Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter, but I do own this plot and the character Mary.

Authors Note: Again, I'm sooo sorry! It's been so long. More to come soon, but for now enjoy!

Unvoiced Decisions

Chapter 12: Choosing Insanity

"Hermione, how come you didn't tell us that Mary broke up with Malfoy!" Ron asked with Harry at his side as the three made their way to the Gryffindor common room.

"I mean, we could have avoided that whole uncomfortable scene. I was really going to let Blaise get away with the whole ordeal and pretend to be nice like always."

"I'm sorry Ron, but I didn't have time to. I was going to tell you as soon as we were alone, but…" She stopped in front of the portrait of the fat lady, tossing her hair aside.

". I think its best that we don't talk about this any longer. Mary's been through a lot over break, so I think we should just drop it and go on like we always have."

"Minus the fake respect for Malfoy." Harry said hopefully.

"Yes Harry, minus that." Hermione said with a small sense of relief.

The three Gryffindor found it much more enjoyable hanging out with their Hufflepuff friend now that all bonds were broken between her and a certain Slytherin. They weren't constantly worried about offending her, and the best part was, she was the same old Mary. There were no uncomfortable silences and no emotional breakdowns. Everything was right for once.

Well, almost everything…

"For the next few weeks you will all be working on an extensive project. It will take a lot of hard work, skill, and concentration. There will be no mess ups."

Mary looked up at Snape as he paused at her desk looking her straight in the eyes before continuing his speech.

"That is why I have taken the liberty of dividing you up into groups of two just to make sure that all the work is done correctly. You along with your partner will work to find the best way to make a temporary love potion."

Mary saw Hermione look up from her parchment and smile. She figured that this project would be a cinch for Hermione. She probably knew the exact location of the book that contained the right information on this specific topic.

Snape stood behind his desk and the front of the room, quickly observing the class before him.

"You will not be allowed to use an already existing potion, but something completely new and original. This is an experimental assignment. You will be graded on originality, quality, and a five page essay you will be writing on the ingredients in your potion as well as the steps taken to create it; including a daily log on your group's progress."

Mary could already feel the load heavy on her back. Did Snape do this on purpose just to see her snap? She wondered. She also wondered if she could take any more stress in her already hectic life. She would soon find out.

"Hermione Granger and Terrence Higgs" Snape read from a parchment in his hands.

Mary watched as Hermione stood from her seat, grabbing her things in a slow composed manner, and headed over towards the handsome blonde. Hermione was lucky; although Terrence was a Slytherin he was a decent guy. Sure he had his moments, everyone did, but for the most part he was ok, not to mention cute, and not a bad mind either. They would surely get an O.

Snape's monotone voice sounded making her loose her train of thought, "Susan Bones and Ron Weasley."

Hmm…Another interesting pair, Mary contemplated. Susan was an average student, but could be great when she wanted to be. Ron however, neither could be, nor wanted to be an excellent student. This made her wonder what they could possibly come up with for their project.

Snape continued to read his list, and more and more students had moved from their assigned seats to begin preparing for the work ahead. Mary looked around the room at the students left and took a deep breath when she heard her name called.

"Mary Klein and…"

No, he wouldn't, she screamed silently.

"Draco Malfoy."

He would.

Snape watched her intently, waiting for her to gather her things and move to the Slytherin table. She took a quick peek over at Draco only to find that he too was looking her way. Gathering her composure, she stuffed her books in her bag and slowly but surely made her way to empty spot next Malfoy.

Placing her things on the floor beside the bench, Mary slipped as casually as possible onto the empty slate of wood. She could almost feel her right arm burn as Draco reached for a nearby inkwell; brushing against her in the process.

Snape announced two more names; one being Blaise Zambini. His partner made her way across the class; Blaise scooted over to giving her room. In response Draco too slid over, making sure he and Blaise weren't on top of each other. Her reflexes being slow, Mary was unable to save herself from the fatal blow. In one swift movement Draco was closer to her than he had been in a long time. Side by side they sat in silence while Mary's insides ate her alive. She now had no problem believing that Snape was indeed out to get her.

Cautiously, she broke contact by inching slowly away. Once the initial connection was broken she hastened her speed and before she knew it she had scooted right off the bench; falling hard on her bum.

The once silent class erupted with laughed as she tried to regain her dignity. For the first time since her arrival Draco looked her way making eye contact, and he suddenly let out uncontrollable laughter. Mary felt her insides melt all over again as she listened to his rich laugh. She smiled sheepishly as she found her spot next to Malfoy once more.

Once the class had settled back down and silence had resumed, Draco made the firstattempt to start discussing their plans for the project.

"What do you think we should do?" he asked, making a conscience effort not to look her way.

"I don't know." She sighed, releasing some of the pressure that was building up in her gut. "Shouldn't we make a love potion?"

"I know that." Draco snapped almost irritably.

Mary jumped slightly and could feel her heart pounding a hole in her chest as he turned to look at her.

"What I mean was…should I do the log and you do the essay?" He was trying to sound irritated, but his voice almost cracked with each word and his face showed no signs of anger.

"I'll do the essay if you want." Mary managed to utter after thinking about her options.

"Unless you want to do it together?"

Shestopped playing with the hem of her skirt and looked Draco square in the eyes.

"Well, we'll already be doing the project together. We should probably do the writing work separately on our own time. We'd get sick of each other if we didn't."

It was as if Malfoy had been in a trance and her words had been the key to his awakening. In on swift motion, he put on a scowl, grabbed his books, and shoved everything into his rucksack. All the while muttering something like, "Who wouldn't get sick of a dirty mudblood?"

Mary heard a few words here and there, but it was enough to make her eyes water and her soul burst. She wanted more than anything to turn and punch Malfoy as hard as she could; as hard as he deserved.

Luckily, class had ended and Draco was gone faster than a firebolt. (haha Tess, this is for you)

Mary, on the other hand, took her time while gathering her things, and was able to contemplate if her whole being could take this separation any longer. She also wondered if she could keep herself from attempting certain murder. Both ideas seemed unlikely.

LiLjDpEgAsUsChIc160: I originally planned this chapter to be a lot longer, but for some reason I felt the need to stop and make the other half of this chapter a whole new chapter all together. I had to names for this chapter originally and it was paining me to decide which one to use, but now since I've split up the chapter I don't have to any more!

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