Almost there

Iris and Gwendolyn Prash sat in their first class seats. They loved traveling, especially when they were heading towards their parents. "What do think they meant in their last letter? You know, about them having a surprise for us." Iris chatted, not really looking for an answer. Gwen just grumbled something about schoolbooks and went back to sleep. A merry flight attendant rolled her cart up to them. Iris got an apple and a cup of tea, being ever so worried about her flawless figure. Gwen had a Twix bar, she never cared much, seeing that she never gained any weight. The pilot came over the intercom. " We will be landing in London in about 5 minuets. Please put on your seat belts and raise your trays into their full upright position. Thank you for flying Continental," the pilot's staticy voice rang out. Gwendolyn snapped awake. She loved landing and her sister's hand was draining the blood from her own. Iris was always a bit squeamish about flying. Especially when she wasn't in control. Gwen loved the feeling of weightlessness, the wind in her face, and the ability to touch the clouds. The plane landed with a thump. Iris whined until they were off and away from their seats. "Mommy," Iris yelled and launched herself at their smiling mother. Gwen followed afterward. "What did you bring me, daddy?" Iris was back to her cute self. The twins stood in front of their parents. "We stopped in Egypt and got you both an." Her mother said. She turned around and picked up a gold birdcage with two hawks in it. " Egyptian Hawk. Horres and Ra, They are wonderful Messenger birds!" The girls squealed and hugged their mother. "now girls, I did some shopping of my own," their father said proudly. He set a large basket down in front of the girls. A little black puppy poked his head out. He was shoved aside by a fluffy white kitten. Iris grabbed the kitten and twirled it up in the air. "She is beautiful, I'm going to call her Anya." Iris cooed to the little cat. Gwen picked up the poodle and recognized it as her favorite breed. "I love Standard poodles. Hera is such a perfect name." Gwen loved dogs like her sister loved clothes. "Thank you daddy," both girls said in one voice. They hugged their parents and started to pick up their bags. A bellboy rushed over and put the bags on a cart. He pushed it after them as the started walking, cuddling their new pets. They hopped into a limo that was waiting out front. Their parents leaned in and kissed them both. "Darlings we have to go back home. The palace can become chaotic without us. Here is your key to Gringotts and your reservation card at the leaky caldron," Their mom and dad said quickly. Their mother turned around, "try not to get into to much trouble this year. He want excellent test scores, understand?" she said sharply. "Lets go honey, we aren't taking the plane, so we can get there faster." They closed the Limo door and disappeared. The girls were used to this and directed the driver where to go. They were on their own for the rest of the year and they loved it. Twins were born with a bond, but these girls made it stronger. When they arrived at the Leaky Cauldron the driver took their bags inside. He gave a short bow and drove away. The girls hugged each other and went upstairs. Their two bedrooms were decorated sweetly. Flowers and pictures of animals were everywhere. No T.V sets or telephones were in site. This was the kind of life they enjoyed. They split up to go change their clothes. Mini skirts and tank tops didn't cut it for the cold vaults of Gringotts. Iris changed into a gray skirt suit while Gwen put on a black jumper. They pulled their hair into high buns with matching curl tendrils. "Should we," Iris said starring at a silver edged trunk. "You know we have to. It's our birth title and we have to honor it. Anyway you know you love the special treatment we get with them." Gwendolyn said smiling. She was a bit nervous to. She could feel a twinge of fear coming from her sister. "The people here are bound to be more accepting then the Russians were," Gwen comforted her sister. She knelt down and opened the trunk. The red velvet capes fit perfectly across their shoulders. The gold neck clasps were shaped like beautiful birds. They lifted out a small box with two Gold Tiaras. They were inlaid with tiny rubies and diamonds. A carved blue diamond, shaped like the birds on their capes, was set at the top of each crown. The twins set them gently on top of their heads. "Princess Iris Prashina," announced Iris "And Princess Gwendolyn Prashina," followed Gwen. "First heirs to the throne of Sirens," they both said slipping on their gold and ruby rings. They looked in the mirror. Standing next to each other you couldn't have told them apart. They headed downstairs. In this title they had been trained to act regal and proud at all times. As they walked towards the bar men took of their hats and women curtsied slightly. The twins sometimes found it embarrassing when people bowed before them. "Sir," Iris called to the bar tender to get his attention. "How may I help you gals?" the man said before turning around. He saw who was speaking to him and bowed down. "Sorry your majesties. How may I assist you ladies?" he stuttered and stood back up. Gwen explained their problem and he lend them to the back. "Just tap the bricks and they will let you in. Good luck with your shopping," the man went back to his job. The girls did as they were instructed and the wall started to move and shift. Iris put her silver and mahogany wand back in her cape pocket. Diagon Ally opened up in front of them. They didn't seem to fit in with the hundreds of people swarming around them. They walked straight into Gringotts. Two goblins rushed over to them. "We have been waiting for you. This way Princess'" The older looking one chirped. Gwen went into the room first. Iris kept close behind. Even thou they were identical twins, born less than a minuet apart, Gwen often took the role as older sister. Inside the room was a grumpy looking man in his late 40's. He motioned for them to sit and showed the goblins out. The goblins left but the twins remained standing. "Girls, I see you are wearing your imperial garb. Good," the man said in a low monotone voice. He sat down in a large armchair. "Please sit down." "Mr. Lark, As we understand one must bow to royalty before they take their seat." Iris said coldly. Her eyes changed to a dark crimson. The man curled his lip as he stood up and bowed. The girls took their seats, looking impressively regal. "Would you please explain to us why this meeting is more important than our preparing for Hogwarts?" Gwen's eyes matched her sister's perfectly. The man was in little favor with the twins. "Of course, your majesty," Lark said. His face looked as if he had just drank sour milk. "Your full accounts have been moved here from America. I need to know who you have chosen to handle your finances." He continued. Gwen turned to look at Iris. Their eyes swirled in matching colors. No one but them could understand this. Iris, is he serious? Like we would ever choose him to handle anything of ours. He is such a rat! I can't believe Mom and Dad hired him. You know what to say right?

Sure do. Let's tell him. 1,2,3

"We have chosen a very trustworthy pair to take care of everything." Iris said, their eyes back to crimson. "Ourselves," Gwen smiled and joined in. Lark looked stunned. He started stuttering over the problems with that and how something could go wrong. Gwen lifted her hand to silence him. "That is enough," She barked, "We have decided and you are not to interfere. We are going to our vault and then to the shops." Gwen had just gone into monster mode, as Iris called it. In monster mode she was cruel and scary. Their parents often said that would be good in winning political debates. Lark experienced monster mode more than anyone else. "Good day Mr. Lark," Iris Stood up and followed her sister out. The door slammed behind them, shielding the snarling Lark. "Awesome with the monster mode sis," Iris said giving her sister a high five. "I think he might have wet his pants if you had said any more." Iris was trying not to look like a royal fool. "He may be a rat, but he's smart enough not to mess with a siren. Especially royal twins." Gwen said trying not to giggle. They were both proud of their heritage, they had to be. They would one day replace their parents and the rulers of Sirens. Iris knew that Gwen took that very seriously and was going to be a great ruler. They got into a special luxury cart. It went at a nice fast speed and made smooth turns and drops. The plush seats were wonderful compared to the rickety common carts. Gwen and Iris each had a separate vault, that way Iris could never go on a shopping spree with Gwen's money. Gwen loaded her small purse with a reasonable amount of money, but Iris packed her larger purse full of gallons. Gwen scolded her mentally. They sealed up the vaults and rode back to the daylight. "Where do you want to go first?" Gwen asked Iris. Iris just grabbed her hand and pulled her into the nearest clothing store. The store was bright and organized. An older woman sat at the counter. Her long silver hair and young skin made it apparent hat she was a Vella. Vellas and Sirens, while very alike, were fierce enemies. The woman snarled at them. "You are not welcome in my shop, circa." The woman growled with a thick accent. Gwen and Iris both whipped out their wands. "How dare you call us that, hag!" Gwen yelled back. Her eyes turned bright red-orange. "Do you have any idea who you have just insulted. See the crown, see the ring?" Iris spit out. She glared at the woman with red eyes. "Your royalty means nothing to me. You are nothing but a dirty Siren." The Vella had gone too far. Another one came from the back of the store. Their faces began to lengthen and they looked like angry crows. Gwen and Iris both raised their wands to strike when the shop door clanged open. "Princess Gwendolyn, Princess Iris! Stop, expelirmis." The man who disarmed them was tall and wiry. His cold eyes met with their blazing ones. Gwen and Iris put their hands out and their wands jumped back to them. "I am sorry my ladies," He said bowing low. "I am Lucius Malfoy, Your Diagon Ally guide. I would never have wished harm to you but I had to disarm you. You may not use magic until you are on-board the train." He said rising from the bow. He then turned to the Vellas, who had returned to looking young. "You should apologize to these young ladies. They are the first heirs to the throne of sirens. You have no place next to them." The Vellas ignored him. He escorted Gwen and Iris out of the shop. A short copy of the man came running up. The boy looked about the same age as the twins. "Father, the Quidditch Connection has a new broom in. the fastest ever, can we go look at it." He noticed the twins right after he made a fool of himself. His eye caught their tiaras and he bowed right away. "You said there is a new broom in? Mind if we come with you?" Gwen said to ease the tension. "I'm Gwen and she's..." "Iris" Iris butted in. "Does the Broom shop carry any leisure brooms?" She smiled sweetly, her eyes turning a deep purple. "Lets go see, Your Majesties, right this way." Mr. Malfoy Cut in and lend the girls towards the large storefront. The entered thru a very tall door into a world of brooms and cloaks. Iris found her way to the slower luxury brooms right away. Gwen and the boy, who introduced himself as Draco, found the racing brooms. The Firecracker, fastest and most responsive broom in the world, was the main event. It had perfectly groomed bristles tipped in gold. A mahogany handle with melted in silver for riding on. Hard as steel, but light as a feather. "That is one hell of a broom! I could rocket on that thing!" Gwen exclaimed. Her crown had caught the attention of the store clerk. Noticing this she called him over. "Sir, could you pull out a Firecracker for us to look at." Draco was in awe. His father wouldn't even spend that much money on a broom, and this girl was just acting like it was a book or new robes. Gwen handled the broom carefully. She knew to make sure that all the bristles were the same lengths and that the handle was smooth. The broom was perfect. "How much is the broom?" Gwen asked the clerk. The man stared at her for a second. " 750 gallons, miss. Will you be taking it?" The man choked out. Gwen Nodded and paid him. She wrapped and boxed the broom herself. Iris came bounding up with a broom box in her hand. "I found it, I found it, I found it!" Iris twirled around making Gwen giggle. Draco and Mr. Malfoy looked confused so Iris explained. "I have been looking everywhere for a Diamond Flyer Luxury Broom. It goes as fast as a Nimbus 2000, but is much more comfortable to ride." Iris was bouncing up and down. "I am glad that you have found what you are looking for m'lady. If it pleases you my son and I will be showing you to the rest of the shops," Mr. Malfoy said, trying to sound regal. He started to lead the girls towards Blorish & Bott's bookstore. Iris looked at Gwen and her eyes started to swirl. Gwen, I don't feel comfortable with him. Ok, should I tell him to leave? Yes but put it nicely. I have a danger vibe from him. "Mr. Malfoy, as much as we appreciate your guidance we had planned for a normal girls day out. So if you would please meet us at Kings cross platform 9 that would be nice. But, for now my sister and I are going to change into our street clothes and go shopping for our school supplies." Gwen always knew just how high to raise her voice to get her points across. Mr. Malfoy neatly bowed and led his son away without saying a word. Iris gave Gwen a thank you hug and led the way back into the Leaky Cauldron. They slipped up to their rooms barley being noticed. Hera started barking as soon as they entered. Anya just curled her tail around her and went back to sleep. Gwen kneeled down and hugged the puppy. Hera jumped up and licked her. Iris was already packing away her cape and jewels. Gwen looked in the mirror. Her tiara was a little lopsided and her cape was wrinkled. How did I end up as a princess? She thought to herself. By being the best, smartest, and bravest sister around. Iris popped into Gwen's thoughts. Iris knew just how she felt. They left the subject and changed into their American tourist clothes. Jeans and rude t-shirts made the world go round. "Lets hit the town, babe!" Iris shouted and grabbed her purse. They headed out to town. They got a lot of strange looks from people. It wasn't everyday twin teenage blondes walked down Diagon all with shirts that said Bite Me and Naughty Girl on. They paid for their books and school supplies and clothes and started walking back to the Leaky Cauldron. "Hey Iris, How about some ice cream," Gwen said giggling. "I could go for something sweet. Yeah lets go," the girls skipped over to the cute sweet shop across the street. Gwen got a sparkling strawberry and Iris chowed down on a trickle Sunday. At the table behind them two boys and a girl were eating their ice cream. The twins heard their conversation but where to busy showing off their purchases to care. They headed back to their room to pack. "Gwen, this is going to be our fist time at a co-ed school." Iris said ginning. Gwen caught on and started making up future boyfriends they were going to meet. Then her common sense just had to catch up with her. "We can't disgrace the crown. Mom and Dad would be totally P.Oed if we ended up in Witch Weekly or the Daily Prophet. We have to be careful." Gwen rambled on about duty and responsibility to the crown. Growing up as a princess is not as fun as it sounds. You always have to worry about tabloids and rumors. Social events were never just for fun. They had to have a lot more common sense then most teenage girls. By the time their trunks were packed and their animals in cages they had to leave. They checked the little rooms and turned off the lights. Levitating their trunks down the stairs was the hardest part. A limo picked them up at the door and whisked them off to the station.