Chapter Seven: The Resistance

Iris was glad that Occlumency lessons took place on Thursday, Friday was an easy day of classes with History of Magic being her first class. Thankfully Binns boring lessons was exactly what she needed to get those voices to quiet down. She knew it was going to be hard, but was not looking forward to the volume increasing after every lesson. Nor was she really looking forward to Snape, he was a dickweed. If he thought he was going to push her by being mean, well he had another thing coming, she was not a child, nor a real student, he couldn't do anything to her. So she would give as good as she got. After her outburst he was a bit better. He didn't insult her or yell, but he didn't really give her any advice. Just invaded her mind over and over, and all he heard were the voices she did. She was thankful that Snape couldn't seem to press pass her natural defenses, the idea of him rooting around her mind was concerning. There were a lot of things she would rather forget and not relive, but it couldn't last. He was a powerful wizard who would get past her sooner or later.

Besides the massive amounts of homework that Iris had to work on, the Occlumency lessons, and sleepless nights, she was also trying to infiltrate Harry's inner circle, which was not easy. So her plan was to quietly whisper to him about teaching them defense against the dark arts and make him think of lessons and spells that would be useful. The children needed to be ready, there was a war coming. It didn't matter if they were underaged or not, Voldemort would come for them all one day.

Iris was on her way to her third Occlumency lesson when Hermione approached her, "Hi Iris, can I ask you something?"

Her plan had worked, Hermione was coming to see if Iris was interested in learning defense.

"Sure, what's up?" she smiled softly at the young girl.

"Um, well…" she looked left and right and leaned in to whisper, "I was wondering if you wanted to learn proper defense from someone else, Harry, that is."

Iris leaned in closer to, "Merlin yes, that woman is horrible."

"This weekend in Hogsmead, meet in the Hog's Head at 10."

"I'm in," she placed her hand on Hermione's shoulder, damn the girl was worried. "I've always been a bit of a rebel." she gave her a wink and walked away, careful to take a detour. Hermione didn't need to know where she was going.

Iris was three minutes late to Snape's office. He answered her knock with short "enter."

She entered, expecting Snape to be sitting behind his desk, but he was standing in front of it instead. She did not fail to notice a shallow stone basin behind him, it was carved with unusual saxon runes, she had much practice with runes, but couldn't understand these ones, they must have been very old . Whispers leaked through, so many voices, she couldn't help but walk towards it.

"What is that?" she asked, walking closer, stopping as black fabric entered her vision.

"That is none of your concern." Snape hissed quietly at her.

She shook her head to clear it but the voices were still there, "why is it whispering?"

He looked sharply at her, "excuse me."

"That bowl, it's like…there's people trapped in it."

Snape stared at her for a moment, licking his lips as he answered, "it is called a pensieve. It allows the user to shift through their memories."

"It's full of memories." No wonder she could hear voices. Who's memories were in there though? Snapes, if so why? Did he think she could get into his mind? Game on then, she would crack the mysterious mind before her.

"Enough questions. Let's get started."

Three hours of Snape invading her mind and they hadn't gotten any closer. She made her way to her room with a giant headache and deep hatred for these lessons. They weren't helping at all, in fact everything seemed worse. She used her free period to finish off Thursday's homework, skipped dinner and took a nap to prepare for her Astronomy lesson at midnight.

Saturday morning was finally upon Iris. She bumped into Neville after breakfast and they lined up together so that Filch could check their names against the long list of students who had permission to leave. They passed without problems.

She followed Neville down the path towards the village. "Are you going to the Hog's Head to?" She asked.

"Yes."

"Rad, I'll follow you. What's the village like? I read it's the only all wizard village here. It's not like that back home, there's a lots hidden towns around."

She told Neville about the few she had visited with her school. Every year they would take a trip to a different magical community. Her personal favorite was in Salem, muggles were once persecuted as witches there. Real witches were never caught; it was all too easy to cast a charm that made the flames harmless. Salem had a blooming wizardry community hidden amongst the muggle one.

They talked all the way to Hogsheads. It was a cute old looking village with shops lined up. Neville pointed out the shops and what they carried as they walked.

"That's the Three Broomsticks, it's the more popular bar. The Shrieking Shack is down that road, it's haunted. Honeydukes has the best sweets, there's Zonkos, it's the joke shop."

They walked all the way down near the end of the village and turned down a road. A battered rusty old sign hung with a picture of a bloody severed board head dripping blood on a white cloth. Iris scrunched her nose up in disgust, "Hermione sure picked a grungy looking bar. I don't think students come here, we're definitely gonna stick out."

"Maybe we should wait for the others."

It was a few minutes before other students started coming into view. A dark skinned boy she recognized from class, a brown haired girl and a pair of twins were the first to teach them. Iris pushed the door and entered first.

The Hogs Head was one large dingy looking room, it smelled strongly of goats. The windows were so dirty light could barely penetrate them, dozens of candles lit the small space. The other customers looked no better than the bar; one man with dirty gray bandages sat at the bar, two hooded men sat in a corner at a table, and a witch, with a long vowel, sat near the fireplace. Guess covering one's face was a bit of a fashion statement here.

A tall thin gray bearded old man stood behind the bar, he had familiar blue eyes. Iris stood next to the bar with Fred Weasley, "Hi, could we have…" he started counting the students, "…26 butterbeers please."

The Batman glared for a moment and threw down his rag, as if irritated that he had so many customers. In that moment his thoughts were open and Iris was able to identify why he looked so familiar, he was Dumbledore's brother. She had never read about him having a brother.

He started passing up dusty bottles from behind his counter. "Cheers! Now cough up everyone I don't have gold for all of these."

"It's okay, I got it."

"That's like three galleons, are you sure?" Fred's eyes bulged at her.

"Yeah, no sweat."

Iris took out her coin purse, as the students started walking towards the Trio.

She was last, she took out four gold coins and handed them to the barkeep, "I suspect Dumbledore will be hearing about this, between you and that so-called witch over there." The barkeeper narrowed his eyes. "Is there a ministry spy staying here?"

He stared at her for a moment before his eyes flicked to his right, where the bandaged wizard sat, gulping down a smoky fiery drink. She gave a curt nod and went to sit with the rest of the students, her eyes on the bandaged wizard.

With everyone here and the high emotions it was difficult to distinguish thoughts from another. One thing was certain, Umbridge will find out that all these students met in a whacked out bar. She will know something is up. For all of Hermione's smarts she was still just a child, a bunch of students in a bar like this was suspicious. Maybe she thought she was being clever, but they all stuck out like sore thumbs. They were royalty fucked. She was pulled out of there thoughts, as the students around her reacted to Voldemort's name, some shriek, yelped and shuttered.

"Well . . . that's the plan anyway," said Hermione. "If you want to join us, we need to decide how we're going to —"

"Where's the proof You-Know-Who's back?" said a blond Hufflepuff in a rather aggressive voice.

"Well, Dumbledore believes it —" Hermione began.

"You mean, Dumbledore believes him," said the blond boy, nodding at Harry.

"Who are you?" said Ron rather rudely.

"Zacharias Smith," said the boy, "and I think we've got the right to know exactly what makes him say You-Know-Who's back."

"Look," said Hermione, intervening swiftly, "that's really not what this meeting was supposed to be about —"

"It's okay, Hermione," said Harry.

Iris sighed, some students were here because they wanted to hear from Harry what had happened. He only told Dumbledore what had happened, some parts were even too painful to tell Ron and Hermione. Children were so annoying at times, Harry still had nightmares about that night, a night like that would haunt anyone.

The boy continued, he was really starting to piss her off. "…He didn't give us details, he didn't tell us exactly how Diggory got murdered, I think we'd all like to know —"

Iris stood up abruptly, "shut up, you arrogant douche!" All eyes turned to her. "You don't deserve to know jack shit, and you certainly don't get to come in here demanding that Harry tell you about something terrible. Something that would have no doubt made you piss yourself." She turned on everyone, "that goes for all of you. Dumbledore told you all what happened, if you don't believe him you don't believe Harry, now there's the door don't let it hit your ass on the way out."

Silence, students all looked at each other. No one was expecting that from Iris. She was new and foreign what did she know? Yet she wasn't wrong, Harry gave her a grateful smile. Thankfully a hufflepuff girl with a long braid spoke up, and broke the silence.

"Is it true that you can produce a patronus?" She asked eyes turned to Harry.

"Yeah," said Harry slightly defensively.

"A corporeal Patronus?"

"Er — you don't know Madam Bones, do you?" Harry asked.

"She's my auntie," she said. "I'm Susan Bones. She told me about your hearing. So — is it really true? You make a stag Patronus?"

"Yes," said Harry.

That led to more questions about Harry and comments on his triumphs. The basilisk he killed in his second year with a sword that now sat in Dumbledore's office, his first year when he saved the philosopher's stone from Voldemort, and all the difficult task he had to do last year. Harry tried to be modest saying it was luck and help. All that may be well and true but to stay calm and think under stressful situations were also a huge factor. The other students started to see maybe it was best if Harry taught them.

Iris let the children bicker amongst themselves about when to have lessons and where. She let her mind wander to the witch by the fireplace. The thoughts were masculine, whoever was under there was a man. He didn't know why "They" kept having him trail Harry, he had other better things to do. Goods to smuggle and sell off.

Iris kept her face neutral as Hermione and Luna started to bicker. So the Order had a criminal watching over Harry, guess other people had more important things to do. She didn't like that wizard, his thoughts proved him to be self serving, why was someone so cowardly in the Order. She switched to the bandaged wizard at the bar.

His thoughts were not much better than the other one. This one enjoyed playing tricks on no-majs or muggles. She really needed to start calling them muggles, it was kinda cute. That's why he was wrapped up, a trick gone wrong. Served him right, now here he was spying on Harry, because the Minister cut him a deal. If he spied on Harry he would stay out of jail. Well damn, this place was quiet as fuck of course they all heard what the kids were planning. Once they were done here he was going to report to Umbridge, they were doomed before even starting.

Iris let her attention switch back to the students, Hermione was pulling parchment and a quill out of her bag, she hesitated and Iris read her. Clever little girl put a jinx on the paper.

"I-I think everybody should write their name down, just so we know who was here. But I also think," she took a deep breath, "that we all ought to agree not to shout about what we're doing. So if you sign, you're agreeing not to tell Umbridge — or anybody else — what we're up to."

Fred took it and signed with no problem, but Iris could sense the hesitation of the other students. Zacharies Smith did not want to sign, instead insisting Ernie will tell him. Ernie wasn't looking to confident either. Finally convinced from Harry and Hermione he signed and no one objected after that. Iris was last to sign and handed it back to Hermione who stuffed it hastily back into her bag.

"Well, time's ticking on," said Fred briskly, getting to his feet. "George, Lee, and I have got items of a sensitive nature to purchase, we'll be seeing you all later."

Slowly the students started to leave. Iris approached the trio, "Don't worry about what people think Harry, you know the truth and you have people who love and support you."

"Um, thanks Iris and for sticking up for me. You didn't have to."

"He had no right," her voice steel, " I'm sure whatever happened it was very scary."

"Why do you care?" Asked Ron shrewdly.

Hermione cut him a look, and Harry looked embarrassed. Iris just shook it off, she smiled, "it's called empathy Ron. Harry doesn't deserve all this for the truth. He also has no reason to lie." She turned her green eyes to his, "I think you're really brave, not because of all those things you did, because no matter what people say behind your back you're still here."

A slight blush appeared on his cheeks, "t-thanks."

"See you guys later, Neville promised to show me the village," she gave a little wave and was out the door.

The village of Hogsmead was quaint, it was pretty in its own way. Iris loaded up on sweets at Honeydukes, and enjoyed a warm Butterbeer at The Three Broomsticks, which was packed with students. Hermione should have had the meeting here it was so loud they couldn't have been overheard nor would they have stood out. She would have to go to Dumbledore tonight and let him know what was happening. She enjoyed the rest of the trip with Neville who told her about the different shops.

After dinner Iris retired to her room and waited till most of the students would be in bed. She crept out her door and into the quiet corridor she made her way to the 3rd floor and found herself infront of the ugly gargoyle uttering the password. The spiral staircase took her up and she knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Iris opened the door to find Dumbledore standing in front of his desk.

"Hello headmaster."

"Good evening Iris, to what do I owe the pleasure."

"I suspect you heard about the students meeting at Hogsheads earlier this morning."

"Yes I have."

"I can tell you which students sir, there was 26 including myself. We all signed a paper that Hermione Granger jinx," she smirked. "The problem isn't when and where to meet I'm sure we will figure it out."

"No doubt, what is the problem?"

"Unfortunately, beside the order spy you had," Dumbledore smiled, she went on, "there was someone there for the ministry too. He no doubt reported to Umbridge that a suspicious bunch of students met."

"That is a problem." He said thoughtfully.

"The students will of course continue, though I suspect that Umbridge will try something to stop them."

"Yes, I'm quite sure of that." Dumbledore sat behind his desk, a tired look crossing his face. "How are your lessons with Professor Snape?"

"Er-well," she deadpanned, "they could be better. Not that it's the Professor's fault. Actually I guess it's mine, he can't seem to pass all the noise in my head."

"I'm curious, Iris, about your ability."

She took a seat across from him, "What about it sir?"

"Well everything."

Iris paused to collect her thoughts, she took a deep breath, "Like I told you, I was adopted when I was four. The thing is I have no memory of my life before that. I can't remember my mother or father. The first memory I have is showing up at the doorstep of an orphanage, with just my name, everything before is a blank."

"You were obliviated?" Dumbledore drew his eyebrows together.

"Yes I believe so." She swallowed thickly, "I knew immediately I was different, people would talk but their lips didn't move. It was hard to understand or control, I learned quickly just not to talk. At that age I could only hear a few thoughts at a time. Then one day a young couple came by and for some reason they picked me. We moved to America. The older I got the more it grew. I could hear more thoughts and sometimes deeper ones when people were emotionally distressed."

"That must have been difficult. How did you find out you were a witch?"

"Well I received a letter when I was 10, it made sense children had been calling me a witch for years. My parents were shocked but overjoyed, they loved me regardless. I couldn't help but wonder about the family that gave me up though."

"You found them, how?"

"I may have not had memories about the day I was left but I figured someone else would have seen something. After much searching I found someone who did. They saw a red headed woman, talking to a little girl, she then tapped her with a stick and was gone." Iris paused, she had yet to share this with anyone, it was hard to say. "Anyway I poured over the old newspapers here and finally I saw a picture of her, Mary McKinnon."

A sharp intake of breath, "A McKinnon?"

Iris nodded, "she was found dead in her home with her husband and…" she couldn't finish.

"Her child," Dumbledore finished.

Iris had long wondered why her mother saved her but not her brother. Why was she taken to safety but no one else?

As if reading her thoughts Dumbledore spoke, "Mary must have had you in secret."

"What do you mean?"

"I knew the Mckinnons very well, they were in the Order during the first war, but they only had a child, a son not a daughter."

"I-I didn't know."

Dumbledore pierced her with his blue eyes, "I'm sure you have felt guilty all these years, you could not have prevented their death. Once someone was marked for death, Voldemort and his followers were relentless. Your mother must have known and hid you."

Tears gathered in her eyes, "but why not him too."

"They would have tortured her and everyone until they got the information anyway and then they would have done the same to both of you.

She made a terrible choice but no doubt one she felt was right."

"It doesn't feel right."

"No, I'm sure it doesn't."

Iris blinked back tears, stood up and bid Dumbledore a good night. She couldn't discuss the pain of her past any longer. She wanted his words to bring her peace but they just didn't for now.

Sorry it's been a while, this chapter was brewing in my head and I wasn't sure the direction I wanted to go in but here we are. More of Iris past has come to light and her lessons will progress shortly so you can see more into her past.

Let me know your thoughts everyone i love a review, you guys help shape the story as wel