CHAPTER 22
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey gang, I'm sorry it took me longer to update with this chapter. I got a nutty case of writer's block. I knew how I wanted this chapter to go, but forming it and getting it written took me longer than I had expected.
Mackenzie stood impatiently tapping her foot, filling out paperwork, swearing oaths, and receiving dirty looks every few seconds in the Ministry's Department of Law Enforcement, just a stone's throw away from the Minister's office where her father was spending his own day fielding questions, and dodging "journalists" and photographers outside his doors. That was a door Mackenzie would unfortunately need to also stay clear of today. She had enough trouble fighting off those who had waited and continued to wait for her outside of the building. She hated the invasion of privacy it had caused her and her family, but she along with those closest to her never faltered in defending George and Mackenzie.
She had arrived at the Ministry at five-thirty, a half hour before she was scheduled to meet with Wizengamot Elder, Tiberius Ogden, inside the Ministry's law offices, in the Department of International Magical Cooperation, where her case was explained in significant detail to her. It was explained in such detail that it made her feel like a three year old being told how to color inside the lines of a simple picture. She mentally admitted that it was beginning to really set off her nerves. Tiberius had left her to sign the final pieces of a contract giving her acquiescence to officially speak on behalf of herself and George.
She was completely emersed in her aggravation, her arms crossed over her chest, waiting to give back the paperwork when a cold sadness and suffering emotions she hadn't experienced since her mother's death, overtook her. She could feel nothing more than the ache of her emotions ripping through her body. She wanted to scream out loud and fall to her knees. She stayed sat at the desk across from the Wizengamot official's chair. She feared moving as it might tear her apart further. Just before the feelings were starting to dissipate, she felt the three figures cross the corridor outside of the office. She saw them out of the corner of her eye. Before the feelings totally disappeared, she whipped her body around. What she saw made her stop cold in her thoughts and actions. She watched cautiously as three floating dark figures passed by, held in a line by some sort of magical binding. Without thinking, she grabbed her purse and darted out the door, following behind the morose figures, keeping just enough distance to not experience again the full force of her own personal loss and despondency. She followed until they stopped outside of another door. She gasped when she saw the figures turn toward the door as it slowly opened. Inside the room, there were probably dozens of the same creatures. She wanted to know what they were. Her curiosity got the best of her as the monstrous creatures entered into the room with grace and fluidity.
The cold disappeared once the door closed tightly, locking behind. Mackenzie went to the door, standing a foot or so away. She placed her palm onto the door. This time, the entire magacosm of responsive emotions, including those she had never publicly or privately acknowledged over her mother's death, and every other damaging, contrite thing she'd ever done, said, or experienced, pressed through to her core. She immediately removed her hand from the door, holding it closed to her chest. Clearly this was a magical protection put to the door, possibly the room by these creatures and the Ministry to keep people out. These things were quite powerful.
Mackenzie's body and her emotions returned to normal and now again, she couldn't resist the pull to try again. She wanted to see them again. She'd never been much of a masochist, but with her life spinning out of its usual control these days, and the onslaught of trouble she had caused others and herself, the desire to test more boundaries would not fade. She hesitated only briefly before her hand reached out towards the door handle. Her fingers were nearly touching the metallic handle when she jumped back at the sound of her name being called.
"Mackenzie!" Her name was called from across the Ministry hallway.
She spun around to see Angelina Johnson walking toward her, a large box held in her arms.
"Angelina." Mackenzie walked to the girl, helping her to set the box to the floor temporarily. She looked inside the open box to see a few personal work supplies and items.
"Daddy told me that you had been fired. I'm sorry."
Angelina shrugged. "It was always my choice to help you and George out. I don't have any real regrets."
"Just the same."
"Is George here with you?" Angelina asked in earnest curiosity.
Mackenzie shook her head. "Just me. I had some paperwork to fill out before the hearing this afternoon. George is at home waiting with everyone else. I was waiting for Tiberius to return to his office when…" she paused to look over to the door she had been standing outside of. "I saw these …things…these creatures going down the hall here. They floated, glided into that room there." She pointed. "I've never seen anything like them. There is no way into the room, but I wish I knew what they were."
Angelina looked over at the door, and then back at Mackenzie. "Mackenzie, that's a high level security room. No one is allowed in there. That's where they keep Dementors before Wizengamot hearings. They're mostly used for intimidation, but occasionally, those found guilty are taken into Dementor custody and carted off to Azkaban."
"Those are the Dementors?" Mackenzie said, wonder in her questioning tone. "Wow. They're fascinating." She spoke as if she hadn't heard much of what Angelina said.
"Mackenzie." Her name was called out again as the two women stood, still silent.
Mackenzie shook her head, coming out of the trance she had been in. She turned to see her brother-in-law walking quick paced up to her.
"Harry." She smiled, hugging him as he reached her. "What are you doing here?"
"I work here." He facetiously reinformed his sister. "Is everything alright? Why are you here so early?" He temporarily ignored the fact that Angelina was standing directly beside him.
Mackenzie explained her reasons for being caught inside the Ministry so early, and felt relieved when Harry offered to be late for work in order to escort her back home to George, and the safe confines of her home before the preliminary hearing she had yet to face.
"Let's go." Harry pulled an arm around her.
"Bye Angelina." Mackenzie waved before walking off with Harry. She noticed the condemning look on Harry's face as she spoke to the other woman.
"You are aware that Angelina Johnson is the reason your husband lost control of his life before you came into his life." Harry approached.
"I'm well aware Harry." Mackenzie informed him. "Don't worry. I know all about their past and their present. George and I are extremely aware of any consequences in talking to her."
"Just so you know."
Mackenzie told Harry all about the Dementors and what she'd felt in great detail. Harry first worried about her curiosity of the Dementors, but then remembered that she'd never seen them until today. He listened before telling her of his experiences too, being quite careful not to frighten her with details. She stayed enthralled by them. The two smiled at each other and walked to the nearest floo to get to Grimmauld Place, in order to get to Mackenzie's home as less than a handful of locations were connected.
The two arrived to Harry's home just in time to see both Hermione and Ginny cuddling and cooing over the newest tiniest addition to the Weasley family.
"How is the baby?" Mackenzie questioned, stepping out of the fireplace, out of Harry's hold.
"Kenny!" The girls quietly but excitedly spoke, surprised to see her or Harry.
"He's wonderful." Hermione said as Mackenzie greeted her and sat down beside her.
"I thought you were going into work earlier to get work done quicker." Ginny whispered to her husband.
Harry greeted his wife with a kiss. "I was, and then I ran into Mackenzie. I saw what was waiting for her outside of the Ministry. I didn't think she should have to walk through it all."
"Then you are a thoughtful brother-in-law." Ginny finished, moving back to the baby.
Hermione had gone into labor and delivered a healthy beautiful baby boy with Ron, who managed to not pass out as his son was brought into the world. The proud parents welcomed Hugo James Weasley into the world just after midnight. The two were happier than ever, causing the rest of their family to relax and be happy, if only for the moment.
"Will George be missing you?" Ginny casually asked.
"Probably." Mackenzie answered. "But I certainly couldn't resist stepping in to say hello. Ron and Fred are home with George now, so I thought it also might be nice to give them some Weasley brother time."
"Not the smartest idea Kenny." Hermione spoke. "Those three get into more trouble than they're worth when they're together."
"Yes, but George knows better." Mackenzie answered.
"True." Ginny spoke. "He has seemed a bit more under control since he married you."
"What's your secret?" Both asked.
Hermione shifted slightly. "I've been trying to get Ron to behave better for years now. You turned one of the twins into putty in your hand. I thought that was an impossible accomplishment."
"Don't know what the secret is, but I'm certainly glad I have accomplished the impossible with my husband. Now maybe Lilah can work on Fred." She winked at the two women.
"Is Fred seeing Lilah?" Ginny asked.
Mackenzie nodded and smirked.
"I knew it. I knew there was something he wasn't telling us."
"Speaking of Fred and George." Mackenzie stood. "I should get back to my husband before we have to appear back at the Ministry." She said goodbye to the two.
"And I'll be back off to work as well." Harry stated. "Kenny, I'll send a few Aurors over to you and George before the hearing so that you don't have to run through the mess outside again."
"Thanks Har." She hugged him, and stepped into the fireplace as he offered for her to go first.
Within seconds she was gone from Grimmauld Place and back home to see three brothers sitting nicely in the kitchen, talking and laughing with each other.
"Hello." She said, stepping out of the fireplace, setting her bag onto a nearby table.
The three men turned to where she moved to them. They all smiled and greeted her. George kissed her as passionately as was allowed with his brothers in attendance.
"How did it all go?" He asked his wife.
"Smashing." She sarcastically told him. "I met with Tiberius Ogden who treated me like a toddler, had me fill out the proper forms, and then left me to wait . He never showed back up, so I ended up following a few Dementors down the hall." She informed the men, quickly changing the subject when she saw the looks of horror and concern cross their faces. "I also stopped into Grimmauld Place just now. Ron, Hugo is so very handsome. Hermione is looking well too."
"Kenny." George interrupted her. "What do you mean you followed Dementors down the hall? They're dangerous. You could've been hurt or…worse." He admonished her.
"I didn't get that close. I was just…curious. They're sort of…fascinating."
"Fascinating!" Ron bellowed. He turned to George. "Your wife is going bonkers."
"Ken." Fred calmly spoke to his sister. "Fascinating is not a word most normal people use when describing the Dementors. Are you sure the stress of having to defend yourself in court isn't getting to you?"
"I'm just fine." She assured the men. "I've never seen one and when daddy described them, he wasn't very detailed in their abilities or their features."
"Ken, please promise me that you won't do anything like going to get a closer look at them." George pleaded, knowing his wife well enough to know her curiosity. "Please. I'm not willing to lose you, and if you knew what they do, I don't think you'd be so fascinated by them."
"Daddy already told me what they do. I think it's appalling, but it doesn't lessen the…"
"Please Kens." George offered again.
Mackenzie looked into her husband's eyes. "You have my word. "
George pulled her to him, holding her in place against him until his brothers made blatant coughing noises. The couple turned and smiled. The three men went on talking as Mackenzie pulled away from George to rummage through the kitchen, looking for nothing in particular.
"What's this?" She questioned, coming across a magazine of sorts sitting on the countertop. She picked it up and turned it over in her hands.
"Don't worry about that wasted rag." Ron said. "Bunch of nonsense if you ask me."
"It's the Quibbler." Fred told her. "The Lovegood's put it out. Ron is right though. Most of it is nonsense."
"Nonsense perhaps." Mackenzie mentioned, now flipping through a few pages. "And perhaps not. Look here." She pointed out a headline and paragraph section to George.
George took the magazine in hand, humoring his wife. When he read, his eyes went wide and he nodded his head.
"Do you think this would help us?"
"Not today." She told him. "But if this travesty goes any farther, it might. I don't see what it could hurt."
The couple was in agreement as Fred took the pages from his brother and read, Ron moving to read over his shoulder.
"You're a genius Kenny." Fred told her.
She smiled. "Tell me something I don't know."
"Nargles and Crumple-Horned Snorkacks are currently seeking to destroy those who are out to hide the truth." Ron told her.
Mackenzie looked at him like he had bugs flying out of his ears. "What? Ron I think you need a nap. Fatherhood cannot already be taking its toll on you."
He and Fred laughed, showing her the paper. "That's a good reason why we don't read this rubbish."
Mackenzie laughed.
"Speaking of fatherhood," Ron said. "I should be getting along. I have a week off of work with Hermione now on maternity leave. I'm spending as much time as I can with him."
"I'll go with you." Fred offered. "I'd love another chance to see my nephew."
"Why don't we all go. It'll give us a chance to focus on more important things." George suggested.
Mackenzie denied the offer. "You boys go on ahead. I want to be sure I'm prepared and ready for anything thrown at us this afternoon."
The men hugged her, George kissed her again, and left her to her own vices, knowing she would give him no other choice. When she studied, she liked her space, and George respected that. Her wish was after all, his command.
"I won't be long." He promised quietly in her ear. "I love you."
"I love you too." She whispered back, laughing as he tickled her neck with his mouth. "Be back soon."
"As soon as he starts whining about how much he misses you, he'll be back, because I'm kicking him out." Fred joked.
"Then I may as well not go at all."
Fred and Ron grabbed hold of their brother, laughing as they all left Mackenzie alone.
Once on her own, Mackenzie breathed in the quiet she had not heard in days. It was peaceful. She was well into developing a proper and successful defense for her and George when she swore she had heard something crash outside of her home. She knew that no one could possibly find her home, but still she worried. George wouldn't be outside, and neither would anyone else in her family. She wasn't about to step foot outside, so she continued writing and reading through a stack of books. She kept her wand at her side. It wasn't long before she heard a loud bang of noise. But this time however, the noise came from indoors. Was someone or something in her house? It was impossible.
"George?" She called out. "Fred? Ron?"
She stood up from where she sat on the Living room floor, and turned. She walked cautiously through the house, her wand drawn and ready. She had checked each room and found nothing. That worried her even more. She was all for horror movies where the axe murderer wandered through the house, intent on killing the misbehaving teenagers and such, but being on her own even in her own home, and hearing loud crashing noises did frighten her. She'd never understood the logic of characters in movies going to look for the monster or axe murderer, but now here she was, essentially doing the same thing. She rounded a final corner back into the living room, and crashed into a body. She screamed out until two arms grabbed hold of her, holding her to calm her fright.
"Ken, it's me." George spoke. "It's just me. What happened love? "
Mackenzie calmed down and breathed out. "Oh George. I'm so happy you're back. I heard something in the house and it scared me."
George backed away from her. "What do you mean you heard something in the house?"
"I mean exactly that." She said. "I thought it was in the kitchen, but I checked the house, and there is nothing."
He took his wife around the waist, keeping her at his side as he also searched the house.
"I may have imagined it, but I heard it outside first. It was a loud bang, sort of a crashing sound."
"You do not have that active an imagination sweetheart."
She looked offended for a moment before jumping onto his back, biting down on his ear lightly. "You don't think so? I'm sure I could come up with plenty of actively imaginable ideas."
"Alright." George surrendered, trying to get his arms behind him to grasp hold of her. "You're incredibly imaginative and active in that department."
She jumped down off of him, smirking as she turned him and found his mouth with hers.
"I only meant that I don't think you would imagine hearing something like that unless… I don't think in these current circumstances Ken that…"
"Alright George. I know what you meant." She kissed him again, moving swiftly to capture his neck.
George leaned back, enjoying where this was leading as her hands pulled on his shirt, removing it altogether in just seconds.
"As much as I can appreciate a good quickie as much as the next person love," George groaned. "We'll be late if we don't soon get ready and leave for the Ministry."
"You're no fun." Mackenzie sulked as she broke away from him.
"I'll be plenty of fun later tonight, when we've come through this hearing."
She straightened up and nodded her head. "Do you promise?"
George pulled her against him again. "I promise we can be as imaginative as possible for as long as we want tonight."
She agreed, but not before taking one more longer than necessary, passionate filled kiss from him.
"You will be the death of me woman." George said in protest.
"But what a way to go." Mackenzie winked, moving a few feet away from her most powerful temptation. She walked around the redhead as he attempted to reach out for her.
The two were changed and appeared ready for anything within the next forty minutes. They were met on time by two Aurors sent by Harry and Samuel to protect the couple for the media frenzy awaiting them. The pair took hands and stepped into their floo, going off to the Burrow this time. They were not held up when they arrived, flooing directly to the Ministry after that. Within seconds, the green smoke and fire disappeared and the two with Aurors in tow were met by an onslaught of flashes, questions, and unnecessarily rude comments. George shielded his wife, moving her along with him as the Aurors shielded both him and Mackenzie.
The group of people made a break down the long corridor with the crowd of what Mackenzie and Samuel had once referred to as "paparazzi" following behind.
"Mackenzie, George, this way!" The two heard Arthur Weasley beckon them from a room off to the side.
The two Aurors ushered the pair inside the room.
"You can get to the second floor from here. This is for emergencies such as this. I've never seen such commotion." Arthur revealed a set of stairs behind a door.
"Dad you're a lifesaver." George said.
Arthur placed a hand to the couple's shoulders, looking lovingly at his kids. "Good luck."
The two nodded and rushed through the door and up the staircase.
They were up the stairs in minutes, coming out of another door on the second floor. They were thankful not to be bombarded by cameras again, but knew it wouldn't last long. They hurried off to the room indicated to them on the request they were given to appear. Mackenzie stopped just before the couple continued down the final hallway. She wasn't sure she could face this now. She couldn't move as she saw him standing outside of the room. He looked so condescending and reproachful. She wasn't sure she could face him. Her dream had instantly turned into a nightmare. There outside of the hearing room, stood Draco Malfoy and his own attorney.
George kept hold of his wife's hand, coming back beside her. "It's okay Kenny. We can do this. "
She took a deep breath in and nodded before exhaling, forcing her feet and body to move forward.