New chapter 7!
A couple days later, Harry sat on the floor next to Iris, grinding a group of leaves for a new potion she was developing. She welcomed his visits. After sharing with Lupin, something in her lifted a bit. She felt like she really could attempt to move forward, whatever that might bring.
"I see Wood brought you lunch again today," Harry said with a knowing smirk. Iris continued grinding.
"Yes, he brought me some potions ingredients as well," she said offhandedly. Today's lunch had gone much better than the last. Oliver tread lightly at first, but once they settled in a neutral topic - namely Oliver explaining the basics of Quidditch - lunch went well. He even brought the herbs as a peace offering after noticing she had been making potions. Though Harry noticed the slight blush that painted her fair face. He grinned, feeling more camaraderie with his aunt.
"And I've noticed he's been spending lunch up here with you," he continued. The blush deepened as Iris suddenly became very interested in grinding the small pink flowers.
"Well, he's easy to talk to, so he stays and chats," she said. Harry laughed.
"Well, suspicions are rising downstairs," Harry said.
"Oh, is that so?" she asked cautiously. "Well… we're just chatting. Nothing more," she said quickly. The truth was, she did hold a certain attraction for the handsome Quidditch player, despite the one slip up. And she had a pretty good feeling that he returned the feelings. However, she wasn't sure what to do or think. Years of hiding who she was and being secretive had left her a bit inept at handling these sorts of things.
Though ultimately, she knew it was too dangerous to allow things to go very far. At some point she was going to have to make that very clear. She couldn't let him too close, for many reasons. At least that's how she tried to rationalize her fear.
Harry watched her, studying the different emotions playing across her face. Iris shook her head. "It doesn't matter," she muttered to herself.
"What happened that night?" he asked out of the blue. He figured that she wouldn't tell him, but he felt compelled to ask anyway. Iris stopped grinding the flowers and let go of the pestle. She sighed and looked at Harry.
"You already know," she said, going back to work.
"You only summarized. I'm sixteen. I can handle it," he said. Iris nodded slowly as she took in his defiant stare. He wasn't going to let it go, so might as well give him something. She took a deep breath before speaking.
"I was only 9, just a little girl," she said. She looked down at the floor as the memories came rushing back, her hands slowly stopping their work. "We were playing hide-and-seek, your father and I. I was hiding in the hall closet, when... he was there." Iris took a deep breath.
"I heard yelling. And screaming. And… it sounded like explosions. And… I just stayed hidden in that closet, hoping that everything would be over," she said, tears pricking at her eyes. Even though she was sugarcoating it for Harry's sake, it didn't lessen the pain. "And then suddenly, all the noise just stopped." She sat silently on the edge of the bed as she thought back to that night all those years ago. Harry didn't push.
"I finally left the closet. James was lying on the ground. His eyes were… It was just… horrible. And… I heard something from upstairs and just… ran. The door was open, so I ran outside and just kept going," she said.
"After that, I don't know. I kept running and… I didn't know where I was… I wandered around for a few days until a woman found me and took me to the orphanage," she said with a shrug. "I was afraid and didn't understand what was going on, but I was too afraid to let anyone know who I was. I changed my appearance and refused to speak. Then I was adopted and they took me very far away and it took me a very long time to find out anything about what had really happened that night."
There was silence. Harry walked over and took her hand, surprising her.
"It's all right, I would have ran too," he said softly. Iris looked at him and smiled. She wiped the tears falling down her cheeks.
"It's… it's not an easy thing to talk about," she said softly.
"I don't remember anything about what happened. All I know is what people have told me," Harry said.
"Be glad. Though I didn't see much, what I did see haunts me," Iris said hollowly. There was silence until Harry finally spoke.
"What was it like living with that family," he asked. Iris shrugged.
"That's a part of my life I'd much rather forget," she said. "I was treated like a servant. Tried to run away. Got caught. Tried again. I wasn't very smart at getting away when I was younger. But… it eventually came. I became very good at hiding and disappearing," she said as she stood and started grinding again.
Once again, Harry got the feeling that she wasn't telling him something. He wanted to know, but he held off for a moment. Iris was fighting off vivid memories from the past. Harry could sense it. A deep sense of bitterness and anger washed over him.
"I'll show you to run away, girlie! Come here!" Thwak. "NOO!"
Harry shook his head to block the horrible voice as it shouted more obscenities. The anger then changed to fear as Iris started to turn paler. She couldn't stop the memories this time, and she didn't want Harry to see them. To see her terrible past. Harry closed his eyes as what seemed like a giant black and white screen began to play in his mind. A small blonde girl of about 12 was being slapped by a tall red-headed woman.
"When will you learn to keep your mouth shut!?" Two other little girls stood nearby, laughing behind their hands.
"Dear, dear, Maggie. Why don't you let me take the girl off your hands? She obviously too much for you to handle," an all too familiar voice said. The girl's face turn white as a tall, blonde man reached out for her arm. The scene quickly turned to Lucius Malfoy dragging the girl, now a bit older, down a dank hallway and shoving open a door.
"It's time I really taught you a lesson about sticking your nose where it doesn't belong," he said sinisterly.
Harry could feel hands pulling him back, dragging him out of the memory like when he was watching Snape's memory. The scene jolted to a halt as Harry blinked his eyes open to see a livid Iris gripping his arm.
"Get out," she said softly, her eyes wide with fear. "He can't see… he can't see… I need to get out of here," Harry could hear her scream in her mind. "Get out," she repeated, a little harsher, letting go and beginning to pace like a wild animal. She was afraid and retreating into her own mind.
"Don't leave," Harry said where he stood. Iris stopped pacing and stared at him, almost as though she had forgotten he was there.
"What?" she asked. Harry swallowed.
"Don't leave. You're safe here. Please... I don't want you to leave," he said. Iris took a deep, haggard breath and stared at Harry. Her green eyes were beginning to tear.
"I thought I told you to leave. Leave!" she shouted. Her hands were shaking. Harry turned and walked to the door.
"Please, don't leave," he said one last time before walking out. Iris sat on the bed and buried her head in her hands as the door shut. Tears began spilling down her cheeks as she struggled to breath. What he had seen didn't put him in any danger, but Iris still felt naked and vulnerable now that Harry had seen part of her troubled past. It took her a good 10 minutes or so before she had calmed down enough to think somewhat rationally.
"Don't leave. You're safe here...I don't want you to leave."
Iris sighed and fell back on her bed. He was right at least about that. She was safer here than anywhere outside. And more than anything, she had to admit all those years away, she had really been running from shadows and painful memories. Her childhood fears and painful past had manifested into a villain that hadn't actually been looking for her. If she were being completely honest, it didn't help that they all thought she was dead either. She couldn't help worrying she'd be abandoned again.
A bit of relief passed through her. Years had passed since those memories took place - about 10 years since she ran away from the Malfoys. She had never told anyone until Lupin, but now that someone else had a glimpse at what happened to her, maybe she could start to move on. She had already taken the first step - she was here. The clinking of dishes could be heard from the kitchen. Iris sat up and looked to the door. Maybe she could take another step.
Harry sat staring at his plate as everyone else bustled around him at the dinner table. Lupin sat talking to Fred and George while Tonks listened in and Wood's attention was directed at the tray that Mrs. Weasley was filling.
Glimpses of Lucius Malfoy ran through Harry's mind. The man now resided in Azkaban, but Harry couldn't help but feel a deeper hatred for him now that he knew he had hurt Iris. Granted Lucius didn't know who she was at the time and Harry didn't actually know what Lucius had done to her, but he was still seething. It appeared Iris had darker memories than his own to overcome.
"Oliver, darling, would you take this up to Iris?" Mrs. Weasley called.
"There will be no need for that," a voice said softly from the entrance to the kitchen. All noise ceased as every eye turned to look at Iris. She had put on a pullover and had her hair pulled back in a high ponytail, which made her look extremely young. She looked at the floor, uneasy with all the attention turned her way. "I thought... I would join you tonight."
"Well, of course dear. Ron, move over, won't you? You can sit here by Harry," Mrs. Weasley said as she began hurrying around. Conversation quietly picked up as everyone still watched the young woman move to the chair at Harry's left. Harry grinned brightly at her, understanding what a huge step this was.
"I decided that maybe… it was time to stop being so afraid," she whispered as she leaned towards him.
"I'm glad," he whispered back. A plate and silverware appeared in front of Iris, floating over from the main part of the kitchen. Fred and George cleared their throats as Mrs. Weasley magicked the last of the food on the table and joined the boisterous group.
"Dear mother, I think that it is slightly rude of all of us to not introduce ourselves to our newest houseguest," George said as he smiled charmingly across the table at Iris. Iris smiled shyly and looked down at her plate - a habit - then pushed herself to look up at the others.
"Of course. How rude of me," Mrs. Weasley said as she shook her head.
"Allow me," Fred said smoothly as he stood. "I am Fred Weasley and this is my brother George. Next to me," he motioned towards Lupin, "Is Professor Remus Lupin." Iris nodded slightly although she already knew Lupin. "And then there's Nymphadora Tonks-"
"Tonks, if you will," Tonks said, glaring slightly at Fred. She then smiled at Iris. Iris smiled. So this was the other metamorphmagus.
"Yes, yes, Tonks, and then I take it you already know Wood." Wood grinned at Iris, causing her to blush slightly. "And right, you know Mum." Mrs. Weasley beamed at her. " Then there's our little sister Ginny, Hermione, a good friend of Harry's, our little brother Ron-" Ron took a moment to glare at Fred for calling him little. "And of course, you know Harry." Iris soaked in all the names she had just learned, slightly overwhelmed by the sheer amount of people crammed into the house. The table had gone silent as everyone sat watching her.
"It's very nice to meet all of you," she said, finally breaking the ice. Harry took her hand and squeezed it under the table. He could sense the fear of finally meeting everyone rising in Iris, but his warm gesture had helped calm her. A smile of gratitude thanked him for his support. The hum of conversation picked up as everyone began reaching for food. Iris timidly began to fill her plate as she listened to the conversations around her. She gathered that Fred and George were the twins who owned the joke shop. They were discussing a new prototype with Lupin that they hoped to put on the market for the next school year. Her eyes moved down the other side of the table passed Lupin to Tonks. The young woman had shoulder-length brown hair and was deep into a conversation with Mrs. Weasley and Wood. Occasionally she would glance down towards Iris and smile warmly. Wood seemed to be paying little attention to the conversation as he kept glancing down towards Iris as well. Iris quickly averted her eyes and attention to the teenagers sitting next to her.
"Well, are you lot ready to go back to Hogwarts?" Fred asked from across the table. Harry shrugged. He hadn't given it much thought lately, but the beginning of term was quickly approaching. What would happen to Iris when they left?
"I'm quite ready," Hermione said. "Classes are supposed to get more challenging this year." Iris smiled, immediately recognizing that Hermione must be one of those gifted people who actually liked to learn. She wished she had had the chance to go to school. She felt she would have been quite good at it. Though she supposed she did well enough on her own - picking up books when she could and devouring all the information.
"Excited? I'm not exactly sure about that," Ron said as he slumped in his chair. "Though I suppose I'm glad I don't have to take potions this year."
"How about you, Harry?" Iris asked. He hardly mentioned school in their visits. Only a few times, when he mentioned his distaste of a Professor Snape, who happened to also be a member of the Order though Iris had yet to meet him. Harry shrugged again.
"It'll be nice to go back," he said while setting his fork down. Iris nodded slowly.
"What about you, Iris? Were you the sort who loved school and never broke the rules?" George asked with a twinkle in his eye. Iris winced a bit, before covering it up with a slight smile.
"Ah… I didn't… I unfortunately never had the opportunity to go to school," she said softly, looking down at her plate, embarrassed. "But I was able to teach myself a fair amount of things." An awkward silence fell over the table.
"Another in the club, dear brother!" George shouted gleefully, breaking the silence. "Fred and I went, but left before we completed. Decided there was no need for wizarding school when we already knew everything there was to know. You must be like us. Far too clever for school."
Iris looked at the redheaded man appreciatively. She nodded shortly.
"Well… I do have a penchant for potions," she offered, smiling.
"Say, are you the one giving Harry all these trick potions?" Fred asked. Iris nodded.
"Potions are my specialty, though those have just been little things - not very complex at all to make," she said.
"What did you put in that hair color potion?" Wood asked. "The colors were beautiful."
"It was just a mixture of different vibrant herbs and whatnot," she explained casually in between bites.
"What's the secret? We tried to reverse it, but nothing worked," Ron said as he leaned forward in his chair.
"Well, there are some other herbs but what really keeps it together is, well, a drop of my blood," she said, suddenly feeling very timid.
"What does the blood do?" George asked as Fred pulled out a small notepad and pencil from somewhere. Iris could tell that the two of them were probably already scheming how to get her to go into business with them.
"Well, basically it acts as a seal. It seals the potion so that only I can reverse it. Otherwise, it will stay in place until the spell eventually wears out," she said. She took a deep breath before revealing the next part. "I suppose the fact that I'm a metamorphmagus helps as well." Tonks eyebrows shot up as did the twins, Ron and Hermione's, who were all unaware. Harry hadn't shared that bit of information just yet.
"Really? Harry failed to mention that. Is there anyway that George and I could discuss a business transaction with you? We own a joke shop and potions like yours would make a very good business endeavor-"
"Fred, George! You will not drag the poor girl into that joke shop business of yours," Mrs. Weasley shrieked from her end of the table.
"But Mum! This is a great opportunity," Fred shouted.
"And I'm sure she would love to join us," George replied. Iris began laughing at the exchange of words. Harry was slightly surprised to hear it. It was the first time he had seen her really laugh since she got here.
"It's quite all right, Mrs. Weasley. Though I doubt I'll go into business with them, I might being willing to work out some sort of deal," Iris said. Fred leaned across the table.
"We'll discuss this later," he whispered loudly with a wink. Iris blushed slightly as she dared glance at Wood again. He sat smiling at her and the twins antics. She turned away and blushed deeper.
"Hello all," Mr. Weasley said brightly as he entered the room loudly.
"Arthur, dear, you're late," Mrs. Weasley said in a concerned tone. The red-headed man took off his hat as he walked in and sat it on the table.
"I know, sorry, but we have a visitor this evening." He motioned towards Dumbledore who was silently entering the kitchen behind him. Mrs. Weasley smiled and stood, walking over to welcome the two of them. It was then that Mr. Weasley saw Iris.
"Why, hello Iris. It's so good to see you downstairs," he said joyfully. Iris smiled and nodded, unsure of what to say. She began watching Dumbledore, curious as to why he was here. The same thought was running through everyone's mind.
"Have a seat, you two, and I'll conjure up some places," Mrs. Weasley said as she turned back to locating more dishes.
"Oh, that won't be necessary, Molly. In fact, I just need to speak with the Order and Iris a moment if you don't mind," Dumbledore said. Mrs. Weasley stopped her bustling and walked back to the table.
"All right then. Children, stay here." Groans of displeasure rose all around.
"But we're old enough," Ron said. "Shouldn't Harry be allowed to go at least?"
"No, I'm afraid not," Dumbledore said calmly. Amid grumbling, the adults filed out of the kitchen and went up to the parlour.
"And don't even think of eavesdropping," Mrs. Weasley warned as she walked out. Harry watched from the kitchen doorway until the door shut behind the last adult and sighed heavily.
An hour later, a knock at the door interrupted Harry's daze as he lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. He sat up as Ron put down the book he was reading.
"Come in," he said. The door slowly opened as Iris stuck her head in.
"Hello," she said softly with a smile. Harry smiled in return. She shut the door behind her and walked towards Harry's bed. "I just thought I would tell you the news," she said as she sat at the end of it.
"What news?" Harry and Ron asked at the same time. Iris glanced between the two of them before resting her green eyes on Harry.
"Well, Dumbledore thinks that it would be best for me to go to Hogwarts during the school term rather than stay here," she said softly. Harry grinned.
"You're coming with us?" he asked. Iris nodded.
"But not as myself. It's… ah, well it's a bit complicated to have Iris Evans come back so suddenly from the grave," she said. "So for the time being, I'll be Lauren Baker, assistant professor of potions." Ron's eyes widened.
"You mean you're going to work with Snape?" he asked loudly. Iris shook her head.
"No, apparently someone else will be taking over Potions… a Professor Slughorn," she said. Harry nodded his understanding. He had been with Dumbledore earlier in the summer when he had managed to convince him to come back.
"Anyway, I will be at Hogwarts, but it is very important that you both call me Professor Baker, not Iris, understood?" she said. Both boys nodded solemnly. Iris smiled. "Good, I trust you'll pass the word on to Hermione and Ginny?" Harry nodded again. "Good. I'm off to bed. Good night." She leaned over and hugged Harry before leaving the room. Both boys sat in silence for a moment watching the door where Iris just left from.
"She's coming to Hogwarts," Harry thought happily as he turned in for the night.
The next time Oliver came upstairs, he brought tea and an unusually shy Tonks. Iris had taken to joining the group for meals, but still remained quiet most of the time, not used to being part of a group. She only really opened up in the privacy of her room, as if it gave her some sort of protection. Which is why Oliver finally suggest Tonks just come with him if she wanted to get to know Iris.
Tonks conjured up a third armchair and sat, watching Iris who was fidgeting slightly.
"Sorry for staring, I've just haven't met many others like me," she said. Iris smiled.
"You're actually only the second I've met," she said. Before they could ask she continued. "I came across another at the Leaky Cauldron once. It's actually how I learned what I was." The two nodded. The group settled into an awkward silence, sipping their tea.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I got into loads of trouble when I was little because of it," Tonks said, finally, attempting to break the ice. "Didn't help that I'm incredibly clumsy. Nearly didn't make it through auror training because of that." Iris smiled.
"I gave Lily quite a fright one day when I transfigured myself into Harry in the kitchen when she wasn't looking. Took a good bit of time before she could figure out which one of us was real," she said. Oliver's eyes bugged out a bit while Tonks chuckled.
"I once tried to be my dad in order to convince Mum I could go to a party. That didn't go so well as soon as I opened my mouth," Tonks said. Iris nodded.
"I had much better luck with muggles. Got into many a pub when I shouldn't have by making myself older," Iris said. Oliver silently drank his tea, a bit astonished at her sudden shift into outgoing. Iris wondered if she shouldn't divulge too much of her past.
"How'd you feel about going to Hogwarts?" Tonks asked, noticing Iris' look towards Oliver. Iris shrugged and put her tea mug down.
"Excited. Scared. Worried. Overwhelmed. All the above," she said. "For starters, I've next to no robes. Never needed them."
"Honestly, I envy you. Some of the things my mother used to make me wear," Tonks stopped and rolled her eyes. "But I suppose that it is a problem if you're to be a professor at Hogwarts." Iris nodded sadly. Tonks pondered a moment before speaking again.
"If it'll help, I've got some old things that I don't really need. I could bring them by - see if they work. I'm sure whatever didn't we could charm into something suitable," she offered. Iris' face lit up.
"Oh, I don-" Tonks lifted her hand and silenced Iris.
"Please, you'd be helping me. Been meaning to do something with the lot for awhile," the witch said. Iris nodded.
"Alright then, thank you," she said, a bit taken back by her kindness. She ventured a glance towards Oliver who was smiling.
"I suppose we should be callin' you professor now, I reckon," he finally said. Iris smiled and rolled her eyes.
"I'm not sure I'll ever get used to that. I never even went to school and here I am, entrusted with educating the young," she said with a sigh.
"But you seem to know your way with potions. That's something even Hogwarts couldn't really teach me," Tonks said.
"Nor I," Oliver added. "Though I suppose that's due to the sour professor I had." Iris looked confused a bit.
"Now that I think of it, Snape could have had something to do with that as well. Though I did at least excell enough to get into auror training," Tonks said.
"Is he really that bad?" Iris asked. She still had yet to meet him, which she found odd considering he was to be monitoring her. Both of them looked at her and their distaste for the older professor was apparent on both their faces.
"If he were just a challenging professor I think I might have fared better, but that man seems to have an instant disdain for anyone Gryffindor," Oliver said.
"I suppose I got it a little better - being Hufflepuff and all. Granted he wasn't all too pleasant even to his own house," Tonks said.
"Well, I have no house so perhaps he'll be a bit more cordial with me," Iris said. The other two shrugged.
"What house do you suppose you'd get, had you gone?" Tonks asked. Iris thought a moment. Truth be told, she always had assumed she be Gryffindor, like Lily and James. But she had never really thought about it.
"I'd say either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw," Oliver said before she could. Iris looked at him, amused.
"How's that?" she asked.
"Well… you have a family attachment to Gryffindor, but I can see how your bravery would put you there. But then you're awfully clever and resourceful as well - teaching yourself and all. So could just as easily be Ravenclaw," he said. Iris nodded, thinking it over. It made sense.
"Either way, I have a feeling I'll be more drawn to Gryffindor once I'm there," she said. "It is Harry's house, after all."
"And that will most definitely put you on Snape's bad side, then," Oliver said.
"Does he have something against Harry?" Iris asked, her protective side rearing up. Oliver laughed.
"Not sure why, but never quite took a liking to him, if that says anything," he said. Iris thought a moment before answering.
"Well, I've met my share of unpleasant people so I'm sure I can handle him, whatever happens," she said finally. Oliver smiled, a bit in awe of her resolve and optimism. It was a delightful new change for her. He had to admit, he was going to sorely miss their random meetings. Even though she still kept so much to herself, each time he spoke to her there was something new there. He hoped that eventually she would feel comfortable enough to open up more. But even still, he was intrigued.
"Well, I saw this calls for a toast," Tonks said. Iris smiled as she held up her tea mug. "Merlin sake's, woman, you can't do a proper toast with tea!" she exclaimed. Iris watched as she pulled a small bottle of amber liquid out of her pocket. She emptied her own mug and then sat in on the table, tapping it with her wand. It immediately transformed into a shot glass. Tonks then waved her wand again, creating two more. Pleased, she then poured some of the liquid into each glass and handed them to Oliver and Iris. Iris smelled it, being fairly unused to wizarding alcohol though assumed it would be similar to what she was used to in the muggle world. It smelled strong, like whisky.
"Firewhiskey," Oliver said, answering the question she had yet to pose. "Burns a little going down, but still quite good."
"Wish I could've sprung for Blishen, but Ogden's good enough," Tonks said. She held her glass out and wait for Oliver and Iris to do the same. Once they held theirs out she cleared her throat. "To new friends and a successful year at Hogwarts for Iris," she said with a grin.
"Here, here," Oliver added. Iris smiled and nodded before putting the glass to her lips and emptying. It did burn a fair bit more than normal whiskey, but was still pleasant. Iris sat a moment, relishing it. Both Oliver and Tonks seemed to look at her expectantly, as though she might have a bit of a reaction.
"That is quite good," she finally said before putting the empty glass on the table. Oliver seemed a bit shocked, yet pleased to see her handle it so well. Tonks grinned and moved to pour another round.
"Easy there, Tonks. She might have handled the first one well, but we don't want her falling down drunk," he warned.
"I'll have you know I can handle my liquor. Wizard or otherwise," Iris said, sitting up straighter.
"That's the spirit," Tonks said. Oliver studied Iris.
"I'm not sure if it's the whiskey or what, but you're certainly brighter," he said. Iris shrugged.
"Perhaps I'm just warming up to you lot," she said. She stopped a moment and thought about it. She hadn't been this vocal or outspoken in quite a long time. She almost hadn't realized it. Sure she had been a bit outgoing here and there over the past 10 years, but it had mostly been an act to fit in. It had gotten her into trouble in the past, but now… It came naturally. Perhaps now she could finally be the person she was meant to be before the mess in her life had done otherwise.
Iris put aside her thoughts and noticed the other two had their glasses out, waiting on Iris. She picked hers up and held it out, not sure if they intended for her to say something. Just as she was about to open her mouth, Oliver spoke.
"To Iris," he said simply. Tonks grinned her approval. The three took the shot, Iris blushing slightly as she caught Oliver looking at her. There was something in his eyes. She could tell he was attracted to her, but this was something she almost couldn't quite decipher despite her self-proclaimed talent in reading people. Whatever it was, it didn't seem quite that bad, she decided, sighing as the warmth worked its way down to her stomach. Not that bad at all.