August 8th, 1994

To say that the two days following Mary's successful destruction of the Horcrux in the Resurrection Stone were calm and relaxing would have been an outright lie. She'd woken up in the guestroom later that evening to see Sirius and Remus sitting on one side of the bed and Snape reading Potions Weekly on the other side. Closing her eyes tightly, she groaned and pulled the covers over her head in an attempt to either hide or smother herself before the interrogation began.

"Mary Jane Potter," Remus's normally soft voice had a steely edge to it. "We know you're awake."

"Am not," she replied weakly, letting go of the covers as they were pulled gently from her grasp.

"Explain." Sirius leaned toward her, his grey eyes boring into hers. "And don't leave out any details."

"Wow," Mary murmured, sitting up carefully and testing out whether or not she felt any pain. "Can't even get a glass of water before you start in on me."

"Dobby," Remus called out.

Dobby popped into the room, took one look at Mary and shook his head at her in disappointment, then snapped his fingers, leaving a tray of food and glass of orange juice sitting on the bed before he disappeared with a sigh.

"Start talking." Remus urged her.

Using every ounce of Slytherin cunning and misdirection she could summon, Mary came up with a feasible lie. It would make her out to be incompetent and inept, as well as flat out irresponsible, but it had all the makings of a damn good excuse.

She put her head down and avoided their watchful eyes, her newly healed fingers finding a frayed thread on the blanket to play with. "It's embarrassing."

Snape snapped the thin book shut. "Out with it, Potter."

"Well, I was going through some of the defence books in the library and found a book on Salazar Slytherin. It said that he could cast spells in Parseltongue and that they were far more powerful than normal spells. I thought I'd give it a shot, but couldn't be sure if I was pronouncing my spells correctly, so I cast Serpensortia to have a snake to talk me through it."

"Come off it, Mary." Sirius growled. "You're a Parselmouth. Any snake you summon would do your bidding, not attack you."

"Not true." Mary shook her head quickly. "Plus, I didn't exactly have time to talk to it, as soon as it appeared it turned and latched onto my leg, but instead of letting go, the little fucker hung on. Naturally I freaked out and went on the defensive. Incendio was the first spell to pop into my head and that was pretty much it. The wall exploded, at some point I even stepped on a nail. It took me hours to repair the wall and clean up the scorch marks, then the world went wonky on me and I passed out cold. I'm sorry I caused you all to worry, but really it was just an accident."

"Why didn't you just tell me what happened when I checked on you?" Sirius demanded. "You shouldn't have hid it from me. You could have died and I wouldn't have known anything was wrong!"

When all else failed, denial was the way to go. "When did you check on me? I passed out before you came home."

Remus ran a hand across his face. "We're not getting anywhere like this. Mary Jane, no more practising spells unsupervised. Also, no summoning snakes or using fire spells in the house even when you are being supervised. Sirius, let's give her some time to rest."

"You scared me half to death, kiddo." Sirius pulled her into a light hug, followed by Remus, then they both left the room, leaving her alone with Snape.

Why was he staying behind? What had happened to make Sirius trust Snape in the same room without so much an insult, let alone leave him there with her?

"You're good, Potter." Snape's lips quirked. "Your guardians may be idiotic enough to lap up that story without questioning it, but I do not. I do wonder what they will say when I tell them that their perfect little Gryffindor goddaughter lied through her teeth."

Mary looked straight into his dark eyes. "I encountered a snake and used a fire spell to kill it. There is no lie in that."

She could feel the tendrils of magic encroaching on her mind, seeking to invade her thoughts, but she didn't fight it and did her best to not show any reaction or surprise. "What will my dear godfathers say when I tell them that you tried to pry into my thoughts uninvited? Better yet, why tell them? It doesn't appear that your attempt was successful anyway. You see, Professor, Occlumency and Legilimency books were the first ones I read. Turns out I'm not so bad at either."

"What are you hiding?" Snape jumped up and leaned over until his face was a mere foot away from hers. "During your little episode you began to hallucinate. You were under the impression that the Dark Lord was in the room. You even proclaimed that I was a spy and that you couldn't watch me die again. Your Gryffindor friends may let it slide as nothing more than the ramblings of a sick girl, but I know better."

"They can't know. Not yet." Mary pleaded with him. "But I can show you if you promise to keep it secret."

Snape nodded his head jerkily and Mary let the short string of memories drift forward onto the surface of her thoughts. Memories that while completely genuine, would deter him from searching any further. In her mind's eye, she could see the way the huge snake coiled its body and slithered up the rickety old staircase. The elderly man stood there watching through a crack in the door as a slim man addressed another.

"You will be rewarded for your efforts, Barty," a high cold voice said. "Nagini, dispose of our guest. I believe he's heard too much."

Snape lurched back horrified and tore his gaze away. "What was that?"

"His snake," Mary answered dully. "I had a dream, or maybe it was a vision, the other day. He ordered his snake to kill and eat that poor old man. I was stuck there, in its mind as it devoured him. Then that Barty guy milked venom from the snake and joked about how one day they'd set the snake on me. There isn't an easy way for me to explain that to my guardians without them going postal and locking me up in the attic like some kind of damsel in distress. So I figured that if Voldie was going to send his pet after me, I'd be ready to defend myself and kill it before it killed me."

"And your outburst about me dying was about this?" He asked in disbelief.

She buried her face in her hands. "I've had nightmares for weeks. Sometimes it's Sirius, Remus, or one of my friends being attacked by Voldemort or his snake. A couple times it's been you in that old man's place."

Mary traced the scar on her forehead with a thin finger. "I think I'm actually seeing him. Like visions or something. And I've heard him talking to Barty about someone in Hogwarts who he isn't sure he can trust anymore. That was the conversation when your name came up. I don't think they're really dreams or nightmares."

"And I'm sure your little friends were thrilled to have you give proof of my wretchedness." Snape sneered in disgust, his face ashen and pale. "Who did you tell?"

"No one," Mary whispered, staring at him in sadness. "Honestly, Professor, if I believed that you were really a Death Eater, this conversation wouldn't be happening. We'd have killed each other by now. What are you going to do, take points for me caring? So telling my friends or anybody else about these visions or how I came to the conclusion that you were once a Death Eater would serve no purpose other than having them think I've gone round the bend."

Snape paced in front of her bed while she spoke and didn't stop for minutes after. "Do not speak of this again. The Headmaster will probably wish to speak to you later concerning these visions and you are to inform him and him alone. I will know if you haven't been completely honest with him."

"Yes, sir," Mary agreed, putting her head back against the headboard.

Snape pulled a jar of orange cream off the dresser and handed it to her. "Apply the paste to the burns and bite area over the next day or so. Healer Tonks will be here to evaluate you in the morning."

"Thank you, Professor," she said quickly before he could leave. "By the way, do you think my Occlumency will ever be enough to stop the visions?"

Snape seemed to really think about her question before responding. "I suggest working more on focusing your surface thoughts. A blank or empty mind is the first sign a skilled Legilimens will look for. You have a better chance of protecting your thoughts if your opponent believes you're not protecting them at all."

Unpleasant thoughts flitted through her mind, all telling her the dangers of what would happen if Voldemort could fully access her thoughts. "Will you teach me how?"

Snape's gaze snapped to hers in an instant, pinning her in place as he considered her request. "Not today, Potter. You've already wasted part of my holiday and I'm not keen on giving up the rest."

Mary nodded and thanked him once again, trying her best to remember what she had said in these 'ramblings' and to whom. It was too close a call. She couldn't let anyone know what she knew, especially Dumbledore. With that thought in mind, she started working on a plan to steer anyone away from making the right conclusions. Still though, she felt utterly wretched about how deceitful she'd been over the past year. The lies were piling on, burying her deeper in her own misery and deception.

In the meantime, she needed a Pensieve and Sirius' memories.

Albus Dumbledore

Albus leaned back in his soft armchair, rubbing his beard as he pondered on the letter in front of him. According to one of his contacts in the Ministry, a small shack south of Little Hangleton had mysteriously caught fire and burned to ashes the day before. Since the house had been long since abandoned, there was no one to contact about the loss of possessions, but those who knew of its prior occupants were unsettled. The Gaunt family had a long history and the Ministry had yet to find their next of kin. In fact, they'd contacted him to find out if he'd ever met anyone by that name.

Fawkes chirped softly from his perch and ruffled his feathers, pinning Albus with a beady stare. While there was no true way to communicate with the bird, Albus had long since learned the body language of his old friend. Today Fawkes was clear in his stance that Albus was assuming far too much and not putting enough sunflower seeds in his bowl.

Once again he viewed the memory given to him by Bob Ogden, showing the dilapidated and crumbling home in Little Hangleton. It was the snake nailed to the door that stayed in the forefront of his mind. According to Sirius' frantic letter, Mary was bitten by a snake, badly burned, and somehow stepped on a nail. For someone who didn't believe in coincidences it wasn't a far leap to make. The question was why young Mary decided to destroy the former home of Tom's ancestors.

Placing another memory into the Pensieve, he watched a scene that transpired not even a day before, when he had been in young Mary's bedroom. The map was the key to the mystery. He was sure of it. Other than one misplaced pin, the path was there, everything led to her being the culprit. But how could a girl of barely fourteen know more about Tom Riddle than he did? It was an ongoing mission that he trusted none other than himself.

After the initial shock of Mary's part in the Chamber of Secrets well over a year ago, Albus had begun his examination of the Diary that once belonged to young Tom. Even though Mary thoroughly destroyed the shade within the diary, he could still sense the lingering magical signature of Tom Riddle each time he looked at it. Despite his best efforts, the only one with any idea of how many Tom planned on making was Horace, and Horace refused to speak on the matter. That was why seeing eight pins on the map threw him for a loop, as one might say.

The bell on his desk chimed, signalling a visitor waiting behind the heavy doors. With a wave of his wand, he opened the door.

"Ah, Severus." He greeted his young friend, inviting him to sit. "Tea?"

Severus waved his hand in a gesture that clearly meant that he didn't care either way. "I'm here about Potter, Headmaster."

"Tea, please, Dotty," he asked the young elf gently through the charmed box on his desk, then turned his full attention to the dark haired man in front of him. "How is she?"

"Perplexing." Severus sighed. "I honestly don't know how to begin, Albus."

Pushing the Pensieve to the centre of the desk, Albus peered at him in request. "Would you be willing to show me your meeting with her?"

Severus leaned forward immediately, his wand at his temple. "Of course, sir."

He viewed the memory not once, but twice, before exiting the Pensieve. The scene that was clear in his mind was one of a headstrong and capable child that was very intelligent. But underneath all of that, he saw a cunning young girl that was clearly playing on her godfathers' trust. Her manoeuvring had been executed in such a way that they hadn't even recognized it. But Severus did, and he had called her out on it in a particularly rash manner.

It didn't bode well that Mary was already delving into the Dark Arts of Occlumency and Legilimency. She was far too young to understand the cost and consequences of using Dark magic. But more than that, he couldn't bear to think of what would have to be done if she succumbed to the Darkness such magic bred within the soul. Mary's destiny was far too great and important to lose her to such a fate. It was why he had a number of contingency plans ready in case the young girl went out of the bounds of what she was supposed to accomplish. He just hoped he never had to enact those plans.

Another thing that bothered him was Mary's reference to Barty Crouch, Jr. He'd personally given condolences to Bartemius after the sudden death of his incarcerated son. Could he have truly been the first person to ever escape Azkaban? It was something he would have to reflect on later.

Severus had not moved from his chair, but sat with his head down and his tea untouched. Even from such a distance, he could feel the sense of guilt wafting off of the other man.

"What are your thoughts on her visions?" He asked, steepling his fingers and leaning back in his chair.

Severus looked up with hard eyes. "She's not telling the full truth. But for the life of me, Albus, I don't understand why she would lie. Initially I believed she was withholding the visions from Black to spare him the worry, but why would she manufacture such a tale just to lie to me? There is no reasoning behind it."

"Mary is not one that trusts easily," he finally replied. "For her to give you even that much information is truly remarkable. It shows that she trusts you will not betray her confidence. For now, I believe it would be best if you keep a watchful eye on her. I'll visit her this very morning and see if she will be willing to open up about what is troubling her."

"She's right about my role in all of this," Severus admitted quietly, pulling up the sleeve of his robe and revealing the tattoo that grew darker by the day. "The Dark Lord is getting stronger and I don't know whether or not he will trust me to rejoin him."

A dull pang of grief surged through him at the sight of the brand. "You have more than earned your penance, Severus. If the day should come that Lord Voldemort returns, I will not force you to return to his side."

Dark eyes met his own in resignation. "But you will ask. And I will go."

"If it comes to that," Albus replied softly. "Yes."

Severus stood quickly and left the room, leaving Albus to his own thoughts and worries. And when the time had come for him to visit Mary, he was no more prepared than he was hours before.

He knocked lightly on Mary's door, hearing soft footsteps in the distance, before she opened it. Her shoulders slumped slightly at the sight of him, but still she opened the door wide and waved him in, a kind smile on her face. He sat down on the plush armchair and scanned the room once again, noticing that the map on the wall that was now covered by a Quidditch poster.

"You've hidden your map," he said.

Mary waved her wand and the poster rolled up into a scroll, revealing the map underneath. "I guess it seems pretty silly."

"What do the pins stand for?" Albus stood slowly, shuffling toward the map to take a closer look.

"Places I've seen either Voldemort or his followers." She shrugged, moving forward to point out a place in northern Scotland. "I'm not sure exactly where Hogwarts is located, but I've faced him twice there. Which is why it has two red pins. In Diagon Alley, near Gringotts, was where Wormtail attacked me. That's why there's a green pin there. The three pins in Blackburn are for Voldemort, Barty – whoever he is – , and Voldemort's snake Nagini. - Green pins for Voldemort and his snake, and a red one for Barty -."

"And the green pin here at Grimmauld Place?" Albus asked, peering at her over his glasses.

"Snape," Mary whispered and turned away. "I don't really believe that he's a follower of Voldemort, but he's still here either way. It'd be stupid to let my guard down."

"You've given him a green pin that you've associated with Voldemort and his familiar." He stated with the utmost curiosity. "Why is that?"

"Because he has the power to hurt me more than any other Death Eater," Mary admitted, fiddling with the sleeve of her shirt. "He knows where I live and has full access to the place where my family lives and my friends often visit."

A profound wave of relief washed over him as he listened to her. She knew nothing of Voldemort's foray into the Darkest of magic. She was simply young and scared, going on gut instincts to try and protect her newfound family and friends. While her research and efforts were admirable, he didn't want her to linger on such dark thoughts any longer.

"I have complete faith in Professor Snape." Albus assured her. "He is a trusted ally and good friend. You need not fear him."

"I'm not afraid of Snape," Mary responded vehemently. "I'm afraid of what he might have to do to regain his position and keep it when Voldemort comes back. I'm afraid of what could happen to him if he doesn't comply with that monster's wishes. And even more, I'm afraid of how it will affect us all if he has to betray us to keep his position as a spy."

Knowing that the child was fully right in her fears, but far too young to know how to deal with such matters, Albus knew it was time to set her heart at ease and to change the subject. "This is a time of peace, Mary. While I applaud your efforts in trying to prepare yourself, it's not healthy to obsess over what may happen and forget to see the world around you. Fear is not a thing that you should have to face alone, nor will you. I once told you that help would be available should you ever need it, and I will remind you of those words again. Severus told me that you've been plagued with both visions and nightmares of Voldemort and you need not suffer through them. In fact, I beg of you to share with me any more visions you may have. It's imperative that we all prepare if the worst should happen."

"You're right, sir." She let out a sigh and looked away, her shoulders drooping once again. "I'll be sure to let you know."

"In the meantime, I suggest rest and relaxation is in order." He smiled kindly at her, pulling the green pin on Grimmauld Place off the map.

"Sirius is planning something." She shook her head in amusement. "So I doubt I'll get much of either."

Albus left the room, intent on speaking to Sirius. They had to have someone keep a closer eye on young Mary. There could come a time when her visions could either provide vital information to the inevitable war. Or worse yet, if Tom ever found out about their connection, he could either possess the girl or use her to hurt others. It was something that he wasn't ready to allow.

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