New York at Noon ((Jack))

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack was excited, surprisingly. She and Jack were going to spend the whole weekend in New York with her Aunt. Any normal teen would be extremely upset about having their aunt along, but Mack's aunt would probably get drunk at pass out, leaving New York to be Mack's play land once again. Mack's family was originally from New York, and each year they went there for the weekend. Considering Mack was no longer part of the Holden family, she missed the trip and had to come with her aunt. Not that she was complaining.

She paced back and forth in front of the school, waiting for Jack to exit the castle so they could get on the train to London, where they would meet her aunt and go to New York from there. The wind swept by and blew Mack's pale blonde hair back, she had colored several strands of hair a dark green so she had a little flare to her usual image. She wore a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt that said, 'Nirvana' on it. She was hopelessly addicted.

The doors opened and her eyes filtered up, Jack was in the doorway. Mack smiled and ran over to him, she grabbed his hand and pulled him while talking, "C'mon we can't be late!"

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack had trouble getting out of the castle. He kept on running into people who wanted to talk to him. He knew Mack was waiting, so he picked up his pace, avoiding anyone that he could. Finally, he was outside and he felt the breeze hit his face. He had no time to relax, however, since Mack had grabbed his hand and was talking to him.

"Right," Jack said as he was being pulled by Mack. He wasn't sure what to think about this yet. On the good side of things, he was going to spend her weekend with Mack and her Aunt. He would get away from his father. Everything would be great. But, Jack couldn't help wondering what Mack's Aunt was like. Would she be like the other Holdens?

Jack smiled when he saw Mack's hair. Green, some of it.
"Nice hair!" He told her. He thought about his own messy brown hair, which was usually in an uncontrollable state. He was wearing a blue T-shirt labled "The Weird Sisters" and baggy jeans. He hoped Mack's Aunt wasn't a clean person that looked at appearences. Jack was just plain nervous about meeting Mack's Aunt. His father had never let him visit anyone elses family before. He had said that Jack could do that some other time. Now, Jack was so nervous he wasn't even watching where Mack was taking/dragging him.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack smiled, "Thanks! Wait, stop a sec." She pulled out her wand and tapped Jack's head. A few strands of hair turned green as well, "There! Now, I can return the compliment, nice hair!" She giggled and continued to drag him towards the carriage that was waiting for them. Once they were inside, thestrals sped off and took them to the stations. She pulled him out of there and hopped on the train, ready for anything that came.

"You'll adore my aunt! She's...well...she's a drunk. So she won't be following us the whole vacation. She is not like the rest of my family, she actually cares about me. And believe me, she'll love your shirt. However, she'll despise mine. She hates Nirvana." Mack told him as they settled down in an empty compartment. Mack giggled again and sighed as she caught her breath. She couldn't wait for this!

Mack loved New York, she loved the way it appeared to be busy when, if analysed, it really wasn't. Just in a time of it's own, is all. Dix didn't appreciate New York the way Mack did, which is probably why she hated the visits to New York. Though, London was busy, it was never as busy as New York; and maybe that was why Dix loved London. Maybe that was why, Mack hated it.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack grinned as Mack turned some of his hair green and started giggling.

"You're in a good mood," Jack commented, looking sideways at Mack. He had never seen her so excited. Questions about Mack's Aunt were still erupting in his head when Mack answered them for him. He let Mack drag him to the carrige and then to the train. He breathed a sigh of relief; Mack's Aunt sounded better than what Jack had expected.

"Your lucky to have an Aunt like that, even if she gets a little drunk." Jack said sourly. "My Aunts, they will yell at me whenever they get a chance. It's kind of like being in a yelling competition." He said, laughing a little himself. He was glad that her Aunt wouldn't be watching them all the time. It would just be nice to get to walk the streets of New York with Mack.....

The train started moving, slowly at first and then faster and faster. Jack watched the senery go by. He searched around for some sort of conversation, when his thoughts landed on Brooke.

"What did you think of that Brooke girl?" He asked Mack, even though he knew the answer.

[Mackenzie Holden]

"You think a lot about her don't you?" She asked, her good mood slipping between her fingers. Mack slouched down in her seat and crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze drifting out the window. Why did their weekend have to start off with her? Mack looked at Jack, her blue eyes crystal clear. She sighed and said, "You know what I think of her, Jack." She told him in a small voice.

Mack tried hard to keep her mind off the feelings she was feeling at the moment. She didn't want to get confused during this trip. She had enough of confusion for one year and she didn't need anymore. Mack looked back at Jack and studied him, then a thought occurred to her, "Don't tell me you like her, Jack." She whispered, her words haunting.

And as Mack hoped he would laugh and say she was completely off her rocker for thinking he could ever like that Ravenclaw, she knew deep down that there was always a possibility. She knew this, because she had hit that point deep down. She had hit the point where she could like a Ravenclaw, only because of how nice he was to her. And if Brooke could actually be nice, which would greatly surprise Mack, then there was a chance of Jack falling for her. And that wouldn't be good.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack grimaced as if he could feel Mack's good mood going away. He had asked the wrong question. Mack's voice didn't help either.

"Yeah, uh...sorry..." Jack said slowly, watching Mack carefully. Her question, however, made his mood change completley. He burst out laughing before he could stop himself. Him, like that stubborn ass Ravenclaw? He made himself stop laughing in case he had hurt Mack somehow.

"Of course not Mack! I thought you knew me better than that?" Jack said, his voice barely hiding his laughs. He didn't know why he was laughing; it just seemed funny to think about him and Brooke being together. "Believe me," Jack said, trying to comfort Mack more. "I wouldn't like someone like that. She thinks she is so much damn prettier than everyone. She's too boy crazy too. It's like she only goes for looks, not attitude, and to be truthful, that's what I hate about some people. They take one look at someone and then they make their decision." Jack shook his head. Some people were that stupid. "The sad thing is, I think she's after me." Jack said, his grin broader than ever. That girl didn't know him like Mack. Even Mack had never seen Jack's angry side. Jack always made a great effort to conceal it.

Jack looked at Mack, his blue eyes sparkling behind his brown hair. "I'm so glad you aren't like that Mack." He said quietly and then he looked around the compartment. "Enough about Davis." Jack said, waving his hand as if to stop all conversation about her.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack shook her head and looked down, slightly ashamed. She swore a blush rose to her cheeks. She laughed along with Jack and then sighed as if she was insane to think that. And yet, she somehow felt that she wasn't, and that it was just...her thoughts trailed off as she looked at Jack. One thing about him that made Mack smile were his eyes, so blue. Her own eyes were more grey then blue, but his were clear. She shook her bangs out of her eyes, and looked down at her feet.

"Now now now, don't say that just yet. I can be as stubborn as her if I wanted." She commented on him saying she wasn't like Brooke. Which, Mack was extremely thankful for. Just then the treat trolley came up and stopped in front of their compartment. Mack took out two galleons and looked at Jack, "Want something? I have more than enough Wizarding Money to spend, it's the muggle money I'm going to need for shopping." She said this as she was looking over all the treats, she finally chose a licorice wand and then looked at Jack waiting to see if he wanted anything.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack smiled as Mack went along with him.

"I noticed!" Jack told her about being stubborn. He was just joking, of course. Then the snack trolley came and he watched as Mack pulled out some gold. He smiled as a thanks. "I'll have a couldron cake if that's alright with you...." Jack said, trailing off. He didn't like it when other people payed for him. It made him feel as if he was asking to much and Mack taking him to New York was one of the best things that ever happened to him. The train seemed to be slowing down, they were almost there.

"Have you ever been to New York?"

[Mackenzie Holden]

"That's all?" She asked, slightly amazed, she shook her head and picked up two cauldron cakes, and a chocolate frog. She threw them to Jack and payed for the snacks, "Just pay me back in NYC. Kay?" She sat back down and bit into her licorice wand. Mack enjoyed the sweet, cherry taste of the candy on her tongue. Her tastebuds were going wild, and for once she was enjoying the luxurious, savoring, taste of the sugar. She was so deeply involved in the taste of her licorice wand, that she almost missed Jack's question about having been to New York before. Mack's smile grew and she nodded her head vigourisly.

"Yeah! My sister was actually born in New York. I can't even remember if I was born in New York. Every memory I have, is in London. Not New York. But, I go every year with my...parents." She faded on the last word. She hated talking about her parents, or even mentioning them, so she was starting to feel a little bit worse, but her mood brightened as she continued to think about New York, "Oh, but I love it! The busy streets and people! The glamour of it all! My sister hates it though, she likes dreary ole' London so much better. I don't know why," Mack rolled her eyes at this, "New York is just, a better place in every aspect."

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack reached into his pocket for money but then Mack said that he could pay her back in New York. He dropped his money back in his pocket and then smiled.

"Wow! You're really lucky to get to know new places." Jack said. He never got to go to new places. His father tried to keep him locked in the house. Not know though! Jack smiled and looked out the window yet again. They were starting to slow down even more, so Jack looked at Mack.

"Will your Aunt be there and will we leave at once? Or will we have to wait?" Jack couldn't help it; he had so many questions.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack smiled a small smile, "New places are no place like Hogwarts." She said in a small voice. Hogwarts was her true home, and no matter what new scenery she saw or new people she met; Hogwarts was where she was all the time. It's where her heart lay. The saying, home is where the heart is, was a total lie. School is where her heart was, and where she continued to keep it. She had four more years at that school, and she meant to keep it that way for as long as possible. And again, she was so absorbed in her thoughts, that she nearly missed Jack's question.

"Huh? Oh, she'll be there at the station. Then we're going to her house for dinner then at 10 we are taking a night flight to New York, but we won't be in New York we have to go to Manhattan then to New York. Once we reach New York, we'll be staying in the Plaza Hotel. It's really a great hotel, 5 stars. You'll like it. We are taking a suite, it's already reserved for us. Conjoined rooms. So no worries in the whole sleeping arrangements." Mack tried to explain, though getting lost in her own thoughts. She laughed lightly and finished her licorice wand. She grabbed her shoulderbag and put over her shoulder. The train stopped and she looked at Jack, "Ready?" She asked, her excitement boiling over.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack smiled. Hogwarts was his home too. He always thought that he didn't have a home, but now that Mack had brought it up, he now knew where he belonged. Hogwarts. He tried to listen to Mack's explaination, but his mind was exploding with thoughts. He was going to go to New York and be with Mack the whole weekend! He smiled a bit at the sleeping arrangement part.

"Sounds like we're going to be on the move!" Jack said with much enthusiasum. The train finally halted, and Jack jumped out of his seat. He followed Mack out the compartment door.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack left the compartment, but the corridors were so crowded that they should have just stayed in. She narrowed her eyebrows, looked at Jack and said, "Plug your ears." Then drawing in a big breath, she stood on her tippy toes, and sang the highest note she could. People dropped their luggage, and bent over to get away from the noise. Mack smiled and grabbed Jack's hand pulling him out the corridor and onto the platform. Unlike the ride there, it was quite sunny at the station and this made Mack smile.

"One...two...three!" She ran through the barrier and ended up on the other side. Facing a bunch of parents and gaurdians. She looked to the barrier, just as Jack came out. And didn't waste any time looking for her aunt. When she saw a piece of red hair she headed over, but stopped dead in her tracks. Skidding to stop in front of her aunt, yes, but her mother and father as well, "Uh oh." Mack breathed. Mr. Holden looked down at her through his glasses, then looked at Jack.

"Mackenzie." He said in that voice that made her flinch.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack was yet again dragged away by Mack. He didn't really mind. But when Mack sang that note, his head felt dizzy. "Why-" He started but he was pulled away. They went through the barrier. He felt Mack dragging him towards three people.

Suddenly, she stopped and Jack ran right into her. "What the-" yet again he never finished his sentence. Mack looked as if she had been sentenced to her death and a man had said her name as if he was angry. Jack looking from Mack to what he thought was Mr. and Mrs. Holden, he decided to get a little cocky.

"Hello," He said and bowed to the two parents as if they were a royal highness. "You must be Mack's parents. It's very pleasent to meet you at last." Jack paused and then added. "I'm Jack Rendel, sir, you might have heard of me. My father, Roger Rendel is in your aqquantince, I do believe. I have heard a lot about you from him and Mack, so it is very nice to meet you, like I said before." Jack held out his hand for Mr. Holden to shake. Then a sudden thought occered to him, what if Mack got in trouble for this?! He looked back at Mack, his eyes wide with fear for his friend.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack closed her eyes and hung her head, afraid of what was coming. Bracing herself for a box on the ears. When none came, she opened her eyes and looked at the group. Jack introduced himself, and for a brief moment she saw something in her father's eyes. Something like, acceptance. Mack's mouth opened partially. And if it wasn't open enough at the moment, when Derreck shook Jack's hand with a sincere smile on his lips, her mouth completely dropped open.

"Nice to meet you Jack, I do indeed know your father. Great man he is. I'm Derreck, and this is my wife Pam." Derreck's voice, it was...normal. Mack looked from her father to her friend in shock. She then felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked up to see the young face of her Aunt Mel. There was a reassuring squeaze on her shoulder, and Mack relaxed a bit.

"Hello, father...mother. What are you doing here?" She asked, still slightly afraid for her and Jack's good health. She wasn't expecting this. At all. She wasn't expecting her parents to be there as well. And she wondered if this was all a scam. All something Dixie pulled off to make her shake in her shoes. Then she realised, it wasn't.

"We wanted to see you off to New York, but Mel wouldn't let us come over later, so we just decided to come here as well." Pam answered. Mack nodded slowly and looked to Jack, her eyes telling him that this was unusual they were never like this. She looked back to her father, who looked at her with a steely gaze and she knew she was in for it later, "Well," Mel's voice broke the silence, "We must be going."

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack was still looking at Mack when he felt his hand being shook. He looked to see Mr. Holden shaking his hand. He listened to him, a forced smile on his face. Derreck made Roger Rendel out to be a great person. As if! Jack tried to make himself shape up, he knew if his father got word of his behavior, he would be hurting the rest of the summer. He nodded and smiled to the two of them and then turned to Mack's Aunt as she said it was time to go.

[Mackenzie Holden]

Mack opened her mouth to say something, but a cell phone went off. Pam held up her index finger and cliked open the flip phone. She walked away, talking hurriedly into the mic. Mack shrugged and looked at Jack, then quickly rolled her eyes as if to say 'yep that's my mum, the business woman. She suits it all. The cell. The look. And the witchy attitude.' She hoped he caught that. A minute later, Pam came back, "Derreck that was the realistate. They need me back at the office. I need you to drop me off." She looked at her husband, who nodded once. Pam smiled and hugged Mack, who awkwardly hugged her back.

Derreck did the same, only his hug came with a threat, "Don't ever pull a stunt like this again Mackenzie Sara or you will see true Hell. Am I clear?" He asked. His voice rough. Mack gulped and whispered back, "Crystal." She closed her eyes as he pulled away. Soon it was just Mel, Mack, and Jack. Mack let out a wavering breath and closed her eyes for a moment.

"We should get going, we might miss our plane." She told them. Mel nodded and headed towards the doors, Mack looked to Jack and forced a smile, "Nice family, eh?"

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack heard a phone ringing and turned back to see Pam holding a cell to her ear. Jack barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes. He turned back towards Mack, who was giving him a look that made him grin, almost laugh. It was a relief to Jack when Pam said that they had to be going. He was surprised that Pam hugged Mack, and then Derreck. He thought he heard Derreck say something before they pulled apart from the embrace, but Jack didn't try to hear since it wasn't his place to do so. Once they were gone, Mack's comment made him laugh.

"If never met a nicer family." Jack said, his voice heavy with sarcasm. He didnt' want to say anything more, in case Mack's Aunt wouldn't appriciate it.

[Mackenzie Holden]

"I've never met a nicer family," He said. Mack laughed at that and followed her Aunt out the door, she looked at Jack and shrugged, "It could have been worse. I was expecting to be hit. Completely shocked when my dad smiled at you. My dad never smiles, and I mean never, does he Mel?" Her eyes looked up at her aunt who was...beautiful. She looked like an angel but had the attitude of a devil. Mel smiled, her perfect white teeth flashing brilliantly. She had deep red hair, that glimmered in the sun and fell in soft curls on her shoulder. Mel was only a few inches taller than Mack, and although Mel was pretty you could smell the alcohol on her already.

They stepped outside into the bright sun, Mack had to shield her eyes. She expected it to be dreary as always, but for some reason it wasn't. It was welcoming her. Until she left, then it would be back to it's normal weather, a sleek black limosine was parked out front and Jaraud was leaning against the door. The 30 year old chauffeur smiled kindly at Mack and opened the door for her and Jack to get in. Mel would sit up front with Jaruad. Mack got in, and sat down on the seat that faced the window. A mini bar stretched under the window and there was a television placed on the bar. A mini refrigerator, and a bowl of candy were in a corner. It was a very spacious limo. After Jack climbed in, "The only good thing about my family. Is the money." She told him with a lucious smile. She picked up a muggle candy called "sugar babies" and popped it in her mouth, chewing with that sweet innocent smile.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack followed Mack and Aunt Mel out of the station and into a limozine. He grinned at her.

"I guess so..." He looked around. It was so.... roomy. It was like a very small room. A kitchen maybe. Jack had a question for Mack though, a couple of questions actually. He decided to start on the one she had touched on.

"Why do you think your dad did smile at me? Was it because he knows my father?" Jack said, his voice almost filled with anger at the last sentence. People always judged him by his father.