Marlene McKinnon

The night before had been a blast. She had been excited to find a few work colleagues and old school friends at the Crouch party who were not the typical pureblood party type. She had let loose - a little too loose - and was now paying for it dearly. 

Marlene was hungover like nobody’s business and the exclusive Malfoy brunch was not exactly the place to be with a squeamish stomach. 

She poked at the concoction on her plate. The way the eggs jiggled made her stomach want to flip and she didn’t even want to think about the fancy foam set to the side. Hadn’t these people heard of a fry up? She reached for her coffee but misjudged sending her juice over the table and into the lap of the person who had just plopped into the seat beside her. 

“Oh Merlin! I am so sorry, let me get that,” she whipped off her napkin and used it to start dabbing at her new companion’s lap. 

“Is it close?” Sirius repeats. He considers it for a moment. “Close but not nearly close enough. Does that help?” He suspect his words don’t help at all, and the teasing grin he gives her reveals that he knows it. He chuckles. “If they used the potion itself they’d have to be concerned with people slipping it into drinks. Clever little perfume; could use a bit of work though.” 

Sirius offers the waiter a smile as Marlene orders. “Sounds lovely. Thank you, Marlene.” This is the most at ease he’s felt since he’s returned home, yet it still doesn’t feel quite right. He’s waiting for the other shoe to drop, for her to suspect him or accuse him of betraying his friends (which he very well may have to). He can’t believe he agreed to have lunch with one of the few people that could actually bring this whole infiltration to a halt. 

He sighs and lets his head bow slightly to stare at his hands resting in his lap. He considers her question and the conversation he had with Regulus the day before. He’d left feeling hopeful, that maybe that particular bridge could be mended. He meets Marlene’s eyes again and offers a shrug. “I hope so. Our lunch conversation yesterday seemed productive.” Her words draw a laugh out of him and he shakes his head, watching the cafe customers for a moment before his eyes flit back to her. “No, not really. Isla Rosier and Ophelia Greengrass got in touch with me though.” 

“How have you been though? We didn’t have a chance to properly catch up at the gala.” 

“No, no. It does help,” she said with a smile, face lighting up as she considers how best to spin her article. “Merlin, I hope it isn’t the actual potion. Imagine the PR nightmare. Do you think Reg would be able to tell?”

Sirius had told her that they seemed to be getting better and so she took that as permission to not skirt around him as a topic. 

Marlene is also not yet aware that Sirius will no longer be attending Order meetings, has no reason to suspect he is doing anything other than she is - playing the part of infiltrator. She has no reason to suspect his loyalties may have actually shifted. 

“Not one, but two lovely women trying to court you. If you need someone to keep that ego check I would be happy to oblige,” she said with a smile. “Though I am almost disappointed to hear that Widow Fawley hasn’t made a move yet. She’s had four husbands already she can’t possibly be shy.”

“I have been fine. It’s all really the same as ever though it isn’t really as though anything changes in Society, is it? Or at least not quickly,” she said with a shrug. Pureblood Society was nothing if not staid in their ways. “Oh! But I am getting married next year. I am not sure to whom but I am told that is the least important part of the entire thing. I am only hopeful that I can keep my job. I quite like it. Well, mostly. Can you keep a secret?”

Ophelia smiled when she saw Marlene approaching. She was glad to see her, she was a good friend, one that she felt like she could be more herself around. She sometimes felt like she didn’t fit in with the other Pureblood girls, the ones who were always so prim and proper and perfect, and Ophelia didn’t feel that way. But Marlene was more like her, more…relaxed. It was always good to see her.

“Hi,” She greeted with a smile. She returned the hug. “Sit,” she gestured. “At the moment, yes. Adrian had said that he would come and join me, but I’m not sure that he’s going to come. You know how Adrian is,” she said with a fond smile on her lips. Adrian could be just as flighty as she was. “I’m so glad that you came.”

Marlene did as she was told and popped into the seat beside Ophelia.

“Oh really? I haven’t seen Adrian in forever. It would be nice to catch up. Though a gig isn’t really a good place for that sort of thing. Maybe I’ll send him an owl,” she said with a shrug. Maybe she would, maybe she’d forget about it before the night was through. 

“How did you hear about this?”  

“Oh tough question,” Barty chuckled, the smile easily creasing over his lips. He shrugged his shoulders then winked at Marlene, needing a moment to shake his head while he tried to come up with a decent set of terms.

“If I recall, you were better at coming up with terms than I was,” He tilted his head to the side. “I’m not entirely sure, but I’m itching for some sort of ridiculous thing for the loser to do.”

“You mean like streaking through a Yule Gala?” she asked, naming the first ridiculous thing that popped into her head. She was definitely not suggesting it, however. Perhaps once upon a time she might have considered it but she was trying to tell herself that she was an adult now and therefore had to be responsible. Besides she did not wish to be the reason her mother had a stroke at a public function. 

“How long do you think he will last?” she asked, getting back on topic. “He did make it fifteen years last time.”

Sirius chuckles and grins at Marlene. “Well, it’s certainly not working.” He knew his amorentia well enough after people trying to smuggle him love potions during school. He could pick it out almost anywhere, amongst nearly anything. It’d been a useful skill to have during sixth and seventh year. “My suspicion is that you’re right. Because I promise you – I don’t get more than a whiff of what I’m supposed to.” 

He picked up the menu and started to glance through it before ultimately deciding to just mimic whatever Marlene gets. If she’s a regular, she must know what’s best here. Sirius would prefer to stick to what’s known than venture out into the unknown in every single way possible. 

“Oh exactly like it was. Regulus is still barely speaking with, my mother hates my guts, and my father wears this expression on his face that lets me know he has know idea how to handle me.” He grins. “It’s been going fantastic.” He sighs and relaxes back in the chair. “All the unpleasant things aside, I’m relieved and happy to be home. The bridges will be built in time, I just need to have a bit of patience.” How very un-Sirius of him. Patience. 

“But is it close? I keep smelling things that seem like they are one step to the left,” she said. “Though I suppose it might be a good thing that it isn’t entirely spot on. It means they aren’t literally bottling amortentia. I imagine that could become messy.”

The lone waiter came over and greeted Marlene with a smile before asking if she wanted the usual. She did. For Sirius’s benefit she added: “A Reuben with extra sauerkraut with a salad on the side. And a herbal tea. Surprise me.”

She surveyed Sirius for a moment, trying to decide if he was being genuine or not. Was there a message there that she was supposed to be picking up or if he was simply talking plainly. This subterfuge thing was difficult. 

“Do you think Regulus will come around?” she asked. She assumed his parents were quite set in their ways and wasn’t sure what he could do to win them around (Walburga in particular had always scared her). “Do you have a strategy for how you might rebuild those bridges? Has anyone started clamouring to get back into your good graces yet? I imagine there will be a few who will see the benefit in being your friend for their own gain.”

Regulus fixed Marlene with a mild expression but his lips thinned at her question. There was no reason for him to expect Sirius to come back tonight or any other night. His grandfather had concealed it all too well and thought an old man just wanted to have a good time. Regulus should have knew there was something beyond what was happening. 

“No. I didn’t. I’m not sure if that makes me feel worse or better,” Regulus said idly, shrugging his shoulders. “What about you and Sirius? Had any speculations of your own?” He knew the two were familiar with each other at school and perhaps were in the same group Sirius had left the Black family for. 

“It’s good to see you though. It’s been a while. You must catch me up with anything interesting. Unfortunately, I have nothing to offer in return.”

Marlene was careful to keep her expression to one of mild neutrality when Regulus said he had not known earlier of Sirius’s return. She couldn’t believe his grandfather had been so cruel, but then perhaps he thought there might be more spectacle. Or maybe he didn’t care. Who knew?

“Well I suppose surprises can be enjoyable too,” she smiled, trying to be reassuring though she was sure that enjoyable surprises were more friends turning up with chocolate frogs than estranged siblings returning from exile.

“I hadn’t seen Sirius in years,” she lied smoothly. She’d never been close to him but she had definitely seen him more recently than that, namely at the last Oder meeting. She shrugged lightly. “Though if you like, I suppose I could ask around and see if anyone knows why he’s done this or if anything happened. I’m bound to know someone from school who kept in contact with him.”

“Anything interesting? You mean like what colours are coming into season next fall? Or that we are doing a floral theme for next month’s pop-up brunch?” she asked with a slight tilt of her head. “I know what you are thinking. Florals in Spring? Groundbreaking.”

“Bloody hell, Marlene,” Rabastan shook his head. He brought his free hand up to cover his mouth, feeling a need to mask the chuckles that were escaping. “To think I was under the impression you were the tame one of us.” He looked her over then took a drag of the cigarette, laughing when he exhaled.

“Trust me, it’s not one of them,” He wasn’t that desperate after all. The main annoyance was that the traitor got, what appeared to be, a warm welcome and his not appreciating any of it.

“I don’t know what to think of it,” Rabastan scowled. It just pissed him off that the evening had taken the turn it had. He would have found an excuse to avoid it all together had he known it would involve showing Sirius off. “Aside from repeating it seemed a little off.” He still couldn’t put his finger on what exactly had caused him to feel the way he did.

“Well I always thought I was the wild one but I suppose I will have to rethink in light of his new information,” she said with a shrug, happy when she heard him laugh. With the dour look on his face earlier she had thought he might never laugh or smile again. 

Her curiosity was piqued by his specific reply. She arched a brow. “Oh yeah? What is one of them, then? Go on.”

“I’m not sure you have anything to worry about. I can’t imagine he’s going to last longer for a few months and when he implodes we will all look better by comparison. You know, I might be a disappointment but at least I’ve never been Sirius Black levels of disappointing.”

When Marlene had owled him Sirius had been quick to respond, promising to meet her for lunch. It’d be a good chance to catch up with her and to learn more about her motives. He needed to befriend as many people in this society as he could, and it helped that Marlene was a reminder of home. Maybe she would report back to the Order and tell them all how wonderful he’s doing. The last thing he wants is for his friends to worry about him; although he’s certain they must be, given how much he’s worrying about them. 

The little cafe was cute, but not where Sirius expected Marlene to want to meet. It’s the opposite of trendy, but Sirius likes it all the same. It seems like a good lunch spot. He’s dressed in far more casual clothes, but he’s careful from dropping back into old habits of a ruffled appearance. He’s’ carefully groomed; his grandfather would’ve made sure of it before Sirius left the estate. 

He’s seated quickly, tucked into a back corner. It’d be perfect for a conversation free from listening ears. Marlene isn’t too late, thankfully. He raises a brow as she shoves her wrist in his face. He leans forward and sniffs it. “Hm. Bonfire, vanilla, and lawn clippings.” He leans back in his seat. “Was that what I was supposed to smell?” 

“Lawn clippings?” she wrinkled her nose. It wasn’t like she had any control over what she smelled like while wearing the perfume, bu she didn’t enjoy the idea of smelling like a gardener all the same. “It is supposed to smell like your amortentia but it feels wrong. “I keep smelling candy canes. I am starting to think it is the Bertie Bott’s of perfume.”

She crossed her knees under the table, not quite a lady, and settled into her seat. She didn’t bother with the menu. She already knew exactly what she wanted. 

“So, do you feel settled in yet? Everything back to how it was, what, seven years ago?”

Marlene had owled Sirius to arrange a lunch, as she had said she would, but she hadn’t expected him to actually book it in. She had thought he would be far too busy and important, his calendar filled with other meetings. But she was still happy to catch up with him for lunch, especially somewhere that was still respectable but also somewhere that most purebloods would never be seen. The food may have been delicious but it was absolutely not trendy or a place to be seen. 

Marlene loved it. 

She swanned in, late as per usual, to see that Sirius had already been seated. 

“I need you to smell me,” she told him by way of greeting as she held out her wrist. She was wearing a new perfume that had been sent to the office. It was meant to replicate the smells of amortentia but she suspected that there was something a little off about it.  “And tell me what you smell. It’s for work.”

Date: April 19th, 1979 Location: Augurey Open

Ophelia loved having the freedom to just pop into Dublin for the day, to go to the flower market to pick up dozens of bouquets for her flat and then a show at Augurey. Adrian was supposed to meet her there, but even if he didn’t show up, it was going to be a good night. She had always been a fan of the Hobgoblins, and when she had heard from a reliable source that they were performing tonight, she knew that she had to go. She knew that she had work in the morning, which was a bit of a downer, but it would be well worth it. 

Sitting at the bar, waiting for her drink, she looked around the pub. She just loved the atmosphere, away from the stuffiness of pureblood society back home. Ophelia knew that she couldn’t complain too much, she enjoyed the luxuries that her father provided, that society provided, but sometimes it was good to let her hair down and have fun. Some of the pureblood girls could use the fun. 

She turned around, looking to see if Adrian had arrived, he hadn’t of course, but she saw a familiar face walk in. “I didn’t expect to see you here!” She exclaimed with a laugh.

Trying to ingratiate herself with society was not always easy. She had to hold her tongue when talking to her mother’s friends while trying not to do anything that might be embarrassing. She was also juggling several friendships that were not always easy -  including being friends with both Violet and Narcissa. Then there was the little issue of Sirius Black and his return to society. 

She deserved a night off. And what better place than a gig at a pub far away in Dublin?

“Ophelia!” she greeted her friend with a smile and a hug. She hadn’t been expecting to see anyone but that didn’t mean she wasn’t happy to see Ophelia. “I wanted a night away from London. Are you here alone?”

He hummed in response, lips curved up in amusement. Though he might deny it, Antonin would admit to being amused by the McKinnon girl; he had no intention of furthering that relationship through an alliance of marriage, however, and so he kept his amusement contained to the flicker of his lips and the light behind his eyes. “There are some similarities, though I do not think that such familial dramatics are contained to one particular culture,” he pointed out.

The glass in his hands was lifted once more to his lips and he chuckled. “Russia is not the best of places to live at the moment,” he admitted. “The magical government is tied to the muggle one and they are less than impressed with private enterprise.”

“So... this is only a temporary arrangement? If the government in Russia should change, that is,” she asked. She was more curious than anything because she assumed it wouldn’t really affect her whether Antonin stayed in England or returned to Russia. Or perhaps he would move on to somewhere else entirely. Despite what some purebloods appeared to think, there was more than London out there. 

She waited until Antonin took another swig of his drink, curious to see of she could make him choke on it. Or really get any sort of reaction more than his usual stoic facade.

“Do you know anyone who might want a sugar baby?” she asked. “Because I have been thinking and I am not sure that marriage is for me. But you are quite the bachelor. You must have other older bachelor friends.”

Rabastan gave a bitter chuckle when Marlene spoke. “Good luck,” He muttered. There was a hint of a smile along the edge of his lips, easily missable to the untrained eye. Something about Marlene made it easier to stop focusing on his shortcomings.

If he were to pinpoint to cause it would come down to her not seeming to need to force the whole being social thing.

“You owe me,” He rolled his eyes then took another cigarette from his blazer, offering it to her with a smirk. “Oh gods no,” He shook his head. “If anything, I’m perturbed by his getting a warmer welcome than Madame Lestrange has ever given to me.” The main source of his problem that night came out far easier than he would have appreciated, an indignant look quickly taking over. “It’s not supposed to be that easy is all I’m saying. Something seems off.”

“I didn’t realise your kinks ran that way, Rabastan. You can call me mummy if you like,” she said with a very suggestive wiggle of her eyebrows. She was only playing, of course, but she thought it might make him smile. Her mother would have a conniption to hear her talk in such a manner but her mother was, luckily, far away. 

She took the cigarette and lit it before taking a long, satisfying, drag. She didn’t smoke much anymore, had only ever smoked socially, but that didn’t mean she didn’t miss it - especially after a few drinks. 

She lifted her shoulders in a shrug aware that it was probably a dangerous line of thought for Rabastan to go down. “Who knows. I can’t imagine the Blacks have made it easy for him though. Not really their style, is it?”

when: wednesday, april 25. after the witch’s institute charity tea. where: diagon alley. who: briar avery & anyone.

After what had seemed an eternity of being relegated to the Avery home in the French countryside, hearing a litany of her misjudgments and sins from her mother, and surely missing some of the biggest social events in good society, Briar was thrilled to be back in England, and to have found a few hours to herself. Her mother had been watching her like a hawk during the entirety of the tea, but had agreed to let her shop for a few unchaperoned hours after.

All for a mere flirtation.

Briar let out a sigh as she moved between shops, relieved to be back in the familiar hustle of her home. Turning, her eyes landed on a familiar figure, and moving to catch up with the other, she grinned. “Oh thank merlin I saw you. I was beginning to think everyone really had turned on me.”

Marlene was on the prowl for a new sort of tea. She wanted something that would be uplifting but also calming. Something that could help her settle into her work but also pep her up enough that she had enough energy not to fall asleep while trying to figure out relationship advice and household hints for the advice columns of the magazine. She wasn’t having much luck. 

She paused when it seemed someone was trying to get by but then let out a small squeal of delight when she realised who was beside her and reached out to embrace her friend but pulled back at the last moment confusion on her face. 

“Turned on you? Whatever do you mean?”

It was almost offensive that his grandfather would invite Sirius back, but the senior Black always did have a soft spot for Sirius. Regulus had been gone for a couple of weeks and suddenly his life was twisting around him. 

Everyone had clapped but he was sure no one trusted the arrangement no more than Regulus did. He wondered what his mother was thinking of if she already knew and approved of it. What would happen now that he was back in society? Regulus almost wished he had stayed to listen to what was said but he couldn’t be near anything related to Sirius. 

He heard the voice of Marlene Mckinnon and slowly turned to face her. “Yes, I’m sure the line is spectacular for a shake of a hand.” Regulus knew that the people had turned their backs on Sirius the second he was severed from the family. “Though I am. Really surprised. He never liked their attention or these parties. I wonder the change of heart.”

She paused at Regulus’s response and blinked at him. Maybe she was reaching but she didn’t think so - 

“Did you... did you not know he was going to be here?”

She could understand why no one had told her that Sirius was returning. She was hardly in the inner circle of the Blacks - or society more generally - and she wasn’t close enough to the Order yet to know of anyone’s missions but her own. Plus it was better she not know. This way her surprise was genuine and no one could suspect that she had any particular connection to the older Black boy. 

But surely they had told Regulus? Or maybe not. She thought he might have controlled his emotions a little better had it not been a surprise.