January 5th, 1995
"Don't expect this to happen again."
Sirius leaned back against the pillows and watched as Mary MacDonald pulled her clothes back on.
"Not good enough for you, Mac?" The corners of his lips twitched. "You were singing a different tune last night."
"I'll be out of the country for at least two years." Mac lifted her gaze to his. "I'm sorry, Siri. It's just that England is no longer my home. Hasn't been for a very long time."
Sirius knew exactly what she meant. Her friends and family were dead. It didn't take away the sting of her words though. He'd always fancied her, that was no secret, not even to her. But she'd changed. Time had left her bitter, just a shadow of the bright smiling witch he used to know. Were it not for little Mary and Remus, he knew he'd be in the same state, still chasing revenge.
"You can't even stay long enough to meet Mary Jane?" He reached forward and grabbed her hand. "She'd love to get to know you."
Mac pulled away again. "And what would I tell her, that I ran away and left her with that horrible family? That every moment I spend in this country causes me pain? That I can't speak of my late friends? She'll want stories, and I can't even bear to think their names. No, it's better for her that I don't meet her."
"Better for you, you mean."
Mac's eyes hardened. "Yes."
"Safe travels, then," Sirius said, not moving when she opened the door and walked out.
He laid there on his bed, staring up at the ceiling until the muffled footsteps grew louder. A loud knock echoed through the room before the door swung open.
"You're brooding again." Remus stepped to the window and pulled the curtains back, bathing the room in blinding light that burned his eyes.
"Am not." Sirius pulled a pillow over his face. "Mac's infuriating."
"We both know things haven't been easy for her." Remus let out a sigh. "Even Dumbledore didn't think she'd agree to join the Order. It doesn't help that you seen fit to shag her senseless."
Sirius let out a low groan. "She used to be so much fun though. We spent many an evening in Hogwarts' broom closets before—"
"Mulciber," Remus finished. "Did she ever tell you what happened?"
"It was all over the Prophet. I didn't need to ask."
In truth, Sirius never broached the subject. When Mac returned to school after two months in St. Mungo's, she was different, and he had too many issues of his own to deal with. He wouldn't have been much help to her. That's what she had Lily, Marlene, and Dorcas for.
"Molly dropped off a basket of food."
His stomach rumbled, and he could almost taste how well some of Molly's Sunday roast would pair with his aged whiskey. "I'll be down after my shower."
"Good." Remus could be heard making his way out of the room. "There's something you need to see."
When he sat down at the table an hour later, glass of whiskey in hand, he looked down at the Daily Prophet that was spread out on the table. A growl rumbled through his chest as he read the headline.
WHO WILL SHE CHOOSE?
Mary Jane Potter, age 14, has been seen in the company of the Weird Sisters lead singer Myron Wagtail, Bulgarian Seeker Viktor Krum, and numerous fellow Hogwarts students. Among them is Cedric Diggory, Fred Weasley, Ron Weasley, Draco Malfoy, Theodore Nott, Blaise Zabini, and surprisingly, one Miss Fleur Delacour of Beauxbatons. It leads this reporter to believe that young Mary has too many wands hovering around the cauldron. Has she chosen a suitor or is she simply biding her time? One thing's for sure, I, Rita Skeeter, will be here to update you the moment The Girl Who Lived becomes The Girl Who Loves.
Sirius stared at the pictures, looking for clues. At the sight of her and Myron dancing, Mary's lips transformed into a tight smile, guarded. With Viktor and the rest, she was free, happy, and seemed to be having fun. It was the Diggory boy and Fred Weasley that threw him for a loop. With them, Mary's smile was broken, pained, even a little haunted. He studied the pictures over and over again, memorizing the faces and reactions of the subjects. What was he missing? He'd always been open with Mary about things like dating. Would she keep that big of a secret from him? Merlin, would he have to have the talk with her? Should he talk to Molly about it? She had a daughter.
"What are we going to do about it?"
Remus' voice startled him.
"Find these boys and cut their hands off!" he snapped, tossing the paper onto the floor.
"Padfoot, really, don't tell me you actually believe that nonsense?" Remus sat down across from him. "Wagtail is said to be dating Gwenog Jones, and he's more than ten years Mary's senior. The rest are simply her friends, other than the Slytherins. Surely you can see that."
"You're right." Sirius took a deep breath and then a long drink. "It's just, I thought I had Skeeter bloody well under control. I better call Mary and warn her."
"It's three in the afternoon. She's likely in class and has been dealing with the fallout since this morning. You know Mary—she'll call if she needs us. All we can do is be here to support her, not interrogate her, Sirius."
Sirius let out a laugh that sounded more like a bark. "That seems to be all we can do. Sit on the sidelines and watch as her life and reputation is destroyed by outside forces."
"We're doing more than that." Remus placed a large tome on the table. "Look at this, I think I've found what Dumbledore is searching for."
Mary avoided everyone, keeping her hood up and her head down as she went from class to class. Anger and embarrassment flooded through her veins, making Occlumency even more difficult than usual. Ron and Hermione gave her a wide berth, knowing that her mood would take a while to improve.
So, she sat in the DADA classroom, listening to Moody name the different counters for the Leg-Locker jinx, while she brooded at her desk and doodled in her notebook. Her hair tickled her neck, and she brushed it aside. An unfamiliar feeling traveled up her spine, like a bug crawling across her skin with tiny barbed feet. Was it a prank? Fred and George were overdue for getting back at her for the dungbomb incident. Slowly, she reached up to the spot just below her ear, her hand cupping something small, hard, and cold. She clenched her fist, not tightly, but just enough so that the bug didn't escape.
She remained there long after the bell rang and her peers scrambled to leave.
"You okay, Mary?" Ron stopped at her desk.
"Go on ahead." She tilted her head towards the door. "I need to have a word with Professor Moody."
Hermione gave her a searching look, but grabbed Ron's arm and pulled him out of the classroom.
Moody's magical eye spun toward her as soon as the class was empty, the man stopping on his way out of the door. "What is it, Potter?"
Mary put a finger to her lips, not wanting to alert the beetle to her plans. Instead she stood, rushing towards the jar of bloodworms on Moody's desk flicking her wand at it and causing the lid to unscrew. She dumped the insects out onto the floor and carefully slid the beetle into the jar.
"I'm sure you know a spell that can show whether or not it's an Animagus, sir?"
Moody stomped forward, wand out, not hesitating. "Revelio!"
A blue light hovered around the jar, herself, and Moody while the sound of three ringing bells sounded in the empty classroom.
"Good work, Potter." Moody's hand gripped her shoulder for a brief moment.
Mary pulled the Marauder's Map out of her pocket, tapping it with her wand and saying the password. Moody watched, enthralled as the floor plan of the school etched itself onto the parchment, showing his classroom and their names standing on either side of a dot labeled, Rita Skeeter.
Moody laughed, lifting the jar and shaking it slightly as the beetle skittered from side to side. "You go on. I think Skeeter and I are going to take a trip to the Ministry. What is the punishment these days? Six months in Azkaban and a hefty fine, I think?"
Dumbstruck, Mary walked out of the classroom, only stopping briefly to pick up her backpack.
Moody wasn't at dinner that night, and Mary suspected that he was still at the Ministry due to the fact that he wasn't appearing on the map. She checked every ten minutes, worried that something had gone wrong. Amelia Bones was a fine and fair Minister so there was no worry about Rita getting away. What Mary worried about was Moody himself. What if he was caught and captured? What if Barty Jr. found him? Just like every person she had tried to save, she always wondered if she would succeed or fail.
"Put the map away and eat already." Ron heaped a pile of steak and kidney pie onto her plate. "And pass the rolls, will ya?"
Mary absently picked at her food while a few of the Slytherin girls cut their eyes in her direction, Rita's latest article still fresh in everyone's minds.
"How about that date, Potter?" Malfoy ignored Pansy's indignant gasp.
"Over your dead body." Mary's smile showed too many teeth. "Same goes for you Nott and Zabini."
"You're not my type." Zabini shrugged, letting out a chuckle.
Nott shook his head and focused on his meal, as though she didn't exist.
Even the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw girls were distant. They alternated between glaring at her or whispering behind their hands as though she couldn't hear them. Nothing! Nothing Rita had written in that article was true. Her friends knew it. She knew it. If only she could get the rest of the Wizarding World to believe her!
A commotion at the Fifth year table had them all turning around. Cedric was walking away while Cho burst into tears, her friend, Marietta, there to pat her back.
"What was that about?" Lavender leaned forward with a gleam in her eyes.
"Cedric finally broke up with her." Susan looked down at her plate. "I overheard him planning it last night."
"They're so good together though!" Parvati nearly shouted.
"It's none of our business." Hannah's eyes met Mary's for a brief second before looking away. "And he shouldn't have done that in such a public place."
Why had they broken up? Was it because of the article? Did Rita's words have the power to tear apart a couple who had appeared otherwise happy in their relationship? And the biggest question floating through her mind was—should she try and fix it?
A dull thumping noise pulled her attention to the head table where Moody and Mr. Crouch walked in, the former leaning down to speak to Dumbledore before his magical eye swivelled to focus on Mary. The man's face split into a twisted smile and Mary knew it was done. Rita had been dealt with. Still though, she pulled the map out of her pocket and scanned the names. Alastor Moody, Bartemius Crouch. She let out a breath, shoving the map back into her pocket, and resumed her meal with fervor.
The next two weeks passed in roughly the same fashion. Mary would be out of the castle at first light, trudging across the snow covered grounds to the Black Lake alongside Fleur and Viktor. Conversation usually focused on the task, and Mary was glad to know that both of them were ready for it. They'd swim for an hour or two before getting ready for class.
The first Hogsmeade weekend, Mary's arm was hooked with Fleur's, walking to the Great Hall, when someone grabbed her other arm. She jerked away, rubbing furiously at her skin. The full moon had been last night, and her bones still protested at any movement on that side. Holding back the instinct to lash out, she turned to see Cedric standing there, a dreamy smile on his face while he looked from her to Fleur as though in a daze.
"You okay?" Mary let go of Fleur, feeling everyone stare as they stood in the doorway.
Mr. Crouch brushed past them, a scowl on his face that they were blocking the entrance, so Mary stepped to the side, pulling on the sleeve of Cedric's robe, forcing him to follow.
"What's up?"
"I'd like to escort you to Hogsmeade today, Mary." Cedric's lips twitched slightly as soon as they were around the corner.
"Oh." Mary's breath left her in a whoosh. "Uh, I've made plans with my friends."
"They won't mind." Cedric stepped closer. "It'll be fun. I promise."
"Maybe next time," Mary said after a minute. "We can still meet up at some point today. I'd just rather not bail out on my friends at last minute."
"I'll see you there then." Cedric shook his head in confusion and walked away.
Mary pushed all thoughts of the odd Hufflepuff out of her mind while she ate breakfast. She ignored questions and looks, putting all of her focus on cleaning her plate. Her daily swims had brought out the stark reality of her situation. Going without food was seriously hindering her ability to gain muscle. She was over letting her nerves get the better of her. If she was ever going to fight Voldemort and his minions then she needed to be in top shape, not some helpless wispy little waif.
A few hours later, a sense of giddiness and anticipation had Mary nearly hopping in place as they ordered their drinks and took a seat in the corner booth of the Three Broomsticks, enjoying their Butterbeer and trying their best to warm up. Each shop they had walked past was packed to the gills with customers, both students and locals alike. The crowded streets were difficult to navigate and the icy cobblestone path made it nearly dangerous, so they'd detoured into the pub, hoping the storm would die down before they got on with their shopping.
"I need new quills, so Scrivenshaft's is a must." Hermione was going over her list. "And I'd like to get a few extra potions ingredients."
Ron and Mary shared a look. They knew Hermione liked to go to the Room of Requirement and practice her potions before she had to make them in class. And without fail, Mary and Ron were required to accompany her. It was probably the only reason all three of them were excelling in potions that year.
"Honeydukes next," Ron added. "The new line of Chocolate frog cards are out and I'm hoping to finally get Agrippa."
"Do you have everything you need for the task?" Hermione leaned forward, keeping her voice low. "I've been researching potions, but haven't been able to find anything that could help you for more than fifteen minutes at a time."
"I think I'm going to stick with Gillyweed." Mary nodded, holding her hands tightly around the warm mug to keep from fidgeting. "Neville's sure it's the best choice. It's the simplest too. Mrs. Woodcroft promised she'd have a fresh batch in, so I asked Neville to help me pick out the right portion."
"Smart choice, that." Ron shook his head. "Be a right shame if it wore off too soon."
"It'd be deadly," Hermione said, worry lacing her voice. "Are you sure you're okay, Mary?"
"I'm fine," Mary replied through clenched teeth. "I've got a weird feeling about today. Just anxious, you know? Ready to have everything in place for the second task."
"I'm glad you're trying to be more prepared." Hermione beamed with a sense of pride.
As promised, Neville was outside the Herbology shop, huddled close to Ginny and Luna.
"Hiya, Mary!" Ginny smiled. "We were just about to go in without you."
"You should have." Mary crossed her arms and shivered. "It's bloody well freezing out here."
Luna walked in first, casting a drying spell on their shoes and the floor.
"Oh, thank you, child!" Mrs. Woodcroft, a stout elderly witch rounded the counter, her eyes widening when she spotted them. "Neville! You're going to be thrilled, love! I have something you need to see. Come now, all of you."
They followed her into the backroom. It was humid and stifling hot. At first, Mary felt immensely relieved by the overwhelming heat, but as the minutes dragged on, she felt like she was going to melt. It didn't help that she couldn't take off her cloak. There were so many plants that she could barely walk the path without brushing against one. Some of them were mundane, but Mary was sure she saw at least three Venomous Tentacula.
"Is that a Whomping Willow?" Hermione pointed to a small tree with large burl like knots on the end of it's limbs.
"It is!" The witch exclaimed, turning to stare at the tree with a glare. "I'm sure you've all been near the one up at the school. This is a sapling of that same tree. Poor thing's not very fond of me."
It didn't seem to mind Neville though; none of the plants did. He turned to Mrs. Woodcroft with excited eyes. "What do you have for me this time?"
"There in the corner, love." Mrs. Woodcroft pointed to a large glass tank in the back of the greenhouse. It was covered with a tarp and the closer they got the worse the smell became. Like old bog water.
"Witch's Ganglion!" Neville cried out, nearly jumping back.
"It can't be!" Hermione took a step forward, eyes widening at the sight of the red throbbing bulb that floated near the surface of the water. "Wherever did you find it?"
"Took a trip to Singapore, I did." Mrs. Woodcroft beamed. "Couldn't leave there without snagging me one. Ministry nearly didn't let me bring it into the country."
Neville touched one of the finger-like leaves in reverence. "Owl me when it's mature?"
"Wouldn't have it any other way, love." She patted Neville's cheek, then helped him tug the tarp back over the mysterious plant. "Now, Miss Potter, I believe we have a fresh stockpile of Gillyweed for you to look through."
"It's why I brought, Nev." Mary lightly punched his shoulder. "I need a portion large enough to keep me breathing underwater for just over an hour. No more or less."
"I see." The witch shot her a knowing look over the rim of her glasses, turning to place a withered hand on Neville's cheek. "Go on, love, you're more than capable of getting her what she needs."
Five of them walked over to where there was another tank. Small fish swam through the long tendrils of Gillyweed. Mary looked over her shoulder to see Luna touching the leaves on a particularly large Snargaluff tree. The tree seemed to shudder under her fingers, almost like it was ticklish. Irritation ran through Mary, but she quickly clamped it down, clearing her mind, before focusing on Neville once again.
"This bit looks perfect." Neville carefully plucked a long narrow leaf from the water and wrapped it up, placing it in a paper bag. "Is that all, you think?"
"Oh no." Mary looked into the tank. "I need at least enough for ten people. Not to keep them underwater that long, of course. If I'm going to be subjected to the icy depths of the Black Lake, then you lot are at least going to try it out with me. Viktor and Fleur too."
Her group of friends didn't appear to mirror her enthusiasm and stared at the weed like it was going to eat them. To be honest, Mary felt a little bit betrayed.
Luna was the first to step forward. "A swim sounds quite lovely. I've never had gills before, but I imagine it will be fun. Father and I have a theory that Nessie is living in the Black Lake. Maybe I'll get the chance to see her."
"Just what we need," Ron groaned. "Another monster."
Mrs. Woodcroft was waiting for them at the counter and quickly rang up their purchases, giving them specific instructions not to let their ingredients come into contact with any magic. And because Neville was 'such a dear' she even supplied them with a small crate to put everything in, handing it to Neville like it was a delicate baby.
"Don't you keep them in the cold too long." She gripped Neville's shoulder. "Keep them somewhere safe and warm. And—"
"—don't forget to respect the plants," Neville finished with a smile.
Mary grabbed an owl-order form from beside the register and shoved it into her pocket, knowing it would come in handy during the times they might not be able to make it into town.
Neville stopped at the door, carefully holding the crate. "I'm going to take this back up to the castle. Get me some Droobles and Chocolate flies and I'll pay you back later?"
"Some Fizzing Whizbees for me," Ginny added. "I'll go back with you, Nev."
"You coming with us, Luna?" Mary asked, hand still on the doorknob.
Luna tilted her head to the side. "I'm fine going back to the castle. Thank you for the offer though."
"She likes Jelly Slugs." Ginny laughed, elbowing Luna. "Don't you?"
"They are quite good." Luna furrowed her brows. "Keep your earrings on, Mary. The Nargles are really active today."
"I never take them off." Mary touched the radish shaped earrings lightly. "You guys be careful. It's a mess out there."
She opened the door, and Ron had to help her fight to close it behind them when a blast of wind and snow pelted them in the face, nearly pulling the door out of their grip. Neville, Ginny, and Luna huddled together and rushed across town, the whiteout seeming to engulf them until they were lost from view.
Ron and Hermione stayed close, the three of them holding onto each other until they were safely inside the warmth of Honeydukes. They split up gathering what they needed and met at the counter where Mary paid for the massive pile of sweets.
"I have pocket money," Ron said with a tinge of embarrassment.
"You lot helped me out today, and I'm going to put you through the ringer helping me test out the Gillyweed, so see this as payment in advance."
"I don't know how comfortable I feel about swimming in the Black Lake." Hermione bit her lip. "Especially in winter, but I'll help out however I can."
"It's not so bad with the right charms." Mary chuckled. "I'm sure Fleur wouldn't mind teaching them to you. She has a whole book on them in the Beauxbatons carriage."
"You've seen the inside?" Ron asked in amazement. "When was this?"
Mary shrugged. "Every other day. The Durmstrang ship is bloody awesome. I've only been in it once though. Karkaroff kicked me out and said I wasn't allowed."
"That doesn't make sense." Hermione frowned. "After all we're supposed to be working on cooperation. And I doubt there is anything in their ship that calls for drastic security."
"Tell that to the library overflowing with Dark Arts books," Mary muttered. "It's for the best really, I'd rather not push my luck and get Viktor in trouble."
"Still though." Hermione reached for the door. "And what on earth are they doing with a library like that on a ship? The humidity could ruin the books!"
Ron and Mary both let out a laugh. Dark Arts or not, Hermione was not happy with the thought of a single book being put in danger. She ranted about it as they made their final stop at Zonko's. And when she realised that she was being largely ignored, began berating them both for buying and bringing joke products into the school.
"Shh!" Ron pulled them both back behind a shelf and peeked around the edge.
Mary ducked her head around and saw Fred and George deep in conversation with Mr. Zonko in the back of the shop.
"What are they up to?" Hermione whispered.
Mary shrugged her shoulders. The twins had plans to propose a partnership with the elderly wizard, but it would be another year before they graduated. Had Sirius already given them the money to start up their shop? Mary made a mental note to ask her godfathers about it the next chance she had.
After paying for their stuff, the trio were back on High Street, pockets bulging with their shrunken purchases. The snowfall continued in a wave that made it difficult to see even ten steps ahead of them.
"Reckon we should go back into one of the shops and wait it out?" Ron asked, pulling his hood up to cover his ears.
Another blast of wind blew through, nearly knocking Mary over, but a hand caught her arm and steadied her.
"I've been looking for you."
Mary's gaze traveled up to see Cedric standing there, hand once again wrapped around her bad arm. "Thanks… I guess. I about busted my backside."
"Can I talk to you in private? It will only take a second." Cedric tilted his head in the direction of the crowd and Mary saw at least two photographers, one of which she knew was Bozo, rushing toward them.
"We're heading back to the castle." Ron moved closer to Mary's side. "It's getting late."
"You're welcome to join us," Hermione said quickly, eyes darting between them.
Mary didn't know what to think. He was acting odd. Cedric had never willingly sought her out other than the times when Quidditch was concerned. Why now? Why here? What was so important that he couldn't wait until they were back in the warm school?
"It'll just take a second." He leaned closer. "I promise."
His fingers dug into her scars. She winced, tried to pull away, but he was already hauling her into the alleyway, pushing her up against the stone wall. His hand was digging into his pocket, and before she realised what he intended to do, his lips crashed into hers. Her mind went blank. All she could hear was white noise and the pounding of her heart.
Mary broke free of his grip, shoving him away. The flash of cameras bounced off the snowflakes. Cedric stood there in shock, a chocolate rose held in his hand, confusion and anger lining his features.
Hands touching her lips, Mary turned away without a word and rushed to where Ron and Hermione stood at the front of the growing crowd. To their left was Cho, her face scrunched up in pain. Mary ignored all of them, pushing past the gaping onlookers until she had room. Then, she ran. Snow packed into the soles of her shoes, making her slip and slide, but she didn't slow down or stop. Filch yelled after her at the gates, but she paid him no mind, running towards the doors. Her hair and scarf were nearly frozen solid, her boots covered in thick powder, but she didn't care. Not even Snape, standing there in the doorway was enough to keep her from darting into the warmth of the castle and putting as much distance as she could between everyone and herself.
Her first kiss had been nothing more than a ploy to make another girl jealous.
Her lips moved, speaking the password to the Fat Lady, but she heard no sound escape. It was empty in the common room other than a few first years. Quiet. Too quiet. She didn't want quiet. She didn't want to give herself time to think, to let that phantom anger flood in.
Clear your mind, Potter, the voice echoed from the depths of Harry's memories. You are handing me weapons.
Mary grabbed what she needed from the dorm and rushed back down the stairs, finding Ron and Hermione standing at the bottom. Ron's face was flushed red, the tips of his ears the same shade as his hair. Hermione was pale in contrast, her face bleached of all color as she pounced and enveloped Mary into a tight hug. Mary stood there stiff, numb, completely unwilling to give voice to what had happened. And at the same time, she didn't feel any true loss. It was a kiss. Her first kiss. But she hadn't felt anything other than shocked and a little put out. Why was this bothering her so much?
Mary didn't fancy Cedric. In fact she'd never really fancied anyone. What was the point? She only ever saw him as a fellow quidditch player and somewhat as a friend. There was enough shit to deal with—with the tournament and life in general. She didn't need to add being a pawn in his dating life to the list. She didn't have the energy for any more drama.
"I'm fine, Hermione," Mary finally said, gently pulling away. "I'm going flying to clear my head."
Hermione bit her lip. "It's freezing out there. The weather is turning out worse than they expected. Tomorrow—"
Mary cut her off. "I won't be long. Promise."
They didn't leave her alone. Even though she stayed silent, they stuck with her. She didn't deserve them. It broke her heart to think about what she would eventually have to do. Cut all ties. Ignore them, maybe even hurt their feelings. Whatever it took to get them to forget her and leave them safe from Voldemort and his minions. That's what Harry'd done. Only he was too late. He'd left them to their grief and walked into the Forbidden Forest alone. But by that time, Tom already knew exactly who to hurt if he wanted to hurt Harry. And he made that clear with his capturing of Hagrid. Her friends and family would be at the top of his kill list.
Her broom pulled her high into the clouds, and she looked down, watching as the snow drifted towards her friends. Ron sat on the top step, Hermione leaning her head on his shoulder. She could see their lips moving, but didn't hear a word that was spoken. Instead of flying closer, she flew in the opposite direction, taking in deep breaths until she felt calm enough to completely occlude her mind.
"You're half frozen!" Hermione shrieked, waving her wand over Mary and casting three spells as soon as she landed.
Mary felt her robes and hair dry instantly, then warm up as the smell of freshly laundered clothes invaded her nostrils. She sneezed, covering her nose with both hands. Hermione shot her a sympathetic look, and Mary held her hands out and her friend didn't disappoint casting a cleaning charm on them.
"Let's go wash up and head to dinner," Hermione said in a stern voice.
Ron's stomach grumbled. "Yeah, I'm starved."
Hermione followed her into one of the first floor lavatories, and together they made themselves presentable. Mary stood in front of the mirror, pulling her hair back into a bun. Her lightning bolt scar was a deep dark red, the skin puckering at the edges. He was angry. She wanted to rail and rage. She needed just a single day of peace without errant and unwanted emotions breaking through. But no, that would only give him a foothold into her mind. So, once again, she pushed everything down and took in another deep breath, clearing her mind.
Fred and George were all smiles. Suspicious smiles. Standing there waiting for her and Hermione as they pestered Ron. That was when she noticed it. Ron was favoring his right hand.
"Knew you had it in you." Fred patted Ron hard on the back.
"Made us right proud, you did," George added.
"Saw it happen from the window of Zonko's."
"Saw what?" Mary stepped closer, wand at her side, glaring at her best mate's injured hand. "What happened to you?"
"He decked Diggory!" Fred crowed. "Knocked that puffer flat on his back."
Mary held out her hand, palm up. "Let me see."
Ron hesitated before holding out his own. His knuckles were bruised and red. She flicked her wand, casting the same diagnoses spell that Auntie Andy and Madam Pomfrey had used on her time and time again. Nothing was broken, just some swollen joints.
"Episkey," Mary said the spell, watching as the swelling went down and the bruising faded. "I'll give you some cream to put on it tonight, but you should be fine by morning."
Fred and George simultaneously took a step toward her.
"Teach us?"
"We have a knack for making pranks that leave us a little worse for wear."
"You should ask Sirius," Mary replied honestly. "He's far better at healing than I am."
"You should be learning from a trained professional," Hermione interjected, then turned to Ron. "And you should have gone to the infirmary like I told you to!"
"Budge off, Granger." Fred tugged at Hermione's frizzy hair. "Ronnie did a good thing."
Hermione's glare died, and her lips turned up in a wry smile. "He did do good, didn't he?"
"He shouldn't have." Mary shook her head and put her arm around Ron's shoulders. "But thanks, Ron."
Ron beamed when Hermione grasped his hand. "He had it coming, didn't he?"
Ron stayed in a smug mood all evening, recalling the tale each time someone new asked about it. Cedric wasn't at dinner, and for that, Mary was grateful. There was too much to deal with already. The Gryffindor upper years were ready to beat him into a pulp. Viktor was glaring murderously at the doorway. Each and every one of her yearmates were walking on eggshells around her as though they too would be the target of some kind of retribution.
None of it made any sense.
Mary stared up at the ceiling that night, wondering what she'd missed. Moody was still Moody and Mr. Crouch was still Mr. Crouch. Rita was in Azkaban. And she damn sure had no feelings for Cho Chang, or anyone else for that matter. She thought she'd set things to rights, that she'd changed the future for the better, but now, after the days events, she wondered what had gone wrong. Again and again, she read through the journal where she'd written Harry's memories of that year and nothing seemed to fit.
She focused on her breathing and rubbed the numbing potion into her arm. It was the full moon again and she worried about her godfathers. Wiping her hand on a flannel, she grabbed the mirror from her bedside table and closed the curtains back.
"Sirius." She breathed onto the glass.
His face came into view but the light was dull and she could barely make out the basement room in Grimmauld place. "You okay, kid?"
"Just wanted to check in on you and Moony." She shrugged her shoulders. "How is he?"
"I'm fine, Mary Jane." Remus' tired face appeared in the background. "How's your arm? Did you apply the cream?"
"As always, Moomy." Mary smiled. "Did you take your potion?"
"Who's the adult here?" Sirius lifted a brow at her. "Don't you trust that I can take care of him?"
"What happened to the goldfish I bought you for your birthday?" Mary asked for the hundredth time since August.
"He jumped out of the bowl and into the sink!" Sirius shot her a withering look. "Old boy made a mad dash for freedom!"
"That's not what Kreacher said." Mary glared back. "I was told that you refused to pay the owl for the Prophet and he snatched the goldfish out of the bowl and ate him!"
"Lies!" Sirius gasped, holding a hand over his heart.
"Enough you two!" Remus came back into the frame. "Mary Jane, it's nearly moonrise so we need to lock things up."
"Stay safe," Mary whispered, a frown on her face.
"Love you, kiddo," Sirius said soberly. "Give us a call in the morning."
"Love you both." Mary tapped the mirror with her wand, ending the call.
She was too wound up to sleep. All of her homework was finished. There was nothing left for her to do other than lay there and brood. Tugging on her robe, she put the mirror in one pocket and her Invisibility cloak in the other. She tiptoed down the stairs and out into the castle proper.
Mary didn't even remember what she'd requested when she stepped into the Room of Requirement, only that the room was small and almost too warm. A fire roared in the hearth and a thick plush armchair sat next to it. She took her seat, wishing she'd brought a snack or a book. Anything to occupy her hands and mind. A radio appeared next to her, and she turned it on, finding a station that played the top hits. Myron's voice echoed through the speakers and she grimaced, thinking about the article.
Anger was pulsing through her in thick dark waves. No matter how hard she fought to occlude, it was still seeping in, making her teeth and fists clench. Curiosity and intrigue warred with that anger, making her long to let go and see what had made Voldemort so angry. Had someone thwarted his plans? Was someone in danger? Those thoughts started to poke holes in her resolve. No, she wouldn't give in. She would never willingly give him a hold on her mind.
The room changed again, widening and twisting until it was a large stone room with a huge swimming pool in the middle. The steam floated above the water like a low cloud. A small table popped into existence with a swimsuit and towels.
Mary looked down at the paste covering her Muggle arm and sighed. She had enough in her dorm for one more application. With that thought in mind, she got ready and swam. The warm water soothed her aching bones. Floating lazily on the surface was almost as nice as flying. She stayed there for hours, letting all of her thoughts and worries drift away as best as she could until the DJ on the Wizarding Wireless announced that it was nearing sunrise.
Mary scrambled out of the pool, dressed quickly, and under the cover of the Invisibility cloak, went back to her dorm where Lavender and Parvati would be waiting to dress her up. The map. Something felt off. Cedric wasn't anywhere on it. Dumbledore, McGonagall, Sprout, and Moody were in the Headmaster's Office alongside someone named Miriam Strout. She'd heard that name before. It was there—niggling at the corner of her mind.
All of those errant thoughts left her mind after she was accosted by her roommates. She'd refused to wear anything fancy or bold and instead walked into the Great Hall wearing three different shades of grey. It was still early so few people were walking around, filling their plates and talking in near whispers. Owls darted in and out of the large overhead windows dropping parcels and letters for their owners.
Mary was a little stunned when a solid black eagle owl flew toward her, gracefully landing on her shoulder and extending his right foot. A small parcel. She freed him of his burden and held up a rasher of bacon.
"Thank you." She stroked his dark feathers. "Who do you belong to?"
"Maybe you should have one of the professors check it first?" Hermione stared at the parcel in worry. "Anyone could have sent it."
Viktor paused, fork hovering in front of his mouth. "Very right. It is your Sirius or Remus?"
"Nah, I talked to them last night." Mary shook her head.
Using the dark detection spells that Moody taught them, Mary carefully checked that the contents were safe, waiting patiently as Hermione and Viktor did the same. Nothing appeared amiss, and Mary carefully untied the twine and pulled back the paper wrapping. A letter sat at the top of the box, and she recognized the handwriting immediately.
"Charlie!" She grinned. "I didn't expect a reply so soon!"
There wasn't one letter, but five. And the box had some kind of expansion charm, because it held a lot more than she thought it would.
"Here." Mary handed two wrapped packages and letters to Hermione. "It's for you. Hold onto Ron's for me?"
Hermione nodded absently, tearing into the brown paper and smiling. "It's a book on the magical history of Romania!"
"I'd like to borrow that when you're finished." Mary beamed, opening her letter first.
Mary,
Thank you for the feathers! And yes, all three dragons have hatched their eggs. Dani now has three hatchlings. Two boys and a girl. We're trying to come up with names, so if you have any suggestions let me know.
The riddle for the second task sounds very ominous. I hope the professors are helping you prepare. If not, just say the word, and I'll do everything I can to help. As I'm no longer involved with the Tasks, it wouldn't break any rules. Wish I could be there for it, but work's been busy. Hopefully, I'll be back around summer for a long holiday, and you can catch me up on everything I missed.
Please take care of yourself and try to stay safe.
—Charlie
Mary carefully refolded the letter and placed it back in the envelope before she opened the small box. Inside sat two jet black dragon claws made into earrings and one large dragon scale. Her fingers brushed over them in awe.
"These are very nice things," Viktor observed. "How did he get these claws?"
"Do dragons get manicures?" Mary let out a laugh. "I sure as hell wouldn't want to be the one to suggest something like that to Dani."
"They are pretty." Hermione touched the earrings. "Are you going to wear them?"
"Have to ask if Sirius and Remus are okay with me piercing my ears again." Mary flicked the radish earrings she always wore. "Don't want the Nargles getting in."
Hermione pursed her lips, but it was Viktor who let out a loud laugh, calling everyone's attention to their table. Mary avoided their stares and went back to her breakfast. An idea was taking form in her mind about how she could repay Charlie for his kindness and she knew exactly who to ask for help.
She was trying to be positive, trying not to let things get to her. And it worked for the most part. Right up until another parliament of owls flew in, dropping off the morning edition of the Prophet. Hermione paid the owl and let out a squeak, turning the paper face down on the table.
Mary set her fork back onto her plate. "How bad?"
"It's not that bad." Hermione grimaced, but didn't stop Mary from grabbing the paper. "Really, it could be worse."
Trouble in Paradise?
Our young Miss Potter appears to be having trouble keeping her beaus in check. Just yesterday, during a Hogsmeade weekend, this reporter witnessed a very close encounter between Mary and one Cedric Diggory, but all was not going well. Just moments after sharing a heated kiss with the handsome Hufflepuff, Mary's close friend, Ronald Weasley, went ballistic and punched Mr. Diggory. Mary Potter fled the scene not long after, refusing to give a comment. How will Mr. Krum and the many other suitable suitors react to this news? Has Mary Potter already chosen which one she prefers?
Here to keep you updated, Betty Braithwaite, reporting in place of Rita Skeeter.
The article itself was bad, but the picture was far worse. Pressed up against a wall, his lips on hers, the Mary in the picture didn't fight him until that last moment. It was looped between Cedric kissing her, her pushing him away, Ron punching him, and Mary running from the scene. She watched it play over and over again, until her vision blurred and tinted red.
"Mary!"
Hermione's voice pulled her out of the haze. The paper was on fire, smoldering at the edges while the flames licked her hands. She watched as the tendrils wrapped around her fingers, felt them searing into her flesh. Water sprayed her from across the table and Mary looked up with a gasp, seeing Viktor standing over her, casting the Aguamenti charm. His dark eyes met hers, and she saw her own anger reflected back at her.
This wasn't right. These people didn't know her or her friends. They had no right to write such lies about her or them. The burnt newspaper was nothing more than a crumpled heap of soggy ash in her grip. She stared down at it, head throbbing. Something warm trickled down her brow and dripped from her lashes. Her fingers wiped it away, coming away bloodstained.
"Fire in the Great Hall, Potter?" A voice drawled from behind her, a strong hand pulling her from her seat. "Twenty points from Gryffindor."
Mary pulled free from his grip, not caring that everyone in the hall heard what she said. "Fuck off, Snape!"
"Detention," Snape ground out. "Starting now."
Mary grabbed a cloth napkin from the table and held it to her face, stalking down the halls and easily keeping up with Snape's brisk pace. A shudder ran through her. She wanted to hit something. Someone. She wanted to lash out in some way. As though they were answering her call, Malfoy and his lumbering buffoons rounded the corner.
The girl was going to be the death of him. Severus knew it for a fact. Too stupid, an idiotic Gryffindor. All without enough sense to protect herself from her own magic. Just another dimwitted student that made assumptions and ran straight forward into danger. It was best that the Sorting Hat chose to put her in Gryffindor. She would have burned Slytherin house to the ground in the first week alone.
Potter stayed within arms length like a stormcloud threatening to drown them all in her rage. Every move and sound she made screamed out hatred and pain. If it weren't for the fact that most of the school was already having their morning meal, he would have been worried about her being amongst the population in her current state of mind. As though they'd heard him, the three other idiots he was responsible for flounced into view.
And fire meets petrol, he thought, wand at the ready.
"Finally knock some sense into Potter, sir?" Draco smiled, not sensing the danger he was in.
The air crackled with magic and a lone portrait frame cracked, making the witch within shriek. Potter balled her hand into a fist, rearing back. His spell was just a second faster, leaving her bound and furious as Draco stumbled backwards.
"Go!" he hissed at his charges, casting a levitation and silencing charm on Potter. "Now!"
The three boys were barely out of sight when Potter broke free of his spells as though they were nothing, a snarl on her lips.
Without hesitating, he grabbed her by the tops of her shoulders, shaking her slightly. "Control yourself and clear your mind!"
Those damned bright green eyes met his, half-rabid and frantic. "It hurts!"
Severus opened the door to his quarters and pushed her towards the couch, leaving her for a moment to grab what he needed. He stepped back into the room and found her sitting there, staring down at the blood soaked cloth. Her sudden calmness made him wary and he stepped forward carefully.
"This isn't who I am," she whispered. "I'm not a bad person. I'm occluding as best as I can, sir."
"Drink this." He handed her a vial of Calming Draught.
Her hand shook as she reached for it and swallowed the contents. "Thank you. I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it, you know that right?"
"It was artful dissimulation." He crossed his arms. "Anything less and I'd have all of Hogwarts breathing down my neck about why you're in detention every weekend for the foreseeable future."
Despite the situation, she let out a laugh. "Any chance you can teach me how to make that numbing paste, during one of these detentions? I'm all out."
"No," he replied without hesitating.
Potter leaned back on his couch and pulled the thick quilt into her lap, playing with the loose threads. She was a conundrum. The bane of his existence. He hated her in the most vehement way.
He slashed his wand through the air, hearing the glasses clink together. "That particular numbing paste only has a six month shelf life."
The pitcher of water and glasses landed on the coffee table. He poured them each a glass, making sure she had a firm grip on hers before taking a drink from his own glass.
"Madam Pomfrey has my current stock in the infirmary," he said after a moment of her failing to protest. Did she really think he'd let her suffer? "I expected you to go to her if you needed more."
Potter's eyes lifted, wide and full of surprise. "Oh. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, sir."
"Stop playing the martyr, Potter." He stood up angrily, grabbing the mantle of his fireplace and staring into the flames. "You have no right! Everyone around you bends over backwards to keep you safe, and you take it for granted! How dare you—"
A loud snore broke through his rant, and he turned to see the infuriating girl stretched out on his couch deeply asleep.
Gryffindors.
A/N:
Please don't hate me for this one. Also, please don't judge Cedric too harshly. Odd things are happening at Hogwarts. Things are getting darker. Mary's connection with Voldemort is far stronger than it should be. Not all is what it seems.
Future chapters should start flowing faster.
Much love to my partner in crime, theaberrantwritergirl for taking the time to beta this for me at 5 a.m.
