Mary MacDonald

Mary Katharine MacDonald

What's in a name?

Mary was named for her maternal grandmother, Maria, and for her own mother, Katharine. Her mother wished to call her Mary-Katharine Elizabeth MacDonald, but her father felt it was too much of a mouthful and convinced her to do Mary Katharine as a first and middle instead of just a compounded first name. Her mother compromised by affectionately calling her 'Mary K' and Mary allowed this only from her. She used her middle initial when she published articles as Mary K. MacDonald.

She finds it almost ironic how innocent her name sounds when she doesn't see herself like that at all. She never felt like it suited her, but it was her name and she was going to wear it proudly. Especially now she appreciated it as a gift from her parents, who had at least put some thought into it.

Mary : The biblical name Mary has several different meanings. Bryce and Katharine MacDonald chose it to honor her grandmother Maria, and because it meant "wished-for child". They had been in their mid-40s and didn't expect to have any other children besides their son when Mary was conceived. The meanings of her name that Mary identifies most with however are "bitter" and "rebellion".

Katharine : A spelling variation of Catherine/Katherine. This middle name is for Mary's mother Katharine, who often went by Kitty among family and friends. This Greek name means "pure" and is a common name among Christians thanks to the popularity of an early saint who was martyred in the 4th century.

alecto looked mary up and down before smiling halfheartedly. “hello mary. what brings you here on this fine afternoon.” she asked her, mimicking the woman’s arm fold. alecto wasn’t the biggest fan of mary macdonald, but she respected her work. “you’ll have to forgive my rudeness. it’s been a long day.” she said, raising an eyebrow.

“I don’t have to forgive anything.” Mary said with a slight eyeroll, unable to control the general agitation she felt at being face to face with Alecto. She didn’t trust people like her, and wasn’t shy about showing it. Because of the company the Carrow family kept, Mary judged Alecto’s views without actually knowing them. She just assumed, and that was good enough for her to justify her dislike. Despite her inability to control rude comments from coming out of her mouth, she still wanted to keep the conversation going at least for a moment. Alecto was still a needed source, as awful as Mary found her sort. “I’ve nothing fresh in the cupboard and Diagon Alley is home to some of the best shops for potions supplies. And yourself?”

                   it was a normal day for marlene at the ministry. she had just gotten a new assignment, or rather perhaps ( a new person ) to tail on for the most recent death eater news. the ministry was doing everything they could to keep the public unaware of this, but things were getting quite tense as the numbers had risen in voldemort’s ranks, and the aurors in the office were getting very busy. they hardly had any other time for chasing other leads, since they were so preoccupied with new cases each week, almost every few days if they were so lucky. of course though, just as she was getting ready to go to lunch and procrastinate the research she’d have to do on this person of the day, someone had called out her name.

                  turning heels on tippy toes, and a tight lipped smile - she began to say “yes?” in response to the other, without evening recognizing who it was. once she had finally faced them though, there was a sudden drop in the once forced complacent features and shock finally expressed in her face. “mary?” she questioned, an eyebrow raised as mouth went agape and as she rushed towards the other. “what are you doing here?” she cried, arms going to envelop the other in a tight hug. she had missed the other girl, and while they hadn’t left things on the best of terms, marlene would never turn the other away. ( her post card had also helped. she was just glad she was safe traveling ! )

                  “oh my gosh, it’s so good to see you.” the blonde gushes to the brunette, pulling away from their embrace and a now genuine smile taking hold over her features. “i knew you’d come back, of course, but you’d been gone for so long…” she trails off, unsure how to approach the subject. last time she had seen her, she’d told she wouldn’t find her brother. mary was gone for so long marlene had thought maybe she had. “any news?” she inquired, a hopeful expression showing to her friend. she’d never wish anyone being so lonesome, especially since she herself had never felt that way with five siblings. she couldn’t imagine only being the last one left with a brother in the wind.

Mary let out a groan when Marlene hugged her. The embrace was so tight Mary thought Marlene must be part boa constrictor. Once her friend let go, Mary stretched her arms and smiled at Marlene. It was a relief that she was actually glad to see Mary. On her return flight she had been anxious at the idea that her friends might be upset with her for dropping off the grid for a while and not being in touch. She was especially anxious to see Marlene since despite the warm postcards, it still remained that the last time they’d been face to face Mary acted like a stubborn ass.

She had been hoping that when this moment came she would have some news to tell Marlene, to say that while her view was practical it ended up being wrong, but sadly she had been right. Mary shook her head, “No, not a sign of him. I knew it was a long shot.... But until we’ve found Drew or.... Drew’s body...” she shuddered at the thought and the sickening feeling that she would have to eventually accept that reality, “I will continue to look for him.” She wasn’t planning on leaving again any time soon, but she was definitely determined to continue her investigation into the disappearance. Sometimes it felt like she was the only one who cared enough to investigate it and this frustrated her to no end, but this also fueled her drive to search for justice.

Mary strode into the Ministry of Magic, appearing more muggle-like than most people there in her dingy white Converse sneakers, acid washed jeans rolled at the ankle to show her thick white socks, and her tanktop underneath a slightly oversized sweatshirt. Many people were wearing robes, or more distinguished clothing styles that the wizarding community favored. A fair amount of people seemed to look at her as she walked through the atrium, but she paid them no mind, walking with her head high and each step filled with purpose. She got into an elevator and rode it to the second floor where the aurors worked.

It was just before Mary knew Marlene usually took her lunch breaks, and she was hoping her friend’s schedule would be still as she predicted. She walked into the Auror Office, passing by cubicles until she saw a head full of blonde hair poking out from the top of the farthest one and walked faster toward it.

“McKinnon.” she called from behind Marlene, using her surname to sound faux-authoritative and breaking into a sheepish smile when her friend turned. There was a knot in the pit of her stomach she’d been trying to ignore, caused by her guilt about not having communicated well with anyone about when she’d be back or if she was even okay (she’d sent Marlene a postcard but that was only like, a week or two in) and about how she had acted when Marlene expressed her opinion that Mary wouldn’t find Drew on this trip. Her postcard had been mainly an apology, but what if it wasn’t enough? “Promised you I’d be back.”

Minerva was carefully watering Mary’s garden, the same way she had been doing for the past two months as a Highland neighbour, when she heard the door unlock behind her back. She knew about the protection charm and had decided the enclench it since the beginning, in case Mary ever came back from her trip and couldn’t move or step outside. She was also supposed to remind the girl to put more protection charms since the one she had was barely above the bare minimum. A child could unlock it, really. 

With a last Aguamenti in mind, Minerva turned around, wand at the ready in  case it wasn’t Mary, and watched as the door opened. You never knew in these days.

Mary forced a smile to try and shake the fear she had just felt. McGonagall was no one to fear and Mary was happy to see her, at least as happy as she could be to see another person right now. She strode outside, still gripping her wand just in case, “Professor.” Odd she still called her that, despite having graduated six years earlier, but it had become a habit after being taught by her for seven years.

Mary watched her watering the plants. Something she hadn’t even thought of when she went away. The health of the plants was the farthest thing from her mind these past few months. Her mother had meticulously planted them, taking such pride in her work. The flowers had become hard to look at when her family was killed. She could still envision her mother at work with gloved hands and a dirt covered trowel, and it hurt too much to remember even the good memories. “You’ve been watering my plants?” she said more as an observation than an actual question. “Thank you.” she added genuinely.

Tiredness clung to his bones, the cold air that hit his face was doing what little it could to keep him alert. Alastor was old, he liked to say so every time he had a chance, but he wasn’t that old. There was no reason for every inch of his body to feel like it might give out at any moment. An old soul, was one of the kinder descriptions people gave about him. And it was probably the only one that was far from the truth. Alastor had never been an old soul. He had just been forced to grow up too quickly. One moment all he had to worry about was Quidditch and not being late for his lessons. Life in the castle felt so far away, at times he could not even recall the moments properly. It was starting to scare him. How easily it was all disappearing from his mind. One day he had been woken up to the news that would change his life forever. Even after losing everything, he remained young for a while. The prospect of going through auror training, he had a legacy to protect, a promise to fulfill, a dream to achieve.

But now, now with each passing day he felt they were doing less and less.  They were going in circles. It was as if the universe wanted them to always be a step behind. Except it feel as if they were a dozen steps behind. The number of missing persons was growing almost exponentially. It was alarming. But what alarmed Alastor the most was how little progress they were making. Life still went on. Once in a while Alastor would silently wince whenever he saw the faces of the young aurors. If he was feeling like whatever he did was useless, it was not hard to imagine how they must be feeling. But this job is not for those that give up easily, this was what would make them or break them. Sure there were policies at the Ministry that prevented them to do as much as they wanted in order to help, but Alastor believed it wasn’t fair for the families of those that had suffered. So had decided to take on a little off the books investigation. 

He had gone back to the MacDonald residence, maybe he would find something that was initially missed, there was still the missing son issue, and the insistence by muggle cops that it had been him, but the signs were clear, something dark and sinister had taken place there. Lost in his thoughts Alastor missed the protective spells places around the property, hands flying to his ears, ❝bloody hell❞ he mumbled, then with a swift motion made it stop, so it seemed someone was back, Mary, no doubt, who else would place protective spells, unless? someone wanting to wipe all traces? perhaps, Alastor raised his wand, better safe than sorry. ❝Auror department identify yourself❞ he said just to make it seem official in case they tried to run, a trace charm silently placed if they tried to apparate, this might be the lead he was looking for. 

Mary had turned the lock with her wand in hand at her side, pausing for a moment with her other hand on the doorknob. She needed to take a deep breath to recover from the fright she had just had. Moody wasn’t somebody that she wanted to have see her looking scared. Actually, she’d rather nobody knew the extent of her fears.

When Moody called out for her to identify herself, she knew he must not have known she was home and was instead on her property for another reason. Perhaps something to do with the investigation? She wondered a bit excitedly.

With a long exhale she felt her body relax and she finally turned the doorknob, coming out slowly. She extended her wand out in front of her, just in case it wasn’t actually Alastor Moody. After all, he probably would be disappointed if any member of the Order wasn’t practicing ‘constant vigilance’. Mary sometimes found herself too vigilant since the tragedy that befell her family, overly worried that anything could be lurking around the corner. She wouldn’t be caught unawares, not again.

“Moody, it’s just me. Mary.” she identified herself, wondering if he might be disappointed she wasn’t an intruder. She walked down the short stone pathway to the edge of the property, waving her wand wordlessly to end the caterwauling charm as she approached. When in front of him, she held her wand up slightly at him, “It is you, right? If I were to ask you what the weather was like during the last time you saw me, what would you answer?” She wanted to be sure it was him.

Her friend was honest with her, wishing her luck in her search but sharing her opinion that Mary wouldn’t find her brother. At the time, that made Mary mad and she blew up at Marlene. She knew it was a futile attempt and that Marlene was likely right, that Drew was gone too, but her emotions were more in control at the time and Mary didn’t want to accept that there was no chance at all. She didn’t want to accept that she was the last of her family left alive. After a while, Mary sent Marlene a post card from Washington D.C. (her childhood home) apologizing for being an ass and letting her know she was alright. At least as alright as she could possibly be.

Mary had toured areas of the United Kingdom that Drew might have known people in or had visited before. She did the same in the United States, starting with their birthplace and then traveling further west to see places and people Drew knew. A few times she thought she saw him, but it was always just wishful thinking and a similar looking man. Every night she laid in a motel room after a fruitless day of searching would leave her feeling empty and heartbroken. 

The trip gave her a lot of time to think, possibly too much, although in some ways she really did need this escape. But all things must end, and it was long past the time Mary should have come home. She didn’t want to worry anybody, but most importantly there was still a war to be won. A war she could never abandon, no matter how much it had already taken from her.

Mary had been back for two days, and her luggage still sat in the small foyer of the MacDonald cottage. She had caught up on sleep, feeling insanely jetlagged from her flight home. Now in the light of the late morning she awoke and went to her kitchen to make a cup of tea. The tea cup was only in her hand for a few seconds when a loud caterwauling caused her to break it in her grasp. She dropped the pieces, which shattered more when they hit the flagstones, and she whipped her wand from her pocket. A caterwaul charm was one of many protections she had put on the house when she was home, and someone had tripped it. Moving slowly toward the door, she told herself to stop trembling, but her body wouldn’t listen. She peered through the window panes, careful to stay out of view. Suddenly, she saw them, and immediately sighed as she put her wand down at her side. How’d you already know I was home? she wondered as she unlocked the door.