Chapter Text
Marlene McKinnon:
Marlene McKinnon was not placed into Gryffindor because she was bound to awe the world with her outstanding acts of bravery, but because she never backed out of a good challenge. Often this led to foolhardy behavior and the unfortunate consequences that followed. Her unwavering bravery led to one major trait about her: Marlene McKinnon would never turn down a dare.
The summer was in its drunkest state: late August. It was the time of year that Marlene always loved. It was sweltering hot, which meant swimming, cool mornings filled with flying, and getting to wear a scandalous amount of clothing (much to her mum's dismay).
She found herself flying on her broom every morning she could, and sometimes on cold afternoons like this one. She flew around more lazily, more to get away
than to practice. The days of summer break were coming to an end, which meant Hogwarts would be her home for the next 10 months of her life. It was her home with it's stone walls and warm common room. Her excitement was magnified when she thought of the quidditch field. She always loved flying, but the feeling of being in the air during a game was much more exhilarating. The constant strategizing and the competitive feeling in the air made it so much more worthwhile. She had practiced extra hard and poured her heart into quidditch, but she decided she would go above and beyond this year. Hopefully she could convince James or Sirius to practice extra hours outside of the bi-weekly quidditch practice. This year she wanted to be more than a chaser. It was her second to last year at Hogwarts. She wanted to be the next James Potter. Hell, she wanted to be Marlene McKinnon: Hogwarts quidditch legend.
She also couldn't wait to see Mary and Lily. They were the best kind of friends. The ones you could miss after being away from them for the span of 10 minutes. They had written her a few letters over the summer and they'd got together for sleep overs once or twice. She couldn't wait for Lily to complain about Petunia's awful sense in...well just about everything; clothes, decor, men.
And she knew Mary would have any and all gossip to share about her and every other person's life that had happened over the summer holiday. She loved it. She found herself begin to count down the days to Hogwarts more and more as she remembered everything she loved about it; Her friends, quidditch, the food, and even her damn classes sometimes.
Marlene leaned back onto her broom, a dangerous move, but nonetheless relaxing. She wanted to mindlessly enjoy her time away from her family. Not that they were so bad, but with 5 younger siblings her house and head were always full of noise. But soon, she would be headed to Hogwarts, away from this maddening chaos to a whole new kind of marauder level chaos.
"Marlene!" She was ripped away from her thoughts by her mother's voice. "Marlene, where in the world are you?" Sighing, she got back properly on her broom and made her way to the back porch of her home just as her mother yelled her name once more. "MARLENE!"
"Oh my hell, mum. I'm right here. Calm your-"
"Mind your language. Talk to me like I'm your mother, not your school friend." She let her eyes roll before she could stop them. Luckily, her mother didn't see that part. Her mother, Melissa McKinnon, was a good mum. She took care of her, and listened to her problems. Yet, she was an uptight woman. She minded her manners closely, made sure her children did too, and lived the life of a good housewife. She was a muggle, and she had no other plan, but to become a wife and mother. It probably had never crossed her mind that she might marry a wizard before she did. Marlene knew she never wanted to live the housewife life. She wanted to be an auror. She wanted to be one of the best aurors to ever exist. Although, it was unlikely her mother would ever know of this plan until it was in action. Her mother had a very different idea for her future, much like the plan she had for her life.
She followed her mum into the house. The house was not Marlene's style. Pastel wallpapers, ugly green couches, the smell of her mother's overly sweet perfume, glass grape and animal figurine decor, and the fucking pink kitchen. Pink! What color could be worse for a kitchen to be? Yet, it was and had always been her home. She had always been treated well and taken care of, and there was a sense of belonging there. Among the chaos of 6 children of course.
Marlene heard them all loudly fighting at the dining room table, and she smelled all the familiar smells of a Sunday dinner. She felt better at the prospect of food, and swooped down to her chair. Next to her, Charlie, her two year old brother, was already messily helping himself to a pile of mash potatoes.
"Let's say grace." Her mother said. Marlene groaned, and her mother gave her an unapproving look. She didn't understand this. Her mother knew about wizards. She knew her husband and children were all wizards. So, how did she still possibly believe in a God? And more importantly, why did she make her family say grace and attend the most boring church meets on the face of the planet? Nonetheless, Marlene grabbed Lucy's and her father's hand as Thomas said grace. She watched her mother's face looking as if praying made the world turn. Marlene wasn't sure what made the world turn, but she knew it sure as hell wasn't saying grace.
...
After dinner, she found herself scrubbing dishes. She never minded washing dishes. It always gave her space to think.
"By the way, your letter arrived today. " Her mom said from the doorway. Marlene turned around so quickly that she flung soapy water across the previously clean counter. Her letter... Her Hogwarts letter.
"When? Where is it ?" Her mother cackled at the urgent enthusiasm in her voice.
"It came when you were out on your broomstick. I set it on the coffee table. Thought I would tell you after dinner so you'd actually eat at the table."
She wiped her hands on a towel and ran to the sitting room. Her mother was again laughing at her enthusiasm. She saw it there on the coffee table. A brown paper envelope with the dark red wax seal showing the Hogwarts crest. Marlene jumped over the sofa and plopped down on the cushion, earning a scoff from her mother. She ripped the letter open and pulled out the cream colored parchment.
Ms. Marlene McKinnon,
This is a list of the classes you will be required to attend in your sixth year at Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry, as well as a list of all supplies you must have. All items should be easily accessible for purchase at diagon alley.
Marlene scanned quickly through the lists and found herself at the last paragraph of the letter.
We are glad to congratulate and inform you of your new place as assistant quidditch captain to Mr. Frank Longbottom. He chose you to help lead the Gryffindor quidditch team to victory. You were chosen because of your great quidditch skill, determination, and fearlessness. Congratulations once more.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"Holy shit!"
"Mind your language, Marlene. Well, what is it then?" Her mother asked curiously.
"Mum, I've made it! I'm assistant quidditch captain! Frank chose me! He didn't choose James! Holy-"
"Congratulations! I'm so proud of you." Her mother embraced her with a tight squeeze.
"Thanks mum! Where's Dad? I need to tell him!" Her mum smiled at her.
"He's in his study. Go tell him about your good news, then it's off to bed. Thank you for washing dishes. I love you."
"Goodnight." She never said "I love you too" back to anyone. It made her feel strange. Too vulnerable. Too repeated. Her mum would watch muggle shows where every character told everyone else that they loved them every other line. Marlene could only think of it as sappy.
She ran up the stairs. Adrenaline filled her veins. She hadn't expected this in the least. She expected James to be picked! Everyone knew he would probably end up as quidditch captain when Frank left Hogwarts. He was a fantastic quidditch player after all. Practically a prodigy. But, no. Marlene was assistant quidditch captain. This was her moment. Even if she wasn't quidditch captain next year, she had her moment this year to shine. She was determined now more than ever to become the quidditch star she so wanted to be.
Marlene had always felt close to her father. They were sort of twin flames. They always talked about quidditch together and created too much mischief for her mum to handle.
She burst into the study. Her father looked up immediately. He had some wrinkles growing in his slim face, but Marlene thought he had the kindest soul she had ever seen.
"DAD!" Marlene exclaimed.
"Yes?"
"I got my letter and guess what?! I'm the assistant quidditch captain! I did it! I'm at the top!" She saw him laugh .
"Congratulations! Who knows, next year you could be quidditch captain! You'd lead the best damn team Hogwarts has ever seen. Next, it'll be the big leagues!" He stood up and wrapped her in a hug.
"Well, I don't know about that, but I am so happy that I have it this year. It's gonna be my year dad."
"I'm proud of you. How bout you head on up to bed and tomorrow I'll take you to diagon alley for everything you need?"
"Sounds great dad. Goodnight."
"Goodnight ladybug. I love you."
There it was again. She knew she should tell her parents that she loved them too because she did. Something about the words made her feel too open. Like somebody could look inside of her and see her bones and organs. See her too well. She rarely said it back.
She lay in bed that night thinking about this big chance she had. Maybe this would be the beginning of her quidditch career. Maybe she really would be quidditch captain next year. Maybe she would help Frank lead the best team Gryffindor has ever had, and next year she would lead them to winning the whole damn thing! But, she didn't want to get her hopes up. She didn't want to jinx anything about her sixth year at Hogwarts. Her year.
...
Dorcas Meadowes:
Ollivander's wand shop was the perfect summer hideout for Dorcas. Having a job meant many things for her. First, she was making a hell of a lot of money to spend at Hogsmeade, and to save up. Second, she was an apprentice to the Ollivander who was teaching her loads about wands and wand-making. Third, she didn't have to be at home.Dorcas rather enjoyed working. Maybe she didn't enjoy organizing shelves, but she loved having something to do and learning about an area of magic that had always interested her. She could also say that she thoroughly enjoyed working with Ollivander and her strange coworker Sybil, who at least claimed to be a seer who was also working to master the art of divination.
Today was bound to be an especially busy day at the shop. Hogwarts letters arrived yesterday. Many first years would be filing into the shop to purchase their wands. Although Dorcas was not a fan of younger children, she did enjoy seeing the excitement on their faces at the prospect of finally having their own wand. She also enjoyed seeing new muggle born wizards looking around in complete awe at everything they saw in diagon alley. However, she did not enjoy seeing many other students that were close to her in age. If Pandora, Reg, Barty, or Evan stopped by she wouldn't mind. But if it was a rambunctious marauder or one of Mulciber's crew, she would not feel so fortunate.
"Meadowes, I would like you to reorganize the unicorn hair core shelf. Put all the older wands to the right side and we'll put the new wands to the left. We want them all to have their chances today after all. Trelawny, I want you to do the same with the dragon heartstring shelves. I know it's not very exciting work, but today is always the busiest day of the year. This must be done, and tomorrow we can get back to the fine art of wand-making." Dorcas smiled at him. She admired him greatly. He was probably the individual that she looked up to the most.
"On it. Everything will be great today "
…
The day was just as incredibly busy as they had all suspected. Dorcas and Sybil pointed all first years in the direction of Ollivander. They deserved the same magical experience that Dorcas had received when she had been to the shop for the first time. Her wand was beech wood with a dragon heartstring core which had always served her well. She was sure she had the same look of wonder in her eyes that all the first years had today when she received it.
Her and Sybil helped 2nd-7th years and adults who had misplaced old wands or mistakenly had sat on them. Dorcas helped an old woman who had explained that she had tried to 'accio' her wand using her wand, but still wasn't sure where she had left it. She thought it was something she had seen Barty do before.
Pandora stopped in at one point to say hello and bring Dorcas a cup of Butterbeer flavored ice cream from Florean Fortescue's.
"How's the apprenticeship going? I take it well?" Pandora inquired.
"Yes actually. Last year, I was not so sure. He had me doing what I thought was pointless. But, I'm learning now..about wand-making and such. I actually think I know what I want to do after Hogwarts." Dorcas heard a small crash from behind. She saw the stack of Unicorn hair core wands that she had worked to organize fall a bit, and one yellow box flying towards a first year.
Ollivander laughed. "Well, let's have a go at this one. I definitely think it is called to you " The young girl who now held the wand looked a little afraid and mesmerized. Dorcas snorted.
"I've been enjoying it."
"Well that's good news. But, now I owe Reg a few galleons. I thought it wouldn't be for you. He thought you would excel."
"Wow Pan! Betting against me."
"Always. Anyway, who's that?"
"Oh! Sybil, come meet my friend." Sybil looked up through her mess of curls and sauntered over. She stuck out her hand in a very stiff manner. Pandora shook it.
"Hello! I'm Sybil Trelawny."
"I'm Pandora. Trelawny, did you say? Are you related to the fabulous seer?" Dorcas could tell she lost all of Pandora's interest now.
"Yes, Cassandra is my great great grandmother. I'm somewhat of a seer myself, matter of fact. I'm working on studying divination. Are you interested in the fine art of divination as well?"
"Well, I'm mostly studying healing, but I find divination fascinating."
"Oh jolly! Would you ever fancy studying tea leaves together? I've become quite adept at the skill myself." Dorcas wasn't sure if she had ever seen Sybil so excited. She was usually quite mysterious and odd, but Dorcas liked to see this side of her too. Maybe she should talk to her about more than just wand-making.
…
The morning hours passed, and then heavy traffic in Diagon Alley had slowed a bit. It was around three o'clock, and Dorcas could feel the exhaustion creeping into her eyes. Sybil had stepped out back for a break. Dorcas was sure she was smoking some sort of homemade cigarette that had who knows what kind of drug in it.
Dorcas debated taking a break when Sybil got back, and going to purchase the items she would need for 6th year. But, she might as well wait until the early busy traffic left and before the last minute shoppers came urgently to get their supplies. She had two weeks after all to get her items before she would head to Hogwarts.
Dorcas heard the bell on the door ring. Another customer. She looked over to see a young dirty blonde girl. She looked like a first year student. Behind her came a tall man with sandy brown hair, and a boy that resembled the man greatly. Behind him came someone who was very familiar. Marlene McKinnon. Fuck. Her hair was the same bleached blonde, but it was cut differently then the last time Dorcas had seen her. It was in a wolf style cut mixed with a mullet. She wore her usual dark eyeliner with no other makeup. Just her pale skin with brown freckles. Dorcas was sure that Marlene thought she looked supremely 'far out'.
Dorcas was pretty sure she hated Marlene. Quidditch had originally created this feeling. She was a brilliant chaser. Dorcas had to admit it. But, whenever Gryffindor played Slytherin, she swore that Marlene wasn't even trying to throw the quaffle into the goal, but rather right at the Slytherin keeper's face, who just so happened to be Dorcas. After a fist fight nearly ensued between the two of them on the field. Then, things progressed. Their names were always too close in alphabetical order when Gryffindor and Slytherin had classes together, and they always ended up having to do their projects together. It was practically torture with the fact that Marlene only cared about Quidditch and partying at Hogwarts instead of the actual school part. She frankly couldn't stand her snarky personality or how she thought she was so cool. Based on Regulus's description of his brother, she could understand why Marlene and Sirius got along so well.
Sybil welcomed them in and the tall man spoke.
"Hi there! Pearl here is going into her first year at Hogwarts and is in need of a wand."
"I see. We've seen a lot of new first years today. We can assure that you will find the finest of wands here at Ollivander's! Come! Follow me and Ollivander will find you the perfect wand young Pearl." Sybil said with a brilliant smile that she always showed the customers. Most of the family followed Sybil towards the back of the store where Mr. Ollivander was examining different wands. She heard the voices fading away, talking about the excitement of heading to Hogwarts for the first time.
Dorcas turned her head back to see Marlene still standing by the doorway, looking right at Dorcas. She couldn't tell if the look on the blonde girl's face was a smirk or a scowl.
"Meadowes."
"McKinnon." She smirked and strutted over to the front counter, letting her elbows hold her up.
"Almost didn't recognize you without any Slytherin crest on your clothes. I guess I was wrong about Slytherins having to show off their house everywhere they go."
"Ah. Well, I guess I was right about Gryffindors. You lot won't get to know anybody because you won't look past what bloody house they're in." Marlene smirked.
"So, you want to get to know me, Meadowes?" Dorcas could've punched her right then and there.
"Like hell I do. Why are you even talking to me right now?"
"Wow. What's up your ass? I was just being nice, but that would a foreign concept to you and your friend group."
"Oh shut up! It's not like you and your friends even pay attention to anyone, but yourselves."
"Oh really-"
"YES! Everything you do is for your benefit! You play pranks! You talk louder than anyone else! You all show off in quidditch!" Marlene smiled and leaned forward so her face was extremely close to Dorcas's.
"That's because we're fucking brilliant at quidditch." She leaned back with a smirk.
"You're a menace, McKinnon. Fuck off."
"Ms. Meadowes. I would invite you to speak more kindly to our customers." Dorcas turned to see Mr. Ollivander standing there with Marlene's family. Marlene smirked.
"Looks like I'll see you at school, Meadowes."
"Doubtful."
"Come on, Marlene. That's enough." The man who Dorcas assumed was Marlene's father said. She smirked and Dorcas scowled at her.
"Don't miss me too much.", She said. Right before her father ushered her out.
Marlene McKinnon drove her crazy.