Iris sat down early for breakfast with Hermione, Lucas and a bit of fruit. Parvati and Lavender had calmed down eventually. Parvati had been in a bit of a state when she came to and Lily Potter was checking on her and Lavender had barely been able to hold it together. They were both still sleeping the previous day off.

'Well, they may as well know,' Iris said, 'They know too much already. Although I reckon, it may actually be a good idea if that does get out. No way will those two be physically able to keep this one quiet for long. It would be cruel to try and make them.'

'Why?' Hermione asked.

'Fear from the other side. Riddle coming back to life shocked them. Rumours that the Potters did the same thing would make them take notice.'

Hermione nodded grimly, 'Anything you can do, we can do better. I like your way of thinking, Iris.'

Iris grinned. A few hours in Equi and a nice three hours of sleep on the sofa and she was humming, 'Oh, a house-elf called Kreacher will pop in this morning so don't panic. He does a full clean and sorts out the kitchen and bathroom. He refills the drinks and things. Feeds Esmerelda. We arranged for him to get here at nine on Saturday mornings. I'll introduce you to him.'

'House-elf?' Hermione asked.

'They are a bit like goblins but much much nicer than them. They help us around the house with day to day life. Kreacher was with me throughout the time we were kidnapped by Pettigrew and throughout Riddle's resurrection. He's been with me since then. He's my rock. He helped babysit Daphne, Astoria and me when we were little. Dobby, Starry and Merry we got the next week to help gran. They are married. Merry is their little one. They're family now.'

Hermione looked confused, 'Are they like, your staff?'

'Yes and No. They bond with us. They use our magic for energy. Because of my Equi magic, they are really jolly all the time. They only need a bit of it and it lasts for ages. In return, they do lots of little jobs. They have a very strong work ethic. They love it. I have to grab them sometimes to sit down with us and listen to music and things. They have turned around Grimmauld Place, Gran said. It's like brand new now.'

Hermione looked questioning, 'So, for the magic, they work for you?'

Iris nodded, 'In a nutshell. They can't survive without a Witch or Wizard to bond to. Some of them work here at Hogwarts but they are really discreet. Dobby told me about them. The castle is full of magic so they live well here. Most Purebloods have them around. They babysit too,' Iris bragged a little, 'Our house-elves say they are the luckiest in the land.'

'Oh. Are some not so lucky?' Hermione was edging towards something. Iris was becoming used to leading questions from her friend.

'No. Not many but some families take advantage of them. I hate those people. It's like people who hurt their pets. Dobby and his family had been very badly treated before we got them. You see, it is against their nature to fight back against the family they are bonded to. Peter bloody Pettigrew got to them before us. Dobby fought back when he attacked their daughter so he took them back to the shop and threw them each a sock. It is the only way to end the bond with them. You give an elf clothes. It was very unusual for Dobby to do that. I love him to bits though. Pettigrew must have been diabolical for Dobby to snap. He's lovely. One of the reasons Gran let me get them all was how badly Dobby and his family must have been treated for him to do that to Pettigrew.'

Hermione looked perplexed, 'Surely that sort of thing is regulated?'

Iris sneered, 'Remember where you are Hermione. It's one of the downsides of the Wizarding World. A lot of unfairness towards any magical beings who are not exactly like them by insecure adults. I agree with you. Elves should be regulated. Muggles who are responsible for animals should be made to have them checked now and again too but that doesn't happen either. They should be checked on too, but like many things, it slips through the net.'

'It just sounds a lot like enslavement to me. Owning elves. They are sentient, aren't they? It sounds like slavery,' Hermione probed.

'I get it, Hermione. I truly do. I've seen a lot of the Muggle world. I know what has happened in it. I did suggest to them that if they were ever unhappy living with me and Gran they could leave if they liked and they were free to go if they ever wanted to. They stay with us on their terms.'

'Oh, what happened?' Hermione asked.

'It took five very long hours for Gran and me to calm them down. Tears, hysterics. They wouldn't let go of me. Never again will I suggest that,' Iris visibly shuddered at the memory.

Hermione couldn't help but grin, 'Well, at least I know you take care of them properly.'

'Of course. They're part of the family now. Gran and Bella love having them at Grimmauld too,' Iris said simply.

'How did they take the news in Equi about your travelling to Hell and the Nott and Flint incidents?' Hermione asked.

'I'll tell them later. It will be better they hear it in person,' Iris said.

'What do they think of Lucifer and the veil to hell?' Hermione whispered looking around but there were only a few people in the hall sitting far away.

'They told me to proceed with caution. But if he's willing to play nice, then play nice back.'

'Do you trust him?' Hermione asked, 'I mean, I knew of him but to see him. I mean, he is a full-on dark side, Iris.'

Iris appraised Hermione. She took a note from one of the television shows she had watched about effective communication.

'Hermione. I hear what you are saying,' Hermione pursed her mouth, 'Look. I have to believe he is with us on this. Bella's taste in men is not the best, I admit, but still, he gave me one of his feathers for my wand. His reasons to help us seem legitimate. I've known him since I was small. He's never been anything but kind to me.'

'I just. You know. Lucifer. I read about him. He deceives.'

'Gabriel trusts him about this. He's known him for centuries. He needs this world to survive too, Hermione.'

'Does he?' Hermione said cautiously, 'Maybe he's sick of it. Dealing with the worst people this planet sends him. Maybe he wants it to finish or wants mayhem?'

Iris narrowed her eyes in thought, 'I'm sure if he wanted to change his life he could. Gabriel said they can move from planet to planet.'

'Yes. Gabriel and the Equi Angels can. Lucifer's boss is Satan, Iris. Maybe he can't.'

Iris stared at Hermione, 'I'll talk to him but I don't think he's faking. Not about this. He stepped in before to help Gabriel. When it really matters he does the right thing.'

'I just, a lot depends on him. He may have a bigger plan, that's all. I don't know him as you do.'

'He's on our side, Hermione. I'm sure of it,' Iris told Hermione with confidence.

An owl flew down just then as the conversation stopped. Iris took the letter addressed to her. A bit of fuss and a bit of bacon later the owl flew away.

Her eyes ran down the letter, 'It's from Amelia Bones. Ministry tomorrow at one. They have four squibs from France visiting. Two from Sweden. Three from Germany. Wonderful. That shouldn't take long. It means Amelia keeps the Unspeakables away from me for now. Fairtrade. Then in the evening doing experiments with the ghosts in the great hall. Are you still coming along for that?'

Hermione looked at her. 'What with everything else I had quite forgotten. The ghosts have been so quiet. Yes, of course. Oh, meeting Gabriel. How exciting.'

'It's going to be emotional. Dumbledore will be there too. If you are alright with what could be a very disappointing evening you can stay if you like,' Iris asked. The more she knew of Hermione the more she liked to get her opinion, 'You may be able to help. Only if you want to.'

Hermione looked at her as if she had grown two heads, 'Yes. I would very much like to be there, Iris.'

'Brilliant,' Iris said, 'Right. Well, that's my weekend coming together. I'll meet Draco at midday at Sev's office. Draco will need to use the floo. Sev already has his set up for Grimmauld place. He said it's ok for me to use it for these sorts of situations. Sev's coming with me today to brief Gran and Bella about the week. I think he knows more than he's letting on about Draco. He didn't ask any questions. Bella and Walburga will want to interrogate Draco for a while. They are expecting me anyway. Saturday afternoon is Black family time and woe betide if I'm not there. I'll give him Ethan when we return. What are your plans?'

'Well, going through those books. Studying,' Hermione looked at Iris defiantly and seemed surprised when she got no comment and a simple smile.

'Some of the others are calling me a know it all already,' she stated plainly to Iris, 'It's what the other children at primary school would say to me.'

Iris frowned, 'Are they among the less academic in our year who call you that?'

Hermione's mouth twitched, 'Well, yes.'

'Any Ravenclaws called you that yet?' Iris prodded.

'Well, no.'

'And no Ravenclaw will ever call you that. Don't get upset. They are basically calling you very smart but in an odd sort of way. They get jealous. They try to make it sound like an insult. You have a gift, Hermione. Don't sweat the small stuff, ok.'

Hermione smiled at the very Muggle saying.

Iris looked at her, 'Harry is brilliant on a broom. There will be kids who will say he's being up himself and stuff when they see him. What would you say to him in the same situation?'

'That he has a gift. They are jealous and don't sweat the small stuff,' Hermione grinned as she parrotted the line.

'Right. Shall we go back to the trunk? I'm meeting Kreacher soon. I'll introduce you. If you want to bring anything down to the trunk to make it feel more like a home to you then you're more than welcome by the way. Like any photos and books you have. I think you spend more time there than I do.'

Hermione grinned, 'Thanks. I would like to put some of my things in there.'

They stood up and made their way back ignoring the countless eyes that followed them through the corridors. They had become used to them.

A short while later and there were several more photographs on the shelves and some ornaments of Hermione's. A poster of Madame Curie joined James Dean on the wall. Iris stroked Esmerelda as she watched Hermione bustle about. She picked up the family photograph of the Granger family and smiled.

'You have your mum's eyes,' she observed.

'And my dad's hair,' Hermione added with a wry grin.

'Which is no longer an issue,' Iris grinned. She reached into a drawer and bought out one of the multiple tubs of Black hair product, 'You can send this to your dad. I've got dozens.'

'Will it work on non-magical people then?'

Iris paused, 'Good point. I don't know. It can't do any more damage to hair than that two-in-one shampoo Tesco sell.'

Hermione frowned, 'Probably best not to risk it.'

Iris conceded the point.

Hermione went upstairs and bought back down an armful of her books, 'These are my Muggle fiction books. There are more where they came from.'

Iris had a look through, 'Oh, Agatha Christie. Shakespeare. James Joyce. Tolkien. You've read all these?' Hermione nodded, 'Here, these are mine,' Iris pointed to the top corner shelf.

Hermione looked with interest, 'Adrian Mole. Jackie Collins,' Hermione gave a sly smile as she side-eyed Iris.

'Guilty pleasure,' Iris murmured.

'The Secret Garden, Dorian Grey,' she kept going through.

Iris moved over to the stereo. 'Bit of Erasure?' she asked Hermione.

'Oh, sure.'

Within a minute Andy Bell started singing about a little respect.

'I'm going to make a start on my studying soon if that's alright,' Hermione said politely.

'Sure. Look. You've started here at a massive disadvantage to most of us, alright. You need time to catch up. I know all this stuff they are teaching us already. The others have been going over this with me for a few years now. Lily will get you up to speed quickly but you are already picking all this up really fast. I reckon you will overtake us all within a few months. Maybe not Daphne. I reckon she will keep you on your toes. Though I think healthy competition is a good thing.'

Hermione grinned.

'Though, we have to make time for fun too. Alright? James especially was very strict about that,' Iris said with a serious face.

'Alright,' Hermione mock sighed, 'We will make time for fun too.'

'Great. Tonight. I'll bring back some popcorn and snacks. I think it's time to show Parvati and Lavender the movie Airplane.'

Hermione had a beaming smile.

'Airplane? Surely, you can't be serious?'

'I am and don't call me Shirley.'

They both giggled.

Kreacher chose that moment to pop into the trunk as Hermione jumped, 'It was the beginning of my drinking problem,' she said drily as Iris tittered.

Kreacher looked at Iris and beamed. His craggy face looked even craggier, 'Mistress Iris,' Iris was filled with nostalgia.

'Oh Kreacher. It's been almost a whole week. I've missed you so much,' she knelt and gave Kreacher a big hug that was warmly returned. Hermione watched the interaction with interest. She could feel a burst of Equi magic ripple around the room.

Iris stood, 'Kreacher. I would like to introduce you to my friend, Hermione Granger.'

Hermione had a slight smile on her face at those words.

Kreacher turned to Hermione and tilted his head, 'Granger?' he spoke slowly.

Iris nudged him, 'Put your hand out. Be polite,' she said with firmness.

Kreacher put his hand out and shook hands with a bemused Hermione.

'Now, Kreacher. Hermione will be spending a lot of time here. This is her study room for now as some of the older students in the castle are dangerous. Oh, the big snake is called Lucas. Salazar has authorised silver snakes in the castle for the students' protection. I've given Lucas to Hermione.'

'Salazar Slytherin,' Kreacher whispered in reverence as he watched the snake slither over.

Iris hissed in parseltongue to Lucas the introductions as both snake and elf sized each other up. They both then nodded hello to each other.

'Oh, thank you for feeding Esmerelda, Kreacher,' Iris said warmly as Kreacher gave a big smile.

'Certainly Mistress Black. It is an honour to look after your familiar.'

Iris gave him another hug.

'Kreacher. I have good news. Do you remember Bella's sister, Narcissa and her son, Draco?'

Kreacher looked alarmed, 'They have turned the backs on our Noble house!' he sounded angry. Hermione's eyebrows went up to her hairline.

'Kreacher, look at me,' Iris put her hands on his shoulders and looked him in his eyes, 'They were trapped. They are coming home.'

Kreacher looked at her in great surprise, 'Really?'

'Yes, Kreacher. Really. They are joining us.'

Nothing could quite prepare Hermione then for the outpouring of emotion from the elf. Tears were in abundance. The wailing was excessive. Iris picked the elf up and gave him a full-body hug as the hysterics lasted for quite some time.

Eventually, the sobbing stopped and Iris put him back down. Kreacher hiccupped as Iris stroked his ears. Hermione handed her a handkerchief for him.

'Mistress Cissy and Master Draco are coming home,' Kreacher whispered in shock. He beamed and raised his voice, 'Oh, this is a joyful day. The Noble and Ancient House of Black will be doubly filled.'

'I thought you would be pleased,' Iris grinned, 'I'm taking Draco to meet Gran and Bella at lunchtime. Don't tell them. I want it to be a surprise. I can't wait to see everyone. How are they all? How are Dobby, Starry and Merry?'

'Missing you very much but otherwise, they are well. They is looking forward to this afternoon,' Kreacher told her.

Iris sniffed, 'I miss them so much too.'

Hermione put a steadying hand on her shoulder.

'Right. Well, there is much to do here, Mistress Black.'

They watched Kreacher potter around waving his hand to tidy and clean as they went back to the sofa.

'Phew,' Iris whispered, 'He took the news with a lot more refined emotion than I thought he would.'

Hermione glanced at her, waiting for the punchline but was surprised to see there was none.

Iris looked at her, 'Kreacher helped raise the Black sisters as well as Sirius and Regulus,' she explained, 'Narcissa is special to him.'

Hermione nodded at this, 'He seemed a little off with me,' she blurted out.

'Um. Yeah. You have to realise the world is changing. How things were. What they are now. My Gran used to be very traditional. Old habits die hard, they say. She has seen the consequences in modern times. You must have read Rita's article by now. What Riddle did to us.'

Hermione had read many articles. She motioned to Iris to continue.

'Both Gran and Bella really, truly hate Riddle. I mean hate. Pure and utter violent hatred. They want to see the end of him. Hell hath no fury and all that. We all do. Completely. Regulus turned on Riddle in the end. They are prepared to do anything to make this happen. Even form alliances with the Muggleborns if that is what it takes. Andromeda married a Muggleborn called Ted Tonks. Their daughter is here at Hogwarts. Whatever you do, don't call her Nymphadora. Just call her Tonks. I'll introduce you both at some point. She's more of a big sister to Harry. They live in the same village. She's known him since he was a baby. For years they wouldn't let them in Grimmauld Place just because Ted was Muggleborn.'

Hermione looked angry at this. Iris took her hand and looked at her in earnest.

'It was before everything turned on its head. Before they saw Riddle for what he is. Now they know that Bella had been betrayed by him. Sirius had married Hayley. No one but Grandad Gareth knew the truth of who her real father was. Not even Riddle knew until he went to the Astral plane. To the Black family, blood is everything. We all stand together. Sirius had been betrayed by one of Riddle's followers. Most of all, Riddle was prepared to kill me and mum for our blood. That did something to Gran. She had an epiphany. Kind of like Salazar has had.'

'They say Riddle's followers are cursing the Black name,' Hermione said.

Iris nodded, 'They are publicly standing against this Pureblood alliance of Riddle's. Lucifer has spoken to them at one of the coven meetings. Now they all know Regulus turned and what Riddle did to mum, Bella and me, well, we Black's stick together. Together we are a powerful enemy for anyone in the Wizarding World. Others will stand with us in time. Riddle doesn't have complete control of the Purebloods.'

Hermione contemplated this. She looked across the room where Kreacher was sorting through the kitchen cupboards.

'Kreacher is finding it hard to drop old habits, I suppose?' she asked Iris.

'Yes. The Black family motto is, 'Toujour Pours.' It is Latin for Always Pure.'

Hermione looked shocked.

'I showed Bella and Gran the memory of Riddle's uncle, Morfin Gaunt in the Pensieve. The real effects of cousin marrying a cousin for generations,' Hermione looked intrigued, 'It's like a video. You can put a memory in it and rewatch it as many times as you like. They get it now. We have to look to the future. Not back. Gran says the Purebloods have lost their way. We are a Noble house because our ancestors did brilliant things. They contributed to science, medicine and defended our lands. RIddle and his followers are going to destroy everything good. This world will be a very sad, lonely place if they get their way. The house motto ends with me. I've told them this.'

They heard Kreacher apparate out for provisions.

'How are they with Ted now?' Hermione asked.

Iris smiled, 'It's a lot better, yeah. It didn't happen overnight. These things take time, but Ted loves Andromeda so much that he was prepared to work it through with them. Gran is determined to stop Riddle and has changed a lot of her ways. Bella is..,' Iris grasped for words, 'She is a proud woman who has had to admit to herself she got it wrong. It's not been the easiest thing in the world for her to accept. If not for Riddle doing what he did then, who knows, but he did what he did. She's gotten to quite like Ted actually. He's a good man. A good husband and father and both Ted and Andromeda are very happy.'

Hermione pushed a little more, 'If she met me what would she be like?'

'She won't be nasty or anything if that's what you mean. You will probably get the Spanish inquisition,' at Hermione's shocked face Iris relented, 'Not literally. I mean she will want to know all about you. You're a Muggleborn who is knowingly hanging around Riddle's Granddaughter. She is a very curious woman.'

Hermione sat back, 'I didn't think about it like that.'

'Mum and me, when we would go out into the Wizarding World, well, people are very nervous around us. They would drag their kids away from us.'

Hermione looked astonished.

'Mum has built a brilliant career. She is the best healer now in the country,' Iris said proudly, 'And she is a wonderful person in her own right. But we all know if she steps one toe out of line then people will point fingers. When I go into the Astral plane I hear what some people say about us. They are waiting for us to join him. A lot of them think all this is some sort of con. Gabriel and I do healing at the hospital. Very much on a need-to-know basis. A lot of people who can be trusted know and keep their mouths shut. Healing the squibs has made a lot of people be better with us but even so. Some of them will only ever see Riddle when they look at us.'

'But, that's ridiculous,' Hermione said.

'Is it? Sirius clearly still suspects us. He hasn't sent one letter to my mother in all these years. He's not the only one who thinks we are allied with Riddle.'

Hermione didn't know what to say to that.

'Don't worry about my family. They are a lot better than they were. Bella doesn't go about attacking Muggleborns in Diagon Alley for fun,' Iris assured her, 'They want what we want.'

Hermione felt better after that.

Kreacher apparated back in the trunk with a bag of items for the kitchen.

'You're a gem, Kreacher,' Iris said to him grinning.

'Thank you, Mistress Iris,' Kreacher happily replenished the cupboards as Hermione went to hit the books. Iris lazed on the sofa and picked up her Adrian Mole book. Hermione could hear the occasional chortle from the sofa.

Kreacher left the trunk, his mission accomplished as Iris promised him she would see them all at midday. She reminded him she was telling Gran and Bella about Draco and his mother and to keep it quiet as it was a surprise. Kreacher grinned. His craggy face lighting up.

Time ticked on and soon it was time to meet Draco and take him to meet his additional family. She hoped he was made of stern stuff. She put on her jeans and leather jacket and took a deep breath.

'I'll be back later. Ok.'

'Good luck, Iris,' Hermione said to her without looking up. She was absorbed in a book.

Iris made her way out of the dorm room and down the stairs. Parvati and Lavender were still sleeping off the shocks of last night. She saw Ron in the corner engrossed in a game of chess with Seamus. The room was otherwise quiet. She made her way to Severus's office as a silver snake trailed her. She didn't meet anyone. It was a nice day. Most people would be outside or still lazing in their dorms. She saw Draco's white-blond hair from a distance and gave him a small wave which he returned.

She approached him, 'You ready for this?' she asked.

His eyes glanced at her attire as he gave a short nod, 'I am.'

'Here goes then.'