Chapter Five: Fast Times at Hogwarts High

Iris walked up the steps and through her door to the common room. It was the first day of term and she was ready as she would ever be. She bumped into a round-faced blonde boy coming down the stairs.

"I-I'm sorry." He stuttered out.

"I'm sorry…uh…"

"Neville."

"Iris. Uh, are you going to breakfast? I'm a little lost."

"Sure you can follow me."

She smiled, "thank you so much."

They stepped over the entrance and through the portrait.

"So Neville, what's Hogwarts like?"

Dangerous. "It's uhh alright."

"What's your favorite class here?"

"Herbology."

"Can you tell me more about it please?" She turned her green eyes to him, adding a puppy dog look, a blush spread across his cheeks and he obliged.

She listened as her told her about Professor Sprout she taught Herbology. She was head of Hufflepuff house and really nice. She gave Neville books about plants and let him work on the greenhouses sometimes. He started naming some plants and their uses to her.

Iris's brain was swimming with information as they reached the Great Hall. She cut him off as he was telling her about his new plant and its uses. "Wow, you're really smart." She gave him a small smile, "maybe if I need help with homework I can ask you?"

Neville blushed, "s-sure."

"Cool."

They took a spot a few ways from Harry and his friends. She nibbled on some toast and drank some pumpkin juice, breakfast wasn't her favorite meal. Hermione had appeared from behind her paper as McGonagall came around with the schedules. She stopped at Iris and Neville.

"Ah, Miss Morgan is it? I'm Professor McGonagall, I teach Transfiguration. Here is your schedule. The castle can be quite confusing, if you need assistance, please look to your fellow prefects, Granger and Weasley."

"I will, thank you Professor." She took the paper from McGonagall and looked it over:

Monday- History of Magic, Potions, Ancient Runes, Defense Against the Dark Arts

Tuesday- Double Charms, Transfiguration, double Care of Magical Creatures, double Herbology

Wednesday - Ancient Runes, Potions, Herbology, Care Of Magical Creatures

Thursday- Charms, Transfiguration, Astrology, Free Period

Friday- History of Magic, free period, Study Hall, Astrology (after dinner)

She didn't take practical astronomy at her school, only theory and was actually looking forward to studying the stars. To see them and chart them. She turned her attention to Harry and his friends, two identical red headed boys had joined them.

"Fifth year's O.W.L year." said one of them.

"What are owls?" Iris asked. They all turned to her, she blushed.

"What are Owls, she asked, George." One twin tsked.

"Biggest exams of your life, they are Fred." Said the other, shaking his head.

"Ordinary Wizarding Level." Hermione answered. "They are a series of subject-specific standardized tests that are two weeks long and are overseen by the Wizarding Examinations Authority."

"What's your school like?" Ron asked her.

"Oh well you only get into Blair Academy if you pass the C.A.T, Common Aptitude Test. To graduate you have to pass the W.I.T, Wizardry Intelligence Test."

"Well you're in for a nasty surprise." Said a twin gleefully, she was sure that one was George.

"The professors are going to keep your noses so hard to the grindstone it'll be rubbed raw." said the other twin, Fred

"Have our year had mental breakdowns," George said happily. "Patricia Stimpton kept coming over faint…Matthew Sween would sicken up on his papers…lots of tears and tantrums…"

"Kennth Towler came out in boils." Fred piped in.

Seems Fred had put powder in his pajamas. Those two were trouble makers of the highest caliber. It amazed Iris the way they looked at each other, their thoughts almost lined up, fascinating. These two were close. She pretended to believe their over exaggerations, she widened her eyes in fear, "gnarly."

"Yeah, real nightmare, fifth year is. You picked a terrible time to come visit us. If you care about exam results anyway. Fred and I manage to keep our spirits up, though."

Iris skimmed their thoughts as they talked.They managed three each, charms, transfiguration, and defense, subjects they utilized for all the jokes. The gold they needed to start a shop it seems Harry had given them his tournament winning. That was very nice of him. She turned his gaze to him. He felt guilty for not telling Ron and Hermione but winning gold after Cedric died just seemed wrong to him. She could feel the pain from thinking of Cedric, and anger. That boy was full of anger these days, she supposed she would be too. The horrors he witnessed were terrible just to have people call him a liar. Well damn he handled it gracefully for his age, she had to admit. Teenagers had enough of their plate dealing with school drama but having a mass murderer after you too? Adults would crumble under the pressure.

She looked around, all these children were the future, and Voldemort wanted to destroy it, he wanted to separate and label them, not bring wizard-kind together. She wondered where her life would be if Voldemort never was. She would have grown up here, knowing full well what she was, and at 11 she would came to Hogwarts, put the Sorting Hat on, she'd be sorted into house full of kids like her, she would have feasted every night with her friends, send owls to her parents, join clubs, talk to ghost, and maybe her skills would have been praised not prosecuted. But that was neither here nor there, she grew up in a no-maj house in California with loving parents thankfully but the extended family had an archaic sense of family hierarchy. She pulled herself out of her thoughts, as the trio of friends stood up.

"Hermione, uh…could you show me to History of Magic class please?"

She glanced back at the boys, "of course. Follow us."

She walked along with them. "Thank you." She turned her eyes to Harry, he had green eyes just like her. "I like your eyes." She said with a small smile.

"Uh…thanks." He replied awkwardly.

Harry steered the conversation towards careers after Hogwarts. Iris didn't work for the Magical Congress. She instead had attended a no-maj university after completing her magical education and chose to live away from the magical community. They didn't accept her, she felt like she didn't belong. At least here she was useful.

"What do you wanna do Iris?"

"Uuhhh.." quick think of something, "I think a healer would be nice." She said in a small voice.

"Oh that's definitely worthwhile!" Said Hermione. "Here we are!" They had reached a classroom on the third floor that read 72.

Other students were entering the classroom. Iris took a seat by Hermione. She wondered what the professor was like, a moment later her question was answered. An ancient and shriveled up old ghost floated through the black board. Her eyebrows shot up, a real freaking ghost was teaching. How did that work? Why did that work? Did he give out homework? How the hell did he grade it? She had so many questions. Then he started to speak, a dull droning sound, and she lost her thoughts. 10 minutes passed before she bewitched her quill to take notes about the giant wars he was talking about. Well damn an hour and half twice a week she was going to have to listen to this? The cursed Defense job was looking better. She stared unfocused at the blackboard, and tried to empty her mind.

The bell rang and startled Iris. She thought the lectures at her no-maj university were boring, Professor Binns had nothing on them. That was the single most dull hour and a half of her life, she wished she could get it back. She vaguely listened to Ron and Hermione argue about paying attention. She couldn't blame the boys, the sleepy lull of the ghost professor was hard to resist. You could put criminals in the same room and after 15 mins of his lecture they would be confessing all their crimes just to make it stop.

A misty light rain was bearing down on them as they entered the courtyard. Potions was their next class, she understood it to take place in the dungeons.

"What is Professor Snape like?" She asked as they took cover under a dripping balcony.

"A greasy haired git!" Supplied Ron happily.

"Ron!" Hermione cried.

"What he is!" Ron grinned. "Right Harry."

Harry made a face, frowning slightly.

"He sounds terrible." Iris said frowning.

"Well he is a bit hard on us." Hermione said thoughtfully.

Iris could hear their thoughts either way. They did not like Snape. He was mean, unfair, and condescending. Harry had the feeling he hated his guts which was fine because he hated Snape just as much. To Iris, in their eyes, Snape was every bit the evil villain as the Death Eater, he no longer claimed to be. They didn't believe he was on their side even though he was in the order.

"You know I bet he will give us something real hard since it's the first day." Ron said.

"Maybe something we did last year?" Supplied Harry.

"No. That would be too easy." Replied Hermoine thoughtfully.

"Something hard for sure." Said Ron.

"Perhaps Everlasting Elixir, or drought of peace?" Hermione offered.

"It's been two months." Harry said miserably. "It's going to be difficult."

"He's going to want to catch us off guard." Ron said. He turned his eyes to Iris. "Wait till you see him. He looks like an overgrown bat!"

Before she could reply, a pretty girl with long black hair and freckled nose turned the corner. Her eyes were puffy, but she smiled when she saw Harry.

The girl's name was Cho Chang. She has been romantically involved with the boy who died two months previously. Oh she was a wreck of emotional turmoil. Iris clenched her jaw slightly, strong emotions were her weakness, this girl was full of them. Depressed and heartbroken over Cedric's death, confused because she felt something for Harry, guilty…god she was a rollercoaster of teen hormones. Luckily for her Ron's endless foot in mouth comments scared her away. Unlucky for her it resulted in an argument between Hermione and Ron that lasted all the way to potions class. Which left Harry irritated, embarrassed, and confused about Cho.

Iris shot him a sympathetic look, "those two always like that?" She asked as they lined up outside Snape's classroom.

"Er…sometimes." He said, still wrapped up in thought of Cho.

She was near the end of the line as she walked into a large square stoned room, there were 12 work stations in total, one end held a cupboard and gargoyle statue with a stone basin, a huge blackboard stood in front with a desk off to the side and a door behind that desk, the final wall held shelves full of jars with various questionable ingredients. She took a seat at the back next to the blond boy from that morning, Neville.

"Hello again." She smiled softly at him.

A slight red tinged his cheeks, "H-hi."

"May I join you?"

He nodded but didn't speak.

The door closed and though everyone went still the moment it did, Snape's soft voice spoke, "Settle down."

Holy shit Iris thought, he really did scare the crap out these kids. Teachers like that were never a good thing. Obviously they hated teaching, so why did they do it in the first place? It was a freaking endless mystery that had plagued teenagers for generations. She was so curious to know what went on in that head of his. His eyes caught the boys next to her as he spoke, "…suffer my… displeasure…"

Neville gulped and looked ready to kneel over. Too bad, he was very knowledgeable in Herbology which usually went hand in hand with potions. He seemed to have an immense fear of Snape; a severe case of Snapeaphobia. She snickered to herself.

Snapes' dark eyes caught her bright ones, she bit her lip, but her smirk still broke through. His hard ass Professor act was not scaring her. As he continued to talk and catch Harry's eye she felt all at once the immense hate he held for Snape. A knot tightened in her belly, and fire clawed its way up her throat. She gritted her teeth and shifted her attention onto Snape. If hyper focused enough maybe the voices would quiet down.

"Today we will be mixing a potion that often comes up at Ordinary Wizarding Level: the Draught of Peace, a potion to calm anxiety and soothe agitation. Be warned: if you are too heavy handed with the ingredients you will put the drinker into a heavy and sometimes irreversible sleep, so you will need to pay close attention to what you are doing."

"The ingredients and method," he flicked his wand, "are on the black board." They appeared. "You will find everything you need," another little flick and the door sprang open, " in the store cupboard. You have an hour and a half…start."

Iris glanced at the instructions, Snape certainly knew what he was doing. Everything was correct, this was not an easy potion though, in fact potions in general was not an easy subject. She compared it to no-maj Chemistry and no cooking. Everything had to be precise, the stirring, heat, time, and ingredients had to be exact. Most people didn't do well at potions, then again most people couldn't cook a decent meal either or knew jack shit about science.

Iris gathered her supplies and started on her potion. She had brewed this potion before, and would be lying to all who asked if she ever used it on a no-maj. Potions was an easy subject for her, she could focus and almost drown out the excessive chatter in her head. She supposed it had to do with her upbringing. She spent endless hours in the kitchen growing up helping her parents with their catering service in Hollywood. They tended events to the rich and famous, movie events, charities, birthday party's, red carpets. Potions wasn't much different, one wrong step and there went your sufflou, one wrong step there went your potion.

Snape's voice cut through, "a light silver vapor should now be rising from your potions."

Iris potion was silver and a light mist was rising from it. She looked around at the others. It didn't seem like they were doing so well. Neville's potion looked like wet cement. Another boy was desperately trying to light his fire. Ron's potion smelled like rotten eggs. Hermione was the only one who was also correct. Snape swooped around the work stations, criticizing potions. He was so close but stopped at Harrys.

Iris watched the interaction closely. Despite other potions not looking how they should, Snape only vanquished Harry's. She watched his face, his lips turned up ever so slightly, eyes shining bright for just a moment, man he really enjoyed being an asshole to that kid. Harry's white hot anger filled Iris's stomach, she clenched her teeth as she tried to get herself under control. Snape continued and came to her table. He looked disgustingly at Neville's potion, before turning his eyes to her. He glanced at her potion then up at her, deadpanned; as if saying he would hope she was smarter than a fifth year. He moved on speaking as he made his way to the front of the class.

"Homework: twelve inches of parchment on the properties of moonstones and it's uses in potion-making to be handed in Wednesday."

Iris took her time filling her flask and cleaning up her station. She made sure she was one of the last one to put her potion on Snape's desk; jumping out the flames of a slytherin boys robes, as he tried to fill his flask. That deserved an automatic fail, but Snape just doused him with water unbothered. She wondered how he tested them, just by looking she could tell almost everyone failed.

She plopped her potion on his desk, just as the bell rang. Most students had made their way back to the desk and were hurrying to leave. She spoke softly so only he could hear. "Here you are, teach. Hope it meets your ridiculously high standards." She inclined her head to him.

"Congratulations." He said snidely. "You can follow simple instructions."

"Do I get a gold star?" She learned over his desk, raising her eyebrows, a smile tugging at her lips, her eyes bright. "Dude, you are one scary teacher. I mean I was this close, " she held her thumb and index finger apart an inch, "to shaking in my boots."

"Is there a point to your trivial prattle?" He said indifferently.

She pulled back and replied airily, "yes, are we starting these Occlumency lessons soon?"

Snape clenched his jaw a moment, this woman's flippant attitude was bothersome, but knowing she got under his skin was exactly what she wanted. He took a breath, Merlin he didn't want to spend extra time with her. Once a week was all he could manage. "Thursdays evenings 7 o'clock starting next week."

"Alrighty then." She turned and gathered her bag walking out the classroom raising her two fingers in the air, probably some muggle goodbye sign.

The door closed and he let out a frustrated sigh. He glanced at her potion, and uncorked it. He gave it a delicate sniff, it smelled of frankincense and had a light silvery misty texture. He dipped his pinky in her potion and gave it a lick. For a few moments waves of euphoria crashed over his body; then it was gone. Well she certainly knew how to brew a basic potion. She also completed the assignment without ever looking at the instructions. She should be able to brew a basic O.W.L potion, Dumbledore apparently thought she contained great magic, so something so simple was not impressive. Their private lessons were going to be a true test to her talents, not just anyone could learn Occlumency nor for that matter master it. He doubted there was untapped potential somewhere in her.

He spent his whole life mastering the skill, hiding and shoving his truths and feelings down into a dark abyss that none could access. It was bad enough the Potter brat reminded him of his past regrets, now this American witch with her bright green eyes, shiny red hair, easy smile, he finds himself thinking of Lily more and more. He had been so foolish in his youth. So full of fire and thirst to belong and prove himself, yet all his desires died with her. He died with her, only his physical body remained behind. He would protect and cherish her memory and keep her boy alive, that was his job. Just keep him alive, not be nice nor Molly-coddle the brat. Just keep him in one piece, which was getting harder as the years went on. Potter had a terrible knack for getting in trouble, always playing heroics; this Morgan woman was no different, which made the resemblance to Lily so hard. Lily was also a hero, fighting the good fight even at the sake of her life.

Iris ran into Harry as she entered the Great Hall for lunch, anger radiated off him. If he was full of Gamma radiation, "Hulk smash" would no doubt be coming out his mouth as green fists broke everything around him. He was tired of Hermione and Ron fighting, tired of people treating him like shit, tired of being the famous Harry Potter, and just tired from being plagued by nightmares. He had survived something terrible and no one understood, the one person who could was dead and it was his fault.

"Um, are you okay?" She asked quietly, concern etched across her features.

"Fine!" He huffed at her and continued his long angry strides up the stairs.

She continued her way into the dinning area and headed to her table towards Hermione and Ron.

"I don't know why he's got to take it out on us." Ron was telling Hermione.

"I agree we can't help the way people are treating him."

"We're on his side!"

"it would be nice if he stopped taking his anger out on us."

"Its not our fault he fought You-Know-Who."

"Excuse me." Iris coughed quietly behind them. They turned, their eyebrows up in surprise. "So it's true. The things I've heard about Harry I mean."

Immediately their faces change, eyes squinting in suspicion, eyebrows furrowed in anger. Ron opened his mouth to protest. She continued before they could defend their best friend.

"I'm just saying," she said quickly. "It seems like everyone around here is against him. I would be pretty pissed off too." She shrugged. "Especially if I was telling the truth."

"So you believe him?" Ron asked.

"'There is no illusion greater than fear.'" She replied. Ron had a vacant look on his face but Hermione was looking at her curiously. "Anyway hope you guys work it all out." She headed further down the table.

"What did that mean?" She heard Ron mumble.

Iris was just finishing her lunch when Hermione approached her, "what's your next class?" She asked.

"The Study of Ancient Runes."

"Me too! Shall we head over."

"Love to."

The Runes professor was a middle aged witch with long straight red brown hair named Professor Babbling. Her name really suited her, she talked with an Irish accent and boy did she babble on and on. One minute she was translating a word the next she was telling a story. If her mouth was going a mile a minute her mind was not far behind.

At the end of the class Iris found her head spinning, if she had Professor Babbling as a teenager passing the class would be impossible. She knew her runes, her previous teacher was an old witch, They gathered their things and headed to the next class, one she was not looking forward to. Defense Against The Dark Arts taught by the strange ministry witch.

Hermione and Iris quietly entered the classroom with the other students. Umbridge sat behind the teachers desk in her ugly pink cardigan. She chose a seat closer to the front, as all the students sat as far back as they could.

Two minutes passed before Iris knew exactly what kind of teacher she was dealing with. The kind that hates children. It was all "yes teacher" "no teacher" and hand raising before speaking. The worst part of this class or maybe the most evil genius plan, was there was no practical study here. Hermione brought it to everyone else's attention. Clever witch that one. They would be working from the book and have a theory base study plan. Smart move from the ministry, be so far into denile, that children aren't properly educated.

A ball of hate rose up in her stomach as Umbridge continued to talk at them like they were stupid. Who would hurt children like them? Theory base education will get you through exams. She argued against every question each student threw at her. But the world was not all rainbow and sunshines, there was always going to be evil willing to hurt others. Shit Voldemort was willing to kill a baby. Harry was having none of it as he yelled at Umbridge and a verbal battle ensued. She had to hand it to the kid, he was sassy. She had to suppress her urge to smirk. But for all of Harry's efforts, Umbridge just took away points, gave him detention, and sent him to McGonagall's office

She watched him stomp away, with a heavy heart. He was just standing up for the truth, for himself.

Did that matter to that heartless pink puffball, hell no. Iris continued her work in silence with the rest of the class. They're worries and thoughts consumed her, though the class was silent, their minds were loud. Harry had them up with his side of the story, Voldemort had murdered one of them, a Hogwarts student, and Harry saw it and fought him.

Harry has gone totally bonkers

Oh I do hope Harry doesn't get in to much trouble

Stupid git

Why would Harry lie about Cedric?

this class is a load of bullocks

Harry's a nutcase.

By dinner time Harry's shouting match with Umbridge was the talk of the school. Iris didn't need to hear thoughts to know what her fellow Hogwart students were saying. They were not being shy, nor discreet. The general consensus was that Harry was still crazy, but she could hear the small doubt that pledged some students.

Dumbledore had addressed the school at the end of term. He told everyone the truth, and to Harry that was enough to convince everyone. But was it? Because the students went back home, and with two months of Ministry Propaganda, well now everyone has doubts. Of course the wizards here survived one war, why would they want another one? Denial was their friend, blissful ignorance was the path the population chose. It was easier than the truth, that the darkest wizard ever was active once more.

Then again Voldemort had been very quiet, there were no signs that he was alive. No sightings, no mysterious disappearance or deaths, nothing but silence. The only one who saw Voldemort was Harry Potter, a hysterical 14 year old boy who saw his friend die in a dangerous game where death could happen. An accident the Ministry called it, and have been feeding the fuel to that story ever since. Iris didn't believe in accidents nor the government.

Darkness had a way of being present when everyone thought they were safe. Why would Voldemort reveal himself, if he didn't need to. With the Ministry working against Harry and Dumbledore, the work was being done for him. That didn't mean he wasn't actively planning something devious. Iris would love the chance to be in his mind and see his plans for herself. Fat chance that would ever happen. For now she was left to wonder. Was he after a weapon? Information? Did he really think a teenager stood in his way? Or was his true target Dumbledore? She was left with so many questions her head was spinning. She gave up on dinner and went up to the common room to start her homework.

Iris classes the next day went along much better than Monday. The Charms professor, Flitwick, was a tiny old wizard with a cheery squeaky voice. His thoughts were low and guttural grunts, she couldn't make them out, just like Remus. He talked about the upcoming O.W.L exams. How important they were in deciding your future. He opened the lesson with Summoning charms, and singled her out. She stood up and swished her wand, summoning a few books that sat behind his desk. They piled neatly in front of her desk.

"Wonderful, wonderful ten points to Gryffindor."

She flicked her wand again, "Depulso," and returned the books to their original spot, which earned her another ten points.

The next class was Transfiguration, McGonagall started the class with a lecture as well. Though here's was much more serious sounding. Her thoughts had a mewling tone to it, and was much softer than her spoken voice. She was also an animagus. McGonagall had high expectations and expected everyone to pass. The poor blonde boy, Neville was singled out again. Iris felt bad for him, he seemed to lack the confidence in every subject except Herbology, which would be the last class of the day.

McGonagall passed out Snails to every student. She showed them the wand movement and incantation, "Evanesco". The classroom came alive and McGonagall walked around. Iris had chosen a desk in front and she was the first to be ascended upon.

"Professor," Iris inclined her head. She straightened her shoulders back and gave them a roll, sitting up straighter in her seat. With a very confident firm voice and swish of her wand in the proper movement she spoke, "Evanesco." Her snail vanished instantly.

"Excellent job Miss Morgan. Ten points to Gryffindor."

"Thank you, Professor." She moved on.

Iris spent her class time trying to help Neville, who sat next to her. He had managed by the end to lighten his snail a few colors. Poor boy, he was really sweet but unless the subject was plants he lacked confidence to perform other magic.

After their lunch break it was time for a class Iris had never taken before Care of Magical Creatures. The professor was an older witch with short gray hair and a sharp face. It seems she was a substitute professor. Harry was very upset at this fact, he wanted Hagrid back. She tried to clear through the clutter to get a better read on Harry as he tried to talk to Professor Grubby-Plank. She clenched her jaw, Harry's anger surging as a blonde boy leaned in to whisper something. He really hated that boy, Malfoy, a slytherin prefect and resident bully as far as she could tell.

Iris grabbed the last bowtruckle at the same moment Neville did. He blushed profusely and apologized. She looked around seeing they were the last two.

"No worries," she smiled softly, "we can share this one."

Iris looked around, the other students were spread out in the grass in small groups. Her and Neville sat down in a patch of grass near the edge of the forest. They tried to feed their bowtruckle and get it to sit still long enough to draw. It made a swipe at Neville, scratching the back of his hand.

"Ugh, okay that's enough, Immobulus." The bowtruckle froze. "Hurry, let's finish before the professor finds out."

By the end of the class Neville and Iris had each five points each for their house, they were the only ones to finish. They headed off to his favorite class, Herbology.

They walked up the greenhouses as another class was walking out. A girl with large pale blue eyes, long dirty blonde hair wearing a corked necklace and orange radish-like earrings approached Harry. Iris watched curiously as the thoughts around her changed, not that she needed to hear them, the atmosphere as other girls giggled at her. Loony Lovegood, they called her. She frowned, children were cruel. This girl was sweet as she expressed her belief at Harry. After Hermione insulted the girls belief and she stalked off, another student approached Harry, this one sounded a bit more pompous, also expressing his belief at Harry.

Iris caught up to a clearly embarrassed Harry, before he entered the class room, "For what it's worth, I believe you." She said quietly, giving him a smile. A memory of a pretty red head flashed before her, mom.

"Er-thanks Iris."

"should I send you a singing telegram?"

He smiled at her, "No thanks."

Herbology was dirty and smelling, not Iris's favorite subject to be exact. With Neville by her side it went along swiftly. After the belle rang she dragged her feet up to her room to clean up before dinner.

Thank you for everyone who is followed this story I really appreciate it and I hope you all are enjoying this new version.

I really appreciate it. I hope you all have a Happy New Year, can't believe it's gonna be 2023