Chapter 29: A New Beginning
The following morning Peri walked to breakfast with her usual Slytherin group, Draco appeared to be in a depressive state, "Draco. I am sorry," she told them as they walked to breakfast.
The breakfast had been mandatory for Dumbledore, he knew the school might not want to be up early so he set his discussion on Cedric's death for later in the morning to give those a chance to sleep.
Draco looked at the floor, "Peri…please not now. We were supposed to protect each other. I get why you won't now, but I can't have her. I can never have her, but I cared enough for you to be with you instead."
"You are my friend and you will meet a wonderful witch who will make you just as happy. I hope it will be Holly, but if not I am sure you will find someone as equally perfect."
He raised his eyes to look at her, "I'm glad you found happiness."
They entered The Great Hall, she spotted George at the Gryffindor table with Fred, Lee, and Hallie. Hallie was writing away on a piece of parchment that Fred kept crying to take from her for him to read. She kept swatting his hand away.
"We will see you in France at the end of July right? For Ida's birthday?"
He groaned, "Yes. For some reason my family got an invitation to her birthday, I met her once when she came to talk to you. Never met her before and certainly haven't seen her since. But the invitation came from her grandparents."
"You know it is a masquerade ball. Perhaps you will find your moments alone with a certain blonde."
He looked at Holly who had her nose in a book, "Perhaps I will."
Together they took their usual seats.
Once the Hall was settled Dumbledore began to speak, "Morning everyone. Today, we acknowledge a terrible loss." He paused to collect his thoughts as he stood from his chair, crossing to his podium in front of the house tables, "Cedric Diggory was, as you all know exceptionally, hard-working, infinitely fair-minded, and most importantly a fierce, fierce friend. Now, I think, therefore, you have the right to know exactly how he died."
"You see Cedric Diggory was murdered by Lord Voldemort! The Ministry of Magic does not wish for me to tell you this. But not to do so, I think would be an insult to his memory. Now, the pain we all feel at this dreadful loss reminds me and reminds us that while we may come from different places and speak in different tongues our hearts beat as one. In light of recent events, the bonds of friendship we've made this year will be more important than ever."
Peri looked at her Slytherin housemates, at Draco, over at the Ravenclaw table where Ida and Remy sat with a large black dog at their feet, and over to the Gryffindor table where her sisters were with her Gryffindor friends. She glanced down the Slytherin table to the Durmstrang students, particularly at Viktor. Before briefly looking at her parents, all three of them. Her attention returned to Dumbledore.
"Remember that, and Cedric Diggory will not have died in vain. You remember that and we will celebrate a boy who was kind and honest and brave and true, right to the very end."
The Hall had soft tears and sniffles of students throughout the Hall.
Peri stood at the end of the service and left before she heard her name being called behind her.
"Ms. King! Ms. King!"
She turned to see Ludo Bagman, "Mr. Bagman, lovely service."
Bagman appeared to seem less than his usual happy behavior, "Yes, lovely but very unfortunate circumstances."
"Quite unfortunate."
"Minister Fudge wanted me to give you this," he took a bag of gold from his pocket and placed it in her hand. "This was to be given to you yesterday at the presentation ceremony, but the circumstances…"
She held the bag of gold in her hand.
"One thousand Galleons as promised to the winner…or winners."
She looked up from the bag, "Do you know where Mr. and Mrs. Diggory is?"
Bagman raised a curious brow but nodded. "Yes, they were sitting at the front of the Hall during the service."
"Thank you."
She rushed back into the Hall and pushed past everyone leaving, some quietly congratulated her but most ignored her. She reached Amos Diggory and his wife, "Mr. and Mrs. Diggory."
They were having a conversation with Hallie, "Hal? What are you doing?"
Hallie had just given Amos something that he put into his inner coat pocket, "Just expressing my condolences. Excuse me."
"Weird…" Peri thought shaking her head. "Mr. and Mrs. Diggory, I wanted to give you something."
"Oh?" Mrs. Diggory said drying her eyes.
Peri took the bag of gold and placed it in Amos' hand, "These are my winnings for the tournament. It won't bring him back sadly, but you both deserve his earnings. I don't need them, but you deserve them."
Amos looked at the bag of gold, "Peri…my dear girl…we can't accept this."
She shook her head, "And I can't either. Cedric deserved to win, please take it and do something for Cedric."
Mrs. Diggory placed a hand on Peri's cheek as tears started to fall, she wiped them away. "We accept. Perhaps we could create a charity or scholarship in his honor."
"That would be lovely. Please, Cedric would love that I am sure of it."
Amos was quiet for a moment still looking at the gold in his hand, "A Quidditch scholarship…Cedric loves…" he blinked away tears, "Loved…"
Peri stopped him, "No, loves. He is gone but he still loves Quidditch. We hold that memory of him alive."
"He did defeat Harry last year," he gave a weak smile, "Of course, Harry was attacked by dementors…"
"No, he won. Hold onto the memory."
Amos looked up from the gold to her, "You are far too kind to be a Slytherin, Peri King."
She shrugged, "Your kindness or rudeness does not make your house. I am a Slytherin because I am ambitious, determined, and self-preservation. I have pride in my friends and family, not myself. I am at the top of my class for the entire fifth-year class which some might consider cleverness. Slytherins have a bad reputation for being unkind, my mother is a Slytherin and she is nothing like them."
"You still would have done well as Gryffindor or even a Hufflepuff."
"We all possess different qualities from different houses," Peri said as she spotted her sisters talking with Eva and Ida. "Have a good summer, I hope to see you both again one day."
"You too, Peri."
She stepped around them going over to them, "I just invited Eva with us to come to France for the summer," Ida said.
"I'll have to ask Minister Fudge, but I am sure he will agree. He likes your family."
Ida looked across the Hall at her mum, brother, Remus, and her dad still in his animagus form, "I get to go home and have a family."
Peri looked over at Ida's parents talking with Richard and Cassie, "I have a feeling mine is going to change. My dad threatened my mom to sue her for custody of me."
Hallie and Holly snapped their heads to her, "What? Can he do that?" Hallie asked.
"His name is on her birth certificate, but never signed it. But you already will see him more than Cassie and Richard," Holly said.
Peri's eyes traveled to Snape who stood alone observing those still in the Hall, "Unless…"
"Unless?" the group of girls asked.
She looked back at them, "He is going for full custody…"
She was trapped in her thoughts.
The Greater Good…
Snape is a Death Eater…
Lord Voldemort is back…
Her dad never wanted custody till The Dark Lord returned…He's back and now he wants her.
She didn't hear George come up behind her and spin her around to face him. "Hey, Peri."
Every thought she had washed away instantly seeing him smiling down at her. She smiled up at him, "George!" she wrapped her arms around him kissing him.
"You two are going to turn into these two," Holly said disgustedly as Hallie and Fred were already snogging each other. "Will you two please get a room?"
Hallie pulled herself away from kissing Fred, "We certainly plan to in France," she laughed as Fred wrapped his arms around her.
"Don't worry, Hol. We won't disturb you," Fred teased.
The group laughed as Peri noticed out of the corner of her eye as Harry approached Amos Diggory and his wife offering them his bag of gold, but they refused him. He still tried but they continued to refuse.
"Eva…what if you had a foster family instead of being stuck in a hotel room given to you by the Ministry."
"A home? I have a home…it is rather a cold feeling despite it being very…yellow. Grandmother loves floral patterns, especially sunflowers, and various shades of yellow. Grandfather left it that way after she died or so I was told. But a foster family? I guess it would be nice to have a real family."
Peri looked at her and then the Diggorys as Harry approached them still holding the bag of gold, "What about the Diggorys?"
"They just lost their son, Peri." Holly hissed at her.
"Nonsense, they might enjoy having a young person to distract them, and a girl at that. I am sure Mrs. Diggory would love an excuse to spend time with a daughter. She only had Cedric."
Peri grabbed Eva's hand as Harry approached the group, "Hey Harry."
"Hey, Peri," he said as he asked for Fred and George to speak with him privately.
Peri reached the Diggorys as they were about to leave, "Mr. and Mrs. Diggory, I know I shouldn't be asking you a favor."
"You know Eva Beausman?"
Amos looked at her stunned, "Lydia Beausman's daughter?"
Eva nodded, "Yes, sir. She was my mother."
"Hello dear," he shook her hand as did his wife. "How can we help you, Peri?"
Amos was still in shock, "Would you both agree to foster, Eva?"
"What?" they both said, still in shock.
"Eva is an orphan. Her father is to receive the Kiss and her mother is dead. Her grandparents are no longer here as well. She has no one. Would you both give her a home?"
The two exchanged looks, "We were thinking of a cat to help heal," Mr. Diggory said.
"But I suppose this would be better. We are very sorry about the loss of your grandfather…Eva."
Eva looked at her hands, "Thank you. He wasn't the easiest person to get along with but I loved him."
"We can grieve together and you will love Hogwarts."
They thanked Peri and escorted Eva out with them talking about Hogwarts and Quidditch.
She smiled watching them leave as small smiles appeared on three of their faces. Suddenly George came up behind her, he kissed her cheek. "Hey, sexy lady.
She turned to face him smiling happily at him, "You must be looking in a mirror."
He laughed, "Last I checked I am not a lady."
"And I am certainly glad about that," he teased leaning down to capture her lips in a kiss.
She rolled her eyes, "As I am."
He released the kiss, "Fred and I are going to open our joke shop. Harry gave us his prize money."
Peri gasped, "Really?!"
He nodded, "Yeah, we are getting our joke shop. We plan to open it in Diagon Alley. We are excited because Fred says he can now provide for Hallie like he says she deserves."
"Well, he does love her."
"And I love you."
"And I love you, too. But I am Hallie. Hallie is a princess in her mind and Fred treats her as one. He thinks she should do nothing, but be pretty. She agrees. She rarely carries her books, he does that for her. Our relationship is different than theirs. Mine was a loveless one with Draco, it was because I knew Voldemort was coming back and I needed to protect my family. Of course, it did start as me protecting Holly's feelings then I learned I was wanted for something else. I don't care anymore. If I have Voldemort wanting me I rather die with the one I love most not pretending to love someone the most."
George pushed a piece of her hair back, "You surprise me daily, Peri."
"Maybe because I am sneaky like a snake," she laughed making him laugh as well.
He kissed her again, "I love you."
"I love you, too."
The following morning a special edition of the Daily Prophet came out. It was a memorial piece of Cedric's death. Following many theories describing his death. Some blamed her and Harry for his death. Others said it was a freak accident. Peri ignored everyone asking her what truly happened, as they didn't want to believe that Voldemort was truly back. Even George barely believed her, he knew she faced trauma in that task but didn't accept that Voldemort was back.
She was ready for the summer to begin. A summer in France, the Weasleys were coming and Hermione would join them for a couple of weeks in about a month. Peri walked around the property watching her mom and papa walking together. They were going to make the pregnancy announcement public but decided to wait until everyone left Hogwarts. Although the information was slowly becoming leaked out.
Peri was receiving congratulations for winning and for becoming a big sister. Richard's parents would come to England in December to be there for the birth of RJ. She was excited to have a baby brother, it would be a new blessing for their family. A way to end the year on a high note.
She sat down at the edge of the black lake looking out at the water, she spotted Mallory and Viktor closer to the Durmstrang ship. Viktor was still close to Hermione, but he seemed to adore Mallory.
Alicia was getting to know all the current first years and trying to make friendships, that she would have for next year. Peri couldn't believe her little sister would be starting school. She would be begging to join her house's Quidditch team, but unless she was as talented as Harry she would have to wait. Although she might be, she enjoyed practicing with Ginny on her time off.
Holly was speaking with her again and seemed to be happy again, although she was not speaking to Draco yet. Not that she would know if the two were speaking again. She did know Draco was sending his origami bird notes to her, but she would ignore them. There was a small pile of them sitting on her bedside table.
Hallie though was equally obsessed with Fred as she had been all year, except she had been anxiously waiting for the mail to arrive every day. When asked what she was waiting on she would simply tell them, "You'll see. It will be great!"
Fred spoiled her in every possible way he could, he would pick her flowers or find stones by the lake he would enchant to appear shinier. Hallie would turn these stones into different pieces of jewelry to keep close to her or preserve the flowers in frames she hung around her bed. "It cost him nothing but his time. It makes it priceless to me." She would tell someone if they asked her why she didn't want real jewels that cost actual money.
Footsteps approached Peri as she sat by the lake, they started as four sets of footsteps and turned to two. Someone took a seat next to her, "Hello, Peri."
She glanced over seeing Sirius, "Hi, Sirius…how are Ida and Remy?"
"They are alright. Em, is terrified about us returning to England for the new school year. She doesn't think I should return to the Order because of our children. She says they lost me once, they shouldn't have to worry about losing me again. Part of me agrees I need to be there for them, but I can be out there protecting them. If I stay inside and don't fight let my friends fight how can I forgive myself."
Peri shrugged, "I don't know, but mom didn't fight last time."
"True, but she had you. You are her everything…her children are her everything. She certainly won't fight this time with her having your brother. But Richard agreed to fight."
Her eyes went wide turning directly to Sirius and his scruffy appearance, "What?"
He nodded, "He told Remus and Dumbledore he wanted to fight, and protect his family."
"No…what if we lose him."
"You won't lose him, Peri. I doubt Dumbledore would allow Cassie to lose her husband. We have to trust Dumbledore."
She looked back at the water. She began to doubt who she could trust.
That evening there was a toast made in Cedric's honor, but none of the Slytherins except Peri raised their glasses and drank to his name.
"Why are you all so cruel?" she hissed at them setting her glass down.
"We really shouldn't be talking to you. You hurt Draco," Pansy snapped back at her.
Peri shot her a look, "Draco and I broke up, we are still friends. The breakup was mutual."
Draco looked away from Dumbledore to Peri across from him, "No. The breakup was not mutual, Peri. You ended things for a blood traitor. You went against the Dark Lord, and now the rest of us are being tasked by our parents to get you to join him. My father says I have failed him because you've chosen a Weasley."
She looked at him stunned, "Draco, you gave me a necklace that could change from an M to a W because you knew I loved him."
His stare was cold, "I did no such thing. We leave in the morning for home, you find another group to sit with next year."
"Draco…we are friends."
"No," he shook his head, "You are friends with mudbloods and blood traitors, not Slytherins."
The final feast was called to a close and the Slytherins stood leaving Peri alone at the table, George came over to her. "Hey… what's wrong?"
She looked up at him from her untouched plate of food with tears in her eyes"I've been exiled from my house."
"They aren't worth it."
"They are my friends, George. They might be rude to everyone else but they were never unkind to me…Pansy was but that was because she liked Draco. Now…even Draco won't speak to me. The Slytherin Prince has exiled me."
"And as the Half-Blood Princess you can control them."
She rolled her eyes as she stood up, "Please, don't use that title. I do not enjoy it."
"Right now I won't because you are upset but I'll tease you later with it."
She laughed reaching up to kiss him, "I need to go pack. We are going directly to France with Ida and her family in their carriage. Harry convinced Dumbledore to let him come for a week and only a week for Ida's birthday."
"Well, then I will see you in a few days. Mum wants to go home first and have us pack our summer clothes."
"I'll see you there."
They kissed once more before parting ways.
She returned to her common room, the Slytherins looked at her as she entered but turned their backs on her immediately and began to gossip about her.
"She broke up with Draco for a blood traitor."
"I heard. A Weasley at that."
"This is why Half-Bloods shouldn't be allowed in this house, they disappoint us all."
"My father says she told the Dark Lord no. That she refused to be the one to provide him, heirs."
"Her a half-blood? Provide the Dark Lord with heirs?"
"Apparently because high figures around the world respect and adore her family, he wanted to use her."
Peri entered her room to find her roommates packing but the instant they saw they pushed past her. Muttering the same things under their breath.
Once they were gone and the door was shut, she slid down it in tears. She lost her friends. Friends she never thought she would care if she lost. After a few minutes, she managed to pull herself up, "Juniper…" she called out.
Juniper appeared with a pop. She was dressed in a cream-colored pantsuit, "Peri…oh dear…what's wrong?"
The elf rushed to her side, "I am fine…please help me pack and deliver my trunk to my parents' suite. I will be staying with them tonight."
Juniper nodded, "Of course."
She scampered over to Peri's trunk and began to pack but felt unsure about how Peri truly felt. She did not believe she was fine. Peri helped Juniper pack her trunk, she opened her bedside table to take out her copy of Advanced Potion Making and handed it to Juniper without looking at the cover.
"Should we toss this, Peri?" Juniper asked opening the cover to where it said Property of The Half-Blood Prince. "I think you misspelled your name."
Peri quickly looked back at the book and took it back, "No…I found the book. It was in the spare book cupboard in my dad's classroom. I thought it would be helpful for next year."
"We can give you a new book."
"No…no…I want this one, it has notes in it. It will be helpful for learning."
Juniper nodded, "If you are sure."
"I am."
They finished packing and the following morning she went down to say goodbye to everyone as they left for the station, "See you soon, Peri." Hermione hugged her.
"Bye, P." Ron hugged her as well, "See you in a few days."
"See you both soon!"
"'eri!"
She turned to see Fleur running in her direction from where she had said bye to Harry.
"We will see each uzzer again, at Lady Ida's birthday."
"Yes, of course! It will be a pleasure to see you again."
"And you!"
She put her hand out, "I am 'oping to get a job 'ere, to improve my Eenglish."
Peri shook her hand, "I am positive you will. Speak with my parents, they work for the Ministry. They should be able to help you."
"Oh, thank you! I will when I see 'hem again in France. Goodbye, 'eri! Bye 'eri's sisters."
She waved bye as Peri looked at her sisters around her, "Why can't I take the train back with Fred," Hallie groaned. "I have to go forever without him."
"It's five days," Holly told her as she waved bye to some students passing by, "You will survive without seeing him."
Hermione and Ron had walked off to rejoin Harry but were stopped by Viktor who said goodbye to Hermione. Ron then called out to him for an autograph as Viktor started to head in their direction, he turned back to give him one before reaching them.
"Hi Mallory," he said ignoring the rest of them.
Mallory pushed a blonde hair back behind her ear, "Hi Viktor. It was a pleasure to know you."
"And you," he shook her hand.
Peri cleared her throat, "Um…yes, Peri…lovely meeting you. You played a good game. You and Harry, I liked Diggory though. He vos always polite to me. Always. Even though I vos from Durmstrang — with Karkaroff," he added scowling.
"He will be deeply missed, but please write to us. Keep in touch."
"I will. I will send tickets to my games, seats for all of you will be saved in my box."
Alicia squealed, "Really?!"
The girls laughed, "Of course, I look forward to seeing Mal…all of you again."
He said his goodbye by kissing each of their hands before parting their separate way. Peri was pretty sure if Fred was around to see him kiss Hallie's hand he would have been threatening to duel him.
"Someone has a crush on Mal," Alicia teased.
"He does not. I am twelve, sure he is very attractive but he does not like me in that way."
"Only time will tell, although my tea leaves this morning did say a mysterious lover would present himself. I already have mine, so maybe he is the one."
They laughed as Richard approached them, "Ready girls? Emilie has her carriage ready for us."
"Let's go to the beach!" Hallie said grabbing her twin by the arm and rushing off to the carriages.
They all followed and were greeted by Emile, "Morning, girls."
"Morning!" Hallie said cheerfully.
"We will go to our country house first for about three weeks then we will meet up with my parents at their chateau on the sea."
The large black dog at her feet growled at that.
"It will be alright, darling." She told him. "Remus, are the children inside?"
Remus poked his head out of the carriage, "Yes, Emilie. They are in here."
"Ready, mum!" Remy's voice called from inside.
"Let's go!"
They boarded the carriage, it was enchanted inside to appear larger and spacious. It took on the idea of a private airplane. The interior was white with accents of French blue and gold. Sirius turned back into his human form and took a seat between Emile and Ida. Their carriage was to first to leave Hogwarts as they passed through the cloudless sky, going over mountains and seas. The sky was perfect unlike their original arrival at Hogwarts, but the sky appearing as a blank canvas felt like it meant a new beginning.