The first week of 1995 slipped by quietly for the Banks family, enveloped in a peaceful routine at the Burrow. Each morning, the aroma of freshly baked croissants filled their cozy kitchen. There were a few missing from their group including: Remy, Ida, Remus, Sirius, and Emilie.
The small group missing had returned to the French countryside to spend the rest of the winter break. Remus had been living with Emilie, Ida, and Remy after Sirius had been arrested in 1981. Remus had promised Sirius if anything ever happened to him that he would take care of Emilie and the children. And he did until Ida and Remy grew up and started school.
By the time Remy was starting his schooling at Beauxbaton, Remus had bid farewell to the French countryside and embraced a new chapter in hopes of a new beginning when Dumbledore offered him a teaching role at Hogwarts beckoned him back. Unfortunately that did not end well as the school found out he was a werewolf causing him to give up his teaching position. With that he was able to return to France to be with his small family of Sirius, Emilie, Ida, and Remy.
Following the conclusion of the tournament the Weasleys and Banks family would join their friends in the French countryside for a summer holiday.
Until then the families still in England were gathered around the table at The Burrow enjoying breakfast, Richard and Arthur were reading the latest edition of the Daily Prophet, while Hallie devoured her special issue of Witch Weekly. Both publications had already covered the gala from last night, featuring Peri on the front cover of both.
The front cover of the prophet had captured a moment in time, a frame of her and Draco intertwined as the clock struck midnight. They stood beneath the sparkling enchantments that mimicked snowfall from the enchanted ceiling, lost in each other's embrace. The scene was also immortalized on the pages of Witch Weekly, giving readers a glimpse into their private moment.
But Peri's mind was elsewhere. She did not care about the photos like it did to George. He still could not wrap his mind around why their relationship had to be a secret.
Peri's mind though was stuck on what Barty had said. The sound of his voice echoing in her thoughts. It was a brief interaction, but one that she could never forget
The kitchen was a flurry of activity, the clanging of pots and pans mixing with the chatter and laughter of the group gathered around the table. Amidst the chaos, she suddenly asked, "What is a legilimens?"
The room went immediately quiet with all eyes on her.
Cassie paused mid-sip from her coffee cup, her expression one of confusion at the unexpected question. "What?" she asked, setting her cup back down on the table.
"I overheard someone mention it at the party and I'm curious," she explained, her gaze shifting between the adults seated at the end of the table. The air was thick with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries, but all attention was now focused on her question about this mysterious subject.
Holly's eyes flickered between the adults waiting for one of them to answer Peri. When no one did she answered the question, her voice carrying the weight of knowledge. "It is the art of delving into the intricate layers of a person's mind and accurately interpreting what is found there," she explained, breaking the silence that had settled among the adults. "This practice is known as legilimency, though no-majs often refer to it simply as mind reading. On the other hand, occlumency is its counterpart - a powerful tool used to protect one's mind from intrusion and manipulation by a skilled legilimens."
Peri's gaze shifted to Richard, who gave a slow, deliberate nod as he added onto Holly's response. "They are rare," he said, his tone grave and serious, "because of how incredibly difficult it is to do."
"Have you ever met one?" she asked curiously.
Arthur, who had been listening silently, spoke up. "Dumbledore was one," he stated matter-of-factly. "But he is the only one I know of who is still living."
Cassie, who had been quietly picking at her food, suddenly looked up with a distant look in her eyes. "Severus is another," she murmured softly, almost inaudibly. "He became trained very early on, but he truly mastered it during the war."
Interrupting their conversation the Banks' family owl, Pudding, swooped up to the window and began tapping on it urgently. Richard stood from his chair and quickly unlatched the window, allowing the elegant cream-colored bird to glide inside and gracefully land on the counter. She held out a small envelope in her beak, which he gently took from her before reaching into his pocket and pulling out a treat for her. After enjoying her reward, she flew back out the open window with a soft hoot of thanks. Richard closed the window and turned to examine the letter in his hand, curious as to who it may be from.
"Peri, this is for you." He walked over to her and handed the letter.
This prompted Alicia to ask who it was from as she shoveled eggs into her mouth, drawing a disapproving look from Hallie. "You and Ron really need to work on your table manners," Hallie remarked as she nibbled on a piece of fruit. Ignoring the comment, Alicia rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Peri, who carefully opened the envelope.
"It's from my da... Snape," Peri announced, scanning the contents of the small letter with furrowed brows.
The invitation from Snape invited Peri to join him for dinner that evening. The sign off was scribbled out multiple times, as if he couldn't decide how to address her. First, he crossed out "dad" and then "father," as if those titles felt too distant or unfamiliar. He even tried his surname name, "Snape," but it too was rejected. Finally, with a sense of defeat, he settled on just using his given name, "Severus." The constant scratching out and changing of names spoke volumes about the inner turmoil Snape must have been feeling in extending this invitation to her.
"He invited me to..."
Cassie's voice cut in sharply, interrupting the sentence before it could fully form, "Absolutely not! His only claim over you is as your potions instructor."
"But he is my father... my flesh and blood," Peri countered with a hint of uncertainty.
"Richard is your true father. Severus merely contributed to your existence. Richard has been by your side through every illness, every nightmare, every milestone since you were three years old. Severus neglected both you and me. I wrote him numerous letters about you before and after you were born. You're turning sixteen in March, why can't you see the truth?"
Molly's voice was gentle yet firm as she interjected, her words weaving through the tense silence that hung in the air. "Cassie," she began, "this should be Peri's choice. As you said, she is almost sixteen - let her make her own decision about this relationship. You have expressed your feelings to her, but ultimately it is up to her." Molly's hand rested softly on Cassie's shoulder, a small gesture of support and understanding in the midst of their disagreement.
Peri sat at the end of the table, contemplating her words as all eyes were on her. The silence was uncomfortable, but she finally spoke up. "I've decided to go...I have to at least try. I should at least try. He was seventeen or eighteen years old, I do not blame him entirely for not wanting to be fully committed to a child that young."
Cassie stood up abruptly, sending her napkin fluttering off the plate in annoyance. She stormed out of the kitchen with an air of frustration and anger, and Richard quickly followed after her, his footsteps echoing through the hallway as he tried to catch up to her.
"It's a beautiful snowy day, you all should go outside and enjoy it," Molly declared with authority, urging the children to leave the house and not really caring in that moment where they went.
Not arguing they bundled up in their warmest winter clothing and headed out to explore the snowy landscape.
As they scattered to different areas of the property, George approached Peri and asked with a mixture of surprise and concern, "Are you really going to have dinner with Snape tonight?"
Peri's gaze lingered on Fred and Hallie vanishing into the dense woods, likely seeking a secluded spot for snogging and hopefully that was it. Shuddering at the idea of this, she tightened her cloak around her frame. Up ahead, Ginny, Ron, Harry, and Alicia were engaged in an animated conversation about Quidditch. Trailing slightly behind them was Mallory, engrossed in a discussion with Hermione about various potions, particularly focusing on healing elixirs and spells.
She turned to face George, her gaze unsure as she spoke. "I am..." Her voice trailed off, filled with hesitation.
He simply shrugged, his expression unreadable. "It is not Malfoy. I could care less about who you spend dinner with."
"George," she sighed, frustration creeping into her tone. "I am sleeping with you, not him."
"But he gets to flaunt you whenever he wishes," George retorted bitterly. "All I get is secret snogging sessions and..." His eyes roamed over her body before settling on her delicate porcelain face, the hurt in his gaze palpable.
A rosy flush crept up her cheeks as she turned away, hoping he would interpret it as a sign of coldness rather than embarrassment. She avoided meeting his gaze, her eyes flickering to the ground as she released a long, exasperated sigh. "Please," she pleaded, "do not make me explain this to you again."
He wanted to protest, his mouth opening in preparation, but he quickly shut it with a resigned huff. "Fine," he conceded, knowing that arguing would only lead to further frustration for both of them.
The two, wrapped in thick coats and boots, trudged through the knee-deep snow with the others until the early evening. As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow on the white landscape, they made their way through frozen fields and bare trees. The icy wind whipped at their faces, stinging their cheeks and noses.
Upon their return, the group dispersed upstairs to change and thaw out from the cold. As for her, Peri made her way into the living room and came to a stop in front of The Burrow's fireplace. She gazed into its void, noting the remnants of ash left behind from previous floo travels or simply fires used to keep the house warm. It was a cozy scene, with armchairs gathered around the hearth and various knick-knacks adorning the mantel.
Her stomach churned with nerves as she prepared to attend the dinner, her first interaction with her father in years. She fidgeted in her seat and nervously glanced up at the clock, watching the seconds tick by slowly. Suddenly, a familiar set of footsteps approached, the sound echoing through the hallway. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized them immediately-her mother's light, hurried steps. She took a deep breath and braced herself for what was to come.
"Mom…" she whispered, her gaze fixed on the dancing flames in the fireplace. The crackling fire filled the room with warmth and shadows.
After a moment of quiet, Cassie finally spoke, her voice gentle and composed, "I don't want you to go through what I did…" Her words hung in the air as she paused, inhaling deeply before letting out a slow breath. "I was once that girl. Longing for his affection, but he kept his distance for many reasons. Loving someone else played a significant part. And maybe the thought of parenthood, like you mentioned this morning... His own upbringing was troubled, especially with his father. The idea of raising a child scared him; it terrified me too. Yet, having you seemed easier than staying in my parents' house," Cassie drew in another steadying breath, her fingers absently tracing the delicate pendant hanging from her neck.
Cassie's slender neck was adorned with a delicate periwinkle flower pendant, its petals intricately crafted in a soft hue that complemented her skin tone. The gold chain it hung from gleamed softly in the candlelight, catching Peri's eye as she turned to her mother with a curious expression.
"You've mentioned naming me after a flower," Peri began, her gaze fixed on the elegant piece of jewelry.
Her mother smiled nostalgically, her eyes reflecting memories of days long past. "Yes, but the name was more than just about the flower itself. It was reflected to how I first met Severus. I did want you to have some connection to him even if he refused to be in your life. We were both familiar with one another as were in the same house, but it wasn't until we were fifteen that our paths truly crossed. It was at the arrival of the first spring bloom after a harsh winter during our fifth year. And that's when my love for potions deepened..."
Peri already knew this about her mother, but allowed her to continue.
"Professor Slughorn had once introduced me to a complex potion that demanded the rare periwinkle flower, a delicate bloom not commonly found in the vicinity of Hogwarts. While it thrived in various regions across Europe, its scarcity near our school was evident as Professor Sprout did not cultivate it in her greenhouses due to its infrequent use in potions. Determined to experiment with this elusive ingredient, I embarked on a journey back from Hogsmeade when a flash of vibrant blue amidst the melting snow caught my eye. It was the coveted periwinkle flower, standing out like a precious gem in the winter landscape. As I reached for it, Severus, too, noticed its presence. In that shared moment of discovery and appreciation for nature's beauty, an unspoken bond formed between us over the rare flower. This serendipitous encounter marked the beginning of a lasting friendship that endured until our final days at Hogwarts."
"Mom, what is all this about?"
Cassie moved closer to her daughter and then brushed a hand on her daughter's ebony hair, "I should not allow my issues with him being pushed on you. You enjoy your dinner, but come home tonight."
Peri smiled with a soft laugh, "My home is with you, Mom. I just want to have dinner with him. It is not like he is going to sue you for custody, he simply asked for dinner and any other interactions I have with him will be at Hogwarts."
She watched as her mother's emotions flicker to worry for a moment when she mentioned suing for custody, but settled back on calm just as quickly as it had changed.
"Mom, I am not going anywhere."
Cassie said nothing, but pulled her into a hug, "You are more of a Gryffindor than a Slytherin," she kissed the top of her head before releasing her, "Go. You will be late."
She nodded, stepping back and grabbing a hand of floo powder then entered the fireplace, "Spinner's End!"
Stepping into the small sitting room, Peri immediately noticed the musty smell that clung to everything. The air felt cold and damp, causing her to shiver as she removed her cloak. As she dusted off the soot from the fireplace, she scanned the room with a critical eye. The walls were bare except for shelves of old books, their leather bindings faded to shades of black and brown. The furniture was worn and tattered - a threadbare sofa, an old armchair, and a rickety table huddled together in a dim pool of light cast by a single lamp hanging from the ceiling. It was clear that this room had been neglected, as if it were rarely used or even visited. Her footsteps echoed on the creaky floorboards as she made her way further into the room.
Snape charged into the room suddenly, his wand drawn and ready. "Oh, Peri...you came," he sounded surprised as he quickly lowered his wand.
"Yes..." she stuttered, slightly taken aback by his sudden entrance. "Yes, sorry I should have responded to your letter."
He shook his head, tucking his wand back into his sleeve and brushing off her apology. "Come."
With that, he turned on his heel and led her out of the room. She quickly followed.
As they entered the entry hall, she noticed a coat rack and hung up her cloak before speaking again. "So...you live here?" she asked, examining the continuous bare walls.
He stopped at the stove, where he was currently cooking something that surprisingly smelled delicious. "I thought you were supposed to be smart?" he quipped.
"I am smart or so I am told," Peri replied confidently, "but I am just attempting to make conversation."
"Not very good at it," Snape remarked dryly.
She rolled her eyes playfully, noticing the bottles of wine on the counter. "May I?" she asked with a mischievous grin.
His head whipped towards her in alarm. "Peri! No! Your mother and stepfather would kill me if I allowed you to drink underage." He turned to a tea kettle on the stove and used magic to pour her a cup of tea before setting cream and sugar in front of her. "You get tea," he stated firmly.
She rarely drank tea except in divination, she was raised on coffee being the proper drink you serve to underage guests, "Tea? What am I English?"
He made no expression and kept his tone monotone, "You are English."
"I was raised American though."
This time he rolled his eyes, "Well learn your culture and drink the tea." She huffed and took the cup, she made it as she knew her mom would make her cup of tea. Cassie only had coffee in the mornings and chose tea throughout the rest of the day.
Snape finished his cooking. He carefully ladled the food into chipped bowls, the steam rising in delicate swirls. "What is it?" she asked.
"Stew," he answered sharply, placing her bowl in front of her with a clink. A few drops sloshed onto the table, creating a small puddle.
She grabbed her spoon, noting its slight bend, and took a tentative bite. The flavors exploded on her tongue, a perfect blend of savory and earthy notes. "Very good," she complimented.
He did not acknowledge her praise, his attention focused on his bowl as he began to eat with quiet determination. The only sound was the occasional clink of silverware against ceramic as they both savored their meal in silence.
The two sat in tense silence, the only sound coming from the clinking of silverware against plates. Despite the elegant setting and delicious food, an unspoken tension hung heavy in the air.
"Why did you ask me here?" she finally broke the quiet, her voice laced with curiosity and a hint of resentment.
He paused, raising a spoon to his mouth and studying her with a flicker of hesitation before answering. "You are my child," he stated simply, as if it were an undeniable fact.
"Yes...but you did ignore my existence for sixteen years," she pointed out, her tone slightly accusatory.
He reached for his wine glass and took a long sip before he responded. "You sound like your mum."
"I am her child," she affirmed.
With a flick of his wand, he conjured another glass of red wine for himself. She couldn't help but notice that he had already finished an entire bottle since she arrived. "My mom mentioned you're a legilimens," she stated.
He set the glass down on the table and turned to her, giving her his full attention. "I am," he confirmed, curiosity evident in his tone. "Why do you ask?" His dark eyes bore into hers, searching for any underlying meaning behind her question.
She absentmindedly swirled her spoon in the hearty stew, fixating on its rich aroma rather than meeting his gaze, even though she sensed his eyes on her. "Do you recall the time you discovered Richard consoling me just before Grandfather stumbled upon us?" His silent acknowledgment confirmed his recollection. Maintaining her focus on the steaming bowl, she continued, "Grandfather had ushered me into his study to introduce me to a pair what I assume were his associates... one of them remarked about my lack of Legilimency skills, insinuating that you should have been my mentor, but we don't have a..."
"A relationship that would promote me to teach you my skill."
She gave a nod informing him he was correct.
A heavy silence settled over the room, broken only by the gentle ticking of a grandfather clock in the corner. Snape's voice cut through the stillness, breaking it like a sharp blade. "I will teach you then," he said, his words holding both promise and warning. His eyes flicked to the window, where dark clouds were gathering on the horizon. "How late can you stay? I do not know if your mother will allow you to come back, and once at Hogwarts my time to teach you will be limited."
She raised her head which had still been looking into her bowl, "I can stay as late as I need."
"Are you finished then?"
He glanced at her nearly finished bowl of steaming stew. She had been hungry, but the heavy weight of nerves in her stomach made it difficult to eat. With a subtle nod, he employed his magic and the dishes floated effortlessly to the sink to begin their self-cleaning process. The hot water and suds swirled around the plates and utensils, dissolving any leftover bits of food and leaving them sparkling clean. The clink of ceramic against ceramic echoed through the kitchen as they were placed gently into their designated spots on the drying rack.
With a graceful gesture, he rose from his seat at the table and extended a hand to lead her to the sitting room. The warm glow of the fireplace beckoned them, and he settled into the luxurious armchair closest to it. "Sit," he commanded with a hint of authority in his voice.
Slowly, she lowered herself onto the couch, wincing as her body sank into the lumpy cushions. She couldn't help but compare it to the plush, luxurious furniture she was used to back home. The stark difference made her realize just how wealthy her family was compared to the humble Weasleys. No longer could she take comfort for granted; now it was a luxury reserved for those who could afford it.
"So…" she began.
He simply stared at her, his intense gaze weighing heavily on her. She could see the wheels turning in his mind as he tried to figure out how to begin this lesson. "This is a difficult skill," he started, his voice low and serious. "But to learn legilimency, you must first master occlumency. Do you understand what that means?"
Yes," she answered confidently. "Holly explained it to me. Legilimency is the ability to read minds, while occlumency is the ability to protect your mind from being read."
A small smile tugged at his lips as he nodded in approval. "Excellent. Ten points to Slytherin," he declared, his tone lightening slightly. "And I suppose your know-it-all friend...sister can have points as well."
She couldn't help but let out a soft laugh at his joke about giving points like they were candy. For a brief moment, she saw a glimmer of amusement in his eyes. But just as quickly as it appeared, the smile vanished and he was back to business once again.
"How do I learn to block others from my mind?"
He took a small sip of his rich wine before answering, "Remove all emotions…block any feelings you have inside you. Clear your mind of all thoughts and feelings."
She furrowed her brow in confusion, "Can't I think at all?"
His dark eyes met hers with a serious intensity, "You must have absolute control over your mind in order to create walls that can block someone from penetrating it. Your emotions and thoughts are like cracks in those walls, allowing easy access for the person attempting to breach them. Memories are our greatest weapon, and vulnerability can make them our downfall."
A nervous tremble ran through her body as she nodded in understanding.
"The Dark Lord himself is a powerful legilimens, skilled in the art of reading minds and extracting information."
"But he is gone, right? Harry killed him."
He did not answer her. This did not ease her mind.
Snape took a slow, deliberate inhale before sitting up straight in his chair, fixing Peri with an intense gaze. With a smooth motion, he rose to his feet and beckoned for her to do the same. She complied, feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement pulsing through her veins.
"Clear your mind, Peri," Snape's voice was low and commanding. "I am about to attempt to break into your mind. You must resist and build walls to block me from your memories. I want you to try and turn me away from the memories I push into you. Show me your true power. Prepare yourself now... Legilimens!"
His words rang in her ears as she steeled herself for what was to come. The air seemed to crackle with energy as Snape's wand pointed directly at her forehead. A surge of determination flowed through her, and she braced herself for the impending intrusion into her mind.
Her breath caught in her throat as he delved into her mind, sifting through memories like pages in a book. From the faintest recollections of childhood to the most recent experiences, he explored every corner of her mind. Each memory was like a photograph, capturing a moment frozen in time. She felt vulnerable, exposed, as if he could see all of her deepest thoughts and emotions. And yet, there was a strange intimacy in this invasion, a connection formed by the sharing of memories. She couldn't help but hold her breath, waiting to see what else he would discover within her mind.
Mid-September 1981
Peri became unable to push Snape away as she watched him search the memory, she tried to recognize it herself till a ship horn blew, she turned to see the ship that had taken her, Hallie, Holly, and her mom to America.
The sea air blew her hair as two-year-old Peri stood next to Cassie, she did not understand the tears from everyone or why they were leaving England. The ship horn blew next to them, it startled the children.
"What that?" a small Hallie asked looking in the direction of the noise.
"A ship. We go bye-bye," a young Holly informed her twin.
"Mummy? Daddy?" Hallie asked looking up at Cassie, who ignored her as she hugged Remus and then took each of the twins' hands.
"Peri, grab Holly's hand. And let us go find out new home."
Home? The toddler Peri had a look of confusion as she did not understand, this was home to her. Why were they leaving?
She took Holly's hand anyway and walked up the gangway with her mom, Hallie, and Holly. Once aboard they found a bench to stand on near the edge of the ship, "Bye-bye!" the three toddlers called out to Cassie's friends waving as the ship disembarked.
Snape continued to dig through her memories trying to find something deeper and emotional to her. She attempted to throw walls up to block him from anything of interest.
December 1984
Five-year-old Peri sat cross-legged on the floor of their the New York City penthouse, adorned with twinkling holiday decorations. This was their secondary home, used only during the most festive time of year. Her little sister Mallory, a cherubic eighteen-month-old, giggled next to her as they played with their toys. Alicia, the youngest at eight months, cooed from her bouncy seat while the rambunctious four-year-old twins chased each other around the room. Richard, their doting father, sat among them on the plush carpet, his hands moving deftly as he brought Christmas puppets to life in a merry game of make-believe. "Ho ho ho," he exclaimed jovially, embodying Santa Claus for his adoring daughters. It was a scene straight out of a storybook, and Peri couldn't imagine a more perfect holiday moment.
The girls laughed except Peri, who felt dazed.
"Peri?" Richard questioned noticing her not herself behavior, "Cassie!"
Cassie hurried into the room preparing a baby bottle, "What's wrong?"
He was holding Peri now, "Peri…she's warm and barely responding. I ran a fever spell on her, her temp is hundred-two."
"Hospital now, please. I should go with though, but the children."
"Stay I have her…"
The memory pulled Snape in with a sharp tug, but he quickly recoiled as if it had burned him. Peri could sense the pain and reluctance in his movement, understanding that he didn't want to witness Richard fulfilling the role of a father figure to her.
August 1989
"Peri!" Cassie called up the stairs of their Hampton mansion.
The spirited eleven-year-old Peri twirled and leaped around the airy media room of their house, her sisters joining in with equal enthusiasm. Their voices intertwined as they sang along to the no-maj song Like a Prayer by Madonna, which filled the room with pulsing beats and catchy lyrics. The colorful walls were adorned with posters of magical creatures and famous wizarding musicians, adding to the lively atmosphere. As the song reached its climax, Peri threw her arms up and spun in wild abandon, a carefree smile on her face. It was moments like these that made her forget about the pressures of being a young witch and just revel in the joy of music and dance with her sisters by her side.
"When you call my name it's like a little prayer
I'm down on my knees, I wanna take you there
In the midnight hour, I can feel your power"
Cassie came up to them with Richard behind her, "Peri!" she said again as Holly turned down the music.
Peri tumbled into the neon pink beanbag chair with a huff, her short brown hair flying around her face. "Sorry, mom. We were just jamming to Madonna," she said with a sheepish grin, her cheeks flushed from excitement.
Her mother smiled warmly at her daughters before holding up a thick envelope. "You've got mail," she announced, her voice tinged with pride.
Peri's heart leapt in her chest as she shot up from the chair and raced over to her mother and stepfather, Cassie and Richard. "It came!" she exclaimed, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. "I'm going to Ilvermorny?!"
With trembling hands, she tore open the letter and eagerly scanned its contents. Her eyes widened in disbelief and pure joy. "I'm going to Ilvermorny!" she shrieked, unable to contain her excitement any longer. She flung herself into Cassie and Richard's arms, their beaming faces mirroring her own happiness. The room seemed filled with electric energy, pulsing with the promise of a new adventure ahead.
September 1990
Peri stood among her fellow Ilvermorny classmates, her heart pounding with anticipation as they waited inside the circular room just beyond the grand entrance doors. All around them were towering shelves filled with dusty tomes and curious artifacts, a testament to the school's rich history. As each student's name was called, Peri couldn't help but feel a twinge of nerves. And then, finally, it was her turn. "Periwinkle King!" came the booming voice from the sorting hat, echoing throughout the chamber. With a deep breath, Peri stepped forward, ready to embark on her magical journey at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
With a deep inhale, she crossed the threshold into the sacred circle. Her feet landed on the intricate gordian knot engraved into the smooth marble floor, its twisting lines representing the tangled paths of fate. All eyes were on her as she stood in front of the wooden carvings that adorned the walls, each one representing a different house with its own unique creature. She gazed up at the balcony where the older students sat, eagerly awaiting the sorting ceremony. Her gaze then shifted to the professor in charge, who spoke to her in a reassuring tone: "Go ahead, Peri. There is no bad house here." The air was charged with anticipation and excitement as she prepared to find out which house she would be sorted into.
With a cautious gaze, she studied the figures before her. Each one held a unique energy and she could feel the weight of their judgement. She stepped towards the Horned Serpent, its majestic form curled upon itself with eyes that seemed to see into her soul. But as she drew nearer, the gem on its head dulled and turned cloudy gray, signaling that this was not the house for her. With a heavy sigh, she moved on to the Thunderbird, its powerful wings already starting to rustle with anticipation. As soon as she stood in front of it, the bird burst into flight, its thunderous flapping echoing through the room. The Thunderbird students above her erupted into deafening applause and cheers, welcoming her into their house with open arms.
She turned to the professor smiling then looked up at the balcony seeing her housemates.
December 1993
The memory was hazy for Peri, her mind clouded by the copious amount of alcohol she had consumed. It was a distant recollection now, from when she was just fourteen years old and allured by the idea of rebellion. She had been dating an older boy in her house, drawn to his reputation rather than any genuine feelings for him.
On this particular night, he and his friends were gathered, fueled by the alcohol his brother had smuggled in. The bottles clinked as they raised them to their lips, taking swigs and laughing raucously. Some even pulled out cigarettes, the smoke billowing around them like ribbons. As they played wizard poker, one of the boys turned to Peri with a leering grin and asked, "Have you two slept together yet?"
It felt like a slap in the face, a reminder of her inexperienced naivety amidst a group of reckless adolescents.
Her boyfriend had her nestled in his lap, his fingers intertwined with hers. A lit cigarette rested between his fingers, the smoke curling upwards towards the ceiling. He took a long drag before responding to her question, "Not yet, but very soon." As he put out the cigarette, his hand began to wander up her skirt, teasing her skin and sending shivers down her spine. She couldn't help but moan at his touch, melting into his embrace. "My dorm is occupied," she breathed against his lips, losing herself in their passionate moment.
Peri attempted to push Snape from the memory, but he pushed more in.
"Then it is quite fortunate that your boyfriend happens to be the captain of the Thunderbird's quidditch team."
A sly grin spread across his face as he leaned in closer, "Isn't it?"
His eyes flickered with a dangerous intensity, sending shivers down Peri's spine. With a swift motion, he tossed his cards onto the table and stood up abruptly, his voice dripping with confidence, "Well gentlemen, I do believe it is time for me to bid you adieu." He grabbed Peri's hand and pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arm tightly around her waist.
As they left the common room behind, he steered her towards the quidditch pitch. Along the way, he couldn't resist stopping for impromptu kisses, pressing her against walls and running his hands under her skirt. Each touch sent sparks flying through her body as they indulged in their passionate secret tryst.
Snape pulled out of this memory at the moment with fury, she could feel it. She had attempted to block that memory as it was from the time she lost her virginity, but was finding it harder to block memories.
August 1994
"
Cassie and Richard's voices rang out through the house, their urgent calls echoing off the walls and pulling the girls' attention away from whatever they had been doing. "Girls!" Cassie called again, her voice more insistent this time. "Come here, please."
Holly let out a frustrated sigh as she and the others made their way downstairs. "Peri, what did you do?" she asked with a sharp tone.
"Me? Why do you automatically assume it was me?" Peri shot back defensively. "It could have been Hallie."
Holly rolled her eyes, not buying Peri's deflection tactic. "Ha! Funny. The most dangerous thing Hallie has ever done is forget about an assignment being due."
Hallie bristled at Holly's words and quickly defended herself. "Hey, just because I don't see the point in school doesn't mean I can't succeed without it. Not everyone needs to conform to society's expectations."
As they reached the living room, the five girls took their usual spots - Mallory on the couch next to Hallie and Holly, with Peri and Alicia perched on the armrests. But before they could settle in comfortably, their parents interrupted.
"Mom. Dad," Mallory greeted them politely.
"Can two of you sit in the chairs, please?" Cassie requested, gesturing towards the empty armchairs in the room. "We have furniture for you to sit on."
Alicia and Peri exchanged amused glances before settling into the chairs with a pointed remark. "Well technically, we are sitting on furniture," Peri remarked cheekily, earning a chuckle from her sister.
Cassie let out an exasperated sigh, her brows furrowed in frustration. "Peri, please," she pleaded with her friend.
Peri let out a groan as she moved to sit down in one of the armchairs in their shared living room. "Happy now?" she grumbled.
Cassie didn't respond but simply turned to face Richard, their mentor and guardian. Her eyes held a mix of fear and determination as she spoke. "Well, we have some news."
"School is over!" Peri exclaimed excitedly, hoping for some good news after their recent trials.
Richard's expression softened as he shook his head gently. "Well, sort of... no more Ilvermorny," he said, referring to their magical school in America. "But all of you will be attending a new school."
"A new school?" Holly asked, her tone uncertain.
"We are moving to England," Richard revealed.
All five girls were now furious at the thought of leaving their home and everything familiar. "No! No!" they shrieked in unison, their voices echoing through the small room.
The memory flipped to later that week
The family was packed and standing on the docks of the New York City harbor, "Mrs. Banks! Mr. Banks!" reporters shouted as they took pictures of them standing preparing to board the ship to take them to London. Richard and Cassie gave waves as if they were truly a royal family, not just what they were called by the press.
The memory must have bored Snape because he moved on rather quickly from this one
August 1994 ~ The Burrow
They had arrived at The Burrow for the first time since being back in England and had their elaborate greeting from Molly when the shuffle of movement from upstairs was heard as they all began to come downstairs, "I at least hope the guys are attractive…," Peri whispered to Hallie and Holly who stood next to her.
"Did you not see the Christmas card from last year?" Hallie exclaimed with a hint of disappointment in her voice. "They were just alright," she continued, sounding unimpressed. "I hope the men at Hogwarts look way better. And we get to meet Harry Potter." Her eyes lit up at the thought of meeting Harry Potter.
Peri gave her a knowing look, "What are you talking about? They were just alright? You couldn't stop staring at the Weasley twins. "
Holly let out a small groan as they stood near the grand staircase, "Is that all you two ever think about? How attractive a man is?"
Hallie blushed and shifted uncomfortably, "No...I mean...well..." But her words trailed off as she caught sight of Fred and George walking down the stairs. She went speechless, her eyes glued to them.
"You were saying?" Peri teased, a mischievous glint in her eye.
Fred and George approached them, their trademark grins plastered on their faces. "Hello ladies."
Peri greeted them in her smooth, confident tone. "My name is Periwinkle but everyone calls me Peri. And these are my godsisters...well, sisters," she added with a wink.
Holly gave a small nod of her head in greeting, "I'm Holly and this is my twin, Hallie," she introduced.
Hallie's cheeks turned even redder as she tried to speak. "Hi..." she squeaked out, her voice barely audible. But her blush only intensified as they locked eyes with her.
"Are you alright?" Fred asked with genuine concern, his eyebrows furrowed as he noticed her flushed cheeks and shaky voice.
Hallie was mortified, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red. "Oh...um...yes. Please excuse me," she stuttered before hastily walking away.
Peri laughed, "Don't mind her, she's just got a bad case of the giggles."
Cassie shot her daughter a stern look, silently scolding her for her behavior.
"We were just telling jokes before you and your brother came down. I don't believe we caught your names."
Fred barely spared Peri a glance, his attention focused on where Hallie had rushed off to be with her younger sisters. "I'm Fred, and this is George," he introduced himself. "So, Hallie likes jokes?"
A mischievous smirk played on Peri's lips as she replied, "Do you like jokes?" She knew she was about to stir up some mischief and couldn't wait to see how it would play out.
Fred and George both laughed looking at each other and then back at her, "Do we like jokes, she says. Peri, we love jokes but especially pranking."
"Oh well, Hallie does n…" Holly started but Peri cut her off.
"Loves jokes and pranks. She adores them."
This appeared to get them excited but more Fred than George, "Really?" they both said
"Yes! You did not hear this from me though. Excuse us though we have other people to meet."
Peri pulled Holly off to meet the others but kept glancing over in George's direction.
She attempted to greatly to block him from the next memory she could see him trying to enter. She knew it was similar to the one from the previous year with her ex-boyfriend and certainly did not want him to see that one.
She managed to block him, but he found another involving George. Thankfully a more innocent one.
October 1998
Peri was sitting at the black lake reading a book on dragons, she had just learned about the first task when George approached her.
"Hey, Peri…dragons? Have you been talking to Charlie?"
She looked up at him with a smile, "Hey, George. No, I haven't. I was reading about the different types of dragons for the care of magical creatures class."
He gave a slight nod as he sat next to her, "I got you something."
"Oh?"
He handed her a four-leaf clover.
"Clover? Why?" she took it from him.
"It is supposed to be lucky…I thought you could use it for your first task. Whatever the task will be…" he glanced down at her book and then back at her.
She was not looking at him, but at the clover, "You are giving me luck with a clover?"
"I just said that…I get it if you don't," he started to take it back.
She pulled it closer to her. She found it childish the thought of this being lucky, but he gave it to her, "No, it's mine."
He smiled softly at her, she noticed the look on his face it was familiar to her. A new expression she had never seen towards her, "Peri?"
"George?"
He did not say another word, but his eyes took in her facial features with his eyes landed on her lips. Her heart was racing, he was going to kiss her.
Did she want this?
Yes…she did, but why? She did not date, she had hookups or boyfriends that resulted in mostly just sex, not a true connection.
He leaned in and captured her lips in a soft kiss. His hand came to cradle her face in his, her hands simply rested on his chest, and began to remove his tie out of the habit of undressing the men she simply kissed.
He pulled away from her, "P?" he breathed against her ear. "You can keep the clover."
That was all he said to her before the memory flipped to the evening before the Yule Ball.
December 1994
Peri was in the music room practicing a no-maj song, she was unsure why she was choosing this song. It was not one of her usual types of music, "Ah! P, there you are!"
She looked up at him smiling, "Hey, George!" she was standing in front of the piano.
"You missed a fun day in Hogsmeade!" he dropped a bag of candy beside her on the piano.
She was focused on her sheet music, "You know we are having a party tomorrow?"
He chuckled, "Yes, I am fully aware of the Yule Ball tomorrow, but that is tomorrow, and sweets are always welcomed."
She laughed as well moving to the piano keys and setting the sheet music in front of her, "What can I do for you then?" she played the keys softly.
He watched her play, "Nothing…what song are you playing?"
"It is a No-maj song. It is called Somethin' Stupid by Frank and Nancy Sinatra."
He examined the sheet music with the lyrics, he scooted her hands from the keys and began playing
"I know I stand in line until you think you have the time. To spend an evening with me. And if we go someplace to dance, I know that there's a chance. You won't be leaving with me."
He paused his playing to look at her.
She smiled softly at him, "I did not know you could play piano…or sing."
He shrugged, "Mum, wanted me and Fred to learn music like Percy. She thought it would help us develop our minds better to be like him. I did learn it, I will admit it but it was not me. We spent more time playing pranks on our teacher than learning. I feel bad sometimes because mum and dad spent money they did not have for us to learn and we played around instead of trying," he ran a hand along the keys, "but I do enjoy playing."
She took her wand out and set the piano to play from the beginning as she took his hand leading him to the center of the music room, the two danced and sang together.
"And afterward, we drop into a quiet little place
And have a drink or two
And then I go and spoil it all
By saying something stupid like "I love you"
I can see in your eyes, that you despise the same old lies
You heard the night before
And though it's just a line to you
For me it's true, it never seemed so right before
I practice every day to find some clever lines to say
To make the meaning come through
But then I think I'll wait until the evening gets late
And I'm alone with you
The time is right your perfume fills my head
The stars get red and oh, the night's so blue
And then I go and spoil it all
By saying something stupid like "I love you"
The time is right your perfume fills my head
The stars get red and oh, the night's so blue
And then I go and spoil it all
By saying something stupid like "I love you"
I love you
I love you
I love you"
George finished their dance by dip-kissing her.
The memory faded away slowly before Snape pierced into another one. The longer they continued the more pain she felt, but he was growing closer to present-day memories that she knew the lesson was near ending.
Yule Ball 1994
Peri returned from pictures with Draco and re-entered the Great Hall she made her way over to George before she could say anything to him he blurted out with disappointment, "You and Malfoy…are dating?"
Her and George were not dating, they fooled around but the her feelings for him was more than just fooling around, and judging by his questioning she assumed he felt the same way.
She looked around them not responding, before nodding her head for him to follow. He followed her the way to the Slytherin common room, she gave the password allowing them both entrance into the room. He took in the room around him, the dark Slytherin green decorated throughout with dark furniture. While their Christmas decorations remained silver and icy.
"Why am I here?" he asked her in a hushed tone as if they would be caught any moment.
"We are alone in here…everyone else in the house is either at the ball or home for the holidays. I wanted to ask you something."
He raised a brow at her, "What is it?"
"Will you be my date to the New Year's Eve ball? Hallie has already asked Fred. I believe Holly has asked Harry…although I believe he declined her."
"What about Malfoy?"
"I do not love Draco. I love you!" she took a step back realizing the words that had escaped her mouth, "I'm sor…"
She was stopped in her words as his lips touched her own, "I love you, too." He spoke against her lips before returning to her lips in a kiss.
Her hands moved around his neck into his shoulder-length hair, which was nicely combed for once. He moved them together stumbling onto the black leather sofa, his body fully above her own. Even with their stumble their lips remained connected. He raised slightly panting against her, she caught herself nearly gasping for air at this point. She slipped her hands under his dress robes feeling the mussels of his Quidditch abs. His brown eyes danced across her, she began to feel his hand trace up the lace of her corset. He placed his head against hers. His breath misted against her ear, as he began to trail a hand up her thigh, "What do you want?" he asked her with a slight smirk.
She was about to respond when she heard the common room door open, "Oh my! Peri!" Draco snapped turning around and holding his hands over his eyes, "I thought you went to lie down. Not get laid…on."
The memory pulled out and switched to New Year.
The memory began with her turning the knob to open the door revealing the study as Erling walked away leaving her there. She saw a singular figure dressed in dark, baggy clothing with his back to her looking out the window at the snow falling. She entered the room cautiously as the door closed suddenly behind her, "Hello? My grandfather said he wanted me to meet you?"
"Peri King, I have been waiting to speak to you," the man spoke still unmoved, "Tea?"
Snape seemed to shutter slightly in his investigation of her mind when the man spoke.
A cup was offered to her by another man she had not noticed until then, a much shorter man than the figure by the window who was about the same height as herself. The shorter man's hair was colorless, with a large bald spot on his head. He had a rat-like appearance, "Um…thank you," she took the cup from the man next to her.
She tensed more at the memory as this was newer, but this memory seemed to be the one he had been searching for. She struggled to block him as the emotions were new and triggering to her.
"Enough!" Barty barked, "We are not here for a reunion…" He stepped closer to her allowing the light from the fireplace to illuminate his face, "Peri King."
"Yes? That is me. And who are you two?"
Barty looked at Peter before answering, "This is Peter and I'm Barty."
"Last names?"
"Confidential."
She looked into the man's eyes once he turned to face her, "Why am I here?"
Barty walked closer to her where he was mere centimeters from her, she could feel his hot breath against her. He raised a hand to her face, ran a finger across her skin, and then did a weird snake-like thing with his tongue.
"I suggest you remove your hand from my body," she hissed at him stepping back.
"Ooo feisty. We like that...don't we Peter?"
Peter nodded agreeing.
"You did not answer my question. Why am I here?"
Barty turned at his heel going over to the bar cart in the study and pouring himself a glass of fire whiskey, "Our master wants you for the greater good …But he is currently too weak to be here himself. We are here in his place."
She raised a brow in confusion, "Your master? You are not house elves," her eyes then darted back to the mark and then the man before her. She sucked in a breath then shook her head with anger, "No!"
This time he raised a brow, "No? I have not even asked anything and unless you are a legilimens like your father which I doubt you are since he would have had to teach you and you barely have any relationship with him I doubt you are one."
"I am not one of them. I will not be forced into one like my mother."
He gave a displeased nod, "I see…consequences will occur if you do not accept his offer."
She scoffed, "I will accept the consequences then."
He rolled his eyes taking a long sip from the dark liquid in the glass, "Stupid girl. If you were not Severus' child, you would be dead…we have no use for dirty blood such as your own."
She scowled at him, "You inform Voldemort I will not be a puppet in his army. I am Peri King. I am my person."
He set the glass on the mantle of the fireplace, "I will inform him you need time to consider his offer."
Snape tore from this memory with anger causing her to feel more extreme pain than before.
January 1, 1995
Peri had been struggling to sleep following the New Year gala, so she stood from her bed and made her way down the stairs. The home was much larger to The Burrow, smaller than what they were accustomed to in America but with the children of their family rarely home most of the year there was no point in a large estate anymore. Plus with them spending most of their free moments at The Burrow anyway the size truly did not matter.
She stood in front of the living room window looking out at the openness of the countryside, she watched the snow fall slowly. She grabbed her cloak wrapped it around her and stepped into her boots before exiting the house, she made her way across the land that separated their home from The Burrow.
She looked up at the night sky, the freezing snow hitting her face. She felt at peace, the first time since entered in the tournament that her feelings felt like her own. It was the feeling she needed. She was alone and the world was quiet.
She was startled when she heard a noise crunching through the snow from the direction of The Burrow, "Peri?" a voice asked.
She recognized that voice, "George?"
"Yeah?" he approached her from the darkness holding a candle.
"What are you doing out here?"
"I saw you from my window. Mum and dad got me and Fred a telescope for Christmas this year. They think Fred has an interest in astronomy how often he has been seen coming from the astronomy tower with Hallie," he chuckled at that, "But of course, we know that is not true. Now I ask you the same question."
She laughed as well, "I couldn't sleep. Something I was asked today…do you know anything about legilimens?"
He shrugged, "No, I have heard of it but never really knew much about it. It deals with the mind."
"I figured…"
"P?"
"Hmm?"
He looked up at the snow falling, "It is a romantic evening."
"What do you know about romance," she teased.
His gaze turned to her, "I am discovering it. I understand why my brother is so invested in Hallie now. I found mine," he stepped closer to her.
She smiled, "I think I did, too."
He leaned in and kissed her with the snow falling around them as he hummed against her lips. He pulled away resting his head against hers, " The time is right your perfume fills my head. The stars get red and oh, the night's so blue. And then I go and spoil it all. By saying something stupid like I love you."
Snape extracted himself from her memories, causing her to stumble backwards onto the couch with a loud crash. She gasped for air, her eyes fixated on the floor as she struggled to regain composure. Her head throbbed as if it had been subjected to the painful curse of cruciatus, focusing all of its energy on her brain alone. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she lifted her gaze to find Snape looming over her.
His words were like a cold, sharp blade, slicing through her thoughts with precision. "You are weak in occlumency," he stated, his voice laced with disapproval. She could feel his gaze piercing into her, assessing her vulnerabilities. He continued, "You will need heavy training, especially if the Dark Lord wants you. He is highly trained in this art and uses it to torture his victims. He will stop at nothing to enter your mind."
Goosebumps formed on her skin as she imagined the sheer terror of having someone invade her thoughts and memories. The thought alone was suffocating. She knew she needed to strengthen her defenses quickly if she had any chance of surviving against the Dark Lord's merciless powers
With a sharp shake of her head, Peri winced in pain. "No! No! I don't want him anywhere near me," she exclaimed, her voice strained with both fear and determination. Her muscles tensed as Snape leaned in closer, his face hovering inches above hers.
"Peri," he spoke softly yet urgently, "you must understand that he targets those closest to you. It's his way of punishing you for not joining him or disobeying him."
From the depths of her own mind, Snape had gleaned the vital information that her family and George Weasley were of utmost importance to her.
"He will stop at nothing to go after them. And if Barty is assisting him, you won't stand a chance without help."
The words hung heavily in the air, threatening to crush her resolve. But Peri steeled herself, knowing that there was no turning back now. She was prepared for the consequences of defying Voldemort, but she couldn't bear the thought of innocent lives being caught in the crossfire. The weight of responsibility settled heavily on her shoulders as she braced herself for the inevitable confrontation that lay ahead.
Peri sucked in a sharp breath as he stood up straight, his tall figure casting a long shadow across the stone walls of the room. He moved with purpose to a nearby cabinet, his hands expertly navigating through its contents. "Then help me," she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.
He withdrew a small vial and turned back to face her, his dark eyes piercing into hers. "This will help with your head," he said, handing her the vial. "Occlumency is always painful for the recipient, especially after experiencing so many memories." She took the vial and swallowed it without question.
"As for helping you block him out of your mind and protect those you love," he continued, closing the distance between them, "I can try. I will inform your mother that you need tutoring in potions. I will also have to alter your grades to prove it. Until then, I suggest you begin studying different plants."
"Plants?" Peri questioned, furrowing her brow. "How does that help me?"
"It may not directly help with blocking him out, but it will prepare you for what is to come," he explained with a hint of impatience in his voice.
"For what?"
He let out an exasperated sigh. "You're supposed to be clever, aren't you? You mentioned that earlier tonight."
"And you're not supposed to be an ass," Peri retorted with a growl.
Ignoring her remark, he turned away and strode over to grab her cloak before handing her a handful of Floo powder from the bucket next to the fireplace. "You are too much like your mother," he commented wryly. "I'll see you at Hogwarts. And try opening the egg underwater."
Peri crossed the room to join him at the fireplace and took a handful of powder from him. "Egg?" she asked, confused.
"Your mind is full of scrambles," he remarked with a smirk. "Figure it out on your own. Goodbye, Peri." With that, he left before she could enter the fireplace and travel to her destination.