may 17, 1975

"What position is James again?" Lily asked aloud to her group of friends as she fretted with her hair.

Alice and Maggie were lounging by the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room, parchment paper scattered as they desperately tried to finish their last Charms essay before Christmas break.

"He's a Chaser," Maggie chuckled, finding Lily's growing crush quite entertaining these days.

"And what does a Chaser do exactly?" Lily implored.

Alice and Maggie groaned in unison, seemingly both fed up with Lily's vaguely hidden feelings for James Potter.

"You might be worse than me, Lily," Marlene interjected as she approached the group of young witches.

"Please say you've come to help us with this Charms essay," Alice grunted as she made space for Marlene to sit down next to Maggie.

"I've come for Maggie," Marlene announced crisply. "And Alice, really? If you want any luck at being an Auror you might consider sharpening your Charms skills as well."

"My charms are bloody fine," Alice scolded as she eyed Marlene severely.

"That's not what Professor Flitwick said," Marlene pursed her lips while raising her eyebrows toward Alice.

"I beg you two to end the bickering," Maggie raised both hands. "What is it you've come to see me for?"

"I've never heard of a reason to come see one's beau," Marlene smiled stiffly.

"Nice one, Maggie," Lily rolled her eyes at Maggie's abrasiveness.

"Oh I didn't mean anything by that—" Maggie began to repair her damage but Marlene cut her off.

"I know you didn't," Marlene countered. "Might I still have a word with you? Privately?"

"Privately," Alice and Lily cooed together in unison.

"You both are sickening," Maggie rolled her eyes though her face deceived her with a grin.

Marlene gently took Maggie's hand in her own and led her from the common room. For a long moment, Marlene did not say anything. Maggie was content to follow Marlene anywhere but by the time they had reached the Quidditch Pitch she was beginning to grow rather curious as to what Marlene was up to.

"Have you got plans to sacrifice me to the centaurs?" Maggie laughed as she pulled Marlene to a halt.

"Not today, no," Marlene hummed distractedly.

There was something off about Marlene. Her hair, normally completely put in place, was disheveled and quite messy. Her cheeks looked warm with anger. Her Gryffindor tie was slightly off put to the side and she twirled her wand nervously in her right hand.

"Normally you're the one telling me not to twirl my wand like that," Maggie smiled reassuringly as she placed her hands over Marlene's. "Something troubling you today?"

"Not nearly as much today as it will tomorrow," Marlene relented, gripping Maggie's hands tightly.

"What is it then?" Maggie implored, brushing back some of Marlene's hair in an encouraging manner. "Have James and Sirius bothered you?"

"No, not anything like that." Marlene shook her head dismissively. "What would you say if I asked you not to play at tomorrow's match? Against Slytherin?"

Maggie was not expecting this in the least from Marlene. She felt completely taken aback, to the point where she dropped Marlene's hands.

"Why would you ask that of me?" Maggie scrunched her eyebrows as tight as they could be.

"Suppose I heard that the Slytherins were plotting something rather nasty?" Marlene bit her lip. "Suppose I heard it from Tiberius because he asked me to go to Hogsmeade with him? Suppose I think it has some merit and Mulciber is behind it?"

Of all that Marlene had said, Maggie's ears only honed in on the bit about Tiberius McLaggen asking Marlene out to Hogsmeade. Marlene could have said that the Statute of Secrecy itself had been lifted and Maggie would have paid it no mind. All that mattered was that Tiberius McLaggen had made a move where he ought not have.

"That bloody loathsome git," Maggie huffed, making a rather nasty face.

"To be frank, I did not find it very much surprising coming from Mulciber—"

"Mulciber?" Maggie spluttered in disbelief. "I'm talking about McLaggen! That lousy bloke. Why'd he go on and ask you out? What in Merlin's name gave him the right for that funny business?"

Marlene snapped the fitting pieces together rather quickly, her face now in full understanding.

"I've just informed you of a plot set against you and all you care about is McLaggen asking me to Hogsmeade?" Marlene raised her voice.

"Well what more was there?" Maggie argued back. "I don't care about Mulciber, we've had our rows since we were first years. I care about McLaggen reaching in biscuit tins where he ought not!"

"Biscuit tins!" Marlene nearly screeched. "You compare me to biscuits?"

Maggie's face paled in dawning realization of what she had just said.

"I didn't mean you yourself are a biscuit, I only meant—"

"Oh please, Maggie McGonagall!" Marlene huffed. "Please do further explain to me the words you so carefully put into black and white."

"He hasn't any right to ask you anything," Maggie spat angrily, her ears warming with anger once again.

"I am not a piece of meat," Marlene said in an alarmingly calm tone. "And if you should think me to be one then I should be very clear with you that we are over."

Maggie once again found herself at a loss for Marlene's words.

"Pardon?" Maggie stretched her neck out to convey disbelief. "You want to break up with me?"

"For heaven's sake!" Marlene exclaimed angrily. "It's rather remarkable they make broomsticks strong enough to carry your ego! You are just like James and Sirius! What, do you think yourself to be the Minister of Magic herself? I am not your prize. I certainly don't deserve a scolding from anyone, least of all you."

"I am not scolding you," Maggie argued back. "You can't expect me to just sit around and clap every time Tiberius makes a stride for you?"

"I rather don't," Marlene spat. "But I would expect you to be able to discern the difference between me relaying information to make you jealous and information to keep you safe, you fool!"

Marlene had never raised her voice in such a manner since Maggie had known her. It made Maggie feel rather ill seeing Marlene stomp off in such a condition. As Marlene quickly vanished from sight, Maggie was left with the gut-wrenching feeling that perhaps her ego had in fact stolen the best from her.

Maggie found herself not able to eat at dinner. Everything that normally made her appetite soar was tainted with the poison of Marlene's parting words. Marlene herself was nowhere to be found at dinner which proved to be even more irksome for Maggie, as she had hoped one of her charming smiles might be able to only slightly dissuade the tension.

"I heard about what happened," Lily said nonchalantly as she politely poked at her food. "And I am not taking any sides but you truly should consider what you'll both do next. We are all friends after all."

"Maybe she could've considered that before she dumped me," Maggie grumbled as she went to stab at a piece of tripe with much more force than necessary.

"Marlene dumped you?" Remus whispered in horror.

"Don't tell the others just yet," Maggie muttered wistfully. "James doesn't need another distraction before the match and seeing as Marlene isn't Sirius' biggest fan, I don't think she'd much like it for him to be in the loop."

"Cross my heart," Remus swore as he edged closer. "Is it because of McLaggen?"

Maggie dropped her fork on her plate.

"How did you know?" Maggie gasped in horror. "Has she been seeing him behind my back?"

"Marlene would never!" Lily swatted Maggie's shoulder in scolding.

"Would you lot be quiet?" Alice roared as she yanked on Maggie's robes to sit down.

Maggie took in her surroundings quickly. In her anger, she had realized that she was standing over Remus, eager to find more information regarding the McLaggen and Marlene situation. What she did not notice was that everyone else in the Great Hall had gone quiet. She eyed her mother who was very much telling her to simmer down with her eyes.

"Sorry," Maggie mouthed silently toward her mother as she went to sit down.

As soon as Maggie took her place, she noticed that there was an extra seat placed at the Staff Table and in that seat was someone she had only ever read stories about in Auror News Today.

"Is that…?" Maggie breathed out.

"It is." Alice clutched Maggie's robes in anticipation.

Both girls watched in pure adoration as the esteemed auror Alastor Moody made small talk with Professor Dumbledore to his right. There was not much left for the imagination as to what his profession was, Maggie had always thought. A man with that many scars and gashes could only be a dark wizard catcher.

"Who would have thought that he'd be able to take a break with all of this Dark Lord business going on?" Remus piped.

"Well he's not the only Auror the Ministry has got," Sirius replied.

"But he is the best," Maggie said devotedly.

"In the world," Alice added with an equal amount of pride.

"Imagine training under him, Mags," Alice tried to hone down on the glee in her voice. "Aurors Maggie and Alice reporting for service, sir!"

"Why, yes indeed we are part of the Auror Department," Maggie played along with Alice. "We did take down that dark wizard, in fact. Yes, yes…"

Maggie and Alice went on discussing their hopes and dreams of becoming Aurors as if it were the only thing in the world that mattered.

"Wonder what he's here for," Lily narrowed her eyes.

"That's a bloody good question," James added. "Can't imagine what the top-ranking Auror in the country wants at Hogwarts."

"Perhaps Dumbledore asked him here to give a little fright to Mulciber and company," Alice chuckled. "Imagine their faces if McGonagall pulled them aside to have a meeting with Alastor Moody himself!"

"Alice Fortescue!" Lily tried hiding a smile.

"I don't mind it," Maggie muttered. "Not when it has to do with Mulciber, the loathsome git."

"You've got that right," Remus added.

"Reckon he'll stay for the match tomorrow?" James lit up.

"You'll just show off for anyone won't you?" Lily laughed.

"Well that's not just anyone, that's the Alastor Moody! I'd show off for him any day, my dear."

The group of friends silenced at James' doting nickname for Lily. Maggie tried to find a flutter of happiness for them but immediately felt her stomach curl.

Marlene had still not come down for the feast.

"I'm heading up." Maggie announce plainly.

"We haven't even had dessert yet!" Alice furrowed her brow. "That's your favorite part. What's gotten into you?"

"Nervous for the match I reckon?" Remus chimed in, his knowing eyes coming to Maggie's defense as always.

"You know me almost as well as Alice now, Remus," Maggie gave a stiff smile. "James, see you on the pitch tomorrow morning."

"You won't even stay to see why Moody is here?" Alice stood up now, clearly not aware of Maggie's mood.

"I know you'll tell me tomorrow after the match. Until then, I only want to think of sleep."

With her last resolution, Maggie finally left the seemingly narrowing confines of the Great Hall and fled toward Gryffindor Tower.

Maggie kept her head down all the way to Gryffindor Tower, as an inkling of a voice kept worrying that she'd see Marlene and Tiberius snogging around every corner she turned.

By the time Maggie had made it into the common room, she was just about ready to let her emotions take over. And for Maggie, that meant gorging on chocolate frogs and crying afterwards.

"Back so soon?" Marlene asked rigidly as she looked up from a desk in the common room.

"Feast…nearly over." Maggie managed, her ears burning with anxiety.

"Very well." Marlene stood from her chair.

Both girls stared at one another, their eyes screaming with more words than either's pride would allow for.

"I should wish you goodnight, Marlene." Maggie made to move past Marlene toward her dormitory.

"But wait, Maggie—"

Maggie lurched backwards, her spirit soaring with hopes of having the opportunity to apologize properly.

"Yes?" Maggie breathed.

There was a strange look on Marlene's face that Maggie did not particularly like. It seemed as if she were hesitating with every fiber of willpower not to touch Maggie.

"Good luck tomorrow." Marlene bit her lip. "And despite what we've said to each other today, I do hope you'll take into consideration that matter about Mulciber."

Maggie had to stop herself from rolling her eyes at the mention of Mulciber.

"Now there's a bloke I'd never be afraid of," Maggie muttered angrily as she clambered up to bed.

Maggie awoke the next morning with a pounding headache and a growling stomach. Alice had been right after all. Maggie never finished any meal without at least one dessert. With a stiff stretch and a grumble about how dreadful today was going to be, Maggie made her way out of bed and into the showers.

As she reached for a bar of soap, a sickening sound erupted in her ears. It sounded as if a thousand corpses were crying in pain. Maggie dropped the bar of soap from her fingertips and nearly fell to the ground, clutching at her ears. As the hot water cascaded down her back, Maggie leveled her breathing in hopes of the sounds would pass.

"Maggie?" Alice's voice shouted from outside the shower. "Maggie, are you alright?" The screams stopped. Maggie reached for her towel in a panic and threw it around her body.

"Did you hear that too?" Maggie gasped as she stepped out of the shower and shook Alice's shoulders.

"Hear what?" Alice made a face. "All I heard was you dropping something. Thought you'd fainted from hunger."

No joke could've alleviated the mounting sense of anxiety that Maggie felt. It still rippled across every part of her body, making the hairs stand up on her arms. A wave of vertigo overwhelmed Maggie, causing her to fall to her knees.

"Merlin, Maggie!" Alice exclaimed, gently taking hold of her friend.

"I'm alright, I'm alright!" Maggie pushed Alice off of her as she rose to her feet. "Swear to me that you didn't hear anything strange when I was in the shower! Swear to me, Alice!"

"I didn't hear a bloody thing and if you keep this up, I'm taking you straight to Madam Pomfrey!"

"Never the mind," Maggie muttered as she pushed past a baffled Alice and stomped straight up to her dormitory to begin changing for the match.

There was a strange feeling that fell upon Maggie. It reminded her of when her father had died so long ago and she felt a constant fear. It was not the fear of her father's absence, for that had become a permanence, it was a fear that the same things could happen to her. In an inkling, the very reality she knew could be swiped away just as fast as the emergence of her first memories.

"Maggie? Maggie, are you alright?" Lily spoke from outside of the curtains around Maggie's bed.

Maggie had been sitting cross-legged on her bed with the curtains drawn, hoping that the darkness would clear her mind of those retched screams she had heard.

"Quite fine." Maggie replied without moving the curtains an inch.

"The match is soon. James and Frank have been asking for you. Won't you be late now?"

As much as Maggie would have liked to ignore Lily, she knew she was right. If she didn't make a move for the pitch soon then she'd delay the whole game and that would surely raise red flags for her state of mind. Maggie McGonagall had never missed a Quidditch Match in her life.

With gusto, Maggie pulled back her curtains and plastered a wide fake smile on her face.

"Reckon you lot were right after all. If I don't finish my full meal, I get cranky." Maggie grinned.

"Now I hope you don't expect me to believe that is all you have lurking in your head but I suppose we can discuss it after the match." Lily frowned.

"Go Gryffindor," Maggie said emotionlessly as she threw on the last bit of her Quidditch uniform and made her way downstairs.

The entire walk to the pitch, Maggie wondered if she had better tell someone what had happened. She reasoned eventually that it was far too late to begin with and secondly, she had no evidence of what she had heard. Not once in her life had Maggie heard of a witch or wizard hearing strange things in their head. Once again, a cold shiver passed down Maggie's spine.

"Haven't caught a bit of the jitters have you, McGonagall?" Fabian Prewett, one of Maggie's teammates, asked.

"Not a bit," Maggie smiled weakly. She could practically feel her face paling.

"Maggie McGonagall doesn't get the jitters, Prewett! You should know that by now." James chimed in, his glorious smile revealed he was still oblivious to Maggie's odd behavior.

"Only checking," Fabian chuckled back. "Alright you lot, this is our last shot to make it for the House Cup. We've trained hard, we've prepared, we've even studied up on Mulciber's game plans. I say we give it a bit of Gryffindor courage and bring it home."

"Aye!" James clapped everyone's back.

Maggie swallowed.

Before long, the match had begun. James, Fabian, and Gideon had made their rounds as Chasers, leaving Maggie to seek out the Snitch as Seeker. Frank Longbottom was guarding the goal posts, leaving Gloria Abbott and Darian Bell as Beaters.

Maggie zoomed across the sky, her goggles pressed securely against her face. She cursed herself for letting her fear grab the better part of her. Being high in the sky with only the wind to keep her company made the young witch feel immensely better.

It reminded her of what her mother often told her as a young witch. Fear seems much sillier when you're mounted up on a broomstick.

With her reclaimed fervor for the match, Maggie darted across the pitch, earnestly seeking the Snitch. She noticed the Slytherin team had made no advances, leading Gryffindor to score a few goals compliments of James and Fabian.

Maggie smiled. Even a small victory such as this was enough to qualm her fears for a bit.

As she scanned the field for the flittering gold snitch, she caught sight of Marlene. She was wearing a red and gold jacket, of course tailored and crafted to perfection. Her golden hair was tied up in an elegant bun, revealing her rosy pink cheeks. Maggie had become so entranced in Marlene's looks that she did not notice the look of dread quickly filling her ex-girlfriend's eyes.

Marlene was yelling something toward Maggie, that much she could gather, but as to what she was saying Maggie was at a loss.

Out of pure instinct, Maggie looked over her shoulder and that was when she felt the heaviest surge of wind push her from her broomstick. With a nasty whizzing in her ear, she realized she was falling…slowly at first and then fast. Fast, fast, fast. With a sickening crunch, she felt the Quidditch Pitch beneath her back and the world faded. The last bit she saw was James swooping in beside her.