Iris woke up moaning, her breath coming in harsh, short pants. She tried to focus on the source of her pleasure and moaned louder when her eyes stopped on the dark head of hair between her thighs. Severus paused a moment to catch his breath before once more thrusting his tongue into her.
She writhed uncontrollably, begging with her body for more, she was so close she just needed that little extra push. In answer to her frustrated moans, Severus used his mouth to attack her clitoris and quickly thrust two fingers into her tight heat, curling his fingers behind her cervix and dragging them forward. She screamed in pleasure as that one movement sent her over the peak, her orgasm crashing through her.
Iris slowly came down from her orgasm induced high, a huge smile plastered to her face. Severus smiled down at her before swooping in and giving her a passionate kiss. “Happy Birthday, Iris,” he whispered against her lips, before getting out of the bed.
She leaned up on her elbows smiling at the man, “A very happy birthday indeed!” She quietly slipped out of the bed.
“Your fathers should have breakfast ready by now.” He smirked slightly, “I shall let them know you will be down shortly.”
Iris laughed delightedly as Severus closed the door. She quickly dressed and ran down to the kitchen. She had a busy day, Mrs Weasley, Ginny and Hermione were taking her out for a girls day and later in the evening her father’s were hosting a Sweet Sixteen party for her. It would be an interesting day if nothing else.
Iris trailed behind Mrs Weasley as she led Hermione, Ginny and she towards the salon they would be spending the morning at. Ginny seemed more excited than she was, but she could understand the feeling. It was something that she’d never had the opportunity to partake in and mostly likely never would have if not for Sirius paying for the whole thing.
The three girls chatted softly as they made their way down the Alley, ‘Mione quizzing her on the nature of the spell the Dark Lord had used on her. “It just doesn’t make sense to use a spell of this nature on his fiercest enemy,” the bushy haired girl stated again, causing Iris and Ginny to sigh in annoyance.
“‘Mione, I’m more than willing to discuss the whole ordeal with you, but can we NOT talk about it right now?” Iris glared at her friend but that only seemed to rile the girl. Iris quickly stopped the girl and told her firmly, “No, ‘Mione! I would like to enjoy the first time I actually get to celebrate my Birthday!” Hermione quickly subsided with a whispered apology.
They soon made it to the Salon and were quickly shown to a private room. The room was spelled to look like a lush, grassy clearing in the middle of a forest. A hot spring bubbling in the center of the room and four comfy looking massage tables off to one side. They quickly changed into the bathing suits that appeared when they neared the spring and settled into the water with a delighted sigh.
“Ha... Iris? Have you gone to look at wedding robes?” Mrs Weasley asked slightly stuttering on her change in names. “I’d be happy to take you to look around before the new term starts.”
Iris smiled at the kind woman as she shook her head. “No I haven’t. I’ve decided that I’m going to use my mother’s.” She smiled lightly at the woman's questioning stare, apparently that wasn’t done in the wizarding world. “Since Severus and I are both Half-bloods, we’ve decided to have a ceremony that is a mixture of our heritage. It’s common in the muggle world for the mother to pass down her wedding dress to her daughter.”
The two pure-bloods nodded their understanding. “But what if it’s too small for the daughter or she really doesn’t like it?” Iris smiled at Ginny’s question.
“Well, there are of course instances like that and some girls just want to pick out their own dress and that’s not frowned upon of anything like that.” Iris smiled wistfully, “My mother’s wedding robes are really beautiful though. They’re a beautiful mix of dress and robe. I wouldn’t want to pick anything else.”
“Of course dear. It’s a beautiful sentiment and a beautiful way to tie your mother into the wedding.”
The afternoon progressed rapidly from that point. The woman grilled her on the details she and Severus had decided upon for the wedding and how they would handle the coming school year and baby.
His grin didn’t go unnoticed by his tawny haired mate, who did nothing more than raise a brow at him. His grin widened at the questioning look and a small laugh bubbled up from his belly. He had been looking forward to a moment like this for over a decade. It had taken many trials and tribulations but none of that mattered when reality finally mimicked dreams. He felt a small pang of regret that they weren’t celebrating Harry’s sixteenth birthday, but Iris was essentially the same person, just in a different body. He would take that gratefully over the alternative.
“What’s got you smiling like that?”
“I’m just happy that we finally get to enjoy this moment with her.” Sirius smiled at his mate as he was pulled into a loving embrace. “It’s nice to see her happy. No shadows of war flitting about in her eyes. She just gets to be herself for a while with her friends and enjoy what life has to offer.”
“I’m very proud of you Sirius, you’ve been handling this far better than I thought you would.” Sirius shrugged carelessly, there was no use screaming and yelling, they had established that early on this summer. He’d much rather sit here watching his daughter enjoy cake while talking to her friends then have her yelling at him and slamming doors in his face.
“Alright Iris! It’s time to cut the cake and then presents!”
Iris smiled at her papa as he carefully floated the cake over to her. It was a beautiful three-tiered cake. It depicted a forest with animated marzipan animals weaving in and out of the trees and bushes and a chocolate river running around the cake. The baker had even enchanted the cake to sound like a forest in the middle of the day.
After a rowdy rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’, Iris blew out the candles on the cake squeezing her eyes shut as she made her wish. The applause had her smiling at her house mates as she cut pieces of cake and gave them to Hermione to pass out.
As the party wound down everyone was relaxing in the shade of the little grove of trees in Grimauld’s backyard sharing how their summer break was going. “Iris me fine lass,” the heavily accented voice of Seamus called, “how ya takin’ ta the new equipment.”
Every noise ceased, all those in the garden held their breath unsure if they should say or do anything, so they sat and waited. Iris turned her emerald eyes to the boisterous Irish boy and smirked evilly at him. “Well, Seamus,” she drawled in a disturbingly ‘Malfoy’ way, “I could cast the same spell on you if you’d really like to know how I’ve adjusted.” Her grin turned into a toothy smile when she saw the boy cover his groin with his hands and shake his head rapidly.
“Really Seamus! Didn’t you read the article in the paper?” Hermione set into the boy like a woman possessed. “Sirius, Remus and Professor Snape went into the whole nature of the spell and how it affects the person it’s used on.”
Iris sighed as she tuned out Hermione lecturing their house mates. She really was having a splendid time but she couldn’t help but notice everyone seemed to avoid really spending any time with her, Hermione and Ginny excluded. First she was treated like a pariah because of the Tri-Wizard turnie in fourth year, then it was because of Voldemort’s return to the flesh, now this.
She hated having the attention on her, especially when it was the kind that was from something strange happening to her. She was starting to regret her decision to stay the Savior and not become a totally new person. She slowly walked around the garden, taking note of those that looked at her with fear, envy, disdain and acceptance.
“Har... Iris?” She turned around and came face to face with Neville. She smiled at the shy boy and tilted her head to show she wanted to keep walking. “Well, I...” he cleared his throat quickly, “I wanted to see how you were doing? None of us have heard from you since we brought Scabbers to Hogwarts.”
“Thanks Neville.” She gently bumped his shoulder with her own, “It’s nice to know that out of that whole bunch someone cares.” He poked her in the side when her saw her wry smile.
“It’ll be okay Iris.” He stopped and took a dignified pose, “You just be who you are! Because to those who care it won’t matter and those that care, don’t matter!” He smiled when she giggled softly, “That’s what my Gran says to me every year before I get on the ‘Express’”
“Thanks Nev.” She grabbed the boy’s arm and dragged him over to an area where her papa spelled ‘sprinklers’ to spray in random patterns soaking all and sundry. Neville’s words had helped to lift her drooping spirits and her father’s mischievous side watering her soul.
“Crucio!”
The Dark Lord Voldemort was not in a good mood. He knew that the Potter brat was a pain in his proverbial ass but this was getting to be ridiculous. “Would sssomeone care to tell me why it isss, that the now Misss Potter isss not the broken whelp I wasss guaranteed!”
Not one soul moved, the only sound to be heard was the laboured breathing of the Death Eater Voldemort had used to show his displeasure. “Why wasss I not informed that the Prophet wasss to run thisss article?” He looked around at his assembled followers, his red eyes shining like rubies lit with the fires of hell. “I WANT ANSSWERSS NOW!” he roared into the quiet room.
“My Lord...” the Death Eater started and then gulped loudly when his Lord’s eyes landed on him. “None of us have ever heard of the man who did the article for the Prophet. It seems that the man was here on loan and did not notify anyone until the article was ready for print.”
“And the ssspell? Hmm... what of the ssspell you gave me Goyle? Did you think you could betray your lord in sssuch a way!!” A Death Eater at the back of the group fell to the ground prostrating himself before his lord.
“Forgive me my Lord. When I brought the spell to Malfoy to go over I had a very limited knowledge of how it affected the target. I would never knowingly betray you My Lord.”
“Crucio.” Voldemort cast his angry glare on those assembled before him. “If I can not have a broken Sssavior, I WILL have her child!” He lifted the curse from Goyle and turned to leave the room, “Bella, you may have Goyle to play with. Sssend hisss body to hisss wife when you are done.”
“No! My Lord! PLEASE!!”
She hated walking through Diagon Alley this time of year. Not only was it crowded beyond any semblance of comfort, everyone was staring at her like she was some circus freak. She growled loudly at the witch who dared to try and rub her belly. For goodness sakes, she wasn’t even showing yet at just two months. It quickly morphed into a grin when she saw the three wands pressed into the woman.
“Really, Madam, have you no sense of decorum.”
“What do you think you’re doing, trying to touch my daughter like you have rights to do as you wish!” Iris smiled at her father and fiance. She was extremely glad to have the two men with her as she had yet to get a replacement wand. The woman hastily backed away from the irate men and fled down the street.
She wrapped her hand around Severus’ arm and pulled him towards Ollivander’s. “I don’t know what I would do without you guys here.” She smiled as Remus opened the door and let them in, throwing a hasty yet strong locking spell on the door to keep anyone else out.
“Ah, yes, the former Harry Potter, Holly with a Phoenix Feather core. How can I help you this lovely day Miss Black?”
Iris looked at the odd wandmaker before stepping up to the counter. “I’m here for a new wand Mr. Ollivander.”
Ollivander frowned deeply at her reply. “So, sad. A beautiful wand it was. Perhaps it is best that you receive a new one though. Brother wands do seem to cause some odd issues.” He quickly flicked his wand and numerous boxes came flying towards them. Plucking one from the bunch he opened the box and held it out to her.
“Hawthorn, 11”, with a shaving of Unicorn horn.” Iris went to pick it up and was shocked by the wand before her hand could even touch the wood. “Hmm... perhaps a different wood...” He pulled another box from the stack, opening it for her, “Try this one. Alder, 12 ½” and the feather of a Veela. Good for offensive and defensive spells. And more powerful when used by a woman.”
Iris picked up the wand and gave it a swish. She smiled lightly when it gave off a few muted sparks and placed it back in the box. “Perhaps the same wood, but a different core?”
“Yes, yes...” The old wand maker mumbled as he dug through the boxes of wands. “Ah! Yes, here we are!” He opened the box he uncovered and held it out to her, “Alder, 12”, a Griffin feather dipped in powdered Marigold petals. A very well rounded wand, good for healing and offensive and defensive spells.”
As Iris picked up the wand she felt something click within her mind and smiled brightly at the men in the room. She pointed her wand in-front of herself and boldly stated, “Expecto Patronum!” Remus, Sirius and Mr Ollivander’s jaws hit the floor when instead of the stately stag of norm a panther lopped from the end of her wand.
“Oh my! Well, I do believe that is to be expected. You have gone through quite a bit of trauma and life altering changes.” Remus stated to the room at large. “Thank you Mr. Ollivander, for your time. How much will the wand be?”
“Of course,” the man croaked in shock. He had heard of rare occurrence like this happening, but he had never truly believed that it was so. “That will be 11 galleons.”
Iris slowly followed after her fathers as the moved to leave the store. “Thank you for your time Mr. Ollivander. This wand is even better than the last.”
Iris waved at her fathers from the compartment she grabbed and waited for her friends to join her. She could see the group of redheads rushing for the train while the bushy head of brown hair would peek out every few seconds just to be swallowed up by the sea of red. “Hello Iris,” a dreamy voice said.
“Hello Luna. How did your summer go?”
“It was very good. Father took me on a short trip to Austria to search for Woozles.”
Iris grinned at the peculiar girl and tried to stifle the laugh that was building up. “That sounds like a lovely trip. Did you find any?”
“No.” The blonde girls lips turned down in a slight frown for a minute before smoothing out into her normal dreamy expression.
“Hiya Iris, Loony, I mean Luna.” Ron blushed at his slip of tongue and quickly put his trunk on the rack above the seats. He took a seat next to the girl he had unintentionally insulted and squirmed uncomfortably as the girl gazed at him. Hermione quickly entered the compartment and levitated her trunk onto the rack.
“Hi Luna, Iris.” She quickly took a seat next to Iris and opened a small book she had pulled from her purse. Iris shook her head and smiled at her bookish friend.
“So, how was the rest of your summer Ron?”
“Not bad. It was just a bunch of the same, ya’ know. Mum wasn’t able to talk Fred and George into returning to school.” He rolled his eyes at this. “I really don’t know why she bothered. WWW is doing too well for them to want to come back as full-time students.”
“Well, you know Ronald, Mothers only want what is best for their children.” Hermione piped up from behind her book, “They should consider finishing their potions and charms education at least. It could only help with their business.”
The rest of the train ride passed by surprisingly well. Iris had been waiting the whole time for Malfoy to come barging in with a rude comment on his lips. Of course, no one was going to complain about having an enjoyable ride to school.
“Black!" Iris sighed in exasperation but pulled on Ron and Hermione's arms encouragingly, getting them to stop.
The three friends turned to face the bane of their time at Hogwarts. "Yes, Malfoy what can we do for you?"
The pale blonde boy walked up to the trio, he fidgeted a bit with the hem of robe sleeve. “I... I need your help.” He blushed lightly as he choked on his whispered words. Hermione and Iris shared a look, Malfoy was asking for their help!
“You need our help Ferret?” Ron spat the words at the blonde boy. “What, can’t find anyone to do your bidding now that Daddy is in Prison!”
The blonde wizard flinched at the words but kept his head held high. “Can we go somewhere less public? What I have to say is important and you know how these walls have ears.” Draco looked around cautiously, “Please!”
Iris nodded to the boy, “Alright. Follow me.” She turned and made her way up to the seventh floor and the Room of Requirement. She paced in front of the blank wall the required three times all the while thinking ‘We need a room to discuss something important with Malfoy’.
The door quickly appeared and the four students entered the room. It was decorated in neutral colors, the walls were a sealed applewood and the floor was a rich mahogany. A fireplace took up a large portion of the outer wall between two windows. Centered on the fireplace was a sitting area that consisted of two dark brown leather chairs and a large pile of yellow leather bean bags and at there center was an apple wood coffee table. They sat upon a large Persian rug done in Navy, brown, cream and yellow.
Iris nodded in satisfaction on seeing the room provided. She carelessly flopped down on two of the bean bags and motioned Draco towards the chair. As the four teens got settled into their seats a tea tray popped in on the table. Hermione leaned forward and quickly poured four cups of tea.
“Well, Malfoy. Say what you have to say, we have better things to do with our time.” Ron said to the tense blonde.
“Ron!” Iris said in exasperation. “Give him a chance to get settled. He said it’s important, let him gather his thoughts.” Ron and Draco stared at her in shock. As Harry Potter she would have been right there with Ron jumping down the blonde Slytherin’s throat.
Draco cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I... I know that you have little reason to trust me but what I have to tell you is very important.” Draco reached for his tea and prepared it while gathering his thoughts. “We all know that my father is a Death Eater and what that entails.”
The three Gryffindors nodded at the blonde, each sipping their tea as they waited for Draco to continue. “After the events at the Department of Mysteries and your departure from the Dark Lords holdings, the Dark Lord was not happy with my Father. He had Goyle Sr. killed for finding the spell that changed you and as punishment to my Father, he has given me an impossible task.”
“I don’t want to do the task he has set me. I do not wish to be a Death Eater, no matter what I have spewed over our time here and what I’ve called each of you.”
Iris looked at the blonde thoughtfully and glanced at her two friends. “Why tell us? What good will this do you?”
Draco flushed slightly and fidgeted in his seat. “I have already spoken to the Headmaster. He told me that I should tell you three.” He quickly rose from the chair and began pacing back and forth in front of the trio. “You see, I was told of my task some weeks before school and quickly sought out Severus. As my Godfather, I trust him completely. He told the Headmaster, who I later had a meeting with myself.”
Hermione wrinkled her nose at the mention of the Headmaster, Draco did not miss her reaction and quickly continued. “I will tell you this now, I do not trust the bumbling old fool. He has the power to protect me while at the school, from my parents and the other Slytherins to an extent. But you three, you have standing with the other houses.”
Ron was flabbergasted, he could not believe that this was Malfoy. “You, believer in all that is Pureblooded, are turning your back on the Dark Lord?” Ron looked at Iris and Hermione in shock. “Why? What kind of task would send the Heir of a know Dark family to run from that heritage?”
Draco flushed and turned sharply to face the brash Gryffindor, “I might have pride in my lineage and practice Dark magic, but I am NOT heartless! You want to know what the Dark Lord’s task was? He wanted me to find a way to get the Death Eaters into Hogwarts without detection!”
The three Gryffindors sat still, shock clearly etched on their faces. “Thank you.” Iris stood up and walked over to the blonde. “Thank you for turning your back on the Dark Lord.” She held out her hand to the boy, “I can not say that I forgive you for what you have done to us but I can call a truce.”
The blonde stared at her hand in disbelief. He quickly looked to the other two Gryffindors to gauge their reactions, seeing only faint shock and stubborn determination he hesitantly reached out to take Iris’ hand. “Now, lets get down to business! If you’re going to be our ally, we have plans to make.”
It was the first day of classes and the Gryffindors were just sitting down to breakfast when a commotion broke out at the Slytherin table. “How could you turn your back on us that way?” Iris, Ron and Hermione quickly looked for the blonde Slytherin and found his head peeking out between Crabbe and Goyle’s shoulders.
“Mr Nott! 10 points from Slytherin for behavior”, came Snape’s voice over the din of the Great Hall. “Perhaps we should discuss your feelings of betrayal in my office?” Snape raised an eyebrow at the weedy youth.
“No sir!” He ground out between clenched teeth.
“Then take your seats!” Snape quickly turned and walked back to the Head Table. He gathered a stack of parchments from McGonagall and returned to his snakes to hand out their timetables.
“I expect you to act in such a way as to benefit a Slytherin, Mr Nott.” Severus stopped behind said student, slowly placing the parchment in front of the young man. “I do not want to see another incident, such as the one you caused earlier, again. Do I make myself clear?”
Nott’s face flushed in anger and embarrassment, “Yes sir!”
“Good”, he replied almost congenially before continuing dow the line of seated students.
Across the room, the three Gryffindors exchanged curious glances with each other before looking to their newest ally. Not even hours into the new school year and already things seemed as if they would be interesting.
The Golden Trio and their Silver snake sat in the Room of Requirement waiting, some a little more patiently than others, for the members of the DA to show up. While Ron paced muttering to himself, Iris, Hermione and Draco planned what information they would share with the DA.
A soft click was their warning that the members had begun to arrive. Ron quickly made his way to his two best friends, taking his spot between them with Malfoy hidden behind his larger frame. He shivered slightly as the Malfoy placed his hands on his back to keep himself steady, so as not to give away his presence.
Iris waited patiently for all the members to join them in the room and get settled on the large pillows scattered around the room. She slowly looked around the room in satisfaction. “I wanted to thank all of you for coming today. We have a lot of information to cover, so if you could all hold your questions until we finish.” The three quickly took note of those who seemed uncomfortable with that stipulation.
“First of all, as you can see, the Daily Prophet and the Quibbler did in fact print the truth about my abduction by the Dark Lord. No, I am not bothered by the transformation and NO Seamus, you may not see the ‘new equipment’!” Iris pinned the boy with a disapproving glare.
“Number two,” Hermione began, “we have a new ally this year.” She turned her gaze to Zacharias Smith, “He is NOT to jinxed, hexed or cursed. You will not push him or trip him.” She calmly walked in front of the the assembled group. “Now, he has already been vetted by Professor Snape and Professor Dumbledore and if anyone paid attention this morning in the Great Hall, you all know of whom I speak.”
Draco stepped from behind Ron in a relaxed manner, the only indication of his nervousness was the twitch of his fingers on Ron’s arm as he stepped away from the red head. He looked around the room and stood still.
“Now, Malfoy here,” Iris gestured towards the blonde, “is giving up a lot to be here, on the winning side. He has given up his family, his wealth and his place amongst the Slytherins.” Iris walked around through the seated members, “I know that he has done and said things to most of us here. He has been a thorn in our sides and we,” Iris gestured towards her two best friends and herself, “have taken the brunt of his behavior. We’re not going to ask you to forgive and forget, that will take time and understanding. What we do ask you, is that you give Draco a chance to prove his worth to us. Now, Draco is going to tell you just WHY he is giving up his wealth and status.”
Iris stepped back and gently pushed Draco forward. He looked around the room, taking in the looks of each member. “I wanted to start by telling each of you that I am ashamed of the way I have behaved for the last five years. I can only say one thing in my defence and that is, we are a product of our learning and our families.”
“This past year was the beginning of an epiphany for me. It started with my joining of the Inquisitorial Squad and coalesced with the bestowing of a task by the Dark Lord.” Draco took a calming breath and looked towards his only allies within the school. He returned his gaze to the assembled DA members. “I might have been raised to believe that Purebloods were superior to all others and that to be a Pureblooded Slytherin was the ultimate of showing of one's worth but I was never taught not to value life in all of its forms.”
“The task I was given goes against all the teachings we have had as wizarding children. It took me far to long to see the inconsistencies my Father tried to feed me of what being a Death Eater meant. I have no wish to kill indiscriminately, to take a life just for the sake of Pureblood supremacy. I saw what will become of our world this summer if we allow the Dark Lord to reign unchallenged. I would not wish that on anyone.”
Draco stepped back to the three Gryffindors. “So? Your thoughts and concerns with what Malfoy had to say?” Ron raised an enquiring brow to those assembled.
“Who’s to say the ol’ Ferret face isn’t gonna turn on us?”
Iris waved the concern away, “Professor Snape would never have allowed Malfoy access to me like this if he was not sure of his intentions.”
“What about the other Slytherins? There’s bound to be a surge of retaliation now that Professor Snape and Malfoy are publicly taking a stance against the Dark Lord.”
“That’s good logic, Neville. There will be retaliation, make no mistake. But that’s why we’re going to be running the DA again and this time we’ll be opening it to anyone who wishes to join. But for now, we all know our shielding charms and disarming charms. Use them if that is your only option!”
Draco cleared his throat to gain everyone’s attention. “I would like to make a suggestion if I may.”
“Go right ahead, Ferret face!”
“If you’re going to have open membership, I would suggest you use a wizards contract in combination with a wizard’s oath.” He looked around the room, his eyes resting on no one for more than a moment. “As I have come to learn this past summer, some Death Eaters are completely unexpected and easily overlooked.”
“Thank you everyone for coming. Our first working meeting won’t take place until the first week of October, so please, make sure you check your coins to see when the meeting will be taking place”, Hermione said to the assembly.
The month of September quickly sped its way into October with minor acts of retaliation towards Draco and many attempts at sabotaging Severus’ classroom and stores. Those who were caught were severely punished and one brave Ravenclaw was expelled after such an incident.
With the amount of work that the teachers were handing out Hermione couldn’t believe that any student had the time to plot and plan these events. She loved school and reading but even she was having a hard time staying ahead in her reading like normal. And now they were going to be running DA meetings. She hoped some of the work would calm down soon, she really wanted to have some down time with a good book... A book not related to Arithmancy, Runes, History of Magic, Potions or Transfiguration.
Okay, so I was going to put the wedding in but That’s going to be in chapter 6. There’s still to much to go through before I get to that point and really, it’s going to take a bit more time to write it out and I wanted to give my faithful readers the much anticipated update that I promised months and months ago.
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