star of the sea.

flyingstag​:

James slung an arm over her shoulders to hang off her. “Don’t sound proud. Are you quite alright?” he asked, smiling a little, the hints of teasing her for the way she responded so amicably. It felt a little off, but who was he to enforce feelings or play witch doctor. He didn’t know the first thing about love potions. “I don’t think I’ve seen you hesitate like that in some time.”

“Still, Sirius is all around a good pick. I guess I’m proud of you, too, cousin.” he smirked like a fox.

“Topic change, thank Dumbledore’s fuzzy left sock.” he murmured, flashing a bright smile as they entered the Great Hall for an early lunch. His hand moved to stroke at his sharp chin for a moment or two. “Hmm, I believe I once saw him try to force his way into the prefect dorms because he couldn’t sleep with those beneath his status.” James spoke in a mocking tone when impersonating the other wizard. “And that was just his second year. I think he’s worse now. Full of himself, doesn’t let others get a word in. The worst pair for Li-Lion’s… House.” he recovered pathetically, fumbling on the name of their house while trying to hide the fact he was about to say Lily.

“I am alright.” She tried to say it definitely, but something in the warmth that was spreading onto her cheeks told her otherwise. Hesitating was a word to describe it. Her big eyes probably alerted her cousin to it, all she needed was a luminious ‘bingo’ sign and an arrow pointing directly at her noggin. “I don’t think there’s any picking of the sort.”

In all honesty Marlene hadn’t seen Sirius in some time. It had always been an odd, unspoken thing between the two. She determined once on a sleepless night that the stammer in her heart beat and her increased fidgeting was all too well due to the copious amounts of coffee she drank and definitely, absolutely, did not have anything to do with Sirius Black. She’d blinked back to the moment at hand- glad that he’d changed the subject.

firelily-evans​:

“Oh the absolute worst. You would have to deal with stuffy old members of the wizarding community telling you that traditional is best, even when tradition is the reason their system was messed up in the first place. Not to mention the clothes. Grey suits and robes constantly? bowler hats?” She said, having researched the Minister’s and noting that they became blank canvases that the people projected on instead of having their own personalities or beliefs. They were much like the Tory party. 

“You are the first person I will bring my attention to when I have time to give attention. I will run into your dorm…or simply open the door to mine and you can charge right in. We can listen to records.”  she said, moving to caress her cheek. 

“Caradoc is done. You don’t need to worry, I consider myself quite a patient person, who enjoys learning about the new things. But he just said…the wrong things, about things I already know.” She said with a light laugh.

“What do they know about tradition? Their fashion sense tells me that much.” She awkwardly fixed her jean jacket, another fashion recyclable that her brother had bestowed upon her. She fidgeted with the hems, laughter filling the room at Lily’s comments. “How boring.” 

“Is that right? How do I know you won’t forget that promise when you’re up to your elbows in books?” 

She grinned at the picture she painted- although Lily was studious she didn’t do it in a way that most people would- she simply enjoyed and thirsted for knowledge. This pretty much meant that the girl fostered a stronger love of learning, something that much to Marlene’s disappointment, did not flow so easily for her. 

siriusly-hilarious​:

“I love spending any time with you, it would just be the same as that, just more of the time. Not sure if the rest of the world could handle it though.” He said, giving him a large puppy dog grin. It would follow her to the end of the Earth if he asked it, required that his other friends could come along. “Wait, how did she manage that?” he asked, knowing who he had to spend his time with. He didn’t not like Ted, he did, in fact that made it worse because he felt guilty about being so upset about the fact. 

“Not many things scare the living shit out of me, but him sneaking into the bathroom behind me is one of them.” He said, knowing the kid had been a toddler when it happened. 

“But is she stressed, or are you telling me all those calming crystals and chants are for nought?” 

“That’s very true. I don’t think many people can stand our company for too long. It’d be like a slow-motion explosion.” Her eyes watched his expressions thoughtfully. They’d had many, many years of friendship between them and although it wasn’t the same as what Sirius had with James or what Marlene had with Lily, she still liked to believe she could determine the nuances of his expressions. Marlene knew that Sirius wasn’t so vocal in how he felt- Marlene couldn’t say she was the same on face value. The more difficult emotions on the other hand? She liked to keep those locked away if she could. “It’s because she’s more brilliant than all of us put together.”

Her heart grew with pride at the thought. For a moment she thought about Lily, hoped that she felt the love that her friends had for her. Sometimes these things were easy to overlook and remained unspoken of for years. 

flyingstag​:

He was glad she missed the fact he did it up in a muggle fashion. “Right! Yes. Of course, so embarrassing you saw me do this.” he paved over in a hurry, ruffling the messy do. “Yes. Great. Shall we then?” He was in a rush to get down to the Great Hall, needing some of that crazy hefty feast after a long training session. “Nicely done, cousin.” he grinned, his own gait lumbering due to his height. Shoulders swaying in a charismatic swagger he was not aware of. “News? On what, exactly?” he played coy, not knowing if she was prying or not. Knowing he’d been keeping any ideas of Lily Evans out of his head. Not wanting to fall down that rabbit hole again. “Do you have some news you haven’t told me about. Sirius and you finally tying the knot?” he asked with a smirk.

Marlene had to double down on his footsteps to catch him up to them. Perhaps it was the way she carried herself- but Marlene had always been a lot of personality in a small package. She trotted after James, an impatient sigh almost leaving her lips. She dared not to act this way around other people, but James was like a brother to her and she didn’t want to change it any other way.

“I mean, not that it’s a big deal to you now.” Her eyes watched cautiously. No matter how rambunctious Marlene was, she did not want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Sometimes she felt like a bull in a china shop. She didn’t want to trample over anyone because of the way she was. She hesitated for a moment. “-and I’m... y’know. Proud of you for... growing above your thing for Lily.”

Her best friend had even had nice things to say, which was odd enough in itself. Marlene found herself glossing over James’ comment about Sirius. Unsurprisingly, such conversation flustered the girl- this was made more evident by the scarlet flush on her cheeks.

siriusly-hilarious​:

“You know you could always join me, become a waitress? spend all our time together?” He said, knowing he would love it but the patrons would not. He was not sure that Marlene would be all that good at hearing criticisms or people being picky about their meals. He could see it now, something not being saucy enough so Marlene dumping the entire bottle over their food. “What a concept.” He said with a large smirk. 

“With your brother as a seeker, I hate to say he would take after James but the way he moves around without a sound. Turning up and just staring over at you like he’d been there the entire time.” He said, getting a smirk, knowing that her family was something he had always been slightly jealous of. 

“I know, but-” he said, not wanting to admit that he didn’t think he deserved it. “I do far too much for her to get invested in. It would stress her out far too much.” He said, moving to lightly slap near her with the towel that stayed over his belt. 

“Would you really like that? I don’t think you’ve ever had the pleasure of spending all of your time with me. Lily did for a while- and look at her, dorm on her own and everything.” Marlene knew that none of it correlated, but the joke in itself seemed harmless enough. She knew within herself that she wouldn’t have had the patience for it at all. Pureblood or not, the McKinnon’s were of meagre means and Marlene had never acted otherwise. “...and a concept it will stay.”

Her laugh spiked the air as he spoke about her brother. It was true- Marlene had lovingly given Sebastian the nickname of ‘ghost’ and he’d always seemed to take it on. Sometimes she’d wondered if he’d just floated instead of taken any steps. 

“He has done that to ya a few times, huh?”

Her eyes softened at his words, head shaking defiantly as he said them. Marlene wanted to cut him off right there, but let him finish- not wanting to seem rude.

firelily-evans​:

“He would be lucky to be anything like you Marlene Mckinnon.” She said, a fondness in her tone to show she meant it. “Maybe not a Minister of Magic, but who wants to be that anyway.” She said. Lily Evan’s was always confused for being ambitious. The truth was she didn’t have any grand plans. She didn’t learn to try and get to the top. She just enjoyed learning, finding out everything about a subject, filling her mind with the magic she sometimes felt was a miracle.

Lily walked over and sat next to the girl, moving to face her as she took the bottle and took a good swig from it. “I didn’t say that you’re not allowed here, you’re always welcome. You just need to know that you may not always have my attention.” She said but before she could object. “When you do you will have all of it.” She said, moving to kiss the girls cheek. 

“Is that so?” Truth be told, Marlene enjoyed giving herself the image of being confident- sometimes it was so ingrained in the girl that she didn’t believe she was anything but. Moments on her own though tended to make one question, and if anything it probably answered all the questions about the girl needing some company. “It would be a boring job, huh?”

Marlene’s smile grew contagiously on her face as the girl sat closer. She was playful in her pouting as Lily mentioned not being able to give her the brunt of the attention all of the time. 

“But I’m so important.” Marlene smiled, although she understood the case. She was one of four, and with younger children Marlene was happy settling into the cracks of her family foundation. It, of course, meant not a lot of time focused on her- but usually that was what she preferred. “I’m just kidding... you know I’m okay with that. Caradoc Dearborn on the other hand...”

flyingstag​:

“I can’t help it!” he called back with a laugh. Though it was quite obvious James wasn’t interested. There was always only a specific redhead on his mind. Nobody came close compared to Lily Evans. He was drying his hair with his wand, glancing left and right down the empty corridor after leaving the changing area. Waving the mahogany wand over his mopped hair, curling it into a poofy pompadour. Not seeing Marlene until it was too late. He nearly leapt from his skin when he realized she’d seen him do it. “Merlin’s balls!” “Madam… Poof.” he tried, then gave up, it was a tragic nickname. Making sure his shirt underneath his crimson varsity jacket was untucked. Messy and aloof was the newer style in the muggle world (a few years ago), he was trying to match it to catch Lily’s eye.

“Ooh, so chic-” She only teased for a moment. Marlene knew that no matter her effort her hair was far more difficult to control. She once had even considered a sticking potion to ensure her baby hairs wouldn’t be lifting up once more. “Oh come on- it’s no surprise to me that you take that long to do your hair- I’ve seen you as a child, dear cousin. I know that doesn’t come naturally. 

firelily-evans​:

She heard about the new roommate and took a deep breath in. She knew that Marlene didn’t care for the French. Lily believed it was because they had a sense of entitlement, mixed with a their self assuredness and confidence in who they were. “Their own arse isn’t a hat? I hope they know that, it is a pity to see someone sit on their hat.” She said, watching the pacing around her new room, knowing Marlene wasn’t settled enough to take any of it in. 

She moved to take the wine, opening it and taking a drink directly from the bottle before handing it back. “It was a gift-” she said, she had already set it up to be distinctly her, no remnants of Petunia, indulging in the opportunity she was given to show off what she had repressed over the holidays. “It was a gift for being Valedictorian.” She said, though the Purebloods had petitioned to have her removed, not believing a muggle-born should hold such a title. 

“Well you know- arsehats.” She laughed at the words, moving to sit on Lily’s bed as she glanced up towards the girl. “And anyway- the issue is the way she was. You know I can’t stand people like that- I’m sorry I don’t talk like the Minister of Magic- not that it’s something to prosper to be.”

siriusly-hilarious​:

He moved to take a drink, downing the beer, sliding it back towards her. “Clearly.” he teased. “It’s not like I’ve ever had any problems with authority figures, I always follow the rules provided and I definitely respect why they are there.” He said, trying to keep a straight face before cracking a smirk. 

“It’s a pain that reminds me I’m alive.” He said, leaning closer to her, making sure to really listen, despite being at his job he still believed someone like her required his undivided attention. 

“I can see that, little Mills with a beaters bat, ready to unleash her wrath and quips to anyone that dares to get near the goals.” He said, though when he imagined it, Mills was about the same size as Marlene on the broom. 

“She did?” He said, the invitations always surprising him, whether from James or her. 

“Oh yes- if we ever wanted to break the rules, we knew not to come to you.” Her fingers drummed against the bannister once more, leg jingling slightly as she gave him a soft smile. “I’m happy for you- really, Sirius. It’s nice that you have a job- something to do every day. More purpose than the rest of us, at least.” She’d nudged him a little, hand moving up to tap his cheek playfully. “And imagine- for the first time people will actually be pleased to see you.”

The thought of her little sister as a beater had brought a sense of unbridled joy inside of the blonde. She clapped her hands together, sitting up slightly as she did so. 

flyingstag​:

He cackled for a full minute when he heard her say that. Most of the younger kids glancing up confused by the noise, others terrified. James waved as he passed over, leaning his hand down for upside down high fives.  “Wish you were a buried treasure, that way I wouldn’t have to hear your head swell from the praise.”

“Is that why I have so few?” he made a face at her, still children whenever they interacted. She was the closest thing he’d have to a sister. He shook his head, rolling off to dismount his broom. Entering the locker room which they had coined the “broom closet”. “They’d end up splattered. Best stick to hurling bludgers at them.” he smirked back to her, undoing his gear, preparing to enter the boy’s end. “I know you and Sirius love breaking in the newbies.” “Ah, then I cannot decline, I shant, I shant! Make haste, we shall have delicious warm milk with cho-co-lates!” James grinned, tugging the wrinkled striped rugby shirt over his head, much to the enjoyment of passing Seventh years. “See you on the other side, Marls.”

Her laugh echoed through the corridors as she walked alongside James, broom tucked under her arm. They’d been closer in age that herself and Jason- and although this wasn’t a pleasant thing to say, James had always been far more of a sibling to Marlene than the oldest McKinnon sibling. 

Marlene’s eyes rolled slightly as she heard the gaggle of girls giggling.

“Show off!”

She’d walked quickly into the broom closet, the girls following and whispering behind her. She was glad that James would not be able to hear- she was afraid of how much bigger his head could expand.

A few moments later she was back out, blonde hair slightly dripping but beginning to curl and wave in the parts where they were dry. Marlene’s fingers ran over her woollen jumper- it was slightly oversized, mended by a shrinking spell that her mother had placed when Jason announced he didn’t want it anymore.

teddtonks​:

“I mean don’t worry I won’t say anything. And yeah, uh, I’m kinda set on this. Not hopping around or anything.”

He cleared his throat hoping that his thoughts would do the same. Yet even with his mind miles behind his tongue, he couldn’t help but notice her smallest movements and how her foot pushed against the soil soft with rain from the early morning, and how he thought of the fantastic beasts that would in the later-day-nearing-evening themselves emerge from the treeline with hooves pushing into the soil soft. How uncertain they’d be, he thought, looking at the small movements of her foot.

It was easy to forget that purebloods were still themselves human. They–James, Sirius, Remus, Marlene–seemed to carry a confidence Ted himself only rarely felt. The world about them, full of wonders and majesty, was their birthright and he was but a stranger in their wondrous land. Even if his mind could not fully grasp these minor realizations, he felt himself ease and calm if only slightly, feeling that despite their differences he was now in similar company.

“I don’t know. I feel like, or at least as my da’ would put it, that people able to say you’re wasting time seem to have time enough to waste themselves. Don’t know that a hypocrites’ advice is worth listening to. I mean if you’re happy and aren’t hurting anyone I think that’s all that matters.”

There was minor pause as he was unsure where else to go.

“Were you happy?,” he asked, full up on confusion as to how he came to ask something so broad and mundanely philosophical.

“That’s really good, Ted- at least there’s someone here with their head on fairly straight.” If Ted’s head was on straight, Marlene was sure hers was erratically spinning. It was a frustration for the girl that she could not make decisions and stick with them- what seemed vivacious and lively often took a toll on her when she was alone. “I, on the other hand, am doing quite a bit of hopping around. Although I have always been fascinated with this stuff... and have little siblings to take care of- which in my head I like to think is experience.” 

A small smile circled her features as she stood quietly for a moment. She could hear the rustle of leaves clearly from where she stood, could hear the soft crackle of the twigs as creatures who did not want to be seen roamed. Her feet moved to the small mounds of dirt she’d created, slowly pushing and smoothing them back to the holes. Her distractible nature probably didn’t make her the best of company. 

“That’s true. I mean, imagine if I was out there practicing as a Mediwitch and wanting nothing to do with it.” Not that she could- but Marlene was always sure that when she achieved what she really wanted to do her motivation and passion would remain endless. “My last goal would be to hurt anyone.”

A small smile met her lips once more.

siriusly-hilarious​:

“It’s all in the fourplay. A little flirting, a few compliments, a few winks here and there.” He said with a shrug as he made himself a drink, about to take a sip when the owner tsked at him and pointed towards the room. Two clear words behind it ‘Dry Bar’. Sirius sighed and moved to slide it over to Marlene. “It was for the lady- she’s practically parched.” He said, even though there was only one sip gone. 

He pretended to be melting at the small flicks before laughing, his day becoming significantly less boring. 

“No, you’re not! you’re much more than just that.” He teased playfully, moving to deliver a drink to another customer. “It is enough of a reward yes.” he said, flashing her one of his famous smiles. One that captivated so many, it used to be so rare.

“How was the holidays, how is the hoard of Mckinnons?” 

“Ah, so some seduction to hit the budget... you must be the employee of the month.” She grinned as she pretended to take a sip before passing it back to him as the owner looked away. “Oh yes- got a tickle in my throat and needed some refreshments.” 

Her smile grew slightly. Sirius had a talent for making her feel much more valuable than she was. She knew that she wasn’t ever that person. Sure, she had charisma, but a person need only to have a slightly inflated ego to have that. She’d sat up a bit more, surprised that she hadn’t caught her cousin there. She made a mental note to check up on him.

“That’s right- I’m also a huge pain in the arse.” 

Warmth filled her features when he asked about her family. It always brought her soaring pride when she had the opportunity to speak about them.

firelily-evans​:

Lily knew better than to try and intercept when it came to Marls anger. She used to try but as soon as Marlene accidentally got her caught in the cross fire she would become mad at herself for unintentionally, maybe, even the slightest bit hurting her friend. It was the fierce loyalty. So instead she did what she always had, let her rage it out in a safe space. 

“Uh, but dragon dung in pungent and would get through any of my smell spell protection charms.” she said, allowing Marls to think of other ideas until she exhausted herself and decided the person wasn’t even worth it. If it played on Marls mind it was most likely she would go to Sirius to play out her mastermind schemes. 

Lily moved so that Marls could have a path straight to the girls bed if she needed it. 

“Did I hear something about wine?” she said, trying to further distract her away from her anger, or at least so Lily could have something to help get her through it. 

“Then you can stay at my dorm, and swap rooms with that Beauxbatons girl.” She’d taken a deep breath out and for a moment almost looked like she was ready to settle into her calm. “I mean- do people not know what it means to be polite? Is talking out of one’s arse the new trend?” Her green eyes rolled slightly as she paced, lightly chewing on her inner cheek as she did so. “It’s like- your arse isn’t a hat.”

She almost forgot about the bottle of wine which she cradles in her arms. She extended it towards her friend, a sigh leaving her lips once more.

siriusly-hilarious​:

“That’s at least fifty.” he said, winking and trying to stay serious but quickly bursting into laughter. “You say that like you don’t enjoy it.” He said, moving backwards, hearing someone else calling out for a drink. He moved to do his job before returning back to her. 

“Would you rather me say that you can find a way to pay for it in another way?” He said, always cheeky, always flirting with her. He couldn’t help it. He was like this with most people but there was always a draw to Marlene Mckinnon. 

“I do enjoy it.” She’d grinned as her fingers traced over the wooden grooves of the bar. She found her nails digging it slightly, tracing the patterns and areas where someone slammed their keys too hard, or (presumptiously) fights had begun. “50?! How do you convince them to do that?”

She’d sighed, her fingers picking up some of the condensation that she was beginning to form around her drink before flicking it at him.

firelily-evans​:

The door opened, it was not Lily behind it but instead a shrew looking Ravenclaw, one that Marlene had always found to be rather snooty and didn’t care for. Mainly because the girl had always looked down upon others for not thinking that academic pursuits was the only way to gain self worth or be at all successful. “Lily is not here, she will never be here, so please refrain from ever knocking on this door in such a manner.” she said, with a bitterness to it.

Lily had been sitting on her bed, hearing a commotion coming from outside. She opened her own door, sticking her head out. “Marlene?” She called out, giving her something to follow. She heard the girl scoff loudly at the two and slam her own door. She didn’t like Lily either. In the same way she hate Marlene for not being academic, she hated Lily for being better than her in most fields. 

“I-” Marlene started through gritted teeth. “Didn’t realise I stumbled upon the hall of wallops.” She was tempted to kick the door- but she assumed that getting in trouble for damaging property wouldn’t forebode well for her, especially before the first day of school had begun. “And anyway!” She called against the door- mouth almost pressed against it. “We wouldn’t want to be near such a stuck up git!”

Her anger flared. It wasn’t something new to Marlene. James always joked that she was so small she could only contain so much emotion- so it had always been extremes. Pure joy, pure sadness, pure anger.