Chapter 62 Brownwell Returned

"Viola!" Senna shouted, bursting through the Hospital Wing doors and rushing towards the cot. "Are you okay?"

Viola tried to sit up, but fell back down. "I'm fine." she huffed. Her voice was hoarse.

Madam Pomfrey appeared beside them, her expression stern. "No visitors. Richmond needs to rest." she demanded, looking at Senna.

She looked up, "I have to see her," she said firmly. "She's my girlfriend."

Madam Pomfrey shook her head. "I'm sorry, but I can't allow visitors right now."

Her eyes widened in desperation. "Please," she begged.

Madam Pomfrey hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Fine," she said. "But only for a little while."

She agreed eagerly, and Madam Pomfrey left them alone. Senna sat next to her cot and then took her hand. "What happened?"

Viola squeezed her hand. "It's a long story."

"Well, then—get started."

She struggled to speak. "I don't know," she managed to say. "I think I got hit by a curse. Struan made this snake-like shadow—"

"Struan?!" She exclaimed, standing up and dropping her hand in surprise. "He was at Hogmeade?"

"Viola was attacked by Struan and the Death Eaters in the Forbidden Forest," Tonks said, and Senna looked up at her in surprise, just now realizing she was there. "We managed to fend them off, but she got bit by Struan's curse."

Her expression turned to one of horror as she saw Viola's wrapped-up arm. "Damn," she whispered. "Is she going to be okay?"

Tonks nodded. "She'll be fine," she reassured them. "Madam Pomfrey patched her up. They're going to have Severus take a look at her when he's free, since it was done with dark magic."

Senna paced back and forth, her mind racing with questions and fears. She couldn't believe that Death Eaters had attacked them. Then, abruptly, she paused. "What were the both of you doing in the Forbidden Forest?"

Tonks and Viola exchanged a look, unsure of what to say. "I was following a lead," Viola finally said. She dived into detail about the secret meeting, the very little she heard from the Death Eaters, Struan's shadow creature, and very reluctantly added Tonks' rescue.

"Blood ritual? The late Minister of Magic?" Senna pondered this.

"They were probably just bragging about their latest victory—his murder."

"Yes." She agreed. "But what about the blood ritual? What do you think that is about?"

Both of them looked at Tonks, who was staring at the wall with a tired and blank expression. She met Senna's gaze intently. "No idea, I didn't hear anything. I was hiding much farther away," she said, moving back to Viola in an accusing manner. "Relying on the disillusionment charm and standing so close is a rookie mistake. Next time, leave it to the professionals."

Her face turned red, and she stared furiously at the bunched-up blanket in front of her.

Senna sighed. She figured Tonks was right. Her girlfriend was very intelligent, but she was getting ahead of herself, trying to spy on Struan's meeting by herself.

Senna turned to the Auror and broke the silence, "How much of this are you going to tell your boss?"

She looked at Senna with a serious expression and replied, "I'll have to report everything. But don't worry, I'll make sure to make it sound like Richmond was out picking potion herbs."

Senna nodded, "Thank you," she said.

"Well, I should get going." The Auror gave a sigh smile before turning to leave.

She sighed too, staring at her silent, red-faced girlfriend. "I'm glad you're okay." She took her hand again. "I don't know what I would do if I lost you."

Her face softened as she looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I know I scared you. She squeezed Senna's hand back. "I love you, you know that?"

Senna smiled. "Yeah."

Monday had finally arrived. The foreign exchange students had landed on the Hogwarts campus and were bustling in excitement about the upcoming events. As Senna made her way through the bustling crowd in the Great Hall, she met her Headmaster's gaze. He immediately began making his way towards her.

It had been a while since she had seen him, and she felt a twinge of nervousness as he approached her.

"Good afternoon, Headmaster," Senna said, trying to sound as confident as possible.

"Senna," he replied, his voice conveying surprise and enthusiasm. "I'm glad you are well. I need to speak with you right away."

"Of course," she said, following him through the crowd of students.

As they walked, she felt a sense of apprehension. Finally, they arrived at a familiar hot air balloon that was magically expanded on the inside, revealing halls, dormitories, and his office. He gestured for her to take a seat across from him, and then he began to speak.

"I trust you have recovered?" the Roberts asked, smiling warmly at her.

"Yes." She smiled back at him. "I have made a full recovery."

"That is good to hear." He scratched his bearded chin. "Those healers at St. Mungo's must be very competent."

She nodded, though she knew it was only partly because of the healers. She didn't mention she had met Death herself and gone through a transformation.

"I am to inform you of the Yule Ball, which is being held soon in the Great Hall. It will be a memorable occasion," he said, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

"Many distinguished guests from other wizarding schools will attend, and the night will be filled with music, dancing, and magical entertainment. This tradition has been celebrated for centuries during the Tri-Wizard tournament season. Though it is usually held on Christmas, near the Yule equinox, it will be held at the beginning of February."

He paused for a moment, gauging her reaction. Her mind reeled—February was only two weeks away.

"The ball is open to fourth-year students and above, and I trust that you will make the most of this wonderful opportunity." He continued.

He smiled at her again, and she could sense that he was genuinely excited about the upcoming event. "I hope to see you represent our school in an honorable fashion. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to ask."

"Of course", she said, nodding. But her mind was whirring. "But, it seems a little odd that they would have a party with everything that's been going on."

"I understand your concern," he replied, scratching his head. "Everyone has the same concern. But I think they want to stick to tradition as much as possible."

But then, Roberts' expression turned suspicious when he eyed her uniform. "Why are you wearing the Hogwarts uniform?"

"It's just temporary." She assured him. "Since I stayed here when the schools were sent back."

He didn't look convinced. In fact, he looked angry. "Yes, you were in no condition to be moved when the tournament was suspended." He grumbled.

"Yes, indeed." She observed his expression, which was growing redder by the second. Then, she added, "Does it bother you?"

"It has been said that Dumbledore has a habit of recruiting talented students from other schools, so it's interesting that he's made you wear his uniform. Has he made you any promises?" His mustache quivered in irritation.

She was caught off guard by this assumption. She had always thought that Dumbledore's actions towards her were driven by his innate generosity and compassion rather than greed. After all, he had been there for her during a time when her own Headmaster had turned his back on her. She was grateful to Dumbledore, and Roberts' assumption angered her.

"Why does it matter?" Senna said irritatedly. "You're going to expel me at the end of the year anyway."

"Given the circumstances, I've reconsidered. It would be too dangerous for you to remain here in Great Britain. At Hogwarts."

Senna confronted her Headmaster, her eyes filled with frustration and accusation. "Oh please, you've never cared about me. I'm just another student to you."

Roberts' expression hardened, and a flash of anger crossed his features. "That's not true, Senna. I've cared about you more than you realize. There are things you don't know."

Senna scoffed, crossing her arms. "Save the excuses."

Roberts took a deep breath, attempting to maintain composure. "Senna, you have no idea what I've done for you, the risks I've taken to keep you safe." Roberts paused, deliberating. "There have been moments when your life was in danger, and I intervened."

Senna's skepticism lingered, but a hint of curiosity surfaced. "What are you talking about?"

Roberts sighed, his frustration giving way to a sense of urgency. "There are forces at play that you're unaware of. I've shielded you from them, kept you safe when you were vulnerable."

Senna's expression shifted, a mixture of surprise and doubt. "Saved me? From what?"

Robert hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Why do you think there was a creature supply shortage right before the first match? Do you think that just happened coincidentally?"

Senna blinked, unsure of what to say.

"And when the Department of Magical Games announced that each champion could pick a partner for the second match. Do you think that was just your good luck?" His voice was low and angry.

Senna's skepticism wavered, replaced by a newfound uncertainty, and all she could do was stand there and stare at his round and pink face.

"No." He growled. "I did everything in my power to stop the dragons because you weren't ready. I pulled many strings and called in many favors to get the Department of Magical Games to spice things up, knowing full well you'd choose that Hogwarts prodigy to fight with you."

The revelation left her with a mix of emotions, and she found herself reconsidering the dynamics of her relationship with Robert.

"You..." Senna's voice was caught in her throat. "You did that?"

As the truth unfolded, Senna felt the walls around her heart squeeze painfully. Was he telling the truth?

"Yes." Roberts' voice grew softer. "You may not see it, but I've always cared about your well-being."

"Are you sure you didn't do it because you wanted to win?" Senna said, desperately trying to hang on to her previous views of her Headmaster.

"I'm sure." Roberts said seriously.

"Then—why?"

"I still remember you that day." Roberts said in an uncharacteristically soft voice. His eyes were far away now. "The haunted eleven-year-old girl I went to visit at that awful muggle orphanage. You were just a child. A child who had already suffered more than any adult I'd ever met."

Senna began to back away from his desk. Her heart was squeezing painfully again, and she didn't want to feel it.

"I had hoped your suffering would end there, but it hadn't. You were never happy at Brownwell." It wasn't a question. "I hope your time at my school has equipped you with the tools you need for your journey ahead." There was a pause—a tense, uneasy pause that seemed to stretch on forever. "I've come to realize I can no longer protect you. So, I've reconsidered once more. Indeed... at the end of this year, you are expelled from The Brownwell Academy of Magical Arts."

He was right—she had never been happy there. She was always friendless and lonely. And yet, tears welled up in her eyes.

Senna stood to leave his office, desperate to escape the heavy silence, feeling as though a weight had been placed on her shoulders. She didn't know what the future held for her, but she knew she was never going to return to Brownwell.

Just as she reached the door, she heard him speak.

"Senna," His voice was uncharacteristically quiet and gentle, "You can't swim, can you..." It was more of a statement than a question. He was looking out the window now, not meeting her gaze.

She paused. The memory of her when she was five years old flooded her mind. It was like she was there again, trapped in muddy water, sinking deeper as she struggled. She longed for air, but her weakened body couldn't fight much longer... She shivered in terror.

"No, I can't." She confirmed, confused. "Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering." Roberts continued to look out the window. "That is all. You may leave."