Chapter 64 Brewing
Tuesday came with an unsettling air of mystery. Professors Moody and Snape's absence made students and staff alike on edge. Whispers of dark forces at play circulated among the halls, and the school's usually vibrant energy felt muted.
Senna found her thoughts consumed by the need for information. As the day progressed, she hatched a plan to corner Tonks, hoping the Auror might shed some light on the situation. However, an unexpected obstacle stood in her way—Viola. Senna knew she would have a fit at the very mention of the Auror.
Her only opportunity was the first period of the day when Viola was away in Ancient Runes. As she walked through the corridors of Hogwarts, she kept a watchful eye out for any signs of her stalker. She kept waiting for the familiar prickle on the back of her neck that announced her stealthy presence, but it never came.
Soon, she ran out of time and was forced to go to History of Magic.
That evening, in the common room, Senna observed Viola's unwavering vigilance. The opportunity to speak privately with Tonks slipped away as Viola remained steadfast by her side. She liked being in the attractive woman's company, but the need for information gnawed at her.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the common room, Senna turned towards Viola with a determined look. "I think I need to talk to the headmaster about the tournament," she said, her voice steady despite the turbulent thoughts swirling in her mind. Viola, caught off guard by the suddenness of the declaration, paused and stared at her, trying to gauge the seriousness of her intent. Wrestling with her own concerns about their safety and the mysterious happenings around Hogwarts, she nodded slowly. "Do you want me to come with you?" she offered.
She managed to conceal her horror at the suggestion, her voice calm and even. "No, that's okay," she replied softly, forcing a small smile. I think it might be best if I handle this alone."
Her green eyes lingered on her for a moment longer, "Alright," she finally said, her voice laced with reluctant acceptance. "Just be careful, okay? You'll tell me about it later?" There was an unmistakable note of concern in her voice.
Senna nodded. "I'll tell you about it later," she promised.
She left the Slytherin dorm and ventured through the castle. Halfway through the campus, she felt the unmistakable presence of the Auror behind her, a silent sentinel whose footsteps were as measured and quiet as a shadow's glide across stone floors.
She found a strange comfort in the Auror's silent company, a reassurance against the growing unease that gnawed at her as she navigated the dimly lit corridors.
She slowed her pace and glanced over her shoulder at the Auror trailing her. "Where have you been?"
Tonks, taken aback by the sudden question, hesitated before answering. "A lot is going on in the ministry right now." Her quiet voice was quiet against the empty halls.
"What's happening, exactly?" she prodded, hoping for more clarity.
Tonks appeared then, appearing tired with light shadows under her eyes. She met her gaze with a noticeable weight in her eyes, signaling the severity of the unfolding events.
"I'm sorry, Senna," she said, her voice laced with regret, "but I can't—"
"Yeah, yeah. You can't disclose any details." She interrupted with a roll of her eyes. "Listen," she stepped closer to Tonks, who eyed her warily. "What's going on with the missing teachers? Do you know anything about that?"
Tonks's silent hesitation answered for her.
After staring into her hazel eyes for a moment, her voice softened as she begged, "Please, Tonks. Whatever is going on, it's affecting all of us here. If you know anything about the missing teachers, I need you to tell me. We're all scared, and the worst part is not knowing."
Tonks' shoulders sagged, and she looked away with a defeated sigh. "I don't know much," she admitted, "but I do know that the Ministry has ordered a lockdown on all information regarding the disappearances. They're calling it a 'security measure' and refusing to disclose any details to anyone."
Senna's heart sank at the confirmation of her worst fears. The Ministry was covering up something big, and it involved the safety of their teachers. "But why?" she pressed on, unwilling to give up just yet.
Tonks shook her head, a troubled expression crossing her features. "I think it has to do with your father."
"But Voldemort is dead," she said, confusion lacing her words as she tried to piece together the relevance of her father and the dark chaos that seemed to envelop their world once again. "What does he have to do with this now?"
Tonks met her gaze. Solemnity was etched deep within her features. "I don't know for sure, but I heard whispers that he's not completely gone."
Senna felt a chill run down her spine at the thought of her biological father alive in some capacity. She had never known him, but the tales of his cruelty and power were enough to send fear into her veins. "But that's impossible," she whispered, unable to comprehend how it could be true.
Tonks reached out and squeezed her hand reassuringly. "I know it seems far-fetched, but we can't ignore the signs anymore. The disappearances, the strange occurrences, and now this lockdown. It all points to something big happening behind the scenes."
Senna felt a sense of urgency fill her as she realized the gravity of their situation. "We need to do something," she said firmly, determination settling in her heart.
Tonks's eyes held a firm yet gentle warning as she spoke, "Your job now, Senna, is to lie low and stay safe. The Ministry has things under control." Her voice carried a hint of an order, wrapped in the concern of a friend.
Tonks' voice sounded confident. Perhaps she truly believed the Ministry had it under control—but that was wishful thinking.
Shaking her head, she replied with steely resolve, "I can't just sit back and do nothing, Tonks. If there's even the slightest chance that he...he's involved, then I need to help. How can I keep myself safe when the people I care about are in danger?" Her unwillingness to be sidelined in the face of peril persisted.
Tonks regarded her with a sigh. "I understand how you feel, Senna. But-–" She paused, considering her next words carefully. "We don't know for sure if he's involved, and we can't risk jumping to conclusions without concrete evidence."
Senna nodded, knowing that it was pointless to argue further. "I'll be careful," she promised, knowing it was the best she could do for now.
Tonks's gaze intensified, a spark of mischief lighting up her eyes. "Now it's my turn," she declared, an annoyed edge in her voice. "What are you doing?"
Senna met her gaze with a hint of defiance, "I'm going to my Headmaster," she said, turning away.
"What for?" Tonks asked her.
"I just have questions about that stupid ball."
She considered this for a moment, and then stepped aside to let her pass. "Alright."
Her footsteps echoed through the deserted corridors as she made her way towards the Headmaster's office. The familiar path seemed different this time, charged as she carefully avoided other Aurors on patrol.
Her stalker's presence lingered.
Upon arriving, she hesitated, her hand hovering above the knocker, doubts swirling in her mind. She realized she hadn't fully considered what she would say, her drive to act outpacing her planning. But she had to uphold her story to Tonks, as she was listening.
Taking a deep, steadying breath, she finally knocked.
The door creaked open almost immediately as if expecting her.
"Ah, Miss Snape," he greeted smoothly, but guarded, gesturing to a seat across from him. "What brings you here on this fine evening?"
Senna took a moment to gather her thoughts, her gaze unwavering as she met the Headmaster's eyes. "Headmaster Roberts," she began, the word tasting bitter in her mouth, knowing he was not going to be her Headmaster for much longer. "What is your take on recent events? The missing teachers and Durmstrang's missing Headmaster."
The Headmaster leaned back, steepling his fingers as he regarded her with a penetrating gaze. "Indeed." His tone was non-committal, yet the sharpness in his eyes suggested he took the concerns seriously. "It's more complex than it appears, Miss Snape. Recent events have led us to believe that forces from the dark side are orchestrating these disappearances." He leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering as if to underscore the importance of his next words. "And I must urge you to exercise extreme caution, especially during the upcoming Yule Ball. We have reasons to suspect that it might be a targeted event." His gaze was earnest, impressing upon her the seriousness of the situation.
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. The thought that the Yule Ball was still going ahead amid such turmoil seemed almost reckless. "Will they still be holding the Yule Ball?" she asked incredulously. "Even with everything that's happened?" Her heart pounded a little faster at the thought of the event turning into a potential disaster zone, especially with the dark forces seemingly targeting their school now more than ever.
The Headmaster nodded slightly. "It is tradition. All we can do is exercise caution and discretion. Matters like these can be... delicate."
"That's ridiculous!" she exclaimed.
Headmaster Roberts held up a hand, signaling for her to calm down. "Miss Snape, remember, life must go on despite the shadows that lurk, just like you decided to get engaged amidst these troubling times."
His words hung in the air, surprising her that the news of her engagement had traveled to him so swiftly. She felt a blend of embarrassment and annoyance that her personal life had become common knowledge so quickly. Suddenly, it sounded as if something ran into the coat hanger by his office door. Robert's attention quickly followed, and he eyed the coat stand suspiciously.
Senna quickly stood and walked over to the open window. "The wind is fierce today." She lied before closing the window.
"Yeah." Roberts frowned.
She sat back down in front of her Headmaster, concentrating on the matter at hand. The engagement was just a joke on Viola's part, wasn't it? The reality of the situation hadn't fully settled in for her until this very moment, under the weight of the Headmaster's knowing gaze. Her head was spinning, and she didn't know how to begin correcting him.
"I believe it serves as a reminder that we must continue to find moments of joy and commitment, even when darkness seems to be closing in." He continued as she struggled with forming words.
She decided not to bother correcting him. "They're not going to cancel, are they?" she asked.
Headmaster Roberts shook his head. "No, we cannot let fear dictate our actions. All events will go on as planned, but I trust that you will keep a close eye on things."
She stood up to leave, frustrated and knowing nothing would come of this conversation. As she walked back to the dorm, she couldn't shake off the feeling of being trapped in a situation that was out of her control.
Halfway through the journey back to the dorms, her stalker's presence was lost, and now she was really alone.
As the days passed and the engagement rumor spread like wildfire throughout the school, it was mixed with the whispers of the absent teachers.
The atmosphere crackled with dread and anticipation. The corridors buzzed with hushed conversations. Students exchanged knowing glances, their expressions showing fear…