Harry Potter: Rise Of The Spiral

Edmund pulled them out of his mind scape and watched as Iris made a decision. He had gambled with his stunt in the great hall. Now, everyone will be actively against Iris. But she'll be able to see through them, their lies and their attempts to control her.

For the past three years, Edmund waited, trying to understand Dumbledore's game. But he still couldn't get what Dumbledore would get out of getting Iris and Voldemort kill each other. He already had the fame and the money. He was regarded as the second coming of Merlin for f.u.c.k's sake! What more could the old goat want?

He asked one of his house elves to bring some food for them. "We should eat now. There's no class today so we don't need to leave this room."

Iris nodded and remained seated on the bed, her eyes focused on the floor.

As they ate their food, Iris was thinking about what Edmund had said to her. She did not owe anyone anything. She had suffered enough already and if Edmund was right, all that awaited her was more suffering, more lies, more manipulations and more danger. She was really naive to think that she'd be accepted among people like her. But, all she got was disappointment.

Her only connection to her parents, their two friends still hadn't contacted her. She could understand it was difficult for Sirius to send her a letter, but Professor Remus, he was a free man with no ministry after him and no kill on sight orders. Still, she hadn't received any word from him, even during summer vacation. Was this another one of Dumbledore's tricks to make her life difficult? How far had he gone to make her so submissive and be ready to put her life in danger for the sake of others?

All she ever wanted was to have a family that loved her. Love, it was foreign concept for her. All her life she had been berated and loathed just for being alive. When she came to Hogwarts she was looked at with awe and hate.

Ron had befriended her because of her title as the Girl-Who-Lived. The Weaslies helped her because the were Dumbledore's puppets and wanted to look good in her eyes. They had been good to her to get her money. Last year Mrs. Weasley bought new clothes, books and wands for all of her children. Where did she get the galleons from? From the Potter trust vault. Of course she did. She had the key to it which Dumbledore had given to her in second year. She had the key even before Iris was brought to the Weasly house. Iris didn't pay any attention to it but now, after being enlightened by Edmund, she could see it clearly.

Hermione on the other hand, she turned out to be a disappointment as a friend. Iris risked her life to save Hermione from the troll only to be hated by the said friend when Iris scored higher in tests. How petty could one get? Iris had to dumb herself down to Ron's level to appease her friend. Even though she tried to help Iris by brewing the poly juice potion to spy on Malfoy, Iris knew it was just an attempt to show that she cared. There was no way Malfoy was the heir. Then she got herself petrified because she thought of herself to be so superior to others, she didn't need anyone's help and could solve the mystery of the chamber on her own.

Now because of the tournament, both of her friends have abandoned her labelled her as a liar. They had been through so much together, faced giant dogs to dementors, what did all that amount for? The betrayal of her friends, their distrust in her and their accusations had hurt Iris the most.

She felt miserable. She didn't belong anywhere, be it the muggle world with her aunt or with the wizards that would chew her up and spit her out if it's for their benefit.

She didn't know what to do anymore. Then, Edmund's voice resounded in her head. Why should she allow someone get the better of her? She had faced danger every single year and triumphed at the end. She was not some weak girl and she wouldn't let anyone trample her. No, she'll work hard and get stronger. She'll be much more than just the Girl-Who-Lived. She'll become an amazing witch whom her parents could be proud of.

Iris looked at Edmund who was now sitting opposite to her with his eyes closed. Perhaps he was meditating. Thinking about it, Edmund had helped her whenever she was in trouble. He talked to her when she felt lonely in first year. He protected her when Filch was about to grab her and accused her for harming his cat. Edmund helped her understand and comforted her when she was about to break in second year. He saved her from being attacked by Remus when he transformed into a wolf and lost all rationality. And now, he opened her eyes to the treachery of Dumbledore and even risked his life to get rid of Voldemort's soul piece in her scar.

Taking a few calming breaths, Iris asked, "Edmund?"

"Yeah? Have you made your decision?"

"I wanted to ask you something. Why are you helping me? You even risked your life! What do you get out of it?"

Edmund stared at her and gave her the most charming smile she had ever seen. "I thought it was quite clear by now. It's really simple. I love you."