Disclaimer: The usual stuff applies here. I only own the character Iris
Hecate and the plots that involve her.
A New Beginning
Chapter 6 The Counter Plans
Shortly after Professor Snape was told of his part in Voldemort's plan he quickly went to inform Professor Dumbledore. Professor Snape reached Dumbledore's office but before he knocked he heard people talking inside.
"Who can he possibly be talking with at this time of night?" Snape wondered annoyingly to himself and reached out his quivering hand to knock.
After he knocked it quickly became silent inside of Dumbledore's office.
Finally Snape heard Dumbledore's calm voice inside speak once again. "Enter."
Professor Snape entered cautiously and to his surprise Dumbledore was talking with Professor McGonagall who was dressed in her dark green bathrobe and Dumbledore seemed to still be dressed in his maroon colored robes.
"Severus? What an unexpected but nice surprise?" Dumbldore said smiling as Snape entered the room.
Snape muttered something rather sarcastic that neither Dumbledore nor McGonagall could hear.
"Severus are you alright?" Professor McGonagall asked as Snape moved closer into the light of Dumbledore's office.
"Yes." Snape said annoyingly.
"Blood on one's face is usually not a sign of being alright Severus." Dumbledore said observing the blood on Severus's gaunt face.
"Oh!" Severus uttered as he touched and felt the dry blood on his face. "This is why I am here Albus." Severus said bluntly.
"I am pretty sure Madame Pomfrey can do a better job of patching you up than I can Severus." Dumbledore said. "What happened to your face if you don't mind me asking Severus?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"This is Professor Hecate's doing." Snape said touching his face once again.
"See Albus that woman is not right!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed. "I have reason to believe that she is not teaching proper subjects to our students."
"Minerva I believe Professor Hecate is quite capable of teaching.." Professor Dumbledore started.
"PLEASE!" Professor Snape growled.
Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall stared at Snape shocked.
"The Dark Lord is planning his attack on Potter." Snape hissed.
"Wh.what?" Stuttered McGonagall.
"Severus, is Iris involved?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes." Snape said annoyingly.
"Minerva, get the Order together immediately." Dumbledore ordered.
Professor McGonagall nodded her head and rushed out Dumbledore's office to notify the members of the Order of the emergency meeting.
"Severus come with me to Iris's office I must speak with her immediately." Dumbledore said hurrying out his office with Severus following after him.
Snape and Dumbledore headed out his office and set off down the dimly lit corridors to Professor Hecate's office. Snape was cursing Dumbledore under his breath from bringing that wretched woman back into his life and possibly destroying what the Order had set out to accomplish. Dumbledore and Snape reached Professor Hecate's classroom and rushed to her office. The closer they reached her office door Dumbledore and Snape could hear books and other things being thrown around and various objects shattering.
Professor Dumbledore urgently knocked on her office door.
"Go away!" Professor Hecate yelled from inside her office.
"Iris it is Severus and I we must come in it is urgent." Dumbledore said talking to a closed door.
"Not now I am busy. Can it wait?" Iris yelled again.
Dumbledore and Snape heard more crashing and Iris cursing. Dumbledore opened Iris's office door and walked in with Snape following closely behind him.
"Iris this is important.." Dumbledore trailed off.
Professor Dumbledore and Snape gasped at the destruction of Iris's office. All her books were thrown from their bookshelves. It looked like Iris had ripped a few of her books in two. Shards of glass littered the wooden floor. Pictures were tossed all around the room. Some were even out of their frames. Her desk drawers had been taken out and emptied of their contents and thrown across the room. Iris wasn't even aware that Professor Dumbledore and Snape had entered her room at all.
"Where is it!" Iris mumbled to herself rummaging through more boxes.
"Iris." Dumbledore called out.
"Where is the damn thing!" Iris exclaimed not paying Dumbledore any attention.
"Iris." Dumbledore said trying again to get her attention.
"WHERE IS IT!" Iris screamed running around her office in her white nightgown.
Snape rushed over to Iris and grabbed her by the arm and spun her around. "Iris!" Snape growled.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Iris said growling back at Severus as she ripped her arm out of his grip.
Severus stepped away from Iris.
"Where is it? Where is it? Where is it?" Iris kept repeating franticly.
"Severus you go ahead to Grimmauld place and inform everyone of what you told me tonight. I will follow shortly. I am going to take Ms. Hecate to the hospital wing." Dumbledore said calmly.
"Are you sure Albus?" Severus asked.
"Yes. Now be off quickly." Dumbledore said advancing towards Iris.
Severus left Professor Dumbledore to tend to Iris and headed back to his office. Snape rushed into his office and headed straight to his fireplace and grabbed a hand full of floo powder and tossed into the fire.
"Grimmauld Place!" Snape said as he stepped into his fireplace.
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"Iris please calm down." Dumbledore said reassuringly. "I will help you look for whatever you are looking for."
"Where is it? I need it now!" Iris cried out sitting on the floor rummaging through stuff already on the floor.
"Iris what are you looking for?" Dumbledore said as he placed a caring hand on her shoulder.
Iris was startled by this and turned around to look at who just touched her.
"Professor!" Iris exclaimed. "How long have you been here?" She asked.
"Iris please get up and come over to the couch with me." Dumbledore said extending his hand that Iris graciously took it and stood up.
"Bloody hell!" Iris exclaimed looking around her office. "What happened here?" She asked confused.
Professor Dumbledore led Iris through the mess of her office to her couch where they sat down.
"Iris do you remember what just happened?" Dumbledore asked worriedly.
"No, not really Professor." Iris said in a daze.
"You don't remember Severus grabbing your arm a few moments ago?" Dumbledore asked.
"He did? Where is Sev now?" Iris asked looking around her destroyed office.
"He is tending to some important busy for me right now." Dumbledore stated. "Iris do you remember anything else that has happened this evening?" He asked eagerly.
"I remember a black orb then ending up in a dark room..OH MY! Is Severus all right? He was there with me and I hit him and was bleeding the last time I saw him!" Iris spat out hurriedly.
"Severus is quite fine Iris. Like I said he is tending to some busy for me at the moment." Dumbledore said with a sigh of relief.
"Give him my apologies when you see him Professor." Iris said tiredly.
"Iris why don't you spend the night in the hospital wing tonight with Poppy. You are not looking well." Professor Dumbledore said standing up.
"Yes, yes good idea." Iris said getting up slowly.
Dumbledore was right Iris did not look well at all. Her chocolate brown eyes looked almost black as night as if they weren't her eyes anymore. She was paler now then when she first arrived at Hogwart's only a few months ago. She had even lost weight and was looking very unhealthy. Her face was very gaunt and black circles surrounded her eyes due to lack of sleep. Her hair had lost its beautiful sheen and the purple streaks she likes so much were even fading away.
Dumbledore search for a robe for her to wear since he couldn't get to her bedroom because the door was blocked by debris. He surveyed her office and quickly spotted a black cloak and placed it on her shoulders.
"This is Sev's. Please return it to him." Iris said pushing it off her shoulders.
"Iris I doubt Severus will be missing it tonight. You can return it to him later." Dumbledore said calmly.
Iris and Professor Dumbledore left her office and headed to the hospital wing. Dumbledore led Iris to one of the hospital beds.
"Albus, what is wrong?" Madame Pomfrey said as she hurried out her room tightening her dressing gown around her waist. "Oh!" She said stiffly when she caught sight of Iris.
"Poppy, Professor Hecate will be staying the night here. She is not feeling well so I will like for you to keep an eye on her tonight for me please." Dumbledore asked.
"Albus it is not wise for her to be here or even in this school. Students and Professors are starting to talk." Madame Pomfrey said coldly.
"I am well aware of this Poppy but tonight I need to you watch over her." Dumbledore said impatiently.
"I know and I will Albus. Don't worry she is in good hands." Madame Pomfrey said sighing.
"Thank you Poppy. I must be off. I am needed elsewhere at the moment but if something out of the unordinary happens fine me at once." Dumbledore said as he rushed out of the hospital wing.
"Unordinary?" Pomfrey said as she watched Dumbledore rush away.
Madame Pomfrey turned and looked at Professor Hecate who was already fast asleep. Poppy pulled the covers up over Iris and wished her a good nights sleep even though she was already fast asleep.
"Everything that happens here is unordinary." Madame Pomfrey thought to herself as she headed back to room for the night.
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All the members of the Order were showing up quickly at number 12, Grimmauld Place. Professor McGonagall was telling everyone that showed up to please wait in the kitchen and that Professor Dumbledore would be joining them shortly.
"Minerva what is going on?" Remus Lupin asked yawning.
"Yes, what is going on and why a meeting at this time of night?" Tonks asked knocking over her stool as she stood up.
Minerva sighed. "We have gotten word tonight that Voldemort is planning an attack on Harry."
"OH MY!" Arthur Weasley exclaimed.
"Is Harry alright?" Molly Weasley asked worriedly as she clutched her husband's hand.
"Yes, Harry is quite fine. I personally checked on him before I came here." Minerva said reassuringly.
"When is Dumbledore arriving? I am ready to hear our plan of attack." Alastor Moody said as his bright blue and magical eye zoomed around the kitchen of Grimmauld Place.
"Albus and Severus were taking care of some urgent business and would be here shortly." Minerav said stifling a yawn herself.
Suddenly Severus appeared in the back of the kitchen brushing soot off his himself. Everyone turned and stared at Severus who still had dried blood on his face.
"Severus where is Albus?" Minerva asked worriedly.
"He is taking care of Iris. She is not well and he was bringing her to the hospital wing." Severus said coldly. "He also informed me to start to the meeting and that he would be here as soon as possible." He continued in a very sarcastic manner.
Lupin snorted at Severus's comment and Severus just glared at Lupin with disgust.
"Please Severus if you are to start to meeting then please do." Arthur Weasley said politely.
"Thank you Arthur." Severus said dully. "Iris and I were summoned by the Dark Lord tonight and that is of course why you are all here tonight. We were told of our parts in the Dark Lord's plan to attack Mr. Potter." He said bitterly.
"Quit beating around the bush Severus and just tell us already. We already know why we are here it is pretty obvious." Remus Lupin said getting extremely annoyed.
"I will if you would just be patient Remus." Severus spat. "I am to make the Dark Lord polyjuice potion. Don't bother asking me who he plans on becoming because that part I am not aware of." Severus said before anyone could ask him.
"Where does Iris come in to this plan Severus?" Minerva asked coldly.
"She is to get the boy by himself." Severus stated plainly.
Everyone in the kitchen gasped at what they had just heard and were startled because at the precise moment Dumbledore popped out the fireplace.
"By the look on everyone's face Severus has just told you part of Voldemort's plan for Harry." Albus said as he walked towards Severus.
"She cannot be allowed near him Albus!" Molly Weasley exclaimed. "I don't care that she is his cousin she mustn't. She would surely turn him over to Voldemort!"
"For once Albus I think you made a bad judgement of character to allow her to teach at Hogwart's." Remus Lupin said shaking his head.
Severus snorted and Remus was about to make another statement but was cut off just in time.
"I agree with Remus, Albus." Minerva said standing up.
"I am very well aware that the Order, the Hogwart's faculty and the Ministry is not pleased with me placing her at Hogwart's." Dumbledore finally said.
"Parents have been flooding the Ministry with owls because of her Albus." Arthur Weasley said.
"I was glad to see her when she first arrived and was happy for her to be a part of our family. She was an excellent student and a very good Auror and excelled in the Department of Mysteries." Minervas said with concern in her voice.
"She was a bloody good Auror. She caught a many Death Eater in her time. She turned in many of her fellow Death Eaters." Moody added with his eye spinning wildly.
Minerva continued. "But she has changed so much in the short time she has been her Albus."
Many of the people in the kitchen nodded in agreement with Minerva and Moody.
"I fear she is truly a devote servant of Voldemort and should not be trusted with her pupils at all or as a spy for the Order anymore." Minerva stated. "From what I have witnessed of her teachings. She is teaching Darks Arts that one would only know if they themselves were Death Eaters. She is endangering our students." Minerva sighed.
Everyone was quiet for some time taking in all of the nights events and wondering what was going to be the result of possibly losing a member of the Order to the Dark side.
"Severus you are the only one who has worked with Iris so far, right?" Asked Molly Weasley.
"Yes." Severus said annoyingly.
"Tell us then. Is she crossing back over to follow Voldemort?" Tonks asked curiously.
Severus paused for sometime thinking about all the encounters he has had with Iris and the Dark Lord together in the past and now.
"Truthfully.I can't tell. All I know is that she does act differently when we are with the Dark Lord." Severus said staring at the fire in the back of the kitchen.
"Do you believe that she might be under the Imperious Curse?" Arthur Weasley asked worriedly.
"Please everyone this is not hearing at the Ministry for Ms. Hecate. She is not here to defend herself." Dumbledore said annoyingly. "We are here to discuss our counter plan to Voldemort's." He said sitting down at the kitchen table next to the Weasley's.
"Yes what is our plan Albus?" Moody said in a scratchy voice.
"She is ill at the moment and will not be able to teach her class for a few days. So Remus I would like for you to come and take over for a little bit plus help keep an eye on Harry." Dumbledore said looking straight at Lupin.
"Next, Minerva, Severus and I will keep watch of Iris. As for everyone else continue your orders and I will keep everyone posted on any further developments that I am sure are to follow. If there are no more other questions everyone may now leave and get some well deserved sleep." Dumbledore said looking around the room.
No one else had any other questions and starting disapparating or leaving via floo powder. Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape and Lupin stayed behind once everyone had left Grimmauld Place.
"Remus I need you at Hogwart's for this upcoming Monday so please be at school by no later than Sunday afternoon, ok?" Dumbledore asked.
"No problem Albus. I can be packed and at Hogwart's by later this afternoon." Lupin said as he headed to the fireplace to return home and quickly pack.
"Albus I am truly worried." Minerva said looking at her headmaster.
"So am I Minerva. For once I think we might be in some serious danger. I thought Iris had truly renounced her alliance to Voldemort but.." Dumbledore said as he trailed off in to his own thoughts for a moment.
"Albus, I am going to start brewing the Polyjuice potion tomorrow." Severus said with no emotion at all.
"Yes, Severus continue the plan you are suppose to do." Dumbledore said sighing.
"What are we going to do about Iris, Albus?" Minerva asked.
"There lies a problem. Severus told us that she is to get the boy alone. But only she knows what she how she is going to go about it." Dumbledore said looking up at Minerva.
"Severus can't you ask Iris what she plans to do since the two of you are cohorts?" Minerva asked Severus.
"I can try but I don't know what good it will really do. The few times we have talked it hasn't ended well and she is extremely vague with me at times also." Severus said with a heavy heart.
"I am really worried about Iris though." Dumbledore said breaking into Minerva's and Severus's conversation.
"How so Albus?" Minerva asked. "You said she is ill right?"
"Yes.but I think this is more complicated than a simple aliment Minerva." Dumbledore said sighing and looking extremely old and tired at this moment.
"What are you getting at Albus?" Snape asked with concern.
Albus sat there for a few moments trying to think of a better way to explain his concerns to his fellow friends. But with no luck he continued.
"I think our dear Ms. Hecate is going..mad." Dumbledore finally said.
"What?!" Severus and Minerva echoed.
"Albus, you can't be serious?" Minerva stated bluntly. "I may not agree with her current actions but I would not say she is going mad!"
"Minvera, Severus and I witnessed a very unusual Iris tonight. She was ranting and raving about her office looking for something." Dumbledore said calmly.
"If that is someone going mad Albus than I am surely mad myself." Minerva snorted.
"I understand Minerva but she couldn't remember Severus grabbing her arm or even talking with me. I think she barely remembered her meeting with Voldemort tonight." Dumbledore said with great concern in his voice as it was also seen in his brilliant blue eyes.
Severus just sat there listening to Dumbledore's soothing voice.
"Could it be possible? Could Iris be losing her mind? All the time she spent with the Dark Lord and doing his bidding truly mess up her brilliant mind? Severus said questioning himself.
"Severus.Severus." Dumbledore said placing a hand on Severus's shoulder.
"Sorry Albus. What were you saying?" Severus asked confused.
"I said we should be going now. We have trying times ahead of us and should get as much rest as we can possibly get this weekend." Dumbledore said.
"Yes, as you wish Albus." Severus said getting up and walking towards the fireplace.
One by one Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape returned to their offices to a restless night of sleep.
*^*^*
Iris woke with a start wondering where she was and how she got there. She sat up and realized that she was in the hospital wing but could not recall how she got there. All she knew was that her head was pounding. She noticed that dawn was just breaking outside. The sky of dark blue clouds with beginnings of orange and yellow were showing through the hospital windows.
"I need to get to Sev's potions lab before he wakes up." Iris whispered to herself as she got out of bed.
Iris grabbed Severus's black cloak and put it over her shoulders. She wished she had slippers on because the marble floor beneath her feet was like walking on ice. She quietly hurried out the hospital wing and made it down towards the dungeons. The only noise that could be heard in the school on this early Saturday morning was the soft pounding her feet made as she rushed off towards Professor Snape's potions lab.
Knowing her Potions Master well she was able to enter his labs without meeting any difficulties. She quickly retreated to the back of the potions lab where she knew he kept all his ingredients stored. She began to rummage quietly through everything and retrieving the necessary ingredients she would need to make her own polyjuice potion. She placed everything in the pockets of Snape's cloak and returned back to her room.
All the while Severus laid in his bed tossing and turning and never falling into a deep sleep. He was none the wiser of what was occurring just a few doors down from him. He finally settled on to his back with dawns early light showing on his bare chest as he stared up at the ceiling lost in deep thought. Many thoughts crossed his already exhausted mind. Most of them involved Iris. He didn't know if wanted her in his life like she use to. He knew he was truly happy with her when they were students at Hogwart's. Things however did change when she became closer to Tom Riddle their 7th year. She wasn't the sweet and caring person he knew and came to love. By no means was he a happy and spirited person because his out look became even darker than it usually was for him. What Dumbledore has said earlier had also crossed his mind several times. Could Iris be possibly be going mad? When she was alone with the Dark Lord what more was the Dark Lord doing to her besides the beating Snape now knows occurs? Was Iris wavering back and forth between the good and bad? Why did Dumbledore have to bring Iris back and why did he have to care so damn much for this girl? were the last thoughts to cross Severus's mind before he drifted into a light sleep.
Iris had made it back to her office with her successfully borrowed ingredients. She reached her office and entered but was in total shock to see her office in such disarray.
"This can't be happening." Iris said out loud. "Why can't I remember doing this? I know it was I who did this by why? I can't even remember what I have been teaching my students!" She exclaimed out loud to no one in particular.
She walked around her office in total disbelief. She saw her wand and a crystal clear orb lying next to an up turned table. She picked up her wand and began restoring her room back to normal. Once she had returned her office back to its normal state she place the clear orb on her desk and began working on her very own polyjuice potion. She conjured up a small cauldron and placed in it in her fireplace to begin brewing. She emptied the ingredients from Snape's cloak on to a near by table and then laid Snape's cloak aside knowing he would be wanting it back soon. Iris was hunched over her cauldron for some time. She finally stood up to give her aching back a break and caught a glimpse of the photo of her and Severus that Lily Evans had taken of the two of them. Iris gave a small smile and with the crackling of the fire she remembered what she was looking for. She grabbed the picture of her and Severus and open the back of it up and a silver ring with the letter "P" engraved on it fell in to the palm of her hand.
"There you are. I have been looking all over for you." Iris said out loud placing the ring on her finger. "With the beginnings of my polyjuice potion underway and finding my ring my plan for Harry is now underway." She said smiling.
Iris continued to work on the polyjuice potion for a while and then decided to head to bed for a short nap before she headed down to breakfast. But before Iris went to bed she had bewitched her cauldron so that if anyone were to enter her office they would think she was brewing a sweet smelling concoction to help her relax and sleep better at night.
A New Beginning
Chapter 6 The Counter Plans
Shortly after Professor Snape was told of his part in Voldemort's plan he quickly went to inform Professor Dumbledore. Professor Snape reached Dumbledore's office but before he knocked he heard people talking inside.
"Who can he possibly be talking with at this time of night?" Snape wondered annoyingly to himself and reached out his quivering hand to knock.
After he knocked it quickly became silent inside of Dumbledore's office.
Finally Snape heard Dumbledore's calm voice inside speak once again. "Enter."
Professor Snape entered cautiously and to his surprise Dumbledore was talking with Professor McGonagall who was dressed in her dark green bathrobe and Dumbledore seemed to still be dressed in his maroon colored robes.
"Severus? What an unexpected but nice surprise?" Dumbldore said smiling as Snape entered the room.
Snape muttered something rather sarcastic that neither Dumbledore nor McGonagall could hear.
"Severus are you alright?" Professor McGonagall asked as Snape moved closer into the light of Dumbledore's office.
"Yes." Snape said annoyingly.
"Blood on one's face is usually not a sign of being alright Severus." Dumbledore said observing the blood on Severus's gaunt face.
"Oh!" Severus uttered as he touched and felt the dry blood on his face. "This is why I am here Albus." Severus said bluntly.
"I am pretty sure Madame Pomfrey can do a better job of patching you up than I can Severus." Dumbledore said. "What happened to your face if you don't mind me asking Severus?" Dumbledore asked curiously.
"This is Professor Hecate's doing." Snape said touching his face once again.
"See Albus that woman is not right!" Professor McGonagall exclaimed. "I have reason to believe that she is not teaching proper subjects to our students."
"Minerva I believe Professor Hecate is quite capable of teaching.." Professor Dumbledore started.
"PLEASE!" Professor Snape growled.
Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall stared at Snape shocked.
"The Dark Lord is planning his attack on Potter." Snape hissed.
"Wh.what?" Stuttered McGonagall.
"Severus, is Iris involved?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes." Snape said annoyingly.
"Minerva, get the Order together immediately." Dumbledore ordered.
Professor McGonagall nodded her head and rushed out Dumbledore's office to notify the members of the Order of the emergency meeting.
"Severus come with me to Iris's office I must speak with her immediately." Dumbledore said hurrying out his office with Severus following after him.
Snape and Dumbledore headed out his office and set off down the dimly lit corridors to Professor Hecate's office. Snape was cursing Dumbledore under his breath from bringing that wretched woman back into his life and possibly destroying what the Order had set out to accomplish. Dumbledore and Snape reached Professor Hecate's classroom and rushed to her office. The closer they reached her office door Dumbledore and Snape could hear books and other things being thrown around and various objects shattering.
Professor Dumbledore urgently knocked on her office door.
"Go away!" Professor Hecate yelled from inside her office.
"Iris it is Severus and I we must come in it is urgent." Dumbledore said talking to a closed door.
"Not now I am busy. Can it wait?" Iris yelled again.
Dumbledore and Snape heard more crashing and Iris cursing. Dumbledore opened Iris's office door and walked in with Snape following closely behind him.
"Iris this is important.." Dumbledore trailed off.
Professor Dumbledore and Snape gasped at the destruction of Iris's office. All her books were thrown from their bookshelves. It looked like Iris had ripped a few of her books in two. Shards of glass littered the wooden floor. Pictures were tossed all around the room. Some were even out of their frames. Her desk drawers had been taken out and emptied of their contents and thrown across the room. Iris wasn't even aware that Professor Dumbledore and Snape had entered her room at all.
"Where is it!" Iris mumbled to herself rummaging through more boxes.
"Iris." Dumbledore called out.
"Where is the damn thing!" Iris exclaimed not paying Dumbledore any attention.
"Iris." Dumbledore said trying again to get her attention.
"WHERE IS IT!" Iris screamed running around her office in her white nightgown.
Snape rushed over to Iris and grabbed her by the arm and spun her around. "Iris!" Snape growled.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Iris said growling back at Severus as she ripped her arm out of his grip.
Severus stepped away from Iris.
"Where is it? Where is it? Where is it?" Iris kept repeating franticly.
"Severus you go ahead to Grimmauld place and inform everyone of what you told me tonight. I will follow shortly. I am going to take Ms. Hecate to the hospital wing." Dumbledore said calmly.
"Are you sure Albus?" Severus asked.
"Yes. Now be off quickly." Dumbledore said advancing towards Iris.
Severus left Professor Dumbledore to tend to Iris and headed back to his office. Snape rushed into his office and headed straight to his fireplace and grabbed a hand full of floo powder and tossed into the fire.
"Grimmauld Place!" Snape said as he stepped into his fireplace.
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"Iris please calm down." Dumbledore said reassuringly. "I will help you look for whatever you are looking for."
"Where is it? I need it now!" Iris cried out sitting on the floor rummaging through stuff already on the floor.
"Iris what are you looking for?" Dumbledore said as he placed a caring hand on her shoulder.
Iris was startled by this and turned around to look at who just touched her.
"Professor!" Iris exclaimed. "How long have you been here?" She asked.
"Iris please get up and come over to the couch with me." Dumbledore said extending his hand that Iris graciously took it and stood up.
"Bloody hell!" Iris exclaimed looking around her office. "What happened here?" She asked confused.
Professor Dumbledore led Iris through the mess of her office to her couch where they sat down.
"Iris do you remember what just happened?" Dumbledore asked worriedly.
"No, not really Professor." Iris said in a daze.
"You don't remember Severus grabbing your arm a few moments ago?" Dumbledore asked.
"He did? Where is Sev now?" Iris asked looking around her destroyed office.
"He is tending to some important busy for me right now." Dumbledore stated. "Iris do you remember anything else that has happened this evening?" He asked eagerly.
"I remember a black orb then ending up in a dark room..OH MY! Is Severus all right? He was there with me and I hit him and was bleeding the last time I saw him!" Iris spat out hurriedly.
"Severus is quite fine Iris. Like I said he is tending to some busy for me at the moment." Dumbledore said with a sigh of relief.
"Give him my apologies when you see him Professor." Iris said tiredly.
"Iris why don't you spend the night in the hospital wing tonight with Poppy. You are not looking well." Professor Dumbledore said standing up.
"Yes, yes good idea." Iris said getting up slowly.
Dumbledore was right Iris did not look well at all. Her chocolate brown eyes looked almost black as night as if they weren't her eyes anymore. She was paler now then when she first arrived at Hogwart's only a few months ago. She had even lost weight and was looking very unhealthy. Her face was very gaunt and black circles surrounded her eyes due to lack of sleep. Her hair had lost its beautiful sheen and the purple streaks she likes so much were even fading away.
Dumbledore search for a robe for her to wear since he couldn't get to her bedroom because the door was blocked by debris. He surveyed her office and quickly spotted a black cloak and placed it on her shoulders.
"This is Sev's. Please return it to him." Iris said pushing it off her shoulders.
"Iris I doubt Severus will be missing it tonight. You can return it to him later." Dumbledore said calmly.
Iris and Professor Dumbledore left her office and headed to the hospital wing. Dumbledore led Iris to one of the hospital beds.
"Albus, what is wrong?" Madame Pomfrey said as she hurried out her room tightening her dressing gown around her waist. "Oh!" She said stiffly when she caught sight of Iris.
"Poppy, Professor Hecate will be staying the night here. She is not feeling well so I will like for you to keep an eye on her tonight for me please." Dumbledore asked.
"Albus it is not wise for her to be here or even in this school. Students and Professors are starting to talk." Madame Pomfrey said coldly.
"I am well aware of this Poppy but tonight I need to you watch over her." Dumbledore said impatiently.
"I know and I will Albus. Don't worry she is in good hands." Madame Pomfrey said sighing.
"Thank you Poppy. I must be off. I am needed elsewhere at the moment but if something out of the unordinary happens fine me at once." Dumbledore said as he rushed out of the hospital wing.
"Unordinary?" Pomfrey said as she watched Dumbledore rush away.
Madame Pomfrey turned and looked at Professor Hecate who was already fast asleep. Poppy pulled the covers up over Iris and wished her a good nights sleep even though she was already fast asleep.
"Everything that happens here is unordinary." Madame Pomfrey thought to herself as she headed back to room for the night.
*^*^*
All the members of the Order were showing up quickly at number 12, Grimmauld Place. Professor McGonagall was telling everyone that showed up to please wait in the kitchen and that Professor Dumbledore would be joining them shortly.
"Minerva what is going on?" Remus Lupin asked yawning.
"Yes, what is going on and why a meeting at this time of night?" Tonks asked knocking over her stool as she stood up.
Minerva sighed. "We have gotten word tonight that Voldemort is planning an attack on Harry."
"OH MY!" Arthur Weasley exclaimed.
"Is Harry alright?" Molly Weasley asked worriedly as she clutched her husband's hand.
"Yes, Harry is quite fine. I personally checked on him before I came here." Minerva said reassuringly.
"When is Dumbledore arriving? I am ready to hear our plan of attack." Alastor Moody said as his bright blue and magical eye zoomed around the kitchen of Grimmauld Place.
"Albus and Severus were taking care of some urgent business and would be here shortly." Minerav said stifling a yawn herself.
Suddenly Severus appeared in the back of the kitchen brushing soot off his himself. Everyone turned and stared at Severus who still had dried blood on his face.
"Severus where is Albus?" Minerva asked worriedly.
"He is taking care of Iris. She is not well and he was bringing her to the hospital wing." Severus said coldly. "He also informed me to start to the meeting and that he would be here as soon as possible." He continued in a very sarcastic manner.
Lupin snorted at Severus's comment and Severus just glared at Lupin with disgust.
"Please Severus if you are to start to meeting then please do." Arthur Weasley said politely.
"Thank you Arthur." Severus said dully. "Iris and I were summoned by the Dark Lord tonight and that is of course why you are all here tonight. We were told of our parts in the Dark Lord's plan to attack Mr. Potter." He said bitterly.
"Quit beating around the bush Severus and just tell us already. We already know why we are here it is pretty obvious." Remus Lupin said getting extremely annoyed.
"I will if you would just be patient Remus." Severus spat. "I am to make the Dark Lord polyjuice potion. Don't bother asking me who he plans on becoming because that part I am not aware of." Severus said before anyone could ask him.
"Where does Iris come in to this plan Severus?" Minerva asked coldly.
"She is to get the boy by himself." Severus stated plainly.
Everyone in the kitchen gasped at what they had just heard and were startled because at the precise moment Dumbledore popped out the fireplace.
"By the look on everyone's face Severus has just told you part of Voldemort's plan for Harry." Albus said as he walked towards Severus.
"She cannot be allowed near him Albus!" Molly Weasley exclaimed. "I don't care that she is his cousin she mustn't. She would surely turn him over to Voldemort!"
"For once Albus I think you made a bad judgement of character to allow her to teach at Hogwart's." Remus Lupin said shaking his head.
Severus snorted and Remus was about to make another statement but was cut off just in time.
"I agree with Remus, Albus." Minerva said standing up.
"I am very well aware that the Order, the Hogwart's faculty and the Ministry is not pleased with me placing her at Hogwart's." Dumbledore finally said.
"Parents have been flooding the Ministry with owls because of her Albus." Arthur Weasley said.
"I was glad to see her when she first arrived and was happy for her to be a part of our family. She was an excellent student and a very good Auror and excelled in the Department of Mysteries." Minervas said with concern in her voice.
"She was a bloody good Auror. She caught a many Death Eater in her time. She turned in many of her fellow Death Eaters." Moody added with his eye spinning wildly.
Minerva continued. "But she has changed so much in the short time she has been her Albus."
Many of the people in the kitchen nodded in agreement with Minerva and Moody.
"I fear she is truly a devote servant of Voldemort and should not be trusted with her pupils at all or as a spy for the Order anymore." Minerva stated. "From what I have witnessed of her teachings. She is teaching Darks Arts that one would only know if they themselves were Death Eaters. She is endangering our students." Minerva sighed.
Everyone was quiet for some time taking in all of the nights events and wondering what was going to be the result of possibly losing a member of the Order to the Dark side.
"Severus you are the only one who has worked with Iris so far, right?" Asked Molly Weasley.
"Yes." Severus said annoyingly.
"Tell us then. Is she crossing back over to follow Voldemort?" Tonks asked curiously.
Severus paused for sometime thinking about all the encounters he has had with Iris and the Dark Lord together in the past and now.
"Truthfully.I can't tell. All I know is that she does act differently when we are with the Dark Lord." Severus said staring at the fire in the back of the kitchen.
"Do you believe that she might be under the Imperious Curse?" Arthur Weasley asked worriedly.
"Please everyone this is not hearing at the Ministry for Ms. Hecate. She is not here to defend herself." Dumbledore said annoyingly. "We are here to discuss our counter plan to Voldemort's." He said sitting down at the kitchen table next to the Weasley's.
"Yes what is our plan Albus?" Moody said in a scratchy voice.
"She is ill at the moment and will not be able to teach her class for a few days. So Remus I would like for you to come and take over for a little bit plus help keep an eye on Harry." Dumbledore said looking straight at Lupin.
"Next, Minerva, Severus and I will keep watch of Iris. As for everyone else continue your orders and I will keep everyone posted on any further developments that I am sure are to follow. If there are no more other questions everyone may now leave and get some well deserved sleep." Dumbledore said looking around the room.
No one else had any other questions and starting disapparating or leaving via floo powder. Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape and Lupin stayed behind once everyone had left Grimmauld Place.
"Remus I need you at Hogwart's for this upcoming Monday so please be at school by no later than Sunday afternoon, ok?" Dumbledore asked.
"No problem Albus. I can be packed and at Hogwart's by later this afternoon." Lupin said as he headed to the fireplace to return home and quickly pack.
"Albus I am truly worried." Minerva said looking at her headmaster.
"So am I Minerva. For once I think we might be in some serious danger. I thought Iris had truly renounced her alliance to Voldemort but.." Dumbledore said as he trailed off in to his own thoughts for a moment.
"Albus, I am going to start brewing the Polyjuice potion tomorrow." Severus said with no emotion at all.
"Yes, Severus continue the plan you are suppose to do." Dumbledore said sighing.
"What are we going to do about Iris, Albus?" Minerva asked.
"There lies a problem. Severus told us that she is to get the boy alone. But only she knows what she how she is going to go about it." Dumbledore said looking up at Minerva.
"Severus can't you ask Iris what she plans to do since the two of you are cohorts?" Minerva asked Severus.
"I can try but I don't know what good it will really do. The few times we have talked it hasn't ended well and she is extremely vague with me at times also." Severus said with a heavy heart.
"I am really worried about Iris though." Dumbledore said breaking into Minerva's and Severus's conversation.
"How so Albus?" Minerva asked. "You said she is ill right?"
"Yes.but I think this is more complicated than a simple aliment Minerva." Dumbledore said sighing and looking extremely old and tired at this moment.
"What are you getting at Albus?" Snape asked with concern.
Albus sat there for a few moments trying to think of a better way to explain his concerns to his fellow friends. But with no luck he continued.
"I think our dear Ms. Hecate is going..mad." Dumbledore finally said.
"What?!" Severus and Minerva echoed.
"Albus, you can't be serious?" Minerva stated bluntly. "I may not agree with her current actions but I would not say she is going mad!"
"Minvera, Severus and I witnessed a very unusual Iris tonight. She was ranting and raving about her office looking for something." Dumbledore said calmly.
"If that is someone going mad Albus than I am surely mad myself." Minerva snorted.
"I understand Minerva but she couldn't remember Severus grabbing her arm or even talking with me. I think she barely remembered her meeting with Voldemort tonight." Dumbledore said with great concern in his voice as it was also seen in his brilliant blue eyes.
Severus just sat there listening to Dumbledore's soothing voice.
"Could it be possible? Could Iris be losing her mind? All the time she spent with the Dark Lord and doing his bidding truly mess up her brilliant mind? Severus said questioning himself.
"Severus.Severus." Dumbledore said placing a hand on Severus's shoulder.
"Sorry Albus. What were you saying?" Severus asked confused.
"I said we should be going now. We have trying times ahead of us and should get as much rest as we can possibly get this weekend." Dumbledore said.
"Yes, as you wish Albus." Severus said getting up and walking towards the fireplace.
One by one Dumbledore, McGonagall and Snape returned to their offices to a restless night of sleep.
*^*^*
Iris woke with a start wondering where she was and how she got there. She sat up and realized that she was in the hospital wing but could not recall how she got there. All she knew was that her head was pounding. She noticed that dawn was just breaking outside. The sky of dark blue clouds with beginnings of orange and yellow were showing through the hospital windows.
"I need to get to Sev's potions lab before he wakes up." Iris whispered to herself as she got out of bed.
Iris grabbed Severus's black cloak and put it over her shoulders. She wished she had slippers on because the marble floor beneath her feet was like walking on ice. She quietly hurried out the hospital wing and made it down towards the dungeons. The only noise that could be heard in the school on this early Saturday morning was the soft pounding her feet made as she rushed off towards Professor Snape's potions lab.
Knowing her Potions Master well she was able to enter his labs without meeting any difficulties. She quickly retreated to the back of the potions lab where she knew he kept all his ingredients stored. She began to rummage quietly through everything and retrieving the necessary ingredients she would need to make her own polyjuice potion. She placed everything in the pockets of Snape's cloak and returned back to her room.
All the while Severus laid in his bed tossing and turning and never falling into a deep sleep. He was none the wiser of what was occurring just a few doors down from him. He finally settled on to his back with dawns early light showing on his bare chest as he stared up at the ceiling lost in deep thought. Many thoughts crossed his already exhausted mind. Most of them involved Iris. He didn't know if wanted her in his life like she use to. He knew he was truly happy with her when they were students at Hogwart's. Things however did change when she became closer to Tom Riddle their 7th year. She wasn't the sweet and caring person he knew and came to love. By no means was he a happy and spirited person because his out look became even darker than it usually was for him. What Dumbledore has said earlier had also crossed his mind several times. Could Iris be possibly be going mad? When she was alone with the Dark Lord what more was the Dark Lord doing to her besides the beating Snape now knows occurs? Was Iris wavering back and forth between the good and bad? Why did Dumbledore have to bring Iris back and why did he have to care so damn much for this girl? were the last thoughts to cross Severus's mind before he drifted into a light sleep.
Iris had made it back to her office with her successfully borrowed ingredients. She reached her office and entered but was in total shock to see her office in such disarray.
"This can't be happening." Iris said out loud. "Why can't I remember doing this? I know it was I who did this by why? I can't even remember what I have been teaching my students!" She exclaimed out loud to no one in particular.
She walked around her office in total disbelief. She saw her wand and a crystal clear orb lying next to an up turned table. She picked up her wand and began restoring her room back to normal. Once she had returned her office back to its normal state she place the clear orb on her desk and began working on her very own polyjuice potion. She conjured up a small cauldron and placed in it in her fireplace to begin brewing. She emptied the ingredients from Snape's cloak on to a near by table and then laid Snape's cloak aside knowing he would be wanting it back soon. Iris was hunched over her cauldron for some time. She finally stood up to give her aching back a break and caught a glimpse of the photo of her and Severus that Lily Evans had taken of the two of them. Iris gave a small smile and with the crackling of the fire she remembered what she was looking for. She grabbed the picture of her and Severus and open the back of it up and a silver ring with the letter "P" engraved on it fell in to the palm of her hand.
"There you are. I have been looking all over for you." Iris said out loud placing the ring on her finger. "With the beginnings of my polyjuice potion underway and finding my ring my plan for Harry is now underway." She said smiling.
Iris continued to work on the polyjuice potion for a while and then decided to head to bed for a short nap before she headed down to breakfast. But before Iris went to bed she had bewitched her cauldron so that if anyone were to enter her office they would think she was brewing a sweet smelling concoction to help her relax and sleep better at night.