July 9th, 1995
"Tsk," Fleur clicked her tongue, her brow furrowed. "Look at you, Mary! Zis will not do. Do they not have decent robe shops in zis place?"
Mary folded her arms, leaning on the counter. "They do, but I'm not allowed in the Alley."
Fleur rolled her eyes, her arms waving wildly. "Well you cannot go around looking like that. Your own clothes are too small, no?"
Tonks walked out of her new bedroom. "Sirius said you can't go into the Alley, but he didn't say we couldn't take you into Muggle London."
"There are shops?" Fleur asked with a gleam in her eyes.
"Westfield?" Chiara clapped her hands, stepping out of the other room. "That'd be perfect! It's all indoor. We can change her look up a little and no one will be the wiser."
"I'm not really a fan of shopping," Mary said, looking at the three girls. "I'm just here to help you three get settled in. Plus my potions only last a few hours before it all goes downhill and-"
Tonks gestured around the flat. "This place is exactly like you and Sirius left it. There's nothing for us to do other than decorate and get food. We'll have to shop for that anyway, and you can't go around all summer wearing clothes that are held together by charms."
"Hold still," Chiara said, pointing her wand at Mary's face. "Let's see, blue eyes, blonde hair, we'll give you some fringe so there's no need for makeup to hide the scar."
Mary frowned at the way she said it, but couldn't argue. "Really, this isn't necessary."
"We will find her something to change into in the first shop," Fleur said, wrinkling her nose. "I will not be seen with zis catastrophe."
Mary's mouth dropped open at the insult. "It's not that bad. Aunt Andy made all the adjustments."
"They're Sirius' clothes, youngling." Tonks patted her shoulder and paused. "Tell me you at least washed them first?"
Mary grimaced. "I washed them twice and applied cleaning charms!"
Chiara leaned forward and sniffed. "You still smell like him."
Mary narrowed her eyes. "How do you know what my godfather smells like?"
Chiara blushed and looked away. "It's a wolf thing."
"Alright, you lot talked me into it." Mary let her hands fall to her sides.
Two hours later they were in Mary's room, putting her new clothes into her closet.
"I can't believe you talked me into eating that," Mary scraped at her tongue with a napkin.
"Do not complain. So escargot is not to your taste," Fleur said with a grin. "You did like the soufflé."
"The freaking snail ruined it." Mary groaned. "At least I made my point."
"The French food here, eez not all bad." Fleur admitted. "I will have to take Bill there."
"If you're gonna have him try the snails, I want to watch." Chiara laughed.
"Unrefined palates," Fleur scoffed with a toss of her head.
"My palate needs a drink." Mary stood up. "To the kitchen?"
"You're all set," Tonks said, closing the wardrobe. "I'd keep some of those outfits out of Sirius' view. He'll throw a fit and sign you up for a nunnery."
"It's not that bad," Chiara said. "The girls on the Muggle film poster were wearing the same thing."
Mary gestured at the plaid bright yellow skirt. "It's not a practical style for me anyway."
With her increased height, Mary was finding it a struggle to keep her balance on the winding spiral staircase that led to the lower floors and twice she had to grab onto Chiara for support. It was worth it though. After the disastrous end of the Order meeting, Mary needed a good day. And while shopping would never be her favorite pastime, the company made it bearable.
Chiara gripped her arm gently when they reached the bottom step and Mary was grateful for the older girl's enhanced strength. That had to be the oddest revelation of the past twenty four hours. Of course she knew there was something off about Chiara, but Mary would have never expected the beautiful young witch of being a werewolf. Then again, Mary wouldn't have suspected Remus either, not without Harry's memories to guide her along.
"A toast," Tonks said, handing her a small tumbler of firewhisky. "To a successful day!"
Mary clinked the glass against the others and downed the liquid in one gulp, wincing as the steam poured out of her ears.
"Oof," Mary gasped, putting her glass on the counter. "That's rough."
"Ladies," Sirius said from the dining room, a low whistle leaving his lips. "Well hello, Sunshine. Who's your friend, Tonks?"
"Merlin's tits!" Tonks slapped Mary on the back, clutching at her ribs.
Mary turned around to face her godfather. "Your child."
"Eep," Sirius balked, stumbling back. "What the hell are you wearing? And what's with the hair and eyes?"
"You couldn't expect her to go around wearing your clothes!" Chiara said vehemently.
"Well I'd planned on taking her to the shops before summer was over." Sirius argued back.
"That's months away!" Chiara put her hands on her hips. "And there's no need for it now, we've got her enough to last until next year."
"Not if the rest looks like that." Sirius waved a hand at Mary's outfit. "No way in hell."
"You didn't seem to mind a minute ago." Chiara shot back.
Sirius' mouth clicked shut and he stomped out of the kitchen, grumbling under his breath. Chiara turned around with a smug smile, taking a sip of her firewhisky.
Fleur tapped Mary over the head. "You look like yourself again. Maybe you will not traumatise your godfazzer zis way."
Tonks scowled, tapping the jacket and skirt with her wand, turning them dark green. "There, that's better than walking around looking like a honey bee."
"No offence to you badgers, but yellow isn't my color." Mary said to Tonks and Chiara.
"Mr. Black thought differently." Chiara giggled.
"He's a Hufflemutt." Mary slapped her arm playfully. "I'm never letting him live that down."
The fireplace flared and Professor Snape stepped out. He paused, sparing the four of them a glance, before continuing on to the living room.
"What's he doing here?" Tonks whispered, her hair going limp and turning an oily shade of black.
"Wolfsbane potion." Mary rubbed at her arms. "Full moon is tomorrow night."
"Don't remind me," Chiara said softly. "I should get going. My dose is waiting for me at St. Mungo's."
"Sure you don't want to stay here?" Tonks asked. "There'll be plenty of space in the safe room."
An odd look came over Chiara's face. "I don't think that's the best idea. It was fun, Mary. Tonks, Fleur, I'll see you two at the flat tonight?"
"I weel go with you," Fleur said, kissing Mary's cheek. "Be good, Mary."
Tonks smirked. "I'll be running late tonight, girls. Mr. Lupin needs my assistance."
"I don't want to hear anymore," Mary said with a groan. "See you later!"
Chiara shook her head and apparated away, followed by Fleur.
"I'm going to find Remus." Tonks rushed up the stairs.
Mary went to the table, looking at the stack of letters. A thick envelope with an official Ministry seal was near the bottom and Mary pulled it away, flipping it over. A smile tugged at her cheeks as she opened it, finding the best news possible. With a wave of her wand, Prongs stood in front of her, glowing wildly before rushing off to deliver her message to Sirius.
Mary stepped into the fireplace and tossed in a pinch of Floo powder. "The Burrow!"
As always, magical transportation hated Mary, shooting her out of the fireplace like a cannonball. Cane in hand she stumbled, swinging it wildly while not trying to put weight on her bad leg. Hands grasped her shoulders to steady her, but the cane didn't stop, connecting with a dull thunk.
"Ow!" Bill squeaked, limping to the side.
"Oh gods," Mary gasped. "I'm so sorry, Bill. I was just looking for the Twins."
"You found them." Bill doubled over, holding onto the table.
Mary slapped a hand to her mouth and placed the other on his shoulder. "Do I need to get you some ice, or some water, a bucket?"
"Mary?" Mrs. Weasley walked into the kitchen.
Mary stood, face burning. "Hiya, Mum. Are Fred and George home?"
Mrs. Weasley looked from Bill to her with a frown on her face. "Well yes, but- Bill, are you alright?"
"Fine," Bill breathed, waving her off.
"Ron's at Neville's house, dear," Mrs. Weasley said pointedly. "And Ginny is at her Great Aunt Muriel's."
"Oh, I just needed Fred and George." Mary held up the letter. "Good news from Minister Bones. She needs their help with a charity event."
"Minister Bones," Mrs. Weasley repeated. "Needs help from Fred and George? My Fred and George?"
"Yeah." Mary grinned. "I'll just pop up and let them know."
"Oh my," Mrs. Weasley said, fanning herself.
Mary leaned heavily on her cane, traversing the steps while her heart hammered in her throat. This was it. For once she could do some good. There would be more to the legacy she'd leave behind than killing people and dying in the end. Maybe it was the right time to think of writing her will. Maybe that was something better left for another day. With a knock on the door, Mary stood back, listening as something inside the twins' room exploded and a muttered curse was heard from the other side.
The door swung open and Fred paused, looking down at her clothes. "What the bloody hell happened to you, sis?"
"Don't ask," Mary said, stepping past him. "Close the door back. Your mum looks ready to have kittens."
"Gracious Godric!" George gasped, stepping out from behind the wardrobe sporting a black eye. "Have you turned full Slytherin then?"
Mary shrugged. "They denied my application. Something about not being subtle enough."
"I'd say," George said, rubbing at his nose.
"So what's so important you'd risk Sirius' wrath?" Fred asked.
Mary held up the envelope. "We're in. Minister Bones wants you both to put on a magic show at the annual St. Mungo's charity ball."
Fred plucked the letter from her hand, scanning the contents. "Two shows in one day! That's going to take some planning."
George read over Fred's shoulder and looked up. "Less than three weeks to plan. I don't know if we'll be ready."
"Well, you'll have to get it together." Mary shrugged. "I'm sure Sirius and Remus would love to help. But overall, I think you two have it in the bag. You're mad geniuses at this sort of stuff."
"Mad geniuses," Fred echoed, putting a hand over his heart.
"You do us proud, old girl." George slapped a hand onto her shoulder.
A swift knock on the door interrupted them and Bill walked into the room.
"Mum's having a fit downstairs," Bill said. "You lot might want to wrap up your talk and head down."
"I've got to get back home." Mary told them. "Keep the letter. It might be something you'll want to frame and hang in the shop."
"Proof of the Minister's approval." Fred grinned.
"I like the way you think." George added.
"We better get started on our response," Fred said, patting Mary's arm.
George jumped up, hugging her quickly. "We won't disappoint you!"
Bill shook his head. "I'll walk you down, MJ."
"I'd appreciate that," Mary said, holding tight to the bannister. "You sure I didn't injure you?"
Bill's face flushed. "I'm fine."
"I'll send my apologies to Fleur." Mary snickered.
Bill elbowed her lightly, putting his arm around her. "She's invited me for dinner tonight."
"Wear something nice," Mary said, gesturing at her own outfit. "I blame her for all this, by the way. And the escargot is good but the soufflé is awful."
"Isn't escargot snails?" Bill asked.
"It's not bad." Mary lifted her brows and bit her lip. "And Fleur has to work tomorrow, so don't keep her out too late."
Bill rolled his eyes, stopping next to the fireplace. "Anything else I should know?"
"I think we're all set." Mary nodded, accepting a pinch of Floo powder. "Bye, Bill!"
"Bye, MJ," Bill said as the world flashed green and she was tossed out onto the dining room rug.
July 12th, 1995
"Are you sure you don't want to fly, Mary?" Black asked the girl, holding out her Firebolt.
Potter stumbled again, a hiss leaving her lips. "I'm shaking too bad. I don't want to crash."
Severus checked his watch. "We have a quarter hour before the moon reaches its full height. We'll have to hurry."
"Not my fault Aunt Andy's banned me from potions for the past two days." Potter grumbled. "This is the first time I've been able to leave my room."
Severus resisted the urge to roll his eyes and her incessant complaining. "Andromeda said that she'd inform you of our reasoning for withholding your current treatment regimen."
"Yeah, yeah," Potter waved her hand flippantly, tripping again. "Shit, something about needing all of the potions out of my system before you can try a new formula. I understand it, but I don't like it. What am I supposed to do if we're attacked? Shake my enemies to death?"
"We shouldn't be attacked on school grounds and this particular area of the Forest is protected by the unicorns," Severus said, holding his wand higher to light their path.
"I recognize it," Potter stared at a spot to the right. "That's where I met Voldemort for the first time. He was drinking unicorn blood."
"When was this?" Black gasped.
"Oh, my first year." Potter shrugged. "Detention with Hagrid and Malfoy."
Potter rubbed frantically at her arm and turned away, getting back on the path. "Where's this flower, sir?"
"Not much further," Severus said, stepping into the small clearing and pulling the silver dagger from his pocket. "Just there, Potter. Make sure you only harvest the flowers at full bloom."
Potter reached out with a trembling hand, taking the dagger and piece of linen. "And I can't let them hit the ground, right sir?"
"Exactly," Severus said, casting a tempus spell. "Five more minutes and you'll be ready to harvest."
"Why does it have to be me?" Potter asked, turning to him. "Surely you would have preferred this little trip in solitude."
Severus agreed completely. "In the application Andy and I will be using the blooms, we need it to be procured by someone pure and innocent."
"Bwah!" Potter let out a harsh laugh. "Well, that's not going to work then."
Black's mouth dropped open in shock and Severus felt himself mimicking the reaction.
"Why's that?" Severus asked, his scowl deepening as his heart started to drop.
"I'm neither pure nor innocent." Potter looked down at her hands.
"What?!" Black shouted. "What the hell, Mary? Who was it? When?"
"Gods, I was eleven," Potter said, wiping at her face.
"No," Black whispered. "Oh Mary."
"Who Potter?" Severus felt rage boil through his veins. "I know it wasn't at the school. Was it the Muggles?"
Potter stared up at him in confusion. "It was Professor Quirrel. He was the first."
Severus felt ill. "Why didn't you tell anyone, you stupid girl!"
"I thought everyone knew!" Potter shouted back. "Hell, half the school sent me sweets as thanks."
Severus' brain stuttered to a halt. "What are you talking about, Potter?"
"I know I probably should have been traumatized after killing a professor, but really, I was just relieved Voldemort was gone." Potter shrugged, gesturing to the clearing. "So I guess this was a waste of time, huh?"
"Are you a virgin, Potter?" Severus asked through gritted teeth.
"What?!" Potter gawked at him. "Well, duh!"
"Then harvest the damn plant!" Severus shouted, putting a hand to his chest.
Potter knelt next to the first plant, examining the blooms with a shrewd eye.
"Sweet Godric," Black whispered, rubbing at his face. "I almost had a heart attack."
Severus sneered in his direction, cursing the day he laid eyes on Potter. Unperturbed by the unnecessary worry she'd just put them through, Potter harvested ten decent sized blooms and handed them to him wrapped carefully in the white linen. Black took the dagger from her, placing it in his coat pocket before extending a hand to help her up.
"Give me a minute, Siri, I don't feel so good." Potter grimaced, rolling her shoulders.
For the second time that night, Severus felt his heart falter. The area began to brighten as the clouds cleared away, the light of the full moon shining down on them. Potter began to shake, her entire body convulsing, and her back making an ominous creaking sound. Severus took a few steps away, eyes wide, but unable to look away or help.
"Merlin!" Black yelled, moving to her side. "What's happening? Are you okay?"
Potter let out an ear splitting shriek, her spine contorting at an odd angle.
"Snape!" Black barked. "Do something!"
"Back away from her, Black." Severus held his wand at his side.
"What, why?" Black stammered, his eyes narrowed.
"The moon is at full height," Severus hissed. "Think, you idiot!"
Black's eyes widened. "Take her broom. Run. I'll hold her off."
Before he could reach for the broom, a loud snap echoed through the trees. A snarl set his hair on end and he turned. The wolf was jet black, the size of a large horse, eyes glowing an eerie green that pinned him in place. He couldn't move, couldn't breathe as the snarling creature slowly stepped toward him. Black snapped into his animagus form, darting in front of her and stopping with a yelp.
This was it.
Potter was finally going to kill him.
And it was all his fault. They never should have removed the cuff.
The wolf sniffed his robes and let out a low whoof, dropping to the ground and closing those damnable eyes.
"Holy shit!" Black whispered, back in his human form. "She's huge."
Severus stood there, trying to gather his wits, but there were no words for this. It wasn't possible. The moon was still full, shining down on his failure like a spotlight. A miserable whine escaped the creature and he hesitated, slowly reaching out to touch the coarse dark fur.
"No short snout, no tufted tail," Severus stated dumbly.
The wolf shrank, its body contorting inward until all that was left was a skinny girl sprawled out on the damp ground, shaking uncontrollably.
"She's human again. At the height of the moon," Black said, pulling her into his lap.
"She's not a werewolf," Severus breathed, relief flooding him.
"Thank Merlin." Black shook his head. "Her size alone would make her difficult to deal with, not to mention the eye thing. I couldn't bloody move, felt like I was in a trance."
"It was the same for me as well, possibly a side effect of the basilisk venom. It seems to have imbued her with a petrifying stare."
"Petrifying," Black scoffed. "I about filled my pants."
Later he would say it was the situation that caused his outburst, one that left him feeling wholly exposed. But in that moment of heightened adrenaline and lingering fear, he couldn't help but let out a hysterical laugh. The sound carried into the night and Black shot him a look before joining into the laughter.
"This is mentioned to no one," Severus said after a moment of calm and clarity.
"That you laughed?" Black said quietly, lifting Potter into his arms. "I dare say no one would believe me. Snape a human. Perish the thought."
"That Potter is an Animagus, you doddering imbecile. It could be advantageous for her in the future."
"Remus needs to know." Black laughed. "He's going to have kittens."
"As much as it pains me, I agree," Severus replied. "Andromeda should be informed as well. After all, removing the Cuff was her idea."
"It worked though." Black breathed. "It worked."
"That is yet to be seen," Severus said in a quieter tone. "We don't know if she kept her mind in the transformation or if she's just a massive feral beast. Why did she transform back so quickly? Can she transform at will or only at the height of the moon? These are questions we need to answer."
"I think she was just exhausted and passed out." Black put in. "She's still magically burnt out from the Tournament. This probably sent her over the edge."
"Likely," Snape said in response.
"Not going to deny it, I thought that she'd lied to us and that cutting that plant created a backlash."
"Afraid that Gryffindor's Girl is not as innocent?" Snape bit out.
Black stumbled slightly, a ferocious look in his pale eyes. "She's been through a lot. I still worry that she's hiding the worst from me. It's this nagging feeling that she knows something that I don't. Something that haunts her."
"You're not the only one. Albus is convinced of it. You may want to keep a close eye on him. If he realizes what Andromeda and I have done, the repercussions may be severe. For Potter and for us all."
"MMmmph," Potter mumbled.
"It's okay, kid." Black whispered. "Go back to sleep. We're almost to the castle."
"Hurts. Put me down," Potter argued, struggling in his grasp.
Black set her on her feet, his hand on her arm to steady her. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I've been hit by a train." Potter winced, pulling her arm free. "What happened?"
"You passed out," Severus said. "Magical exhaustion most likely."
"We'll have Poppy check you over and then we're going home."
"But what about the ingredients you needed, sir?" Potter turned to him.
"You obtained enough for the first batch. Do you not remember?"
Potter frowned, a line forming between her brows. "Not really, uh. Wait! Why did you ask me if I was a, er, uh, um-"
"Don't hurt yourself, Potter." Severus said. "It's simply a requirement of the potion. Though your reaction to the question was amusing, I see no need for you to elaborate further."
"I wasn't going to-" Potter's mouth clicked shut and she scrunched up her nose. "Why do I remember sniffing you, sir?"
"Remembering already?" Severus smirked.
"I did!" Potter said with a look of horror on her face. "What the hell!"
"So, you're an animagus, Mary!" Black clapped his hands. "Was it pure coincidence or have you been studying it even though we told you not to?"
Potter's eyes widened. "It worked? Holy shit! Are you serious? Don't answer that! Am I really?"
"So you planned to transform?" Severus asked.
"Tonight? No. I was just trying to escape the pain." Potter rubbed at her arms. "I didn't think it'd work. None of the other potions have."
"Potion?" Severus asked. "You weren't supposed to be taking anything!"
"I took it before the Old Crowd got together," Potter said, holding her hands up. "That was what, five days ago?"
Severus paused, his mind running in circles. "Did you brew this potion or buy it?"
"I brewed it myself, sir," Potter answered. "Why?"
Severus mentally cursed himself for the oversight and blatant simplicity of the situation. "Well, get ready for some intense brewing lessons, Potter. I think I've just figured out the solution to your ailment."
"You have?" Black breathed. "Don't hold us in suspense, Snape. What is it?"
"Potter's magic is unique, so it sees spells and potions cast and brewed by others as an intrusion." Severus theorized.
"So you're saying if I can brew the Nerve Regenerator, that I'll be able to get rid of the shakes for good?" Potter asked, hope in her eyes.
Severus pinched the bridge of his nose at the uncomplicated solution that complicated everything. "I'm saying that you will have to brew every potion you drink from here on out. The reason you become ill after drinking a brew made by someone else is because your own body rejects it and registers it as a poison."
"That's bloody inconvenient!" Potter cried out. "What if the Animagus potion was a one time thing?"
"I'll need the instructions for your potion and any remaining ingredients you used," Severus said. "It could be a determining factor. I'll also need to speak to Andromeda before we go further."
"We can use this to kill His Darkness!" Potter gasped. "Just brew him a potion, or poison him, and he won't be well enough to make an antidote! Hell, he won't even know he has to brew it himself. This is great!"
"Maybe we should slow down on the theories." Black stopped when they reached the steps of the castle. "We've got to think this through."
"And the castle has ears," Severus said, holding up a hand. "Not a word of what transpired tonight until we're in my quarters."
"Better yet, let's go back to the house after you get what you need." Black suggested, holding out Potter's broom. "Hop on, Mary. No use in you falling over. I'll hold it steady."
An hour later Severus stood in the brewing room of Grimmauld Place, making sure the ingredients were untainted and laid out in a way that even an idiot like Potter could manage. Black and Andromeda were sitting at a table in the corner, sipping firewhisky and talking quietly, when Potter walked in holding a massive black tome and leaning heavily on her cane.
"Please tell me we'll be doing the healing potion first," Potter said, sitting in the seat next to him. "I can't take much more of this."
Severus pulled the book closer, accepting the tumbler of rum from Andromeda. "Potter, this is a book on Dark Potions."
"That's part of the title." Potter shrugged.
Severus clenched his eyes shut before he hexed the girl. "What page?"
"Seven-fifty-five," Potter replied.
Severus turned to the page, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the list of ingredients. "You simple minded fool! What were you thinking? This not only requires you to use your own blood, but the consequences are severe!"
"No they're not!" Potter shot back. "And so what if it uses my blood. What doesn't require my blood these days? You and Aunt Andy have taken liters of it over the last two weeks. All I needed was a single damned drop, sir!"
Andromeda pulled the book from his hands, running her fingers along the lines. "Oh child, what have you done?"
"What am I missing here?" Black asked. "What could be so bad about an Animagus potion?"
Potter crossed her arms defensively. "I thought it was spectacular. Genius even. One: no more womanly issues. Two: I had the chance to become an Animagus. What's so bad about that?"
"You've permanently sterilized yourself, Mary!" Andy put a hand to her mouth. "Do you understand what that means?"
"I'm not stupid. And it's not like I want kids anyway. I've got a Dark Lord to kill for fucks sake. Procreating has never and will never be an option that I've considered or wanted. But an Animagus form could be bloody well useful. I figured it was a pretty awesome tradeoff."
"Merlin, kid. You can't keep thinking like that," Black whispered, grasping Potter by the shoulders. "After all of this mess with Voldemort is over, you're going to have a long life ahead of you. You've ruined your future."
Potter clenched her fists. "Well, I guess I'll face that later. Right now I have potions to brew."
Black moved away, draining the glass of whisky, he took one last look at Potter before flinging the tumbler at the wall, letting glass rain onto the floor.
Potter flinched, but looked away, fiddling with one of the knives.
"Start chopping the ginger," Severus said after a moment. "The consistency has to be very fine."
"Yes, sir," Potter replied quietly.
"I'll talk to him, Mary," Andy said, squeezing Potter's shoulder before leaving the room.
Severus waited until the door closed before asking the question that'd been nagging at him. "You're not falling towards the Dark Arts, are you Potter?"
"I dabble here and there." Potter shrugged. "Nothing bad. Though I have to say, for such a badass spell, fiendfyre is surprisingly easy to cast."
Severus' mouth dropped open. "What?!"
A/N:
I apologize. I planned on getting this chapter out next Tuesday, but I'm excited about getting to the later chapters. Bear with me. I'll try not to spam updates.
As always, I love hearing your theories and thoughts. If you have any questions, I'm always around.
This story is crossposted on Ao3 under my penname BexSilverthorne. I'll be throwing pictures and gifs at the end of chapters, cause I'm a nerd.
