old-mckmarl

[old-mckmarl]

admcliora​:

           "  i  .  .  .  suppose  that’s  one  way  of  appreciating  fashion  .  "  amaline  had  need  been  privy  to  wedding  preparations  —  it  was  hard  to  when  her  close  family  consisted  only  of  herself  ,  silas  and  their  father  ,  but  if  the  way  balls  and  dinners  were  conducted  was  any  indication  ?  it  wasn’t  surprising  that  someone  would  be  this  bored  by  them  .  another  quick  glance  into  the  shop  made  the  blonde  hum  to  herself  ,  a  smile  on  her  lips  at  the  precision  and  effort  in  everyone’s  movement  —  brow  rising  and  a  small  shrug  marking  her  words  as  she  turned  back  to  marlene  .  "  if  you  will  .  when’s  the  wedding  ,  then  ?  i’ve  heard  about  it  ,  but  by  the  look  of  it  it’s  close  enough  .  "

She could let out a chuckle, her own vague innuendo charmingly flying over the girl’s head. Marlene’s eyes followed back to the glass window and back to the other, exasperated sigh with hints of humor leaving her as her attention turned to bored hands. She fiddled and twisted with singed sleeve, poking larger at the forming hole - her mother didn’t think it was worth fixing. After all, these weren’t her nice clothes ‘and it would just keep happening if she was stubborn enough to keep her wand lodged in there like a playtoy’. “July eighteenth, just a few hours short of when they really wanted it.” Those few hours in between were all she would get. Evening the morning of her own birthday was bound to be filled with post-matrimonial arrangements and tasks. “Who’s talking to you about Gwennie-girl and her muggleboy lightweight?  Or did my parents invite your parents or something? You don’t seem like the lot to come to it.”

[old-mckmarl]

thebrokenbones​:

“I love your new office, Marls… now can we please get lunch? The business I’ve done has left me starved and while I like the work, I want to be able to enjoy my summer” She laughed moving to stand.

“Well, I am on guarding duty. With these lovely files here.” Her head nodded towards the now messy stack of papers that Gwen had wanted her to ‘watch’, because apparently, she would be no good for anything else. And Marlene was fine with that, deciding that their new state was much more fitting for the nature of the position she was not being paid for. “Brilliant, let’s go.” her feet kicked off the desk, launching her into a standing position. “It’s stuffy like a bat cave here.”

[old-mckmarl]

frcnklcngbottom​:

“according to who?” he teased, “you underestimate me –” he accused, “whose to say that i’m looking for brilliance, not all nicknames mckinney are meant to be extraordinary –” purposefully using the name that would drive her mad. “big-ass or not – nicknames come from fondness. if i didn’t like you - i’d just call you marlene, what other compliment can i offer you?” 

“are you calling me a bore? there’s a  certain charm that comes with predictability, marley – you don’t want to see me with the element of surprise” 

“Me and your mother.” Her eyebrow raised, not ever underestimating him for being anything other than Tristan’s only actual friend. And she wasn’t one who looked to ruin such things. “So, should I just become less extraordinary to please you? I think that may just be one of the few things I can’t do.” She nodded in vague consideration, deciding it was better to just play as facetious and jocular as possible while the time passed. “Well, then. I guess I’ll just have to call you Frank.”

“Yeah, you might bite one of your acid pops too quickly.” She’d observed him with her brother long enough to know his affinity for the ugly snack. They weren’t particularly good for hiding in places that could easily erode. “Some people are just meant to be predictable”

[old-mckmarl]

hectichilde​:

Being at the Ministry was boring, and Hilde wasn’t quite sure why she had agreed to go with her father, except to get away from her siblings’ moving chaos. “Wait, they turn yellow?” Hilde tilted her head, curiously. That caught her attention. “Weird. Yeah, okay, let’s go. Are they a different species or did someone cast a spell on them?”

“They don’t know yet, need to like research I suppose.” The blonde was already halfway down the hall, seeking out the elevators which she knew all too well. Marlene hated that she could walk through this place blindfolded, unless of course it was to make narrow escapes. That could be beneficial in the end. “I think they always existed and just somebody thought to say something on them. I think yellow makes more sense than orange. It’s brighter and all, I mean they’re such little dwts, that its probably hard to tell what color they’re glowing anyway. I mean their flitterbies, not exactly the most attention catching creature.” Unless they were released into the DIMC offices, maybe.

[old-mckmarl]

withcringhcurs​:

            “  or  you  could  have  owled  me  yesterday  and  we'd  be  all  set  now  .  "  the  redhead  gave  her  friend  a  look  as  if  to  say  ‘  there  you  go  '  before  she  moved  marlene's  hands  from  her  arm  ,  choosing  instead  to  take  them  and  give  them  a  gentle  squeeze  —  her  friend  was  a  force  of  nature  and  while  that  have  given  lily  many  headaches  over  the  years  ,  it  was  impossible  not  to  miss  the  blonde's  explosive  ,  untamed  brand  of  characteristic  energy  .  "  babes  ,  think  on  the  bright  side  —  you're  suffering  through  dress  fittings  and  seating  charts  now  so  that  we  can  take  advantage  of  the  open  bar  later  .  that's  gonna  make  it  worth  it  .  "  marlene's  suggestion  was  met  with  a  familiar  eyeroll  ,  one  that  most  certainly  didn't  match  the  warm  ,  loving  smile  that  had  spread  over  her  lips  —  head  shaking  just  a  bit  as  she  eyed  joey  once  more  ,  thankful  that  the  boy  offered  her  only  a  smile  and  lifted  his  glass  before  getting  up  to  rejoin  his  friends  at  a  table  by  the  window  .  it  allowed  her  to  look  back  at  marlene  ,  relaxing  against  the  counter  even  as  she  let  out  a  soft  laugh  .  "  drinks  are  on  me  ,  you  look  like  you  need  'em  —  don't  think  that  the  boss  would  be  happy  to  find  a  register  full  of  gold  .  y'know  ,  you  could  just  come  spend  the  weekend  with  me  ,  love  —  mom  and  dad  miss  you  anyway  ,  and  you’re  much  better  company  than  tuney  .  your  parents  might  say  yes  if  i  owl  them  .  ”

“That old owl? Get lost, he would. It’s better this way my dear.” She returned her friend’s squeeze of the hands, with a flashing smile to make a shine behind crystalline eyes. Lily seemed about as she always had, and it was refreshing and felt good to be around. It was honest, and real, and all quite simple in her presence. But she simply groaned at Lily’s rationale for why Marlene should just deal with all of the wedding crap. “Yeah, well. Lils,” her tone dragged out in sing-song as she leaned herself back against the counter, “those dressing fittings may go down the laf. You know why? Sort of just went and ....  c h a n g e d   the thing up myself. No frills or anything. Haven’t let them see it at all yet, either. Better off a surprise and all.” And thank Merlin for it, she’d be an itchy mess the whole night in that ridiculous thing. She was about as grateful for that as she was the funny looking muggle-boy with bad hair leaving them alone at last. ‘Joey’ just seemed awful and distracting. “It’s better than the paper stuff you use here isn’t it. I mean like...look at this thing you have to keep it in so it doesn’t get wet. Just silly.” Her eyes looked down at the metal thing called a register -- to be fair they were quite common, as she knew, even in magical stores, but those were more for show weren’t they? -- before her ears perked back up to retroactively here Lily’s offer. “Whatever is strongest, my loveliest, dearest, sweetest Lily.” Fingers reached for the tips of her friend’s pretty hair since the offer for drinks was made. Not to say Marlene didn’t have a habit of reaching for her friend’s hair, twirling little deep-red ringlets onto her fingers. “Yeah, maybe. But either you’re at my house or I’m at yours and we have older sisters that remind us of damp cats screeching at owls.”

[old-mckmarl]

aciiers​:

      ❛     𝑠𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑠  𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒  𝑎     plan ,    mckinnon .    ❜         sirius  gives  her  a   grin .     it  slowly  fades ,   of  course ,    but  at  least  he   genuinely   had  the  moment ,    and  he   gets   why  it’s  all  so  fleeting .     he’s  never  gotten  to  know  the  mckinnons  outside  of  marlene ,    but  there’s  still  a   tad  of   attachment   there  in  the  same  way  he’s  attached  to  pete’s  mum ,   or  moony’s  folks    —    distantly ,    but  he   cares .    there’s  a   pull   in  him  at  her  response ,   brows   knitting   together  .       ❛    you  didn’t  owl  them ?   ❜      he  asks ,    softly ,    leaning  over  to   look   at  where  marlene   curls   into  herself .    he  might   understand   more  than  he  really   thinks    he  does ,    why  she   wouldn’t .     he   twitches   in  place  only  a  moment  before  he  simply   comes  c loser ,   deciding  he’d  much  rather   forget   about  whatever  distance  they’ve  been  forcing  to   keep   between  themselves  as  of  late .     especially  with  the  topic  at  hand ,    after  all .   even  if    just  for  him .    he  doesn’t   want   to  think  about  summer .    he   wants   to   shove   it  under  the  rug  like  he  has  every   other   holiday  he’s  gone  back  home  in .    but  he  knows  the  ache  of    not  knowing ,    too .    he  feels  it  even  now ,    like  he   always   has  with  marlene .     the   attraction   there  was  that  it  could  be    easy ,    when  you  both   refuse   to  acknowledge   anything   at  all .    and  maybe  he    should    let  himself  grow  past  that .          ❛    i  know .   ❜      is  all  he  answers  at  the  moment ,   gaze  breaking  to   frown   at  the  ground .       ❛     but  -   ❜    he  starts ,    bringing  a  thumb   up   to  bite   down   on ,     still   contemplating   despite  continuing  the  topic   himself .    ❛     it’ll  be  it’s   own   circle  of  hell ,    i  feel ,   ❜     is  what  he  ends  up  saying ,    bringing  his  hand  down  with  a  laugh   blown   out  the  words  of  it .    he  shakes  his  head ,    gathering  back  up  to  look  at  marlene .         ❛     would    you   want  to  talk  about   school ,   then ?     and  no ,   not   classes   —    before  you  get  cheeky  with  me .   ❜     he’s  seen ,    after  all ,    the  exact   telltale   signs  of    recklessness    in   her   demeanor  as  of  late .     the  types  that  ring  hollow   and   hard   —    overcompensating   for  what’s  not  really  there .    he  knows    something   must  have  happened ,    and  he  isn’t  going  to   pry ,    not  anymore  than   she   does .    than  they   always   do .     but  he  won’t   move  ,    either .    he  sits  back  instead ,    feeling  his  shoulder  brush  against  marlene  in  this  new  position ,    head  against  the  sofa  to  look  up  the  the  tower’s   ceilings   instead .    ❛     guess  there’s  no   winning   for  either  of  us .   ❜

Her words on the topic began where his left  off in defense: “But they’re not yo-“ Not your parents. And they didn’t need to be. There was no way for words to make it past her throat when trying to interpret why two people who loved her felt strained and distant. But to even come close to conveying that was a strange effort that tempted her until she ultimately would decide against it again and again. She could have shot him a dirty look, a fleeting moment that resolves in her quickly; almost replaced by shock that fades just as simply. Sometimes he really did seem like a good thing, that even now it was simpler to nestle in close quarters than offer him an explanation on why reaching out to her parents felt like her body was frozen in place. 

Yet her words cut off to instead just observe where his mind switched to next, letting her own arms relax but not feeling any better about being less small. Lips can manage the slightest grin; whether that was from a shared humor or knowing that this was not a subject either would push on. Again recognizing that maybe more time had passed than she expected since Sirius had been tuned into her last. And the funniest feeling that it was her fault, her own choices that convinced her that she was better off picking a fight or drowning into the doubts someone else was drilling into her. “Fine, school. And it can be as cheeky as I please, darling.” There was finally a breath to the words, letting the weight of her shoulder onto his when he leaned back to the couch. “Talking about the school, that crack up there,” the lightest nod of her head referenced the farthest left corner of the ceiling, “looks like Sprout trying to do ballet.” It was an observation she’d made in third year, not remembering she’d shared that with him in the past in a similar instance. “Call it a draw then.” It wasn’t a draw, not really. This wasn’t her competition. But eyes turned lightly to gaze at the profile of his face, a bit eager for the reactions that had felt missed as of late. And again, there was almost a guilt to it - to think who she should be spending more time around, and why he didn’t seem to fit into the usual categories of those divisions Marlene was told she ought to have. No, she didn’t need inhibitions here, less so if he would not push on previous topics. Her legs adjust, center relaxed into the couch now for comfort with her cheek squished to the cushioned back, uncaring but looking for a reason to grin again. “We’ll like tag team it next time. Whatever it is.”

[old-mckmarl]

admcliora​:

              “  they  could  —  the  ladies  have  been  known  to  work  near  miracles  on  very  short  notice  .  but  i  will  admit  that  the  obnoxious  smell  of  roses  is  enough  to  drive  anyone  mad  .  ”  amaline  took  her  time  to  study  the  other  girl  ,  eyes  moving  subtly  over  her  before  her  gaze  shifted  to  peek  into  the  store  —  not  that  there  was  much  to  see  other  than  a  flurry  of  fabrics  and  swishing  robes  as  the  staff  dashed  about  the  place  .  the  mckinnons  weren’t  unfamiliar  to  the  young  slytherin  ,  but  they  were  very  much  what  her  father  considered  inappropriate  company  —  that  in  itself  wasn’t  surprising  ,  as  amaline’s  father  considered  the  vast  majority  of  the  wixen  world  inappropriate  company  when  it  came  to  her  .  a  smile  ,  polite  with  just  a  hint  of  warmness  ,  spread  over  her  face  and  her  head  bobbed  from  side  to  side  gently  when  her  eyes  met  marlene  once  more  —  an  effortless  shrug  falling  over  her  shoulders  like  a  wave  .  "  i  happen  to  have  taken  the  afternoon  to  wander  about  and  talk  to  near  strangers  ,  it  can  be  a  most  fulfilling  pastime  .  as  for  the  dresses  ,  i  like  them  well  enough  .  .  .  when  they’re  finished  and  all  i  have  to  do  is  put  them  on  .  are  you  not  a  fan  ?  "

“Yeah,” Marlene grunted, head falling back to the wall behind her as she knew she’d see nothing else but more fabric and hear more of what she assumed was Gwendolyn giggling. She was not someone who should giggle. But her eyes shifted back towards the other little blonde with the lightest smirk, just more than glad to put her family’s airs out of her mind for a little while. Perhaps she’d look back fondly to find the most serious people in the world concerned with tulle and frills. Fucking frills, Merlin. Marlene was glad she managed to hide her dress away from her family - the end results of her own handiwork to just be seen that night. Maybe Amelia would have to be her second opinion for the newly revamped article. “Well the dresses...They’re better when they’re off.” Her shoulders mimicked the fluid shrug, eyes still just barely grazing over the other. A Selwyn was it? She never bothered with most of those lots unless she was locked in a room with them. Which was known to happen. “But I suppose that I’m just another one of your little strangers.”

[old-mckmarl]

frcnklcngbottom​:

“you’re a marley –” he mused, cocking a brow as he crossed his arms over his chest and humoured her, “or do you prefer mar – mckinny – your choices are anything but your actual name. that’s how nicknames work” he knew that she’d end up throttling him by the end of this, but he hadn’t irked her in quite some time - he missed it. 

“your irritation” the boy shrugged easily, “the fact that it’s over –” he added, “i’m trying to find the silver lining” he admitted, “not yet – you’re going to have to wait a few days for me to drive you mad, my parents still need to set their eyes on me” 

“Then I’m brilliant one. Unfortunately, it’s not my middle name either. But what could you possibly come up with something that incredible like? Sorry that your name really just means big-ass, it does.” She grinned. “Fitting in the first place.”

Good, that meant Marlene would have at least two friends sleep over. A complete co-option. “You could never drive me mad, darling. No I’ll ensure I’m quite sane the entire time. Afterall, you have no element of surprise.” And she knew where the pairs terrible childhood photos lay hidden with plenty of time to now put them on full display for this summer. 

[old-mckmarl]

hectichilde​:

@beforedawnstarters​

“See, the wonderful thing about summer,” Hilde said, “is I don’t have to think about my NEWTs until it’s over. The annoying thing is I do get to listen to my family argue. So, I am up for literally anything right now that will get me out for… well, as long as you can.”

“Darling you are only too right.” Marlene propped up her head, already too bored of whatever Ministry thing her parents had her sitting outside of right now. “I know there are new Flitterbies in the department below. They apparently turn yellow instead of orange. Let’s go.”

[old-mckmarl]

thebrokenbones​:

​

Amelia had seen Marlene sneak into her sisters office and figured she’d go see her after filing the paper work she’d needed to for her families business hoping Marlene would be there that long. “I don’t know it’s pretty urgent.” She said teasingly, sitting opposite the girl with a smirk. “Merlin no, I wanted to say hi to my friend not your sister.” She said with a large smile.

At least one person not in full-on Gwen-mode for these last few days. Of course, Marlene wanted things to go well, but... Her mind shook off with a brighter grin following to Amelia’s glittering eyes. “I’m your friend. That’s so lovely of you to say, my love. And welcome to my new office sans-sister for the moment like I’m the one in charge. Have her tamping soon enough, I bet.”

[old-mckmarl]

tristmckinns​:

closed ;  @mckmarl​

    it  only  takes  a  quick  sweep  of  the  platform  for  tristan  to  realize  there  was  no  one  to  greet ,  no  one  to  hug  and  beam  about  the  end  of  year  like  the  other  students  around  him .  there’s  only  a  twinge  of  something ,  but  it  passes  just  as  quick  as  it  came .  instead ,  his  gaze  fixes  to  the  right  where  he  sees  his  youngest  sister  disembarking  the  train .  there  was  no  need  for  her  to  have  time  to  realize  the  same  thing  he  did .  he  silently  rationalizes  that  their  parents  were  either  busy  with  work  or  preoccupied  with  gwen  (  both  sound  excuses )  but  it  probably  wouldn’t  mean  the  same  to  marlene .  she’d  always  been  more  sensitive  than  him .  “ looks  like  it’s  just  us  two ,”  with  his  trunk  in  tow  and  knapsack  slung  over  his  shoulder ,  he  approaches  marlene .  “ i’m  ready  whenever  you  are .” 

She’d barely wanted to let go of the girls as she left the train, almost hopeful that things were all just a little bit better. Maybe it would be a grand summer where she’d be apparating to wherever she pleased soon enough, keeping company with whom she wanted to see most. Her little winged flying trunk stint had to stop at the platform, still a while away from using magic as she saw fit. So she rolled it like she had in all of the other years glancing up to Tristan in the process. It only took her a moment to process what he meant. Her eyes didn’t need to scan the crowd to realize she was a bit forgotten. And the hurt was only as momentary as she usually let it be since oddly enough, that would mean they forgot him too. It wasn’t something that should have lightened her, but it did. “Sure thing.” An equal playing field then, he wasn’t used to being on his own. That was her specialty to guide. “Of course my preferred method would be broom and winged trunk, but...settle for the floos I guess.”

[old-mckmarl]

hvwliing​:

“ my dad decided today was a good opportunity for a bring your son to work day. of course then he buggered off and left me wandering this walking nightmare by myself. and that of course means that you’re the angel come to rescue me at last. ” he grins, though judging from marlene’s current boredom it can easily be argued that he’s the one going the rescuing. “ don’t mind if i do. ” he chimes, reaching to grab two sugar quills of his own before he’s moving to the afore offered seat and taking it. “ yes, awfully dull. though i imagine the workplace gossip we’re not privy too would go down a treat. sordid affairs and the lot of it. ”

“Yeah, well I am angelic.” She winked, biting into the sugar quill. They were less messing when you broke off a bit rather letting sugar dissolve down your hand. “It’s always dull here, all meetings all the time. And Gwennie-girl treats it all like the grandest thing ever. But I think there are much more entertaining things to do in an office. Gossip or not.” Marlene changed positions, feet back to the floor and elbows leaned on the desk; her most commanding position or at least how she imagined her dad would if he were meeting with someone. That’s what it looked like when she was small. “Don’t you agree, Mr. Lupin?”

[old-mckmarl]

aciiers​:

        𝑡ℎ𝑒  𝑜𝑓𝑓ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑  𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡    is  enough  to  pull  a  weak   laugh   out  of  him .    there’s  no   thought   in it ,    for  him .    his  bed   here   provides  more  comfort  than  he’s  ever  felt  in  his  own ;    no  matter  how  much  he  tries  to   change   it .    for  marlene ,   though  not   in  a  position  very  close  to  his    —    has  always  had  that   relatability ,   somehow .    the   stiffness   of  expectations  that  stomp  over  the  mask  you  put  on   —   or  take  off ,    depending  on  your  optimism    —    like   field   grass .       ❛     yeah ,    ❜         he  echoes ,    lips  curling  in  the  slightest ,     ❛     sometimes .   ❜       he  sits  back ,   reaching  to  give  a  nudge  at  the  comment  on  their  classes .    ❛     sounds  like  you  still  attend   too  many   of  them ,    then .   ❜       and  his  lips  pull  together  at  her  request ,    his  eyes  leaving  for  the  ground  once  again .    ❛     i’ll  try .   ❜    he  admits  softly ,    feeling  a  tug  of  a  lie  at  his  chest .    he  knows  it  isn’t .    he   would   try   —   but  he   knows   how  it  goes ,    when  he’s  truly   present   in  the  moment .    it’s   stuffy   and   tiring   and  the  last  thing  he  needs  is  to  be  reminded  that  he’s  not  where  he   wants   to  be ,    with  nothing  but  time  promising  he   might   be .    he  turns  to  marlene ,    then .      ❛     how  is  your  family  doing ?   ❜     he  asks ,   a  bit  of  hesitation  in  his  tone ,    knowing  they  would’ve  had  direct  dealings  with  the  tufts   —   dealt  with  its   aftermath   as  it  was   discovered .    but  mostly   —    he  wasn’t  actually  sure  if  he’d  get  to  see  them .     he  could  point  to  the  root  trepidation  in  him   whispering   that’d  it’d  all  be  even   worse ,    somehow .    maybe  not  somehow   —   he’s  sure  they’re  feeling  the  last  of   hope   slipping  through  their  fingers ,    eager  to   grip   it  when  sirius  is  already  causing  nothing  but   scenes   on  their  legacy’s   behalf .     to  let  him   attend  and  do  the  same  at  a   muggle   wedding ,    no  less ?    he  won’t  tell  her ,    but  he  gets  the  impression  marlene’s  invitation  will  go  just  as  wasted  as  any  drafted  letters  might  as  well .

Marlene leaned forward to nudge back at the boy. “Fine, all right. Next year we plan to skip one subject each day per week.” It was a fleeting moment of banter and teasing which had seemed sorely missed when she realized it. But soon her head was back propped up on her hand, almost gazing sympathetically over him. In six years, she wasn’t stupid. This was really just their way. For it was the same answer she’d give him if the question was reversed. And Marlene knew how quickly Sirius slipped from her mind until he was right in front of her again. Letters would be a fancy and nothing more, a communication between them that pulled a little too close for their usual capability. And the last summer most owls she sent out to Mary went unanswered. Writing was caring. But it  f e l t  better to ask anyway, in the chance that either of them did want to write. Or if they needed to write. His question is the one that pulls her gaze to the fireplace, potential of her chance to look into home fading with the embers. Tristan and Gwen probably owled each other, it was simpler for them. It was difficult to stay still, and for some reason she actually felt more comfortable being small. Any sign of tears upstairs were probably stained to her pillow rather than cheeks, eyes dried from staring that the ceiling with words to be said to her parents stuck somewhere other than her throat. “I think they’re okay, I mean....no word in the papers...That’s probably a good thing. I think it’s all fine. And, yeah.” Her body had curled slight, retaining its own warmth where her arms wrapped around her knees. She hadn’t realized that by the shake of her head, that she was back to looking at him; And better off than from letting herself keep wondering about the fireplace. The same question didn’t leave her lips; slightly opened they fell to silence. No, she remembered those people, how big they seemed that time her little eye had peaked through the keyhole of the DIMC office. But she had never told him that. “We don’t have to talk about summer things, you know. It’s, it’s not obligatory.” She hadn’t even thought on the sentence when it passed out to the open, another habit haunting her these days.

[old-mckmarl]

admcliora​:

              “  you’ll  have  to  pardon  me  ,  but  you  seem  like  you  could  use  any  company  at  all  .  "  her  tone  ,  as  per  usual,  had  very  little  to  do  with  the  words  she’d  spoken  —  not  being  able  to  stop  the  gentle  teasing  lilt  to  her  voice  when  the  other  girl  looked  at  her  with  a  smirk  that  rivaled  the  cheshire  cat  .  .  .  at  least  that  was  what  amaline  thought  it  was  called  ,  she’d  have  to  look  into  it  .  with  her  book  hugged  against  her  body  the  ravenclaw  moved  to  marlene’s  side  ,  brow  raising  as  she  eyed  other  girl  —  it  wasn’t  part  of  amy’s  usual  routine  ,  conversing  with  the  gryffindors  ,  but  the  boredom  she  felt  and  the  lack  of  people  on  the  streets  were  enough  to  convince  her  to  keep  walking  with  her  classmate  .  "  having  a  pleasant  afternoon  ?  you  don’t  look  like  it  ,  but  one  mustn’t  assume  .  "

“Assume away, my darling. But it at least is much more pleasant out here than like in there, you know. They’re fiddling with the bloody dress like their gonna do something with it now.” Gwen’s wedding was just a few weeks. Marlene would know, the whole thing interrupted any potential for birthday plans considering the events coincided so closely. She wanted to wrap her fist on the glass again. But Merlin forbid, since her mother may ask her to try on her dress again. And Gwen may pass out if she were to see what her little sister had done with the thing.  But her attention had shifted to the truly pleasant seeming blonde by her side. So she propped her chin on fist, gazing over the being of the other. “And what’re you doing. Wandering about and talking near strangers? Do you like dresses?”

[old-mckmarl]

withcringhcurs​:

             after  all  these  years  ,  lily  reckoned  she'd  gotten  pretty  prolific  at  speaking   '  marlene  ‘   —  it  was  most  likely  the  reason  why  she  barely  blinked  at  the  blonde's  rapidfire  words  ,  letting  her  finish  with  a  simple  quirk  of  a  brow  and  busy  hands  ,  the  drink  placed  in  front  of  her  friend  with  a  gentle  thud  in  perfect  unison  with  the  end  of  her  question  .  man  ,  she  knew  marlene  far  ,  far  too  well  .  “  drink  that  ,  'ts  on  the  house  .  "  the  redhead  simply  shot  the  boy  —  joey  —  an  apologetic  look  before  she  leaned  over  the  bar  to  pull  her  friend  ,  a  loud  kiss  hello  pressed  to  her  forehead  .  "  can't  leave  for  a  couple  more  hours  ,  babes  ,  you  should've  just  told  'em  you  were  meeting  me  .  that's  my  new  friend  ,  he's  nice  and  bought  me  a  drink  so  leave  his  hair  well  alone  .  the  pub's  bigger  than  it  looks  ,  there's  a  room  in  the  back  —  and  i  really  like  it  .  the  pay's  great  and  i  can  do  just  about  anything  i  want  as  long  as  i  do  my  job  .  "  she  took  a  breath  ,  lips  spreading  into  an  amused  grin  even  as  she  moved  to  take  a  glass  and  began  to  dry  it  ,  letting  her  monologue  hang  in  the  air  for  a  second  .  "  did  i  miss  anything  ?  ”

“If I told you then I’d have to owl you and that would take an entire extra day, my darling. It’s all in the timing you know.” She latched onto the pretty ginger’s arm, eyes sympathetically large for the whole slight mishap around her sudden appearance. But she couldn’t help but turn back to the ugly muggle boy once more with her tongue stuck out in pre-pubescent fashion before turning with smile back to Lily. “You’ve missed nothing love. In fact everything has been just incredibly boring and mundane and horrible.” Marlene dramatized, but her mind was shifting gears while she tugged at Lily’s arm, eyes drifting to this back room. “Aye, well then. Let’s not be here in front of Joey. If you can do whatever you want then let’s go back there.” She’d apparate Lily out of her right now and have her out for a fun time and back in a jif if she just could. But the unfortunate reality was Marlene’s 19th birthday was still weeks away, and apparition was just a little too big for even a ministry child to get away with. “I’ll buy you a drink if I had to. I think there’s a fiver in here I could use. Or you should just accept galleons, love. It’s basically just tiny gold.”

[old-mckmarl]

tristmckinns​:

     “ gwen would’ve  probably  lost  it ,  seeing  ernie  any  bit  sloshed  especially  on  firewhiskey.”  he  knew  better  than  to  ask  how  marlene  how  she  had  handled  the  poor  muggle  man .  “ i  wouldn’t  exactly  say  a  lightweight ,”  tristan  hates  that  marlene  is  right  ,  but  the  bar  had  been  set  pretty  high  by  marlene  herself .  “ i  just  don’t  have  as  many  opportunities  to  party  like  you  do .”  it’s  not  meant  to  be  a  chastise  ,  but  it’s  definitely  a  pointed  comment  to  allude  that  for  the  past  year ,  his  position  as  head  boy  caused  him  to  miss  the  parties  like  this .  “ and  how  would  you  know  what  it  tastes  like ?”

“Well, I’m very talented at hide and seek. No reason for princess to know about it.” She grinned, having one fond memory of the boring counting man. With knowing gaze over her older brother, Marlene downed another swig but her almost smile at him turn to straight lips as the cup hit the nearest surface with a slosh and bang. Because apparently that’s all she did. “I don’t know Tristan, maybe I’ve just done more than you. And hold myself more than all right when I do. Maybe -  m a y b e  ,” her finger pointed before hand flexed in exaggeration, eyes widening at the preposterous scenario she presented to him, “maybe I went off with some group of lads and tried it out, or I won myself a shots championship against the reigning queen.” Hands fell to her sides,eyes turning from blithe to blight in the process - but she was tamping. It was only right when it was Tristan’s way after all. “Maybe I party more than you, yeah? But I’m not exactly suffering over it am I? Or worried that I might.”

[old-mckmarl]

Marlene swirled herself around in her sister’s chair in the dreary office. “Bride-to-be is out to lunch. Can I take a number and you wait?” Her feet kicked up to the desk; if she was going to be stuck here for a few hours then it might as well be a fun time. She held a parchment in quill in her hands, mocking importance of the words she did not really write down. Ernie had a person who did something similar outside his office. She’d rather hang herself over the mouth of the giant squid than do any of this work, but for now the game of it would suffice. “Aye, you were actually like looking for her, weren’t you?” Her eyes finally gazed up to the individual, but she still found it hard to not break into a grin given the circumstance. @beforedawnstarters​