"Remus, she's old enough now."
Remus sat at the kitchen table, lit that night by candle and moonlight. Albus Dumbledore sat opposite him.
"She's only ten years old."
"I know, but the lords would have had her far earlier than this, if we hadn't provided a good enough argument." Dumbledore leaned forward, voice containing both strands of pleading and imploring. "Harry will attend this September as well."
"Weren't we supposed to keep them separate?"
"They're old enough now. Besides, we'll have Iris to watch over him as well."
"You still believe the Dark Lord will return?"
"I still believe he won't give up without his revenge."
Remus leaned back into his seat, gazing up at the ceiling, then out of the window. The sea rolled up the shore, rough and uncertain. Was this to be the future of the Potters?
"Alright," he sighed. "As of September, Iris will live permanently at Hogwarts."
"Thank you, Remus," said Dumbledore, sighing as well.
"I'll miss her you know..."
"Of course, but you will always be welcome to visit her."
"I'll tell her in the morning."
"No need. She's been listening on the stairs ever since I arrived." Dumbledore smiled as he heard the hurried creak of the floorboards overhead, as the small girl ran from the scene of her crime. He chuckled slightly to himself, Remus joining him.
"But I've been to Hogwarts before," the small girl protested as she was ushered into the boat. Night had fallen, and the stars shone in the sky. The moon was a crescent, no risk of danger.
"I know, Iris," Remus murmured, leaning back in his seat. He closed his eyes, remembering the first time he had seen Hogwarts, with James and Sirius and Peter, Lily in another boat across them. He felt a wrench within him that he was the only one left. He opened his eyes, gazing at the back of her head, whispering softly. "But you've never seen it like this."
As they turned the corner, and Hogwarts appeared before them, a small gasp was elicited from the small child. Lights glistened from the windows of the great hall, and throughout the towers. Remus smiled. Always Iris had been transferred by Floo powder, and trained either indoors or in the depth of night, unable to see the building she had partially called home. Now, she, like all others who passed to study at Hogwarts, could observe its beauty and grandeur to the highest of its capacity.
As they pulled up to the entrance of the castle, the boat latched a rope around a mooring post. Iris was still dazed, glancing behind them, wishing to return to glance over the black lake. Remus stood up, positioning himself protectively in front of her. Someone was waiting for them.
Severus Snape.
"Well, well, Lupin. Dumbledore told me you would be escorting the Potter girl." Snape sneered, eyes narrowing. "I saw her brother not a few moments ago, retreating to the Gryffindor tower, looking every inch the repugnant duplicate of his father."
"Don't you dare talk about my brother like that." The flare of her red-haired temper caused Iris to step from behind her godfather's legs, arms folded across her chest. Remus placed a protective hand on her shoulder, glancing up for Snape's reaction.
His eyes widened and he stumbled backwards.
"The eyes," he whispered, "why is it always the eyes?" He floundered for a few seconds more, before Remus saw it fit to intervene
"Aren't you meant to take us somewhere, Severus?" Snape nodded slowly, turning, his movements rigid and impersonal. He was in shock, Remus could tell, and he didn't half blame him. He was fully aware of Snape's feelings towards Lily Potter, and Iris' resemblance could only have caused such a reaction; their only difference was their eyes. Iris had her father's eyes, and Harry his mother's.
"What's wrong with him?" Iris tapped on Remus' sleeve, calling his attention. She looked confused and concerned at the same time, much as her mother would've been. He smiled weakly, shaking his head.
"Don't worry, Rissie. It doesn't matter." Not often did Remus use that name for her, only as a comfort, for it seemed less formal and more fitting for the small girl.
They reached Dumbledore's office, and Snape turned again. His eyes were still wide, but his face had reverted to a blank mask, obscuring his obvious internal turmoil.
"I will leave you now," he muttered, taking a last glance at Iris, before swallowing, and stalking off.
"Well he's strange," Iris sniffed, making Remus chuckle.
"Oh, yes he is."
"Ah, Remus, there you are!" Dumbledore called, as they stepped through the doors. "I was beginning to think Severus had eaten you!"
"I wouldn't be surprised if he had," Muttered Iris, causing the other two to laugh. "Well, he was acting awfully funny."
"Maybe one day, I'll explain," Dumbledore smiled.
Remus gazed down at Iris, a sad smile on his lips; he knelt down in front of her, taking her hands into his.
"This is goodbye, Rissie."
"For now," she whispered, knowledge sparkling behind her eyes. "It's not like I'm never going to see you again."
"No," he smiled. He hugged her and she wrapped her small arms around him as well, kissing him softly on the cheek.