Chapter 52 Three strong women, one house

Tonks quickly withdrew from Senna, fury mirroring back at Viola. "What did you call me?"

Severus Snape held out his arm to block Viola's wand hand. "Stop. Viola, you're in enough trouble as it is, don't be so absurd as to attack an Auror," His voice was cold and hinted at impatience. Then he turned to Tonks, "However, I dare say that your orders probably don't include snogging the subjects of their investigation."

"We weren't—"

"We weren't snogging!" Senna and Tonks said in near unison.

Viola's green eyes, blazing with fury, kept shifting back and forth between them both. The tense atmosphere was palpable, waiting for a breakthrough in the conversation. But Viola lowered her wand.

"I don't have time for this." Tonks spat, and then marched out of the bedroom, not meeting anyone's gaze.

Before Viola could move the attack onto Senna, she spoke, "Look, something I said upset her, that's all. Please don't jump to conclusions." She gave Professor Snape a cold look as well, as his comment had made the situation worse.

"What did you say that made her pin you to a wall?" Viola's cheeks were red, and her eyes were still filled with anger, as if they could shoot daggers at someone.

Senna froze for a moment. Tonks' urgent voice echoed in her head, 'You can't tell anyone that, do you understand me?' But she didn't have time to dwell; She would take her reluctance to mean that she was untruthful.

"All I said was that the near-death experience gave me a different outlook on life… and she freaked out." As Senna said the words, she realized that it sounded like a stupid excuse. But it was the truth.

She stared at her and crossed her arms. She seemed to be deeply skeptical of her explanation. Her body language suggested that the conversation was far from over, and she was not convinced. "That doesn't make sense."

"I know!" Senna was frustrated too, "That's why she caught me off guard, it came out of nowhere. I am usually tough to pin down, you know." She added, indignant.

"What were your exact words?" The redhead closed in on her.

"Not now," Snape hissed, "I need to talk to the both of you."

They reluctantly turned towards Snape.

"I thought you said Viola couldn't know of my location," Senna asked sharply, "Otherwise, I would've had her here sooner." She added for Viola's benefit.

Snape's slightly irritated look turned into a grimace, "Yes, this is part of it. The Richmond's residence was broken into earlier today by Death Eaters. Fortunately, no one was home at the time of the attack, but now Viola and her parents are under the protection of the Order. They may be targeting them because of her association with you."

Senna's mind was reeling. She knew it was inevitable that her girlfriend would be in danger because of her. But the weight of it becoming a reality so quickly sat uncomfortably in her stomach. "What should we do?" She asked, though she already knew the answer.

"We must continue to keep her whereabouts a secret, as well as yours." Snape said firmly. "And we must also be vigilant and prepared for any attacks."

Senna nodded, feeling a sense of responsibility for her safety. She couldn't let anything happen to her. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect her."

"Excuse me," Viola said, offended, "I can take care of myself."

Snape ignored her, "The Tonks' residence is a safe house for the Order. You two will remain here for the remainder of winter break, and until the council decides on it's pending matters."

"What is this Order you are talking about?" She looked between Viola and Snape.

"A secret society founded by Albus Dumbledore to oppose He-who-must-not-be-named and his Death Eaters." Viola said matter-of-factly.

Senna laughed at the irony. "And they're okay with protecting Voldemort's daughter and her girlfriend?"

Viola flinched when she said the name.

Snape didn't answer at first, and she knew the answer. The Order and its members were probably very unsettled that Dumbledore had placed them under the their protection.

"And what are these pending matters?"

Viola answered this as well, "They still need to vote on whether or not they're going to close Hogwarts and if they're going to resume the tournament."

She nodded, "I see."

"Both of you need to lie low and," he looked to Viola, "behave yourself until further notice. I'll come back tomorrow by noon." And then Snape strode from the room.

Now that they were alone, Senna took a risk and reached out to Viola, taking her hand in her own, despite her foul mood. To her surprise, she didn't push her away.

"Are you okay?" Senna asked her gently.

Viola met her eyes for only a moment before looking away again. "I'm fine." She lied.

"I'm sorry your family has to go into hiding because of me."

"Don't be stupid." She continued to look away. "This relationship was my idea."

"It was your idea," She agreed, pulling her hand so that they were close, then she leaned her cheek against the top of her head, "But I let it continue. Because I was too selfish to be alone. I should've left when I had the chance."

"Shut up." Viola commanded, but it sounded as though there was a rock in her throat. She melted into her, and Senna groaned. She had missed her. "I don't need your pity. I need you to get a grip."

Though she was insulting her, Senna smiled, unfazed by it. "Okay, I can do that."

They stood in an embrace, holding each other tightly. She knew that they were in for a difficult road ahead. She tightened her grip on Viola, silently promising to do everything in her power to keep her safe.

The Tonks' House was small, and they were expected to share a room. It was not the first time she shared a bed with Viola, but something felt different this time. Perhaps it was the weight of their situation settling upon them that made the air feel electric. The small bed forced their bodies to touch.

Viola got into bed, her back facing her. When Senna's body wrapped around her backside, pressing her small but firm breast against her, she heard her breath catch. Her heart hammered loudly in her chest. Something was different between them now, and Senna wasn't sure what.

Viola Took her hand and pulled it around her waist so that she was holding her, and heard Viola groan softly when her hands had a firm grip on her waist.

But they just laid there, enjoying each other's presence, each too afraid to make the next move…

Tonks' POV

Tonks scribbled on the parchment with more force than necessary. She was trying not to think about Senna and Viola sharing a bed down the hall.

Tonks couldn't shake off the memories of Senna and the way she looked at her. She swore she saw something there in her eyes, when she had pinned her against the wall...

There was no possibility of her enjoying Senna. Not anymore. Tonks' decision had made sure of that. She knew it was wrong, she was an Auror, and Senna was a suspect.

But there was something about her, something that drew her in, something that started the moment they ran into each other in the dimly lit corridor of Hogwarts...

Tonks tried to rationalize her feelings, but it only made things worse. Tonks knew she needed to focus on the case and not let her emotions get in the way, but it was easier said than done.

A soft knock sounded on the door. Tonks set down her quill and answered it, expecting it to be her parents, probably to once again voice their disapproval of having the daughter of he-who-must-not-be-named in their house.

Here we go again, Tonks thought.

But to her surprise, it was Viola Richmond, wearing pajamas and an unfriendly expression. Tonks glanced over her once, noting, with a blow to her ego, how beautiful she was. She had long, flowing locks of vibrant red hair that cascaded down her back in gentle curls. Her fair skin was adorned with light freckles across her nose and cheeks, adding to her natural beauty. Her lips were full and pink, making her look even more alluring. The way she carried herself with an unyielding confidence and grace only added to her already stunning appearance. And Tonks hated her for it.

"What do you want?" Tonks' voice was cold and guarded.

Viola took a deep breath, and whispered, "I need to talk to you."

Tonks raised her eyebrows expectantly. "Okay, so talk."

Viola glanced up and down the hallway. "Are you going to let me in?"

Tonks didn't say anything, but stared at Viola, hoping she would get uncomfortable and leave. But she didn't. She met her eyes and stared back. "Well?" Viola asked again, sounding bitchy.

"Fine." Tonks snapped, stepping aside to let the girl in. "Make it fast, I'm busy."

Viola stepped in, eyeing her bedroom with condescending eyes.

"And just so you're aware, though I'm sure Miss Snape has already told you, we weren't snogging. I know it looked bad, but we weren't."

"I know." Viola sighed the words slowly, as if she were talking to an incompetent child.

Tonks gritted her teeth. "Then, why are you here?"

Viola turned to her then. "Why did her telling you that the near-death-experience changed her outlook in life, send you into a frenzy?"

Tonks cursed to herself. She had emphasized to Senna the importance of keeping it a secret, but she seemed to ignore the warning.

Tonks was sure the Ministry misinterpreted the meaning of the 'Seven Deaths' in the prophecy. They had always assumed it meant seven murders, and it was obvious why. It seemed impossible to be able to die seven times and–well–live. But this meant the prophecy could very well be about Senna just as much as it was about Struan. Senna's life would be in danger if the prophecy were to be leaked to the world. Senna would be hunted by every soldier in the Wizarding World. And Tonks did not want that.

"Why does it matter?" Tonks tried to circumvent.

Viola stared her down, "As incompetent as you are, you're not someone who tends to blow things out of proportion. So if you reacted, there's a reason, and I want to know that reason."

Heat crept up her spine. How dare she...

"You come into my home, insult me, and expect that I will bend over backward and give you the information you want? I don't think so." Tonks fumed.

"I thought you might say that." Viola rolled her eyes, making Tonks angrier.

"Oh?" Tonks' voice shook now. She wanted to slap this girl, but refrained. Her superiors would not be happy with her if she lost control. She was an Auror, after all.

"Tell me what the ministry is hiding from us." She demanded.

"My job is to protect you and Senna, whether I like it or not." Tonks said grudgingly. "I'm not here to satisfy your demands."

Viola nodded, "I know. And I appreciate that..."

Tonks stopped, surprised to hear that Viola appreciated something. All of her actions indicated that she was anything but appreciative.

Viola continued, "And I want you to know that Senna is not her father, and while everyone either hates her, or is terrified of her, because of her father's name, I love her for who she is."

Tonks remained silent, stunned by her sudden declaration of love for Senna. The anger drained out of Tonks, replaced by a strange knotting feeling inside her that she couldn't put her finger on.

When Tonks said nothing, Viola continued, "I think she deserves a place in this world, don't you?"

"W—What? Well, of course, I do." Tonks stammered, flustered by the sudden change of direction. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean," She said in her usual condescending tone, "There is so much stupidity going on, the Ministry hates the very idea of her, and so does the Dark, because she won't do what they want her to. There doesn't seem to be a place for her in the Wizarding World, so she'll have to carve one out, and I am going to help her do that." She said this with such resolution Tonks believed every word of it.

Viola's fierce green eyes pierced hers, and in that moment, she saw what Senna saw in her. But she quickly shook that feeling away, refusing to feel any affection for the awful girl.

"I—I'll keep that in mind. But this isn't a game, and it's not something to take lightly. You're in danger, and so is anyone who associates with her."

"Which bring us back to what the Ministry is hiding from us."

"Look, Richmond," Tonks stepped up to her. They were roughly the same height. "Scrimgeour is looking for any reason to throw Senna in Azkaban with her mother. That was bad enough when he was Head of the Auror's Office, but now that he's Minister of Magic, if she so much as breathes wrong, she'll get put away for good."

"But that doesn't explain why you got yourself into a frenzy earlier."

Tonks clenched and unclenched her jaw in frustration, "Because she doesn't seem to care about her own safety at all." Tonks said easily, mainly because it wasn't a lie. One of the most infuriating things about Senna is that she walked right into danger without a second thought. And when Viola nodded, she knew that she believed her. "She takes her life so lightly, hearing her talk about her near-death experience made me so frustrated with her lack of self-perseverance."

Viola nodded again. Her arms were crossed, but her eyes were not as sharp as before. She believed her. Good.

"Yes, I hate that about her." She agreed.

Viola turned to leave, and Tonks was right behind her, trying to close the door as she was eager to get the girl out of her hair, but Viola paused in the doorway. Although Tonks was tempted to close the door on Viola, she decided against it, and with much effort, refrained from doing so.

"Thank you for looking out for us. I know it's not easy." Viola said in a low voice.

Tonks blinked, unsure if Viola had actually spoken words of thanks or if it was a sarcastic remark. It was so uncharacteristic of her...

Tonks rolled her eyes. "I hardly think that you mean it. I've overheard enough of your conversations to know that you think I'm a terrible Auror."

The corner of Viola's lips turned upward. It was smug and infuriating. "That's why I was thanking you for looking out for us. Not for being the best Auror in Great Britain."

Tonks reconsidered her decision not to hit Viola with the door. Maybe she should. "Just try not to make my job harder than it already is, okay?"

Viola smiled weakly, flashing Tonks a set of perfect, white teeth. Tonks blinked, trying not to be charmed by her. "I'll do my best." Viola said in voice that sounded a bit mischievous.

Tonks nodded and then closed the door, leaving Viola alone in the hallway.

Tonks took a deep breath and listened to the footsteps as they faded away down the hall.

This was getting more complicated...