Marlene McKinnon: c o d e m a r l e n e
House: Slytherin Alumni
Job: Hogshead barmaid
Age: 20 (varies based on verse
Blood Status: Pureblood
Loyalties: Order of the Phoenix, McKinnon clan
FC: Amber Heard
The hat took its time deciding with Marlene. She had all of the daring that came from a long line of Gryffindors, she had the loyalty that would serve her well in Hufflepuff, and she certainly had cleverness. But in the end her ambition, her cunning, and her dedication to her own earned her place in Slytherin. Her closest friends were Lily Evans and Mary MacDonald, and she wore the word blood traitor with pride. While not one to outright seek trouble, she never shied away when trouble confronted her - earning more than a few detentions. Even so, expectations were high for Marlene. She had offers from multiple quidditch teams and perhaps even an internship at the prophet. But in the end, she defied them all and took her place at the Hogshead - per the Order’s request. She’d fight the good fight however it was needed, even if what was needed was serving drinks to loosen lips.
Birthplace: The McKinnon estate, on the outskirts of Portree, Scotland
Current location: Divided between Hogsmeade and Portree
Parents: Matheson McKinnon and Rosalin McKinnon (nee Potter, a cousin of Fleamont)
Siblings: (changes with verse) Mason (17), Maisie (18), Marchas (24), and Michael (27)
She was born in Scotland, the McKinnon estate not far from the magical settlement in Portree. The McKinnon’s were one of the first wizarding families to settle there, hundreds of years ago. The fortune that had built the estate was long since lost - inheritances divided up too many times over many generations. But the extended McKinnon clan still lives at the old estate - or at least spends part of the year there. The building is ancient, constantly being remodeled, and the grounds are wild and poorly kept. But it was in Marlene’s blood and there is no other place that she calls home.
Wand: Black walnut, dragon heart string, 13 3/4 inches, supple
Boggart: Her younger siblings dead
Patronus: Lynx
Amortentia: Firewhiskey, lavender, and the woods at the McKinnon estate
The wand Marlene walked away with at 11 years old was not the wand Ollivander had expected to sell. His family had sold more wands to the McKinnons than could be counted - going back more generations than had been bothered to be tracked. Black walnut, dragon heartstring. Not the phoenix feather or unicorn hair he had sold to every McKinnon that had walked into his store in recent memory. A family of passionate natures, Marlene held the same fire - and yet her wand was for those steady of temperment and aims. Even as a child Marlene was pointed true north. A wand wood slow to to be mastered and only for the level headed, a core that is quick to give loyalty and for the more passionate of hearts. It was an unusual combination, and Ollivander knew that she would be one to watch. 10 years would not pass before he was finally proved right, in a way he wished he hadn’t been.