Albus made his way over to his shelf of magical objects, 'We can do your ancestry, Lily. You are right. We need to make sure to eliminate the options.'

They watched him dig deep and bring out a silver gadget, 'Ah, yes. Here we go. I haven't used this for a while. I kept it for the more curious Muggleborns. I was surprised you never asked me, actually.'

Lily shrugged. 'There was so much going on. My parents hadn't been told of any magical people in the family line.'

Albus smiled gently at her, 'You won't be Slytherins direct Heir. Only Tom, Hayley and Iris remain from his line. Gringotts confirmed this. Walburga Black is still bragging about it to all and sundry. If there is a parselmouth in your line it may be from one of the distant other branches.'

James and Lily watched as Albus brought over some parchment and set it down. He whispered a spell as he waved his wand over it. They watched the paper glow blue. He then handed Lily the gadget, 'You'll feel a sharp prick. Drip the blood over the parchment,' Lily did as instructed. They watched the small drops of blood drip over the parchment as Lily did a simple healing charm. Albus waved his wand over the parchment again as this time it glowed green.

'Now, we wait,' Albus told them, 'This is a bit slower than Gringotts but just as effective.'

They each gazed at the parchment as the names and lines appeared. Lily saw her own name and then her sister. Then her parents. The names that slowly started to appear all looked familiar to her. Her grandparents on either side. Then her Great grandparents. All Muggle names so far. The timeline moved back and back. Seventeenth-century. Sixteenth. Fifteenth. Muggle all the way. Then, 'Bones,' Lily said, surprised, pointing at the distinctive surname.

James and Albus peered at the parchment. Indeed the Bones name had appeared. The colour was in blue, not black to denote the magical line.

'The magical gene skipped over four hundred years. Wow,' James looked with interest at the family tree.

'Muggleborns will have some magical ancestry. The gene does get carried through the generations. It simply lays dormant in some people. Or as in the squibs case, trapped,' Albus said to them both.

The family tree continued back and back. They could recognise a few of the magical surnames now. They were in the eighth century now.

'Oh look. An Ollivander,' Lily smiled. James grinned.

The family tree went back centuries. There was nothing as dramatic as founders or links to Merlin or Morgana but on the other hand no sign of any links to Salazar or the Gaunts either.

James perused the family tree. 'I don't think any of these families have a history of being able to speak parseltongue.'

Albus and Lily agreed with him.

'Well, that is that then,' Lily said. 'Why Harry can speak to snakes is certainly recent. We will see Iris tomorrow. If we can or can't speak to snakes will determine what happens next.'

Albus and James nodded at that.

It was the next evening and after they had met with Harry, James and Lily travelled to the self-contained flat Gareth had bought for Iris. Harry had told them Iris would meet them at nine. She was seeing Daphne first. They were still in the Astral plane. They saw a young girl with buck teeth who was writing at a rapid pace in what looked to be the study area. Piles of books surrounded her. One of the large silver snakes hovered nonchalantly on the wall above her.

Lily looked with interest around the room. James Dean brooded. Salazar looked smug. The television took prime space in the room. Esmerelda snoozed in her glass cage. The Beatles were playing on the stereo. Large batteries were stacked on the far wall.

'She's an odd Pureblood. That's for sure, James,' Lily said.

James murmured in agreement. He had spotted the motorcycle in the corner and grinned, thinking of the motorcycle Sirius tore around on. His smile faltered when he thought of that broken family. Hayley and Sirius still had absolutely nothing to do with each other. James loved Sirius but he had thought him the biggest moron on the planet for what he had done to his wife and child. Sirius wouldn't discuss it with him. James would not blame Hayley in the slightest for never speaking to him again. That Iris could even be cordial to Sirius was a relief. James understood that it was primarily for the Potter's that she did so. Perhaps also an understanding that she was much more like Sirius than her mother. Hayley and Iris were not very alike. James had seen the way Sirius looked at Iris. Like a hawk pondering. As she grew older James saw the similarities between them grow. She had landed in Gryffindor too.

Iris was understanding enough to realise her Riddle blood made many wary. She was pragmatic, 'Time,' she would say to James when he would speak to her about how people saw her, 'They'll see I'm not on Riddle's side in the end.'

Sirius had dated, of course. He was still a young man. Still. Nothing seemed to last for him. Those relationships would simply fade away. James did worry for his friend. He looked at Lily. The love of his life. How much better both worlds were with Lily by his side.

The young girl huffed, then ran her hands through increasingly bushy hair. Mouthing a word over and over as she moved her wand. She looked a little flustered. They heard footsteps down the stairs as Iris appeared. She waved and smiled at Lily and James. Lavender and Parvati had been told Hermione was studying dangerous spells so they had made themselves scarce. Hermione hadn't noticed her arrive. Iris grinned and raised her voice.

'Hi, Hermione,' Hermione seemed to wake up and registered she had company.

'Iris. Hello. I'm trying to work out this incantation and I'm doing the wand movements correctly but nothing. It is very vexing,' she said rapidly.

Iris nodded in sympathy.

'Um. James and Lily are here. They need to talk to me about something. Can you take five? Clear your head. It may make more sense when you get back.'

Hermione seemed to consider this and her eyes darted around, 'They're in here now? Could you introduce me?'

Lily and James appeared. If Iris thought Hermione could be discreet that was good enough for them.

Hermione squealed then looked embarrassed, 'Sorry. It's you. It's really you. I've read all about you both.'

'Lily. James. This is Hermione Granger. Hermione. This is James and Lily Potter,' Iris reeled off the introductions like she had been taught to do at Greengrass Manor.

Hermione approached them cautiously and held her hand out. Lily shook it warmly as Hermione gasped, 'You're real,' she whispered. James also shook her hand as Hermione gazed at them in earnest, for once at a loss for words.

Gathering herself and remembering that Iris wanted to talk to them, Hermione breathed out, 'Right. I'll be back in five minutes.'

Iris grinned as her bushy-haired friend went up the stairs, 'Hermione is Muggleborn too. You're a personal hero to her,' she said to Lily.

'Harry did mention her. She's the bossy one who stopped Goyle punching you, isn't she?' James said.

Iris nodded, 'Yeah. Oh. Lily. You know you said you wanted a hobby?'

Lily nodded.

'Would you be interested in helping tutor Hermione a few evenings a week? She is so smart. She always has her hand up in class and knows the answers. She's already read the first yearbooks. Learning to her is like air to the rest of us. She just needs some pointers and guidelines.'

Lily glanced at the books on the table, 'She's already reading second-year material?' Lily remembered a few of the titles.

'Yes. I think she needs someone to help her with the tricks of the trade so to speak. She has a lot of questions and the Professors have an entire class to teach. They just don't have the time for a student like Hermione. Magical learning isn't like the things they teach at Muggle school.'

Lily was well aware of that. It took different learning techniques to properly grasp many of the magical concepts.

'We can certainly give it a go, Iris,'

Iris smiled, 'Thanks. Also, teaching Hermione may be a bit less frustrating than teaching me.'

Lily gave a sly smile then set her mouth properly, 'Nonsense, Iris. Teaching you is a joy.'

Iris snorted. 'Yeah, right. So, what did you want to discuss?'

Lily and James got down to business. 'We need to see if a theory we have is correct or not.'

'Ok.'

'We need to see if we can communicate with Esmerelda,' James said.

Iris quickly grasped the thinking behind it, 'You think I could be passing the ability to Harry?' she said.

'Possibly,' said Lily, 'Something happened that night Riddle attacked him. Some of his magic went into Harry. But we can block most of the effects using Equi magic. Just not the parseltongue. We just need to test this to confirm exactly where we need to be looking.'

'Sure. Yeah,' Iris walked over to the glass cage and woke up her snake. She leant down as Esmerelda hissed hello to her. Iris picked her up and turned to the Potters. Speaking to Esmerelda she hissed to her that these people were Lily and James Potter and to say hello.

James and Lily shook their heads.

'No, we can only hear parseltongue.'

Iris tilted her head, 'Say something to her, just to make sure,' she said.

Lily leant down to Esmerelda, 'Hello. You're a very beautiful snake, Esmerelda.'

Esmerelda looked at Lily blankly.

'You try James.'

He spoke gently and Esmerelda tilted her head and looked at Iris.

Iris stroked her head, 'Did you understand any of that?' Iris hissed to Esmerelda.

'No, Irisss.'

'She said you are beautiful.'

Esmerelda hissed, 'You can tell her she is also very beautiful. For a human.'

Lily grinned widely, 'Sure,' she hissed, 'I'll tell her.'

Iris told Lily Esmerelda told her thank you, and she was also beautiful, for a human.

Lily looked a little bewildered but smiled graciously at Esme.

'Thank you, Esme. Sorry to wake you from your nap. I'll put you back now,' said Iris to her.

'Thanksss,' Esme said. Iris put her back in the glass cage.

James and Lily were pondering this development.

'So, only you and Harry can speak this.' James stated.

Iris nodded.

'Have you noticed any other similarities you share with Harry?' Lily asked her, 'Maybe because of Equi you're magic is merging.'

'Um. We're both picking up transfiguration fast but I think that's because you helped us with the whole picturing it in your head thing and I do all of that with the veil so I've got good at that sort of magic,' Iris gestured to James, 'We were the first in the class to change a matchstick into a needle. We both like flying. Though Harry prefers a broom to a motorcycle. That's it, I think. We haven't spent enough time in lessons to really see.'

Lily frowned, 'Transfiguration and flying are more of a raw magic based talent. I'll speak to some of the others. See what we can work out.'

James had been fairly quiet as he pondered the situation, 'I'm going to ask you if his scar hurts, can you go to him? I think it will help him.'

'Course I will. Harry and I are going to look after each other. We've got a lot of help too. Don't worry. Dumbledore is here. And don't forget Uncle Sev,' Iris said with a mischievous look on her face. She was fully aware of their school days with each other. Harry had not been impressed with the news of his father's bullying days. James had told him as a cautionary tale not to be like him. When he had matured he now looked back on those days ashamed of his behaviour. James looked a little furtive at Iris then sighed.

'Merlin, you two are far too young for any of this. But, make sure you two stick together. Ron too. I know he can be a little juvenile,' Iris smirked. Ron still laughed at fart jokes, 'But he's a good lad. You're connected to my son. He is to you. I know Albus has his theories as well. I'll talk to Harry myself tomorrow.'

They heard Hermione stepping down the stairs.

Lily smiled at the young girl, 'Iris said you would like a bit of tutoring. We can give it a go. I have been looking for a hobby and if things had been different I'd probably be a professor here. We have schools in Equilibrium. It may be a good idea to get some experience.'

Hermione grinned so widely for a moment her face was all teeth, 'That's marvellous. Thank you ever so much,' she rushed to her study area and picked up the book she had been studying from, 'Please. How do I say this?'

Lily grinned and looked at where the girl was pointing, 'Ah, I see the problem. This particular spell is Latin based and for some inexplicable reason the o in this particular spell is silent.'

The relief on Hermione's face was tangible, 'Thank you. Thank you. Right. Ok. This isn't the only spell that is not logical. Here, look.'

Lily was dragged over to the table as she looked at the pile of books. She smiled as she remembered these books from her own childhood. Hermione's enthusiasm was infectious and Lily enjoyed going over the different variables and explaining some of the concepts to Hermione who was soaking this knowledge up like a sponge. Iris hadn't been exaggerating. Hermione was like Einstein on speed.

James and Iris went to sit on the sofa.

'How's Daphne doing?' James asked Iris.

'She's settling in well. I thought it wise I didn't go into the Slytherin dungeons just yet. I don't want to be lynched. Jasper keeps away the idiots in Slytherin House. She's a Greengrass. The name still carries a lot of weight so the normal Slytherins, yes, there are some, are polite enough for now. Plus, she's Daphne. She just has this way about her. She's got lucky with the girls in her year. Some of the older girls are quite intimidating. She already knows Pansy. Tracey and Milicent seem quite nice. Blaise is a bit of a mystery man. He's cold but polite. So far the snakes seem to be keeping a lid on Nott and Malfoy. Nott has had a few unpleasant moments but he's keeping quiet for now. Crabbe and Goyle seem to be there just to follow orders. Daphne said Malfoy looks like he's spying on her. They hadn't met before the train. Pansy said that Draco and his mother spend most of their time out of the country. Pansy doesn't say much either. Or can't more like. She's very much in the prat position. You know what her father is. Draco hasn't spoken to either of them since the sorting. No doubt laying low and reporting back to dear old mum and dad.'

James nodded at this, 'I'm afraid so. At least she's safe.'

Iris murmured, 'Nott threatened me with her. So I threatened him. Then he started again. He was the main reason I gave her Jasper. There is something not right with him. Like, really not right. His eyes…,' Iris thought of the boy.

James knew only too well the manic look some of Riddle's followers wore, 'I know. The people who truly follow Riddle. Their eyes lack something.'

Iris contemplated this.

'How much does your friend know?' James asked quietly as he looked over at the table as Lily went over Hermione's potion book at the other side of the room.

'Enough. Her grandmother's Jewish. She escaped from Germany in 1938. The rest of her family didn't. She recognised the signs on the first day that there are big problems in our world. So many of the others were hostile to her on the train once they realised she is Muggleborn. Percy told her about Dylan and warned her to be careful around the castle. After what Nott said to me in class she badgered me. She saw the books in here. I think, deep down, she knew most of it before I told her. I showed her that photograph. She needed to know.'

James pursed his lips. He knew the photograph Iris had.

'She's going to help,' Iris said to him.

James looked a little alarmed.

'I know we're only kids now but not for long, ok. We're going to need all the help we can get later on. She really wants to help too. This is personal on both levels now for her. Harry knows. He's ok with it. She's a little frantic right now but for good reason. I think she is overwhelmed to be fair to her. We just need to give her some time.'

James looked over as his wife was showing Hermione a simple wand motion for a spell. The young girl's face certainly looked much calmer than it had earlier.

'I reckon they'll be good for each other. I know you both want to help us. This is helping,' Iris sounded determined.

James understood that. Hermine was looking earnestly at what Lily was doing and was writing rapid notes.

'Try and make sure she takes some time to have fun, at least. You're still kids,' he said.

'Oh, we will. You can't hang around with the Weasley's and me and not slack off sometimes. Harry is proof of that,' Iris grinned.

James was well aware of this as he breathed a little easier.

'What are the rest of them like?' he asked.

'I really like Neville,' Iris said. James grinned. Neville's headbutt to Malfoy had already gone down in legend.

'He spoke to me. He knows what Gabriel did for his mum and dad. I think that unless I'm a total idiot I have a friend for life in him.'

James nodded. He had seen what had happened to his friends Frank and Alice. James and Lily had stayed by their beds in the hospital for endless hours hoping for change. Even they had given up hope.

Augusta's desperation had proved the turning point. Bella having the dark mark removed had given hope.

Lily and James had been flummoxed. Seeing Frank and Alice back to their best had caused them to wonder about this gift.

'This gift you have has changed a lot of people's lives for the better, Iris,' James told her.

Iris shrugged, 'Yet somehow, Sirius still doesn't trust me. Do you think he ever will?'

James looked horrified at this assertion. He went to speak but found he couldn't.

'It's true. It doesn't matter what I do. He's playing the waiting game. I see it in his eyes. Still, I don't do this for him. I can actually help people. Like mum does. I'm the only person who can help them sometimes. Well, Gabriel does most of it and the Peverell ring but you know what I mean. I don't want to be remembered just as Riddle's Granddaughter. I want to be remembered for me. Iris Black. Mum's the same. A lot of people don't seem to get that Riddle makes us both sick. We don't know him. He killed Gran. He didn't give a shit about mum and what he was doing to her. Just the thought of him is ugh. Sirius just refuses to see what is staring him in the face. He's not the only one. I help those people because I can. People have helped me. That's what life should be about. We help each other out to make things better. If later on people remember what I did for them and help us then brilliant. If not, then, I'm not Riddle. I don't do what I do just for repayment. Obviously, if someone I've helped tries to attack me I'm going to be very pissed off but still. I want to bring some pride back to Slytherin house too. Mum and I are still his descendants and he deserves better than Tom to represent him.'

James appraised the young girl. Her grey eyes flashed with determination. He saw some of Sirius in them. Why was he so bloody stubborn? Not for the first time, James was incredulous with his all but in blood brother. He didn't have anything he could say to her. Until Sirius trusted her this situation would continue.

'Do you wish you were all a proper family still?' James asked shakily.

'No. Yes,' Iris got flustered, 'I don't know. Sirius would have never let me see Gran or Bella if none of this had happened. I wouldn't have known the elves. I wouldn't have grown up properly with the Greengrass's. My mum is epic, you know. She's great. Sirius is... I don't think she will ever forgive him for what he did and I respect that. He still doesn't truly believe in us. She has been adult enough to let me connect with Harry and you both and Sirius is part of the package. I'll appreciate what I do have. I've been lucky in a lot of other ways. I'm not the only kid to have dad issues. I'm one of far too many actually.'

James patted her arm as she smiled at him. He quietly agreed with her as they sat in companionable silence as they did in Equi for a while. Hermione and Lily were completely absorbed going through more of the books on the table. Lily was writing out a list for Hermione of useful books to take out from the library as Hermione perused the titles over her shoulder with interest.

Changing the subject James continued to ask about the others.

'Dean and Seamus seem alright but I don't really know them properly yet. Lavender and Parvati like to talk about hair, make-up and cute boys all the time. I mean, all the time. Do you know, at dinner, they spent half an hour discussing Cedric Diggory's quiff? Then another half an hour talking about whether sideburns would suit him?'

James stifled a grin, 'Vapid and shallow nonsense can be a godsend sometimes. It can take your mind off of depressing reality,' he told Iris.

Iris nodded sagely at him.

'Lavender spent an hour talking to Pavarti about colouring their hair this morning. Don't get me wrong. Good hair care is a must. But, really, so much time spent on your locks can't be a good use of anyone's time. You're right though. It did take my mind off other things.'

'See,' said James. He was glad the conversation had taken a more positive tone, 'If you're ever feeling a bit overwhelmed go and chat with them. Talk about cute boys and make-up,' James sniggered.

Iris elbowed him and gave him a wry grin, 'I'll just eavesdrop for now.'

Time had been ticking on. Lily had seen the clock and noticing the late time had hustled Hermione to her dorm stressing the importance of sleep for brain development. This was the correct angle to take as Hermione prepared to leave.

'Thank you so much for this, Mrs Potter,' she said shyly.

'Call me Lily. I've enjoyed teaching you. I'll draw up some lesson plans. Are you free this Thursday? Same time?' Hermione nodded, 'Any questions you need to ask, write them down and I'll do my best to answer them.'

Hermine gave a beaming smile and waved goodbye to them all.

'She's lovely, Iris,' Lily smiled, 'I see what you mean. She picks things up so quickly. She can recite text off the top of her head.'

'You are the fountain of knowledge as far as Hermione is concerned. To her, you are a god. If she ever does try to boss you about, just tell her to cut it out. It normally works. Ron has had to use it a couple of times. She really riles him up. I think she hustles him more because of it. His ears go red when he gets annoyed.'

'Right then,' Lily said. 'Are you coming to Equi later, Iris?'

'I am. I'm going to meet up with Gran and mum again and catch up. I can't spend much time there tomorrow night. We have astronomy.'

'You'll enjoy that. We used to. The view at the top of the castle is magical at night,' James said.

'How are you getting on here, Iris?' Lily asked.

'I just want to get the first week out of the way. Just finding my feet at the moment. Once things get more familiar I can relax better.'

James and Lily nodded in understanding. The first week was always a bit daunting for any student.

They disappeared to return to Equi as Iris popped on a DVD. Good old reliable Grease. Danny and Sandy and Rock and roll. She mused about the day as the familiar scenes played out in front of her. Comfort viewing.

Trevor had sidled up at some point and he had bought his new friend Lily with him. Harry's cat. Lots of fuss and purring later the film ended as Iris left them on the sofa to nap as she prepared to open the veil. Kreacher popped in during the week to keep an eye on the trunk and keep it clean. Cat hair was an issue. Iris did appreciate his help. She had a lot on this week.

She had always been surprised at how easy this was. Barely minimal effort. She simply closed her eyes for a moment, thought of the golden veil and where she wanted to go, felt a tingle and it appeared. It was even easier than apparating in Equi. She moved through and felt the magic ease around her as she walked in. Gazing at the stars as she walked through the black night and made her way into the Equi portal like she had done hundreds of times. Once in the white limbo room in Equi, a simple apparition would take her to her Grans house. She would see her other Gran and family on Saturday. Amelia would be owling her if she was requested at the Ministry this Sunday to release the squibs magic. Then Gabriel and Albus would meet her in the great hall on Sunday evening.

The Weasley twins had told them the ghosts in the castle had gone very quiet. It was partly the thrill but mainly nerve-wracking anticipation. She was nice and busy. Iris preferred it when she could actually accomplish actual things that made a difference. A lot of life was just faffing about. She wondered what could happen with the ghosts. It was a hideous situation they were in. Not for the first time she wondered why Riddle was so determined to anchor himself to earth.

She made her way into the vast glowing white room. Lily and James had been adamant and told her not to attempt apparition on earth till she was old enough. The laws of physics were different here. She could splinch herself on Earth. Iris grimaced at the thought. She liked her limbs where they were.

She focused and felt herself get squeezed as she popped to her Grans. The world here was vast. Enormous compared to earth. Dozens of oceans. Mountains. Valleys and lakes. Plants and trees of all descriptions were plentiful. The air was fresh. She felt the magic hum through her. Two suns shone in the distance. It was midday here.

She walked down the familiar path to see her mum and Gran and have a nice chin wag.

Iris returned to her trunk at four. She'd informed them of Harry and his parseltongue and Hermione being tutored. Lily said she would pop around later to discuss it further with them both. Harry knew there was some sort of connection to Tom already. Perhaps a connection to Iris too. They would look for reasons for it. Iris didn't hold out much hope. There wouldn't be anything written down. Tom had done the impossible. Only time would tell. Looking at Lily and Trevor curled up on the sofa looked so comfortable she snuggled down with the two of them instead of going to her actual bed and disturbing the others. Their purring soothed her as she slipped into blissful sleep.

Like clockwork, she woke suddenly at seven for the start of Wednesday alert and refreshed. This was the over the hump day. At nine in the evening, Iris was sitting back down on the sofa watching Cocktail with Lavender and Parvati. Tom Cruise was currently shaking it behind a bar in Manhattan. The day had been nice. Lovely in fact. Nott and Malfoy had been discreet to the point she had forgotten they were there at times. Hermione had been in a pleasant mood all day. She had found her security blanket in Lily.

The young Gryffindors had all sat at lunch in a cohesive, natural way, sharing banter and light-hearted jokes. Lavender was having a great hair day so had a beaming smile throughout which was infectious to the other Gryffindors. The silver snakes still patrolled the corridors. No word of any attacks had happened. The Muggleborns smiled at her as they walked by her. Those people who didn't approve of her avoided eye contact which suited her immensely. She had overheard the Weasley twins cautiously broach the topic of maybe doing a prank. One of them, she wasn't sure which, said they would wait but the fact they were discussing it in the first place was a positive step. Maybe things could get back to some sort of normality around here.

Their classes were diligent and informative. There were no outbursts. No antagonism. Iris had finished her history of magic homework which hadn't taken long. Their classes were very light in that regard for their first week. They would meet the Ravenclaw's for their Astronomy lesson with Professor Sinistra at the top of the tallest tower at midnight. Iris was used to late nights. Hermione was in a far better frame of mind.

'Lily is going to show me the best way to organise my learning. Which subjects form the groundwork. What electives will be useful to me. All the idiosyncrasies of the magical world that aren't always in books. And some real history of the Wizarding World. Professor McGonagall is a great teacher too, but she is so busy. Lily is truly a godsend, Iris. Thank you for asking her.'

'You're welcome. I grew up in this world. I'm used to the weird ways we have but you're still finding your feet. Lily can explain stuff way better than I can anyway,' Iris smiled back at her. It just made sense to her. All she needed to do was put on a silencing charm and watch her movies while Hermione learnt what she needed to know. Win-win. Plus Hermione was a lot more relaxed now. She had only annoyed Ron once today. Harry, not at all. Although she had upset Lavender by dismissing her interest in Cedric's hair from the back, but they had quickly made up. Progress.

Astronomy was enjoyable. The night view was as promised, beautiful. Wednesday slid into Thursday. Again, everything flowed.

'Was it all just a three-day wonder?' Iris thought. Harry and she were hopefully becoming old news in the castle. Fewer people gawked at them. She had heard from Parvati that the rumour among the older years was they thought the ghosts at the sorting were maybe a practical joke on the school by House Black. That suited Iris. It left just enough doubt that they would be wary of her. Iris played nice with Quirrell. She trusted Dumbledore had ulterior motives for employing him. Like she had heard in quite a few films. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

There were a lot of Riddle's followers in the school. She expected Dumbledore was monitoring them all. She had mentioned to Harry and Ron her suspicions and they had been a little sceptical but hadn't dismissed it outright. She didn't want to worry Hermione any more than she already had so kept quiet about her suspicions until she had settled into their world a bit more.

Thursday evening was tranquil in their trunk. Iris had completed her homework and had a truly lovely time where she was watching Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves and curled up with Trevor and Lily the cat on the sofa as the human Lily was pursuing her lesson plans with an intrigued Hermione.

Iris was almost at the end of the week. She had a busy weekend to look forward to. If this was the routine of an ordinary week at Hogwarts then she had a lot to look forward to. She rubbed Trevor's head as he stretched out and purred.

At the back of her mind, it all felt ominously like the calm before the storm.