Yours truly | Severus Snape - Sequel to Sincerely yours

The Secret

Mary stood outside the Headmaster's office, biting her nails as she wondered what was going on inside those sacred walls. It had been almost an hour since she has watched Severus' cape disappear behind the door, amongst all the other teachers at the school.

"Potter... Potter and his friend, Miss Granger and Mr Weasley, they have gone through the door!" Professor McGonagall had stuttered as she had burst through the door of Severus' private chamber. Severus had shot up immediately, following McGonagall. Mary, who was unsure of what was going on, had decided to follow them as well.

About five minutes later, Mary was finally pulled from her thoughts as the entrance to the Headmaster's office cracked open. But as Mary lifted her gaze towards the entrance, expecting to see Severus walking out of the office, she was faced with a small disappointed.

"I must say, Miss Montgomery, that few people react with such disenchantment when I enter the room", Professor Dumbledore said, his blue eyes sparking as he stepped through the gargoyle statues.

Mary could feel an embarrassed heat rising up her cheeks, as she realised how inappropriate her reaction had been. It was, after all, THE Albus Dumbledore.

"Apologies, professor... I-"

But Mary was cut off by a gently raised had before she was able to finish her sentence.

"It is quite alright, Miss Montgomery", Dumbledore said calmly, "I understand you were waiting for Severus?"

Mary's blush only deepened as she gave him a small nod. A warm smile played on Dumbledore's lips as he placed his hand on Mary's shoulder.

"That's what I though. Unfortunately, Severus might have to stay for a while, so it's better you go and get some rest now."

Mary hadn't even realised they had begun walking until she was standing at the end of the corridor in which the Headmaster's office was located. She stopped.

"Professor", Mary started, awkwardly clearing her throat. "What about Harry and Ron and..."

"Ah yes, you must be curious of their well-being. I take it you have become rather close friends with Mr Weasley's elder brothers?"

Mary nodded. Dumbledore took a heavy breath, one only few had witnessed, and patted Mary's shoulder.

"I assure you that Mr Potter and his companions are well taken care of and will be at good health in no time."

Mary felt the weight on her chest easing. "Good."

"Now, I must encourage you to go and get some rest, until I must send you to Madame Pomfrey as well for lack of sleep."

Mary gave Dumbledore a quick smile and a nod, before she started walking towards the staircase leading to the dungeons.

****

"Ugh what an idiot boy", Severus groaned as he fell on his bed, landing with a small thud. Mary, who was already lying on the bed, shifted so that her head was propped on her hand.

"You're so dramatic", Mary hummed, playing with a strand of Severus' hair. "You pretend you hate him, but actually, you care about him."

Severus have Mary a murderous glare. Mary giggled and nuzzled closer to Severus.

"Say what you want... But I know how you show your "care" when you don't want other people to know." Severus glanced at Mary, who was now resting her head against his chest, and sighed deeply.

"That you do", he muttered silently.

A couple of hours passed like that, Mary drifting between sleep and wake, when suddenly the sound of Severus clearing his throat pulled her back to reality.

"Mary", he said, a questioning tone in his voice.

"Yeah?" Mary lifted her head so that she could look into Severus' eyes. A worry gleamed in his dark onyx eyes.

"About your father..." Severus started, his voice fading away as he saw the expression on Mary face to shift from curiosity to discomfort.

"What were you going to say?"

Mary stayed silent for a good while, before finally taking a deep breath and taking Severus' hands in hers.

"When I was at my uncle's place during the Easter break, I... I found a picture."

Severus' eyebrows knit as he slightly sifted his position. "A picture?"

Mary nodded. "Yeah... My father was in it. And..."

"And?"

Mary drew a shaky breath.

"And you."

Severus blinked.

"Oh", he finally managed to mumble.

Mary bit her lip, avoiding Severus' eyes. Then, Severus gently cupped Mary's cheek and lifted her gaze back to him.

"Did you know?" Mary asked, her voice trembling with the whirlwind of emotions raging within her mind.

Severus studied the look on Mary for a moment.

"I can't say I didn't", he admitted, resting his body on his elbows, "but I can't say I did, neither."

Mary frown, a mixture of confusion and disbelief flickering in her moss-green eyes.

"What do you mean?" her voice sound almost accusing. As if part of her suspected that Severus wasn't giving a proper answer just because he didn't want to get caught from hiding things from Mary.

"I mean..." Severus started, turning his face back to Mary and taking her hands in his. "That the servants of the Dark Lord rarely went by their full names. I had my suspicions... But when I met you, I thought it must've been someone else. Clearly, I was wrong."

Mary couldn't say a word. She couldn't breathe. The only things she could do was to lay there and let the burning hot tears roll down her porcelain cheeks.

"Mary..." Severus whispered and wrapped his arms around her body, pulling her in.

Severus' body was warm and smelled of old parchment and strong mixture of herbs. A scent Mary found as one of the most comforting things in the world.

"We'll get through this", Severus whispered, his voice carrying a tone of a promise. A declaration. And beside all the revelations, the hidden secrets, Mary believed him.