice potion." he further explained. As Crabbe and Goyle went out of the common room, Harry followed them. And Iris followed Harry. They left the common room. He looked around and saw they were alone in the hallway. Crabbe/Ron and Goyle/Jasmine were reaching the end of the hallway.
"Jasmine! Ron!" he yelled at their backs. They turned around and looked at him. Harry shook his head as he walked up to them, Iris behind him.
"What's with this new guise? I didn't know you were in that type of kinky stuff Jasmine." he said to her. Their eyes widened as they realised that Harry knew about their deceit. Ron's hand itched towards his robe but a wand was pressed to his neck. Iris was glaring at him.
"Don't you dare attack Harry!" she said coldly. Jasmine also had her wand in her hand but fortunately wasn't pointing at anyone.
"Easy there, dear Iris. No need to blow his head… yet." he joked and turned his attention back to Jasmine. Iris pocketed her wand and glared at Crabbe/Ron.
"Give me a valid reason why you infiltrated the Slytherin common room and I will let this go. I am pretty sure that there will be a serious punishment for using Polyjuice potion to infiltrate another house's common room. Just think what Professor Snape will do with you both." he smirked. Jasmine and Ron shivered visibly. Everyone knew how cruel Snape was to the Gryffindors. A moment later their body gave a melting impression and they were returned back to their real body.
"Now you look a lot better. Just Jasmine, not you Ron. I was missing this unique blue hair and the beautiful crystal blue eyes." his lips tugged up. Jasmine rolled her eyes at him and his try at flirting.
"We just wanted to know the truth behind the Chamber of Secrets. Who better than Draco Malfoy to ask?" she shrugged. Harry groaned and shook his head.
"Where is Hermione? Didn't she try to stop you from this reckless plan? I thought she was the brains behind your group." he questioned.
"Actually, it was her plan in the first place. As for what happened to her? We don't exactly know." Ron answered.
"It seems your both's reckless tendencies are rubbing off on her." Harry laughed. Jasmine made an annoyed voice in her throat.
"Was that reason enough?" she asked.
"Yes. Yes, you can go now. A passing suggestion for you both. Drop the subject of Chamber of Secrets. The matter is already resolved. There is no more danger here in Hogwarts, at least for now." he said and waved his hand at them and started walking back towards the Slytherin common room. Iris right on his heels.
"Will you tell us what happened?" Jasmine asked.
"Maybe. Or not" he turned his head and grinned and then entered the common room without waiting to see her response.