Two Crows Watch from the Gallows Tree (part 16)

"You should sit down," Severus suggested, looking at her in concern. Septimus turned away, polishing his glasses again.
"You're not the primary target, if that's any comfort," he muttered.

“Oh what a relief I’m just a-a different target,” she said sarcastically, but her voice was still weak and couldn’t quite find her anger. She sank down in the chair. “I’ll rest easy tonight knowing that he only kind of wants to hurt me. Great.”

"What was I to do?" Septimus protested, half to himself.
"You could have controlled your son," Severus snapped. "Child, listen to me. Septimus only just told me what Michael did. You know what he was in your room, correct?"

Ky nodded hesitantly. “He was looking for my rune… but I don’t know how he knew I had it. I didn’t tell anyone.”

"He was in the library reading for days a little while back," Septimus said, glancing up. "And he interrogated me about reasons a spirit might be blocked from doing what they wished. I expect he ruled out other possibilities. You have a rune bone?"

She glared at him. “Yeah. Want me to go find him for you to tell him right away or is it okay if you wait five minutes first?”

"Sounds like he's already figured it out," he said with a frown. "And I never sought him out. He came to me if he wanted information. I bear you no malice, girl, despite how things may seem."
"You actively bore her malice by keeping Michael's identity from her," Severus pointed out. "Father would have--"
"Father is dead and passed," Septimus growled. "He would have done nothing."

“But you could have. You chose not to,” she pointed out.

Spoiler

Was looking for reference images for a guy I thought looked like Septimus but I found Michael instead so here's the actor I'd want Michael to be played by, complete with scars and northern garb

"I would be gone if I'd chosen to act." Septimus replaced his glasses and stepped toward her. "I have work to do on this plane. I wouldn't expect you to understand."
"Your work is rendered null and void by the very act of standing by." Severus looked toward Ky. "Listen, girl. You cannot be harmed by Michael or any of us, no matter how much he threatens you. That bone is your lifeline--cling to it, don't let it out of your sight. You have nothing to fear from him so long as you have it."

(Linky brokey)

She barely managed to keep her fearful wimper swallowed down. “You’re sure?”

(I have feex)

"I'm positive." He nodded encouragingly. "On my afterlife, I am. You can't be touched."

(Ayyy yes that’s absolutely perfect!)

“Can he take it off me?” she asked. “If I have it in my pocket or as a necklace? Can he take it away?”

(It was uncanny enough that it stopped me in my tracks like >.> that's my character)

Severus pointed off into the library. "There are books on rune bones there, but no--it should extend the same power to itself. It's incorporeal to us. I or another spirit could test that for you, of course, but I expect you're not keen on handing it off to anyone you don't trust."

(Love when that happens)

Ky eyed him for a long moment, considering it. No, she wasn’t keen on the idea. Not at all. But she needed to know. She reluctantly stood and neared Severus, gesturing at her pocket. “…Please see if you can take it… and please don’t actually take it, even if you can. Please.”

(I'm compiling faceclaims for as many Ashes as I can right now and it's delightful)

"I'll do my best." He gave her a gentle smile and reached toward her pocket. His hand passed straight through, making no contact with the bone or her. "There, see?"