Note:

So it's not Wednesday (my usual release day)… but today happens to be the 5-year anniversary since I started this fanfic! In celebration, I am releasing an extra chapter today.

Please enjoy,

xxsorenxx

Chapter 33 The curse

Senna slept in the next morning, in an attempt to sleep away her problems. She had not yet figured out a way to escape.

Then Rina came to the door and knocked several times. Senna groaned and pulled the pillow over her head.

Rina knocked again.

'Oh no, Master Senna must hate me.' Rina's thoughts echoed.

When there was no answer on the third attempt, Rina let herself in. "Ma—Senna, I have brought back your jacket, as well as several outfits to choose from."

Senna peeked out from underneath the pillow to watch Rina hang her clean blazer as well as a few other garments up in the open closet.

Then she turned to Senna, and bowed.

"Didn't I say no bowing?" Senna groaned.

Rina straightened up. Her eyes were glossy as if she'd been crying, or was about to cry, or both.

Senna sat up, analyzing the wave of emotions coming from Rina, then trying to shake them off—she shouldn't absorb other people's emotions, it would make her grumpier than she already was.

"Is Struan here?" Senna asked in a whisper.

"No, Master Riddle had some business to attend to this morning."

Senna sighed in relief and stretched her limbs as she yawned.

Then she turned to face Rina. Her sad eyes tugged at Senna's heart. She was so pretty and her emotions were so innocently genuine, it was difficult to imagine how anyone could strike her. It was like kicking a cute puppy.

"Are you okay?" Senna asked her.

"Yes." A wave of appreciation washed over Rina. She had to resist the urge to bow again. "Thanks to you, Senna."

"Um," Senna paused, her cheeks suddenly feeling hot. "Did Struan punish you or anything? I hope you didn't get in trouble."

"No, no. Master Riddle did not punish me." She raised her hands up, defending her Master.

"Then why do you look so sad?" Senna raised an eyebrow at her.

"I just—" Another wave of emotion washed over Rina, and Senna tried to avoid absorbing it, her own emotions were enough of a burden. "You didn't have to," Rina stammered, "I mean—you shouldn't have gotten hurt in my place, I'm so sorry. It was my fault." Her voice cracked and a tear escaped from her stone grey eyes, "Please forgive me!" Rina bowed again. Her shoulders began to tremble, and Senna could hear her fighting a sob.

Senna stood up and approached her. She put a hand on her trembling shoulder—but Rina winced, so Senna drew away.

"No need to feel bad, seriously." Senna told her. "I decided to do it because I wanted to, it isn't your fault at all. If it is anyone's fault, it's the jerk, Yaxley."

But Senna's words seemed to make things worse. The sob escaped from Rina's throat with a gasp. And she began to tremble harder. "No—I—I spilled water on him, It was not," Rina choked between gasps, "not Master Yaxley. It was my—"

Senna grabbed her shoulders and shook her gently. "No. You're wrong. It wasn't your fault. Yaxley is a bully."

"I can't—" Rina gasped.

Senna sighed. She wouldn't be able to help Rina feel better. She just had to cry it out. So Senna just watched her.

After a few minutes of sobbing, Rina looked up at Senna. "I'm so—"

"Nooo apologizing." Senna interrupted. "Just relax."

"B—Breakfast is ready for you, Senna." Rina pointed to the hallway with a trembling hand.

"Sure, okay." Senna stood up and quickly changed out of her night gown as Rina just stood there and tried to get herself together.

Rina was very quiet during the walk to the kitchen. Breakfast was also a quiet affair. Rina was a good cook, but Senna was too preoccupied to taste the food. Rina checked up on her excessively during the meal, constantly offering jam, breakfast tea, and anything else Senna may desire.

Senna was trying to concentrate on a plan to escape, but Rina's thoughts felt like they were everywhere—she couldn't tune it out. Rina felt guilty about last night. She also felt indebted to Senna, she wasn't used to being protected from her abusers. And to Senna's grief, Rina didn't feel like she was worth protecting. The whole squib inferiority thing had given her self-esteem as deflated as an empty balloon.

Senna thought it would've been kinder if the Malfoy's had just abandoned her in the muggle world. Maybe not in an impoverished ghetto like Senna had been, but a nicer and wealthier place.

In Senna's town, Rina would have been chewed up and spit out by the awful people there, but not everywhere was like that.

She's read enough muggle books to know that there were places in the world where the community looked after their neighbors, helped one another, encouraged each other to be their best selves. Or maybe that was just some fantasy-land.

Senna could easily imagine someone with Rina's good looks and slender yet well-filled body being very popular in high school. She was so sweet and genuine, she would have loads of friends. People gravitated towards kind people like her.

Instead, Rina was here in Struan's manor, scrubbing the dirty floor.

While Rina was busy with chores, Senna wandered around a part of the manor she hadn't been before. It was an offshoot to another hall. Senna observed the dimly lit hallway for a moment, then she began opening the doors. She found a broom closet, another bathroom, several bedrooms and then a locked door. Senna waved her hand over this door, there didn't seem to be a magical seal on this door.

Senna took out a stiff metal wire she had found in the corner of the bedroom. She stuck it into the door knob and began to fiddle with it. When she finally got the lock to click, she expressed gratitude to her past self for being such a good delinquent, and carefully pushed the door open.

It led to another hallway, which was very dark and musty, but she could make out another series of doors. Senna quietly closed the door behind her and locked the deadbolt. She didn't want Rina to follow her trail.

She could tell Rina wasn't allowed in here, as it was significantly dirtier than the rest of the house. The movement of her feet distrubed the dust on the floor, and Senna had to hold back the urge to sneeze. The only light was the strip of light from underneath the door she came through. So Senna had to feel her way through.

One by one, she jiggled all the door knobs, they were all locked.

One of the door knobs was smoother than the others, as if the frequent touch of someone's hand had smoothed out the metal. This door must be important if it was visited often. It could lead somewhere, maybe to the outside world.

She felt the slight buzz of magic as she tested the knob. It was magically locked. Senna's heart pounded in her chest as she ran her hand over the wooden frame. It was magically locked, but physically...it was just a door. This charm was designed to keep witches and wizards out… but could it keep out Senna, who was trained in the muggle art of delinquency? Senna took a step back, and then a deep breath. She knew how to strike in a way that made the most of one's body mass and strength, so she braced herself, and moved forward, kicking the solid wood door in one decisive motion. She heard something snap, and the door swung open violently, blinding her with a sudden bright light, she heard bits of wood and metal scattering the floor.

"What the bloody hell was that?!" A male voice boomed.

Senna took a step back, willing her eyes to adjust to the sudden brightness that poured from the room. She began to retreat, but did not retreat fast enough, as someone grabbed her, and pulled her into the lit room.

"Oh!" Tusk's voice exclaimed in surprise. "My Prince, your Princess is here."

Senna vision came back in spots, and then she was able to see a face she recognized as Armidian Tusk. His large hands gripped her shoulders.

"Let go of me!" She hissed.

Tusk released her, and she backed away from him. He moved forward, not letting her out of reaching distance.

She was in a brightly lit room with a wooden floor, the center of the room holding a large round table lined with ornate chairs.

Senna's eyes locked on a young man lying motionless on the floor. He had curly blonde hair, acne filled face, and was in an undignified position, with his back arched, mouth open in a silent scream, as if moments before, he was experiencing extraordinary pain.

"Senna froze. "Is he…?"

"Don't worry Princess, the young lad isn't dead." Tusk told her, "He'll come to in a few hours, probably."

Just then, Struan appeared around a doorway, in his neatly pressed black suit, a pleasant expression on his face. He looked more like a popular teen model than the leader of the darkest witches and wizards in history. He was casually leaning on the doorway, as if he had been there for a little while already.

"It is good to see you, my love." His soft voice sounded like honey, but Senna felt cold with fear. She had been caught. "Though I would like to know why you felt the need to disfigure our home." His eyes went to the wooden door, which was now hanging awkwardly on one hinge, with bits of wood scattered on the floor.

"I figured I'd get to know the place, since, you know, I am going to be here for a while." Senna's voice did not sound as convincing as she'd hoped.

"I see." Struan walked forward to approach her, and Senna instinctively took a step back. He stopped and turned his head towards the blonde boy on the floor. "I'm sure you're wondering, what are we doing here?" Struan continued, "This is Braydon Walters, our newest member. He's proved himself worthy and just received his brand, a symbol of honor and trust. He is now one of us, and a part of our family."

Senna glanced at the boy's wrist, which was covered in blood, but she could still make out a blackish green skull with a snake protruding from its mouth. It glittered and moved on his skin. Senna felt like gagging.

"It's how we know we can trust each other." Struan said lightly. "And when it comes to family, trust is everything, is it not?"

Senna nodded, the cold fear spreading through her veins like ice water.

Struan walked towards her. Senna took a step back, but hit a wall, which turned out to be Tusk.

"For you, I was going to wait a week or so, for our trust to develop naturally." Struan said calmly, "But I see that you're so eager to go further. So I suppose we'll do your branding today too." Struan smiled at her. It was a beautiful, princely smile that belonged to an angel, but she knew Struan was anything but.

"Actually, you're right, Brother, I think we should take the natural route." Senna pleaded.

His black eyes bore into hers. He reached out a pale hand with long, graceful fingers, and stroked her cheek with it. "I'm afraid it's too late. You broke our trust, and this is the only way you can repair it."

Senna cringed away from his touch.

Do not fret my love, it will be for the best. This mark will connect you to me, so it will be like we're never apart. It will increase your power too, dark magic will come easier to you."

"I don't want power."

"You don't mean that." Struan said softly. His hand left her cheek, and brushed her lips with his fingertips in a very unbrotherly way. She didn't need to read his mind to know there was something very off about the way he regarded her. The scanty dress options he gave her, the way he touched her thigh at dinner, the way he looked at her with lust-filled eyes.

He didn't see her as just his sister. Senna's stomach rolled in disgust, and she thought she may throw up.

"Don't touch me." Senna jerked her face away. "And I do mean it. I don't want it."

"Everyone wants power." He looked unfazed by the rejection of touch.

"Not me." Senna lied.

"Tusk, if you would please," Struan ignored her, and gestured to one of the wooden chairs. "Let's bind her to the chair. We should get started. We have a lot to do today."

Tusk's hand gripped her shoulders harder, and he began to drag her to the chair.

No. Senna was not going to be branded with the Dark Mark and be connected to Struan for the rest of her life. She would rather die than be his slave.

Senna threw her head back, hard. She felt Tusk's nose crunch against the back of her head which was then followed by a gurgled cry. He dropped her, and Senna didn't waste any time, she threw a low kick to his shin, and she heard another snap. Another cry left his lips before he buckled over his injured knee.

She saw Struan move in her peripheral vision, drawing his wand.

Senna dove at the nick of time, and the jinx he cast hit the wall instead.

"Stop this, love." Struan said in his soft voice. If it wasn't for his brows pulled into a glare, she wouldn't have known he was angry. "You're only making it worse for yourself. I'll make it as painless as possible."

Senna dodged his stunning spell, and then quickly ducked and rolled forward. If she wanted any sort of chance, she would have to disarm him somehow. Once he was within reach, she threw a punch to his face, followed by a swipe at his right hand, but neither of it landed. Senna was thrown back by a large shield charm.

She landed painfully on top of chairs, her head hitting the floor with a loud thump, so hard that she saw lights. She could feel the darkness blurring her vision, but desperately held on to consciousness. If she lost consciousness now, she was a dead woman. She saw a beam of purple light, but was too tangled among the chairs to dodge the jinx. Senna quickly flicked her wrist, mumbling in parseltongue and managed to produce a shield charm just in time.

"Not bad." Struan praised her. "I didn't know you could do wandless magic to this degree. That is not something many can do. I am pleased." His voice had a hissing undertone. He had switched to parseltongue too.

Senna threw herself forward to stand, but immediately crumpled under her own weight. Her ankle was sprained or broken… she wasn't sure which.

"Get away from me!" Senna lunged forward, ignoring the searing pain in her ankle. Hurl, Senna silently commanded in parseltongue. Even she was surprised at how much magic left her hand. It was a wave of energy, lunging forward to her orders.

But the wave hit his shield charm.

And then Senna couldn't move. She didn't even see him cast the body-bind curse. Senna fell, landing on the floor, completely paralyzed.

"Dammit." Senna cursed. But even her lips would not move

Struan dusted off his jacket, and then leaned over her.

"Get away!" She tried to scream. "Stop!" But nothing came out.

"That was quite some magic you did there." Struan's eyes were sparkling. "I'm so glad I decided to keep you. But it is a shame I'll have to take that away."

"Take what away? What are you doing?" Senna screamed in her head.

"I won't brand you today. I suppose a life lesson will be suitable, for now."

Somewhere, out of her field of vision, she heard Tusk groan pitifully.

Struan pressed his wand to her neck. Senna watched his calm, yet cruel expression. "You said you don't want power. But you don't just want it, love, you need it. Power is what makes the world fall into order. It is the reason society can function—because the powerful stand at the top pulling the world into its true greatness and perfection. Or at least, that is the dream."

Struan's wand began to burn her skin.

"You don't fully understand this truth. But you will. You will understand it better than anyone else, and you will return to my side, and we will bring this perfect world into existence, together."

The burning scorched hotter and hotter. Senna tried to scream, but nothing could be heard. Her skin, her veins, her muscles, they were all being scorched to a crisp.

"As your brother, I am forgiving, and merciful. Please remember this kindness. Though you are my lovely sister, please know that even my patience is not limitless. I cannot be so lenient forever."

The burning continued. It spread to her jaw, down her neck, until it reached the tip of her shoulder, scalding everything in its wake. After several minutes of this agony, Senna was sure there was nothing left of her neck, and her head must be burned away from her body.

"There we go." Struan smiled.

Senna was so lightheaded. She could feel herself slipping away. No. She tried to hang on to consciousness once more, but she was failing. She felt weak, as if the life had been drained from her. What did he do to her?

The last thing she saw before she passed out, was Struan's angelic smile.

-Viola Richmond's POV-

Viola stood in Professor Snape's office. She had been there several times today, but hadn't managed to catch him until the evening. Viola wasn't sure what the staff did during weekends. He did not acknowledge her right away, his focus was glued to a particular specimen in a glass jar on the shelf.

"Professor," Viola spoke in a calm voice, "Do you know where she is? Did the Aurors take her to Azkaban?" She didn't say her name, but thought Professor Snape would know who she meant.

He did.

Professor Snape paused and then turned to her, his face was composed.

"This matter does not concern you, it is late, go to bed." He immediately returned his attention to the specimen.

A flare of irritation heated Viola's cheeks. She struggled to keep her tone polite. "Sir, she is my girlfriend. I am worried about her."

Professor Snape stopped again, and Viola thought she heard him sigh. Viola watched as he walked around his desk and then sat down. His greying robes were dustier than usual. He took Viola in for a moment, his cold black eyes were emotionless. She squirmed under his gaze. Perhaps she overstepped, teachers only care about academic performance, maybe it was foolish to tell Professor Snape about her feelings.

Just when Viola became uncomfortable enough to turn around and leave, Professor Snape spoke.

"She's not in Azkaban."

"Oh! That's a relief." Viola breathed, but then caught herself. She wasn't usually the one to show such emotion. She didn't want to make a fool of herself in front of Professor Snape.

"No one knows where she is." He said coldly.

"What?" Viola gasped in disbelief. A cold feeling spread through her limbs. "But… how?" Viola stammered, "I mean… Wasn't she detained by Aurors?"

Snape gave her that cold stare again, no doubt debating on what to tell her. Her heart pounded in her chest. "She was. Someone from the ministry attempted to detain her, but she ran away. No one knows where she's gone."

"But... " Viola's head was spinning.

But Professor Snape didn't let her finish. "Which leads me to this discussion, Ms. Richmond, you two have gotten rather close lately. Do you know where she would have gone?"

"I…" Viola thought for a moment. She had no idea. "I don't."

"Has she tried to contact you since?"

"No, Sir." Viola answered.

"That is all the information I have, Ms. Richmond."

"Thank you. Good night, Professor." Viola turned to leave, but then paused at the door as a revelation came to her. "Professor… I think she might be hurt… or held captive."

Professor Snape's eyes narrowed. "What makes you think that?"

"Before that night… She told me there were people trying to kidnap her, the last time she ran away from school." Viola observed his reaction. He did not look surprised, perhaps he already knew about it. "Maybe those people were waiting for her to run away again."

Professor Snape nodded.

"That is plausible." Snape said. "Did she say who tried to kidnap her?"

"A man named Armidian Tusk." Viola revealed.

Again, there was no surprise in his face. She must have already told him during one of the evenings she stayed after class to speak to him.

"Did she say anything else?"

"No, Sir."

"Alright then. Please return to your dormitory."

Viola couldn't shake the dread she felt in the pit of her stomach. Viola wasn't the type to experience anxiety. But lately, she was so anxious, she hardly recognized herself. She couldn't even focus on her school work. Quizzes went unstudied for, papers went unwritten, and she found herself spacing out in Transfiguration yesterday.

That stupid girl, Viola muttered to herself.

Time dragged painfully slow. She didn't take delight in watching Zubeida bully the first years as she normally did. And she didn't have the energy to say mean things to the Hufflepuffs when she passed them in the halls.

Monday evening came around eventually. Viola was in an especially foul mood, as her Arithmancy quiz came back with a less-than-perfect score.

Halfway through dinner, the entrance to the Great Hall swung open. A broad-shouldered Auror came through, speed walking down the center path. Students stared as he passed. He approached the staff table, and went directly to Headmaster Roberts. Roberts stood up expectantly. "Well?"

A rush of apprehension filled her then. Could this be about Senna? Viola leaned towards the aisle, desperately trying to eavesdrop.

"She's been found." The Auror said grimly.

Viola leaned over so far, she fell off the bench. She heard some of the Slytherins snicker at her, but she didn't care. Senna had been found.

Luckly, the Auror and Roberts had not noticed Viola, so she stood and shifted closer as they spoke.

"Where is she? Is my Champion okay?"

A flicker of irritation coursed through her. Headmaster Roberts seemed more interested in having his champion for the tournament than anything else.

The staff table fell silent.

"Not entirely." The Auror shifted uncomfortably.

"What do you mean?" Headmaster Roberts' voice rose, nearing the booming levels Viola had heard once before. "What's happened?"

"I'm very sorry to say this," The Auror looked down instead of Roberts' angry eyes. "She's been cursed."

Thanks for reading the latest chapter! Let me know if you have any questions, thoughts, or ideas in the comment section, and I will get back to you!