The next morning, Iris woke up to Oliver gone from her side. He had left for work before she even got up. Though she felt tired from the night before, she found she couldn't sleep out of worry and pulled herself out of bed, padding over to the bathroom in the hopes that a shower would revive her somewhat.
Once she was ready for the day, she had settled on the sofa with a book and mug of coffee on the table, facing towards the kitchen. She and George weren't going to the shop for a few more days, so she had another day of being alone to fill. Though it helped that she and Percy had a standing lunch appointment. At least there was that.
Harry stumbled down the stairs and into the living room, hair going everywhere and eyes bleary. He was dressed for work, but looked as though he had only gotten about two hours of sleep.
"Long day yesterday?" Iris asked, looking up from the book. Harry nodded, still too tired for speech. "Coffee's in the kitchen." Harry nodded and turned right, walking to the muggle coffee pot that Iris had insisted on buying during one of her walks around the city. She had charmed it to work in the apartment as soon as she got back, quite proud of her purchase. While Oliver never touched it, Harry was more and more grateful she had gotten it as his work hours got crazier. After pouring a mug he took a long sip. Iris moved her feet as he walked over into the living room and sat on the sofa next to her.
"Good news is, I get the weekend off. And with the new recruits nearly ready, should have more free time soon," he said, finally feeling more awake.
"That's good. It'd be nice to actually see you for longer than five minutes at a time," she said, smiling. Harry looked over at her, smiling sheepishly.
"Oliver already off?" he asked. Iris nodded, her face falling slightly.
"Said they had a meeting with the construction crew today. The new owner and the coach wants the players' input," she said.
"I'm surprised they didn't make him captain, with all the work they are having him do," Harry said before taking another sip. Iris shrugged.
"The old captain is apparently returning. But the coach seems to be relying on those two, plus one other returning player, until they can replace all the support staff. Even the league office at the Ministry is understaffed," she said. Harry nodded.
"So what is on the agenda today? More cleaning," Harry asked. She sat up.
"Well, I'm meeting Percy for lunch. And then… actually, George's asked me to help him reopen the shop. So I thought I'd try to work on some new potions for that," she said excitedly, happy to share some good news. "We're planning to go over and check it out later this week." Harry smiled.
"That's great," he said. Iris nodded.
"It'll be good to finally have something to do. I'm not one for sitting around all day doing nothing, it would appear," she said. Harry nodded again. A knock at the door caught both their attention. "You expecting someone?" she asked.
"Uh, not this early," Harry said. Iris got up and walked down the corridor to the door. She opened it and was shocked to find Kingsley Shacklebolt standing there.
"Minister," she said. "Come in." She stepped aside and let him in. Harry stood to his feet immediately as the minister of magic appeared in the living room.
"Minister," he said in greeting. Shacklebolt nodded and smiled. "I was just on my way in."
"Don't worry about it Harry. I'm actually here to speak with Iris," he said. Iris was even more shocked. She waved her hand towards the kitchen, getting tea started.
"Oh, well, um… please have a seat," she said, motioning to the long table behind the couch. Just as he sat at the head of the table, a teapot and three cups placed themselves on the table. Harry followed Iris over and they both sat on either side of Shacklebolt, facing each other.
"To what do we owe the pleasure," Iris said, nervously pouring tea out. He was a bit intimidating, though Harry had said he was kind. Iris didn't really get a chance to talk to him in the chaos of the battle at Hogwarts.
"I'm here to offer you a job, Iris," Shacklebolt said before taking a sip of his tea. Iris' eyes went wide.
"Me, sir?" she asked as she pointed to herself. He nodded.
"We're still in the midst of rebuilding our auror department. I saw you in action at the battle of Hogwarts and was made aware of your… gifts. We could use someone like you out there," he said bluntly. Iris blushed slightly. She still wasn't used to being commended for her magic.
"Oh, wow. That's… that's very kind of you, Minister," she said, unsure of what she wanted to do. The offer was tempting. More than tempting. But at the same time, she didn't fully know what an auror did, other than it was slightly dangerous from the twinges of anxiety she got through her connection with Harry. And she didn't want to go back on her word with George. Not to mention, she wasn't sure Oliver would be able to handle it in his current state.
"You could have your own team. Chose who you want from the current aurors and trainees. We're nearly done hunting down Death Eaters from the war, but there is still a lot of work to be done," he said. Iris sat back in shock. Her own team? They would put her in charge of others? She wondered if Shacklebolt was mad, giving her that much responsibility. Especially as untrained as she was.
"Um… well… I'm flattered. But I'm not sure I want to be an auror," she said. Though as soon as she said it, she wonder just how true that statement was. "I've spent so long living in danger, I'm not sure I want to go running right back into it. Especially right now, when things are finally settling down." Shacklebolt nodded, studying her silently.
"If I may be blunt, Iris. I think anything else you could do would be a waste of your talent. You could be one of the best aurors our department has ever seen," he said. "You could save lives." Iris chewed on her lower lip, her brow furrowed as she looked down at her hands holding on to her cup. Shacklebolt calmly drank his tea, waiting for her response. The idea of saving lives was convincing. But at the same time, she knew she was no hero. She only did what needed to be done in the battle, nothing more.
"It may be, but... ," she looked up at Shacklebolt, "If I may be blunt, I think the best place for me right now is with my family. I put Harry and Oliver through a lot last year after I disappeared. If I take the position, I'll be constantly putting myself in harm's way and I don't think they can handle much more of that right now." Shacklebolt studied her quietly a moment before nodding.
"Very well. I understand. But, the offer still stands. If you ever decide you do want to join us, feel free to do so. The door is always open," he said. He stood and Iris followed suit, leading him over to the corridor. Shacklebolt stopped when he reached the kitchen and looked back at Harry. "Potter, feel free to take the morning off. You look like you could use a bit more sleep. Can't have you running missions like that. I'll inform your department head," Shacklebolt said, smiling. Harry nodded, barely managing to suppress a yawn.
"Thank you, sir," he said. Shacklebolt turn and followed Iris to the door. She opened it for him and stood waiting for him.
"Good day, Iris. Again, please think about it," he said. She nodded in return. He stepped out and Iris shut the door behind him. She leaned against it a moment, processing what had just happened then walked back into the living room. Harry was now back on the couch, abandoning his tea for the coffee he had left there. He tapped the mug with his wand, instantly warming it up again.
"Did you know about this?" she asked, thinking back to their conversation the day before. Harry shook his head as he looked up at her.
"I mean, I noticed he had taken an interest in you. Asked me and Ron a few questions and all. But I didn't know he was going to offer you a job," he responded. Iris walked around behind the sofa and sat at the other end, facing Harry. "I know you turned it down, but, are you going to think on it more? I think it could be good. At least, you could put your magic to good use." Iris nodded.
"True. But... I'm not sure that now is the right time for me to… get involved in something potentially dangerous," she said. "Not when Oliver still isn't himself... Maybe later…" Harry studied her a bit.
"You know, I think he would understand if you did want to," he said carefully. Iris looked at him and sighed, picking up her coffee mug.
"Possibly? I'm just not so sure about things nowadays… I can't imagine what he went through while I was gone. I don't want to put him through that every single day I go to work. It's bad enough I have to feel you when you do," she said, glancing over at him.
"I keep forgetting about that," he admitted. "It's not that bad, is it?" He didn't understand what Iris felt, or if she could turn it on and off. But he was in a bit of a dangerous line of work. It most likely wasn't pleasant for her, whatever it was that happened.
"Not like it used to be," Iris said. "I can still feel when you're in danger, but now I can control it. I can assess the threat level and decide if I need to do anything. Thankfully, I don't really need to. It doesn't happen often, and you're more than capable of handling the situations you get into." Harry nodded.
"That's good to hear," he said. Iris chuckled.
"I don't know what I'm going to do when Oliver starts up Quidditch again, though. All the injuries and potentially life-threatening plays," she said, leaning back.
"When did that start, again? You didn't really go into details," he said.
"When I went into hiding right after the incident with the Malfoy boy," she said. "Lupin surmised that because my power is protective in nature that it would evolve to connect me to those I love most."
"Your future children are going to love that," Harry joked. "A mother who knows what you are doing at all times." Iris chuckled.
"I only hope they don't turn out as troublesome as us," she said. "Or I'll have many sleepless nights ahead of me." Harry studied Iris a bit.
"I take it you and Wood still haven't talked," Harry ventured. Iris looked at him and shook her head.
"Not at all, but like you said, it'll just take some time," she said sadly. "He… puts on a good front. Acts like he's fine, but at night, he's still having nightmares. He thrashes about and mutters things in his sleep. It worries me."
"I know how that feels," Harry said. He looked up at Iris. "But like I said yesterday, just give him time. He'll come around. If anyone is going to work out, it'll be you two." Iris nodded.
"By the way, how's Ginny?" Iris asked. Harry blushed slightly.
"She's good… I think the Quidditch league is trying to recruit her," he said. Iris nodded.
"She'll do good there. Maybe I should mention her to Oliver for Puddlemere to look out for," she said with a smile.
"I think she's got her heart set on the Holyhead Harpies," he responded.
"We shall be a house divided," Iris responded solemnly. Harry took one look at her face and started laughing with Iris joining in.
"If you don't mind, I think I might take that nap," Harry said. Iris nodded.
"Off you go," she said.