Chapter 17 (1/2)

Just as Edmund was about to explain Iris about all the shit she had to face, Iris spoke up in a low, quivering voice, ”It's professor Dumbledore isn't it?”

Edmund's eyebrows rose up to his hairline as he slowly nodded his head.

”I always suspected,” She continued. ”I have never trusted a.d.u.l.ts due to my experience with my family. When Hagrid brought me to Diagon Alley for the first time, he kept me extremely close to himself. Whenever I tried to ask him about my parents or the wizarding world in general, he was very tight lipped about it. All he ever told me was that my parents were good people and all dark lords were from Slytherin. At first I thought he was hiding things from me at his own volition, but, as I interacted with him I knew he was acting under orders.”

She looked up at Edmund who wasn't trying to hide his surprise from Iris. Looking into her eyes, he confirmed her thoughts with a nod and indicated her to continue.

”Then he suddenly disappeared when I was about to ask him how to reach platform 9 and 3 quarters. I was lost at the train station when out if nowhere this lady rushed past me and proclaimed loudly, 'There are muggles everywhere. Where was platform 9 and 3 quarters again?' Her daughter, Ginny, replied, 'Right that way mom.' I followed her and she helped me get through the gateway. I didn't know at first, but now I understand. Mrs. Weasley broke the statute of secrecy that day when she yelled out about muggles and the platform. She was also a student here so why did she need to ask her daughter about the platform? It was for me. She was probably ordered by someone to help me reach the platform. That someone was none other than Dumbledore.”

Iris continued to amaze him. The girl was really clever to have deduced all that. He kept quiet and sat down on a chair that had just appeared behind him.

”Ron was a git at first. But when he saw that I didn't like his attitude towards Hermione, he changed within an instant. When I did much better than the two in our first test, I could see the loathing and jealousy in Hermione. Ron on the other hand was angry that I did better than him when Professor McGonagall had praised me. He didn't express it, but he did nothing to hide his anger. I didn't want to lose my only friends and so I decided to drop at Ron's level. You were right, I shouldn't have done that.”

All the time Edmund kept looking intently at her. A small tear rolled down her rosy cheek as she sniffed. Reaching forward, he gently wiped away the tear with his thumb and cupped her cheek. Iris looked at him, her watery eyes were red with all the emotions welling up inside her. Edmund nodded again, showing his support with a smile.

”They kept others away from me. I don't really talk to others or have many friends because they are always nearby and drag me away or change the conversation. I used to think they were being protective. How naive I was,” Iris chuckled bitterly.

”At the end of first year I, along with Ron and Hermione went after someone who was trying to steal the Philosopher's stone. Do you know what they were hiding at the third floor corridor?”

Edmund nodded and interrupted her, ”Yeah, I know. I was there when you passed all the obstacles and confronted Voldemort.”

Iris was shocked and shouted, ”How?! I didn't even see you there!”

Crap. Nervous about her next possible reaction, Edmund rubbed the back of his head and replied, ”Well, you see, I... may have been following you since the night we met in front of that mirror...”

Iris narrowed her eyes at him while he averted his eyes away.

”How were you able to follow me without anyone seeing you?”

”I will tell you once you are finished telling me about past three years, I promise.” Edmund replied with a sincere expression.

Iris continued staring at him. Not noticing any lies, she nodded and continued, ”As you had seen, the traps were really easy. Three first year students were able to get through them, how could they possibly stop anyone who wanted to steal the stone? That was when I first suspected Dumbledore. Before second year Ron and his brothers rescued me from my relatives and took me to their home. When Fred and George told Mrs. Weasley about my living conditions, she outright dismissed them. She coddled me and fed me a lot. It was overwhelming. I didn't realise it before, but now I do. She always made me sit with with Ron and made him go wherever I went, to accompany me. She did the same last year at the Leakey Coldren. She was never too subtle about it and kept mentioning how cute we looked together.”

Edmund was seething by this point. 'How dare she! That no good lard of fat!'

Iris continued, not noticing the storm brewing in his eyes. ”She's been trying to get me closer to Ron, in more than a friendly way. Well, second year started like the first, just with a house elf creating problems for me.”

'Problems, she's moderating that elf's involvement. I'd wring that stupid elf's neck for hurting her.' Edmund narrowed his eyes.

”It all started when Filch's cat got petrified. I really wanted to thank you for helping me when he accused me for what happened to his cat. When Dumbledore claimed me being innocent until proven guilty, I felt betrayed. He all but said that I was a suspect. Why would he do that to me? He had been so good to me. He even returned my father's invisibility cloak!”