you gotta mckinnon me

marlene mckinnon. 19. auror.

[marlxnx]

name: marlene mckinnon

age: 19

birthday: september 25th

zodiac: libra

pronouns: she/her

sexuality: bisexual

wand: 10", made from wilder, with a phoenix feather core.

patronus: fox

boggart: losing her family

CONNECTIONS

battle buddy - somebody who was abroad with marlene and experienced the same kind of draining process that was hands on training with the dark arts.

family tree - marlene has a twin brother that has not seen marlene since their last year at hogwarts. marlene is avoiding him since her return.

zoom zoom - marlene is a fan of the equivalent of drag racing on a broom. she needs a friend of two who likes taking her on. sometimes it gets a little dangerous/messy.

unexpected sparks - somebody that perhaps marlene was not expecting to have feelings for or has good chemistry with, but marlene is messy and has trouble keeping people close.

[that-awful-boy-deactivated20251]

That, now that ticked Severus off. He stopped dead in his tracks and stared at her, stared at the woman who just tried to say he wasn’t doing enough, that this like wasn’t good enough. His knuckles turned white as he held the stupid shaker, anger boiling just below the surface. When he spoke, his words were clipped and barely held back his anger. “Marlene. That isn’t my world. It never was and never will be. I was an outsider, the only person I had was Lily, and that didn’t go well. I was a nobody there, something of only given value due to my usefulness. I was a half-blood in the Slytherin house filled with people who cared not for my safety. One wrong move and I’d have nowhere to sleep, or I would be killed. Do you remember what they did to half-bloods outside the house? Do you remember how awful they were? The only thing keeping me from being on the end of their wands was my silence, my compliance.”

He took a shaky breath, steadying himself before continuing. “Don’t get me started on your so-called good side. I was deemed evil the minute I was sorted into Slytherin. The Marauders never let me forget how awful I was, that the reason they bullied me was just because I existed. Do you know how awful that was? How could I walk alone without getting jumped? No one did anything; hell, I was punished for fighting back. I didn’t tick their boxes of what was deemed good, what was deemed worth saving. They would have let me drown or be taken by Death Eaters, only to rejoice when I inevitably joined them for my safety or for my career. I was screwed either way, and if I didn’t join either, I would be suspected and watched all the time. Who wants to live like that, Marlene? Cause I don’t! Why would I leave one abusive situation just to be dragged into another, and I’m not talking about school.”

He clenched his jaw, the words hanging between them. His voice now just above a whisper. “I don’t have money, my father hated magic, and my mother was absent mentally from the abuse. The school knew what was happening to me physically. I had to get potions from Madam Pomfrey just to move properly without pain. What was I meant to do? Join Dumbledore, be so untrusted that no one listens to me or straight up refused, or join Him and risk being killed because I upset my ‘betters’ or failed to meet expectations. Which sounds more appealing to you? Which would you join for what could be the rest of your life? Because neither was something I wanted.”

[marlxnx]

"and you'll prove them right, james and them?" she deadpanned with a tilt of her head. "that when they do come for you," she paused, referring to the death eaters, "and they will come for you, severus. when the time comes, would you rather have allies, who see your worth, or..." she looked over his shoulder at the radio, "...john lennon?" she hummed.

"but this isn't about them. or lily, or what happened in school. there are people you don't even know who are suffering. they've never done you any harm, so why turn your back on them?" marlene was firm believer in fighting for those who couldn't fight for themselves. if she had the means, she had the will. "i've made my decision," she shoved back at him with her words, refusing to take his excuses, because that's what she felt they were.

she looked him over a minute and shook her head in disgust. "having no money and a less than ideal childhood is not an excuse to hide for the rest of your life. everybody comes from something. nobody cares about that. what matters is where you end up. doing what's right, or hiding from what's wrong." marlene tutted, not wanting to finish the drink - it was leaving a bad taste in her mouth and she didn't like the white of severus' fingers as they clenched. the coolest and calmest life couldn't tame a wild snake.

[wormstails]

marlene heard her name over her shoulder and she stilled - for a second she had trouble placing the voice. familiar, yes, but -...distant. not just physically. when it got closer, however, she was instant to remembering. how could she forget? peter pettigrew; quiet, mousy, a little...strange. she couldn't place it. but great fun when he allowed himself to be. somebody she could trust, absolutely. "peter," marlene broke into a grin, sliding the hood from her head to reveal her dark, crowning curls. she stepped forward to trap the young man in a hug, before ruffling his hair and shoving him away playfully, gently, by the head. "on you, then. c'mon." she ushered with a chuckle and a motion of her chin. "where are you coming from?"

" work, " he answers, with as much cheer as he can muster - which, after a long day, isn't as much as he'd like. " mrs. cobb's shop in knockturn - it's an awful strain on the nerves, leaving this late, i tell you! " he shudders theatrically, and then breaks back into his grin, letting her lead the way to wherever she's most inclined. he's prone to trailing after others, he's sure.

" how about you? busy day, i imagine - i don't know anyone not having busy days recently! " he laughs, but it's high and a little nervous.

[marlxnx]

"it's good you're working," she reassured him, "we've to keep ourselves sane somehow during these times." work was a familiarity, a routine; as long as things like that kept going the way they were supposed to keep going, order was in place. it was a privilege. "busy?" she repeated softly, thinking back to her day - uneventful. it was the first time she'd been outside today, and it was nearing evening. "not at the moment, no. i'm on a short leave, for a bit. they've given me some time to recuperate." she explained softly, not going into much detail. it wasn't helping to ease the nerves the last two years had awoken in her.

[that-awful-boy-deactivated20251]

Severus hummed at her compliment; she wasn’t far off, actually. He had graduated top of his class, and he had gotten an outstanding grade on the exams. Slughorn had even told him he made no mistakes as well. He was proud, but it wasn’t like he had anyone to share that with. He spoke, softer now, almost remorseful. “Well, I did pass that class with full marks and no mistakes. Even if Slughorn argued with my methods, after seeing my work, his tune always changed. Bartending is like it, but slightly different. Like, nothing exploding. I would have gone for a career in that field, but I didn’t exactly have the money to even start unless I sold my soul to one of the sides. As you could tell, I wasn’t keen on that option either.”

He wiped the work station before starting to make her next drink. His movements are steady and precise. It’s almost like watching him in potions all over again, except no one was trying to throw something in his work while he wasn’t looking or messing with his ingredients. It was just him and his work, his eye flickers to the radio, and he hollers to Nate. “ Nate, come on! Lady Gaga? Really? I expected better man. At least throw on something good after, like John Lennon! But if you insist on this, I guess Kelsey and I will start our sing-along.” The male server groaned and cringed while complaining, while Kelsey winked at Severus and started to sing along to the radio. He smirked at that and turned back to Marlene.

“Despite what you seem to think, I’m not wasting anything. I’m… happy for once. I’m not rolling in dough, but I have enough to be comfortable. This is the world I grew up in before school; I missed it while in school. People are different here, sure, there are still problems, but I don’t have to choose between lives. It’s an honest life, and that’s all I could ask for. I’m no saint, heaven knows I’m not. But I am human, I’ve made mistakes, but here I’m not crucified for those mistakes. No one expects the worst of me, expects me to fail, or considers me below them. Sure, I don’t exactly have all the good memories, but the good ones I make matter more. It’s easier once you remove the problem.” He slides the second drink to Marlene with a slightly sad smile. “The people around you make those memories all the better. I just had to find the right people and let go of others.”

[marlxnx]

marlene stared at him blankly for a moment. it was a bit jarring to realize how different their lives had been - marlene had already put her life on the line more than once for the cause, to protect her friends, her family. severus was making fruity drinks, the war seeming to be the last thing on his mind. he was probably right; life was better away from all the politics and commotion. but marlene couldn't stand feeling like she wasn't doing something. "people are dying, severus." she shook her head in defense, "your schoolmates. your neighbors. there shouldn't be sides. and if you're finding a dilemma in picking one, then you've already chosen."

she hadn't expected to run into him here, all truth be told, she probably wouldn't have if she knew he was here. it was cowardice, in her mind. typical slytherin behavior. "but i'm glad you're enjoying your daiquiris and awful muggle music." marlene shook her head, moving to take coins whatever muggle money she had in her pocket and dropping it on the bar. she'd finish her drink and go.

[that-awful-boy-deactivated20251]

Severus wasn’t usually one to freeze up, but hearing Marlene speak, he couldn’t help the pause. The falter in his smile was barely noticeable, and he was quick to recover as if nothing had happened. He smiled again as he finished making the drinks, passing them to the customers. He smiled at the couple at the bar and stepped towards Marlene. He really preferred not to run into people he knew from the wizarding world, especially at work, of all places. He didn’t even really react to her presence, instead grabbing a menu and sliding it over to her.

Her comment, however, grated on his nerves. He smiled and spoke, his voice clear and more lively than it had been in the past. “Yes, hello to you, too, Marlene. This is the dingy London corner I live in, as you put it. I haven’t exactly been hiding, just no one worth telling where I was going. Not like I wanted anything to do with that place and the politics there. Making friends is one way of putting it. I work here, Marlene. This is one of my jobs here. Now, is there something I can get you? I handle the bar, and Kelsey and Nate are the servers for the tables.” He nods to the man and woman running food and drinks to tables.

He stands straighter and starts to make a drink. He is actually rather good, pouring and mixing efficiently before finally sliding a drink. The bottom is a deep red and gets lighter until it’s a yellow colour at the top. It’s topped with some berries and a peach slice. He smiles and speaks again. “Called A Short Trip to Hell, I don’t know if you like fruity flavours, but it’s a good one. Plus an energy soda, thought it’d do you well.”

[marlxnx]

"i didn't say dingy," she defended herself lightly, taking the menu from severus with a half grin. she was surprised, however, to learn that he worked here. it wasn't very often wizards chose to immerse themselves with muggles, unless by means of marriage, of course. she had never suspected severus to be one of those wizards. though, with the current state of wizarding politics, marlene was sure that finding safety among the muggles was easier - and less scary - than staying and having to choose between someone else's life and your own.

"thanks," she nodded once as he slid the drink towards her. she wasn't often one to drink fruity; marlene liked mead and scotch, firewhiskey on a bad day. she eyed the drink curiously. "you were always quite good at mixing," she quirked a knowing brow, bringing one of the berries to her mouth and popping it off between her lips. "top of our class, i'd reckon." it was the first compliment she'd ever paid him.

marlene decided to try the drink, certain there was no harm. severus didn't seem the type to be offended if she'd not liked it. but it was pleasant and sweet, easy to get down while she gave a surprised hum. "i'll have another," she murmured around the straw, barely having started this one. "i'm curious why you're wasting your talents on...cocktails."

[wormstails]

⬐[ rp starter for @marlxnx ]⬏ ━━━━━∙⋆⋅⋆∙━━━━━

" hey, marlie! "

peter had never been especially close with anyone but his mates, but one can hardly spend seven years in such close proximity without ending up a bit friendly, and marlene has always been a fun sort. beyond that, though, she's the ambitious sort, the type who jumped feet-first into the sort of dangerous work that gives pete shivers to think about. toe-to-tip gryffindor, this one. great fun, but someone he regards with almost-pity for doing all that dangerous codswallop.

well, better her than him. just coming off his shift, still bundled in his work coat, he skips a few steps to catch up to the woman on the street, which leaves his cheeks pink and a big smile plastered on his face. " it's been ages! well, y'know. " it hasn't been ages at all, really. a house isn't the only thing he and mckinnon have in common. " ages since we got to catch up and whatnot. can i get you a drink, or are you in a rush? " his words come out all in an excited jumble, nearly tripping over themselves with his eager haste.

[marlxnx]

marlene heard her name over her shoulder and she stilled - for a second she had trouble placing the voice. familiar, yes, but -...distant. not just physically. when it got closer, however, she was instant to remembering. how could she forget? peter pettigrew; quiet, mousy, a little...strange. she couldn't place it. but great fun when he allowed himself to be. somebody she could trust, absolutely.

"peter," marlene broke into a grin, sliding the hood from her head to reveal her dark, crowning curls. she stepped forward to trap the young man in a hug, before ruffling his hair and shoving him away playfully, gently, by the head. "on you, then. c'mon." she ushered with a chuckle and a motion of her chin. "where are you coming from?"

[that-awful-boy-deactivated20251]

Monroe's (Muggle bar) Open Starter (@itastarters)

Severus Snape was the one person whom no one truly looked for; he was a half-blood. His family was too poor for most things, yet he stood out for his intelligence and his hard work. It wasn’t often that a child had the understanding of someone far older. He knew things that weren’t taught until later years; people claimed he knew more curses than a seventh-year witch. It wasn’t always true, the claims of him being a Death Eater, that he was a pureblood, that he hated Muggles, that he didn’t like people. Severus wasn’t very social, sure, but he didn’t dislike anyone except for the marauders. Their constant teasing and fights led him to draw away more, and before he knew it, he was alone. He had no one, well, he believed he had no one. 

That knowledge led him to his decision; after graduating, he left his home. He left his father, his mother, and Cokesworth, leaving behind the person they all knew. He moved to London, started working as a server in a small restaurant and worked nights at a bar just to make ends meet. He didn’t care what others thought, but things changed for him. He actually had money to spend, and he took the time to improve his health and take care of himself. He needed to look good to work, respectable, and just different. He needed to be confident, self-assured. That brought him to today, standing behind the bar at his second job at Monroe’s. It was a classy place, one that richer people tend to gravitate towards, even though it was rather affordable.

Severus stood behind the bar, preparing some drinks for a few customers. To say he looked different was an understatement. He looked healthier, his hair was now curly with proper care, pulled back in a ponytail, and his grey, pale skin was lighter, with more colour. It was like he got out more than before, and he did. His uniform was a black button-up with black slacks and a black apron. It was plain but crisp and clean. He smiled at the guests, speaking and laughing with them while he made drinks. He wasn’t awkward, clearly comfortable in his work with a confidence that wasn’t there when he was at Hogwarts. Hearing the door ring signalling a new arrival, Severus turned and smiled, greeting the new customer. 

“Hello! Welcome to Monroe’s! I’m Severus. Please take a seat; if you take a table, a server will be with you soon. If you choose the bar, I’ll be happy to help as soon as I’m done with these drinks!”

[marlxnx]

marlene almost didn't recognize him. although, it was severus, his own pale appearance in itself was enough of a give away. but his polite tone and attitude struck marlene as strange; she'd never heard him with any type of life in his voice. although that made sense; any time she and severus did have any interactions, it was due to one of the boys having their fun with him.

not that marlene ever joined in, per se. in fact, she'd felt quite bad for the young lad. it didn't seem he had many friends, if any at all. then again, marlene never made any attempt to be his friend. she remembered him to be quite introverted. or at least, he'd never seemed to make any sort of attempt to make his presence a loud one. so when she eventually did recognize his voice to be his own, and his hair caught the sunlight through the windows just right, marlene cocked a curious head.

"so this is the dingy corner of london you ran off to." she hadn't meant it in a rude way; curious, more than anything. "making friends with the muggles, severus?" she asked, leaning against the bar.

[spllbvnds]

her heart slammed against her chest at the sound of the familiar lilt in marlene's voice, a voice mary hadn't had the delight of hearing in years. for a moment, it felt like she was seventeen again -- seventeen and hopeful, reaching out for her best friends hand only to grasp thin air in the space marlene used to occupy before she disappeared from her life. mary tried to be happy for her, and she was, but sometimes there was a bitter aftertaste the void of marlene left under her tongue.

but a huge smile broke out on the young witches face, despite the hood hiding most of marlene's beauty, mary's soul knew it was her. "it's my way of showing love, what can i say? a little bit of poison, a cure slipped in soon after... bonding." her jokes had grown darker in marlene's absence; mary pats the empty seat next to her, hoping marlene would sit. "The old Marlene wouldn't turn down a free drink now, would she?"

Please, sit. she wouldn't say it, however the hopeful shine in mary's gaze told a story worth a thousand galleons.

[marlxnx]

marlene couldn't help the smile that broke out on her face at the recognition, a warmth settling throughout her. "the old marlene wouldn't. but the new marlene couldn't." she ordered herself a bottle of mead, moving her hood slightly so that she could reveal her face to her friend. and then marlene was hugging her, all bone and cloaks, like it was the last time she'd see the woman, not the first.

like she was amazed mary was still breathing. still standing, still an image of complete courage and strength. but of course she was. mary could survive anything, marlene was sure. "hi, babe." marlene sighed into her friends hair, relishing in the feeling of being held by something that wasn't suffocating her. she pulled back after a few beats, with a smile that very rarely reached her eyes these days. "you look good. are you good?" she asked, almost worried, settling into the offered seat.

[kaceyrps]

SAVANNAH LEE SMITH on INSTAGRAM

[spllbvnds]

where: the leaky cauldron who: open @itastarters

it definitely was not mary's plan to be a regular at the leaky cauldron, but here she was for the third night in the row, delicate fingers tracing the rim of her freshly poured cocktail; but brows furrowed so deep in thought, mary couldn't enjoy the silliness of the cocktail umbrella's shooting mini sparklers from the tip.

even still, she gave the bartender a grateful smile -- girls were nice and polite even if they wanted to grit their teeth and snarl -- finally taking a sip of the fruity concoction. Spicy. " Ack - what the fu-" she spluttered out in between coughs, before turning herself to the nearest person, "would you by chance want a free drink? A nice, delicious cocktail. Nothing wrong with it whatsoever."

[marlxnx]

since being home, marlene was spending many a night at the pub. it had become a safe haven as of late - dimly lit, too loud for her to think, constantly searching for her own self at the bottom of a drink. nobody to really recognize her, not yet. she kept her hood up and her head down for the most part, not ever in a social mood - what was there to talk about? but a voice pulled her out of her own head, familiar and like honey dripping through her ears.

mary macdonald.

there was no mistaking it; marlene knew the lilt of her voice, the timbre of her tone. a funny, anxious feeling started to sprout in the pit of her stomach, like maybe she should get up and just leave, but she couldn't move her feet. instead she looked up past the shade of her hood at the young woman, leaning her chin in her hand as a faint, ghostly smile traced her lips. "i'm home hardly a few days and you're already trying to poison me?" she offered, the nerves obvious in her voice.

[saintifies]

MARLENE MCKINNON.

a breath of relief comes spilling — marlene is here, she's back, but most importantly, she's alive. her departure had always been more than her just leaving, at least, for lily. it was weeks then months then more than a year of silence, of not knowing if the dark times had reached marlene, and she's never going to return ever again.

but all of that is forgotten easily, because she's here, and she looks well ❪ * well enough ❫.

something in lily unfurls, eases, relaxes enough that she can laugh, tilting her head to look up at marlene beneath fringe of red. ❛ more or less, ❜ she shrugs, wriggling her fingers in the air to put the book back to the shelf. ❛ manager's just another word for caretaker, the owner doesn't even come around most of the time. ❜

it is with a skip in her step that she reaches for her bag, links an arm with marlene and beams as bright as the sun. ❛ gonna try and beat my record, marls﹖ ❜

[marlxnx]

marlene couldn't move faster, pulling the hood of her cloak up and over her head; the summer heat was diabolical, but she could deal with a sweat better than being recognized by people she wasn't ready to see, or people she didn't want to see. somewhere within those two possibilities was her family. marlene wasn't the same person she was before she left; she didn't know how to return to her family a stranger. it seemed so trivial from the outside.

she laughed at lily's words, leading them outside and through the cobblestone streets. they were quieter here, in london, but the ground beneath her feet buzzed as if something was brewing. "try? merlin, it really has been a long time. i can drink your sorry arse under the table by now." she gloated honestly, though it wasn't exactly something to be proud of. "twice."

[saintifies]

MARLENE MCKINNON.

her spine stiffens at the sudden contact, brims slightly parted from the surprise. for a moment, she thinks of all the ways to break free, muggle and brutal, way too physical for a witch, actions that are more fitting of petunia's hulking fiance than delicate and lovely lily. but the voice registers, sinks into her very bones, carves into the empty space in the shape of marlene.

OH, THERE SHE IS. the tension eases, practically melting in the embrace — starved of touch as she is. lashes flutter, trying its hardest to cool the heat building in her eyes.

❛ marlene, ❜ a small voice, the little sister with no big sister coming to the forefront. it's okay, she's safe with marlene. all of her harsh edges soften, arms returning the embrace, careful to not hold on too tight, to be too much like she always does. ❛ 'course i am, been handlin' my favourite store for a few months now. ❜

a pause, then the barest of squeeze. ❛ welcome back. ❜ welcome home, i've missed you.

[marlxnx]

marlene was hesitant at first, as if holding something breakable towards herself. and the embrace became familiar, the touch gentle and inviting, and marlene felt herself releasing a breath she hadn't known she'd been holding since she left hogwarts. she didn't let go for a long time, she could smell the ink and parchment in lily's hair as fresh as the day they'd boarded the hogwarts express together. marlene felt like herself again, even if just for a split second. lily's arms were home.

when she did pull away, she cupped lily's cheeks in her warm hands, as if trying to remember the feeling of friendship right in her palms. "you're joking me, you run this place?" she looked around with a newfound excitement - maybe one that no longer reached her eyes the way it used to, but it was still there, climbing it's way up marlene's face. "how've you been? we've got mountains to catch up on," she assured the redhead with a breathy laugh, finally giving the other her space. "are you up for a round?" marlene asked with a quipped brow; her face hopeful. "can you leave?"

[saintifies]

OPEN STARTER: @itastarters ❪ FLOURISH AND BLOTTS ❫

to bite one's own tongue is a lesson learned early on, even before steps have fallen into the floors of hogwarts, even before the train left the station, even before the admission letter arrived ﹔ she learned it from petunia.

petunia who taught her how to read better than primary schooling ever did, even if just to know the words of their favourite fairytales. petunia who taught her manners and etiquette from the pages of dusty old books, forced her spine to straighten, and to never bow to anyone. people like pretty things, lily, but they only like them if they're pretty and quiet, seen but not heard. not that it's a bad thing, there are so many things that you can know just by watching. with the fraying threads of their relationship, she put all of her sister's teachings in the back of her mind — but some things do not like to be forgotten.

she notices early on how the purebloods walk and talk exactly as described in petunia's old etiquette books, how they look at her like she's some odd creature because she does the same but without their pristine blood running through her veins.

not that she needs the purity of their blood to be powerful when hers is made of pure magic.

❛ pardon me, ❜ lilt sweet and soft, channels in the charm that endeared professor slughorn to poor little lily — oh, if only you weren't a muggleborn .ᐟ she knows how to look small, to be unassuming, the one that nobody ever sees coming. for all that she has learned to hate petunia, a part of her will always be grateful for the teachings that helped her survive. ❛ you might wish to take a few steps back, some of the books there have a biting habit ... literally. ❜

[marlxnx]

it had only been a few days since marlene had returned to london. she'd made a point of not going out, not seeing her friends, not seeing anyone - part of her was anxious to be welcomed back into a fold that she was no longer familiar with; not yet ready to acclimate back into a life that would soon spit her right out.

but there she was, making her way through the books of the shop with her head down, trying not to draw attention, trying to be as invisible as the naked eye could let her. but lily's sweet, soft tone snapped through her ears like a cracking broomstick, and marlene couldn't help but look up and meet the warm, green eyes of an old friend.

"lily!" she hadn't realized how much she was aching to see a familiar face, even if she'd told herself the opposite. the book fell from her hands onto the floor and she wrapped arms around the small frame of lily evans. "merlin, are you really here?" she breathed into red hair, though it was marlene who was actually here, after having disappeared for two years.