Chapter Eight: Visions and Secret Meetings

As Iris suspected Umbridge did indeed know something had taken place, on Monday morning a large sign hung on the bulletin board.

——— BY ORDER OF ———

The High Inquisitor of Hogwarts

All Student Organizations, Societies, Teams, Groups, and Clubs are henceforth disbanded.

An Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club is hereby defined as a regular meeting of three or more students.

Permission to re-form may be sought from the High Inquisitor (Professor Umbridge).

No Student Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club may exist without the knowledge and approval of the High Inquisitor.

Any student found to have formed, or to belong to, an Organization, Society, Team, Group, or Club that has not been approved by the High Inquisitor will be expelled.

The above is in accordance with Educational Decree Number Twenty-four.

There was a curly signature at the bottom of the sign with a Ministry stamp.

She knew all right and this was the best she could do, make any unapproved club illegal so if they were ever caught she would have a legit reason to expel them, or more likely Harry Potter since that was her target.

When Iris made it down to breakfast she could sense and hear the uproar at the new sign. Some wondered why all of a sudden this was happening, others were worried their lesser clubs such as Gobstones, Potions, Wizard Card Collector, and so one would not get approved, and some were worried that Umbridge knew about their meeting.

Neville let her know that Harry said they were going to continue anyway, like she suspected. Never underestimate children, they are resilient. She headed to her first class History of Magic, the most boring class she ever had the displeasure of having. Not even the fact that a ghost professor taught it could make it exciting, then again maybe it was boring because of the ghost.

This magic lesson was interesting, not because of Binns, who droned on and on about the giant wars but because Harry's owl, Hedwig, was at the window trying to get his attention. The whole class was no longer focused on Binns but the owl. Weird, owls usually delivered letters at breakfast, not in the middle of the class.

Iris heard Harry whisper, "she's hurt!" He bent lower in his seat, "look there's something wrong with her wing."

"Professor Binns," said Harry loudly, and everyone in the class turned to look at him. "I'm not feeling well."

Professor Binns raised his eyes from his notes, looking amazed, as always, to find the room in front of him full of people. "Not feeling well?" he repeated hazily.

"Not at all well," said Harry firmly, getting to his feet while concealing Hedwig behind his back. "So I think I'll need to go to the hospital wing."

"Yes," said Professor Binns, clearly very much wrong-footed. "Yes . . . yes, hospital wing . . . well, off you go, then, Perkins . . ."

Freaking ghost didn't even know his students name, the whole class could ditch and he probably wouldn't even notice.

After class Iris stayed close to Harry, Ron, and Hermione but out of sight as they made their way to potions. Harry let them know of McGonagall's warning not that she was surprised. Hedwig was obviously intercepted, and she came from London, most likely Grimmauld Place, where Sirius Black was staying. He was going to appear in the fireplace tonight. There was no way for her to warn him not to, Umbridge probably read the letter: Same time, same place. While that was obscured there was only so many places an outsider could meet the children. She might figure it out, Iris would find out tonight.

As Iris reached the bottom of the stone steps she could hear the annoying voice of Draco Malfoy.

"I mean," said Malfoy, raising his voice a little more, his gray eyes glittering malevolently in Harry and Ron's direction, "if it's a question of influence with the Ministry, I don't think they've got much chance. . . . From what my father says, they've been looking for an excuse to sack Arthur Weasley for years. . . . And as for Potter . . . My father says it's a matter of time before the Ministry has him carted off to St. Mungo's. . . . apparently they've got a special ward for people whose brains have been addled by magic . . ."

Malfoy made a grotesque face, his mouth sagging open and his eyes rolling. Crabbe and Goyle gave their usual grunts of laughter, Pansy Parkinson shrieked with glee.

Iris' vision blurred over, she could no longer see the students in front of her but the face of an older woman with white wispy hair and large eyes. She did not speak but made timid motions to Iris. Behind a curtain laid a man with white hair as well, he made no movement just stared ahead with a blank face. Over and over they appeared always the same. Frank and Alice Longbottom the names came to her, they looked like they were in a hospital. Pictures of Neville lined the wall and other personal items were scattered. Sadness filled her heart, and anger.

"Iris!" A sharp grip on her shoulder and deep voice broke her free.

She took a deep breath in and found herself looking at the dark eyes of Severus Snape. "Hurry up inside." He spoke coldly, letting her go.

She gathered her bag and hurried inside feeling his presence behind her. The door slammed and the students hushed. She sat down in her chair, as Snape passed her he spoke, or sneered more like. "You will notice that we have a guest with us today." He gestured to the dark corner of the dungeon.

Iris bit down on her lip as she saw Umbridge there with a clipboard. Oh boy, two of the most hated Professors wonder what kind of showdown were they were gonna get.

"We are continuing with our Strengthening Solutions today, you will find your mixtures as you left them last lesson, if correctly made they should have matured well over the weekend — instructions" — he waved his wand again — "on the board. Carry on."

Iris had a hard time concentrating on her potion, the flashes of Neville's parents still played in her head. Beside her Neville was unusually quiet and sad. She also felt uneasy in Umbridge's presence. The old toad spent the first half hour scribbling away on her note book in the corner. She finally stood up and made her way over to Snape, who was leaning over the cauldron of Dean Thomas.

"Well, the class seems fairly advanced for their level," she said briskly to Snape's back. "Though I would question whether it is advisable to teach them a potion like the Strengthening Solution. I think the Ministry would prefer it if that was removed from the syllabus."

Snape straightened up slowly and turned to look at her.

"Now . . . how long have you been teaching at Hogwarts?" she asked, her quill poised over her clipboard.

"Fourteen years," Snape replied. His expression was as usual unreadable, but she could see his fist curled just inside his robe sleeves. He probably had to keep his cool with her.

"You applied first for the Defense Against The Dark Arts post, I believe?"

"Yes," Snape said so quietly, if Iris wasn't near she wouldn't have heard him.

"But you were unsuccessful."

Snape curled his lip, "obviously." His eyes narrowed slightly.

Umbridge scribbled on her notebook and made a "hmm" sort of sound.

"And you have applied regularly for the Defense Against the Dark Arts post since you first joined the school, I believe?"

Damn really? 14 years, you think he would get the hint.

"Yes." Snape hissed out still quietly. He was looking very pissed off, Umbridge had that effect on people.

"Do you have any idea why Dumbledore has consistently refused to appoint you?" asked Umbridge, in a oddly sweet voice as if she knew the answer.

"I suggest you ask him," said Snape jerkily.

"Oh I shall," said Professor Umbridge with a sweet smile.

"I suppose this is relevant?" Snape asked, his black eyes narrowing.

"Oh yes," said Professor Umbridge. "Yes, the Ministry wants a thorough understanding of teachers' — er — backgrounds . . ."

Guess she was implying about his Death Eater past. Though to Iris she was sure it had to do with the rumors that the position was cursed. For a long time now Dumbledore had not been able to keep a Defense teacher for more than a year, something always seemed to happen to them. Why would he want to risk his potions master?

Iris watched as Snape turned his gaze to Harry, vanishing his potion and giving him an essay assignment. That was kind of harsh.

Iris managed to finish her potion correctly and turn it in, as she approached Snape's desk he spoke, "a moment of your time after class Miss Morgan."

"Sure thing, Professor." She emphasized his title mockingly.

As all the students left Iris approached Snape's desk once more. "What happened earlier?" He asked sharply.

She played coy, "what do you mean?"

"I don't appreciate your cheek, girl." He sneered at her, "you looked far away, your eyes were glassed over and you didn't respond until I touched you."

"An unfortunate side effect of my abilities." She replied nonchalantly. "Teenagers tend to let emotions run high. You should know that considering you act like one."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Snape's voice turned cold.

"It means just because Umbridge pisses you off doesn't mean you can take it out on Harry. Whatever your problem with him is, is fucking stupid. He's a child, you're an adult, maybe you should act like one."

"Watch yourself…" he started to hiss.

"I'm not a child Snape-" she cut him off. "I will tell you how I feel. Maybe you can scare away everyone else but not me." She leaned in closer, her eyes narrowing and voice lowering, "you have no idea what I've been through but I will never use it as an excuse to treat people poorly." She stood back up. "If you never heal from what hurt you, you'll bleed on people who didn't cut you." With that she turned and left.

Severus sat at his desk both seething. She was ten years his junior, what did she know. Her last words rang in his ears. What did she know about pain? Did her one love die? Was she forced to teach the offspring of her childhood bully? The face of the man who hated him, but the eyes of the woman he loved deeply. Did she endure something so painful? Was she forced to wear a mask and put on a persona, never letting anyone near? Was she tortured and ridiculed?

She couldn't understand his pain. She could never understand what he'd been through. But you chose your own path. A voice whispered in his head. Yes he did, he chose his own destruction and nothing could fix it now. Nothing could change his past, his future was not much brighter. He would always be hated and judged for his past. He was marked, his hand gripped over his forearm. He was marked physically and emotionally forever. Nothing that witch could say or do would change that. So why should he?

Iris went through the rest of her classes in a haze. A headache started to form behind her eyes. After dinner she retired to her bedroom, she intended to stay up and listen in on the meeting with Sirius, maybe a little nap first.

Iris awoke at half past 11. The charms surrounding her room were lifted so she could hear who was in the common room. Besides the trio of friends, Lee, George and Fred were in there as well. It was after midnight till the common room only had the trio.

Sirius was finally there. She listened in, Sirius of course approved, Molly Weasley did not want Ron joining, though he would anyway, nor Harry or Hermione. Molly was on duty tonight. Duty for what Iris wondered. Sirius tried to help them

brainstorm a place to meet.

Iris sat up suddenly, and ran to the door that connected the common room, she opened it just as the door to the dormitory closed. She stiffened as she saw a stubby little hand groping around the flames, Umbridge.

She definitely read Harry's letter, probably attacked Hedwig as well. That woman was evil, and would stop at nothing to…what? Get rid of Harry. Why, like what was her motive? Did she benefit from Harry's expulsion and if so in what way? A promotion from the Minister? Or was she just such a horrible person who loved creating chaos. Iris had so many questions and no answers.

Iris's next vision happened the next night. She was in the common room attempting to appear normal and socialize with the students she was trying to blend in with, when a hot gut wrenching anger assaulted her. For a minute blurred dark shapes took over along with a roar of voices. She grit her teeth as the room came back into focus. Hermione nose deep in her homework took no notice.

That vision felt dark and evil. Someone was very angry that something wasn't being done fast enough.

Iris excused herself and went to her room. She knew this feeling, it was Harry or more accurately Voldemort. Last time He seemed happy about something, this time He was furious, it seemed Harry was transported into Voldemort's mind when He was feeling a particularly strong emotion. Neither knew what was happening, but Dumbledore did. She had the feeling he knew exactly what was going on between the two.

That night she dreamt about a long hallway without windows. A door stood at the end and it got closer and closer. The closer it got the more excited she got. The door she needed to open it she needed desperately to get through. Her heart was about to burst as she got closer, but she never did, her dream stopped and she awoke with a start, breathing hard and sweaty.

Harry's dreams were getting more intense, Iris felt like she had actually ran down the hallway. Something must have woken him up, she grabbed a dreamless sleep potion from her stash and drank it. She just wanted a good night's sleep, it had been weeks.

The next day Iris felt much better. Neville approached her at lunch. He sat next her and quietly whispered, "our first meeting is at 8 o'clock tonight, on the seventh floor opposite the tapestry Barnabas the Barmy being club by trolls."

"Uh, I don't think I know the place."

"Meet in the common room, we'll head over together."

"Kay. Um, are you okay? The other day with that Malfoy jerk, you just seemed really upset."

He turned slightly red, "it's um..." he paused debating weather or not to tell Iris but she could already hear his thoughts. "It's nothing never-mind," he ran off.

A Death Eater named Bellatrix Lestrange had tortured his parents until they went insane. Now they lived at St. Mungo's in the long term ward.

Iris squeezed her hand tightly in a fist, her nails biting into the palm of her hand. Poor Neville, raised without parents because of a Death Eater. How awful it must be to visit them, knowing they would never get better. So many lives destroyed because the actions of one wizard. Death was to good for him, he deserved to be tied up and burned continuously till the brink of death just to be healed and burned once more.

It was 7:40 when Iris entered the common room, waiting around was Ginny, Neville, Lavender, Parvati, and Dean. One by one they left the common room and met up in the hallway. They made their way up to the 7th floor hallway that held the tapestry.

There across from the tapestry stood a really shiny brass door. Iris was sure she had passed this part of the castle before and there was no door. The thoughts of the other students, who had been here much longer, confirmed it.

Taking a deep breath she walked up and knocked, then tried the handle, it opened. They had entered a very large room lit brightly with torches. The walls were lined with bookcases, there were no chairs but large silk cushions, and a set of shelves that held all kinds of different instruments. Hermione sat on a cushion reading a book, Ron was looking around at the shelves, and Harry stood near me turning around as the door opened.

"Whoa," said Dean, "what is this place?"

Harry began to explain but had to start over as more people arrived. Apparently it was known as the Room of Requirement. You had to walk across the blank stretch of wall three times and think real hard about what you wanted and it appeared. The more specific you were the better. Finally everyone showed up and Harry went to lock the door.

"Well," said Harry, slightly nervously. "This is the place we've found for practices, and you've — er — obviously found it okay —"

"It's fantastic!" said Cho, and several people murmured their agreement.

"It's bizarre," said Fred, frowning around at it. "We once hid from Filch in here, remember, George? But it was just a broom cupboard then . . ."

"Hey, Harry, what's this stuff?" asked Dean from the back of the room.

"Dark Detectors," said Harry, "they basically show when a Dark Wizard or enemy is around. They can be fooled though so don't rely too much on them."

He turned his back on the shelf and continued, "so I've been thinking the sort of stuff we ought to do first," he paused as Hermione raised her hand. "Er- what Hermione."

"I think we ought to elect a leader." She replied.

"Harry's leader." Cho replied at once.

"Yes, but I think we ought to vote on it properly," said Hermione. "It makes it formal and it gives him authority. So — everyone who thinks Harry ought to be our leader?"

Iris raised her hand along with everyone . That Hermione sure was bossy, maybe she should be the leader. She certainly had the tone down, as she interrupted Harry once more. She wanted to name the group. Some names flew out that were not very good.

Iris had a brilliant idea, she spoke up. "I think D.A is good, but it should stand for Dumbledore's Army. That's what the Ministry is afraid of after all."

Several students agreed and some laughed.

"All in favor of the D.A," Hermione said bossily. "That's a majority…motion passed."

She took her list of names and pinned the parchment on the wall, writing DUMBLEDORE'S ARMY across in large letters.

"Right," said Harry, when she had sat down again, "shall we get practicing then? I was thinking, the first thing we should do is Expelliarmus, you know, the Disarming Charm. I know it's pretty basic but I've found it really useful —"

"Oh please," Zacharias interrupted , rolling his eyes and folding his arms. "I don't think Expelliarmus is exactly going to help us against You-Know-Who, do you?"

Ugh that child was getting on her nerves, we're Hufflepuffs supposed to be like, friendly? That boy certainly was not. Iris almost missed Harry tell everyone how it saved his life and if it was beneath anyone they could leave. Nobody moved, so they divided up in pairs. Iris paired up with Neville

"Right on the count of three then- one, two, three-"

The room was full of shouts of "Expelliarmus"

Iris's spell hit dead on, and she caught Neville's wand in her hand. She tossed it back to him and took a look around the room. It may have been a simple spell but many needed work.

Wanda went flying everywhere and missed spells sent books flying off the shelves. Some were even unsuccessful in disarming their opponent at all causing them to either wince as the spell washed over them or jump back a few steps.

Harry walked around the room watching every one. Iris continued to look around and sniggered as she saw Fred and George taking turns pointing their wand and Zacharias, whose wand would fly out his hand whenever he went to disarm his partner.

Iris had been so distracted she didn't hear Neville's cry of, "Expelliarmus," and her wand went flying.

"I did it! I've never done it before, I did it!"

Iris didn't have the heart to tell him she was distracted, so she gave him a smile, "awesome job Neville."

After a few minutes a whistle blew from somewhere. Everyone stopped.

"That wasn't bad," said Harry, "but there's definite room for improvement." Zacharias Smith glared at him. "Let's try again . . ."

Iris focused on Neville, all this was way too simple for her but she let him get her a few times to boost his confidence. Before she knew it two hours had passed and Harry blew his whistle.

"Well, that was pretty good," said Harry, "but we've overrun, we'd better leave it here. Same time, same place next week?"

"Sooner!" said Dean eagerly and many people nodded in agreement.

Angelina, however, said quickly, "The Quidditch season's about to start, we need team practices too!"

"Let's say next Wednesday night, then," said Harry, "and we can decide on additional meetings then. . . . Come on, we'd better get going . . ."

They left in small groups and made their way to their own common rooms.

Iris sat in her room thinking. The children definitely needed more work, it was an important time to know Defense and they had but one proper teacher by the sounds of it. She also sat and thought of a way they could communicate without being suspicious.

At the end of the next meeting a week later she approached Hermione. "Can we walk to the common room together?"

"Sure." She replied. She bid the boys goodbye as Harry took out his strange map and told them it was safe to leave.

"Did you want to talk about something?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, I've been thinking of ways we can communicate with each other, with everyone's different schedules and houses it will look super suspicious if they keep mingling. What if something happens and it needs to change or cancel."

"Yes I've been trying to come up with an idea as well."

"I've thought of notes, or signs, even bracelets but it has to be something we can carry that doesn't draw attention. If we all wore something similar it would be suspicious as well."

"What's in your pocket right now?" Hermione asked.

They both turned out their pockets, and each had a couple knuts. Iris had paid her owl earlier that day for her Daily Prophet, Hermione must have done the same.

Hermione gasped , "Galleons."

"We can use fake galleons to communicate." Iris continued. "Aren't there like numbers or something on them."

"Yes, serial numbers that refer to the goblin who cast the coin."

"But in our coins they can be used to show the date and time of our meetings. But how do we make them all say the same thing?"

Hermione thought for a moment, though Iris could hear her train she let her say it. "Well for Death Eaters, Voldemort presses his mark and it burns so that his followers can find him."

"I think I've read about a charm like that..."

"Yes, the Protean Charm. we can make fake galleons and charm them."

"So when Harry sets the date and time our coins will grow hot and we can check it."

"Brilliant. Let's start making them this weekend."

They reached the common room and bid each other goodnight.

By their fourth meeting Iris and Hermione had completed the galleons. The charm was simple for her to do. She had to teach Hermione who caught on rather quickly. By the fourth meeting they were ready to hand the coins out.

"You see the numerals around the edge of the coin," Hermione said holding one up, "On real Galleons that's just a serial number referring to the goblin who cast the coin. On these fake coins, though, the numbers will change to reflect the time and date of the next meeting."

"Hermione and I have put a Protean charm on them. So when Harry changes the date and time on his coin our coins will grow hot and mimic his."

Everyone stared silently and blankly at them.

"Well- we thought it was a good idea." Said Hermione uncertainty. "Even if Umbridge has us turn out our pockets there's nothing fishy about carrying a galleon around."

"Uh, I guess if you guys don't wanna use them, we can come up with something else." Iris spoke up.

"You can do a Protean Charm?" said Terry Boot.

Hermione and Iris looked at each other then back at them and nodded, "yes." They replied together

"But that's . . . that's N.E.W.T. standard, that is," he said weakly.

"Oh, really it is?" Said Iris, trying to act surprised. She was from another country after all.

"Yes, I- uh I suppose it is." Hermione said trying to appear modest, though inside she was beaming with pride.

"How come you're not in Ravenclaw," he demanded, staring at her in wonder, "with brains like yours."

What was Iris chop liver? She tried to keep her face neutral though her eyebrow was desperate to twitch in annoyance. Then again she had to remember she was a stranger and these kids have been together for years.

Everyone grabbed one from the basket Hermione was carrying. Harry looked at them sideways.

"You know what this reminds me off?"

Iris turned her head sideways, "No, what?"

"The Death Eaters' scars. Voldemort touches one of them, and all their scars burn, and they know they've got to join him."

"Well . . . yes," said Hermione quietly. "That is where we got the idea . . . but you'll notice we decided to engrave the date on bits of metal rather than on our members' skin . . ."

Harry grinned, "well I prefer this way."

Another one down!

So has everyone heard HBO max has officially announce a ten year series with 7 seasons each one staying true to the books...anyone else excited?

Hopefully they don't mess it up lol

as always I appreciate whoever if anyone is reading this you guys keep me going and the voices in my head XD