A New Shade of Black [HP fan-fiction]

Chapter 2.

'Okay Iris, I'm going to ask you this one last time. Who are you and where did you come from?'

I said nothing. Just like I haven't said anything for the last 6 hours of these interviews. I looked over at my integrator, Mr Winslow. A wizened face peered out from under a wedge of blue hat, which was the only thing on his otherwise bald and mottled scalp save a sparse fringe of white. His eyes were so heavily weighed down with wrinkled folds that it was almost like talking to someone asleep, yet he was quite alert. His voice so high and crisp. i could feel myself pulling away as fair as the arm chair would let me.

'Iris dear, I am your friend. I was asked by the Mystery of Magic to help you. To understand who you are and where you are from.' His voice was suddenly soft and calm. 'I'll be honest, the Mystery think you are a threat because they have no idea who you are. So you need to help them out and talk, because then you can go on and leave here and we wont bother you again, and live your life the way you want.'

I broke my silence.

'You want me to talk? Fine, I will. To Hermione and nobody else.'

Mr Winslow sighed in frustration but I knew my battle was won. He slowly stood up and I could hear his rickety joints crunch. He left the office, leaving to me to my own devices. I looked around the peculiar room.

If I painted the walls black the room couldn't be any darker. The once frilly net curtains at the window are thick with over a decade of grime. The light that struggles through fails to reflect from the once beige carpet that is more like a forest floor in both color and texture. The walls could be any shade at all, I can't tell. I wanted out off here fast.

I didn't have long to wait until Hermione came. With a brief knock, she entered the room with a smile across her face. I felt at ease instantly. I knew I could trust and talk to her. Wow, I could get all that from just a smile. She was good. 

'Hello Iris, How are you getting on? They said you wanted to speak to me instead of the others.'

'Yeah well, the three others weren't very 'understanding' of the situation. Especially the last guy. He was semi human, semi something else...'

Hermione chuckled to herself. She came over and eased herself slowly into the opposite arm chair to me. It was like she was afraid to do too much movement. I frowned at this but thought nothing more of it. it was probably nothing to worry about.  She looked at me with kind eyes and I knew now was the time for taking.

'How old are you Iris?' Hermione questioned.

'20'.

'Really? I would have thought you were much younger. You know I have a young daughter. Her name is Rose and she's eleven. She looks just like her father. Has the same eyes, hair and same personality. However I'd like to think she got my brains! Sorry, I'm rambling'

'No, that's quite alright. Its nice to hear a mother talk so fondly of her child. I wish I could still hear my mother still say such things.' The words had left my mouth before I could stop. Merlin, I'd given too much away. Hermione was quick to catch on.

'Oh? Where is your mother, Iris?'

'Dead', this statement was blunt and took Hermione away. 

It was then that her view of Iris started to change, She was not thins troubled up to no good delinquent, but a troubled child in need of the guidance of family.

'May I intrude and ask how she passed?' She was hesitating, aware that at any moment I could shut up speaking. I probably should have but then how could I get what I need. I kept on going. I took a deep breath before stating;

'My mother was murdered by Death Eaters three months ago. And they are coming me for next.'

Hermione was in no way expecting that because she shut up talking for a solid ten minutes.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Once things returned to semi normal, Hermione started to talk again.

'Are you sure they were Death Eaters Iris? I mean that a pretty big accusation to make.'

I left out an exasperated sigh. 'Yes I'm sure. The fact that the wore sliver masks and black silk hoods and all had a serpent tattoo on their forearm was a pretty good indicator'

'But they could just be copy cats! Obsessed with the idea of Voldemort and simply idolise over his actions. How can you be so sure?'

Frustration and nerves were really kicking in now. I had thought about the moment for months. When I finally tell all and let the truth my month kept for so long, out.

'Hermione, I know of you and all the heroic things you did so I know you will help me. These men, these vultures are real and they are the truth. They have been after my mother and me ever since they found out about us. They murdered my mother as an example of what they would do to me and others if they didn't get certain help. But more fool them. I will not abide by their rules. I will NOT let them get away with my mother's death without punishment. And above all, I will NOT betray the world that my father fought and died for. '

Hermione's eyes looked deep inside me and she knew I wasn't finished.

A tear rolled down my cheek and my body trembled. Some how I mustered up the courage and spoke in a barely audible voice.

'I will not let my father, Sirius Black, die in vain'

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Thank you so much for reading this! It was a long time coming but I didn't want to write of Christmas! But I'm back now and in action! Sorry this was so short!

PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!