#xmarlene

Caitriona had not been at the party terribly long, but she was already growing weary. There weren’t many people here that she actually wanted to talk to, and even fewer that she could. Even though they’d maintained a semi-public friendship while at Hogwarts, Marlene McKinnon probably wasn’t someone that Caitriona should be seen talking to, but at the moment she didn’t care. She at least trusted Marlene to conduct an engaging conversation, instead of sighing about the weather and other banal so-called pleasantries. Worse still, was the person who’d cornered her with deeply personal confessions bubbling from their lips, confessions she most certainly didn’t want to hear. At the very least Marlene was someone whose life Caitriona actually cared about.

Caitriona approached the blonde with a deliberately casual gait, almost as if she were merely walking in the general direction instead of toward Marlene herself, but she greeted the other woman with a smile. “Marlene. How are you enjoying the party?”

Alice’s natural habitat was one of mildly organized chaos. She liked having things out where she could see them, so she knew where they were and could find what she was looking for. It had taken a lot of practice when she arrived at Hogwarts for her to get used to sharing a room with other people and not having the family house elves to clean up after her. She’d slowly gotten used to containing her mess for the sake of her roommates and, through force of will, she'd maintained the practice since graduation. Unfortunately things had devolved since she stopped working regularly. These days, half-finished projects and partially started hobbies littered Alice’s cottage, which really wasn’t big enough for it.

A little clutter never bothered Alice, except when she had guests. She typically tried to tidy up before people came over, but sometimes people surprised her. Alice never objected to unexpected visitors, even though she had started being more careful about who she let into her home. As a rule, she trusted anyone who was in the Order and it helped if they were someone she knew personally. So when Marlene McKinnon appeared unexpectedly at Alice’s door one evening, Alice didn’t hesitate to invite the blonde in once she’d confirmed that Marlene was actually Marlene. “It’s been too long, do you want a drink?”

Send me a ♔ for a word that I think sums up our character’s relationship

Sean was at the Leaky again, he’d randomly dropped by here and there since the first night he’d caught Marlene working alone. He generally came by during slow hours just to pester her.

“Yer the expert, surprise me.” He, of course, was referring to alcohol - her specialty. And as usual, she poured him a fire whiskey, knowing it was his drink of choice even when he nagged her to give him something else.

“One fire whiskey.”

“I’m shocked.”

She made a face at him and threw back the drink herself, giving him a cute little shrug and grin afterward.

“Oi!” The Irishman protested, an expression of mock offense on his face as she stole his drink then paraded down the bar to pretend to be busy with something else. “That’s no fair.” He pouted.

“What? You said to surprise you, I think that qualifies.” Marlene laughed a little at the expression on his face, proceeding to do a bit of inventory. “Besides, you never drink anything else.”

“That’s only partly true. I never ask for anythin’ else, love. I do drink pints though.”

“So predictable.” She rolled her eyes at him. “Let me guess, stouts?”

“Or pretty blondes,” he teased with a smug, toothy grin.

“Oh shut up, Sean!” She was trying to act offended but couldn’t help the little giggle that fell from her lips as she took the towel draped over her shoulder and hurled it at his face.

“Come over here and make me.” He wiggled his eyebrows at her, chuckling as she threw the towel at him that she’d been using to wipe down the bar.

“You’d like that wouldn’t you?”

“Depends on yer method.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“An’ yet, ye tolerate me.”

“You’re right, we’re done here.”

“That hurts, Marlene.”

“Not as much as it will if push you off that stool.”

“Can I at least get me fire whiskey first? Soften the blow?”

“Go home, Sean.”

“Come over here and-” He didn’t get the line out again as she playfully leaned over the bar and smacked his chest.

“Go, you’re cut off.”

He exhaled deeply, “Fine. I won’t forget this though. I’m goinna write a formal complaint.”

“Give it to the next blonde barmaid you see,” she rolled her eyes, still smirking slightly as he made his way toward the door.

“Shall I wait in the alleyway again then?”

marleneadairamckinnon

Well this was an unfortunate turn of events. Sean cursed himself for having not been more careful. But then, what the hell was Marlene doing there seeking him out? This was not part of the plan. There was fresh blood on his hands and no amount of words could get him out of what Marlene McKinnon had just witnessed. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, almost nonchalant, the red gleaming from the moonlight as well as off his wand which he gripped tightly.

“Sorry, love. Looks like plans ‘ave changed.” As if she was supposed to know what that meant. Without warning he threw a stunning spell her way, shocked and unprepared by the murder she’d just witnessed. She went down easy. Sean was not happy. This would certainly make his future endeavor and efforts that much more difficult. With a sigh, he got to work cleaning up the mess he’d made.

When Marlene would awaken, she’d find herself exactly where Juliette had before she really died. Strapped to a chair and made vulnerable in a dark and cold concrete structure. And as bittersweet as this would be, Sean Travers would still enjoy himself. Marlene was going to die either way. But he had a bigger plan for it. 

Sean had been smiling to himself as he had left Marlene and the pub the previous evening. That lingering kiss goodnight that she’d given him had struck him and made it all the more difficult for him to leave. But her playful push sent him on his way with that goofy grin on his face. The feel of her stayed with him, a ghost on his lips and tongue and fingertips. Haunting him through the night.

He’d thought about her all day while he worked, distracted by his thoughts and anticipation for the evening to come. He wasn’t sure what to expect of it, aside from more sex most likely. Would they try to get to know each other? Should he make something? He didn’t have all that much, having neglected to restock his cabinets recently. Although, he did have alcohol. He always had alcohol.

He’d managed to finish just a bit early, giving him some more time to prepare for her arrival. He ran into Hogsmeade to pick up some things, uncertain. Wait, was this a date? What on earth was he doing? He’d talked about fucking her again and that brought them to this, nothing more.

At home, he was anxious regardless of what he told himself. She’d be there soon. There was one thing though that never really ceased to calm him. And so he found himself beside a large tree apart from the rest where he’d designated a lone stump nearby as his chopping block and picked up the axe wedged within the surface. He then grabbed from the pile of uncut logs and began swinging.

marleneadairamckinnon

Admittedly, Sean was rather surprised to find an owl with a message for him that wasn’t from a member of the Hogwarts staff or his other, unspoken brethren. He hadn’t even given her his last name, let alone any other telling information that he could recall. Ultimately, he was rather pleased she took the time to seek him out. He must have left an impression.

Her message had to do with dueling. He hadn’t done so regularly in some time, but he agreed to meet her on the grounds near to his place at the northern woods - plenty of distance from the school itself and a lot of open space as well as the woods themselves to trek. Different terrain was good for honing different skills of combat, both offensive and defensive. Sean learned long ago to use his surroundings to his advantage and it had worked quite well for him thus far.

And so, upon coming to an agreement, he awaited her arrival midday, inspecting his wand idly. He honestly didn’t utilize it much these days, generally tucked away on his person, so it almost felt foreign in his hands. The wand that chose him was of cedar wood with a dragon heartstring core, nine inches in length. He turned it over between his thumbs and forefingers, inspecting its intricacies. He’d missed dueling as he’d always been a pretty tough opponent. He’d just missed using his wand in general. 

missxmarlene

Restless. That was the best way Sean could describe the way he was feeling when he decided that he needed to get out. He wandered the grounds for some time, finding solace in the gloom of the gray skies threatening to open up and drown the world, dulling everything around him. He often walked the grounds, admiring the beauty and chaos that nature held. Travers seemed to live devoid of warmth and feeling. Like a perpetual cold had set within his bones. He’d done it to himself, and he seemingly thrived there. A shadow, a shell. A vessel for the darkness that lurked and churned within him.

It was all he knew.

After some time, he found himself traveling further from the grounds and eventually walking among the structures and bustle that most of the wizarding community convened in for various reasons - shopping, drinking, and more. The Leaky Cauldron was the first pub he’d come across and at that point, he was craving a buzz. Something familiar despite the atmosphere he didn’t really frequent. It wasn’t exactly the busiest time of the evening, which only enticed him more into entering the establishment and approaching the bar. He quickly took note of the fact that he appeared to be the only customer. Hm.