Chapter 14

Senna liked seeing her like this. The powerful and confident Slytherin Prefect, Viola Richmond, squirming under her fixed gaze. It made her feel powerful. She could feel Viola's pulse race underneath her fingertips. She leaned in and grazed Viola's soft lips with her own. Senna heard the sharp intake of breath, but there was no sign of retreat from Viola. Senna was surprised by how soft her lips were, how sweet her breath smelled. You'd never know that such volatile insults could leave such warm, soft lips. And what was even more surprising—Senna liked the feel of them.

Senna teasingly brushed her lips against her again, satisfied when a frustrated groan escaped Viola's.

She moved away from her lips to lean into her ear, "What's wrong?" Senna whispered smugly.

She could hear Viola take a deep breath as she prepared to voice a nasty string of insults. But before she could voice them, Senna took her earlobe gently between her teeth. She was rewarded with a gasp and a shudder from Viola. She nibbled the contours of her ear, before licking a trail down to her neck. "Sorry, what was that?" Senna chuckled softly in her ear.

Before Viola could answer, Senna kissed her way down her neck, pushing Viola's robes aside to nibble on her collarbone. She liked the taste of her skin, and it was soft under her lips. She smelled like a mix of warm Christmas spices. Viola let out a subtle moan. This encouraged her. Senna rose and met Viola's lips, and she wasn't gentle. She sucked Viola's bottom lip into her mouth, hard. There was another moan, loud and needy, but Senna wasn't sure who it had come from. Her lips were hot and aggressive. They battled for dominance. Viola was no push over, and seemed determined to regain control. Senna found this incredibly arousing.

She deftly undid the first button on Viola's blouse, and then the second, then slid her hand into her blouse to caress the soft skin right above her breasts. Viola's body trembled with desire.

Suddenly, pain exploded from her bottom lip. She jerked backwards, holding a hand to her throbbing lip. It came away with blood. Viola had bitten her.

She looked up to see Viola livid. Her cheeks were flushed and her green eyes were as sharp as daggers. Her chest rose and fell rapidly.

"How dare you." Viola panted. She opened her mouth to say more, pointed an accusing finger in her direction, but struggled with words. "Y-you—"

Senna chuckled and began to walk away. She expected to hear Viola chase after her and slap her again, but her wake was silent. This was disappointing. She almost wanted Viola to retaliate.

Without looking back, she continued to her dormitory, a smug smile on her face. She tasted blood, but she didn't mind. She would take the trade any day.

Today is the day. Senna swung her legs out of bed, ignoring the girls who scampered out of her way. It didn't annoy her anymore. In fact, it was convenient. It meant she didn't have to wait in line for the bathroom.

Senna walked with determination to the Slytherin common rooms. The sun was bright for a late October morning. It spilled through the windows like white blankets. But soon, the light faded into darkness as she descended down the stairs. The dungeons were dark and dreary.

She propped herself against the wall, watching the Slytherins leave the common room for breakfast in the Great Hall. Some stopped and stared, or maybe they were gaping at her... but she paid no attention to them. She was waiting for a mane of red hair to appear.

One by one the Slytherins dwindled, and soon, the portrait shut behind the last Slytherin. And that was it. Senna began to pace. She was early enough, wasn't she? Unless Viola had left at an ungodly hour, she should've caught her.

Several minutes passed. Maybe she was too late. Viola was probably at the Great Hall already. She was about to turn and leave when the portrait creaked open once more. A first year shimmied through the entrance. His hair was disheveled, his tie messy, and there was still a streak of toothpaste left on his small chin. He was obviously running late.

The little first year stopped between the portrait and the common room when he spotted Senna. His eyes were wary.

Figuring it couldn't hurt to ask, Senna approached him. The boy cowered, sinking farther back into the common room.

She smiled at him. She could see what her smile looked like in his mind. To him, she looked like an angel. He was intimidated, and transfixed. "Where's Viola?" She asked in a sweet voice, "Is she in the Great Hall already?"

"Err-Sh-she is still here." His voice trembled. A blush crept onto his face.

As he spoke, he recalled a recent memory. Senna caught every bit. Slytherin girls talking in the common room. They were waiting for Viola, but decided to leave without her because she was still in the shower.

A devilish grin spread across her face. "Perfect." She told the boy.

He looked confused for only a moment before Senna took the portrait and shoved herself inside the common room. The first year spun around in alarm. You're not supposed to be in here! His mind screamed.

Senna looked back at him, her eyes daring him to say something. As she expected, he did not dare. He simply backed out of the common room, and scampered away.

When she entered the communal Slytherin bathroom, steam escaped, carrying the scent of floral shampoo. She heard a single shower still active in the background.

Senna stalked forward, being careful not to slip on the wet tile. When she drew near, the shower knob was turned with a loud squeak, and the water promptly stopped. A pale hand reached over the shower door to snag the towel hanging on it.

"Whatever it is you're thinking, don't bother." Viola spat in a particularly nasty tone, usually reserved just for Senna.

Senna smiled. "You're good. How did you know it was me?"

"Who else would approach my shower slowly like some sort of creep?"

The shower curtain burst open, revealing a pinked-face Viola covered in nothing but a towel. Senna had to take a moment to appreciate the view. Her hair was even redder when wet, and looked very sexy draped over her shoulder. Her shoulders were very freckled and very beautiful. Drops of water still rolled down her collarbone, and made Senna want to lick them off. She let her eyes trail down to her creamy white legs. Very nice, Senna thought to herself.

Viola stomped her foot, forcing Senna's gaze back up. Her face was red now, her eyes both angry… and a little of something else. She hugged the towel around herself tight, as if trying to hide herself from Senna's intrusive eyes, but unknown to her, it just made her cleavage more appealing to Senna.

"What. Do. You. Want?" She hissed.

Senna smiled. "I need you to do me a favor."

Her eyes widened in disbelief, and then narrowed again. "I'm not doing you any bloody favors." She growled.

Senna stepped closer, using her newfound weapon to try and coerce Viola. "Come on, it won't be of any inconvenience to you…" she tipped Viola's chin up with her finger, which Viola quickly smacked away.

"Your very existence is an inconvenience."

Senna laughed. It sounded a bit bitter. There was so much truth in her words, that it made her sad. She was more right than she would ever know. She often got the feeling people wished she would disappear. And the way the Hogwarts staff looked at her, like a ticking time bomb, she knew they wished for the same thing.

"Fine." Senna sighed in defeat. She wasn't going to harass Viola too much. She'd never been much of a bully until lately, and felt a little guilty for last night. Even if she was a bitch.

Viola looked surprised she had given up so easily. When Senna turned around to leave, Viola spoke up.

"Wait." Viola called. Senna stopped in her tracks, her shoes squeaking against the wet tile. "What did you want me to do?" Viola was curious.

Senna pulled out a small, folded piece of paper. "My name." She said without looking at the beautiful girl. "I want you to put it in the goblet of fire."

A sharp bark of a laugh echoed against the tile walls. "You-you're mad if you think I would actually do that." She said in between laughs.

"I know." Senna acted unperturbed.

"Then why bother?"

"Because." Senna turned her head just far enough to see the girl in her peripheral vision. "I thought you'd understand. That feeling…"

Viola shifted uncomfortably. "What are you bloody talking about?"

"You know," she paused, "the feeling of wanting more. A challenge. When things we first set out to master become too easy… it makes us feel empty. It makes us anxious. It gives us this unbearable urge to escape the mediocrity." Senna gestured around her.

"Don't say us. You don't know anything about me." she said, but her voice sounded weaker.

Senna turned to face her. She was looking her feet. She was lying. Senna knew Viola was familiar with this feeling—they were too much alike.

After a moment of awkward silence, Viola looked up, resolve in her eyes. "How about we make a deal?"

Senna raised an eyebrow. "What kind of deal?" Whatever this girl wanted in return, it couldn't be good.