Chapter Text
“We are no other than a moving row
Of magic shadow-shapes that come and go…”
-Edward FitzGerald (1859)
May 19th, 1926
St. Augustine catholic academy for girls did not tolerate or expect
defiant, insubordinate attitudes from their girls. Nor did they expect the likes of Marlene McKinnon to arrive at the academy. Fully clad in all her rebellious glory. Chipped red painted nails, pink highlights in her wavy blonde bob, a permeant smirk and a quick wit she learned from one of her best friends Sirius Black.
McKinnon was one of those girls who did not fall prey to societies many institutions: religion, education (though she was rather intelligent), patriarchy, politics... It was easy to be such a way whilst attending Newman’s Grammar school, but even a school as phlegmatic as Newman’s could not keep up with the antics of Marlene McKinnon. She was what they described as a “delinquent” a “shameful disgrace of a woman” which was why she was now seated in the backseat of a Duesy on her way to St.Augustines. Prewett, her father’s butler, was currently in the passenger seat lecturing her on expectations and how to behave and what to expect from this prestigious academy.
she was hardly listening, nor did she seek interest in Augustine’s dress codes, curfews and Latin prayers. Her mind was elsewhere. As she picked at her painted nails (a goodbye gesture from Sirius) she wistfully leaned out the window and re-played her friends conversation from the night before.
The previous night....
Newman’s Grammar School
“I do not understand why you must leave! Its.... It's...complete baloney!” James Potter threw himself across the dorm floor with a deep frown on his usually ever-smiling face.
“Oh, do dry up James..it..well I... simply brought this upon myself, did I not?” Marlene shrugged from her spot beside Peter, who was curled beside her sipping from his hipflask. “Besides, I shall only reside at this new academy for so long, before you all break me out after my first lonesome night! You will break me out, yes?” Marlene turned hopefully at Lupin, who was brooding on the chair until now, chirped up from his book: The Great Gatsby>
“Oh yes, splendid idea. We all most certainly desire attempt a break-in, kidnap, do not forget trespassing, all to free you from this so-called ‘hell-hole of a school, Marls, should you not think that you are being slightly dramatic and-” Remus’ sarcastic remarks were cut short by a sharp jab to the side from Sirius Black, who was unusually silent from his spot on his Wassily chair fidgeting with a box of luck strikes. Remus shoved Sirius back teasingly, “How charming Black, shall I fetch a cane so we may settle this properly?”
Marlene smiled fondly at this; she was surely going to miss the playful banter between her dearest childhood friends. However, Sirius had still ceased to make a single snide remark or witty comment all evening. Was he to remain such a state all night? Surely not, after all, Marlene was to leave before dawn...
“Black? Black?!” he does not answer, so Marlene simply plucks the cigarette box from his hands. “If you intend to smoke yourself into melancholy, at least do it after I have left.”
“Give that back here, McKinnon, i was contemplating something” Sirius muttered, avoiding eye contact. James rolls onto his side and props his arms up on his elbow. Eyeing his friend closely,
“The great son of Orion Black contemplating? How frightful!” he teases, Marlene smiles, grateful for the return of Potter’s playful antics.
“Yes, I was in fact contemplating the decline of civilisation. It began, I believe, when you opened your mouth” Sirius playfully kicked James in the shin from his spot on the chair.
“Oh! Do stop! You’ve been spending far too much time with Lupin. That infernal, sarcastic tone of his is beginning to infect you, Black.” Peter commented, snatching a cigarette from Marlene's Boston bag. She merely swatted his hand away.
It was true, Black and Lupin had grown almost inseparable, a fact not unnoticed by the rest of them. But was that not what close friendship did to you? brought you closer? James Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew and Remus Lupin were a family, and Marlene’s chosen family. She did not need nor desire anyone else. This was all she wanted. And if she were to meet her end amongst their laughter and quarrels, she was certain she would die a happy woman.
***
That evening, the five of them had danced, wildly and shamelessly to the brassy swell of Louis Armstrong blaring from the gramophone in the boy's dorm room.
Marlene took another measured sip of whisky from James’s hip flask and cast a thoughtful glance toward the machine, now humming ‘Cheek to cheek’ calmly.
"And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak"
And I seem to find the happiness I seek..…”
“Good Lord,” she murmured at last, a faint smile tugging at her mouth. “I shall miss that dreadful contraption more than I care to admit.”
“Hear, hear,” James agreed, raising his glass somewhat unsteadily.
Peter gave a short laugh. “Potter, don’t tell me you mean to depart as well? Whatever should you miss about the wretched gramophone?”
“It understands me,” James declared with grave sincerity. “Far better than the rest of your lot.”
“Sentimental sod, you can’t mean that. ” Remus replied mildly.
Sirius, who had been leaning back in his chair with a cigarette between his teeth had just finished applying the moon manicure on Marlene’s nails. It was a talent, much to her delight, he recently began to embrace. Sirius watching the record spin in slow, lazy circles, let out a faint breath of laughter. The music had long since ended, yet the needle continued its quiet rotation, hissing softly in the silence.
Marlene rose at last and crossed the room. With deliberate care, she lifted the needle from the record. The faint hiss ceased. She turned back to them; hands tucked into the pockets of her skirt. “Well,” she said lightly, though her voice betrayed her. “Do try not to make too much of a mess whilst I’m gone.”
“Impossible,” Sirius muttered. Peter smiled at her in that earnest way of his. “You’ll write?”
“Of course I shall. You will too, I hope?” They all agreed with smiles and toasted to it. Sirius regarded her for a moment longer than the others
. “Do not allow them to make you smaller. You have a smart mind but an even smarter heart. Please do not let them indoctrinate you with their....” he struggled to find the correct wording. Neither of them had the best relationship with religion..., but not as much as Black and McKinnon. Both were bonded by their not-so-subtle sacrilegious mentalities. But they all seemed to understand, and neither sought it necessary to bring it up again.
***
James yawned first, stretching himself upon the rug before the hearth with theatrical exaggeration. “If this is to be our final evening of civilisation,” he muttered, “I refuse to spend it upright.”
“Spare us the dramatics,” Remus sighed, though he lowered himself to the floor as well, resting back against the sofa. Peter followed. Sirius remained where he was for a moment longer, watching the dying embers in the grate. Then, without comment, he slid down from his chair to sit cross-legged beside the gramophone.
Marlene laughed softly and joined them, settling onto the worn carpet between James and Sirius. The whisky flask lay forgotten by her elbow. Someone nudged it aside with a shoe.
“You’re frightfully sentimental tonight,” Peter mumbled.
“Am not,” James replied, already half-asleep.
“Do you suppose,” Marlene murmured into the quiet, “that it will feel very different? With new girls to keep me company, should you think I might make new friends?”
No one answered at once. Then Remus, voice low and steady:
“Only a fool would refuse your friendship, McKinnon.” That seemed to spark a unanimous agreement.
Peter curled beside her once again with his dusty blonde hair and flat cap, Sirius with his soft raven locks, Remus in his cosy sweaters and James, ever the heartthrob, all curled together for one last night.
Her family.