Chapter 5: Beauxbatons and Durmstrang
It was a week before the arrival of the students from Durmstrang and Beauxbaton, Peri had gone to Madame Pomfrey to request a contraceptive potion. She had been making these previously at Ilvermorny but never actually used them. With the arrival of their guests, she wanted to be prepared for any opportunity she might have to be with a foreign guest. She had attempted to make the potion in the potion's classroom here at Hogwarts but was caught by Snape.
Her eyes locked on the window outside as the sky became gloomy, they were to be expecting a storm later that evening. She remembered back to earlier that day to her in the classroom attempting to create the potion.
She had the cauldron simmering as she added the appropriate ingredients when Snape approached her from behind. His hovering over her made her stomach turn. He made her nervous, although she rarely showed it.
"Ms. King," his voice was cold as he examined the ingredients before her.
She continued making the potion praying he would not notice the ingredients' particular use or notice that she had broken into his storage room, "Professor," she spoke in a hushed tone.
He drew his eyes away from the ingredients to look at her side profile as she kept her face away from any full contact, "Are you aware of the potion you are making?"
She placed another ingredient into the cauldron, "Yes, sir."
"Is this for you or someone else? I am aware of Ms. Porter and Mr. Weasley's detention time they have been given for the inappropriate actions they were performing on school grounds."
She turned to him now, "Hallie and Fred were not engaging in any inappropriate actions. They were making out, yes. Nothing more perhaps it could have gone somewhere else, but it did not…"
"Because they were caught."
"Yes, but they both know neither one of them is ready for that step. She is fourteen, she certainly is not ready."
Snape's eyes left her to look at the cauldron before returning to her, "This is for you then?"
She did not answer just turned away from him to continue.
"I cannot allow you to continue," he gave a swish of his hand making the cauldron along with the ingredients disappear, "If you want this potion you will go to the hospital wing for proper documentation of this."
She turned back to him in a huff, "I was trying to avoid people knowing."
"You are fifteen you should not even be considering this."
"This is my body and I chose," she stood up, snatching her bag and going straight to the hospital wing.
"Ms. King," a voice spoke, "Ms. King." The voice pulled Peri back to reality, "Seeing as you took the potion at Ilvermorny I will grant you the potion, remember to follow the instructions directly otherwise…" Peri nodded understanding. Madame Pomfrey had a quill writing in the file, her file of medical history was quite thick. She had a lot of fights before at Ilvermorny which resulted in many injuries. The dark brown bottle handed to her from across the table, Madame Pomfrey nodded, "I will see you in a month."
Peri got up from the wooden chair she had been sitting in and moved across the office to the door. She opened it and on the other side stood Hallie with her hand raised to give the door a gentle knock. She noticed her sister's face went from feeling anxious to fear, "Peri…what are…" Hallie's eyes caught a glimpse of the vial in her hand, "Are you ill?"
She glanced down at the vial enclosed in her hand before stuffing it into her robe pockets, "I am not ill…just a potion. I promise I am fine," the two stood in silence for a moment, "Are you alright? You look like you just saw a ghost…well it is possible you did but not to scare you."
"I need a potion myself…Fred mentioned it to me."
Her hand gripped the cold, slick vial within her pocket, she was aware of what this potion was now. It was the very same potion she had just received, "Hallie…"
She was cut off from her words when Madame Pomfrey approached from behind her after putting Peri's file away, "Ms. King, you may return to your studies," she looked over her shoulder giving a slight nod, stepping around her sister and walking out of the Hospital Wing.
She waited for what felt like hours outside the Hospital Wing doors, Pansy passed by her alone, "Peri?" She questioned her cousin's concern. This was the first time she had spoken to her directly in the two months they had met.
Peri looked up from the ground as her head was spinning with the idea of her sister, her fourteen-year-old sister potentially engaging in sexual activities. She was a hypocrite because she was doing the same acts herself, but she cared more for her family than herself.
"Pansy?" she questioned
"Why are you outside the hospital wing?"
She wrinkled her nose in confusion, "What?"
"You are standing outside the hospital wing. Are you alright?"
She gave a small nod of her head, "Yes…why?"
"We are family…by blood. I may not approve of your blood but I can still be concerned about my family. I have no one else but our grandparents and my parents. I do not expect us to be close but I will worry if you end up in danger."
Peri gave another small nod, "I appreciate that. We do not have to like each other, but we can worry about one another."
Pansy nodded in agreement and then walked off letting Peri develop a small smile on her face, she may not respect her mother's family's beliefs but she was pleased to know her cousin would still worry for her despite their differences. Soon after she left, Hallie walked out of the double doors of the Hospital Wing. Peri grabbed her arm to stop her from continuing walking ahead, "Hallie Ann!" she scolded
"Peri…" Hallie avoided eye contact with her.
"You are fourteen years old!"
"Am I? I was not aware that I must have missed a few birthdays," she spoke in a sarcastic tone.
Peri rolled her eyes, "What are you doing getting a potion like that?"
"I could ask you the same question…but you have been sleeping around too."
She eyed her sister, "This is not about me."
"And this is my business. I have a sixteen-year-old boyfriend, I love him, and he…I believe he loves me. We have not said it yet."
Peri shook her head, "You have known him for two months? You do not get to be intimate with someone you barely know."
"Excuse me. This is not a hook-up situation like you do. I am dating him."
She scowled at her, "You will watch her tongue."
"I do not have to be respectful to you. You are not superior to me. You are my sister nothing more. You are not even related to me by blood. You do not get to control me. This is my life, not yours," she stormed off. Peri watched her leave before returning to her dorm in anger.
The 30th of October arrived, and the students stood outside watching for the arrival of their foreign guests. The Beauxbaton students arrived by a flying carriage being pulled by a dozen winged horses, each the size of elephants. The students gasped out their magnificent beauty, Peri stood with her housemates watching the winged horses glide in for a landing, "Beautiful," she said aloud
"Indeed," Draco agreed, his eyes looking down the rows of students towards Holly.
She followed his gaze, "Will you go for her already?"
He looked at Peri, "You know I can't."
"Then be a secret, Draco."
He went silent and turned his attention back to the Beauxbaton carriage, their headmistress who was a full giant was greeting Professor Dumbledore.
"Is that Professor Lupin?" she overheard a student ask.
"It is," another answered the classmate.
She had heard of Remus before, her mother was good friends with him. He attended the wedding of her mother and stepfather, but he did not visit much as he usually resided in the French countryside with his godchildren. The children of Sirius Black, lived with the children's mother to help her care for them while their father was away in Azkaban. He took a year break to teach here at Hogwarts before returning to France to care for the children despite them being in school themselves. She did not know the children but their family received Christmas cards each year from the family.
Her eyes immediately landed on the two siblings. They resembled their father, especially the boy. His curly, dark black hair and grey eyes. He was thirteen, born in June the year following his father's arrest. Remulus Noir. His name was unique. A name that was a combination of his uncle, Regulus Black, who had died before his birth, and his godfather, Remus Lupin.
His sister who shared similar features had followed the theme of her lineage before her. Astrology-based names. Her name was Cressida, although to most she was called Ida. Their father wanted to remove any trace of his family while their mother who believed in family values kept the tradition of astrology names but changed the last name to have a connection to her French ancestors.
She watched the students, Remus, and the headmistress disappear into the school for warmth. Her mother and stepfather are there inside the entrance to greet them properly and provide them with refreshments before the Welcome Feast.
Slowly appearing from the heart of the whirlpool was a long, black pole. The ship rose magnificently out of the water, gleaming against the moonlight. It had a skeleton-like figure to it. The misty lights shimmering from the portholes give a ghostly effect. It anchored down followed by its headmaster and students disembarking. The headmaster greeted Dumbledore, then brought forward Krum to meet their headmaster. Students became excited around her seeing Krum stand below them from the hill they were all watching from.
They made their way inside for dinner after the official introductions of the schools, everyone seated at their respected house tables. "Now that everyone is settled in and sorted, I'd like to make an announcement," Dumbledore started, "This castle will no longer be only your home this year, but home to some very special guests this year as well." As he spoke her mother took a few steps forward, "I will allow Ms. Banks to give the further introduction," he stepped to the side allowing her to step up to the podium to give the rest of the speech.
She cleared her throat slightly, "I mentioned this at the beginning of September when everyone first arrived. Hogwarts has been chosen to host a legendary event. The Triwizard Tournament. For those of you who do not know the Triwizard Tournament brings together three schools for a series of magical contests. A single student is selected from each school to compete. If you are chosen you will stand alone, these contests are not for the faint-hearted. Believe me, I have been there to hand pick these contests," she paused observing the students, "For now please help me in welcoming the enchanting students from Beauxbaton Academy of Magic," the doors flew open, "And their headmistress Madame Maxine, accompanied by Mr. Lupin."
The students all turned to watch the stunning young ladies enter followed behind them by handsome young men, thinner in appearance than the Durmstrang students that they had caught a glimpse of when they arrived. The Beauxbaton male students gave off the appearance of being the picture of a prince.
The students and Karkaroff reached the front where they greeted Dumbledore and Cassie as the Beauxbaton students had before them. Dumbledore moved to the front, "Hogwarts! Let's entertain our friends in the best way we can. All stand!" Everyone rose to a stand where the students sang the Hogwarts song, this was far more embarrassing Hallie thought than what the other houses had done. The Beauxbaton students released butterflies from their cloaks and the Durmstranf students performed as if it were a circus, far more entertaining than this silly song. Thankfully she had been asked by Mr. Crouch and Cassie to perform a muggle song to become a figure of being welcoming as she was a transfer student to Hogwarts. She managed to drag Peri and Holly into the song as well, much to their disapproval.
Once the song ended, Cassie switched places with Dumbledore, "The Ministry of Magic has also welcomed a treat of entertainment for all you," she performed a spell allowing the music to start. The students from muggle backgrounds recognized the song "We Are the Champions" by Queen getting the students excited, even the students with no knowledge of muggle music seemed to already be enjoying the tune. Much to their disapproval, Peri and Holly had been dragged to perform alongside Hallie. She watched as Hallie began, all eyes turning towards her.
[Hallie]
I've paid my dues time after time
Hallie rose from her seat as she sang, all eyes turning towards her, as she glanced over at Peri to begin her verse. She started her verse, rising from her seat.
[Peri]
I've done my sentence But committed no crime. And bad mistakes, I've made a few
[Hallie]
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face, but I've come through
Holly joined in as the three walked the aisles of tables towards the front.
[Hallie, Holly, and Peri]
And we mean to go on and on and on and on
[Peri]
We are the champions, my friends
[Hallie]
And we'll keep on fighting till the end
[Hallie, Holly, and Peri ]
We are the champions, we are the champions
[Hallie]
No time for losers, because we are the champions
[Peri]
Of the world
[Holly]
I've taken my bows and my curtain calls. You brought me fame and fortune, everything that goes with it, I thank you all. But it's been no bed of roses, no pleasure cruise
[Hallie]
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race, and I ain't gonna lose
[Hallie, Holly, and Peri]
And we mean to go on and on and on and on
[Peri]
We are the champions, my friends
[Hallie]
And we'll keep on fighting till the end
[Hallie, Holly, and Peri]
We are the champions, we are the champions
[Hallie]
No time for losers, 'cause we are the champions
[Hallie and Holly]
Of the world
[Peri]
We are the champions, my friend
[Hallie and Peri]
And we'll keep on fighting till the end
[Hallie, Holly, and Peri]
We are the champions, we are the champions. No time for losers, 'cause we are the champions of the world. We are the champions of the world
The trio reached the front taking a bow to the audience once finished, the entire room filled with applause. Peri noticed the smile on Hallie's face hearing the cheers, her mother came over to her daughters wrapping them in a hug and smiling at them, "You three did amazing," she whispered to them then let them meet the students.
They met the Beauxbaton students first, while Hallie remained interested in Ida and Remy. Peri turned her attention to the Durmstrang students, where she met Krum, "Hello," she greeted him. He was skinny but had strong mussels with dark, sallow skin. His nose was large and curved with thick black eyebrows, which matched his dark hair. His hair had been shaved to a buzz cut.
"Hello, I'm Viktor," he greeted offering his hand to her to shake.
She gave him her hand which he brought to his lips giving her delicate, pale-skinned hand a soft kiss, "Peri."
He put her hand down softly, "Peri? Is that not a boy's name?"
"It is short for Periwinkle, but I get that a lot."
Her mother approached her, "Peri, why don't you escort Mr. Krum and his schoolmates to your table."
She looked at her mother, "Yes, mother."
They made their way to the Slytherin table where she introduced Krum to her friends.