Petty Professor Sevy
The next day was hell for Harry. It would have been for Iris as well if she was anybody else, but she was not. She was her. And so she was used to being stared and whispered at. After all, she was a Stark. And a Potter before that. And an Evens. And a daughter of Ares. She was dramatic and sarcastic and proud.
It was for that reason that anytime she saw someone looking at her and her brother she made a big point of noticing them. She had to be dramatic and live up to her father's expectations. All three of them were drama queens.
People queuing outside of classrooms stood on their tiptoes to look at the siblings or doubled back to pass them again in the corridors, staring. Whilst Harry tried to hurry on, Iris would stop, point to whoever was looking and yell to them in an over-excited voice with the biggest smile humanly possible on her face.
''Hello! Hi! I'm Iris! Who are you? I don't care! Kidding!'' And she would bounce away giggling.
And when people doubled back to see them, she would gasp loudly and point and say "I swear I just saw you pass us already! Oh! I must be going insane!" and she would clutch the arm of whoever her victim was and wail about her fragile mental state till they ran off, which happened quite often. People were always more self-conscious when they were pointed out in a big crowd, and Iris used that to her advantage.
It seemed to work, because a lot of people would move away or carry on with what they were doing when she gave them her attention. She must have scared them.
Well, they ain't seen nothing yet.
Iris could be big, and loud, and dramatic, and if it made Harry laugh, even better!
He had giggled at her a few times anytime someone scuttled away and seemed grateful that she was taking away the attention from him, even if it was because she was acting a little bit psychotic. Ron found her brilliant and had commented to Harry how cool his big sister was once or twice.
Getting around the school was rather difficult, considering the number of staircases, some that moved, some with trick steps some that led to fake doors or doors you had to tickle to open. And the ghost didn't help. They often appeared out of nowhere, scaring you senseless. Peeves the poltergeist gave you an incredibly hard time, trying to steal your nose and screaming, 'GOT YOUR CONK!'
And the head caretaker, Filch, was a pain, especially when he had one of his other cleaners from his little army with him. Ron had muttered about how they should make him clean the castle all by himself with no help, and that maybe that would teach him for being so nasty.
Iris was late to a lot of her lessons on the first day because of her dramatics, but the teachers were understanding if she said she was crowded by eager fans. Which was only half a lie.
The lessons themselves were very interesting. They had to study the night sky every Wednesday and learn the names of different stars and the movements of planets. Three times a week they went out to the greenhouse to study Herbology, with a dumpy little witch named Professor Sprout, where they learnt how to take care of the herbs and plants, and what they were used for. History of magic was with Professor Ignus, an interesting man who made the lessons seem like they were travelling back in time. It was her first lesson she didn't share with Harry, but Ron was there. Harry told her that his history teacher was called Professor Bins, a boring old ghost. Iris was glad not to have him.
She and Lavender had Charms with a young teacher called Professor Smith, an American woman. She was surprised when she heard Iris' accent, but Iris was glad not to be the only black sheep. Harry told her he was with Ron and Hermione in Professor Flitwick's charm class.
Professor McGonagall was an interesting teacher. She had Transfiguration with Harry and Ron and she was quite happy about that. They were told that messing around would not be accepted and then the Professor turned her desk into a pig and back again. Iris was excited to begin the lesson and eagerly took notes when instructed to. When the teacher came round to give out matchsticks that they were meant to turn into needles, Iris remembered her manners.
'Thank you, Minnie,' she said with an innocent smile on her face.
McGonagall had stopped, closed her eyes and took a deep breath in like she was summoning all her patience before she let it out, shook her head and moved on. Ron questioned her later on it, but the girl just winked. By the end of the lesson, Iris and Hermione were the only two people who had completed the task.
Well, Iris had been the only one to complete it, Hermione just made hers go silver and pointy. Iris had won ten points for her achievement but then lost three when she continued to gloat about it to a moody Hermione.
Defence against the dark arts was a bit of a joke, to be honest. Iris refused to be taught by this man every year when he stuttered all the time, his room smelled like garlic and he was clearly a liar. He told them that his turban was a gift from an African Prince for fighting off some zombies, but then couldn't tell them how he fought the zombies off.
After that lesson, she went straight to McGonagall and asked if she could be in a different class with a different teacher. She reminded the older witch that her ADHD would make it incredibly difficult to follow along with him and to pay attention to his stutter and that it was no fault of his own.
Plus Harry was making silly faces at Iris that made it hard for her not to burst out laughing, not that the teacher needed to know that.
In the end, she ended up being moved to do defence with Professor Murphy.
Hermione was jealous when she told her. Then the bitch said that she probably didn't even have ADHD and was trying to manipulate the teachers. Ron and Harry looked at the other girl incredulously, which made her flush.
Maths she had with Professor Backburn, an old man who used sarcasm as a second language and obviously hated his job. Iris rather liked him but found the lesson incredibly boring considering she was above everyone else in her year.
When she went to McGonagall about that, she was simply given a pass to the library and was told to do independent study for math's and science. She still had to do English though.
On Friday Ron and Harry joined her at the breakfast table talking about double potions with Snape. Iris was excited for that lesson as she would get to brew things and she had read about their teacher. Professor Snape was the youngest potions master in Europe and had created several of his own spells and modified a lot of potions. But she had heard that he favoured his house, Slytherin, so if that was true then she would be disappointed.
She really hoped they were just rumours because she had come to admire the man from all the things she read about him, and could understand why he was made head of the potions department. It would be a right shame if he ended up being a git.
Iris looked up, along with the rest of the hall, to see a large group of owls swooshing down around the large room to their owners. Post had arrived and she was excited to see if her dad had written to her.
Iris had gotten used to it by now and looked around eagerly to see if she could see hers or her father's owl yet. She knew it would be hard to write to each other considering how far away they both lived from each other now, but it was still a disappointment when a new day passed and she hadn't gotten a letter from him yet. The redhead had written to him on the second day there but he had yet to reply. She could just Iris Message but that took away all the fun and felt like cheating.
She saw Maria, her dad's owl and bounced excitedly. Hedwig came and dropped a letter in front of Harry, then Maria dropped one in front of him as well before coming over to Iris, the poor bird looked exhausted but still held her foot out for Iris to take the letter. She slipped it into her pocket to read later and turned to Harry after she fed Maria and told her to rest in the owlery.
''Hagrid asked if we want to go see him after lessons, I hope you don't mind that I answered for both of us?'' He said.
''Yeah that's fine, I'll be happy to see him. What has my dad said?'' Iris replied.
Harry looked down at the letter confused, only now noticing it.
''Why would your dad write to me?'' He asked picking up the letter like it was a bomb.
''Don't be silly Harry, your family, why wouldn't he write to you?'' Iris asked.
She softened up when she noticed Harry's eyes glisten slightly before he blinked away his tears, tearing into his letter. He read it for a few minutes before putting it down and looking at his sister briefly. He was silent for a few minutes, looking at his plate. Iris grew concerned when she heard some snuffling sounds, wondering what her dad had said to upset Harry enough to make him cry.
''Harry, mate what's wrong?'' Ron asked.
''He made me a room at your house,'' the boy said, looking up at Iris and trying to wipe away his tears. ''He said it was for when I come to visit.''
Iris was confused but reached for Harry's hand.
''Why does that upset you?'' asked Ron.
''It doesn't, it's just, he sent a picture of it as well and, well it's just a lot. The room is really cool and everything but he didn't have to go through all the trouble.''
Iris snorted at that, reaching for her brother's hand.
''Harry, the man is a billionaire who lives in a mansion. I can assure you it's hardly any trouble for him to decorate one of his rooms for you. Your family. Like I said.''
''Billionaire!'' Ron squeaked, going pale.
Iris shrugged. ''He owns a large company that sells to people all around the world.''
Realising that may not have been the best thing to say as Ron got even paler, she panicked.
''Don't think any differently of me Ron, I'm still me. I grew up in foster care remember? For a while, I had nothing to my name, and my dad is a good man.''
Ron nodded still looking pale, and Iris hoped he wouldn't be weird about it. She turned towards Harry again.
''You're not a burden and you don't need to worry about this, my dad will probably spoil you rotten for a while but that's just because it gives him something to do. Alright? And I think you deserve some spoiling. So does my dad. So accept it gracefully cause you're not getting out of this. My home is your home and all that shit.''
Potion lessons took place in the dungeons where it was colder and rather creepy. Snape started the class by taking the register and paused on Harry's name.
''Ah yes,'' he said softly, ''Harry Potter. Our new - celebrity.''
Iris decided she didn't like the man immediately as she sent glares at Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle who were snickering.
''And his sister, Iris Potter,' 'he drawled.
Iris narrowed her eyes, contemplating the man, before deciding that if he was going to pick on them, she would pick on him.
She raised her hand, but he ignored her in favour of finishing the register.
''Sir!'' She called, getting impatient.
''What?'' he sighed, annoyed at the disruption to his class.
''For starters, I would like it if you used my actual last name which is Stark. And secondly, I would like to say you're welcome,'' she said in her best snotty voice.
''For what?'' the man drawled impatiently.
''For gracing you with my most wonderful presence and allowing you to teach me. I hope you enjoy your time near a celebrity.'' She said, flipping her hair over her shoulder, her eyes laser-focused to catch the exact moment her teacher flushed with anger.
She wondered if he turns red, or that peculiar shade of purple some people get when angry enough.
Several people laughed and snickered at her as she gave the annoyed teacher her best Cheshire grin, and - there! His neck flushed red and Snape's eyes narrowed.
''Enough!'' the man shouted. ''You are here to learn, and that's it! Now shut up and sit still,'' Snape snarled. When the class quietened down he continued.
''There is no foolish wand-waving here. I can teach you to bottle fame, brew glory, even stopper death - if you aren't as big a bunch of dunderheads as I usually have to teach.'' He spoke in barely more than a whisper, but they caught every word.
''Potter!'' said Snape suddenly. ''What would I get if I added powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?''
He was talking to Harry, and the boy clearly didn't know the answer. Hermione did, she had her hand up in the air. Iris knew as well, but she wanted to see how this played out.
''I don't know, sir,'' said Harry.
Snape's lips curled into a sneer.
''Tut, tut - fame clearly isn't everything.''
He ignored Hermione's hand. Iris frowned, feeling annoyed on Harry's behalf. She clenched her fist.
''Let's try again. Potter, where would you look if I told you to find me a bezoar?''
Hermione stretched her hand high in the air and Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle were shaking with laughter. Iris was more angry than annoyed now and wanted to hit the man. She felt a buzzing in her head, and her glare focused on Snape again.
''I don't know, sir.''
''Thought you wouldn't open a book before coming, eh, Potter?''
Harry looked over at Iris pleadingly but she just mouthed 'wait', still watching the professor. If anyone asked Harry, he would say he saw a red tint in his sister's eyes. Iris was more than angry now due to her brother's pitiful expression.
''What is the difference, Potter, between monkshood and wolfsbane?''
Hermione stood up, her hand stretching towards the dungeon ceiling and Iris rolled her eyes at the girl.
''I don't know,'' Harry said quietly. ''I think Hermione does, though, why don't you try her?''
A few people laughed, Snape however was not pleased. Iris smirked, something dangerous in it. This man would be easy to make burst into a rage.
''Sit down,'' he snapped at Hermione. ''For your information Pott-''
''Well done sir,'' Iris clapped exaggeratedly, interrupting the man. ''You succeeded in humiliating a muggle-raised boy by asking him trick questions!'' She squealed like it was the best achievement in the world.
A few people snickered.
Iris wasn't laughing, despite the big grin on her face. The girl was mad, how dare he pick on her brother like that! She was also filled with glee at the potential for a fight.
Iris wanted to make him mad, as mad as she felt, to make him turn red. She loved the feeling she got when she did that to people. Loved the way her body burned with their rage like an inferno crawling up her back trying to suffocate her. It made her feel powerful knowing she had caused those feelings, that she controlled them. She wanted to see how far she could push this man.
She would probably regret it later, but for now, she wasn't thinking clearly.
"How very clever of you," she finished dryly, a maniacal grin on her face. Most people just had to look at her when she got like this, and suddenly they were bursting for a fight. Snape was no different, even if he put up a struggle.
There it was. That burn crawling up her back. Just a little more and she could break this man, all she had to do was make him just a bit more angry and he would be in the palm of her hand. She would make him feel anger like never before. She felt lightheaded from the rush it gave her.
''Is your life sad enough that you enjoy bullying children? Because if so I feel sorry for you. And to answer your questions, Sir, asphodel and wormwood make a sleeping potion known as the Drought Of Living Death. A bezoar is a stone taken from a goat's stomach and it will save you from most poisons. And Monkshood and wolfsbane are the same plants which also go by the name aconite.''
Iris put her head on her hand and smiled at him. Almost there. She was impressed by how much restraint Snape had, but everyone cracked eventually.
Who was he compared to a daughter of Ares?
''Have I impressed you?'' she asked sarcastically.
If looks could kill, Iris would be six feet under. Snape was fuming and had a red flush along his face and neck. She'd done it, she had pushed him father then he was used to being pushed and he was livid.
But she wasn't nearly done with him.
She wanted to make him angry, enraged, she thrived on it as much as Ares did. She also hoped he was just as embarrassed, but she couldn't sense those emotions. Only anger and rage. And how amazing it made her feel to know how pissed this man was at her, and to know how little he could do about it.
''Out,'' he said softly.
Iris raised an eyebrow.
''OUT!'' he bellowed, pointing at the door. A few students in the deathly quiet classroom squeaked and jumped. The redhead had forgotten about everyone else.
Iris huffed annoyed that she wasn't getting her verbal spar, and grabbed her stuff putting it in her bag. Apparently, she wasn't moving fast enough because when she walked past Snape, he grabbed her shoulder and shoved her out of the classroom. He stepped out as well, shutting the door and turning towards Iris.
''How dare you speak to me like that in my own classroom Ms Potter.''
''Are you deaf, I said my name was Stark, not Potter, STARK!'' Iris yelled, annoyed and begrudgingly a little impressed. Most others would be screaming by now.
Iris could sense that Snape was beyond enraged, but he was still keeping composed despite that, so he must have some serious self-control.
No matter, by the end of the year Iris would shatter Snape, and teach him not to mess with her or her people.
''I do not care what you prefer to be called, I will have respect in my classroom, by my students!'' The greasy-haired man yelled back.
''Respect has to be EARNED mister, it's a bloody two-way street. If you don't respect your students, they won't respect you! And how DARE you single out my brother and try to BULLY him!'' Iris shouted back just as loud, pointing at him.
The thrill she was getting from this was amazing.
''I WILL NOT BE SPOKEN TO LIKE THIS BY A CHILD!'' he screamed purple-faced.
''I WON'T BE BULLIED LIKE THIS BY A TEACHER!'' Iris screamed back. She was delighted that she finally got a normally composed teacher to lose his cool like this.
''LEAVE!'' Snape screamed pointing down the hallway. Iris stormed off a little down the hallway, then turned around and walked backwards looking at Snape as he opened his classroom door.
She was high on the thrill and not thinking clearly, only focusing on how angry she made him, and how angry she felt. But she loved it.
''FUCK YOU!'' she yelled to the teacher. She heard several people in the classroom gasp as Snape whirled around and stormed over to her.
She turned around and sprinted off, ignoring the git's bellows behind her. One of the other potion teachers stepped out of their classroom to see what was going on. Iris ran past them and saw a class of 5th year's looking curious as she sprinted by, Snape hot on her heels.
Oh, what fun today had been.