october 31, 1975
"Are you sure this is a proper costume?"
"Of course it is. I'm muggle-born. If anyone should know it's me."
"I feel like a joker."
"Aren't you one?"
"Very clever, Marlene. Look, the Carrows are just looking for any excuse to make a spectacle of tonight. I don't want to give them more fuel to light their fire."
Marlene adjusted the quidditch goggles resting on Maggie's head.
"When I was a young girl I dressed up as a witch nearly every year. Loads of us dressed up as things we wanted to be. Rather odd that my wish came true, isn't it?" Marlene pondered.
"All I ever wanted to do was play quidditch for the Harpies," Maggie explained as she went to sit on her bed. "Mum almost went professional when she was my age."
"What happened?" Marlene inquired.
"Nasty fall during a match against Slytherin."
"Of course," Marlene huffed as she went to join Maggie on her bed. "Are you quite alright, Maggie?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Maggie deflected, rubbing the Holyhead Harpies pin on her chest between her fingers.
"You didn't say much about your uncle," Marlene said softly, taking Maggie's hand in her own.
Maggie felt her throat tighten. She hated moments like this. Moments of complete vulnerability. She swallowed a hard lump, deciding that if she were to let down her boundaries in front of anyone, it'd be Marlene.
"Uncle Robert was a strong man," Maggie felt improper and rude for using a past tense when referring to her favorite uncle. "He was the one who bought me my first broomstick. Drove my mum mad it did. We flew above Hogsmeade for hours before she finally got us down."
"It must be hard for Professor McGonagall as well."
"If it was, she wouldn't show it. You know that as well as anyone else."
"You must inherit your facade from her. Along with your stiff demeanor." Marlene toyed with a joke.
Maggie relented a genuine smile, pleased that even in the midst of tragedy, the bonds that tie were something to celebrate.
"I'm quite proud to be a McGonagall. We're a strong lot. Uncle Robert died for what he believed in and I'd do the same."
"That's a rather simple way to put it," Marlene tiptoed. "I can't imagine losing anyone I love in such a manner. In any manner. I suppose I hadn't given much thought to the total implications of the war until just recently. My family doesn't understand. I enjoy being here because we all know we face a common threat. But when I go home, I feel as though I'm invisible."
"It's hard to protect the people we love," Maggie offered. "It's hard to try and do something that you're not sure you can manage."
"And that's difficult for you." Marlene brushed some of Maggie's hair to the side. "I know it is. You aim to be a simple witch, one who is easily able to discern what to do and what not to do. But you struggle in uncertainties."
"You read me like the textbooks that you are so fond of," Maggie chuckled in earnest before letting realization dawn on her. "I wonder if this entire Bash is foolish on my end. Does it seem like folly to you?"
"Not in the slightest," Marlene quickly replied. "We can't go on and gloom our whole lives now can we?"
"No," Maggie sighed. "But the war brings a startling light to what is and what is not important. I just hope everyone else will be able to make that distinction as well."
"You can't expect what others will or will not think, Maggie," Marlene countered as she rose from the bed and offered a hand to the other witch. "The most we can ever do is shed our own light and hope others might do the same."
Marlene and Maggie headed down from the Gryffindor Common Room in much lighter spirits than that shared in their dormitory.
Maggie blushed profusely when she took in the whole of Marlene's costume. She chastised herself for barely noticing that her girlfriend was in one of the most exquisite dresses she had ever seen. It was a brilliant sparkling burgundy gown which seemed to glitter with each of Marlene's movements. Her curly hair sat atop her head in an intricate bun that Maggie was sure she could never manage herself. A glittering tiara finished the look.
"Forgive me for not saying so earlier but you are surely the most beautiful thing my eyes have ever gazed upon," Maggie laughed as she kissed Marlene on her cheek softly.
"You clean up rather nice yourself, Captain," Marlene grinned as she took Maggie's arm in her own.
The Great Hall was something that Maggie had never imagined it could be: a dance hall. The house tables were pushed to the sides to allow for optimum dancing room. Orange and black decorations flew across the hall, eerie yet cheery tunes cascaded from every corner, candied apples floated freely. Dancing skeletons were serving drinks and talking jack-o-lanterns offered up candies from their mouths if you answered a riddle. A chorus of bats performed spectacular numbers, which Maggie could only imagine James would make a crack at her for.
All in all, it turned out rather nice. Maggie smiled confidently. This was sure to be something to raise spirits for at least one night.
"Very big accomplishment, McGonagall," James patted Maggie's back a little too hard.
"Merlin's beard, James…" Maggie covered her mouth from laughing too harshly. "Are you what I think you to be?"
"We were told to dress as beings we wished to be," James smirked. "And I for one have literally always wanted to be Professor Dumbledore."
"Yes, I am quite familiar with your costume of choice. I just figured you'd outgrown it."
"Outgrown it?" Marlene eyed Maggie suspiciously.
"James dressed up as Professor Dumbledore on our very first Halloween outing," Maggie explained, taking a pumpkin juice goblet from a walking skeleton. "You could say it's becoming a tradition."
"Won't the headmaster be offended?" Marlene bit her lip to hide a smirk from forming.
"I daresay not because he seemed rather honored," Sirius interjected.
If James' costume amused Maggie, it was nothing compared to Sirius'.
"I do hope you have a spare costume because my mum will absolutely ring your neck for this, Black!" Maggie playfully shoved Sirius, who was wearing tartan robes, a witch's hat and spectacles seemingly identical to that of Minerva McGonagall.
"We went with a theme, if you will," Sirius gave his best mischievous smile.
"You lot are ridiculous!" Lily laughed as she approached the huddle of friends.
Lily herself was dressed presumably as a spider but Maggie figured it would be too rude to ask for clarification.
"What in bloody hell are you?" Alice asked as she joined in, her face turned sour at the sight of Lily.
Maggie was pleased that someone else had dared the question. Alice gave a quick high-five to Maggie, as they both were dressed as Harpies players.
"I'm an Acromantula of course," Lily smiled plainly. The group remained silent. "We studied them last week in Care of Magical Creatures! Do any of you pay attention in class ever?" Lily sighed exasperatedly.
"It's…clever," Marlene smiled unsurely.
"You look radiant as ever, Lily. Don't mind them." James comforted.
Maggie was surprised to see that there was no hint of joking or mockery in James' eyes when he complimented Lily's costume. He seemed amused but more so out of adoration.
"Where's Remus?" Alice asked as she stuffed her face with a large piece of cauldron cake.
"That looks divine," Maggie nearly drooled, taking a piece of Alice's cake for herself. "I reckon he's not feeling well. He missed Arithmancy this morning."
"Poor lad," Lily furrowed her brow. "Perhaps one of us should have a word with Madam Pomfrey? He can't possibly be ill that often. We've got magic, haven't we? You'd think we'd be able to help him."
"Something tells me he's already receiving help," Sirius offered distractedly. "Best to leave him to it. He'd be embarrassed if we interjected on his behalf after all."
"I suppose so. It's just awfully sad that he's missed so many fun days we've shared." Lily sighed sadly.
"Well we haven't got an expiration date, there'll be plenty more to come," James clapped his hands resolutely, a sign that the spirits were in need to be lifted.
"Agreed, shall we go trick-or-treating?" Maggie lifted an eyebrow as she quickly reached for a nearby floating candied apple.
"I'd say you've had your fair share of sweets today, love," Marlene hid a smile as she gingerly took the apple from Maggie's hands.
"What mum doesn't know won't hurt her," Maggie chuckled innocently, taking back the apple and shoving as much as she could into her mouth.
"Miss McGonagall, are you in any way deprived of food here at Hogwarts?" a sharp whip-like voice said from behind Maggie.
Maggie dutifully swallowed what remained of the apple in her mouth. There was no sense of euphoria as it went down, for she know that her mother's voice in such a tone was never a good sign.
"Ngh prrofess'r," Maggie managed with caramel remnants nearly protruding from her mouth.
"Very well," Minerva eyed her daughter scornfully. "As for the rest of you lot, I expect you all to be shining examples for your peers. Behave as if the Minister himself is trailing your every move. If I hear that one from your lot starts any pranks then I will shut this celebration down faster than you can procure a cheering charm."
Maggie nodded and took a look around her group of friends. A flutter of relief coursed through her veins when she realized that Sirius was hiding quite well behind James.
"Yes, Professor," James gulped.
Maggie knew firsthand that James Potter was not afraid of her mother's threats in the least but something told her that he was petrified at the thought of the woman seeing Sirius in a costume modeled after herself.
Just as Maggie was sure that her mother missed Sirius, Minerva straightened her back in a manner so stiffly that Marlene coughed to cover a laugh.
"Potter, step away from Black." Minerva ordered.
"Pardon, Professor?" James spluttered.
"Potter, you heard what I said. Do not make me repeat it."
A nasty silence fell over the group as James stepped away from Sirius.
"Happy Halloween, Professor." Sirius managed with a pale face.
"For the sake of both of our dignities, I will not ask. Do manage not to blight the good name of Gryffindor any further. I implore you lot." Minerva said in such a tone of resignation that Maggie almost felt sorry for her mother.
Minerva walked off, leaving the group to stare at their own feet for a moment.
"I think I'd like some chocolate frogs." James announced.
"Same here." Sirius gulped.
Maggie watched as James and Sirius walked off, both sporting robes far too long than that which was necessary.
As soon as Maggie's eyes met Alice's they both let out frenzied howls of laughter.
Marlene and Lily, once completely sure it was proper, allowed themselves a fit of laughter as well.
The rest of the night went on as well as had been expected. Many of the Gryffindors thanked Maggie for her planning of the bash, while a few Ravenclaw purebloods questioned her on how she came up with the idea. Maggie delighted in explaining Muggle Halloween with the help of Lily and Marlene of course, as she knew that the Ravenclaws rarely inquired for ill purposes.
By the time the night had ended, Alice and Maggie were the only ones up in Gryffindor Tower, both scouring bags of sweets from their escapades. Both girls were lounging head to toe on the couch, piles of candies spread between them.
"Muggles have got one thing right," Maggie announced in a pleased tone. "These candies are delicious. How'd we go on our whole lives not knowing these existed, Al?"
"The bloody Statute of Secrecy," Alice replied, her mouth full of oozing chocolate clusters. "My uncle could never make these flavors. What is this one called again?"
"Mal…Mal-te-sers? Maltesers, I believe." Maggie struggled the pronunciation from the wrapper.
"This was right of you to do, Mags," Alice announced as she got up from the couch and stretched her arms.
"It wasn't my brilliant idea," Maggie defended. "It's a Muggle tradition. Must give credit where credit is due."
"Still," Alice countered, "Coming from a powerful family like yours and all. It means loads."
"What do you mean?" Maggie pondered.
"Well a lot of purebloods don't make tons of effort in regard to inclusivity," Alice explained. "You made a statement."
"I'm not a pureblood," Maggie quickly brushed off, sitting up on the couch now. "My granddad was a Muggle."
"And he's just about the only one in your family," Alice gave a cocked smile.
"I'm still a half-blood." Maggie argued back.
"I didn't mean anything bad by it all," Alice quickly defended. "C'mon, Maggie. You never thought this would come up in the middle of a war of bloods?"
"I suppose I never gave it much thought," Maggie shrugged indifferently. "As I was right in doing so. Blood doesn't matter."
"Don't be naive, it matters loads to some."
"It shouldn't."
"But it does. And as much as we might aim to deny it, it's still going to be there even when we turn a blind eye." Alice stood fully and stretched once more. "I'm going to bed. You coming up?"
Maggie merely shook her head.
Alice shrugged and left for bed, leaving Maggie alone to her thoughts.
Maggie spent the rest of the night beside the fire, going over so many racing thoughts in her head that she felt as though she might never sleep again. There was no sweet memory of the night to overshadow the horrible thoughts that plagued her wide-awake mind now.
The young witch dreamt of her days on her grandfather's farm in the Scottish highlands. She dreamt of warm green pastures, bright blue skies and the hazy summer sun kissing her pale skin.
In her dream, she was sitting at the breakfast table in her grandmum Isobel's kitchen, a plate of hot biscuits in front of her. The kitchen window was opened fully, letting the summer air flow freely into the place.
"Penny for your thoughts, kitten?" her granddad asked, his shining green eyes eyeing his only granddaughter carefully.
"How about a chocolate frog instead?" a young Maggie asked confidently with a toothy grin.
"Don't give it to her, granddad," Maggie's cousin William Jr. warned from across the table. "Auntie Min said she can't have anymore sweets. Just look at her great large teeth."
"Everyone outgrows their buckteeth, Bill," granddad warned William. "But I am afraid I don't have any of your special chocolate frogs, lass. How does some carrot cake sound, my love?"
"I'll try it," Maggie raised a brow suspiciously.
"You shall have nothing of the sort until well after breakfast," Minerva announced as she barged into the kitchen, her hair a flurry of long dark hair. She looked flushed. Tired. Her gleaming gold badge from the Auror Department caught Maggie's eyes.
Maggie looked up desperately to her granddad.
"We muggles make the best sweets, I'll show you after breakfast, lass." Granddad smirked devilishly, causing Maggie to squirm with joy. "Of course the Dark Lord will be coming for us all sooner or later though."
In an instant, the dream took a wicked turn. Maggie felt her heart race in her chest. She felt as though she might faint in her dream state. Her blood ran cold. Her head felt heavy. Her eyes felt as though they might pop out of her head.
"They're coming for me!" Granddad yelled as he shook Maggie's small body.
Maggie awoke with a start, Marlene roughly jostling her awake.
She had forgotten where she'd fallen asleep.
"Wake up!" Marlene shook Maggie frantically.
"What? What's happened?" Maggie rolled off the couch, peering here and there to see whatever the trouble was. Her wand was clutched ruthlessly in her hand.
"The Carrows and Mulciber got Mary McDonald," Alice announced, throwing Maggie a robe to throw over herself.
"What do you mean they got her?" Maggie asked frantically as she followed Marlene and Alice out of the common room.
"Mary never made it to her room last night," Marlene explained in a struggled voice. "You know Lily and I share quarters with her. Lily woke up to use the bathroom and she noticed Mary wasn't there. So she woke me and we went to go see your mum. And that's when—"
"What? What happened, Marlene?" Maggie implored with frenzied eyes, leaping the stairs as fast as she could.
"Do you recall what Mary dressed up as for her costume?" Alice asked sharply.
Maggie wracked through her thoughts but could not remember what her friend wore. There had been too many things coursing through her mind to pull out a brief memory of Mary's choice costume.
"I don't remember." Maggie shook her head profusely, still clambering down the stairs after Alice and Marlene.
Maggie did not have a chance to ask her next question, as they had soon approached the Hospital Wing and heard soft crying from within it.
Just beyond the doors, Maggie caught glimpse of Mary. Her face was blotched red but clearly not from pain. Her cheeks were stained with tears and her cries were that of distaste, not pain. She kept clawing between her mouth and her stomach, seemingly distraught as to which one needed more attention.
"She was a frog," Alice announced blankly, staring at Mary with pity. "And we found her eating flies and such in the Great Hall. She wasn't in her right mind."
Suddenly, it all clicked in Maggie's head.
"They forced her to do it," Maggie breathed, a nasty realization dawning on her.
"Of course there is no proof and where there is no proof, Dumbledore will not accuse." Alice shook her head angrily.
"He's just," Marlene quickly countered. "It's not his fault that those lot don't deserve any sort of just."
"They don't," Maggie agreed, anger seeping deep within her. She felt her cheeks warm immediately at the thought of a cackling Mulciber playing his vile prank on poor Mary.
Lily quickly emerged from the Hospital Wing, a tired yet disgusted look on her face.
"I hope you weren't comforting her with that face," Alice looked Lily up and down.
"Course not," Lily reprimanded. "But the disgust wasn't with her. I'd always said Mulciber was atrocious. Reckon Dumbledore will finally see reason now? How many more times does that lot have to prove that they know the dark arts?"
"It isn't just about knowing the dark arts," Maggie ushered the girls away from the wing to give Mary privacy. "How can Dumbledore go on and expel students who appear to be Death Eaters in the making? The Minister would have a field day with it."
"You're talking about that bloke Fudge?" Alice gasped. "Who in our world gives him any real piece of mind?"
"Loads of people actually," Marlene added. "Even if people don't publicly support the Minister, you can bet all your galleons they'll never question the media."
Before any of the girls could chime in, Mulciber himself and the grisly Carrows approached the Wing.
"Heard a mudblood was gobbling up some flies! Figured we'd have a look for ourselves." Amycus sneered, his ordinarily handsome face darkened with vileness.
"Those mudbloods sure do brand their own name don't they, Mulc?" Alecto barged her way in, edging herself dangerously close to Maggie.
"On the contrary, Alecto, a mudblood who eats flies is just about as great as they come." Mulciber himself smiled, his dark eyes boring into Lily and Marlene.
"You really did do this then you lousy git!" Alice huffed, her ears turning a violent shade of red.
"We didn't do anything," Amycus stepped in between Alice and Mulciber.
"And if we had, what would you do, blood-traitor?" Alecto raised her eyebrows in defiance toward Alice.
"I think that's enough of that now," Maggie raised her voice, her wand still clutched in her hand.
"Professor's daughter feeling brave after her mudblood festival?" Mulciber tilted his head toward Maggie. "Did you get all that you wanted from it? Did you enjoy playing pretend with your little mudblood girlfriend?"
A sharp jolt rippled through Maggie's body, starting from her stomach and reaching the tip of her head. In an instant, Mulciber flew backwards, his head smashing against a nearby stone wall.
"Why you little—" Alecto was barging toward Maggie at an incredible speed but not before a sharp voice crackled throughout the hall.
"Miss Carrow!" Professor McGonagall stepped from the Hospital Wing briskly, eyeing Alecto as if she were a piece of rotting meat. "Might you explain yourself?"
"Maggie did it!" Alecto argued desperately. "She went on and flung Mulciber halfway across the hall, Professor! Just look at him. He'll have to go to St. Mungo's now!" Alecto fumed, her voice betraying her faux coy.
Maggie dared a glance at Mulciber, who was barely rising from the ground. He did not look hurt. In fact, he looked more irritated than anything else.
"I assure you Mr. Mulciber will be just fine," Minerva assessed the young Slytherin. "Should he need it, Madam Pomfrey is but a stone's throw away. Now all of you off! Or you will most surely serve detention even on a Saturday."
"Yes, Professor," Marlene bowed her head in attempt to diffuse the entire situation. "Maggie, come on."
"Miss McGonagall?" Minerva quickly interjected before Maggie could join the rest of her friends. "A word if you will?"
Maggie nodded her head once and gripped her robes tightly around her. She wasn't sure what to feel at the present moment. Her body felt numb as her mother gently guided her toward her office.
Once Maggie and Minerva was sitting in the older witch's private quarters, they stared at one another for a brief moment.
"What spell did you use on the Mulciber boy?" Minerva eyed her daughter suspiciously.
"Not one spell," Maggie swore. "And you know that. Otherwise you'd have given me detention in a flash. It's never stopped you before."
"Aye," Minerva continued searching her daughter for any signs of betrayal. "Then might you explain what happened? And how he ended up halfway across the hallway?"
Maggie shook her head. She realized just how tired she was. Her head was aching from having had no tea or coffee yet.
"I couldn't explain it even if I had the energy to," Maggie replied distractedly. "I'd never done a non-verbal spell like that before. Do you think there's something wrong with me, mum?"
"Not wrong. Perhaps unhinged. But not wrong."
"But what if I can't control it always?" Maggie implored.
"Magic can be taught in any manner, love," Minerva gently placed a hand over her daughter's. "You can teach yourself to control it. To use it in accordance of your own mind and not your emotions."
"You should give me detention. I did do what they say I did, mum." Maggie relented.
"If justice won't be served on behalf of the McDonald girl then I daresay I won't dish it to the Carrows and their likes," Minerva huffed in annoyance. "Perhaps my duties of Deputy Headmaster can be overlooked just this one instance."
Maggie smiled at her mother, relishing in this brief moment of her unprecedented Gryffindor-ness.
"Mummy?" Maggie asked gingerly, rubbing some sleep from her eyes. "I had a dream about Granddad."
"You did?" Minerva tilted her head up.
"I did," Maggie replied softly. "More of a nightmare actually. What'll happen to muggle-born's families? During this whole war and all? Do you think they'll be alright?"
"The Ministry is taking every dutiful precaution to ensure their safety, my dear." Minerva calmed. "Is this about Marlene and her family?"
"Not really, no," Maggie confessed. "Maybe. Probably. I don't know for certain. I suppose it's just the first time I am actually giving it its due reflection."
"You mustn't be too hard on yourself," Minerva reminded her daughter. "Now will you get some sleep? Your dark circles are nothing short of dreadful, dear."
"Yes, Professor," Maggie smiled as she went to kiss her mother on the head before she headed out.
When Maggie arrived back at the common room, James, Sirius, Peter and seemingly the rest of Gryffindor house was aching to ask Maggie about all that had happened with Mulciber. Mulciber and his group of cronies had been the main rival of Gryffindor house for the past few years and nearly everyone was ready to give Maggie a grand clap on the back.
Maggie normally would have basked in the glory, much to Marlene's chagrin, but now all she wanted to do was spend quiet time with her girlfriend.
Luckily for Maggie, Marlene was already waiting in her dormitory when she arrived here, having managed to sneak away from the chorus of happy Gryffindors below them.
"Thought you'd never make it away from your parade," Marlene gave a fake smile to Maggie, who noticed it immediately.
"Contrary to what you might think, I did not intentionally use a spell on that loathsome buffoon," Maggie drawled as she made her way into Marlene's bed.
"I wouldn't be necessarily angry if you did," Marlene quipped surprisingly.
"So you would have wanted me to spare your honor, then eh?" Maggie smirked as she tucked herself deeper into the covers, her sleepiness gathering the last of her playful energies.
"I didn't say that either," Marlene argued back weakly, moving to lay herself beside a steadily calming Maggie.
"Your bed smells of lavender," Maggie observed, staring deep into Marlene's eyes.
"It reminded me of you. You always smell like lavender."
"Really?" Maggie laughed.
"Since your first day on the Express," Marlene blushed.
"Since my first day on the Express," Maggie repeated with a soft chuckle, burrowing herself closer to Marlene. "Will you stay here with me for awhile? Do you mind? My eyes are growing heavier by the second."
"I don't mind at all," Marlene smiled joyfully, brushing back some of Maggie's hair.