A/N: Woohoo! I'm back. Big smiles for everyone and special shout out to my best friend Coney!

Chapter 10: Mara Maguire, Medicine Woman

Make the nausea stop!

What's a better way to wake up than to feel like puking your brains out? As far as I remember, my cupcakes were not supposed to be lethal. Then again, I was the only one to get sick from them. Ladee-frickin-da.

Gilderoy and I were cleaning the portrait frames and sat to talk when we were done. He ate a cupcake, I ate a cupcake, he ate a cupcake, and I ate another. Neither one of us cared how much we ate while we talked. Eventually, we transitioned from talking about cleaning to Snape-talk.

"I always helped Snape clean," I started. "So it's no big deal that I volunteered to give you a hand again."

"Well," Poptart replied. "I would rather not mention Severus. We don't get along."

"I know this from personal experience. Even after standing up to him in the Leaky Cauldron, you still fight."

"Of course. It's Snape we're talking about."

I said nothing. I had a distinct feeling that if this conversation kept going, I would have to open Poptart and rip out his fruity insides.

Time had changed from noon to three in the afternoon before we noticed how long we had been sitting at his desk. We had only wondered about the time due to the heat spell dying out. Lockhart threw a white t-shirt on and sat back down to talk for a little while longer. I soon found my way out of the classroom and towards the dungeon. I had to make potions for my Hospital Wing with Snape.

During my short-lived visit with Severus, I felt fine. I admitted to being sugar high, but still fine. When I left the Potions classroom, I kissed Snape goodnight and fell like a lead blanket onto my bed.

Ugh.

Now, I lay in bed with no knowledge of the time, which kind of scares me. I know I've been here for a long time, and tonight students arrive.

"Hello?" A voice calls from behind my closed door.

I'm not getting up to open it.

"Yeah?" I answer, "What do you want?"

Hermione let herself in and frowned at my sad situation; Blankets were twisted around my feet, crossed over my back, and stuck under my stomach. My pillows were stacked under my head in a diagonal direction, and one was halfway off the matress.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

In a raspy voice, I replied, "I'm dying."

"Seriously, what's wrong?" Hermione seemed very concerned.

"I'm sick. After an afternoon eating cupcakes with Poptart, I feel like my stomach is killing itself."

"You were with Lockhart yesterday?"

I nodded. "Made him cupcakes to apologize for being a bitch the other day. He ate them. I ate them. He was topless. Maybe it was the image that got me ill."

"Topless?" She looked at me in disgust. "Why on earth would he have been without a shirt on?"

I joked, "He's too sexy for his shirt?"

"Well, I'm sure he didn't plan on anyone being in his classroom. Aside from that, how are you going to nurse students today, Nurse?" She folded her arms, no doubt trying to make me care.

I didn't.

"I'm going to stay in bed until Death leaves my side. Either that or tell Sev to get his ass in gear and bring me medicine."

Hermione laughed and replied, "Alright, I'll get him. Breakfast started already, which is why I came to see what was going on. The students are arriving tonight, so you should be well by then."

"I hope." I'd rather not be better. Bed. Bed is nice.

"See you in awhile, Madame Maguire."

I could only try and laugh as Hermione left the room. Knowing I had such a best friend made me feel emotionally better. Physically, I still had to toss my cookies.

Being sick always made me a tad emotional. Reflecting on the past, I remembered a time where I had the flu due to falling in love. . . Er. . . I worried myself sick, anyways. Damn Snape had me in a constant loop of a rollercoaster. It was a ride of never-ending-bullshit avoiding feelings for one another. I was such a loser back then. Well, still am one. Hoorah!

I wonder from time to time when I became so serious. What ever happened to carefree-me, running amok around the school, causing mischief? Oh yeah, I grew up.

"Hello?" Severus stood in front of me with his arms folded. He said, "Are you alright? I've tried to get your attention a couple of times."

I furrowed my brows and blurted, "Obviously I'm not alright." Sometimes a little cruelty was necessary.

"I know, but you weren't answering me."

"I was thinking."

"About what?" Snape asked.

"You know," I answered. "Good times, bad times, old times, world domination."

Severus chuckled, "You never lost that oddball side of you."

"Because I hold tight to my oddballs. Ehm. Ha."

Laughter erupted from both of us, but I immediately stopped. If I laughed anymore, my stomach would spill to the floor.

"So, you need medicine?" Snape queried.

"Yes, Sir. Please, Sir."

Severus hovered over me and planted a small kiss on my forehead. If my fever weren't already up, my head would have been on fire.

Out of his pocket, Snape drew a small flask. He handed it to me and said, "One sip. Any more and you'll be in a coma for a week."

So I studied the unmarked bottle and opened it. One small sip was enough! It tasted like sardines and jello. Was this human torture?

"I can tell by your disgusted face that this will not be your favorite beverage anytime soon."

"Let's see what Gilderoy thinks of this taste. I'm sure he would lose his perkiness for a whole hour." I joked. "But it's no wonder why one would be in a coma for a week. This shit's nasty."

He sighed and replied, "You always did have a vulgar mouth when sick. Alright, rest up. I'll be back in a few hours to check up on you. The medicine should kick in by then. If you need anything else, let me know."

"I'll be fine, Sev. Thank you."

With that said, Snape left my room. I was alone once more.

The medicine, whatever it was, created this cool feeling in my stomach. I no longer felt like throwing up, but still knew my body was uneasy. An hour passed by where all I did was stare at the ceiling. I could not sleep for the life of me. It was quite boring. Actually, it was probably the most uneventful hour of my life.

Since when did everything become so complicated in life? I remember a time where, despite who it was, my first boyfriend did not take up fvie-hundred percent of my life. A time where we could all hang out and have fun. Now, older, more responsible me is about to have barely any time for friends or a love life. I'll be a nurse. A head nurse, tending to every curse and hex, bump and bruise of these students. Am I really ready for this?

"Knock-knock!"

Merlin! In the middle of self-discovery and Goldipops has to interrupt. He technically didn't even knock.

"Hi." I said. I really didn't want him here right now.

Lockhart glanced at my decomposing body and said, "You're a wreck. I'm terribly sorry."

"So am I. Cupcakes are the death of me."

He sat at the edge of my bed. "I came to honestly see how you were," He began. "I was worried I'd killed you with all that non-stop cleaning and eating."

"No. I will be better. Nothing can stop Manic-Mara."

With one swift movement, Gilderoy was sitting beside my torso. Oh good, I hope he strangles me! Hah. Just kidding. He peered into my eyes sympathetically and frowned. I was this poor Poptart's only real friend. What a realization.

"You know," He said softly. "You aren't as pretty when you're sick."

Huh? Maybe if I just ignore what he says from here on I can avoid murdering him.

"Thanks, I think."

Then, there was a moment of silence. Lockhart's bright blue eyes shot off lazer beams into mine. I looked away immediately.

"Get well, my dear." Gilderoy stood up and smiled at me.

He left the room and I was again, lonely and miserable. No one wanted to stay near me. So, I shut my eyes and slept.

. . . and three minutes later Snape, The Undefeated came sauntering in with a sly smile on his lips. At least it wasn't Lockhart again.

"It's going to begin soon. Are you well?"

I shook my head. Not a molecule in my body wanted to get up. Severus saw right through me.

"You're lying. Get out of bed, dress up, and get into the Great Hall."

Boy oh boy, I don't get any get-out-of-school-free cards this for being sick all day. My stomach was better, much better. Yet, the irrational part of me wanted to quit while I could. Nursing how many students? Making how many potions a day? And to think college was hard. Book after book to be read, paper after paper to be written. I could handle all of that, being a giant book worm. This wasn't literature. This was real life. The Battlefield, The Stage, The Field of Dreams. What a Charge de Merde!

I changed into my medieval-looking dress of red and white, which did fit me rather nicely. (It at least showed I had the right curves in the right places.) This is who I was now: a queen bee of medicine. Mara Maguire, Medicine Woman. I much prefer that to Madame Maguire. Perhaps this is a new age of medicine that I will discover and become famous for. Wow, how cool that would be!

I walked towards the Great Hall with my flowing hair spiralling around my shoulders. Mara Maguire, Knock-Out Nurse of the Year.

The doors were opened already. The students would be arriving soon. I reached the professors' table and saw my vacant seat between my beloved Severus and . . . uh . . .Lockhart. Of course. And the pessimism kicks in . . . now.

"Well, hello." Lockhart said cheerfully.

"Hello fellas." I tried to sound just as happy.

Severus looked at me and said, "If you hadn't come I would have to hex myself. Gilderoy told me how much you helped him yesterday. It's no wonder why you were ill. I suggest sticking by me for awhile to regain health."

"Ooh, do I sense some jealousy, Sev? There's no need to worry. You know I enjoy helping people out and trying to do good for the magical world."

Lockhart interrupted our conversation, "Isn't this just wonderful? Three minutes to go and we'll be feasting with the new students."

"Mary is coming back as a fifth year," Snape said.

"Who?"

"Your little first year you stuck up for way back when you were in the Extra Year Program. You don't remember those students? What about the snobby girl who smacked me in the rear during class?"

Hahahaha. Oh yeah. The snob who made me all defensive for Severus because I was just realizing my love for him.

"Yes, now I recall. Mary was the shy one. The other girl was banned from your classes. What's become of them?"

"Mary is one of my best students and the other one is still snobby, but not as . . . strange." Snape glanced at the hall in front of him.

It was funny looking around the Great Hall, expecting tons of children and teenagers to walk in. They would soon be sorted, sit, feast, and not care about what they want to do after they graduate. And us, the teachers and staff, would sit here almost invisibly as tonight's festivities began. I didn't mind so much the thought of caring for wounds, but most teens are so ungrateful for the help nurses provide them. I know from personal experience.

Not just nurses, though. I felt sympathy for Gilderoy most of all. When I had him as a professor, I loathed the very essence of his classroom. If I had known then what a troubled man he really was, I would have been less mischievous. Poor Severus, though, always had battles with me. I never cut him any slack.

Upon thinking, a very interesting idea popped into my head. Someone should be a guidance counselor around here! I wouldn't want the job, but it would definitely help out around this castle.

"Maranda," Severus caught my attention. "All your friends finally showed up."

Hermione and my friends had come into view, taking their seats scattered about the table. Hermione sat next to Snape, Gwen next to Lockhart, and the others too far to talk to. Ron, however, stood at the front of the entrance with Serenity next to his leg.

Just when everyone was settled, the pitter-pat of hundreds of feet echoed outside of the Great Hall.