incendio

maddox mckinnon. pureblood. quidditch commentator extraordinaire.

[maddox-mckinnon]

@cygnus--black​ | Hogsmeade?? BEFORE getting grounded / arguing with Di

    Merlin’s beard, fate just wanted to mess with him, didn’t it? Maddox narrowed his eyes at the sight of Cygnus, looking not the least bit bothered or aware of his surroundings. It meant it was the perfect time to see how his best enemy was doing. “Hey! Black! Doing something different with your hair these days? Something’s changed.” He called, taunting, as his grin spread. 

[maddox-mckinnon]

fyodordolohov​:

Apparently Fyodor did need to lecture Maddox, though, because the lesson didn’t seem to have sunk in yet. “Diana had the right to. You could have put her and Druella through another trial if just the slightest thing had gone worse. Merlin, you’ll be lucky if you survive Walburga finding out.” He sighed, doing his best impression of Abe’s disappointed parent face. “You’re not in school anymore. If you can’t act like an adult, you won’t be getting served as one.”

-

  Maddox sighed deeply, knowing that his argument with Diana had been far from pleasant, or entirely undeserved, but he still stood by his belief that Cygnus wasn’t exactly innocent either. If nothing else, he hung out with the wrong sort of people. “She doesn’t know, does she?” He asked, wincing. Walburga scared the shit out of him, but he wasn’t going to voice that. Not here, but then Fyodor continued and his jaw dropped. “I was served in school!” He protested, finding it ridiculous. He’d messed up, that didn’t mean he needed to be banned from consoling his decision making with a stiff drink. 

[maddox-mckinnon]

👂 - dru

“Yeah, well, she has other friends, you know. Druella, for example.” Maddox huffed, arms crossed tightly over his chest. “They’re like attached at the hip, though it’s no wonder, she must need it dealing with being engaged to that loud mouthed no good dirty rotten––” He paused, “Look, I’m just saying, she can go spend the night with Dru, and I can spend the night here. No harm, no foul, right buddy?”

[maddox-mckinnon]

Knocked down but I won't take no Show up and I'm in the zone Can't get high 'til you’ve been down low Are you ready are you ready are you ready?

Are you ready are you ready are you ready are you ready? Let's go Let's go Keep running 'til I cross the line Can't turn back on an uphill climb I’m a Hail Mary in overtime Are you ready are you ready are you ready?

[maddox-mckinnon]

fyodordolohov​:

who: @maddox-mckinnon​

where: hog’s head

“Maddox, buddy, why?” Fyodor made a face, well aware it’d probably be counter-productive to go all serious lawyer on Maddox. Plenty of people were already gonna do the yelling thing– Fedya hoped he was out of the building when Walburga found out. “I swear we’ve been over the whole ‘don’t talk to cops’ thing. You’ve gotten arrested enough times to know better.”

-

   Regret was really starting to weigh on Maddox. He didn’t regret upsetting, inconveniencing, or even scaring Cygnus. He regretted everyone else knowing about it, and the way they were responding. He lifted his fingers to his temple, rubbing gently to try to soothe the headache away. “You don’t need to lecture me, Fedya.” He groaned, before laying his head on the bar top, mumbling. “Diana already has. And everyone else.” He huffed, waiting several beats before finally lifting his head up again. “I know, don’t talk to cops, unless the cops Adri, or you’re present.” He sighed. “It was just supposed to be a prank, you know.”

[maddox-mckinnon]

jacq-ashes​:

where: a bar somewhere with: anyone

They had made a half decent attempt not to draw attention to themselves since returning, and in most situations they found themselves successful but that evening had taken a turn in the wrong direction and it seemed that it was not meant to be. Having been completely overlooked by an idiot with a full pint of beer, they had found themselves drenched in the liquid and left to stand in a corner, sopping wet and practically hissing, as angry as a freshly bathed cat. 

Unfortunately, since they had left their wand on top of their desk before leaving work that evening, drying their shirt had been out of the question. With a hasty glance around them, they quickly lifted their shirt over their head, but found themselves stuck with the material caught in their hair. “Oh, dammit” they muttered, tugging on the material and accidentally slamming their elbow into the nearest wall as someone they couldn’t see approached. They crossed their fingers that they were friendly. “Hello, could you er- help? Please?” they asked, sheepishly. “Just tug it”.

-

  Maddox had found himself in similar situations a time or six. He’d been after a drink himself, a pint or two, after getting his ass chewed by Diana. He felt guilty, far guiltier than he ever wanted to feel when it came to Cygnus fuckin’ Black, but there was no changing the facts now. He still felt he’d been truthful, honest, in the realization that they’d investigate him no matter what, but it didn’t make upsetting Di feel any better. Podric wouldn’t be happy about it either, and he really, really didn’t want to fight with his ( other ) best friend. Though he sympathized with their predicament, he was glad for it. It took his mind off his own troubles as he hopped up, moving over. 

   “Yeah, I got it.” He agreed, reaching out to help. He tugged, carefully helping them pull their shirt off. He averted his eyes after, momentarily, “Rough night?” He pressed, feeling bad for them. It took him a moment, before recognition dawned on him. His brows furrowed. Gryffindor. They’d been in his year, hadn’t they? “Bell?” He questioned, before his smile grew. Maddox had always been slightly younger, compared to his housemates, should’ve been a year behind, but Merlin had seen fit to bless him with the right timing, to make his closest friends and never be without them. “Merlin, it’s been forever. I’d ask how you are, but like I said, rough night huh? You wanna ‘nother drink?” He offered. “My treat.” 

[maddox-mckinnon]

gdolohova​:

maddox mackinnon, someone who had knocked her over the last time they had seen each other… although, galina did feel in a much better mood now than she did then – she had been an absolute nightmare that night to almost everyone. now, she just felt the slight bit of guilt, enough to chance a small side smile, but not enough to change her tone of voice. galya was also somewhat greatful he wasn’t there to pry. “mckinnon, it’s fine” she waved a hand dismissively at the apology, not wanting to keep going about such matters, “heard that, did you?” and there was something embarassing about being caught snapping at a random person. “other than these questions, i’ve been doing fine” she told him “the translator job is good for taking my mind off things” and shared another small smile, amused. “what about your work? i have to admit i’ve completely forgotten what it is that you do…”.

-

   Maddox nodded, “Yeah alright, thanks for not hexing me.” He smiled. If he recalled correctly, Galina was good friends with Diana, which meant he needed to be extra nice, lest he never hear the end of it from his best friends best friend girlfriend. He shrugged at her question. So what if he did hear? She was within her right to get pissed off just like anyone else. He’d get irritated with the constant questioning too. He couldn’t blame her for being frustrated. “I’m glad you’re alright, sorry about people bein’ assholes.” He added before he moved to get up, turning the chair around, before plopping back down so he could rest his chest against the back of it. “You must be bloody brilliant, translating all that stuff. Cool.” He complimented. “I’m a sports analyst, it’s really neat. I get to go to matches and practices, interview coaches and players, but mostly I’m the numbers guy. I make predictions, analyze stats, plays, effectivity rates for certain in-match decisions. Mostly quidditch, but other stuff too, when bossman can convince me.” He grinned, not the least bit bothered she hadn’t remembered. 

[maddox-mckinnon]

fleamontypotter​:

“Pod knows lots of things.” Monty said, a little relieved they had someone to ask these sorts of questions. This wasn’t anything like they’d taught in Muggle Studies. Maybe some of the Muggleborn students ought to weigh in on the curriculum. Was Dumbledore taking suggestions?

He frowned, still deeply confused. None of this sounded terribly like Effie. She was one of the nicest people ever, she’d never do that. Or if she did then he probably had done something silly enough to deserve it. “But she is gorgeous? And very wonderful. She was really good in Potions class, are we sure we don’t want her help right off the bat?”

-

        “That he does.” Maddox agreed, proud of his best friend. He was brilliant, and thankful that he could ask him anything, no matter how stupid. Muggles were confusing, even more confusing than birds, which meant he could only imagine muggle birds to be the most confusing of all. He didn’t voice as much, but he thought it. 

    “She is gorgeous, yeah buddy. S’why you should be asking her on a date, not to risk that mane of hers.” He grinned, nudging him gently in the side with his elbow. “She’s wonderful, real nice, and I don’t doubt good at potions. We can ask her for help if you really wanna, but let’s not test it on her hair okay? She can help with the potion part, but test it on someone else. Just trust me on this one, yeah?”

[maddox-mckinnon]

twcntythrcc​:

“I mean …. I guess so,” Podric agreed. Maybe this year it did feel like there was more pressure – on the prank, on a lot of things. Podric didn’t know why, though, all Podric knew (or thought they knew, which, really meant what they thought they had gathered judging by the individual crazy – it was relative; you got it from your family – from person to person) was that everyone seemed to be racing, suddenly, to get somewhere, or do something. Pod didn’t know when the drive forward had really began, or even what it was, only that they seemed to be noticing it more and more, lately. Were they all just reaching those “ages” where they were supposed to suddenly panic about missing arbitrary deadlines for milestones? What was even happening? “But you say that every year,” Podric added, for good measure, though they hadn’t been silent very long at all. But the bat was willing to laugh as they accepted their flattery. “It’s a brain, that’s for sure. Maybe. Probably. The jury is still out, technically, unless you’ve had a peek in my skull when I was sleeping.”

Podric hadn’t considered that Maddox would remember the story in such detail, though .. they had seen the film more than a few times, and read it at least twice as many. Bat shouldn’t have been surprised, but they laughed anyways, outing themself. “I mean, yeah, no, you’re right, you’re right, but I meant in the ‘man behind the curtain’ sense, yeah? The man with the plan, with the answers, with the secret to getting whatever it is you seek. He had all of that stuff, mate, he just chose to play the conman .. because he was that too.” Either way, though, Podric was still sure that this prank was worth it, and that Diana would forgive them, and that Maddox was being more than just a bit dramatic – which was wonderful. And so was the very aggressive hug, it was a favorite of Pod’s, and exactly what they’d been after to begin with.  There was no sign at all that they’d loosen their grip on the McKinnon anytime soon, either. “Of course I’m in, mate, cause I love you. And she’ll forgive us, because she loves us. We come as a pair, and everyone knows it. There’s no picking which half you like you just get both.”

-

   Maddox grinned, nodding his agreement. He did say it every year but it didn’t make it less true. Every year was another opportunity to one up himself (themselves) from the year prior, but this year, with all the shit that had gone down, seemed to beg for something to lighten people’s moods. The Shafiq’s even seemed on board with that concept, challenging tradition and all. He nuzzled close, dramatically peeking in Podric’s ear, “Yup, skull, brain, it’s all there.” He grinned, “whole lotta air too.” He joked, nudging him in good humor. Podric was no doubt the brains of them all, even Diana wasn’t the best with it. She overthought everything. Podric was perfectly balanced. 

   He listened to the explanation, softening. “Oh yeah, yeah buddy that makes sense.” He agreed. The man with the plan, just chose to go rogue was all. Maddox wasn’t the conman, but he certainly could pull strings and make things work. “And at least you and me are real wizards, bet things go a lot smoother for us than that con.” He flashed his teeth, pleased to just hang on to his best friend. There was something freeing about knowing and being known as well as they knew one another. His grip tightened in return, settled in their all-too-dramatic hug. “Yeah yeah, I love you too. And her, I guess.” He beamed, “I do okay? She’ll always forgive us. Me. You never do anything wrong.” He teased. “Come on then, we better get to work. You’re on watch duty too, in case the Shafiq’s get too nosy.” 

[maddox-mckinnon]

vulcancarrow​:

Vulcan wasn’t going to argue with Maddox, because it would absolutely get back to Di. She was upset enough at him right now she hardly needed another reason. He’d been happy enough to let him walk away but then his curiosity got the better of him. “What on earth do you have in that bag, McKinnon? I know for a fact you’re not the one buying Diana all the new pets.”

–

    Maddox frowned, looking down at his bag. Well. This was awkward. He flushed, shifting the strap so he could better adjust the weight. “First of all, you know nothing about what I do or do not buy for Diana.” He huffed, lips pressed into a frown. “Second,” He hesitated, before lifting the flap and carefully pulling one out. “It’s a puffskein.” He smiled, watching as the creatures long tongue reached out, searching for something to eat. They didn’t really bite one another, but they certainly kept searching for food. “They eat bogeys, you know.” He thought it was fascinating, if a little gross. “Wanna pet him?” He offered, extending the puffskein toward Vulcan. 

[dianacarrow]

Carrow Manor, January 1956  Ft. @maddox-mckinnon , mentioning @cygnus–black

Keep reading

[maddox-mckinnon]

ll-lovegood​:

“If you think worth is only determined by expertise, then you’re going to be eternally disappointed, Mr. McKinnon. Worthiness can come from whatever you decide, you know, worth isn’t objective; it doesn’t weight the same for everyone.” Llewellyn was often a font of inspirational, quotable babble, but rarely did he realize how well timed or placed some of his off-handed (to him) observations could be. Which was not to say that this was one of those moments, no, only that even when deviating from the topic at hand Llewellyn was capable of pulling insight even from the thinnest air. “If expertise were the name of the game in this situation, sir, then I would have to say we have a total of zero experts. If expertise is based on how much experience you have in a certain field or situation, then I believe this is a new combination of such to anyone we currently have on the case at any level – from media to investigative. So it’s a balance. Balance in information being reported and released, a balance in the workforce of those investigating: the seasoned and the fresh, who both bring different skills and perspectives; balance in all things, Maddox, and worthiness in any regard, of any thing, dependent upon each who behold it, whatever it is.”

He was getting away from himself, though, and this time realized it, so when Maddox redirected his thoughts with his reactions and queries, Llewellyn was happy to travel back down that path, and get back on track with what he’d been meaning to say – without saying too much. It wasn’t that he wouldn’t be able to read for himself in the morning, or that he was afraid of being scooped, but truly, Maddox did not appear to be someone who really was prepared to hear the truth. “You know, Maddox, they say that you shouldn’t ask questions that you don’t really want the answers to. They also say that there’s no such thing as bad press, and that no news is good news. But the fact is, Maddox, that there are a lot of things that happen in this world, combined or separate, every single day, and these things happen at the hands of people whose motives simply … make no sense to us, even when we discover them. I agree with you, that disturbing graves is demented, but beyond that, I also think it’s disrespectful. To their memories, and to their families.” It was, however, the most widely available of all the news yet so far, because the cemeteries were … not private or securable places in the way the Ministry was. “You might be to know these names, but the graves of Myrtle Warren, whom you’ve actually met before, and Hebzibah Smith, were disturbed, along with another, an unmarked one.”

-

   Maddox had never been one to shy away from sentimental inspiration like the words Llewellyn offered. It felt good, to consider it, to think on his worth and what it might weigh for him. He hadn’t really thought of it before. Leave it to Llew to get his mind churning in an entirely unexpected direction. His brows furrowed as he thought, lips parting to speak before closing again, only to repeat the process twice more. “Huh.” He concluded at last, eloquently. “People don’t usually call me sir, Mr. Lovegood.” He noted, smile broadening. He liked that. Sir. It made him feel respected, grown up even. So many people still saw him as a teenager, still wearing his school robes. He knew he didn’t do a lot to help people take him seriously, but it was a welcome surprise to have Llewellyn do so. 

    “You’re right though of course, balance and worth, I like it.” He nodded. He wondered at times what it would be like to work for someone like Llewellyn. He liked his job, and his boss, but he’d heard things from Monty, and well, it wouldn’t hurt to get to explore his options. If Llewellyn would even be open to the idea. “You run a balanced ship, it’s nice to see.” He praised, eyes sweeping around the Quibbler office with increased interest. Maybe he really did have to think on it, but not before talking to Pod. After all, his best buddy had found a handhold there too, Pod would know just how to help him decide whether to approach Llewellyn or not. He was too impulsive to check himself, he needed Pod for that. 

     He quieted, the words frustrating but no less true. He had a bad habit of asking things he later regretted, but he couldn’t help his inquisitiveness. He leaned in, to catch every word, even as the words boiled his blood, rage filling his veins with molten lava. His stomach churned as his jaw clenched. What was there to understand? Whoever had done this was demented beyond something he could make sense of. “It is disrespectful.” He agreed, wholeheartedly, vehemently.  His stomach dropped at the name. Myrtle Warren. Of course he knew of her. Who didn’t? The poor girl had been through enough, now some sick fuck was messing with her grave? He shook his hand, palm smoothing over his jaw before he spoke. “Do you have leads, any idea who would be fucked up enough in the head to mess with that poor woman again? One of those assholes, right? The ones who burn shit and scare muggleborns like it’s funny?” 

[maddox-mckinnon]

vulcancarrow​:

where; oot and aboot whomst; anyone

“Considering that my parents, godwilling, are in Azkaban at the moment and will be for the rest of their natural and unnatural lives,” Vulcan said without looking up. He’d fielded the same question at least six times within the last week alone. It was getting boring at this point. “No, I doubt they killed the Minister. You’re going to have to come up with a new theory.”

–

   Maddox blinked, staring at Vulcan. Merlin’s beard why the fuck was this man so damn difficult to just talk to? He sighed deeply, hand coming up to rub his temple. “Mate, I really don’t know how to make you understand that I do not give a fuck about your shitty ass parents. I don’t know who killed the Minister, but I’m not an idiot.” He sighed. “Anyways, I was just going to,” he began, before his bag started rattling. His cheeks turned red as he lifted the flap and hissed, “stop biting each other!” he scolded, before quickly shoving the bag closed again. “Be on my way.” He grinned, shoving the bag behind him more. Vulcan wasn’t the type to ask questions, right? 

[maddox-mckinnon]

gdolohova​:

location: brews and stews status: open

the minister’s death extremely fresh, which did not impede people’s questions about it because wizards were a noisy, gossipy bunch. galina rolled her eyes discretely, disguising it by looking down on the juice she was stirring. all of the questions were stupid which annoyed her to no end. “no, i don’t know anything about the minister’s death – remember: i’m a translator, not a reporter” she answered drily in the middle of her actions “i know, not as exciting”.

-

   Last time Maddox had seen Galina he’d knocked her over, and made an absolute fool of himself. He’d apologized then, sort of, but he still felt bad and the moment he saw her he knew he needed to be a gentleman and actually make things right. He frowned, watching as she shooed off someone else, realizing like everyone else, she was being pestered with questions. He dropped into the seat opposite her, offering a sheepish grin. “No questions from me this time, promise. I just spotted you, and wanted to apologize again. I should’ve been more careful back at the Shafiq’s, I was like a puppy running wild, and I regret knocking into you. S’cool you’re a translator though, that must be neat? Are you well?” 

[maddox-mckinnon]

eprince-ss​:

location: the white wyvern status: open

eileen looked around the pub, her eyes half-lidded and her chin in hand — looking almost bored. at home, three piles of documents sat untouched on her desk, everything she had to go through for the next day at work. a sigh, then she focused back on the person sitting on the other side of the table, smile growing. “listen, listen!” she started, voice growing in level at the end “i know you don’t want to be pestered with this, but have you heard anything interesting about the minister?”. it was, after all, a bit of a weird occurence.

-

   Maddox leaned back in his chair, rocking it, though he knew he shouldn’t. It was just a habit he couldn’t break. He needed to be moving as much as possible, and well, here he was. He looked over as the witch called for his attention, her question fair. Everyone was wondering the same things, but he’d really only learned what Llewellyn had told him. Maybe Eileen didn’t get the Quibbler though? He nodded, “I mean a little. There’ll be an election, you know, but it’s more interesting what else is going on. Did you know people have been missing? And some other disturbing shit – graves messed with, even.” He frowned, lowering his voice as he spoke. “What’ve you heard?” 

[maddox-mckinnon]

gparkingson-esq​:

location: ministry of magic

It had been a long morning. Filing the paperwork after her cases was always the worst. Normally, she could get Agnes to do it but it was her birthday. The least she could do (other than the extravagant gifts she had been giving her) was do this. After another fight with Charles in records, she was in a sour mood. He didn’t like her. Not at all. And he didn’t keep it secret. She really needed to get in good with one of the secretaries to know when he was manning the desk to avoid him. The file of papers that (now) needed editing were tucked into her briefcase as she made her way to the tea cart. The line wasn’t long but she could see there was only one chocolate croissant left. With the morning she had, she needed it. The line moved until there was only three people in front, the paistry still there. The older wizard ordered an earl grey, not the crossiant. Not wanting to take any chances, Georgie tapped the person in front on the shoulder. “I will pay for your drink and give you ten galleons if you don’t order that chocolate croissant.” 

-  

   Maddox had been eyeing the croissant from the moment he got into line. The Ministry wasn’t somewhere he visited often, and certainly not in times like these, but he’d had to drop off some paperwork for his boss, and he’d be returning with permit information for news release and media tags for the spring training season coming up in late February. It was worth dropping by, even with everyone milling about, seeming lost and scared and confused and angry and all kinds of things all at once. He turned at the tap to his shoulder, frowning as Georgie explained what she wanted. He cursed inwardly. Women like Georgie were used to getting what they wanted, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to rock that boat too hard. “Aw c’mon Georgie, that’s exactly what I was going to get.” He pouted, putting on the puppy eyes. “There’s nothing else you’ll go for?” He asked, knowing the answer already. 

[maddox-mckinnon]

ll-lovegood​:

Though Unspeakable Cahill had already solved his spiral, Llewellyn had remained stuck in and around it, repeating it to himself throughout the day as he’d rearranged the work from the original edition, sprinkling in the extra pages which thickened it so nicely, while leaving the bulk of the extra work for the suggested (and genius) special edition. Putting out the first Quibbler of the year was necessary, and the additional edition was a nice bonus, and a kind gesture, rather than overkill and disappointment from all sides. Still talking to himself, he wondered where he’d forgotten to consider the notions the Ministry’s favorite Mystery had presented for contemplation. Somehow, his train of thought and logic simply did not have a stop in either Emotional or Information Overload as it made its’ way through to Public Awareness. The sudden sound of another voice was jarring – though, not in a bad way. It was helpful, actually; especially on the awareness front.

“I did, actually, though not in the way you meant, most likely. But I did learn more, today, and that is what I feel is the most important component, overall. Balance, though, yes, agreed. And doubly, so, Mr. McKinnon, as you’re the second to suggest balance, so you’re not as far from worthy as you think, opinion wise, though, why you’d let anyone else determine that for you, I will continue to remain unclear on.” Getting away from the point, any point, tended to be Llewellyn’s thing, though he rarely realized it; it was all connected to him, and he could prove it to you, though it would be such a dizzying journey that it was usually easier not to point out seeming irrelevances in the first place to avoid such nonsense. “But to answer your actual question, Maddox, yes. I did learn more. And because I am so familiar with you, at this point, if you don’t mind me saying, because I feel you are very much a part of this Quibbler family in your own way, and because as soon as I figure out where to place the article our Mr. Potter is polishing up –” Llewellyn paused, here, but not for breath, or to break in his ramble, purely to  gesture to where Fleamont was working away dedicatedly and turn back to Maddox, “– it will be about twenty minutes until the arrival of our Print-Prentice™ Podric, like clockwork, to whisk the entire thing away to hit newsstands, doorsteps, windows, and perches by dawn, and the pair of you, as any would be, will be be tempted to read it early, and seeing as you’ll have nearly unimpeded access to do so, I’ll just tell you myself: the Minister’s murder is not the only New Years’ incident under heavy, hushed investigation. We’ll all hopefully know more by the weekend, but graves were disturbed, several people are missing, and one of them might be an Auror. Oh, and there’s going to be an election. I think those are the highlights you were seeking, yes?” 

-

   Maddox liked Llewellyn even if he found him a bit strange and sometimes difficult to follow. He imagined people thought the same of him, and who was he to judge someone else for being a bit out of the box? He tried not to throw stones at glass houses, unlike someone. He shrugged, “not about worth though, Mr. Lovegood, just expertise. If the Minister had been this year’s hottest seeker, or there’d been a scandal in Appleby, then I’d be your guy.” He grinned, not the least bit self-conscious about the type of journalist he’d chosen. Sports were important, for culture, for politics, for health, for entertainment, and analysis took time, intelligence, and careful thought. He had nothing to be ashamed of, so he wasn’t. 

     He was proud that balance seemed to be the right answer though. It still felt good to be right, even if it wasn’t his area of journalism. Maddox quietened though, eyes creasing as Llewellyn declared him part of the Quibbler family. He wasn’t opposed to it. Monty loved it there, after all, and so did Podric, it seemed. He brightened further at the mention of his dearest friend, but managed to bite his tongue, the offer for the inside scoop too good to resist. However, his stomach dropped as he heard more of what was going on. “Missing people, graves disturbed, a missing auror?” He shook his head, stomach rolling. “Who would disturb a grave? Why?” He wondered, anger flashing across his features. “That’s demented.” He scowled, “Whose grave did they disturb?” He asked, a bit more hesitantly. He didn’t think he’d like the answer.