Marlene McKinnon

An unlikely heroine

[phoenixscrapbook]

Lily Evans and Marlene McKinnon take a break from Jingle Bell Rocking out to have some more wine and gossip.

Taken by Lily during a drunken moment of sentimentality.

December 1978

[bella-le-strange-phoenix]

Happy Christmas | OPEN

[marleymck]

remus-mxxny‌

“I’m a stellar salesperson, thank you very much, I just really enjoy sitting around, re-shelving and being bored out of my mind. That’s the only thing stopping me from a full-fledged carreer in muggle sales.” He turns at her announcement, honest glee on his face. 

“Marlene! That’s amazing!” Remus pulled her in for a hug immediately, “Congrats! Are you taking classes? Interning? How long have you been doing this? If you say anything longer than a week I’ll suffocate you out of pure betrayal for not telling me sooner.” 

“I’m sure you have the muggles quaking in their boots,” she laughed with a playful eye-roll. A blush roses on her face from the excitement that Remus showed about her news. It was the same excitement she had received from her family when she told them that her year long decision process was finally over.

“Oh wow a lot of question their Remmy,” she looked at him with wide open eyes. “Well I’m kinda in limbo waiting for my starting date which is in the new year. Then it will be a mix; I will be doing classes but also shadowing a healer to see the day to day life.” Marlene held her hand on her heart and gave him her best puppy dog eyes. “It was a month ago but you know me. I have to test a situation out before I fully commit.” 

[phoenixscrapbook]

Marlene McKinnon, mid-rant about the newest healing procedure she’d learned, while out to lunch with Remus Lupin.

Taken by Remus Lupin, who encouraged her to keep talking, partially because he was interested and partially because it meant he’d get more of the crisps.

Circa Summer 1978

[marleymck]

[bella-le-strange-phoenix]

Happy Christmas | OPEN

[marleymck]

remus-mxxny‌

“Your presents is required in the kitchen, then, ms McKinnon. You sealed my fate, you better help me change it,” Remus joked, heading towards the kitchen with the same ease he’d have in his own flat. 

He dumped the bag on the counter and grabbed a pan from one of the cabinets. “Oh certainly! Just yesterday a customer actually walked in! He was a lost tourist, of course, but I’m pretty sure he considered buying something!” He smiled crookedly at Marlene, “How’ve you been? Still with the emporium?”

“Fine but I hope you know I’m only doing this to be h-elf-ul!” She follows Remus into the kitchen picking up a bowl of crisps as she weaved her way in and out of the party people. 

“So he consider buying a book in a language he couldn’t read? You must be an amazing salesperson?” she smirked at him. “I actually quit decided to take life by the balls and become a healer? Although being queasy over blood may need some improvement if I’m going to succeed!”

[bella-le-strange-phoenix]

Happy Christmas | OPEN

[marleymck]

remus-mxxny‌

“Well, I guess I’ll put the die in the dieting after Christmas,” Remus replied and took a chipper bite out of the mince pie. “Oh, that’s good. Fantastic last meal, well picked.”

He held up a paper bag, “Do you think I could make up for being late by making everyone some spiked hot chocolate, or am I truly a lost cause? Relieve me of my terrified limbo, Marley, please.”

“You may be saved by the boozy hot chocolate better make it quick or Yule be sorry,” she smiled with a wink. Marlene took a bite from her mince pie and tilted her head at Remus. 

“Anyhow, has anything exciting been happening in that little bookshop?” she inquired.

[bella-le-strange-phoenix]

Happy Christmas | OPEN

[marleymck]

remus-mxxny

It was nearing half past eight when Remus stumbled through the door of Lily and James’ flat. “Hi, hi, sorry I’m late. Please don’t hit me, the underground was a nightmare. Happy Christmas!”

Marlene walked up to him with a grin. “You can make all the excuses you want, but its Lils you have to apologize to! And she is a big one for punctuality!”

“Happy Christmas, it was nice knowing you,” she smiles and holds out a plate. “Mince pie before you die?”

[marleymck]

lilvevns

“That’s the spirit!” Lily said brightly, snatching the object off her friend. “I really don’t want you messing with - wait.” She stopped, frowning, and went a bit red. “What actually is this?”

“A muggle calculator,” Marlene said sheepishly not knowing how the red head would react. “I wanted to see if it really could do complicated Arithmetic, so far it has got everything right.” 

[marleymck]

lilvevns

“Oh no, you don’t. Hand that over right now, or I’ll - well, I don’t know what I’ll do, but it’ll be nasty.”

“Okay, I guess. This is only because I don’t want anything nasty to happen- I can only deal with one bruise a day!”  

[hummingbirdalice]

A night out// Marley and Alice

[marleymck]

hummingbirdalice

“As always,” Alice replied before taking one final gulp of her drink and ordering another when the bartender made his way over. She shook her head at the mention of the mischevious child. “How do you stand it? As much as I love a good owl, I don’t think I could care for them all day every day.”

“The money to buy alcohol is a massive incentive,” she winked ordering from the bar tender. “Being semi-intoxicated at all times helps a lot as well,” Marley shuddered as she thought of the beady black eyes and the devilish beaks. “Anyhow lets move away from talk about those creepy birds. How have things been going for you Ally? Any romances you want to speak about?” 

[hummingbirdalice]

A night out// Marley and Alice

[marleymck]

hummingbirdalice

Alice was halfway done with her drink by the time Marlene got there, which was more than ok with her. She liked to get her buzz going before interacting with people most days. When the other girl made it to the bar, Alice smiled back and shrugged. “I’ve had better,” she replied lifting her glass to take another swig. “Had worse, also. Just lot’s of work to be done and not enough time to do it.” She nodded at Marlene. “How’d yours go?”

Marlene put her hand up to grab the attention the barman. “Auror training and work kicking your butt?” she joked with a wink. “Mine has been the same as it is everyday,” Marlene shuddered remembering the birds squawking loudly in the shop. “Some little kid came in and scared the owls; they never settled back down!” 

[hummingbirdalice]

A night out// Marley and Alice

[marleymck]

hummingbirdalice

“I’ll have a Dragon Brandy, thanks,” Alice said to the bartender and she stood, waiting for Marley. She’d been thinking of having a night out for a while and was super excited when her old friend had agreed to meet her for drinks. Maybe they’d make their way out to somewhere more exciting. But for now, a simple bar was enough. 

Marlene as always rolled in later then agreed and planned, as she scanned the bar looking for her friend she noticed that the company of the bar was exactly vibrant and lived more old with teeth missing. Spotting her friend lent against the bar she strolled over to her with a bright smile. “Hey,” she nodded, her eyes fixed on what drink to order. “How has your day been?”

[marleymck]

Photographs speak a 1000 words || Marley & open

“Keep that face!” 

“Its the best resting bitch face I’ve ever seen!”

[marleymck]

“This better be important!”

“You’re interrupting a, very important, moment between this pudding and me?”

[sirius-mischief-black]

|| Marlene & Sirius

[marleymck]

sirius-mischief-black

Sirius stumbled into the cafe, his chest heaving as he attempted to regain his breath. He scanned the slightly empty restaurant, looking for Marlene. He knew he was late, and he knew he wouldn’t hear the end of it. As he thought of excuses to say to his friend, Sirius’ found Marlene sitting at a table towards the back. As he approached the table, his grin grew wide and he said, “Sorry I’m late.”

Marlene was drumming her fingers against the table-top, reading the menu for the fifth time debating her dishes. She was never really fussed about people being late, often she found herself turning up hours late to places with food and copious amount of alcohol in tow. “No worries,” she smirked, “I needed the extra time to decide on what I’ll stuff in my huge mouth!’ Marlene raised her eyebrows as she scanned the flush face of Sirius, “Did you run a marathon to get here?”

[marleymck]

lilys-evan

“I always want to see you.” Lily teased. “Thank you for the concern, but my mood isn’t because of anything James did. I got a cat. And it’s evil.”

“An evil cat?” Marlene scoffed. “Trust you to find the roughest cat in the pet shop!”

“What has it done that classifies it as evil, huh?”

[marleymck]

sirius-mischief-black

“It’s not a poor one… just not a great one.” he somewhat agreed. “I didn’t pick a girl over you… she just kind of bewitched me if you will. Plus I thought everything would be over by the time I needed I meet up with you.” he grinned.

““Oh really?” He asked, rolling his eyes.

“Fifty second flash are you, Black?” grinned Marlene as she fiddled with the end of his duvet. “You got bewitched by a fine piece of ass...I didn’t see this day coming should write it down in my diary!”

“Yeah I was walking down your street; then poof I was in your room!” she snapped her fingers. “Your kitchen window is open by the way. May want to close that at night?!”