masqué

MARLENE MCKINNON ❝ no one forgets the truth; they just get better at lying. ❞                                       — richard yates

[the-write-ideas]

Send me a △ and ask a really invasive question aimed at my character

They’ll have to:

Rate on a scale of 1-10 how much they don’t want to answer that question.

Answer that question.

[persxnatus-blog]

bones-rowle:

                                                                                                                     7 July, 1977

Marlene,

You also seem to forget that my family does not possess telephones. Considering that most of the wizarding world does not possess such a thing, letters are our best bet–even if you have proved your point by waiting a week. Dick move, Marls. Dick move. Perhaps I should send this in a howler instead after all, though I doubt your neighbors will appreciate such a thing. Or the Ministry. That would definitely not improve my chances of moving up the ranks past intern. As for me being wrong, that’s bullshit. You did not know that we’d end up kissing. How was I to think that someone like you you would have any interest in me? I wasn’t exactly a pleasant person (not that I am now, but I pride myself on that; it gets me places more often than you’d think).

Have you ever thought to, I don’t know, ask to see me in person? I’d like that, believe it or not. Even if you’re insufferable even as you stand now.

Being an Auror suits you. I’ve always thought that, and I doubt they’d be idiotic enough to turn you the other way. However, I also picture you doing something reckless and getting yourself hurt, or worse, on the job, so don’t do anything stupid. I’m talking like you’re currently in training now, but it’s best to get that drilled into your head now. Don’t. Do. Anything. Stupid. And no, I won’t play damsel-in-distress for you. I can handle myself perfectly fine, and can’t pretend otherwise.

…okay, maybe once if you ask nicely.

Please don’t break Severus’ nose unless he completely and utterly deserves it, Marlene. If I get any letters from him saying you’ve broken his limbs I won’t be very thrilled. He’s fragile. Any news of broken noses will result in me revoking our shared title of ‘natural awesomeness’. You’ve been warned.

I know you said I don’t find the ones you like, but I tried and sent lollipops anyway. Cherry flavoured, as ordered, so if I hear any complaints I’ll shove that back in your face. Don’t try me. If we were the missing type, I’d say I miss seeing your stupid face every day even when it was bugging me in the library, but we’re not the missing type, of course not. I’ll learn in a few days whether or not I’ve gotten the internship, and I’ll be sure to let you know (my parents refused to use our name to get me the internship off the bat–understandable, but frustrating all the same). Stories shall be sent soon, but until then, don’t be reckless Marlene. I mean it. And like I said above, just tell me if you want to meet up. Not that I miss you or anything.

Maybe I’ll even get some Muggle money and go to a payphone. Won’t that be an experience.

Amelia

27th July, 1977

Amelia,

I don’t forget anything. I’m expecting you to get one installed and for you to connect yourselves to the muggle phone lines just so you can call me, your dubious female friend who you like kissing. Please, just so you can relate to be how well that goes down with your parents. I imagine them as so straight laced that their reaction in my head is just perfect. I will rebel against letters until we find a better way of communicating, perhaps even in person. Even then I’ll probably fit in a couple of complaints about letter writing. I was looking forward to not having to feel my hand cramping up after exams were over, but here you are, making me write what’s basically a letter every week or so.

I absolutely knew we’d end up kissing, dearest Amy, because I know myself. I knew I wanted to kiss you and I also know that I’m irresistible. Especially to someone like you. And you were equally irresistible to me because I’m someone like me. We work, darling, whether you want to admit it or not. And just because you’re so insistent on the point; can I see you in person? I’ll grovel if you want, but then you’ll have to make that up to be when we see each other and I’m not sure you’d be able to cope with the strain.

I hope you realise you just told me, Marlene McKinnon, queen of mischief and idiocy, not to do something reckless or stupid. I’m a Gryffindor and a natural idiot, of course I’m going to do something reckless and stupid. But I’m also blessed with unnatural good luck, so I’m sure I’ll be fine. And if I’m not, you can look after me whilst berating me about not paying attention to what you said. Just like you did every time I got injured playing Quidditch. If you won’t play damsel in distress, will you play nurse?

My definition of him deserving it and yours are probably completely different. Also, he’s not fragile. I will eat my tie if he’s really that fragile. He’s a better wizard than most, even if he can’t really take a punch. I appreciate the lollipops, but they’re not as good when you’re not here to share them with. By now you’re meant to know if you’ve got the internship and it’s rather frustrating that I’m going to have to wait for your letter back to hear the news. This is another point in the telephone’s favour - we could talk instantly instead of this ridiculous waiting. I’m always reckless, Amy, but I’m sure I could manage to not be if you got yourself to a payphone.

One more thing, I’d advise you start proofreading your letters, especially the dates. I know you’re very clever dearest, but I don’t think you can see the future just yet and I know you didn’t write your last on the 7th.

Marlene.

[persxnatus-blog]

dcdalusdiggle:

“Yes, because I’m a terrible lightweight! Have the tolerance of a House Elf, I do.” He laughed. “I’ll have you know I can have at least two full bottles of butterbeer. Now isn’t that impressive?” Dedalus teased, fixing her with a semi-serious look before breaking out into a grin. “Try and beat that, I dare you.” Truly he could hold far more than that (after all, butterbeer was one of the milder drinks) but it was all part of the fun.

“I have to agree with you there, flattery is better than bribery. Too much can go wrong with bribery, or so I am told.” Dedalus shrugged. “Besides, everyone likes to hear a compliment every now and then, even if the person giving it isn’t exactly being completely heartfelt.” Merlin knows how many times Dedalus had tried to get Ollivander to let him have free reign by buttering the old wizard up - needless to say that those events were unsuccessful.

“Oh, you do?” He asked, eyebrows raising in surprise. Perhaps Mundungus wouldn’t be hard to find. “I can’t say that I thought to look there, figured he was the type who drank like a fish. But just to safe…” He chuckled, bracing his hands against the bar and pushed his stool back. Leaning down, he peered underneath. “Nope, not there.” Dedalus righted him self and scooted the stool back to it’s original position. “Somehow I think that you and I might be waiting for a while.”

“I mean I can quite easily imagine that. There’s something about you that does quite strikingly remind me of a house-elf. Maybe it’s how earnest you are about being able to do such a simple thing.” She grinned back at him, not being able to help laughing after only holding his gaze for a few moments. It was too much fun to be able to continue the ridiculousness. 

“So you wouldn’t know? That’s very interesting.” She propped her head up in her hands, watching him with the attention a student might give a teacher. Provisionally interested in what he had to say, but more than willing to retreat back inside her own mind at the first sign of boredom. “I too am one of the legions of human who likes being complimented. But I’m also not averse to bribery, as long as it involves a nice bottle of firewhiskey or at least the money to get my own.

Marlene sighed when the report returned negative, tracing the rim of her glass with an absentminded finger. “That’s just too bad, really. I thought I might be able to persuade him to give me another bottle for free. He never has before, but it’s always worth the try.” She took a sip, looking around the pub before returning her gaze to Dedalus. “It looks like you might be right. So, Eddie, tell me about yourself. Any interesting hobbies? You look like you’re a fan of knitting.”

[persxnatus-blog]

fletchxr:

“See,” Mundungus said with a pointed glance over at Elias’s back, “She gets it.” 

A wink was sent Marlene’s way for good measure as another round of pronounced muttering took up from his fellow barman’s direction and he took a long sip, mulling over whether or not Mundungus Fletcher and Romance had ever belonged in the same sentence rather than the familiar hisses of ‘Irish bastard’ from the back shelf. It didn’t take long. “I can’t believe you wouldn’t recognise the very essence of romance here in this fine Alley,” he replied, edged in mock offence as his fingers fanned out before him, “Me mam always said I’d be one hell of a catch.”

(Because you’re as slippery as the day is long, had always tailed that sentence but there was no need to go ruining a good story. The grin on his face did it for him.)

“But never mind all that, who needs a gentleman when you can have a good scoundrel to liven up your night. Scoundrels we can do, can’t we, Mr. Trigg?” A single middle finger surfaced from over the man’s shoulder and Mundungus’s grin grew wider, a long sip of his drink following  (a good glass of whiskey or five never failed to improve his mood), “Crack a bottle and we all come running,” he jingled the ice in his glass for full effect and beamed as a drunk from down the bar perked up from his night of drooling on the bartop, “Much like you don’t have to be a lady, people around here aren’t afraid to show their true faces.”

Weren’t afraid, he supposed, but past tenses seemed to be the norm these days. Nothing was as it should be. He hummed, licking the taste of whiskey off his lips before raising his glass in a toast, “To not being a lady.”

Marlene laughed without tempering herself or her reaction, always feeling ore comfortable being herself in the dingy pub. Perhaps she could get a job there, another way to avoid having to go back to the Avery mansion. It was worth at least debating, though she doubted she’d ever be able to tell her father where exactly it was. She didn’t think bartender was the kind of profession he had envisaged for the Avery heir.

“I can imagine she did say that and she wasn’t wrong. I can’t imagining anyone ever ‘catching’ you. You’re a slippery bastard, aren’t you?” She sipped her drink, one eyebrow arched in slight mocking of his entire pretend persona. She knew it was bullshit just as well as he did and it amused her endlessly that they’d both decided to play along in a world of pretend.

“Scoundrels are always more interesting on a cold night like tonight.” Marlene mused, thinking of the Marauders. It was fair easier to describe them as scoundrels instead of gentlemen. She tilted her head as she watched the drunk’s head move, amused but managing to keep a straight face. “You’re right, that is exactly the kind of man I want in my life to keep me entertained when the nights get lonely.” Her eyes rolled slightly, though that didn’t stop her from refilling her own drink which had gone down surprisingly quickly.

She met his toast, letting her glass clink easily against his, with an appealing sloosh of the liquid inside it. “To not being a lady.” She knew very well that practicing a modicum of restraint with her drinking would have been better, but that didn’t stop her from downing the glass she’d just poured and once more refiling it. “You’re going to need to move a little faster, Fletcher, if you’re going to want more than that glass out of this bottle.”

[persxnatus-blog]

heaven-sent-hellion:

Amycus tilted his head slightly when Marlene responded, also looking to the cotton candy when she nodded to it. “Oh, yeah. Sure. It’s lunch, really.” It was the small things sometimes. Like eating candy for lunch, which really Amycus shouldn’t do. “I’m not one, for. Holidays, much.” 

He frowned slightly in recollection, “Once, Alecto gave me a, dead rat. For Valentine’s, day. Very. Thoughtful.” Amycus smiled again as he remembered leaving the creature on his mother’s pillow. Alecto had gotten in trouble for that one, despite her pleas of innocence. That had been a fun time. Though, Alecto didn’t give him many gifts anymore because of it. 

“If you, really don’t want. To be here, just leave. Pull a, sick card. Who knows what. Gross diseases some, of these. Kids have.” He shrugged and picked at his cotton candy between words. “Play it up enough and, no one will think to check. Just don’t, run into anyone who’d snitch. Or you’ll get into, some shit. With more lying.”

“Lunch? That is extraordinarily healthy of you. Honestly, I’m impressed. I’m rather enjoying the fact that me and my dad aren’t having to sit down and stare at each other other a ridiculously large lunch. I’m sure you understand.” The practices of a pureblood family were still relatively new to her but she was sure that Amycus would probably have a better grip on it.

Marlene smiled wryly, remembering her and Lily’s practice of gifting eah other chocolate on Valentine’s day. She had always tried to find the most ridiculously over the top ones to give to the ginger. It wasn’t a practical comparison, but Lily had been the closest to a sister that Marlene had ever got. “I’m sure it was meant with love. Or something similar.”

Her shoulders shrugged, biting her lip. “It’s just the choice between wandering around here or wandering around somewhere equally as boring but on my own. Unless you want to come with me?” Her grin was mischievous and enticing. She didn’t have friends, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t try. “Come on, Amycus. Let’s bunk and go somewhere else. Cause chaos, or we could just wander around, whatever floats your boat.”

[persxnatus-blog]

( duplicitiies: )

“I don’t know about that…” Severus hummed in thought. “I think that a dementor on your cheek could be quite intimidating. I don’t believe that anyone would be cheered to see one, don’t you agree?” He shrugged. If she wasn’t intending on getting her face painted then he hoped she would soon leave - he was in no mood to be harassed by Marlene. Not that he was in the mood to be harassed by anyone else, mind.

His expression darkened, the book falling from his grip, landing on the table with a dull thud. There were only two ways that would have Severus getting his face painted; the first being placed under the imperius curse, and the second was being petrified. Both were unlikely scenarios at the festival. “No, no, no, no.” His head shook vehemently, his eyes narrowing to slits. It was humiliating enough that this was what he had been assigned to - there was no way that he would lower himself any further than he had been forced to do already. 

His eyes snapped towards the student that was beginning to make their way over from the tables. “Don’t you even think about it.” He seethed, hands flexing slightly. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath in the hopes that it would even out his temper. “That is not happening, no matter how much you’re willing to donate. It’s not as if any of us are getting any money out of this.”

“The idea of a dementor is a rather intimidating one, it’s true, but it would still be paint, On my face. Not the greatest way of scaring the masses into behaving, am I wrong?” Her chin jutted upwards in the same way it had for years, when she was trying her hardest to seem vaguely intimidating or at the very least right. It worked on some selected members of the Death Eaters and it normally worked rather well on unsuspecting members of the public but she couldn’t imagine it would work too well on Severus who must have seen it time and time again in the seven years they’d spent at school together. 

Marlene’s smirk was a reflex action at just how adamant he was that he didn’t want to have his face painted. She wouldn’t have pushed the issue if it wasn’t continuing to produce such wonderful reactions from him. It was as easy to laugh at him now as it had been when they were younger. War and death and rebellion be damned, there were some things that would never change and her taking the piss out of Severus was one of them.

She grinned at the student who had started to come over before nodding slightly, the teenager wandering off to do something else, leaving the two of them as alone as a festival could let them be. She leant forward, resting her elbows on the table. “It’s almost as though you’re not having fun, Severus. That’s not very festive of you, is it? It’s nearly Valentine’s Day, you should cheer up. Or you’ll always be alone.” She smiled slightly, perhaps a little tighter than she normally would, well aware that she too was alone. Regardless of romantic entanglements, she was used to having friends on Valentine’s Day. Not any more.

[hedonist--poet-deactivated20240]

Darkness is relative. Some are in love with it, and some are cursed by it.

Hira

[legendsinspo]

it’s a holly volly jolly holiday and it’s live like legends secret santa 2k16:

@tovjovrspur gives to @persxnatus

Marlene + Hogwarts Christmas Aesthetic ft. Amelia

[legendsinspo]

it’s a holly volly jolly holiday and it’s live like legends secret santa 2k16:

@transfigurare gives to @persxnatus

[legendsinspo]

it’s a holly volly jolly holiday and it’s live like legends secret santa 2k16:

@transfigurare​ gives to @persxnatus and @bones-rowle

[legendsinspo]

it’s a holly volly jolly holiday and it’s live like legends secret santa 2k16:

@tovjovrspur gives to @persxnatus

[persxnatus-blog]

bones-rowle:

5 July, 1977

Marlene,

I already told you my thing about phones. They’re easier, yes, but letter writing has a charm that phone calls will never have–or they won’t in my opinion, at least, and you know my opinion is more often than not right. Don’t even argue with me on that, because you know it’s true. Name one time I was wrong, I’ll wait.

I’m glad I didn’t look completely ridiculous in those robes. You’d think after seven years of wearing robes every day to classes I’d be used to it by now, but those robes in particular were incredibly uncomfortable. I heard a few people say they were too lavish, but I thought them plain. Then again, I suppose having a bit of money will change your view on things, right? I know you’re counting down the days until you turn seventeen, but being an adult already isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I’ve gotten job interviews, and my parents helped a bit with that, but it’s still a looming kind of thing over your head. Count your days without responsibility while you can.

Then again, you’re twice as responsible as anyone else I know in my year or older. You’ll kick adulthood’s ass.

We’re not pathetic shitty letter people, Marlene. Even if the letters we sent really were pathetic and shitty, they would not really be because it’s us who wrote the letters. We balance out the quality by default, so don’t worry about that. Don’t listen to anything Severus might say to make it sound otherwise. I know Bennett would probably agree with me, so watch out for Severus. He’s the real troublemaker in the end. 

Place a tenner into the pool for me, or an I.O.U. My bet’s on Bennett.

I miss you too, Marlene. I’ll send you some lollipops with my next letter, if it’ll make you feel any better. I know we’re not the missing type, but it’s hard to miss you when I get letters from you weekly (or I hope they’re weekly). It’ll be like you were never gone in the first place, so I’m not worried at all. I’m sorry this isn’t the novel you expected–I’ll try to write double the length next time. With any luck, they’ll be filled with stories from the Ministry itself.

Write soon, Marls. It’s the only way I’ll keep my sanity in this world, and apparently vice versa as well.

Love

Amelia

12th July, 1977

Amy,

     Not only are phones easier - they’re also faster. It’s been a week since I got your letter and I’m only just sitting down to write your reply! I don’t have an excuse by the way, I just thought I’d use this to further my argument for us to have a phone conversation. It would also let me hear your voice. And that’s not an invitation to send me a howler. Remember I live in a muggle neighborhood. As for a time that you were wrong there are just too many to name. But why don’t we start with that time you thought there would be any possibility that we wouldn’t end up kissing. I knew it from the moment we started talking - but you seemed much less convinced.

    I have been informed that having money does change your views on quite a lot. If I had grown up with money perhaps I would have turned out like my dearest half brother and been an insufferable prat for you all to suffer through. I might even have been in Slytherin with you, dearest. That would have made our rendezvous a lot less exciting. As for the robes, I don’t know if they were lavish or plain, I just know that you looked far to comfortable to be graduating. Are you kidding me Amy? I’m going headlong into responsibility the moment I can. Being prefect or head girl never appealed to me, I know, but the minute the next school year starts I’m going to apply for Auror training. I’m so ready to be done with school and actually doing something for the world. I want to fight the bad guys and I know I can do it. Do you think you’ll be up for playing a distressed damsel every now and again for me?

    You speak the truth. I think it would be difficult for either of us to write pathetic shitty letters when we’re both so naturally awesome. I’m very glad for us being so naturally awesome. It means that when we’re together we’re the most awesome and if there’s one thing I like more than anything it’s being the best at something. I’m not even mad I have to share the title with you. I’ve already broken Prince’s nose once, I don’t think he’ll fuck with me again. He knows what happens when he does.

   I was thinking Bennett too. Though I would quite like to see what Prince is like when he cracks.

   You can never find the right ones that I like. You know I only appreciate sharing lollipops with you when they’re cherry flavoured. They’re sweet but can be sharp sometimes, just like you. Not to pick a hole in your perfect plan but it’s not going to be like I was never wrong because as nice as letters are, they can’t replace being able to see each other. If we were the missing type I’d tell you that it’s only been two weeks but I already miss kissing you. But we’re not, so instead I’ll just tell you that I’m excited to hear stories of you being an intern in the Ministry.

    Marlene

[persxnatus-blog]

she was almost good for her. she was almost in love with her. they almost made it. 

@bones-rowle

[heaven-sent-hellion-blog]

Festival Grounds Feb 9th @persxnatus

Amycus could say he was impressed with the amount of effort that went into this all. He’d expected less, something not as well put together as this all looked. Even a Ferris wheel. He’d wanted to come only to look, just to see what all that time had gone into. Alecto had declined coming, once again. Not today, not today. She said that all the more often now. 

Fucking kill-joy. Alecto never wanted to do anything anymore it seemed. Sit around, mope about her room. She was in a sour mood for whatever reason and it made her all the more unbearable. It was hard to be nice to her when she was being a bitch. Amycus mildly considered bringing his dog instead; he knew the animal would get more excitement out of this than he was. The dog loved anything that moved and was an absolute sucker for any kind of attention. 

Concerned with his own thoughts Amycus idly wandered around, looking over the stalls of games and foods with a disinterested eye. It was all a bit colorful and loud for his own tastes. Even as a child he doubted he would have wanted to stay for long. Another short while of aimless walking and he was at a vendor selling cotton candy, and convinced himself to buy some. Cotton candy was a lunch food, wasn’t it?

As he thought about how his mother would scold him for eating something that was pure sugar he spotted Marlene looking entirely unenthused. He snorted to himself, now walking directly over to her. His head tilted slightly and he raised his eyebrows at the woman, “You look. Like you’re having, the time. Of your fucking life. Right?” he smiled a bit at his own joke. “They say it, takes less muscles to smile. To, smile than to frown. Whoever, they might be.”

[persxnatus-blog]

Marlene was not on duty that day and she couldn’t have been more thankful. However, not being on duty was not a reason to not be to be at the festival and so there she was, still wandering aimlessly. The festival wasn’t much fun when alone, without either friends or a romantic entanglement. But her last ex was now married and all her friends were either dead or thought she was a traitor to their cause. She doubted she could really call anyone in the Death Eaters a friend. It was shaping up to be a thoroughly disheartening Valentine’s Day, even if the day itself was still most of a week away.

Marlene had become used to spending time on her own. Being alone wasn’t something that really affected. What she couldn’t stand and what had plagued her more and more was the feeling of being lonely. She had no-one she could really talk to besides Professor McGonagall and even then she was keeping secrets. She was always keeping secrets, from everyone. Marlene wanted her friends, she wanted her home and she wanted her mum. But she had been the one to put herself forward for the role she now fulfilled. It was all she wanted to do, to bring down Lord Voldemort, but she couldn’t help but feel hopeless sometimes.

She hadn’t even noticed that she’d been staring at the same spot of grass for what must have been at least five minutes until the voice of Amycus broke the vaguely hypnotic spell she’d put herself under. “I’m just thrilled to be here.” She slipped easily into the bored voice of someone killing time, rather than the desperate tone which resounded in her head. “You look very... festive.” She nodded at the cotton candy, smiling slightly. Amycus was strange, yes, but somehow she still found herself genuinely enjoying his company. Still, definitely not a friend.

[persxnatus-blog]

duplicitiies:

A sigh escaped him as he turned the page, his shoulders drooping. If only he could cast silencing and disillusionment charms on himself and sneak away. Or even get someone to run the booth in his stead so that he could go home and seek refuge within the family library. Unfortunately he wasn’t that lucky. His presence would be missed too much at the festival due to him being forced onto the planning committee. The whole thing reminded him of being back at school - leaving a distinctly sour taste in his mouth.

Severus peered up at the blonde from his book, his mouth setting into a hard line. Marlene was far from his favourite person in the world (he was still smarting over the broken nose she’d given him years ago - even if he had deserved it) but still, there were worse people that could have been standing in front of him. “I don’t think so.” He scoffed. “I’d rather get trampled by an Erumpent, thank you very much.” He raised an eyebrow at Marlene, his expression a picture of scorn.

“However, as you are here, I am afraid that you’ll have to pay up and sit down. Rules are rules, and I am on the committee.” He turned to look over his shoulders to see which of the students were free. “You can have your choice in artist. Fancy that, McKinnon.” His hand remained outstretched, daring her.

It did baffle her how despite his position on the planning committee, he’d still ended up in a position that he so clearly despised. It was baffling, but it added in a hefty amount of amusement to her day. She and Severus were certainly not friends, so she felt more than comfortable in taking a small amount of pleasure in his discomfort. If they were friends, she would have felt bad, but the lasting and underlying animosity between them made sure that she could avoid any guilt.

As he frowned up at her, she recalled how similar that expression was to the one he had worn only moments before she’d broken his nose. She smiled a little at the memory, though it soon faded as she remembered why she had done so. Lily. She would have done anything for the red-head, but she hadn’t been able to save her. Marlene shrugged her shoulders as he refused, slightly disappointed that she couldn’t take him into it, but sensible enough of the precarious nature of whatever the relationship was between them that she knew not to push it.

“I think you’re forgetting that I too am on the committee. And as I’m in charge of security, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I’m here to  intimidate and protect, I can’t do that with something painted on my face.” She leant on the table, motioning for one of said students to come forward. “But I will make a charitable donation for this fine example of youth to demonstrate their skills on you.”

[persxnatus-blog]

@bones-rowle

                                                                                                                                  1st July, 1977 Dear Amy,

        I would still much prefer that we talked over the phone, but I suppose there is something about letter writing that manages to keep my interest. I told you that I’d remember to send this letter before we’d been home a week and I may be slightly late, but you should still give me credit for trying.

      We didn’t get much time to talk at the end of term, so I thought I’d tell you now that I was so proud of you you didn’t look completely ridiculous. Maybe the Slytherin colours aren’t so bad after all. You’re officially an adult now, how does that feel? I just keep counting down the days until I finally turn seventeen - it’s ridiculous that I have to wait so long when I’m sure I’m twice as clever as most of the people in your year. I’m definitely twice as pretty. But you already knew that.

      I won’t lie to you Amy, I’m spinning this letter out because I don’t know what to write and I don’t want to write a pathetic shitty letter. We’re not pathetic, shitty people so we can’t write those pithy letters. I expect an entire novel back, I hope you know that. Do you think Prince and Bennett are going to be lost without you in the autumn? I’m considering starting a betting pool about which one of them will crack first - want in?

     I’m not going to miss you, you know? I think everyone expects me to, but I won’t. And I know I won’t because I know you’re not going to miss me. We’re not the missing kind of people, are we? I think that’s what I’ve always liked about you. That and the fact you don’t mind sharing lollipops.

    Write soon or I might just go crazy. Or crazier. You don’t want that on your conscience.

Marlene

[persxnatus-blog]

itsy-bitsy-wolfie:

slug & jiggers 5th February 1979 8:20am

He had to be drunk to do that - disregard any kind of moral compass he once had and bow down his head to orders he did not agree with. You’re a liability Remus, don’t put others at risk. He reminded himself and to shut those thoughts, alcohol worked wonders.

If people couldn’t understand by now that drunk was the predicament that came right before Remus John Lupin, then they were just plainly dumb. It’s not like he was even trying to be low key about his distaste for being alive as of late, living under dark dictatorship times definitely wasn’t doing anything for his mental health. For example, he hadn’t even gone back to his falling apart cold apartment over a bar last night, nope, he’d been on a bender and wasn’t done drinking. Or rather, he was done drinking, exactly ten minutes before being summoned by Fenrir and exactly twenty minutes before he walked into the shop “for inspection” or whatever dumb fuckery their shitty ministry liked to name those raids, as that was the proper word. 

The whole festival was a big dumb fuckery in Remus’ opinion, their community had nothing to celebrate but then again, that was from his standpoint. And right there and then, his standpoint was that he could slowly and surely, as fucking drunk as he was, not do absolutely anything. Well he was “inspecting” the shop alright by going very slowly through the shelves and ignoring Marlene going viciously at Roxanne, he truly felt for her. So of course his very drunken self deemed it’d be in everyone’s best behalf to closely inspect one crystal vial, reaching - failing and pushing the thing out of its shelf, letting it fall with a loud clatter. “My bad!” He chimes sounding probably a little too amused before wiping out his wand to repair it, in that very process knocking off another glass bottle with his elbow. “Merlin’s booger.” He grumbles, trying not to laugh. 

It would be a mistake to assume that Marlene enjoyed this part of her role as Death Eater. She knew that the purpose of these relentless raids and questionings was not really to get information but instead to promote fear. Her own proclivity for dark magic was one thing, but Marlene could hardly stomach the atmosphere of fear that seemed to be desired and actively cultivated. Sometimes, even she found herself scared, despite knowing that she had the protection of her father and failing that, the protection of Minerva McGonagall. She could hardly imagine what it felt like to be a civilian in such a time of oppression. Yet still, she had a job to do and a role to play - regardless of the capacity of Remus to back her up.

It was hard to keep her voice at exactly the right tone of intimidating when she could see Remus out of the corner of her eye, clearly far too gone to be able to help her in any way. She felt for him, she really did. The six months since their worlds had changed had been hard on all of them, but perhaps especially on her and Remus who had ended up on the wrong side according to their friends. The soft crash of a bottle that definitely looked far too expensive for him to be fiddling with was the last straw for her. Her head snapped up and she looked directly at him with something between pity and frustration. She needed to keep her role and her cover, but her heart wanted her to run, pulling Remus with her and keeping them both safe.She settled for striding over, yanking him up to stand talk, wordlessly repairing the second bottle he'd smashed.

"Remus, you've got to get it together." Her voice was a hiss, close to his ear, the smell of alcohol almost unbearable yet all too familiar. "Goddammit, please."