True friend

Marriet always knew when people are telling truth.

People never cared much one way or another when she informed them of that fact.

They never understood that she did not need to apply logic to find which of the statements are true. She always, always knew when they are telling truth.

So, When professor Slughorn told her Severus Snape is her brother, she knew it's not truth.

All her friends insisted that he is her brother.

And all her friends are telling truth.

Then came the ugly rat like guy who insisted Snape is her brother, she must go talk to Snape about it.

He was definitely telling a lie.

You see, Truths and lies are tricky. There is always one truth, which always smelled like burning fire. Lies, now they are various. Some stank like great lake before winter. Some, just smelled of smoke like embers. Another few, smelled almost like fire, but not like burning fire. You see, truth always smelled like burning fire. It never ever smelled like any thing else.

Thus, When rat guy or Peter, insisted that Snape is the best guy that is out there to teach a hex and smelled of strongest burning fire, she believed him. Every one who assured her of that fact smelled of nothing but hottest of burning fire.

She is definitely staying as Bella's friend. Bella is the only person who ever smelled of burning fire when she said she will be her friend. Staying Bella's friend may hurt physically. Yet, Marriet preferred that over the false sweetness and pity of her housemates. Having made that decision, she went hunting.

She finally found Severus in Library.

Right besides a giggling Lily Evans.

They were studying charms.

James potter and posse entered library just as Marriet approached Severus and Lily. Marriet did not like them much. Not that Marauders cared about whether Marriet liked them or not, but she was there when they tricked ickle firstie in to getting bitten by fanged geraniums. She had to haul the little guy all the way to hospital, Marauders are no help teasing the little boy.

She sat down in front of Lily and Severus.

They did not look up.

Now, if Marriet had some thing called tact or minimum polity, she would have waited until they did.

She didn't have any.

As such, she plowed right ahead.

"Teach me a hex." she said in her best voice.

Which, given who she is, same as her every other voice.

"Excuse me?" said Severus and Lily at the same time.

"Yes Snivellus, teach your sister a hex." James said in his most simpering voice.

Sirius and peter cackled behind him.

"After all, she not only looks like hippogriff dung, she had to be related to you too. Such a pity." Sirius piped in tutting at them.

Remus looked like he would like to be any where but here.

"Go away Potter" Lily snipped at James.

"What ever do you see in that greasy git, Evans? I am so much better than him. After all, he is living on our charity." James said scoffing at Severus and placing emphasis on charity.

Severus was just about to retort, but Lily is faster.

"Go away Potter, or I swear I will punch you." Lily growled at James.

Severus recovered in mean time. It will not do to engage in verbal or magical spat. Dumbledore is watching him like a hawk, he bet.

Marriet silently repeated her plea while Lily and James are still involved in silent glaring war.

Severus just wanted her to go away. He doesn't need to bear the taunts about an unknown girl.

"Tell you what kid, punch that guy, I will teach you a hex." he told Marriet pointing at James.

He did not think the Hufflepuff girl has it in her to do any thing bad. After all, he has seen her around, she takes a lot of abuse with out giving any in return. He never could have imagined what happened next.

Marriet just got up, cocked her fist, punched The James Potter, right in the face. With a resounding crack to boot.

Every one's jaw dropped at the scene.

Lily watched uncomprehendingly, before her lips quirked up.

Severus's jaw dropped open.

Mauraders drew their wands and pointed at Marriet.

Marriet just stood there, like she had not a care in the world, or four wands pointed at her, as stupid looking as ever.

Madam Pince arrived at the scene before any of the Marauders can get a spell out.

"You four, Detention!" she screeched at them.

"What! It's not us, it's her" Sirius pointed a hand at Marriet. Too bad it's still holding a wand.

"No duels in Library. Detention with Filch" Madam Pince glared at Marauders.

Lily bent her head and giggled a little.

Marauders left to take James to infirmary.

Severus couldn't hold it any longer.

He laughed.

He laughed so much, Madam Pince came back and threw them out of Library.

He still couldn't stop laughing.

Marriet followed along dutifully, repeating her plea. Now Severus is starting to understand why his godson was friends with Crabbe and Goyle. He felt more vindicated than ever for all the grief he has taken from Marauders with a single punch. Not even Dumbledore could do any thing about this.

When he finally got hold of him self, he smiled at Marriet.

He did not see Lily, who looked at him almost in wonderment.

"Tell you what, Kid! I will teach you a hex. Hell! I will teach you two."

Marriet smiled back at him through her swollen cheek. She is still recovering from what Bella did to her.

Little did he know, in that moment, he set his life on a course of no return.