Chapter Eleven: Breakthrough

Iris awoke to a large pair of green eyes staring at her. "Yous awake!" Squeaked the voice of Dobby.

She winced, her head was pounding, before she could ask Dobby what he was doing, he was gone in a loud pop. She pulled the covers over her head.

The night before played over and over again in her mind. She had used Harry's connection with Voldemort to get inside his mind. She felt contaminated; all her years of reading people, she thought she had seen evil, but last night she had never felt so cold. A loud knock on her door made her groan. She flicked her wand opening the door. Please be Dumbledore. She thought wistfully.

"How nice it must be to loll the day away in bed," came the baritone of a snake.

No such luck. Iris peeked out from under her covers to see the tall imposing figure of Severus Snape hovering over her bed.

"I'd hardly call sleeping in as lolling the day away." She replied coolly.

"You've been in bed for two days."

Iris froze, two days? She was out for two days!

"Term has just ended."

"B-but I, I missed detention and class. Two days!"

"Dumbledore has informed the staff that you are sick and highly contagious so you are to isolate in your quarters."

"Well damn." She sat up in bed, her body felt tired even after two days, could it be from entering Voldemort's twisted mind? She looked up to the snake in her room. He had dark circles under his eyes and looked about as tired as she felt. Was he worried about her? "How's Mr. Weasley doing?"

"He's still being treated at St. Mungos unfortunately his wounds are not closing."

"Not closing, why?"

"Nagini possesses a venom within her fangs making it impossible to close the wounds."

"Oh." Nagini? Was that the name of the giant snake? Of course it had a name. Iris followed Snape as he walked closer to her. Why wasn't he leaving yet? He motioned toward her hand.

"Your bandages need to be changed."

Iris held out her hand, with that same gentleness she never would have guessed Snape possessed, he peeled away her bandages. She winced slightly, her skin was red, the worlds clearly carved into her.

He soaked her hand in the same soothing potion. He worked in silence, solely focused on his task of wiping the potion away, applying an ointment and bandaging her hand. She watched him from beneath her lashes. Snape had a serious Jekylle and Hyde complex going on. He was this snarky evil Death-Eater that everyone thought he was; terrorizing the students and giving Slytherins special treatment but then he could be so gentle to her. What she couldn't understand was why?

Snape had finished and he was staring at her.

"Take a picture, it lasts longer." He raised an eyebrow at her comment. She sighed, "is there a reason you're still lingering?"

"Yes." He paused.

"Well if you're waiting for a thank you don't hold your…"

"Why do you hide your wand?"

Iris stiffen, well damn he had seen through that had he."why do you care?"

"It's powerful, did you steal it?"

She narrowed her eyes, "it chose me. A powerful wand for a powerful witch."

"Does it have anything to do with your ability?"

"Not that I'm not loving the third degree here but what does it matter?" She sighed exasperatedly at Snapes stoic stare. "Throughout history there have been mentions of "powerful wands", I'm assuming you've heard of the Elder Wand."

Snape scoffed, "a child's story."

Is it though? My wand was once possessed by a Trojan princess who could see the future. Her predictions transcended hundreds of years and always came true; they couldn't be stopped. Unfortunately, she had been cursed by a powerful sorcerer and was eventually murdered. Those who have tried to possess her wand have also fallen under a terrible curse. The wand has to choose you, or else.

"I see."

"My turn for questions," Iris tried not to retract her hand that lay under Snapes. Had he done that on purpose? "Are our lessons on break until the holidays are over?"

"If I find time we may be able to have a lesson or two."

"Could I-" she started hesitantly, "could I use the potions classroom?"

"Why?"

"Maybe there's something I can do to help Mr Weasley. I-" she looked away, her face turning slightly red, "I know it's ridiculous but I kinda feel responsible. I couldn't do anything but watch." She could feel Snape slightly squeeze her hand.

"There was nothing you could have done. Even your power cannot control the Dark Lord."

"Yeah, like I said, ridiculous." She shrugged her shoulders. Her eyes flicked to their hands, then back to Snape. He too looked down at their hands then back up to her. "Uh-" her stomach growled loudly between the two.

She pulled her hand away and rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly, "I'm starving…how does one eat in isolation."

Snape had stood up, hands tucked away in his cloak, "the kitchen will send food up." With a stiff nod he was out the door.

Severus paced his office, why did that witch undo him so. What was he thinking holding on to her hand? It was like he couldn't help himself. He was acting like some dunderheaded first year. These last two days he barely slept, too worried she wasn't going to wake up. Iris Morgan was insufferable, conceited, mouthy, she was nothing like his flower.

Yet three days later he found himself in front of her quarters door once more. He knocked and opened the door to the soft feminine, "come in."

Iris sat in the middle of her floor with her black cat. She wore muggle clothing, black short trousers, a half shirt with strange imagery showing her midriff, a plaid shirt that was silver, green, and black and long green socks. She looked back over her shoulder and gave him a smile. "Hello Snape what brings you by?"

Severus kept his face blank, hand clenched under his robes. Damn why did she have this effect over him. "You seem cheerful."

Iris stood up, "yeah well most students seem to have jumped ship so it's pretty quiet around here. Anyway I'm still locked up for two more days so what's up?"

"I've come by for an Occlumency lesson."

"Cool beans, let's get to it then."

She pulled her wand from her socks, since it was just them, Severus could see it's true form. With her information he had found the wand of which she spoke off, it was known as Kassandras Curse. Those who tried to use it were cursed to have terrible visions, some had been driven so mad they ended up as permanent residents in St. Mungos, yet she wielded it with ease.

Iris took a deep breath and faced her dark professor. They stood about six feet apart and wands out. She noticed him eyeing hers, she had decided to take the glamor off since he knew the truth.

"Ready, whenever you are, Professor." smirking as she always did when addressing him by the proper title.

"Legilimens."

Iris expected the usual to happen, blank space and loud voices except it didn't, Snap vanished before her eyes as images raced through her mind. She was four and back at the orphanage as bigger kids circled her and pushed her around…she was 10 hiding in her room as voices filled her head, why did they adopt that street urchin? She's not good enough for this family. I've never heard of this so-called private school she got accepted into...She was 16 home for Christmas surrounded by a large family with smiling faces but again voices were ringing in her head, she'll never be one of us. Stupid little urchin actually thinks she's good enough. If she doesn't graduate college her parents will be out of the will…She was 7 watching a shed burn…

Noooo!!! Get the fuck out! A voice in her headed shouted.

Iris was thrown back into her room, panting slightly heart pounding in her chest, Snape had almost unearthed a memory she had hidden deep within. One she had no interest in reliving.

Snape came back into view. She blurted out the first thing that came to mind, "So that's what a normal brain plundering feels like, not too bad I guess."

"Again." He raised his wand once more, "Legilimens."

Flashes of Iris's memory were once again moving through her head like a movie. She was 6 standing in front of three large boys yelling at her, witch! Witch witch! Hate burned deep in her little heart…she was 17 giving a letter to her grandmother who smiled graciously but her thoughts rang through, stupid little girl thinks she can graduate from Oxford. Same hate burned in her but she continued to smile…she was four hiding behind her new mothers leg while her grandmother was smiling, "oh she's absolutely adorable" but Iris could hear her thought, dirty little street rat why the hell did my daughter adopt this idiot. She was sad and scared of her…a burning shed…

No! Not that! Iris thought, anything but that get the fuck out now…

The images stopped and she was back in her room. That fucking memory again. so this was the power of a legilimens, bringing up old memories. She met Snape's eyes, he seemed to want to ask her something, instead he said, "your grandmother?"

Iris stiffened, she tried to keep the growl out of her voice but couldn't, "I've never been good enough for her. No matter how hard I tried, she would smile and act appropriately to my achievements but her thoughts always gave her away."

"There are others like her?"

"It seems now that you've broken through I'll have no secrets from you." She sighed and pulled her shirt tighter around, "unfortunately most of the family is. Because I'm not blood I'll never be good enough, no matter what I do. No matter my achievements or how hard I try to please them it's never good enough. Sure they smile and act right because they have an image to maintain but their thoughts always tear the masks away."

"Why?"

"Why do pure-bloods think they are superior?" She shrugged, "It's all about wealth and power for the family. How am I doing so far?"

"You're allowing me too far in. Handing me weapons by allowing access to these memories you fear. Again. Legilimens."

Iris was again trapped within her mind, images rushing by. She was 6 and running home from school while some older children chased her, her little heart burst with fear…she was crying alone in her room hating her grandmother…she was 11 getting into a fight with an older student at school…she was 7 walking wearing a yellow sundress on the forest trail behind her house…

Get out! Get out No…anything but that…

Iris's room came back into view. Why did he always get so close? She was breathing heavily. She looked at Snape, "how was that?"

"I'm still getting too far," he said unimpressed.

"I'm still kicking you out though; I've never done that before." She twirled around and did a little happy dance, exclaiming, "That's a win in my book!"

"That's enough for today." He tucked his wand away and turned to leave.

Iris stopped dancing, "wait, uh, so can I go down to the potions classroom then? When I'm outta jail that is."

He gave a small nod, "clean up any mess you create."

She gave him a solute, "aye aye captain."

Iris headed to her bathroom to wash her face; Snape's rooting around in her mind made her feel dirty. As she passed her calendar, she noticed the big red circle around December 25th, 1995 - Christmas was tomorrow!?! How could she forget it was Christmas? She had to talk to her parents. She couldn't not talk to them on their favorite holiday. Dammit, her phone didn't work at Hogwarts, and she would have to sneak out tomorrow; they were eight hours behind, so 10 p.m. would be about two back home.

Iris put a black cloak over her black jeans, band tee, and leather jacket. She disillusioned herself, the feeling of a crack egg making her shiver and set off out the castle.

It was eerily quiet, both out and inside her head. It was a cold December night as she reached the doors and stepped out onto the grounds. She pulled her cloak tighter and stayed in the shadows. It was at least a twenty-minute walk from the castle to Hogsmeade.

Iris was half-frozen by the time she made it to Hogsmeade. The town was quiet; the townsfolk were likely celebrating Christmas. She removed the enchantment on her cloak and instead cast a warming charm over herself. She made her way through the village to the far side. She needed as little magical interference as possible for her call.

She found an elevated, secluded section and turned on her cell phone. Since Muggle devices didn't work at Hogwarts, she had turned her phone off and kept it in her trunk. She had written a few letters to her parents, but with the Ministry checking mail, she kept them very vague.

Iris dailed the number to her parents house, 562-667–4267. Her father finally answered on the last ring.

"Hello?" He sounded so far away.

"Hey Dad, how are you?" Iris spoke loudly

"Iris is that you. Megan!" Her father yelled over the phone, "it's Iris."

Iris let out a laugh, "it's good you hear your voice Dad, I've missed you guys."

Her fathers voice was back to normal, "we've missed you around here love, how's London?"

"It's cold here, but it's amazing. I'm in Scotland now, remember I took that teaching gig."

"Oh right-"

"Iris honey?" A soft feminine voice spoke.

"Hey mom, I've missed you."

"Oh, I've missed you so much. How is Scotland? And teaching? Are the other teachers treating you good? The kids giving you a hard time."

Iris smiled, her mother always worried about her. "See Dad, mom remembers the important stuff." She teased her father lightly. "Yes, Mom everything is great! The staff is super nice and welcoming. The kids are great actually. Everyone is so polite here it makes me miss home even more.."

"That's so good to hear. You're father and I worry you know."

"No Megan you worry." Her father deadpanned.

"Oh Benjamin quit acting like you don't worry about your baby girl." Her mother chisted her father.

Iris had to swallow her emotions. She missed her parents more than anything. Yet she knew what she was doing here was important.

"Have you made any friends?" Her mothers voice interrupted her thoughts. "Any other teachers catch your eye? Hmm."

Iris rolled her eyes; her mother was always trying to fix her up with someone. "Mom, the other teachers are like a hundred years old; they don't want to be my friends."

"You're telling me not a single person is your age honey?" She asked a gasp.

Iris sighed, "okay one, he's only a few years older. His name is Severus."

"Severus huh?" Her mother said smugly. "When will your father and I meet this young man's whose caught your fancy."

Iris whined, "mom, I do not have the hots for him okay."

"Mmhmm, sure."

"What makes you think he's good enough for our Iris?"

"Dad, come on, not you too. Severus is just a friend."

Her mother said smugly, "I thought you didn't make any friends." She continued, "What's he like, sweetie? You must bring him home for the summer."

Rude, arrogant, evil, and terrorizer of children. Yeah he would go over real well with her folks. "He's…uh…nice." She answered somewhat lamely.

Her father gasped, "oh dear you're mother is right. You have yourself a little crush, love."

Iris turned red, god parents were so embarrassing. "I am not in love with Severus."

"Love!?" Her mother said excitedly. "Oh, finally I might get some grandchildren."

"It's not even like that, Mom," she said, exasperated. "Severus is just a co-worker; he's been very nice, just like the rest of them. Now, enough about my lack of love life, guys. I called to tell you Merry Christmas and I love you."

"Merry Christmas!" Her parents chimed together.

"We miss you so much sweetie." Her mom said. "How was your Christmas?"

"Oh nothing exciting just watching over a few students who stayed behind. How's your Christmas? How's the family? Where are you guys headed?"

Iris talked to her parents for another 20 minutes as they filled her in on the family, the latest gossip, and the renovations on the backyard that her father was very excited about.

"Oh sweetie isn't it terribly late over there?" Her mother asked

"Yeah it just after midnight."

"We have to get going anyway, love. You go on and get yourself some sleep." Her father replied.

"Okay. I love you guys. Have a merry Christmas, give everyone my love. Bye."

"Bye, I love you-" her father started.

"Bye sweetie and don't think I've forgotten about this mystery man. I love you too."

The phone clicked and the line went dead. Iris tried to hold back her tears, letting a few slip out with a little sniffle. She really missed them; they had been her whole world, no matter how far apart they lived. They loved and cared for her as if she were their own, always worrying and fussing over her.

A crack from behind threw Iris out of her thoughts. She turned, lighting her wand up, "Who's there?" Homenum Revelio. Silence. " You're caught so come out."

"It is only I," a familiar rich voice spoke coming out of the shadows.

"How long have you been spying on me, Snape?" She asked growling. Oh god did he hear her talking to her parents about him! She would kill the little sneak

"Dumbledore asked me to come check on you. He felt you leave the wards of the castle." He spoke avoiding her question.

"He felt-" her eyebrow twitched, "me leave?" She asked in a small voice.

"The wards around the castle are powerful, he recognized your magic." He stepped closer to her, "it's dangerous for you to be wandering around."

"I can take care of myself. Hmph." she crossed her arms.

"What is that…thing?" He asked, pointing to the cellphone in her hand.

"It's called a cellphone. You can talk to people from far away."

"You were talking to your parents?"

Iris turned red, "yes! Exactly how much did you hear, you sneaky little snake."

He turned to leave, "Nothing, just that you love them. Let's head back."

Iris jogged a bit to keep up with him, she didn't believe him but at the sake of not embarrassing herself anymore she let the subject drop.

It was a long quiet cold walk back to the castle. Iris was ready to bolt back to her room as they walked into the Great Hall. She was half way to the staircase before she heard it.

"Merry Christmas, Miss Morgan."

She stopped and turned slowly, unsure if she had heard him correctly. He gave her a nod and headed toward the dungeons. "Merry Christmas, Severus," she whispered softly before turning away and going up to her room as quickly as she could.

Iris finally did it! Severus was able to break through. They've grown closer, but how close? We will find out.

Thank you everyone for the views I appreciate it. I hope you all like the story so far. Sorry I haven't posted I've been a bit busy. But I'm writing and trying to keep going I have ideas for later chapters but the in between are getting me lol