Ice
He got a letter from Iris, delivered by her tiny little owl, asking if he would meet her. How could he say no, he owed her that much.
At the agreed on time, he waited for her in the Great Hall, eating a light lunch. Iris all but skipped down the lanes of tables and sat down across from him.
“Thanks for meeting me, Ben.” Iris greeted happily.
“Of course Iris. You're one of the people I'm least uncomfortable around.” He laughed through his uneasiness.
“I'm going to cut to the chase. I need your help.” Iris said bluntly.
“I owe you for saving me from Merula. As long as it isn't anything too dangerous.”
“It's not too dangerous... We're going to a forbidden corridor where we'll have to sneak past Mrs. Norris before entering a locked door.” He nearly fainted on the spot at her description. Did she not know who she was talking to? He was the worlds most cowardly student to ever grace Hogwarts.
“You and I have a very different definition of dangerous. Why do you want to get inside the door?”
“It's a long story, Ben.” She sighed. Then a second thought hit him... She came to him, knowing how he was... Iris trustedhim.
“If you really want to convince me to go with you, you're going to have to tell me the whole thing... And calm my nerves.” He told her honestly, hoping she could explain his worry away. “I don't know if I'll ever feel like I belong but at least I have a friend like you. I don't want to let you down, Iris. I always let everyone down.”
“Don't be silly Ben, I'm glad you're my friend. You've never let me down yet.” She smiled at him and his heart fluttered.
“Thanks, Iris. I feel a lot better about being at Hogwarts, I'm afraid of everything, but knowing I have a friend like you makes it easier.” He told her as he put his sandwich down, knowing he wouldn't be able to finish, and even if he did... He would just be heaving it up in the toilet later.
“I've seen you in charms, Ben. You're a powerful wizard, wether you think so or not. Between Mrs. Norris, the locked door, and whatever is on the other side, I'd feel a lot better having you there with me and Rowan. Truly. I need you there for me.”
I need you there for me. He had heard those words before, as his Grandmother held a hanky in her hands, weeping. I need you there for me, she had told him, referring to the funeral of his Grandfather. Few people have ever said they needed him and before he could think anymore about it-
“Ok... I'll go.” He told her, and watched as she lit up.
“Amazing! Thank you Ben!”
“Thank me if I don't flee in terror at the first sight of Mrs. Norris.” He half joked.
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That night, after curfew, Ben slipped out of his dorm and down the stairs to the common room to meet the girls. Few words were exchanged and they slipped out past the fat lady, into the dimly lit castle.
“I'll admit this is more terrifying than I ever imagined. And I spend a lot of time imagining terrifying things.” Ben admitted when they arrived in the corridor. “I'm even more confused by you saying this wouldn't be dangerous, Iris.”
“I said not too dangerous.” She reminded him as they all looked down the corridor, seeing Mrs. Norris grooming herself. “Is everyone ready?” She asked Rowan and Ben, giving them a chance to back out. Ben almost let his feet lead him back around.
“I'm ready to run at the first sign of danger.” He told the two of them.
“I spent all night studying maps of this section of the castle, and going over the plan, Iris. I'm as ready as I'll ever be.” Rowan affirmed, confident.
“I tricked Filch into staying in his office, but we should still hurry. Snape might return any minute.” Iris warned. “Ben, you'll watch for anyone coming, Rowan you'll give the sleeping draught, and I'll unlock the door.”
“I've read a lot of books, but no one ever explained how to make a cat drink a potion.” Rowan told her, concerned the plan may not work.
“Penny and I mixed it with milk. Just pour it near her and she should lick it up.” Iris explained, pulling out the vial of potion that was a milky pink color.
“Tasty.” Rowan joked as she looked at the mixture. “I imagined myself doing all sorts of things at Hogwarts, but I never thought I'd be giving a cat a sleeping draught.” She mentioned as she and Iris made their way to the door while Ben tailed them, looking for any shadows. Rowan popped the lid and poured the mix on the ground while Iris slipped behind Mrs. Norris who sniffed, and began licking the mix. The cat almost immediately passed out while Iris worked on the door. “Brilliant! You have a real gift for this, Iris, of wizarding doesn't work out you could easily become a burglar!”
While it was suppose to be a compliment, the looks that Iris and Ben gave Rowan were one of confusion. The lock clicked audibly, and Iris smiled. Ben watched her hands as she did the charm and then as she went to take the lock off the door, missing a single shadow approach.
“Flipendo!” Ben was knocked on his bum. “Flipendo!” Then Rowan. Iris turned on her heel and was promptly met with a jinx, and she was knocked down to the ground in front of Ben.
“Iris?” Ben reached out and puyt his hand on her shoulder as she sat up a little.
“Only an idiot like you would invite a spineless Mudblood to keep watch, Rosewood.” Merula sneered at her. “I was wondering how to unlock the door, and get past that nasty cat. All I had to do was follow you and wait for you to do it for me.” She stepped over Iris and then looked back before opening the door, “a cursed vault could be inside, and no one is going to reach the cursed vaults before me.” The door slammed shut behind her and Iris got to her feet, helping Rowan and Ben up.
“Have I mentioned how much I hate Merula?” Rowan said, rubbing her hip.
“Are you all right Ben?” Iris asked him. He was rubbing his head where it had bonked against the stone wall when he fell.
“Now I know the exact pain you saved me from when Merula was bullying me.” He answered her.
“What are we going to do Iris?”
“I can't let Merula find the cursed vaults before me. She could ruin my chances of finding my brother.” Iris told her, placing her hand on the door knob.
“And we don't even know what's inside. What if it's an all powerful artifact? Can you imagine a all powerful Merula? I'm right behind you Iris.” Rowan promised her.
“I'm afraid of what might be inside, but I'm even more afraid of being all alone in this corridor.” Ben admitted. Iris nodded and pushed the door open, inside, it was rather dimly lit, so Rowan pulled out her wand and lit up the room with a bluish hue.
“This is too good!” Rowan laughed loudly, and Iris herself snickered at the sight. Ben just found himself frozen.
“The ice st-stuck m-me t-to the f-floor, and k-keeps sp-preading over me!” Merula shivered, explaining what had happened. Ben watched as Iris's face suddenly fell, like she had seen a ghost. He almost asked her what came over her but Merula snapped, “it's spreading over the door too! Get m-me out of this ice b-before I j-jinx the three of you!”
Behind them, there was the sound of cracking, almost like rocks sliding down a great hill. Iris, Rowan, and Ben all turned to see the ice grow wildly around the door and freeze it shut.
“The door is frozen shut!” Iris announced as she tried to pry it open.
“Iris help!” Rowan yelled frantically, and Iris and Ben turned to see the ice taking over Rowan's feet and ankles.
“Hold on, Rowan!” Iris assured her, pulling her wand out and blasted it with a few spells, “the ice is growing faster than I can destroy it! Is it cursed or something?” She asked to anyone who would listen. Ben, who only watched Iris, suddenly became aware of freezing cold around his own feet. “Rowan are you ok?” Iris asked, blasting the last bit of ice off her.
“Don't worry about me, we have to help Ben!” She pointed over Iris's shoulder. The two girls raised their wands and blasted the ice away fairly quickly, as it hadn't grown much on Ben.
“Thank you, I was afraid I would freeze to death.” He thanked then, feeling his heart beating nearly out of his chest.
“No one c-cares about y-you! S-save m-m-me!” Merula howled.
“Why should we?” Iris shouted at her. “This is going to hurt, Merula.” She warned, raising her wand.
“What are you t-talking about!? What are you g-going t-to d-do?!” Merula asked and Iris smiled.
“Flipendo!” Iris cast the spell and while it blasted the ice away, it also blasted Merula on her bum.
“Owwwww!” The Slytherin whined.
“Hurt doesn't it?” Rowan rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Now, we have to get out of the room.” Iris turned, “we have to cast the knockback jinx on the door.” Iris and Rowan cast their jinx's, with some of the ice breaking away but not enough.
“The door is still stuck! What do we do, Iris? The ice is spreading fast!” Rowan shouted, trying unsuccessfully to open the door and let them out.
“It's hopeless.” Ben murmured and then Iris spun around and looked at him wide eyed.
“Ben! We need you! I know you know the knockback jinx and Flitwick even said you have some of the strongest casts he has ever seen!” Iris encouraged him.
“Iris... I-I don't know if I can do it!” Ben told her sadly. He knew Iris believed in him, but if he let her down-
“Worthless Mudblood.” Merula rolled her eyes. Iris turned and glared at her.
“Would you shut up!” She shouted at the Slytherin and then turned and looked back at Ben. “Don't listen to her, Ben. I know you can do this, you just have to try. Please. For your friends... For me.” Iris's eyes were so open, wide in belief that he really could save them. She believed in him, possibly the only person to believe in him this entire school year. He nodded at her.
“I'll try.” He stood in front of the door, “get behind me Iris.” She shuffled from his side to his back and he lifted his wand. “Flipendo!” He cast the spell, and the bright light popped out of his wand like lightening. The ice burst into a million tiny shards, raining down on them.
“You did it!” Iris cheered, wrapping her arms around his shoulders from behind, giving him a tight hug. Ben was simply shocked at himself.
“I... Did it.”
“Yes, now lets get out of here!” Rowan said, opening the door, little bots of ice cracking on the hidges.
“Do you think the ice will spread through the rest of the castle?” Ben asked Iris as they went to leave.
“I don't... Wait, look at this.” Iris pointed up above the door frame.,
“What is it?” Ben asked, looking at the scratchings on the wall. Their conversation stopped Rowan, and she turned back to look at what they were studying.
“It's some sort of code. Someone left a message in the ice...” She studying the letters that a[[eared to be in another language.
“I wish I had something to write it down, I doubt I'll get the chance to come back.” Iris admitted but Rowan waved at her.
“I have it memorized, let's get going.” She encouraged Iris and Ben. Once they were out and shut the wooden door behind them they all took a sigh of relief.
“I should have known better than to follow you idiots. I'll find the real cursed vaults by myself.” Merula scowled, walking away from them.
“You're welcome!” Iris shouted back at her.
“That wasn't a cursed vault, was it?” Rowan asked Iris as the three Gryffindor's started to make their way back to their dorms. “It doesn't seem likely, but the ice itself did appear to be cursed. Maybe it's protecting a vault? Or somehow escaping from one?” She mused as Iris listened, and Ben just walked along holding his head down in awkward silence. “Deciphering the runes could give us a clue. Either way, it seems like your vision was some sort of prophecy. The ice is spreading, almost like it could engulf all of Hogwarts.”
Vision? Ben found himself asking. Iris had a premonition about the cursed ice? He suddenly found himself feeling incredibly small, as if Iris didn't trust him enough to tell him that information.
“We can try and figure that out later, let's just get back to the tower before we get caught by Snape or Filch.” Iris shook her head. “There's not much we can do, the end of the school year is Friday, so I think we should just enjoy the last few days of our first year.” Iris told them.
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Ben found himself in a very loud train car suite, with Iris, Penny, and Rowan. They were all giggling and laughing about the looks on the Slytherin table when they came in last in the House Cup finale. He had to admit, it was pretty sweet seeing Merula scowl and pound her fists on the table in frustration when Slytherin was announced forth, and then the look of horror when Gryffindor took 1st.
Iris sat next to him and he couldn't help but smell her perfume or her shampoo, whichever it was very fragrant and floral. It was nice, it reminded him of a perfume his mother wore. He could hardly wait to see his Mum, and his Dad, but most importantly his Nana. He couldn't wait to see her and tell her about the school, his classes, the fun spells he learned, and then... About Iris.
When the train came to a stop at platform 9 3/4 Ben followed the girls off the train to collect their bags. His parents, who already had eyes on him, were shocked to see their little wallflower chatting with three girls.
“Bye Ben! See you in September!” Iris waved enthusiastically after he headed towards his parents. Ben knew he turned red as a beet but waved goodbye to her just the same, and to Penny and Rowan who were smiling happily, waving and standing near Iris.
“Friends?” Marie asked her son. Ben almost quickly said no, but instead nodded.
“Yeah they are.” Marie and Jack exchanged looks, and Marie mouthed three girls to her husband who nodded and smiled happily. Their little wall flower had became friends with not one, but three young witches. They knew their son enough not to press, but hoped that they would hear more about the three young girls who had befriended their sweet son.
The end of year one