Thanks for the reviews. When no one reviews, it feels like I'm releasing chapters into a dark abyss, wondering if anyone is actually reading it. I'm glad this story is reaching folks.
We're still in lockdown here in California. I am hoping, much like everyone else, that things get better soon.
Enjoy the latest chapter,
Chapter 19
Senna took a sharp turn at Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop, avoiding an unfamiliar Auror patrolling the streets. She held her breath, counting the fading footsteps as he passed. When the silence resumed, she breathed again. She couldn't be too careful.
She continued down the walkway, observing the dark buildings. Everything was so peaceful. Who knew there was a war going on? Between the light and the dark. The wizarding world against Prince Struan, the Dark Lord's son. She had to hand it to him. He was just a teenage boy, and yet this boy and his army had the whole European continent on its toes. She figured the fear wasn't rightfully earned. He inherited the world's fear of Voldemort. He was the real villain.
Senna approached a building that still had it's lights on. Guessing by the moving shadows in the windows, it was still open at this hour. She looked up to see a worn-out wooden sign hanging over the door, labeled Hog's Head Inn. The outside was filthy and unkempt. She imagined the inside would be the same. She wondered for a moment if she should go in, but she knew her uniform would give her away as a student. And there wasn't much she could do while invisible.
As Senna turned away from the place, the doors burst open, and a familiar female voice rang through the night. "Oh man, that hit the spot! But it's gonna be a long night, I'm afraid!"
Senna froze in fear. It was Tonks. Her hair was hot pink, but longer this time. She had it up in a ponytail, and short bangs against her forehead. She wore a corset type top, and black leather pants, and her infamous maroon robe over it all. Senna's heart did a flip, unrelated to the alarm. She looked astoundingly attractive in the outfit. And the way she held herself with unwavering confidence. A part of Senna felt wishful, hoping to just sit and talk to her, maybe even be in her embrace. But it was just that—silly wishful thinking.
She reminded herself not to panic, she had done this countless times in her younger days, scrounging through the dark city near the orphanage—to steal food. And besides, she was still invisible. She knew that wouldn't work for her for very long, Tonks had seen through it before.
Tonks took a deep breath of the cold night air, and headed in the direction of the castle. Her hips swung in a sexy manner.
Senna gave herself the pleasure of watching her walk. She was almost out of sight when the Hogshead door swung open again, "I'll see ya in the mornin', we've—" Madeye Moody stopped, his wooden leg still between the doors. His artificial eye focused directly on Senna. Then she knew—she had been caught. He reached in his coat—and Senna didn't have much time to act, she acted on fear and instinct. Her hand was already around her wand. Moody's Hex fly threw the air, directly at her. Senna disapparated with a loud crack that shattered the quiet night. She watched the blue light of his hex, nearly reaching her nose before she reappeared on the other side of Hogmead.
She found herself in the trees that surrounded the town. Her hasty apparition left her on her knees, on the damp mulch that covered the forest floor. Senna was breathing heavily, her heart pounding. Her disillusionment charm had broken when she fell. She straightened herself and began fumbling her way towards the town. She peeked towards the trees to see Honeydukes, but there were now several wizards wandering around in front of it, sleepy townsfolk who heard the noise. There were shouts in the distance, but she couldn't make out what they were saying.
Senna shrunk back into the trees to wait. She watched the figures speak to one another.
"Did you hear that?"
"It sounded like someone disapperated."
"I only heard Mad-Eye yelling 'intruder'."
"Knowin' him, he was probably attacking a rat. That paranoid git."
"Do you think it was a death eater?"
"Maybe." One of them shuddered. "Back to finish what they started."
The trees behind Senna rustled.
Senna spun around, sending a non-verbal stunning spell into the dark. Her heart picked up speed.
Lumos, She thought. The tip of her wand illuminated the trees. She saw nothing. It must've been an animal.
Scanning the brush, she noticed an old belt buckle. She approached the strange object, analyzing it. It was a large clunky golden (or used to be) belt buckle. What an odd object to find in the forest surrounding a wizarding town. These were usually a part of muggle fashion. Perplexed, she nudged it with her boot…
And then it felt like the inside of her body was grabbed by some unseen force. Her vision blurred as she was dragged across time and space, spinning and jerking around. And then it was over, and she was lying on her back on a cold stone floor.
It was a damn portkey. Senna cursed to herself. She was dizzy and nauseated. Senna frantically grabbed towards her still-lit wand, but the world around her was still moving. Once she had her wand, she jumped to her feet.
She was in a dark, stony city. It was considerably colder here than Hogsmead. As her head cleared, she could make out more details. The streets seemed clear at first, but she wasn't alone. Figures in dark cloaks inhabited this place. They lingered in the corners of buildings and dark shop entrances. They were assessing her too.
Then a sharp female voice broke through the silence. "My, my! What a pretty girl." A long dirty fingernail nearly brushed her face, but Senna managed to dodge the old haggard witch.
The haggard gave a cackling laugh. "Now, now. No need to be afraid. I'm not going to hurt you," She limped towards Senna, "I just want to know how much you want to sell your youth for." She smacked her lips, revealing gnarled green teeth. "I'll grant you anything you desire…"
Senna tried to back up farther, but one of the hooded figures had approached her as well. In fact, all the scummy figures that loitered the area had gotten up to observe their prey.
She sent a silent stunning spell when one of the figures reached up to grab her. The old haggard shrieked when the red sparks illuminated the night.
The figures, including the haggard, stopped in their tracks.
Senna did not waste any time. She bolted from the scene. She turned her head to see the figures watching her, but thankfully it did not look like they were following.
She stopped to catch her breath, hiding herself in the gap between buildings. She looked up at the sign above her. It read 'Borgin and Burkes'. It didn't help her recognize where she was. She could've left the country for all she knew. She sank down and sat on the cold floor. The adrenaline rush that kept her energized during her prohibited visit to Hogsmead had worn off. She was suddenly tired and cold. Once she caught her breath, she placed the disillusionment charm on herself, and then set off into the night. She had to first figure out where the portkey had taken her.
She passed more buildings. Most were shops of some kind. They all looked very sleazy. It looked like you wouldn't really be here unless you were up to no good. Based on the style of the buildings, she determined she must still be in Great Britain. Somewhere.
She wandered the roads.
Eventually she noticed an area that was better lit than the rest, and headed towards the lights. Soon she came to an arrow labeled 'Diagon Alley' which pointed towards the better lit area. She followed it.
She came to a large arch labeled Diagon Alley. This place had street lamps at every corner. And there were still some people in the streets. But they didn't look scummy at all. Witches and wizards still in business robes, moved through the streets in a hurried fashion.
Senna sighed in relief and entered the town. She looked back at the place she had just been. There was a broken sign, dangling on one chain, it read, 'Knockturn Alley'.
Senna stopped at a bustling inn with a sign called 'The Leaky Cauldron'.
She stepped inside to find several tables filled with chattering people. Several wizards stood at the bar, swinging drinks. There was a hunchback man tending to the bar. Senna approached him. Once she reached the counter, she released the disillusionment charm.
When the man spotted her, he jumped in fright. "Oh!" He grabbed his chest, the rag still in his hand. "Sorry M'lady, I did not see you there. What can I get for you?"
"Er… well, you see..." Senna pondered what to say. She leaned over the counter to whisper. "I'm kind of lost, can you tell me where I am?"
"The Leaky Cauldron of course. The best Pub and Inn, in all of London." He paused to assess her. "You look awfully young. Are you a student by any chance?"
Senna didn't answer. She was still mentally calculating her opportunities. Best case scenario, she'd like to sneak back into Hogwarts by dawn. That way, no one would know that she left. It wouldn't be safe for her to try and apparate the distance. She estimated that Hogsmead was nearly five hundred miles away from London. She wasn't experienced enough to apparate that far.
"When is the next train to Hogsmead?"
He stared at Senna with a curious expression. "Tomorrow. At noon."
Senna's heart sank a bit. There was no way she was getting away with this. By morning, her headmaster, or someone, would know she was missing. And even if she made it back, Mad-eye Moody had seen through her disguise. He knew she was out and about.
"Is there an owl I can borrow?" She was sure there must've been an owlery in the city, but owleries close early.
"Yes. We have a few we allow guests to use."
"How much for a night?"
"Five sickles."
Senna reached in her robe, and pulled out some money. "Umm… do you take American money?" She handed him a few dollars.
"Ah, here for the tournament I see." He nodded approvingly, and reached to take a key from the drawer. "Here ya go. Room 11 is yours for the night. Owls will be on the top floor patio. Enjoy your stay in London." He said cheerily.
Relieved, she made her way upstairs. The stairs creaked with every step. Once she reached the patio door, she opened it. Feathers were scattered on the floor. The owls turned to her, looking annoyed. She pulled a parchment and pen from her blazer pocket and paused.
She knew she needed help. She used the last of her money. She couldn't afford a train ticket to Hogsmead, even if she wanted to. The right thing to do would be to write to her headmaster. Tell him what she had done, and humbly request assistance. But the consequences would be monumental. She would likely be sent back to Brownwell at the very least, or expelled. She chewed on the back of her pen. No, she would not tell him. Her friend Hannah wouldn't be of much help. And Tonks—forget about it.
She sighed and went with her only other option. He would be furious. He may not even help her. But it was the best option she had.
Dear Professor Snape,
I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. I snuck out and accidentally touched a portkey that took me to London. I am now at the Leaky Cauldron, and I don't know how to get back. I don't have any money.
SSS
She ended the letter with her initials. But she continued to tap the pen on her lip. How would he know it was her? She knew at times like these, owls could not be trusted. Death eaters would try to lure out those protecting the castle.
What was something that was known only by the two of them? She put her pen back on the paper.
Ps. It's cold. I wish I kept that cloak.
She rolled up the parchment and approached the owls. They glared at her, as if daring her to give them work. She picked the fastest looking bird. It tried to get away, but complied when it realized that Senna wasn't giving up.
She watched the owl fly into night.
She then made her way to room eleven for the remainder of the night.