My name is still not JK Rowling; I don't own Harry Potter, although I enjoy playing around in her sandbox. However, any grammar issues are from Grammarly and my own.
My name is still not JK Rowling; I don't own Harry Potter, although I enjoy playing around in her sandbox. However, any grammar issues are from Grammarly and my own.
After a quiet lunch, Iris headed towards Queen's Street. Between Mansion House Tube Station and the shopping area, she had been pleasantly surprised to find a familiar solicitor sign a few days before. Another stroke of luck, the friendly woman on the phone explained there was an opening in the Solicitor's schedule for the afternoon.
Disappearing into the magical world covered in a glamour had become second nature to Iris during and long after the war. Hidden in plain sight had become her mantra. The Black family wand she now wielded held no trace, and the simple goblin mail ward would take care of owl posts. And when notices from the Ministry didn't arrive warning her about the illegal use of magic earlier, she knew her wandless magic obfuscated any detention.
Holding back a chuckle, Iris had passed Hestia Jones leaving through the floo, not giving her a second look earlier. So, Iris wasn't terribly concerned about being recognized as she exited the Leaky Cauldron. The chances of discovery when she traveled incognito in non-magical London were almost nonexistent.
Pulling out a small hand mirror, Iris checked her glamour. Iris would admit that Violet Dursley had become quite the lovely girl inside and out. It took some time to come to terms with their shared past, but they had become close. Another precious person who was lost to her upon waking up in this world.
"Hello, how may I help you?" A woman gave a cheerful welcome as Iris entered the Solicitor's office.
"Good afternoon. My name is Violet Dursley. I called this morning."
"Ahh, yes, Miss Dursley, you have a two o'clock appointment with Solicitor Tonks." The receptionist nodded, marking off something on her computer, then passed her a clipboard. "If you can, start filling out this form. Mr. Tonks is just finishing up a phone call, so he will be right with you."
Taking a seat, Iris looked over the form. Trying not to giggle, she happily filled out the information on her cousin. It took only a few moments before an older man stepped out of his office and looked around.
"Miss Dursley?"
Taking a seat, Iris looked around the professional-looking office. On the wall were the usual certificates, another with family photos which included a lovely family portrait with two other people she recognized. Iris had to admit that a toddler Nymphadora was simply adorable.
"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice, Mr. Tonks. I hadn't really expected to get an appointment so quickly."
"Well, you called at the right time. My afternoon appointment had just been canceled due to a family emergency," he explained, then looked over the form she filled out. "From what you explained to my assistant Sana, you have a relative you believe was illegally incarcerated."
"I do; he is a cousin on my father's side. Let's see, it would be close to fifteen years now."
Leaning back on his chair, he asked, "I assume his solicitor was not helpful, so you're looking for a second opinion?"
"Well, I don't believe his case was ever brought before the courts. Let's say that certain people found it politically convenient for him to remain in prison. It also doesn't help that there are members of the government who know of his innocence but will not come forward with that information."
"Miss Dursley," Ted sighed.
"I can see how this would be hard to believe. Let me ask before we continue. Anything spoken today will go no further than this office."
"That is correct. As a solicitor, I am bound by the Rules of Professional Conduct. This means I cannot divulge any information concerning your affairs during our professional relationship. Even if the relationship is terminated by one of the parties, I am still bound by those rules."
"Excellent," Iris said, then tapped her ring on the desk three times. "I am not positive that someone would be placed in prison without a trial in the non-magical world, but I know this often happens in the magical one."
Ted almost reached for his wand, as the image of the witch suddenly changed when the complex glamour fell. Of all the people who would come to his office, the last person he expected would be the 'Girl Who Lived.'
"I am sorry for the subterfuge; times as they are, it's necessary."
Ted found himself commenting, "You cast magic out of school."
Iris's laughter filled the office. "You're such a dad. I can see why Nymphadora adores you."
He couldn't help but sigh, then asked, "Can you explain why you're here? We can address the whole underage magic later."
"Oh, I thought it would be obvious. I am looking for information on the trial of my godfather, Sirius Black. And, since I know there wasn't one, I want to know why and what would be needed for him to get one."
Iris hadn't even thought about approaching a solicitor until she finished reading all the letters written to her other self. It was a treasure trove of information. Especially from one bushy-haired teenager. Thank goodness Hermione sent her several pages, rehashing what happened at the end of their third year and what they all could have done better. Couldn't have written a better After-Action report herself.
The wizard rubbed his forehead, pulled out a pad, and started to write things down. "You believe that Sirius Black, the right-hand man of 'Who Must Not be Named,' was illegally imprisoned."
"No, Mr. Tonks, I don't believe. I know for certain. He did not betray my family."
"Although my wife would agree with you, most people will not." Ted frowned, then asked, "So, you're telling me that someone else was your family's secret keeper?"
"Of course, it was Peter Pettigrew."
Ted gave her a skeptical look. "The man who is considered a hero of the wizarding."
"He was also a marked Death Eater," she cheerfully replied.
"What about the muggles Sirius Black was accused of murdering?"
"Pettigrew cut off his pinky finger and tossed a Bombardia into a gas main."
Ted looked over his notes, then asked, "And you discovered this, how?"
"Two years ago, my friends and I were confronted by Sirius Black. I believe it might have made the Daily Prophet?"
"I think I remember reading something about it."
"During the confrontation, Pettigrew's presence was revealed. He was hiding with a magical family as a common house rat for thirteen years. Sirius had recognized him in a photo, and that's why he escaped from Azkaban." Iris explained.
"So, Peter Pettigrew is also an Animagus?"
"Unregistered, him and two others that he once called friends. While in school, the group decided to learn that difficult charm to support another friend who was cursed with lycanthropy. It's a little-known fact that, while in an Animagus form, they are resistant to the curse. Also, the infected person does not treat them as a threat."
"I would like to confirm that," Ted frowned, then wrote a separate note for himself.
Iris shrugged, "You might want to ask your wife. She's still a healer at Saint Mungo's?"
"So, what happened next?"
"Peter Pettigrew was apprehended, and we planned to turn him into the Aurors. However, the Professor who helped us apparently forgot to take his wolfsbane potion or that it was the night of a full moon."
Ted looked stunned. "Forgot?"
"Right, unbelievable, isn't it?" Iris sighed. "The man might have been a close friend of my father's, but he is an idiot. In the ensuing confusion, Pettigrew escaped."
In her world, the rat hadn't gotten far. While Sirius dealt with Lupin, Iris had taken to wing and hunted the traitor down, catching up to him not too far inside the forbidden forest.
"What's even more interesting, none of us spoke to an Auror afterward. They were never called. It was all simply swept under the rug."
Ted leaned back in his chair. "So, who else knows about this?"
"Remus Lupin, although he wouldn't be believed because he is a werewolf. Severus Snape, but he despises my godfather, and you can't expect the Headmaster's pet Death Eater to be allowed anywhere near Veritaserum. My schoolmates, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, should also be included."
"Both minors," Ted added as he wrote down the names. "Any more?"
Iris then began to list all the Death Eaters summoned at the end of the third task. The list contained many influential members of the magical world. A very dangerous piece of paper. She felt terrible when Mr. Tonks froze for a moment, but he slogged on like a trooper.
"You must wonder why as the right-hand man of the Dark Lord of this generation, Sirius was not filled to the gills full of Veritaserum. He would know who, what, and how Tom Riddle rose to power if he was who they said he was. It should have been the trial of the century, written in every history book. Instead, it was politically convenient for him to disappear."
"Tom Riddle?"
"Ah, Voldemort's real name." Iris pointed to the pad. "You can also add your sister-in-law and the rest of those inside Azkaban. Lucius Malfoy is easy to explain. He would like nothing more for Sirius to be kissed so his son Draco could become the next Head of the Black family."
Ted closed his eyes and then sighed. "You're not done, are you?"
"No," she gave him a sympathetic smile. "Your daughter and anyone else who is a current member of the Order of the Phoenix."
"My daughter?" His head shot up.
"Ahh, I see you were aware that she had joined the Headmaster's little bird club."
"That's going to kill her mother," he whispered.
"It's not my place to interfere with your family, Mr. Tonks. But you must be aware that her career will be over if Director Bones discovers Nymphadora is spying for Dumbledore."
"Dora, what have you gotten yourself mixed up in." Ted grimaced, then asked a little fearfully, "So it's true. 'He Who Must Not be Named' is back?"
"If you want, I would be happy to take Veritaserum or give you a memory or two of what happened in the graveyard. No one seemed interested after the third task. Anyway, call him Riddle, but yes, Fudge is either complicit or ignorant. Probably a mix of the two. A lot of those Death Eater families have really deep pockets. I am also guessing the Ministry's lack of preparedness is why your daughter decided to join the Order."
The two sat quietly for a few moments before he asked, "So, what you're telling me, Albus Dumbledore knows that my wife's cousin is innocent, and there is a chance he has always known?"
"Always, not sure, but at least since the end of my third year. Why hasn't he done anything? I believe there are at least several good reasons. It ensures that he retains control of my guardianship. The Headmaster is quite obsessed with where I live. Or perhaps he doesn't want to spend the political capital, which he is now currently lacking. Although three years ago, it would have been different. Maybe it's just not convenient for him. Any other reasons, I don't know. Dumbledore keeps his own counsel."
"You think he hasn't said anything because it's convenient?"
"Needs must when the Devil drives, Mr. Tonks," Iris said. "The happiness of two individuals is not important if Albus Dumbledore believes it will interfere with the betterment of the whole."
"That sounds awfully like for the 'Greater Good.'"
"Für das Größere Wohl," Iris held back a snort. "I don't think he's that bad, but Dumbledore was a close friend to Gellert Grindelwald, and it's not unexpected that their political beliefs bled into one another."
Ted sighed, "You mentioned something else, his guardianship of you, that could be an issue for me working with you."
"Oh, that won't be a problem either, "Iris stated, raising her hand showing the ring she had used to knock on the desk,
"Impossible."
She laughed at the surprised look on his face, "That's the same thing Swiftshank, the Black account manager said to me. And I will tell you what I told him. It's improbable but not impossible."
"I don't understand; you're a Potter, not a Black."
Iris rocked her hand back and forth. "I am through my grandmother."
It would be hard to explain she was already Head of House before appearing in this world.
"How much do you know of Sirius's history with his family?"
At Ted's grimace, she continued, "Because of many things, besides how his mother treated him, he moved in with my grandmother. Sirius would have been dragged back home if it was anyone else but family. So, it worked out well for all parties. The only one not happy was Walburga, but she had another child she could dote upon."
"But I thought like my wife, Sirius, was disowned?"
"No, although his mother blasted him off the tapestry, he was still heir to the family. Orion wanted to make Regulus next in line, but Alphard overruled him. Then became moot after Regulus was murdered by Riddle."
"Reggie was a nice kid. Andi thought the world of him." Ted shook his head sadly, then asked, "Still, doesn't explain how you're wearing the ring and not Sirius?"
"Sorry, I was coming to that. Sirius no longer considered the Black family. I think the same with the relatives I grew up with, so I can relate. When I was born, he made me his heir, but even after his father's death, he still refused to claim Head of House."
Iris looked down at the ring. "How come I wear the ring? It's a bit convoluted and hidden behind family secrets, sorry. However, the goblins confirmed it, and so did family magic. The Ministry can complain all they want, but the older families who sit on the Wizardmont will tell Fudge to mind his own business."
And looked up with a feral grin, "And there is nothing Albus Dumbledore can do about it. But let's keep that little secret between us for now, no one needs to know who has claimed Head of House, and after I take my OWLs at the end of the school year, it won't matter."
Ted chuckled, "Are you sure you're a Gryffindor?"
"Well, the Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin, but one of the first people I met in the wizarding world was Pansy Parkinson. The thought of having to share a dorm with that bint for seven years changed my mind."
"Well, considering that family, I don't blame you."
"I know," she agreed with a smile. "So, how do we get my godfather declared innocent?"
Ted Tonks had not even thought about not taking the case, and the two sat for another hour going over the next steps. Luckily, the Ministry thrived on paperwork, and the lack of it on Sirius Black would be damning to certain members of the government. He was also happy to hear that were other parties working towards ending Voldemort's rise to power before it even began.
"I'm concerned about how you can keep me updated once I get to school." Iris finished signing a document covering the costs of the investigation and anything else, including hiring a Barrister for Sirius when needed.
"I thought I would just owl any updates," Ted said as he placed all the documents into a folder.
"Can't be sure that others won't be reading them."
Her lawyer looked up, concerned. "You think that someone is reading your mail Hogwarts?"
"Well can't say either way, but with what's going on outside the walls of Hogwarts, I can't be sure. I also don't get a lot of mail, none really. So, it would be unusual to start, especially if it came from a Solicitors office."
"I can have my wife send it, but it won't address the issue of it being private."
"No, I think it's a good idea. I would love to hear from Andromeda. As Head of the Black family, it's one of the things I had planned on doing anyway. No one can object to me corresponding with my cousin. Just have her add something that tells me you have information for me."
"Ahh, a code sounds very hush-hush, very James Bond like." He laughed.
"I know, doesn't it." She grinned. "Kreacher."
"Yes, Mistress." The Black family house-elf appeared, confirming that the young woman had been telling him the truth the whole time,
"This is Ted Tonks; he is now my solicitor and husband to Andromeda."
The house-elf's eyes lit up. "How may Kreacher be of service."
Spending an evening in non-magical London ensured Iris wouldn't bump into anyone looking for her. The Dursleys never would have allowed her to go to the cinema, and when she moved in with Sirius, it never came up. It wasn't only until after the war and only after mentioning to her friends that she had never seen a Disney movie.
"Luna would have liked that one," she said wistfully, humming the theme to Grandmother Willow as she strolled through the darkened Ministry of Magic.
Wrapped in Death's cloak, her passage was unseen, not that she expected to run into anyone this late at night. Even the Aurors who worked the third shift never made their way down to this part of the Ministry.
Then Iris stopped, staring at the elevator in front of her. She didn't even plan on taking anything, just needed a look. If one squinted the right way, they could be convinced she wasn't breaking and entering.
As the door closed, she contemplated that eventually, she would need help dealing with Voldemort. Who she trusted, however, was going to be the issue.
After stepping off the elevator and entering a small hexagonal room, Iris announced, "Death Chamber."
The room spun a dozen times before the door in front of her opened. Suddenly, there was a shift in the air, and whispers filled the room. The Veil of Death looked the same, a large piece of unknown grey stone crafted into an arch. Covered in eldritch runes, beneath it swirled what could only be described as a curtain of black light.
"Hello to you too."
Curiosity getting the better of her, Iris looked around a bit, gave the arch a little finger wave, and headed towards the exit.
"Merlin, this place needs another expansion charm or two," she commented.
The Department of Mysteries seemed disorganized as ever, stacked from floor to ceiling with rows and rows filled with small globes. She made her way down one aisle.
"Dark Lord, Dark Lord," Iris quietly sang, then stopped.
"Well, there's one," she frowned, holding herself back from poking the round globe.
Unlike many others, which glowed softly with an inner light, it was dark, so it had been fulfilled.
With a hum, she stopped in front of another.
S.P.T to A.P.W.B.D
Dark Lord
and (?) Iris Potter (1)
Reaching for the glowing ball of light, Iris grimaced, then smiled as her fingers touched it, and nothing happened. Pocketing the glass globe, it went into her robes, and another one looking much like the first took its place.
Kreacher had given her the schedule of who was guarding the Prophecy for Dumbledore, so it came as no surprise that she found a familiar face half-asleep in the visitor's viewing room.
So far, everything had gone according to plan, but the next part would take a bit of hand-waggling.
Iris knew she would need help to defeat Riddle, and she trusted the people who worked in the Department of Mysteries more than Dumbledore's group. However, the Unspeakables were a bunch of psychotic paranoid brats that were also obsessed with esoteric magic. Hopefully, her unexpected presence would bring out the second part of their nature more than the first.
Although knowing them, Seer would have a conniption after discovering that someone had entered his precious workspace. But at least Seer was fond of her. Being part of a prophecy made her an instant celebrity of sorts. Kill a Dark Lord as a baby, boring, have three accurate of them attached to your name, now you're a person of interest.
Timekeeper, however, will probably lose his mind. Still, maybe they won't be too upset. Iris hadn't broken any laws. Well, at least not yet.
The Death cloak disappeared, revealing a traveling cloak. Slipping the hood over her head, an Unspeakable Charm hiding her face, the robe began to change. Very few people knew that Iris Potter was Unspeakable. She was a member even when she worked as an Auror, as a ward-breaker for Gringotts, or as an ICW specialist.
After Voldemort's return, Sirius had taken her to the Department of Mysteries to listen to the Prophecy. Saul Croaker, the face of the Unspeakable, had taken them on a tour. Somehow, the group managed to make their way to the Death Chamber after Iris expressed an interest in ancient languages. The Unspeakable delighted to find someone who asked such interesting questions, thought that a peek at the unknown runes surrounding the veil might be fun.
"Since the earliest times, humans have always had a morbid fascination with death. Often manifesting itself as a great villain or simply a part of the cycle of life, great cultures even gave it a name including the Sumerians who had Ereshkigal to the Vikings who had the goddess Hel." The Head Unspeakable began, sounding a little like a sales pitch.
"Ahh, Croaker, is it supposed to do that," Sirius murmured, a little alarmed as the swirling mass in the center of the veil seemed to react to their presence.
"It's fine, Mr. Black; now, where was I. Oh, yes, even how we treated the dead was different with every culture, some given lavish funeral rites, with gold and gifts for the passage, whiles others simply thrown into pits to be forgotten."
"Ah, sir, are we supposed to hear voices?" Iris's grimaced as she stepped away from the creepy arch.
"Voices, dear?" Saul stopped speaking, looked at the veil, then at the young woman next to him, and smiled. "Splendid."
Somehow, the visit had become a job interview she couldn't refuse. A few times a month, especially during certain holidays like Samhain, Iris would be required to listen to the voices and write down what was said. Afterward, she and her fellow researchers would try and figure out its contents. All very interesting, but there were a few other perks Iris enjoyed. Besides the rather lovely office, it was where she could hide from the outside world.
Deciding to give Dumbledore's guard a poke, she barked, "Junior Auror, why are you asleep at your post?"
Nymphadora Tonks, also known as just Tonks, eyes flew open, then she tried to stand up, stumbled, and landed face-first on the floor. Rolling over, she grabbed her wand and pointed at the person who yelled at her, then lowered it.
The woman held back a grimace as she found an Unspeakable looking down at her. "I can explain."
"Explain why you are on the floor or explain why you are in the Department of Mysteries?" The unknown figure dressed in black and grey robes, with a face, was hidden asked kindly but with a hint of steel behind it, sounding like one of her instructors.
Tonks unconsciously came to attention as quickly as possible after getting off the ground. "I am guarding the Hall of Prophecies, Unspeakable."
"Can I see your badge, Junior Auror?"
Tonks nodded and produced the item in question with a sigh, then was startled when the Unspeakable wandless conjured up a pencil and paper.
"Is Savage still in charge of you newbies?"
Tonks replied, "Yes, but I'm apprenticed under Mad-eye, I mean, former Captain Moody."
"Constant Vigilance and all that," Iris commented dryly before slipping the paper into a pocket. "Now, I wasn't aware that the Hall of Prophecies needed looking after. Everything in our Department can guard itself. And since Moody is retired, he cannot be giving you orders to be down here either."
Tonks cringed then replied with an answer as old as time, "I just do as I'm told, Unspeakable."
"I see."
Cursing herself, Tonks reached for her wand and asked, "Can you confirm that you're supposed to be down here yourself?"
"Little late for that, Auror," Iris chuckled, then waved her hand, and a glowing symbol appeared in front of her.
"Thank you. Raven and a scythe, I've never seen that one before," Tonks explained, the tension leaving her shoulders.
"I am responsible for the Death Chamber. And why I am here so late, the voices are louder at night."
"Voices," Tonks squeaked.
"Indeed, if you are interested, I will show you around. In fact, if you like, I can have you transferred to my Department. I can always use another researcher." Iris chirped happily.
Tonks stepped back, waving her hand, "No, that's OK, I prefer the Auror Corp."
Iris shrugged, trying not to giggle. "Well, if you change your mind, Junior Auror Tonks. Now I am going to check in with my supervisor in the morning. I won't do it now because Saul's wife will kill me, but I will confirm that your team is supposed to be on guard."
"Of course, Unspeakable," Tonks replied, holding off a grimace. She hoped Dumbledore had spoken to Croaker, or this would be a mess.
"Good night, Auror Tonks. Oh, If no one mentioned it, the toilets are through that door but try not to touch anything else down here," she sincerely warned her cousin before leaving.
Grinning madly at the chaos she had probably caused, Iris left and headed back to the Leaky Cauldron.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Chapter 34 (The Department of Mysteries)
