Mary wasn't particularly in a wonderful mood. It had been a long day at the shoppe, full of some unruly customers as well as a lot of bookkeeping to keep up with. So as she was putting the day's rubbish into the bins in the alley on the side of Little Leaves, she couldn't help but let out a sigh, hoping that she could finish this quickly so that she would be able to go upstairs and enjoy a hot bath and maybe a fresh cup of Lady Grey. After pulling a stray piece of hair behind her ear, she brushed her hands off on her skirt since she had finished her task. She felt a light breeze pass her, and shivered slightly. This alley wasn't exactly her favorite place, considering it wasn't too far from a passage towards Knockturn Alley.

Shaking off the chill, she started walking back towards the side door to her shoppe when she heard a noise from down the alley. Turning in curiosity to see who was still shopping at this time of night, she was astonished and slightly appalled to see a familiar mop of dark hair walking closer to her every second. Her first thought was to run inside, that perhaps he hadn't seen her, that she wouldn't have to face him. But at the pace he was walking, he'd reach her before she had time to dart through the door. It was no use, they were going to run into each other.