Solution.
“Take a breath.” Maggie says, reaching forward and pulling the young wizard into a firm hug. “Nothing is wrong with you.”
“I’m so angry all the time, at so many people, when it’s not even their fault. I couldn’t give Angelina what she needed-.”
“Feddie, What does that mean?” Maggie asks, swaying the man back and forth. He has his face buried in her shoulder, but that doesn’t stop him from answering.
“In school, with Angelina, we…we weren’t like normal teenager, I mean, she wanted to be, but I couldn’t…fuck, I couldn’t get it up, alright? She’s beautiful, but I couldn’t be with her how teenagers are supposed to be. I know she took a blow to her self esteem because of it, but I really do love her, y’know. I don’t think I love her like Georgie loves her, but I can’t help but feel jealous that Georgiecan love her like that.”
“Fred-boy, Have you ever felt like you want to be with someone sexually?” Maggie asks, “At all?”
“I mean, maybe?” Freddie says, turning his face away from her and towards the entrance of the alley, resting his right cheek on the arch of her shoulder. “‘s embarrassing to talk about.”
“I know, buddy, you don’t have to tell me, but I think it might be why you feel different.”
“I’ve - When I was sixteen, George and I -.”
“Fred-!” Maggie says alarmed, half joking, “I don’t need to know-.”
“Shut the fuck up.” Fred chuckles, pulling away from her and standing to full height. “George and I got into a fight in six year and I went to Hogsmeade to cool off. I went to Hog’s Head and Oliver Wood was there. He’d graduated two years earlier, so it was good to catch up with him again. He’s an adult, so I was served with him. After a few drinks, I got a little ballsy. He was renting a place in town and we went back, and y’know. It was the only time I’ve felt comfortable sexually. I’ve always had this little crush on him, and I can’t stop thinking about him. Four fucking year and he’s all I think about.”
“Have you maybe thought that you’re gay?”
“Oh, I’ve made peace with being a fag-.”
“Fred.” Maggie cuts in firmly, “Do not refer to yourself as that! How would you feel if someone was calling Ron that? Ginny?”
“I’d kick their teeth in.”
“So, Don’t talk about yourself that way, or I’ll kick your teeth in.” Maggie says, reaching up to grasp either side of his face. “Being gay isn’t gross or bad, so don’t act like it is. So, you like Oliver Wood, why don’t you find him and tell him?”
“He’s Perce’s best friend, and I’m definitely not good enough to be with him. I mean, he’s a huge name in the quidditch industry and I’m just some heartbroken weirdo who’s obsessed with him.”
Maggie rears a hand back and punches Fred in the shoulder as hard as she can, causing him to yelp and jerk away.
“What the hell?!”
“Freddie, you’re a fucking catch, dude! Don’t act like you aren’t the best person ever. He’d be lucky to have you.”
“No, It’s, I’m not-.” Fred sighs, dropping his head to avoid her eyes, “I’m not in the right headspace to even think about pursuing him anyway.”
“What-?”
“Can I move back in with you?” Fred asks suddenly, “I have this overwhelming urge to…hurt myself, and I don’t trust myself to be alone anymore.”
“Of course, Fred.” Maggie nods, leaning forward and interlacing their fingers. “I’ll let Perce know. Are you feeling that now?”
“Desperately.” Fred mumbles, “And I don’t know what to do.”
“I do.” Maggie says, and drags him out of the alley and back into the crowd. They pass the Spiny Serpent and E.L.M & Wizards Undertaker & Embalmers Shop, before Maggie pulls them down the stairs leading into the fork of Knockturn Alley. She leads him right and down one shop, and through the door sticking out of the wall. The plaque above the door reads ‘Markus Scarrs’, and the glass on the door says ‘Indelible Tattoos’.
“Maggie?”
“We’re getting a tattoo, baby!” Maggie grins back at him, when the door slams shut behind them.
The shop around them is dark, covered in vines and plants, and dead taxidermied animals. The walls are covered in beautiful imagery and pictures, and moving Greek statues. The shop is empty aside from a fluffy cat sitting on the entrance desk a few steps away from them.
“I’ve heard Tattoos help with your issue. It’s a healthy way to bring yourself pain.”
“Welcome!”
An eccentric man appears in front of them. He’s dressed in neon yellow pants, a red shirt, has green hair, and mismatched socks.
“What can I help you youngsters with?”
One hour later, the pair stumbles out of the tattoo shop with new additions to their bodies.
Right above the curve of their elbows, in thin letters, is tattooed the year 1978.
Maggie and Fred were both born in 1978, and if she was enrolled in Hogwarts they would have been in the same year. Maggie feels quite firmly that they would have been best friends then too.
“We’re matching!” Maggie sing-songs, “How’d you like it?”
When Maggie gets eyes on Fred, she can see how much happier he already appears. He’s staring down at the tattoo with a sense of wonder.
“I think I want another one already.” Fred says excitedly, “Will you come with me when I get another?”
“Of course, Buddy.” Maggie smiles, “Now, I know you just wanted out of the house, but I do want to get a gift for Percy.”
“What sorta gift?” Fred asks, “Something sexy?”
“No, dumbass, especially not with you here.” Maggie laughs, “But, How do you feel about visiting our southern sister country?”
“What?” Fred asks, obviously confused. “France?”
“Fuck yeah, Freddie-Boy.” Maggie grins, “We’re out, so might as well, right?”
“You’re going to take me to France?”
“Uh, yeah. If that's okay with you. You’re brother is a huge fan of Cauldron Cakes from ConfiserieEnchantée de K. Rammelle.”
“We’re going to France to get Percy cake?” Fred asks, staring over at her in wonder.
“Well, Fred, I’m in love with your brother, and your brother loves Cauldron Cakes. So yeah.” Maggie nods, “is that okay?”
“More than okay! I’ve never been to France!” Fred grins, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the international travel shop. “Dude, can we get another tattoo in France?”
“Sure, Bud.” Maggie smiles, letting him pull her to the building at the very end of Diagon Alley.
After a bit of fanfare and signing of papers, they end up deposited in the much fancier French International Travel Agency.
Once they step out of the agency, once again with Maggie taking pictures and signing shit, Fred stares around in wonder.
“Holy shit!” Fred raves, looking around at the wild and colorful Place Cachée. “This is so much better than Diagon Alley.”
“You should see Kakureta o Mise.” Maggie says, “Not that Place Cachée isn’t beautiful, but something about Japan is just the best.”
“Well we’ll need to go.” Fred says, “Where to first?”
“Well, Let’s find that tattoo shop, then I want you to help me with something.”
Just a short taxi ride outside of Place Cachée yields them a small tattoo shop that is out of place in the fancy, clean streets of Paris, France. The bright purple entrance and orange trim on the outside of the shop stands out, but as they step into Tin-Tin Tatouages, Maggie is taken back by how empty it is.
“Bonjour!”
A very tattooed man says from the front desk of the shop, looking up from reading something. The shop is very colorful, covered in signs and eclectic photos,
“Bonjour!” Maggie coos back, before delving into a conversation about why they are there. Fred asks questions that Maggie relays to the man, and acts as a translator for them both.
Soon enough, Fred is being tattooed a design the man drew up for him after he described what he wants.
Right on the meat just below his shoulder is now a freshly tattooed tarantula. The tarantula is hairy and looks pretty realistic, aside from its vibrant orange color. It looks fucking awesome, and after it’s wrapped up and paid for, their back on their way.
“I think I’m addicted.” Fred says excitedly as they stroll back towards Place Cachée. It’s already getting late, but Maggie’s not too worried. “I genuinely feel the best I’ve felt in a long time.”
“I’m glad, Freddie.” Maggie nods, happy for him and happy she found something to help him. “But, I need your help with something.”
“What is it?”
“Want to help me pick out an engagement ring for Perce?”