Quite Contrary

Hogging the karaoke stage at his own party, probably bad enough, but dedicating a song to his ex-girlfriend, one that was basically about how he was still completely head over heels? Yeah, likely made him look like a total tool, but as he came off stage, again, he was far too busy trying not to let the alcohol and the emotion overwhelm him. Why would he pick such an emotional song? Way to go Reggie.

So, of course, this was the moment he had to run into her. There she was, pretty as always, right after his big, douchey dedication to her, and he froze in place for a minute, a hand reaching up to lightly ruffle his hair. “Heeey, Mare. Enjoying the party?”

@mcrymac 

What were you supposed to do when your ex-boyfriend dedicated an emotionally charged song to you, on stage, in front of everyone? Mary swallowed down whatever the proper word to describe such an emotion was, meeting Reginald’s eyes. She mimicking the motion, reaching up to carefully run a finger through her silky waves. She wasn’t sure how to feel about anything. She was in a very strange place. Listening to him sing made her miss him even more, but it also confused the ever-loving hell out of her. The last time they saw one another, he’d given her a necklace, kissed her, said they couldn’t do that anymore, and left for Romania.

Since then she’d endured different things--a mistaken letter to the very person he cheated on her with, a surprise visit from Mulciber, a mistake in taking pills she should have thrown out. She was a mess, she realized, even if she looked put together. The honest answer to his question wasn’t no, but it wasn’t yes either. “Hi, Reggie.” She answered, stepping closer to him. “That was..a good song.” She offered, “The party is fine.” She added, uncertain how else to answer that.

Mary,

I was so happy to see your letter, I miss you too and I hope you’re doing alright and your holiday has been nice and full of happiness! I would love to get together sometimes, what about Friday? Would that work for you? Where should we meet? Is there anyplace you’d love to go to?

Alice, 

It’s truly nice to hear from you. I would love to see you on Friday. There’s no place in particular. Perhaps we could go see a movie, and then have lunch? Would that be nice? Also, I was wondering, are you going to be at Reginald’s New Years party?

Mary,

Talk about Sirius? Why? What happened? Is he trying to get you into an ugly Christmas jumper for a Christmas card too? Remember that you don’t have to do anything he says no matter how charming he acts about it.

Peter, 

Do you want to tell me if he’s talked about any certain girls lately? Certain kisses being had? He hasn’t asked me to wear an ugly Christmas jumper, but that sounds like a delightful card. Please tell me he’s gotten you into one?

Mary,

That’s so sweet I’m really touched that you thought of me. I really have missed getting to talk with you so we really should change that! I’d love to go skating with you, they do have a skating rink made up here at school but I assume you would prefer something away from here. Either way I would very much like to hang out, I really have to talk to you about the ABBA album!

Gladys, 

Either way works with me as well! Why don’t you come visit me, get you away from school for a little break? I’d love to hear all about the ABBA album! I’m enclosing my address in this letter, please feel free to come anytime. Also, the fireplace is a normal fireplace. I’ve had to remind others, so just a reminder. 

Mary Macdonald as an Auror AU

“It’s not about destroying the ones I hate, it’s about saving those I love.”

We need to talk about Sirius.

I was in this tiny little shop a few days ago, and saw this beautiful blue sweater and it reminded me of you. I know we’ve not talked for quite some time, but I’d like to change that. I was wondering if perhaps you might like to go ice skating with me? I know you’re still at school, but we could meet up somewhere? I’ll even bring the sweater. 

Do you still love me? (I know the answer is yes). Since I know the answer is yes, what would you say to meeting me at four o’clock for a movie? I’ve not been to the cinema in ages, and I’ll even splurge for popcorn and candy. 

Hello. I hope this letter finds you well. Truthfully, I miss you. I hope your holiday is going well. I was also wondering if perhaps you might wish to get together sometime soon? My schedule is quite free, so whenever works best for you. If you’d like.

With love,

Having people over to the house was always pleasant. Mary enjoyed company, she enjoyed being a hostess, and she enjoyed seeing her friends from school try to navigate a completely muggle home. She smiled at Frank as she led him into her kitchen, the place neatly organized and ready for them to make sundaes and hot chocolate. She had two large mugs setting out, spoons, bowls, toppings for the sundaes, an ice cream scoop, the hot chocolate mix, marshmallows, cinnamon, and the cold ingredients stored away properly. 

“I’m all ready to see how on Earth we make this sundae of yours. I’m very excited, and I do hope it’s very, very good as grandfather will be having one later--if I can learn the recipe properly and make him one. He’s not a difficult man to please, but pressure on.” She teased, nose scrunching as she held her hand out. “The kitchen is at your service.” She announced, pleased to have him. 

Merry (very belated) Christmas. You owe me a match.

Hello. I hope it’s alright I write you. I just wanted to see how you were doing, and how holiday was treating you. Have you seen any good movies this holiday season? How’s the cinema?

Best wishes,

The bookstore had always been one of Mary’s favorite shops. It was a quaint place, filled with dust that caught in the beams of sunlight, and yellowed page tomes. She liked to purchase books second-hand. It was delightful to find a name inscribed on the inside cover, or little notes left throughout the pages. Once she’d found a folded up letter, and another time a hand-made bookmark. She’d found train tickets, and flight tickets, postcards, and grocery lists in the pages of books owned by someone before her. It was as if the book itself was sharing a story beyond the print on it’s pages. 

She ran her fingertips over the books in the cart. It was the two pound cart, filled to the brim with discounted books. She pushed aside a few, looking to find something that caught her eye. There were plenty of classics, but she owned those. That was when her fingers settled on a worn copy of Peter Pan. A smile spread across her lips. She pulled it free from the cart, not at all bothered by the wrinkled cover, or the yellowed pages, or the general wear it had been through. It seemed it had been well loved. She turned, intending to stop herself from raiding the discount cart any further, when she spotted him. Her eyes widened, cheeks flaring red. Reginald. Here. In the bookshop. 

She swallowed as she caught his eye, shifting her weight from foot to foot as she sucked in her bottom lip, teeth grazing gently as she lifted her free hand, fingers wiggling in a half-wave. Oh dear. 

‘‘You’re right, we’re fab!’‘ Marlene smirked in Mary’s direction. Marlene had always been a daddys girl, ever since she was little, she loved her mother but she adored her father. There’d been a year when she was about 3 that she’d been all but attached to his leg. She knew how close Mary was with her grandfather; and loved that she was getting to spend time with him throughout the holidays. 

Marlene couldn’t help narrowing her eyes at Mary as she spoke, before letting out a disgruntled sigh. ‘’I don’t know, is probably the best answer, we were normal until he kissed me a couple months ago. We were weird for a little bit, but now, there’s a considerable larger amount of kissing. Plus I might’ve kind of technically broke into the Potters the other night to see him.’’ Marlene babbled out as she mixed the dry ingredients together, avoiding Marys eye. ‘’And what about you and Reggie? Gonna explain that one?’’

Mary hummed in agreement, saying nothing further about how magnificent they were. It was well established at this point, and that was just as well. She continued to work, measuring each ingredient carefully while she waited for Marlene’s response. Admittedly, it wasn’t very kind for her to call Marlene out, but she had needed to in order to convince herself to be on with it. It was far too difficult to dance around the candlelight. A grin broke out across her lips. “You kissed?!” She asked, eyes bright with excitement as she stopped mid-stir. “You kissed? Marlene Mckinnon! You and Sirius Black kissed? You and Sirius?” She asked.

“Wait. A couple of MONTHS ago and I’m just now hearing about this?” She asked, flicking a bit of batter at Marlene with the wooden spoon. “Marlene!” She whined, “How could you?” She asked, huffing a bit as the batter landed on Marlene’s cheek. “You broke into the Potters house? To see Sirius? Last night? Merlin.” She breathed, “Oh this is so exciting. Pleaseee, you have to tell me everything. Are you dating now? The pair of you?” She questioned, but paused at the return question. She lifted her shoulders into a shrug. “He showed up here with a gift, an admission that he loves me, said we couldn’t do this, and hopped off to Romania. Nothing else to say.” 

         “Yeah” he said, nodding his head. Surprises were okay up to a point but if he had the choice between a surprise and knowing what was coming, he would always choose to be in the know. “They can be unpleasant, or unwanted, which makes things difficult. I think, in the long run, I always prefer to know what is coming if I have the choice to do so” he admitted, explaining his train of thought to her. He knew Sirius thought him an idiot for hating surprises, but that was only because Sirius enjoyed surprising people himself. Upon hearing her story about her grandfather, his face broke into a grin and he couldn’t help but chuckle at the image she had put into his head. “Sounds like a fun man. I’m sure I would love to meet him. I never knew my own grandparents so it would be nice I think. And for Sirius too” he added, smiling. “You know me too well by now, Mary”.

         “I know that they have done, I was complimenting them Mary. Some of their decorations are just as festive if not more so than our own and they had no way of using magic to create them. They had to use their minds not their wands, which is fantastic” he admitted. Muggles never ceased to amaze him with the things that they could come up with. “Mother is determined we decorate the house this year and that Sirius and I will be the ones to do it. Father is working late a lot over Christmas so it will be a nice surprise for him when he gets home” he smiled, “you’re right, some things in life are worth the effort”. He let her take his hand and explain her story as she guided him through the crowds of people into the book shop itself. Warmth enveloped him as soon as he set foot inside. “Zeus? Nice” he grinned, appreciatively at the name.

Mary smiled, giving a nod of her head. “I do know you quite well, James.” She agreed. “Granddad is wonderful. He was in the Royal Air Force, a pilot during the war, and he has all these magnificent stories. Some of them are a bit gory, but I think you and Sirius could handle them. He taught me all about airplanes when I was little, I can even pilot one of the planes. He used to call me Kittyhawk. Really that’s a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, an American plane, but he had a few American pals, and he said I reminded him of an American nurse he met. They called her Kitty, but she really wanted to fly.” She explained, thinking fondly of her grandfather as she slipped inside the small bookstore with James. 

“You and Sirius? Decorating the house? Oh Merlin.” She giggled, “Well, I help mum decorated our home every year, if you need help or tips, I’d be happy to assist.” She promised, nodding at the question. “Zeus,” She repeated. She spotted the kitten, and squatted down, clicking her tongue to call the kitten toward her. The tiny animal padded over to them, purring as he brushed back and forth against Mary’s hand. She grinned, brightening considerably with the presence of the small animal. “Come on then, give him a pet.”