Penny felt her feet hit solid ground and gasped as she felt air flow back into her lungs. A sense of nausea overcame her and she retched, taking all her self-control not to vomit all over the floor as she staggered. Strong arms steadied her as she began to take in her surroundings. She was stood in a brightly lit hallway with dark polished flooring and many fireplaces lining the walls. These were occasionally erupting in emerald flames as people made about their day. However there seemed to be a smaller crowd than Penny would have expected given the number of fireplaces available.
Looking up Penny saw Kingsley watching her, and upon seeing her recovery gestured her to follow him among the fairly deserted hallway. Glancing behind them Penny could see a golden statue with various figures on it, but had to turn away as they reached the golden gates at the far end of the hallway and Kingsley pulled Penny to a small desk on the left labelled security. The man behind it had an unkempt beginnings of a beard, wearing dark grey robes, put down his newspaper with a look of boredom. Looking up at Kingsley however he jumped to his feet and bowed at the neck.
'Mr Shacklebolt' He acknowledged politely as Kingsley nodded in return before gesturing Penny. The guard did a double take as he looked over Penny, staring at her hair before intently peering into her face. Penny stared sullenly back, before Kingsley's cough brought the man out of his thoughts.
'My apologies, yes' He mumbled to himself as he produced a thin gold rod. As he approached Penny took a step back, glancing towards Kingsley for reassurance. With a nod from him, Penny pursed her lips, jutting her chin irritably in the air as the man almost nervously scanned her front and back with the rod. Retreating behind his desk he asked 'Wand?' Kingsley handed over her wand as Penny looked wistfully at it, grinding her teeth testily as she watched them manhandling it. Placing it on a strange set of scales, a loud vibrating noise was followed by a slip of paper being produced. '11 inches, yew, dragon heartstring, been in use for two years?' The guard asked as Penny nodded. The man held out her wand, but as she moved to take it Kingsley snatched it away. Penny felt a surge of rage fill her as she glared at Kingsley, who met her gaze coolly as he tucked her wand away. A quiet rattling made Penny look round to see the scales shaking. Narrowing her eyes the scales stilled as Penny forced herself to calm, knowing losing her temper would not improve her chances of getting her wand back.
'That will be all Eric' Kingsley said as the guard looked nervously between the tall wizard and the dark haired witch. 'Come' Kingsley said, leading Penny through the gates to an elevator on the other side.
'Where are we going?' Penny asked, nerves returning after her moment of anger. They past through the golden gates and headed through to a smaller hall with many lifts.
'I have sent a memo to Miss Hopkirk to meet us in the Improper Use of Magic Office but the whole department is extremely busy at the moment' Kingsley said as they climbed in. Penny listened intently as the floor levels were announced until they reached 'Level Two, Department of of Magical Law Enforcement, including the Improper Use of Magic Office, Auror Headquaters, Department of Magical Dwellings and Wizengamot Administration Services.' At this level Kingsley gestured Penny to climb out.
A few steps in Kingsley stopped and knocked on a door with a sign saying 'Improper Use of Magic Office: Mafalda Hopkirk'. After a couple minutes Kingsley grunted and gestured for Penny to follow. 'She is clearly not back yet, we shall have to wait in my cubicle.' Kingsley said as they reached a line of cubicles with 'Auror Headquarters' on a lopsided sign. Penny paused to stare at the sign before following Kingsley into his cubicle.
'You're an Auror?' Penny asked looking at Kingsley with fresh respect as he nodded. 'I would have thought this was too trivial for an Auror.' Penny questioned before adding panicking slightly 'I mean, I'm not going to Azkaban am I?' Penny said a fearful note entering her voice.
'No Penny, not today.' Kingsley said gently before adding in a slow purposeful voice as Penny breathed a sigh of relief 'However I cannot pretend this is not serious, and there is a high chance the courts may choose to expel you and destroy your wand. And if they do not, any further Misuse of Magic may result in a sentencing in future.' He finished looking solemnly at the small witch.
'Yes sir' Penny said quietly, fiddling with her sleeve.
'As it happens I was just the only one in the office as Miss Hopkirk got wind of the use of underage magic, and as she was already rushing off to remind the Irish supporters that using Refill charms to cheat at drink challenges with English Muggles still counts as Misuse of Magic.'
'Quidditch world cup?' Penny said as Kingsley nodded.
'Most departments are rushed off their feet because of it.' Kingsley said rubbing his eyes as an envelope shot like a rocket into the cubicle. Unfolding it Kingsley glanced at it before rising to his feet. 'Miss Hopkirk has returned and is free to see us now.' Kingsley said leading Penny back to the office from before. Knocking and entering to see a small grey haired witch sat at a small side desk, typing frantically on her typewriter. Looking up the two of them she paused as she stared at Penny before gestured the chair in front of her desk.
'Hello, you must be Persephone' She said in a small polite voice, her eyes still scanning the young witch's face.
'Penny' Penny corrected automatically as she sank into the uncomfortable chair, grimacing as she saw her mother's face dancing behind the older witch's eyes.
'Penny' The lady repeated 'I am Mafalda Hopkirk, senior assistant of the Misuse of Magic office.' Addressing Kingsley 'Your message suggested that there was Legilimency used as well as the Expulso curse?' Penny frowned in puzzlement as Kingsley nodded 'And you confiscated her wand on your arrival?'
'She did not have her wand' Kingsley replied. Mafalda looked taken aback before responding.
'How did she perform Legilimency without a wand at her age?' Mafalda said disbelievingly before looking back at a scowling Penny.
'She has a name and is sat right here' Penny muttered under her breath. Mafalda paused before continuing.
'Well if it had been with a wand it would have been more straight forward, but this changes things.'
'If I had a wand I should have let the bastard do as he fucking pleased?' Penny spat angrily causing the little woman to jump.
'Merlin's beard, no that's not what I meant.' She spluttered 'Given the circumstances….I didn't mean…' The little witch shrank from Penny's burning glare before composing herself. 'I think the best course of action at this time would be to suspend you temporarily, pending a hearing later in the month.' The woman paused before considering the girl 'I don't think it would be appropriate for you to stay with Muggles during this time. Have you any one you can stay with during this time?'
'I think I can take this from here' A cold drawling voice made all three of them look around. Lucius Malfoy strolled into the small office, barely glancing at Kingsley and placed an unwelcome hand on Penny's shoulder. 'My niece shall spend the remainder of the summer at Malfoy Manor.' He said authoritatively as the other two looked slightly surprised by his revelation. His grey eyes bored down into Penny's blue ones, a silent demand to comply. After a few moments of this silent stand off Penny lowered her gaze and nodded.