A/N:: My dear friends, I would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart for this late update. Unfortunately my computer (with my entire story, mind you.) fried and I had to take some time to repair it. On the bright side, I've managed to fix the problem and save my precious work. So read on! (and please leave a review, they really make me smile!) Thank you for your patience! 3
Mary's body woke her earlier than she would've liked. She refused to open her eyes as the sun shone through her windows. She blindly moved her arm around the table near her bed. She hoped she would find her cup of coffee, yet she was only successful at knocking over books, paperwork and a glass of water. She finally gave up and opened her eyes. She quickly covered them with her thin hand in an attempt to block out the sun. She slowly looked around, grateful when she found her coffee.
Mary remembered nothing from the night before as she blankly starred at the small vile of potion placed near her bed. Small scribbley writing accompanied it. The handwriting, which Mary could not place, explained that she should finish the potion in the vile. She hoped the mystery potion supplier was trustworthy, she downed the remainder of the potion, laughing to herself at the thought. Instantly she felt her head and body aches wane away. She quickly hopped out of bed and took a long shower.
Mary skipped down the stairs and into the Great Hall an hour later. She felt refreshed and ready to take on the day, yet the other professors were all quite. Many were holding their foreheads, others massaging their temples while taking small sips of tea. Mary prepared herself a plate as the other professors continued to push their food around with forks.
"You're chipper this morning, Professor Grant," Charity Burbage whispered groggily.
"Yes, I had an," Mary paused while trying to place a name "anti-hangover potion," she smiled.
"Oh really, you lucky woman. Where did you acquire that?"
"It was on the table in my room. I assumed everyone got one," she replied innocently.
"No. The rest of us weren't so blessed. Do you know where it came from?"
As Mary pondered her response, Severus Snape walked through the small hidden door behind the staff table. Professors nodded their greetings, obviously preferring not to open their mouths. Severus returned the jester, apparently following their same feelings. Snape's face turned a rather unflattering shade of green as he sat down amongst the wide array of breakfast foods. As he tried to hold down his stomach he glanced down the long wooden table towards Mary. She sat chattering happily to no one in particular.
"Lucky bitch," he thought to himself. It had been a long time since he had to experience a hangover. He had concocted his hangover savior many years ago and hadn't had to endure the headache, sweats, aches and nausea for quite some time. He continued to watch Mary, disgusted that he had given away the cure to all his liquor driven woes. Yet moments after he decided to pour himself a cup of tea, Mary's face paled. It blended in well with the rest of her colleagues. Snape followed her gaze to the large doors of the entrance hall where he saw the cause of Mary's distress.
Narcissa Malfoy walked through the doors, a team of house elves following behind her. The house elves carried multiple dress bags and boxes of cosmetics and jewelry. Lucius' wife stopped in front of the staff table directly across from Mary.
"Professor Grant, my husband sent me to help you prepare for Madam Malfoy's birthday celebration this evening," Narcissa explained, her false politeness oozed.
Mary slowly put her mug of coffee down as she smiled.
"Y-yes, of course, my room is on the seventh floor. I'll be there in a few moments," her attitude had completely changed. She had thrown on her best Malfoy-superiority act. It was obvious that she was raised by a Malfoy, even if it was for a short period of time. Narcissa nodded and bowed. Mary returned the gesture and picked up her mug once more.
"You're going to a party tonight, Mary?" Charity Burbage inquired, finally finding her center after eating a small meal.
"Apparently so," Mary nodded. Severus suppressed a smile as he listened to the exchange. After Narcissa's display there was no way Mary could get out of going to the Manor that evening.
"How is it you know the Malfoys," Charity asked nosily.
"I grew up with Lucius. My mother remarried when I was 14. With my luck she happened to marry Brutus Malfoy, Lucius' uncle," Mary explained uncomfortably. Charity nodded, saying no more, as she sensed Mary's change in attitude. Moments later Mary left the Great Hall to meet her cousin's wife.
As she walked through the corridors, Mary finally remembered her encounter with Lucius the evening before as well as his invite. She finally made it to her room, still lost in thought.
Narcissa was sitting in front of the fire, sipping on a glass of wine. She stood as Mary entered.
"Hello Narcissa," Mary forced a smile. Narcissa greeted Mary was a small hug.
"It's lovely to see you. I was so glad to hear you'd be attending the ball this evening." She said, almost earnestly.
"Lucius informed me that you may not have a proper ensemble for the event, so I brought my team and a few outfits to try." Mary smiled, a little shocked at Narcissa's kindness.
Without any more small talk Narcissa set her team of house elves to work. A tiny female house elf threw Mary's long blonde hair into a tight knot, adding small crystals here and there throughout. A second house elf, this one male, began to paint makeup across her angular face. Her hair and makeup was done, though it was a bit too Malfoy-esque for Mary. She looked at her reflection as Narcissa began to sort through dress bags.
"Tell me Mary, what color do you prefer in a gown? Lucius said you looked lovely in green." Narcissa asked sweetly.
"I prefer red," Mary answered quickly. Narcissa smiled, obviously expecting this answer.
"Unfortunately I have no red dresses," she explained.
"I have these," she held her hand over the bed that was covered in multiple emerald dresses, mixed with a few black and grey, and oddly enough a single white dress.
"White, Narcissa?" Mary asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It was my wedding dress," Narcissa explained, looking at it fondly. Narcissa's eyes lit up.
"How about you try it on," she giggled.
"Oh I couldn't." But before Mary could object any longer, Narcissa was zipping up the white mermaid dress around Mary's frame. She turned Mary toward the floor-length mirror with her thin hands. Mary looked at herself in awe. She had never been in a wedding dress before. As she looked at herself all done up, her memories of Sirius came flooding back. She held in her tears as she looked at Narcissa, who was beaming through the mirror.
"You're gorgeous. You'll be a beautiful bride someday," Narcissa said, whipping a tear from her face.
"But we must get back on track," Mary nodded, unable to open her mouth without crying. Thankfully Narcissa grabbed another dress and zipped Mary up.
"This one is lovely." Narcissa had chosen a rather tight fitting black dress. The pair decided it was tight in all the wrong places, especially for one's step-grandmother's birthday party, and moved on to multiple other dresses.
Dresses flew through the room as the pair laughed about each one. Narcissa finally zipped the last one, a long emerald dress, dotted with a few gems on the bodice. Narcissa looked at Mary before spinning her around.
"I think this is it," she smiled. She turned Mary to the mirror. Mary gazed at herself, the emerald did look lovely, complimenting her hair and eyes.
"I'm against the green, but it is lovely," Mary smiled.
"So we'll go with this one," Narcissa nodded. Mary followed her action and smiled. "The ball starts at 6." Narcissa looked at the clock. "Oh my, it's already 4, I must get back to the Manor and see everything is fit for tonight." Mary nodded.
"Thank you, Cissy," Mary smiled earnestly.
"Never a problem," Narcissa returned the gesture. "Oh by the way, Lucius told me to tell you, Severus will be coming as well. Lucius said it'd be best if you accompanied each other. Then it won't be odd that the two of you have no date. Severus owled Lucius this morning, he said he'll come get you at 5:30."
Mary's smile wavered "Oh t-thank you, Narcissa." With that Narcissa gave Mary a quick hug and left the room, her troop of house elves obediently following behind.
Severus had taken a long cold shower since breakfast at the staff table. He chose to nap, hoping it would ease his pounding headache, which thankfully ebbed away as the day wore on. He foolishly stood in front of his closet full of black robes, picking the nicest dress robes he owned.
At 5:15 in the afternoon Severus briskly walked through the hallways to Mary's quarters. He quietly knocked on the large door, oddly nervous. Mary was busy putting on the jewelry Narcissa lent her, so she yelled for Severus to let himself in. He opened the door, the tiny living room smelled sweet from the perfume Mary had recently put on.
"You'll be ready to go soon?" Severus questioned. "I'm never late and I won't allow you to ruin my record."
"Yes, Professor, I'm just finishing up now. Merlin forbid we don't waltz in the door right on time. Lucius will never forgive us," Mary laughed as she walked through the door. Severus was shocked as he looked at her. She was radiant. He casually moved his hand over his mouth to make sure it wasn't open.
"Well what do you think, Professor?" Mary spun around for a 360 view.
Severus cleared his throat in attempt to regain his voice "A green reprise. I see your
embracing it now," he commented.
"Shockingly Narcissa didn't have many color choices in her wardrobe," Mary joked. "We should get going. We wouldn't want you to be late." The couple quickly apparated as soon as they were off the grounds of Hogwarts. They popped in front of the Malfoy's huge mansion. The grounds were alive with tiny lights and people. Mary steadied herself as the thought of actually going to a ball at the Malfoy's hit her.
"Shall we?" Severus asked quietly, pushing the small of Mary's back through the large gates leading towards the manor. Lucius stood at the top of the marble stairs, greeting guests as they walked through the entry way. He quickly spotted Mary and Severus and smiled.
"There are my two favorite professors," he smiled. His breath smelling heavily of brandy.
"As custom we introduce the members of the family along with the first dance. Mary, my dear, you are a member of this family and you get the honor of being introduced." Mary nodded, feeling a nauseous hate bubble in her stomach.
"We can't have you be introduced as a single, so we've decided to allow Severus to accompany you as your date."
"Thank you, Lucius. You're always thinking of me," Mary responded sarcastically after she successfully swallowed the bile that was creeping up the back of her throat. Severus repressed a laugh with a cough, nodding that he'd accompany Mary at the introductions.
"Oh and one more thing," Lucius slightly slurred, "Severus, your mother has joined us, as a guest of my Aunt Charlotte. Both of your mothers are ecstatic that you have chosen to join us." Severus nodded once again, quietly excited to see his beloved mother.
Mary and Severus walked up a large flight of stairs into a small keeping room. The walls throughout the room were covered in large portraits of the Malfoy line. Lucius' picture hung above the fireplace, as he was now lord of the manor. The rest of the Malfoy family held their pointed noses in the air as their ancestors looked upon them. One portrait stood out among the rest.
Unmoving and slightly lopsided, the portrait contained a young girl whose long blonde locks were slightly different to those of her relatives. Her sapphire eyes, which were darker than her family's, sparkled with youthful jollity. Mary quickly left Severus, who was mingling quietly with a few of the Malfoy men, to look at the portrait. Her stomach dropped to the floor when she recognized herself in the picture. She vividly remembered the day this painting was created, how her mother fussed with her hair and her stepfather choose the proper jewelry. She remembered her stepfather explaining that this portrait "truly made her a part of the illustrious Malfoy family." She shivered in revulsion, sitting in a strait backed wooden chair underneath her picture, hoping no one would notice the similarity between her and the portrait.
To Mary's dismay, Severus Snape was a clever man. She saw him look from her face to that of the portrait's and raise an eyebrow.
"I see they have one of you," he pointed above her head.
"Yes. They must have dug it out of storage this afternoon," Mary remarked. "Obviously something is wrong, it doesn't even move anymore," she motioned above her head.
"Yes, very strange," Severus said quietly, rubbing his chin.
"Please don't be offended by Lucius' forwardness. It would just be improper to present me on my own," Mary explained, looking at her freshly painted finger nails. Severus was shocked to see her so vulnerable. He put a hand on her knee as he sat next to her, the touch of her satin dress forcing a swell of desire in the pit of his stomach.
"I'm honored to accompany you. It's definitely not a put down," Severus said earnestly. He opened his mouth to explain to her that he was surprisingly delighted to spend the evening with her, but he was cut off by Lucius and Narcissa entering the keeping room.
"My beloved family, I'd like to thank you all for coming to this gala on behalf of my mother," Lucius' voice rose over the quiet chatter in the room. Narcissa nodded obediently from Lucius' side.
"We are ready to begin the customary introductions. Please line up in the necessary order." The group of fair haired Malfoys followed Lucius' command and created a small queue. Mary stood and watched the family form a line, obviously knowing the "necessary order". She had no idea where she fit in, so she stood back, Severus watching her from behind. Thankfully Narcissa approached Mary with a knowing smile.
"You look stunning, my dear," Narcissa said with a nod. Her usual Malfoy air floating back around her.
"Thank you, Cissy," Mary said unsurely, kissing Narcissa on both cheeks as she approached.
"Unfortunately," Mary regained her composure, lifting her chin ever so slightly "I'm unsure of the "necessary order" is," she said quietly.
"Cousin Mary!" Lucius said joining the two blonde women "You'll be the last introduction before my lovely wife and I," he explained, clapping Severus on the back.
"Excellent. Thank you, Cousin Lucius," Mary said, curtseying slightly before she walked towards the line.
Mary and Severus stood in line, slowly inching forward as the rest of the Malfoy family were introduced. Finally it was their turn and the introduction came.
"Ladies and Gentlemen may we introduce Professor Mary Grant, daughter of Charlotte and our beloved Brutus. Madam Grant is accompanied by Professor Severus Snape," a voice said above the large well dressed crowd who stood and clapped as Severus held Mary's hand customarily between their shoulders. They joined the rest of the waiting Malfoys as Lucius and Narcissa elegantly glided onto the floor, signally the first dance. Once more Severus twirled Mary around the floor with ease. The pair danced in silence as many more couples crowded onto the tiled floor.
Mary was incredibly grateful when the song ended. She quickly spotted her mother and walked towards her, leaving Severus behind.
"Mary, my darling, it's wonderful to see you," Charlotte stood slowly, curtseying to her daughter. Mary returned the gesture and grabbed a glass of champagne from a tray held by a house elf.
"Mother how are you?" Mary asked.
"Lovely, my dear, I just returned from a trip to the islands with Eileen. It was beautiful," she pointed to a thin, dark haired woman with glasses. "You do remember Eileen, don't you?" Mary turned to Severus' mother.
"Yes, of course," she curtseyed once more "Madam Snape I hope you're well." Eileen smiled in return.
"Just fine. Where is my son?" Mary turned to face the crowd, looking for Severus.
"I can't say, Madam. I'm sure he'll come to see you shortly."
"A fine man, your son, Eileen. What do you say Mary?" Charlotte intervened.
"Yes lovely," Mary hid her sarcasm under her weaponized Malfoy charm. "Very intelligent and an excellent dancer," she swallowed a swell of disgust as she smiled to Eileen Snape.
"Thank you, professor," a voice said from behind her. Mary's face dropped as she realized Severus had heard her false compliments. She quickly turned and obediently curtseyed once more. Severus nodded his head slowly. He walked to his mother who stood to hug his tall frame. A rare smile crossed his face as he sat next to her, allowing her to hold his hand while they spoke. As Mary watched this exchange Charlotte stood and tapped her shoulder. She gestured for Mary to follow her. Which she did.
"Mary there is something important I must tell you," the older woman began.
"Yes Mother?" Mary caught up to her.
"I've recently gone to St. Mungo's for a slight health issue. They've told me I'm very ill. I don't have much longer. I want to make sure you're there when I go. So please make that promise to me."
Mary's first reaction was slight disgust at how casually her mother spoke of her eminent demise, but she quickly changed attitude. "
Yes mother of course. How long do you suppose?" she asked trying to remain casual.
"A few months perhaps," Charlotte nodded. The pair was now standing near the balcony doors. They stood in silence. Mary was unable to think of any comfort for the mother who rarely comforted her. She grabbed another glass of champagne as Charlotte made small conversation with some distant Malfoy relative. To Mary's relief Lucius approached her mother and asked for a dance. She repressed a laugh as Charlotte sounded honored to dance with her handsome, well mannered nephew. She smiled as she was finally alone. Mary sipped on her champagne as she watched people dance and laugh.
Her serenity was short lived as a short man, whose long blonde hair was pulled back by a black ribbon, approached her.
"Ahh Grant," came his deep gravelly voice, "it's been far too long," he bowed.
"Yaxley, I see you're well," Mary said indifferently.
"And you," he smiled. "Care for a dance?" his delivery was far from Lucius' well bred and eloquent one.
Mary truly had no desire to dance with Yaxley, who was a known Death Eater, and truly an all around pig, but she remembered her Malfoy training and accepted. Yaxley pulled her onto the designated dance floor and sloppily twirled her around. He held her slim frame closer than necessary and spoke to her.
"Lucius was right, you are as radiant as you were in school," his deep voice explained.
"Thank you, Yaxley, you're too kind," Mary said as she swallowed the bile that crept up her throat once more.
"So where are you staying tonight? Lucius set you up a room here, hm?" he asked, smelling her blonde hair.
"Presumably, if not I'm sure I can make it back to Hogwarts," Mary responded.
"Well my room is always open to you, my darling," he said. Mary again swallowed all of her disgust, surprising herself that she still remembered all of her Malfoy training.
Severus sat next to his mother near a large fireplace watching Mary dance with the clumsy man. He had just spoken to his mother about Charlotte Grant and her daughter and he felt a twinge of protectiveness towards Mary. He knew she was very capable of taking care of herself, but no one could deny the cunning ways of a Death Eater either.
"Excuse me Mother," he said as he stood. He walked towards the floor, his eyes on Yaxley's hands, which were moving ever closer towards Mary's bottom.
"Pardon me Yaxley, but I would like to finish this dance off with my colleague," he said from behind Mary.
Yaxley barely hid the anger from his face but bowed to Severus and allowed him to dance with Mary.
"Thank you, Severus, Yaxley is a revolting man," Mary said earnestly.
"Yes. Though I can see where it was difficult for him not to make a pass at one of the more beautiful women in the room," Severus responded coolly. Mary quickly hid a smile and moved to change the subject, but she was interrupted by the same loud voice that had introduced them hours before.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, at request of the master of the manor, will all gentlemen please reconvene in the lounge." Severus quickly walked away towards the massive ornate doors that had just opened. All the men were gone, probably to enjoy over priced cigars and cognac. The group of elegantly dressed women all gathered near the large fire place, chatting and drinking flutes of champagne. Mary sat on the outskirts. She was shocked to see Narcissa do the same.
"Why aren't you other there with everyone?" Mary asked snidely.
"I have a job to do," Narcissa explained, nodding her head towards the doorway. A small house elf held the hand of a wobbling toddler. The small child found his mother amongst the group of women and made an attempt to run, his legs shaking like a drunken man. Narcissa scooped him up and smiled.
"This is Draco," she smiled. The small blonde child held his hands out to Mary, who uncomfortably took him into his arms.
"Well hello Draco," she said quietly, stroking his light blonde hair. "How old is he, Cissy," Mary asked as Draco giggled and cooed.
"Just over a year," Narcissa smiled lovingly. A twinge of agony spread through Mary's body.
"He's beautiful," she said uncomfortably. She putt Draco down and he ran around through the group of adoring admirers. He laughed and played for almost an hour, Mary watching from the sidelines, lost in thought about what her life could have been. Just as the men reentered the ball room, Draco ran towards Mary. She unwillingly scooped him into her arms. She quietly whispered to Draco as he started to get upset with all the noise and people. She swayed him back and forth.
"He'll need to go back upstairs so he doesn't get too upset," Narcissa whispered to her from behind. "I'll send for Dobby, his house elf."
"Oh don't fret, Cissy, I'll take him up," Mary responded. Narcissa nodded with a small smile. She kissed Draco on the forehead before Mary headed towards the massive staircase. Severus caught a glimpse of Mary holding tiny Draco, walking up the stairs. He quietly followed towards Draco's room.
"Yes it's very loud down there, isn't it?" Mary spoke to Draco in a slight baby voice. "Too many people, I think they've all had quite a bit to drink too." Draco cooed in response, holding his arms out of his crib, begging Mary to hold him once more. Mary looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
"Oh alright," she said, sounding defeated. Loud music began to play downstairs and Mary swayed Draco to the music. He laughed as she spun him around, humming in his ear. Severus watched Mary from the doorway. He smiled as Mary laughed to Draco's giggles.
"It's not fair that mommy and daddy lock you in your room all night for their silly parties, hm?" she said to Draco. "If I were a mommy I'd cancel all the parties and play all day," she finished rubbing her nose on Draco's. A small crack echoed through the cavernous bedroom making Mary jump.
"Hello Miss, my name is Dobby. I am Master Draco's house elf. It's very late, Master Draco must sleep now." The small elf bowed.
"Yes of course," Mary put Draco back in his crib. "Bye bye Draco," she whispered, kissing his light hair. He whimpered as she walked towards the door. She looked back quickly, but saw Dobby singing a quiet song and continued back down to the party.
Severus watched Mary walk back down the staircase and followed silently. He stood amongst the talking crowd, attempting to find her. Eventually he caught a glimpse of her. She was sitting on the balcony. He made his way towards her and cleared his throat. She was sitting on a small chair overlooking the grounds, a cigarette in her hand.
"Those aren't good for you," he said watching her jump at the sound of his voice.
"Nor are cigars, I can smell them on you," Mary retorted.
"Fair enough," Severus said, slowly sitting in the chair next to her. "I saw you with Draco. I'd never peg you as the mothering type."
"Some things are innate, I suppose," Mary said offhandedly, shifting in her chair. "I don't think I'd enjoy living in a house so big," she said attempting to change the uncomfortable subject.
"Nor would I. Too lavish of a life for me, I suppose," he said earnestly. "I'd prefer a small life style, an earnest house, a wife, my quiet job, perhaps a child or two." Mary was shocked at his honesty.
"Well I suppose it's my turn to admit something. I never pegged you as a family man," Mary said with a hit of her cigarette.
"Every man is secretly a family man. Look at Lucius. I'd never guess he were capable of loving someone other than himself and Narcissa, but he's head over heels for Draco," Severus explained. Mary laughed at the honest way Severus spoke of one of his oldest friends.
"That's true. How's your mother? Well I hope," Mary asked. It was Severus' turn to shift uncomfortably in his chair.
"She's aged quickly in the past year or so. I'm concerned for her well being, but she's assured me she'll be alright."
"That's good. My mother just told me tonight that St Mungo's has only given her a few months," Mary tried to sound offhand. Too her surprise Severus caringly touched her hand.
"I'm sorry to hear that. My mother and I will be there when that time comes. Comfort from friends is imperative in times like that," Mary smiled. Perhaps Severus Snape wasn't as bad as she had made him out to be.
"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Lucius' voice scared the couple, Severus quickly taking his hand off of Mary's.
"No Lucius. I was just enjoying a cigarette and Severus some fresh air," Mary responded quickly.
"I see, well my mother has retired to her quarters," Lucius explained, his eyebrow slightly raised, "now the real fun begins," he loosened his dark green tie and waved for the pair to come in. Mary stood and walked through the doorways. She sensed this would go all wrong, but took drinks as they were handed to her.
Hours passed while Mary laughed and joked with people she held a vendetta against for years. Severus watched from nearby, knowing that Mary was a beautiful prize any of the men in the room would kill to win. As the sun began to rise, signaling a new day, Mary began looking for a way out of the manor. Her inebriated mind assumed walking out the front door and heading to Hogwarts was the best choice. Unbeknownst to her, Yaxley followed close behind.
"Heading home, my sweet?" his rough voice yelled through the lawns. Mary sloppily turned to look at Yaxley's ruddy face, which was far closer than she had expected.
"Yes, Yaxley, I'm afraid I'm off," Mary nodded lazily "lovely to see you again, ta." She made an attempt to turn around, but was stopped by Yaxley's surprisingly firm grasp.
"I thought you were staying with me tonight," Yaxley whispered angrily.
"I don't remember saying anything of the sort. In fact, I remember say I'd go back to Hog-" Yaxley violently cut her off.
"No, no, you said you had no room at Lucius', that mine would suit you best," he growled as his grip tightened. Mary's only foolish reaction was to quickly slap Yaxley across his face.
"Listen to me, Yaxley," Mary spat "Start of term is in two days. I have to go back to work and frankly, I'd much rather sleep alone than with you." Yaxley ran his free hand over the stubble of his face. He dug it into his pocket, obviously searching for his wand.
"Drop it Yaxley," came a cold whisper from behind.
"What are you going to do about it, Snape? Fight me for the broad?" Yaxley snapped.
"If it's necessary," Snape explained. He twiddled with his wand as he stared down the shorter man.
"Get over yourself Snape. I've handed you too many women in my day. I'm not going to let this one go," he shook Mary like a rag doll. In a flash he threw Mary's confused frame over his shoulder and briskly ran back towards the house. He was obviously banking on Severus having one too many drinks to properly perform
"Stupey," Snape spoke lazily, watching Yaxley fall to the ground, Mary on top of him. He quickly strode to the heap of persons and lifted Mary with surprising strength. "You're alright?" he asked caringly. He lifted her up from the ground quickly.
"I'm fine," Mary nodded, whipping tears from her face, "I think I just want to go home."
"Yes of course," Snape said.
"I, uhm, think you'll have to put me down," Mary smiled.
"Oh sorry," Snape stuttered. He put her back on her feet and they looked over Yaxley's limp figure. Mary gave him a hard swift kick in his side.
"Just for good measure," she shrugged.
"Might want to give him one more, the asshole," Snape nodded. Mary followed command and threw her heel into Yaxley's stomach.
"Job well done. Now if you'd like I'll escort you back to Hogwarts, that's if you don't think you can make it on your own," Severus said, holding out his elbow. Mary tensed, but nodded, slinking her hand through Severus' arm. Severus quickly apparated to Hogsmeade village. Mary wasn't expecting to apparate so soon. She lost most of the contents of her stomach on the cobblestone path near Madam Puddifoot's.
"I'm sorry," she whimpered in between coughs. She kneeled on the ground and gasped for air.
"It's fine, it's fine," he said rubbing below her neck, trying to calm her down. Minutes later Mary was stumbling into her room. She jumped into bed, hoping she'd forget all about the evening in the morning.