Harry and Iris sat down opposite Dumbledore as Minerva and Severus sat down to the side. Iris had rubbed bruise ointment into her chest. She was correct. There was a large bruise that had already been going purple but had now been soothed considerably.

Minerva cleared her throat, 'Miss Black. Before we begin I will say I am relieved beyond measure you survived. However, if I ever hear that sort of language from you ever again for any other reason than attempted murder you shall lose all your house points for the year. Am I clear?' Minerva said sternly.

'Crystal, Professor McGonagall. I apologise,' Iris hung her head in shame.

Minerva felt slightly more soothed as she clung to this thin veneer of order in the school.

'You must remember. We are still a respectable establishment of learning. For now at least,' Minerva added.

'I think we all learnt a great deal from this field trip,' Severus added with a rueful expression.

'Yes, well. Be that as it may, a few of the first years and second years are not as loquacious in that particular area of old English as yourself,' Minerva finished.

Harry snorted without thinking. The stress of the evening had caught up with him as he was now a little more relaxed, 'I apologise,' he said quickly as Minerva looked at him with her mouth in a straight line.

'Right,' Dumbledore stepped in at that moment. Fawkes flew down to Harry and Iris and perched on the table in front of them both as they both fussed him.

Albus smiled at the sight, 'On a brighter note, thank you for clearing the great hall of that putrid magic, Iris. It was an unorthodox method but effective. We are all very relieved that you appear to be in good health after Riddle's, um, test.'

'How was he able to breach the wards?' Severus asked.

'He has got insiders here. We all know this,' Harry said.

'Actually. I must be honest here,' Albus looked a little sheepish, 'I felt the wards breached earlier today in preparation. It is a little known fact the headmaster or headmistress at Hogwarts is keyed in.'

Severus and Minerva gave a jolt at this. Harry and Iris looked confused.

'Why didn't you do anything?' Harry asked him with a frown.

'I have been expecting a visit from Tom for a while. You cannot do the things you have been doing and not expect attention, Iris. He was going to find any way to get to you to do this. I thought this was a wiser scenario where we all had better protection in case the situation became unmanageable.'

Iris tilted her head. Then gestured for the headmaster to continue.

'Gabriel will be here soon. He was informed earlier of this ruse. You were wise to choose Lucifer to escort you. Like with Remus I expected you to contact a Dark Angel to deal with Tom. While Lucifer was dealing with Tom, Gabriel was behind the scenes, shall we say.'

'What exactly happened out there?' Iris asked. Harry was staring at Albus.

Albus looked calmly at them all, 'Tom's arrogance will be his undoing. He assumed correctly that you are immortal.'

Iris gasped, 'No! That's impossible.'

'You are both correct,' Albus said with his blue eyes twinkling.

'I am confused,' Harry said. Minerva, Iris and Severus looked like were doing difficult algebra in their heads.

Albus looked at Iris kindly, 'Tonight confirmed my suspicions. You are immortal while you wear the Resurrection stone. He knows nothing of its power.'

'Oh,' Iris said, 'That makes sense. So when the time is right I can take the ring off?'

'The ring will decide when to leave you, Iris,' Albus said, 'You were connected to it partly because of Tom's manipulations initially. His butchering of dark magic contributed. That is the reason your mother and you could gain access to Equilibrium originally. As you have become stronger the power of the ring grows too. The magic of Equi and the ring enables your mother and yourself to keep the connection, even though your bonds to Tom have now been severed.'

Iris breathed a sigh of relief, 'Don't get me wrong. I like Earth, but anchored to it for all eternity? Millions of years? No way. Even the vampires get bored in the long run and they only do a thousand or so years,' Iris sank back in her chair more placated. Albus had raised an eyebrow in a mix of amusement and relief.

Not for the first time, everyone gazed at the black onyx ring on Iris's finger.

Albus continued, 'Both your mother and you were connected to Tom in blood. His regeneration ritual backfired massively on him. It severed the connection he had with her. Tonight, when he fired the killing curse at you the piece connecting you to him has also been severed. You are free of him. He had to be the one to do it.'

Iris looked bewildered, 'But, how. I didn't hear voices or anything.'

'You have been travelling to Equi all this time. It blocked it. You have heard the Horcruxes. You were physically affected in the great hall by Riddle's presence. Your black magic blocked the effects of Riddle on you.'

Harry looked up sharply, 'My scar hurt a bit at first when Tom was outside. Then when Iris used the black magic I was alright but when Riddle hit you with the killing curse, my head felt like it was being crushed without the black magic. Riddle's magic is ugh. It feels so ugly. Evil.'

'The connection to Riddle must be very strong if it got through that magic,' Severus mused.

'It's ok. I needed to know what would happen. I'm prepared now if it happens again,' Harry said.

Albus nodded to Harry, 'Magic in itself isn't evil. It is some people who are evil. Yes. That is the connection you have with Tom. When he is close the effects will be excessively potent to you. The connection will manifest in other ways when he is apart from you. I assume you can still understand parseltongue without the Equi magic?'

Harry nodded. He had heard the snakes cries and laments when they attacked the forcefield.

Albus looked at Harry softly, 'You also have a connection to Iris. Your body has absorbed much of her Equi magic too. As has Neville Longbottom, Daphne Greengrass and Hermione Granger. Tom's presence would have shocked your being. In time the rest of your classmates will be becoming stronger too. I suggest you join your mother and Hermione on their experiments to help the others channel more of this magic. It will soothe you and build up more defence in the future for when you meet him again.'

Severus had been listening to this throughout the evening very quietly.

The sight of Riddle has been a breakthrough for him. He had last seen him years before in South America. He had still resembled an actual person back then. He genuinely could not see what he had seen in him in the first place. He was now a grotesque individual. Severus could carry on without any doubts in the slightest.

Minerva was spellbound by these developments.

Gabriel appeared through the portal then. Iris rushed up to him and hugged him. Her eyes glowed golden for a moment then settled back to her normal ice grey. Her magic had stabilised and grown over the years, becoming much more attuned to Equilibrium.

'Well?' Albus asked him after Iris let go, 'What happened?'

'It is dealt with,' Gabriel said succinctly.

'Well. What was it?' Iris was curious. She had heard about soul pieces but that didn't seem correct.

'A puddle of blood,' Gabriel informed the room.

Albus nodded at this, 'It is of course different to the actual Horcruxes. Harry's connection is different from yours.'

'When Hayley arrived the piece of Riddle's soul from the locket was covered in blood. The remaining parts were not. I have merged it with the rest of the abomination,' Gabriel informed them.

Iris breathed a sigh of relief. She knew something hadn't been right. The penny dropped then, 'So, Riddle thinks one thing, which was right but is no longer? When it's actually something else entirely. Something he knows nothing about.'

Albus smiled, 'He has destroyed that which would have anchored him to earth. He needed to be the one to do it. His own vanity and inability to question his own cleverness has led to him sabotaging one of his, 'get out of jail free cards,' to coin a phrase, when he threw the killing curse at Iris. You did not go to limbo, the stone anchors your body here when it is attacked in such a way. Tom would have been anchored to Earth as long as you wear that ring, Iris, had he not killed you.'

Harry gave a determined grin, 'Brilliant,' anything bad that happened to Tom was good news to Harry.

'The remaining question is how many pieces are left on Earth?' Gabriel said.

'This is where Harry's connection will be vital,' Albus said, 'You will need to use it to get inside Riddle's head Harry. Several of us have been searching for clues and leads but we have found nothing but dead ends.'

Iris had been staring at Harry thinking over the evening, 'Riddle got into my head easily. I saw his worst crimes as I did Nott. They played in my mind like a movie. I saw such awful things,' Iris shook her head not wanting to dwell on it. She turned to Gabriel, 'If we could get to him somehow. Could you search inside his mind as you did to the Longbottoms?'

'I'm afraid that would only work with a willing host, Iris. Riddle is too powerful to get that close to. His mind will be a steel trap,' Gabriel told her honestly, 'I had thought of that myself.'

Iris sighed in disappointment.

'I'll do it,' Harry said in a determined voice. He had been thinking hard about what Iris had said, 'Get inside my mind. In time, of course. I want to build up the magic from Equilibrium. Then I can let Gabriel inside my mind to access the connection.'

Albus felt pride at the boy's determination.

'It is possible,' Gabriel said, 'In theory. We would have to prepare of course. You're young and this connection is far too unstable to just dash in there. I do not want to risk damage to your mind Harry. We shall need to explore slowly.'

'I'm with Iris all the way on this,' Harry said, 'Anything I can do to help stop him, I'll do it.'

'We have a plan then,' Iris said hopefully as Harry and she gave each other a small smile.

Albus clapped his hands, 'We do indeed.'

Harry breathed deeply, 'We have to try anything and everything to get this done.'

Iris was coming to terms with all she had learnt that evening, 'Now I'm temporarily immortal, I mean, I can still feel pain. I certainly want to avoid as much of that as possible. But, it will be safe for me now to go to South America. The absolute worst that can happen is I get knocked out, like tonight. The link will still work if that happens. Lily and James have proved that.'

Severus nodded cautiously at Albus.

'We have more or less finalised our plans. Certainly, we can undertake this next year,' he told them in the room.

Albus leant back in the chair as his blue eyes looked in the distance, 'Yes. I rather believe the ring is setting the pace. Iris. You have gained a lot more control over the dark magic. Gabriel?'

The Angel looked solemn, 'We were ready a long time ago. The Angels will come when I call them. Both Dark and Light. I cannot control Lucifer and the other Dark Angels. The light will protect and heal the survivors and fighters. The Dark will exact their own particular revenge. They are not as constrained as we are.'

A chill went through the room with these words.

Albus pondered, 'I have my new old friends who are very experienced in such matters as these accursed camps. They can cast fidelius charms in their sleep. Their healing skills are tremendous. My portkeys should be ready by then for the apparition.'

'Finally,' Iris said in relief, 'This is long overdue.'

'Yes, I feel it Is time for some karma in this particular instance,' Albus said.

'How do you think they will react to the loss of their camps?' Minerva said to the group.

'Angrily,' Gabriel confirmed, 'Although I doubt they will be surprised. They will be expecting some sort of retaliation at this point. They have, unfortunately, taken most of what they wanted from their workforce. Their plans are almost in place. Grindelwald, Hitler and Riddle are playing their cards very close to their chest with their plans. None of their followers knows their exact plans. We have eyes there but we cannot be everywhere. There is much speculation. I expect they will stay on course regardless of this rescue. Grindelwald will have factored this sabotage into their operation. They know we know. We should simply see this as a rescue mission.'

Severus looked grimly at Albus, 'I'll let the Order know,' he said with finality, 'I know they will want to get this done as soon as possible. They are all frustrated with this subterfuge of Riddle's.'

The evening was coming to a natural end.

'It goes without saying that this knowledge is kept only to those trusted with the information,' Albus said, 'Riddle now has a false sense of security. This is tremendous for us. His ego may very well be his downfall.'

Fawkes trilled in the background as a new optimism filled the room.

It was a very dazed and confused Hogwarts school of students who boarded the Hogwarts Express to go home for the Christmas holidays. Not one of them could have predicted the direction the term would have taken in September on their train trip. All their teachers were now not much older than them. Silver snakes now roamed the halls. Marcus Flint was no longer terrorising half the school and a Dark Lord and a Dark Angel had popped in at dinnertime for a slanging match. They had witnessed a killing curse that did not work on what appeared to be an immortal student and a fearsome Riddle bragging he would be on Earth for all eternity.

There was now a Hogwarts Resistance and, if rumours were true, a Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets affectionately named Winston. The young Slytherin, Nott, had been taken for a tour of actual Hell and had appeared to have lost his mind. The free elves now had their own kingdom, Valinor, and the ghosts had been successfully transported to Equilibrium. A troll had also gotten into the castle and almost killed a student. War was looming. It was a lot to take in for all of them. They were relieved to be going home away from all the madness to lay in their own beds huddled under their duvets for a couple of weeks of sanity.

Iris had taken Professor Binns to Equilibrium with the help of Gabriel who was helping the disorientated man adjust to his new life. Albus had promised her the next teacher would not be so challenging.

The first years had taken the thestral drawn carriages down to the Station. Hagrid had explained they could only be seen by people who had seen death. Iris saw them due to technicalities. Hagrid had introduced them to her earlier in the year. She had seen thousands of dead people. Although they were much alive in the next world. Anyone who had met Lily and James qualified. Lavender and Parvati were intrigued by the horses.

'They are ever so gentle,' Iris stroked one of them who nuzzled into her hand, 'See.'

Hermione was watching the thestrals intrigued. Harry stood next to her and stroked the animal with the same soft touch that Iris had. Draco stood next to Daphne with a wretched look on his face. Daphne only needed to glance at him once.

'Let's get on the carriage then,' she said to the others in an authoritative tone.

The silver snakes had swayed and hissed goodbye at the Hogwarts gates to them all. Ethan, Jasper and Lucas had followed Draco, Daphne and Hermione onto the train. Esmerelda was wrapped around Iris's neck. The students each had their wands close but students were all keeping their distances from who they perceived as the other side.

They had all made plans with each other to meet over the Christmas break at the Greengrass Manor. Iris would be in charge of transport. It was cleaner than the floo. Something they were each happy about. Harry especially. He never had quite got the hang of the floo.

Iris would be taking Daphne and Draco to Equilibrium over the Christmas holidays. They would have plenty of time to explore.

Some of the students boarding the train cast malevolent looks to the little group of first years. Their original plans of dominating Hogwarts and getting it ready for Riddle in the future had been well and truly derailed. Salazar Slytherin had, through Iris, scuppered their plans well and truly. It would be time to go back to the drawing board and await orders. Many had spoken to their parents about a transfer but Riddle had given orders to lay low for now and keep a presence in the school and above all else, report back. The threats would be taken care of in time.

Half of the school had been satisfied with this news. Iris Black was a bewildering student to all of them at the best of times. They had been impressed greatly by her abilities. She was the Granddaughter of Riddle after all. She was too young to really take seriously though. She had looked so tiny standing opposite him. Maybe when she was older she would see sense and join the winning side. She had been influenced by Dumbledore and there was clearly an unpleasant situation between RIddle and his daughter which obviously was going to take time to mend. That was clear from her public speech to the great hall.

Hippy, dippy ideas while babbling on about all the worst-case scenarios. They had spoken to their parents who had assured them that nuclear war would never happen in Britain. They certainly were not selfish like Black had accused them of being. They had convinced themselves of this. They were doing what was best for their world. The betterment of the human race. A few of them who had been on the fence had fallen back firmly on the side of Riddle when they had witnessed the encounter by the school gates. His intimidating presence made it unthinkable to even think of turning away from him. They knew of the strength Riddle had accumulated far and wide. There was no way they could lose.

They had enough sense to know the way forward wasn't going to be as smooth as they had thought in the beginning. The Order of the Phoenix clearly wasn't going to simply roll over and they clearly had more than a few cards up their sleeve. The young versions of Albus and Minerva sauntering around the castle was still a shock to behold. A youthful Hagrid beaming out at them was unnerving, to say the least. All the other Professors were the happiest anyone had ever seen them.

Quirrell had avoided the veil although Iris had asked him in her most sincere voice if he would like to take the trip. He cited he was very young already and it was unnecessary. Iris had given him her most charming smile as he smiled back peculiarly. Elderly men and women had been seen hobbling into the castle never to be seen again. Instead, youthful men and women they had never laid eyes on before were gallivanting through the Hogwarts corridors with joyful, wild abandonment. Augustus Longbottom had been particularly jubilant and appeared to already be preparing for battle as she waved her wand fiercely at random. The elves transformation indicated fully the power the young girl held.

Many of the Slytherins had been hypnotised by the presence of Lucifer. He obviously had issues with Riddle. They supposed it was because their leader was an Immortal. Lucifer was clearly just jealous. The rumour going around was that Lucifer had put a dark spell on Nott's mind to spite Riddle and frighten them. Order needed to be maintained to improve their world. The ignorance of the masses globally was in dire need of rectifying. The human race needed guidance from those better than them. Their minds would drift involuntarily to the Great Hall and the potent pure black magic of Iris that drove out the putrid dark magic of Voldemort's. They had all felt that. Their bodies had vibrated with the power of it. It was so different. Stronger. Universal. Hot. Riddle's had felt warped in comparison.

Lucifer had been charming. That they accepted. He was many things. Like Iris, he had radiated a darkness that enveloped you. Merlin, it was so confusing. There were Devils and Demons in Hell. They were part of the dark. Dumbledore had his phoenix. He was light. Dark and light. Balance. It was simply understood you were one or the other so how could Iris be both?

They were going home to their Manors and parents where they could talk sense with each other. Hogwarts was deliberately confusing them with all its nonsense and mind games. It would be a relief when Riddle finally went public. The Ministry was just as impatient as them to announce the official changing of the guard. The Wizarding World knew what the situation was. A farce. Fudge was merely a puppet until the true leaders of the world would take over officially. Voldemort, Grindelwald and Hitler. Then they could do away with all this ridiculous pretence and nonsense and reign supreme completely. The laws, power and money would all be theirs and woe betide anyone who stood in their way. The small rebellions would be dealt with harshly and swiftly.

The other half of the school were still getting to grips with the future. It was seeing Riddle in the flesh that had brought it home to them this was actually going to happen. They had seen Iris stand back up after taking a killing curse. Eerily reminiscent of Harry Potter. Whatever Riddle was delving into to cause all this was unheard of magic.

The person who most convinced them that it was wise to stand up against this onslaught was, surprisingly, Draco Black. He had seen it first hand. Pansy Parkinson would discreetly watch the blond boy with a thoughtful look. She had heard all about the Malfoy's of course. Narcissa had gone off the radar. The public's general opinion was Lucius's frequent infidelity had led to his wife's departure. This was certainly one of the reasons but Pansy suspected it ran far deeper than that.

Her own parents were fully supportive, signed up members of the New World Order. Many of the students were in the same boat. Many of whom were more than happy in that boat. Pansy decided to bide her time. She was astute enough to know she didn't know enough. Her parents spoke of power and wealth. Progress for humanity to evolve. They were tight-lipped on how this would be accomplished and murmured about influencing the masses through many means. She kept her thoughts to herself.

Iris had made it clear that it was a shitty position for any kid to be in if they had doubts. Pansy appreciated the consideration. She knew Walburga and Bella Black had helped raise the young Gryffindor. Iris understood the pressures of the old ways. It wasn't as simple as simply saying no thanks and walking away. They were all on this train now. It was a difficult decision for a young person to make. To choose between two such dangerous positions kept her awake at night. Pansy also knew that it was a decision she would inevitably need to make at some point in her future. Her parents were becoming more excitable in every letter to her. They were going to change the world. Pansy had no doubts they would. Pansy had heard about the concentration camps. She had subtly enquired about them to her mother in a letter.

Her mother had downplayed the places in her response. Workplaces for those in poverty in those local areas. They are simply doing the local population a favour. Developing skills that will be useful in the future. Yes. They had heard of exaggerated tales. They have a lot of trouble with some of the people there. They were not educated. Practically savage. Sometimes they needed to defend themselves against volatile attacks. Nothing to worry about.

Pansy hadn't been convinced. She had spoken to Iris in private a few days before Christmas break. They had taken a walk around the black lake as Pansy broached the subject.

Iris had told her plainly what Severus and Gabriel had reported and had watched Pansy's face fall.

'They kill the children?' Pansy had said in a dull voice.

Iris had nodded with a grim look, 'Severus watched five Wizards beat a little girl to death for amusement. The Nazis are the same. One of them was Draco's father. Pettigrew. McNair. All of them that escaped at the trial. They have taken full advantage of the women and children there. Their perversions…,' Iris trailed off, 'The male prisoners have been subjected to similar treatment. Beatings. Whippings. Starvation. The Nazi scientists and doctors, the potion makers. They experiment on them.

Pansy looked sick.

'I've met a few of them in Equilibrium. They are getting better but it still affects them. Gabriel said in time they will be healed. It won't be a quick recovery for any of them.'

They had continued walking slowly. Pansy was Iris's second cousin. Iris knew of the social circles her parents moved in. They were on the list. She had glanced at the dark-haired girl.

'Look, Pansy. You have to understand. We are going to war. For me and the others choosing to go against RIddle, it's an easy decision. He murdered my Grandmother. He didn't care if he killed my mother during his regeneration. What he did to Bella was unforgivable. He and Pettigrew held Gran, Kreacher and I at Grimmauld Place to do Merlin knows what to us if they had gotten their way. Kingsley and Mad-Eye too. I would rather die than join him. Grandpa Gareth lost his twin sister. The Weasleys lost Gideon and Fabian. Harry lost James and Lily. You on the other hand. It's different for you. The future is going to be brutal. I can promise you this though. In war, there is no such thing as the nice guys. You don't think the Order of the Phoenix is going to be capturing Death Eater's and Nazis gently and following peacetime procedures like good little boys and girls do you? There is too much at stake. They have to be stopped using any means necessary. Our world depends on it.'

Pansy had given a jolt at this. Her green eyes showed clarity.

Iris stopped as she looked at Pansy intently, 'Pansy. You're my blood. Most of the Purebloods in school are and I despise Riddle more than I can say for putting these divides between us. I hate what I know is going to happen to us all. War is waste. It's misery. Not one of us is going to be unaffected by it. You have to understand that there may come a time when you watch your own Manor go up in flames. You may watch your own parents and friends get killed by Witches and Wizards from the Order. And you are going to hate us because of it. If that happens you are going to hate me and Daphne and Draco. You will want revenge. You wouldn't be human if you didn't. Likewise. You may watch your own parents kill your friends. See your father shoot a killing curse at Daphne or Tracey. What happens when you see children in camps being beaten? How do you think you are going to feel when you witness that? This is going to affect you more than most. There is going to be no such thing as neutral in this war.'

Pansy sobbed at this.

Iris gave her a one-armed hug. She tried to think of a way to cheer her up, 'Granny Walburga says Riddle is just an uppity Half-blood who is getting his revenge on us Purebloods because some of them were snobs to him at Hogwarts. They should have been uniting against him. It's gone too far now though.'

Pansy gave a shaky smile, 'Uppity,' Pansy said in an amused voice.

Iris gave a half-smile, 'Uppity. Walburga will always remain a Pureblood snob till her dying day,' Iris sighed, 'Pansy. You must know this isn't about blood status anymore. Riddle is just using you as a tool. It is a power grab using any means necessary. Riddle messes with people's minds. He has messed with your parents. I understand your loyalty to them but you don't owe either of them support for this and don't let them tell you otherwise. You need to be careful. I know what is coming. What you are going to witness. If you do follow your parents and Riddle make sure you know what is truly involved. You have to believe in Riddle's vision completely and I don't believe you ever will. Your heart needs to be in it to fight properly, otherwise, you're not going to make it.'

Pansy had stared at her then as the harsh reality came crashing down.

'This New World Order is not messing about. Narcissa already has a price on her head for leaving it. If not for Ethan, there are students in the school who would have made sure Draco would have had an accident by now. If you show any disloyalty to Riddle in the future then you will be a target too. I don't like saying these things but you need to know the truth.'

Pansy nodded ruefully. She was very aware of the danger Draco was in.

'You know you can always come to live at Greengrass Manor or Grimmauld Place if it gets too much. I can give you one of the snakes for protection,' Iris said to her.

Pansy smiled at that, 'At least I have a choice.'

'Choices,' Iris said slowly, 'I think when you truly see it for yourself what Nazis and Riddle's followers do, you will realise what Draco has. It won't really be a choice for you. I saw your face when you realised what Nott really was. You actually cared about those girls.'

Pansy really looked at Iris. Her ice grey eyes looked at Pansy with compassion as Pansy realised the truth in her words. The cold air breezed around them.

'You'll never be one of them,' Iris said quietly.

Deep down Pansy knew she didn't have the sort of nature that Riddle's regime required.

'Worst case scenario if you fight with us, standing up against this and you die young as we all may, you'll go on to Equilibrium. It's nicer there than here anyway,' Iris said in a soft voice.

Pansy had peered silently at Iris, 'Can you show me?' she had asked eventually very quietly.

Iris had given a small nod. Later that evening Pansy had spent time in Equilibrium. She had barely spoken. Iris had shown her the waterfall. The music of Equi surrounded them. The hum of the thick magic in the air. The beauty of the place. The two suns in the sky. Iris explained about the towns and villages. All the other worlds in the universe. They had walked around one of the villages. Iris had introduced her properly to James and Lily. Pansy had looked dumbfounded by it all.

It was the tunnel that had most fascinated Pansy. The stars that sparkled everywhere. They had stood for a while looking at them.

'I can see why you are like you are now,' Pansy had said, 'Why you have no fear. I thought it was some foolish Gryffindor thing. It isn't. You can't fear death knowing that is on the other side of it.'

'I'm taking some of the others over the holidays too. They need to see this. Hermione loves it here. She says it makes her feel braver. I'll take anyone who wants to come to visit. I think it changes a person forever.'

Pansy glanced at the scarlet and gold veil, 'That really does go to Hell. It's real?'

Iris nodded, 'Those who have shown extreme viciousness and wickedness against the innocent and defenceless go there. Lucifer calls it the great leveller.'

Pansy stared at both veils for a while.

Iris stood with her, 'Whatever you decide, you do it for you. Not your parents or your friends. Not Riddle or the Order of the Phoenix. You. You're the one who has to live with your decisions. You alone know what you can live with.'

Pansy had gazed into the stars that went into infinity, 'It's endless,' she had stated, 'It makes me feel very small.'

'We all matter. You should feel large. There are so few of us compared to what is out there. Life begins on Earth. It's the only planet where this is possible. It's why even Lucifer is so intent on preserving it. Without Earth then this is all there is for eternity.'

'If I die young, I can't have children in Equilibrium?' Pansy asked her.

'No,' Iris said cautiously,' Ask yourself though. Could you really bring them into a world that has Riddle and Hitler as its owners?'

Pansy went very still.

'Lucifer himself sees them as a genuine threat to Earth's future. He doesn't think the Earth will have one if they are successful.'

Pansy raised an eyebrow at the mention of Lucifer. After a minute she looked at Iris with a small smile, 'I don't wish to be a gossip, but what is going on with him and Bella? I've been hearing all sorts.'

Iris just smirked. Pansy had both eyes wide open at this, 'She sure knows how to pick them,' Pansy said in a wry tone.

'Well, Bella always says, go big or go home,' Iris chuckled.

Pansy smiled as she looked again at the stars, 'I feel better in myself. My magic is humming. Thanks.'

'My advice, for now, is to just watch and wait. No pressure. If and when you're ready to leave, talk to Daphne. You have a choice.'

Pansy looked down at their joined hands and squeezed gently, 'I know that now,' she said.