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Behind the Veil	By : Leo Category: Harry Potter AU/AR > General Views: 3540 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 2
Disclaimer: I own no rights to the Harry Potter franchise and seek to make no profits from the distribution of this fictional work.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
Pairings: FemHP/TMR, HG/OC, LP/JP, SB/OC, RL/OC, DM/DG, OC/GW/OC

Disclaimer: I own no rights to the Harry Potter franchise and seek to make no profits from the distribution of this fictional work.

A/N: Thank you guys so much for your reviews, I know I've only got a few so far but I really do take the time to read them all; you guys serve as my motivation to write up the next chapter and I would be loath to disappoint you.

Behind the Veil

By StycianLeo

Chapter III

Potter Manor, Warwickshire, UK

August 6, 1991

4:30 AM

The week after Iris' birthday passed with little variation on what it had been for the summer so far; Iris awoke early in the morning to help Lily cook breakfast before Liatris and Remus came down to partake in the morning meal. Liatris grabbed her bag and departed via Floo to her classes, while Remus left for the Ministry to continue his Mastery classes so that he could become the teacher he wanted to be.

Which left the Iris with very little to do since once Lily waved them off she settled in her workrooms to take care of whatever she was working on now. So Iris took the time to walk around the estate with her journal, it had proven to be a productive distraction; using a cipher charm that Harry had learned from Shacklebolt, it caused the words that were written to shift to a random jumble of letters unless you knew the keyphrase that unscrambled the words.

Lily had been surprised of course when Iris started using her wand in the house to levitate books to her from across the library; in fact the woman had quite nearly blown up on her daughter for being irresponsible. That had been an amusing discussion once Iris had explained the Ministry's trace spell.

"Mum, it's really not that big of an issue; the Ministry has a rule on Irresponsible Underage Magic, as long as the magic is performed in the residence with an adult witch or wizard the trace doesn't set off any alarms; and since Dad is right downstairs sleeping the Trace counts it as acceptable use." Iris had explained as she fetched one of the books from her bookcase and flipped it open so Lily could read the information for herself.

"What! So just because you live with magical parents you can practice your magic! What about all the Muggleborns!" Lily shrieked in indignation to which Iris just shrugged, "I didn't make the rules, I just know the loopholes." The young raven haired replied, "Maybe you should write a letter mum."

"You know what! I am, let's see how those pompous politicians like it when I put foot to ar… um, bum!" Lily corrected herself for the sake of her child, though Iris simply smiled at her mother's antics while the woman stormed from the room muttering something about teaching those feather brained hypocrites a thing or two.

In any case, the walks were a remnant from Harry's life; after fighting in a war he had been set on staying in shape; a fit wizard was a strong wizard after all, you didn't see very many portly wizards winning duels now did you?

So Iris had been content to spend her morning doing a five mile stroll, calories burn over distance; you burn the same amount of calories running five miles as walking five miles it just took longer to walk it.

The walks had done her some good too; a lot of the excess baby fat that she had been on the eleven year old had faded leaving her lithe and slim, not that she really needed to lose any weight she was just a kid after all but the activity felt good and once you started getting into a regimen the body starts to feel bad if you don't keep it up. Which is why being fit was a lifestyle and not something you could just touch on and leave be.

The week had been slightly unusual though, 'Aunt' Cissy had been spending a lot of time over lately; which Iris didn't exactly mind since it meant that Draco was over more often too, the young blonde was surprisingly easy to talk to and they got along well now that he wasn't being a vindictive jerk.

They often spent the afternoons in the library helping Liatris getting her assignments done while playing chess or exploding snap; the boy was a born strategist it seemed since even with Iris' years of playing chess against Ron she still only won about half the time.

And when Aunt Cissy came over, Lily and her would disappear into the basement for hours; they had claimed it was a potion that had required to skilled potion brewers to make it effectively and since the woman was an enchantress and Narcissa had at least some experience as Mediwitch based on Harry's experience with her it stood to reason that the woman could brew.

Still, Iris couldn't help but feel that her mother was hiding something; she was still the affectionate woman mother that she had come to know and love even more deeply than before but she had noticed the woman's lingering gaze at meals and the awkward silences that had risen up between the two lately. It might just have been her imagination but after living through a war, paranoia wasn't irrational if someone was actually out to get you.

When Sunday, the fifth had rolled around it had been a sad occasion; James was leaving for an international training session in Germany. It seemed that the Aurors did it about four times a year; they went to other countries for training and competition to foster international relations in law enforcement.

It was only a week long trip but it was intense with day and nighttime operations so he would be required to spend the entire week there instead of going to and fro from the event location. They had made the best of the day, the girls had helped him to pack and there had been some playful rough housing on the big king sized bed in the master suite while the man delayed leaving until the last possible minute.

He promised to bring them back souvenirs and Lily had warned him about getting into any trouble at any of the beer houses, it seemed the last time they had worked with the Germans more than just their magical endurance had been tested.

After he departed for the evening, Narcissa and Draco had come over to spend the night since Lucius was likewise out of the country on a trade mission to France on behalf of the Minister; which basically meant that there was something that the English government needed and they needed a smooth talker to get it from the French Ministry.

For Lily, the week had been frustrating; whoever was posing as her daughter was damn good, they knew all of the girl's nuances and mannerisms and it was so easy to just think it was still her daughter but there was just too much wrong.

Narcissa had pointed it out after the girl's birthday party; Iris had indeed become much more social and that was normal preteen behavior, to see the young witch coming out of her shell a bit more especially as the school year approached and she would be leaving home for long periods at a time.

But Narcissa had also noticed the girl's vocabulary was far more advanced than even an exceptionally intelligent child might have, and the girl who had already been mature for her age was now participating in adult discussions that should have been way over her head.

When the news hit that Gringotts had been broken into the day that they had gone, she had stated offhandedly that it wouldn't surprise her if some wizards began taking out their money. Sure enough, the entire market had dipped as people withdrew their money in favor of foreign banks.

Still that might have just been coincidence, but Narcissa had pointed out how the girl flew; it had never really struck Lily since the girl had been flying almost every day with her sister so it would make sense that the girl would have gotten better but when Cissy explained that the roll and loop maneuver was something that even experienced players had trouble performing without falling off their brooms it suggested that things were not right. The girl had been something of a seeking prodigy according to James and Sirius but her game had improved dramatically in the last month.

So here they were, the two women sitting in the basement finishing the last of a Reversal Potion that would force someone out of their Polyjuice disguise, and Lily had polished off the glasses that could see through glamour charms. Narcissa had even brought a bottle of Veritaserum to force the imposter to reveal the truth about who sent the imposter and where Iris was.

"Cissy, if we do all this and she is actually Iris; as little chance as there is of it, what do we do then?" Lily asked the older woman worriedly, it reminded Cissy of how their friendship had started all those years ago at Hogwarts, back when Lily had been an ignorant Muggleborn in a new world. "If that's the case, I'm not half bad at memory charms…" she said with a slight smirk.

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, UK

October 15, 1971

Those had been some interesting years; Narcissa had first discovered the girl sitting in the back of the library away from everyone else reading a treatise of magical etiquette and customs. It was apparent that the girl had no idea what she was reading and it had irked the pureblood witch, she had approached the girl rather nastily.

"Look at the little Mudblood reading about magic, it's absolutely sickening that you're here!" The slim blonde fifth year had spat angrily causing the young redhead girl to jump and stare at the girl reproachfully, though there had been a fear in those eyes then.

"I don't even know who you are, why are you being mean to me!" The girl had said defiantly from her seat, glaring up at the older student, her voice had been a bit shaky but Narcissa gave her points for effort. Still, she wasn't going to take that kind of back talk from a first year, and a Mudblood at that.

"Because you're the pollution that is strangling the magical world; every year this school sinks lower and lower trying to make your lot more comfortable. You don't even know our ways and their being forgotten for your sake!" She hissed at the girl furiously as she descended and got in the girl's face with her scathing retort.

Lily's lip had quivered then as she leaned back and looked down and away from the furious visage of Narcissa. "I never asked anyone to change their ways, all I want to do is learn… if you're so upset about it; why don't you teach me your traditions." The girl had said softly, but there was an honest sincerity in those words that it actually took Narcissa back in surprise.

She didn't know why but she had the feeling that this girl was genuinely interested in learning about her traditions. When the girl looked up at her with teary eyes and such an earnest expression, she crumbled like a sand castle. "I can't believe I'm agreeing to this… fine I'll teach you; but I won't accept any talking back and if you insult any of the traditions it'll be the end of it. Understood?"

Lily's face had spread into such a radiant smile the Slytherin Ice Queen felt her heart thaw just a bit as she slipped into the seat across from the table and took the book the girl had pulled out and began to explain things to her. It had been the start of a long and lasting friendship.

Potter Manor, Warwickshire, UK

August 6, 1991

7:00 AM

Iris had descended for breakfast and found that Narcissa and Lily were already laying out the dishes for breakfast; Iris was a bit confused by this since cooking was something that usually she and her mother did together. As she sat down in her usual seat at the shoulder of the table; Iris was struck by the realization that she was actually a bit hurt that her mother had cooked without her and she felt a twinge of jealousy at her 'Aunt' for taking her usual role.

Well… that was new, she was hurt because she didn't get to help cook; when had she ever felt hurt by not cooking before. Harry had certainly never felt that way when he was with the Weasley's, and certainly not camping in the woods with Hermione and Ron, and most certainly not when he dodged that chore for the Dursley's.

Had Iris ever particularly liked cooking before, she couldn't remember ever really enjoying it very much but then again she had always viewed it as a chore before. She had come to appreciate the time she had gotten to spend with her mother, perhaps since Harry had never gotten to know Lily she had stopped taking her family for granted and had come to appreciate them more.

That was a rather valuable lesson come to think of it, not taking the constants in your life for granted because as Harry had learned; constancy bred security, and that could be yanked out from under you in a heartbeat.

Still, it was just one breakfast; so mentally shrugging it off, Iris tucked in to the fried tomato and mushroom omelet that the elder witches had prepared and was suddenly struck by how foul the food tasted.

She took a hefty gulp of her juice and found that it tasted twice as horrendous; coughing and spluttering, Iris pushed back from the table ready to retch when she felt a hand clamp around her mouth like a vice before the sensation of being sucked through a straw hit her.

With a faint pop, they were outside and Iris lashed out to get free; a swift stomp to the foot and a viscous elbow to the person's gut earned a surprised grunt of pain as the raven haired witch wrenched free from her assailant. Diving forward into a roll, she came up on her feet with her wand sliding into her right hand from the concealed holster on her forearm.

Setting her gaze on Narcissa Malfoy, Iris was actually stunned for a moment as the woman cursed under her breath. "Aunt Cissy, what the hell was that for!" Iris yelled at the woman confused by the sudden turn of events. The woman looked up at her and rolled her eyes in exasperation, "I was just playing around, no need to get your knickers in a bunch."

Iris looked at the woman skeptically for a moment, the Black family had a definite history of mental instability; Bellatrix was a loony for sure and even Sirius had a bit of a vicious streak in him. Perhaps, Narcissa had finally snapped. If that was the case, then she would have to handle this very delicately or else she could set off the woman.

Looking over her shoulder, Iris saw that the Manor was still within sight so if she needed to she could make a break for it. Apparating would be faster but that would be playing a bit too much of her hand; she could get away with some basic spells here but that was years ahead of where she should be.

"Okay Aunt Cissy, I'm going to get mum and then we can play around if you want." Iris said as she turned back to face the witch, just in time to see the woman pointing her wand; "Stupefy, stupefy, stupefy!" Red jets of light streaked towards Iris, and the young witch switched from the young innocent child to the battle hardened veteran that resided in her psyche.

Crouching low, Iris ducked and weaved under the stunners and picked a moment of her own to send a return stunner with a flick of her wand. She didn't want to take this fight any further than she had to; and despite the change of events, she honestly did like this Narcissa Malfoy; she had no desire to fight her.

The blond woman raised a shield and deflected Iris' stunner into the ground as she cocked an eyebrow, "That's a bit advanced for eleven year old isn't it." She cooed with a smirk of satisfaction playing on her lips as if she had solved some puzzle. "I'm surprised that the Reversal Potion hasn't kicked in yet, I had a galleon that you were using Polyjuice. Looks like I lost that bet."

Iris blinked at the woman for a moment but understanding dawned on her quickly, Narcissa thought she was an imposter. She shook her head, "Sorry to disappoint you Auntie, but I'm all Iris." Raising her wand, the raven haired witch fired off a body-binding curse at her mother's best friend and started backing towards the manor.

Narcissa didn't seem the type to let her retreat and began to send a volley of low level hexes forcing Iris to dodge. The situation was quickly deteriorating, if Iris engaged she would be proving their suspicions correct, but if she didn't then the possibility existed that she was going to get seriously injured or killed as Narcissa continued to be frustrated.

When Narcissa continued to press and began shouting out Reductor Curses, it was becoming apparent that she would need to fight back and if she was going to fight back then she was going to make this as quick as possible.

"Ischyró Teíchos!" Iris called out as a shield blossomed from the end of her wand; unlike the Protego charm that most were familiar with, this was a strong Greek variant that was favored for one particular reason.

Iris attached the shield to her right arm and held it in front of her body like an aspis, the shield gave greater mobility and offensive capabilities but it had the down side of making the user feel every impact like an actual shield; Harry had been trying to improve it but it had been difficult working with the Greek syntax.

Slashing her wand downward as she whispered the spell, "Mastix," from the tip of the holly wand erupted a cobalt ribbon of lightning that crackled ominously and filled the air with the scent of ozone as small arcs of electricity jumped through the air. The combination of shield and whip took Narcissa by surprise and stilled her voice as the young girl inhabiting the form of her goddaughter advanced.

Lashing out with her left hand, the whip sliced through the air and slammed into Narcissa's hastily erected Protego and sent her stumbling; a second lash shattered the barrier and left her kneeling in the lawn as Iris approached. Narcissa lifted her wand to cast a curse and gasped in pain as the electric current fell upon her wrist and set her body aflame with pain as her body convulsed uncontrollably.

When the pain abated, Narcissa found herself laying on the flat of her back on the grass in the shadow of an eleven year old who had two wands in hand was glaring down at her fiercely. If that wasn't bad enough as she met those vivid emerald orbs and saw that behind the righteous fury that burned there was hurt and a sense of betrayal. Narcissa swallowed thickly as she realized her grave mistake, whatever else this child was; she was most definitely Iris Potter.

"Expelliarmus!" The words broke the silence of the air and Iris turned just in time to catch the jet of red light on the aspis she bore; the spell threw her light frame clear of Narcissa and she lost the blonde's wand in the process but she had managed to hold onto her own. Looking up, Iris saw her mother approaching with her wand pointed at her; the tip glowing an angry red as Lily Potter readied her next spell.

More so than when Narcissa had attacked her, Iris felt her throat clench at the fact that the red head was holding her at wand point while she attended to Narcissa, making sure the blonde was unharmed. While her rational brain was thinking that it made sense for the woman to check her friend, the emotional part of her being was reeling from being ambushed by her 'Aunt' and apparently her mother.

Narcissa rose shakily to her feet using Lily for support as she stared over at Iris, laying several feet away in the grass; looking defeated and heartbroken, and her heart bled for the girl. "Lily, we've made a mistake; that's Iris, she's smarter and stronger but that's Iris!" She said tiredly into the redhead's ear.

Lily looked at her sharply while her wand never moved an inch from the supine imposter, for the second time in as many minutes Narcissa was peering into emerald eyes and this time she will the other woman to believe her. Just as many close friends learn to communicate silently through looks alone, Lily shuddered as she looked between Iris and Narcissa with wide and alarmed eyes.

"Are you telling me I just attacked my daughter? That we ambushed my daughter!" Lily exclaimed with rising panic and horror evident in her voice as she looked over her eldest daughter in shock. There are very few things that affect a mother as strongly as their child being in danger, there are fewer things mother wouldn't do to keep their child safe from that danger.

But what do you do as a mother when you're the threat to your child?

And as Iris rose from the ground, the sheen of tears could be seen on her pale cheeks as she looked at the woman that she loved more than anything in the world before she turned on her heel and bolted headlong into the woods, her long coltish legs churning the ground in her haste and Lily sank to her knees with Narcissa's arms wrapping around her as someone screamed after the girl.

It was a moment before Lily realized that it was her screaming after Iris in between gut wrenching sobs.

Potter Manor, Warwickshire, UK

August 6, 1991

12:00 PM

After the disastrous events of the morning, Narcissa and Lily had spent hours wondering through the woods looking and calling out for Iris, but if the girl was there she most certainly didn't want to be found. By the time noon rolled around, both women were hoarse from shouting and had returned to the Manor to see if perhaps the girl had returned home; but of course she hadn't.

Draco had come down to see the inconsolable Lily, when he asked what had happened Narcissa explained that she and Iris had gotten into a fight and the girl had run off into the woods. He had asked to go look for her and Narcissa had acquiesced to the request; and although he had searched for an hour he came back shaking his head.

When Liatris arrived home from classes, Draco had run interference and escorted her to the library to help her with her homework leaving the adults to work out how to handle the situation with Iris. The boy was smart enough to know this wasn't a simple spat over chores but he was also smart enough to know not to pry.

The two women sat outside on the patio staring out into the woods silently, every few minutes Lily tried the Point Me spell but her wand just spun endlessly in circles in her palm. Narcissa eventually snapped at the woman to stop but had only gotten a furious glare in return.

"Don't tell me what to do Narcissa, it isn't your child out in the woods!" Lily had spat back harshly, an edge of warning in her voice that promised violence unless the blonde pureblood handled the situation extremely delicately.

"Look Lily, the girl doesn't want to be found; she'll come home when she's ready to deal and when she does we'll have to face her. That girl beat me soundly, I don't know how or why she is suddenly so much more intelligent or powerful but based on her reaction she's still the same girl we know. And we have violated her trust in ways that we can never fully comprehend." Narcissa stated gently, and for a moment Lily's eyes lit up and took on a shade of green that reminded the blonde of a particularly lethal curse before the woman subsided.

Lily seemed to fold in on herself as the anger drained out of her, "That's the understatement of the year; I cast against my daughter, not as punishment but as an attack. What if she never forgives me? What if she despises me?" she asked suddenly feeling so immeasurably exhausted at the prospect of losing her daughter.

"We'll have to earn back her trust, and it's going to take a while; maybe a lifetime but you're her mother Lily, she'll forgive you and no matter how much she won't want to, she'll still love you." Narcissa said as she took the redhead in her arms and comforted her gently; stroking the woman's head soothingly and she prayed fervently that she was right.

Out in the woods, Iris was lying on her back in a small glade absently stroking the head of one of the adders that resided in the woods, it seemed that several of them had felt her presence as she stormed through the woods and feeling her emotional turmoil had come to sooth her. Harry had often detested his ability to use parseltongue but for Iris, the ability was much more a blessing; while these companions were serpentine there were no less comforting.

Internally, she was conflicted about the morning's events; to the part of her mind that was Harry, she felt the rational presence of a much older person. Lily and Narcissa had noticed unexplainable changes, they had feared and in their fear for the unknown had lashed out, it was human and she should forgive them. Family was too important, too precious to hold a grudge over this.

But to the part of her mind that was the young girl, she felt betrayed and angry; her mother and her godmother, the two people she had thought she could trust more than anyone else in the world had fallen upon her. They hadn't talked or expressed any of their concerns, they had leaped to conclusions and attacked her; how could she ever trust them again after something like that.

When she expressed her thoughts to the adder that had encircled her wrist like a bangle, the feminine hiss had responded, §"Pregnant mothersss ssstrike at all threatsss. Your mother confusssed threat for hatchling and became threat. She will punisssh herssself for worssse than you can. Let her wallow, then return; forgive, but never forget."§

That had been a thought provoking piece, forgive but never forget; it seemed very un-Gryffindor to behave that way but somehow she could not bring herself to care overly much. She was upset, half of her knew that this was the mother that had given her life for her son; but this woman wasn't dead, she hadn't laid down her life for her child's.

The unshakeable faith and love that had existed in Harry didn't fit with who she was now, because in this universe her parents weren't these pedestalled people who could do no wrong; they were flesh and blood. They made mistakes, and this was one mistake that would be very hard to forgive; and she knew that when everything was said and done, they would want answers.

An eleven year old did not best a full grown woman who had more years dueling, than she had been brushing her own hair. They would want to know how she was that strong, that skilled; and they would press for that information. Maybe not now, but they would in the future; and there was nothing she could offer them but the truth, nothing else would make sense.

But even then, would they believe that a version of herself, who was a he, had come from the future and then melded with the consciousness that was Iris; at the behest of a goddess, with some plan for wizarding and/or mankind that had yet to be revealed; so that this future self could live a full and rewarding life with everyone that had been taken from him.

Most likely she would get chucked into St. Mungo's faster than she could blink; she could always take a Wizarding Oath but that had the chance of stripping her of life and magic, something she wasn't willing to risk; there was Veritaserum, which would force her to tell the truth.

That last was probably the best option she had going for her and it would satisfy both her mother and Narcissa; and she could finally let the secret out. It weighed so heavily on her to keep things hidden but once her mother found out that her daughter was now more than just her daughter, how would she react.

Iris considered asking the snake that question but she knew that snakes didn't really stick around to watch their hatchlings grow up and become competition; they fulfilled their duty once they laid the young and they hatched.

Several hours had passed by now and she could feel hunger creeping on her and she had long since cried her tears; the part of her mind that was Harry had rationalized it, explained it, and once you knew the motivation it was difficult to keep that anger stoked.

But she also knew that while she would forgive them their trespasses, she would not forget that they had attacked her; she still loved her mother and Aunt Cissy but it would be difficult to confide in them again until she had more time to let the hurt pass and heal.

With a heavy sigh, Iris spoke to the serpents §"I'm going to move now, no body better bite me!"§ she hissed as she sat up, the adders that had been resting on her and taking in her body heat and sunbathing grumbled as they slithered off of her, as she set her hand on the ground to rise up the female that had been coiled around her wrist detached and slithered off into the grass.

Standing up carefully, Iris made sure she wasn't going to step on any of the snakes as she headed out of the small clearing and made her way back towards the manor, as she looked up at the sky she could see crimson staining the sky and was struck by just how late it actually was. She had stayed away from home for nearly the entire day and she wondered how everyone was going to react to her return.

Potter Manor, Warwickshire, UK

August 6, 1991

5:30 PM

When Iris had arrived back at the Manor she saw first off that her mother had been extremely distraught and that Narcissa was barely better off, both women looked like they had gone twelve rounds with their conscious and lost before the third round. They both had puffy bloodshot eyes and they had blotchy complexions from their bouts of crying.

They had been waiting for her on the patio and looked like they had been there for most of the day at that, they had both perked up when she had approached them but before they could say anything, Iris had held up a hand to stave off their words.

"I understand what you did and why you did it; if I was in your place I might have done the same thing. I know that you took those actions because you love me, and therefore I can't bring myself to not love you both just as much. I forgive you…" Iris began softly, relying on that strong maturity that centered her now, that gave her understanding beyond her years and a quiet strength to talk to the two women she respected most.

Lily and Narcissa were staring at the eleven year old girl with surprise; they had not expected the girl to be so rational; in one fell swoop she had taken their arguments right out of their mouths and told them she still loved them and that she forgave them. But it was apparent the girl had more to say and they held their breath as they waited for the other shoe to drop.

"… but don't think that my forgiveness means this becomes water under the bridge! What you two did hurt! I love you two more than anything, you're my family; and you attacked me! I won't forget that and it's going to take me a while to trust you both again…" And there it was, the shoe dropped and yet they both knew that somehow they had gotten off easy, although for Lily it was one of the most shameful and painful things to bear.

She had broken her daughter's trust; the single most powerful thing that existed on the planet was a parent and child's unconditional love for their each other and in a single moment Lily had lost that with her daughter.

"…I know you're both confused about me right now, how I'm smarter, more mature, how I'm more powerful; believe me when I say that I desire nothing more in this world then to tell you why. But I can't, not now; and I know it's unfair of me to ask, but just trust me, give me time… time to move past this, and I'll tell you everything. Okay?"

And Iris' words said it all; she loved, she forgave, but she hurt. Lily had caused that hurt, and not amount of wanting to take it away would make it happen; and so she simply said, "Of course Iris, you tell us when you can… and Iris, I'm sorry." Lily tried to keep her composure, she held onto that with everything she had because she did not have the right to show how much her daughter's words pained her.

"Me too mum, I'm sorry too." Iris said the words quietly as she tried to give her mother a reassuring smile, but she knew it was false and she knew by her mother's face that she knew it was a false smile too. So Iris turned away, she went into the manor and climbed the stairs but not without hearing her mother's quiet sobs.

Potter Manor, Warwickshire, UK

September 1, 1991

9:00 AM

The final three weeks of summer were an awkward affair at the Potter Manor, everyone knew that Iris had a rather large row with Narcissa and Lily but no one brought it up; and although Remus had arrived and smelt the salt in the air, he had not pried.

Iris had found counsel and respite in Remus, the man was a sensitive soul and exceedingly kind; it sometimes was strange that within the man lay a beast that hungered and warred but if anyone understood the dichotomy of being two different entities simultaneously, it was him.

She confided in him about what happened that day and he had simply rocked the young girl until she was spent of her tears and frustration; and when she asked him how come he never questioned it he had simply responded, "You can't fool a werewolf Iris, a werewolf knows the smell of his pack especially his cubs; yours is older now, more mature, but I still smell the spring in you. That, even polyjuice and glamours can't do."

The two of them became considerably closer throughout the summer, his simple acceptance of her despite her changes had strengthened their bond considerably; and though it was still painful, he helped her to slowly heal from the betrayal.

Narcissa and Draco had stayed for the remainder of the week the James and Lucius were out of town; Draco likewise didn't pry into Iris life and he simply provided her with a friend. Between Draco and Liatris, they remained constants and provided a normalcy that was welcome in the turbulence that Iris was dealing with. To them it was a spat that would work itself out in time, Liatris still had homework and Draco still enjoyed chess and so their time in the library did not change.

Things between Iris and the women however had been rocky; she had come down earlier than everyone in order to cook the morning meal on her own before Lily even came down, and while it might have seemed cold and cruel; it was something that Iris had needed to do for herself. She didn't intend for it to be hurtful, but she knew it was; and somehow a little part of her was glad for it, she squashed that kernel of pleasure but she knew it was there.

For Lily and Narcissa, the first week had been exceedingly difficult for them; they had to rebuild a trust that had existed since the day the girl was born. How do you rebuild trust? It's not a thing that can be mended with some Spell-o-tape or by giving a kid gifts and happy meals. That might have worked if she was still just an eleven year old girl, but Iris had proven to be more than just an eleven year old.

For them, they had to wait until Iris was ready to start trusting them again and when that happened it was a very gradual process, she began cooking with Lily again and just allowed herself to be in the same room. When James, returned Iris kept up pretenses so that her father wouldn't notice anything was amiss and things settled into a quasi-normal state.

But it took the rest of the month until Iris was comfortably sitting next to her mother again and even then she shied away from physical contact. Narcissa had much the same treatment; the woman was around less often now that James and her husband were back, so her association with Iris was considerably more strained then between mother and daughter. They had progressed to the point where they were making small talk in the same room but Iris was nowhere near comfortable sitting within arm's reach of the blonde.

September first rolled around quickly despite everything that transpired, Iris was packed well in advance of the day; something that had always frustrated Harry when he had been with the Weasley's was how they all seemed to hang around and wait until the last minute to put everything together.

So when the day arrived, Iris levitated her trunk down to the entry hall while she carried Hedwig's cage down; setting the items by the front door she cooked up another full English breakfast that had become the standard now that there were two chefs in the kitchen. The family ate leisurely since they were on schedule, and Remus had taken a study day to send his pup off to Hogwarts with the rest of the family.

They piled into the van that Lily kept for trips into Warwick where she shopped for groceries and the like; a simple space enlargement charm on the interior made the interior of the vehicle quite roomy and the family drove down into Warwick properly from their manor. Iris had often enjoyed this ride; the winding roads of England were bordered on both sides by expanses of land.

With fall just on the horizon the grass was still vivid green and there was a slight fog in the air as a result of the overcast weather; but the scenery was just gorgeous. Rolling hills dotted with sheep and horses, and small stands of trees broke up the terrain. When the cloud cover broke radiant beams of sunlight breached through the grey sky and golden columns of light shown down to warm the ground below. Absolutely breathtaking, worthy of a Rembrandt painting and even then the canvas could never hold the simple and extraordinary beauty that was.

The drive terminated in the sleepy town of Warwick, it was a small city that had avoided industrialization; instead it had become something of a comfortable urban spread, small houses lined the streets and in the heart of the city was Warwick Castle; an old stone structure that had held up to the test of time for a millennium.

The reason for the trip into Warwick was simple; within the city was a train that took them into London; from the city directly to Marylbone station in the heart of the city. Once they arrived at the station, it was a simply crossover to the London Underground; purchasing day pass they took the Bakerloo line to Hammersmith and City, and from there they switched again to the east line and arrived at King's Cross station.

King's Cross station was practically dead center of London, people were constantly brushing past on their way to some thing or other; Iris was particularly fond of London. Especially Piccadilly Circus, at night the whole section was alive with people and attractions all around the statue of Eros that sat in the center of the square. It was said that a Londoner couldn't stay there for longer than thirty-seven minutes without running into someone they knew.

Alas, they were on business of their own and a trip to London would have to wait until winter holidays. Moving through the station, James was holding onto her trunk while Remus carried Hedwig's cage; they were getting strange looks because of the owl's screeching but this was London, weirder things had happened then a family walking through the station with an exotic pet.

For instance, the clan of redheads that were standing about on the station that Iris recognized immediately as the Weasley's.

Percy was at the front of the family with his gleaming prefect badge as he looked at his family as if they all had three heads; a set of twins were next, the pranking duo of Fred and George; the familiar face of Ron was standing beside his equally familiar sister Ginny.

Before anyone could say anything, Percy had charged through the barrier with his trolley; "Go on, go on; Fred, you next" Molly Weasley instructed looking at one of the older twins and gestured forward.

"He's not Fred! I am!" said one of them, the other laughed and shook their head, "Honestly, woman! You call yourself our mother…" he said with a sigh and a shake of his head; even though this was an encore performance, Iris still found the whole event quite humerous.

"Sorry, George," the mother said with a light wince as the one who was the one who had berated her laughed.

"I'm only kidding, Mum. I am Fred," he said, running through the barrier and disappearing while Molly opened her mouth to say something before George quickly flitted through as well; she closed her mouth and pinched the bridge of her nose as the Potter's came closer.

"Hello Molly." James said with a pleasant smile causing the woman's head to jerk up at the voice, her face split into a grin as she enveloped the taller man in a hug.

"Well, I'll be James Potter and the family! I haven't seen you all in ages, how have you been?" The woman said warmly, as she took a step back and looked at everyone.

"Good to see you Lily, and you to Remus! And these must be the girl's oh, they're gorgeous!" Molly said as she greeted each of the former Order members fondly before she looked at the Potter girls with a smile.

"You must be Iris, oh don't be nervous dear; I'm sure you'll do fine at Hogwarts! My Ronald is just starting this year too." The matriarch said fondly as she indicated the boy standing awkwardly by his younger siblings.

Iris briefly considered if this Ron was at all like the Ron from Harry's universe, she supposed that it was a possibility but then again considering how much everything had changed; it wouldn't be all that surprising if this Ron was a completely different person.

Molly turned her attention to Liatris and pointed out the last Weasley child, "And you don't be so sad, you'll get to go next year right along with Ginny" Upon hearing their names the second pair of twins smiled and waved politely at the Potter's.

Iris looked over at them and gave them a slight smile, Ginny seemed to whisper something in Ron's ear and the boy blushed fiercely, the tips of his ears matching his hair color and Ginny laughed at the reaction she had provoked.

Iris wondered briefly what Ginny had whispered to her brother before shrugging it off and returning her attention to the petite and slightly plump Molly Weasley. The woman was just as kind and motherly as ever, and while Iris had never bonded with the woman; the woman had been fiercely (if slightly overbearing) protective and loving in regards to Harry.

After moving through the barrier the Weasley's said their goodbyes and began boarding the train, leaving the Potter family to have their goodbyes with Iris.

Iris first gave her younger sister a tight hug that the younger girl returned just as tightly, "Alright sis; send me plenty of letters, do your homework, and keep practicing that Woollongong Shimmy." She muttered into the girl's hair as the girl nodded her head teary eyed that her sister was heading off.

Next was Remus, the werewolf kneeled down as they hugged, "The same goes for you pup; I want to hear everything, and I expect you to get top marks. Don't get into too much trouble." He said gently, Iris laughed quietly at the last and nodded affirmatively; "You got it Moony! Top marks and tons of letters, no promises on the trouble though; I'm the product of the Marauders after all."

Looking to her father, James swept his daughter up into his arms and hugged her fiercely before planting a kiss in her forehead; "My girl's growing up; I'm sure Moony said to stay out of trouble but I don't think it's genetically possible, you've got a legacy to uphold! Don't hex anyone that doesn't deserve it, unless they ask you out; you're much too young for that!" He said with a smile as he set Iris down and hugged her again while she wrapped her arms tightly around the man's neck.

"If it makes you feel better I'll hex every boy who comes within thirty paces, except for Draco… maybe, depending on my mood that day." Iris replied with a laugh at his thoughtful expression, "I've taught you well, young grasshopper." He said as they deteriorated into laughter, when Iris recovered herself she moved onto her mother.

Iris looked up at her mother's teary eyes and hugged the woman tightly around her waist; after everything that had happened, Lily had been anxiously wondering what was going to happen at this moment. It took her a moment but she finally kneeled down and enveloped the raven haired girl and hugged her tightly as a few tears fell into the ebony locks.

"We're not a hundred percent yet mum, but I love you and nothing's going to change that!" Iris whispered quietly into the woman's ear, "I'm going to miss you mum, write me will you?" Lily, just about broke down after her daughter's words but her heart swelled and she looked her daughter in the eye with a smile, "Everyday if you want Doe."

Iris smiled at the nickname, "I don't know about every day but at least three times a week." She said with a warm smile that caused Lily to laugh and nod her head, "Sure thing Iris."

Hogwarts Express, Unplottable Location, UK

September 1, 1991

11:00 AM

With the farewells complete, Iris took her trunk in one hand and Hedwig's cage in the other and made her way onboard the crowded train, she was still looking for a compartment when the train began to move, causing her to stumble forward just as a student was coming out of a compartment.

Iris regained her balance and began to apologize as she looked at the student she had bumped into, "I'm sorry, I lost my balance…," she trailed of when she saw the familiar face of Hermione Granger. The brunette witch looked much the same from Harry's first encounter with the young witch the only substantial difference was that instead of the bushy mane of hair that she had sported on their first meeting her hair was pulled back into a plait.

She smiled and shrugged off the apology, looking down she saw that Iris was holding her trunk still and beckoned the girl into her compartment. "Don't worry about it, if you're looking for a compartment I've got this one all to myself."

Nodding, Iris returned the girl's smile and followed in after her; setting her trunk against the far wall under the window and setting Hedwig's cage in the overhead rack, Iris turned to the girl and extended her hand politely. "I'm Iris Potter, pleased to meet you." She introduced herself warmly to the girl.

The brunette took her hand and gave it a firm but gentle shake, "I'm Hermione Granger, I'm sorry but have we met before?" She asked; curiosity tingeing her voice as she released Iris' hand and settled into the seat by the window across from the raven haired girl.

'You have no idea' Iris thought to herself but she shook her head at the girl, "No, I don't think so; I'm pretty good with faces." Hermione just shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly at the response but smiled warmly, "So Iris, what do you know about Hogwarts?"

Typical Hermione, ever curious, always looking to learn; it was an endearing quality and Iris found that even though she had never met the girl before today in this universe, she had missed the bushy haired girl.

With a slightly mischievous smile Iris leaned in conspiratorially which caused Hermione to lean in eagerly, "Hogwarts is incredibly old and quite large…" Iris said with a small laugh as Hermione sighed and rolled her eyes, "…but seriously, I've read 'Hogwarts: A History' cover to cover at least a dozen times." The ebony haired girl smiled widely as Hermione's eyes opened wide.

"So have I! I couldn't believe I was a witch when I found out; I've been trying to learn everything." Hermione said excitedly, happy to have found a kindred spirit which pleased Iris; Harry had learned the pleasure of learning and reading as an adult but Iris had learned it much sooner, and while it was probably because of Harry's upbringing with the Dursley's that he hadn't gotten into the habit much earlier in life.

Before the pair could continue there was a rap on the glass door of the compartment and the faces of Draco and Daphne popped into the compartment with smiles as they saw Iris. Waving them in, she looked over at Hermione and smiled, "Hermione, these are my friends Draco Malfoy and Daphne Greengrass. Guys, this is Hermione Granger; and Draco, be nice."

Iris said the last bit with a tone of warning as he looked prepared to make a snarky remark, but he subsided sheepishly and nodded as they entered the compartment. Draco sat beside Iris while Daphne sat beside Hermione and they shook hands.

"Eh Daphne, guessed who else read 'Hogwarts: A History' all the way through." Iris said as she pointed her chin at Hermione, the honey blonde heiress turned towards the brunette with a giddy smile and the two girls launched into conversation about the history of their esteemed institution of learning.

"I saw the teary farewell, you and your mum make nice?" Draco asked quietly beside Iris, surprisingly there was an absence of the trademark Malfoy smirk here and he looked quite serious. Iris nodded her head, "I couldn't stay mad at her forever, we're still not perfect but she's the only mum I've got you know." She replied softly as she leaned her head against the boy's shoulder.

"I know Iris, mum requested that you write her about your time at Hogwarts; she says wants to be close to her goddaughter again." Iris nodded her head in acknowledgement to the boys' words; "I will Draco, I want to be close to her too."

The two lapsed into a comfortable silence while Daphne and Hermione kept the compartment abuzz with light conversation, Iris and Draco commenting every now and again when the topic of conversation moved. Draco was quite avid when the discussion switched to quidditch; Hermione had never flown on a broom before and she was nervous about it.

"I wouldn't worry about it 'Mione, me and Iris here are the best flyers in first year." Draco said; the use of the nickname was surprising but Iris was internally quite pleased; there was hope for the blonde boy yet. As long as she kept him on a tight rope there might be one less pureblood supremacist.

Hermione looked at her two new friends curiously, Iris looking innocent while Draco openly smirking; Daphne chuckled and lightly and confirmed it. "He's not being all hot air, he's pretty decent but Iris there was born to be on a broomstick." The hazel eyed girl said with a fond smile for her friend.

Iris flushed a bit at the praise while Draco mock-sulked, "I'm more then pretty decent…" he grumbled loudly to a chorus of laughs from the girls while he smiled, he was still a bit of a peacock it seemed but he was a likable peacock now.

When the snack cart rolled by the children made some purchases with Draco explaining all the sweets to Hermione while Daphne switched seats, she laid out on the bench and put her head on Iris's lap while the two caught up about Daphne's summer.

The young witch had spent the majority of the summer in her family's villa in France and was regaling Iris with stories of Paris and the French countryside. She went into detail over the newest French fashion trends and Iris followed along easily, Harry may have been a stranger to the female side of fashion but the Iris of this universe wasn't and she could hold her own in this conversation.

"You know, it isn't polite to talk in a language that only you two understand." Draco said from the opposite side of the compartment, causing Iris to look at the boy with a blank expression in confusion. Daphne beat her to the punch, "It isn't our fault that you didn't pay attention when we were learning French, Draco."

Iris blinked as realization dawned on her and she looked at the honey blonde girl, "Etions-nous vraiment parler en français?" she asked Daphne who looked at her and nodded at her with a smile. "Vous ne remarquerez jamais quand on passe parce que tu es si bonavec elle."

"I guess so, I really don't notice." Iris responded as she looked over at Draco and shrugged with an apologetic look, "Sorry Drake can't help it."

The boy rolled his eyes exasperatedly as he turned back to Hermione, "See what I get for being such a good friend." The brunette girl tittered for a moment as she nodded before looking at the other girls, "Why do you speak French anyway? Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful language but why learn it?"

Iris flushed slightly at the question but Daphne carried it on without a pause, "Since I'm a pureblood and Iris is the inheritor to the Potter estate, we might be married into other pureblood families. There aren't very many eligible choices left in Wizarding Britain alone to ensure purebloods stay purebloods; so we are expected to know French and perhaps even German to ensure the chance of marrying into other European pureblood families."

Hermione looked taken aback for a moment as she weighed those words, she wasn't from the magical world so she didn't know the intricacies or politics of blood in the wizarding community over much but what she learned was somewhat disturbing, "So essentially, you might be forced to wed in order to keep pureblood lines... but what's the point of it?"

Draco all but bristled at the words but Iris cut in smoothly, "Mainly to preserve the old traditions and strength of magic, while each wizard's magical core is different and their power levels differ the more magic in the line the stronger the offspring are likely to be. The Malfoy's for instance have been a pureblood family for as long as their lineage has been tracked, and they are known for producing powerful magic children. The Greengrass line is likewise known for producing magically potent children and they have been contributed some of the best Mediwizards and witches that Britain has seen."

Draco nodded at the information, "No offense Hermione, while Muggleborn wizards and witches have been powerful in the past; like Iris' mum, most aren't very powerful and because Muggleborns come from the Muggle world they have different beliefs then the old families. Muggles celebrate Christmas and Halloween; those holidays have become prevalent throughout the wizarding world as a result and people are slowly forgetting about Yuletide and Samhain. Those are our roots and they have fallen by the wayside, so pureblood families try to protect them by marrying into lines that still follow the old ways."

Hermione mulled that information over as thee compartment lapsed into a companionable silence for a while, each of the children occupying themselves with their own thoughts until Hermione cut in, "We're getting close to Hogwarts; we should change into our uniform."

Everyone nodded as they opened their trunks to get out the proper clothes, exiting the cabin, they saw the line for the bathroom was already fairly long so Draco nodded his head towards the rear of the train. "We can use the bathrooms in the dining car; none of the other students use it because the teachers usually are in there." The blond boy said as he led the quartet to the rear of the train and into a nicely decorated and brightly lit car.

As soon as they entered, Iris felt her wand pulse against her forearm in its holster causing her to look up at the same time as a pair of obsidian eyes looked over the edge of a large book to meet her gaze. Draco moved forward and addressed someone sitting in a booth for a moment before he looked at the girls and nodded his head.

Crossing the length of the car, Iris saw the familiar faces of the teachers from Harry's universe although some of them had different facial features as different genes seemed to have taken hold, and she wondered what kind of repercussions that would have.

As they passed the table that Draco had stopped at Iris' eyes fell upon Severus Snape, the man who had apparently given them permission to change in the bathrooms. She wondered if he was still the same bitter man that Harry had known, and as she looked upon the man she was hit by two things; the first was that his hair was not at all greasy, in fact it looked rather silky as it fell loosely to his shoulders.

Secondly, those hard eyes that seemed to be permanently fixed into a glare softened as he gazed at Iris; and she wondered if at that moment the man was seeing Lily's daughter and not James'.

Whatever the case, the man's expression hardened quickly and he gave her a small nod before he turned away to read whatever it was that he had been before the children had entered. Continuing along the car, the quartet reached the bathroom and Iris elected to change last while she stood beside the bench that held her new acquaintance.

"Good to see you again, Professor Riddle." Iris said softly to the man as she felt the same bittersweet and metallic flavor brush across her senses; it was a truly unique combination that she couldn't identify.

"A pleasure, Miss Potter; do you want to tell me perchance why you're in the teacher's dining car?" He asked in a thoroughly bored voice without looking up from his book, his jet black eyes skimming the page unfalteringly.

"We needed to change into uniform, the student's washroom had long line; this was the smarter choice." Iris replied, matching the same disinterested tone that the man was using. For a moment she thought she saw the corner of his mouth lift into a bare smile but it was gone before she could be certain.

"I suppose it was at that, I trust you will continue to make the smarter choices while you are here at Hogwarts. Keep yourself out of trouble, yes?" The last bit of the statement was rhetoric but Iris nodded her head anyway.

"I try sir, but trouble has a way of finding me; especially when I don't go looking for it." Iris said as she contemplated Harry's experience in fourth year with the Triwizard Tournament, that was supposed to be a trouble free year and look at how much good that did.

The man chuckled for a moment, the sound coming from deep in his chest and it sounded quite nice; Iris actually frowned for a moment when it was over before she schooled her face into a mask of neutrality.

Hermione came out of the washroom finally clothed in her uniform which left Iris as the last to change. "Guess I'll be seeing you shortly Professor." The girl said as she stepped away from the booth and watched him give a small nod.

Changing quickly, Iris looked herself in the mirror and sighed at the drab uniform; the white blouse with its black tie was hidden under the sleeveless charcoal jumper, black stockings terminated under a grey knee length skirt and shiny black flats completed the look. The only personal touches were the charm bracelet on her left wrist and the fleur-de-lis necklace she wore that hung out over the jumper.

"I'm definitely going to have to break a few rules when it comes to dress code, I guess Dad was right; it's genetically impossible for a Potter to not get into trouble." Iris muttered to herself as she slipped on the black school robes, the Hogwarts emblem stitched over the breast but she knew it, along with the jumper and tie would change the moment she was sorted.

She exited the washroom to see her friends had departed back to the compartment, leaving her alone in the dining cart. Giving Professor Riddle one last salutary nod, she made her way back up the length of the train and into her compartment to wait out the rest of the journey.

"We should arrive at the station in fifteen minutes." Draco stated as Iris sat down beside Hermione, nodding her head the raven haired girl leaned back into the seat and looked over at Daphne, "Ces uniformes n'ont pas de style."

The blonde girl laughed at that statement as she nodded in agreement, "You're telling me, the only savings grace is they're comfortable." Which was true, even Iris couldn't argue that point.

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, UK

September 1, 1991

6:00 PM

The crimson Hogwarts Express pulled into the station and before long, the platform was filled with students moving about; greetings friends they had missed on the train and sorting themselves into groups to ride the carriages to the school. Besides being the youngest there, many of the first years were instantly noticeable by how they just milled about the platform looking for direction.

For Iris, this wasn't much of a problem as she pushed through the crowd over to the hulking goliath that was Hagrid, the half-giant was bellowing over the crowd, "Firs' years, o'er here! This way, come on now!"

Despite the easily recognizable man, Iris knew that she couldn't come right out and greet the man; they had never interacted before but her dilemma was solved in short order. Hermione bounded up to the imposing man with an affectionate smile, "Hello Hagrid"

The heavily bearded man looked down at Hermione with a smile, his warm and expressive black eyes twinkling merrily; "'Ello the Hermione, been awhile it has; you excited to be heading o'er to the castle then!" He asked her while Daphne, Draco, and Iris moved in closer.

Draco's face had a distinct sour scowl as he looked up at the half-giant and Iris figured the boy would need more training on how not to be a bigoted jerk, but she was going to have to untrain the years of prejudice his father had instilled in the boy. But she was equal to the challenge; this Draco seemed like someone worth investing in.

Daphne on the other hand stared at the half-giant with an expression between curiosity and amusement; it would be fair to say that she was amused by her new Muggleborn friend greeting the half-giant; barely as tall as the man's knee, Hermione was. The curiosity was anyone's guess, but perhaps it had to do with how Hermione knew the man in the first place.

Hermione nodded in response to Hagrid, her brown plait of hair bouncing against her back from the movement and she waved her friends over. "Guys, this is Hagrid; he's the Groundskeeper of Hogwarts. Hagrid these are my friends, Iris Potter, Daphne Greengrass, and Draco Malfoy."

Daphne and Iris waved politely while Draco scowled in distaste, Daphne elbowed the boy in the ribs; eliciting a surprised 'oomph' from the boy before he nodded at the half-giant in greeting. To Hagrid's credit he just smiled jovially at the three children though he was a bit surprised to see a Malfoy among the girl's friends.

"Howdy there, well any friends o' Hermione here are friends o' mine." Hagrid said sincerely as he looked over at the group of assembled first years, seemingly counting them off before he nodded. "Alrigh' then, firs' years we'll be going to the castle over the lake; no more than four to a boat, ya' hear. And keep your hands in the boat at all times, ther' be a giant squid in the lake!"

Leading the group down to the lake's edge, Hagrid began assisting students into the boats; the quartet piled into a boat on their own and waited while everyone else tried to find places. Iris took the opportunity to look over the group of first years and compared it to the memory of Harry's class.

The majority of the student's looked the same; Ron for instance was just like in Harry's memories although his freckles might have been arranged differently. Neville was still a bit chubby, but his personality was completely different from the one that Harry was familiar with. And so on it went, Iris compared faces to those she had known most closely from the DA; and was relieved to find that most were the same by appearance.

There were some new faces, and some missing faces; either some students hadn't been born in this universe or had been born under different genders like in Harry's particular case. But there was around 150 students in the boats, so whatever student that this universe had not duplicated had seemingly been replaced with another child.

Whatever the case, the boats rounded the bend in the lake and the students got their first look of Hogwarts; the massive stone castle standing just as Harry remembered, spires jutting into the sky, towers and ramparts fixed resolutely against all odds. Lights illuminated the night, the mirror like sheen of the lake's water reflecting the hard edifice that many students had and would continue to call home.

For Iris, it was a surreal experience; returning to the castle, so many memories of this place existed in her mind and so many new ones were now to be made. And honestly, she was looking forward to it; she had the chance to redefine history, and she was going to use it.

The boats pulled into the castle's dock and the students began disembarking, gathering onto the stone jetty and looking around confused at what was to happen next. Iris pushed through the group gently, her new inner circle of friends following behind her as the students gossiped amongst themselves.

Iris looked around as the increasingly familiar pulse of her wand returned, causing the young girl to peer into the shadows at the top of the stairs, amid those shadows she could make out the darker silhouette of Professor Riddle; the man was looking over the group of students waiting for the last of them to come off the boats.

He glided out of his hiding spot and began to speak, "Welcome to Hogwarts, in a few moments you will join your classmates; before you take your seats you must first be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin; while you are here, your house will your team,"

"A little competition exists here at Hogwarts; your triumphs will earn you points, rule breaking will lose you points. At the end of the year, the House with the most points is awarded the House Cup. The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily, I will return to collect you when we are ready for you." Riddle finished his quick speech as he looked over the crowd of first years, when his gaze fell onto Iris at the front of the group; he gave her a small smirk and a barely perceptible nod before he walked out of the room.

As he left, the students began talking in earnest wondering what houses they were going to be sorted into; which was a good question in Iris' case. In this universe as in Harry's, Draco would be most definitely sorted into Slytherin; Hermione had been a fifty-fifty toss-up between Ravenclaw and Gryffindor; Daphne had been a Slytherin and while the odds were she could be Ravenclaw, Iris doubted it.

Gryffindor had been Harry's home, but after all the turn coats that had lived there with him Iris was unsure if she wanted to spend her time with them; Ravenclaw was of interest, there she could exercise her skills a bit further and not get any cross looks if she was ahead of the curve… because all Ravenclaws were; Slytherin was an interesting choice, but with the personalities that Slytherin attracted homicide would likely ensue.

Iris' contemplation was cut short as she heard the voice of Neville cut through the crowd, "Hey Potter, you sure you want to mixing with that sort! You don't want to go making friends with the wrong crowd you know?"

'Wow, really; this is practically the same spiel that Malfoy used first year. And how did I get dragged into it this time?' Iris thought to herself as she heard rather than saw the crowd part behind her to let this universe Boy-Who-Lived through. Murmurs of "Neville Longbottom?" were being issued through the crowd.

Draco, Daphne and Hermione turned to look at Neville while Iris patiently ignored the boy, "What do mean by the wrong crowd?" Draco asked dangerously while the blonde and brunette girl nodded their heads emphatically.

"What do you think I mean, Malfoy!" Neville spat the family name like it was curse, "You're family ain't nothing but Deatheaters!" the portly boy continued, it seemed that besides being an arrogant ponce, this Neville was confident enough in himself to toe the line with Draco.

He looked Daphne and Hermione over and shrugged, "I wouldn't recommend the two of you hang around him too much either; especially you," he pointed at Hermione, "Mudbloods have a tendency to get hurt when they're around Death Eaters." He finished as Hermione was taken aback by the vindictive word.

Daphne was now physically restraining Draco, preventing the blonde haired boy from strangling Longbottom with his bare hands. Iris continued to pointedly ignore the scene going on behind her back; "So how about it Potter? I know your parents fought for the Light in the war; you're dad's an Auror Captain; mine is the Deputy Head of the DMLE. Could be useful to get in my good graces, right?"

'This boy really needs to learn to quit while he's ahead' Iris thought to herself as she stared at the door that Riddle had gone through, patiently awaiting for his arrival any second now.

"Oye, I'm talking to you Potter!" A heavy hand clamped down on her shoulder and squeezed hard enough to bruise as she was forcibly whipped around.

Standing behind Neville was Seamus, and Dean; the two of them looking conflicted over supporting the boy or being upset that he had just grabbed Iris like that.

Iris didn't even hesitate as she was turned, she snapped her head down and forward as the crown of her forehead slammed into the boy's nose; a wet pop and cracking sound filled the air.

Broken nose, before the sorting ceremony had even started; damn, she couldn't remember which of her parents had called that bet.

Neville reeled backwards from the injury and looked horrorstruck at having his nose broken, blood already funneling down his nose from the impact. His face quickly became one of rage as he raised his arm and curled his hand into a fist to strike the girl, but Iris beat him to it.

She delivered a shin to his groin that took the air out of the boy as he crumpled onto the floor wheezing from painful blow. "I think I'll stick to my friends, thank you very much!" Iris replied flatly with a scowl before she heard the sound of someone clearing their throat.

Turning, she saw Professor Riddle standing behind her with a smirk on his face, "Normally, fighting would be grounds for suspension; but considering how you're not students yet, I think we'll call this a detention Miss Potter."

Pulling out his wand, Riddle jabbed it at Neville and everyone could see the boy's nose right itself as the magic healed it; a second jab and the blood on the boy's face and clothing was vanished. "I suggest that after the sorting and feast, you see Madam Pomfrey in the infirmary Mr. Longbottom. Miss Potter, I'll expect you in my office Monday night at seven; do bring a quill."

Riddle said the last as he turned from Neville and looked at Iris with a faintly pleased smirk before he schooled his expression. "Alright, they're ready for you now; follow me!"

Iris took off on Riddle's heels with her trio of friends closely following, there was some scuffling from behind them as Seamus and Dean lifted the chubby 'Savior' and guided him along.

"You should have been holding her back Daphne, I would have choked the ponce; Iris broke his bloody nose!" Draco crowed delightfully as the group moved through the dungeons to the entry hall. Daphne and Hermione giggled a bit while Iris flushed slightly.

"It was pretty brilliant though, the kick to the nads was priceless!" Daphne got in before she started laughing so hard, that Draco had to keep her upright; even Hermione was laughing over the event, though she sobered quickly. "But she got a detention, before classes even got started."

Iris looked over her shoulder to see Neville walking duck-footed gingerly and she smiled wickedly, "It was worth it Hermione, it was worth it." She said as she looked at her friends, her ebony locks cascading down her back and framing her face. For just a moment, they saw a much darker and regal girl, but just for a moment as she turned back to keep step behind Riddle.

At the threshold to the Great Hall, there was a noticeable din coming through the large wood doors and Riddle turned to face the students. "Alright, two lines, single file. Now!" the Deputy Headmaster said in a commanding voice that quickly had them formed into neat columns, pushing open the doors; the aristocratic man led the group of first years over the threshold.

The room was massive with four long tables that ran nearly the length of the room; above each table were streamers and tapestries. From right to the left colors ran from gold and scarlet, to blue and bronze, to yellow and black, and finally in silver and green.

At the end of the room on a raised platform, was the Head Table; where the staff sat and took their meals. In the center of the table was a large golden throne-like chair upon which sat the esteemed Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albus Dumbledore. At the man's left side was a second, smaller throne-like chair in silver that was empty, obviously reserved for Riddle.

"It's not really the sky; it's just bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in 'Hogwarts: A History.'" Iris heard Hermione say to a student behind her, but her gaze was fixed on the ragged looking hat on the stool with the tear at its brim.

Iris knew what the sorting hat was, a sentient artifact that was one of the only remaining remnants of the school's founders. She also knew of its propensity to sing its cryptic messages about the outside world, she was anxious to see if perhaps her secret would be out before she wanted it to be.

As the line of first years came to a stop, the tear at the brim opened and the Hat began its song:

Oh you may not think I'm pretty,

But don't judge on what you see,

I'll eat myself if you can find

A smarter hat than me.

You can keep your bowlers black,

Your top hats sleek and tall,

For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And I can cap them all.

There's nothing hidden in your head

The Sorting Hat can't see,

So try me on and I will tell you

Where you ought to be.

You might belong in Gryffindor,

Where dwell the brave at heart,

Their daring, nerve, and chivalry

Set Gryffindors apart;

You might belong in Hufflepuff,

Where they are just and loyal,

Those patient Hufflepuffs are true

And unafraid of toil;

Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,

if you've a ready mind,

Where those of wit and learning,

Will always find their kind;

Or perhaps in Slytherin

You'll make your real friends,

Those cunning folks use any means

To achieve their ends.

So put me on! Don't be afraid!

And don't get in a flap!

You're in safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Thinking Cap!

As the song came to an end, the Hall burst into applause and Iris sighed out the breath she was holding; it was the same song from Harry's time but it made no mention of her and for that she was relieved.

She heard Ron's voice in the crowd, "So all we have to do is try on a hat!" Turning to look at the boy she gave him a nod, "Why, what did you think we were going to do?" she asked already knowing the answer but she couldn't help herself. "Fred was going on about wrestling a troll. I'll kill him…" The redhead trailed off as Iris laughed quietly behind her hand.

"Before we begin the Sorting, the Headmaster… has some things he wants to address." Riddle said a slight pause in the middle of his sentence and he winced at having to say the words though Iris doubted anyone else would have noticed.

Dumbledore rose from his seat at the head table, smiling pleasantly at the gathered students his blue eyes twinkling merrily as all eyes turned to the silver haired and bearded wizard in his elaborate regalia. "Thank you Tom," The Headmaster said softly, though the DADA instructor seemed to bristle at the name when used by the old man.

"I have a few start of term notices, I wish to announce. First years, please note, that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Also, our caretaker, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that the third floor corridor on the right hand side is out of bounds to everyone who does not wish to die a most painful death. Thank you."

Dumbledore settled back into his seat as the hall was filled with a quiet buzz as students talked over the strange announcements. "When I call your name, you will come forth and I will place the sorting hat on your head." Riddle intoned as he pulled a scroll from inside his sleeve and he began to go through the list of names in alphabetical order.

Hannah Abbot, Hufflepuff; Susan Bones, Hufflepuff; Terry Boot, Ravenclaw; Mandy Brocklehurst, Ravenclaw; Lavender Brown, Gryffindor; Milicent Bulstrode, Slytherin. And the name's continued, the ones that Iris recognized from Harry's memories went much the same way as they had before; but she couldn't be certain with every student; there were a lot of them and she hadn't known them all.

When Hermione was called she took a deep breath, and Iris smiled at her reassuringly while the brunette settled onto the stool and Riddle placed the hat on her head. Again, it took a few minutes for the hat to deliberate with Hermione and Iris knew it was because the two of them were conversing but as expected she went to, "Gryffindor!"

To each name sorted came a cheer from each house, and eventually the names came up that Iris was actually interested in. First was Daphne, the girl strode forward confidently and took a seat on the stool as she crossed her legs with class befitting an heiress. The hat deliberated for a moment before it announced, "Slytherin!" Iris applauded and cheered for her friend as the girl smiled at her happily and wondered over to her new house.

Neville ascended up to the stool before long and Iris smirked to herself as Riddle slipped the hat down a bit more forcefully than necessary, causing the brim to hit the boy's recently repaired nose. The boy gave a sharp hiss of pain before the hat eventually made the call on, "Gryffindor!"

When Draco was called, much like Daphne he ascended the steps coolly confident as he took the stage and made sitting on the stool look like he was claiming a throne. Iris smirked at the boy as he met her gaze and she mouthed the work 'peacock.' The boy gave her a mock glare as Riddle set the sorting hat down, the artifact barely brushed the boy's hair before it announced, "Slytherin!"

After watching Draco descend the stage and take his place, Iris just tuned out everyone else as they were being sorted as she returned to her earlier deliberations. Slytherin was out just based on the personalities there, Draco was salvageable with Daphne's help but there was no way she would be able to convince the entire serpent's den to give creatures and Muggleborns a fair shake.

Hufflepuff was an option, if she went there then she knew she wouldn't have to deal with a bunch of kids who were likely to jump ship the second something foul cropped up; but she knew that Uncle Sirius and her dad would never let her hear the end of it if she became a Puff.

Ravenclaw, now there was something, the best and brightest right at her fingertips; she was already loaded with Harry's information, there was no way she couldn't do well in her classes send she would repeating them all up until seventh year anyway. But with Neville being the Boy-Who-Lived and all, she would need to keep his fat arse out of the frying pan long enough for him to toe the line with Grindewald or until she found a way to deal with him being a horcrux.

So that only left one option really.

Riddle's eyes settled on her and a small smiled spread across his lips, she blinked for a moment as she saw how out of place it looked on his face; she was far more used to that knowing smirk he always had.

"Potter, Iris" he called out and she stepped forward from her place at the front of the pack of remaining students; she took the steps with a silent confidence and perched on the edge of the stool as Riddle lowered the hat onto her head.

At first nothing happened, and she wondered why the hat wasn't speaking to her and then she felt the gentle knocking against her Occlumency shields. With a self-conscious smile, she pulled them down and the familiar voice of the Sorting Hat was in her head. "Well, I suppose there really is a first for everything isn't there Miss Potter? You are quite the bundle of surprises, it seems and you've really thought out this decision haven't you?"

Iris nodded her head barely, 'I wish there was another way; most people never get the chance to relive their lives and I was honestly hoping to do things differently this time around… but more than what I want rests on this, or rather everything that I want rests on this.' Iris presented the thoughts in her mind for the Sorting Hat to pick up.

"Indeed dear girl, and from what I've seen of Longbottom's mind this world is going to need a proper hero; and unfortunately in this close minded society the only places heroes come from are…GRYFFINDOR!" The hat bellowed out the house of lions as Iris rose and set the hat back on the stool, she gave Riddle a wry grin and he rolled his eyes at the girl as she moved down to her table.

She took a seat beside the grinning Hermione, "I'm glad you're in Gryffindor Iris, I was started to worry that you'd be in Slytherin and I be alone over here." The girl said she looked towards the house of serpents, following her gaze Iris spotted Draco and Daphne smiles and thumbs up. Smiling, Iris waved at them just as Gryffindor went up in cheers again.

Looking at the stool, Iris saw Ron stepping down from the dais looking relieved as he joined the table across from Hermione and Iris to sit beside his older brother, Percy, who gave the boy a welcoming pat on the back.

Ron looked at the two girls and smiled at them nervously, "I know my mum introduced me on the platform, but I'm Ron Weasley; pleased to meet you." The redheaded boy said with an honest smile as he extended his hand over the table.

It was a gamble, the other Ron in Harry's dimension had proven to be an insufferable prat when his jealousy flared at the lest opportune times, but he had come through in the end and Iris figured that at the very least she owed the boy a chance to live up to his counterpart's final image.

Reaching across the table, Iris took his hand in hers and gave him a firm handshake as she introduced herself; Hermione followed her example and did the same. Ron looked at Iris for a moment before blurting, "You know for a girl, you fight pretty well; that was bloody awesome what you did Neville! The git had it coming, soon as he laid hands on you!"

Iris blinked at the boy in surprise; she wondered if she should be insulted by the boy's lack of tact or flattered by his praise. Eventually, Hermione's snort of laughter settled it for her and the raven haired girl smiled and shrugged nonchalantly, "My dad and my godfather are Aurors, I'm the eldest daughter so they gave me a few tips on how to handle boys who couldn't keep their hands to themselves."

It was half true at least, Sirius and James had taught both Iris and Liatris that the three most vulnerable points on the human body was the eyes, throat, and groin; and they had been coached on how to attack all three. Harry had learned that in war, you fight to win; and most wizards didn't know squat about how to handle a physical attack.

Ron paled slightly at the information, "Remind me not to mess with you." Hermione giggled at that before giving Ron a pointed look, "Is that because her dad's an Auror or because she can kick butt on her own?" Ron looked decidedly nervous at the question so Percy who had one ear on the conversation leaned over and said, "Both, but considering who our mother is; I'd say Iris there would make whatever her dad does look like a slap on the wrist.

Ron nodded emphatically at the response which seemed to suit Hermione just as well since she leaned back and looked at Iris and shrugged, "Looks like a few wizards still have common sense, there may be hope for the wizarding world yet." Iris laughed at that but in her mind was she shaking her head, if only the girl knew.

Dinner went by quickly, and it felt… normal; when Harry had gone through the whole process, everyone had been caught up in the Boy-Who-Lived and not in Harry Potter, but as Iris; she was just another witch from good stock.

She had at least one more friend in her inner circle then Harry had; and considering the knowledge of how some of the people around her could turn out meant that the potential for friends was significantly larger.

And when next year rolled around there would be Ginny, Luna, as well as Pol and Liatris; all people she could come to rely on. Harry had been insulated by his fame with few people getting to know the person behind the tabloids; Iris wouldn't have to worry about celebrity status, she could just be herself.

Once the dessert was gone, Percy and his female counterpart; a brown eyed brunette with shoulder length hair by the name of Vanessa, gathered the first year students and led them up the grand staircase and all the way up to the seventh floor entrance of Gryffindor tower.

"And please remember the password to the tower, if we change it; there will be a notice on the bulletin board in the common room, so check on it periodically." Percy was explaining as he gave the prerequisite speech on the moving staircase, the portrait system and the introduction to the Fat Lady.

Turning to the Fat Lady he gave the password, "Caput Draconis" and the portrait swung open to grant the group admittance; the Gryffindors piled in through the circular entryway and into the comfortable and warmly decorated common room.

"Alright then, boys with me; I'll show you up to your dormitory. Ladies, with Vanessa please." Percy said as they entered the common room and split the group into halves as he led the boys up one set of stairs and Vanessa took the girls up the other. "The way things work in Gryffindor tower is the higher your year, the higher you climb; for you first years, this will be your dormitory."

Vanessa said simply as she opened the door on the first landing and escorted the newly sorted Gryffindors, and in Iris' case resorted Gryffindor into the room. The room was basically a mirror image of the boy's dorm that Harry had lived in; a decent sized four poster head with privacy curtains was placed for each student a respectable distance away from the next bed with a night table placed next to it. A large bathroom was attached to the room through a door in the corner, if it was like the boy's dorm in that respect as well then it would be large enough for all of the dorm's occupants to use it simultaneously and still not get in each other's way.

As the other girls were taking in the room still, Iris stepped forward and claimed her trunk that was sitting in the middle of the room; crossing the expanse to the bed at the furthest end of the room for the door she placed the trunk at the foot of the four poster and looked over at her new roommates.

It seemed that Iris' lead set the other girls into motion as they all claimed their own beds, though Lavender set Iris a look that easily translated to, 'I wanted that bed.' To which the girl tossed her head flippantly and fixed the other with a challenging stare, needless to say Lavender backed down.

Vanessa watched the entire silent exchange from the doorway and gave Iris an approving nod before bidding good night to the room's occupants. Stepping behind her curtained bed, Iris used the privacy of the corner she had claimed for herself to change into her evening chemise before slipping into bed.

Bidding Hermione good night, the room was filled with a small chorus of the niceties before it lapsed into silence. Iris drew her curtains closed and silently cast a silencing charm on the curtains to keep out any snores, seven years living with Ron as Harry had given the girl particular insight on how to keep her sleep undisturbed. A simple alarm ward later, and Iris was curling into the comfortable bed and quickly fast asleep.

A/N: Wow, this chapter hurt to write; like I said this is my first fanfiction so I'm really trying to give it my all, but after the whole scene with Lily and Iris, I really questioned my resolve on this. On the other hand that scene with Neville before the sorting; so absolutely worth it.

In regards to any of my readers who are French speakers, I'm using Google Translate for it; so if it's poorly translated please don't hate me. I only speak English and I'm learning Spanish at the moment.

As always read and review if you enjoyed my writing; trolls need not concern themselves. Constructive criticism is always appreciated in a respectful manner; and any again any questions that you post in the review that aren't potential spoilers will get answered.

Next Chapter: Start of classes, fun flying, and sub-plot character building
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Behind the Veil