Chapter 22: The Vision

The morning Peri went to sit outside, she sat enjoying the cool morning breeze. She closed her eyes letting the wind play with her dark locks.

"Peri," a voice spoke to her, she opened her eyes to see Richard crossing the grass towards her. "You are up early today."

He was dressed in one of his usual three-piece suits with wide lapels and high-rise cuffed trousers, he had a variety of colors but this one was a glacial green color.

"So are you."

"I am always up early." He took a seat next to her on the lawn. "Are you disappointed we won't be returning to New York City?"

She looked out at the area around them, "I am unsure as of right now. I am looking forward to France for the summer, but we have to get through the third task. I am nervous, Richard."

He wrapped an arm around her, "I would be concerned if you weren't but you have done amazing. I have zero doubts that you won't succeed."

She leaned into him, "Richard…I have a strong feeling something bad will happen."

He placed a kiss on the top of her head, "Nothing will happen I promise. We have the strongest protection for this tournament. Professor Moody has been tasked with hiding the Triwizard cup and your mother trusts him greatly. They knew each other very well when she lived here, apparently, he was very close to Patrick. Viewed him as a son."

"Patrick? Hallie and Holly's father?"

He nodded, "Yes. He was already a strict, cold person according to your mom but it was something about Patrick that made him open up. He would laugh and smile if they were having a conversation but after Patrick died he turned more into the person he is now."

"Oh…I think my da…Snape was that way when before. But he lost mom."

Richard was silent for a moment before answering. "You can call him dad if you want."

She shrugged, "I don't know. I feel like I should but I also feel I need a moment to say it. A reason other than him simply assisting to give me life."

The two sat in silence with the morning breeze.

"Did they find Mr. Crouch?"

Richard shook his head, "Unfortunately, no they never did."

"How is Mal?"

Richard laughed, "Wanting to be a healer now because Viktor thinks she should be."

This made her laugh, too. "The girls adore him."

"Guys, too."

"True…what about Alicia?"

He shook his head, "She likes him for quidditch, but otherwise no. She did speak to Charlie Weasley when he was here for the first task. She found his job fascinating. Of course, this terrifies your mom."

"Anything of danger terrifies her."

The two laughed, "Come on, squirt. Let's go get some breakfast."

The next morning Peri was eating her breakfast with her friends and Draco when Ida approached the table. "Peri."

She looked up from discussing the paper with Draco, "Morning Ida. Have you met your cousin Draco?"

Ida looked at Draco, "Bonjour." Her tone was monotone toward him not her usual happy voice, but she remained polite.

"Morning." He responded simply by giving the same monotone voice.

Peri let out an annoyed huff rolling her eyes, "So Ida what's up?"

"Oh…Harry needs to speak to you about the final task."

"And he couldn't come over here himself?"

Ida looked at the students in green, "Um…it is the Slytherin table that wouldn't be alright. Please just speak to him. Also, Hallie needs to make take your measurements for the task outfit."

"Is it going to be revealing again, P?" Crabbe and Goyle asked with food in their mouths.

Ida wrinkled her nose at them, and Peri ignored them, "Tell Harry to meet me in the courtyard in fifteen minutes I will speak to him then."

She nodded and walked off with the guys watching her walk away with her Beauxbaton dress swaying as she walked.

"She is gorgeous," Blaise commented before Pansy slapped his arm. "Sorry, Pans but she is. Draco, why didn't you mention your cousin was hot."

"Because I have never met her until now and I wouldn't dare admit if I found my cousin attractive or not. I can see her appeal, but she is also foreign and that makes her attractive. Plus my mum and her mum are not close and her father was in Azkaban for thirteen years, who also was not close to my mum after he was disowned by their family."

Peri rolled her eyes before leaning into them and whispering, "Why don't you boys learn to respect women? We are not toys for your pleasure, you want a toy go visit Zonko's but treat women correctly."

"Women are not equal to men," Crabbe and Goyle spoke mouths still full of food.

She gave them a side eye before standing up and grabbing two knives from the table. She leaned into them stabbing their ties with the knives, "I may be a woman but I wouldn't test me."

"Peri!" Cassie scolded rushing from the Head Table with Richard and the other professors behind her, including Snape. "No!"

Peri groaned removing the knives and standing up straight, "They were…"

"Peri! No! Nothing gives you the right to attack students!"

The entire hall was now watching this interaction, Cassie shook her head looking at Snape, "She's in your house."

Snape stared at Peri, his eyes and expression cold, "Detention till the school year ends and we will continue detention once the term resumes in September."

She looked between her three parents, "Richard…"

He shook his head. "No, Peri. You know better."

Peri groaned, grabbing her bag. She made her way to the courtyard, entirely forgetting about Harry till he approached her. "I'm sorry you got in trouble, Crabbe and Goyle probably deserved it."

She looked up, "Harry…that's right you wanted to talk to me…but yes they did, but it doesn't matter I've basically been grounded."

He sat on the bench she was on with her, "This is for you." He offered her a piece of parchment, "Sirius sent one to me and asked I give you this one."

She accepted it, "What is it about?"

"Simply? To protect ourselves during the final task."

She nodded, "Thank you…"

He stood leaving her alone in the courtyard, she opened the letter.

Peri — we have not met fully in person, but I ask that you please protect Harry during the final task. I thank you for keeping him safe during the second task. He told me about how you saved him during the task. I have feared that there has been someone highly dangerous lurking at Hogwarts. You and Harry ending up in the Triwizard Tournament is no coincidence. Someone wants to attack you and Harry, I am unsure why they would target you. Harry, I could understand especially after the World Cup. I do not understand why you are unless they are attempting to target your mother.

Practice your hexes, stunning and disarming. Anything you can think of. Perhaps asking Hallie to incorporate some protection into your task design. I would keep your distance from that boyfriend of yours and stay close to your family. Make sure my children stay safe, I could never live with myself if something ever happened to them. Keep your head down and look after yourself. We will speak again. Properly in France.

Sirius

Peri returned inside spotting Hallie and Fred near the grand staircase, "Hal!"

Hallie was standing on the third step to reach Fred, her arms wrapped around his neck as Peri approached them, "Hey!"

"My outfit for the final task, I want to discuss it."

"Really?!" she squealed releasing herself from Fred to hop down the steps. "Bye Freddie! Go play with Georgie! My sister needs fashion advice!" Hallie pulled Peri down the hall to an empty classroom.

Peri nearly stumbled into a desk, "I just wanted…"

"Winky!" Hallie called out ruffling through her bag.

Winky appeared with a pop. She was wearing a baby pink dress dusted with a light shimmer and a white bow tied around her waist. , "Ms. Hallie, how can Winky assist you today?"

Hallie looked up from her bag, "Where are my sketches for Peri's final task?"

The elf popped away then returned rushing to Hallie's side with a pink notepad, "Here, Ms!"

Peri smiled watching Winky pleased to serve Hallie, "Thank you, Winky! You are a big help." Hallie gave her a small bag of money.

Winky looked at Peri, "Ms. Hallie takes care of Winky. Winky adores Ms. Hallie."

"And I adore you Winky," Hallie glanced at the elf with a smile. "Now Peri, I am thinking we go for your colors of Slytherin green and silver and your Ilvermorny house of Thunderbird colors purple and silver. So I am thinking of creating an almost tracksuit. Think Juicy Couture from the no-man world, although I would never wear that. It isn't classy but works for you, especially for what we need."

Peri looked down at the sketch. Her last name was written on the back in silver block lettering. The rest color was a tie-dye look of green and purple, but a dark purple making it almost appear black.

"You will have a pocket inside the pants, but not that you will put your wand away."

She nodded, "Could Fred and George provide me with some of their pranks to help me?"

"Um…I suppose. I could talk with Fred and ask him. It might be hard to conceal them, but we can try."

"What about ways of preventing someone from touching me?"

"Touching you?" Hallie questioned. "I can try, but might have to ask Holly or Ida to use their charm skills to add some advance spells to it."

"Please."

Hallie nodded but noticed the fear her sister had, "Something has you worried. Is it about what happened to Mr. Crouch?"

Peri looked out the window, "There's danger lurking out there and I worry about what it will mean for this task and the future." She bit her lip turning to her and Winky. "We need to be prepared for the worst."

Hallie raised a brow, "What do you mean? You are scaring me, Peri."

She approached her sister, "You will be alright. I will protect you." She wrapped her arms around her, "Nothing will harm you. I know we joked about you and Fred rushing things but I strongly believe now he would do anything to protect you. He loves you very much. He would die for you, Hal. I doubt he will die anytime soon but if I can't protect you he will."

Hallie hugged her sister close sucking in a breath, "George would do the same for you. Even if he remains distant from you, he would do anything to protect you."

Peri pulled back from the hug to look at Hallie's emerald-green eyes, "You are special, Hal. Never forget that."

"So are you." Peri stepped back grabbing her bag that she had placed on a desk. "I trust you completely to design a perfect outfit…make it maybe a bit more skin-tight though."

Hallie giggled rolling her eyes, "Sure. Not really the point of a tracksuit to be skin-tight but sure."

Peri left the empty classroom and made her way up the main staircase to her class, the corridors were mostly empty minus a few students who had a free period. She had some of the younger students stop her and ask for autographs. She always signed their pieces of parchment or photos of herself, even if she did not understand why anyone wanted her autograph.

She was on the second floor heading for her Arithmancy class with Professor Septima Vector when she felt a sudden rush of pain causing her to fall against one of the walls.

Peri's eyes squeezed shut as a vision of some kind played in her mind.

"Karkaroff's nephew did not help her become closer to Draco Malfoy, my lord. It seems to have made her become closer to George Weasley." Barty Crouch Jr.'s voice echoed in her mind.

"She must trust Draco Malfoy fully!" a cold, whispery voice hissed.

"Of course, my lord. We can push her in his direction with the final task."

"Peri!" a voice called out to her, and she felt a hand on her. She pulled herself out of her trance feeling a headache to see Harry crouched next to her. She had ended up on the floor. "What happened? Did someone attack you?" He helped her sit up, taking a chocolate bar out of his robe pocket. It was soft when he handed it to her. "Sorry, I was in divination it is always warm in there, but I keep chocolate on me all the time just in case of moments like this. Remus does it, it is more for dementor attacks but still, it is a happy food."

"Thanks…" she took a small bite. "You will think I'm crazy if I tell you."

Harry laughed, "Believe me others might, but I wouldn't."

"I have dreams and visions about Voldemort planning something for the final task. He has been trying all year to ruin me and you…make me pick Draco instead of George. This started as a plan actually between me and Draco so Holly wouldn't have to see him with someone else like Pansy."

"Wait! Malfoy likes Holly?"

She nodded, "Yes, but they rarely speak especially after the second task."

Harry bit his lip looking down the corridor towards Dumbledore's office, "Come with me. Let's talk to Dumbledore about this, I had a dream about Voldemort myself and I was heading to speak to him about it. I believe you might be right to suspect something is coming and not something good."

She nodded and stood up with Harry's help.

"Lemon drop?" he spoke tentatively.

The gargoyle did not move.

"Do you know the password?"

"I did, but it was changed this year." They stared at the gargoyle, "Pear Drop. Er — Licorice Wand. Fizzing Whizbee. Drooble's Best-Blowing Gum. Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans…oh no, he doesn't like them, does he?...oh just open, can't you?" he was becoming frustrated as he kicked the gargoyle. "I really need to see him, it's urgent!"

"Chocolate Frog!" he yelled as he stood on one leg. "Sugar Quill!"

Peri glanced between him and the gargoyle, "Let me try." She placed a hand on his shoulder running through her mind the different treats and snacks they had available here in Europe. "Cockroach Cluster?"

The gargoyle sprang to life and jumped aside. The two of them blinked.

"Cockroach Cluster?" Harry asked, amazed.

"I was joking, but alright."

Harry hurried through the gap in the walls with Peri directly behind him as they stepped onto the steps of the spiral staircase, which slowly moved upwards as the doors closed behind them, taking them up to a polished oak door with a brass door knocker.

Voices could be heard from inside the office. They stepped off the moving staircase, Peri watched Harry hesitate to listen in on the conversation.

"Dumbledore, I'm afraid I don't see the connection at all!" It was the voice of the Minister of Magic. "Ludo says Bertha's perfectly capable of getting herself lost. I agree we have expected to have her by now, but all the same, we've no evidence of foul play, Dumbledore, none at all. As for her disappearance being linked with Barty Crouch's!"

"And what do you think happened to Barty Crouch, Minister?" Mad-eye's voice growled.

"Our child is about in this tournament and we are quite worried about her safety," Richard's voice spoke.

"I am beginning to wonder if we should continue with the task," Cassie voiced. "Viktor was attacked by Barty."

"Didn't Peri attack two students just this morning at breakfast?" Fudge asked.

"How dare you!" growled Richard as a crash came making Peri and Harry jump at the sudden noise. "I refuse to believe Peri would attack someone simply because. She would do so to defend herself or her family. Those Slytherins have been awful towards our children except Peri simply because she is one of them otherwise she would be exiled from their group."

"You are not a prince, Richard. Just because your family has…"

"I have more diplomatic representation and immunity around the world than you do," Richard growled.

Cassie cleared her throat, "Darling," she started.

"This does not change from us finding out what happened with Barty Crouch," May-eye growled.

"I see two possibilities, Alastor," said Fudge. "Either Crouch has finally cracked — more than likely, I'm sure you'll agree, given his personal history — lost his mind, and gone wandering off somewhere —"

"He wandered extremely quickly if that is the case, Cornelius," Dumbledore said calmly.

"Or else — well…" Fudge sounded embarrassed. "Well, I'll reserve judgment until after I've seen the place where he was found, but you say it was just past the Beauxbatons carriage? Dumbledore, you know what that woman is or two of her younger students currently with them?"

"I consider her to be a very able headmistress —and an excellent dancer. As for the younger students if you are referring to Lady Cressida and Lord Remulus Noir then I'm afraid you will need to backtrack on that thought they are fourteen and thirteen years old. They are not capable of taking down a grown man."

"But their father is a mass murder."

"Sirius did no such thing!" Cassie yelled angrily, "That trial he had, which Emilie had to beg for was barely even a trial."

"Cassie. Dumbledore, come!" said Fudge angrily. "Don't you think you might be prejudiced in her favor because of Hagrid? They don't all turn out harmless — if, indeed, you can call Hagrid harmless, with that monster fixation he's got —"

"How dare…" Cassie began but was stopped by Dumbledore speaking.

"I no more suspect Madam Maxime or the children than Hagrid," Dumbledore spoke just as calmly as before. "I think it is you who are prejudiced, Cornelius."

"Can we wrap up this discussion?" growled Mad-Eye.

"Yes, yes, let's go down to the grounds, then, " Fudge said impatiently.

"No, it's not that," said May-Eye, "it's just that Potter and King want a word with you, Dumbledore. They're just outside the door."