August 25th,1994

Maggie did not like this situation. It was dark out and only lit by lanterns and spells being flung back and forth, there were screams, and she'd been separated from not just Ron and Hermione and Ginny, but the rest of the Weasleys. Her wand was tightly gripped in her hand. So much for the cheery celebration.

"Magnolia!" A voice called. Maggie sighed in relief when she saw Bill and Charlie, waving her over. The glow of Bill's wand was the only reason she'd been able to see them.

"Bill! Charlie!" She exclaimed and ran over to them. Charlie hugged her tight when she reached them.

"Dad is off looking for Ron and Hermione. Fred and George have Ginny, they're over with the Diggorys," Bill explained.

"The twins told us that you'd been with Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, but you got separated. Ron and Hermione went looking for you, so Dad went looking for them. We've been looking for you," Charlie sighed, letting her out of his arms and into Bill's. Bill gave her a tight hug. The Brothers were obviously relieved.

"Everything just happened so fast," Maggie muttered.

"We know," Charlie assured her, "It isn't your fault. I've got you now." He wrapped his arm around her shoulder one more time before letting her go to lead her along. Bill was behind both of them, wand raised and constantly looking around. They did their best to avoid the fighting as they hurried to the younger Weasleys.

That was when masked and robed person jumped in front of them, wand pointed at Charlie and words falling out of their mouth.

"Crucio!"

Magnolia didn't think much about her following actions. No one would hurt her family.

She jumped in front of him, her own wand raised with hopes of disarming the attacker. It was not successful as she succumbed to the pain. She fell, feeling a separate pain in her head.

She heard Bill and Charlie's panicked shouting when the pain stopped suddenly. Everything went black when she felt Charlie's strong arms wrapping around her.

December 24th, 1995

Charlie watched as Ginny and Hermione chased Fred and George up the stairs of Grimmauld, faces burning red. Ron followed close behind, his mouth full of popcorn. (Charlie hadn't quite been paying attention to what was happening, but he assumed the twins had taken it upon themselves to prank the girls. Ron was probably just trying to watch the confrontation.) Molly was in the kitchen, doting on Arthur while Sirius was upstairs, in what Maggie referred to as his cave, with Buckbeak.

Maggie, unlike the rest of the boisterous household, was quiet and curled on the sofa. She'd admitted to him about the dream she'd had and he had reassured her consistently, but he couldn't quite figure out what more was happening.

He plopped down next to her, jarring her from her empty gaze.

"Know how I helped you, Hermione, and Ron sneak out over the summer and you got caught?" Charlie started, casually throwing his arm over her shoulder.

A fond smile broke out onto her face.

"Merlin, I think that was the first time my dad and your mum actually agreed on something," Maggie said, "What about it?"

"I'm the one that ratted you three out," Charlie admitted with a smirk.

Maggie gaped at him and swatted his chest.

"You prick! I got grounded for that!" She exclaimed. He chuckled and held her tighter under his arm as she tried to push away.

"Merlin, I'm kidding!" He grinned. "There's my Flower, that got you out of your head, huh?"

"Oh, bugger off, Dragon man," She pouted and stopped fighting his hold on her.

"Maybe I will once you tell me what's going on." He gave her a steady look, dropping the lighthearted pretense.

Maggie sagged. There was a look of defeat on her face.

"Don't tell my dad," She said.

He nodded. "Of course I won't."

She pulled her long sleeve up, showing him her left hand. He felt ill at the sight of the words carved into her skin in her own gentle scrawl.

I must not tell lies.

"Bloody Hell, Magnolia, what is that from?" He hissed out, pulling his arm from around her and turning his body to face her. He grabbed her hand and looked at it closely before checking the other one.

"Umbridge, she has me writing lines in detention," She whispered.

"I'll kill her," Charlie snapped, eyes hard.

"No, you won't." Maggie's eyes were pleading. "I have it under control. I can handle this."

"Magnolia, she's maimed you-"

"I know what I'm doing, Charlie!" Maggie interrupted, a bit of fury in her eye, "I will keep speaking out, people need to hear it! Even if it means getting called a liar and being just another Mad Black."

Charlie breathed out, defeated.

"If it gets worse than this, you tell me. Do you understand?"

She grumbled something unintelligible and curled up again, leaning into him. He rolled his eyes. Moody as all Hell, she was. He wrapped his arm around her again and rubbed her arm, trying to soothe her obviously grumpy attitude. It was Yule time, after all.

Just as she relaxed to Charlie telling her a tale of his escapades on the reserve, the twins came back down the stairs in a rush, Ginny and Hermione close behind. Ron was nowhere to be seen, most likely having been pulled away by Sirius.

"Oi, okay, what's going on?" Charlie sat up, both amused and irritated.

"Enchanted Mistletoe." Hermione pointed to where her and Ginny had been sitting earlier.

Charlie's eyes widened.

"It stuck me and Hermione together until we kissed," Ginny huffed.

"It was for Hermione," George began.

"And Ron. It isn't our fault," Fred continued.

"That you weren't paying attention," George finished.

"Where else did you put it?" Hermione asked, her face nearly as red as a Weasley's hair.

"Why does it matter?" The twins asked in unison.

"Do you want to kiss one of us?" Ginny raised a brow.

The twins looked at each other with disgusted looks.

"I don't think you thought that far ahead, then," Hermione rolled her eyes.

"We didn't," George admitted.

"Charlie," Fred said slowly, eyes widening slightly, "Don't kill us…"

George followed Fred's gaze and grimaced as he continued, "But you are under mistletoe right now."

Maggie finally reacted to them after sitting silently during the whole exchange. Her face burned, whether in embarrassment or anger, no one could tell.

"I'm going to kill you both," Maggie said in an even voice, cool and calm. It was unnerving. Charlie's own face was red as he nodded in agreement.

"I'll feed you two to dragons."

The twins were smart enough to get a head start and went to hide upstairs.

"We'll find them for you," Ginny assured them and took off once more. Hermione went too, but at a slower pace.

"Shit," Charlie huffed and looked up at the mistletoe. He tried to stand up even though he knew it wouldn't work before flopping back.

"Feeding them to dragons is too easy. I was thinking we could let my dad at them," Maggie grinned lopsidedly.

"That sounds fair," He chuckled. Without warning, she suddenly pressed his lips to his. As quickly as she was there, she was gone, running up the stairs. He caught a glimpse of her blush that went all the way to her ears.

And then it hit him.

He liked Maggie.

April 15th, 1996

Charlie sighed as he tossed his clothes into his trunk. The Easter Holiday had been a welcome relief from the stressors of the world. He knew he'd be back in a few short months, but as the years went by, Romania was becoming more and more of a chore. He hated being away from his family, but he loved his dragons. Though, recently, it had felt like the love of them wasn't enough.

And then there was Maggie.

He couldn't figure it out, what drew him to her. In years past, she had been his little sister, but ever since Christmas…

She wasn't even 16, and here he was, contemplating his feelings towards her.

"Oi, Charlie," A voice jolted him from his thoughts. Sirius. He turned to face the man, none other than the father of Magnolia.

"Sirius, how are you, mate?" Charlie smiled at the man.

"Are you trying to get into my daughter's pants?" Sirius asked, tone blunt.

Charlie sputtered, eyes going wide.

"Is that a yes?"

"Sweet Circe, no!" Charlie cried, "She's like a-"

"Don't say sister, I swear to Merlin, otherwise you're just as incestuous as the rest of my and Magnolia's family," Sirius interrupted, "I know the mistletoe kiss at Yule was more than a mistletoe kiss." Charlie could not read the man's face and it chilled him to the bone. The usual wild and carefree look in his eye was gone, only pools of cold silver remained.

"I am not trying to get in her pants," Charlie huffed out.

Sirius studied him with narrowed eyes, "What is going on between the two of you then?"

"I don't know, okay?" Charlie snapped, "All I know is I would die for her and my feelings are more than familial. She's beautiful and selfless and carries the weight of the world on her shoulders. I don't understand it, I shouldn't feel anything towards her, but I do."

Sirius's eyes had a flash of something that Charlie would never forget, not with how much it scared him.

"I'm not going to do a bloody thing about it, if that's what your worried about. I know I'm too old for her."

"That's not what I'm worried about. In just a bit over a year, when she can make her decisions as an adult, that won't matter. I just don't want you hurting my baby," Sirius said, in a manner that allowed Charlie to let his guard down.

"That's the last thing I want to do."

"See to that, then."

Sirius was gone just as quickly as he'd come, disappearing up the stairs of Grimmauld, most likely to see to Buckbeak.

June 18th, 1996

It was on a whim that Charlie had decided to join several other members of the Order of the Phoenix. He and Nymphadora had been on a floo call (She'd been ranting about Remus dodging her pursuits once again) when she received a patronus from Moody.

"I'll be through in a second," He'd said. They, of course, ended up at the Department of Mysteries with Kingsley, Moody, Remus, and Sirius. Dora had to be there, and Charlie, well, he wasn't about to let the people he cared the most for fight without him.

When they blasted through the door, he saw Maggie about to hand over the prophecy to Lucius Malfoy. He couldn't tell you who was angrier- him, Remus, or Sirius. She'd been manipulated into being there, given the illusion that her father was being tortured.

He was locked in battle with Rodolphus when he saw it happen. Sirius fell through the veil, a laugh etched on his face. Maggie's cry of anguish allowed him to incapacitate Rodolphus and turn to see Remus holding Maggie in a tight hug, tear on his face as he told her Sirius was really gone. Bellatrix was shouting in victory an started out the chamber. Dumbledore shot a spell at her, only to miss. Charlie's eyes widened as Maggie escaped Remus's arm, a mad fury on her face that he knew to be no good.

Charlie sprinted after them.

He caught up once they reached the Atrium but kept his distance. Maggie looked like Bellatrix in that moment, a mad glint in her eye as her cousin taunted her behind the fountain.

And she snapped.

"Crucio!" Maggie screamed, knocking Bellatrix down. The woman screamed, and much to Charlie's shock, Maggie didn't lighten up at all.

When the girl let up on the curse, Bellatrix looked on, impressed.

"You remind me of myself, dear cousin," Bellatrix grinned wickedly, "Every bit as dark as me. You can mean an Unforgivable. Imagine if you were on our, all that power-"

"I'd never join you, you bloody bitch!" Maggie snapped.

"Such a shame, you won't be joining the family business," Bellatrix said in faux sadness before attempting the cruciatus on Maggie. Charlie felt utter relief as she dodged it.

"Not a shame, I think. Most of them are dead, anyway. Like you," Maggie sneered. With nothing but fire in her soul, shouted, "Avada Kedavra!"

Charlie watched as one of the darkest and cruelest witches in history fell. There was horror forever etched on Bellatrix's face. Maggie stared at her wand, processing what she'd just done. Charlie began to run to her as she collapsed, clutching her scar. He wrapped his arms around her, rocking her when a cold voice rang out.

"You're far more powerful than I thought, Magnolia Black," Voldemort said. His red eyes locked on the girl in fury.

He raised his wand and began to speak the same words Maggie just had. Charlie shielded her without a second thought. Instead of nothingness like he expected, a statue shattered around them.

Dumbledore was here.

"Thank Merlin, Maggie, you're okay," Charlie muttered as Dumbledore and Voldemort locked themselves in a duel.

"She killed him, who knows what more she could've done?" Maggie whispered.

"I know, I know," He soothed, "You did what you had to."

August 2nd, 1996

Charlie was lost as how to help Magnolia. He'd had to stay in Romania through most of July and was only able to come back to London the day before Magnolia's birthday. He was supposed to stay for another week, but upon receiving a letter from Ron, Charlie hurried back. Sure, he was already in a bit of trouble for taking off in the middle of the night back in June, but his supervisor understood the kind of trouble his family tended to get into. A five-year record of letters from his youngest brother proved that. (Along with the many articles coming out regarding what happened in the ministry.)

So, he got to go home.

He almost wished he hadn't, when he saw how Magnolia was practically catatonic and refusing to move from her bed at Privet Drive. Dumbledore had failed in trying to get her out of bed and she wasn't responding to Ron or Hermione's letters.

As a last-ditch effort, Dumbledore had written to him because, 'You know what happened that night, Charlie, you saw it. I think you're best suited for this.'

He hadn't said much to her relatives. Petunia studied him while Vernon seemed to cower away from him. (Charlie guessed it had to do with what he'd said last summer about knowing where Maggie used to sleep and that he had access to dragons.)

Vernon said something about going to get food and went to wait in the car while Dudley went to hide in his room.

"Is she in her room still?" Charlie asked Petunia, "Her headmaster wrote to me."

"She is," Petunia said with a pinched face, "Will you taking her?"

"I'll be doing my best," Charlie said, starting up the stairs.

"Is it true? That her father died?" Petunia asked.

Charlie looked back to her, "Yes, he did."

Petunia's face had a flash of what Charlie could only assume to be sympathy.

"Take care of her, will you?" Her voice was sharp and disgusted, but her eyes portrayed a different emotion.

"I always will."

Charlie found Maggie laying on her bed and staring at the ceiling blankly, her cat on her chest. Demetrius looked at him and meowed, hopping off Maggie and slinking towards him. He wove himself around Charlie's legs as the man sat on the edge of Maggie's bed. When she didn't react, he laid down next to her, staring at the ceiling.

"You're lucky Dumbledore didn't send my mum," Charlie said, turning his head to face her. She looked at him, blinking in surprise, as if she just realized he was there. She may've, he supposed. Her eyes were sunken in, her hair a mess, and her cheeks hallow. She looked so much like her father had when he was at his worst.

"She'd be demanding you get up," He continued, "But I think you should decide when you're ready. I'll lay here until you are, and when you are, I'm taking you to get something other than pumpkin pasties to eat." He gestured to the pile of wrappers on the floor next to her bed.

"Okay," Maggie said in a quiet voice and tired. She turned and stared at the ceiling.

One corner of his mouth tugged up slightly and he pulled her close to him. She melted against his chest.

And then she was sobbing. He rubbed her back, holding her close as she wept, grieving the loss of the parent that fought for her more than anyone ever had.

"You're okay, I promise. It'll be okay."

May 27th, 1999

Maggie was frozen.

I'm in love with you.

He loved their family, that was it. Not her.

I'm in love with you.

Why would he say that, then? Her mind swam as she thought back to the last several years.

I'm in love with you.

He always went after her. He always saved her.

I'm in love with you.

He loved her. He was in love with her.


Charlie watched as Maggie's face contorted in about ten different ways before landing on nothingness and acting like she hadn't heard him.

So, he pokes the lion.

"I loved you before we had a family together, so you can't say it's just that," Charlie said, "I've loved you for years."

Maggie wiped some of the mashed-up food off Teddy, her face completely blank.

"You didn't want to be in a relationship because you just wanted to raise Teddy, but now- Dammit Magnolia, please look at me!"

She turned her head to stare at him, her eyes empty as she spoke, "Can this wait until Teddy goes to bed?"

Her tone left no room for argument.


Charlie was distracting himself by flipping through the latest edition of the Quibbler in the study while Magnolia put Teddy to bed. She'd not said a word to him when she took Teddy upstairs.

It was when he heard her coming down the stairs that he realized there was probably a better way to have told her. Her face was red (why, he couldn't discern) as she came in and closed the door behind her. She silenced the room and stood awkwardly, not sure what to do.

"Why did you say that?" She asked, her face unreadable.

"Because I love you," He said simply.

Maggie approached him and he could see her gears turning.

"Why me?" She whispered in a small voice, "Why me? All I'll do is tie you down. Why are you okay being stuck with me?" And it finally hit him- she didn't believe he could love her. That's why she'd been resistant to a relationship before her pregnancy. It's why she insisted on only one night together and why she'd been critical of herself for being too serious and busy for a relationship. Maggie didn't believe it could be more. It was never the age difference. It was never about what the family would think.

"Because I know you," He said, "And I love you for it."

She didn't react.

"I know you, Magnolia. I've seen the best and worst of you. I love you anyway," Charlie reached out and cupped her cheek. She relaxed into his touch.

"Everyone's been telling me you love me for ages," She said.

"Because it's true. I was scared that I wasn't good enough for you. You saved the world, you decided to raise a baby at 17, you were ready to let me off the hook when I got you pregnant. You're too bloody good for me. I love you, I love you, and I will keep saying it until you believe me," He leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers.

"I'm a mess," Maggie closed her eyes.

"And I love you anyway. You're a mess, a little mad, stubborn as all Hell, and incredibly unpredictable. Just like I'm flighty, irresponsible, just as stubborn, and thoughtless," He chuckled.

"I love you anyway, too," She opened her eyes and stared into his.

"Do you want to make a go of us, Magnolia?" He asked, trying to swallow his joy at the words she spoke.

"I don't want you to resent me, Charlie. When our kids are off at Hogwarts and it's just you and me, I don't want you to look at me and regret settling down," She admitted.

"I could never regret this, Maggie!" He exclaimed, "You're everything. You're all I need. You're the sun Magnolia. You give me life."

After a moment, she finally spoke with tears welling in her eyes.

"I love you," She breathed out, holding to him finally.

"I love you too," He kissed the tip of her nose.

"We're doing this?" She asked.

"We're doing this. We're making a go of us," He confirmed.

Maggie pressed a soft kiss to Charlie's lips, only for him to break it by smiling too widely.