Disclaimer: I own nothing belonging to the wonderful world of Harry Potter. I only own the character Iris Hecate and the plots involving her. Thanks!
Author's Note: Sorry this chapter took so long to get posted. School was very hectic and will be during the summer. The next few chapters should hopefully get posted quicker than this one. Thanks to everyone who reads and reviews my story.
A New Beginning
Chapter 11 A Part of His Legacy
Iris woke up early the following morning sore and extremely tired. She slowly got up out of bed and stretched her sore and aching joints. Iris headed the bathroom to began running a hot bath. Before she even made it to the tub she turned around and headed to her office to write a brief note.
Harry,
Can you please see me in my office at 3 o'clock this afternoon for tea?
Sincerely,
Professor Hecate
Iris folded up the note and called a for a house elf who quickly arrived to her office.
"How can I help you Professor Hecate?" The shy little house elf asked.
"Can you please deliver this note to Mr. Potter?" Iris asked as she handed over the folded piece of parchment paper.
"Yes, I will deliver this to Mr. Potter immediately Professor Hecate." The house elf said excitedly.
Before Iris could get a thank you out the house elf was already out the door.
Iris headed back to her bathroom and began drawing her bath. She pulled out a vile out of her medicine cabinet that was filled with a light purple liquid. She walked over to the tub and poured it in. A few minutes later she slipped into her hot bath and laid back her head on the cold marble wall.
The bathroom was silent except with the slight swooshing of water. Suddenly Iris slammed her hands down in the water and began to cry.
"Why?" She weeped. "Why?"
"Why Harry? Why Severus? Why me?" Iris cried.
Iris cried for a several minutes and stopped abruptly.
"Suck it up Iris!" She said out loud.
"You have your own plans to complete before Harry arrives for tea today." She said as she continued to talk to herself.
Iris washed off and quickly grabbed her bathrobe and pulled it on as she headed to her office.
Iris sat at her old desk and pulled off her silver "P" engraved ring and place on the desk right in front of her. She looked at for a few minutes. She stood up and retreated back to her room for her wand. She muttered something to herself and tapped the ring three times before it started to glow a very bright and brilliant blue.
She left the ring on her desk and went about her day.
&&&&&
Harry woke on his first day of winter vacation wishing he felt refreshed and eager to go, but he didn't. Harry had yet another sleepless night and he was starting to get fed up with the lack of sleep and so was everyone else around him due to his quick temper and irritability.
Harry laid in his bed and listened to his roommates wake up, get dressed and head done to the common room. Harry did not want to get up but he knew if he didn't he would have Ron and Hermione in his room pestering him to get up. Harry sat up and swung his feet to the floor and got dressed knowing that this day was not going to be a good one.
Harry trudged down to the Gryffindor common room to find it empty and slowly headed down to the great hall for breakfast.
"Good morning Harry!" Hermione said cheerfully as Harry sat down next to her.
"Morning Harry." Ron said as he pushed a pitcher of orange juice towards Harry.
"Morning." Harry grumbled as he poured himself a glass of orange juice.
"Another sleepless night Harry?" Hermione asked as she patted him on the hand.
"Yeah." Harry sighed as he took a long gulp of his orange juice.
"You can always ask..." Ron started.
"Excuse me Mr. Potter?" A quiet little voice said next to Harry.
Harry felt a little tug on his sweater and looked down to see a shy little house elf standing next to him.
"Yes." Harry said curiously.
"This is for you." The house elf said as she handed him a folded piece of parchment.
"Thank you." Harry said as the house elf scurried out of the great hall.
Harry held the note in his hand for a while just staring at it with a blank look on his face.
"Go ahead and read it Harry." Ron urged.
Harry slowly unfolded the note and read it quietly to himself. Harry sat there for a few minutes reading the note over and over again.
"What does it say? Who is it from?" Ron asked curiously.
Harry read over the note one more time, folded it up and placed it in the pocket of his jeans.
"It is from Professor Hecate. She wants me to join for her tea in her office at 3pm." Harry said plainly as he reached for the toast.
"Huh?" Ron and Hermione said together.
&&&&
Voldemort now disguised as Severus Snape paced back and forth across Severus's office. Voldemort had to make his presence as Severus so no one would be none the wiser. He joined a few of the professors for breakfast but remained quiet and left quickly.
Voldemort had yet to cross paths with his nemesis Professor Dumbledore. Voldemort kept himself cooped up in Severus's quarters but he knew that when dinnertime arrived he would come face to face with Dumbleodore.
Voldemort stopped in front of the Severus's fireplace and a terrible and horrible laugh.
"I will be looking right into your eyes old man and you will never know it is me!" Voldemort hissed evilly.
"That reminds me I must meet with Iris this evening to talk about her plans." He said rubbing his hands together. "But this time it won't be as the Lord Voldemort but as Severus."
&&&&
Harry spent most of his day in Gryffindor's common room with Ron and Hermione and a few of his fellow Gryffindor's that had stayed for the Christmas holidays. Harry spent his time either playing wizard's chess or staring out the window as the snow fell heavily.
"Harry, why do you think Professor Hecate wants to see you for today?" Ron asked as he put away his chess game.
"Who knows?" Harry sighed.
"Something is not right with her Harry." Hermione said as she put down the latest book she was reading. "I'd be careful when meeting with her this afternoon."
"No shit!" Ron snorted.
"No, seriously. There is something extremely odd about her whole presence here." Hermione said ignoring Ron's idiot remark.
"Please continue Hermione." Harry said becoming slightly interested in what his friend had to say.
"Of course we know about her past she clearly stated that in our first class meeting. Let me rephrase that she told us what she wanted us to know about her." Hermione said as she moved to the table where Ron and Harry were seated.
Harry and Ron both leaned in to hear more of what Hermione had to say about Professor Hecate.
"She has worked for the Ministry for several years before coming here." Hermione started.
"Get to the point Hermione." Harry said annoyingly.
"I am!" She exclaimed. "Just listen!"
"She did independent research, became and Auror, and she knows a lot about the Dark Arts, Right?" Hermione said plainly.
"Yeah..." Harry said still waiting for Hermione to get to the point.
"Connections, connection, connections! Look at the connections!" Hermione exclaimed.
Ron and Harry just stared at Hermione as they waited for her to explain the connection between everything.
"Ok, I'll put the connections together for the two of you." She said looking at their somewhat confused faces.
"You'll understand when I am done." She started.
"First, independent research. Could that possibly equal Dark Arts?" Hermione said as she started to count her reasons off on her fingers.
"Second, Dark Arts connection with Snape."
"Third, Snape was a former Death Eater."
"Forth, former Death Eater turned spy. Look at the work Snape is doing for the Order. What if Professor Hecate is doing the same but for the wrong side?" Hermione asked as she continued to count off on her fingers.
"Fifth, she was a former Auror and probably hunted her fair share of Death Eaters. Some of which were convicted and some were not. Which was probably some ploy the Voldemort planned."
"Finally, she is here at Hogwart's and she is up to something. I know she is! I have this strange feeling in the pit of my stomach." Hermione concluded.
Harry started to reply to all of Hermione's connections but was interrupted by the chiming of the clock that was on top of the fireplace mantle.
"DING! DING! DING!"
"Well, it is 3 o'clock." Harry said as he stood up.
"I will see you two later. Probably at dinner tonight." He said as he headed out.
"Be careful!" Hermione called out to him as he walked out the common room.
&&&&
Iris tidied up her office. She did this to keep herself busy and truthfully it needed it. Iris could have used magic to clean her office but she found the muggle way of cleaning to be therapeutic in some odd way.
Once she was done she headed the bedroom to clean herself up.
She had just finished buttoning up here dark peach colored robes when she heard a faint knock on her office door.
She hurried out into her office. Before she answered the door she headed over to her desk.
She pulled out a small velvet maroon box and placed the silver ring inside it. Quickly, using her wand she tied a shiny gold ribbon around and slipped it inside her robe pocket.
Iris patted it as she walked to her office door when she heard another soft knock at her door.
"Good afternoon Harry." Iris said warmly as she held the door open for Harry.
Harry forced a smile and mumbled good afternoon as he slowly walked into Professor Hecate's office.
Harry stared around Professor Hecate's office for a few moments. He had been in this office several times but it was always with a different Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Harry was always amazed at how different it look for each new professor.
"Harry would you like some tea?" Iris asked.
"Yes, please." Harry said looking uneasy.
"Please dear have a seat on the couch and I'll join you shortly." Iris's voice trailed off as she headed to the back of her office to prepare a pot of tea and some cookies.
Harry made his way over to the couch and plopped down and already wishing it was dinnertime so he could leave.
Iris made her way over to Harry a short time later with a try filled with cookies and tea.
"Here we go." Iris said as she took a spot next to Harry.
Iris poured two cups of tea and handed one over to Harry.
"If you like sugar, milk or honey in your tea there is some on the tray." She said as she tried to find something to talk about.
Harry and Iris sat in awkward silence for several minutes. The tension was thick in the room because neither one could think of where their conversation should begin.
"Harry." Iris paused. "I know you must have some questions you would like to ask me. If this school is anything like I remembered it things do travel pretty quickly around here." She laughed quietly.
"Do you know when and how I first saw you?" Harry asked looking into his cup of tea.
"When? How?" Iris said sounding confused.
"It wasn't when you first arrived at Hogwarts or when we had our first class meeting." Harry continued.
Iris just sat there confused as she listened.
"I first saw you in your 3rd and 4th year and then again in your 6th and 7th year here at Hogwart's." Harry said finally looking over at Iris.
Iris just gave him this strange look. "How?" She asked. "That was well before you were even a twinkle in your father's eye Harry."
"Professor Snape and I were having Occlumency lessons and I was able to get into Professor Snape's mind a couple of times using Legilimency." Harry answered.
"Wow!" Iris whispered. "What else did you see?" She asked.
"I only saw you." Harry paused. "And that you had a school trunk with Potter written on it."
"I wasn't actually told that you were a relative of mine until I met with Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Professor Lupin." Harry added.
"Hmm." Iris said looking for a way to explain her.
"It looks like you know a great deal more than I thought you did Harry." Iris sighed.
"Not as much as I would like to know about you Professor." Harry mumbled.
Harry considered telling Professor Hecate that he knew of Voldemort's plan to capture him but decided not because it might complicate things even more.
"Harry you have every right to question me and by all means do it." Iris started. "I will answer to the best of my ability."
Harry just sat there in silence as he waited for her to continue. Harry was going to let her spill her guts because he had a feeling all his questions would be answered without him having to ask her out right. Harry felt sorry for Professor Hecate but he wanted answers and he was going to get them anyway he could.
"You were told that am I am your cousin Harry, but what else did they tell you?" Iris asked. "So I kind of know where to continue."
"That is all I was told Professor." Harry lied.
Harry remembered that particular conversation quite well but Harry wanted to see what Professor Hecate was going to say.
"I am going to have to make a long story short Harry. I have done many things in my life and I will tell you some but the rest I will have to leave out." Iris said sitting down next to him again.
Harry nodded and let Professor Hecate begin her story.
"Well..." Iris said taking a sip of her tea.
"I do remember telling your Defense Against the Dark Arts class a little bit about myself so I don't have to explain that again."
"Hmm...you do need to know that I was the first in the Potter family not to become a Gryffindor."
"Why you maybe thinking Harry?" She asked looking over at him.
"I fancied the Dark Arts back then and when I was younger. So did my mother. That is where I got it from I guess." Iris said as she leaned back on the couch.
"For some unknown reason when I entered Hogwart's I was placed into Slytherin. My family was embarrassed by me becoming a Slytherin." Iris sighed.
"But not mom. She was thrilled by it. That is the main reason why I changed my last name. I did not want to be known as a Potter. My mother encouraged me to take her maiden name." Iris continued.
"I continued to study the Dark Arts even after certain books were banded from the school. It was something that gave me great pleasure." Iris said, as her tone became darker.
"Half way through my time here at Hogwart's I feel into a crowd that liked the same things that I did. By things I mean they had a passion for the Dark Arts."
"By the end of my 7th year here at Hogwart's I had become completely consumed by the power of the Dark Arts." Iris said evilly.
Harry just looked at the woman sitting next to him. Her facial expressions had changed completely. When Harry first arrived he noticed that she looked extremely tired but now her face was twisted into this evil expression.
Harry inched himself closer to the other end of the couch as Iris continued to talk.
"I turned a way from the one thing in my life that made me happy and possibly could have prevent what decisions I made back then. But in the end we both took the same path and things were never the same between us." Iris sighed as her expression and tone of voice turned soft again.
"The one part of my life that I am ashamed of now was when I became a Death Eater. It didn't bring me shame back then it brought me pleasure. Oh, the pleasure!" Iris laughed evilly as she turned towards Harry.
"The torturing, the killing of muggles and anyone who got in our way made me feel so powerful. To be in total control! That was pleasure." Iris said as she moved closer and closer to Harry.
Harry just looked at her oddly. Her mood kept on changing from sad to dark in a split second. He wasn't afraid of her but at the same time he didn't know what to do in his situation.
Harry did some quick thinking and asked her a question. "What about Professor Snape?"
Iris blinked a couple of times and looked at Harry as if he just appeared in front of her. She noticed how close she gotten to Harry and jumped back.
"Oh, yes Severus I am mean Professor Snape." Iris said quickly correcting herself.
"That is something I would rather not discuss Harry." She added quickly.
Harry and Professor Hecate sat there in silence for a short time when the clock on Iris's fireplace began to strike 7 o'clock.
"My, my the time did fly by didn't it?" Iris said laughing uneasily.
"Yeah it did." Harry mumbled.
"Well, it is dinner time I must be getting down to the Great Hall." Harry said as he began to stand up.
"Wait Harry. I have something for you?" Iris said as Harry sat back down again.
Iris reached into the pocket of her robes and pulled out the little maroon box and handed it over to Harry.
Harry took the little box and slowly untied the ribbon wrapped around it. He opened it and saw a little silver ring with the letter "P" engraved on it.
"It should have gone to your mother Harry. All the girls born into the Potter family receive a ring like this. I wasn't the right person at the time it should have been give to her. So I want you to have because it is rightfully yours." Iris said as she looked down at the floor.
"Thank you." Harry said quietly as he closed the box and placed it in his pocket.
Nothing more was exchanged between Harry and his cousin Iris. Harry stood up to leave her office but stopped when he reached the door and turned back. All Harry saw of Professor Hecate was her head in her hands and he could hear a soft whimper coming from her. Harry felt sorry for her. He wished he could do something but he couldn't so he turned and left her office and made his way down to the Great Hall.
&&&&
Iris took a couple of deep breaths and head to the bathroom to splash some cold water on her face and get herself under control. As Iris patted her face dry she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and frowned. She looked worse for ware. She had lost some weight, she was pale and had bags under her eyes. Her hair had become long and shaggy. She just looked bad.
Iris sighed at her appearance and left and headed down to the Great Hall for some dinner.
As Iris made it closer to the Great Hall she could hear all the happy laughter and chatter coming from inside. She walked in and slowly made her way to the head table.
She looked up and saw Severus sitting in his usual spot. Severus looked up and caught her stare. Iris smiled at him but he did return it.
Iris sat down next to Severus and put some food on her plate. She didn't eat much she basically just pushed it around her plate for a little bit. Iris looked up and Harry looking at her. Harry gave her a warm smile then turned back to his friends.
Iris smiled to herself as she continued to play with her food.
"What was that all about?" Severus ordered.
"What?" Iris replied.
"That smile Harry just gave you." Severus said becoming annoyed.
"Nothing." Iris whispered.
"Severus?" Iris asked.
"What?" Severus growled.
"Can we talk later tonight? Say around 1 o'clock this morning at the Astronomy tower?" Iris said looking over at him.
"I guess." Severus snapped as he stood up and walked out of the Great Hall.
&&&&
As Voldemort disguised as Severus headed back down to Severus quarters he laughed to himself.
"If only she knew just how much she is going to talk tonight." Voldemort laughed evilly as he entered Severus's office.
Author's Note: Sorry this chapter took so long to get posted. School was very hectic and will be during the summer. The next few chapters should hopefully get posted quicker than this one. Thanks to everyone who reads and reviews my story.
A New Beginning
Chapter 11 A Part of His Legacy
Iris woke up early the following morning sore and extremely tired. She slowly got up out of bed and stretched her sore and aching joints. Iris headed the bathroom to began running a hot bath. Before she even made it to the tub she turned around and headed to her office to write a brief note.
Harry,
Can you please see me in my office at 3 o'clock this afternoon for tea?
Sincerely,
Professor Hecate
Iris folded up the note and called a for a house elf who quickly arrived to her office.
"How can I help you Professor Hecate?" The shy little house elf asked.
"Can you please deliver this note to Mr. Potter?" Iris asked as she handed over the folded piece of parchment paper.
"Yes, I will deliver this to Mr. Potter immediately Professor Hecate." The house elf said excitedly.
Before Iris could get a thank you out the house elf was already out the door.
Iris headed back to her bathroom and began drawing her bath. She pulled out a vile out of her medicine cabinet that was filled with a light purple liquid. She walked over to the tub and poured it in. A few minutes later she slipped into her hot bath and laid back her head on the cold marble wall.
The bathroom was silent except with the slight swooshing of water. Suddenly Iris slammed her hands down in the water and began to cry.
"Why?" She weeped. "Why?"
"Why Harry? Why Severus? Why me?" Iris cried.
Iris cried for a several minutes and stopped abruptly.
"Suck it up Iris!" She said out loud.
"You have your own plans to complete before Harry arrives for tea today." She said as she continued to talk to herself.
Iris washed off and quickly grabbed her bathrobe and pulled it on as she headed to her office.
Iris sat at her old desk and pulled off her silver "P" engraved ring and place on the desk right in front of her. She looked at for a few minutes. She stood up and retreated back to her room for her wand. She muttered something to herself and tapped the ring three times before it started to glow a very bright and brilliant blue.
She left the ring on her desk and went about her day.
&&&&&
Harry woke on his first day of winter vacation wishing he felt refreshed and eager to go, but he didn't. Harry had yet another sleepless night and he was starting to get fed up with the lack of sleep and so was everyone else around him due to his quick temper and irritability.
Harry laid in his bed and listened to his roommates wake up, get dressed and head done to the common room. Harry did not want to get up but he knew if he didn't he would have Ron and Hermione in his room pestering him to get up. Harry sat up and swung his feet to the floor and got dressed knowing that this day was not going to be a good one.
Harry trudged down to the Gryffindor common room to find it empty and slowly headed down to the great hall for breakfast.
"Good morning Harry!" Hermione said cheerfully as Harry sat down next to her.
"Morning Harry." Ron said as he pushed a pitcher of orange juice towards Harry.
"Morning." Harry grumbled as he poured himself a glass of orange juice.
"Another sleepless night Harry?" Hermione asked as she patted him on the hand.
"Yeah." Harry sighed as he took a long gulp of his orange juice.
"You can always ask..." Ron started.
"Excuse me Mr. Potter?" A quiet little voice said next to Harry.
Harry felt a little tug on his sweater and looked down to see a shy little house elf standing next to him.
"Yes." Harry said curiously.
"This is for you." The house elf said as she handed him a folded piece of parchment.
"Thank you." Harry said as the house elf scurried out of the great hall.
Harry held the note in his hand for a while just staring at it with a blank look on his face.
"Go ahead and read it Harry." Ron urged.
Harry slowly unfolded the note and read it quietly to himself. Harry sat there for a few minutes reading the note over and over again.
"What does it say? Who is it from?" Ron asked curiously.
Harry read over the note one more time, folded it up and placed it in the pocket of his jeans.
"It is from Professor Hecate. She wants me to join for her tea in her office at 3pm." Harry said plainly as he reached for the toast.
"Huh?" Ron and Hermione said together.
&&&&
Voldemort now disguised as Severus Snape paced back and forth across Severus's office. Voldemort had to make his presence as Severus so no one would be none the wiser. He joined a few of the professors for breakfast but remained quiet and left quickly.
Voldemort had yet to cross paths with his nemesis Professor Dumbledore. Voldemort kept himself cooped up in Severus's quarters but he knew that when dinnertime arrived he would come face to face with Dumbleodore.
Voldemort stopped in front of the Severus's fireplace and a terrible and horrible laugh.
"I will be looking right into your eyes old man and you will never know it is me!" Voldemort hissed evilly.
"That reminds me I must meet with Iris this evening to talk about her plans." He said rubbing his hands together. "But this time it won't be as the Lord Voldemort but as Severus."
&&&&
Harry spent most of his day in Gryffindor's common room with Ron and Hermione and a few of his fellow Gryffindor's that had stayed for the Christmas holidays. Harry spent his time either playing wizard's chess or staring out the window as the snow fell heavily.
"Harry, why do you think Professor Hecate wants to see you for today?" Ron asked as he put away his chess game.
"Who knows?" Harry sighed.
"Something is not right with her Harry." Hermione said as she put down the latest book she was reading. "I'd be careful when meeting with her this afternoon."
"No shit!" Ron snorted.
"No, seriously. There is something extremely odd about her whole presence here." Hermione said ignoring Ron's idiot remark.
"Please continue Hermione." Harry said becoming slightly interested in what his friend had to say.
"Of course we know about her past she clearly stated that in our first class meeting. Let me rephrase that she told us what she wanted us to know about her." Hermione said as she moved to the table where Ron and Harry were seated.
Harry and Ron both leaned in to hear more of what Hermione had to say about Professor Hecate.
"She has worked for the Ministry for several years before coming here." Hermione started.
"Get to the point Hermione." Harry said annoyingly.
"I am!" She exclaimed. "Just listen!"
"She did independent research, became and Auror, and she knows a lot about the Dark Arts, Right?" Hermione said plainly.
"Yeah..." Harry said still waiting for Hermione to get to the point.
"Connections, connection, connections! Look at the connections!" Hermione exclaimed.
Ron and Harry just stared at Hermione as they waited for her to explain the connection between everything.
"Ok, I'll put the connections together for the two of you." She said looking at their somewhat confused faces.
"You'll understand when I am done." She started.
"First, independent research. Could that possibly equal Dark Arts?" Hermione said as she started to count her reasons off on her fingers.
"Second, Dark Arts connection with Snape."
"Third, Snape was a former Death Eater."
"Forth, former Death Eater turned spy. Look at the work Snape is doing for the Order. What if Professor Hecate is doing the same but for the wrong side?" Hermione asked as she continued to count off on her fingers.
"Fifth, she was a former Auror and probably hunted her fair share of Death Eaters. Some of which were convicted and some were not. Which was probably some ploy the Voldemort planned."
"Finally, she is here at Hogwart's and she is up to something. I know she is! I have this strange feeling in the pit of my stomach." Hermione concluded.
Harry started to reply to all of Hermione's connections but was interrupted by the chiming of the clock that was on top of the fireplace mantle.
"DING! DING! DING!"
"Well, it is 3 o'clock." Harry said as he stood up.
"I will see you two later. Probably at dinner tonight." He said as he headed out.
"Be careful!" Hermione called out to him as he walked out the common room.
&&&&
Iris tidied up her office. She did this to keep herself busy and truthfully it needed it. Iris could have used magic to clean her office but she found the muggle way of cleaning to be therapeutic in some odd way.
Once she was done she headed the bedroom to clean herself up.
She had just finished buttoning up here dark peach colored robes when she heard a faint knock on her office door.
She hurried out into her office. Before she answered the door she headed over to her desk.
She pulled out a small velvet maroon box and placed the silver ring inside it. Quickly, using her wand she tied a shiny gold ribbon around and slipped it inside her robe pocket.
Iris patted it as she walked to her office door when she heard another soft knock at her door.
"Good afternoon Harry." Iris said warmly as she held the door open for Harry.
Harry forced a smile and mumbled good afternoon as he slowly walked into Professor Hecate's office.
Harry stared around Professor Hecate's office for a few moments. He had been in this office several times but it was always with a different Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Harry was always amazed at how different it look for each new professor.
"Harry would you like some tea?" Iris asked.
"Yes, please." Harry said looking uneasy.
"Please dear have a seat on the couch and I'll join you shortly." Iris's voice trailed off as she headed to the back of her office to prepare a pot of tea and some cookies.
Harry made his way over to the couch and plopped down and already wishing it was dinnertime so he could leave.
Iris made her way over to Harry a short time later with a try filled with cookies and tea.
"Here we go." Iris said as she took a spot next to Harry.
Iris poured two cups of tea and handed one over to Harry.
"If you like sugar, milk or honey in your tea there is some on the tray." She said as she tried to find something to talk about.
Harry and Iris sat in awkward silence for several minutes. The tension was thick in the room because neither one could think of where their conversation should begin.
"Harry." Iris paused. "I know you must have some questions you would like to ask me. If this school is anything like I remembered it things do travel pretty quickly around here." She laughed quietly.
"Do you know when and how I first saw you?" Harry asked looking into his cup of tea.
"When? How?" Iris said sounding confused.
"It wasn't when you first arrived at Hogwarts or when we had our first class meeting." Harry continued.
Iris just sat there confused as she listened.
"I first saw you in your 3rd and 4th year and then again in your 6th and 7th year here at Hogwart's." Harry said finally looking over at Iris.
Iris just gave him this strange look. "How?" She asked. "That was well before you were even a twinkle in your father's eye Harry."
"Professor Snape and I were having Occlumency lessons and I was able to get into Professor Snape's mind a couple of times using Legilimency." Harry answered.
"Wow!" Iris whispered. "What else did you see?" She asked.
"I only saw you." Harry paused. "And that you had a school trunk with Potter written on it."
"I wasn't actually told that you were a relative of mine until I met with Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall and Professor Lupin." Harry added.
"Hmm." Iris said looking for a way to explain her.
"It looks like you know a great deal more than I thought you did Harry." Iris sighed.
"Not as much as I would like to know about you Professor." Harry mumbled.
Harry considered telling Professor Hecate that he knew of Voldemort's plan to capture him but decided not because it might complicate things even more.
"Harry you have every right to question me and by all means do it." Iris started. "I will answer to the best of my ability."
Harry just sat there in silence as he waited for her to continue. Harry was going to let her spill her guts because he had a feeling all his questions would be answered without him having to ask her out right. Harry felt sorry for Professor Hecate but he wanted answers and he was going to get them anyway he could.
"You were told that am I am your cousin Harry, but what else did they tell you?" Iris asked. "So I kind of know where to continue."
"That is all I was told Professor." Harry lied.
Harry remembered that particular conversation quite well but Harry wanted to see what Professor Hecate was going to say.
"I am going to have to make a long story short Harry. I have done many things in my life and I will tell you some but the rest I will have to leave out." Iris said sitting down next to him again.
Harry nodded and let Professor Hecate begin her story.
"Well..." Iris said taking a sip of her tea.
"I do remember telling your Defense Against the Dark Arts class a little bit about myself so I don't have to explain that again."
"Hmm...you do need to know that I was the first in the Potter family not to become a Gryffindor."
"Why you maybe thinking Harry?" She asked looking over at him.
"I fancied the Dark Arts back then and when I was younger. So did my mother. That is where I got it from I guess." Iris said as she leaned back on the couch.
"For some unknown reason when I entered Hogwart's I was placed into Slytherin. My family was embarrassed by me becoming a Slytherin." Iris sighed.
"But not mom. She was thrilled by it. That is the main reason why I changed my last name. I did not want to be known as a Potter. My mother encouraged me to take her maiden name." Iris continued.
"I continued to study the Dark Arts even after certain books were banded from the school. It was something that gave me great pleasure." Iris said, as her tone became darker.
"Half way through my time here at Hogwart's I feel into a crowd that liked the same things that I did. By things I mean they had a passion for the Dark Arts."
"By the end of my 7th year here at Hogwart's I had become completely consumed by the power of the Dark Arts." Iris said evilly.
Harry just looked at the woman sitting next to him. Her facial expressions had changed completely. When Harry first arrived he noticed that she looked extremely tired but now her face was twisted into this evil expression.
Harry inched himself closer to the other end of the couch as Iris continued to talk.
"I turned a way from the one thing in my life that made me happy and possibly could have prevent what decisions I made back then. But in the end we both took the same path and things were never the same between us." Iris sighed as her expression and tone of voice turned soft again.
"The one part of my life that I am ashamed of now was when I became a Death Eater. It didn't bring me shame back then it brought me pleasure. Oh, the pleasure!" Iris laughed evilly as she turned towards Harry.
"The torturing, the killing of muggles and anyone who got in our way made me feel so powerful. To be in total control! That was pleasure." Iris said as she moved closer and closer to Harry.
Harry just looked at her oddly. Her mood kept on changing from sad to dark in a split second. He wasn't afraid of her but at the same time he didn't know what to do in his situation.
Harry did some quick thinking and asked her a question. "What about Professor Snape?"
Iris blinked a couple of times and looked at Harry as if he just appeared in front of her. She noticed how close she gotten to Harry and jumped back.
"Oh, yes Severus I am mean Professor Snape." Iris said quickly correcting herself.
"That is something I would rather not discuss Harry." She added quickly.
Harry and Professor Hecate sat there in silence for a short time when the clock on Iris's fireplace began to strike 7 o'clock.
"My, my the time did fly by didn't it?" Iris said laughing uneasily.
"Yeah it did." Harry mumbled.
"Well, it is dinner time I must be getting down to the Great Hall." Harry said as he began to stand up.
"Wait Harry. I have something for you?" Iris said as Harry sat back down again.
Iris reached into the pocket of her robes and pulled out the little maroon box and handed it over to Harry.
Harry took the little box and slowly untied the ribbon wrapped around it. He opened it and saw a little silver ring with the letter "P" engraved on it.
"It should have gone to your mother Harry. All the girls born into the Potter family receive a ring like this. I wasn't the right person at the time it should have been give to her. So I want you to have because it is rightfully yours." Iris said as she looked down at the floor.
"Thank you." Harry said quietly as he closed the box and placed it in his pocket.
Nothing more was exchanged between Harry and his cousin Iris. Harry stood up to leave her office but stopped when he reached the door and turned back. All Harry saw of Professor Hecate was her head in her hands and he could hear a soft whimper coming from her. Harry felt sorry for her. He wished he could do something but he couldn't so he turned and left her office and made his way down to the Great Hall.
&&&&
Iris took a couple of deep breaths and head to the bathroom to splash some cold water on her face and get herself under control. As Iris patted her face dry she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and frowned. She looked worse for ware. She had lost some weight, she was pale and had bags under her eyes. Her hair had become long and shaggy. She just looked bad.
Iris sighed at her appearance and left and headed down to the Great Hall for some dinner.
As Iris made it closer to the Great Hall she could hear all the happy laughter and chatter coming from inside. She walked in and slowly made her way to the head table.
She looked up and saw Severus sitting in his usual spot. Severus looked up and caught her stare. Iris smiled at him but he did return it.
Iris sat down next to Severus and put some food on her plate. She didn't eat much she basically just pushed it around her plate for a little bit. Iris looked up and Harry looking at her. Harry gave her a warm smile then turned back to his friends.
Iris smiled to herself as she continued to play with her food.
"What was that all about?" Severus ordered.
"What?" Iris replied.
"That smile Harry just gave you." Severus said becoming annoyed.
"Nothing." Iris whispered.
"Severus?" Iris asked.
"What?" Severus growled.
"Can we talk later tonight? Say around 1 o'clock this morning at the Astronomy tower?" Iris said looking over at him.
"I guess." Severus snapped as he stood up and walked out of the Great Hall.
&&&&
As Voldemort disguised as Severus headed back down to Severus quarters he laughed to himself.
"If only she knew just how much she is going to talk tonight." Voldemort laughed evilly as he entered Severus's office.