Chapter Two: The Sorting
The first of September arrived, weighed down by a heavy atmosphere that echoed the recent devastation caused by Death Eater attacks. Cassie's heart pounded with worry as she watched her children gather their belongings and prepare to board the Hogwarts Express.
Standing stoically beside her family on the bustling platform, Peri couldn't shake the furrowed brow and anxious thoughts that consumed her mind. The looming threat of her father's potential involvement with the dark forces was impossible to ignore, and she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease wash over her.
Lost in contemplation, she was suddenly jolted back to reality by her mother's concerned gaze and the unspoken question hanging in the air: "Do you truly believe it's safe to send them?"
Students chattered, and the train whistle sounded like distant whispers against the somber backdrop of fear and uncertainty.
Richard gently clasped Cassie's hand, his gaze reassuring as he spoke, "They will be safe at Hogwarts. You have said there is nowhere safer than Hogwarts." The warm touch of his hand and the sincere kindness in his eyes calmed Cassie's racing heart.
She turned to her daughters, who stood nearby with somber expressions. Despite the fear gnawing at her, Peri met her mother's eyes, mustering a facade of bravery. The thought that her biological father might be among those responsible for the recent World Cup attacks sent shivers down her spine, yet she forced out, "Yes, Mom, we'll be fine."
Cassie heaved a weary sigh as she directed her words to her eldest daughter. Her voice was tinged with worry and love as she spoke. "Please, behave yourself this year. I don't want to receive letters from Dumbledore about your conduct. Despite not being first years, he's granting us a favor by allowing you, Hallie, and Holly into the school."
Peri couldn't resist rolling her eyes at her mother's warning. She knew Cassie only wanted the best for them, but sometimes, her overprotective nature grated on Peri's nerves. "I can learn magic perfectly well on my own. I don't need a school to teach me."
Cassie leveled a stern look at her. "Mind your words, young lady. You have great potential as a witch... though your talent lies more in potion-making than spellcasting," she sighed before pulling Peri into a tight embrace. The comforting scent of lavender and vanilla enveloped Peri as she leaned into her mother's embrace. "I'll miss you dearly, sweetheart. I love you so much."
Returning the hug, Peri nestled into her mother's shoulder. She soaked up every moment of their embrace, knowing it would be months until they could hold each other again. "I love you too, Mom."
The train whistle pierced through the air as Hallie, Holly, Mallory, and Peri said their final goodbyes and boarded the Hogwarts Express with the golden trio. They quickly found their designated compartment while the golden trio settled into the one next door. As soon as they were alone, Hallie and Holly wasted no time heading out to "explore" the train, which meant they were on a mission to find their crushes, Draco and Fred.
Meanwhile, Peri sat by the window, lost in thought about her possible connection to a death eater. She couldn't shake off the feeling of unease as she pondered why her mother would be associated with such a dark wizard. Though she knew her mother had been in Slytherin's house at Hogwarts, she could never imagine her having any friends from that house.
Mallory's voice broke Peri's thoughts as she mentioned that Hallie and Holly had been gone for quite some time. Peri checked her watch and decided to search for them, assuming they had gotten caught up with their love interests. She warned Mallory to stay put before setting off to find Holly first. She wasn't too concerned about Hallie; after all, she could take care of herself. However, something about this Draco boy made Peri uneasy, especially after he had asked George about him.
She eventually found Holly in a heated conversation with Draco and other Slytherin students in their compartment. One girl stood out: Pansy Parkinson, Peri's cousin. Her words were sharp and cruel as she hurled insults at Holly and her family, calling them "disgusting mudbloods." This enraged Peri, and without thinking twice, she stepped forward to confront Pansy.
Holly tried to intervene and downplay the situation, but Peri couldn't let it go. In a fit of anger, she punched Pansy's face and pulled an astonished Holly away from the forming crowd of Slytherins. As they walked away, they could hear Pansy accusing Peri of attacking her for no reason.
Holly scolded Peri for her actions, reminding her of Cassie's warning to behave or risk expulsion. But this wasn't the first time Peri had let her temper get the best of her. During their time at Ilvermorny, she was constantly called into the headmaster's office for her unruly behavior. Many believed that she was only allowed to stay at the school due to her parents' influential positions in the Magical Congress of the United States of America.
"She deserved it, Holly. No one gets to call anyone in our family names like that and get away with it."
"Then tell a professor or someone who is an adult not to take actions into your own hands," Holly pleaded with her sister, her voice tinged with frustration and worry.
But Peri stood firm. "Sometimes you have to do things yourself if you want them done correctly," she countered, leading Holly back to their compartment on the Hogwarts Express.
As they settled back into their seats, Mallory greeted them with a smile. "Oh, good, you found Holly!" she exclaimed.
Holly nodded and settled into the seat next to Mallory, who was lost in her thoughts while gazing out the window. Without warning, Hallie's cat Diamond leaped onto Peri's lap, and she automatically began stroking its velvety fur without really paying attention.
Mallory looked at her younger sister curiously. "Did you find Hallie?" she asked.
Peri shook her head, still looking out the window. Holly glanced at Mallory, silently telling her to drop the subject. The rest of the train ride was quiet as the three girls processed their emotions and thoughts about Hallie's sudden disappearance.
It was when they arrived at Hogwarts that Hallie reappeared. As they stepped off the train, Mallory beamed at her sister. "Ah, there you are, Hallie!" she exclaimed.
Hallie smiled softly at her younger sister before saying goodbye to Fred, who had been with her during her absence. It was clear that they had feelings, but no one dared to bring it up as both kept declining when asked separately.
"Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here!" Hagrid called to everyone.
"Mallory, you can go that way. We'll meet you in the great hall," Holly instructed her friend as they joined the other first-years.
As they climbed into the carriages, excitement bubbled in their chests. But when they arrived at Hogwarts' grand entrance, Professor McGonagall pulled Hallie, Holly, and Peri aside. The stern professor's sharp gaze scanned them as she held a parchment.
"Periwinkle King, Hallie Porter, and Holly Porter," she announced, looking up from her parchment. "You are to join the first-year students for their sorting ceremony."
"The first years? But we're fourth- and fifth-year students," Hallie groaned, rolling her eyes. "This is not good for my image."
Despite her protest, they followed Professor McGonagall towards the Great Hall. The anticipation grew with each step as they entered the crowded hall filled with bustling students and flickering candles. The atmosphere was charged with magic and possibility, reminding them all why they had come to Hogwarts in the first place.
Holly and Peri rolled their eyes as they followed McGonagall through the school and to the group of first-years waiting outside the great hall.
McGonagall cleared her throat and addressed the trio and the new first-year students. "Welcome to Hogwarts! The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, we must sort you into your houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin."
This announcement excited the students, especially the first-years. "We also have two fourth-year transfer students and one fifth-year transfer student who will be sorted first before we continue with the rest of the first-years," she added.
The ornate doors swung open with a resounding creak, and the students entered the grand hall. The vast space was filled with eager onlookers, all gathered around three figures at the front—Hallie, Holly, and Peri—who stood poised for their sorting.
As they made their way forward, Peri's gaze drifted up to the stormy ceiling. She couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and excitement at being in this magnificent place.
Suddenly, a slight tug on her arm broke her reverie. Holly whispered urgently, "Peri...that professor is staring at us."
Peri followed Holly's glance to see Professor Snape looking directly at them before quickly looking away.
The realization sent a shiver down Peri's spine. Something about the dark-haired professor's intense gaze piqued her curiosity even more about him.
"Before commencing the sorting ceremony for the eager first-year students," Professor McGonagall's voice echoed through the Great Hall as she introduced three newcomers from the Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
The anticipation in the air was palpable as all eyes turned towards the trio. With a commanding presence, she gestured for them to step forward, signaling the beginning of their sorting process before proceeding with the rest of the new students. Each of the girls awaited their turn anxiously, knowing that their fate lay in the hands of the ancient Sorting Hat. As McGonagall scanned her parchment list, her gaze settled on the first name.
"Periwinkle King," she announced, prompting a hushed murmur among the watching crowd."
Peri stood at the front of the Great Hall, her every step echoing in the silence. As she approached the stool, whispers spread like wildfire through the students. The professors, their expressions a mix of surprise and realization, exchanged furtive glances as Peri settled onto the seat with a composed demeanor.
The Sorting Hat descended upon her head, its ancient voice resonating through the hall. "Ah! Peri King," it mused aloud, causing a stir among the onlookers. "A complex placement indeed. Your compassion mirrors your mother's nurturing nature, hinting at Ravenclaw's embrace. Yet beneath that lies a fierce courage, a Gryffindor's heart beating within you. Ambitious and quick-witted, you possess the cunning of a Slytherin, too. Family bonds run deep in your veins; they are your anchor in this tumultuous sea of magic. Yes, you are undeniably your mother's daughter... and there are shades of your father in you as well."
Peri's voice trembled as she spoke to the sorting hat, their eyes darting nervously around the Great Hall. "My father...you know who my father is," they whispered.
"You share similar minds with both your parents," the hat said in a deep, rumbling voice, "and for this, I think you will do best in..." It paused for dramatic effect before declaring: "Slytherin!"
The Slytherin table erupted in cheers as she stepped down from the stool, her mind lingering on the Sorting Hat's mention of her father's traits and its subtle hint at his Slytherin lineage. Finding a seat near Draco due to the limited availability, she watched with mild interest as her sisters were sorted into their respective houses. To her surprise, Hallie ended up in Ravenclaw despite not being known for her academic prowess, while Holly and Mallory joined Gryffindor.
Peri caught Draco's gaze, her eyes locking onto his with a sense of familiarity. She couldn't help but notice a flicker of sadness in those gray eyes. To Peri's understanding, this was a rare glimpse into Draco's vulnerable side, revealing his genuine fondness for Holly as she was sorted into their house.
Peri leaned in closer, her voice barely above a whisper amidst the chatter of their peers. "Don't let the boundaries of our houses dictate your friendships," she pleaded with him.
But she knew it was easier said than done in their world. As much as she wanted to believe in her own words, she also understood the harsh reality that their society thrived on division and hierarchy.
His gaze left Holly's face and shifted to his new housemate, eyes narrowed in a challenging stare. "I don't know what you mean," he said, voice laced with skepticism. "But you have much to learn to fit in here."
The tension between them crackled like electricity, the air thick with unspoken expectations and doubts.
She sighed and said, "Your family and home should not dictate your romantic choices. You have a voice and the right to speak your mind. Don't let anyone else make decisions for you." She spoke from experience, as her mother had faced similar pressure from her family. They disapproved of her associating with anyone outside Slytherin, but she refused to let them control her life. She chose her path."
"Periwinkle, right?" she corrected with a playful smile.
"Periwinkle is far too stuffy for me."
His laughter filled the air, warm and inviting. "Peri, my lineage sets us apart."
She shook her head gently, strands of hair dancing in the breeze. "Your ancestry doesn't define you. It's your choices that shape your destiny."
His eyes shifted to Holly before meeting hers, a silent understanding passing between them as the festivities commenced.
"Perhaps we should begin anew?" Draco proposed, his tone soft and earnest.
Peri's eyes lit up with relief. "Yes, let's do that. I am Peri. Peri King," she said.
"Draco. Draco Malfoy," he replied, the name rolling off his tongue like a cherished memory. "And these are my friends."
On the opposite side of Draco was Pansy, and across the table was Blaise, with his sharp cheekbones and calculating gaze; Crabbe, stocky and quiet; Goyle, towering over the others like a stone wall; and Theo.
Pansy scoffed, her lip curling in distaste. "She is my cousin, unfortunately," she remarked with disdain.
"Really?" Blaise raised an eyebrow in surprise before adding, "Then it seems we know where the beauty genes went."
Pansy's face flushed with anger as she kicked him sharply under the table, glaring at him with narrowed eyes.
After the introductions were finished, Peri's eyes widened as she took in the vast array of mouth-watering dishes laid out before her. The table was practically overflowing with steaming platters of delicacies, each more tempting than the last. "Wow!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement. There are so many options!"
Blaise raised an eyebrow, amused by her enthusiasm. "Did they not feed you in America?" he asked, gesturing towards the lavish spread.
A small smile tugged at Peri's lips as she shook her head. "They did, but not like this," she replied, marveling at the sheer number and variety of dishes.
"Better hurry and grab what you want before Crabbe and Goyle gobble everything up," Blaise warned with a chuckle, motioning towards his two more significant friends already digging in greedily. The small group around them all laughed, their voices mingling with the clinking of cutlery and satisfied sighs as they indulged in the feast before them.
After the last crumbs were cleared from their plates, Dumbledore glided to the center of the room, his smile casting a warm glow that enveloped every corner.
"Bellies full and throats quenched," he announced, capturing everyone's focus effortlessly. "I have some important announcements to share." With purpose, he approached Mr. Filch's meticulously maintained list of forbidden artifacts and locations, emphasizing the strict prohibition against accessing them. Regarding Hogsmeade visits, only third-year students and above were granted passage with explicit consent from a responsible adult. However, a shadow passed over Dumbledore's face as he disclosed, "Regrettably, the Inner-House Quidditch Cup will not grace our skies this year."
A wave of disappointment rippled through the Great Hall, manifesting in a collective sigh of dismay.
A collective gasp erupted from the Slytherin boys, led by Draco's shocked exclamation. They all stared at their Head of House, eagerly waiting for an explanation.
Professor Dumbledore stood before them with his usual stoic expression, but a glimmer of excitement shone in his eyes. "This is due to an event that will be occurring in October," he began, his deep voice carrying a sense of mystery and anticipation. The students leaned in closer, eager to hear more.
"It will require much of the teachers' time and energy," Professor Dumbledore continued, his tone hinting at the scale of this upcoming event. "But I am sure you will all enjoy it immensely." A smile crept onto his lips, a rare sight for the stern professor.
"I have great pleasure in announcing that this year," he paused for dramatic effect, "we will be hosting the annual Triwizard Tournament."
Excitement crackled through the students like electricity, their hushed whispers and eager glances betraying their anticipation for the upcoming competition.
Suddenly, a loud thunderclap shook the hall, causing the doors to burst open with a gust of wind. Every eye turned towards the figure standing in the doorway, illuminated by a brilliant flash of lightning.
With determined steps, he went to the front, where Dumbledore awaited him. After exchanging a firm handshake with Dumbledore, he settled into a seat. "Allow me to present our new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor - Professor Moody."
The announcement met with silence, save for the polite applause from Dumbledore and Hagrid; Holly's attempt at clapping faltered as she realized she was alone in her enthusiasm at her table.
"As I was saying," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled as he addressed the eager students, a sense of anticipation hanging in the air like a tangible veil. "We are privileged to announce an extraordinary event unfolding shortly. Joining us today is Mrs. Cassandra Banks, a distinguished figure from the Ministry of Magic's International Affairs division, here to unveil the intricate tapestry of what lies ahead."
Peri's eyes widened as she spoke, "Mom," her voice tinged with surprise, "she never mentioned anything about considering a job here. Just this morning, she hesitated about sending us here because of the recent attacks at the World Cup."
Confusion swirled within her as her mom quietly entered through the door behind the professor's table. Peri scrutinized the professors and her mother, noticing how one of them, with slick black hair, seemed particularly fixated on her mom. "Draco, who is that?" she inquired, her gaze shifting between the professor and Cassie.
His gaze followed hers to a tall, dark figure in the distance. "That is Professor Snape," he stated matter-of-factly. "He is the head of Slytherin house. You look like him a little."
"It's not his charming smile or witty remarks," she remarked, her fingers absentmindedly twirling a lock of her chestnut hair. "He appears mesmerized by how my mother effortlessly commands attention in any room," she noted, a subtle glint of curiosity flickering in her narrowed hazel eyes.
"Well, she is quite..." A random student from Slytherin began before she cut him off with a sharp glare.
"I suggest you keep your comments to yourself," she snapped sternly, her voice laced with warning and authority. The mention of her mother brought out a fierce protectiveness in her.
Cassie strode confidently towards the podium, her eyes briefly meeting Professor Snape's before she reached Dumbledore. With a firm handshake, she greeted him, his presence calming her nerves. As she settled into her position, the students' eager faces before her filled her with excitement.
"Good evening, students," Cassie began, her voice projecting clearly across the room. "I trust you have all savored the delectable feast tonight. Now, as Headmaster Dumbledore has introduced me, I am Cassandra Banks, and I am thrilled to unveil the extraordinary event that awaits us all." Taking a moment to build anticipation, she announced with a flourish, "Behold, the grand spectacle known as the Triwizard Tournament!"
"You are joking!" Fred shouted.
"Mr. Weasley, your insight is truly appreciated," she chuckled, exchanging amused glances with the other students before returning to him. "But I assure you, I'm dead serious. Let's delve deeper into the mysterious Triwizard Tournament. For those unfamiliar with this prestigious event, allow me to enlighten you. Originating centuries ago as a cordial rivalry between three esteemed European wizarding schools – Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang – the tournament remains a symbol of magical prowess to this day. Each school nominates a champion to partake in three daunting tasks that test their magical abilities and courage. The impending arrival of Beauxbatons' and Durmstrang's representatives and their chosen champions in October sets the stage for an electrifying competition. Our champions will be selected on Halloween night, under the discerning eye of a neutral adjudicator who will determine the deserving candidates to vie for the coveted Triwizard Cup, school glory, and a substantial prize of one thousand ships."
"I'm entering!" Peri declared to her housemates, a determined glint in her eyes.
"But remember, the Ministry of Magic has set strict rules for participation. Only students aged seventeen and above are eligible to compete in the tournament," Cassie emphasized, aware of the gravity of the upcoming challenges. Glancing pointedly at Fred, George, and her reflection of determination, she added, "Dumbledore will ensure fairness; no one can sway our impartial judge into favoritism."
As she concluded her briefing, Cassie offered to address any lingering queries throughout the tournament before bidding everyone goodnight.
Acknowledging Cassie's words, Dumbledore rose from his seat with a gentle smile. "Thank you for clarifying, Mrs. Banks. Now, it's time for rest," he announced warmly as the meeting drew close.
Peri rose from her seat in the hall, her gaze fixed on Draco. "Can you guide me?" she inquired softly.
Draco nodded, leading the way with purpose until he halted abruptly.
"What's the matter?" Peri questioned.
"I left something behind in The Great Hall. Blaise will take you from here," Draco explained, gesturing towards his friend.
Peri exchanged a glance between Blaise and Draco before bidding goodnight.
"Goodnight," Draco replied as she departed with Blaise towards their common room. Casting a fleeting look over her shoulder, she observed Draco retrieving Holly as she turned the corner alongside Blaise.