Ethereal

-

Maggie sits on the edge of her, and Severus’s, bed, staring into the wall by the door. Where she has been staring for the last few hours, well into the afternoon hours. 

She’s starving but knows she’s not welcome in the dining room or kitchen. 

At least she thinks she won’t be welcomed. 

She’s interrupted minutes later by a firm knock at her door, and she can faintly hear someone whispering to themselves. 

Maggie is at the door and pulling it open before she even realizes, being met with Molly standing on the other side. She is holding a plate, eggs, toast, sausage, and bacon all positioned together, her eyes hesitantly staring at hers. 

Good Morning.” Molly chirps, a practiced smile on her lips. “I cook three meals a day for everyone residing in the burrow, including you, my dear. I cut you some slack today, but everyone must attend breakfast, lunch, and dinner downstairs.” 

“I’m sorry.” Maggie says, her eyes focusing on the plate in her hands. “I was unaware. I will attend, what time is lunch and dinner?” 

“Noon and Seven.” Molly says, holding the plate out to her. “Other than that, I do not care what you do with your time.” 

“Molly, I-.”

“I’ve already discussed with Percy what happened between you two. I will not treat you any different. You are still a guest. But, He is my son.” She doesn’t elaborate on what she means, just falling silent and staring at Maggie. Maggie takes the plate, returning to her bed and sitting on the edge.

She knows what she means, Maggie knows Molly is saying to her without words. 

She will hold what Maggie said to Percy against her, but she will not treat her horribly. 

“Can you tell him I’m sorry?” Maggie asks, wanting desperately for Percy to know how she feels. 

“No.” Molly chuckles humorlessly, “He can’t handle discussing you at the moment.” 

Maggie nods, dropping her gaze to her lap in shame. 

“I lied to him.” Maggie says, not moving her gaze. “I love him more than I can express to you, or to him, or to myself, so that’s why I did what I did. He deserves somewhere out of harm's way, lovers who are as young and loving as he is, and his family caring for me. I prevented that. I saw the love in his eyes when he saw Wood and Clearwater, and I knew he would be safe and treated much better with them. I love Percy so much, but I couldn’t be selfish anymore.”

“You’re an idiot.” Molly sighs loudly, “You fucked everthing up, yourself, him, everything.” 

“Trust me, I am well aware.” Maggie laughs softly, leaving them in silence for a few moments, Molly obviously feeling too awkward to say anything. “Molly, Can you be honest with me for a moment?”

“I’m always honest.” 

“Should I-Should I turn myself into the Dark Lord?”

“What do you mean?” Molly asks, “Why would you do that?”

“It would take some sort of target off your backs. It would definitely take a target off Perce’s.” Maggie laughs, “I-Like you said, I fucked everything up, everything that matters to me. I have no reason to continue being…here. Perce is being taken care of, and he is back with you guys, so I can, I can go.”

“Hush.” Molly chasties, “Don’t think like that, y’here me? Percy would be devastated-devastated if you got yourself killed. He loves you very much, Maggie. I don’t like it, his father doesn’t like it, but Percy loves you. You might have fucked up now, but I think you just treat him right, give him some time, and he’ll come back to you.”

“I don’t want him to come back to me. I want him safe and protected. He’s safe and protected away from me.” 

“Being safe and protected means nothing when you love someone.” Molly says, “Now, up you come. You’re not allowed to hang out by yourself anymore.” 

“Molly, I’m not going to kill myself-.”

“Now.” Molly says, “I’m not asking again. Let’s go.” 

Maggie sighs, heaving herself off of the bed and following Molly out of the bedroom, holding the plate firmly when the door slides shut behind her. 

“You can eat in the kitchen and then help me clean out the attic, yeah?” Molly asks, starting to lead her down the stairs. “It’s not ideal, but cleaning out the attic could get you your own space. I don’t know your and Severus’s relationship, but I’m sure sharing a room is unideal. I’m also sure you would like your own space away from us.”

“I have no issue being around the Order. We have a common goal.” 

Molly momentarily glances up at Maggie during their descent on the stairs, her expression showing how untrue she feels Maggie’s words are. 12 Grimmauld Place is very Victorian, dark and creepy, but it is strong and shows no sign of being unkempt. Still, Maggie wouldn’t trust to not watch where she is going as she descends the stairs. 

It’s so tiny, mundane, but just shows how strong Molly Weasley really is. She has no problem multitasking in potentially dangerous situations, while Maggie turns and runs and abandons everything in her wake. 

“I know, and you know, exactly why that is untrue.”

The rest of their walk is quiet, but quick, and soon enough they are on the hustling and bustling main floor of the home. 

Maggie sees some of the inhabitants faltering when they see her, more than likely unused to seeing her, or assuming she would stay up in her room all day. 

“Go eat breakfast in the kitchen and then we’ll get to work.” Molly says, waving her towards the swing door leading into the kitchen. Maggie wastes no time dipping into the kitchen and away from the slowly tensing crowd. 

She ends up in the claustrophobic kitchen, trying to scarf down her food as humanly possible. Molly is right about more things than Maggie lets her in on. 

Maggie is just washing off her plate and utensils when someone barges into the kitchen with their shoulder, nearly bumping into her in their rushed quest for something. 

“Fuck, Sorry-oh.” 

It’s who Maggie has now come to associate as Oliver Wood. 

He’s tall, bulky in a way that shows he could easily beat someone to death, towering over her harmlessly. He is dressed in well-worn sweatpants, and a loose Kenmare Kestrels tee-shirt. His hair is falling into his face, attempting to cover his eyes, and most notably fading love marks on his neck. 

“Good Morning.” Maggie says, turning back to her dishes and biting back the rage in her throat at the love marks. Percy isn’t hers anymore, she can’t be angry. 

“How’d ya sleep?” Oliver asks, resuming his hunt for whatever made him rush into the kitchen.

“Fine. You?” Maggie asks, occupying herself with scrubbing her already clean dish. 

“Perfectly.” Oliver hums, ripping open the dingy refrigerator. “Having two partners keeps the bed warm and toasty.”

Maggie smiles cruelly down at her plate, choosing not to reply to Oliver for his own safety. 

“Oh, Thanks by the way.” Oliver says, pulling a jug of milk out of the fridge. “Perce is very happy now. Talkin’ `bout how safe he feels, loved he feels, protected finally. So, Thanks for bringing him back to us.”

Maggie sees it for what it is, a blatant jab at her. He’s trying to start a fight, trying to assert his position with Percy over hers, and if it had been five or six months ago she wouldn’t have wasted any time cracking his fucking skull open. 

But, Percy isn’t Maggie’s anymore. She can’t get angry. 

“Good. I’m Glad.” Maggie says softly, finally turning off the sink and reaching for a towel to wipe her plate down. “That’s what I wanted.”

 “Bullshit.” Oliver laughs as he uncaps the milk, pouring some into a tea cup she didn’t realize he was holding. “Let’s be truthful with each other, Harrison. Percy is happy with us, way happier than he ever was with you, so don’t think that just because your little pact with Voldey-mort ended that you can waltz back in here and snatch him up again.”

“I’m not going to snatch Percy up.” Maggie chuckles, beginning her attempt in finding the cabinet the plate should go into. “Percy is, and was, always able to make his own decisions when it came to who he wants to be with. I’m glad he feels loved by you two.”

“Need I mention as well that he is uncomfortable around you, and uncomfortable with the idea of you staying here?” Oliver says, shoving the milk back into the fridge. “I heard Mrs.Weasley discussing you moving into the Attic, and I want you to be aware that it is right above Percy, Penny, and I’s room.”

“I will not bother you-.”

“I want you to know Percy is really loud when we have sex. So if you want to move up there–.” Maggie cuts Oliver off with the scoffed laugh, annoyed that he has the gall to discuss Percy that way. 

“I bet he is.” Maggie cackles, “I bet he buries his face into the pillow when you ask for sex. I bet he makes loud noises, noisy moans and gasps, wrapping his legs around your hips to pull you flush against him. Begging for you to fuck him harder, faster.”

Oliver doesn’t say anything back, and when Maggie turns to look at him, he stands like stone.

“I bet he arches his back obscenely, or rides you, no matter, I bet he insists on doing all the work. I bet he cries from time to time. I bet he focused on you, and I bet you can’t think of the last time you made him cum. I bet he disappears into the bathroom or the shower for a long while after.” Maggie says, her voice going deadly still. “He’s punishing himself when he has sex with you. So, if i was you, I wouldn’t go around spouting off how good sex with Percy is when he doesn’t even want to fuck you to begin with.”

“Maybe all that shit is true when you had sex with him, but it’s different with us. We make sure Percy feels good-.” 

“I’m glad.” Maggie says, her tone unbelieving as she stalks towards the door. She rips the door open, and she plummets into the lively living room. 

The members of the safe house are caught in the beautifully happy conversation, and it makes Maggie sick. 

Not really sick, but jealous. 

How can they be so happy during times like these? 

Maggie’s eyes move to the fireplace when there is a flash of green, watching Severus duck into the dark living room. 

“Come with me.” Severus says, marching past the contents of the living room and towards Maggie. Maggie doesn’t get to say anything, Severus grabbing her arm and dragging her backwards towards the stairs. 

“The fuck, Sev-?” 

“Now.” Severus spits, starting to ascend the stairs quickly. 

“What are you-?!” Sirius yells, but suddenly Maggie is apparated into Severus and her shared bedroom. 

“The Dark Lord is dying.” Severus rushes out, “He about to take his last fucking breathes.”

“What?” Maggie nearly shrieks, “What happened? Who hurt Tom-?!” 

“No one. Bellatrix went in to wake him this morning, and he’s in the process of dying. They have countless bloody healers there, and they keep saying something about an unbreakable vow. Voldemort keeps mentioning you when he comes into consciousness-?” 

“Fuck.” Maggie gasps, her feet falling out from under her. Severus goes down with her, just as the door to the bedroom slams open. Harry Potter, and his two friends, lead the group standing in her doorway. “I-We formed an unbreakable vow when we were just starting his organization. If either of us left the organization, physically and in our soul, the other would die slowly and painfully. But they would die within the day. He’s dying because I left the organization.”

“This is-This-.”Severus mumbles, “Is there a way for this to fall through? Any loophole?”

“Not one.” Maggie whispers, tears starting to pour down her face. “He’s going to die within the day.” 

“This is it?” Harry Potter asks, seemingly blown away at the idea of this entire war ending because of a simple vow. “It’s over?”

“We need to capture them, Severus. Bellatrix, Yaxley, Greyback, Malfoy, We need to get them all.” Maggie cries, her hands dropping down onto the floor in front of her, her head hanging down. “Tom-! I’m killing my best friend-my brother-!”

“No.” Severus says gently, reaching down to rip her head up to his eye level. “You’re killing the biggest terrorist in modern history. You’re saving millions, if not billions, of lives from death and destruction. He may still be Tom to you, Maggie, but he was willing to kill you not even two days ago. He ordered it. He ordered your murder. You’re doing everything we planned, but a bit earlier, my love, and by yourself.”

“I need your help.” Maggie says softly, “Give me my wand. We need to get his loyalists. Capture the Lestranges, The Malfoy’s, Crouch Jr., Carrows, Rookwood, Pettigrew. All of them. But I need your help with Greyback and Yaxley.” 

Severus nods, taking her hand and pulling her to her feet, sliding her wand out of his cloak pocket. 

“I will only help you if you promise to come back.” Severus says, “Don’t go into this and not expect to live.”

“If you don’t help me, I’ll do it anyway.” Maggie shrugs, rolling her eyes when Severus pulls her wand out of her reach. “I’m not going to get myself killed willingly, Severus. I’ve got shit I have to do.” 

“Let’s go then-.” 

“We can help.” Harry says, slamming his hand on the doorframe. “Let us help-!”

“You can help with The Lestranges, The Malfoys, Pettigrew, the other loyalistassholes, but I will handle Greyback and Yaxley-.” 

“No.” 

His voice takes her back, because she hasn’t heard him speak in ages. Percy sounds hollow, while simultaneously filled with rage, and it hurts Maggie to look at him. 

He looks so furious, rightfully so, with tears burning in his eyes and a pretty flush to his cheeks. He’s wearing a jumper she got him from Gladrags their first Christmas together, and she’s pretty sure he’s wearing sweats of hers that he claimed as his own. 

“No, I’m going to deal with Yaxley and Greyback.” Percy growls, his eyes burning into hers with fury as he steps into the room towards her. “and you're going to help me!” 

“Percy-!” Oliver tries to say, reaching forward into the doorway to grab Percy’s arm. Percy jerks away, stepping closer towards her, and Maggie wants to beg him to come even closer. She wants to run her hands over him and assure herself that he’s okay. 

“I deserve to deal with Greyback and Yaxley.” Percy hisses, whipping around to stare at the group in the doorway with an animalistic look. “They tortured me for months. Greyback made me his pet for his own sexual gratification. Yaxley liked that I was a boy and fought back. They ruined me-!” 

“Percy-.” Maggie whispers, but a glare from Percy shuts her up. 

“They ruined me. I deserve to ruin them back.” Percy growls, before flipping around to face her. “I want us to ruin them.” 

“Okay.” Maggie says dumbly, her eyes taking in Percy’s for the first time in months. His eyes are still the most beautiful cobalt, that hold the most familiar look in them. 

“I would also like a piece of Greyback.” Remus says, also stepping into the bedroom. “Even though I don’t hold contempt against myself for being a werewolf anymore, I would still like revenge for all of the unspeakable things he’s done to our community and the wizarding world-alike.” 

“Right.” Percy says, wrapping his arms around himself. “Bill?” 

“I appreciate the offer, but I’ll stay with my wife.” Bill says, out of Maggie’s view. “He’s all yours.” 

“How are you even going to find-?” Molly starts to say, but Percy cuts in.

“I already sent a letter telling him I had information on Maggie.” Percy says with a wave of his hand, “After Severus said The Dark Lord was saying her name, I knew they’d be chomping at the bit to get information on her. I asked him and Yaxley to meet right outside of Arundel, I’m sure they’ll be there. Severus, can you handle the others with their help?” 

“Yes.” Severus nods, “Kingsley, you need to warn the ministry of what’s going on.” 

“I will head there immediately.” Kingsley says, also behind the flush of the door and out of her sight. 

“Lupin, say goodbye to your wife and meet us outside. Maggie, with me.” Percy says, reaching forward and grabbing her shirt before apparating them to a location she doesn’t know. She glances around, drawing a conclusion they are in the tiny backyard of Grimmauld Place. It’s all concrete, and full of broken muggles bikes and empty trash bins. 

Percy clears his throat and Maggie’s eyes shoot to his. 

“Apologize.” 

Maggie swallows, not daring to look away from Percy, and starts to speak.

“I’m very sorry for how I went about ending our relationship.” Maggie says, “I didn’t mean to come across the way I did. I lied to you when I told you that I didn’t love you. I love you desperately, Percy. More than I can even understand myself. You deserved to be somewhere out of harm's way, which I have a funny way of making anywhere I am, and with people you own-.” 

Percy makes a loud buzzer noise, startling Maggie slightly.

“I don’t want excuses. Apologize.” 

“I am insecure in my age when it comes to being your partner, and I know that I bring danger anywhere I am. I love you and don’t want anything to happen to you. I feel no better than Yaxley or Greyback when it comes to us. I’m sorry and I will try to get better at thinking that way. I love you.” 

“I love you too.” Percy says, taking a single step forward but not touching her yet. “If you ever speak to me the way you spoke to me again, I will leave you and never come back. I understand that you wanted to push me away so I was quote-unquote safer, but you still made me feel like shit. To make it up to me, you are going to fuck me over Greyback and Yaxley’s dead-bodies, and then we are going home. Our home.” 

“Yes.” Maggie nods immediately, “Yes, Of course.” 

“Good.” Percy smiles, stepping forward to mesh their chests together, before pulling her into a firm kiss. They get lost in the kiss for a few moments, trying to relish in their first connection after months apart, before Maggie pulls away first.