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 6: A Mark, a Mission, a Brand, a Scar

It was a Friday evening. Mary and Hermione were departing to their common rooms when they saw Draco heading their way. Hermione, wanting to avoid another uncomfortable scene, scurried away towards the staircases. Mary stopped where she was as Draco continued to advance.

"Hey, stranger, what brings you here?"

"Why, the lovely ladies of course!" he said stopping just short of her.

She looked around ask if searching for someone.

"I meant you." He added, smiling slightly.

"I know, but…" Her voice trailed off.

"But what?" he asked while placing his arms on hers.

"Nothing," she lowered her head, "It's just that…"

He leveled his head so he was eye level with her, and raised his eyebrows in question. She met his gaze.

"What are we doing for our next date?"

He was taken aback by the liveliness of the question. He expected something on a more serious note.

"I thought we'd just go for a stroll outdoors. Nothing to fancy I'm afraid, just a chance to spend some time together. After all, I only really see you during class, and what's the fun in that?"

"Sounds like a plan. When can we do it?" She asked, beginning to walk towards the stairs.

"How does next Saturday sound?"

"Great. I can't wait. See you tomorrow." She gave him a small wave and headed through the archway leading to the stairs.

Next Saturday rolled around sooner than expected. Mary was seated on the ground, and was leaning against a large maple tree that had turned a bright golden yellow. Draco had told her to meet him by the greenhouses at noon and it was already ten after. The sun was high, but the air was crisp and clear. It was a perfect fall day. She had been waiting only a few short minutes, when she heard the crunching of leaves behind her. She leaned foreword and looked to her right, hoping to see around the trunk of the tree. The crunching continued, but then there was silence. All that could be heard was the whistling of the wind.

"There you are!"

Mary jumped and spun around. Draco was standing next to her wearing black Dockers and a grey pullover. The whole ensemble fit him nicely adding emphasis to his slender, but built frame.

"My God Draco, you almost gave me a heart attack! Don't sneak up on me like that!"

"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to scare you."

"It probably wasn't even you. I've just been jumpy that's all." She was about to stand when he protested.

"No, stay, I'll sit."

He sat down beside her and Mary noticed that he had brought a black bag along. He placed it on his lap and began to unload its contents. He first pulled out two silver canisters that she could only guess to be some type of thermos. Next, he pulled out two white pillows and a large grey fleece blanket. It almost perfectly matched the color of his sweater. She was surprised that he had managed to fit so much in such a small container. He handed her one of the pillows and place the other between his back and the tree. She did the same as he spread the blanket over the both of them.

"Here," he said handing her one of the silver cylinders, "Drink up!"

She opened it and took a sip. The warm liquid filled her throat and she relished the taste.

"Thanks," she sniffled, "Hot chocolate really hits the spot right now."

"Yeah, I figured it would. When I stepped outside I decided to head back and get some. That's what took me so long. I hope you didn't mind."

"No, not at all, it gave me an excuse to just sit outside and admire everything. It really is beautiful."

"Hogwarts? That's what I thought when I first came her too, but it looses its beauty with every bad memory." He pulled his knees up to his chest and rested his head against the trunk of the tree.

"You really don't like it here, do you?"

"It's alright. I just have some problems with some of the staff. It'd better if the school was more into the dark arts. You know? I mean, why study defense against the dark arts?"

"If that was the case the whole school would be Slytherin." She said jokingly.

"Exactly," he smiled while sipping his hot chocolate.

"Besides, what would you need the dark arts for? I mean, unless you're a death eater or something."

Draco stopped drinking and gazed into the distance.

"I see you're wearing the jacket I got you." He said desperate to change the subject.

"Oh, yeah, I love it. Thanks again."

"Not at all, so are you keeping up with your classes? I'm sure it's easy with Hermione around." He continues to talk without looking at her.

"Yeah, it's fine. I think I'm doing like I'd usually do."

"How's that?" he asked, finally breaking his gaze to look at her.

"Ya know Os and Es."

He nodded as if he already knew the answer.

"Hey, I don't know if you heard, but the school's having a Halloween ball in honor of Hogwart's 1,500th anniversary."

She took another sip and rubbed her lips together.

"Yeah, Harry told me. Why?" she had a feeling that Harry was going to ask her, but she was hoping Draco would make his move first.

"Oh, did Harry ask you?" On more than one occasion he had confronted her in the hallways when she was with Harry, and every time it hit him harder than the next.

"Oh no, he just mentioned it to me that's all." There was an awkward silence, "Are you planning on going?"

"Yeah, I was in fact. I was actually hoping you would come as well, with me I mean."

She grinned broadly, "Yeah, I'd like that."

Three more weeks past, and the ball was quickly approaching. It was the second week in October and Draco and Mary were an official couple. It was their fifth week anniversary and Draco wanted to celebrate. Mary had thought it odd that he wanted to celebrate their fifth week anniversary instead of their one month, but Draco insisted on the former. He had told her at dinner that evening to meet him in the Slytherin common room later that night after his prefect duties were complete. He had handed her a set of Slytherin dress robes and told her a slip of paper with their password written on it. She had convinced Harry to let her borrow the invisibility cloak for the night and everything was in order. It was going to be a great night. They could both feel it.

It was almost 9:00 on a Saturday night and Mary was headed towards the dungeons with the invisibility cloak draped over her long athletic frame. Before she reached the entrance to the Slytherin common room, she removed the cloak, straightened her hair, and proceeded towards the entryway.

She pulled the slip out of her pocket and read the scratchy, but loopy writing. "Purebloods" she said, rolling her eyes. The stone wall in front of her vanished, revealing the inside of the Slytherin Common room. She stepped through, cautious not to let anyone see her. Luckily there was no one else present, but Malfoy. She looked around the dank room and gradually began her descent down the broad staircase in of her. As she way towards the black leather couch where Draco's blond locks were visible, the sound of her footsteps echoed throughout the frosty room. He adjusted his body so he could see her approaching.

"Bloody Hell."

She stopped her descent, "What?"

"Nothing, it's just…wow." He was now standing eyeing her up, down, and back up again. "Are you sure you're not a Slytherin?"

"I'm pretty sure. Why, do you like it?" She said examining herself.

"Like it! Let me just say that you'd make one sexy Slytherin."

She giggled. Authors note: Ok, just for the record, I don't giggle. I was just having trouble finding the right word (you know how that is). Chuckle didn't sound right and laugh just wasn't enough, but I guess it's more of an exhale if you really think about it. You know, have you ever had a breathy laugh? Like where you just let out air through your nose? Ok, maybe that's just me but…Anyway, back to my story…

Moments later, Draco was sprawled out on the couch with Mary straddling his waist. Draco pulled her down for another kiss as she squirmed down over his hips. He wrapped in arm around her neck wanting her closer. Both of their robes lay discarded on the floor, and Draco's neck tie hung undone around his neck. His hand moved slickly down her side sending electric currents through her body. Her head felt heavy, but her mind felt light. She could feel every place where their body's met and taste every inch of his mouth. His breathing was heavy and labored as he continued to kiss her with fervor.

He had been waiting for this night all week long and nothing was going to come between them. He felt like nothing in the world could ruin the moment. He was even willing to bet that he could survive the killing curse because she was here with him. It was crazy and he knew it, but he had felt things this last month and a half that he had never experienced before. He was still bitter towards Potter and his Gryffindor goons, but he put up with them for her sake. Why? He didn't know, but he tried not to question it.

Draco suddenly went rigid as he felt her fingers begin to undo his shirt. It was torture as she undid it one button at a time with agonizing slowness. When her work was complete, she pressed her palms against his firm chest, pushing the material up an over his hard shoulders. A moan slipped from his lips and she answered him with one of her own. She took the liberty of exploring his body by breaking their kiss and gently caressing his neck with her tongue. With each kiss she adjusted herself slightly so she could have better access. She continued her way down the left side of his chest until her face was level with his navel. She was about to pull herself back up and meet his hungry mouth when she noticed something out of the corner of her eye. It was a tattoo his left forearm. Shaped like a…

"What's that!" she demanded suddenly and sitting upright.

"What's what?" Draco asked, propping himself with his elbows.

She didn't answer. She just sat there shaking her head ever so slightly while burning a hole in his chest with her gaze. Her face was unmoving for what seemed like eternity, but then it changed suddenly as she began to cry.

"What wrong!" he asked, sitting up as far as he could.

Again, she didn't answer. She just sat there, clothes all awry, crying.

"Mary!" he shouted, desperate to get her attention.

Again, she ignored him.

He finally managed to snake his way out from under her and had placed his arms on her shoulders when she pulled away as if his touch was fatal.

"WHAT THE BLODY HELL IS WRONG!" His face was distraught with frustration.

"Is it real?"

Now, he was completely confused.

"Is what real?" he asked, scooting foreword; only to have her back away.

She pointed to the tattoo which displayed a large serpent weaving in and out of a human skull.

"Oh, shit!" he whispered, realizing what had been going on.

""Tell me it's not real. Please tell me it's not real." She pleaded while repeatedly shaking her head.

"Mary, I…" He reached out with his right hand to pull her close, but in one swift movement she was on her feet ready to leave.

"TELL ME IT'S NOT REAL!" she demanded again, this time screaming.

"I would, but that would be lying to you." He had swung his legs over the edge and was resting head in his hands. His elbows rested on his knees while he stared longingly at the cold floor.

"This is a joke right? Please tell me it's a joke!"

He looked up into her eyes as tears continued to fall. He wanted more than anything to tell her it was, but she couldn't, she wouldn't believe him.

"I really wish it was, but you have to understand!"

"NO! I will not understand! I can't understand! You're a death eater!" Her head was spinning so fast she thought she might fall.

"It's not what you think!" his voice was raspy; almost unrecognizable.

"NO I think that it's exactly what I think! I'M NOT STUPID!" she screamed piercing him with her watery gaze. "I know what death eaters do! I know what you do! You know, bullying was one thing, but murder! That's just something I can't be a part of and I hope you understand." She just stood there a few moments more before making her way towards the exit.

"Goodbye." As she said this his insides died and he hated himself for what he was. No, he hated his life for what it was.

"Oh, and by the way," she said, right before departing, "I hope you don't mind, but I don't think we should go to the ball together anymore. I'm sorry." And with that, she was gone.

LiLjDpEgAsUsChIc160: I'm sorry it was shorter than expected. I planned on writer more because I no where I want to go w/this. I don't know if I told anyone this, but this is actually based on a dream I had. (Weird isn't it? I actually remember almost everything too) but I wanted to be able to post on Saturday like I usually do. Anyway, the next one will be longer! I promise!

P.S. I will dedicate a chapter to anyone who knows where I got last chapter's terms 'chixon' and 'lysanker' from, and another chapter to anyone who knows were I got this Chapter's title from...