It had been weeks since Samhain, and Iris still marveled at the new connection to the magic around her she could feel. Whenever she cast a spell in class, she could feel pinpricks at the back of her head as she poked and prodded magic to assume various forms.

For the first few days after the rite, Iris could barely stand it, but after around a week, it grew manageable enough where she could largely ignore it. She joined the rest of her friends in casting as little as possible in the classroom though, it just felt… wrong. Like she was twisting her spells to fit a broken mould, like she was wiping mud on something sacred. She was thankful that her new awareness of her own gift allowed her to make up the difference and still cast at her previous level, because she suddenly gained a very pervasive dislike of every spell she'd ever learned.

She now understood what Daphne meant when she called the Hogwarts curriculum "profane, arithmetic shit". Well, not the thing about arithmancy, but the rest of it absolutely. Iris couldn't wait for the winter break, when she could talk to Blaise and Dante about different ways to cast magic, because while the Hogwarts spells were manageable, it certainly wasn't something she enjoyed doing.

Even though her new, post-rite state caused her quite a few difficulties in her academic life, Iris wouldn't even consider for a moment going back on her vows. When she said she was aware of magic, she meant it. She could feel the voices of the rocks, the trees, the water, and almost everything in the natural world. She cried the first time she went out on Hogwarts grounds, as overwhelmed as she was by the incredible beauty of Mother Magic's domain. She was somewhat perversely glad that the artificial wooden furniture of Hogwarts felt like a void in the world, because she didn't know if she could handle constantly hearing the innumerable songs of nature. Just hearing the stones was enough.

And it wasn't just nature, but people as well! Well, certain people. She could feel her magic resonating with virtually all the Slytherins, a good deal of Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs, and even a scant few Gryffindors, shockingly. It was like she had a whole new set of limbs, that constantly reached out and touched everyone around her, giving her the vaguest impressions of their mood and general character.

When she excitedly talked to her friends about these new sensations (oh and weren't her friends all so wonderful to feel!), they would always hug her, and start bursting with happiness that "she was finally one of them". She now knew why Theo didn't really see their friendship as a true fixture in his life until she converted, she wasn't even angry: being able to feel the other person's emotions added a whole new dimension to conversations. For one thing, she argued way less than she used to, at least with her brethren. She also found her talks with the rest of the sixsome made her even happier than they used to, as the happiness of the participants would resound and amplify off each other, until they were all laughing and play-fighting and cuddling.

Speaking of cuddling, she finally understood why her friends were always so physical with each other, and where it had made her uncomfortable before, she now joined in with gusto. She'd noticed Danny sending her glares whenever he noticed her holding one of her friends' hands in the hallway, or wrapping her arms around them in the Great Hall during a particularly happy moment. She loved the echoing feeling of their delight, and reveled in being the cause of it.

Taking her vows was absolutely the greatest decision she'd ever made in her life, Iris was sure, the only thing that she could even think of placing equal to it would be her decision to sit in Draco, Dante, Theo, and Blaise's train compartment.

Iris was startled out of her thoughts by a hand wrapping over hers, and a warm feeling of contentment saturating the auras of her friends.

"Iris," Dante asked from here he had grasped her hand in his, "is something wrong?"

"No…" she said, face breaking out into a huge smile, "I'm just… I'm just so happy I met all of you, honestly. I'm so happy I made such great friends, I'm so happy I converted, and I'm so happy I've finally feel Mother Magic's love."

Iris was going to pass out from her blush if the compartment radiated any more care and sweetness.

"Well Iris," Dante said, slowly beginning to stroke his thumb over the back of her hand, "don't worry, you're going to be in a whole new world of magic when we get to Blaise's manor. I mean, if you thought Hogwarts was incredible after your vows, wait until you find an actual house built and occupied by your brethren. It's breathtaking."

"Yeah…" Iris said, trailing off as she leaned into Dante's shoulder

"…wait, when did we actually decide I was going to your manor?"

The whole compartment radiated amusement. "We were wondering how long it would take you to notice" Draco said, smirking. "Blaise just kinda said you would, and you went along with it without thinking. We actually placed bets on when you'd realize what had happened. Blaise just won."

Iris glared but eventually melted under Dante's hair-petting. If anyone asked, she didn't let out a purr. She was nothing like a cat, shut up.

In what seemed like no time at all, the train pulled in to the platform, where the crowd of waiting parents began to eagerly try to spot their children in the compartment windows. She could see a crowd forming around James and Miriam, both looking like they enjoyed nothing more than soaking in all the attention. Iris retched.

After collecting her trunk, Iris followed Blaise and Dante to where she saw three figures standing, scrunched together. The first was a tall, willowy, pale woman that was very obviously Blaise's mother, but the identities of the other two, a shorter, olive-skinned woman and a stocky red-haired man.

"Blaise, Dante, how lovely to see you both again! Blaise's apparent mother said, wrapping them both in a tight hug. Oh, and you must be the 'Iris' I've heard so much about. Carmina Zabini, it's so lovely to meet you! Iris blushed as she was pressed into Carmina's considerable bust, easily visible due to her low-cut top. Blaise really did take after her… NO Iris, BAD thoughts. This is Blaise's mother!

Blaise's tall, busty, unfairly attractive mother…

Iris was pulled out of her contemplation when Carmina released her, placing a kiss on both cheeks that left Iris trying to hide her blush.

"H-hi ma'am, that's right. I'm Iris. It's n-nice to meet you too."

She thought she had gotten rid of that stutter! She shouldn't be nervous, this was just Blaise's mom, so why was it reappearing now of all times!

"Please, call me Carmina! Oh, and you simply must meet my bondmates! Iris, this is Valentina, Blaise's other mother, and this is Eamon, Blaise's father. I've been bonded with Valentina since before Hogwarts, and I bonded Eamon in our third year, after we'd been dating him since the second semester of our first."

"It is a true pleasure to meet a friend of Blaise's" Valentina said with Blaise's signature smirk, "she tells us so much about you, it is wonderful to see you face to face."

"Mother!" Blaise said, blushing.

Wait, blushing?

Oh Morgana she was so absolutely adorable. Iris wanted to make her blush like that every day of the week, and twice on–

Ok, no, not the time Iris. This is Blaise, who is your completely normal platonic friend, and most definitely not a girl you have a titanic, planet-sized crush on. Even if her cheeks did lighten up in the most–

In the most normal, completely ordinary way, that was nothing to get excited about. Wait, had she been staring at Blaise this entire time?

"Iris?" Valentina said, smirking. "Is something the matter?"

"Oh n-nothing Ms… uh, Valentina, I just got lost in thought."

"I'll bet" the red-headed man, Edmund? No Eamon said, sticking a hand out for Iris to shake.

"Names Eamon" he said in English, albeit with a strong Scottish accent, "'s brilliant t'see the lassie tha' Blaise admires sa much!"

"A-admires? O-oh I don't k-know about–"

"Nonesense lassie, dinnae blush! M'Blaise thinks ya hung the damn moon n' stars!"

"Dad, stop talking!" Blaise said, turning Iris away from the laughing ginger.

"Why?" he said, this time in Latin, "we both know it's true, don't we? You've got just–"

"That's enough love," Carmina said with a smirk, "I think we've teased them both plenty."

"Right, right", Eamon said, still grinning. "It really is nice to meet you though, Iris, I'm Eamon. I hear you're coming to stay with us for the Yule break?"

Iris nodded, still blushing to the tips of her ears.

"Fantastic!" he said, letting out a hearty laugh, "Cammy, Val, and I are gonna make sure you have the best first Yule of your life!"

"What have I told about using that abominable nickname in public, darling?"

"Ah, nothing dear, nothing!"

Carmina smirked. "Good. I'd hate for you to forget who's really in charge in this relationship."

Iris thought she might have imagined it, but she could have sworn that Valentina and Eamonn shivered in excitement.

Actually, what was she thinking? These people raised Blaise, of course they'd make comments like that in front of their kids. That actually explained a lot.

"Anyways Iris" Carmina said from where she was embracing Dante, "I do hope you'll enjoy our manor, it is ever so nice to have another guest over for Yule. It's a pity you couldn't join us for our… well, you know what, but the Hogwarts calendar seems designed to stop as much of that as possible."

Was this woman really… Oh, the Old Rites. Right. Nevermind about that other thing.

"So loves" she said, the corner of her mouth upturned like she knew exactly what Iris was thinking (actually, she probably did), "should we head off? The public Floo's just off the other end of the platform."

As the group turned to leave, Iris caught sight of perhaps the last people she wanted to see: James and Miriam Potter.

They were looking around, searching. Had they not found Danny yet? Wait no, he was right next to them, so who were–

"THERE!" James said, breaking out into a dead sprint towards her.

He stopped on a dime (whatever else she thought of James, he was an exceptional auror), and pulled his wand on Eamonn. "Take your hands away from my daughter, creatures, or I'll take them off for!"

Catching up along with the rest of the Potter brood, Miriam grabbed Iris's forearm and yanked her away from where Carmina had a hand on her shoulder.

"Iris, what in heaven are you doing, girl!" she said, switching to English, "I know Danny said you had fallen, but Vampires! We are going to have a serious talk about friendships when we get back home, young lady!"

"What!" Iris yelled, yanking her arm away from the blonde woman, "who the fuck are you to tell me who to associate with? Also, 'home'? If you think I'm ever going back to Potter Manor, you're more delusional than I thought!"

"Don't you dare take that tone with me young lady! It is completely improper for you to say such things! Where is this impetuousness coming from?"

"Where is it coming from?! WHERE IS IT COMING FROM? Let me tell you a little about my life Miriam fucking Potter. "

By this point, a crowd had formed, and the Zabinis had stepped back into it. She wanted to blame them, but she knew she couldn't. Anti-Vampire laws were incredibly harsh in Britain. James would probably be able to lock them up in Azkaban if he wanted, as a leading Auror. Also, Eamon was probably the only one who could follow the rapid-fire English, so it wasn't like there was anything they can do.

"I was raised in a fucking cupboard Miriam, a fucking CUPBOARD. I was forced to work, CONSTANTLY. From the age of FOUR they made me do all their cooking, and by five I was taking care of their entire garden! I spent all day slaving for their MISERABLE carcasses, and then they'd get home and work me all night too! My fingers were stained for years from all the industrial cleaners they made me use!"

"Excuse me? You're angry because of chores? You entitled little brat, Danny weeded the garden back at the manor, and you don't see him whining about it!"

"That's because Danny was raised by fucking MAGES, Miriam. MAGES. How long did it take him to weed the garden, a few minutes with some charmed tools? IT TOOK ME HOURS. By seven, I had to spend five hours a day in the blistering heat or freezing cold, wearing RAGS, cutting up my fingers on Petunia's fucking rosebushes! All the neighbors would see me starving out there, no food or water, and give Petunia a big pat on the back for 'working the degenerate out of her!'"

"Iris Potter did you just say 'mages'! Don't you dare use that type of vile language in my presence!"

"Oh, dare? I FUCKING DARE. You know why? Because my disgusting, fat, pig of an uncle BEAT me weekly, and tossed me into a moldy cupboard with broken arms! The only reason I survived was because of my magic! For fuck's sake, I thought my name was 'freak' until I was SEVEN FUCKING YEARS OLD, you BITCH! Why don't I like you? Because for twelve fucking years, you and your cunt of a husband abandoned me to live with a horde of FILTHY, ABUSIVE MUDS! "

*SMACK*

Iris gaped in shock, her head ringing from James's slap.

"Don't", he said, voice furious, "don't you EVER use that word in front of me again Iris Dorea Potter. Don't ever use slurs, or dark language, or insults at me and my wife, or I swear to the Lord Almighty I will BEND YOU OVER MY KNEE AND TEACH YOU RESPECT MYSELF!"

Iris saw him shouting, saw the spittle flying from his mouth, saw his purple face and glaring eyes. But Iris didn't really see that. She didn't see that at all. Because while her ears were ringing, and her head was clouded, all she could see was a little girl in a cupboard, crying out when her uncle thrashed her bloody.

Then, she saw black.


When Iris awoke, she was lying on a soft red-and-gold bed in an unfamiliar bedroom, hearing voices quietly arguing outside her door..

"–you kidding? What you don't think I haven't thought of that monster defiling my daughter? I think of it every day, and I can only pray that she was able to hold on to at least that little bit of her will under its thrall. Wait, is she awake? Miriam, go talk to her, she probably doesn't like me much right now."

The door opened slowly, and Miriam, dressed in more casual clothes, stepped into the room.

"Iris, sweetie?"

Iris just glared.

"We're sorry we had that big argument at the train station, in front of all your classmates, but you have to understand that we were just worried. You changed so much since you fooled the hat, so suddenly, and we're afraid that the dark has been influencing you, even if you don't realize it."

"I mean, you're fraternizing with creatures, rejecting your brother's love, and I don't even want to know how little you've attended church! We want to keep you here this holiday, and remind you what a proper godly family is like, you you'll hopefully stop throwing this rebellious tantrum and come back to your senses, and to God's arms."

"Iris, do you understand?"

"Iris?"

"Do you believe me?"

"About what, Iris dear?"

"About what I said on the platform. Do you believe me about the filth you left me with?"

"…I think we'll revisit this conversation in the morning, alright? Your room will unlock at seven o'clock, and you'll be expected to join us for breakfast. We expect you to at least be polite and cordial, or you'll only be eating two meals a day from now on."

"Fuck you, blood traitor. Jesus can suck my changeling cock."

She was proud of that one, she'd picked it up from Dante.

Miriam took in and let out several breaths. "…Iris, I am trying very hard to control my temper right now, so please work with me. Breakfast, tomorrow, at seven. Be polite. Now Iris, good night, and I hope you use the rest to calm down and think about the choices you're making."

"Eat shit Miriam."

Miriam paused for a second, visibly holding back a comment, and then softly shut the door.

Iris got up and punched the wall and replayed the events of the past few hours over in her head.

How dare they, how fucking DARE.

She now knew that it wasn't legal for them to take her out of Hogwarts until her seventh year, so she could say all the things that simmered at the back of her mind, but she'd never had the courage to say before. They come to the doorstep of her prison, cheerfully telling her that they'd abandoned her for over a decade for her entitled shithead of a twin? Alright, Iris could live with that. She wouldn't move past it or forgive them, obviously, but in time, she would have managed to put them out of her mind, assuming they never contacted her again.

But to come up like nothing was wrong, and start trying to parent her like she'd never left their side? And even then, to tell her she was lying about the hell she went through every day of her childhood? Bully her, stop her from making her own choices, and lock her up in another prison when she disagreed with them?

That was unforgivable, equal almost to the Dursleys. James and Miriam Potter had earned Iris's complete, undying, vehement hatred, burning like lava in her veins.

Hogwarts, and making friends, had done a lot for her self-confidence, and she was ready to let loose on James and Miriam for every awful, horrific slight of theirs, against her or others. As long as they were in her presence, she vowed, they'd never know a moment's peace. That was the price of ruining her life.

If she couldn't have fun hanging out with Blaise and Dante during the break, she'd at least have fun torturing the bastards who let her rot in hell for a decade, and then came back and tried to rule over her like feudal lords.


AN: I got the idea for pagans being able to feel each other from this week's recommended fic: Out of the Night by Raining Ink. It's perhaps one of the best portrayals of "dark but not evil" magic that I've ever seen, and builds a completely fascinating world and magic system out of vague comments in canon.

For reference, Lily didn't experience any of the things Iris is talking about at the beginning of the chapter, because while she performed the Old Rites, she never actually took any vows.