November 2nd, 1995
Cold seeped into his bones as the heavy mist clung to his hair, every step Sirius made felt heavier than the last. Each deep breath taken in made the ache worse. He was helpless once again to stop the people he cared about from being hurt. It was just a creature. He told himself. A magical creature that Mary was caring for. But the words felt hollow in his mind. Sassy was more than that. They had bonded with her. Made her part of their ragtag family. And Sirius loved her for the way she made Mary smile.
"Oh my," Minnie said, casting an umbrella charm over them as they reached the top steps leading into the staff seating area. "Severus, what-"
"The Snallygaster has been taken," Snape said, taking his seat in the far corner.
"And Potter?" Minnie put a hand to her mouth.
"She's devastated," Sirius replied, rubbing his face. "I promised her I'd stop this. I'd hoped that we could talk sense into Rolf. Or at least the Ministry."
"Well, I have not had my say in the matter," Minnie said with a sly smirk. "A dear friend of mine is looking into Mary's case and promised to respond as soon as he's found favourable news."
"Tell him to hurry," Sirius said, sitting next to her.
He watched as the two teams exited their locker rooms and walked onto the field. Mary's head was held high as she stood opposite of Draco Malfoy. Sirius picked up his Omnioculars to take a closer look. There was no expression on her face. Her jaw set and knuckles white as she clenched her broom and waited for the whistle.
Snape tensed. "We should pull her from the match."
Sirius half-heartedly agreed, but any protest he had was stopped by Minnie.
"Nonsense, Severus. Potter is fully capable of playing," she said, brushing her tartan skirt. "You'll not take the Quidditch Cup from my office so easily."
"Damn the cup!" Snape glared at Minnie. "You know, as I do, that Potter shouldn't be out there in her current state of mind."
There was something unspoken between them. It was evident in the way Minerva looked away, squaring her shoulders and focusing on the pitch. Familiar footfalls interrupted the standoff. Remus and Tonks walked into the staff section followed by a harried looking Mac.
"What's happened?" Sirius asked, standing at once.
"We spoke to both Amelia and Amos," Remus said, grasping his arm and sitting heavily next to him. "There's nothing we can do."
"She shouldn't be on the pitch," Mac said, taking the seat on his left. "She's liable to injure herself or someone else."
Remus took a deep breath. "Mary loves flying. She wouldn't miss the match or disappoint her team."
"Slytherin doesn't deserve an easy win," Minnie said proudly. "Potter will conduct herself with grace and decorum."
Hooch blew the whistle and Sirius' heart sank, watching the red blur dart into the sky. A flash of green followed, nearly matching her pace. He tried to keep track of the match, focus his attention on all of the players and the game itself, but his mind wandered.
Ron was a decent enough Keeper, but the Slytherin team was brutal in their tactics. Mary dove in and out of the pitch, blocking the Slytherins and weaving through the chaos as though she was on a mission.
"Another score for Gryffindor!" Lee Jordan yelled. "300 to 10 Gryffindor!"
Suddenly, Mary turned her broom to the west, a small golden dot was illuminated in the moonlight. Draco struggled to catch up. Every evasive move the snitch made, Mary copied, as though they were of one mind.
Around and around they went until Sirius was dizzy.
An hour passed and the heavy mist began to dissipate, leaving bright patches of sunshine blazing across the stands. Across from him he spotted Luna Lovegood wearing an odd headdress that looked like a lion. Taking a closer look with his Omnioculars, he let out a loud laugh, passing them to Remus.
Remus smiled brightly and showed Tonks.
"Luna's brilliant!" Tonks crowed. "It roars too!"
"It's been twelve hours," Snape muttered. "Catch the damned thing."
The players below were still battling it out.
"600 to 540 Gryffindor." Lee Jordan leaned on the podium, nearly falling. "Get your shite together, Weasley!"
"Mr. Jordan! Language!" Minnie yelled, grabbing him by the back of his robes.
"Potter's after the Snitch again!" Jordan dusted himself off. "Malfoy's not far behind. It's a test of the Seekers!"
Their downward descent was reminiscent of a tornado touching down. The two Seekers followed the Snitch toward the pitch at a neck breaking pace.
"600 to 600, it's a tied game!" Jordan hollered.
The stands were filled, all of the students on their feet, watching as Mary and Draco continued to dive after the Snitch. A bludger blurred past the two. Draco dodged just in time, letting the bludger whizz past and hit its intended target.
"Bad form! Potter's just been tagged in the shoulder by Montague!"
"Dislocated," Snape hissed, leaning towards the pitch.
Mary didn't seem fazed or distracted by the hit. Instead, it seemed as though she was hyperfocused on the Snitch, copying its every move. Up they went again, until both Mary and Malfoy were dots against the sky.
"Warrington's headed straight for Potter! It's a coup!"
"They're targeting her!" Sirius stood up. "Stop this, Minnie!"
"Mary knows what she's doing." Minerva leaned forward in her seat.
"And well look at that! Warrington misses and knocks Malfoy off balance! Take that, you cheating buggers!"
"Mr. Jordan!" Minnie shouted.
It all happened at once. Mary reached out for the Snitch at the same time as Malfoy.
Goyle's bludger was aimed right into their path, straight at Mary. The first hit the side of Draco's face with a sickening crack. The boy fell limply from his broom. Mary leaned forward, letting go of her own broom and free falling towards the ground. The second bludger hit Malfoy in the chest, knocking him into Mary's arms.
"What the hell is she doing?" Sirius hissed, pointing his wand at her.
"She's too far up," Minnie said, holding a hand over her mouth.
"Draco," Snape breathed, watching as the boy's body tumbled in the air.
Mary reached out, her fingers grabbing hold of his robes while the other hand called for her broom. The Firebolt met her at the last second, and Mary held tightly to the boy, the Golden Snitch clutched between her teeth. As they neared the ground, she pulled Draco's body onto her broom and spat the Snitch into the stands next to Lee Jordan.
"Infirmary," Mary said breathlessly, taking off like a shot towards the castle. "Hurry."
They rushed down the stairs together, ignoring the roar of the stadium as they ran toward the castle. It felt like it took hours to reach the hospital wing. When they walked in, they found Mary rushing to the curtained off area with an armful of potions. Poppy stood at Draco's bedside, looking at her wits end.
"Thank you, dear," Poppy said quietly, turning to them. "Severus, we need a fresh Blood Replenisher."
"Your stocks should be full." Snape stepped around the curtain.
"It's not enough," Andy said quietly. "We're doing our best to keep blood flow to his brain, but the magic won't take when his heart isn't beating."
"Have you tried CPR?" Mary stepped forward.
"What's that?" Andy asked.
"Fucking hell," Snape cursed, moving to the boy's bedside. "You know CPR, Potter?"
"Yes, sir," Mary said, moving to the other side of the bed. "On three?"
Snape nodded quickly, repeatedly pressing down on the boy's chest. Mary bent down, pinching Malfoy's nose and pressed her lips to his.
"What the fuck is she doing?" Sirius bit out.
Remus put a hand on his arm. "Severus is manually pumping Draco's heart while Mary is giving him oxygen. It's a Muggle form of resuscitation."
"It's not working," Snape said, looking at Poppy's diagnostic spell.
Mary blew air into the boy's lungs and put her hand over his chest, sending a small blue shock through him. "Chest compressions. Now!"
Snape twined his fingers together, pressing down on the boy's chest once again.
"Nothing." Poppy shook her head.
"Back off, sir." Mary stood up, splaying her fingers over the boy's chest. "Breathe, goddamnit!"
An arc of white light pulsed through the room twice in quick succession.
"There!" Poppy shouted. "Do that again."
Mary put two fingers to her own neck and kept the other hand on Malfoy's chest, letting the white light shock him in time to her own pulse.
"Just another second," Andy whispered, running her wand along the boy's battered face and chest. "I'm setting an alert charm. When it goes off, stop, Mary."
Sirius held no love for his cousin's boy. In truth, Draco was a pain in his arse. Always acting out in class. Picking on younger students. Snooty, arrogant. A little slimeball like his father. But Sirius didn't want him dead. He was just a stupid kid. And in truth, Draco reminded him too much of himself at that age.
The alarm chirped and Mary stepped back, her green eyes going from the diagnostic spell to Draco's chest.
"He's breathing," Andy said, waving her wand over him. "Severus, Blood Replenisher. Mary, sit down before you fall over. As soon as Poppy and I are done, we'll see to you."
"I'm fine," Mary said.
"Nonsense," Poppy said. "Give me a moment to finish up here and I'll supervise in case anything goes wrong."
Sirius stood, nerves on edge when the door opened and a woman walked into the infirmary. Shoulders squared and chin up, his cousin looked every bit as regal as she always did. "Cissy, it's a surprise to see you here."
"I was informed my son was injured," Narcissa replied, a steely look in her pale eyes. "Where is he?"
Sirius moved aside, gesturing to the curtained off area. "He's very lucky. Had my daughter not saved his life, you'd be planning a funeral."
Narcissa flinched slightly, clenching her jaw. "Your daughter?"
Mary pointed her wand at her shoulder, enveloping it in a strange orange light and causing a squelching pop to echo through the hospital wing as the bone snapped back into place.
"Son of a bitch!" Mary shouted, then bit down on her free hand to keep from screaming.
"She's adopted," Sirius said proudly.
"Remus, summon a sling for Mary," Poppy called out. "Black, go to the potions cabinet and bring me the red potions case. It cannot be summoned. Mrs. Malfoy, please have a seat, I'll be with you momentarily."
When Mary finally sat down, the physical pain was a welcome distraction. Remus carefully wrapped the sling around her, fastening it at the nape of her neck, and watching as she dug into the pocket of her robes and retrieved a small blue vial.
"You did well tonight, Mary Jane," Remus said softly. "I'm proud of you."
"There was something off with that Snitch," Mary said before downing the foul potion in one gulp. "It knew every move we'd make."
"Sirius has it on him." Remus rubbed her back gently. "As soon as Dumbledore returns, we'll look into it."
"No," Mary whispered, pulling out her wand. "Accio Snitch!"
Sirius startled as his cloak pocket flared out, the small golden ball darting into the glove Mary held out. "What the hell, kid!"
"It could be a portkey." Mary pulled out her hair tie and placed it around the opening of the glove. "The magic in it feels weird. Where is Dumbledore anyway?"
"He said he was visiting a friend." Remus shrugged. "How are you feeling?"
"My scar is burning and my shoulder aches terribly," Mary said honestly. "I'm fine. I can't just sit here. I should go tell the others I'm not on death's door."
"You're not moving until Poppy or Andy check you over." Remus put his arm around her, sharing the warmth of his charmed cloak. "You're freezing. Are you sure you feel well?"
"I feel sick. I smell like pond scum. I am pond scum." Mary let out a breath and reached into her pocket and pulled out the titanium chain and ring. "I miss her. I hurt him, Remus. I said some really nasty things. And he retaliated by hurting me the only way he could."
"You have to stop that, Mary." Remus pulled her closer. "Sometimes you just have to realise that people can make their own decisions and that trying to protect them takes their choice away. Rolf knows who you are. He was aware of the risk before the two of you became friends. He cared enough that he stayed here to be closer to you."
"And I used that against him," Mary said with a sigh. "It was easy. Or at least I thought it was at the start. He knew what I was famous for, but he didn't seem to care. It's nice you know, to not be judged by everything you've ever done. To find someone who doesn't know every detail of your life."
"You spent months nagging me about how I was worthy enough for Dora," Remus said, a pointed look on his face. "I understand your thought process completely. That doesn't make us any less wrong."
"There's a difference though." Mary shook her head. "You love Tonks. I know you do. I liked Rolf. I liked him, but when I walked away, I didn't feel anything. He has Penny, who clearly loves him. All I could think was that it didn't make sense. I have a year or two before I'm going toe to toe with Voldemort. What business do I have pursuing a relationship? I should focus on training for what's to come, right?"
"No, you're going to get better and you're staying safe. No battles, Mary Jane." Remus dug around in his own cloak. "It's a little melted, but it's better warm."
"I love you, Moomy." Mary grabbed the chocolate bar and split it in half, knowing full well that chocolate wouldn't mend a broken heart. "Will you come with me to update everyone outside?"
"Of course," Remus entwined his arm with her uninjured one. "Why are you in a hurry to get out?"
"If word gets out that I helped Malfoy, he'll have hell to pay."
"Everyone saw you catch him and carry him to the castle."
"Make sure that everyone knows I was suspicious of Draco. He was acting dodgy. Then with the sketchy Snitch, I decided to take him to the Aurors."
"We should run this story by Severus first."
"He's stable." Sirius moved to sit next to them.
"We need to get out of here." Mary muttered.
"I agree." Remus nodded, standing up.
"Mary," Aunt Andy called out. "Come here, sweetheart."
Mary walked across the wing, stepping behind the curtain. "Aunt Andy?"
Narcissa sat regally next to Draco's bed, as though she were attending a business meeting rather than visiting her badly injured child. But it was the eyes. There was a desperate lost look in her pale eyes that eerily reminded Mary of Sirius.
"I know you're exhausted, child." Aunt Andy put an arm around her. "Before you go, what was the spell you used on Draco to restart his heart?"
"Is he going to be okay?" Mary put her hand on Malfoy's wrist, feeling his thready pulse.
"Head trauma is often unpredictable in treatment," Aunt Andy said with a sad tone. "I wish to know in case he has another episode."
"I can stay," Mary offered. "I just didn't want to intrude."
"After everything that's happened, you deserve a good rest."
Madam Pomfrey tapped her wand on Mary's shoulder, eliciting a gasp from her. "You have a broken collarbone, Miss Potter. Do sit down before I have to restrain you."
"So nice of you to notice," Mary snarked back. "I've only been here for an hour."
"Treatment tends to be faster when you speak up." Pomfrey shot back.
"Draco needed you more," Mary said. "I can get Skele-gro at home."
Aunt Andy groaned. "The spell, Mary."
"Fulmenara," Mary said, making small bolts of lightning erupt between her hands. "It's Dark Arts. If you were to cast it with a wand, I daresay you'd have a whole nother issue to deal with. I've learned to temper it without a wand so that it's just small jolts."
"Stay close in case we need you, dear, "Aunt Andy said.
"What in Merlin's name are you doing learning Dark Arts?" Madam Pomfrey put her hands on her hips.
Mary pointed to the nearest window. "Aren't we supposed to practise Dark Arts at night?"
"Merlin's saggy tits, shut up, Mary." Sirius growled, moving to Mary's side.
"This is a place of healing, Sirius," Aunt Andy said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "It's a neutral zone."
"Mary Potter," Mary said, holding her hand out to Narcissa. "Your son is quite redundant in admonishing me for my lack of decorum."
Narcissa hesitated, but gently shook her hand. "Narcissa Malfoy."
"I'm sorry, I was a bit under the weather the last time your husband and I met, did you make it to the dark tea party?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Narcissa said in a clipped tone.
"I can't recall all of those in attendance that night. It's probably just a construct of my addled mind, as that bitch in the Prophet likes to claim," Mary said with a laugh. "Too much of the Cruciatus does that to a girl."
Narcissa heaved in a breath. "I shall see that Draco is transferred to St. Mungos, surely they have more competent Healers there."
"What are you still doing here, Potter?" Snape bit out, stepping around the curtain. "Surely you've been cared for. Get out."
"I have yet to be treated actually," Mary said. "Sure, Madam Pomfrey watched me pop my shoulder back into place and I was given a pain potion, but I'm still waiting on my Skele Gro."
"For the love, Mary!" Aunt Andy exclaimed.
"How are you with the lightning curse, sir?" Mary asked, all teasing aside. "Wandless and nonverbal."
"Which incantation?" Snape's dark eyes met hers.
"Fulmenara," Mary answered.
Snape held his hands out, palms facing each other, and small blue bolts crackled between them. "Is that adequate?"
"Tone it down a smidge." Mary put her hands together, recreating a weaker version of the curse. "More like this. You're trying to shock his heart back into rhythm, not blow it to smithereens."
Snape pulled back the strength of his spell. "There?"
"Yeah," Mary nodded. "Make sure you only use one hand. Center of the chest. Keep a check on your own pulse for the timing. No more than three shocks at a time."
"How do you know this?" Narcissa asked, tilting her head to the side.
"I've watched a lot of Muggle TV shows." Mary grinned. "Luckily for Draco, they have technology that can mimic most spells."
"And that's our cue to leave." Remus put his arm around her and all but dragged her from the room.
Sirius barked out a laugh when they left the main ward. "Did you see her face? She was apoplectic. I'm so tempted to go back and hex her."
Mary put a hand on his arm. "She knows what's at stake."
"I don't like the thought of you staying in the castle tonight while she's here." Sirius put his palm against the door to their quarters.
Mary stepped through the doorway and let out a breath. Saphira's toys were scattered around the room where she'd left them. Remus waved his wand and they all lifted into the air and flew into the basket in the corner.
"Drink this," Remus held out the vial of Skele Gro.
Mary downed the dose and grimaced, the smell and taste turned her stomach in the worst ways. "Ugh. I, uh, I'm gonna-"
Feeling her stomach roll, Mary darted into the bathroom and shut the door behind her. When there was nothing left to throw up, she leaned against the wall, breathing hard as her head throbbed behind her eyes. Unbidden tears leaked from her eyes and she blinked, wiping them away. Her own body betrayed her, and she couldn't get them to stop falling. The door opened and a dark shadow blocked her from the light.
"Do you need assistance?"
"No. I'm just tired." Mary rubbed her face.
Snape's wand tapped her shoulder and Mary winced. "Your collar bone is still broken."
"I couldn't keep the Skele Gro down. The smell makes me nauseous."
Snape put an arm around her, helping her to her feet. "Are you capable of walking?"
"I think so." Mary took a few steps to the door and paused to let the room stop spinning.
Snape didn't let go, he held her steady as she opened the door and stumbled out.
"You okay, kid?" Sirius stood up from the couch.
"I wanna go to bed," Mary whispered, wiping her eyes.
"We're here if you need us." Sirius sat back down.
Snape stayed at her side until she was able to sit on the edge of her bed. "You'll have to mend it manually. It's not as effective as Skele Gro, but you can't sleep with a broken collar bone."
Mary bit her lip as Snape cast a spell that vanished her quidditch gear, shoes and all. "The elves will return your things by morning."
"Shouldn't you be in the hospital wing, sir?" Mary asked, feeling self-conscious sitting there in her shorts and tank top. "What if Malfoy needs you?"
"The Headmaster has returned and he's fully capable of casting the needed spells. He deemed it prudent that someone be there to supervise Narcissa and given my other role, my continued presence would be suspicious."
"Really? You're his head of House, surely she'd expect you to be there."
"My current charade is to appear at odds with the Headmaster."
"Oh," Mary said, feeling Snape's spell cut the strap on her tank top. "Will Malfoy be okay?"
"We have repaired all major damage, but we will have to wait until he wakes to know if he's suffered any impairments."
"Don't you have that Elixir stuff that you used when I nearly got Kissed in third year?"
"Poppy has a supply of the Laetitium Elixir on hand. Repeat my actions."
Snape carefully enunciated a long Latin phrase twice, waiting for her to memorise the pronunciation, before running his wand along his own collarbone. Mary said the spell and copied his movements until she felt the cartilage and bone shift painfully beneath her skin, making a cold sweat break out on her brow.
"Are you going to be sick, Potter?"
"Everything is spinning," Mary said, clenching her eyes closed.
"Reparo," Snape said, fixing her shirt. "Lean back Potter, not all the way, it will cause you discomfort."
Mary leaned her head back and closed her eyes. "Thanks, Profess-."
Severus smoothed the dark hair away from her forehead, seeing the lightning bolt scar standing out bold and weeping against her pale skin. What struck him as odd was the patch of white hair at her temple that hadn't been there moments before.
A flick of his wand and the lights dimmed. He pulled the thick duvet over the sleeping girl, careful not to agitate her healing body. Fluids, yes. She needed to stay hydrated. After the long match, and her penchant for skipping meals when distressed, the Skele Gro likely irritated her empty stomach. He had digestive potions that would take away the nausea long enough for her to ingest something of nutrition. Pausing at the doorway he flicked his wand casting a standard diagnostic spell. She'd lost weight again, not much, but enough that it was getting worrisome.
"She's asleep," he said when Lupin stood up. "I have to gather some potions from my quarters.
If she wakes before I return, make sure she eats something light. Even if it's just tea and toast. Her weight is dropping again."
"She rarely eats these days. That damned scar is always bleeding and she wakes up puking her guts up at least twice a night. There's no telling how sick she is during class hours, cause she won't effing talk about it. And now this mess with Saphira and Rolf!" Black spat the name out like it was a curse.
Severus didn't respond, stepping into the fireplace and calling out his own Floo address. He went into his personal brewing room and went to the cupboard that held only potions brewed by Potter. One by one, he pulled vials out and placed them in the black leather case that would protect them during transport.
Damn Lily and her penchant for organising alphabetically. It made it downright irritating to have to read through each label to see the potency of each dose. Calming Draught. Dizziness Draught. Draught of Peace. Dreamless Sleep. Invigoration Draught. Pepper Up. Wound Cleaning Solution.
"That will have to do for now," Severus said to himself.
Knowing that it was going to be another long night, he grabbed Lily's journal from his locked desk drawer and tucked it into the pocket of his robes. He needed her wisdom and wit if there were any chance of saving her daughter.
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