The Reasons

by Scribomaniac

Series of One Shots for the characters of The Undesirables.

2. Cory's Ending: Part One

Chapter Two: Cory's Ending

(Sixth Year: Part One of Two)

I hold Iris in my arms for a little while longer. Why did the teacher have to freak her out like that? I have half a mind to report him to Headmaster Dippet. Tonight Iris and I don't go to the Great Hall for dinner. Instead we go back to the house and head to the couch. Avery walks down the stairs, heading to dinner, and stops when he sees me lying on the couch with Iris curled up on top of me. Before he can say anything ask him,

"Bring us back some food, would you?"

He nods and stifles a laugh.

The room is silent. Iris nuzzles into my neck and I kiss her forehead. She is still shaking but not as badly as before. That professor really messed her up. I'm very tempted to curse him into oblivion. Thank goodness tomorrow's Saturday so we won't have any classes. Especially Divination.

I begin to caress up and down Iris' back. She kisses my neck and whispers,

"Morty, I'm scared"

"Don't be. I've already told you nothing will happen to you"

"I know"

"That git of a teacher just wanted a reaction from the class. Those tealeaves were impossible to decipher"

This is the truth. It has to be.

We stay like this until Avery and the others return. As requested Avery brought us back a bunch of food. We slide down onto the floor and eat off the plates that the food is on. Iris picks at her food. I wouldn't blame her is she doesn't eat. If I were predicted to die soon I wouldn't have much of an appetite either. Avery, even though he just returned from dinner, eyes her food like a starved dog. She notices and hands him her plate. He scarf's it down without hesitation.

"I'm going to go to bed. Goodnight",

Iris heads straight up the stairs. I sigh and look back to Avery whose busy eating.

"She still spooked?"

He asks,

"Yeah, she'll be fine though"

I say this confidently but I can't help but wonder if it's actually true.

(Time Skip)

We have three weeks until Halloween and Iris seems to have gotten over the whole grim thing. Or has decided that it won't rule her life. The trees are beginning to become barren as fall arrives. Not that I mind, really, it's just that as the weather becomes colder so do the hallways that are open to the outdoors. It can be a hassle some times.

I meet up with Iris in D.A.D.A to help Dumbledore once again. The second years have begun to duel one another. Some are above average but nowhere near the level Iris and I were at when we were their age. We have yet to have a rematch, which is a tad upsetting. I hope that will change today. Dumbledore has allowed us to demonstrate duels but we've never actually gone all out.

"Professor",

He looks up through his half moon glasses,

"Yes, Tom?"

"Well, I was wondering if Iris and I might demonstrate a real duel to the students"

"Ah, you mean to ask if you can have a rematch with Ms. Ackers, yes?"

His eyes twinkle,

"Yes"

Finally he smiles and nods, confirming my request,

"Thank you, professor"

I walk back out into the classroom and see Iris in the back. She smiles my smile when she sees me. I kiss her and take a seat next to her. I laugh when I see some second years seethe in jealousy.

Dumbledore takes more time then usual to appear from his office so I fetch Nagini from my wrist and begin to talk to her,

"Have you made any friends yet?"

Even though I ask this I know it is highly unlikely. She's usually with me and when she's not she's in her glass cage,

"Yes, others come to see me at night. They say I'm lucky because I am taken care of by you"

Well this is surprising. Nagini starts to slither towards Iris. She looks down and smiles at Nagini who is slithering up her arm,

"Hello there",

Nagini responds but knows very well that Iris isn't a parselmouth.

"That reminds me! Guess what"

This is weird,

"What?"

She sighs at my non-playful attitude but continues anyway,

"Hagrid has a Acromantula. He keeps him in a cupboard in one of the rooms down in the dungeons. I think he named it Aragog, isn't that enthralling?

I nod and wonder how the git got his grubby hands on an Acromantula.

Finally Dumbledore emerges from his office and calls class to order. Since today is a double period he is taking his sweet old time,

"Today class we will be watching a real duel. At least, as real as Hogwarts will allow"

The students begin to whisper excitedly,

"Tom, Iris"

I stand automatically. Iris is taken aback by this but recovers quickly and makes her way towards the stage. Girls squeal and the entire class grows quiet with anticipation. I meet Iris in the middle,

"Told you, you owed me a duel"

She smirks,

"Hopefully this one won't take as long"

"You'll just have to live through it if it is. No giving up this time"

"Whatever you say"

I snort. She better as hell not give up out of boredom like last time. We turn our backs on each other, walk our three steps and raise our wands. Dumbledore counts,

"Three, two, one"

We turn,

"Avis! Oppugno"

Birds fly at me,

"Confringo!"

The birds burst into flames

"Expelliarmus!"

I know this is useless but it's worth a shot,

"Protego!"

I knew it,

"Furnunculus!"

This is a powerful spell. I didn't even know Iris knew it,

"Protego Horribilis!"

Good, I'm sage from the boils. This duel is dragging on. We amaze second years; their eyes never leave the stage. They're dead quiet; this gives me an idea,

"Silencio!"

Iris doesn't defend quickly enough. I smirk, now that she can't talk the duel is over. I let my guard down but Iris is still at the ready. She smirks and points her wand at me. A jet of water pushes me down onto my back. When did she learn silent spells?

"Waddiwasi!"

Small objects attack Iris, now's my chance.

"Incarcerous!"

Iris falls to the ground. Her wand abandoned at her side with her hands tied to her chest. I walk over and grab her wand.

"I win"

She sticks out her tongue and I utter the spell to release her from the ropes and give her voice back.

"Don't know why you thought you wouldn't"

I shrug,

"Maybe it has to do with you and your silent spells. When did you learn to do that?"

"Not long ago, I've had a lot of time on my hands this year"

I nod. We have had a lot of excess time this year,

"Well done you two"

Dumbledore states and the second years beam at us with admiration. He goes on to say they'll be dueling today. Iris and I walk off the stage and watch the younglings duel. Still betting on who will win and what spell they'll use next.

(Time Skip)

A week has passed and I am still glowing from my victory. Now that I've beaten Iris I am the best in the school. No one can beat me. Not even some of the teachers. Some days when Dumbledore won't need us he'll tell us by owl during breakfast. Today is one of those days,

"What should we do?"

Iris asks,

"We could go to Hogsmeade"

She groans,

"We always go to Hogsmeade. We need to do something new"

"There's not much to do you know"

"I know",

She sighs.

Eventually we decide to look for the Chamber once again. I begin to imagine what type of monster is in there. It has to be some sort of snake or something. Why would it be anything else? Iris tells me she'll be right back and goes into the bathroom. We're on the second floor today. I look over and see Olive Hornby picking on Myrtle once again. I, unfortunately, lock eyes with Myrtle and she cries out for help. Sighing I walk over. I am a Prefect after all,

"What's going on here?"

"Tom!"

Myrtle shouts and latches onto my arm,

"Olive was being horrid to me again"

"No I wasn't you liar!"

I would really rather be with Iris right now so I try to get out of this situation as quickly as possible,

"Now, now Myrtle. Calm down, I'm sure there's just been a misunderstanding"

"Tom!"

"You see Myrtle. He can obviously see through your lies. Why don't you just get over him, yes? You haven't a chance against Iris"

I smirk, thinking back to when I thought to tip my hat to Olive. I would certainly do it again, if I had a hat that is,

"Not while she's alive anyway"

Olive jokes but this is a bit of a sore spot at the moment so I glare at her, so much for tipping my hat to her. Myrtle repeats what Olive said. I shake her off my arm and tell them to head to the Great Hall for dinner.

Somehow Iris knew I wasn't waiting for her outside of the bathroom and met up with me in the Great Hall,

"Oh, sorry"

"It's all right. I could see Myrtle hanging on your arm. Olive?"

I nod and she laughs,

"So, I think I may have found something"

My head shoots up,

"What?"

"I don't want you to get excited for nothing but while I was washing my hands I felt something on the faucet. I looked to see what it was and there was a snake carved into it"

I perk up to this thought. This must be it! I decide to visit it after dinner. Iris says she'll come with me but I tell her that may not be a good idea,

"What if I can't control the monster enough to keep you safe?"

"Oh fine"

She grumbles some more but doesn't actually complain.

Once dinner is finished I take off to the second floor. I smile at my luck after I peak inside, no one's in here. I quickly locate the faucet with the snake on it. There's only one thing that comes in mind for it to open,

"Open"

I whisper in parseltongue. The sinks open up and show a passage into the Chamber. I grab my wand,

"Lumos!"

It's dark and I'll want to know where I'll be going down there. I jump into the tunnel and begin to slide down, far down, underneath the school. Finally the tunnel stops and I am in a pile of rat skeletons. I feel Nagini wrap herself tighter on my wrist. There's a passage way and I walk down it.

The passage stops at a wall. Two statues of snakes are entwined on the wall. I assume this will open the same way the sink did,

"Open"

It does. A long corridor leads down to a gigantic statue of Salazar is at the end. I hear movement and raise my wand in alarm. The mouth of the statue open and I see something stir inside.

I hold back a gasp when an enormous snake emerges from the statue,

"Who are you?"

It asks. It takes me a good thirty seconds before I reply,

"Tom Marvolo Riddle. The heir to Slytherin"

It nods. It doesn't doubt me,

"I am the monster of the Chamber of Secrets. I am a basilisk. My fangs are poisonous and whoever looks my in the eyes will die instantaneously"

I nod after it finishes,

"I will do your bidding and no one else's"

It says at last. I smirk. Perfect. Once I tell it that I have no commands for it tonight it returns to its abode in Salazar's mouth.

The moment I return to our house I tell Iris all about what happened. I also begin to write, in detail, about what happened. I also write that I may use the snake on some of the mudbloods. If I told Iris this she would throw a fit and forbid it. I also know she would tell someone what she knew about the Chamber if students began to die. That would be too troublesome.

(Time Skip)

Fall is officially here by the time November comes around. The entire tea leave thing is completely forgotten by now. Things are going well. Myrtle is out of the way. Hagrid is too busy with that Acromantula to fawn over Iris anymore, thankfully. Avery moved on from his little crush on Linna and is dating a Slytherin girl now, a pureblood.

Avery and I have planned to go to Hogsmeade in a couple of weeks, just the two of us, something to do with 'male bonding'. Iris is supposed to hang out with Eileen that day. I don't know what they'll be doing that day though. Obviously girly stuff but I'm not completely sure what that all entails.

Today is Saturday and we're in the Great Hall waiting our breakfast,

"Hey, Tom, did you know Ravenclaw's ghost was Rowena's daughter?"

I look up and ask,

"Really? How do you know?"

"Asked the Bloody Baron. He used to love her you know. Killed her too, then himself, that's why he is covered in all that blood"

Fascinating. Perhaps she knows where to find the Diadem then. I'll have to ask her. It will be difficult; she won't want to tell me most likely. But maybe if I charm her enough she'll tell me. I look over my shoulder and see her floating above the Ravenclaw table.

Owls fly in with the morning post and a letter drops into my lap. It's from Dumbledore. He informs us he will not need our assistance today. Perfect. I'll be able to ask her today.

Classes pass by slower then ever. Especially Arithmancy. All those numbers were beginning to jumble together by the time we were finally excused from class. I told Iris I had personal things to take care of today. Not a complete fib but not the truth either. Nevertheless she believed me and is probably hanging out with Eileen in the library right now.

I see the gray lady. At least that's what everyone here knows her as. I believe her name is Helena though. I walk up to her and cough. She looks at me,

"Can I help you?"

I know how to work her. The Baron told me some things about her. Like how she was always overly prideful about her knowledge,

"Of course, you are the smartest witch of all time after all. Even in the afterlife"

She smiles at me. Flattered. This will be too easy,

"I'm glad you've noticed"

"You wouldn't even need it, you know"

"Need what?"

"Your mothers Diadem. You're already ten times smarter then she could ever be"

"You may think so now but back then I wasn't sure"

"Well you are. You deserved much more then the Bloody Baron. He should have grown a brain and left you be"

"Yes, you're completely right. Had he not chased me I would have lived longer"

"I assume he was also stupid enough to leave the Diadem there as well"

She smirks triumphantly at me,

"Didn't give him the chance. I hid the Diadem in a hollowed out tree in Albania protected by many spells. No one will ever be able to outsmart me and find it"

I smirk. Thinking, I just did.

"Well thank you for spending your precious time on an average mind like me"

She nods and floats away like she still hasn't been outfoxed. Maybe she doesn't realize she has. I chuckle darkly to myself and realize it's time for the last period of the day.

I am still bouncing off the walls with pride at my accomplishment. Iris and Avery take notice but think nothing of it. I begin to make plans for the summer to travel to Albania and find the Diadem. I consider taking Iris with me. It'd be good practice for her. There would be dragons there, maybe she could acquire an internship or something and study them. I nod to myself this is a good idea.

Today is dark and rainy. Hopefully tomorrow's weather is better because that's when Avery and I are going to Hogsmeade. Now we're just sitting around in the common room. Iris is watching the fire while listening to the storm outside. Avery and I are playing wizard's chess. He's a good player but still no match for me. Especially since his pieces are brand new and don't quite trust him yet.

"You still going to Hogsmeade tomorrow?"

Iris asks. Avery nearly jumps out of his seat when she talks, forgetting she was there. Iris has been eerily quiet tonight,

"If the weathers good"

I answer. She nods while never taking her eyes off the fire,

"Why?"

Avery asks,

"I don't know why but I'm dreading tomorrow"

"Why?"

Avery asks yet again. Iris gives an exhausted sigh,

"I just said I don't know why"

I make a move on the board, mumble a checkmate, and join Iris on the floor.

"What's wrong?"

I whisper,

"Just butterflies in my stomach is all"

I pull her into my lap and she lays her head on my chest,

"Do you want me to stay?"

"No, it's fine. I have no reason to be worrying. You shouldn't have to cancel your plans"

"You sure?"

She nods.

We stay up the entire night. I don't mind. I like our alone time. Although I worry about Iris, I take her word that everything will be fine. Nothing can happen. She'll be protected by teachers and will be with Eileen the entire day, nothing to worry about at all. Even though I keep whispering this to Iris throughout the night I can't help but feel the same nervousness as she. What does this mean?

"Everything will be all right"

I whisper once more. Iris looks up to me and smiles the smile I love,

"I know"

She whispers back and leans in. This kiss we share is full of our emotions: fear, anger, frustration, love. I don't care when my lungs start to scream for air. I refuse to pull away now. I'm not sure why but this kiss feels essential. Like we're both depending on it. Iris pulls away for a second and then pulls me back in. The passion doesn't leave. I twist my fingers into her hair and force her closer.

Things begin to become more heated when I pull off her sweater vest. As soon as I begin to unbutton her shirt Iris pulls away,

"What's wrong?"

She leans her forehead against mine,

"I'm not ready for that"

This isn't upsetting or even discouraging. I should have known. We're only sixteen after all. It makes me feel better when I think that we have plenty of time for that.

"Okay"

She smiles that lovely smile and hugs me tightly.

"I love you Morty. Nothing will ever change that"

She whispers in the crook of my neck. My heart swells at these words. Of course I've heard them from her before but this time seems special

"I love you, too"

I whisper back.

This moment is perfect. Everything seems absolute. I've said this before but it feels like it should be restated. Iris and I are two halves to a whole. I'm not complete without Iris. Right now, while she's safely tucked away in my arms, it seems like nothing bad can happen. I time would stop because right here and now everything is simply wonderful.

The next morning is shining beautifully. It's wet from the night before and cold, of course, but acceptable weather for our trip to Hogsmeade. We plan to leave right after breakfast,

"Are you sure your okay with being alone today?"

I can't help but ask.

"I won't be alone. Eileen and I will be spending the day together"

I nod but can't shake the feeling that something dire will happen.

"Where is Eileen? I don't see her at the Ravenclaw table"

Avery points out. I look up and can't find her either,

"Maybe she's ill"

That wouldn't do. Then Iris would be all alone for the day,

"Then we shouldn't go"

"No!"

Avery moans. Wow, he really likes his 'Tom Time' with me, doesn't he?

"Avery's right. She might not even be sick. Either way you two shouldn't cancel your plans just because I'd be alone"

Avery shouts with happiness. I snort,

"You sure?"

She nods,

"I've been alone for years Morty, one more day won't kill me"

I nod and we all continue on with our breakfast. Once again Avery eats everything within reach.

I kiss Iris goodbye and catch up to Avery who's a bit too excited for this 'male bonding' experience. We're not the only ones going to Hogsmeade today. It seems like half the school is here. Avery suggests we go into Zonko's joke shop first. I sigh and follow him into the shop. I begin to think today will be a long day.

Around noon we grab some lunch at the Three Broomsticks. Even though it's crowded beyond its limit we find a table and order,

"So how's what's her name?"

"Veronica?"

"Yeah, her"

"She's good. A bit of a handful though. Not too bright either. I can barely hold a conversation with her"

I grunt. Not surprising, she cares all about her looks,

"At least she's pretty to looks at"

He continues. I grunt once more.

"You're lucky to have Iris. Sure she has her flaws but who doesn't"

I smirk and he snorts,

"Excluding you, of course"

"Of course"

We continue to talk about other students,

"What about that Myrtle. She's nuisance, isn't she"

I groan,

"She's horrid! I wish she would just die"

I think that if I ever did let the basilisk loose on the school she would be the first to die.

"Filthy little mudblood shouldn't even be in the school"

"You're right. No mudblood should be. You're fortunate enough to be a pureblood. Look at Iris and my mothers. They both mated with muggles and look where it got them. Dead."

Avery nods. I'm glad he sees things my way.

"Muggles are horrid creatures. I think lack of magic leads them to be cruel and unusual"

Now I nod. Conversations like this continue until we leave the Three Broomsticks.

"Want to go to the Shrieking Shack?"

"Sure"

This actually isn't turning out to be such a horrid day.

The shack isn't all that scary when you enter it. I understand why people believe it's haunted though. I'm sure that it'd be scarier at night. The floors creak for no reason and the windows make sounds like something's banging against them even though nothing's there. To me though it's not all that scary. I suppose it has to do with the fact that I've seen a giant basilisk and killed three people. It's a bit disappointing really.

After the shack we decide to head back to Howarts. I give out a relieved sigh. Soon I'll be reunited with Iris and we'll both feel comforted and silly about ever worrying about today.

We enter through the front gate and make our through the courtyards for a short cut to the house. My breath leaves me the moment I see Iris and Eileen walking towards us. I guess I didn't know how much I subconsciously worried about Iris. I hug her once we meet and she kisses my chin.

"Miss me?"

She asks, I sigh and kiss her forehead,

"Just your company, you're much more interesting to talk to compared to Avery"

Avery shoots us a glare and Iris smacks my shoulder, suddenly Avery asks,

"So anything happen today?"

"Not really, Myrtle tried to pull some stuff a little earlier but Eileen scared her away"

Eileen huffs and adds,

"It was more than that Iris! She could have—"

"Hexed me? Come on Eileen, don't be so dramatic…"

"You're a really bad liar, you know that Iris?"

I interrupted, why is she keeping something from me? She doesn't make eye contact with me and doesn't reply. Eileen however,

"Myrtle almost pushed her off a balcony!"

I tighten my grip around Iris' waist,

"What?"

I hiss,

"Morty, don't be angry, please? Myrtle is being scolded by the Headmaster as we speak, she's been in his office since the incident"

I tighten my jaw and nod. However, it won't be easy for me to let this go. Myrtle almost took away the only good thing in my life. I won't forgive that and I will make her pay.

"Are you alright?"

I look down to Iris, somehow the three of us have made to back to the common room and Avery and Iris were conversing,

"Of course"

I smile and kiss her chastely,

"I'm just tired tonight, so I think I'll retire"

Iris nods and doesn't think much of it,

"I love you"

She whispers, I chuckle and whisper it back,

"Good night"

I make it up to my bed and lie down. I can't believe Myrtle would actually try to pull a stunt like that. Well, I'll just have to show her what it takes to actually kill someone…

A/N: Ok, so this chapter is an alternate ending that my friend Cory planted into my head one lunch day, so holla! Anyway, pleae review thoughts and feelings, as always. Hope you liked it and I should update tomorrow with the second part so as to not keep you waiting .