Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Today was Marry's twelfth birthday.

What should have been a day of celebration was instead one full of gloom.

Not one letter had come in from Marry's friends.

All summer, Marry had waited.

He even thought about breaking his owl, Hedwig, out of her confinement to get word out somehow.

It wasn't worth the risk.

Marry would rather be lonely than be expelled from Hogwarts.

He looked at his right hand.

It had healed from his encounter with Voldemort a month ago.

The bracelet on his wrist sparkled in the light.

I can't use my wand... Can I use my bracelet?

Again, the risk was too high.

He was outside by Miss Green's flower shrub.

This is where Marry buried his first, dear snake friend.

His only friend for the longest time.

{I don't know what happened.} He said in the language of snakes. {I thought for sure I had gotten friends. None of them even remembered my birthday.}

"What are you hissing at?"

Dudley had come out.

Marry shrugged.

"Just an old friend. What do you want, Dudley?"

Dudley sneered.

"I know today is your birthday. Why aren't you out exploring? You hate being here on your birthday."

Because Marry had hoped to see owls in the sky, heading to number 4 Privet Drive.

He didn't want to miss them in case they came.

"I didn't want to risk being out late. Uncle Vernon's big dinner plan is tonight."

Dudley laughed.

"Like you care! Why don't you stay the night out of the house? It's not like you will be missed."

Those words stung.

Marry raised her arm to Dudley.

"Say that again, and I'll get rid of all your hair!"

Dudley paled.

"Y-y-you can't! Mum said-"

Marry started to speak in snake.

{You better not remind me how alone I am today.}

Dudley ran into the house.

"MUM! MUUUM! He's doing it!"

That was a short-lived satisfaction, as Aunt Petunia now had a list of chores for Marry to do.

By late afternoon, Mary was in the garden, double-checking the flower beds to ensure they were in pristine condition.

He heard a twig snap.

Turning, he saw a pair of large, round green eyes staring back from Miss Green's shrub.

Marry called out.

"Hello?"

The eyes blinked and disappeared with a pop.

Well, that was weird.

It happened so fast, Marry almost convinced himself it was a trick of the light.

Heading inside, Marry swallowed down his meager meal and went for the stairs.

Uncle Vernon wagged a finger in his face.

"Not one sound, boy!"

Marry just nodded.

When he got to his room, he was surprised to see that Hedwig was not the only one in there.

A little creature was on Marry's bed.

Marry silently shut his door and went to sit in his desk chair.

Was this creature friend or foe?

The creature bowed and spoke.

"Marry Potter! Such an honor! I am Dobby."

Marry said, "Hello Dobby. Why are you in my room?"

Dobby came out of his bow and said, "It is hard to say for Dobby. He does not really know how to word it..."

Marry felt this creature was friendly enough.

"I don't mean to be rude, but can I ask what you are? I've never seen your kind before."

Dobby gestured to himself. 

"I is a house-elf, Miss. We serve wizards."

Marry nodded, as if that answer made sense.

He pointed to his bed.

"Well, it's not a good night for me to host, but you are welcome to sit and chat."

Dobby let out a wail.

"S-sit down! Never has- has Dobby-"

Oh no, did he offend the little fellow?

"I'm sorry! I don't know the customs for house-elves!"

Dobby shook his head, tears still in his eyes.

"Dobby has never been offered a seat before. Like an equal!"

Marry got up to kneel in front of Dobby.

"It's all right. Please calm down. I need to be quiet."

Dobby hiccuped.

Marry asked, "What kind of life do you have that no one has offered you something as simple as a seat?"

Dobby mumbled a, "A bad one..."

He then went to the window and banged his head against it, saying, "Bad Dobby!"

Hedwig let out a screech.

Marry picked up Dobby to hold him close to his chest.

"Shh! Calm down!"

Dobby was slack in his arms.

"So sorry, Miss. Dobby spoke ill of his family."

Marry went to sit with Dobby on his bed.

"Your family? Other house-elves?"

Dobby shook his head.

"Dobby's wizard family. The one I serve."

Marry asked, "You serve them? Like a butler?"

Dobby sulked.

"A butler is a job. A house-elf serves their family without pay, Miss."

Marry's stomach turned.

"What? Like a slave?"

Marry sometimes felt like a slave in this house.

He understood.

Dobby shook his head.

"We is bonded. 'Tis old magic that keeps us with our family."

Marry wanted to pat Dobby on the head, but feared he might start crying again.

"Does your family know you are here?"

Dobby shuddered.

"No, Miss. They would be ever so mad if they knew. Dobby will have to punish himself greatly. Shut his ears in the oven, he must."

Marry asked, "Won't they notice you hurting yourself?"

Dobby shook his head.

"They does not pay attention to Dobby, unless they feel the punishment is not enough."

Marry asked, "Why not leave? It sounds awful there."

"'Tis part of the magic. Only their master can set a house-elf free. It must be their choice."

Marry asked, "Who is your master? I could try and talk to them to set you free."

Dobby started to wail again.

"Oh, Miss! Miss is so kind! Dobby has heard of your kindness from the master, but he never thought Dobby would be treated with it!"

Marry asked again, "Who is your master?"

Dobby said, "I serves the Malfoy family."

Marry gasped.

"Draco is your master? And he treats you like this?"

Marry was getting mad.

Dobby said, "Young Master Malfoy has changed since coming home from school. He speaks of you fondly. He wishes to be friends. That's why he had Mister Longbottom over for the summer."

Marry felt her anger sway.

So Draco was trying?

Marry will have to add kindness to other creatures to the list.

Dobby wiped his eyes on his pillowcase.

"Dobby has come to warn Miss. To protect Miss Marry Potter. Marry Potter must not go back to Hogwarts!"

Marry snorted.

"Sorry, Dobby, but that's not happening. I belong in the wizarding world. Hogwarts is my home. Not this place."

Dobby gripped his pillowcase.

"No, Miss! You will be in danger! 'Tis not safe at Hogwarts this year."

Marry tilted his head.

"Why?"

Dobby said, "A wicked deed will be carried out. Dobby has known for months."

Marry asked, "Who is going to do this wicked deed? Is it the Malfoys?"

Dobby shook his head and nodded, making his head bobble up and around.

Marry was confused.

"Not the Malfoys, but they know something?"

Dobby got up to bang his head against the wall.

Marry placed a hand on Doddy's forehead to stop him.

"Keep quiet! Please! I don't want to get in trouble."

Dobby struggled, then went lax.

"'Tis safer here Miss."

Marry rolled his eyes.

"More miserable. I would rather be back at Hogwarts with my friends... I mean, I thought I had friends..."

Dobby said, "Your friends haven't been writing to Miss."

Marry sighed.

"I'm sure there is a reason-Hold on! How do you know that?"

Dobby got off the bed.

"Don't be mad-"

Marry rose.

"Have you been stopping my letters?"

Dobby flinched.

"Was for your own good!"

From his pillowcase, he pulled out a thick wad of letters.

Marry took in a breath and held out his hand.

"Dobby, give me my letters. You are a thief!"

Dobby looked ashamed.

"Dobby will return them if Marry Potter promises not to go to Hogwarts."

A lie was on the tip of his tongue, I won't go, but looking at Dobby's pleading face, he couldn't.

Marry knelt to Dobby's level.

"I can't lie to you, Dobby. I will be going back to Hogwarts. Even if it's dangerous. I beat Voldemort (Dobby flinched) twice now! I can handle myself."

Dobby dropped the stack of letters.

Marry picked them up, only to hear his bedroom door open.

Dobby had escaped!

Marry rushed out, as quietly as he could, to follow Dobby.

He saw the elf in the kitchen, finger in the air.

Marry crept slowly over.

"Dobby-"

"Please, Miss! Says you won't go!"

"I can't-"

Dobby snapped his fingers.

A pop and Dobby was gone, and Aunt Petunia's pudding fell to the floor.

Chapter Text

Arabella knocked on the door to the Dursleys.

Marry Potter had not been seen for three days now.

It was unusual.

The girl was supposed to be out and about, finding critters, and coming over to play the piano.

When Marry was punished, it was for at least a day or two.

Petunia opened the door and placed a fake smile on her face.

"Miss Figg. So nice to see you."

Arabella gave a fake smile back.

"Hello. I was wondering where Harry is. He has not been around for piano lessons."

Arabella hated that she could not call Marry by her True Name.

These muggles were stuck in the old ways.

Born a boy, always a boy.

What poppycock!

With Marry's long hair, most would think she was a girl anyway.

But no, these muggles refused to see Marry as she was.

Petunia frowned.

"I'm afraid Harry will be grounded till the end of summer."

Arabella's eyes widen.

"Goodness! What did the boy do this time?"

Petunia then told a tale of Marry smashing her pudding and scaring Mrs. Mason.

That didn't sound like Marry.

"How horrid! You are such a wonderful family, where does the boy get his manners?"

Petunia sucked up the praise like a sponge.

Arabella then said, "Why not send the boy to me for a bit. I can put some manners in him."

Petunia thought about it.

"Perhaps. I will need to talk to Vernon about it."

Arabella nodded.

"I understand. I would hate to overstep."

Petunia waved a hand.

"It is alright, Miss Figg. The boy has been quiet. So he might be able to go over to your house soon."

Arabella nodded.

Walking away from the house, she knew that a letter to Dumbledore was in order.

Later that night, her cats started to cause a fuss.

"What has gotten into you?"

The cats pawed at the door.

Arabella stepped out of the house.

The cat's pawed upward.

Arabella saw the bumper of a car flying away in the sky.

She smiled.

"Good for you Marry."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Marry was enjoying lunch at the Weasley's.

It was so nice here.

When Marry pictured homey, this was it.

Ginny had finally started to talk to Marry, after a few days of being too shy to.

"I really like your dress."

Marry was able to wear his nice clothes at the Burrow.

"Thank you, Ginny. Do you have any dresses? We can dress up and have a tea party!"

Ginny went pink.

"I do, but there no where as nice as yours..."

Marry said, "Would you like one?"

Ginny's eyes went wide.

"What do you mean?"

Marry said, "I'll buy you a new dress when we go to Diagon Alley."

Ginny's eyes lit up.

"Really!?"

Marry nodded.

"I wanted to get your family gifts for taking such good care of me."

When Ginny happily told her Mum, Mrs. Weasley said, "Oh deary, you don't need to. We are happy to have you."

Marry shook his head.

"I want to. Please, Mrs. Weasley?"

 Ginny joined in.

"Please, Mum!"

And so Marry would get gifts for the Weasleys.

George said, "Banger! We needed new broomsticks for Quidditch."

Fred added, "Yeah, and a new set of equipment."

Mrs. Weasley went red.

"Oh no! Marry will not be spending her money on broomsticks! That's too much!"

Fred winked at Marry, "Only teasing, Mum. We will be happy with whatever Marry gets us."

George added. "Though some new equipment would be nice."

Percy asked for a new cauldron.

"Mine is getting a bit worn. I am in advance, Potions after all."

Ron said he didn't want anything.

"You getting stuff for my family is enough for me."

Marry would get Ron some sweets.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Marry was lost.

He didn't like the feel of this shop.

It was dark and had a bad aura to it.

Marry was inspecting a large black cabinet when he heard footsteps.

He panicked and went into the wardrobe.

From the shop's entryway came Draco.

And a man that had to be his Father.

They looked alike.

Marry thought about it.

It was better to be with Draco than stuck wherever he was.

He stepped out of the wardrobe.

The Malfoys and the shopkeeper, Mr. Borgin, didn't notice Marry till he stepped closer.

Draco's eyes went wide, "Marry! What are you doing here?"

Mr. Malfoy whirled around.

Mr. Borgin snapped, "Where did you come from?"

Marry pointed to the fireplace.

"I came through the Floo. I think I'm lost. I was trying to get to Diagon Alley."

 Draco said, "We're in Knockturn Alley. It's right next to Diagon Alley."

Marry sighed in relief.

Mr. Malfoy's lip curled in to a smile.

"Marry Potter. So nice to finally meet you. Have you been enjoying your broomstick?"

Marry nodded.

"It's wonderful sir. I'm going to try for the racing team this year."

Mr. Borgin coughed.

Mr. Malfoy said, "Draco why don't you take Marry to Diagon Alley. You two can look around for your school supplies."

Draco took Marry's hand.

"Yes Father!"

Draco led Marry out of the shop.

"It's this way Marry."

Along the way Marry paused to look at the different shops here and there.

Draco told Marry about them.

"That's the Fading Wail. It's where the half-breeds like to go."

Marry wrinkled his nose.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Draco shrugged.

"You know, like werewolves and dhampirs. Half a wizard."

Marry let go of Draco's hand.

"That's not very nice, Draco."

Draco rolled his eyes.

"It's fine Marry. This is Knockturn Alley. People talk like that all the time here."

Marry would walk away, but he was still lost.

"MARRY! What yeh doing here?"

Hagrid's tall form came lumbering over.

He eyed Draco. 

"Malfoy, yeh shouldn't have brought Marry here."

Marry explained how he got lost.

At the mention of the Weasleys, Draco wrinkled his nose.

"The Weasleys? Is that where you've been?" He snorted. "If I knew you needed a place to stay, you should have come over to the Manor."

Hagrid started to guide the children out of Knockturn Alley.

"Why yeh didn't write me back if yeh was with the Weasley's?"

Marry was about to tell him about Dobby when he remembered Draco was following closely.

He shouldn't tattle on Dobby.

Marry didn't want to see him punished.

"I really angered the Dursleys by throwing pudding on the floor."

Draco laughed.

"I heard about that! You used a Hover Charm!"

Marry asked, "How do you know that?"

Draco said, "Father heard about that. It was a bit of gossip in the Ministry."

They finally made it to Diagon Alley.

"Marry!"

Hermione was at the top of the Gringotts steps.

She came down beaming at him and Hagrid.

Then frowned when she saw Draco.

"What are you doing with Malfoy? I thought you were with the Weasleys?"

Marry was about to explain when a group of red-haired people came over.

"Oh, Marry dear!" Mrs. Weasley fussed, "There you are! I was so scared! You could have been anywhere!"

Draco stepped up.

"Father and I found Marry."

The Weasleys eyed Draco.

Marry explained, again, that he was lost.

Mrs. Weasley said to Draco, "Thank you. We were so worried. Marry is lucky to have you as a friend."

Both Marry and Draco said, "We're not friends yet."

They both smiled at each other.

It was Mr. Weasley who asked, "Where is your Father now?"

Draco said, "Selling some old things that have been collecting dust in the Manor. Mother wants to redecorate."

Mr. Weasley pursed his lips.

"I see... Do you want to come with us till your Father gets back?"

Marry expected Draco to scoff and say something rude.

Instead, Draco gave a small nod.

"If you will have me. I would be honored."

Marry smiled.

He was playing nicely. It might be an act, but it was a start.

Hagrid departed, and Hermione and Draco sat on the steps of Gringotts.

When they returned, Marry was pleased not to see Hermione mad or in tears.

"We were talking about History of Magic Class!"

Marry was proud of Draco.

The hunt for gifts for the Weasleys was on!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Draco was well-behaved as he tagged along with Marry, Ron and Hermione.

He even helped pick out a nice sun hat for Mrs. Weasley's gift.

It was soon time to head to Flourish and Blotts.

It was packed!

Marry and the others pushed their way inside.

A man was standing, showing off a very white toothed smile.

He was having his picture taken.

Hermione whispered, "Let's get closer! I want to meet Gilderoy Lockhart!"

Ron said, "Where close enough."

Lockhart turned his smile toward them.

"My goodness! Is that Marry Potter I spy!"

Marry was then shoved to Lockhart's side.

He flashed a smile at the camera as he shook Marry's hand.

"Nice big smile Marry!"

Marry gave a shy smile as his picture was taken.

Lockhart wrapped his arm around Marry.

"Ladies and Gentlemen! I have some news! I will be teaching Miss Potter this year as Defense Against the Dark Arts!"

The crowd went wild.

Lockhart gave Marry a stack of his books.

"I will be seeing you this year, Miss Potter!"

Marry returned to the Weasley's and put the books in Ginny's cauldron.

"You can have these. I get my own."

Draco said, "What a fop! Marry, you don't need to associate with that man. You're better than that."

Marry had to agree with Draco. Lockhart seemed a bit too eager for pictures, and it made Marry uncomfortable.

"Draco, there you are!"

Mr. Malfoy had appeared.

He glanced at Mr. Weasley, "Arthur."

Mr. Weasley nodded back, "Lucius."

He glanced around. 

"What were you up to, Draco?"

Draco pointed at Lockhart.

"Getting Marry on the cover of the front page."

Mr. Malfoy rolled his eyes.

"Like Potter needs help with that."

He then smiled at Marry.

Marry felt like Mr. Malfoy's smile didn't reach his eyes.

"It was so nice to finally meet you! Draco has told me all about you. I would be honored to host you at the Manor sometime."

Mr. Weasley took a step toward Marry.

"She is staying with us for the summer."

Mr. Malfoy sneered.

"Another mouth to feed?" Mr. Malfoy took Ginny's old textbook. "Can you really afford that?"

Oh.

So that's where Draco gets it from.

Marry said, "They have been wonderful to me. I would like to stay with them. Perhaps next summer I can come over?"

Mr. Malfoy inspected Marry.

"Very well." He placed Ginny's book back. "I await your arrival, Miss Potter. I will show you what a real wizard family should be like."

He took hold of Draco.

"Come now, Draco. My business is done here."

Draco waved to Marry and left with his Father.

Chapter Text

Marry watched as the Ford Anglia drove off into the woods.

The tree they crashed into was still thrashing its limbs about.

Ron groaned from his spot on the ground.

"Dad's going to kill me..."

He held up his wand, which was now broken.

"After Mum kills me..."

Marry helped him up.

"Come on. We need to get our stuff over with the others."

They dragged their trunks through the grass and up to the pile with the other students.

Ron went to the window of the Great Hall.

"Looks like The Sorting is beginning."

Marry peered inside.

Hogwarts' warm light filled his eyes.

He missed her.

Marry glanced around.

"Where is Professor Snape?"

Ron said, "Maybe he's ill!"

Marry rolled his eyes.

"He's a Potion Master. I doubt there is a sickness he couldn't make a cure for."

Ron said, "Maybe that means he's really sick!"

Marry lightly pinched Ron's arm.

"That's my Head of House you're talking about."

Ron said, "You're right... Maybe he got sacked!"

"Or maybe," said a voice behind Marry, "He's waiting to hear why you two didn't arrive on the train."

Marry and Ron spun around.

Professor Snape was glaring down at them.

He said, "Come." And was off to the castle.

Snape led them to his office in the dungeons.

He took a seat at his desk and picked up the Evening Prophet.

"Explain."

On the front page was the headline FLYING FORD ANGLIA MYSTIFIES MUGGLES!

Marry told him how they couldn't get through the barrier at King's Cross.

"And you thought flying a car was your best option? Foolish girl! If you found yourself not able to get to Hogwarts, why not send an owl? You have one, do you not?"

Marry looked down at his feet.

"Oh... I didn't-"

There was a knock at the door, then Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore came in.

Dumbledore was trying to catch Marry's eye, but he kept his eyes on the ground.

McGonagall turned to Ron.

"Mr. Weasley. Care to explain to me why you did what you did?"

Ron then explained.

It was quiet till there was a sigh.

"Well." Professor Dumbledore said, "That is quite the tale. You will be punished for this."

 Marry felt tears starting to well up in his eyes.

He was going to be expelled.

Back to the Dursleys.

Professor Dumbledore said, "I believe your Head of House will give you appropriate detentions."

Ron gasped, "We're not expelled?!"

Dumbledore said, "No, not yet. If you do something like that again, then yes, you will be expelled."

Marry looked at Snape.

He wiped his eyes.

Professor Snape said, "As much as I feel expulsion would be appropriate, we can not risk Potter having pent-up magic. It would be a danger to all if she became an Obscurus."

He looked at Marry.

"Detention, Potter."

Marry nodded.

"Yes, sir."

Professor McGonagall told Ron the same thing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Marry was greeted by applause when he finally made it to the Slytherin common room.

He had knocked on the wall till he was let in.

There was talk about 'giving muggles a good fright.' And 'Where did you find a flying car?'

Marry told them that it was none of their business and went to bed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After the Howler, Marry felt miserable.

He could not enjoy his first day back.

A friendly Hufflepuff named Justin Finch-Fletchley tried to make small talk at Charms.

"Is it true you're a Magica? I read about them. Real powerful wizards they are."

Marry shrugged.

"Don't know. I'm too young to really know."

Justin nodded.

"I think you could be the next Merlin or Morgana!"

Marry didn't think he would be that powerful.

At lunch, a little first-year with a camera came up to Marry.

"Hello! I'm Colin Creevey! Can I get your picture?"

Marry heard snickers around the table.

He turned to smile at Colin.

"Why do you want my picture? I'm sure there are better things to take pictures of. Have you been to the greenhouse? It has a lot of pretty flowers."

Colin said, "You're Marry Potter! The Gryffindors told me all about you! You're the coolest Slytherin ever! That's what they say!"

Marry thought that was a bit much.

Merlin was a Slytherin, too.

Marry placed a hand on the table.

"One picture, okay."

Colin beamed and took a picture of Marry smiling sweetly.

He was red as he brought the camera down.

"Wow! I can't wait to use that potion that makes pictures move!"

Lockhart came down from the teacher's table.

"My! Look at this! An amateur photographer? Would you like my photo? Oh, how about one with Marry!"

Marry did not want to, but Colin was bright-eyed and grinning.

"Oh, alright. Just one more."

Chapter Text

Marry tied his hair in a bun.

Today was Broom Racing try-outs!

Marry grabbed his Nimbus 2000 and headed outside.

He made it to the Great Hall when Colin came up to Marry.

"Hiya, Marry! Were you going with that broom?"

Marry said, "Racing try-outs are today. I hope to get on the team."

Colin beamed.

"Can I come too! I haven't had flying class yet, and I want to see how everyone flies!"

Marry let Colin tag along.

The racing club was one of the clubs where all the Houses could participate together. 

Anyone could join if they were good enough.

Marry noticed there were a lot of people standing around.

Did they all want to race?

Wait, was that Ron, Hermione, and Draco?

The Leader of the club was a tall Ravenclaw boy with dark skin and dreadlocks.

"Welcome, everyone! I'm Milo Brooks! Today we have a big crowd, so I hope you are not too nervous."

He held up a list.

"I got your names right here. If your name is not on this list, please head over to the benches to watch."

Most of the crowd made their way to the benches.

Milo lined up the participants.

When he got to Marry he grinned.

"Potter! It's good to see you. Are you looking forward to this?"

Marry beamed, "Yes! I hope to make it!"

Milo got a sly grin on his face.

"Well, in that case, do you want to go first?"

Marry stopped grinning.

"Umm, well, I was hoping to watch a few first."

Milo placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Nonsense! You got this!"

He took Marry to the starting line.

"Just a lap around the yard. Make sure you enter all the hoops. When you make it back, do a trick."

Marry mounted his broom.

He felt a bit nervous.

Everyone was watching.

Milo blew a whistle.

Marry took off.

Fast.

Faster!

Marry was a bullet across the yard.

He turned into the wind to get through the hoops.

The finish line!

He stood up on his broom to surf down to the line.

There was applause.

Milo was beaming.

"Wow! That was impressive! You have a real knack for this! Welcome to the team!"

Marry was overjoyed!

Her friends and Colin came over.

"That was amazing!"

"You shot through the air!"

"You have such good balance!"

Colin was waving his camera.

"I think I got that on camera! You were so fast, it might come out blurry.

Marry joined his friends on the benches.

"That was so fun!"

Hermione said, "You did so well! You will definitely win the races!"

She kicked her feet in excitement and accidentally hit an older Slytherin in the back.

"Oh! I'm so-"

The Slytherin said, "Watch it, mudblood."

There were gasps.

Ron stood up.

"What did you call her?!"

The Slytherin turned to Ron.

"A filthy, little, mudblood!"

Ron pulled out his wand.

"You'll pay for that!"

There was a BANG, and Ron was pushed back into the benches.

His wand had backfired.

Marry got up to help Ron.

As he was pulled, he burped up a slug.

Hermione said, "Eww! Ron, you jinxed yourself!"

Marry was about to tell the Slytherin off when Draco stepped up.

"How dare you insult Marry's friend! We do not use that word!"

Ron belched up more slugs.

Colin took photos.

"Not now, Colin!"

Marry and Hermione made their way to Hagrid's as it was closer.

Getting Ron a bucket was the best they could do at the moment.

Hagrid said, "I know a little someone that might like those slugs."

He showed them to the gardens.

"I found him a few months ago in my garden. I tried ter get rid of him, but he keeps coming back."

He pointed to a large patch of enormous pumpkins.

"The little one should be around. Call fer it Marry!"

Marry was confused.

"What is it, Hagrid?"

Hagrid grinned.

"An adder! I thought yeh might like a little snake friend. Like yeh told me about."

Marry grinned.

He walked over to the pumpkins and got lower to the ground.

{Hello? Are you there?}

An adder came slithering out of the patch.

{We meet again.}

Marry gasped.

{It's you! The adder that helped in the forest!}

The snake said, {You did say I could come.}

Marry looked back at Hagrid, Ron, and Hermione.

They were all pale.

They must be scared of the adder.

Marry turned back to the snake.

{Can I pick you up? My friend's face will be priceless!}

The adder hissed.

{I'm not a pet to be coddled.}

Merry nodded.

{Of course! Have you eaten? Want some fat, slimy slug?}

The snake perked up at the mention of food.

He said, {Very well.}

Marry picked him up and held him for his friends to see.

Their face was priceless!

Marry placed the adder back down.

It slithered next to Marry to inspect the pile of slugs in Ron's bucket.

Marry picked up a fat one and fed it to the snake.

Ron blurted out, "You're a Parselmouth?!"

Hermione asked, "Why didn't you tell us?"

Hagrid frowned.

"Yeh didn't tell them?"

Marry shrugged.

"It's not something that comes up a lot."

Hermione and Ron shared a look.

Ron let out another slug.

"That explains why you're in Slytherin then."

Marry giggled, "I guess!"

Hermione said, "Marry. Talking to snakes is what Salazar Slytherin was famous for."

Ron said, "Yeah! You might be a descendant or something!"

Marry shrugged.

"I don't know my family tree, so who's to say?"

Ron said, "Marry, it might be best if you don't tell this to anyone else. It might be a bad look."

Marry felt the snake going up his leg.

{If I stay here, will you feed me more?}

Marry smiled.

{Sure! You need a name first.}

The adder hummed.

{Very well. What shall I be called? I want a regal name.}

Marry translated for the others.

Hagrid said, "How about Sir Pent. Tha' a funny name!"

Marry shook his head.

Hermione said, "What about Ouroboros? The snake that eats it's own tail."

Marry liked that.

"We can call him Boros for short!"

The newly named Ouroboros liked it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Draco handed over a Galleon.

"Thank you for that little show, Hayden. I definitely got points with Marry."

The older Slytherin pocketed the coin.

"I still think you're crazy. A whole Galleon to call Granger a mudblood in front of Potter with you there. Is she really worth it, Malfoy?"

Draco smirked.

"You'll see! Having Marry on my side will be wonderful!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Detention with Lockhart.

Snape was a wicked man.

Marry's wrist hurt from writing the same name over and over.

Lockhart kept prattling on and on about his fans.

Marry didn't get it.

Lockhart did all these amazing feats, so why was he such a git?

A voice.

{Come … come to me. … Let me rip you. … Let me tear you. … Let me kill you.}

"What?"

Lockhart said, "What? You say something Marry?"

"Didn't you?"

Lockhart smiled.

"Getting a little sleepy? Gosh, look at the time! You should be in bed!"

Did Lockhart not hear the creepy voice?

Marry tried to listen for the voice on the way back.

He heard nothing.

Chapter Text

Flying in the rain was both exhilarating and exhausting.

Marry felt like he might slip off his broom!

Walking back into the castle, Marry was soaked.

The Bloody Baron was floating around the dungeons.

"Hello, Potter, you look like you swam in the lake."

Marry chuckled.

"I bet! I've been flying in the rain. Wanted to practice a bit before my first race."

The Bloody Baron said, "You do have a talent for flying and the Piano. If you had to choose between the two, which would you pick?"

Marry smiled.

"I like both! So I don't have to make a choice. I'll do both!"

The Baron's lip twitched.

"Such a Slytherin thing to say."

There was a meow from the floor.

Mrs. Norris.

Marry also noticed the mud he trailed in.

Uh oh.

The Baron glared at the cat.

"I have a bad feeling about this. Potter, head back to the common room."

Marry tried to go, but as if being summoned by his cat's cry, Filch showed up.

"Filth! Potter! You dare soil this castle with mud! I won't stand for it!"

He pointed up the stairs.

"My office now!"

Marry waved to the Baron and headed up to Filch's office.

In the office, Filch was writing Marry up when-

BANG!

"PEEVES!"

Filch left his office muttering curses.

Marry thought about leaving, but that might piss off Filch.

He took a seat in the chair.

There was a letter on Filch's desk.

Who would leave their letters out like that?

Anyone could pick it up and read it.

Like Marry!

KWIKSPELL

Oh?

Was Filch a... what was the word... A wizard with underflow magic... A squib! That's right!

Marry heard Filch coming back and placed the envelope back on the desk.

Filch said, "That vanishing cabinet was a rare piece of magical-"

He looked at the letter on the desk, which had now been flipped.

"Did you- Did you read that?"

"No." Marry lied.

Filch went to snatch the letter up.

"It's for a friend! It's not mine! Potter, leave!"

He shoved the letter in a drawer.

Marry didn't need to be told twice.

He headed out as the Bloody Baron floated down from the ceiling.

"Potter. Did that distraction work?"

Marry grinned, "Was that you?"

The Baron said, "I told Peeves to do it. He is quite scared of me."

Marry giggled.

"You're not so scary!"

The Baron actually smiled. 

Then he said, "I did not do this for free. You owe me, Potter."

Marry nodded.

"Sure, what do you want?"

The Baron said, "Pick a blue columbine, and leave it in Ravenclaw tower on Halloween. Somewhere where the moon will light it up."

A blue Columbine?

That was seen as a funeral flower.

It also meant sorrowful regret.

"Sure. I can do that."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Halloween was here, and Marry had the flower the Bloody Baron requested in his pocket.

He decided to wait till it got darker outside so Marry could find a good spot for a moonlit place for the flower.

Marry was with the Slytherins as Dumbledore said the Grace of Magic.

It felt nice.

To have everyone together and get along.

Marry ate delicious food while talking to Draco about his Quidditch tryout.

"I knew I would get on! Father did get me the best broom out there."

Marry said, "I'll cheer for you if you come cheer for me."

Draco said, "Deal!"

Before dessert, Marry got up.

"Where are you going?"

Marry patted his pocket.

"I have a favor to finish, I'll see you in the common room. Save me some sweets!"

Marry headed out.

Ron and Hermione followed him out.

"What are you guys doing?"

Ron said, "Us? Where are you going?"

Marry pulled out the flower and told them about the Baron's favor.

Hermione asked, "Why would he want that?"

Marry shrugged.

"I didn't ask. It seemed personal."

Ron and Hermione came along to Ravenclaw Tower.

Marry found a window seal that had a nice view of the moon.

He placed it down.

"How's this look?"

Hermione gave a thumbs-up.

Ron said, "It's just a flower. I thought that a secret door or something would show up."

Marry huffed.

"Boys. Am I right, Hermione?"

Hermione giggled.

They made their way back down.

Ron asked, "You think we can make it for the end of dessert?"

A voice.

{Sooo hungry... For sooo long...}

Marry paused.

"What was that?"

Hermione asked, "What was?"

Marry listened.

{Can't feast yet... Must wait...}

Marry followed the voice.

"Do you guys hear that?"

Ron said, "Nah. Don't hear anything."

Marry walked on, and Ron and Hermione trailed behind.

{Must... Must kill...}

Marry picked up the pace.

{I must not feast... But I can kill!}

Marry shouted, "It's going to kill!"

Marry bolted.

Soon he was splashing in water.

The floor was flooded.

He slowed down.

It was Hermione who saw it first.

"What is that?"

On the wall was a message.

THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS HAS BEEN OPENED.

ENEMIES OF THE HEIR, BEWARE.

Underneath was Mrs Norris, hanging from her tail on a torch basket.

Marry started to walk over to get her down, when Ron pulled him back.

"No, Marry! We need to leave!"

"But-"

The sound of footsteps.

The rest of the school was coming.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Marry was sitting with Draco as he handed over some dessert he had snuck out.

"What's the Chamber of Secrets?"

Draco sighed.

"Oh, Marry, you poor thing. You don't know about Salazar Slytherin's secret chamber. What kind of Slytherin are you?"

He began to explain the story of Slytherin's fallout with the other founders.

Marry asked, "So a monster of some kind is in the Chamber?"

Draco shrugged.

"A monster, a curse, something we can't even understand. Who knows. It's just a story."

"Is it?"

Draco said, "Well, someone wants us to believe it's real. What happened to that cat was not normal."

He said, "Father would know more. I'll write to him."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Marry, Ron, and Hermione were checking out the corridor for clues on what really happened to Mrs. Norris.

They found spiders in a row escaping the castle.

Marry remembers that the floor was wet.

He went to the bathroom.

Hermione followed.

Ron said, "Oi! I can't go in there!"

Hermione said, "It's fine. This is Moaning Myrtle's place. No one will be in here."

Marry knew about Moaning Myrtle. 

He was warned by the other girls to stay away unless you wanted to hear her sobbing while you peed.

Marry went up to a stall and knocked.

"Hello?"

Myrtle came floating out of the stall.

"What do you-" She spotted Ron, "You're not a girl! Get out!"

Marry sweetly said, "Myrtle. We were wondering if you saw anything on Halloween night."

Myrtle said, "I did hear something."

Marry, Ron, and Hermione leaned a little closer.

"It was the sound of stones moving. Big stones. I was a little tired from Nick's Death Day party, so I didn't check on what it was."

Marry frowned.

"Thank you, Myrtle."

Ron mumbled, "Not very helpful."

Hermione shushed him.

Myrtle was getting teary-eyed.

"What did you say? Whispering about me! Teasing me!"

Ron said, "Course not-"

Myrtle let out a sob.

"You brought a boy in here to tease me! To show off the freak ghost of the toilet!"

Marry tried to calm down Myrtle.

"No, no, we just wanted to-"

Myrtle was not having it; she plunged herself into the toilet to continue crying.

Well so much for that.

Chapter Text

Dear Draco.

The Chamber is very much real.

In fact, I say that this year will go better than the last time it was opened.

Fifty years ago, a mudblood died.

Let us hope more is purged from the school this time around.

I want you to keep your head down and let the Heir do what needs to be done.

If the Heir is caught, expulsion might not be in their future.

Azkaban.

Need I say more?

I don't want you messing with this.

Ask what kind of food Potter likes.

Your Mother and I wish to be prepared to seek an alliance next summer.

Much love, Dad.

Draco decided to keep most of what was in this letter a secret from Marry.

He tossed it in the fireplace.

When Marry asked if his Father wrote back, Draco told her about the Chamber being real, and that a Muggle-born died fifty years ago.

Marry hummed.

"I think we need to find it!"

Draco laughed.

"You're so silly Marry! Don't worry about it. You are a Slytherin, so you are safe here. If anything, you being a Magica would mean you're the least likely of all to be a target."

Marry said, "I don't want to see others hurt!"

Draco changed the topic.

"My parents wish to know what food you like for next summer."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Marry was ready!

His first race!

Broom Racing was to start a week before Quidditch.

There was a roster up.

If Marry kept winning, he would receive the Feather of Turul! An award for the fastest racer.

Hermione said, "The Feather of Turul is said to help flyers and bring good luck."

Marry wanted that Feather.

He trained for this.

Which turned out to be a good thing. 

Because his first opponent was Milo.

And it was raining.

It seemed the whole school showed up to watch the race despite the weather.

Marry even saw some teachers!

Madam Hooch was at the starting line.

She pulled her wand out.

"When I shoot, you will take off!"

She turned to the crowd and pointed her wand at her throat.

"THIS IS THE FIRST RACE OF THE YEAR! POTTER VS BROOKS!"

There was cheering.

"OUR TWO COMPETITORS WILL FLY AROUND THE CASTLE, THROUGH HOOPS, AND DO TRICKS AT THE DESIGNATED CHECK POINT! WILL IT BE A CLOSE RACE? OR WILL ONE LEAVE THE OTHER IN THE DUST!"

Marry heard his name being called.

POTTER! POTTER!

He was ready.

Madam Hooch brought her wand down.

"Mount your brooms."

Marry got on his Nimbus 2000.

Madam Hooch raised her wand in the air.

BANG!

Marry took off!

He flew through the first hoop.

Wind in his face, he hurried to the next hoop.

Milo was ahead by a few inches.

He had more experience.

The third hoop.

The first checkpoint.

Milo did a corkscrew spin.

Marry gripped his broom, hung by one leg, and did a spin.

He felt his Nimbus start to vibrate.

Huh?

Marry got back on to speed up.

As he entered the next hoop, his broom was starting to shake in his grip.

Marry kept steady.

He made it through another hoop.

It was at the next checkpoint that things went terribly wrong.

Marry tried to dip low to hover upside down.

His broom violently shook him off.

Marry fell.

He instinctively brought his arm out.

His bracelet glowed hot, and Marry was slowing down.

Not slow enough.

He hit the ground, arm first.

CRACK!

Pain shot up Marry's arm.

Marry lay in the rain-soaked grass.

He turned to see his Nimbus 2000 still in the air, convulsing.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Someone jinxed Marry's broom.

He was wondering who would do something like that as he lay in the Hospital bed.

His arm hurt from Magical Overflow and regrowing his bones.

Marry hit the side of the bed with his good arm.

He lost.

He lost his first race.

Milo tried to ask for a rematch, but Madam Hooch said it was not allowed.

Marry was still on the roster, which was good.

He would not be getting that Feather.

Second place then?

Marry covered his face with his good arm.

"Damn it..."

He felt like such a fool.

Thinking that a second year could go against the Leader of the Racing Club.

Someone couldn't stand that.

So they jinxed his broom.

That must be it.

Marry drifted off, as it was late in the middle of the night, when he felt someone wiping his forehead.

Marry blinked.

"Dobby?"

Dobby had tears falling down his long nose.

"Miss came back. Why did you not heed Dobby's warning? Why did you not go home when you missed the train?"

Marry narrowed his eyes.

"How do you know about that?"

Dobby hiccupped.

Marry glared.

"Did you close the barrier?"

Dobby held up ten bandaged fingers.

"Dobby did. He had to iron his hands for it."

Marry saw a pitiful creature in front of him. 

His anger ebbed away.

"Oh, Dobby. I know your heart is in the right place."

Dobby brought his pillowcase that he was wearing up and blew his nose in it.

Marry asked, "Why do you wear that? Don't you want nice clothes?"

Dobby said, "Tis the mark of the house-elf enslavement. Dobby can only be freed if presented with clothes."

Marry sighed, "Guess the Malfoys don't care if their slave is presentable. Do they let you have different pillow cases?"

Dobby shook his head.

"Only this, Miss."

Marry had been there.

He wanted something that was all his.

His bracelet would not come off even when his bones disappeared.

Dobby then said, "Why did Marry Potter use her magic? Dobby thought if he jinxed your broom-"

"You did that!? I thought you wanted to save me, not kill me!"

Dobby said, "Not kill! Just hurt enough to be sent home."

Like the Dursleys would take care of Marry if that happened. They would dump Marry at the hospital and never come back.

That might be okay.

Marry asked, "Why are you so sure I'm in danger? I'm not Muggle-born. And I'm a Slytherin."

Dobby twisted his ears.

"Do not ask more from poor Dobby."

Marry gently touched Dobby's head.

"What do you know? What do the Malfoys know?"

Dobby pulled at his ears.

"Dobby can't... Marry Potter must go home."

Marry petted his head.

"I'm not going anywhere. Hermione is a Muggle-born. She might be in danger."

Dobby started to cry again.

"Miss is too kind. So kind. To kind to face with-"

Dobby stilled.

Footsteps.

Dobby clicked his fingers and disappeared.

Chapter Text

Marry was watching Draco.

Draco huffed.

"What?"

"What do you really know about the Chamber of Secrets?"

Draco pouted.

"Just what Father told me! Which wasn't much."

Marry then asked, "Can I come with you for the holidays?"

Draco was surprised.

"I wish you could, but Mother and Father are heading out for this Winter Solstice. I'm staying here for the break this year."

Marry looked disappointed.

Draco said, "Do you want to open gifts together? We can meet in my dormitory."

Marry was staring at him.

She sighed and agreed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ron couldn't believe it when Marry told them about trying to get to Malfoy Manor.

"Are you mad?! The Slytherin House is already the den of snakes! Malfoy is like the head snake!"

Marry said, "I thought I could figure out what they knew. Or get Dobby to tell me more."

Hermione said, "No, Marry! He will have to hurt himself if he tells his Master's secret."

Marry groaned.

"What else can we do? Wait till there is another attack and hope there are more clues?"

Hermione said, "What if that is all we can do..."

The three were quiet.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Marry was walking with Draco as they came into the entrance hall.

Ron waved them over.

"Check this out! There is a Dueling Club! What do you say?"

Marry and Draco signed up with Ron and Hermione.

At eight, they made their way to the Great Hall.

It was transformed with the tables being moved and a stage being set up.

To Marry's dismay, Lockhart took to the stage.

Then Professor Snape.

Marry grinned.

If Snape was dueling Lockhart, he knew who he was cheering for.

He whispered, "This should be good."

It was.

Snape used a spell (Expelliarmus) that shot Lockhart across the room.

The Slytherins applauded their Head of House.

It was time to pick a dueling partner.

Draco quickly grabbed Marry's hand.

"Let's do this!"

Marry nodded.

"Okay!"

They paired up.

Draco had a glint in his eyes.

Marry could play that game too.

Lockhart raised his wand.

"Bow to your partners. Good. Now, on the count of three. One-two-three!"

Draco went at two.

"Wingardium Leviosa!"

Marry's long hair was pulled up and over his head.

Marry laughed.

“Rictusempra!"

Draco was caught in a fit of giggles.

He pointed his wand and got out a "Tarantallegra!"

Marry started to do a quickstep.

"Stop! Stop!" shouted Lockhart.

Professor Snape stepped up. “Finite Incantatem!"

There was chaos all around.

Looks like Draco and Marry were the only ones having fun.

Lockhart said, "Let us practice blocking spells. Can I get some volunteers?"

Marry and Draco raised their hands.

Unfortunately, Marry was paired with Lockhart.

He was not helpful.

Meanwhile, Snape was whispering something in Draco's ear that made Draco grin wickedly.

Lockhart said, "Right! Bow. Then, when I count to three, duel! One-two-three!"

Draco shouted, "Serpensortia!"

With a sound of a whip crack, a snake exploded from Draco's wand.

Marry gleefully let out a squeal.

"How cute!"

It was an adorable black snake.

The rest of the students didn't think so.

They screamed and tried to get away from the snake.

Lockhart stepped in front of Marry.

"Stay back Marry! I will take care of this!"

Marry started to protest.

Lockhart flourished his wand.

The snake was thrown ten feet in the air and came back down with a smack.

It was pissed.

The snake turned to the closest student.

Justin Finch-Fletchley.

Marry duct under Lockhart's arm and walked right up to the snake.

{Stop right there!}

The snake turned to Marry.

Marry bent down and smiled.

{It's okay. I won't let that mean Professor get you again.}

He held out his hand.

The snake slithered over to climb into Marry's palm.

He picked up the snake.

Marry turned to Justin.

"It's all right now."

Justin was shaking.

Professor Snape came over to point his wand at the snake.

It disappeared in a puff of black smoke.

Marry looked up at Snape.

He was looking at Marry like he was a new potion ingredient Snape didn't know what to do with. 

The Great Hall was buzzing with whispers.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

At Charms, the Hufflepuff were avoiding Marry.

Justin wouldn't even look at Marry.

Is it really that bad that I can talk to snakes?

They have only ever been helpful to Marry.

Justin ran out quickly as class ended.

Marry had Defense Against the Dark Arts next.

He was so distracted that he couldn't focus.

He raised his hand.

"Professor, may I be excused? I don't feel so good."

Lockhart said, "Feeling those winter blues? I understand. It was around the winter time that I-"

Marry got up and left.

Where should he go?

He wandered the halls, not really having a destination in mind.

Maybe he should go to the Hospital Wing to rest for a bit.

It was then that he came across the bodies.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Dumbledore's office was huge.

He looked around and saw the Sorting Hat.

Marry went to grab it and put it on.

"I want answers, Hat!"

The Hat was a creation of the founders; it had to know something!

"I am afraid you won't get anything out of me. I was created before the Chamber."

Marry sighed.

"Okay, then what did you mean by I could help you when you sorted me?"

"My dream is to see the Houses unite. Everyone is divided, thinking their house is better or worse, in some cases. It is too competitive. You have the eyes to see that, and the hands to build Hogwarts up."

The Hat went quiet.

Marry took it off.

"How can I do that when people are scared of me?"

There was a cough from the corner of the room.

Marry turned to see a very large, very sick bird.

It looked awful.

The thing was molting its feathers to the point of baldness. Its eyes were milky and dull.

Marry looked around to see if there was some water for it to drink as it made another gagging noise.

Then it burst into flames.

Marry covered his mouth with his hands in horror.

The bird just combusted!

It burned quickly until only ash was left.

Marry bent down to the ash pile.

"Poor birdy!"

Dumbledore will be so sad that his bird died.

The door opened.

Professor Dumbledore came in and saw Marry by the pile of ash.

"I'm so sorry, sir! There wasn't anything I could-"

Dumbledore chuckled.

"About time! Fawkes has been looking so unwell. He likes to wait to die for others to watch. So dramatic."

Marry was about to ask what he meant when there was a peep.

A tiny baby bird was poking its head out of the ash.

Marry grinned.

"He's a phoenix! I read about those!"

Marry just witnessed a phoenix rebirth.

He reached out, then looked at Dumbledore.

"Can I hold him?"

Professor Dumbledore nodded.

"Would you like to help me bathe him? To wash the ash off?"

"Yes, please!"

Marry picked up the chirping baby bird and watched as Dumbledore prepared a bowl of warm water.

The hatchling was held up by Marry as Dumbledore wiped the baby down with a washcloth.

The newly reborn Fawkes was now clean of ash and placed on his perch.

Marry felt his worries disappear for just a moment, till Professor Dumbledore said, "So you found Mr. Finch-Fletchley and Nicholas?"

His stomach twisted.

"I did! I only found them. I didn't do anything to them!"

Dumbledore looked at Marry over his glasses.

Then he nodded.

"Very well."

He then went over to sit in his chair behind his desk.

That's it?

Marry shuffled his feet.

"Erm... Sir?"

Dumbledore gestured to a seat across from him.

"Come sit."

Marry did just that.

Dumbledore asked, "Is there anything you wish to tell me?"

Marry looked at his bracelet.

"I... I can talk to snakes."

"So I have heard."

"I'm a Slytherin."

"Yes! Such a surprise your sorting was!"

Marry asked, "Could I be related to Salazar Slytherin?"

Professor Dumbledore asked, "Would that be so bad?"

Marry threw his hands in the air.

"I don't know! All I know is that people think I'm the Heir of Slytherin! That I'm the one doing all of this!"

Dumbledore said, "You are not."

Marry nodded.

"I know that... But... Salazar Slytherin is not seen in a good light. If I am related to him-"

Dumbledore interrupted, "Bigotry is not inherited; it is learned. Do you think pure-bloods are better than Muggle-borns?"

Marry shook his head.

"Then the cycle is broken! You can create a new path for the Slytherins."

He leaned back in his chair.

"I believe you have already paved a new path for Draco Malfoy. When he is done trying to hog you from the other Slytherins, you can start showing the others a better way than a life of shadows and secrets."

Marry kicked his feet.

"That's a lot of pressure, Professor. I'm just a kid, not a revolutionist."

Dumbledore said, "You are right. And as a child, you should be having fun at school."

He smiled.

"I have an idea. Why not seek out Professor Snape for the holidays? He might have something for you to do to help keep your mind off of things."

Marry blinked.

"Professor Snape? Why him?"

Professor Dumbledore gave a smile.

"He is your Head of House."

And that was all Marry got.

Chapter Text

The winter holidays were here.

How Severus loathed it.

It was cold and wet both outside and inside the castle.

He was enjoying the warmth of his fireplace, a cup of hot tea, and a book.

Just some peace before he had to put on the charade of enjoyment of the festivities.

A knock on his door.

He snapped his book shut.

What now?

Severus went to the door expecting a fellow teacher.

Instead, it was Potter.

He scowled.

Damn that old man.

He had said in passing that Potter might stop by.

For what reason, he did not say.

"Potter."

Potter shifted on the spot.

"Umm. Hello Professor. Err, Professor Dumbledore said you might have something for me to do?"

Snape took a deep breath through his nose.

"No, Potter. I can't think of anything a little girl like you can do to help me."

Potter went wide-eyed.

"But-but Dumble-"

"Professor Dumbledore does not always know what is best."

For his own mental health, he would not start to get involved with Potter. 

Whatever Dumbledore was planning was going out the window.

Potter was wearing a dress as it was the holidays.

She gripped it with both hands.

"Please, Professor! I want to keep busy! I can't handle all the judgment from the other students, just because I talk to snakes!"

So that's what this was about.

"You wish to do work? As in, help me with my potions?"

Potter's eyes lit up.

"Yes! Please Professor! I will be your assistant!"

Severus took another deep breath, this time through gritted teeth.

"You play the piano?"

Potter nodded.

"Yes. Professor Flitwick said I can start playing the Iris Piano next year."

She has that much talent?

Severus said, "Meet me in the music room at three. Do not be late."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Marry was nervous about helping Snape.

He didn't want to mess this up.

When he told Ron, Hermione, and Draco, they looked at Marry like he suddenly sprouted wings.

They couldn't understand that Marry needed to do something, anything, to stop being reminded that the school hates him.

At two forty-four, Marry entered the music room.

Professor Snape was there.

A cauldron was prepared along with a table with potion ingredients.

Snape did not acknowledge that Marry was early, just pointed to the piano.

"You will be playing the piano while I create the Potion of Polychromy."

Marry asked, "What's that, sir?"

"The Potion of Polychromy, is a potion to help restore art and is used with the paints to make moving portraits. It is a finicky potion as it needs music to be played as it is being brewed."

Marry got a half-giggle out, but stopped immediately at Snape's sharp eyes.

"This is a much-needed potion for this school, as we have many types of magical art. Including the Iris Piano."

Marry said, "I thought it was enchanted? It runs on a potion?"

Snape huffed.

"You will be using it next year; you should learn how to perform maintenance checks on it."

Snape grabbed a mixing spoon.

"Let us begin."

Marry took a step to the piano, then asked, "What should I play?"

Professor Snape said, "Anything as long as it's well played."

Marry went to grab a few music sheets.

He would start with Pep-Me-Up! A funny song about a man who drinks too much Pep-me-up Potion and becomes giddy and stupid.

Marry took his spot at the piano and started to play.

Snape was behind him, so he couldn't see what he was doing.

I hope this is good enough...

When Marry finished the song, he turned around.

Snape was adding something that made the potion start to bubble, which floated up around the cauldron.

"Keep playing Potter."

Marry played another song.

This happened for three more songs.

After the last one, Marry saw that the potion had an iridescent glow.

Snape nodded.

"Well done, Potter. The potion is complete."

Marry got up to look at the potion.

"How did you make this before?"

Snape said, "I couldn't. We have had to get our supplies outside the school."

Professor Snape tugged at his collar.

"My vocal skills are not enough to brew it."

Marry bit his lip.

Did Snape admit he sings?

Snape walked over to the Iris Piano.

"Come here, Potter, but do. Not. Touch."

Marry came over.

Snape pulled the sheet off and opened the piano's lid.

The inside was just as colorful as the outside.

The piano wires were shiny and well-kept.

Snape leaned in to open a small compartment.

Inside was a large bottle of the same iridescent potion.

Snape took it out.

"The Potion of Polychromy is what helps create the images to the music. It is best to check it every month, and refill it every other month or as needed, depending on how often you play it."

Snape took the bottle to refill it with more potion.

"As this Iris Piano is so rarely played, it only needs a change every three to five months."

He looked at Marry.

"Though that might change if you start playing."

Marry nodded.

"I'm looking forward to playing it."

Snape went to place the potion in the piano, close the lid, and cover it with the sheet.

He faced Marry.

"Potter."

Marry stood straight.

"Yes sir?"

"I find your musical talents acceptable enough to prepare this potion. As stated before, we have many paintings here that need a new coat of paint. You will be assisting me in creating more potions tomorrow. Same time."

 Marry smiled.

"Yes sir!... And sir?"

"Yes Potter?"

"Can you teach me to brew the Potion of Polychromy? So I can help keep the Iris Piano in good condition."

".... I shall."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Marry was eating the plum cake Mrs. Weasley had sent, in Draco's dormitory on Christmas morning.

He had gotten some gifts, but they didn't compare to the mountain that Draco had.

Marry was helping to unwrap some of them.

"Do you usually get this much?"

Draco said, "We pure blood families stick together, so it is customary to show that we are united."

Marry unwrapped another book.

"Lots of books."

Draco snorted.

"Most just give the generic gifts. You know, to show that they don't really know what you like, but still show you have not been forgotten."

Draco unwrapped a box full of candy.

"See? I don't even like sweets that much."

He pushed the box over to Marry.

"You can have it. If you do find any sour candies, do let me know, as I like those."

Marry took the box.

"Thanks, Draco."

After the last gift was unwrapped, Draco asked, "Are we friends yet?"

Marry said, "You are doing really well with the others. I think we are close. Maybe ask me that again at the end of the year?"

Draco smiled.

Chapter Text

Marry was feeling a bit better by the time the other students returned.

Helping Snape with the Potion of Polychromy was a good distraction.

Who knew potions could be fun!

Getting back to everyone giving Marry fearful or heated glares was not so bad this time around.

Marry was headed to Gryffindor Tower to have a study session with the others when he heard an angry shout.

He ran up the stairs.

It was Filch.

"-more to clean!"

He stomped away.

Marry noticed that the floor was flooded, just like last time.

He walked over to see that the water was coming from Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

Marry pushed the door open to the sound of Myrtle's sobs.

"Myrtle?"

"Oooo... Why can't you leave me alone..."

Marry was pushing the water around with his foot.

"Did you flood the corridor?"

Myrtle cried out, "Someone threw a book at me!"

Marry thought that wasn't that bad when you were an apparition.

"What book?"

Myrtle said, "It got washed out."

Marry looked at the floor around the toilets.

There, he spotted a thin black book.

Marry picked it up.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

T. M. Riddle

Ron said that was one of the names in the Trophy Room.

Hermione was sure there was a trick to the diary.

Draco was watching Marry flip through the pages one by one.

"Marry, what are you doing with that old thing?"

"I found it. I think it might lead to a clue about the Chamber of Secrets."

Draco rolled his eyes.

"Give it here!"

Draco snatched the diary and pulled out a quill and ink.

"Just write in it! If it's magic, it will react."

Draco wrote his name.

Nothing happened.

He wrote, 'Reveal yourself.'

Nothing.

He drew a doodle of a dragon.

When nothing still happened, Draco snorted and handed the book back.

"Keep writing in it. It might need some kind of trigger word."

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Marry briefly forgot about the diary as February came.

 Lockhart had dwarves come in to give singing Valentines.

Why Dumbledore allowed this was a mystery.

Thankfully, none of the dwarves came near Marry.

He was looking for his potions book to do some homework, when Marry saw the diary amongst his school books.

He opened it up again.

Nothing.

Wait...

Where was Draco's writing?

The pages were all blank.

Marry took the diary to his dormitory, where he could be alone.

In bed, Marry pulled out his quill and began to write.

'Dear Diary, Hello! I'm Marry Potter. I found you, and I think you are something special! Will you show me if you are magic? Please and thank you.'

Nothing...

Till the words started to fade away into the pages.

Words.

'Hello, Marry Potter. My name is Tom Riddle. You said you found my diary?'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Marry hid the diary in his Clementine doll.

She could guard it.

Now that Marry knew it was magical and able to show memories of Tom Riddle, Marry had to protect it.

It could be used as evidence if...

If it turned out Hagrid was the one to open the Chamber.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Around the Easter holiday, it was time to select new classes for their third year.

Marry immediately signed up for Care of Magical Creatures.

"If they have any magic snakes, I can talk to them!"

Draco said that would be cool, so he signed up with Marry.

Ron picked Divination.

"Seeing into the future! We can try to find answers to the tests before we start them!"

Marry giggled and decided to join him.

Hermione rolled her eyes and signed up for everything.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Draco had an idea about Marry's diary.

Potions!

They could try potions on it!

If regular ink didn't work, then one infused with magic should do it.

When Draco brought that up to Marry she brushed him off.

"I don't need to figure it out anymore. That diary is safe in my dormitory."

What did that mean?

"Pansy, I need a favor."

Pansy listened to Draco's plea.

"Marry's diary? I don't see her write in anything like that."

Draco snickered.

"Oh, she has one. And I told her to write in it."

Pansy's eyes gleamed with mischief

"Will you let me read it?"

So Draco waited for Pansy to come back with the diary.

"Almost missed it. I found it in her doll."

They opened it.

It was blank.

Huh?

Pansy pouted, "No fair! You're supposed to write in a diary."

Where was his name? 

He knew he had written it down.

Draco went to his dormitory.

He picked up a quill and began to write.

'Draco Malfoy'

Nothing...

Till the words started to fade away into the pages.

Words.

'Hello, Draco. You must be determined to find my secrets. I can show you, if you like.'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Marry was winning his races now that there was a certain house-elf not around to mess with his broom.

Milo said he couldn't wait till next year when they could race again.

Quidditch was up next.

Gryffindor versus Ravenclaw.

Marry was waiting for Ron and Hermione to walk together to the pitch.

When the two came down, Marry heard it.

{So looong... Must kill... Must feast...}

Marry looked around.

"There it is again! You sure you can't hear it?"

Ron shook his head.

Hermione clapped her hands together.

"I think that's it! I have to go to the library!"

Ron called out, "What about the match!"

Hermione was already too far gone to answer back.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

{Ouroboros? Come here, we need help.}

Marry and Ron were at Hagrid's vegetable garden.

Ron had found some spiders in Herbology, heading to the forest.

Boros used to live in the forest.

The brown adder came out.

{What can I do for you, young one?}

Marry asked, {Do you know about spiders in the forest?}

Boros hissed.

{Yes! They tried to eat me before, but I was too quick.}

A tiny spider tried to eat a snake?

{Can you take us to them?}

Ouroboros nodded.

{Yes, but you must protect me. I will not be eaten.}

So Marry and Ron followed Boros into the woods.

The tip of Marry's wand showed through the dark.

Ouroboros was hard to spot in the dark when he edged too far out of the light.

Suddenly, Boros stopped.

{Something comes!}

Marry picked up Boros.

He slithered into Marry's shirt.

Something was coming. 

Something big.

Twin beams of light shone in the dark woods.

Chapter Text

Marry noticed Draco was not his usual self.

He didn't bother to slick back his hair.

Yawns were always escaping his mouth.

Marry had to poke him in the side more times than once so he didn't fall asleep in class.

"Are you sick?"

Draco shook his head.

"No... It's something else. Don't worry about it."

Marry worried.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Marry was with the Gryffindors for breakfast.

He had some toast in his hand when Ginny came up to him.

"Marry..."

Marry placed his toast down.

Ginny was trembling a little.

"Can I talk to you... Alone..."

Marry got up.

They made their way to the girls' bathroom next to the Great Hall.

Marry made sure there was no one else and locked the door with a spell.

"Okay, where alone. What did you want to talk about?"

Ginny started to cry.

"I-I-I-I-"

Marry hugged Ginny.

"Shhh. It will be alright. What happened? Did someone hurt you?"

Ginny shook her head on Marry's shoulder.

"I hurt someone! Marry! It's me!"

Ginny looked at Marry with tears still running down her face.

"I opened the Chamber of Secrets!"

Marry was shocked.

"What? No. You couldn't have-"

Ginny gripped Marry's arm.

"I did! It wasn't me, but it was!"

Marry rubbed Ginny's back.

"Take a breath. Explain."

Ginny did some deep breathing.

"It was that diary."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A Basilisk!

Hermione had figured it out!

Ginny said she never saw the Monster of the Chamber as she was told not to look at it.

Riddle!

He tricked Marry!

That diary was cursed!

He didn't know where it was.

Someone had stolen it.

Only a Slytherin girl could have done that.

Marry had a good idea who it was.

Pansy.

But why?

He was about to corner Pansy when an announcement was made.

Draco Malfoy had been taken.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Marry used his Invisibility Cloak to get to Gryffindor Tower.

He would need backup.

Whispering the password, Marry stepped inside.

He found Ron looking outside near the window.

Marry walked up to whisper in his ear.

"It's me."

Ron jumped.

"Bloody hell!"

The other Gryffindors looked at Ron.

He blushed.

"Saw a spider!"

He made his way to the boy's dormitory.

"Right scare you gave me Marry! I look like a fool in front of the other Gryffindors!"

Marry took off the cloak.

"We are going to the Chamber of Secrets!"

Ron's jaw dropped.

"Why?!"

"To save Draco and find a way to punch Riddle in the face! He used Ginny! He framed Hagrid! Riddle's the one behind all the petrifications! We got lucky so far, and no one died."

Ginny told Ron after some persuasion from Marry.

Ron balled his fist.

"I don't like Malfoy, but I reckon even he doesn't deserve to die in the Chamber. Ginny is safe for now. This Riddle fellow might try to get back at her... Okay! You can count on me!"

Marry hugged Ron.

Ron asked, "What should we do?"

"Go to Lockhart. He said he knows where the entrance is."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Marry walked the Chamber alone.

Ron was moving rocks that blocked the way back.

Lockhart was knocked unconscious.

So Marry was all alone.

His steps echoed.

As he got closer to the giant statue, he saw blond hair.

"Draco!"

He ran to Draco's side.

Draco was deathly pale.

"Draco! Draco? Wake up!"

"He won't wake up."

Marry covered Draco's body with his own and turned his head to the voice.

"You!"

Riddle frowned.

"Why the hostility? I thought we were friends?"

"Ginny told me everything!"

Riddle's face turned sour.

"Stupid girl. She will pay for breaking our promise."

"What promise?"

Riddle sneered.

"That she keep me a secret, and in return I keep hers."

Marry didn't take his eyes off Riddle as he touched Draco's face.

Cold.

Just the tiniest bit of breath on his fingers.

"What did you do to Draco?"

Riddle took a step around Marry.

Circling.

"I promised the boy he could be a part of something great. Something powerful! He was so easy! Much easier than Ginny. He practically threw himself at me when I said I could teach him magic that would rival Magica Marry Potter."

Marry asked, "How do you know that?"

"Ginny told me. She told me a lot."

Riddle let out a sigh.

"I've missed so much being just a memory in a diary."

He was walking back and forth.

"The great Marry Potter. The Boy-Who-Lived, now the Girl-Who-Lived. Who defeated the most powerful Lord of magic when they were just a babe."

Marry snarled, "Dumbledore is the most powerful Lord!"

Riddle laughed.

"And yet, just the mere memory of me has spooked the old man away!"

Marry asked, "Why do you care? Voldemort was after you're school days."

He snickered and raised one finger in the air.

Draco was shivering as a red light appeared at the tip of Riddle's finger.

"You are not the only Magica here."

He wrote in the air.

tom marvolo riddle

He flicked his finger, and the letters rearranged.

i am lord voldemort

Marry went pale.

"You- You're Voldemort!"

Riddle clapped.

"Very good."

Marry looked at Riddle and remembered the ugly face from last year.

He laughed.

Riddle glared.

"What's so funny?"

"Do you know what happened to yourself? You became an ugly parasite!"

Riddle snarled, "How dare you!"

Marry stood and pulled out his wand.

"How dare you! You used my friends!"

Riddle scowled at the wand.

"That won't work on me Marry Potter."

He raised his arms.

"You're just a child. What can you do?"

Marry didn't know what to do.

What could he do?

Marry pointed his wand at Riddle and yelled, "Rictusempra!"

The spell went through Riddle!

Riddle smiled cruelly.

"My turn."

Riddle stepped back.

{Hear me!}

The floor shook.

Something big was coming.

Marry couldn't leave Draco.

So he was coming along.

"Wingardium Leviosa"

Draco floated up.

Marry started to run away.

Or he tried to.

A tail the size of a tree came crashing down in front of Marry.

Don't look, don't look, don't look at its eyes!

Marry flicked his wand.

Draco went sailing over the tail.

Riddle's voice said, "There is no escaping now Marry Potter."

A song.

Music played in the Chamber.

Marry did not need to see to know that voice.

"Fawkes!"

The phoenix gave a war cry.

The basilisk roared in pain.

Its tail struck Marry, and he was knocked to the side of a pillar.

He crawled around it.

"NO!"

Riddle was shouting.

Marry was so out of his element.

What could he do!

All he was good at was playing the piano, flying, and-

And talking to snakes!

Riddle yelled, "Your bird may have blinded the basilisk, but it can still find you!"

Marry put his wand away and stepped out from behind the pillar.

{Stop!}

The giant snake stops.

Its eyes have been clawed out.

Marry spoke.

{I am Marry Potter. A Slytherin! I speak for the snakes!}

The basilisk spoke.

{You speak?}

Riddle yelled, {What are you doing? Kill her!}

The basilisk hissed at Marry.

{The Heir speaks.}

Marry shouted back, {Why? Are you bound to him?}

The snake said {I was promised... A feast...}

Marry said, {And how is that going for you? When is the last time you ate something bigger than a rat?}

The basilisk was slumping down.

{Sooo long... Must kill... to feed...}

Riddle said, {Then eat the girl!}

Marry stepped closer.

{You're hungry. No, starving. You only survived on scraps for hundreds of years. And for what? To eat children? You haven't been fed for trying to kill those people.}

The basilisk sighed.

{No... So hungry...}

Marry was close to the snake.

{You haven't eaten a filling meal. Or seen the sun. For what?}

Marry glared at Riddle.

{Because he says so? Empty promises. That's all he has-}

Riddle cried out {No! She lies! You can feast on the mudbloods-}

Marry touched the snake's side.

{How about a nice beefy cow? I can get you one if you stop listening to him.}

The basilisk turned to Riddle.

{Promises... Unfulfilled... For years... Years!}

The snake dove to bite at Riddle's Diary.

Riddle gave a blood-curdling scream as his body glowed and exploded.

The basilisk spat out the diary at Marry's feet.

It was smoking slightly.

Marry petted the snake.

{Good boy.}

Fawkes landed on top of the snake's head.

Tears fell onto the basilisk's eyes.

The basilisk blinked its new eyes.

He turned to Marry.

Marry closed his eyes.

{Can't see...}

Marry opened his eyes.

The basilisk's eyes were milky white.

He was blind.

The power of the basilisk gaze was magical and could not be healed.

Marry hugged the snake's warm body.

{It's okay. We will take care of you now.}

There was a moaning sound.

Draco was awake and trying to get up.

"Ugh... My body feels like I've been tossed... AAAAHHH!"

He saw the basilisk.

Marry tried to calm him down.

"It's okay! He's friendly! You'll upset Sir!"

Draco was still shaking,

"You got to be kidding me!... Sir?"

Marry patted the snake.

"His name is Sir Pent!"

Chapter Text

Marry with Ron, Draco, and Lockhart flew with Fawkes out of the pipe.

Fawkes was cawing at them to follow.

They followed the bird to the Headmaster's office.

Marry said, "Lemon drop!"

The gargoyle statue jumped aside.

They all entered the Headmaster's office.

Professor Dumbledore was back.

Along with Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy.

Ginny was sitting in a chair by the fire, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley nearby.

"DRACO!"

Mrs. Malfoy ran over to hug her son, not caring that he was covered in muck.

Draco hugged her back.

Marry walked up to Dumbledore.

"Professor! We need to hurry!"

Dumbledore frowned.

"What is it, my girl?"

"We need a cow! A really fat one!"

Mr. Malfoy said, "Is this a joke! I demand to know what happened!"

Marry began his tale.

It was a long one.

Ginny burst into tears when Marry got to her part.

When Marry was finished, Dumbledore said, "So you tamed the monster in the Chamber of Secrets."

Marry shook his head.

"Right now, Sir Pent is waiting for my call. He wants to eat something filling for once. So that's why we need a cow."

Dumbledore said, "We will get Sir Pent many cows! And maybe an elephant to really fill him up!"

It was Mrs. Weasley who objected.

"Professor! You can't be serious! A basilisk at the school! What will people think?"

Dumbledore said, "That he will be a good companion for the giant squid."

Ginny and Ron gave a small laugh.

"Now. I believe Ginny and Draco should head off to the Hospital Wing. They have been through a lot."

The Weasleys and the Malfoys left, leaving only Marry, Ron, and Lockhart.

Dumbledore said, "I said I would expel you if you broke more rules."

Marry lifted a hand to his lips.

"I do not think this case counts."

Marry relaxed.

Dumbledore turned to Lockhart.

"Gilderoy? Why so quiet? So unlike you."

They explained what happened.

Ron escorted Lockhart to the Hospital Wing.

Dumbledore said, "Marry. Do you know why you can speak to snakes?"

Marry shrugged.

"Because I'm a Magica?"

Dumbledore said, "It's because Lord Voldemort, who is related to Salazar Slytherin, can talk to snakes. That night, he tried to kill you. If my theory is correct, he transferred some of his magic to you."

Marry was horrified

"What! That's disgusting! I don't want any part of him near me, much less in me!"

Dumbledore sucked in his bottom lip.

He said, "It was talking to snakes that kick-started your magic. Do you really wish that you never had this gift?"

Marry thought about Miss Green.

"No... I like it... Does that mean I'm a Magica only because I have some of Voldemort's power?"

Dumbledore said, "That is yet to be seen. Is your magic your own? Or are you borrowing it from a different source?"

Marry gulped.

That was a little concerning.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Marry went to the Hospital Wing to check up on everyone.

The people (and one cat, who was being petted by Filch) were back to normal.

They were all sitting in their beds.

Nearly Headless Nick was floating around, happy to be moving again.

What surprised Marry was Dobby.

He was over by the Malfoys, on the bed, trying to get Draco to eat some soup.

"Tis good for you, young master."

Draco was taking small sips.

Colin was practically bouncing on his bed.

"Marry! I saw it! It was a snake! And it was hhhuuugggeee!"

He smiled at Colin.

"Would you like to meet him? I'm going to feed him a cow soon."

Justin gasped, "So Weasley was telling the truth?! You have a basilisk as a friend!"

Hermione huffed.

"Only you, Marry, could do such a thing."

Penelope asked, "You said we can meet it? Won't it kill us?"

Marry shook his head.

"No. He's on a no-human diet for now on. He's just a big, blind snake now."

Ginny said, "I want to see him."

Mrs. Weasley said, "Ginny! That's the Monster-"

Ginny shook her head.

"No, Mum. He was a victim too. Can you imagine being in that chamber all alone, waiting for food? If Marry says Sir Pent is friendly now, I want to meet him."

Marry walked over to the Malfoys.

"Who's this?"

Dobby avoided Marry's gaze.

Draco said, "This is our house-elf, Dobby. He's in charge of my health till I get back to normal."

Marry smiled.

"How nice."

Mr. Malfoy cleared his throat.

"Po-Marry. We owe you a debt for saving Draco. I will do all I can to get you whatever you want."

Marry placed a finger to his chin.

"Hmm... There is something you can do."

Mrs. Malfoy said, "Whatever you want."

Marry pointed to Dobby.

"Free Dobby."

Dobby dropped the bowl of soup.

Mr. Malfoy gave a forceful chuckle.

"Now Marry. You don't understand-"

"Yes, I do. Give Dobby some clothes right now."

Everyone was staring at the Malfoys.

Mr. Malfoy was starting to turn red.

"I don't-"

"Here."

They watched as Draco took off a sock and handed it to Dobby.

Dobby was in awe.

"Young master has given Dobby a sock!"

Dobby rubbed the sock across his face

"Dobby is free!"

Marry looked at Draco and said, "Okay. Now we are friends!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A cow was munching on the grass by the lake.

The whole school was watching from the shore.

Marry called out, {HEY! SIR PENT! WE HAVE YOUR COW!}

From the waters a giant snake rose.

There was screaming.

Sir Pent went to the cow.

He bent down to sniff at it.

{Finally!}

The snake bit into the cow, lifted it in the air, and started to swallow it whole.

Some of the students with weak stomachs threw up.

Dumbledore said, "Ah! Nature!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hagrid was happy to have a giant snake at the castle.

He was washing its scales with a soapy brush. 

The basilisk lay there in the sun, enjoying the treatment.

Ouroboros hissed at his spot by Marry as he enjoyed the last day of school.

{Shameful. The King of Serpents reduced to a pet.}

Marry scratched at Boror's head.

{I think he deserves to be pampered a little after what he's been put through.}

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Draco handed Marry a piece of paper.

"Father is rather upset with you. He might treat you a little coldly when we come to pick you up."

Marry read the note.

It was a time and date at King's Cross.

"You can make it?"

Marry nodded.

"Sure. I'm just surprised you guys still want me over."

Draco said, "It's mostly Mother. She really wants to thank you for saving me."

He then wagged a finger at Marry.

"Do wear your nicer clothes! Not those muggle rags you have. You are a guest at the Malfoys, so some etiquette is required."

 Marry smiled at his new friend.