Chapter 66 Professor Tonks
Hogwarts had taken a solemn turn. Students whispered to each other in hushed tones, and the professors wore worried expressions that began to look permanent. Everyone knew that Voldemort might have returned, but nobody wanted to believe it. The threat of danger loomed over the school like a heavy blanket.
The next day, Snape summoned Senna to his office alone. She entered cautiously, her heart racing with anticipation.
"Sit down, Senna," Snape said, gesturing to a chair in front of his desk. "We need to discuss the recent events surrounding Struan's appearance."
Senna nodded, but she had questions for him first. "Where have you been?" Senna eyed him curiously. Though he looked tired, Professor Snape seemed to be in good health. "Where is Professor Moody?"
Snape continued, "You must understand the gravity of the situation. Voldemort is back, though the ministry is trying to cover it up."
"How did Voldemort return to his body?" Senna asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Snape sighed heavily, his eyes narrowing slightly. "That is a complicated matter and not one that I can discuss with you at the moment. All you need to know is that he has returned, and we have to be vigilant in these trying times."
Senna nodded, feeling disappointed that Snape hadn't answered her question. But she knew better than to push the issue. "Here's what you can do to stay safe," Snape said, handing her a piece of parchment with a list of instructions. "Follow these guidelines, and you should be able to avoid any unnecessary risks."
Senna took the parchment and read through the list carefully. The list included the following instructions:
- Avoid visiting Hogsmeade until further notice.
- Do not travel alone in the corridors. Always move in groups of two or more.
- Stay on curfew and avoid wandering around the school at night.
- Stay close to the aurors and follow their instructions at all times.
- Keep an eye out for any suspicious activity and report it to a professor or an auror immediately.
- Do not engage in any duels or confrontations with anyone, especially if you suspect that they might have links to Voldemort or his followers.
- Attend all defensive magic classes and practice your spells regularly.
- Keep your wand with you at all times.
She felt as though they were empty rules, something to keep her busy and make everyone feel like they were protecting her. But she knew deep in her heart that none of these precautions would stop Voldemort from claiming her.
"Thank you, Professor," Senna said, feeling uneasy. "Now, what happened over the last two weeks?"
He sighed again and looked at her. "Voldemort has called back his followers and given them their missions."
"What kind of missions?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
He hesitated for a moment before answering. "I cannot say for certain; he did not tell me what the others are doing," he said. "But I fear that he is recruiting wizards and creatures to stand on his side. Werewolves, Giants, vampires, trolls, and so on."
She felt a cold shiver run down her spine. She had read enough about these dark creatures to know that they were dangerous and unpredictable. "And what was your task?" she asked, looking up at Snape. "To kidnap me?"
"No," he replied and then paused. "Surprisingly, he did not want me to kidnap or coerce you. He wanted you to continue the Triwizard tournament."
She frowned, feeling a sense of unease growing within her. "Why do you think that is?"
"I don't know for certain." His black brows drew together. "But my soundest guess is that he wants to see what you're capable of. Perhaps he is deciding on how useful you are to him."
Senna nodded again, "Should I perform badly, then?"
He shook his head. "It won't make a difference. If you're not useful to him, he'll kill you, and if you are... he'll use you."
"I see." She swallowed nervously. "And Professor Moody? Where is he?"
"That man was not Professor Moody. He was a Death Eater posing as Alastor Moody."
Senna's heart skipped a beat as Snape spoke those words. Viola was right. She could already hear her arrogant voice echoing in her head, 'I told you so', she would say. "What do you mean he wasn't Moody?" she asked, feeling confused.
Snape leaned forward, his voice low. "Alastor Moody was captured by Barty Crouch Jr. and held captive by Voldemort's followers. He used Polyjuice to transform one of their own into Moody's likeness in order to keep an eye on the school and... you."
"I had a feeling something was off about him. Viola was right." She pondered, "Where is the real Professor Moody?"
"We found the hiding location. Alastor was injured and is currently recovering at St. Mungo's Hospital."
There is an awkward pause between them as she analyzes Snape's tired expression. Finally, she mustered the courage to ask him a question that had been weighing on her mind. "What is my father like?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Snape looked taken aback by the question, but he recovered quickly and leaned back in his chair. "He is... He is brilliant and ruthless. He is a master of manipulation and knows how to get people to do what he wants."
She listened intently, her heart racing with curiosity. "Does he seem... evil?" she asked hesitantly.
Snape lets out a dry bark that was almost a laugh, but he wasn't smiling. "That is a matter of perspective, I suppose. To some, he is a hero, a savior who fights for the rights of purebloods. To others, he is a monster who seeks to dominate and control the wizarding world. But if you're asking if he is a nice person, then no. He is cold and calculating. There is no room in his world for weakness or anything he assumes to be a waste of time." His voice was dry and monotone.
She had always wondered what he was like outside of the world's view of him, but now that she was getting some answers, she wasn't sure that she wanted to hear them.
She had figured as much but was hoping, by some miracle, she was wrong.
He continued after a brief silence. "Senna, I know that this is a lot to take in. But you need to understand that your father is a powerful wizard who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. You cannot let your longing for him cloud your judgment."
Senna blinked in shock. "Longing? I don't long for him!"
There was another moment of silence between them. She felt a sense of unease growing within her.
As if sensing her thoughts, Snape spoke again. "Senna, you are curious. It's only natural. But The Dark Lord is very dangerous."
"I know that." She frowned and stood up. Being in his office suddenly felt unbearable. She had so many questions left but no longer burned to ask him.
Snape nodded, "That's all for now." He said this gravely and watched her as she turned to leave his office.
As Senna lay in her bed that night, the sense of unease plagued her for weeks seemed toreach a tipping point. She clutched her wand tightly as if it were the only thing standing between her and Voldemort. She kept glancing over Viola's cot as she snored peacefully, knowing that she couldn't let her guard down, even for a moment.
The next few days passed in a blur of classes and studying, but the heavy atmosphere remained. She saw the worry constantly etched on the faces of her fellow students and professors, and she knew that they were all thinking the same thing—Voldemort was back, and they had to be prepared for the worst.
As Senna entered the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom, she heard Viola grumbling under her breath. She looked up to see why, and her heart jumped when she saw that Tonks was the substitute teacher.
Tonks greeted the class with a cheerful smile, but Viola remained sullen and silent. She could tell that she was struggling to keep her composure.
During the lesson, Tonks demonstrated various defensive spells and techniques, but Viola remained uninterested and disengaged. She tried to encourage her to participate, but her fiance was too stubborn to listen.
As the class ended, the redhead muttered something like, "They let anyone teach these days," and stormed out of the room, leaving Senna alone with the scattering students.
"Pleasant ball of joy, isn't she?" Tonks chuckled as she magicked the desks back to their original locations. Most of the other students were gone by now.
"Always." She laughed.
As the Auror made her way closer, she could see purple shadows under her eyes, indicating she was being overworked again. She hadn't felt the Auror's stalking presence over the last few days, so she knew it wasn't to tail her. There must be something else going on.
Tonks shrugged and grinned. "I'm surprised she left you alone here," she said, looking around the now-empty classroom. "She seems to think I'm here to seduce you every chance I get."
Senna rolled her eyes. "To be fair, you do have a tendency for awkward timing."
She laughed, but the smile didn't reach her tired eyes. "That's because I'm accident-prone. Oh, well."
Tonks turned away from her and began tucking the chairs into the desks. Tension in her shoulders told her that something was bothering her, but she couldn't risk asking. She had a feeling that Viola was right outside the classroom and didn't want to risk a jealous outburst from her new fiance. So she sighed and turned to leave, a stretching tension filling the silent classroom.
She was surprised to see the empty corridor. She had expected Viola to be waiting for her by the door, but there was no sign of her. Senna tried not to let her mind wander to dark places, but the recent events at Hogwarts had made her more paranoid than usual.
As she sat in Charms class, her eyes kept darting towards the door. The class went by in a blur, and Senna couldn't focus on anything the professor was saying. She was too preoccupied with worrying about Viola's whereabouts.
Finally, lunchtime arrived, and Senna rushed to the Great Hall, hoping to find Viola. As she entered the hall, she scanned the room, searching for her friend's familiar face. It was then that she spotted Viola sitting at the Slytherin table with a group of her housemates.
Senna hurried over to her, relief washing over her. "Viola, where were you? I was worried!" she exclaimed.
"I was in the library, preparing for the next task," Viola replied nonchalantly.
Her eyes widened with hope. "What's the next task going to be?"
Viola shrugged. "I don't know. It could be anything. We'll find out soon enough."
She felt a sense of anticipation building within her. The Triwizard Tournament had been the highlight of her time at Hogwarts, but at the same time, she couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that had settled in the pit of her stomach. With Voldemort's return, everything felt more dangerous and unpredictable.
"I should probably start preparing too." She sighed, "I just don't know what I'm up against."
She watched as Viola plopped the books down on the table in front of her with a thud. "Whatever it is," she said firmly, "we'll be ready."