Chapter 22

She'd really done it now. Senna couldn't seem to stay out of trouble for a single week. It was all Viola's fault, of course. But she couldn't bring herself to throw her under the bus.

They had pushed the desks to the edge of the room, and split into pairs to practice hexes and shields. As soon professor Moody called it, there was a stocky male redhead standing in front of her with a devilish grin, eager to be her partner. It was one of the Weasley twins. She wasn't sure which one yet. She sighed and drew her wand.

"Had quite the adventure Friday, didn't you?" He said quietly. Though there was no need to whisper. The room erupted in magic firing, curses, and incantations—though it was supposed to be non-verbal. No one would hear them.

She found herself comfortable around the Weasley boy. His mischievous smile and laid back humor reminded her of Tonks, who was just as carefree.

"Yeah." With a flick of her wrist, she sent a harmless hex in his direction. He blocked it with ease. Not bad at all. "I ended up in Knockturn alley by accident. Then London." She told him with a grin that was just as devilish.

His jaw dropped. The hand that was about to send a spell at her dropped.

She might as well entertain him. There were so many rumors going around about her—about who knows what—why not add a bit of interest to the grapevine?

He grinned, "No way." He quietly enthused. "How'd you get all the way there?"

Senna blocked another one of his spells. Then she leaned in close to him. "Someone left a portkey in Hogsmeade. I accidently touched it."

Senna looked around to see if anyone was listening to their conversation. Moody was chastising a student on their stance, but his artificial eye was swiveled towards Senna. She had to be more careful.

"How'd you get back here?"

"Had to send an owl for someone to pick me up. Got in loads of trouble, of course."

He looked over his shoulder and then leaned in close to Senna.

"And the statue of the one-eyed witch?" He whispered.

"The secret is still safe." She whispered, "They think I snuck passed the Aurors."

The Weasley twin leaned back and began to laugh. "Brilliant!"

Professor Moody appeared behind them. "Having fun, are we?"

"No, Sir." Senna immediately said.

He gave her a suspicious glare that seemed to last for minutes before turning his attention back to the class.

Eventually, class ended, and Professor Moody called Senna to stay behind. Senna looked over her shoulder to see Viola darting from her seat, being the first one to leave. Students funneled out of the class behind her.

Senna shook her head. Viola didn't even have the courtesy to thank her, let alone acknowledge her existence. Senna ground her teeth in irritation. Maybe she should've just let her Prefect badge get taken away.

By the time Senna reached the front of the class, the room was nearly empty. It was just her and Professor Moody. Senna's stomach felt uneasy. The dread was creeping in.

Professor Moody whipped around. "Messing with the star student. A little petty don't ya think?"

Senna looked up in shock. The assumption was ridiculous. Completely false. And it was so strange for a professor to say such a thing, but Moody was known to be off his rockers. And yet, Senna could not say a single thing. She just stared at him. His eye darted up and down, analyzing her.

"You'll meet me at six tonight. My office." He began to limp away before she could respond.

Senna gaped. "But that's dinner time. The Triwizard champions will be drawn tonight…"

"And you think I give a damn?" He didn't turn around. "I've got more important things to do tonight. Don't be late."

Moody left through the double doors of the classroom. Senna stood there, alone. She was disappointed for sure. She was very much looking forward to the announcing of champions. And she had to spend the evening with Mad-eye Moody instead. Stupid redhead. This was her fault. Next time she saw Viola, she would make sure Viola would leave her alone. Even if she had to be cruel.

Senna stomped off to her next period, Charms with professor Flitwick.

When Senna arrived, most of the students were already seated. Hannah, Justin, and Ernie were seated on the far left. Hannah's book bag took up the last empty seat in the section.

When Hannah saw her approach, she smiled at Senna, "I saved you a seat." She moved her book bag from the chair.

This warmed Senna's heart. "Thanks!"

Flitwick had made his way to the center of the class and began his lecture. During the lecture, Hannah whispered in her ear. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm good… how about yourself?" Senna whispered back.

"I'm great," but Hannah looked at Professor Flitwick apprehensively. He was teaching them a rather complex charm, one that required intricate wrist movement and flawless concentration, "But this is going to be a tough class."

"Don't worry," Senna reassured her, "I'll help you if you get stuck."

Hannah smiled at her, gratitude sparkling in her eyes.

When Professor Flitwick finished the magical theory behind the charm, it was time for the practical. Students began waving their wands at the clumps of clay in front of them. There was a glass marble in each clump of clay, and they were to use the extraction charm to remove it.

"Excerptum!" The class roared repeatedly.

"Non verbal incantations, please!" Professor Flitwick waved his hands to get everyone's attention, however most students couldn't hear him over the roar of incantations.

Hannah rehearsed the movement a few times, but Senna noticed a flaw in her motion. "It's like you're at a fast food restaurant. Pretend you're flipping a burger." Senna did the fancy floppy motion with her wrist, saying the incantation in her head. The marble pushed its way out of the clay, and then zipped into her other hand.

Hannah stared. "Wow, that was impressive. On your first try!" She beamed at Senna. But after a moment, Hannah looked at her quizzically. "But… what's a fast food restaurant?"

Senna sighed. "Oh, right. I suppose that's a muggle thing. Sorry."

Hannah chuckled. "Not to worry. There are some muggles in my family, perhaps I should pay more attention to them."

Hannah tried the charm a few more times. The lump of clay rolled around feebly, but the marble did not manage to escape.

Ernie managed to make his lump of clay explode, sending the marble across the classroom like a bullet, hitting a slytherin student on the shoulder. The slytherin fell backwards from his chair with a yelp.

Everyone stopped and stared.

"Ouch!" The slytherin yelled. He stood up clutching his shoulder. His dark face was red with fury. "You idiot huffle-clutz! Watch where you point that thing!"

Earnie shrunk into his seat.

"Now, now. Gorin, if you are hurt, I can take you to the hospital wing." Professor Flitwick said calmly, "Please—"

But Gorin ignored the little professor. Instead, he took out his wand, and pointed to his lump of clay. "Flipendo!" He yelled.

Gorin's aim was very poor. Instead of sending the lump of clay into Earnie's head, it headed straight towards Hannah.

Senna acted on instinct, reaching out with her hand. "Stop!" Senna commanded the flying lump of clay. And it stopped, in midair, floating inches from her fingertips. Her wand was still sitting on the desk.

"Disintegrate." For whatever reason, it was the first word that came to her mind. And then the lump of clay burst into a plume of white hot fire. The hufflepuffs sitting near it stumbled back from the tables, letting their chairs hit the floor noisily.

In seconds, the lump of clay was nothing but a pile of ashes on the desk.

The class starred in silent shock. Not even Professor Flitwick spoke, though this was the perfect opportunity to call the class to order.

Senna looked around. The student's faces were frozen in both shock and fear. She tasted their thoughts. There were so many thoughts swirling around, but fear was the common thought form.

The bell tower rang, signaling lunch time.

But the class still didn't move, at first.

Professor Flitwick's voice broke through the sudden shocked-induced trance. "Alright." He said in a firm voice. "It is time for lunch, off you go!"

Half of the students began to pack up. The other half started whispering among themselves, their eyes wary.

What was their problem? She had performed wandless magic, which was rare, but not unheard of. Senna had begun using her magic, wandlessly, at a young age, discovering it while trying to get out of sticky situations. It's surprising what magic you can do if your life depended on it.

Senna sighed. "Hannah, are you okay?"

"Err—yeah." She stammered. But she looked equally frightened.

Great, now even Hannah was afraid of her.

Unsure of what to do now, she took one last look of Hannah's frightened expression, and then spun around to walk to the Great Hall. Students moved out of her way as she walked, as if she had some sort of contagious disease.

Senna's eyes stung with tears. She thought she had stopped caring whether or not people treated her like a freak. She had decided to embrace the things that made her a freak. To be confident, to wear her strangeness with pride—like Tonks. But standing there, with Hannah looking at her the same way everyone else did… she had suddenly felt very much alone.

The class had started out good, and of course, she found some way to ruin it.

"Wait!" Hannah called after her.

Senna slowed her pace, but did not stop.

"Wait up!" Hannah's voice was louder now. She was behind Senna.

Hannah jogged to her side, out of breath. "Senna."

"Yes?" Senna said in a cool voice. She had swallowed back her tears.

"Thanks for saving me back there." Hannah said apologetically.

"You're welcome."

She didn't have to hear her thoughts to feel Hannah studying her face. She was wondering why Senna was acting strange.

"Are you upset?"

"No." Senna lied.

Was it my fault? Hannah thought.

"And no it wasn't your fault."

Hannah flinched when Senna answered her thoughts. Hannah leaned away, feeling intruded upon.

Oh great. She was making it worse. "I'm sorry." Senna said.

"Um… it's okay." Hannah said.

There was an awkward silence between them as they walked. But Senna didn't want to be the one to break the silence. They were nearly to the great hall when Hannah spoke.

"I'm sorry if I seemed… ungrateful. I am, really. It was going so fast, I probably would've broken my nose." She said sheepishly. "I was just caught off guard. I didn't know you could speak parseltongue."

Senna looked at her with confusion. "What?"

"Parseltongue." Hannah said again. "You're a parselmouth."

Senna wanted to listen to her thoughts to understand what she meant, but she was determined to give her privacy by staying out. She owed Hannah that much. She had read about it in Hogwarts: A History. But what did that have to do with class?

"It means you can talk to snakes." Hannah said when Senna didn't respond.

Senna managed to chuckle. "Yes I know, I've always been able to talk to snakes… but what does that have to do with class?"

Hannah gave her a sympathetic look. "Um.. you spoke parseltongue in class."

"When?"

"When you stopped the clay from hitting me."

Senna tried to think back. But she couldn't recall when she changed languages.

They walked through the doors of the Great Hall, and took their seats at the Hufflepuff table. Now, it was Senna's turn to keep checking on Hannah. Her fingers trembled when she poured herself a glass of pumpkin juice.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Y—yes." She stammered.

Senna sighed. She had a feeling that Hannah was afraid of her, not the clay. But to make up for intruding in on her thoughts, she let it stay a mystery.

Senna kept checking over her shoulder. Students were glancing at her and whispering among themselves. Great. Snape was going to be furious. He demanded that she stop starting rumors because it drew attention to her, but it seemed to be an impossible task. She managed to land herself in detention and start a new rumor grapevine. And the day was not even over yet. This was going to be a long day.

Senna's eyes scanned the Slytherin table. Those who were staring at her looked back at their plates immediately. But Senna did not see the mane of red hair that she was hoping for. But she didn't know why she was looking for Viola.

But eventually, Viola would find her. She always does—much to her annoyance.

Hannah was silent for the rest of lunch.

When lunch was over, she stood up. "See you later, Hannah."

"Y—yeah." Hannah stammered. "See you later."

Senna sighed, and strode out of the Great Hall. Hogwarts students scampered out of her way, just like the Brownwell students usually did. Senna kept walking. It was her free period. She contemplated finishing some homework in the library, or even blowing off some steam in the gym.

She decided on the library. Once she got there, she pulled out her quill, and began her assignments. Other students gave her a wide margin of empty space. They left at least two empty tables in every direction around her.

When the bell tower rang, she packed up her stuff and left for potions class. Her feet felt heavy, like lead. The closer she got, the slower time seemed to move. Had he heard of the trouble she caused in one morning? She dreaded disappointing Snape.

When she entered, she noticed Viola in the front row. She was the only head that did not turn to look at her. Senna took the farthest table from everyone else.

He called the class to order. "Today, a test on the 12 uses of Flubberworm mucus. Then you will summarize, in no less that one-thousand words, the most recent innovations of Magical Drafts and their effect on the wizarding world." He said coldly.

The class groaned in unison.

"Silence!" He barked. He waved his wand, and the pile of parchments on his desk flew to each student, landing violently on their desks. "You will have the whole class period."

Most students seemed confused, staring at their parchments with mixed expressions of blankness or horror. The only sounds in the room where the scratching of quills from the few students who knew these topics well, Viola and Senna included.

Senna watched Viola's shoulders, which were hunched over parchment. She wrote furiously. She sensed so much tension in her. She wondered how Viola didn't give herself a cramp from writing. Senna thought that girl needed to learn how to relax.

Senna was the first one finished. She stood up and walked down the center pathway to turn in her paper. When she reached the front, she heard a chair screech against the stone floor behind her. She took a quick peek behind her. It looks like Viola had just finished hers as well. Snape didn't acknowledge Senna when she turned in her paper. Neither did he acknowledge Viola. Senna walked back down the classroom to pack her things. She left class, with Viola behind her.

She was conscious of the footsteps behind her. They showed no sign of speeding up. But when Senna took a random turn, Viola's footsteps followed. Oh great, Viola was going to interrogate her again. Viola has caused enough trouble for her, she wasn't going to let her keep messing up everything.

Senna suddenly broke into a spring.

Viola called after her, surprised. "Wait!"

But Senna did not wait. She sprinted down one deserted hallway to the next.

Senna was forced to slow into a walk when she spotted a male patrolling auror. "What are you doing, it's still fourth period."

"Finished my test early." Senna told him, trying not to sound out of breath. "I'm just going to wait for... dinner."

"Very well. Straight to the Great Hall." The aruror let her pass, shaking his head. "Eager for the champion selection, aye?"

Senna nodded and then passed him. The feeling of dread returned. It reminded her that she was going to miss one of the most exciting parts of the Twi-wizard tournament, because of Viola. Senna took a few random turns to make sure Viola wasn't following her. Senna sank behind a random statue. She wasn't exactly sure where Professor Moody's office was, but she had forty-five minutes to find it.

Her heavy breathing sounded out of place in the empty halls.

And even after many minutes of rest, she still felt as though she couldn't get enough air. Her chest hurt. Snape would disown her. Hannah was now afraid of her. Tonks was out of the picture. Viola's presence was only trouble. Senna felt alone.

She was used to this feeling. She had spent most of her school days alone. But her friends—and brief love affair—had opened a cavern in her chest. And now it was painfully empty.

Minutes passed by. Senna wallowed in her own pity.

Eventually, the bell rang, signalling the end of the period and the beginning of dinner. Before all the excited students could rush into the hall, Senna picked herself up and bolted in the direction of the dungeons.

She asked a grumpy painting for directions. She came to Professor Moody's office, which was still locked. He hadn't yet made his way from his last class.

Senna heard excited voices in the background. Students were rooting for Victor Krum, and various other students she didn't recognize the name of.

After another few minutes Moody came limping down the stone path. His footsteps were very distinct. Senna did not turn around to greet him. She was already on his bad side, so she didn't bother to try and please him.

To her surprise he didn't greet her in any way. She expected a reprimanding at the very least.

He let Senna into his office.

He huffed noisily to his desk chair. Senna stood awkwardly, waiting to be given directions.

A large leather chest in the corner of the office roared and shook.

Senna leaped back in fright. "Professor!" Senna gasped, "W—what is that?"

Moody waved his scarred hand dismissively. "Nothing for ye to worry about." Moody took a swig of drink from his flank, then grimaced, as if the contents tasted very bad. His head twitched as he swallowed.

Senna leaned farther away in disgust. "What are you drinking?" Senna asked.

"Nothing for ye to bother with." He dismissed her again.

Senna just stared at him, waiting for him to tell her what she was supposed to do. But when he was finished, he stared at her.

"Professor Moody?" Senna prompted.

Moody just stared at her. A growing unease began to creep into her stomach.

The chest in the corner of the room bellowed again, making her jump.

"You're faster than you look." He chuckled. But his face was contorted from the scars. "How was yer adventure Friday night? Meet any friends along the way?" He was sneering.

Senna wasn't sure how to respond. She wasn't going to reveal the strange encounter with Tusk to him. That was between her and Professor Snape.

"Terrifying," She said. "I got lost."

"I bet ye did."

Moody stared at her. Senna couldn't read his expression. A growing sense of unease filled her. Why wasn't he assigning her the detention task?

Senna began to fidget with her hands.

"I know what I'm going to have yer do."

Senna looked up, nervous. His face was calm.

"Follow me." He stood up abruptly. His chair flew back noisily.

Senna jumped.

"Sir?" She questioned.

"Hurry up." He was already out the office door. He moved very fast despite the wooden leg.

Senna followed him as he limped down the hall. The halls were now empty. Every teacher and student, and possibly the aurors too, were eagerly awaiting the results of the triwizard tournament. Senna jogged to keep up with the professor. They were passing down the steps and onto one of the many courtyards of Hogwarts. The light of the waning moon shone onto the bleak grounds. The goblet of fire's announcement had left the entire campus a ghost town. The only sound on the grounds was Moody's wooden leg and his grunts of exertion.

"Where are we going?" Senna asked. They were straying into the grounds, heading towards the forbidden forest.

"Don't worry your pretty little head about it, Princess." Moody said between grunts. "Just keep walking."

Senna stopped, watching Moody's figure continue to head towards the forbidden forest.

The last person who called her princess was a Dark Prince fanatic obsessed with bringing her "home".

Moody noticed that she had ceased following him. "What're ye doing?" He barked, "Hurry this way!"

"Why?" Senna asked, now suspicious.

Moody observed her stance for a moment. After a second of silence, he answered her. "Ye are to collect Tigerbane roots from the forest. It's a messy process. A punishment befitting ye crime."

"Ah." Senna nodded. "Okay."

Senna started walking forward, slowly. She was not convinced. Harvesting tigerbane roots was definitely a messy, and stinky process. Very unpleasant. But something was not right. Her extensive knowledge in herbology and potions told her that tigerbane only grew in warmer climates, where it didn't get below ten degrees celsius year round. Great Britain definitely was not one of those climates. Surely, if he really needed Tigerbane, he would've known that.

"Hurry up!" He was growing impatient.

Senna walked forward slowly, trying to buy herself time to make a plan.

But she didn't have much time. She was approaching the cover of trees and who knew what he was going to do to her once they were hidden. She couldn't trust him.

So she did the only thing she knew how to do well.

She ran.

She dived into the forest, using the cover of trees to her advantage. She heard Moody's frustrated yell behind her.

And for a moment, memories of her childhood flooded into her mind. She was nine years old, running away from the security guards who chased her. Food stuffed in her pockets and shirt. She hadn't eaten since the day before last and she was starving. The other orphans were starving two. "Rat!" They security guards screamed. She had ducked into a filthy crawspace under the deck to another building. She had known the secret passageway to escape the guards, as long as she wasn't seen entering it. And on the other side, she scaled the fence and dropped into a reeking dumpster. Her legs were aching, and her lungs were burning, but she kept running.

Now back to the present, Senna turned towards the campus, praying that her pursuer was long behind her. This feeling was so familiar, it hurt. She was a freak, a burden. And she would always have to run.

Senna slowed as she entered the open grounds. If Moody had doubled back, he could easily hex her out here. It was too exposed. She wouldn't be able to sense him, his occumency was perfect.

But, as she had so many times, she took a risk. She darted onto the grounds, heading towards the safety of the Great Hall. Snape would be there.

She shook the thought from her head. She didn't know if she could trust Snape yet. It would be dangerous to rely on him for safety. She needed him. But she didn't have to trust him.

She exhaled in relief when she neared one of the castle entrances, which was open.

But the moment she entered, she saw a flash of maroon.

"Where have you been?" A slender but toned Auror with now purple hair stared at her.

Senna halted to a stop, surprised.

"I—I was," Senna panted, trying to catch her breath, "Was in detention."

Tonks put her hands on her hips. "Detention? Again?" She asked incredulously.

"Yeah." She panted. Senna was so happy to see her, she forgot she was just in a potentially dangerous situation. All she could focus on now, was the way Tonk's eyeshadow made her eyes look dark—and sexy.

"I swear, everytime I run into you, you are going to detention."

"That's because I am." Senna smirked. She couldn't help it.

"Well," Tonk's looked her up and down, "Hope you are prepared, because you might be in even more trouble."

Senna looked perplexed. "Why?"

Tonks gave an exasperated sigh, and then grabbed Senna by the wrist and pulled her. Senna stumbled forward as Tonks pulled her through the hall. She didn't fight Tonk's. It was hard to resist her warm and strong grip.

"Because, everyone's been looking for you." Tonks said. "Your name came out of the Goblet of Fire."