Chapter 21

Senna's POV

Senna laid on her dorm bed, still exhausted, though she had rested most of the weekend. She followed Snape's orders and laid low. Only appearing for meals Saturday and Sunday. Viola attempted to corner her multiple times, with determination in her eyes. Senna found this odd… she was sure after their detention with Snape, Viola would want nothing to do with her, yet Viola seemed persistent. It was probably to bug her about their 'deal'.. But Senna wasn't so easily followed if she didn't want to be. Stealth was a specialty of hers, from her years of venturing the streets for what the orphanage could not provide. As part of Snape's orders, she wasn't supposed to get into fights with the redhead.

Monday morning was gloomy. Hannah checked up on her during breakfast. "Are you okay?" Hannah asked, "You look… out of it."

"I'm fine." Senna yawned. But she was tired. Her encounter in London haunted her, replaying in her mind when she tried to sleep. 'It's time to come home, Princess.' Tusk's voice echoed in her head.

Where was this home? And why her? It had to be some sort of mistake. Why would Prince Struan want her?

But she had to admit, it was kind of exciting. She thought she was nobody in the Wizarding world… and all of a sudden there was potential for her to be something, to someone. Senna shook her head. But Prince Struan was a muggle hater, and a dark wizard. He was an extension of the world's most evil wizard. She wouldn't want to be something to him, even by mistake. Right?

The desire to know the truth created a restlessness in the pit of her stomach. Every second that passed seemed to go by very slowly. But she had to be patient. Snape had promised her more information at the right time.

Hannah raised an eyebrow at her as she mulled this over in her head.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, yeah." Senna assured.

When breakfast ended, Senna threw a glance towards the Slytherin table. She didn't see Viola trying to stalk her today. This was a relief. But just in case, she would take an alternate route to Defense against the dark arts, and then arrive a little late, forcing Viola to be already seated. And then Senna could sit far away from the girl. Besides, she didn't want to give Professor Moody any time to interrogate her. She had no idea if Snape spoke to him after the incident Friday night, but she'd rather not have a confrontation with him.

Senna turned the corner into an empty hallway, taking the longer, but less popular route.

As Senna prepared to turn another corner, a voice came out of nowhere. "You're avoiding me, Snape."

Senna cringed and whirled around to face the bright green eyes of Viola Richmond. Viola was pressed up against the opposite stone wall. Her bright red hair was wavy and gorgeous. Her arms were crossed, accentuating her larger than average busts. Her Slytherin robes were clean and perfectly pressed. Senna blinked a few times. It almost hurt to look at her. It was like staring at the sun. She was too beautiful. And Senna seemed to keep forgetting she was actually very attractive. She was a bully and a bitch. So Senna's brain created a version of her that seemed more appropriate—a troll maybe.

"Don't call me that." Senna snapped.

"That is your name, no?" Viola pushed herself off the wall and stalked toward Senna. Her green eyes were accusatory.

"I suppose," Senna sighed, "But in the United States, we don't really call people by their last name."

Viola threw her a look that told her that she didn't really care for Senna's customs. Viola ignored her. "So tell me," Viola walked into Senna's personal space, they were toe to toe now. Senna refused to back up—that would show weakness. Senna's heart rate picked up. With Viola so close, her scent was intoxicating. She smelled somewhat fruity, with a bit of spice… Cinnamon? "Tell me why my Head of House woke me up at Three o'clock in the morning two nights ago, so that I could search your stupid dorm."

Senna stared at her, boring into her intense green eyes. "Took a midnight stroll."

"Around Hogsmead?" Viola accused. Her green eyes were unwavering. Senna could feel herself faltering. How did she know about Hogsmead? Did Snape tell her?"

"Pfft what makes you think I was in Hogmead?"

Viola rolled her eyes. "I overheard the Aurors talking about it." The clumsy one is very chatty on patrols. She's so dense, she didn't see the student in the hall at all."

Senna's insides clenched with anger. "Tonks is NOT dense!"

Viola's eyes lit up with amusement. "Oh right, she's your favorite Auror." Viola shook her head, "You really have poor taste."

Senna tried to take a deep breath, but the anger made it difficult. Viola was just trying to get under her skin for entertainment.

"I bet any student could take her down in a duel. She was a Hufflepuff after all. They're terrible at magic. But she would fall flat on her face before she could even draw her wand." Viola snickered.

Senna forced herself to take another deep breath. She wasn't going to needlessly engage with this girl. Snape's orders.

"Whatever." Senna stepped to the side, determined to get to class.

But Viola blocked her. "You haven't answered my question."

"I wasn't going to." Senna said firmly.

Viola leaned even closer, placing her arms on each side of Senna, trapping her. Senna's stomach flipped, not from anger, but from something else. She swore she hated this girl, but it was hard to ignore the intensity of her green eyes. It sent a shiver of fear and excitement down her spine. She wasn't if she wanted Viola to get away from her… or get even closer.

Taking another deep breath did not clear her head. Getting a lung full of Viola's scent made it more difficult to think. Her head was swimming. "You're up to something, Senna, and you are going to tell—"

Senna interrupted Viola with a kiss. She couldn't help herself, with Viola being this close. And the small gasp of surprise that left Viola made it totally worth it. Her lips were soft and sweet. It was hard to believe that they belonged to Viola. Viola gave in for a short moment, kissing Senna back. Senna relished in the feel of her lips, temporarily forgetting who Viola was and what they were fighting about.

Viola pulled away first. She took several steps back, releasing Senna. Her eyes were livid and her cheeks were bright red. Senna braced herself, thinking Viola was going to slap her again. But she didn't. Viola simply stared at her in disbelief and anger.

"So what were you saying?" Senna asked with an amused grin.

This made Viola angrier, but she seemed at a loss for words. But she composed herself. "You're up to something, Senna." Viola said in a dangerous voice.

Senna couldn't stop the shiver that ran through her when Viola said her name in that tone.

"Not really," Senna dismissed, "You give me too much credit. I was just bored, and wanted to escape for a bit."

Viola narrowed her gaze at Senna. "You're lying."

"I'm not." Senna insisted.

"I heard rumors…"

Senna gave an exasperated sigh. "Ok, what rumors? I can't help you if I don't know what you're talking about."

Viola deliberated this for a moment. Senna watched her think. Her cheeks were returning to their normal color. Viola opened her mouth to speak, but then the tower bell began to ring. They both froze. They were late to Defense against the dark arts.

"Damn!" Senna cursed. With their luck, they would both end up in detention—again. Snape would be furious.

"C'mon, I know a shortcut." Without waiting for a response, Viola grabbed Senna's wrist and dragged her in the direction of class. They both sprinted like mad. They were panting by the time they reached the classroom doors.

Senna groaned. Madeye Moody was the last professor she wanted to piss off. And he was already in a position to hate her.

Viola creaked the door open and they both slid into the classroom. Her face was pale with dread.

"Ah ha!" Moody exclaimed when they entered.

They both jumped.

"Late are we?" He growled. Professor's Moody's artificial eye moved between them in a suspicious manner. "And what's your excuse?"

"My apologies professor, we… er…" Viola seemed scattered. Senna felt a twinge of pity. The normally composed Viola was falling apart.

"Well?" Moody snapped. "Spit it out. We're not getting any younger over here."

Everyone in class stared at them. The row of students closest to Moody shinked back in their chairs, afraid of an outburst.

In her panic, Viola's Occlumency wavered. Senna heard her thoughts whirl around as she tried to come up with something.

Viola was afraid. More afraid than usual.

A memory flashed through Viola's mind. It was a meeting between Snape and Viola. Something that happened recently. 'What is going on with you Viola? Sneaking around? The delinquent behavior? It's very unlike you.' Snape lectured.

'I'm sorry professor.' Viola's head hung low.

'I don't know what's gotten into you, Richmond, but you've been in detention three times this year already, and as a Prefect that is absolutely unacceptable. One more misstep, and I'll be forced to ask you to turn in your badge.'

Senna's mind snapped back to the present. She could feel the sick feeling in Viola's stomach now. She disliked this girl. So what if her Prefect status got taken away? Why did this matter to Senna? A bully like her shouldn't be Prefect anyways. Right?

But the guilt swam in Senna's stomach like an unpleasant, sticky swamp.

Oh, what the hell—Senna thought. She gave up.

"It was my fault." Senna said. Viola looked up at her in surprise. "I cornered her, to make her talk to me. I made her late."

Professor Moody's real eye narrowed, and his artificial eye locked on Senna. "Is that so?" He said in a low, gravely voice. "Richmond! Sit down!" Moody ordered. Viola jumped in fright, then hurried to a free seat.

Moody walked down the divide in the middle of the classroom, glaring at Senna. Senna knew she was in trouble, and it had nothing to do with her being late.

"As for you…" He said in a grave voice, "Detention! With me, tonight!"

Moody swiveled back around, with surprising agility given his wooden leg, and walked back towards the front of his class. Senna slunk towards the back of the class, finding a seat far away from everyone else. Eyes followed her as she passed. But when Professor Moody began his lecture, everyone turned their attention back to him.

Senna threw a glance towards Viola, across the room. To her surprise Viola was looking at her. When their eyes met, Viola quickly looked away. But not before Senna caught a glistening in her eyes.

Was she crying?

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