"Not that I don't love a good boys' night, but, why are we here?" Percy asked, looking around the table. He was at The Leaky Cauldron with Oliver, George, Harry and James.
"I just realized that we all haven't spent much time together without Iris," Oliver said, taking a drink of his beer.
"Right," George said, seeing straight through his lie.
"Alright then, I want to propose and I haven't the foggiest idea how to do it so I need your help," Oliver admitted. George whooped.
"FINALLY!" he shouted as Percy grinned.
"Mum'll be pleased. She's been wanting to try her hand at another wedding to make up for Fleur and Bill's being overtaken by Death Eaters. Seeing as she's basically adopted Iris as her own, she'll be more than happy to do it. And it gets her off my back about Audrey for a bit," he said. James was quiet, studying the Quidditch player. He then smiled.
"Congrats, Oliver. You're a lucky man," he said lightly. Inside he was seething. It had been about two weeks since his moron of a cousin had stabbed Iris behind the joke shop. He should have come up with a plan to get Oliver out of the picture by now, but every time James asked, he would respond with "Almost." James was beginning to think he was just toying around with him for a place to hide out from the aurors until he could make his escape. The old manor was rundown, but it did provide a bit of warmth and protection from the elements. And with winter settled in, Marcus would need it.
"But seriously… how do I do it?" Oliver asked, looking around the table. George clamped his shoulder and shook it slightly.
"Oliver, if you still have to ask, I worry for your future children," he said, grinning. Oliver swatted his hand off his shoulder.
"Are you daft! Get your mind out of the gutter," he said grinning. Harry grimaced.
"I really don't want to hear this," he said.
"So you don't know," George replied, continuing joke.
"I assure you, Iris and I need no help in that area," Oliver said, blushing. "But I'd rather discuss the proposal now, if you don't mind." James blood began to boil as images of Iris and Oliver tangled together flicked through his mind. It was bad enough they were together, now he wouldn't be able to get the image of them shagging out of his head as well. Harry's face was now bright red.
"Please remember this is my aunt we're talking about," he said.
"Whatever you do, you need fireworks," George said.
"Merlin, must you always go straight to overdoing it?" Percy jumped in. "Why don't you keep it simple - dinner at a lovely restaurant, then during dessert, get down on one knee with the ring." Oliver shook his head.
"Nah, seems too generic. I want it to be memorable. And Iris," he said.
"You could take her to the new Puddlemere Stadium… take her for a romantic broom ride and then propose," George suggested.
"Not sure about that. Quidditch is more my thing than Iris'. And it's still winter," Oliver said. "Maybe Hogsmeade? Where we had our first date?"
"No, completely unromantic," Percy said. "What are some other places that are significant to you?"
"Hogwarts. Headquarters… I could do a sort of romantic candlelight dinner at Headquarters," he said. Both Percy and George glared at him.
"You should do it at a concert," James said suddenly. All four men stared at James. "She loves music. Always have. There's a show coming up soon at an old live joint we used to go to. It was her favorite place." A grin slowly spread across Oliver's face.
"It's perfect. She's always playing music at home nowadays… been introducing me to the bands she used to listen to," he said. "You're a genius, James." James smiled and shrugged.
"It's the least I can do for an old friend. I'll make the arrangements," he said. "If you want to make it more of a surprise, I could ask her to go with me. Then she meets you instead." Oliver's eyes lit up.
"I think this calls for a toast," he said, lifting his glass. The rest followed. James willed his hand to stay steady. All he wanted to do was to punch the Quidditch player but instead he smiled and congratulated him.
"Have you got the ring?" Harry asked. Oliver nodded. He pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket and opened it, setting it on the table. It was old, antique. Art deco. Set on a delicate gold band was a medium-sized diamond with smaller diamonds surrounding in in a starburst pattern. It wasn't too big, but it suited Iris.
"Blimey, Quidditch must be paying well for you to afford that," George said, looking at it. "Looks old."
"Ehm, it was my Great-Gran's. Mum brought it when she and Dad came to visit last," he said. "Family is important to Iris, so I figured she'd like something passed down in mine."
"She'll love it," Harry said. James studied it from across the table. It was smaller than what he could afford to give her. But then again, the Scot was right. She would love the sentimentality behind it. James quickly finished his beer and put the empty glass down on the table.
"Well, if that's it, I'm afraid I have to get to the office. But I'll take care of everything and owl you tomorrow, Oliver," he said. Oliver nodded.
"Thanks again. I owe you," he said. "If Iris doesn't make you her man of honor, I'll make you one of my groomsmen." James smiled and laughed.
"I'd like that. See you later," he said before turning to leave.
As soon as James stepped out onto the sidewalk, he turned into a deserted alley and apparated to the manor. He was seething. While his stupid cousin had been biding his time, the Quidditch player was going to propose. And Iris would say yes. Of course he would have to come up with the plan himself. At the least this one would have him stepping in the role of hero. And at the end of it, he would turn his ruddy cousin over to the aurors as payback.
He had never stopped thinking about Iris. It was true he didn't date much while away, but the truth behind it was because he couldn't get the bright girl with so many secrets out of his head. He knew his parents wouldn't approve - not then. Especially since at the time he thought she was muggle. But now that the world knew her as Potter's aunt and a witch of considerable gifts, they would accept her. Since they had become reaquainted, his attraction for her had only grown. He was hopeful at first when she confided that things were not well with Oliver. He was patient and bided his time, playing the role of concerned friend - offering advice and comfort. But then things had gotten better. He was desperate the night Marcus showed up at his family's manor, asking for shelter. He was lucky it was James who answered. While his parents had followed the ways of purebloods, they had not sided with Voldemort and no doubt would have turned Marcus away to avoid scandal. James remembered that his cousin had had a feud with Oliver back in the day. He used that knowledge to strike a deal with him so they could both get what they want. Marcus could kill Oliver - get his revenge for his girlfriend - and James could then swoop in and get Iris. That is if he didn't kill his cousin himself for his incompetence.
He stormed into the room and saw Marcus sitting at a table in front of a fire, eating.
"Wasn't expecting you until tomorrow. Did you bring whiskey?" he asked.
"No. While you've been here enjoying your food and drink, I've actually been coming up with a plan, you idiot," James spat. Marcus put his bowl down and stood.
"You think it's been easy? The hills are crawling with aurors!" he shouted.
"You want your revenge? Then shut up and listen," James said, glaring at him. Marcus stood silent and nodded.
"What's this plan?" he asked.
"You're going to need some help...," James started.
Iris appeared in the middle of Jude's office, just in time for the day's briefing.
"Merlin, Iris. Must you always do that?" Ron said as he nearly jumped out of his skin in front of her. She shrugged and smiled.
"It's more convenient than the floo," she said.
"Show off, though I take it this means you're feeling better," Harry muttered, hiding a smile.
"Good, you're here, Iris. How was this morning?" Jude asked as he walked in. Over the time they had been working together, Iris had come to respect the serious young man. The feeling was mutual as he saw more of her in action.
"Afraid I got a whole lot of nothing," she said dejectedly. "I wasn't able to find his extended family. Then I looked into Daphne's mother a bit. Turns out she wasn't completely happy with her daughter's choice of boyfriend. So they aren't helping him." Jude nodded.
"Very well. Keep at it. If someone knows anything, you'll find it," he said.
"I found out that her sister - Astoria - is dating Draco Malfoy. They're going on a date tonight. I could follow them," Harry offered. Jude looked at him.
"Good work, Potter. Do that. Take Iris with you," he said. Harry looked over at Iris, wondering if he should say something. He knew what Oliver had planned that night and he had been tasked with making sure that she didn't cancel.
"'Fraid I can't," Iris said. Jude stopped and looked at her, his brow furrowed. "You see… I have tickets to this band tonight… and it's the only chance I have to see them…" she trailed off, feeling a bit foolish. "I can cancel."
"No, that's fine. You've done quite a lot of work this week as it is. We don't want you to overexert yourself. Potter, take Thomas," he said. Iris sighed. "You're dismissed." They all walked out of his office.
"Going out with James, are you?" Harry asked. Iris nodded, her eyes lighting up.
"We're going to my favorite live music joint," she said. "I haven't been to a muggle concert in ages." Harry smiled.
"I hope you have fun," he said.
"I'm sure I will. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get home and get ready," she said. With that she silently disappeared.
"Really? Does she have to rub it in our faces?" Ron said, staring at the spot where she just stood.
"I think it's brilliant," Dean said. "If I could do that, I would all the time."
"Same here… does she still make up her own potions, Harry?" Neville asked. Harry nodded. "And she doesn't need a wand?"
"Ehm, no, she doesn't. Never has," he said, starting to feel a bit awkward with all the questions.
"That whole time she was at Hogwarts too… Explains a lot. I can't believe she's on our team," Neville said, getting a look of awe.
"I think Neville's turning into Iris' biggest fan," Ron joked.
"Come off it, Ron. You have to admit it's brilliant what she can do. And she taught herself," Neville replied.
"She is quite brilliant," Harry said.