Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, but my OC's are mine.
Chapter Two
The fighting never ceased to end.
It was constant, and Ira's parents didn't bother being discreet about it. During the night Ira heard them going at it, and she considered intervening a number of times, but she chose not to in fear of getting in trouble. They never fought much, rarely ever raising their voice at one another. This time it was different.
Family breakfasts were awkward, to say the least. Nobody talked to one another unless it was to pass a scone or offer up the pitcher of pumpkin juice. The house elves did most of the talking anymore, whether it was at breakfast or dinner, the noise mostly came from those in the kitchen. Usually Pierrette holed herself up in her crafts room or was out for the day as an art historian, a job she took a lot of pride in. Sigrid was the same; always mulling over paperwork in his office or working his day job as the head of International Magic Office of Law, making him a very crucial part of the governing system.
Leading up to September 1, Ira made a lot of time for her and Freya. She wouldn't be seeing her sister until Christmas break, and knowing so made Freya break out in tears while hugging Ira tightly before she boarded the Hogwarts Express. All Ira could do was frown and hug her back, promising to write her every week.
Pierrette gave each of her children a hug and a kiss, making sure that Rhys and Ira had everything they needed. While she spoke to Rhys, Ira noted the dark circles beneath her mother's gray eyes. They no longer appeared bright and full of life; they were now dull and tiresome. Even her tanned skin had paled over the course of two months. Ira should have felt alarmed, but Pierrette was a strong woman and knew that whatever was going on with her that she'd be fine no matter what.
"And what about you, darling?" Pierrette asked, looking at her eldest daughter. "Do you have all your robes, books, quills – and such?"
Ira laughed. "Yes, Mum. Don't worry. I've got it all covered."
Pierrette took her daughter's face in both of her hands and looked at her in amazement. "You're so strong, you know that?"
Ira had no idea where this was coming from.
"Just remember that you are a Soares, and you have power inside you, a fire that burns so passionately. Make sure it never goes out, you hear me?" Ira could see her mother's eyes brimming with tears, but she didn't mention it. "And I love you no matter what house you're sorted into. Take pride in who you are, what house you are in, and the friends you make while you're away. Everything is based on fate, Ira. Every choice you make, whether bad or good, has a purpose. I believe you are going to do great things."
"Mum-"
"Just hear me out, darling. If there is ever something going on and you are unable to reach me, confide in Narcissa. She always looked at you like the daughter she never had, and she's been a friend of mine for years." Removing her hands, she pulled something from her jacket, a piece of jewelry that had been around Pierrette's neck for the longest time. It was a beautiful crystal hanging from a silver chain. She grabbed Ira's hand and placed it there.
"A family heirloom. Your grandmother made me promise to continue the family legacy by passing it down to the eldest daughter," she continued. "I need you to promise me something, Ira. No matter what, I want you to never let someone influence who you are or the choices you make. Never let someone take advantage of you out of spite."
"You act like this is the final conversation we're ever having," Ira joked while clasping the crystal around her neck. It was a few minutes until the students had to board, so Ira knew she had to book it.
"No, but I want you to be confident in who you are and to remember these words I tell you." With one final kiss on the crown of Ira's head, she took Freya's hand and waved her off.
Ira took what her mother said seriously, but she'd think over it another time. Right now, the girl had to find a compartment to sit in. All the ones she passed were full except for one. Two boys sat across from each other; one with circle frame glasses and a mess of brown hair. The clothing he wore were two sizes too big but the boy didn't seem to care. The other, however, was a dead giveaway. He was a Weasley. She could tell by his fiery red hair and his shabby clothes. Ira wasn't one to judge, she was just stating the facts.
"Excuse me, can I sit here?" she asked, standing awkwardly in the aisle.
The dark haired boy looked at her and nodded. "Of course."
Ira smiled and took a seat next to the Weasley. "I'm Ira, by the way. Ira Soares."
Weasley gave her an odd look. "You're pureblooded, right?"
"That'd be correct." Ira didn't find it surprising that people knew the surname. "And you're a Weasley. I can tell by the hair."
The Weasley's were known in the wizarding world to be blood-traitors, supporter of Muggles and such. Ira didn't see much of an issue with the family. She never once met a Weasley, but knew about their family through gossip and news articles.
"The name's Ron," he said.
"Well, it's nice to meet you. Who are you?" The question was pointed at the other boy.
"Oh, I'm Harry…Harry Potter."
Ira's eyes nearly bulged from her head. "No way. You're the one that survived You-Know-Who."
"That's right." Harry didn't appear to like Ira's observation. He kind of sunk back into the seat a bit, looking around at anything else but the two kids in front of him.
"Anything off the trolley, dears?" an old woman stood outside with a cart in front of her, treats of all sorts piling the thing.
Ron declined, holding up a sandwich that looked about as good as dragon dung, but Harry had no trouble in buying loads of sweets.
"We'll take the lot," he said, handing the woman his change.
Ira pitched in and bought a few cauldron cakes, her favorite treat in the wizarding world.
"Here's my contribution," she laughed, offering one to each of them.
Harry picked up a small box and furrowed his brow. "Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans?"
"They do mean every flavor," Ron said, now sitting opposite Ira.
"Those things are ghastly," Ira added. "I'm the unlucky sort. I got a liver flavored one before."
Harry cringed and removed the chewed up bean that was in his mouth. He picked up a Chocolate Frog package and was trying to decipher if it was an actual frog.
"Don't be silly. It's only a spell," Ira giggled. "They're quite delicious. Oh, and they come with a card of a famous witch or wizard. I'm not the kind to collect things so I just pitch it after I'm done."
Harry opened it up and the frog inside jumped over his shoulder onto the window.
"Uh, you might want to get that."
The frog, before anyone could grab it, jumped out the window.
"I've got Dumbledore!" Harry said proudly.
"Ah, I've got six of him," Ron said through a mouthful of jelly slugs.
Ira was having a fun time with these two. She didn't have any friends at home. Well, there was Malfoy, but he was the furthest thing from a friend.
Out of nowhere, a girl appeared, looking between the three of them. "Has anyone seen a toad? A boy named Neville's lost one."
Ron shrugged, appearing annoyed. "No."
The girl, looking at the wand in Ron's hand, looked at him cheekily. "Oh. Are you doing magic? Let's see then."
Ira could already tell she wouldn't like this girl. She had bushy brown hair and large front teeth. The pitch of her voice made her seem a bit full of herself.
As Ron tried out a spell and failed, Ira gnawed on her bottom lip. She wouldn't brag, but she was quite a good spell caster. She especially had a knack for potions and enjoyed astronomy. Space was an interesting part of their world; at least, Ira believed so.
The bush of hair was now sitting across from Harry and had fixed his glasses with a simple repairing spell. She was good, Ira would give her that. Shortly after, she learned this girl was Hermione Granger. Ira never heard of her before, but she offered her own name in response. Hermione nodded in her direction before rambling on and on about Harry and how his name was in nearly every history book out there.
Harry looked dazed. This girl's bossy voice and quick chatter was starting to give Ira a headache.
"Do you know what house you'll be in? I'm hoping for Gryffindor, it sounds as if it's the best. Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad…anyway, we'd better go and look for Neville's toad. I expect we'll be getting to Hogwarts soon."
After Hermione left, the boys started talking about what houses they'd be sorted into. Ira didn't give it much thought, but she hoped she wasn't in Slytherin like her brother. That'd be a nightmare. Knowing for sure that Malfoy would be in Slytherin as well was even worse.
"Do you have any siblings?" Ron asked, looking at Ira while she finished off a cauldron cake.
"I have a brother who's prefect this year. His name's Rhys. He's in…Slytherin."
Harry glanced at her for a moment. "Isn't that the house You-Know-Who was in?"
Ron answered for her. "Yeah. Blimey, neither of us wants to be in that house."
"It's not all bad," Ira retorted, crossing her arms and sticking her nose in the air.
"Right. Because every wizard that graduated from Slytherin went on to be a good doer," Ron said sarcastically. "Honestly, every wizard in Slytherin is dark. There's no light inside 'em."
And the boys went on to talk about Quidditch. Ira couldn't get a word in because she didn't like the sport. She hated flying. Ever since she fell off her broom under Malfoy's watch, she's been afraid to touch another broom again.
Ira was looking out the window when the compartment door opened once more. She glanced over and her eyes narrowed. Draco stood there with Gregory Goyle and Vincent Crabbe flanking him. His pointed face didn't acknowledge her, his whole focus on Harry.
"Is it true?" he wondered. "They're all saying Harry Potter's in this compartment. So, it's you?"
"Yes." Harry didn't look at all comfortable in Malfoy's presence. Ira didn't blame him. Anyone with sense wouldn't feel good around him.
Draco continued to introduce Goyle and Crabbe, both pure-blooded wizards who Ira knew for years. They were bullies as well, and helped Draco in ruining Ira's life. She rolled her eyes as Draco insulted Ron.
Ira spoke up. "Honestly, Malfoy, leave the kid alone."
Draco smirked, glancing between her and Harry. "I see you've already made friends with the right sort. But you'll want to know that making friends with the wrong sort won't help you much." His eyes landed on Ron, who was glaring at Malfoy.
"I think I can tell who the wrong sort is for myself, thanks," Harry said coolly.
Draco masked his embarrassment with a sneer. "I'd be careful if I were you, Potter. Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either. You hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys and that Hagrid, it'll rub off on you."
"Oi, Malfoy, leave him be," Ira said, standing from her seat just as Ron and Harry did the same. "That's a little out of line, don't you think? If he doesn't want to be friends with a tosser like you, then so be it. He's fully capable of making his own friends and doesn't need you to influence his choices."
"Brave, are you, Soares?" Draco countered. "Maybe you're the one that needs to sort out their friendships. We're the people you should be with."
"I doubt that."
He eyed her up, looking at her ensemble of black robes and her creamy legs peeking out of her skirt. She tossed back her curly brown hair and scrunched up her freckled nose when his eyes met her cool gray ones.
"Let's go, boys," he announced, glaring at Ira before exiting the compartment.
Ron let out a breath. "You know him?"
"I practically grew up with that thing." She looked at Harry. "You've met Malfoy before?"
"At Diagon Alley, at the robes shop."
Ira went shopping with Pierrette, Narcissa, Malfoy, and Lucius that day. Although she didn't purchase her robes along with Draco. She was off getting her wand at Ollivanders.
"That must be horrible," Ron said. "I heard the Malfoys were one of the first to come back to our side after You-Know-Who. They said they were bewitched, but Dad says Malfoy's father wouldn't need an excuse to go dark."
Ira shrunk away at the mention of 'one of the first', knowing full well that in her family's history that the Soares name had been part of You-Know-Who's reign. Their family never talked about it, Ira hardly knew anything about it at all. It was a forbidden topic that made her mother on edge, and saddened Ira more than anything.
The train stopped and Ira knew they were there. She and the rest of the students piled outside the train into the darkness of night, following a very large man with a lantern towards a set of boats. Four to a boat, Ira remembers him saying. She got in next to a tall slender girl with sleek black hair and deep set eyes. She was very pretty, and had a polite smile when she saw Ira sitting beside her.
Across from them were two others. The first was a boy with a lanky figure. Ira recognized him immediately as Theodore Nott, having seen him at a few Malfoy get-togethers. His father was known as one of the ones to join You-Know-Who and his army of death eaters before Voldemort's disappearance eleven years ago.
"Honestly, Theo, get off my robes!" the girl beside him was kicking at the foot that was once on the bottom of her robes. "These are expensive, you know."
Theo shrugged, obviously unfazed. "Oh well."
She flicked a piece of strawberry blonde hair over her shoulder, looking at each student in the boat with her. "I'm Sally-Anne Perks," she introduced in a silky voice. "Future Slytherin, ballet dancer, and part of the frog choir, if I'm lucky. But knowing me, luck has always been on my side."
"And also annoying," Theo added, earning a playful slap from Sally-Anne.
Ira felt the boat rock back and forth, feeling nauseous suddenly. She blamed it on the nerves, given she could finally see the castle as they rounded a bend. It was massive; with several windows that lit up like stars and turrets that seemed to go on forever towards the sky. It sat on what seemed like a gigantic rock, overlooking the lake and a forest.
The boats came to a stop at the docks and everyone stepped off. Ira lost sight of Sally-Anne and Theo, who disappeared into the crowd. She stuck by the other girl that was in her boat.
"I'm Lily Moon," she whispered into Ira's ear. "And not nearly as annoying as Sally-Anne Perks."
"You know her?" Ira asked.
"I sat in her compartment the whole way here. She's a prissy airhead, to say the least. And you are?"
Ira held out her hand. "Ira Soares. Pleasure."
Taking Ira's hand and giving it a good shake, she smiled. "Any clue as to what house you'll be in?"
"Anything but Slytherin, if I'm lucky," Ira chuckled. "Maybe I'm as lucky as Sally."
Lily giggled. "My mum went to Beauxbatons. She considered making me go there for my studies, but she wanted me to be in a more…diverse setting, as she put it. I have no clue what the houses are or how things are run here, but I did hear Slytherin is quite distasteful."
"Are you pure-blooded?"
"I'm afraid not. My mum's a witch, Dad's a muggle."
"Ah," Ira said, nodding in understanding.
They entered the entrance hall and were met by a woman they learned was Professor McGonagall. She had her black hair pulled back into a tight bun and emerald robes on her body. Something about her strict posture made her seem intimidating.
The nerves were back again as McGonagall explained the test they'd be put through. In front of the whole school? Ira shook her head while the older woman explained the details. As expected, there were four houses; Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin – each of which had their own noble history and production of great witches and wizards. Triumphs earned you house points, rule breaking lost you points. At the end of the year, the house cup would be rewarded to the house with the most points. It all seemed fairly simple.
"The Sorting Ceremony will take place momentarily," Professor McGonagall said. "I shall return when we are ready for you."
After she made her exit, Ira tapped her foot impatiently, making sure to calm herself down before the test began. Lily was quite calm. She tried to stifle a laugh while watching Ira.
"I don't think it'll be all bad," Lily said. "Just breathe in and out. That's what helps me calm down."
"Nervous, Soares?" Malfoy's voice came from Ira's other side. He was leaning against the railing with Crabbe and Goyle, looking smug.
Ira rolled her eyes. "That's none of your concern."
"I bet she'll be in Hufflepuff," he said to his friends. "She's as dumb as a doornail."
"Do you have any just?" she wondered hotly. "You're such a prat."
Lily grabbed Ira's elbow and steered her away. The crowd was moving now and going through large wooden doors. There were four long tables where the rest of the student body sat at. They stared at the first years as they walked in. Ira was now in line behind Lily, with Draco behind her.
"I'm just saying Soares," Malfoy said in her ear. "You're not bright enough to fit into a good house. Like Slytherin, for example."
"Will you shush it?" she groaned. "You're so bloody impossible."
They were led towards a long table that was at the front of the hall. Professors and staff sat there, looking upon each of them. Above their heads, the ceiling wasn't even there. It was bewitched to look like the night sky, as Hermione said from somewhere in the crowd.
On a stool sat an old pointy hat that looked like it survived better years. McGonagall stood beside it with a rolled up scroll in her hand. Then, the hat moved, opening up like a mouth.
"Oh you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
Everybody in the Great Hall cheered once the song commenced. Ira smiled. So, all they had to do was wear a hat. Rhys never divulged any information to her about the sorting, and neither of her parents warned her of how she was to be sorted. They just cared that she got into a good house. Mainly Slytherin, for her father's sake.
With the scroll now open, Professor McGonagall began shouting names out for students to step forward. Names were called, all unrecognizable, until she asked for Hermione Granger.
"GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted.
A few others were called and sorted into their rightful houses. Malfoy was put in Slytherin along with Crabbe and Goyle. Typical, Ira thought. Now she really needed to be placed somewhere different.
Lily was next. It took a few minutes, but eventually they put her in Slytherin. Ira was shocked. Lily looked defeated.
Nott was placed there as well, a bored look on his face when the hat let out its decision.
Pansy Parkinson, a foul girl who Ira hated almost as much as Malfoy, went to the Slytherin table with cheers emitting the hall.
Eventually, Sally-Anne was called up. Nothing about the girl looked like she belonged in Slytherin. But once her mouth opened you could tell that was her rightful place. And she took that place proudly, walking over to the Slytherin table and taking a seat next to Theodore.
Then, when Harry was called, the Great Hall fell silent. Everybody was taking in the sight of the Boy Who Lived, the boy who defeated You-Know-Who when he was just a baby. Ira didn't see why everybody was making a big fuss about it. He was just an ordinary kid with an unfortunate past.
He was placed in Gryffindor. Everybody at that table cheered him on while he took his seat. Now, it was down to Ira and three others.
"Soares, Ira."
Ira fidgeted nervously beneath her black cloak, taking a step forward towards the Sorting Hat. Her eyes were trained on it, but her ears were in line of the conversations going on nearby. Just like Harry, students were mumbling things about Ira, which wasn't the least bit shocking, about her family's legacy in the wizarding world. While sitting down to place the hat on her head, a few kids from the Slytherin table looked gleefully at her, as if hoping she'd become a Slytherin. Malfoy, on the other hand, glared, not an ounce of glee on his face. Her stomach dropped and Professor McGonagall placed the hat on her head.
"Ah, another Soares to continue on the family legacy," a voice said in her ears. "But where shall I place you? You've got a heart of gold like your mother, but a cunning mind like your father. You're almost identical to that of Sigrid, if I'm being honest."
Ira could just gulp in reply.
"You're nervous. Well, I guess that's to be expected under your…circumstances."
Circumstances? Ira couldn't figure out what he meant.
"There's something inside you that's hard to explain…but I can tell you're on your way to greatness. You're going to do remarkable things, as I'm sure you can already see."
Something about the Hat's tone gave Ira goose pimples.
"You'll do amazing things for…SLYTHERIN!"
Ira gasped. That was unexpected.
Everyone at the Slytherin table, including her older brother, clapped for her as she found a seat. He nodded in her direction with a smile.
Rhys never smiled at Ira.
Sitting next to Lily, Ira could only stare at her empty plate, her appetite gone and her own sanity as well.
"See, I told you I'd be a Slytherin. It's in the Perks' blood," Sally-Anne bemused happily. She was piling her plate with food and gave Ira a once over. "Are you feeling ill?"
Without a word, Sally did Ira the favor of putting food on her plate. There was loads of food to choose from; all of it looking delectable, but Ira doubted she'd be able to stomach it.
Sally-Anne frowned. "Eat. You'll thank me later." Turning back to her own plate, she engaged in a conversation with Tracey Davis.
Ira slowly ate her food as Sally suggested, not at all happy about it, but found that the more she ate the better she felt. Maybe Slytherin wouldn't be all bad. Maybe this was the house for her, as the Sorting Hat predicts. She was just overthinking it all and needed to relax.
"How's your family these days?"
Ira glanced at Theo, who finally recognized her existence. "It's the same as every pureblood household."
"So, basically gloom and doom with a bit of snootiness?" he offered.
"Mhmm," she hummed as she cut into her chicken. "I see you're not sitting with Malfoy. Aren't you two friends?"
Theo snorted. "I've never been friends with Malfoy. He's too much of a prat."
"And that is why I like you, Theo," Ira smiled. "You know who's worth your time." She looked down the table at Draco and his friends, watching as he threw a spoonful of gravy at a second year.
Theodore followed her eyes. "He's just a bully."
"You don't have to tell me twice."
The conversation died down just as dessert came and went. Ira felt full and happy, her nerves completely gone as she looked up at the High Table. Dumbledore now took his place at the podium and said a few words before he sent the students off.
"Just a few more words now that we're all fed and watered. I have a few start-of-term notices to give you." His eyes were twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles. "First years should note that the forest on the grounds is strictly forbidden to all pupils. I have also been asked by Mr. Filch, the caretaker, to remind you all that no magic should be used between classes in the corridors. Quidditch tryouts begin the second week of term and anyone interested is to see Madam Hooch. And finally, I must tell you all that this year the third-floor corridor on the right side is out of bounds to everyone that doesn't want to die a painful death."
Ira nearly chuckled at the forebodingness of his speech.
After the students sang the school song, with Sally-Anne right on tune with an angelic voice, the first years were taken to the dungeons by their fellow prefects.
"The password is 'pureblood'," Rhys shouted over the commotion. "Make sure you remember it because I won't be saying it again."
Sally-Anne giggled beside Ira. "He's cute."
Ira gagged. "That's my brother, and he is so not cute."
Lily raised a brow. "I didn't know you had a brother."
"Yeah, and a younger sister. Although she won't be joining us until we're in sixth year. She's the baby of the family."
The Slytherin Dungeon had an ancient feel to it. With a green tinge coming from the black lake above, you could tell this was Slytherin territory. Everything was very posh; leather sofas and chairs, dark cupboards and bookshelves – even skulls that were placed wherever it seemed fit. Tapestries hung about the common room, each showing off different medieval Slytherins. And the air was cool, not necessarily unbearable, but it did make Ira shiver a bit.
"Girls' dormitories are to the left, and boys' dormitories are straight ahead past the fireplace. Any questions?"
Pansy Parkinson raised a hand. "Are you single, by chance?"
Rhys, appearing flattered, ran a hand through his curly hair. "Any serious questions?"
Everyone stayed quiet.
"Alright. Well, the password does change every fortnight so make sure you keep an eye on the noticeboard. And with that, I bid you all a farewell to your dorms."
Sally-Anne grabbed Lily and Ira by their arms and pulled them towards the stairs leading to the dormitories.
"I heard we're rooming together," Sally said. "We're also stuck with Pansy Parkinson and Millicent Bulstrode."
The three walked into their room and saw that the two girls they were just talking about already took up their beds. They didn't look pleased by the intrusion.
Sally let go of the girls and smiled, holding out her hand towards Pansy and Millicent. "Sally-Anne Perks."
Neither of them shook her hand.
"Okay, well, I figured if we're all rooming together, we might as well be friends."
"I already have friends," Pansy said simply.
"Surprisingly," Ira muttered.
At that, Lily stifled a laugh.
"Something funny?" Pansy asked.
Ira stood tall. "Not at all."
"Good. Because I wouldn't want to hex the Soares princess into oblivion," Pansy threatened.
Ira bit her tongue. She knew if she let Pansy under her skin, she'd be in a bad situation. So, instead, she gave the girl a venomous smile and took the bed with a carrier on top of it. She gave a smile at the creature inside, opening the door and letting her kneazle Lady out of her confinement.
The animal stretched her limbs and purred against Ira. She'd been part of the Soares family since Ira was five, a birthday gift from Narcissa Malfoy.
"You have a kneazle?" Lily gawked, running her hand over Lady's fluffy white fur that was speckled in faint gray spots. "She's beautiful."
"And a great judge of character," Ira pointed out, letting Lady off the bed to make friends with her new roommates.
As Ira drifted off to sleep beneath her green comforter that night, she heard Lady let out a hiss and Pansy squeal in fear. At that, Ira fell asleep with a smile on her face and a ball of fur curled up at her side.
Writer's Note: Thanks for the feedback on the first chapter! I can only hope you enjoyed this second one. I also would like to add that some dialogue was taken from the book and movie, and that I do not own it, but the rest is mine. Ira won't be a fourth member of the Golden Trio, I know that many OC stories are like that. She will, though, have a part in Harry's life since she is a valuable aspect of the plot. I've done up some moodboards for these characters on my Tumblr that I've considered posting, but I'm not too sure yet if I will. Anyway, thanks for reading and as always, reviews are greatly appreciated! *This story is also able to be read over on Archive of Our Own*
