Albus had been right. It had been a long few days. Iris's body clock was in turmoil. Under an ocean in the North Atlantic. Two more mountains in places she couldn't pronounce the names of. Another ocean in the South Pacific. Merlin. It was beyond surreal going underwater in the Astral Plane. Gabriel had been a sweetheart and kept encouraging her all the way. Deep underground in Russia and then the South Pole. That had not been fun.
Bella, Kingsley, Tonks and Sirius had been brilliant. Albus had been his stoic self. All the mirrors were in similar cells to each other. The everlasting candle. The same mirrors. If it wasn't for the infinite they never would have known where to look. Riddle had seen no need to put protections on any of them. Riddle must have thought the memory wipes would be sufficient. The book with this information in it she received from infinity must be kept in the future. Iris mused. He hadn't used the time travel to return to seize back his portals. What the hell was happening in the future? He must not have known they were missing. He hadn't checked on them. Iris couldn't work out if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
Equilibrium came in very handy at times like this. The mirrors were safe in one of the Dungeon Rooms at Hogwarts. Hagrid had left his lovely three-headed Cerberus, Fluffy, guarding them. Severus and Minerva were also at the castle guarding them in case of any intruders. Albus had ordered Iris restoration time before she needed to go into the first portal. She was cuddled up with Hermione by the waterfall in the night. Her hand tight in Hermione's. The moon shining down as the magic hummed.
'Are you scared?' Hermione asked her.
'Yes,' Iris said honestly. There was no point lying to her. Hermione had always seen right through those little white lies when they were little, 'You?'
'Yes,' Hermione whispered.
'All those things Dumbledore was saying about the butterfly effect. I just can't wrap my head around it all. Different worlds. People who look the same but are different people. How life changes us. Like you and the other Hermione. In some ways, you are so alike but now, I can see and feel the differences between you. At first, I thought your magic was the same but I don't anymore. Yours is more vibrant. More alive. Her magic is more stilted. Quiet. Oh, Salazar. I can't even begin to imagine what they put her through. You're like the strongest person I know and they could do that to you. Her. You know what I mean.'
Hermione didn't respond. She just gave her a tight hug.
'Look,' Iris whispered, 'As long as I have this ring on you have an escape. It's the last resort but I can bring you to Equilibrium. I know it's not ideal. I just. I don't think I could stand seeing any of you being put through that again.'
'I'm not worried,' Hermione smiled, 'As Luna said, you bludgeoned and decapitated those bastards who did do that to them. You did that when you thought they were just holograms of us. Merlin only knows what you would do if you knew it was real. I doubt Hogwarts would have been left standing if you did.'
Iris ran her fingers through her girlfriend's mane. It was an action she found very soothing. So did Hermione who nuzzled in, 'You're right. I know Albus said we're to be discreet but I know me well enough. I'll try and keep a lid on it. We have a lot of skills between us luckily. Dad and I are doing disillusionment charms so we can spy. Dad is bringing Harry's cloak for me. We thought it best I avoided their Astral plane. Tonks can disguise herself as anyone. We don't know where these portals will go. Gabriel isn't going to take any risks. We need to get as much information as we can.'
'Well. Do try to control yourself. If not I suppose I'll be meeting more familiar faces in the not too distant future,' Hermione said in a wry voice.
'You are becoming very blase about all this,' Iris observed.
'Not much shocks me anymore Iris,' Hermione told her in a matter of fact voice, 'I haven't enjoyed a lot of it, of course, but, well, it has been very exciting in parts, hasn't it? Our Hogwarts education hasn't been at all what I was expecting. I remember thinking how exciting it all was when Professor McGonagall stood in our living room and told me I was a Witch and I was going to Hogwarts to learn about potions and spells. I was thrilled by that. Just imagine. How naive was I?'
Iris gazed at her, 'I'm very glad you came to Hogwarts. You've made it all better. Much better than it would have been without you.'
'Likewise,' Hermione said with a warm smile. Iris's eyes moved down her face, turning golden as she leant in. The two suns would be rising when they went back through the tunnel.
Iris had prepared as well as she could. Hermione and the original gang had demanded they attend Hogwarts to be moral support. The new arrivals had been reluctant to return so fast to Hogwarts which was understandable. Iris had made a pitiful attempt at stopping this but gave up quickly. Basically, she wanted them all there.
Albus had a lot on his mind and thought it wise to let them be. They had all fought bravely at the Battle. They perhaps may be useful if something untoward happened.
They all traipsed into the large stone room Dungeon where the seven mirrors had been hung on the walls. Six mirrors remained. The first one had been shielded by Albus. It was a tiny risk but they did not want any unexpected visitors gallivanting through it.
The team going through gave each other encouraging looks. They bid adieu to their support. Severus and Minerva stood guard. Mr and Mrs Weasley had been interested to see these mirrors and had wanted to lend support. Gabriel stood to the side, observing quietly. Remus was there as well. One of the Madam Pomfrey's was there with her medical kit. Albus was confident with the protections they had taken. He doubted they would be needed.
Luna had wandered around to peer at the other mirrors with her typically vague expression. Harry, Neville, Seamus and Ron each took a seat on some stone steps. They had their wands at the ready. Fluffy was there as back up. Worst case scenario, they would floo out and Iris would wake Winston from his nap. Hermione, Draco and Daphne stood comfortably next to each other, chatting with Ginny. They knew they could all be in for a long wait.
Draco looked with some fondness at Hermione. He'd had a small crush on the bookworm for a long time although he had become increasingly aware of the magical connection she had with Iris. He had been astute enough to realise Hermione hadn't quite made sense of it all. He cared for Hermione. They had a lot in common. Their magic was comforting together, but he was well aware that it wasn't nearly as strong as the bond she had with Iris. He found her attractive and he enjoyed her company, but he wasn't infatuated with her. This had made his decision to raise the very obvious problem they had together a lot easier.
It had been an awkward conversation but one that had needed to be had. Hermione had run through a range of emotions with him. First, there had been immediate denial but he had seen in her eyes she knew he was speaking the truth. Draco had assured her that she needed to speak with Iris about this. It would only get too messy in the long run if they continued and Draco didn't want to ruin their friendships with each other. Hermione had seen the truth of his words and had eventually opened up to him.
She liked him as a person and was attracted to him but she admitted to him she was beginning to realise, deep down, his resemblance to Iris was the driving force in her actions towards him. Draco had accepted this with a knowing expression. He had suspected this for some time. Hermione had tried to put her hands through hair that wasn't there too many times and she would gaze for far too long into his eyes and nothing else before she kissed him. This wasn't fair on any of them. Hermione had been mortified when she realised what had been motivating her, but Draco had taken it with good grace. They were young and still figuring things out.
Hermione had been one of the highlights of his Hogwarts education. Their time together in the library had turned out to be a goldmine of discovery. In those long winter evenings in those dark corners, they had been very close for a time. Draco allowed himself a small smirk. Hermione had been lovely and he had been pleasantly surprised by how much she had enjoyed kissing him in the library. It was against Madam Pince's many Library laws. Draco had grinned at Hermione's rebellious streak. Their stolen moments together had been sublimely charged. They both had some very fond memories of their time together but he had to admit to himself that Hermione, given the choice, would rather he was his cousin and Draco Black was never going to be anyone's second choice. He had a very high opinion of himself. She would always be his first proper girlfriend, albeit, short-lived, but she would always be an experience he was glad he'd had.
Draco had pulled himself together when he had realised these simple facts. He cared for both Iris and Hermione. He knew it was only a matter of time before the inevitable happened between them. In matters of the heart, Draco needed to know for certain he was the first choice with his partner. He was also pragmatic enough to realise that Hermione would not want the traditional future that would involve being his wife. He had made peace with this. In another world, in different circumstances, then perhaps they would have worked. Still, they were in this world and with so much on the line they all needed to be true to themselves.
Hermione gave him a knowing smile as his grey eyes found hers. They would always have a spark. There was no denying their mutual attraction, but. Draco knew that but was the reason this was the right thing to do.
Draco turned to the mirror as he watched Iris quickly glance away from both of them. He watched her take a deep breath as Albus removed the glass.
There were murmurs from the occupants at the array of pretty colours swirling around.
Hermione ambled up and gave Iris a hug as people in the room gave knowing smirks. Iris looked around at them all with suspicion.
Brushing this off she made her way into the portal. She stepped up and gripped the frame.
'I'll be back for you in a minute,' Iris said, 'I'll just check the layout,' she checked the invisibility cloak in her pocket and then pushed through.
The occupants in the room gave a deep sigh of trepidation. It was the waiting that was demanding. The worry. The not knowing what was happening. It was with a stark shriek that Iris came tumbling back out of the portal a few moments later, making them all jump out of their skins. She looked like she had just had the fright of her life.
Albus ran over to her, 'What is it?!' he asked in earnest.
Iris was trembling. She looked up at him with wide eyes, 'There's no bloody planet! Just black. Nothing. I almost fell off the bloody edge of the frame! I need Hermione!' she wailed as a frantic Hermione ran up to give her another cuddle.
Albus looked at Iris in fright.
'Nothing?' he confirmed.
'Nothing,' Iris sniffed as she calmed down a little as Hermione rubbed her back, 'No stars. No debris. Nothing. No light.'
She looked down at her bruised hands, 'I just managed to grab onto the bottom of the frame. I had to pull myself up.'
Madam Pomfrey worked her magic as the bruises faded. Iris murmured her thank yous.
'May I?' Albus asked.
Iris nodded as Albus looked deep in her eyes to see her memory. He looked very shaken at what he saw.
He moved to the open portal and intricately waved his wand. Another shield formed.
'It is worse than I thought. That universe has been erased from existence,' he whispered.
They all looked around at each other with varying looks of worry.
Iris hiccuped, 'Hermione. I'm really, really sorry about this but I need a cigarette now.'
Hermione tutted, 'You know how bad they are for you, Iris.'
'I know,' Iris said, 'But I need one. Come on. I almost just fell into the Abyss.'
Hermione had to concede that valid point.
'I'll be back in five minutes,' Iris said quickly.
'I'm coming with you,' Bella said, 'After that fright, I need one too.'
'Wait for me,' Sirius added as Draco wandered up with Andromeda and Tonks.
One swirling portal later and the Black family disappeared to the astronomy tower.
'The bloody Black's and their filthy smoking habits. That's how they made a lot of their money. They got in on the act with Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh, centuries ago,' Daphne mused with pursed lips, 'They filled the country with pipes, snuff and cigars,' she added with disdain.
Harry looked at the portal with yearning as Ginny stared at him defiantly, 'No, Harry. Absolutely not.'
Harry had a bit of a sulk but got distracted when Albus started talking.
'Iris was not mistaken,' Albus told them, 'There was truly nothing there but empty space.'
'What does that mean?' Severus asked.
'Gabriel is possibly correct. We are being tested. That planet was not deemed worthy to continue. I wonder..,' Albus trailed off as he looked at the original portal as the others looked at him.
They looked around at these mirrors. They looked so benign but held so much danger.
The Black family came back from their expedition, looking much more relaxed.
Luna had been exploring, 'Most of them all feel different from each other,' she said to them from the end of the row.
Albus had long known not to dismiss Luna Lovegood's observations, 'How so Miss Lovegood?' he asked.
'This one,' she said pointing to the one at the end, 'This feels alive but in a nasty, painful way. This one feels like nothing,' they all watched the girl move along pointing at each one, 'This one is ugh. It makes my skin crawl. This one,' she pointed to the one in the middle, 'It's weird,' they all raised their eyebrows. Weird to Luna would be insanity to them, 'This one, I can't be sure. It feels like it's dying,' she pointed at the portal Iris had just fallen out of, 'I feel nothing. It's blank. The first one feels volatile. Angry.'
Albus considered these words. Luna operated on a higher level of consciousness. He believed the validity of her words. These descriptions of the portals didn't make any of them feel any positivity.
'Iris. Are you ready to go through another portal?' Albus enquired.
'Yes. Although can I get some rope this time? I'll have a nervous breakdown if I have to pull myself out of the Abyss twice in one day,' Iris admitted.
Albus waved his wand as the requested rope appeared and moved to a mirror, 'This was a portal Luna said felt like nothing. I just need you to check for me. I fear this universe shared the same fate as the other.' Albus told her.
Iris nodded. They wrapped the rope around her waist and tightened it. Severus and Sirius held tightly to the end. Iris was a bit slower in going through this time. Her face pale as she went through.
They waited a few seconds as the rope yanked and the two men pulled her back.
Iris looked shaken and looked at Albus wearily. She shook her head, 'Nothing,' she said flatly.
Albus inhaled sharply. He looked into her eyes to confirm this as his heart sank at what he saw. With a sigh, he put up another shield in this frame.
Four mirrors remained.
Iris sat down with Hermione who put her arms around the shaken girl.
'I, um. Not to sound a wuss but can we take a break for a couple of hours? I need to go to Equi. My nerves are shred,' Iris said quietly.
They were all in unanimous agreement at these words. Two of their alternate planets had already ceased to be and they still had four portals to get through. If the Earth's were all connected then the omens of a ripple effect didn't bode well.
Hermione didn't need to be asked to go with her. She kept a tight grip of Iris's hand as they left.
The room was quiet as they all stared at the mirrors.
'We still have time,' Sirius stated quietly, 'We know more than they did. We can stop this.'
'Let's hope you're right,' Remus said to him softly.
'Luna,' Albus asked her, 'The middle mirror. When you said it felt weird to you, what exactly did you mean by that?'
'Just that. I feel like it's slipping away. It feels blocked. Small. It's alive but not. There isn't life there but it's alive. It's moving, spinning. It's pulsating. It doesn't feel like the others.'
'Does it feel malevolent?' Albus asked. This sounded like it could be a Horcrux.
Luna tilted her head, 'I don't know. Yes. No. It's a mess of lots of things.'
None of them was sure what to make of this. Weird was an accurate assessment.
Albus considered this as he looked at this particular mirror. It looked the same as the others. They had to be careful with this one especially.
'It sounds like Riddle could have planted some sort of explosion in there. I think it wise we leave that one till last. If at all,' Albus said as the others glanced at him. If even Luna was confused by it then that was enough for them to be very cautious.
They left for some lunch. Time away to clear their minds and go back fresh was necessary.
They reunited back in the Dungeons as Albus gave a much more revitalised Iris and Hermione the details on the mirror. They agreed with him.
'It sounds like he's planted some sort of magical bomb in there,' Hermione said, 'They can have moving parts.'
Iris scratched her head in thought, 'It makes sense. Like Russian roulette. Riddle would lure us into a false sense of security then, BOOM! We wouldn't know without looking into it.'
Severus was contemplating the mirror at the end, 'Luna said this one felt alive but nasty. If he has put a Horcrux in one of these my galleons are on this one.'
The others gathered around. Within a few minutes, Iris was stepping through. She looked around, 'I'll be back in a minute.'
Sirius, Bella, Tonks and Kingsley were preparing themselves.
They all stood nervously for a few moments.
Iris eased back out. She looked pensive and a little peaky, 'Yes. Definitely a Horcrux room. Um. It's not pretty. It's really vile in there,' she went a little green and disappeared through a portal.
She returned a few minutes later as Madam Pomfrey handed a stomach settler.
'Thanks,' Iris said quietly.
'What's in there, Iris?' Hermione asked quietly.
Iris stared at her as her chin wobbled. She wrapped her arms around Hermione and sobbed as the others looked on in concern.
'Gabriel. Get ready,' Albus said sombrely.
Iris wiped her eyes as she looked around, 'Um. I don't know if it will be the same for each of you. Just. Be ready to face the fucking worst.'
They each inhaled sharply as they guessed what Iris had seen.
'Um. I saw the Great hall. The Horcrux is at the end of the room. It's a gold crown. It looks like it's protected by a forcefield. It was shimmering,' Iris told them.
Albus took a calming breath, 'Iris. How do you know for certain it is an illusion?'
'It looks as real as this does but it doesn't smell like blood in there,' Iris said shortly.
They all felt a shudder.
'Ok. Good work, Miss Black. Remember what we discussed. Do not under any circumstances lose control in there. It will try to provoke your black magic. Hold on. We will destroy the Horcrux as quickly as we can. It will twist every little thought you have ever had in your life. The Horcrux will try to feed off your black magic to gain more strength and will use every trick in the book to do so,' Iris gave a stilted nod, 'Everyone. To your posts. Be prepared for anything. You know what to expect. You have been trained for this. What you will see in there is not real. The only thing that truly exists in that room is the crown,' Albus removed the Sword of Gryffindor out of his robe.
'The sword is impregnated with Basilisk venom, Winston was nice enough to donate to the cause,' Albus explained, 'Gabriel. Wait in limbo. Hopefully, this should be completed quickly.'
Iris moved back to the portal and took Albus's hand.
He turned to the others who were guarding the portal, 'Be ready. You know the procedures.'
Harry and Ron stood strong with the others. The pretty colours leading into the portal looked far more putrid now than they had.
They watched the others be led in one by one by a tense-looking Iris.
Bella stood with Albus in this Great Hall and made a retching sound. Even Albus felt nauseous. Kingsley, Tonks and Sirius joined them. Their own faces looked stricken. Iris stood back near the portal as Albus had asked her to. She was their way out. She could not risk getting damaged in here. A Horcrux would have a profound effect on anyone.
Iris could see they were seeing similar to her. Dozens of mutilated, tortured bodies of their friends and families hung from the walls. They appeared to somehow still be alive. Flies crawled over them. It was all so vivid.
The blood and guts were everywhere. Albus saw himself as an old man. Then gave a start as those eyes snapped open to glare at him. He saw his little sister, Arianna standing in front of him, 'Your fault,' the image whispered, 'Your weakness. You killed me. Why not him? All of them are dead because of your neglect. You feeble-minded fool and your excuse of giving everyone a second chance. You knew he killed Myrtle. You did nothing. You were afraid. Coward. Why didn't you stop him? You did this. You could have stopped him when you had the chance. You did this. You did this. You did this,' the image of Arianna taunted him.
Sirius was having a similar experience. His mother lay collapsed in the corner. Blood dripping down her front as the broken jaw snapped up and down, 'Hello, my little bully boy. So pathetic he needs three friends to beat up onto one. A wannabe murderer. So noble, so brave,' it spat in disgust, 'You walked out on your wife and child who loved you. My little bully boy. I'm so proud of you.' Walburga spat sarcastically, 'Come to mummy,' Sirius clenched his jaw.
'It's using our own deepest doubts, fears and loathings against us,' Albus stated. They had all worked out that for themselves, 'Come along. Try to ignore it.'
Tonks was making her way slowly to the front, 'He will never love you,' one of the animated bodies chanted at her, 'You are nothing. Pathetic. He doesn't even see you. You will always only ever be that silly, clumsy little girl he knows.'
Bella was also having a frightful time of it. The sibilant voice of Tom echoed around her mind, 'Admit it, darling, you miss me. You miss my bed. Deep inside you know that you need me. You need me deep inside of you.'
'Do fuck off,' Bella snarled out, 'I've already told my much bigger and stronger boyfriend to tear your head off if he ever meets you!'
Kingsley was quiet as he ignored the voices that whispered in his mind, 'Tough Auror. Strong Auror,' a voice taunted sarcastically, 'All those people you failed to protect. You took a vow to protect them. What a worthless vow. What a fraud you turned out to be. All those murderers you let walk free. You know you could have taken care of them yourself. Always following the rules. They died because you are weak. Your department never tried hard enough. Our blood is on your hands. You could have done more. Should have done more.'
Kingsley carried on walking trying hard to ignore the butchered faces of children staring at him in condemnation.
Iris sat perched near the portal as she watched them make their way down the hall. She cringed as a version of a Riddle Hermione stood opposite her. She stood seductively but she was sneering at her in a very cruel way. Riddle's Hermione was looking at her in a way Hermione never had. Her red, malevolent eyes had narrowed in malice. Iris sat with her hands over her ears but the spiteful, vicious words still dropped hard and fast inside her mind.
'I wish I'd never met you,' it spat. Nothing like her Hermione, 'I'm only with you now for the ring. You know that deep down, don't you Iris? You're nothing without it. All of us can barely tolerate you. When this is all over I can go back to Ron. He can give me things that you can't,' this Hermione smirked cruelly at her.
Iris clenched her fists, 'Not real, not real,' she chanted in her head.
'I would rather be with anyone else than you,' this Hermione carried on in a strange sort of hiss. Iris looked at the crown Horcrux in the front as the others edged forwards.
'For fucks sake, hurry up!' Iris whispered frantically to the others.
This lewd version of Hermione sat next to her as Iris cringed, 'Your father prefers Harry so much more than he does you. He told me he doesn't even like you. Neither does Draco. Your cousin told me this during one of our very many private encounters,' Hermione purred in her ear, 'He shares so much with me. We are so much closer than you realise. Close in all the ways it's possible to be,' this warped version of Hermione whispered seductively in her ear, 'Draco makes me feel so delicious when he's inside me, he makes me feel so much more than you,' this Hermione gave a creepy sort of laugh as she carried on the verbal torture relentlessly. Iris grimaced. She was this close to smacking air as her fingers dug into her palms.
The others had finally reached the shield. Iris kept focusing on her breathing and trying not to scream.
The group explored the area. The crown sparkled. Taunting them. The shield was in a square. The Horcrux was sat on top of a small table. Albus moved closer. His blue eyes focused as his hand gripped the Gryffindor sword. The others kept quiet as they let Albus calculate what they needed to do.
The clock ticked on as the whispers and taunts continued. The mutilated bodies in the room giving strange contortions and groans.
Albus gave a sudden jolt, 'I've got it. Right. All of you. This is going to require sheer brute magical force to open it, I'm afraid. It's sealed shut. Go to a corner each. Unleash the Bombardo spell on my signal. Put as much of your magic into it as possible. When it breaks I'll use the sword. Whatever is in there is going to put up a fight.'
Iris was watching them with bated breath. They were getting in position as they prepared to attack. Riddle's Hermione was breathing in her ear. Iris was using all her restraint not to explode.
This Hermione ran her nails down Iris's neck and then moved closer still to her. Iris clenched her jaw. This Horcrux was very powerful. She could feel the sensory magic kick in as she really felt the sensation of nails. Thankfully the lack of smell in the room reassured her she was simply in one long, arduous nightmare.
It would be over soon. She hoped.