Binky took Iris and Albus down to the kitchens and showed her how to tickle the pear on a painting to reveal the door handle. They walked in as Iris looked around the room. Her mouth dropped. There were dozens of little elves all scattered around the large kitchen. She could see Kreacher immediately. He waved her over with a beaming smile. 'There are so many of you here,' Iris looked around in wonder. The elves had noticed her by now as a hush fell in the kitchens.

'We have told them everything, Iris,' he smiled at her, 'No more enslavement. We have been the fortunate ones. These are the Hogwarts elves and some of them are from elsewhere. The other elves we will gather here in the coming weeks. There will be no more urges for us to punish ourselves. No more being compelled to work all the time. No more asking permission to have our children. No more allegiance to a house that does not belong to us or treat us properly.'

Iris grimaced. Things were tough for those elves in bad homes.

'How are the others doing?' she asked him.

'They will be better in time,' he told her.

Gabriel entered the room as the elves gasped in amazement. He greeted them as Iris took a seat. Dobby took her hand as she grinned at him.

Albus sat opposite her and took the opportunity to study Iris as she closed her eyes and focused on the dark.

The familiar pure dark sifted out of her and swirled around the room. The elves could feel the tingles. Iris simply pictured those poor bedraggled elves she had seen earlier. Albus could feel the difference immediately between the dark of the cup and this. He felt years younger. The temperature rose as gold flashes blistered rapidly through the room. Albus had to shut his eyes because of the strobing lights.

Kreacher put his hand on Iris's shoulder, 'All done, Iris,' he said as Iris breathed deeply.

They looked around the room.

'It's like being at the bloody Oscars in here,' Iris said in awe.

Albus smiled. He understood the reference. He looked around and smiled at the beautiful faces that had looks of confusion and happiness on their faces.

'Oh, Iris. I'll still take care of Esmerelda for you,' Kreacher said to her.

Iris beamed at him.

'It will take them all time to adapt,' Gabriel observed, 'I'll stay with them tonight. I can take them to their lands when they are ready.'

Iris gave him a side hug as his golden eyes shone.

She looked at Albus, 'This ring. Its true purpose. It's creating an army isn't it?'

Albus pondered her, 'I think it is one of the rings goals.'

'The force. It is really mad at Riddle, isn't it? It wants us to fight back.'

Albus nodded his head slowly, 'Tom respects no one. He respects nothing. It is his weakness. His followers are the same.'

Iris was quiet as she looked at the ring, 'I already know how bad they already are. Tom has some very nasty toys. Those elves earlier. I just hope I'm up to this,' she sighed.

'Choices, Iris. Go with what you feel is the right choice.'

'Gut instinct?' Iris asked him.

'It has got you this far,' Albus said to her.

'I feel like I'm on a path. So far the choices have been easy.'

'Have they?' Albus asked her, 'Forgive me, but it cannot have been easy to see your father every day.'

'Harry needs his mum and dad. They need him,' Iris said, 'Riddle wants him even more than me.'

Albus beamed at her, 'Choices, Iris. It was not easy, it was uncomfortable, but you did that for another. Many others would have refused.'

Iris looked at Albus with disbelief.

Albus' eyes twinkled, 'It is the truth. The sorting hat put you in Gryffindor for your courage, Iris. Courage is not always as obvious as waving a sword around and running into battle. It is about perseverance and endurance in the face of adversity. I think that you will be very much, how did you put it? 'Up to this.'

Iris grinned. Her eyes found the clock in the kitchen, 'Oh. I'd best be going. We're watching Airplane tonight.'

'Surely. You cannot be serious,' Albus smiled.

Iris gave him a thumbs up. She grabbed her popcorn on the side and left the kitchen.

Gabriel joined Albus and handed him the now empty of Riddle's tainted magic, Hufflepuff cup.

'The third piece has merged,' the Angel told him, 'It appeared to give some sort of peace to his butchered soul. It has stopped writhing around at least. It is now simply laying there still.'

'Thank you,' Albus said. There was nothing more to say. They were both as in the dark as anyone else.

The common room was quite loud with students lounging around. Iris waved at the boys who waved back and she moved upstairs. It had been an emotional day and she needed peace. Lavender and Parvati were sorting their makeup bags out as Iris beckoned them to the flat. They nodded back to her and finished up.

Iris dropped into her trunk to find Hermione still absorbed in her book. There was a plate by the side so at least she had made time for a snack.

'Hermione,' Iris called. Hermione's head remained in the book as she wrote notes. Lucas hissed gently to her as Iris rubbed his nose.

Iris moved across the room to take Esmerelda out for some fuss. She hissed at her familiar and engaged in a lovely, yet simple conversation. Hermione still had not registered her presence.

Iris had to resort to waving her hand in front of her face for a response which she finally got as Hermione gave a shocked eep.

'Goodness, you're back already?' Hermione looked flustered.

'It's seven o'clock, Hermione,' Iris looked at her with some astonishment.

'Oh. I've been so carried away,' Hermione looked anxious.

'Obviously. Wrap it up. We have Airplane to watch and popcorn to eat. No. Put the pen down, you need to have some fun,' Iris said sternly.

Hermione sighed and put the pen down with a huff.

Iris stifled a grin, 'That's right. Now put one foot in front of the other. Move away from the study area. That's right. Sit. Relax.'

Hermione sat down on the sofa with a plop.

'Lavender and Parvati are on their way,' Iris put the DVD in and put popcorn in a big bowl and grabbed a few drinks as the others came down the steps.

'Movie time,' Iris said as she settled into the corner with Esmerelda wrapped around her as everyone got comfortable. With the remote pressed within a minute, the familiar music came through as Iris properly relaxed for the first time that day. Trevor and Lily snuck in and lay on the rug purring, soaking up the Equi magic.

She glanced around at the comforting sights. The London skyline and the jungle. James, Madame Curie and Salazar surrounded her. She felt better. Even Hermione was giggling at the ludicrous antics on the screen. Lavender and Parvati were transfixed.

'That was brilliant,' Lavender said when it was over as Parvati was wiping the tears away.

'I've got a lot of comedies, but that is my all-time favourite. Have any of you seen Monty Python's Life of Brian?'

It was two hours later as they were all grinning.

'We're all individuals,' Parvati sniggered.

They all chanted, 'Yes. We're all individuals.'

The popcorn was finished. Drinks had been drunk. Parvati and Lavender had recovered their good moods from the day before. They went back upstairs to get ready for bed.

'So how was your day Iris?' Hermione asked her as they tidied up.

Iris went to tell her and closed her mouth, 'I'll tell you tomorrow. I'm still getting used to it myself.'

'Oh, now you'll have to tell me.'

'Well, you know the elves?'

Hermione pursed her lips, 'I'm still not comfortable with the whole concept, Iris.'

'Well, this means good news for you at least. I've managed to lift the three thousand year curse on them. They are no longer enslaved. They have freedom of thought and will. They also all look like supermodels now.'

Hermione stood there with her jaw dropped.

'I freed over a hundred today, including the Hogwarts house-elves. They are going to stay on for a bit to help out with the castle and meals. They can communicate with each other telepathically. They are rounding up the overseas elves. They have their own lands about twenty miles from here. Their own castle. Only elves can enter it. I'll be freeing the rest when they arrive. Gabriel has appointed himself in charge of that endeavour.'

'How?' Hermione gaped.

'I was doing a demonstration of my black magic for the family and it broke the curse on our house-elves. We were all surprised. Bad news for Purebloods who mistreated them. Good news for Nancy Bones and the elves.'

Iris hissed a little to Esme as Hermione processed this.

'Nancy Bones?' Hermione asked in shock.

'Gran said she has wanted to start her own cleaning business for years. There was no need for it in the Wizarding World. The elves did all of it. Should create a lot more jobs too for people. The elves said they were going to pop back to see their families from time to time. Well, the ones that were decent to them. Not the morons.'

'Can I expect anything else unexpected this week?' Hermione asked in a stressed voice.

'Um. Just the ghosts tomorrow. I think that's it. Then hopefully I can actually focus more on my school work. Hey, we will have made it a full week at Hogwarts. So. What do you think so far to the Wizarding World?' Iris asked politely.

Hermione gazed at Iris in stunned silence.

'I suppose nothing really turns out the way you think it will,' Iris mused.

'I, yes. Exactly,' Hermione continued to look at Iris bewildered, 'Has your life always been like this?'

'Well. Not always. I believe there was a time before the kidnapping and blood ritual where things were relatively normal,' Iris said seriously, 'I can't really remember properly, but there are a few photographs so I know it must be true. Then mum went into a three-year coma and Sirius left and I discovered Equi.'

Understanding drifted into Hermione's eyes.

'You handle it well, I think,' she said to Iris.

'I have a lot of decent people in my life,' Iris said honestly, 'The elves were very surprising even for me though. We had no idea. There were rumours and old legends, but people thought the curse a myth. This is a great event. Dumbledore said the elves were fantastic warriors back in the day. It was why they were enslaved by an evil Wizard in the first place. They fight for good.'

Hermione smiled then. A very real smile lit her face up.

'What this ring can do is incredible Hermione. It's creating our army for the future.'

Hermione looked down at the Peverell ring.

'Things like this don't happen by accident,' Iris said to her, 'Real magic is on our side.'

Hermione nodded her agreement at that.

That night Hermione slept soundly for the first time since she had arrived at Hogwarts.

Sunday afternoon rolled around. Iris had made nice at the Ministry and had used her very best Greengrass manners with Amelia Bones.

Dazed but happy Witches and Wizards had their magic released. No longer squibs, but fully-fledged members of the Wizarding World.

When it was over Amelia had informed her that there were no more squibs left from Britain that they knew of. It was overseas that they were focusing on. It was proving to be the most beneficial arrangement. It was taking more time because of the paperwork and liaising with officials.

'Politics,' Amelia had sighed. Iris nodded knowingly.

They made plans to make this a regular Sunday thing. Yes. Gryffindor would get many points for her help. Amelia estimated a few months at least to get each Witch and Wizard's magic freed.

'There should be more next week. There have been a few issues with some nations not cooperating as well as they could with the public, but I think we got here just in time.'

Iris pondered her, 'How long do you think before they start properly?'

Amelia looked at her. She didn't need to clarify the question, 'I think three years. They're being discreet. They are deep in the shadows behind the scenes, but people being people means there is talk. The order keeps us informed. It feels similar to the last time. I remember the late sixties when I was young. Nothing I could quite see, but I sensed something blowing in the wind.'

'Oh, a Bob Dylan reference,' Iris said as Amelia looked at her blankly.

'Never mind.'

'How are you settling in at school?' Amelia asked her.

'A mix, but more good than bad. I like my roommates a lot.'

'Yes. Susan has been very thorough with her letters to me,' Amelia studied Iris.

Iris shifted on her feet guessing what Amelia was alluding to, 'I know the snakes seem extreme, but Salazar gave me them. If he is worried then that's proof enough to me.'

Amelia gave a small smile as she put her hand up, 'Iris. I am relieved they are there. The Bones family suffered more losses than most in the last war. I'm glad there is some real protection at the school. The irony of Salazar Slytherin protecting the Muggleborns and so-called blood traitors is not lost on me. How times change. I worry about my niece. She is more a daughter to me now. It is a vast castle and the professors cannot be everywhere. I saw Dylan. I know what dangers lurk. It is only going to get worse in time.'

'I can't walk away from this. Neither can Harry. I don't think any of us can. We're going to do whatever it takes to stop this.'

'I also got a full report about Friday,' Amelia continued after a moment.

'Oh,' Iris said vaguely.

'Apparently, Lucifer was in Dumbledore's office,' Amelia stated.

'Well. Mum and Grandad have always emphasised the importance of manners so I thought it only polite to introduce him to the gang.'

'Mm,' Amelia smiled.

'Do you know what is happening to Flint and Nott?' Iris asked.

Amelia sighed, 'For certain, no. What will probably happen is Flint being transferred to Durmstrang as he requested.'

'And Nott and his father?' Iris pushed.

Amelia looked away, 'Fudge has ensured they were handed to a specialist Muggle authority immediately. No press,' she said flatly.

'Did they admit it?' Iris asked her.

'Yes. Veritaserum on Nott Snr. Theodore admitted it immediately. He wrote his confession. He seemed unable to speak. Whatever he saw on your trip has shaken him to his core.'

Iris breathed deeply, 'Do you think they will be lost in the system?'

Amelia gave a short nod, 'They don't want any attention for now. I expect shiny little trinkets have been waved. It will be easy for them to release the Notts from the Muggles and then go overseas. If any officials aren't already on the payroll then an Imperius charm on the right people will be sufficient.'

'How soon before Fudge wakes up?' Iris asked her.

'There are none so blind as those that don't want to see,' Amelia said in resignation.

On that sombre note, Iris made her way back to Hogwarts. A peaceful hour was spent with Hermione absorbed in a book about potions as Iris rested on the sofa with a bit of Pet shop boys and Trevor and tried to clear her mind. The conversation with Amelia had unsettled her. Knowing the Nott's would no doubt face anything more than a night away angered her more than she could say. Justice would be served in the end. Iris knew that for certain, but not by those in power on Earth. That things had already sunk so low in the Ministry made her feel nauseous. They would be free to carry on. Her thoughts went overseas. The sight of the broken, bruised elves had distressed her. Knowing what was happening right now in the camps made her clench her fists. She was ready to go now, but they kept saying no.

'Penny for your thoughts, Iris,' Hermione sat down next to her.

'Oh, just thinking about the elves, that's all,' Iris didn't want to go into this heavy stuff. The young Gryffindors already knew more than most. They needed time to truly understand what lay ahead for them all. Right now it was an idea. They had seen glimpses, but for now, it wasn't real.

'Shall we go to the common room for a bit before dinner?' Hermione asked.

'Sure. We haven't spent much time there.'

'It's so lovely in here, that's why. I've been catching up and you have been doing what you do, but I think we need to show our faces more.'

Iris agreed, so they made their way down the circular stone steps into the red and gold of the common room.

Iris spotted Harry and Ron playing Wizard chess in the corner as they made their way over to the two boys.

They were greeted warmly. Hermione asked Ron to explain the rules and how it was different from Muggle chess. After a minute Iris was cross-eyed with the information.

'It's really quite simple, Iris,' Ron said to her, 'The aim of chess is to capture the king,' he explained slowly, 'I've explained this before.'

'I mean, I get that part,' Iris said, 'But it's all the other stuff. Like that piece can move sideways, but that bit can't. And all the other million little things. How do you remember all of that?'

'I just can,' Ron said, 'It's easy for me,' to emphasise the point he won the game against Harry, 'Three in a row,' he cheered. Harry sighed.

'Oi! You two! Potter! Black!' bellowed a harsh voice Iris hadn't heard before. She closed her eyes and summoned her fortitude before she turned around and then had to crane her neck to look up. A very angry older boy was pointing a finger at Harry and her.

'We know it was you two. Where are our bloody house-elves?' the boy spat.

Iris felt her mouth twitch. Harry looked very confused.

'I was going to tell you at dinner Harry,' she said.

'What's happened? You haven't kidnapped them, have you?' Harry gasped.

'No. I haven't kidnapped them,' Iris was deeply offended, 'But good to see that was your first thought.'

'Sorry,' Harry looked genuinely apologetic as the rest of the Gryffindors in the room oggled at the scene, 'Well, what have you done with them then?' he asked.

'They are here in the castle. I lifted the elf enslavement curse yesterday when I was at Gran's. They now have free will, so any elf who is not happy can just leave and not go back,' Iris narrowed her eyes at the angry young man, 'If your elves left and haven't come back that's because they are sick of your shit and couldn't wait to leave. You should have treated them better. Our elves are still going to visit and help out our families.'

Hermione had a massive grin on her face as she stared at the angry boy who was spluttering.

'You can't do that,' he grimaced.

'I can and I did,' Iris channelled her inner Bella as she looked at him with a sneer, 'You can let your parents know Nancy Bones will be starting a cleaning business if they need any help. Just so you know, you won't be able to treat human staff the way you treated your elves.'

'No,' the boy looked frustrated, 'I mean you wouldn't be able to lift the enslavement bond. You're too little.'

'You can't measure magic in inches,' Iris said with her chin held high, 'I did lift the bond. Ask the headmaster. He saw me do it. I'm done with this now. I've told you the facts. Now leave me alone.'

'The Ministry will have you for this, Black,' the tall boy said to her in his most sinister voice. After meeting seven Devils this failed to make an impression on Iris.

'Good luck finding the law I broke. Freeing elves isn't actually illegal,' Iris smirked at him.

Lucas had slithered up at this point and was swaying next to Iris. The boy went pale at this, swore and then stomped off.

Iris rubbed her nose at the unpleasant scene, 'Come on Hermione. Let's go to dinner.'

Hermione was glad to get out of the room with all the eyes on them. Iris was still annoyed at Harry so she walked away quickly without a backwards glance.

They walked past the portraits on their way down.

'I cannot believe Harry would think I would do that,' Iris said shortly to Hermione.

Hermione didn't say anything to that which Iris thought a little unusual.

'What?' Iris came to a stop and faced the witch.

'You did take Nott to hell,' Hermione bravely said, 'Kidnapping wouldn't be completely out of character.'

Iris huffed. Then, fortunately, was able to see the funny side, 'I suppose, maybe, that might be a little bit understandable then,' she said with a rueful smile. Hermione grinned at her as they walked into the great hall.

The looks were very blatant today. Whispers followed them to the end of the table. They took their seats and ignored it and talked quietly to each other. Daphne and Draco walked in together not long after and sat down after they gave a wave across the tables. There appeared to be a gulf between the first years and the older years on the Slytherin table. Ethan and Jasper frolicked with each other to the side of the first years. Goyle was sat in no man's land in the middle. Crabbe looked pale and withdrawn as he sat next to the second years. He wouldn't even look in Iris's direction. Most of the Slytherins wouldn't. Out of the corner of her eye, she did see several of them looking at her subtly with cautious deliberation. Not with dislike.

'The Slytherin resistance is beginning,' Iris whispered to Hermione.

Hermione mused at this, 'I have noticed a few of them seem apart from the others. You really have to look for it though. They are very hard to read.'

'Crabbe must have said something to them by now about what happened on Friday,' Iris said.

'I think Salazar allowing you control of the snakes has made them realise there is a choice. I know you are in Gryffindor, but then, so does Salazar. You are still his heiress. From what I have been reading that still carries a lot of clout in the Wizarding World.'

'Gran and Bella have said the same. Let's hope some of them have the courage to stand against Riddle. We need as many of them on board as possible.'

'Slytherins?' Hermione questioned.

Iris nodded, 'The four houses need to stand as united as possible. Slytherins can bring a lot to the table. Bella and Sev are proof of that. My Black family standing against this must be getting some of the Purebloods talking. Granddad Greengrass is almost ready to go public. They are strengthening the wards at the Manor. It will be the first time the Greengrass family will have picked a side in twenty-five generations. The Weasleys. Some of the other families must be questioning the lunacy of what is being promised. I think Draco will sway a lot of them in time. He's seen it with his own eyes. If Riddle gets what he wants it is not going to be the glorious victory they seem to think it will be. When even some of the Slytherins want to put the brakes on this it proves how mad it is. The Ravenclaws bring the brains. They will see fast enough, if they haven't already, that what Riddle wants is not sustainable. The Hufflepuffs have a sense of fair play. If this was in reverse and Dumbledore was Riddle and vice versa, and the Half-bloods and Muggleborns were doing this crap to the Purebloods, Hufflepuff would eventually side with Riddle. This is what this is all about in the end. Fairness. Balance in the world. It is never going to be perfect, but we can certainly make things better.'

Hermione mused on this as she looked around. There was certainly a change in the air.