Chapter 57 The Sorting
The Great Hall buzzed with the usual activity of students and the aroma of cuisine. Senna and Viola ignored the staring eyes and found a quiet corner at the Slytherin table, and filled their plates with food. The recent attack weighed heavily on Senna's mind as they sat down to eat.
Senna noted that the foreign exchange students and their Headmasters were absent from the Great Hall. Maybe they had gone home during the break and had yet to return.
Senna took a hesitant bite of her food before finally breaking the silence. "Viola, are you okay?"
Viola nodded, her eyes reflecting concern. "I'm fine."
But she got the impression that she was not being truthful.
Senna frowned, her appetite waning. "Do you think this attack is connected to the Triwizard Tournament somehow? Maybe Struan is trying to disrupt it."
Viola flinched at the name, and her eyes scanned the students around them. "It's a possibility. He may see it as an opportunity."
A chill ran down Senna's spine. "If only we knew what he was after, exactly, then we could stop him."
Viola nodded in agreement. "I've been thinking about it. We'll find out."
Senna's determination reflected in her eyes. "Agreed. We can't just rely on the Ministry or the professors."
Just then, Professor McGonagall approached, her expression stern. "Senna, Viola, may I have a word?"
They nodded and followed her to a quieter corner of the Great Hall. The professor's eyes bore into theirs. "I've heard about the attack. We're taking every precaution to ensure the safety of the students. But I need you two to be vigilant as well. If you notice anything unusual, report it immediately."
Senna and Viola nodded. "We will, Professor," Viola replied for them.
"And one more thing, Ms. Snape," Professor McGonagall turned to her, "The other schools were sent home during winter break while the council made their decisions. Now that the tournament has been reinstated, Brownwell will arrive next week. The Headmaster has asked that you meet him in his office after breakfast to discuss the arrangements in the meantime."
As they returned to their seats, eyes followed them each step of the way.
"You have Defense Against the Dark Arts, right?" Senna asked as Viola stood, her plate empty.
"Yes." Viola said. Senna could see the gears turning behind her bright green eyes as she returned to school mode.
"Be careful of Moody," Senna warned.
"I will."
After a brief kiss goodbye, they parted ways in the corridor.
Senna made her way to Dumbledore's office, her mind racing with the possibilities of the upcoming arrangement. After going up the twisted staircase, she knocked on the door and waited for a response.
It was Professor Snape that opened the door, his expression unreadable. He
stood to the side and motioned for her to enter.
Senna stood in Dumbledore's office, the ancient room adorned with magical artifacts and dozens of moving portraits. The Headmaster, his eyes twinkling behind half-moon glasses, regarded her with a knowing smile.
Senna looked between them for a moment before speaking. "Headmaster Dumbledore," Senna began, her voice sincere, "I wanted to express my gratitude for arranging the safe house. It means a lot, especially in these uncertain times."
Dumbledore smiled warmly. "My dear, it is Hogwarts' duty to protect those in need, and you've proven yourself to be a valuable ally. The safe house is merely an extension of Hogwarts' commitment to safeguarding its own."
"Valuable ally?" Senna pondered. She doubted that anyone in the Order, including Dumbledore, considered her an ally. She was the child of Voldemort, after all.
"Well, of course. You so bravely protected our beloved student, Ms. Richmond, in the tournament and our dearest Auror Nymphadora just this morning. I am most grateful for you as well."
Senna blinked, feeling guilty about the compliment. She did it, not to protect Hogwarts students and alums, but because she cared for these individuals. Dumblesore's words left a warmth in her chest that she tried not to acknowledge. When she did not respond, Dumbledore continued speaking.
"Senna, given the unique circumstances and your involvement in recent events, we've decided that you will be a temporary student at Hogwarts," Dumbledore explained, his eyes twinkling with a mix of warmth and wisdom.
Senna stared at Dumbledore in complete surprise. "A student of Hogwarts?"
Senna's mind raced around the unexpected decision. Wasn't there an application process? She would have to send her OWLs and transcripts to Hogwarts first. It couldn't be as simple as Dumbledore made it seem.
Dumbledore continued, "Now, let us sort you into the appropriate house."
Before she could say anything, he produced the Sorting Hat, its weathered appearance hinting at centuries of sorting students into their respective houses. Dumbledore placed it on Senna's head, and the hat seemed to come alive.
"Such a spark of bravery and courage!" the Sorting Hat shouted almost immediately, making Senna jump, "You will do well in Gryffindor!"
Senna threw a panicked glance at Dumbledore and Snape, her eyes wide with astonishment. "Gryffindor? No!"
Dumbledore nodded, "Indeed, Gryffindor values courage, and you have shown great courage in the face of adversity."
Yet, the Sorting Hat wasn't quite finished. It hesitated for a moment before adding, "I can see loyalty and honesty in your mind as well. Perhaps... Hufflepuff!"
Senna's surprise deepened. She tried unsuccessfully to hide her horror. There was a time when she would have been overjoyed to be in Hufflepuff, but that time had passed.
Dumbledore chuckled once more. "It seems you possess qualities of both houses, Senna. Gryffindor's bravery and Hufflepuff's loyalty and dedication. The Sorting Hat suggests you have a choice."
Senna thought for a moment, considering the characteristics of each house. "I'll go with Slytherin," she declared.
The Sorting Hat vibrated for a moment, "Slytherin? Oh, yes, I can see the resourcefulness and cunning ingrained deep inside. But..." The hat paused.
"But?" Senna prompted nervously.
"I still think you would do well in Gryffindor. Such unrelenting courage..." It trailed.
"I—I can't. I need to be in Slytherin."
Dumbledore arched an eyebrow, his gaze thoughtful. "Interesting. Why Slytherin, my dear?"
"Maybe it's not the best fit for my personality, but it's where I need to be." Senna's thoughts flickered to Viola. She was sure Dumbledore saw right through her.
"Very well," The Sorting Hat, seeming to acknowledge her choice, shifted its stance. "Slytherin!"
As the Sorting Hat was lifted from her head, Snape approached her and handed her black Hogwarts robes embezzled with green and silver, a fleeting look of satisfaction crossing his face.
"Welcome to Slytherin, Senna. May your time here be marked by the cunning and ambition that will undoubtedly aid you in the days to come," Dumbledore said.
As the Sorting Hat was removed, Senna met Professor Snape's gaze, and there was a subtle nod of acknowledgment.
Senna raced through the empty corridors to get to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom before it ended, not trusting Professor Moody with her girlfriend.
But she was stopped by a patrolling Auror. She groaned in irritation.
"What are you doing?" The unfamiliar Auror asked her.
"I was just in Dumbledore's office. I'm going to class now." Senna said impatiently.
"I'll take you there." The Auror said, not trusting her.
"Fine!" Senna hissed, and she followed the Auror to the DADA classroom.
The bell rang to signal the end of the period just as they arrived. Senna was relieved to lose the Auror as the crowd poured out of the classroom. Senna searched for a mane of red hair.
A handful of students did not notice her initially, as she seemed to blend in better with the Hogwarts uniform. But those who recognized her scampered out of her way.
"Viola." She whispered as she weaved between the students, entered the classroom, and caught Viola packing up her things.
Mad-eye Moody was still erasing the whiteboard.
She helped Viola stuff her things into her bag and took her hand, "Let's go." She whispered.
When they reached the corridor, Viola stopped her, her green eyes wide with surprise. "Why are you wearing our uniform?"
Senna tugged on her hand, as it was not safe for them to linger, "Come on, I'll tell you on our way to the dorm."
"But don't you have Charms next period?"
Senna cursed under her breath. She had gotten so used to being excused from class due to her lack of magic that she forgot she actually needed to attend. "Well, I'll need to get my book." Senna recovered quickly.
When Senna turned to her, she was surprised by how intently Viola was staring at her. "And the uniform?"
"Dumbledore said I'll be a temporary student of Hogwarts. I'm not entirely sure why."
But Viola's eyes had grown darker. And when she didn't respond, Senna raised a brow. "Is there something wrong?"
Viola blushed and looked away, but not before Senna caught her eyes darken with something else. "It's nothing... You just look—" She paused. "Very nice in our uniform."
This caught Senna by surprise. She did not receive a lot of compliments from Viola.
"Thanks," She muttered.
"At least you were sorted into Slytherin." Viola said in a relieved and disparaging tone. She opened her mouth to say something else but changed her mind and hid it with a fake cough.
"Afraid that I'd be in Hufflepuff?" Senna chuckled.
Viola did not meet her gaze. "You seem to really love them." Viola's voice was quiet and bitter. "Those Hufflepuffs." Her nose wrinkled.
Senna wondered if she was referring to Hannah and her friends, Tonks, or both. She wished she knew what Viola was thinking. Either way, she was no longer so bothered by her disdain for Hufflepuffs.
"The hat did want to put me in Hufflepuff for a bit." Senna admitted.
Viola looked at her then, her eyes wide with horror. "And?"
"I do love my Hufflepuffs, but..." Senna looked down at Viola's green eyes, analyzing the mix of fierceness and vulnerability. The forbidden words formed effortlessly in her mind. She felt her recent encounter with Death was to blame, but truth rolled off her with little resistance, "I seem to love you more."
She didn't exactly remember moving, but Viola was leaning toward her, determination in her step. Then they were moving together—forward for Viola, and backward for Senna—until Senna's back stopped against the stone corridor wall, a small whoosh of air escaping her lungs when she hit.
Viola hovered there, her green eyes boring into her intensely for a moment before her focus moved on to Senna's mouth, her full lips slightly parted.
Almost in slow motion, Viola lifted her hand and trailed her fingertips along the side of Senna's face. The action was so tender and so gentle that she wondered if this was really Viola Richmond.
The sound of her own rapid breathing mixed with Viola's was the only sound she could hear.
Viola ran her thumb gently across her bottom lip before sliding her hand farther back to grip Senna's head as she pressed their lips together. She pulled back slightly, looked into Senna's eyes once more. Despite being a striking green, Viola's eyes were dark, and heavy with arousal, so Senna kissed her again. It started softly, slowly at first, tentatively, as if they were each feeling each other out.
Senna felt Viola's hands settle on her waist, and she took that as a good sign. She deepened the kiss and pressed herself more firmly into Viola so there was no space left between their bodies. When Viola's mouth opened under hers, Senna took the invitation, pushed her tongue inside, and was rewarded with a low moan. That was all the encouragement she needed. Grasping Viola's face with both hands, she kissed her deeply, trying hard to take her time, but wanting nothing more than to rip her robes off.
This wasn't like their usual kisses. It was an amazingly sensual kiss. And it was indescribably different.
She felt Viola's hands slide up her back, her fingers digging in painfully, and it urged her on. She grabbed Viola's neck, tugged her head back, and kissed her neck. Her skin was soft under her mouth. She smelled amazing, a medley of her warm Christmas spice scent that Senna couldn't get enough of.
Using her tongue, she licked a hot trail up the side of her neck, until she reached her ear, and she nibbled it gently with her teeth. Another moan escaped Viola's lips, exciting her.
She then returned to Viola's mouth and put her tongue deep in her mouth. She moved her hand to feel Viola's full breasts over her robes, wishing the robes would disappear, and she could feel her nipples tighten and grow under her touch. To her satisfaction, she should feel Viola's entire body shudder in reaction. So she did it again.
Then, suddenly, Viola was pushing her away. "Stop," Viola said quietly and breathlessly. "We have an audience."
Senna blinked, reluctant to return to the present. She almost said that she didn't care who was watching, but Viola was right; there was quite a large crowd that had gathered around them at the intersection of two corridors. And perhaps it would be best they moved somewhere more private.
But to her and Viola's surprise, the large crowd of students began to applaud. The thunderous applause echoed through the halls.
Senna stared at the cheering crowd and let the cacophony of thoughts flood her mind.
It was hard to interpret coherent words, but she picked out the theme of others being happy for them, which hinted that this unexpected reaction might be a show of support.
Viola looked bewildered.
"I think—" Senna mirrored Viola's bewilderment, "They're clapping for us?"
But Senna caught one face that didn't look at all pleased—Tonks. She was probably on patrol when she heard the commotion. She leaned casually against the stone wall. Her face had become a cold mask of indifference.