Another week passed. Mary's classes had started up at full speed. She was finally getting back into the swing of things when she remembered Severus' birthday. She hadn't seen him since the Malfoy's New Year celebration. She missed him. She truly did enjoy his company that night and shockingly wanted to spend more time with him.
Severus was quite handsome, especially when he smiled. How had she not noticed it before? He'd grown on her. The kind of man Mary could see herself following Remus' suggestion and moving on with. This revelation hit Mary as she perused the books and quills at Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop in Hogsmeade. She stood pondering in front of the more expensive quills for quite some time. Eventually she chose a new Eagle feather quill ("very rare, these ones. Imported all the way from America!") and a small black leather bound journal. Surely Severus would enjoy these, or so she hoped.
Back in her rooms, Mary dolled herself up. She curled her hair and pinned it to one side and eventually chose a rather short skirt, high pumps and a button down shirt. She chose not to button up the shirt all the way. Why not give a few hints to Severus? He was a grown up too. She made her way down to the dungeons a few hours later, the quill and journal wrapped neatly in silver paper.
As she raised her hand to knock she heard voices. Her nosiness got the better of her as she dropped her hand back to the side. She leaned her ear against the door and took a quick listen.
"Do you think me a fool, Severus Snape?" A deep voice questioned from the opposite side of the thick oak door. "That voman vasn't vearing a ring on her pretty little finger. No no. I also confronted dear Narcissa about your relationship vith the voman. She says there's nothing between you."
Mary heard Severus clear his throat as if to speak but Ivana cut him off.
"I see it vas all a trick to get me back in your life. Vell it verked, my darling. Seeing you vith that pathetic excuse for a voman made me realize I vant you back. Your plans verked, as they alvays do, you vicked vicked man," Ivana giggled. It forced bile to creep up the back of Mary's throat. She had heard enough. In a fit of rage she kicked the door open. The sight before her eyes only infuriated her more. Severus sat on the same couch where he and Mary had shared a drink only months before. Ivana, who was dressed in a skimpy skirt and a top that bared her olive skinned midrift, sat on his lap. Strands of Severus' long dark hair were twisted around her thin finger as she looked up at Mary. Two glasses of wine sat on the small side table beside the pair. Mary's mind raced with hateful words, but none reached her mouth. She stood there for what felt like an eternity. Both pairs of eyes looked at her. Tears welled up in her sapphire-blue eyes as her mouth continued to open and close like a fish out of water.
Severus sat immobile underneath Ivana's light body. His eyes were wild with confusion as he watched Mary's reaction to what she saw before her. He made to rise to comfort her the moment he saw water build up around the rim of Mary's beautiful eyes, but Ivana held him still with surprising strength.
"This isn't what it seems," he croaked through bared teeth. "Please, hear me out," he pleaded as he watched Mary approach himself and Ivana.
She'd finally been able to steel herself. She took a deep breath and walked towards the couple. Slowly she placed the present, the one she had put so much thought into, on the table next to the wine glasses.
"Have an excellent birthday, Professor Snape," Mary said groggily as she bowed her head in Ivana's direction. She turned quickly and walked to the door, her heart sinking deeper and deeper into the pit of her stomach with every step. She refused to turn around as she walked through the doorway.
"I'm sure he vill, Professor Grant," Ivana dripped. Mary silently glanced over her shoulder, Ivana had began rubbing Severus' strong shoulders from behind the couch. Severus said nothing, but merely nodded. Mary snapped the door shut and once more ran through the dark dungeon hallways. Once back in her room, she jumped on her large bed and finally allowed herself to break.
She hadn't realized how much she had cared for Severus. The man she once despised had become her confidant. She cried uncontrollably for what seemed like hours until she finally fell into a restless sleep. Unbeknownst to her, Severus was having anything but a good time.
As soon as the door of his quarters snapped shut, Severus' hand grabbed Ivana's wrist tightly. The horrible woman found her opening when Severus watched Mary begin to cry. He momentarily dropped his guard and Ivana had placed Severus under the Imperius curse. His pure rage had shut her out of his mind once again.
Still grabbing her wrist Severus rose to his feet. His teeth were bared and his eyes wide with unsubsiding rage. He threw the thin woman against the cold stone floor. He watched her wipe a small trace of blood from her lip before turning on his heel. He grabbed the previously untouched wine glass and drank it in one swift movement. Then threw the glass in the general direction of Ivana, though well placed enough to not hit her, only frighten her.
"How dare you come here," he finally spoke through clenched teeth in between heaving breathes. "Do you realize what you have done? You selfish bitch. I will never want you again, that much I can guarantee. If you wish to avoid anymore harm, leave now," he commanded at the top of his voice, pointing wildly to the door.
"But Severus I miss you. I loved you. I still do. Please forgive me. I need you," Ivana begged from the floor, holding the corner of his robes like a sad puppy. Severus laughed. It was uncharacteristic, it almost sounded as if he had gone insane. He pointed at Ivana as he laughed, but then abruptly stopped.
"I can barely stand to look at you," he whispered venomously. "I feel nothing towards you. In fact, I hate to break it to you Ivana, but I'm in love with the woman who just walked out the door." He nodded as he laughed to himself. "Now, again, I'm going to recommend you show yourself out. Good bye," he finished shortly. He picked up the small silver package and made his way into his bedroom, Ivana showing herself into the drafty hallway. She certainly wasn't dressed for the dungeons of Hogwarts in the middle of winter, but she took one final glance at the door to Severus' rooms and marched out.
Severus paced his cavernous bedroom, the small silver package in his hand. He was torn between opening to the neatly wrapped gift or merely setting it aside and running to Mary's quarters. He quickly ran through a calculated thought process and dropped the unwrapped present to the stone floor. He followed Mary's path through the dungeons and up to her room. He loudly knocked on her door and waited for a reply.
She heard the thunderous knocks from her large bed, but stood firm. She refused to answer. She was bull headed, both of them knew it. Severus continued to knock as Mary rolled around in her sheets, covering her head with a pillow. She stood firm for what seemed like ages. Severus' knocks began to slow and soften. He seemed to be admitting defeat. Mary sighed to herself as she rolled over once more.
Severus checked his watch. He'd been standing in front of the large door for nearly two hours. Mary was far more stubborn than he assumed. He eventually slowed his hammering, and slid down the cool stone wall. He sat with his head in his hands, rage pumping through his body. Damn that intolerable Ivana! If it weren't for her, he wouldn't be sitting outside Mary's door pining like a puppy.
The next morning came quickly. Snow covered the windows and a chilly air hung around the corridors. Sometime in the night Severus had abandoned his post in Mary's hallway and returned to his lonely room. He vowed to himself to explain the entire situation to Mary over breakfast. Though it would obviously be well hidden within his words. Regretfully his plan didn't go as well as he liked.
Mary arrived at breakfast slightly late, or so it seemed by Severus' watch. She looked somewhat disheveled, but otherwise as beautiful as always. She sat next to him as she always did, but didn't make her usual attempt at conversation. She sat quite still, her back rigid and stature unwelcoming. Severus watched her shove bacon and eggs around on her plate.
"Good morning, Mary," Severus said, over his cup of tea.
"Morning, Professor Snape," replied shortly with a curt nod. Severus shifted uncomfortably before making an attempt to strike up conversation once more.
"Did you rest well?" he inquired a few minutes later.
"Somewhat," Mary answered with little enthusiasm.
"Seems to have snowed over night, hasn't it?"
"It would appear so," Mary nodded again, not taking her eyes off her plate. Severus knew when to throw in the towel, and now was the perfect time. He stood quickly and saw himself out of the Great Hall.
The next few months progressed exactly the same as the day after Severus' birthday. Severus would make great attempts to capture Mary's attention whereas she remained cold and distant. Outside she was cool and unapproachable, but inside she was torn to pieces. She could barely look at Severus without the twinge of agony pulling at her heartstrings. Any conversation longer than a short response and a nod had them vibrating like a guitar string. Snow began to melt across the grounds, cold water dripping from the fangs of the gargoyles, puddling in the cracks in the stone floors. June was fast approaching. Mary was itching to leave the castle and away from the man who had stolen her heart only to crack it in half all within the same school year.
A rather sunny day peaked at the end of May. Mary sat at her seat with what had become her usual unapproachable behavior. Professor Sprout struck up a conversation, which was far from the ordinary.
"So what is it you two plan on doing this summer holiday?" she asked cheerily, addressing both Mary and Severus.
"Relaxing, I suppose," Mary smiled to Pomona. "I'm spending the holiday with Remus."
"Excellent. And how about you, Severus?" The herbology professor addressed him around Mary.
"I'm staying at the castle. I'm working in collaboration with St. Mongo's, researching new cures," Severus cleared his throat. He hadn't heard Mary say anything friendly to anyone the past few months. It was incredibly refreshing.
"Well I'd like to extend an invitation to my nephew's wedding to both of you," Pomona smiled. "He'd be honored to have such prestigious and honored guests at his special day." Mary smiled in return. She loved weddings, and it had been ages since she'd been to one.
"Oh, Pomona, I'd love to. When is it?"
"Early August," she answered. "Severus? What do you think?"
"I'll see what I can do, Pomona," Severus nodded, glancing at Mary once more.