They both cuddled down in their spot as Iris nuzzled into Hermione's neck.
'I've missed this,' Iris said in a low voice. Their magic enveloped them both sending through delicious tingles. They could hear the music in the background and the water ripple past them. Hermione gave a soft smile as she pulled Iris down gently on top of her. Their lips met in a deep kiss. They both held each other close as they languished in the lush grass. Iris wrapped herself around Hermione like a snake and held on tightly. They both felt their heartbeats steady and synchronise.
'Iris?' whispered Hermione.
Iris shook her head slightly, 'No talking. Not now. Later. Just, let us enjoy this,' she murmured to her. Iris had had enough of talking for that day.
'Iris?' Hermione said in a firmer tone. Iris closed her eyes and drew some strength from deep down.
'Yes?' she asked with a sinking feeling.
'What if Draco is wrong?' Hermione asked in a small voice.
'We don't have a choice,' Iris told her, 'Even if he is wrong, and I don't think he is, something is going to happen when I connect the ring to the mirror. Something that is supposed to happen. All this, before we were even born, has been planned. I see that now. The mirror showed me the future and then brought me back here. That is what is going to happen if we don't do this. Whether it's Riddle or Judgement Day that causes it, we're all finished if we don't.'
'It's a huge gamble,' Hermione stated.
'No. It's not a gamble when we don't have any cards left to play,' Iris told her in a despondent voice. 'Grandfather has done too much damage over too many years. Him and too many others.'
Hermione held her face gently, 'Are you frightened?'
Iris looked into those deep brown eyes and nodded, 'In some ways. It's the unknown. In other ways though, I'm relieved that this is almost over. One way or the other. Too many are suffering. There's been so much pain,' Iris looked over her face. 'Are you?' she asked her.
'I'm worried about what's going to happen to us all,' Hermione admitted.
Iris gave her a tight squeeze, 'We're on a huge ball of rock and lava, hurtling through infinity, held up by nothing but gravity. We were born into this, it's all most of you knew for years. I've been going to another world since I could walk. I have a different perspective from you all. But this is just the start of our lives. Earth is only a temporary home for all of us. We're souls that are just travelling through with each other. Riddle tried to make this Earth permanent for himself. It's falling apart for him now. The universe is bigger than all of us. Even him. It will have the last word.'
Hermione was quiet then as she pondered this as she hugged Iris tightly. Iris snuggled back down, luxuriating in the salubrious comfort.
'Iris,' Iris squeezed her eyes shut. It was Gabriel's voice this time. Resisting the urge to tut she sat up and untangled herself from Hermione.
'Yes,' she almost hissed.
'Dumbledore requests your presence immediately in the Great Hall. Riddle is at the Hogwarts castle wards with an army,' Gabriel said in a rather irate voice for an Angel.
Iris felt her blood run cold, 'So soon?' she asked in a faint voice.
'The timeline! He must know!' Hermione said in a frantic voice.
'How? We haven't done anything yet?' Iris said as they apparated quickly to limbo.
'Our future selves would have or, oh shit! He must know about Nagini!' Hermione said quickly as they ran through to the veil with Gabriel close behind with the other Angels. 'Shit! Shit!'
Iris would normally be amused by this cursing from Hermione but right now her humour had vanished. She made sure Hermione was back through the portal on Earth before she ran back to the portal to Hell. Running up to the first Devil she saw, she quickly informed him of what was happening. The Devil gave a demonic smile as he ran off to alert the others and rally the troops.
Running back Iris hurtled back into Hogwarts and used the portal to get to her trunk to grab an indignant Esmerelda and then back to the Great Hall where she was met with a panicked Order of the Phoenix.
'There are thousands of them!' Ron spluttered at her.
'How did they get through the dome?!' Iris asked frantically.
'Riddle used nuclear to smash it open,' Sirius told her. Iris felt her heart plummet.
'Tell me, is the dome still damaged?' Iris asked in a tense voice. Her worst fears were on the verge of happening.
Sirius nodded, 'Yes. The fallout is spreading. He knows Nagini is dead. He knows his Crown Horcrux has been destroyed. He broadcast the fucking lot to us. He says he is going to murder all of us. His rage is off the scale. Edinburgh has already been blown to smithereens and the fallout is spreading across the country and into Europe. We have an hour, if that, before the fallout covers the entire country. People won't be able to survive long once they breathe that in,' Sirius told her. He looked very pale. His features looked stark against his face. 'He must have gone forward in the timeline. Riddle's lost it. He's lost his grasp completely on what was left of his sanity!' he said in a deathly tone.
Iris almost threw up. She looked at Hermione to help steady her nerves.
'At least their souls aren't split,' Iris said in a strained tone. Riddle must need the dome open badly to not do that.
Dumbledore strode over.
'Plan?' Iris asked him in a hollow voice.
Dumbledore beckoned Harry over. He held his invisibility cloak. Dumbledore held the elder wand. Iris felt the Resurrection Stone heat up.
Albus spoke calmly which helped Iris breathe, 'We expected something like this. Open all the portals. Others are on their way through the floo network too. Valinor has been contacted. They're on their way. We finish Riddle for good. Then you get into the mirror and detonate it. Gabriel. Wait in limbo for the rest of Riddle.'
The Angel nodded and disappeared.
'Is it ready?' Iris asked in a voice she didn't recognise as her own.
Albus beckoned to the staff table where the mirror had been moved. Both Luna's were near it. Iris had an inkling of relief at the serene expressions on their faces. Neither seemed concerned at the situation. They nodded to Iris.
With a deep breath, Iris started to throw up the portals. The scarlet and gold, the portals to the Manors. Valinor. The Ministry. The room began to fill up as Professors and fighters began to move outside to strengthen the wards. They could hear the bombs already. There were slamming into the wards aided by warped dark magic. They were beginning to brittle. Albus had told her the Dementors were trying to attack but the magnetic magical shields and tanks were repelling them.
Iris heard Molly Weasley's distinctive shriek. Good. The Devils were here. Molly had never quite got used to them. She heard the howls of the Hounds. Lucifer and the Dark Angels were emerging out of their portal. The elves and centaurs striding out of one of the other portals. Wizards and Witches were preparing to protect their lungs using every spell imaginable. The Grangers had come through with the Greengrass family holding gas masks.
Iris noticed Muggle military piling out of the various portals. Albus was directing them to different parts of the castle. The mirror stood casually as if almost watching the proceedings. They could hear through some of the portals the air sirens blasting around the country. People were going underground. Witches and Wizards who had arrived from all around the world over the last year were making their way out to the castle walls. Iris kept focusing on Hermione as Esmerelda wrapped tightly around her, helping to calm her.
Lucifer had arrived as Bella rushed up to him. The speed people were moving was making Iris's head spin. They must have been prepared for Riddle doing something like this. She noticed the people who had arrived from the other universes in the crowd. My and Cedric looked fierce. Ron had taken hold of the other Hermione's hand. To Iris's surprise, she actually looked very riled at the scene. It was better than frightened.
Susan Bones and her Aunt were preparing alongside dozens of others. She could see silver-blonde hair and turned away when she spotted Fleur in the crowd. Now was definitely not the time. She spotted Pansy and Milicent with the more menacing looking Slytherins getting ready for battle alongside their Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff comrades as a revitalised Severus gave commands. The castle was throbbing with magic. Iris felt her heart rate steadily increase. All the time she kept focused mainly on Hermione.
Her mind had gone almost completely blank. She knew what she had to do.
'I'll stay with you,' Hermione told her in a strained voice.
Iris felt a warmth spread through her, 'I love you,' Iris told her simply.
Hermione hugged her in the middle of the Great Hall, 'You've never told me that,' Hermione said in a bashful tone.
'I've always shown you,' Iris said, mimicking Hermione's earlier words back to her, 'It's always been you.'
'I love you too,' Hermione said as her eyes roamed over Iris's face.
They gazed at each other for a long moment and then kissed.
A few people gave a glance and knowing looks were shared amongst those who knew them. There was no more time left for any more as Iris and Hermione stepped back from each other.
Two Seamus Finngeans ran by armed with explosives and manic expressions. Neville Longbottom and Draco approached them.
'So, this is it,' Draco said simply.
'The end,' Iris said in a low tone.
'No such thing,' Draco said with a slight smile. His eyes looked speculating, 'Circles within circles.'
'Let's hope you're right,' Neville said as he adopted a determined look as Hannah Abbott came running up to him.
The Greengrass cluster moved closer to them. Daphne was waving her extendable bag, 'We're all packed,' she confirmed as she attached the bag tightly to herself as she brandished her wand.
Iris recognised the glorious locks of one Fabio behind them. That was all the confirmation Iris needed that they were all definitely on their way out.
'Yes. Kill the bastard and let's make like sheep and get the flock out of here,' Astoria added in a frantic tone. She gave an eep as a Demon dashed past her.
Iris glimpsed Helga Hufflepuff in the background. It looks like everyone was here tonight.
The castle was secured. They could hear the pounding of the wards. People around them were adding bubblehead charms.
'The fallout is on its way. We heard the explosions in Yorkshire,' Neville told them. His parents were on the south side of the castle.
Their Harry looked at Iris with his emerald eyes gleaming, 'And now. For the moment we have all been waiting for. It's just him now. No more Horcruxes. No more anchors,' his tone was dark.
Iris felt the Stone's power surge through her. For a moment everything in the room ceased to exist. Black and White magic both rushed inside her. It was the Ring's opportunity now to exert its full revenge on the contemptible Wizard who had tainted and abused it.
Iris felt like she was floating, detached from her body. She came back to Earth with a bump and felt herself pulsate. She had never felt this level of power before. Strangely, inside, she felt a calmness fill her. She opened her eyes up. Hermione gave an encouraging smile. James and Lily had arrived from Equilibrium to help with the fighting. Lily hugged Harry and then gave the other Harry a hug so he wouldn't feel left out. The other James took the opportunity for a hug from Lily as his counterpart looked at him a little shiftily as Lily paid no attention. Her eyes were fixated on her sons and Iris.
Lily and James came over to them both. Lily pulled Iris into a warm hug. James followed soon after.
They both had a peculiar look on their faces.
'Are you ok?' Iris asked.
'Just felt like someone walked over my grave,' James said as Lily looked a little shaken.
'That'll be the adrenalin,' Ron supplied. James and Lily nodded.
BOOM!
'It's almost time,' Albus said. They looked out at the night sky. The stars looked bigger than normal.
Albus moved to the mirror and then, after a slight pause, he proceeded to take the mirror off as Draco stood with the two Luna's.
All eyes seemed to turn to it. It emanated a soft white glow and a gentle humming. Albus turned to Iris.
'The moment Harry fulfils the prophecy, you return here and connect the ring. Seconds will matter, Iris. The fallout is edging ever closer,' he told her in a calm voice.
Iris's icy grey eyes were like steel as she nodded acceptance. The fallout from the nuclear bomb was certainly on its way. Even with magical protections, they would only be able to stop the effects for a short amount of time.
They all heard Riddle's voice echoing throughout the castle. This was not a sinister voice. It wasn't mocking or slimy. This was, as Sirius said, pure rage. The rantings of a lunatic.
'I'm going to slaughter you, rip you all apart! 'it screamed in vengeance. This carried on in other various guises but the sentiments all seemed to be the same.
Iris sighed. Of all the grandfathers in all the world, why did she have to have that one? She glanced over at her other grandpa. Gareth gave her a brave smile. Her eyes roamed around the hall. All these people needed her to butch up. She stroked Esmerelda's head absentmindedly. Lily, Crookshanks and Trevor had joined Mrs Norris in the hall. Hedwig was in the rafters. Pets were situated everywhere, watching the proceedings solemnly. The silver snakes had slithered over to protect the most vulnerable. Dylan and Jasper had joined Daphne and Draco. Lucas was behind Hermione. She spotted Kreacher near the door and Hagrid with Fangs. Riddle wanted to hurt all of them. Kill them.
'Never!' vowed Iris to herself.
Harry put on his invisibility cloak and disappeared. Iris stood with Albus as they began to make their way outside into the night.
Iris glanced around. The castle looked full. Fuller by far than it had in the future battle. They had been down to the bare bones by then in that dreadful time. She knew this had to be quick. She didn't want them to share the same fate as the others had.
'Iris. Use the ring to isolate Riddle as much as possible. His followers are deluded enough to shield him,' Hermione said to her. Iris took her hand and gripped it tightly. Lucas was right behind them.
'Stay with me,' Iris said. She knew there was no point arguing for Hermione to stay inside, 'We'll protect each other.'
Hermione gave a courageous smile, 'Always.'
They were nearing the courtyard now and they could see the wards breaking down in front of them. They all finished putting the bubblehead charms on. Iris did a little one for Esmerelda. They could see the air changing. Shimmering. The foul rantings of Riddle continued.
Albus gave a considering look, 'He appears to have, how is it you young ones refer to it? Lost the plot.'
That was the understatement of the century they all thought. Iris was having flashbacks to Satan at his worst.
Albus nodded to himself in thought.
'No one is turning into anything,' Iris said faintly, 'That's good.'
Albus had a rather serene look. The courtyard was filling up. They could see both Remus's and Tonks near the gates. Tonks seemed to be going through a range of emotions. The newer arrival Remus kept glancing in her direction numerous times to simply be casual worry, which seemed to be causing the other Remus a variety of conflicting emotions. He seemed to teeter between protectiveness and jealousy. Tonks seemed to meander between stress at her current predicament and a blush of joy at these particular developments.
The night was mild and they could make out the moon in the sky. With a spark of lucidity, Hermione wondered if she would ever see a night sky like this again. She looked across at Iris, whose face was tight and pale. Her eyes though were fixated on the wards. Hermione's own body rippled with the magic pouring off of Iris. It was physical now. Her own nerves were jangling. Her own blood rushing. Hermione could see snipers and Auror's on the castle walls. Wands and machine guns side by side. The commands from the top were simple. Stop Riddle and his followers from getting into the castle. Cover Iris and Harry. Keep themselves alive.
Bizarrely Hermione thought back to her first train ride to Hogwarts. When it all had truly begun. Would she have got on that train then if she knew what she knew now? Hermione looked around at all of them. Without a doubt, she would have. She had found another home here. Friends. Family. Her parents were in the Great Hall helping guard the mirror. She could see her gran next to a Demon. Both of them looked very eager to get things moving.
There was a massive crash as one of Riddle's bombs smashed through the wards and with a quick wave of her arm, Iris sent the bomb hurtling back from where it had come. Even Hermione's gasped at the solid black magic that poured out of Iris's hand. The force when it exploded knocked them all off their feet. The sky lit up with fire as smoke drifted over.
The wards were broken as Death Eaters and Nazis started pouring into the castle grounds. They looked around furtively. Thousands were moving towards them from all around. Boats were making their way across the black lake, They could see the trees start to move. Iris and Albus moved to the front as Iris used the force inside her to create enormous waves in the lake taller than the castle. Whipping the boats into the air and crashing them down. The tension in the castle was broken as screams and yells filled the air. The snipers began to shoot.
That was when Hell came to Hogwarts.