Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter, but I do own this plot and the character Mary.
Authors note: Please be generous with the comments. Advice and Constructive criticism are always welcome! If you have any questions or something is confusing feel free to ask! Enjoy!
Unvoiced Decisions
Chapter 4: From this Point On
Mary sat at her desk during arithmancy listening to Professor Vector talk about the ties between arithmancy and divination. Hearing him talk made her wonder why Hermione found divination, "very woolly", but yet found aritmancy rather interesting. After all, arithmancy is just divination from numbers.
She wasn't really listening though. Listening required processing and the only thing she was processing was the fact that in less than an hour she was going on a date with Draco Malfoy. She began to tap her fingers on her desk in boredom and glanced over at Hermione whose hand was raised so high that Mary thought it would break off from the strain. At least she'd paying attention. I'll need someone to explain this to me later. She stopped tapping her fingers and leaned over to ask Hermione a question.
"When does this class end?"
Hermione looked rather irritated at being disrupted while a teacher was talking. She looked at her schedule. "It ends at 2:30."
"Thanks." She scanned the classroom for a clock, but gave up her search.
The bell finally rang, signaling the end of the period. Mary grabbed her books in a rush and almost ran out of the classroom. She was almost halfway down the hall when she realized that she did not know where she was going. She went back to look for Hermione and found her deep in conversation with Professor Vector. She decided it was best not to interrupt them. Hermione was very stern when it came to her studies.
She decided to find Harry hoping he'd know the way to Honeyduke's. She found him in the Great Hall at the Gryffindor table playing a game of wizard's chess with Ron.
"Hey Harry!" she moved swiftly past the group of conversing Ravenclaws and stopped along side Ron.
"Oh, hi Mary," he blushed as he placed a finger on the bridge of his glasses pushing them into place.
"Hey Ron!" she looked down at the red head as he looked up giving her a smile.
"Harry, I was wondering if you could show me how to get to Honeyduke's. I'm supposed to meet someone there, but I don't really know the way."
Ron looked up from the chess board. "You can't just go to Honeyduke's whenever you feel like it!"
"Ron, we're seventh years now, remember? We can go to Hogsmeade whenever we want now." Harry made his move. "Checkmate." Ron looked dumbfounded.
"Well, not whenever we want." Hermione came up from behind Harry carrying a large stack of books. "It has to be during a free period, no skipping classes, and you have to have permission from your head of house."
"Where've you been?" Ron asked Hermione after admitting his defeat.
"Oh, I was discussing some extra credit possibilities with Professor Vector. There are so many options. I'm having a hard time choosing." Hermione set down her load and looked at Mary. "Who are you meeting in Hogsmeade?"
"Oh, ummm…" she didn't know what to say. Should she lie and spare them the truth, but then they wouldn't trust her if they found out, or should she just tell them flat out and risk them hating her for it. Either way they probably would never speak to her again.
So she just stood there like a statue until Harry said, "It doesn't matter. I'll be more than happy to show you the way."
He got up from his seat and led her away from a very suspicious Hermione. Harry took her to the greenhouse to receive a permission slip from Professor Sprout. They then made their way to the third floor. The bulk trip was made in silence, but when they reached their destination, Harry spoke, "Here we are."
They were facing a statue of a witch and Mary was wondering if there could possibly be another 'Honeydukes' that Draco was talking about.
"Is this it?" she continued to stare at the statue hoping it would change into a building of some sort.
"Yep, this is it." She was about to ask Harry if this was his idea of a joke when he pulled out his wand and said, "Dissendium!" The witch moved aside revealing a secret passage way. "This should take you straight to Honeyduke's. You'll end up in the cellar, but there will be a set of stairs to your right that will take you to the upper level."
"Hey Harry?"
"Yeah?"
"Can you hold on to this while I'm gone? I don't want it to get ruined." She slipped off her school robes and handed them to Harry.
"Sure, I'll give them to Hermione. She'll know what to with them. You can get them from her when you get back."
"Thanks a million Harry."
"Anytime." She gave him a hug and started to venture into the dark passage when she heard Harry ask, "Who are you meeting anyway?" When she failed to answer, he didn't press the subject. "Ya know, it doesn't matter, as long as it's not a Slytherin or anything." he said jokingly.
She managed a weak smile and wave as she continued to make her way through the darkness.
She carefully climbed out of the trap door; dusting herself off as she looked around. Just as Harry had said, she was in a cellar, and just as Harry had said, there was staircase to her right. She ascended the steps with care, and slowly opened the door as to not draw attention. She looked around the colorful shop. It was amazing. She had been in many candy shops in her day, but never one like this. The walls were packed ceiling to floor with goodies.
She ventured further into the shop and found Draco standing with his back to her. He was observing the window display. Under his right arm he was carrying a large box, and Mary could only guess what it might contain. She walked up behind him and said in her best McGonagall imitation, which wasn't very good, "Mr. Malfoy, an explanation please!" Startled he turned around in a jolt and smiled when he realized who it was.
"Great! You're here. What took you so long?" He'd been patiently anticipating her arrival, but a small part of him was hoping that she wouldn't show. Though, now that she was here, he was going to make the best of it.
"Well, when I agreed to meet you here yesterday I forgot that I didn't know where this place was, and so yeah…I had to find Harry and have him show me the way. Good thing he's nice or else I'd still be stuck at Hogwarts and you'd be here alone."
Draco's nose crinkled, "Yes, good thing Potter's so nice." There was an awkward silence. Then, snapping back into life, Draco pulled the box out from under his arm. "Oh, here, this is for you."
Mary accepted the gift and began to open it. "You really didn't have to do this you know." This was a nice surprise, she thought. She never expected him to buy her a present. Heck, she didn't even expect him to show up!
"I know," said Draco stuffing his hand into his pants pockets. "But I saw it in one of the shop windows on the way here, and I just thought it might be something you'd like."
The box fell to the floor and Mary was left holding a brand new jean jacket. It was faded denim with pins adorning the collar and front pockets. She noticed that the inside was lined with different colored string in a pleasant pattern, making it look like a sweater. She glanced at the tag on the inside collar and saw that it read, 'Alchemy'. This was an expensive designer brand! She couldn't accept this.
"Draco, this is great, it really is, but I can't accept this."
"Why not?" He looked slightly puzzled and slightly hurt.
"Because I've just met you; don't get me wrong, I really like you, and this is more than I could ever ask for, but…She was rambling. "I don't deserve this."
"Yes you do. Why? Because I said so, don't worry about it. I really want you to have this."
"Thanks, thanks a million times. I don't know how I'm ever gonna repay you." She was still in shock over his generosity.
"Now that I think about it, there is something you can do for me in return." She knew there was a catch.
"What?"
"Could you try it on?" he gestured to the jacket.
"Oh, sure, I almost forgot." With Draco's help she slipped her arms in and pulled it on. I fit perfectly. "How did you know my size?" she asked after feeling how perfect it was.
"Well, I didn't, so I had the shop owner place an enchantment on it so it fits whoever puts it on."
"You think of everything don't you?"
"I try." So, do you want to look around here some more, or we could check out some of the other shops?"
"Anything's fine with me, but I am a little hungry."
"It's settled then, we'll find a place where we can grab a small bite to eat. How's The Three Broomsticks sound?"
"I've never been here before, so you lead the way." He grabbed her hand and led her out of the shop and onto the street.
"It's no that far away, so walk slow. I want to talk with you to some more. I've only really had one decent conversation with you." They started off toward The Three Broomsticks at a very slow pace; still holding hands.
"So, what do you want to talk about?" he asked.
She lifted her face towards the sky and took in the sweet autumn air. "We can talk about anything you want to."
"Ok, well where to start…What's your favorite color?" Oh, God, that's lame! He mentally kicked himself.
She didn't seem to think it was that dumb of a question and answered, "Yellow."
"Yellow? No wonder you're in Hufflepuff."
"What's wrong with that?"
"Being in Hufflepuff, or liking the color yellow?"
"Both!"
"Well, nothing really…Ok, well, honestly the Hufflepuff thing is bad, but the color thing's not. I was just thinking that that might be the reason you're in Hufflepuff. I can't seem to think of anything else. You just don't act like a Hufflepuff if you know what I mean."
"I think I know what you mean, but you've actually taken the time to think about this!" she couldn't see how that would be of any interest to him.
"Believe it or not I've pondered it quite a bit." he smiled
"Is that so? To tell you the truth, I don't really know why I'm in Hufflepuff either. I hang out with the other houses more than I do my own. All the Hufflepuffs hate me actually."
Draco was surprised to hear this. He had never heard of a Hufflepuff disliking another student. Well, except for him that is, but for good reason. "That's strange. The Hufflepuffs are usually hospitable."
"Yeah well…You think it's because I'm American?"
Draco laughed, "Yeah that must be it. After all it's a widely known fact that all Hufflepuffs are prejudice towards Yanks." He nudged her and she nudged back.
"Ow!" he let out a cry of pain, and Mary didn't know whether or not to take him seriously. "That hurt!"
"Are you serious?" but by the look on his face she could tell he was. "Oh, stop being such a baby. I barely touched you."
"Barely touched me! I'm gonna have a bruise for a week!" he rolled up his sleeve. "Look!" sure enough; there was a red mark on his arm where a bruise was beginning to form.
"Wow, you bruise easily." She now felt bad for causing him pain. "Sorry I didn't mean to."
"Don't worry about it; it wasn't your fault."
"Then whose fault was it?"
"It's my mother's for giving me such fragile skin. It makes me look like a pansy. I'm really not, it's just that sometimes things that normally don't hurt, hurt. Does that make sense?"
"I'm not sure."
"Well it does to me, and that's all that matters." She was about to nudge him again, but caught herself.
"How much longer?" she asked looking at her watchless wrist.
"Are you sick of me already?" he gave her an almost nasty look.
"No, I was just wondering that's all."
"Do you want to know what I wonder?" he asked looking her way.
"No. What?"
"I wonder what your middle name is."
"What is it with you and names?"
"I don't know. I normally don't care, but I want to know your name, your full name, for some reason."
"Oh, ok, well, it's Collette. Mary Collette Klein. Satisfied?"
"Yeah, yeah I am."
"What's your middle name, or do you not have one?"
"No, I have one. It's Egregius (Agree-shus), Draco Eregius Malfoy."
"Egregius, that's a cool name; if you don't mind me saying so."
"Not at all, I actually like my middle name better than my first."
"Do you know what it means?" she was curious to know.
"It means excellent and/or distinguished. I prefer 'and'."
"Excellent and distinguished…..Your parents must have had high hopes for you when you were born."
He smiled smugly, "Well, we Malfoys come from the highest rank of purebloods, dating back generations. Of course they expected great things of me. Only the purest of wizards will succeed. That's what my father always says." She pulled her hand away. He turned to her only to find a distressed look on her face.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, ok, not nothing,but…It's just that you…" she didn't know what to say. She wanted him to like her, but she couldn't keep lying to him or to herself. "What do you have against muggleborns anyway?" I should just leave, she thought. He's not right for me. He's arrogant, conceited, and a prejudice jerk. I hate everything he stands for. If that's the case, why aren't I leaving? She looked to him for an answer, but wasn't sure what she wanted to hear.
"They're dirty, there's nothing much to it. After all, you should feel the same, what with being a pureblood and all."
Dirty! She had had it. "Who told you I was a pureblood!" her voice was just short of a shout.
"Well, I just assumed. You're pretty and smart…"
"You don't have to be a pureblood to be pretty or smart! Look at Hermione!"
"Now, there's a prime example. She's a bossy little know-it-all who..."
"Who what? Tell me!" she was more than angry now. How could he be so blind?
"Why are you getting so upset, I haven't even done anything to offend you, or are you still friends with Granger, because if you are I'm sorry but I'm only speaking the truth."
"Oh, so you truthfully believe that I'm dirty! You think you're better than me just because your parents aren't muggles! I can't believe there are still people like you who think that muggleborns aren't worthy to call themselves witches or wizards!"
He at last knew why she was angry. He now felt stupid for not realizing it before. He didn't know what to do. He wanted to take it back, but he couldn't. She already knew the way he felt toward muggleborns and he wasn't about to change his opinion. How could he have fallen for a muggleborn! He wanted to hate her, but it was too late. He already let himself get carried away. Now, even if he changed his views she would never take him back.
"Look," he began, but he was cut off by her screaming.
"No! I'm through listening to your crap! I don't care how good-looking or rich you might be. You're a bastard and I'm leaving!" she began to storm away when Draco took out his wand and said, "Expelliarmus!" Mary's wand flew out of her pocket and into the air towards Draco. He caught it.
"Give that back you asshole!" she tried desperately to grab it from his hand, but he dodged her every time.
"Not until you give me a chance to explain myself."
Seeing that her efforts were fruitless, she reluctantly agreed. "Fine, but make it quick. Nothing you can say can make me change my mind."
"Well, can we find a place to go first? I need to sit down."
"Fine, is that one place much farther?" she gazed down the cobblestone street.
"No, it's right over there." He pointed to a brick building with illuminated windows. It looked inviting. A sign above the entrance swayed slowly in the wind. They entered and found a seat in the far corner. The room was almost empty. It appeared that the only other costumers were a pair of elderly wizards at a table closer to the door. They were deep in conversation.
As she pulled her chair out to sit down, Draco began to talk.
"I'm sorry for the things I said back there, but it's just how I was raised. I was taught to hate all muggles and muggleborns. I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. You have to believe me." He was almost begging her to take him back and she could tell that it was paining him to do so. They sat in silence for a minute or two, while Mary thought it over. She was running over the pros and cons in her head. She seemed to have calculated more cons than pros, "On one condition."
"What's that?" he couldn't believe he was actually asking for this. Why did it matter so much whether or not he had this girl! It seemed like his life became more confusing by the second. His feelings were repeatedly betraying everything he stood for.
"Will you promise never to make fun of Hermione, her friends, or muggleborns again? At least, not while I'm around?" she knew he would never agree to these terms and was preparing herself to leave when he shocked her.
"I promise."
It was official. Draco Malfoy had officially changed. It would take a while for him, or anyone else to realize it, but from that moment on he would never be the same again.
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LiLjWpEgAsUsChIc160: Well, what do you think? Comment & tell me! Well another chapter should be here in about a week. I'm trying to update every Saturday or so, but...
Well, MuCh LuV 33