They went down to lunch after their class. Iris kept her thoughts to herself for now.

Things had settled down in the hall. Nott gave the occasional dirty look, but for now, he was keeping quiet. Draco's face looked blank most of the time.

'He must be plotting something,' Iris thought.

It was Transfiguration next. Iris was quite looking forward to it. James had helped both her and Harry with the basics. He was a good teacher. Iris was confident. It was all about visualization. Her experience with the veil and Equi had prepared her well.

They trotted after the fast walking Percy. Iris found the route much more familiar a second time around. Hermione looked like she already knew it.

They walked into the classroom. A tabby cat sat on the table. Minerva wasn't here yet.

Iris glanced around the room. The Ravenclaws had come in a few moments after them. They had all taken their seats and waited. Iris didn't know Minerva that well. Her mum talked well about her. So did Lily. Strict but fair. Pay attention and you can learn a lot from her. Both had given her similar advice.

The tabby was sniffing the air. Then gave a gentle purr. Iris watched with interest as the tabby shook its head. Then almost had a heart attack when the tabby jumped into the air off the table and morphed into Professor McGonagall. Ron spoke for all in the room when he gasped and in a loud voice said, 'That was bloody brilliant,' Harry led the applause.

'Thank you, Mr Weasley, for that assessment.'

'You're an Animagus,' Harry sounded very impressed.

'I am,' Minerva stated proudly.

'Is there a class?' he inquired.

'Not for students so young. When you're older I can give you some pointers.' Minerva said diplomatically.

Harry grinned. Between his dad, Sirius and Minerva he was bound to succeed.

Iris idly wondered what his animal would be. Then she wondered what hers would be if she tried. It could be useful later.

Minerva had moved to the front of the classroom, 'What I have just shown you is just one of the branches of transfiguration. Apply yourselves in this class and that is just one of the many things you could accomplish.'

The class was now fully engrossed.

They were each given a matchstick and told to focus on turning it into a needle.

Iris held her wand and focused as Minerva told her, picturing the needle. Silver light flowed out as the needle appeared for the first time. Iris had been practising this with Bella.

Harry had the same success.

Minerva walked over with a smile, 'Not your first time, Iris?'

Iris shook her head, 'Bella has been showing me. She's brilliant at this sort of thing. She emphasised how much of transfiguration is mental. You have to really see it in your mind. It's not so much about the wand movement. Our magic overrides the wand for this.'

Hermione had listened and learnt quickly. Within five minutes she had changed her matchstick. The Ravenclaws looked astonished that they were being bested in the brains department by Gryffindors. They focused and by the end of class three of them had caught up. It restored some house pride for them.

The class ended as students started packing up. Minerva approached Iris, 'I could always feel it from you, Lily and James but I didn't realise just how strong the Equi magic was until I was in my cat form. My sense of smell and instinct is far more sensitive. It's divine.'

'Isn't it lovely?' Iris said, 'When I'm there it's so much more. Neville's cat can't keep away from me. Lily has been around more often than not, too.'

With a wave goodbye, Iris left the class to join the others. The afternoon was better than the morning. That was for sure. Percy arrived to walk them down to potions. Iris would miss his guided tours a little.

'That was a good tip, Iris,' Hermione said, 'It helped. Who's Bella? You said she did your windows too.'

Iris paused, 'My aunt. Sort of. My Grandmother's brother's daughter to be specific.'

'Oh. She is Bellatrix Black then. Was LeStrange before the divorce?' she asked politely. Too politely.

'Yes.'

'Draco's mother's sister?'

'That's her. You've been doing your homework.'

'She's your tutor?'

'Mm. Not officially. She's been teaching me spells from the Black Grimoire, amongst other things. You know. For later. She wants me to be able to protect myself.'

'You get on well, then?' Hermione asked.

'Very. You remind me of her in some ways,' Iris said honestly.

Hermione went very quiet. She didn't pursue any more questioning.

They were halfway to Potions.

'What's your family like?' Iris asked. Genuinely interested, 'I know your mum and dad are dentists. What are they like, personality-wise?'

Hermione bit her lip, 'We can talk about them later. It's time for potions.'

Iris raised an eyebrow. Hermione seemed a little off. She saw Daphne with Pansy. Jasper was draped over her sister's shoulders. She looked very regal in that blonde, cool way of hers.

'Jasper suits you, Daph,' Iris remarked.

'Doesn't he just. He also keeps ill-mannered boys away too,' Daphne grinned. Tracy had a relaxed look and was staying close to Jasper too. Nott had his usual constipated expression. Draco leant against the wall pretending he wasn't listening. Crabbe and Goyle simply looked naturally menacing all the time. Iris suspected that half the time they were just wondering what was for dinner.

She gave Jasper a quick head rub and hissed a few endearments to him in Parseltongue. He rubbed his head on her hand in return. Many pairs of eyes watched this cautiously and with trepidation. Harry simply heard her say, 'Whose a good boy?'

Seamus put his head round the potions door, 'No one here. Come on. It's time,' they all trooped in.

Iris peered around. Although there was a bit of a divide between the two houses it didn't appear to be a hostile combination in general. Ron and Harry had a wait and see approach for now. Draco had gone mute. She was aware there had been a lot of issues between the two houses for the longest time. Knowing what was coming, a house rivalry seemed so childlike to her. If only that was all they had to worry about.

She supposed Daphne had a huge amount to do with the first year Slytherins being more polite to them. Her own link to Salazar gave the Gryffindors of this year a certain link to them too. The silver snakes finally gave those Slytherins who would prefer not to get involved an excuse not to join in with harmful banter. Mob mentality played a part. She wondered how many Slytherins over the years had been dragged into disputes they would rather not have been involved in.

Severus swept into the room with his black cloak swaying dramatically.

His dark eyes swept the room. It was impossible to know what he thought of them.

'Right class. Pair up with who you worked with last time. Nott. Longbottom. You two can work together. Set up your workstations,' Neville had been by himself last time due to the odd number when Nott had stormed out. Neville looked as pleased as Theodore which is to say not at all.

Iris made her way over to Tracy. They nodded and set their equipment up. Severus had written the ingredients on the board. They were told to refer to their workbooks. Find the potion and follow that. Severus wasn't going to spoon-feed them. Tracey and Iris worked well enough together. They didn't talk about the elephant in the room. Iris suspected Daphne and Pansy may have briefed Milicent and Tracy already. Blaise was working across from them with Hermione. He was a bit cold towards her but that seemed to be his natural personality anyway. He was being polite to her which was the main thing.

Hermione seemed preoccupied. Iris mused. She thought Blaise knew very well what was going on. Early days at Hogwarts. All of them were too young for this, but those in the know were old enough to understand the future was looking very dark. Iris watched Severus from the corner of her eye. He was keeping a subtle eye on Nott. Fortunately for them, Nott held it together. Before Iris knew it, they were making their way back to the common room. She had made plans to meet Daphne after dinner.

Hermione looked deep in thought, 'I need to talk to you,' she said to Iris, 'In private.'

'Ok. We can use my trunk,' Iris wondered what this was about. They made their way down. Esmeralda was in the glass cage, snoozing. She could be a very lazy snake at times. The novelty had worn off with the castle for her already. Now she had proper protection Esme could happily doze all day.

Trevor had followed them down. He rubbed against Iris's legs, purring.

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, then shut it again.

'Are you alright?' Iris asked. Hermione didn't look quite like herself. She looked agitated.

'Bellatrix,' she stated simply, 'I know she was being heavily influenced by dark magic by him, but she must have known what Riddle was before she joined. To get that close to him in the first place says a lot about her. That you would think I'm anything like her in the first place….' Hermione trailed off. She looked very upset.

Iris cringed as she realised her mistake. She took a deep breath. They needed full honesty with each other.

'I didn't mean for you to feel insulted. The opposite in fact. There is a lot about Bella I admire. You're both direct. You're both smart. You both have a lot of nerve. It was just an observation. You and I are still getting to know each other. You're new to all this. The Wizarding World isn't as simple as being a good person or a bad person without any middle. It's just like the Muggle world. Magic is both light and dark and so are we. You are too,' Hermione went to interrupt but Iris put her hand up, 'You'll see what I mean in time. Riddle has pushed magic and our world too much. He used this archaic Pureblood issue the first time to bring the old families over with false, misguided ideas of tradition and maintaining their power. His dad was a Muggle. It is just a political tool for him. Even a lot of Purebloods can see he was just using them for power now. As for the Pureblood issue. It's dying Hermione. Nature is going to kill it. Here, look at this.'

Iris reached into the cabinet and brought out two parchments.

One with the Black family tree and the other Greengrass family tree. She put them on the table, 'These are the current Black and Greengrass family trees. Look at my name. Look at the other names around me. How many do you recognise already?'

Hermione poured over both parchments. Her memory was being put to good use. Her fingers tracing over the lines. Iris spoke, 'These people are all my first, second and third cousins.'

'There's at least half the bloody school here,' Hermione gasped, 'Weasley. Abbott. Bones. Bulstrode. Potter. Parkinson. Longbottom…,' Hermione looked at Iris, her eyes showing comprehension, 'You're related to Ron and Harry.'

'Distantly. Don't forget Crabbe and Goyle. Third cousins. Not as close as Draco but still, much too close for comfort. In the British Muggle world, there are laws against marrying cousins. For very good reasons. I don't want to put my children at risk of insanity, Hermione. Nor my Grandchildren. There is a part of me that is actually frightened of having children. Even with a Muggle, I'd be playing with fire with my bloodline. I may decide not to have children because of Riddle. Knowing what Riddle is and what I could pass down scares the hell out of me. His blood is in me. That my mother and I are as fine as we are is a miracle in itself. One day I'll show you a memory of the Gaunt family. We have a Pensieve at Grimmauld Place. They are Riddle's magical side of the family. Slytherins descendants. What they were reduced to in the end following his ideology is harrowing. They were Penniless. Deranged because of interbreeding between first cousins. They are not the only family this has happened to. You won't hear a whisper of this at Hogwarts. It is taboo to talk about it. Bella has finally seen it. So has my Gran. Even they have seen sense. Once you look into Morfin Gaunt's face it eradicates any such notions about pureblood supremacy.' Iris spat this out.

Hermione looked at Iris in contemplation, 'I didn't realise the Wizarding World was so close to each other. This is widespread?'

'Yes. The other Pureblood family trees look similar. The Sacred twenty-eight,' Iris shook her head, 'Their days are numbered if they don't change their ways. Gran has known for a while. Some of them understand. The Weasley's understood this years ago but it's not talked about in social circles. Maybe behind closed doors. It was why Gran was so happy when Sirius brought mum home. He had found a Pureblood in Britain the Black family was not related to. If there is still a Wizarding World in a hundred years the Muggleborns will be very sought after. That's what Dumbledore thinks. So do I. I hope the Muggleborns don't forgive the crappy Pureblood families when the time comes. I hope some of their lines do die out. Will be the best thing for us. What Sirius did to my mother and me still bothers me. That he was allowed by Pureblood law to do it still vexes me.'

Hermione sat quietly taking this all in. The Wizarding World was starting to make much more sense to her now. This was not spoken about in any of the books she had read so far.

'What's Bellatrix like now?' she asked.

Iris looked at Hermione and gave a slight smile, 'I won't lie. She's still a Pureblood snob. Very much about the lines. Whose who. Still leans much more towards the dark magic, but we're going to need that sort of strength to stand a chance of surviving this. But, no. She saw Riddle's way. Never again. Her main focus right now is Riddle and vengeance. He betrayed her personally.'

Hermione's mouth gave a twitch. She had read the transcript of the trial in sheer astonishment.

'Never underestimate a Witch's fury. She will not rest until Riddle is dead. She wants to do it herself, but she needs to get in the queue. She helps me a lot. Many things don't get taught in Hogwarts for very good reasons,' Iris added slyly.

Hermione's eyes narrowed slightly, 'I'm listening.'

So Iris told her the basics as Hermione paid close attention.

'Lily and I can go over this with you. Only a Black can read the Grimoire. I'll show Lily. She will be better at explaining it to you.'

'Not Bella?' Hermione asked in a light tone. Too light.

Iris paused. Should this be attempted? No. Honesty was best in this sort of tense situation, 'Bella is better than she was with the whole blood thing, but, the last time Lily and Bella tried to work together was, um, it was not good, Hermione. Let's just leave it at that and well, not take the piss.'

Hermione gave a blink and you miss it smirk.

'Lots of greys, right?' she said to Iris.

'The grey is how we're going to protect ourselves and our families. It's the only way we're going to stand a chance,' Iris told her in a low voice.

Lucas slithered into the room as Iris fussed him and hissed at the silver serpent.

'Yes,' Hermione nodded gently, 'I'm starting to see that.'

Lily and James were worried. Not for the first time, Lily cursed Riddle's name.

Harry had left them on Monday evening looking like he was forcing on a brave face. Lily noticed his clenched jaw. James did the same thing. He wrapped his arms around his wife as they stood in the abandoned classroom. He remembered when he was young enough to be taught here. There were simply not enough students yet to justify it being open. The war had taken so many. There were a lot fewer students here than there had been when they had been at Hogwarts. James sighed. When he revisited the places of his youth there were times when it felt like yesterday. Right now it felt like a lifetime ago.

'He's physically connected to Riddle,' Lily said in a dull voice.

James couldn't speak. He hugged her a bit closer.

'Hasn't that bastard done enough damage to our family?' Lily said in an agitated tone.

'We'll speak to Dumbledore. He may have a solution,' James tried to affirm a plan of sorts.

Lily stepped away from him and looked at him steadily, 'I don't think he will. Not this. Riddle has interfered with magic he shouldn't have. No other person has done what he has. Dumbledore is the most intelligent Wizard on the planet, but even he can't know what has never been known. This is impossible for him too. He can only speculate.'

James closed his eyes. He was a logical man, 'Horcruxes. We know for a fact he has made at least four.'

Albus had briefed them both on what he did know. He had spoken to both Regulus and Kreacher about the cave. The locket and what it was used for. Albus was sure the diary in the cell had been used to rejuvenate him. Ernie McNair had disappeared the day of the trial. The diary must have been smuggled in by him. He was also convinced the small cup that Riddle had pulled from Bellatrix's neck at the trial was another. Riddle wouldn't have let a controlled asset like Bellatrix go for any other reason. He knew he needed to protect his Horcruxes better. The ring in the Gaunts hovel that Iris had found by a sheer fluke. Gabriel had confirmed it was also a part of Tom's butchered soul. After he had destroyed the Horcrux the Angel had moved it to a place only the Angels could go to join the other piece of Tom's soul that had come through with Hayley.

'There will be more. He may have replaced the locket and the diary by now. They could be anything. Anywhere. I know Dumbledore and Sirius are researching this, but it's almost impossible,' James said as he sat down on the desk, 'Parts of his soul put in objects to anchor him to this world. Our magic blocks its effects on Harry. Why?'

'The Horcrux ritual is not just dark in nature. It's twisted. Sick. When Albus told us how it is accomplished, cannibalism of the victim amongst other things…,' Lily shuddered, 'Equi magic is light,' Lily explained. James nodded. It was logical, 'When Riddle tried to kill Harry, during the backlash when his body got destroyed a part of his soul must have latched onto him,' Lily used her quick mind to establish the facts.

'Part of Riddle's soul is in our son,' James stated in a flat voice, 'Oh, god,' He broke down then as this time his wife comforted him.

'We'll inform Albus,' James said, 'We can see if he's in his office. Harry said the sounds he heard were like an echo when Riddle was overseas. As long as we keep visiting and Iris is close we should keep the magic strong enough to block this for now. Harry must have absorbed a lot as well from us.'

Lily didn't comment on the use of the phrase for now.

James frowned, 'I just don't understand Harry being able to speak parseltongue when the rest of the connection is blocked. We don't have any history of it on my side of the family. We should check your ancestry. Albus may know how to do that without getting Gringotts involved. Harry being able to speak parseltongue could just be a genuine inherited dark gift before we research any of this.'

Lily nodded in agreement. She doubted her parents had known about magical relatives. Her parents had been shocked she was a Witch, although they accepted it a lot better than her sister had. Lily still couldn't quite reconcile her sister to the woman she had become. She had delicately explained to Harry that it would be wise to avoid Petunia and why. Sirius had been one step ahead, however. Harry had been disappointed but understanding. Remus had explained the fear many Muggles would have towards magic. Remus had also explained a lot of bigotry in the Wizarding World towards each other and the non-magical people. They needed Harry prepared.

Lily knew that one only had to go back a few generations in other families to find out surprising things. Many squibs had been ostracised from their families. It had still been happening until recently. Iris being able to release their magic had bought a lot of skeletons out of closets. Lily had been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of squibs in the country. Lily had a thought pop into her head.

'Iris,' Lily stated suddenly.

'What about her?' asked James.

'She can speak parseltongue. All the time we have spent together. Perhaps our magics are merging. James. This is the first time people have ever been able to travel back and forth from Equi. Our magic works both here on Earth and Equi. Thinking about it properly, how is that possible? Unchartered territories. Albus said so. Perhaps this is one of the ways we get affected. We need to see if we can speak to snakes,' Lily went into research mode, 'I think it wise if we wait till tomorrow night. We should talk to Albus and let this news sink in. I can't see Iris in this state. I'm still shaking. I was going to see how she was settling in any way. We can see if we can talk to Esmerelda. Come on. Let's see Albus.'

Lily looked a little better now she had something to occupy her mind. Neither James nor Lily needed the veil to travel through the Astral plane. They arrived discreetly at Dumbledore's empty office and took a seat. He had arranged with them beforehand not to wait outside if they needed to see him. They focused on their physical bodies and became solid. It felt similar to apparating. They both still felt much lighter on Earth than they had but heavier than at the beginning. They were certainly going through changes. Earth was becoming more solid to them. More vivid. Neither of them dared to go through the golden veil that Iris went through. The tunnel back to Earth could potentially do unspeakable things to them. They had discussed it and the thought of coming back mindless Inferi without a soul was simply too gruesome a fate to contemplate.

Lily looked around the tastefully decorated room. The books on the shelves and Albus's shiny little gadgets were dotted all around. Fawkes flashed in and trilled as he saw them. Lily smiled and approached the phoenix. Stroking his head as Fawkes seemed to smile at her, 'Hi, there old friend. We're just waiting to see Albus.'

Fawkes nodded. His mere presence comforted the pair of them.

James ran his fingers over the large mahogany desk, 'To still be able to feel everything here is surreal. To smell. See. Feel the cold and the warmth. It really is truly like being properly alive. Sometimes I have moments I forget.'

Lily gave a soft smile, 'Equilibrium is special. Our life there is in some ways so much more than here, but we missed out on so much with Harry. I am so bitter about that. Not being able to have any more children. A little sister or brother for him. He hasn't any close blood relatives. Petunia….,' Lily trailed off.

James stroked her hair gently.

'He's got Sirius and Remus. The Tonks family and the Weasley's have more or less adopted him too,' James gave her comforting words.

'It's not the same though, is it? Thank Merlin we were able to spend so much time with Harry growing up. I know he's my son and I'm supposed to say it, but I really mean it. He's such a bonny kid. I went to see Petunia a few years ago. My nephew, Dudley is, well. I'll be blunt. He's awful. Spoilt, aggressive. I just couldn't imagine what Harry's life would have been growing up there. Harry would have been his punching bag. Petunia would have done nothing. Don't get me started on Vernon.'

James frowned as he remembered his wife's sister and her husband. Sirius had seen right through them.

'It didn't happen. The one good thing that happened during Sirius's breakdown. I wonder if he hadn't been in such a rage if he would have pushed Albus so much for custody? Albus had set those blood wards around Privet Drive to the maximum. Even Riddle couldn't have got through them.'

'I think Sirius would have pushed Albus. He really disliked my sister within a minute of meeting her. Do you think Harry let them know he's with Ron and Iris in Gryffindor?' Lily asked James.

'I would expect so. Hedwig loves to fly and take letters about and he knows how much Sirius worries about him.'

'I feel better knowing he's with them two. Ron keeps him from getting too down. He reminds him to be a kid. Iris is like having a mini Sirius around. I love that she got points deducted before she even sat down.'

James grinned, 'She's so much like Padfoot. In time he'll see that for himself.'

Lily smiled at the memory Harry had described. She pictured the scene in her mind. Iris, all five foot of her, giving smack talk to a boy twice her size, 'Those silver snakes are very effective too. The Muggleborns seem happy about them at least. That poor boy, Dylan. Shame Iris arrived too late for him. At least the Muggleborns know what they are up against. I hope Albus finds the culprits,' Harry had told them everything about his first day.

Lily and James had taken a wander around the castle earlier to reminisce and had quietly observed.

'That was a good idea Iris had. Giving both Hermione and Daphne a silver snake each was symbolic. Sends the right message out to the other kids. Blood clearly doesn't matter to her. Iris wants to protect people from morons. The other students know now where she stands. It has certainly cleared up a lot of rumours,' James said as Lily nodded.

They heard the door open as they turned around. Albus saw them and gave a smile at the sight of them.

'James. Lily. How good it is to see you both,' his blue eyes were twinkling.

He meant every word. He was fascinated by this gift Iris had. The time the Potters could spend with their son had done a lot to heal them all. Severus Snape's moods had also greatly improved for which everyone was eternally grateful. Severus was still a sombre, caustic character, but there wasn't the bitterness ageing his face so quickly anymore. Madam Pomfrey, the school nurse, had claimed she had once heard him laughing near the greenhouse. That was just a rumour, however. Many were not inclined to believe it.

His own self had been improved by the news Gabriel had given him. Knowing Arianna had recovered had been a balm for his soul. He had met with her several times. She was a young woman now. She had a new life and a husband in Equilibrium. She helped study with others the ways of the universe and explore all the capabilities of magic in these endless worlds. She was happy. That was what mattered most to Albus. Arianna was, like Albus, fascinated by the Resurrection stone.

'None of this should be happening but I'm very glad it is, big brother of mine,' Arianna had smiled.

Aberforth had initially been adamant not to speak with Albus. In the end, Iris and Albus had gone to the Hog's Head Inn to ensure Arianna could meet with him. The day had been emotional. The relationship between Albus and his brother would always be strained, but there was an ending of sorts to the years of open hostility. Albus had left with a lighter heart.

Lily gave Dumbledore a quick hug. He smiled softly. That he could feel her warmth was more magical than anything his elder wand could produce.

'It's good to see you, Albus,' said James, 'We're looking for answers.'

"How can I help?' asked Dumbeldore as he sat down.

'We spoke with Harry earlier. There was an incident earlier with one of the silver snakes,' James said, 'He can speak to them. He understands them. Iris covered it up from the other children.'

Albus leant forward, 'He can speak to them?' he stated dumbly. He closed his eyes in thought. His mind raced forward.

'He confessed something to Iris. She told him to tell us. He didn't want us to worry,' Lily said to Albus gently, 'When he was younger, before he met Iris and us, he used to hear a manic giggle, echoes and distant voices in his head. His scar would hurt. We think the Equilibrium magic is blocking it. We don't understand why it hasn't blocked the parseltongue. Harry mentioned his wand sharing a core with Riddle but we don't think that's likely. We think that maybe our magic could be merging. Iris can speak parseltongue. Therefore so can Harry. We're going to test ourselves tomorrow with Esmerelda. Iris's snake. Also, I was wondering if you could do an ancestry test for me. We just need to eliminate any other possibilities. Make sure there is no possible way I'm a descendant of the Gaunt line. We need to know what to focus on. We know James has no history of it in his family.'

Albus was looking at both James and Lily wearily.

'No doubt you have both discussed this with each other. You know what this could mean,' Albus said quietly.

James grimaced, 'Horcruxes,' he stated simply, 'Yes. We know what caused the voices. We think the echo was because Riddle was so far away. When he returns to Britain it may become stronger,' James furtively looked at Albus.

'What we need to know is if there is any way of removing it without hurting Harry?' Lily asked.

Albus' eyes had a faraway expression as he looked out of the window, 'The prophecy,' he answered in a quiet tone.

Lily and James looked resigned.

'Neither can live while the other survives,' Lily whispered.

'It is fated. This connection Tom and Harry have is part of it. I think it wise to let matters take their course for now. Right now he isn't in pain. I suggest that at any time both you or Iris keep near to him.'

James slumped back in his chair, 'Hayley absorbed a Horcrux too,' he said thinking out loud.

'Which almost killed her,' Lily said, 'Three years she was in Equilibrium waiting for her body to recover. If not for the effects of the Resurrection stone and Horcruxes, I don't believe that would have been possible. Also, that was an actual Horcrux. What is in Harry is a part of Riddle's soul. Not actually a Horcrux.'

'If Harry went with Iris and Gabriel through the veil into Equi then that would certainly work but there is no guarantee Harry could return. Iris would refuse to risk that. She can be as stubborn as her father,' Albus stated simply to the Potters.

'We could test that theory with Pettigrew,' James said in a wry tone.

'Unfortunately, Peter is not destined to go to Equilibrium, James,' Albus said in a dull voice.

James stopped short then. The implications of Albus's words sinking in, 'He is truly going to Hell?' he asked in a low voice.

Albus gave a short nod, 'Gabriel told me that his betrayal of you and your wife and the murder of all those people was only the beginning of his litany of sin. He has seen enough of Peter on Earth to know for certain his fate. Ultimately the veil decides judgement but Gabriel says Peter has earned his place well and truly in Hell now. Only Iris has access to the tunnel and both portals. Whenever a person dies their soul will go through only the veil which will judge them and steer them to their final destination. Riddle's pieces of his soul seem to end up in the limbo waiting room. Herpo's butchered soul ended up there too, in the end. That is how Gabriel knew immediately what Tom had done when Hayley brought a piece of him with her. Normally that is where the reincarnations are dealt with. Gabriel has been dealing with Riddle.'

Lily squeezed her husband's hand, 'Justice,' she whispered.

James nodded. His face was grim. He could only imagine what Peter had been doing since he left Britain. He shook his head.