They returned to Hogwarts and life continued. Riddle had disappeared for now. The Ministry had launched an investigation into their five missing staff. The ears they had at the Ministry heard that the powers that be assumed they must have run into trouble abroad, or were having some extended fun. It wouldn't be the first time they had gone A.W.O.L. It was an impossibility for five men of that calibre to be captured together in Britain. Besides, people didn't simply just disappear. Their people didn't anyway.
There had been a very ugly scene in the Great Hall on the first day back with Professor Quirrell. Iris had accused him of hurting Dylan Baker and of wiping his memories and of locking Hermione in the toilets with the troll. They were amongst a litany of his many crimes she had screamed at him that had shaken Quirrell. He was responsible for the deaths of many that no one on Earth should have known about. It had taken all the combined strength of Albus and Severus to throw Iris out of the room before she had got to him. Professor Quirrell, like Barty Crouch, had seen the writing on the wall. The spitting scarlet and gold portal had lingered far too close to him. He had felt the heat pricking his skin as he sweated. He had stared at those blood-red eyes and had disappeared immediately in the chaos, under the cover of darkness and an invisibility cloak. He was never to be seen at Hogwarts again, but no matter how much he had tried to evade Death, he would meet an early demise alongside many others in the years to follow.
Albus had called Iris up to his office on that first night back and she had shown him the memories of the station and showed him what Satan had asked of her. It was a very sombre Albus by the end of it. The sight of the real Satan had shaken him. Lucifer was a teddy bear compared to him.
Albus had advised her to avoid eye contact with as many people as possible. If she was seen chucking people into the veil the Ministry would be at Hogwarts within seconds.
When Iris mentioned Salazar and his guests arriving to help them prepare for the inevitable in the future, Albus's eyes had twinkled madly.
The headmaster looked so much more debonair and energetic than he had done. Iris was still fascinated by the contrast.
Iris continued her routine. Classes. She saw her family on a Saturday. Amelia Bones and the Squibs on Sunday. She had been told to act her normal self to avoid any unwanted attention. Many in the school were simply terrified of looking at her anyway so that was easy. One simply did not go after someone who stood up after taking a killing curse, shouted obscenities at a Dark Lord and then proceeded to sling that Dark Lord out of Hogwarts. Riddle's followers didn't want to admit their leader had been bested by a first-year but even so, whispers had got back to the Ministry, but they assumed it was a hoax as it sounded too far-fetched.
In the evenings she would stay with her friends or see Hagrid. Sometimes with Harry and Ron but more often than not by herself. She would lay with Fangs and watch the world go by near Hagrid's hut. She spent time in Equilibrium. Lily was tutoring both Harry and Hermione now most evenings. Harry had been motivated to apply himself to improve. Seeing Riddle had been the trigger he needed to truly put his nose to the grindstone. They would run tests with Iris. By holding her hand when she was channelling her magic they would get a huge boost to their own magic. They were all getting stronger in their year. Neville, in particular, was becoming incredibly powerful.
More of Minerva and Albus's friends were arriving daily to be taken to Equilibrium. Iris had taken dozens through already.
Like she had at Christmas, when she took her friends and Hermione's grandmother through the tunnel, each of them had been changed forever. Seeing the tunnel and this whole other world they would be going to when they left Earth for good, put everything into perspective for them. Even Ron had been uncharacteristically emotional. Tonks had been in tears as soon as they arrived in the tunnel. Percy, the Twins, Lavender. Parvati.
Iris had taken each one who had asked her. Daphne had been intrigued by every plant and tree. Seamus and Dean had been noticeably awed. Even Millicent had to subtly wipe her eyes. Tracey. Susan and Hannah. Justin. The list went on. Students from each house and each year requested this visit. Iris never tired of seeing their faces light up. Life was so much more than any of them had suspected. It was eternal. Worlds beyond worlds. Their fear of death dissipated. They realised what they were fighting for. An Earth that could prepare humanity for all of this. A world with Riddle and Hitler at the helm would only be sending destroyed and traumatised souls here.
Draco had been the most thoughtful and quiet as they explored Equilibrium, 'This is where the children go when they die?' he had asked Iris on his visit a few days after Boxing day.
Iris had told him they did. Draco had sat with her by the waterfall for a long time with a look of contemplation in his eyes.
Iris had taken the opportunity in a relaxed atmosphere to ask him about seeing a therapist. Iris told him what Hermione had said to her. Much to her surprise, he had agreed immediately.
'I think it's time. For both of us. She's right. What you and I have gone through. None of this is right. It will be better for me to talk to someone I'm not connected to. My mother and I,' he halted, 'I know I shouldn't, but I can't help but blame her in some ways. I have resentment towards her. I can't talk to her yet about any of this. As for him,' Draco clenched his jaw. Iris didn't need to ask who he was referring to, 'There were times I felt so alone. I need to talk about this privately with someone who doesn't know me.'
Iris gave a stilted nod.
Draco looked at his cousin, 'If someone can help me deal with this, then I'm going to accept that help. What I saw in those camps. I still see their faces every day in my mind. What was done to them is not going away. I still see them,' Draco had ended the sentence in a bitter tone. Iris didn't push.
He sighed, 'I won't ever forget them. I need to learn how to live with that.'
Iris looked at him curiously, 'Are you alright seeing a Muggle about this?' Iris knew first hand about the snobbery a lot of the Black family had towards Muggles.
Draco gave a wry smile, 'Whatever brainwashing my father was trying to do to me backfired. What I witnessed had the opposite effect on me. I have so much contempt for so many in the Wizarding World for allowing this filth to thrive. They believe they are somehow the equivalent of Gods to Muggles. That our heritage allows us the right to do what we like to anyone of so-called lower status,' Draco sneered, 'I've not seen a lot to be proud of in the Magical world, Iris. All I've seen from most Magicals is sadism and cruelty. There is no honour there. They have magic and they use it for hurting people who can't defend themselves,' Draco gazed forward, 'The Nazis are just as bad. As long as whoever I'm seeing is qualified to help me and isn't like them then that's all that matters to me now.'
Iris had squeezed his hand at that.
Lily, Filius Flitwick and Minerva had arranged evening duelling classes for all the first and second years who wanted them to improve their defensive spells and all of the students attended. They all knew what was around the corner and wanted to at least give themselves a fighting chance if they were cornered.
The older years were too divided to do this all in the same room but the Professors made themselves available to any student who asked for extra tuition. They had all seen Riddle. He was very much in the country and blatantly on the move. Whatever side you were on, the war was going to get nasty. Even the morons knew that.
Tonks and Percy had been informed very discreetly of the Room of Requirement by Iris and Hermione, and the Hogwarts Resistance had been making full use of it. Bella and James visited Hogwarts often to train the older students and they had both been vital in improving the students' knowledge. Once the students got used to this contrasting duo then it was full steam ahead.
The Weasley Twins, after some debate about their age, had been allowed to join. Tonks had argued with Percy that their talent and nerve could make all the difference in the future and with a sigh, Percy had agreed. Much to his surprise the Twins were diligent and studious in the Room of Requirement and showed a great deal of impressive talent. If Percy had been under any illusion how dire all this was, the fact even George and Fred were taking this seriously had a big impact on him.
The Hogwarts professors had witnessed the improvements and had agreed in the event of an invasion from Nazi's and Death Eater's, the younger years would be evacuated and everyone from the fifth year up who wanted to stand and fight would be allowed.
The Ministry was simply dismissed by every student and Professor on either side as a lost cause. It was considered irrelevant. Except for the Auror's, the neglect of their welfare by those in charge was transparent. The All was well,' mantra was bollocks and they all knew this. They all knew who was really in charge and it certainly wasn't Fudge.
The tension in the castle between the two sides had become almost morbid. It had become clear to all the divide between the two halves of the school. It was simple. You were either with or against. Students in the same position as Pansy Parkinson simply kept their mouths shut and their heads down. The silver snakes kept a lid on this bubbling cauldron for now.
The Angels had reported to Albus that Riddle and Grindelwald had found a way to communicate with Hitler that they couldn't identify. They would follow them when they would meet and then they would simply disappear into a room the Angels could not enter. No one else could either. The sight of Lucifer must have prompted them to resort to this subterfuge.
Albus had pondered this late one evening in his office. Like the Room of Requirement, they must have been able to create a different dimension to access. Gellert had always been brilliant.
Unfortunately, this now meant the future was now far too unpredictable.
Albus had opened his drawer and took out the Philosopher's Stone and held it up. He had listened to James and Severus. Bait. He had no lead at all on the other Horcruxes even though the search had been thorough. Harry needed time to mature before Gabriel went into the boy's mind. The force on Harry's young psyche may be too much for him.
Albus held the red stone up to the light. If they could lure Riddle to the castle and reduce him again into a wraith form that would destroy his current Horcrux he was inhabiting. The body was created from the diary. It had been half his soul. How much had he split his soul since the trial? Riddle must have realised by now the pieces in Britain that had been discovered. His faith that Iris and Hayley anchored him would make him arrogant. Riddle would not take any chances though. He must have made more.
Gellert would surely want to see what protections Hogwarts had and may persuade Riddle to attack the castle to obtain the Stone and gain knowledge. Strategy in the war had always been Gellert's strong point. Would he want to raise Hogwart's to the ground immediately or save the best for last? Hogwarts would be a fortress compared to the Muggle establishments.
Albus gazed at a sleeping Fawkes. He popped the Stone back into the drawer. The mirror of Erised would be arriving soon. Quirrell had been reporting back to Riddle. This connection was now broken. Albus sighed. Iris had seen all Quirrell had done in his wretched, miserable life. She had known all about Quirrell. All his dirty secrets. It was more atrocious than even Albus had suspected of the man. Albus knew Riddle had other ways of finding out what happened in the castle. Eyes and ears were everywhere.
Albus watched the flames from the fire dance around as his mind pondered the various outcomes of luring Riddle to Hogwarts. There was certainly a risk. If Riddle came alone then he could be contained. If he came with others then all Hell would break loose. Grindelwald too. Albus massaged his temples. If they bought hundreds of Death Eaters and Nazi military with them then the entire castle could be destroyed and the fatalities would be numerous.
Albus then remembered the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets and Salazar's imminent arrival at the castle with his guests. He thought of Iris and the Angels and Satan's permission to use his Minions. He thought of all his now youthful old friends. His mouth was upturned. No. If Riddle came with others then he doubted they would get near the Castle.
Albus ran his fingers through his perfectly coiffed hair. He, like Minerva, was enjoying his newfound strength. The fashions had changed considerably in the Muggle world. As had the music and the acceptance of people like him. Albus had found this new world invigorating. He had felt very blessed to be a small part of it.
He wondered briefly how long this world truly had left.
In the end, all of his worries were for nothing. The Philosopher's Stone was left well alone. Albus had wondered about the lack of interest but his questions were soon answered. Gabriel had found a way to possess Hitler's mind and could scan his surface memories through the Astral plane when he slept. The reason why they had this apparent lack of interest had left Albus in deep reflection. They feared Iris.
Death Eater attacks in the country continued but were brief encounters. Grindelwald's strategy had been simple with these sort of attacks. Death Easter's were ordered to get in fast, destroy, then get out before Iris could arrive to open the portal. Keep the intimidation threat high but under no circumstances linger. Their men would be torn apart otherwise. They had seen the devastation the girl was capable of wrecking. Gellert publicly suspected the five men from England who had gone missing had been Iris's victims. Death Eaters instead focused on other countries that were far away.
Gellert had been fully briefed on the liberation of the Camps in South America. Iris had left one Nazi survivor alive in one Camp, precisely for the sole reason to tell the tale of the horrors to his Masters. The Death Eaters and Nazis had had to change their plans drastically. They had delayed their own plans much to Albus's relief. It was tactical of course.
The Philosopher's Stone, although very sought after, was not considered essential. They had no real need for more gold. Riddle had compromised by using blood rituals to rejuvenate both Grindelwald and Hitler to their former selves. A vulgar ritual involving the bones of their fathers.
Grindelwald, Hitler and Riddle had been expecting an attack of course. Gellert had recalled Snape knew of them and their locations. Once Narcissa had defected it was only a matter of time. They had been moving operations subtly to Eastern Europe and Africa at that time. Most items of value had been moved. The Labs, their research and the equipment in them were the most vital to the future. The Camps were now simply a place for the vicious to entertain themselves. The New World Order's playground. Even Riddle himself could not have predicted the carnage that would follow.
A dozen camps under their control had been liberated by the Order of the Phoenix and the other World's inhabitants in less than eight hours and were all put under the Fidelius charm with Albus as their secret keeper. They were now lost to them.
They had taken the memories of that night from the sole trembling survivor before disposing of him and had studied and analysed them for weeks in their own Pensieve. They had kept that information strictly confidential.
Even Riddle had been awed by the display of brutality from Hell's spawn. They watched Nazis and Death Eaters having their legs and arms ripped off as if they were twigs. Demons and Devils laughing hysterically as they indulged in their favourite pastime. They would tear into chests and rip out beating hearts with their claws. With their sharp teeth, they would gnaw at the necks of these men and then rip their heads off. The ground ran thick with blood. Satan had let them out to play on Earth for one night only and they were going to enjoy themselves to the hilt. Riddle had watched the blood-red eyes of his granddaughter glittering maliciously as both Riddle's and Hitler's men were slaughtered into small pieces. The scarlet and gold veil spitting and swirling, standing huge behind her. Silver snakes wrapped around and crushed his men to death as Iris stood there hissing orders to kill with a look of sadistic determination.
Riddle couldn't help but kick himself for letting such a golden opportunity slip through his fingers. If he had acted the doting Grandfather to her, moulded her his way, this power would have been his to control.
The Auror's came apparating out from nowhere wearing silver phoenix portkeys around their necks. Dumbledore's invention. International travel. Dozens of other men and women also arrived in military uniform. They too joined in the fighting. Years of pent up frustrations being allowed to burst forth as the Order of the Phoenix went on a rampage led by a fierce Bellatrix and Severus who were finally allowed to let their darker natures be fully embraced that night. The night sky was lit up in flashing colours as spells flew in every direction. Neither Riddle's nor Hitler's men had stood a chance against the onslaught. Tom had seen Professor Quirrell amongst the dead.
Dark and Light Angels filled the night sky as they swarmed through the camps. Destroying and healing in equal measures.
Iris had held the portal for eight gruelling hours as they liberated the camps. Riddle had re-watched the memory in the Pensieve a hundred times. Lucifer was the last one back through the veil. He was dripping blood. The moment his wings had gone through the veil, it had dimmed and disappeared as Iris had collapsed with the strain. A small smile of satisfaction etched on her face as she had nodded her triumph to her father and given him the victory salute as her red eyes faded to grey and she had closed her eyes.
Sirius' dark eyes had reflected the same Black family madness. Even Gellert had felt a chill at their callousness. Riddle's eyes had been fixated on Iris. He had finally noticed the Peverell ring. His ring. She had discovered it. He had then made it his business to research all there was to know. When he realised the ring was one of the Deathly Hallows, Tom had realised his greatest mistake. He had abused a gift from Death himself. Tom's desire to protect himself fully increased as he set to work to create more of his foul Horcruxes. He must never die. He could never move on to the next realm. He would be tortured for infinity and then cease to exist otherwise. Lucifer had made that clear.
Tom had sat up many nights wondering what on earth he could do to stop Iris from opening that portal that leashed Hell upon his followers.
It was in his rage that the idea came to him. He had wanted to reach inside the girl and rip her heart out. And that was when he had known what he needed to do.
He had discussed his theory with Gellert who had given a simple smirk. His youthful looks and vanity amused Tom very much. The Philosopher's Stone would have been a jewel but there were other ways to get what they wanted. Gellert had rightly assumed the protections on the Stone would be fierce. One of their spies had reported the Stone had been hidden in the mirror of Erised. They had tried everything, but they could not get the Stone out. It had taken Gellert a few days to realise that only someone who wanted the Stone but not to use it could obtain it. So simple, but so clever. So like Albus.
Riddle discussed with Hitler and Grindelwald his plan. Hogwart's was to be left alone for now. Until the time was right. Until there was no doubt at all he could finish Iris and they could take over the rule of Britain completely. She had to be destroyed from the inside. At the very least incapacitated. He had put Hayley into a coma after all. They decided on waiting till the time was right to undertake this. It was possible. It was the only way. Once that dastardly portal was no more, then the road ahead was clear.
Riddle was to get his hands on the prophecy in Harry's second year. His enormous control of the Ministry made sure of no objections to his presence. He had developed an even more intense obsession with the Potter boy and Iris after hearing it in its entirety. It would be to his great delight when he took care of both of them.