AN:: I know, I know, I'm the worst. I feel horrible about taking so long to update. I finally finished the chapter last week, but couldn't log onto the site. On the bright side, I have a break from school coming up in late February, when I hope to spoil you all rotten with updates! Again I'm so sorry for my tardiness. Please stick with me, my semester is almost done. Thanks to everyone who has favorited and followed my story. It means so much. And a giant thank you to all the reviewers. Getting the emails that announced a review really do make my day. I hope you all enjoy this (leave a review to let me know, hah).

Friday afternoon had finally come. Mary stood with her fellow professors. They overlooked the mass of students as they filed out the large oak doors towards Hogsmeade station.

"Well I must admit it's a relief to see them go. Training the students is a rather tedious and time consuming job," Giles sighed to the group of professors.

"Oh yes, though I do miss them when they're gone," Charity replied with a smile. Mary watched Charity bat her eyelashes at the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. She nudged Severus and motioned towards the exchange. Severus smirked and rubbed a hand of relief over his face.

The professors walked along the corridors and into the staff room. Each of them had a chair that suited their own personality. Mary sat in her comfortable yellow chair, Minerva a hard wooden one. Pomona sat in a scuffed brown rocking chair, Severus in a high backed black leather and Dumbledore in an ornate throne like chair. The house elves served tea as the professors chatted before starting their midterm staff meeting.

"Let us begin. I don't want to keep you all too long as this is supposed to be a break for you as well," Dumbledore spoke over his chattering staff. "As we are all aware, a few of our population choose to stay at Hogwarts over the holiday break. Because of this, we need to set up a watch for the evenings. Though it is a break from classes, doesn't mean the students have free reign of the castle at all hours. So perhaps its best if we send a calender around the table and sign up for certain evenings. Two per each date please," the headmaster explained as he passed the sheet of paper around.

"We will still be holding the Christmas feast. I hope you all choose to attend," Dumbledore continued on. Pomona passed the sign up sheet to Mary. She looked over the list, trying to figure out when she'd rather walk around the chilly castle all night. She knew exactly who she'd prefer to walk the corridors with, but was sure someone else would feel best with Severus Snape. To her shock her name was already written down, for Tuesday evening, with the very man she was thinking about. Severus had written down her name next to his in his small tidy scroll. Mary smiled and looked at him across the table. She knew she'd caught his eye, but his kept his face turned towards the head of the table.

Mary hid her smile and passed the list on to Charity, who sat in her floral easy chair next to her. Charity quickly scribbled her name down. She raised her hand like an excited school girl.

"Yes Professor Burbage," Dumbledore smiled.

"Oh yes Headmaster, I was wondering what the school policy is on dating among colleagues," she asked with no shame. Mary perked up from her chair, looking around the room, her eyes lingering on Severus.

"Well we're not against it, Charity. Though we do request you don't make it an obvious thing in front of our younger population." Charity smiled foolishly. Severus raised an eyebrow, while Mary nervously twirled her hair.

Mary and Severus weren't even an item, but it seemed Charity wanted to out their slowly forming relationship. Mary took a few deep breathes before looking in Severus' direction. His face seemed slightly more pale than usual and his jaw was pulsing. Mary made a puzzled look before Severus nodded slowly.

"Ch-Charity," Mary cleared her throat, "is there something you'd like to tell us?" Severus' dark eyes widened as Charity continued to look around the room.

"Well I suppose," Charity started. Mary continuing to take deep breathes. A public announcement of any type was one of the last things Severus Snape would ever want, and Mary knew it. "Giles and I are an item," she explained excitedly. Mary exhaled a deep sigh of relief.

"Oh how—wonderful," Mary nodded as she swallowed her discomfort. She took a few more deep breathes hoping to quell the rising heat in her face.

"Oh it is. In fact we've been together for some time. We just weren't sure when to tell everyone. It was all very confusing-" Giles long winded story was cut off by Minvera clearing her throat. Mary smiled broadly at Minerva's gesture. The sight of this forced Severus to cover another smile of his own with his strong hand.

"Well if that's all the questions and—announcements, I think we can call this meeting. I hope you enjoy your holidays. Please remember to join us for the feast! I'm sure we'll see each other around," Dumbledore finished slightly uncomfortable. The staff of Hogwarts rose from their custom seats and began to chatter just like the students they taught.

Mary stood a few feet away from Severus. She was quietly talking to Pomona about Ugly Willie's newlywed life and it seemed Severus was stuck in a dry overly long conversation with Giles; mostly likely about his relationship with Charity. Severus politely nodded, though he didn't have much to say on the topic. Mary watched over Pomona's shoulder, giggling to herself at Severus' emotionless reaction to Giles.

She raised an eyebrow as she watched Dumbledore tap Severus on the shoulder. The headmaster pulled him aside from the group. They seemed to be in deep conversation, something rather important. She continued to watch for a few minutes, until Severus nodded curtly and left the room. Mary ducked out of the Ugly Willie conversation and quietly followed him. She looked down both long hallways outside of the staff room. She assumed he was gone until she caught the flip of a black cape around a corner. She quickly ran after him, her heels thudding on the stone floor.

"What was that all about," she asked between heavy breathes, holding herself up on her knees.

"What?" Severus questioned as he leaned against the wall.

"Well what did Dumbledore want?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Severus explained sternly, lifting his lean body off the cool wall.

"Oh okay, play coy, Severus, I'm trickier than you think," Mary smiled slyly. The pair walked down the hall quietly for a few minutes. "So where are you taking me Saturday?" she continued after she was sure they were out of earshot of any of their colleagues.

Without a word Severus pulled her into a darkened corner. "I was considering that quaint little bed and breakfast we visited so long ago," he whispered into her ear before kissing the crook of her neck. Mary inhaled sharply, but pushed Severus away to look at him.

"Oh not that place, it's just so cheesy," Mary laughed.

"Yes well thankfully I've made reservations at The Three Broomsticks. I didn't think it right to go too far away from the castle. So the slightly cold food and less than satisfactory wine will have to do," Severus replied sarcastically.

"Oh I think I'm more concerned with the company," Mary whispered, moving closer to his strong frame. Severus wrapped an arm around her waist and placed his second hand on the back of her head. He pulled her into a deep kiss, leaning her into the corner. However, their encounter was short lived as a loud unnerving cackle caused them both to freeze.

"Who in the hell is that," Mary squeaked, readjusting her top and bra. Severus remained quiet, holding his index finger to his slightly swollen lips. He pushed Mary as deep into the corner as he could, in a small attempt to protect her in some odd way.

"Severus old chap, what are you doing trolling around in corners this late? I thought you went back to your rooms ages ago," Giles cackled again. His lanky arm was slug around Charity's shoulders. Severus slowly walked out of the darkness without looking back at Mary. He reluctantly joined the pair of google-eyed professors and walked away.

Mary heaved a sigh and began the lonely trek back to her own rooms. Severus' desire for secrecy to mask whatever it was they had between them was beginning to wear on her. She climbed into bed a little disappointed, yet she fell asleep rather fast.

Hours later she woke suddenly. An unsettling dream had roused her. In it she was laying in her bed, but it wasn't in her rooms at Hogwarts. Rather a wet and dark room. The moon outside cast a shadow of barred windows on the cold stone floor. Someone petting her hair had woken her. Her dream self had opened her eyes, Sirius Black sat on a hard wooden chair, his teeth not as white and dazzling anymore and his hair was matted and long. His face was scruffy. He looked into her eyes; his once vibrant and lively ones were hollow, deep dark pools of nothingness.

"What are you doing here," Dream Mary asked quietly. Sirius, almost unrecognizable, sneered silently.

"Just checking up on you," he responded gruffly. "The rumor mill around this place has given me some interesting news." Dream Mary sat up a little in her bed. "It's come to my attention that you've been seeing someone else, you foolish girl."

"Sirius, why are you talking like that?" Mary asked, hurt that he could be so cruel. She hadn't seen him in so long, and this is how he was treating her?

"Is it this man?" Sirius growled, standing quickly. A light shot on in another darkened corner of the depressing room. Mary let out an audible gasp as the site before her came into view.

Severus hung in chains against the stone wall. His head was motionless, dark hair hung around his face.

"Take him down," Mary whimpered. She made to jump up, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder.

"You know, my dear, I'm rather shocked you'd do this. I could never imagine Char-Bear doing this to me. After all you are pregnant," an illusion of Giles explained. Mary looked down at her stomach; it was rounded and stuck out of her black sleep shirt.

"I'm not," Mary whispered to Giles as she protectively watched Sirius stalk around Severus' limp body. "Sirius keep away from him!"

"I think it fair we wake him up. See what he has to say about all of this," Sirius tapped a stiff blackened finger on the back of Severus' head. Severus woke moments later, his dark eyes looking around the cell; to Sirius, Giles, and eventually Mary. She rose from her bed, her stomach feeling heavier than it had in years.

"What's going on here," Severus asked dryly, taking in Mary's pregnant form.

"We were all wondering the same thing, Snivellus," Sirius asked as he paced in front of him.

"It seems to be a lover's quarrel, doesn't it," Severus snapped back, straightening his body best he could as his hands were still chained above his head.

"It may seem that way, hm? Really just old friends from school reuniting," Sirius started, menacingly quiet. "Why are you, Snivellus Snape, sleeping with my pregnant Fiance?" he asked before physically punching Severus in the stomach. Sirius didn't give Severus the chance to respond before gaping wounds erupted on on his face. Blood poured down Severus' face as he mumbled incoherently.

"It seems she's valuable to you. Make no mistake about it, Severus; I'll use her against you in any way possible." Mary stood motionless. The voice speaking to Severus was no longer the vaguely familiar one of Sirius'. It was eerie, higher pitched, almost disorienting.

A faceless figure paced in front of Severus' immobile body. Long spindly fingers gripped at a knotted wand.

"Tell me Severus, my loyal companion, what it is you see in her," The long hand motioned in the direction of Mary.

"Nothing, my Lord, she's a pawn in my plan." Mary had heard enough.

"Severus I-I thought you cared," she whimpered once again.

"It seems you were mistaken, Ms. Grant." The figure had finally turned to face her. Deep red eyes swooped up on her. A feeling of transparency came over her as the long hand ran its skinny finger down the side of her face. The nose-less, serpent like face smiled crookedly when he cupped her face in his bony fingers. "Do you know who

I am?"

"Y—yes," Mary swallowed cautiously. She kept her eyes facing forward, avoiding looking at him.

"Hmm yes, you should be frightened. I'm sure you've heard of my prowess amongst your friends. But what am I doing talking so much. I'd rather show you," Voldemort whispered in her ear.

He turned on his bare heel. He was next to Severus' hanging body in a moment. Severus refused to change his line of vision; straight forward. Lord Voldemort smiled cunningly before whispering in Severus' ear. The poor man made no response before his old master lifted a hand. Severus' body jilted with pain. Voldemort was torturing Severus. It seemed to last forever, though Severus made no sound. Mary followed suit. Silent tears rolled down her face as Severus rolled around on the wall, arms still hanging above his head.

Then it stopped. Mary woke from her dream. It was all very confusing. Thousands of questions needed to be answered. She only solace she could find was to hope Dumbledore was available for consultation sometime within the week. She showered in hopes of forcing the sleep from her body. It was five in the morning. She dressed quietly and walked through the darkened hallway. The castle was uncomfortably quiet without the students, though they probably wouldn't be awake at this hour to begin with.

To her relief Dumbledore sat at his regular seat, quietly talking to Hagrid over his cup of tea.

"Professor, it's lovely to see you so early this morning. Did you have a good rest?" The Headmaster asked kindly.

"Not necessarily, Headmaster," Mary half smiled as she mixed her sugar in her cup.

"I'm sorry to hear that. Is there something troubling you, Mary?"

"Just a bad dream. Actually I was hoping to talk to you sometime later in the week. Are you available?" Mary asked after a sip or two of the warm calming liquid.

"Oh yes. I'll just be puttering around my offices for the week. Is Wednesday alright with you? Though if it's urgent I can rework my appointment with the Minister," Dumbledore smiled softly, placing a hand on Mary's.

His kindness never seemed to shock Mary. To think that Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, would put her needs above his meeting with the Minster of Magic.

"Oh no. It's really nothing to fret over," Mary smiled. An hour or so later she excused herself from the table and made her way back to her rooms. She worked the day away, hoping to finish in order to enjoy the rest of her time off.

By 7:15 that evening Mary sat across from Severus at a small table in the corner of The Three Broomsticks.

"So how was your evening? Did Giles trap you in another riveting conversation," Mary asked Severus.

"I don't know if riveting is a word I would use myself," Severus replied. "No, rather a horrid conversation on how to please a woman." Mary laughed loudly.

"Oh that just sounds like a hoot. I wonder if he's trying out your advice out on Charity right now. So what did you tell him?"

"I think that's more of a man to man conversation. How about your evening? What did you end up doing?" Severus asked, changing the subject quickly.

"Oh you know. Thought of you, touched myself. Same old, same old," Mary said nonchalantly before taking a sip of wine. Severus choked on his own drink, his eyebrows disappearing into his hairline.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled through his coughs.

"It was a joke, Severus," she laughed quietly. "I didn't do much of anything really. I crawled into my lonely bed and slept, though I did have the strangest dream."

"And what was it?" Mary weighed her options. It would certainly feel good to tell someone about her dream. It did involve Severus after all. Yet she wasn't sure she was ready to divulge to anyone she was having lucid dreams about Sirius Black and Lord Voldemort.

"Pink ponies and giant rabbits actually."

"You're sure you didn't have any wine at the staff meeting?" Severus smiled over the table to her.

"Oh no," she covered the uncomfortable feeling in the pit of her stomach with a laugh. "But there are a few things I'd like to talk to you about."

"Go on." She looked at Severus in hopes to find a good entry. His hair hung around in face in the handsome manor it usually did. He wore a plain white shirt with a few buttons undone. He seemed relaxed, almost content. It was a far cry from the Potions Master his students were used to seeing. His eyes poured over Mary's face in rapt attention as she spoke.

"I want to know what is going on between us. I mean, is this just a "friends with benefits" sort of thing or is there something else," she asked slowly. "I mean I really don't mind either way. I'm a big girl, whichever way it is, I'm fine with it." She threw in quickly as she watched him shift a little in his chair. He moved his arm across the table, resting his hand on hers.

"I think it's more than that," he answered after a few moments of silence. He unconsciously ran his thumb back and forth over the top of her soft hand as he placed his words carefully. He knew exactly how he felt. He told Ivana, that wretched woman, the truth the evening of his birthday. He wasn't so sure he wanted to tell her all of that just yet. "Understand this isn't easy for me. It's probably best I give a full explanation."

"Go on then," Mary urged, feeling slightly nauseous at cornering him in such a way.

"I realized the night with Ivana, the night you came to my door-"

"Your birthday last year," Mary nodded awkwardly.

"Yes. You see, I realized I want a lot more than casual sex and occasional talks with you. The last few months of that semester were dismal. I woke knowing you wouldn't speak to me and went to sleep with an unfulfilled feeling in my stomach. I was lonely. You're like a comfort I've never had before. For once in this life I can say I'm happy. If it's alright with you, I'd like to continue on. That is, as cliché as it sounds, I'd like you to be my girlfriend," his face was as red as Mary's dress as his gaze lingered over her shoulder. "But if that's too much to ask I understand. I know I'm not much of anything. Just—consider it." Mary smiled broadly, before pulling his chin to face her once more. She leaned over the table and kissed him on the cheek, her hand still in his.

"I think I'd like that." Severus smiled and heaved a sigh of relief. "I'm glad we cleared that up."

"Yes it is rather nice. What else did you want to ask me?" It was Mary's turn to wiggle in her chair.

"Well I really do want to know what Dumbledore spoke with you about last night, not to be intrusive or anything," she shrugged. Severus ran his free hand over his face, the other happily unmoved atop Mary's.

"And so comes your first test," he mumbled. Mary sat a little straighter. She was always ready for a new challenge. "Every now and again the mark on my arm," he left arm twitched slightly as he spoke of the Dark Mark, "burns. I have no explanation for it, other than that the Dark Lord is still out there somewhere."

"Oh Severus! Does it hurt? Is there anything I can do?" Mary asked quickly. She wasn't afraid of the mark on his arm. That belonged to the Severus she knew all those years ago, not the one that sat across from her now.

"No need to fret. Lucius has also mentioned something about it. I suppose it's the burden we chose to bare. But please understand this. By accepting my offer only minutes ago doesn't mean you have to deal with the hardships that may come in the future. You are my main concern now, you and your happiness. If, and it's possible, the Dark Lord should make a return, I have duties that must be fulfilled," he explained carefully, squeezing the hand he so gently touched minutes before.

"What does that mean, Severus? You plan to continue on with the Death Eaters?" Mary blurted it out before she even realized what she said; word vomit. Severus snapped up quickly and looked around the almost empty bar. It seemed no one was paying attention to them, yet he put up a silencing charm right away.

"No. Never. I've seen the error in those ways a long time ago, but in order for me to help Dumbledore, who's done so much for me the in the past, I'd have to convince Voldemort that I am," he whispered heatedly. A shiver ran up Mary's spine.

"I don't know how I feel about that, Severus," she mumbled quietly. "What if something should happen to you-"

"We don't need to be worrying about this now. Let's just enjoy our evening," he said longingly, "please." Mary followed his lead and continued on with normal conversation.

Hours later, deeper into the night than she planned, Severus dropped her off at her door.

"It's nice to get away from all of this. Rather, nice to spend time with you," Severus said before kissing her softly.

"Mmm yes it is. We'll have to do it again sometime," Mary smiled quietly, laying her head on his shoulder.

"Well we have Tuesday evening's rounds together, though I hope to see you before then," he said into the top of her hair. The sweet smell almost made him delirious.

"Tomorrow for breakfast, I'm sure. Good night, Severus," she said before kissing him once more.

"Rest well," he replied as she shut her door. Still smiling she flopped onto her bed. She really had enjoyed the evening; her first as the Potion Master's girlfriend.