#c: marlene01

[tonksxandromeda]

Where: New Years Street Party With: @mkmarlene

Andromeda had lost track of Ted and Dora in the crowd, but had no doubt that Ted was keeping an eye on her. She was the center of the universe, and she was just happy to see them having fun. To see Ted relaxed and enjoying himself when it had become so rare. She stood in line, waiting to grab the three of them a sweet treat. She turned to see if she could spot the two of them, instead catching sight of Marlene. She didn't know Marlene well, though she'd seen her with Sirius often enough. "Marlene! Happy New Year."

[tiberiusxmclaggen]

Tiberius recognized Marlene the moment he glanced up, having worked with her or discussed things with her often enough at the ministry. He’d heard about the attack earlier in the day, had seen the reports and the pictures come across his desk. Knew that she’d been on the ground in response. There were days he hated his job, but he didn’t envy the aurors and those that had to respond to these events. It was awful enough reading the reports, he couldn’t fathom what it was like having to be there and experience it.

He frowned at her response and shook his head. “I won’t ask. But how about a drink…or five?” He offered with a weak attempt at a smile. “It might make us feel a little better, even briefly.”

It was one of those days, counting the seconds till she got home and could drown herself in bottle after bottle. Work had been terrible, muggleborn wizards had been targeted and left for dead in the outskirts of muggle London, sent to fetch them and question them as though they’d have the answers to why this happened to them. Marlene was about done, the war looming over her at all times, ghosts of her family’s screams in every whimper coming from the muggleborn wizards she’d rescued today.

She was consumed by her thoughts, overwhelmed by them, she didn’t see him. “Sorry.” The witch whispered quickly, a hand to her forehead as she tried to come up with a better answer than the honest one. “If I told you I’m not, would you not ask about it Tib?” She wondered, too tired to keep up the pretence for the day.

[lily-evans-wil]

Falling Behind, Catching Up || Marlene & Lily

An empty package sat at the foot of Lily’s bed, its contents sprawled across her comforter as she parsed through them. The package had come from her parents, something she hadn’t received in a while, the number dwindling year by year. Perhaps it was the nostalgia of her last year at school that had her mum sending one before November had even come, and it was clear that her father had helped very little in putting it together, save for his name scrawled on the card below her mother’s familiar handwriting. 

Lily had already undone a once tightly wrapped bundle of brown paper, knowing very well the exact almond triangle biscuits her mother would have sent along. Lily nibbled at her third as she flipped through some photographs, the very muggle sort, of her parents’ trip to see Petunia in London. The round, stern looking man in the photos who Lily couldn’t recognize must have been this Vernon her sister was apparently smitten with. Hopefully he would be more approachable when the actually met come Christmas time.

Moving on from the photos, Lily poked around some other trinkets, just little knickknacks that filled space. Another deck of cards, a new set of fine-tipped pens Lily used to write in her journals, a couple of silly stickers with Halloween themed phrases and jargon she could almost hear her mother giggling at in the checkout line. Picking up a mask that she figured was supposed to look like a cat, Lily slipped it over her head and onto her eyes. Turning to Marlene, Lily gave a hearty chuckle. “What do you think? The start of a good costume? I feel like everybody’s got something figured out, I haven’t a clue.”

@markinnon-whoisleft

[tonksxandromeda]

Where: St. Mungos Who: @mkmarlene

Andromeda had been surprised to find her day at St. Mungos quieter than most. The entire staff seemed to appreciate how things had slowed down. Giving them an opportunity to spend more time with patients, as well as get other work done that had fallen to the way side. She herself had been in the stock room, taking note of items they would need to reorder as wells as what potions would soon need to be restocked. With the ongoing war they were going through things far faster than they were use to.

One of the other staff ducked their head into the room, informing Andromeda she had a patient. She set her things aside, knowing she would come back to them before she left for the evening. She knocked gently on the door to the room before she entered, a gentle smile on her lips. "Ms. Mckinnon? I'm Andromeda." She introduced herself as she came in, shutting the door behind her. "I'm told you have an injury, could you tell me what happened?"

[gideonscprewett]

"I know he's the worst, right?" Gideon joked. His brother was the closest person to him, he would do anything for Fabian. In his mind his brother was the best guy around, he just wouldn't admit that to his face. Had to keep him humble after all. "My hairline's not receding he just likes to forgo haircuts." Gideon liked to wear his hair shorter than his brother did. "How could I deny such a charming offer?"

"You two couldn't be more different." The witch replied back, a clueless expression on her face as she shrugged her shoulders. "The hairline for example, Fab's not the one with a receding one." Marlene teased the wizard, nudging him gently on the side. "I just enjoy picking on you, twat. So, are we drinking or are we not?"

[gretascatchlove]

Seeing Marlene she couldn't help but smile, giving her a friendly hug in greeting. "It's great to see you too. Stop it, you're making me blush. Look at you, this dress is amazing, makes your eyes pop. Now tell me, how have you been? I haven't seen you in way too long?" She'd heard about Marlene's family, but she didn't want to bring the mood down or pour salt into wounds.

where: The Magic Neep, Hogsmeade. who: @gretascatchlove

She had never been one to enjoy cooking, rather solving things with a bit of magic. However, since the rest of the Mckinnons had perished, Marlene had tried to be more present for her older brother-- it was just them now. The blonde had promised to make dinner for them that night, which was how she found herself out to get some groceries. "Greta?" She wondered as she turned on a corner and spotted the witch, which she recognised as one of her classmates back at Hogwarts. "It's so good to see you, you look wonderful."

[tonksxandromeda]

“I know you will.” Andy smiled softly and nudged Marlene gently. “Just look out for each other yea? Especially Sirius, we all know how he can be.” Her voice was light, as if joking though she was sure Marlene knew she meant it. She may have remained neutral in this war but that didn’t mean she wasn’t constantly worried for all those she cared about. She was brought back to the present with Marlene’s words and she smiled and nodded. “It was good to see you Marlene. Tell Sirius to bring you along to the house next time he comes for dinner. We always have more than enough and the more the merrier.”

A soft laugh left Marlene's lips as she pictured the little one promptly changing her features and catching people off guard. "It's hard times, for sure, but we'll do good." The brunette admitted with a shrug, there was no point in denying the truth, no matter how ugly it was. Still, tonight was about celebrating and not dwelling on such matters. "It'll be a good year and we will all be fine, Andy. Now, go enjoy the night with your family, you deserve to have a nice time."

[tonksxandromeda]

"It would, though it keeps us on our toes to make sure we always know what she looks like, especially when we go out." She shook her head with a laugh, though her smile was fond. "Yea she's brilliant already, she has a bright future." The little girl had a fire in her that reminded Andromeda often that the girl was a Black, even if her family would never accept her. "I can't imagine how work is going...I worry about all of you all the time. But I couldn't agree more, I hope this year proves better for all of us. That the ringing in of a New Year brings us a brighter future."

Laughter flowed from Marlene's lips at the idea, how much fun it would be to have the young girl's abilities, even if it scared someone to death eventually. "That'd be a laugh, for sure. She's a very special kid, should grow to be a confident woman one day." She nodded her head and hummed at the other witch's words, choosing not to push it with the questions. "You know me, having fun and pulling pranks. A bit stressed about work, but hopefully the new year comes with better scenarios altogether."

[tonksxandromeda]

“Oh she has her moments, I think we’re both waiting for the moment she decides to switch her looks and scare someone for the fun of it.” Even as she said it She laughed fondly. She loved how feisty her daughter was, strong and charming like Ted. She kept her features from falling as Marlene asked about more kids, returning her attention to the witch. “Maybe one day.” She’d wanted another after they’d had Dora but it had never happened. And now with the war she couldn’t imagine bringing another child into things. “Enough about me though, how have you been?”

Marlene couldn't help but smile as she watched Ted and the little witch play, her eyes then settling on Andromeda as she watched them too. There was nothing like family love, and while she might be heartbroken over her own loss, she was one that could feel actual happiness for those who had the chance to experience it-- more so if they were her friends. "She's a lovely kid, who wouldn't be? Are you planning on having more children in the future?" She asked, genuine curiosity, a nod of her head to acknowledge the older witch's words, without need to add anything more to her good wishes.

[tonksxandromeda]

Andromeda laughed, the sound unrestrained as she watched the two of them play games. “He’ll never admit it but he’s wrapped around Dora’s finger…we both are.” Their whole world revolved around that little girl. She smiled wider at the mention of the fireworks and she nodded. “I did, Dora was thrilled by the show so I suppose I should thank those of you that pulled it off.” She softened at Marlene’s words and nodded. “I hope it is…you deserve it.”

Her eyes followed Andromeda’s to the tent besides them, a smile pulling on her lips as she spotted Ted with the little girl, a pang of nostalgia invading her as she thought of her own family, pushing the thought away as soon as it came. “That’s just how dads are, I swear to Merlin his eyes shine when she looks at her.” Marlene told the other with a light chuckle, letting her gaze linger on the duo before finding the other witch again. “I’m sure you saw my name in the sky.” She said, admitting her role in the firework prank, shrugging her shoulders with a wide grin on her lips as she did so. “I s’pose this could be my year.”

[tonksxandromeda]

Andromeda was glad to see everyone in high spirits today, no matter how fleeting it may be they all deserved one night of happiness. She knew Ted worried a night like this was risky, she only prayed that he was wrong. She smiled as Marlene made her way over, nodding as she gestured over to one of the tent where there were games going on. "I believe Ted is determined to win Dora every prize possible tonight." She laughed, though there was nothing but fondness on her face. "How is your evening going?"

Determined to have a good night, Marlene had been going around the crowd and greeting all the familiar faces. A new year was starting and she was really glad to be able to put the last one behind her, hoping perhaps for an easier one to come. She was about to head back to her group of friends when she heard her name being called, turning to see Andromeda. "Happy new year, Andy." The brunette offered right back, walking over. While the two had never been really close, she was the only other nice member of the Black family. "Are Ted and Nymphadora around?"

[gideonscprewett]

"Please say that again, really loudly, when Fabian is in the room. It'll be the best christmas present I ever got." He had always found it easy to get along with Marlene, their sense of humor similar. With everything that had happened with her family, he had made it his mission to get a smile out of her whenever he could, If he could distract her and make her feel better even for a few minutes he wanted to try. "Good for my age, ouch. You wound me. I'm not that old." He shook his head in amusement. "What would you say if I claimed to have turned a new leaf?" Gideon paused. "Just kidding, i'd love to join you."

"No doubt at all, you're the better twin." Marlene allowed, looking up as though she was stating the obvious. "I shall not comment further on hairstyle preferences, but you look good for your age." The witch teased him playfully, knowing just how far she could push, hooking her arm with his and grinning as she raised her brows in a slightly flirty way. "Well, since we're wrapping the 70's, I think we should definitely get hammered. Up for a wild night, Gid?"