Iris and Hermione had returned to their dorm room and found Lavender and Parvati still up. Hermione grinned as she remembered what Dumbledore had said and quickly briefed the two versions of the BBC news at Hogwarts. To her consternation, neither one of them was too shocked at this news. They delighted in the gossip straight from the horse's mouth, however.

'It makes our gossip so reliable when we can say you told us. They know it's real then,' Lavender had said.

'What do they look like now?' Parvati asked curiously.

'Dumbledore is really handsome. And McGonagall is ever so pretty,' Iris told them, 'Honestly, I didn't realise how cruel the ageing process is. People should always look gorgeous even when they are a hundred.'

Lavender and Parvati nodded wisely at this as Hermione rolled her eyes at this very vapid opinion, 'So true, Iris,' Parvati said in earnest.

'So, any more extraordinary feats of magic to expect in the future? Will you be feeding the world and curing the common cold or are you taking a rest this week?' Lavender asked her slightly sarcastically with a grin.

'I think that's it, actually. For a while at least. We have Christmas to look forward to. Maybe something in the spring?' Iris said seriously as Hermione shook her head in bewilderment.

'Shall we listen to some Abba?' Iris asked them, 'It's been a jolly day and I need some happy music to wind down with.'

'What's Abba?' Parvati asked. Lavender also looked curious.

Hermione and Iris looked stunned, 'No Abba in your lives? That's so bloody tragic. This must be fixed,' Iris said, 'Have you ever even heard of Elton John?'

They shook their heads.

'It's a scandal,' Hermione said as she grinned as Iris looked genuinely shocked.

Five minutes later dancing queen was playing. Parvati and Lavender became immediate fans of the greatest Swedish pop group of all time.

An hour later they were Elton John's newest fans as they fell in love with Your song and played it several times.

The next day the entire school was stunned into silence as Albus and Minerva swept into the Great Hall with gravitas and new outfits as a somewhat amused Severus followed them in.

Parvati and Lavender had indeed notified everyone, but nothing could quite prepare one for seeing the transformation in the flesh.

Everyone was gawping without embarrassment. Eyes then began moving towards Iris from around the room.

'This is your doing, isn't it Black?' came Wilson's accusing voice down the table.

Iris gave the smuggest look she could muster up the Gryffindor table and gave a nod. She had been expecting this and had a plan.

'I'm about to become all your parents and grandparents' best friend in the whole world, Wilson. I can give them their roaring twenties back,' Iris said to him. Her voice carried throughout the hall.

The previous glares that Iris had been receiving had been replaced by genuine fear now.

'Looks like a lot of you rich Purebloods are going to have to wait a lot longer for those titles and inheritances doesn't it,' Iris said with a malicious grin, 'You may have to actually go out and get an actual job and work for something. Oh, the horror!'

Even Hermione looked astonished at this genius deflection.

'You can't do this!' Wilson strode up to her in a rage.

Iris sighed, 'Again Wilson, I refer you to the law. There is no law that says I cannot revert people who are a hundred years old back into their twenty-five-year-old selves.'

The first years all looked up the table equalling Iris's smug grins.

'That told him,' Ron smirked as Wilson stood and spluttered incoherently. Many others on the other tables looked furious at the implications of this.

'Besides. You're always the one's going on about your family names and lines. I thought you would be pleased to know your grandparents and parents are going to be around for much longer. When I realised I could do this I thought of my Granny Black. She is not well. She's feeble. I can make her better. She's always been good to me and this is my way of helping her for a change. The same I will do for anyone else who asks me. That is what any normal person with a shred of human decency would think to do in this situation. Everyone is always saying there aren't enough Witches and Wizards in Britain. This school is only half full. The birth rate is too low and too many wars keep killing people off early all the time. There, problem solved. We can simply regenerate the older ones.'

'This is not right. You can't do this. You're denying us our birthrights,' shouted an older Slytherin. He looked like a serial killer. Sadly, he was joined by many clones on each table who had all stood in anger at this proposal.

Iris sighed and stood and addressed the room, 'I was only having a little fun with you guys. Relax. Anyone whose parents and grandparents are followers of my Grandfather is exempt of course from this offer of a lifetime. They made their beds. They can lie in them. Personally, I think the sooner they are all gone the better. Yes. We know exactly who they all are and what they are capable of. There won't be any cheating. You will all inherit your titles and manors sooner rather than later. Clearly, that's all that matters to each of you.'

The mood in the hall immediately calmed down, but there was a distinctly uncomfortable aura now.

'Nice to know when push comes to shove just how little you think of them though,' Iris sneered at them all with all the arrogance of her Black lineage, 'A golden opportunity for them to enjoy good health and strength and you selfish bastards couldn't wait to throw them under the bus just to grab what is theirs. Pathetic. Looks like they all got the kids they deserve.'

Silence. The staff had edged forward at this statement and had looked with fury at the students glaring at Iris.

'The Wizarding World. It should be magical. It used to be. A place of wonder. Progress. Inventions, potions and science to make this world exceptional. Families. Friends. As one. All looking out for each other,' Iris shook her head, 'Look at yourselves. Money. That's all that matters to you and you would screw over your own mum and dad to get it. You're no different to the worst nasty, greedy, lazy Muggles,' Iris channelled the coldness of her Greengrass line in that last statement.

'You can't show us up like this,' Wilson seethed.

'You lot just showed yourselves up, Wilson. I set the trap and you lot simply walked right into it,' Iris said to him in a malicious tone, 'I see you lot for exactly what you are. Selfish, greedy pricks who actually don't give a fuck about your families you claim to be so proud of. Your fake Pureblood pride is bollocks. You're a disgrace to all our ancestors fought for.'

'Then you're a fake Pureblood too!' Wilson shouted in temper, 'Everyone knows Riddle's really only a Half-blood,' there were gasps in the room.

Iris smirked, 'Are you brave enough to tell him that to his face?'

Wilson paled dramatically.

'Anyway, this has gone way past blood status and anyone with a functioning brain cell can see that. Clearly, your teeny tiny brain isn't functioning,' Iris gave him a sneer that Draco was impressed by.

Wilson looked like his head was about to pop off as he swung for her as she used the ring, shouted and pushed up a solid protego shield in a second. His fist hit it hard as he yelped.

'Truth hurts,' Iris said in contempt as two silver snakes slithered up to hold him on the floor. Iris left him there for now. It was time to address the elephant in the room.

Iris shook her head and breathed deep before standing on the table as Hermione looked a little embarrassed at her friend's bravado and sunk into her chair. Harry and the others in the room were looking up with interest though.

Taking her wand she put it to her throat and gave a sonorous charm, 'Headmaster, if I may have the floor?' she asked politely as Albus gave a slight nod. Iris turned and addressed the school.

'Let's all cut the crap,' Iris said to them as Minerva sighed at the crude language, 'No more whispers. We all know what's really going on. Everyone here knows now what my Grandfather has planned for this Earth. In a nutshell, it's that tired old cliche, World domination. He is Darth Vadar, Ming and Genghis Khan all rolled into one,' this caused many confused expressions amongst the Purebloods.

Iris continued, 'He and his Death Eater's have allied with the Nazis. A New World Order which will consist of a selected pure white elite made up of a merged Muggle and Magical power to lord it over the masses. The rest of the human race will be reduced to slaves or exterminated if they are not up to specification. The Ministry is deep in their pockets. The Daily Prophet has been silenced. They have already started their concentration camps in South America and land grabs in Eastern Europe. They have the weapons, assets and money to do this. This is not just talk. This is happening. I'm going to keep turning the old young. If I can give them back their health then I'm doing it. They are going to fight with us against this. Within ten years, if Riddle and Hitler get their own way, most people in this world will be dead anyway through the inevitable global war. At least the older ones I help can get a few years on Earth feeling good whatever happens.'

There were sharp intakes of breath. The staff looked nervous as Albus put his hand up to them to let Iris continue, 'Your families, your friends, your enemies, that nice little lady that lives next door, the kids in the playground. Your postman. They will no longer be here. Hufflepuff's, Slytherins, Gryffindors and Ravenclaws. Purebloods, Half-bloods, Muggles, Muggleborns. Most of us will be gone. There will be no hiding from this anywhere on this planet. Every country is vulnerable. I assume the Ravenclaws in the room have already predicted the consequences of a Magical and Muggle alliance of this magnitude? What happens when you mix science and Muggle weapons with magic and fascism?'

The clever table looked at Iris wearily and nodded gently as students on the other tables looked over as their faces fell as they confirmed what Iris was saying.

'The Muggles have nuclear power. If you're not sure what that is then I suggest reading about its destruction capabilities. It will be used eventually by either side out of either cruelty or desperation. They used an early design at the end of the second world war which killed thousands and left the survivors permanently damaged. That was then. Over forty years ago. They have perfected it now. Just one nuclear bomb can destroy a city in seconds. If the bomb doesn't kill you then the poisonous fallout will in a matter of days. It causes permanent damage to the ecosystem. Whether your Muggle or Magical, it doesn't matter. We all go if that hits us. Countries will retaliate using any means necessary. If, and it's a big if, you do survive the war do you really want to spend the rest of your life living twenty miles underground as the lands are too poisoned to live on? Your galleons won't be much use to you. This utopia Riddle and Hitler have promised you is a lie. You may survive to gain your titles and inheritances but what will that mean living like that? The time has come to wake up. It's not too late. You follow Riddle and Hitler and I guarantee you will all regret it. A lot of your parents have already taken the dark mark. I get that. You haven't. I get that many of you are selfish. Your greed just now proved that. Use your selfishness to cut the ties with your families that are leading you down this path. If not for us then at least do it for yourselves.'

The hard faces scattered around the room grimaced.

'Make the choice. Stand with us and fight and we all may still have a future on a planet worth living on. We are standing for humanity and the planet. That is worth fighting for,' Iris took her wand away.

There was a moment of pure silence.

The first years led the applause. Harry and Neville especially looked teary-eyed.

The staff joined in, then the second years. Then Tonks and Cedric stood and started clapping. Her hair was a bright purple. Many of the girls swooned at Cedric. Then the Weasley's all joined her. Even Percy. Oliver Wood. Cassandra Dewling. Half of Ravenclaw and many of the Hufflepuffs stood. A lot of the Gryffindors joined them and then, out of the blue, a few very defiant and determined older Slytherins stood firm and clapped as their classmates stared daggers at them all. Others stood up one by one as the first years gaped at this support. Albus's blue eyes twinkled. Many students from all four houses and each year were clapping now.

Iris tingled all over as her Equi magic flooded out. There were a lot more people standing than sitting. Hermione looked near tears as she gave Iris a side hug. Ron and Neville were beaming. Draco and the first year Slytherins were sitting amazed at the standing older Slytherins who gave them a nod and a thumbs up. The time to be brave and make a stand was long overdue. That they had meant a lot to the younger ones. They weren't alone in house Slytherin anymore.

'I feel we may have some requests from Riddle's younger followers to transfer in the coming months,' Minerva said to Albus over the din.

'So be it, Minerva,' Albus said, 'The time to choose sides is coming to an end I'm afraid. The students have all been informed of the consequences of a Riddle and Hitler alliance. If they still insist on pursuing this then there is little hope for their souls. They will realise the truth of Iris's words in time, I'm afraid. Hogwarts must be kept as a safe sanctuary. If Hogwarts falls, then we all do. Hogwarts is a bastion of all that is good in our world. It is crucial for the survival of our world. Any true followers of Riddle in the castle put us all in danger.'

Iris saw Quirrell out of the corner of her eye with a fake smile plastered over his face as his eyes glinted with spite towards her. She casually released Wilson from the snakes as he stormed out again.

'A lot of drama for breakfast, eh,' Iris said to her fellow Gryffindors.

'How did you know they would react like that?' Hermione asked.

'The one thing Riddle's lot all have in common is greed. Greed is like a drug. It needs to be fed constantly. Nothing is ever going to be enough for them. They all have their own vaults that are bulging with Nazi wealth, but I knew they will always want more. The moment I suggested they would have to wait longer for their inheritances and titles I knew they would flip,' Iris said with a grin.

'Brilliant,' Ron said. He and Iris high fived each other over the table.

'I've also been studying Winston Churchill's best speeches too,' Iris admitted as Hermione looked at her impressed with her showmanship.

Harry was looking around the room. People had sat back down. There was a distinct shift in the atmosphere in the room. Riddle's followers were gradually leaving the room looking sombre.

'They look so different,' Harry said, looking at the staff table and Albus and Minerva.

'There are the same people they were yesterday but yes. It's like their different people,' Hermione observed.

'I can't wait to take your mum, Ron,' Iris said with a smile.

''Blimey, yeah. That will cheer her up,' Ron grinned. 'Dad too.'

'Gran as well. Her bones are always giving her jip. Bella can start taking her for nights on the town. She used to enjoy that.'

'Do you think..'? Hermione started quietly. Iris looked at her questioningly, 'Do you think the veil will work on Muggles?'

Iris tilted her head, 'It should do. Muggles go to Equilibrium. You're talking about your Gran, aren't you?' Iris confirmed.

Hermione nodded, 'If she could fight, she will. She has always resented not being able to do more in the war. She was a land girl so she did her bit but...'

'We'll do this at Christmas. You're bringing her aren't you?' Iris asked.

'I am. They're all really looking forward to meeting you all. We'll explain when we're all together. I won't put any of this in a letter just yet,' Hermione said, 'It will sound bizarre at first to them but I need to do this in person.'

'This must be freaking Riddle's lot right out,' Neville said to them as he chortled, 'You can turn the old young again, Iris. Good. It's time they started getting worried.'

'It's time that you start to be really careful, Iris,' Ron said with a worried look, 'This is like chess. They are going to see you as the major threat now. They are going to be after you the most.'

'They'll have to catch me first,' Iris said with confidence.

'Well, just be careful,' Ron said, 'Like with the troll. They can get around things.'

Iris nodded at him and thanked him for his concern.

The words she had said needed to be said to all of them. There were too many whispers. They needed it spelt out. The world Riddle wanted was a purely selfish one and he would destroy it in his greed. His followers had the same ideals. That other students had finally taken a public stand against this meant a great deal. Hogwarts was shifting away from them slowly but surely.

The remainder of the term flew by. The divisions were now crystal clear in the castle. The snakes kept things under control. Iris spent her time bumbling about. She had settled in properly at Hogwarts. She had her friends, her schoolwork, Equi and quiet evenings spent with the animals and Hagrid. Albus and Minerva were bringing their friends to the castle. Iris would take them in as they hobbled in on walking sticks and being pushed in wheelchairs. They would be restored into their younger selves and practically leap around the room to everyone's amusement. The staff had taken full advantage of this perk as well. Madam Hooch was thrilled with her transformation and was contemplating rejoining the Holyhead Harpies Quidditch team.

Iris had taken Ron and her to the Burrow through the veil. Molly was most impressed with her new appearance. Having seven children had taken its toll. The Lovegood's had accompanied Molly and Aurthur and had been enthusiastic about the trip through the tunnel. Both Xenophilius and Pandora had seemed more enamoured with Equilibrium than their appearance.

'I had been developing an experiment to replicate what I had seen in my dreams,' Pandora had said with an ethereal smile, 'I have no need to do anymore. It is all here. This is the place I have been dreaming of since I was a little girl.'

Iris had taken the strange yet lovely little blonde girl Luna through to have a look and she had been much like her mother in her excitement. The stars in the tunnel had been a source of great joy to her. Iris had taken her to see the waterfall and had smiled at the look of pure awe on Luna's face.

'I want to live on Earth for a very long time. There is so much to explore,' Luna had said simply, 'But knowing we come here afterwards is very good to know. It's very exciting, isn't it? I can only hope I don't die a painful, gruesome death. I want my last moments to be tranquil before I pass over.'

Iris understood and had patted her arm, 'They have tea and biscuits here too,' Iris had said to the blonde girl.

'How wonderful. It really has it all,' Luna had said with wonder.

'And chocolate,' Iris added as an afterthought. Luna had smiled that dreamy smile. Iris liked Luna a lot. She was a gentle soul, albeit unique in her outlook on life. In a way, she didn't make Iris feel as strange as she knew she was. Luna just accepted Iris as she was.

Xenophilius had been intrigued by it all, 'How?' he had asked Iris simply.

Iris showed him the Peverell ring and had watched his face show clarity, 'The Resurrection stone,' he had whispered.

'Partly. Grandfather has been very, very irresponsible with how he treated it. He has been irresponsible with many things.'

Xenophilius had nodded wisely, 'It wants its revenge.'

Iris had nodded, 'I think so. It has been working in mysterious ways. It sort of guides me to where I need to be.'

Xenophilius had nodded with understanding, 'The Deathly Hallows are not to be abused, Iris.'

Iris had grimaced, 'Don't I know it. I can't take it off.'

Xenophilius had smiled at that, 'That is very good to know.'

Walburga and Bella were in a form of mild hysteria for days after Iris had rolled back the years for them. All the Black women had come from around the country to Grimmauld Place for their regeneration and that particular weekend was filled with much merriment. Narcissa had given Iris a rare warm smile which had, quite frankly, chilled Iris to the bone.

Andromeda had been as giddy as her family. The magical strength had been appreciated, but the mirrors around Grimmauld Place were gazed in for hours afterwards.

Amelia Bones had jumped at the chance to regain her twenties. She had been smirking all the while in her office afterwards as she admired herself. 'This will make those Ministry Witches greens with envy,' she had said with glee. Iris had been amused to see this side to her.

Iris kept up her weekend routine with seeing her families, then Amelia to heal more squibs and popping to the hospital with Gabriel when Ivy and her mum requested her. The strange injuries were adding up. Blatant memory charms had been performed on each of them. Toxic dark magical injuries. Damage to internal organs. People that didn't seem to be connected. Men, women and now children. All from different parts of the country. All different ages.

'I think they are being tested on,' Hayley had told them, 'They are choosing a cross-section of people deliberately. I don't recognise this magic. All I know is it is foul.'

Gabriel had agreed with a foreboding look on his face. Iris took this information in with a heavy heart.

'What do you think they are testing for?' Iris asked her mum.

Hayley had shaken her head, 'I can't say for certain. It looks like they are looking for something.'

'What?' Iris had asked.

'The source of our magic, I think. I could be wrong,' Hayley had sighed.

'But, it doesn't work like that,' Iris had frowned, 'Magic is in every cell of us. Not one specific place.'

Hayley had nodded at this, 'That's a general theory. Perhaps it is someone who doesn't know that.'

'A Muggle?' Gabriel had suggested.

'Perhaps,' Hayley had said, 'Looking for the source. Wanting a transplant. They went through all this with the squibs. It can't be transferred either way. Any Witch or Wizard knows this.'

'More Muggle's are learning about the magical world. This was inevitable,' Gabriel had said in a hushed tone, 'This type of experimentation was known to happen centuries ago.'

'They could be working with a rogue Wizard or Witch. They have the technology now which could determine the source if there is one. Perhaps it is transferable,' Hayley said in a defeated tone, 'They have discovered DNA. Genetics. Maybe it is possible to replicate it?'

'Maybe that is why you don't recognise the magic. It could be Muggle in origin. You need to take it to one of their science labs,' Iris said, 'It's what they do in Star Trek,' she added as Hayley looked at her intently.

'Yes. I think that is for the best. I'll speak to Ivy.'

Hermione and Iris had made several visits to Equilibrium. Iris had taken her to all the best spots. Hermione's favourite place had been the waterfall. She had sat with Iris quietly for several hours in wonder. The two suns were proof she was in another world. The magic hummed as Hermione also felt herself changing and becoming stronger and lighter on Earth over time.

Iris had introduced Hermione to her Gran Greta and they took the long-anticipated trip to the Equilibrium library. Iris was being very careful to hold her hand tightly. They had apparated to the enormous building where Hermione's eyes had glistened with tears of happiness. Greta had been told all about Iris's bookworm friend and had struggled not to laugh as Hermione approached her version of Mecca with great reverence.

'It's so beautiful,' Hermione had whispered as they had wandered inside.

It was many hours later that they left.