My Marauder Verse

Marlene McKinnon - Photographed by Sirius Black

Taken during the Great Road Trip - Including Marlene, Doe, Sirius, Remus, James, Lily, Peter, and Mary

Marlene slides open the sunroof. The loud sound of air rushing into the car making Sirius blink awake. The rest of the back seat is all still sleeping around him.

Lily Evans Letters - Photographed by Remus Lupin

Taken After - Including everyone

Lily Evans was a collector of letters. She never threw one out, she tied them up with bows based on who had sent them to her. Remus hadn’t known she’d done this. Hadn’t known there had been a box under her bed since she was in first year.

The first time he’d seen the box Dumbledore was handing it to him, and for the first time since he was 11 he was truly alone. Since then he’s often run his fingers over the worn paper.

Mary Macdonald  - Photographed by James Potter

Taken In Mary and James Flat - including James and Mary

The flat almost always had flowers. It shouldn’t surprise James. When they were young and just showing the first signs of magic Mary had made flowers bloom. Before the end of first year she’d learned how to transfigure them, and by third year she’d almost perfected it. Making flowers was more or less a nervous tick, and herbology was a coping mechanism.

They were pink today, the flowers on the kitchen counter. They were lovely as usual but not quite as large. He stood in the doorway of their flat, waiting. She’d say what was bothering her in her own time. So he drank his coffee and watched her fuss over the shape of leaves.

“My gran left me the house.” She said eventually.

“What?” James said surprised, Mary’s grandmother owned a large house in a small muggle village. What was Mary supposed to do with it?

“It’s quite run down, but I think maybe, given a few months I could use it to start a flower shop. Live upstairs flowers downstairs.” She flicked her wand and a few of the petals fell off the largest flower.

“And what leave me all alone?” James frowned. They’d always wanted this, a flat for the two of them. He’d thought living together had been fine,

“It seems to me like if I moved out it would be a perfect time to ask Lily to live with you,” Mary said turning to give him a pointed look over her shoulder. “And anyway, you all have things to worry about.”

She was talking about the war. She couldn’t mean anything else. But her refusal to say it, to discuss the elephant in the room made him grit his teeth.

“Maybe the flower shop could be a...safe place. Away from the ties to...you know.”

James sighed. “I’d rather you didn’t leave.”

“This is all I can offer a safe space and a neutral home.”

Peter Pan & a Cigarette - Photographed by Dorcas Meadowes

Taken During the Order Days - Including Marlene and Dorcas

Marlene's hands were shaking. That was the first thing Doe noticed when she found Marlene. There was a book propped open in her lap, Peter Pan. It was too early for Marlene to be awake. If Doe was to guess, she would bet it wasn’t a matter of getting up early but more along the lines of still awake.

“Marlene?” Doe asked coming over to the girl. She put a hand on Marlene’s arm the cold on her skin making Doe shiver. “You’re shaking,” Doe said offering the sweatshirt she’d taken with her.

“I have something for you,” Doe said. Marlene didn’t lift her eyes off the page for a long moment and then finally slowly she looked at Doe. Doe handed Marlene the sweatshirt and a pack of cigarettes. Marlene had quite, mostly. But Doe was tired of the quiet that had permeated the flat. Tired of the stress that she could feel rolling off of Marlene, and cigarettes had always had a calming effect before.

Lily Evans - Photographed by Mary Macdonald

Taken a few nights before Lily Evans became Lily Potter - Including Mary and Lily

Mary stopped walking underneath a tree that blocked out the snow. Lily didn’t realize that Mary had stopped walking and had to backtrack a bit once she realized. Mary was staring really intently at her, Lily raised an eyebrow at her friend. “What?” She questioned.

“You’re getting married in less than a weak.” Mary said and Lily nodded slowly.

“Yes, I am. wow you’re good at this.”

Mary glared at her friend and punched her shoulder. “Everything’s going to change you can’t blame me for being a bit confused.”

“Mare, nothing is going to change.” Lily said. “James moved into that flat months ago, and you’ll probably see more of me than ever.”

“Just like...don’t forget that I care ok?” Mary shoved her hands into her pockets. “like between the war and being newlyweds thing”

“I wouldn’t dare.” Lily promised. “now come on lets go get Doe to make us hot coco.” Lily said blowing Mary a kiss and then walking swiftly forwards.

The Clubhouse - Photographed by Remus Lupin

Taken ten years after Doe, Marly, and Remus last visited - Including Remus

The hike took a lot longer than Remus remembered. But he's sure that he didn't remember the fastest way to get there either. He's wanted to come back so many times over the last ten years, but it'd never felt right coming by himself. It still didn't. But Remus was feeling nostalgic and just about at the end of his rope.

Remus stepped into the clearing and stared at the small building. They had enough wards around it that anyone walking by would miss it, but nature hadn't left the building untouched. It was ragged and the door was missing. Remus had forgotten about the pink paint job Marlene had insisted upon only a few months before she'd died. Remus tried to remember. Tried to call to mind everything he could think of about the two girls. Marlene's bright loud laughter, and Doe's quiet warm one. The way Doe smelled first thing in the morning and the way Marlene's hair always smelled like smoke. But he's missing huge chunks of them. Like he can't quite recall the look Doe gave Marlene when she'd just spouted a new disastrous plan. He can't remember the way Marlene's voice sounded when she called him Remmey. Can't remember what Marlene looked like with Pink hair, or what Doe had said to him the last morning he saw her. And it's so infuriating that he  sits in the grass just staring at the house and trying to remember.

Things come in pieces and leave just as quickly. random facts and smiles and memories sliding through his mind and it's been so long since he really let himself remember. But he wants to remember them as they were. Not with the usual sadness that tinges his thoughts. He wants to recall them at their finest, because they need to stop being anything else.

Marlene McKinnon - Photographed by Dorcas Meadowes

Taken the Summer before 7th year - Including Marlene and Doe

"Marlene?" Doe asked as the brunette walked passed where she'd been sitting in the front yard. Marlene looked to be on a mission. Doe snapped a picture as Marlene turned back to her.

"Where are you going?" Doe asked once Marlene was facing her.

"Out." Marlene had been staying the last few weeks with Doe and her family. Doe was actually surprised it'd taken Marlene this long to get bored.

"Out where?" Doe said with a smile on her face.

Marlene grinned at the blonde and shot her a wink. "Meeting up with Sirius. It'll be a crazy night. Want to come?"

"No, I don't think my Mother will turn a blind eye on my going." Doe answered because while her Mother wouldn't say anything about Marlene coming in tomorrow for breakfast in these same clothes, she most certainly would say many things to Doe.

"We can have you home early." Marlene promised but Doe shook her head.

"Go on your date Miss McKinnon." There was a smirk on her face now and Marlene frowned at her.

"It's not a date."

"Sure. Is that what he told you?"

"Doe you know it's not-"

Dorcas Meadowes - Photographed by Marlene McKinnon

Taken near the end of 7th Year - Including Doe, and Marly

"Doe?" Marlene asked walking up to her friend who was laying in the meadow. It was too cold for Doe to be out there in the white dress that didn't cover enough skin. Marlene could see redness on Doe's shoulders and chest that suggested she'd already been sitting out there for a while. "What are you doing?"

"I'm sad." Doe answered with out opening her eyes to look at Marlene. She didn't add anything to the statement, which in Marlene's opinion still didn't explain what exactly Doe was doing. But she sat down next to her friend anyway.

"Why are you sad?"

"I haven't quite decided yet." Doe answered. Opening her eyes now to smile at Marlene. "But I am, and the cold seemed like a good idea."

"You're freezing." Marlene responded.

"I don't feel cold." Marlene frowned down at her friend.

"Come inside and I'll fine us some Hot cocoa." Marlene said trying to bribe Doe to come inside out of the cold.

"Will you cuddle me by the fire?" Doe said a smile winning out across her face.

Remus Lupin and Dorcas Meadowes- Photographed by an ever peeping Marlene McKinnon. 

My Dearest Doe,

The first time I took your hand we were standing at the edge of the Great Hall. You used to hold my hand all the time back then. When I least expected it you would reach out run your fingers down my palm and interlace our fingers. At first I pulled away but you persisted and eventually I let it happen but I never initiated things. I thought I didn't deserve you, still do sometimes. The first time I took your hand came long after that, the entire great hall had been cleared out to make room for the upper class students to have a dance. I had asked if you would come with me which at the time felt like the hardest thing imaginable. 

But there we were, standing against the wall because even though I had asked you to the dance, a moment I blame fully on the full moon and my emotional imbalance around that time, I did not have the guts to ask you to dance. I brought you pumpkin juice and you made awkward small talk as you watched Sirius and Marlene dance and laugh for over an hour.

I could tell you were getting impatient waiting for me to ask you, but you stuck by me anyway. It wasn't until Dirk Casswell came over and asked you to dance that I felt the full weight of my idiocracy. In that moment when you looked over at me I thought you were going to say yes. I thought it was all over. All the hand holding and gentle touches that you had worked into our interactions would be over. So without a second thought I reached my hand out and took yours begging you to stay. I will never forget your smile right then as you turned to Dirk and said "Sorry Dirk, Remus here was just about to ask me and I already said yes."

I don't know if you ever saw this photo or would even register what it was if you had but when Marlene showed it to me the day after, I tucked it in my back pocket and have kept with me ever since. It's now a bit crumbled and torn but I hope by putting it here it can somehow make its way back to you.

Always yours,

Dorcas Meadowes - Photographed by Remus Lupin

Taken During the Order Days - Including Remus and Doe

Remus climbed the stairs to their apartment. He wasn't due back for another few hours or so. He wasn't sure if anyone would even be home. Not that that counted for much, Remus wasn't sure if he'd mind having a few hours to himself. When he reached the door, he could hear faint music drifting through the wood. He slid his key into the lock and pushed open the door.

He smiled lightly at the sight that greeted him. Doe was dressed in a, what he could only describe as floofy blue dress. Her hands were tangled in the fabric lifting it up. Her eyes were closed as she danced around the room on her tip toes.

Remus recognized the melody playing through Dorcas' muggle record player as a muggle band Doe listened to.

"What are you doing love?" Remus asked after watching her a few more moments. Doe's eyes snapped open and she turned to Remus a smile already plastered on her face.

"Dancing." She answered. Remus walked to her still smiling.

"And the dress?" He asked.

"I wanted to feel beautiful." She responded moving to him and wrapping her arms around his shoulders, his arms resting on her hips.

"You're always beautiful." He told her.

Umbrellas - photographed by Mary McDonald

Taken after Marlene's Funeral - Including everyone...except Marlene.

There was a silence that surrounded the 7 friends as they walked towards the graves. They came upon the six graves that marked the Mckinnon family's burial sight. The dirt was still wet, they'd only been gone for a few hours for the ceremony that had been held at the little church down the road. Everyone else had most certainly gone home by now. Doe wasn't sure how her, Sirius, and Remus were supposed to go home now. How they would handle the empty space in the apartment.  

The silence dragged on as they stood, no one knew how to say anything that could possibly make this better. "She's not here." a voice said behind them and the group twisted around to find Dumbledore standing a few feet behind him.

"Excuse me." Mary said not feeling particularly in the mood for Dumbledore cryptic speaches.

"Souls don't stay with the body. Standing here won't keep her near to you." He answered them and that seemed to spark a fire in Sirius.

"Well this is all we have." He snapped. "Her soul might not be here but her body is, and I don't have anything else." He took a deep breath, trying to keep himself from shouting at the man who'd done nothing but try to help them.

"I understand." the older wizard said kindly. "I've been to many of things like this. I just don't think Ms. McKinnon would have wanted you all standing around in the cold like this. It's starting to rain you know." Mary looked up to see Umbrellas floating above them and a rain starting to fall beyond the small sanctuary Dumbledore had built for them.

"You're wrong." Doe said. She didn't sound at all like her usual self. Her voice was quieter than usual, no hint of humor and good relatedness remained in her hallow voice. "Her souls here. We're all here. She wouldn't have gone anywhere else."

The headmaster smiled at the blonde and nodded. "I do suppose you are correct. But then she'll be with you just the same here as she would be in the warmth, don't you agree?" Doe stared at him for a moment before she nodded and walked off into the rain Remus trailing after her after a seconds hesitation, the rest of the group falling behind.

Yes we can! I promise to have one up later today.

Marlene Mckinnon and Dorcas Meadowes - Photographed by Remus Lupin

Taken after Sirius and Remus return from a particularly exhausting mission - Including Remus, Sirius, Marlene, and Doe

It was early in the morning when Sirius and Remus arrived back from their mission. They exchanged curt nods and short grunt before parting ways at the front door heading to their respective rooms. Sirius yawned as he opened his door illuminating a small light in the corner as to not wake Marlene. Stripping off his pants at the door Sirius moved toward his side of the bed only to stop when he noticed it was already occupied long blonde hair rising from beneath the sheets and turning to face him.

"Doe, what are you doing in my bed?" Sirius asked looking between the two girls.

"Marlene wanted to cuddle." Doe stated turning to wrap her arms back around Marlene who was slowing waking.

"Doe get out of my bed and away from my girlfriend right this minute." Sirius demanded causing Marlene to chuckle.

"No!" Doe replied finding Sirius’ sudden irritation amusing.

"You can’t shag her anymore, that’s my job." Sirius groaned jumping on the bed and wiggling his way between the two friends.

Shots - Photographed by Dorcas Meadowes

Taken during a game of never have I Ever - Including Sirius, Remus, Marlene, and Doe

"Never have I ever..." Sirius said trailing off. A silence fell over the table as they waited for Sirius to finish the sentence. The silence lasted for a few short seconds before Marlene erupted into a fit of giggles leaning into Doe. Doe couldn't help the few giggles that escaped her as well. "shut up it's hard."

"We didn't need to know about your hard on Sirius." Remus said causing both girls to fall into another fit of laughter it's not so common to hear Remus make anything close to a dirty joke.

"Oh Bloody Hell!" Marlene shouted through her laughter.

"Shove it Mooney." Sirius said, "Ok, I've never kissed someone of the same sex." He finally said his eyes locked on Remus. Remus gave him a strange look,

"Why do you think I've kissed a bloke?" Remus asked Sirius who shrugged.

"I don't know always wondered after that party fourth year." Remus opened his mouth to respond when he noticed Marlene filling up Doe's shot glass. Both boys fell completely silent as they watched the two pour new shots."You've kissed a girl?" Sirius said staring at Marlene.

Marlene and Doe looked up at the boys and then at each other. "Yes." they both answered.

"Who!?" Sirius demanded.

The girls shared a look, "You two..." Remus said raising an eyebrow.

Doe shrugged, "Why not?" She asked. Neither boy really knew what to say. "Neither of us were seeing anyone at the time, it just made sense."

"So you two just snogged? When ever you fancied?" Sirius asked.

"Well...I wouldn't say just." Marlene answered and there was a moment where no one said anything.

"You shagged?!" Sirius shouted after the thought really sunk in.

"Yeah." Marlene said.

"No no, l mean like sex." Sirius said again.

"Yes." Doe answered. Remus looked back and fourth between the two of them.

"Why?" Remus finally asked.

"I like sex." Marlene answered, as if everyone in the room didn't already know that. "So does Doe. We didn't have anyone else to sleep with so why not each other."

"It's really not a big deal." Doe said. "No feelings just shagging."

"Never any feelings?" Remus asked. "I can't imagine how you could do that."

"Never really thought about feelings It was just sex." Doe said, Marlene nodding along with her.

Shots - Photographed by Dorcas Meadowes

Taken during a game of never have I Ever - Including Sirius, Remus, Marlene, and Doe

"Why do you have four bottles of assorted alcohol?" Doe asked Sirius as he shut the apartment door behind him. Remus looked up from the newspaper he was reading and frowned up at Sirius. 

"We need to have a little fun." Sirius said nearly dropping the bottle vodka before setting them all down clumsily on the kitchen table. Marlene appeared out of her bedroom as if the sound of clinking bottles had summoned her.

"A little fun?" Doe said raising her eyebrows at Sirius.

"Bacardi, Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Juarez Silver." Remus said reading off the labels.

"Rum, Vodka, Whiskey, and Tequila. The four poisons." Marlene smiled from the doorway. Stepping forward.  "What do you want Sirius? Us all miserable tomorrow?"

Hamsa Necklaces - photographed by Dorcas Meadowes

Taken after Doe bought everyone a Hamsa necklace for graduation - Including everyone.

"Ok guys." Doe said raising her voice a bit to be heard over all of the chatting. Most of them turned to look at her, Marlene elbowing Sirius to get his and James' attention. "Since we're all off to do real adult things," Doe started, "I got you all something." She pulled the box out of her purse and started giving everyone necklaces.

"What are they?" James asked looking at the small symbol, it looked like a hand with an eye in it.

"It's a Hamsa." Doe said, "it's a really old symbol but essentially it's for protection. I know that we won't all get to be together all the time like we are now, so I thought you could all use a little extra protection." Doe didn't mention the war, and she didn't mention that tomorrow they'd be packing up and heading to separate flats, or to their parents.

"Thank you Doe." Lily said as she motioned for James to put the necklace on her. Everyone followed suit.