'So. What did you see?' she asked Iris as they settled on the sofa.
Iris tried to explain. She really did but she became so tongue-tied and flustered Hermione gave up.
Her mouth pursed, 'We'll have to use the Black Pensieve then.'
Iris looked shaken, 'NO! You can't see it. It's like, all my worst fears and loathings mixed with Riddle's sick cruelty. It's fucking vile. I don't want you seeing any of it.'
Hermione looked stunned at this, 'You have been to actual Hell. Fought Death Eaters. Been possessed by Death himself. I've seen all of that. And this is what you don't want to show me?'
Iris looked at her helplessly, 'This Horcrux. Part of the time it was you. Then it was Riddle. Then it was both you and Riddle.'
'Ok?' Hermione asked in confusion.
'At the start, she was horrible, cruel, wanton,' Iris whispered, 'Then it changed,' Iris trailed off in a whisper. 'Riddle showed me what he wanted to do to you. It scared me, alright.'
Hermione looked at this logically, 'So she wasn't me. Iris, I am well aware of what Riddle would do to me if he ever got hold of me. I'm prepared for that. It will be alright for me to see it.'
'It's my worst fears in there too,' Iris whispered.
'Look, Riddle exaggerates and twists things. I won't take any of that as truth.'
'You can't see this Hermione,' Iris said in a panicked voice, 'You're not yourself. You're all er, well, your all, um.'
Hermione lifted an eyebrow, 'I'm all what?'
'Like a, like a, er, really wanton,' Iris said quietly.
Hermione frowned at this as she pursed her lips, 'Iris. I promise you. Whatever is in there I won't hold you responsible for. Riddle is responsible for what was in there.'
'Right. Well,' Iris told her despondently.
Iris took out the Black Pensieve. Hermione locked the trunk as Iris miserably made a copy of her memory and popped it in.
'I can't watch it again. It's brutal,' Iris admitted, 'I'll wait here for you.'
Hermione nodded. She took a long look at a mortified Iris and then went in.
Hermione found herself watching a tense Iris who was watching the group make their way down towards the Horcrux as she hovered near the portal. She took in the nightmarish scene. The bodies and flies were nauseating even in the memory.
She saw herself in front of Iris and moved closer to listen. Her eyes widened in shock. Every bit of poison dripping from her Doppelgangers mouth made her horrified. This bitch was something else.
'It's all lies, Iris,' she shouted before realising this Iris couldn't hear her. Her heart broke as this Iris struggled to keep herself calm. She watched this Hermione taunt, abuse and force her way into Iris's head with her spiteful accusations and recriminations. She threw every fear Iris had at her. None of it was true.
Then the image of her changed tactics. Hermione could only watch with growing alarm as what she was seeing. Iris seemed in a state of extreme discomfort as the Horcrux wrapped around her and drew her magic out of her.
She frowned at the Riddle Hermione. Yes, it was wanton, but Iris could not have looked more distraught if she had tried.
Hermione thought the worst was over. She could not have been more wrong. She could see Iris become slack and her eyelids droop. She could see the black magic swirling in the mist around them. She jumped back in instinct when the Horcrux figure of Tom took over her evil counterpart. Iris could only stare at him. She was unnaturally still.
Her eyes widened as RIddle explained to a catatonic Iris what was to happen. She watched herself on her knees worshipping the Dark Lord. Riddle gloating as he told Iris what he would do to her. Then Hermione watched the Riddle version of her push the Horcrux magic inside of Iris. In her rage, Hermione punched the air trying to pull the Riddle Hermione away.
When the Horcrux exploded Hermione gave a deep sigh of relief. She was shaken herself. No wonder Iris had been in such a state.
Hermione came out of the Pensieve with a thoughtful look as Iris couldn't meet her eyes. She moved over closer and pulled her into a hug.
'Iris, I understand why you didn't want to show me that. I'm very glad you did,' Hermione said to her. Then she stood up briskly and made her way to the study area.
Hermione bustled about grabbing a fresh notepad and pen, 'I need to make a list and correlate the issues raised.'
Iris stared at her in disbelief.
'Iris. There was a lot in there we need to address,' Hermione said in her clipped voice.
'A list,' Iris stated dumbly as Hermione began to write rapidly.
Hermione's pen moved swiftly down the page. Iris made a cup of tea. She felt so mournful. She moved to the stereo and put on the cleanest album she had. The Carpenters. Nice. Warm. Karen's soothing voice calmed her stretched nerves as she focused on her breathing exercises.
She picked up Esmerelda for comfort and wrapped the groggy snake around her. She felt a little better as she sat back down.
Hermione finally put down the pen. Iris looked away as Hermione made her way to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. Iris watched her out of the corner of her eye as she swigged half the bottle down.
She made her way back to the living room and took a chair opposite Iris and placed the notepad down on the low table. Iris couldn't help but notice the page looked rather full.
'So. We need to discuss this thoroughly,' Hermione came straight to the point as Iris sunk deeper into the sofa.
'I have created a few relevant bullet points to start us off,' Hermione informed her.
'Of course you have,' Iris muttered.
Hermione shot her a look as Iris looked apologetic, 'Be thankful it isn't a power-point presentation,' Hermione told her in a low tone.
Iris kept her mouth in a firm, straight line.
Hermione took a deep breath and began, 'Right. Point number one. I think this is by far the most important. We all love you very much. Ok. Ring or no ring. There is no conspiracy to drop you when this over. We do not, 'barely tolerate,' you. We all genuinely like you as a person.'
Iris gave a curt nod.
'Point number two. I'm not going back to Ron when this is over. What I feel for you is more than what I feel for him.'
Iris felt her face go slack. She was completely frozen in mortification at this statement. That Hermione knew she was insecure about Ron on some level made her cringe.
'Point number three. Draco and I are good friends, but that is all we'll ever be. We do not have private encounters behind your back. We both realised very quickly why I was drawn to him and ultimately, it wasn't for the right reasons.'
Iris felt her body go rigid with awkwardness.
Hermione paused, 'I won't lie to you. I am attracted to him, but,' Iris stared at her, 'Draco is never going to be anyone's second best. His ego won't allow it. He knows that given the choice, I will always pick you. You're it for me, Iris.'
Iris felt her heart skip a beat.
'Point number four. Your dad loves you very much, Iris. The same as he does Harry. '
Iris gulped.
'Point number five. Riddle is a maniac. There is nothing wrong with being nice and good. I love that waterfall, Iris. I am not disappointed with you. On the contrary. I am very happy to be with you. I have no desire to be swinging off chandeliers and indulging in drunken orgies like RIddle no doubt does.'
Iris wrapped herself in a little ball and hugged herself tightly. She had never been so uncomfortable in her entire life.
'You are not boring. I'm very aware I'm with you. You're the one I'm thinking of when we're, you know, together, together,' this time Hermione blushed, 'You're the one I want to kiss. You give me the thrills.'
Iris moved over and gave Hermione a big hug then.
'Point number six,' Hermione said briskly.
Iris's face fell as she moved back to sit on the sofa warily. There was more.
'You're reaction to the very wanton other me does concern me. I understand the circumstances were grim but you didn't actually seem afraid of it at first. You did seem acutely uncomfortable with seeing me behave like that. I'm not a therapist but the Horcrux manipulations did raise a point I can admit to myself I have been a little concerned about. I have suspected for some time that you have put me on some sort of virgin mary pedestal. Do you see me as someone very prim and proper? A very dignified woman who is above such carnal pleasures? Have you heard of the Madonna/Whore complex?'
Iris shook her head and avoided the question, 'What's Madonna got to do with this? Is it about one of her songs?'
Hermione sucked in her breath, 'Nevermind. Basically, it is a condition that means a person can only see a woman as either being virtuous and noble and therefore untouchable or as sluts. It is a condition that tends to predominantly affect men but sometimes women can suffer from it too.'
'I don't suffer from it. Women can do what they like. I don't judge anyone,' Iris said shortly.
Hermione scrunched her face up, 'I'm afraid I think you do. I certainly think you do with me.'
Iris sat silently.
'Iris. When we were younger you didn't show much interest in my love life. You never really spoke about such things with me. You threatened Viktor but that was it. Ron, you trusted him enough to do right by me. I think you have always assumed I am someone prudish. We got there in the end but, well. You and I. You are always so delicate with me. You are respectful and tender. I enjoy being close with you but we don't have that hedonistic magical bond you had with Fleur. You never seem to want anything more than to kiss me. Why is that? I know you fancy me. I'm not an idiot. We have a magical connection. So why? Why is this all going so slowly?'
Iris looked anywhere but at Hermione.
'Well?' Hermione asked curiously.
Iris cleared her throat. 'I,' she stopped short as she gazed at Hermione.
'Yes?' Hermione asked cautiously. She could feel the door opening a smidge.
'I don't have that Madonna complex,' Iris said quietly. Hermione watched Iris move her snake back to the glass and draw the curtains closed.
'Merlin,' Iris thought, 'it's hot in here.'
Iris began to speak as Hermione watched her closely, 'I know you're dignified. Well raised. I know you have different sides to you. I've seen you fight. I know all the strength you have in you. I know for certain you're not a little princess waiting to be rescued. I know you are very hot-blooded. You're not above it all. I just. What is it you truly want from me? You know how strong my black magic is. I'm worried that if I truly let go it may get too much for you.'
Hermione sat silently watching those icy grey eyes pierce into her soul as magic started to crackle between them. This felt different though. More potent.
'I want both. I want all of you,' Hermione told her calmly.
Iris stared intently at her, 'When I'm with you there are pieces of me I have to hold back. You shouldn't assume it is because I see you as too proper. It's the opposite.'
Hermione had a dawning awakening.
'The rage I felt in that Horcrux room was him grabbing you like you were just some piece of meat. You're mine and I'm yours. You're everything to me. It's a lot for me to hold back,' Iris told her simply as she made her way around the table.
She took her hand and lifted Hermione to face her.
Hermione felt her heart start to race at this closeness.
Iris was looking at her with a darker expression in her eyes. Hermione felt the heat rising in the room, her own blood started to roar inside her.
She watched fascinated as the black magic started to seep into their magic. It was engulfing her, lifting her higher. Her head began to swim as she felt the vitality of the black magic rush through her.
'Do you want to feel the whole truth of what you are to me?' Iris said in a low voice.
Iris's eyes had grown darker. The heat was searing.
'Yes. I want the truth,' she whispered.
Iris leaned in then as their lips met. Slowly at first, then deeper. The most delicious sensations were running through them.
What followed then would leave Hermione with no more doubts. She wasn't sure when she was stripped. She barely felt the chill before the intense heat enveloped her. She couldn't say for certain when her back hit the rug. She felt her body pulled and pushed in all sorts of exquisite ways as she arched her back as far as she could. Iris was inside her. The black magic had infiltrated Hermione's very soul as she shook, all sweat and limbs contracting and convulsing rapidly. Her toes curled tightly in pleasure as she panted, her skin was blazing, her thighs slick as Iris got on her knees to show her just how much she mattered and how much she needed this closeness.
Hermione's eyes rolled into the back of her head as wave after wave of this fevered elation undulated inside her. Her body felt like it was floating in the space between life and death. Nothing felt real, it was like a distorted vivid dream of euphoria. This was a side of Iris that Hermione had only suspected. This dark potent power gushed into her very core of being. She felt it in every cell of her body, through to her bones and deep inside her mind as she felt her heart rate go so fast she thought it may well explode. When she genuinely believed she was on the verge of the abyss, she fell, her mind shattered as she felt her entire body erupt. She saw those millions of stars she was so fond of. She felt desired, wanton and alive. She wanted more.
She needed to feel that sweet death once again.
She had blearily opened her eyes to peer into the black ones of Iris. They were looking into her very soul.
'How was that?' Iris asked her cautiously.
Hermione gazed at her wordlessly for a long time, 'More,' she whispered eventually. She had finally realised what Iris had meant about holding back.
They stared at each other. Connected whole by the pure black that was running through them both. Hermione could see into Iris's soul in a way she never had before. She saw all that Iris felt for her reflected. She felt the force of everything. Iris drank her in as Hermione gave a deep breath. Gripping the back of Iris's neck as she pulled her down with her. Pure, unadulterated greed and want was flowing through the room.
'My turn,' Hermione smirked as she turned them around.