Chapter 31 (1/2)

It was hard for Edmund to let Iris go and continue living with her relatives. He understood her reasoning for it but that didn't make it any easier for him.

Edmund knew that Iris would never tell him if she was harmed in any way or was in danger. Curses to her low self worth and self sacrificing mentality. So, unknown to her, Edmund had added intent based seals and runes into her pendant. Anyone wanting to harm her or if she was in distress and panic, the pendant would inform him about it.

Going back to their homes, Edmund and Iris had shared a compartment and locked it to avoid any interference, wanting to spend as much time together as possible before parting their ways.

With a hardened glare, Edmund watched as Iris was taken away by her uncle as some wizards, namely Arthur Weasley, threatened the fat waste of space. Were they trying to dare him and make things difficult for Iris?

Edmund stormed towards the floo and went back to his manor. He needed clear his head to work on getting some alliances.

(ROTS)

It had been over a month since he returned from Hogwarts. Alliances were forged, meeting were held and investigations were carried out.

Fudge had royally screwed the magical Britain. Less funds for the auror department had resulted in decreased quality as well as the number of aurors. Various laws had been passed against all kinds of magical creatures that were considered dark. They were prejudiced against by the wizards. No wonder they were flocking towards Voldemort these days, wherever the shit was hiding. The ministry coffers were at their lowest and were decreasing day by day. Even the Unspeakables department was suffering.

All this achieved by manipulations of one man, Lucius Malfoy. He had the minister in his pockets. The man had worked for years to slowly cripple the ministry and has done a great job at it. Fudge was just a puppet hungry for galleons and fame. The ministry employees were all prejudicing half wits and boot lickers.

If Edmund decided to clean up the ministry, more than half of the offices would be vacant.

Edmund was taking out his frustrations on his clones when he sensed extreme distress. Iris was in danger. Without a second thought, Edmund flashed to her location.

He found himself in a tunnel. Iris was reaching out for her wand as a dementor rushed towards her while a boy too fat for his own good was struggling as he was pinned down by another dementor.

What in the world were two dementors doing in a muggle area? Weren't they controlled by ministry? There had never been cases of rogue dementors since.... Voldemort's first rise. Furious, Edmund took out his wand from his holster and yelled, ”Expecto Patronum!”

Edmund stared at the patronus in wonder and awe. It was his mother's animagus form.

Iris looked at the patronus and then the person it belonged to. Her face lit up and all the tension in her vaporized. Getting up, she tacked him into a crushing hug.

Edmund's spell was ended when Iris hugged him. He put his wand back into the holster and hugged her back, a sense of being whole once again budding in his heart.

Iris looked up him in wonder and asked, ”How did you know I was in danger?”

Edmund sheepishly smiled and replied, ”You see, I knew you would never call me for help if you think the situation will put me in danger. So, I kinda added a few seals and runes that would tell me if you were experiencing intense negative emotions.”