Bravery can be dangerous

Diagon Alley buzzes with life as Mary and her mum step through the Leaky Cauldron and into the cobbled street. The familiar hum of magic is in the air—witches and wizards hurrying from shop to shop, owls hooting from their cages, the occasional flash of light from a wand demonstration outside a shop window.

Mary’s heart lifts a little, as it always does when she’s here. Diagon Alley never loses its charm. The bright colors, the strange smells, the way magic feels so close you could almost reach out and touch it—it’s all still thrilling, even after two years at Hogwarts.

“Alright,” her mum says, consulting a list in her hand. “Uniform first, then books.”

Mary grins, but there’s a flicker of unease beneath it. She glances at her mum as they walk, wondering if her mum notices how different everything feels now. Not just because of Hogwarts, but because Mary herself feels... in between things.

She’s taller now—so that her old uniform looks almost ridiculous. And then there’s the other changes, the ones that make her squirm with both excitement and nervousness. She glances down at her chest, where her old shirt is tight now. She’s getting boobs, proper ones. It’s scary, a little awkward, but also thrilling in a way she doesn’t quite understand. She can’t wait to try on new tops, to experiment with makeup, to feel more like the young women she sees in magazines.

But at the same time... it’s all happening so fast.

They pass a group of witches laughing over pumpkin spice lattes outside a café. Mary wonders if her sisters would laugh like that one day, but she won’t be there to see it. She missed so much of them growing up last year. They used to giggle and play dress-up together, and now, whenever she comes home, it feels like they’ve become strangers in her absence.

Her mum leads her into Madam Malkin’s, and Mary takes a breath to steady herself as they enter the shop. The scent of fabric and the sound of magical measuring tapes fluttering around calms her a little.

“Mary, dear, step onto the stool,” Madam Malkin says warmly.

Mary does as she’s told, standing still while the tape measures zip around her, taking her new measurements. Her mum watches from a chair, smiling faintly, but Mary can’t help feeling like her mum doesn’t quite see her properly anymore.

“You’ve grown so much,” her mum says suddenly, a touch of awe in her voice.

“Yeah,” Mary replies, trying to sound casual. “I guess I have.”

Her new uniform is handed to her soon after—robes that fit just right, skirts the perfect length. They leave the shop, and her mum suggests they stop at Florean Fortescue’s for ice cream before heading to Flourish and Blotts.

Mary picks her favorite—strawberry with a sprinkle of chocolate—and as she eats it, she decides something.

This year, she’s going to figure it out. All of it. How to grow up without leaving her sisters behind. How to be herself while still being a part of her family.

She licks her spoon thoughtfully, staring at the bustling alley. There’s so much ahead of her, and it’s a bit scary, but it’s also exciting. She can’t wait to see what the year will bring.

-

The platform is bustling as Mary hauls her trunk onto the Hogwarts Express, her heart thrumming with excitement. She can hear the faint hum of chatter and laughter as students mill about, but her focus is on finding her friends. It’s been a long summer, and she’s never been happier to be back.

Sliding open the door to the usual compartment, she beams when she sees Dorcas already lounging by the window. “Dorcas!” Mary exclaims, shoving her trunk into the corner and plopping down beside her.

Dorcas grins. “You look glowing! Spill—what’s the secret?”

Mary pulls out a small compact case from her bag. “This!” She opens it to reveal a glittery eyeshadow palette, the colors shimmering under the compartment light. “Got it for my birthday. Isn’t it fabulous?”

Dorcas oohs in appreciation, leaning in for a closer look. “Fabulous doesn’t even cover it. You’ve got to let me borrow some!”

Marlene enters, dragging her own trunk. She rolls her eyes as she sits across from them. “Makeup? Ugh. Isn’t it easier to just go natural? Less effort, more time for Quidditch.”

Sirius, entering right behind her, perks up at the mention of makeup. “Oi, don’t knock it, Marlene. Bowie wears makeup. So does Freddie Mercury. It’s iconic.”

Remus snorts as he takes the seat by the door. “Don’t tell us you’re planning to start wearing eyeliner, Sirius.”

Peter, sitting next to him, adds, “Or leather trousers. Can you imagine?”

Sirius grins devilishly, reclining back in his seat. “If anyone could pull it off, it’s me.”

“Sure, Pads,” James says as he strides in, ruffling his already messy hair. He flops down beside Sirius and nudges him playfully.

As the train jolts to life and the countryside begins to roll past, the conversation shifts. James leans over toward Lily, who’s sitting in the corner with a book propped open. “So, Lily,” he starts, flashing his signature grin, “about Hogsmeade weekends this year... How about we make it official?”

Lily doesn’t even glance up. “Very funny, Potter.” She turns a page in her book. “If you’re done joking, I’d like to read in peace.”

James looks momentarily deflated but quickly covers it with a laugh. “One day, Evans. You’ll see my charm’s irresistible.”

Mary giggles and nudges Marlene. “I’m so excited for Hogsmeade! I want to try the Butterbeer everyone talks about.”

Marlene nods eagerly. “Oh, and Zonko’s! Imagine all the pranks we can pull on the Slytherins.”

Sirius, catching that, perks up. “Now you’re talking, McKinnon. James, we need to strategize. Best prank of the year—let’s make it happen.”

Lily groans. “Please don’t drag the rest of us into your nonsense.”

“Seconded,” Remus says dryly, though the corner of his mouth twitches as if suppressing a smile.

Peter, Mary, and Marlene exchange excited glances, fully on board with the idea. The compartment fills with chatter and laughter as they brainstorm increasingly ridiculous plans.

As Mary leans back, listening to her friends, she feels a warm contentment settle over her. Summer might’ve been tricky, but here on the train, surrounded by her favorite people, she feels like she’s exactly where she belongs.

-

Mary walks through the corridors of Hogwarts, her bag slung over her shoulder, the chatter of students echoing around her. The castle feels different this year, and not in a good way.

It starts with the stares. Boys she doesn’t even know give her strange, lingering looks as she passes. Some nudge each other and laugh, their voices dropping into murmurs she’s sure are about her. She grips her books tighter and quickens her pace, ducking her head.

“Creeps,” she mutters under her breath.

She tries to brush it off at first. After all, Hogwarts is full of oddballs. But it keeps happening. In the Great Hall, in the common room, even on the way to class. The older girls in her teen magazines made growing up seem glamorous—glittery eyeshadow, flowing hair, and confident smiles. But now? It feels more like a spotlight she doesn’t want.

One day, as she’s walking toward the library, she overhears Sirius and James near the stairwell, laughing.

“I’m just saying,” Sirius says, smirking, “girls are getting more interesting lately. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed.”

“Sure, Pads,” James replies, though his tone is distracted, his gaze flicking toward Lily in the distance.

Mary’s stomach twists. She freezes for a moment, then moves quickly past them, pretending she hasn’t heard.

But the words stay with her, echoing alongside the muffled giggles and whispers she hears from other boys. She feels her cheeks flush, a mix of embarrassment and anger. Sirius had always been loud and cocky, but now he just seems... ugh. She doesn’t even want to look at him.

When she gets back to her dorm that night, she opens her trunk and pulls out her makeup kit. She sits at her desk, staring at the shimmering eyeshadows and glossy lip balms she’d been so thrilled about just weeks ago.

Her fingers hover over the compact case, but she snaps it shut and slides it into the back of the drawer.

The girls in her magazines always seemed so confident, so sure of themselves. Mary doesn’t feel like that at all. She feels watched, scrutinized, and strangely... small.

Instead, she climbs into bed, pulling the curtains closed around her. The castle that had felt so much like home just days ago suddenly feels a little too big, a little too full of eyes she doesn’t want to meet.

-

The Gryffindor common room buzzes with its usual evening energy. Lily and Remus are bent over a table, their heads close together as they help Peter decipher a particularly stubborn Potions essay. James lounges in an armchair nearby, lazily tossing a crumpled piece of parchment into the air and catching it. Marlene and Mary sit cross-legged on the rug, sharing a bag of Every Flavour Beans, while Sirius leans against the arm of James’s chair, spinning one of his quills between his fingers.

“So, I was thinking,” Sirius says suddenly, breaking the quiet hum of conversation, “about old Kreacher the other day. That ridiculous elf used to mutter curses under his breath every time I walked by. Probably still does.” He laughs, a sharp bark that echoes in the room. “The old bat would probably throw himself off a cliff if my mum told him to.”

James snorts, clearly entertained. “You mean he hasn’t already? Surprised he hasn’t tried hexing you back yet.”

Sirius grins, his grey eyes gleaming mischievously. “Oh, I made sure to hide his precious collection of rags before I left. He nearly had a breakdown. Bloody nuisance, that one.”

Mary freezes mid-chew, her fingers tightening around the crinkly candy bag. She doesn’t know much about house elves, but the way Sirius talks about Kreacher feels... wrong. Her stomach twists.

“Are they all like that?” James asks, his tone teasing. “Completely mad?”

Mary wants to say something, but the words stick in her throat.

“Not all of them,” Lily cuts in, her voice sharp and clear from across the room. She doesn’t even look up from her parchment. “House elves are enslaved, you know. They don’t exactly have much of a choice.”

Remus nods, pushing his hair out of his face. “Yeah, they’re bound to their families. Doesn’t sound like much of a life to me.”

Sirius scoffs, though his grin falters slightly. “I mean, come on. Kreacher’s awful. You’d say the same if you met him.”

“That’s not the point,” Lily says, turning to face him now. “They’re awful because they’re treated horribly. Imagine being stuck in a house like yours, Sirius, with no way out.”

Marlene frowns but doesn’t say anything. Mary glances between Lily and Remus, her chest tightening with something she can’t quite name—relief? Gratitude? Emboldened, she takes a deep breath.

“Yeah,” Mary says quietly at first, then louder when everyone looks at her. “They’re forced to serve wizards, right? That’s... not fair. They’re people too, aren’t they?”

Sirius raises an eyebrow, caught off guard. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“But it sounded like you did,” Mary insists, her voice steadier now. “And just because Kreacher’s awful doesn’t mean you can make fun of him for being a house elf.”

The room falls silent for a moment, the tension hanging thick. James shifts in his seat, avoiding Mary’s gaze. Sirius opens his mouth, then closes it, glancing at Lily and Remus.

“You’re right,” he says finally, his voice quieter than usual. “I didn’t think about it like that.”

Lily crosses her arms, clearly satisfied, while Remus gives Mary a small, encouraging smile.

“Sorry,” Sirius mutters, more to Mary than anyone else. Must sting. Proud git.

“Apology accepted,” Mary says, her tone light but her heart still racing. She exchanges a small, grateful look with Lily and Remus.

The conversation shifts after that, but something unspoken lingers. For the first time, Mary feels like her voice mattered—and that maybe, just maybe, her friends are starting to understand.

-

The hospital wing is quiet in the late afternoon, sunlight spilling in through the tall windows and casting soft patterns on the polished floor. Mary hums softly to herself as she works, tucking the crisp white bedsheets under the mattress corners with practiced precision. She feels at ease here, the familiar scent of antiseptic and herbs filling the air. Madam Pomfrey is nearby, sorting potions into their proper places in the cabinet.

“Miss Macdonald,” Madam Pomfrey says without turning, her voice warm. “You’ve gotten quite good at that. I might have to hire you as my assistant one day.”

Mary chuckles softly, smoothing out a wrinkle in the fabric. “I wouldn’t mind. This place feels like home sometimes.”

Pomfrey pauses in her work and glances over her shoulder, her sharp eyes softening. “That’s kind of you to say.”

Mary hesitates for a moment, clutching the edge of the sheet as she looks down at it. “Madam Pomfrey?”

“Yes, dear?”

Mary bites her lip, unsure of how to phrase it. “How do you... I mean, how does someone become more confident?”

Pomfrey turns fully now, closing the cabinet door with a quiet click. She studies Mary thoughtfully before crossing the room to sit on the edge of one of the freshly made beds.

“What’s on your mind, child?” she asks gently.

Mary sits on the bed across from her, fidgeting with her hands. “It’s just... everything feels like it’s changing. My body, the way people look at me, the way I look at myself. I used to feel excited about growing up, but now it’s... I don’t know. It’s confusing. I don’t feel comfortable in my own skin anymore.”

Madam Pomfrey nods, her expression patient and understanding. “That’s a natural feeling, Mary. Growing up is a big transition, and it’s not always easy.”

Mary looks up, her voice quiet. “What if I don’t feel like I’m doing it right? Everyone expects you to be a certain way, and I don’t know if I can be that.”

Pomfrey reaches out and places a comforting hand over Mary’s. “There’s no ‘right’ way to grow up, my dear. It’s not about meeting anyone else’s expectations—it’s about finding who you are and learning to be proud of it.”

Mary listens intently, her heart steadying a little.

“You’re allowed to take your time,” Pomfrey continues. “Be kind to yourself. Confidence doesn’t come from being perfect or fitting into someone else’s mold. It comes from embracing yourself, flaws and all, and standing by your own worth.”

Mary swallows hard, feeling tears prick at her eyes. “It’s just... hard. I feel like I don’t know who I’m supposed to be.”

Pomfrey smiles kindly. “Then take it one step at a time. You’re only thirteen, Mary. You have plenty of time to figure it out. But remember, you’re already someone wonderful—right now, just as you are.”

A tear slips down Mary’s cheek, and she quickly wipes it away, laughing softly at herself. “Thanks, Madam Pomfrey.”

Pomfrey gives her hand a gentle squeeze. “You’re always welcome here, Mary. And if you ever need someone to talk to, you know where to find me.”

Mary nods, feeling a little lighter as she returns to her work. For the first time in a while, she feels like maybe—just maybe—she can figure out how to feel comfortable in her own skin again.

-

The late autumn sun casts a golden glow over the Quidditch pitch as Mary, Peter, and Remus settle into the stands, their robes fluttering slightly in the breeze. The Gryffindor tryouts are buzzing with energy, hopefuls milling around below with broomsticks in hand, and the sound of chatter and laughter fills the air.

“I don’t get why Lily thinks Quidditch is so ridiculous,” Peter muses, resting his chin on his hand. “It’s exciting!”

Remus raises an eyebrow, flipping open a book he brought along. “It’s exciting for the players. For the rest of us, it’s just a lot of sitting and watching people zoom around.”

“You’re such a nerd, Remus,” Peter teases, his eyes darting between the pitch and the group below. “At least pretend to be interested. Look—there’s James!”

James struts confidently onto the field, his broom slung over his shoulder, his grin as wide as ever. Sirius follows behind, his dark hair windswept and his swagger unmistakable. Marlene is a few steps ahead of them, looking determined as she adjusts her gloves.

“They’re all so excited,” Mary says with a laugh, waving as James looks up at their section and gives a dramatic salute.

“Overconfident, more like,” Remus mutters, though there’s a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Down on the field, Madam Hooch blows her whistle, and the tryouts begin. The hopefuls dart into the air, performing loops, dives, and quick turns, each one trying to outshine the next. James and Sirius, true to form, show off their skill with daring moves and precision passes. Marlene is just as impressive, her determination shining through as she speeds toward a Quaffle, snatching it out of the air and hurling it through a hoop.

“She’s amazing,” Mary says, leaning forward. “I think she might actually make the team!”

“She better,” Peter adds. “She’s been practicing all summer. James and Sirius too. You’d think Quidditch was life or death.”

As the tryouts go on, Mary cheers loudly every time one of her friends makes a particularly good move. Peter joins in with less enthusiasm, while Remus occasionally looks up from his book to clap politely.

When Madam Hooch finally blows the whistle to call everyone back down, there’s a tense moment as the Gryffindor captain, a tall sixth-year named Clara Ward, steps forward with a scroll.

“Here we go,” Mary whispers, clutching Peter’s arm.

One by one, Clara reads off the names of the new team members. When she announces James as the new Chaser, they erupt in cheers. Sirius follows as Beater, and Marlene’s name is called for Chaser as well.

“They did it!” Mary exclaims, leaping to her feet and clapping wildly. “They all made it!”

James, Marlene and Sirius immediately start celebrating on the field, clapping each other on the back and yelling about how they’re going to lead Gryffindor to victory.

“Guess we’re going to be hearing a lot about Quidditch this year,” Remus says dryly, but there’s a warmth in his tone.

Mary grins. “And I can’t wait!”

-

The common room is quieter than usual, as most of the students have gone home for the Christmas break. The fire crackles in the hearth, casting a warm glow on the scattered group of students still left behind at Hogwarts.

Mary slings her bag over her shoulder after she said goodbye to Lily and Marlene, exchanging quick promises to write letters over the holidays. She waves to James, Remus and Peter, who have gone home to their families, and makes her way back to the Gryffindor common room with Sirius at her side.

“See you in a week, mate,” Peter calls from the door, his hand raised in a lazy farewell.

“Yeah, yeah,” Sirius says, waving him off. “I’ll make sure to miss you terribly.”

Mary chuckles, rolling her eyes as she follows Sirius into the cozy warmth of the nearly empty common room. She tosses her bag on one of the armchairs and stretches her arms above her head. The Christmas lights glitter on the tree in the corner, and the room, usually so full of life, feels oddly still without their friends.

“I’m gonna miss the noise,” Mary mutters, taking a seat beside Sirius on the couch.

Sirius looks at her with a sly grin, “Well, that’s the beauty of it, isn’t it? Peace and quiet.”

Mary glances at him, her brow furrowing. “You’re the last person I’d call peaceful,” she teases.

He gives a dramatic sigh, looking at a fourth-year girl who passes by. As she walks past, Sirius lets out a low, wolfish whistle. Mary’s face immediately scrunches in disgust.

“Oi!” she scolds, smacking the back of his head. “What the hell, Sirius?”

He blinks at her, utterly bewildered. “What?”

Mary raises her eyebrows, glaring at him. “You’re being a sexist prat, that’s what. Don’t you ever learn?”

Sirius rubs his head, still looking at her in confusion. “What, it’s just a whistle. No harm in it.”

Mary’s voice growy sharper, frustration rising. “No harm? Seriously? It’s gross. It’s disrespectful.”

Sirius blinks again, and for the first time, Mary notices the small flicker of realization in his eyes. He bites his lip, clearly holding back a sarcastic response. “I... didn’t mean to make you angry.”

Mary folds her arms, waiting for an apology.

He hesitates for a moment before he finally looks at her with an apologetic look. “Alright, alright, I get it. I was being an idiot. No need to smack me over the head like that.”

Mary raises her chin, a bit smug now. “Glad you’re catching up. It’s not just harmless fun. Respect, Sirius.”

Sirius pauses, then raised an eyebrow as he shoots her a mischievous grin. “You jealous, then?”

Mary rolls her eyes, “God, you’re insufferable.”

But even as she rolls her eyes, she can’t help but feel a quiet sense of pride swelling in her chest. She stood up for herself. She wasn’t afraid to call him out anymore.

For a few minutes, they sit in silence, listening to the crackling fire and the muffled sounds from the rest of the castle. It's peaceful, but not quite the same. Hogwarts is quieter, less full of energy than usual.

Sirius glances at her sideways. “You really not going home, then?”

Mary shakes her head. “Nah. It’s... weird, with my family. It’s easier to stay here.”

Sirius nods, his expression softening. “I get it. It’s not like I’ve got much to go back to either.”

“So, what’s Christmas like for you?” she asks quietly, watching the flames dance.

Sirius doesn't answer immediately, his eyes fixed on the fire, a frown tugging at his lips. He shrugs, trying to look casual. “Same as always. Miserable. You know how it is.”

Mary tilts her head, her gaze sharp. She can tell he's brushing it off, trying to make light of it. “No fun? Nothing at all?”

Sirius chuckles, but it lacks his usual energy. “No, still the same. You know, purebloods and all that.” He waves his hand dismissively, his voice becoming more detached. “They love their Christmas dinners and their ridiculous traditions. Doesn’t matter much to me, though.”

Mary doesn't buy it. She studies him, her heart sinking. She knows the way his parents treat him — the hints, the stories he had told in passing — but hearing him try so hard to make it seem like everything was fine makes her uncomfortable.

“You don’t have to pretend with me, you know,” she says softly, her voice quieter than before.

Sirius’s lips curl in a weak attempt at humor. “Oh, I’m not pretending. I’m perfectly fine, Mary. Really.” He gives her a quick smile, but it's so forced it almost looked painful.

Mary bites her lip, her brow furrowing. She wants to believe him, but everything about his demeanor tells her otherwise. She can see the slight shake in his hands as he grips his wand, the way his voice cracks just a little when he speaks.

“That’s not what it looks like,” she says gently, leaning forward. She can't help but reach out, her hand brushing against his.

Sirius freezes for a second, clearly surprised by her touch. He meets her gaze, and for a split second, she sees the pain there — the walls he usually kept so high had slipped for just a moment. She feels her chest tighten.

“I know you don’t want to talk about it,” she says quietly, “but if you ever do... I’m here.”

Sirius blinks rapidly, his face twisting for just a moment before he quickly turns his head away, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. “It’s nothing. Really. Just... family stuff. You wouldn’t understand.”

Mary doesn't pull her hand away. She keeps her fingers lightly resting on his, offering him the comfort she knows he needs. “I get that it’s hard. But it’s not nothing, Sirius. You deserve to have someone who cares.”

His chest rises and falls with a shaky breath, and she can see how hard he's trying to maintain his composure. “Yeah, well... it’s not that simple,” he mutters.

Mary squeezes his hand softly, trying to show him that she's there. She doesn't want to push him too much, but she can't let him believe that his pain was something to just laugh off. She sees the way it affects him, even in the moments when he seemed like the last person who would be affected.

“You’re not alone, okay?” she whispers. “You don’t have to pretend. Not with us. Not ever.”

Sirius finally turns his head back to her, a small, almost sad smile tugging at his lips. He leans back against the couch, letting out a deep breath. “Thanks, Mary,” he says quietly, his voice quieter than usual. He lets his eyes fall shut for a moment, as if gathering strength. “It’s just... easier to joke about it. You know? Easier than admitting it’s messed up.”

Mary doesn't respond right away, letting the silence stretch for a moment. She doesn't want to say anything that might make him feel like he had to say more than he was ready to.

For a long while, they both sit there, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air between them. Neither of them say anything else, but there's something unsaid that passes between them — an understanding, a bond that, for the first time, feels more real than ever before.

Sirius doesn't joke anymore, and Mary doesn't ask him to. They sit in the quiet, the fire crackling softly in the background, until Mary breaks the silence.

“Maybe we’ll just make the best of it,” she says, a grin tugging at her lips. “Quiet holidays.”

Sirius is visibly relieved and shoots her a wicked grin. “With you and me? This place is never quiet.”

She rolls her eyes, but deep down, she knows the holidays wouldn’t be too bad, not with Sirius around.

-

Mary walks beside Lily and Marlene down the corridor, feeling the chill of the January air seeping in through the walls.
As they round the corner, they spot Severus Snape and his usual group of friends ahead. Lily brightens up immediately, her face softening at the sight of him. “Sev!” she calls, her voice warm, “Happy New Year!”

Severus glances at her, his expression blank, but he doesn't stop walking. He simply gives a small, curt nod, barely acknowledging her greeting before continuing on with his friends. The others in his group don’t even spare them a second glance.

Lily's smile falters, and she lets out a quiet sigh. Her shoulders slump just a little, the warmth she had felt a moment ago now replaced with a cold twinge of disappointment.

Mary glances at Marlene, who raises an eyebrow, but both of them can tell how much Lily is hurt. It’s been this way for a while now, and no matter how much Lily tries to hide it, it’s clear to anyone who knows her that Severus has pulled away.

“Don’t let it get to you, Lils,” Mary says gently, giving Lily’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “He’s probably just in one of his moods.”

Marlene scoffs, shaking her head. “It’s not about moods. Snape is a prat, and his friends are a hundred times worse.”

Mary nods. She knows exactly what Marlene means. Snape might still be Lily’s friend, but the group he surrounds himself with — Mulciber, Avery, and the others — is a different story. Blood purists. People who have thrown around words like “Mudblood” without a second thought. The kind of people Mary has grown to find terrifying. She's never been exactly fond of Snape but now she's grown to dislike him as well.

“You don’t have to listen to them, Lily,” Mary adds quietly. “Mulciber’s the worst. I’ve heard him say things that make my blood boil.”

Lily purses her lips, her gaze distant as she watches Severus and his group move farther down the corridor. Her eyes flicker with something — frustration, maybe, or something deeper. “I don’t care what they say,” Lily mutters, her voice tight. “Severus is still my friend. I just... I don’t understand why he can’t acknowledge me, that’s all.”

Marlene exhales sharply, clearly frustrated. “Lily, you’ve been giving him chances for ages. I’m not saying you should give up on him, but you can’t just pretend his friends aren’t a big part of the problem. He’s changed. A lot.”

Mary watches Lily’s face carefully, knowing this isn’t the kind of conversation that’s easy for her to hear. She wants to say more, to tell Lily how much she deserves a friend who doesn’t make her feel like this, but she holds back. Lily wouldn’t want to hear it right now.

“I know he’s not perfect,” Lily admits after a long pause, her voice quiet. “But he’s... he’s always been there for me. It’s just hard, okay?”

“I get it,” Mary says softly. “We just don’t want to see you hurt.”

Lily gives them both a faint smile, but it’s tired. “I’ll be fine. I always am.”

But Mary isn’t so sure. She watches as Lily’s gaze drifts back to Snape, and the weight of the silence settles between them.

She hopes Lily is right. But something tells her that this time, it’s different.

-

Mary, Marlene, Lily, and Dorcas step out of Honeydukes, their bags of sweets swinging happily by their sides. The crisp winter air bites at their cheeks, but the warm sugar from the chocolates inside their bags makes everything feel a little bit sweeter.

“Honestly, I think I got more chocolate than I can even eat,” Marlene laughs, adjusting the bag slung over her shoulder. “I’ll be bouncing off the walls by the time we get back to Hogwarts.”

“I don’t think anyone will mind,” Lily jokes, eyeing the sweets with amusement. “Might be fun to see you in that state for once.”

“Pfft,” Marlene smirks. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

As they laugh, the sound of footsteps reaches their ears. Mary turns to see the boys approaching, looking freshly out of Zonkos, their arms filled with prank supplies and various oddities. James, always grinning, waves at them first.

“Well, well, well, look who’s got the sweets!” James teases, raising an eyebrow. “You know, you could have at least gotten us some fudge. I’m sure we’d share.”

“Sure you would,” Dorcas scoffs, rolling her eyes. “Just like you share everything else, James.”

Sirius grins mischievously. “Exactly! We could have a nice little share circle, like those chocolate frogs.” He looks at Mary with a cheeky smile, “Maybe you should’ve gotten a little extra for me, huh?”

“I’m not sharing my chocolate with you, Black,” Mary says with a laugh, holding her bag protectively. “You don’t deserve it after all those snowballs you threw at me last week.”

“I’m guessing this means the peace is over?” Marlene grins as Sirius looks around innocently.

Before anyone can respond, Marlene's snowball hits James square in the chest.

“Hey!” he yells, laughing. “You’re gonna regret that one!”

“Get her, James!” Sirius shouts, already bending down to scoop up a handful of snow.

The snow fight starts in earnest. Mary ducks, laughing as a snowball flies over her head. She retaliates, tossing one at Sirius, but he’s quicker, and it splats against James instead.

“You’re supposed to aim, Mary!” James laughs, shaking snow from his hair.

“I did aim!” she protests, dodging another snowball from Peter. She grabs a handful of snow and chucks it at him, hitting him square in the face. “Take that, Peter!”

“Oh, it’s on now!” Peter yells, but he’s already laughing, launching another snowball in retaliation.

Lily, who had been standing to the side watching the chaos, finally rolls her eyes and shouts, “You lot are all ridiculous!”

Before anyone can react, she scoops up a huge snowball from the ground and hurls it straight at James, hitting him square in the back. The others pause for a moment, wide-eyed.

“Lily Evans!” James says in mock offense, rubbing the back of his neck. “You can’t do that to me!”

“Apparently, I can,” Lily grins, pleased with herself.

And just like that, the snowball fight escalates into even more chaos, the air filled with laughter and snowballs flying everywhere.

-

The train car sways gently as it picks up speed, the familiar sound of the tracks beneath the Hogwarts Express lulling Mary into a quiet contentment. She sits with her back against the seat, the bag of sweets from Honeydukes clutched in her lap. Her friends chatter around her, the conversation flowing freely as the train moves toward their summer destination.

Mary feels different. She’s not sure when it happened exactly, but she knows something inside her shifted. She hasn’t quite figured it all out yet, but there’s a subtle confidence bubbling up inside her that she didn’t have before. It’s not like she’s suddenly all-knowing or perfect—but there’s a quiet surety that she’s starting to trust herself more. Not just in the little moments, but in the bigger, harder ones.

It feels good to finally settle into herself. To know she doesn’t have to be anyone else. Maybe it’s just a small thing, but she feels it all the same: she’s growing. She’s growing into who she’s meant to be. And maybe, just maybe, she likes it.

"Oi, stop that!" Sirius’s voice breaks through her thoughts, pulling her back to the present. He's pretending to struggle against Remus, who’s giving him an exaggerated noogie.

Mary laughs, the sound bubbling out of her before she can stop it. "Are you seriously going to let him do that to you, Sirius?"

"Shut up, I’m this close to throwing him out the window," Sirius says, still grinning despite being locked in Remus’s headlock. "This is very personal, Moony. We’re gonna have words about this."

"You started it!" Remus retorts, trying to keep a straight face but failing. "You always start it."

"You’re lucky I’m not doing this on the Quidditch pitch," Sirius mutters, struggling against Remus’s grip. "Then I’d really have you on the ground."

Mary shakes her head, still laughing at their antics. It’s a good feeling, this. The way they all fit together, teasing and goofing off. It’s almost as though nothing in the world could pull her out of this moment. Everything feels right.

"Alright, alright!" James interjects, glancing up from his window and cutting through the chaos. "I think it’s time for the serious business. We should start planning our legendary pranks for next year."

"Yes, please," Sirius says dramatically, pulling herself up from her seat. "We need more pranks. The entire school will remember us!"

"Not if you keep yelling at us like that," Peter adds, looking slightly alarmed.

Lily shakes her head, but Mary can see the faintest trace of a smile on her lips. "You’re all hopeless."

"Hopelessly brilliant," Sirius chimes in with a wink, still trying to break free from Remus’s grip.

Mary grins, the warmth of being surrounded by her friends settling around her like a blanket. They’re all so different, so unique—but together, it just works. They make her feel seen, heard, and most importantly—like she can just be herself without worrying too much about anything else.

The train rounds a bend, and Mary feels a jolt as they near their stop. Summer’s waiting for them, but for now, this moment feels perfect. She’s not thinking about what comes next, or about how she’ll spend the summer, or if she’s growing up too fast. She’s just here, with her friends, feeling free.

"I’m gonna miss this," she says casually, grinning as Sirius finally manages to wriggle free from Remus’s hold.

"Me too," Marlene replies, chuckling. "But we’ll be back next year. Same time, same place."

"That’s right," Sirius says with a mock-dramatic sigh. "And we’ll have even more pranks up our sleeves."

James gives an exaggerated salute. "See you all in September."

And for now, that feels like enough. Just being here, in this moment, with her friends, laughing and talking and feeling like the future can wait a little longer.

She doesn’t need to figure everything out yet. She’s just happy to be here.