Mackenzie showed up five minutes earlier than she'd needed. It was two fifty-five by her watch and she saw no sign that George had arrived yet as she approached the front door. She knocked, waiting for an answer.
The door opened.
"Hello again Molly." Mackenzie greeted, smiling.
"Hello Ms. Chase. To what do I owe this pleasant surprise?" Molly asked, smiling in return.
Mackenzie looked around. " George asked if I would meet him here at three." She looked at her watch once again.
"He isn't here, but if he's asked to meet you, then he should be along shortly dear." Molly moved to the side, "Please come in."
Mackenzie stepped cautiously into the house and looked around for the magical objects she'd half expected to fly past her head.
"Would you like a cup of tea Ms…"
"Kenny." Mackenzie corrected before Molly finished her question. "I know that my father clearly doesn't prefer it, but in personal settings, I insist you call me Kenny."
"Kenny it is then." Molly agreed. "Would you like a cup of tea?"
Mackenzie nodded, following the woman into her kitchen.
And that was where George found the two women talking and laughing as he arrived at the Burrow ten minutes after three. He calmly walked towards the kitchen and stood quietly within the doorframe, watching the first woman he fancied since his broken engagement. He stayed in his state of admiration of her until hearing his name being called. He shook his head and saw both Mackenzie and his mum staring at him.
"George dear, please come in." Molly insisted.
George shook his head once again and moved into the room. He saw Mackenzie smile up at him as he approached her.
"You're late." She pointed out.
"I can't apologize enough. We got a shipment into the store last minute and I had to stay."
"Store?" Mackenzie asked, looking at him with a funny sort of expression.
"I own a joke shop with Fred." He sat beside her, placing a hand to her lower back.
Both felt the chill go through them as their skin touched once more.
"The things you learn about people." Mackenzie mentioned.
"Are you surprised?"
"A bit." She replied.
George chuckled. "Well now that I'm here, would you like to take a walk Kenny?" George questioned, anxious to see her alone as his mum busied herself in and out of the room.
Mackenzie smirked, understanding the reasons behind his question. "Sure. I'd love it." She thanked the still busied woman for the tea, taking George's hand, allowing him to lead her away.
The two walked hand in hand out the backdoor and into the afternoon air. The sun was high and bright, giving the sky a polished shine in its color.
"Which way?" Mackenzie asked as they walked down a short set of steps.
"This way." George said, pulling her to the left, in the direction of what appeared to be a large forest. Tall dark trees lined the border and there was nothing inviting or friendly about it.
"No way. Nuh-uh." She protested, trying to pull her hand from his. "You're not taking me in there."
"Is Ms. Mackenzie Chase afraid of a few trees?" George joked with her.
Mackenzie scoffed, hiding any fear she did have. "No. I'm afraid of the big scary dark trees, hiding the big scary animals."
George sensed her fear. "Fine. Why don't we go flying instead."
"What?"
"Flying." He repeated. "I'll take you flying."
Mackenzie scoffed. "Don't tell me that the old stories of witches flying on broomsticks are true too." She kept walking.
"Wizards too."
She nodded. "In that case, I think I'll take my chances with the dark scary forest."
"So that's a definite no on the flying then."
"Yup."
"We'll fly next time."
"No we won't."
"Why not?" George questioned her.
"Scared of heights." Mackenzie admitted to him.
"Oh."
George stopped her from walking, bringing her to stand in front of him, forcing her to make eye contact again, to face the truth, the future, her future. Magic existed. And she was afraid to accept it. He would have to show her. He'd be a tutor of sorts. He liked the idea of being the one to evoke more than just one type of passion from her.
"Perhaps we'll save both of these activities for another day then. "Why don't we go into Diagon Alley. I can show you my shop."
Mackenzie gave a funny expression. "If we're not staying around here, why ask to meet up here at your parents…"
"Neutral territory." George replied, pulling her hand as they moved back towards the opposite side of the house. "You don't know how to apparate and I couldn't very well ask you to meet me in Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley yet."
"Where?"
"Exactly." He said, arriving at a random out of the way, empty spot on the path they'd taken. They'd stopped just off side of the property.
"Grab hold of my waist and hold tight."
Mackenzie did as he requested, but not without question first. "What are you doing?"
George sighed. "Just trust me." He offered, his eyes gazing over to hers.
What choice did she have? She slid her arms slowly around his waist, watching him close his eyes and breathe in deep as she made contact to him. Mackenzie smiled to herself once again.
Before she knew what had happened, her eyes closed when she felt a tingling sensation run through her body. She grabbed tighter to George's body. The next thing she knew, the feeling was replaced with a dizzying feeling. Her knees gave out, but before she hit the ground a pair of strong arms caught her and were lifting her up.
"Everyone has trouble their first time." George told her, setting her onto a bench, off to the side of where they'd arrived.
"What happened?" She looked around. "And where are we?" Mackenzie did not recognize any of her surroundings again. "How in the hell did we get here?"
"We're in Diagon Alley. We apparated." George winced. "Magically, "he explained. "we sort of jumped through a line of travel. It's hard to explain really. You'll learn to understand it more."
"Well you had better start explaining." She demanded, touching a hand to her head.
"I'll get you some water. Just stay right here."
Mackenzie shook her head vigorously. "No." She stood. "I'm fine. You're not leaving me alone right here."
George nodded hesitantly, taking her hand in his. The two began to walk, soon coming upon a small village.
"Welcome to Diagon Alley Kenny."
"Stores?"
"Yes." George nodded.
"Shopping?"
"Of course."
Mackenzie smiled as they walked past the shops lining the streets. It all seemed so normal from the outside, and still not so normal. It wasn't an intimidating place at all. There were tiny shops that sold small trinkets, shops that sold larger items, even clothing shops, and lines of people walking the streets, moving in and out of all of the shops. She held tight to George's hand before letting go. She gave him a look so mischievous, it rivaled his own when he considered getting into any sort of trouble.
"Wanna play a game?"
"What kind of game?" George asked as she faced him, walking backwards.
"Hide and Seek. I hide. You seek." With that explained, Mackenzie winked, turned, and shot off down the path ahead of her.
"Kenny, you don't know where you're going. You're going to get yourself lost."
"Then I guess you'll have to find me quickly." She teased, calling back to him as she kept moving through crowds of people.
"You're going to be in trouble when I find you young lady." George teased back.
"Ohh." She called. "I'm shaking."
"Taunting only gets you into more trouble."
George heard no comments returned after that so he set ahead to find her.
Mackenzie realized all too soon that she really had not thought through her decision to get lost as she now found herself very lost. She turned to her right and then her left. Just shops. Both shops she saw to her right and left looked relatively the same. The one to her right was closed She gave it no interest. The shop to her left looked like a bookshop. She smiled, ducking in quickly before being found.
She was right. It was a bookshop. It looked full of both old and new books. Some had pictures that moved. She stayed clear of those. Looking down each corridor of books, she smiled again, coming across a section of books pertaining to law. As she had begun to study law before her mother had died, it was still of special interest to her. She perused each book, before taking one from a shelf to read. She instantly found that the law she had begun to study only slightly differed from what she referred to as 'magical law'. Both had their differences, but when it came down to it, the law was the law, and the bad guys were punished for breaking the laws.
She looked around for a place to sit, not finding anything but a stone wall in front of her, blocking off the opposite end of the corridor. She walked up and placed a hand to it. She froze when she heard a book snap shut behind her.
"Well if it isn't Ms. Mackenzie Chase herself, in the flesh." An icy voice said from behind her.
Mackenzie turned, closing her own book, replacing it to a nearby shelf.
"Do I know you?" She asked, her tone just as superior and arrogant.
"No. But I'm sure you'll want to."
She laughed, still looking for another response.
The man blinked, showing the reserve of his stare. "Forgive me. I'm Draco Malfoy." He advanced his step towards her, backing her up further. His eyes were fixed on her and only her. He knew who she was the minute she'd stepped foot into the shop and he'd seen her. She was the most beautiful woman in the village today and he wanted nothing more than to have her in his life and on his arm.
"Wow." Mackenzie took note of everything about him. "You are arrogant and full of yourself. Just the kinds of traits I look for in a…" her sentence was cut off by Draco coming within inches of her, still advancing, still causing her to step back, closing the already small gap between them.
"So you like it then?" His gaze on her was fierce. His stone silver eyes darkening with obvious intention by the second.
"As I was saying," Mackenzie went on. "Just the traits I look for in my friends. So long as you're not overly so. That's my job." Her hand found the center of his chest and pushed him away.
"Malfoy doesn't have friends." The two heard another voice speak as they separated.
Mackenzie saw George and smiled at him before turning her eyes back to Draco. "Then perhaps it is time that he changed that. One always needs friends in their lives. "
Draco looked from Mackenzie to George and smiled. He knew that at the very least, a friendship with the woman would prove beneficial not only for his professional life, but also for personal reasons, as it would greatly agitate the red head who looked at Mackenzie with desire and a foolish sense of triumph. And it didn't hurt that there were plans in Mackenzie's life that would soon come to deeply and emotionally injure and possibly scar the former Gryffindor. Plans that Draco's knew about, but could not speak about yet. Plans that had been set into motion shortly after the Minister's succession to this new seat of power.
"I can't see the harm in befriending such a beautiful woman." He winked at Mackenzie, trailing his index finger down the side of her face.
She smiled. "Great." She moved away from Draco. "We'll see you around Draco." She reached George, placing an arm around his waist as the two walked away.
The two exited Flourish & Blott's, and were hit with a blast of cold air.
"Oly Oly Oxen Free." Mackenzie whispered loud enough for only the two to hear, not looking at George yet. She could tell he was smiling.
"I did find you." He moved behind her, pulling her back to him as they stopped walking, his arms wrapping her waist.
"Whatever will you do with me?"
"I've a few possibilities." He whispered over her skin as his mouth traveled across her neck, unaware that they were being watched.
"Do tell. What kind of possibilities?" Mackenzie inquired, turning around to stand face to face with him.
George opened his mouth to answer her question, but stopped when his name was rather loudly shouted by a group of seven men standing across the street path. George turned around to see his brothers Fred and Ron, Harry, Neville, Seamus, Dean, and Blaise Zabini all waving. George grasped hold of Mackenzie's hand and moved across the street to the group of men, who all eyed Mackenzie for several quiet seconds before speaking up.
"Hello again Kenny." Fred greeted her with a kiss to the cheek.
"Hello Fred." She greeted him in return. "I assume that you're going to introduce your friends to me instead of allowing them to stand there speechless." She motioned her hand.
"Sorry." Both Fred and George apologized. "Kenny, this is my brother Ron." George began. "This is my brother-in-law Harry Potter, and our friends, Neville Longbottom, Seamus Finnegan, Dean Thomas, and Blaise Zabini."
"Nice to meet you all." Mackenzie said.
"Kenny? That's an interesting name for a girl." Ron spoke.
"Yes it is." Mackenzie returned.
There was an arm that was then thrown around her shoulder. An arm that was not George's.
"Is it short for something special?" Seamus asked, his arm around her, gaining death glares from George.
"It's short for Mackenzie."
She rose her eyebrows slightly when Blaise turned to her with a funny expression.
"Mackenzie?" Blaise asked.
"Yes."
Blaise shook his head. "You don't mean Mackenzie Chase. Do you? The Minister's daughter?"
"One in the same." Mackenzie smiled. "It seems many know me already."
"You're the Minister's only daughter. You're one of the highest public figures in the wizarding world." Harry turned his head around to speak to her. "Plus there aren't many girls that we know with the name Mackenzie."
"Yes." Harry knows all about being high up on the political and revered public figure chain." Ron stated before George pulled him from conversation.
"How about we go and grab a few drinks." Fred suggested to the group, seeing his brothers frustration in Ron.
The men and Mackenzie all agreed.
"What is the matter with you?" Ron quietly voiced as the group walked ahead of them.
George sighed. "She's lived a muggle life until recently. There are things she doesn't know about yet. She's just come to know that she has magical powers and that all of this is possible. I don't want to see her terrorized by finding out from you, everything that happened before and during the war. There are things she shouldn't learn from us." He explained.
Ron smiled. "You fancy her. " He accused. "At least I assume that is the reason for this sudden desire to protect her from everything evil in the world."
"Shut up." George warned.
"I think it's great." Ron continued. "I mean after the fiasco with Angelina…"
"I said shut up Ron." George said again before entering the bar to join his friends.
As he entered the Leaky Cauldron, he stood for a minute or two admiring the beauty in her as she laughed and joked so easily with the men around her. She had instantly adapted and made it easy for him to rediscover everything good that had once flowed through him. He walked over to the table that was occupied by the group. He leaned down to Mackenzie and whispered into her ear.
"I have to stop into a shop across the way. Will you be alright here for the next five minutes?"
Her eyes turned up to meet his.
"I'm sure I'll be just fine." She smiled again as he leaned down to kiss her, hearing all of the men awe and holler shouts and calls to embarrass the pair.
Mackenzie watched his cheeks turn a light shade of pink as he straightened. He winked at her before leaving once again.
He was halfway out the door before he realized he'd just left a beautiful and intoxicating woman in the care of his male friends and brothers. There was no telling what they would say to her. Hoping that anything they said would be good, he pressed on, making his way out the door, and across the still crowded street.
The store he entered was one he'd not entered into over the past six or seven months. Not because he'd had no reason to do so, but more so just for the fact that it only brought about heartbreaking memories. It smelled the same. Every flower that littered the shop mixed together to produce a fascinating and compulsory scent through the room.
His eyes scanned over the rows of roses, orchids, and exotic flowers. He searched for something specific, hoping to find it here. His fingers grazed over the jasmine that settled in full bloom. Finally, he saw them. They were the only flowers in this shop that had ever held any true interest to him. To the untrained eye, despite the magical charm placed on them, they would seem to be the simplest of flower, but hidden in them, George found a friendliness to them. He stopped at the flowers that he had wanted to buy, gathering up three bunches. They were never the flowers he'd ever thought to buy for any other woman in his life. He knew that there had not to this point been anyone who could appreciate the unique structure that they held. Angelina had always liked roses, sticking to the norm of society. He paid for the flowers and had intended to take them straight back to where he'd so carelessly left Mackenzie. He had only been detained when an all too recognizable voice spoke from his left side as he exited the flower shop.
"So, I see you've moved on."
George froze in place. Her voice was like a freezing wind that now disturbed him.
"George."
He turned to look at her.
"Angelina." He acknowledged her. "What are you doing here?"
"I saw you run into the flower shop and I followed, hoping we could talk."
George crossed his arms. "What could you possibly want to talk about Ang?"
"Us." She nervously mentioned.
"There is no us."
"Yes. I saw you earlier with that girl."
"You're spying on me?"
"No. But with our history, I think I have the right to…"
George stopped her. "You lost any rights and privileges to my life when you left me."
"I'm trying to apologize for that George."
"Don't bother." George firmly told her. "You left me for another man. Why not go and bother him?"
"We've split up."
"Serves you right."
"When did you become so cruel?"
"I'm not cruel Ang. Just hurt."
"I can help that." Her voice became softer than it had been. A whisper. She walked closer to him.
"Are you expecting to evoke sympathy from me?" He stood back.
She touched his arm lightly. "Time heals all wounds."
George recoiled his arm. "And I've moved on to find someone I'm willing to let help me heal those wounds."
Angelina nodded with a look of distaste.
"So, who is she?"
"None of your concern." He began to turn to walk away.
"I'm sorry." Angelina called, causing the man to stop and turn again.
"No bother. But I should get these to Mackenzie." He motioned to the flowers in his hands.
"Mackenzie?" Angelina now looked floored. "That is Mackenzie Chase? The Minister's daughter?"
George didn't answer her question directly.
"I have a group of friends I should get back to." George said, walking away this time for good. He felt a weight lift from him that very moment. He had only just realized how over the dramatic past events he was. It felt good. It felt…right.
He happily returned to the Leaky Cauldron with a renewed sense of himself. When he saw her, she was in the same spot, but now laughing hysterically. He walked over and hid the flowers behind his back.
Sensing his presence, Mackenzie turned to see George walking up to her. She stood, holding her hand out for his. He took her hand in his empty one before revealing the flowers from behind him.
Mackenzie stared in disbelief at the flowers that changed colors every few seconds.
"Enchanted flowers. I didn't want to frighten you, but they are enchanted to change color until you choose a permanent color."
"They're great." She eyed him. "But how did you know that daisies were my favorite flower?" She took in the scent of them and grinned.
"I didn't." George told her. "I just think that these are a fun way to surprise someone."
"I agree." Mackenzie added.
"Wow." Ron said from beside the pair. "I didn't buy Hermione flowers until our second date. You must really like this girl George."
George turned with both irritation and embarrassment in his eyes. "Perhaps your inability to buy a woman flowers until you're dating her is why your wife refused your first proposal of marriage."
"This has been a great afternoon." Mackenzie spoke. "But I think I should be getting back home before my father worries."
The group of men said goodbye to her, gaining multiple promises of near future meetings.
As the two stepped out of the crowded bar, the air hit Mackenzie quick, sending a chill through her. George took her hand in his, launching a shot of warmth back through her body.
The walk back down the street, passing now overcrowded shops and groups of witches and wizards alike standing about, was a quiet one as Mackenzie considered how exactly to approach George about the questions in her head over a troubling topic discussed between Seamus and Ron in the bar after George had temporarily departed from her.
She had noticed the slight change in his demeanor almost immediately as he'd returned. The modified look in his eyes. The lowered tone in his voice. Something was different. That however was not what she would attempt to question him about yet. No. Now she felt an overwhelming need to examine the security of her new living circumstances. Her own voice lowered to a whisper.
"George?"
"Yes Ken?"
She breathed in, uncertain of how to properly word her doubts. Her approach was a difficult one because of the lack of any good she had heard over the sensitive topic.
"I sort of have a question."
George rose an eyebrow as he looked down at her walking beside him. "Well I suppose if you sort of have a question, I sort of have an answer." He played.
Mackenzie met his eyes and smiled. "Very funny."
"Glad you think so. What is your question?"
"Well, " Mackenzie was stopped short of asking immediately as the two were aparrated back to the burrow.
"I'm sorry." George apologized for his interruption, placing his arms fully around her in case she caught another spell of dizziness. "What is your question?"
The two started to walk again.
"I was wondering if you could tell me what a…" she tried to recall the name used by her father, then Ron and Seamus. "A dead eater…death creator… No…" She thought hard about the name that had been used.
"Death eater?" George asked her, hesitating as he said the words.
"Yes." She exclaimed. "I was wondering if you could tell me what it is. And I want to know if you would explain why there was a war here and what happened."
George pulled his arm around Mackenzie, bringing her closer to him as they reached the front door. "I think maybe we should sit down for this discussion." He opened the front door and allowed her to enter. As they walked in, Mackenzie heard George sigh heavily before clearing his throat in a way that spelled trouble and unrest.
"Oh dear." Mackenzie worried as they sat beside each other in an empty room. "Perhaps I shouldn't have brought this up. It's just that after Ron began talking about it, I became curious. I think I had too many questions for him. I…"
"Ron spoke about these things to you?" George interrupted, his voice becoming a deeper tone once more.
"Yes. But he said that if I had so many questions, I should ask you." She had watched the expressions of his face go from a deepening passion just before they had arrived at the burrow, to a look of worry, and what now seemed like disappointment and sadness.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked yet. I shouldn't have brought it up."
George saw the uneasiness in her. He felt the fear in the reaction of her questions taking him over. His hand reached out to hers. He ran his thumb over her hand as it rested in his.
"No Kenny. It's nothing you've done or said. Just for future reference, you can ask me anything any time. It is perfectly natural for you to be curious about this stuff, and I understand the need to know more of this world and the power it holds." He paused as he felt her relax.
"I knew you would find out about all of this sooner or later, but to be honest I hoped it'd be later rather than sooner. I asked Ron not to frighten you with the subject."
"George?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm not a porcelain doll sweetheart." She took her hand from his, placing it to the back of his neck, trailing her fingers over his skin.
"Clearly." Was all he could manage to say as he swallowed hard, feeling the attraction the two held bringing him closer and closer to a breaking point.
George knew that things between them either had to move forward or it would all come to a screaming halt. Something had changed in him over the period of time that he had been spending time with Mackenzie. A switch had been flipped. A light had begun to shine once again. The second he and Mackenzie had begun spending their time together, he was becoming a different man. He wasn't in love…yet. But through all of his transformations, he wondered secretly if the two were spiraling too far down into an abyss of whatever this was between them too rapidly.
Mackenzie then moved her hand through the back of his hair, causing an electric shock down his spine. Her movements continued to run the shock through his entire body.
Before he had completely registered what she could do to him, he found himself bringing Mackenzie's body to his. Their movements were amazingly in sync with one another. The two bodies had effortlessly moved into a position that created the horizontal position they'd taken to.
Getting lost in the euphoric feeling in her as George's mouth caught hers momentarily before moving smoothly over the skin of her neck and shoulders, Mackenzie was near a point to losing herself completely into this man. But she wondered if they'd gone too far. Could they back to the point where they had the opportunity to be more than friends but not simply shagging partners. It wasn't as if she was in love with the man, but her feelings for him were beginning to grow. She feared he didn't feel the same way and only looked for what they had now. Physical contact. There was no need to voice her feelings and concerns however. They were still friends. He was nonetheless someone, if the only someone here that she could confess herself to. And besides, if George had wanted more from her, she was sure he'd have asked by now.
The pair were interrupted by the clearing of a throat, someone standing in the doorway of the room they occupied.
"Alright. Alright." A male voice said from the doorway. "Anyone involved in any type of snogging or touching in this room will stop this minute."
George released Mackenzie from his hold. As discreetly as possible, he sat up, bringing her up with him as she straightened her clothing and made herself look presentable once more.
"Sorry to interrupt." Fred genuinely apologized. "But there are now quite a few family members roaming through the house. I didn't figure you'd appreciate having what I assume was the beginning of an intimate liaison interrupted by such an intrusive lot."
"Thanks." George derisively replied.
Mackenzie nodded as she stood.
"I should be going anyway." She told the men. "George we will finish our discussion later?"
"Of course." He said, unable to refuse her.
"Much as I'm sure you'd like to escape now," Fred spoke. "I don't think that will happen without running into the family."
George agreed. "Perhaps we should say hello then."
"Absolutely." Mackenzie consented, following Fred with George in tow of her. The three reached the kitchen to see Molly and Arthur doting over Hermione and Ron, as Harry and Ginny sat at the table across from them.
"Hello everyone." George entered, taking Mackenzie's hand. He hugged his sister and Hermione both before introducing them to the woman at his side.
George stood behind Mackenzie, his arms wrapping around her as the inquisition began. He wasn't sure either were ready for the storm of inquiries yet, but stood ready.
"So, are you two dating?" Ginny questioned , a hopefulness in her eyes, and in her question.
"That depends on your definition of dating." Fred joked, gaining a disapproving look from his brother.
Neither George nor Mackenzie responded for a few seconds. They looked at each other in question as neither had approached the topic yet.
"I don't really know." George said, his eyes still on Mackenzie.
She smiled up at him. "We are taking things slow. We're still getting to know each other."
"Slow?" Fred spoke up.
"Shut up." George cautioned.
"Something we should know?" Harry asked.
"No." All three elusively answered.
"Well," Ginny broke into the conversation again. "Whatever the case, I'm happy to see you looking happy." She told her brother.
The rest agreed, giving Mackenzie the distinct impression that something dreadful had happened to George's life before her arrival. She knew she couldn't question him though. She knew that when ready, he would come to her.
"I think I will take Kenny home." George suggested. "Come on." He offered his hand to her. "I'll aparrate you to the outside of your manor."
The two said goodbye and left hand in hand.