She knocked on the door. Severus opened it swiftly and appraised them. His dark eyes lingered on Draco as he let them in.

'Hello, Godfather,' Draco said softly. Iris raised her eyebrows at this.

'Draco. Good to see you and your mother have finally come to your senses.'

Draco gave a bitter smile, 'We came to our senses a long time ago.'

'I notified your Grandmother, Iris. They are expecting myself, you and a guest.'

'We'll see you there Iris. We'll give you a few minutes to prepare them,' Severus said to her.

Iris nodded as she pictured the veil to Grimmauld place. The doorway opened with the golden swirls. Draco gazed at them.

'It takes me directly to where I want to go. We haven't tried it with another person yet. We have no idea what would happen to them.'

Draco murmured understanding.

'See you there,' Iris said as she stepped through the doorway and straight into Grimmauld Place drawing-room to see her Gran and Bella waiting for her with smiles. Before she could even say hello three house elves had jumped on her in glee.

After a few moments of jubilation, Iris had some of her limbs back. Dobby and Starry clung to a leg each and Iris ended up cradling a happy Merry, 'Gran. Bella. It's good to see you,' she got straight to the point, 'Sev is bringing Draco with him.'

Bella inhaled sharply as Walburga sat down on a chair.

'I wondered why Kreacher was so happy when he came back. He wouldn't say,' Walburga breathed out.

'I wanted it to be a surprise,' Iris said. Kreacher was grinning at them all.

'Cissy?' Bella whispered, her face very pale.

'Draco will tell you both everything. Yes. Aunt Cissy wants out too. Draco wants to make arrangements to bring her here.'

Bella's face crumbled and tears started to roll down her face much to Iris's consternation. She had seen many emotions from Bella over the years but this was a first.

'Are you ok? I thought this was what you both wanted. Gabriel said you would both be agreeable to this.'

Bella looked up with her eyes shining, 'Iris, I do want this. So much. This is my happy face.'

Iris felt unsettled as she patted her weeping Aunt on the shoulder.

The floo started making noises as Draco came tumbling out. He was followed shortly by Severus who made a reasonable landing.

Walburga and Bella stared with undisguised interest at Draco who gazed back at them both with the same level of intent.

'Gran, Bella. This is Draco,' Iris said unnecessarily.

Walburga stood and made her way over to him. She stared at him intently, 'You have the same eyes as Sirius and Iris. Incredible,' she stated to him as his eyes looked over her face.

Draco turned to Bella as he explored her features, 'Aunt Bella. I'm pleased to finally meet you. My mother misses you very much. She misses you both.'

This was clearly exactly the right thing to say as both women smiled at him.

Severus took a seat at the table and observed the others quietly.

'Draco. This is Kreacher. He helped raise your mother,' Iris pushed a shy Kreacher to him as Draco smiled.

'Pleased to meet you.'

'Please to meet you, Master Draco,' beamed the elf.

Iris glanced down over the rest of the elves still hanging onto her, 'This is Dobby, Starry and Merry. Guys. Meet Draco. My cousin.'

Draco's mouth quirked up in a grin, 'You're very close to your elves then?'

'They're family. And we haven't seen each other for almost a week,' Iris said defensively.

'Almost a whole week. Gracious. How awful for you all,' Draco said with a smirk.

Iris shrugged this off, 'My focus was on Hogwarts this week and settling in properly. I'll be making more time for coming back to see you all. Ok.'

'Yay!' the elves all cheered.

'How are you settling in at Hogwarts, Iris?' Walburga asked as she kept her eyes on Draco.

'I made Gryffindor,' Iris said brightly. Walburga sighed in disappointment, 'I had my first blood traitor slur yelled at me at the sorting. I told him off,' she added proudly.

Bella rolled her eyes.

'Um. Harry and Ron are with me. Draco is in Slytherin with Daphne,' Iris continued.

'Well done for making Slytherin, dear,' Walburga said to him as Draco smiled and murmured a thank you.

'What else?' Iris ruminated, 'Oh. Salazar has been in contact, sort of. He's provided silver magical snakes that guard us. There are some real wrong uns at school. Someone beat this kid almost to death last year and performed a memory charm so he couldn't identify them. The ghosts have heard about Equilibrium and have asked me to see if I can send them on. Gabriel and Dumbledore are going to see if we can tomorrow evening. Oh. Marcus Flint tried to kill Neville Longbottom by messing with his broom but I managed to use Equi magic to stop his fall. A boy called Nott has been winding me up all week. He is deranged,' Iris pursed her lips as she pondered the incident.

Iris glanced around the table at the frozen faces, 'He was threatening Hermione and Daphne with the most awful things. He got me so wound up that I opened up a direct portal to Hell. It also allowed me to see his worst crimes in my mind. Like a movie. Nott is, ugh. He deserves Hell,' Iris went sickly pale at the memories, 'I almost left him there. I took him for a tour and introduced him to the seven Devils and Lucifer there. It's all in big circles. We landed in the seventh. That one is for excessive cruelty and violence. Lucifer showed me the way back and the Devils told Nott they couldn't wait for him to return. The veil to Hell only opens to those who already deserve it, Lucifer said. I only have to let go of them and they won't be able to get back to Earth. I think the message got through. Nott's hair went from dark brown to whiter than Draco's during the trip. I introduced Lucifer to the others and the Aurors who were there for witness statements about Flint and they took him away. Um, I think that's the basics.'

She looked around at the horrified faces of her Gran and Bella. Even Severus had his hand over his mouth.

Iris tried to placate them, 'Hey, my first week at Hogwarts wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. No one died and we got rid of Flint and Nott. Hopefully, now things can settle down a bit and I can focus on my school work.'

This didn't appear to settle anyone in the room.

Walburga sat back down heavily, 'Scotch, Kreacher.'

The elf was already on his way back with the bottle and glasses.

The elves had finally let go of Iris as they all took a seat at the table. Walburga and Bella had both lit up. Severus also took a cigarette discreetly. Hands were trembling.

'So, how did you two become acquainted?' Bella asked Iris, pointing to Draco after a few minutes.

Draco looked a bit uncomfortable, 'I acted a git at first. On the train. I had been told to assert myself quickly to all and be as obnoxious and unpleasant as possible to any Muggleborns. They want them all out of the school one way or another. Any means necessary.'

Walburga and Bella narrowed their eyes.

'I had been particularly unpleasant to Hermione Granger. She had been looking for a cat on the train. I heard her surname. I knew it was a Muggle name. I have apologised to her. Later I saw her sitting in a carriage with a group. I antagonised her and the people she was with. Goyle and Crabbe were with me.'

'One of them was Iris, I assume. Did things get a tad aggressive?' Bella said, smirking.

Draco nodded, 'Longbottom may have headbutted me and may have broken my nose,' he said quietly, 'I said an awful thing about his parents.'

Walburga smirked, 'He sounds just like Frank. You really didn't start well, then?'

'No. We did not,' Draco told them honestly.

'On the bright side, after the brawl, Neville and Hermione bonded properly with Daphne and me,' Iris said.

'Excessive violence tends to do that,' Bella murmured.

'Hermione stopped Goyle punching us. She's got a strong backbone,' Iris said.

'She'll need it, being friends with you,' smirked Severus.

'So, you are friends with this Miss Granger?' Bella asked.

'I am. We're getting along,' Iris said cautiously, 'She's really smart. She figured a lot of things out in her first week.'

Walburga studied Iris for a minute, 'How much does she know?' she asked quietly.

'Enough. She notices things. She saw the books I have about the war. Riddle. The blood war. She put it together. Her Grandmothers Jewish. She escaped Germany just before the war. The rest of her family didn't make it. She knows what signs to look for.'

'She knows the dangers?' Bella said.

Iris gave a slight nod, 'As Draco does. They both know what is at stake. The silver snakes. I gave one to her. One to Daphne. I'm giving Draco one too. There are others around the castle. I've spoken to them. They only restrain for now although if ordered they can do more,' Iris left it at that. They each knew what she was alluding to. Salazar had created them after all, 'They caught Flint.'

'The parents must be objecting to these snakes,' Walburga said.

Severus gave a grin, 'Miss Granger had the bright idea for Iris to ask the snakes about the rules. It turns out Rowena Ravenclaw wrote a watertight law in the Hogwarts law book. All the founders were unanimous. Each house has its own protections and is not to be interfered with by anyone, even the headmaster. The snakes are there to protect the school in great strife. If they are destroyed they will immediately regenerate and the perpetrator will take a one-way ticket to the Chamber of Secrets and the monster. Salazar ensured only an authorised descendant can control them. He has blocked Riddle so he won't be able to use them.'

Bella and Walburga breathed a sigh of relief.

'The ghosts said Salazar is going to meet with me at some point. I've not seen him yet though,' Iris told them.

Draco was gazing at Iris at this announcement.

'So,' Bella spoke to Draco, 'You get your own snake too. You are aware of the dangers you are putting yourself in by siding publicly with us?' she questioned.

Draco looked at Iris, 'Yes. I can't live in the world Riddle wants to create. I had glimpses of Iris's power. I purposefully goaded her to release her dark magic to its full capacity. It is the purest dark I have ever felt. It's stronger than his already.'

The people around the table looked at Iris with varying expressions.

'Draco is correct. I was in the room with Nott when he also gloated about doing dreadful things to her sister and friend,' Severus told them plainly, 'Her dark magic is sublime. Riddle's is warped and twisted in comparison.'

'How?' Walburga asked.

'I used the Equi magic to save Neville. It really took it all. The dark then had the freedom to roam,' Iris told them, 'It has become easier to feel it now.'

Bella contemplated her, 'Can you show us?'

'I can. Although. It is very strong. The elves may want to leave the room. I'm not sure how it will affect them. It is very powerful to humans,' Iris said.

Bella grinned at that. The elves said they were willing to risk it. They were intrigued by this. They said they would leave if it got too much.

Iris took a seat and stroked the Peverell ring. She closed her eyes and thought back over the week, 'I have to focus on my anger to bring it out,' Iris explained. She focused on Pettigrew and then Nott and their sick crimes. An image of a smirking Riddle flashed into her mind. She felt the dark force pulsate through her as the temperature began to rise in the room.

Iris heard the sharp intakes of breath from Walburga and Bella. She felt the dark magic increase inside her and flood through her. She opened her eyes as Bella gasped at the blackness of them. There was no white. The room was filled with the dark force as the Noble House of Black hummed.

They each looked happily disorientated. Flashes of gold light around the room distracted Iris as she calmed her magic.

'Merlin!' cried Bella.

Where there had been four little house elves now stood four human-sized grown elves. No longer did they look craggy and wrinkled. Iris had her jaw on the floor. They actually looked very attractive. Not quite human. They looked ethereal. Their ears were still pointed and long, 'Like Spocks,' Iris thought. Kreacher and Dobby had silver eyes. Merry and Starry had the deepest blue. They had been given what looked like white silver robes. Magical gifts. All of them in the room stood gaping at each other for the longest time.

'How?' whispered Walburga.

'They must have been under some sort of curse,' Severus stated plainly, 'Oh, my. The dark magic was strong enough to release it.'

Draco spluttered at the sight.

Iris sat gaping at the elves. She was at a loss for words.

Dobby was gazing down at himself. His hands ran over his broad chest. Then over his head. He felt the thick blonde hair trailing down his shoulders. He turned to his wife who looked as bewildered as him.

'Starry?' he whispered in a voice that was not the voice Iris had been used to all these years.

'Dobby?' Starry gazed at him. She put her hand out and gingerly touched his arm.

Kreacher and Merry looked like a bomb had just gone off, 'What's happened to us?' Merry asked in shock.

Her voice was not the usual high squeaky voice they were all used to.

Iris looked at them in awe, 'Elves. You're like proper elves. From like Lord of the Rings elves. This is what you're supposed to look like. Who did this to you?' Iris gazed at them as they looked at her in confusion, 'I'm getting Gabriel. He might know,' Iris said suddenly.

They watched the doorway appear as Iris jumped through it. They all sat down around the table in various states of amazement all looking at each other.

'I can think properly,' Kreacher said with wonderment, 'Speak properly. All these years I've felt in a daze.'

The other three nodded at this. Bella, Walburga, Severus and Draco all stared in wonder at the four elves.

'We never knew this was possible,' Walburga stated, 'There is nothing written or known that this had been done to you.'

'See,' Draco said with conviction, 'This is how pure her dark magic is. It is strong enough to lift this curse.'

Bella beamed, 'I could feel it all through me. You're right, nephew. It is stronger than his. Riddle's feels like mutilated poison compared to hers.'

Walburga gave a grim look, 'We're one step closer.'

The doorway shimmered again as Iris rushed out dragging Gabriel with her. Pausing briefly to introduce a stunned Draco to Gabriel, the Greengrass family had insisted on always minding her manners, she shuffled the amazed Angel over to the elves.

'Look, Gabriel. Look,' Iris cried.

Gabriel smiled as his big white wings extended in joy, 'Already?' he gasped.

'You knew?' Iris asked sharply.

'I did not know if this was possible. I did not want to give false hope. This has been a thorn in my side for centuries. Nothing would work. The elves were enslaved by the most wicked of Wizards three thousand years ago. Satan himself disposed of him entirely down the black hole on the day of his arrival for this cruellest of crimes.'

'Are all the house elves cursed? All this time?' Iris asked him.

'Yes, Iris. Every last one of them,' Gabriel said sadly.

Iris looked at the elves, 'Do you prefer this new look or would you prefer to go back to how you were? Do you think the other elves want to be changed to their true form?'

Each elf looked at Iris as if she were insane.

'I think they will want to be changed into their true form, Mistress Black,' Kreacher said finally.

Iris breathed out, 'Right then. I'll change them back. I thought it best to check,' Iris gave a cheeky smile to Professor Snape, 'I do hope all this do-gooding is going on my extracurricular records, Professor Snape. Maybe even points for Gryffindor?'

Severus's mouth twitched, 'Yes, Miss Black. It will be going on your permanent record. And though it pains me, ten points for Gryffindor.'

'Cool. Just keep the Unspeakables away from me. I don't want to be a lab rat.'

'Right,' Bella turned to the elves. She had calmed down somewhat, 'Can you still use your magic?'

The elves all turned around to levitate a few items around the room.

'Good,' Severus whispered, very relieved.

'Elf magic is incredibly powerful,' Gabriel told them, 'It is why they were enslaved. They were considered a viable threat to the evilest Wizards of the time.'

They each smiled grimly. Iris felt a little leap in her heart. Allies.

Gabriel spoke, 'They do have a homeland, Iris. There is a castle in the highlands of Scotland. A true elf can enter it. No human can. I can show them the way in.'

The elves looked ecstatic at this news.

'Can you bring the others here?' Iris asked them.

'Of course,' Dobby said, 'There are not many of us left now in Britain. There are more overseas. We know where each of us is. We can communicate with each other telepathically and bring them back home.'

'Brilliant,' Iris said, impressed, 'Is the magical bond between us severed now?'

Starry approached her, 'Yes and no. The enslavement bond is but not true magic. You are family to us, Iris. Always.'

Iris, overcome by the whirlwind of emotions from the last day promptly burst into tears, 'You guys are the best,' she blubbered.

This time around it was the elves that Iris clung to.

Walburga had been smiling throughout then a thought pierced her mind, 'What are we going to do about the day to day living chores?' she asked.

'Perhaps get an actual maid, Walburga,' Severus said drily.

Starry smiled, 'We'll be more than happy to visit and check on you, Walburga. You are family too. All the elves who have been treated well will keep in contact with their families.'

Walburga sat back down, cheered up immensely. She wasn't getting any younger.

'There are going to be a few very annoyed Pureblood families because of this,' Iris smiled, 'Brilliant.'

Walburga couldn't help a smile at her Granddaughter's glee at an enemies misfortune. A true Black trait.

'That there will be, Iris,' Severus said.

'I'll let Nancy at the shop know,' Walburga said, 'The Purebloods who won't have the elves helping will have to hire help. Actually regulated. Ministry rules. Nancy can start a proper cleaning business. It's what she's always wanted. It has been her dream since Hogwarts.'

The elves grinned at this.

'We'll start bringing the other elves in,' Kreacher said. He still looked amazed at his voice. It was smooth and deep. Starry looked in the mirror and gazed at her reflection.

'This is going to take some time to get used to,' Merry breathed out in wonder, 'I'm at least four foot higher. I'm taller than you now Iris.'

Iris gave a mock grin, 'That's not difficult. Most people are.'

'You'll grow too,' Bella said to her with a wry smile, 'maybe.'

'Ha, ha. Oh, I'm so pleased the dark magic could do this,' Iris said to them all.

'The dark, when used properly, can do many wonderful things,' Severus said to them all, 'It is when it is misused that bad things happen.'

Draco's shoulders slumped at that. He knew all about that. Reality breaking into the wonder of the afternoon.

'Draco,' Bella said, 'Come with me. I need to talk to you about your mother.'

Draco nodded and stood up, 'Um. I have been communicating with Mother through a two-way mirror she gave me. She did say she needed to talk to Dumbledore. She will be here later. She has something that needs to be destroyed. She said it would prove our sincerity.'

Gabriel turned swiftly to the blond boy.

'Has she been asked to look after something for Riddle?' he asked him.

Draco nodded cautiously as Gabriel beamed. He radiated pure white magic. Severus looked at Gabriel in hope.

'Another step closer,' Severus whispered.

'I'll crack open the champagne,' Walburga grinned as she launched into a cackle.

Iris watched Draco leave the room with Bella. She knew Bella knew enough about the situation to be a bit more tactful than she usually was. Lucius had betrayed the two people who deserved better from him.

She looked back at the elves, 'You lot look like movie stars now,' she stated out loud.

They each grinned back at her, 'It's getting our minds back properly that is the most amazing thing,' Dobby said, 'It is like we have been in a heavy fog all our lives.'

'We'll contact Mitty and Tilly first,' Kreacher said, 'We know them best. Then the elves at Hogwarts. That will be the simplest. They are all happy where they are. They won't mind staying for a while while we sort this all out. We will need to see our homeland. Oh, I could never have imagined this.'

Iris sipped on a cup of tea as people bustled about. She kept looking at Merry with wonder, 'If you wear a hat to cover your ears you could go out in the Muggle world,' she said to her.

'There is a lot we can do now, Iris,' Merry smiled at her, 'I can't believe this. It is going to take time to get used to this. But a good getting used to.'

'I'm so happy for you,' Iris told her honestly, 'You have all been so good to me and Gran over the years. But you have to promise me that we'll all still be there for each other in the future. Family is important to me.'

Merry grinned, 'You don't need to ask. When I think about what could have happened to us when we were at our most vulnerable. You begging your Gran for us all so we could stay a family.'

'You remember that? I only get fragments of memory.'

Merry smiled, 'My mind has come back at full force Iris. I can remember everything now. Must be an elf thing.'

Iris grinned at Merry as they had a big hug, 'I remember when you were this big and I could pick you up in one hand,' Iris joked as Merry squeezed her back.

'Thank Merlin it was you who walked into that shop. Just, thank Merlin,' whispered Merry. Iris was surprised to see Merry's eyes wet with tears.

'Are you alright?' Iris asked her.

'So much alright,' Merry sobbed.

'I'm starting to think Gran and I was meant to be in that shop, at that time. A lot of things seem to be happening that are tying together. Do you believe in fate?'

'I do. The centaurs read the stars to tell the future. There are seers,' Merry said to her, 'I think some things are destiny.'

'The prophecy,' Iris said, 'Harry. This ring. There is something bigger than us orchestrating this. Let's hope they're on our side.'

Merry looked cautiously at Iris. Iris stared back at her, taking in her pale skin and auburn thick hair, 'I can't believe how good you look, Merry. You're like a model. Amazing. I like that your ears are more or less the same. I can see in your eyes you're still you though.'

'I'm sixteen now. I have years ahead of me,' Merry said.

Iris tilted her head, 'I'll need to check but I think elves should normally live for many years. That is according to Muggle legend anyway. Dumbledore might know. Maybe that curse was affecting your life spans.'

Merry considered this, 'Possibly.'

They heard a small commotion outside as more people arrived. They heard voices and then Andromeda and Tilly walked in followed by Dawn and Mitty. All of them looked perplexed as their eyes widened at the sight of a beaming Gabriel.

'What is happening, Iris?' Andromeda asked, 'Tilly is very excited. She told me we had to come to Grimmauld Place immediately.'

Walburga and Severus had the biggest smiles on their face.

'It would be easier to show you,' Iris said.

Andromeda and Dawn looked at the young girl with confusion. Kreacher, Dobby and Starry walked in with beaming smiles.

Andromeda looked startled as these supermodels walked in.

'We'll explain in a moment. You aren't opposed to a bit of black magic are you? Nothing twisted of course,' Severus said.

Andromeda had a delighted look pass her face which she quickly composed, 'I suppose if it will explain this, then it's ok,' she murmured calmly. Dawn was as curious as Andromeda and gave a quick nod.

'Hi, Mitty, Tilly,' Iris gave the two little elves a big grin as they grinned back, 'You just need to stand there. Get ready.'

The two elves looked beyond enthusiastic.

Iris closed her eyes and focused on Pettigrew the rat to draw her black magic forth. Bella and Draco had discreetly moved into the room as people all took their seats. Blissful looks passed on the Slytherin's faces as the magic seeped into the room. Dawn looked surprised but could feel the power rush through her. There were two big gold flashes and Mitty and Tilly had transformed.

'My black magic breaks the curse the elves have been under for three thousand years. Gabriel confirmed this. This is their true form,' Iris explained to a stunned Andromeda and Dawn, 'See, dark magic isn't all bad news.'

'Well, yours is pure Iris,' Draco said, 'That makes all the difference in the world.'

Mitty and Tilly were patting themselves down. They had been informed before what was going to happen but even they looked in a state of shock.

Tilly shook her head, 'I can think. I can truly think. Oh my goodness. My voice,' Mitty glanced at her as she ran her hands down her face.

'This is unbelievable,' Tilly began crying. Starry moved up to give her a big hug.

'It is happening. Truly. It's a miracle,' Kreacher said to them all.

Gabriel spoke then to them. 'You're homeland is still protected after all this time. The Castle is in the Scottish highlands. It is called Valinor. I cannot say what the condition will be of it after so many years but only elves can enter. It will not have been touched by any others in three thousand years. It is yours completely.'

Mitty started sobbing then as Kreacher took her in his arms.

'It is starting to look like the Paris fashion week in here,' Iris said grinning at the gorgeous faces, 'I'm going to see if George Michael wants you for one of his music videos.'

They all looked at her with confusion as Iris giggled.