Chapter 55 The Gray Witch
As the days passed, Senna noticed a sense of foreboding in the air. It was as if something was brewing, something that was about to happen, but no one knew what it was.
The Tonks family seemed to be on edge, with Mr. and Mrs. Tonks arguing more than usual. Nymphadora Tonks was retreating into herself, while also keeping an annoyingly close eye on Senna.
She continued to spend time with Viola, reading school books and practicing spells together. But even during those peaceful moments, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen.
One evening, Senna and Viola sat by the warm fireplace, enjoying the crackling sound of the burning logs. The room was dimly lit, with only the fire and a few candles providing light.
The Tonks family was home, but off in different parts of the house. This partial privacy was the only kind of privacy they got here. But she took the opportunity to pull Viola close and held her. She relished the warmth and closeness. Her smell was both comforting and intoxicating.
Senna noticed that she seemed lost in thought, so she gently asked, "What's on your mind?"
Viola sighed and looked at her, her green eyes far away. "I was just thinking about my childhood."
"Oh?" She prompted.
"It was extremely strict. My parents were very traditional and had their own set of rules that I had to follow."
Senna could hear the exhaustion in her voice. She didn't know what it was like to have parents, but it didn't seem like a walk in the park.
She continued, "I wasn't allowed to do anything that other kids were doing, like going to sleepovers or hanging out with friends after school. My parents were always worried who I was spending time with, and how it would affect their image. They monitored my every move."
Senna just stroked her hand patiently.
"So, in the end, I never had any friends. And it wasn't just that," Viola said bitterly, her voice cracking. "They had very high expectations for me. I had to excel in everything I did, whether it was academics or extracurricular activities. Failure was not an option."
She frowned. "But it looks like you were able to meet their expectations. Everyone tells me you're an absolute prodigy."
"Pfft, as if." She scoffed. "It was never enough."
She could feel the weight of Viola's words and gave her hand a comforting squeeze.
"It was suffocating," Viola continued. "I didn't have a say in anything. My parents made all the decisions for me, and I was expected to follow them without question."
Senna nodded sympathetically. "It sounds like it was a very tough childhood for you."
She nodded. "It was. Sometimes I feel like I live in a different world than everybody else."
Senna smiled. "You get to make your own choices now, don't you?"
Viola smiled back, but it was more like a grimace. "Barely."
"You chose the Princess of Darkness to be your girlfriend. You make your own choices with astonishing flare. Your parents should be proud."
"The Princess of Darkeness?" She laughed. Senna enjoyed the sound of her laughter; it was sarcastic but also very sexy. "Is that your new nickname for the shadow world? It's so stupid."
She joined in the joke. "Well, it's only a matter of time before they make up a new name for me. Might as well choose one for myself."
She raised a perfect red brow at her. "How about the Dark Witch?" She mused, "Though you are the farthest thing from being a Dark Wizard that I have ever seen."
Senna thought on this for a moment. "The Light Witch, then?" She suggested.
"No," Viola was smiling now, then she eyed her suspiciously. Her scrutinizing gaze made heat shoot through her body. "You're too naughty."
She laughed wholeheartedly, trying to ignore the arousal she now felt. "Okay then, how about the Gray Witch?"
Viola wrinkled her nose in distaste. "Where are you getting your ideas from? A retirement home, again?"
"You're right, it makes me sound old and boring."
They continued to joke around and tease each other for a while longer, their conversation gradually becoming more lighthearted. They talked about their favorite books, subjects, and music, and Senna even managed to get her to open up about some of her secret hobbies and interests.
However, as Viola talked about her love for magic, the magic she spoke of seemed more like dark magic, and she felt a sense of concern.
"Viola, I'm not sure about this," Senna said, her voice tinged with worry. "Wouldn't that be... Dark magic? It's dangerous, and not something to be taken lightly."
Viola looked at her with irritation. "I know what I'm doing. I'm not some amateur who's going to get herself killed by playing with dark magic."
She sighed. "I know you're skilled, but that doesn't change the fact that dark magic is inherently dangerous. It's like playing with fire."
She rolled her eyes. "Sometimes you have to take risks to get what you want."
She shook her head. "There are other ways to achieve your goals without resorting to dark magic."
Viola sighed. "I know you don't understand. Magic isn't inherently dark or light; that is just a label that others place on it."
Senna could see the passion and conviction in Viola's eyes. She knew that she wasn't going to change her mind. So, she decided to let the subject drop and move on to other topics.
As they continued to talk, Senna felt a sense of worry. She knew that Viola was skilled, but she couldn't suppress the memory of Tonks' warning. What if Tonks was right? She just prayed that Viola would be safe and that she wouldn't get too caught up in her love for the dark arts.
As the night wore on, Senna could sense the tension and anxiety that had been hanging over the house slowly beginning to dissipate. It was like a weight had been lifted, if only for a little while.
As the night went on, their conversation slowly began to come to an end. They exchanged a few more words, but eventually, the natural pauses became longer, and the silences became more frequent. They both knew that it was time to call it a night. They got up from their seats, stretched their legs, and made their way to the room that awaited them.
As they walked, the sounds of their footsteps echoed through the hallway, and the soft glow of the dimmed lights illuminated their surroundings.
Tonks stood in the hallway, seemingly preoccupied with the portraits on the wall, but they both knew she was watching them, probably listening to their entire conversation. She saw Viola tense up as they passed her. Her presence made the walk seem to take far longer, as if the hallway kept stretching, pulling the door away from them.
Finally, they reached the door of their room.
Senna threw a glance back at Tonks before they entered. She returned her gaze. The Auror didn't say anything, but her gaze lingered importantly. Her hazel eyes were knowing, and there was something else she could not place her finger on.
She turned into the room and closed the door. She wondered what it meant and if Tonks was trying to tell her something.
The dark room was quiet. They laid there in comfortable silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company.
Finally, Senna broke the silence. "You know, I'm really glad we met. Even though I hated you, at first."
Viola turned towards her, her eyes warm for once. "Me too," she said. "I hated you too." She joked.
Senna chuckled. "Thanks."
For a moment, they just laid there, looking at each other. Then, without really thinking about it, Senna leaned in and kissed Viola softly on the lips.
Viola responded eagerly, deepening the kiss. They kissed for a few moments longer, their bodies pressed close together, before finally pulling away.
Senna felt a rush of heat and excitement coursing through her body. She had never felt this way before, not even with Tonks. With Viola, it was like something had clicked into place, like they were meant to be together.
Viola seemed to feel the same way. She smiled at her, her eyes sparkling. "But you're not that bad," she said softly.
She found herself taken aback by the tone of her girlfriend's voice. It was soft, gentle, and full of affection, which was completely foreign. For some reason, it made Senna's heart skip a beat. But despite her bewilderment, she couldn't help but feel a sense of heat and tenderness wash over her.
The doubts and fears that she had felt earlier this evening were now a distant memory, replaced by the warmth and love that she shared with her girlfriend. Her relationship with Viola was now one of the most precious things in her life.
"Thanks, you're not so bad yourself," she said.
And with that, they kissed again, deeper and more passionately than before.