icarus | Ficlet: Catharsis - PG-13

I almost lost this little story, written last June. I'm afraid it needs its larger context, since

niko_molokov is an OC, paired with

interiminister (Percy). But I rather like Niko's intensity.

ETA: Background. This is a backstory for

hp_dungeons. Deep background in story form is here -- The Pensieve and here -- Fanning The Flames. (Note: since they're backstories, these are a tad unpolished.)

Following the events in those two stories, Percy realized he couldn't keep Lucius, and ran off to Lithuania with Niko (using all of his vacation time).

Niko's father passed away while Percy was there, so Percy stayed on to help Niko deal with the mess that was the Molkov family finances, changing careers to work for the International Confederation of Wizards. Niko's family was virtually ruined, and the only job the young ex-Death Eater could do was ... well, Percy looked the other way.

Then the political in-fighting among the various Lithuanian wizard families began. Niko, not much of a politician, resorted to threats and then Dark Magic, opening part of a competing family's lands to Faerie (something which can't be undone). The other families banded together and filed a lawsuit saying that since Niko was with Percy, he was to be considered in effect infertile and unable to produce an heir. That meant they could confiscate the Molokov family lands.

Niko kept all of his, er, self-inflicted troubles from Percy, but Percy found out anyway. So while Percy worked to endear himself to the Lithuanian notables, Niko sought a powerful alliance with the re-emerging ghost of Voldemort.

Or so he thought. In reality, Lucius Malfoy cooperated with Dumbledore and, using the link of the Dark Mark and blood, came up with a method to seal Voldemort in a ghostcatcher. Niko misread Lucius' vague letter requesting his assistance. He found himself confronted with Albus Dumbledore and a group of Death Eaters prepared to put Voldie away. Niko had no choice but to cooperate, essentially sinking the nails into his own coffin.

This is Niko's return home after that night.

Catharsis
By Icarus

Niko briefly registered Percy's blank expression out of the corner of his eye as the hollow slam of the door echoed and rang through the empty crumbling castle. It would probably fall down around them from the force of the blow. Empty castle! It was the stone around his neck -- and why was he fighting so hard for it?!

Niko kicked the door and hoped it would all collapse. Fucking Lucius Malfoy!

"Niko... what's wrong?" Percy stood, his eyes filled with concern.

Niko didn't want his pity! And Percy should be worried, oh he should be very worried. The memory of yesterday's victorious owl to Percy flashed bitterly in his mind. The Dark Lord was back, oh yes, all their problems were solved. The neighbors wouldn't touch the property of a Death Eater, not after the Dark Lord's return. The neat hall table with Percy's carefully arranged decorations – all for nothing, like they were going be Molokovs forever, the Molokovs were supposed to live here forever and it was all crashing down. He'd destroyed everything. Fucking Lucius Malfoy, the double-crossing...

Niko swept the ashtray to the floor, bits of the lamp shattered in a sparkle of glass, Galleons, keys scattered and were in his way as he crunched over them and crossed to the livingroom. With a heave, Niko launched his valise into the bookcase -- books falling, a shelf collapsed. Percy ducked away, one arm protectively over his head.

"Niko, what is--" Percy had stepped closer, the fool.

Niko's wand was already drawn.

"Your fucking boyfriend." The wand-point aimed below Percy's chin. Wavered as Percy swallowed, the slight shift of his Adam's apple under pale, vulnerable skin. Where were Percy's glasses? The small thought distracted him.

It was a mistake to talk. Made it real. Smaller. And all too real.

Niko spun and turned his spell on the mantle with a Curse that cracked the stone. Percy's eyes widened, dark, but he didn't move away. He had no sense! Didn't he know better than to stay away from the Molokovs?

"What's wrong, Niko?" Percy said softly, though every nerve had to be telling him to run.

Niko's chest heaved as he took in the ruin of his livingroom. The collapsed bookcase, the blackened stone wall, the centuries-old mantle cracked. His family had lived here for generations. Then his arm fell and Niko sank to the couch, head in his hands.

It was now even worse. Everything was. But he might as well level the house, because he'd never give it to the Tolvadis family, or any of those who fought to ruin him. And that his dead father would approve of, if nothing else, Niko thought with a bitter little laugh.

The couch cushion shifted as Percy sat beside him and edged closer; his hand swept a lock of hair off Niko's forehead. Niko glanced up, and met hazel-green eyes that were still dark with fear and worry. "You're a mess," Percy said gently.

He was a mess? Niko thought and decided dimly that he hadn't shaved since ... Niko buried his face in his hands, trying to block out the memory of Malfoy's treachery. "I require your assistance in a small matter…" Malfoy had said, making him think they were bringing the Dark Lord back. The Dark Lord's ghost struggling in the force of the magic – Niko's last chance to beat the Tolvadis slipping away. The fierce sting of his palm as he added his blood to Lucius' spell, the Dark Mark on his arm throbbing.

Like being forced to dig his own grave. No choice. He could see the Dark Lord had lost.

Niko vowed never to do that particular trick again. No matter how much he was paid.

The moment he'd seen Albus Dumbledore with Malfoy, he'd known. Mulciber, they were all there. Had they been fooled too? Anger and humiliation welled up in Niko, but he tamped it down.

"You haven't had a wink of sleep, have you?" Percy interrupted Niko's thoughts as he stood, his silk outer robe shifting with a soft hiss. Niko liked him in silk, it looked very right on Percy. Niko blinked up at him. "We'll get you some tea, all right?"

Percy thought tea would fix everything. It seemed ridiculous, insane. Niko wondered if he'd broken Percy's glasses. He'd never forgive himself if he'd done that.

The teapot hovered improbably in midair as Percy bent to pick up his glasses. He muttered a quick Reparo, then settled them on his nose

"I'm so sorry, Niko," Percy said.

"For...?" Niko was almost irritated, but it was his normal irritation at Percy. What did he have to feel sorry for?

"For whatever it is," Percy said, handing him the dainty teacup. It was his mother's good tea set -- that wasn't broken. How did the delicate things survive? Niko often wondered at it, at normal people, with normal lives like sheep and cattle. Who weren't Molokovs.

"We'll clean this mess up in the morning --" Percy added, straightening a pillow as he sat. Niko swallowed a surge of guilt; he was supposed to take care of Molokov castle, it was his responsibility now his father was gone. The last Molokov. "-- after breakfast."

As if breakfast and normal life would continue even after the demise of the Dark Lord. Which it probably would. Niko sighed and Percy paused in his fussing.

"The Dark Lord is gone," Niko told him.

Percy had to understand the magnitude.

"Then we'll just have to get him back," Percy answered lightly.

What? Percy didn't want... had no ability to... didn't he believe--? Niko's mouth fell open, until he realised Percy was joking. Niko finally snorted.

"Aha. Good, you can laugh." Percy floated the teapot back towards the kitchen, and wrapped his arm around Niko's shoulders. Niko relaxed and buried his head against Percy's chest, eyes closed, happy for once that Percy was taller.

Percy had been so calm and practiced through all of it—Niko's sharp mind woke up a bit, as he realised Percy must have done this before. For his brothers and sisters?

"…it will all look better in the morning...." Percy was saying.

Niko cracked an eye open and examined the blackened living room doubtfully.

Percy paused, then admitted, his breath warm on Niko's hair, "Ah. Hmm, well, after it's been cleaned."