A/N-Hey guys! Hope you like this next chapter, don't forget to review follow or fave! Much appreciated! :D
Enjoy!
*2nd of November
1996*
Mara lay awake in the early hours of the morning, it was still dark but birds were singing outside.
She had awoken several minutes earlier, she could hear rustling outside of her cubical and guessed it was Madam Pomfrey fussing over her patients. She was confused as to where she was and what happened at first, but once she saw the hospital bed, she realised where she was and remembered what had happened.
She let herself faint, after a hard evenings work in detention with Snape, and Draco.
Mara shook her head and pulled herself up slowly, she paused when she became dizzy, then she leant back into the pillow she propped up for herself.
She guessed she should ring the bell that hung by her bedside, and she reached up for it.
But she paused when she heard the doors to the hospital wing opening brashly.
"Help us!" Mara looked in alarm, she thought she heard Daniel's voice.
"Dear me! Come, this way, this way." came Madam Pomfrey's worried, but serious voice as Mara guessed whilst leading them to the cubical.
"What's happened?" asked Pomfrey seriously but lightly.
"I don't know. It just happened at once." Mara was sure it was Daniel now
"Don't fuss! It's just a few scratches-OUCH." Mara didn't know who the second boy was
"What did this to you?" asked Pomfrey in withheld shock
"I dunno...I can't.." struggled the other boy
"It's Ok, don't stress yourself to remember, it'll come." said Madam Pomfrey softly, and Mara looked in worry. So she decided to ring the bell
"Oh dear, dear. Miss Morris is awake, wait for just a second." said Madam Pomfrey
"Miss Morris?" asked Daniel
"Don't mind me, just bleeding out." said his friend, sounding irritated. Madam Pomfrey rustled around for something
"Press this against your cheek, and keep it there until I come back. I won't be a second."
Mara heard Madam Pomfrey hurry over, then she entered through the curtain which she pulled right shut again, Mara just caught a glimpse of a worried looking, but quite unharmed Daniel.
"What's happening?" asked Mara, and Madam Pomfrey bustled over
"Never you mind, Miss Morris." she said, and Mara frowned a little "Now, how are we feeling?" Pomfrey asked kindly
"Ok..I guess, a bit tired and laggy." she said, and Pomfrey nodded
"All signs of stress, dear. I've had so many students from sixth year with cases like yours, you aren't alone." she said quickly, but smiled comfortingly "All you need is rest, some pepper up potion and a 'Sleeping Draught or two." said Pomfrey "But don't highly rely on them, they aren't addictive but it doesn't do good to take them all the time." Madam Pomfrey instructed, and Mara nodded
"Yes, Ma'am." said Mara
"Good. Now, I want you to lie here for a bit, whilst I see to Mr. Jones. I will bring you some Pepper up potion and a sleeping draught in, lets say an hour." said Pomfrey
"But-" Mara began to protest
"Rest, Miss Morris. Rest." Pomfrey near enough ordered, and Mara deflated "Ok then, if you need anything just ring the bell, dear. Alright." Pomfrey said and Mara nodded "Now, excuse me." Pomfrey said, then hurried out of the cubical again.
Mara leant back into the pillow, frowning and she crossed her arms.
She didn't want to have to stay in the hospital wing for ages.
She sighed, and made herself comfortable. She guessed another hours sleep wouldn't hurt, but she wondered if Daniel and his friend would be alright...
Mara jolted awake and sat up straight, an hour or so later, breathing heavily, she looked around then closed her eyes for a moment. Just a nightmare, just a nightmare.
She glanced forward when she heard the curtain opening
"..Daniel." it went silent for a moment, then Daniel smiled kindly at her
"I thought I heard you crying, so I came to see if you were Ok." said Daniel softly "Did you sleep alright?" he asked in worry, and Mara shook her head, crying?
"Same as always, rubbish." she said angrily, he could see her flushed cheeks
"Hey, there. Calm down." said Daniel walking over to her, and he sat at her bedside
"Just.." he rubbed her shoulder in support, but she flinched away.
"Don't touch me." Daniel looked in worry, what was wrong with her? "..I'm sorry." sighed Mara, realising how horrible she was just being. "..hows your friend?" asked Mara after a couple of moments silence
"Oh, you heard the commotion...he's alright, getting there. The scratches are healing up nicely, apparently they will still show for awhile though." Mara looked in concern
"What hurt him?" asked Mara, and Daniel shook his head
"He seems to believe it was a dog or a fox that got him when he wasn't looking." Mara looked in confusion "Anyway, don't worry about it, it's my problem." he said, smiling comfortingly
"Your problem?" she asked, and Daniel's eyes widened a little
"Ignore me" said Daniel quickly "..so, why are you here?" he asked worriedly, and Mara looked away.
"I just fainted, last night after detention." shrugged Mara "..no big deal really." she said quietly, but Daniel looked annoyed
"Snape shouldn't have given you detention. I think Dumbledore had a word with him about that before it." said Daniel, and Mara looked at him in slight surprise
"...really?" asked Mara, and now she realised why Snape was in a bad mood
"Yeah." said Daniel "..so, are you feeling any better?" he asked, and Mara shrugged again
"I-I guess so...I had nightmares about my aunt, then..." Mara went quiet, she couldn't very well mention Lucius Malfoy was involved in that nightmare, or he'd just get concerned, wouldn't he?
"That's why you were crying?" asked Daniel, and Mara nodded "Well, I heard you crying before I came in.." said Daniel, and Mara looked in alarm
"In my sleep?" she asked
"Seems so.." said Daniel in worry
"Great.." said Mara with a small sigh
"..Miss Morris, look..I really am sorry for your loss, I honestly hope you will be alright." he said sincerely and Mara smiled a little
"Don't be sorry, I'll cope" she said, and Daniel noticed she was brushing it off "..and, call me Mara." she said softly, and Daniel smiled back at her, then nodded
"Ok, Mara, I will..thanks." She smiled a bit more, and Daniel returned it..
They sat there talking for a bit after that, he asked about her classes and if she were enjoying them, he was happy to hear that she did. Classes were the only thing that kept her sane.
After that he left her to go back to his friend, and she left to have a wash and to change out of those horrid hospital gowns. Then she left the wing with a pepper up potion and a sleeping draught, which she put in her pockets, she soon decided to go back to the common room and change into different clothes, from what the wing provided...
Mara soon appeared in the Great Hall after leaving the excited atmosphere of common room, the hall was so busy and full, people were laughing and chatting away, and cheering and booing when certain house members entered the hall.
When she looked around some more as she walked further in, she noticed that the Slytherin table was lathered in Green and Silver, and she saw the Slytherin Quidditch team sat there together at the end of the table.
The first Quidditch match of the season had arrived, it was nice to see the place so cheerful.
When she looked at the Gryffindor table, which was lathered in its own colours of red and gold, they were just as excited and their team was there too, eating breakfast like everyone else.
It seemed Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff had chosen sides too, as some sat their with their red and green scarves..
Mara just saw the back of Hermione Granger's bushy, brown hair, she seemed to be in a huff as she walked away from Potter, who she just caught a glimpse at.
She looked around as she heard a loud roar, she could just see the top of a large lion headress, it could only belong to the strange Luna Lovegood, with whom Mara actually developed a neutral friendship, ever since the DA was up and running..
Mara sat down and put together her breakfast, which in the end was just a few bits of brown bread toast.
Her mind began wondering back to the DA, she'd never felt so accepted in her life before then, she made some friendships too. Which is why she became friends with Hermione Granger, Harry and Luna. Mara had never been too keen on Ronald Weasley, he seems like a very self absorbed, rude person, so she stayed out of his way. She got on well with his twin brothers Fred and George, and Ginny on a level. The twins made a comment one day, asking if she were really a Slytherin, she didn't reply to that one...
Mara finished her toast then looked down the table, the Slytherin team were sat together but she couldn't see Draco anywhere, where was he? He was the Seeker so he should be there soon..
Mara wondered whether she should go to the match just for the sake of it, she might actually like it. She couldn't enjoy the sport anymore, one time she loved going to matches, hell, she even tried out for the Slytherin team in her third year. One day, she just lost interest, and she didn't know why.
She thought on it for a couple of moments, and decided she might as well go. She wasn't up to much else..
Mara stood and zipped up her yellow jacket, and moved her thick ponytail out from the fluffy hood as she walked towards the exit.
"Oof.." Mara stopped abruptly when she almost bumped into someone "..Oh, sorry." the girl turned
"Oh, Mara." Hermione Granger had paused in front of her "Don't worry about it.." she said, seeming to be scanning Mara "You look nice.." she said and Mara smiled a little.
"Thanks.." she said, but she wasn't sure if she was thinking the opposite.
"Want to walk to the stadium with me? Are you going?" asked Hermione, and Mara saw upset in Hermione's eyes somehow.
"Yeah..sure, I'll walk with you." said Mara, and Hermione smiled a little
"Well, I'm waiting on Ginny and Demelza, too." Hermione said and Mara looked in worry
"Is that such a good idea? I'm part of the opposing team you know." said Mara, and Hermione knew she was right.
"Well..I guess we could just walk together then, I'm sure they won't miss me!" Hermione said "Lets go then." she added, and Mara followed her out of the castle..
As Mara and Hermione walked down the crunchy slope, they could already hear the excitement radiating from the stadium.
"I don't mean to be abrupt." said Hermione, and Mara looked at her in worry "But I heard you were in the hospital wing last night..is it true?" she asked worriedly, and Mara sighed
"How do you know?" asked Mara, and Hermione pulled a face
"I heard Pansy Parkinson talking about it in the Great Hall, awhile before you arrived actually." Mara glared forward, of course she had to know!
"What was she saying?" Mara asked, and Hermione heard the hatred behind her forced calm
"Well..it wasn't pleasant, I don't want to upset you." Mara rubbed her forearm
"..I'll probably hear it from Pansy sooner or later anyway...it doesn't matter.." Mara growled quietly, but she was happy that Hermione didn't seem to know about her and Pansy's fight. and Hermione looked down.
"Anyway...what's going on with you?" asked Mara worriedly, drawing Hermione's attention again
"What do you mean?" asked Hermione
"You seem a bit..frustrated with something." said Mara carefully, and Hermione sighed heavily
"Well..It's just...Ron." she said, and Mara realised instantly
"What's he been doing now?" she asked and Hermione shook her head
"He's just being really..horrible to me, and I don't know what I've supposed to have done." Hermione said in slight desperation and anger. But being careful to keep it private as people passed.
"Boys are..complicated." said Mara thoughtfully, and Hermione looked at her "Just let him strop, it's the only way it'll pass." Mara continued "It's what I do with Draco, whenever he's being nasty and stropy I just leave him alone for awhile." Mara shrugged and Hermione looked in worry, Mara didn't think it was brilliant advice but Hermione took it on board.
"Thank you, Mara." said Hermione, drawing Mara's attention "You're a really good friend you know." Mara nodded then smirked
"I know." she said, standing proudly, and Hermione chuckled a little, causing Mara to smile, and she patted Hermione's shoulder.
She looked forward, they were almost at the arena entrance, there were two Aurors guarding the entrance on either side. She was surprised to see Daniel there, but his friend was nowhere to be seen.
"Good morning, Miss Morris." said Daniel smoothly, Mara looked up at him, and she guessed he shouldn't really be calling her by first name at work, so she didn't wonder why he wasn't using it. Hermione paused beside her looking curious.
"May I have a quick word with you?" asked Daniel, and Mara looked in worry
"..what's wrong?" she asked
"Nothing serious, just a quick word." he said, then she looked at Hermione who only had curiosity burning in her eyes.
"It's Ok, see you later Hermione." Hermione nodded, but glanced at the baby faced boy who was looking so seriously, but somehow warmly at Mara.
"Alright." said Hermione, then she quickly leant in and mumbled something to her "Tell me all about it, Ok." Hermione said and Mara looked at her in slight shock, she was never one for gossip.
"Uh..sure thing." said Mara
"Bye then." Hermione half smiled then walked into the stadium with the others.
"Daniel, I don't think this is appropriate." said Mara as he pulled her slightly away from the advancing crowd.
"Your friend is watching." she said, looking over at the other side. Daniel glanced around and saw the mousy brown haired girl watching him, he put his hand up to her to signal OK, she nodded and looked forward again.
"Can I talk to you later? Privately." he asked, and Mara looked in slight alarm "Don't worry it's nothing bad." he said with a small smile, and Mara felt a little relieved, but she was eager to get this chat over with, as people were looking.
"...um, sure, I guess...when?" she asked, sounding worried again, and Daniel thought about it
"After dinner, lets say in the tapestry corridor? I only want a quick word, so I hope it's Ok." Mara looked at him as if trying to read a book, but she nodded
"Alright..." said Mara
"Great." Daniel beamed "See you later, at about half eight."
"Ok...see you later." Mara went to leave, but she paused "Hows your friend doing? I hope he's Ok." she asked, feeling bad about forgetting, and Daniel nodded in response
"He's alright, I'll tell you about it later." Mara turned to see what he was looking at, Snape was walking down the slope with McGonagall beside him.
"Ok, bye." Mara said, then she hurried with the crowd, her heart beating quickly. She was going to be glad to get away from the curious looks...
The game didn't end well for Slytherin, for some reason Draco had let a substitute go on instead of him, which was odd. He'd usually reschedule the match if he was ill.
And Vaisley being off due to injury wasn't helpful either, as much of a jerk he was he was the best player in the team. But although Slytherin lost, she enjoyed the excitement of the game, maybe she'll go next time?
Mara tried to stay away from the common room, where the mood was sour and snappy. Especially when they heard there was a celebratory party in the Gryffindor common room...
So she made her way to the tapestry corridor at half eight, where Daniel said he would be, even though he said it wasn't anything serious, she still worried about why he wanted to talk.
Mara entered the corridor and looked around for him, then she saw his lank figure leaning against a tapestry with his arms crossed, staring at the floor, his hair hung over his face.
She made her way over to him, and he looked up when he heard her footsteps
"Hey." smiled Daniel, and he slicked his hair back neat again.
"Hi." said Mara, and it went silent for a moment "So..is everything alright?" she asked in concern
"I hope I haven't worried you by asking you to come here.." said Daniel in his soft voice, and Mara shook her head
"Anything to get away from the snappy Slytherins in the common room." said Mara with a small frown, and Daniel looked in slight realisation.
"Sour because they lost the match, huh? That was a pretty sneaky move Potter played, though!" said Daniel cheerfully, and Mara looked in confusion.
"Oh, I could hear what was going on through the commentator. They need a new one really, he's rubbish." added Daniel "You should try out for it." he said, and Mara blushed
"..I-I'm not much of a public speaker." said Mara, and Daniel frowned a little
"Fair enough." Daniel smiled, but he wondered if being a commentator would boost her confidence a little "Anyway...I wanted to ask you something." Mara looked in curiosity "You've heard Professor Slughorn is having a Christmas party, right?" asked Daniel, and Mara nodded
"..Everyone has..what about it?" she asked
"Well..I'm working at the party that night, and I've already passed this request through Dumbledore, so I won't be getting any backlash off this." he said with a smirk "So, with having said that. Would you like to come to Slughorns Christmas party with me?" he asked, hopeful, and it went quiet.
"...You can always say no, of course!" he said quickly "I mean, I'd like to have a pretty girl like you on my arm, and not be there on my own even though..man, I'm babbling again." he scratched his thick hair in embarrassment, and Mara smiled a little, her cheeks turned pink and warm.
"..Pretty? No" said Mara quickly, and Daniel frowned "But.." she thought on it, she'd never been invited to a party before, she hoped he wasn't asking out of pity.
"You..don't have to pity me by asking that." said Mara and Daniel had a little shock in his greenish golden eyes
"Not pity, Mara. I ask only out of friendship, you know? You're nothing to be pitted, you're better than that." Daniel said seriously but quickly, and Mara's heart started racing nervously
"Well..." Daniel looked in worry, she really was going to say no "..alright, Daniel. In that case, yes, I'll accompany you to Slughorn's party."
It went silent for a moment then Daniel grinned
"Great! It's a date." he beamed "Uh, I mean.." Mara smiled
"I-It's Ok, I know what you meant." she said nervously, and Daniel sighed, he tried to get the last of his nervousness out of him.
"Wonderful, now that that's over with..I should really get back to work, will you be alright walking back on your own or.." Mara went quiet for a moment "I'm sorry to be so abrupt." said Daniel in worry, and Mara nodded
"It's Ok, I understand, I'll be fine, I've walked Hogwarts a thousand times on my own." Mara smiled, and Daniel nodded
"Ok! But be careful, alright." Daniel said, and Mara nodded "Well, I'll see you in..a week, your aunts.." he went quiet and Mara sighed
"My aunts funeral.." she said, frowning
"Sorry, I've ruined the mood haven't I." Mara shook her head
"No, I know it's coming, can't avoid it...well, I'll see you later then." she said quickly and Daniel looked in worry
"Alright. See you soon." Daniel watched Mara turn then he copied and walked in the opposite direction.
But Mara paused in her path as she heard a door creak open behind her, she turned then froze, as Snape had just left a cupboard and turned to face her.
"How, charming." Snape sneered
He closed the door to the cupboard, and Mara deflated, she'd forgotten his potions cupboard was in this corridor.
"W-were you.."
"'Eavesdropping'? Yes, if you really want to call it that." said Snape blatantly, and Mara looked away with red cheeks
"..Well...yes, I do..a-and it's rude, Professor." she said, trying to defend herself, his eyebrow rose at her
"Rude? I was simply sorting my potions and I overheard your charming little discussion." said Snape in a mockingly light voice, and Mara glared at him a little.
Mara went to turn
"Don't turn your back on me, Morris." said Snape and Mara froze mid turn, she slumped a little and turned back to him
"I-if there isn't anything you want from me, Professor.." said Mara as Snape walked towards her
"Oh, believe me.." he said, pausing in front of her; so close he could smell the sweet scent of sugar candy lift up his hooked nose.
"There isn't" he sneered, and a pain hit her chest again
"...t-then leave me alone." she said after a hurtful pause, her voice full of irritation and nervousness.
And, for some reason, he looked impressed!
Snape smirked then walked past her, and she was able to breathe again, if raggedly.
She put her sweaty palm to her hot cheek, and tried to control her breathing. Why was she feeling like this?
"Now, if you used more of those words on Lucius Malfoy, perhaps you could have avoided some of that mistreatment." he said bluntly, and that warm fuzzy feeling she just had, drained from her body, and was replaced with nothing by coldness and fear.
"W-w..what do you kno..mean?" she asked, turning back to face him, and he looked around at her "What do I know?" he asked in curiosity then turned back to face her "Not as much as you and Dumbledore..but, if you are willing to become a healer. I would watch your morning pumpkin juices..until you tell me. You should be able to figure out if it's, lets say.." he pulled out a little phial and tipped it once like he was pouring it into something
"V-Veritaserum." Mara mumbled, and Snape looked impressed again
"-A little different." Snape continued, ignoring her comment then a smug smirk crossed his face, he stuck the potion back inside his pocket. And Mara stared with an open mouth and shocked eyes.
"Y..you can't do that!" she cried, but he just looked at her in triumph.
He turned again and Mara watched Snape until he turned a corner, she leant against the wall with her face in her hands.
Snape paused as he thought he heard Mara sob, and that little cry, somehow, made him feel worse than she felt.
He hurried on, eager to get as far from her as possible, that girl was really starting to bug him...
A/N-Don't forget to review! thanks for reading :D