The two Hermione's compared and noted the differences and similarities between their worlds. The Hermione from the other world felt herself coming back to herself faster than she could have hoped. The more she found out about this Iris the more bewildered she became. The Fleur Delacour year of extreme closeness fascinated her. She asked about the Ron in this world. Hermione had blushed and had told her counterpart the situation.

'So, in this world, he does like you in that way, you did too, you dated but you prefer Iris?'

'Iris and I. We bonded years ago. It only became stronger over the years. I do love Ron but. I didn't realise at first but with time I understood what the issue was. Ron and I did try but it isn't like it is with her. Ron and I want different things. I want a career first. He wants marriage and babies first. When I was with him I wasn't really with him. My mind was elsewhere. Iris and I figured it out,' Hermione explained.

The thinner Hermione looked downcast, 'I thought I was going to have a career. Over the years that dream all crumbled. I'm glad one of us still has ambitions.'

'What did you want to do?'

'When I was new to the Wizarding World my dream was to be Minister for Magic. I wanted to do some good in my world. It all seems so childlike now,' the thin girl's face fell.

Hermione stared dumbfounded at her counterpart, 'That's what I want to do.'

The thin girl looked at her with a slight smile.

'You know. It's not too late. Enrol in Hogwarts. You can get your N.E.W.T.S. I'm sitting mine next year. I can help you catch up.'

'I,' she paused, 'I don't know what I plan to do exactly. Just being here and not hurting is enough for now. I want to help the Order if I can. Being away from that place is more than I could have hoped. I'm not sure if I'm ready to see Hogwarts again. It has too many bad memories.'

'I understand. Take as long as you need,' Hermione gave her an encouraging expression.

Her twin smiled, 'Thanks. Seeing different versions of my friends is so strange, but good strange. They're so much like the people I knew. Knowing for sure about Equilibrium is helping. I know they're all in a better place now. I, seeing your version of Ron has been, well. He's so much like him,' she blushed and lowered her head.

There was a quiet moment as Hermione looked at her thin counterpart, 'You know, Ron is a good friend to me. He can always make me laugh. I don't want to assume anything, but if that develops into more between you both then I would be fine with it,' she said in a calming voice, 'We got through the awkward stages last year. I want him to be happy. I'll always care about him. I just don't think we would have been in the long run if we had been together. I think he realised that too.'

The thin Hermione blushed, 'I, yes. Thank you for being logical about this. Too many people beat about the bush with these sort of matters. I know he's not my Ron, but, there's something so familiar about him. It was nice just sitting with him.'

Hermione smiled then, 'So, what do you think about the Ron here?'

'He's so much the same as how my Ron used to be. He's not as bitter though. What we went through together at Hogwarts was very demanding. Your Ron seems to be more optimistic about all of this.'

'Mr Weasley gave him the deeds to the Burrow. Ron had to lose his childhood home to fully appreciate it. He's going to rebuild it. He's looking towards the future. He's hopeful that we have a good chance to finish Riddle.'

'Mm. My Ron had lost all his hope near the end,' Hermione said quietly.

'What was your relationship with him in your world if you don't mind me asking.'

The thin girl gave a small smile, 'We were dating when he was killed at the wedding. I think we both knew there wasn't much time left. Not perhaps the most romantic reason but he needed me to know I was loved very much by him before it was too late. I felt the same way.'

Hermione could only hug her other self at that.

The thin Hermione looked at her and sighed, 'I must admit, even though everyone has been lovely I do feel like an imposter here.'

Hermione shook her head at this statement, 'All the things that are happening are for a reason. You are here because you are meant to be here. Don't feel like that. It isn't a fluke or an accident that Iris could get you here. You are a part of this Earth now as much as any of us is.'

A true smile passed over her face at those words, 'I still cannot believe in an alternate universe my counterpart is actually dating Iris Black. Of everything I have discovered that is what has shocked me the most.'

Hermione gave a sort of smile and grimace at this honest observation.

'You are being careful, aren't you? She was a very damaged person in my world.'

Hermione sat back, 'She is more than aware of her vulnerabilities. She knows the truth about Riddle and her real family. I can show you her memories. Of what Riddle actually is. She knows the truth about the Gaunt line. Her Black family. She sees a therapist once a week. She was raised by people who actually care about her and love her. That is what has made all the difference I think. Thankfully, as it turns out for all of us but most especially her. She does have a dark side but she uses that to help protect us and fight this New World Order.'

'Her eyes glowed golden when she looked at you.'

'Yes. It is because of her connection to Equilibrium. When she is happy they do that. She got back safe and we were together again. Her eyes do that a lot when she's with me,' Hermione said shyly.

'Oh, my. I know that look. I've had that look. You're so smitten!'

'It took long enough. She was so thick about it. It was infuriating. I had to spell it out to her that I liked her in that way. She never thought I could. Like, the bonded magic wasn't a big enough clue.'

'It took her over an hour to realise we weren't holograms. Actual brains were flying about. Blood was splattering everywhere. She was hit with a killing curse. We were talking to her. She still didn't cotton on. It was unbelievable to witness just how long it took for the penny to drop. I wouldn't be concerned it took her so long with you. She seems she is maybe not as quick to put two and two together sometimes as others would be.'

Hermione gave a snigger, 'She has other talents, thankfully. I usually have to do the thinking for both of us.'

Both Hermione's tittered at that.

There was a knock at the door. Iris peered around to both of them

'Hi, my sisters and I wondered if you want to watch a few movies in the trunk? We've got popcorn and drinks and you know, we can chat. We can get properly acquainted with each other.'

Iris wondered at the giggling as the two Hermione's stood up and followed her through the Manor.

'Why is that so funny?' Iris said perplexed.

More giggling followed.

'Nice to see you two getting along so well,' Iris said vaguely as they went into her bedroom. All four Greengrass sisters were stood there with Lavender and Seamus. The new arrivals still looked too thin but they were much better groomed and dressed. Fabio had worked his magic on all of their new arrivals.

Hermione had given her own counterpart the Black Hair product which had worked marvellously in rejuvenating her locks.

Gareth Greengrass had breathed a big sigh of relief at the improvements. Daphne and Astoria had taken the new arrivals under their wing and had fulfilled their mission.

Seamus had been dragged along with the girls and had been treated to a full-on makeover as well and looked rather smart.

'We'll bring the others round in the next few days. Everyone is adjusting right now to this world in their own ways,' Iris told them.

'Being anywhere else than the Riddle run castle would be an improvement,' Seamus had said darkly.

The survivors had been taken to various places. Amelia Bones had gone straight to the hospital to sit with Susan immediately on hearing the news. Luna had met Luna. The Lovegoods had listened to Albus. Nodded and accepted it without any questions. It wasn't the strangest thing to have happened in recent years. The thin, quiet Luna had looked around her new home and family and had promptly fallen in love with her new family and they with her.

Both Luna's were very happy to have found someone on their wavelength. Not many others were on it.

Madam Pomfrey, Filch and Mrs Norris had been beyond happy with their new staff quarters. Severus had been intrigued by his counterparts way of life here. Lily and Equilibrium's Severus had been informed of the developments and a very nervous Severus waited in anticipation for this meeting of sorts with both of these people. Hogwarts greeted them all like old friends.

They were all happy to see Albus back in his rightful place. Albeit very unsettled by his youthful looks. The current Madam Pomfrey was glad of the extra help from her Doppelganger. Filch was introduced to his counterpart who was happy to train him on the more demanding cleaning spells. Mrs Norris was happy to be able to wander the castle properly again.

Lavender Brown had let Albus know she wanted to meet her alter family but she wanted to take it slow. It was very strange for her to comprehend any of this.

Albus had contacted Seamus's family who had been astounded by the news. They would be coming over from Ireland the next day to meet this other version of their son.

The country had been in turmoil for so long that this was just another weird thing to add to the list. People were becoming stronger through adversity.

The group in Iris's room all took a moment to really take in how momentous all this was as they gazed around at each other.

'This is incredible,' Seamus had whispered as he looked around at each of them.

'How many versions of us do you think there are in Infinity?' Lavender had asked in curiosity.

The healthier-looking Hermione addressed the room, 'There are countless theories about parallel universes. No one really knows for sure. Even Gabriel doesn't know for certain. Some think thousands. Others think there are only a few. It could be divided up into circles. Dumbledore believes Riddle may have only created one portal. It would take a huge amount of magic to create just one. It was designed to either destroy Iris or trap her in your world. He can't actually kill her himself on this Earth. The ring resurrects her. Riddle's ego believes he is smarter than the ring.'

'So there could be thousands of our other selves going through the same thing we did in other worlds?' Lavender asked in growing horror.

Iris sighed and nodded dismally, 'It's brutal, I know. We can only focus on doing what we can do. You heard what Gabriel was saying. This chain starts and ends with us. This ring is connected to the infinite. It wants us to fight them.'

There was a moment of quiet as they tried to comprehend all of this. The new arrivals were staring at Iris with unabashed interest.

'It's so weird to hear you talk like this,' Lavender said honestly. Iris looked at them with sadness.

'I can't imagine what you all went through. Just know this Iris would sooner die fighting than join Riddle,' she told them solemnly.

There were brief nods at these words.

'Hey. I can introduce you to Esmerelda,' Iris said to the new arrivals, 'She's a total sweetheart. She won't bite. Promise.'

'Esmerelda? Is she your cat?' Seamus asked.

'No, my snake,' Iris said to a nervous-looking group of new arrivals.

Seeing this caution Iris paused, 'We'll do that another time. Movies then.'

There were a few sighs of relief.

Daphne and Hermione had sensibly kept Jasper and Lucas in their rooms due to the sensitivity of their new guests. They could be very intimidating to newcomers.

'Oh, Daphne and I have decided to be referred to as the young Daphne and Astoria as we appear to be two months behind our twins. Make it easier for everyone in the future. Clearly, it's very easy to tell us apart at the moment,' young Astoria said to the group. She looked a lot better than she had. Colour was beginning to return to her cheeks and Fabio had certainly earned the huge tip Gareth had given him. Their hair was shorter but glossy and immaculate.

'It certainly makes me feel calmer looking at you both now. That truly was dystopian in the extreme,' Iris told them, 'Daphne forced to wear H and M has truly been the most harrowing thing I have ever witnessed so far.'

Daphne hugged young Daphne in sympathy, 'It was all so crass. It wasn't fitted. It looked dreadful on me. The material was itching. I could never forget what clothing was on me. It still haunts me,' young Daphne confided in her counterpart who in return murmured soothing condolences.

'It's all over now, darling. You will move on from this. The memories will fade in time. It could have been worse. They could have made you wear items from the Tesco essentials range.'

Young Daphne shuddered, 'You're right. It could have been much worse. I'll be brave.'

Both Hermione's watched this scene with an incredulous face, 'Right, moving on,' the healthier Hermione said.

Iris stepped forward, 'Um. My therapist, Anthea. I spoke to her earlier on the phone about everything. She advised each of you to come in for a chat to talk about what you have all gone through. She's really good at sorting things out in my mind. She helps me process things and deal with them at the time and put some distance there. If you don't feel comfortable with her she can recommend others.'

The others nodded with interest at this.

They made their way into the trunk and the new arrivals looked around with interest.

'It's like an actual home,' Lavender said to them.

'Hermione needed a safe place to study at Hogwarts. They were after the Muggleborns when we started and I said she could share my study area rather than risk going to the library too late. Over time it became our flat,' Iris said to them.

'Did you put the television and stereo in here?' the new arrival Hermione asked her counterpart.

Hermione shook her head, 'Iris loves her Muggle movies and music. These are hers.'

Hermoine looked at this Iris in deep thought. Her eyes had found the bookshelf as she brightened up, 'You have so many books.'

'That's just the first row. They go back forevermore. Most of them are Hermione's,' Iris told her as the new Hermione's eyes went very greedy at this announcement.

'Is that a motorcycle?' Seamus asked excitedly.

'Yes. My pride and joy. Triumph Bonneville. Dad and I go out racing at the track sometimes. I can beat him now, sometimes,' Iris bragged a bit.

Their eyes had found Esmerelda who had awoken and was staring at them with interest. Iris moved across and gave her a quick rub as she hissed to her to stay in her cage for now.

The new arrivals went pale at this.

'Sorry,' Iris said to them, 'I was just saying to her to stay in. She won't bother you.'

'It's just. Hearing parseltongue again is a bit unnerving,' young Astoria said quietly as Iris's face fell.

Hermione stood in the centre of the room and addressed them, 'We can't begin this way. Rather than movies I think a trip to the Black Pensieve is required. Iris's gift to speak to snakes has saved a lot of people's lives. Iris here has saved countless lives. You need to see all that. You will always be on edge otherwise.'

'Oh, Hermione. I really want to see Austin Powers,' Iris said before she stopped talking after getting a quick glare from her girlfriend.

'We can watch the International Man of Mystery afterwards. This is more important,' Hermione snapped at her.

Iris hung her head and nodded at this as the thin Hermione watched this interaction play out in more deep thought.