They landed and walked up the steps to the large front door where Minerva McGonagall was waiting. She cut an imposing figure. She started to speak. She told them that their house was to be their family and failures and success would be shared with their families. They followed the professor into the school and into the great hall where they all gazed around them. They saw the four long tables lined up under the different flags for the four houses. The table at the top was for the professors. Iris looked up into the night sky and heard Hermione informing them all it was bewitched. She had read about it in Hogwarts. A history.
Iris glanced at the Slytherin table. She didn't hold her look long. That they did not all look like homicidal thugs was about the only positive comment she could think of. She heard some comments from the other students, 'Is that him, is that Potter? He's not as tall as I thought he'd be. Oh, is that Black? No horns, yet.'
They arrived at the front where Minerva stood next to a stool and what appeared to be a large black hat, 'This is the sorting hat. It will decide on your house.'
She heard Ron breathe a sigh of relief. Iris looked at the table behind her. Albus sat in the middle. She saw Severus and nodded. He gave her a brief nod back. Other faces she would get to know later. Minerva bought out the parchment with names on it.
Iris had been listening to Minerva but her attention had been diverted as she felt eyes from above looking down at her. She gave a start. There had to be at least twenty ghosts hovering behind Minerva and in front of the teachers and they were all focusing intently on Iris.
Minerva trailed off when she saw every kid's eyes looking behind her. Their gawking had even piqued her curiosity. She turned around and gave a jolt.
'Yes, what is it?' Minerva said sharply. Their behaviour was very unusual. Even for the Hogwarts ghosts. They hovered meekly. Normally they would be flying around and being a nuisance on the first day back. The ghosts stayed quiet.
'You. The bloody baron. Explain yourself?' Minerva used her favourite trick. Single one out. Get an answer.
The ghost looked at Minerva then back at Iris, 'Are you truly Iris Black? The one they talk about?' he whispered in reverence.
Minerva looked stunned. She had never in all her years heard this respectful tone from the Baron. Even Albus had turned around in shock.
Iris shifted on her feet, 'I am Iris Black. I suppose some people might talk about me.'
'You have been to Equilibrium?' he whispered.
Iris nodded.
'Is it true you can speak to Lucifer and Gabriel?' he seemed to barely be able to get the words out. Minerva was stunned at this character change.
She nodded, 'I can. I'm on first-name terms actually. They are my friends,' she bragged a little, 'They helped me with my wand.'
The ghosts whispered frantically to each other, 'Would you be able to help us get to Equilibrium?' the Baron asked her in a rush.
Iris smiled. She hoped every last student behind her was paying close attention. She couldn't be dealing with idiots like Draco every day. They spoilt her good moods. Maybe this would get the morons to back off for a while.
'Perhaps. I will certainly try. Let me get settled in first. I'll see if Gabriel is free later. I assume you won't want to be going to Lucifer's residence if you can avoid it?' she asked with a smile.
The baron tittered nervously, 'No, Miss Black. Any penance we owed has been fulfilled here many times.'
'How many of you are ready to pass on?' she asked.
'All of us, Iris,' said a woman, 'There are thirty-seven of us here. Some could not bear the disappointment of hearing an absolute no. They are hiding in the castle. We gathered our courage to ask you. I'm the grey lady. Lady Ravenclaw. We have been here for centuries. If it is possible we are ready for our new lives to begin. We were too frightened to go through the veil before. We regret it. We cannot find any other way to move forward in our forms. We have tried everything.'
Iris nodded as the audience around her looked bewildered.
'I'll speak to Gabriel and we can go from there. We may find a way for you all,' Iris promised them.
'Thank you. You make Salazar very proud. He has told us how much prouder he is of you and your mother than that other lunatic descendant of his,' the grey lady said, 'He visits sometimes and talks about you both. He keeps an eye on you both, Iris. He said he will visit you soon.'
Iris blushed, 'That's nice to know,' she said and meant it. The bar had been set very low, however. Just breathing and not killing babies would be an improvement on Tom.
The ghosts hovered away. In the hall, they all distinctly heard a mouse clear its throat.
Iris beckoned Minerva to continue. It took every shred of Minerva's composure to continue.
'Hannah Abbott,' she called. Hannah walked shakily up as she glanced fearfully at Iris and then rushed past her.
The blonde girl in pigtails sat down on the stool as Minerva put the hat on her head. After a minute the hat called out Hufflepuff. Hannah rushed past Iris and flung herself onto the Hufflepuff table and sunk deeper into her chair.
Iris relaxed. She watched the sorting with interest. Some took about twenty seconds, others longer. The hat simply looked into your head to see your actual strengths. Not what you thought they were. Iris wasn't a snob about houses. She actually thought the Hufflepuff students belonged to the most valuable house in Hogwarts. She was very open in her opinion. Tonks had appreciated it at least, even if none of the others did. Without the hard workers who were reliable and got the job done week in, week out, society collapsed quickly.
'Iris Black,' Minerva called her up. Iris wandered up and sat down and looked out into the sea of faces. They actually looked very wary of her. The hard faces of the Slytherin's were cracking. Their eyes looked very concerned. Mentioning Lucifer would do that. Draco would not meet her eyes. Her heart leapt. Fear of the consequences of their actions was good. She could change the minds of those people who didn't already warrant the wrath of the Angels. Fear could prevent those already on the wrong path to have a rethink.
The hat was put onto her head and fell over her eyes, blocking out the many faces. She heard the beautiful, haunting music of Equi. She felt herself at peace and waited in interest to what the hat would think of her.
She didn't know a hat could be emotional but the voice in her head sounded rather poignant.
'Such a gift,' the voice whispered in awe as it searched her mind and memories.
Iris found she could talk to the hat in her mind, 'It really is. Do you think I'll ever be able to take anyone through the veil for a day trip? The Angels don't know. None of us wants to risk it. We'd all be happy to experiment with Pettigrew the rat but he's gone A.W.O.L.'
The hat chuckled, 'Perhaps. I think you would need to stay close to them if you undertook this endeavour. I would not attempt it till you're sure.'
Iris nodded, 'So, what house then?' she asked, getting down to business.
'I think deep down you already know, Iris,' the hat said mysteriously.
'I really don't,' Iris admitted.
'Well, you certainly didn't inherit your mother's brains. Definitely not Ravenclaw,' the hat snorted.
Iris tutted at the hat's sass, 'Slytherin then. I can speak to snakes. I have one as a familiar,' she took a shot.
The hat scoffed, 'Good grief, Iris. You're a bull in a china shop. Your enemies will see you coming from a mile away. Besides, your ambitions for greatness are not for yourself but the protection of others. Although, control your malice to your enemies, Iris. Feeding Pettigrew to a snake? That is a dark path. You have a heart. I fear you would feel too much regret. Do only what is necessary. Slytherins Pureblood idiocy would drive you mad. You still harbour resentments to your father for his abuse of their laws.'
Iris had to concede the hat's obvious points, 'What about Hufflepuff?' she asked.
'You have loyalty to others, but your work ethic leaves a lot to be desired. You do only what is necessary and you really only enjoy that magic that makes you stronger. I can see in your head how much more you enjoy Bellatrix's lessons than the more academic lessons of Lily's and your mother's. Iris. You're a fighter. All this time so many people have been searching for your Grandfather when they look at you. They have been looking in the wrong place. You may not like to hear it but you are very much your father's daughter. Reckless, brave, a free spirit and overly fond of motorcycles.'
Iris closed her eyes and let this sink in. Accepting this fact she had never really been able to ignore. She had certainly never been a poised debutante. She was defiant when pushed. She had enjoyed all those hours she spent on motorcycles and exploring the Astral plane. Her compulsion to learn how to use spells to fight. Rock n Roll called to her. Like it did Sirius. Her mother, Gran Greta, Daphne and Astoria were all cut from the same cloth. Greengrass women. Refined, intelligent, elegant, distinguished. She was the black sheep. She loved them all but they were like night and day to each other.
The hall was silent. Albus leaned forward with a twinkle in his eye. He had known for some time where Iris would be sorted.
'You can only truly be...,' the hat paused to build suspense. It was quite the showman, 'Gryffindor!' the hat bellowed to the stunned audience.
Albus couldn't resist a wide smirk. A descendant of Salazar Slytherin and the House of Black's heiress had just landed into his old house. A Witch with Greengrass blood too. Many of the Purebloods would not be happy with this development.
The Weasley twins had started clapping first, 'We got Black. We got Black. She's ours. Take that Slytherins,' Fred and George shouted without any tact to the horrified table of serpents. Many of the Gryffindors on the table joined in enthusiastically with the twins. Quite a few Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs joined in with them as well. A lot of the students seemed unsure of what the correct protocol was in this situation and looked disorientated. The Slytherins were noticeably silent. Pureblood royalty being sorted into the house of the brave was not something for them to celebrate.
Hannah Abbott looked a little less like she was about to have a stroke. Ron had a small, relieved smile on his face. Harry was grinning. Daphne nodded gently at Iris. She wasn't surprised. She had thought for the longest time Iris was destined to be a lioness. Draco looked frozen.
Minerva removed the hat off Iris's head. A wry smile on her face. She refused to recognise what Sirius had done with his disownment of his daughter, 'I hope you don't give me as much trouble as your father did, Miss Black.'
Iris bit her lip, 'I can't promise anything, Professor McGonagall,' her grey eyes were apologetic.
Minerva kept her mouth in a firm line. Secretly she was pleased to have this girl in her house too. She had been in Walburga's drawing-room when Gabriel had removed Bellatrix's dark mark. The golden eyes of the Angel had bought her a quiet sense of peace ever since. She had been heartbroken about James and Lily's deaths. Being able to spend more time with them that she had never thought she would ever be able to do again had bought her so much happiness.
Iris stood up from the stool and made her way to the Gryffindor table as her robes turned red and god with the lion emblem appearing.
The sight of this enraged one of the older Slytherins. He stood up and snarled out loudly, 'Blood Traitor!' there were gasps all around the hall. Severus rolled his eyes.
'Flint. Silence. Five points deducted from Slytherin,' snapped Minerva.
Iris smiled at Flint as she dramatically put her hand on her heart, 'Oh, my very first Blood Traitor slur. What a proud moment for me. Let's hope it's the first of many. Prat,' she then gave a rude hand gesture to the angry boy who motioned the same back as they glared at each other.
'Miss Black. No more of that. We are not in a tavern. Five points deducted from Gryffindor,' snapped Minerva again with some irritation and a little bit of nostalgic pride. Black hadn't even sat down yet and she'd had points deducted. She had beaten Sirius' record. He had at least managed till pudding on his first day.
Iris struggled to keep a smirk off her face as she sat down. The Weasley twins high-fived her. Ron was beaming widely. The Weasleys were constantly branded as blood traitors by many of the other Purebloods. It was nice to have such distinguished company join them. Even Percy was hiding a smile.
Hermione had been watching very quietly from the sidelines as all this unfolded. She had seen more than enough that day. Her mind was made up.
Iris kept her interest in the sorting up. Susan went into Hufflepuff. A blonde girl called Lavender Brown joined Iris at the table. An Irish lad called Seamus Finnegan followed her. Hermione looked very determined when the hat went on her head and she was sorted quickly into Gryffindor. Hermione kept glancing over to Iris with a questioning look. Daphne took some time and then joined the Slytherin's. Iris wasn't too surprised. It was going to be that or Ravenclaw. They gave each other a thumbs up. Neville was sorted into Gryffindor immediately. The hat barely touched Malfoy's head as he was sorted into Slytherin.
Harry followed Neville into Gryffindor after a long time under the hat. Another girl, Pavarti Patel and a boy called Dean Thomas joined them. A happy Ron followed Harry into Gryffindor. Gradually the Slytherin table had filled up but Albus was interested to see it had been more of a level sorting this year. Perhaps some of the children had had a rethink after the spectacle of Iris dropping the name Lucifer. The hat could be bargained with to a point. Lucifer was not a name that one casually dropped into any conversation in the magical world. Anyone who uttered it and referred to the Dark Angel as a friend would be deemed by others to be treated with extreme caution by anyone with a functioning brain cell.
Dumbledore gave his evening welcoming speech and the food and drink appeared. The mood perked up a little but there was still a tension in the air.
Dumbledore glanced over to the Slytherin table and felt his mouth twitch. The first and second years were casting Iris furtive looks. The older years were pretending to ignore her but failing miserably. Iris was sat next to Neville looking for all intents and purposes like she was simply enjoying a casual picnic on a sunny day. Draco Malfoy sat miserably right on the very end of the Slytherin table. He was perched as far from Iris as possible. Crabbe and Goyle didn't seem to notice anything much except their food which they had delved into. Theodore Nott looked deep in thought and Blaise Zabini sat quietly to the side.
For now, Pansy Parkinson ate slowly but she was keeping quiet and kept shooting Iris the occasional contemplative look. Milicent Bulstrode sat opposite Pansy. There was very little in life that phased the sturdy witch. The mention of Lucifer had barely registered. She was tucking into dinner. She paused a moment to speak to Daphne.
'Gabriel is the Light Angel, isn't he?' Millicent said in her deep voice as Daphne nodded, 'Do you think your sister would introduce me to the other one, Lucifer?'
'I'll ask her. It shouldn't be an issue,' said Daphne. Something instinctive told her to keep on this girl's good side.
Milicent smiled, 'Cheers,' she said and resumed her meal.
Tracey Davies had given up trying to eat her dinner. She kept dropping her fork, due to her fraying nerves.
Blaise Zabini kept a cool facade although his eyes kept finding Iris. He turned to Daphne.
'Black knows Potter therefore you must know Potter,' stated Blaise, 'What's he like?'
Daphne didn't avoid the assertion, 'We have known each other since we were little. I like him a lot. He's quiet but decent. He's brilliant on a broom.'
'He's not full of it then? What he did to, well, you know who?' Blaise prodded a bit more.
Daphne understood his curious questions. They had all grown up with the stories and legend of the Boy Who Lived. They had all gone quiet to listen. Even Crabbe and Goyle had stopped eating.
Daphne shook her head, 'He sees it as the single worst night of his life. It cost him his mother and father. No. He is not full of it. He doesn't like the attention. He barely talks about it. It was his mother's magic that caused the killing curse to rebound. Not his. The only good to come out of it was Riddle fleeing the country and taking his most twisted followers with him. The Potter's at least gave us all some peace and quiet for a while.'
Silence greeted her from the Slytherins. Daphne had taken a public side. Her sister's.
Pansy considered her friend thoughtfully.
'Do you think Iris will hate us now because we're Slytherin's?' Pansy asked Daphne cautiously. The other kids' ears nearby pricked up.
Daphne snorted, 'Absolutely not. Bellatrix Black is one of her most favourite people on the planet. Bella is Slytherin right down to her bones.'
Pansy brightened up immensely. As did those further down the table.
'You have to know that, with Iris, it's not about houses or your name with her. It's who you are. The person she most wants to see dead in this world is Peter Pettigrew. He was a Gryffindor. She thinks Riddle had warped what Slytherin stood for. She wants to restore Salazar's good name. She's still his Heiress.'
Draco kept quiet. His sharp mind had a lot to think about. If Iris was being truthful and she knew Lucifer personally then that changed everything. He needed to know more.
Across from them, Iris had calmed right down. The ghost's request had been perfect. Not one hex had needed to be thrown. It also got the message out. Iris Black was friends with Lucifer and was Salazar's favourite. If that didn't guarantee some protection at Hogwarts for her and Daphne then nothing would.
Her Equi magic rippled out gently as most of the people in the room gradually relaxed. She glanced over to the Slytherin table to check on Daphne who was talking to Pansy. She had never met the dark-haired girl. Dawn thought it wise to keep them apart due to Pansy's father's obvious allegiance to Riddle. At this point, the Greengrass family were still attempting to be diplomatic. Dawn knew the time to cut cords was approaching. She had spoken to her family who agreed. The next few years would determine which cords. War was imminent.
Iris looked briefly at Pansy. She had dark hair, was pale, had an upturned sort of nose and clear green eyes. She was giving a good impression of someone with a lot of confidence. but Iris saw the way her hand trembled slightly.
Harry gave her a grin. Iris's encounter with the ghosts had certainly split the attention, much to Harry's relief. The Lucifer name drop had been glorious. Harry had been looking at the stunned faces of the Slytherins when Iris had dropped that bombshell. It gave him a twisted sense of glee. They had been thrown between a rock and a hard place with that one word. How many of them followed Riddle? It was about time Riddle heard the whispers. If he thought his plans were going to be executed seamlessly without a fight he had another thing coming.
Harry was a private person by nature. Iris helped balance things. Knowing she was with him in Gryffindor made him feel more secure. Her grey eyes, much like Sirius's made him feel warmth. Her eyes always softened when she saw him too.
Hermione Granger had been quiet now for ten whole minutes. This was proving to be unbearable for her to sustain.
'So, Iris,' she began, 'can you explain what happened with the Hogwarts ghosts?' Hermione was giving Iris her full attention.
'Well. You saw. I'll speak to Angel Gabriel later and hopefully we can honour the ghost's request to send them onto Equilibrium. That's the place you go to when you die if you haven't been a total moron in this life. It will be much better for them there than this half-life here. It's truly lovely there.'
Hermione's eyes flashed, 'Are you making this up? I know I'm new to this world but even the others looked shocked.'
Iris looked back at her intently, 'You really can't be subtle in the slightest,' Iris simply stated this as a fact. Hermione looked back a little defensively.
Iris considered her, 'I have inherited a gift. Do you need to see with your own eyes for it to be real?' she asked.
Hermione nodded her head, 'I do. So many books have been written about the afterlife but it's just talking. Have faith they say. There is no evidence. How convenient no one has ever come back to tell us,' she said in a bitter tone.
Iris was taken aback by this level of passion. Hermione had clearly lost someone, 'Would you like to meet Gabriel?' Iris asked her, 'I can introduce you to him. I can't have you thinking I'm a fraud for the next seven years.'
Hermione sat still. Her mouth was slightly open. She gazed at Iris and gave a tiny nod.
'I'll introduce you later,' Iris said simply. Hermione still looked disbelieving. Iris thought maybe she thought this a bizarre sort of prank. Well, Hermione would have to see Gabriel for herself.
Iris took a look around at the nearest first years with her. They were a mixed lot. She glanced up at the Slytherin table where a dozen eyes quickly looked away. She noticed the older they got the more unpleasant many of them seemed to look. Just what had been happening here?
Neville caught her eye and gave her a small grin. She smiled as she remembered the train ride. She liked Neville a lot. His Glaswegian kiss to Draco had been a work of art.
Eventually, the meal was finished. Dumbledore gave a nice speech as Percy Weasley approached them to take them upstairs to the Gryffindor common room.
Iris was used to his pompous ways by now. It takes all sorts to make the world go round. Percy was very much one for the rules. Arthur had a sought after position at the Ministry working for Amelia Bones and Percy was determined to follow in his footsteps. He loved paperwork. He loved schoolwork. His position as prefect was something he was very proud of. Iris was polite to him and he was polite back but they were both a bit distant with each other. Iris represented disruption in his orderly life. Iris didn't think it her place to tell him disruption was going to be inevitable no matter how orderly your filing cabinet was. Riddle would be making that clear to Percy very soon.
The Castle was impressive. The moving stairs were fantastic. Iris looked at the portraits with interest. They had all come to have a look at the firsties. Percy had set the pace and in no time at all they had arrived at the portrait of the fat lady. No irony. Percy explained the password regime.
'Caput Draconis,' he said as the fat lady opened the doors into a rather nice room. They walked in and looked around the room. It was large and decorated in reds and golds. It was very peaceful. There were chairs and sofas dotted around and large wooden tables. Iris decided right then she loved it. It was like Grimmauld Place. It felt like a home of sorts.
'Follow me.' said Percy, 'These are the first-year dorms. Boys on the left. Girls are up the stairs. Any attempt to access the girl's dormitory will result in humiliation, boys. You have been warned,' Percy said sharply to the boys. The girls smirked as the boys looked confused, 'Your trunks have already been put in the room next to the bed allocated to you. This is to avoid arguments. The great hair pulling fiasco of 1982 is still remembered today. Christine was left permanently bald on one side of her head,' Percy said sadly.
The girls climbed the circular stairway and entered their dorm room. It was large. The room had clearly been expanded. Their individual beds looked to be a good size with privacy drapes around them.
Iris saw her trunk by the corner bed and made her way over. She pulled the drape around completely. Not a bad size. She tested the bed. Very comfy. Side table. Be a nice place to read. She opened up her trunk. This is where she would be spending most of her time. She made her way down the steps and into the large, comfortable room. Everything was in place. Her large James Dean framed Photograph took pride of place on the wall. Sofa, Wardrobe. Stereo, Television, Triumph Bonneville, Shelves. Vital Black hair care collection. She made her way over to Esmeralda's glass cage, 'Hello darling,' she hissed to her golden snake as Esmeralda greeted her happily, 'Helloooo, Irrissss,' she hissed back. She wrapped around her arm and snuggled in.
'Do you want to meet the girls?' Iris hissed to her.
'Yyeeesssss,' Esmeralda looked excited. Well, as excited as a snake could look. She made her way back up to the dorm room with Esmeralda around her neck and opened up the drape.
Thud. A book had been dropped by Lavender as she spotted Iris and Esmeralda.
'Hi, I thought I'd introduce you all to Esmeralda. She'll be hiding in my robes most of the time as she may scare the wimps. Although if any students get feisty I'll let her out to play. Dumbledore permitted me to bring her but we agreed, the first sign of any trouble she goes back to Gran's but she's perfectly safe. I told her only to bite on my request. Kreacher will drop in from time to time to give her rats. She likes eggs too.'
Parvati was intrigued. Lavender hovered in the background. Hermione looked astonished.
'Oh, she's so beautiful,' Parvati said in a whisper as she wandered over.
Iris smiled and hissed at Esmeralda what Pavarti had said. They both went still as Esmeralda rubbed her head on Pavarti's hand in thanks.
'You are a Parselmouth then?' said Lavender, 'There had been rumours.'
'Of course. After the debacle with Sirius, Gringotts did the whole bells and whistles family tree. I am most definitely Slytherin's Heiress. No milkmen involved.'
Hermione snorted as Pavarti and Lavender looked confused. Was there such a thing as men made of milk?
'Can I hold her?' asked Hermione. Parvati's courage had spurred her on. Iris hissed to Esmeralda asking if that was ok. The snake nodded and hissed back her permission.
'She is so cool,' said Pavarti as Esmeralda slid around Hermione.
'Esmeralda's a sweetheart, really. Lavender. Do you want to meet her? It's ok if you don't. Snakes seem to intimidate a lot of people,' said Iris, trying to be diplomatic.
Lavender walked slowly over. She looked at Iris intently, 'It has been a hell of a day, Iris. I will admit that. But I'm not a complete drip. You wouldn't have her with you if she wasn't safe. I will get used to sharing a dorm with the Granddaughter of a Dark Lord, a friend of Lucifer and the owner of a big golden snake. As Merlin is my witness, I will learn to deal with this.'
Iris smiled genuinely at Lavender's determination.
Esmeralda slid out and nuzzled Lavender's palm.
'Oh, she's so smooth,' Lavender said delightedly as they all took turns to fuss the delighted golden snake.
Iris looked around her at her Gryffindor roommates and relaxed. So far so good. She didn't think she would need to have one eye in the back of her head with them at any rate.
In time they would need to lean on each other. Seven years was a long time. The sinister threats that were echoing over the waters were getting closer every day. The Wizarding World and the Muggle World were fragmenting. Bit by bit they would start to merge if Hitler and Riddle got their way. Iris wouldn't need to tell her roommates any of this. It would start to become clear as day for everyone. They were all so young. Harry and Ron were nearby. Neville had some nerve. There were people here in the school who were prepared to fight against Tom.
Iris settled down on her bed to read. She would make her way to Equi soon and recharge.
Bella had been very plain talking to Iris before she left for Hogwarts about the consequences of Riddle's ambitions. This war loomed in front of them. It was going to be a fight for survival. The realities of the world that Riddle and Hitler together wanted to create were grotesque. The revealing of the Magical world could lead to mass slaughter. Her description of the camps horrified them. Bella and Severus had been working on a contingency plan for sabotage. They were waiting for Iris to get older. They couldn't risk her being killed on the Earth. She was their gateway for the Angels. Iris had kept offering but they would refuse, much to her annoyance. With the Angels they could do a total shutdown of all the camps. The problem was what happened afterwards otherwise they would have done this already.
They could not rely on the military in these countries to help. In fact, they would hinder and block. They would recapture or kill their victims and start more camps. It was a vicious circle. Attempts to buy land and islands in South America to relocate the victims too were blocked if not through certain channels. The rot was deep. Fawkes could apparate with someone a short distance but not as far as another country. Port keys could only get as far as Mexico.
Dumbledore's port keys could only carry magical people. He was working on one that could operate by itself to carry non-magical people over long distances. They did not know who they could trust in the Americas. Bill was reporting back strange behaviour in Government departments. Gabriel was heartbroken as he had witnessed the horrors of concentration camps in many other era's. Unable to do anything but wait to be able to put their victims back together again in Equilibrium. He could do something now.
Severus, Albus and others were rounding up trustworthy Witches and Wizards. They would fight alongside the Angels. Clear the camps of the Nazi filth and Riddle's Death Eaters working in them and then put them under the Fidelius. It would alert them to their enemy but even Albus knew the time for action was nearly there. It would be the trigger for World War Three. It was going to be done the same night. It was to be a monumental operation. Lucifer was looking forward to their trip together.
'I've been redecorating in anticipation of my new guests,' he had smirked to Gabriel, 'All of my colleagues are looking forward to the trip as well.'
Gabriel didn't have the heart to pretend he was appalled. He and the other Angels had been observing the Earth for centuries. All of the good, the bad and the very ugly. They knew who was responsible.
Justice would be served.