Sorry for no updates recently, guys! I'm a senior in high school and with graduation coming up I've got a ton of stuff to do. I've been quite busy with that and I ended up with an ear infection over the weekend. So I was going to update then, but I had super bad medicine head and I probably wouldn't have made any sense. Hahaha.

Anyway! Enjoy the chapter! :) You'll get some John and Mary history in this chapter and a bit of teasing at the event that caused John's injuries.


Sherlock was slightly concerned.

No, more than slightly. He was very concerned.

John had been a no show at breakfast which was extremely unusual. John always ate breakfast. He had eggs, sausage, toast with strawberry jam, and the occasional waffle every morning without fail. Every morning. (Honestly, it made Sherlock sick thinking about eating the exact same thing every morning for days on end.) Unless he'd eaten something the night before that didn't agree with him. Then he'd just eat toast lathered in jam.

The fact that he'd given John a sleeping potion last night did nothing to ease his worry. What if the potion had been too strong? What if he'd overdosed John? What if he was trapped in an eternal slumber all thanks to Sherlock? The Slytherin was normally very confident in his work. Especially his Potions. Even he would admit that he was downright arrogant about it most of the time. Normaly he wouldn't sit around and worry like this. In fact, he wouldn't even be thinking about it. But this was John.

Sherlock swallowed and tried to focus on the book that was in front of him. He had to remind himself of where he was. Class. He was supposed to be learning. Ancient Runes, or something. When he looked up he realized he was in fact in Transfiguration, not Ancient Runes. His gaze flickered to the empty seat beside him. It was his last class before supper and John still hadn't shown. Sherlock was bouncing his knee anxiously, fingers tapping against the wood of the desk in front of him. When the professor dismissed them from class Sherlock was up and out of his seat so fast that the chair he was sitting in actually fell over.

He didn't go to supper, instead bolting up the many long staircases to Gryffindor Tower. He approached the picture of the Fat Lady and quickly rattled off the password. "A crastino." He'd overheard the exchange of the password during the Prefect's meeting in the train. It was Latin for 'a new tomorrow.' Sherlock supposed it was made this due to the battle last year and the effort of the professors to make sure all of their students stayed positive and hopeful, but he doubted most of the students knew enough Latin to appreciate it. The painting swung open and Sherlock hurriedly went inside. He took the steps up to John's room two at a time, simply brushing off the few people in the common room. He reached the closed door where the sixth year Gryffindor's stayed and paused. He steadied his breathing and simply listened for a moment. He didn't hear anything. No chatter. Everyone was probably down at supper.

He then carefully opened the door, making sure it didn't squeak. Just as he suspected, he found John still asleep. He took quiet steps to John's side. His curtain was pulled back slightly, the sun shining through onto John's face, but it didn't disturb the slumbering boy at all. Sherlock pulled the curtain back more so he would have complete access to John.

Sherlock laid a hand on John's forehead to check for fever, but found none. John's cheeks were a bit flushed, but Sherlock put that off to the amount of time John had spent underneath of his thick blankets. Next Sherlock checked John's pulse. He held his own breath as he counted, feeling John's strong heart beat thud against his fingers. He breathed a sigh of relief. Completely normal. He supposed he must have just over calculated John's dosage. Sherlock had created the potion over the summer after he'd started having horrible nightmares himself. Anytime Sherlock found it necessary to sleep he would brew himself a potion. He'd done this enough times that his brain had trained itself to simply not dream whenever he was asleep. He'd been sleeping fine without a potion until the day he'd broken into St. Mungo's to see John. He'd had to start the whole process over again after that.

Sherlock gave a small, relieved sigh. "Sleep well, John." He said quietly.

John made no reaction, simply continuing to snore (quite loudly) with his face mashed rather unattractively against his pillow. Sherlock, in a moment of sentiment, carefully rearranged John. He'd been sprawled out across his bed, one of his legs dangling off so that his foot was touching the floor. Sherlock carefully maneuvered John so that he was lying on his back and his neck wasn't twisted at such an awkward angle. He put John's leg back into its proper place on the bed and then pulled his blanket tight around him. John's only response was to snuffle and then drag his hand lazily across his mouth to try and rid his cheek of the drool that had collected there. Sherlock gave out a small chuckle, extremely relieved his friend was finally getting the rest he deserved and sorely needed.

A voice spoke up then and Sherlock nearly jumped out of his skin.

Mary had been the first of the trio to arrive at breakfast. She'd waved at Sherlock when he entered and he'd taken a seat across from her. "Morning." She said, giving Sherlock a cheery smile. Sherlock merely hmph'd in response. Mary contained a sigh. In her short time of knowing Sherlock, she'd soon realized that he was not a people person. Especially first thing in the morning. "Have you seen John?" she asked, continuing to pick at her breakfast. "I mean, after everything that happened yesterday, I'm sure he's still a bit shaken, ya know? Nightmares can really shake a person up."

Sherlock was spreading butter onto his toast when he froze. His gaze came up to meet Mary's and his eyes narrowed slightly. "You haven't seen John?" he asked.

Mary resisted the urge to sigh when she thought about her and John's relationship. Mary was two years below John and Sherlock, only a fourth year. They'd had a few encounters throughout the years, but they didn't see each other often being that they were in different houses and years. A few chats here and there mostly at Quidditch matches was all for a while. Until last year. Last year had been the start of Mary's transformation from girl into woman. She'd developed curves and a chest and had therefore been more noticed by boys. On her way out of Potions she'd found herself cornered by two Slytherin boys who's dorms weren't too far away. She'd been about to punch one of them square in the nose when a voice echoed down the hall. "Oi! What are you two doing?" His voice was strong. He didn't have to tell the boys to scatter. The command was in the tone of his voice. Mary remembered seeing both of the boy's eyes widen before they disappeared in a flash. When John came to stand in front of Mary however, he was gentle as could be. There was no threatening tone about him. "You alright?" he asked, voice low. It was in that moment that Mary felt the first inklings of a liking towards John.

Last year had also been the Battle of Hogwarts. Mary had only been 14. She'd been in the process of being evacuated from the castle when she'd slipped away. She'd almost been back to the Great Hall when John had caught her. He'd grabbed her by the shoulders, hunching slightly so he was eye to eye with her. "You can't be here." He'd told her firmly, that same commanding tone in his voice. "It's too dangerous, Mary. You need to go with the others."

Mary's face turned red with frustration. "I want to help, John!" she said. "This is my school too!" Tears stung her eyes. "Just because I'm only a third year doesn't mean I'm not useful!"

John gave a small huff. "I know, Mary. Believe me I do, but the best thing you can do right now to help is to go with the others. After this is all done, we'll need you all to help out." He leaned forward and placed a feather light kiss to her forehead. Mary's stomach flipped and knotted. John Watson. Soon-to-be Gryffindor Quidditch Captain had kissed her. Mary didn't allow this expression to show, however. She simply gave a nod and made sure her face stayed looking like she was displeased.

"Fine." She said, eyes faltering and going to the ground for a moment as she accepted defeat. She reached up to place a hand on top of John's that was on her shoulder. "Just don't get hurt, okay, John?" she asked.

John had smirked and finally released Mary from his grip. "Can't make any promises." He said, giving her a wink and then darting off once more. Of course, Mary had no intention of going back with the others. She would go up to the Great Hall and help the injured. It was there that Mary would find out that John was anything but okay when she witnessed Sherlock carrying him bridal style into the Great Hall.

Mary shook her head, shaking the memories away as well. "Well of course I haven't seen him. We're not dating or anything. I thought he was with you."

Sherlock shook his head and tried to go back to buttering his bread, though he must have been thinking about something else entirely and ended up spreading the better across his forearm. Mary cleared her throat and nodded her head down at his arm. He flushed and then hurried to grab a napkin. "Something you need to tell me?" Mary asked.

Sherlock worried at his lower lip as he stared down at his toast. "I um, I gave John a sleeping potion last night. He probably just overslept." He said. He didn't sound sure of himself, however.

Mary nodded. "Right…" she said. She watched Sherlock for a moment, noting the worry on his face. It was a bit touching, actually. Sherlock didn't really care about anyone. It was nice to see the change of expression on his face. "I'll go check on him later." She said, but Sherlock was already standing and mumbling something under his breath, toast lying abandoned on the table. Mary couldn't help but chuckle and shake her head. Sherlock definitely needed some lessons in social skills. She quickly finished her breakfast and then headed to her first class. The rest of the day went by incredibly slowly. John was absent from lunch as well. Mary wasn't sure Sherlock even properly processed that he was at lunch. His mind was definitely elsewhere. It was then that Mary decided she would head up to John's dormitory after her last class before supper.

So, after Charms, Mary stole up to Gryffindor Tower. After a short chat and some persuading with the Fat Lady in the portrait, she was allowed entrance to the common room. She asked one of the students there where John's room was and she was quickly pointed in the right direction. She said hello to another one of the students. They all gave her some odd looks, but didn't say anything about her presence. Mary took a moment to marvel at how different the Gryffindor common room was from the Ravenclaw's. She thought she almost liked Gryffindor's better. It was much homier than the large, airy Ravenclaw common room.

When she approached John's room she found the door slightly cracked. She noiselessly pushed it open and paused when she saw Sherlock already inside. She watched as he checked John's vitals and then made sure John was comfortable. A wide smile came to her face. "He alright?" she asked. Sherlock jumped and Mary was afraid he would bash his head against the bunk above John's. "Sorry!" Mary said quietly, though Mary was pretty sure she could shout and she wouldn't disturb John. He was well and truly out of it.

Sherlock cleared his throat and turned to face Mary. He pulled nervously at the collar of his shirt. "I was, uh just making sure I didn't accidentally kill him."

Mary couldn't help but chuckle. "Ya, I saw." She said, giving him a fond smile. Sherlock blushed, his face quickly turning scarlet. "Come on. Let's go get some dinner." Sherlock nodded and quickly followed Mary out of the room, but not before making sure the curtains around John's bed were completely pulled and he had shut the door quietly.

The next morning Mary and Sherlock were seated at the breakfast table when John walked in. "Good morning!" he announced loudly, a wide grin spread across his face as he took his seat beside Sherlock and across from Mary.

"Someone's cheery today." Mary said with a small laugh.

John nodded, heaping large portions of food onto his plate. "Yes I am. I am very cheery." He answered. "I had the best night's sleep of my life."

Mary and Sherlock shared a glance before they both started to laugh. John frowned and looked between the two before reaching up to make sure his hair wasn't sticking up at some obscure angle. "What?" he asked, cheeks turning a bit red.

"You missed a whole Wednesday, John." Sherlock said. "Didn't have a clue."


Fun Fact: I looked up the calendar for 1998. Student's arrive on September 1st so the first day of classes would be the 2nd. September 2nd, 1998 was in fact a Wednesday. ;) John literally missed a Wednesday.