* 𝖙𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗 / 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽 .

CLOSED STARTER WITH MARY || @macmary​

where: First Floor Balcony  when: Within the first hour of the Solstice Ball

tw: alchohol

Edgar told himself that he didn’t normally escape with a friend to a locked balcony, but who was he kidding. He loved a little bit of mischief and finding Mary at the ball, their eyes locked and they instantly knew they were keen for some fun. A simple unlocking spell let them slip off to a closed portion of the house and onto a closed balcony where they would have some privacy. Edgar gracefully pulled a flask of firewhiskey from his inside pocket and grinned at Mary. “Let’s play a drinking game.” He said, so eager to get drunk so that he could cope with spending the whole night with stuck up purists. “How about never have I ever? It’s a muggle game but I’m sure you’ve heard of it?” 

WHO: mary macdonald ( @macmary​ ) WHERE: the ministry of magic

FOR all intents and purposes, this should have been an ordinary day – though Larkin never liked being much of an errand boy, he supposes that sometimes, it was nice not having to skulk around corners, doing the bidding of greater Death Eaters. Even so, the light is not something Larkin is used to, and walking under the gaze of daylight feels amiss. 

He knew the sun once. The unfettered warmth of its touch, the way it never discriminated who it’d touch. Of course, that was forever ago, lost to a space he no longer traversed, in fear of what it would reflect back onto his soul. Monsters could not be in the light, for they are unable to face their own monstrosity. Plainly said, Larkin Mulciber could not be good.  

It’s retribution then, when he files into the lift at the Ministry without looking. From the corner of his eye, he spots the bounce of brown curls, the curve of a familiar pair of lips  and his heart stops in his chest and falls the foot down into the pit of his stomach. Thankfully, there is a crowd between him and them to buffer the connection, but the connection is almost too forceful to bear. One by one, the other people file out of the lift, the robotic lilt of the phantom voice clucking away at each floor — all until it is just him and them, like it was before. 

Things had always seemed easier when it was just the two of them, sneaking away into their secret like their own world — but now? Now, the hesitance and tension is practically unbearable in its weight. Larkin never lets his guard down, but even now, his shoulders stay tight, his hands balled into fists by his side. He doesn’t dare to look at them, not even a single bit. In a few moments, the lift would stop and one of them would leave, and they would never have to speak again, not for another thousand years — 

The lift stops. The lights flicker. Larkin takes a sip of a breath, and holds, but nothing makes another sound or movement. Letting out his held breath, he releases himself from his tightened stance, careful to address the other without allowing himself a single glance. “This bloody thing’s stuck,” he says stiffly. “Do y’know how to fix this?”

      it was an idle job really.   they scarcely visited the ministry as it was,   there being no need to outside of the occasional visit to see friends over a coinciding lunch break,   but especially rare following their mission to steal the prophecy.   one couldn’t risk the likelihood,   or rather,   the eventuality that they’d be recognised,   subsequently pulled away and questioned over their very being there.   more surprising turn of events had happened however,   the wix having found themselves sent there to scope out just how pressing an issue it actually was to the ministry.   or,  if they’d even noticed it was gone...   all the while,   their home team worked tirelessly to uncover the prophecy’s true meaning.    

      the day was like any other,   mary could have guessed.   grand,   domineering interior wasted upon the mundane energy about the place,   juxtaposed with the great number of witches,   wizards  &  wix who flittered around the atrium.   dashing from one place to another.   it’s so,   that mary’s paying very little mind to those around them,   letting others pass and pivot around their brightly dressed form.   mind otherwise transfixed on getting downstairs,   prying as best they knew how and promptly,   getting back out.   

      it’s only as soft,   brown hues rake across a strikingly familiar form that such a plan goes up in flames.  darkness seems to encroach upon the lift car,   sucking air from their lungs  &  optimism from their mind.   any sense of protection,   the walls they’d built up in their time apart,   rendered wholly useless against his being there.   his really being there.   nightmares,   and remnants of that night combined could have hardly prepared mary for the nauseating reality.   they’d built it up in their mind,   of course...   fantasised about revenge and closure alike when face to face with him again but such confidence had all been vain...   as stood just a way away from larkin mulciber,   all that remained was the sole hope that his presence was to be short lived. 

mary  macdonald  attending  pura  sorores’  summer  solstice  ball  at  east  india  house,   june  1983.   

      mary   ellery   mcdonald   .

Maren picked back up her rag and went back to polishing glasses as Mary spoke, the task feeling less odious now that she had company. She nodded along as she listened to Mary, guessing at the double meaning behind their words. She remembered Mary’s ordeal at the hands of Mulciber well or at least, she remembered the aftermath of it. The anger on the wix’s behalf that covered the very real fear that something similar could happen to Maren herself. She knew Mary didn’t like talking about it, but she still had to ask. “How are you holding up? I hope it’s not dredging up too many bad memories for you.” Maren was just as eager to take Mary’s hand when they reached out, and she returned their squeeze with feeling. “Benjy’s strong, just like you, he’ll come back ‘round.”

Given the images that she continued to see of the night of Benjy’s attack, Laurel was grateful for the busy nights she had bouncing between the Foutain and the Fair Faribault’s. It keep her distracted enough to feel as though life was going on as normal while also helping her try regain her positive and carefree attitude. It didn’t help her thoughts that many in the Order were just as disturbed and unnerved by the whole ordeal either she would’ve thought they would take some action rather quickly but everyone was coming up empty handed. With the days passing, part of her was curious if she’d overhear anything amongst her coworkers in Knockturn Alley, with many of them being creatures themselves who knows what they might know? As the lunch rush had gone and went, the blonde focused her duties on cleaning up the glasses behind the bar in an attempt to keep her mind from wandering too much. “Hmm,” Her eyes drawing away as Mary approached her, “Gotta say I’ve been better but things are looking up every day.” She admitted to her sister’s friend, while she may have habored a bit of frustration with them when she first found out about Maren being involved with Order, overall she appreciated the friendship they had with her youngest sister and working together had helped grow the friendship the Veela currently had with them. “Honestly it’s probably best you weren’t there,” Laurel sighed, setting the clean glass in her hand down, remembering even the Aurors who were there at the crime scene could barely believe what had happened. “I think we could arrange a gift basket of goodies to send him, some sweets and drinks to help deal with it all would be nice. Maybe if we’re allowed we can hand deliever it ourselves but I don’t know what kind of procautions everyone is taking.”

Alastor was tired. He had barely slept the night before and his mind was constantly working, connecting dots and asking questions. To say he had become accustomed to it all would be an understatement. Over the years, Alastor had slowly learnt how to cope with it all, which was as good as it was bad. At times, he would purposely throw himself into his work so that he wouldn’t need to deal with his own life and emotions. He watched as Mary removed a quaffle and wand from their bag, instantly realising what the other had done. “Smart.” He said simply, “At least you learnt something at Hogwarts.” he added as he watched the quaffle shimmer into a glass ball. He appreciated that they had the initiative to shroud the prophecy in a concealment charm in the case that they had been followed after the fight. He took the prophecy from Mary and rose, walking over to a cabinet which he unlocked with a swish of his wand. 

At the mention of Gideon he nodded. He knew that the man would soon be under great scrutiny and that it wasn’t easy being a spy amongst the Death Eaters for the Order. He couldn’t imagine the tasks that they might ask him to do. He placed the orb that swirled with greyish blue smoke onto a shelf and shut the doors tight, whispering protective spells over its glossy timber surface. “Yes, you might be right. The next time I see him I might just suggest that he stay away from Order business for a while, just until things die down.“ He now turned to face Mary, his face stern yet somehow soft. “They might be suspicious of how we remain a step ahead of them. Fingers will be pointed and things might heat up.” He paused, contemplating if there was anything else he needed from Mary. “I don’t suppose you recognised anyone else?” 

      it was an honour to have been asked by moody to participate in the mission but truthfully,   they didn’t think themselves nearly qualified enough.   not like their friends were and especially not after everything that had happened.   they’d never been the greatest wix at hogwarts.   mary would readily admit to that.   having yearned for a family,   for even a semblance of belonging for as long as they had and to have finally found it within the school’s hallowed halls,   mary had thrown themselves into their new-found social life instead...   content in doing so too but following the incident,   their relationship with the wizarding world as they knew it began to fragment.   rendered strained and uncertain by what’d befallen them at the deceitful hands of a wizard who possessed such power and skill mary could only have dreamt to one day accomplish.  it was difficult not to dwell on it further when they’d began working as bar staff following graduation but of course,  the three of them had been selected for that very reason.   mary,   peter  &  sirius didn’t work for,   or in the ministry.   they were each in jobs that saw them gathering information,   spreading the order’s message and introducing new members into the fold.   it was cause for less concern,   lesser stakes if they were to get caught as opposed to a group of aurors.   taking benjy’s attack into consideration too,   it collectively sobered any and all thoughts mary had had of a grand victory over the death eaters.   just as scrubbing the brown paint from ted’s face had the night before.   the light they’d been so eager to share at the march all but snuffed out in its hideous aftermath. 

WHO: MARY MACDONALD WHERE: THEIR APARTMENT

✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩ @macmary​ ✩•̩̩͙*˚＊*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*˚＊˚*•̩̩͙✩

“Okay so be honest, what d’ya think ??   I was trying something new and I think I’m better off burying this and pretending it never existed.   I swear it looks a lot better in Twillfit like I promise.   But now…now I’m definitely in two minds about the whole thing so tell me, and don’t so the whole friend thing, just tell me if I look okay ?? ”

Had she told Mary she was planning a second or more accurate a second-take first date one that meant she couldn’t get distracted by Grease ??   No.   After all that had been the word on her lips that night ,   and she still hadn’t received a time and a place so maybe it wasn’t even happening but she hoped it was.   Part of her knew they would want to know all the details Doe didn’t have but outfit seemed to subtle hint. She just wanted to make sure she didn’t look like a House Elf.

      in spite of the incident,   the fountain’s footfall had been very well sustained.   they were even busier really,   given how desperately everyone had flocked to the alley to catch a glimpse of the crime scene.   it was only now,   in the mid afternoon before the workers would flood in that they were experiencing a lull.   so much so that mary had taken to watching a group of wizards as they polished glasses.   the men sat in the far corner,  talking loudly about benjy,   the wix certain they didn’t know him,   given the tactless way in which they were discussing what’d happened to him.   it’s as they think about getting up and saying something that mary catches sight of the signature blonde hair.   overjoyed as ever to be working under and amongst the linwood sisters,   the mood was sombre still...   quite aware,   that similarly to the rest of the order,   the attack on benjy had taken each and every one of them entirely by surprise.   they hadn’t really had much time to think on it all,   amongst everything else that had gone on but mary knew full well that it wasn’t sitting right with them.   just as booker bagnold’s murder hadn’t.   and given the evidence mounting up,   it looked as though they were looking to pin it all on a magical creature...   yet again.   quietly despondent,   though wearing a pensive smile,  they turn to address the middle linwood sister gently,   ❛   how  are  you  holding  up,   laurel?   ❜   there was no denying that they were far closer with maren,   given the closeness in age but having worked in the fountain the past couple of years had provided mary plenty enough time to get to know her elder sisters,  introduce them to the order even,   and mary above all else,   was grateful for the companionship,   particularly in times as hard as these,   ❛   i  was  thinking  we  should  all  arrange  a  visit  to  see  him  if  we  can.   or  send  him  something  perhaps...   i  feel  bad  enough  as  it  is  knowing  i  wasn’t  there  when  it  happened,   y’know?   ❜

Who: @macmary

Where: Lily & Marly’s apartment

People kept asking her how she was, those from the order atleast. Benjy had been her mentor after all, shouldn’t she be feeling something? Sadness? Worry? Fear? Anger? Maybe that was the problem, because she could feel them all at once, so many emotions it felt like they swirled in her chest. If anything it made her numb. Because hadn’t they been expecting something to go wrong after Dumbledore’s letter? Marlene had been on the look out for that very reason, fingers barely brushing past her wand for the entirety of the march. Adamant that there wasn’t going to be yet another body just like Halloween. She guessed that was something atleast wasn’t it? Atleast Benjy hadn’t passed, even if it was a close call.

Swirling deep reds and burgundy’s across the canvas in front of her with delicate hands, a slow breathe slipped from her lips as she painted, hoping it would bring her some peace like it normally did. But instead she just wanted to set it alight. Hearing a knock at the door, the witch called “It’s open-” as she moved to wipe off her brush on a tissue, going to her bedroom door frame to see through to the main front door. At the sight of Mary’s a soft smile pulled onto the edge of her features as she tilted her head lightly at them. “Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes.” The witch spoke as she nodded and pointed with her paintbrush for Mary to take a seat. A small smirk pulling onto her lips as she asked on her way to the fridge with a wiggle of her eye brows: “Pumpkin juice Mar?” 

      the eventful nature of the past few days could not be understated.   mary,   for one,   felt as though they were being pulled in at least...   a dozen different directions.   from the march to the mission,   to the prophecy and order business,   work,   ted,   the attack on benjy and its subsequent fallout.   they’d scarcely had a moment to breathe and yet,   their concerns had so swiftly fallen upon marlene.   mary,   acutely aware of the bond to two shared and conscious of the tremendous toll halloween had taken on their best friend,   the wix was eager to drop in and see her.   if not to check in,   then to talk...   freely,   friend to friend.   they’d so dearly missed her spirited presence in their life.   

LOCATION: Ted’s flat. FEATURING: Mary MacDonald. @macmary·

Dipping his cloth in the water basin, Ted wrung out the excess before roughly running it along the side of his face. The paint had dried since they arrived at the flat, and his attempts in removing it were unsuccessful. His hands were shaking. The pressure he applied was too weak, not enough to scrub the paint away despite his efforts and vigor. He had already tried washing it from his hands with hurry, though the outcome was hardly significant. And yet it turned the water brown and dirty, like a pool of deep filthy blood. He breathed deeply, trying to center himself as he closed his eyes. Ted wanted to escape from the moment, if only for a single second. 

Maren beamed at the wix, who was so much more than simply a coworker. It always made the hours pass faster when Maren shared a shift with her dear friend. They hadn’t had much overlap in their schedules lately, which made Mary’s presence all the more exciting. “Oo, yes please!” Maren perched her elbows on the bar, cupping her chin in her hands, the picture of attention. She was still a little bitter that work had forced her to miss the whole thing, but between her and Mary, it was more important that they have the night off. “I would much rather gossip like a schoolgirl than talk about what happened to Benjy again, does that make me a horrible person?” Maren only asked because she was confident Mary wouldn’t judge her too harshly.

STARTER WITH MARY MACDONALD || @macmary​

where: Fountain of Fair Fortune

Knowing that dark forces where trying to get their hands on the same prophecy Dumbledore had told them about, Alastor had sent three of his trusted Order Members to retrieve the prophecy. He had been waiting to hear back from his team when the attack on Benjy had happened and Alastor’s priorities changed. But now that Benjy was in St Mungos and he had the chance to take a breath from case work, he sent an owl to Mary and asked them to meet him at their headquarters. “Mary. Please. Come in.” He said as they crossed through the secret entrance. “Please tell me you bring good news amongst all this terror.”

James couldn’t help but scoff looking down at his feet his face bright red. He wasn’t entirely too sure what it was about Lily Evans, but she managed to make him melt. Any other woman fell short in comparison, he loved them for sure but now looking back at it he couldn’t remember the time when talking about Marlene to someone caused him to go red. “Yeah, and I completely get that – I too would be hesitant to look at the arsehole that picked one me and dated my best friend,” he rolled his eyes mainly at himself before clearing his throat and looking at them. “I’ll give her time which is what I planned, I will not even look at her direction well only to make sure she’s okay, especially during a rally like this and I will…I don’t know, do what I do best?” James wasn’t entirely too sure what that meant especially when his reputation was to flirt with anything that gave him an ounce of attention. Something for him to unpack at a later day. “I trust you, you’re smart wix. Everything will hopefully come into place, whatever that may be,” he nudged them softly and brough his attention to her boom box. “What is that? And may I dance to the music for you, bring out more supporters with my moves,” James winked.