Disclaimer: The usual stuff applies here.
A New Beginning
Chapter 14 Christmas Eve
"That DAMN werewolf is going to get his!" Growled Voldemort as he formulated yet another plan of attack.
"What can I use from my little bag of tricks?" Voldemort asked himself as he paced Severus' office.
"Knowing him he might be able to sniff out whatever Iris has planned so I can't rely on her plan to work on him." Voldemort rubbed his hands together.
Voldemort continued to pace the floor and hold a conversation with himself as the polyjuice potion wore off and his true form appeared.
"Ahhh it might just work." He laughed evilly. "Might? It will work."
"There is a full moon in a few days so the werewolf will need his Wolfbane potion later on today. I'll make it for him like the dutiful Potions Master I am suppose to be but it will be doctored." Voldemort took a swig of his polyjuice potion and made his way to Severus' private potions lab.
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In the kitchen the house elves began their usual preparations for breakfast and lunch. Since it was Christmas Eve the house elves began some of the baking for that evening early.
One elf went over to the pantry and pulled out a large tin and made its way back over to the work table. The house elf set to work making many batches of special peppermint brownies.
"These are going to be delicious!" Squeaked the house elf in excitement.
The house elf was correct but also unaware of what would happen once the brownies had been eaten.
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Iris stirred slightly when a cool hand touched her forehead. Iris opened her eyes and blinked a few times trying to focus on the person standing over her.
"Well, good morning." Madame Pomfrey smiled.
"Morning." Iris croaked out as she tried pulling herself into sitting position.
"Let me help." Madame Pomfrey reached for Iris's shoulder.
"No thank you. I got it." Iris struggled to pull herself up as Madame Pomfrey stood by and watched.
"Would you like a few extra pillows Iris?" Madame Pomfrey asked.
"Yes, please." Madame Pomfrey placed a few pillows behind her back.
"Do you think you will be able to eat Iris?" Madame Pomfrey asked.
"Some juice and toast would be nice." Iris yawned.
"Good. I will be back shortly with your breakfast." Madame Pomfrey left the hospital wing.
Iris lay back on the mound of pillows and closed her eyes. Iris dosed off for a little bit but was waken up with the sound of a soft clinking noise. Iris opened her eyes and saw Professor Dumbledore standing next to her.
"Ahh you are a wake again." Dumbledore smiled as he placed her breakfast tray on her table.
"Yes." Iris yawned once more.
"How are you feeling this morning Iris?" Dumbledore asked as he sat in the seat next to Iris's bed.
Iris just looked at Dumbledore with a pained expression.
"You don't remember do you?" Dumbledore stroked his beard.
"No." Iris started to become agitated.
Iris leaned forward and pulled her bed table closer. Iris pulled so hard that she caused her glass of pumpkin juice to fall over and spill all over the place.
"I didn't want it anyway." Iris pushed back the table and fell back on to the pillows.
Professor Dumbledore pulled out his wand and quickly performed a cleaning spell. All that was left on Iris's table was an empty glass and a plate of now cold toast.
"It is all right Iris. You don't have to remember just yet. Just rest for now but if you remember anything call for me immediately." Professor Dumbledore stood up and left Iris to rest.
Iris watched Professor Dumbledore leave the hospital wing. Iris turned to her side and watched the clouds and birds pass by the window. She tried with all her might to remember last night. All it brought was confusion and a horrible headache. Iris closed her eyes and drifted off into a fitful sleep.
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Iris made her way down the dark and cold dungeon corridors. The cold stone floor sent shivers up her spine. She chided herself for wondering about in only a thin nightgown. She made her way down the corridor trying every door she came across. Finally at the end of the dark hallway she came across and unlocked door. She turned the knob and pushed open the heavy wooden door.
"Come in my love." Severus called from his place in front of the fireplace.
Iris was confused. This situation seemed real to her but at the same time it didn't.
"Sit my love." Severus said in a sickly sweet voice as he patted the spot on the couch next to him.
Iris automatically walked over to Severus and took her place next to him.
"Very good my pet." Severus stroked Iris hair as she sat beside him.
"Do you know what I want from you?" He asked her coldly.
Iris looked over at Severus and shook her head no. Iris was having a hard time distinguishing between what was real and what was fantasy at the moment.
"I am sure you do my pet." Iris shook her head no again as Severus continued to stroke her head.
Severus leaned forward and placed his mouth next to Iris's ear and whispered seductively. "I want for you to tell me what you are doing tonight."
Iris with a confused look upon her face pulled away from Severus and gazed up at him. Iris's mouth fell open when she saw Severus' face melt away from his body. Iris got up to run but was pulled back down by blotchy, red hand. Iris stared up in fright as Lord Voldemort peered down at her with a menacing glare.
Iris managed to pull her hand away from her Master and made a mad dash to the door she had entered. She made it within inches of the door and dropped to the floor in excruciating pain.
Iris sat straight up in bed dripping in sweat as her heart raced and. Iris took a few deep breaths to steady herself. She looked around the hospital wing for any sign of Madame Pomfrey. At the moment she couldn't see her but some of the wing was blocked by privacy screens that surrounded part of her bed. Iris pulled off the sweat soaked covers and crept out of bed.
Iris crept quietly to the privacy screens and peered around them. Iris spotted a light on in Madame Pomfrey's office. Iris quietly made her way to the other side of the hospital wing that was hidden in darkness. Iris pressed her back up against the wall and slowly crept her way around until she made it to the main entrance to the hospital wing.
Iris knew she had to get her plan underway before she forgot any detail of it forever. She headed up to her office to get what she needs to make tonight successful.
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"I ate too much." Ron complained as he patted his stomach.
"You always do." Hermione laughed as she and her two friends made their way into the Gryffindor common room.
"Why are there so many people still up?" Harry asked as he made his way through the crowd.
"Harry you've got to try one of these?" Fred said as he pushed a brownie in Harry's mouth.
"No." Was all Harry could get out before a huge chocolate brownie was forced into his mouth.
"Mmmm." Harry said after swallowing the rather large bite in his mouth. "It tastes like peppermint."
"Who made these?" Hermione asked as she and Ron each grabbed for a brownie.
"Most likely the house elves did." George said walking over with a hand full of brownies.
"You think you have enough of them George?" Harry laughed.
"I've had plenty already. I saved these for you, Hermione and Ron." George held the brownies out.
"Thanks." The three friends said in unison.
Ron, Harry and Hermione grabbed a couple of empty chairs in front of the fireplace.
"These are really good." Ron said as he shoved the last of his brownies in his mouth.
"Yeah." Harry yawned in agreement.
"We should be heading for bed. It is getting late." Hermione yawned herself.
Harry and Ron pulled themselves up out of their seats and headed for the boy dormitory.
"Night." Hermione called out as she headed for bed.
"Night." Ron and Harry murmured sleepily.
"Hey Neville go to bed if you are tired." Ron slapped Neville on the knee as he passed the sleeping boy.
"Neville." Harry nudged his friend once more. "He must be tired." Harry shrugged his shoulders and headed after Ron.
"He'll come up after the fire dies out and it gets cold down here." Ron said as they made it into their dormitory.
"Listen to that snoring." Harry snorted as he put his pajamas on.
Harry waited for Ron to make a smart remark. Harry looked over at Ron who didn't even bother to put his pajamas on he lay there passed out in his bed snoring loudly like everyone else.
"Go figure." Harry said as he climbed into bed.
Harry took his glasses off and placed them on his bed side table and laid back as a deep sleep over came him. But before Harry fell asleep he reached inside his side drawer and pulled out a small box and clutched it in his hand.
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Knock. Knock.
Severus rolled his eyes to the faint knocking he heard at his potions lab door.
"Yes." He called out.
Severus didn't even bother to turn around to see who it was bothering him this time.
"Professor." Squeaked a tiny voice by his knees.
"I said yes." Severus said annoyingly.
"Here is your plate of brownies." The tiny little house elf placed on the work table next to Severus. "All the Professors are getting these."
"Has Professor Lupin received his yet?" Severus asked eyeing the little house elf before him.
"No Professor. He will be getting his next." Squeaked the house elf.
"Leave his with me. I am heading up to his office shortly and I will bring them." Severus ordered.
"It is ok Professor I can do it for you." The house elf answered.
"I said leave them." Severus barked.
"Yes sir." The house elf quickly placed the other tray of brownies next to Severus' and ran out the room.
"Oh he'll get his." Voldemort laughed as he put the finishing touched to Professor Lupin's Wolfbane potion.
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Iris made it back to her office without being seen by Madame Pomfrey or any other Professors or students. Iris was quite surprised just how many students were still up and about as it got later on in the evening. She made it back to her office just in the nick of time. As she closed her classroom door behind her a small group of gossiping girl walked past.
Iris ran across her classroom to her office and slammed her office door behind her. She headed over to her desk and pulled open the middle drawer of her desk and removed a seemingly empty vile. She grabbed the small vile and rummaged through her desk drawers until she found a larger one. Once she did she headed over to the fireplace.
Iris sat on the couch and stared at the fireplace for a few moments trying to compose herself. Everyone that set foot into her office would assume that the small cauldron was just simmering lavender and water but in all honesty it was her very own polyjuice potion.
Iris took a deep breath and filled the larger vile with polyjuice potion. Before she headed out she grabbed her bed slippers and her cloak. Iris quickly dressed and made her way quietly into her classroom. She tipped toed across the room and pressed her ear against the door listening for any outside sounds.
Once she knew that the coast was clear she made her way quickly to the Gryffindor tower.
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Voldemort poured the altered Wolfbane potion into a metal goblet. He took a swig from his flask and headed for Professor Lupin's sleeping quarters. Voldemort had no trouble getting to where he had to be. The castle was extremely quiet. He casually knocked on Professor Lupin's door.
"Enter." Remus called out. "Ah, Severus what a pleasant surprise what can I do for you this evening?"
Severus remained quiet and entered Remus' office. He kept his eye on Remus as he placed the metal goblet down on his desk.
Remus uncrossed his legs and removed them from the top of his desk. He placed a bookmark in his book and put it aside. "Is it that time of the month again?" He snorted.
Severus just rolled his eyes at the man before him.
"Just drink it already." Voldemort growled to himself.
Remus picked up the metal goblet and eyed it carefully. He glanced back and forth from the glass and Professor Snape. He shrugged his shoulders and gulped the concoction down.
"Damn good Severus damn good." Remus said as he wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his shirt.
"Any time now." He laughed to himself.
Remus picked up his book again and propped his feet back up on his desk. "Anything else I can do for you Severus?"
"No." Severus sneered.
"Ok then. Well, goodnight Severus." Remus yawned.
Severus turned on his heel quickly and headed for the door.
"Severus?" Remus mumbled.
Severus turned back around and saw Remus swaying slightly in his chair.
"I don't feel right. Did you make any changes to the potion?" Remus stood up awkwardly.
"Yes I did as a matter of fact." Severus smiled evilly.
"Wha..." Remus collapsed to the floor in a pile.
"I guess you will never know." Voldemort laughed out loud. He grabbed the empty goblet and left.
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Iris quickly put on her cloak. This wasn't her ordinary cloak it was her very own invisibility cloak. She had only used it one time before and of course she needed it now. She quietly made her way to the Gryffindor tower. She waited outside patiently. She hoped that a house elf would be leaving the tower because that was her only chance of getting inside the tower since she did not know the password herself.
Iris paced back and forth quietly trying not to disturb the fat lady in the portrait. Iris paced for what seemed like hours but eventually the portrait slid back. Iris took her chance and slipped in as the tiny house elf left the Gryffindor tower.
"Finally!" Iris thought to herself.
Iris kept her cloak on and scanned the common room. The fire had been tended to which was unusual because the fires usually burned out. She scanned the far end of the room and saw Neville fast asleep in one of the arm chairs. Iris just assumed that the fire was kept burning for him.
Iris creped over to Neville and nudged his foot with hers. She did that several times to determine just how asleep he was. Several more attempts and nothing more than deep breathing escaped from his mouth.
"I guess the brownies went over well." Iris sighed to herself.
She scanned the common room and noticed two doorways one to her left and one to her right. Not knowing which one lead to the boy's dormitory she took a wild guess and decided to try her left.
As Iris climbed the stair to what she hoped was the boy's dormitory she kept reciting her plan over and over again in her mind. She reached to top of the stairs, took a deep breath and leaned her ear against the door. She listened hard and could hear snoring coming from behind the door.
Iris pushed open the heavy wooden door and quietly walked into the dormitory. She sighed in relief that she was indeed in the boy's dormitory but she had to check to make sure she was in the one she needed to be in.
She walked over to one of the beds and pulled the red velvet drapes back. Iris caught a glimpse of bright red hair. She leaned over slightly to get a better look of the face and realized that she was staring at Ronald Weasley,
"Good then one of these beds Harry is sleeping in." Iris thought to herself as her heart began to race.
Iris began her search and after her second try she found Harry fast asleep.
"Harry!" Iris nudged him on his shoulder.
"Hmff." Harry rolled over to his side.
Iris took off her cloak. "Harry!" She tried again. "You are down for the count aren't you?" She nudged at Harry again.
"Where did you put it?" Iris mumbled as she began rummaging through Harry's dresser drawers.
"Where is it Harry?" Iris was starting to worry.
Iris was starting to become desperate. She started to check Harry's bed covers. She came up empty handed. She felt under his pillow and still that turned up nothing. Iris sat on the edge of Harry's bed and sighed heavily.
"Sorry Harry I failed you." Iris grabbed his hand and held it in hers.
Iris stroked his hand. "What are you holding?"
Iris loosened Harry's grip and pulled out the small box he was clutching. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Iris kissed the little box.
She pulled her cloak over to her and pulled out her wand. She took the ring out the box and placed it on Harry's hand. She tapped the ring three times with her wand and it began glowing bright blue. Within seconds Harry was no longer in his bed and no where in the castle.
Iris grabbed a pair of Harry's pajamas, tossed her cloak on and headed back to her office.
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Iris rushed into her office stuffed her cloak in a fairly empty desk drawer. Holding the two vials she took the hairs out of the one and placed them in the one containing the poly juice potion. She waited a few seconds before chugging down the polyjuice potion. Iris felt like her body was burning and melting away from her. A few minutes later that sensation passed. She rushed to her bath room and looked in the mirror.
"It worked." She sighed in a voice not her own.
She ditched her nightclothes and put Harry's pajamas on. She rushed back into her office and flung herself on the couch and closed her eyes.
Not a second later her office door swung open.
"Good he is here." Voldemort growled.
"Malfoy find Iris now!" Voldemort ordered. "Bring her to me immediately when you find her."
"Yes, Master." Malfoy nodded his response.
"Grabbe and Goyle tell the others to watch over parts of the castle and report back to if anything starts to go wrong." Voldemort hissed to his two minions.
"I'm taking him now." Voldemort growled in pleasure. "Let's see if he can stay the boy who lived."