Chapter 15: He's Very Smart, Your Brother

Harry kept his bond with Iris damped for most of the summer break. Letting it run loose meant having a river of outside thought crashing through his head. Every single one of Iris's feelings and decisions screamed at him, as if announced through an Amplifying Charm.

Their bond—the relationship bond, not the horcrux one—strengthened as well, likely due to the horcrux. They spent nearly every waking moment together, not out of fear that they would be separated, but simply because it felt right to be close. Harry felt whole, and Iris seemed to be in paradise.

Summer break inched by, and Hogwarts came closer and closer. For Iris's birthday, Harry took her to a distant forest, where trees reached high into the sky and everything was either brown or green. They walked through, enjoying the fresh air, and the silence. At one point, Iris demanded that Harry carry her on his back. He acquiesced, and she climbed onto him, hanging onto his neck.

They eventually came through the trees to a cliffside. A waterfall at their side led down hundreds of feet, to a valley full of trees. A river flowed at the edge, and birds flew above.

Iris gasped. Her grip around his neck tightened.

"Harry?" she whispered.

"Hm?"

"Thanks for bringing me here," she said. She pulled closer, bringing her lips to his ear. "I love you."

"I love you too, Iris." That was getting easier and easier to say.

She hugged him tighter, and kissed the side of his head.

Harry thought about gifting her some more jewelry—perhaps the Diadem of Ravenclaw. He stopped himself, however. Iris already had Slytherin's locket. A girl walking around wearing two Founders' artifacts would raise eyebrows. In the end, he settled for a expensive looking black leather journal, on the first page of which he wrote For my sister, Iris.

Iris loved the gift.

July turned to August. In the last week, Harry took Iris out to Diagon Alley to get her school supplies and wand. August turned to September, and soon enough, summer break was over. It was time to go to Hogwarts.

Iris woke up before Harry on September 1st. He felt her rouse in his own, unconscious mind, and woke up himself. He found her hovering over him.

"Wake up, Harry," she said. "We have to get ready on time."

"Go clean your teeth and eyes," he mumbled. "I'll be there in a second."

"Okay." She kissed him on the cheek, then hopped off the bed.

They both got themselves cleaned and changed. Harry wore a tucked-in white shirt with black pants—the shirt was ironed to pristine smoothness, and almost glowed—and Iris wore a black dress with matching boots. She looked like a Victorian child about to go horseback riding.

They went downstairs, and found Draco and Narcissa at the dining table. The young Malfoy looked flustered.

"Draco, finish your breakfast," Narcissa said. "The welcome feast isn't for many hours."

"Mother, I'm full. I can't eat any more."

"Yes, you can. I won't have you filling your stomach with candy and chocolates in the train. Eat."

Draco let out a groan, and put a bit of sausage into his mouth. Harry and Iris sat down across from them. Narcissa smiled, mostly at Iris.

"Hello, you two." She looked at Iris. "You look very pretty, my dear," she said.

Iris giggled. "Thank you. You look pretty too, Narcissa."

Narcissa smiled, and let out an amused laugh. It sounded like the most genuine laughter Harry had heard from her.

Dobby came by and floated down plates of food in front of them. After a few minutes of eating, Lucius came as well, lacking a coat over his tie and shirt. He looked harried.

"Sorry, work kept me. Hello, Harry, Iris. Excited for Hogwarts?" The question was pointedly directed at Iris.

"Yes, I am. But I'm also a little nervous," Iris said.

"Don't be," Lucius said, smiling. "You have Harry with you. You'll do just fine."

"And Harry will look after Draco too," Narcissa said. She fixed upon Harry, looking almost defiant.

Lucius turned to her, raising his eyebrows in alarm. His face said What the hell are you doing?

Harry laughed—he couldn't help it. He nodded, glancing at Draco. "Of course."

The rest of the breakfast continued in silence. Narcissa stared at the table, avoiding Harry's gaze. Lucius kept looking between her and Harry with barely concealed worry. Draco and Iris ate their food, unaware that anything had happened.

Bella was going with Harry. She stood in her bird form on top of the three trunks in the living room, watching everything with a critical eye. Lucius and Narcissa looked at her wearily, especially Narcissa. Draco and Iris were more accepting. They had seen her flying around above them while they played, and were familiar with the bird.

In another room, Harry met with Barty.

"Going to school, eh, my lord?" the man said, grinning. He barely seemed able to contain his laughter.

Harry sighed. If any other Death Eater spoke to him in such a way, he probably would have turned their stomach inside out. Barty, however, was too affable to dislike.

"Yes. I have things for you to do, Barty. In my absence, I want you to spy on and log the dealings of Edgard Nott, Carden Crabbe, Aaron Goyle, and Cyrus Greengrass."

The smile left Barty's face, replaced by professional seriousness. "Okay, my lord. I assume you'll be inviting them to join us soon?"

"Something like that, yes."

"Even Greengrass? He didn't like us much back in the war."

"He'll join this time. That's the benefit of this body, Barty. People like Greengrass are more willing to trust Harry Potter than they are Voldemort."

Barty nodded. "Well, I won't be able to watch them all at once. I'll have to spend a month or so on each one."

"That's fine. Give the information you get to Lucius, and he'll pass it to me whenever the Hogwarts Board convenes. I want it all done by December, when I come back for winter break."

"I understand, my lord."

"Good. Oh, and you can move around the house in daytime now. Keep yourself hidden from outside eyes, though. We wouldn't want any trouble."

"Sure, my lord," Barty said. "But I'll also keep myself hidden from Narcissa. I swear, that woman is a bloody basilisk. She can kill people just by looking at them."

Harry scoffed. "Okay. Stay there a minute, Barty. I have someone for you to meet."

Barty straightened, eyes lighting up and a smile coming to his face. "Iris?"

"Yes," Harry said. He left the small sitting room, going to fetch his sister.

He returned to the room with Iris holding his hand. She looked somewhat apprehensive.

Barty had been staring out the window, and looked at her as she came in. A wide smile broke out on his face. "Iris," he said. "Merlin, you're all grown up."

Iris frowned, and took a step behind Harry. "Um…"

"Iris, this is Barty. He knows us from when we were children."

"Hm? You knew our mum and dad?" Iris asked.

"Oh yes," Barty said. "They had a fierce reputation. I met them briefly." He glanced towards Harry at the last sentence.

He came closer, smiling awkwardly, and held out his hand at Iris. "It's good to see you. You were just a little baby when I saw you last."

Iris looked at his hand for a second, then reached out and shook it. "What are you doing here?" she said.

"Oh, your brother and I have some business. He's very smart, your brother."

"Yes, I know."

Barty nodded. He opened his mouth, then shut it. He cleared his throat. "Ahem, so…"

"Barty, how about we go on?" Harry said. "We have to leave for the station on time."

"Yes. Yes, of course, m—Harry. It was nice meeting you, Iris. Good luck in Hogwarts."

"Um... thank you?" Iris said, looking confused.

Harry sighed, and turned to leave, taking Iris with him. She came quickly, as if she were glad to leave the room. Harry gave Barty a glance over his shoulder as he left—the man looked embarrassed.

As they went down the hall, Harry could feel confusion and a little discomfort emanating from Iris. "Harry," she asked, "who was that?"

"He's someone who's helping me with something. Barty is very skilled with magic, but he doesn't really know how to talk to children."

Iris wrinkled her nose. "I don't like him."

"He has a way of growing on you."

Bella cawed at Narcissa.

Her heart sunk. The raven standing on top of the trunks was staring at her pointedly. She went over, and leaned in so others wouldn't hear.

"What is it, Bella?"

"Caw." Bella came closer, and stepped onto the hand Narcissa had set on the trunk. She walked up to her forearm, and then looked at the door.

Narcissa looked around. Lucius and Draco weren't nearby, and Iris was off doing something with Harry. It was as safe as it would be.

She took Bella out of the living room, and went to the nearest private room. This turned out to be her husband's office. Lucius was not here at the moment.

She went in, and shut the door behind her. After a moment's thought, she bolted the lock as well.

Bella flew off her arm, and turned into a woman mid air. Her flapping wings turned to arms, and her feet elongated, landing on the floor. She bent a little as she landed, then turned around to face Narcissa.

"Cissy." She held her arms out. Narcissa took a deep breath, then walked forward and let her pull her in a hug. This time, Bella didn't put her hands in inappropriate places—she held Narcissa's head, and stroked her back.

"I'm going to miss you," Bella said.

"I'll miss you too, but you're just going for a few months. It'll be okay."

"With the Dark Lord, you never know what the future holds." She sounded wistful. She kissed her neck, then her cheek. "I love you."

A warm, soft feeling came to Narcissa's chest. Memories came to her: sitting as a little girl in her big sister's lap, as she read her a book. Bella holding her and Andromeda by their hands, taking them out to see Mr. Parkinson's garden while their father talked business. Bella, hugging her tightly in her room after she'd been betrothed to Lucius, telling her not to worry. It'll be okay, Cissy. He's a nice young man. If he mistreats you, I'll come and set him straight.

"I love you too, Bella," she said. She closed her eyes, and rested her head on Bella's shoulder. The embrace felt warm and right.

Lucius and Draco went through the floo first with the trunks. Narcissa hung back with Harry and Iris, and strangely enough, she was holding raven Bella in her arms. Harry raised an eyebrow at this display of sibling love, but didn't comment.

Harry and Iris went into the fireplace, holding hands, and Narcissa came with them. Harry threw down the powder. "Platform 9," he said.

They appeared on the bustling platform. Lucius and Draco were a little ahead, a cart carrying the trunks moving by itself along with them. Harry and his companions went over to them.

Narcissa hugged Bella briefly, then opened the cage on top of Harry's trunk and put her inside.

Iris squeezed his hand, looking at the Hogwarts Express with wide eyes.

"The boarding should begin soon," Lucius said. Ten seconds after he'd spoken, a loud whistle sounded.

"That's it!" Draco said. "We should go."

"Hold on, Draco." Lucius put his hand on Draco's shoulder, and pulled him back. "Are you trying to run away from us already?"

"I told you not to rush," Narcissa said. Her face was stern, but her eyes were sad. Draco faced both his parents with wide eyes.

After a tearful goodbye where Narcissa hugged Draco and kissed him half a dozen times (even Lucius squeezed the boy's shoulder, which was seemed to be the extent of his physical affection), the Malfoys turned to Harry and Iris. Narcissa gave him a hesitant nod, then smiled at Iris.

"Best of luck to you, Iris," she said, coming closer and pulling her into a hug. "You'll do great."

"Thank you, Narcissa," Iris said, hugging her back. Lucius wished her good luck as well, to which Iris replied with a smile.

"Harry?" Narcissa whispered, coming to him. "Will you please look after Draco?"

"I will," Harry said. "Bella is coming too, Narcissa. Don't worry."

Narcissa nodded, looking relieved.

Harry then led Iris and Draco to the Hogwarts Express. He lugged their trunks along, which felt weightless due to the charms put on them. "Come on," he said, when they reached the train's door. He pulled the trunks up, and climbed in. Draco and Iris followed him.

They soon claimed an empty compartment. Harry floated their trunks to the stands above, and Iris and Draco seated themselves.

"Harry," Iris said, patting the empty space next to her. She was sitting by the window, with Bella's cage in her lap. Bella herself was huddled down inside, resting.

Harry sat down, and Iris wrapped her arm around his.

"I wonder where my friends are," Draco said. "Harry, do you mind if I invite them to sit here?"

"Not at all."

Draco smiled. "Okay." He got up and went to the compartment door, looking left and right at the hallway outside.

Harry felt his arm squeeze, and saw Iris coming closer to him, watching Draco apprehensively.

"It's okay," he said. "You might make friends with them."

"I don't want to..." she said.

Harry shook his head. "It'll be okay, Iris."

The first two guests to their compartment ended up not being Draco's friends.

Two blonde girls in blue and white dresses walked in the hallway outside their compartment. One of them looked in, and caught Draco's eye—she seemed to recognize him. Then, she looked at Harry.

Draco opened the compartment door, and Daphne Greengrass stepped in.

"Do you mind if we sit here?" she asked.

"Daphne, I'm waiting for Theo and Blaise," Draco said.

Daphne ignored him. She looked at Harry.

"Be my guest, Daphne," he said.

She smiled briefly and nodded. "Come on, Tori," she said to the girl behind her. The girl—who must have been her sister, she resembled Daphne far too much to be anything else—came into the compartment as well.

"Let me put your trunks up for you," Harry said. He slipped out of Iris's arm and stood up, pulling out his wand. A growing worry was emanating from Iris.

"Sure, Harry." Daphne looked faintly amused.

He levitated their trunks to the stand above. "Draco," Daphne said. "Do you mind moving over? I prefer the window seat."

Draco grumbled, but did as she asked. "I was waiting for Theo and Blaise," he said.

"There's plenty of space still left for Theo and Blaise," she replied. She sat down with her sister next to him.

Harry sat back down. Iris's worry calmed, and she grabbed his arm again. Astoria, Harry thought, looking at the younger girl. He faintly remembered the name from a book on pureblood genealogy.

"Hello," Astoria said, looking to Iris. "What's your name?"

"I-I'm… Iris."

"Hello, Iris. I'm Astoria. Are you a first year too?"

"Yes," Iris said. "I am. Are… you one too?"

Astoria nodded, smiling brightly.

"Iris," Daphne said. "If you want, you could come sit with her."

"O-Oh… um, no, that's okay…"

"Come on!" Astoria said. "We'll look at the sights together."

Iris squeezed Harry's arm, looking at him unsurely. Harry nodded.

"Draco," Daphne said, gesturing towards the seat next to Harry. Draco clenched his fists, looking livid. He stood up, and sat down next to Harry, freeing up the bench the Greengrass sisters were on.

"Go on," Harry said. Iris let go of his arm, set Bella's cage down on the seat, and sat down next to Astoria.

"You're Harry, right?" Astoria said. "Daphne told me you were the top student in her year."

"By such a large margin," Daphne added. She was smiling, leaning one hand against the window, and picking the nails of the other.

"Yes, that's me," Harry said.

The older girl, Daphne, seemed to find this funny. She smiled at him, as if to say You are so interesting, Potter.

Draco's friends Theo and Blaise found the compartment soon. Blaise was a dark skinned boy whose face held the promise of handsomeness, and Theo was skinny and pale; he looked like he would hit a growth spurt sometime in the near future. Draco let them in, and the two boys sat down on Harry's bench, immediately beginning conversation with the young Malfoy.

The train began moving, and the children talked. Astoria with Iris, and Draco with his friends. Daphne, however, didn't say much. She looked at Harry often, but did not say much.

The girls kicked them out when it was time to change into their uniforms. Iris stayed behind. She'd seemed conflicted, but when Daphne told her she could stay if she wanted, Harry's sister chose to stay.

"This is what we get for sitting with girls," Blaise said. "I feel like a clown."

Are you sure about that? Harry thought, smiling to himself. The boy had spent the entire train ride so far staring at Daphne's legs.

"Why were you sitting with girls, Draco?" Theodore asked. "Who are you, by the way?" He looked to Harry.

"Harry Potter."

"Potter? What, like Iris Potter? That…" He looked at the shuttered windows of their compartment. "That was Iris Potter?"

"Yeah," Draco said, looking proud. "They're my friends."

Theodore sputtered. He looked at Harry with an open mouth.

"It's nice to meet you, Harry," Blaise said, coming forward and shaking his hand. "I'm Blaise Zabini."

"Good to meet you, Blaise."

Whatever etiquette had been drilled into Theodore seemed to take hold, and he offered his hand as well. "Theodore Nott," he said.

Harry shook his hand, feeling a sense of déjà vu. He remembered shaking Edgard Nott's hand all those years ago. He'd been a different boy then, a boy called Tom Riddle.

Suddenly, a heavy voice came from their left.

"Draco!" someone called. Harry's group all turned their heads, and found two large boys strolling towards them.

Harry was again struck by familiarity, though it was far less pronounced than it had been with Theodore Nott. He held himself back from guessing the newcomers' names.

"Crabbe, Goyle," Draco said. "Where were you two?"

"We couldn't find you," the boy in the rear said. Harry supposed it must be Goyle; his head had a similar shape to the adult one. "So we didn't bother looking."

"Wonderful," Draco said. "Well, we're in this compartment, though there isn't any more space. Greengrass stole it."

The front boy came up to Harry and frowned, as if seeing him for the first time. Process of elimination said it was Crabbe, though the only thing the boy shared with his father was his confused, angry frown.

"Who're you?" he said.

That was how Harry found himself in the first confrontation of his student life.

It wasn't very intimidating; Crabbe looked more confused than angry, but he was taller than him, and much larger. So was Goyle, standing behind him, who had the same aggressive anger on his face.

Theo Nott smirked, and changed position to get a better look.

"When introducing yourself, you begin with a greeting, followed by your name," Harry said, arms crossed, leaning against the compartment door. He didn't retreat, which seemed to confuse the brutish boys even more. "You ask the other party's name after. Did your parents not teach you simple etiquette?"

Crabbe looked frightened, like he'd been caught in a slip. Etiquette had probably not crossed his mind; in that way, he was much like his father. Goyle still looked angry, but it seemed to be more ashamed than aggressive.

"It's alright, you two," Draco said. "He's a friend. This is Harry Potter."

He let it happen, Harry thought. Draco wanted to see what I would do against his thugs.

"I know that name," Crabbe said, suddenly friendly, making up for his slip. "It sounds a little familiar." He held out his hand. "I'm Crabbe."

Harry ignored the hand, and smiled. "Just Crabbe? Isn't there something in front of it?"

"Vincent."

"Oh, for the love of Merlin." It was Blaise who spoke. "Crabbe, Goyle, this is Harry. Harry, this is Vincent Grabbe and that's Gregory Goyle. They're Draco's strongarms."

"I can see that," Harry said.

"They're not my strongarms!"

"What does that mean?" Crabbe asked.

A sharp sound came from behind Harry's head; the sound of shutters being opened. Harry looked over his shoulder, and found Daphne's blue eyes glaring at him through the window.

"Will you all shut it?" she said. "Listening to you is going to make my ears bleed!"

Harry nodded apologetically. "Are you done?" he said.

"Yes, we're done."

"Alright. Come on, you three," Harry said, looking at Draco, Blaise, and Theo. "We should get changed."

Draco nodded. "I'll meet you when the train reaches," he said to Crabbe and Goyle, who both grunted and went back the way they'd come. Draco and Blaise made their way over to the compartment door, which Harry had opened.

Theo was left standing in the hallway. He was giving Harry an angry, disbelieving look. Who do you think you are? his face said.

The boy put his eyes to the ground, and went into the compartment.

Harry gave Iris a small hug when he went back in. She had changed into her Hogwarts uniform, though her robes and tie lacked any House's colors.

"We'll let you boys change," Daphne said, going out with Astoria and Iris. Harry felt at his horcrux bond, and found Iris feeling comfortable, even happy. She liked Astoria Greengrass.

Bella still sat in her cage. Harry put a finger through the bars, and stroked her head. She closed her eyes in pleasure.

Since they were all already wearing black pants, Harry and the other boys needed only to change their shirts, and put on their tie and robes. Nott couldn't put on his tie himself and needed help. Blaise helped him, while Draco snickered.

Soon enough, the girls returned, and Iris sat with Harry this time. Harry sensed worry in her; he felt a little further, and found that she had learned about the first years going a separate route when the train reached Hogwarts. She was getting increasingly stressed about having to leave him.

"Iris, it'll be alright," Harry said. "Once you get sorted, you can come and sit with me at the table. It won't take long at all."

She nodded, but kept looking nervous. Her arm stayed wrapped around his.

Once they reached Hogwarts, everyone disembarked. Harry stayed behind—he had something to do—and Iris stayed with him.

He opened Bella's cage, letting her out. She climbed up on his forearm. He stowed the cage away inside his trunk, and opened the compartment window.

"Make yourself at home, Bella. I'll see you soon."

She hopped up to his shoulder, and nuzzled the side of his head. Iris reached up and pet her as well, looking glad for a distraction.

Then, Bella went back to his forearm, cawed, and kicked off, flying away into the dark.

Harry and Iris went outside, leaving the train, and saw Draco going off with Theodore and Blaise towards Hagrid, who was calling out for first years. The young Malfoy gave Harry and Iris a wave as he went. Harry was left with the Greengrass girls, and Iris clinging to him.

"Come on, Iris, let's go," Astoria said.

Harry patted Iris's shoulder. "Go on."

Iris let go and turned towards the crowd of first years. Astoria came to her, and took her hand. She gave Iris an encouraging smile, and after one more glance at Harry, Iris went off with the girl towards the rest of the first years.

Harry watched the girls go with Daphne. The older Greengrass was still standing with him; unlike Iris, he didn't have the benefit of looking into her mind—at least not by force—so he couldn't tell why she stayed. Her face was a careful mask. She looked as if she'd landed next to him completely by accident. It's not my fault I'm standing with you, that's just the way things turned out.

Harry went off without a word towards the thestral carriages. Daphne quickly followed him, as if he'd asked her to come. The girl had a natural talent for acting.

"Why are you following me?" Harry asked as they walked.

"What? Is there a problem?" she said. "We're both in the same year. We're both in Slytherin. Can we not be friends?"

"Why do you want to be friends with me?"

"Because you're not like Draco and his gang of idiots back there. You're different."

You don't know how different.

They sat down in a carriage. Harry watched the thestrals for a while. Once everyone was seated, the thestrals took off, soaring above the trees and into the sky. Hogwarts came into view, shining in the night. It looked as magical as ever.