Thank you so much for reviewing Hexenwerk, Anthony & charityf1915.

Hexenwerk, I'm really glad you like the story and Perry's character. Thank you!

Anthony, that's not exactly what it is, but her power will be explained soon as it manifests more… I hope you'll like it!

charityf1915, I promise Paige definitely exists and will eventually be part of this story.

The four Halliwell sisters exited the manor, headed to a house-warming party at their neighbors' house right across the street. "So," Prue reminded her sisters, "We're agreed? Twenty minutes?"

"Prue, you can't do a party in twenty minutes," Piper told her.

"Watch me," Prue said.

"Prue's party tips – meet, greet and bail," Phoebe said.

"Hey, I'm sorry, but some of us have a job."

"And some of us have fun!"

"And some of us are having a really bad hair day," Piper moaned.

"You know, that is a sign!" Prue said, "Let's turn back now before it's too late!" Their older sister tried to go back to the manor, but Piper grabbed her hand to stop her.

"Prue, it's never too late for a party," Phoebe told her.

"If it makes you feel any better, I don't really want to go either," Perry told Prue, sounding worried, "These two are making me go." Vic had to stay in the house because of the party, and Perry knew her dog didn't like being inside all alone.

"When did you start hating parties?" Phoebe accused her twin, "Remember our sweet-sixteen?"

Perry shot Prue a look that stopped her from reminding Phoebe that it was really just her sweet-sixteen. Perry didn't want a party, and only agreed to share her twin's party because it was important to Phoebe.

"Hey, I have an idea," Phoebe told them as they entered their neighbors' house, "Why don't we throw a party and charge admission? It's a great way to make extra cash."

"Hey, I have an even better idea," Prue answered in annoyance, "Why don't you just get a job?"

Not long after the sisters walked in, they were greeted by the hosts of the party – siblings Marshall, Fritz and Cynda.

"Oh, The Sisters Halliwell," Marshall said, smiling, "Now the party can begin."

They smiled back at him and his siblings, although Perry and Cynda were a bit more focused on just each other.

"It's about time you showed," the redhead neighbor told Perry, who tried not to stare too obviously at her lips. Her concern about Vic was forgotten for the moment, and the youngest Halliwell felt grateful that her sisters convinced her to come. Watching Cynda drink from her beer can was definitely making Perry… thirsty.

"Hey, Prue, I'm glad you made it," Cynda's other brother said.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, Fritz," Perry's sister answered.

"Marshall, the place looks great," Piper told the oldest brother.

"Thank you," he said, "We're mostly just restoring it. I- I didn't want to change it, you know, too much. You guys knew the old owners, didn't you?"

"Oh, we basically grew up with their kids," Phoebe said, "We probably know the house better than you guys." Cynda laughed at that, and Perry couldn't help noticing how beautiful she looked when she did.

"I'm gonna take care of the bar – it's dry," she told her brothers, "Can you come help me, Perry?"

"Sure," Perry said happily, following the redhead. As they went to get more drinks, Cynda crushed her beer can with ease and tossed it in the trash.

"So you work in construction, right?" Perry tried to make small talk, "In Marshall's company?"

Cynda nodded, not saying anything, but she didn't seem bothered by the question either.

"Must be weird, having your brother as your boss," Perry continued, "Although, maybe I wouldn't notice the difference. Prue pretty much acts like our boss anyway sometimes."

Maybe it wasn't really fair to Prue, but at least it broke the ice with Cynda. Laughing softly, she said, "Yeah, between work and home, Marshall's always telling me what to do."

"You guys are pretty close though, right?"

"Yeah, it's been just us for a long time. Our parents died ages ago."

"I'm sorry."

Cynda didn't seem too upset, though, and with the bar restocked, she and Perry rejoined the party. The two young women were just starting to dance together, when suddenly Piper pulled her away.

"Not now, Romiette," her older sister said, "We need to get back home."

"I'll see you tomorrow, I guess?" she told Cynda as Piper pulled her away. While they were crossing the street, she asked, "What was so urgent?"

"When Prue got back to the manor, apparently there was this… some big black dog in a standoff with Vic – she said it looked like it's trying to get upstairs past her. And then… I guess Vic scared it away, but Prue was pretty upset when she told me and Phoebe about it."

"Must have been a seriously scary dog to affect Prue that way," Perry said, worried, "I guess it's good that Vic was there. I hope it didn't hurt her."

"Prue said she's fine. They both are," Piper reassured her as they got inside.

"So how big was this dog again?" they heard Phoebe ask when they joined their sisters in the kitchen.

"Huge," Prue told her, "Almost as big as Vic, but with a lot more muscle on it."

Vic whined in protest, but Perry could see that at least she was really not hurt. It was a huge relief. "I'm sorry I got distracted by the pretty girl and left you alone," Perry quietly told her dog.

"What was it doing in the house?" Piper wondered.

"I don't know," Prue said, "Someone obviously left the front door open again." That last part she said while looking directly at Phoebe.

"You don't always have to assume it's Phoebe's fault," Perry reminded their older sister.

"And yet, usually it is."

"Well, it's not a big deal," Phoebe said, "We checked the house, and nothing is missing except my Pat Boone Christmas CD."

Her sisters, even Perry, looked at her in amused exasperation.

"No, this is really creepy," Piper said, "If there were a dog in the house, then it had to have an owner. No dog I know can open that front door."

"Maybe we should get a security system," Phoebe suggested.

"No, they are way too expensive," Prue said, "Besides, after what happened – Andy will be checking on us every five minutes."

Her sisters smiled happily. "Aww, you told him," Piper said in a teasing exaggerated tone.

"Convenient," Phoebe said in the same voice, and Prue looked at them wearily.

"So what should we do?" Perry changed the subject before their older sister will get too annoyed with them, "Besides spoiling Vic with a whole bunch of treats, that is."

"Well, I admit this time your dog did a pretty good job protecting us," Prue answered Perry's question, and then pointedly told Phoebe, "But we could just remember to lock the doors."

She then walked into the laundry room as Phoebe nodded. "That is a really good idea, Prue," she said, quiet enough that their older sister couldn't hear her, and then walked over to the laundry room door and locked Prue in it.