Chapter 3: Unforgivable Curses
The first rays of dawn peeked through the windows of Peri's dorm, gently coaxing her awake. She stretched her arms above her head and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. The other girls in the room were still lost in their slumber, their soft breathing filling the air. Carefully, she slipped out of bed and tiptoed to her trunk, selecting her uniform for the day ahead. As she got ready, she could hear the distant chirping of birds and the faint rustle of leaves outside her window. The room was cold, unlike her room at home, with its dark green walls, but her dormmates seemed to try to brighten the space with posters from celebrities from the wizarding world.
The morning sun cast a warm glow through the windows of the Great Hall as Peri made her way to breakfast.
"Peri," a voice called to her.
She turned to see Fred and George descending the steps with their Gryffindor friend, Lee.
"Good morning," Peri greeted them warmly, a genuine smile spreading across her face.
"Ready for your first class?" George inquired with a hint of excitement in his tone.
"I am," Peri confirmed, anticipation growing for her Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson.
Fred peered around them, scanning the corridors for signs of their missing friend. "Have you seen Hallie?" he asked, his brow furrowed in concern.
"No. I am sure Hallie is still asleep. She likes her beauty sleep. I will catch you three later. I would like to get some breakfast."
Peri made her way into The Great Hall.
Lee chuckled heartily, his eyes twinkling mischievously as he followed George's line of sight. "Fred mentioned your little crush in his last letter. Hard to believe, mate," he teased.
George felt a rush of warmth flood his cheeks at the unexpected attention, his usually composed demeanor faltering in the face of his friends' teasing banter. Peri was a whirlwind, unlike anyone he had encountered before. "I wouldn't say it's that serious," he muttered modestly, attempting to calm his feelings.
Fred and Lee looked at each other knowingly, their smiles widening with amusement. "Oh, but we know better," Fred jibed.
"Peri does have a certain charm about her," Lee said as they entered The Great Hall. Seated at the Gryffindor table, George couldn't help but steal glances at Peri, engrossed in reading the Daily Prophet, her presence captivating him effortlessly.
The Great Hall, usually buzzing with animated conversations and bustling movements, now enveloped in a profound silence punctuated only by the delicate clinks of silverware. Seating herself at the Slytherin table, she carefully scooped creamy scrambled eggs onto her plate next to slices of toast toasted to a perfect golden hue.
Absorbed in an article from the latest edition of the Daily Prophet, she momentarily glanced up to witness Holly's arrival, escorted by Draco Malfoy. The tension between them was tangible - his gestures imploring while she exuded an unwavering indifference. As they crossed the threshold into the Great Hall, their unspoken communication ceased, prompting them to veer towards their respective house tables.
Peri observed Draco approaching and settling across from her in her peripheral vision. "I thought you said you wanted to avoid Holly," she playfully teased, raising an eyebrow in his direction.
Draco rolled his eyes and took a sip of pumpkin juice. "I didn't say forever," he replied casually, giving Peri a sly smile. "I have told you I don't like her. And why are you so worried?"
Her narrowed eyes pierced him as she spoke, "I can see right through your deception."
"And you're quite annoying," he shot back.
She responded with a mock gasp, "How rude! I am deeply insulted. I'll have to tell my mom and papa about this."
"You're a bit quirky," he chuckled, adjusting his plate.
"I'll take that as a compliment," she laughed, taking a bagel bite. "And just for the record, I much prefer New York City bagels."
He raised an eyebrow, "Are you all set for your classes?"
She smirked, "No one's ever truly prepared for the endless pursuit of knowledge."
"Except for Ravenclaws and Granger," he quipped.
She shot back, "Don't generalize. Hallie's a Ravenclaw and despises studying. And Holly. She practically lived in the library at Ilvermorny."
He sighed dramatically, "Oh joy, I've got a soft spot for bookworms."
She teased, "Ah-ha! Confession time!"
"Quiet!" he whispered sharply.
Her laughter tinkled as she checked her timetable, "First up is Defense Against the Dark Arts. This should be... intriguing."
"If you can overlook the professor's eerie vibes," he remarked dryly.
"He does give off a rather unsettling aura," she agreed with a shiver.
As she finished her breakfast, a sense of dread settled in the pit of her stomach at the thought of Defense Against the Dark Arts class with the disturbing professor. But as she turned the corner, she caught a glimpse of her mom speaking with Professor Snape. Intrigued, she slowed her pace and discreetly listened in on their conversation.
As they argued, the sharp scent of potion ingredients hung heavy in the air. Her mom's voice held a mixture of frustration and sadness, the weight of old memories evident in every word. "Severus, please, just leave me be. I came here for a potion, not for you to dredge up the past," she pleaded.
But her mother's words only seemed to incite Snape further. "You are far too late to be concerned about me now," she added, bitterness lacing her tone and revealing wounds that were still raw after sixteen years.
Their voices grew more heated as Snape pressed for answers. "You are refusing to answer my question. I asked you then and now."
Cassie eyed him coldly, her jaw set in determination. "What do you want to hear? It makes no difference. You would have never been there. I found someone who would never abandon me."
But Snape was relentless as he cornered Cassie into a wall. "Tell me the truth," he hissed, his dark eyes piercing hers. "Is Peri mine?"
With a groan, Cassie relented. "Yes! Fine, she is yours. Are you happy? But know this - you will never be a father to her. My husband is the true father to all my children. He is more of a man than you will ever be." She spat the words out with venom, her pain and anger palpable.
Snape's face twisted with mixed emotions, visible only through the small creases around his eyes and the slight twitch of his lips. "She is fifteen now," he murmured, almost to himself, as if the realization had just dawned on him. "Let her make her own decision about whether she wants me in her life." His words hung heavy in the air, like a dense fog that threatened to suffocate everyone.
Peri could feel the tension between her mom and Snape, like an invisible barrier separating them. She had always known there was some kind of history between them, but it wasn't until this moment that she realized how deep it ran.
"Excuse you!" Cassie pushed Snape away from her. "I will never become that evil man who abused me just because I chose a different viewpoint than him and the rest of my family." Peri could hear the anger and defiance in her mom's voice. "I was not going to become a Death Eater…unlike some."
Peri couldn't help but shift uncomfortably as they continued to argue. She knew she should walk away but couldn't bring herself to move.
It wasn't until Mad-Eye Moody appeared that Cassie seemed to regain her composure. "Good morning, Mad-Eye," she said kindly as if she hadn't just been in a heated argument with Snape.
Mad-Eye looked at the two of them, his mechanical eye scanning their faces for any sign of trouble. "Everything alright?"
"Oh, yes. We were just discussing my eldest daughter, Peri," Cassie replied, emphasizing the word "my" as she looked at Snape.
"Did she cause trouble before her first day? If so, just ask her yourself," Mad-Eye said gruffly, his fake eye glancing towards the corner where Peri had been hiding.
Cassie and Snape both turned to look at the corner, and Peri couldn't help but feel a surge of fear. She had been eavesdropping, hoping to catch a glimpse of their conversation.
Stepping out from behind the corner, Peri tried to appear nonchalant. "Good morning, Mom," she said, trying to act completely normal.
"Periwinkle Elizabeth, why were you eavesdropping?" Cassie asked, her tone stern and disapproving.
Peri put on her best innocent face. "Me? Eavesdrop? Mom, why would I do such a thing? I was simply heading to class with Professor Moody."
Cassie eyed her suspiciously. "I am not stupid, Peri. I have a meeting and will deal with you later," she informed her before turning and walking away, leaving Peri alone with Snape and Mad-Eye.
Peri's gaze met Snape's steely eyes, her own filled with determination. "I will see you in potions after lunch, Professor," she declared, her voice steady and confident.
"Indeed," he murmured, his tone unreadable. "Perhaps come a bit earlier. I would like to... test your knowledge. I am unaware of how they teach in America."
She nodded, hiding any trace of nerves behind a mask of composure. "Certainly. I want to ensure I am on the same level as my fellow students." Snape gave a slight nod before she turned and made her way toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom.
The room was quiet and dimly lit, save for the rays of sunlight peeking through the windows. Peri sat at the front of the class, eagerly anticipating the challenges ahead.
Moody's heavy footsteps reverberated down the hallway, the rhythmic tap of his cane on the stone floor announcing his approach. The wooden floorboards groaned under his weight as he advanced toward the classroom, each creak adding to the tension in the air. When he reached the front, his stern expression carved deep lines on his face as he fixed his gaze on Peri, who instinctively readied her parchment, quill, and ink for class.
"Ms. King?" Moody's voice cut through the silence, tinged with a hint of confusion.
"Yes?" Peri replied, her voice betraying a mix of curiosity and caution.
"What do you understand about the unforgivable curses?" Moody's tone was somber, demanding respect.
Pausing briefly to gather her thoughts, Peri began to speak deliberately. "They are dark magic associated with Lord Voldemort and his followers," she explained as her quill danced across the parchment, capturing key points. "Tools of torture and murder used to instill fear and control."
At the mention of Voldemort's name, Moody's eyebrows shot up in surprise mixed with a trace of admiration. "You dare speak his name?"
Meeting his gaze unwaveringly, Peri responded firmly. "It is just a name; fear only gives it power. Refusing to be intimidated is our greatest defense."
"And what about these curses themselves?" Moody probed further.
Peri continued to write while explaining with expertise, "There are three unforgivable curses: Imperius for total control, Cruciatus for unbearable pain, and Avada Kedavra for instant death." Her words flowed effortlessly as she elaborated on each curse's implications.
"The Imperius Curse can be resisted by sheer willpower," she added before falling silent once more to focus on her notes.
Mad-Eye continued eyeing her. She glanced up at him, not being phased at all by their conversation as they waited for the other students to arrive. "Is that the only one you know?"
"I know them all. Would you like me to tell you the other two?"
The heavy door to the classroom creaked open, allowing a cacophony of excited chatter to spill into the room. But as soon as they saw Mad-Eye standing at the front, his magical eye spinning wildly, the students fell silent and returned to their seats. Peri could feel his gaze fixed on her as she sat, mentally preparing for another intense Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson.
The fifth-year class was a mixture of Slytherins and Ravenclaws, and Peri could sense the tension between the two groups. As they filed in, the students glanced at her before quickly turning to gossip with their housemates. She pretended not to notice, burying herself in her notes. Being a Slytherin often came with harsh assumptions, but she refused to let those stereotypes define her.
Suddenly, Peri felt someone's presence next to her and looked up to see a Ravenclaw girl standing there. "Is this seat taken?" she asked politely.
Peri raised an eyebrow, surprised by the friendly approach. "Um...no, it's all yours," she replied.
The girl smiled and took the seat next to hers. "Cho Chang," she introduced herself, offering her hand for Peri to shake.
"Peri King," she responded, shaking Cho's hand cautiously.
"The daughter of Mrs. Banks, right?" Cho asked curiously.
Peri nodded reluctantly. "That's me."
"I have to say, you don't look much like your mother. No offense," Cho commented with a small laugh.
Peri couldn't help but smile at her honesty. "None taken. I've been told I resemble my father more...but I've never met him. It's just speculation at this point."
Mad-Eye's gruff voice cut through the chatter as he strode to the front of the classroom. "Put your books away," he growled, "we won't need those today." The students exchanged confused glances before following his orders and stowing their textbooks. "Professor Lupin left a letter with me detailing what he taught all of you last year. And I must say, you are all far behind...behind on curses deemed unforgivable."
"Curses?" Cho whispered to Peri.
"Unforgivable curses," she confirmed, looking back at Mad-Eye before returning to Cho. "He was questioning me about them when I came in."
Mad-Eye's magical eye suddenly focused on the two girls, their conversation not going unnoticed. Cho felt tense under his intense gaze, but Peri remained unfazed and met his stare head-on. "Ladies, would you care to share your conversation with the rest of the class?"
Cho shook her head, avoiding eye contact and focusing on her quill and parchment paper. But Peri spoke confidently, "We were discussing the unforgivable curses, sir."
Mad-Eye's attention was now entirely on Peri, and he spoke with a tinge of admiration. "Class, this is Periwinkle King. Before the rest of you arrived, I tested Ms. King's knowledge of these curses, and she proved to be exceptionally intelligent. Would you care to enlighten us on the three curses, Ms. King?"
"Of course," Peri stood up gracefully, ready to answer any questions.
Moody's sharp eyes landed on a small jar sitting on his cluttered desk, and with a swift movement, he reached in and pulled out a giant spider. Peri's heart skipped a beat as she watched the creepy-crawly creature scuttle across Moody's palm. "Show us," he commanded, his gruff voice echoing through the silent classroom.
Peri hesitantly approached the front of the room, her robes swishing behind her as she walked. She could feel the weight of her classmates' curious and fearful gazes upon her. The Slytherins seemed eager to witness her perform these dark curses, while the Ravenclaws looked wary and apprehensive.
With a deep breath, Peri turned to face the motionless spider on Moody's desk. Her wand was gripped tightly as she began to explain each curse. "The first one is the Imperius Curse," she spoke confidently, trying to hide the slight tremble in her voice. "It gives the caster complete control over their target."
A hush fell over the classroom as all eyes turned to Peri and the spider, waiting to see what would happen next. "This curse can be fought," she continued, her wand arm poised and ready. "But it takes a powerful person to resist it." Peri cast the spell upon the innocent creature before them with a flick of her wrist and a forceful incantation. "Imperio!"
The spider's movements became sluggish and controlled in an instant, responding obediently to Peri's command. As she released the spell, Peri couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for using such a powerful and dangerous curse. But she also knew that it was necessary for her training and protection in this world filled with dark magic.
The spider leaped from the table, hung by a piece of web, and began to swing back and forth as if it were part of a trapeze. The legs were stretched rigidly. Then, it did a backflip, which broke the thread and landed on the floor in front of her and Moody. It then began to do summersaults in a circle. Peri placed the spider back on the desk, saying, "I had total control of the spider."
"Another?" Moody's gravelly voice echoed through the classroom.
"I know more, but perhaps we should consult my classmates for additional information," Peri suggested.
Moody groaned exasperated before turning his sharp gaze to the rest of the class. "You!" he barked at a timid Ravenclaw boy, "Tell me another curse."
The boy squeaked in surprise, clearly not expecting to be called upon. "Me?"
"Yes, you! Hurry up and tell me another curse," Moody demanded, slamming his cane against the ground and causing the entire class to jump in their seats.
Trembling, the boy stood and stammered out, "Cruciatus curse."
Moody nodded brusquely. "Sit down," he commanded, and the boy quickly complied. He then turned his attention to Peri. "Define and demonstrate."
Peri took a deep breath before reciting confidently, "The Cruciatus curse is also known as torture. When performed correctly, it inflicts intense, excruciating pain upon its victim."
Without missing a beat, Moody retrieved another spider from his jar. "This one needs to be larger," he announced before pointing his wand at it and casting, "Engorgio!" In an instant, the spider grew to be larger than a tarantula.
"Begin," Moody instructed.
With determination etched into her features, Peri pointed her wand at the enlarged spider and declared firmly, "Crucio!" The arachnid writhed in agony as she held the curse for several seconds before releasing it with a flick of her wand. The spider lay still on the desk, its once graceful legs twitching unnaturally.
At the command of the Unforgivable Curse, the spider's legs bent in on themselves as it convulsed on the desk. Peri could see its tiny body writhing in agony, and she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for her part in this lesson. The room was eerily silent, except for the occasional whimper or gasp from some students who looked visibly pale and sick.
Peri watched in horror as Moody continued to torture the spider, his wand pointed at the creature with a look of twisted pleasure on his face. "Professor," she spoke up, her voice quivering with unease. "I think we should stop the lesson. It's making some of the students uncomfortable."
Moody paid no attention to her words and instead turned to the trembling spider, muttering another curse before it suddenly shrank to its standard size and was placed back into a jar. "Pain occurs with this curse," he stated matter-of-factly, his tone chilling. "You don't need a knife to perform torture when you can do it with magic."
He then turned to Peri and asked her what the final curse was. She knew what was coming next and felt fear wash over her. "Avada Kedavra," she whispered, knowing that she would soon have to perform this most dreaded curse on one of the spiders in the jar.
Peri raised her wand and shook hands with one of the spiders Moody had pulled onto his desk. She closed her eyes and spoke the words that would end its life: "Avada Kedavra."
In an instant, a blinding flash of green light filled the room, and a rushing sound echoed through the air. When Peri opened her eyes again, she saw that the spider lay dead on the desk in front of her, unmarked but lifeless. She couldn't believe what she had just done and quickly stuffed her wand into her cloak.
"Thank you, Ms. King," Moody said, touching her shoulder. "Back to your seat now."
Feeling a mix of fear, guilt, and disgust, Peri returned to her seat next to Cho. As she made her way, she could hear the Ravenclaw students holding back cries while the Slytherins and some Ravenclaws gossiped with one another, seemingly impressed and disturbed by what had just happened.
She sat down and glanced up at the front of the room as Moody nonchalantly brushed the dead spider onto the floor. "I can't believe you did that," Cho whispered beside her, her voice filled with shock and disapproval. Peri couldn't believe it either.
Peri's gaze fell upon Cho, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke. "Honestly, I couldn't either. I didn't want to, but this professor made me nervous. I didn't feel like I could say no."
Cho raised an eyebrow, glancing at Moody before turning back to Peri. "Understandable, but just wait until you meet Professor Snape. He's just as terrifying."
"I've already met him...my mother knew him. They were classmates, and he is the head of my house."
"Your mother knew Professor Snape?" Cho asked, clearly surprised.
"Yes, indeed," Peri replied with a faint smile. "I don't believe they ended on good terms, though."
Moody continued his class, but Peri was lost in her thoughts.
As the class ended and everyone began to leave, Cho offered to wait for Peri, but she politely declined and sent her off with her friends. Gathering her belongings, Peri heard a loud clanking noise approaching her from behind. She turned to see Moody walking towards her.
His gruff voice held a hint of admiration as he spoke, "You did exceptionally well today, especially for a witch as young as you. You possess an exceptional gift." A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, betraying his tough exterior, before he turned and walked away, leaving Peri feeling both proud and humbled by his praise.
She looked up at him with sincere gratitude, her eyes shining with unspoken emotions, "Thank you."
He studied her carefully, his gaze lingering on her face before he spoke again, "That last curse seemed to affect you deeply."
Peri's expression grew somber as she replied, "It's because that curse killed my sisters' parents."
"Sisters?" His eyebrow raised in surprise. "But your mother's husband, Mr. Banks, is still alive, correct?"
She nodded, "Yes, but my adopted sisters lost their parents to that curse. Hallie and Holly Porter are both fourth years in Gryffindor and Ravenclaw."
Peri felt a chill run down her spine as Mad-Eye's gaze bore into her, the intensity of his scrutiny almost tangible between them. "Ah..." His voice carried a newfound weight, a hint of intrigue lacing his words as he absorbed the revelation. "You know," he began slowly, each word deliberate, "during Voldemort's reign, you would have been a prime target for recruitment."
Peri shifted uneasily under the weight of his words, her discomfort palpable in the tense set of her shoulders.
"Given your talent as a witch and your Slytherin background," Mad-Eye continued, his eye never wavering from her face, "You would have been sought after."
The question hung heavy between them, and Peri met his gaze with steely resolve. "I may be a Slytherin and skilled in magic," she replied evenly, "but I could never align myself with those who took everything from my friends." The remainder of Hallie and Holly's tragic loss of their parents flickered across her mind, fueling her defiance.
"It takes true strength to resist the pull of darkness," Mad-Eye acknowledged with a nod, his expression grave. "But what if joining them was the only way to shield your family?" His question pierced through her defenses, challenging her convictions.
Peri hesitated for a moment, contemplating the unthinkable choice laid before her. Finally, she spoke with quiet determination. "If it meant protecting my family," she began slowly, each word heavy with unspoken sacrifice, "perhaps then... but only for them."
As the seconds ticked by on the old wooden clock hanging above them, its hands moving with a slow but steady rhythm, Peri could feel the weight of judgment in the room. She took a deep breath and gathered her resolve, knowing she needed to decide soon. "I should go," she announced abruptly, breaking the tense silence weighing down on them. The air felt heavy and thick like it was waiting for her next move. "I can't afford to be late for my next class." A sense of urgency filled her voice as she stood up from her chair.
The professor nodded, his expression unreadable. "Certainly. Good day, Peri." His words were polite, but his tone had an underlying tension.