Chapter 7: The Triwizard Champions

Peri slowly walked passed the professors and other adults around her, feeling all eyes on her. She paused momentarily to look at Mad-Eye, his magical eye twitching. He gave her a light-headed feeling, she could not fully explain it, but she did not trust him and not for the way he had treated the students at the beginning of the term. She discovered the room, she entered to be small in size, the walls decorated with portraits of witches and wizards. A handsome fireplace off to her side, the fire within blazing giving a crackling sound. The faces from the portraits all turned to face her, those in the portraits were gossiping about Harry from the pieces of conversation she managed to get.

"It is Snape's daughter…" a witch whispered to a wizard with a walrus mustache.

The wizard gave a slight nod, "I had to have my portrait moved from that classroom when he…" he looked at Peri as she continued to the other champions, "When he and Ms. Rice…Banks now were together. I fled my original portrait in horror."

She wrinkled her nose shaking her head at that thought, "Not the image I want in my mind," she muttered under her breath.

Viktor, Cedric, Fleur, and Harry were grouped around the fireplace the older three were confused as to why Harry was there if not to ask them to rejoin everyone in the Great Hall. Cedric looked away from their conversation, hearing the clicking of her shoes, "Peri?" he questioned.

Harry and Fleur turned to face her with Viktor looking at her as well, " 'eri, Have zey come to ask you to bring us back to the Hall?" Fleur asked.

Harry noticed her expression, he knew it resembled his own, "No…" was all he could say before the doors behind her burst open rushing in with all the adults. Her mother placed a soft hand on her back while Ludo Bagman grabbed Harry's arm pulling them both forward. Cassie's touch was softer on her, while Bagman did not have a soft grasp on Harry.

Bagman squeezed Harry's arm as he spoke, "Extraordinary!" he told the older three, "Absolutely extraordinary! Gentleman…and lady," he began, "May I introduce — incredible as it may seem — the fourth…and fifth Triwizard champions?"

Viktor straightened up, his face becoming dark and he surveyed the two young students standing before him. Cedric appeared nonplussed, his eyes drifted from Bagman to Harry to Cassie to Peri and back again as if he was unsure if he had heard him correctly. Fleur tossed her hair over her shoulder, "Oh, vairy funny joke, Meester Bagman."

"Joke?" Cassie spoke this time, "No, no, not at all!"

"Mom…" Peri spoke in a hushed tone avoiding eye contact with anyone, she looked directly into the fire watching the flames dance as she listened.

"Harry and Periwinkle's names…" Bagman began

He was cut off by Snape stepping forward to stand just behind Cassie and Peri, "It is Peri…" his eyes resting on the back of Peri's head.

"Excuse me," Bagman questioned looking at him.

"She goes by Peri…her given name is Periwinkle, but her name is Peri."

He nodded slightly, turning back to face the students, "Harry and Peri's," he emphasized Peri before continuing, "just came out of the Goblet of Fire."

Viktor's eyebrows contracted slightly. Cedric remained politely bewildered. Fleur frowned hearing these words.

"But zair 'as been a mistake," she said contemptuously to Bagman more than Cassie, "zey are too young."

Bagman turned to look at Harry and Peri, giving soft smiles, "It is down in the rules, you're obliged to compete if your name is withdrawn…they will have to do their best."

Fleur looked at her headmistress and Remus, "Madame Maxine! Meester Lupin" she strode over to her, "Zey are saying zat zis little boy and 'eri are to compete also."

Madame Maxine looked at Dumbledore, "What is ze meaning of zis, Dumbly-dorr?"

"I would like to know that myself, Dumbledore," Karkaroff spoke, "Three Hogwarts champions…"

Peri pulled her eyes from the fire to look at the parchment in her hand, she caught that the school written on hers said Ilvermorny. She turned away from her mother to look at the adults behind her, "Ilvermorny."

"What?" Karkaroff asked her, everyone turned to face her.

She held the charred parchment, "Mine says Ilvermorny, not Hogwarts."

"Ilvermorny is not even a school participating!" he growled

Cassie took the parchment showing Bagman, "They are now…"

"She does not even attend school there."

"The Goblet believes she does, she is studying here under Hogwarts education but will compete for Ilvermorny."

"C'est impossible," Madame Maxine announced, her hand resting on Fleur's shoulder. " 'Ogwarts cannot 'ave two champions and zere cannot be a champion from a school not even invited to participate."

"We were under the impression your Age Line would keep out younger contestants," Karkaroff interrogated Dumbledore eyes glaring at him, "Other I would have brought a larger selection of students. Madame Maxine already brought three younger students."

"Madame Delacour insisted her sister come with me, I was asked by Madame Roux to bring her two children zere. Zey came with as long as I brought Meezer Lupin... Zeir mother will join us by the first tournament."

"Sirius Black's children…using them as bait to lure him back to Hogwarts."

Remus stepped forward, "This is not about Lady Ida and Lord Remy!" he raised his voice, "This is about the Triwizard Tournament. Their grandfather, Lady Emile's father, determined this would be an excellent learning opportunity for them to learn about different cultures."

"This is no one's fault but Potter's, Karkaroff," Snape said

"And what about Ms. King? Perhaps her mother added her name."

Peri looked at Richard who spoke up to defend his family, "Leave my wife out of this, she is in distress over this enough. These tasks are dangerous! We are all aware of this! You truly believe my wife would want to risk our daughter's life?"

"She is not even yours," Karkaroff's eyes went to Snape then back to Richard, "Perhaps you wanted to cause harm."

This made Richard's nostrils flare, his eyes going dark, "I have been there for everything. Every fever. Every nightmare. Every worry she has ever had. I would never hurt her or anyone in my family."

Snape was glaring at Richard but changed focus to relax his face some, "Do not go blaming Dumbledore for Potter's determination to break the rules. He had been crossing lines since he arrived here —"

"Thank you, Severus," Dumbledore said firmly.

Dumbledore turned his attention from the arguing men to the young students, "Peri, did you put your name in the Goblet of Fire?"

"She would never!" Cassie cried grasping a tighter hold on her in a protective motherly way.

He gave her a soft smile, "Cassie…"

She gave a shaky breath as Peri looked into her mother's sky blue eyes, "I would never," she assured her mother, then turned her attention to everyone around them, "I do not want to die." Her voice cracked as she spoke her final words.

"Did you ask an older student to put your name into the Goblet of Fire for you?" Dumbledore asked.

"No…Again I do not wish to die. I want adventure but not this."

Karkaroff rolled his eyes as Dumbledore turned to Harry asking him the same question. Peri watched as Snape, Karkaroff, and Maxine shook their heads disagreeing with Harry's answers.

"Ah, but of course, zey are lying!" cried Madame Maxine.

"They could not have crossed the Age Line," Professor McGonagall said looking at her two students, "I am sure we can all agree on that —"

"Dumbly-dorr must 'ave made a mistake wiz ze line," Madame Maxine said with a shrug.

"It is possible," Dumbledore said politely.

"Dumbledore, you know perfectly well you did not make a mistake," McGonagall argued, "Really, what nonsense. Harry and Peri could not have crossed the line themselves. They did not have any older students do it for them. Mrs. Banks did not want her daughter in this position, surely this is good enough for everybody to be convinced that someone put their names in without their knowledge."

"Mr. Crouch…Mr. Bagman…Mrs. Banks?" Karkaroff spoke, "you are our —er—objective judges. Surely you will agree this is irregular?"

Bagman wiped his face with a handkerchief, "We will follow the rules of the tournament, and the rules state clearly that those whose names come out of the Goblet of Fire are bound to compete in the tournament. We can no longer ask Mrs. Banks to be a judge, she can remain at the school as an assistant for the students with questions about the tournament, but seeing as her daughter is now a champion she can no longer judge due to being a conflict of interest.

"I insist upon resubmitting the names of the rest of my students. You will set up the Goblet of Fire once more, and we will continue drawing names till each school has two."

"This will not work," Cassie coming to a sense of normal speaking, "The fire has gone out and will not light until the next tournament. Even if we could, Ilvermorny cannot be counted with two participants unless I had my goddaughters submit their names. And quite frankly I would not like to harm any more of my children than I already am placing in danger."

"Then Durmstrang will not be competing," Karkaroff exploded, "After all these meetings and negotiations and compromises. I little expected something of this nature to occur! I have half a mind to leave now!"

"Empty threat, Karkaroff," Mad-Eye growled standing near the door, "You cannot leave your champion now. He has got to compete. They all have got to compete. Binding in the magical contract, like Dumbledore, said."

He limped forward, every right step there was a loud clank.

"Convenient? I am afraid I do not follow."

"Don't you? It is quite simple, Karkaroff. Someone place Potter's name into the goblet knowing he'd have to compete if it came out. To ensure he had someone there as young as he is they added King's name as well."

"Someone 'oo wished to give 'Ogwarts two bites at ze apples, plus Ilvermorny," said Madame Maxine.

Karkaroff gave her a slight bow, "I quite agree. I shall be lodging complaints with the Ministry of Magic and the International Confederation of Wizards —"

"If anyone's got a reason to complain, it's King and Potter," Mad-Eye growled, "but…funny thing…I don't hear him saying a word. We have heard King speak slightly about her feelings about this. Clearly stating she does not want to die, she is fifteen. She is a powerful, young witch…probably the brightest in her year, she remains terrified of death."

"Why should zey complain?" Fleur burst out, giving her foot a stomp. "Zey 'as ze chance to compete, 'asn't zey? We 'ave all been 'oping to be chosen for weeks and weeks. Ze honor for our schools? A thousand Galleons in prize money — zis is a chance many would die for."

"Maybe someone is hoping Potter is going to die for it," he growled, "And for his protection gifting him King as his guardian. Not caring if she survives or doesn't"

The tension in the room formed with silence from his words. Bagman bounced nervously up and down on his feet, "Moody, old man…what a thing to say!"

"You seem to have given this a great deal of thought, Moody." Karkaroff spoke coldly, "A very ingenious theory."

"It's my job to think the way Dark wizards do, Karkaroff — as you ought to remember…"

"Alastor!" Dumbledore warned. Peri could figure out the meaning of this knowing Mad-Eye was a retired Auror, but also by her mother pulling her closer. He fell silent while remaining to survey Karkaroff, whose face was burning.

"How this situation arose, we do not know," Dumbledore spoke to the entire room, "It seems to me, however, we have no choice but to accept it. Both Cedric and Harry will compete for Hogwarts while Peri compete for Ilvermorny."

"I will send word to Ilvermorny's headmistress," Richard spoke up.

Bagman nodded agreeing, "I will add a letter with yours," he turned to the champions, "Got to give our champions their instructions, haven't we? Cassie or Barty, who would like to do the honors?"

"I will," Cassie released Peri stepping in front of the champions. "The first task…The first task is designed to test how daring you are. We are not telling you what it is. Courage in the face of the unknown is an important quality for any witch or wizard. Very important. The first task will take place on the twenty-fourth of November in front of the other students and a panel of judges," paused allowing them to take in the information, "You will not be permitted to ask for help or accept any with any of the competitions that are held. If you do so…" a flicker of an idea crossed her eyes, she then gave a shake of the head stopping herself from letting the idea fully consume her mind. "You will receive the instructions for the second task once the first is complete. All of you are exempted from the end-of-year tests."

She looked at Crouch and Bagman, "That is all," Bagman informed everyone.

"Would you like to stay the night, Barty?" Dumbledore asked.

"No, Dumbledore. I must get back to the Ministry."

"You'll come for a drink before you go, at least."

Bagman looked at Crouch brightly, "Come on, Barty. I am staying…so are Cassie and Richard."

"I think not, Ludo."

Viktor and Fleur had already left the room with their headmasters, "I suggest you three go to bed," Dumbledore said with a smile on his face, "I am sure Gryffindor, Slytherin, and Hufflepuff, will be waiting to celebrate with you. It would be a shame to deprive them of this excitement."

Cassie went to hug her daughter, whispering in her ear, "I will protect you to the best of my ability."

She pulled her away looking into her eyes, pushing a long strand of dark hair back from Peri's face, "I love you, mom."

"I love you, too. My flower."

Peri began to walk out turning to wait on Harry and Cedric, as she waited she noticed the look that Snape and her mother shared. They both shared fear in their eyes, and fear of losing their child. Snape's eyes though had a hint of guilt, this caused Richard to become jealous stepping forward to wrap his arms around Cassie before pulling her out a different door to meet Bagman and Dumbledore for a drink.

The Great Hall was deserted; the pumpkins floating above had dimed to a low glow giving off an eerie quality.

"So," Cedric spoke with a slight smile, "We're playing against each other…again for me and you, Harry."

"I s'pose," Harry spoke barely audible.

They reached the entrance of the hall, "How did you both put your names in?"

"I didn't," Harry said staring at him, "I didn't put it in. I was telling the truth."

Cedric looked at Peri, "The whole truth and nothing but the truth."

"Ah…okay," he said, clearly not believing either one of them. "Well…see you both, then."

Cedric and Peri went toward their house entrances, "You do not believe us?" she questioned.

"No," he said stopping them to see if Harry was gone. He had already gone up the marble staircases.

"My mother is in charge of this competition alongside Bagman and Crouch. You think first I want to risk her placement. She has come a long way since the birth of me, why would I want to ruin that? I do not know about Harry, but I believe him. These tasks from what my mother and stepfather have informed me, are dangerous. Chance of death. I would like to live."

He blinked staring at her unsure what to say, "Death?"

"Death," she repeated then walked off without another word.

She made her way to the common room, as soon as she walked in she was pulled down the steps into the sunken living area of the common room. "You could have told us!" Pansy hissed as Peri pulled her arm from Draco's grasp.

"First…" she looked at Draco, "Stop pulling people."

He looked away from her, "What?" Pansy questioned then waved it away, "Why did you enter?"

"How did you enter?" Blaise asked

"I did not enter. Nor did I have someone enter for me."

Her cousin ignoring her statement, questioned her more, "Is it the money? Fame? Is that why you entered?"

She turned to Pansy, "No! I have money! I have fame from my stepfather! I do not need any of that. I did not enter. I do not want to participate yet here I am a champion in line to compete."

Pansy gulped taking a step back from her, "But how?"

"They are under the assumption someone wants Potter dead and has added my name to give the idea of giving him some protection as I am his friend. Cedric would not protect him, but two students who have zero interest in the competition are sure to protect one another. I am older and according to Mad-Eye smarter, therefore a better advantage for protecting him."

"So you didn't?" she questioned again.

Peri screamed in anger and frustration, "No! How we are related I will never know!"

She stormed off, Draco pausing before following her, "Malfoy," she said opening the door to proceed into the small entrance hall that led to their dorms. The entrance hall had two doors, a dark shade of green for the boy dorms and a silver-painted door for the girls.

"Malfoy?" he questioned stunned by the sudden name change.

She sighed, "Sorry…Draco, what is it? I am tired I would like to go to bed."

He bit his lip, changing his mind on his original words. "Good luck," he spoke pulling his hands from his back and giving her a solid white rose.

She raised a brow, "Thought you like my sister."

"I do, but I am aware of a ball that occurs in December because of this competition."

She gave a small nod taking the rose, "Yes…the Yule Ball. My mother is having our dresses made now, might need to make mine more elaborate now with my placement in the competition," she brought the conversation back to where it should be, "What about it?"

"Will you be my date?"

"Draco…I don't know…"

He sighed softly, "Please. I cannot go with Holly despite my wanting to. I hope she would understand and accept it more if I attended with you instead of someone else."

She took in his words, agreeing mentally this would perhaps appear better to Holly than watching him spend the entire night with someone she did not trust. "Alright…I accept."

He gave a weak smile before they separated to go to their dorms. She laid the singular white rose upon her nightstand giving it a spell where it would remain full of life even without water, She got into her bed, her life had certainly changed in the past few months. She suspected it was just going to change more and not to her liking.