CHAPTER 24
Hello again gang. I want to quickly mention that this story has just received over 2000 hits. That means you're all reading my story and you like it. I'm very happy about that, so thank you. And, now that my thanks have gone around, let's get to the next chapter. It's a good one. It's a very long chapter because there was much that had to go in, and I didn't want to leave anything out. Enjoy. Happy reading!
"Will we be the only ones who will be giving testimony today?" Harry questioned Mackenzie as the family gathered at Chase Manor, nervously preparing for the day's hearing.
Mackenzie was the only one who seemed calm about the upcoming event, ready to take on the Ministry and Draco Malfoy. She had managed to calm her husband down earlier in the morning before his parents and her father had arrived, giving off their own uneasy energy. After that, Mackenzie lost control of her family. She found a corner off to herself, giving her the space to stay prepared.
"No." She answered Harry, who sat down beside her, as he had now calmed down. "Tiberius owled over the list of witnesses last night, very last minute, which I've no doubt was done intentionally. You all will give depositions, as will daddy, Angelina Johnson, Lydia Price, and possibly Draco again." Her head twisted to look over at Harry. "And personally, I'd love a go at him today." Her eyes showed a touch of maliciousness.
The two stood when Arthur and Samuel both noted the time. George and Mackenzie both found each other within the crowd of family, gathering to the floo. The grasped hands as their family disappeared in blazes of green fire before they did.
"You ready for this?" George nervously questioned before they stepped in together.
Mackenzie reached up, placing her palm to the side of his face. "You shouldn't worry so much sweetheart. It'll give you premature wrinkles. Smile." She requested of him.
He gave a half smile.
"We're going to be alright." Mackenzie reassured her husband. "So, let's go and get this over with."
The two stepped into the fireplace, and were off, arriving at the Ministry seconds later. Their family and many more Aurors all gathered around them, shielding them again from the interfering public, clamoring to get answers, pictures, and comments from the group.
"Perhaps we should've just run away and gone into hiding." Mackenzie suggested as the pair was ushered into a private room once up to the tenth floor without much interference in their path.
"You will be in courtroom seven today." One Auror stated to the couple as they were placed into the room. "In here you can further prepare and wait for someone to escort you to the courtroom."
"Where are our families going?" Mackenzie asked as no one else was allowed to pass through the door of the room.
"They'll be taken to a separate room to await the trial. After they've given their statements..."
"They'll be in the courtroom audience. I know that much." Mackenzie returned. "I meant which room will they be taken to?"
"That is not to be known to anyone outside of Ministry personnel."
"Mackenzie. George." Their parents all called out.
The two went to the door, hugged their family members, and were locked inside of the small room. In the center of the room, Mackenzie spotted a table with three chair around it. George brought his wife to him, holding her tight before they sat, keeping their hands locked.
"You sure do make being married interesting." George joked.
Mackenzie chuckled, nervous energy suddenly swarming through her. "Yeah. Never a dull moment."
"I'm glad."
She smiled back at him.
Moments later, there was a quiet knock on their door. The couple stood as it opened slowly, shouts and cheers both going around out in the hallway. The same Auror who had delivered them into the room now appeared again.
"Are you ready?" He asked them. "It's time for you to go into the courtroom. The Wizengamot jurors are assembling as we speak."
"Has Draco arrived yet?" Mackenzie inquired.
The man gave her an incredulous look, confused by her willingness and concern over the opposing party.
"He has. He'll be moving to the courtroom now as well."
The two nodded, following closely behind the man.
Mackenzie learned that to her fortunate pleasure, the hordes of reporters and photographers were not allowed inside the courtroom, and would only be able to receive information second hand throughout the day. She confidently entered through the doors of the courtroom to see rows of jurors, more than she was accustom to, ready to decide her fate. The former Minister who would oversee the trial had not yet arrived, but Draco had. The couple spotted him sitting at a small table with his personal attorney to the right side of the room. To the left was the table Mackenzie and George would sit at.
Draco looked back at the two as they entered through the room, going straight to their table. Mackenzie caught Draco's eyes briefly before both sneered and looked away. Mackenzie placed the case full of files and research beside her as she sat down next to George. She pulled out the Quibbler magazine that she had seen in her home, roaming over the pages once again.
"I'll only use it if it comes to that." She told George as he gave a funny look. "Desperate times may call for desperate measures."
George placed a hand to the back of her neck. He kept it there as former Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour entered, setting himself in the position of the Minister. He picked up his gavel, admiring and reveling in the power he held again. His eyes disdainfully looked over at Mackenzie. She looked equally as contemptuous, not allowing his scare tactics to affect her.
"This Council of Magical Law and High Wizard Court has come to order." Scrimgeour hit the gavel onto his table. "George Weasley and Mackenzie Chase, you are accused by the prosecution and Draco Malfoy of ignoring and breaching the contracts of marital law placing Miss Chase and Mr. Malfoy into a law binding marriage. Do you disagree or contest the charges set upon you?"
"No former Minister, we do not." Mackenzie emphasized. "We stand ready to defend our case."
"And Mr. Malfoy, do you contest the charges set upon the accused?"
"No sir." Draco stated.
George growled, only loud enough for Mackenzie to hear. She placed a hand to his knee, and did her best to calm him.
"We will allow the accused to first state their case before calling their first witness." Scrimgeour waved his hand at Mackenzie, giving her the opportunity to speak.
She stood, placing a hand to George's shoulder before moving away. She walked to the center of the room and faced the jurors.
"Members of the Wizengamot High court," she began. "I stand here today with my husband, ready to defend our choice to get married. I can assure you I have broken no laws in marrying George Weasley, nor has he by marrying me. I intend to prove our case today by showing the faults and measures that those in attendance here today have taken and used in order to force invalid laws and purposes. I do not deny that what George and I have done was the wrong way to go about our marriage, but I can assure you what we've done was for the right reasons. Today is not about the laws. It is about right versus wrong, morality versus immorality, judgment versus agnosticism. Each one lays out an outcome of what we do, who we choose to do these things with and whether or not we are strong enough to stand by our choices. I can more than assure you that today I stand by my choices, I stand by my beliefs, and most importantly I stand beside my husband. Legality in wizarding law has its flaws, and I will set them right in this case today." Mackenzie finished as gasps and whispers were heard around the jurors and the audience through the courtroom.
"I cannot believe you started out by stating that there are flaws inside of laws that are hundreds of years old." George whispered to his wife as she returned to her seat beside him. "Hell, that alone will make for an interesting hearing today."
Scrimgeour didn't look at Mackenzie or George. He waved forward Draco's attorney who immediately stood.
"Minister, members of the Wizengamot, my client is the victim in this case. He entered into a lawful verbal agreement with the accused Miss Chase. He was told and believed strongly that Miss Chase intended to enter into a marriage with him. He was asked on multiple occasions to go about the usual pre-marital acts of planning, appearing, and assisting in the processes. He did so without complaint from his bride-to-be, who all along had dishonestly, illegally, and immorally," Nigel gave Mackenzie a look, spinning her own words back on her, "kept a secret marriage between her and Mr. Weasley. She clearly never intended to enter into a marriage with Mr. Malfoy. My client does not wish for compensation in any matters dealt with today, only for justice. What Mackenzie Chase did was wrong in many legal and principled manners. She has been void of any remorse or consequence from day one, leading us all to believe her false intentions. Even her father, the current Minister has been forced to lie and deceive…"
"You leave my father out of this Kearney!" Mackenzie stood; her palms face down on the table in front of her, her eyes outraged by the accusations, however true they were. She would not have her father's name placed under a line of ridicule.
"Miss Chase, you will sit down!" Scrimgeour insisted. "This is a proper court of law, not some ridiculous muggle farce. You will do as you're told and sit down!"
Mackenzie glared daggers at the former Minister for many reasons, the most important being how he and others continued to call her Miss Chase. Oh how she deeply hated that now. She lowered herself back into her chair as George's arms wrapped around her.
"He's going to be sorry he let me keep my wand in the courtroom." She quietly threatened.
George held her tight until she remained relatively calm.
"I'm alright." She said listening to Nigel finish his opening statement.
"All we ask today is that you be made aware of the offensive manner in which our laws have been broken, without being swayed by the lies spoken by the accused."
This time Mackenzie growled as she and Nigel stared angrily at each other as Nigel sat back down beside Draco who was smiling.
"Now, Miss Chase, " Scrimgeour spoke to her again. "If you are able to keep your temper under control, you may call in your first witness."
Mackenzie stood. "Yes sir, Mr. Former Minister." She said.
"Miss Chase, you will address me appropriately today." Scrimgeour insultingly told her.
Mackenzie's condescending tone continued. "Whether you find it to be legal or otherwise sir, I am a Weasley. Former Minister Scrimgeour, if you wish me to address you temporarily as Minister, you in return will address me as Ms. Weasley. " She turned away from the man. "Witness for the defense, Mr. Samuel David Chase, Minister of Magic."
She turned back to the former Minister as her father entered the room first. Scrimgeour hadn't taken his hard stare off of her as she now stared back, both waiting for the other to break.
"Insolent brat." Scrimgeour broke first to speak.
George and Samuel both stood from the chairs they sat in.
""That is my wife you are talking to in such a disrespectful way Scrimgeour." George angrily protested.
"And my daughter." Samuel met the former Minister's evil glare.
Mackenzie broke into the middle. "Daddy, please sit."
Samuel sat down in a chair provided in the middle of the room.
"Minister, are you aware of the marriage between myself and George Weasley?"
"Yes." Samuel answered.
"And how long have you known about the marriage?" Mackenzie did not look at her father for fear the Scrimgeour would instantly think she was feeding her father answers.
"I was not aware until just two weeks ago. I was told after the marriage took place, which by the way is not very good behavior from a daughter." He added.
Mackenzie chuckled, but still did not look at the man under questioning.
"And do you approve of the marriage?" She asked him.
Minister Chase stayed quiet for a few moments, contemplating the answer.
I do approve of the marriage, but not the method in which it took place."
"Would you ever agree to annul the marriage if the chance was presented to you?"
"I would not. No such paper or contract will be signed by my hand."
Mackenzie nodded. "Speaking Minister of contracts, were you at any point before Draco Malfoy came to you, aware of any marital contracts being drawn without your consent?"
"I was not aware until Mr. Malfoy showed up with the outrageous idea in hand, forcing not only me to agree, but also you, my daughter."
"Thank you Minister, I have no further questions." Mackenzie finally looked up and smiled at her father who winked at her. "Your witness Mr. Kearney." She said before sitting back down beside her husband .
"No further questions Minister." Nigel spoke, causing Draco in turn to look furious and quietly go on to chastise and verbally assault his attorney.
Scrimgeour dismissed the current Minister as the two also glared at each other.
"Your witness Mr. Kearney."
Nigel Kearney stood, facing the Minister. "First witness for the prosecution, Mrs. Lydia Price." He called out.
Out of the small room to the side came Lydia Price, a petite woman with long blond hair. She wore a pencil line black skirt with a red sweater. She didn't look to Draco or Mackenzie, but walked straight to the chair she was instructed to sit in.
"Mrs. Price," Nigel started in on the woman as soon as she sat. "May I confirm that you are the official who has drawn up the contracts in question between Mr. Malfoy and Miss Chase?"
Mackenzie fumed again.
"Yes sir. I wrote and signed the contracts the Mr. Malfoy came to me for, requesting specific information." The woman's voice was a shrill high tone, causing Mackenzie to cringe for a second, adjusting to the pitch.
"Mrs. Price, are all of the contracts you draw up legal by Ministry standards?"
The woman seemed confused by the question. "Of course. I follow Ministry procedure on all documents."
"Do you have copies of those documents here?"
"Of course I do." She handed over a stack of papers to Nigel who sent them through the jury's hands.
"At any time did Mr. Malfoy show cause to not want to marry?"
"No sir."
"Did he ever show cause that his actions were deceptive in nature?"
"No." The woman said. "Not at all. Why he was a perfect husband-to-be, as willing as one can be when being contracted into a marriage."
"So he did not at any time show just cause to think that he would be taken advantage of by the Ministry?"
"No. Never."
"Thank you Mrs. Price. No further questions. Your witness Miss Chase." Nigel said.
Mackenzie held herself from bolting over and hitting Nigel Kearney. She wondered briefly what he was up to. His questions for Lydia Price were scattered and in no real form. She shook her head, ready to enjoy interrogating the woman who tried to contract her into marriage with Draco Malfoy.
"She's mine." She said loud enough for George to hear.
"Hello Mrs. Price." Mackenzie nicely started out. "I'm Mackenzie Weasley, the former Mackenzie Chase. I'm the one you decided to contract into marriage with Mr. Malfoy." Her tone had since become harder.
"It is the opinion of the court Mrs. Price that contracts signed in full by the Ministry and parties involved in marital agreements are made binding once signed together."
"That is true." Lydia answered.
"So," Mackenzie took a set of pages from the contracts going around near the jurors, "you will have to explain to me how these contracts are to be considered lawfully binding. I see your signature, the signature of Draco Malfoy, and…" she paused, reading. "What I do not see are the signatures of myself or the Minister. Are those signatures not just as equally integral to making this document legal?"
Nigel stood up from his chair.
"Minister, this is no longer about contracts. It is about our laws, and the breaking of those laws in order to facilitate the desires of a…"
"Please Mr. Kearney." Scrimgeour said, halting his objection. "He is right Ms. Weasley. Please stay on task."
"I'll rephrase my questioning Minister." She said scornfully.
"Mrs. Price, can you tell me exactly what day Mr. Malfoy suggested these contracts? What day did they begin to be written?"
Lydia went to a stack of papers in her lap, thumbing through to the one she needed.
"Exactly one month and one day ago." She responded.
Mackenzie turned a deep angry red. "You planned this." She turned to Draco, disappointment flowing in her voice.
She returned her focus to Lydia Price. "Were you aware that the Minister or I had no prior knowledge to the designing of these contracts, that any information given to you by Mr. Malfoy had not been accepted or denied by either party?"
"Well no." Lydia answered.
She couldn't be sure, but Mackenzie was sure she'd heard cheers coming from behind the doors where Lydia Price had just come out of earlier. And she was sure they sounded a lot like her brothers. And boy was she about to give them more of a show.
"Mrs. Price, under Ministry law it does in fact state that a preceding agreement under negotiations of two families must be made before a properly written contract of marriage may be written. Are you aware of this law stated in reference to the Compley Marital Law Act of Compley versus Cavanaugh, section four, paragraph two, of the code of magical and ethical law in the Ministry law books?
This time Mackenzie definitely heard the laughing and cheers from what she now realized was the witness box.
"Yes." Lydia timidly said.
"But you chose to ignore this law?"
"No…I…well, I…I suppose…" Lydia Price stammered for several minutes before recovering.
Mackenzie turned and winked at her husband. He was smiling brightly in awe.
"I am aware of the laws in question." The woman repeated. "But I was not aware that proper protocol had not been followed by the parties."
"Modus Operandi." Mackenzie stated. "Those words Mrs. Price are very important for someone in your position. A set of rules, a code of conduct, and protocol as you referred to it. I do not judge you Mrs. Price. Mr. Malfoy is very manipulative and quite charming when he wishes to be. I only ask that next time you be certain that both parties involved in a marital agreement are in fact in agreement." She left the woman speechless. "No further questions."
"You may go Mrs. Price." Scrimgeour growled as Lydia quickly left the room. "Ms. Weasley, your next witness."
"Minister, I'd like to call Angelina Johnson." She smiled, in need of a break from grilling people. She needed someone else on her side.
Angelina quietly walked out of the witness box, or may have been pushed out as Mackenzie knew the woman was not in friendly company stuck in the room with the Weasley family. She smiled weakly at Mackenzie as she passed, sitting in the available chair.
Mackenzie turned her head to George who looked rather calm and set at ease. It was Draco who looked nervous now, and Mackenzie wondered why until she recalled her earliest suspicions and confirmations of Angelina being in legion with the blond prat.
"Hi Angelina." Mackenzie greeted. She paced around front of the girl.
The girl nodded.
"You were the first to come across the marriage license between myself and George, were you not?" Mackenzie questioned nicely.
"Yes. "
"And under the threat of losing your job, you kept the information gathered in your trust?"
"Yes."
"Why?" Mackenzie's next question came.
Angelina tilted her head at Mackenzie. "Friendship. I felt it was necessary to keep a friend out of trouble."
"And are you referring to your friendship with George or Draco Malfoy?"
"What?" Angelina asked in shock.
"I do not wish to repeat the question, but I recall you once saying something to the effect of not wanting to see me married to Mr. Malfoy. I can only assume that you two are or once were in legion to conspire against my relationship with George."
"No." Angelina said. "That's not true." The girl turned around to point out Draco. "He tried to convince me to come onto George, saying that George would easily fall for it, and then I assume it would make you free to have Draco pick up the pieces of the wreck George put you in. "
"So, that is why you risked your job, to hide our marriage?"
"Yes. Of course."
"Just one more question Angelina. Were you aware that Draco was forcing the marriage onto me?"
"No." The girl answered.
"Thank you Angelina. Your witness Mr. Kearney." Mackenzie waved her hand in an uninterested manner.
"You are amazing." George told his wife, kissing her cheek as she sat beside him, taking his hand in hers.
"Just doing my job. I intend on keeping you for myself."
Nigel Kearney finished whatever argument he was currently having with his client and went to face Angelina.
"Ms. Johnson, how long have you known about the marriage in question?"
"Three weeks or so I believe." Angelina tried to recall an exact time.
"Was it your original intention to deceive the Ministry?" Nigel grilled.
"What? No. I just…"
"Objection Minister!" Mackenzie shouted. "He's bullying the witness."
"Ms. Weasley, you are overruled. Sit down. Do not shout in the courtroom."
Mackenzie crossed her arms and sat back down. "I don't like him." She stated to George.
"Ms. Johnson, can you tell me exactly why you decided to keep the secret of this marriage?"
"I promised." Angelina nicely said.
Nigel showed an evil grin. "If you promised then to keep this secret, why did you then take action to disregard that same promise?"
"I don't understand." Angelina said, not understanding the question.
"I'll rephrase." Nigel looked up at Mackenzie who sat beside George, both looking just as bemused by his line of questions again.
"Is it not true Ms. Johnson that you took it upon yourself to gather information on the defendants after first pledging you allegiance to their secrecy? And was it not you who sent those somewhat revealing secret breaking pictures of The Weasley's having dinner with the Minister and his daughter, showing the true nature behind the relationship of George and Mackenzie?"
Angelina looked back at George and Mackenzie, guilt written on her face now. She looked away from the couple.
"Yes." She answered, unable to look at the shock of the couple. She could feel the disappointment and anger rising already.
Nigel looked back at Mackenzie again, she looked infuriated, not willing to hide it. George looked furious. He had flipped Angelina's testimony in his favor to the great exasperation. Mackenzie looked like she didn't know who she should be angrier at.
"I'm sorry." Angelina said to the couple, her back still facing them.
"Minister, I think we should take a break. Re-gather ourselves and our arguments." Nigel requested.
Scrimgeour nodded. "Yes. I think that we will break for the next ten minutes."
Mackenzie didn't move as Nigel returned to the table he occupied with Draco who also looked smug. George stood, bringing Mackenzie to stand with him. Her arms stayed crossed, her face stay showing her frustration. George led her out into the Hall, quickly moving her into the room they shared.
"I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS!" She screamed as soon as the door closed behind them. "THIS IS TOO MUCH! FIRST HE TRIES TO…THEN WITH ANGELINA…AND THAT DAMNED POMPOUS ARSE SITTING UP THERE LIKE HE'S A GOD!" She continued to rant very loudly until George hugged her.
""People can hear you Kens." He said.
"LET THEM HEAR ME!" She shouted louder. "THEY SOULD KNOW THAT I'M ANGRY!"
"With every right to be so my love, but please…"
A knock on the door interrupted the two. It opened and it took more control than required when the couple saw the woman standing in their doorway.
"YOU!" Mackenzie roared, pulling her wand on the woman, forcing her into the room, slamming the door closed. "IT WAS YOU! YOU TOOK THOSE PICTURES!"
Angelina turned to say something, but was not allowed.
"NO!" Mackenzie wrathfully shouted. "DO NOT TALK. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TALK!" Her voice lowered a few octaves. "How could you do this to us? You manipulated me into handing you my husband. You gained my confidence and used it. Why?"
"Why do you think Mackenzie? You're a smart girl." Angelina was showing what Mackenzie figured were her true colors now. She wasn't sorry. She had been standing beside Draco this entire time. She may not have been feeding him information yet, but she was somehow still working beside him.
"It was you." Mackenzie gasped in realization of the latest passing events. "You were in my house the other day."
Angelina gave a complacent nod.
"How?"
"Fred." Angelina told the two. She enjoyed the scandalized looks they gave. "Of course he didn't exactly know that he was sharing information with me. You see he was with that girl…your friend…Lily…something."
"Lilah?" Mackenzie questioned, growing angrier at the thought of Angelina approaching her real friends.
"Yes. That's the one. She and Fred were…shall we say together, after their own secret rendezvous, they began talking about you and George, and your home together in the country. Lovely little place you have. Not sure the Ministry would feel it is up to your standards though Mackenzie."
Mackenzie nearly had hold of the girl, her arms reached out to throttle her when George picked her up by the waist, and pulled her back, trying desperately to hold onto what was a volatile ready to explode temper.
"You manipulate my wife, you spy on her, conspire against both of us, and then reveal what you swore to keep secret. Are you mental? Why? Please explain why you've done this, before I lose my temper."
"You're not daft either George dear." Angelina placed a hand to his face. "I never wanted you to be unhappy in all of this. I only wanted you to see the trouble she has caused you. You'll never have a quiet calm normal life married to the Minister's daughter. But with me, you and me, we could be…happy…again."
George stepped back a foot, forcing her hand from him. "Don't you get it? There is only one woman for me! Mackenzie is it! You leaving me was always meant to happen. It has taken me a long time to finally figure that out. You were never meant to be a Weasley. You don't have the heart. It was always meant to be me and her."
Mackenzie was now holding George back, trying to come between the two so that no actual violent acts occurred.
It was two minutes until the recess was called when George and Mackenzie had calmed only enough to return to the proceedings. They passed by the Minister, Angelina, and the other witnesses who'd all already been called on before sitting. Mackenzie was still seething, but chose to hide her enraged disposition un till in the privacy of her and her family. She went through the remaining witnesses to her marriage. First Arthur came out, answering as best as he could. The emotional tension in the courtroom was higher now with her family, those who'd seen her from start to present with George now recounting the details. It was difficult for Mackenzie when she stood across from Molly, listening to the woman go on about the events that had occurred, with real emotion and protection in her voice. Molly would not let her children suffer anymore.
Mackenzie's biggest trouble was when Fred took the chair. Although she had no doubt that he'd had no idea about Angelina, she had to tell him, she had to question him, and she had to watch the insult, the outrage, and the apology cross his face. It hurt them both, but Mackenzie pushed through. It was Harry being grilled that had her rage steaming again after another few hours of testimony. Nigel Kearney had after ten or eleven hard-nosed questions in, taken it upon himself to threaten Harry's job, the security of his career, and his family.
Mackenzie's hands again gripped the edge of the table as she stood.
"Minister, this is uncalled for! Mr. Kearney has no right and no position to call on Mr. Potter's job."
Scrimgeour looked at Mackenzie in thought and back to Harry.
"I'll accept Ms. Weasley's argument this time." He stated. "And I will ask Mr. Kearney to wrap up his questions for the day."
Nigel ended his questions for Harry just before the former Minister spoke again. "We will call an end for the day, and pick up the hearing here tomorrow morning at ten. Ms. Weasley, you will begin tomorrow with Mr. Potter, and I will ask both attorney's not to talk to anyone outside of those involved in this case."
"Yes sir." Both Nigel and Mackenzie replied.
Mackenzie and George stood, gathering papers and folders before exiting the room, followed by the remaining members of their family.
"Mackenzie!" Her name was shouted as she left, gripping tight to her husband's hand.
She turned to see Nigel running after her.
"Mackenzie. Here is a list of those we will also be calling on again tomorrow. Prepare yourself better for tomorrow." He warned.
"Why you smug son of a bi…" She stopped as she read through the list of names. "You can't be serious."
"I am. My client has agreed that the list of names is in his best interest."
Mackenzie slipped the piece of paper into a folder, turned, and walked away without another word. She didn't say anything more until the family all arrived to the Burrow, closing themselves off from any unwanted attention.
"This is not going well for us." Mackenzie said to her family as they gathered. The connection between muggle law and wizarding law is too far apart. They don't connect too often."
"Explain please." Ginny requested.
Mackenzie sat down at the table inside of the kitchen, her hands folded over the back of her neck, her elbows rested to the table top.
"Most wizards don't go to muggle jail or stand trial in muggle communities, and vice-versa. The laws are similar in nature, but I'm having trouble differentiating them all inside of the trial with everything going on."
"What do you mean Kenny?" Ron questioned her. "We heard everything said during the trial today. You were brilliant…Unbelievable."
She felt her husband sit beside her, wrapping his arms around her waist. She sighed. "Thank you Ron, but I don't know if that was enough. Kearney is calling on Draco tomorrow. I'll have to cross examine him. That will not be easy. He also intends to call upon me tomorrow. Harry, you are on the hit list first thing in the morning."
Harry nodded. "S'alright. It's just you and me in the morning. I can handle you."
Mackenzie laughed as did George and Fred.
"We'll see about that." Fred commented.
"It won't do much good anyway." Mackenzie went on. "It's just more pressure on us from Scrimgeour and the media." She laid her head onto George's chest.
"What would you suggest we do Ken?" George asked her.
She looked up to her husband, without taking her head from his chest. "As council or as defendant?
"Defendant." Hermione and Harry both suggested.
She sighed again. "I've been thinking on that…and I have an idea that might do a bit of good , or it could backfire and do far more damage. It's a risk."
"Do tell." Hermione leaned in close, listening to her speak along with the rest of her family.
Mackenzie called in Arthur, Molly, and Samuel from the Living Room where they'd been privately speaking about their children. The three sat with everyone else and listened.
"The problem is that the media outlets, and the public, they all have far too much sympathy for poor taken advantage of Draco Malfoy. He has portrayed that image of himself very well, and I give him credit for that."
"WHAT?" Ron yelled out.
Mackenzie shot her hand up to halt his outbursts. "That's where we've gone wrong. George and I have been portrayed as the bad guys. We are the wrong ones. Of course they think that. By keeping quiet, and doing as should be done, we are the two who come across as manipulative and immoral. The public knows no different. We need the public to think that we are tired, that we are secretly fighting behind closed doors. It could work to our advantage if Draco takes the bait by the morning."
"You're saying we should play you two up for the media as the ones who were taken advantage of?" Samuel questioned.
Mackenzie shook her head. "I thought about that, but no."
Her family looked more confused. Even George had trouble following.
"I want you all to play us up for the media, but I want them to know how distressing it has been for you. I want people to know that you as our family have been under pressure and have had to live with all of this for so long."
"won't that make people dislike you more?" Ginny asked.
"Perhaps." Mackenzie answered. "And perhaps not, because I'm going to the one person I know will do what I want and what I expect her to."
George took her hand. "What are you going to do Ken?"
""I'm going over to the Daily Prophet this evening. I intend on seeing Rita Skeeter."
Her entire family stood, loudly disagreeing with her choice.
"I know exactly what I'm doing." She argued back. "That's why I'm doing it. I know exactly what she will say. I'm going to twist my words just enough to get her to twist hers." Her eyes went soft and big, giving her an innocent look as her voice did the same. "I'm a lawyer. Words are what I do."
She took a drink handed to her from Molly as she went on. "Draco and Kearney are looking for trouble within our relationships. If for the next twenty twelve hours or so we can show that all is not as well as we let on, then I can personally flip this case in our favor, enough to make a difference. Draco, Kearney, and Scrimgeour need to believe that you all are tired of living within the stigma George and I have brought upon us all."
Everyone had since calmed, had a few drinks, and gone to talking about other topics as the evening ran on. Mackenzie wandered through the garden and up through the Orchard where she found Harry quietly sitting, watching the family inside.
"Care for some company up here?" She asked, sitting beside him as he motioned for her to do so.
"I think it's great what you're doing." Harry told her as she rested beside him. "I've never met anyone outside of this family that is so willing to stand up to the Ministry, and to keep hold of those that they love. You love George. You really do."
"More than anything I love him. He is what keeps me so driven to do this." Mackenzie replied back. "And that's sort of why I'm glad I caught you alone today Har." She turned to him, placing a hand to his shoulder. "I need a really really big favor Harry."
"Anything Kenny." He said, turning to face her.
"George is going to be upset by this, and I need this to stay between us no matter what."
Harry nodded.
"We, you and me, are taking a trip to the Hogwart's Board of Governors. George can't know. He'll only want to go along with us."
Harry furrowed his brow. "I don't understand. Isn't a united front with you two a better stand than you and me?"
"Not necessarily. Not this time anyway. Listen Harry, I'd love for him to come along, but the potential damage of having my choice staring them back in the face could cause too much more ruin to our case at the Ministry.
"Alright." Harry reluctantly agreed to the trip. "When do we go?"
"Five minutes." She said, standing. "I'm going to have to tell George we're leaving without giving away my intentions. You should tell Gin you're off to, but don't tell her where you're going either."
"How do you suggest I get away with that one?"
Mackenzie smiled evilly. "Tell her we're sneaking off to have a secret affair Har."
The two laughed loudly before moving in separate directions.
Mackenzie had been right. George was not happy to learn that not only was Mackenzie making some secret trip before the continuing hearing next morning, but that after he was told he couldn't come along, Harry would be accompanying her upon her request.
"I will tell you all of the details as soon as I get back home in an hour or so." She promised George as she kissed him.
He was still unhappy with her decision by the time she left with Harry, but didn't argue any further as she had promised to divulge the details on her return. He couldn't argue, but hoped that she knew what she was doing.
**************************************************
"Doesn't the Board of Governor's deal strictly with Hogwart's?" Harry questioned.
"In most cases, yes." Mackenzie said as they walked down the street from where they'd apparated into, away from prying eyes of muggles.
"Then how do they help us?"
Mackenzie kept walking. "One thing that the Board deals with at Hogwart's is relationships that require bonding before legalities come into effect, also with creature student relationships."
"Like Veela type relationships?" Harry inquired.
"Yes. And it's all placed into Ministry files as well. Along with all of that stuff, they also deal with marriage contracts between students and their families."
Harry was still slightly confused, trying to understand where Mackenzie was leading with her idea.
"I ran across this article in the Quibbler." Mackenzie explained, immediately seeing the incredulous look on Harry's face. "I know." She surrendered. "George went on about how it's mostly all rubbish, but listen… There was a short twenty line paragraph that providentially spoke about the Board halting a marriage contract between two students who'd been betrothed at birth. The two students spent years at the school fighting. There was no way they could ever co-exist as man and wife, so the contract was nullified. They had the power to do that."
"But they were students." Harry countered.
"And I am the Minister's only daughter." Mackenzie matter-of-factly stated, linking her arm with Harry's as they got closer to the destination. She could feel the pull of magic from the area.
"Finally using your position then?"
"I figure if I use my super power for good, then it's okay." She joked, gaining a chuckle from her brother as he understood muggle superheroes. "Plus I've got the Ministry's head Auror with me."
The two were laughing, arm in arm as they approached the large red building they'd been looking for in Herefordshire, England. Again, the building might've been intimidating if Mackenzie and Harry had been anyone else. The massive building stood at least twenty stories tall, and had a real sense of magic pulsating from it. Muggles stayed clear of it as none were seen crossing past it, or stopping to stare.
"Let's have some fun." Mackenzie stated.
The two walked into the building, met by a short balding man who sat at a desk to their left immediately as they entered. He pulled out his wand as the two instantly set hands to their own wands. The man told them to stand still as he stood, coming around his desk. He waved his wand over the pair, his eyes widening with shock realizing the positions held by the two in the Wizarding world.
"Your wand tells you that?" Mackenzie groaned.
"It is my job Miss." He said with a heightened respect in his tone. "You may use that lift to go up." He pointed straight ahead for them. He allowed them to go without argument.
"Which floor can we find the Board of Governor's?" Harry asked.
"Fourteenth floor sir."
Mackenzie and Harry waved a thank you to the man before going to a set of lifts. They stepped in, pushed the correct button, and waited to find the appropriate floor. When they reached the fourteenth floor, the doors opened, and they now stepped into a waiting room with a stern looking woman, sitting behind another desk. She wore reading glasses, had a pen strung through her long dark hair, held into a bun, and did not look friendly in the least.
"May I help you?" She questioned, looking over the top rim of her glasses at the pair, still arm in arm.
"I'm Mackenzie Weasley. And I'd like to see someone in the Board please."
"Mackenzie Weasley." The woman said, looking through two lists of people's names. "I don't see that you have an appointment today Ms. Weasley."
"I wouldn't Mrs…"
"Breaux. Nadia Breaux." The woman introduced herself. "Everyone needs an appointment dear. I'm afraid you'll have to make an appointment and come back."
"Well that's just not going to work for me . Nadia." Mackenzie smiled sweetly. She let go of Harry temporarily. "You see, I do believe that as my father is currently Minister of Magic, I am allowed to interrupt the Board without notice or appointment."
"You're the Minister's daughter? Minister Samuel Chase?"
"Yes Nadia. My former surname is Mackenzie Chase. So, if you will please ring someone and let them know that I am waiting right here." She pointed to a chair off to a side wall.
The woman straightened her shoulders, stood, and disappeared through a set of doors behind her desk.
"How the hell do you do that?" Harry asked.
Mackenzie shrugged as Harry sat beside her. She took his hand in hers. "I still have to go in there and hope that I'm right after all of this mess."
The two waited silently for another two minutes before Nadia returned, allowing them entrance into the room she'd come from.
Harry and Mackenzie entered to see a large room with five desks, a man behind each. They looked friendly enough, but that only told Mackenzie that looks were always deceiving and she could not trust what was right in front of her sometimes.
She took a deep breath and walked in as far as allowed.
"What can we do for you today Miss Chase?." One man asked her, looking from her to Harry. "It is quite late and we've just ended our sessions for the day."
"I'm here to argue a marriage case in hopes that you may be willing to halt its intentions."
"You're father has already come to us with the same request Miss Chase." Another man said from behind his large oak desk.
"And?" Mackenzie shot back in return, her eyes shooting back to the first man who had spoken to her.
"And there is nothing that can be done. We agree that a marriage contract between Draco Malfoy and Mackenzie Chase would be disastrous, and simply pieced together under monetary benefit, but Lydia Price seems to think that…"
"Lydia Price testified just a few hours ago that she and the Ministry departments had no prior knowledge of any agreement between me and Draco Malfoy pertaining to a marriage agreement. And that is of course because my father and I had no prior acknowledgement of such a settlement."
There were quiet conversations between a few of the men, still in chairs behind their desks.
Mackenzie waited for them to finish speaking before she went on further.
"Miss Chase, could we please have a moment to confer privately?"
"Yes sir." Mackenzie said, turning to leave the room with Harry.
The two exited the room without argument, to wait outside once more while her plea was considered or once more rejected. Now Mackenzie was nervous, and it showed as her hand shook in Harry's. He held it firm, trying to keep her unruffled by the potential outcomes. It was fifteen minutes before the two were ushered into the same room once again.
"Miss Chase," One man said. "First I would like to convey our apologies. We should be referring to you as Ms. Weasley."
"Thank you." Mackenzie weakly smiled, before the man gave her an answer to their short conference.
"We will help you. But what can we do?"
Mackenzie's confidence showed as she received the answer she'd hoped for and wanted most.
"The Board of Governor's has jurisdiction in determining whether a marriage between two parties is suitable. My suggestion, or request as it is, is for the Board to give testimony to the unsuitable nature of a marriage between myself and Mr. Malfoy. I do not know what good it will do yet, but it is my hope that it will turn the outcome in my favor. I love my husband very much and I do not wish to ever see myself with anyone else."
"We will do what we can. Ms. Weasley."
"Again thank you." She turned to Harry and smiled.
"May we ask Ms. Weasley, why you have Mr. Potter at your side today?"
Mackenzie chuckled darkly. "Harry is my brother-in-law, he is Head Auror at the Ministry, and happens to be my moral support."
"So, it was to be intimidation if reason failed to work." One of the men joked, causing everyone to laugh.
Harry and Mackenzie left the building feeling confident, on their way home, to their family members, but not before Mackenzie stopped into the Daily Prophet for a good thirty minutes. Harry escorted Mackenzie home to see George waiting for her before he said goodbye, was thanked by Mackenzie, and left to return to his own wife.
Mackenzie went through the house, straightening items, folding laundry, and generally torturing her husband as he waited quite impatiently to know where she and Harry had run off to.
"Hadn't Gin told you? Har and I are having an affair. I'm sorry you had to find out like this." She joked before George looked to not enjoy the comment. He chased her after she ran, caught her, threw her over his shoulder, and brought her into their empty bedroom. Once inside, he closed the door with his foot, lightly tossed his wife onto their bed, and attempted to gain the information he wanted by any means necessary. The two went through a couple rounds of trying to gain control over the other. First George had his wife pinned by her wrists underneath him, and then to his utter surprise, she had pinned him, straddling his waist, managing to keep him still by sheer force of feminine power. But before either knew it, George had cornered Mackenzie into a corner, again pinning her to the bed, his mouth grasping onto her neck.
Unable or unwilling to move from this pleasured position, Mackenzie surrendered.
"Alright I give. I'll tell you where I've been."
George let go of her, repositioning himself above her, nodding in triumph.
"I didn't say to stop." Mackenzie complained. "I simply said I will tell you where I had disappeared to."
George happily went back to attacking her neck, lying beside her, bringing his hands to her back, moving under her shirt, as he pulled her closer.
"Where were you?" He mumbled as he kept his mouth to her body.
"Board of Governors." Mackenzie told him, enjoying the intensity building in them again.
"Hogwart's Board of Governor's?" George questioned, pulling away from her briefly to strip his shirt from his body.
"That's the one." Mackenzie kicked off her shoes, removed her own shirt, and was playfully attacked by her husband, the rest of their clothes being strewn about the room. "I think we might have a strong case, and a win after all."
The two rather vocally played as they knew again that their house was watched by security from the Ministry Auror team. It went on for quite a few hours before they'd exhausted themselves enough to sleep through to the morning hours.
A/N: I will try to have the next chapter up within the next few days, by this next weekend at the latest. It may also be a long chapter. Until then, don't hesitate to tell me what you think of this chapter or others. Until next time…