The next day, Snape had his head bent down, deep in thought as he headed to class. He hated how things had turned out with Lily but wasn't sure what could be done about it, letting her cool off might be the best move he could play for right now. As he turned the corner he heard someone behind him walking at a quick pace.
He turned around and was surprised to see Mary MacDonald, she stopped suddenly and looked at him, she seemed taken about at their abrupt meeting. Mary was a very pretty fifth-year Gryffindor, a Prefect at that. She had dark caramel-colored hair, hazel eyes, and a different energy about her.
"Are you following me?" he asked harshly, even he blanched slightly at how rough his voice had sounded but he didn't retract it, he simply glared at her.
"I was just trying to catch up with you," Mary said unperturbed. "I wanted to tell you that I'm sorry for what Sirius and James did to you the other day, it wasn't nice and I didn't think it was funny at all."
Snape's cheeks flushed with embarrassment; he didn't like anyone reminding him of what happened.
"Don't talk to me about that," he spat out. "And don't repeat that story to anyone."
"There's no need to be nasty," Mary snipped.
Snape took a half step back, his black eyes glinted strangely. Mary kept staring at him, waiting.
"Why are you even talking to me?" asked Snape suspiciously.
"You went to see Lily last night outside the Gryffindor common room," she said quietly.
"What of it?" sneered Snape.
"This isn't the first time I've seen you guys around the castle, sneaking around. Gryffindors and Slytherins aren't supposed to like each other and yet you don't seem to care. You apologized to her for calling her a Mudblood."
Snape didn't have a retort but they kept eying each other, sizing each other up.
The bell rang and they both jumped, startled. Without another word they both took off to their respective classes, and both would be late.
Over the next week, Mary sought Snape out on his own in between classes, after dinner, and at the library. After a couple of uncomfortable conversations, they finally started to trust each other and started talking more as friends. Mary was quite different from anyone else Snape had ever met. She didn't seem to mind Snape's severe demeanor and the rough way he sometimes spoke.
During that first week of their friendship, Snape found out everything he could about Mary. She was pureblood but a blood traitor, her family was well to do, and most of his year had a crush on her. He had never noticed because he had been so focused on Lily. Snape could not deny that Mary MacDonald was vivacious.
In the second week of their friendship, it was Snape who sought Mary out after breakfast on Saturday.
"I'm going to the library later to study up on counter curses, did you want to come?" he asked trying not to be hopeful.
"Sure," she said as she gave Snape an unreadable expression. "But you also need to go by the Prefects bathroom at 8 PM, I've already reserved it, bring your swim trunks."
She left before he could accept or decline, she left him standing there aghast and confused.
Mary found Snape in the corner of the library later that day pouring over old black volumes from the restricted section, he had a long-standing note from Professor Slughorn. She looked down at what he was reading and saw he was on a page about the counter curse for a very nasty hex.
"God you're smart," she said in admiration. Snape looked up at her and flushed slightly. It was so very rare that he got compliments of any kind.
"I would say anyone can do this but that would be a lie," he said trying not to brag.
"I bet I could do it," said Mary.
She sidled up close to Snape to where he was leaning out of his chair to make room for her. He watched her for a minute as she read the page, her brow furrowed as she tried to figure out how to do it. Before he could stop himself he reached over and hooked his fingers into a loop on her jeans and softly pushed her to the side so he could sit on his chair better.
Mary smiled and took out her wand quietly and said, "Evanesco!". The chair vanished and Snape crumpled to the ground. He got up quickly and started to glare when Mary stealthily reached past his robes and underneath his shirt to find his hip, her warm hands surprised Snape.
"Just a prank, Severus," smirked Mary.
She squeezed his hip gently before letting go. Mary got in his way again as she picked up a different volume titled Curses for Mortal Enemies. She flipped through it idly before looking at Snape.
"Not just studying counter curses huh?"
Snape didn't say anything, he watched her curiously as she stopped here and there to read something.
"You know, this is very interesting, I can see why you like this stuff. Which of these do you like?"
Snape gave her a small smile and they spent the rest of the afternoon talking about curses, counter curses, and why he was going down his dark path, a path he wasn't sure about anymore.
Snape stepped inside the Prefects bathroom at 8 PM sharp, he had brought plain black swim trunks as instructed. He marveled at the large tub that was inside which he saw was already full to the brim with water and bubbles. He gasped when he saw Mary smiling at him from the tub's edge.
"Hey Severus," she called out giggling. "I was hoping you'd come. Get into your swim trunks and get in, I won't look."
Snape watched as she swam to the corner of the tub and looked away from him. He quickly changed and slid into the water. She turned around when she heard him enter the tub, she swam over to him and smiled.
"Why are we in here?" he asked frowning. This was very puzzling.
"So we can have some fun, of course, it's our private getaway," Mary said smiling again. "You didn't get the towels? I'll get them."
Mary swung herself up and out of the tub with ease. Snape went slack-jawed as he saw Mary was in a flattering red bikini, he tried not to look directly at her small but ample bosom as she placed towels by the edge of the tub. She got back in and turned to face him.
"Wash my back?" She held up a washcloth. Snape took it from her wordlessly. He was so stunned he could not think of his usual quips. He started washing her back with one arm, afraid to touch her.
"You can touch me, Severus," she said laughing. She seemed to enjoy bossing him around. Snape hesitantly brought his other hand to her hip so he could scrub a little harder with his other hand. Mary moaned softly, Snape reflexively gripped her hip even harder, she gave another low moan.
Snape kept washing her back, not sure what to do. This was very dangerous waters to be in. Mary turned around and swam to one of the nearby jets to get foam out of it and went to him and placed it on his head. She started lathering Snape's hair from the front. He looked at her tenderly before trying to pull her arms down.
"You don't need to do that," he said softly.
"I want to," she whispered back.
Mary reached back up and continued scrubbing, Snape closed his eyes as he let himself enjoy it. After his hair had been thoroughly washed she guided Snape over to one of the spigots that gave off clean water and she rinsed his hair.
"We should probably get going," said Mary regretfully as she looked at the clock on the wall.
"I guess so," Snape agreed.
They got out of the tub slowly and started drying off. Mary slyly got a small package out from under her pile of clothes and gave it to Snape.
Snape inspected it and saw that it was a pack of the nicest boxers he had ever seen. He blushed crimson and was about to get angry when Mary kissed him on the cheek. Snape started and looked quizzically at Mary. She wouldn't have kissed him if this had been a prank.
"It's so I can picture you wearing them," she said daringly, blushing. Snape blushed harder than he thought possible and sputtered, not able to form words.
Mary stood on tiptoe to kiss Severus directly on the lips, her hands on his bare chest. Snape kissed her back, his hands on her lower back. His arousal grew and she felt it because she stopped kissing him to gasp in surprise.
"Severus! Now I really have to go," she teased. He watched hungrily as she put her clothes on quickly. She put her hand in his before leaving and told him that she'd see him tomorrow.
As the door closed behind her Snape could hardly believe his unbelievable luck.
The next few days were like a blur. Mary was like a firecracker, always ready with a quick comeback, a small prank, and she kept finding ways to touch Snape, something he was not used to and found it hard to get used to. Every time Mary touched him he was surprised but it was welcomed. He grew more brazen as well and found small ways to touch her briefly, testing the waters.
Breakfast on Thursday was uneventful, he was half listening to Mulciber and Avery drone on about their next meeting. The morning post came and a brown school owl dropped a letter on his plate before soaring off. He glanced around, no one seemed to have noticed. He slit open the envelope and read:
S-
Today. Same time, same place.
-M
Severus grinned before he could help himself and then hastily put the note in his pocket. He glanced in the direction of the Gryffindor table and saw Mary smirking at him. She made eye contact for a second before continuing her conversation with her housemates.
Snape walked quietly into the Prefects bathroom to find Mary standing in front of the mirror in her bikini, brushing her hair. Snape gawked as he awkwardly placed his clothes on the counter. He had decided this time to simply wear his swim trunks underneath his jeans so he could disrobe openly.
"I tried out that curse I liked today," said Mary to the mirror looking at Snape. She went over to the tub to turn off the jets. "I did it to Mulciber right before lunch, to get back at him for making me imitate a squirrel. He had to go to the hospital wing." She smiled evilly at Snape.
"He deserved it," croaked out Snape. He had finished taking off his jeans and hastily got into the water. Mary followed him in and didn't waste any time getting close to Snape. She got some soap from a nearby tap and started lathering his hair. Snape let her, the last few days he had felt the cleanest he had ever felt and his hair had never looked better.
As she lathered his inky black hair his black eyes bored into hers. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, if anything it made the energy between them that much more magnetic. Without breaking eye contact Mary moved her hands to his shoulders and hoisted herself gently onto him so she could wrap her legs around his waist, Snape groaned softly as she closed the gap between them. His hands instinctively went to her hips to hold her gently in place.
Mary continued washing his hair, now and then she would thrust her hips gently into him causing him to moan involuntarily, she could feel his reaction and squirmed a little more into him. Snape was at eye level with her bosom as she was reaching over his head to wash the base of his skull. He couldn't take it anymore, he leaned forward and kissed the base of her throat, she leaned back a little and grinded her hips into his, Snape kissed her again, this time at her jawline.
Mary looked at him and then passionately kissed him on the lips, she was desperate this intimacy with him. She kept kissing him as Snape snaked his fingers through her beautiful caramel hair, she opened her mouth slightly and pushed her tongue gently into Snape's mouth. He ferociously kissed her back until he saw stars.
After a time they broke apart and looked at each other, slightly dazed.
"Be my girlfriend," whispered Snape. He was surprised at his own daring, what was he saying? He knew he meant it though because he didn't break eye contact with her and hope swelled within him.
"I'm yours," said Mary without hesitation. She climbed back on him and started kissing him again.
The Great Hall witnessed something that had never been seen before the next morning. Mary MacDonald crossed the hall to sit at the Slytherin table, she sat down next to Snape as if it was just another day at the office. Whispers filled each table.
Snape gaped at her, they hadn't discussed this but he found that he was glad to have her next to him. They were going to be a real couple.
"Morning Severus," she whispered to him before kissing him gently on the lips.
A huge eruption of chatter broke out across the Great Hall as everyone had watched the exchange. Mary paid them no mind as she bit into a slice of toast.
Gryffjndors were now crossing over to the Slytherin table, they looked angry. Avery had gotten up from his seat from further down the table and came over to talk to Snape.
"What is this Snape? She's a blood traitor."
Sirius, Remus, James, and Lily had just gotten to the table.
Snape was angry at Avery's stupidity. All of this blood business seemed laughable and beneath him.
"Shut up Avery," Snape said harshly.
"Don't tell me you actually like her?" scowled Avery. "After what she did to Mulciber?"
"He deserved it. I heard he squealed like a pig all the way up to the infirmary," Snape sneered. "Mary did a good bit of magic."
"Mary what are you doing with this scum?" asked Sirius.
"Severus is interesting," said Mary bluntly. "A lot more interesting than you lot. I can take care of myself."
"You can't be serious, after what Snape's friends did to you?" said Lily.
"He's Snape now is he?" asked Mary cooly. "No longer Sev?"
Lily blushed.
"Snape's friends are not him. In fact he hasn't been hanging out with them have you Severus?"
"No I haven't," said Snape matter of factly. "Not that it's anyone's business but I have found better company." He glanced at Mary as he said it and she smiled.
"Let's go Severus, we'll be late to class," Mary said briskly as she grabbed her bag. Snape followed her without looking back, Lily stood there looking confused. She watched as Mary put her hand in his and they walked out of the Great Hall holding hands and smiling at each other.
The end of the year term came to a close quickly. Snape and Mary being a couple was the hottest gossip those last few weeks. Anytime they were spotted in the halls holding hands or kissing the latest incident was talked about in whispers. Snape had taken to sitting at the Gryffindor table at meal times as he got bored of defending Mary to his half-witted housemates. There were a few people who had even warmed up to Snape once it was very apparent that he seemed to be turning over a new leaf when it came to his beliefs about magical blood purity.
Snape was combing his clean hair and making sure his robes were ironed, in short, he had never felt more confident walking down the school halls hand in hand with Mary, arguably one of the most attractive girls in their year.
Mary and Snape spent most of their time in the library learning new things, on the grounds outside talking, or in the Prefects bathroom, the latter of which was Snape's favorite.
The night before the last day of term came and Mary and Snape spent it inside the tub, each staring at the other in perplexed awe of each other. Snape's scalp had already been scrubbed clean, Mary's back had been washed, and now they were simply an inch away from each other's lips, teasing the other as they locked eyes.
Snape closed his eyes as he kissed Mary deeply. His hands enveloped her waist into a hug as he pulled her closer, she wrapped her legs around him eagerly, he groaned appreciatively.
"I'm going to miss you Severus," she whispered. "I wish you could come over but my parents wouldn't approve."
"I'll send an owl to you every week," Snape vowed as he kissed her gently on the forehead.
"I have a present for you," Mary said. "You have to promise you'll use it before the school year starts again."
"What is it?" asked Snape in a frown. He wasn't used to getting gifts.
Mary got out of the tub and dried her hands before getting out a sheaf of parchment. Snape dried his hands at the edge of the tub and took the parchment from her.
Gift Certificate
Madame Malkin's Robes for All Occasions
Personal Favor
X_Madame Malkin
"What is this?" asked Snape confused.
"Madame Malkin owes my parents a favor, my parents agreed for me to have it. You can get anything you want from the shop, anything at all, no limit. Robes, clothes, shoes, the works."
Snape's pale face darkened in embarrassment. He knew Mary didn't think he was cool enough for her, she was trying to dress him up. He wouldn't do it, he had more dignity than that. He threw the parchment away from him so it skidded to the door.
"Oh don't be a prat," she exclaimed angrily. "I knew you might react like this but get a grip. I just want you to be comfortable at school. I see the way you look at your robes before you put them on." Mary glared at him daring him to refute what she said.
"A prat am I?" sneered Snape. "Maybe I just don't want my girlfriend feeling sorry for me, I don't need your charity," he spat.
Mary slid into the water angrily in one swift motion, she came over to Snape with such a fierce look in her eyes Snape was momentarily abashed and started backing away from her. She reached him with two short quick strokes and before he could react she had reached out and grabbed both his wrists, slamming them into the tub, holding his arms down, she pressed into him, her face inches from his.
"Don't you dare think I feel sorry for you," she whispered haughtily. Snape struggled against her but he didn't seem to want to hurt her, Mary's grip tightened as she kept him pinned against the tub, their eyes never leaving each other's.
"I adore you Severus," Mary whispered softly. She expertly wrapped her legs around his waist and brought her lips to his. Snape stopped struggling, Mary let go of his wrists and brought her hands up to run her fingers through his inky black hair. Snape had a hand on her lower back and another on her face as he continued kissing her.
"It is I who adores you Mary," Snape said throatily. "Forgive me Mary, I don't deserve you."
"No more talk of that," she gasped as she felt Snape's reaction.
Snape felt greedy for more, he let his fingers slide down until he got to her tender round flesh, he gave her butt a good hard squeeze which made her moan. Mary's tongue found Snape's and as they groped each other Snape could feel Mary' hand also wander down south, she gripped his manhood through his swim trunks momentarily which made him moan deeply.
"Severus?" she asked.
"Yes?" he asked with stars in his eyes.
"Do you think you could make a potion this summer for next year? Something that will make this safe for us?"
Snape couldn't believe his ears. Mary really wanted to be with him in that way? His groin ached painfully at this news.
"I can make it," he panted. "I'll make sure we have enough."
"Good," she smiled seductively at him.
Mary got out of the tub suddenly and started drying off. She picked up the sheaf of parchment and put it on Snape's pile of clothes.
"Use it Severus, it's not for me, it's for you."
Severus Snape could never have imagined how lucky he would be.