March, 2018

Chapter 19: In the Middle

"The truth is rarely pure and never simple."

― Oscar Wilde, The Importance of Being Earnest

Kes suspected...or, at least, he knew she'd been acting strange. Despite her best efforts, Hazel was rather quiet during dinner; there had been multiple times when she stopped herself from rambling about the meal or something trivial. Merlin, she wished she could drink. Finally, dinner had ended, and Hazel was viciously scrubbing an innocent plate. How was she going to break the news? Should she tell him everything at once, or just that she's pregnant? He might think it's his child, and that wouldn't be right. Bloody hell, how had everything become so complicated and messy and - A pair of arms wrapped around her, and in her surprise, the witch dropped the plate into the sink.

Although it didn't break, the dish clattered loudly against the metal, spraying the pair with soap and water. She felt him gently take the rag from her hands before turning her to face him, hands resting on her arms. His eyes, blue and brown, seemed to bore into hers as his eyebrows furrowed, "Hazel, what's going on?" He gently squeezed her arms, sliding to take both of her hands in his, "You've been acting strange lately, and you can't even meet my eyes tonight. Are you alright?" She swallowed, staring at her fiance. Merlin, guess she'd been fairly obvious. No time like the present, she supposed.

"I have something to tell you, actually." Hazel's eyes widened. He'd taken the words out of her mouth, but what news would Kes have? Was it bad? It could be, he looks nervous. "I do, too. Have news, that is." She finally managed, her gaze dropping to their intertwined hands. The wizard paused before softly wiping stray soap bubbles from her cheek. She was a terrible person, wasn't she? With the guilt weighing on her, Hazel almost wished she hadn't ate at all. She was close to nauseous. Once the couple settled on the couch by the fireplace, the witch studied her fiance as she tried to take deeper breaths. It'll be fine, it should be fine.

"Marcus Ridgeway is dying." What? Hazel's eyes jumped to his face, lips parting in surprise. An uncomfortable feeling twisted in her gut as she tried to figure out how to respond. Ridgeway had pulled her aside just yesterday with the news that he'd spread false rumors about an illness; he had turned from the window, hands behind his back, to meet her eyes. "Only those that wish me harm will believe I am sick or dying." Moving closer, the professor had smiled down at her concerned expression, "Don't worry, my dear, I am perfectly healthy. I am telling you so that you are...prepared, should you hear the news elsewhere."...Had he known? Kes squeezed her hands, distracting the witch from her thoughts. "Did...did you know already? I'm sorry, Hazel, I know you care about him." She shook her head automatically, resisting the strange urge to pull her hands away. "No, no, I...I knew. I just…" She hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. Ridgeway said only those who wished his harm believed it to be true. She knew Kes didn't particularly like Ridgeway, never had, but...to wish him harm? He wouldn't do that, right?

Mistaking her silence for grief towards the fake illness, Kestis hugged the brunette. Even with the guilt and confusion and so much more, Hazel tried to let herself enjoy the brief embrace before she leaned back. She needed to tell him the truth, at least about her. Should she tell him about Mason? But...where had he gotten the news about Ridgeway dying? He couldn't be plotting against him, right? Kes lived and worked alongside the man. He had been spending a lot of time with Tim, recently. Regardless, she should tell him something, even - "I'm pregnant." The words fell out of her lips, surprising both of them. Oh, well, that's one way. Hazel continued, words stumbling together, "I'm pregnant, Kes. I'm, I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, I'm about a month along now, but I'm sorry I didn't say anything. That's why I've been disappearing now and again; I've been going to Cormac for check-ups." It's Mason's child, and he already knows, she wanted to say, but didn't.

The half-giant's mouth dropped open, and the couple sat in silence for a few minutes. Merlin, she'd broken Kes. Just as she moved to speak again, she was pulled to her feet in a tight hug; Kestis laughed and kissed her cheek, a wide grin on his face, "Oh, that's fantastic news, Hazel!" Oh, Kestis...She felt like crying at the joy in his expression. Now is the time to say something. Say….something, Hazel...Anytime, now. Instead, the witch tried to match his jovial smile, wishing she could blame her nausea on the baby.

The next morning, the couple prepared for the rally at the Ministry; if she'd been honest, Hazel had nearly forgotten about it. Unlike the last time, the screening process to enter was...strict. Unfamiliar Aurors checked wands, physical identification, and asked a security question; they'd even been forced to use the floo system instead of the old telephone box, which had long since been closed. There'd been a lot of changes since Ridgeway was made the Minister of Magic.

Inside, the space was filled with low chatter and the muted whoosh from the floo as the crowd gradually grew. Someone nudged her left shoulder as she opened her mouth to ask Kes if he'd seen Tim, and Hazel turned to see Cormac Lawrence. "Hazel," He nodded, smirk dropping as he glanced at her fiance, adding a reluctant "Jackson." She greeted the Irish wizard warily, remembering the tension between the two wizards that had become almost commonplace. They never really liked each other, for whatever reason. Gesturing to the people around them, Cormac joked, "Do you think it'll go as great as last time?" Edward, falling to the ground like a stone. Mohinder, and so many more. Purple fire, burning...

A voice behind them answered in a dry tone, "I think we have different memories of what occured." The witch turned, heart jumping in her chest unsteadily at the sight of the grey-eyed wizard. With the quiet tap of his cane, Mason Whitehall approached the trio. Hazel inwardly winced at the click of his knee as he nodded to each of them, catching her gaze silently. It was the first time she'd seen him since she told him about the child. Since she told both of them. The Irish wizard grinned at the remark, greeting the man warmly. She tried to ignore the flutter in her stomach - must be the baby - as Mason smiled. His expression seemed to diminish slightly as he nodded at Kes, though she doubted anyone else noticed. "Let's get good seats before they're taken. Definitely need to sit for this." With a wry smile, Mason tapped his cane on the ground for emphasis. Despite the flash of pity at the gesture, the brunette thought the wizard appeared healthier than he had in months; his skin had gained some color, cheeks less gaunt. She quickly looked away when his eyes met hers again, quickly walking towards the available seats to hide her flushed face. Could she be any more obvious? For Merlin's sake, what was wrong with her?

Even with her near-constant guilt, Hazel was almost amused when she found herself walking between the two wizards she'd grown to love. Stuck between two men, indeed. As they sat, movement to her right caught her attention. A new statue stood regally, the golden raven slowly flapping its wings as metal claws dug into dark stone. Ridgeway's symbol. Before she could question why she felt dread at the sight, Kestis waved to someone in the crowd with a smile. Towards the entrance, Tim waved to them before turning to speak with someone beside him. The Order of the Phoenix, wasn't it? Although she'd known Tim was a member, it felt different to see him stand in the small group, talking quietly with a vaguely familiar blonde witch. She was taken aback to see another wizard beside them change his hair color to black without his wand. Someone tapped her shoulder before she could ask Kes about the smile the wizard had sent his way. Did he know Kestis through Tim?

"Can I ask you a favor?" Cormac leaned around Mason to ask her, any amusement from earlier gone. A strange sense of foreboding washed over her, and Hazel nodded slowly, "Maybe. What is it?" "If shit does down, promise me you'll leave." Oh. Cormac continued as Mason glanced over silently, "You're pregnant, and Ridgeway's rallies don't exactly have the best reputation for going smoothly." That was an understatement. "Since apparition won't work," Mason added in a quiet voice, "ask for Leon, or even Mitsy." She felt all three wizards watch as she sighed, resisting the sudden urge to smile. Worrywarts. Still, he had a point. "Fine," Hazel reluctantly agreed, the corner of her lips lifting as Tim sat beside Kestis.

It'd been almost five minutes since the rally was scheduled to start, and there was no sign of the Minister of Magic. Hazel bit her lip, foot tapping against the marble floor. Around them, the room was packed with wizards and Ministry employees alike; there was a fair amount of people who'd opted to stand in the back after all the seats were filled. The Order included, she noticed. Along with many members of the Wizarding Parliament, as it was now called. Her lips twitched, nerves easing, as a dark-haired wizard moved to stand in front of the crowd. He had a talent for capturing, and holding, attention. It was likely he had arrived late on purpose. Ridgeway was nothing if not purposeful. Scattered applause echoed through the room, growing louder as more joined in. It was most of the wizards from the Village that started the clapping, she noticed. Arms outstretched, Ridgeway turned in a slow circle, smiling. Kes's hand grabbed hers, gently squeezing as they exchanged looks. Hopefully, this rally would end peacefully, without bloodshed or violence. Hopefully.