It was a stunned group of people who sat around Walburga's table in her drawing-room. The kettle had been the first thing to go on. Everyone was sitting with a cup of tea to calm their nerves. Half the occupants had lit up. Mr and Mrs Granger had astonished Hermione by accepting cigarettes.

'You don't smoke,' she had stated.

'We don't normally dear, but in these sorts of situations…,' her mother had trailed off as she inhaled deeply on the Marlboro Bella had supplied.

Hayley had found some bruise ointment for Mr Granger which seemed to help him a lot.

Walburga bought out the gin and scotch which was then poured liberally between the adults.

The tension in the room began to alleviate.

'Oh. I'm Michael by the way. This is my wife Eleanor,' Mr Granger informed them, 'My mother, Elsie,' the introductions were completed in an orderly fashion.

Michael looked around the room, 'What just happened?' he asked them, 'Where did those masked men go?'

It was a reasonable question, but people seemed unable to speak.

'Hermione?' he tried asking his daughter.

'Um. I think Iris sent them to Hell,' Hermione said with caution.

Michael snorted in disbelief, 'Right. Look, I know I'm not familiar with your world, but Professor McGonagall did not say anything about this at the induction.'

Sirius sat down opposite him, 'It's true. Iris has been given a very special gift. This hasn't ever been known in the Wizarding World either.'

Eleanor took a few more drags and stubbed the cigarette out, 'Can I get a pack actually?'

Bella gave her a look of assurance as she slid a pack over. She had plenty in the cupboard.

'Thank you,' Eleanor said in a shaky voice.

Hermione looked scandalised, 'Mother! They are so bad for your health.'

'I think we have bigger problems,' Eleanor said dismissively.

Hermione had to concede her mother was probably right.

'Those men. What they were saying. Is that common in the Wizarding World?' Michael asked as Elsie moved forwards.

Sirius breathed deeply, 'I think we need to start from the beginning. Kids. You can stay if you like or there are other rooms if you want to go.'

The kids all stayed where they were. Fred and George looked like they had each taken a Bludger to the head. They had missed out in Dumbledore's office and had asked many questions and had been told what had happened, but actually seeing the veil to hell and then Iris completely transforming into Riddle in miniature was quite another matter.

So, Sirius talked. Bella, Hayley and Walburga would fill in the gaps. Molly would add other details from the past.

The Granger family looked more incredulous at each passing minute. When Hermione showed them the photograph of Hitler and Riddle together, it had caused them to pale dramatically. Michael's eyes narrowed at the sight of Hitler.

'How is he still alive? He looks younger than he should,' Michael asked.

'Potions. Dark magic. Blood rituals. There are ways to slow down the ageing process in Muggles if you know how. His alliance with Gellert began years before the war. He has contacts with the worst of our kind,' Sirius said to them in a low voice.

Elsie had put her hand to her mouth and had watched Hermione intently after that.

Michael sat back as Sirius bought them up to the present. It had been a long evening.

Michael gave a deep sigh before he spoke quietly, 'My brother works for MI6. He has been edgy recently. He knows something is happening, but no one is talking. He is lower level, though. Damn it. I knew something wasn't right. Eleanor. You were saying the other day everything feels odd out there. All these random stories. Weird things happening. Hush ups. This is coming from the top, isn't it?'

'The Nazis didn't stop,' Hayley told them, 'They relocated to South America. They invested in many interests, globally, years ago. Those investments have proved very successful. They own global corporations now. They have been working in the shadows for decades. They have infiltrated Muggle governments and Magical Ministries globally over the last decade. We do have people undercover. Their side has been using the Imperius on Muggles and Magical. Nazi wealth and modern technology are very alluring to certain Wizards and Witches. Magic is very attractive to many Muggles. They have combined forces for both to make more efficient weapons and successfully infiltrate establishments all around the world.'

Elsie had been listening intently to all this, 'Iris mentioned concentration camps,' she stated quietly.

'In South America. The governments there have been corrupt for years. They look the other way in exchange for money,' Bella told her, 'They have started creating more in Bosnia now. They are going in the back way this time around. Grindelwald's advice, I assume.'

'They have engineered fake conflicts in various countries. While all eyes are on the Gulf war, they are free to do whatever they like in Europe. They are going to break these countries from within. It is a strategic logic. These countries have resources. They are already moving in their armies,' Sirius told the Grangers.

'What is the end goal?' Michael asked slowly.

'Total dominance. White elite. Slave race. Purge the masses. Keep only those useful to their new world order alive to do the work. Pillage everything of value from defeated countries,' Sirius said bitterly.

'How?' Eleanor asked in rising horror.

'Chemical mixed with magical warfare. Military might. The Angels have told us that the plan is they intend to destroy Israel completely in less than three years to announce the Nazis return. Then chemical warfare in the middle east. Hitler wants the pyramids for himself. They would control the oil. They intend to plummet the financial sector. In the chaos, they will launch attacks at random countries. Gabriel doesn't know everything. Only Hitler, Riddle and Grindelwald discuss their plans with each other. They choose very discreet locations. The Angels have difficulty locating them sometimes,' Sirius told them.

'Why isn't anything being done to stop this?' Elsie asked.

'Many of these people in power want to keep it. They are greedy beyond measure. Trinkets and money have been waved. They will be part of the one per cent,' Bella told them. 'Apparently, the Death Eaters were astonished at just how corrupt many Muggles are. They jumped at the chance. A few magical trinkets were waved and some spells and they were on board. It took years to infiltrate the Wizarding World completely. Those people in power who aren't corrupt are either lazy or ignorant. Our Minister Fudge has been shown photographs of this. Reports. Actual evidence. He and many other politicians have called it fake. Conspiracy theories. Those people who have started asking questions go missing or have memory charms performed on them. Random accidents. This is global. Years in the making. The grassroots sectors are thriving. No one knows who to trust anymore.'

The Granger family each sat with a look of resignation on their faces. What they were being told was, unfortunately, sounding more plausible by the minute.

'It's starting again,' Elsie said in a dull voice, 'The Muggle world ignored the Nazi's for a decade until it was too late. They all looked the other way. Always someone else's problem, until it was theirs. Many got very wealthy through them you know. The world hasn't changed at all has it?'

Michael hugged his mother.

'It is actually worse now. Riddle and Hitler are going to smash the magical statue of secrecy. Bring it all out in the open,' Sirius told them.

'Won't that be dangerous for you?' Eleanor said.

'Very. Many people are frightened of magic. Frightened people do rash things. If our world becomes public then every Witch and Wizard in it will be a target. A bullet can kill us too,' Sirius told them.

'There is also a very real danger of Muggles getting hold of magical objects too. They could cause devastation with which they don't understand. They could experiment on us to find the source of our magic. We suspect this has already started. In the end, Albus thinks Riddle will eventually turn on the Muggles. Riddle won't share power for long. There will be infighting,' Hayley said with a sigh as the kids looked increasingly nervous. The adults had argued about how much the younger ones knew and had decided to keep them informed. The threat was imminent. They needed to know what they were up against. As Iris had rammed home to all of them, Death Eaters and the Nazis didn't care how young you were.

'It's a shit show,' Sirius said plainly.

The room was silent.

'What did Iris see?' Elsie asked.

'When her eyes go red she says she sees the worst crimes a person has committed. The veil to hell will only accept those who deserve it. Those who have committed extreme acts of cruelty and wickedness against the innocent and defenceless,' Hermione told Elsie gently.

'If Iris hadn't been there..?' Elsie asked.

The Witches and Wizards in the room looked downcast. The Granger's took that as confirmation they would have, at the very least, all been hurt very badly.

'Would they have faced any justice?' Elsie asked in a sombre voice.

'The Ministry is very casual with their sentences when the crimes are against Muggles and Muggleborns. I doubt they would have been charged. The Ministry would have ensured their disappearance from the cells to another location,' Molly said to them softly.

'Even the Purebloods who don't follow Riddle are disregarded. Flint tried to kill Neville and the Ministry just transferred him to Durmstrang,' Ron told them in a sullen tone.

Frank and Alice nodded to confirm this fact.

'When they find out they are missing there will be a manhunt. They will be demanding the Dementors kiss for this,' Bella said in a wry tone, 'There is no equality at all at the Ministry.'

'This is just like Germany in the thirties. Before the war,' Elsie said. Her eyes looked weary, 'They got away with murder before the war had even started. Anyone who had tried to defend themselves was shot dead.'

Michael massaged his temples, 'This is why Iris gave Hermione a silver snake. For protection. Is my daughter a target?'

'Yes,' Sirius told him plainly, 'She is Muggleborn. Draco and Daphne got one each too. They are both on Riddle's followers' radar. Many of their children are at Hogwarts. Another nine guard the other students at Hogwarts. Salazar gifted them to her and only she can control them. Some of the older students have formed a resistance. They keep an eye on the younger kids. The professors do what they can. It seems to be working for now.'

'At least some of you are doing something about this,' Eleanor said.

'Do you think the Ministry is aware of what happened today?' Hermione said to the room.

Sirius shook his head, 'They would have been here hours ago if they had an inkling. Iris's magic isn't Earth magic. The Ministry wouldn't have detected it. Everyone else had either already left or scattered when Hermione screamed. This sort of thing is happening in both the Muggle and Magical world more and more. People are getting scared. St Mungoes is full of patients with injuries and wiped memories. There have been more than a few people going missing. People talk behind four walls. We all know what is happening, but the Daily Prophet has been forbidden from mentioning Riddle and the Ministry just tells us, 'All is well,' The Pureblood followers of Riddle have been making very generous donations to Fudge,' Sirius said sardonically.

The Granger's sat quietly as they made sense of all this. Like a jigsaw puzzle, all the fragmented pieces they had noticed over the years all fitted together. Similar things were happening in the Muggle world.

Sirius had explained about Harry and Iris and this connection. The Order of the Phoenix, Equilibrium and the Angels and the extraordinary capabilities of the ring.

'That is something at least,' Elsie said, 'Iris can make the old young again? Um. Is it possible for me? I want to be able to help properly.'

Hermione smiled for the first time since she had seen her parents on the platform, 'It was meant to be a surprise. Iris was going to take you to Equilibrium as a Christmas present for you. Make you twenty-five again. You said you wished you could have done more in the last war. Now you can. She's taken a lot of people through who want to fight again. We're building an army to fight against this.'

Elsie looked stunned at this. Then a broad smile appeared, 'A second chance,' she said in a low tone.

The golden doorway suddenly appeared as heat blasted out of it. Harry jumped a mile in the air. His nerves were so fraught. Iris stepped out reeking of smoke and sulfur. Her leather jacket looked scorched. Her face had soot on it.

Her eyes faded from blood red to their normal icy grey. She wiped her brow and looked at the occupants with surprise, 'You're all here,' she said simply.

Hayley ran over to her and pulled her into a bear hug. Then she pulled away and glared at her, 'Where have you been?!' she admonished. Sirius sat to the side, watching this with the strangest look on his face.

'I'm sorry I'm late, mum. I thought you would come here first. No one's shown up from the Ministry have they?'

'No. And answer the question. I've been worried sick,' Hayley said sternly.

'Satan wanted to talk to me, mum,' Iris whined, 'It's not my fault. I would have been back earlier. I left those five degenerates with some Demons and I was about to come back hours ago, but Lucifer told me I had been summoned.'

Hayley stared at her with her mouth wide open, flabbergasted. Much like every other occupant in the room.

'Satan,' Molly Weasley said dumbly as she collapsed back in her chair.

Even Bella looked queasy. Narcissa's face had paled to an alarming tone.

The Granger family were, at this point, all pinching themselves to make sure they were not hallucinating.

'Yeah. You know. Lucifer's boss,' Iris informed them.

'I know who Satan is, Iris,' Hayley said with as much calmness as she could muster.

'Yes. So you know you don't decline an invitation with him if you know what's good for you,' Iris said in an adamant tone.

'I, yes. I see your point,' Hayley sat heavily on the chair next to Molly and poured a gin straight and gulped it down. She then lit a cigarette as the others followed suit.

'I didn't know you smoked, mum,' Iris said with interest.

'I don't, normally,' Hayley drained half the cigarette in one go.

Hermione shook her head in derision at all the smoking and drinking occurring in Walburga's drawing room and quietly tutted.

Iris poured herself a tea and sat down.

'Well?' Ron said with interest, 'What was he like?'

Everyone crowded around to listen.

'Right. Well, you know how Gabriel is?' Iris said, 'All nice and calm.'

They nodded, 'Well, think of the exact opposite of that. Think of Severus in a really bad mood and then multiply it by about a hundred.'

Jaws dropped. Merlin, that was extreme.

Iris pulled a hand through her hair, 'He was a little moody, to say the least. Although, he was happy I was bringing him more guests. He said that humans were being far too lenient with their evildoers by keeping them alive. No executions. No public hangings. He's going to be having a word with the Dementors as well. They have been getting a little too close for comfort with Riddle. He's going to be reminding them who their real boss is. He is beyond livid about all the Nazis who got away at the end of the last war and their audacity in starting up again,' Iris peered around at them all. People were looking at her with varying expressions.

Iris continued, 'He told me the lack of justice is making him angry. So many wicked people walked free at the end of the war. He said they should have been sent straight down to him. Word of advice. Never ask him about the Nuremberg trials or Japan. Merlin. And he ranted about Hitler's fake death for at least half an hour and he was very displeased they got Grindelwald out. He's not happy about all the crap going on with Earth either. He really hates Riddle. Like how you do, Gran. Pure, unadulterated hatred. It was magnificent actually to watch him rage. I thought you had a temper Bella, but honestly, you have nothing on him. The canyon we were in actually shook when he shouted what he was going to do to him once he got hold of him,' Bella could only gape in amazement at this statement, 'Satan said Riddle should have been in Hell back in eighty one when his curse backfired. That is what was supposed to happen anyway. None of this should be happening. If Riddle wasn't so weird about dying and messing about with things he doesn't understand it would have all been over by now.'

Sirius could only stare in wretched shock.

'So yeah. Satan reminisced about the glory of the old world. He thinks humanity has lost their moral compass,' Iris began checking the list off her fingers, 'He said the planet is too polluted. He raged about there being too many arseholes. Too much corruption. Perversions,' Iris looked around at them as she nodded earnestly at their expressions, 'Yes. Exactly. Let that sink in. Earth is now too evil for Satan,' Iris nodded firmly to the occupants of the drawing-room, 'He is worried about nuclear warfare. Satan himself thinks humanity has messed up big time. If that isn't a wake-up call to the human race, I don't know what is.'

The Weasley twins sat mesmerised by all this.

Iris sipped on her tea as people gawped at her.

'What else did he say?' Bella asked as calmly as she could.

'He said one of the few good things about the twentieth century is Rock and Roll. He likes the Stones.'

Sirius couldn't stop himself. He actually snorted across the dining room table, 'I'm sorry,' he wheezed out between guffaws as they all looked at him, 'Nerves.'

'I mean,' Bella said, gathering her patience, 'Has he asked you to do anything? Offered any help?'

Iris nodded, 'Yes. He said he has given permission to the Devils, Demons and Hounds of Hell to come to Earth to aid us on our missions,' Draco's face lit up with joy, 'They'll join the Dark Angels. Only to aid us mind. He said they are not to go gallivanting around the planet afterwards. We already have enough problems. Any of them who do that will go into the black hole. He was very serious about that.'

A look of grim satisfaction crossed Sirius's face.

Bella grinned widely at this information, 'And you?' she asked Iris.

'He just said to continue what I'm doing and help Harry and the Order of the Phoenix any way I can. Satan also told me if I get the opportunity to send anyone down to him, to take it,' Iris told them plainly, 'I answer to him. He has more authority than our pathetic system on Earth. Mm,' Iris plastered a fake, puzzled look on her face, 'A corrupt Ministry were child murderers walk free, led by Cornelius Fudge, or Satan? Who do I pay more attention to? It's a tough one,' Iris said sarcastically as she imitated a set of scales with her hands.

The adults in the room all looked at each other with perplexed looks. Sirius had varying expressions crossing his face.

'I don't want you doing this,' Hayley said sternly, 'I don't want to see you fighting with these people. You killed five men in cold blood!'

Iris narrowed her eyes to her mother in defiance, 'I didn't kill them, mother,' Iris said defensively, 'I merely removed them from the Earth and transferred them to a place more suitable for males of their calibre. And don't call them men. That is an insult to actual men. Anyway, if not me, then who? They were five experienced killers. Death Eaters. They would have more than likely killed any of you who had tried to help. Besides, I didn't go looking for them. They are the ones fighting with us. I wasn't going to let Hermione and her family be another statistic. Those sickos have taken too many people already. If you could see what I did then you would have done the same.'

Hayley had her mouth in a straight line. She appraised Iris cooly as the young girl looked away.

Harry looked very shaken at the mention of his name, 'Satan knows who I am?' he asked in a shaky voice.

Iris nodded, 'Course. He knows about all of you. Lucifer and Satan chat a lot about us. He knows the prophecy. He knows what Riddle has done. He cannot interfere directly. He can't come to Earth. It is part of the universal law thing. Even he has a boss. He can indirectly help, however. Even they have loopholes.'

The people in the room sat back with varying expressions on their faces.

Iris glanced around at the people in the room, 'He also said Salazar will be at Hogwarts soon. The people on the planet Origin have finally been able to connect their planet to the ring on Earth. They are limited to who they can send back here. It's early days for them but they are extremely excited by these developments. They've been studying the tunnel for years. Salazar has been doing trial runs to Earth. The magic of the ring is so advanced but he said he should be able to send several of them through to help us and they will be able to take a physical form of sorts so we can see them and speak to them. They will be more than ghosts to us but not have Earth bodies. Like how Lily and James do it. It's all very complex magic they will be using. Even Satan wasn't sure of how exactly they will manage it. They will be helping us prepare. He said Salazar has a plan to help protect us.'

They all looked excited at this prospect. Walburga especially was on the edge of her seat as this bombshell.

Elsie had sat with continued amazement observing this friend of her granddaughters. Hermione had been a lonely little girl growing up. Her only friends had been her books. Of all the girls in all the world, how on earth had she made friends with this one? Then Elsie remembered what she had taught her. Always follow bravery. That Iris could sit down with Satan and not be a nervous wreck said everything. That this dark-haired girl had thrown herself into the middle of the Granger's attack to save them spoke volumes of the girl's courage.

Iris approached the Granger's sheepishly as Hermione stood up next to her friend.

'Right,' Hermione said, 'I was going to introduce you properly at the station, but that went pear-shaped. So, um, this is Iris. Iris. My family.'

Iris put her hand out as they pulled it together and shook it.

Iris looked apologetic, 'I had hoped to make a more dignified first impression. Your introductions to the Wizarding World wasn't what we were hoping it would be,' she admitted.

Elsie gave her a small smile, 'I think you made the perfect first impression Iris. I wish you had been around when I was Hermione's age.'

Iris smiled at Hermione's Gran, 'I, um, thank you,' she said with sincerity, 'I hope you know we're going to be doing all we can to stop this.'

'I don't doubt that for a moment,' Michael said as he stared at this girl with many conflicting emotions.

Eleanor simply hugged the girl, 'Thank you for protecting my family.'

'Glad I was able to,' Iris said to her, 'Hermione helped save me when the troll was going mental.'

'Hermione!' Eleanor said in a sharp voice.

Iris grimaced, 'Have you not told them yet?'

'Obviously not,' Hermione said through gritted teeth as she glared at Iris, who shrunk back in trepidation with her palms up.

What doubts the Granger's had that Iris would bully their daughter was diminished at that moment.