Mary followed Ron and Hermione into the Great Hall, noticing that the tables had changed, but not in the way she expected.
"We're still sitting by year," Hermione said, looking at the fourteen tables. "I wonder why they have two separate seating areas?"
"That's obvious, isn't it?" Ron turned to her with a crooked grin. "That's so the Slytherins aren't forced to sit with us."
"That'd be dangerous," Mary said, sitting at the table on the far left.
Hermione craned her neck, looking over the tops of the incoming second and third years. "Hannah didn't show up for the Prefect meeting. Have you seen her?"
Mary clenched her eyes shut, grabbing Hermione by the hand and pulling her into the seat next to her. "She's not going to be here, Hermione."
"Why ever not?" Hermione asked. "The Prefect notice had her on the list with Ernie."
"No matter what I say, don't react." Mary leaned forward to hug Hermione. "Hannah's dead. Voldemort killed her and her parents yesterday."
Hermione trembled slightly, pulling back to meet her eyes. "Are you sure?"
Mary tapped her scar. "I was there."
Hermione put a hand over her mouth, her eyes brimming with tears. "Have you told anyone else?"
"The Order and Ministry know," Mary said, turning around as a loud squeak echoed through the hall. "I assume they'll announce it when they have enough evidence."
"Mary!" Lavender ran up and hugged her tightly, followed by Parvati. "Look at you! You've grown even more since your birthday!"
"Hair's longer," Parvati said, walking around to give her a once over. "Yes, we can work with this."
The Hall gradually went silent as everyone took their seats, all of them looking up to where Dumbledore stood at the podium, his eyes scanning the room. "Welcome all of you, to another school year. I will not dawdle, as I'm sure Professor McGonagall and our new students would like to join the rest of us for the Sorting Ceremony."
Mary resisted the urge to roll her eyes and focused on the Staff table. Rolf was playing with his napkin, a smile gracing his face when he met her eyes from across the room. Snape sat next to Flitwick, watching his Slytherins with a shrewd expression. Remus sat next to a woman that Mary didn't recognize at first glance but quickly realized that Mac had changed her hair colour. Gone was the pale blonde and it was replaced with a dark brown that made Mac look less pinched and well, bitchy.
"Macdonald, Phineas," Professor McGonagall called out.
Mary focused on the present and looked up to see Finn sitting on the stool, picking at his fingers while the Hat was deciding his fate. Would he be in Gryffindor like Mac? Mary wondered.
The Hat proved her wrong seconds later. "RAVENCLAW!"
Mary joined everyone in clapping lightly as Finn rushed to sit next to Luna. He cast a nervous look up at his mother but Mac only smiled slightly, turning to watch the rest of the sorting. With everyone distracted, Mary pulled the Marauder's Map out of her pocket and opened it just enough to show the Great Hall. There was nothing out of place other than a single name.
Phineas Sirius Black.
Mary tucked the map into her pocket. That was completely unexpected. Certainly not something that happened in Harry's world. Not that she knew of at least. If it did, it wouldn't have been likely that Mac would return to the UK only to tell her son that his father was a mass murderer that escaped from Azkaban.
A sharp stab of anger and jealousy ran through her, but Mary quickly buried it. This was what she was working for; for her family and friends to be safe and happy when it was all over. If reuniting with Mac and Finn did that for Sirius, then Mary was grateful. He was a good father and he deserved a good child. Which, if Mary was being honest, wasn't something that she'd accomplished.
"Zeller, Rose," Professor McGonagall said, smiling as the last little girl ran to the stool where the hat barely touched her head before sending her on to the Hufflepuff table.
Dumbledore stood, calling attention to the front. "A hearty congratulations to all of our new students. May you find a second home and family in your new houses. So without further delay, tuck in!"
Dishes and silverware popped onto the table moments before platters and bowls heaping over with food appeared. Ron didn't spare a second before grabbing the nearest spoon and shovelling potatoes onto his plate. Mary shook her head in amusement before reaching for the steak and kidney pie but paused when she noticed Hermione sitting there with a blank expression on her face.
"You okay?" Mary asked quietly.
"How can we just sit here and let them celebrate?" Hermione asked, tilting her head to the right.
Susan and Ernie were laughing at Seamus who managed to turn his pumpkin juice into a thick gravy instead of rum. Justin put his arm around Megan, placing a rose on the table next to her.
"Let them enjoy the moment," Mary replied, dumping some Brussel sprouts on Hermione's plate.
Mary turned to where the Slytherins sat, talking and smiling without a care in the world. Theodore Nott had his head down, staring at the table, his shoulders shaking as Blaise said something with a wide smile on his face. Daphne laughed loudly, looking up and meeting her eyes before turning away. It was too dangerous to talk to them. If Voldemort found out, they'd either be dead or instructed to hurt her. If they hadn't already been told to do so.
"You feeling alright, Mary?" Neville asked from across the table.
"Yeah," Mary replied, frowning slightly. "What's wrong?"
"Um," Neville pointed at the table.
Mary looked down to see that she'd foregone using her own plate and had polished off the entire steak and kidney pie by herself. "Well, I'll probably regret that later."
A glance at the head table showed that Neville wasn't the only one to spot her complete disregard for decorum. Snape was watching her with a raised brow and Rolf was hiding a grin behind his napkin. Mary had no time to be embarrassed, as that was the moment Dumbledore stood and the dishes were cleared from the tables.
"I hope everyone has enjoyed their meal as much as I have. Before we head off for a well deserved night of rest, I have a few announcements to make," Dumbledore said. "As you've noticed, we've decided to keep the seating arrangement that brought a great deal of house unity last term. I encourage you all to continue this admirable practice, for in these dark times, we must stand united."
Dumbledore walked around the podium, a weathered hand lingering on the smooth surface. "Many of you may not know this, but many years ago, there was a student much like yourself that roamed these halls. A bright young man who excelled in his classes and gained quite a following from his peers. Charismatic and ambitious, few could resist his charm. But unlike yourselves, young Tom Marvolo Riddle made the wrong choices. He chose fear over love. Power over peace. Manipulation over cooperation."
The hall was silent as Dumbledore continued, gaining the attention of even the cockiest Slytherins. "I'm afraid to say that I was one of many that recognized the signs of Tom's plight and pain, yet I too stood aside and did nothing. Wary of the darkness lurking within the boy, I distanced myself instead of guiding him closer to the light. It's yet another addition to the list of misdeeds I've committed. But standing in front of you today, I vow to help each one of you however I may. All you need to do is ask and help will be found at Hogwarts."
A low hum of whispers swept across the hall, the tension in the air thickening at the implications of living under the same roof that once housed Voldemort.
"And now I would like to introduce four new members to our staff," Dumbledore continued as if his audience wasn't on edge. "Taking over the Care of Magical Creatures class until Professor Hagrid's timely return is; Professor Rolf Scamander. He will also assist your Heads of House with career counselling for years five through seven."
There were a few wolf whistles and a hearty round of applause for Rolf that Mary gladly joined in on. She knew he'd do a brilliant job.
"Gah," Parvati put a hand on her heart, leaning heavily on Lavender's shoulder. "He's still gorgeous."
Mary leaned toward her. "He's a good kisser too."
"No!" Lavender gasped. "Really?"
"Well, that's going to stop now, isn't it?" Hermione said, shooting a glance at the Head Table. "It wouldn't be proper now that he's a teacher."
"You think I should break up with him?" Mary asked, frowning as she once again looked up at the head table.
"You will not!" Parvati hissed. "You met him before he was a professor. It doesn't count."
"It'd make me a sight happier," Ron grumbled. "I don't want to think about my best mate snogging anyone."
"Taking over Potions for years one through four is Professor Horace Slughorn!" Dumbledore called out.
Slughorn stood, bowing slightly and sitting back down with a smile on his face as the younger students erupted in thunderous applause. Mary turned her attention to Snape, who looked furious at their reaction.
"Well, that's just bad luck now, isn't it?" Ron groused, glaring at the fourth years. "Why do we have to get stuck with Snape and they don't?"
"It's disappointing," Parvati said with a huff. "I'd like to learn potions without him glaring over my shoulder."
"Covering years five through seven in History of Magic is; Professor Bathilda Bagshot."
A few Ravenclaws and Hermione clapped loudly as Miss Bagshot waved kindly to the students.
Dumbledore held up his hand again to calm his restless audience. "If I could spare a few more moments of your attention I would like to introduce your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher; Special Agent Mary Macdonald."
There was a hesitant round of applause as most people glanced at the head table to see Mac stand and nod quickly, no emotion on her face.
"Yes, yes, we welcome our newest additions and wish them both a prosperous year."
Mary resisted the urge to beat her head on the table as Dumbledore continued with his drawn-out speech, wanting nothing more than to find Saphira, go to her dorm, and sleep for the rest of the weekend.
"Now, our Head Boy, Cedric Diggory, and Head Girl, Patricia Stimpson will meet with the prefects to guide you to your respective houses for the night. Pleasant dreams to you all."
Hermione and Neville stood quickly, both rushing to the back of the hall where the other prefects were gathered.
The rest of the Gryffindor fifth years stood up and made their way to the doors, but Mary paused when she saw Finn and Luna standing by themselves.
She hugged Luna quickly and then shook Finn's hand. "Congratulations on Ravenclaw. I think you'll be an asset to their house."
"Thanks, Mary," Finn said quietly.
"And you could have no better housemate than our Luna," Mary said, hugging Luna again. "I'll bring Saphira to visit you tomorrow after lunch."
"That will be lovely," Luna replied with a dreamy smile.
Mary's skin prickled and once again, she had the oddest feeling that she was being watched. She turned, spotting people staring at her, whispering behind their hands, sneering at her.
"Such a freak," one whispered.
"...a spell gone wrong."
"...shouldn't be allowed here."
Lavender grabbed her by the arm, dragging her back to the queue of Gryffindors making their way up to the tower. "When we get back to the dorm, I want details. When, Where, How. All of it."
"You'll spare no account," Parvati added. "I know we encouraged this but honestly, Mary, we didn't think you had the guts to actually contact him."
"I didn't," Mary said. "It was all a coincidence, really."
"Shh!" Lavender hissed. "Not until we're in the dorm. I don't want these miscreants listening in."
Mary looked at the large group of first years and shook her head. There had to be about twenty of them. They looked tinier than ever, all bubbling with energy and excited to see the dorms, making friends and getting ready to learn.
"Pax Vobiscum," Kenneth Towler said to the Fat Lady, before turning to the firsties. "That is the password to the tower for the foreseeable future. Forget it, and you might just find yourself stuck out here until someone with a better memory rescues you."
"Oi, Kenny, can you let those of us that aren't firsties in?" Fred asked loudly.
Kenny rolled his eyes, stepping aside and letting them rush through the opening. Mary darted to the side, running up the stairs until she reached the fifth-floor landing. She opened the lone door and froze, her eyes widening at the scene.
"Oh, this isn't going to work at all," Lavender said, looking at the two extra beds and trunks.
Parvati sniffed, a disgusted look on her face. "No way in hell."
"What is this?" Sophie Roper walked in followed by Fay Dunbar. "Why is our stuff in here?"
There was the usual amount of space between beds but the two new additions made it feel cramped and cluttered. Mary was barely on speaking terms with the other two girls, having had many altercations with them when everyone thought she was the Heir of Slytherin back in second year.
With a heavy sigh, Mary went to her trunk and grabbed her pyjamas from the top of the pile before going to the bathroom and changing quickly. Not wanting to risk the nosey girls snooping into something they shouldn't, Mary locked her trunk, placing the few things she needed in her backpack. Bacon in hand, she went back downstairs, finding an empty seat near the fireplace.
"Tryouts are on the sixth, Mary," Angelina said, looking up from where she'd finished pinning the notice to the board. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," Mary said, tugging her robe tighter. "How about you? Had a good summer?"
"It was a little odd with everything else going on but luckily, it was quiet." Angelina flopped down on the seat next to her. "Truly though, you aren't suffering from any ailment that will keep us from winning the Cup?"
"Not yet," Mary replied, laughing quietly. "I'm guessing you made Captain?"
"It's a tougher job than I thought it'd be." Angelina sighed. "Oliver made it look so easy, like all I had to do was yell enough and things would get done."
"If only." Mary shook her head.
"Well, I better make sure the rest of the lot knows about tryouts," Angelina said, getting up. "Oi, little Weasley! You're trying out for Keeper, right?"
Ron's eyes widened but nodded. "Yeah."
"Good, it's at noon on the sixth. Don't be late!" Angelina called over her shoulder.
"Blimey," Ron breathed, sitting down. "Think she'll be as barmy as Oliver?"
"She'll be brilliant." Mary laughed. "I can't wait to get back to Quidditch."
"I've barely flown this summer," Ron whispered, looking over his shoulder in case Angelina overheard. "I'm going to be rubbish up there without a little practice."
"We'll start tomorrow if Aunt Minnie approves," Mary said, handing Bacon over to Ron. "Would you mind watching over him for the night? Sophie's cat is a menace and I don't want him to end up as cat food."
Ron held Bacon up to the light. "Sure he's not secretly an Animagus?"
"I've only checked about five thousand times." Mary grimaced. "Pretty sure he's a normal guinea pig."
"That's alright then." Ron leaned back against the cushions.
The portrait hole opened and Neville and Hermione walked in, the latter looking frazzled and harried as she stomped up to the dorms.
"Reckon she's mad at me?" Ron frowned, turning to Mary in confusion.
Mary lifted her shoulders. "She ignored me too."
A few minutes later Hermione stomped back downstairs, a huff leaving her lips as she sat next to Ron and put her head in her hands.
"Alright there?" Ron asked, putting an arm around her.
"No, I'm not alright," Hermione spat. "They put those two airheads in our room!"
"They're not that bad," Mary said easily.
"And not one word was mentioned about-" Hermione leaned closer, lowering her voice. "They didn't mention Hannah, the Greengrasses, Neville's family. Dumbledore barely said anything other than we needed to stick together. What's worse, I don't know if we can trust Mac. The woman is cagey at best. I met her in the hall and she wouldn't even say 'hello'. Did Sirius really date her? Nevermind that. Why didn't you warn me that they were making Dueling an elective? I didn't buy the textbook!"
"It'll be fine, Hermione," Mary said, waving off her concern.
"You're at the forefront of all of this mess," Hermione said shrilly. "Why aren't you more nervous?"
"Because I'll be fine," Mary said, drawing out the last word.
"See, it's going to be fine," Ron said with a smile, patting her back.
"Everything's fine, right?" Neville nodded pointedly. "You okay, Mary?"
"I'm fine," Mary replied, rolling her eyes.
"You're all infuriating!" Hermione let out a snort of laughter when they all started to giggle, grabbing her notebook and hitting Mary over the head with it. "We really shouldn't be laughing."
The mood sobered instantly but they didn't have time to contemplate it. Professor McGonagall walked in, a small smile on her face as she saw them together. "If I can have everyone called together, I have a few house announcements to make."
The upper years went door to door gathering the rest of their housemates and returning with them not even a full minute later.
"As I'm sure Miss Johnson has informed you, Quidditch tryouts will be held on the sixth of this month. I have held the Quidditch Cup in my office for over two years, and I quite like the way it looks on my shelf. I hope all of you who endeavour to make the team, do so with every intention of giving it your all and seeing us to another victory."
Mary grinned, knowing that Aunt Minnie loved Quidditch far more than she put on.
"With Professor Scamander taking over my career counselling duties, I find myself with more free time to tutor those interested in the more advanced forms of Transfiguration. All that I require is that you maintain an average of Exceeds Expectations or higher in your regular classes," she said, looking at all of them but letting her gaze linger on Mary for a moment longer. "As always, my door is open to you at any time. If you're simply missing home or you have larger worries, I'm here to listen and help as much as I can."
Aunt Minnie clasped her hands together. "Are there any questions or concerns that you have for me?"
Sophie stepped forward, her hand clasped tightly with Fay's. "Professor, I can't share a room with Potter."
Mary's heart dropped into her stomach.
Aunt Minnie pursed her lips. "Why ever not, Miss Roper?"
"You know what they say about her, what we've all seen," Sophie said, glancing at Mary worriedly. "I don't feel safe with her here. We'll end up dead in our beds!"
"Miss Roper!" Aunt Minnie shouted as the cacophony of voices echoed through the room. "Everyone quiet down. Miss Potter isn't going anywhere. She's been a boon to Gryffindor house for four years. Has faced more trials than you can dare to imagine. And protected this school with her very life!"
"I don't want to share a room with her either, professor," Fay said with wide eyes. "My mother would be angry if she found out. Especially after St. Mungos."
Mary's head twitched oddly, a stinging pain in her eyes.
"There!" Romilda yelled. "You all saw that. She's a freak! She doesn't belong here!"
"Oi!" Katie took a step toward Romilda. "Where do you get off talking about Mary like that, you ignorant twit!"
Arguments broke out throughout the common room. Hermione put a hand on her arm but Mary stood heavily, walking to Aunt Minnie's side.
"I'll handle this, child," Aunt Minnie said over the din.
"They're right," Mary replied, meeting her eyes. "Remember what happened with Mac the other night? I can't risk that again."
Aunt Minnie put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing lightly. "We stick together."
"Not for this." Mary shook her head, willing the errant tears not to fall. "Just let me stay with Remus until things settle down. I'm sure he won't mind."
"Are you sure, Potter?" Aunt Minnie asked, a deep frown on her face.
Mary smiled tightly. "Yeah, I'll just get my things."
A hex flew across the room and one of the firsties cried out, holding a hand to his eye.
"Enough!" Aunt Minnie yelled, her wand in hand. "Mr Peakes, detention for the next month. How dare you hex another student! One thousand points from Gryffindor!"
Silence fell over the room, everyone gaping at their Head of House with equal looks of shock. Mary walked toward the stairs, keeping her head up and her shoulders back. There was no point in giving them the satisfaction of seeing her cry when they'd already taken so much. They moved out of her way, some glaring, the others sympathetic.
Once out of earshot, Mary let out a long breath, trudging up the stairs and going into the room that was supposed to be her home away from home. It was lucky that she hadn't bothered unpacking. That would have made the situation even more difficult.
"Please don't go," Hermione said, pulling her into a hug.
"It's for the best." Mary held her tightly before letting go, handing Bacon's cage to her. "Give that to Ron, will you? See if he'll mind keeping Bacon until I figure out where I'm staying."
"This isn't right!" Hermione cried. "We're supposed to stick together."
"I'm still in the castle," Mary said, shrinking her broom and trunk before placing them in her pocket. "They haven't chucked me out or expelled me yet."
"Oh, don't say that!" Hermione burst into tears. "That's not going to happen. I won't let it."
Mary lifted her sleeve to wipe the tears away. "I'm fine, Hermione. Let's go back downstairs before Aunt Minnie takes another thousand points."
Hermione let out a sniff. "Serves them all right."
The common room was dead silent when they returned, Aunt Minnie stood in the centre, her chest heaving and a fierce look in her eyes. "I have never been more disappointed in Gryffindor house or my students in all of my years at Hogwarts. Do not go to your rooms or get comfortable. I will return shortly to finish this."
Mary darted out of the portrait hole, holding it open for Aunt Minnie who was in a fine fit of fury.
"Of all the idiotic, baffoonish-"
"Please." Mary held a hand up to stop her. "Don't punish them for this. They're scared. And quite frankly, they have every right to be. They're just kids."
"So are- Well, I can't truly call you a child anymore, Mary," Aunt Minnie said, her nostrils flared and her hands shaking. "I cannot condone them turning on one of their own."
"It truly is for the best," Mary said, rubbing at her forehead. "I always feel him, scratching away, trying to find a way in. I can't put them at risk. At least Remus knows how to wake me up without getting hexed or his bones broken."
Aunt Minnie dabbed at her eyes. "The Mary of two years ago would have railed and rowed over being ousted from her dorm."
"Lucky for us all that I've grown up a little," Mary said, letting out a small laugh. "Otherwise, Sophie and Fay would be in the hospital wing pulling their heads out of their asses."
"That would be very difficult to explain to their parents." Aunt Minnie paused, placing a hand on Mary's shoulder. "Events are happening at a rapid pace. Would you be adverse to me informing Severus of the Journals?"
"I don't know what good it'd do. Everything's taken a dive for the worst." Mary looked around the dark corridor. "If you think it wouldn't burden him and that he could truly help, I'll leave the decision up to you."
Once again, Mary felt that prickling feeling that she was being watched, making the hair on her neck stand on end. Reaching into her robe pocket, she pulled out the Map, checking it once again. There was no one around other than herself and Aunt Minnie. The rest of the walk was spent in contemplative silence and Mary focused on trying to figure out the source of her sudden unease. The anxiety of it all slammed into her like a wayward lorry.
"Shall I go in with you and explain the situation?" Aunt Minnie asked, stopping outside the door to Remus' room in the guest hall.
Mary checked her watch, seeing that it was nearing midnight. "He's probably asleep. I'll let him know in the morning. Might do him good to be pranked before breakfast."
Aunt Minnie grinned, hugging her quickly. "Nothing that will affect his attendance at the staff meeting."
"I'll see where the Marauder muse takes me," Mary said, opening the door. "Night, Aunt Minnie."
"Sleep well, child."
Mary closed the door, leaning up against it and sliding down until she was on the floor. The heavy pressure on her chest had eased a little but still, the weariness dogged her. Mary looked around Remus' quarters and narrowed her eyes. No fire in the hearth. His bedroom door was wide open. The scent of his bedtime tea wasn't lingering in the air.
"Remus!" Mary yelled, rushing to his room, finding the bed made and nothing to suggest that he'd been hurt or kidnapped.
A more in-depth search proved that he hadn't been there for hours. Scrubbing a hand over her face, she went into the spare bedroom, finding the bed made in Gryffindor colours and Hedwig's cage sitting near the window. Aunt Minnie must have called Annie to tend to her room.
With nothing better to do, Mary unpacked her trunk and settled in for the night. Bonelessly, she flopped onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling and wondering where exactly she'd gone wrong. Nothing in her life ever seemed to work out the way she wanted it to. And when it did, ten other things went sideways.
With a twist of the ring on her finger, she closed her eyes, hoping that Saphira's calm sleeping state would lull her into one of her own. That didn't happen. Saphira's heart was racing. Glee transferring from the spell on the ring. Mary sat up, pulling her robe back on and pulling out the Map. Rolf was in the room across the hall, running in circles if it was correct.
Mary placed the Map in her pocket, holstering her wands and locking her trunk, and then walked out of Remus' quarters. She stood in front of the door, knocking lightly and waiting while a low murmured curse echoed from the other side.
Rolf opened the door, breathing heavily. "Mary? What are you doing here?"
"Checking in," Mary said, bending down to pick up Saphira before she could escape. "And what has Little One so wound up?"
"She wouldn't eat dinner and refuses to go in her crate for the night," Rolf said, running a hand through his hair. "Are you supposed to be out of your dorm?"
"Half of Gryffindor doesn't think I'm safe to be around," Mary muttered, going to the table and grabbing Saphira's dinner. "I'll be staying with Remus for the foreseeable future."
Rolf pulled the bowl of chicken from her hand and placed it on the ground. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Mary said, meeting his eyes. "More worried about my housemates than anything. They're frantic."
"I'm sorry." Rolf pulled her into a hug, kissing her cheek quickly. "It's not supposed to be like that. I was only here for my last two years of school, but coming back today, I almost went straight to the Hufflepuff dorms."
"It's home away from home," Mary said, smiling slightly. "I'm not new to this. They'll come around at some point."
Saphira wriggled in her arms and Mary set her down, watching as she dove toward the bowl of food.
"Poor thing. You were starving her," Mary said with a lifted brow.
"Sure I was." Rolf rolled his eyes. "You know you don't have to knock, right? I've keyed you into the wards. There's no way I'd lock you out when Saphira's here. And even when she's not here, you're always welcome."
"Thanks," Mary said, hugging him quickly.
Rolf didn't let go, waving his wand and letting a slow song play on the Wizarding Wireless. "I've tried this for hours, but I'm hoping having you here will lull her into sleep. She's a demon creature."
"Not my Little One," Mary chuckled quietly, leaning her head on Rolf's shoulder and swaying side to side with him as Saphira devoured her food. "This has been the best part of my day."
"Mine too," Rolf said.
Mary didn't let go of his hand as she bent down to pick up Saphira, dancing slowly around the room with the little Snallygaster wrapped in her arms.
A shiver ran through her as his hands skimmed her side.
"She's asleep," Rolf whispered in her ear. "You're a miracle worker."
"I'll put her in her to bed," Mary said with a grin, placing Saphira on the stack of blankets in her crate. "You know you don't have to fight with her. I'll be right across the hall if you need me."
"I'll keep that in mind." Rolf stopped her as she moved to the door. "Are you sure you're going to be okay?"
"I'm fine," Mary said again, grabbing him by the tie and pulling him in for another kiss. "I like it when you wear these."
"Anything to please my lady." Rolf pulled her closer.
"Anything?" Mary smirked at him, taking step after step forward, backing him into the wall.
Rolf smirked. "What do you have in mind?"
Mary leaned closer, capturing his lips in hers, and let the rest of the world and its problems fall away. Fake it until you make it, she thought, closing her eyes. Sometimes, that was easier said than done.
A/N: Thank you for reading!
I want to hear all of your thoughts and theories!
Special shout outs to my beta; Nauze. He did a wonderful job cleaning up the mess I made with this chapter.
Much love to CleverBrainer and Patriceavril for lending a helping hand and encouraging me to keep going.