Chapter 16: Legilimens and the Clue
A fire illuminated a dark room showing a figure sitting there in the open space as two more figures came into view. The room was damp and cold, despite the fire. The house creaked as the wind howled outside. The two figures crossed the room to kneel in front of the sitting figure in front of the fireplace, unable to be fully seen.
"Happy New Year, my Lord," the taller, skinner figure spoke, bowing his head.
"What does the girl say?" Voldemort spoke weakly.
He raised his head, "The girl is needing time to consider your offer, my Lord."
Voldemort hissed angrily, "Time? That was not an option. She joins our side or dies."
He gave a nod, "Yes, my lord…I believe she will need convincing."
"Convincing? How?"
"The second task. A single person closest to the champion is taken and they can save only one. I've monitored closely as you instructed and I've learned she is closest to a small group of people."
"Who?"
"Her sisters, her parents…"
"Severus?"
Barty shook his head, "No, my Lord. She appears to have no interest in him. She is closest to her mother and stepfather. Along with the Gryffindors, particularly the older ones."
"No, Potter?"
He shook his head, "No, my Lord."
This angered Voldemort, "That was the whole reason for placing her into the tournament! To get her on our side and befriend Harry Potter!"
"I'm sorry, my Lord. I will push them together."
"You better," he hissed, "Who else?"
"Draco Malfoy."
This pleased him, "Excellent," he breathed, "At least she is loyal to someone. The prophet shows them in a relationship, this will work..."
"But…"
"But?"
"She is secretly dating one of the Weasley boys. Her relationship with Draco Malfoy is all for the press, it's not real. She cares for him but not as a lover."
Voldemort hissed, "Fix it! Make her choose. She has to pick one to save during her next task. Make her choose Draco Malfoy or the Weasley boy?"
Barty nodded, "Yes, my Lord."
"Peri…Peri…" a voice called to her pulling her from her thoughts.
She turned to face the voice, it was Snape, they were supposed to be having another lesson. She had been waiting on him to join her in his office, she had been flipping through his copy of Advanced Potion Making when
The students had returned to Hogwarts a month ago and she had begun her lessons daily with Snape, but these lessons had pulled her from discovering the clue, as well as her reoccurring dream of Voldemort and Barty putting Draco and George in danger during the second task.
"Sorry…I'm here."
Snape raised a brow at her, "What is wrong? You have not been focused. I told your mother that your grades were slipping, even had to use Ms. Porter's grades to show her proof but your grades are now starting to slip."
"Just a dream…the same dream…Draco and…" she sighed, turning from the book she had been flipping through mindlessly to face him, "Draco and George are in trouble if the dream I keep having is real."
"Peri, why did you not mention anything?"
"It is a dream. It is not real."
Snape stepped closer to her, "The Dark Lord is playing with you. It is a game of his."
"I do not want to play."
"It is a game you choose to play or not! You are playing because he demands it. You do not get to pick, he knows who you will pick to protect the image you have created. You need to learn to control your mind. Focus."
He withdrew his wand, crossing to her, "Let us try again."
"No! No more! I am done!"
"Peri, you have to learn. You need to be stronger at this. The Dark Lord is going to continue to control if you don't…"
He raised his wand, she watched his movement but withdrew her wand and shot the spell at him, "Legilimens!"
She began to penetrate Snape's mind, the memory she landed in appeared to be from his time at Hogwarts. Snow covered the grounds, students were returning to the castle. It must have been a Hogsmeade day.
"Cassie!" a girl's voice called out, Peri turned to see her mother walking back from Hogsmeade with Ann and Patrick with Sirius, Remus, James, Lily, and…Peter not far behind them.
Cassie turned to face Ann, "What is it?"
"You are going too fast. Slow down."
Cassie laughed then ran off faster before stopping instantly in her tracks, "Why did you stop, Cas?" Sirius had joined their fun as he reached her.
"A periwinkle!" she rushed to the small flower to grab it just as a young Snape reached for it at the same time with their hands touching, "Oh, I'm sorry but I think I saw this first."
The young Snape quickly withdrew his hand, "I'm sorry…I was wanting to use it for potion making."
"Really? So was…"
"Are you bothering my girl, Snivellus?" Sirius asked, scowling at him as he wrapped an arm around Cassie.
Snape's eyes drifted to Sirius' hand on her waist then the flower on the ground, "It is alright, Sirius. Um…I'm sorry you are in our year and my house but I do not know your name. What is your name?"
Snape's eyes lifted to the soft blue of Cassie's eyes, glancing briefly at Lily behind them with James and then back at Cassie, "Severus…" he spoke nervously.
She gave a soft nod releasing herself from Sirius' hold, "Here," she picked up the flower offering it to him. Sirius rolled his eyes walking off with Lily, James, Remus, and Peter leaving her with Snape, Ann, and Patrick.
Snape looked at the flower in her hand, "You saw it first."
"There's no real proof of that. You take it, I am sure there will be more."
He slowly accepted the delicate flower, "Cassandra Elizabeth!" a girl's voice called to her. The small group of sixth years turned to see Cassie's sister Victoria approaching them.
Cassie groaned, turning to face her sister, "Victoria."
"What are you doing?"
"Talking to our housemate who is also in my year."
She shook her head, "Mum and father will not approve. You should not be associating yourself with dirty blood," she scowled at Ann, Patrick, and Snape, "You are currently dating Sirius Black, yes he is a blood traitor at the moment. You are ruining your reputation by doing that but hopefully, you can change his views. A sacred twenty-eight marriage, you would be a lucky bride."
"You are already engaged to Mr. Parkinson," she looked over her shoulder at Ann, "Who is closer to our father's age than our age." The two girls snickered before Cassie looked back at her sister.
"You do not understand the importance of this society."
"I understand completely, I simply do not agree with it. You could have also picked someone closer to your age, Narcissa did. Or love the person and not for how many galleons are attached to their name. Ann loves Patrick for who he is not his money."
"That is what your orphan half-blood friend chooses and Mr. Porter is making a wrong choice choosing a half-blood over a respectable pureblood like yourself."
She rolled her eyes, "Goodbye Victoria."
The four sixth-year students left her with Snape still holding the flower in his hand.
The memory changed to what appeared to be the evening of the same day from the previous memory. It was the Slytherin common room and a party was being thrown, the young Snape scanned the room standing on the outer edge as he spotted Cassie with Ann and Patrick on the other side of the room perched on the armrest of the dark-green leather sofa, they were drinking glasses of elf wine and butterbeer. Ann sat in Patrick's lap watching the other Slytherins dance and drink. Cassie's eyes found Snape across the room, she glanced away at her friends and their fellow housemates. Standing she handed their glasses to Patrick. She grabbed her friend's hand, who grabbed her boyfriend's hand to stand them up, "Cassie, what are you doing?" Victoria's voice could be heard.
"Dancing," Cassie kicked out her shoes, "Come on, Ann. Take off your shoes and dance with me."
The group laughed as they moved to the center of the common room, the three friends joined together spinning around the room clapping as they danced together with us joining in. She looked back at Snape as flower petals began to fall from the ceiling, she smiled at him and he smiled at her as Sirius walked in with James, Peter, Remus, and Lily. Sirius spotted his girlfriend instantly but followed her gaze to Snape. He wrinkled his nose at this and commented to James and Remus which they laughed at before he kicked off his shoes and made his way to Cassie,
The memory flashed forward to Dumbledore's office, she looked around before spotting a late-teen or early young adult Snape speaking to Dumbledore.
Dumbledore sat behind his desk with Snape standing to his left, a letter in his hand with a photo paperclipped to it.
"Cassie has given birth, Severus. A girl."
He shook his head looking down at the photo and letter in his hand, "I can't be a father. I have to push her away," he turned to leave, proceeding down the steps away from the desk.
Dumbledore leaned forward in his desk looking over his half-moon glasses, "You love her and she loves you. Don't lose your chance at happiness because you are scared to be a father."
Snape turned back to face Dumbledore, "I do love her, but I can't be the person either one deserves."
She was suddenly forced from his mind, having her stumble backward into the desk behind her, "That is enough, Peri!"
"My mother cared for you…"
"Your lessons are done," he spoke coldly.
She was speechless, "What? I don't understand…I need help making sure Voldemort does not penetrate my mind."
"Learn on your own," he turned and left the room, leaving her alone.
She sighed gathering her bag then looked over at the Advanced Potion Making book on his desk. She glanced back at the door where Snape had left before stashing the book in her bag and making her way to The Great Hall for lunch.
She was sitting in The Great Hall alone that afternoon with the Golden Egg on the table in front of her when Harry approached her, the two were not close and barely made conversation as it was except simple hellos passing in the halls and if they were actually in a group with the other Gryffindors they rarely spoke to each other.
"Hi, Peri…"
"Hi, Harry," she smiled kindly at him with a questioning tone to her voice. He stood silently till she sighed softly, "Is there something you needed?"
He looked at the egg, "Have you found out what to do yet?" he gestured toward the egg before her.
She shook her head, "No, my da…After Pansy's grandparents' ball, Professor Snape mentioned putting it under water."
He cocked his head to the side, finding this information interesting, "Really? Hmm…Cedric mentioned the same thing after the Yule Ball."
She gasped in surprise, "Cedric knows the clue? Are we the only two who do not know yet?"
"Peri, I found out last month when we returned from holiday. I thought you would have found out already otherwise I would have told you sooner. I still noticed you with the egg and figured you did not know yet."
She gave a thankful nod, "Thank you, Harry. That helps me a lot…I know Professor Snape told me to try it with water, but knowing another champion discovered the clue this way helps more."
He nodded agreeing with her, "Well…I'll leave you…good luck."
She gathered her things before making her way out of The Great Hall, "Peri? Peri?" George spotted her hurrying out.
She turned, "Oh, George. Hi…sorry, I can't talk. I think I figured out how to figure out the clue."
He looked at it, "Really?"
"Yes. Excuse me."
She continued her way to go up the stairs, "Wait…Peri, I'll come, too."
"Really?"
"Yes. I haven't seen you much since we returned. You are always with Malfoy or Professor Snape or even your sisters."
Peri sighed as they continued to climb the stairs to the fifth floor, "I am sorry. It is harder for me to avoid the press. Especially with the second task this weekend and my birthday next month. I've been asked to be on the cover of Witch Weekly during my birthday week. That issue will be all about me. It is my sixteenth birthday they are trying to make it a big deal."
"Sixteen is a big deal…at least for girls. Comes with a large birthday party, I'm sure the Ministry is going to try and milk your birthday to give the tournament more attention."
"That is what I do not want. I have always enjoyed my small birthday celebrations with my parents and sisters, but this year it is to be the same scale as New Year's"
"No one asks you what you want."
"Nope. They never will," she sighed reaching the fifth floor.
George looked at her sadly, "I wish I could help others see the true you."
She turned to him, "You can't! The press has to…"
"I know!" he closed his eyes, "I'm sorry…I know. The press has to think that you are in love with Malfoy."
"I'm sorry, I rather have you but this is the way things have to be."
He gave a gentle nod, he was starting to become impatient standing off to the side and watching another man pretend to adore her when he did.
"Come. Let us figure out this stupid clue."
The two approached the fourth door to the left of the statue of Boris the Bewildered, "The Prefect's bathroom?"
"It is a great place for a bath," she winked up at him before giving the password.
The two entered the perfect bathroom, she set the egg on the edge of the bath then took her wand from her inner clock pocket with a flick of it the water turned. She placed her wand on the ground turning to face George as she removed her cloak, "Well are you going to join me?"
He gave a small snort of a laugh as he watched her begin to undress, "Definitely joining you."
She smirked at him as she removed her cardigan and skirt then began to remove her tie and unbutton her white button-up, "You are a tease, Peri King."
"But you love it," she smirked finishing the last button and stepping closer to him, "Still going to join?"
His eyes traced her body falling on her slightly exposed breasts, "I will gladly skip potions for this."
"Then I suggest you remove some clothes," she ran a hand down his chest before turning and discarding the rest of her clothes on the side of the bath.
She could feel him watching her as she sunk into the perfectly warm bubble bath. She closed her eyes enjoying the relaxing feeling as she felt the water change with George's body being added.
His lips touched her's, "You are gorgeous," he commented against her lips, "And as much as I want to enjoy the view in front of me. I know you have a task to complete first," he ran his hands down the curves of her body as he spoke.
She looked up at him, their eyes connecting, "I do."
He leaned over and only removed his hands to reach the egg for her, "Give it a try."
She accepted it from him, "Harry said that he discovered the clue by using water."
She splashed some water on it before twisting the opening only to be hit with a shrieking sound.
"Ah!" The two yelled covering their ears as she dropped the egg under the water.
A ghostly laugh echoed from behind them. They turned to see Moaning Myrtle, "Hello you two," she giggled.
"Hello…" Peri greeted, "Sorry about the noise."
"It is alright. All the other champions did the same thing, none of you are very clever." She floated towards them, "It has been a while since you have come for a visit, Georgie. Long time no see," she giggled again as she tried to peak through the bubbles.
He just pulled more towards him, "I'm here to only help, Peri."
"Well have you been a good boy, Georgie? I was circling a drain last month and thought I saw a bit of polyjuice potion. Are you still trying to enter the tournament? You are a little late for that, but your girlfriend somehow managed to get in."
"Polyjuice potion? Have you been using polyjuice?" Peri asked George.
He rolled his eyes, "No, I have never. Ron, Harry, and Hermione did in the second year though."
Peri nodded, "Um…did you happen to see how the other champions discovered the clue?"
Myrtle nodded then dove under the water, "Well if you would look down under the water you would see what they saw," she spoke with a fake cough as they splashed out of the water.
Peri and George looked below them at the egg glowing, they dove underneath the water to see the egg starting over with the clue.
Come seek us where our voices sound,
We cannot sing above the ground,
And while you're searching, ponder this:
We've taken what you'll sorely miss,
An hour-long you'll have to look,
And to recover what we took.
But past an hour - the prospect's black
Too late, it's gone, it won't come back.
The two came up for air after she closed the egg, "It is the Black Lake…Are there merepeople in the Black Lake, George?"
"There are…but what could they take of yours?"
She looked up from the egg to him. Her voice was shaky with fear as she spoke, "Something I hold closest to me…"
"One of your sisters then. You are close to them."
"George do me a favor. Please avoid the professors and anyone in charge of the tournament this weekend."
He raised a brow in confusion, "Why?"
"Just do it, please."
He gave a confused nod as she climbed out of the water, "Where are you going?" he asked as she got dressed.
"To warn Draco of the same thing."
He groaned, "You told me what to do, you did not warn me," he called after her as she ran from the bathroom.