"Those who have mastered Legilimency are able, under certain conditions, to delve into the minds of their victims and to interpret their findings correctly." For Iris Potter, these words defined her whole life. Born with a natural talent for Legilim...
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June 21, 1996
It was one day since Iris Potter had been declared in an untreatable coma to the Wizarding World.
Only those closest to her knew the truth: that her body and mind were merely frozen in the state she was in moments before her would-have-been death. They had rushed her stagnant body off almost immediately, bringing it to the Shielded headquarters away from prying eyes.
They told the world a tragic story. How Iris had spent her life in a heroic action to save her godfather— who was freshly liberated in the wake of the battle, his innocence plastered alongside her death notice in every copy of the news the next morning. It was easier to lie. They told the world it was unlikely she would ever recover enough to wake from her coma— she was as good as dead. It meant fewer questions and less uncertainty. No one had any idea how long it would take to find a solution to stop the girl from dying— if there even was one.
Harry Potter was not taking it well.
Not only did he lose his twin sister, but he was also introduced to a whole new realm of madness as the Shielded finally revealed themselves to him. They told Harry everything, including Iris' involvement and the lack of a cure for her current predicament.
Then, while still reeling from the loss, Dumbledore dropped one more bomb on his heavy heart: he was the chosen one. The elder headmaster, newly reinstated, explained the reality of the young boy's position and the true meaning of the prophecy. Harry didn't know what to do. He felt numb. The world seemed to have gone grey and empty without his sister. She was always the voice of reason, the guiding light, the strong post he could hold when he felt like he was slipping.
When finals ended and it was time to leave Hogwarts, Harry had his most difficult time yet packing up his belongings. He couldn't help but think of the dormitory on the other side of the common room, the one that housed the fifth-year girls, and he pictured his sister's things still out where she had left them, no one there to pack them away. Of course, someone would take care of her stuff eventually, but Harry's stomach churned at the thought of a stranger messing with Iris' possessions. He was sure they wouldn't put them away properly.
Never before had Harry gone home without Iris. The Dursleys were given a stern warning not to mistreat Harry at Platform 9 3/4 by several members of the Order. Harry couldn't help but notice Sirius was nowhere to be found. Remus told him the man had hidden himself away in Grimmauld Place, unable and unwilling to enjoy his new freedom, wracked with guilt over what had happened to his goddaughter, and his life a persistent reminder of her sacrifice.
Meanwhile, the Shielded headquarters had descended into chaos. No one was sleeping. Those who weren't out searching the globe for any hint of an answer had their eyes glued to ancient texts, reading through every passage, desperately searching for something.
