Chapter 36

Senna stood still as the old and thin wizard with white spiky hair prodded her neck with his wand, and then slathered her in various herbs and whatever-else he had in his tool kit. This rail-thin wizard was Lord Bane. Somehow, Senna expected someone of this title to have a more imposing presence, but instead, she was met with an odd-ball whose lips always kept moving even after he was done speaking. It was like he was always having a conversation with himself.

"Thank you, Lord Bane, for coming on such short notice." Headmaster Roberts said gratuitously.

"Yeah, ye, oh my…" Lord Bane had stuck a sticky leaf on her neck, and was capitaveted about the result, something she couldn't see.

"What is it?" Roberts looked eagerly at the result.

Lord Bane began to mumble something completely unintelligible.

"What was that?" Roberts asked politely.

"The Malos Serpent." He mumbled.

Roberts and Senna waited patiently for him to explain. He took the leaf off of Senna, and then started poking her with a rather sharp stick. Senna winced.

"The Malos Serpent, a beast similar to that of the basilisk, except this beast doesn't exist in the physical dimension like most creatures we are familiar with." Bane's voice constantly oscillated, changing pitch as if more than one person was trying to speak through his mouth.

Headmaster Roberts stared. "What does that mean?"

"It means, it is an interdimensional creature. And now he lives in an interdimensional portion of this girl. You can interact with it in altered states of consciousness. My child, have you been able to interact with Malos?"

"Um… I have this dream where there is a giant leech stuck to my neck…"

"Yes! Yes! That is him!" Bane jumped up, suddenly very excited. "In between beings such as Malos are not connected to the flow of life. They cannot draw from the flow like us who are born of this world. So they must take it from those who are." Bane pressed his hands together, satisfied with his diagnosis.

Senna blinked. She didn't understand most of what he was saying. But he did confirm what they already knew—this curse was sapping her energy and magic.

"Can we get rid of it?" Roberts asked.

Bane was silent for a moment, though his lips were still mouthing something.

"They wait for decades—sometimes centuries—for someone to open the veil and let them into a physical realm such as ours. I doubt he'd be keen on leaving." Bane said, "But if you can convince him to go back to the dark abyss of nothingness in between dimensions…"

Senna signed. She didn't understand much about this talk of dimensions and inter-dimensions, but if she were Malos, she wouldn't want to go back to this place either. "No chance of that."

"I see, yes, right… that is a hard bargain to wager, the other option would be… The person who opened the door and let Malos inside you could, hypothetically, close the door. After all, the person who opened the door is the one who has a key to it."

"Yeah… No chance of that either. Unless I sign my soul to the devil."

"Excellent idea!" The thin wizard beamed. "Maybe the devil can close this door!"

Headmaster Roberts' palm struck his own face.

The consultation ended soon after that.

Though it was only early afternoon, she was already exhausted, no doubt from the curse.

A knock sounded from her door.

Hesitantly, she opened the door, worried it would be the eccentric Bane wanting to run some more tests.

It was the same Brownwell girl that had brought her breakfast. She held a tray for her lunch and wore an expression of poorly hidden discomfort. Senna opened the door for her.

She couldn't help but feel bad for the girl. She obviously didn't want to be here.

"Sorry they're making you do this." Senna told her as she set the tray down on her desk.

"I—It's fine." She mumbled, before scampering away.

Senna sighed and went to close the door. She was mystified that her peers were still terrified of her though she was now magicless.

Senna noticed something on the ground right outside her door. A card and a round object wrapped in paper.

Senna picked it up gingerly, suspicious it could be another one of Struan's bewitched notes.

I heard about the curse.

I'm so sorry that you are having a hard time

This is a bumble fruit, it helps with fatigue and is said to restore one's energy

-Hannah

Senna felt a wave of warmth for the girl. She was trying to cut ties with the Hufflepuffs, but Hannah's kindness kept peeking through. But it didn't change her mind. Hannah would be better off not associating with her.

Senna unwrapped the orb to reveal a fruit that looked just like a yellow tomato. Senna placed it on her night stand. She would have to try it before the first trial tomorrow, she needed all the help she could get.

Senna shuddered when she remembered that Struan knew about her friends. Perhaps it would be better to not associate with anyone… but she could see Viola being too stubborn to comply with that, her experience with Viola's stalking proved it.

Senna did her forms and exercises as best she could inside her room. She feared that if she tried to go to the gym, someone would ambush her to try and convince her out of competing. And she wasn't sure she would be able to make it back if she pushed herself too hard.

It wasn't long before Senna drained herself completely.

She sat on the floor, wheezing like she had just ran a marathon. Her stamina was getting worse, not better.

A knock rattled the door.

"Who is it?" Senna called from the floor, unable to hear the mind of the person on the other side.

"It's me." Viola's voice was muffled.

"Ugh. Fine, come in." Senna panted.

"What do you mean, ugh," Viola mocked her, "You're lucky I—" Right when she tried to go through the door frame, she suddenly bounced backwards, pushed by an unknown force. The space between the door and the room shimmered like a thousand diamonds floating in the air. between them. Viola landed on her bottom, cursing.

"What was that?" Viola roared, her cheeks were starting to turn red.

"Um…" Senna was just as mystified as her. She tried to stand, but her legs were lead again. "I really don't know, it wasn't there before."

"Yes, it's been here. I put that shield up myself." Headmaster Roberts appeared behind Viola, and held out a hand. Viola eyed the hand with squinted eyes, but took it.

"It is a shield that blocks only powerful witches and wizards from crossing through it. The only ones who can pass through are myself, and anyone I personally escort." Headmaster put a hand on Viola's shoulder, and led her through the doorway. "There."

"But the food girl," Senna didn't know her peer's name, "She was able to come in and out without you."

"Though Ms. Bailey is an excellent student, I daresay that she isn't a witch of extraordinary magical power. This barrier has a threshold, meant to keep out powerful wizards such as Masters, Teachers, and most importantly Death Eaters—"

"And Aurors." Senna laughed. "I knew it, you're afraid they're going to kidnap me again."

Headmaster Roberts ignored the accusation. "Most students and young wizards don't have their magical power and abilities developed to a point where it would exceed the threshold I set." Roberts lowered his spectacles to get a better look at Viola. "Ms. Richmond, is it?"

"Yes." Viola answered.

"I set the threshold quite high, too. I am very impressed, you must be extraordinary for your age."

Viola sighed as if this happened a lot. "I do my best."

Roberts put his spectacles back on his face. "Well, I need to get going. Enjoy your afternoon."

Roberts left them by themselves. Viola watched him go. When he was out of earshot, Viola spoke, "He's pretty clever."

"The shield that only keeps out notable opponents?" Senna asked. "I guess so, but in my state, it won't really take much to kidnap me. I'm sure even Ms. Bailey could do away with me."

"No… I meant… he cast revelio on me, and it just looked like he was fixing his coat. You couldn't see his wand hand at all."

"Really? I didn't see anything. Wow." Senna pondered this. "So he thought you were a fake?"

"Yeah, I guess he found the fact that the barrier reacted to me to be suspicious."

"I don't blame him. You're kind of short, no one would guess that you are some sort of powerful prodigy." Senna poked.

Pink colored her cheeks a bit. She glared at her. Yup, definitely the real Viola, Senna thought.

"What are you doing on the floor anyways?"

"Just um… resting." Senna lied. Her eyelids were starting to feel heavy, but she forced them to stay open.

Viola's eyes narrowed. "You… you can't stand up… can you?" She accused.

"Well.." Senna tried to come up with a good lie, but failed. "No I can't." She admitted.

"Oh god, you're worse than I thought."

Viola held out a hand, Senna took it and tried to pull herself up but that obviously wasn't working, so Viola began to drag her over to her bed. "I know I'm awesome, but there's no need to call me god."

Viola dropped her on the bed less than graciously.

"I honestly can't believe you sometimes."

"What else is new?" Senna mumbled. After a moment, she added, "If you're here to tell me not to compete again, it's not going to work. I've made up my mind."

Senna could see Viola's jaw tense up.

"No, I'm here because you promised to catch me up on everything that happened."

"Fiine." Senna drawled.

Senna dove into the story, starting from when she received the mysterious parchment, all the messages she exchanged with Struan. She spoke about Tonks's interrogation, about Rina and Struan's manor, and the attempted Branding.

"A pretty blonde girl waiting on you hand and foot, that must be nice." Viola's arms were crossed. It was obvious she didn't find this nice at all, though Senna wasn't sure why this upset her so much.

"Out of everything I just told you, that is what you focus on?" Senna was confused, "I just told you I am the literal spawn of evil. You-know-who's daughter? Hello?"

"Forget it, you were saying?"

Senna continued. She gave her every detail, including the dreams about the leech, when Tonks came to interrogate her a second time, all the way up to the wacky healer, Lord Bane.

"Okay." Viola's brows were pinched together in serious thought. "So the only options are to convince Malos to leave, or have him remove the curse he placed... Those aren't good options."

"I know." Senna hung her head in disappointment and exhaustion.

A severe silence hung between them.

"I do have somewhat good news." Viola mentioned.

Senna looked over at her through her drooping eyes.

"I was in the halls and overheard Ludovic Bagman arguing with another ministry employee. Apparently they are having supply chain issues and can't get the beasts they wanted in time for tomorrow's game. I heard them say they are going to make the contestants duel instead, and add another trial so that there will be four in total. You might get maimed tomorrow, but perhaps you won't die. At least—"

Senna couldn't stay awake any longer. She was actually sorry she couldn't listen to Viola's voice some more. This curse must be driving her crazy. Senna was pulled into the blackness of sleep.

She was now familiar with the scene of this dream, standing and unable to move, a giant leech-like creature with its teeth sunk into her neck, sucking away her life-force energy.

'More.' It hissed, 'Give me more.'

'Why?' Senna asked.

'I need more.'

'Sorry Malos, I don't have any more. If you want more magic, go drain someone else.'

Silence followed. She got the sense he was surprised she knew his name.

'That's right Malos, I know who you are. And I know what you are. '

Senna groaned as she became aware of a nasty taste in her mouth. She then became aware of a soft warmth surrounding her. Light poured from her now open eyelids. "That stuff is seriously nasty, Headmaster."

"I'm not your Headmaster." A sharp voice spoke, indignant.

Senna rubbed her eyes, and took a look at the figure looming over her. It was Viola, her auburn hair was untidy and everywhere—Senna thought it was rather sexy.

Viola reached over and placed the empty vial on the nightstand.

Senna also realized where the warmth was coming from. Viola was in the bed with her, pretty much on top of her.

She was in an unbuttoned top, and her underwear, and her eyes seemed to get stuck, unable to tear them away from her creamy and freckled skin.

"My eyes are up here." Viola closed the gap, pressing their chests together.

Senna didn't mind, the contact was very nice too. The warmth of Viola's body felt dizzingly good. Her legs, her torso, and her breast pushed against her, it was almost too good to bear. Though it did not just warm her soul… a throbbing between her legs started to make itself known. "Oh, I know where your eyes are." Senna mumbled. "But the real question is, why are you in my bed?"

"You sort of passed out yesterday afternoon." Viola said.

Senna pushed herself up with sudden alarm, and Viola had to roll off her to avoid collision. "What time is it?" Senna gasped. "The tournament—"

"It's not for a few hours, relax." Viola told her.

Senna looked back over to Viola, who was covering herself with the covers—to Senna's disappointment. "Wait—have you been here since yesterday afternoon?"

"Yes. If I left, I wouldn't be able to get back in without your Headmaster."

"What have you been doing this whole time?"

"Well I studied a bit. Then a girl brought you dinner, but you were out cold, so I ate it." Viola admitted. "And then I got you dressed for bed."

Senna looked down at the nightgown she was wearing. "You were able to get this on me? You must be stronger than you look." Senna looked up at her. "Or did you cheat and use magic?"

Viola didn't answer, but her cheeks were tinged with pink.

"Well, um… Thanks." Senna mumbled, then a pressing matter came into her mind. "But we should get you out of here. My Headmaster will probably be here soon."

And right on queue, a loud knock startled them both.

The door swung open before either of them had a chance to move. Both Senna and Viola froze.

And to Senna's horror, Severus Snap and Madam Pomfrey, escorted by Headmaster Roberts, walked through the barrier, into Senna's room.

There was a moment of very awkward silence as the three adults stared at the scene before them—Viola and Senna sitting next to each other in bed, Viola's untidy state clearly indicating that she had spent the night, the covers pulled up around them.

"Oh! You're already awake! Wonderful." Robert's voice boomed, as if immune to the awkward tension. "And thank you, Ms. Richmond, I appreciate you keeping an eye on her." Roberts turned to Snap, "My apologies Severus, I know she is a student of your house. I don't mean to overstep."

Senna felt a wave of gratitude for Roberts covering for them. He was more perceptive and clever than she gave him credit for. Though she knew his intention was just to keep conflict from arising right before the tournament, she was grateful nonetheless.

"Nevermind that, for now." He told Roberts, he threw a glance at both Senna and Viola, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Right!" Roberts took out what looked to be an athletic black tracksuit and draped it over the desk chair. "We have a lot to prepare this morning. Senna, once you're dressed, please meet us in my office." He turned to Viola, "Thank you again."

And then they left through the door, turning into the direction of Roberts' office.

Viola let out the breath that she had been holding this whole time. "Oh my god, Professor Snape is going to kill me."

"If it makes you feel better, I'll try to survive long enough in the tournament to watch your execution."

Viola glared at her with her piercing green eyes.

"Snape thinks you were on watching duty."

Viola groaned and put her head between her blanket covered knees. "What if they think we're sleeping together."

"Technically—" Senna started.

"Shut up." Viola hissed.

They both got dressed in silence. Senna donned the tracksuit while Viola took a hairbrush and tried to tame her wild auburn curls.

Senna looked at her ghostly face in the mirror. "I look awful." Senna groaned.

Viola's reflection appeared behind her. Viola would've normally made a snide joke at Senna's expense, but her face was serious, she was in no mood to joke.

"You'll be careful, won't you?" Viola looked away from Senna when she said this, embarrassed. Her cheeks were pink again. She was starting to wonder if the color was permanent.

Senna had to admit that Viola was cute right now. Senna has never seen someone who experienced this much difficulty opening up or being vulnerable—other than herself.

"Believe it or not, I'm not on a suicide mission."

Viola didn't answer. She stood there, looking at her feet, at a loss for words.

"I'll be careful." Senna promised.

She took Viola's face in her hands, and placed a kiss on her pink lips. They both groaned in unison. Maybe it was the imminent danger on the horizon, but this kiss felt very electric and tender at the same time. She didn't want to pull away. But she had someplace to be.

Despite her inside screaming for more, Senna pulled away. "I'll see you later."

Senna turned and left the room, off to face her Headmaster and the others.