The Ambitious and Cunning McKinnon Clan
Marcas McKinnon (Dylan McDermott)
Nicole McKinnon (Carla Gugino)
Martin McKinnon (Matteo Martari)
Magnus McKinnon (Aidan Turner)Â
Malcom McKinnon (Aneurin Barnhard)Â
Marlene McKinnon (Diana Silvers)
One of the oldest Sacred wizarding families, the McKinnons can trace their lineage all the way back to Morgana, Merlinâs eventually bested nemisis. Clan legend states that, Morgana, knowing her inevitable end, willed a son into existence, in hopes that after she was defeated, her descedents would continue on her legacy and become powerful enough to finish what she started. This son, known as Morgan and given the name McKinnon as was common with unclaimed children in the Scottish village where he was found, grew up to be powerful, wickedly smart, and cunning enough to know that there was no way he could truly defeat Merlin on his own. He had three sons, who went on to have three sons of their own. This trifecta has continued constantly, without fail, as the McKinnon clan continued to make their mark on the wizarding world. The sons climbing higher and higher and becoming more and more involved with movements that promoted wizards and power above all else. The men of the McKinnon family claim that Morgana willed them all to be men, for she knew her only fault and the sole reason she was defeated was the softness that came with feminitity. Consequently, women who marry into the McKinnon family are destined for unhappy lives at best-and it is not uncommon for many McKinnon men to outlive their wives, and equally common for them to view women as disposable and beneath them.Â
Due to their power and leginage, the McKinnon Clan owns the most wizarding property in all of Scotland with plans to gain more. The oldest son of each generation is tasked with continuing this conquest-his choices dictate the choices of the rest of the clan, younger brothers must listen to older brothers. Birth order is everything, and while infighting is shut down immidately, it is a vicious clan to be a part of if you are not at the top of the food chain. The younger brothers constantly are clamouring over each other, wishing for their kinfolksâ demises and full of hope that borders on delusion that they will inevitably be the one to fufill the ancient legacy left upon all of their shoulders.
Marcas McKinnon, the first son of many other first sons, was on track to be the most successful leader the Clan had ever seen. Marrying Nicole Selwyn, a meek and beautiful woman too desperate for a good match to say no, Marcas had three strong young sons by the time he joined Voldemort and the Deatheaters. Sensing his thirst, the Dark Lord knew just how to use Marcas, and he quickly became, and still remains, one of the most powerful wizards loyal to the Dark Lord. Marcas is proud of his sons; Martin, the most like him, just as desperate for powerful but in proper awe of his father, pre-burdened with the legacy that comes with appearing first. Magnus, the charmer, surprisingly satisfied with the role life had given him, willing and constantly ready to help his father however he could. Malcom, the genius, too smart to be stable but submissive and dedicated to the cause-the meekness from his mother actually hiding something quite sinister just beneath the surface. Even at eleven, as he was about to enter Hogwarts, it was evident that Malcom would be just as useful as his brothers. Marcas was set for success, with his two eldest signed on to join the Death Eaters before they even finished school.Â
Until that same year, the unthinkable happened.
Nicole hadnât realized until it was far too late. They had never been careful, it was never a possibility that they would have any children beyond the magically fated three sons. The swelling in her middle was easy to dismiss until she felt, with a terrifying realization, the unmistakable tug of life.Â
She hasnât spoken much since this pregnancy-the entirity of the clan questioned her, mocked her, shamed her. There was no way she could possibly be carrying another McKinnon son. It was only until Marcasâs own grandmother stepped in and performed the correct spells that anyone took Nicoleâs word.
She hadnât cheated. This child was Marcasâs. Everyone waited, counting down the days, with some wondering, if this fourth son was the destiny they had spent centuries waiting for.Â
When Marlene was born, her father left the room in disgust. She didnât have a name for the first three months of her life, only being named by Marcasâs grandmother, the only woman who could ever get through to him. Marleneâs childhood was lonely, confusing, quiet and neglectful-her mother wasnât mentally strong enough to care for her and her father simply didnât care for her at all. She was shuffled between different nannies and watched them all inevitably become too old for her father to sleep with.Â
Still, the legacy of her family drove Marlene probably more than anyone else in the McKinnon clan. She entered Hogwarts vicious and precoucious and the Sorting Hat didnât even touch her before she was sorted into Slytherin. She quickly became the leader of a horrible group of girls that she couldnât stand-but if her father had taught her anything it was power in numbers. They bored her and were down right insufferable, but when Marlene told them to shut up or to hit someone, they listened. The control was intoxicating and the power went to her head. Students and professors a like seemed to be afraid of her, and thatâs how she liked it. She was invincible.
She broke the day after her 15th birthday. She exploded-she doesnât even quite remember it. Malcom was picking at her, doing what he knew would get under her skin and torture her and the next thing she remembered was staring at the giant burn that was taking over her brotherâs body. Sheâd somehow created some sort of acid spell, and the healers couldnât completely fix him, just minimize the damage. Sure that perhaps, finally, her father would see her value, Marlene was prepared to get praised-instead she was taught first hand how cruel McKinnon men are to disobient women. What her father hadnât expected was for her to fight back-and it was only when her two oldest brothers joined their father in keeping Marlene at bay magically that she was defeated. But sheâd seen it, just before she passed out; fear in her fatherâs eyes. Theyâd given Mungos some spell accident story and they knew better than to question Marcas. She spent all of that summer holiday alone in Mungos, recovering. She tested her powers, trying to see if she could get the sheer level of power back, but try as she might, Marlene couldnât get her anger and power back to that level. She doesnât know if this is something she can recreate-but she knows without a doubt that her life changed after that day. She has not spoken a word to her father since and only was allowed to remain in the family home due to her motherâs hysteria on her behalf.Â
In her silence, Marlene lost what she thought mattered. The girls she had so easily controlled turned on her, and the fear she had once relished now kept her isolated. 5th year was lonely, 6th year was bitter, and 7th year was when she started to realize that she was in control of her own destiny. Girls in other houses, the ones she had spent her early years tormenting, were slowly opening up to her, and somehow, she won Emmeline Vance over when they were care of magical creature partners. Em invited her to a party early on in year 7, and Marlene had been so nervous she drank two full bottles of wine. It came out-finally, as did she. As the victim of her family, as some sort of freak of nature, as queer. And shockingly, the girls who she had been so sure were her enemies, held her hand and let her cry. Without the burden of her family and with the pull of her clan long behind her, Marlene ran away and spent the rest of her 7th year as a ward of Hogwarts, helped out surprisngly by Horace Slughorn, who quietly (after he swore Marlene to secrecy) confided that he had never cared for her brothers or father. He asked her, carefully still, if she was interested in tyring to make things right.Â
Marlene joined the Order, and Marlene found her peace. Finally, her viciousness, her harshness, someone showed her how to use it for good. And now, Marlene is determined to use it to take down the clan that made her. Perhaps what Morgana needed most of all was to prove the men who underestimated her to be the fools she always knew they had been.Â
But Marlene, frankly, could give a shit about legacies and fairy tales-and she looks forward to the day where her father and her brothers have to face her-even if its 3 on 1 again, Marlene is certain she will not be defeated.
