It's a day later than usual, had to spend the weekend moving out of our apartment instead of writing. I didn't have much time to proof read, so PM me if you see an error. Thanks to those who reviewed!

Chapter 10:

"I'm okay. Really." Senna exhaled. Hannah had been persistently asking about Senna's mood, which had turned sour immediately following the Hogsmeade visit. It was Monday afternoon now, and Senna's brooding demeanor had not yet lifted.

She remembered the cold, distant look in Tonks's eyes, and it sent another icy blast into her gut. She thought they had a connection. Why else would Tonks embrace her so gently the night of her breakdown? Why would she confide in Senna the struggles of being a clumsy Auror?

It didn't help her mood that Senna had been caught off guard in DADA that morning. She was preoccupied, analyzing Tonks's actions, and when Moody called on her to answer a question about inferi, for once, she did not have the answer. Viola, the girl who was bitter about Senna outshining her in both DADA and potions, had smiled smugly from four seats over.

Senna pushed away the remnants of her lunch and stood up. Hannah shot her a concerned look. "I'm going to the library." Senna told Hannah.

She needed to stop moping. In just one week, the goblet of fire was going to be lit, allowing students to enter names and officially starting the Triwizard Tournament. She didn't have the luxury to wallow. At least, that was what she told herself. But she couldn't stop the ache in her heart from festering.

She had some good luck at the library. She managed to find Chasing Magical Tournaments unceremoniously lodged between the shelves of biographies of famous witches and wizards and magical malpractices. Since it had been hidden in the wrong place, it managed to remain available despite the high demand of tournament-related books. Senna was very grateful to the neglectful wizard who had thrown this aside. Excited, she plopped down in a chair and wretched the old book open.

She heard footsteps approach her from behind, but she paid no attention. She had just reached the part of the book that contained information specific to the Triwizard Tournament. It talked about the traditional three tasks, how no two tournaments are the same, and how each task will contain something inexplicably dangerous to test bravery, cleverness, and skill…

"I hope you're not thinking of entering. You're only a sixth year." A condescending female voice said.

Senna turned around to meet the fierce green eyes of Viola Richmond. Her curly red hair spilled around her shoulders like a silky flame. She crinkled her freckled nose in distaste.

Viola's thoughts echoed her harsh words. "Don't be one of those idiots who thinks they're above the underage restrictions."

Senna took a deep, calming breath. It didn't work. Viola's bitchy tone made the pit of her stomach bubble with anger.

"That's none of your business." Senna attempted to speak calmly, but a little venom leaked through. "And what makes you think I'm going to enter?"

Viola rolled her eyes. "Oh please." She sneered. "It's obvious. You're the overachiever type. And you want the glory of winning the tournament."

Senna wanted to slap her, but refrained. She was right of course, but she didn't like Viola assuming anything about her, and the sneering tone of her voice was degrading. It made it seem like Senna wanted to do it for attention. Instead, she ignored her, continuing the chapter on the Triwizard Tournament. She read a few sentences, listening for the sound of Viola's retreating footsteps, but it was silent. She wasn't going anywhere. She felt Viola's eyes on her back. What the hell did this girl want?

She slammed her book shut and whirled around to Viola, who didn't flinch, but continued to stare at Senna with her piercing green eyes. She opened to mouth to retort, but the stream of Viola's thoughts halted the insult on the tip of her tongue. Her thoughts were wordless, but still clear as a bell. She was appraising Senna, her face, her body, and her standoffish attitude. She was feeling a mixture of jealousy, admiration, and surprisingly—attraction.

Senna blinked, jarred by the unexpected emotion running through Viola's mind. She took a second to recompose herself. "What do you want?" Senna hissed.

"From you?" She coughed a laugh, "Nothing."

Senna gritted her teeth. "Then why are you standing here?"

The corner of Viola's lips curled up into a grin. It was arrogant, mocking, but also sexy. It made Senna's insides churn with both fury and something else she didn't want to acknowledge. Senna had to admit, Viola was very beautiful-strikingly so, with her ruthless green eyes that made her peers cower in intimidation, flawless locks of auburn hair, high cheekbones, and full pink lips. She was busty for her age, had perfect curves and long limbs. She carried herself with a confidence that would make any girl's ego shatter just by being in her presence.

The complete opposite of Tonks.

"I'm just getting to know the competition." Viola smirk widened, revealing a row of perfect, white teeth, "In case you are stupid enough to enter."

Senna bit her tongue to stop the insults from spewing out. From her peripheral vision, she could see students turning their heads towards them to see what was going on. She didn't want to attract the attention of the librarian too.

Quietly, she spoke, her voice surprisingly steady and in control, "And you're a sixth year too. A bit hypocritical, isn't it?"

"Yes. But I'm seventeen."

"And how do you know I'm not?" Senna gave her a skeptical look.

"I have my sources." She said. A brief flash of memories entered Viola's mind, and Senna saw them. Viola had asked her peers about her, and received more information than Senna was comfortable with.

This angered Senna even more. Why was she digging for information about her, when the tournament hadn't even started?

"Well whatever you heard, it's probably true." Senna warned. This was not really the case, rumors tended to become warped and exaggerated as it spread, but she knew the rumors. She had been hearing them in the minds of her peers for years. And they were all disturbing rumors, rumors that said she was the spawn of evil, that she could read your thoughts if you were in the same room, steal your soul with one look, that she had dangerous, untamed magic, and that she was to be avoided at all costs.

Senna was rewarded when a flicker of fear that flashed through Viola's eyes. It was gone as quickly as it came, but it was there. Good, Senna thought, she had heard about 'those' rumors.

She was disappointed when the librarian, a skinny old witch, marched towards them with an angry expression. She had just gained the upper hand in this intimidation battle.

Viola hurried away before the librarian reached them so that Senna was forced to face the scolding alone.

Viola Richmond was a very attractive girl, confident and talented... But damn, she was a bitch.

She was still fuming by the time she arrived in potions class. The Brownwell crowd that hovered by the door took one look at her and scampered away, giving her a lot more room than necessary to enter the classroom. When she spotted Viola, hunched over a book in the distance, a fresh wave of irritation hit her.

And then she had an idea. Something that would irritate Viola to no end. She could already visualize the fury in Viola's face. Senna smiled and walked directly towards Viola, plopping down noisily in the chair next to her.

Sensing her, Viola stiffened, her hands tightening around the potions book. Then, very warily, she turned her head to see her neighbor. Viola's cheeks reddened in rage the moment she laid eyes on Senna, who was leaning back casually, a smug smile on her face. Seeing the obvious anger made Senna's smile widen.

"What do you think you're doing?" Viola growled. "You can't sit here."

Senna's eyes widened in feigned innocence, "I'm sorry, but I don't believe seating is assigned. I can sit anywhere I want." Senna said sweetly.

Her cheeks turned a darker shade of red. Her eyes were daggers now, and Senna heard every nasty and insulting thought that crossed her mind. She looked like she was about to voice them, but Professor Snape burst through the doors then, commanding the class to order.

Revenge was going to be sweet. Senna cheerfully thought of all the possibilities. When the time came, she could 'accidently' spill her potion on Viola. But for now, she settled on making her angrier.

As Professor Snape spoke, she casually leaned to her left, bumping Viola's shoulder. Viola stiffened again, and she could feel her rage shivering through her body.

Snape finished talking and left them to start brewing their potions. Viola was on the same wavelength as Senna. As they both set up their supplies, Viola planned to 'accidently' knock her griddle wort beans to the floor, but Senna's legilimency gave her a head warning and she promptly moved the beans out of her reach.

Viola's face was perplexed. She looked at Senna cautiously. "So it's true, then?" She whispered through her teeth. That you can read minds? Her thoughts finished the inquiry.

"That I can read minds? Yes." Senna whispered back.

"No," Viola lied, feeling embarrassed. "That you're the spawn of evil." She hissed.

Senna couldn't help it—she laughed out loud. This rumor had been gaining popularity since she arrived at Hogwarts, and Senna found it very ridiculous.

Upon hearing her laugh, Professor Snape flew towards them like an angry bat, his black tunnel eyes bearing down on them.

"You have time for jokes?" He scorned, his lips pulled back in a scowl. "Then, I hope you're finished with your potion."

"No, Sir." Viola and Senna said in unison.

"Then, what is so funny? Why don't you share the joke with the class?" He gestured to the staring students.

Senna could see Viola shrinking backwards under his vulture-like stare. A moment passed, but neither of them said anything.

"Well?" Snape said questioningly, stepping forward.

"I laughed at a new rumor going around." Senna said with a calm, apathetic voice.

"And what's that?"

"That I'm the spawn of evil." Senna said without blinking.

She braced herself for the reproach, knowing what would come. She'd witnessed what happens to students who laugh in Professor Snape's class. He forces them to announce whatever they were talking about so he can humiliate them about it. Then, he will yell at them about being a disgrace, an idiot, not suitable for NEWT level potions, and then proceeds to take a ridiculous amount of points from their house or give detention—unless they're in Slytherin. Snape usually favors the students in his house.

Several students laughed, but Professor Snape did not. In fact, he did not say anything at all. A long moment passed. Instead of scolding her and humiliating her in front of the class, like she very much expected, he stared at her, his black eyes widening, and a strange, haunted expression spanning his face. He grew paler—if that was even possible.

Senna stared back at his strange expression, trying to understand why she wasn't being yelled at. In some ways, being looked at this way was much worse. It made her uneasy. What was wrong with him?

After another awkward moment, Senna decided to speak. "Professor?"

This seemed to break through Snape's trance. His stony expression returned, and he looked between Senna and Viola. "Detention. Tonight. Both of you." And then he walked away.

How will their night go? Stay tuned for chapter 11 : )