Chapter 16: The Girl Who Lived
The thestrals landed, and everyone made their way over to the castle. The front doors were wide open, letting out a warm orange glow.
Harry walked a little ahead of Daphne. She'd fallen behind, chatting with a brown-haired girl—he recognized her as Tracey Davis.
Davis. Another pureblood family he wanted to get on his side. Perhaps it wasn't such a bad thing that Greengrass wanted to be friends with him.
They all entered the castle and went into the Great Hall. The tables were clean to the point of shining. A few professors had sat down, including Dumbledore, but others were mingling at the sides of the staff table. Severus was among the standing.
Harry made his way over to the Slytherin table and sat near the middle-end. Daphne and Tracey plopped down next to him, talking with each other.
"—sort of hoping she gets sorted into Ravenclaw. Slytherin isn't for her," Daphne was saying.
"Hasn't your family been Slytherins for generations?" Tracey asked.
"I'm a Slytherin," Daphne said. "That should be enough for family tradition. Tori doesn't need to be dragged into this."
"She's more cunning than you realize, Daphne."
"We'll see. What about you, Harry? Are you hoping Iris comes to Slytherin?" Daphne said to him, as if he'd been part of the conversation the entire time. Tracey looked at him and smiled, as if to say Sorry about her.
"Yes," Harry said.
"Would that be such a good idea?" Tracey said. "She is the Girl-Who-Lived. You-Know-Who was a Slytherin. Don't you think it would be a little… strange?"
"You-Know-Who doesn't represent Slytherin," Harry said.
"But he was the last living descendant of Slytherin," Daphne said.
"That doesn't matter. Slytherin is about cunning and ambition, and cunning and ambition don't just come from blood. Neither do they have anything to do with morality; a good person can be cunning, just as much as an evil person."
Tracey raised her eyebrows at him, looking a little overwhelmed. Daphne's lips had curled into a small smile, and she was looking at him with wide eyes.
"I… guess you're right," Tracey said, nodding.
Daphne turned to him. "Aren't you worried, though? About bringing her here?" She looked to the front of the table, where older students were talking with each other. Many of them were looking at the doors to the Great Hall, as if waiting for them to open. Some glanced at Harry. It seemed that Iris was anticipated.
"I know I am," Daphne said. "I'd rather Tori stay away from this mess."
"Do you hate Slytherin that much?" Harry asked.
"Oh no, of course not. I'd pick Slytherin every time if I had a choice. It's just not for everyone."
"If your sister comes here though, you'd be able to protect her."
Daphne scoffed. "Yes, because that's what school is about. Protecting your family from your own classmates. It's not as if we come here to learn."
"I'd still rather Iris be here."
"Is it… is it because you don't want her far away from you? Are you afraid you'll become distant with each other?" Daphne said, giving him a pitying look.
Harry met her eyes, raising one eyebrow.
Daphne cleared her throat. "Ahem. I mean, I was just… sorry."
"Enough with the sibling talk, you two," Tracey said. "I'm getting a headache listening to you."
Daphne went quiet, and Harry looked back to the front of the hall. She's smart, he thought. Though Daphne's assumption was incorrect, she had picked up on the fact that he wanted Iris in Slytherin, and for some specific reason. He would have to keep an eye out for this girl, lest she start catching onto other things.
By now, everyone had mostly settled down. The sounds of dozens of footsteps came, distant. They grew, till they reached the Great Hall's door. The door opened.
Professor McGonagall came through, and a crowd of first years came through behind her. Harry spotted Astoria Greengrass's white-blonde hair instantly, and when he looked next to it, he saw a familiar head of black hair.
They went down the hall, going through the center of the tables. The first years looked around with awe. Iris and Astoria came to the edge of the group. Their eyes fell on Harry and Daphne.
Astoria smiled, and Iris beamed. Harry returned the smile. Several students around him followed his gaze, and saw Iris. They looked back at Harry, as if to confirm what they were seeing. Harry didn't need legilimency to read their minds. They were thinking: he's looking at a first year. That first year looks so much like him. He's Harry Potter. So that's Iris Potter, the Girl-Who-Lived!
The air became excited. News traveled, and soon everyone was trying to bore into the crowd of first years with their eyes, in search of Iris. Thankfully, the two girls had moved near the middle, and were hidden.
The usual routine was followed. Professor McGonagall waved her wand, and a stool and the Sorting Hat floated down, setting themselves in front of the Great Hall. The Hat opened its mouth, and began singing the school song.
After the song was over, McGonagall unrolled a scroll of parchment, and instructed the first years to come up as they were called. The first one was a girl called Hannah Abbott.
Everyone clapped as the Houses gained their new members. Crabbe and Goyle joined Slytherin, as expected. After a girl called Hermione Granger was sorted into Gryffindor, Astoria's name was called.
"Greengrass, Astoria!"
Astoria went to the stool, leaving Iris. The hat came down on her head, and everything was silent.
Around ten seconds later, the Hat opened its mouth, and shouted, "SLYTHERIN!"
Daphne sighed, though when applause broke out, she joined in. She did look happy, despite her initial wariness. Astoria went off the stool, and came over to the Slytherin table, rounding around to come to Daphne.
Daphne scooted over, and Astoria plopped down next to Harry. "I told you I'd come to Slytherin," she said.
"Yes, father will be very happy," Daphne said.
Astoria grinned at Daphne. She looked over at Harry.
"Congratulations," he said.
"Thank you."
Names continued being called out. The first-year crowd thinned, and soon, Iris became visible. Harry felt nervousness and embarrassment through their bond. He mentally brushed by her, passing along some confidence, to make her think: Why am I embarrassed? Every student goes through this. It had an immediate effect—her anxiety retreated, somewhat.
"Malfoy, Draco!"
Draco went up and sat down on the stool. As soon as the hat touched his head, it cried out, "SLYTHERIN!"
Slytherin table broke out into applause. Draco came over, and sat down at the table further up, where Crabbe and Goyle were. He looked around, finding Harry, and gave him a nod.
"Nott, Theodore!"
Again, the hat called, "SLYTHERIN!" within moments of brushing Theodore's brow.
That'll make Nott Sr. proud, Harry thought.
McGonagall had reached the P's. Anticipation pulsed through the hall, and many people were staring at Iris now. Eyes also drifted over to Harry, as if to confirm that the two of them were really related.
First was a girl from the Parkinson family, called Pansy, who went to Slytherin. Then, two twin girls, Padma and Parvati Patil, the former going to Ravenclaw, the latter to Gryffindor. Then, it was Iris's turn.
"Potter, Iris!"
There was a collective gasp throughout the hall. Many people went to the edge of their seats, craning their heads to look at Iris.
Self-consciousness and embarrassment bloomed inside her. She looked at the ground as she walked forward, and when she sat down on the stool, she didn't try to make eye contact with anyone.
As the hat came down on her head, Harry opened his occlumency more. Iris's thoughts began to come to his head.
Hmm. Iris Potter, the Sorting Hat said. Harry saw only blackness, but he heard the voice.
Yes, that's me, Iris replied. Even in her head, her voice sounded small. Can you please put me in Slytherin?
Really? And why do you want to go to there?
Because my brother's there. Please.
Slytherin is a terrible fit for you, girl. You have no ambition, no cunning. You are a loyal, diligent person. A better fit for you would be Hufflepuff.
No, Iris replied. I want to be in Slytherin. Please.
The Sorting Hat sighed. Girl, I can see how much you love your brother, but he's not the person you think he is. There's a reason I put him in Slytherin.
Iris took shaky breaths. Harry felt panic fluttering inside her, bringing with it thoughts of being separated from him.
Please, she said. Please, just put me in Slytherin, please.
Alright, girl, calm down. I would have put you in Slytherin anyway. Your brother made me promise I would, when I sorted him.
Iris gasped. Really?
Yes, really. Just… listen to me. Please try to do things you think are right, okay? Your brother is a charming young man, and I know you love him, but don't follow him blindly.
Okay, Iris replied, sounding unsure.
That's all I ask. Therefore, I put you in…
"SLYTHERIN!"
Professor McGonagall's eyes went uncharacteristically wide. Almost every student in the hall raised their eyebrows. Some Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors put their hands with the palms up, as if to say What the hell is going on? The Gryffindors almost looked like they'd assumed Iris would come to them.
Dozens of eyes fell on Harry. The looks he got at Slytherin table were inquiring, but down the hall, near the Gryffindors, they were accusatory. Like he'd somehow corrupted Iris and made her come to Slytherin. Which was, of course, exactly what he'd done. It was amazing how spot on human instinct could be.
Slytherin table was the first to clap. The Ravenclaws quickly joined in, and soon the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors did as well, but their applause was withdrawn and subdued. Iris went off the stool and walked over to Slytherin's table. She looked relieved, and Harry felt the same emotion through their bond.
"Well, looks like you got your wish," Tracey said. "Both your little sisters came to Slytherin."
Daphne scoffed, and Harry said nothing.
Harry glanced at the staff table. Severus was applauding as well, but he looked withdrawn. The man took a deep breath and fixed his gaze back on the Sorting Hat.
Iris rounded the table, and came over to Harry. She smiled shyly.
"Iris," Harry said. "Come on." He scooted over to the left, creating space, and Iris sat down there. He put his arm around her, pulling her into a small hug. "Congratulations," he said.
"You didn't tell me you made the hat promise to put me in Slytherin," Iris said.
"I did tell you that you would come to Slytherin, and not to worry. I said that many times, I recall."
"Yes, but you could have told me I didn't have anything to worry about." She was pretending to be mad, but Harry could feel her happiness.
"I think we all went to Slytherin, didn't we?" Astoria said from beside Iris. "You, me, Theo, Draco…"
"That boy hasn't been sorted yet," Iris said, nodding toward Blaise. "Zabini, I think his name was."
"Yes, Blaise Zabini," Daphne said. "He'll come to Slytherin, don't worry. None of you have any originality, do you? At least one of you could have gone someplace else."
The rest of the Sorting went by. People kept glancing over at Harry and Iris.
Iris squeezed Harry's hand under the table. "Harry? They keep looking at us."
"Don't worry about it. They'll stop when they get used to seeing you."
One name stood out to Harry as the sorting neared the end. McGonagall called up a boy named Ronald Weasley. That was another family in the Sacred Twenty-Eight. The boy went straight to Gryffindor, and was met there with three other boys with the same orange-red hair he had.
Blaise Zabini did indeed end up in Slytherin. After the sorting, McGonagall retreated to the staff table, and Dumbledore stood up to begin the feast. His words were brief: he simply said, "Let the feast begin!" and sat back down.
After everyone stuffed themselves full of dinner and dessert—Harry had to stop Iris from eating too many sweets, lest she go on an early trip to the nurse—Dumbledore stood up again and motioned for quiet. He gave the usual notices, and afterwards, pulled out his wand and declared they were all going to sing the school song.
"There's a school song?" Iris asked.
"I wish there wasn't," Daphne said.
The Great Hall broke out into a terrible chorus. Harry distracted himself from the noise by watching the headmaster.
Dumbledore was going to be a problem. The man knew Voldemort better than anyone, and would recognize something in Harry. The man had seen through him from their first meeting in the orphanage all those years ago.
Harry took a deep breath. One step at a time. He would deal with Dumbledore one day, when he was ready.
After the song, the headmaster dismissed them to their common rooms. Everyone got up, tired, and began drifting out of the hall.
"Harry?" Daphne said. "Want to come with us?"
"Yes, fine."
"You're going? Do I come with you too?" Iris asked. She looked frightened.
"No, you stay with the other first years. The prefects will take you to the Slytherin Common Room, and tell you all the rules. It won't take long."
"Come on, Iris," Astoria said. "Let's go."
Harry felt growing panic coming from Iris. He frowned. This was the result of her growing up in such isolation. She panicked so easily in any social setting.
"Iris, look at me," he said. "I'll be waiting for you in the Common Room. Alright?"
She gave a shaky nod. "Okay, Harry."
Astoria took Iris's arm and led her away to the group of first years. The prefects stood at their head, looking over them, giving instructions.
Harry watched Iris for a bit, then turned back. Daphne and Tracey were waiting for him.
"You're really protective of her," Tracey said.
"Hm. Are we going to go or not?" Harry said.
The girls turned, and the three of them walked out of the Great Hall, going towards the dungeons.
The fireplace crackled. From where he was sitting, Harry could see the moving waters of the Great Lake through the Common Room windows.
"Daphne, I'm tired. I'm going to bed," Tracey said.
Daphne looked at her, disappointed. "Oh. Okay. See you in the morning, then."
"Yeah, see you." She looked at Harry, and gave a practiced smile. "Good night."
Harry nodded. "Good night."
Tracey went to the girl's dorm and disappeared up the stairwell. Harry leaned back in his chair. He and Daphne were sitting at a table in the corner of the Common Room, near the windows. There were a few students around, but they were spread out, and the whole room was mostly quiet. They were both waiting for their sisters. Daphne pretended not to care much about Astoria, but her actions spoke otherwise; she'd saved her sister a seat in the Great Hall, and was now staying to check on her when she came to the Common Room. The older Greengrass was more like him than he'd realized.
Harry checked over the horcrux bond to pass the time. He didn't go too deep; he didn't want to possess her body, as would likely happen if he entered her mind full force. Instead, he checked her feelings, the general flow of her thoughts.
She was nervous, but otherwise fine. She… wanted to come back to him, and quickly.
Harry took a deep breath, and adjusted himself in his chair. Daphne glanced at him, then looked back at the fireplace.
A few minutes later, the Common Room door opened, and Gemma Farley and Charles Piles came through, leading the Slytherin first years. They assumed the same position they had for Harry's year, standing at the front while the first years crowded around the entrance.
Harry overheard the usual things about power and success and not making Slytherin look bad in front of everyone else. As expected, the speech unnerved the first years more than it inspired them.
Iris was in the middle of the group, with Astoria next to her. Harry felt her presence as much as he saw it.
The prefects finished their speech, and the first years dispersed into two groups, the boys led by Charles, the girls by Gemma. Harry saw Draco and his friends walking in a group. They looked like a gang—at least, the boyish beginnings of one. Harry wondered what Narcissa would think of her son hanging around such a group.
"Let's let them go upstairs," Daphne said. "We don't want to ostracize them from the other first years."
Harry nodded. The first year girls passed by in front of them. Iris saw them, and her eyes widened. She grabbed Astoria's arm, gesturing towards them.
Astoria shook her head, saying something that looked like "after". She tugged her hand, and Iris went with her to the girl's dorm.
Fifteen minutes later, Daphne had gotten up, going to the window and looking out to the Great Lake. Harry knew from his own experience that if you looked hard enough, you could sometimes see kelp at the bottom even in the night's darkness.
Iris and Astoria came down the stairs of the girl's dorm. They came over to their table.
"Iris," Harry said. "Did everything go well?"
"Yes," Iris said, nodding. She sat down next to him, and Astoria sat near where Daphne was standing.
Daphne turned around to face them. "How do you like Slytherin, Tori?" she said.
"I like it," Astoria said, smiling defiantly at her. "In fact, I think it's the best House in Hogwarts."
Daphne rolled her eyes and took a seat.
"You're both really similar, you know that?" Astoria said, looking at him. "Sitting here, waiting for us. You said almost the same things to Iris and I, too."
"It's called being an older sibling," Daphne said. "Are you excited for class tomorrow?"
They conversed for a few minutes. Iris took Harry's hand under the table, but didn't say much.
She was worried about not being able to sleep with him. Harry felt the emotions from her. But underneath her worry was a sort of half hope that her brother would sneak her into his room.
(He will. But… what if he tells me to go to my room for just tonight? And then, he slowly starts getting used to sleeping without me, and when we go back home he'll tell me to go to a separate room and when I want to sit with him he'll tell me to go away and…)
Harry furrowed his brows. The anxieties emanating from Iris were sickening. He could see how it was affecting her: her eyebrows were arched just a little, her lips pursed, her eyes fixed on the table. She was squeezing his hand.
"Iris?" Harry said. She looked up at him, brushing her thoughts aside. It was flattering how she made herself pay attention the moment she heard his voice.
He smiled, brushing his fingers over his lips so the others wouldn't be able to see what he said. "Do you want to sleep in my room?"
Iris's eyes went wide. She smiled like a hospital patient being told they'd been cured of all illnesses and would live for sixty more years. She grabbed both his hands and nodded vigorously.
Harry couldn't help but smile, seeing her like that. She practically glowed. "Okay. But we'll have to be a little careful about this. It is against the rules."
He didn't mention the elephant in the room—that they probably shouldn't be sleeping together anymore. Regardless, the understanding passed between him and Iris, and with it, an acceptance that they were going to do it anyway.
It was time for some theatrics. He pulled out his wand and tapped Iris on the forehead. "What you're going to do is act normal and go up to your room," he said. "Once you're there, I'll bring you over to mine."
"How?" Iris asked.
"Let me worry about the details. I'll make you invisible, so no one will see you."
Iris opened and closed her mouth, still looking confused. She did not ask for further explanation, however, and nodded.
Harry looked over to the Greengrass sisters, who were talking to each other. Daphne was looking at him, though, as she listened to Astoria. Her eyes were suspicious.
Harry smirked. She's going to be trouble when she grows up.
Harry ignored her and stood up, Iris following suit. He pulled her into a hug and kissed the top of her head. "Good night, Iris," he said.
There was a spike of alarm in her emotions. She looked at him, eyes inquiring, until she realized he was acting. "Oh," she said. "Yeah. Good night, Harry."
"Going to bed?" Daphne asked. Astoria stopped what she'd been saying and looked over at them.
"Yes," Iris said. "It's pretty late."
"That it is." Daphne looked back out the window. "Well, I suppose we should be going up as well. Coming, Tori?" she said, standing up.
Astoria stood up, smoothing out her robes.
"Do you want me to take her to her room?" Daphne asked, nodding towards Iris. She was smiling, and her eyes were confrontational, as if she expected him to resist her.
"Sure," Harry said. He patted Iris on the shoulder, who made her way over to the Greengrass girls. Astoria began chatting with her, and the two of them walked to the girl's dorm.
Daphne watched them for a bit, then turned to Harry. "See you," she said, still looking suspicious.
Harry nodded. He watched the girls go, and after they disappeared up the stairs, he turned and went to the boy's dormitory.
After wishing Astoria a good night, Iris went into her room. She closed and locked the door behind her, making her way to her trunk.
Harry was going to do something. She didn't know exactly what, but it involved making her invisible. She felt nervous, and it occurred to her that criminals probably felt the same way before committing a crime.
It's not that bad, she told herself. Yes, Harry was breaking the rules by sneaking her out, but he was doing it so they could be together. There wasn't anything wrong with that.
She opened her trunk and pulled out her pajamas. She changed and threw her school uniform over her desk's chair, not feeling like folding it. She sat down on the bed and flexed her hands, feeling the quiet surrounding her.
Ready, Iris?
Iris jumped, looking around with wide eyes, feeling her heart hammering in her chest. That was Harry's voice. He'd talked. Inside her head.
Iris took shaky breaths through her mouth, then swallowed, trying to calm herself. She closed her eyes, and thought up her reply. Yes, I'm ready, she said in her mind.
For a moment, Iris thought nothing would happen, and then Harry's voice came. Alright.
Iris's muscles tensed when she heard his voice. She opened her eyes, frowning to herself. How was he doing that? Was it because he'd tapped her forehead with his wand earlier? That must have been it. But… what about those other times, back at Malfoy manor, when she'd heard him talking in her head, felt his presence inside her head…
Relax yourself, Harry said to her. Close your eyes, let yourself sleep.
Iris closed her eyes again, brushing aside her worries. She took deep breaths, trying to calm herself like Harry said. A tiredness came to her, growing, making her weary. Her head lolled, and her upper body threatened to fall backwards on the bed.
Good, Harry said. His voice filled her mind, as if he was speaking in a cathedral. Iris let herself fall to the bed. She slowly drifted off to sleep.
Just before unconsciousness came over her, she felt her hands move by themselves.
Harry went through the Slytherin Common Room, feeling much shorter than normal. Iris's body did not feel as strong as his, either, and it was strange to have such long hair on his head. He was holding Iris's wand in his hand, and his body—Iris's body—was invisible. He went up the stairs to the boy's dorm, being careful not to make noise.
This was how he'd get her to his room, at least for this night. Use the horcrux to possess her, then disillusion her and bring her over to his room.
For the second time that night, he went to his dorm's door and pushed it open. Inside, he found his own body fallen sideways on the bed, looking asleep.
He closed the door and locked it. He waved Iris's wand over himself, and the disillusionment charm faded.
He went over to the bed and put Iris's wand on the bedside table. He laid down next to his body. It was time to let go of Iris.
The horcrux inside her stopped flaring, and slowly receded, going back into hibernation. A blackness came over Harry, and a disorientation, as if he was suddenly somewhere else. He felt an ache in his back.
He was back in his own body. Harry got up from the bed, stretching to get rid of the ache from lying in an uncomfortable position. He saw movement to his left and saw Iris rustling. Her eyes opened a little, and she raised her head, looking around tiredly.
She spotted him, and rubbed her eyes. "What… happened…"
"Shh. It's alright." Harry went over and put one arm under Iris's back, and the other under her knees. He lifted her up and put her head on the pillows.
"Am I… in your room…?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Hmm." She smiled with her eyes closed.
Harry laid down next to her, pulling the covers over them. He kissed her head.
"Good night, Iris."
"Good night… Harry…" she mumbled.
He put his arm around her, hugging her, and went to sleep.
