april 24, 1979

Maggie sat on the edge of Marlene's bed, gently holding her hand and brushing back some of her matted hair. Most of the blood had dried up now. Her face still appeared pale and uneasy. The healers had patched her up the best they could and now all Maggie could do is be there when she awoke.

A small shudder from Marlene and she leaned as close as she could to Maggie.

"I knew you'd come back," Marlene spoke almost inaudibly.

Maggie felt her chest clench. Nearly all the pain she had been holding in her shoulders ceased. She relaxed ever so slightly.

"I promised I would," Maggie whispered back to Marlene as she gently kissed her forehead. "The healers have fixed you now, love. All you need to do now is rest. Only rest."

Marlene's eyes did not open but she nodded in agreement and dozed off to sleep once more, the sleeping draught taking full effect now.

With a courageous deep breath, Maggie kissed her wife once more and left the private room of St. Mungo's, a feeling of strange relief and even more anger gripping at her heart.

Minerva McGonagall and James Potter stood in the waiting room on the bottom floor of St. Mungo's. Minerva's face was filled with worry while James looked slightly more relaxed.

James and Maggie had created a magical bond by way of charms that allowed the other person to feel their emotions. The charm was not able to convey any words or allow entrance into one another's minds but when they each willed it, they were able to share emotion. Maggie had suggested it after Hogwarts so that she, Marlene, James and Lily were all able to support one another during the trials in the Order.

"How is she?" Minerva rose to her feet immediately from her seat upon seeing her daughter.

"Fine," Maggie rasped, not realizing how much her throat hurt now. She had been putting up a brave front for Marlene. "It was Rosier. Moody was hot on his trails right after it happened. He didn't make it to Azkaban—tried to evade capture. Moody doesn't much care for Death Eaters who run."

"Rosier," Minerva spluttered as she reached up to her face in agony and reclaimed her seat.

James put a firm but reassuring grip on her shoulder. "Minerva, you cannot blame yourself each time one of your students makes the wrong choice."

"He was younger than you two," Minerva covered her eyes, growing increasingly distressed.

"Was in the same years as Regulus," James added hoarsely.

"And now they're both gone." Maggie muttered indifferently.

"They attacked Marlene in broad daylight," Minerva groaned painfully, tears prickling her eyes now.

"She's a Muggle Born working the Department of Education," Maggie clenched her jaw. "Of course they did."

"And no word on the Lestranges yet?" James pressed.

"Daily Prophet would break the news if we had," Maggie shifted uneasily. She hated when everyone questioned her about the whereabouts of the Death Eaters. It was her job but it always made her feel so inadequate and worthless.

"Albus has said he is proposing to extend a Muggle Studies position to her this upcoming fall," Minerva added hopefully.

"Marlene's always said she didn't want to be a professor though—" James attempted to argue but Maggie beat him to it.

"She'll take it," Maggie concluded. "James, come with me to see Mundungus about a lead regarding what happened to the Prewett boys?"

Maggie walked out the doors of St. Mungo's without waiting for a response and without a goodbye to her mother.

"She's becoming mad to find them all! She thinks she can carry the weight of the entire Auror department." Minerva looked woefully after her daughter.

James pursed his lips and looked after Maggie, her Auror coat making her look regal and powerful. Deep under the exterior, he saw the same witch he knew from Hogwarts who always tried too hard to control the raging waves around her.

"If there ever was a time for Aurors to go mad for their jobs..." James sighed, "It'd be now, Professor."

And with that he gave Minerva one more firm shoulder grip and walked after Maggie.