Chapter 14. Children of Lily
The days after that special quest passed on normally. Well, as normally as it could for the gamer and his partner. The quests after that special one were less eccentric and more serious, but Harry was not complaining. He would choose to rescue a group of children from fire or kill a budding gang leader any day over going back to the crazy village of Teatanpole.
Right now they stood in a silent and grim apartment in Brighton. The building wasn't too far from the beach as it was evident by the sound of the lapping waves. The mild smell of the salty sea too was present in the air. But the stench of the blood was far stronger than the other scents. It filled the room and hung on the walls stubbornly. No amount of wind could carry it away. A single large window opened on the opposite wall, giving a view of a small backyard and after it were a few houses and then there was a glimpse of the seashore.
Their attention at the moment was on the dead middle aged man lying in his own pool of blood. Harry kept his mind blank, trying not to think or feel too much about this person. That would just hurt him for no reason. This was how he survived seeing so much death and despair. He just stopped thinking about it.
Iris on the other hand wasn't as calm as she showed outwardly. The first night after that special quest, she had killed a criminal who had been pointing his gun at Harry, while they were on a new quest.
She had whizzed towards him like a ray of sizzling black shadow and had buried her white sword deep in his chest.
His blood had runned down her arms and on her clothes, making her feel as if her soul had been tainted permanently. She had looked into his surprised eyes before the light dimmed in them. She had cried hysterically and had puked until her stomach emptied.
From the next day onwards, she had stopped going on quests with Harry. It went on like this for a whole week. But eventually, she rejoined him after she felt strong enough to continue again, after she healed enough from the guilt of taking a human life.
As she was staring at this dead man, she was jaded enough to not cry or feel horrified. But a strange anger burned inside her for the one who had done this.
That was her coping mechanism.
Unlike Harry, who suppressed his emotions, she did something else. Instead of feeling gloom and hopelessness, she concentrated on anger when she was on these quests.
It served her well.
The sound of loud slurping brought the siblings towards the window. They looked down in the backyard to see a dark figure straddling a woman with his face buried in her neck and his hands pinning her arms over her head. The woman was dead still while the man moaned in the back of his throat.
Iris' skin crawled at the sight and her rage burned brighter and stronger. Her emerald eyes gleamed in the dark, even her crimson hair had a beautiful luminance as she held her sword.
Then she attacked. If a normal human being had been there in the backyard, they wouldn't have been able to see anything.
A second later, Iris was back beside Harry at the window sill. Such was her speed that only a second was required to kill the cruel vampire feasting on the woman's blood. The vampire's head tilted over his neck and then fell down on the grass, beside the dead woman's figure. His face was forever etched with the expression of surprise.
If Iris hadn't had the sword then she would easily be far inferior than the vampire and wouldn't even dream of engaging him in fight, but since she possessed the legendary White Sword and the enemy was a dark creature, her stats were multiplied by 12. Her current level which was 52 got increased by 12 times, making her as strong as if she was level 624.
Name: Iris Potter
Race: Human
Class: Mage
Lvl: 52
HP: 2600
MP: 5200
Affection: 100
Obedience: 70
Thoughts about you: Love, Respect
Harry rubbed her back to calm her down. She took a deep breath, taking in the fresh smell of the sea, letting the cool wind blow on her face and turning her sword back in her white bangle form. Her eyes stopped glowing and the shine in her red hair faded.
QUEST:
— Kill Khafun, the serial killer Vampire who specifically feasts on the blood of grown women.
Success!
REWARD: Gained!
— 1000 XP for Harry and Iris Potter
— The Shard of Night
[The Shard of Night]
— A piece of magical obsidian. It can be used for various purposes.
Harry ignored the notification and looked at Iris who had taken up the alias of 'Black Grim', the companion of Red Grim. She was wearing an all black apparel. Her shirt was black, her hoodie was black, her jeans were black, even her mask was black. Both of Harry's and Iris' clothes were exactly the same except the colour. Where Harry's were white, hers was black. The only white thing she had was her sword which contrasted well with her dark appearance.
"Come on. Let's go." He said, touching her shoulder and teleporting them back to his room.
They quickly removed their costumes and Harry stuffed those into his inventory.
Iris, who was just in her knickers, grabbed her t-shirt and shorts from his bed before putting them on. Harry too was doing the same. They were far more comfortable with each other to feel embarrassed for seeing one another half naked. That being said, getting fully naked together would definitely have them blushing like maidens.
"Goodnight, Harry. See you in the morning." Iris said softly, hugging him and pressing a kiss on his cheek. Harry smiled at her, reciprocating her hug.
"Goodnight, little sister. Sweet dreams." Harry grinned, needling her, wanting to take her attention away from the poor dead couple who were attacked by the vampire.
He could have revived those two, but that would have wasted his limited number of chances to resurrect people.
Crass it might sound, but Harry had firmly decided to stop reviving strangers. Trying to make everyone happy was a futile attempt. Thousands of people were dying or being abused right this moment. He couldn't reach everyone. He couldn't save everyone. He wasn't omnipotent or omnipresent. The best way to stay sane in this world was to not empathise with the suffering of strangers.
He was just a human, a special one, but still only a single person. The best he could do was prioritise the safety of a few dear ones and save those whose paths interacted with his.
"You do know that I just killed a vampire and have a deadly sword? Don't test me or else I'll have to test my sword against you." Iris grumbled, trying to shove him off.
"Aw, you are so cute when you are all angry and pouty." Harry chuckled, grabbing her hands and pulling her close.
She just huffed, half-annoyed and half-pleased as he kissed her forehead. She knew what he was trying to do. She knew the lovable fool was attempting to distract her and lighten her heart. It surprisingly worked and he was rewarded with another cheek kiss. After that, she sneaked back to her room and had mostly a good sleep.
Harry fell back on his bed with a yawn and checked his levels.
Character Sheet
Name: Harry Potter
Race: Human
Class: Mage
Lvl: 210(0%)
HP: 10,500 (10 per second)
MP: 21,000 (100 per second)
Traits:
[Remorseless]
[Lustful]
Perks:
[Gamer's Mind] (Passive)
[Gamer's Body] (Passive)
[Observe] (Active)
[Peak Body] (Passive)
[Skill Create] (Active)
[Teleportation] (Active)
[Inventory] (Active)
[Increased HP regeneration] (Passive)
[Killer] (Active)
[Increased MP regeneration] (Passive)
[Unlimited Money] (Active)
[Shapeshifter] (Active)
[Death's Favoured] (Passive)
[Reviver] (Active)
Skills:
[Ray of Light]
[Death Arrow]
[Flying]
[Shield]
[Leech]
[Bomb]
[Energy Shield]
He hummed appreciatively at his levels. He had made good progress and if his pace remained the same then he would easily reach level 300 and max it before his first year at Hogwarts could be over. And Iris too was becoming stronger quickly, even when not considering the sword. After the earlier quest, she had reached level 57. Harry hoped to make her level 100 before this academic year finished.
He smiled, snuggling into the pillow, remembering that tomorrow was Christmas and his friends were coming to visit.
Daphne, Astoria, Tracey, Neville, they all would be here. He couldn't wait to meet them. It had been so long.
Hermione was invited too, but she wouldn't be available since she was going to have a family reunion with her extended family
~xXxXx~
After breakfast, Lily smiled as her two children ran towards the living room where their presents were kept under the Christmas tree.
She had been feeling sad lately as to how her children's innocence had been taken away from them. They had been through so many tumultuous situations which they didn't deserve to go through. It made them more mature and less childish which she wasn't exactly happy with. If she had her way then she would keep them as children forever so they wouldn't have to suffer all the hard things that adults had to.
Alas, the world didn't work as she wished.
Here she was with children who were acting less childish by each passing day. So, it soothed her heart and made it even more special when they sometimes showed their childish side like they were doing now.
She walked into the living room to see them tearing the wrappers impatiently with glee which brought a motherly smile on her face. She couldn't help herself at how adorable they looked and leaned down, wrapping her arms around them from behind.
Harry leaned back into her happily at her show of affection, always a mama's boy while Iris made a sound of protest.
"Don't disturb us, old lady. We are busy." She complained, mirth laced in her voice.
Lily's eyebrow twitched in annoyance.
It had become a new thing between the mother-daughter duo. Iris now called her old lady, sometimes in fondness and sometimes to just annoy her.
And it did annoy her. She was just 31… well would be 32 next month but still, she wasn't an old lady.
She was barely into her thirties and being called old definitely needled her. And top of that, she worked out physically to remain fit and keep her body in shape. She could swear that she didn't look older than any other mid-twenties woman.
Thus, it was a slap to her face for being called old by her own sweet daughter when she secretly prided herself in her beautiful appearance.
"Harry, tell Iris I am not old, please." She turned to Harry who was watching them with amusement. She knew her son would take her side.
"Mum is not old, Iris. She is young and the most beautiful woman on Earth." Harry chidded her gently, giving Lily an awed look as if he believed his own words.
And his stare wasn't sexual in the least, Lily was well aware of the lecherous gazes of men and her son's gaze didn't fell in that category. The best analogy for describing Harry's admiration for her would be how an artist loves his favourite art or how a dreamer looks at the night sky. With utter love and borderline obsession. In his view, she indeed was the most beautiful thing to ever exist.
Lily giggled, freeing Iris from her grasp so she could hug him properly. Harry eagerly snuggled into her. She kissed his head and smiled blissfully, holding him tight. He was the sweetest boy she had ever seen and the most precious one. She couldn't believe how someone could be so perfect.
"Of course, Harry will say that. He is biassed towards you, mum. You can stand beside a literal goddess and he will still say the same." Iris rolled her eyes, not giving much weight to her brother's opinion.
"That just makes it better. My baby boy thinks I am the most beautiful woman. Ha! Take that, Iris. I am not old, my Harry doesn't think so." Lily laughed uproariously and tightened her hold.
Harry began struggling in her arms as she caged his head at her bosom, as his face was squashed on her chest, not letting him breathe.
"I think you should let him go before he dies. I don't think he has the power to resurrect himself." Iris said with an amused smirk.
"Oops." Lily grinned with no regret and let him go. She really couldn't help herself when he said things like that. It made her want to crush him between her arms and hold him for eternity.
Harry was panting before them and shot her a smouldering look to which she just gave a tinkling laugh and a head pat.
"Although, I am hurt to hear that you don't consider me beautiful, brother. I thought we were soul mates. You disappoint me." Iris pouted and glared at him. Harry had a deadpan look, already having an argument for it.
"I consider you very pretty and cute, Iris. Actually, you are the cutest and prettiest girl while mum is the most beautiful woman. See, it is two different things." Harry responded with a winning smile.
Iris scratched her cheek thoughtfully before nodding.
"Fine. You will live for now." She grinned, slinging her arm around his neck and giving a peck on his cheek, very pleased by the compliment.
"Thank you for your mercy, milady. I was shaking in my boots from fear. Oh, I forgot, I am not wearing any boots." That was his bland reply.
Lily, who had taken a seat on the sofa, hummed a Christmas song under her breath as she looked at her children and felt happy and content.
~xXxXx~
"Harrryyy!" A loud yell heralded the loud knocking that came upon his door, startling him from his tranquillity. It was late morning and Harry was lazing in his bed with a fantasy book about a mystical ring and a broken sword. He had nothing better to do. There were no new quests and Iris too was busy doing something.
"Calm down, Tori. We don't want to break his door." Daphne's calm irritated voice came from the hallway.
Harry smiled and opened the door.
He was greeted by a blonde missile who collided with him before climbing over him like a monkey and settling on his back with her arms wrapped around his neck.
"Happy Christmas, Harry." Tori yelled in his ear. Harry winced from her shrill cry and held her hips around his waist, giving her support.
"Happy Christmas, Tori. Nice to see you too." He smiled.
"Tori. Get down now. Don't act like a jungly ape." Daphne rebuked her sharply.
Astoria just stuck her tongue out in response.
Name: Astoria Greengrass
Race: Human
Class: Mage
Lvl: 10
HP: 500
MP: 1000
Affection: 100
Obedience: 40
Thoughts about you: Crush, Admiration
Harry gave her a squeeze and requested. "Tori, listen to your sister, come down so I can properly hug you."
Astoria reluctantly jumped down and hugged him before moving to the side so her sister could greet him too.
"Happy Christmas, Daphne. It's good to see you again." Harry said, pulling her into his arms, hugging her enthusiastically.
She might not know this, but it had been more than a year since he last saw her. Seeing her now just made him realise how important a friend she was to him.
Name: Daphne Greengrass
Race: Human
Class: Mage
Lvl: 18
HP: 900
MP: 1800
Affection: 45
Obedience: 20
Thoughts about you: Fondness, ?
Daphne embraced him back, smiling on his chest with a mumble of "Happy Christmas". The last two months without him and Iris at school felt disconcerting, making her school experience sour and colourless. But fortunately they would be back at Hogwarts with them this time.
Harry didn't get to question Isis about the question mark in Daphne's stats when another yell echoed in the manor.
"Harry! Iris!" Tracey's happy voice came from the living room. Iris came out of her room after hearing all the ruckus.
"What is going on here?" She asked with a raised eyebrow as she saw Harry and Daphne wrapped around each other while Astoria was trying to burn them with her annoyed glare, not liking how 'lovingly' they were embracing each other.
"Iris! Harry! Don't make me come up there. Down you come." Tracey's excited yell echoed in the whole manor.
"We better go down before she destroys her voice box." Daphne suggested, stepping back and smiling fondly at her friends.
"Let's go." Harry chuckled, picking up Astoria in a bride's carry, making her squeal joyfully, already forgetting her irritation.
~xXxXx~
"You really are growing like bamboo. You both are almost half a head taller than us. Harry's growth is even believable since he was always tall, but what about you Iris? You were just as tall as us two months ago and now suddenly you are as big as Harry." Neville noted as they all settled down in the living room.
Name: Neville Longbottom
Race: Human
Class: Mage
Lvl: 13
HP: 650
MP: 1300
Affection: 50
Obedience: 50
Thoughts about you: Fondness, Admiration
"Yup, what does your mum feed you? A bar of calcium everyday or something?" Tracey agreed with a dubious look.
Iris just shrugged.
"I don't know." She lied, knowing perfectly well that it was the result of the [Peak Body] Perk.
"What's up at school? How much did we miss?" Harry asked, trying to divert the attention off Iris. It worked as Tracey began a long detailed version of all that they had missed.
Name: Tracey Davis
Race: Human
Class: Mage
Lvl: 13
HP: 650
MP: 1300
Affection: 45
Obedience: 35
Thoughts about you: Fondness
Honestly, they missed nothing, thanks to their mother who was strict when it came to education and was experienced in providing homeschooling.
In the end, Tracey finally asked the question whose answer they all were curious to know. But Neville was too shy to ask and Daphne wasn't talkative enough to change the flow of the conversation.
"What happened on Halloween, Harry? There are various rumours in the school. Some said that Iris was… killed. Some said that she was possessed and some even said that she was doing an evil ritual which went out of control. Though the bizarrest one was that the Dark Lord returned and you both fought against him to save the school." Tracey babbled and giggled in the end.
No one noticed how Harry and Iris froze for a second before they laughed along with them.
"That's exactly what happened." Harry announced seriously, evaporating the merry air of mirthfulness from around them. And then Harry told them the lie he told the professors about how Voldemort possessed Iris and took them to the third corridor and through various chambers and how Iris 'died', but recovered miraculously.
They all were still, with pale faces and grim expressions before Tracey glomped Iris and clung to her, trying to make her feel better.
Daphne and Astoria too moved towards her and patted her back, reassuring her and themselves that she was real and wasn't dead. Iris hid a pleased smile after seeing their worry and assured them that she was really fine and healthy.
Neville, who was sitting beside him, touched his back.
"That must have been horrifying, mate. Facing the person who killed our fathers and the one who almost murdered Iris. I really hate him. I wish I was powerful enough to punch him in the nose." Neville muttered angrily. Harry smiled at his friend.
"Maybe we will do that, Nev. Maybe we will really become powerful enough to punch him in the nose and knee him in the nuts. It will be hilarious to see his ugly face while he whimpers and caresses his abused balls." Harry joked, making Neville laugh loudly.
"What's the joke? Tell me?" Astoria demanded as she plopped down in his lap and looped her arms around his neck.
Harry gave her an amused smile, pulling her close.
"I can't, Tori. It's a boy's joke and not for children." He quipped, kissing her cute nose. Astoria pouted and looked at him with her narrowed blue eyes.
"You do know that I am only a year younger than you? If Neville can hear the joke then so can I." She huffed stubbornly.
"Really? Here I thought that you stopped growing after you turned 5." He grinned.
She unhooked her arms and grabbed his cheeks, pinching them.
"Stop being cheeky, Mr. Potter. You shouldn't keep secrets from your future wife." She scolded lightly. Neville, who was watching the entertainment from beside him, goggled at the boldness of the little tyke.
"I don't remember we ever talked about that, Miss Greengrass." Harry said with an arched eyebrow.
"Oh, come on! Don't you remember when I asked you to be my husband 4 years ago on my birthday, you agreed and said to wait until we grow up." Astoria protested against his ignorance by shaking his head none too gently. Harry grabbed her hands, stopping her abuse. Before he could plead innocence and say that it was just a false promise, Tracey interrupted their banter.
"Actually, Harry promised me too when we were younger. And if I remember correctly it was before he promised you. So, you see, I have a better claim." Tracey said with a devious grin.
Harry was pretty sure he hadn't done that, but he wasn't averse to making fun of their pampered princess and didn't correct her, letting Astoria seeth in anger.
"Actually, even before he promised you, he promised me when I was just 5 years old. So I win." Daphne claimed, adding fuel to the fire.
Okay, maybe he did promise Daphne, he couldn't be sure, he didn't remember. He always thought she was pretty so maybe he did promise her. But the chances were that Daphne was just saying it to annoy her little sister.
Astoria was now gaping in betrayal at her elder sister.
"Ha! You peasants. Harry promised to marry me when I was four years old. I win easily. Take that! I don't think anyone can top that." Iris smirked triumphantly.
Well, that he remembered… hazily. They were too young to remember it, but their mother was fond of telling that story again and again, showing how proud she was that her children were always so close to each other.
Astoria was now red and beyond angry.
"You cheating motherfucking bastard! You are fucking them all behind my back. You are three— no, you are four-timing me. How lustful can you be? Wasn't I enough? You whoreson, bum of a dickless devil!" Astoria yelled, lightly slapping his shoulder.
Harry looked at her in disbelief, not knowing whether to laugh or get offended.
There was a moment of silence. And somehow it was nostalgic. But this time no one laughed as Daphne's eyes burned with rage.
"Astoria Greengrass, I wish to know from where you learned to use such a crude language like this? I am very curious. Enlighten me." She said with a small polite emotionless smile.
That was the moment Astoria knew she fucked up.
"Uhm.. mum's romance novels." She answered meekly, not facing her sister and hiding her face on Harry's chest.
"Ah, the very same ones that you gave me to burn it. I see, how curious. By any chance did you make copies of them for later perusal." Daphne was giving off such a strong blood lust that made even Harry freeze.
"You asked me for the books, I gave it to you. No one said that I couldn't ask the house-elves to make copies of it." Astoria whimpered, discreetly giving Harry an SOS for help.
"How cunning! Usually, I would be proud, but I think you really need some punishment this time. It can't go on like this. It is no laughing matter." Daphne thought out loud as she took out her wand.
"Hey, hey. Calm down, Daphne. She is just an innocent child. She didn't mean it. She will burn those nasty books and won't even make a copy this time. Right, Tori?" Harry interrupted before it could escalate, clutching Astoria protectively in his lap.
"Yes. I promise." Astoria jumped at the lifeline given to her and gave her the best innocent cute look she could produce at that terrific moment. But Daphne had been immune to that trick after she became older. She wasn't so easily led by her little sister's innocent look.
"Harry, don't intrude in family matters." Daphne turned her chilly gaze at him before wrenching Astoria off him and dragging her away, most probably home to complain to their mother.
"Harryyy!" Astoria screamed as Daphne picked her up like a sack of potatoes and floo-ed back home.
Another moment of silence enveloped them after the Greengrass sisters left.
"Well, that was… interesting." Tracey chuckled nervously.
"Interesting is one way to describe that." Iris added with an amused smile.
"Hopefully, Mrs. Greengrass won't be too hard on her." Harry sighed with some worry. The others just rolled their eyes at him, knowing that the little tyke had him wrapped around her pinkie.
Just then Harry's white cat, Aura, came running in the living room and jumped into Tracey's lap and licked her face happily. Tracey was frozen in surprise for a moment before she giggled and hugged the cat.
"Friends. Meet Aura. She is my new pet." Harry smiled at the soft gentle look in Tracey's eyes.
"Papa, she smells exactly like Tracey from the other world. She even looks similar. I am so happy." Aura mewled.
'Yes. Aura. She is Tracey just like our friend from that world.' He replied telepathically.
The time after that passed away quickly as the friends talked and exchanged gifts. Though they had to send the gifts to Greengrass sisters by owls.
~xXxXx~
Harry was lounging on his bed on Christmas night. The day had been good and now it was time to sleep. But he had a task to complete before he could relax and bid goodbye to Christmas. He had to create a skill since today was one of the two days (the other one being his birthday) where the System allowed him to use the [Skill Create] perk. He stared at the ceiling thoughtfully and raked his brain for an idea.
'How about the XP multiplier?'
Request denied.
'Time dilation?'
Request denied.
Harry furrowed his brows in consternation. He really wanted time dilation since he could use it to shorten the time required to level up. Then again, he was creating a skill and it wouldn't be able to help him when he changed classes.
Honestly, he needed a Perk instead of a skill because Perks stayed with him even when he changed Classes. He realised that whatever skill he created would only be useful for the Mage Class. So, he decided to stop thinking too big and tried to think about what he needed in his Mage Class right now.
He had strong offence and unshakeable defence, but one thing he lacked was a skill which could bind his enemies. He knew that there would come a time when he had to incapacitate the opponent without hurting them. And this severe lack could cost him his victory. With his mind set on the skill, he created it.
Skill Created:
[Lasso]
– A strong magical lasso which can hold any type of being as long as the user provides enough mana.
Though a bit underwhelming, he still needed this skill. A needle was far inferior to a sword, but it still had its uses and no shining sword could do the work which a needle did.
Everything in the world had its own place in the grand scheme of the multiverse. Everything had its own value and usage.
With his work done, Harry curled around Aura and went to sleep.
~xXxXx~
"I am so glad that you are fine, Iris and Harry. I was worried." Hermione exclaimed in joy as they sat in a compartment in the Hogwarts Express.
Name: Hermione Granger
Race: Human
Class: Mage
Lvl: 14
HP: 700
MP: 1400
Affection: 20
Obedience: 5
Thoughts about you: Fondness
Harry, Iris and Neville sat on one side while Daphne, Tracey and Hermione sat on the other seat.
"I am glad too that I am fine, Hermione. Thank you. How was your Christmas holiday?" asked Iris.
And Hermione then went on a long rant about how dinner with the extended family was always annoying and uncomfortable and why she never enjoyed meeting all her cousins at once. If he was being honest, it was a little entertaining to listen to. But sleep soon came upon him and he glanced at his sister.
"Be my pillow." He mumbled drowsily and kicked Neville off the seat, spreading his legs and placing his head in Iris' lap. She shot him an amused look, but in the end let him use her hips as a pillow, gently running her fingers through his black locks.
Neville, who stood up from the floor of the cabin, smacked his leg in annoyance, but Harry was already asleep. Neville sighed, seeing that the Potter siblings had taken over the whole seat, he sat beside the other girls.
~xXxXx~
Harry and Iris were subjects of many stares as they went to the Great Hall for dinner that night. Everyone was curious to see the Potters back. They all still weren't sure what had happened on Halloween night. They looked at the siblings as if staring at them would reveal the answer.
It didn't.
Harry and Iris easily ignored the attention and talked among themselves.
Thankfully for them, Headmaster Dumbledore stood up, gaining everyone's attention and gave his speech, welcoming the students back from Yule holidays.
Harry and his Gryffindor friends left for their dorms after the dinner, giving a friendly wave to Daphne and Tracey who were still sitting on the Slytherin table.
"I don't know why Professor Snape is giving us a stinky eye." Neville mumbled nervously as they stepped in the corridor and away from the gazes of the Professors.
"I see what you meant when you said 'Reality Restored' two months ago. It's befuddling to see Professor Snape alive after witnessing him getting killed by you in Teatanpole." Iris drew close and whispered in Harry's ear before stepping back and smiling innocently at her friends who didn't hear what she whispered to him.
"Ignore him, Neville. His face is just that way." Harry said to him, not responding to Iris' observation.
"He is a Professor, Harry. You shouldn't talk about him like that." Hermione mildly reproved.
"Oh, come on, Hermione. You know what I said is true." Harry chuckled, throwing his arm around her shoulders. She blushed at his casual affection.
"Still, we shouldn't disrespect him." she murmured, not pushing him away.
"If you say so." Harry shrugged uncaringly, not agreeing or disagreeing.
~xXxXx~
That night, before Iris went to her dorm for sleep, Harry pulled her in a corner and whispered in her ear.
"Meet me in the common room at midnight. And use the Marauders Map to remain unseen."
She just nodded curiously, not knowing what he was up to.
As her roommates dozed off and the time for the meeting drew near, she checked the map and found Harry already waiting in the Common room. She tiptoed to the door and opened it without making any noise. After closing it behind, she climbed down the stairs.
She had just stepped into the common room when Harry took off his Invisibility Cloak and put it in the inventory.
"Harry, what's up? Why did you ask to meet now?" asked Iris.
Harry grinned excitedly, presenting his hand, he said, "I have to show you something amazing. Come on."
"And it couldn't have waited for the morning?" She queried with a dubious look. She truly was going to smack his head if it was for some lame reason. He should know how much she liked sleeping and how annoyed she became when she didn't get a full night's sleep.
"Bloody hell! Just grab my hand. Will you?" Harry asked annoyedly. If it wasn't night time and she wasn't fearing getting found out, she would have argued with him some more, but for now she took his hand.
And then he teleported.
They appeared before a blank wall on the seventh floor.
"Shut up." Harry told her before she could ask anything. She shot him a pointed glare, but he wasn't even looking at her. He was pacing back and forth before the wall.
"Shut up." He mumbled again just as she was going to say something. She huffed in annoyance. Having a twin wasn't always fun. Just like now, when he could interrupt her even before she could interrupt him. The ability of knowing each other's thoughts before it was worded, while mostly gratifying and intimate, was also irritating when used against each other.
Her thoughts came to a sudden halt when an intricate arch formed on the wall and a door materialised inside it. Harry gave her a cocky grin and pushed the door open.
"Welcome to the Room of Requirement." He said, bowing grandiosely and bidding her to enter first. She rolled her eyes at his dramatics, but went inside as asked.
She stumbled and it was only Harry's quick reflexes, his hand grabbing the back of her t-shirt that saved her from the embarrassment of face planting on the floor.
"Harry, what is the living room of the Potter Manor doing in Hogwarts?" She asked, ignoring his amused smirk at her reaction.
"It's just a replica, Iris. This is the wonder of this room. It can turn into anything you want. Of course there are some limitations, but still, this place is gold and a very useful one. I learned about the Room from Harry of the other world." He smiled, his eyes staring into space as he remembered the various friends he made in that world.
Iris touched the sofa. And it was hard and real instead of being a flickering illusion. "Wow."
"Wow, indeed." He grinned as the living room instantly turned into his bedroom. "Now you know why I called you at this time."
"I see. You want this to be just our secret and don't want to share it with our friends yet. Since Neville and Hermione are always with us, now was the only time to reveal this." Iris answered absent-mindedly, turning and analysing the room. "Can you give me control of the room for a second?"
"Okay." Harry agreed.
Abruptly, Harry's bed disappeared and in its place a slightly bigger bed reappeared. Iris climbed on the bed and bounced on her knees before sprawling down on her back.
"Whoa! This really is the comfiest bed ever. Far better than the one in my dorm room." Iris groaned blissfully. Harry chuckled and laid beside her.
"I gave you the most powerful room in Hogwarts and you asked for the comfiest bed. I am amazed." He smirked, shifting to his side.
"I am extremely drowsy at this time and all I want is the best bed. Fuck you." She grumbled, scooting closer and snuggling against him.
Harry did his best impression of their mother, "Language, young lady."
Iris just sighed and pressed her face on his chest.
"Just shut up and let me sleep or I will kick you off the bed."
"Fine. You are no fun. Goodnight."
~xXxXx~
The children had been away at Hogwarts for weeks now and Lily was alone in the Potter Manor. Well, not totally alone since Harry left his cat, Aura, behind to keep her company.
Lily sat on the sofa in the living room with the white fluffy cat sleeping in her lap. She smiled softly, caressing the little cutie who had wormed her way into her heart after the kids went back to Hogwarts.
Lily obviously had been sad to see them go. It was difficult to smile and wave goodbye when all she wanted to do was grab them and come back home. Without them, the Manor seemed empty and barren. It was unnaturally silent. And this silence was too loud for her to bear alone. Without them her life was filled with quietness and loneliness.
Lily had always been like that. She was someone who kept few friends and preferred to stay at home over going out in the outside world. But after James' death, the silence of the manor had suddenly turned creepy even torturous and only her kids' happy noises kept it at bay.
The comforting silence had turned into something else, something wicked. Now that the children weren't here, only Aura's presence stopped her from spiralling down into paranoia.
The abrupt hissing sound from the fireplace made her jump in panic. Aura growled as she fell down on her paws and glared at Lily before staring at the roaring green fire.
Lily pointed her wand at the fire, her panic suppressed and her calm mind preparing to face whatever that would come out of the floo. Honestly, she shouldn't panic since only friends and allies could come through the fireplace but for whatever reason her heart drummed against her ribs frantically.
The man who came out of the fireplace was someone who had been declared dead for more than a decade.
"Peter?" Lily gasped in astonishment at the sight of her mousy friend. It was baffling to see him alive and kicking when everyone thought him to be dead for the last twelve years. He looked healthy and wore a black three-piece suit. In his hand he held a white envelope.
In the last war, Peter was the first marauder to die when his village was attacked by the Death Eaters. That loss had devastated James, Sirius and Remus. And it was also one of many reasons that made them rise against Voldemort.
Now, here she was, standing before a long lost friend.
"Lily. Beautiful as always." Peter smiled kindly, but there was something predatory about his smile. The evil lecherous glint in his eyes made her feel uncomfortable, it made her be on guard.
Just as he stepped forward, Aura lunged at him with a piercing cry. And in the mid-jump her body expanded exponentially and she turned into a white wolf. A wolf whose maw was wide open with razor sharp canines. Peter didn't even get a chance to scream before Aura sank her teeth in his neck and ripped his throat apart, sending him sprawling down in a spasming throes of death as he cupped the gaping hole where his throat was.
Seconds later, he was still with blood surrounding his head in a small circle as if it was some red halo. Peter's eyes were glassy, wide open with surprise and desperation.
Lily was frozen where she was standing, horrified and not understanding what just happened. She uncomprehendingly watched the giant wolf tear the sleeve of Peter's suit.
She gasped.
There was Voldemort's dark mark on his right hand.
Peter Pettigrew is— was a Death Eater. One of the Marauders was Voldemort's men. One of James' friends was an enemy. She couldn't believe it and wouldn't have if not for the solid proof staring right in her eyes.
Aura in the meanwhile turned back into her cat form, padded back to the sofa and took her place on it before curling in and closing her eyes as if nothing out of ordinary had happened.
"What the hell is going on here?"
~xXxXx~
OMAKE :
"Stop being cheeky, Mr. Potter. You shouldn't keep secrets from your future wife." She scolded lightly. Neville, who was watching the entertainment from beside him, suddenly became annoyed.
"I don't remember we ever talked about that, Miss Greengrass." Harry said with an arched eyebrow.
"Oh, come on! Don't you remember when I asked you to be my husband 4 years ago on my birthday, you agreed and said to wait until we grow up." Astoria protested against his ignorance by shaking his head none too gently. Harry grabbed her hands, stopping her abuse. Before he could plead innocence and say that it was just a false promise, Neville came to his rescue.
"Actually, he promised to marry me before he did to you. And we already are in a relationship. Get lost you homewrecking thot. Bros before hoes." Neville announced and shoved her off Harry's lap before climbing himself over him and pulling him in a passionate kiss.
"What!" Astoria exclaimed from down the floor. She looked at the others and they too were gobsmacked, staring at the two boys in an uncomprehending manner.
They turned bright red when the boys opened their mouths and slobbered each other with their tongues.
"What the hell is going on here?" Iris gave words to what was on the other girls' minds.