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

Authors note:Sorry It's taken, so long but his chapter is much longer than previous ones...if that makes up for it. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it...

Unvoiced Decisions

Chapter 13: Closing the Gap

"Where should we start?" Mary asked, placing a heavy load of books down on the table.

"You're asking me?" Draco replied sarcastically. "Aren't you the one who gets Os in every subject?"

Mary inhaled deeply and sighed. She really didn't want to deal with Malfoy right now; especially at 9:00 in the morning on Saturday working on one of Snape's projects.

Draco crossed his arms across his chest and smirked, making the already squeamish girl across from him melt. She hated that damn smirk. She always had, but for some reason now, it was attractive. Lately it seemed that all of his annoying quirks where coming back to haunt her in the form of physical lust.

She exhaled deeply again. She definitely couldn't do this.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're grades are just as god, if not better in potions, so if you're trying to snaked you're way out of doing this project it's not going to work."

Draco slouched down in his chair with an obvious amount of disappointment on his face.

"Why do we have to do this stupid project anyway? Isn't it against the rules for students to make love potions?" Draco smiled a tad, thinking he'd won the fight.

"Well, Snape probably got special permission from Dumbledore to do this project. After all, it's a good way to get us to experiment with potion ingredients because love potions are so flexible. They're constantly discovering new ones."

Slowly, he unfolded his arms and plastered another annoying, yet irresistible smirk her way.

"You seem to know a lot about love potions. Is it that hard to get someone to like you?"

Mary, trying hard not to smile, replied with, "Yeah, it's sooo hard actually, that I even," she paused for a second to make sure he was listening, "now get this…I even said yes to this seventh year Slytherin who's family's so into the whole pureblood thing that he's probably betrothed to his cousin. He'd marry his sister if he had one, or even a brother for that matter." She smiled sweetly at him egging him on; watching him squirm before she continued, "I even stooped so low as to date a Death Eater."

This time he lost it. In one angry motion, he stood up, shoved the books off the table, and firmly placed both hands down with such force that the table almost gave way.

"Take…that… back." He threatened, through gritted teeth.

"Only if you take back all the stupid things you said." She bargained, challenging his hateful glare with one of her own.

"Like what?" He asked innocently.

"Like what!" She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "How about last night?"

"What about it?"

"What about it! Urgh…never mind! You're so……hopeless." She sighed, burying her head in her hands, and running her fingers through her long brown hair. "Speaking of last night…"

She stopped, apparently thinking.

"Well, what about it?" He asked, his patience running low.

"Yesterday I saw you in the Head Boy's dorm with all your Slytherin friends. If you can call them friends, but I don't see who'd want to be friends with you."

"Just what are you getting at?" Draco snapped.

"Why is it that we were…?" She felt uncomfortable bringing the subject up, but she was curious to know.

"Dating?" Draco asked, offering to finish her sentence.

She nodded her head nervously, "Why is it that you never brought me into the Head Boy's dorm? That one time when we wanted to be alone you made me sneak into the Slytherin common room when you could've just let me into you own private dorm? It doesn't make sense."

"Well, let's just say I share that dorm with Granger and knowing she's your friend, and knowing how I hate her, I decided that it was best if we didn't hang around somewhere she might catch us. Also," he continued, cutting her off just as she was about to speak, "Even though my current quarters reside in the Head Boy dormitory, I feel more at home in the dungeons. Besides," he added with a devilish grin, "How else was I going to get you into a Slytherin uniform?"

She couldn't think of anything to say, so she just repeated herself. "Say you're sorry for all the things you've said since you've returned. I will as well."

He was about to retort with a witty comeback, but retained himself and took a seat. He was in no mood for apologies.

"Never mind, it's over with. Let's just get to work."

At first she wasn't going to let is slide, but Mary knew better than to press the matter any further. After calming herself down to point where thinking was possible, she got up from her seat and began to pick up the books and papers that were scattered all over the floor.

"Do you need any help?" Draco asked, embarrassed by his sudden outburst.

Mary just shook her head no. She was in no mood to talk.

I don't know why I feel bad anyway. She provoked me. That stupid little mudblood…As soon as that thought entered his mind he brushed it away afraid that she knew what he was thinking.

As soon as Mary sat back down across from him, and he saw the look of hurt and disappointment on her face, he knew the real reason why he couldn't think those thoughts. Because no matter how hard he tried to hate her, and no matter how hard he tried to make her life a living hell, he was only hurting himself. Each stab at her turned back around and ate at his already damaged heart. The thing was he couldn't do anything about it. He just had to keep picking away, and pretending like life was a joy ride and their separation was the best thing in the world.

It'd be easier if they didn't have to spend so much time together, but this project ensured their constant contact. For once in his life, he could honestly say that Professor Snape was number one on his hit list.

"Hermione, I can't do this!" Mary insisted, eyes burning with hatred.

"Yes, you can! You just have to focus on the project and remember how important this assignment is for your grade."

Mary was leaning up against the wall outside the Great Hall with Hermione at her side. The two were supposed to be in the Great Hall for independent study, but Mary convinced her friend to arrive tardy. She had told her that it was a life or death situation and that Binns' paper on Protean charms would have to wait.

"I know Hermione, but I just can't! I've tried to keep myself focused and calm, but you don't know what it like spending an hour and a half with Malfoy! I was about ready to rip my ears off so I couldn't hear his constant babbling! Ugh…I think I've reached my limit."

Hermione smiled, feeling sympathetic, and placed an arm on Mary's shoulder.

"Hey, now you know what I've been through. I've gone to school with that boy for the last six and a half years! When you think about it, an hour and a half's not that bad."

Mary smiled and thanked her friend. "Well, if you can do it, than so can I. At least, I have to, if I want to go home alive and sane."

"Look on the bright side!" Hermione added. "It's already almost the beginning of February. You'll be out of here in no time and be back overseas. You can't put a greater barrier between the two of you than the Pacific Ocean."

The two girls entered the Great Hall as quietly as possible and found some seats close to the door.

Mary was thankful for Hermione's help, but she couldn't stop thinking about what she had said. In less than six months, she would be on the plane home. As long as half a year sounded, she knew it would go by in a flash. Although it would be a relief to leave certain things behind, she would miss the friends she had made. She decided not to dwell on the matter, but to instead make the most out of what little time she had left.

Time was ticking away, and Mary was starting to feel the pressure. It was already the 15th of February and their project was due on the 17th. She wasn't sure if they could finish their essay in two days.

She was positive that the actual potion was a success. They needed to let it brew for at least another twenty-four hours before they could bottle it, but that wasn't a problem. They also had the antidote brewing at the same time, so everything was set. Now it was just a matter of getting the facts down on paper.

After two days of brainstorming, writing, and revising, Mary was finally able to say, "Done!"

Later that day, in Snape's class, each couple was instructed to place both vials on the desk in front of them while the professor came around collecting the paper work.

"After I have finished collecting your papers, I want one of you, I don't care who, to take a sip…A small sip mind you of the love potion you have concocted. I don't want you all on top of each other like animals. Take just enough to feel something."

He paused for a moment while scanning the class with his eyes, letting his words sink in.

"Your partner will sit patiently, quill in hand, ready to record their findings. After the data is all in place or before, if things get out of hand, your partner will give you the antidote."

He stopped again, watching each student very carefully, as if he was reading their minds.

"You may begin."

All around the room, students were sampling their potions, some with great confidence; others with a look anxiety. Mary glanced around the room and noticed that it was mostly the girls in the groups were the ones drinking the potion.

Without a word to Draco, she grabbed the small glass bottle, uncorked it, and took a sip. A bittersweet taste filled her mouth as the dark pink fluid trickled down her throat. For a moment, her tongue felt tingly and strange, but only for a moment.

Then, she waited.

"Well?" Draco asked, squinting at her as if it would help him better see her 'transformation'.

"I don't feel any different." She confessed, hoping Snape wasn't nearby.

"Great, just great," Draco sighed, "We've worked a whole month for nothing."

"I don't understand," Mary said, looking around the room at the other couples. All the other girls were either smiling dreamily at their partners or had already taken advantage of their drunk like state by attempting to snog their unsuspecting prey.

Snape of course, was trying hard to control the hormonal teens, but with little avail.

"All the work is right. I know it. This should work. It's all there." She couldn't believe it. He was right. They'd worked so hard for nothing.

After class, Snape asked that one member of each group stay behind for a quick talk.

"Well, done all of you. I must admit I was surprised by how well some of you did on this project, but also disappointed in others." He looked at Mary with a sharp eye and continued, "I'll look over you essays and logs over the weekend and I should have them all graded by Monday. You can stop by my office early that morning if you are eager to know your grade, or you can just wait until Monday's class. You are dismissed."

Mary's heart sank as she exist the classroom. How could this happen? She had planned this going so well. She dreaded Monday morning, but she went all the same.

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"Ah, yes, Miss Klein. Do sit down won't you?" Snape offered, smiling rather weakly.

"No that's ok Professor, I'd rather stand." She wanted to be ready to leave as soon as possible.

"I was genuinely surprised by you and Mr. Malfoy's project. I was expecting great things from the two of you."

She listened with a heavy heart.

"As you know, your potion failed to have any affect whatsoever on your state of being. However, I looked over your work and all the data it correct. So perfect in fact, it's rather peculiar that your potion went wrong. My only explanation is maybe a miss step in the brewing process though that does seem unlikely."

Mary just sat, taking it all in. She feared for the worst.

"Seeing your position, I decided to give you a P."

She was about to protest, but Snape continued, "I would have given the project a T, but seeing as all the work in right I cannot possibly give lower than a P. I hope you appreciate my thoughtfulness."

"Yes, thank you sir." Mary lied through her teeth.

Feeling lower than she'd felt in a long time, the dejected Hufflepuff made her way to the Head Boy's dormitory.

Reaching the correct portrait, she mumbled the password she'd heard Hermione say a thousand times, and stepped in.

The common room was empty as she had expected. In a huff, she stormed over to Draco's quarters and knocked with considerable force.

He answered shortly after; wand in hand.

"Mary, what are you doing here?" He asked, rather surprised by her sudden appearance.

"We got a P."

"What?"

"A P! We got a P on our project!"

"Oh," was all he could manage to get out.

"Oh's right, and it's all your fault!" She continued, her voice almost a shout; tears beginning to form.

"All my fault!" He asked, with equal volume.

"Yes, yours! If you hadn't have been you so….!"

"So what!" He asked, ignoring the fact that she was almost in tears.

"It's all your fault for making me feel this way!"

"Making you feel what way! I know you hate me, but what does this have to do with our project?" He really wanted to know what she was getting at.

"Our work was right," she said, no longer shouting. She made her way across the common room and sat down on the couch. He followed, and wiped her face with his hand. His sudden act of kindness startled her.

"All of it. Every single bit of it." She sniffled, looking to him for console.

"So, why didn't our potion work?" He was indeed confused.

"Because in order for a love potion to work, the receiver can't have feelings for the 'desired' person prior to the consumption." She explained. as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"You really need to stop hanging around Hermione," Draco advised playfully.

"Draco I'm being serious." She warned, slapping him on the arm.

"Hey look, a package from Mother!" Draco exclaimed, grabbing the silver parcel off the coffee table.

"Are you even paying attention? You're in your own little world right now." Mary complained, frustrated with his random behavior.

Draco ignored her, and continued opening the mysterious looking box.

"Draco, can't you do this some other time?" Mary asked with all seriousness in her voice. She placed on hand on his shoulder to get his attention.

"Are you listening?"

He had finally finished unwrapping his gift and was looking at the strange object on his lap.

"What is it?" She asked, scooting closer to get a better look. Their thighs touched and she could feel Draco tense up.

"I don't know." He said, reaching out to touch it. At the exact the same moment, Mary's hand was making its way towards the unknown item. Their hands touched…

….and then…

… There was darkness.

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LiLjDpEgAsUsChIc160: Well, that's that. I'll just have to keep you in suspense a little longer. I only have two chapters left, but I still have to write them, so it might be awhile. Until then...

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