Over the following weeks, Mary had emerged herself in her studies – often hiding in the library or her dorm room when she wasn't in the Green Houses, Hospital Wing, or sitting in classes. McGonagall gave them a homework assignment on how to (legally) become an animagi. Sprout had given them the task to retrieve the fruits from the growing Snargaluff plants and write an essay on the uses – all of which Mary finished within half the period time so spent the rest writing her Charms essay on non-verbal spells. In Defense against the Dark Arts they had moved from the Unforgivable Curses (meaning Sirius was back in class) and moved to dark creatures like the Inferi. She wasn't attending the Quidditch games, and disappeared shortly before the after parties started. When James or Sirius tried talking to her she would use an excuse to get away from them, and only talking to a select few when they studied together. She turned down all of Luke's attempts to get her on a date and had ignored Lily whenever she brought up something other than school. Mary was determined to pass her NEWTs, and if this was what she had to do then so be it.

So when a sudden calming sensation came over her one afternoon while working with Tentacula plants, it was as if nothing was wrong at all. It was as if she was resting on a cloud, she was relaxed and not worried about anything she was just fretting over. She was so at ease that she didn't want it to stop and paid no attention to whose voice she was now hearing.

'Mary.' The voice said softly. 'I want to test something. Will you help me?'

"Sure." She says to her voice.

'Good. Take off your gloves and let the plant bite you.'

Mary takes off her gloves as if it was her own thought and reached out to the Tentacula plant, which made a kind of hissing noise before biting her. She doesn't even flinch as the venom enters her body. Only pulling away when the voice tells her it was okay.

'You better go take the antidote for that, Mary.'

Mary walks to the back room to retrieve a small vial of antidote, and downs it with one tilt of her head.

'Excellent. Now I just want you to go about the next few days as normal.'

"Okay." Mary says to the voice, and waits for it to respond. When it doesn't she goes back to tending to the plants as she was before, except this time all stress gone. Shortly after, Luke had entered the Green Houses - looking for her. She smiled at him when he came into view.

"Hey, why was Mulciber in here?" He asks, walking up to her and planting a kiss on her forehead.

"I didn't see him, but maybe he was in here on request from a professor." She shrugs and removes her gloves.

Luke frowns at her and takes her hand in his to look at it properly. "What happened here? It looks like the Tentacula got you."

"Oh yeah, it happened when I first got in here. It nipped me when I was passing to get my gloves." Mary lies then smiles at him reassuringly. "I took an antidote, so don't worry about it."

"Okay Mar. I just worry about you. You have been working so hard, I don't want you to overdo it." Luke says softly before kissing her.

"Yes." She says simply then giggles softly at his confused expression. "Let's go on a date. We haven't been one a real one in a while. It'll be fun."

"It is about time you accepted one of my dates." He smirks teasingly, "this Friday. Be ready in the common room around seven. Wear something cute."

"What's wrong with what I am wearing now?" She smirks back and glancing down at her dirt covered clothing.

"Wear something that you would see a muggle teenager wear to one of their school dances." He says in reference to what he was talking about.

"So something tight and revealing? I think I can manage that." Mary grins at him, before standing on her toes to kiss his cheek and snake around him toward the door to leave. "See you then. Love you!"