Chapter 19: Bittersweet Sixteen
The next morning she was awoken by Pansy, Draco, Blaise, Theo, Crabbe, and Goyle coming into her dorm with a stack of pancakes covered in syrup with whipped cream, sprinkles, and an already lit candle on top.
The group came in singing with an assortment of different breakfast foods: pancakes, coffee and tea, doughnuts, bacon, and many other delicious foods floating ahead of them.
"Happy Birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Peri. Happy birthday to you."
She sat up in bed smiling at all of them, "What's this?" she asked as the pancake plate floated in front of her while the other plates floated in different areas of the room, Crabbe and Goyle already eating on doughnuts as Draco sat on the edge of the bed next to her.
"It is your birthday!" Pansy cheered taking a seat at the foot of the bed with Blaise, "We had Draco speak to his old house elf who works in the kitchens now about making you a special breakfast. He spoke to Juniper about your favorite breakfast which is a very traditional American option, but regardless happy birthday."
Peri looked at the pancakes and the flickering candle then back at her friends, "Thank you. I appreciate this."
"Make a wish," Draco told her.
She leaned forward blowing out the candle.
"What did you wish for?" he asked her.
She looked at him, "It won't come true if I tell you."
He rolled his eyes as Blaise handed her a fork, "Better eat your breakfast before Crabbe and Goyle eat everything."
The group laughed as she accepted the fork from him.
That evening she stood outside the grand wooden doors to The Great Hall. Her dress came to her knees but had a train in the back giving the dress a high-low style. The tulle skirt was periwinkle along with the batwing sleeves. The bodice of her dress is white like the stay underneath. Her short stay was underneath the dress giving her a small amount of cleavage to show.
Voices could be heard from the other side of the door. She waited for the announcement to be made to officially begin the party. An echoing sound of a glass being clinked sounded and she heard Cassie begin to speak, "Good evening everyone! I wanted to thank everyone for coming tonight in celebration of my eldest, Peri. I would like to thank the Ministry of Magic for hosting this party in honor of Peri. With that, I welcome our birthday girl."
The doors opened revealing The Great Hall filled with every student, Ministry official, and her friend and family including Richard's parents from America. Everyone was in their best party clothes, and the room was filled with towers of different sweets from around the world. There was a slideshow, floating on the back wall where the head tables would usually be, of her through the year. The guests clapped and cheered as she entered walking in until she reached the front where she greeted her family with hugs, before turning toward her guests.
She placed her wand to her throat, "Sonorous."
Everyone watched her.
"Thank you everyone for being here to celebrate my sweet sixteen. Which by the looks of the room it certainly is going to be sweet," she joked with a laugh most of the room laughed with her, "If you told me a year ago I would be here at Hogwarts celebrating my sixteenth birthday surrounded by many amazing people and being an Ilvermorny Triwizard champion I do not think I would believe you. Here I am and I…" her eyes fell on George, "I would change some things that have happened in the past year, but coming to England is not one. Neither is meeting the people I have met. I have gained many friendships and relationships that are special to me. Now let the party begin with performances from Celestina Warbeck and The Weird Sisters."
The younger crowd instantly became excited with cheers as Celestina and The Weird Sisters entered from the side door, "Evening everyone!" they greeted.
"Hallie," Celestina spoke turning to look at Hallie who stood off to the side in a lavender tea-length dress of lace.
"Ma'am," she approached her.
"Peri tells us you are a singer yourself."
"I am…I did some shows in New York City and was a part of the Ilvermorny choir."
Celestina gave a soft smile, "Would you care to join us tonight for the performance?"
Hallie gasped, "Really? Yes…" she hugged Peri, "You are amazing."
Peri hugged her sister, "You deserve your dream. I want those I love happy, your dream is to be a star. A star you shall be. You are talented enough to be one someone just has to believe in you."
"Fred believes in me."
"Of course he does. He adores you, but Celestina and The Weird Sisters have the right connections."
She nodded releasing herself from the hug.
Peri made her way down the steps of the performance where she reached Draco who stood across the aisle from George. Draco offered her his hand, she looked at it and then at George before taking his hand and was pulled to the dance floor.
They danced together in pop dances instead of their previous formal ballroom dances, "What's wrong?" he asked her taking notice of her gloomy exposure.
She looked around the room, "I want…" she started then Draco pushed her in the direction of George who was dancing nearby with Fred, Lee, and Angelina.
"Happy Birthday, Peri!" Lee and Angelina told her.
"Did you know there would be an open bar?" Lee asked taking a sip of the drink in his hand.
She laughed awkwardly, "Yes, but it is supposed to be for the adults."
"Well, they are not paying attention to who they hand drinks to."
She gave a slight nod then looked at George, "George."
"Peri."
Fred looked back and forth between the two awkwardly before pulling Angelina and Lee closer to the stage.
"I am sorry, but can we move past this, please? I would give anything for you to know…"
George sighed looking up at the enchanted ceiling that was covered in a million stars, some forming constellations.
"I will be your friend. Does not mean I can forgive you yet, but I am willing to be your friend. Nothing else. I want to believe you are sorry and trust you, but I am not ready yet. I will be your friend until you are ready to admit those three words to me."
She bit her lip giving another nod, "I can accept that…can I dance with…" she started when the song Voulez Vous by Abba began to play.
"I am going to sing some of Peri's favorite no-maj songs now. If you know them to sing along if not well just dance," Hallie spoke then started to sing with Holly and Ida as her backup singers.
Peri laughed, "My sisters are something else. Come on," she pulled George closer to the Slytherin group as Fred rejoined them.
Both groups wrinkled their noses but a waiter came by with drinks which they all except Peri grabbed and quickly downed the contents. Peri danced around feeling happier since George had partially forgiven her, she needed to work on Holly. Holly was sweet and usually understanding but could hold a grudge when upset.
She danced with her friends smiling and laughing as Hallie, Holly, and Ida sang. Draco spun her around while dipping her a couple of times till he turned her around, "I have another gift for you," he spoke into her ear putting a necklace around her, "It is an M, but if you turn it the other way around it becomes a W."
She looked over her shoulder at him, "Weasley…"
"Or Malfoy…depending on how things go."
"Thank you," she placed her hand on it then caught glimpse of Bash across the room making her tense, "Draco…go dance with Pansy."
"Are you ok?" He asked cupping her face.
"I can't breathe," she pushed him away.
She began to make her way through the crowd to move quickly from Bash, "Peri?" Richard asked as she bumped into him and Cassie.
Her face was pale and everything was becoming dizzy, "Sweetheart?" Cassie asked concerned reaching out for her.
She backed up bumping into Snape who noticed her reaction, "Peri?"
The blood pounded in her ears. Her heart thudded in her chest. Her hands shook. Her feet tingled. Her vision was disfigured as if she were looking through a fish-eye lens. She had to get away. She couldn't stay near that party any longer. There was too much of a risk of someone walking out of it and trying to talk her out of her decision. Her grip was so tight that her nails dug into her palms. Breathing was hard. Hard. As if she'd just run the London Marathon. Her chest grew tight as bile rose in her throat.
Peri made her way back to the center of the floor with her parents following her, "Peri? Are you ok?" George and Draco asked together approaching her.
The crowd felt as if it were closing in on her while everyone continued to dance till suddenly everything was dark and she heard the echoing of voices.
"Peri!"
"Sweetheart!"
"P!"
Peri woke to a bright light making her squint, "Where am I?" she asked weakly, her voice hoarse. She peaked her eyes open enough to see herself in the Hospital Wing.
Shuffling noises were heard from her side, "Peri," Cassie's voice spoke, and she turned to the voice.
"Mama…" she spoke softly as her mom's arms were thrown around her, "You are ok." Cassie pulled away running a hand over her daughter's hair, "I guess the party was a little overwhelming for you."
Peri nodded before looking around to see everyone around her.
"You should have said something," Richard told her, "We never would have done this party if you had said no."
She gave a gentle nod, "Can I rest?"
"Of course…no classes next week. Just rest," Cassie kissed her head then looked at Snape, "No classes for her."
Snape looked at her coldly, "We both disagree a lot Cassie, but when it comes to Peri's wellbeing we agree. She is to rest next week. Heal herself."
"Well…" Richard cleared his throat, "We will come back in the morning," he kissed Peri's forehead then took Cassie's hand and walked out followed by Alicia and Mallory.
"You scared us," Hallie told her.
Peri sighed, "He was there."
"Who was there?" Draco and Ida asked exchanging looks then looking back at Peri.
She looked at them then her sisters, "Him."
"No!" Hallie and Holly gasped, "Sebastian!"
"Was he the one?" George asked
She nodded, "I was in a relationship with him in America…he got me in a lot of trouble. I was nearly expelled for it."
"What did he do?" Draco asked.
She shook her head, "I can't…I'm not ready to discuss that. Holly?"
Holly paused before taking Peri's hand giving it a gentle squeeze, "He got her addicted to Felix Felicis. It is very dangerous if overused."
Peri looked at her hands, "Can I please rest now? I will be back in the dorm tomorrow."
The group nodded giving her hugs and wishing her well, "I'll come by and help you to the dorm tomorrow," Draco told her before leaving.
George stayed behind, "You should report him."
"And say what? An incident that occurred a year ago I am still bothered by?"
"No…it will be ok. He will leave in a couple of months and all will be well."
He gave a stiffened nod, "We nearly lost you."
She gave a gentle laugh, "No you didn't."
"Peri?"
Her eyes looked into his brown ones, "Three words. Eight letters."
"Three words. Eight letters," she spoke shakingly.
As dragonhide shoes approached them, "I would like a word with my granddaughter."
They looked to see Erling standing in the doorway of the Hospital Wing.
George looked back at Peri who gave him a nod it was alright to leave her. He reluctantly left watching Erling intensely as he left.
Once they were alone Erling closed the doors behind him and locked them.
"You have a choice to make," he spoke approaching her bed.
She stood in fury attempting to make her appear more intimidating although it was not helping that she was in a nightdress with a thin black robe around her, "My choice remains the same! I am not becoming someone I am not."
He scoffed, "You did that by choosing Draco after the second task."
"No…I chose them both, but Draco kissed me. I did not choose him, that choice was never mine."
"You will end up on the right side or you will regret it."
She stood tall eyeing him, "No! My life is my own! I will fight for it. I will do whatever it takes to be my person. I will not marry Draco. I will not bow down to Voldemort. I will end this if it is the last thing I do."
"And what about Bash?"
This caught her off guard, "What…what about him?"
"He is a new piece in the game."
She shook her, "None of you will ever win. I am in control of my own life."
"A consequence will occur for your actions."
"I am willing to pay the price."
Erling gave a devilish grin, "I will inform my friends."
He turned to leave the Hospital Wing.
The following day she was sitting under a large oak tree reading The Daily Prophet while hiding from the others as they were treating her like a porcelain doll.
Last night Peri King celebrated her sixteenth birthday, the evening started as a spectacular filled with performances from Celestina Warbeck and The Weird Sisters along with a special performance by Hallie Porter. She sang a selection of Muggle songs that she stated that the birthday girl enjoyed.
The evening was going well until halfway through the evening took an unfortunate turn for the birthday girl. Peri King suffered a tragic illness causing her to faint during the party. Her family and friends rushed to her aid before having her sent to the Hogwarts Hospital Wing where she is expected to make a full recovery after having a touch-and-go all evening.
We are all thankful to see our Half-Blood Princess will live to see another day.
Peri groaned tossing the paper, "Incedio!" she shouted watching the paper burn to a crisp.
"We nearly lost you there, P."
She looked up to see Bash approaching her, quickly standing from her spot under the tree, "Leave me alone, Bash!"
"Oh? P? What's wrong?" he continued approaching her as she stepped backward.
"Leave me alone! You've caused enough pain for me. I am…"
"You are not happy. You are in a loveless relationship and pining after the hand-me-down ginger."
She scoffed, "I care for Draco very much."
"Do you love him?"
"I am not discussing this with you. Leave me alone."
"Perhaps you need a little courage in making a choice," he offered her a vial of liquid in a molten gold color.
She looked at the vial of Felix Felicis, "I do not want that…" he stepped closer towards her catching her in a deer caught in headlights state.
"Sure you do, P. You loved it. Could not get enough, I had to keep requesting more from my dealer."
His hand began to snake around her pulling her close to his body that they were touching. He uncapped the vial, "How about a little taste? A reminder?"
The scent began to overwhelm her senses, "I…I…"
"You!" A voice yelled over the hill as a jinx hit him and he flew backward landing on the hard ground.
"What the hell!" he yelled standing up and grasping his wand as Draco approached her.
"Are you alright?" he asked her calmly pulling her close to him, "How dare you to touch my girl!"
He smirked, "Your girl? May I remind you pretty boy that she was mine first? I know everything about her. Every curve. Everything that makes her who she is. I also know she much rather has a knockoff pureblood than the real deal."
Draco held Peri close to him, "Our relationship is none of your concern. I care for her deeply. I will protect her, especially from people like you. She does not need your potion to make her happy. She is happy."
Bash approached them, "Why don't you ditch the bleach and ginger boys? Come back to a real man."
She released herself from Draco, "I do not need a man to determine my worth. I am more than capable of doing that on my own. I just happen to have a relationship with a very kind man, one who cares about me and understands me," she looked back at Draco, "We would do anything to protect each other."
"Then be prepared to be protecting each other for a long time."
The two looked back at him, "What do you mean?" Draco asked.
"Just a warning from my uncle. Times are changing and Peri is a key piece tand o the plan."
"The plan?"
Bash walked past them without another word.
"What plan?" Draco called after him without a response back. He looked at Peri, "Do you know what he is talking about?"
"I am not sure, but something tells me we will know soon."
"You are not making sense."
She looked at him, "Be prepared is all I will say. Do not let your guard down. Continue to keep Holly at a distance, I will repair my relationship with her but keep her at a distance."