Iris frowned and canted her head to the side; one thing she missed out in the Muggle world was there deserts. The raven head felt a craving for the frozen yogurt, she had to be quiet since the rest of her company was fast asleep since it was late…or early morning depending on how you look at it. McGonagall had told them that no time would pass out of this place, so at the moment they were on a repetitive loop.
"Should be something" she muttered under her breath, and looked further back in the freezer. "Ah ha-"she declared triumphantly spotting the tub of ice cream right at the back. "Huh pumpkin" she muttered to herself, and grabbed a spoon; Iris padded barefooted towards the drawing room, and curled up on the couch.
She dug her spoon into the soft treat, and stared into the dying flames…she scooped up the ice cream and frowned. The next part of the pensive should show her adventure continuing as she goes into the Chamber. The fairy couldn't help but fear going through her later years in Hogwarts, seeing all those she cared for dying right in front of her.
"Iris-"she jumped "It's just me" she looked up and saw the concern face of Rebekah. "Are you ok?"
Iris hastily nodded and plastered a smile onto her face. Rebekah sighed and dropped down besides the raven head. She took the spoon off of Iris,
"I once said I can always tell when Stefan is lying…and I can always tell when you are" Rebekah said softly. "And it does not help you have a stray tear" she gently brushed aside a fallen tear. She took a taste of the ice cream and hummed it was sweet. She handed the spoon back over to Iris.
"Just thinking" Iris murmured and swallowed "About what's coming."
Rebekah looked at her and saw the intense expression on her face she could tell that Iris was afraid of reliving her past. "Do not fear it Iris. You have us by your side, you're not going to go through this alone" she said sincerely. Causing the petite teen to smile
"Why are you so nice to me?" Iris asked
"Because you're my sister, and as family we stick together as one. Forever and always" Rebekah said sincerity ringing through her words. She was startled when Iris launched herself at the taller girl. She hugged the blond tightly.
"Thank you" Iris uttered, she didn't think she'll be able to do this without them. Rebekah smiled and pulled back
"No need to thank me. You should go to bed before Klaus gets up." Rebekah said, Iris nodded and stood up, feeling the wooden floorboard beneath her feet. She went to grab the ice cream but the female Original snatched it away from her within a blink of an eye.
"Hey-"Iris exclaimed.
"Hmm…its tasty-catch ya later" Rebekah tapped the end of the immortal's nose and skipped off. Iris shook her head and headed back to hers and Klaus's room.
The raven head cautiously opened the door and gently closed it behind her. She smiled seeing that the Original appeared to still be sleeping. Iris clamoured into the bed and slid under the covers.
"So how was your night time snack?" Klaus's asked his voice was husky and low. He wrapped his strong arms around her and pulled her towards him, she was now lying on top of him, and Iris rested her head just beneath his chin.
"So how'd you know I had a snack? Your super hearing-"
"Nope love" Klaus held her close she let out a content sigh and nuzzled her face into the crook of his neck. "I can smell the pumpkin from your breath." Iris hummed, the hybrid smiled deviously.
"Well since you're up-"his hand travelled downwards, and he stroked her stomach. Klaus tilted his head slightly and pressed wet kisses against her shoulder. "Iris-"
"Go sleep dear." Iris mumbled and her breathing starting to even out.
Klaus rolled his eyes "Of course…refusing sex. We're already like a married couple" he muttered.
"That's nice-"the raven head was already beginning to doze off.
Iris chewed her toast and swallowed "So Iris…you're looking fine-"
"No Kol don't hit on me-"she cut him off. "And I'm not going to tap a vein-"
"Oh why so dull darling?" Kol asked it was only them two currently in the kitchen. She knew that the others were up since she could hear the showers starting and them moving about. "Just a little nibble?" he pestered her.
Iris rolled her emerald green orbs and shook her head. "Nope-"she sipped her tea.
"Just a little nibble." Kol leant forward and gently pushed aside a fall curl "I'm sure Nik won't mind-"
"Little brother I will mind" Klaus strolled into the room, hearing what Kol just said. "Iris is mine after all-"
"Hey-"Iris cried out offended.
"So keep your grubby little hands away-"Klaus slapped him upside the head, he took a seat besides Iris and pulled her chair closer to him. "So Iris-"
"Nope you keep your grubby paws to yourself" Iris sniffed "I do not appreciate being talked about like an object." She uttered and raised her chin. She was confused when she heard the brothers laughing.
"What-"
"You're sexy when you're mad" Klaus nipped her ear
"Dick" Iris muttered, Kol snickered and rolled his eyes when she chucked a mug at him.
"Missed me darling-"he smirked.
"Klaus-"
"Of course" with that Klaus picked up the butter knife and threw it swiftly. Kol growled and Iris's eyes widened he had imbedded the knife into Kol's shoulder.
"What the hell Klaus?" Iris gaped at the hybrid. "You could just tell him to shut…not freaking stab him" she jumped onto her feet and rushed over to the dark haired Original.
"Merlin you are something else Klaus" Iris muttered under her breath. She gripped the knife and pulled it out, just as the others came into the room. Jeremy blinked and took in the scene
"I'm not even going to bother-"Alaric shook his head.
"You ok?" Iris asked.
"Yes…if you bend a little lower I can have better access to your lacy green bra…"Kol smirked.
Iris's eye twitched in annoyance. "You're such an arse-"
"And you look better in dark blue lace-"he whispered. Klaus smirked when he saw Iris slamming the knife back into Kol's shoulder.
"So love-"
"Shut up Klaus-"she cut him off,
"Oh my god-"
"Be quiet Elena-"Rebekah snarled she was still piling hate onto the wretched doppelganger. Truth was she wanted to kill the brunette as soon as they get out of Iris's world. The female Original had a feeling that this insignificant being would somehow ruin them all.
"Ok let's just calm down and then we can move onto the pensive" Elijah stated.
Iris licked her lips "Ok so this is going to be taking place near the end of my second year…and it might get slightly dramatic" she announced, they were all gathered around the pensive.
"Why do I have the feeling that's an understatement?" Elijah uttered.
"It's not-"
"It so is" Kol snickered.
"Shut up Kol" she snapped, and grabbed Klaus's hand. The hybrid shook his head, he knew that despite Iris's brashness towards his brother, they did have a weird friendship…he wasn't entirely sure.
"Alright-"Alaric said "Can we dive yet?" he asked.
"On the count of three" Elijah began, Iris felt Klaus's grip tightened on her hand. "Three…two-"they all took a deep breath "One." With that they dived into the pensive.
Iris staggered and felt Klaus's arm coming around her waist. Caroline looked around they were in the Great Hall once again.
"You guys are having breakfast" Damon muttered eyeing the students, the little kiddies were all chatting, the raven head vampire had the urge to prod one of the kids, but a look from Stefan told him not to.
"There you are" Rebekah announced, seeing little Iris sitting at her house table besides Ron.
"Even back then you didn't eat a lot" Elijah frowned. Present Iris sighed and shook her head.
"It was kind of hard to eat what with a murderous monster around…and oh I don't know my friend? Who was attacked?" she said sarcasm oozing from her, earning a stern look from Elijah.
Stefan watched as Professor McGonagall stood up, effectively silencing the hall.
"I have good news-"
"This is a first" Damon muttered, instead of falling silent like they would have done for Dumbledore the students yelled out their suggestions.
"Dumbledore is coming back-"several of the students shouted.
"Boys and Girls are allowed to share rooms-"Kol threw in his own suggestion. Iris rolled her emerald green eyes.
"That better not be happening-"Klaus muttered.
"No-"the petite raven head shook her head and felt his arm wrapping around her waist.
"You've caught the heir of Slytherin" squealed a girl on the Ravenclaw table.
"No that can't be it" Caroline shook her head, after all this build-up she expected something epic.
"Quidditch matches are back on-"Rebekah recognised that Wood by shouting that.
"If they all just shut up then we'll find out" Alaric muttered just as he said that the Great Hall subsided into silence.
"Professor Sprout has informed that the Mandrakes are ready for cutting-"
"Mandrake?" Stefan looked over to Iris.
"Oh it's…something that is used for healing" she told him, and focused back onto the scene in front of her.
"-at last. Tonight, we will be able to revive those people who have been petrified-"Caroline sighed that was good, she thought. "I need hardly remind you all that one of them may be able to tell us who, or what. Attacked them. I am hopeful that this dreadful year will end with out catching the culprit."
"Something tells me that's not going to be so easy" Klaus whispered into Iris's ear, the raven head smiled innocently at him.
There was an explosion of cheers and applause coming from the students. Jeremy wasn't too surprised when he saw some of the Slytherin lot not clapping.
"You know they are just getting themselves more hated" the younger Gilbert uttered. The group could hear little Iris's and Ron's conversation.
"It won't matter that we never asked Myrtle then!" Ron told little Iris "Hermonie will probably have all the answers when they wake her up! Mind you, she'll go mad when she finds out we've got exams in three days' time-"
"They still gave you exams?" Caroline scoffed "damn" she whistled.
"Well…they say we've got exams but…." Iris shrugged her shoulders smiling knowingly. Kol spotted a small red head, he recalled her face from the platform, she was the youngest Weasly, and he could see that she was nervous and anxious
"What's up?" Ron asked helping himself to more porridge.
"At least look at her" Rebekah scowled, the little girl looked scared.
"Spit it out-"Ron said watching her.
"That's how you are sometimes Damon" Stefan commented watching the interaction between the red head siblings. "No tact at all" Damon shoved his brother but the younger Salvatore didn't miss the smile on his face.
"Don't she remind you of that house-elf?" Kol said canting his head to the side watching as Ginny took the empty seat besides little Iris and rocked back and forth.
"I've got something to tell you" they heard Ginny mumbled looking at the raven head preteen.
"What is it?" little Iris asked but Ginny looked like she couldn't find the right words.
"What?" Ron asked.
"Ergh…idiot" Jeremy muttered knowing that Ginny might not say what she wanted.
Klaus watched as little Iris leant forward, seems like she was only one who could pick up on the reason for Ginny's odd behaviour. "Is it something about the Chamber of Secrets? Have you seen something? Someone acting oddly?" the group par Iris and the Originals inched forward as they saw Ginny taking in a deep breath, she was about to tell them something but before she could someone else joined them.
"If you're finished eating, I'll take that seat, Ginny. I'm starving" Percy Weasley appeared behind his little sister.
"Oh come on" Caroline whined "you can totally tell that she knows something. Ergh." The blond vampire huffed when Ginny shot up onto her feet and scampered off but not before shooting her older brother a frightened look.
"Something is wrong with her" Elena frowned.
"Percy" Ron said angrily "She was about to tell us something important."
"Ok he knows something" Jeremy deduced when he saw Percy choking on his tea.
"What sort of thing?" the prefect coughed.
"I just asked her if she'd seen anything off, and she started to say-"
"Oh-that-that's nothing to do with the Chamber of Secrets." Said Percy at once, causing Stefan's eyebrows to shoot to his hairline, wondering how the hell would he know?
"How do you know?" Ron asked
"Well, er, if you must know, Ginny, er walked in on me the other day when I was well, never mind-the point is she spotted me doing something and I, um, I asked er not to mention it to anybody. I must say I did think she'd keep her word, it's nothing really, I'd just rather-"
"What were you going Percy?" said Ron with a grin on his face.
"Don't tell me he's the one who opened the Chamber?" Caroline uttered.
"Pfft no way" Kol smirked "It's not that hard to figure out, he was getting down and dirty with a girl."
"Him and a girl?" Damon scoffed "look at him, he'll probably get aroused over a book-"
"Ok" Iris said loudly over the two squabbling vampires "you'll find out in the end so-"
"I bet you that it is a girl" Kol dared the young vampire to disagree completely ignoring the raven head.
"I bet you it isn't" Damon shook his head. "He's too stuffy to have a girlfriend" he declared.
"He's is so going to lose that bet" Iris muttered lowly so only Klaus could hear her.
The scene shifted, Jeremy looked ahead and saw students all lining up and they were being led to their next class by teachers. "So they weren't kidding about that" he said.
"Nope…I think that's the first time that the corridors were actually organised" Iris commented, she spot her past-self and Ron trailing behind their peers.
"God of all the teachers that are leading you its him." Klaus drawled seeing the familiar wavy hair of Lockhart.
"Mark my words" Caroline and the others heard him, "the first words out those poor Petrified people's mouths will be…it was Hagrid"
"Seriously?" Caroline exclaimed. "He is so frustrating-"they were all trailing behind the group of twelve year olds.
"I know right. He's more annoying then you" Damon said in a flat tone. Caroline whacked him hard on the arm.
"Jerk" she scoffed.
"I agree sir" they heard little Iris exclaim, present Iris rolled her eyes seeing the looks she was getting from her companions, she smothered a giggle seeing Ron dropping his books and gaping at her like a fish out of water.
"Iris-"
"I have a reason for this" the petite teen uttered.
They focused back on the scene and saw that the preteens were all waiting for another group to pass.
"Thank you Iris" Lockhart said graciously, Jeremy sniggered hearing Alaric mutter 'Dick' "I mean we teachers have quiet enough to be getting on with, without walking students to classes and standing guard all night…"
"A teacher is meant to take care of their students." Stefan drawled
"He's a fool" Elijah murmured, hoping that the idiotic man would soon get up him comeuppance.
"What are you two up to?" Rebekah asked.
Iris bit her lip in thought and nodded when she recalled why they did this. "Oh me and Ron want to speak to Myrtle to ask her about her death" she told them.
They all looked back to the scene "That's right" said Ron playing along "Why don't you leave us here sir, we've only got one more corridor to go"
"You know Weasley; I think I will" said Lockhart "I really should prepare for my next class." And he hurried off.
"Idiot-"Kol scoffed "so much for protecting students"
Klaus grabbed Iris's hand they followed her past-self and Ron, as the two preteens darted down a side passageway, Rebekah realised the route they were taking was to that bathroom that they had occupied previously when the three children concocted that potion.
"Potter! Weasley! What are you doing?" McGonagall came up behind the unsuspecting preteens.
Elijah couldn't help but smirk, causing Iris to roll her eyes. "Busted" Caroline declared in a sing song voice.
"You should come up with a decent lie-"Damon said to himself,
"We-were-we were-"Ron stammered "we were going to- go and-"
"Ok he's crap at lying" Jeremy said offhandedly "it's obvious you're lying when you stutter, Elena's got a tale tell sign-"
"What?" the doppelganger exclaimed "I don't-"
"Totally do" Caroline sniggered "Your nostrils flare-"
"Huh thanks for that" Alaric commented "now I know when she is lying-"
"We all do" Damon muttered, the doppelganger flushed seeing the looks she was receiving, she looked back at the scene just as a name left little Iris's mouth.
"Hermonie-"
"Oh good one that'll do it. Pull out the puppy eyes" Jeremy nodded, as Ron and McGonagall both stared at little Iris.
"We haven't see her for ages, Professor" little Iris went on hurriedly; Klaus felt a sense of pride welling up in his chest at his girl's quick thinking. "And we thought we'd sneak into the hospital wing you know, and tell her that the Mandrakes are nearly ready and erm…not to worry"
"Aww" Caroline gushed when little Iris widened her emerald green orbs and nibbled her bottom lip. "So freaking super cute."
Iris grinned and snorted and leant against Klaus, who had watched the scene with a small smile on his face. Stefan was sure that the formidable deputy headmistress wouldn't fall to this trick since she was staring at them, but he was utterly wrong. "Of course" she said in a choked voice.
"You…wow can't she believe she fell for that" Alaric muttered and swore he saw McGonagall's eyes glistening in unshed tears.
"Why not?" Rebekah drawled "It's not surprising look at her..."
They all focused back on McGonagall as she carried on talking "Of course I realise this has all been hardest on the friends of those who have been…I quiet understand. Yes, Potter of course you may visit Miss Granger. I will inform Professor Binns where you've gone. Tell Madame Pomfrey I have given my permission."
Both little Iris and Ron hastily nodded and walked away, present Iris and the others followed after them.
"At least you didn't get in trouble" Elijah commented, knowing that little Iris's and Ron's path had change, instead of going to their first destination they would have to go to the Hospital Wing, otherwise their Head of House would know the pair had been lying. In an odd way the eldest Original sibling couldn't help but be glad that the preteens have been thwarted. But knowing Iris he had no doubt that she would try again.
"Well…she's old-"Damon commented earning a slap upside the head from Stefan. They filed behind the preteens as Madame Pomfrey ushered them in.
"There's just no point talking to a Petrified person" she said
"Whoa" Jeremy muttered seeing the usually talkative girl looking as if she was frozen. Iris frowned recalling that she utterly terrified for her bushy haired friend. Merlin Iris couldn't help but miss her…they've been through so much…and now? She was brought out of melancholic thoughts by Klaus squeezing her hand. She shot him a small smile.
They watched as little Iris and Ron settled down besides Hermonie's bedside. "Wonder if she did see the attacker though?" Ron asked.
"True…when they wake up they might be able to say who the culprit was" Stefan nodded.
"You found something love" Klaus murmured, he could feel the warmth seeping from her. He saw little Iris wasn't looking at Hermonie's hand like her companion was doing. Instead she looked as if she was interested in what was clenched in the bushy haired girl's right hand.
"A piece of paper?" Jeremy frowned canting his head to the side.
"Look Ron" little Iris whispered to Hermonie's hand.
"Try and get it out" Ron whispered back and shifted his chair so that he was blocking Madame's Pomfrey view of them.
"Damn she's got a grip" Kol whistled seeing little Iris struggling to unclamp Hermonie's hand, after several minutes the piece of paper was finally free.
"It looks as if it's from a book" Elijah commented seeing the age paper.
"What does it say?" Ron asked him and little Iris was on opposite sides of the bed.
Stefan watched as she smoothed the piece of paper out, and cleared her throat and began to read. The group listened intently "Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious of deadly than the Basikils-"both Klaus and Elijah shared alarm looks, having head about this monstrous creature, it was deadly "-also known as the King of Serpents-"
Alaric paled hearing that "This snake, which may come from a chicken's egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its method of killing are most wondrous-"Stefan balked at that, it sounded like whoever wrote this was praising that beast. "-For aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basikils has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death. Spiders flee before the Basikils-"
"That's what Aragog meant" Alaric muttered under his breath.
"-for it their mortal enemy, and the Basikils flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it" little Iris finished off, her brows furrowed together "She wrote pipes." Kol peered over her shoulder and saw the childish scrawl.
"She's got it" Rebekah said seeing the raven head eyes alight with realisation, things were beginning to click in place for her.
"Ron" little Iris breathed "this is it. This is the answer. The monster in the Chambers' a Basikils-a giant serpent-"
"Holy shit on a freaking sick" Jeremy's jaw dropped, the group par the Originals and present Iris, who was still leaning against Klaus. "A giant snake?"
"Unbelievable-"Damon scoffed he looked back over to little Iris who was still talking.
"-That's why I've been hearing that voice all over the place, and nobody else has heard it. It's because I understand Paseltongue…"
"That makes sense now" Caroline exclaimed tucking a strand of blond hair behind her ear. They watched as little Iris looked around at the surrounding beds where the victims were all laid down.
"The Basikils kills people by looking at them. But no one's died-"Klaus hummed thoughtfully wondering that as well. "-Because no one looked it straight in the eye. Colin saw it through his camera. The Basikils burned up all the film inside it, but Colin just got Petrified. Justin…-"
"He's the ghost boy right and the git who ran out like a sissy-"Damon snorted, Iris's lips twitched in amusement, and Stefan shook his head in exasperation.
"….Justin must've seen the Basikils through Nearly Headless Nick! Nick got the full blast of it, but he can't die again…and Hermonie had just realised that the monster was the Basikils. I bet you anything she warned the first person she met to look round corners with a mirror first! And that girl pulled out her mirror and-"
"It would explain why there was two attacks at the same time" Elijah nodded watching as Ron's jaw dropped.
"And Mrs Norris?" the boy asked.
"Yeah I doubt cats can carry mirrors here…."Alaric snorted but trailed off, he looked questioningly at Iris "they can't right?"
"You're kidding right?" she cocked an eyebrow, the hunter shot her a sheepish smile "no they can't." She assured him.
"The water-"once again the group's attention was captured by little Iris "the floor from Moaning Myrtle's bathroom, I bet you Mrs Norris only saw the reflection…-"
"This year so much more adventurous than your last" Jeremy grinned he was still baffled by the notion on magic; sure he knew Bonnie was a witch but compared to this? He found this world though…unreal and so much more special.
Elena saw little Iris scanning the page eagerly, the doppelganger felt off…god she never really realised how much Iris gone through and right now she was only twelve. Something told Elena she wouldn't like what she would witness in Iris's future years. "The Basikils flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it…"she read again "Hagrid's roosters were killed-"
Seeing the questioning looks Iris told them "When I was taken to Dumbledore's office after Justin's attack Hagrid stormed in and mentioned roosters."
They nodded and looked back over to the scene, where little Iris and Ron were still talking. "The heir of Slytherin didn't want one anywhere the castle once the Chamber was opened! Spiders glee before the Basikils! It all fits-"
"This is fucking crazy" Alaric muttered under his breath. Iris rolled her eyes briefly wondering will the History teacher ever grow accustoms to this world.
"But how's the Basikils been getting around the place?" said Ron "a dirty great snake…someone would've seen…"
"No kidding. How could anyone miss that" Rebekah drawled,
"Pipes-"they heard little Iris muttered under her breath "Pipes…Ron, it's been using the plumbing. I've been hearing that voice in the walls.-"
"This just gets crazier. There's a fat snake right there-"Caroline pointed to one of the walls, seeing the looks she was receiving she hastily added "I know it's not there right now…"Damon snorted and muttered something under his breath, but the blond vampire obviously heard since she slapped him upside the head.
Klaus's head snapped back over to little Iris, when he heard the preteen gasping, and Ron choking "The entrance to the Chamber of Secrets-what if it's the bathroom?-"
"Moaning Myrtle's bathroom" little Iris finished off.
"This gets more and more twisted" Alaric muttered, "there's a bathroom that's an entrance to some Chamber…that's got a big snake in it?"
Damon snorted "That sounds like a bad sex joke" Stefan rolled his eyes and shook his head. He focused back onto the scene and could see an air of excitement around the two twelve year olds. He knew why though and didn't blame them, they finally figured out what was responsible for the attacks.
"This means-"the little raven head exclaimed "I can't be the only Parselmouth in the school. The heir Slytherin's one too. That's how they've been controlling the Basilisk"
Elijah frowned as did Klaus, there was another Parselmouth in Hogwarts? They didn't like this at all, sure they could appreciate this ability to speak to snakes but the person intended to harm and kill students. Both Klaus and Elijah gathered that this year Iris would be in much danger and the coming years were going to be hell.
"What're we going to do?" asked Ron, Elena noted that the boy's eyes seem to flash. "Shall we go straight to McGonagall?"
"Let's go to the staff room" said little Iris declared jumping onto her feet.
"Whoa…you're doing something sensible, going to a teacher" Klaus teased her, Iris shot him a glare but the hybrid merely kissed her cheek and nuzzled his nose into the crook of her neck. Her lips twitched into a smile feeling his scruff against her smooth skin.
"Come on-"Jeremy called as little Iris and Ron ran down the corridors, the group followed closely behind. They burst into the staff room, Alaric could see that the place was deserted meaning that the break hadn't come yet.
"You two are very eager" Stefan commented seeing little Iris and Ron pacing up and down.
"Can you blame them?" Rebekah asked "they found out what's responsible for all this mess." Iris quirked an eyebrow seeing an actual smile pass between the pair, the raven head knew that some time ago Rebekah and Stefan had been close…very close in fact. She believed that the female Original had loved him. Maybe she mused that there was something there still. Elena didn't miss the exchange and frowned, her eyes dropped to the ground she glanced over to Damon, but the raven head male barely paid her any attention. Come to think of it, Damon no longer sought out Elena's company.
"Whoa" Jeremy said in awe, instead of hearing the bell that signalled there was to be a break instead McGonagall's voice echoed through the hallways it was magically amplified.
"All students to return to their house dormitories at once. All teachers return to the staff room. Immediately, please-"
Damon snorted earning incredulous looks from his companions. "What? She sounds so serious and stern…and then she put a please on the end."
"You're dumb" Caroline muttered causing the others to snigger, Damon shot the younger vampire a glare.
They all focused back on the scene just as little Iris wheeled around to stare at her friend. "No another attack? Not now?"
"What'll we do-"Ron asked aghast "go back to the Common room?"
"Come up with your own plan you little shit."
"Kol-"Elijah shook his head and looked ahead.
"No" little Iris said glancing around around, Rebekah noted her eyes landed on a ugly look wardrobe that was situated in the middle of the room.
"You're going to be eavesdropping" Rebekah concluded, as little Iris grabbed Ron's hand and dragged him towards the wardrobe.
"In here. Let's hear what it's all about. Then we can tell then what we've found out" the raven head preteen reasoned. Klaus felt his hackles rise when he saw Iris and Ron shoving them into the wardrobe. He hated the idea of someone being so close to her… she was his. Klaus was brought out of his possessive thoughts when he felt a slightly weight against him. He looked down at her and smiled.
"They're coming" Kol murmured and they watched as teachers flitted into the staffroom, some looked puzzled whilst others looked downright scared. Soon enough McGonagall arrived.
There was a tense atmosphere in the air, Elijah glanced over his shoulder and spied little Iris and Ron peeking out of the wardrobe. "It has happened" the stern woman said to the silent staff room. "A student has been taken by the monster. Right into the Chamber itself."
"Not good" Alaric muttered things were quickly spiralling downwards, and the teachers reaction confirmed that. Professor Flitwick let out a squeal, and Professor Sprout clapped her hand over her mouth.
"How can you be sure?" Professor Sprout asked.
"Who is it?" said Madame Hooch, Stefan recognised the hawk-like woman. "Which student?"
"Ginny Weasley" said Professor McGonagall replied.
"Oh no" Damon breathed the others were just as distressed, Klaus held Iris tighter to himself if Ginny was in danger he knew that Iris would no doubt have followed after her.
Elijah picked up the sound of Ron letting out a gasp and then him sliding down inside the wardrobe.
"We shall have to send all the students home tomorrow" said Professor McGonagall. Rebekah let out a sigh, if they were sent home that meant that little Iris would be forced to return her magic hating relatives. "This is the end of Hogwarts. Dumbledore always said…-"
The staff room banged open, present Iris couldn't help but let out a small giggle when she heard all of her companions letting out audible groans.
"That ponce is here" Damon grumbled.
Lockhart had strolled in and he was beaming, Caroline's gut clench with this man she just had the urge to punch him in his face. "So sorry-dozed off-what have I missed?"
"Ha even the teachers hate him" Jeremy laughed seeing the looks of hatred that was being shot to the oblivious man.
Snape stepped forward "Just the man" the potion master drawled "the very man. A girl has been snatched by the monster, Lockhart. Taken into the Chamber of Secrets itself. Your moment has come at last-"
"Ok no matter how much of a prick he is to you" Kol stated looking at Iris "this is his moment of glory…"he knew that the man was attempting to get rid of the annoying creature.
"That's right Gilderoy" chipped in Professor Sprout. "Weren't you saying just last night that you've known all along where the entrance of the Chamber of Secret is?"
"Oh this is getting good" Damon said gleefully, he and the others were waiting for the wavy haired man to get his comeuppance.
"I well-"they all took great delight in watching Lockhart spluttered.
"Yes, didn't you tell me you were sure you knew what was inside it?" piped up Professor Flitwick.
"D-did I? I don't recall-"
"Ah sucker" Stefan declared gaining a smarmy look from his brother. "Oh shut up."
They all looked back at the scene when Snape started to speak "I certainly remember you were saying you were sorry you hadn't had a crack at the monster before Hagrid was arrested. Didn't you say that you the whole affair had been bungled, and that you should have been given free rein from the first?"
"Ah dick-"Alaric chortled and watched as Lockhart looked around at his fellow teachers in a desperate plea for someone to help him.
"I…I…really never ...you may have misunderstood me-"Elijah deemed the man to be a fraud he bragged about stories that never happened before and now? Now he was being called out.
"We'll leave it to you, then Gilderoy" said Professor McGonagall "Tonight will be an excellent time to do it. We'll make sure everyone's out of your way. You'll be able to tackle the monster all by yourself. A free rein at last."
"He's so going to run" Caroline uttered.
"No kidding" Damon muttered he could see the desperate look on the man's face, and was somewhat disgusted by it. This man was meant to be a teacher.
"Very well" Lockhart said his voice trembled "I'll be in my office, getting-getting ready." And he left the room.
"That was smart" Klaus smirked idly toying with one of Iris's curls.
"Right-"said Professor McGonagall whose nostrils were flared.
"That's how you look when you lie-"Jeremy said to Elena.
"-that's got him out from underneath our feet. The Heads of Houses should go and inform their students what has happened. Tell them the Hogwarts Express will take them home first thing tomorrow. Wi the rest of you please make sure no students have been left outside their dormitories."
"You're not wanting to go home" Elijah said looking at Iris, she shrugged "I do not blame you." He didn't want Iris to go home before her time.
The scene shifted so they were all now standing in the middle of a dark corridor, Kol frowned wondering why there were here. There was swift light footsteps behind them and they turned around just as little Iris and Ron walked through them
"Why?"
"We're going to see Lockhart" Iris explained and they followed after them.
Little Iris came to a stop and knocked hard on the door, there was a sudden silence and the door opened by a crack revealing Lockhart.
"Oh Miss Potter…Mr Weasley…"said Lockhart opening it slightly wider. "I'm rather busy at the moment, if you would be quick…"
"Professor we've got some information for you" little Iris.
"Oh you're trying to help him" Stefan realised.
"-We think it'll help you-"
"Er-well I's not terribly-"the man looked uncomfortable "I mean well-all-right." He opened the door and they all entered.
"Such a useless human being" Rebekah sneered seeing that the office was now stripped and that there was two large trunks were open on the floor. Robes, jade green, lilac, midnight blue had been hastily folded "He's doing a runner" she murmured. The others bristled at this.
"Are you going somewhere?" little Iris asked confusion painted over her innocent face. Present Iris cringed at that, she foolishly thought that the man would be a hero someone to save Ginny, but the whole time he was a fraud. But since he was a teacher she thought he'd help.
"Er, well, yes" said Lockhart ripping off one of his poster off the walls. He started to roll it up as he spoke "Urgent call…unavoidable…got to go…"
"Pathetic" Kol growled what he wouldn't give to sink his fangs in the man's flesh.
"What about my sister?" said Ron jerkily.
"Well, as to that-most unfortunate." Said Lockhart, avoiding their eyes as he wrenched open a drawer and started to emptying the contents into a bag. "No one regrets more than I-"
"You're the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher-"said little Iris "You can't go now! Not with all the dark stuff going on here!"
"Aww Iris" Caroline cooed "you actually thought he was useful" Iris rolled her eyes and idly ran the pads of her fingers across the back of Klaus's hand.
"Well-"they watched as Lockhart piled socks into his large trunk "I must say when I took the job…nothing in the job description …didn't expect-"
"You mean you're running away" little Iris accused "After all that stuff you did in your books?"
"Unless it wasn't his achievements" Elijah murmured.
"Books can be misleading-"Lockhart said delicately.
"Didn't he say he wrote them?" Elena questioned.
"You wrote them you twat" little Iris shouted her cheeks flushing pink in anger.
"My dear girl" said Lockhart straightening up and looking down at Iris, Klaus didn't like the way the man towered over the little girl. "Do use you common sense. My books wouldn't have sold half as well as if people didn't think I'd done all those things. No one wants to read about some ugly old Armenian warlock, even if he did save a village from werewolves. He'd look dreadful on the front cover-"
"Fuck he's worse than Barbie" Damon nodded towards Caroline, she shot him a glare.
"-No dress sense at all. And the witch who banished the Bandon Banshee had a hairy chin. I mean come on-"
"You-so you've been taking credit of what other people have done?" little Iris asked incredulously.
"Iris, Iris-"said Lockhart smiling charmingly at the furious preteen, Klaus, Kol, Elijah and Rebekah all snarled lowly in their throat they knew that if that man so much as harm little Iris they wouldn't hesitate hunting him down as soon as they get out of here.
"It's not nearly as simple as that. There was work involved. I had to track these people down. Ask them exactly how they managed to do what they did. Then I had to put a Memory Charms on them so they wouldn't remember doing it. If there's one thing I pride myself on, it's my Memory Charms. No, it's been a lot of work, Iris. It's not all book-signings and publicity photos, you know. You want fame; you have to be prepared for a long hard slog."
"Must be dreadful lying to everyone" Alaric said sarcasm oozing from him, and watched as Lockhart slammed the lids of his trunks shut.
"Let's see, I think that's everything. Yes. Only one thing left-"they all stiffened when Lockhart spun around and pulled out his wand and turned to the two preteens.
"Awfully sorry, but I'll have to put a Memory Charm on you now. Can't have you blabbing my secrets all over the place. I'd never sell another book…"
"I will kill him if he hurt you. I will crush his bones and rip his flesh-"Klaus promised, Iris swallowed and nervously licked her lips
But just then little Iris reached her wand in time; Lockhart had barely raised his, when she bellowed "Expelliarmus!"
"Good reflexes" Elijah nodded approvingly and took satisfaction watching Lockhart being blasted backwards. His wand flew high into the air; Ron caught it and threw it out of the window.
"Well that wasn't smart" Stefan frowned "He could have used that instead of his broke one"
Iris shook her head "It's a blessing in disguise trust me" she didn't know what would have happened if Lockhart had been successful in casting his Memory Charms on her and Ron.
"Shouldn't have let Professor Snape teach us that one-"little Iris kicked aside Lockhart's trunk furiously. Her wand remained pointed at him.
"Iris you are awesome" Jeremy grinned seeing the terrified man, what made it comical was that someone so small was threatening a fully grown man who by the way cowering away.
"What do you want me to do?" Lockhart asked looking up at her; Klaus smirked as did the other Originals, and now this was the fiery girl they loved. "I don't know where the Chamber of Secrets is. There's nothing I can do"
"You're in luck" little Iris said forcing the man onto his feet "we think we know where it is. And what's inside it. Let's go" she declared.
"This is badass" Damon declared as they all trailed after Ron and little Iris who was poking her wand into the middle of Lockhart's back urging him forward. "You Iris are badass"
They walked along the dark corridor that led to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom; Caroline saw the messages on the wall. Lockhart was sent in first and Kol was pleased to see the man trembling.
They entered the toilets and Elena spotted Moaning Myrtle sitting on the cistern of the end of the toilet.
"Oh it's you-"the glum girl said seeing the three living beings "what do you want now?"
"She's super cheerful right?" Jeremy said sarcastically, causing Alaric to snort.
"To ask you how you died" little Iris said bluntly, Elijah was glad that she didn't beat around the bush.
Stefan was startled when Myrtle's whole aspect changed at one, he could see that she was flattered to be asks this, which confused him. "Oooh it was dreadful" she said with relish "it happened right in here. I died in this very cubicle-"
"Suck way to die in the toilets" Caroline grumbled.
"-I remember it so well. I'd hidden because Olive Hornby was teasing me about my glasses. The door was locked, and I was crying, and then I heard somebody come in. they said something funny. A different language-"
"Paseltongue" Klaus said under his breath and swallowed.
"-It must have been. Anyway what really got me was that it was a boy speaking. So I unlocked the door, to tell him to go and use his own toilet and then-"Elena saw Myrtle swelling up importantly and her face shined "I died."
"Is it me or is she a bit freaky?" Damon whispered to Stefan. The younger Salvatore nodded.
They listened to the ghost's reply "No idea, I just remember seeing a pair of great big yellow eyes. My whole body sort of seized up, and then I was floating away…"she looked dreamily at little Iris, Elijah's lips twitched seeing the look on the child's face. "And then I came back again. I was determined to haunt Olive Hornby you see. Oh she was sorry she'd ever laughed at my glasses-"
"Ok that's disturbing" Caroline muttered shaking her head.
Little Iris squared her shoulders "Where exactly did you see the eyes?"
"Somewhere there." Said Myrtle pointing vaguely towards the sink in front of her toilet. They watched as little Iris and Ron rushed over to the sink; Alaric glanced over to Lockhart and saw the man leaning against the wall a look of terror on his face. He rolled his eyes; this man just was just pathetic.
Rebekah canted her head to the side, eyeing the sink, it looked ordinary. The group watched as the two preteens examined every inch of it. "You found something" Klaus said seeing little Iris spotting an engraving on the tap, it was a tiny snake. "That tap's never worked" Myrtle exclaimed gliding towards them. As little Iris turned it goo came out of the tap, causing Caroline to gag.
"Iris" said Ron "say something. Something in Paseltongue-"
"That would work" Elijah murmured smacking his lips.
"But-"they saw a look of concentration on little Iris's face "open up."
Ron shook his head "English."
A determined look appeared on Iris's face and she took a deep breath "Open up." Klaus noted a slight hiss to the words and it was a tad bit more eerie.
"Whoa" Alaric swallowed seeing the tap glow with a brilliant white light and began to spin. They all watched in shock as the sink sank right out of sight, leaving a large pip exposed, a pipe wide enough for a man to slide into. Ron gasped and little Iris eyed the pipe.
"Oh sweets" Kol muttered seeing that little Iris made up her mind. She was going to go into the Chamber of Secrets.
"I'm going down there" said little Iris.
"Of course you are" Klaus sighed and rested his chin atop her head. It happened already so there was nothing they could do.
"Me too" said Ron nodding.
"Huh, he's useful then" Damon muttered. There was a pause they all briefly had forgotten about Lockhart who was by the wall still.
"Well you hardly seem to need me" said Lockhart with a shadow of his old smile "I'll just-"
The vampires bit back a growl; this was one of the most cowardly man that they ever come across. Lockhart put his hand on the door knob, but little Iris and Ron pointed their wands at him.
"You can go first" Ron snarled, white face and shaking slightly Lockhart approached the entrance.
"Iris, Ron what good would it do?" he asked
"Professor?" little Iris uttered
"Yes?" the man replied hopefully believing that she would have mercy on him.
"Shut up…and lilac is such a sissy colour-"with that the twelve year old Iris shoved Lockhart into the pipe and the man slid out of sight.
"Lilac? Who wears it anyway?" Damon muttered, they all tensed seeing little Iris lowering herself into the pipe and let go.
The group landed at the bottom of the tunnel, just as little Iris came zooming out of the pipe. She landed on the cold wet hard ground. Caroline gagged and Rebekah looked around in disgust seeing the grimy, wet and slimy covered walls.
Damon saw Lockhart getting onto his feet, just as Ron came zooming out of the pipe. "We must be miles under the school" said little Iris her voice echoed throughout the dark tunnel.
"Under the lake probably" said Ron, they all stared ahead into the darkness; Jeremy couldn't make out an ending of the tunnel.
"Lumos" little Iris muttered and the tip of her wand lit up. "C'mon" she said to Ron and Lockhart. She was taking charge. But it was so dark that the wand light didn't do much. Elena frowned seeing the walls seeing with the light and noted it looked monstrous.
"Remember" said little Iris quietly as they all cautiously walked forward. Elijah came to stand on Iris's other side; Iris stopped herself from rolling her eyes knowing that Klaus and Elijah as well as the others were edgy. "Any signs of movement close your eyes straight away."
Alaric frowned "That's not going to work if there's a fight" he muttered.
They all followed and the tunnel was quiet as a grave, and the first unexpected sound they heard was a loud 'crunch' causing Elena, Jeremy, Caroline and Alaric all to jump.
"Oh I think I'm going to puke" the blond vampire gagged, little Iris had lowered her wand to look at the floor and saw it was littered with small animal bones. Elena clutched onto Stefan's arm and Klaus's arm clamped down on Iris's shoulders. Elijah's lips thinned and Kol swallowed they all hated the fact that Iris had walked into an unknown place. Little Iris led the way, round a dark bend in the tunnel.
"Iris, there's something up there…"said Ron hoarsely grabbing onto her shoulder. They all froze and Damon slowly looked up, they could make out an outline of something huge and curved, lying right across the tunnel. It wasn't moving.
"Ok turn back and go get a teacher-"Stefan said.
"Yeah…not going to happen" Iris muttered and winced at the grip Klaus had on her.
"Maybe it's asleep?" little Iris suggested, Rebekah's gut clenched when the twelve year old inched forward and held her wand high. Alaric let out a little puff of air when it turned out to be snakeskin. It was green and lying curled across the empty tunnels, it must have been twenty feet long.
"Blimey-"said Ron, Kol thought he could come up with better words. 'Blimey' didn't seem to cover it.
There was a sudden movement behind them, causing them to all to spin around.
"Oh you've got be fucking kidding me" Damon exclaimed, Lockhart had fainted or so it appeared.
"Get up-"Ron hissed sharply prodding the fallen man with his wand.
"Shit-"Jeremy cursed as Lockhart jumped onto his feet and dived at Ron and they grappled, Klaus prayed for Iris not to do anything, before the little raven head could intervene Lockhart straightened up, pointing Ron's wand at them.
Klaus eyes lit up, the idiotic man had the damaged wand. "The adventure ends here children. I shall take a bit of this skin back up to the school, tell them I was too late to save the girl, and that you two had tragically lost your minds at the sight of her mangled body. Say goodbye to your memories!"
"Fuck-"Alaric swore as Lockhart held up the wand and yelled "Obliviate"
"RUN" Damon, Klaus's grip was unrelenting and he held her to his chest. The wand had exploded with the force of a small bind,
"Come-"Elijah ordered and they ran after little Iris who held her arms up to her head to protect her from the falling debris.
"No-"Rebekah's heart thudded watching as little iris slip on the coil of snake skin and chunks of the tunnel came raining down.
"Oh you have the worse luck" Stefan muttered, they were all standing behind little Iris who was gazing at the blocked tunnel.
"Ron?" she shouted "Are you ok? Ron!"
"I'm here-"Ron's voice was muffled and came from the other side of the fallen rocks. "I'm ok, this git-"they knew he was referring to Lockhart "is not though-"
"Good" Klaus sneered.
"-he got blasted by the wand." They all heard a dull thud and a loud 'ow' it sounded like Ron had kicked Lockhart hard in the shins. "What now? We can't get through. It'll take ages-"
Elijah closed his eyes in resignation knowing what Iris was going to do. They watched as little Iris looked up at the tunnel ceiling, there were large cracks. Klaus could see that she was attempting to find a way round this.
"It's too risky to try and break apart" Kol stated. They all watched as Iris battled an internal conflict knowing that she was worried for Ginny. Stefan sighed there was only one thing she could do, and none of them liked it.
"Wait there…wait there with Lockhart. I'll go on-"Klaus's fingers dug into Iris's soft flesh. "If I'm not back in an hour…"she trailed off.
"I'll try and shift some of this rock" said Ron, who seemed to be trying to keep his voice steady. "So you can come back through…and Iris-"
"See you in a bit." Little Iris said confidentially she turned on her heel and walked down the tunnel, Klaus and the others trailed behind her. A sense of foreboding overcame the group. The tunnel turned and turned again. They kept walking to Caroline the tunnel felt never-ending. It was cold, dark and damp.
"And there's another bend" Damon muttered they came to a final bend and this time saw a solid wall which had two serpents entwined and were carved, their eyes set with a great glinting emeralds.
Little Iris licked her chapped lips "Open" she hissed. The wall cracked open, the halves slid smoothly out of sight revealing a long tunnel.
"Here we go" Elijah murmured and the group followed little Iris into the darkness.
AN: Apologies for any grammar or spelling mistakes. Thanks to those who reviewed.
So in this chap-The beginning, Rebekah and Iris have a moment. Klaus makes a comment about marriage. Kol teases her. They go into the pensive, where McGonagall announces the Mandrakes are ready. Little Iris and Ron find the piece of paper, Klaus is jealous when Iris hides in a cupboard with Ron. Ginny is taken. Iris tells Lockhart that lilac is a sissy colour. Once again Kol and Damon bet. Iris and Ron go into the Chamber and they follow Iris into the dark.
I would have added more 'Heir of Slytherin' But I thought it would be better for that to have it's own chapter along with Dobby's Reward.
So Please REVIEW