Chapter 58 Confession
The rest of the school day passed without further incident. In the quiet confines of the Slytherin dorm, Senna and Viola sat on the bed, the dim light casting shadows on the stone walls. Senna had recounted the entire sorting story to Viola.
"Hmmm," Viola began, "I am surprised the Sorting Hat wanted to put you in Gryffindor too. I can't imagine you there either, with those reckless troublemakers. But then again... You are quite reckless." Viola said in a disapproving tone.
Senna nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "I am surprised that you're not Gryffindor."
"What?" Viola looked offended.
"I mean," Senna backpedaled, trying not to ruin the peace between them, "You have got to be the bravest person in the Wizarding World to date me."
Viola tilted her head, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "You're not nearly as scary as you think you are—or as the Wizarding World thinks."
Senna chuckled softly, but it sounded forced. "I don't mean me, exactly. I mean everything that comes with it." Senna said thoughtfully, "Being followed by Aurors, targeted by Struan, shunned from society... The fact that you haven't gone running to save yourself amazes me. Isn't self-preservation one of Slytherin's biggest traits?"
Viola leaned back against the bedpost, her eyes meeting Senna's. It was a minute before she responded. "Well, self-preservation used to be a priority for me, but that was before I met you."
"So dating me has made you self-destructive?" Senna asked with a raised brow.
"No," Viola's cheeks started to fill with color, "It's just that—that..." Viola seemed at a loss for words, which was a rare thing, as she was usually full of—unpleasant—words.
Senna smiled affectionately. "Ohhh, so I'm just a bad influence then?" Senna teased her. "Well, it's Gryffindor's loss is Slytherin's gain, I suppose."
Viola rolled her eyes. "Just go to bed." Viola ordered.
"With you? Or in my own bed?" Senna was rewarded by an endearing blush on Viola's freckled cheeks.
"It's best for you to get in your own cot. If you put me through too much temptation, I may lose my Prefect's badge." Viola scanned the dormitory, and though the other Slytherins seemed busy getting ready for bed, their frequent glances told them they were being watched.
"Yeah, good point." Senna exhaled, disappointed that she would not feel the warmth of Viola's body pressed against hers tonight.
That night Senna laid awake, still trying to process the events of the day. She wondered if Professor Dumbledore would let her stay at Hogwarts next year, as she would be expelled from Brownwell. But Roberts might change his mind now that she had her magic back and could compete in the tournament.
When the girl's dormitory was filled with snores, a quiet rustle caught her attention. The person in the cot next to hers had stood up. It was Viola.
Senna thought she might just be using the restroom, but when she heard her footsteps pass right by the bathroom, she knew that wasn't the case.
Intrigued, Senna wondered what might be driving Viola to sneak out at this hour.
Senna waited until Viola reached the door. The door opened with a faint creak, and Viola slipped through it, disappearing into the shadows of the common room.
Senna's curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to follow.
Silently sliding out of bed, Senna moved like a shadow. She tapped herself with her wand as an extra precaution, silently thinking the incantation that would make her both silent and invisible, and she trailed her discreetly.
Tonks POV
Tonks, vigilant during her Auror patrol, spotted a figure moving furtively through the Slytherin common room doorway. As she approached, wand at the ready, the light on the tip of her wand revealed a redhead attempting to sneak out unnoticed.
Tonks felt a surge of dislike rise from the pit of her stomach when she recognized her.
She emerged from the shadows, her expression showing disapproval "Sneaking around during these dangerous times, Richmond? Not the brightest idea."
Caught off guard, Viola stammered, "I just... I actually came to talk to you."
Tonks rolled her eyes, and her voice was icy. "I have no business conversing with students. Get back to bed."
Viola's shoulders tensed up. "I need to see Professor McGonagall, then." Viola shot back, her voice just as icy.
Tonks lowered her wand slightly but maintained a stern expression. "It can wait until morning."
"No, it can't." Viola said determinedly.
Tonks didn't budge. "We can't afford unnecessary risks, especially with You-know-who's influence growing. You should know better."
"I do know better, unlike you." Viola's voice was condescending.
Tonks cut her off with a stern look. "Sneaking around jeopardizes the safety of everyone involved. We have protocols for a reason."
"I—You—" But Viola bit her tongue, trying to hold back a nasty insult.
She felt her hate for this girl rising to the breaking point. The air crackled with tension as Tonks stared down Viola, their eyes locked in a battle of wills. The animosity between them was palpable, a silent storm brewing beneath the surface.
Tonks, her expression portraying frustration, finally broke the silence. "Yeah, Yeah. You hate me because I'm stupid clumsy and a laughable Auror. This constant hostility between us is exhausting. So please, just shut up, and get back to bed."
Viola shot back a sharp look, her eyes revealing a mix of resentment and vulnerability. "Oh, please, don't act like you don't know. It's infuriating."
Tonks furrowed her brow. "What are you talking about?"
Viola sighed, her shoulders slumping forward, "I hate you because I'm envious."
Tonks blinked. "What?"
"Senna loves you. I saw it when I was inside her head. And it's not just her. Everyone loves you." Viola's sharp features contorted as if she tasted something bad. "I've never been good with people. Everyone hates me. But they always gravitate towards you. And I hate that I can't be more like you."
Tonks was taken aback by the raw admission. The gorgeous and powerful Viola Richmond jealous of her? Viola was always so confident it seemed impossible. "Envious? Viola, I had no idea."
Viola scoffed, a bitter edge to her voice. "Right. Whatever."
Tonks sighed, a mix of empathy and frustration playing on her features. "Viola, it's not a competition. We're different, with our own strengths and weaknesses. I'm not here to be your rival."
Viola looked away, her anger giving way to vulnerability. "It's just hard. I feel like no matter what I do, I'll never measure up. I keep messing up, and eventually, Senna will leave me for someone better." Viola's voice cracked. "Someone like you."
Tonks approached Viola, genuine concern in her eyes now, "Viola, that's not even a possibility. She definitely cares about you. I don't think she would've sacrificed herself for you in the second match if she wasn't head over heels for you."
"To be honest," Viola's face remained a mask of bitterness, "I think she would do that for anyone. It's the type of person she is. She's so—so stupid…" but her last words, though an insult, were like a soft caress, hinting that she felt otherwise.
Tonks sighed. She couldn't argue with Viola, she was right. She had learned earlier in the year that Senna was the hero type. Why else did she run out in the middle of the battle when Death Eaters infiltrated Hogwarts? Or nearly get hit by the killing curse for her sake?
Tonks shook her head to clear it. She didn't want to feel any compassion for the terrible girl.
"I doubt you came here to tell me all about my great people skills." Tonks struggled to keep her voice cold. Of all the things she thought she might do tonight, she never thought she would have to reassure Viola Richmond of her relationship.
Defiance replaced the vulnerability in Viola's green eyes in an instant. "No, I came here to tell you that a Death-Eater is working at the school."
Tonks was shocked at her bold statement. She couldn't help it, but her mind automatically drifted to the least-liked teacher of the school, Severus Snape. "A Death-Eater working at the school? Don't be ridiculous."
Viola stood firmly behind her statement. "Only a Death-Eater with inside access could have given Senna that bewitched parchment and let those Death-Eaters into the school that day. I think it's Professor Moody."
Tonks glared at Viola's resolute eyes, which shined like emerald lights in the darkness that surrounded them. The compassion she felt for her a moment ago suddenly vanished. Alastor Moody was not just the best Auror in recent history, he was her treasured mentor. It was only through his dedicated mentorship that she was able to pass the Auror exams and rise through the ranks.
"That's a serious accusation." Tonks was angry now and completely unconvinced.
"I know." Viola breathed.
"Albus Dumbledore has personally vetted each member of the staff at Hogwarts. Do you think he would allow a Death-Eater to work for him?" Tonks asked incredulously.
"Only if he didn't know about it."
"So you're saying Dumbledore is wrong?" Tonks asked with a raised brow.
"No, it's just that—people make mistakes."
"Like you are, by sneaking out." Tonks took a step forward, trying to intimidate Viola into stepping back through the doorway.
But Viola stood her ground.
"And you are making a mistake by not arresting him." She shot back, venom returning to her voice.
"I doubt it." Tonks said. "Now, if you don't go back inside now, your Head of House will be made aware of this. And I heard a little rumor that you're just one misstep away from losing your Prefect's Badge."
She saw Viola flinch in panic for the first time. Tonks swallowed, feeling a bit guilty for the low blow. But it was necessary.
Tonks watched as Richmond retreated back towards the Slytherin common room, her Auror instincts still on high alert.
'Senna loves you. I saw it when I was inside her head...' Viola's words echoed in her head. The new revelation made her heart throb painfully, and she struggled to suppress those feelings. 'I hate that I can't be more like you...'