Sirius was gazing around his dining room at his guests for dinner. He still had to pinch himself sometimes. When Harry was young Sirius had spent too much time without his best friends. Remus had been a godsend and so had the Tonks family, but he had missed James and Lily more than he could say. They were sitting here now. James and Lily. Earth dwellers once more. A beaming Harry and Ginny sat opposite them.
Sirius looked to the other side at their mirror images. The James and Harry that had been rescued from Grindelwald's reign were tucking into dinner. Both were coming to terms with the changes in their lives. This Harry and James were already very fond of their new family and this was returned.
Sirius gave a small grin as he thought of the other Lily he had met. She had scarpered sharpish with Severus Snape. Sirius had never seen this Severus smile once, but he was looking at this Lily as if she was a rather fantastic stand-up comedian.
The last Sirius had heard Severus had left Hogwarts and was starting up a potions business in Diagon Alley and the other Lily was supposedly living with him. Sirius didn't quite know what to make of any of it.
His other, oldest friend Remus had finally really seen Tonks. He had done his usual angst and soul searching routine and pondered on whether he should ask her out. It was the other Remus flirting outrageously with her that finally gave Remus the biggest nudge and it was with great relief that Tonks had accepted his invitation for an actual date. The other Remus had bowed out gracefully.
Tonks and Remus sat here now. They were still tentative together, but Sirius knew his friend well. Remus was very serious about her.
Sirius sat quietly as the conversation flowed around the table. He never thought that he would live to see this world the way it was. He had been to see Hayley and shared some precious time with her, but even he could see how frustrated Iris and Hayley both were with this situation. He was too. Her mother in Equilibrium. Her father on Earth. They had all agreed that James and Lily were the exceptions. The Horcrux magic of both Iris and Harry had blended with the ring to form these unique circumstances.
The ring remained tied to Iris for now but they all wondered for how long. Salazar, Rowena and the people of Origin had managed outrageous breakthroughs in understanding the universal laws better by studying the ring's magic and the portals.
Iris sat next to him. She was chatting away to Hermione about the everyday. They were all spending a lot of time together at this time. Hogwarts had closed for the holidays. The Greengrass Ball was the following week. The most calamitous year they had all known was drawing to a close. They had spent the day watching a rather marvellous Quidditch match and had retired for a lazy evening. Esmerelda was wrapped around Iris and dozing.
Sirius pondered the snake. She was the laziest animal he had ever met but when Iris had really needed her she had risen wonderfully to the challenge. The only time they had been apart was during Iris's trip to the Infinity.
She wasn't a particularly big snake. She was only a couple of feet long. Slim and a beautiful gold. Kreacher kept her well fed and Iris loved to fuss her. Overall she had been a wonderful companion over the years. He heard her hiss to Esmerelda as Harry looked up.
'You're hissing,' he said in astonishment.
They all gave a start at this.
'Oh, dear,' Harry sighed, 'I can't speak parseltongue anymore.'
Ginny looked a little upset over this before she put on a bland expression. Hermione looked at her a little suspiciously as Ginny refused to make eye contact with her.
'Are you sure?' Iris asked. She moved over and put Esmerelda in front of him, 'Try it.'
Harry opened his mouth, 'Hello, Esmerelda,' he spoke in perfect English.
'Yep, Definitely gone,' Sirius said.
'The link must be over,' Iris said crestfallen.
Harry pulled her into a big hug then, 'The link will never be over,' he said to her in a serious tone.
Iris sniffed at this as those in the room looked a little emotional.
'Oh, Harry,' Iris said in a trembling voice, 'Never over. That's lovely.'
James and Lily looked at the pair of them and then Sirius. They knew it was absurd, but a part of them always felt guilty for bringing Harry into such a dangerous world and it had been especially dangerous for these two. They had all faced it head-on and, in the end, it had been Riddle who had been the prey. Sirius thought back to Albus's vision. He had ridiculed it at the time but Albus had been right.
The lightning bolt scar that had been on Harry's forehead had faded dramatically after his first trip to Equilibrium. It was now just a tiny line that could barely be seen now. Harry had his parents home. He had Ginny by his side. His friends. He had fought to the end with all of them. Sirius knew Harry well by now. He would like nothing better now than to fade into the background and enjoy the quiet life. Harry was, at heart, a family man.
Iris was smiling at the Potter's. Something that could sometimes make Sirius uncomfortable. James and Lily had raised her when she was small. There was a bond there between them. Iris had referred to it as a fair swap. Harry had been raised by her dad and Remus and she had his mum and dad. Sirius knew now she had put a brave face on it. He knew he had hurt her. Sirius also knew he had all of eternity to make up for it. He wanted to as well. His daughter was not what he had expected her to be all those years ago.
She sat there now with a Muggle CD. Oasis. He read the title silently. Definitely maybe. She'd be rocking out later to the Gallagher brothers. He saw her give a soft smile to Hermione. The Peverell ring sat there quietly as Iris rubbed her snake's nose. Sirius had seen her at her worst and her best. She had stuck it out to the very end despite all the heartache. He was very proud to be her dad.
The atmosphere in the room was one of warmth. He looked around at all these faces around him. At his lowest, in that dank cell in the Ministry in the most awful week of his life, he would never have imagined any of this. He had survived the war to end all wars. The world was safe now. He had his friends and his career back, but he missed Hayley. The trips to see her with Iris were beginning to hurt. He knew Iris could see it too. A little voice in his ear whispered promises to him. He need only let go of Iris's hand and he could stay with Hayley forever. He used to be able to push those thoughts away but the whispers became more persistent.
Iris looked at him with a sad smile. She was as acutely aware as her father of the vacant chair. Iris absentmindedly rubbed her fingers over the ring. It still wouldn't budge. If she could give him the ring she would. Something Sirius knew in his heart. She looked at Hermione and imagined herself in Sirius's shoes. It wasn't a pleasant sensation.
Sirius looked up when the other James, who he simply called Rudolph, started to talk about Animagus training for the younger ones. Both Harry's were particularly interested. The war had put their plans on hold. Sirius added to the conversation in part but his mind kept drifting. Iris excused herself for a few minutes murmuring about getting some air. Sirius gave her a vague smile.
Iris stood alone in the tunnel. She wanted some peace and to watch the stars and consider all that had happened. She was conflicted. Some things that had happened had worked out for the best. Other things. Well. Her mother was one of the millions who had never lived a full life on Earth.
She could see Sirius declining. His attention wasn't really focused. It was over now. The realities of what they had all endured were becoming transparent to each of them. In the heat of action one simply didn't have the time to dwell on what they had lost. Now was the time to look back and take stock. Whole universes had ended. There had been immense tragedy and despair. Every agony that could be inflicted on humanity had happened.
They had salvaged what they could and had started again. A new world. It would be a better world. Iris could see that as plain as anything, but the price paid was too high. Still, there was nothing more to be done about that. In time, the ring would retire. She doubted she would be able to visit Equilibrium then. Her gift as a child had been courtesy of Tom. That blood link had been destroyed by him when she was eleven. The ring had continued to resurrect her.
Iris sighed as she watched the flickering glow of the nearest star twinkle. The Peverell ring sat rigid on her finger as it had done for years. She wondered idly why it was still with her. All the old Earth's in their circle were no more. Still, for better or for worse it belonged to the Gaunt family. She was the rightful person to inherit it. She was the only Gaunt descendant left now that Morfin had passed away of old age. Iris could see the irony that the ring had worked against the Pureblood ideology in the end.
She sat with her legs swinging over the side. She lit up a Marlboro and inhaled slowly as she pondered the past. Iris had done everything she could have done. Pushed herself as far as she could. So had all the others. But no one had won. Although none of this had been about winning. It had been about survival. It wasn't even bittersweet.
The Greengrass Ball loomed. Iris was glad. Three Daphne's and two Astoria's were a blessing in this new world. Drudgery had never sat right with any of them and some class and glamour were long overdue.
Iris smiled as a shooting star launched through the cosmos. The colours were radiant. Blinding like fireworks. She had never seen a shooting star in the tunnel before.
She sat for a while before standing to make her way home and back to her family and her friends. Her mind wandered to the future. She briefly considered a career of some sort. Iris blanched. She had never been one for academics. Auror work didn't appeal, what with all the rules and regulations. Amelia ran a tight ship. Iris really only did well in chaos and carnage. Her only real genuine magical talents were for transfiguration, care of magical creatures and causing colossal amounts of damage. She would discuss this with Bella. The Black business talk made her sleepy.
She liked money as much as the next person but had enough sense to know she already had enough for twenty lifetimes. There was not enough motivation there to acquire more. Gringotts and Bella managed the accounts. With Riddle gone and the world saved what else was there? Enjoyable things. That was what remained. Music. Films. Many nights with Hermione. Family time. Travel that didn't involve slaying the enemy and blowing up buildings. Laying on beaches. Camping. Good food. Iris pursed her lips. She had better watch her weight. She had a sweet tooth. She would work out what to do with the rest of her life after that. Iris had a light bulb moment. Philanthropy. Rich people did a lot of that. Charity work. Still, those slush funds had released trillions into the economy. Poverty shouldn't be an issue for many millenniums.
Hagrid had asked her if she wanted to be his apprentice next year. That was certainly something that appealed immensely to her. She had time to consider it and talk it over with her family. Iris had that as her plan A.
With her future career more or less decided she took one last look at the stars and prepared to make her way to the portal and back to her gang. Hermione was staying with her for the week. She was looking forward to taking her to Equilibrium the next day. It would take time but people were already starting to put themselves back together again. She hoped her dad just needed some time. All in all, the future was finally looking bright.
She took one last drag as a voice reverberated behind her.
'They are very bad for you,' the deep voice sounded as Iris jumped a mile in the air and spun around.
A tall figure hovered behind her. Tall and glowing white like an Angel but this vision had no wings.
'Who are you?' Iris stuttered.
The figure smiled as his face appeared. It was a handsome face. Young. Charming. Bright blue eyes twinkled at her. Iris already felt at ease from his calming magic.
'You have met my brother, Death. I am Life.'
Iris gawped.
'I cannot stay long. I am here to thank you personally for all you have done,'
Iris continued to gawp at the man. Collecting herself, she smiled, 'It was a team effort.'
Life nodded, 'I could see that. I am here to tell you the Resurrection Stone wishes to stay with you for as long as you would like its company. It has become rather fond of you over the years.'
Iris smiled widely. That was a weight off her mind.
'Also, I have a gift for you and your team.'
Iris grinned. She always liked to receive presents.
A gold ring appeared in front of her, levitating. She reached up for it and held it gently.
'This will enable any wearer to visit Equilbirum without you and return to Earth safely. Use it wisely.'
'Brilliant, thank you ever so much,' Iris beamed. This certainly beat the Christmas present she had gotten her dad.
'Till we meet again, Iris Black,' Life said as he disappeared.
Iris blinked. That was short and sweet.
She gazed at the ring. With a sudden burst of euphoria, she ran back to the others. Sirius was getting his Christmas present early!
Sirius was smiling politely at his dinner guests as Iris came rushing in. He looked up startled.
'Dad! Dad! Just wait till you hear, Woohoo!' Iris had the most manic look of glee on her face as she jumped upon him. The dinner guests looking up in astonishment.
Iris quickly and frantically described what had happened in the tunnel. Sirius looked like he had been hit over the head with a frying pan.
'You can see mum anytime you like now!' Iris grinned, 'Merry Christmas, Dad!'
The floodgates were well and truly opened up then. There wasn't a dry eye left in the house.
It was to be the greatest Christmas that Sirius could ever remember having in his life.
Iris looked around that room at all the smiling people and she felt truly blessed.
They all had a future now, together. They had fought and cried together. Laughed and loved.
The really bad times were truly over.