marlene ;

Because if there was another lifeline she had besides food that was as constant, it was Mary's presence in her life- ever since that moment they had meant, Marlene has claimed Mary as her constant. The person who she had always let in, who always knew exactly how she was no matter what was going on- the person who stood by her brothers' graves and weeped just as much as she did. Only that Marlene would decline that one last statement as she obviously does not weep. She knocks on the door with her foot,gently though- as she appreciates the beautiful cottage more than she would admit, waiting for her friend.

Where: Marlene’s Flat Who: @marlexne

With all that was going on people often seemed to think that frivolity and fun didn’t have a place anymore but they couldn’t be more wrong. You couldn’t be afraid and worried all the time or you would drive yourself insane, you had to be able to blow off so steam and still live your life even through the bad times. People always scoffed at the saying ‘laughter is the best medicine’ but he believed in it wholeheartedly. It released the stress, made you feel lighter and forget your worries even if just for a moment. Laughing was good for your health in his opinion. It was with that in mind he decided to pay a friend a visit, and have night of fun rather than all doom and gloom.

Sirius showed up at Marlene’s door, deciding it would be nice to knock for once rather than sneak inside with the keys they had exchanged. He knew every time he did that he was risking getting punched or hexed, it really was a miracle it hadn’t happened yet. He leaned against the edge of the door frame, a bottle of firewhiskey in hand to help with the fun as he waited hearing footsteps draw near. A grin appeared on his lips as the door finally swung open. “Evening,” he greeted. “I thought tonight might be a good night to do some drinking,” he continued holding up the bottle. “What do you say?”

For how bad Marlene claimed her communication skills are- and trust her, misinterpretation could absolutely be her middle name- she had quiet a good froup of people in her support system. She does not really remember the time she thought working with Sirius of all people would not be the worst, actually their shifts together are honestly her favorite. Not as gloomy as other Hit Wizards who have seen too much to even try and muster some kind of happiness. But, that was it- both Sirius and Marlene have seen enough, and they still wanted to snicker, to be heared, to be alive- it was a communiality that she appreciated. Not that she would ever tell him, it would get too much to his head.

She knew it was him before she even got out of bed, the charms working wonders on helping her realize who is at the door before anything. She swings the door open and narrows an umipressed eyebrow at him. “What did you make me get out of bed for this time?” It is not like she was sleeping, but she enjoyed her time laying down onto her bed and just existing- the comfiest clothes ever which for her is oversized shirt and the most incredible of snacks. She steps to a side though, letting him in. ‘I’ll get the glasses. Or are we getting drunk like vikings today?’

“i suppose that’s fair enough. i’d say you should try adopting a brighter disposition, but things around here haven’t been the most sunny lately, and i’m sure you’ve got your reasons for the gloom. still, having a bit of fun here and there doesn’t hurt much — like a harmless bet.” alecto’s tone shifted from amused to a slightly softer playfulness. “life’s easier when you enjoy the little things, so i’ve heard.”

she took a moment to study the sky again, letting out a soft hum before turning her attention back to the other and offering a hand. “i’m allie, by the way.”

Marlene should be offended of whether or not the other witch has not heared of her before— because she knows Marlene clearly knows who the woman in front of her is. However, she could also be somehow enchanted that the other wanted to introduce herself to her.

“I think I need a few more months of supposed neutral times for me to be back to my cherry self.” Marlene retorts- she’s never cheery, so the statement is nothing short of a indulgence to the other’s continues words. “Marlene.” She replies back then, not facing the other either, eyes connected to the sky.

Emmeline allowed herself a moment to take it all in, the peaceful atmosphere so very different from anything she’d gotten used to over the past few years. A part of her almost struggles to believe that such a place could exist in a world that was filled with more horrors than she would have dared to imagine during their shared time at Hogwarts and yet the proof was right in front of her. “Let’s walk then. We haven’t caught up in a while. Life’s too hectic.”

Her feet carry her, walking down the unfamiliar path without waiting around. There’s faith the other will follow, eventually lead the way. “How’ve you been?” She glances over at her friend. “You know, flying would have been more fun, though I don’t guess that is something so easily done around here.”

She laughs at the question— it has been far too generic for a while. How are you? Survivng. Still alive, you? Marlene could not really use those excuses anymore- she’s always been one gor geniune converstions.

I had been a while since James had checked on Marlene, he felt terrible for it, as he usually was on top of things, but lately his brain was scattered, lightly buzzing with the idea that something big was always around the corner, that if he blinked he either would get attacked or missed something important to relay to the Order.

However, he reminded himself that he needed to also be himself, to enjoy the life that he actually had and try to be with his friends, instead of only having his head on a mission.

He knocked on Marlene’s flat and waited for the hit wizard to open.

@marlexne

Marlene knew someone was at the door way before James decide to knock on the door- she has a charm on the doorstep and it works wonders especially before she has to wake up to Sirius using his key to her place for no bloody reason at all. She opens the door fast, her head titled to a side as she watches him.

There was an unspoken connection when it came to the people she’d once shared her home - the most wonderful time - with. Hogwarts had been her escape, a way to let the real world behind. When the Sorting Hat had told her that some of the connections she were to make would be for life, Emmeline had all but laughed at the silliness of it all. How could such a thing even be possible? Yet there was no denying that especially Caitriona and Marlene had been exactly those types of people, all without the most typical and constant need to express and talk. With them a nod, a tap on the shoulder or simple silence had given her so much more than a million words could have. Never in a million years would she have changed it all.

“You know, when you invited me out here for a walk, I assumed that’s what it’d be.” Emms raised her eyebrows at the other, amusement clear within her eyes. “What would I do without magic right now, hm”? The magic of thinking far enough ahead to come prepared just in case. After all, neither of them seemed like someone who would ever dare sit still without moving. The witch moved over to the other, head tilted to the side. “Quite the calm place, hm?” She allowed her eyes to roam, scanning the area around. It was bizarrely peaceful.

“do you often go around crushing the joy of others?” the words come out coated in amusement. she’s no stranger to people refusing to play along with her games, especially people she doesn’t know — some seem more hesitant, others were more snarky, and then there were some that simply ignored her. it had stopped bothering her ages ago, but that didn’t make it any less amusing when she did manage to seemingly get under someone’s skin.

“we must’ve seen different skies today though, as it’s been pretty clear from where i’ve been standing. shame it’s been gloomy for you, certainly makes it harder to enjoy a bit of harmless fun.”

@marlexne​

To Caitriona, life is split into before and after, something she suspects most people do, and she suspects most people relate such distinctions to the war, but not her. To Caitriona, life is split into before and after her marriage. Of course, she’d always known marriage would be a part, a significant part, of her life, but she hadn’t expected it to come for as quickly as it did. Knowing she would be marrying mere months after her graduation made the final weeks of Caitriona’s Hogwarts career pass in a blur, and she doesn’t remember many details looking back on it. Once she was married Caitriona voluntarily, necessarily, ensconced herself in the highest echelons of pureblood society. Even though many of those people had turned their backs on her since her husband’s death, Caitriona still hadn’t yet begun to reach out to people who’d been a part of her life before. 

So when Marlene came up to her, there was a part of Caitriona that was surprised. They’d gotten on well enough in their school days, but Marlene had been one of many people Caitriona had to distance herself from after. Now, Caitriona can’t remember the last time she spoke to Marlene, but she offers her former dormmate a polite smile anyway. Never let it be said that Caitriona Burke was caught off guard, her mother raised her better than that. “I must confess, I can’t recall the last time we saw each other, so I’d call the phrase appropriate.” She speaks in the sly, dry voice that she’s always used to indicate a joke, although she hasn’t called on it much in recent years. “How have you been? I believe I heard you made a career change?” Gossip always has a way of trickling through, even when you don’t particularly want to hear it, and Caitriona never does.

It was no secret growing up that Mary was incredibly distrustful towards Slytherin’s - she didn’t like their attitude or their arrogance, especially growing a sudden hatred for the whole lot of them after the Mulciber incident. While she hated Slytherins, Mary loved Marlene in every sense of the word - Marlene had always, and will always be the exception in that case - having given up her part of the room just for Marlene, whenever they needed it. At Marlene’s comment, Mary pursed her lips to refrain from laughing - because really, it was the effort that counted.

“Do I want to look under the sheet at the deathly crime scene of the butchered cupcakes, or should I just take your word for it?” Mary teased lightly at Marlene, hopping up on a free space of bench, legs dangling slightly without a care. “Sprinkles and frosting? How kind of you. I love the sprinkles and the frosting more than the actual cupcake itself,” impulsively swiping her finger in the batch of frosting before dipping it in her mouth, Mary grinned. “Delicious. I appreciate you so much for attempting to bake for me, Marls - it’s the gift that keeps on giving.”

She shakes her head immediately as soon as Mary asks that. “Absolutely not- for the good of you and me and others, you must not look under, to be sure nobody gets hurt in the process.” She is highly exaggerating of course, however, the burnt baked good under there could absolutely craze Mary to not let Marlene do anything in the kitchen ever again.

FWD ﹕ MARLENE ．

“no one ever comes back here, everyone’s more than happy to use the other exists. forgive me for being surprised, i’ll try to contain myself next time.” her tone was perfectly polite — the beauty of druella black’s lessons on how to behave meant that she could sound polite in almost any circumstances — but there was something to her words that was coated in sarcasm, and just a hint of bite. when she smiled, it was almost ironic but not quite, as it always was when marlene was concerned. they’d run into each other plenty of times, job crossover in her department was more common than people would think, and for all the annoyance that interacting with the other witch caused her… it was also always amusing. if bellatrix had been another person, she could almost think she liked the brunette, but alas another person she was not. head tilted at the comment, and bella pulled her hand up to take a long drag of her cigarette, shoulders moving in an absentminded shrug. it wasn’t something she should be doing so brazenly in view of others, but she also didn’t quite care. there was always a rebellious streak in her, and if smoking was how it came out, bella wasn’t going to argue with herself. “most people don’t, but most people don’t work with wizarding law. why, do you want one?”

marlene shrugs- she didn’t care for the other’s “apology” for being surprised, she knew better than to play along too much with bellatrix. she was a legend in many ways from what marlene has heared and seen in the slytherin house, and despite knowing the differences in politics- she still had some respect for the other. women were overlooked for a long time, and she created some kind of path that marlene was somehow grateful for. despite everything. despite not being from a sacred family, she knew well enough the image a pureblood female has to uphold.

❪ ⠀⠀ OPEN STARTER⠀ ▸⠀ anyone ⠀⠀ ❫

anywhere bellatrix lestrange walked was always characteristically marked by the sound of heels tapping on the ground, her pace never too fast but certainly energetic — the footsteps of a woman who always had somewhere to be, regardless of time or day. while her job could never be called a relaxing one, there was a certain quality of peace that filled her once she arrived in the ministry and settled with her piles of paperwork : the world stopped for a brief moment, and bellatrix had always enjoyed solitude, been drawn to it like a moth to a flame. it’d be easy to miss that fact about her — she was, after all, the lady of a reputable house, a child of the house of black, entertaining and accommodating was an ingrain skill she’d crafted over the years. it was also exhausting. and so, when she stepped foot in the ministry and until her work day was done, it was rare to see her engaging with people for anything other than work. lunch had been eaten at her desk, but the need for a breath of fresh air in what was a warm summer day had driven her outside for a moment — the urge for nicotine had helped, as it always did. it wasn’t a particularly ladylike habit or one that bella took pride in, but she was also keenly aware that a penchant for smoking was low in her list of sins… and rarely did people walk into the ministry through one of the few entrances that led to the outside world. it was a well rehearsed dance, the way she stepped outside and drew a deep breath, hands reaching into her robes to pull out a silver case and bring a cigarette up to her lips, her wand brought up subtly to light the tip as she relaxed into the feeling of peace that the ritual brought her. she had but a minute to relish in her afternoon getaway before a familiar face came into view, and the witch realised there was no way to leave without being noticed — perhaps no conversation would be had, but recognition was inevitable. an eyebrow was raised ever so slightly, chin up and words measured perfectly before she spoke. “i hardly expected to see you here.”

Marlene’s wondering around and about is a known habit- she did not like to stay in one place at a time. She did not like to just be somewhere- she wanted to know the place, know all of the entrances, know everything that there is to be known. Surprises have never been her favorite, unless she was the one offering the prize.

‘I believe the only places you really see me at are any of the Ministry rooms- so outside of it seems to be such a strange occurance?’ Marlene voiced out loud, offering the other a nod as if to say hello- she did not bother to muse it outloud, they were both aware of each other’s presence as it was. Marlene did not like the Ministry in itself, but just as much as the other, she had to come here regulary.

WHEN : friday july 10th, 1982, late evening / dusk WHERE : diagon alley (corner of knockturn alley)

alecto hated days like today, for no reason other than the boredom that always seemed to set in so much quicker. amycus had left for a business trip, and she had been told rather directly not to come in to work over the weekend, which left her with too much time on her hands for her own good — or the good of anyone else, if she was honest. in a halfhearted attempt to keep from causing too much trouble she had decided to wander diagon alley in search of some tiny bit of entertainment, which had led to her standing on the corner of knockturn alley, still debating on if she needed anything from the shadier side of town.

“ten galleons says it rains tonight.” in spite of hearing the footsteps drawing close she isn’t even entirely certain on who she’s speaking to, eyes locked on a single slow-drifting wisp of a cloud. she was fairly certain, however, that it’s going to rain within the hour. finally turning her attention to the newest passerby she offered a slight grin. “call it a hunch.”

‘Hunch?’ She replies without meaning too- her initial reaction had been to just ignore the other’s sudden comment and go along with her day, however it was quiet impsobbile to ignore when she continued and truth to be told, Marlene was not in the mood to make this a bigger deal than it has to be; she turned to face the other and offered her the fakest nicest smile she can muster.

‘I reckon hunch can also be the griminess of the day-or the simple fact it is still very much summer, and there is barely one day that passes without rain amongst these streets in that period of time.’

Marlene had been left out from this particular mission, the why unclear, but these days a lot of things Dumbldore did were a bit unclear to him. Halting his mission with the werewolves for the moment hadn’t won him any favors with their leader but his friends had urged caution, citing what happened to Peter, worried he was getting in too deep. But it wasn’t like the regular work was really less dangerous, but there at least he had backup, it didn’t prevent injury though. He was sure Marlene had heard about it, though he hadn’t told her as of yet, he had always been used to pain and injury and tended to downplay it, not wanting anyone to worry over him. 

Remus met her at the requested location, somewhere they frequented and was out of the wizarding world’s eye. As he rounded the corner he spotted Marlene seeming lost in thought, grabbing one french fry after another as if out of habit, not even realizing. A soft smile appeared on his lips as he pulled out the chair across from her and sat down. “Careful Marls, might lose a finger like that,” he teased leaning over to take a fry from the basket, popping it into his mouth. “Something wrong? Your owl wasn’t very specific, not that I mind meeting up, you know I’m always happy to see you,” he assured, quickly establishing the focus off himself.

  She continued to eat french fry after frency fry until she spots Remus, she straightens up in her seat and she smiles when he takes a seat in front of her. She had already felt a bit more calm just seeing him and seeing that he is somehow alright. ‘Wouldn’t that be exciting?’ she jokes lightly, and shakes her head- it was kind of good to be able to joke about something as sometimes off-putting as that. 

Marlene’s career path had changed for the war more than anything really-she was not really one who ever knew what she was going to do, considering right after Hogwarts she has been bartending than doing anything else for a little bit. She was more of an action person- if something was needed, she would figure it in a way to make it happen, and that is how this job had felt to her at first, but it was nice- finding mentors in some way and even if not in the same exact path, she had always admired Alice in ways she did not think she would find herself look up to someone. She was a badass woman after all, it should have been a no-brainer. ‘Aye, still a little bit dissappointed in me that I didn’t choose the Auror path?’ It is not like she could ever really tell the other that becoming an Auror was too much training and time that Marlene did not have right now, becoming a Hit Witch had been easier in ways- felt natural, and sometimes she never really know if ‘Or can I pick ya brain about somethin’ anyway?’