After being hailed a champion, Peri's days were filled with a deafening stillness. She found herself sitting at the usual table with Draco and their friends during meals, but outside of that, she was alone. In search of peace, she roamed the grounds of Hogwarts until she reached a secluded spot by the Black Lake. This hidden haven had once been her escape from the chaos of the school, but now it served as a constant reminder of her newfound isolation.
As she neared her sanctuary, Peri caught sight of movement in her peripheral vision – four dark figures standing by the edge of the tranquil water. Among them were two men and two small children, their silhouettes painted against the golden sun setting behind them. Suddenly, with a misplaced step on a twig, one of the men vanished into thin air with a sharp crack, leaving only three remaining figures. The remaining man turned towards Peri, his fierce gaze locking onto hers like a predator spotting its prey.
"Peri," his voice sliced through the tranquil air, resonating over the rippling water as he strode purposefully towards her. Standing tall and sinewy, strands of silver threaded through his hair, adding a distinguished air to his weary but warm gaze. The last rays of the sun painted his weathered features in a tapestry of light and shadow. Clad in a humble, threadbare cloak, he exuded a silent power in how he carried himself. Each step closer to Peri amplifies his composed demeanor, his posture straightening with an aura of quiet command. Yet beneath the facade of tranquility lingered a subtle tension evident in the rigid line of his jaw and the intensity that blazed in his eyes.
She spotted the man approaching, his familiar face coming into view. "Hello, Remus... I can go if you need to be alone," she offered hesitantly.
He laughed softly, reaching out to rest a comforting hand on her shoulder. "No need to leave. Join us. Remi just mastered skipping stones."
With a nod, she closed the gap between herself, Ida, and Remi. Remi was by the water's edge, skillfully sending rocks skimming across the lake. At the same time, his sister sat on a smooth boulder with a petite easel and an array of paints, capturing the picturesque scenery before her.
"Hey there," she greeted them with a slight bow.
"Please don't," Ida implored softly. "We may have titles of Lord and Lady, but it is unnecessary."
"My bad. I'm sorry," she quickly corrected herself.
"No worries at all. Care to skip stones with Remi or paint alongside me?" Ida offered kindly.
She stepped away from Remus and bent down to pick up a flat stone. "I'm no artist; I'll stick to skipping stones."
"My dad taught me how to skip rocks," Remi said as his fingers deftly manipulated the ancient black ring, its smooth surface etched with intricate family crests that whispered of generations past. Peri's eyes lingered on the heirloom, a symbol of honor and duty passed down through the Black Family's lineage to the rightful male heir.
"Remulus!" Ida snapped at her brother when mentioning their dad's teaching him how to skip rocks.
Remus stepped in closer, his voice calm and reassuring as he addressed Ida, "It's alright, Ida. Peri is a trusted friend of mine and your dad's; you can trust her."
Ida hesitated momentarily, worry evident in the furrow of her brows and how she nervously bit her lip. However, as her gaze met Remus' steady eyes, she found a glimmer of reassurance and finally nodded slightly. "My dad resides with us in our home in France," she explained, fingering the pendant hanging from her neck that bore a matching emblem to a ring her brother wore.
Remi chimed in supportively for his sister, recounting their difficulties last year when their father had eluded capture. "The authorities were relentless in questioning our mum about his whereabouts..."
Ida's frustration boiled over at the memory. "He was after Harry! Not us! He risked everything for Harry, not his children!" With an angry toss of her art supplies to the ground, she stormed off in a huff.
Remus tried to calm the situation by calling out to Ida's retreating figure. "Ida," he called softly. She turned back with an exasperated sigh, acknowledging bitterly, "I'm well aware that I'm not allowed anywhere without supervision."
Remus sighed wearily as he watched her storm away before turning to Remi somberly. "It's time we headed back inside," he suggested gently. "Let's go rest now. Come along, Remi," he motioned for his godson to follow suit.
Remi nodded, "Bye, Peri."
He pushed his dark curls back from his face before joining his sister with Remus behind them. Peri watched them leave before sitting and listening to the water creaking on the Durmstrang ship.
When she returned to the castle, she noticed students wearing buttons that said, 'Support Cedric Diggory, the Real Hogwarts Champion.' The buttons then changed to the words' Potter Stinks. '
She raised an eyebrow, her gaze landing on Draco and his clique flaunting the badges. "Seriously?" Her tone dripped with exasperation as she confronted them, baffled by their choice. "Are we regressing to our childhood now?"
Draco attempted to justify, "It's not aimed at you, Peri..."
She cut him off sharply, her voice tinged with defiance, "Technically, I represent Ilvermorny, not Hogwarts."
Draco retorted, "That's precisely why people aren't as invested in your participation. They resent that you're underage and flouting the rules, but they look the other way because you're not overshadowing Diggory. If you emerge victorious, it's Ilvermorny that gains prominence... which might not be good after all."
Peri nestled into the soft blades of grass, seeking shelter beneath the sturdy branches of the oak tree. The crisp autumn wind blew through her hair, sending shivers down her spine. Looking out at the landscape before her, she couldn't help but notice how much colder it felt compared to her home in the States. The chill seemed to seep into her bones, reminding her she was no longer in familiar territory. But despite the cold, Peri found peace and solitude in this new environment. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, relishing the crispness of the air and the rustling of leaves above her head.
Peri's thoughts were abruptly interrupted as her younger sister, Mallory, came racing down the hill towards them, her blonde hair flying behind her in two neat braids with dainty red bows at the ends. The group, gathered under the shade of a large oak tree, turned to see what had caught her attention.
Peri sat up and brushed off the grass from her robes as she curiously focused on her sister. "What is it, Mal?" she asked, eager to hear what had caused such excitement in the usually calm and collected first-year Gryffindor.
Peri's heart raced as she finally spotted Mallory amidst the bustling crowd. "I've been searching everywhere for you! Mom and Mr. Bagman are waiting; they need pictures of all the champions for the upcoming features in the newspapers and magazines," she exclaimed breathlessly.
Despite Peri's eagerness, Mallory heaved a weary sigh before reluctantly trailing behind her sister.
"Can you believe this? It's such a big deal," Mallory added, her voice filled with anticipation.
Peri shook her head, "Not really."
"Oh… I'm enjoying the attention. My sister! A champion in the Triwizard tournament, can you believe that!"
As they approached the quaint classroom, Peri's eyes lit up with a gentle gleam. Mallory barged in, triumphantly declaring, "I found her!"
Their younger sister rushed over, tugging Peri towards their mother. Looking slightly exasperated, Cassie intercepted Alicia and guided Peri to join the other champions. "Where were you?" she inquired, ushering her along. We've been waiting for ages—we had to drag Harry and Cedric from their lessons."
"I was down by the lake," Peri replied nonchalantly.
Cassie let out a resigned sigh. "Well, better late than never," she muttered.
His pleasant voice cut through the tension, and Bagman beckoned the next champion. "Champion number five! Time is not on our side; let's move swiftly to avoid further delaying dinner." With a sweep of his arm, he directed Peri towards a pair of ornate seats, explicitly instructing her to take the one beside Fleur.
Approaching the chair, Peri couldn't help but notice its striking resemblance to the elegant wooden chairs she had seen in Richard's parents' lavish dining room. As she settled into it, she found the seat uncomfortably familiar, mirroring the discomfort of Richard's parents' chairs.
"We must verify your wand's integrity for the competition," Bagman explained.
Peri raised an eyebrow in response. "They already checked it when I arrived in the country," she pointed out.
"True," Bagman conceded, "but regulations demand a fresh evaluation for each event."
"Why can't you use the existing paperwork? I've barely been here six months," Peri questioned with a hint of exasperation.
Cassie intervened sternly," Periwinkle, Elizabeth King."
"Ooo, full name." This caused whispers from Alicia and Mallory, earning them a sharp glare from Peri before reluctantly handing over her wand to a waiting assistant.
"It will be returned promptly," reassured the assistant as he departed with her wand in hand.
Bagman's gaze landed on a woman with meticulously styled, stiff curls that seemed to defy gravity, framing her angular jaw. Her attire resembled a future version of Hallie sans the spectacles. Clutching a handbag crafted from faux crocodile skin - a deliberate choice reflecting her staunch stance against animal exploitation - she exuded an air of elegance and conviction. "Meet Rita Skeeter, Peri," Bagman announced, gesturing towards the newcomer who had already made her rounds. "She'll be penning a brief feature for the esteemed pages of the Daily Prophet..."
"I've mentioned before, Ludo, this article won't be a mere snippet," Rita remarked as she approached them. Her gaze shifted back and forth between Harry and Peri. "Let's wrap up the photo shoot before I delve into my interview with our Ilvermorny victor... that is if Peri has no objections?"
Peri's brows furrowed deeply at the woman before her, a hint of defiance in her gaze. "Do I get to choose?" Rita's laughter bubbled forth, filling the room with joy. "Oh, you're a riot, Peri. Cassie, your daughter never fails to entertain."
Cassie's focus shifted from her eldest child, a flicker of irritation crossing her features at the sight of her daughter's antics. Her demeanor softened as she regarded Rita, a hint of pride coloring her voice. "She truly is quite something."
Rita's infectious laughter reverberated off the walls. Gesturing animatedly to her photographer, he eagerly snapped away, freezing the moment in a series of clicks. The champions assembled for a group photo, exuding confidence and pride in their shared triumph. Moving on to individual portraits, each shot captured every young athlete's distinct essence and prowess. Peri couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling that these portraits would soon be plastered on merchandise as souvenirs from the games, a thought she found unsettling. Wrapping up with a collective portrait of the girls, their bond was palpable in their radiant smiles and easy postures.
Peri stood amidst the group, the expert returning her wand with a nod. Bagman's voice echoed, "All of you are dismissed except Peri."
Before she could react, Rita Skeeter's grip closed around her arm, steering her forcefully into a nearby broom cupboard. "Let's have a little chat, just us girls," Rita purred, a sly smile on her lips.
Inside the cramped space, Peri raised an eyebrow at the absurdity of it all. "A broom cupboard?" she remarked dryly.
Ignoring her comment, Rita guided Peri onto an upturned bucket with surprising gentleness before pushing her down. As Peri landed ungracefully on the makeshift seat, irritation flickered in her eyes at being cornered by this enigmatic woman.
Rita Skeeter: "You won't mind if I use a Quick-Quotes Quill?" she asked, pulling the quill and notepad from her handbag.
The quill, a coveted tool among journalists, could add intrigue to any story.
"I prefer..." Peri started to say, but her words were swiftly interrupted.
With an air of smugness, Rita asked, "So, Peri...short for Periwinkle?"
Peri's eyebrow raised in confusion. How was her name relevant to the competition? "Yes," she replied cautiously, "my mother liked the flower. She wears a necklace of it daily."
Rita's lips curled into a sly smile. "Or is it because of your birth father?"
A pang of discomfort shot through Peri. "I do not know," she responded curtly, "I never had the chance to meet my birth father."
The emerald cursive script adorning the notebook's front cover, titled "A Girl with a Boy's Name," unravels the enigmatic allure hidden within Periwinkle King. His sharp, angular features resemble a renowned professor from the halls of Hogwarts, hinting at a mysterious connection.
Peri's eyes remained fixed on the parchment, the ink flowing smoothly from the quill in a mesmerizing dance. "Excuse me..." she began, her voice steady yet laced with a hint of urgency.
"Ignore the quill," Rita Skeeter interjected, her tone dismissive as she leaned back in her chair, a sly smile on her lips.
"You are making accusations!" Peri's words cut through the air like a sharp blade, her frustration palpable.
Rita Skeeter's smirk widened into a mocking grin, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Ooo...a temper," she taunted, relishing in Peri's visible agitation.
Peri's eyes blazed like fiery embers, her nails digging into her palm as she seethed, "Your ignorance of my life is astounding."
Rita's eyes narrowed, a flicker of displeasure crossing her face. "Fine," she conceded, her tone calm yet tinged with reluctance. "If that's what you want, I'll jot down the surface details known to the public about your stay in America."
Peri's agreement was firm, her nod decisive. "Feel free to extract any rudimentary facts about me from the existing publications. However, personal intricacies regarding myself or my family are off-limits. If it's out in the open, then it's fair game. I must confess that I abstained from submitting my name for the Goblet of Fire. The tarnishing of my family's esteemed standing is a risk I would never contemplate."
Peri jumped up from her hiding spot in the broom closet with a huff of frustration. Her steps were quick and purposeful as she strode through the corridors, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge.
In a flurry of movement, she crashed into Draco, nearly knocking him off his feet. His muscular arms immediately encircled her, anchoring her to him and preventing her from falling. Despite being a year younger, he was much taller than her, giving her the sense of being completely enveloped in his presence.
Her hands instinctively gripped the fabric of his shirt as she caught her breath, her heart racing from the impact and the proximity to him. Her gaze locked onto his deep blue eyes, swirling with emotion and intensity. But their moment was quickly interrupted by the sudden sound of a camera flash and the fleeting sight of a photographer scampering away. She cursed under her breath, "I hate journalists!"
Draco signaled for the photographer to depart with a subtle flick of his wrist, wanting to savor this moment with her alone. He held her close, his arms encircling her in a protective embrace as they swayed gently to the music. Her delicate hands rested on his chest, feeling the beat of his heart against her palms. The soft glow from the window's light casts a warm and intimate ambiance around them, creating a perfect backdrop for their dance.
Peri began to step away, and in doing so, she felt Draco's compassionate gaze following her.
His head tilted slightly in a gesture of empathy, his typically perfect blonde hair falling over his forehead. "I can relate... I've faced the relentless media scrutiny since childhood and even during my time at Hogwarts," he confided.
Pausing momentarily, he casually plucked a beetle off her shoulder and released it from the nearby open window.
Peri's eyes widened in surprise as Draco confessed his struggles with the media. She had always assumed that being a pureblood from one of the most prominent wizarding families, he would have reveled in the attention and admiration. But his words revealed a vulnerability that she hadn't seen before.
"My father thrives in the spotlight that accompanies the Malfoy name..."
"Thank you for understanding," she said sincerely, her eyes meeting his again.
Draco's lips twitched into a small smile before he leaned closer to her, his gaze softening. "Perhaps we should make a pact," he suggested. "To stick together and protect each other."
Peri was taken aback by his offer but couldn't deny its logic. They were both targets for the press, and having each other as allies could benefit them.
Nodding in agreement, she held out her hand to him. "Deal," she said firmly as they shook on it.
A comfortable silence fell between them as they continued to sway gently to the music, lost in thought about their futures and how they could navigate this new challenge together.
Eventually, Peri broke the silence. "I must admit, I didn't expect this evening to turn.
"Neither did I," he agreed. "Shall we go to dinner?" he asked, changing subjects.
"Please. I am starving," she said, taking his arm and following him to the hall.